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published in 1889
Hezekiah Thatcher son of Isaac Thatcher and Mary Gano, was born at Gano Town, near Martinsburg, Berkley County, West Virginia, August 25th, 1809. Both his father and his mother were of old American families and were members of the Presbyterian Church.
Hezekiah Thatcher was married to Alley Kitchen, February 28th, 1828; she was born at the same place April 12th, 1808. When they entered upon the career of married life they were poor, being in a hard country, where slaves and landholders obtained. There appearing no chance for the enterprising young man to improve his condition in his native place, he and his young wife directed their course westward.
He had labored for sever dollars per month, timber clearing, lumber cutting, etc., putting in overtime running a saw mill at nights, working sixteen hours per day; while his wife wove and spun. Thus struggling in the first days of their married life, they accumulated sufficient means to take them four hundred miles into Ohio; this being as far as their means would carry them. They left Virginia in 1831; and settled in Clark County, Ohio, where he rented land and engaged in farming. There he remained till 1836, when he moved further west and settled in Sangamon County, Illinois. Here he also leased land, farmed and worked on the "State House." While engaged in the quarry getting out stone for that building he met with a somewhat serious accident, getting one of his hands badly crushed. During those days he became personally acquainted with Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas, then rising young politicians.
At this place he heard the gospel when he embraced, and was baptized Dec. 19th, 1843, by Elder Frederick W. Cox, who was afterwards President of the High Priest Quorum of the Sanpete Stake of Zion, Utah. An extract from the journal of Elder Cox, written at the time, states that the ordinance "was witnessed by a considerable number of people who were much affected, many of them shedding tears." In order to reach the water, ice to the thickness of a foot had to be cut away.
During the spring of 1844, Mr. Thatcher removed to Macedona. This was about the time when mobs began to rise in Illinois where the Saints for a brief space had found refuge after their expulsion from Missouri. Nauvoo was besieged and the Prophet and his brother hunted from place to place, which called the Mormon people together in defence [sic] of their leaders and their community generally. On his part
Mr. Thatcher went as a member of the Macedona militia company to Nauvoo and aided in guarding that city, and he was there at the time the Prophet Joseph and the Patriarch Hyrum Smith were martyred at Carthage; he saw their remains on their arrival at Nauvoo, and witnessed the mourning of the Saints in that terrible day of the supreme bereavement of the restored Apostolic Church over the martyrdom of its Prophet and founder.
After this tragedy Mr. Thatcher removed his family to the mound near the city, and purchased one hundred acres of land, upon which he built a substantial house, fence and made other improvements, for which, however, he was driven, at the time of the expulsion of the Saints from Nauvoo. During the troubles he was called away to defend the people and his sons were left to take care of and husband the crops. He was away all the summer of 1845. Mother Thatcher has often stood guard over her house while her husband was away defending the homes of his brethren. The mob threatened to burn them out, but she heroicly [sic] told them she would not go until the family got ready.
During the winter of 1845-6, Mr. Thatcher effected the sale of his property at an immense sacrifice, getting for it only about $250, a span of horses and an old wagon, though at the time of the exodus a portion of his land, four miles from Nauvoo he had purchased at $12 per acre.
Early in the spring of 1846, he moved towards the Rocky Mountains in the exodus of his people, crossing Iowa at Fort Madison; he had four or five teams for the journey when he left Nauvoo. After crossing the Mississippi to Iowa, he struck the main companies at about Mount Pisgah, from which place he went on to the Bluffs, and was there when the Mormon Battalion was mustered into service.
While at the Bluffs Mr. Thatcher and his son John B. Thatcher went into Missouri to obtain provisions. Returning they crossed the river and went on to Cutler’s Park, but it having been resolved by the authorities after the departure of the Battalion, not to proceed to the mountains that year, Mr. Thatcher took his family and with a few others went to Florence, cut and put up had and made temporary improvements. Others following, the place became the Winter Quarters of the main camp. Here while he was building a log house Mother Thatcher came near losing her life. While trying to hold a log in its place her head and face were crushed and bruised between the upper log of the house and the one she was holding—the latter turning when Mr. Thatcher lifted the other end up. She will carry the scars resulting therefrom [sic] to her grave, though soon after the accident she was able to be around again and thereafter as on former occasions helped her husband on every possible opportunity.
