CO-OPS FOR ALL

 

THE BIG PIONEER STORE ~~~ Written by Pearl Madsen Olsen ~~~ (from our archves)

 

 These coins were used by early pioneers at the ZCMI.  Donated to us by Dick and Peggy Ruiz. 

   

 

 

Mt. Pleasant's Own ZCMI ~~~ Researched, Compiled and Updated By Tudy Barentsen Standlee

 

The Big Pioneer Store ~~~ Written by Pearle M. Olsen ~~~Saga of the Sanpitch 1974

 

   

 

 

Did You Know That Mt. Pleasant, Utah Once Had Three ZCMI Stores? (From Our Archives)

 

Three of them at different times and different locations. Mt. Pleasant’s Own Z.C.M.I. (third location). was on State Street and Main; North East Corner of the Intersection and faced south.

 Now On display at the Mt. Pleasant Relic Home is an original Z.C.M.I. trunk donated by David and Jan Smith. Also a set of Z.C.M.I. exchange coins which were donated by Dick and Peggy Ruiz. 

The picture above is also on display. This display features a very important segment of Mt. Pleasant’s history. Z.C.M.I. stands for Zions Cooperative Mercantile Institution.

The following is taken from Hilda Madsen Longsdorf’s History of Mt. Pleasant, page 129. “Mt.. Pleasant Z. C. M. I. In February 1869, the Mt. Pleasant Z. C. M. I. was organized. It was a co-operative organization patterned after the Z. C. M. I. that was organized the year previous in Salt Lake City, under the instructions of President Brigham Young, who at that time pointed out to the people the necessity and the benefits of such institutions. The Mt. Pleasant Z. C. M. I. began business in a small room, in a log building, afterwards known as Anderson's Blacksmith Shop, on the east side of State Street, about Third South. Here Anthon H. Lund served as clerk. After a time, the Company erected a log building on the southwest corner, intersection of State and Main Street. (Where Skyline Pharmacy is now located); Quoting Amasa Aldrich: “This was quite a creditable building at that time, being built of logs chinked with mud. The room on the inside was plastered with mud. Outside, above the door, which faced the east, was painted the sign 'Z. C. M. I.' Underneath this was painted the “All Seeing Eye,' and beneath that, 'Holiness to the Lord.' This was the first store building built in Mt. Pleasant, and became known as the Mormon or Polygamist Store. 

Charlie Hampshire, and Olaf Sorensen were clerks who served. Charlie spoke English and Ole spoke Danish, hence the people could always be served, because when one could not understand the customer, the other could.” (HML) It is interesting to note that a “lower store” was built later and was known as the Gentile Store, Swedish Store, or Sanpete County Co-op. This is the store now located on the north side of main street at about 150 West, most recently occupied by Head Start. 

The third Z.C.M.I. was built on the corner where the Mt. Pleasant Recreation Center is now located. And this last Z.C.M.I. building is shown in the picture above. This building was the first building that necessitated a break in the old fort wall. It was a two story brick building. “Its brick were made and fired by hand and then tested to make sure that “nothing but the first class brick or any other material was put into the building. The huge timbers used were hewed with a broad axe and smoothed with drawing knives.” HML p.156. 

The second story of the building was used as a theatre and dance hall. Madsen and Anderson operated the theatre and dance hall on the second floor of the brick building, and here the public witnessed Shakespearean plays by John S. Lindsay and Company, also other high class companies, home dramatics, etc., as well as the C. C. A. Christensen's panoramas, minstrel shows, sleight of hand performances, hypnotism, etc., and many heated political rallies, setting forth free trade, tariff on wool, etc.” “The scenery for the hall was painted by C. C. A. Christensen, a very popular artist. Music for the dances was mostly furnished by the Peter Almertz orchestra, consisting of John Waldermar, Rebecca Beckstrom, Bent Hansen, and others. Brigham Lee was floor manager and prompter. The east room of the building was used as the city council headquarters. On top of the building had been arranged seats, and at daybreak on holidays the Brass Band assembled; their music could be clearly heard in the distance, as the stars and stripes were unfurled. It had been common for the band, in their band wagon, to serenade the city, and they were usually treated with plenty of home-made beer and refreshments.” HML p.173. 

