Vic Jones & Alberta Blackett sealed the deal 99 years ago!

When we ran across this invitation for the Golden Wedding Anniversary of Vic & Alberta Jones, we thought we better put it down in writing, as many of the participants have already passed through the veil as well. To give a brief background-this Jones couple lived on the corner of 6th North and Main in Nephi, Utah. They moved there in 1933 and raised eight kids. Vic was raised in Nortonville, being born of Wm & Elizabeth Jones. He completed the mandatory 6 years of school, then went to BY High in Provo. His next adventure was during World War One, working as a Mounted MP in France, where he served for three years before being severely wounded and came home. With a gimp in his gallop, he still wanted to go to the dance in the old North Ward Amusement Hall. There he met Alberta Blackett, whose father-Andrew Blackett escorted her to the dance, but Vic escorted her home and the mother-Sarah Jane Worthington approved. They were married on March 24, 1920 and their first summer was at the Jones ranch in Nortonville, but both decided Vic needed more education, so he attended the U. of U. for two years. At the same time, he worked for New York Life, then Interocean Elevator Co. and Utah Fire & Clay. Sadness came when they lost their son-George Eldon at 8 months old, from pneumonia. It was 1933, and our country was suffering from financial depression, so Vic came back to Nephi and started to work for the U.S. Postal until he retired in 1963. Vic and Alberta were faithful members of the LDS church and both served in various positions. Alberta made sure their home displayed her handiwork including quilts, afghans and crochet doilies, and always good food. Their children are Melba, LeNora, Mildred, Barbara, Darlene, Richard, Sherman and Gordon. May this great pair of people and their kin never be forgotten or their service to others.

Rula Gowers was 100 years old, but died young!

Rula Yearsley was born in Malad, Idaho, one of 9 children, so she learned early how to sleep in a bed with three siblings laying crossways. While attending college in Logan, she met Don Gowers, and quickly decided to become a Nephite, being welcomed and admired in Juab County for her devotion to family, community and church. She also had an enormous love for music and shared her talents for nearly a century. Not only she played the piano well, but passed her music skill on to her kin, as her funeral  showed various family members leading the choir; playing the organ; piano and singing. And anytime you saw her, she had beauty, and her hair was groomed as perfect as those others she made beautiful. Her husband has already passed away, and he did so without glory and fanfare, and little do most folk know that soft spoken Don Gowers was a ferrous fighter during World War II, being a member of the new and elite "US Navy Seals" who believed "The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday".

"Truth, The Key To Happiness"- at least that was proclaimed in 1931.

When folks assembled for the May 17, 1931 Commencement Exercises for the Seminary Graduates of the LDS Juab Stake in Utah, the pageant was titled "Truth, The Key To Happiness". Sounds prophetic way back then, but when you read or see proclamations made on social media or on TV, perhaps we could all re-examine what facts we have, then we could all sing "O, Say What Is Truth". Regardless, it is fun to see what supporting business' were in Juab County back then, and if you are from these parts, you will surely recognize a name or two. Have fun reading and try to recognize the truth, although we all have different versions of it!

Happy 39th Birthday to Troy Coyn Jones-one of "The Three Amigos".

When the 1986 movie "The Three Amigos" came out, me and my two sons were smitten by its dry humor, and by the bonding friendship of the three characters. Although that was Hollywood, these three Nephi Jones Boys had the same sort of forever bond and often called ourselves "The Three Amigos". Happy Birthday Troy, on this your 39th birthday. And yes, each one of us remains 10-4, although we now ride different type of horses! The three wanna be cowboys are Troy, Justin and Kent Jones, with the real cowboy taking the photo. All are riding the range on Antelope Island, which remains beautiful and serene as all of Utah should remain.

Church, Concert and Homecoming programs of the past.

We often get so busy we are not able to attend church, concerts or homecoming banquets. So to remind you of the do gooders of yesteryear, we present some of the programs from back then just so we don't forget those good people. The first is from 1949; while the second and third is from 1969. Fourth was the 1978 Anniversary and Homecoming celebrating the 127th year of the Mormons founding Utah.The last program was put on by the Male Chorus of the Ogden L.D.S. Institute, on Feb. 22, 1969 at the Juab Stake House to help fund the Boy Scouts.

"Alias Smith & Jones" vs. the real "Smith and Jones"!

"Alias Smith & Jones" was a western TV series in the early 1970's. They played the role of gunslingers to right the errors of their previous misbehavior. Little did Hollywood know that a few decades ago, Nephi, Utah had the real life version of the Smith and Jones families. Jim, Joe and Paul Smith were considered the best shots west of Dodge City and included Alma Jones in their friendly shoot-outs! The Smith's could shoot and hit a silver dollar in the air, but they wouldn't....only because they were smart enough not to waste that hard earned dollar. One was the best electrician in town and other family members had the best bakery east of the Pecos. I had forgot about the forever friendship of the three Smith boys with the Jones' until we recently discovered a card from Nona Smith to LaVon Jones just before she passed. Nona was a also best friend of LaVon, as was Margaret- a sister to the Smith boys. I have re-read the words of Nona Smith again and again, and have absolute belief the real Smith and Jones families remain the forever friends they were on earth, and the Smith kin carry on with the skilled workmanship of their parents. Thanks Jim and Nona-I had forgot that we are not alone---"God's love is always there".

 

It's 1938 in Juab County and "Volunteer Majesty"is available in Nortonville!

We know who typed the report for A.E. Smith-the Juab County Agent in Nephi, Utah, but unsure who counted the 2,843 horses; the ten thousand head of cattle and over a thousand pigs, but it's all in the report! It appears to be a carbon copy of the official report, but the photos are original. Regardless, we will put some of the information here, then turn the 80 plus page report over to Beth Crandall & Tasha Killian, the current Juab County Agents. Oh, by the way, "Volunteer Majesty" is a Jersey Bull owned and operated in downtown Nortonville. In Mona, we have "Galen Majesty Knight" but 'Lomondview Pinky" is a Holstein and on stand-by.