I grew up in the best town; best family and best time in world history.

It wasn't long ago, but some of the over 70 Nephi Jones kids were talking to each other....not with the hand held gizmos, but eye to eye in a secluded restaurant. We spoke of how we had the best school and the best parents; best home town of Nephi to grow up in, where each of us learned work ethics, and knew that if we were going to make it in life, we were on our own at about age 12, so we all went to work. One of us cleaning homes for those that had more money than us; cleaned motel rooms and some delivered papers and used socks for gloves and borrowed each other bikes. Weston learned how to deliver papers on his horse and on a sunny snowy day like today, and our Dad would pull us behind his truck on a tipped over hood, and nobody was ever hurt..nobody! In the summer we started selling garden seeds; bucking  hay and cutting lawns and bought everything we needed on our own. Our entertainment was playing in the yard; used two by fours and potatoes as baseballs; hiking to the glory holes and sailing home made rafts down the irrigation ditch then drinking it if we got thirsty. Our Dad taught us if we had to hitchhike, always walked the direction we were going so the driver knew we were at least trying to get to our destination. None of us thought our family as poor, but we probably were. In fact we were the most rich in town. Regardless of where we were, we always came home to amble food and family togetherness. All five kids went to college and learned a profession to make money rather than see the sweat covered shirts of our father who in his late years worked hard at a nearby rubber plant. Each of us had chores around the house and feeding animals. If we had a gut ache, we were instructed so did the animals and ran to feed them before us, and by the time we were back to the supper table, our gut ache was gone. We were taught service to others was very important, like our mother who started the fire in the cook stove and worked full time. The two most important things were to graduate from Juab High and Vote and we all did....once for Goofy, and by golly, he won! We learned how to be an American by listening to John Wayne on the 8 track, even in my brothers 1959 Chevy Impala. John Wayne was a true American, and not just on the screen, He and Weston had the chance to chat with each other, both on their way to the Orient; one to fight our enemy and the other to Stand Fast against the enemy, even those within our own country. One brother learned how to kill another human being or be killed and how to save a life; deliver life and a sister to live in a country of extreme poverty. Three went on LDS Missions; and three in the military. Real love for another can be falling in love and falling out of love properly by listening to Anne Murray on an 8 track and with no interruptions of car warranties on my 1963 Studebaker. My only regret in life is I didn't pick up that hot chick in tight shorts thumbing a ride while driving a Semi on a part type job. Dam it to Hell and back. I had the chance I prayed for. Good old fashioned Road Music. Oh well, maybe I will see her again in the Nursing Home and pick her up in my wheel chair that has an overload capacity. Yes, my 8 track is my answer even with the match book in it.

ELLEN GARRETT WENT TO TONS OF FUNERALS OF YESTERYEAR.

If you never met Ellen Anderson Garrett of Nephi, you missed quite the woman. She married Joe Garrett after he swung her around the outside dance hall in Moroni, of Sanpete County. Her childhood home remains and when she was around 100 years old, Jaynette Jones Grimard took her for a ride over the divide to view it. Todays history lesson is a short one, about her 80th birthday party an era ago. Her family put it together, as they weren't sure how long she would last. The invitation is below in case you didn't get one. As she came from a family of musicians, she only wanted a lot of music, so that is why some of the family was left out. Her kids didn't have enough time for music lessons as most of them working, bucking bales and learning Juab County work ethics, another thing of the past. Like Ellen's neighbors-the Jones kids, we couldn't even play a drum with a spoon and a bucket but by dang we tried hard enough to have the Sperry sisters tell us to knock it off on they would lock us down the cellar! After Joe passed away at about 80 is when they threw the party for Ellen. One of the older gentleman from West Payson delivered her flowers for her daughters flower shop, then asked her if she knew any single women her age and class that liked music. She stood right up and said she was available, so Ellen and Mr. Taylor of Taylor Ranches tied the knot, and after he died, she was bound and determined to return to the Garrett Ranch Headquarters in Nephi and become BAD! Yup, this is the gal that was a Sunday go to meetin sister; stenographer for the Stake Patriarch, and played the piano and organ for most funerals and church for ions. She was Bound And Determined to live to 100. She did, but when that day hit, she said that was enough, and her two kids-Bob Garrett and Marian Mikkelson gave her permission to be elevated, she did. I visited her just before she passed away and we talked of her transition. Although she and Joe were different, they were the same, and she acknowledged he would be the first one then to greet her......and she was released from the hackamore the earth held her back. Happy Day Ellen. Well done.

