For years I have known that my family history involved polygamy in the 1800's, but just found shocking evidence my father had several wives as well.

Decoration Day is often rough to put together for most families, as there is cleaning the grave areas; purchasing or cutting flowers and such. For me, it has been the routine to explain how my great grandfather-Wm. Fisher Tolley had four wives when the LDS Church permitted it. Then on my  line of the Jones family, I had to do the same for Edward Jones, the first, and tell how he too was given permission to marry two wives by Brigham Young. This year was a little easier as I had cousin Mark Jones next to me to help explain that situation. While preparing to place such photos at graves, I found new evidence that my own father may have also had several wives! In the old days, the "First Wife" had to give permission for the man to take up more wives, and I think the "First Wife" of Alma Jones may have given such consent to add fifteen more to his list. I recognize the typewriter print that LaVon Jones put together. If you check each photo, it appears that Alma has the biggest smile of them all. After further research, it is quite possible, they were all involved in the LDS Sunday School together, but all evidence is still being considered.

In most cases, dogs remain man's best friend, but like a horse, they have to be reined in at times.

Over the years, horses are a little like many dogs....they are man's best friend. But the dogs and other animal counterparts, have to be reined in at times. The 1960 photo is of the family horse named "Dot" as it had a dot on his forehead. Weston Jones worked hard to earn that horse, given to him by Joe Garrett in the days when cowboys could round up Mustangs and keep them for riding, and without costing the taxpayer a dime. Dogs were an important part of G.B. Jones, formerly of Nephi, Utah. His dogs had so much energy, they had to have reins to work together on the thousand mile race on the Iditarod Trail. One of those dogs was named "Nick" after the family dog named "Nick" of Nephi during the 1950's and sixties. Two of the Nephi dog tags should be in a photo. Once the new Nick developed arthritis, G. B. Jones put him on a first class flight to his present home on 7th North and Main. He will be 14 on July 1st, and like the old Nick, he doesn't wander far, as the arthritis is bad, but in a good dog rest home. Dogs have been an important friend to many people, although there are places that they may not be welcome, and for just cause. Last year I recall, watching a customer bring in a dog to a popular grocery store chain, and once he got near the meat department, he couldn't hold it in. In wasn't a pretty sight, so decided not to shop there anymore. In attending today's Memorial Day services at Vine Bluff cemetery, I can now understand why Nephi City officials does not welcome dogs in the cemeteries or City Park. Dogs have a way of marking their sites, which are not fun to step in. At today's playing of Taps, there was the proper silence among the observers, but not from the barking dog that was in a nearby car, destroying the solemn occasion. My hat goes off to Nephi City for appreciating the importance of dogs, but support their ban on them in parks and cemeteries. I hope they continue that, and not cave in like a city in the Salt Lake Valley, who removed the children's playground equipment, and modified it to a "Bark Park".  It was a few years ago, but a new resident of Nephi made an appearance at City Council and wanted to have all farm animals removed from City limits. After some discussion, the Council unanimously invited those people to leave town, as the animals she was talking about had been at their location for a hundred years, and nobody was going to change that, nor should they.

We all run in to the end of the month bills, as I did, but figured a way to get them paid....well maybe!

Although it is a dying breed, I still like to get my bills in the mail and pay by check. The trouble is sometimes we place the bills to one side, and they get buried with other papers, and all of a sudden we are behind the eight ball. I want to make sure that all of these bills are paid which I recently found. Years ago, I heard that if you had a blank check, you were good to write a check, as a bank would not be giving you blank checks with out money there. I am trying to help all of my family with the bills, which have been sent to Wm. Fisher Tolley more than a hundred years ago, then to Grant Jones; Alma Jones; Wm. Jones, and can't quite figure out the one to Hal Jones from Dr. P.L. Jones. It says we owe $5.00 but as I recall Hal ain't go no teeth and hasn't for a half century. Some of the bills are from Barton Plumbing, Snak Shak Café; Richard Sudweeks and then we may owe the U.S. Government for grazing cattle. But I am in luck as I found some blank checks, and can't even remember who in the family had money in The First National Bank of Chugwater, Wyoming or the First National Bank of Torrington, Wyoming. I then went over to Nephi office of The Commercial Bank of Utah, and apparently the Wells Fargo Stagecoach got stuck there, as the clerk didn't know what I was talking about. Oh well, as a back up I have the BankAmericard, and some IOU's in the First Security Bank money bag.

