MARK TWAIN HAD A KNACK EXPLAINING MOST POLITICANS

 

ONE NEED NOT WATCH ANY OF THE BIG MEDIA NEWS REPORTS OR READ THE PAPER.

1965 COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES FOR JUAB HIGH SCHOOL

It has been a lifetime since we were "Exercising" to be smarter. Kind of like "Practicing Attorneys" or "Practicing Surgeons". So how long before we all reach "The Challenge of Greatness"! Perhaps in our next sphere toward Exaltation! If true, at least two laid down their life's for a better world! Our Class was FAMILY! We had the best of us, just like a family. We were all different, but so are most families! And back then, most of us walked to school. Yup and some kids had to walk up hill both ways!!

                                                                                   

July 31, 1969-A NIGHT FOR REMEMBERING IN THE NEPHI FOURTH WARD

                                                                    HONOR NIGHT

 Tonight we will write about an MIA event. And for us older folks, our female teenagers were not Missing In Action during a terrible war that killed our teenage boys. It was an honor night to acknowledge the good deeds of the teenage girls in the LDS church. Many of the older gals have passed their test on earth, but a silent acknowledgement for what and how they did is well for the youth is well worth the effort they put forth to steer you right.

GO AND WE ALL MUST GO-SOMETIME, BUT WHILE WE ARE HERE, MAKE IT QUALITY TIME TO HELP OTHERS IN WORD OR DEED.

                                                                By James H. Jackelberry -cousin of Graneald Close Clucgh

HOW TO ENTERTAIN KIDS WITHOUT SPENDING HARD EARNED MONEY

 If you can adjust your kids brain, let's attempt to go back to the 1930's and your hometown is in the Nephi area of Utah. Back then, the fathers earned most of the money to feed and clothe their kids, and kids have a way of making toys without spending a Mercury Dime or even a Buffalo Nickel. Back then even our Federal Government didn't seem to have the brains or stupidity to waste giving billions to our enemy countries; political thugs or put our tax dollars' in their own accounts. But their was a small herd of politicians' that really helped us during the Depression. One such Handbook put out by the US. Department of Labor and their "Children's Bureau", was the Handbook for Recreation Leaders for Juab County. One such leader was none other than La Von Harris, who at the time was set to be a forever typist and a good one at that, being heavily involved with Church; Community Programs, Drama and Plays. She was also active in Skits; Musicals and always reciting the funeral speech of "If you should go first and I remain". She had Rheta Sperry or Ellen Garrett to play the organ part when the time was right. La Von was heavily involved with all things in the community, but she and Alma Jones hit it off, even though both thought they were going to settle in as forever singles. Then La Von lost her parents pretty close together, and taken in by the good hearted family of LDS folks on South Main, and she would walk to the Post Office, as she was working for A.E. Smith, who was not only the North Ward Bishop, but the Juab County Agent, and jumped right it to both roles. La Von would see Alma on occasion, and he moved in with his folks at the 1885 Jones home on 7th North and Main. He would cook for his folks, but he too lost both parents-Elizabeth Tolley Jones and Wm. Jones, so Alma started courting LaVon, and after he did his time as a U.S. Army Medic, and on return from WW Two, both he and LaVon agreed to get hitched and even though it was late, they soon made a long distance phone call to the the Storks flying round about, and they dropped in five kids about once a year and each were 10 pounders. Holy Moley Mom muttered, how can I keep clothes lined with diapers and still do church and recreational activities. Well, she did and Dad put a movable rope on the lines, so us four older boys could run or crawl about while Mom typed away. Her typing kept her busy with letters to soldiers & missionaries and always enclose a dollar or a two dollar bill. And every Monday, her kids found our house cleaning duties posted on the water tank and I loved ironing, so we tried to convince Weston to toilet duties to prepare for the Air Force. He soon wised up! We have already typed a history lesson about her leading a bunch of gals to Mt. Nebo, but we just found a letter from the Juab Recreation Club when she lost her father-Evan Harris, after he spent a week cutting the logs for the Pioneer log house at the Nephi Park. He didn't attend church a great deal, but thought he would on the Sunday after the log cutting, as he thought it would be the last time! It was. We also add the program when LaVon organized the 50th celebration of the Nephi High School of 1928. At that time, the class voted to change the colors of Blue and White to Crimson and Gold and changing the name to Juab High School. The song was "Neath the Majestic Guard of Nebo" and the song's author-James McCune gave permission to modify it to Juab! So Mona just may have the sight and the view to call it "Nebo the Heart of Mona" as their is too much noise and parking issues where the new but old Juab High School is now. LaVon loved her Class of 28  class mates students, much like her kids and their classmates. To the Nephi Jones Family that arrived here in 1852, Classmates and Families Are Forever.

