AMONG THE MORMONS.
Interesting Interviews with Mormon Wives and Maidens.
JOSEPH SMITH A POLYGAMIST.
How He and His Chief Elder Kept Extra Wives on the Sly.
ONE WHO WOULD BE AN ONLY WIFE.
Cosy Chat with Some Young Daughters of Brigham Young.
WHAT THEY DO WHEN "PA" IS AWAY,
&c., &c., &c.
[CORRESPONDENCE OF THE WORLD.]
SALT LAKE CITY, November 10.
While seated at the front window of my friend's residence, observing, in company with her, the passers-by, two ladies attracted my attention. One was apparently about forty years of age, attired in a calico dress of dark pattern, and having upon her head a bonnet of by-gone fashion. The other was a young woman, about twenty-five years of age, much better dressed than her companion, and car-rying an infant in her arms, apparently about three months old. From the strong likeness existing be-tween the elder woman and the young one, I at once judged that they must be mother and daughter. My friend observed them at the same time, and re-marked:
A STRANGE STORY.
"Those two women are mother and daughter, and the wives of one husband."
Observing my look of interest and attention, she continued:
“The oldest was formerly one of Panley P. Pratt's wives, by whom she had several daughters. The lady accompanying her is the oldest of those daugh-ters. After the death of Panley P. Pratt, he leaving but very little property to be divided among so many women and children, the wives were placed in very precarious circumstances, and were forced to under-take the most laborious occupations to obtain a live-lihood. The one whom we were observing was a third or fourth wife, and, with the others, had to obtain a living as best she could. Finally, she re-ceived an offer of marriage from a man named Ridges, but in its acceptance she thought she saw danger to herself and her children. Her daughters were growing up young and good-looking, and she feared that, under the odious church law which permits a man to marry his wife's daughters, Ridges might some time in the future wish to make them his plural wives, even if he had not already made up his mind to do so. The thought of such an event was agony to the mind of the mother, and she hesitated to return an answer to the proposal of Ridges. One day Ridges called at the house where she resided, determined to have a final answer. He was shown into the room, in which were present Mrs. Pratt and two of her oldest daughters. In answer to his request for an acceptance or rejection of his proposal, Mrs. Pratt informed him that, as far as she alone was con-cerned, she had no objection; 'but,' said she, point-ing to her daughters, then about twelve and four-teen years of age, 'in these two girls, and my fears for their future, lie the greatest obstacles to my decision. They are now young, but I fear that when they arrive at a marriageable age you will endeavor to make one or both of them your plural wives. I tell you frankly that such an event would break my heart, and make me miserable forever.' Ridges replied by solemnly promising that he would never seek to marry any of her daughters, and, trusting in that promise, she became his wife. Five years afterwards the oldest daughter, Amanda, had developed into a handsome young lady, and Ridges, tired of his somewhat faded first wife, and forgetful of the promise he had made, longed for the youthful freshness and many charms of her oldest daughter. The mother firmly refused to consent; but the daughter appeared to be a little more than half-way willing. She was, however, restrained by her mother's entreaties and remonstrances from giving her consent to the proposal of Ridges. The lat-ter now resorted to the meanest and most despicable petty persecutions to force the mother into giving her consent to her daughter's ruin. At length, her health shattered by the perse-cutions she had undergone, and her mind weak-ened by trouble and the blow about to fall so heavily upon her, she gave a reluctant assent to the marriage of Amanda to Ridges. From that time her happiness and peace of mind were destroyed forever, and she became the most miserable of women. But Ridges seemed to have made up his mind to marry the whole family, and when the second daughter had arrived at a marriageable age, he proposed to make her his third wife. She, however, more sensible than her sister, and know-ing, too, that such an event would bring her mother in sorrow to the grave, refused his offer. Again Ridges renewed his persecutions, and spit out his venom on mother and daughter alike. Seeing that such a course of conduct would soon result in her mother's death, she left the house, determined to maintain herself by school-teaching, or any other honest way of obtaining a living, rather than wrong her mother and do violence to her own feelings by marrying her step-father. "
Who, after reading the story of woman's wrongs and woman's shame, will not fervently wish that the iniquitous system which now flourishes in Utah, like a deadly upas tree, may soon be blotted out of ex-istence?
