SOMETIMES PEOPLE DO DASTARDLY DEEDS TO OTHERS.

UNCLE ROB GARRETT CAUGHT UP TO HIS BROTHER IN 1978

Robert Pixton Garrett was one heck of a great man. He wasn't just a Righteous Man Of God during his 91 Years on this sphere we call Earth, he was liked or loved by all who became acquainted with him in Nephi; at The Serv; herding sheep; his two terms with the Nephi City Council or with his LDS Church assignments. He was the type of guy all folks could chat with; walk to church with or be a member of his family, as me and by siblings believe. My brother-Hal and I was in the starting motions of climbing Mt. Nebo when our father-Alma Jones agreed to drop us off at the trailhead just below Dad and Sons, to give us the heart breaking news of Uncle Rob. If you are a "Newbie" to us oldsters, you need to check with other "older than dirt" people to find out where that point is and why we call it that. Rob wasn't feeling too good back then, and he was taken to a hospital in the City of Salt, and this mushy brain thought it was LDS Hospital. I can't remember which of his daughters were present, but it may have been Lucy and Afton. The daughters walked down the hall for a break, or what Aunt Erma would call "water the horses". When the daughters came back, one of the nurses reported that Uncle Rob had passed and they asked "who is Jim"? Apparently, that was his brother-Jim, who came to escort Rob on the immediate sheep herder train to Heaven. In those days, sheep herders were not from other countries, but Americans, such as Lorenzo Harris; Lyle Boyer of Coalville; the Reed and Ingram family of Nephi and the sheep herders from Ft. Green. When the sheep slept, their is a variety of things that a sheep man could do and for Rob, he loved reading and knowing the LDS Church books and some local folks who were not "local" but they knew that Rob Garrett and Jesse Pay had the gift of "Tongues" as some of the gifted people of God had in Ancient times. Although Rob gave up the sheep herds of Juab County, he and his wife-Erma Jones of Nortenville, set out to build "The Serv" in Nephi, as they could see that motorized vehicles would be taking the place of buckboards. Sure enough, we don't see many of those great wagons and teams around. But as a kid, I loved watching Jon Jackson take a load of loose hay up 7th North with his team of horses. Rob was on the City Council, and my guess he could tell the God's honest truth without offending others, like ne and his grandson-Bob Garrett may have done when we served the citizen's, and some folks don't like to hear the truth. Not only did Rob and Bob serve Nephi, but so did Joe Garrett, and Ross Garrett as the Juab County Boss and LDS Stake President. I know that God is quite aware of the great goodness of Robert Pixton Garett, and so does most of us old wanna be wranglers do. Rob could be the forefather of the gasoline service, and his wife-Erma started the "Penny Candy" gal at the Serv, as did his kids and their kids and on and on. Rob got robbed once, and he was able to talk the culprits out of killing him, and walked in to Nephi where they let him escape. Rob Garrett, I tip my hairpiece to you and all the Garretts. They are the cream of the crop.

 

JOHN HARRIS JOINED THE LDS CHURCH IN WALES AND BRIGHAM SENT HIM TO NEPHI

SEVERAL YEARS AGO, I SPENT A MONTH CHASING DOWN THE HISTORY OF MY MOTHERS KIN FOLKS THAT HAILED FROM THE BRITISH ISLES. THAT ISLE WAS NOT REALLY AN ISLAND, BUT THAT IS WHAT THEY REFER TO AS WALES WHEN I VISITED. I WON'T GO WAY BACK WHEN THE HARRIS NAME WAS HARRY, AND EVEN BEFORE THAT, THEIR WAS ONE HARRY HARRY. NOW BACK TO JOHN HARRIS. THEY TRAVELED BY WAY OF A BOAT ACROSS THE WILD BLUE ANTANTIC OCEAN AND ON TO IOWA CITY, IOWA , AS THAT IS WHERE MANY OF THE NEW MORMON NEWCOMERS WOULD MEET.  THAT FAMILY ARRIVED IN SALT LAKE, WHERE BRIGHAM YOUNG DIRECTED THEM TO NEPHI, BUT MANY OF THE OTHER WALES FOLK WENT OVER TO SANPETE AND NAMED THEIR TOWN......YUP ,YOU GUESSED IT-WALES, UTAH. THE HARRIS FAMILY SET UP SHOP IN NEPHI. THE HARRIS FAMILY HAD SONS AND ONE OF THEM WAS EVAN, ALTHOUGH MANY OF THE FOLKS IN NEPHI AND HEBERVILLE CALLED HIM "EV'. MANY OF THE KIDS OF THE KIDS WERE ALSO NAMED EVAN, BUT THEY WOULD DISTINGUISH THE DIFFERENT ONES BY USING A FIRST OR MIDDLE NAME. SOME OF THEM WERE JOHN AND JAY AND SUCH. WE DO KNOW THAT THE HARRIS FAMILY HAD A SAWMILL IN SAWMILL CANYON OFF THE NEBO LOOP ROAD. EVAN HARRIS, WHO IS MY GRANDFATHER MARRIED A HITESMAN FROM MORONI, AND THEY BUILT A HOME NEAR SALT CREEK, AND LAVON HARRIS JONES SHOWED US KIDS THE FOUNDATION OF THE HOME AND PART OF THE SAWMILL WAS STILL THERE. EVANS BROTHERS WENT TO SCHOOL IN A SHED THAT WAS THEIR SCHOOL AND FOR OTHER PEOPLE THAT LIVED IN THE AREA, AS THEIR WERE A LOT OF SALT MINES; ROCK MINES WHERE THE PINK ROCK WAS THE FOUNDATION OF THE NEPHI HIGH SCHOOL AND WHITMORE MANSION. THAT AREA STILL HAS GOOD FARM LAND WHERE HEBER OCKEY LIVED AND HIS SON- JAMES H. OCKEY SR. AND HIS SON- JAMES H. OCKEY JR. WHO STILL RESIDES THERE AND JIMMY'S SON AND DAUGHTER. NOW BACK TO EVAN. HE AND A BROTHER HAD TWO SAWMILLS AND BROUGHT THE LOGS DOWN FROM NEPHI CANYON FOR THE BUILDING OF THE PIONEER CABIN AT THE NEPHI PARK. EVAN AND ELIZA HAD A DAUGHTER NAMED MAGGIE VERA AND SHOULD BE ATTACHED. AROUND HER NECK IS A GOLD WATCH. SHE DIED ATR AGE 9 AND BURIED IN VINEBLUFF IN NEPHI. AFTER SHE PASSED, EVAN AND ELIZA WAS HOPING FOR ANOTHER GIRL AND LAVON HARRIS WAS BORN. THE WATCH ON MAGGIE WAS REMOVED BY HER FATHER BEFORE BURIAL AND GIVEN TO LAVON. SHE THEN GAVE IT TO ME AND I GAVE IT TO MY SON. I HAD TAKEN IT TO A WATCH DOCTOR WHO SHOWED ME THE VARIOUS SMALL DATES ON IT, AND AS I RECALL IT HAD BEEN FROM THE EARLY 1800'S IN WALES. AFTER I GAVE IT TO MY SON, WE THEN HAD IT STOLEN. I WAS A SCOUTMASTER AT THE TIME, AND ONE OF THE NEW INVITED KIDS WAS A GOOD FOR NOTHIN KID. AT THE TIME I HAD A LOT OF CONNECTION WITH THE SALT AKE COUNTY SHERRIFF'S OFFICE, BUT AS MUCH AS I PEACHED AGAINST IT, A CITY ANNEXED IT AND THE AREA WENT TO HELL. THE NEW OFFICERS SAID THEY WOULD NOT TALK TO THE CULPRIT AS I SHOULD HAVE KEPT THE DOOR LOCKED. I HAD FOUGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION BUT SOMETIMES THE GOOD GUYS ARE BAD, AND THESE COPS WERE CREAM OF THE CRUDE! PERHAPS GOD WILL PUNISH THEM IN HIS OWN WAY. THE OTHER PHOTO IS OF MY SISTER-JAYNETTE GRIMARD AND THEIR APPEARS TO BE A FAMILY LOOK ALIKE. JAYNETTE WAS A YEAR OLD THEN. MAGGIE VERA MADE THE JACKS SACK FROM A FLOUR SACK AND JAYNETTE SAID THE SACK MAY HAVE BEEN TO HOLD JACKS- A GAME OF THE PAST.

