[Apostle Rudger Clawson Diary] ...The tables were then spread with bread and wine, and the Lord's Supper was partaken of, Pres. Cannon being mouth in asking the blessing. We had a very enjoyable time together. During the time we were at the table several topics were discussed. ... (1)
-- Sunday, Dec 10, 1899
[Apostle Rudger Clawson Diary] Brigham City. Cloudy and cold. 9 a.m. I took train for Beaver Ward to attend the dedication of the new meeting house ...1:30 p.m. Meeting called to order by Bp. Durfey. Dedicatory prayer by myself. The speakers were Elder Jacob Jensen, myself, and Apostle J. H. Smith. Topics treated. J. J[ensen]. The new house should be kept clean and pureâ€"free from liquor and profanity.... (1)
-- Dec 27, 1899
[U.S. Religious History] Carry Nation, a leader of the American Christian temperance movement, raided and wrecked her first saloon in Medicine Lodge, Kansas. (2)
-- Thursday, Jan 4, 1900
[Apostle Rudger Clawson Diary] Salt Lake City. Clear and mild; thawing. 11 a.m. Meeting of the brethren at the temple. Present: the First Presidency, Apostles B. Young, Jr., F. M. Lyman, J. H. Smith, Geo. Teasdale, H. J. Grant, A. H. Lund, Jno. W. Taylor, A. O. Woodruff, R. Clawson, and G. F. Gibbs, clerk. The brethren robed. Pres. Snow was mouth in prayer, and Apostle J. H. Smith was mouth in the circle, after which the brethren disrobed. Song, "Let Us Pray, Gladly Pray."
Pres. Snow said a proposition had been made to the board of directors of the Saltair Beach Co. and the Salt Lake and Los Angeles Ry. Co. by Brother W. J. Bateman and a Mr. [Charles W.] Miller to the effect that they would lease Saltair beach and the railroad, giving to the stockholders 75% of the net earnings and guaranteeing $8,000.00 a year. N[ephi]. W. Clayton, the present manager, objected, he said, on the ground that they were not reliable. Later on the two parties above mentioned made a second offer, namely, that they would manage the properties at a salary of $150.00 each per month. N. W. Clayton offered to manage the properties without compensation, if the directors desired him to do so. As to the propositions submitted, no decision was reached at the board meeting referred to, but inasmuch as the church was the largest stockholderâ€"owning almost wholly both propertiesâ€"it was decided to refer the matter to Pres. Snow.
Pres. Snow now submitted the matter to the Presidency and Twelve. He said that from all he could learn the gentlemen who had made the proposition were perfectly reliable and were also familiar with the business. The clerk read communications from Bateman and Miller making the propositions referred to. Some of the brethren testified that N. W. Clayton was in the habit of getting drunk and they felt by continuing him in the management it would bring reproach upon the church, as it had already done. This feeling was shared by all present. After some discussion, it was moved by Apostle J. H. Smith and seconded [by] Apostle F. M. Lyman that the resignations of N. W. Clayton, Manager, and I. A. Clayton, Treas., be asked for and accepted. Carried by unanimous vote. A sentiment prevailed favoring the acceptance of Bateman and Miller's proposition, or rather, their second proposition.
Apostle H. J. Grant stated that he had an opportunity to lease the Salt Lake Theatre to Mr. [Martin] Mulvey, manager of the New Grand Opera House, for a period of ten years to good advantage, and, if the brethren had no objections, thought he would do so. He would prefer, he said, to sell the church a controlling interest in the propertyâ€"namely 51 shares or $51,000.00â€"but his circumstances were such he had to do something. He called attention to the fact that he had a $30,000.00 note at Zion's Saving Bank, a $12,000.00 note with the Trustee-in-Trust, and suggested that these notes be turned over to him for theatre stock and that the Trustee-in-Trust buy enough more to give the church the controlling interest. After some discussion it was moved by Pres. Jos. F. Smith that the suggestion made by Apostle Grant be adopted, providing after due consideration it met with the approval of Pres. Snow. Carried by unanimous vote. Benediction by Apostle A. O. Woodruff. (1)
Footnotes:
1 - Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson
2 - Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline
LDS History Chronology: the Word of Wisdom
Mormon Timeline: the Word of Wisdom
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
