IF YOU HAVN'T MET VONDA BOWLES, YOU OUGHTA

About four years ago, I attended a funeral in Nephi, and noticed Vonda Bowles walking through deep grass to get back to her car. With difficulty, I caught up to help, as a strong man should do that for the elderly. I wasn't overly acquainted with her, other than she had been a teacher in the Nephi Elementary school system. I knew her husband-Jay and his brorld War Two. Both those War Vets have passed, but Vonda is still kickin strong. In fact, it was Vonda who kept me from falling in the grass, as she was motating for this fat old man. She is in good shape and cuts her lawn at 90 years old. I interviewed her today and enjoyed her wit and wisdom. Rither-Earl better, as they were both teachers who I feared, both of whom just returned from Woght out of the chute, I asked her who her favorite President of the US was. She then raised her voice so this deaf guy could hear, saying President Trump was not Presidential, but did more for the United States than any other President for the last 100 years. Jay grew up in Nephi, the son of Lorene Pay and Alvin Roy Bowles. He came from Pioneer stock including Thomas Bowles, who was one of the first settlers of Nephi. As a kid, Jay loved helping his father with his sheep herd and running through the sage brush.Vonda Despain grew up in Ft. Green, the daughter of Thomas and Laurelda Oldroyd Despain. She met her future husband at Snow College, then both went on to get their four year degree. They got hitched while finishing their education and living with kids in a 16 foot trailer. Jay worked at various places including Fub Heppler's gas station; Thermoid, then both became teachers. There living kids are Michael, Von, Jim and Craig and each help their mother, but ONLY when she asks for it. When she told me that, I acknowledged the strength and independence of this woman, and often greet her when she comes to the Nephi library to get a new read to study. She has organized all of her family history, and can tell you just about anything about Ft. Green; Birch Creek; Nephi; Chief San Pitch and the men who shot and killed him in 1866; of  the "Lucky Boy" gold mine; the Sidwells: Pays; her son with the UHP and about loneliness. When a parent looses a child what we believe is 'before their time", it always touches my heart. Vonda did, and we both shed tears when I saw the cute photo of Karen who died at 2 1/2 of Meningitis. The night before, Vonda tried to put her sick child to bed for sleep, but Karen wouldn't have it and told her mother in no uncertain terms "I will tell Heavenly Father on you". Karen knew what Mom didn't know. The sweet child died during the night. At age 13, another child-Kevin died from a brain aneurysm, and apparently a lot of other kids between Juab and the Dugway Proving Grounds died of similar symptoms during that era. If you still have an old calendar like me, write down Vonda's birthday of May 2th and send her a hand written note. Her keenness, kindness and knowledge deserves the respect she is due. She was Miss Lamb Days Queen. Check the cars and see if you can tell the year.

