History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

SECOND WINTER IN THE VALLEY. 287
dent and others of the church dignitaries worked indefatigably
with their people, carrying mortar and
making adobes, hauling timber and sawing it. There
were but 450 log cabins within the stockade, and
one thousand more well-filled wagons had arrived this
season.
A county government was organized, and John D.
Barker elected sheriff, Isaac Clark judge of probate,
and Evan M. Green recorder and treasurer. 35 Two
hunting companies in December were formed, under
the leadership of John D. Lee and John Pack, for
the extermination of wild beasts. There were eightyfour
men in all, and their efforts were successful. 39
From the 1st of December until the end of February
there were heavy snow-storms. On the coldest day
the mercury fell below zero, 37 and on the warmest
marked 21° of Fahrenheit. On account of the snow
in the canons it was difficult to bring in the necessary
fuel. As the previous winter had been warm, the
settlers were unprepared for such cold weather, and
there was much suffering. 33
33 ' George Coulson, Andrew H. Perkins, and David D. Yearsley, county
commissioners; James Sloan, district clerk; Jacob G. Bigler, William Snow,
Levi Bracken, and Jonathan C. Wright, magistrates.' Hist. B. Young, MS., 77.
36 ' The two hunting companies organized last Dec. report that they have
killed 2 bears, 2 wolverenes, 2 wild-cats, 7S3 wolves, 409 foxes, 31 minks,
9 eagles, 530 magpies, hawks, and owls, and 1.C26 ravens.' Hist. B. Young,
MS., March 1S49.
37 ' To 33° below freezing-point on Feb. 5th. ' General Epistle of the Twelve,
in Frontier Guardian, May 30, 1849.
38 'At Fort Bridger the winter had been unusually severe, and the traders,
it was reported, had suffered almost starvation.' It was resolved that no
corn should be made into whiskey, and that if any man was preparing to distil
corn into whiskey or alcohol, the corn should be taken and given to the poor.
Hist. B. Young, MS., 1849, 4.