History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

260
MIGRATION TO UTAH.
from their heads, again hosannas burst from their lips,
while praise to the most high ascends from grateful
hearts.
It was near this terrace, being in fact a mile and a
half up the canon, that Orson Pratt and Erastus
Snow, with their detachment of pioneers, encamped
on the 20th of July, 1847. Next day, the ever-memorable
21st, to reach this bench, whence was viewed
with such marvellous effect the warm, pulsating panorama
before them, Pratt and Snow crept on their
hands and knees, warned by the occasional rattle of a
snake, through the thick underbrush which lined the
south side of the mountain and filled the canon's
mouth, leaving their companions on the other side of
the brush. After drinking in the scene to the satisfaction
of their souls, they descended to the open
plain, Snow on horseback, with his coat thrown loosely
upon his saddle, and Pratt on foot. They journeyed
westward three miles, when Snow missing his coat
turned back, and Pratt continued alone. After traversing
the site of the present city, and standing where
later was temple block, he rejoined his comrade at the
mouth of the canon. Together they then returned to
camp late in the evening and told of their discoveries.
The following morning the advance company, composed
of Orson Pratt, George A. Smith, 16 and seven
others, entered the valley and encamped on the bank
of Canon Creek. They explored the valley toward
the lake, and about three miles from the camp found
two fine streams with stony bottoms, whose banks
promised sufficient pasturage. Proceeding northward,
they found hot springs at the base of the mountain
spur. Upon their return they were greeted by the
working camp five miles from the mouth of the canon,
at what was subsequently known as Parley Canon
16 Geo. A. Smith says in his autobiography that on this journey he walked
1,700 miles and rode some 800 miles on horseback. He had 25 lbs of flour,
which he used by the cupful for those who were ill; for six weeks he was
without bread, and like the rest of the company, lived on buffalo meat and
other game.