The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1865-08-19
Correspondence Of the n. Y. Trioune'I
THE MORNONS OF UTAH.
GEEAr SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, !

,JuIy. since the first MOrmons arrived in this
lonely region. Their prophet killed, them
selves eXles from Missouri and Illinois,
after weary Journey of many months, they
reached this basin, to struggle for existence
with the unkindlv soil, with Indians and
with Mexicans. TEcy claim that they lett
the Missouri river wi'h no definite point OF
settlement that on that route. in Il vision
brigham Young saw ii beautiful, mountain
guarded valley which heaven assured him
was their future home and that on coming
IN view of Ensign Peak, the Jordan and the
Great Salt Lake, he instantly exclaimed
Here is the spot
Thcvnumbered l43, including four woman.
Immediately upon arriving they kneIt down
and thanked God for his guidance and pro
lection The same day they commenced
blowing. An old trader, the only white
man in that region, declared that he would
give thousand dollars for the first ear Of
corn they could raise from this barren and
parched soil.
But there is always future for settlers
who pray and then go to blowing. How this
strange beginning carries one back to that
other despSed band which once landed at
Plymouth on dreary December morning
Snowy winters and rainless summers. hos
tile Indians and all. deyourng grasshoppers
did not dishearten the Mormons. hey
learned this new agriculture: established
homes began to have cattle on thousand
hills contributed largely from their lean
purses to the church, sending missionaries
all over the world, The great deuge of
California migration furnished a market for
their grain and beef Even johnson S army
sent to RESTRAIN and, if need be, subdue
them, purchased their crops, and added to
their wealth Later the silver mines of
Nevada and the gold discoveries of CoIora-
do, Idaho and Montana the last among the
richest placer diggmgs IN the WORLD have
vastly contributed to their new prosperity.
How can the farmers fail to grow rich when
flour commands SO per hundred throughout
the year.
Now population of 100, 900 is claimed
for Utah and 10 900 for this city. Perhaps
the last figures are too large. but already
this is the most popUous and 1t Is the most
beautiful town between st. Louis and san
Francisco. During the year ending June !,
Ben. Holaday's Overland Express took
$1,6l2, 1885, in gold dust hence TO the
States-though only small fraction Of the
gold goes by express, Last year a single
merchant sold upwards of a million dollars
worth Of goods, and paid for freight alone
from the Missouri river over $ loo, 900. This
is the city Of the future. Here is the field
of agriculture, the focus of commerce, the
pathway of empire.
Indeed, this trceless desert has been made
to blossom as a rose. The other evening
Mormon friend turned us loose amcng his
delicious strawberries and juicy cherries
Aprlcots, peaches. rnms, pears and apples
were ripening upon his trees. Right beside
them, just beyond his enclosure, the drcary
sage bush was growing upon the dry, sandy
soil, and four years ago, what is now bis
garden was an unbroken desert like the rest.
il.,, Al,
silk. The linen in his coat and pantaloons
was woven in his own dwelling from his
own flax. and his undertaking was manu-
featured in a factory Of Brigham Young :.
from cotton grown in the southern counties
On Wednesday we visited the Great Salt
Lake, 20 miles hence. 1t is 100 miles long
containing six or seven islands, all rugged
mountains. At low water three gallons ct
ITS mud Will procure one OF me- clear salt
The iact that "hlIc iour fiVers HOW III 1t mas
no visible outlet. gives rise to many theories
We found 1t delightful to SWIM IN, though
nnpieasantiy bouyaht. 1t is claimed that
one cannot possibly SINK but its pregnant
waters must render stranguIation very easy
The great number Of children in these
streets arouses wonder, till one remembers
that they are the only crop which does not
require irrigation. On Friday, by invitation
| visited Brigham Ioungs school. Its
register contains thirty four names. two or
three of them his grand children, the rest OF
them his o"ni There were ~ present,
ranging IN ages from tour years upward
They were peculiarly bright looking, intel
lgent, and very well advanced in study
With three Of the elder girls-of about II
years. afterwards had some conversation.
Though little shy, all used good language
and graceful manners One Is so pretty that
do not wonder there is great emulation for
her smlles among the young men 0: the city.
Brigham 5 children exceed nifty. including
many who are married and have children OF
their own | also visited one OF the Ward
schools. Tuition - to $40 per quarter ;
free schools are unknown. Inc toreheadS
were narrower, and the average Intelligence
lower, though IN some cases very good.
The cordial Inequalities we have enjoyed
have enabled me to see something of home
and family life among the Mormons With
them are no Misters or Esqures everybody
is Brother A. or 'Sister B.. The
Brethren assure me that the woman ac-
quiesce cheertully in PoIygamy requeutly
urging their husbands to take additional
wives. am convinced that this is often true
"a wonderful triumph of faith over nature.
But the only Mormon wife with whom | con
Versed alone on the Suhiect--a lady of int q :