LIFE SKETCHES OF A JAYHAWKER 13 



■weeks of work on the part of the Mormons who had passed through two 

 years before. We crossed the stream twenty-six times, and it was but a 

 small stream too, emptying into Salt Lake Valley. 



At this juncture we were approaching Salt Lake City, so three of us 

 decided to forge ahead of the train. When we reached the first bench or 

 table land we saw spread out before us the city itself, and in the greater 

 distance the Great Lake. When we reached the first little farm our atten- 

 tion was attracted to the garden, full of vegetables of all kinds. How our 

 mouths watered at this welcome sight. We approached the house, asked 

 for accommodations. They made excuses about sleeping quarters, but that 

 didn't trouble us, as we could sleep anywhere out of doors, if one could 

 just have a meal or so. We kept our eyes on the garden, and were willing 

 and glad to help in the preparation of the vegetables. No one knows how 

 willing we were to pod the peas. We had green corn, peas and other vege- 

 tables, something we had longed and starved for four months. Never be- 

 fore or since have I tasted anything that was so good, and we ate and ate 

 until we could eat no more, and only felt sorry that our capacity was so 

 limited. 



We were up bright and early getting peas ready for breakfast. This 

 was a regular bonanza for us, and our bill was only fifty cents each. It 

 was well worth five dollars to us if worth a cent. 



Four miles distant lay the city, and a smart walk soon brought us in, 

 where we inquired for a good camping place for the train which had not yet 

 arrived. We soon found a suitable place, convenient to water and grass, 

 the two most essential features for a camping place. We camped between 

 the city and Jordan River, as all emigrants had to camp on that side of the 

 city. 



Our train arrived the same day and we were soon surrounded by the 

 Mormons, principally women enquiring for tea, and if we had any to sell. 

 They seemed to be as much starved for tea as we were for vegetables. We 

 wouldn't sell tea, but we said we would trade for vegetables. Tea was three 

 dollars a pound, and we could get vegetables a week for a pound of tea. 

 Some of the women said they had not tasted tea for two years past. They 

 were also short of groceries and wearing apparel. Many women were en- 

 tirely barefooted, and many scantily dressed. All the clothes had been 

 practically worn out, as there had been no supplies brought in for two 

 years, consequently many of them were greatly in need of the luxuries of 

 life. They had seeds and plenty of cattle with them, so they were well pro- 

 vided with the substantials, all having good gardens, beef, milk and butter. 



They raised wheat and ground their own flour, but had no way to bolt 

 it, so had to live on unbolted flour. The women were doing mens' work in 

 the fields, pulling up the wheat and thrashing it with flails, they having no 

 "harvesting implements, as they were yet very scarce. We saw other women 

 with their three or four yoke of oxen and team going into the canyon, a 

 distance of twelve miles, and bringing down loads of wood. There were 

 no men on the load, and perhaps there would be two or three women to 

 handle the team. After seeing the scheme of things I didn't wonder so 

 much they advocated the plurality of wives, the advantages were so great 



I became tired of camp life in a few days and decided a change was 

 good for me, so found board with a family named Smithson. There was a 