HELP GET THE WORD OUT-JUAB STAKE CONFERENCE THIS WEEKEND-OCT. 23, 1955

I know, I know, it is unusual, but neighbor and cousin Ross Garrett asked to help pass the word out. Ross Garett was taught good LDS principles by the Apostles of this generation and they taught him well. While bucking hay with him as a kid, he often said we can't work on Sundays, only if  "the animals are stuck in the mire". This is the case today with the recent snow we had. So he called his friend-David O. McKay, and Dave said "go get the cattle out of the mire to their feed and I will send other brethren down to speak at Stake Conference" In the meantime, McKay will send down a young buff by the name of Tommy Monson and Hugh Brown to help get the cattle to the manger. The other speakers are listed below along with the history of Harold B. Lee, a relative of John D. Lee. If you folks never heard Mark Peterson, he speaks like the head honcho himself, with stern words. I know, as I sat with him and another big shot about missionaries. Holy Moley, what power and authority he shows...almost like Charles Heston in person. Yup, more powerful that Moses himself!

DON WM. JONES LIVED A FULL LIFE DURING HIS 59 YEARS ON EARTH.

If you are among the Jones Family that arrived in these parts 179 years ago, many of us have a middle name after one of the early pioneers that arrived here including myself and a 2nd cousin of mine. Don was the son of Ted Jones; who was the son of Bert Jones; who was the son of Wm. Jones, who was the son of Edward Jones who was sent to Nephi by Brother Brigham to be a Blacksmith just outside Fort Salt Creek. Don knew work ethics and right out of high school, he went to work for Pexton Wholesale as did a lot of locals. Harlow Pexton recognized his good work ethics and soon sent him packing to deliver all of the food products from Nephi to Kanab and other areas south. I got to know my cousin in 1965 when I was attending Snow College. We were all a little jealous when he hitched his marrying rope around Sue Arnoldson of Moroni. No matter, there were plenty of cuties in Sanpete. We only disliked the guys we had to play football and basketball against, and had some "skirmish's" outside each other gyms. His wife had a good job making food for all the fire fighters throughout the west and helped lead this Jones Family on a Alma Jones Trek to find the gold left by the Spanish Conquistadors, but that is another chapter. Don Jones departed this earth in a very panful way, with a cancer. It is nearly been 21 years ago, but he still is on our mind but at least he is without pain. On his greeting, we will find him with that inviting smile he always had.

