MEMORIES of Showman Doyle Longsdorf (1857 – 1935)
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| Showman Doyle Longsdorf |
I, Showman Doyle Longsdorff, was born in Churchtown,. Pa. April 12, 1857. My parents were Augustus Emanuel Longsdorff, born July 7, 1834, died, January 21, 1898, aged 64 years; and Catherine Elizabeth Wonderly' (Wundelich) born February 18,1829, died August 13, 1907, aged 68 years. Of my father’s family I have very little record. My grandfather, Michael Longsdorff and my grandmother, Mary Hannon Longsdorff, lived in Churahtown Pa. My grandfather at one time owned a great many acres of rich farm and timber land in the eastern part of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, and at one time he was sheriff of the county. I have heard my mother tell that at that time there was a law that everything, even a baby’s cradle, could be sold for debt.
Through grandfather’s generosity while serving as sheriff and by signing notes for people, he lost practically all, and. very 1ittle was left for the family. He donated to the city of Kingston, Pennsylvania the plot of ground used for their cemetery.
My father had a brother Dr. Adam G. Longsdorff of Wichita, Kansas. Prior to locating there,
he had served as a state senator in' Maryland There was
also a. brother Harmon who moved to Ohio and one George
of Pennsylvania. A sister Elizabeth whom we called Aunt Betsey who married Jacob Kline and lived in Camp Rill Pennsylvania; and Aunt Louise, whose first husband was named Doyle for whom I was named. After his death
she married Josiah Helligas, who served as a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature 1856-1858, from Montgomery County, Pa..and there was a sister Mary L. Cook also of Pennsylvania.
The name Wonderly is derived from Wunderlich and earliest records of this name are found in the records of Kotelen, Germany in 1848. One Hans Wunderlich, who had his name translated into French, calling himself Mervieleus. Some of his descendants continued to use this translation while others resumed the name of Wunderlich.. Johannes Wunderlich, my great, great, great, great grandfather, was born in 1700, died in 1760. His wife, Anna Barbara Densler, my great, great, great, great grandmother, was born in 1702 and died in 1765. Records from then on are published in a volume called, “Genealogy of the Wunderlich Family in America" This record shows that members of this family held many important positions of trust in Germany, France, Switzerland, and America..
My parents had ten children.
They were:
They were:
- Showman Doyle Longsdorff Born April 12, 1857
- Died January 9, 1935Ella Louise Longsdorff Born December 4, 1858Died January 29, 1931
Michael Herbert Longsdorff Born August 30,
Died 1860
Emma Jane Longsdorff Born July 19,
Died1863
Flora May Longsdorff Born November 17,
Died 1865
Berties Lerene Longsdorff Born Apri1 28, 1868
DiedGeorge Wonderly Longsdorff Born December 3, 1870
Died March 22, 1873
Elizabeth Bell Longsdorff Born July 3, 1873
Died
William Landen Longsdorff Born July 13, 1876
Died
Alice Longsdorff Born March 12, 1879
Died April 8, 1879
As I was the first child, they undoubtedly thought me a wonder and I was named in honor of the family's minister ------ Showman , and an uncle, Doyle. As I was very young I had not any say in the matter
.My father was a shoemaker by trade; then being a shoemaker meant a maker of shoes, as most all boots and shoes were hand-made. In those days, factory-made shoes were very few. Father was a real artist in his line and took real pride in turning out fine work. He received $20.00 a pair for boots. One of his customers was Captain Addison Moore who had married our cousin, Elizabeth Kline, a daughter of Aunt Betsey. The last pair of boots he made for the Captain was in 1886, just before he left Pennsylvania for Kansas.
Although father worked steadily and fast, be could hardly support his large family. I remember when I was four or five years old I contracted a very severe case of smallpox, my face and hands were solid scabs. I remember people coming to the window and looking at me. There was at that time a photo taken of me showing the horrible condition I was in. I had contracted the disease from my father who had had it in a mild form. He in turn had contracted it from a corpse whom he prepared for burial.
I remember my father as being strict, expecting the children to be respectful and obedient. We could sometimes work mother, but when father told us to do a thing we did it. When we were at play on the street and he wanted us, he would give a shrill whistle, and believe me we would immediately go to him
I remember every night my mother would gather her children to her and we would kneel about her knees and say our prayers. It is something I often think about. During the rebellion (Civil War) my father, although not called to serve, was drafted, and as my mother was unable to care for her brood, the children were sent to relatives. Emma went to live with Aunt Louise Helligas, Ella to live with Uncle Strauck and I with grandfather Wunderlich. Michael Herbert was the baby at that time.
