Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1866-07-06
How Brigham Youngs Wives
end Live.


The new work on the Mormons gives
the following:
The internal arrangement of affairs
at the Harem is very similar to that of
young ladies' boarding school. Each wo-
man having her own room, her affairs are
centered there. The culinary department
is under the control Of such of the wives
as Brigham from time to time appoints.
She is the stewardess, and carries the keys.
A cook is employe generally man
and several servants besides, who are all
under the control of the stewardess.
When the meals are prepared and
ready the bell rings, and each woman,
with her children, if she have any, files
down to the dinner table, and is seated as
before stated
" Each, on rising, has her children to
attend to, and get ready for breakfast ;
this over, she commences the business OF
the day, araanges her rooms, and sits
down to her sewing or other work as the
case may be.
9 A sewing machine is brought into
requisition, and one of the number APP
pointed to use it. For the benefit OF
those who want sewing machine, 1t may
be well to state how this ore was procur-
ed. One day man from ST. Louis came
to offer one for sale, stating that his price
was ninety dollars. Brigham bought it,
promising to pay the man whenever he
should call. The man being poor. called
in few days. He did not get his pay.
lie called again number of times, with
the same result. One of the wives be-
came quite indignant, and said F" If l was
in his place / would never 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 means. left
the territory. This is the manner in which
the Prophet becomes possessed of much
of 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 manufactured in their
establishment every year. All work here
and take but very little out-of-door exer-
else. Parties and the theatre are the fa-
vorite amusements. AT the theatre. Brig
ham and one or two of the favored wives
sit together in the Kings box" but the
remainder of the women and children sit
in what is called " Brigham's corral. y
This is the parquette, about the centre of
the area. The Prophet goes down once
or twice during the evening to the corral,
and chats for a few moments with one and
another, but in short time he can be
seen beside his dear Amelia" again.
.' AT the Mormon parties much gayety
prevails. Appearances are maintained,
somewhat, by paying more respectful def
erence 10 the first wives on such occasions.
Gentiles with whom the saints are on good
terms, are well received and kindly en-
tertained at these parties, and all join in
giving themselves up to the influences OF
mirth and festivity. Dancing is not only
a favorite amusement, il is more it Is
cultivated to such an extent that it becomes
a passion.
:. Brigham's women, though better
clothed than formerly, still work very
hard. They are infatuated with their re-
ligion, and devoted 10 their husband. If
they cannot obtain his love, they content
themselves with his kindness, and endeav-
or to think themselves happy. As reli-
gion is their only solace, they try to make
il their only object. If it does not elevate
their minds, it deadens their SUSCEPTIBLE
ties, and as they are not permitted to be
women, they try to convince themselves
that it is Gods will they should be slaves.
"a music master, dancing master,
and a teacher of the ordinary branches Of
an English education, are employed in the
family school. Also teacher OF French.
His children have much better advantages
than any other in the territory. Dancing
and music are the leading accomplish
menis, and everything else is made sub
ordinate to these"