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Thomas Taylor

(Thomas Taylor; 26 July 1826 – 8 December 1900; KWJ1-RP4)

Biographical Notes Prior To The 1870s

Thomas Taylor was born on 26 July 1826 at Oldham, Lancashire, England. One of seven children born to dairy farmers James Taylor and Sarah Whitehead, Thomas was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by his brother James, an early Mormon leader in the Lancashire area. Younger brother William soon joined them in baptism.

The Taylor brothers emigrated to Utah in 1848-1849. Thomas originally settled in Salt Lake City with wife Elizabeth, where she bore him the first of eleven children. In 1855 the family moved to Lehi where the Thomas soon became a leading citizen. Taylor and his brothers began farming sugar beets on the Fotheringham farm, the pioneer settlement on Dry Creek, which later became Lehi. Thomas and his brother William established "T & W Taylor," one of Lehi's first mercantiles. In one of its first acquisitions to consolidate church wholesale and retail interests, in May 1869 Zion's Mercantile Cooperative Institution (ZCMI) bought the T & W Taylor company's store. Brigham Young established branches of ZCMI throughout Utah, and chose Lehi as one of the first sites for his cooperative store. The Lehi Cooperative soon drove several Lehi stores out of business and eventually bought out the last, T & W Taylor, in May 1869.

After ZCMI bought out the T & W Taylor mercantile company in Lehi in May 1869, Thomas Taylor and his new son-in-law John C. Cutler in 1871 established Taylor & Cutler as a new company to pursue business opportunities.

Taylor's daughter had married John C. Cutler, later governor of Utah, in April 1871. Cutler was born in Sheffield, England (near Taylor's birthplace), and emigrated to Utah in 1864.

According to Wilford Woodruff's diaries, on March 4, 1872, Thomas Taylor was ordained as an LDS Bishop by Brigham Young at Young's office in Salt Lake City. And on April 8, 1873, Thomas Taylor and 11 others were named as assistants to George A. Smith, as Trustee-In-Trust of the church.

In the 1870s, the LDS trustee-in-trust was a single legal office held by Brigham Young to hold and manage all church property. The office was created to legally buy, sell, and control real estate and tithing funds for the LDS Church. Its purpose was to avoid seizure during the federal anti-polygamy and disincorporation threats. Brigham Young held the title into the early years of the 1870s, combining church assets and personal business in financial ledgers. George A. Smith served as trustee-in-trust from April 1873 to September 1875 after Young resigned to reduce his personal activities and to better manage property deeds and see to Young's permanent successor. John Taylor assumed the position by October 1877 following Young's death in August 1877, to manage church properties through upcoming challenges in the probate of Young's estate. John Taylor formally replaced Brigham Young as president of the church in October 1880. John Taylor's leadership would soon be in conflict with Thomas Taylor's desired development of the potential of an iron industry in southern Utah.

###

Excerpts from "My Father's Business": Thomas Taylor and Mormon Frontier Economic Enterprise

By Brent D. Corcoran

Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought – Volume 28, No. 1

https://www.dialoguejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/sbi/issues/V28N01.pdf

(Corcoran's endnotes are included for researchers wanting to review his source material. His citations make for excellent starting points for additional research.)

Thomas Taylor first became involved in the iron mines in May 1873. Thomas and three of his men were arrested during an altercation at the Richmond Mine in Iron County, one of Taylor's first iron claims. Judge McGean jailed Taylor for the incident whose specifics are unclear.[28] How ever it probably had something to do with a lawsuit over the mine which engaged Taylor and Cutler, on one hand, and the influential Utah businessmen the Walker brothers, on the other hand, the following year. Taylor won the suit and threatened a counter-suit in retaliation.

[28] William Whitehead Taylor Diary, 1869-74, LDS archives, 27 May 1873.

###

Despite the threat of impending bankruptcy, Taylor was able to continue adding to his iron holdings. The 26 February 1878 quit claim, which transferred foundries, machinery, and land from Leonard Hardy and George Romney to Taylor for consideration of $1.00, was a bargain.[30] By adding the iron works to his existing iron claims, Taylor believed he had found the answer to his financial problems. Still he needed capital to develop and thus secure his claims.

[30] "Quit Claim," Cedar City, Iron City, drawn from title search, in Utah State Historical Society. See Note 34.

###

In October [1878] another important event occurred with profound implications for the future iron industry. John Taylor gathered his colleagues and established the Zion's Central Board of Trade. The board was to administer all Utah Mormon industries according to principles of mutual cooperation.[33] The board, to which Thomas was called, gave a great deal of consideration to the development of an iron industry. But Taylor, in light of the emigration fiasco, was not going to pin his hopes on Mormon co operation. He secured nine more Iron County claims on 2 January 1879.[34]

[33] Wilford Woodruff, Wilford Woodruff's Journal, 9 vols., ed. Scott G. Kenney (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1985), 7:159-61 (8-9 Oct. 1878).

(see also the online digital scans and indexed edition of the Wilford Woodruff Papers; search by date)

[34] Iron County Mining Records, Utah State Historical Society, Salt Lake City.

With the arrival of 1879, Taylor, the church, and gentile interests lead by the Walker brothers were jockeying for position to control southern Utah's potentially lucrative iron deposits. In January, Allen G. Campbell, another wealthy gentile industrialist, joined the fray by attempting to jump Thomas's claims.[35]

[35] Deseret Evening News, 8-12 Dec. 1879.

Campbell's lawsuit argued that Taylor's claims measuring 600 feet were of illegal width and hence invalid. Campbell figured that financially unstable Taylor would be unable to engage costly and lengthy litigation. But Taylor was as irascible as ever. He undertook his own defense and requested Iron County records from Iron County recorder and stake president William Dame. But Dame was a careless record-keeper. Taylor traveled repeatedly from Salt Lake City to Iron County during the year to straighten out the mess.[36]

[36] William Dame Papers, Utah State Historical Society.

John Taylor became aware of Thomas's problems and offered him $300 assistance in exchange for 2/3 interest in his iron properties. Thomas, assessing his properties at $15,000, declined the church president's offer.[37]

[37] Thomas Taylor reminiscence, Thomas Taylor Papers, Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah.

The latter became angry because he reasoned that without church involvement the iron industry would be lost to the gentiles. Fortunately for Thomas, Judge Emerson of the Beaver District Court finally ruled in his favor on 8 December. Campbell appealed to the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, keeping the claims in litigation and preventing Taylor from fully developing his properties.

Despite persistent legal problems, Thomas pressed on. He added Ebenezer Hanks's iron holdings to his own on 8 January 1881.[38]

[38] Iron County Mining Records, Utah State Historical Society, Salt Lake City.

Hanks, a merchant who had made his money freighting between California and southern Utah, had been heavily involved in development of the Iron County mines in the 1860s and 1870s. He had failed because he was unable to capitalize the business. Brigham Young counseled against involving eastern gentile capitalists, which ended Hanks' s involvement. The final blow came when an executive embezzled a special levy against stockholders raised in hopes of keeping the company afloat.

When Taylor and Cutler secured Hanks' s iron properties they did not want to make the same mistake their predecessors did in seeking to capitalize the concern within Utah. They bonded the properties to gentile investor A. G. Hollister for $100,000. As he did when trading with the army during the 1850s, Taylor was putting his personal business interests above the good of the Mormon kingdom and the cooperation doctrine.

But in order to finalize the deal Hollister needed other Iron County property owners to bond their land also. Taylor accused President John Taylor of exerting influence to prevent the other property holders from bonding. Wilford Woodruff recorded in his 15 October 1880 journal entry a meeting of the Twelve and First Presidency during which they discussed with Henry Lunt a plan to secure Iron County coal and iron mines. The brethren appropriated $5,000 for the purpose and proposed to control 2/3 interest to Lunt's 1/3.[39]

[39] Woodruff, 7:597 (15 Oct. 1880).

Thomas also claimed that John Taylor interfered further by "getting up a company, thus hindering me from selling." The company was "got up" at the April 1881 meeting of the Zion's Central Board of Trade.[40]

[40] Thomas Taylor, Lawsuit prospectus, Thomas Taylor Papers, Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah..

The board agenda's primary issue was iron. Board members appointed a committee of seven and instructed them to incorporate an iron manufacturing company. Oddly, for all of his unhappy dealings with the Mormon brethren, Thomas was included on the committee of seven.[41]

[41] From the published circular of the Zion's Central Board of Trade, Deseret Evening News, 20 Apr. 1881.

