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AUTOBIOGRAPHIES
ADELAIDE
Part 1
I was the sixth child, and the first daughter of Charles Hopkins
111" and Elizabeth Adelaide Hoopes Allen, I was born at Cove, Cache
County, Utah, liarch 27, 187U.
It seems I was very active, for I was scolded much for getting into
mischief, even though I always wanted to do right and wondered why I
always seemed to do the wrong things.
Every child in our home, old enough to work, had a regular job to do,
like taking care of the dishwashing and sweeping. When one was large
enough she was to help with the cooking. The other would take care
of the baby. I being so full of energy, got the job of dishwashing
and sweeping. My sister, Clarinda, just younger usually tended the
baby.
When I told Aunt Minerva, Uncle Andrew's wife, about it she said,
"Oh, that is what has been getting my chickens. It is a skunk."
We had two wagons with four horses on each. In these we loaded pro
visions to make the trip: beddin,53, clothes and household goods to
a tart our new homo.
We had a aurrey, we called it the White Top, In which mother and the
children rode. My brother, Seymour, drove the team pulling the
White Top.
One day we stopped by the roadside for lunch. While the men were
taking care of the horses and mother was getting things organized, we
girls wandered around nearby. We saw a funny looking burr we had
never seen before. We were wearing wool caps our mother had made for
us. Priscilla's cap was blue and Clarinda's and mine were red. We
found that the burrs would stick to our caps so we covered them with
burrs. Then we got the idea of putting them in Clarinda>s'hair. She
had beautiful long hair. When we were all decorated up we went to
show mother. You can imagine her consternation when she saw us, for
the burrs were cockol-burrs and what a time she had getting them out
of Clarinda's hair and out of our caps.
When we came to the Colorado River, Priscilla, who was three years
old, exclaimed, "Take off my shoes so I can wade in it,"
2-3
Our wagons and horses were ferried across the Colorado river on flat
boats. Father and the older boys went across with the wagons and the
White Top. Mother and we children went across in a row boat. It was
quite an experience.
We arrived at Mesa, November 13, 1882. We made the trip in six weeks,
which was considered quite a record, as most people had taken three
months to make the trip.
We found people here by the name of Hawks, Our parents had known
them in Cache Valley, Utah, so they invited us to camp near them for
a few days, until father could look around.
Father soon bought a house and lot. It was located on the corner of
what is now South Country Club Drive and First Avenue, We lived there
a short time, then aold that property and bought 160 acres from uncle
Henry Home,
This property was east of Mesa and was bounded by what is now Horne
Lane, East Fourth Avenue and Transmission Road, We owned that prop
erty for a good many years.
I was new and everything was strange so I was happy when Tena Metz
waa nice to me and invited me to sit with her at her desk. The desks
were long so three children could git together. We sat on a long
bench,
Tena also invited Matilda Mier, a German orphan girl, who had come to
Mesa with the Kleinmans, to sit with us, V.'e became fast friends.
~ When my brother James was born, I took over all the housework at
home as well as the washing and ironing.
In our home, every child that was old enough, had regular work to do.
We worked in pairs, like, two to take care of the bedroom, make the
beds and empty the pots, etc. Two children did the dishwashing and
sweeping, When one was old enough she was to help with the cooking
and the other would take care of the baby.
The two oldest girls dressed alike and slept together. The next two
did the same and the next two the same. There were six girls.
We had fomlly prayers night and morning. Each child took their turn.
The two smaller ones leading one after the other. Since the family
was large their turns came more often.
Each child was taught to respect father, to keep his rocking chair
ready when he came into the house, and the newspaper ready to hand
to him. Mother herself looked after his every need in the home.
Mother had a rule that we must all be home by sundown everyday so that
she would know our whereabouts. On occasion, very few, when the
children were away after dark, she would start out to find them after
asking the Lord, in prayer, to direct her to them.
Many times when reading my Patriarchal Blessing, which says "You will
teach your sisters," I realized what my life's mission is and has
been, I pray earnestly that I have not let mother down. I am very
thankful that my sisters have measured up under the watchful care of
their Guardian Angel,
After mother's death, grandma Brady stpyed a month and helped me care
for my tiny baby brother. By that time she thought I was capable to
take over.
Father and my older brothers counciled and decided I could keep the
family together with their watchful care and help. Baby Joseph
passed away the next spring. No doubt frinds and neighbors wondered
2-5
how we would get along but with the help of our Heavenly Father and
father and my older brothers we managed,
I remember one time when we went to Sunday School, just as the family
^_/ was getting out of the buggy, I overheard two ladles commenting,
"They are always clean when they come,"
when mother had been dead a year, I remarked to Father, while ho was
warming himself by the kitchen stove, "One year ago today." Father
said "Yes", while the tears streamed down his face, I resolved never
to mention mother's death again. I did not want to grieve him so.
More than a year after mother passed away, father went to Logan, Utah
and worked in the Temple there. When he came home he brought a wife,
V/e called her aunt Anne, She had a small son named Ira,
That summer Fannie and I had our hair cut and was razzed quite abit.
V.'arner went on a mission to the Southern States. Seymour took care
of ua and supplied means for food and clothing. He watched over us
and counciled us aright, until I knew he was next to Jesus as a per
fect person.
Father built a home on the east side of the ranch and moved thera
with aunt Annie,It was there aunt Annie raised her family.
Mother had married at the age of 17 years, and she had often said,
"My girl must not have a beau until she is 18 years old,"
Our group of young people was known as the Desert Group, We had
such wonderful times riding in the White Top buggy behind a team of
horses, going in to Sunday evening meetings all holding handa so as
not to break the chain, often causing disturbances, etc.
Sometimes the city boys would dance with us girls and then the city
girls would pout,
One style of dress we called "Jenny Josie Dress". The younger girls
had many made that way,
I cut and finished one in one e vening while a widower was calling on
me. He did not come again,
I made a good many dresses for Indian women for ^1.00 each while they
camped by the pasture, in grain gleaming season. We also traded
grapes to them for wheat.
On washday, we always baked bread, cooked beans and made rice pudding.
Sister Annie Metz sometimes took the sox home and mended them for us.
When any of the children were sick she prescribed for them with mild
teas of herbs. She took Priscilla to her home for a week to take
care of her hand which had a frog fellon in the center,
Warner came home from his mission. He fixed up the house with a
2-6
We lived on South Macdonald St. noar the Alhombru Hotel until Horace
got a neat three room brick house built on East Second Avenue, There
our first child was born, Horace Ralph, the 26th, of November,
Horace had brought horses from the mountains for winter feed. He
took them back In the spring and worked there during the summer.
He finally closed out his butcher business and rented the Norton
ranch, southeast of Mesa for one year. Having bought interest In a
[(.0 acre farm with his father we moved there on South Mesa Drive, He
and his father's family had the measels. His mother and family were
living on the farm.
It was while living on South Mesa Drive that our first twins, Charles
and Elizabeth were born. We were living in tents at the time.
Charles died at the age of one month.
After farming with his father and milking cows for two years, Horace
bought 20 acres on East Fourth Avenue from Parley C, Sirrine, and
established himself independently in the dairy business. He also had
a hay crew and contracted during the summer. It was here the 3econd
twins were born and died. They were named Inez and Ivan,
Horace and I were sealed by Apostle Heber J. Grant, March 11th., 1897
at the home of Benjamin F, Johnson, who with David LeBaron were the
witnesses. Apostle John Henry Smith gave instructions and council
before we went in the room to be sealed.
One summer Horace took the family with Sister Priscllla to Flagstaff
where he worked with a logging company,
The following two years, a drouth came on. In 1903, Arin C. was
born. Tho following summer Horace took his and his father's milch
cows to Buckeye, Arizona, where they rented an acreage for feed. He
and Ralph stayed there to milk the cows and market the milk.
In the winter he got sick with what we now know as flue and died the
9th. of December, 1901}., with pneumonia,
I was left alone with four children to make a living with Ralph's
help. We milked the cows, irrigated, etc, I went out sewing for
people, and nursing, I also delivered women in child birth.
I assisted my sisters with their sowing and they helped me with the
children. My brothers wore very kind to me.
Amy Dana was the next Relief Society President, I was a counselor
to her. I introduced the first course of lessons in Mesa Relief
Society while Amy Dana was President, from outlines prepared by
President Julia Richards of the Boxelder Stake, before the outlines
were published in the Relief Society magazine,
Part 2
In 1908, Charles Peterson buried his wife. That same year he began
to pay attention to me. He was a very desireable man. He was honest,
he had good judjement, and was a good Latter-day Saint,
Kabel was born October 23, 1911. The next year he sold his home and
bought | section of land sou*h of Gilbert. He cleared it and moved
when he had built a home there. We moved out there in January, 1912,
and lived there eight years, during that time the Chandler Ward was
organized, I was made choir leader and directed the music in Sunday
School and H.- I, A,, and was a counselor to Barbara Openshas in Re
lief Society, Two years later, I was made President, During my
tenure, the Relief Society topped maze and ;;avo dinners to get money
to help build the meeting house. We have '■200.00 credit for wheat
at head quarters, yet from our efforts.
After eight years spent on the ranch in the dairy business with reg
istered guernsey cattle, we sold out and moved to my former home at
liesa. During the time we had epant on this ranch, I was President
of Y, L, M, I. A,, choir leader and Sunday School teacher,
While Nabel was on her mission, her father's health failed, and he
ask her to cone home a month before her mission time was up. She
arrived home the 19th. of November, He died the 23rd. of December,
She married the following May to Earnest Skinner and moved to Idaho,
2-9
John had married and taught school. That spring he went to Colorado.
It was a very lonely time for me. Orin had married Fawn Ellaworth
and lived on the North East part of the acres. I went over to the
Gila Valley end stayed a few weeks with Vilate Cordon's children.
