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Show The demonstration was engineered byT. R. G.Welch, assisted by some others. The booths were two large grocery boxes set up possibly two or three hundred yards apart. The transmitter consisted of a tomato can, or a can about that size, with a bladder stretched over it. To this was attached a string. First of all one would speak through the transmitter. Then the one on the other end of the string would reverse it and say "I received it." But Mr. Fry says, "We hollered out so loud that it could be heard without the use of the string." The children all lined up awaiting their turn to either send or receive a message on this improvised telephone system.26 Relief Society At the fourth conference of the Morgan Stake, 18 August 1878, the Morgan Stake Relief Society was organized. The following excerpt from the autobiography of Lydia Ponds Rich gives valuable insight into the character of the women in the Valley in those early days: "In 1878, the Relief Society of Morgan was organized and I have been a member of it ever since; forwhich I am truly thankful, for it has been a good school for me; it has taught me to rely on my Father in Heaven for strength to do all things. In March 1877,1 was chosen President of the Relief Society of Morgan, and when the stake organization [Relief Society] was effected in 1878,1 was chosen President of the stake and held both offices until 1889 when I asked to be released from being President of Morgan ward; I am still laboring as president of the Morgan Stake. I shall never forget how I felt when my name was called out for me to take that responsible position. When I reached home I said to our dear sister Eliza R. Snow [Sister Snowwas General President over the auxiliaries which included, Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary. In this calling she was unique. ]; I fear I am not capable of filling that position; she said you will; and fill it with honor, and those words have always been strength to me in the hour of need, and before she went home she blest me; and it has always been a help to me with other blessings that I have received from her and Aunt Zina [Zina Young served as General Relief Society President following Eliza R. Snow. ] and many others who have gone behind the veil not forgetting the many kind and encouraging words that I have received from any of the sisters that have visited our conferences; among them Sisters Jane S. Richards [wife of Franklin D. Richards, who was stake Relief Society President in Ogden] andE. B.Wells [Emmeline succeeded Zina Young as President. ], many words of counsel have been given me by them and they have been as landmarks while passing through life."27 Martha Tonks, an active participant in the Relief Society in Morgan County, served as a counselor in the Stake Relief Society. One of her many duties was to visit other wards. This she did with horse and buggy. On these occasions she had her young son Charles drive her. It took two days to go to the Peterson Ward. On the way they would visit Littleton and Milton. One meeting was held in the morning, the other in the afternoon. Then they would drive on to Peterson, if it wasn't too late in the day, and attend the |