The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-08-12
BRIGHAM YONG.
An Interview With tho Mormon Prophet.
[Salt Lake City correspondence Cincinnati CONNER.
call

An Interview With tho Mormon Prophet.
fsalt Lake City correspondence Cincinnati CONNER.
Calling on prominent tradesman in this place
(himself q leading Mormon and a Utah pioneer our
party OF four inquired as to the feasibility OF obtain
Ing brief interview with Brigham Young. We
were told that the modern Solomon I'm domestic
multiplicties II not in wsdOm) granted few audi
curiosity besides which he was fresh from the grave
OF one OF his most trusted mnsters-Heber Kim.
DaIl.-and must be presumed 10 be INDUCING In tha
grer that arises so much from the suggestion, how
soon may paralysis pin me-" as from the sense o.
pain and vacancy that follows bereavement. it SC
to lay before the arch-chief of the Mormons which
had ,he color If not the substance, OF business; and
sO uiasr private parley between the gentleman We
applied to and Brigham, we were informed that the
alter would see US at ten A. NJ, II he could spare
the tme, II not, then at some later hour
Az ten minutes before the musical town clock
struck ten, we were on the way from the hotel,
waiking along the stream and shade tree bordered
NV avenues under SKY exqulsltely blue, and famed
ny an atmosphere that seemed just to have been UNI
wrapped from the original package. Brigham
foung's famous Presidential mansions or harems,
OF square, about ten feet from the pavement and
are surrounded by beautifully embellshed grounds
high wall OF bouders The Lion House and the
Beehive House stand side by side, and look like am
bilious country villas three stories high, adorned by
wilderness OF gables. carved lion surmounts
the portal OF one, and beehive that OF the other
In front and along the entire square the pavement is
marsined with row OF vividy green locust trees
half grown. TO the left of the mansion large
branch OF the network of small streams that line the
streets and irrigate the gardens of the CITY, tumbes
out into the street In rocky channel eXcavated
der the wall OF boulders and neatly arched over.
on the opposite side of the way the square is occu
pied by the smaller but still beautiful, residences OF
leading fleece Mormons each house peering through
an exterior OF juicy trees and shrubbery Brigham's
houses are painted In light and cheerful colOrs. and
nave The aspect OF being most sedulousiy "kept up"
Their privacy is rendered absolute by meagreness OF
windows prousion of shade trees, opacity OF blinds
ana curtains, thickness and height OF the exterior
wall and bristng strength of the entrance gates
Ot the extensive grounds adjacent we were per-
mitted TO catch no glimpse on account doubtless,
OF the extreme argeness Of the Prophets family
ana their custom OF promenading there after par
taking OF the grand breakfast, which is the one
democratic meal to which the whole household
assemble en- ndSse.
Passing through the iron gate of the Beehive
troduce us to the modern Seer Of Zion We were
conducted into Brlgham's office a large apart
ment handsomely furnished, and found our
selves shaking hands with strongly built man
OF slxty-eight, who seems ten years younger.
His manner was grayely cordial, and he mo-
toned us to chairs with the routine air Of one
whose station demands that he take daily
"public BATH OF visitors of all degrees. We were
but fairly seated when two other callers were an
nounced-a Mr. -, OF Illinois, and his daughter,
a slender young lady of twenty or thereabout She
rushed at Brigham with palptating stride, seized
elfusion, "Ah, President Young am dee-IiOht-ed 10
make your acquaintance"
Brigham bowed with formal gallantry, but with q
certain something lurking In his composure that
seemed to say, "Don't overdo It, my dear young
4
auditors, now numbering six, took seats in q semi
circle While the Prophet deposited himself with due
delberation In cushioned armchair. Emptyng
his face and attitude Of all but the sobereSt express
sion he entered Into general conversation with the
father OF the young lady, whose name suggested the
invention OF the telegraph. Upon that topic the dis
course for few moments, then glided to Robert
Fulton, his rebulf5 reverses and final triumph. The
young lady's father thought the progress OF the
nineteenth century was something almost startling;
and the young lady, IN bolt upright, prunes and
prism pose looked as II she were debating whether
nr tlu hn In I'm To
dent Young, am deettght-ed to drop your acquant-
ance."
