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Show I Suansassee li A True Tale of Pioneer Days in Utah By J. Q. WEAVER H The pioneers had entered the valley. The day had passed which H for all time to conic would be famous in the annals of the state of R Already there were a cluster of rude log buildings standing where w'i now stands many of the finest buildings in Salt Lake City. There Hi were fields stretching out from the streams whose waters diverted H; : from their natural channels, were turned over the parched soil to H bring their long dormant fertility to life, until the result was waving W grain fields. The trees planted for shade and for fruit were already H spreading out their branches, changing the appearance of the land- H i-cape from one of awful desolation to one of beauty. H Other settlements were also making their appearance. A little H to the south where a fresh water lake spread out like a huge gem, mir- H roring on its placid breast the lofty mountains which hem it in a sct- H tlcmcnt had already grown to considerable dimensions, which later H was to bear the name of Provo, the garden city of the mountains. H It was summer. July had passed and August was well under H way when a train consisting of a dozen wagons came out of the mouth H of Emigration Canyon, and slowly moved toward the little town hid- H den among the grain fields. H There were happy hearts in the little company. The journey, H though not fraught with the dangers and privations of the first in- H trcpid pioneers, had nevertheless been a weary one in the extreme. H They had passed over miles of plains, whose eternal sameness had H sickened the heart. They had entered the desert, where it seemed H even God had cursed the land. Hut now the terrible journey was Hj over. They would soon find friends and companions. There would H be reunions which would bring such joy that all the terrors of the H plain and desert would seem as nothing. They would be wanderers H no more. It was here they would make their home. H Of all the members of the company who entered the new Zion l hat August afternoon none were perhaps more happy than Mary H1 Crandlc. She was just merging into young womanhood and each H weary mile she passed over beside the slowly moving ox team seemed H to be taking her away from home. She began to question in her mind H. whether there was to be an end to their terrible wanderings, and she H hardly could make herself believe but that they would go on and cn, until they died upon the way. But now as the waving grain H fields came to her view, their contrast with the terrible sterility of H the desert was so startling that she at once said in her heart that in all the world there was no spot as fair. A deep gratitude filled her and a great love welled up within her for this oasis which was to be her home. At that moment the spirit of the pioneer took possession of her, a spirit she was to prove by a sacrifice so great that it bc-came bc-came almost divine. At that moment there was born within her H that which was to prove her the stuff of which the heroines of his- tory arc made. H John Crandlc, Mary's father, was a New York man who had listened to the preaching of the early Mormon missionaries, and be-came be-came convinced of the divinity of their message. He was a man H of deep religious convictions, and his family had been brought up in H a religious atmosphere. It was not long after his conversion to the H doctrines of the Latter-Day Saints that his entire family, consisting of his wife, two married sons, and little Mary followed him into the i Mormon church. Then, despite the objections raised by the re- H maindcr of his relatives, he sold the fair, broad acres in the old home H -state and gathering his flock about him, he started for that Zion of H his creed which was lying across the deserts and the mountains. H And now the weary journey - 'as over. The promised land was in H sight. Here was peace, satisfaction and rest. H Arriving in Salt Lake City Crandlc at once repaired to the hcad- quarters of his adopted people. As he was a man of considerable wealth, and as men of his character were needed in the outlying set- tlcments, as much as in Salt Lake City, he was told to go on to Provo ' H and there make his home. H After so many weary miles had been passed a few miles farther made very little difference, and one week later found them safe with-H' with-H' in the walled fort, at home at last. H It was thus that the heroine of Provo reached the city for whose H salc aml safety she was to make her sublime sacrifice. H Mary Crandlc was beautiful. Her hair was like threads of living H gold, and her features as clean cut as an old cameo. Her eyes were H blue, and within them was an expression at once deep and fascinating. H In form she was as lithe as a willow, and her voice was soft and low, H while her tough, in its lightness, was like the ripples of a. mountain brook, Many men looked upon her with desire and many loved her for her beauty and her gentle manners. But she was not for them. Among her many lovers there was one who caught her fancy, lie was James Gillian, the youngest son of the presiding bishop. Scarcely had the family become settled in their new home when it became a noticeable habit of young Gillian's to spend his evenings :ic the Crandlc