MY FIRST VISIT TO A DENTIST-By Dean Bowles-Chapter Seven

One day when I was about 10 years old, I was visiting my friend Dee Yates. He was crying with a toothache. His Uncle Joe Willis lived in a one-room cabin that he bought from "Hawkins Trailer Park" because they were closing the park. He moved it next to the Yates' home. Joe and Dee's mother, Delta, were brother and sister. Because he was a bachelor he ate his meals with the Yates' family.  He was a Tinsmith and his shop was nearby. Joe was a very large man. He smoked because he heard that it would help him loose weight. This did not help him because his sister was such a good cook. He was very kind to the family. When he came out of the shop and saw Dee crying he said, "Come on Dee, I will take you up to see the Dentist. The Dentist office was on the 2nd floor next to the Venice Theater(which was located over the Salt Creek-next to the present The Times News building in Nephi).The Venice showed good westerns every Friday and Saturday nights(all westerns are good). They also had serials with Buck Rogers in far out space adventures. There were wooden stairs that went up to the Dentist office. They were next to "Charley Footes Cafe" (When this writer was a teenager, he was the assistant projectionist working for Bob Anderson and had the opportunity to clean those stairs and the cafe was like going back in time, as everything was left as it was when they abandoned it. (They later made it into a Pizza place). The cafe was a one-man operation. They sat on stools next to a bar like counter and back far enough that you could hardly see the through the window. In the back room they played cards and drank beer. The smoke was very heavy like an early morning tulle(soft silk looking veil) fog. I heard many stories of winners and losers at these card games. The stairs were old, brown and uninviting. The little hallway was with a chair and a bench that would seat three or four people depending on their

size. The door to the operating room was on an angle so you would not see right in and get a clear view of him an who was in his chair. The Dentist was considered to be "old". He walked with a shuffle, with both toes pointing out and a slouch in his posture leaning forward. He had no assistants. I could see a brown dental cabinet with many little drawers full of sharp instruments. I doubt if he sterilized his instruments or needles. Probably wiped them on his gown or pants. He did have a tall jar with fluid in it, like the barbers put their combs in, and there were tools sticking out. As we sat in the hallway outside the door I could hear him talking to someone in his Dental chair. Then like a gale of hen manure these words came flying out of the room, "Good hell, if you shoot me with that you will freeze me clear to my ass". Dee looked at Uncle Joe and said, "The tooth don't hurt no more, let's go home." 

That is the end of the story as written by Dean Bowles. This writer took the liberty to exclude the name of the Dentist, and some of his habits, as he has a variety of family members still alive. And where there are punctuation marks or brackets or whatever Mrs. Lomax taught me, I put in my own words. I do remember Joe Willis, as our family had called on him to do some plumbing work on our 1885 built home, and we all had a likin for him, and yes my mother cooked him a lunch! It should also be noted that as a kid our Dentist was Dr. P. L. Jones, and he came to Nephi from the Dixie area of Utah. When he arrived in Nephi, he was one of those true leaders who helped get the Ute Stampede started; build the Nephi Airport and put together the infrastructure for Nephi. He was not an original Nephite, but his love for our history and culture was very much admired, but took no credit for it. And yes, he had a wooden stair case up to his office, and with his two big hands in a kids mouth, he scared the......well ....Dickens out of us and the nearby liquor store owner or "Aunt Emma" could hear our knees shakin as we walked up the stairs.

THE LAW OF THE HARVEST-BY Dean Bowles-Chapter 6

 "For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Not is that only found in the Bible at Galatians 6:7, but the Law of the harvest that Dean and his family lived by. One of the Grandpa's of Dean was Jesse Pay, who was a sheep man, a barber, and he ran a mercantile store in Nephi. At one time, Jesse had a herd of 500 sheep, which Dean helped with. They would lamb in Dog Valley, west of Nephi, then the sheep were sheared and ran through the trough to remove the sheep ticks. In the wintertime, they were driven to Skull Valley out toward Delta. Dean was about 9 or 10 when he helped his grandpa. Jessie build the home that Vonda Bowles lives in now, at the corner of 5th North and Main. Jesse lived in the red brick home just south of Jay and Vonda. As a kid, I recall my father introducing me to Jesse, as he was a friend of  Rob Garrett, who was also a Sheepherder, and from what I hear, they were very religious and loved tending sheep and reading scriptures. Although it has been several decades ago, rumor was that Jesse was so in tune with God, that he could speak "in tongues" which only early and spiritual people of the Mormon faith could do. When Dean was 12 years old, he worked for his brother in law earning a dollar a day tramping the loose hay in the wagon. He also raised 75 pigs in a feed lot. He and his dad worked their dry land farm on the Levan Ridge, and at this time of year they would collect 18,000 pounds of wheat a day. All the land between Nephi and Levan produced high yield of dry land wheat, and Nephi became known as the "Wheat City" of America. Not any more. Dean, Jay and Earl were all short but built like a block. Each could easily throw a 90 pound sack of flour on the truck and do it all day long. My back hurts just to think of that!

