Claude and Verlie Tolley left a postivie impact on people a hundred years ago.

Claude and Verlie raised their kids(Jack, Florence, Glen, Margaret, Melba and Kenneth) in the still standing home on 6th North in Nephi, Utah. They bought the home from Henry and Emma Parkin(sister of Claude) in 1918 and lived there until they both passed away in their nineties. The home remains properly cared for with a heap of love inside and professional yard care outside. Before our memory and notes fade, we thought we would give some of their history. Claude was the son of Charles and Melvina Christensen Tolley, being born in the two room frame home that was often photographed on Hi-Way 91 in downtown Nortonville, Utah. Claude was the fourth of 13 children, born in 1888. He found work with his father building railroads and canals in Idaho and Montana. While he was at work, his thoughts were of the young lady he liked to dance with in Nephi-Verlie, the attractive blonde daughter of Charles Morris and Lucy Jane Wilkey Morris who was born in 1894. She was the youngest of four children and sister Tola Hansen was her best friend. Verlie attended school at the North(was east of the Nephi park) and Central School.Verlie loved being called a house wife; mother, and service worker in the LDS church. Their spare time was dancing and they even took first place at a dance contest at Arlington Hall. Claude worked for the US Forest Service for several years and Foreman of the CCC camp when they built the Loop Road up Nephi Canyon. He also did some work in Veyo(Virtue, Enterprise, Youth, Order) and St. George, then returned to work for Nephi City as a Grader Operator. He retired at age 70, but didn't stop working or driving that old truck around town. Like most of the Tolley families, he knew how to grow a garden, and willing to share. Verlie did the same thing with her vittles, and I found myself wanting to socialize with them as a kid, but the primary motive was to eat her freshly baked food, then walk down the street and pick corn for Uncle Roscoe Tolley. Claude and Verlie have been gone for some time, but didn't want them to be forgotten as they were as good people as you will find anywhere in America.

It is almost time...time for high school graduates to toss their caps!

For some, graduating from high school is not a big deal, but at Juab High, it is a enormous highlight and achievement in a persons life. Classmates are like a small family, yet big enough to win State Championships. For some students, it is tough and can't be done without family; teachers; the School Board; bus drivers, neighbors and friends. Such is the case of the dynamic duo of 21 year old Stetson Jones and his 18 year old sister-Vanessa Jones, who are among the Juab High Graduating class of 2018. It was more easy for them than their father-Shane Jones, who was more interested in teaming up with Bocephus then school work. Even more concerning was Shane's father-Weston Jones, who is pictured heading to graduation on his horse. Livingston Photo provided the fun filled graduation class, and I take my "Class of 65" cap off to all who help kids graduate, from the 1885 Nortonville School; Old Central and to Juab High. May all follow the Class of 1989 who wrote; "A winning spirit is more important than a winning score. It is more permanent. It is more powerful. It is more packed with pride. Scores measure success outside of you, Spirit measures success inside of you. Work for and keep the Winning Spirit".

Dr. P.L. Jones- a name that means different things to different people.

Dr. Preston Lunt Jones was born in Cedar City, Utah in 1904, passing away a year after he quit drilling on people, which was in 1976. After obtaining his Dentist license, he began his practice in Nephi, Utah at age 24. He didn't spend all of his time pulling teeth, but eyed a local Belle-Helen Bailey, and it didn't take a shot gun or pulling teeth to get them legally braced together. Their kids are Dr. Nelson L. Jones, who became a Dentist as well, and practiced in Nephi after doing his time in the military. Another son was Howard Jones and a daughter-Mrs. Richard(Ruth Eleanor) Frederick. The first photo is the stairs going up to the office of Dr. P.L. Jones from the 1920's to 1976. As you look through the window you can see the heavy secured stair handle, as going up the stairs to the torture chamber was scary. The old chair where he did the drilling is still in the building, and we are trying to talk the building owners in to bring it out on Halloween to scare us old folks to smeereenes. Dr. P.L. Jones was more that just a Dentist for everybody in Juab County. He is considered the "Father of the annual Ute Stampede" of Nephi fame, putting it together in 1935 in conjunction with the Blackhawk Pow Wow that was being held anyway. He was a leader and shaker in organizing a lot of volunteers to keep that great rodeo tradition going. In addition, he was elected Nephi Mayor in 1940, following a four year term as a City Councilman. He served two terms as Mayor before an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Congress. In 1948, he was re-elected as Mayor to two more terms. He was active in other civic duties, then 22 years on the LDS Juab Stake High Council, then a Temple worker. On occasion, I came to know a different type of Dr. P.L. Jones, when he heard that a local young man was going in the military or on an LDS Mission, he would secretly tear their bill up, and those who knew kept it quiet as well. After forty two years, I think it is time to let the cat out of the bag, and admit he was a dang good human being all the way around, but it did feel like a dungeon in that upstairs room and photo number two will show the bars on the windows. They were there not to prevent a break-in, but a break out! Helen Jones kept a beautiful home and taught a young Jones gal the proper way to dust and vacuum, and that local-Jaynette, keeps her home the same way.

