3-003-927 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Brigham Young, President and Chief Prophet of the Mormon Church, 1861. 'Very little is known of his early life...In connection with the Mormons he first appeared in a prominent position in August, 1844, soon after the murder of Joseph Smith, the founder of the sect..."the President," as the people call him, or "Brother Brigham," as he styles himself, has been the directing and influencing power. He has forbidden the establishment of beershops, and there is only one place in Salt Lake City where liquor in quantities can be obtained...He rules, as head of the Church and de facto Governor of the territory of Utah, over a region containing more than 180,000 square miles prior to the formation by the last Congress of the new territories, which have slightly infringed upon his domain. This is an extent of country exceeding the size of Great Britain and Ireland by over 70,000 square miles...A traveller ignorant of their practice of polygamy would say from the appearance of things that a more industrious and better-conducted community is not to be found...Young is a portly man of middle height, now in his sixty-second year, and apparently so healthy that he may live for some years yet to direct the destinies of the 70,000...said to reside in Utah'. From "Illustrated London News", 1861.