TWO SISTERS WITH THE SAME HUSBAND.
Here come two young women, one of whom I recognize as Mrs. Mary Croxall, the wife of the Su-perintendent in the Western Union Telegraph office, who was introduced to us in Aunt Zina's room.
“Those two young women," said my friend, “are sisters, and both are the wives of Mr. Croxall. Miss Mary Young was married to him first, and a year or two afterwards he married her sister Caro-line. The one mentioned as Caroline is a large, heavy built, stout young woman, and, as both were well and fashionably dressed, Mr. Croxall's salary is probably soon exhausted in meeting the expenses of his dual household."
In the afternoon, two ladies called who were in-troduced to me as Mrs. Ezra T. Benson and her daughter Mrs. Roberts. Mrs. Benson was the first wife of Ezra T. Benson, one of the "twelve apos-tles," who recently was stricken with apoplexy and died suddenly. She resides in the town of Logan, Cache Valley, about ninety miles from Salt Lake City, in a northeasterly direction. She is rather be-low the medium height, small in figure, and bears traces of considerable beauty in her younger days. Even now I noticed a fascination in her eyes, which would certainly have a tendency to charm one of the opposite sex, although she must be about forty years of age. Her daughter is a fine young lady, tall and decidedly good-looking.
A ROMANCE.
Her husband is a "Gentile," and in courting his wife labored under many difficulties. Mr. Roberts had been engaged in business in the State of Ne-vada. In his younger days he had become ac-quainted with Miss Emma Benson, who, full of life, bright, and sparkling as the rays of the noon-day sun upon the rippling waters of a transparent lake, overflowing with mirth and gladness, captivated the susceptible heart of the young man, and he fell a victim to cupid's unerring shafts. He paid her a visit at the house of her parents in Logan, and was not long in making up his mind to marry her if he could. In this determination he was aided by Miss Emma's mother and brother, who, as was quite nat-ural, would sooner see her the first and only wife of a Gentile than the fifth or sixth concubine of some lecherous old Mormon. Her apos-tolic father demurred to the whole proceeding, sought to quash the engagement and drive his would-be son-in-law from the place. In these ef-forts he was seconded by an old reprobate named Peter Maughn, the principal bishop of Cache Valley, who, although having other wives, thought that he had an affinity for Miss Benson himself. Upon one occasion a ball was given by the church authorities of the town; I believe it was upon Christmas Eve. Strict orders were given by the powers ecclesiastical that no ticket should be sold to Mr. Roberts. But as love is said to laugh at locksmiths, so, in this in-stance, he scorned the bars which the church dig-nitaries would place in the way, and Roberts ob-tained the required cards through his brother-in-law in expectancy, Charley Benson. Benson pere found, when too late, viz., when Roberts presented himself at the door with his affianced upon one arm and the other extended tickets in hand, that with all his precaution he had been outwitted. A squad of secret policemen was immediately ordered out to watch the daring intruder, and, if necessary, ef-fectually dispose of him. Charley Benson who, knowing the ropes, had kept a close watch upon his father's movements, collected a few of his friends armed with two revolvers apiece, and watched the movements of the policemen, the latter being well known to him. Those present were commanded not to dance when Mr. Roberts and Miss Benson occupied the floor. Charley Benson with his friends, immediately completed the set, and the dance pro-ceeded with but one set upon the floor. What can a man do when his whole family is arrayed against him. Apostle Benson retreated in disgust, orders were issued to stop the ball, musicians were dismissed, and the hall was involved in darkness. An elope-ment was planned which was frustrated by the vigil-ance of the father, and the course of true love did not run at all smooth. Then Miss Emma sickened and pined away until her shadowy form foreshadowed her speedy death. Then the father gave a sup-posed to be reluctant assent to the marriage. It is thought, however, by some that he rejoiced secretly at the favorable termination of the affair, and that he would rather see his oldest daughter married to a Gentile who would cherish and protect her, and her only, than to a Mormon, but that he, a faithful son of the Church, could only yield his consent when ap-parently forced by circumstances to do so. A few years afterwards other leading Mormons found themselves in exactly the same predicament, Mr. Roberts and his wife removed to Salt Lake City, where they now reside. Mrs. Benson is pleasing in conversation, and professes to believe in Mormon-ism, and that polygamy is a divine institution, al-though there is some dubiety upon her mind as to the good of its practical results.