Perhaps he reasoned, in light of President Taylor's interference, that the powerful church presidency was a better business ally than foe. The committee was to present a plan for an Iron Manufacturing Company to the Board of Trade at the latter's October meeting.

With the frenzy of activity during the late-1870s and not so much as a nail to show for it, the Utah media as advocates of the community's interest began to ask, "Why no exploitation of Iron County's iron potential?" The 12 January 1881 Deseret Evening News attempted to answer that question. The report covered problems which had hampered development since the 1850s: lack of adequate quality fuel for smelting, inexperience of the concerned parties, and transportation difficulties. It also detailed Thomas's struggles with Allan Campbell. To follow up, the News printed an editorial three days later signed cryptically, "one who is interested." The "interested one" demanded that iron be developed at full haste, principally to provide jobs for Utahns.

The April Board of Trade meeting appeared to meet the challenge, and the meeting engendered a series of triumphant newspaper reports.[42]

[42] Deseret Evening News, 20 May, 12 Oct. 1881.

But wide publication of the board's plans also drew criticism. J. C. Cameron, mining engineer for a competing iron company, The Rose of Tintic Mining Co., raised concerns in a 2 August 1881 letter to the Deseret Evening News. Cameron argued that an iron industry should not be located at Iron City because the climate was unsuited to support a working population, water was scarce, and railroad transportation was not in place. He argued that a central site should be located at the town of Leamington because it was located on the Sevier River, enjoyed a more mild climate, and was central to iron deposits both in Iron County and in the Sanpete Valley.[43]

[43] Deseret Evening News, 2 Aug. 1881.

Leamington was also center of The Rose of Tintic's operations. Cameron's objections were to be validated in the following years.

Thomas Taylor, who had invested considerable sums developing the Iron County site, contradicted Cameron in an 8 August rebuttal. The site was in fact suitable in climate with plenty of open land, water, and coal to make iron. Furthermore, Taylor's holdings had been offered to the committee appointed by the Board of Trade at "reasonable terms."[44]

[44] Deseret Evening News, 8 Aug. 1881.

However, the only holdings Taylor was free to offer the company were the lands, buildings, and foundries. His iron claims which would have formed the backbone of the fledgling company's operations were still in litigation before the Secretary of the Interior.

The committee went ahead with its plans for an iron company in Iron County. Articles of Agreement for the Utah Iron Manufacturing Company of Utah were filed on 24 September 1881. Bishop Taylor was not listed among John Taylor, George Q. Cannon, and others as the company's principals. This omission suggests that Taylor had become suspicious of President Taylor's motives for forming the company in the first place. He later accused John Taylor of constructing an elaborate charade, a company "got up" purely with the purpose of stalling sale of the iron properties to keep them out of gentile hands. Newspaper reports detailing the following weeks' events seem to support this conclusion.

Thomas relinquished control of the Iron Springs properties to the Iron Manufacturing Company. He soon began looking elsewhere for facilities he alone would control. The 1 October 1881 Southern Utonian, a Cedar City newspaper, reported that Taylor had negotiated for the purchase of the main water ditches in Cedar City "with the object… of erecting an extensive iron works in the immediate vicinity of the town, entirely distinct from the Iron City project" (emphasis added).[45]

[45] Southern Utonian, 1 Oct. 1881.

The 15 October edition reported that Taylor had succeeded "in bonding several individual interests in the water franchise at Cedar City as well as tracts of land…. In view of the Bishop's known connection with the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad this would indicate that he proposes to make Cedar a manufacturing point instead of Iron City." Railroad surveyors had descended on Iron City to acquire a piece of the action. Unnamed "railroad magnates" surveyed the region according to the Southern Utonian with the intent of "gobbling everything up."[46]

[46] Southern Utonian, 5 Sept. 1881.

Cedar City's citizens were behind Bishop Taylor in the struggle over the iron industry's location. The Southern Utonian described them as "rather jubilant over the prospective of iron smelters and mills that are going to be erected there next year." The paper further reported, "Bishop Taylor of Salt Lake is over at the mines superintending a force of men whom he has engaged to prospect some of the claims."[47]

[47] Southern Utonian, 19 Nov. 1881.

The Deseret Evening News also detailed Taylor's progress: he had secured U.S. patents to several claims, was dealing with "hamperers" to secure the rest of the claims," had commenced work on a large foundry, and finally commented, "he is determined to make iron…. He would like to get help in the enterprise, but he is going to make it anyway."[48]

[48] Deseret Evening News, 30 Nov. 1881.

Wilford Woodruff's journal places John Taylor in the Cedar City vicinity in November 1881 without specifying the reason for his visit. It is reasonable to assume, however, that iron had something to do with his visit.[49]

[49] Woodruff, 8:63-65 (1-8 Nov. 1881).

The 14 March 1882 Deseret Evening News carried another boosterish editorial with Thomas Taylor's signature. Utahns should "make our country the consumer of its own productions," he argued, voicing the official Mormon cooperative line, obviously for personal gain. Iron presented the key to the immediate employment of thousands of idle emigrants:

Our foundries and machine shops are growing institutions and no person who has the welfare of this country at heart will import machinery or other articles that can be as cheaply made at home.

For wagons, agricultural implements, stoves, castings of every description, malleable iron in its multitudinous uses, and other things. We have the mechanics, experienced hands in the above branches, and these articles should be made here, and thus business for our young men would be introduced who have no taste for farming, teaming or common labor. But we should commence the manufacture of iron first and foremost. Every man of sense says so, and when we get to making our own iron, these other industries would spring up like magic, for iron could be so much cheaper than it could be brought here, and it would no longer be asked, what shall we do with our sons? There would be profitable employment for all.

By late 1882, Taylor's long-standing legal battle with Allen ("King") Campbell came to a successful conclusion and finally Taylor could proceed with his grandiose plans for a southern Utah iron industry. On 22 July the "celebrated" Campbell-Taylor cases that had been set for special hearing before the Beaver District Court on the 17th were postponed until September.[50]

[50] Southern Utonian, 22 July 1882.

The same day in Washington, D.C., the Secretary of the Interior reversed the decision of the land commissioner's office which had canceled Taylor's claims at Campbell's request. According to the Salt Lake Herald:

The secretary holds that the commissioner had no right to go behind the court in Taylor's favor, and says that an account of what appeared from some of the papers then submitted, it should have been different, the point of objection to the confirmation of the title to Taylor lay in the fact that the lodes were six hundred feet in width, but the secretary calls attention to the law of 1872, and amendments prior to the location which allows that width in an entry.[51]

[51] Salt Lake Daily Herald, 23 July 1882.

The Territorial Enquirer, a Provo paper, elaborated upon the Herald's report:

Not far distant from the city of Cedar in Iron County is situated what is known as Iron City. This is a mining town, and from the amount of iron ore taken out at this place the name has been given. It is in this mining district that the mines of Thomas Taylor of Salt Lake are situated and because of their richness both in mineral and situation one Allen G. Campbell by name, known as King Campbell, in the South, has caused Mr. Taylor no end of trouble and difficulty. This Campbell and the clique to which he belongs, seems to have, by chance of circumstances, fallen into a heap of riches and not knowing how to dispose of this wealth, entered in the courts a suit against Mr. Taylor, claiming ownership of the mines he was then working. The case was brought up before Judge Emerson of the Third District Court, who sustained Mr. Taylor in his rights. Campbell not being satisfied with a just decision, entered the case before the commissioner of the Land Office, and ordered the entries made by Thomas Taylor to be set aside and canceled. Upon this subject the following dispatch has been received: [quotes the above Herald report]

The above decision should, we take it, have the effect of stopping the illegal claiming propensities of Allen G., but it may not…. we can easily see how even the shadow of a chance makes a clear case for him, and he enters the arena of contests, but always on the winning side. Moderation is suggested as an antidote for the fiery disposition of the "King."[52]

[52] Territorial Enquirer, 29 July 1882.

Despite the Secretary of the Interior's ruling, plans to try the case in District Court proceeded as scheduled. The 26 August Southern Utonian reported that the Campbell-Taylor cases were definitely set for September. "As they involve the legal title to some very valuable iron mining claims in Iron County" it editorialized, "the suit will undoubtedly be looked upon with great interest by all who are interested in the material development of the southern part of our territory."

The case was finally tried on 23 September, five days late owing to the absence of Campbell's leading attorney. The judge's decision reiterated the Secretary of the Interior's conclusion. "The defendant has the best of the fight," observed the Southern Utonian. "The shrewd business like tactics of Mr. Taylor's counsel being rather too much for the opposition."[53]

[53] Southern Utonian, 26 Aug., 23 Sept. 1882.

