Ogden, Provo, Springville, and American Fork Burial Services

Ogden Burial Services

The funeral services over the remains of the ten victims of the Scofield disaster were held today in the Tabernacle. Bishop Peter B. Peterson of Knightsville presiding. The Tabernacle was crowded to its utmost capacity, while hundreds were unable to gain admission. All the undertakers of the city assisted and every funeral vehicle available was used. The funeral procession reached almost from the Tabernacle to the cemetery, being nearly a mile in length. Music was furnished by the Tabernacle Choir under the direction of Squire Coop, assisted by Miss Luella Ferrin who sang a solo. The speakers were Joseph Small and President C. F. Middleton. The invocation was delivered by Elder Joseph Perry, and the benediction by Bishop David McKay. The coffins were ranged in front of the pulpit in two rows of five, and were covered with a profusion of flowers donated by the people from all over the country. Some 200 relatives were present and formed part of the cortege to the cemetery. The procession was arranged with six hearses containing members of the Hunter and Strang families, followed by the mourners and immediate relatives of the dead. Then came another hearse, followed by the near relatives. The scenes about the caskets in the Tabernacle and at the grave side were pathetic in the extreme. Several of the widows fainted and had to be carried from the grave. Following are the names of those buried here:

Provo Burial Services

The entire city is weeping for the survivors of the Scofield explosion. Provo has never experienced so sad a scene. The melancholy tones of the tabernacle organ as the six corpses were borne into the building brought tears from every eye, a sigh of sadness and intense grief from every heart. Forsooth, the streets of our city are sprinkled with tears, and everything is still, not a sound of business life can be heard, public offices are closed, and the daily orders of the courts are silenced. Thousands of people are with bowed heads and grief stricken hearts and still they assemble to pay the last respect to the dead. Oh! this awful calamity. Why should it be? Why should thousands be brought to grief, children left fatherless, and wives without support in life? It would rend the heart of any man to see the flowing tears of the Gatherums, the Langstaffs, the Evan's and the Parmleys' in Provo today.

Funeral services were held at the Stake Tabernacle at 2 o'clock p. m., with the large building packed to overflowing, and hundreds standing on the grounds outside. There were fully four thousand people present. President Partridge opened the services at 2:10 p. m., and the Provo choir sang a beautiful hymn, "Rest for the Aching Soul, Rest, Rest, for the Weary Head." Prayer was offered by Patriarch Evans of Payson. The building was draped in white crape, intertwined with lilacs. The six caskets were buried beneath a bevy of flower wreaths. The corpses were placed side by side just in front of the rostrum and immediately confronting them were the mourners, numbering about fifty people. Bishop Keeler said, "Oh we do feel and sense the heart ache of the wives and children, fathers, brothers, and sisters who are called to mourn, and we would gladly share their sorrow if we could." Prof. Brim hall spoke in a spontaneous outburst of kind sentiment. He said, "There was a time when the human heart was not so big as it is now; a time when men gloated over calamity to others, but that is changed now. Christ brought the spirit of love and kindness. The entire mass of humanity is afflicted over this calamity in this little mountain country. There is 'no lesson in God's school but what is valuable to us." He closed his remarks by invoking the blessings of God on the sorrowing friends.

Mayor Taylor thanked the relief committee for their action in giving aid in this calamity. Prof. Walton said, "One year ago the first of May, Robert Langstaff made his advent onto American soil from England. He celebrated the anniversary of his advent into this country by his death in the mines of the Pleasant Valley Coal Company, having been there only a few months." Mr. Walton pitifully depicted the scenes at the mines in rescuing the dead bodies, which brought the whole house to tears. He closed his remarks by appealing to the people to not let the surviving widows and orphans want for clothing, food or education. Other speakers addressed the assembly giving words of condolence and encouragement to those in mourning. The rain began to fall heavily about four o'clock, which prevented many people from going to the cemetery, but a large procession was, nevertheless, in attendance.