While the conversation ran on empty generallties
q few moments were afforded to take glance around
the apartment which serves the double purpose Of
private onice ana audience room on one side OF the
wall near the ceiling row OF bust portraits In OIL
presenting Brigham, his counsellors and apostles
in all the proprety OF neatly dressed hair command
Ing or at least striking facial EXPRESSION IN al the
penitude OF fine linen aud full dress broadcloth.
Brghams picture would seem to make him out a
vigorous handsome OF forty, and Justly bestow
on him a presence TO impress feminine admirer no
less than its own sex. The array OF pictures has just
the same shade OF gloss and like pecuarties of color
and treatment, so they are probably the work
OF the same hand. Maps OF Salt Lake City, Utan,
and that part Of the United States west of the one
hundIedth degree OF longitude, hang elsewhere Oh
the walls. The room contains several large desks
made of expensive woods, highly vanished. and two
piled high with books and documents. The floor Is
richly carpeted the chairs large ana luxurious.
disposed In various spots next the wall.
Now for a glance NJ Brigham himself as he sits
gravely upright In his chair, with his large broad
feet making decent right angle on the soft carpet
He is clad In a suit OF greenish cassimcre-coat vest
and pantaloons all OF the same piece ell made ,omy
and comfortable, with no pretensons whatever to
stylish build The vest is cut to reveal broad
eXpanse OF white linen shirt ana turn down collar
The only jewery visible is heavy but tasteful watch
chain, leading from vest buttonhoe to the left
vest pocket. crisply clean par colored silk
pocket handkerchief Is tied around his neck ana
fastened IN comely knot as II freshly adusted there
by the last bride. Theoccason OF this addition
to his ordinary cosme Is trining disorder of the
Of ser Ka aG 6 rsn t i5
grave. If you chance TO get near enough you will
occasionally notice that he wheezes "a little after
His hair Is still thick and retains much Of ts orr
gnal golden color IL Is neatly combcd back and
IT'S tendency to turn In under the ends encourage
little The blonde face is good looking one In
whole and In detail, but far from easy to consrue
The forehead Is broad, moderately high and well
marked In the perspective region over tho brows
the eyes are Keen In their glance though light IN
hue and not naturally lustrous; the nose is good,
strong, straight sort Of nose, and has been hand
some aquilne, with sensual nostrlls. The mouth
can hardly retain much Of Its original form anu ex
preston. Authority has rcmoulued and compressed
1t until 1t Is more like seam than mouth. When
he speaks the words seemed to be calmly weighed
by the brain, clipped by the teeth, and finally
squeezed through the left half OF the almost
locked.up lips. The jaw is the one undis-
guisedly animal portion OF the face. IL Is
heavy, purpllsh In Its funess OF blood, and
nclines 10 take on the double chin. The throat
Is thick, the chest deep, the shoulders broad the
arms rather short the legs yeomanike in stoutness,
large man nearly six feet in height, who has passed
his prime and commenced to descend a little. The
predominant expression Of his face Is broad sort OF
shrewdness. a profound knowledge OF human ua-
ture combined with quick solid ntuons and q
rare capacity-a capacity OF integently despatch
ing important work with rapidly ana no hustle have
placed Brigham Young where he Is, and made his
little empire In the desert one OF the wonders Of the
world. For man OF sixty-eight he Is well preserved.
Hardly gray hair Ii perceptible IN his head. But
when he walks across the door there IS suggestion
Of old age, with its coming 1abbiness and want Of
supple sinews. His step lacks elasticity aud he
complexion the freshness OF vgor aud ripe robust-
tude. The Prophet 10 going down hill.
He Is no longer young, nor midde-agcd. Though
he has taken two new wives within the last six
months he has not Increased the number OF MS OF
spring for three years and better HeOer kimbal,
who died at the age OF sxtyeight, leaves platoon
OF infants en- sehe on, all the way from three months
old upward,, but Iirgham's youngest Is an urchin
already In rantalO0ns and wise enough 70 Know us
own uiotntr WHOA FOR Mormon baby, argues no
small eudOwnleu, 4 Drecocious reasoning powers.
Three gears aso rr,ham married Amelia" the.
..ata 4pI rail or