If you are an active Mormon, it is suggested you give the church a tenth of what you earn.

The records have been sealed for the past fifty years, so I guess it is time to bring out the evidence. Somebody had to do it. In 1960, my mother prepared the documents to send to the IRS. She kept good records on taxable income by each member of the Nephi, Utah Jones family of seven. She also kept track of proper deductions, and as such it shows how much "tithing" was given to the LDS Church, which is their way of helping to fund their activities, but like many religions. At the time, Alma and LaVon Jones had five kids earning money, even the youngest-Jaynette, who was eight years old, ironing handkerchiefs and cleaning house for Mrs. P. L. Jones. In checking all the work records, we have came to the conclusion that Weston Jones paid zero towards tithing that year. He was 17 and we know he was working for Joe and Ross Garrett, and for Merle McPherson. His siblings were 14 year old Hal, who paid $11.50; Kent-age 13 paying $9.90; Gary-age 12, paying .20 cents, and Jaynette paid .60. At the time, the LDS Bishop of the 4th Ward was Donald Bailey, and Don Royce was the financial clerk. Both have since passed away, so we have no other option other than ask brother Wes if he was honest with his reporting's. If nobody sees him before I do, tell him I have a stamped envelope waiting for him and he can mail any past dues to the current Nephi 4th Ward Bishop-Craig Sperry, but only if he is comfortable with that. We both may burn in Hell anyway, but what the heck, we can at least try for a higher kingdom in that bottomless pit of doom, but at least we will be with our friends.

Tomorrow is Decoration Day, as that is what the Civil War Veterans and their families wished to call it.

Tomorrow is "Decoration Day" as that is what the Civil War Veterans wished to call it in 1868, with both Union and Confederate families decorating soldiers graves at Arlington. A few decades ago, it was changed to Memorial Day. It is not to be confused with Veterans Day. Tomorrow, we remember those who died while serving, with Veterans Day is for all who served. As there is no official day to honor the many other hero's in each of our life's, we piggy back on Decoration Day to honor those of our family, neighbors and friends who have passed. It is fitting and proper to do so. Although many have not had the means to travel to Arlington National Cemetery, it is a hallowed opportunity of a life time to walk there or at Gettysburg. A true American can not walk in either place without tears of emotion erupting. If you can't make those trips, then walk through our cemeteries wherever you see a flag placed. Today, I pay homage to all those living and dead that served in the military, from one day to a career of it, they all did more than I did. They did it out of nobility, courage and sworn duty to protect us the citizen. Yesterday, I had the great opportunity to return a World War I bayonet to the proper heirs of the man who carried it in battle. Bill Ockey carried the Remington 30-40 Craig in the Great War To End All Wars. On his return to Nephi, Bill borrowed the gun to our family for deer hunts, as Bill was not interested in ever touching a gun again. After the passing of Bill, the rifle was returned to his son-Paul, then after his passing, it went to Bill's daughter Emma, who again passed it to her daughter-Debbie Carter Sperry. In going through my various historical boxes, I discovered the bayonet that had been packed away many years ago. We presented it to her yesterday, and she wasn't even aware there was a bayonet to the rifle, but was pleased to add it to her grandfathers rifle and will also give her the shells for it. The other photo is of me presenting the bayonet to Debbie's son in law who is holding the hundred year old battle ready rifle. If you are a high school kid and go fast past her home, be on the look out for a feisty woman who carries a World War One rifle with a bayonet attached. The photo should show other war relics including a bayonet used by a German soldier to fight us and an up close date of 1917 on Bills bayonet. The German bayonet is an 1891 model, manufactured by Weyersberg Kirschbaun and Co. of Solingen, Germany, used on a Mauser rifle. That was brought back from Germany during a historical visit there. We also have a sword believed to be from the Nephi Regiment of the Mormon Militia; 30-40 Craig bullets; .45 caliber bullets from a World War One Nephi officer; Viet Nam U.S. Army Ring; and instructions on how to fire a cannon of the 145th Artillery of the U.S. Army. To the cop on the beat; the fireman and military, I honor those who are willing to go in to the fight mode while the rest of us take cover. I honor thee. May we never forget.

