Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-02-04
LIFE AMONG THE MoRMoNS
What "0ld Observer" Has to Say
After Having Studied Them.

Mr.. Andrew j. Bennett travelling
STAFF correspondent OF the American
Shepherds Bulletin, better known as
"Old Observer" who for the past sew
eral years has spent considerable time
In the so-called Mormon" counties OF
Idaho, and who has Travelled extensive
ly among this people In other states,
and who has made a close study OF their
Social life, has written the following,
which viii be OF interest to many
"The majority Of the inhabitants of
Utah, II not of Salt Lake city are Of
the Church of Latter-day Saints, other
wise called 'Mormons.'
Among these people who in the east
are much misunderstood, and | regret
TO say, much mlsrepresented, ! so
journed for months, four years ago, In
Idaho where five counties embracing a
vast area are inhabited almost exclu-
sively by them.
During my stay l hardly came in
contact with another Gentle. After
/ had passed from their midst, into a
region remote, and could by no means
be- accused OF talking for effect, / re-
marked of them, as follows, and ! wish
TO say that | have as yet, seen no
reason TO reconsider the conclusion
which then reached:
II have never been in a community
where, IN my Judgment, the standard
Of morality was higher where there
was less strife, or where the principle
Of human brotherhood was more Sig
nally or more beautifully eXemplihed,
Domestic life among them as viewed
by the stranger who comes within their
gates, is exemplary and TO the observer
appears altogether charming, whether
regarded with reference to their family
deyotons In which parents and children
daily participate, their transformations
hospitality Ohey would not send a
dog from their door until they had
| fed him), or the music which eleyates
and relines the family intercourse, Uhe
| humblest dwelling has some kind Of
! instrument, and the Mormon Of either
sex who cannot and does not sing, Is
I q rare avis),
Their charity is Of the evangelical
type The sick, the needy and the af-
nicted among them have always min-
istering spirits, almoners and comfort
ers. The religion Of the Saints per-
petually provides for these.
THE term litigation Is I'm the Nor
| mon vocabulary, practically obsolete.
! All differences between man and man
| are quietly settled by arbitration, with
( IN the pale Of their own organization
AS a people, they are active IN
/ promoting Intelligence among their
young and are earnest I'm fostering edu-
cational facilities, Every ward has u
| Young Mems and Young Women's I'M
/ provement society which assemble
| every week and which have Joint meet
ings once a month.
Though an eminautly cooperative
PEOPLE, they are not wanting In IN
, divduality as any stranger will attest
| who las ever been present at some
| of their secular gatherings.
"The thrift OF their communities is
proverblal, ReXburg, Malad and oak
| Icy are patent examples
Their individual honesty Is vouchcd
| FOR by Gentle employers I'm districts
| where sheep husbandry Is IN vogue, and
| who hire young men at shearng In
| which work many are expert, Such
| employers tell me that these (Mormons)
are faithful, palns-taking and wholly
| reliable.
These employers In question. have
no more interest than has old Obaerv-
| err I'm the tenets Of the Saints"