This Park was a Painter, and an early settler in Nephi

This 1940 obituary listing is noteworthy, in that it shows some of the pioneer history of Nephi, Utah, with the Painter and Park families.

If you didn't get your wedding invitations, here they are. The names of Carter, Wilkey, Park, Gibson Ord and Lunt are quite familiar to Nephi for the past century.

She is as beautiful a woman that Hollywood could ask for, even if it was a hundred years old. So who is this stunning lady from Juab County.

This large photo has been in the family for a hundred years, yet we know not as to her identify, and we would like your help to identify her. We believe she is either from the Juab County area, or of England at the time of the pioneers trek to Utah.

How much does it cost to build a new school today...how about it the 1920's? Geo.V. Tolley would build one as big as a block for $198,000.

George W. Tolley was born in Ephraim, Utah in 1860 while his father-Wm. Fisher Tolley, was constructing the road from Nephi to Sanpete County. The son kept up the construction trade and moved from Juab County to California, where he started the Geo. W. Tolley Contractor and Builder company. He would periodically write home to his Nephi sister-Elizabeth Tolley Jones, and report his success. Here are some photos related to he and his business. The Gridley Memorial building was finished in 1924, and looking at their website, it is as beautiful now as it was when the Nephi boy built it. Although it is uncertain what year he built the store, the vintage cars in front may date back to the late 1920's. This Tolley construction man died in 1936. He was married to Esther Christensen. Efforts will be made to see if the Galt School and Veterans Memorial would like these photos.

Do you remember when they had horse races in Nephi! The oval track racers would fly by the stands in the Juab County arena. But iis it actually in Nephi?

As a kid growing up in Nephi, Utah during the 1950's and sixties, I recall the race track where the Ute Stampede Rodeo grounds are. I am not certain the attached photo is of a race at the fairgrounds, so hopefully somebody can fill me in and then I can give it to the appropriate agency in Juab County. The photo was recently found in a forty years in hiding box containing a variety of Juab County residents related to my family. I am quite sure none of the riders was 4 foot eleven inch Willie Shoemaker, as the first jockey appears to be sitting high in the saddle, and may even be wearing a nice hat; white shirt and tie. Perhaps he was just on his way to church and accidently got caught up in the race, being late for Priesthood meeting.

Sanataquin is not in Juab County, but pretty darn close, so how about we temporaily adopt one of its cowboys who married a Nephi gal.

In the old days, Santaquin was just a hop and skip from Juab County, and young folks used to fly by Doc Steele's ranch and match up like Juab and Sanpete kids did. Since Santaquin is moving closer and closer to the County line, how about we temporarily adopt Wesley Silcox. After all, he married one of the Nephi Sperry gals, and they had their wedding shindig at the Juab County Fairgrounds. Wes has moved to the fourth in the world championship of bull riding, and as such, it seems appropriate to support him. You can watch him climb on the PRCA website. Since his wedding announcement has the initials W&J on it, I had no choice but to put another 1950's cowboy's photo here, who has the initials of WJ. That ain't no bull!

If you are from Nephi or living there now, you have probably heard about or know a Winn.

The City of Nephi and the Winn Family go hand in hand, having been around from the early days of Juab County. Veterans before 1947 include John, Keith and Devon Winn. Other Winn's are RE Winn, who I think we called Dean and the Nephi Mayor in the 1950's and early 60's; then there was TC Winn, who was the Mayor in 1922. The Winn family have also been involved with the Ute Stampede, with R.E. Winn involved with that during World War II. How about Florence Winn, who helped get the canning of fruit together to assist local folks during the Great Depression or Chad Winn, a County Commissioner and who hasn't spoke in as many funerals as James H. Ockey Sr. or Ross Garrett, but he may eventually get there. Todays photo include the Winn Flour Mill which stood where the Nephi Canyon Hills Golf Course. The second photo was taken last week, and is about the same area where the Mill used to be, attempting to line it up with the ridge. The Winn Family eventually built a new one in 1917, at 1st North and 2nd West which eventually became the Juab Mill and Elevator Company. One of the other photos is of Jay Winn, son of Bert Winn. He was a farmer in Nephi and considered by many as one of the true life cowboys. We then have Hazel Winn Carter, who was born in 1891 in Nephi. She was a very active member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.