During that season, he and his son Joseph several times went to various places, rustling about to get an outfit to continue with the advance companies in the spring of 1847.
Soon after the start of the Pioneer band under President Young, Apostle Parley P. Pratt’s company was organized at the rendezvous at Elk Horn, and Mr. Thatcher and his family were organized in Parley’s hundred, and in P. G. Session’s fifty. At the Elk Horn River he and his sons rendered efficient service in helping to "raft" the Saints and their effects over, being almost constantly in the water for several days. With his family he reached Salt Lake Valley in September, 1847, having met the Pioneers at the Sandy, on their return journey to Winter Quarters to bring up the body of the Church.
The family located during the winter of 1847, in the Old Fort and in the spring of 1848, farmed near Neff’s Mill, in what is now Sugar House Ward. At this place they planted corn and put in five acres of wheat, which, in consequence of insufficient water with which to irrigate, they had to pull, when it became ripe: that is the remainder of the crop left by the crickets which they had fought during the season in common with the other settlers to preserve the infant colony from actual starvation which threatened them.
During the fall of 1848, Mr. Thatcher returned east as far as Sweetwater to aid the gathering Saints. Severe exposure and insufficient substantial food on this trip, shattered his health so badly that he never fully recovered therefrom [sic]. He was engaged in the first Indian difficulty at Battle Creek, Utah County.
There were from fifty to sixty of the colonists in this engagement. The Indians had entrenched themselves under a bluff in the creek among the willows and brush. In order to dislodge them some of the men went up on a mountain and tried to roll rocks down upon the Indians; but Mr. Thatcher and a few others, being impatient to route them went down to the bank and jumped across, when three Indians rose up and fired upon him, an arrow taking effect in the breech of his gun. He promptly returned fire, and afterwards had a silver plate put over the wound in the gun, which was more easily cured than would the wound have been had the shot taken effect in his own body.
In the spring of 1849, after raising one crop Mr. Thatcher and his family left Salt Lake City for California, and after a three months’ trip, arrived at Sacramento on the last day of June. At that time there was not a house in that now important city. There being nothing more than shanties and tents. Having remained at Sacramento a short time he went to the mines, first to Auborn, where he remained only a few days and then returned and established what was known as the Half Way Eating House. This place he sold out in December ’49 and went freighting into the mines and obtained considerable means he purchased a house and lot on what is now Jay Street, between Second and Third Streets in the city of Sacramento. He was there during the flood of 1849-50 during which he employed boats to remove to a higher place.
In the spring of ’50 he went back to the mines, and located at Salmon Falls, where he established a hotel and a store. His sons went into the mines but their father was not able to do so.
After he left Sacramento the second time for the mines he was induced by a friend of his to loan all the money when he had made to a man by the name of Barton Lee, who was a banker; but the bank broke and Mr. Thatcher lost all the means he had accumulated and so had to commence life again.
In the fall of 1852, he removed with his family to Yolo County, 30 miles west of Sacramento City, where he brought considerable realty, farmed and raised stock. William B. Preston than a young man, now Presiding Bishop, occupied a ranch about a mile from the purchase. Being the family’s nearest neighbor and becoming intimate with the boys who frequently went hunting with him, he finally sought the hand and heart of their sister. Harriet being the only daughter, Father Thatcher was by no means anxious to have her carried off by the young Virginia bachelor, hence he did not favor the suit; but when Preston joined the Church, filled a mission and accompanied his sons to Utah, his manifestations of perseverance and constancy pleasing the father he finally consented to the union and William was thereafter treated with the same consideration, kindness and confidence as that bestowed upon his own sons, who were ever willing to share with him the favor and support extended by the father while they carefully laid, under his direction, the foundation of their future work.
In 1854, Father Thatcher went east to visit his friends in Virginia, Ohio, and Illinois, and on his return to California brought two of his brothers and a nephew with him.
The family remained in Yolo County till 1857, when Father and Mother Thatcher and their sons Joseph and George W. and their daughter Harriet started from California about the 4th of July, leaving their sons John B. Thatcher [,] Aaron D. and Moses on missions in California; they followed with Wm. B. Preston, who had joined the Church, the gospel having been introduced to him by the Thatcher family. During his stay in California, no missionary ever came to him without receiving generous aid, and on the solicitations of Apostle Rich and Lyman he contributed largely towards the purchase of the San Bernardino Ranch in southern California. While Mother Thatcher earnestly advocated the principles of truth as revealed by the Prophet Joseph to hundreds of people, Father Thatcher, with substantial means, caused numerous gospel messengers to go on their way rejoicing.
