Juab County Horse Sense.

My father taught we didn't have to watch TV to know when a storm was brewing-we just had to watch the horses. Not only was that a magical and mystical event, but their actions foretold of the impending storm. They would run around the corral kicking and bucking, preparing for the weather to turn south. I was always amazed during that process, as a horse would playfully kick at each other, but never connect, although it was within inches. They knew how close to come without hurting each other. I don't think a horse ever read a horse book, but they seem smart. During the sultry days of summer, they stand head to butt from each other. That is to swat the annoying and stinging flies off each other. During the no fly zones of winter, they face the wind in a line to help protect others from the chilling and deadly wind. No horse should stand alone, as they are very social animals. If you only have one make sure your neighbor has one across the fence so they can jaw about the important things of life. If the BLM needs to get input on how to manage the wild horses of the west desert, perhaps they could chat with the families of Joe and Ross Garrett. Those brothers could round up a mustang and bronc ride it just like the Wright  brothers do today and at no cost to the taxpayer. Just prior to taking the photo, a flat bed truck was observed taking supplemental feed to these horses. One guy drove; one sat in the middle to get the right radio station and the third was on the back pushing off the hay, then having to jump on and off to close the gate. All are cowboys and sometimes it takes living in the west to understand and appreciate true American made values.

Vieno Fuelling- the life and times of a Carbon County classy but gristy lady who qualifes for my "Lady Of The Year" award.

Vieno Fuelling was a delightful woman who I historically interviewed when she was 90 years old, but since passed away. At the time, she resided in a nursing home outside Juab County. Back then, some of the staff was not overjoyed to spend much time with her, but I cherished it. She was not afraid to tell you what she thought, and peppered her opinions with colorful words as if she was a drunken sailor arriving in Port for shore leave. To me, her straight shooting honesty was a welcome sight in a world of double talk. She declared her worldly presence on Feb 19, 1911 in Schofield, Utah, USA. She maintained she could not have asked for better people to be raised by. Her father was Andrew Alfred Kangas; her mother Hilma, and both came from Finland. Although she knew the native tongue, she was not permitted to utter it outside the home. Her parents taught that "they are Americans and allowed to only speak English". Her father arrived in the United States first, then sent for his wife. Dad came to work in the coal mines of Carbon County. They first lived in Winter Quarters(Utah), then to Schofield. She remembers her home well, as it was just down the street from the school she attended. She went through the 9th grade, then the family decided that was enough reading and writing, as if kids wanted more education, they had to be hauled to Price, Utah. She remembers when a teacher was not kind to a challenged classmate. Vieno verbally objected to school officials, and the teacher was soon given the boot. She had plenty to do without books, as her mother ran a boarding house, and all family members were expected to do their fair share. Vieno lived across the street from the Schofield dance hall, which was a profitable enterprise for her and the sisters. During and after dances, they would crawl under the floor planks and pick up the nickels and dimes that fell out of the high steppin dancers. Coal mining in Carbon County was an important part of the economy and all miners knew of the potential dangers of working underground. They knew- as in 1900, an explosion underneath  killed more than 200 miners. All families of Schofield pitched in for many years to help the women and children of the perished men. She vividly remembers the meat market, the drug store; the tailor shop and the grocery stores. She also remembers her six sisters. There was Jennie, Tyyne, Ester, Tekla, Hilda and Emma. She held them in high esteem and smiled when she relived how they would all get together and make "buddy calendars", but my notes didn't describe what they were. As a young lady, she traveled to Park City to baby sit for an older sister who had moved there. It wasn't long before she met and married Ernest Frederick Fueling. They had a baby boy, which later died of complications due to measles and pneumonia. Then came daughters Iclea, Eunice and Karen. She and her husband stayed in Park City awhile, where she learned to ski long before the Hollywood jet set came "and ruined it". She also remembers the time she fell skiing and broke her leg. It never did set right and had related medical issues with it for the rest of her life which made her bed ridden. I asked Vieno while in the twilight of her years-where she would like to travel to, if it was made possible. Her response was something like "Why in the !!!!! would I want to travel to any !!!!!! place as I live in the most beautiful area of the !!!!!!!! world." She loved to stay home and visit with family, but she did admit doing some high travels to Fish Creek and Clear Creek, Utah. Although she hadn't lived in Park City for several decades, she still remembered her address being 401 Park Avenue. When I declared if she still had that home, she would be worth millions. I think the reader can guess what she told me and where to place that idea. Then she got more mad at me for the giggles listening to her descriptive and most profane of all words west of Finland. She couldn't get out of bed, so I kept etching her on. I loved her total honesty, and it reminded me of how kids are. Children don't know how to lie until we adults teach them by accident or on purpose. Vieno Fuelling- although you never traveled to Nephi, Utah, I know all of Juab County would accept you along with each of our nursing homes. I tip my hat to a classy gristy woman, who is undoubtedly giving all angels in the heavenly coal mine systems...a !!!!!!run.... to grab their !!!!!!!trumpets!