                                                                                  

IF YOU HAVN'T VISITED ANTELOPE ISLAND IN WEST DAVIS COUNTY, UTAH, BETTER DO IT SOON.

 Antelope Island used to be in the Great Salt Lake, but now a days, it is more proper to call it a Peninsula as it is technically not an island. I spent ten years doing volunteer work there. I worked most Sundays, as that was an excuse not to attend church, or I would use that as my "Just Cause" and some Saturdays when I didn't volunteer to write bibliography at a Heber City Nursing Home. I would often volunteer to work both Saturday and Sunday, and sleep at  the Field Garr Ranch House. No, I didn't have any of Brother Brigham's wives with me! I would take visitors to the room that Brigham Young would stay when he would go out and visit the horses he kept there. Although Antelope Island is now a State Park, it wasn't always that way. Some of the higher up folks in politics didn't like me talking to the tourist, as I told them the truth, and the truth of things are often twisted and being a public servant, and fighting with various Politician's for 48 years, I preferred the truth. Politician's often speak with a "Forked Tongue" or so the Ancient Indians would declare. Back when I was running the gift shop or being the Welcome Mat for visitors at the South end, I predicted that within ten years the Island would be a Peninsula, and according to one of the friends that wrote books of the Island, the Great Salt Lake will soon be like the Dead Sea across the Big Water. The reason is we have a flood of people coming to Utah to live, but Utah and its rural history and move in's wanted it to be like the downtrodden corruption they came from. But Politician's, in the State and Local rural areas have a love for more money to stack homes on each other with no gardens and we have to take chances with foreign crops and even the cattle are being said to be filled with chemicals. When the LDS folks came here in 1847, it was called "Church Island" as Brigham Young claimed it. But then the US claimed it after the US fought a "no shots" war with Mexico. The US made it a Utah Territory, and Brother Young lost it in 1870, and several homesteaders placed their stakes there. It will go dry however, as new residents to Utah have the backing of State Elected and Selected folks who can take the waters from Bear River; Ogden River; Provo River(Utah Lake via Jordan River) and use it for Culinary purposes and the local folks are now paying double and triple the property taxes and the County use it freely. Before I forget it-after the homesteaders got tired going back to Salt Lake for supplies by way of the south end of the Island, they sold their land to John Dooly Sr. who would graze his sheep there, as did the Anschutz Family from 1972 to 1981. Mr. Anschutz had one of the biggest sheep herds across the Utah line as you drive to Evanston, Wyoming. He would feed his sheep there, then take them to Antelope Island for winter grazing and to shear them in the Spring, and the shearing pens are there to see. Without the consent of the Anschutz family, it was "rumored " that Utah Legislators were going to pull a fast one on the Anschutz family and build a causeway from Davis County out next to Antelope Island. Once again Taxpayers had "the wool" pulled over their eyes, then pressure mounted to squeeze Mr. Anschutz out of the picture, and he sold lock, stock and barrel to the State of Utah. He was in to drilling for oil and his drill up on the way to Frary Peak was bone dry. It is still a good place to visit, especially this time of year, and only the very rich can afford to buy a Buffalo tag. There are more Buffalo on the Island and Rangers have to bid some of the Buffalo that have to be taken down so the other critters have feed to live on. Their are springs on the Island for stock water, and that was where we had to dig down with the real McCoys from State History. Archeologists had to make sure their were no Indian Remains when we dug down to get a Water line to the new Toilets. I was the bus driver that took Davis County school kids to help the dig, and by golly, they were as good as gold, once taught by the big boys, they could tell the difference between a Antelope and Fremont Indian bone. It was later determined that ancient Fremont Indian's used the island to hunt deer and Antelope. And on one bus trip, I stopped the bus and told kids to remain quiet, as I could hear and see about a hundred head of Buffalo heading for us. Buffalo often move that way and they went around us, but it was a thrill for the kids, but the drivers' heart stopped while I did a quick prayer! If my sister comes up and helps to put photos on, that will give you an idea of the fun trip which shows how Utah used to be. We invented a Buffalo Chip throwing contest; singers; hikers; horse back riding; Cowboy Poetry and bird Lovers. Bring a jug of water and drive across the causeway slowly as Bobcats like to hide under the bridges to take down birds. Please leave the snakes alone, as they eat the mice. I once caught a Blow snake and Blue Racer, but only young kids wanted to view them. Learn of the both the young rocks and the old ones. The two fellows pictured are former Managers of Island when in private hands. Another photo is of Whisper, the pet deer at the Ranch and folks involved in Buffalo Chip throwing contest. And I am holding a big blow snake for visitors to see, if they chose to.  And don't tease the Buffalo. They are not stupid and can run faster than you or me!                                    