NEPHI JONES FAMILY DID WELL ON THEIR BIG GAME HUNTS THIS YEAR

IN SPITE OF THE NEW HOMES AND BUSINESS' THAT WAS RECENTLY BUILT ON THE DEERS  WINTER FEEDING GROUNDS, THE NEPHI JONES FAMILY DID WELL IN THE JUAB MOTTO OF TAKE WHAT YOU NEED FOR FOOD OR LEATHER BUT PROTECT OUR WILD ANIMALS  TO HAVE FOOD FOR THE WINTER. PHOTOS OF KAREN;TRAVIS AND McCORD JONES WITH A BUCK BIGGER THAN THE SMALL TWO POINTS THE OTHER JONES FAMILY SAW YESTERDAY, WE LEFT THE SMALLER ONES FOR ANOTHER DAY. AND HOPE THE FISH AND GAME STOP THE SELLING MORE TAGS FOR THEIR OWN FUNDS..SINCE 1852, THE NORTONVILLE AND NEPHI JONES FAMILY HAVE A GREAT ADVENTURE HUNTING TOGETHER AND NEED NOT SLAUGHTER THEM LIKE THE INCREASED TAGS AND CANYON ROAD SPEEDERS THAT ARE KILLING THEM AND WITH POLITICANS WILLING TO BUILD A BIGGER GOLF COURSE WHEN WE HAVE LITTLE WATER AND THE DEER ARE FORCED TO CROSS THE NEPHI CANYON ROAD TO  GET A SIP OF WATER IN SALT CREEK, WHERE LOCAL OFFICALS REFUSED TO BUILD MORE DAMS LIKE JENKINS FLAT AND BOBS POND, AND YES ALL OF THEM WERE TAKEN  "KINDA BY POLE". 

PART TWO OF JUAB STAKE SEMINARY PAGEANT OF 1931

                                                

                                                                     

PART TWO OF TRUTH, THE KEY TO HAPPINESS

 

PART TWO OF 1931 JUAB STAKE GRADUATION PAGEANT

 

PART TWO OF 1931 JUAB STAKE COMMENCENT EXCERSISES

 

LAST PAGE OF PART TWO OF SEMIARY PAGEANT OF 1931

 

