LITMIR.BIZ

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fuel, and many have had to suffer more or less from the want thereof. The winter commenced at an unusual and unexpected moment and found many of the brethren without houses or fuel, and although there has been considerable suffering, there has been no death by the frost. Three attempts have been made by the brethren with pack animals or snow shoes to visit Fort Bridger, since the snow fell, but have failed; yet it is expected that Compton will be able to take the mail east soon after April conference.

      "In the former part of February, the bishops took an inventory of the breadstuff in the valley, when it was reported that there was little more than three-fourths of a pound per day for each soul, until the 5th of July; and considerable was known to exist which was not reported. As a natural consequence some were nearly destitute while others had abundance. The common price of corn since harvest has been two dollars; some have sold for three; at present there is none in the market at any price. Wheat has ranged from four to five dollars, and potatoes from six to twenty dollars per bushel, and though not to be bought at present, it is expected that there will be a good supply for seed by another year.

      "Our public works are prosperous, consisting of a Council House, 45 feet square, two stories, building by tithing; also a bridge across the Western Jordan, at an expense of seven hundred dollars, and six or seven bridges across minor streams, to be paid by a one per cent, property tax; also, a bath-house at the warm spring.

      "A field of about 8000 acres has been surveyed south of and bordering on the city, and plotted in five and ten acre lots, and a church farm of about 800 acres. The five and ten acre lots were distributed to the brethren, by casting lots, and every man is to help build a pole, ditch, or a stone fence.as shall be most convenient around the whole field, in proportion to the land he draws; also, a canal on the east side, for the purpose of irrigation. There are three grist mills, and five or six saw mills in operation, and several more in contemplation.

      "The location of a tannery and foundry are contemplated as soon as the snows leave the mountains.

      "The forts are rapidly breaking up, by the removal of the houses on to the city lots; and the city is already assuming the appearance of years, for any ordinary country; such is the industry and perseverance of the Saints.

      "A winter's hunt, by rival parties of one hundred men each, has destroyed about 700 wolves and foxes, 2 wolverines, 20 minx and pole cats, 500 hawks, owls, and magpies, and 1,000 ravens, in this valley and vicinity.

      "On the return of a portion of the Mormon Battalion through the northern part of Western California, they discovered an extensive gold mine, which enabled them by a few days delay to bring a sufficient of the dust to make money plentiful in this place for all ordinary purposes of public convenience; in the exchange the brethren deposited the gold dust with the presidency, who issued bills or a paper currency."

      Captain Stansbury describing Salt Lake City and its environs, as viewed about the year 1850, wrote: "A city has been laid out upon a magnificent scale, being nearly four miles in length and three in breadth; the streets at right angles with each other, eight rods or one hundred and thirty-two feet wide, with sidewalks of twenty feet; the blocks forty rods square, divided into eight lots, each of which contains an acre and a quarter of ground. By an ordinance of the city, each house is to be placed twenty feet back from the front line of the lot, the intervening space being designed for shrubbery and trees. The site for the city is most beautiful: it lies at the western base of the Wasatch Mountains, in a curve formed by the projection westward from the main range of a lofty spur which forms its southern boundary. On the west it is washed by the waters of the Jordan, while to the southward for twenty-five miles extends a broad, level plain, watered by several little streams, which flowing down from the eastern hills, form the great element of fertility and wealth to the community. Through the city itself flows an unfailing stream of pure, sweet water, which, by an ingenious mode of irrigation, is made to traverse each side of every street, whence it is led into every garden spot, spreading life, verdure and beauty over what was heretofore a barren waste.

      On the east and north the mountain descends to the plain by steps, which form broad and elevated terraces, commanding an extensive view of the whole valley of the Jordan, which is bounded on the west by a range of rugged mountains, stretching far to the southward, and enclosing within their embrace the lovely little Lake of Utah.

      "On the northern confines of the city, a warm spring issues from the base of the mountain, the water of which has been conducted by pipes into a commodious bathing house; while, at the western point of the same spur, about three miles distant, another spring flows in a bold stream from beneath a perpendicular rock, with a temperature too high to admit the insertion of the hand, (128 Fahrenheit.) At the base of the hill it forms a little lake, which in the autumn and winter is covered with large flocks of waterfowl, attracted by the genial temperature of the water.

      Beyond the Jordan, on the west, the dry and otherwise barren plains support a hardy grass, (called bunch grass,) which is peculiar to these regions, requiring but little moisture, very nutritious and in sufficient quantities to afford excellent pasturage to numerous herds of cattle. To the northward, in the low grounds bordering the river, hay in abundance can be procured, although it is rather coarse and of an inferior quality.

      "The facilities for beautifying this admirable site are manifold. The irrigating canals, which flow before every door, furnish abundance of water for the nourishment of shade trees, and the open space between each building, and the pavement [sidewalk] before it, when planted with shrubbery and adorned with flowers, will make this one of the most lovely spots between the Mississippi and the Pacific.

      "The city was estimated to contain about eight thousand inhabitants, and was divided into numerous wards, each, at the time of our visit, enclosed by a substantial fence, for the protection of the young crops: as time and leisure will permit, these will be removed, and each lot enclosed by itself, as with us. The houses are built, principally of adobe or sun-dried brick, which, when well covered, with a tight projecting roof, make warm, comfortable dwellings, presenting a very neat appearance. Buildings of a better description are being introduced, although slowly, owing to the difficulty of procuring the necessary lumber, which must always be dear in a country so destitute of timber.

      "Upon a square appropriated to the public buildings, an immense shed had been erected upon posts, which was capable of containing three thousand persons. It was called 'The Bowery,' and served as a temporary place of worship until the construction of the great Temple. * * * A mint was already in operation, from which were issued gold coins of the Federal denominations, stamped without assay, from the dust brought from California."

      CHAPTER VII.

       THE PRIMITIVE GOVERNMENT OF THE COLONY, PROVISIONAL STATE OF DESERET ORGANIZED. PASSAGE OF THE GOLD-SEEKERS THROUGH THE VALLEY.

      

      During the first four years the colony grew up under the peculiar rule of the Mormon community. There was the "City of the Great Salt Lake" in name, but no regular incorporation until after the setting up of the Territory of Utah, under the United States administration. At first the city was simply a "Stake of Zion," with no secular functions in the common sense, nor a secular administration in any form, until the election for officers of the Provisional Government of the State of Deseret, when the bishops became magistrates of their several wards.

      Previous to their return to Winter Quarters, the Twelve Apostles organized a Stake of Zion, and appointed John Smith President, Charles C. Rich and John Young his counselors; Tarleton Lewis, Bishop, and a High Council. This organization went into effect on the arrival of the emigrant companies, in the fall of 1847, when about 700 wagons, laden with families, located on the site of Great Salt Lake City. This, however, may be considered rather as a temporary Stake than the organization proper, for Great Salt Lake City was destined to be the permanent headquarters of the Church. With the Twelve and First Presidency at Winter Quarters, the Church herself was still in that place, and it was there that the First Presidency was re-established, with Brigham Young and his counselors, Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards. This done, the Church evacuated Winter Quarters to establish herself in the valley

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