When I came home, I had a new house built on the North West corner of
the 10 acres, and I have made my home there ever-since, I have spent
3£ years in stake missionary work, worked in the Temple laundry one
season, have been a teacher in Relief Society and Genealogy, and also
class theology teacher in Relief Society, Captian of the Temple Camp
D. of U, P, and county secretary to the same. I have helped for saven
years with the children who come to the Temple to be baptized. I
have done considerable research work until Gerald took it over. I
have done some endowment work in the Temple.
I made a eight weeks trip to the Los Angeles library, and have worked
in all the Temples but Hawaii, I have driven my car from Mexico to
Canada.
w
PREFACE
The lives of the "Sisters" have been filled with activities and
accomplishments which have drawn the attention of many in the
community in which they have lived. They have labored unselfish
ly in their homes, in the Church, and in the community, always
standing for the principles of honesty and justice for all. They
have all been homebuilders and have followed the teachings of the
Gospel.
In reading these pages you will note that they had ideals and
well planned cooperative lives. i':any a home has been mode hap
pier through their unselfish service.
met and
and the
the kind Heavenly Father had his eye on the family, and through the
prayers of their father, and their own prayers for each other, they
were protected. (Who can say that the influence of their mother
With the Father in Heaven did not have weight?)
those
the
nities.
The children of this home were also taught that the best and most
noble lives are those that have high ideals, then constantly strive
to reach them. Every day of one's life he is either building or
tearing down his home and ideals. There is always opposition, and
_ how well one can take the challenge depends on what kind of a nan or
woman he is; how one spends his time-—either in idleness and frivol
ity, or in constructive thinking and planning. One's religion usual
ly shapes his life, and how well he lives up to the standards of that
religion depends on the sincerelty of his conversion to his ideala.
They learned that the Lord showed us the importance of the home when
he placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and told them to multi
ply and replenish the earth. He instructed ancient Israel to teach
their children to keep the commandments He had given them; and if
they failed to do so, the ains of the children would be upon the par-
They also learned that one finds a happy home where the members of a
family are considerate of one another, and plan and pray together. A
home should be the most sacred spot on earth, and our government pro
tects that home to the extent that no one has a right to enter into
JlLEi
broken
?6 C05a!St °f the 0CCUPant^ unless the occupants have
some law of the government. A home is not built in a day, but
it takes years of toil and struggle. The home is the foundation of
all good Government and society. It is our heaven on earth and it
will continue to exist through all eternity, if we yield to God's
laws. One of His laws is love throurh service to others. The whole
structure of Rod's Kingdom is love. ' n Wnole
wm have no
With these true ideals to work fcOj this family strived and
embedded^ the^vT"3 Sff lar«81* °n "he ^uthshai'b en
emueuuea into tneir lives m their* vnii + h T-t- nan 14)— 4.i_.
Another time when his eldest daughter was in child-labor, and was
very ill, she chose to call her father to come to administer to her.
It was surely pleasing and comforting to know that she was relieved
right away.
The children gained faith through the teachings and example of their
father's life. They were taught by him to always take their problems
to the Lord, who would always help them. One time one of the small
daughters was in a "run-away". All the other school kids had fallen
from the wagon but this one, and she had lain down in the bottom of
the wagon and so did not fall out. The horses ran frantically, and
it looked as if the child would be killed. When she was finally res
cued and the father was told of the incident, he asked, "Did you
pray?" It made no difference how sack, or what kind of sickness, the
father's first act was to ask the Lord to guide aright in all things.
That teaching proved to be a true teaching, which has remained with
the "Sisters" throughout their lives. They learned early In life to
seek the Lord in prayer, then do whatever they are prompted to do,
"Faith and forks'' are a necessary team.
The lives of these "fiisters" are only typical of any Latter-day Saint
family that lives the Gospel of Je3us Christ as taught by the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
Chapter III
CLARI1IDA
Here are some ideals that we tried to carry out from the teachings
mother had impressed on our ninda:
I got comfort from a statement mother made one day when the kids had
said unkind things to me, "It doesn't make it so, just because they
said it, you and the Lord know better."
I was the seventh child and second daughter of Charles H, and Eliz
abeth Adelaide Hoopes Allen, born i-iarch '(, 1876, Richmond, Cache Co.,
Utah,
On the way down, just before we came to the Colorado river, we camp-
. ed a little longer that day for dinner and mother told us to go and
play, which we did. When she called, we marched back so proudly—
\^s ' Adelaide had made me a green cockle-burr hood and had a good start on
Priscilla's, for we could finish it later. You can imagine how mot
her felt when she saw us. She threw up her hands and cried, "Oh,
what shall I do, how can I ever get them out?" My hair hung to my
waist and mother wished to keep it long so she put coal oil and
1-2
grease on, and pulled and pulled. After an hour or two she accomp
lished the Job, Priscilla's hair was not so long so she cut it off.
The first Christmas Eve in Mesa was in an adobe house about 30 feet
long and IJ4. feet wide, two windows and a door in front and a door in
the back. The bed ticks had just been filled with fresh straw and
placed in the east end of the house. We played "Wire Brier Limber
Lock" the one that was counted out would run ^nd make a hi-dive in
to the bed, and that was so much, much fun. had father and mother
been home, the bed would have had better treatment, but because mo
ther Peterson was sick, they had gone to visit him.
Father soon planted out a few acres of grapes and the same acreage in
fruit trees. Then planted his hay andgrain crops, after which he
built another room on the back of the house about Ik feet wide and
20 feet long, and put a partition in the front room making 3 rooms
for a family of 10. He had dug a well and pub a Ions r°Pe 0VGr the
wheel with a bucket on each end, so we had plenty of fresh clean
water.
One day, father and mother went to Phoenix to do some business. The
Indians came out on a rabbit hunt that day. The men were on horses,
the squaws and children were on foot. They would spread out a
quarter of a mile line and then the signal was Riven to start. Down
the country through the brush they would go yelling to scare the
rabbits out. After going a mile or ao, the rabbits would be caught
in a half corral, made of brush, where the Indians would gather their
lott and go home..
This day, we heard them coming and so we ran in the house, shut the
door and crawled under the bed. They surrounded the house and went
on, except a few of them hung around till the hunters came back.
After the noise ceased, we crept, to the window and peeped out but
remained in the house until f&ther and mother cr.me homo, shortly
after.
Later, however, we found the Indians here were not hostile and we
became real frindly with them. They would bring wheat to trade for
grapes, one bucket of "Pelica"--two buckets of "hoativas". Some of
the squaws would sit around and we would try to teach them to read
from the first reader, "I see Rosa, Rosa sees me."
Both mother and father were good story tellers, and they knew nlot of
3-3
Father tried to finish his days work by sundown, and have supper over
before dark. Sometimes he would be in a little early and find mother
busy, the children cross and crying and supper not ready. I've seen
— him take the baby and sit in the rocker with the other little ones a-
round him telling them stories to keep them quiet for an hour till
mother finished her work and had supper ready. Then he would help
feed them and put them to bed.
Father's stories were mostly from the Bible, especially the Old Test
ament, I remember when I began teaching in Sunday School, Primary
and religion classes, that I was greatly surprised to find how fam
iliar I was with the Bible stories. Mother's were the nursery
rhymes, Aesops Pable3, and a few fairy stories, little songs, and
poems. We had home evenings, only mother called it "Play Prirary".
Baoh child would ^ive a part on the program, song, poem or a story,
duets, or choruses. We all sang, "Love at Home" and other Sunday
school songs,
I was sleeping in the east room the night mother died. When I awoke
I heard the Relief Society ladies talking, but could not tell what
they were saying. But I got the impression that mother was dead,
from the tone of their voices. The next thought I had was--"Yes,
yonr mother is dead, but every thing will be alright. Don't worry,
you will be alright; do not feel bad for you will be alright. That
feeling of "You will be alright" was so strong, I felt so comforted I
did not even cry. That is the first testimony I had that the Lord
takes care of His children in times of sorrow and I feel Ho has taken
care of us ever since, I was thirteen and a half years old at that
time.
Adelaide took charge of the family for the next five years, seeing
that we all got to 3Chool, Sunday School and all other duties that
a mother has to look after. Adelaide had told the younger girls
not to expect me to do much work as I had not been very healthy, so
when she married leaving me in charge, I got their cooperation in
full, I tried to continue on in seeing that the children went the
way Adelaide had started them.
When Adelaide got married, it was a new life for all of us. She was
still "authority" on all questions of importance and Horace was a
very co-operative companion and helped to provide love, kindness
and physical substances. Not once did he hint in any way that we
were a nusiance or a burden to him. We felt very much at home there.
If we were hungry we were welcome to a handout any time. We were not
made conscious of the fact that the source of supply might run low
and It never did as long as he lived.
When Halph was about three years old, I stayed with the children
while Adelaide went to town, and when she came back, she brought
enouph lavender and white plaid cloth to make us each a dress, which
she proceeded to make up. When finished, we put them on and paraded
them before Horace, and all he said was "Yes, that looks pretty nice.'
That dress stands out in my life as the only pretty dress I had for
several years.
When Adelaide and Horace lived on the Fuller place below Shornick's
oranpe prove, they had the priviledge of gathering the little oranges
after the crop had been gathered, and they got a whole clothes basket
full I was glad to be needed at their place at that time. When the
oranges were gone, I was not needed so badly. My craving for oran
ges waa over.
The way Horace fried meat gave me a desire to visit them occasionally.
Just after they had finished breakfast, there was nearly always a
piece left, not enough for another meal, so I felt free to eat it.
School days were our social days. We got our share of fun out of
life We were united in our ideals and we all went in the same crowd.
(In unity there is strength). We made our own entertainment alot
In those days by giving parties, where we would ftog, recite, tell
stories, play games (indoors and out), we would even dance out on the
Eround, while Ike Rogers played the harmonica. Often Elijah was the
?amo leader and he could make us laugh with his wise cracks and make
us think we were having a good time. We always looked forward to the
Friday night dances in the "hall11. Those were wonderful times.