Her Royal Highness is coming to visit Nephi, Utah or is it just "Miss Jones"!

It is April, 1956, and the Nephi Elementary kids are performing the Sixth Grade Operetta, and you better be there, as it was your kid who colored the invitation with crayons. I was just 9 nine years old, but assume I attended with "the old man", as one of the actors was my brother-Weston Jones, who played the role of the "Old Man". If you know any of these actors of yesteryear, turn their hearing aid up and tell them thanks for their performance of sixty two years ago. On the morrow, we will send the original program addressed to the "Old Man" and hope the post office folks know who it goes to.

Here is your chance to get acquainted with 98 year old Vera Paxman.

Although Vera and her family doesn't know it yet, we hope all will prepare for the 100th birthday celebration for Vera Bunker Paxman of Nephi, America. In my interview with her today, she wasn't interested in a party, as it would be difficult to arrange it for her big family. She did say she was happy to live each day of her life, with an abundant appreciation for Nephi and her family. Like most folks, she has known depression, and felt it strongly when her brother-Ray Bunker was killed on March 9, 1944, being the pilot of the new B-17 Bomber of World War Two. Vera was born on a 160 acre farm in Sutherland of Millard County; Rabbit graduate, then finished college at BYU and became a teacher, earning a whopping $758.00 a year. She was at the Nephi Harvest Ball dancing with Brigham Garrett, but asked him to introduce her to Vaughn Paxman, and their eternal deal was struck. Not only was Vaughn an excellent Saxophone player, but looked good in his FFA jacket; his LDS Seminary teaching clothes, and on a tractor. Just after they married, Vaughn went to war, joining the US Navy. Vera was again worried, but was a strong woman of faith, and when Vaughn passed away in 1997, she again felt the thorny pains of earth life. Their kids are Michael, Gordon, Jeannine; David(now passed away) and Sharon. Jeannine remains at home and they are good for each other. For the past week, I kept passing the home of Vera Paxman, and was beckoned to pay tribute to Vera and the entire Bunker and Paxman family. A perfect blend of Millard and Juab Counties!

This food counter still dishes out great food just like it did in 1964.

After seeing the ad in The Times News, I decided to go check out the grub at the Juab Senior Citizens bistro near the girls gym of the old Juab High. The first photo shows Mrs. Morgan and Mrs. Butler serving lunch for high school kids in the early 1960's. Nowadays, Cindy Howard cooks up great food for us oldie goldies and Evelyn Ballow makes sure you have milk refills. At age 70, I didn't think I was a "Senior", but during the great musical entertainment of "Old Time Fiddlers", I knew I was, as I looked down and could see my feet tapping the same beat as the 55 other "Wise Ones". For just 10 quarters, you get a great meal along with some of the best darn music around. Plan on attending this Nephi event next time and get your kids or grandkids to drive you and they can eat too, but the youngins have to pay $5.50, but still a bargain. The fiddlers are coming back next month, so you can have vittles and fiddler's at the same time and the MC tells jokes so you can giggle!

Helen of Troy; Helen Keller, and Helen of Nephi.

The word "Helen" is of Greek origin with the meaning of "Shining Light". Throughout my studies of history, two of my heroines are Eleanor Roosevelt and Joan of Arc. With no military background, nineteen year old Joan of Arc led the French Army in battle. When she was burned at the stake for heresy, she was asked if she was afraid. Her simple response was " I was born to do this". Thanks to her teacher-Anne Sullivan, Helen Keller became world renown. Helen of Troy was so beautiful, wars were fought over her. Now, before I loose track of this worn photo and handwritten pencil notes of 1934, I will write of "Helen of Nephi". She was born Helen Hudson in Ohio during 1850. She heard tales of Mormons passing through her area in their mass exodus from hostile forces. Because of health issues, she decided to seek the clean air of Nephi, Utah. She found that Mormons weren't really that bad, so she was baptized. On her arrival in 1889, she became a powerful wife of Isaac Grace, whose Daddy was a pal of Brigham Young. She married Issac Jr. whose father carried the same name and help settle Nephi. Helen demanded they be married by a big shot, so LDS Apostle and former Lt. General of the Nauvoo Legion-Daniel H. Wells had no choice except to wed them. In local history, much was written of Nephi Mayor Issac Grace, but not much about Helen, so today is your day- Helen of Nephi. She wasn't about to let her husband go to Hawaii alone on an LDS mission, so they took a long boat ride together from 1891 to 1894. She taught music there and was the Juab Stake Organist for years, but also taught piano lessons. She held about every local LDS position available for women at the time, but she had the tenderness yet leadership of what could have been a Bishop. She passed away in 1934, at age 83, from pneumonia. Once I pass through the veil, I hope to get re-acquainted with the "Three Nephites" and the "Three Helens", and if asked, will go to battle along side Joan of Arc as I too may be burned at Juab Stake.....for heresy!