This is our tribute to Bill and the Howard family of Nephi, Utah, USA.

We were saddened to read of the passing of Bill Howard, one of the finest men of Juab County. When you are raised in Nephi, Utah during the 1950's and sixties, most kids had a blend of excellent parents; supportive neighbors; perfect size high school and a community that truly cared for each other. Bill Howard was a gentle and kind cowboy, yet hardworking, stalwart and brave, being in combat as a turret gunner, one of the most awkward and deadly flying positions of World War Two. As a kid, I always looked up to him, mainly because he was the daughter of a classmate from Juab-"Class of 65". Later on, Bill was the go- to- guy for about any religious or community assignment there was. He thought it was an honor to speak at his neighbor and friend's funeral-Sherl Ferre, then did the same when he was the LDS Bishop of another friend and neighbor-Farrell Carter. Although his insurance bosses may have honored him as a "top salesman", most locals round town honored him as "thee most honest salesman". He wouldn't sell you vehicle insurance if the only thing you drove was a horse. Sometime ago, after the funeral of Jack Howard, I approached both Bill and his wife, who were standing nearby at the cemetery, but not with the crowd. I couldn't figure out why they were gazing downward, almost in a trance. I approached them to inquire if they were okay. I then looked down to see what they were looking at and saw the headstone of their daughter-Linda Howard, who had passed away just before our high school graduation. I couldn't help announce they were not the only ones that loved their daughter, but the entire school body. I then re-introduced myself and they were less startled. They knew as I then did-Linda's presence was nearby and one could feel the glorious reunion whenever we all take that mystical but real step from one life form to another. In high school, Linda was not just pretty, but pretty smart and a soft and gentle person, who was active in many high school activities and could turn you down for the Junior Prom, but remained your ardent friend. Like father-like daughter. Bill and Ruth-you have done well in all aspects of life. That will remain for eternity.

Who is the real B.H. Roberts of the LDS Church! Was he a poverty stricken kid; a miner; scripture specialist; historian, missionary; Tramp; General Authority and elected to Congress.

Brigham Henry Roberts was born in England, and later known only as B.H. Roberts. In 1866, he left the British Isles along with his sister to follow a Mormon Wagon Train to Utah. Their mother  "may" await their arrival in the Utah Territory. On their own, they walked barefoot- which may have contributed to B.H. Roberts acquiring the stubbornness to hold fast when the rough got tough. In those days, kids were expected to work, especially if you are poverty stricken without parental care. He found work in the local mines, and became a rowdy ruffian in his adolescence. However, he had the inner desire to read, study and later became known as the "intellectual leader of the LDS Church" and considered as such long after his death. He gathered pioneer journals and historical items connected with Utah and his church, then became a very impassioned speaker, and wrote several books including the still studied "History of the Church". Some of his "great oratorical" speeches incited riots, as did his candid disclosures of Utah history, which brought him both respect and censure. He was elected to the United States Congress, but never seated-as he was a Polygamist, and Federal Law prohibited him from serving. He was also a General Authority of the LDS Church, being called by Mormon leader John Taylor and commonly called the "Defender of the Faith". However, he resisted giving up polygamy, so he spent 5 months in the Utah Territorial Prison(now Sugar House Park of Salt Lake), but later pardoned by U.S. President Grover Cleveland. He was still influential enough to get a waiver for the maximum age of 40 to join the U.S. Army and this 60 year old headed to France during World War One. He was assigned as a Chaplain in the 145th Artillery. Now for the rest of the story and his possible connection with people of Nephi, Utah, USA. For the past fifty years, our family has been trying to piece together photos and documents in the family since 1856. One of our photos has now been positively identified and authenticated by a well known owner of LDS  and Utah history books and documents. The attached photo is none other than B.H. Roberts. And now for the tough query-Why would a General Authority of the LDS church dress in "Tramp" type clothing, rather than the fancy duds of other big wigs of the LDS church of that era. Also, how did some body in the Nephi Jones family get the photo! We have a theory, but only an educated guesstimation(that is a new Jones word). We know that B.H. Roberts was on an LDS mission in the Southern States for ten years. While in Tennessee, an anti-Mormon mob gathered and killed two LDS missionaries. B. H. Roberts knew how to cloth himself as a Ho-Bo; so disguised himself as such, and able to secure the tortured dead men and bring them back to Utah for their families. This writer, and others speculate that General Authority B.H. Roberts was a rebel of sorts, and found it "fun" to dress up as he did, and had this rare and highly sought after photo taken next to the Tabernacle  before the completion of the Salt Lake Temple. Early Nephi Jones folks and Wm. Fisher Tolley was well known to Porter Rockwell; Brigham Young and John Taylor, so we speculate that is how our family came into possession of this photo from 130 years ago, or perhaps B.H. gave it to Vic Jones, who was severally wounded in France during WWI, where B.H. Roberts may have been visiting wounded Mormons.