--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Mitton, Sarah E. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 14 number: 4 published: 1911-02 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Sarah E. Mitton, "Ere Life’s Fleet Hour Has Flown," *Improvement Era* 14, no. 4 (February 1911): 309–311.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1404unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera1404unse start_page: 309 end_page: 311 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1911-02) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1404unse publication_year: 1911 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1911, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Ere Life’s Fleet Hour Has Flown President Brigham Young's Excursion Party. BY SOLOMON F. KIMBALL. II. The party attended one of the most glorious two-days' con- ferences (September 14-15, 1864) ever held in Southern Utah. Besides this spiritual enjoyment, they feasted upon everything that could be desired in the shape of food. The younger members of the president's party, at the close of this spiritual and temporal feast, were up and doing. The first thing on the docket was a visit to the Sugar-loaf,a huge, square elevation on the hills back of St. George. On the evening before the visit, a picnic party was organized, and by sunrise the ascent was made. The tug of war MOUTH OF JOHNSON'S CANYON, NEAR ST. GEORGE. GEN. K. T. BURTON. Born October 25, 1821. Died November 11, 1907. came, however, after the summit of the hill was reached. On the north side of this monster rock, some enterprising individual had chiseled out from the base to the top of it, niches sufficiently deep to allow one to get a finger- and foot-hold. The men, with considerable difficulty, managed to scale the summit, but the ladies required help. Ropes were low- ered to the base, some forty feet below, for this purpose. These were then securely fastened under the ladies arms. As they climbed up, one by one, the men above gently pulled on the ropes, and in this way the ladies were assisted to the summit. A number of field glasses were soon brought into requisition, and some time was spent gazing over the desolate valley of the Rio Virgen, and in viewing the distant' craggy peaks surrounding. It was plainly seen from this eminence that St. George is really and truly an oasis in the desert. While contemplating this remarkable scene, peculiar feelings passed through the mind. One's thoughts naturally reverted back to the terrible hardships through which the Latter-day Saints had passed for the cause of Zion, and a spirit of sadness seemed to sink deep into every soul. After several songs had been sung, and a prayer offered, the company enjoyed their luncheon. The Sugar-loaf visitors then returned to St. George in time to accompany the presi- dent's party to Santa Clara, six miles west. Here a Swiss colony of Saints were building substantial homes and surrounding them- sslves with the comforts of life. Tables were spread beneath a cool bowery, and a late dinner occupied the time of the company for the next thirty minutes or more. After an interesting talk by President Young, all returned to St. George. At night a grand ball and banquet was given. Brother John T. Caine acted as master of ceremonies, and all had a good time. COL. JOHN R. WINDER. Born December 11, 1821. Died March 27, 1910.