History of Salt Lake City, Part 8

Author: Tullidge, Edward Wheelock
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Salt Lake City, Star printing company
Number of Pages: 1194

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"Sunday, August 15th, President Young preached on the death of Brother Crow's child ; a most interesting discourse, full of principle.

" Sunday, the 22d, we held a general conference, when the public assembly resolved to call the city the 'City of the Great Salt Lake.'

" It was also voted to fence the city for farming purposes the coming year and to appoint a President and High Council, and all other officers necessary in this Stake of Zion, and that the Twelve write an epistle to leave with the Saints in the valley. The conference then adjourned until the 6th of October, 1848.

" On the morning of the 26th of August, 1847, the Pioneers, with most of the returning members of the Mormon Battalion, harnessed their horses and bade farewell to the brethren who were to tarry. The soldiers were very anxious to meet their wives again, whom they had left by the wayside, without a moment's notice, for their service in the war with Mexico. These being, too, the ' Young Men of Israel,' had left many newly wedded brides; and not a few of those gal- lant fellows were fathers of first-born babes whom they had not yet seen.

" The brethren in the valley were placed under the presidency of the Chief Patriarch of the Church-Father John Smith, uncle of the Prophet. The mem- bers of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles Brigham took with him ; but he left reliable men, among whom was Albert Carrington.

" There were a number of companies also on the road, under principal men and chief ' Captains of Israel,' such as Apostles Parley P. Pratt and John Taylor, Bishop Hunter, Daniel Spencer, and Jedediah M. Grant, who was after- wards one of the first presidents of the Church.

"On the fourth day of their return journey, the Pioneers were met by their messengers, under Ezra T. Benson, whom President Young had sent forward with instructions to the outcoming companies. These messengers gladdened the hearts of the Pioneers, with letters from their wives and brethren, and re- ported the coming ' Camp of Israel' as divided into nine companies, numbering 600 wagons.

On the 3d of September, they met the first division of fifty, under President Daniel Spencer, upon the Big Sandy ; and, on the following day, on the Little Sandy, two more fifties, one under the command of Captain Sessions and the other under Apostle Parley P. Pratt.

" They continued daily to meet the companies, Apostle Taylor bringing up his hundred on the Sweetwater. In this company was Edward Hunter, afterwards presiding Bishop of the whole Church. These brethren prepared a great feast in the wilderness, They made it a sort of a surprise party, the Pioneers being unexpectedly introduced to the richly-laden table. The feast consisted of roast and boiled beef, pies, cakes, biscuit, butter, peach sauce, coffee, tea, sugar, and a 7

HISTORY OF SALT LAKE CITY.

great variety of good things. In the evening the camp had a dance, but the Twelve met in council to adjust important business.

" Next day they met Jedediah M. Grant, with his hundred. He was direct

from Philadelphia. He informed them that Senator Thomas Benton, the invet- erate enemy of the Mormons, was doing all he could against them.

"At Fort Laramie Presidents Young, Kimball, and others of the Apostles dined with Commodore Stockton, from the Bay of San Francisco, with forty of his men, eastward bound.

"On the 19th of October, the Pioneers were met by a troop of mounted police from Winter Quarters, under their captain, Hosea Stout, who had come to meet them, thinking they might need help."

As they drew near Winter Quarters, the sisters, mothers and wives came out to meet the brave men who had found for them a second Zion. They also sent teams laden with the richest produce of Winter Quarters and the delicacies of the household table, which loving hands had prepared.

When within about a mile of Winter Quarters a halt was called ; the com- pany was drawn up in order and addressed by President Young, who then dis- missed the Pioneer camp with his blessing.

They drove into the city in order. The streets were lined with people to shake hands with them as they passed. Each of the Pioneers drove to his own home. This was October 31st.

The Pioneers on their return found the Saints at Winter Quarters well and prosperous. They, like the leaders, had been greatly blessed- The earth, under their thorough habits of cultivation and industry, had brought forth abundantly.