My grandparents were very religious and lived their religion. They would not allow any work whatever to be done on Sunday. .Al1 preparation for that day was made on Saturday. Every day we held a prayer in the morning. Blessing at noon and singing of hymns or reading from the Bible at night. On Sunday we would attend Sunday School, then a sermon, home for dinner and to feed the stock and back to church again for evening service. Every Wednesday night we attended prayer meeting. We never beard an oath or a smutty word at his house
After three or four years I returned home, but E11a and Emma stayed with the Aunts until they were married. Ella married Harry Gardner who for years was a carpenter instructor in the Carlyle Indian School. Emma married his brother, Ben Gardner, who held some church positions. I remember a while after I came home, Herbert and I decided we wanted to visit with Emma at Aunt Louise's, a distance of about ten miles. One Saturday, we rode there with a market team; after we arrived Aunt Louise was scolding about something, and it struck us we were not very welcome. Although; we had intended to stay over Sunday, we hoofed it back home very early in the morning. Oar father thought this a big joke and .made a great deal of sport of it.
As we were a large family, it was necessary for us to get out and hustle as soon as we could. I had very little schooling, As soon as I was through with one job, someone else was there with another. I was about twelve years old when I got my first steady job. I worked for Will Loose on his farm, living with his family. My wages were turned into our family. I get out of it a suit of clothes a year and in the late summer I wore cotton trousers made by my mother and I went barefoot until mighty near winter. Father was too busy making shoes for others to make shoes far his children.
When I was about 19 years old, my uncle, Dr. Adam J. Longsdorff, who was visiting in Pennsylvania, asked me how I would like to go west and work on his farm and that suited me. I went to Wichita and worked there for several years. Soon after I arrived my uncle took me to a play featuring "Belle Golden". I was 19 years old and it was the first show I had ever attended. I 1aughed so heartily that the audience laughed at me instead of the play, but it, being the first I had ever seen, it naturally was the funniest. I remember we burned a great deal of corn there on the farm for fuel because it was cheaper and handier than getting coal. At that time, it was eighteen cents a bushel.
My uncle did not seem to have much use for General George B. McClellihan. He claimed he could have ended the Civil War sooner had he cared, yet I remember my father, who belonged to the Drum and Fife Corps, had marched and paraded for McClellihan when he ran for President of’ the United States and was defeated by Abraham Lincoln -- so that was just the difference of opinion. My uncle bad a good practice. I remember during the Scarlet Fever epidemic he had fifty or more cases and it kept him going day end night. One night a call came for him and I beard him say to Aunt Maggie, "Tell them I just can't go," but after a while he said no, I had better go; I know the younger Dr.'s won't so I must." He then hitched up his two little ponies and drove away in his especially made light buggy. Sometimes his calls would take him twenty or thirty miles away. He always carried matches with him, so in case of a large prairie fire he would have a chance to back fire and get away. In his younger days, he, as was the custom, wore a long beard. It was dark brown and silky, so long he would wrap it about his neck and tie it as a muffler.
He and Uncle ------ Doyle some years before had traded in Negroes. They, at that tine, were bought and sold and branded with a hot iron as were cattle. Uncle Doyle died, and Uncle Adam, although not a religious man, claimed Uncle Doyle carne to him and said, "Adam, don't buy any more negroes”, and Uncle Adam did not buy any more negroes. Those he had were freed but some refused to leave saying that it was as good a home as they needed.
My uncle wanted to educate my brother, Herbert, to be a doctor to take up his practice, as he felt he was getting old--too old to attend to it. He sent him to a medical school for two years and one day Herbert said he didn't want to be a doctor. Uncle did not argue with him, only said it was up to him, Herbert then quit school and got a position in a grocery store.
During the winter of 1878 or 79, Cousin Louise, Uncle Adam's only daughter and I made a trip to Pennsylvania--my first trip back. We laughed after about an experience there. Father bad two hogs in a pen fattening for winter; they got out and Sister Flora and I were running after them to get them back in the pen. One hog got caught between the double gate and Flora caught it by the tail. I called to ber to hold on until I could get there but, with the hog pulling one way and: Flora the other, the hog got trough. the gate and when he did, Flora fell backward with most of the pigs tail held tightly in her hands. After this, we had a great deal of sport with her about pulling the pig's tail.
