Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-03-12
The Brigham Young Divorce Suit.

A report of the Ann Eliza Dee Young di-
Vorce suit, in which decree was lately made
by Judge Mexican of alimony OF $500 a
month, and a sum of $4,000 for legal cx-
penses while the suit is pending, shows these
points: Ann Eliza alleges that she was
married to Brigham April 6, 1868, at Salt
Lake county, she being twenty-five years
old and having two children by former
marriage; that for a time he treated her
with attention, then with neglect, at last
failing TO furnish her adue support; there
fore she prays for divorce, alimony and an
allowance for law expenses.
In answer Brigham, firstly, denies the
marriage, for the reason that as lie alleges
Ann Eliza had, at that time, husband liv-
ing, named james l.. Ice, from whom she
had not been divorced, though the defend
ant did not then know this fact. He de-
nies it, secondly, for the reason that he was
married in 1884 at Kirtlard, o., t. Mary
Ann Angel, who is still living. But lie
admits the performance of ceremony
April 6, 1858, at Salt Lake CITY, between
himself and the plaintiff, to unite them in
what is known as plural or celestial mar
riage, in accordance with the doctrines and
customs of the Church of the Latter-Day
Saints, of which both were members.
The Judge held that this plea admitted
felony on his part. He held that the mar
riage by the Church was valid, provided
the parties were competent to marry; that
the allegations that each had a lawful
spouse then living remained to be proven;
that, meanwhile, Brigham's admissions
were to be taken against him and his deni-
ais not counted, and that during the pen.
dcncy OF the suit, while it was being PROV
ed that the parties were competent to marry
in order that they might be divorced, Brig /
ham should pay Ann Eliza 500 month,
dating from her beginning of the suit, and
$4,000 for law expenses.
In the petition Ann Eliza alleged there il
millions in Brigham, and that his monthly
income is $4,000, or more; but Brigham
made oath that his props " altogether did
not exceed 100000, and = 1t his gross in
come from all sources Is not more than So
900 month. And this is much the most
probable accOunt--nOt counting the Nor
mon high priests oath-for although the
Mormons are a frugal people, and have
made that wilderness to blossom, there is
nothing in their agriculture or manufacture
or commerce TO make it country OF great
wealth or large incomes.
AT the time of this hearing Ann Eliza was
somewhere in the East on lecturing tour
turning her willing concubinage to profit.
With this decree she need not hurry the
suit. Indeed, ii il shall be found that the
parties were competent to marry, and are
legally married, there would not be a ease
for divorce for decree requiring him TO
give her the support due wife would be
the proper remedy.
But the public is aware that the real ma
ture OF this suit docs not appear In the le-
gal proceedings. There is no expectation
of proving Brigham competent 10 marry,
by reason OF being single when be took
Ann Eliza; therefore, there is no expecta-
tion of case TO make a divorce legal |
Brigham is TO be punished for polygamy
by one OF his wives who willingly became |
one of his plurality. He il TO be mulcted |
in divorce suit where no divorce can lie |
without recognizing by the United Ststes
Court the legality OF apolygamons marriage. |
Ann Eliza IL on the make She went IN |
to the marriage expecting TO cut out the |
older wives. Then she concluded TO travel |
on the moral feeling of the rest OF the ooun- |
try against polygaIny, and in the character |
of martyr, and TO turn the conflict between |
the Mormon authorities and the United |
States Court to her own profit. There
can be no divorce in the case without n
recognition by the court of the legality Of |
pluril marriages; therefore the case Il. in
reality, fraud, although il is made TO an
pear regular in the proceedings,--CSn. Gas.