NATION FINALS RODEO-THE LAST OF THE AMERICAN SPORT

All year long, cowboys and gals compete about every weekend, only to go to Las Vegas to qualify for the National Rodeo Finals. They are the best of the best, and this year of 2021, the truly America sport shows off it's best for ten straight days with various bucking bulls; horses and gals riding around barrel's at top speeds. Whoever wins the most at the end of Oct. qualifies them and the animal to Vegas, the home of the National Rodeo Finals since they departed OKC. In the 1950's and 60's it was the boxing Fullmer brothers that made West Jordan, Utah famous, and now it is the Wright Boys out of Beaver County that country folks are putting on the pedestal of sports. For ten rounds and ten days, they begin with a prayer, then the National Anthem, and the thousands who are able to get tickets are as somber and respectful as any sport in America. The Nephi Jones boys have made it their only vacation for decades, and it is our getaway. If you are able to dress the part and sneak around the ever present security, one may sneak behind the chutes at the UNLV arena. You may talk to some guy named RIP, who I only come to know as "Cole" and with his cute blonde daughter, who said he was in some type of western series of which I have never seen. And you just may bump into Kristi Noem who said she was the Governor of a state in the Dakota Territory. I found her to be a 50 year old beauty, who was very articulate and I could see her as President of these United States and knows how to handle a horse and likes to pick fights with rappers. Utah should stand and give a standing ovation to all of the rural stars of Utah, who want to keep horses alive and well. Vegas remains Vegas, with billionaire hotels and less advertised is one of the top cities in America for homeless and violent crimes. This Jones boy had to go mix with them anyway and get their stories. We found a good one in Andre and his "twin" brother. Lets call me "Rusty". We gave him some dough, but he was more intrigued with his Spam and Kipper snacks before Hal Jones said lets get the  "Holy Hell" out of here. LONG LIVE COWBOYS. Stetson Jones even was given a$500 Chip. Lucky stiff. Bareback Champ was a Nephi Council National Anthem leader who loves the Ute Stampede. Kaycee Feild, your old man is proud of you in Heavens Arena.

IF YOUR NAME IS TOLLEY, WE KNOW WHO YOUR DADDY IS...OR WAS.

It is hard to believe, but if you know anybody with the last name of Tolley from the western United States or Canada, we would guess you came to us via Wm. Fisher Tolley and one of two wives during  Polygamy times. He was actually married to four, but the Tolley family doesn't like to talk of the latter two, only the first two who had kids. Years ago, after interviewing the last living grandchild of Wm. Fisher Tolley, I put together my own version of the Life and Times of this Brigham Young's Mormon servant. As I recently discovered a typed version from a hand written history of Mr. Tolley, I was moved to place it here. It was written by a daughter of William-Lizzie Tolley Jones. Take it for what it is worth to you. The collage of photos is from the album belonging to Elizabeth Tolley Jones, and I recognize only the two smaller photo's in the middle. The one on the left is of Leonard and Jane Tolley Jones and the other is of Wm. and Lizzie Tolley Jones. Two Jones brothers married two Tolley sisters. Mr. Tolley also assisted Orrin Porter Rockwell between farming with in Idaho and Utah and having a wagon load of kids. One wife lived in an Adobe north of Nephi that still stands and the other in Idaho.

WHERE THE HELL IS VIET NAM? YES SIR, NAM IS STILL A SWEAR WORD

To many youngins, 1961 through 1975 was long before their birth or when history books skip over important events of the world. Things occurred back in the 1960's we didn't think were important, but they were then, and remain so, especially to the millions that were affected by the War in Viet Nam, a country most of us never heard of. If you ask the rice paddy folks that lived in Viet Nam, they called it the America War, as years before the French did the same as we did-invade a country we had no knowledge of. When the US sent "advisors" to DaDang in 1961, they could have sent French Advisors or talked to the French Catholics who were already there, and perhaps, just perhaps, we could have saved a life or two, including the Nephi Medic who rushed up on the front line to aid a soldier who maintained his gut ached. That Medic was killed by enemy fire, later finding the fake injury was by a soldier who was sick of fighting. It only got worst when the dead Medic was replaced by another Nephi Medic! Well, regardless of what you may have read or heard, here are "My" facts, as seen and written by one who spent time in Nam-not as a soldier, but on a "Humanitarian" trip for several weeks. The statistics are my own, and unclassified with the State Department. Use it for teaching to prevent more catastrophic events of the future, as Hal Jones and I did to a variety of students. We show the entertainment of yesteryear while some of our family members were called to do their American duty.

"Remember The Alamo"; "The War To End Wars"; "A Day That Will Live in Infamy"! How About "Nov. 22, 1963"?