WHERE IS MT. NEBO LOCATED AND WHO DOES IT BELONG TOO?

If we ask people who live in Nephi, Utah for more than those who just moved here on a short leash til they can sell it to somebody else, they may not ever really know where Mt. Nebo is. But if your folks were a Juab High graduate, most of them may point their finger towards the North East of the present day High School and say "Up Yonder". But if your grandmother graduated from Nephi High with the Class of 1928, they could give a better description, as LaVon Harris was a 4-H leader of all girls of the area and took regular hikes up and down there. If folks look from the present high school football field and point northeast they will only see the peak of Gardner's Canyon. In the terminology class of the Nortonville Low-Boy School, Bessie Jones may teach their are three peaks to Mt. Nebo, which can only be seen from Mona; Ft. Green or the Nebo Loop Road. If you ask which County the Northern peak is in, don't ask the Utah County Sheriff or the Juab Sheriff, as they may do a fist-a-cuff. It came close to that in a tragedy when a professional hiker fell from that North Peak and killed a few years ago. Then if you want to spark another flame, talk to the people of the Spanish Fork area as they are in the "Nebo School District". Years ago, when the BSA was alive and well, many a Scout Troop would hike to the South Peak, starting from the Nebo Loop Rd. That is where my brother-Hal and I hiked it when we were young and stupid. Scouts could do it in one day, but the two old Jones boys made it up and down.....in 3 days! Now, are you ready for no moe news or a tad more? Okay, take your time to look at an older Nebonian, which is the Juab High Year book and it will tell how Nebo got it's name. It is the Legend of Nebona, the daughter of Chief Big Elk and her boyfriend-Running Deer. Many turns and twisted stories lurk for a reader! It is not quite Sunday yet, but we will give you a short Sabbath story, that I take from the King Version Bible which many Christians and Jews consider solid. And yes, the LDS folks are very much Christians! In that history book, we read about the flocks of Goats; Sheep and Bullocks, which are young Bull's that were central to the Israelite sacrificial system. We also read of various Prophets, among which was Elijah. He was on the side of God. Before him was Moses (or Charles Heston) who led the children of Israel out of Egypt. Then came others who ruled for several hundred years and Saul, who was appointed to be the first King of Israel. The country was then divided into two separate kingdoms. The Northern was called Israel and the Southern Kingdom was Judah, which followers worshipped wickedness and idols. I will attempt to put some old maps here, which leads us to another "Mt. Nebo" and since Brigham Young was the leader of the Christians know as the LDS Church or Mormons, I am led to believe that it was those folks who changed Salt Creek to Nephi, and so named the near by mountain tops as Mt. Nebo, similar to the Mt. Nebo across the big water! My written history lesson will end with a note written by one of my history hero's of World War One- General Pershing. "You must never lose your ideals or become discouraged because success does not seem to come. Keep your faith in the big things, and the best things, and don't let anyone laugh at you for being an idealist. Then persevere. Persistency will be rewarded."

                                                                                      

You may find better maps by looking on your typewriter as these are not clear. Nebo is in Jordan.

IF YOU ARE PREPARING TO COME TO NEPHI, UTAH TO FISH OR LIVE, WE HAVE SUGGETIONS.