TODAY WE OFFER THE GRADUATION PROGRAM OF THE LDS JUAB STAKE SEMINARY OF 1931

                                                                       PART ONE

We just came across a 12 page program that detail events for Seminary graduation which was for LDS students in JUAB COUNTY, Utah back in 1931. This writer is unsure if they still have Seminary classes in conjunction with high school classes or not. Many years ago the Juab Stake Seminary in Nephi was in a building that stood just north of where the Utah Community Bank is now. That first building had been there for many years, but Mormon official's built a new one north of the Nephi/Juab High School, that is now known as the Juab County Building. Back then, the School officials thought the school was too old and crowded but some of us knew it was built to last a 100 years and it has now surpassed that. But DC politician's and other elected and selected officials make a truck load of mistakes and still do. The new Seminary building was built, but now occupied by the Nephi City Police Department, but too small for invaders to what used to be a small town, so their is a plan to build a new one, somewhere to the South. If one walks by the present cop shop, you may smell the drugs where they keep confiscated items, but it is more difficult to get in, as it is better than Fort Knox, and from what I hear, there is no gold Fort Knox! The first Seminary building was determined to be unsafe when Highway 91 had too many kids running over there with drivers-like today, won't stop or slow down. But students never got run over to the Uwanna to play the pin ball machine or to the bakery on a burntblack run! Anyway, the program is here, but we will try to put it from the back first, so hopefully we will proceed in reverse first, but don't do that in your cars as kids run down 7th North and downtown and today's drivers won't give people the right away! I watched one of our local walkers cross Main on First South and I didn't think the walker could move that fast, but he did and the Salina Truck Driver didn't seem to give a rats ass about it. Now I hope James H. does strike me dead from above. In one of these blogs, I think I put a photo of that first Seminary building with students. I know that James H. Ockey Sr, taught on the top floor and a gal taught in the basement. In those earlier years, the LDS Church wanted only men holding the Melchizeadek Priesthood as the teachers, who had the room upstairs and a female teacher was in the basement. She may have made Church history as women didn't teach Seminary for salary, but they did it as a volunteer only. Men could teach, but had to get permission from their wives and when I asked a former Nephite who taught in a Seminary south of here, I asked him how his wife is doing as I set them up together years ago. He answered something like "It better be good or the church will fire me". They are still hitched and moved to another County. But like Nephi, which used to be a small and great town, it ain't like what it used to be, so all things change and we must accept it. If the reader is younger than Methuselah, who died at age 969, and the grandfather of Noah, you may find a family member in the program. But even in 1931, some of the participant's had already graduated from High School and Seminary(some good for nothings called it Cemetery) but I have repented after each time I referred to that. Graduates still liked to attend graduation and be a part of that event. The computer folks have changed these programs, and my brain damage from the Vaccine poison which was forced on us so my efforts to put this together may not come out clean as a whistle. Mr. Corbett and Vaugh Paxman can check the breath of this Jones Boy, as coffee has kept me going through this multi-day writing. If you don't find your family in the program, they will still go to heaven, or they just may be at one of the listed stores who helped finance this pamphlet. And I remember the Venice Cafe, as I used to be an assistant to the Assistant of the guy who ran the movies at the Venice Theater. One day I walked down the old wore out wooden steps to peer into the cafe when they closed it and left plates and cooking items there. And no I didn't eat that left over Steak. And remember, the gals that were listed with their maiden names. I recognized my mother's name of LaVon Harris, then a Jones, and she was on the program and finished High School three years before. And her nieces were Aleta Harris, who become a Mona Swasey;  then Blanch Harris who married an Orem Anderson and she was an excellent cook, then I wonder why Glade Sanders was an Apostle in 1931, but when younger, he was just High Council, and wonder if Beth Lunt was teaching for or against Adultery! Check the great stores Nephi had, with Allen's Cash Store, where you could work there if you could whistle; Nephi Cafe is where Kens Army and Navy store was and the flour mill, where I worked with King Sidwell and Sam Winn, and fell asleep the next day in History, and Mr. Brough warned his next class to come in quietly and finally woke me up and wondered where all my classmates went. It was the laugh of the year. 

PARLEY P. PRATT WAS AN LDS APOSTLE THAT WAS LATER MURDERED PART TWO

                                                                     B.H. Roberts Part Two

Many students of the history of the Mormon Trek to Salt Lake, which at the time-was claimed to be the property of Mexico. But if we study all history, we find that the land of Utah and western States were claimed by the people of Spain, who sought ownership by killing or ravaging the women here and those invaders claimed to be the new owners until the Texasans who fought to their Alamo death to retake what they claimed was there's. Still others would site that what would become California and Texas were owned by the Aztec's; Fremont's and other  Ancient Ones. Even in today's history of America, governments of their own still practice Manifest Destiny and take what they believe is there's, if "it is for the good of the people". I watched in person as the State of Utah claimed Antelope Island as there's, and it remains as such, although the sheep owners disagreed. When I spent a week digging with professional's at the Anasazi State Park, it was considered legal, but  Federal Law was changed since then. When Fur Trappers and the Mormons set their wagon wheels down in Utah, they offered to just purchase all the land from the Native  Indians here. The Ancient Ones said "How do we sell land that only belongs to God". In Juab County, there was no Chief Yuba. and after me taking on the Utah Director of the Division of Natural Resources, she caved in and admitted it was just easier to call it U.B. rather than Utah's Biggest Dam, as it was at the time that farmers built it. Besides, they didn't want to go after taxpayer dollars to change all the pamphlet's and maps. I accepted that and took off the boxing gloves. The murder of Parley P. Pratt was committed by Hector McLean, who was estranged from his wife, and he thought, much like folks in the British Isles while I was there- that Mormons only came to marry more than one wife. That didn't happen to me, as I was asked that, and my retort was short and not so sweet, as I would shout, "Hell No, I don't want even one". Well, there are times when our thoughts change, as mind did, at least for awhile. Now back to Parley P. Pratt. One of things that may have tricked the Van Buren, Arkansas madman off, was that in 1857, a group of people were traveling through the area near Mountain Meadows, west of Parowan, Utah, and along with them were haters of the Mormons, and announced to the Saints in Parowan that they were a part of the ones that murdered Joseph Smith; his brother Hyrum and helped funnel the flames that slaughtered men, women and children of the Mormons that kept the killers from attacking them. And some no accounts followed them to Utah and many say they have remained. The brother of Parley Pratt was also an original Twelve Apostle of the latter days, and continued in that position along with various other church assignment's, and buried in Spring City, Utah, where my brother Weston and I have visited. After Parley Pratt was murdered, nobody was brought to justice, similar to what many other politician's didn't do, in Ohio, Illinois and Missouri. But B. H. Roberts was not about to leave the slain body of Parley Pratt down south to be ridiculed. Another Apostle dressed down in the clothes of a Tramp and off he went and brought the body home, and buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery like many other LDS Leaders. He served several Missions but not to Arkansas. Parley's Canyon above Salt Lake was named after him for how he helped and well as a road from Highway 89 to the Freeway South of Beaver, Utah which was first traveled by Father Escalante. That's all folks.