For youngsters, many will remember 9-11 or their parents will tell them, but I know of nobody still around who remember World War I or where Korea, Viet Nam or where the Battle of the Bulge occurred and it wasn't Thanksgiving either. For this young oldster, I revisited the Ag. room in the bottom floor of the old Boys gym of Juab High School in Nephi, Utah. I was alone and pulled up the chair to sit and recall the dark feelings I had that solemn day in 63. Back then, I first thought it was a stupid joke somebody had pulled in Principle Newell's office. They were just installing an intercom system that could be heard throughout the school. Teacher Jay Dalley stood silent as did all of us kids learning about farm life. I still don't recall the confusion of the radio announcers although it was clear they were trying to gain their own composure to announce the President of the United States was just assassinated in Dallas. That couldn't happen, not to us in our day! We read about such things as President Lincoln being shot in Ford Theater years before, but those sort of things don't happen in real life, only history books. But it was real and we were excused to go home. I remember greeting my family, with all of our eyes filled with tears. We believed the Communists' had taken over our country, as we were drilled constantly on how bad Communism was and practiced running to the nearest radioactive protection area. It was doomsday in America. As I listened to more of the media announcers, the more confused I became. At first, it was a lone gunman; then a Communist's plan to take over our country. The Untied States was in a whirlwind as to who to believe. A long time later, the Warren Commission spent millions of dollars to figure out what was simple. They reported it was a lone madman named Lee Harvey Oswald who shot the President and the Governor of Texas from the Dallas School Book Depository. We all watched the funeral from the auditorium and a sober time for all of us. I still wasn't sure who did what, so years later I traveled to Dallas and did my own personal investigation and with the help of police officers. It took me a week, but concluded the Warren Commissions was accurate. Oswald had been in the US Marines, where he had became an expert with a rifle; hated America and wanted to live in Cuba, then Russia, so it all became more fodder for the media. It was soon thereafter I lost respect for reporters who interpreted the news, rather than just report it. In order that future students of history can appreciate what we all went through back then, I will put a few photos of the special edition of the assassination here, then donate the magazine to the Nephi City Library, so all folks can realize that tragedies will still come to all of us, in one shape or another. May we all learn from history as more madmen will cometh our way.

In the early 1980's, Utah was hit with a lot of snow, especially at Mona Reservoir.

According to the Deseret News of April 13, 1982, the Juab County Attorney gave a warning to Mona residents they better take warning of damaged fences and roads if they don't prepare to lower the reservoir level. Back then, the Reservoir may have been owed by Mona farmers, but indications are now a days that most of it is owned by the LDS Church who run Hay and Beef for distribution from their Goshen farms. Regardless of the warning, more snow came in 83-84, and so did the floods, so we didn't listen as well as they did during Noah days. We bring this up today, as the front page of Section B shows a photo of a barn west of Mona, that was stayed in by my father-Alma C. Jones who not only helped build the road between Mona and Goshen, but also help lay the concrete portion of Old Highway 91 between Santaquin and Nephi, Utah. About the only concrete portion that can be seen is north of the propane tanks between Nortonville and Nephi. Alma worked for his Uncle-Charles Tolley and used mules to haul the cement, thus becoming known as a Mule Skidder. Alma wrote his work there was done in 1923, which would put him at the age of 20. He loved working with concrete and mortar after watching Nephi/Juab High finished in 1922, with the builder saying it would last a hundred years, an act that was overlooked when school officials condemned it but County Officials still use it. No wonder Alma loved cement until he was 81. And that is the dang truth-barn nun!

JUAB COUNTY FAIR OF 1926-WHO DID WHAT BACK THEN

Thanks to Bryce Gardner, son of former Commissioner Elgin Gardner, who provided this program of 1926, for all of the world to view, even those who still kan't pronounce Juab or Nephi Korrectly. They all can't be from Californity can they? Part One showed the 75th Jubilee of the founding of Nephi, formerly known was Salt Creek. Today, this second section will show the good folks that put together the Juab County Fair of 1926, which was way back before we had to dig a few miles down to China for our water. Many of the names are familiar with this geezer writer.

THIS PROGRAM WAS PRINTED IN 1926 AND TELLS THE TALES OF NEPHI FOUNDERS.