This is a request to help identify the people in this "Tolley Family" photo which is about 126 years old.

We do know that Will Jones is the guy on the front left and then his brother Ed is on the far right, but not sure who the other people are. On the back it notes it is the Tolley Family of Nephi, Utah, so hopefully somebody in the Tolley Clan can help identify these photos.

How much do you know about Highway 91, and is there a place you can still see the original cement of it. Well get ready as we have a photo.

Highway 91 has largely been replaced by 1-15, but years ago, it was the main road through Utah if you were heading to Idaho or California. In the 1970's, most of it was covered over and traffic was diverted with shorter routes to avoid going through the small towns. Nephi, Utah was considered an important stopping area for gas, lodging, and grub. There are not many places you can still see a part of the original cement laid in 1926, so if you look at the photo, you will see a small stretch of it north of Nephi, heading towards Nortonville. When it was built, different contractors had different sections, and in leaving Utah County, Santaquin was the headquarters for that area. My father was Alma Jones, who was a mule skinner for the building of the section from Santaquin to Nephi. No, he didn't skin mules, that is what they called the guys who used mules to pull the forms to set the cement. At the time, he was 23 years old, looking for more steady work than running the farm, so he ran the form! His boss just happened to be married to his Aunt Genva. His name was Sye Emerson, and thus Alma Jones got his start in the cement arena. There used to be a part of the cement visible just south of Santaquin, but that has been obliterated that last few years. Here is your chance to see a part of history. It is not a wide road, but in 1926, there were not a lot of fast moving cars. We took photos looking to the north and south, and sorry I can't figure out how to turn the sideways photo around and afraid to hit these buttons or I have to start all over. So take a lunch and stop on Highway 91 to see and walk on this piece of history, without having to turn your computer to the right on its side.

In the early days of Utah.....booze eventually showed up in Mormonville, but they called it "Valley Tan".

There are some people and groups in Juab County that would prefer I not write about this, but it is a part of history, so brace yourself, as we intend on talking about where one has to go to "get spirit's". Years ago, Root Beer was for kids and Beer was for adults, although both had frosty heads to them. As a kid walking along highway 91, we didn't mind beer drinkers, as they would throw their beer bottles out the car window, and we would turn them in for a penny each; pop bottles were two cents each. The best place to find them was from Starr Ranch to Nephi. A gunny sack full was a big load for kids in the 1950's. We had heard that Levan had a beer joint, which was walking distance from any home, kinda like the Chapel. In Nephi, we had the Rainbow on main street, which is no longer there, but we took a photo of the empty space, just so one could liquefy their memories'  of the past. Then down Center Street there was the Nebo Club, which was the FOE and you can still see those initials in the photo. I think this writer was the last man to sit at the bar there! It had been closed for several years, and about three years ago, it was being renovated, and some not so local guys were tearing things out. Me and my partner stopped for old times sake, and asked if we could check the place out. It wasn't lunch time, but the three could recognize an unmarked car, and we wore suits, almost like we could have been immigration agents. Needless to say, they scattered and we sat at the bar pretending it was 1950. By the time we came back through Nephi, the bar remains were removed. No, we didn't have a beer! On the east side of Main there was a place called Wayne's Pool Hall, but they MAY have served beer to adults there. If you go north towards Mona, just north of the homes where Matt, Jack and Maurice Howard lived, there was a bar right by the road one would take up to Merle McPherson's old feed yard-before the freeway came. There is where Harry Cruz had his beer joint, along with his wife, who was from India. It only had a couple booths and a few stools, but it brought in the travelers. The entertainment was not the beer, but who or what consumed it. If you paid for it, you could watch their donkey guzzle a bottle of  beer. Harry and his wife slept out in the manger in the back, which they shared with the donkey. There should be a photo of where it was, and we put a few containers of the past in the gate. If you look close, you will see the Coors can with two holes, produced by a "Church Key" sitting on top. The "Billy Beer" is still full, and so it was treated very gently. We placed an empty bottle of  "Imitation Vanilla Extract" as years ago that was a last resort for a drink. It was made by Empress Packing of Salt Lake and made with a hint of vanilla, a touch of water, but mostly alcohol. On the other side of Mona, you will come across several large cottonwood trees before you get to Starr Ranch, or what is now Young Living. Under those trees, Verge Swasey had a small beer saloon, and it closed after he passed away. Information was after it was closed, teenagers would meet there and pretend they were adults, and belly up to the bar. No beer was served however. Although Brigham Young tried to control taverns, they arrived in Utah, with Salt Lake City having over a hundred beer joints before he passed away. One of the big beer makers was Albert Fisher, who started to brew suds in the 1870's. His production was greater than Coors of Colorado; Becker's of Ogden and anything in California. However, Fisher Beer didn't fare well in the late 1950's and he sold the business to Lucky Larger in 1957. While most millionaires were building their mansions in the Avenue area of Salt Lake, Fisher built his next to his brewery which is still visible at 200 South and 12th West in Salt Lake. The Mansion was donated to a foundation to help people with alcohol problems. On a professional basis, I was given many opportunities to visit every room in that palace.

