The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1866-09-15
How Brigham Young's wives Live.

From Mrs. Waite's very interesting
work on the Mormons we take the follow
ing description of the manner in which
the Prophets wives spend their time;
The internal arrangement of affairs at
the Harem is very similar to that Of u
young ladies' boarding school. Each
woman having her own room, her affairs
are all centered there. The culinary dc.
partment il under the control Of such Of
the wives as Brigham from time to time
appoints She il the s.cwardcss and car
rics the keys. \ cook is mployed-gcn-
orally n man--and several servants be-
sides, who are all under the control Uf the
stewardess. When the meals are pre-
pared and ready, and the bell rings, each
woman, with her children, if she has
any. file. down to the dinner table Each,
on rising, has her children % attend TO and
get ready for breakfast; this over, she
commences the business Of the day, ar
ranges her rooms, and sits down to her
sewing or other work, as the case may be.
A sewing machine is brought into requi-
sition, aud one of the number appointed
to use it. For the benefit of those who
want sewing machine, it may be well TO
state how this one was procured. One
day man from st. Louis came to offer
one for sale, stating that his price was
$50. Brigham bought it, promising to
pay the man whenever he called. The
man, being poor, called in few days, but
did not get his pay. lie called again, a
number of times, with the same result.
One of the wives became quito indignant,
and said: "If was in his place | never
would ask it from one SO high in the
priesthood. He had better give it to him
than to ask pay of him" The poor man
never received his money, and as soon as
he could get the means left the Terrific
ry. This is the manner in which the
Prophet became possessed of much oi
his property. Most of the women spin
and make their everyday clothing, doing
their own coloring. They are quite
proud of the quantity of cloth manutac.
tured in their establishment every year
All work hard, and take very little out
door exercise. Parties and the theatre
are the favorite. amusements. At the
theatre Brigham and one or two of the
favorite wives sit together in the "King's
Box" but the remainder of the women
and the children sit in what is called
"Brigham's Corral" This is in the par
uuette, about the center of the area. The
Prophet goes down once or twice during
the evening to the corral and chats for F.;
few moments with one and another, bu
in short time he can be seen beside hi
"dear Amelia" again. At the Mormon
parties much gayety prevails. Appear
anees are maintained somewhat by pay
ing more respected Difference to the frs
wives on such occasions. Gentiles, will
whom the saints are on good terms, are a
these parties, and all join in giving them
selves up to the influences OF mirth ant
festivity. Dancing is not only favorit
amusement, it is more; it is cultivated
to such an extent that it becomes a pas
sion. Brigham's women, though bette
clothed than formerly, still work yer,
hard. They are infatuated with their re
!, ligion, and devoted to their husband. |
t they cannot obtain his love, they conten
themselves with his kindness, and endeav
or to think themselves happy. AS relig
2 ion is their only solace, they try to max
t it their only object. If it does not ele
, vate their minds, it deadens their suscer
, tibilities, and as they are not permitte
: to be women, they try to convince them
: selves that in Gods will they should b
r slaves. A music-master, dancing mas
: ter and q teacher of the ordinary branche
= of an English education, are employed i
= the family school Also teacher c
t French. His children have much bette
e advantages than any others in the Terr
b tory. Dancing and music are the leac
n ing accomplishments, and everything els
is made subservient to these. '.s