Have you ever heard of Nephi, Utah and wonder where in Heavens name did that name come from? Well, there has been a truck load of people that call them selves "locals" who have no idea, so today, we will give a shorten version of its beginning. When the Utah Territory was invaded by the Mormons in 1847, it was technically owned by Mexico, but they gave it up when the US of A attempted a war with the Mexicans, who actually may have stole it from the Indians or "Ancient Ones", who may have taken it from somebody else. When the U.S. Calvary headed to California, they took the land without a shot fired. Now, the United States still takes land away, but they call it "Manifest Destiny". Anywho, area we called it Salt Creek, as we had a lot of salt mines in the canyon. Brigham Young thought it was more Mormon like to call it Nephi, a name of a leader of the white ancient ones, even before the Indians.

In 1926, while some of the Mormon settlers were still standing upright, so they held a Jubilee celebration, which we will call Part One. After a bathroom break, we will then present Part Two, which will show the people that put together the Juab County Fair of 1926, and if you have been around more than 50 years, you will recognize some of the Nephites of old.

HOW MANY MORE LIVES DO PEOPLE GET OVER CATS

There have been times I forget how many brushes with death I've had, with at least three of them where I was declared dead, but came back to life. I keep thinking I have completed everything I have wanted to do on my bucket list, so isn't it my time yet? On one occasion, I came out of my physical body and greeted my heavenly grandfather. During our conversation, I was told that is was not yet my time. Dang! I had forgot another time when a letter dropped out of one of the many history boxes I have been going through. While living in the Fort Union part of Salt Lake County, I asked my two boys-Justin and Troy if they wanted to go tubing down in my hometown of Nephi, Utah. They were excited, so we filled up the innertubes and headed south. The date was on my sisters birthday in 1991. Justin was 12 and Troy was 11. I had already taught them how to get out of a burning house; CPR and how to drive. All those things came in handy on a variety of occasions. I knew a place at the head of Nephi Canyon where kids had been tubing, so that was our destination. I went first and that part was fun. Then the trouble came when I took a tumble at the end, hitting my head on a protruding rock. Playing high school football years before was a different era. One would often get knocked out and the Coach would break a smelling salt at your nose and we would go back in fighting, thinking nothing of the bleeding or residual headaches. Not this time, as I was knocked cold and the boys came down as I wasn't moving. I didn't recall much of what went on after that, but both boys said that my heart stopped and my color had changed to gray. It was then that eleven year old Troy took action, pushing on my chest. I came back to life and was breathing on my own. I told the boys I needed to get to a hospital and they helped get me in the car and Troy started to drive me to where he thought the Juab County Hospital was as it was on our way up to the Tubing Hill. Troy could only see the road between the steering wheel while Justin instructed him to keep left or right. Believe it or not, a mile later we arrived at the E.R. but still couldn't recall who or where I was. One of the nurses recognized me and announced that by sister was working in the nearby Medical Clinic who came over to identify me. Her face was familiar, but didn't know her, so they put me in an ambulance and shipped me to the Utah Valley Hospital in Provo with a concussion. My sister took the kids to that hospital and Justin stayed up all night with me. I had a severe brain concussion, but not a subdural hematoma, so my brain cleared and I was given another chance. At this stage of life-age 74, I am not sure how many chances are left as I have already had four brain Sub-Dural hematomas; injected with a Covid Vaccine, which gave me the China Virus; shot in the face with a shotgun; three shoulder replacements; two broken backs; broken hip; three knee surgeries with one turning to Merca and having to call 911 from the hospital bed to get help; nose surgery that went bad shutting down by kidneys and other body functions and a few other things. So Justin, you have already saved my life with the blotched nose surgery, and now that I found the dairy of what Troy did to save my life, thanks boys, I am proud of you. Dementia may now be settling in, so just put me on a small plane with no parachute or gas and I will take a small flight over the sagebrush. Remember, I know how to fly a 747 and been in one plane crash with niece Samantha. Thanks TROY COYN JONES. 

Love Dad.

       

MORMONS SHOULDN'T DRINK, SO WHY CALL A GRAVEYARD "VINE BLUFF"?