My father had obtained a good position in charge of a boy's dormitory in a large school and had been comfortably located, but the lure of the West was with him and he and the :family came to Wichita to live. Sister Flora, in the meantime bad married a man named Warren Stiteler' and was living in Virginia. He, after some years, died, leaving her with six children. She later married J. Holmes Moore. Cousin Louise had first married a captain in the army from whom she had later separated. uncle Add had taken a great fancy to her daughter, Annie, and bad insisted on adopting her, so she was always known as Annie Longsdorff. She, cousin Louise, later married a man named Long. This marriage was also a failure, as he proved to be a worthless sort of a fellow. It was during the time he was on Uncle Add's (Adam’s) farm, and I thought perhaps I was not .needed there, that I decided to get some other kind of work.
I went to Arkansas City, Kansas to work for John Kronert, Retail Grocery Company, but there was excitement about cowboys and cattle and I got it into my head that I wanted to be a cowboy. This caused my mother considerable worry for she thought I was not strong enough for that kind of life, and Indians and cowboys meant nothing but danger to the easterner. I still wanted to be a cowboy, so I went to the Indian Territory--not Oklahoma. While there, I developed a bad case of typhoid fever through drinking impure slewey and stale water. They took me back to Wichita to my Uncle Add (Dr. Longsdorff) . I remember he held me in his arms, and I beard him say, "I am afraid he won't last until morning." But I fooled them, and after a while I was looking for a job again.
I knew I could always go back; places where I had formerly worked, so I went back to Scott Corbett, one of my, places. He said he could not pay me what he should, but I wanted something to do and I told him to never mind the price, just so I could live. He hired at a price named, but always paid me extra. After a while I went back to John Kronert Grocery Company in Arkansas City.
Cousin Louise had been in a number of runaway accidents and was in very poor health. She spent a great deal of time at Geuda Springs, Kansas and other health resorts. She had beard a great deal about the curing powers of the Great Salt Lake, Utah and was very anxious to try it. Uncle Add wrote me at Arkansas City, asking me to go with her to Utah.
Her daughter Annie had married George Amborn in December 1886 and my sister had married Birdie had married Dr Levi Cook on June 1, 1887. My brother, Herbert, had married Elizabeth Homer, May 1887.
Louise and I came to Utah early in the fall of 1887.. The first place we lived was 555 South West Temple in part of Heber C. Clyde’s place and we had a hard time getting along. I would ask for a position and they ask if I was a member of the church, and as I was not, there did not seem to be an opening for me. Finally I presented to Mr. Cartright, at D. & R. G. a letter of introduction from his brother in Arkansas City. When I was given this letter, I thought I would not use it, but I needed work and was given a job trucking and unloading freight. I had not been used to such heavy work and it was hard on me yet I held the job for about a year and a half. We then moved te Seventh South, and from there to South Temple. Here we made acquaintance of one of Brigham Young’s daughters--I do not remember her name--who lived across the street and did us many good turns.
We moved to 200 East, Second south, and Louise, although ill, with the help of Tina Lund, of Mt. Pleasant, Utah, run a bearding house. One good friend I'll never forget was the Bishop of Bountiful, Brother Ashby. He sold vegetables and many a time he left with us the unsold stock, which was a great help to us. I thought him one of the finest men I had ever known.
I quit the D. & R. G. and get a job with Applegate and Busby Commission Co. and later. I worked for E. G. Hines Commission House for several years. My cousin died November 19, 1891 and her body was sent to Wichita for burial. Tina Lund was still with us and helped a lot at this time. Also Bishop Ashby again befriended us in helping to get the body prepared for shipment. There was no undertaker at that time.
There was a watch maker who boarded with us who did a great deal to help us. Brigham Young’s daughter was there also. A Mr. Empy who was connected with Clark Eldredge Co. proved a mighty good friend to me too. I had gotten acquainted with him some years before. He was taking subscriptions at that time for the Salt Lake Temple which was twelve feet high, when I came to Utah. The rock, for this foundation had been hauled by ox team. I told him I had no job and not much money but I wanted to give $1.00, enough to say I helped build the Mormon Temple.
There was a time while I was delivering for Hines Commission Co. that I thought I knew just about everyone in Salt Lake City. My parents wrote me that Elizabeth wanted to marry a man by the name of O. J. Riley. This man the folks did not like very well, but Elizabeth later however, married him in spite of their objection, and he proved to be a very fine type. He was some years later killed in a Railroad accident in Perry, Oklahoma. She afterwards married a man by the name of Wageok. Uncle Add died August 3, 1893 and his wife, Aunt Maggie, died October 27, 1894.