[Thomas Taylor had first sued Allan G. Campbell on January 12, 1881, "wherein certain iron mines in southern Utah were in dispute." - Deseret News, January 12, 1891]

With the district court's reiteration of the Interior Department's decision, Taylor's claims were more secure than ever. But for Taylor, the district court's trial was evidently viewed as a mere formality. Back in July, once the federal department ruled in his favor, Taylor once again put the properties on the block and found a buyer in Charles Walker of Poncha Springs, Colorado. The asking price was $100,000.[54] The problem once again was that Walker was a gentile.

[54] Thomas Taylor, Lawsuit prospectus, Thomas Taylor Papers, Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah.

Taylor later reported an "incidental" conversation with George Q. Cannon, first counselor in the LDS First Presidency and John Taylor's right-hand man. "I told him of my intention of selling [the iron properties] to Mr. Walker who represented a rich company who would establish Iron Works, etc."[55]

[55] Thomas Taylor, Lawsuit prospectus, Thomas Taylor Papers, Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah.

In light of past experiences, it seems unreasonable to assume that Cannon would receive the news of the sale of the properties to a gentile as good news. Perhaps Taylor naively clung to the idea that any development of the iron industry after such long efforts was good news, that Mormons would relinquish their long-held opposition to the intrusion of gentile capital. Or possibly he gave the information to Cannon "incidentally" to stir up the competition. If the latter were the case, it worked. Cannon offered Taylor $50,000 for 1/2 interest in the properties, which Taylor accepted. Taylor's only stipulation was that his old adversary, President John Taylor, would not be brought into the enterprise under any circumstance. Deed for 1/2 interest was passed to Cannon on 5 September.[56]

[56] Iron County Mining Records, Utah State Historical Society, Salt Lake City, warranty deed, 5 Sept. 1882.

The Cannon-Taylor enterprise set immediately to work. On 21 October the Cedar City Council met to consider a petition stating the Cannon Taylor intention

to establish iron works somewhere in Iron County, Utah territory, and commence with the erection of the same forthwith—that if said works should be built in Cedar City, it will be with certain inducement to construction of one or more railroads to your city, increasing value of property and bringing in a greater influx of population. Being informed that Cedar City owns suitable ground on the north side of the creek, we shall require about ten acres of land with right-of-way for water. If in your wisdom you can offer inducements to establish said iron works in your city, please let us know what the inducements are.[57]

[57] Cedar City Council minute books, 21 Oct. 1882, Utah State Historical Society.

On 23 October the council reacted quickly to accept the potential boon for their community by granting the petition. They offered Cannon and Taylor $500 worth of land for 1/10 the price, but stipulated that the property would revert to the city if iron works were not established within two years.[58]

[58] Cedar City Council minute books, 23 Oct. 1882.

With all this activity, word of the new enterprise was bound to reach John Taylor. "Mr. [John] Taylor soon learned that Cannon had got an interest in my property," Bishop Taylor recalled, "and determined that he would have an interest also, and that without paying me anything and forbid Mr. Cannon from going on with his arrangement with me, and thus held us several months." By letting Cannon in, Taylor had made a deal with the devil. Cannon's loyalties lay more clearly with John Taylor than with Thomas Taylor, and Cannon, according to Thomas, "was encouraging Mr. [John] Taylor by his silence at least to take this course."[59]

[59] Thomas Taylor, Lawsuit prospectus, Thomas Taylor Papers, Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah.

Cannon acted from the outset, as subsequent developments indicate, in the interests of the church. According to Taylor, two investors came forward with offers that would have made Cannon a significant and quick return on his investment. "At this time," Thomas stated, "Mr. [William] Jennings would have formed a company to pay Mr. Cannon and myself my price and would have bought us out… and offered to bond it for 90 days at $125,000 and pay a bonus of $10,000. Mr. Charles C. Walker wrote me and came to Salt Lake again."[60]

[60] Thomas Taylor, Lawsuit prospectus, Thomas Taylor Papers, Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah.

But once again John Taylor forbade Cannon from entering into any arrangement that would have transferred control of the iron properties to gentiles. Thomas was so frustrated with the church president that he offered him $10,000 simply to cease interfering. But John Taylor did not want the properties to go outside the community.

Thomas next claimed that because John Taylor was so intent on having the properties under Mormon control, he offered to sell out his own share to the church president at the same terms and price at which he had originally sold them to Cannon. The offer was accepted and the deed made out. The arrangement was pleasing to everyone, except God.

On 28 April 1883, John Taylor received a revelation on the matter:

You have asked me why your mind was confused and dull within the last two days. Verily thus saith the Lord, by the whisperings of his Spirit and the still small voice, that the arrangement which you have contemplated with my servant Thomas, is not acceptable to me. He should have listened to your offer which would have been profitable to himself and acceptable to me. When you rejected his offer you did right and my spirit was with you: but when you, in your zeal to show that you had faith in my word, accepted propositions and assumed responsibilities which were not in accordance with the order that I showed you, you did wrong, and I withdrew my Spirit. For it is forbidden my Presidency to go into debt unless I, the Lord, command it; for these things lead to confusion and bondage. Besides have I not shown unto you, my servant John, a way to raise a fund which should be at your disposal for the accomplishment of my purposes and by which the rights and properties of my people should be preserved in all of these matters [i.e., Zion's Central Board of Trade]? You must abide by this principle. My servant, Thomas, does not understand fully this matter. Confer with him on this subject, and if he can see these things and follow council he shall assist you in the developments contemplated. For you, nor my servant, George Q. Cannon, cannot attend to these details; but if he, Thomas, cannot enter freely into this matter without restraint then you shall arrange with him according to wisdom, and withdraw from the consummation of the contemplated arrangement….

Later on, God revealed:

And you shall be one in spiritual things, and also in temporal things in due time. And I will show unto my people and unto the world, that this world is mine, and that I created it by my power, and these and the gold and silver and copper and brass and iron [emphasis added] and riches and precious things thereof, and all that pertains thereunto are mine…. and that they are, and can only be stewards over that which I have given them to possess.[61]

[61] Fred C. Collier, ed., Unpublished Revelations (Salt Lake City: Collier Publishing, 1979), Part 85; excerpt from a revelation received 28 Apr. 1883.

Thomas Taylor understood the admonition to enter "freely" and "without constraint" to mean that God wanted him to turn over all of the properties to the church without consideration of payment. In Thomas's words: "I could not see it."[62]

[62] Thomas Taylor, Lawsuit prospectus, Thomas Taylor Papers, Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah.

Cannon was apparently "dumbfounded" at Thomas's resistance: "[Cannon] plead with me to get up some kind of a company so as to let Mr. [John] Taylor in."[63]

[63] Thomas Taylor, Lawsuit prospectus, Thomas Taylor Papers, Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah.

The counselor finally convinced Bishop Taylor to enter into another company with the irrepressible president of the Mormon church, and articles of agreement were signed by President Taylor, Cannon, and Thomas Taylor on 30 June 1883. These articles proposed the formation of an iron company, the Iron Manufacturing Company of Utah, with 250,000 shares of stock valued at $1.00 each. Thomas Taylor was to receive one quarter of the shares in return for his property, Cannon one eighth for his, and President Taylor one-eighth if he would pay Thomas $5,000 and use his influence to attract additional investors. The parties also agreed that Thomas would serve as salaried superintendent of the company with complete control of the business, that none of the shares were to be sold less than par, and that President Taylor would not sell his shares at all.[64]

[64] Articles of Agreement for the Iron Manufacturing Company of Utah, Thomas Taylor Papers.

George Cannon and John Taylor immediately sold shares of stock, in spite of the agreement, to their sons, George Taylor and Abraham Cannon, and secured for them directorships in the new company. Consequently, four out of the seven directorships were in Cannon's and Taylor's hands, as well as control of the company. Despite the several violations of their agreement, Thomas Taylor continued working with the company for another year.

During the summer and fall of 1883 the company made progress. Regular directors' meetings were held.[65]

[65] Abraham H. Cannon diary, 26 July 1883, 8,10 Aug. 1883, Utah State Historical Society. See also Deseret Evening News, 4 Aug. 1883, which carried announcement of the Iron Manufacturing Company of Utah's formation, and Southern Utonian, which acknowledged receipt of the IMCU's bylaws and reprints an explanation of its purposes and practices.

