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Show History of Flagpole in Mt. Pleasant is Related By Mr. John Gunderson The following paper on the flagpole flag-pole in Mt. Pleasant was written by Mr. John Gunderson and read by him at the recent Pioneer celebration cele-bration here. The first Pioneers came to Mt. Pleasant in 1859. They built a fort that same year. I haven't been able to find any records or contact anyone that knows whether or not there was a flag pole erected or a flag raised during the time that the people lived liv-ed in the fort, but I am sure that Brigham Young instructed all Pioneers Pi-oneers to raise the American flag on days such as July 4th and July 24th. There . was a flag pole erected a-bout a-bout the year 1862. This pole was placed just north east of the Social Hall. The pole was brought down from the mountain by Day, Morrison, Morri-son, Swen Larsen, and others. It was prepared and set up by Gunder E. Gunderson, Jacob Rolfson, Will Morrison, Eric Gunderson Sr., and others. It was one long, straight pole. No cross was on it as on cither ci-ther poles built in later years. At the time when this pole was set up, tools such as we have no were not available. Therefore, it was prepared with a tool known as a draw-knire ana wnn a piane tnai was brought to Mt. Pleasant from Norway. Today, this type of plane in on display in the Pioneer Museum Mu-seum at the Public Library. The flag used on this flag pole was raised on this pole July 24th, 1862. Who raised the flag at that time, I haven't been able to learn. A number of years later, however, Bishop Seely appointed Eric Gunderson Gund-erson Sr. to raise the flag on all occasions. That first pole was used until the year 1874 when on July 24th Orange Sf-fly .John Carter, and others brot from the mountains with three yoke of oxen the pole which is now used. This pole was prepared just north of the meeting house by Eric Gunderson, Gund-erson, Sr., Jacob Rolfson, and oth-prs. oth-prs. It was erected near by where it now stands. This pole was large and long. It took some time to select It from the mountain. The pole was built In two parts. There was a cross ou the pole so the top part could be let down. The bottom part of the pole was placed in timber that formed form-ed an X shape. These timbers were put into the ground about four feet A pole from each end of the timber came up part way on the pole to make it solid. Jacob Christensen was appointed to meet with the council to get money to pay for the expense of the pole and flag. The bill was presented to Mayor Joseph Page.' All of it was paid except $37.25. The Mayor presented the bill to the council, and Andrew Madsen tabled It. It came up again In 1875. This time, the bill was tabled by Bennett and he instructed Madsen not to pay the bill to Jacob Christensen. The bl'l was finally paid in full on September 30, 1876. I The flags for this pole have been purchased by the city from the year : 1874 to the present time. . I When the nation is in mourning over the death of some of its lead-. ers. the flag is placed on the pole at half mast as a token of respect. It was a custom in earlier days for the flag to be raised at sun-rise and have the band present to play as the Stars and Stripes were unfurled. The flag pole today is in very 'good condition. Because of decay at the bottom, it has been cut off several times, but a number of years ago, Eric Gunderson Jr. spliced it and made the po'e longer. The pole has now been placed in cement and has steel bars as braces. With proper care, it will stand for many years. Eric Gunderson Sr. or a member of his family raised the flag until the year 1911, covering a period of over forty years. William Hansen then raised it for a few years. It is now raised by the city marshal. |