I remember our sitting around and talking over the ideals we thought
we ought to live up to; we would not keep company with boys that
smoked in our presence, no beau should stay later than 12:00, (if
the dance lasted until 12:00 or later the beau should not be invited
in, but go home Immediately,) not to dance with boys who were drink
ing. Usually our discussions were on Saturday mornings after a Fri
day night dance.
I think now that this was the time tnat the Idea of a sisters party
was originated, only we did not recognize It; we waited for it to
grow up, as it was quite some years later before we called them
"The Sister's Parties".
Father stayed with aunt Suzan and worked in the Temple spending the
week ends with uncle Andrew and uncle Levis, Priscilla and I spent
our time getting acquainted with aunts, uncles, cousins, and some
friends. In those day3, girls were supposed to be acquainted with
boys before going out with them. We went about with our cousins to
parties and dances. One boy asked Priscilla to see her home from the
farewell party given in Cove the night before we left. He stayed
and stayed until 11:00. Uncle Andrew got real nervous. P_ Uy he
called out, "George, don't you think you better go home now and come
back in the morning?" He went home, but he had not gotten back when
we left for home in the morning at 8:00 o'clock.
Deborah taught in Mesa 5 y£S.( j<obeccn taught in Thatcher one year and
Julia went to the Acaderry. On tne 13th, of September, 1905, -Rebecca
and Julia were married. All the £irls were on their own, self sup
porting now.
The fall of 190i(., I went to school with Jim, and we both finished the
eighth grade. My teacher, Mr. Dovis, was five years younger than I.
When we handed in our names and ages, I put "twenty". He became cur
ious as to just how old I was. On the play ground one day, he asked
Cobb, saying, "I won't tell anyone." Cobb said, "Neither will ? »
I never knew if he found out or not. lf
£
started to the Tempe Normal to ret In a^L m(\\ X came home **
one week. One day" when I came hnL ? Affz?nf "rtifieate. I went
waiting me. One was frU pTscilla saJnlS^"' X f0Und two let
ried and could not help me thrown sffl t"" £°inS to beThemar"
ou0n school as per agreement. other
3-6
I was invited to teach there again, but I had made other arrangements.
On October 2, 1912, I married Thomas F. Wilcox and a family of five
children, two boys and three girls,—Hay, Ferris, Alice, Hazel and
Belva. On August 5, 1915, my only child, a daughter, Judith, was
born.
Clarinda, had been raised in a pioneer family and knew the hardships
of pioneer life. She was a real mother to the children and when a
new member, Judith, was born on the 5th. of August, 1915, all the fam
ily was very happy, vJherever she has lived she has endeavored to do
her part in helping to roll on the great work of spreading the Gospel,
and always has exerted herself to the discharge of her duty and to
help in building a home for the five motherless children as well as
for her own.
About a year after she was married, Hazel, then about 11 years old,
was very badly burned and would surely have died if she had not had
the best of care. But Clarinda not only nursed her to health but by
massaging the scars with oil they were almost entirely eliminated.
She never became excited either by shaking scorpins out of the dish
cloth or centipedes out of the bedding.
Thomas and Clarinda had high ideals of a clean body. They never en
tertained unclean remarks or allowed unclean books or questionable
pictures on their place,
I have often marveled at the faith they both had in the leaders of
the church and the divine calling of the ProPnet Joseph^Jth to re
organize the Church of Christ. They loved to tell the children the
Book of Mormon stories and relate the findings of ^nedpities and
Indian relics to prove its authenticity. They also loved to tell
of the spreading of the Gospel until it would fill the earth and Tern-
pies would dot the lands.
In 1918, Clarinda was made very happy because her baby, Judith re
ceived a silver knife, fork, and apoon as winner of the 2nd. priae
in the Yavapai Baby contest.
Clarinda was noted for her lovely home baked loaves of breed and her
delicious honey cakes. The Copies tic Science department of t he Tucson
University requested her receipt for the honey cake that she had nade
herself. She also received several prizes for home canned fruit and
long horn cheese at the f&ir.
For two or three years, the missionaries made their home with Thomas
and Clarinda, sjme of the time, using their car to go to Prescott
to do their tracting. One time two missionaries came into the house
while Clarinda was quilting a quilt. They watched her and then de
cided they could do that too. They then threaded their needles and
started work. They covered quite a space on the quilt In an hours
time. As soon as they were gone, Clarinda took out the scissors and
took out all of the stitches they had made. Post of the stitches
were about ■£■" long and some were even i" long. She didn't want to
hurt their feelings by refusing to let them help. And I doubt if they
ever knew their stitches were taken out.
Clarinda's oldest brother, Charles, who was not married, lived in her
home for many years. His last days were spent there with her to tpke
care of him until his death in 19 M±.
She became a widow December 21;, 193^-. °he helped with the laundry at
the Fes a Temple for five years to support herself. She often spoke
of the lovely association with the Temple workers. After she became
a widow she had a house built and furnished; trees and shrubs and
vines planted. She paid for the paving of the street in front of her
house with her hard earned savings.
The last few years she has spent some time cutting and piecing quilt
tops, also embroidering a great many dish towels. It is hard to
tell if she excells most in the lovely Temple aprons she has made, or
her hand made quilts.
Alice W, Lee
Yours Truly,
Clarinda Wilcox
Chapter IV
Aa our sister, Priscilla, has passed away before this book was in the
making, it becomes necessary that her listers relate the activities
'—' of her life as they remember them.
Priscilla was the nineth child and the third daughter of Charles H,
Allen and Elizabeth Adelaide Hoopes, and she was born the 26th. of
December, 1979, in Richmond, Cache county, Utah.
Priscilla had beautiful blue eyes and blond hair. She was the only
girl in the family who had blue eyes like our father's. She had a
loving disposition, very mild and kind, with just enough "3punk" to
ward off those who would impose on her or her loved ones, She was
ever on the guard to protect her younger sisters ana urotner and to
always teach them the right way of life.
Priscilla was three years old when her father settled on their new
farm in Mesa, Arizona, and when she was five years old, she had the
typhoid fever, and was a very sick child. Through the blessings of
the Priesthood, the Lord spared her life.
When she was six years old, she started to school and her neighbor,
George W, Lewis, was her teacher. Whan she was in the fifth grade,
she went to the Church School, which was taught by Bernard kelson,
wo was a dramatics teacher. Through his inspiration, she studied and
became efficient in readings, and when her sisters would entertain
with songs, she would take her part in reading. The next year, James
L. Patterson taught in the Church School and after that term, the
Church School was discontinued.
Priscilla and her older brother, Elijah, were very chummy. In their
adolesence years he always liked to have her go with him whenever it
was possible. He would talk her into holding the calves by the tail
while he lassoed them. One day, he led a bronco horse into the yard
and asked, "Who would like to ride this horse?" All the sisters were
silent, then he said, "Priscilla isn't afraid", so he helped her on
the horse and he led it around the yard bragging how brave Priscilla
was; but inwardly she was very frightened. There was a race track
near the home and Elijah would get a horse for Priscilla to ride,
and one for himself and they would run races around the track as fast
as they could go, Elijah calling to her to make her horse run faster.
They had such good times together. Re always advised her which young
men she should go with and which onos weren't up to her standard.
Priscilla and Deborah were in Primary and the President asked Pris
cilla to give the closing prayer. Deborah was very sure that Pris
cilla didn't know hrw, and she felt embarressed for her. But Pris
cilla walked up in front and offered a nice closing prayer. On the
way home, Deborah asked her when she learned to dismiss Primary,
friscilla siad; "While going after the cows to drive them to the
corral to be milked,"
Education in a two year course. At the close of that time, she cane
home and in the fall of that year opened a private Kindergarten Sch
ool at Mesa. The mothers of the children all seemed glad to have her
to teach their children. She would hitch the horse to the buggy and
gather the children up and take them to school then at noon she would
take them home again. She held the school only a half day. She
♦■■aught them two years. Desiring a higher education, she decided to
go to Logan, Utah, and attend the Bri&ham Young College. She and her
cousin, Hay McCarey, roomed and boarded with their aunt Susan Goas-
land.
Priscilla took a four year course and was graduated in three years.
She taught school two years in Logan and helped to keep her brother,
Jim, in the mission field, she also taught school at Richmond, "Utah,
and it was while there that Heber Hanson came into her life. They
courted and were narried October 27, 1910, in the Logan Temple.
They moved to Clifton, Idaho, where they remained seven years. Heber
was a prosperous farmer and had his farm well stocked with good hor
ses, cows, pigs and chickens. They had a very busy life living there
on the farm, rriscilla worked hard, helping with the milking, feed
ing the calves, and cleaning the barn. She looked after the 3tock
when Heber wa3 busy with other things. She wa3 a very neat house
keeper and everything was in order. Heber and Priscilla were very
generous in helping those in need. His nieces and nephews were strug-
ling hard at that time to get through school, and they were helped
much by the Hansons. Whenever neber killed a beef or a hog, they
always sent a quarter to the children at school and he was always
ready to do for them anything he could.
The winter of 1913 and 191^, Tom and Julia and their three sons spent
the winter with Heber and Priscilla. While there, Julia bore a baby
boy, and they named him Joseph Heber, in honor of Heber. The Han
sons had no children at that time.
On April 13th., 191if, their daughter blnora was born, and she brought
much joy into their lives. She was a beautiful child with blue eyes
and dark curloy hair.
Later they sold their interests in Clifton, Idaho, and moved back to
Freedom, Wyoming, Here on the 11th. of April, 1917, their second
daughter, Verda, was born. She was a sweet, delicate, child. When
she was two years old she contacted whooping cough and died the 23rd.
of December, 1919.
On the 29th. of Hay, 1920, their only son, Ronald was born and he was
a husky little fellow and they were so happy he came to them.
