The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-12-25
Nephi's Importance and the
y Wealth She Has.
1R BIG WOOL INDUSTRY.
The Beds Of Gypsum-ROek Salt and Salt
Springs-Public Buildings and Improve
ments-General Notes
BY F. W. CHAPPELL.

the foot of the grand and lofty Mount Nebo,
is found the city of Nephi, the subject of
this brief article.
Nephi City was founded in 1851, and in
corporated under the laws of Utah in Feb
ruary, 1889, since which time it has ad-
yanced with rapid and successful strides
in commercial Importance, until at the
present time it stands the third city OF the
territory. Its situation at the gateway Of
San Pete and Sewer counties, the two prin-
cipal graneries of Utah, would alone insure
a continuation of its progress in commerce,
agriculture and manufacturing. Nothing
has yet been said in relation to mining,
and we have only to acquaint ourselves
slightly with the geography of
Utah to learn that Nephi is
the county seat of Juab county,
in which county is located the Tintic min
ing district, the coming Eldorado of the
west In addition to this there can be
found lying around on every hand large
bodies of gypsum, salt, ochre, marble, iron
and various kinds of building and orna-
mental stone, upon some of which de-
posts so much has been done to develop
them that they will each receive special
attention as we proceed with this article.
GYPSUM.
At the mouth of Salt Greek canon, and
about one mile east of Nephi, on the line
of the Sanpete Valley railroad, rising on
either hand to the height of 500 feet above
the bed of the caflon, glistening in their
almost snowy wilderness, can be found
large mountains of pure gypsum from
which is made, by means of large plant
of machinery located in the canon at the
foot of these gypsum mountains, and
within stones throw of the mines, them
selves, as fine an article of plaster of paris
as can be found in the United States. This
property is owned and operated by an in
corporated company, of the citizens of
Nephi and business men of Kansas, Wash
iRgton and Oregon. 1t is safe to predict
that this enterprise alone is of sufficient
magnitude and Importance to give such i'm
petus to the growth of Nephi commercially
that no trivial matters will impede its pro
gress. The Gypsum company has a paid
Rup capital of 100000, and during the pre-
Sent year has sold and shipped 100000
pounds of plaster of paris.
ROCK SALT AND SALT SPRINGS.
Some of the largest beds of rock salt
found in the west are located In Salt
Creek canon at distances ranging
from six to twelve miles east of Nephi
city, and some idea of the quality of these
deposits may be learned from the Fact that
pieces of pure crystalized rock salt have
been taken out of these mines weighing
from five hundred to one thousand pounds
each, without containing one pound of
waste matter, but were as clear and bright
as glass. There are acres of these saline
deposits; in fact, the quantity is practi
cally inexhaustible. Nor is this all-salt
springs abound, from the waters of which
can DO made a fine article of table salt by
the simple process Of evaporation. Thou
sands of pounds of rock salt are shipped
each year for the use of the sheep herds of
this and adjoining states and territories,
and for other purposes.
WOOL TRADE.
To this branch of commerce Nephi is
largely indebted for the progress it has
made during the last three or four years.
1t is the headquarters and location of ''The
Wool Growers association of Southern
Utah." an incorporated company owning
a million or more of sheep and having, in
addition, invested in the business of buying
and selling wool about seventy-five thous-
Ysnd dollars During this present year the
company alone has handled about one mil
lion pounds of wool, and when we con-
slider that two other large and
wealthy companies are located in
Nephi engaged in the same bust
ness which have sold and shipped
1000, 1000 pounds of wool, we must conclude
that Nephi is the wool market of the terri
tory. So important has this branch of in
dustry become that the citizens are
strongly advocating the building Of wooden
mills. and ere long the city will resound
with the busy hum of the spindle and
loom.
MANUFACTURING.
In addition to the large quantities of
plaster of paris manufactured, the Nephi
Roller mills continue to manufacture large
quantities of fine flour, of which a great
portion finds a ready market in the
mining towns in Tintic mining district,
and in this as well as in many other things
Nephi is self-sustaining, having every es-
seutial element of production and consump-
ton.
PI-BLIC BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS.
Nephi city. as before stated, being the
county seat of Juab county, is the location
of all the public buildings of the county.
A beautiful and substantial county court
house was erected last year in the centre
of the city on Main street, at cost of about
fifteen thousand dollars, and is of
Auch a style of architecture as to
become the very centre of attraction
and admiration of those who visit the city
A county jail is also found upon the same
block. of sufficient size and convenience to
enable the officers to find quarters for
those who violate the laws of the land.
CITY wATERwoRKs.
At an expense of some forty thousand
dollars the city is constructing system of
waterworks, which, when completed, will
In its ramifications, permeate every part of
the city, thus insuring, to a great ex-
tent. the people against fire, and
ut the same time supplying them with
pure cold water for domestic purposes.
The water is brought in pipes from a
snripg located in the mountains about four
miles east of the city and is said to be al
most as pure and healthful as water can
he. 1t is expected that this system of
yaterworks will be completed by the 1st
of June, 1890.
BANKS.
The First National bank of Nephi and
+be Nephi Savings bank are both found