Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1878-02-22
Daily Life i'm Brigham's Harem.
New York Herald Correspondence.


Formerly Brigham kept his wives in
the Lion House, sort Of hotel where
each had her separate apartment. The
building cost about $4,000 and was as
good as could have been built in the
States for $4,000 The basement CON
tanned cellars. wash rooms, kitchens,
dish rooms, a dining room, pantry, coach
man room. school room and two large
halls.
The second story had fourteen apart
ments. The rooms were large CON
venient and well furnished. Brigham
was strict disciplinarian, but could
not always keep down rows in the fam
ily 1t is said the Prophet never called
on one Of the ladies but her next door
neighbor pounded on the wall all the
time he was there, and this she would
do despite of all the Prophet could say
or do, and kept it up until he had her
removed to another part of the building
To prevent difficulty Brigham had
built adjoining the Lion House or harem
a business office and apartments, con-
nected with the harem by private stair
cases Few were ever admitted to the
holy of holes back of the Office, where
Brigham saw strange visions and COM
muned alone with God. Here he had
his private bedroom, and when he
wanted one of his wives sent for her by
the private staircase No wife ever knew
when Brigham was alone or when any
one was with him, as no one ever dared
approach unbidden the holy of holies
when the Prophet was there.
The Prophet rose early, dressed and
shaved every morning, and then assem-
bled his wives and children for prayer.
After singing and prayer they went to
breakfast, which was served in large
hall Brigham sat at the head of the
table and Lucy Decker at the foot and
poured out the coffee. The children
had side tables, and their mothers could
eat with them if they wished. 1t was
to all appearances happy family and as
well behaved, polite and mannerly as any
in the land Whatever heartburnings
there were or jcalousies the women
kept them to themselves, and not even
the boldest dared show her temper at
the table before the Prophet, whom
they all looked up to as a god. OF late
years Brigham did not eat with his
wives, his breakfast being simply bowl
of bread and milk. On rising each lady
put her room in order, making up the
bed and sweeping After breakfast the
women walked out, sang, played the
piano or sewed. Several of them en-
broidered beautifully, made colored cloth
and were very proud Of their handlwork
The Prophet kept several carriages, and
the ladies could go shopping or driving
whenever they pleased. In the evening
all went to the theatre, where Brigham S
wives and children all had reserved seats.
1t is said the President was very liberal
and give his wives plenty of pin money.
They had dancing master, a French
teacher. and an instructor in music.
During his latter years Young endeay-
ored to give each of his favorite wives a
cottage and 81 900 per year pin money
1t is said he offered home and $1,000
per annum to any good looking young
woman who would marry him. In this
world he had as good time as any fel-
low could well have. and now he has
gone to heaven to be king i'll the New
Jerusalem.