The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1899-10-07
~M00M@ANoN@N99N 1900
communicated

/ OF late-and not so very late either
this office has been, and is yet, in re-
ceipt of numerous inquiries from away
! down east, the writer's of which seem
to fairly yearn for information concern
ing this section of country. A compila-
ton of these questions produces a list
somewhat on the following order:
How large is Utah and what show
does a man stand for making living
within it's borders, provided he arrives
there possessed Of a moiety of money,
a team of horses and a good pair of
arms?
HAS the climate any peculiar char
acteristics?
How is the soil?
Are the Indians troublesome?'
"In order to save time and con-
slant and wearsome wear on the limo
type machines, it has been deemed wise
and eXpedient to answer all these ques-
/ lions at once and then mail copy
TO each anxious inquirer at the usual
rate, so here goes.
Utah is 552 miles from ore side 70 the
other and a few miles more in the other
direction. 1t has an area of 8,434 square
miles, containing quite a few first gar
den patches A man endowed as out
lined in Interrogation No. 1, would
have no difficulty in getting along pro
vided his family was limited to his
ready means. In summer he could haul
lime rock to the smelter, using the
money thus earned in buying hay for
the winter use of his horses. The arms
are especially essential. One tender
foot from northern Vermont struck
town last spring minus arms and now
sleeps peacefully under a boXelder on
the hillside. A pair of arms is indeed
essential.
The climate is varied and delicious
and so adjusted that no one has cause
for complainG. Any kind of weather
desired is obtainable by notifying the
observer twenty-four hours in advance.
This season has been no exception 10
last, which was the beginning of an era
of reform in the weather business. Prior
to that time the ice man and coal deal
ers had corner on the weather and
would at times cause great annoyance
by constant change. Just as one
would get his refrigerator in good run
ming order the climatic conditions
would change and coal would have to
be bought. Finally the masses arose in
their great voX populi way with the re-
suit that now we have weather of
soft Italian variety with a pansy Dor
der
The soil? Well now that query str bes
us right where we live. 1t is splendid
and there is lots of it. 1t is spread
all over the state in layer averaging
from twelve to 'steen feet. 1t is very
rich and everything grows here whether
it wants to or not. From indications
the soil of Utah has been accommodating
for many years and is still at work.
The last question is by far the most
important. While the writer does not
want to prejudice any one from com
ing here, a wholesome regard for truth
at all times at all times and under all
circumstances forces the reluctantly
made statement that the Indians are
just a bit troublesome-and not only
troublesome but actually Wearisome.
Salt Lake City, for instance, is
small town having only $4,000 or SU,0OO
inha bitants, and it is within the city
limits the ruthless hand of the savage
falls heaviest in its unfelenting way.
The city is peculiarly situated, being
three miles from the nearest military
post and the cunning aborigines often
destroy the telephone and telegraph
wires and tear up the railroad before
commencing their carnivals of carnage,
thus effectually cutting off all hope OF
succor.
Within the past week these hand
painted barbarians have been especially
active. Not a day has passed without
some new atrocity being committed.
The first incident in the weeks record
of carnage was on last Monday night
when our esteemed townsman, the
cashier of the State Maverick bank,
was aroused from his midnight slunber
at Main and Steenth North street by
the combined bowls of horde of Co
manches, Piutes and Constitutes. Not
having time to get to the block house,
and his telephone being out of order,
so the police could not be summoned
the financier determined TO sell his life
as dearly as possible and protect his
family at all hazards. He had, unfor
tunately sent his Winchester up town
to be cleaned and had nothing with
which to defend himself save a Colts
pistol and an axe. Repairing to a loop
hole nearest the front entrance the
brave man opened fire and in a short
time had sent a bakers dozen to the
happy hunting grounds. How long this
sanguinary struggle would have con-
tinued no man knoweth. had not the
crafty savages obtained a thirty-foot
steel rail from the ShoIi Line round
house with which they battered down
the door. The banker piled his AK
vigorously until stricken down and
scalped. His wife and children escaped
by hiding behind barrel of apples in
the cellar. When the citizens were
aroused he was found stretched across
a cord of dead Indians badly hurt. but
still alive. He has since recovered, and |
is able. with the assistance of a wig, |
to perform his duties. The Indians are |