Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1870-05-06
Cores spondence OF the Cincinnati Gazette
BRIGHAM YOUNG ANDH HIS WIVES.
List of the 7srs. YOung..WhO They
We're und How They LOOk.-HOw
thc women Lives Description OF
the Household, Etc.

the Household, Etc.
PLAINS, April l3, 1870.
promised in former letter that |
would give you some account of Brigham
Young's wives, and | shall now proceed to
Jenkinize myself as best can. 1t is no
small matter to get a correct account Of
Brighan's household. AS well might one
attempt to get into the harem of the Sultan
of Turkey as to 90 behind the sealed doors
of the Lion House." Mrs. Waite inter-
viewed several of Brigham's wives, and
wrote descriptions of them; Mrs. Ware al
SO was in the harem. Still believe that the
description given below will be found to be
more complete than any yet made public.
1t is to be regretted that no account can be
given of Mrs. Young Nos. "a, 25, 26. 27
and %, but with this small defect the list is
complete.
The first lady who claims our attention is
Brgham's eldest wife, Ann Angel Young.
She was born in New York, and is now tif-
ty years old. She has five children, Jo-
seph, Brigham, John, Alice and Laura.
She is fond of her children, and they all
live with her. In personal appearance she
eyes, and a mild benevolent face. Deep
melancholy sits upon her countenancs and
an air of sorrow constantly surrounds her.
and she undoubtedly is thorough good
woman. !
2. Lucy Decker Seeley, was the first
wife in plurality, a"d his love of whom, it
is said, caused Brigham to receive the reve-
la'ion Of polvgamy.
Lucy Decker married Isaac Seely, and
went with her husband ard two children to
live with the Mormons at Nauvoo. Seely
was disappointed, but treated his wife well.
She, however, saw Brigham, and they mu-
tually fell in love. Brigham told her he
could give her an "exaltalion' in the e,er-
ma! world, and make her queen in the
first resurrection, so Seely was sent off, and
Lucy was sealed to Young and came to
live with him. She has eight children by
Brigham, and is still one of his f;,vorite
wives. She is short and fat, with brown
hair, dark eyes, small features, fair skin,
and small hands and feet She lives in the
"Bee Hive" House, and keeps sort Of
boarding house for the work hands Brigham
employs in his gardens and about the build.
ings.
3. Clara Dccker-Is sister of Lucy's,
and is also a favorite wife of the Prophet.
She is agreeable, intelligent, and good
looking, but, rather thick SET In every
way she is superior to Lucy, and is very
much attached to her twenty ninth part Of
Brigham. She has three children.
4. Harriet Cook-ls tall, has light hair,
blue eyes and a fair complexion, but a very
sharp nose. When all goes well she is
pleasant, but they say at times this slender
woman fires up and goes for Brother Brig,
ham in a way that makes his hair stand on
end. When angry she will denounce the
Prophet to his face, and curse the whole
Mormon tribe. Brigham beats a retreat
when he sees storm coming, and all the
other women get out of the way. She has
one child by Brigham, a son, who is said
10 be the worst boy in Utah.
8. Lucy Bigelow-Is of middle stature.
blue eyes, brown hair, acquilns nose and
pretty mouth. She is still young and very
Handsome, IN the ball room she looks