Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-07-16
AMELIA FOLSOM.
THE RULE OF BRIGHAM VoUNa's "a
voRlTe, "NuMeER SEVENTEEN"
Not Pretty Nor Attractive. but Possessed
of Naive shrewdness and Tact--rne
Prophet Was Grio,ousiy
Afraid Of Her.
ILisle Inster In New York World.

Old Brigham Young had been gathered to
his sealed wives in glory only about one
year when his neutrality-suspicious. favor
ite, Amelia FolSom-stepped into another
harem as number two in tho household Of q
Mormon railroad official Amelia Folsom
was then about 3S years of age, and among
the younger women of the Young haren
She was tho first to re-enter polygamy after
Brighams death, and her days of mourn.
ing were probably long enough TO add zest
to the new courtship. As soon as Brigham
"shufilod Off his mortality and passed be-
hind that vail where a score of sealed dvini-
ties awaited him, tho long-petted Amelia set
about making n change She placed her
self second in the new household. She
found that she could not live Ia the same ex-
married lord was subject to litigation, and
secured her chance against disaster in her
second polygamic marriage.
She went to Salt Lake City with her
parents, who were converts to Mormonism
In Council Bluffs, Ia, and emigrated there
from III 1859. In 1861 Brigham had one of
his convenient revelations TO marry Amelia
She was not easily led into the family Of
sixteen other wives, and proved a
refractory subject for Mormon courtship D.
Finally through what is called Counsel
otherwise the will Of the prophet enforced,
which every good Mormon will obey and re.
CARDS as the word OF superhuman prophecy,
she became the seventeenth wife, and al
ways held her place as his favorite. She Is
far from being an attractive woman and Il
without any special talents; but she IA
possessed Of naive shire wdness and tact and
was In constant employ in moulding the
old man to her capricious will She was
he p,nl t,, ha ofr ne
and she exercised her power accordingly
She was unpopular with the rest of the
wives, who usually companioned we'll to-
gether; her uurefined coarse nature stood
out prominently beside the Others.
1t used to be a common remark among
the more intelligent Of his wives that the
lack of refinement in Amelia and her taste
for vulgar repartees and witticism was the
main attraction that kept the old prophet at
her side He certainly enjoyed her society
and was afraid of her tongue. which he
knew she could use to his modification and
disadvantage not only in his househ old, but
in the church and wherever she might
choose to do So Unless every thing ent to
suit her will, she made things for the
prophet very lively. Her whims, freaks and
high temper were all borne with uncom-
planning patience by Brigham Young, while
over all his wives and children he held a.
kind Of dignifed reserve and awe that made
them all reticent and silent Ia his presence.
Amelia was the only exception
Some years prior to Brigham's death she
was given a separate house and always
made better appearance in dress than any
OF the rest She drove in her own carriage
and was given the place of honor at the
theatre in the prophets private box, while
his other wives and children occupied three
tires OF the best seats In the parqust Other
marks of honor fell to Amelia She was the
first partner in the dances they attended
and was always seated in the chair of honor
at his side at all banquets. His other "bet-
ter pieces of wives waited for such atten-
tons as fell TO their divided lot after the
favorite was waited on. This marriage of
the Mormon seer was highly disapprovsd by
the church authorities at the time No one
considered Amelia a suitable person for the
wife Of prophet.
Amelia Folsom has blue eyes that open at
one In bold, steady defiance with glance of
naive cunning and shire wdness; medium
height, good figure, brown hair, straight,
thin nose and generally tapering features
Her manner Is free and familiar rather
boisterous at times, utterly regardless of the
feelings of others, and she has a relish for
gossip. She was always a cause of disturb
ance between the children Of the other
wives and the prophet, but being the favor
lite, her mtrigues We're overlooked by her
polygamous master
One of her characteristic pastimes was
spending a few hours with some of the less
favored wives and indulging jokes and stor.
les on Brigham-telling what he had con
tided to her, upon matters he did not expect
to be spoken of. Some of this gossip relative
to the "old man she spiced up with her ad-
ditions and merriment, always tending to
make him as ridiculous as possible.
Amelia's open revolt to Brigham's author
ity was one Of her chief boasts, and among
his wives it was q common remark III one
OF us had said or done what Amelia did we
should have heard Of it before this" In her
way she was As great tyrant over him as
he was over the church. Whatever she set
her mind to do that she did, irrespective of
his wish or opposition.
To have her enmity was dangerous to any
person, man or woman, who depended for
favor and prosperity on Brigham's favor
They knew Amelia power over the prophet
and stood in fear of her accordingly. Her
home in Salt Lake City before Brigham's
death was one Of the best in the City of
Saints Itstood opposite the Lion and Bee.
Hive houses, and was the envy Of others
who felt the need and realized the value Of
sole possession and authority of ones own
household that this favorite wife practically
enjoyed.