JOSEPH SMITH A POLYGAMIST.
In response to a question by me, Mrs. Benson said that her husband and herself became members of the Mormon church at Nauvoo, and that she was well acquainted with the "Prophet Joseph," whom she regarded as a good and pious man.
"Mrs. Benson," I said, "there is some dispute, I believe, between the followers of young Joseph Smith and those of Brigham Young, as to whether polygamy was practised in Nauvoo or not. As you were a resident of that city, perhaps you can inform me how that is."
“Polygamy was certainly practised in Nauvoo, as I well know, for my own sister Ade-laide was sealed to Mr. Benson by the prophet Joseph. Other women were sealed to Brother Kimball, and to Hiram Smith, Joseph Smith's brother. Sister Vilate Kimball, myself, and two or three others were the only ones to whom the secret of its practice was at first com-municated, and it was indeed a terrible secret for us. We were, what I term, the first wives in poly-gamy, for we were the very first whose husbands obeyed the Celestial law, and it was doubly hard for us to bear until we became accustomed to it. The matter had to be kept a profound secret, except from a few who could be trusted. Even Hiram, the prophet's brother, could not at first be safely in-formed of its existence. I recollect of an instance occurring in which Brother Kimball was concerned, which serves to illustrate how careful we had to be. Brother Kimball's second wife, in order to avoid sus-picion, boarded at our house, and he came late in the evening, or early in the morning, to see her. While he was in the house, I kept watch upon the road, to see that no one should approach unexpect-edly, and surprise him. One morning I saw a man approaching, and hastily warned Brother Kimball, who made his escape by a rear window into a corn-field, where he would have remained until the man had gone, had he not turned out to be the Prophet Joseph. We called Brother Kimball in, and had a good laugh at him about it. We were often obliged to take our husband's second and third wives into our houses, passing them off as sisters or acquaint-ances who were visiting us. You may be sure that it cost us many a heartache and many a pang of sorrow, but we believed that God had spoken through his prophet, and we, as his dutiful ser-vants, were bound to obey."
IS POLYGAMY FROM GOD?
“Do you then really believe that God would com-mand his people to do that which would make them miserable and unhappy here, to say nothing of here-after?"
“The saints of God must pass through trials and tribulations to prepare them for a happy future, and I presume that polygamy is one of those trials by which the Lord has designed to try us, and which will eventually result in good to the whole human race."
"As far as your own personal experience is con-cerned, did you become easily reconciled to your husband's taking other wives?"
“No, I did not; I suffered terribly. My auguish was at times almost too great to be borne, and I could only regard his taking other wives calmly and without suffering when I had learned to look upon him without love and affection, and as I would re-gard a total stranger."
"How does such an experience operate gener-ally?" I inquired.
HOW THE WOMEN LIKE POLYGAMY.
“A first wife must learn to cast out all love and affection from her heart, and she will have to come to it, if her husband takes other wives. Previous to my husband's death, so hardened had I become that it was a matter of total indifference to me when he took another wife. His presence or absence in the house was equally a matter of indifference to me, for I had learned to regard him as a total stranger."
"Are plural wives to the country required to work, or are they generally supported by their hus-band to ease and idleness?"
HOW THE WOMEN WORK.
"We do not believe to having any drones in the hive, and plural wives to the country are expected to do something towards contributing to the support or dress of the family. Some spin, others weave cloth often sufficient to last the entire family through the winter. Some make up the clothing for family use; others again make the butter and cheese, and attend to the cows, pigs, and poultry. All are engaged to some useful occupation by which the whole family will be benefited. Danish wives, who have been used to the occupation to their own coun-try, are placed to the fields during the proper season to plough and harrow the ground, plant the seed, and hoe up the weeds when the time comes. They may also be seen irrigating the crops with water."
“What are the accommodations generally pos-sessed by men in the country for keeping a plurality of wives?"
“Generally rather poor. But very few, and those generally the leading men, have large houses. Most of the houses have only two or three rooms to them, and to these rooms sometimes live three or four wives with their children. I have often thought that men should not be permitted to take wives until they had places to which to keep them and their children comfortably. Brother Brigham, however, counsels poor men to take wives, have plenty of faith, and they will acquire means for their comtort-able maintenance. In most cases it seems a very long time coming."
