Nebraska advertiser., 1859-01-13
From Utah.
FILLMORE Cry, Nov. Is, 1855

X. w. FURNAs:
Since my last, under date October Is,
Clay Greek, a continued change of To-
cality, together with a combination of CIR
cumstances, is my only apology for so
long delaying another communication.
After writing you from the Kanyou
Cannon, by blowing and wallowing thro'
snow, over rocks, mud, &c., for about a
week, we came to Provost Cannon, twelve
miles in length. In making a road thro'
which the Mormons expended about $780,
900. They charge toll at the rate of one
dollar per ton for freight. In passing
through this, we were frequently surroun-
ded by rocks rising almost perpendicular
ly to the height of several thousand feet.
The road in some places being cut through
solid rock. Wefrequently found streams
bursting through the rocks and falling
from a height of several hundred feet,
into Provost River, in one single sheet,
producing a scene of singular granduer
and beauty.
Emerging suddenly from this Cannon,
we came in sight of Utah Lake, which is
about 30 miles in length, and fifteen in
breadth. Near this lake we came to
Battle Creek Settlement-a village of
some two thousand inhabitants. 1t is
surrounded. as all towns are here, by an
adobe wall about 10 feet in height
Stopping in the principal street of this
place, we were Immediately surrounded
by ar army Of neatly dressed, and we'll
behaved children, with pies, cakes, butter,
eggs, etc., which found a ready market
in our train. Stopping for a noon halt,
we were called upon by many ladies in
search of cooking utensils, all neatly and
tidily arranged. In most of them / could
detect the Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Man.
chester and London dialects. Visiting
their ~habitations, / found a striking re-
semblance to the English Cottages. We
next passed American Fork, thence by
Lehi, to the River Jordan, which has its
source in Utah Lake, and flows north into
Great Salt Lake. In this stream our
Captain and Mule, went through the GER
emony of baptism, which he declared on
his recovery, entitled him to Mormon wife.
In passing through these towns / was
struck with the cleanliness of the streets,
the tranquility of the inhabitants, &c. No
drinking establishments, no houses of pros
t~itution, no gambling, or other vices, in
striking contrast with our Missouri towns
of the same population.
Soon after leaving Jordan Bridge / had
the unexpected pleasure of taking by the
hand and having a few moments inter-
view with our estee.led and worthy en-
ployer, Mr.. Majors, who said to Captain
H., 81 have heard of this train all along
the road, but did not expect to see the
cattle looking sawell'. "You certainly
did not ride that mule through?" "Where
did you get that strange man T" referring
to a teamster we got at Laramie. The
memory Of this gentleman is very extra
ordinary after seeing SO many trains to
remark a stranger in our train.
Mr.. M. was then en- route to Fort
Bridger from Camp Floyd, having gone
in via Salt Lake City we did not see him.
By him / was ordered back and up Utah
Lake in charge of a company of men
and the stock of Captain H., while he
took the men to Salt Lake City to be paid
off. Arriving in sight, though 9 miles
distant, of Camp Floyd l retraced my
steps for the purpose of establishing a
Camp on Utah Lake. l was then en-
gagged for several days in hunting stock
l spent one night in Camp Floyd with
one continued round of greetings in re-
unions with old acquaintance, both Off
GERS and citizens, with no intermission to
write during the time. Many teamsters-
were fitting out for California.
I found the Camp in a large valley
almost destitute of vegetation, and tim
Der.
The officers who have been out some