Betty G. Spencer, New Utah, Thursday, August 21, 2003
The vibrant village bell was a very real part of daily life in the village of American Fork. The tradition of the village bell began long before my own growing up years. But, one of my clearest memories of summer in the late 1930s was the bell ringing for nightly curfew.
The curfew was 9 p.m. and all children were to be at home by the time the final peal echoed over the air of a soft summer night.
In the early days of the settlement the bell was used for all purposes of communication. In addition to the nightly curfew, the bell rang stridently for fire or other emergency. It tolled for a death and announced important events.
The first City Hall was constructed in 1880 on the corner of Water and Harrington Streets. (Center and Main today.) Total cost was $1,500. This was under the administration of Mayor Leonard E. Harrington, who was the first and longest-serving mayor.
The bell was purchased by the city Dec. 17, 1887 at the cost of $211.42. It weighed 1,200 pounds and was proudly placed atop the small city hall.
Curfew was taken seriously in those days and no matter how inviting the game of "Kick the Can" or "Run Sheepy, Run," when the bell rang, children did not make excuses or whine for an extension of outdoor play. Curfew was definite! Curfew was an obligation which all children met!
Adults used the curfew to set clocks for the new day.
Charles Joseph Logie was given the assignment of ringing the city bell for curfew and other necessary occasions. His pay was a generous $5 a year, plus a key to the City Hall.
On June 30, 1888 Bishop William M. Bromley petitioned the city to have the city bell rang each Sabbath morning to call the faithful to worship.
After due study, the City Council, under the administration of Mayor W. D. Robinson, agreed that the City Bell could be used for such a purpose. It was noted, however, that the church was to provide the bell ringer, and to assume all expenses associated with the service.
The bishop promptly made ringing the bell on Sunday a church assignment for Mr. Logie.
At the turn of the Twentieth Century, American Fork City was seeking a larger facility, due to growth in population and the needs of the city.
In 1900, a committee was appointed to conduct the sale of the present City Hall and to purchase property for the construction of the new CityHall. They sold the existing building to James Chipman for $10, 000.
The only things the city asked to take to their new location were the city bell and the flagpole.
The new City Hall was built in 1903 and the precious bell hung in the proper cupola bell tower.
There it remained until 1959, when a new roof and other repairs were made to the building. It was discovered that the bell tower was in poor condition and should be replaced or removed.
The bell was lowered and the bell tower torn down before the new roof was laid.
Members of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers met with the City Council soon after to ask about the disposition of the bell. They asked that they be given possession of the bell and also given a space in Robinson Park on which to mount the valuable bell.
The DUP committee included members of the Relic Hall Committee from the four combined camps: Myrtle Robinson Seastrand, daughter of the pioneer for whom the park is named, general chairman; Mabel Adamson, assisting chairman; Relva B. Ross, secretary; Nell Bassett, Edith P. Jones, Vera Thompson and Sadie Singleton were committee members. Assisting were the four camp captains, Harriet Barratt, Vivian Nicholes, Lois Pritchett and Ann C. Hansen.
National DUP President Kate B. Carter was speaker and accepted the monument (#267) as it took its place among the many the central organization had authorized. On the north side of the monument is the plaque given to the city by the DUP when the "William S. Robinson Park" was dedicated in 1947.
During the summer of 1962 Reed Pulley donated his labor to lay the stone and helped plan the monument.
He was assisted by Leo Wootton, Willard Devitt, Richard Bassett, Junior Williamson and Steve Nicholes.
The beautiful native stone was provided by Lowe Peterson.
The Bell Monument was dedicated Sunday, Sept. 8, 1962, with DUP and city officials in attendance.
It was a wonderful idea to put the treasured bell back where it could be seen. The trouble was soon evident that it was also being heard.
In fact, the bell quickly became an attractive nuisance. Neighbors were frequently wakened from sleep with the bell sounding out as young people took advantage of the situation.
After a few weeks of consternation, it was decided that the bell would be immobilized . . . and silenced. The clapper was removed by Frank Bennett, a city employee.
The bell, without the clapper, was stabilized and has stood proudly in Robinson Park for these 41 years.
There is a move afoot to have the bell removed from the park and restored in a new bell tower on the present City Hall.
The beautiful bell is seen, but these days it remains silent. But, listen carefully next time you pass the monument. Can you hear the mellow sound of our village bell?
This story appeared in New Utah on page 1.
ADDENDUM: The bell has indeed been relocated in the new bell tower atop City Hall, clapper and all.
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