Father Thatcher returned to Utah by the Humbolt route. He arrived with the before-named part of his family in August, 1857. He brought splendid horses with him from California, the Thatcher band were the finest in the Territory for a long time.
On his arrival in Salt Lake City, before unloading he went into the President’s Office and paid his tithing. The following voucher will show the generous amount:
General Tithing Office, Great Salt Lake City, September 7th, 1857.
This certifies that Hezekiah Thatcher has paid his tithing in full to August 19,
1857, being the time of his arrival in the valley, amounting to $1055.00; cash
tithing $900.00; property tithing $155.00.
H. K. Whitney [,] clerk.
When his other sons arrived on the first of January, 1858, John B. Thatcher bringing means which he had collected for his father, he further paid tithing to the amount of $440.00. Judging by the amount paid, President Young told him that none of the brethren who had gone to California had succeeded as well financially as he.
In the spring of 1858, Father Thatcher and his family went south in the "move," as far as Payson. The people of Utah this year being short of clothing and merchant goods generally, Father Thatcher sent his sons Joseph W. and Aaron D. Thatcher and his son-in-law Wm. B. Preston to California for merchandise. After an uneventful winter’s work in crossing and recrossing the desert they returned in the spring of 1859, with three six mule teams ladened [sic] with goods with which he opened a small store in the Seventh Ward, Salt Lake City.
After the "move" it was at first the intention of the family to settle permanently at Payson, notwithstanding Father Thatcher had previously purchased valuable property in Salt Lake City, but the presiding authorities and people in that district feeling that there was no room for new settlers, offered no encouragement to this enterprising and comparatively wealthy family. Father Thatcher desiring to keep his family together as he had always done and hearing that Cache Valley offered abundant room, he fitted out, in August, 1859, his son John B. Thatcher and his son-in-law Wm. B. Preston with a span of horses, light spring wagon, and merchandise sufficient to meet incidental expenses, sent them under instructions to carefully explore the valley and report upon its facilities, saying that if they found it a good country the whole family would remove thither and he would use his means in helping to develop the country by building saw and grist mills while his sons secured farms and made themselves homes. The report proving favorable, John B., Aaron D. and Preston were promptly sent forward and in September, 1859, built the seventh log house in Logan and cut and put up hay for their stock. In the spring of ’60 Father Thatcher came with the remainder of his family, employing Nathan Davis, to lay out the present Union Mill race, engaged and employed all the hands he could get, and opened the first canal ever constructed in Logan. Pending its completion, the building of the first saw and grist mills in Cache Valley were being pushed forward. He also brought the first steam saw mill into the country. Thus the energy and wealth for which the people of Payson could find neither room nor use, found both in Cache Valley. With what result may be found in the foregoing general history and the personal history from this date of Father Thatcher whom the people, blest by his unbounded benevolence, have named, "The Joseph of Cache Valley."
The courage, pluck and perseverance of the man are exhibited in his rise from obscurity and almost abject poverty, to influence and comparative wealth—wrung from the elements—while facing difficulties and hardships unknown in this age of electricity and steam. He was subjected to numerous financial losses
Incident to the journey, with family and effects, from the tides of the Atlantic to those of the Pacific, crossing the continent with ox teams and scanty stores, at a time when wild Indians and howling wolves infested plain and mountain and long before trans-continental railways and luxurious place cars, now binding together and speeding from ocean to ocean, were thought of.
A natural pioneer, inured to hardships, yet the trying scenes of ’47-8 drew his generous heartstrings tightly across the keyboard of misery and want, as he daily beheld his scanty supplies grow less while his children, half clad and bare-foot, endeavored to add to them by digging roots on hill and plain, when watching his meager flocks.