George Haverstic, a cousin of mime and Carl Mauck were working for Hines at the time I was. I often heard them talking about Sanpete County buying calves etc. Mauck had been in the county and bad been told that it was the best in the state. He and Haverstic started out with a team. They were only gone a half a day when they gave up the trip and returned to Salt Lake. Mauck still wanted to go. He then talked to me and I told him if he wanted to go I would go with him, but if he stepped I would go on. He then went to Cash Co. and bought a team and we had a buggy fixed to order, suitable for buying calves, eggs, etc., and we started out, by way of Thistle. He with the team and I on my bicycle. It had been raining and the roads were holy terrors. We arrived at Mt. Pleasant on September 1897. I remember it was rainy and I waited under a shade tree by R. Whittaker’s until Mauck arrived with the team. I did net think then that later I would marry and live across the street. There was no snow that year until February and then we got a foot or more in one night.
We rented a house of Clinis Ericksen on West highway towards Spring City, 5th west --north, near James Monson’s.. Amasa Aldrich was postmaster. Joseph Monsen was city marshal, and lived near us. One day I borrowed a whee1 barrow from him, when I returned it 1 put it, as I had been taught, where I got it. Joe said that was new to him as usually they would have to go for things loaned out.
Mauck would visit neighboring towns with the team and I on my bicycle would go towards Richfield, sometimes to Richfield in a day. I often made the trip to Mayfield and Gunnison for lunch and back home again at night.
The roads were rough and dusty. We stored eggs in the basement of Madsen's
Store building on Main and State Street and did a good business. We had been here about one and one half years when Mauck decided that he would return to Sale Lake, as business had not been what he had expected, so we divided up. (A strange thing happened; we bad brought a pint of whiskey with us, and we still had it. Carl asked what to do with it and I said, "Take it back. I don't want any of it. So back to Salt Lake it went.)
After a while George Haverstio came and was a partner for a year; then he returned to Salt Lake City, then to Idaho and back to his home in Missouri. I then, in about 1899, formed a partnership with Neil M. Madsen. About 1900 he moved to Scofield. Some time after this A, C. Madsen and I became partners in the implement business, known as Madsen & Longsdorff, and did a good business until the depression started in 1931.
My own business was known as S. D. Longsdorff Produce Co. In the year 1906 I thought a great deal about my mother and one day I told Grandpa Madsen (Andrew Madsen) about it and he said, "Showman if I felt like that about it, I would go back and see her." I decided then and there that I would.
The following Feb., 1907, I closed up my business and went to Pa. to see my mother and sisters, Emma and Ella and Flora. Mother had gone there, after my father's death in Wichita, to live with the girls. I first went to Carlyle to Ella's and as mother and Emma would not be there until Saturday morning, I went to Virginia to see my sister, Flora.
Saturday morning we were at the market right by the railroad and Emma and mother arrived. They did not notice me at all. Emma said, "Where is that big brother of mine, asleep?" Ella replied “I guess so.” on the way home in the bus I sat right by them. I bumped up against them and tried to get them to notice me but they wouldn't. I couldn’t wait any longer so I said, "How, are you, mother?" They almost went thru the top of the bus. But it was 28 years since we had seen each other, so was it any wonder? I had a very enjoyable trip and saw a number of old acquaintances, among them, Newton Meyers and the Cockly Brothers. We had been boys in the same town and played Halloween tricks together. I stepped up to Newton Meyers who was running a restaurant in Machanicburg and said, “remember me when you were a bad fellow," he replied with astonishment, "I don't remember you at all." When I asked him if he ever knew a Showman Longsdorff, he fell all over me. The local papers had quite a write up concerning my visit after so many years absence. My mother died the fo1lowing Aug. 13th.
In 1909 when the Pioneer Monument was dedicated, my sister Bird and her husband Dr. Levi Cook of Nevada, Missouri, visited me. I went to Fairview and rode with them to Mt. Pleasant on the train. The first thing Dr. Cook said to me was, “How in the World did you find your way down here?” In 1915 Bird, again with sister Elizabeth and her daughter, Helene, came and we enjoyed about six weeks together.
.About this time I joined the Provo. Elks Lodge, 849, my number being 209, I have been paid member ever since. I had joined the A.O.U.W. Lodge - while in
Wichita but I had not been able to keep that up.