IN 1975 WHAT DID GEORGE JACKSON GIVE JILL SABEY ON VALENTINES DAY

It wasn't a box of chocolates or candy. Yup, she received a diamond to solidify their engagement. It was in a heart shaped box tied with a special red velvet ribbon on it. And she did say yes. That was Feb. 7, 1975. Going back before that, we have to do a little history. Russell and Grace Marie Garrett Jackson was living down Center Street in downtown Nortonville, Utah. They announced the arrival of George Ray-the third child in a family of six kids. Russell was a good teacher in showing his kids how to be good farmers, and George listened well as he kept out of trouble. I just checked the little black book and it shows no demerits for him. George got by in grade school and he received a variety of recognition while going to Juab High. He was FFA President and worked diligently in striving to have the class meet all the guidelines and sure enough, the Mt. Nebo Chapter took home trophies in many divisions. In addition, George was chosen as the Region Football player and graduated in 1969. He then attended Utah State for a year, then called to serve on a mission where Kangaroos kept jumping around him. He considered that place "A Choice Mission". After he completed that service, he came back home to Nortonville for a short visit, then headed back up to Logan at the AC College. As one may assume, he majored in Agricultural Education and served as President of the Agricultural Teacher Fraternity, which had a lot of responsibility, but a great honor. In January, 1974, at a class at USU, George met an attractive young lady by the name of Jill Sabey, and she knew all about farming and attending church, and the two spent a lot of time together. Jill is the daughter of Ross Elliott and Effie Scott Sabey. She is the youngest of ten kids, born in 1953 at Payson. Her farm experience was in Lake Shore, then graduated as a Don in the Valley of the Spanish Conquistadors. She also went to USU, but this was on a free ride scholarship, as she was a genius. Good thing George turned the accounting over to her, as  she majored in Business Education and member of the Lambda Delta Sigma Sorority and the Phi Beta Lambda Business Fraternity. They were married on March 28, 1975, so George, you better come up with something better than a bale of hay. They moved to Kamas, where George taught Agriculture at South Summit High for a year and half. Jill worked at the Lumber Yard as payroll secretary and at the bank as a Teller-Secretary. Their next move was to Nephi on South Main. George committed to teaching at Spanish Fork High. Not sure of the spelling, so I am going to call her Kristi Jo and born to George and Jill in 1976, and loved feeding the calves with baby bottled milk. Their next move was back to Nortonville, in the home where Alan Tolley used to live and before that, it was the home of Len Jones. In time, they built a new home on the southwest of Nortonville and still there. Not sure of more kids as my information is from a hazy brain, just like their photo. I do know that both of these people are genuine. When we hired them to farm our land, it was on a handshake only, and last til we shook hands and unsealed the deal. Like all people, they have their share of health issues, but like a good farmer, they are tough and go through each hurdle, one at a time. They are both some of the most trusted people the Jones family ever dealt with. And they are active in their LDS faith serving in various callings When they pass through the computer where St. Peter sits, he will just pass them through. They still go by the Golden Rule of life.

I AM ALONE, AND JUST WONDERED IF ANYBODY IS IN THE MOOD?

Now wait a minute, our history blog is G rated, so don't let the mind wander. But if you are in the mood for work or a Dating Mood or even a fantasy mood, you just may like to read this Dance Review put on by the Juab County Recreation a few years ago. Not sure what year it was, but guessing it was the mid 1960's. It is hard to read the faded type, but not sure how to enlarge it. Good Luck.

1909 Post Card from Maria to her mother-Sarah Warren Tolley of Nephi, Utah

Things have changed since 1909, including people; dying trees; cost of sending mail and medical miracles. Our example today involves a postcard from Maria Nowling to her mother-Sarah Warren Tolley of Nephi, Utah. As the two cent stamp postcard was written in pencil 112 years ago, the lead writing has faded, so we will type which was written. It is addressed to Mrs. Sarah Tolley(one of four wives of Wm. Fisher Tolley); Nephi City, Utah. The postmark is April 30, 1909. She writes: "Dear Mother, I received your letter yeasterday and was afful sorry to hear you were so sick but hope you are better by the time this reaches you. I haven't been very well for sometime. Put a mustard plaster on but continues vomiting.

Maria Tolley was born on June 20, 1849 in South Molton, Devonshire, England and came to Utah with her parents during pioneer times. She married Jabus Nowling of Nephi on Jan. 23, 1891. Her mother-Sarah died in 1916.She was the Matriarch of all of the Utah Tolley family.

First photo is of the front of postcard showing a view of Cape Horn on the Columbia River, while the third photo is off the computer, but still show the sharp rock and possibly the two trees which now appear on there last leg or root of life.

HAPPY HEAVENLY BIRTHDAY TO ALMA COYN JONES OF NEPHI

On March 10, 2021, Alma Jones would have celebrated his earth life of 118 years. He was such a perfect of the perfect fathers, his kids can't help but still celebrate by going on what we have been calling the "Alma Jones trek". We have lead family members consisting of a few of us up to 50 all over various states where Alma's father-Wm. Jones traveled as a muleskinner. Alma was called Dad by us, but "Cash" by others. This year, on his birthday, three of his five kids are jumping on a train at the Nephi Depot, taking us to Provo. We will then jump off and switch trains, then stop at the other side of the Point of the Mountain and break Hal loose from Maximum Security, then jump back on a freight train to Ogden. If our pioneer GPS is correct, we will then head west across the Great Salt Lake and on to Alaska to pick up little brother Gary B. with his Iditarod Dogs and we will beat all competitors on the thousand mile journey to Nome. Well, at least part of the plan is true. If we don't return to Salt Creek City, start church without us. If space permits after the typical Jones B.S., gaze at the photos of Cash Jones, rumored to be Al Capones western hit man in Prohibition days.