But in the midst of it all his faith in God never failed, nor did his perseverance cease, for under adversity most of all did the qualities of head and heart inherited from his British and German ancestors, shine most steadily, and most brilliantly. In ordinary matters Father Thatcher was an ordinary man, but it emergencies, he never failed to display the characteristics of greatness. Modest and unassuming as a child, yet was he positive and firm. Being quick to comprehend the thing needful to be done, he usually acted first and thought about it afterwards. Thus was he guided more by the intuitive impressions of the Spirit than by judgment matured by reflection. If the hungry came to him he never sought for reasons why they should not be fed, or if naked why they should not be clothed. The cry of pain or the moans of anguish never touched his ear, without awakening a responsive cord in his sympathetic heart. For deceitful hypocrites of every creed and color he entertained supreme contempt, but his naturally unsuspicious mind, like that of Grant was shamefully betrayed by the insincere and dishonest, who at his death, left his estate a
Hundred thousand dollars poorer that it would have been had those who were able and fully competent to do so, paid their just obligations to him during his lifetime. Through the treachery of the unscrupulous, who defrauded, he sometimes spoke and acted harshly, but if he ever did so to the deserving without promptly making amends by heaping favors upon the injured, it was rare indeed, for his kindness and sense of justice were proverbial, extending not only to his fellows, but to brutes as well. Illustrative of this trait of his character a single instance in his life, as applied to the latter will suffice:
A poor man needing a team with which to cultivate his farm applied to Father Thatcher and was supplied on easy terms with a fine, large span of horses in excellent condition; for he never would permit, if he could help it, animals of his to be poor and neglected. Seeing the team a few months later he was grieved and pained by their thin and starved appearance, so acting impulsively, he addressed the owner saying: "Please drive to the mill and I will give you some feed for your horses, they need it." On complying the man received a full load and the request to come again when out; "for," said Father Thatcher, "I can’t bear to see Dick and Bill look like that."
So little of the aristocrat was there in his composition that to enjoy a meal without sitting at the same table with his hired help was impossible. Such was his life’s tribute to honest labor, which he regarded as the true source of prosperity, wealth and happiness. The honest, conscientious worker he regarded as being superior to a king living on the industry of others. Being a man of few words he regarded fine language of less value than good examples, in the battle for improvement. In public he prayed little and preached not at all, yet in his consideration of the weak and help for the poor, none were more prompt and generous than he. In relieving the distress of widows and orphans, administering to the needs of those in want he discerned the chief corner stone of true religion, yet he was not unmindful of the fact that his inherent modesty and bashful timidity prevented him from voicing his thoughts to the good of others.
Being at a meeting in the "Old Hall" many years ago he listened with interest to the profuse apologies of one of the speakers who feelingly declared that his frequent non-attendance at the Sunday gathering of the Saints was due to his lack of decent apparel in which to appear in public. Whereupon Father Thatcher from his chosen seat in a remote corner cried out: "Brother McN., I’ll furnish the clothing if you will do my preaching." It was a bargain quickly closed, and the next day Brother McN. Appeared in a completely new outfit from "top to toe" and one, in those days, of no mean value; and thereafter preached many an excellent proxy sermon—sometimes taking for a text, "Those who give to the poor, lend to the Lord."
It once having become necessary for Father Thatcher to travel through Sanpete Valley on business, and being aware of the prevailing custom then obtain among the Saints to manifest courtesy by requesting callers to pray and say grace, and remembering his own bashfulness, provided himself with a traveling companion equal to emergencies of that kind and with whom he made arrangements to perform devotional services when called upon. So whenever Father Thatcher was requested to pray or ask a blessing on the food, he, as per contract, transferred the duty and pleasure to his companion. The arrangement working satisfactorily to both, and somewhat financially profitable to one of the parties, continued to the great relief of the payee until thought no longer necessary. But, alas, for human foresight! Important business having compelled Father Thatcher’s personal presence at Salt Lake City he stayed over night, on his way thither, with a friend, who, at breakfast the following morning, said: "Brother Thatcher, please ask a blessing."
Being completely taken by surprise he was greatly confused and, acting on the force of his former habit, turned, in his embarrassment, to the person nearest him, give him a furtive glance, desperately poked him in the ribs and said, "Ask a blessing! Ask a blessing!" The man was a rough miner from Montana, over whose hills and vales at that time a prayer had seldom if ever echoed. He was thunder-struck and awed but not convinced, so turning meekly said, "Niver did such a thing in me loif!" While others were ready to burst with laughter the son of the Emerald Isle was amazed and puzzled. Father Thatcher for a moment was cornered but not conquered, for turning to the host he said fiercely: "George, ask your own blessing." And George did it.