In Nephi, Utah, America, there are two cemeteries, one of which is called Vinebluff. If you ask locals, most have no idea why it is called that, and if they think about it, they need a drink, so this local yokel will make a partially educated guess. The Word of Wisdom was added to the doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints after it was legally founded by Joseph Smith in 1830, although various aspects of it were established about a decade before. Some folks say the wife of Joseph-Emma(via "No Man Knows My History by Fawn Brodie") wanted a change in the Church Doctrine as she was the one who had to be the janitor to clean up the sputum where she was the janitor and sick and tired being the only one to clean up their tobacy chewin and spittin. Others say that when Joseph came back in to the room, he was  disgusted by all of the cigarette smoke he encountered (From the book "The Restored Church by Wm. Edwin Berrett). The Word of Wisdom became a revelation in 1833, which means no drinking coffee or tea for Mormons and no wine or cigarettes. For the brethren back then, that was a difficult challenge, especially when so many men used each of em including Porter Rockwell, the bodyguard of Joseph and Brigham. There are folks who maintain it was not a commandment, but a suggestion for good health, and non-Mormons say that all things should be in moderation. So, it may be up to the reader for the correct interpretation, but according to D&C Section 89, that may cover even hot chocolate and Apostle Le Grand Richards maintained it included any drink with caffeine, and thus BYU got rid of its Coca-Cola(but now returned). At any rate when Brigham Young lead the Mormon pioneers West to the City of Salt, it is interesting he invited a lot of beer and wine makers to Utah. I recall talking to Sexton Rex Carter of the Vinebluff cemetery in the 1960's, telling me that locals had a vineyard there, with waster coming down from Monument Springs above Reese's Flat, which remains owed by Nephi City. That shut down when they found the hard water ruined the headstones, and about the same time is when wine and beer was interpreted to be against the Word of Wisdom, so they called it "Vine Bluff". According to a real "local" guy and to the Utah Historical Society, some of the best beer makers came from Germany and they also had a variety of money making Business' throughout Europe. We have photos from the Utah State Historical Society to back some of that up below. Even non drinkin Alexander Schreiner became famous as the Tabernacle Organist. Other non drinking Mormons came to Utah from Germany including the Auerbach brothers; miner-Arie Pinedo, who founded Mercur. John Beck not only made Beer, but Beck's Hot Springs; Saratoga Springs in Lehi. German-born Simon Bamberger was the future Governor of State of Utah and served from 1917-1921, and gee whiz, even a Jew and Democrat. Utah's Capitol was designed by German Richard Kletting. Good cheese was developed by Ed Gossner of Switzerland. I wonder which wine goes good with his cheese! German Karl Maser was considered the founder of BYU. Second photo is Vinebuff cemetery. Don't look for wine as it is just a bluff.

Columbia Savings may not like this, but my Heavenly Uncle Grant Jones will love it.

IT WOULD TAKE SEVERAL BOOKS TO DESCRIBE THE LIFE AND TIMES OF GRANT L. JONES OF JUAB COUNTY, BUT WE WILL TOUCH ON HIS NEED FOR HUMOR. PERHAPS IT IS JUST ONE OF THOSE JONES TRAITS THAT WE NEVER LOSE. HE IS ONE OF THE MANY SONS OF WM. AND LIZ TOLLEY JONES, AND LIKE HIS UNCLE-HY TOLLEY, SOME WOULD SAY HE WAS MORE OF A SON OF A GUN-KIND OF LIKE THIS WRITER! IN GOING THROUGH SOME OF GRANT'S OLD PAPERS, I FOUND A LETTER FROM A BANK OF SALT LAKE FROM 1928. I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE FUN FOR UNCLE GRANT TO WRITE THEM A LETTER BACK ON HIS BEHALF. YOU WILL HAVE READ THE LETTER TO GRANT JONES FIRST, THEN MINE AND THE STATEMENT ABOUT THE ENCLOSED $ 2 BILLS. DON'T KNOW FOR SURE, BUT MY GUESS IS THAT LAUGHTER IS AN ACCEPTABLE TRAIT IN THE NEXT WORLD. IF NOT, I DON'T MIND SPENDING MY LIFE IN HELL WITH MANY OF THE TOLLEY'S AND JONES KIN.

