AND PACIFIC

COAST GUIDE. 125

has several establishments that would do | company was organized, and incorporated

credit to any city in the Union, one of| with man

which is

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ZION
CO-OPERATIVE
MERCANTILE

INSTITUTION.

The above cut represents the Mormon
“ Co-operative Sign ’—called by the Gen-
tiles the “ Bull’s Eye.” At the Mormon
Conference, in the fall of 1868, all good
Mormon merchants, manufacturers and
dealers who desired the patronage of the
Mormon people, were directed to place
this sign upon their buildings in a conspic-
uous place, that it might Indicate to the
people that they were sound in the faith.

The Mormon people were also directed
and warned not to purchase goods or in
any manner deal with those who refused
or did not have the sign. The object
seemed to be only to deal with their own
people, to the exclusion of all others.

The result of these measures on the part
of the church was to force many who
were Gentiles or apostate Mormons to
sacrifice their goods, and leave the Terri-
ey. for want of patronage. However, the
order was not very strictly enforced—or
complied with; yet many of these signs
are to be seen in Salt Lake City and other
parts of the Territory on buildings occupied
by the faithful.

To more effectually carry out the plan
of co-operation, one great company was to
be formed to purchase goods in large
quantities and establish branches through-
out all the Mormon settlements. Such a

high Mormon dignitaries as
either stockholders or officers, and it is now
known as “ Zion’s Co-operative Mercantile
Institution’—with headquarters in Salt
Lake =e

The “Z. C. M. I,” undoubtedly have the
finest and largest building in the city. It
is of brick, 318 feet long, 53 feet in width,
three stories and cellar, and finished
throughout in the best manner. It also
has an addition 25 by 195 feet, and used
for a warehouse; cost, $175,000, built of
iron, stone and glass, but the business
owned and conducted by the Walker Bros.
is the largest in Utah, requiring five differ-
ent departments, each occupying a large
building.

Think of it, “O ye people!” thirty years
ago this whole country 1,000 miles in any
direction, was uninhabited and almost un-
known to the white race. The annual sales
of these two establishments exceed $5,000,-
000, and with their goods, gathered here
from all parts of the world, stand forth as
monuments of American enterprise, IN AN
AMERICAN DESERT.

The late President Brigham ‘Young’s
residence (see illustration, page 131, also
of “Eagle Gate,’ page 133), tithing
house, printing office and business offi-
ces connected with the church occupy
an entire block, on the bench of land over-
looking the city, which is one of the first
objects of interest visited by the traveler on
arriving in Salt Lake City.

The traveler who visited this city some
years ago—before the discovery of the
rich silyer mines—would be surprised by
a visit now, at the remarkable changes
noticeable on every hand; all is life and
energy; everybody seems to have a pocket-
ful of certificates of mining property, and
you hear of extensive preparations making
on every side with a. view to a vigorous
prosecution of various mining enterprises.

The public buildings are not very numer-
ous. They consist of a court-house, city
hall, city prison, theatre, and

THE TABERNACLE—an immense build-
ing—the first object one beholds on enter-
ing the city. The building is oblong in
shape, having a length of 250 feet from
east to west, by 150 feet in width. The
roof is supported by 46 columns of cut
sandstone, which, with the spaces between,
used for doors, windows, etc., constitute the
wall. From these pillars or walls, the
roof springs in one unbroken arch, form-