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Show I dD Years Ags T(0(iay New businesses welcomed in the Park (1HMWKCTTy) JSS4 ' by Bettina Moench Dooley For an isolated mining camp, Park City had an impressive array of shops, services and cultural events conveniently located in town, and the list continued to grow. No doubt new merchants moved into the mountian town to cash in on the potential success of the miners, and they were willing to weather the inconvenience of harsh winters and long distances to a "real" city. As each new business opened, it made life in the Park more convenient for the citizens, who welcomed the relief from long, rumbling stagecoach rides for supplies in Salt Lake. In the Aug. 9, 1884 edition of the Park Mining Record it was noted with excitement that Dr. William Todd would be leaving his Midwest practice to hang out his shingle in the Park. In addition, there was word that F. C. Nichols, Dentist, would be coming to Park City to take care of those pressing dental problems. For the women, there was news that Mrs. Dykes, Dressmaker, would be spending a number of weeks in the Park, and she was prepared to give instruction in Taylor's system of cutting garments. Typical of the kinds of directions that were listed in advertisements, it was explained that Mrs. Dykes could be found two doors north of the public school house, on the opposite side of the street. For those with a hankering for freshly made ale, there was the important and welcome news that Mr. J. Dudler was putting finishing touches on his new brewery. "When having lost all presence of mind," and was finally aided by Mr. Evans, who threw a blanket over her to extinguish the flames. Despite rapid attention by the doctor, Miss Em died. And although her popularity among the men was great, her funeral was quietly carried out with few people in attendance. Summer was waning in Park City, and parents looked forward to the opening of school, when their children would be carefully guided by the patient and unwavering hands of their teachers. St. Mary's, which had been destroyed by fire earlier in the summer, was nearing completion, and was expected to open for the first day of school September 1. According to a Record story, the school would be taught by an increased staff of sisters who were brought in to meet the needs of the growing number of pupils. "All the advantages afforded by the best institutions in the country can be had by attending," promised the Record. "A course of instruction covering all branches of . a sound and solid education" would be offered, "including modern languages, instrumental and vocal music, and drawing and painting. Everything tending to the comfort and convenience of the children is being carefully seen to in the new fireproof building." Record readers were interested to learn that at the same time the final bricks were being laid at St. Mary's, the cornerstone was being placed in the pedestal of Bartholdi's Statue of Liberty in New York, more than 2,000 miles away. it is completed, it will make one of the finest and largest buildings on Main Street," the Record said proudly. The Record's enthusiasm was dimmed momentarily in a story that criticized the citizens for losing their opportunity to overthrow the Mormons in the recent Summit County elections. While the Liberal party listed a powerful number of registrants, a lethargic constituency managed to get out and cast only a third of its available votes, "and our Mormon friends gained the day on that account," chastised the Record. "The whole Liberal ticket was defeated, and this too at a time when the whole County should have been Liberal if the Liberals had polled their full vote. We hope that the liberals of Park City will learn a lesson from this election! " There was other depressing news. Emma Weston, affectionately known as "Miss Em," met an early demise that week in a freak fire in her home. Miss Em kept a "fast house" in the canyon leading into Deer Valley, and, or course, was well known to most of the men of the Park. She apparently tried to kindle a fire in her kitchen stove, but thinking the wood hadn't caught, she doused it with a can of coal oil. The embers blazed wildly and caused the can of oil in her hand to explode, sending the burning contents spraying over her body. She ran outside and up the road "apparently |
