So rapidly did he gain the esteem of his new companions, that when they reached

the end of their wanderings, it was unanimously agreed that he should be

provided with as large and as fertile a tract of land as any of the settlers,

with the exception of Young himself, and of Stangerson, Kemball, Johnston, and

Drebber, who were the four principal Elders.

 

On the farm thus acquired John Ferrier built himself a substantial log-house,

which received so many additions in succeeding years that it grew into a roomy

villa. He was a man of a practical turn of mind, keen in his dealings and

skilful with his hands. His iron constitution enabled him to work morning and

evening at improving and tilling his lands. Hence it came about that his farm

and all that belonged to him prospered exceedingly. In three years he was better

off than his neighbours, in six he was well-to-do, in nine he was rich, and in

twelve there were not half a dozen men in the whole of Salt Lake City who could

compare with him. From the great inland sea to the distant Wahsatch Mountains

there was no name better known than that of John Ferrier.

 

There was one way and only one in which he offended the susceptibilities of his

co-religionists. No argument or persuasion could ever induce him to set up a

female establishment after the manner of his companions. He never gave reasons

for this persistent refusal, but contented himself by resolutely and inflexibly

adhering to his determination. There were some who accused him of lukewarmness

in his adopted religion, and others who put it down to greed of wealth and

reluctance to incur expense. Others, again, spoke of some early love affair, and

of a fair-haired girl who had pined away on the shores of the Atlantic. Whatever