shops. We were invited
by the delegate to Congress, from Utah, to call on Brigham Young,
and did so. He was a large, well-built man, then about sixty years
old. He took great interest in the enterprise of Colonel Scott
and seemed familiar with all the railways built or projected in
the western country. There was nothing in his conversation or
manner that indicated the "crank," nor did he exhibit any of the
signs of a zealot or fanatic. He made no allusions to his creed
or the habits of his followers and betrayed no egotism or pride.
He has died since but the organization he left behind him is still
in existence, and the Mormon faith is still the creed and guide of
the great body of those who followed Brigham Young into the
wilderness, and of their numerous descendants. It is to be hoped
that the government and people of the United States will let the
Mormons severely alone, allowing them to believe what they will,
and to do in the way of worship what they choose. In this way only
can their confidence in alleged revelations be shaken, and Mormonism
will disappear among the many vain attempts of humanity to explore
the mysteries of life and death. Persecution never weakens delusions,
nor disturbs faith, however ignorant and groundless.

From Salt Lake our party went to Cheyenne and thence to Denver.
This city was growing rapidly and was plainly destined to be the
principal center of the mineral development of several states. I
had, on a previous trip, visited the interesting region of the
"Garden of the Gods," Colorado Springs and Pike's Peak. Our party
left Denver for home. On the long stretch via Kansas City, St.
Louis and Indianapolis we saw nothing new, as we were traveling
over familiar ground. It was early in September, when corn, the
great western staple, was approaching maturity, and the earth was
giving forth its increase. We were crossing the largest and perhaps
most fertile valley of the world. All of it had been redeemed from
nature and the Indians, within one hundred years. During our trip
we had passed through great cities, prosperous towns and amidst
wonderful scenery. All of the route except through the Yosemite
valley was passed over in a palace car. The ocean voyage was in
a steamboat even more luxurious then the palace car. All this
rapid development did not satisfy the desire of Colonel Scott and
Mr. Walters. Their minds were occupied with vast railroad projects,
some of which wer