WHO IS THIS MAN? IS HE A TRAMP OR AN UNDERCOVER MORMON? PART ONE

In the history of Utah and other places, some folks are amazed to find the hidden person under the exterior clothing or his habits. Such is the case of this photo which was found in the many photos and papers of the boxes of artifacts collected by myself and my family of those that have lived and died in our family of Tolley's; Jones' and Harris folks. The Nephi abode I was raised in was built in 1885, and various family members lived there when it had several different entrances and rooms that bedded family folks that would make their cots in the place they they were well taken care of as they were about to take those steps to  our real homes up the stairwells to Heaven's gate. That Nephi home is still a stable home for our younger sister-Jaynette Grimard, but the constant overloads of Semi Trucks and loud and speeding vehicles up and down to and from Schools and the new Gym are causing emotional and structural damage. As a youngster, it was a common occurrence that Hobo's would jump on & off the railroad trains that would stop at the Train Station in Nephi. There they would wander over to the Salt Creek that was behind the wandering eyes of those going and coming to the Utah Poultry. Over there, those free loaders could bath and clean up for their next criss cross on the rails. Then during the Ute Stampede and on Sundays, local folks would bring them a hot meal. When this want-to-be Historian first found this photo, my first thought was that it was held by the Nephi Jones residents which arrived in Nephi during 1852. The first Jones was Edward Jones, who had a son by the name of Edward Jones, and then he had two sons with the names of Willian and Edward, who was called "Uncle Lenny by my father Alma". Those two  brothers married the twin daughters of William Fisher Tolley, who was trained in driving railroads in the British Isles, and directed by Brigham Young to help build a road and railroad between Nephi and Ft. Green. He did just that, and eventually ended up with Brigham Youngs approval to take up three more wives, with the backing of  the first wife. The first Edward Jones in Nephi became a Blacksmith and built a home down where Wade Garrett now resides. Another home closer to the wagons going out to York(by Doc Steeles), and so his Blacksmith Shop was being built on First East and just south of where the Old Hollow runs. In  many regards, B.H. Roberts reminded this writer of Paul H. Dunn, who I became friends with in his latter days. As a General Authority, he wrote a letter to my Mission President in England and wanted to know how me and my Missionary Companion held the the record for more Baptism in the British Isles. My letter back to him told that he was under the heavenly inspiration as I was and to seek and find out himself. Later on when I worked with convicted Felons in Utah, I took Paul H. Dunn to various Prisons and Jails to encourage the convicts to take a different route in life. We became great friends. Back in the Mission Field, as the Mission President was so busy with Members of the Church, I was then promoted to the Proselytizing Assistant to the President, and Set Apart as that, and the Mission President authorized me to handle all matters of the Missionaries', including transferring Missionaries' as necessary. My new position didn't meet the standards of Spencer W. Kimball, who spoke firmly and with authority to me and the Mission President. Kimball authorized new carpets in the Mission Castle but not my office or sleeping quarters, but did direct me to be he and his wives Driver, then gave me an extra month to seek out Baptism for the Dead, and to use the Church car without a companion and on the promise I could be found without my earthly body if I dishonored that covenant. I remained faithful to that end and on my return to Juab County and with the help of a professional Genealogist- Lorraine Hayes, dozens and dozens of family member's names were taken to the Manti Temple for baptism by proxy. Kimball also sent a letter to my Stake President-Ross Garrett, who was also a grandson of Wm. Jones, who I believe paved the golden road for me as I traveled where he did, carrying his Journal with me. This story of truth will continue in Part Two, after I soak these arthritic typing fingers in Epsom Salt.

                                                          

                                                            WHO ART THOU REALLY?

IN ITS DAY, THE FORREST HOTEL OF NEPHI WAS THE PLACE TO STAY

The first real hotel in Nephi, Utah was the Forrest Hotel, which was located on 1st South and First  Prior to that, Nephi visitors often stayed in the Goldsbrough home, which was located at 1st North and Main Street, and in the 1960's, Shine Starr lived there, and his brother-Albert lived just north of that place. As Nephi became the stopping place for folks from all over the world, a team of horses pulled a buggy up to the railroad loading and unloading Dock, and the folks would take them where they wished to go. The Goldsbrough place was where a lot of folks would go, as it had a "Sample Room", where travelers could get a taste of fine wine. When strangers couldn't find a place to stay. "Uncle Harry" would make room for them by giving them a blanket and room on the floor. The Forrest Hotel was built in about 1880, and it was where the Forrest family lived as well as the travelers. They then built the new hotel on the corner of first north and main, which had excellent food and quarters to house any of the "High Brow" folks that wanted luxury and not sleep on the floor.  There should be two photos attached showing both the old and new Forrest Hotels, and this writer had the job to shovel coal in the furnace rooms and clean out the clingers that were there. Me and brothers Weston, Hal and Gary would take turns doing that. I don't remember the name of the owner back then, but my brain recalls, he looked like and dressed like  a gangster of Chicago, and we started calling him "Mr. Capone" behind his back. He paid the Jones Boys good wages but he made sure we went out the back door, so his customers didn't see us. When there wasn't enough beds for travelers, he built the "Annex", which is still there and although it has a Halloween story about it, they keep in nice and good place for folks just arriving with no place to live. On the South portion of the Annex, their is a different brick residence that used to be a home where gals would stay who are having babies, their waSa "Mid-Wife" there who knew how to gently take a breeched baby out okay. In fact, Gerusha ,ov