I had one of the first automobiles in Mt. Pleasant. I think it was the third, Dr. A Lundberg having the first, F. C. Jensen purchased a Cadillac and I a Case, which I named "Betsy". It was a large gray machine with a left hand drive, and I surely did get the wear out of it. Many people had their first automobile ride in it, and enjoyed them, although the roads were rough, rutty, and rocky. I still have it. In 1927, I purchased a Buick and called it "Lindy" in honor of Lindberg's flight over seas. Hilda Madsen and I were married October 7, 1919.
In January 1922 we left for a trip to Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma to visit my brothers. Herbert at Kansas, and Will at Wichita, my sister Birdie at Nevada, Mo., and. Elizabeth at Ponca, Okla. I also saw a number of old acquaintances.
I had received my father's violin and I bad much enjoyment playing it, both in Salt Lake City and Mt. Pleasant. I later purchased a better one and Dr. E. G. Mills, Irwin StansfieId and myself often played at private dances, as well as Missionary parties at Mountainville, and with. others .we had floats in parades, and took part in other public affairs. I also played second violin in John E. Larsen's orchestra at dances in Mt. Pleasant - Opera House. Most always for fun.
A cracker Jack baseball team was organized, with some professional players imported. They played several years. I acted as manager and we had a great deal of sport out of it.
Mt. Pleasant Baseball Team 1903
Back Row L to R: Carlos Gundrson, J.W. Boyden, Showman Longsdorf,
L.P. Nelson, ........ Hall (import), Jens Gunderson,
Front Row, L to R; ...........Thomas, Andrew Peterson, ..........Hopkins,
William Hansen, J.W. Cherry.
In 1924 I was elected a member of the North Sanpete School District. At that time Louis A. Peterson was Supt. of North Sanpete Schools. He moved to Logan not so long after and A. E. Jones was made Supt. Members of the board at that time were John R. Graham, Fairview, President, C. A. Larsen, Spring City; Darrel Rasmussen, Moroni, and Fred Smith, Fountain Green, with John S. Blain, Spring City as clerk and Louis L. Nielsen, Ft. Green as tytreasurer. I was very anxious to get certain needed improvements taken care of, and with the splendid cooperation of the board members, Supt. Petersen, Supt. Jones, the faculty, and citizens, I feel that a great work was accomplished. At the
Hamilton School a lot of half dead trees were removed and ones planted, grounds were beautified, and shrubs were planted.
At N. S. H. S. a number of trees were removed and a lot of new ones planted as well as shrubs, roses and more lawn. The old boot jack fence was removed. The grounds prior to this had been used to a large extent as a pasture. But the greatest job was making a foot-ball field on the campus, where it was said "it could not be done," as the plot on the east side of' the N. S. H. School building was a rocky hill, but with splendid co-operation it was moved. Men were set to work digging out the rocks. One party was paid $100.00 for breaking them up. There was a great deal of dynamite used and the blasts were numerous and loud. Blasting out the rocks, which seemed to multiply and grow overnight, volunteer citizens, free of charge, supervised by Wm. L. Madsen, hauled the hundreds of loads of rocks to the crusher and back again for foundation of walks, etc. I spent most of my time there for about two years, and donated my first year’s wages of $ 300.00 and more towards the work, just how much I cannot say.
My cousin's daughter, Nadine Haverstic, was emp- Hilda and Showman in a Skit or Play
loyed as a`teacher at Ft. Green School for a short time,
and that seeded to make me feel a little nearer to my relations. My sister, Birdie, and her husband, Dr. Cook, visited me again in 1932, staying with us several weeks. I often think of Bishop Ashby of Bountiful. He, when I was down and out, used to encourage me by saying I would yet live to see the day when I would have a good business and surplus to comfortably take care of me. I did; there was a time when I had a wonderful business, shipping produce by the carloads and hundreds of cases of eggs, 100 or 200 cases each week. I candled them all and only sold first class stock. Never once was I complained against.
Then came the break in my health and the first failing in my eyesight. I have often thought of our neighbor, Dick Whittaker, when his eyesight failed him, I did not realize at that time what it meant not to be able to see. I had health. I enjoyed work and I enjoyed life.
I have had many severe sick spells, met the depression, lost in the banks that have closed and savings companies that have failed, but nothing to me compares with the loss of my eye-sight, which failed me in 1931.
Dictated November
20, 21, 22, 1934
Showman Doyle Longsdorff
Died January 9, 1935
Died January 9, 1935
in Mt. Pleasant, Utah.
