The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-08

less area" lies Utah, one of the first of the
Western Territories to be settled, and one
of the last to be admitted into the Union.
For forty-four years she has been knocking
at the door of Uncle Sans domicile for
the privilege of joining the family circle;
but not until now has he considered her
worthy of admittance.
Utah brings with her history as unique
and full OF interest as that of any of her
elder sisters A brief resume of her story
should prove interesting to the family OF
States, Let US see whether even Webster
possi iities.
On TIE oath of July, 1s47, a band of wan
derers paused on the mountainside east of
where Salt Lake City now stands In the
company were 143 men, three women and
two children. They had been travelling
for three months and seventeen days over
the then trackless mountains, deserts and
plains east Of them, seeking for place
where they could live in peace and wor-
ship God in their own way. In the clear,
light air of the mountains lay the valley
before them, and a lake glistened in the
distance. Save along the watercourses
not q green thing grew, yet, Here is the
place where Israel shall pitch her tents"
said their leader. They descended into
the valley and camped by stream. The
vices were held. They thanked God for
their deliverance.
Ancient prophets had said: go Zion,
that bringest good tidings get thee up into
the high mountains" Also God was to
hide his people in the chambers OF the
mountains, ;" and further, in the last days
he was to establish his house on the tops
of the mountains. and exalt it above the
hills" They were fulfilling those predic-
tons. They had reached another Canaan.
Bancroft says of these pioneers: I'm the
heart of America they are now upon the
borders of a new Holy Land, with Its Dead
Sea, its River Jordan, Mount of Olives and
Galilee Lake and hundred ether features
OF its prototype of Asia" An examination
OF the two maps will reveal this striking
com arison.
On Monday planting was attempted, but
the ground was baked and hard. The
plow would not penetrate 1t. Was 1t not
useless to try to raise crops in such soil?
An old trapper had declared that he would
give them $1,000 fol- the first bushel of grain
they could raise so sure was he OF the
utter worthlessness OF the country. NO
rain had fallen for months, none could be
expected. What was to be done? a
thought-no, an inspiration came to them.
1--WE Will turn the water from the creek
and make it flow over the land" They
did so. The pillow now turned over beau
tiful black soil. Potatoes and corn were
planted. They sprouted and grew for a
time, but no rain came to water the dying
fields Would it all be useless? Again an
inspiration-"Le us use the stream again.
Tt was done: and that was the beginning
of that grand system of irrigation which
has opened up the vast regions OF Western
America. and is making an empire out OF
Webster's stdeserts and shifting SANDS.
The settlers we're active. The surround
ing region was explored. and four days
after their arrival a spot for temple was
located. and Salt Lake City was planned:
Fnniorant trains from the main body OF
the Mormon people in Iowa followed year
after wear A full account OF their surfer
ings and hardships Is In possession Oh Tue
recording angel only.
In the fall of 1917 there were IN the SET,
tlement 423 houses, 5133 acres OF cultivated
land and 675 acres sown to winter wheat
Prospects we're bright for next year mar
vest, but in the following May vast regions
of crickets appeared and invested the gar
dens and fields, sweeping the earth clean
wherever they passed All efforts TO checK
them were in vain. Many that spring mad
subsisted on roots and thistles, and now
starvation stared them in the face. but
see fIocks of white seagulls come from
the lake and begin feasting on the crlck-
cts. All day they eat, vomlt, ana eat
again. returning each day, until the
dreaded insect is destroyed. The settlers
look on IN wonder and praise God 1or tnel
deliverance.
Let the gull be emblazoned on the
armorial ensign of our new state:
Under the guidance of their Leader,
Brigham Young, the pioneers, made
settlements north and south ana
towns were laid out. The communities
were advised not to scatter, but to build
on townsites and have their farms sur
rounding. Thus they were protected from
the Indians and enjoyed many social ad-
vantages. They were also told not to take
up more land than they could use, but TO
leave some for those who should come
after. Thus small holdings were encour-
aged, and the wisdom of this course is now
plainly seen.
For the first few years the settlers en-
dured all the hardships incident to the
developing of new country. They were
1000 miles in any direction from clylilza-