TODAY IS THE SABBATH, SO WE SUBMIT AN EVENT BY DEAN BOWLES-Chapter Five

Today is Sunday, so it seems reasonable to submit information on former Nephite-Dean Bowles about the time he was "Called To Serve". After graduating from Juab High School in May, 1948, he enrolled at the AC college(now Utah State University), as he loved farming and wanted to further pursue his love of life on the farm as that was the only thing he really knew. One thing for sure, he didn't want to be a teacher, like his big brothers-Jay and Earl, after they returned from World War Two. During the summer of 1949, he returned to Nephi to help his family with the farm. He attended the LDS Church on Sunday, but was taken back when Bishop Dan Davis wanted him in his office. As Dean sat across the big desk of the local religious leader, the Bishop asked if he would like to go on an LDS Mission. Dean was shocked in thoughts that must have seemed like eternity. No, he didn't do any of those "Never-Evers", but since his brothers served in the Army instead of a Mission, and his parents taught him good Christian values, but the family were not really that active in the Church, Dean was shook up. Yes, he did attend Primary on Wednesday afternoon, and enjoyed being a Boy Trail Builder, being taught by Mae Wright and Hannah Boght, but wasn't prepared for a Mission. He had earned felt badges that were sewn onto bandolas, nothing ever prepared him to go without "Purse or Script" in the middle of nowhere. After a chat with his parents, he accepted the call from one of the Smith boys! No, not the Smiths from Nephi, but the head man in Salt Lake-George Albert Smith. He was called to serve in the California mission, and at the time, it was not that populated, as his area extended from Lone Pine on the north, to the Mexican Border and much of Arizona. Stake President James H. Ockey ordained him an Elder, and they soon booted him out and on his way. Apostle John A. Widtsoe set him apart as a legitimate LDS Preacher and he jumped on a train to LA. His mission President was Oscar W. McConkie Sr. who was a high and mighty Attorney; Judge and scholar. This writer recalls reading one of his books titled "A Dialogue At Golgotha". That is an excellent book for law students, as it describes the Judaism and Christian beliefs and the many laws the government broke in allowing the crucifixon of Jesus the Christ. This writer also had the opportunity of telephonically speaking to Oscar W. McConkie Jr. who was legally speaking on behalf of the LDS church. Oscar Jr. was a brother to Bruce R. McConkie who was a General Authority of the LDS Church. Dean Bowles honorably fulfilled his mission, and did so without much money. He was told to accept food and lodging from the good people they met along the way. They did, and even today, there are still good people all around us, and they don't even have to be LDS to be kind to those in need.

ANOTHER DEER STORY-BY DEAN BOWLES-Chapter Four

As most local folks know, there aint many deer left in he Nephi area. Some blame the Fish and Game for selling too many permits to blind and young people. Others blame the lack of grass in the Forest, but no mention of the idea of "let it burn" by Forest Rangers and then others point their finger at local City and County officials for letting people build homes; business' and power lines where the deer used as their winter feeding grounds. Regardless, the Nephi Canyon near Heberville (Heber Ockey family farm) say more deer are killed there, than all the deer on the Loop Road. Although that area is known to locals as "Slaughter Point", Utah DOT refuse to put a deer crossing sign there until a person dies. DOT Protocol perhaps. Many can attest to the deer coming down for a drink in Salt Creek, including former Nephite Dean Bowles, who can attest to that. Here is a good and true story, and I told Dean, the Fish Cops may find difficulty finding evidence, then extraditing a 94 year old man, and to incarcerate him. He thought that may not be a bad idea!

