The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1869-04-10
A CALL ON BRIGHAM YOUNG.

AS almost any information relating to
the people who have made the very wilder
ness "bloom and blossom as the rose" is
of general interest, we extract from the
correspondence of the Sacramento Union
an account of a recent visit paid to the
Mormon prophet:
Weare stopping at the Townsend House,
a very good hotel, kept by Mormon Of
that name, who offered to make US nc
j quainted with Brigham Young. Accord.
ingly, We accepted his invitation, and in
the afternoon were conducted into the au-
gust presence Of the Mormon Chief. On
reaching his domains, which were enclosed
by stone wall twelve feet high, wc en-
tered what is known as the TIthing Office,
where a number Of clerks are employed in
keeping the records, and the account Of
tho money paid into the Church by the
disciples of the faith, amounting TO
yearly tax from each and every Mormon
who is able to pay ten per cent. on the
profits Of his labor. After short delay
we were shown into Brigham's sanetHm
sanctorunt, and there brought face to face
with the great Prophet aud High Priest
of tho Mormon religion. President
Young does not look like u man over so
years Of age, and yet am told he is verg.
ing on 10. His eye is the most attractive
feature about him, Of light blue color,
and having peculiarly bright aud lus-
trous appearance. 1t is what the ladies
call talkative eye, and is certainly more
| Lea h. sn1a af
face is full aud ronnd, with forid CON-
plexion, and beams with degree of in.
tclligence when he is interested in a sub
ject which marks him as fine looking
man. | would have supposed him
to have been exceeding fascinating in bis
youth, and it has by no means left him in
his old age. Upon being seated, Gcner.
al Gooding remarked that he had prcvi
ously visited the Territory on the Utah
expedition sent out by Buchanan in the
year 1857. President Young immediate.
ly said to the General, "You did not call
on me Men,' accompanying the remark
with smile, which plainly indicated
that his recollection of the event was no.
very pleasing and that he fully apprecia.
ted the change Of circumstances since
that time. The General then remarked
that he did not know that his visit at
that particular time would have proved
agreeable; to which Brigham replied by
saying he bad high regard for some Of
the officers in that army, Albert Sidney
johnson among the number, for whose
bravery be entertained the highest re.
spcct, although be afterwards became
what we call rebel. Tho conversation
then turned upon tho Mormon physique,
prompted by the remark from me that !
had always felt a great desire to SEQ the
President. He laughingly said that he
presumed had not fonnd very wonder
ful curiosity, 10 which replied that bad
ut least had the satisfaction Of seeing {
very hale aud hearty looking gentleman
He said that was not very uncommon
, thing among his brethren, and when
suggested the name Of the delegate from
Utah-Hoopcr-he remarked in substance
that his physical appearance was the mt
ural result of his temperament, which
was inclined TO the hypochondriacal, and
that he allowed himself to be more or les,
worried with his cares aud responsibilities
The dialogue was changed TO the subjec
) Of Colfax's tour t'Across the Continent,
! and asked him il he were pleased wiit
! visit which was made him By the mem
bers of the Colfaz party, including th'
name of Bowles' among the number. The
bare name, however, excited the old gen
tleman's warmcst indignation, aud ke sb
ruptly dismissed the subject by remarkins
that he had no use for such a man, al
ludipg at the same time TO his recen
: Incarceration in terms which showed tha
he did not 10 the least regret ais tempo
rary imprisonment, and, if he could hav'
had his way, would probably have pro
longed il 70 IN indefinite period. II,
} had doubtless read Bowles' book, and i
, had soured him somewhat The Pacif,
Railroad was then alluded TO in genera
terms, bds just at that time little girl
or years of age came running in 10 tel
her papa that dinner was ready, and WI
accordingly took our leave of the Presi
: dent and several of the dignitaries Il
: whom VIC had been introduced on GU
: first entrance. The interview was con
Quoted throughout in an affablc ant
pheasant manner.