The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1877-08-31
n DEAD PROPHET.
Brief Biographical Sketch of Brigham
Young.

brigham Young was born at Whit
ingham, Vermont, June l., 1901. He
joined the Mormons at Kirkland, Ohio,
in 1882, was then ordained an elder,
soon became one of the twelve apostles
and in 1885 was chosen as the first per-
son to make a missionary or proselyting
tour through the east. He was very
successful, and brought many converts
into the Mormon fold.
In June, 1874, after the death of
Joseph Smith, Mr.. Young vas unani-
mously chosen by the apostles to the
presidency of the church. The little
opposition there was to his election he
summarily settled by accommodating
its leaders. A year or two later the
charter of the city of Nauyoo was re-
voked, and the Mormons were subjected
to worrying prosecutions in many ways.
Many Of them attempted to live in
Missouri. In 1916, Brigham Young
gathered them all together, and started
on the strange and weary march across
the plains. He halted them in the
great Salt Lake valley, and June, 1S47,
founded Salt Lake City, and became
the absolute ruler of the people. His
sovereign power was taken from him
only by death. He organized the State
of Deseret in 1919, and applied to have
it admitted into the Union, but in vain.
A year later, however, he secured the
organization of the Territory of Utah
from Congress, and his own appoint
ment as its Governor from President
Fillmore. He remained the recognized
Governor three OF four years, and then
refusing to give place to the non-Mor-
mon Governor appointed by President
Pierce, continued to govern in defiance
of 1.-THE authority of the national govern
ment. In 1857 President Buchanan
sent a force of about $500 men to Utah
under command of Sidney johnson, to
put his appointee to the governorship,
Alfred Cumming, in his office, and es-
tablish his authority. Brigham Young
organized troops for resistance and for
a time a bloody collision seemed immi-
nent. But a compromise was agreed
upon. Mr.. Cumming was allowed to
assume the name and dignity and nom
inal authority of Governor, and draw
the salary, while Young continued to
exercise the real governing power.
This compromise continued in force,
with little modification in terms, till
the last day Of the great Mormon lead
er's life.
Mr.. Young's chief Improvement up
on the faith of Joseph Smith was the
addition of the doctrine of polygamy.
He claimed that it was revealed to his
predecessor in July 1913, and he also
professed to have various revelations
on the subject himself. He proclaimed
the law of celestial marriage August
%, 1852, and by the exertion Of his per-
sonal influence, and by forcetof his per-
sonal example, secured its general rec
ognition and practical adoption, against
the protest of Smiths widow and sons.
He had nineteen wives and the number
of his children Is stated to be sixty.
Mr.. Young managed the business, as
we'll IS the religious and civil affairs of
his people, and greatly to his personal
advantage. His property is estimated
at a million dollars, and he has for
some time been reported to have large
amounts on deposit In the bank of Eng
land, as a %precaution against possible
contingencies.
The effect Of Brigham Young's death
upon the Mormon Church is Il matter
of interesting conjecture. That strange
organization will likely go to pieces un-
less some one can be found to take the
dead chiefs place who possesses some
thing of his wonderful power of control
over men. This will be so, unless the
religious faith of the Mormons is strong
enough to hold them together. 1t is
hardly possible that a false and sensual
faith can, in this enlightened land,
possess so great strength.