The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1917-12-06
written for The Times)
% By Mrs. Chas. b. Counts OF

before reaching Ogden we had the
unique experience of being carried di-
rectly across Great Salt Lake on
trestle thirty-four miles long. This
trip across the Lake was beautiful
sight. The sun was brightly BEAM
ing at first and then gradually sank
behind the horizon, making a display
of various colors, each and every one
being reflected in the smooth quiet
waters. This lake is 100 miles long
and in places 60 miles wide, and from
one to fifteen feet deep. 1t is six
times as salty as the ocean. The sur
face is fiat, with the whiteness of
hard packed snow.
The next day, after having break
fast, we hired an auto and went on a
sightseeing expedition.
Salt Lake City has a population of
92,777 or more. The tallest building
was twenty stories high. 1t took 43
years for this building to be built, as
the stones were hauled from a dist
ance, and the only means of hauling
was by using oxen, which were very
scarce at the time of the erection
of this building.
We took sight seeing trip through
the city. We first saw the Immi-
grafton Pass, off in a distance, be-
tween two mountains. On the oath of
July, 1S47, one hundred and forty
three men, three women, and two chill
dren crossed the barren lands to make
their home there. Only one cedar
tree was seen at that time, but upon
steady work and perseverance, they
soon had the Great Salt Lake off to
one side, the land we'll drained, and
trees planted everywhere. The Nor
mon religion was soon established, of
which Joseph Smith was the origina-
tor. These Mormon pioneers were
from Illinois. Smith was killed in
Missouri. Bingham Young was also
great leader. We saw grist mill
that he built in 1852. He was known
to have had 19 wives and Sc children.
We say 4e graves of three of his
wives ASetve children, also his grave
which was near. There was large
fiat stone over his grave that weighed
six tons. Smith also had quite a
number of wives. 1t was said there
was known no jealousy among these
wives. When the Government passed
the law in 1890 prohibiting more than
one wife, there was erected a Govern
ment home for the discarded ones, but
only one applied.
We saw the remains of an old wall
which had beer used around the city,
nine miles around at that time-to
protect the inhabitants from the In
dians. There was also Ensign Park,
where the first flag was planted We
went through Liberty Park, which
consists of 100 acres. There were
many varieties of trees to be seen.
also flowers and animals. The city
has spent 100000 on play grounds
for the children. We saw Wasatch
mountains, the tallest one around the
city, which is 1850 feet high. We
saw the quaint little cottage where
Maude Adams was born, also Social
Hall where she first appeared on the
stage.
Within the city is Temple Square,
which contains the chief Mormon
buildings. The Temple, the Taberna-
Gle, and the Assembly Hall. We went
in the Tabernacle at noon and heard
the organ recital given by the ia
nous player, Mcclellan. This organ
had over 5000 pipes of various sizes,
and there is not a tone that can
be made by the human voice that can
not also be made by this organ. One
would think there was a wonderfully
trained choir in the back somewhere,
unless told otherwise. There could be
heard all manner of voices, ranging
from the soprano to the bass. This
organ is said to be one of the finest
in the world. The Mormon Temple
was a lovely sight, and showed mar
velous workmanship. Each block in
this building was hauled by oxen for
forty miles. Only marriages and bap-
tisms we're performed in this building,
and only those of good standing. No
one was allowed to go or look inside
unless their record had been spotlcss.
To hear and read of their religion
is quite a treat to anyone-and if
all could be known of them there
would not be so much criticism on be-
half Of others. There are no better
nor more wholc-hearted people to be
found anywhere than these Mormons. |
Adiacnnt Tn tho SCIIoro orn tho Poo