Prophecy and History: A Study for the Advanced Senior Class

PROPHECY AND HISTORY A Study for the Advanced Senior Class M. I. A., 1924-25 History — The Founding of Utah By Prof. Levi Edgar Young, of the University of Utah Part I. Lesson IV. Read Chapters IX-XII The Settlement of Utah The next four lessons will deal with the pioneer journeys to Utah and the settlement of Utah. The story of the journey of the first company under President Brigham Young's leadership will be given special attention, for it stands out as one of the most interesting of all the pioneer companies to the far West. The reader will be interested in the organization of the various companies and the types of people who came over the trail to help settle these vales. They were a high class of people and knew how to adapt themselves to the new environment and conditions. They were industrious, God-fearing, thrifty, and resourceful. They knew how to do things and to solve their problems, for problems they had. With crude farming imple- ments, they had to clear the land and plow it. They had to construct canals and water ditches leading from the mountain streams. They went to the canyons and cut timber for cabins; they brought stone from the quarries and made adobes for their houses and public buildings; they had to manu- facture clothing within the homes, and many other activities kept them busy. The Indians had to be met, and met with kindness, for Brigham Young's policy was to feed the Indians and not to fight them. Roads had to be made and bridges over the streams and rivers constructed. Meeting houses and school buildings had to be built. They relied upon the Lord and had the idea which the Apostle Eliot used to teach the Indians of New England: "Work, with faith in Jesus Christ, will accomplish anything.'' The settlement of Utah is a story that inspires one's greatest respect and love for the pioneers of the days before the railroad. Jonathan Carver and the Far West An interesting statement concerning the far West was written in 1765 by one. Jonathan Carver, who with a small party of men came into the country of what is now the Dakotas, and, learning from the Indians some- thing about the "Shinging Mountains" to the West (the Rocky Mountains), wrote the following concerning them: "This extraordinary range of mountains is calculated to be more than three thousand miles in length, without any very considerable intervals, which I believe surpasses anything of the kind in the other quarters of the earth. Probably in future ages, they may be found to contain more riches in their bowels, than those of Hindostan and Malabar, or that are produced on the golden coast of Guinea; nor will I except the Peruvian mines. To the west of these mountains when explored by future Columbuses or Raleighs, may be found other lakes, rivers, and countries, full fraught with all the necessaries or luxuries of life; and where future genera- tions may find an asylum, whether driven from their country by the ravages of lawless tyrants, or by religious persecutions, or reluctantly leaving it to remedy the Inconveniences arising from a superabundant increase of inhabitants; whether, I sav.

1170 IMPROVEMENT ERA impelled by these or allured by hopes of commercial advantages, there is little doubt but their expectations will be fully gratified in these rich and unexhausted climes." In the early part of the nineteenth century, there were members of Congress who did not believe that the country beyond the Rocky Mountains was of any worth. This feeling continued more or less down to the later forties, when the "Mormons" settled in the Great Basin. One member of Congress, Bates, of Missouri, said: One would think seriously of occupying Oregon. The country wasn't worth settling. The entire region "between the Missouri and the Pacific, save a strip of cultural prairie not above two or three hundred miles wide — is waste and sterile, no better than the Desert of Sahara, and quite as dangerous to cross." Part of the country was composed of rocky ridges incapable of producing anything, and near the coast "the soil, where there is any, is formed of rotted pine leaves, and even that is swept away by the floods which from time to time cover the land along the river banks. Today the extremity of drought prevails; tomorrow all except the hills are under water." He did not believe that settlers could be induced to remain there longer than two years; it would be impossible for them to endure the "incessant rain of four months' duration." But even if the settlement were successful it was ridicu- lous to imagine that the people in that far-off country could long retain any patriotic feeling for the United States. "Does any man imagine that a brotherhood of affec- tion, a community of interest, could bind that distant and solitary member of the family in the far West to those held together by the firmest of political ties in the East? The very name of the place is expressive of its poverty and sterility, for it