CONGRATULATIONS JUAB FINE ARTS COUNCIL-OLIVER WAS GREAT.

Last night, we attended the last performance of "Oliver" and we were extremely impressed with all those that put this fabulous performance together. It was better that Broadway and the time I watched "King Lear" at Stratford Upon Avon in England. When a kid gets up to bat and the baseball game is tied, there is a lot of pressure on him. Same goes for young Oliver when he sang a solo. He and others did well, and credit goes to all of the parents and instructors that could put 34 people on the stage and performed together perfectly. I counted about a hundred people in the audience, a lot of which were kids. Sports and athletic competition is not cut out for all people, so it is great to see this type of Fine Arts expanding as it is. Keep up the good work and we look forward to the next upcoming event. 

THIS IS THE FAMILY OF KIRK AND BETTY SANDERS OF 40 YEARS AGO.

Kirk was born in downtown Payson on August 29th, the oldest of Glade and Lucy Garrett Sanders. In 1952, the ole hollow was full of flood waters. Kirk and a cousin were walking home from school, taking the short cut behind what was then Culligans. The bank gave way and Kirk fell in. He recalls hitting his head on the cement culvert as he was carried under Main Street. As Nephi folks are in time of need, everybody ran for help. Just before he went under the railroad tracks, he was pulled out with a grappling hook. He still holds the record of being the only kid to go down the creek without a boat or paddle and the first to read his own obituary in the paper. He graduated from Seminary and Juab High with the Class of 1959. He then headed to Japan, on a "special" mission. His papa sent him there to learn how to build Honda's and he came back as thee most skilled man in America on Honda 50's, which were the rave at the time. He can still repair one with his eyes closed and with coaxing he can take on a Harley too. He has been a quiet but revered leader in LDS positions and about the only one that can repair the still swinging tire feature at the Third Ward Carnival, or whatever it is called now. He married Betty Brown who was born on June 29th, her parents being Douglas M. and Mildred Graff. She was the 5th of 6 children. She was raised on a farm 2 1/2 miles west of town on what us old timers call Dog Valley Avenue. You youngins call in State Rd. 132. She started singing in public at age 3 and sang at many weddings and programs all through school and considered the most outstanding student in music, even appearing on TV twice. Her singing partner was Vernice Winn. She graduated from Seminary and the Juab Class of 63. She was active in church position including visiting teacher, chorister and in Sunday School. Kirk and Betty got hitched in the Manti Temple on Sept.7th. The stork then brought Jeffery Kirk who loved sports including hunting, trapping, bull riding, fishing and of course riding Hondas. Little did he know that his grandpa-Glade was one of the best rifle shooters in town, along with the Smith brothers. Then came Cami Sue who passed away at age 10, after suffering from leukemia for 3 years. She was the strong one, even though other kids and their parents made fun of her with no hair. Cami knew that she served her purpose on earth, and was the one who comforted others in letting God lead her back to our real home. She remains the sweetest of the sweetest souls on earth. Next kid was Tricia who was born in Provo on Jan. 3rd, and needless to say she was considered the firecracker of the family, and hard to keep up with, regardless if it was dancing, piano lessons and could ride a Honda as good as her old man. Bringing up the rear is Amy. We have now lost Betty, and when that occurred, Kirk has been in a slow mode ever since. Kirk has never wanted the attention, but always was the silent servant to Corrine, Afton, Lucy and so many others. If you see any of the Sanders family, they all deserve not just your business, but a hug. They may not give out any more penny candy at Rob's, but they are there to serve you, as it remains the "Serv" in a professional and personal way