Taylor and Cannon formally deeded properties to the company on 7 September 1883.[66]

[66] Iron County Mining Records, Utah State Historical Society, Salt Lake City, warranty deed, 7 Sept. 1883.

Taylor went to Iron County in September and October where he supervised the laying of a foundation for a new furnace and other necessary buildings.[67]

[67] Deseret Evening News, 5 Oct. 1883.

At the Board of Trade meeting on 10 October members were encouraged to take stock in the new company.[68]

[68] Deseret Evening News, 10, 30 Oct. 1883.

The company placed advertisements in several Utah papers to encourage Utahns to purchase stock.[69]

[69] For example, see the 12 Oct. 1883 edition of the Southern Utonian.

On 4 December directors met at President Taylor's office and discussed a $13,000 appropriation to purchase a railroad needed to transport coal between the coal mines and iron works.[70]

[70] Abraham H. Cannon diary, 4 Dec. 1883.

President Taylor offered to purchase shares at a 50 percent discount on behalf of the church to finance the railroad. This again was in violation of the articles of agreement, a violation that Taylor was willing to overlook in order to advance the interests of the company. Two days later, after consulting Wilford Woodruff, president of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles, John Taylor presented church funds to the company thereby enabling it to purchase the railroad.[71]

[71] Woodruff, 8:210 (6 Dec. 1883).

John Taylor asked for ex post facto permission from the body of the church at its general conference the next April.

During the winter, construction of the furnace was suspended while employees of the company worked to take up and move the railroad.[72]

[72] Deseret Evening News, 16 Jan. 1884, reporting Taylor's return from a five-week visit to the iron works; and Southern Utonian, 1 Feb. 1884, detailing Taylor's return on 31 January. Taylor held a meeting at the LDS chapel in Cedar City to request one hundred teams to haul the railroad from Pioche, Nevada, and promised the teams additional work on the Utah Central Railroad.

[72, continued] The IMCU ran into another problem during the winter when its claims were compromised by legal suit, which was quickly resolved in the company's favor. For details, see Southern Utonian, 6 Feb. 1884, and Abraham H. Cannon diary, 25 Feb. 1884.

The following spring a committee was appointed to go to Iron County and examine the progress of the iron works. Directors were not yet convinced that Iron Springs was the best location for the iron works.[73]

[73] Abraham H. Cannon diary, 8 Apr. 1884. L. John Nuttall's diary for 18 April 1884 reported that the committee consisted of Abraham Cannon, L. John Nuttall, Robert T. Burton, John Irvine, Moses Thatcher, Francis M Lyman, Elias Morris, William Jennings, John C. Sharp, and Charles Barrell. See also Woodruff, 8:242-43 (17 Apr. 1884).

Water, climate, and suitability for rail transport were all factors in the selection of the site. The principals of the iron company were, however, sufficiently optimistic to incorporate the Cedar and Iron Railroad Company on 14 April to manage the iron company's transportation needs.[74]

[74] Abraham H. Cannon diary, 14 Apr. 1884.

The most serious problem was locating quality coal for coking. The location of coal mines thirteen miles from a rich iron source seemed at first to make Iron County an ideal place for the inexpensive manufacture of iron. Unfortunately, the coal was inadequate because of high sulfur content which prevented it from reaching sufficient temperatures for coking. On 22 April 1884, the committee of the Board of Trade and directors of the IMCU directed Thomas Taylor and Richard Robertson, who had been hired because of his experience in iron manufacturing soon after the formation of the company, to "proceed to the examination of all the coal mines which have been discovered, and have such tests of the coal made."[75]

[75] According to L. John Nuttall's diary for 21-22 April, the committee examined the church coal mine, IMCU mining properties, and the church's own iron claims. They "talked over the question of the proper place to locate the plant of the iron works where the iron could be made the cheapest…. Cedar City, Iron Springs, and Iron City were each spoken of—after which it was decided that the party start for Iron Springs tomorrow morning thence to Iron City and view the iron mines." The subsequent expedition visited the Blowout Mountain claim at Iron City and found the foundry adequate.

The committee and directors met again on 1 May in Cedar City and decided to appoint a sub-committee consisting of Moses Thatcher and Erastus Snow to work with Taylor and Robertson in examining coal, and if the coal in Coal Canyon was useless, to report other possible coal sources and their relative distances from the iron mines. The Union mine at Kannarah was advanced at the meeting as such an alternative.[76]

[76] L. John Nuttall diary, 1 May 1884. Wilford Woodruff reported in his 5 May entry of his journal an interesting conversation with President John Taylor concerning the iron mines.

On 20 May the committee issued a verdict. Erastus Snow reported the results of Thatcher's and his investigation: "they found the best coal at Kannarah and in the greatest quantities—they also examined the Quitchem Pa Springs which appears to be the most available place for works being handy to the coal and iron also good water and plenty of it."[77]

[77] L. John Nuttall diary, 20 May 1884. See also William Whittaker Taylor journal, 20 May 1884, LDS archives. Whittaker, John Taylor's son, was not as active in the iron venture as were other directors. In July 1883 he recorded his election to the directorship with the comment, "I don't like the business but I [accepted] to accommodate father."

Directors also discussed the matter of firebrick for the iron works and directed Thomas to put his teams to work hauling the railroad from Bullionville, Nevada. They made no final decision concerning coal or the location of the iron works at this time, electing to delay a decision until they arrived back in Salt Lake City at which time they would send for Taylor with instructions on which site to locate the railroad.

These developments put Thomas Taylor's future in iron manufacturing in a precarious position. He still possessed coal mines in Cedar Canyon and land at Iron City with buildings, etc. If the suggestions of the Thatcher-Snow report were carried out, Taylor's coal and land investments would be worthless. His reason for deeding over his iron claims to the IMCU was in part due to his hope that his coal and land holdings in Iron County would increase in worth. His only chance was to somehow abrogate the committee's findings concerning his coal and suggested site for the iron furnaces.

At the 29 May meeting directors listened to the details of a fierce quarrel between Taylor and his principal Robertson. Full details of the argument are not available, but it must have had something to do with the future location of the iron works and the suitability of Taylor's coal. Abraham Cannon confided to his journal that "matters which have developed of late with regard to Bishop Thomas Taylor have caused me to lose all confidence in his ability to successfully manage the Iron co. business, and I think it will be found necessary before very long to dispose of his services." This is the first indication of plans to "dispose" of the trouble-maker Taylor. Another meeting was held the same night where it was decided that the question of fuel was so serious that work at the mines would have to cease until the problem was resolved.[78]

[78] Details of these two meetings are found in Abraham H. Cannon's diary, 29 May 1884. The 13 June 1884 edition of the Deseret Evening News carried a notice of the iron works' temporary suspension.

Directors met again on 20 June when they found the business "in a very unsatisfactory condition due in some degree to Supt. Thomas Taylor's unwise movements," according to Abraham Cannon. On 7 July directors decided to send samples of coal to experts in the east to answer the question once and for all.[79]

[79] Abraham H. Cannon diary, 20 June, 7 July 1884. The 4 July 1884 Southern Utonian confirmed the suspension of IMCU business and related "fault-finding" with the superintendent, observing that means were still required to lay railroad tracks to the coal mines and iron works.

The Deseret Evening News reported on 16 August that Taylor had been around town proudly displaying a piece of coke made from Iron City coal, announcing that experts had found it to be "excellent," and that he anticipated eastern experts could not find it otherwise. The News concluded by asking, "What is the next objection to the iron works?"[80]

[80] The 23 August Southern Utonian echoed the News in describing Thomas's trip to Salt Lake City and calling for an accounting as to why iron production was not proceeding.

Despite Taylor's cheerleading, not everyone was convinced. Most importantly, directors of the IMCU met on 13 September to consider selling their share in the operation altogether. President John Taylor made no decision but to take the matter "under consideration for a short time." The company continued to meet during October 1884. John Winder and Abraham Cannon were, however, instructed to audit the company's books, perhaps in anticipation of its inevitable demise.[81]

[81] Abraham H. Cannon diary, 13 Sept., 4, 23 Oct. 1884. Wilford Woodruff's journal entry for 8 October described the Board of Trade meeting but omits any reference to iron production.

Thomas Taylor was undaunted. On 26 October he wrote to the Salt Lake Herald regarding the question: "How are we getting along with the manufacture of iron?" In response, Thomas explained that plenty of iron ore was located within fifteen miles of Cedar City where he argued the iron works should be located; that coal was available close by so it would not require costly transportation of coal to the site. He then launched into a lengthy defense of the coal there, detailing his own efforts to test its quality. Besides, if the coal contained too much sulphur, he argued, he knew of means developed by other iron manufacturers to process high sulphur coal in a way to make it usable. Taylor was still thinking of salvaging his Iron City properties and coal mine investments by arguing against moving the works elsewhere.

