Writing about Overton, an early historian gives details of the happiness
that comes to an individual who relies wholly upon the produce of his
land and who lives apart from what is called civilization and its evils.
He tells of the sense of comfort, security and satisfaction felt by the
brethren who own the land whereon their homes are set and are not afraid
of a little expense of bone and muscle to sustain themselves comfortably.
They dress as well or better than those in more favored circumstances,
set a plentiful table and enjoy such peace and quiet that seldom falls to
the lot of people in these troublous times. No profaning is heard; the
smoking, chewing and drinking habits are strangers to the "hope of
Israel" here; no racing of horses at breakneck speed through the streets
is endured in our peaceful little town; in fact the only complaint is,
and not without just cause, that it is rather too quiet.
Along this same line, Dellenbaugh wrote of the southern Utah settlements:
"As pioneers the Mormons were superior to any class I have ever come in
contact with, their idea being homemaking and not skimming the cream off
the country with a six-shooter and a whiskey bottle. One of the first
things the Mormon always did in establishing a new settlement was to
plant fruit, shade trees and vines and the like, so that in a very few
years there was a condition of comfort only attained by a non-Mormon
settlement after the lapse of a quarter of a century. Dancing is a
regular amusement among the Mormons and is encouraged by the authorities
as a harmless and beneficial recreation. The dances were always opened by
prayer."
In the journal of Major J.W. Powell, under date of August 30, 1869, there
is special mention of the hospitable character of the Mormons of the
Virgin River section. They had been advised by Brigham Young to look out
for the Powell expedition and Asa (Joseph Asay) and his sons continued to
watch the river, though a false report had come that the Powell
expedition was lost. They were looking for wreckage that might give some
indication of the fate of the explorers when Powell's boats appeared.
Powell was very appreciative of Asaqy's kindness and wrote
enthusiastically of the coming, next day from St. Thomas, of James
Leithead, with a wagonload of supplies that included melons.