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Show McKays Mark Anniversary Couple's Seen Many Changes In 68 Years By WILLIAM SHULL the two of Utah University graduates the AsSalt Lake buggy through streets that Jan. horse-draw- n City cold 2, one thought was of the temple marriage ceremony awaiting them. The two, David 0. McKay and Emma ' Ray Riggs, had met while students at the alwas university. Although Miss Riggs ready engaged, the energetic Mr. McKay had promised himself that she would become his wife. His plans were interrupted right after graduation in 1897 when he was called on a mission to Scotland. Constant letters kept the romance alive and Elder McKay knew he had won her when she wrote that her previous engagement had been broken. Less than two years after he was released from the mission, they were married. President and Mrs. McKay celebrated 68 years of love and happiness last Thursday, which love has become a Church tradition. They have seen the world make important changes since the wintery day they were married. Salt Lake City was still bubbling with excitement over the recent announcement of a new record. The steamer Deutschland had made the crossing in an unbelievable five days, 12 hours and 29 minutes. Local businessmen were already counting expected profits as final plans were announced for the new San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad. Die railroad would link the Wests fastest-growin1901, trans-Atlant- ic g cities. Northern Utah investors were pushing rapidly for completion of the Utah Sugar Companys sugar factory near Logan. The structure would be the third for Utah's newest industry. Politically speaking, 1900 had been a landslide for Republicans throughout the nation and the Beehive State was no exception. Heber M. Wells had been governor over Democrat James H. Moyle. Some gloom hung over the city as Elder McKay and Miss Riggs made their way to the Salt Lake Temple. Families were still mourning the death of 200 Scofield, Utah, miners in a May 1 mine explosion. While health officials closely watched a smallpox outbreak of 100 cases by Christmas, 1900, many Salt Lake families waited word from Mexico concerning Mormon colonies reportedly attacked by Apaches. But to Salt Lake County officials, the future looked bright as they proudly announced their county had passed the 77,700 population mark and Utah boasted a record 276,749 persons. Adding to local joy on Jan. 2, 1901, was the announcement the city water system had returned to normal. A cold snap one week earlier left several businesses without steam heat while water works employes frantically tried to unfreeze City Creek. Salt Lake theater-goer- s had received some of the finest entertainment in the West during December but possibly some of the worse as well. and Othello had actively competed with Hamlet Hindoo Hoodoo and Kelleys Kids for Continued on Page 11 Artist recalls pleasant winter scene of President and Mrs. David O. McKay on their wedding date, Jan. 2, 1P01. WEEK ENDING JANUARY 4, 1969 CHURCH- -3 ' |