Wildcats, Wagons, Wives and Wardens

In 1955, living in the Salt Lake Valley with three wives was like driving on the freeway with bald tires and no spare---crazy! Most members of the LDS Church wanted to forget polygamy had ever been part of their history. Some individuals even waged a vendetta against polygamists.

So, when I picked up the morning paper on the 28th of October and saw that two polygamists had been arrested, I panicked! Carl Jentzsch and Louis Kelsch were friends of mine! It was too close to home, we were all part of the polygamist community. My wives were Kate, Vio and Maurine.

“Lou,” I said over the phone, “Albert here!”

“Yes, Bert, they’re after us again.” His voice was calm, but was he?

“Is there anything I can do for you?
”

“Thanks, but no. I’m out on bail, I’m going to plead guilty and get my time over as fast as possible.”

Several men had been arrested in 1944 and spent time in the Sugarhouse Prison so this time it would be worse, it would now be considered a felony. I felt a deep anguish for Louis.

I called Carl who said, “Albert, the papers present the facts so that our lifestyle seems repulsive.” His voice was hollow, his despair evident.

“Can I do anything?” I said again.

“I don’t know, I haven’t decided what to do myself.”

“Let me know.....” I hung up feeling guilty but grateful that I had not been arrested. The next day, Halloween, I finished dinner at Kate’s and wanted to relax, let it settle, even take a short nap but Vio’s children were expecting me to take them to Maurine’s so they could trick-or-treat with her children.

Kate’s home was a small brick rambler in Murray, a comfortable home I helped her get into just a few years ago. She worked as a cook in a small coffee shop to help make the payments. She only had five children left at home.

“That was a fine supper, Mother,” said as I wrapped my arms around her.

“Oh, you always say that,” Katie chuckled
.

My first wife was small, about 5’4” and her hair had a gray streak in it now. Thick around the middle from thirteen pregnancies, she was still a mystery and delight to me. No one could make pies like her or put on a spread with empty cupboards the way she did. And no one could change from a cuddly kitten to a spitfire as fast as she could.

“I love you, Dear,” I mumbled for lack of better words.

The phone rang and she picked it up saying to me, “Those kids have called twice already, wondering if you’re coming.”

I gave her a quick kiss. “Tell them I’m on my way.”

I pulled my six-foot one, 200-pound framed into the old pick-up, whistling. Life has been good to me, I thought. We had survived some real hard times but I was only 52 and things were looking up.

Then I remembered my friends’ arrest and my insides groaned. If we could just be left alone!

I could hide my plural families like some men hide their lovers and illegitimate children, but I would not! They were mine! Why should I hide them? I wasn’t ashamed of them!

Still deep in thought, I pulled my truck onto State Street. Then I noticed the sheriff motion me to pull over. Maybe I have a broken tail light or something, I thought hopefully, but I knew better.

As I rolled to a stop, two official vehicles pulled up behind me. I climbed out of my truck as three uniformed men approached me.

“Albert Barlow?” It was more of a statement that a question.

“Yes?”

“You’re under arrest. You have the right to remain silent...” He read my rights, never looking me in the eye.

“What’s the problem?” I said, but the knots in my stomach knew.

“Living polygamy is against the law in Utah,” young Deputy Houmand said, glancing over at me.

“Is it against the law to let harmless people live their religion?” I felt disgusted with the whole system, which punished me for my belief in the principle of plural marriage.

“You can let me take the truck back to the house can’t you?” I was not handcuffed and they had not used their guns.

The sheriff turned to the deputies, “Follow him home.”

The patrol car followed me back to Kate’s. I parked the truck and stepped out. Turning to the deputies I said, “I’d like to tell my wife where I’m headed.” And I started toward the house.

They nodded and began to follow me. “I’m not going anywhere!” I was irritated. “My two daughters are having a Halloween party, you don’t need to embarrass them!”

“We can’t let you go alone.”Houmand’s eyes were cast down.

“Oh, let him go,” Deputy Palmquist mumbled. They both seemed awkward.