This is Chapter Two of a picture presentation of Nephi, Utah, USA.

Welcome to Nephi, Utah, the progressive but rural capitol of America. The attached photos are in or near Nephi, similar to the picture blog we put here on April 27, 2017. As you can see, we often show Mt. Nebo and Red Cliffs in our photos, as they both are our majestic protectors and provide clean water to drink and grow crops.

Today we pay respect to four inter-connected people of Cowboy Town, USA.

On March 18, 2018, Barbara Lunt passed away in Nephi, Utah. She held hands with Ike Lunt for 68 years, and that relationship was similar to how rodeo's header and heeler of Team Roping work together. Barbara worked well with Ike, even though his name was most often found in the Ute Stampede headlines. We then thought of the similar relationship of Cotton and Karin Rosser of Flying U Rodeo fame. Cotton has always been the true American Cowboy with Karin the true American Miss; Ms. & Mrs. Rodeo America. When you loose a life partner, it is comforting to have family, friends and faith to keep our spirits high. But when Cotton Rosser called Ike Lunt on the day of Barbara's funeral, Ike felt the true love Cotton had for the people of Nephi. In the real world, what counts is how much we learn to love and how kind we are to others in need. As I searched for a photo of Cotton and Karin, I found the Ute Stampede Committee of a few years ago, and proud to have know each of these men of service, and even more proud to know I could call four of them my cousins.

It's still four months away, but the 84th Ute Stampede Rodeo is a comin!

If you read the local newspaper in Cowboy Town, USA, the Times News had an ad about the Queen Contest for the 84th Annual Ute Stampede in Nephi, Utah. It is not about which gal can put her two fingers together and wave at full gallop. It is a combination of beauty and brains. After competing in Horsemanship, Interview, Impromptu(in riding clothes),Test(basic horse science, PRCA rule book), the winner not only gets to be the Queen of the best darn tootin rodeo around, but she gets a saddle too. So spread the word, as the contest is on April 25, 2018. For a little flare, we roped in the 1985 Ute Stampede Royalty photo, plus the rodeo contestants that year which include world renown Lewis Feild, Lane Frost and Jack Hannum.

Sometimes Scuba Diving Is VERY Painful!

Twenty years ago, I had the opportunity of spending a few weeks in Viet Nam, in what was classified as a "Humanitarian" expedition. The United States was interested in reestablishing diplomatic relations with a country that had been our enemy, with my three brothers serving in the military during the Viet Nam War. In a previous blog I wrote some of the details about that trip. Back then, one of the requirements was for me to be a certified scuba diver as part of the mission was to seek items that would help find our missing soldier remains. I now know if one becomes a certified scuba diver, it remains for life. NOW FOR TODAY'S TALL TALE! Although it was twenty years ago and now fifty pounds heavier, I jumped at the chance when Global Divers, USA contacted me to assist them in an underwater exploration and recovery project off the coast of Louisiana. It was great pay and just returned. They fitted me with a solidified wetsuit, which had the necessary expansion capabilities for my weight. They sent me down with a double expansion cord. The suit had a cord hooked to the recovery vessel, which had a diesel powered industrial water heater. The suit heats the ocean water, which is pumped into the wetsuit. Once I was on the bottom, I started to work with the other team members. After some time, I took the thermal influx hose to release the pressure. This has to be done as the warm water can feel like a Jacuzzi, and requires a change of pressure with the water. I then hooked it back up but forgot to re-attach the ocean inlet filter. I quickly found myself in severe pain, coming from the....well.....the bottom of my backside. I started to scratch as best I could, which only made things worse, and I feared the moving object was a Jellyfish, which can be a life threating water urchin. It headed for the only area it could find for cover, and my internal pain intensified. The more I scratched and panicked, the worse the pain was. I looked at my oxygen level and could see my hyperventilating was putting me at a dangerous level. I started to scream on my communicator and gave the hand notice to the other team members that I was aborting. I was a little upset that my "backup" pals offered no assistance, but only laughed hysterically. Because of the dept, I had to get to the decompression chamber half way up or I knew I would immediately die from the bends. A Doctor was always inside the chamber for emergency purposes, such as what I was going through. As is the protocol, I pushed the red button to discard everything I had on, and she opened the door to the dry chamber. Apparently she had been through this many times, as she was trying to be professional, but gave way to small bouts of snickering. She gave me the quart of heavy liquid to drink, knowing that whatever object the ocean implanted in me, would eventually "pass".  So there we sat for the required twelve hours. Just me, the Doctor and the Jelly Fish!

And how was your weekend?

Kent Jones
April Fools Day, 2018

Viet Nam-1998