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Show PI WWTS DIES IIV SALT LAKE AT AGE OF 85 Salt Lake, Sept. 1. Phil Margetts. S5 years old, died at the L, D S. hospital at 9 o'clock yesterday morn ing on the slxtj -fourth anniversary of his arrival In Salt Lake valley is a pioneer. There ls scarcely a phase of Utah history but would be shown in a complete biography of Mr. Margetts, Mar-getts, were such an account In existence. exist-ence. Mr. Margetta was born in Warwick-shire. Warwick-shire. England, February 29, 1829. a son of Thomas and Alice Margetts. He Joined the Mormon church in 1840 and came to America In 1850, arriving in Salt Lake valley on September 1 of the same j'ear An artisan by training and an artist art-ist by native endowment, .Mr Mar getts lived a life that ran the gamut of human experience, much of It being be-ing reflected in his work as an actor In the hkstrionic chapters of Utah's early history the name of Phil Margetts Mar-getts stands pre-eminent Yet he was a blacksmith and spent many years of his life over sweltering forge and ringing anvil. He was an actor through the irrepressible dictates of his genius. Within the year of his arrival here, Mr. Margetts became identified withj the first awakening of the spirit of the drama among the pioneers, join I ing "The Musical and Dramatic company." com-pany." The first play presented wa9 "Robert Macaire." It was staged I In the old bowery, which served the) company as a play house for two years. Iu 1851 the company was reorganized re-organized under the name of "The Deseret Dramatic association" In 1852 the newly completed Social hall was placed at the disposal of the players. play-ers. Mr. Margetts continued playing in the company until 1S57, when he was called upon a European mission. The journey to the Missouri river was made by handcart, Mr. Margetts. Dr Seymour B. Young and David Wilkin traveling together Mr. Wilkin has been dead many years. Dr. Young is still alive and active, and during the last illness of Mr. Margetts was a daily visitor at the bedside of the man whom be always addressed as "my team-mate." After the return of Mr. Margetts to Utah, hastened by rumors of ;i threatened "Utah war," the 'Mechan- ics' Dramatic association" was organized organ-ized with Mr. Margetts as president. A room was fitted up In the residence y of H. E. Dowering, a number of tho company, and the first real theatre in Utah was opened to the public, previous previ-ous efforts having been staged in places) devoted primarily to religious worship Although the seating capacity of the improvised theatre was limited to about a hundred persons, it is said Mr. Margetts once presented Presi dent Brlgham Young and Heber C Kimball with ninety complimentary tickets for themselves and families. Whether or not the little theatre was taxed until President Young was impressed with its limitations Is not known, but the work of Mr Margetts and his associates so impressed the pioneer leader that . plans for the organization or-ganization of a company on a larger scale and for the building of the now historic Salt Lake theatre soon took form in his mind. The company was organized under the name of "The Deseret Dramatic association" and the theatre was nuilt. i ue spirit ot the drama had been awakened by tho work of Mr Margetts and kindred artist souls to a point where it was destined to contribute its share to the culture and development ot a great commonwealth For the past seven years Mr. Margetts Mar-getts was an Invalid Three weeks ago he became dangerously ill and was taken from the home of his son, Albert E. Margetts, 07 orth First West street, to the hospital, where he died. Up to within a few days of his death his mind was active and clear. His Interest in life was still keen and he desired to live The home of Albert E. Margetts. the son with whom Mr. Margetts lived In recent re-cent years, is on the ground of tho old homestead where Mr Margett3 settled when he first came to the valley val-ley and married Miss Elizabeth Bate-man Bate-man Mr. Margetts is survived by nine children, thirty-eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. The children are Philip, Jr., of Preston. Idaho, Mrs E P Mulhall of Idahc Falls and George B . Frederick, Charles P., David, Albert E., Miss Minnie Margetts and Mrs. Elizabeth Rudd. all of Salt Lake. The funeral of Mr Margetts will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o clock from tbe Seventeenth ward chapel. |