home. On Sunday he was ever waiting for her as she came out of the choir to be her escort to her father's house. It " toon became settled in the minds of the villagers that some day in the near future another dwelling would be erected, and that James and Mary would start another home, sanctified in its beginning by love. But there was another who had gazed upon Mary's blonde beauty, beau-ty, and his savage heart was stirred as it had never been stirred before. be-fore. This was Suansassee, the war chief of the Piutes. The Indians and the settlers were at peace. It was one of those rare periods when the savages had buried the war club. It was Sunday Sun-day when Suansassee entered the village. All the people were at worship, and he came to the church. The dark eyes of the savage gazed upon the beauty of the white maiden, and the heart of the terrible terri-ble man of battle was touched. He longed for her as his own, and determined there and then that she should be his. W Little did Mary Crandle know to what end her fatal beauty would lead her as she walked down the aisle and met her lover at the door, and little did James Gillian dream of the thoughts which were surging through the brain of the savage chief, or he would have killed him on the spot. But they did not know, and so they passed out into the sunlight light hearted and happy, while Suan-. sassee wrapped his blanket around his brawny shoulders and strode silently off to the mountains. It became a sort of myth in the litle pioneer village. It was thought to be something in the nature of a fairy talc, but it became current in the settlement that just at the sunset hour the shadowy form of a canoe was seen to start from the opposite shore, and come in the direction of the village. The young people formed parties to watch for the phantom boatman, but he ever was lost in the gathering gloom of the coming night, and never was seen to reach the shore. The more romantic ones imagined that the boatman was a spirit from the other world who was guarding the waters of the beautiful little lake. Some of the deeply religious ones were certain that he was the reincarnation of some old Ncphite who was revisiting the scenes of his earthly life. None of them guessed that it was Suansassee, Suan-sassee, and yet it was he. Night after night he haunted the outskirts of the village, his wild heart filled with the purpose of stealing upon the white maiden and in one of her unguarded moments to take her away with him across the lake, where a band of his most trusted braves had been hiding for weeks. His purpose, however, failed. Mary was too timid a girl to be found far from her father's home when the night fell, and too popular popu-lar with the young folks of the village to ever be found alone. Foiled in his attempt to capture the maiden unawares the savage sav-age instincts of the war chief awoke. If he could not take her by stealth, he would take her by force of arms. All at once the phantom boatman ceased his nightly journeys over the lake. Months passed and then one night the alarm drum sounded, and the settlers quickly assembled in the fort. Suansassee had assembled his full force and marched against the infant settlement. He intended to take them by surprise. But the pioneers had not been lulled to sleep by the long peace. They knew the savages too well for that. There were watchers to sound the alarm, and the savage lover was foiled again. The hardy pioneers beat back the at- jflj1-tack jflj1-tack and many a brave paid with his life the debt demanded by the passion of his chief. Then came months of terrible warfare. Woe to the man who was caught alone in the canyons. The horribly mutilated remains of many an intrepid pioneer were found near the village. Cattle and horses were driven away, and savage depredations of the most revolting re-volting character were of daily occurrence. The heart of Mary Crandle was sad. It was her first experience in savage warfare. It would have been sadder still, had she known that it was the sight of her beauty which had influenced the heart of her savage lover to do these awful deeds. All during the autumn months the war continued, to cease dur-ng dur-ng the winter, and to be resumed once more when spring was smiling over the land. ' It took months to convince Suansassee that he could not accomplish accom-plish his purpose by war. The white men guarded their loved ones too well. The maiden he loved was safe. Foiled once more the war chief determined to try still another means. He would gain by diplomacy what stealth and war had, failed, to brinp him., 1 One clay under a flag of truce lie boldly entered the village. He offered peace and protection to the settlement. lie would swear by the Great Spirit that never again would he come against the village. .More. He swore that he- would stand between the settlers and all other savage foes. But the price was to be the maiden who had touched his heart by her beauty. If they would give her to be his Jp wife all would be well. The settlers heard his offer with the deepest indignation. The savage was told that he might bring to his aid all the warriors between be-tween the seas but the maiden he could not have until all those able to defend her were dead. He heard them in silence and departed as he came. The war went on. If possible it was