LYNN BROUGH HAS BEEN CALLED ON A LDS MISSION

YUP, THE RUMOR IS TRUE. LYNN BROUGH WAS CALLED ON A MISSION, AND HE DID GO. HE LIKED IT BUT HIS FATHER WAS HESTITATE ABOUT WHERE HE WAS GOING, AS WORLD WAR TWO HAD JUST GOT OVER, AND HIS SON WAS GOING BACK TO WHERE THE NAZI REGIME DID SOME TERRIBLE THINGS, BUT LYNN DID WHAT HE FELT WAS BEST AND WENT. THAT WAS BACK IN THE DAY WHEN THE MORMON CHURCH SENT THEIR MISSIONARIES BY BOAT, SO IT TOOK AWHILE TO GET ACROSS THE POND.  AS FOR AS HIS SON-CHAD KNOWS, THIS FAREWELL PROGRAM IS THE ONLY COPY AROUND, AND GIVEN TO THE FAMILY BY HERB CARTER. WHEN THE VIET NAM WAS IN FULL KILL MODE, THEY DIDN'T PRINT THESE, AS THE US GOVERTMENT THOUGHT THE YOUNG MEN WERE GOING ON MISSIONS TO ADVOID GOING TO WAR, BUT IF THE TRUTH WAS TOLD, MANY A FAMILY SENT KIDS TO WAR AND ON A MISSION, SUCH AS THE NEPHI JONES BOYS. OF THE FOUR SONS, THREE WENT TO WAR AND THREE WENT ON MISSIONS. WHEN LYNN RETURNED HE MARRIED THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE-DIANE HANNIFIN, WHO WAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND CLASSY GAL  IN NEPHI. THEY MADE LOTS OF MUSIC TOGETHER AND SON CHAD IS GOOD AT THE PIANO. LYNN IS STILL A HAPPY MAN AND A GOOD MAN OF NEPHI. SO IF YOU SEE HIM, GIVE HIM A HIGH FIVE.

IN EARLY MORMON PIONEER TIME, WOMEN SPOKE, BUT LITTLE WAS WRITTEN

For those of us that has study American history, we find volumes and volumes of the men that fought valiantly in the Revolutionary war, then gathered together and signed the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain and formed what we now call the United States of America. Once in a while, we read of Betsy Ross and other women that assisted in our countries foundation. The same could be said of the re-establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or what is commonly called the Mormon Church. Today, we hope to put a little more emphasis on the valiant and hard working women in the early days of the Pioneer trek to Utah, back in 1847. Volumes can be written about the journals and dairies of the male leaders, but not a lot about the women who supported and worked by the sweat of their brow, while the husbands were on their knees, receiving revelation from God, who was directing those modern day Saints. One such woman was Matilda E. P. Teasdale, whose death notice copy is below. While in the 4th grade, teacher Earl Bowles taught me the importance of keeping history, and that was when I received permission from my folks to recover; clean, and maintain the history of the thousands of artifacts and papers that were placed in the garage after family members had passed since our arrival in 1852. As can be noted, Matilda's death notice was ravaged by mice, but we saved many papers of historical significance, several of which were donated to LDS HQ. As was the practice in those days, Polygamy was considered a religious ceremony as sanctioned by the Mormon Prophet and Matlida was one of the many wives of Apostle George Teasdale. When the US government and Johnson's Army marched to Utah to put down a non-existing rebellion, many Mormons hid their food; arms and ammunition in the hills, and others fled to Mexico, such as the Kimball families. The second photo copy is of a group of Latter Day Saints outside their chapel. A lot of the teachings of Apostle George Teasdale are for bidden to be seen by common folks but others are in the "George Teasdale Papers". We do know that Matilda was a profound leader in establishing Nephi Stake and the Nephi Relief Society. She was well acquainted with the Pitchforth, Goldsbrough; Bigler; Seely, and Jones family who were early leaders of Juab Stake. We just didn't give her enough credit, as it wasn't the thing to do back then. This writer will continue to pursue all truths that we find and give credit to all of those stalwart leaders, of which we gave only a penance of credit to. Onward, Christian Soldiers. Let all Truth be brought forth.

