Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1882-06-30

just crossed, stretching the full perspec-
tive of the valley as seen from thence. but
as to its width, obstructed IRON view at
any point where we were by o range Of
high hills running through the the midst
Of the same from north to south These
hills or mountains varied in height, be-
ing sometimes as low as the surface Of
the water, and then rising into lofty
peaks, and how much of the lake lay be-
You'd these and towards the still higher
range of mountains behind them I never
saw or heard. ,a
During the ten days halt we made at
Salt Lake many of the trains VIC had left
behind caught up with us, and in most
cases stopped two or three days to re-
cruit. But their camps were pitched AZ
other points in the valley and we saw
very little Of them until after commenc-
ing our journey again. The distance
from Salt Lake to California is, I believe.
some FIVE or six hundred milcs-a pretty
lengthy journey yet to make for parties
already worn out with travel -~4r
During our stay among them 1 must
confess that the Mormons at Salt Lake
were as orderly, Industrious, sociable
and happy q community as | ever met
with, and the female portion, especially
the single ladies', as modest, retiring and
shy as any gcntle-women ever saw any
where, and not the brazen, fast women
we had been led by report TO believe
they were. There were not many beau
tiful or even pretty ones among them 10
be sure, but on the ether hand some very
homely ones. did not get chance ~
attend their worship or any meeting in
their Temple, (though | saw inside Of 10
on one occasion, as said before.) I do
not think there was any held while VIC
were there, nor did get glimpse Of
old Brigham except at u distance and on
horseback. but saw him several times az
forwards in Washington, d. @. did
see, however, old Elder Kimball and
several other Of the leaders among them
The foundation Of the present large Tenn
pie was not yet completed, but was sufh-
cient to show that the superstructure
would be immense There was no one
at work upon il during our stay there,
as it was harvest or some other season
requiring the presence of the people at
home. Tho labor on the temple was
done by regular details Of the people for
u given time, to be succeeded by another
detail, and money was secured by tithes
upon them likewise The citizens were
fond of talking of the great accessions
to their faith through their missionaries.
and predicted that within another year
their population would be increased thirty
thousand through this source, and be-
lieve the statistics of Utah confirm the
prediction.
| speak thus favorably of the Nor
mons brcause | saw nothing the little
while We were amongst them to justify
a different impression, either individually
or as community. Subsequently, and
particularly during their war with the
general government, they became very
much demoralized, and from report eau
not now be recommended as model
people And now adieu to Salt Lake
City, its people, beautiful scenery and
comforts in the way Of good feeding for
man and beast, and let us strike Out
once moro upon the road TO Eldorado,
road even more rough and perilous
than any we had as yet traversed.
| will remark here, however, that with
out knowing it we had already passed
over and through territory in which lay
just under our feet mines Of gold, Of
silver particularly, aud other precious
ores greatly richer in the aggregate than
where we were now making for. but that
was only in keeping with my subsequent
luck after reaching the "digr'G;" |
there passed over or by something to
mponsate me for the trials aud perils
of the trip I'm describing, on frequent
occasions. Although We have yet 50
great distance to go before attaining
the end of our journey, shall have
mparatively very little to say by why
of description Of it, for the reason, first,
that have forgotten much Of the nature
of,ihe country through which we travelled.
and secondly, remember Of few incidents
happening worth relating. My impress
sion as TO the kind Of country we jour.
neyed over for some days after leaving
tho Valley Of Salt Lake is that il
was generally through narrow valleys,
hemned in by high hills and mountains,
aGording good pasturage and plenty Of
good water and 80 until we struck tho
head waters Of the Humboldt river
Here, too, at first, VIC found the same,
but had not travelled down it long when
commenced the woeful trials have
limited Mt above. The Humbolt river is
bcmmed in too by high mountains, those
on the north called tho Humboldt Noun
tains and on the south side by name
not now remembered by me, the valley
between being very narrow almost tho
whole length Of the river, or down TO
where il debouches and sinks into the
American Desert.
From the point on this part Of our
journey where the river, although now
falling, was still so high that it covered
up the grass on its narrow meadows and
islands 80 that feed Cor the cattle was
unattainable, and where at the same
time the river began 10 be tainted with
alkali commenced such hsrdships for
man and beast, As that former expert
ences Of the trip were light and trivial.
for added to the labor and fatigue Of
making our way along the rocky side Of
the contiguous mountains, having fire.
quently to clear large rocks and trees
out Of the path, aud all this undergone
for several consecutive days aud nights
without stoppagc, high winds prevail
ing all the time and blowing into our
faces terrible simeon Of sand and dust
added to this was that worst Of all
tormcnts, hunger and starvation.
CONCLUSION NEXT WEEK.
Four hundred aud twenty-five millions
Of dollars will be required to pay PEN