Anyone having additional pictures of the people named above or anyone who was also involved which can be added to the Relic Home’s Z.C.M.I. Display is encouraged to email us at pandk@cut.net or visit the Relic Home.

The Mt. Pleasant Pioneer Historical Association is also asking for additional histories of pioneers of our community, but also histories of all residents and events right up to the present time. These histories will be collected, documented, preserved and eventually put on DVD’s for current and future generations.

Shopping in Salt Lake City ~~~ Auerbachs, Paris and ZCMI ~~~ At Chrismas Time

 

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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And the Paris Department Store Shown Below:

Union Store

The following is a History of the Union Store written by Louise Johansen: 

Some people in Mt. Pleasant or in Sanpete County, Utah, may be unaware of the fact that for a period of

over twenty years there was a Z.C.M.I. branch store in Mt. Pleasant, and that it occupied three different
locations during those years.

I sometimes heard my father speak of the old store known by that name, and I became interested in its
history as I learned that the large red brick building I knew to be the Union Store had once housed the early
Z.C.M.I. in the years of my father‘s youth.18

The Union Store in Mt. Pleasant stood on the present site of the Doughboy monument and the Armory
Hall on Main and State streets. It faced south, and I found out that it was the first building erected in town that required a break in the old pioneer fort wall. Some rocks had to be removed from the southwest corner of the big wall in preparation for it.


I had also heard reference to a small store in early days that was called Z.C.M.I. and was on south State

street. Still I heard of another location where a store was known by the same name. That building I

remembered, but I knew it as a blacksmith shop on the corner of Main and state streets (southwest corner).

My interest was challenged by the various locations known as the early day sites of the store, and

research led me to several references recorded by Andrew Madsen, a grand uncle of mine. His daughter

compiled his information on early day Mt. Pleasant, and a book was sponsored by the Pioneer Historical

Association of that town.


The book was sold for many years by the Association, but has been out of print for years as it was a

limited edition. With this in mind I pass information along to share with many who have not had the privilege

of reading and knowing about that old branch Z.C.M.I.


The Mt. Pleasant store was organized in 1870 after the pattern of the store that had been established the

previous year in Salt Lake City, and named the Zion‘s Co-operative Mercantile Institution. The local company was begun with seven hundred dollars worth of stock subscribed by various individuals, among who were: W.S. Seely, P.M. Peel, Andrew Madsen, N.P. Madsen, Jacob Christensen, Niels Widergren Anderson, Peter Monsen, Hans Poulsen, J.W. Seely, Hans Y. Simpson, Mortin Rasmussen, and W.S. Seely was chosen as the first manager and superintendent. Andrew Madsen and C.N. Lund served later as superintendents. I was intrigued by the fact that my grandfather, Niels Peter Madsen, had been one of the first and principal investors.


Business began in one small room of a log building on the east side of State Street at Third South.

Anthon H. Lund was a clerk there for a short time. Then the company built a larger, new log building on the

southwest corner of the Main and State Street intersection where the drug store now stands. The logs of that

new store were chinked with mud and the room was plastered with mud. Outside, above the door a large sign read: ―Z.C.M.I.


Charles Hampshire and Olaf Sorensen were the clerks. One spoke English and the other Danish, so

customers were understood and helped no matter which language they spoke. The store carried a variety of

merchandise and developed a fine trade.


All trading was done at that time by written order or printed due bills for which people traded their

produce. The produce was then freighted to Pioche, Nevada, and other mining towns where cash was received for it. Long trips were made with mule or horse teams, and the shorter trips with ox teams. It was seldom that a silver dollar was seen in Mt. Pleasant in those days, and the produce was as valuable as money would have been.


