1860-12-29-New York Dispatch-Among the Mormons

Among the Mormons

New York Dispatch, 29 December 1860, p. 7

About twelve years ago, says the Northampton Free Press, a highly respectable young lady, of wealthy parentage, residing in the western part of Hampshire county, happened to attend a meeting held by Elder Hyde, one of Brigham Young's apostles. She became a believer, and was baptized by him and admitted to the Mormon Church. Time passed on and she received several offers of marriage, but refused them all, because her lovers would not agree to accompany her to Salt Lake. Finally her friends consented, after much persuasion, that she should leave for that land of promise, and her father gave her $2000 to start with. She secured the company of a female cousin, also a Mormon convert, and in May of last year the twain started for Utah. On reaching Florence, in Nebraska, she purchased an outfit, consisting of provisions, a wagon, three yoke of cattle and two cows, and then set out with a large train of Mormons, who were all bound for the Holy City. After getting about 500 miles from Florence her cattle gave out, and she was obliged to foot it the rest of the distance, 500 miles more, but arrived at Salt Lake in safety. Here she made the acquaintance of Brigham Young, and loaned the remainder of her funds to him, for the use of which he paid her a large interest. At the appointed time he returned her all of the money borrowed, since which both herself and cousin have married Elder Hyde, who baptized them twelve years previous, and thus far seem well satisfied with all the peculiarities of modern saints.