WHAT DOES KING RICHARD III HAVE IN COMMON WITH A MAN FROM NEPHI!

In 1485, the King of England was Richard III. During the Battle of Bosworth in the War of the Roses, he was killed, the last ruling King to do so in battle. His military assistants hastily buried him near a Cathedral, rather than have the enemy take his body. His remains remained there for 530 years, until researchers found him in 2012-underneath a parking lot. DNA confirmed it was Richard III, so they exhumed the body and reburied the medieval king in a more proper place. When I was reading about the changing of burial sites, I recalled an incident of thirty years ago at the Vine Bluff cemetery in Nephi, Utah. While doing cement repairs in a family plot, I had extra cement, so rather than let it go to waste, I decided to patch other headstones that had been standing for a long time, including the one in the photo, depicting Joel Grover, who died in Nephi during 1886. While awaiting the cement to dry, I was approached by a great man and the cemetery Sexton-Rex Carter. He told me that although my actions were thoughtful, they were waiting for the tall headstone to fall over, so they could haul it off. It was somewhat of a hazard, but they were not allowed to do much until it toppled over. He further explained there were no remains underneath, indicating the family had removed them many years before, taking them up north closer to the family. As of last week, the striking headstone still stands, but just verily. I wondered if we could get the British to help rebuild a proper foundation for it, as it still looks stately beautiful with Mt. Nebo in the background and to be buried in Nephi- nothing could be finer or more stately.

Fros-T-Freeze in Nephi, Utah was well known for having the best curly fries for locals and travelers.

Before they built the freeway east of Nephi, there were many a folk that stopped at Fros-T-Freez on the north end of Nephi. It was more than a hamburger joint...as they had the best curly friends anywhere. During the 1960's, Spencer and Roxie Bowles made it a popular eating and meeting site. The first photo is from a 1969 Juab High yearbook, and the second one was taken last week. Although it is now a new business, the sign remains, which is the wing of an aircraft.  To all of you former Air Force people, see if you can determine from what airplane it is from.

IF YOU ARE A MORMON, OR FROM JUAB COUNTY, YOU MAY HAVE HEARD OF THE MARTIN HANDCART TREK TO UTAH. HERE IS MY VERSION OF WHAT HAPPENED.

If one is to study the early LDS pioneers of Juab County, the story of the handcart expedition is an  important part of that history. Like many things in life, I don't always accept things as they are taught or told, so I travel to look and feel in order to come up with my own conclusions. Such is the case of what I did a few years ago.  The typed pages tell the story of the Mormon pioneers coming to Utah, and of a segment of those folks who trekked on to Nephi, Utah. The first photo is the original photo of Martha Jackson Jones. The second document is the death notice of Martha. After the reading, the photo of the digging area becomes more understandable, as that was the area assigned to me, for the archaeological dig at Martins Cove. The next photo should show me pointing to the name of 50 year old Ann Jackson, who is the mother of Martha Jackson Jones. The last photo is of the Sweetwater River beneath Independence Rock. Although splendid and serene at the time I took the photo, it is the same bone chilling ice water where many of the handcart folks perished.

So what does a 1848 Utah Mormon pioneer have in common with Napoleon!

During the early 1800's Napoleon Bonaparte was the Emperor of France and 70 million people. Many historians consider him one of the greatest military commanders in the world. He of course met his "Waterloo" when he wanted to seize control of Russia, much to the dismay of several European countries and surrendered to the British. He died in 1821, while being held as a prisoner on a remote island. Although I don't recall the reasoning, portraits of Napoleon show him with his right hand in his vest, as shown in the attached portrait copy. I was thinking of Napoleon when I came across a 125 year old cardboard photograph of Jabus Nowlin, who was born in Salt Lake a year after Brigham Young arrived in the valley of salt. Jabus  married a Juab County gal by the name of Maria Tolley, who was  born in 1853. She was the daughter of Wm. Fisher and Sarah Warren Tolley and the recovered items belonged to Sarah. What I thought was intriguing is the photo of him with his right hand in the vest. I hope to give these items to either the Juab County Daughters of Utah Pioneers or the LDS church, so they can provide the historical items to millions of viewers. The critical thing is...... who do I ask to see why Jabus was resting his hand where it was. Was that a Juab County thing or did he just like Napoleon or was it because he was frustrated the picture taking took so long.