During the first three months of the year 1848, the Saints at Winter Quar- ters were busy preparing for the general migration of the Church to the Valley of the Great Salt Lake; but they also petitioned the Legislature of Iowa for the or- ganization of a county in the Pottowatamie tract of land, and for a post office.

On the 3d of February those who were in the " Battle of Nauvoo" com- memorated it with a feast.

On the 6th of April the regular general conference was held, celebrating the organization of the Church; and on the 11th messengers arrived from Great Salt Lake City. They were of the Battalion.

A feast was made by President Young on the 29th for his immediate asso- ciates, some of whom were going on missions, others were designed to stay on the frontiers to conduct and bring up the emigration; while President Young himself was about to lead the vanguard of the people to the mountains.

About the middle of May, all was bustle at Winter Quarters. President Young addressed the people Sunday, 14th, blessed those who were going with him to the valley, and those who were to tarry. He also blessed the Pottowat- omie land, and prophesied that the Saints would never be driven from the Rocky Mountains.

On the 24th of May, President Young started for Elk Horn to organize his company. There were 600 wagons in the encampment. They formed the largest pioneer force which had yet set out to build up the States and Territories destined to spring up on the Pacific Slope.

HISTORY OF SALT LAKE CITY.

We need not follow the Pioneers on their second journey to the Rocky Mountains. Suffice it to say that Brigham led the body of the Church in safety to these mountain retreats, arriving in the City of the Great Salt Lake in Sep- tember, 1848.

CHAPTER VI.

PROGRESS OF THE COLONY. DESTRUCTION OF THE CROPS BY CRICKETS. DESCRIPTION OF GREAT SALT LAKE CITY.

Of the colony in its first year's growth and doings, Parley P. Pratt says :

" After many toils, vexations and trials, such as breaking wagons, losing cattle, upsetting, etc., we arrived in the Valley of Great Salt Lake late in Sep- tember, 1847. Here we found a fort commenced and partly built by the Pio- neers, consisting of an enclosure of a block of ten acres with a wall, or in part of buildings of adobes or logs. We also found a city laid out and a public square dedicated for a temple of God. We found also much ground planted in late crops, which, however, did not mature, being planted late in July ; although there were obtained for seed a few small potatoes, from the size of a pea upward to that of half an inch in diameter. These being sound and planted another year produced some very fine potatoes, and, finally, contributed mainly in seeding the Territory with that almost indispensable article of food.

" After we had arrived on the ground of Great Salt Lake City we pitched our tents by the side of a spring of water; and, after resting a little, I devoted my time chiefly to building temporary houses, putting in crops, and obtaining fuel from the mountains.

Having repented of our sins and renewed our covenants, President John Taylor and myself administered the ordinances of baptism, etc., to each other and to our families, according to the example set by the President and Pioneers who had done the same on entering the valley.

" These solemnities took place with us and most of our families, Novem- ber 28, 1847.

" Sometime in December, having finished sowing wheat and rye, I started, in company with a Brother Higby and others, for Utah Lake with a boat and fish net. We travelled some thirty miles with our boat, etc .; on an ox wagon, while some of us rode on horseback. This distance brought us to the foot of Utah Lake, a beautiful sheet of fresh water, some thirty-six miles long by fifteen broad. Here we launched our boat and tried our net, being probably the first boat and net ever used on this sheet of water in modern times.

HISTORY OF SALT LAKE CITY.

" We sailed up and down the lake shore on its western side for many miles, but had only poor success in fishing. We, however, caught a few samples of mountain trout and other fish.