Notwithstanding the modesty causing him to shrink from society in public gatherings, when aroused he knew neither physical or moral fear and never shrank from a post of duty because sometimes a post of danger. His whole nature vibrated as if electrified and his usually silent tongue became fierce in denunciation of the wicked and strong when seeking to oppress the weak and innocent and under such conditions his moral courage exalted his physical bravery.
In the defense of right he feared no living man and few wrong-doers with whom he came in contact ever got high enough to be out of the reach of his scathing rebukes. And yet in repose he was humble as a child, ever ready to admit his own errors and make amends for his own mistakes.
For the Deity he entertained profound, silent but deep veneration, and for those who held and honored the holy Priesthood he entertained an affectionate and devoted regard as evidenced by his willing obedience to their counsels.
When in 1867 the great effort was made under the call of President Brigham Young to gather the deserving poor from Europe, no man in the Church, however, wealthy, contributed more means for that purpose than did Father Thatcher. And when co-operation, with its spirit of union and brotherly love, came like a new coin struck from the mint of a great mind, he gladly laid on the altar of good will a mercantile business built up by himself and sons that had netted him more than a thousand dollars a month.
When a golden stream poured from the mines of Montana into the lap of northern Utah, Father Thatcher refused five dollars a bushel for wheat stored by him against a time of need, but at the request of Brigham Young let the Church have two thousand bushels at the tithing price of two dollars, and Brigham paid him the high compliment expressed in the words, "I do not believe that another man in the Church would have done it." But Brigham went beneath the surface to form his estimate of men, and found under Father Thatcher’s rough exterior a good heart and great mind—unselfish and noble. To Brigham’s counsels, whether pertaining to temporal or spiritual things, Father Thatcher never turned a deaf ear. Each knew the other, there being many, indeed in most respects, perfect harmony of views between them. Both men were frugal and economic.
"The saving man shall never want." Believing that scripture to be founded in sound philosophy, Father
Thatcher made frugality, industry, perseverance and economy the practice of his life. Once a poor, shiftless, wasteful brother saw him gathering wheat that had run on the ground through a hole gnawed in his granary by a mouse and sneeringly observed. "See that old man bending his stiff back to pick pup a few grains of wheat when he’s worth his thousands." Before the next seed time and harvest had passed that same unwise brother and hundreds of others came for wheat to that "old man," who had bent his aching back to save it for him and his heedless kind.
To the honest, truthful and good Father Thatcher was ever a friend, extending gladly when needed a helping hand. But having read men more than books he despised every species of man-worship and held in supreme contempt fawning sycophants who feed with flattering words the vanity of some while defaming the good name of others. In the presence of greatness he had heard some of that class grow eloquent in praise of the living whose memory when dead seemed unworthy of vindication by the same class. Such men never gained his confidence, never retained his esteem, for he thought them treacherous to the living and false to the memory of the dead. Those whom he trusted and in whom he confided, were, outspoken, candid, independent, brave and honest. For double-faced cringing duplicity and deceit he entertained a holy horror, but for God’s noblest work—an honest courageous man—he entertained, next to the Almighty, the highest respect.
At his death he left behind him seven sons and one daughter, none of whom have been a discredit to his name. In their training he was exact but at no time did he ever place them under the degrading ban of distrust, realizing that when suspicion wounds, malice often follows up to kill.
No higher tribute can be given to his abilities than that found in the union that bound his family together in the strong and enduring cords of confidence and affection until the day of his death when all his living children received his land admonitions and dying blessing. And though the head of the family—the silent, grave, thoughtful and affectionate head—recognized by them all as their leader, justly so by the force of the example of a great mind and pure heart is gone, yet does his memory and the fruits of his good deeds bind their hearts together. While living and since dead the good who knew him speak well of him. The bad speak ill of him. Than this there has been found no truer test of genuine merit.
In 1870, Father Thatcher after years of absence visited his relatives and friends, in his native land, West Virginia. He was accompanied by his wife, and their son George W. This visit was especially pleasant to Mother Thatcher, as she had not previously visited her relations in her native place for forty years. Hence they spent many happy reunions, not only in Virginia but also with their friends in Ohio and in Illinois.
