The Mormon Prophet and His Harem: Or, An Authentic History of Brigham Young, His Numerous Wives and ChildrenWaite, C. V. (Catherine Van Valkenburg)
History
The Mormon Prophet and His Harem: Or, An Authentic History of Brigham Young, His Numerous Wives and Children
Waite, C. V. (Catherine Van Valkenburg)
Latter Day Saint churches; Young, Brigham, 1801-1877
The internal arrangement of affairs at the Harem is very similar to that
of a young ladies' boarding-school. Each woman having her own room, her
affairs are all centred there. The culinary department is under the
control of such of the wives as Brigham from time to time appoints. She
is the stewardess, and carries the keys. A cook is employed,--generally
a man,--and several servants besides, who are all under the control of
the stewardess.
When the meals are prepared and ready, the bell rings, and each woman,
with her children, if she have any, files down to the dinner-table, and
is seated as before stated.
Each, on rising, has her children to attend to, and get ready for
breakfast; this over, she commences the business of the day, arranges
her rooms, and sits down to her sewing or other work, as the case may
be.
A sewing-machine is brought into requisition, and one of the number
appointed to use it. For the benefit of those who want a sewing-machine,
it may be well to state how this one was procured. One day a man from
St. Louis came to offer one for sale, stating that his price was ninety
dollars. Brigham bought it, promising to pay the man whenever he should
call. The man being poor, called in a few days. He did not get his pay.
He called again, a number of times, with the same result. One of the
wives became quite indignant, and said,--"If I was in his place, I never
would ask it from one so high in the priesthood. He had better give it
to him than to ask pay of him." The poor man never received his money,
and as soon as he could get the means, left the Territory. This is the
manner in which the Prophet becomes possessed of much of his property.
Most of the women spin and make their every-day clothing, doing their
own coloring. They are quite proud of the quantity of cloth manufactured
in their establishment every year. All work hard, and take but very
little out-of-door exercise. Parties and the theatre are the favorite
amusements. At the theatre, Brigham and one or two of the favored wives
sit together in "the King's box," but the remainder of the women and the
children sit in what is called "Brigham's corral." This is in the
parquette, about the centre of the area. The Prophet goes down once or
twice during the evening to the corral, and chats for a few moments with
one and another, but in a short time he can be seen beside his "dear
Amelia" again.
At the Mormon parties, much gayety prevails. Appearances are maintained,
somewhat, by paying more respectful deference to the first wives, on
such occasions. Gentiles, with whom the saints are on good terms, are
well received and kindly entertained at these parties, and all join in
giving themselves up to the influences of mirth and festivity. Dancing
is not only a favorite amusement, it is more; it is cultivated to such
an extent that it becomes a passion.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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