History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

SALT LAKE CITY. 277
tended the south divisions, which were connected with
the old fort by gates. Wagon-boxes were also brought
into line, and served for habitations until better accommodations
were provided. The houses were built of
logs, and were placed close together, the roofs slanting
inward, and all the doors and windows being on the
inside, with a loop-hole to each room on the outside.
As everything indicated a dry climate, the roofs were
made rather flat, and great inconvenience resulted.
In March the rains were very heavy, and umbrellas
were used to protect women and children while cooking,
and even in bed. The clay found in the bottoms
near the fort made excellent plaster, but would not
stand exposure to rain, and quickly melted. All breadstuffs
were carefully gathered into the centre of the
rooms, and protected with buffalo skins obtained from
the Indians. The rooms in the outer lines all adjoined,
and many of the families had several rooms.
On the interior cross-lines rooms were built on both
sides, the streets being" eight rods wide.
SOUTH FORTS^ "NORTH FORT^
Fort, Great Salt Lake City, 1848.
There were serious depredations committed by
wolves, foxes, and catamounts, and great annoyance
occasioned by the howling of some of these animals. 3
Further discomfort was caused by innumerable swarms
of mice. Digging cavities and running about under
the earthen floor, they caused the ground to tremble,
and when the rain loosened the stones of the roofs,
8 ' One night soon after our arrival I spread some strychnine about, and in
the morning found fourteen white wolves dead. ' Lorenzo Young's Ex., MS., 8.