The Kanzas news., 1857-08-15
Brigham young and his Harem.
By JOHs HrDr.Jurs LArE RESIDENT SALT LAKE cIri


We remark the pointed gable and little
peaked garrets on the Lion House" and
pass on. We walk by three little neat Off
ces, and then stand in front of Brigham
Young's mansion. This is handsome two
story edifee, built of adobe. nicely plastered
and dazzlinglY white. It is balconied from
foundation to roof. On the top is an obser-
vatory, whence Brigham can overlook the
dreary city and dull valley, and sometimes
take peep at the stars, whose bright eyes
seem to dance with mirth as they quiz Salt
Lake and its doings The whole is surmout-
ed by an imitation beehive, which is intend
ed as the symbol of Utah.
We open the gate, walk up the steps,
when the door opens, and face to face, on
his own door-sil, we confront the famous
,yrophef, Brisbs.aa Yeusgs 49,
In person he is above the medium height
and a little inclined to corpulency. He is
dressed in black cloth, and although the air
is very warm he is well wrapped up in an
overcoat His habits of life make him very
sensitive to the slightest change IN the at
mosphere. He has suffered good deal in
his younger days, and with this. the cares
of his fanily-for his children are very re-
fractort-begin TO weigh heavily upon him.
His constant struggles and difficulties with
the United States officers not only try his
patience, but also wear his body. His con-
suming anxiety about the object of his am
bition-the establishment of an independ-
ent kingdom-and his efforts to maintain
the people in constant submission, are suffi
Gent to leave their mark on any mans phys
igue. He is now ffty-six years old and,
although young looking in features, still
evinces age in his person. His face is in
dicative of penetration and frmness. Some
ladies think him very handsome; but his
lower lip, if nothing else, eminently be-
trays the sensual voluptuary. To stran-
gers he is very courteous, but easily offend
ed by any sighting allusion to the people
or polygamy.
Good evening, Mr.. Young. Will you
permit us to inspect your mansion?''
Certainly, gentlemen; and as I have a
spare hour I will chaperon you myself
Blessing our stars for our good fortune,
we follow our host into his drawing room.
There sits good-natured lady, ''fat, fair"
and fifty. She is Brigham's senior wife,
and is called Lady Young. There sits
another person who smiles very sweetly at
Brigham on his entrance. She is very good
looking, tall and majestic in figure, oval fea-
lures, soft blue eyes, light brown hair, and
wearing an air of subdued intelligence
She is Brigham's favorite wife; that is, he
shows her the most attention. Emeline is
Brigham,s s third wife. He was married to
her, believe, at Council Bluffs, Iowa, and
she has borne him six children, most of
them being now dead. Brigham liked En-
cline so well that he thought he would like
another from the same parent tree, and
therefore married her sister
There sits another lady, merrily singing
to a fat boy baby. She is dark haired
and black eyed houri. She is the last wife
of Brighan,-and ''thereby hangs tale. :"
Eliza saw and loved Brigham Young. She
was but a child, almost unknown, and her
affection seemed hopeless. But she had
read In the Old Testament that Jacob served
seven years to get a wife; she thought it a
veI-y good thing, too, that he did so, and
conceived the glorious thought that perhaps
what Jacob did to get wife she might do
to get husband. She went to Lady Young
and made the proposition. Brigham was
consulted in this rather novel way of get
ting a wife, and as Eliza was very good
looking, and her services very desirable, of
course he had no objection. She served
her time, demanded her wages, and obtained
her undivided moiety," of Brother Brig
ham, 1t was an attachment on her part
worthy better object. Brigham calls the
baby: my English boy" as its mother
happens to be the only English wife he has
retained.
There sits another lady She is worthy
to be locked at. About forty years of age,
with square brow, thin, straight nose, ema-
ciated and compressed lips, cold, freezing
gray eyes, high eheek-bones, and angular
Jaws is lions poetess.' Eliza r. Snow
is woman of decided ability. She is the
representative of another class of Brigham's
household. She was among the first extra
ladies of Joseph Smith. The Mofmons
contend that mans future glory depends
entirely on his children; the more children
consequently, the more glory; no children,
no glory; hence, therefore, the more women
the more glorious; no woman, not glorious
at all S! All the children woman may
have after she has been ..sealed'' to man,
belong to that man, irrespective of any 9TH
er claims he may possess TO paternity She
may have had them by previous husband
who died or was divorced; she may have
had them by a subsequent husband, TO
whom she was married after the demise of
the man to whom she was sealed: or she
may have had them by duly appointed
proxy, during any temporary absence of
fer sealed husband: whatever the time, or
whoever the person, her children belong to
the family of her sealed lord and master.
Hence, after Smith died, so that he might
not sacrifice any glory by his unfortunate
decease. Brigham took his widowsl Eliza
R. Snow is one of these happy ladies'
These blessed beings, who have consum-
mated the lend and object of their exist
euee J" cease to be wives, and become =
".Mothers in Israel" Their duties are
very various, and peculiarly Mormon; being