History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

CHAPTER XII.
IN THE VALLEY OF THE GREAT SALT LAKE.
1849.
Food Supply and Shelter—Building Lots—Currency Issue—Bank
Notes and Coinage—Private and Public Buildings—Wide Area op
the City—Second Anniversary of the Pioneers—Festivals and
Amusements—Labor a Doty among the Saints—Effect of the California
Gold Discovery—Immigration—Carrying Company—California-bound
Emigrants—Their Traffic with the Mormons—Products
and Prices—Gold-hunting Frowned upon by the Church.
Throughout the winter of 1848-9 food was scarce
among the settlers. Many still subsisted mainly on
roots," thistles, and even on rawhides. 1
Milk, flesh,
and the small quantity of breadstuff's that remained
were, however, distributed among the poor in such
quantities as to prevent actual starvation. On April
1, 1849, each household was required to state the
smallest allowance of breadstuffs that would suffice
until the forth-coming harvest. Some received half
a pound a day, and others four ounces. 2
1 ' Many were necessitated to eat rawhides, and to dig sago and thistle
roots for mouths to subsist upon.' Hist. B. Young, MS., 1849, 95.
2 The committee on breadstuffs reported on the 8th of Feb. that there
was
7 '
, lb per capita for the next five months. Utah Early Records, MS., 45.
In the former part of Feb. the bishops took an inventory of the breadstuff
in the valley, when was reported a little more than f lb. per day for each
soul, until the 9th of July; and considerable was known to exist which was
not reported. Hence while some were nearly destitute others had abundance.
The price of corn since harvest has been S2; some has sold for §3; at present
there is none in the market at any price. Wheat has ranged from S4 to $5,
and potatoes from 86 to §20, a bushel; and though not to be bought at present,
it is expected that there will be a good supply for seed by another
year.' General Epistle of the Twelve, in Frontier Guardian, May 30, 1S49.
' Those persons who had imparted measurably to those who had not, so that
all extremity of suffering from hunger was avoided.' Hist. B. Young, MS.,
1849,95.