Show 133 report that no doubt had very definite influence on Brigham Young and the Mormons when they were beginning their westward trek in search of a secure home Fremont's reports and as well as other reports available were studied regularly by the Mormon leaders before they left their homes on the Mississippi and Missouri rivers In commenting on the fertile 28 Fremont says: valley I can say of it in general terms that the bottoms of this river Bear and of some of the creeks which I saw form a natural resting and recruiting station for travellers now and in all time to come The bottoms are extensive water excellent timber sufficient the soil good and well adapted to the grains suited to such A military post and a civilized an elevated region settlement would be of great value here and cattle and horses would do well where grass and salt so much abound Cache That such a favorable account had great influence on to settle in the Salt Lake valley is highly probable In his Memoirs written 1887 (many years after his explorations and the successful settlement of the Mormons in Salt Lake valley) Fremont claimed that his accounts the decision of the Mormons factor in favor of the Salt Lake location In this work Fremont cites a letter he wrote to the New York Times in comment concerning an article that had appeared in that paper June 2 1877 According to the article one Eli Perkins had just reported an interview vith Brigham Young in were the deciding which Perkins had asked 28 Fremont concerning the Mormon Migration Report of Exploring Expedition 160 |