BETH SPERRY IS NOW AT PEACE WITH BILL

Yup, the rumor is true. Beth Kay was a Monaite who joined up with a Nephite, and now both are together once again. Her funeral was today, and one part of it hit me hard in the heart when two violin's and a piano played "Nearer My God To Thee". And just before that symphonic type orchestration, a granddaughter previously asked Beth who would be the first to greet her on the other side. Her family thought she would say "Bill" their grandfather. Nope, not even close. She whispered "Savior". That word, then the Trio musical number could have got Heavens Oscar. I have always adored Beth, as she had that Jones dry wit, but had no idea she had lost two of her own kids as infants. She was a caregiver for her parents, then her husband-Bill, who suffered greatly with a Stroke. I had visited him just prior to his death, as my sister and I did with Beth the other day. All there knew it was her time. We often praise people for some service in the church or community, but Beth did it all as the program will show. A half century of volunteer service to the Juab County Fair will get her the Biggest Blue Ribbon of all who pass. Everybody called her Beth, although she was named after her Grandmother-Elizabeth Jones. But even that woman went by the name of Lizzy. All hail to this Beth! She has been a caregiver for many, and her two daughters have been caring for Beth for the past few years, and they too will be granted Heavenly Halos. After Bill passed away in 2004, Beth was lonely, so in gallops Gil Houghton, who had lost his spouse as well. When they started to mentor each other, the granddaughters took turns to follow them, to make sure he was "good enough" for Beth. He was and another sad day when he passed away. Beth will be missed by all, but odds are that all the other family; friends and Juab High students on the other side will be glad to welcome her Home. And my hat goes off to Beth's son-Steve Sperry, a mighty shout out to he who served his country in various law enforcement agencies' to protect us more than any body else I can think of without James Bond coming to take me down.

REMEMBER GEORGE AND ELSIE JOHNSON-I REMEMBER MORE THAN I SHOULD

In the heartland of Utah, it is Autumn, and snow on Mt. Nebo. If we really look and search around, there is beauty with the people and the history here. Then if you drive up Nephi Canyon to Dad's and Sons, east from where the Johnsons lived, the hillsides look like Persian carpets in the gorgeous colors of red, orange, purple and gold, then accented by the green of the pines. It is better to see it than take it from me. I am blind in one eye and color blind in the other! We wanted to introduce you to the history of a great family that once upon a time lived up the street from Pioneer Park of Nephi City. George Johnson was born in 1912, the son of Christian Willard Johnson(born in 1879) and Ada Salisbury of Moroni. She was the sixth child of a family of three hellions(boys) and eight (pretty) girls, but all were real honest to goodness farmhands. Unlike kids of today, those kids had fun tromping the hay; feeding the chickens and helping do the chores on a family farm. Back in the day, youngins often found themselves dancing at the Bungalow, which my father had showed us when I was a kid. That was where George and Elsie matched up, dancing to their song of "I Love You Truly". And yes they did just that, then and now that they have passed through the Big Veil, not just the Sanpete/Juab County veil. Making sure they had their ducks in a row, they both sought permission from their folks, and got hitched to the same wagon on June 26, 1933. Together, they built a still beautiful home up 6th North, where the son of a "Killer' lives now. If you don't know who that would be, go back to Nephi High and learn it, as that is where the father of George taught and became the Principle, who was actually a lawyer by degree, but loved education, so he taught school for several years. More, about C.W. later. Like most families, everything outside the house may look fine and dandy, but most of us go though times of sorrow, misfortune and severe anguish. Same as the Johnson family, although they would always greet me with a smile when their son(Don) and I would walk to the Central School and back. Their first son was Robert, who served an LDS mission in Pennsylvania; got married, but was killed in an industrial accident when he was 23. George and Elsie lost their second son(Douglas) when three days old. Next born was Kip and died at four months old. Then came Don, whom I have been acquainted with his whole life. He now lives in downtown Pierce City, Missouri with wife Jeannette Allen. They had lived in Nephi at one time and did the same kind of work that C.R. Lomax once did(New York Life). George was a farmer and one of the first to raise turkeys in Nephi; cattleman; City Councilman; and worked for Nephi City. He was always active in LDS activities including in the Bishopric; Library Board and a Scouter. Elsie was not only active in her church, but kept busy being an LPN at the Juab County Hospital(now Laurel Groves), Mt Pleasant hospital and worked for Dr. Boston and at the Colonial Manor-when it was a nursing home. George and Elsie also served an LDS mission together in a country to our north/east, in the Winnipeg area. Now back to the father of George Johnson, who used to live in a house near the old hollow in Nephi. In the 1950's, he used to yell at us kids when we went over there to play "Cowboys and Indians". He didn't like us playing there as it was "Sacred Grounds"  I had no idea what he was talking about until just a few years ago, when I was called by the Assist. State Archeologist, who I had worked with on some digs. He wanted my assistance, but I turned his offer down. A home builder had found the remains of several Native Indians who had been massacred in 1853. As my great grandfather had a Blacksmith shop just outside Salt Creek Fork, I didn't want to know anymore and at the time of 1853, police type affairs were overseen by the Mormon Battalion, and I knew Edward Jones may have been involved or knew of it as did the family of C.W. Johnson. First photo is a photo of Jeannette and Don Johnson and the small one is of Elsie and George, all of which this wanna be writer of history has enormous respect and admiration for. 

