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Show THOMAS DURHAM IS HONORED. Velerau Clioir Leader of Parowaii Given Pleasant Surprise Tuesday. WAS HIS SEVENTY-SIXTH BIRTHDAY. Over 50 Guests Show Their Respect to Useful Old Han and Spend Pleasant Evening. Monday, May 2, marked tho seventy-sixth seventy-sixth mile blotie in the life of Thomas Durham, I'arowan's veteran choir leader, lead-er, and In honor of the event members of tho choir with lilshop Richards associated, as-sociated, prepared a yery pleasant surprise sur-prise for Tuesday evening. llro. Durham was found at home with his family, he having received no intimation in-timation of what was proposed. The guests, over fifty in number, flocked in upon him shortly before 9 p m., and were most cordially received. A committee com-mittee selected trom tho choir had been appointed to presided, and tho company com-pany was given Into Us hands. Wal-ter Wal-ter C. Mltchel acted as master of ceremonies. cere-monies. Tho evenings entertainment opened with devotional exercises, consisting of singing by the choir aud prayer by Elder El-der Dayld Mathcson, after which an in-teresting in-teresting impromptu program was carried car-ried out. Everybody present who had ever in their llfe-tlmo been known to sing or recite In public, received a cordial cor-dial Invltatlou to contribute to the evening's enjoyment. The guests came provided with well filled picnic baskets, tho contents of which with ice cream and homo-browed beer, constituted a sumptuous repast. A collection was quietly taken up and a small money token of the esteem in which the honored guest is held was made, William Matheson acting as spokesman, llro. Durham responded in his usual happy frame, expressing his appreciation of the spirit which prompted the gift. The entertainment concluded by tho singing of some of tho airs which 13 ro Durham has comnosed. HIOGIIAPIIICAL. Thomas Durham was born at Oldham, Lancashire, England, May 2, 1828, Up to the time ho was 10 years of ago ho -attended the public school, nnd later went to night school somu little, At tho age of ten years ho went apprentice to the trade of wood turner, at which ho becamo an adept, following tho occupation oc-cupation until ho was 25 When 12 years old ho commenced tho Btudy of music, whlnh has been his soul's delight. de-light. Under the Uitoratje of n well-known well-known professor and choir director his next 0 years were spent, or at least such time as he could bparo from his other occupations. On Sunday the professor would take tho members of his class to the churches to sing. Thomns had natural na-tural talent in this direction and mndo good progress, particularly In oratorj music. At tho age of 18 years ho was made director of the L D. S. choir in Lancashire, Lan-cashire, though he did not join the church for some three years after, October Oc-tober 22, 181'J, he was married to Mary Morton, having embraced Mormoulsm the previous Muy. For seven years more ho had charge of the choir until lie omigrated to America in May, 1855. Ho crossed cross-ed tho ocean on the ship "Horizon" and landed in Hoston Juno- 20. From thero ho went by rail to Iowa City arriving ar-riving about tho Ctn of July. lie crossed the plalns.in Edward Martin's hand cart company, leaving Winter Quartors August 17, and arriving in Salt Lake City Nov. 30. Tho trials and hardships of tills journoy aro too well known to need explanation here. For a number of days tho ration consisted of four ounces of flour to the Individual; no meat or other support. Tho weary travelers becamo so woak and omaoiat ed that very slow progress was made. For six weeks they wero obliged to make their beds on tho snow, yet the subject of our sketch escaped without so much as having a finger or a too frozen. Two days after reaching Salt Lake City he set out for I'arowan, arrlyiug hero Dec. 12. Two days later he was called to tako charge of tho choir, and ho has continued to direct it oyer since. Of his career since coming to southern Utah, it is needless for us to write, it belug very familiar to you all. He has been a useful citizen and a devoted de-voted member of the church. Ho Is sprightly and well preserved for his years and still labors for a livelihood. |