Directors remained unmoved. The office of superintendent of the IMCU was declared vacant on 8 November. On 4 December 1884, the company met, presumably for the final time. Shortly after the meeting opened, "Thomas Taylor abruptly left the room without answering a question which President Taylor asked him in regard to the business. He said that he felt that his presence was not necessary." According to Thomas, President Taylor had asked him to sell his stock in the IMCU to help raise funds to run the company. Taylor emphatically refused and threatened to take the directors to court. John Taylor countered with a threat of excommunication. Abraham Cannon reported, "Steps were taken in our meeting today to take care of our company's claims and other property which is now in a very loose and scattered condition. Legal aid will be called to our assistance, and all will be done that is deemed necessary to secure the company."[82]

[82] Abraham H. Cannon diary, 4 Dec. 1884.

When Bishop Taylor visited Iron County in February 1885 the local paper asked him why things lay at a standstill. He answered sim ply that "court matters in Salt Lake City have postponed the business."[83]

[83] Southern Utonian, 20 Feb. 1885.

The matter never reached the courts. On 18 April 1885 the company formally dissolved. George Cannon and John Taylor agreed to buy up the small stockholders and to transfer the whole of the property back to Thomas Taylor. In turn John Taylor and George Cannon would hold a $55,000 mortgage on the properties and drew up a repayment schedule. All of this was done according to Thomas Taylor, "with the understanding that I would try to sell the property." Although the company dissolved in April, the official deeds were not made up until December. Meanwhile, Taylor made arrangements to move the iron works from Iron City to his properties in Cedar City, a move that the Southern Utonian called," a move in the right direction."[84]

[84] Details for 1885 were drawn primarily from Thomas Taylor's reminiscence. These details are corroborated by Southern Utonian reports. A 20 February 1885 article reported that Taylor passed through Cedar City on his way to Salt Lake City. Taylor explained to the paper that "court matters" postponed further development of the iron properties. On 22 May 1885 the Southern Utonian reported that "a plan is on foot to move the works to Cedar City. This is a move in the right direction as the coal is near that place and five tons of coal are required for one ton of ore." Taylor's recollections are also corroborated by Iron City Mining Records (Utah State Historical Society). These records contain a deed recording the dissolution of the Iron Manufacturing Company on 18 April transferring company holdings to individual shareholders and another deed that transferred individual holdings back to Taylor. The records also contain a 24 December mortgage note made out by Taylor to William Preston outlining terms for repayment.

When an interested party wrote to L. John Nuttall, John Taylor's secretary, in January 1886 inquiring about purchasing the railroad, he was told, "The iron company to which you refer has been disincorporated and the railroad and all the appurtenances are now in the hands of Thomas Taylor."[85]

[85] John Taylor papers, Special Collections, Marriott Library.

Cedar City fathers would have been pleased to see the railroad removed. The city council decided on 17 May 1886 to notify Taylor that his railroad was obstructing a city-owned right-of-way to Coal Creek. The next month the city Marshall reported that Taylor responded to the news with "boisterous and threatening language and swore that he would shoot any man that undertook to clear said obstruction." Councilors ordered a survey of the right-of-way and commanded the Marshall to proceed with the rail machinery's removal.[86]

Thomas was at the end of his rope. He no doubt included the Mormon brethren in his cursing, believing that they were involved in the renewal of persecution aimed to counter his personal interests: a persecution which was shortly made apparent through more sensational means.

A little over a year after the iron company dissolved, Angus Cannon, president of the Salt Lake Stake and Bishop Thomas Taylor's ecclesiastical superior, received via church president John Taylor the report of a special investigation undertaken by President Thomas Jones of the Parowan Stake where Thomas's iron properties were located. The investigation reportedly uncovered evidence that Thomas "had been found guilty of lascivious conduct with certain young men." Without conducting their own hearing, the high council of the Salt Lake Stake suspended Taylor as bishop of the Fourteenth Ward and returned the matter to Jones for church trial under whose jurisdiction the alleged infractions had occurred.[87]

[87] Angus M. Cannon diary, 26, 27 July 1886, LDS archives.

###

(editor's note: During the period of July to December 1886, Thomas Taylor was released as a Bishop, and was excommunicated as a member of the church for issues unrelated to the iron project in Iron County. He denied all charges and his guilt or innocence was never fully documented other than by rumor and hearsay. The leadership of the church was in disarray for the 20 years following Brigham Young's death in 1877, with varying attitudes within the leadership concerning railroads and mining, all while defending the church against the federal government's anti-polygamy actions. Taylor had been making troubles for the church leadership, and the excommunication was likely based on fabricated or at least sensationalized events. He was later accepted back into the church.)

###

The exact reasons for the demise of the Iron Manufacturing Company are also in some dispute. Leonard Arrington has suggested that in addition to technical problems preventing development of the southern Utah iron industry in the 1880s, "external pressures," specifically the hounding of Mormon brethren by federal officials for polygamy, contributed to the company's downfall.[98]

[98] Leonard Arrington, Great Basin Kingdom: Economic History of the Latter-day Saints,1830-1900 (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1958), 346-49.

This interpretation cannot be completely disputed or denied. Persecution of polygamists began in earnest in March 1882 with passage of the Edmunds Bill and intensified with formation of the Utah Commission. It is interesting to note that John Taylor's last public appearance before going into hiding for the rest of his life to elude prosecution was his Salt Lake Tabernacle appearance on 1 February 1885: six weeks before the iron company officially disbanded. But it is clear from the details of the iron company's history that the company would have disintegrated regardless of whether John Taylor was free to publicly and actively pursue company administration. Perhaps Taylor's going underground was part of the reason he did not actively pursue litigation with Thomas Taylor over control of the iron company and decided to deal with the recalcitrant bishop in a more round-about way.

The Salt Lake Herald printed what amounted to the iron company's obituary on 26 October 1886. An "observer" complained about the continued neglect of the iron fields and thousands of dollars spent to no avail:

An effort was made four years ago by an enterprising citizen from the northern part of the Territory, who seemed to take up the business with a de termination to put it through. Money and labor were subscribed by quite a number of citizens of southern and middle Utah; some eight to ten miles of railroad purchased, known in the flourishing days of Pioche as the Nevada Central; nearly $1,000 dollars spent in grading up our rugged canyon in view of connecting the vast coalfields of the county by rail with this and Iron City, which lies about 22 miles west of us and in close proximity to the iron ore. But today as far as the iron industry is concerned we are quiet as a church yard, and nothing left to remind us of our past hopes and anticipations, but the railbed above referred to, a few pair or railroad car wheels, a portion of a locomotive and tender and a few hundred feet of rails, all of which seems to be quietly laid away at least, until times brighten up and a little more enterprise is manifested for home industry among us.

But the case of Thomas Taylor did not die with his excommunication. He still dreamed of developing southern Utah's iron resources and added to it the pursuit of bringing the railroad from Los Angeles, through Iron County, to Salt Lake City. As expected, he locked horns again with his brethren, with the same unhappy consequences.

After John Taylor's death on 25 July 1887, the Quorum of Twelve locked in a power struggle over presidential succession. The struggle pitted a faction of apostles lead by Moses Thatcher and Heber J. Grant against George Q. Cannon. Thatcher and Grant could not see a way to fully fellowship their colleague because they believed he was guilty of conduct unbecoming a witness of Jesus Christ. Their accusations revolved principally around another mining venture, the Bullion-Beck Mining Company, and Cannon's meddling in the case of his son John Q.'s adultery. Mishandling of the iron mining venture was also mentioned in the Thatcher-Grant accusations: "his transactions … getting his stock at a discount and asking the people to pay par." Even quorum president and future church president Wilford Woodruff voiced doubts about Cannon's "mining schemes," believing at the time that "church funds should not go into mines."

