Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-12-31
A GLIMPSE AT MORMONISM.
A Lecture by Brigham Young's Nino-
teenth Wffe-MormonR Rites.

NILS. Auu LLlAd IOuug, Inc laSG ana
recently divorced wife of Brigham
Young, told the story of her life at
Denver, Colorado, in public lecture
last Wednesday evening. The Denver
News. which reports the lecture at
length, says her manner was quiet and
straightforward, creating a very favor
able impression. Subioined are the
more interesting portions Of her lee
ture:
Her parents were born in New York,
her father joining the Mormon church
at twenty three, and her mother be-
coming a convert at sixteen years
They had five children, she being the
youngest. She was born September
Is, 1914. In 1848 she emigrated to Salt
Lake. She had never known anything
but the Mormon religion from her ear.
lest years she believed it to be true
because her parents SO believed it. At
the age of eight years she was ,baptised
by immersion, and again when sixteen
years old, after which she was received
into the endowment house.
The endowments, or secret rights of
Mormon1sm, are sort of allegory in
blank verse, paraphrased from the
scriptures and Milton's 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 part of Eloim, Or head Of God,
while other prominent men represent
Jesus, Satan, Michael and the Apos-
ties. Different degrees Of the Aarcnic
and Melchizedek priesthood are con-
ferred, at each stage of which the can
didate is required to take oaths of
secrecy, accompanied with barbarous
penalties, should they dare to violate
them. They are also given new
name, by which they will be known in
the kingdom of God. The entire
ceremony is profane and of lit
tie interest to the outside
world, except where the candidate
takes solemn oath to sbear eternal
hostility to the Government OF the
United States, and avenge the murder
of the prophet Joseph Smith" In
this ceremony the women wear long
robe, which is placed IN 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 para
dalsical apron that is consistent with
our climate The men wear a cap of
linen similar to those worn by the
stone masons. The ladies' caps are
/ g vol /,ff "a
same, which a pretty effect. The in
tensely funny appearance OF the men
/ in this costume is irresistible, This is
/ the costume in which the Molmons are
prepared for the grave.
/ When she was eighteen years old
/ Brigham Young sent for her to study
] for the stage, and she complied, al
! though 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 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 @. Can
non, delegate to Congress, she was di.
vorced in the probate court. She was
married secretly to Brigham Young
/ April 7, 1868, in the endowment house,
Heber c.. Kimball sealed them up tc
everlasting lives. She1as 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 ceremony she went home,
and didn't see Brigham for week.
Her house was poorly provided for,
having barely the necessities of life.
In the Presidents household they have
what is called ration day. Once 8
month each family receives five pounds
of sugar, one pound of candles, bal
of soap and box of matches. The
lecturess emphatically stated that she
never received $4,000 year, as has
been reported. The rule with all the
prophets wives-except the favorite-
is that all food beyond the plainest
fare, and all clothing except what ma
ture demands for the protection of the
person, the wife is expected to provide
for herself and children. Brigham
promises his wives 81, ZOO a year pin
money and good home, but they gel
neither.
Russian Real Estate.
Persons seeking investment for theil