comes from ocegano, a word applied by the Spaniards to an herb resembling penny- royal and growing near the coast." To Mitchell of Tennessee the idea of settling Oregon was even more absurd. He couldn't understand how any one would desire to "seek the inhospitable regions of Oregon, unless, indeed, he wishes to be a savage." The Rocky Mountains formed our natural boundary on the west, and no man, even though he had "the most prolific mind," could ever look forward to the day when our country with that boundary would be densely populated. "Not even within the reach of fancy itself can the advocates of this bill point out the time when Oregon Territory will have to be organized." If any other nation wanted it, let that nation have it. "It is a territory we ought not to inhabit and one I hope we never shall inhabit," be- cause it is too remote. "No sir, let those restless spirits who cannot be content to cultivate their native soil, let such beings go to Oregon, but let them go at their own risk." These speeches were delivered before the Lower House of Congress on December 29 and 30, 1828. Twenty years from that time a delegate was sitting in the House of Representatives from the Territory of Oregon. A little over forty years later the first transcontinental railroad was completed connecting the Pacific coast with the Atlantic. Assignment of Lesson Read Chapters IX, X, XI, XII in the Founding of Utah These chapters will tell the reader how the "Mormon" people came to leave Nauvoo and begin their journey to the far West. The main points to remember are: Whitman's poem entitled The Pioneers; The Abandonment of Nauvoo; The March Through Iowa and the Calling of the Mormon Battalion; Winter Quarters; The Preparation to Move to the West; The First Com- pany of Pioneers Under Brigham Young; The Journey to the Valley of the Great Salt Lake.

PROPHECY AND HISTORY 1171 Then came the larger companies of 1847. Tell about some of them. What did the pioneers bring with them over the plains? What kind of people were they? What ideals did they have? For an example of how the pioneers met their difficulties on the plains, tell the story of John R. Young. 1. Have the members of the class obtain a story of some pioneer experiences between the Missouri river and Salt Lake City. 2. Have pioneers come and relate their experiences to the class. In nearly every town and city of Utah, are those who walked all the way from Council Bluffi to Utah. 3. Give as many reasons as you can why the Latter-day Saints moved west- ward to the Great Basin. 4. Why were they successful in their journey? 5. Tell something of the life of Brigham Young and his companions, like Orson Pratt, Erastus Snow, John Pack, Wilford Woodruff, and others. Read about Brigham Young in the Era for July, 1923, page 818, and preceding volumes; also June, 1924, pp. 784-86. Give three reasons why he was a truly great man. Larned says in his Study of Greatness in Men that, "there must be a great motive in what a man does; a great object and the use of great powers; and a great char- acter behind action." Read "He Believed," Young Woman's Journal, June 1924. I Lesson V. Read Chapters XIII. XIV, XV and XVI | These chapters will tell you about the hand cart parties, irrigation and how the vales of Utah were explored and colonized. Some very beautiful verses from the Bible will give you the spirit of the pioneers as they colonized Utah and developed irrigation. In Isaiah 35:1, 6 are these words: "The wilderness and solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose." * * * "Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert." 1. Tell the story of the hand cart migration. Why was it necessary to resort to carts in order to get the people to Utah from the Missouri River? What were some of the hardships endured? 2. How many people approximately crossed the plains in the hand cart companies? 3. Why were the pioneers forced to practice irrigation? Who were the first irrigators in America? The following outline will help you to understand the history of the irrigation in this country: Canals: In ancient America, irrigation practiced in the cultivation of crops. Most important of these in the valley of the Gila river and its tributaries in southern Arizona. Here many miles of ditches; in some instances extending ten miles from the stream from which the water was diverted. Frank M. Cushing reports that the canals of the Gila Valley to- gether with those of the Casa Grande ruins and other communities and cities, demonstrate the fact that at one time a vast sedentary and agri- cultural population existed. Eleven main canals have been found; 135 miles actually traced. These capable of watering 100,000 acres of land. Individual canals went for twenty-five miles. In Salt River Valley, 200,000 to 250,000 acres capable of being irrigated. Some of the ancient ditches, 7 feet to 9 feet wide, 4 feet wide at bottom. At surface, 30 feet wide, both bottom and side carefully plastered with clay to prevent seepage.