JUAB COUNTY HAS LOST ANOTHER VIET NAM HERO

I have always found it difficult to talk or write about our American Hero's that were called to fight for freedom in a land we couldn't even spell or pronounce at Juab High School. But history is there to learn about and learn from. For many of us, the United States Miltary "minds" of Washington D.C. didn't do what they should of done before we let 58,000 Americans die in Viet Nam, as we neglected to talk to the soldiers of France, who invaded Viet Nam in a previous war and didn't get the facts of that war they fought with the Viet Cong "fight til you are killed". Glen Williams was born in Levan, then called Mills his hometown, and found a bed at his father's-Charlie Williams who relocated in Nephi where he could work out of his Blacksmith Shop, when not driving the bus from Mills, Levan and to Nephi, then return to Mills after school. I worked with Charlie during the summers of 65 and 66, and considered him as a great friend, and also became friends with Glen's brother-Arlo, in search of an accidental shooting and burial of a member of the John C. Fremont expedition in the Juab County area. Out side of Saigon, the capitol of South Viet Nam(our "friendly" folks), the Viet Cong built the CU CHI Tunnels, which were gopher like tunnels underneath the ground, much like earthworms or gophers. Our Troops could not tell where the enemy may come up and spread their mine field around, or kidnap a friendly mother and give her a gun to kill Americans or else her kids would be slaughtered in a room under the ground. Rather than the 1st Calvary rolling into a dense forest with horse's, the Troops came by way of helicopter's being deployed in late 1965 through 1972. Glen didn't know it at the time, but he had the body that was slim enough to get in the tunnels and kill off the enemy, who were called VC or Victor Charlie, and Glen was named after his Dad, so he wasn't called Charlie. If you ever want to see the pure Hell our boys went through, see the movie "We were soldiers", where Colonel Hal Moore led the 1st Battalion in Nam. The Helicopter guys were called Sky Troopers. I have only touched on part of Viet Nam, but when my brother-Hal Jones returned from Nam, he and I went on an educational tour of schools in Salt Lake to teach what that war was all about. Brothers Weston and Gary were also in the Miltary during the Viet Nam Era. Nobody but God kept track, but total numbers of casualties of that war are guessed between one to three million and that doesn't include Cambodian's and Laotians. Hal was there as a 9th Infantry Medic, but was hit by shrapnel when another medic was killed. I went there in 1998 on a "Humanitarian" mission and to recover any remains of where some of our MIA's were buried. One of our teams did retrieve the remains of a soldier from Taylorsville, and his mother attended his proper burial and I felt saddened for what the Army kept hidden from her. Glen seldom spoke of his time "over there", and that is like most of the GI's that don't like to talk about, but it often hits them during their nightmares! Glen was hit in the head with mortar fire that split his helmet and head open, then suffered from blood disorders including Agent Orange and for Glen, it was Malaria. Purple hearts are fine and dandy but don't take care of the nightmares of the past. Please, Please, treat all Vets with care and announce your presence. Shell Shock and PTSD or now hitting Middle East Troops. Donations to American Legion is always appreciated.

FUNERAL AND LAST RITES FOR VIENNA JO DEMERS

I don't think I ever met Vienna Jo; her family or friends. But something moved me to attend her funeral at the LDS Chapel west of the Vine Bluff Cemetery in Nephi, Utah. I was told she lived on or near 7th North and since that has been my birth and last 78 years I have always called home, I thought it was only fitting to pay my respect to another 7th North neighbor. Neither did I know most of the folks that were there. This wasn't the first time I have attended a funeral of somebody I didn't know on earth, but sure felt I knew Vienna Jo, at least somewhere in time. I found myself writing notes of what I felt when I read her poem of "Winters Whispers" on the back of the program. Her words were chilling and yet I felt the heart felt love within her soul. Although Vienna Jo may never have heard of Robert Frost, her words reminded me of "The Road Not Taken" by that American Poet. I had memorized it sixty plus years ago, and recited it to myself as I continued to re-read and feel the words of Vienna Jo and her inner soul of love. Some day their will be a time when I hope to have the Heavenly chance to meet Vienna Jo, as I felt the warmth of her heart, and the joyous occasion she has already felt for the love and life of the Savior of this world, who undoubtedly greeted her at our real home. My heart and soul weeps for all her family and friends that knew her on earth. She was and remains one of God's most choicest of all.

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR WE PAY PROPERTY TAX....OR SHOULD WE?

