The Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt: One of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Embracing His Life, Ministry, and TravelsPratt, Parley P. (Parley Parker)
Religion
The Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt: One of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Embracing His Life, Ministry, and Travels
Pratt, Parley P. (Parley Parker)
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- Apostles -- Biography; Pratt, Parley P. (Parley Parker), 1807-1857
Here are resources for farming, stock raising, fuel, etc., in
sight of present encampment, probably more than sufficient to
sustain the present population of Rhode Island; and yet, not a
domestic animal, except those of the passing traveller, or a human
being, save the occasional savage in his wanderings, occupies any
portion of this wide domain.
Crossing several streams in the same large valley, all bordered
by lands, we at length left the valley and journeyed two miles over
a hilly country, well supplied with cedar and shrub pines for fuel,
and bunch grass for feed, but not well watered.
Thence a few miles over a worthless country to the Beaver River.
This is a large stream, swift and clear, running in several
branches through a large and fertile bottom; the soil of which
appears rich, but highly impregnated with saleratus, and the table
lands, which surround it, barren or nearly destitute of pasturage.
However, I think the place worthy of settlement, and, probably,
containing eight or ten thousand acres of land which may be watered
and cultivated.
Leaving this place, we passed another long stretch of upland,
destitute of all resources, except grass and fuel, which were
abundant in places.
We were at length met by G. A. Smith and others, from Little
Salt Lake settlement; and accompanied by them, we all arrived on
Red Creek, in the same valley. Here the camp found water and grass
to refresh themselves after so wearisome a journey.
_April 10th_.--Same evening I arrived in the fort,
accompanied by the citizens, who came out to meet us. I found the
inhabitants all well, and the settlement in a truly flourishing
condition. Hundreds of acres of grain had been sown, gardens
planted, etc., and the farming land nearly enclosed; together with
a most substantial saw mill, and many houses of wood and of sun
dried brick, built and in progress. Building materials consisting
of timber of the finest quality, viz.: pine, fir and cedar,
together with good building stone and brick, were scattered in
profusion in every direction.
Water ditches were flowing for mills and irrigation purposes in
many directions.
Mechanics' shops were in operation; such as joiners, carpenters
millwrights, coopers, blacksmiths, shoemakers, etc.
All this was the work of two or three months, in winter and
early spring; not to mention a large enclosure of pickets in the
center of the fort--a council house of hewn timber, and a bastion
of the same material.
The number of men composing the settlement and performing all
this work, did not exceed one hundred and twenty all told including
old men, boys and Indian servants, just being tamed and initiated
into the first rudiments of industry.
All the camps moved from Red Creek and encamped near the fort,
where we tarried a few days.
_April 12th_.--Celebrated my birthday by a feast jointly
provided by us and G. A. Smith, at his house. Ten or twelve persons
sat down to a sumptuous repast.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account