Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1869-01-29

--SceneS IN Sakl Luke Oltys
From the top of an overland stage
coach we have our first look at the chief
city Of the latter day saints as we APP
pr zach it from the west. We behold
beautiful panorama. Northward is the
great Salt Lake, calmly reposing beneath
an autumnal sky, not ripple on its SUR
face, not living thing in its transparent
waters; a solitude around as profound as
that brooding over the Dead Sea Of Pal
estIne.
Eastward rises q mountain wall, white
with snow at the top, hues like the ever
changing aniline dies upon the slopes, in
the ravines and gorges. Southwark is
the Salt Lake valley, through which flows
the Jordan-not the stream near TO
the Church Universal, but the Jordan of
the Latter day Church, flowing through
a valley ten or fifteen miles wide.
THE CITY,
The city lies before us on the eastern
edge of the valley. We cross the river
upon substantial trestle bridge, meet
men with farm wagons-long, lumber.
ing affairs. common throughout the west.
Every farmer has wife and children
with him-the women wearing shaker
bonnets-the children robust, chubby
faced, curley- headed, pictures Ct health.
We enter broad street-house of one
story on both sides, built of brick dried
in the sun. A stream of pure water
flows down the street. The gardens are
green with cabbages and turnips. We
look out upon peach Orchards-the leaves
falling eastward with every passing
breeze. Rosy checked apples are still
hanging on bending branches. Along
the street are rows Of locust and allan
thus, with changing foliage.
A half dozen men are at work upon
the highway, with ball and chain attach
ed to their legs-paying the penalty for
crime. We turn into the main street of
the city and behold lively scene--wa-
CONS in from the country with produce,
grain, apples, garden products, loads of
wood, brick and stone; OK teams, horses
and mules. Farmers who have sold
their produce are making purchases for
their families. In almost every wagon
we see new cradle or a bedstead or
chairs-evidence of increasing popula-
ton. The streets are already populous
with children. Babies abound. Scores
of women are on the sidewalks, trund-
ling baby carriages, or with children in
their arms.
We whrl past the Church store, be-
fore which are the public scales. =
The church weigher is weighing a
load of hay. A second team, loaded
with grain, is waiting its turn. This is
the tithing office, where one-tenth of the
gross receipts of every Saint is paid over
to the church.
Brigham Young, with his one wife and
numerous concubines, lives on this street
at our left hand as We whirl on to the
stage office.
We are in the heart of the city, gaz-
ing upon spacious stores. We have been
FIVE days aud nights in the desert, look
ing out upon barren wastes. upon scar
red mountains, breathing alkali air, drink
ing bitter water. riding hundreds of
miles without seeing green leaf, and it
is like vision of Paradise to behold
such outward signs of thrift, prosperity,
care and comfort, happiness and peace.
With cracking whip and horses upon
the gallop, we roll on TO the stage Office
and descend from our high perch. We
gaze astonished upon surrounding scenes.
In this jewelry store we may buy the
best of Waltham watches. We may fit
ourselves with broad cloth suit of
clothes in a store large enough to do
credit to Washington street. Here is the
great wholesale house of Walkers Bros,
who are reported to be worth half mil
lion. Prints, by the cord, cotton by the
hundred bales, goods of every descrip-
ton are to be had. Do you want draft
on an Eastern city, or on the Earrings OF
London, here are brokers who will ac-
commodate you. Three hotels offer ac-
commodation to weary travellers. One
block distant is the Townsend house,
where we sit down to excellent fare, and
take long sleep between clean sheets af
ter our five days and nights in the stage
RETROSPECTIVE.
Let us lay aside all prejudice. forget, i
we can, that the inhabitants of this city
and of this valley. are polgyamists, tina
we may see what virtues are theirs.
In the spring of le47 Brigham Young
with l43 pioneers, started from Missouri
to find place far from civilization, wher,
the church established by Joseph Smitl
might haye room for its full develop
ment. They arrived in this valley Oh