Showman’s Case. He named her “Betsy”. This photo was made in front
of the Longsdorf-Madsen family home on 3rd North and State Street
SYNOPSIS OF THE FUNERAL SERVICES OF BROTHEIR
SHOWMAN DOYLE LONGSDORF
SHOWMAN DOYLE LONGSDORF
Held in North Ward L. D. S. Chapel--Mt. Pleasant, Utah--Sat. 12 of January 1935
Opening Song – “Cast Thy Bread Upon The Water”
Choir with. duet by Miss Eva Beck and Fred Webb.
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Opening Prayer -- J. Fred Staker
Our Father who art in Heaven, we thy children have assembled ourselves here to pay our last respect to out Dear Brother Langsdorf. We are indeed thankful for having had such a capable man in our midst. We realize, Father, that he has been a faithful servant, and we shall miss him. We pray our Lord, that at this time we may have strength to carry on the work which has been begun. Bless those who shall miss him most that they my have strength. We do pray for the Madsen family who have been called upon to mourn so often during the last few months.. Blessed by the Name of the Lord, will thou bestow thy blessings this day upon those who are caused to mourn, that they may be strengthened. We likewise pray for those who will sing for us and take other parts at these services. Bless all those who are caused to mourn--Even so, Amen.
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Song by Quartet--"Come Unto Me" – Ina L. Jones;.Mr. George Squires,
Mrs. Alta Jensen, and Bishop A. L. Peterson.
Mrs. Alta Jensen, and Bishop A. L. Peterson.
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Remarks by Bishop John R. Graham
My dear Brothers, Sisters, and Friends:
In the parting of Showman Longsdorf, I feel, for one, that I have indeed lost a true friend. This man was an honest friend to me. When things were not going good, when sorrow, troubles and trials overtook me, this man visited my home week after week and asked if there was anything they could do for us. These are the kind of friends we need. I have had the acquaintance with this man for 35 years when he was active in public affair, and I want to tell of this man in business. He was honest, and came up to the standard.
Later on I was associated. with Showman Longsdorf on the Board of Education of North Sanpete High School District for eight years. He with the other members of the board worked for the welfare of the boys and girls. He was always wondering what he could do for the advancement of the district. Not only for this district, but for boys and girls everywhere. I want to say too; in regard to the tax-payers of this district he had their interest at heart. I have enjoyed the association of this man and I know most of the 77 years of his life have been crowded with thought and labors of many usefu1 things You know that he has been active in many capacities--he has been a community man.
He and his good wife have always been for the advancement of this community. We know that without him there will be a gap in our hearts. He has lived to a good old age, yet the time of parting seems sad, so my dear Brothers and. Sisters we must look to the future. We have that hope beyond, when some time we again shall enjoy the association of this man.
We pray our Father to bless the widow, Sister Langsdorf, that she may be able to carryon as before, and also bless all the Madsen family.
In the Name of Jesus Amen
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Remarks By Bishop Byron Carter (Helper, Utah)
My Dear Brothers and Sisters:
When I left home this morning to come to your town, I came with no thought of being called upon to speak. Sister Hilda asked me to say a word here to day, so, you understand my condition. I have not prepared a talk. I want to say this, that I appreciate this honor which has been given me. I appreciate Showman and my having known him, and I might say as Robert Ingersol said after delivering a talk for his brother – “Here lies a man” --I take it that you all understand what Mr. Ingersol meant.
This man has lived a life that entitled him to something more than mere mortal life. It involves something more than just existing. It would be difficult to go through every good this. this man has done. I have tried to set for myself a guide that when I die, I go with the love and respect that this man has. It means something to us to have men such as this man in our community. This is what I have thought I would like, if I could, to be as perfect in this life as Mr. Langsdorf. I would like to learn to like the things our Father likes, as he did. I would like to develop the things he appreciates. I would like to lay stress on life. I believe if you follow that rule you will develop something that will be in itself a great thing. I sometimes think I am too tolerant. I believe that in the shaping of my life, I should learn that I can't tolerate all things.
I have noticed in Showman many things which I appreciate, the same as others have done. He had this .fine quality--He loved honesty, and there is no praise in my soul high enough for this man. He hated hypocrisy. He particularly seemed to hate men who were hypocrites in religion. He could not tolerate the men that pretended to be something that they were not. I wonder sometimes what our Father does think of hypocrisy in church; people who come to church and upon leaving break the rules of religion.
