The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1877-09-08
Talk with Brigham Young
Interesting "Reminiscences from the
Prophets Own Life.

| 'N3A N't|t"NV"9 "hH blIGu1H 1"uHE'
AS had written tho life Of Artcmus
Ward and had reproduced cngrayiugs
Of his old Mormon panorama, the
prophet took great deal Of interest in
me and talked with me without reserve
for hours. Tho last afternoon john
". Young, Brigham's favoritc sou and
successor, called with carriage and
took myself and wife to the Lion House
where We saw the inner life Of the
prophet and talked with his wives and
children:
As these arc perhaps, tho last con-
vcrsatiOns had with Brigham Young, |
thought them Of SO much value that |
was writing them out to be published
in book form, when the news came an
nounciug the prophets death.
send ttcm to the Sm.
"I'm scvcnty.six to-day" said the
prophet, QUO afternoon, "aud I think
I alu good for ten years more. Don't
you think SOL"
l looked President Young in the
face then and made up my mind that
be was liable to die at any time. Ills
physique, oncs powerful, looked rickc-
ty, and bis flesh was Aabby, while his
mind was very active and bis eyes had
an unnatural brilliaucy. Ills mind
had outlivcd his body. The exposures
Oh the plans, the cxpulsious from Iii.
nois and Missouri, and tho physical
hardship he bad encountered had used
up tho framework around great and
nctivc mind. In person. he was giant.
Ills face was blandly llorid and his h1ir
and full beard silver white. With his
clean white tie ho looked like a retired
Methodist minister.
"Mr. Young, " said, as &c sat
talking with Hiram CIawson and John
". in The group. ~ should like to
hear something Of your early history, |
should like to hear it frOm your own
lips"
How far shall commence back q
asked tho prophet.
" As far as You can remember"
"Well," sid the prophet, as he
leaned forward with his elbow or bis
knee. aud tho palm Of his hand against
one side of his face" was born up in
Vermont scYcnty.six years ago. Ny
grandfather Young was physician.
lie was in tho French wars, but was
killed BY rail falling on him after the
war, had ono uncle, Joseph, who
died in Canada. Ny father, john
Young, lived in Massachusetts, first,
then wont to Vermont, whcrO was
born. Father moved into Now York
State, the town Of Smyrna, Chcnango
county, thirty miles south Of Utica
When | was about 20 years old father
moved to Otscgo lake. near Auburn.
[ never had much schooling only a
few months each winter at the district
schools. Whcu | was twenty ono
learned tho painters aud glaziers
trade"
"COuld you work at your trade
now 2" asked.
Certainly. l can work at both
trades. farming and painting and gla'
zing. | eau turn as slick furrow US
any farmer around Salt Lake. And
us for glazing, why l put all the glass
in our fist Norman tcmplc ut kirt.
Iaud with my own hands," and the
prophet rubbed his silky palms togcth.
er rs he thought Of the work they had
once done.
"My mother" continued the proph-
ct, "was Nabby Howe. l had four
brothers aud six sisters. | was the
youngest but one, My first wife was
Miss Miriam Works, by whom | have
Two daughters. now living, both mem
bcts Of the Mormon church. Ny first
wife died iu MeudOn, Monroe county,
New York, of consumption. One Of
my daughters, by Miriam, married u
relative Of Col. Ellsworth. anl the other
married Charles Decker"
"Whcn did you FIRST hear OF Nor.
monism!" | asked the prophet.
"Well, my brother Joseph was a
Methodist preacher. fused to bO skCP'
tical, but | became converted, aud was
ordained an elder in the Methodist
Church, Then put my two children
in tic care Of friends, sold my proper
ly, aud went to preaching"