Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-04-10

RLcIrAL OF HER EXPERIENCES IN THE poLyGAMic
RELATION IN uTAB-IHE WIFE OF THE CHIEF RU-
LER, But NEGLECTED. IMPOVERISHED, HUlIiIiA-
TED.
Mrs. Ann Eliza Young told in simple narrative
at the Opera House, last evening" the sad story
of her life spent almost wholly in Utah, and
part of the time as the nineteenth wife of Brig
ham Young. Her audience was fine one for u
lecture, and with the exception of Coughs, was
probably the largest drawn by and lecturer in
Wilmington for years
Mrs Young said size was reared in Utah, and
the doctrines of the Mormon faith were instilled
into her mind at an early age. Her parents
were Eastern people, her mother u school teach
er OF good education and refinement, but they
immigrated to Utah soon after the birth of her.
self, the youngest child. After their arrival in
Utah, her father brought to his home second
wife, who lived very pleasantly with her mother
for twelve years, but strong as was her mothers
belief ill the Mormon. .faith.she could detect traces
of sorrow in her life which she could not then
understand but which she now knows was occa-
stoned by the system of plural wives.
When nineteen wears of age Mrs. Young was
married to Mormon, by whom she had two
children. They lived several years together in
monogalnic relation, bat all the time Mrs.
Young says she was i'll constant dread, and even
threats, of the introduction of another wife into
her home. This marriage unfortunate
as her second, for her husband treated her in
brutal MANNER she said, until she had recourse
to the Courts and obtained a divorce.
Her marriage with Brigham Young was effect
ed i'll sort of a business way he seeking the
relation through her father and brother, between
whom and the latter existed business transac-
ton which seemed to place tie family at his
mercy. To herself the union was far from sat
isfactory. but they were finally married secretly
in the Endowment House, this being done Brig
ham said to prevent interference from the L. S.
Courts. He had only three months previously
married his 18th wife III Il similar manner
though the fact was not known to
the two wives. After her marriage
dence, some miles distant from Salt Lake,
where she was joined by Brigham for a short
time week afterward.
This marriage seems not to have been one of
affinity, and Mrs Young claims to have maintain
ed only relation of respect Indeed, it il DIFF
hcult to see how she could do even
this much, for according to her
story, she was set up at housekeeping
with the bare necessares of life, neglected, hu-
inflated and even compelled to support herself
and children, and if sho procured any finery she
incurred the dlspleasure of her children. While
living on farm she performed menial service,
selling the products Of her dairy in Salt Lake
city herself, while her mother, who was then
living with her, performed the drudgery work of
the household, and when her health failed, then
Brigham sought to cast her Off, and her presence
was only tolerated BY her brother paying her
board
We cannot follow Mrs. Young in tie sad reci-
tai of her trials. Suffice it TO say they were
grievou4 and humating beyond degree, but
she now rejoices in the ordeal inasmuch ar
through it she was led to seek the personal Lb-
erty and freedom of conscience which she now
possesses. She made her escape in close car
fiage, after spending few weeks with the Gen
tiles, driving to the Union Pacific Il. X. and tax
ing the cars east. Her mother was much gliev-
ed at her daughters apostasy, and i'll letter
full OF emotion conveyed her regrets, but she,
too, has apostas!zcd, but still remains in.titall
brigham Young is ~ years of ago. She says
he has fifteen wives OF his own, his other -four
being proxy wives OF Joseph Smith, and he
claims that all the children by these wives are
the children of the dead prophet, and will be re-
joined to him in heaven, Amelia s his fayorte
wife, and is so, lHt, because of her ability to
fathom the man, rejecting his counsels and
sconing lis religioni and End. because of the
ungoverna5le temper which she possesses, and
to which Brigham bends with all almost scrvo
obedience,