more savage and terrible than before. To the honor of the pioneers be it said that no one dreamed of peace at the price the savage demanded. But what of the maiden? Ah, those were days of anguish for her. How she hated the beauty which had inflamed the heart of the Indian. It was for her then that all these horrors were to be endured. en-dured. She felt that she was the cause of all the sorrow. Her days j were filled with remorse. Though they tried to assure her that it was no faiult of hers, she could not throw off the terrible thought. At last she determined to act. She called together the chief men of the settlement and told them that she was willing to make the sacrifice. To their honor be it said, they refused to take her offer. At last, driven to desperation, she avowed that she would steal away from the settlement and go to the camp of the savages. The terrible woe caused by her must cease. The settlement should be saved. Her young lover nlead in vain. She even declared that she had learned to love the savage who wooed her so strangely. Seeing that she was determined they at last gave way, and her sacrifice was acceptd. Suansassee was sent for, and came stalking into the village at the head of a half dozen of his braves. It was agreed that the marriage should take place, but that it should be celebrated after the manner of the white men. While the gentle Mary would be the wife of the chief, she was still to make her home in the settlement, and never, unless she consented, was she to go amongst her husband's people. This the enamoured chief readily consented to, and the marriage took place in the presence of the entire village. The sacrifice was complete. Her yeoman's heart had been immolated immo-lated upon the altar of what she deemed her duty. To save her people peo-ple from the horrors of war she gave up all that is dear to the heart of a woman, the tender love of her girlhood, to have her finer feelings feel-ings outraged in the embraces of a savage. Years passed. Suansassee lived part of his life in the village and part of the time in the wilds. Sometimes he would not be seen for months by his wife. Then he would appear loaded with the spoils of the chase. Two children were born to them and grew to maidenhood, and Ihen the chief bade his white wife goodbye, and left her never to return. " He kept his compact with the settlers. Never after was the war cry heard in the valley by the fresh water lake. MijHH James Gillian left the village shortly after the sacrifice of his HSI sweetheart. He was a saddened and heartbroken man. The Indians MM found in him an implacable enemy and many a daring expedition he 'H&l led against them during the years which followed. At last he nict the fate he scmcd to court, and fell with an arrow in his heart. nfll Is the story true? Yes, it is true in every particular. The name of Mary Crandlc, the heroine of Provo, should be handed down in l9H history beside the names of those other noble women whose deeds flH illume the pages of American history. IeM She passed from earth years ago, and at least one of her grand- il children lives in Salt Lake City, the wife of one of its most respected j!H business men. What became of Suansassee was never clearly known. JSH It was reported that he joined the remnant of his tribe in Colorado, unl and a report of his death was rumored a few years ago. He never 'lilfl saw his wife or children after he bade them goodbye at Provo. JhI BEAUTIFUL BRASS WORK. 1 Those who have had occasion to go into the Judge building have B 31 remarked on the beautiful oxidized brass work on the stairways. No i Skfl better example of the class of work has ever been done in the west, r'HH nor is it likely that any ever will be done. I tffcH That it is all of home manufacture makes the artistic skill and $U finished workmanship all the more pleasing. Whether it be local iafl people or strangers who note the work, all comments arc favorable. - HH Nor does all the congratulatory expressions convey more than the jH just dues to the firm that did it. 11 The Cragcr Iron and Wire Works, the factory of which is located wfll at 531 South State street, is the manufacturing concern that did the Il9 work. This little firm has gone along quietly and unobtrusively for years, building, building each piece of work turned out better than iHkfl the one preceding it. This firm has never known where to stop' 2B when it came to a matter of improvement. Though each job done hy the firm has been good, yet the members of the concern, S. E., F. II. HH and C. W. Crager, have never been satisfied. 691 Having an ultimate goal of the very best in material and work- fll nianship, they have brought experience, energy and brains to bear, fll until today they arc in a position that whatever work they do they know is not excelled. This is not only from the viewpoint of stability and actual merit, but artistic conception and execution also enter into j9kfl their calculations. On. every job submitted they bend every energy. 