1172 IMPROVEMENT ERA Remains of wooden head gates have been found. Great engineer- ing skill shown in these canals. Several of these canals have been utilized by the farmers and pio- neers of Arizona. In one instance, a saving of from $20,000 to $25,000 to the "Mormon" pioneers. Near Mesa, a canal in an ancient volcanic knoll for three miles. Used by the settlers. Many such ditches in the valley of the Rio Verde. Irrigation 1847: The "Mormon" pioneers settled on City Creek, July 24, 1847. The first irrigation by an advance company under Professor Orson Pratt. First Anglo-Saxon irrigators, July 23. The beginning of a system that has made the western fanner a competing force in the world's history. Every one ploughing and sowing. Streams were protected and springs developed. Canals run from the first, and the highest public utilities. Headworks and dams constructed by co-operative labor. No money in circulation. None needed. Lumbermen felled the trees and obtained the lumber for flumes, gates, and bridges. Masons mixed the mortar and prepared the rock. This method of associated industry necessary for every colony in Utah; began by the farmers co-operating in tilling the soil. The village community became the unit around which were th: farms. Laying out of Salt Lake City. Every man to be a landowner. No man to monopolize land, and none to speculate. Town sites always on some stream of water, for irrigation and culi- nary purposes. It was taught that if "agriculture in arid regions was to be successful, there must be a small farm unit; diversified production; intensely cultivated; and faithfully fertilized." Each man in Salt Lake an acre and *4. For garden. A simple economic system. Labor to hi man's capital. The first year. Spring of 1847. Corn, wheat, potatoes, melons, pumpkins, rye, barley, oats, buckwheat. Oats 60 bu. to one planted. Parley P. Pratt writes: "I had a good harvest of wheat and rye without irrigation." The gulls. The Harvest Feast of 1848. After the harvest of 1849, no one wanted breadstuffs for six years. 1850; 11,500 inhabitants in valley. 16,000 acres under cultiva- tion; 120,711 bu. of grain raised; 45,000 bu. potatoes. Two stanzas from the Irrigation Ode, by Mrs. Gilbert McClurg, will show its spirit. The first stanza is "The Desert:" Oh! Desert Land! The land of the smiting sun-glare, deep blue of the star-pierced night. Of rock-piles heights and chasms, awe-fraught to the dizzying sight. Where the shadow ever chases the light of the blinding day With purple and pink and crimson, opalescent and far away; The candlesticks of the cactus flame-torches here uphold! Sunflower disks and feathery mustard spread fields of the cloth of gold. The polished cups of amok are girded with spears of thorn — When the desert wind arises, — and they fade as they are born! The rainbow-colored spaces, wan and withered in a breath; Bones of man and beast lie together, under mirage-mock of death! Chorus : Life of sky and sand awaking to prey when all is done: Land of the desolate people, born of sirrocco and sun! Oh! Desert Land!