" After exploring the lake and valley for a day or two, the company returned home, and a Brother Summers and myself struck westward from the foot of the lake on horseback, on an exploring tour. On this tour we discovered and partly explored Cedar Valley, and there crossed over the west mountain range and dis- covered a valley beyond; passing through which, we crossed a range of hills northward, and entered Tooele Valley. Passing still northward, we camped one night on a bold mountain stream, and the next day we came to the southern ex- treme of Great Salt Lake, and passing round between it and the West Mountain we journeyed in an eastern course, and, crossing the Jordan, arrived in Great Salt Lake City-having devoted nearly one week to our fishing, hunting, and ex- ploring expedition. During all this time we had fine weather and warm days ; but the night we arrived home was a cold one, with a severe snow storm. And thus closed the year 1847.

"January Ist, 1848 .- The opening of the year found us and the community generally in good, comfortable, temporary log or adobe cabins, which were built in a way to enclose the square commenced by the Pioneers, and a portion of two other blocks of the city plot. X

" We had to struggle against great difficulties in trying to mature a first crop. We had not only the difficulties and inexperience incidental to an unknown and untried climate, but also swarms of insects equal to the locusts of Egypt, and also a terrible drought, while we were entirely inexperienced in the art of irrigation ; still we struggled on, trusting in God."

Thus was the fair promise of the first harvest in the Valley destroyed by the desolating crickets. Their ravages were frightful. They came down from the mountains in myriads. Countless hosts attacked the fields of grain. The crops were threatened with utter destruction. The valleys appeared as though scorched by fire. Famine stared the settlers in the face. All were in danger of perishing. Every effort was made by the settlers to drive the crickets off by bushes, long rods, and other like means-whole families and neighborhoods turning out en masse until the people were almost exhausted. At this frightful moment, when the utter destruction of their crops stared the little colony in the face,-while also on their journey were the companies under President Young, who would need supplies until the second harvest, the manifestation of a special Provi- dence was sent to save the people-so these reverent colonists believed. Immense flocks of gulls came up from the islands of the Lake to make war upon the destroy- ing hosts. Like good angels, they came at the dawn ; all day they feasted upon the crickets. The gulls covered every field where the crickets had taken possession, driving them into the streams and even into the door-yards, devouring them until gorged, then vomiting them and devouring more.

Even as it was, there was a season of famine in Utah; but none perished from starvation. The patriarchal character of the community saved it. As one great family they shared the substance of the country. An inventory of provis- ions was taken in the Spring of 1849, and the people were put upon rations.

HISTORY OF SALT LAKE CITY.

Still their breadstuffs were insufficient, and many went out with the Indians and dug small native roots, while some, in their destitution, took the hides of ani- mals, which covered the roofs of their houses, and cut them up and cooked them. But the harvest of 1849 was abundant and the people were saved.

A passage of Indian history should not be lost here, as given by Parley P. Pratt in a letter to his brother Orson, in England, bearing date, Great Salt Lake City, September 5th, 1848. He wrote :

"A few weeks since, Mr. Joseph Walker, the celebrated Utah Chief, men- tioned in the journey of Colonel Fremont, paid a visit to this place, accompanied by Soweite, the king of the whole Utah nations, and with them some hundreds of men, women and children; they had several hundred head of horses for sale.

" They were good looking, brave, and intelligent beyond any we had seen on this side of the mountains. They were much pleased and excited with every thing they saw, and finally expressed a wish to become one people with us, and to live among us and we among them, and to learn to cultivate the earth and live as we do. They would like for some of us to go and commence farming with them in their valleys, which are situated about three hundred miles south.

" We enjoined it on them to be at peace with one another, and with all peo- ple, and to cease to war."

The following from the First General Epistle sent out from the Mormon Presidency, in the spring of 1849, is valuable as a page of the early history.

"On our arrival in this valley, we found the brethren had erected four forts, composed mostly of houses, including an area of about forty-seven acres, and numbering about 5,000 souls, including our camp. The brethren had succeeded in sowing and planting an extensive variety of seeds, at all seasons, from January to July, on a farm about twelve miles in length, and from one to six in width, including the city plot. Most of their early crops were destroyed, in the month of May, by crickets and frost, which continued occasionally until June ; while the latter harvest was injured by drought and frost, which commenced its injuries about the Ioth of October, and by the out-breaking of herds of cattle. The brethren were not sufficiently numerous to fight the crickets, irrigate the crops, and fence the farm of their extensive planting, consequently they suffered heavy losses ; though the experiment of last year is sufficient to prove that valuable crops may be raised in this valley by an attentive and judicious management.