DARLENE JONES-THE LAST OF THE KIDS OF VIC AND ALBERTA JONES

 VIC AND ALBERTA JONES OF NEPHI, UTAH HAD SO MANY KIDS, ONE WOULD NEVER BELIEVE THEY WOULD ALL GET THROUGH THE VEIL, BUT SURE ENOUGH, DARLENE DID, AND IT FELT SAD AT HER FUNERAL. SHE WAS 89, AND CARRIED BOTH THE JONES AND BLACKETT BLOOD IN HER RIGHT TO THE END. SHE WAS ALWAYS HAPPY AND THE LIFE OF THE PARTY, GOING BACK TO JUAB HIGH SCHOOL, BEING THE MOST SPIRITED CHEERLEADER OF THEM ALL, AND AT AGE 89 STOOD IN FRONT OF THE OLD GYM AND DID A PEP RALLY FOR HER FAMILY.  AS A YOUNG GIRL, SHE WALKED A HALF  BLOCK FROM THE FAMILY HOME ON 6TH NORTH AND MAIN TO VISIT COUSIN CORRINE AND THEY WERE LIFE LONG FRIENDS. DARLENE WAS THE LIFE OF THE PARTY AND EVERY PHOTO OF HER SHOWS THAT GENIUNE SMILE SHE CARRIED TO THE END. THE BLACKETT BLOOD KICKED IN AT THE LAST WHEN SHE FELL AND BROKE HER ARM, AND THE MEDICAL FOLKS SAID SHE NEEDED TO BE IN A NURSING HOME. SHE WAS THERE FOR 6 HOURS AND SAID A FEW COMMANDING WORDS TO HER KIDS AND SURE ENOUGH, SHE WENT HOME TO PASS THROUGH THE VEIL, WHERE SHE WAS GREETED BY PARENTS, HER TWO BABIES;  SIBLINGS LENORA, MELBA, BARBARA, GEORGE, RICHARD, SHERM, GORDON, AND HUSBAND AND MANY MORE. WHEN YOU BUY A NEW PAIR OF SHOES, THINK OF DARLENE JONES ANDERSON AND MAKE SURE YOU "ENJOY THE MOMMENT". THIS HIGH CLASSED LADY WAS TAKEN FROM THE FUNERAL IN SALT LAKE IN A HIGH CLASS VEHICLE OF THE ANDERERSON FUNERAL HOME TO NEPHI.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A JACKASS TO VISIT FISH SPRINGS IN JUAB COUNTY.

I know it sounds corny and perhaps offensive, but it is true. There is a lot of history at the Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge in West Juab County, but it is worth the day drive from Nephi, Utah. You can contact the Juab County Tourist Council for what 4 wheel outfit you need, but a great drive. You will find peace and serenity in the dirt road journey and destination. Nephi and Juab County has been a destination for folks from the over populated areas of city folks. Although we welcome them, we ask  you accept and adopt the folks that settled the area, including the Paleo Archaic Tribes of 13,000 Years ago; the Fremont and Goshutes tribes and white man Jedediah Smith, who visited the area in 1827. We respect all cultures that called it their land. From 1851 to 1860, Fish Springs was where the Overland Stage Route was from Salt Lake City to Sacramento. The mail was slow as it was carried by mules, so it was called "Jackass Mail". Then came the Pony Express; the Overland Stage(carrying Mark Twin and Horace Greely); then the Telegraph, then the Lincoln Highway from 1913 to 1927. When horseless carriages came, they traveled the Victory Highway built across the Bonneville Salt Flats, which we now call Interstate 80. Lots of stories, both true and some that have the Jones type twists. Read the story of Jim Pexton, who was a lot more of a historian that most Nephites thought they knew about him, and yes I got permission from his family to publish this and give him the credit. Tonight, I give a high five to him for his exploration and genuine historical events of who he greeted and became everlasting friends with when he flew in and integrated with others. Most are gone now, but this kind of friendship should never, ever be forgotten by time travelers. They were and are the real McCoy's of life on earth.