Under date of June 8,
1861, the Deseret News published
the following article signed "Item."
"Mount
Pleasant, June 8, 1861.
"Mr. Editor:
"Did
you ever visit this little town, not city? If not, you have lost a treat. Here
on a nice rolling piece of ground, commanding a fine view of the surrounding
country, and of the mountains and hills, covered with timber to their base,
stands a superior fort, built two years ago, under the direction of Mr. James
Ivie. Many persons still live in the fort, either fearful of Indians or else
they like the proximity of house to house. The citizens are, however, generally
locating on their lots outside, and some evidences of taste are being displayed
in their buildings and improvements.
"Five
creeks contribute their water to irrigate the land. Pleasant Creek is made to
turn machinery every few rods, and so strong and rapid is the current that
mills could advantageously be located along the stream very near to each other.
"We
have good peace here and the usual spirit of industry is manifested. A fatherly
care is exercised in the control of affairs, but there is little to control,
the people seem to control themselves. We have no liquor saloons, no liquor
manufacturers, neither stores to take away our grain; but we have an abundance
of sheep and stock. We have two tanneries, and need more. Shoemakers are
wanted; furniture is much needed, and a potter would be found delighting us,
while he turned his clay into gold (wheat). We have only one flour mill, and
need more. We have three saw mills and need more. We have an abundance of land,
and need more farmers. The range for stock is excellent; timber of most kinds
plentiful, and there are chances untold for the poor of the Saints to find a
home where they can say:
'No pent up city controls our powers,
The whole mountain
Territory is ours.'
"The citizens of
Mount Pleasant have petitioned the County Court of Sanpete to add one
thousand dollars to the appropriation
made by the Legislature,
last winter, for the purpose of improving the road through Spanish Fork Canyon,
but no response has as yet been made, and nothing has been done in relation to
the Legislative appropriation. Why this apathy and indifference? A good road
through the canyon is much needed by the people of this valley, and why is it
that we must go round thirty miles further to reach Great Salt Lake City; shall
we ever see a better nearer road?
“A strong effort will
be made this season to improve this place, m advantageously located, and thus
make it what its name denotes, a pleasant place.
"It is gratifying to say that what articles are
manufactured
are highly creditable to
all concerned.
"Our Big Field,
which is nine miles in circumference, is well fenced, and contains some of the
finest soil in the Territory. The low and uplands are admirably suited for the
various grains. We lack some vines, but for the great staple of life (wheat), I
believe
Sanpete is second to none
in the Territory. The man of family would do well to look here before he
locates anywhere, if he desires a cheap home, and in fact any and all who will,
can get their living by the sweat of their brow. I am satisfied that from the
harmonious workings of affairs here, a future awaits this place as bright as
that of any star in the constellation of Deseret, and that as much honey will
be found in our portion of the hive as in some more favored ones nearer the
center.
"It would do you good to see the
anxious expectants gather around the agent's office, on the days of arrival,
awaiting the News, richly feighted as it is with news items. The 'Extra' … how
glad we are to see it! Your city folks know not the value of paper like that.
The sermons as well as the war news, are read and re-read by your subscribers
here.
"Our postal arrangements are not
satisfactory. We need a post office at this place, and hope to get one at no
distant day. We are talking about erecting a meeting-house, and establishing a
small library in one room, that our youth may have a chance to improve their
minds, as well as to become proficient in the art of dancing; in short, to keep
up with the spirit of the times and the progress of Zion.
"Should
you ever vacate the editorial chair for a residence in the country, I hope that
you, though a northern man, will come south to Mount Pleasant, where secession
is never breathed, but where, on the glorious Fourth, we hope to hoist the
genuine Stars and Stripes and show that they and the Constitution are still
revered in the midst of the mountains. I wish orders had been just sent for our
teams to have freighted the Union out here. We could have preserved it so well
in this salt country.
"Yours,
(Signed)
"Item"
History of Mt. Pleasant by Hilda Madsen Longsdorf pp70-72
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