# Wife No. 19/Chapter 31
### CHAPTER XXXI.
#### THE WIVES OF THE PROPHET. — BROTHER BRIGHAM'S DOMESTIC TROUBLES.

* The Wives of the Prophet.
* Lucy Decker.
* A Mysterious Disappearance.
* Lucy's Boys.
* Brigham's Wife Clara.
* Her Busy Household Work.
* About the Girls.
* Harriet Cook.
* She Expresses Unpleasant Opinions.
* Brigham is frightened of Her.
* He Keeps out of the Way.
* Amelia and the Sweetmeats.
* How one of Brigham's Daughters scandalized the Saints.
* How Mrs. Twiss Manages the Prophet's House.
* The Work a Woman can Do.
* Martha Bowker and her silent Work.
* Sweet and saintly doings of the Prophet.
* Concerning Harriet Barney.
* The Wife who "Served Seven Years" for a Husband.
* Another English Wife of the Prophet.
* The "Young Widow of Nauvoo."
Emmeline Serving Brigham and Amelia.UCY DECKER was the wife of Isaac Seeley, and had two children before she became a convert to Mormonism, and removed to Nauvoo. The husband had been esteemed a fine young man, and to all appearances they were living quite harmoniously, when Brigham saw her, and fell in love with her. He soon persuaded her that Seeley could never give her an "exaltation" in the eternal world; but that, if she would permit him, he would secure her salvation, and make her a queen in the ​Page:Wife No 19.djvu/503 ​only obliged to cook for them, but to wait upon them at the table, in the capacity of a servant, and Amelia never recognized her in any other way, never speaking to her as an equal, but ordering her about at her caprice, and the husband allowed it. But then it is no uncommon thing in Utah for a man to marry a woman for a servant; it is more economical than to hire them. It saves the wages.
When Lucy Decker's sons, Brigham's children, grew up, they accepted mercantile situations, as he expects all to work, which is certainly all right; but they were not allowed to stay with their mother without paying him the same amount for board that they would have to pay elsewhere. A married daughter is also allowed to remain with her mother under the same conditions.
She is a short, fleshy woman, with a pleasant, smallfeatured face, dark eyes and hair, and as practical and matter-of-fact in manner as you please.
She has seven children — Brigham-Heber, Fanny, Ernest, Arthur, Mira, Feramorz, and Clara. Fanny is the plural wife of George Thatcher, who also numbers her half sister, Luna, among his wives. Heber and Ernest are both married, but have, as yet, but one wife each. They do not seem in a hurry to add to their kingdom.
Clara Decker is the younger sister of Lucy, and was "sealed" to Brigham at the same time. She is a very intelligent, prepossessing woman, and for some time was quite a favorite with her husband. Like her sister, she is short and stout; but she has a very sweet, benevolent face, which truly mirrors her character. She is an indefatigable, but a quiet work​Page:Wife No 19.djvu/505 ​Page:Wife No 19.djvu/506 ​Page:Wife No 19.djvu/507 ​lized the Saints, and aroused the ire of her father, by going quietly off with her lover to the Episcopal clergyman to be married. According to Gentile laws she is legally married, but according to Mormon laws she is not securely tied. Still, she seems satisfied. Susie is married to Almy Dunford, and is also an only wife.
One of the most important wives, although by no means the recipient of any of her husband's attentions, is the housekeeper at the "Lion House," Mrs. Twiss. She was a young widow living in Nauvoo when Brigham discovered Bee-hive House. — Brigham Young's Residence. her, and recognizing her useful qualities, had her sealed to him as soon as he could arrange for it. She is not very attractive in personal appearance, having a round face, light blue eyes, low forehead, and sandy hair, which is inclined to curl. In figure she is short and stout. But she is an energetic worker, and as a servant Brigham values her.
She never complains of her position, but she is no better content with it than any other neglected wife in polygamy. She is kind to the other wives, and has an amiable, quiet ​Page:Wife No 19.djvu/509 ​Page:Wife No 19.djvu/510 ​though Harriet's children were good and amiable, they, as well as their mother, were rendered very unhappy. She supports herself and family now by sewing; but is happier in this than in living in dependence, and receiving favors which are grudgingly bestowed. Her husband is by no means a frequent visitor at her cottage, but she never reproaches him with neglect.
She has had one child since her marriage to the Prophet, — a son, whose name is Howe.
Eliza Burgess, the wife who is said to have "served seven years" for her husband, is an English woman, a native of Manchester, and came to Nauvoo with her parents among the very earliest of the Mormon emigrants. They had not been long in this country before her parents died, and she was left alone. Mrs. Angell Young took her into the family as a servant, and she came to the Valley with her. She was very attentive and faithful to the Prophet, whom she regarded with the greatest veneration; and when ​Page:Wife No 19.djvu/512 ​Page:Wife No 19.djvu/513 ​Page:Wife No 19.djvu/514