It is hard to believe, but it's time to pay property taxes again, even if you own the home. Needless and late to say and write, we have tons of it in Washington DC, where Politian's have wrongly taken our money and used it for them selves; friends or family. There may be only one person that could change this and it is President Trump. During his first run, after he won, I showed the letter and check to friends and foe, but they only booed me. Unless you are dumber than a knot on a fence post, you should now know that Trump has been doing the right things for Americans. When I said that personal observation to Nephi Council Members prior to our Hearing, I was told I wasn't thinking correctly, as that the President was "swearing" too much and not even moral. I couldn't help but respond to say he was the US President and not a Prophet or Pope. Anywho, when I got my tax notice last year I complained to the Juab County Tax man, and I could immediately hear he was a typical tax man, so I gave in, as I am no longer fit to jump through the loops. That County Tax man "Stood Fast" on the tax notice, then admitted the nearly 400 percent increase was for future development. I thought how DAM stupid, as those future land or home owners or Developers should be paying for that. We also discussed a dry land farm I owned and how we used to have it in grain before the deep wells were dug to rob or "take" from the ancient Aquifer's below the ground. He then lost his cool and said I should sell the ground to a local millionaire for ten thousand an acre. I then asked if the tax man was working a part time job as a real estate broker, and our dialogue soon ended after I commented on other folks in Nephi who may consider potential civil or criminal charges, but in contact with a friend at the Utah AG Office, I was informed the AG is not interested in that until Congress enacts into law or until a City or County gets sued. In the Juab County Tax Notice for 2026, I see more and excessive taxes I have heretofore mentioned. As I have spent a total of 46 years fighting Politician's on a Federal; State and Local level, I am too wore out from the battles I fought, so I will say the same words of the great Indian Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce "From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever". That was in 1877, when we the Pale Faces of America massacred that Tribe out of the Rocky Mountains toward Canada and stole their land. I became friends with the original painter of the portrait that is now at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C. I hope local folks here and in other rural Counties will fight and encourage President Trump to legally abandon Property Taxes and put pressure on each State to do so. As I believe the Utah Governor is not interested in the people of Utah and only for himself, I will not write a letter to him, as I spent several years as a Constitution Affairs writer for four different Governors, and don't believe anybody will do anything about Taxes until we have another Trump type person as our Utah Leader. If I can figure out how to attach it, I will add a computer print of Chief Joseph and of a typical tax notice of the past. I gave many of the large prints to kids that toured our local DUP Museum in the past, and still have the negative for more printing, but will send it to what is left of the Nez Perce. Rather than pay property taxes on a 17 acre dry land farm on the south side of Nephi, I will send letters to such as a religious group; Miltary official's; Animal Groups for Pet Cemeteries or other Tax Except folks, as paying a few dollars a year to thousands could even make folks from the Boston Tea Party arise to revolt, but I no longer have the fight to give into the Scandal's, both locally; Utah and DC. As I am a local, with Nephi ancestor's who built it, but not with present Elected and Selected Rural Leaders! If things don't improved, Trump could make our Governor a Newsome and take away Grants, which is not freebies as Nephites keep saying. The Feds earn zero dollars. Grant money comes from taxes, so where is the hard working dollar of us Seniors really going!

THIS IS THE TIME TO CHEER FOR UTAH COWBOYS WANTING TO GO TO VEGAS

Now is the time to cheer for one of America's true sport of Rodeo, where prayers and our USA flag is still honored. And while these are the real cowboys, I pay tribute to all of the Wright sisters and wives who are the ones that rope; doctor and brand the cows while their men are bucking all night. And we hope Nephi City and Utah will honor the vision of our rural towns from whence they hail. The Wright Family from Beaver County are the Cream of the Crop for the last American Sport. I can't figure out how to put all their photo's here but give credit to Ray Jackson; Joe and Bob Garett; Bob Day and a ton others who volunteered to make the Ute Stampede the start to overtake the Cowboys from Texas. Help spur them on to victory. Hayes Weight is from Goshen and related to folks in Nephi. Stetson Wright is leading in the All Round Cowboy of the World and edging close to the top of Saddle Bronc where Ryder Wright is now. Thanks to Mayor P.L. Jones for getting the Ute Stampede where cowboys started since 1935. Some of our elected and selected leaders haven't yet figured out the difference of a hackamore from a saddle. Long Live Cowboys and the USA. These cowboys are the gentlemen that are the real red blooded Americans who also go on tour to our G.I's in combat zones in the off season, like what Lewis and Kaycee Feild did who also led the Pledge of Allegiance at a Nephi City Council Meeting a few years back when he was world Champion in Bareback riding and retired after winning 6 championships. He still likes riding horses and his Harley, in a small country township.

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THIS "CLYDESDALE" RAN OVER A 100 FOOT RACES

I RAN OVER A HUNDRED FOOT RACES, BUT THAT HAS BEEN A FEW YEARS AGO. SINCE I KEPT A WRITTEN LOG OF THEM, I THOUGHT I WOULD LIST THAT FOR YOUR HISTORY GIGGLES TODAY. THERE ARE ERRORS IN THE TYPING. ONE OF THE FUN RACES WAS BAY TO BREAKER IN SAN FRANCISO. 100,000 PEOPLE WATCHED TEN THOUSAND RUN, AND TRIED TO SHOW A PHOTO OF SOME, BUT DIDN'T INCULDE ALL THE STARK NAKED PEOPLE THEIR WAS. HEARTBREAKING WAS WHEN I WAS TRYING MY BEST TO GO UP THE LAST HILL -I WAS PASSED BY THE WHOLE DAM FOOTBALL TEAM OF THE LA RAIDERS IN FOOT BALL GEAR, EXCEPT RUNNING SHOES INSTEAD OF CLETS. AND THANKS FOR THE ONE GAL WHO PASSED ME NAKED, WHICH GAVE ME THE ENERGY TO CATCH HER AND PASS HER WITH BY HEAD AND EYES LOOKING AROUND TO CHECK. THEN THE 5-K AT SUGARHOUSE PARK, I PASSED UP MY SON JUSTIN AND PAUL HANSEN RUNNING TO THE END BACKWARDS. I WAS SO FIT, I THEN BECAME A MALE MODEL AND STARTED MY HOLLYWOOD MOVIE CAREER BUT SHORT LIVED, BUT ME AND MY SONS WERE IN LAST NIGHTS MOVIE ON "OUTLAW" TV WITH CHARLTON HESTON, WHO PLAYED THE ROLE OF BRIGHAM YOUNG. A CLYDESDALE IS ONE WHO  WEIGHTS 200 POUNDS ARE MORE AND I SHED ABOUT 40 POUNDS.