While enjoying the society of these old associates they had opportunities of expounding to them the principles of the gospel, as well as relating to them their adventures while subduing the wilderness, erecting new settlements and establishing their homes in the snow-capped mountains of the far west.
We close this brief sketch of the life of a man whose works rather than words carved for himself a record of which none need ever be ashamed, with the following extract taken from his obituary notice shortly after his death on April 27th, 1879:
[OBITUARY]
On special request of the late President Brigham Young, he came to Cache Valley, locating at Logan, for the purpose of building saw and grist mills to aid in the development of the settlements then being formed. In this work, he afterwards, in obedience to the same authority, formed a co-partnership with the late Apostle E. T. Benson. Since that time until now, scarcely a year has passed without being marked by some improvement suggested by his active mind and carried out by his willing hands. In aiding public improvements and fostering co-operative movements he has been among the foremost, and has certainly on more than one occasion proved to the people of Cache Valley, what Joseph in Egypt was to his kindred. An inspiration seemed always with him regarding the counsel to save the grain in case of need. At no time during the past eighteen years has he been unprepared or unwilling to help the people who need assistance in this and other respects.
He has been a kind and generous friend to the poor. Many who rejoice in Utah to-day because of their pleasant surroundings can trace their deliverance and gathering to his liberal aid. His judgment and business ability were excellent, showing a clear comprehension of results to be reached. His character was positive, but in his disposition he was retiring and unassuming. Few men have ever lived and accomplished as good a work and thought as little of it and themselves as he did. In nothing did he desire to be regarded above his fellows and always manifested most pleasure in occupying the humble position.
He entertained the highest regard for the servants of God, and esteemed truthful and honest men wherever found. His devotion to the gospel was consistent and earnest though manifest in private more than in public. His sympathies were quickly moved by the cry of distress and his affections were deep and lasting. If any came to him in want of raiment he clothed them, or if hungry he fed them.
His health had been gradually failing for several years, perceptibly so during the past two years. During 1878 he lost flesh rapidly and became much debilitated, suffering frequently intense pain caused by an enlargement near the spine and a growth in the bladder. On the 15th of April he was confined to his bed, and from that date pup till within a few hours of his death, which occurred at 11.42 o’clock on Sunday night, April 27th, was unable to retain either food or medicine on his stomach. And as a result inflammation of the stomach set in and caused his death.
During all his sickness not a word of complaint passed his lips, and day by day, as his body grew weaker her spirit grew brighter, enabling him to show forth in blessings upon and in words of wisdom and advice to the members of his family, a power which he had never before manifested. His mind and memory were clear up to the last hour of his life; and as early as Friday evening he called all the members of his family around him and blessed them, saying also, that he was full of gratitude to God that all his family who were living were with him to comfort him now; and he was resigned to the will of God, and that he had said all he desired to say, and was satisfied. He remarked afterwards, "I am only staying with you by request." The request being fulfilled, his spirit passed quietly from his suffering body. Peace be unto him and his forever!
His closing days, while attended with the sickness and pains of dissolution were, through the mercy of Christ and power of God, made sublimely glorious. His departure leaves a void in our community, but our loss, we know, is his great gain, and we bow in humble submission to the will of Him who causes to live and suffers to die, and maketh to live again, never to die.
We can hardly endorse all the above sentiments in relation to Father Hezekiah Thatcher, who has finished his course on earth, having "fought the good fight" to the end, and for whom a crown of eternal lives is laid up till the great day of accounts.
We learn that the funeral ceremonies, which took place yesterday at Logan, were attended by a vast concourse of people, who mourned the loss of a widely known and generally respected brother and friend. A procession formed at the residence of the deceased, and marched to the tabernacle, where the services were conducted, remarks being made by Brigham Young and Moses Thatcher, of the Council of Apostles, and Elder Jas. A. Leishman. Fifty vehicles filled with people, as well as many persons on foot, followed the remains to the cemetery.
Father Thatcher’s descendents, living and dead, number eighty-nine. He filled up his life in usefulness, has gone to his grave with the blessings of his family and friends, and while he ministers to the spirits of the departed behind the vail [sic], leaves worthy representatives of his name and principles to follow in his footsteps in the flesh. His family, though mourning his absence, have borne their trial with Saint-like firmness, and we extend to them our deepest sympathies in their bereavement.
[The obituary was in the Deseret News on May 7, 1879, p.5.]