Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-08-07
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From Rangely. Colo. to vernal, Utah,
a distance Of about sixty miles, we
passed thru small Sahara. We found
water at only two places along this
road. Nothing but sand hills. absolutely
destitute of vegetation. and the blue sky
above, could be seen. Nothing more des-
olate or lifeless could be imagined. Yer
entering the Mormon state. This is a
very pretty little town, somewhat larger
than Albion. Here we saw the first evil
dences of Mormonisn,. Just before en-
tering the town we. passed two fine
modern brick buildings, one church, or
meeting house as we were Informed by
the inscription over the door, and the
other school.
From here on thru Utah we p assed
thru Mormon settlements. In Utah the
Gentiles are in hopeless minority. In
fact the Mormons claim over three
fourths of the population of the state.
Our route lay thru the principal Utah
towns, viz: Vernal Heber, Salt Lake
City, Ogden, Brigham City, Bountifula
and Snowville. The names of the towns
are often suggestive of Mormonism, as
Heber, Nephi, Manassas Manti, Brig
ham, Lehi etc. The people in speaking
of Salt Lake City usually refer to it as
Zion, and on several occasions heard it
mentioned as the Mormon capital. The
few valleys of Utah that admit Of culti-
walton have been turned into garden
spots by those jealous followers of JOS
eph Smith. Persecution has had it's usu-
al result. There is vast difference in
the appearance of the Utah and Colora-5
do valleys; the thrifty appearance Of
Utah houses, lawns and farms was
quite noticeable. I met several old men
who were among the first to enter the
Salt Lake valley. They referred to the
changed appearance of the valley, the
pretty towns and Of their capital city
with much pride. Where once sage
brush alone covered the parched soil,
now groves of forest trees and green
| fields gladden. the eye. They mentioned
| their journey across the plains with OK
4 teams, the misfortunes and suffering by
the way, and the many weary days of
travel thro prctically uninhabited
country. All of which was the more APP
lpreciated by us since our Journey has
lied us over and thru much of the coun-
try seen and traversed by them, but I'M
der far different conditions
| At the intersection of two principal
streets in Salt Lake City is the Brigham
Young memorial. A heroic statute Of
Brigham Young rests on pedestal. and
broad base. On one side Of the massive
base, leaning against the pedestal, sat
| a life-sze figure of an Indian warrior;
on the opposite side pioneer. AT the
lpback of the base tablet bears the
names Of all the Mormon followers of
Brigham Young who entered the valley
of Salt Lake on the never-to- be- forgot
ten oath day of July. 1S47. Each year. IN
commemoration of this event July gath
| is set aside as holiday In all Mormon
communities. and the pioneers spend
the day in much the same way as the
old settlers do in Iowa at their reunions.
The block to the northwest Of the nlonu-
ment Is given over to the Mormon
1 church buildings. Here are located the
famous temple and tabernacle. We
were shown about the tabernacle with
its wonderful roof arched above the
great auditorium without pillar or post,
and the great organ. 1t is said the audi
forum will seat 5000 people. and SO fine
are the acoustic properties of the build
ing that a pin dropped on the pulpit can
be heard in the farthest corner. The
temple near by we were not permitted
to enter.
This beautiful building is closed to the
gentle public; they were forty years in
| the building of this structure in accord
ance with Jewish traditions. These
buildings and the grounds containing
the same. which are beautifully parked,
are enclosed by a high stone wall. They
follow the ancient Jewish customs,
and forms of worship, names, ETC.. very
closely, The temple and tabernacle be-
Ing put to the same uses.
Salt Lake Is q beautiful city. The
city Is q forest of fruit and shade trees.
A system Of Irrigation. making use OF
small mountain straams Aas,inx from