"News from Utah," New York Daily Times, 22 Dec. 1855.
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The Drouth—Murders at Elk Mountains—the Mails—Agricultural Prospects—Emigration.
We have received files of the Deseret News, from Oct. 3 to the 24th inclusive. The News contains nothing of importance, although some of its details are of interest.
The severe drouth of last Summer seems not to have been so destructive as was anticipated. The wheat crop was mostly cut off, but other grains were in considerable supply, although scarce. The Mormons will probably suffer some inconvenience, from a want of variety of food; but not from the lack of a sufficient quantity. The Elders exhort the people to lay up a store in advance, so that the grasshoppers can take an occusional feast, and the earth an occasional rest.
Scattering parties of Indians continue to commit depredations upon the exposed Mormon settlements, and on traveling parties which are too slightly protected. On the 23d of September two whites were killed upon the Elk Mountains by the Utahs, and the fort and settlement were abandoned.
At Ash Hollow, on Sept. 3, Gen. HARNEY, with five hundred men, attacked and totally routed LITTLE THUNDER's band of Brules, opposite Ash Hollow, and distant about seven miles, killing ninety-one, and, wounding and taking prisoners sixty more, with a great many ponies, and a cast quantity of plunder of every description usually appertaining to Indians.
The Deseret News, of Oct. 24, says that they had received no mails from the States since the 5th of September. The Postmaster informs the people that the California route has proved more regular during the past year, and suggests that hereafter they send their letters via San Francisco. We therefore presume that our own files were brought by the Empire City.
A Horticultural Society has been formed at Salt Lake, and we notice, that considerable quantities of peaches were sent into its weekly meetings. The members express determination to devote great attention to fruits. The northern valleys are said to be especially well adapted to the grape culture. FRANCIS WHITNEY writes the following letter from Iron County, under date of Sept, 20:
"Bro. CARRINGTON: I give you an account of a profitable garden in PAROWAN. My garden is 144 by 83 1/2 feet, upon which I have raised this season 1,200 pounds of fodder, 2,000 pounds of squashes, 1,600 pounds of pumpkins, 500 pounds of melons, 150 pounds of sweet corn, 45 pounds of beans and peas; also, five rows of potatoes, and two rows of broomcorn, the rows running lengthwise."
We infer that young sheep skins are not in demand among the Latter-Day Saints. During one of his Sunday discourses, BRIGHAM YOUNG counseled the Saints "To let doctors alone, and to practice and rely upon anointing with oil, laying on of hands, herbs, mild food, and other Gospel means for the recovery of the sick."
Missionary correspondents write in the usual strain in relation to the true faith in foreign countries. In Northern Europe, many of the poorest and most ignorant class of the people eagerly embrace every opportunity that promises to better their temporal condition, and join any standard that floats over food and raiment.
They also claim to have 4,000 converts in Hawaii, although they have done little in the other members of the Sandwich Island group.
The community has voted to build a canal from the Granite Quarry to the Great Temple, so that the materials may be more rapidly furnished for the masons.
Surveying parties, sent on my Ex-Governor YOUNG, say that Carson Valley, formerly supposed to be in California, is really in Utah.
The Mormon emigration, this year, suffered from the dry weather and consequent parched condition of the grass on the Plains.
The civil condition of the Territory is represented to be peaceful.
( Grandfather of Lottie Owens
( Grandfather of Lottie Owens
( Grandfather of Lottie Owens