Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-10-01
THE MORMON's zion.
rH1 APPROACHES TO SALT LAKE crTY-A LAND
OF ScRIPTURAL NAMES AND OF AGRICULTC-
RAJ PRosPERITY-THE GREAT TEMPLE AND
THE TTTHIN9 HOUSE
coErespondence of THE EvENrNe srAn:

Correspondence Of THE EVENING SrAH
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, Sept H. 1885.
though this city and region have been writ
ten up by q thousand journalistic pens yet no
country In the old world presents points of
greater novelty and interest TO a tourist, both
In IT. physical and social aspects. In coming
here from Colorado, over the Denver and Rio
0fAnde railway, for quite q hundred miles after
crossing the east line Of Utah, from Grand to
Green rivers, the eye rests upon the most desc
late waste OF clay and sand, encrusted with al
Kali and devoid Of vegetation save the inevita-
Bic sage brush The main Rocky mountain
range u LEFT behind, and at Green river the
Masatch range frowns In front Of Us, while about
% miles southward we descry the rough out
line OF the Grand Canon Of the Colorado below
principal branches. Descending the western
slope Of the Wasatch We follow the Provo river
which leads US into the Utah valley and empties
INTO Juan lake. Approaching this valley the
sight IL as gladdening to the eye as was the land
% Canaan to the wanderers of old when they
orchards, irrigated te streams brought from the
mountain sides, and comfortable, cheerful look
Ing, light colored adobe or sun-dried brick
houses, cover the landscape. At each stopping
quite as luscious and much cheaper than your
principal grass grown for cattle food, both here
ana In Colorado, and Is of such fresh, dark
Than any other crop. It resembles clover, hav-
ing similar leaf and q purple blossom. With
put irrigation two crops a year are raised, and
came from California and, believe, will find
Its way east Utah lake is fresh, and the river
salt Lake, which is some 20 miles northwest OF
this city. The Mormons are
NOTHING IF NOT sCRIPTURAL,
and have given names to the notable features
Of their peculiar land accordingly. Mount
Nebor stands as q towering landmark to the
he cit nf no
saints, they call Zion. 1t Is. indeed, a beautiful
city, with streets 40 feet wide, laid out at
Of the compass, streams of clear water from
the mountains coursing along their sides, each
senes poron o e sv xtS IN tes 5ss
ten houses on each side of the square. Fine
stores line the main business street, one OF
camille Institution" Is Of white marble front
Ing 100 feet by over 800 feet in depth. The
liquor saloons are large and stylish, as they
need be to pay the license, which is 500 per
month. What a revenue this would produce
IN Washington, The buildings belonging to
the church are on a grand and expensive scale,
but have been so often and specially described
that will only give them a passing notice.
aware. Its longer axis is ESQ feet, its shorter
$50 feet, and Is spanned by a single arch, with
out any supporting columns. 1t will seat
an audience OF over 1 900 ON each OCCASION
and was delighted with its acoustic qualities.
When was in 1t to-day party of US stood at
one extreme, and while a pin was dropped at
the other, $50 feet away, we heard It dis
tinctly, and a whisper around the side Is heard
as plainly as one in the whispering gallery of
81. Pauls. Its organ is the second In size in the
United States, and was manufactured here
Close by the tabernacle is assembly hall, a fine
stone edifce, where smaller church gatherings
are held as well as secular entertainments. But
the temple is the Mormon pride, though far
from being completed. Work has been in pro-
gress on it for twenty-three years, and was
told by an officer of the church that 1t has
already cost S3, 600 OOO 1t is of granite quar-.
ried from the neighboring mountain, near the
famous Emma and Ontario mines. The main
walls are nine feet thick, and have reached
their intended height, but the towers are only
about 100 feet high, and are to be IFS and 2O4
feet respectively. The most interesting place
TO the visitor, however. Is
THE TITHING ESTABLISHMENT
where good MOrmons bring as free-offering
to the church, a tenth of their income, or of the
products of their industry, each in its season.
1t consists of several large buildings, and a
courtyard for wagons, enclosed by high stone
wall. There we saw farm-teams bring alfalfa,
grain, flour, vegetables and fruit of all kinds,
with which we were allowed to regale ourselves
while Mormon attendant glibly descanted
upon the merits of his faith and its peculiar in
sttution, quoting Scripture with the fuency
OF an evangelist In its support From these
rne helps lis poor and pays the
city is given as 25,OO0. There are about thirty
where local church meetings are also held At
present the church may be said to be decapi-
tateu, lOr its nead, q e, It's president and two
counsellors, Taylor, Cannon and Smith, have
betaken themselves TO parts unknown to avoid
the dilemma, in which arrest under pending or
prospective indictments for pOlygamy would |
involve them. ride of twenty miles by rail |
took party of us to
THE GREAT SALT LAKE
and as We approached it the gleam from its sur |
face was of as light and bright a blue as that |
which comes from the Mediterranean to a trav. |
eler on the Cornice road. 1t Is about 20 by 80 |
miles in extent and number of large islands
rise In lofty peaks to a heig hit of more than |
5000 feet above the level OF its waters. plunge
In IL was refreshing. II Is not as cold as the |
ocean, but is much more salt, and so buoyant
Is TO give one sensation of walking the water |
rather than swimming in IL. On Its borders
are extensive salt works, and sheep az cattle |
Craze where the land has not yet been titled, |
and may not be susceptible OF tillaSe. The eli |
mate Is 6alny and healthful, and, in short, ma. |
ture smiles in every feature, land only man Is
vile" & RI r.