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A VISIT TO NAUVOO.The Ancient City of the gulntu and Its Modern Remain..toe lt;el to re to fiauvoo—Tie Temple—Tie Hide., of Joe and Joe smKb, Jr.JlcrmonballhVrna Ibt Cu*l»t» Xa|ublieu. mrvoo ix 1816.In 1845, tie writer of this article. then a. mere boy, but with recollection of those events now bat little impaired, visited Nauvoo, in this ©ounty, tnen a city of over 16,003 inhabitants. The tcrsod of that wisit is doubtless fresh in the memory of thousand* now living who passed . through the shifting scenes of the great Mormon war.” It was nt the time when the last of the Mormon inhabitants of tbo city and county bod fled across the riTer on the approach of the thousand* of armed citizens of this and adjoining counties, who for years had suffered in person and property from tho unlawful raids of band* of men and of individuals claiming that their murders and assassin* and thelt were by order of Divine revelation. That tfce uuparallcd atrocities thus committed upon citizens were by Mormon*, is a fact that we do not pretend to discuss. It is a question about which wchavenoknowl-edge exocot through opinions and prejudices much softened by the lapse of time.At the Deriod of our visit in that year, the great Mormon temple was os near its completion as it ever attained i finished, however, in nil its grand proportions of site and height. Tho basement hall, in which was situated the baptismal font— itself a miracle of art and beauty, with in appointments of life-sited oxonra purest marble, the marble basin and elaborate railings—the prearatioa and nceptioa rooms ; the immense audience chamber, above, with its pews and changing backs, its immense altar* and oratorio, to gor-geous tapestry and noflc'e in gold and stiver, it? ponderous chandeliers, and the innumerable coluinas and fresco:* that everywhere bewildered the eye with their gorgeous beauty. Of all these tppoiol-nents we have such a vivid recollection chat it seems hot the rehearsal of a last night's pleasant dream. We were but a boy theu, and venture some. Wo couldnot do it cow.—but then wc climbed to the top of that ri«t dome, and planting our feet around :bc lofty tod winch supported the bronze angel,we viewed a scenea«W]: as the day the -at Smith’s death. Nob'ceasedbrick should be token from tho however, because tho day is not far distoatwhen tho nooewitics of a fine ;«ty—each ns Nauvoo will become—will demand a hotel of tho magnitude coutemplatod by Smith's far-seeing judgment.ledclingof magnificence vast and v scope,—the immense river half the beautiful city, the towns and villages that dotted it? shores for miles in either direction, the tasteful farms that stretched their uninterrupted line- of li*lt;!se and fence into the misty diriatice. and the grim cannon and the men n ho guarded them shrunken into pop-gur.s and pigmic. slt; far below our feet. Such i» our recollection of the great city and its proud (entile in 1846.Kacvoo J* 1664.On Friday, the 12th iost., wo again visited Xauvoo. A want of space must forbid indulgence in the overpowering reflections that crowded our mind* in con t.wnplating the n*mr* of the changes that bud occurred in the period of eighteen years: it is enough to say that the 16,-(*3l* inhabitants that then crowded the beautiful city and its cralsowcred environs tregone : one-hnif to two-thirds of the dwellings that cot-titutvd tbo honicwaud the scenes of industry of that peculiar sect of people arc either in ruin* or have been tt-soslorred to other localities. Nevertheless, Xauvoo is a beautiful city still, vast in extent, aud peopled by three thousand a* industrious people at ctcr gnvc vitality to enterprise.Many remains of Mormon industry still remain, s»d mementoes of the past.' Centrally through the city, on a line ruuniog nearly north and south, and following the base of'hr steep bluff which divides themsrosr or the temple—it? «EX*tx3.From Dr. i. F. Wood, a rwidtmt of Navoo since 1839, and who was intimately acquainted with the main incidents of ebe rise and fall of the Mormondom la ‘hat vicinity, we gather the following facts in relation to the building of the templo : The plans and style of architecture af that building Smith claimed to-hare race i red by revalation frnm God ; although; subsequently the plan* were