New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-05-08
THE wIvEsor BRIsHAM YouNa.
An Interior Wow Of the White depuscher.
Plains Correspondence Cincinnati Gazettel

l promised in former letter that
would give you some account of Brigham
Young's wives, and l shall now procer d t.
Jenkinize myself as best | can. It is q,
small matter to get correct account 0
Brlgham's household. AS well might on
attempt to get into the harem of the Sui
tan OF Turkey as to 60 behind the sealet
doors of the "Lion House." Mrs. Wait,
interviewed several of Brigham's wives
and wrote descriptions of them; Mrs
Ware also was in the harem. Sill I be
lieve that the description given below vii
be found to be more complete than any
yet made public. 1t is to be regretted tina
no account can be given of Mrs. Young
Nos. "a, 25, %, q and 20, bat with this
small defect the list is complete.
The first lady who claims our attention
is Brigham's eldest wife, Ann Angel
Young. She was born in New York, and
is now about fifty years old. She has five
| children, Joseph, Brigham, John, Alice
and Luna She is fond of her children
and they all live with her. In personal
appearance she is tall, portly, with iron
gray hair, hazel eyes, and mild, benevo.
| lent face. Deep melancholy sits upon her
countenance, and an air OF sorrow con-
stantly surrounds her. She lives in a
house by herself, and she undoubtedly is
a thoroughbred woman.
2. Lucy Decker Seely was the first wife
in plurality. and his love of whom, it is
said, caused Young to receive the revela-
ton OF polygamy.
Lucy Decker married Isaac Seely, and
went with her husband and two children
to live with the Mormons at Nauyoo. See
ly was disappointed, but treated his wife
we'll. She, however. saw Brigham, aud
they mutually fell in love. Brigham told
her be could give her an "exaltation" in
the eternal 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 favorite wives. She is short and fat,
has 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 buildings.
3. Clara Decker-Is a sister Of Lucy's,
and is also 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 Cooks tall, has light hair.
blue eyes, and fair complexion, but a
very sharp nose. When all goes we'll she
is pleasant; but they say at times this
slender woman fires up and goes for
Brother Brigham in way that makes his
hair stand on end. When angry, she will
aenounce the prophet to his face, and cursc
The whole Mormon tribe. Brigham beats
\ retreat when he sees storm coming, and |
Ill the other women get out Of her way. |
She has one child by Brigham, son, who
S said to be the worst boy in Utah.
5. Lucy Bigelow-Is of middle stature.
'lue eyes, brown hair, aquiline nose. and
pretty mouth. She is Still young and very
handsome. At the ballroom she looks
ike high-bred lady, and is always bright,
intelligent and pleasant. When Governor
Harding led Ter out to dance. he said to
Ter President Young has introduced me
o several OF bis wives as Ms Young, Mrs.
'oung, Mrs. Young. As well might the
stronomer point me- 10 the stars OF
eaveu without giving me their names"
Governor" replied the lady, with pretty
nile and bow, Il understand and apDre-
late your compliment. The particular
Jar you are now looking at is called
ncy.' This handsome and accomplished
oman, they say, is seldom visited by
Dung, and has little or no influence over
i'm.
6. Twiss-This woman is short, stont
nd freckled. She has sandy hair, blue
7es, low forehead and forid complexion.
no DOUBT, sealed her to him to
Ike care Of his linen, which she now does.
z. Mar Ia Bowker Black hair and eyes, :
Id quite small. Quite plain, sensible :
oman, dresses neat, and is passably good
oking.
:. Harriet Barney-Is slender, has hazel
es, light brown hair, beautiful face.
Id is grace itself. She is mild, quiet, L
d as lively in disposition as she is beau
ul in person. She lett her husband to
come Brig hams wife. and is devotedly Z
tached to him; but he is said to care lit Il
, about her. How could he She has :,
children by the Prophet.
8. Eliza Burgess-She was born in
,gland, and her parents dying after they r
me to Nauvoo, Young took Eliza 10 raise. 6
e lived with him seven years, and then a
shed to marry; but Young told her she C
d been so long with him he could not
are her, and then sealed her to himself. b
g is of the style OF an English serving Ii
i, small of stature, large black eyes, b
ack hair, fair round face, plump figure n
e is decidedly good-looking, has several v
lldTen by the Prophet, and is the only "
e OF his women who is not an American b
10. Ellen lockwood She is a sickly- A
liking woman, small and slender, with n
ht brown eyes and fair complexion. She U
S Yankee girl, and her father keeps W
} penitentiary in Utah. Young visits tC
r two or three times year. rd
II. Susan Snively-Ratber an old look W
, lady, with gray eyes, dark hair and re
nplexion; spins yarn and keeps house; n
} no children, and Young seldom visits al
q. Jemima Angell-ls an elderly lady. he
/ sister to Young's first wife. She is of 10
stature and quite robust Young sell bi
m visits her, she being only sealed to m
n for exaltation in the next world.
I3. Margaret Alley-She was a small IN
man, with light hair and eyes. She IN
d in 1858, leaving Young two children. er
4. Margaret Pierce--A spirited looking fe
man, with blue eyes. light hair and hs
.rp nose. Has several children. SO
8. Mrs. Hampton-A tall fine looking W.
man. with large black eyes, profusion ma
black hair and fair complexion. Had Al
children by her first husband but none La
Young. She is merely sealed to the ia
,phet for time. co
6. Mary Bgelow-Was once the wife OF to
ung but she left the harem, ard what a
'ame of her or what she looked like | dc
not tell. Oh
z. Epelne Free-Known as the "Light on