History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

DISTRIBUTION OF LANDS. 285
the church, a meeting, a dance, a visit, an exploring
tour, the arrival of a party of trappers and traders, a
Mexican caravan, a party arrived from the Pacific, 28
from the States, from Fort Bridger, a visit of Indians,
or perhaps a mail from the distant world once or
twice a year, is all that breaks the monotony of our
busy and peaceful life . . . Here, too, we all are richthere
is no real poverty; all men have access to the
soil, the pasture, the timber, the water power, and all
the elements of wealth, without money or price." 29
On his arrival in the autumn, Brigham stirred up
the people to the greatest activity. Fencing material
being scarce, and the city lands all appropriated, it was
proposed that a large field for farming purposes adjoining
the city should be selected and fenced in common.
By October there were 863 applications for
lots, amounting to 11,005 acres.
A united effort was made to fence the city, which
was done by enclosing each ward in one field, and requiring
the owner of every lot to build his proportion
of the fence. 30 No lots were allowed to be held for
speculation, the intention, originally, being to assign
them only to those who would occupy and improve
them. The farming land nearest the city was surveyed
in five-acre lots to accommodate the mechanics
and artisans; next beyond were ten-acre lots, followed
by forty and eighty acres, where farmers could build
and reside. All these farms were enclosed in one
common fence, constituting what was called the 'big
field,' before mentioned. 31
28 ' In July 1848, William and Nathan Hawks, Sanford Jacobs, and Rich-
ard Slater came from California with copies of Brannan's Star of April 1st,
and tidings that the brethren at San Francisco were doing well, and that
those who had settled on the San Joaquin River had vacated in favor of the
mosquitoes.' Hist. B. Young, MS., 1848, 46.
28 The letter was afterward published in part in Snow's Voice of Joseph,
16, and portions copied into Utah Early Pioneers, MS., 34-5.
so ' Every man is to help build a pole, ditch, or a stone fence. . .in proportion
to the land he draws, also a canal on each side for the purpose of irrigation.'
Hist. B. Young, MS., 1849, 55.
S1 'The fence will be 17 miles and 53 rods long, and 8 ft high.' Hist. B.
Young, MS., 1848, 68-9; Juv. Inst., ix. no. 3, 34. It had been decided by the
high council in Jan. that fencing be commenced, and that the farm lands be