materially altered from tho material draft, whether by rerelation or not wc nre not informed. The temple wns commenced in 1841, with the laying of the corner stone and impressive ceremonies, attended by a vast multitude of people. To its erection tho wholo people of the Mormon church gave their enthiuiirttic aid—all being required to give a tooth of their incomes or labor. In 1845, two years after the death of Smith, the temple was finished and dedi-cntcd. Tbe account of its size, height, and general appearance in 1856, wo find in The Fulton Gazette, then published by tho writer, as follow*:The temple is built wholly of etODO procured from quarries near tho city. This stone i* of the beat description, firm in texture, beautiful to tho eye, and susceptible of a fine finish. 1 am not acquainted with architectural terms, aol hence can not say in wbat style the temple is built ; but were it not for its tower and belfry, and some attempts at modern ornamentation, I should think it was purely Grecian. In size, the main building ie 180 feet long by 80 feet wide, and, probably 80 feet in height. The toner and belfry reach above tho main building same eighty or a hundred feet; but of that 1 coula gain no certain knowledge ; although I should think the entire height of the temple from base stone to ball can-cot be less than 180 feet.The Nncvoo Neighbor, of the date of July CO, 1845, a copy of which Dr. Weed has in good preservation, luu an article on the subject cf the temple, from which wc gather the height of that building, but not Its Other dimensions, frm «••• la ioj of atie i»rp. fr*i.......... KjcTtntful history of any lady now living, *i*i yet through all the vieisituden that havo followed licr, In tho prosperity and troubles incident to the rise and fall of Mormonism, and the circumstonce* surrounding her first husband’s violent death, her form and features are but lightly touched by tho finger of time, and she istel a lisle! pleasant lady, kindly, hospitals and unaetuming.and unasiuming.THE VIXSTARDS.The soil in and adjacent to Nanvoo, lias been discovered to be finely odaptod to grape culture, and within five years what bad been ceenmenced a* an experiment has become an immense interest. A largo number of poreons are now reaping a rich onmpetenoy—some of them fortunes—who fire years ago had no inoomcs from other pursuits. In November last, a tract of laud embracing near two hundred acres, and lying on the north side of Xauvoo, wa» sold at aoction at an aseragc of $75 to $100 per acre, in one, two, and three acre lots for vineyard purposes. Most of that body of land has been put in orderfor tho spring setting. The cumber ofli'frj• MVlMI.015..iroJ *Ubuild-judgingthecoper from the lo of ndo.’p, wideexcavntion or ditch, which was intended by Smith a- a canal leading from the river on tbcnurlb, and intersecting with it at its curve 011 the south side-Tins ditch, which was to have been nearly straight, would have been two miles l'.nB.\intcr« ting the base of tbe crescent which the Mississippi here forms around tae city, leaving all that part of tbe city comprehended in cbe flnt” on a sort of island. This stream nf water, thus diverted from the purer,: flood, would have mij»-plied smaller streams intersecting it n:lt;] running through othor rUtes westward, Tiic peculiarity ofths soil—its prooencw to wash, Ac.,—has since demonstrated that such an enterprise, possibly combining utility with the ornamental, would have proved a source of incredible ex-t:n*c to it* projectors for repairs. For indredr of yard:,- bouever, the cnnxl so-ins to have been walled on it. western slope—possibly in view of the tendency to wash.There ore but few bouses in the city that are not of Mormon construction; and many of them arc fine buildings ; although the vast majority of dwellings erected in the time of Mormon power were of the fiimriest description. Jlandrcds of them hare fallen through successive store-., and lbc:r material token to build other and pore substantial edifice*. Among the bwt of the Mormon building* now renaming ore tbo Daionit ball, the Lord’s Atone bouse, tbe mansion, now kept as a hotel by Msj. L. C. Bidamon. and a number of dwelling* which belonged to leading personage, in the church, baiinem houses, etc. At tbe foot of Main street, andjuatat the river hank, Smith badK.V*.