Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1857-11-01

$50 49, ALEHN @
trees skirting the bank of the little stream on
which We were encamped obstrusled my view,
bat through the openings that here and there
appeared, the Mormon Fort was visible on the
opposite side, distant about a mile Aeeompz-
MED BY a few "eompaniOns on voyage" j start
ed over to see the Mormons aud to purchase a
few condiments to crafty my wOlfsh appetite
Arriving at the Fort, { found an assemblsgs
Of log houses enclosing an area Of several acres,
very much after the fashion Of a camp meeting
ground. Entering through the large gate that
fronted the little river which flowed within IF
teen or twenty yards oft, SO astOfOrn a semi
circle from the place I had crossed, l observed
in the centre of the enclosure an arbor covered
with slabs on the summit Of which was a soll-
tary cannon, a six FOUNDER, the angry mouth
of which pointed toward US. This was the
only implement Of war that indicated we were
trea6ing a Notification. Under this covering
thirty-hFe or forty Of the Saints were congre-
gated. Approaching them we informed them
we had passed through many vicissitudes Of
fortune /; related our wretched griefs how we
had bstlIed with the wild mountains the ever
watchful Indians the rapid rivers, and more
than all, the deprivation of food. COnticEsrt
omRes, iatentgas OTatsnebant.7
Learning we were Ten lessesans and not ma
tives of Missouri, (for they had still a latent
hatred towards the latter they expressed to Us
sentiments Of friendly regard. Spreading our
selves prOmiscuOusly about, We were permitted
to trade with The women, for -four, butter-milkl
butter, homemade cheese, e., which consun-
ed the remainder of the evening. Freighted with
these edibIss. associatedia mind with memories
OF happier days, 1 retraced the pathway to the
camp, (Which the fires cleaning through the
thickening shade OF the evening now reveal
ED elatsd with the expectation Of a glorious
repast.
Reader, if you have never Travelled over
mountains for weeks, with nothing but a
scanty supply Of "slap-jacks" aud picked
pork to afford nourishment for the TsDaration Of
your disintegrated tissues, You cannot realize
he agreeable excitatiou thai passed along the
gustatory nerve, while enjoying the good thinzs
l had SO happily procured. The camp kettle,
the frying pan, and the old tin cup were repro
duced, having long since ceased to afford the
smallest return for the care l had taken to pre-
serve then.
Al the Fort I remained en.anPsd ten days,
and had an opportunity OF becoming acquainted
with many Of the Mormons, as well as the fer
tile valley they iBhabit-
was informed By them, that after travelling
three years, enduring many priyatiOns, they
selected this spot for their permanent abode,
where, separated from all the world, they ex-
psct to live and die in accordance with the
teachings Of Joseph Smith.
The valley is fifteen miles wide, about a
hundred miles long, and bounded on each side
BY z high range Of mountains. The soils ex-
tremaly fertile. As little rain falls during the
summer months, they resort to irrigation ; the
mountains furnishing an abundant supply of
water for this purpose. We were fortunate in
reaching the valley Just at the completion OF
their harvest season, and were supplied with
an excellent article OF -four at ten cents per
pound. TIE Morraons appeared to be indus
trioua, and were variOusiy empioyd in develop
ing the resources of their country. As far as
ny observation extended, the community
seemed living il areadian bliss. Our numsri-
cal force had doubtless some effect in prevent
ing the exhibition Of unkini feelings towards
as. The Utahs are the immediate ~nsighbOrs of
the AIsrmons. They are a powerful tribe of
indians, numbering sixteen thousand warriors,
and il the event of a collision Of the latter
viii Uacie sam, they might possibly find in
them 2 powerful ally. Tie red menmake FREE
qgsut visits to the valley, to dispose Of their
bear meat, veuisoa and other articles feTae
natur1e, in exchange FOR powder, lead, blankets,
SC. Utah Lake affords an inexhsustsble sup
ply Of. mountain trout, and the lake beyond
The city would supply the United Safes with
salt. Timber is obtained from the mountains
for building purposes, the valley producing
oens save along the margin Of the little
streams. Sixty mnss distance from the fort is
he famous Salt Lake City. In travelling this
distance, the high mountains on each side, and
an occasional farm house, alone relieve the
eye. Ihalted for a few mOmsats at a large
boiling spring, about half way, and was told
The water possessed great virtue in curing the
g rhsnnahcs.s Net far from this I observed a
curious spectacle, which Afterwards appeared
al frequent intervals. Hanging in heavy elus-
tsrs, and covering several acres of ground,
we're grass-hopPsFs Of larse dimensions These
s~FssshogPsrs are perfectly black. which, 20
e Der with their great size, excite at 6rs.
a OF E degree Of ss,onissinens I was highly
anassi when I learned the Indians made use
Of them in the mansfacturs of whastas cab
ia their vsrnacular, black bread The Nor
mons sag It has a taste not disasresabls and
. fragrant oder. ffelt entirely Wiling e fake
Hlsir iFOrd for il.
The Mormon city at the tine Of myvisit wss
a sulAil place, containing sot more than two
fhousaad inhabitants. Toe streets were seFe-
raj miles 10 length; oaly a eegy small proper
uou WIS buiit ap- Thsir hpnsssyere one story
Bigh, eoostrustsd u adobe or eah-drisd brick.
Altogether The place had the appearance Of a
small country village. Sace thes a continual
inaax Of emigranis has sHlsrgsd Asir city, and
It is nov sarroundedby wall.
A few days before my Arrival there, the re-
no0sss Brigham Young sts5tedo fhr the noun
tain IL company Nnh the Indiaa Chief Walk
er, 80 prospect forsgedn The eradication Of
seeing him vas therefore dshisd ne. At that
tine Tie Mornohs believed that golden trea-
sares enriched tbsF .~EeigbsoFiug mountains
bat subsequent explorations have soubtIsss
rendered them less ersdul0us.
during ny brief stay among them, our en-
campuient was frequently visited b The SAINTS,
and Efforts were made 10 sbIigbten our under
standings by the distrbution of PsnPhie7 zad
much pious conversation relating osthaF Pc
euaiar faith, and the plates nat no man eouit
deeiphsr save Joseph snfh
L. ray intercourse with the MOrmons, did
not meet with a cultivated miad among them.
Nor ID they, as 4 general thing, give a praeti-
cal demonstration thai they believe in any re-
liEion. The elders thsnssives swear like .
marine, When excited, and In the enjoyment Of
the utmost latitude, do even worse.
Tie female portion o. the community dil mol
impress me fsvoIsbly 10 any respect. A large
msiority 81 Them were from Canada and differ
.ent countries IN Europe. They belong to the
lowest caste, and il person were homsly in The
extreme.
was highly snnsed one morning at ne sim
pIicity Of a woman vino hailed from Scotland.
sHzvs you heard any Of oar elders preach 20
she inquired.
"Yss, but only one,r I replied.
lyon don't like the MormOns, ! Teckcn? ?"
"NOs enough to become one,D I assured her.
eWsIl, ny Husband. be is a Mormon, . shs
rsjoined, @but be didn't join them just 80. Hs