In 1925, Heber and i-rlscilla came to hesa and bought two and one half
acres on 3outh Mesa Drive where they built a nice little cottage, and
lived there during the winter. They returned to Freedom, Wyoming, in
the summers, and took care of their crops. For a few winters they
would live in Logan, attending the Temple sessions there, V/hen their
son, Ronald, was nine years old, he took diptheria and died the 29th.
of March, 1929.
By this time, Elnora was ready to get married. Her father had work
ing for hip. on the ranch, a nice young man by the name of D'Orr Child
er.d they decided they wanted to be married. So after the wedding,
the parents camo to "Mesa, renting the ranch to the young folks.
Here they made their home permenantly. That was in the year 1932.
Their aim was to do work in the Arizona Temple.
Priscilla worked in tho Arizona Temple seven years in the linen and
laundry department under the Presidency of President Udall, President
Jones, President Pugh, anri President Payne. She was always so gra
cious to clean house for Sister Jones, and would do anything required
of her.
Heber then bought a oar and Priscilla loarned to drive it. Each sum
mer they drove up to Freedom to visit their children and to take them
beautiful gifts. Priscilla has written of a nice trip she took in
company with neber, Adelaide, Clarinda, and their brother, Charles
L. Allen. They decided to visit all the Temples in the West. They
went to Bluewater, new Hexico, to invite Deborah to go along with
them, however, business prevented her accepting the invitation.
After visiting the Temple in St. George, Manti, Salt Lake, and Logan,
they started for Canada. They went through the Yellowstone fark and
up through Montana, and the ("'lacier Park, then on to xielena, and on
to Cardston, Canada. They wont through the Cardaton Temple five
timeg, then President Wood took the company through the Temple sight
seeing, us explained the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God
which was very inspirational. After lerving there, they went to Wa-
terton, which was a very beautiful British resort. There were many
beautiful lakes and fine buildings. They returned by the beautiful
lake of St. Mary, crossed the Great Divide, and admired the charming
Lake McDonald, then traveled all forenoon along the bank of the Great
Flat nead Lake. They crossed the bay on the long bridge and drove
into Poison, and had a good meal there. They then traveled over the
high mountains and steep grades into Butte, Montana, (a place Pris
cilla had always wanted to see but throught she would never have the
opportunity to do).
Prom there, they went on to i;amoth Hot Springs and had dinner, then
on to West Yellowstone and stayed all night. Next dayj they drove to
Freedom, Vjyoming and visited with Priscilla'a children. On their way
to i'iesa, they visited Bryce' 3 Canyon, Zion's Park, and the Grand
Canyon of Arizona. Each agreed she had had a wonderful tine.
Priscilla was very faithful in all her church duties. She taught
Sunday School while in her youth and as she grew older she was a mem
ber of the Stake Sunday School board. She has worked as a counselor
to the Presidents of the Primary, the Relief Society and the Y.W.M.-
I.A, She has taught in the different organizations in all the wards
and stakes where she has lived.
here are a few Incidents which happened in Priscilla'a life which we,
her sisters, remember:
When she was four years old, her sister Rebecca, was born, and as the
younger children had the chicken-pox, they weren't allowed in the
room where mother and Hebecca were. Priscilla crept into the room
while mother was asleep, and climbed on the bed and was enjoying her
first view of the new baby when mother hoard her say, "Dat'a MineJ"
--pointing at Rebecca,
After Priscilla was married and lived so far from her brothers and
sisters, she would get so homesick to seo them, and in order to choer
her up, Heber bought a phonograph and several nice records. One eve
ning while they were enjoying the recorded music, Heber put on the
record, "I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen". Soon he discovered
that Priscilla, sitting way back in the shadows, wa3 crying, thinking
of how she would like to be with her brothers and sisters, HeberTs
heart was touched, and he promised to take her home.
fcarch, 1952, Priscilla was very sick and went to the hospital for an
operation, when tho Uoctor opened her side, he found her full of
cancer. They took her home after a few days, and Adelaide stayed
with her for awhile, and then Heber thought he could take care of
her. The sisters and brothers called each day, uer hair was long
and hard to keep in place, so she asked Julia to cut it and give her
a permenant. After her hair was cut, her niece, Vilate Cardon gave
her the permenant and she was happy to have it looking nice again.
Her life has been an inspiration to many. We know that she will be
happy there, and that if we live worthily, we'll have the privilege
of being with her, and continue holding the "Sisters Parties".
Written up by Julia
_
Chapter V
DEBORAH
The first prayer that I said was at my mother's knee. At that time
the prayer was: "How I lay me down to sleep." Mother had great res
pect for father in the home as will show by the little poem she
taught me to say to him. It is as follows:
hy mother passed away when I was at the tender age of eight years.
After her death my older brothers and sisters became my parents.
They were well schooled in the rules of the home so continued to fol
low them as they took over tho management.
Sister Adelaide was especially schooled as, even at her young age of
15, she wa3 well prepared to take on the responsibility. She kept
the home in tact, and saw that I was feed and clothed, that my pray
ers were said night and morninr:. She taught me to share with my bro
thers and sisters. I was to do my part of the work and help with the
family needs. She saw that I went to Sunday School and Teeting and
Primary and that meant sewing, washing and ironing and everything
that goes along with them.
As I grew older and kept company with the opposite sex, I was taught
to not keep company with an "out-sider". I must not sit on a boy's
lap, iie should not kiss me fjood-night when he brought me home. 1
must not invite a young man into the home after a dance as the hour
was too late. I was never to sit up with a beau in the dark, and I
was always to light the lamp and ait in the light. I was never to
allow a boy to smoke in my presence as one who did that had no respect
for a girl. V.'hanever liquors or tobacco were offered me, I was to
^ shun them. If ever in a home where coffee or tea were used, I should
never take it if offered to mo.
When I was along in my teens, our crowd used to meet often at our
5-2
home. By that time, Sister Clarinda had teken over the management of
the home. She aj.so was well schooled in the standards of the home
and saw to it that they were kept with as she usually went places
with us as well as direct the parties in the home. For refreshmcnts,
she served milk ice cream, molasses candy or honey cookies. At one
certain time some of the boys who were new in our crowd and did not
know the rules of the home said they would like to furnish the re
freshments. To Clarinda's surprise, she learned it was to be beer.
Before the party started even Clarinda had put a stop to that and
such a thing was never tried again, I remember one time when some
"out side" boys moved close to our home and wore very anxious to be
in with "our crowd1. The slaters could be kind to them and drnce
with them at the dances but never, never go out with them.
My greatest happiness as a teen ager was when all of the 3 ingle brot
hers and sisters with Clarinda as chaprone, went out together as a
crowd, liany were the times, we rode out in the wagon or buggy with
the rest of the nice boys and girls on a bright moon-light night and
sang our songs as we went along. Sister Clarinda thought that was a
better way to spend the time than in "spooning" as it was colled in
those days.
Speaking of ideals which were taught in our family, one of them which
I forgot to mention was that, whenever we chose a companion to marry,
he must have credits for a temple marriage. All of my brothers and
sisters who had married before ne had lived up to that requirement,
so I felt that I must not fail.
5-3
It was two weeks before I was to leave for iJew York that a nice re
turned missionary from the Western States i-'ilssion, whom I had been
corresponding with, came to Mesa. His name was Joseph Frederick
-Helson, from Bluewater, New Mexico, ite suggested that I marry him
iy> and move to bluewater instead of .^oing to New York. His arguments
were conclusive as I changed my mind. We were married in the- Salt
Lake Temple on October ls 1909 and went back to »luowater to live, I
did not forget my music however, for I had come to a community which
needed music very badly. The Bishop called me to organize a choir.
The response was wonderful, me not only sang the songs for the
church services, but after a time, we learned to sing anthems. The
bishop of Ramah invited us to bring the choir over there and a ing for
them. We were permitted to make a small charge. When we summed up
our balance, we had '"20,00 to the good. This sum was taken back to
Bluewater and given to the Bi3hop who in turn purchased song books
for the Bluewater Ward, When I first came to Bluewater, there wore
very few people who could play the organ or read music. Many of the
young boy3 and girls began to take organ lessons and it was not long
before there were several of the young folks who could assist in the
different organizations as organists.
As I had married a man with the same standards as our family, there
was no difficulty in the home as to the teachings, when our family
arrived. There was always family piayer said each morning end night
as well as the blessing on the food at each meal. Our oldest son
came to our home on March 25, 1911. when he was old enough he wes
taken to Fast neeting and blessed and given the name of Joseph
Frederick Nielson, Jr. tt wa3 a big surprise to me to suddenly learn
cf the happiness children bring into t.ie home, -- Oh my, but we both
]ovod that child.— I think one of the first differences ^red and I
had was ao to who should carry the baby home from the dance when he
was three months old. As soon as he could talk he was taught to pray
at his mother's knee. Hi 3 parents took him to Sunday School and Meet
ing to make sure he received an early start in the right way. He was
watched in all of his habits to make sure he was taught correctly.
When Joseph was one year old, I taught school .in bluewater because it
was hard to get anyone to come there and teach that was considered a
suitable teacher. As I was already there, they invited me to teach.
I was pleased to do so as our living was rather short and by teach
ing, things might improve.
