The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1880-04-24
IHED.ENOCR.4T
sATURD.A r. April 81
From the Far Vest.
Editor Democrat.

with the Utah and Mort hern Rail
road, a narrow gauge road extend.
ing northward into Montana and
through a portion Of Idaho. We
decided, however, not TO take adj
vantage Ofthis connection, but to
remain ii Ogden, for it is n Nor
man town, and We had some
curiosity to see something Of 4
sect of people whose religious be-
LETS and practices are so question.
able. We wandered around town
that evening, and started early the
next morning in buggy down the
Weber River, ostcnsihIy to hunt
ducks, but really, so far as I was
concerned, to see something Of the
German country people,
The valley of the river is level,
and for some distance below Ogden
is laid out in streets, which may be
populOus some day, but are not so
now. The fields and streets were
dry and dusty. but at each sido Of
the streets rail- rapid stream Of
water, clear as glass but almost
hidden by the long dusty grass and
weeds that hangs over ii. These
streams come from the Weber
River, and are used 70. irrigation.
Al intervals aIorg the road we
saw the rudo plank dams, for send
ing the water through other chan
nols across the fields. The country
here was entirely unlike tho broad
free landscapes | was soon 10 SEQ.
1t was close and oppressive. When
we could SEQ beyond the rank
hedges that hOrdSred the road we
saw wall OF rugged mountains.
1t would seem impossible for a
child to grow up morally and
mentally free on the Weber River
below Ogden. Their fields, and
especially their orchards, give evil
dence Of careful labor. The apple
and peach trees were loaded with
fruit. Every one who knows The
Mormons say that they are an
honest and industrious people. l
could not resist tho conclusion,
however, that with them it is all
honesty and industry and no
social and religious freedom, and
but q sluggish and imperfect idea
of American citizenship. After a
long ride aud u little hunting we
got back 10 Ogden with ono duck
and poor opinion Of the Nor
mons.
We left Ogden at Gr. NJ, that
day. Our route was northward
into Idaho Territory along tic
Snake River. II lis 4 noble stream
and flows through some excellent
farming lands. The fishing and
hunting are excellent. II is said
however, that those who have a
weakness for hair on top of their
heads, had better not settle there.
From my car window ! saw some
Indiana moving their families and
camp equipments down the river.
Our car was a beautiful one, with
two rows of reclining chairs, each
chair seating but one person, and
capable Of being used aSa lounge
or as an ordinary clair, as the
occupant prefers. AZ OH the
UniVn Pacific, | spent much of my
time on the platform, especially
when we we're in sight Of the Shake
River, the weather being quite
mild. We passed Il large Indian
village where they had made some
attempts ut agriculture.
At about l o'clock p. ". We reach
ed tho terminus, at Beaver Canon,
Idaho. This was tho last we we're
TO see Of the cars. Eight Of lis
crowded into Il four-horse stage,
with So many trunks and packages
strapped on tho top that the stage
seemed almost the smallest part Of
the pile, and in this way continued
our long ride across the mountains.
After crossing the first ridge we
wers in Montana We travelled
day anu night, ut an average ratio
Of about four miles per hour. The
roads wcrc excellent, with the ex-
coption Of being dusty. This dust,
which is alkaline, poured into our
crowded coach nearly all the way,
and at times almost suil"cating lis.
II is the worst element Of what is,
nj hast ,;s.o,or,o ;,,,p,.,,