Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1853-01-01
The MOrmOnS-- Their Pelygamy--The Salt q
Lake Valley,

Whether the Mormons do or do not allow polyg-
amy has been a mooted question. The following
letter from a Wisconsin overland traveller the
Milwaukee -Aews says is addressed to the mother
OF the writer and has been furnished for publica.
ton to that paper:-
Salt LAKE Cry, July 26, 1859!
arrived here before grand jubilee of the
Mormons. They were celebrating the anniversa-
ry of the arrival of the pioneers. who first plant
ed their colony, and, believe, first discovered
the valley. The procession was magnificent. q l
will give it to you as | saw it =
Marshall of the day preceding, followed by flags,
band, and large painting, exhibiting the pioneers
OF 1913, crossing the upper ferry of Platte river
Pioneers then followed--pen and scribe; (every
sermon is taken down in short hand, and inscribed
IN the big book J men with the different imple-
ments and profession in the world forty old men
and flag forty old women, representing Moth
ers in Israel, their flag being Inscribed with
Our children our Hope twenty four young
men, with their banner motto, "U uion and Lber-
ty - twentyfour young ladies, Daughters of
Zion J twentyfour boys; twenty -four girls band,
soldiers, and eighteen bishops, bringing up the
rear. l am quite confident there were seven thou
sand present; and, taken altogether, it was d
sight well worth seeing out amidst these hills In
the evenings several parties prevailed all the
city
gave Us quite sensible sermon, Brigham Young
is the prophet, seer. rerelator, and head of the
church. lie is assisted by two councillors, twelve
apostles, and eighteen bishops. The prophet and
/ (under Wing rule, the Governor was present
with some of his wives who came and went in u
large open carriage He has living with him in
the city, in one house, sixteen wives and thirty
children. Each wife, with her progeny, lives in d
separte furnished apartment, and spins, sews. &C.,
DC. All this is true. l went over the premises
with view to entertain you for an hour, and
believe saw pretty much everything.
The person l board with has two wives Dr..
Richards councillor, has six, and all Of them
good looking healthy women. Thus, you see,
polygamy is openly allowed and supported by
these Mormons. man, having right to as ma
ny wives as he find and support, takes a fancy,
goes to justice and swearS he Is able to support
her, and the marriage comes off with due ccreme-
mony-and SO it goes on, as he grows richer, with
out limit.
| Mormon moving into the valley gives one
tenth of his productive industry yearly, whatever
! it may be.
The city contains population of six thousand
souls and in the whole valley there ere probably
fifteen thousand, which will be largely increased
this season.
| There are warm and hot springs here, the last
at boiling heat Salt is manufactured from the
lake water, which yields one bowl of salt from
three OF water. There are also mines of coal and
iron. Lumber is scarce, $50 per thousand. The
city is watered by more than one hundred streams,
brought from the neighboring mountains, of the
pureSt water.
! This country is certainly as beautiful and fer
tile as any ever saw. They raise all we do in
Wisconsin, and in far greater proportion. Vege-
tables peculiarly excellent, and, after the hard
bread and bacon of the plains, taste very well, |
assure you.
The Mormons find quite kind and oblging.-
Brigham Young is fine looking man. resembling
little Judge H. His wives are mostly pretty;
and the little legitimates, whom the people here
call young prophets, are all good looking and well
! dressed.