PROPHECY AND HISTORY 1173 A subsequent stanza is "The Irrigated Region:" Oh! Glorious land! The land of homes for the homeless; the shepherded flocks and herds; The land where the green-walled thickets ane choral with songs of birds; Where, over ancient furrows, silver streamlets are re-drawn; Where slopes, once arid, lie teeming with wealth of the vine and corn; The land of sunny spaces, the land of leafy glades; Of the faith that sees in the desert the promise of verdant blades, Where fruits, purple, crimson and golden, roll forth from Plenty's horn. Where souls of noble fealty, of diviner mood are born; Where, on glimmering heights of future, gleam fair regenerate years, Read in crystal chrism of water, the transparent globe of seers! Chorus: In the garden grows the Tree of Life where Eden's rivers run. Land of the world-dowered people, nurtured by water and sun! Oh! Glorious land! Lesson VI. Read: Chapters XVII, XVIII, XIX, XX These chapters will be of special interest to the reader, as they deal with early day industrial life and how the towns and cities were founded. Chapter XX tells about the organization of Utah Territory. Presi- dent Young was insistent that the people become self-sustaining. In fact this was absolutely necessary as they were a thousand miles from the con- fines of civilization. At first every little home was a centre of industry, for as you will read, nearly every article of clothing and as well as the necessities for the house were manufactured by the family. This we call domestic manufacturing. Later, the people would organize in groups and work co-operatively to manufacture clothing, etc. Discuss the following topics: Domestic manufacturing; President Young's statement concerning home industry; cotton raising; grist and saw mills; machinery for sugar manufacturing; the organization of the Deseret Agricultural and Manufacturing Society; some of our early-day merchants. 1. On the Fourth of July, 1869, a procession was held in Salt Lake City which is described on page 200. What were some of the industrial organizations represented? 2. Give something of the story of early-day mining in southern Utah. 3. Why did President Young discourage mining in early days? 4. Do you think it was a wise decision? 5. Read in some of the magazines what the 'eminent writers have said about Salt Lake City. (See Sccibner's Magazine for March, 19 24: Harper's Magazine, for June, 1924.) 6. Tell the story of the settlement of Salt Lake City. 7. How was the city laid out and named? 8. What were some of the first public buildings? (The City Hall; the Council House; the Social Hall; the Bowery and first Tabernacle.) 9. Where were these buildings? (The old city hall is still standing.) 10. President Young had in mind not only a city of homes, but he provided for parks and play grounds. Every home was a garden, and every house wa\ surrounded with flower gardens. Sa'f Lake City has an individuality all its own. Can you tell why? 11. Tell something about the history of other cities, like Fillmore, Ogden, and Parowan. The old New England town government was the most democratic that has ever been known. This same type of government was carried on in the

1174 IMPROVEMENT ERA Utah towns. All the people took part in government and were free to express their triews in meetings. 12. Tell briefly how Utah Territory came to be organized and named. Who was the first Governor of Utah, and who appointed him? Why do you think the people wanted statehood? 13. Why is a state government better than a territorial form of government? It is interesting to note that the first law passed by the first Legislature of Utah was for the building and maintenance of roads and bridges; the second law brought into existence was that pertaining to the University of Utah, the first university west of the Missouri river. Turn to page 229 and read the Memorial to Congress asking for $25,000 for a University. From the beginning, the people took an active interest in education, and later you will read about the first public schools and something about our first school laws. Up to You It is right to be ambitious with a worthy aim in view With desire strong to reach it, and a perseverance true; For without determination to reach distant heights that lift Far above his present level, man begins to shirk and drift. He becomes in truth a laggard on the great highway of life, Slothful, indolent, a loafer, in this busy age of strife; Giving nothing to his fellows, human parasite, 'tis true, Feeding on the strength of toilers, with no special task to do. But, like other gifts, ambition, if it onward, upward lead, Must be noble, true and holy, free from envy, hate and greed; For to strive for place and power, with no sense of duty then Would ignoble prove, nor blessing, but a curse unto all men. So to prove ambition worthy, there's a safe and final test Of the work your hand has finished, e'er your efforts will be blessed; Sit alone and face it squarely, does it truly satisfy? Are you not ashamed to own it, are you tempted to deny? Not authorities, nor critics, not religion nor the law, Can be judge of your true efforts, or can right decisions draw But by you, yourself, the judgment must be rendered to be true, For no other knows the motive, that has prompted you to do. By that judgment and no other, you will truly live and try For ambition to be worthy, you yourself must satisfy, So its up to you the choosing, just the height you wish to gain; Then keep pushing on and upward, and your work will ne'er be vain. Mesa, Arizona IDA R. ALLDREDGE