“I suppose," said I, turning to Mrs. Roberts, “that you are reconciled to your husband's becom-ing a Mormon and taking other wives some day?"
“Never," she replied, with a flashing eye. “No woman shall ever enter my house as a wife while I live and continue to it. I am no advocate of, or be-liever to, polygamy, I can assure you. I have seen enough of it to satisfy me fully."
There was no mistaking the look, voice, and man-ner, with which these words were spoken, and I bought that if this was the spirit and feeling with which the Mormon girls viewed polygamy, the country was safe as far as they were concerned.
LEADING QUESTIONS FOR MORMON YOUNG LADIES.
I ventured to put my thoughts into the form of a question, and accordingly asked her if many of the Mormon young ladies were willing to become plural wives.
“As a general rule," she replied, “they are not, although of course there are exceptions. The daugh-ters of some of the leading Mormons have married 'Gentiles,' or young men whom they were satisfied did not believe in polygamy. The oldest daughter of Apostle John Taylor married an army offi-cer and went to California. The oldest daughter of William Kimball, Heber C. Kimball's oldest son, also married a Californian, and now re-sides to the East. Apostle Orson Hyde's oldest daughter married a Jew named Ellis, and has gone to California. Other instances might be given, which show the general feeling upon the subject."
FIVE OF BRIGHAM’S DAUGHTERS.
Our conversation was here interrupted by a ring of the door-bell, and shortly afterwards several young ladies entered, who were introduced as the Misses Louisa, Dora, and Nabby Young, Mrs. Emily Clawson, and Mrs. Fanny Thatcher. Mrs. Benson and her daughters now wished us good day and with-drew. These ladies are all daughters of Brigham Young. Mrs. Emily Clawson has been married to Hiram Clawson, Brigham's confidential clerk and superintendent of the co-operative society, about two years, and is a fourth wife. Alice, another of Brigham's daughters, and Emily's half-sister, is Claw-son's third wife. He maintains his wives in comfort, ease, and even elegance, from which it is fair to pre-sume that he would not have much difficulty in pro-curing Young wives. Emily is a tall, slim young lady, with fine, regular features, and apparently about twenty-two or three years of age. Mrs. Fanny Thatcher also married her half-sister's husband. George Thatcher had, several years ago, married Luna, the oldest daughter of Brigham's first wife. About two years ago he married Fanny, as his second wife, against the consent and entreaties of his first wife. It is said that Brigham was at first opposed to the match, and placed Thatcher's name on the list for a four years' mission to Europe, and that this alarmed his first wife—who loved him dearly—even more than the prospects of a second marriage. She was taken very ill, and, at her request, Brigham removed her husband's name from the list of missionaries. After her recovery Brigham, finding opposition useless, gave his consent to the marriage. Miss Louisa is quite young, apparently about seventeen, short and stout. Miss Nabby is much the same in figure, but taller than her sister. Miss Dora is the prettiest looking, and has the best figure of either of the others. Mr. James Hardy, an actor to Brigham's theatre, is trying to persuade her that matrimony is a very pleasant institution, but so far without success. Miss Dora Is about seventeen years of age. Louisa and Nabby are said to be par-tial to flirtations with “Gentiles," and may be seen most any fine day, fashionably attired, promenading Main street, casting sly glances at the clerks, Jew, Gentile, or Saint, who make their appearance to the store doors to look at them. During last winter, young Gentiles and young saint-esses mingled together promiscuously upon the ice, which, as it often levels all distinctions, placed them upon a common footing. After the affair of McGovern and Miss Zina Pratt, Brigham became alarmed, and prohibited any of his family from appearing upon the skating-pond. Notwithstanding this prohibition, however, when Brigham left town skates were donned, and Brigham's daughters flew swiftly over the ice in company with their masculine friends. I asked Louisa if she intended to skate this winter. “I am going to if I can," she replied, “though pa thinks it's perfectly aw-ful for us girls to go on the ice and skate. I don't see what makes him think so; for my part, I like it first-rate, although I got bumped pretty hard while learning." Nabby is considered the best skater to the city. It had now become quite dark, and the girls, wishing us good evening, retired.
H.