Thatcher and Grant were concerned that Cannon had unlimited control of church business during the final exile and illness of ex-president John Taylor. To make matters worse, church auditing books mysteriously disappeared. Cannon defended himself by reading from his journal, citing John Taylor's 1882 iron revelation, and arguing that the auditing books were lost to remove them from the grasping hands of federal officials who were preparing legislation to confiscate church-held property. Eventually, Grant buried the hatchet and Thatcher removed his objections. The First Presidency was reorganized with Woodruff and his new counselors Cannon and Joseph F. Smith on 7 April 1889.[99]

[99] Details of the apostles' row are found in Heber J. Grant's journal, LDS archives. The 25 July 1887 entry reports voicing of doubts by Wilford Woodruff about John Taylor's "mining schemes," that the church's financial records should be audited, and an observation that Woodruff did not care for the way Angus Cannon had been running the Salt Lake Stake. On 5 October, Grant records similar reservations raised by Francis Lyman about Cannon's connection to the iron company, and Cannon's attempt to defend himself by reading John Taylor's iron revelation. On 11 August Grant discussed the mysterious disappearance, presumably at the hands of George Cannon, of the church's auditing books.

[99 continued] The apostles' dispute was of special importance to Wilford Woodruff who stood next in line for the church presidency. See 20,23,26 March 1888 entries in Woodruff's journal where Cannon is accused of "using church money for his son John Q., for embezzling church money. Then of paying large sums of church money on the iron mine." Woodruff felt that these accusations were "proved false" through Cannon's explanation. Woodruff, 8:488-91.

[99 continued] Further details of the dispute are found within entries for the same dates in John Henry Smith's diaries, in White, Church, State, and Politics.

As for Thomas Taylor, he moved his family to Parowan in 1887 and retained enough good reputation to be elected to the city council from 1888-90, where he proceeded with his ambitious plans. Evidently, Taylor's recent excommunication was not an obstacle. Perhaps many in southern Utah believed that Taylor had been "set up." After all, he was an industrial hero, even savior, in the Cedar City vicinity for his mining and railroading efforts on the city's behalf.[100]

[100] Luella Adams Dalton, "History of the Iron County Mission, Parowan, Utah," Utah State Historical Society.

[The period of 1887 to 1890 is a period of Taylor continuing to promote his plan of an iron industry in southern Utah, and a railroad to serve it. With or without the church's involvement. All without success.]

The following spring [1890] Taylor attracted some attention from Los Angeles businessmen about the prospect of stocking a railroad from southern Utah. Taylor trumpeted these latest developments in a prominently displayed letter to the Southern Utonian. "Some time hence I was informed that a certain Railroad Company was going to build a road through to California but was going to leave Southern Utah out in the cold."[102]

[102] Southern Utonian, 11 Apr. 1889.

###

(editor's note: This railroad building "through to California" was likely the Oregon Short Line & Utah Northern, which had taken over the Utah Central in 1889, and was planning on extending its line south from Milford and into Nevada and California.)

(Read more about the OSL&UN)

(editor's note: As is typical of academic histories of the 1970s to 2020s, the writer is confused by the name of the railroad involved. Thomas Taylor was reportedly dealing with a railroad headquartered in Los Angeles, not the Salt Lake & Los Angeles Railway, headquartered in Salt Lake City. Two entirely different companies with different histories. Similar to the confusion of Promontory Point vs. Promontory Summit. In addition to this confusion, the writer assumed that the railroad Taylor was dealing with the San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad, which did not come in existence until March 1901, after Taylor's death in December 1900. Taylor may have been dealing with the Los Angeles Terminal, the SPLA&SL's predecessor, which was indeed expanding its railroad eastward toward Utah.)

(Read more about the Los Angeles Terminal Railway)

(Read more about the Salt Lake & Los Angeles Railway, including its predecessor the Saltair Railway, and its successor, the Salt Lake Garfield & Western Railway.)

###

Corcoran continues:

The railroad company was no doubt a precursor of the Saltair railroad company which incorporated in September 1891. Interests lead by Mormon apostles acquired salt processing plants by the Great Salt Lake and built a railroad from the city to the lake's shores to transport the product. Mormon brethren also invested in building the Saltair entertainment resort on the lake's shore. The Saltair railroad was the first link in an anticipated road to California which would have lead through Nevada rather than southern Utah.[103]

[103] Arlington, Great Basin Kingdom, 392; and Articles of Incorporation of Saltair Railway Co., in Utah State Archives, Salt Lake City.

(editor's note: This is entirely incorrect.)

Taylor wrote to the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce advertising the potential importance of a railroad for southern California's economy. He traveled to Los Angeles where he "met with better success than he expected," according to the Los Angeles Times. Taylor proposed an exact route for the road that would have lead from Los Angeles through Pioche, Nevada, and on to Iron City, Utah. The road would then have traveled to Cedar City and Beaver, along the Sevier River, through the Sanpete Valley, and north to join the already completed Denver and Rio Grande road twenty-five miles north of Fairview. Each stop would lead close to potential mining and agricultural treasure-houses which only lacked transportation as the key to open them to Californian markets. Taylor displayed ore specimens to enthusiastic Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce members who introduced him to interested capitalists.

Elated, Taylor returned to Iron County to prepare the way for construction. He petitioned for a right-of-way through Coal Creek Canyon. But other members of Cedar City had different plans for the canyon. During 23 and 30 September 1889 mass meetings residents discussed damming the creek. Agricultural interests pressed for the dam to supply more water to farmers. Bishop Andrew Corry, who believed there was already enough water, felt that the money should be spent elsewhere. Taylor, of course, opposed the plan which would have filled the canyon with water and destroyed his plans in that country. He motioned that a committee be formed to investigate the matter further. The following spring, a mass meeting was again convened. Bishop Corry had revered himself in the interim and explained, "There were many who might wish to get some water—of course many had sufficient water, but many had not enough." Cedar City residents decided to incorporate the Canyon Creek water and move ahead with plans for a dam the following year.[104]

[104] "Excerpts from Cedar City Mass Meetings, 1875-1891," 23, 30 Sept. 1889; Southern Utonian, 11 Apr. 1889.

Taylor was not happy. Events of 1890 only added to his displeasure with certain parties who were impeding his progress. Andrew Corry, for example, intercepted businessmen whom Taylor had lured from Los Angeles to visit prospective railroad and mining sites in southern Utah. Corry drove them about for a fee, suggesting alternative sites to Taylor's, and giving advice on claim-jumping. He apparently even offered Iron City for sale and reported his dubious boosterism to the local press.[105]

[105] Iron County News, 6 Dec. 1890.

On 20 December an outraged Taylor responded to the same paper. He accused the interloper Corry of gross presumption in offering properties for sale which were not his to sell:

In 1890, I went to California to obtain the aid of capitalists to commence the building of a railroad from our coal land through Coal Creek Canyon to Cedar City.

The party asked me if the people were not opposed to progress and development. I answered that they were anxious to have capitalists invest here.

So I was to come home and get franchises and rights-of-way. I applied to the County Court, presented my application, quoted the law where County Courts have the right to grant rights-of-way for railroads. I urged an early answer which was promised. But instead of the court granting me right-of way, they made an appropriation which was used to tear up my stake and obliterate my railroad survey; and a dam was put into the creek to turn it and wash out the best piece of canyon for building a railroad over, and when our representative of said county was remonstrated he chuckled and said that it was clear it would cost more to build the railroad…. Capitalists don't invest in properties with doubtful titles, nor buy into lawsuits, nor from jumpers of other people's possessions, nor property obtained under unfavorable conditions.

. . . Now Mr. Corry I will give you timely notice to prepare your evidence that this thing must stop, others in their envy and greed for this property have prevented me from bringing capitalists to develop it, they have slandered me, and brought one of the purest and most virtuous families to shame and disgrace; and God being my helper, I submit no longer.[106]

[106] Iron County News, 26 Dec. 1890.

The next month [January 1891] Taylor was embroiled in a Nevada lawsuit over ownership of the Pioche railroad machinery that he planned to employ in his Cedar City/Los Angeles railroad concern. A man by the name of Godbe received some of the rail bed by contract. He attempted to claim part of the machinery as well by arguing that the contract referred to railroad and not to railroad bed specifically.[107]

[107] Iron County News, 31 Jan. 1891.

(editor's note: This "machinery" was likely the two locomotives and the cars, and the remaining rail that Taylor had been forced to leave in Nevada, and which was apparently sold at a Sheriff's sale due to non-payment.)

(editor's note: William S. Godbe was a new owner of the Pioche Consolidated Mining Company in the Pioche district, with plans on building a railway from the company's new smelter in Pioche, to the company's Day "Jackrabbit" mine 15 miles to the north. He had purchased the remaining equipment of the Pioche & Bullionville, as well as a portion of its grade. Operation began in January 1890. Godbe incorporated the new railroad as the Pioche Pacific Transportation Co.)

