Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-07-02
SALT LAKE CITY.
san FRANCIsco, May.

have had within few weeks an account from
another pen. The journey is novel and IN
terestng experience to be once enjoyed. Inc
scenery, over Il large part Of the way, Is very
monotonous. Hour after hour and day after
day the train moves over endless plains, par
rem Of all vegetation except the useless sage
plant At long intervals, mountain views or
cur, grand beyond description. The best OF
these. unhappiy, are cut off fromsight by the
snow sheds which on the summit OF the Sierra
Nevadas for fifty miles in an almost unbroken
reach. are built over the track. Ia gong
down upon the Pacific side the traveller rush
es in two or three hours from January to June,
from snow drifts to roses and strawberries
We have glinpses of placer mining note the
increase of the Chinese element in the popu-
lation that comes into view, and feast the eye
on the noble oaks which are spread over the
green plains.
The cars are so well constructed and fur
nished with appliances for comfort that the
long journey produces no fatigue. But in
midsummer the heat and dust in going over
the plains must be almost intolerable.
Instead of detailing the incidents of the
overland journey. it may afford more satisfac-
ton to your readers to give an account of
A DAY IN SALT LAKE Cry.
The city of the Saints is now so accessible,
that a large number Of the passengers going
between the east and the west, delay their
progress for day or more and turn aside to
glance at this strange community Your cor
respondent availed himself of the opportunity
and will now endeavor to take your readers
with him to spend day at the capital of the
Mormans. Ogden is the point from which a
branch railroad about forty miles in length has
been built connecting Salt Lake City with the
Pacific road Arriving here at about six
O'Clock in the evening, party of seven trans
fer ourselves to a waiting train, which present
~ is under way The route lies through a
broad valley walled in on either hand by snow
crowned mountains. The marvellous clear
ness of the air in these regions causes every
summit, even though miles distant to stand
out sharply defined against the sky, while
each rayine or scar upon the side is as clear
as though just under the eye. We pass sew
eral Mormon settlements at which the cars
stop, and in about two hours reach the city.
! Good accommodaiiOnsar are offered the traveller
at any one of the three hotels. Our party of
seven find entertainment at the Townsend
House, kept by a much-marred Norman.
The sun rising in cloudless sky over this
valley, presents one of the most beautiful
scenes OF Nature. The light first glitters
upon the snow on the tops on the western
SUBMITS and gradually steals down the sides
moves across the plain and then mounts tho
other side, until at last mountains and valley
all glow in the golden light.
The city and surroundings seen in early
summer, present an attractive sight. To
the traveller il is greatly enhanced by con
trast with long reaches of barren plain oven
which he has just passed. 1t is situated at the
western base ola spur of the Wahsatch noun
tains, at distance Of several miles from the
famous Salt Lake which gives it a name. This
lake is in view for an hour or more in passing
over the railroad, but disappears before en-
tcrng the city. The first party of Mormans
entered the valley IN 1917. They have now a
city of %, 900 inhabitants and numerous
towns and settlements, extending up and down
the valley. Salt Lake City is laid out in
squares, with streets running north and south
| and east and west each 1872 feet in width.
Pure water is brought down from the noun
tans in refreshing abundance. Through al
most every street a stream flows in prepared
way, suggesting GOODNESS and fertility. The
dwelling houses are not large in size, many
being cottages story and half in height,
The material for the most part is ''adobe' or
sun-dried brick With each house is general
4 " connected a garden and door yard vi lib
eral size, and filled with fruit trees, which, at
the time Of your correspondents visit, were
in full blossom The form of the houses is
often suggestive of the peculiar institution of
the community, they being so built as to afford
separate tenements, each with its own door
I for the different families.
/ square, twenty acres or more in extent
surrounded by high stone wall, constitutes
the premises of President" Young. Here
are public offices, residences, school house,
a museum, and we know not what else, for
we did not venture far within the enclosure.
His many wives do not all live upon these
premises, but have their houses in different
parts of the city, some of the older and least
valued being banished to very undesirable
places. The leading public buildings are a
1 Theatre carried on as an adjunct ofthe church,
and City Hall, very creditable in appearance.
A general air Of thrift and neatness per-
vades the city. Stores of all kinds occupy
the business street Those belonging to the
Saints are indicated by peculiar sign, con-
sisting Of large eye in gilt or color, above
which is the inscription 'Zions Cooperative
Mercantile Institution" and below it ''iIoli-
ness to the Lord" The Saints are of course
expected 10 bestow their patronage on these
stores, ratherthan on those ofihe Gentiles, who
in about equal numbers invite custom. The
most prominent public building is the Taber-
naee, the one place ofassembly for all the city.