The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-07-15
The city OF NauvOO.

The editor OF the Keokuk Gate CSty thus de-
sc'ibes Nauvco, ILL.,. the former city of toe Mormons
As 1t appeared to him on late VISIT
Putting up at Lhe Nauvoo Manson" the former
residence Of Joe Smith, and the rendezvous OF his
clan, We found it COOL count yfed hotel, Surround
60 by shrunbery. every thing neatly ksp. and cared
for, and impafting Q fresh, Wholesome ai2. The
hostess was the former wife OF Joe, who with her
present husband and children by her for uer Spouse
still n sides on the premises she entered with the
prophet when the Saints first founded Oh city. Soe
informed us that she had resided In the MANSION
Tor sixteen years. During that period she has wit
Messed the crigin, growth, al decay OF the city;
The reception OF new religion, the most strange
coDgome ate OF truth, fanAti ism, Jersti ion aud
arIaDt cheating that was ever inaa guratei 10 civil
zed community; nas witnessed It's development,
been familiar with its split and character, and
ecognizaLt of the motives which ruled ito
issctrs seen the krst and tine last of ali
the strange things enacaed there passed
through all the social changes incidental to taat
commuhy observed all OF the important facts of its
nkulAr aud interesting history and q. last nds her
sefthe quiet house 1e offs pleasant country tavern
which WINS but recently the nome and headq
OF band of men OF peculiar Character and presen-
siops, and OF her husband, who was tneie chief.
possess strange snd remarkable interest for her.
daughter, (now widow,) and several sons
children OF smith, compose her family. TIE pro
perry held by Smith and falling to the family has
left them very wealthy, but there are no signs of
ostentatious life Or inclinssions among them. As
cendiDg the hill TO examine tine "tempief aud its
surroundings, we came upon the community OF
Mons. CADET, who we're gathered sor dinner in a
large house Ia the rear, which seemed to be the
ccmmon eating room Ut the lcafiaaa, The meal,
economically provided, and with entire uniformity
IN its character, was enhvcncd by band OF instru
metal music, numbering some thirty performers,
and they seemed to be as intent on celebrating,
ia their own way, the great anniversary, 81 any.
bocy else.
An address was pronounced BY Mons. CADET, in
the forenoon, in French, and other addresses were
made IN German and EuOifar.
The Temple is q pile Of ruins, as most people
know, except the trout. That, with the exception
Of the tower, still remains. There Is enough in tina,
70 afford some idea OF its almost weird like, incon
gruous, heatheDish, but fresh and vigorous archi
tecsure. 1t is deeply to be deplore6 tha. vandat
hanos shonlc lave consigned i. TO destruction. II
should hsve been permitted to remain as monu.
me nj OF the strange religion that caused it to be
erected, snd the strange worship to which it was
dedicated. The entrance to an underground avenue
ia sill dscerniole among the rubbish on the South
husband. Of Mrs. Smith informed us, existed
beneath the surface of The ground, led by con-
rection with them to several points where
the leadeIs for various purposes assembled
to coDopct the affairs OF te community,
concoot their schemes, and execute their plans.
The large, and, 80 far as completed, thoroughly
built hotel which is situated close by the mansion
Is TO be finished up for mill and machinery which
the heirs OF the Prophet design putting into it.
Mary OF the orce fine but nov dilapidated resi-
depce9 have lattery been occupied, and the town IL
evidently improving. With magnificent location,
end point which, mad 1t preserved its population
and business, might have become commercial CEN
tire OF importance by this time, in the ordinary
course Of events, Nauyoo, with the usual character
OF POI 2laton, might have been one OF the largest
and mast prosperous towns in the West. But now
it ia simply the residence Of the flag euds OF several
fsDat,citms, comprising the memorials, social and
architectural Of religion whose founder, Character
and IL auence have won an uDanviable but enduring
tame In history; there o ProcurearGsneral Of
France presides over hog pens, datileries. aud the
general economies OF q new social organization, and
q few people with common ideas are seeking happt
ess and prosperity in the ordinary way; and that IL
al Of city that might have been groat and power.
I nj and once bid fair to DO 80.