By 1878, it was found that even the mud-plastered building was very inadequate for the volume of

business being done. So a two-story red brick building was planned and built on the corner opposite from the one chinked with mud. It later became the Wilson blacksmith ship that I recall.

The brick used in the new store was made at a brick yard west of town, and was mixed with horse

power. After the adobes were formed they were covered with burlap and sand until thoroughly dry, then packed and burned for a week or two. Cedar wood from the Cedar Hills was used for burning.

A ladder was placed and men formed a bucket brigade that carried water up the ladder where it was

poured over the kiln until the bricks were saturated. Any brick with lime in it would burst and be discarded.

The good bricks were tested again by laying them in running water for several days.


Nothing but the first class bricks and other materials were used in building the new store. The huge

timbers were hewn with a broad axe, and smoothed with drawing knives. A large basement furnished ample

room for the storing of commodities on hand, and at its peak the store carried a twelve thousand dollar stock.19


An outside stairway along the east side of the store led to a theatre and dance hall in the second story

that served as an up-to-date amusement center accommodating larger crowds than the previously used Social Hall on the church square.


When the term of incorporation of Mt. Pleasant Z.C.M.I. expired, the stockholders decided to

incorporate under the name of Equitable Co-op, and sometimes it was referred to as the Co-op Store. Later the name was changed to Union Store and was managed by Andrew Madsen for many years. The building was finally razed to provide a site for the Armory Hall and Doughboy monument.

Are You Curious About the "All - Seeing Eye" ?

Mt. Pleasant's Z.C.M. I. 

Outside, above the door, which faced the east, was painted the sign 'Z. C. M. I.' Underneath this was painted the “All Seeing Eye," and beneath that, 'Holiness to the Lord.'

The first really successful gold coins minted in Utah appeared in September 1849 in denominations of two-and-a-half, five, ten, and twenty dollars. The phrase “Holiness to the Lord” surrounded an all-seeing eye and a priesthood emblem. On the reverse side were two clasped hands above the date of issue, surrounded by the denomination and the letters G.S.L.C.P.G., an abbreviation for “Great Salt Lake City Pure Gold.” These coins were minted unchanged until 1860 except for adding nine stars to the five-dollar piece in 1850.

Salt Lake Temple 

HOLINESS TO THE LORD

The House of the Lord, built by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Commenced April 6, 1853

Completed April 6, 1893

Just below the dedicatory inscription is found the all-seeing eye, a symbol of God’s omnipresent nature and divine protection.

also see: https://www.lds.org/study/ensign/2007/02/why-symbols?lang=eng

The symbol of the "All Seeing Eye" is somewhat mysterious, but used by many religions and institutions around the world; including colleges and universities . It is often misunderstood and used by conspiracy theorists. 

Mt.. Pleasant Z. C. M. I.

In October 1869, the Zion's Cooperative Mercantile Institution
commenced operation in Salt Lake City. Among the principal
stockholders were Brigham Young, George A. Smith, George Q
Cannon, William Jennings, H. S. Eldredge, William H. Hooper
From Tullidge's Life of Brigham Young, is quoted: "Simultaneously with the organization of the parent institution, local organizations were formed in all the settlements in the territory; each pledged to sustain the one central depot, and make their purchases from it.

The people, with great unanimity became share holders in the respective local 'co-operations,' and also in the parent co-operatives so that they might enjoy the profits of their own investments and
purchases."

 Mt.. Pleasant Z. C. M. I.
In February 1869, the Mt. Pleasant Z. C. M. I. was organized. It
was a co-operative organization patterned after the Z. C. M. I. that
was organized the year previous in Salt Lake City, under the
instructions of President Brigham Young, who at that time pointed
out to the people the necessity and the benefits of such institutions.
The Mt. Pleasant Z. C. M. I. began business in a small room, in a log building, afterwards known as Anderson's Blacksmith Shop, on the east side of State Street, about Third South. Here Anthon H. Lund served as clerk. After a time, the Company erected a log building on the southwest corner, intercession of State and Main Street.