I am from Nephi, Utah, where we used to advertise that we were "Little Chicago" as we were the point throughout the world where folks came to sell or purchase flocks (thousands) of sheep that were sheared to make wool into clothes for kids and especially military guys. The shearing sheep sheds still sit silently not far from the West Juab County Sand Dunes(now run loosely by the Feds), or so the rumors run! Then the world's wool buyers would start the bidding for the wool, then most of the sheep were let out to pasture in the Sagebrush as their winter feeding grounds, then in the Spring herding them back to Sanpete for some to be cut up and wrapped for human consumption, except for me! Sheepherders were all true blue American's and often knew each other including the Ingram Family in Nephi; Rob Garrett; Ren Harris of Nephi and Lyle Boyer of Coalville. A sheep with a bell on it or black wool count as a hundred. So if you travel any of the County roads, it is posted as an open road, so you will be held accountable for the wreck and the Judge could order you to take the wounded sheep to your mansion! And take a deer expert with you if you drive up Nephi canyon as that is where tons of traffic speed a hundred times faster than Bish Belliston, and we heard the deer and Elk herds are about gone, as vehicle drivers and continued deer hunts(even for blind people) have nearly wiped out all our wild animals, but at least not the wild animals at Juab High! Yesterday I traveled out to Willow Creek(Mona) to Burraston Ponds. I felt sick when I saw what has happened to it as it is about gone dry, and it had litter scattered everywhere, No fish there but Carp, although in the summer the State Fish and Game fed thousand's of fish there. It reminded me of several years ago when Mona Reservoir was dry, but the Fishy Folks of the State planted thousand's there and it went dry. That water goes down to Goshen, who filed claim on it by the town folks. So some farmers own the water rights, but much of it is taken by the LDS church, Several years ago, I had a chance to interview the daughter of the original owners of that area, when  owned by Richard James Burraston and wife Emma Price Burraston. But even then, the ponds ethically belonged to the Indians, and those folks led the Escalante Expedition through Utah and offered food and fluids to those explorers. When I interviewed the daughter of the Burraston, she showed me the contract with the State of Utah and the ponds. The print clearly shows  the land and water were a gift to the people of Utah for becoming a State in 1896. The small print showed honesty and integrity which we don't find with politician's much more. The contract reads if the State lacks the care of the ponds, it is automatically given back to the heirs of the Burraston kin, which includes a heck of a lot of the Ted and Killer Gee  family as they are in Nephi and the Carbon area. So, stand up and shout, and remember Bob Steele boldly fought the Feds and won. Many of us oldies learned how to swim and fish at Burraston and walk back to Nephi with a gunny sack full of pop bottles and buy all the Snickers bar for a week. I would hate to see people not able to enjoy this great area of water, but the deep wells the State water folks have been given a free hand(according to rumors), the Gov. of Utah and Legislators so local folks may have President Trump kick their ass for us. A gal thought the no water was because of the drought. I said local folks blame Governor Cox and local politician's who abuse we the taxpayer. So, if you come to Nephi, bring water, as we are dry, regardless of what the local leaders say. "Just the facts Mame."

                                                                                        

FEEDING LIVESTOCK OF YESTERYEAR-YOU HAD TO TO BE TOUGH

Earlier today I read the obituary of Bob Day, who by all that knew him, was one of those Cowboys of yesteryear, having the grit of a Cowboy similar to the book written by Larry McMurtry called "Lonesome Dove". When I started to read that book several years ago, I couldn't put it down. If you haven't read the book or seen the movie, Hollywood couldn't have found a better actor than Robert Duvall to be a co-star in it. The book is of two Cowboys who drives a herd of cattle from Texas to Montana, which brings forth a lot of the best old west sayings of truth and tidbits of real Cowboys. One of my favorites is when "Gus" was compelled to hang a friend who was with some bad hombres that shot and killed dirt farmers. As a former Texas Ranger, Gus pronounced a western judgement of "You ride with the outlaw, you die with the outlaw. Sorry, you crossed the line." Cowboys of the old west often spoke the truth and their may be times when you take the law into your own hands. After living and working law enforcement in the big cities of America, I felt at ease when I returned to the once rural area of Utah, which at the time I departed when deals were made out of Court and similar to the old west doctrine of "A Juab County Handshake" was like a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court, which couldn't be violated. My brother and I made that "legal handshake" with George Jackson, who we asked to farm the 25 acre farm we were left by our father and grandfather in downtown "Nortonville". Like the Juab County handshake, he kept his word on the share of what he could muster up after the area went dry from the depletion of the Aquifers. For the few decades he farmed that once green area, we mutually ended the deal and closed it with a "Juab County Handshake". That was a solid "Cowboy" deal that was as good as gold. It wasn't long before I was made aware that the old Handshake didn't mean "Squat" to the new era of legal beagles fighting it out in courts. As I read and re-read the Bob Day Obit, I kept thinking of how true that was with how Bob Day exemplified the "Cowboy Code of the Old West". I got to know him in meeting him and listening to another one of our True Cowboys-Bob Garrett, who was a great friend of Bob Day, who hand carved a walking stick for Bob Garrett, who had a Gip in his Gallop. I miss the Cowboys of the Old West, as many of them still maintain that cowboy Code of Honesty with great family; working hard; taught good work ethics was of critical importance and commitment to always helping others. Both the Bobs of today are like that, so I tip my hat to them, and to my father who helped his father-Wm. Jones feed cows in Nortonville of a century ago. 

