Litchfield enquirer., 1844-10-31
THE CITY OF NAUvOo.

4 THE CITY OF NAUVOO. a..s-...,,
A correspondent of the Springfield (Mass.) Re-
publican writes this description Of the city of the
| Mofmons: $50" = : -
l arrived here about sunset, and put up at the
Mansion House, kept by Joe Smith up to the
time Of his death, and by his widow until a week
past. 1t is now kept by Mr., William Marks, Ia
leading Mormon,) Mrs. Smith having moved into a
very commodiOus house on the opposite side of the
| street. Designing to make the best of the short
| time could remain here, Immediately informed
Mr. Marks that | was stranger from Yankee
lands visiting NauvoO for the purpose of learning
every thing about the place and the people that cir
cumstances would allow, and that he would lay me
under great obligations if he would give me in the
lrst place horse and carriage and driver, to see
what could of the city, and the temple now bull
ding, and after that to answer all nv questions
which he might not consider impertnent. Mr.
Marks very readily expressed willingness to aid
me in my inquiries, and instead of sending his son.
went with me himself.
Although the dusk of the evening was rapidly
coming on, soon saw that was in City had
net before by any means acquired adequate idea
OF the extent and population of the city of Nauvoo
or of the size, style, and superior workmanship of
the Temple 50 far as it is advanced but determin-
ed to look at the whole BY day light returned to
the hotel. ! was introduced during the evening to
Mrs joseph Smith senior, mother of Joe, and talk
mons, and the horrid act which rnsulted in the
death of two affeetionate sons, on whom she had
for long time leaned for support. Mrs. Smith
was born in Montague, Massachusetts, is SO years
old, and her maiden name was Lucy Mack. Her
father kept for several years the tavern in Monta-
que, known afterwards as the sGunn TAVERN and
afterwards kept public house in Keene, N. H.
She, also for time before her marriage, lived with
a relation in South Hadley, and when she found
that 4 was familiar with the place where she had
lived half century ago, she expressed great salts
faction, and made many inquiries about persons,
some OF whom are now living. Igaye her all the
information in my power, and she became so enga-
ged that she was unwilling to suspend her CONVEX
sation when it became time to retire for the night
This morning, Mr.. Marks took his horse and
wagon quite early, and carried me again to the
Temple, and quite to the rear of the city | saw
and talked with the architect, who showed me all
the drawings and plans Of the Temple land explain
ed them as much as had time to spare. i also saw
and conversed with several of the workmen partic-
ularly with the stone cutter and sculptors, and
mounted the ladder and went On to the to2most
part where they We're laying the walls, after all,
do not feel competent to give you an ineligible
description, but will do the best can. will in
the first place say that the ground plot has no rival
for beauty and eligibility for the site of city in any
other town on the Mississippi river, and have
seen no spot that resembles it near much as the
ground on which the city of Washington is built
The river at the northern end takes a sweep, and
by the time it gets to the lower part of the city it
describes ellipss. The front on the fiat alluval
part embraces perhaps one third of the city, con-
tans the principal part of the stores and the most
of the public houses This embraces Main street,
which Is broad avenue l-2 miles long, and sew
era parallel streets, and Others crossing them at
right angles. The city then rises an easy grade to
the level OF the prares say $50 feet above the ry-
er. On this elevation the Temple is situated, and
SHOWS to the very best advantages back oflthis the
city still extends at least mile, andthe whole com
prlses an area of perhaps ten square miles. as.a
You will not suppose that all this ground is COM
pacty built upon, yet it is nearly as closely built
a. the great city am comparing il with, and one
that may be called city of distances'-with this
difference that at the rate the city of Nauyoo has
progressed for five years past, il will very soon 90
ahead Of its lustrious predecessor" in the nun
Der and compactness Of its population. The build.
ings are in general well built, and good portion
OF brick or stone; some OF them are capacious and
costly. 'sa1t .- ..E ,-t 3 t7.'! if.s8 7r
The Temple is situated relatively much as the
City Hall In Washington, and is a magnificent
structure, so far it is advanced. It is 1913 feet
long. 50 feet wide, and the walls 81 feet high The
materials are white lmestones, which are quarrel
on their own ground, within convenient distance.
ihere are 30 plasters projecting about fifteen inch
es from the walls the cases of which are wrought to
represent the rising moon in its first quarter land the
capitals which measured six feet wide at the top,
represent the meridian sun, the whole executed in
the most elaborate style, and indeed the workman
ship throughout is as well done as any thing in the
United States. | speak with confidence, for have
seen and examined all the best specimens of stone
cutting and masonry in this county.
There are to be circular windows between each
plaster and midway between the upper and lower
story windows, 80 finished as to represent ears The
whole is to be surmouBtea by splendid dome
In the basement is the baptismal font is feet long