I THINK I FELL ON MY HEAD- BY 94 YEAR OLD DEAN BOWLES-Chapter Three

In the 1950's a lot of folks just walked to the various grocery stories in Nephi; the Venice; walked to school; church, work or play in the Old Holler. My older brother often delivered papers on his horse. Back then horses were the go to "smart machine" that only needed pasture and water, both of which are quickly fading in our once rural community. But along with "progress" came Tote Gotes and such. Bob Garrett is now 82, but still uses his horses to round up the cattle and without a ladder! A first cousin of his was the late Kirk Sanders, and both Kirk and his Dad Glade brought in the new Honda 50's, and that changed our mode of travel. But when no potential customers were around Glade and Kirk used horses to hunt deer, as the three together each had an excellent eye with open sites. Kirk and Bob continued to defend each of their mobile machines as to which was safer. Well, for this writer, who has experienced severe breaks and aches with both, let the debate continue. Any who, todays story from 94 year old Dean Bowles will share one of his horse stories, and I think all can get a little "horse sense" from it, knowing those four legged mobile units are dang tricky, but a heck of a lot easier than this computer which has hobbles on it or its user has!

BIT BY A BLACK WIDOW-BY DEAN BOWLES-Chapter Two

As previously indicated, we tracked down Dean Bowles, with he and his wife being in their early 90's. Dean may have poor eyesight now a days, but his mind and memory is keenly sharp. He was born and raised in Nephi on the corner of 5th North and 100 West. In his story today, he talks of the shed behind the still standing house. His folks had eight kids, and only a two bedroom home, so one bedroom was for his parents and the other for their four girls. The boys slept in the shed with gunny sacks to keep them warm. That shed is still standing, but we only took a photo of the house, and the one with the neighborhood watchman-Chad Winn, who is not only a great man, but a down to earth Christ like neighbor, who came across the street to see what trouble this good for nothin Jones boy was doing. In the one photo, he is standing in front of an old corn drill and the present owners of the home are good local people who are caring for the home with its historical beauty with grass from the lawn to the asphalt road. And remember if you sleep under the stars while the summer months are still with us........be careful, their are Widows on the prowl......where the hell is mine?

MY FIRST CAR WRECK BY WAY OF DEAN BOWLES-Chapter One

Dean Bowles is a true "Nephi" having been born and raised in Nephi, Utah. His birthday being Dec.6, 1929 and if his brother-Earl Bowles was a good math teacher for me in the 4th grade, that would make Dean about 94 years young. He was one of the eight kids of Roy Bowles and grew up on the still standing house on the corner of 5th North and first West in Nephi, that home later became known as the home of the Howell family, who he is related to. One of his grandfathers is Jesse pay, who used to live in the house just south of where Vonda Bowles lives, the widow of teacher Jay Bowles. The father of  Roy Bowles was Thomas Bowles, who helped build Nephi in Pioneer days with his team of Oxen, which photo is in the Alice P. McCune Book of Juab County. That is a little foundational information on the Bowles side. But the main character is Dean, whose other relatives consist of the Sidwell's, Howells and Gobles. All are original Mormon Pioneer stock and have more culture and historical knowledge of the settlers than the young move in politician's who like to brag they are "original stock". Rather than Dean choosing the Army and fought in WWII, like his big brothers Jay and Earl Bowles, Dean chose an LDS Mission, and to California, where there were few Mormons. At Church Headquarters he was told to seek out good people for food and lodging, so that is what he did, and we will print that information with a later Chapter. On his mission return, he loved working on the farm of his Dad and Grandfather. Brothers Jay and Earl were short but strong like a brick, and could handle a 50 pound gunny sack of grain like it is was a loaf of bread. In the end, Dean became a Dentist, starting out in Logan, then on to California. Along the way, he found ample time to write, and he did so with the smooth writings of Dan Valentine or Mark Twain. Dean and his wife or now living in Mesa, Arizona, and he and this writer has been in several telephonic contact. He was given me permission to write some of his stories; letters to his neighbors (Lucy, Afton and Corrine Garrett) and others which I will put in future Chapters. He is a prolific writer, having published over 30 books. I love much of what he writes as he mentions names of folks from long ago that I knew well. Please enjoy this good history!

Today, we miss Justin Wm. Jones who departed 6 years ago.