Mr. Longsdorf had a place in his heart for friendship, the more friends the better he felt. I do not think he ever lost a friend. That is a fine thing for anyone to develop. Is that extreme? No, that is the careful man May it be said of us, as of him, -- "Here lies a man"--May God bless us now at this time – Amen.
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Vacal Solo.-"Sing Me To Sleep" Clarice Olson, with
Vacal Solo.-"Sing Me To Sleep" Clarice Olson, with
Violin obbligato by Elson Jones, and
Piano accompaniment by Aaron Jones
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Remarks by Superintendent A. E. Jones (?)
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, and friends:
I don't know who chose the songs today, but it was some one who knew Mr. Longsdorf, because they chose such beautiful appropriate songs. Everyone knows Brother Longsdorf did cast bread upon the waters, speaking of North Sanpete High Schoo1 in particular. Mr. Graham has stated to us that Mr. Longsdorf was elected to the schoo1 board in 1924 and held this office for eight years. So you people can see what we thought of him. When Mr. Longsdorf was elected he knew what a task was before him. He knew that his hours would be full. The first thing he did was to check upon all of the buildings. He checked up, fixed, and made everything comfortable for the students and teachers.
From the very day be was elected the school people knew something had happened At the tine Mr. Longsdorf was elected we were working for a foot ball campus. Mr. Longsdorf came and checked upon the situation and through out his whole office he devoted his time and energy in improving our surroundings.
We were ready to quit, and many said, "It can't be done," Mr. Langsdorf saw the condition, and said" It can be done," and he did it. How did he do it? He reached down in his own pocket, and worked too.
We started work on the campus on the west side, removing earth and boulders by the ton. When we reached the east side we approached a task that seemed impossible. A wall of rock and earth about 5 ft. high faced us, but with his determination to do and with his financial aid we leveled the "well. We had fences to be taken down, and trees to be removed. If anything was needed in the line of implements, such as picks, bars, or anything, he went over to his store and got what was needed.
That is not all, after everything was done on the campus, he reached down in his own pocket and gave us $100.00 to break up all the rock on the campus, and then have it hauled away. Citizens cooperated with labor and helped haul the rocks away, but he used his own money.
I feel that he would have gone long before, had he not had his ambition to help the school work, and the hope to see his work completed. He did things that the rest of us thought hopeless.
Our school doesn't think of Mr. Longsdorf as Mr. Longsdorf but as "The Grand Old Man" who made possible for us the campus which now bears his name "Longsdorf Field." How many of us can build a monument to our name such as he did?
We are proud of our Longsdorf Field and we know that great satisfaction came to him .for the wonderful work he did in giving it to us. His work was varied and complete in every respect. He built walks, copings and tried to make things so that we would have a nicer place to live.
We must not forget the work of his splendid wife and helpmate. At early dawn you could see this couple at work on the unsightly corners of our campus digging and planting so as to make North Sanpete a more beautiful place. They worked together planting trees, shrubs, and flowers, and lawn, all the time planning for every improvement possible.
His work for North Sanpete was unselfish as is clearly shown when we see that the time he was in office he spent almost all he was given for his services as a school board member, on our campus to improve it and make it more beautiful.
I feel honored that Mrs. Longsdorf would give me a few minutes time at the funeral services of this grand Old Man, and I hope that the many good qualities that he possessed my act as a beacon light to as in our future lives.
I ask it in Jesus Name Amen.
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Remarks of Henry P. Olson
My Dear Brothers and. Sisters:
People have come here from all over in honor of Mr. Longsdorf and his wonderful work in our community. Many people know him for his great work. He came here with the energy of meeting disappointment. He worked in this line unti1 he made good.
When I first knew Brother Longsdorf, he lived down in a home of Clinis Ericksen, five blocks west of State Street. You all know that before his illness he did business with almost every man in Mt. Pleasant, not only in Mt. Pleasant, but towns around. He did not hear anyone say anything, but that their business with him was satisfactory. His one aim was to be honest. He was known for his honesty and his ambition.
I have met people in the last year who have informed me of traits of character of Mr. Longsdorf that very few people possess. I would like you to know about some things.
He had power even above that of the ordinary man. I was told by three different persons who knew of Showman's help in time of distress, and brought help to those who were unfortunate. He took baskets of things to people and left it on their door-step so they would not know who brought it, and the neighbors would see him leave without being seen by the unfortunates. He also would give things to people through other people or in an indirect way. I feel my brothers and sisters, he did the right thing at the right time. I have been acquainted with him in business, I have called upon him for donation, and Showman Longsdorf, until the depression, was one of the best donators.
