Payson-The First 100 Years--Thomas E. Reece--18th Mayor

PAYSON–THE FIRST 100 YEARS
Part 20–Thomas E. Reece–Eighteenth Mayor
Payson Historical Society


Completion of Orem and Strawberry Irrigation Project

    “At the municipal election held in Nov. 1915,  Thomas E. Reece was elected as the Eighteenth Mayor of Payson taking his office in January of 1916. This year saw the completion of two great projects that had been under construction over a period of years. On the 26-27 of May 1916 a celebration was held in Payson commemorating the completion of the Strawberry Irrigation Project and the  Interurban Railroad (Orem). Those on the committee were Dr. A. L. Curtis, chairman, Henry Erlandson, Jas. Reed, J. R. Vance, J. A. Loveless, Melvin Wilson and G. A. Workman. These men were among those responsible for these projects.
    On Friday, May 26 the first Orem from Salt Lake to Payson carrying passengers arrived about 9:30 a.m. It was met by the band and townspeople. Mayor  Thomas E. Reece gave a speech of welcome. Responses were given by W. C. Orem and J. L. Lytle. At 10:00 a.m. the Golden Spike was driven by the Carnival Queen, Mrs. George Done and Miss Gladys Orem. A moving picture was taken of this event. The Orem continued until 1946.
    The Strawberry canal brought under irrigation ground from Spanish Fork to Goshen comprising about 6O,0OO acres of land.
    World War I began in 1914 when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia July 28. As the war progressed the U. S. was slowly drawn in. Germany's submarine sank merchantmen ships at sight. They would not provide for the safety of crew and passengers. Five ships flying the U. S. flag were torpedoed. On May 17, 1915 the English liner 'Lusitana' was sunk without warning. 1153 lives were lost including 113 American citizens. This aroused the American people.
    President Wilson still held out. In the middle of March, 1917, three American ships were deliberately and defiantly sunk by the German submarines. On April 6, congress "resolved-that the state of war between the United States and the Imperial German Government which has thus been thrust upon the United States is hereby formally declared."
    With the Declaration of War,  the National Red Cross was organized in each town. Mayor Reese lead out in this in Payson. Committees were appointed, the women knitted, rolled surgical dressings and made hospital garments to send to the armed forces.
    While the war was going on overseas, some new enterprises opened up in our community. An ice plant was built in the west part of town in 1917. The original stockholders were: Frank H. Taylor, James Taylor, H. H. Keener, A. M. Taylor, Thomas F. Tolhurst and Joseph D. Stark. This plant supplied Payson, Benjamin, Spanish Fork, Salem, Santaquin with ice, some ice also went to Goshen and Nephi. This plant continued in business for thirteen years then the electric refrigerators took over.
    About May 13, 1917 a public library was opened in the Hancock building. The Cultus Club working with the city made this possible. The school children gathered up magazines and books. The mechanical art students of the Payson High School under the direction of Mr. D. M. Taylor built shelves and tables. A collection of current magazines were ordered as was also the leading state newspapers. This was something that had long been needed.
    The State Bank of Payson opened May 21, 1917, with W. W. Armstrong, president and Lee R. Taylor, cashier.
    The Payson firemen attended the state Firemen's' Tournament at Lagoon. They won the ladder contest, also the hub and hub race. Sandy won the hose coupling and Eureka the hose cart race. By winning two events out of four the Payson boys won the Tourament.” *

**Quoted from “The Payson Story” page 18-19, published by the Payson Centennial Committee, October 1950