July 24th Celebrated by Mt. Pleasant Residents in 1885

 

Bowery as Used by the Primary in 1885

Although the pioneers had plenty of hard work, problems and trials, they also made their joys and amusements.

A few days prior to the 24th of July which marked the 12th anniversary of the arrival of the first group of pioneers into Salt Lake Valley, the people of Mount Pleasant assembled and ar­ranged for a grand celebration. Much time and pains were taken in arranging the program and the dinner. A bowery 40 by 60 feet, built of cedar posts, placed upright holding as a shed, and covered with fresh green willows and limbs, was erected in the southwest corner of the fort. Pitch pine wood, to furnish light for the dance and the amusement in the evening, was brought from the mountains by John Waldermar and Christian Widergren An­derson.

On the morning of July 24th, salutes were fired at daybreak and drums were beat. At 9 a. m., the people gathered at the bowery. The program began with singing by the choir. (James Hansen was choir leader at that time.) The invocation was offered by Bishop William S. Seeley; there followed spirited speeches, music, vocal and instrumental, recitations, etc., until one o'clock, when an abundant meal was served. At 3 p.m., everything was cleared away for the amusements and dancing, which continued until 2 o'clock in the morning of the 25th, and with the rhythm of the music, and on the bare ground they really did dance. This cele­bration was characterized all the way through by the harmony and good feeling that prevailed among the people. (History of Mt. Pleasant by Hilda Madsen Longsdorf pp: 55-54)

Dancing was enjoyed to the utmost, and during the early days of the settlement, dances were also often held in the homes, among them being the John Fredrick Fechser home, which was on the east side in the fort; it was there that Fred Nielson taught the waltz step. James Hansen also taught dancing at his home.
It is said that Hans Y. Simpson had the first board floor in the fort, and that almost before it was finished, the colonists gath­ered there for a dance.

Fortunate were the pioneers in having among them so many fine musicians, who willingly contributed their talents toward the amusement of the colony. John Waldermar played the violin, flute, and cornet. James Hansen, who prior to his coming to Mount Pleasant, had belonged to the Brass Band in Salt Lake City, also played the violin, flute and cornet. Lars Nielsen, known as Lars Fiddler, played by ear, became very popular and had many invi­tations from other settlements to locate there. He, with John Waldermar and James Hansen, played for all the important gatherings held in Mount Pleasant during the first sixteen years.

Among other prominent pioneer musicians, who also contributed necessary pioneer music were Levi B. Reynolds, violinist; George Nielsen, tambourine; Orin Clark, the Jaw Bones of an Ox on a stick; Alma Staker, Bone Clapper; Rudolph Bennett, Triangle; Bent Hansen, Bass Fiddle; Soren Hansen, Clarinet; Andrew Bram­sted, Violin; and August Mynear, Violin. Later August Mynear
and his son were musicians in the Salt Lake Theatre for many years. (p. 64 HML)