 

                                                                                

A LETTER TO MY SON-JUSTIN WM. JONES, WHO DEPARTED EARTH- 9 YEARS AGO TONIGHT

 Dear Justin,

It has been 9 years since you left what I call Earth Life. I recall your departure was at 10:31 P.M. as that was when the old family clock stopped, and just like that, as it never would tick tock again. I wanted to write this letter to you, as God-with His miracles, can make your heart stir, so that you will see what is in both our hearts. In another way, you didn't really leave us, you just walked a little ahead of me and Troy. That's what I tell myself, when missing you hurts too much, when the silence feels louder than any words. Sometimes, I still forget you are gone. I want to call you and tell you something and reach out for you. Then the reality hits, and it keeps me going faster and faster as you are way ahead of me. The reality of this world and you breaks my heart all over again. So I imagine, you and Paul Hansen are in the race at the Sugarhouse park. I see you pass me by, and you look back with your famous smile, and I know you are standing at the finish line, waiting for me. And that's what keeps me going. I carry you in every step I take and every breath and every quiet moment. Because my love for you didn't end when you left. I simply learned how to live without you. And when my journey ends on earth, I hope you are there...... waiting.  And when I see you again, I'll finally whisper, "I missed you every single day". Then let's go find both of your Saint Bernards, and glide around the Spirit World and get re-acquainted with people we used to know, and other folks we will meet. And if God so permit's it, we can collectively find Paul Hansen, as he was given most of your Baseball Cards. He and Tony misses your personality and your friendship. They were good for you on earth as they will be in the Spirit world, and you will automatically speak and listen to all of those spirits, who never had the chance to learn those on earth. And Son, never ever forget, your warm gentle spirit is missed here on earth.

I seldom told you and Troy how much love I have for both of you, but I am telling you now! Justin Wm. Jones, I do love you; always have and always will. God is well aware of all the kindness you have shown to your fellow man and the animals you cared for on earth.

                                                              Love you.......10-4-35-1

IN ORDER FOR BABY DEER TO SURVIVE, PEOPLE MUST LEARN BASIC RULES

If you are hiking or traveling in Utah or other Western States, we decided to put a cautionary note here. Depending on when the Rut(breeding) starts is usually in the late fall, and the Does are quite picky. The Doe seems to have a higher IQ than the buck, and as such, they want only the biggest and strongest looking Buck. It seems the Doe gives off their allurance or they just wear better perfume! The bucks know that and want to demonstrate to the smaller bucks they are big and stronger, so the smaller bucks will attempt to find water holes and dig with their horns to pick up grasses and twigs to have the Does be attracted to them. In order to be bred, the buck has to fight for it and the winner takes the buck as a weekend bride. And this writer doesn't have the taste buds for Venison, so know; "Does smart Venison taste better than the old bucks". Depending on the time when the cold hits, various bucks fight to scare the other male deer off, then comes the April to July birthing of the fawn. Often times, the Doe will have twins. The mother deer however, has to graze off and find grasses or bushes to eat, and often hides their fawn close by. The baby fawns are born with patches of white to blend in with the surrounding area till Mom comes home with her bag "full of  white fawn food". They keep their small spots for 5 to 6 months. The fawn, when Moms away, can lower their heart rate down to avoid Coyote smell of  a deer and baby internal sense to slow their heart pumping to a lower level. During the deer hunt of several years ago, I was out west alone and heard two shots, so got my bi-focals on and saw two men shoot a Doe. I told the Fish cop where the deer was, as the two guys may have thought it was a buck, but it was a Doe. The Fish Cop asked if  I saw who shot it. I told him I wasn't sure and rather than let the meat go to waste, he gave me written permission to take it home where  my mother and I cut and wrapped it, and gave it to folks that needed it. I knew my Mother was grateful too! Now back to the real story. If a human even touches a fawn, that person has sentenced that baby deer to death. When the Doe returns to her baby, she will not accept it, as the smell of a human has touched it. Same thing I saw on the computer where  ladies felt sorry for another two twin fawns and picked them up and sat in their car til the mother returned. She did and those young ones will soon find they will be abandoned. If one is caught in a fence, that is another story and use gloves to assist but cutting the fence that cattle who feed on the mountain may lose their whole herd. And SLC, Utah is being invaded by deer and the Fish and Game are trying to ship game animals that are coming down to eat the scrubs and flowers. Oh, I bout forgot. The reason we brought this up, is to encourage you to stay from the roaming bears on the Loop Road, which we found a real to life, where a large Moose is trying to find "Moose supper." We have about lost many of our Game animals due to Fires, with bosses sitting at DC desks and have no idea how our winds blow fires fast and we hope they will quit letting people hunt deer that are blind; Politician' who keep preaching "plenty of water in Nephi" and Developers who want to build homes in the canyon, and crowds that may sight in a real life Moose, but all photo folks seem to want to shoot or dispose of. Cars and people kill more deer than hunters and Fish and Game folks need more money for their Kitty and make their wages by increasing license fees and spend money on ads for turn people in.