In case you were not able to attend, here is the information on the Sixth Grade Operatta in Nephi during April, 1956.

Weston Jones was an "old man" in 1956; Stephen Jenkins, Jay Worthington and Mike Sperry were good gas attendants; Christine Winn, Kathy Steele, Peggy Winn, Beverly Blackett and Marvin Mackey have always been young. Great bell hops were Mont Jones, Roger Jarrett, and Kent Gowers. We also liked Terry Zabriskie as a guest, as were Russell Morgan, Nannette Corbin and Betty Brown. Come to think of it, nobody could play the piano like Kathy Broadhead or do art work like Loy Beth Sudweeks, and how about Golden Oldroyd not just a sixth grade teacher, but one of the co-directors for H.R.H, Miss Jones.

ALTHOUGH IT SEEMS EARLY, TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE NOV. 17 REUNION OF WALKER AND BLACKHAWK INDIAN WARS OF JUAB COUNTY.

I know, I know, November seems a long way off, but it's recommended you get tickets early this year.  As noted with the excellent shape of the one I have, it is the 4th annual reunion of the Indian Wars of Juab County. For those of you not familiar with Juab County, just look for the large church located on North Main in Nephi. To assist, we have included a photo of that chapel and the folks that attended last year. As you can see by those in the photo, they are not overly pleased, only because they are hungry and want the blessing and photograph to be over with, so they can begin. If you can't find a ticket, just get in touch with Edwin Booth, Samuel Cazier or John Beal.

I HAD A THING GOING WITH THREE OTHER GALS IN THE SUMMER OF 1948.

I  have the evidence right here in front of me. It  has the details along with the photos, but I am sorry, I just don't remember very well these days. I therefore apologize to Linda Hunsaker, Nancy Ann Mather and Linda Marie Burge. One young man with three such cuties, what is one to do, other than show the world.

THERE WAS A TIME WHEN NORTONVILLE HAD BEAUTIFUL GREEN FIELDS ON JUST DRY LAND FARMING

In the early days of Nortonville, local farmers followed the lead of Nephi's David Broadhead, to plant and yield grain without irrigation. The Broadhead family found success on the land south of Nephi known as the "Levan Ridge", and eventually-dry land wheat farming became so popular there that Utah State University built a facility to study what they thought couldn't be done. As may be shown in the first photograph, Gary and Alma Jones are standing in a tall field of grain on the Jones family farm in Nortonville, Juab County. That was in June, 1967 when there was plenty of subsurface moisture. As I recall, we had Elmer Broadhead cut the grain, making it a full circle of Broadheads helping us to do dry land farming over a hundred years. Although Alma has been gone for many years, as a part-time historian, I appreciate the Juab County Extension office keeping Dad's name on the records. I assume, he is somewhere taking care of similar type fields of dreams.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE A JUAB COUNTY COWBOY, YOU GOT TO KNOW THE CODE.

In an earlier blog, I wrote about Gene Autry, but left out one of the important matters he helped formulate and promote. That is the Cowboy Code. I therefore, submit to you that Code, so you can become the proper Juab County Cowboy, or date the gal who may expect you to be one who carries the Code in his heart and actions.

1.  The Cowboy must never shoot first, hit a smaller man, or take unfair advantage.

2.   He must never go back on his word, or a trust confided in him.

3.  He must always tell the truth.

4.  He must be gentle with children, the elderly, and animals.

5.  He must not advocate or possess racially or religiously intolerant ideas.

6.  He must help people in distress.

7.  He must be a good worker.

8.  He must keep himself clean in thought, speech, action and personal habits.

9.  He must respect women, parents, and his nations laws.

10.  The Cowboy is a patriot.

IF YOU LIVED IN JUAB COUNTY DURING THE 1950'S, WE ALL HAD HEROS AND I HAVE LISTED FOUR OF MINE.