Photo history of four years on Nephi City Council

When one makes the decision to be a candidate for a local municipal office, one should be prepared for the time and energy for phone calls and house visits as why their garbage cans weren't picked up the day it normally is, or to listen and understand a citizens concern while they chat with you at church; the grocery store or even over the grave of a fellow hero. I understood their concern, at least all of them except at the funeral while we were paying respect to one of the best leaders around. I lost my cool a little to tell a well known developer why it was an inappropriate place to talk of politics. Although truthful to him I was, I haven't regained his respect, nor do I seek it. I did meet and greet and try to respond accurately to the folks that were respectful on the whys and wherefores of Nephi City action. Today, we thought we would present a pictorial history of some of the good and bad of being in politics. At the start of the campaign  I lost one of my two adult sons, not to suicide as that which was listed on the death certificate. The real cause was not to drugs or alcohol as the government and S/A providers try to convince us that is the root of all evil. Those substances only provide a path they have chosen to get relief of the pain of depression, and that is something the government and provider companies can't make money from. Continued tragedies with the loss of first and a second cousins; a brother in law and  good friends doesn't help. That has a toll that we all go through. Like life it self, tragedies happen like the breaking of a gas line by the contractor with the Nephi Gas crew coming to the rescue and the China Virus and the Vaccine that tried to shut down and scare people. It was fun to deliver hundreds of free meals to the bound in residents, not knowing where the food came from, and reinsuring older Citizens that we would survive the political agenda of American's losing hope. The Golden Spike Assembly went on without a hitch as did the bringing in the Big Boy and without the use of a dime of taxpayer dollar. All in all, the four years was fun for me and no regrets. Fourth grade students; last dance for many at the Boys gym for Class Reunions; helping to clean up Nephi; tours of the museum; DUP cabin and Territorial jail was fun for me and hope it set an example for all. My votes for no further annexation of residential subdivisions was to keep Nephi a small town rather than be sucked in by money lovers; political motives; potential conflict of interest with City Leaders and church pressure to bring the world here while we were not prepared for them as the law requires of us. Here are the photos showing death; and the double rainbow of life hereafter, which was a sign that my son was okay. I will never ever stop being a public servant, but those things can't be done by one person, nor changing the world back to helping each other, as we are all Gods chosen people in a chosen land.