121 Every little point, looking to utility and .finished workmanship, is Jl carefully considered. Every little point is gone over in order that mis- takes in the finished product cannot happen. The consequence is, as 91 presaged in the opening of this article, that not only does the firm do substantial work, but it docs artistic work as well. Sifl The plant of this company has been established in Salt Lake for ifll some years; consequently the firm understands thoroughly every Hl requirement, whether climatic, temperament or stability. lil They ask the privilege of bidding on estimates on anything in 91 their line of manufacture. In ornamental fences of all kinds they are 91 unexcelled, no matter of what kind of material, whether wrought or 31 cast. They claim to be superior to others and the work they do tl substantiates the claim. 91 I GREAT DOINGS AT THE KENYON. The interior improvements at tlic Kcnyon hotel are now practically practi-cally finished and a visit cannot fail to impress one with the very satisfactory way in which the work has been completed. For the past few weeks a force of about forty men has been at work painting, redecorating and tinting the entire interior, to such good effect that everywhere and everything is new, neat and clean. The elevator machinery has been renewed and replaced by new operating valve and by new mechanism of the very latest type. Every room has been painted and decorated, and all plumbing has been renewed, re-newed, with hot and cold running water throughout. The dining room has been artistically treated. It now has a handsome panelled ceiling, with tinted walls, and a masterpiece of artistic effect has been reached by the hand-painting of a border of festooned flowers, from which here and there sprays drop down. This effect was the idea of Mrs. Porter, under whose supervision this scheme was executed, and it was not until the artist had done the work over several times that he succeeded in getting the desired effect. The writing room, which has been removed to the parlor floor, has been furnished in mission, each desk having its own separate light, which is arranged in such a way as to give the guest ample subdued sub-dued light that does not dazzle the eyes. The handsome rugs which cover the hardwood floor give a pleasing and elegant effect. The sitting rooms, halls and cozy corners are all of the latest atid most elegant finish and furnishing, and in man' cases the use of handsome hand-some rugs has been substituted for that of carpets. Mr. Porter has always been progressive in handling the Kenyon. He was the first hotel man in Salt Lake City to install a telephone in every room in his hotel. He was also the first to place an electric light sign in this city, and now he has replaced the old sign with the first one of a new patented device, which is a beauty. He is also the first to introduce a new feature which will especially commend itself to the traveling public by the installation of a new Yale lock on every bedroom door of the Kcnyon hotel. Special mention must also be made of the Kenyon buffet, which is by far the handsomest hotel bar on the Pacific coast. The fixtures , and walls to within three feet of the ceiling are of solid mahogany, inset with massive mirrors, with a border of marble around the tiled . floor. The ceiling is of a handsome design in embossed steel. At one side there is a typical "den" for the use of gentlemen, in which ! every detail is carried out in mission. The lighting of the bar is from massive chandeliers and beautiful wall and concealed lights. There has been spent altogether upwards of $40,000 on the improvements im-provements just completed, and no expense has been spared in making mak-ing the Kcnyon new, neat, clean and up-to-date. We arc pleased to mention that all the new fixtures are of home manufacture, and it is a well-known fact that Mr. Porter always has and always will purchase all his hotel furniture and furnishings at home. Battling Nelson and Joe Gans are to meet again. This time the Battler has all the best of it as to terms, and will get the long end of the purse, win or lose. The fight is to take place at Colma on Labor day, and will be for the championship and a $30,000 purse. Principally the purse, and don't forget that. Each man has won from the other, and this third battle will settle for all time the question ques-tion of supremacy. Right here we want to say that Nelson has endeared en-deared himself to the hearts of every lover of the sport by agreeing to meet Gans again without putting too many ifs and ands in the way, and imposing conditions" which the colored man would feel unable to accept. Of course he demanded the big end of the money, but Gans would have done the same had he been the winner, and possibly would have insisted that Bat wait awhile while he "got" a few of the easy ones. The Nclson-Gans fight scheduled for Ely, Nevada, has been called off, the question of rates on the railroads proving the stumbling stum-bling block. But the two men are to meet on Labor day, at Colma, in a finish fight. Tex Ricards tried in every way possible to take the fight to Ely, offering to post $10,000 for two special trains to Ely, but there was nothing doing. EXCURSIONS TO PACIFIC COAST. Via Oregon Short Line, daily, June 1st to September 15th. Ask agents for particulars. City Ticket office, 201 Main Street. EXCURSIONS EAST. June 1st, 6th, 8th, 12th, 13th and 15th via Oregon Short Line and OVERLAND ROUTE. Greatly reduced rates to Omaha, Kan-sas Kan-sas City, Chicago, St. Louis and other eastern points. Tickets limited to October 31st. City Ticket office, 201 Main Street. |