Twelve Mormon Homes : Twelve Mormon homes visited in succession on a journey through Utah to Arizona.

Twelve Mormon Homes, introduction xvi

has presented some fine descriptions of Mormon social customs and insights into Mormon-Indian relationships. These are quite in contrast to present revisionist views of Indian treatment at Mormon hands. Also in stark contrast to one recent author's shallow and slanted account of a power-mad Brigham Young (Stanley I?. Hirshson, The Lion of the Lord) is that of Eliza- beth Kane's description of a leader who gained his power from a deep interest and concern for the welfare of his people which is readily discernible as he visited with them in his travels through the length of the territory. Other insights may be gained from this sensitive lady's de- scriptions along the route. The twelve Mormon homes visited by Mrs. Kane may not have been typical of the average 1872 Mor- mon home, for the Kanes were entertained by the leading citi- zens in each community they visited. Nevertheless, Elizabeth Kane does provide critically interesting observations of Mor- mons living in polygamy. It is obvious that she disapproved of the institution, but she told it as she observed it. For reasons of her own, Mrs. Kane or her father chose to hide the identity of her hosts and hostesses by supplying fictitious names. In some instances the name was only slightly changed, i.e., Steerforth for Pitchforth. In other cases the name was changed completely and can be only guessed, with some clues provided by Mrs. Kane. With all plans laid, Thomas L., his wife Elizabeth, and two of their children (Evan and Elisha) journeyed to Utah in No- vember 1872. They spent only a few days in Salt Lake and then on December 12, 1872, took up their journey to St. George. It is at this point that Elizabeth's account begins. xvi