The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-12-21
MORMON

.- I'M
How the Young Saiuts Look and Act
in Society.
Utah Correspondence ofthe New York Sun.
Ifone.wisheato see Mormon life in ell
its primitiveness and simplicity, he
must not look for itin Salt Lake City.
for there it Is overshadowed by much of
the outside world. No, if you wish to
see the pure inner life of Mormoniem
you must strike out into the country dis
tricts.
A few evenings ago 1 had the pleas
ure of attending ~ genuine dancing par
" of the Latter Day Saints they don't
like to be called Mormons). This was a
small town nestled away In tho Wasatch
Mountains, about one hundred and fifty
miles south of the metropolis of Utah.
Ward Westinghouse, a stone building
used for general public purposes.
The hour for opening was Z D. IN. 1
wa there on time. WHAT first attracted
my attention on entering wa that the
ladies and gentlemen sat separately
the men on the right and the ladies' on
the left. At the end of the hall was a
raised platform, upon which sat the
orchestra, which consisted of n first and
second violin and organ. The national
ity of those present was very distinct
and easily detected. The Scandinavian
element predominated, but there was a
sprinkling of English, Scotch, Irish,
Welsh. and Swiss, while the Ohio twang
and the Missourian's idee could also be
heard. All had a happy and contented
l~o1r kI,ra lnf,x y, - ~ - ,v~< - a.
but each appeared to feel rs if he or she
was ut home with members of their own
family.
When / arrived the dancing had not
yet commenced, and there was quite a
buzz of conversation. Presently the
floor manager called out: "Please to
come to order! Brother Brown, will you
open| Immediately all was silence
aud every head bowed in reverence.
Brother Brown responded by walking
to the platform and Offering a brief but
earnest eXtemporaneous prayer, in
which he asked the Lord TO be with
them during the time OF their amuse-
ment ard to keep all harm and wrong
doing from those present.
The floor manager then gave q num-
Der to each man who wished to dance,
when all had numbers given them he
called out, Numbers one to eight, take
your partners for a cotill tsn" There was
only space for two sets. Up started the
eight numbers and rushed across the
room and secured partners. There WIS
no waiting for introduclions, and now
they stood IN readiness on the floor,
falling into conversation with their ladies.
The music struck up, the caller shouted
the figures, and the dancers started off
as ii their lite were at stake.
The Danes were remarkably graceful
IN their movements, and of course, there
was the usual quantum OF verdant youths
who did not know what to do with their
legs, There were many pretty, yes
handsome, faces among the 1alr sex.
All were neat and clean, but no attempt
was made at show in dress, plain cotton
and wooden fabrics being the rule.
Somt of the girl made Il faint attempt
Will simple ribbons and laces. Many
ofthe men did not appear to have made
any special evening toilet with the ex-
ception of a liberal use ofsoaD and water.
Others, again, were dressed in we'll
made, serviceable broad cloth of home
manufacture. .
l. could not help but notice many of
the young men born and raised
IN this mountain region. They
are perfect giants-hale, hearty,
ohu SirolouSs Aou y cStI lulptLe 10
polygamy the cause OF muscular decline
in man, for here 1 had ocular proof to
the contrary.
When the first dance was concluded
the gentleman escorted their raItlers to
their seats, and then retired to their
own. Then another batch of eight was
Immediately called for, and the fun was
repeated. The polka or waltz, round
dancing, as it is called. is not by strict
rules, allowed, although a few on this
occasion were permitted during the
evening.
After several dances had been sons
through, some Scandinavian sisters sang
a charming song. This was followed by
an Engilshnian singing a comic song and
an American recitiDg from Shakespeare.
Then more dancing with occasional sing
ing till IL O'Clock VIII "Come 10 order"
was called, and the assembly was dis
missed with prayer. All seemed happy
and contented with the evenings enter
talnment and HE'D at ono home, every
lady having an escort of father, brother,
husband. or beau.
During the whole of the evening the
only refreshments that | saw or heard
OF was pure water, although ! was told
upon special occasions a light beer with
cake Is handed around. Intoxicating
drinks are strictly prohibited. There is
no saloon within thirty miles ofthe town,
and even ifa nan smells oil liquor he ls
reprimsnded.
These dances are not open for any
who may choose to attend, but who all
wish t. partake give their names in to
the bishop of the ard. lie has power
to blackball, and he uses that power,
especially with outsiders and apos-
tates.
BY / o'clock all lights were ont in the
town, and the only sounds to be heard
were the occasional baying of the watch
dogs and the lullaby OF the canon
breeze.