Across America; Or, The Great West and the Pacific CoastRusling, James Fowler
History
Across America; Or, The Great West and the Pacific Coast
Rusling, James Fowler
Overland journeys to the Pacific; Pacific States -- Description and travel; West (U.S.) -- Description and travel
The next morning I found myself down, with what is termed out there the
Mountain Fever. And so this was the explanation of what had troubled me
occasionally, even before leaving Denver. I had struggled desperately
against it for a fortnight, but now surrendered at discretion, and was
taken to Camp Douglas--the military post north of the city--where I
found sympathizing comrades and a hearty welcome. This Mountain Fever
seems to be an ugly combination of the bilious and typhoid, with the
ague thrown in, and often pays its respects to overland travellers,
unless they are very careful. In my own case it yielded readily to
calomel and quinine, but only after liberal and repeated doses of each.
For over a fortnight I wrestled with it there, sometimes hardly knowing
which would conquer; but a resolute determination _not_ "to shuffle off
this mortal coil" in Utah, if I could help it, and a kind providence at
last brought me safely through. At first, this loss of time was greatly
regretted, as I was eager to complete my duties at Salt Lake, and push
on; but ultimately, I was not sorry, as it afforded an opportunity
to observe and study the Utah problem, much more fully than I should
otherwise have done.
My first day out again, a beautiful October day and perfect of its
kind, the Post-Surgeon advised a ride in the open air. Accordingly
Major Grimes, the Post-Quartermaster, brought round his buggy, and
together we drove down to the city, and thence out to the hot Sulphur
Springs. These are on the Bear River road, some two or three miles
north of the city. The water here bursts out of the ground at the foot
of a bluff or mountain, as thick as a man's leg, and runs thence in a
considerable stream to Great Salt Lake. It has a strong sulphur color
and taste, and a temperature sufficient for a warm bath. Some miles
farther north there are other Springs--we were told--hot enough to boil
an egg. In the bath-house adjoining, we found a number of men and boys
enjoying the luxury of a sulphur plunge, and the place appeared to be
a considerable resort already, especially on Sundays. Most passing
travellers and miners endeavor here to get rid of the accumulated
dirt of their journey hitherward, and to depart cleaner if not better
men. A refreshment-saloon near by furnished superb apples and peaches
fresh from the trees, and most other American edibles, including our
inevitable "pies;" but no drinkables, except tea and coffee. The
patrons of the springs, it was said, complained bitterly of Brigham's
stern, prohibitory liquor laws, but with little result. Even in Salt
Lake City itself, a town of fifteen or twenty thousand souls, (1866),
there were but two or three drinking-saloons, and these, we were told,
were either owned or strictly regulated by the church _i. e._ Brigham
Young. Whatever else the saints may be, Brigham intends that they shall
at least not be drunkards, if he can help it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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