"The winter of 1847-8 was very mild, grass abundant, flocks and herds thriving thereon, and the earth tillable most of the time during each month ; but the winter of 1848-9 has been very different, more like a severe New England winter. Excessive cold commenced on the Ist of December, and continued till the latter part of February. Snow storms were frequent, and though there were several thaws, the earth was not without snow during that period, varying from one to three feet in depth, both in time and places. The coldest day of the past winter was the 5th of February, the mercury falling 33° below freezing point, and the warmest day was Sunday, the 25th of February, mercury rising to 21° above freezing point, Fahrenheit. Violent and contrary winds have been frequent. The snow on the surrounding mountains has been much deeper, which has made

HISTORY OF SALT LAKE CITY.

the wood very difficult of access ; while the cattle have become so poor, through fasting and scanty fare, that it has been difficult to draw the necessary fuel, and many have had to suffer more or less from the want thereof. The winter com- menced 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 con- siderable 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 Sooo 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 or- dinary 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 plenti- ful 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."

HISTORY OF SALT LAKE CITY.

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 un- failing 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 commo- dious 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 sup- port a hardy grass, (called bunch grass,) which is peculiar to these regions, re- quiring 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 irri- gating 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

HISTORY OF SALT LAKE CITY.

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 cov- ered 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 per- sons. 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 denomi- nations, stamped without assay, from the dust brought from California."

CHAPTER VII.

THIE 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 adminis- tration 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 or- ganization 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 coun- selors, Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards. This done, the Church evacu- ated Winter Quarters to establish herself in the valley of the Great Salt Lake, designing to send out therefrom her colonies, to found cities in every valley of these Rocky Mountains.

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HISTORY OF SALT LAKE CITY.

Immediately on the arrival of the body of the Church, under the presidency of Brigham Young in September, 1848, the regular social and ecclesiastical organizations of the community were effected, and the chief Stake of Zion organized in Great Salt Lake City. Commencing the re-organization at the general October Conference of that year, Brigham Young was acknowledged President of the Church in all the world, with Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards as his counselors. On the Ist of January, 1849, John Smith, uncle to the Prophet Joseph Smith, was ordained Patriarch of the Church, and on the 12th of February the Presidency and Twelve proceeded to fill up the vacant places in the quorum of the Twelve Apostles. They next, in the words of their General Epistle, " proceeded to organize a Stake of Zion at the Great Salt Lake City, with Daniel Spencer, president, and David Fullmer and Willard Snow,. counselors. They also ordained and set apart a High Council of the Stake, con- sisting of Isaac Morley, Phinehas Richards, Shadrach Roundy, Henry G. Sher- wood, Titus Billings, Eleazer Miller, John Vance, Levi Jackman, Ira Eldredge, Elisha H. Groves, William W. Major, and Edwin D. Wooley. The other quo- rums of the Church were also re-organized. The Presidency of the Seventies was composed of Joseph Young, Zera Pulsipher, Levi W. Hancock, Jedediah M. Grant, Henry Herriman, Benjamin L. Clapp, and Albert P. Rockwood. John Young was ordained president of the High Priests' quorum, with counselors Reynolds Cahoon and George B. Wallace; John Nebeker, president of the Elders' quorum, with counselers James H. Smith and Aaron Savery. This re-or- ganization took place at the house of George B. Wallace, in the Old Fort.

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History of Salt Lake City, Part 8

Author: Tullidge, Edward Wheelock Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Salt Lake City, Star printing company Number of Pages: 1194

Author: Tullidge, Edward Wheelock
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Salt Lake City, Star printing company
Number of Pages: 1194