In going through some old boxes, I found a fascinating file containing a variety of articles on western  hero's, so I wanted to share them. In present day, we seem to confuse American Idols from American Hero's, or at least that is my take. The first photo copy should  be of Randolph Scott, who died in 1987. The Jones kids adopted him as a hero, as he looked; walked and talked much like our father-Alma Jones, who is in the second photo. We considered both of them hero's, as they were gentleman, regardless of where they were. Their kindness was real, as was their citizenship and integrity. The second photo is of Gene Autry, the first singing cowboy(Roy Rogers was second) who made over  90 films, most of which were westerns. On screen, he was the good guy who always won, often only shooting the gun out of the bad guy's hand or just "winging them". Back then, it was just good entertainment, even though the good guy usually had a six shooter, but for some reason they never ran out of bullets, but we didn't have to watch a lot of bloody body shots. In his private life, Gene Autry was a hero, deciding to put his career on hold and join other Americans in World War II. He didn't want to take the easy way, and became a pilot on a C-109, transporting supplies over the dangerous Himalayas. He then entered professional rodeo as a stock producer and inducted in the PRCA Hall of Fame, then bought the California Angels baseball team. He had no kids, but treated his baseball players who felt like singing the Gene Autry song that first made him famous " That Silver Haired Daddy of Mine". He treated his animals; his employees, and the public with the same type of fairness and humanity he showed in the movies. The last photo is of one of my modern day hero's-George Strait. Like the other men, he is a straight shooter. I found that out when my buddy come across him hunting deer near Kanab. He was exactly as he portrays...one of the good guys, a real hero we can all look up to. It is not too late to find a hero...who is yours!

HAVE YOU EVER WANTED TO GO BACK IN TIME-NOT TO CHANGE HISTORY, BUT JUST OBSERVE AND KNOW

Think about it.  How about going back to the time Columbus first set ground on the unknown land of the Americas, or watching Moses spread the Red Sea.  The rough part would not be wanting to go up to the walled water and see if you could stick your hand through it. Well, I don't have the diaries of those folks, but do have 150 years worth of folks from Juab County. So lets go back at least 74 years for right now, more to follow another time.  As this diary of Alma Jones was written in pencil, it is a little obscured, so I will attempt to type that which he wrote starting on March 9, 1941.

March 9, 1941
Ellen Garrett folks are up from Nevada visiting a day or two with Joe & Ellen. Norma and children here from Mona for a short visit.

March 10, 1941
There was a parade in town today, honoring the battery boys, who are to leave for California within the next few days. A fine program was held at the high school.

March 11, 1941
Roy Winn & Vivian are down here for a short visit. Alta was with them. They are visiting Aunt Jane this afternoon. Mother and Father are over there. Calanice Sunderg called.

March 12, 1941
It was a nice sunny day. The farmers are starting to work in the fields. Payson 2nd Ward put on a very good show in our ward- Meanest Man In The World.

March 13, 1941
We have been out to Mona to see Norma this afternoon. While there we got a lot of raspberry plants from Mr. Young. Mary Garrett is having her shower tonight.

March 14, 1941
Mother has not been feeling so well today. Norma and George has been over today.  Also Emma and Pearl have been out helping Alma. Went to Levan this afternoon. Called to Louise Anderson.

March 15, 1941
It is a nice warm sunny day. Emma is helping with the work. LaVon and Mrs. Memmott called to see mother in afternoon. Private dance in South Ward tonight.

LDS Institute of Religion Students-Your regsristration fee of $1.00 is now due.

As noted in the small print, your credit may be transferred to BYU, as long as you confer with your instructor first. Well, we hope for the best, but most of the listed instructors are between 80 and 100 years old, so make sure you get your registration in ASAP, so we can find these instructors.