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SOME TIMES WE DON'T UNDERSTAND BEING A PARENT TIL WE LOOSE A CHILD

As a kid being the middle child of five, none of us knew the joy or hardship of our parents until we became one. We just figured our food would magically appear on the table & school clothes that were mystically cleaned and ironed for school the next day. However, we started to think about losing one of our own family when three of our siblings joined the military during the Viet Nam War. I was heart broken when my dog- Spot was hit by a vehicle on Main and 7th North, and carried it up the street to bury it towards Bailey Barn. Then loosing a baby brought me to tears when I walked up the street to Joe and Ellen Garretts place, who were like second parents to the Jones kids. It was daughter Marian that lost their first daughter as an infant. Joe was a First Cousin to us, and had been given horse sense, apparently getting that from God himself, and before we knew that most good folks were okay, but some had the IQ of a fence Post. I waited to date seriously until I was 28, and that was when I got hitched. The two boys pictured below came along and sure enough, the stork dropped two cute toe head's, who became my best friends. It wasn't too long after that Pam and I became divorced and probably because I spent all my spare time with our boys, and forgot to wine and dine their mother. She left for another, and although we were friends, me and the boys became "The Three Amigos" and we hiked, biked and vacationed together. A couple days ago, we submitted a history blog sharing a sad incident when my two sons were at a baseball game, and their coach died near the bleachers and I couldn't revive him with CPR. It was a sad ordeal and it was one of those things that shocked not only the Coach's son, but for the many other kids that watched. I believe that was such a shock for my two young boys, they never got over it. It ended my second son-Troy with his involvement with sports and I could determine it affected the whole baseball team. Justin was good at all sports including putting on a basket ball show with his buddy-Paul Hansen, and it was fun to keep statics for them like I did for my Grand Nephew-Jack Hansen, who I wrote about yesterday. Justin also went on to be the ball boy for a professional Sand Volleyball league that was often on ESPN. Both the boys went on to finish High School and got into the work field, with Justin helping in the medical field to find an easier way to repair the blocked arteries of heart attack patients and traveled to Ireland to start a factory there. But along the way, other issues entered which included two failed marriages, and that had a serious effect on him and me as well as his mother, and we tried our best to get him counseling, but that only seemed to make things worse, giving him medication that only got him addicted. Eight years ago tonight at 10;31 PM, he took his own life. That not only broke my heart; but his mother and many of his high ........

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 school friends, as well as Tony, who went with him to Alaska to see what G.B. Jones was doing with the Iditarod. Troy was seriously affected with his idle and big brother and now lives on the streets of Salt Lake, After two attempts at costly counseling; failed attempts with the Criminal Justice System, of which I felt bad as I tried without much success to make it better over 42 Years, but like trying to help the people of my hometown being on the City Council, it was hard to change what people get used to, be it good or bad. I do feel grateful for having the two boys I did, as God is the ultimate Judge, and He will make all final judgements. I listened to a tape earlier today, where 6th grader-Justin Jones, interviewed Gene Fullmer, the former World Middle Weight Champion of the World. Later in his life, I became close friends with Paul H. Dunn of the LDS Church, and he too felt Justin was destined for greater things. I am proud of being their Dad, though tears pour tonight. Below is younger photo of Troy and JJ-brothers & friends.

WE NEVER REALLY LOSE A HERO, THEY ARE JUST TRANSFERRED

At the age of 12, I liked to watch football if I could find a TV to watch it on. I also liked watching my pals play baseball when Nephi's Pioneer Park had a baseball diamond in the northwest corner. We had a lot of motels along Main Street, so we had uddles of fans in the bleachers. With just a paper route, I couldn't afford a baseball mitt or hat, but then I decided to get a real job and save my money so I could do what Y.A. Tittle did in football. In 1963, that Hall of Fame quarterback and the NFL's Most Valuable Player's played 17 seasons in Pro football, starting with the AFL's Baltimore Colts in 1948 and finished with the New York Giants. When I could watch him, I thought he was like Superman, who couldn't be stopped. He ran and threw the leather ball like he was made of steel. I eventually came to know he was "merely human" when I saw a photo of him when he was hit with a vicious hit and bleeding from the head. Later in life, I knew what a hit like that was, as I have experienced several hits to the head including a shotgun blast to the face; subdural hematoma as a Scoutmaster and learned the hard way to have an adequate parachute before I jumped out of a perfectly good airplane over Alta Airport. My kids knew I loved football and Y.A. Tittle. They surprised me to the point of tears when they gave me an autographed photo of "The Bald Eagle".  He died at age 90 in 2017. I knew my earthly hero was not really "deadly" dead, but just transferred to a bigger field in God's friendly skies. I wanted another hero of sports, and my buddy had upfront tickets to Jazz games, so my new hero became John Stockton, who was often the real "huminite" that was lacking in professional sports. By chance, my sister Jaynette invited me to go with her to watch her grandson play basketball, then football for the Gunnison Bulldogs. Years ago  I got acquainted with Jesse Owens and a friend to Gene Fullmer, but they were "transferred" as well. I needed a new sports hero, and goody goody gumdrops, along comes Jack Hansen of downtown Centerfield. He loved playing football with my son Justin, and they would often have Jack going deep into the pasture to catch a long pass. Jack reminded me of John Stockton. He knew how to work around his opponent's and get the ball to another Bulldog to make the basket. Jack Hansen was a team leader and the fans knew that. When football came along, and even though he was a Bulldog, I felt like a Juab Wasp coach when I presented a football helmet to Jack that used to belong to the BYU team of ions ago, and then given to the Juab High Team when they got their team going in the late 1950's. Jack excelled in football and became their starting Quarterback. I had him sign his autograph on the photo of me and him and told him when he makes it to the big leagues, he could come and visit me at the nursing home. He never forgot that and wrote me a letter to that effect in 2018. He didn't make it to the Big Leagues, but every body makes mistakes, especially Sports Scouts, who are after the money. Along the way at Gunnison Valley High, Jack Hansen still holds the longest Jump at 21 feet and the State record for the longest Punt. He still makes us all proud as he is getting a college education and finding his nitch in life. His Transfer Has Been Great.