|0 rel . ...................Add to this the heigh*, of main ins In oaves, which, wo think from the height of the southwest rum now standing could nut bo less than 70 feet, wo have the whole height of the temple—168 1-2 feet. The cost of the temple was estimated nt #800,000.In 1840 the temple was destroyed by fire : supposed to bo the work of nn incendiary. On tbo 27th of May, 1850, the north wall fell in by force of wind, shaking tbe city as by an cartiiqauke. The remaining walls fell on subsequent occa-•ions, looting only the southwest corner standing, as wc *»w ie during our recent visit. Tho sito of the temple ond its mini me now tbe property of Mr. John Dororiff, of that city, who, a* Uo informs us will remove the balance of the stone —the remaining corner included—at an early day, and convert the ground into a vineyard.Incidentally, we remark, that in 164l— 50, a body of French socialists calling themselves Incarians” purchased the tcrapln site and adjoining property, and for six or seven yeurs attempted to establish tbeir colony on tho exploded system of “communism” or socialism’’—a theory we think once strangle advocated by Horace Grcely, hot by him now condemned a* impracticable forslloscs except those of libertinism and infidelity. The Ioca rian colony won broken up in 1657, Und it* members scattered throughout this and adjoining couutics. While in Xaovoo, tin. body cf people erected several fine buildings from the stone of which the temple bad been built.Much of the exterior ornamentation of the temple, which remained uninjured bv fire, lias been carried away or defaced by curiosity seekers. There an? several fine specimens however, remaining in the possession of individuals in Xauvoo. Over the entrance to one of the numerous wine cellars which abound in that vicinity is the image of the sun in relief which crowned the top of one of the exterior columns of the temple.uoxmoxs ix xauvoo.The lapte of time has softened much of the prejudice of the people against Mpr-manism, and it is possible that a majority of that sect have abandoned manv of tho peculiar dogmas in faith and practice that made them the aversion end dread of more liberal minded people. Many more tnon* have returned to this county, taking up their abode as quiet, orderly and industrious citizens, and who are generallyftkhldret*) nnlt;4 rvtrvnnlnn Hf tWi!. I... .1'acres bearing grapes i* almost 180; those set lost summer about 1G0 to 200 more; and we are told that folly 200 acres more will bo plnntrd this spring. The grapc-CWCTfl of Xauvoo realized from their ; summer’s crop of wine $75,000, aud many of them cut their vine* cVoser than usual in tho view of adding to quality rather than quantity. Tho cost of trenching. setting, and staking an ncrc cf grapes will not exceed $125. The third year's growth will generally produce grapes for 400 gallon* cf wine, which nt present prices will average $ 1.7 5 to $2 per gallon —leaving from necessary expenses of expressing, coverage, and bottling, a profitNumbers of the largest wine-grower* hove spacious cellars, built in the most substantial manner of stone. That of John Bauer, Esq., is perhaps the largest, being 45 feet by 20. Mr. B. has in cultivation three and a half acres of vines, which in 1862 yielded him 13,000 gallons of excellent wioe. Last year, in clt;vn*o-queue* of close cutting and some blight, his yield did nn*. ezsocd 3,000 gallons. Ilia wine average* $2 per gallon at whole-nnd i. greatly in demand. Mr. U.iucrnJi.ni.'laic.also manufactured a very superior quality of brandy frum the lees nnd pumice of grapes, aud which has also a ready tale at$8 per gallon.Mr./August llegcrh»9in cultivation two acres of grape*, and which has also a n-ady talc at $6 per gillon.Mr. August Brger has in cultivation two ncrc* of grape*, which ln*t year yielded 000gallons iff wine. Ili‘ cellar, newly •reeled, is nearly or quite u* large 111 th.'tnfncturc*it:of .Mr. Bauer'*. lie also brandy, bav.ng excellent f.There ore ether cztensito vineyards and cellars belonging to Mo**re. biller, Schneider, Rbcinticrger, Leopard, and others, whose name* we failed to get. The number of acres cultivated by them respectfully will average from two to four.Two miles south of Xauvoo, and lying immediately on tbe bluff overlooking the Mississippi, is die