Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-12-25
glimpse at Mormonism---A Lee
lure by Brigham Young's Nfne-
teenth Wife.

tcenth Wifc.
Mrs. Ann Eliza Young, the last and
recently divorced wife of Brigham
Young, told the story of her life at
Denver, Colorado, in public lecture,
last Wednesday evening. The Denver
Meas, which reports the lecture at
length, says her manner was quiet and
straightforward, creating very favor
able impression. Subjoined are the
more interesting portions of her lee
ture
Her parents were born in New York,
her father joining the Mormon church
at %, and her mother becoming a con-
vert at 16 years. They had five chill
dren, she being the youngest. She was
born September 10, 1874. In 184S she
emigrated to Salt Lake. She had
never known anything but the Mormon
religion from her earliest years she be-
lievcd it to be true because her parents
so believed it. AT the age of eight
years, she was baptized by immersion,
and again when 16 years old, after
which she was received into the endow-
ment hours. The endowments, or secret
rites of Mormonism, are sort of allie
CORY in blank verse, paraphrased from
the Scriptures and Millions Paradise
Lost. There are rooms fitted up with
scenery adapted to the performance of a
drama representing the creation Of man,
his fall, the coming of Christ and the
priesthood of Joseph Smith. In the
performance Brigham Young takes the
ri Of EIai,,, hoa1 cd al
prominent men represent Jesus, Satan,
Michael, and the Apostles. Different
degrees of the Aaronic and Melchizedek
priesthood are conferred, at each stage
of which the candidate is required TO
take oaths of secrecy, accompanied with
barbarous penalties, should they dare to
violate them. They are also given q
new name by which they will be known
in the kingdom of God. The entire
ceremony is profane and of little inter-
est to the outside world, except where
the candidate takes a solemn oath to
''bear eternal hostility to the govern
ment of the United States and avenge
the murder of the prophet Joseph
Smith" In this ceremony the women
wear long robe which is placed on the
right shoulder, is gathered at the waist
with strings, and flows to the floor;
there is an apron of linen covered with
green silk and embroidered with fig
leaves-the nearest approach to the
paridaiscal apron that is consistent with
our climate. The men wear a cap of
linen similar to those worn by stone
masons. The ladies caps are of Swiss
muslin, with a vail of the same, which
has pretty effect. The intensely funny
appearance of the men in this costume
is irresistible. This is is the costume in
which the Mormons are prepared for the
grave.
When she was IS years old Brigham
Young sent for her to study for the
stage, and she complied, although she
was not remunerated therefor. She
was married in her nineteenth year to
James L. Dee; was his only wife and
lived in constant fear lest he should take
a second. She had two children by him
and was treated most brutally. She
then submitted to the wishes of her
friends and left him. A year later, by
the advice of Brigham and the assistance
of George @. Cannon, delegate to Con
gress, she was divorced in the probate
court. She was married secretly to
Brigham Young, April z, 1868, in the
endowment house. Heber c. Kimball
sealed them up to everlasting lives. She
was charged not to tell anybody, for
fear the Gentiles would hear OF it and
have him arrested for taking more wives
in the face of the law. After the cere-
mony, she went home and didn't see
Brigham for a week. Her house was
poorly provided for, having barely the
necessaries of life. In the Presidents
household they have what is called "a
ton day. Once a month each family
receives five pounds of sugar, one pound
of candles, bar of soap, and a box of
matches. The lecturess emphatically
stated that she never received $4,000 a
year, as has been reported. The rule
with all the prophets wiyes-except the
favorite-is that all food beyond the
plainest fare, and all clothing except
what nature demands for the protection
of the person, the wife is expected to
provide for herself and children. Brig
ham promises his wives $1,000 a year
and good home but they
get neither.
One of the most interesting portions
of this lecture is that which treats of
Brigham Young and his family. Brig
ham was 70 years of age last June. He
has 10 wives; Is of these are his own
for time and eternity the other four
are proxy wives, being widows of Joseph
Smith. The children of their union
with Brigham are credited to Joseph
Smith, and go to swell his kingdom.
All plural wives are known by their
maiden names, to distinguish one from
the other. The following is a correct
1fot Of prinhaFx,fc xx-irrna -, 81
their marriages: Mary Ann Angel,
Lucy Decker, Mrs. Augustus Cobb,
Harriet Cook, Clara Decker, Emeline
Free, Lucy Biglow, Zina ID. Huntington,
Susan Snively, Margaret Pierce, Mrs.
Twiss, Emily Partridge, Martha Boxer,
Eliza Burgess, Eliza r. Snow, Harriet
Barney, Amelia Folsom, Mary Van
Colt, and Ann Eliza Webb, the nine
teenth and last. Brigham has two
larger houses, called the Beehive and
the Lion House. There is one wife in
the Beehive and six in the other. The
rest are scattered throughout the city
and Territory.
His three eldest sons have followed
the polygamous example of their father
He has As living children; the most of
them are grown and married. There
are 80 girls and 10 boys in his family.
His son, John W., has renounced poly
gamy by discarding his first and second
wives, and retaining his third Seven
of Brigham's daughters taste the sweets
of plural marriages. Two of the seven
call Hiram B. Clawson husband, two
are allied to George Thatcher, and two
to Mark Croxall; the seventh is the
second mate of Thomas Williams. Anne
liza Folsom is the only wife Brigham
lives with at present. He has forsaken
all for her. Upon this favorite wife is
lavished all the care and attention the
most devoted monogamist could posi-
bly, bestow upon his companion. At
present he is erecting a mansion for her
that will cost at least 100000. Brig
ham loves her better than all Others
he is afraid of her, and this is where lies
her success over him. Amelia uses the
vilest language in her common CONVEX
sation.