THE LOSS OF A GREAT MAN MAY BRING THE RISE OF OTHER GREAT PEOPLE

In the late 1980's and early 1990's, I had the privilege of being the father of two sons, who I believed were destined for greater things than just being good and noble kids. During their Little League Baseball; Basketball and Football years, they brought a fulfilling sense of well being to see them active in sports and school activities'. Their baseball coach was Craig Siciliano, who was like a second father to each of the kids he tutored. After games, he would often leave a note of encouragement in their baseball gloves. Coach Siciliano helped this old fat man, as I would bring cold drinks for my kids, but only once did that occur. With his gentle but powering voice, he offered me help. He asked if I was going to bring cold drinks, I should bring them for all the kids. I heard him loud and clear and did so after that sultry warm day in spring. Since I couldn't afford to be in little league game as a kid, I wanted not only my boys that privilege, but helped other kids when I could. On April 30, 1992, 37 year old Coach Craig Albert Siciliano walked to the bleachers where his pregnant wife was sitting and me standing nearby. He looked pale and fatigued and asked his wife Kim for water. But before she could get it to him, he went down hard on the asphalt. Although he was much like me, having fun as a jokester, I sensed it was a bad sign. While baseball kids watched and parents panicked, I started CPR, after checking his breezeway. I had several years of training, and recall saving a life once before. But Craig was like a brother, and I was slow to start but concentrated on saving this giant of a man, who was in good physical condition. We didn't have cell phones in those days, but an ambulance arrived and I demanded to ride in the back with our Coach. The volunteer ambulance crew said he was gone, but I kept the CPR going til we got to Cottonwood Hospital, a place where I worked as part-time Security. The Doctors and Nurses tried with all their might but Craig was gone. One ER Doc recognized me and asked me to secure the door, as family and 12 year boys wanted to be next to their Coach of Life. I took all of them in a separate room and announced to their Dad, Son and Husband was gone. Back at home, I cried as hard as my sons Justin and Troy, which watched and shaken by the ordeal. The next day, I called the Medical Examiner, as I was with him the week before with an autopsy of a possible murder victim I was investigating. I asked if Craig's death was because I didn't do the CPR correctly. The Doc said Craig was dead before he collapsed, as his arteries were so blocked. 

 It was a dramatic experience as I had been through and it certainly was for my two boys, as it made an impact on them that I am not sure they ever got over, nor did Craig's son or his pregnant wife. 

THE FUNERAL OF BETH STEPHENSON TAYLOR WAS HELD TODAY

If you were not able to attend the funeral of  Beth Taylor of Nephi, Utah today, we got you covered, with the program right here and now. I came to know Beth at Juab High and soon became fond of her. I liked her, although three years younger than me, I became friends with that girl, so in a round about way, she was by "girl friend". She was fun to be around and sharp as a tack. It was the 1960's in a close knit and Rural Nephi. In those days, it was customary for young kids to walk up and down main street, then if we were able to borrow a car from our folks we would stop and talk to the gals. Beth would often stay with her grandparents, who lived on the northeast corner of Main Third South. On one occasion, I borrowed my mothers hot car, which was a miniature station wagon. Gas cost 19 cents a gallon and as long as I left some gas in her car so she could go to work for the School District Boss, who was Clyde Child, I was okay. I walked up to her grandfathers home, and knocked on the door. I asked if Beth was home, and he wanted to know who I was, and what my motive was for taking her for a ride. He then called for Beth and I could hear him shout "Beth, its one of those dang Jones Boys" Gee Whiz, it had to be one of my older brothers that caused him grief. But I liked her humor, and honest to  the core blunt chat. When I got busy with an LDS Mission and several years of college work, I didn't see Beth until the Deer Hunt in Nephi, and I would normally spend the whole week at home, especially after my father died. I then saw Beth working as hard as what her sons talked about at the funeral. We would shoot the breeze and catch up with any news that really wasn't news. She married Ron Taylor, who was a friend and a classmate from the Juab Class of 65. After I retired, I spent a lot of time at the Red Cliffs Asst. Living Center, where I had two cousins. I asked who the new gal was, and they told me it was Beth. I was also told she had that brain fog that her kids spoke of, and she may not recognize me or talk much. I went over and sat by her and held her hand, saying "this is Kent Jones, your high school boyfriend".  She jumped up and gave me a hug, and we chatted as if nothing had changed from ions ago. She looked as cute as she did back whenever. On one occasion when I went to take Ron Jones for a ride, Beth wanted to go along, and only then I felt something was different, but I told her our friendship would always last. I even met two of her sons during a visit. When she went to the old Juab County Hospital, as did two of my friends, it was still good to sit by her and hold her hand. Since my career required me to interview people from all walks of life, I could easily see at the funeral- she was and will always be an excellent parent and child of God. As I did with my two sons, sports and work were her cup of tea, and all of her family and friends can feel a special honor to have Beth and Ron in their lives. Driving across Texas a few years ago, I  wrote a song, which I recalled sitting on the back pew of my old 4th Ward Church. "Nothing Lasts Forever,  Except Forever, And My Love For You". All of her kids and grandkids and loved ones can always count on Beth for her love. Always, till we all meet together. She remains close to us all.

LESS THAN BREAKING NEWS......FROM JUAB HIGH CLARION OF 1962

The Class of Juab High of 1962 has finally graduated and....It wasn't just Clark Newell that had his fill of the Elvis looking hair drenched down with Vitalis, but Tom Newell rocking car is gone and Max Orme has told Mont Jones he can now go out and work on Diesel Trucks, which he did in Idaho. And Myrna of the local Times News just may want to read about about the article written by the Carbon the High School and don't forget the record Hop for this Friday. The JV Cheerleaders consisting of Pat Mories, Cleda Blackett, Judy Jackson and  Connie Kendall put a ad in there.