248 Reminiscences of 



called in a body upon that remarkable man, Brigham 

 Young, who received us most cordially, and who 

 entertained us for two hours in conversation about 

 the Mormon situation, and various subjects. He 

 expressed himself as not seeking the advancement of 

 railroads in Utah, but yielding to the inevitable, con- 

 sidering that such were by no means essential to the 

 further success of the Mormon Church, evidently feel- 

 ing that more years of the undisturbed conditions 

 before existing would be desirable to strengthen Mor- 

 mon interest, and referred to the already invading 

 elements becoming evident, particularly to the reluc- 

 tant giving of a license by Salt Lake City for a saloon, 

 where intoxicating drinks were dispensed, one of which 

 had now been established under the high tax of $3000, 

 and it had been a question if the tax should not have 

 been so high as to have caused prohibition. But since 

 the railroad had come and with it an influx of foreign 

 influences, the situation must be met as efficiently as 

 possible, and he had no fears about the growth and suc- 

 cess of the Mormon Church which was destined to yet 

 leaven the whole world within its true faith. The 

 arrival that day of a perambulating circus at Salt Lake 

 City he was glad of, which he should attend, and 

 highly approved of, and thought it would be highly ac- 

 ceptable to the Mormon people, who had been debarred 

 from such entertainments. The next day being Sun- 

 day he invited us to attend the services at the Taber- 

 nacle, and to Bishop Kipp, extended an invitation 

 that he should assist in the services. This invitation 

 the Bishop accepted, and we were promptly at the 

 Tabernacle, where special seats in front were reserved 

 for us. The old Tabernacle, now superseded by the 