The last 6 years has often gone by very slowly, but then again, it went fast. One day, all of us will be re-directed from our earth life, and called to our heavenly home. In the case of Dr. Richard Wm. Jones and Justin Wm. Jones, both of Nephi, Utah, their time on earth seems to have moved faster than normal. Dr. Jones was dedicated to saving and healing the life of animals, getting interested while working on the farm of his father-Vic Jones. At the time, "Spin Mac" was the only Vet type in town, and for a farm trained Vet, he was good. When Cancer hit Richard Jones, other Nephi Jones family members pitched in to help Richard on his farm west of Logan. He liked to do the farming the way his father and grandfather did, and my son-Justin Wm. Jones helped, as he loved all animals. In fact, his little brother-Troy Jones, spent the entire summer on the farm in Cache County feeding and living with the animals, and both were hooked on the Shire horses that Richard liked to show off pulling an old water tank in the Days of 47 rodeo. Justin Jones not only loved the horses, but had a way with dogs. They are like horses, and can often sense the mood of us humans. Although I was never a dog lover and they didn't like me, Justin was and often walked dogs for the older folks that lived near him. He had the same love for all people, including the older ones and the troubled kids, who he worked with, as the paid Counselors didn't quite have the patience that Justin did. He worked for Edwards Lifesciences for several years and worked his way up the ladder as a Planner. Edwards started to specialize in artificial heart valves and Hemodynamic Monitoring. They developed the SAPIEN Transcatheter Aortic heart valve made of Cow tissue within a balloon-expandable, cobalt Chromium frame, deployed via a Catheter going through the Femoral Artery. The Feds were skeptical, but since other countries had used it, America followed along. Justin Wm. Jones not only assisted in its operation in the United States, but in its installation in Ireland. When he showed me how they used robotic computers to keep the operation sterile, I thought of neighbor Joe Garrett, who had heart issues years ago, and went through a very painful Open Heart surgery, stripping his legs from heart to feet, and how painful it was. Dr. Russel M. Nelson was the heart surgeon, and promised Joe he would make sure he would pull him through, but had one condition, and Joe Garrett kept the promise. Joe stopped smoking. Regardless of the Whys and Wherefores, this father of Justin Wm. Jones misses his son, and will never ever get over it, but with faith and hope, I am learning to deal with it, as all of us will have to one day, when we loose a loved one! So today, I will be as near to Justin and God and fish at Justin's hidden spot.

THE FUNERAL OF JIM STEPHENSON WAS HELD TODAY.

For anybody that knew Nephi's Jim Stephenson, all liked him. He was that type of guy, regardless of who you were are what you did. I first came to know him when I was attending Juab High and worked the night shift at the Nephi Flour Mill. Jim's dad worked there. Harold was a steady worker and must have taught that same work ethics to Jim. Tola was Jim's mother and she was a good friend of my mother, both making flour sacks in to shirts, dish towels and such. When you blend two great people together, one is bound to have good seeds, like Jim always will be. At the grave side services at Vine Bluff, the large crowd, like me, acted as they could feel the presence of greatness pass. It was a hot day, but the services gave me a cool whisper of hope for life on earth. I felt glee to have known Jim, and all the good things he did for family, country, his church and community. I had the  honor to interview both Jim and Janice Stephenson at their home three years ago, and the reader can find the photo's and writing at the blog site of nephijoneshistory.blogspot.com, then go to the archives dated on Oct. 26, 2020. The services were very inspiring, with two Army soldiers presenting the flag to Janice, with two trumpets playing. Then the American Legion, Nephi Post #One had a Squad of 12 Veterans do the 21 gun salute. It was in and of itself, as respectful as Jim was in all he was and is now. The program may be attached! 

THE FUNERAL OF MONA'S DON YATES WAS TODAY.

Don Yates wasn't tired of living on earth, but his 94 year old physical body may have been. Rather than attempt to copy the information that was submitted today, I will refer the reader to the interview I conducted with Don at his home in 2020. My notes and scanned photos should be at the entries of April 27th and 28th, 2020, so one has to find the archive section and go to those dates. The attached photo was taken at his home the day before he was ascended. He loved that he could call Mt. Nebo his very own, and the family farm he worked since he was sixteen. Don, you were and will be a Minister, often leading in a silent strong manner while sitting on the back of the church pew. You left a hay load of kin that you can be proud of. Well done, Don.