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Show The Tanners and the San Bernardino Mission 165 Samuel Brannan immediately fell in love with California and felt this was the place the Latter-day Saints should settle. There was very little farming going on and the Saints could have their choice of limitless acres. The climate was much to be desired over that of the Rocky Mountain valleys, and water could be had in abundance, whereas the Rocky Mountain country was arid. sure Feeling settle, so certain California Brannan decided to the country the Saints should Sierras, make contact with the persuade Brigham Young and the other cross and try to leaders to make California their migrating Saints, was the new home. procured horses and mules and with two traveling companions the mountains which only recently trapped the Donner party causing half of them to perish from cold and hunger. They left Sutter's fort April 26, 1847, and reached Fort Hall, Idaho, early in June. There Brannan learned the whereabouts of the pioneers and hurried on to meet Brigham Young. It did not take him long to find out the Mormon leader had made up his mind to settle the Saints in the Rocky Mountains and nothing could sway him from this He set out over decision. If Brigham feared that they favorable locations in California, large influx of Gentiles would arrive and they would be no better off than they had been went on to more a overwhelm them and in Missouri and illinois. 7 Thoroughly disappointed and somewhat embittered, Brannan returned to California. He had done his best and believed the Saints would yet come to his California paradise after they had a bitter taste of the cold and arid * RockyMountain country. * * * The Mormon Battalion members entered California from the south and had an opportunity to see portions of the country from San Diego to Sacramento. They were impressed with the moderate climate, the abundance of fertile land which could be easily and cheaply acquired, the numerous and varied species of wild' life, and great herds of cattle and horses roaming the country. Knowing the Latter-day Saints were looking for a new home, they were interested in all they could and passed it on to the church leaders. Captain Jefferson Hunt was particularly generous with the information he acquired and doubtless was responsible for much of the "California Fever" which developed in Utah. learning |