It was on the lh.th. of May, 191'j-, that our second son came to bright
en our home. When ho wa3 old enough he was taken to fast meeting
and given the name of Allen Godfrey rtielson. We thrilled again at
having two sons in our home. I remember how anxious we were to have
-he boys grow up in the proper way, rte always kept in mind those
^ *deals, which by now were apart of us, and that we as their parents
should pass them on to the children that they might not deviate from
the straight and narrow way. when Allen was a yearling, Fred thought
to sell his holdings, such as cows and horses and take his family and
go to school as he had never finished his college schooling. So
5-fc
accordingly he went to the University in Los Vegas, New Mexico. We
found a nice location to live and t he people seemed to be nice and
and sociable, but thore was no church organization of the Mormon
church which was very disappointing to us. As the children were
small, we felt to run the risk by teaching them at home. It wag not
long, however, before we contacted some Mexican missionaries who were
working there in Vegas under the Presidency of Ray L, Pratt. We in
vited them to our home. Often we held sacrament meetings as well as
gospel conversations. I tried to teach the boys our ideals as soon
as they could understand them. Fred would go with the missionaries
to hold cottage meetings when he had the time. All of this helped to
make it more pleasant for us.
The school day passed by in a pleasant manner and it was not long un
til my husband became a member of the faculty and taught agriculture,
biology and zoology. Our one and only baby daughter came to our
home while in Vegas. Oh! it was wonderful to have a daughter. As
soon as she was old enough her father blessed her and gave her the
.aane of Elizabeth himma Wielson. That was the prettiest name we could
think of for our first daughter. It was the name of her two grand
mothers. Along about this time, our oldest son, Joseph, turned eight
years of age and was old enough to be baptized. His father received
permission from the Bishop in Bluewater to baptize him there in Los
Vegas. So on his eighth birthday his father did it.
It was almost a year later that Fred graduated from the University
with a B.A., degree, and now we wero ready to move to some settlement
where the children could have the advantage of the church organiza
tions. We thought of Mesa, so came over and tried to find a place
to fit in. Things were in a terrible inflated condition. Cotton
was a dollar a pound and farms which had sold for ^2000.00 were now
selling for "[(.0,000.00. We soon found we had no place in Mesa, so
we returned to Bluewater, where we had a home and could have a house
to live in, at least.
Fred tried teaching for two years, but found.he would rather farm
where he could be with the boys and teach them to work as they were
showing the need of such training. It was not long after we got to
Bluewater that Fred was made Bishop. The old log church house was
in a very poor state of repair; so as Bishop, he got the people to
cooperate with him and built a two roomed lumber building. It was
painted and plastered when finished and looked rather favorable.
When Fred stopped teaching, he purchased the Nielson's holdings of
some 100 acres so as to have enough farming land to work with.
When my daughter was five years old, I began again to teach school in
Bluewater. The school was large enough to have two teachers by this
time, so I became the Primary teacher in the new Church building
which the people had just made. The children were all in school dur
ing the day, but in the evenings, and mornings the boys would help
their father milk the cows and other things which wore needed to be
done. As time went on and the village grew in population, it became
necessary to petition the County School Board in Los Lunas to have a
school house made in bluewater. Fred took the leading part in having
this movement come about so after awhile a nice four roomed red brie?.
building was built in the village. When it was finished, the school
children were moved over into the new building. It soon became an
outstanding school so many people moved into Bluewater to send their
children to school. From then on, the school grew and H rew until the
first year of high school was taught there. It was not too long
5-5
after that, that the building was too small for the good of the
school, so a new high school building was built in Grants, some 12
miles east of Bluewater where our children could finish their high
school work.
Joseph was one in the first class to graduate from the Grants Iiigh
School with four of the other Bluewater children. Allen graduated
with the second class the next year. While Allen was in his last yr.
of school, Joseph was called on a Spanish-American mission with head
quarters in California and Ray L, Pratt as his President, Thines
were real hard at the time and we felt the pinch keenly. As we wor
ried through, the Lord blessed us, for which we were very thankful.
Joseph was on hia mission over two years while Allen stayed home and
helped with the work. I was teaching all of this time, Fred was
doing his beat with the farm and Elizabeth did her part also. As
soon as Joseph returned, j.llen was called to go to the Central States
mission with headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, with i^lias Woodruff
as his President, While Allen was on his mission, it came time for
Joseph to get married. lie came to Hesa and picked the cream of the
town, so he said, until he found i';arian Pratt who said she would
marry him, i'hey were Married in the Salt Lake J-'emple; then came back
to oluewater to make their home. They had nine children but lost one,
They now have five daughters and three 3ona. Their parents agree on
the standards with which to raise them and are trying to impart it
to them. They are at present all under their parent's roof and it
is hoped that all will adhear to those teachings and remain faithful
to the end, I would like to say hero thpt I tauzht long enough to
have the privilege of teaching the first two of my grandchildren in
Bluewater,
Allen returned from his mission and had a desire to find him a com
panion so also cane to his mother's home land to find one. After
looking the girls over.ho choose for himself a newly returned mis
sionary Luolla Russell. They were married in the Arizona Temple
and returned to bluewater for awhile, rJot feeling satisfied with
his education, he took his wife and child and entered the university
of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico and romained there until he
received his degree in business Adminisration. He then moved to I<esa
where he still resides. Their family now consists of three daughters
and two sons, Allen and his wife both have the same ideals and are
trying to impart them to the children. It is hoped by their Grand
mother that they continue on the straight and narrow way.
which cane about durin- the time I began teaching school in Bluewater.
I do not take all of the credit to myself but it was pleasing to see
the improvements which came about during that period. The first
school was in a one room log building which belonged to the Mormon
w people there in Diuewater. There were twelve pupil3 and all of the
eight grades were taught. As time went on and the number of pupils
increased the school was moved to the new church building with two
teachers. Thia situation continued on until the new brick school
building was made in 1915. It was not long until there were four
teachers employed with a one year hijjh school being taught. All
during this time there were outdoor toilets, no running water—the
children all drank from a common cup dipped in a bucket of water.
There was no playground equipment and each child had to furnish all
of his books as well as his paper and pencil. The teachers at first
did the janitor work because Lheir salary was so small they had to do
it to make enough to live on. Now that little village school is very
modern. There are four teachers now employed—two £ rades to a teach
er The school has a very good library at present and the pencils and
n-mer as well as the books are furnished the children. The salary
of the teachers is now inviting so that good teachers will come there
to teach. The building has electricity, running water, indoor toilets
telephone, modern individual desks for the children to sit in and an
oak table for the teacher's desk. There arf swings and slides as
veil as basket ball courts where the children can enjoy their play.
My soul thrills when I see how thoae little needful children in that
email village can now have all of these improvements to help them to
be good citizens. I forgot to mention that the children are now ser
ved with a warm lunch each noon.
roads over the different sections and cc.uld locate the cattle most
anywhere in the field, while riding in the car. One time, a strange,
wild calf got in on Section 32 and I had to et him out, let down
the gate while he looked at me; w'len I started after Yin on foot he
ran in the opposite direction so I got In the car and took after him;
The car did its part very well as it could go lonrer and not get out
of breath while the calf could not. When the calf got too tired, he
colmly welked out the gate.
We joined the Cattle Growers Association and was numbered among the
cattle ..rowers,
All went well until the year of 1950. My husbands health became bad
and he could no longer look after the stock so we sold them, rented
the ranch and moved to Mesa, Arizona to see if his health would im
prove. Wg purchased a lot and had us a new home built on it and
Fred started out into the buying business. H3 only lived six weeks
after we moved into our new home, leaving me alone to worry over the
situation and manage the best I could, I would like to say of him
that he made me a very good husband and a fine father for my child
ren, he was true to his Fatter in Heaven and kept every commandment
which he knew to be right. I will be happy to meet him af;ain nnd en
joy his companionship. Since the death of my husband, I have felt
the comfortin influence of my dear brothers and sisters. They are so
kind and good to me. I am very thankful for them now as well as when
I was a child.
VJhile I lived in uluewater, and away from them, I often grew lonely
for them and was very glad whenever they could visit me. Priscilla
was the first to call on me as she was on her way to 1'esa from Logan
to get married, Clarinda came next .nd stayed with us when our son
Joseph was born. She was so wonderful at that time. I cannot for
get the comfort which she brought to me as a young mother. Rebecca
and hei two children, Oma and Lewis came and spent the summer. I
remember with pleasure the rood time we had sinking together. We
sang together in church and~also pave a musicel in the c mrch house
one evening. After a while, Seymour end Warner made us a visit and
they both spoke in meeting. I can remember the feeling now of how
proud I was of them, Friacilla and ueber cane at one time as well as
Julia and Tom. They were all bright spots to remerber. Elijah and
his wife and family spent a week with us on their way to Salt Lake,
After awhile, it came to where it was pleasing to celebrate Rebecca's
birtnday at my place. 1 looked forward to those times. The sisters
would all come and we would have an enjoyable time. I remember one
time when they were here they all were invited to speak in church.
The presiding i^lder ask Fred to take charge of the meeting and call
on the sisters. As he did so, he gave a little history of each sis
ter. After they had all spoken they placed their arms around each
other and stood In a line; then sang "The Homestead". One of my
little grandsons was there and took it all in. "hen he rot home he
told his mother that he had five grandmothers and t hey were a 11 in
meeting,
Episode I
In the year 1983, Mesa was little more than a desert--at least the
desert surrounded the one black-smith 3hop, one co-op general mer
chandise store and a few residences which had been built within the
very few years since the saints from Utah and Idaho had arrived and
settled.
On the "Charles H. Allen Ranch" of 160 acres, (east and south of the
main street, on what is now known as Fast Fourth Avenue), was an
adobe house constating of three rooms on the ground, and an attic
room, which was used for the children's bedroom. It was in this house
that I was born on the sixth day of July, IB83, and I was given the
name of Rebecca Hannah Allen, In the previous yeer, 1382, my parents,
Charles H. Allen and Elizabeth Adelaide Hoopes Allen, and their eight
children had arrived, and had bought this ranch from Henry J, Horn.
Across the street (which resembled a wide trail) was all desert land,
at my earliest recollection, and I recall that after four or five
years the Indians from the Salt River and Gila Reservations came and
built their summer camps in the desert just north of our house. They
did this in order to be near the wheat fields of the settlers, where
they could glean the wheat left in the fields after the harvesters
had finished. Then the Indiana would bring their wheat over to our
place and trade it to us for fresh grapes. Always it was "two buck
ets of grapes for one bucket of wheat".