(editor's note: In May 1895, there was a lawsuit, The Utah Coal & Iron Company vs. the Pioche Mining & Reduction Company. - Pioche Record, May 2, 1895)

After winning the latest lawsuit, Taylor organized a new iron company, the Utah Coal and Iron Company, in partnership with his wife Mary.[108]

[108] Iron County Mining records. A 7 May 1891 warranty deed transferred iron properties held jointly by Thomas and Mary Taylor to the newly-formed Utah Coal and Iron Company.

As noted, Mormon apostles had their own plans for a California railroad which they were vigorously pursuing. The First Presidency had powerful and influential friends in James S. Clarkson and Isaac Trumbo. The brethren's plans threatened to derail Taylor's once again. On 27 August 1892, Taylor visited George Cannon's son Abraham, who now joined his father as a member of the Twelve. Abraham recorded the meeting in his diary:

In the afternoon ex-Bishop Taylor now of Cedar City, formerly of the 14th Ward in this city, came in to see me. He has been working for some years to get his iron mines in the hands of eastern or western capitalists so that he may receive financial aid therefrom. He says he has succeeded in doing so, and has got the Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles committed to the plan of building a railroad through from the coast. Now, however, he is liable to fail if it is decided that the railroad which was included as being interested, is to be built. He feels that the brethren are trying to thwart him in his labors, but I told him that this was not the case, as they were doubtless unacquainted with his plans. He felt quite badly and was inclined to find fault with nearly everybody. He acts and seems to feel as if everyone's working against him. He is now on his way to the coast. I told him his greatest safety was in getting his road started first, because if he is commenced on any line it will doubtless have the effect to prevent starting of others.[109]

[109] Abraham H. Cannon diary, 27 Aug. 1892.

Perhaps Taylor visited Cannon because Cannon had visited him a couple of months earlier on an apostle's tour through Cedar City. But Taylor was wrong if he thought that Cannon's visit grew out of personal sympathy. Cannon had reported of the earlier visit: "After meeting we paid a visit to ex-Bishop of the 14th ward in Salt Lake City, Thos. Taylor, who was cut off from the church some years since for lewdness with some boys, but has since been restored. He is, however, very dilatory [tardy] in his duties."[110]

[110] Abraham H. Cannon diary, 21 Mar. 1892.

Despite Cannon's reassurances, he and his fellow apostles were in fact heavily involved in their own California railroad concern. On 1 June 1893 they decided to issue $300,000 in bonds to capitalize railroad construction to Stockton, California. They also decided to buy coal mines so that they "would not be frozen out from lack of fuel." The brethren's motivation for the project was to provide work for their unemployed followers who were being seriously squeezed by the 1893 economic depression. Apostles also expressed a desire to preserve this last chance for industrial control in the hands of the church.[111]

[111] Abraham H. Cannon diary, 1 June 1893.

George Cannon traveled to San Francisco in September to forge the railroad deal with Clarkson. Under terms of the arrangement, responsibility for construction and furnishment of railroad ties fell to Cannon, while Clarkson and associates would supply iron and sell bonds. Clarkson pressed to begin the sale immediately. The apostles hesitated, however, when it was learned that C. P. Huntington had gotten word of the church's railroad interests and threatened to exert his considerable influence in Washington, D.C., against Utah statehood if the church proceeded with its railroad construction. President Woodruff, nevertheless, was impressed to urge sale of the bonds without interruption.[112]

[112] Abraham H. Cannon diary, 27 Sept., 29 Nov. 1893.

In early December, Woodruff met with Summit County bishop (and later stake president) William Cluff whom he had recruited to act as an agent for the church to acquire additional Iron County coal mines and lands.[113]

[113] Woodruff, 9:274 (6, 8 Dec. 1893).

At the 28 and 29 December apostles' meetings, the brethren decided to purchase the coal mine at the urging of Woodruff. George Cannon also presented the most recent developments in his negotiations with capitalists. Now Clarkson wanted the church to endorse the bonds so that they would receive 30 percent more on the bond market. The brethren also hoped to endorse this latter request.[114]

[114] Abraham H. Cannon's diary, 28 Dec. 1893. Arrington describes in Great Basin Kingdom, 402, a church railroad and gold survey to southwest Nevada in the winter of 1893-94. He observes that the church put $180,000 into the venture between 1894-96 with little return.

But apostles realized that Clarkson's and Trumbo's price for railroad negotiations was higher than they were willing to pay, and they entertained serious reservations about Trumbo's character (in particular). George Cannon's son Abraham started to explore the railroad through another avenue. On 19 April 1894 he reported a visit from J. H. Burfeind who proposed a southern Utah railroad, a total package that would include control of iron, coal, sulphur mines, and other real estate. Cannon was impressed.[115]

[115] Description of subsequent Cannon railroad dealings are from Abraham H. Cannon's diaries.

The next week (24 April) Cannon met with W. H. Rowe, J. H. Burfeind, and Theodore Meyers (who formed a St. Louis capitalist cooperative) to explore the proposed railroad-manufacturing combination. Two days later, Cannon introduced the men to the First Presidency and apostles who were "struck favorably" and requested further investigation. George Purbeck, the project's financial director, presented church authorities with a written proposal in May. Abraham's brother Frank Cannon protested the arrangement on 25 May, arguing that the proposal left too much control in Purbeck's hands, but George Cannon was upset with his son for interfering.

In August Trumbo pressed his demand for a Senatorship and railroad interests in exchange for help in obtaining Utah statehood. Frank Cannon disliked the apparent influence Trumbo held over the First Presidency; he was joined by many others in the church's rank-and-file. Apostle Cannon himself disapproved of this "corrupt fellow," and Apostle Brigham Young, Jr., deplored Trumbo's influence.[116]

[116] See Heber J. Grant's diary, 20 May, 22 Aug. 1895. See also Franklin D. Richards's diary, 14 Jan. 1896.

Throughout 1894 and into 1895 President Woodruff continued to meet with Cluff and pursue capitalists about the latest church interests in coal, iron, and railroads. The brethren formed the Utah Company on 8 August 1894 as an investment concern to oversee stocking the rail roads.[117]

[117] According to Woodruff's journal he met with various agents to discuss mining and railroads on 26 April; 18, 19, 22, 24-26, 29 May; 8, 10 August; 13, 18, 21, 24 September; 9, 11 October; 5 November; and 18 December, during 1894. In November Woodruff experienced anxiety over the "dark" state of affairs concerning Trumbo-related business matters in California.

George Cannon went to New York on 20 November 1894 to "see after railway finances" and again in late-January 1895, where he and son Frank made an alliance with the Union Pacific railroad in the Salt Lake-Los Angeles railroad plan. On 20 May 1895, George, Frank, and Abraham Cannon, Heber J. Grant, and a few others met with eastern capitalists in St. Louis to discuss the Los Angeles railroad. At the table were several "multi-millionaires." The Cannons tried to sell them $500,000 in railroad bonds (as well as Saltair and Sugar Co. bonds), which efforts were taken under advisement. Abraham met with Meyers who advised him to transact the railroad business independently of the Utah Company and also to accept the managership of the embryonic railroad company.[118]

[118] Details about meetings with eastern capitalists, in addition to those found in Abraham Cannon's diary, are located in Heber J. Grant's diary, 20 May, 22 Aug. 1895.

In June [1895], Meyers joined Abraham Cannon and J. H. Burfeind in Utah to tour the southern portion and drum up support for the mammoth project. During the visit, Cannon introduced Meyers to several of the area's ecclesiastical authorities and was able to secure their cooperation. He also received an unscheduled visit from Thomas Taylor "who gave vent to considerable abuse of the Authorities of the Church and Father [George Cannon] in particular." Furthermore:

He says that my visit to the city and to the South was calculated to defeat his plans for the construction of a road to San Diego, he having already secured the co-operation of influential and monied men to carry through his project. He says that the Authorities of the Church have persistently interfered with his arrangements, and they have followed him with a determination to ruin him, which he cannot understand.

Cannon concluded that Taylor was "insane" and assured him that the brethren's actions were beyond reproach:

The fact that he has said for twelve years past [since 1883] that he was just on the point of constructing a road, and he failed to do so up to the present time, is an evidence of his inability to accomplish what he has hoped would be done. The brethren living in Cedar City tell me that he has no association with the people, and is considered by them as a man unworthy of their respect and confidence.

The brethren ran into some trouble with Clarkson later that summer when they tried to cut him out of the Los Angeles Railroad enterprise.