country scat and vineyard of A. Burton Esq.. a gentleman of education nnd refinement, and possessing wealth nnd indu.try sufficient to carry oit his ta«tofol idea* of the useful ami ornament*!. The residence and grounds nf Mr. Burton are substantial ns well a* ornamental, nnd nestled among the coibow mil hills mu‘t pre-cut a v iew of unusual lovliness from the rirer and opposite shores. Adjoining hi« residence on tho south side is bis vineyard, consisting ton acres and nil in the cultivation. Mr. B.'s conducted in the best ran to quality of product* r lily. In 1S52 his yield gallon. : last year still cut hi* rduring hardihood of gro in tho fruit. Mr Burtonofhighest state uf grape culture is •liner, with a view atln-r than qnan-was only I V»JI) le-s, he having rery close with a view to in.v(h and firmness cellar is one ofthe best in the vicinity ol N.uvoo, being 41 by 22 feet in size, and built fur enough below ground to render it available for all purposes of a first class wine cellar. In thi* cellar Mr. B has ewclve or fourteen ca*ks of 750 galton. capacity, a majority of them full Ilf tho beat wilio manufactured. In other cask, in this cellar are liquors of various descriptions, a# pure nn I choice in flavor as w* have ever «cn or tasted.W« hxmd Mr. Burton OOO of tho most genial, whole-souled gentlemen if wns over oar pleasure touo-rt. His ho-ptility it a. large os his heart, and both Ml all' out of doors nnd in doors, bccaure his house is.illund hi times.commenced tbe erection of a largo andhotel odc story, ore inthe wn! Is of which, for preservation. Thoindrad foet - long bv fifi.id finished inin depth, it of stone cut and nnisnea in the beat stylo of workmonship. The-.to-ry above tbe basracot it constructed of tbo finest pressed brick, with nrarblo steps alcaps. Some of the interior walls bare boon tikcn down and tbe brick sold by Smith’s heirs. The wall* remainingesteemed and respected by tbeir immediate neighbors. There nre somo hundred or more families of Mormons resident in Nauvoo nnd vicinity, who adhere to their faith, and to Joseph Smith, tbe eldest *on of the prophet. Young Jo,” nn he is called, resides in a modest cotUgo on the bank of the river, but a few rods from the Mansion House.” lie is a quiet unas-.uming man, endowed with no great bril-liaocy of mind, but rather nbovo tbo ordinary standard of men in good, bluest oosnman sense. Mr. Smith is regarded by many thousand* of Mormon* as the legitimate apes'olie successor of his father ; and there is now quietly gathering around him a numerous eongregiUtoti, who attend bis preaching and seek bis ooun*J pnd guidaooe. '’in■ Smith's • Widtfw, bow the‘wife of.Maj L.C. Bidamon, ie still presiding over the domestic appointments of tho Mansion House, a* in be-r firet husband’s life tune. Mrs. B. has doubtless the rao.tthrown open freely to vi.it bounty pressed upon them atDDSIXXfS AT NAWOO.There are two cxcclont and extensive breweries in Xtuvoo, owned respectively by Messrs. Schenk und llaan.mm, both of them coing nlrrge ■mountof butinose.In other branches of bu*incn tho city WOm* to be slowly recoverinB from the laoubies that have bead it. The va*t extent of territory on which the city is built renders it d'iflrenlt for one nnacquain-tod with its facilities and location to un-ucritattj nt a glance the roaguitude of its business.It is BV'd ilrnt thero is a rnnn on the Canada side, not for from Presents, who has enlisted in the United states service and received seven local bounties ol $300 rach. If he should “go in” a few more times bo could start a national bank.A tat bog was recently buried olive under tbo snow forty .three day*, in O.kaioo-*» county, Iowa, which finally wvs found iwyc, though reduced from it? obese condition to almoil a shadow. It lived upon it* own fat.atIt.Washington IfTing relate, that Abdnl-«b, the father of Mahomet, the prophet. WA. ro beautiful, that no less Uian two hundred Arab mvideov died of a broken Mart the * *.. ..-W l,c wai married to Amina. Hon furtonnte tor tho young la-die* that we have do such beauties at tbe present day 1
Newspaper Details
Milwaukee News
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US
Wed, Mar 16, 1864
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Musser P.
IA, USA 19 Dec 2016
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