Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-12-25

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has just returned from
trip through northwestern Wyoming.
the land of oil. sheep. grain, fruit and
Latter-day Saints. "If you happen
along down that way" he continued
II would advise you to do as the
Romans do-be a Mormon. If you
can't see your way clear to be one,
at least be very careful not to say
anything not intended for the cars of
the following that Brigham Young has
scattered all over the northern part of
Wyoming
Ten years ago the upper end of
the great Big Horn basin was a desert.
The cowboy and the sheepman laugh
ed when they were told that the
bench lands would some day produce
everything from spuds to apples, In
Guiding all kinds of vegetables and
good little Mormon children. But the
day has come and this part OF the
state Is prolific. prosperous and the
people are happy. contented and
growing in population, thanks to the
laudable efforts of a thrifty and in
duStrious people from Utah.
About 10 years ago a colony was
formed in Utah, Salt Lake contribute
ing the greater portion of the eXpedi-
tion. About 100 families followed the
trail of an old farmer who had re-
turned with the story OF the possi-
bllities of the Upper Sinking Water.
or Shoshone, river. A camp was
pitched upon 4 dreary desert There
was nothing In sight but dust. sage
brush and the Big Horn mountains to
the cast and the Meeteetsie range TO
the west Water was scarce, and what
little was found was a dismal out
look, indeed. for that little colony of
pilgrims who had Journeyed many
hundreds of miles in quest of home
and fortune in place where they
could continue to preach their re-
llgion and enjoy the comfort II afford
ed.
Brethren" said the old leader. I'VE
are In the midst of poverty, desola-
ton and sadness. But our day is COM
Ing. We have here vast stretches OF
land which we Will put under water
and cultivation, so that VIC may oil
share the profits. which 1 assure you
will be abundant"
With this rather uncertain assurance
the young men Joined together with
the old men and the women and the
young girls and community was or
ganized, laws were established. a reg
ular government inaugurated. and the
colony started out to be happy, II at
that time things did look dubious.
On q bright spring morning the men
journeyed across the forbidding coun-
try to the point where canal was TO
tap the river. This canal was their SAL
was a long and hard Job.
But the men worked as men PERHAPS |
never worked before In this country.
They denied themselves everything eX- |
ccpt the actual neceSSarleS of life, and |
at that many of them ate but one
meal a day. this consisting OF hard |
bread, wild meat and warm water.
Soon after the canal was started the |
Northern Pacific began building its
Cody branch. This was q gold mine for |
the colony. Men who could get away |
went to work on the grade and earned |
money with which to buy provisions |
for the men who worked on the canal. |
a mere ration going to the camp of |
women miles away. The women milk
ed the COWS and sent butter occasional
ly TO the men. They also came In pairs
and squads to do the weekly washing
md mendlng for the hard worked ia
Tiers and husbands and brothers.
For three seasons this hard work |
was continued, and finally the canal
was completed. Then came the day
Of jubilation; then 1t wa6 the corner
stone OF the church was laid, the
cnurCn WHICH lOuuN StauQS Jul Cuh-
splcuously against beautiful back
ground OF trees and green fields. the
OF the tourist who stops
1t the little station named Cowley.
Here are the schoolhouscs. built of
stone, the tithing house, the church
md tho cooperative store. the little
,ostoffice presided over by sweet
'aced bud of 90 summers. There are
he blacksmith shop. the hotel. a
yerItable haven of rest for the tired
md hungry traveller, And let II be
aid here, that nowhere in the country
) hospitality dispensed more graci
,usly. more honestly. more kindly
han In a home in any of the several
iolmon settlements OF northern Wyo-
ming Every stranger Is friend and
,rother until he proves himself to be
otherwise. Should he abuse the cx-
Ilted opinion the colonists hold of
lin. he is dismissed with q kind word
nd Christian advice to go and sin
10 more. There are no Jails In Cow
ely. This town is the metropolis of
everal other little communities with
n radius of rs miles.
Tho summer just past witnessed
plendid crops in the valleys down
here. The old farmers are giving way
o their growing offspring. who In
urn take hold of affairs with vim and
characteristic of the !
TAnT EV19N