I paid $56.00 for a "Brand New Organ" and it arrived today.

At age 60, I took piano lessons, along with my friend-Iris Hemenway, who was 80. We never became good at it, but enjoyed trying and even begged naïve people to come and listen to our concert where we attempted a duet. It was fun for Lily-the granddaughter of Iris, as it was the first time she ever did a belly laugh. We played together for a few years, but my desire to be a concert pianist went down hill after Iris died. After reading about a "Brand New Organ" for sale at Clayton Music in Salt Lake, I thought of giving that a try, and it was only $56.00 and  "Freight Paid".  I saw the ad in a LDS church magazine, so thought it had to be a good deal. Well, it arrived today and I thought I better leave it outside until I can get the raccoons out of it. It is "Brand New", but had been sitting outside of a business for the past hundred years, so it may take some time before I can play at local funerals. I thought about complaining to somebody on the advertisement, then I noticed the front of the magazine, which was printed for the LDS religion class work of 1906-1907.  I guess I should have noticed that first. I have included a photo of myself on the left; the gal being Iris Hemenway, and Dave Franchina, both of whom have now passed away and playing their own version of "Over the Rainbow". Other photos will include some of the magazine advertisements, including Zions Bank President-Joseph F. Smith, and the Cashier being George M. Cannon. If you need home and fire insurance, just call Heber J. Grant, who "never lost a dollar in the San Francisco Conflagration" and what you can learn at the AC in Logan. We also have a photo of the "Brand New Organ" in front of my brand new home.

If you lived in Nephi a hundred years ago, who would be the two women proclaimed to be the most beautiful of all!

We now have pageant judges to proclaim who is the most beautiful of all, but they are individuals with their own sense of beauty. From listening to a variety of older folks through the years, I recall being informed that in the horse and buggy days, no women could match the beauty of Erma Jones and Sadie Tolley. They were cousins and there were many guys who spent days putting a lot of saddle soap on the harness to take them for a ride in a borrowed buggy. The first photo shows Erma Jones who decided not to court anybody other than Robert Garrett, and just had to wait for him to return from the sheep camp. On the far right is Sadie Tolley, who married the driver of the buggy and considered the most handsome of the Nephi Harris boys. That is Evan Harris, who was an all round handy man in Juab County, then got into construction and headed west to California. The other scan entries are of a LDS magazine I just found, dating back to 1929. On the front is handwritten "Blanch Boswell Olpin" so wasn't sure who the rightful owner of "The Children's Friend" belonged to, until I saw the printed name on the back, which was sent to "Erma Garrett   Nephi   Utah". Since two of her children-Ross Garrett and Corrine Garrett are still in Nephi, I will head out now to give the magazine back to them. The large magazine contains fun stories for children, but thought the advertisements were interesting, including the President of Beneficial Life Insurance and the advertisement of Bennett's Paint, following the death of Senator Bob Bennett who helped his father-Wallace Bennett in that business.

Although it is eve tide, it is still Mother's Day, so like others, we pay respect to these three people of Juab County.