Burial Services at Springville

There took place here today one of the saddest as well as one of the most remarkable funerals in the State. The remains of the Miller boys, and also the remains of John Davis and his two sons, all victims of the Scofield disaster, were buried here this afternoon. The remains of the deceased arrived here last night and were taken to the homes of the relatives. There were three Miller boys, who leave a widowed mother, and John Davis, and his two sons, age 19 and 20. Mr. Davis leaves a widow and ten small children without any means of support. The funeral of the Davis's was held under the direction of the Latter-day Saints' church. John Davis was born in Wales in 1850, came here in 1875, and has lived in Scofield twenty years, where all his children were born. P. H. Boyer was director, and the speakers were: Thomas R. Jones of Lehi, John S. Boyer, and Joseph Hull. The floral decorations were beautiful and the caskets were buried in flowers. The Miller boys were buried under the direction of the Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Baily as director. Morgan Miller was born in 1867, William in 1869, and John in 1870. Rev. Theodore Lee, of Spanish Fork, read the obituary, and Rev. Baily made the funeral address. Bishop Hull pronounced the benediction. The music was appropriate. The K. O. T. M. acted as pall bearers at both funerals, and their band led the procession. Business was entirely suspended and everyone turned out to pay their last respects to the deceased.

Obsequies over W. B. Dougall at Springville

Among the first to be brought to the surface from the inside of Number Four, was W. B. Dougall, a bright young surveyor from Springville. At the head of his corps of assistants he entered the mine about thirty minutes before the explosion, and was found with his instrument set, not far from the outside.

William Barnard Dougall, one of the victims of the Scofield mine calamity, was buried at Springville on Friday', the funeral services being held under the auspices of the Maccabees, deceased being a member of the local tent. The remains were conveyed from the residence of deceased's parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. M. Dougall, to the Latter-day Saint's meeting house. Rev. W. H. Huff read the Episcopal funeral service. Bishop George S. Hill and Don C. Johnson of the Maccabees delivered funeral sermons. The Springville choir and the Provo quartette rendered selections. The benediction was delivered by Rev. R. C. Baily. A large procession followed the remains to the cemetery.

"The sympathy of the entire community was expressed for the sorrowing family, the funeral being the largest ever held in Springville."

Burial Services at American Fork

The funeral services over the remains of Samuel and David Padfield were held today in the Mormon meeting house. The bodies arrived at 2:30 p. m., each casket being borne by six pall bearers, followed by a large body of mourners and friends. There was also a large delegation of the members of the I. O. O. F. lodge No. 26, of Lehi, numbering twenty-two, including a representation of the Daughters of the Rebekah Lodge No. 13. All three boys were members of the I. O. O. F. The house was completely filled, and many were unable to gain admission. After singing by the choir, and prayer, a few consoling remarks were made by Stephen L. Chipman, followed by Emil Anderson. Thomas Barratt, Geo. Cunningham, and D. J. Thurman, member of Lodge No. 26, I. O. O. F., at Lehi. During the services the grief of the bereaved was very touching. Mr. and Mrs. Padfield bore up wonderfully well under the circumstances, but the grief of the wives of Samuel and Thomas was almost unbearable. Up to the present time the body of Thomas Padfield had not been found, but his wife attended the funeral of the other two brothers. It was the saddest funeral ever witnessed in American Fork, and the whole Town was in mourning. The services came to a close at 3:40 p. m., by the choir singing "Farewell All Earthly Honors." Seventy carriages followed the remains to the cemetery. Flags were all at half mast, and business houses were all closed during the funeral services.

Index

Source: History of the Scofield Mine Disaster, by J. W. Dilley, The Skelton Pub. Co., Provo, Utah, 1900.

Editors Note: The I.. O. O. F. were very active in raising money for the benefit of the widows and children along with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This information is included for historical value, it does not mean the people of this project support these institutions.