We had ten acres in grapes, and how we children used to enjoy eating
them. But wa also had to help take care of the surplus. Our folks
dried them by the wagon loads, and we had thorn all through the winter
months. Many times I have helped to fill the wagon-box with the
grapes and then helped to spread them on the house top to dry, Rome-
times mother would have us pick alot of them for her to take to Ft,
McDowell to sell to the soldiers who were stationed there. She also
sold them butter and eggs. One trip 3he let me go along and I had
a wonderful time, Elijah was along too, and he made the trip very
pleasant for us all.
programs, I took my turn with the others and was made to feel that I
was quite as important in my way, as any of the others.
I recall the joy I received when we took rides in the "buggy" or hack.
Father would drive going to Sunday School and sometimes mother would
drive when father could not go. I recall one experience when ahe
drove to the "Tempo Normal School" at Tempo, to get our oldest brother,
^ Charles L. Allen. The team was a apan of little mules, and they were
not always trustworthy. As we were returning, we met a band of In- .
dians, traveling the road, and when the mules smelled them, they lift
ed their heads, snorted and broke into a run. It was all mother
could do to quiet them, after v/e had pasned the Indians. I am sure
that mother had a prayer in her heart and mind, for our safety, and
it was answered.
But mother was called to Hecven In l889» and our older brothers and
sisters assumed the responsibility of rearing and providing for us.
Strange how youth can accept circumstances as they are and never
question. It seemed the moat natural thing in the world for the
brothers to go on providing for our necessities, and for Adelaide and
Clarinda to be our mothers. For father had gone to Utah in the fol
lowing year, I89O, and brought back a new wife, whom he had built an
other home for on another part of the ranch.
I have always felt that the teachings given us were correct teachings.
Our faith in humanity and in our Heavenly Father has always given me
courage and comfort.
The girls always liked to see us made happy. I recall one May Day,
the year that I was about ten years old, Adelaide made me the happiest
I had ever been. I had been chosen and trained to be one of the
maids-of-honor to the May queen. But alas I We had no money with
which to buy the suitable clothes. Horace Fuller had married Adelaide
by that tir^e, and they came to my rescue. They were living in town
and I was permitted to be with them often, for she and Horace had
bought the material and she wa3 makin^ me an entire outfit for the
occasion. Ohl How thrilled! The anticipation of the event thrills
me even now] The evening before Hay Day morning I spent with her in
town. The brass band practiced, and I listened with thrills all over
me. I could hardly t-lose my eyes in sleep for thinking of the joy I
was to have taking part in the celebration, I think I remember the
anticipation more than I do the realization of that Fay Day, Rut it
wa3 one grand day and Adelaide had made it so. Since we couldn't ask
for two sets of clothing (Julia and I had always dressed alike) it
wa3 understood by me that after that wonderful day, 3he was to have
the "outfit". But I had had my day and was content. For several U1
cessive years we t;irls took part in the Fay Day celebrations. Amon':
— other kinds of work, we younger girls learned to do was "tromping
hay" for the boys during the haying season. They told ua it wouln
make us strong. One May Day, in the afternoon, Julia and I took part
in the foot races, each in her own age group. Sure enough, we each
won. Julia was so thrilled, and convinced that "tromping hay" had
6-k
made her strong, that she held her beads, (the prize), high above her
head and exclaimed, "See what hay haulers can dol" Polks got a big
laugh, though our brothers were somewhat embarressed.
After Adelaide moved away to her own home, Clarinda assumed the re
sponsibility of mother. My own dear "Ollie"! iiow she did sacrifice
and work to put us through school. The boys, after having married
and established homes of their own, managed us a herd of cows to milk
and sell the milk to the creamery, thus to bring U3 in a monthly
check for our sustainence. We all learned to milk them and helped
while we were at home. When Deborah and I finished High School in
1902, we attended the then "Normal School", which is now the "State
Teachers College", at Tempe. We stayed over there during the week, in
a little one room house and did our own cooking, Clarinda and the two
younger children, Julia and Jim, would milk the cows, cook the bread
for us, make our clothes and encourage U3 when we often became dis
couraged. With "Johnny Roanny" hitched to the nilk wagon, Clarinda
would take us down to School in time for our classes Monday mornings,
ar.d come for us each Friday night or Saturday morning. For two years
she continued to work for us, until we were graduated in the spring of
190ij.. She made our Prom dresses and would have made our graduating
dresses, except that our dear friends, Delia Maeser and Calvin Phelps
asked the privilege of furnishing them for us, which we appreciated
very much.
Our home was always a place of happiness to me--each one was kind,
thoughtful, and just. Very few are the quarrels we had with one an
other. I have often thought that the influence of father's prayers
on earth and the influence of mother up above, has gained favor with
the Lord, and He has provided guardian angels to guide us in the paths
of truth. And although our mistakes have been many, they are not ir
reparable, and if we keep on trying, we will eventually reach our
ultimate goal eternal life with the Father,
I have mentioned that Deborah and I went through our latter school
experiences together. All through our college d.ys, she was nv lean
ing post! She was brave-I was scared and shy. And when I w2nd ret
discouraged and cry, she would encourage me and make me laugh ag^f
then I would take hope. Often I felt that I would quit school the
I would remember all the sacrifices the girls and boys had nade for
me to get that far and I just could not fail them. Deborah heper.e
tZLmTy °f t?e Cri3S3 and J am «lad I «as not a "ou
those days we two grew very close together.
er". T^
Julia and I have always been pals. We six girls were reared in pairs.
That is, Adelaide and Clarinda were near the same age, Priscilla and
Deborah were near the same age, as wa3 Julia and I near the same age.
Always in our youthful years, we played together and were) considered
by all the folks as belonging together. We were married the same day,
at the same place, and by the sane Elder. Our children came along
during the same years, ^ow, in our "grandma" days, we are still pals,
although we six feel at this time of life that we are all about the
same age, enjoying the same thing3, sharing each other's sorrows and
each other's joys, and loving each other more and more.
During my adolescent years, I had a beau or two, but Orson Phelps was
the only one I didn't tire of. We played together as neighbor child
ren all our young lives, and this compatability grew until love de
veloped, and we decided we could never live apart. So in the fall of
the year 1905, we made a trip, in company with Julia and Tom, Honry
Watkins and Caroline. We wore chaperoned by James and Hattie Miller
to the Salt Lake Temple, whore we were married Sept. 13, 190? by
Brother John R. Winder. We remained in northern Utah for a month,
visiting relatives, then returned to I;esa to make our home.
Episode II
After having lived there about six months, we moved our tents on to
a twenty acre tract, a part of our old home place, which Warner and
Seymour let us have for assuming the mortgage and paying it off. For
^_, a few years we lived there on what is now known as South Horn Lane,
Orson managed to get a herd of cows to milk, the income from which
enabled him to keep up the Interest on the place and to make the pay
ments on the cows. Later he 3old the south ten acre3 to Tom and
Julia.
6-6
The summer following our marriage, August 11, 1906, found us blessed
with a pretty baby girl, whom we named Oma, and Oh—how we loved herl
We were then happier than wo thought one could bo. Grandma Phelps so
unselfishly acted as my nur3e, and I have appreciated her services.
Later, we built a frame house to take the place of the tents, Orson's
father helped to build it, for Orson still helped his father during
the haying season. It was in this house where the first son, Lewis
Ashael, was born, in 1909, While he was yet the baby, we filed on a
homestead south of Chandler, were we moved one of the tent rooms. We
lived there off and on, until we had proved up on it, and got the
deeds of ownership. (Our third child, Genevieve, was born in the
Green house, as we refer to it) in April 9, 1911. She was a pretty
baby and had a singing voice when very young. As we would be coming
from the homestead to visit the folks in Mesa, a distance of perhaps
15 miles, 3he would sing, even at the age of one year, so that we
recognize the tune, We thought she was very smart, and still think
so.) However, water for the 160 acres was unavailable, so we moved
back to Mesa, sold our ten acres and cows, and rented what is known
as the Soloman ranch, on East tj.th. Avenue, It was there where Leon
was born, June 10, 19III.•
Our next move was to rent Adelaide's place, on East J|th. Ave., about
a mile west of the Solomon ranch, where we remained one year. Then
taking the cows we had acquired during the past two year3, moved onto
the Dudley Lewis ranch, on the same road, but two miles further east.
This ranch consisted of 60 acres, and we rented it with the privilege
of buying it. We made our payments, but the man to whom we paid it,
used it for other things than to pay off the mortgage covering the
place. So after a few years of struggling, we had accumulated,
{counting cows and calves), about one hundred head of stock, a pranc
ing team, a fancy surry, and what work horses and equipment it took
to run the farm. It was while there that we bought our first car,
and paid cash for it. It was a Chevrolet, Here our first blue-eyed
child was born, July 21, 1917. She had red hair like her father,
and we were 30 happy for her. We named her Elizabeth( because we
thought she was nice enough to be a queen, and also because both the
names of my mother and Orson's mother was Elizabeth,
Tom came to our rescue by making it possible for ua to buy half his
property on the base line road, where we started all over again,
But the prices of produce raised on the ranch so far failed to match
our payments. We were forced to make another change in order to get
^^ started again. Then Elijah helped us to make a trade of the ranch
for a ten acre place on South Mesa Drive where we still live (1953).
Orson began soon after locating here, to haul gravel and sand for a
living. First he hauled with a team and wagon, then he traded for a
dump truck, and continued to haul for over twenty years. Of course
he had other trucks during that time to take the place of the wornout
ones. In order to get us ahead faster, and to be able to give our
children educational advantages, I secured a school in Chandler, and
spent the week over there, while Orson worked on at his hauling,
(He kopt tho four older children and aent them to school, and I
had the two younger one?,) We spent the week-ends together. For nine
and one half years I taught out there.