His wife has written some memories of his life as related by him. I have read them and you should read them. Today, while transacting some business with a man, I gave this copy to his wife to read, and when she returned it, she too had tears in her eyes, and she told me of many kind deeds Showman and his partner, Mr. Mauck, had done for her father, when many years ago, she had been very ill.
May God bless us this day, in behalf of the family. I desire to thank all who have contributed and comforted during the sickness and distress.
We desire to, thank all who have come here this day, and those who have taken part on the program.
In Jesus Name--Amen.
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Choir sang--"God Be With You Till We Meet Again."
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Closing Prayer by S. M. Nielson
In closing of the services, our Father, as we adjourn, may we apply what we have heard here, in our own lives. may we continue to see the things which are outstanding in his life. Comfort the wife in her loneliness, may You help her to go through life.Go with us our Father, to our homes and help those who go to the cemetery .Go with those who have come from afar that they may get back safely
We ask these blessings in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
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The Grave dedication by Pres. Daniel Rasmussen.
Our Father Who art in Heaven, we are gathered beside the open grave into which has been deposited the mortal remains of our friend and brother S. D. Longsdorf. On the authority of the Holy Priesthood which I bear, I dedicate this spot of ground as the final resting place for the earthly part of him whose spirit has returned to Thee.
I pray that this spot of earth may be sanctified as the final resting place for these remains and that they may rennin here in peace undisturbed by the elements or ruthless bands until that day when the trumpet shall sound and the dead both small and great shall be called forth by the power to receive the reward of their deeds done in the body.
This I do in the Name of Jesus Christ—Amen.
Pall Bearers were: Carl Rabback, James Smith, William Reta, Ray Hardy, George Ruff, and Lawrence Johnson of Provo, member of the B. P. O. E. 849 Provo of which Mr. Longsdorf was a member, his number being 209.
Tribute Letters to Showman D, Longsdorf
Tribute to my friend Showman D. Longsdorf
In 1891 I had the pleasure of meeting Showman, as he was known to all, and a long friendship grew, which has lasted thru the rest of our lives. In 1897 we formed a partnership and located in Mt. Pleasant, Utah, and I was there nearly two years, but the business did not come up to my liking so l withdrew and returned to. Salt Lake, but he stayed and won out.
In all of our dealings, everything was always the most congenial. His word was his honor, and his honor was his ward. Every act and deal was of the most moral thought.
Sometimes in the late year of 1920 I saw one of his old friends, L. W. Dittman (Louie) from Wichita, Kansas; about the first thing he asked me was, "How is Showman?" We both knew Dittman well, I told him he was in Mt. Pleasant and had made good. “Good”, he said, “I am glad, I knew he would make good because it was in him, I am glad he won.” And I, too am glad he won.
Now, Louie like Showman, is in the Great Beyond. There are only a few of the "old bunch of the 1890 left: W. S. Foster, Billy Siefert, Billy Gastride and myself of Salt Lake, George Algen of Los Angeles, W. A.Wilkins of Glendale, Calif. and George Haverstia of Montana. There were many others, but time has made its changes.
A man with a character,. Carl R. Mauck (Signed)
a character without a defect 460 E. 3rd South
Salt Lake City, Utah
I saw in to-night's News the account of Showman’s passing, while I had partly expected it, yet it is with sadness I give up my esteemed friend. I have always appreciated his friendship. The better I knew him and the more I saw his kindly acts and good judgment the more I respected and loved him. In all the times I have been in Mt. Pleasant, I have felt the trip was more pleasant when I had a few minutes with him, when I taught there we had our daily exchange of stories.
Sincerely, P. C. Peterson, Jr. (Signed)
Ephraim, Utah
Jan. 11, 1935
I have just read of the death of Showman, I knew he was sick of course, -but I did not know it was so serious. I just can’t properly express my sorrow upon learning of the deathof' my friend. I have known Showman nearly 40 years, and at thirty of those years did business with him, and enjoyed his friendship. I never knew a more honest, honorable upright man in every sense of the word. His word was his bond and I never heard of him betraying a trust. There are few men whom I have loved as I did Showman. I will miss him, even though we have been separated for the past several years. But I will cherish his memory, and take a lot of pleasure in remembering our most pleasant associations in the years past.
Your friend,
J. Morgan Johnson (Signed)
2426 E. - - - 7
Jan. 12, 1935
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