These are the photos of three women we wish to greet with a Happy Mother's Day gesture. The first is an original photo of Martha Jackson, who married Edward Jones of Nephi, Utah. She and her brother Nephi Jackson were some of the few survivors of the Martin Handcart Company of 1856. To think back of the hardship those people had to endure make me appreciate the amenities of our modern day world. They trudged through the cold bitterness of Wyoming, having to watch many of their Mormon family and friends perish with no food or protective provisions while wolves watched. To think of what my great grandmother went through makes me give thanks to her on this special day. The second photo is of my mother-LaVon Harris who married a Jones boy. She didn't like Mother's Day, as she thought the main Mother was her own. LaVon was devoted to her family; her 50 years of working as a secretary; 50 years of service in her church; Drama events; volunteer for 4-H and Juab County Fair but took pride in her pioneer heritage of the Harris family. The third photo is that of Maggie Vera Harris, the sister of LaVon who died in her youth more than a hundred years ago. Although she didn't live long enough to experience motherhood, we honor her as such, as she undoubtedly helped others to acquire the motherly instincts of devotion. Such is the case with many women who have not bore children. They are noble people who deserve the respect that we give our own mothers. I pay homage and respect to these three mothers, who I choose never to forget. So let it be said, and so shall it be written!

If you didn't do the "Buffalo Chip Throwing Contest", perhaps you can go to Antelope Island and do your own.

If you grew up in Juab County, Utah during the 1950's, there was plenty of fun things for kids to do without breaking Ken Nyman's First Security Bank. Kick the can was always the go to game and didn't cause much damage other than the time one of us put a dent in the candy truck belonging to Dee Sparks(sorry Scott...it was me). We could ride a horse up to Bailey's Barn and if you didn't owe a horse you could always borrow Ole Starr from Joe Garrett, as all horses need to be rode(unless you are the first one to drive it after a long winter); or you could hike up to the Glory Holes(the old plaster mines) but it was scary as you could get confronted by bats, ghosts of the past and  goblins. After playing cowboys and Indians in the old hollow, you can then meet up at the water weir on a sultry Saturday afternoon. That secret location was off Track Street, just south of Hall's Orchard, or where the present day One Man Band is located. Both boys and girls slid down that concrete bottom filled with the Salt Creek. Our parents never did understand why our Levi cut-offs were so wore out on the butt side. We couldn't advertise it, as it was dangerous, especially when you hit the deep end of the slide. We didn't want to be caught by Nephi Chief Jack Brough, as he had a scary way of making threats. He and Officer Howard Brown would often say "If I ever catch you doing something that stupid again, I am going to tell your Dad". That seemed to work for the Jones boys, simply because we respected our father too much and those cops knew that. So in today's world, what can a family do without carrying a electronic device or spending a zillion for toys. Well, I have a suggestion that may be fun for the whole family that most have never done. We organized a "Buffalo Chip Throwing Contest" a few years ago, when I was a volunteer at Antelope State Island. I did it every Sunday for ten years, and it was a good way to keep me out of church. Participant's seemed to enjoy it, and there should be one photo of that going on. The 500 buffalo didn't seem to mind us picking up their perfectly formed(and thoroughly dried) tossing devices. If you make it to the Ranch House, you can figure out which room Brigham Young slept in, and as a hint, that room contains items made in Juab County a hundred years ago, including pioneer clothing. Sixteen years ago, we accidently discovered some artifacts dating back to 700 A.D. and with the help of hundreds of high school kids doing an archaeological dig, we found the remnants of the Fremont Indians, who appeared to have used the Island as a place to hunt, rather than live, kind of like how we camp and hunt off the Nebo Loop. While there, you may be able to understand why that island is a dream come true for a Geologist, as it has the world's oldest and yet the youngest of rocks. You will have to figure out which is the Tintic Quartzite and the meaning of Metamorphism, and have your kids see if they can count to 2.8 billion, which is the age of some of them.  You can float on the Great Salt Lake, but don't think about why the beach sand(oolictic) is so soft, but it has something to do with the "Sea Monkeys" living in the saline waters. There should  be a photo of a deer raised by humans, which we called "Whisper" and the  big buck I am holding was killed by another younger buck over the affection of Whisper during the rut.