River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-09-06
DEATH OF BRIGHAM YOUNG.
POlygamy Receives Fatal Blow by
the Death Of the Prophet.

Brigham Young was attacked with
cholera morbus on Thursday evening,
August Esd, said TO be the result of MAX
ing a hearty binder of green corn and
peaches. The attack was regarded as
serious, but on Friday his physician pro-
nounced him convalescent. He had a re-
lapse on Saturday afternoon, accompan-
led by distended bowels and severe pain.
The symptoms yielded to the use of NOR
phine, but on Sunday a condition of
semi-stupor set in, which continued
throughout the day and night. On Mon
dav there was no change for the better.
On Tuesday it became difficult to arouse
him, but he retained his consciousness
and recognized those about him, but eX.
perienced great difficulty in breathing,
and artificial respiration was resorted to
for about nine hours. His condition from
this time until death admitted of no
doubt as to the result. His last words,
uttered on Tuesday night, were, II feel
better" He was able to say very little
to the members of his family as they
came to bid him farewell on Sunday night
He then said at will make no differ
ence whether l live or die. | am resign
ed" The immediate cause of death was
Inflammation of the bowels, complicated
with disease of the prostate gland.
For the past few months he had enjoyed
remarkable health ;had preached sermons
an hour in length, and been engaged act
lively in the reorganization of the church
in different settlements, and the appoint
ment of new bishops preparatory, it was
limited, to the cutting off of the lukewarm
or immoral members. August Goth, at
o'clock he passed quietly away seemingly
unconscious of all his surroundings.
The members of his family were gener-
ally gathered around his bedside, and
evinced deep emotion.
Brigham Young was born on the lst of
June, 1901, at Nottingham, VT. He was
the son of a small farmer who served
with honor in the Revolutionary war. In
early life Brigham developed those traits
of character that later contributed so
much to his success as the leader of pc
culiar people Naturally arttul and cum
nIng, and of domineerlng disposition,
but having acquired good common
school education, and being possessed OF
a plausible address, he was peculi arly
fitted to obtain and exercise control over
the ignorant.
Shortly after attaining his majority, Brig
ham Young was licensed to preach by the
Baptist church. and rapidly obtained a
vast influence among the common people
Before ke was ordained, however, he re-
moved to Ohio, in 1881, when he joined
the Mormon flock at Kirkland, then under
the leadership of the first prophet, Joseph
/ ny1 plapaxy1pnGc
won for him prominent place among
the ignorant and superstitious followers
| of the prophet, and in 1885 he was cho-
| sen one of the twelve apostles, soon after
became chief among them, and was sent
out as a missionary to make converts to
the Mormon faith. What success he had
in his proselyting work does not appear,
but when he returned to the headquarters
of the sect he had lost none of his popu-
| larity, and was welcomed with JOY.
When the Mormons moved from Ohio
to Illinois he accompanied them, and by
his imprisoned eloquence, and appeals
to their credulity, he kept them steadfast
in their faith At Nauvoo, he was lead
ing spirit among them, and in 1914, when
the prophet Smith was murdered by a
mob, Brigham Young stepped into his
place by the common consent of the
Saints, who accepted Brigham as their
seer without question. Sidney Rigdon
aspired to be Smiths successor, but he
| seems to have been possessed of none o
the requisites for leader of such peo-
pie, and was wholly ignored. Being con-
tumacious, he was communicated,
cursed, and solemnly delivered to the
devil, /" to bufeted in the flesh for thou
sand years"
From this time forward the biography
of Brigham Young is the history of the
Mormon people. His hand nodded the
course of the church; his mind directed
the people in all their affairs, both tenn
| poral and spiritual No potentate on
earth so absolute as he; for IN his hands
rested according to the belief of the
Mormons, not only the temporal, but the
eternal welfare of his subjects.
| When the MormOns were driven from
Illinois and Missouri, Young persuaded
his followers that the great Salt Lake
valley was the promised land, in which
they should find freedom from persecu-
ton, and enjoy the privilege of propaga-
ting their faith unmolested. Early in the
spring of 1916 he, with small party of
| his adherents started overland for their
promised land. After enduring great
hardships on the plains, they arrived at
their destination, the present site of Salt
Lake City, in July, 1S47, where they
founded a settlement. The next year the
remainder of the Mormons joined the
pioneers, and a city was found in a will
| derness, far from the abodes of civilized
men--a city of enthusiasts, governed by
a crafty, ambitious, INSCRIPTIONS ruler.
| The country about the new city was
sterile and almost absolutely unproduc-
| tive. But thorough system of irriga-
ton was established, and by industry and
| thrift the Mormons succeeded in literally
making the desert to blossom as the rose
An emigration fund was established
| and large numbers of converts were
brought by well-organized system from
Europe, chiefly from the working classes
| of Great Britain, and especially from
! Wales 4 considerable number came
also from Sweden and Norway, and a
| smaller number from Germany, Switzer
land. and France. In March, 1S49, a con
vention was held at Salt Lake City, and a
State organized under the name of Des-
eret, a word understood By the Mormons
to signify the land of the honey-bee' 4
legislature was elected and a constitution
framed and sent to Washington; but
Congress refused to recognize the new
State, and In September organized the
country occupied by the Mormons into
the territory of Utah, of which Brigham
Young was appointed Governor by Presi-
dent Fillmore. In the following yeaI
the Federal judges were forced by threats
of violence from Brigham Young to quit
Utah, and the laws of the United States
were openly defied and subyerted. This
led to the removal Of Brigham Young
and the appointment of Col. Steptoe, Of
the United States army, as governor