Our Pioneer of the Month
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.
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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
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
