Page:History of Utah.djvu/329



SALT LAKE CITY.

277

tended the south divisions, which were connected with the old fort by gates. Wa.£jon-boxes were also brought into line, and served for habitations until better accom- modations 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 cook- ing, 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 bread- stufls 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 ad- joined, 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.^ 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.

® ' One night soon after our arrival I spread some strychnine about, and in the morning found fourteen white wolves dead.' Lorenzo Young's Ex.,