Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-17

amos. One of the latter was brought across the
plains in 184S and is still in existence in our
Church Museum
This great leader was so just 50 true so
genuine in his domestic relations that those
who came into the household TO assist, either
within the confines Of the house itself or with
out as helpers in the many-sided domestic,
farm and field activities which marked his
wide circle of home life, felt that each "be-
longed" to him and his family. Each man,
each woman became livery part OF Brigham
Young's life and were interviewer into the do
mestic fabric forever. Two of his daughters
married his business manager, another married
the telegraph clerk in his oficc. another his
teamster, while still another married a sales-
man in the shop
There was no possible class distinction in
the household. If girl worked In the kitchen
she was welcomed in the social circle and mar
ried of to relatives Of the family or friends in
exactly the same way that daughters were re-
membered Indeed. we were all lone in Christ
Jesus"
THE wives of Brigham Young lived together
without outer friction or violent disagree
ment so far as any of us children knew. That
they were all equally congenial could not be
expected; for they not weaklings and all
had minds of their own" But their differ
ences, If and when they existed, were their own
affairs and were settled among themselves with
out disturbing in the slightest degree the serene
tranquility Of our family life. They were ladies
and lived their lives as such. The children
were never aware of any quarrels and indeed
they could not have been serious or the chill
dren must have been aware of them.
Not all these good women were sweet-tem-
pered or unselfsh-not by any means. They
were Just mortals But there were enough of
them who radiated love and comradeship in
widening circles to humanize the group.
If all wanted to be happy each must share in
unselfish contribution to family harmony; al
though each had the right to forsake the mar
rage circle II she chose.
Such right was claimed by only one Of ia
theirs many wives one of the Bigelow sisters,
whom he married in Winter Quarters, Aunt
Mary Jane, the sister of my own dear mother.
Because Of conditions neither of the sisters
was wife in fact, either at Winter Quarters or
during the journey. After arrival in the VAL
ley. Aunt Mary Jane decided that it would
be impossible for her to be happy as the plural
wife of any man, even prophet of the Lord.
So she went to father explained her feelings,
and asked to be released from her VOWS. Her
wish readily granted, with no bad feeling
on either side; for Brigham Young believed
that in all respects and in marriage especially
women should exercise their complete free
agency. She was the only wife to voluntarily
leave fathers home and protection, except Ann
Eliza, who, loving not wisely but too WELL"
yielded to the temptation of filthy lucre to show
her revenge. All others remained loyal and true
throughout their lives. Their loyalty was free
and complete
After the settlement In the valley had pros
pered few years, Brigham Young decided that
a farm in the outskirts Of the city was neces-
sary for his large family and their various
needs. A farmhouse of adobe was built with a
milk and cheese house a few feet away, the
two connected by closed porchway. Here one
of his wives Aunt Susan Snively, lived cook
ing for the men who attended to the farm
and directing the making of the cheese and
butter. with the care of the poultry also. Others
of his wives were here at times for year or
more. My mother, Lucy Bigelow Young, lived
in the old farmhouse for year with her two
little girls about 1861. A year or so later the
modest dwelling was replaced by modern cot
tage of generous proportions and was known as
1.-THE Farm House."
THE farm was occasionally the scene Of fes-
tivities on a generous scale. For q num-
Der of years New Year day was celebrated by
father and his numerous family with few Of