The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1873-07-03
BRIGHAM AND HIS WIVES.

1t has generally been supposed tha
Brigham had an immense number O
wives, and that everything arounC
him and them was in the gorgeou
Oriental style; but this is purely i'm
aginative. There are probably only
nine. sisters" who call him husband,
and with the exception of AmeIi,
and Mary-the rival faYorites-the
are all working women, without any
pretensions to being merely "orna.
ments.". Brigham is, not capable of ap
preciating much of that sort of thing
His early poverty and Woodworking
experience, sustained by a natural &C.
him to eschew all extravaganza
would provide them with comfortable
houses, clothe them properly, and give
them what they wanted to eat; but
Brigham Young was master of his
own actions" His wives have no
idea, from their own experience, of
the marital relations of husband and
wife, in a Christian sense. He sees
them in the lion house, at the general
dinner-table, or at evening prayer in
the parlor, where they are collected at
the ringing of the bell; but many of
them he seldom sees elsewhere. He
calls periodically upon a few of them,
and inquiries after their welfare, but
there are others he rarely ever sees
within their own particular habita-
tions, unless in the case of sickness,
or when sent for. There is no ro-
nance about the lives of his wives !;
they are quiet, unobtrusiYe women,
who have been sacrificed to their faith.
There has been but single instance
of scandal associated with the name
of one wife, many years ago, and that
was evidently without foundation
When the penalty of certain death
stares the transgressor in the face, few
have the hardihood to brave it.
His attentions to his wives before
the public are methodical aud calcu-
lated. His first wife and Amelia will
usually sit beside him on the sofa in
the ball room, and other wives may
find places elsewhere. When he goes
to the floor for the first eotillon, it is
generally with Amelia; and the half
tozen others who may be present have
he honor of dancing with the Prophet
1aring the course of the evening"
He is q lively dancer for man of his
years, evidently takes great pleasure
n always being correct and enjoys at
imes a thorough "break-doWn" step
It the close, -
The actual wealth of the Prophet
will never be known. There is prob
Ibly not a county in Utah where he |
las not some valuable property
wherever new settlements have been |
,een laid out, he has not been the last |
o "plaee" his name upon the records. |
With his opportunities, man of his |
could not fail to be-
ONE great landed proprietor. He
Ter used to preach that Brigham and
Ie would one day Gown the people,"
nd had the tabernacle predictions
bout "famines, and wars and rumors
f wars" received the terrible fulfill
nent that they expected, there was
ute possibility of HebeF's words
oming true. Brigham took up great
racts of land, and the Legislature
ave him grants of all he coveted
With these constantly accommodating
Il value, and tithing office at the
'rophet's command, in a time of great
oaroity, when the GentiIes were to
ONE te Zion begging for bread, it is
ot difficult to Imagine the facilities
which Brigham would have had for
Heber's boast.
That Brigham Young has money
salted away" that he will not touch
nder the pressure of any necessity,
ut that for which it was "salted," is
lost assuredly believed by some who
ave had excellent opportunities of
moving his business. A man of his
hrewdness, with so many threaten
lgs of forced removal from Utah,
nd the possible contingencies of the
pplication of law, never would per-
lit himself to be caught penniless.-
righam has mOney-plenty of it.
OF his income from his numerous
nd valuable estates, his theater, the
business, his railroad
onds. mills, farms, rents in the city,
nd from all sources, the Internal
evenue office at Washington has on
scord the following statement: For
S67. SIS, 400; for 1868, $4,000; 1869,
2S,5 ,5S4 1870, 5000; 1871, Sill, ,7S0;
81, $39, ,492. OF course, no one be-
ewes that these are anything like the ]
,rrect figures, es,-!S5enhouSe'S Rocky
fountain Saints.