 Quoting Amasa Aldrich: “This was quite a creditable building at that time, being built of logs chinked with mud. The room on the inside was plastered with mud. Outside, above the door, which faced the east, was painted the sign 'Z. C. M. I.' Underneath this was painted the “All Seeing Eye",' and beneath that, 'Holiness to the Lord.'

This was the first store building built in Mt. Pleasant, and became known as the Mormon or Polygamist Store. Charlie Hampshire, and Olaf Sorensen were clerks who served. Charlie spoke English and Ole spoke Danish, hence the people could always be served, because when one could not understand the customer, the other could.
There were many customers and on Saturday one would have to put in the better part of the day trying to get waited on. Blenda Dehlin and Lauritz Larsen Sr. later assisted as clerks. The store carried a various line of merchandise and people could get most anything needed. The mischievous boys of those days would remove chinks from between the logs, reach their arms in and help themselves to the stick and rock candy." Produce was taken in exchange for merchandise and freighted to Pioche, Nevada, and other mining camps, by John Carter, George Tuft, George Frandsen, Lars Frandsen and others, with R. N. (Dolph) Bennett acting as head freighter. Long trips were made with mule or horse
teams, shorter ones with ox teams. The store receiving cash for their produce, many people were thereby benefited.
All trading at that time was done by written order or printed due
bills. It was very seldom that a silver dollar was seen. This company was started with stock of $700.00, subscribed by various individuals, among whom were: W. S. Seeley, P. M. Peel, Andrew Madsen, N.P. Madsen, Jacob Christensen, Niels Widergren Anderson, Peter Monsen, Hans Poulsen, J. W. Seely, Hans Y. Simpson, Mortin Rasmussen and others who cared to invest. W. S Seeley was chosen as manager or superintendent. Later Andrew, Madsen and C. N. Lund served as superintendents.

Mount Pleasant History by Hilda Madsen Longsdorf ; pp128-133

JOURNEY OF FAITH continued

With permission of David R. Gunderson, we include the following book to our blog.   I will do a few increments at a time, as I have done with the Andrew Madsen and James Monsen histories.  I will also paste the pages over to David's own blog page: http://davidrgunderson.blogspot.com/

This book will be of interest to not only the Gunderson Family but also to the Brotherson, Ericksen, Peel,   Madsen, Larsen and more.

JOURNEY OF FAITH

Erick and Caroline Gunderson

JOURNEY OF FAITH ~ ERICK AND CAROLINE GUNDERSON ~ David R. Gunderson

With permission of David R. Gunderson, we include the following book to our blog.   I will do a few increments at a time, as I have done with the Andrew Madsen and James Monsen histories.  I will also paste the pages over to David's own blog page: http://davidrgunderson.blogspot.com/

This book will be of interest to not only the Gunderson Family but also to the Brotherson, Ericksen, Peel,   Madsen, Larsen and more.

JOURNEY OF FAITH

Erick and Caroline Gunderson

The following are events that took place in Mt. Pleasant after the Gundersons arrived in Mt. Pleasant.  Also included are sketches of Salt Lake City as it looked in 1865

more to come .........

Andrew Madsen Sr. ~~~Mt. Pleasant Pyramid, 1915-12-10, Noted Pioneer of 80 is Called Beyond

Mt. Pleasant once home to three ZCMI stores ~ Daily Herald ~ July 25, 2007

 Mt. Pleasant once home to three ZCMI stores pic: MT. PLEASANT-- Zions Cooperative Mercantile Institution (ZCMI) was once located on the corner of State Street and Main, on the northeast corner of the Intersection, facing south.

Andrew Madsen's Journal --- Proclamation to Polygamists --- Niels Madsen Dies