(editor's note: The Salt Lake & Los Angeles Railway was organized in May 1892 as a name change of the previous Saltair Railway, a purely Mormon-controlled railroad originally built to serve the salt industry on the south shore of Great Salt Lake. After the failure of the grand plans to build on to California, the name was changed again in October 1916, to the Salt Lake Garfield & Western Railway.)

(editor's note: Thomas Taylor presented his Utah Coal & Iron company to potential investors in the Los Angeles area in a letter to the editor in the Los Angeles Herald Examiner newspaper of February 2, 1897. A similar letter was presented in the Salt Lake Tribune of March 8, 1897.)

Official Mormon interest in the LARR diminished with the ascendancy of Lorenzo Snow to the presidency. Snow was a fiscal conservative who did not agree with former practices of lending church resources to business ventures. At a 4 January 1898 apostles' meeting, the brethren discussed the imminent death of ailing President Woodruff. The record of the apostles' comments show them beginning to lean toward a policy opposing speculation with church money and a return of the resentment against George Q. Cannon. In the words of Franklin D. Richards, as reported by Heber J. Grant:

You will recall brethren, that the contract with Mr. Clarkson to build a rail road to the Coast was brought before us, and we did not approve of the church going into debt to such a large amount, and Prest Cannon was annoyed at our being unwilling to approve of his scheme, and this may be one reason he does not care to bring matters to our attention, as he fears we will not approve of them.[119]

[119] Heber J. Grant diary, 4 Jan. 1898.

The next day Lorenzo Snow commented that "there was the very best feeling existing between him and . . . Prest Cannon, but Prest Cannon knows that I do not approve of his methods of running into debt. Nearly all of his schemes where the church has run into debt has been a failure, and I have felt that the Lord did not approve of our running into debt personally or for the Church."[120]

[120] Heber J. Grant diary, 5 Jan. 1898.

Henry Altman, a "gentleman from the East," offered to bond the Saltair beach property and railroad in April 1899. The brethren turned him down despite the fact that the church was roughly $2 million in debt. Snow confirmed the decision to retain the enterprises but counseled the brethren against entering new businesses.[121]

[121] Stan Larson, ed., A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic Diaries of Rudger Clawson (Salt Lake City: Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, 1993), 49-51 (21 Apr. 1899). See also John Henry Smith's entry in his diary for the same date.

The next year two other businessmen offered to lease the Saltair property and railroad; the brethren were willing only to offer them the management of the business.[122]

[122] Larson, 128-30 (4 Jan. 1900); see also John Henry Smith's entry, same date.

Snow's opportunity to divest finally came in the fall of 1900:

President Snow spoke of the movement now on foot to build a railroad from Salt Lake City to Los Angeles and said that it looked very much as if the enterprise would be carried through. He said that the promoters desired the church put into the enterprise the Salt Lake and Los Angeles Railroad and Saltair beach property and take stock in lieu thereof. The brethren in expressing themselves upon the subject said they thought it a matter worthy of consideration as it was conceded that a new road running from Salt Lake to California would not only pay well but would be of great benefit to Utah. President Snow expressed the view that, if the church went into the enterprise, it might be wisdom to offer them the two properties referred to at a good fair price and take in payment, one third stock and two thirds cash. This being a preliminary talk only and no definite action was taken.[123]

[123] Larson, 206-207 (13 Sept. 1900). See also Clawson's 22 November 1900 entry which states: "Apostle Reed Smoot reported that the articles of incorporation of the new railroad to Los Angeles had been signed and there was no question but that the road would go through."

The San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad took formal possession of the Saltair Railroad on 7 July 1903.

(editor's note: This is entirely incorrect.)

Abraham Cannon had mentioned Thomas Taylor's concern over competition with Mormon brethren in the railroad business. But Taylor did not ultimately let the prospect hinder his plans. He had formed the Utah Coal and Iron Company with his third wife Mary on 7 May 1891.

(He had divorced his first wife soon after his excommunication.[124])

[124] Thomas Taylor Family Group Sheet.

(editor's note: There was already a Utah Coal and Iron Company, incorporated in Ogden in October 1888. It was incorporated to mine coal from a mine located three miles north of Ogden. A second Utah Coal and Iron Company was formed in January 1889, with its mine located in Emery County; it was the destination of a newly organized Deseret Railway. Taylor's enterprise was officially called the Utah Coal and Iron Company of Cedar City, which was certified by the Probate Judge of Iron County on July 8, 1891. Another Utah Coal and Iron Company was also certified on the same day, with its name being the Utah Coal and Iron Company of Juab County.)

(editor's note: On July 12, 1891, Thomas Taylor's company, now called the Utah Coal and Iron Company of Iron County, presented itself to investors in the July 12, 1891 issue of the Salt Lake Herald.)

On 15 January 1894, Taylor petitioned the Cedar City Council to grant him a right-of-way and depot grounds for railroad purposes.[125]

[125] "Excerpts from Cedar City Council Minute Book, 1891-96," 15 Jan. 1894.

A mass meeting of Cedar City's residents was called to address the issue. But no mass meeting is recorded to have taken place until 3 March 1896 when Robert W. Heybourne petitioned for the right-of-way. With the church out of the railroad and iron business, Taylor also managed to renegotiate his mortgage notes held by the church for another year in December 1899.[126]

[126] Iron County Mining Records, Utah State Historical Society, Salt Lake City, 8 Dec. 1899.

Exactly one year later [December 1900], Taylor visited Los Angeles to advance his railroad and iron interests. Taylor accompanied by wife Mary and daughter, Clara Nelson, traveled to Los Angeles to arrange the sale of his Iron County properties to the San Pedro, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake railroad company. He also hoped that the mild climate would help his ailing health.

(editor's note: Thomas Taylor died in the street outside the Los Angeles railroad terminal. The cause of death was listed as Bright's Disease. He was in Los Angeles promoting his iron and coal mining, and railroad enterprise. With the church under Lorenzo Snow as its new president, the Mormon church was clearing out of the business, distracted by defending itself against national pressure on the church to curtail its non-religious affairs.)

In the end, John C. Cutler, Taylor's son-in-law and later governor of Utah, oversaw the transfer of Taylor's holdings to none other than a conglomerate made up of Taylor's old nemesis Allen Campbell and the Walker Brothers.[127]

[127] Iron County Mining Records, Utah State Historical Society, Salt Lake City, 1 May 1902, Degree of Distribution, made by the Fifth Judicial Court, Utah State Historical Society. A 25 July 1902 agreement between Cutler and LDS church president Joseph F. Smith cleared the church's mortgage on the iron properties.

With this turn of events newspapers were once again editorializing on Utah's iron producing potential and begging for development.[128]

[128] Deseret Evening News, 19 Apr. 1902.

(editor's note: July 24, 1902. "Papers were signed in this city late yesterday by which Peter L. Kimberly and Frank H. Buhl of Sharon, Pennsylvania, became the owners of an 18-months' option on all the iron deposits near Cedar City which were controlled by the Milner syndicate. A payment sufficient to cement the deal, which involves no less than $2,250,000, was placed to the account of the Milner syndicate, in which Colonel Milner, Walker Bros., Dean and Learch, Matt Cullen, the A. G. Campbell estate and the Thomas Taylor estate, represented by John C. Cutler Jr., are interested. It is stated that no less than $45,000 will have to be paid tomorrow to the account of the last named interests in order to hold the Taylor property. The deal involves no fewer than 100 patented claims near Cedar City and over 20 other locations and takes in the greater part of Iron Mountain, which is said to be one of the largest and highest grade oxidized iron deposits in the world. The entire property has been carefully staked off and enough development work has been done to enable the owners to readily get on a shipping basis whenever railroad facilities are provided. The great future of the immense deposits is dependent upon railroad facilities and demand for iron and its products in the West." - Deseret News, July 24, 1902)

Taylor's biography raises serious questions about how we understand early economic development within the "Mormon Kingdom" and the West. Mining and railroading were the first "big businesses" requiring huge conglomerates of organized capital to succeed. Nineteenth-century Mormons, with their socialist orientation, were ill adapted to take advantage of mining and railroading resources which fell within their reach. Mormons embraced capitalism too lately.

Taylor's experiences highlight an era in which Mormonism moved from the socialist temporal kingdom to the uneasy embrace of American capitalist enterprise. The transition is as inconsistent and significant as the church's turn-of-the-century accommodation of other aspects of mainstream American culture. The fact that the tale of Thomas Taylor has only recently surfaced suggests that similar lives remain hidden. Utah's economic history, our understanding of how the twentieth-century Mormon kingdom came to be, remains only partially discovered.

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