During these years, Oma married at the age of 18 years, and went to
California to live. We apent two summers over there where we could
visit her and alao work in the cannery.
As the children grew up, they each in turn finished high school.
While I was teaching, Orson was building ua a nice house on our place.
He worked hard at shoveling the aand and gravel into the truck, for
he did not have a loader as folks do now-a-days. He earned all the
money that was put into the building of the house. My money went to
educate the children, and send them on missions. They worked their
own way through school. In 1936, Lewis married Muriel Brimhall,
after having filled a mission (1928-1930), and had graduated from the
Flagstaff Teachers College in 1936. Genevieve was graduated from
the Flagstaff College, and taught school until she mot and married
Wallace Wilkins. Leon was graduated from the Gila College, and filled
a mission in Virginia and Kentucky, He now lives in Georgia with his
wife Selma, a Georgian, and their three children, Elizabeth gradua
ted from the Flagstaff College and has taught for a number of years.
She married John C. White, also a graduate of the Flagstaff College,
and they live in Mesa, where he is Principal of the Mesa Union High
School, They are building them a new house, doing the painting them
selves, and will be living in It within the next few weeks, Orson
Jr, graduated from the Ilesa High School, and married Lorraine Soren-
son. They have two very fine boys. He is working for himself and
has a fine home on his place,
July 2l|th,, 1953* Orson was called home after a brief illness, and I
am left to carry on without him. I recall the many good times we had
•fcb£>ethcr during our maxried lives and. particularly our days together
since our children have married and' we have been free to ; o places,.
'©■have been active in our. church activities all the while, ^rson
■apent two year3 aa a stake missionary in the San Tan-Indian !"i33ion
end learned to love the Indi-an people". "We have'danced, each week at.
the regular dances with our" groups. We 'have, all-the wtii-le, enjoyed
--olnc together to visit, our children and rcondchildren ynd watching
their growth and progression in their education, I thank the Lord
each nij-ht for the wonderful and happy forty-eight years we had to
gether here and am looking forward to the years weUl have together
throughout eternity.
The children are all very solicitious and helpful to me, I am ready
to dispose of the place where we have lived for more than thirty
6-8
Rebecca A. Phelps
Chapter VII
Being a descendant of Ephraim, who waa the son of Joseph who was sold
into Egyptj I possess many of the traits of the Ephraimites.
I was the twelfth child and the sixth daughter of Charles Hopkins and
Elizabeth Adelaide Hoopes Allon, born Hay 23, 1885 at Mesa, Arizona.
It was in the summer time of 1889 that mother, Elijah and I took a
viayon load of grapes to Ft. HcDowell where the U, S. soldiers were
stationed to keep the Indians on the reservation. When we drove up
to the Fort and stopped, I climbed out on the back x^heel to watch the
soldiers coming toward the wagon. As they surrounded the wagon, sam
pling the grapes, one of them ask mother if she would sell the little
girl standing on the back wheel, and mother said "Yes". As the sol
dier roached for me, I landed on all fours on top of the grapes craw
ling as fast as I could under the spring seat. Mother had put a pret
ty white dress on me that morning, and when she pulled me from under
the seat, I was juice from my head to my toes.
Jim was younger than I and he was such a lovely child. Oh, how I
loved him, and bossed him. We had such good times together. When I
was about eight and he six years old, we found a loaded rifle that
some campers had left down in our field whore they had lived. The
bullet was lodged, and as they couldn't get it out they just left the
rifle. Jim and I took turns snaping the trigger while the otuer held
it upright. It didn't take long for the bullet to get hot, and the
thing exploded. (But as aunt Hinner Watkins would say, "The Lord
takes care of the Aliens.")
One day he was swinging mo in the big swing out on the ditch bank,
north west of the house. When he got me going real high, he told
me to jump out, and as I did so, I went bumping on across the road.
When I stopped, I beyan to cry. He ran and picked me up and said,
"Hirls that are eight years old don't cry.11, so I dried my eyes and
went limping into the house.
It wa3 such a happy time when Priscilla would let me go with her in
the spring of the year to help her cook for the headers and threasher
crew. She was the'best cook and everything she cooked, the men en
joyed. One man said he didn't know the Allen girls were such good
cooks, as they didn't have very much at hone to cook.
I was about sixteen and I was trying real hard to overcome my weak
nesses by being more pleasant and controlling my tempor. It was at
this time I learned a valuable lesson in self control. Priscilla^
was cooking for a crew of twelve men, and I was her helper. One day,
a young man about my age came and a3k the boss if he could get a job
on the threasher an the Allen girls were the cooks and he would like
to get acquainted with them. This amused the crow so very much. The
— boss's young son (Wallie), was a cartoonist and he drew a picture oi-
the back of an old tablet of a man, and a woman with a suit case .—-
jng to catch a train and under-neath he had written, "Julia and Hen.-y
Roing to Salt Lake Temple to Get married." Then he showed it to all
the men and each man signed his name on the back, except George
7-3
Donaldson, and I will always love him for his thoughtfulness. Then
Wallie brought it to the cookhouse and laugiingly gave it to me. My
first impulse waa to wrestle him down, and punch hi3 nose, but I waa
sixteen and trying real hard to be a young lady, so I smiled gracious
ly, and took the thing and showed it to Priscilla, When she saw it,
she knew how the men would tease me, and she was so wise when she
said, "We will just tack it up here in the cookhouse where they all
can see it, and when they find out they can't tease you they will for
get about it," and I found it to be true,
When I was seventeen, I received my first and only love letter from
a man I had met at a dance. While visiting Dora Barker in Buckeye.
It was a resl love letter with poetry, perfume, and love, I was so
surprised to got it that I took it to Clarinda and we read It toget
her. She said that men who Write letters to young girl3 like that,
don't mean what they say, and would load girlD astray, and for mo not
to answer it. This advice impressed me very much* as a year later
when a young man told me of his love for me and ask me to be his wife,
before I could answer yes or no, I had said, "You don't mean what you
have said," We didn't ask me again.
After mother's death, Adelaide bec_-me my mother; and her counsel and
teachings have always remained with me. No matter how rebellious
and stubborn I would get, her teachings always rang in my ears, and
guided me over many a rough place. When I was eight years old, she
married Horace C. Puller. We children thought him the best man In
the world. He was always very good to us. Their wedding feast was
spread at home, and there were so many good things to eat I had
never seen before, and such a beautiful wedding dress—the most
beautiful thing I had ever seen!
When they moved into their new home, I was so disappointed when I
couldn't go too. I think I must have been terribly spoiled when I
was little, because I always cried if I didn't have my way. Rebecca
and I would take turns staying with Adelaide and by crying I got
many more turns than my share. Adelaide always gave me good advice
in my love affairs as well as some teasing. She made my wedding
dress and helped us get ready for our wedding. She was truely a dear
mother to me,
My brother, John Seymour, was the deliveryman for the Co-op store,
and drove a horse named Geronamo on the delivery wagon. One morning
he sent me down into the lower field to catch Geronamo. I went with
out rope or briddle, only a stick to guide him with. I caught him
\.J in the further end of the field and climbed on and started for the
gate, which was closed, Now Geronamo had never been ridden without
a rope or briddle, and the closer we got to the gate the faster he
seemed to go and I couldn't stop him. Ke jumped and his feet caught
in the top wires, and we both went rolling together. Fortunately,
7-k
I wasn1t hurt,
Seymour always supplied the family with groceries, and looked after
our welfare. In his counsel there waa ali^ays wisdom,
I thank the Lord for my parents and brothers and sisters, who have
labored so hard to help me to be what I am.
In 1906, we bought a home on south country club drive and there our
first son, William Olen, was born. In 1908, we sold that place and
moved to my old home {called the "Old Mansion) and Tom worked for
Warner and Seymour and there our second son, Galen Hatch, waa born.
In 1909, we bought a home in the lower Lehi Valley, and there our
<—'' third son, Warner Russell, was born.
lousy. Tom decided one beautiful May morning to dip the chickens to
see if that would kill the lice. We had them all in the coop, and as
I would catch them, one by one, and hand them to Tom, he would dip
them in a tub of creso water he had prepared and then turn them out-
side. We worked fast, never looking behind us. V.'hen the last chick
en was dipped, we turned to view the success of our labors. There
they were; they looked like the remains of a hard fought battle. Some
I-tqtq lying on their sides with their lega stretched out stiff; others
grouped together in heavy chills, some with head and tail bowed, as if
in solemn memory for those who had died first. -Thus was our ex
periences in dipping chickens.
The next two weeks we worked real hard getting ready to go back to
California to work in the fruit and on June 6th., 1925* we started
7-6
in company with Orson and Rebecca and our fanilies. Xta^Lhad a pick
up truck, trailor and touring car. Wo laft home about sundown, and
camped at the Han 3ayampa River. With the exceptions of five or six
flats, we had no trouble reaching Yuma the next day, When we got to
— Brawley, California, we had to detour. Part of us got on the wrong
road, but finally found the right road, Orson, Tom, Leon and Wayne
in Orson's pickup, stopped to get melons, and the rest of us went on
to Salton Sea thinking they would follow. They saw us Going on the
wrong road and tried to follow us. They went to Nylon and back to
Brawley, They traveled all night looking everywhere. At one time
they stopped to rest and Orson got out on a little hill and playfully
called "Beckie", but all in vain. We were all in bed asleep by the
Salton Sea, fifty-two miles away. Just at sunrise they came driving
in. We were surely happy to find each other!
The cannery closed down and Tom thoufht it best to go North to find
work so July 22nd. we bid Orson and Rebecca and family good-by and
went up to Delano, California, and worked in the grapes. We enjoyed
our stay there. We visited with A. A. DeWitt and family.
August 21at, we started for San Diego, down the coast route, and
lived in Calexico with Henry and Caroline Watkins. We enjoyed our
stay with them. Our children ;ot acquainted and had a good time to
gether. We entertained the missionaries alot that winter. They
held their Sunday School at El Centro and the two Catkins families
made $0% of the Sunday School attendance.
November 10th., Tom and I left for Mesa to attend an Allen reunion.
Wo took 100 lbs. of walnuts to them, which they enjoyed. Barbara
Allen wrote a little play called "True to the Faith", The younger
children put it on, and it was just fine,
June 5th., 1926, we paid the mortgage off our place, and June 19th.
moved back to Hesa,
Tom wasn't very well. We went back to El Montie and Tom and the boys
- worked in the cannery until it closed, then we moved to Calexico and
worked awhile there. A gentleman offered Tom and the older boys a
large farm, equipment, and all the cows they could milk on shares.
Each was to get half of the profits. It was a worth-while deal to
be considered. We were going to accept his offer, but on our way
7-7
we remembered our son^ were getting to the age where they were look- ■
ing for a lady companion. We knew there were very few L. D. S.
families living there, and the future happiness of our sons was what
we were living for, so we thanked the gentleman for his offer, and
came back to hesa where our sons could find L. D. 3, companions.
They had been taught to pray and take turns in family prayer night
and morning to ask the Heavenly Father to help them chose a suitable
companion for their lifes help-mate,
I had been invited to work on the Primary Stake Board, as Stake Guide
Supervisor, and I enjoyed my labors so very much, I labored there
four years.
The Temple was dedicated October 23, 1927, and we had the joy of
housing 27 friends whom we hadn't seen for years, and it was such a
heavenly time. The Spirit of the Lord was there in rich abundance,
and everyone seemed to have a portion of it.
Our son Warner Russell and Ida Perkins were married October 27th, the
first day the Temple was open for endowments, and our son, William
Olen and Mary Elizabeth Murray were married the following day, Dec-
embor 30, 1928, Galen left for a mission to the Southern States.
Tom was ordained one of the seven Presidents of the ninetieth' quorum
of Seventies and we enjoyed the association of the other seven Pres
idents and their wives.
On January 1931, Galen wrote and said ho would 3oon be released from
his mission and that on the 16th. of January, he would be in Semin
ary, Mississippi, Tom and I decided we would go get him. Tom, at
that time had a little milk route in Phoenix, and the day before we x
were to leave, Tom wanted ne to meet him in Phoenix to tend to a
little business, and have our car looked over before starting on our
long trip. As I was passing by the fourth ward chapel, I saw a neat
ly dressed man wanting a ride, so thinking him to be a Mormon mission
ary, I stopped and ask him to ride, but I soon discovered, by the
smell, he wasn't. As we passed through Tempe, we talked of our col-
lese town and off the bridge we had just crossed, suddenly I felt my
self being very fondly embraced. I looked up. As he .put put his
mouth down to kiss me, I was so surprised. All I could do was to
poke him in the stomach with my elbow and tell him to behave himself.
As soon as we got to a service station, where two men were, I drove
in and told him to get out. I believe it was a warning for us not
to pick up people on our way down south to get Galen,
gone, Pa Clines got his violin and his wife went to the piano and
they entertained us for about an hour.
We ate supper with Mai and his family, and went back to town to the
meeting. We knocked on the door and a young lady opened it. We ask
if that was the place where the Mormons were having their preaching,
she said "Yes." We went In, and as we stood by the fireplace, we
could see Galen with his back to us, eating in the dining room, I
walked up behind him and put my hands over his eyes. He was very
unconcerned, ne set the food down that he was passing, and waited
until I took my hands off, then he picked up the food and passed it
again before he turned to see who was behind him, When he did look,
all he could say was, "Mother, Father!" as he embraced us both. We
enjoyed the cottage meeting they held that evening.
Uncle George had helped to mob the missionaries out of that part of
the country in 1885, He ask us to forgive him several times for the
rough treatment he had given Tom's mother and family while they lived
there years before. Galen got hi3 release and we started home by the
way of De Hidder, La. and visited Tom's sister-in-law, Dannie Uatkins
and her daughter. We visited relatives in Berkvill and Newton, Texas,
When we got home, we found our house all fixed up. Barbara and the
neighbors had papered and painted the house and made a nice clothes
closet,
April 5, 1931, Tom and the three oldest boys bought a new baler 'and a
new Chevrolet truck. They mounted the baler on the truck with an
engine to run the baler and fixed a trailor behind the truck to catch
the bales. It was the first traveling baler mounted on a truck that
was ever used in the valley. Tom's ideas were original. ihe baler
was successful. They by led hay all summer.
7-9
February 16, 1931, all our children came horn*, and we had 0 spiritual
homo evening. After song and prayer, Ton born his testimony to the
truthfulness of the gospel, and also expressed his thankfulness Xor
his eight sons and his two daughter-in-laws and their babies. He
told his sons to pr^y to our Heavenly Father often, and especially
Jbout selecting a companion for eternity.
Galen, who had lust returned from his mission, said he was thankful
for the ooportunity of oinp on a mission and for the many blessings
he _ had received. 1 encouraged our sons to honor and respect their
Priesthood, ^len spoke of the many blessings they were en,ieying and
thfinked the Lord for them. Earner told of getting a latter from a
man cruising him for being" honest and hoped the Lord would bless him
for being honest.
Hebec snoke from the Doc. and Cov. section ^9:9 "Vherefore I say
unto you that I have sent unto you my everlasting covenant, even that
which was from the beginning." It was a subject be had talked on
while ward teaching. Uayne sang, "ft i.ormon ooy". i-ed told of the
many blessings he had to be thankful for. Deliner rave a reading.
Ida was thankful for her husband and thankful he was taught to be hon
est and to pray, foary \:a& thankful for all the blessings she was en
joying. Alter the closing orayer, we served honey cmdy. Grandma
ttatkins was sick and couldn't come. Jan. 30, 193^, Galen married Dor
is ot^ed in the Arizona Temple and we had the reception at Rebecca's
and Orson's home.
June 3) 1935) Heber left for a mission to the Central States. He was
in the mission field about four months when his appendix ruptured.
He was in the hospital at Kansas City, 1.0. for four weeks. President
'.oodruff called the Elders in for a special fast and prayer in Heber's
behalf. Heavenly Father heard their prayers and his life was spared.
December 20, 1935, Heber married Helen Kay in the arizona Temple.
liay 23, 1937, Tom and Galen bought a new bicycle for my fifty-second
birthday.
October S, 1937, Wed married Flora -oil Brewer, our neighbor's daugh
ter.
January 10, 1938, l.ayne married Theutta rry at Gallup, New Mexico.
7-10
June 37th., 19li.0, Olen was taken to the Sacr.-.mento Hospital with a
ruptured appendix. July 5th, he was operated on and on July 12th.,
we received a telegram telling us to come quickly, as Olen wasn't
expected to live. Warner, Ida and Ru3sell took U3 to Sacramento in
16 hours. We found Olen in a very critical condition. Tom and War
ner administered to him. That evening, Tom called all of our children
together that ware in Sacramento and we had a special prayer circle
in Olen's behalf. The next day was Sunday and the family fasted and
had another prayer circle and a family meeting. Tom, Heber and and
Warner told of the Lord's goodness to them. The Heavenly Father ans
wered our prayers and the prayers of His l.lders quorum and the Saints.,
and although the doctors said it was impossible for him to get wsll,
he was out of the hospital within six months.
I stayed in Sacramento to help care for the children while Hary work
ed. I stayed until August 30th, and brought their baby Joseph Russ
ell home with me. When I came home, I found Warner in the hospital
with a punctured eye, which had to be removed later.
January 19/j-l, was a very busy month. Thers were so many sick people
to visit and give comfort to. I also helped Tom at the school.
In August, Orson and Rebecca came and said "Lets go to Los Angeles
in the morning.", and of course we were happy to go. Ue had a lovely
trip. We stayed three days and visited our children and relatives.
Christmas was a gala time for us, Wayne and Theatta and family, Mr.
and rrs. Pry, Delmer and Erdene, Heber and Helen and family, Ned
and Flora Belle and family, and Warner and Ida and family, came home
for dinner. We had a wonderful visit, as usual. The Gospel was the
topic of conversation.
When the Maricopa Stake was divided, I was called to work on the Mesa
Stake Relief Society Board being one of the charter members.
Tom and I entered the California mission home as mis-
\_,- the right way to live as a family and how to guard our thoughts, as
we will be judged by what we think. Each of our sons bore his test
imony to the truthfulness of the Gospel, and each daughter-in-law
spoke of their appreciation and love for the family. "Each of the
grandchildren present spoke of their appreciation for the standards
their grand-parents have set for them to follow. All the boys sang
"Redeemer of Israel" and Ned offered the closing prayer, I was given
a beautiful orchid, the first and only one I had ever had, and Tom re
ceived a beautiful boutonniere. \e felt like a queen and a king for a
day.
w
October 8, 1949, Dtdmer and Helen Popa were married in the patio at
the Second Vard Chapel. They had a nice reception.
I thank the Lord for my dear husband. I'.'e have ridden life's stormy
seas together for forty-ei£ht years. Sometimes, it has been very
rough sailing, but we have managed to keep our boat right side up,
until we have found smoother sailing, lie thank the Lord for our
eight noble sons that have brought so much .ioy and happiness into
our lives, each in his ovn dear way. We love their lovely wives
they have given to us as daughters, and the thirty-one lovely grand
children and eight lovely great-fr&nd children. i-«ay the Lord ever
bless them with a desire to study the scriptures and r.ain a stronger
testimony that the Lord lives and Jesus is the Christ, and that the
true gospel has been restored to the earth through the Prophet Joseph
Smith and by keeping the commandments we may dwell in the Celestial
Kingdom as a family in peace and love.
This is my desire,
Bertha