             This fawn photo was taken by gal in Colorado and remained in her car a long distance away

And this photo was also taken at long distance being brought in by Fish Cops from SLC

THE FUNERAL SERVICES OF DAVE PERRY OF MONA WAS HELD TODAY

If you didn't attend the funeral of Dave Perry earlier today, we have it here. Dave and his wife-Tauna moved to Mona, Utah about 5 or 6 years ago. They purchased the home southeast of the main LDS Chapel in Mona. I used to call it the Molyneaux home as that was where one of our great Juab High Basketball players lived in the late 1950's. When the last resident passed, I hear tell the Perry couple wanted to return to a peaceful town to polish of their 56 years of a blissful togetherness. I never knew the couple, nor their family. But in reading the Anderson Funeral Home Obits. I felt this surge within, that I knew Dave from somewhere, perhaps ions ago. In its reading, I considered him a brother or friend or something unknown hankering me a "had to" pay my respects. I got the impression that he went to Hillcrest High, which would put him in the rural area of Fort Union of Salt Lake County. Like many of us in the Tolley and Jones Family of Nephi, he was said to have "quick wit and cherished the deer hunt  tradition" and that sounds like the Nephi Jones Family, with four brothers and a sister going deer hunting, without a license and no guns! Like Hank Jr. sang, "It's a family tradition". Before our mother passed where Dave is now, she enjoyed it more than anything, as she would pre-fix all the dinners for a year in advance. Back to Dave. During the funeral, I watched body movements of the speakers and the audience, as that often tells more than words. I didn't recognize any of the old Mona names of  Yates; Platt's' Roundy;  Oliver's, Lynns, Newells, Newtons and Kay's, but saw a lot of headstones at the cemetery with those good names. But life changes and so does the people that come to graze amidst those who have past. Dave was a devout member of the LDS Church, and I didn't have to ask his bishop, even though he too had a last name that identified where he roamed in from. Dave served a mission as a young man, then went on two others with his eternal compaanion-Tauna. They had 6 kids, and like the Nephi Jones family, their daughter-Emily turned out the best, or so they think. For sure they were all taught the importance of work, and as Dave loved gardens, the kids were small when Daddy started to teach them how to work before play, and they hated to pull weeds from the garden, but in latter years Daddy had a perfect garden, and all the kids learned the importance of working hard. Once, one of the sons didn't do as requested by his mother, and said "wait til your Dad comes home". When Dave came home, he took the son to his bedroom and took of his belt and smacked........the pillow. Tauna came running in to save their son, but no harm, no foul, and Daddy taught the son......"Don't ever do that again". When the Nephi Jones boys were bad, our Mom told Dad, and the only thing he did was remove his belt, and point to the coal shed. We too learned respect, and so did each one of those Perry kids. Dave found the good in all and easy to like. If you think about it he exemplified that spirit which Jesus had when he walked and talked on earth. For those folks of Mona who got to know this family on their arrival in Juab County, cherish the friendship and keep that family happy attempting to make home made peach pie just like Dave did. In order for this writer to pass High School English, Mrs. Lomax told me if I could memorize the Gettysburg address and say it word perfect in front of the Speech Class I would pass English. 60 Years later, me and three work collogues were in Washington D.C. for meetings, but spent a day at Gettysburg. Without fanfare, I walked up to where Abe Lincoln gave  that speech, and recited it without practice. Tourists gathered in the bleachers, thinking I was a paid actor. Nope, just like Dave did every July 4th, we both love and respect this great country of America. The spirit of Dave Perry will live deep in the souls of many of us. He was and remains one heck of a great man to God, his family and to this writer who could feel his impact who never met him, but love him as a brother.

`

BREAKING NEWS-VUDU DOLL TO APPEAR AT CACHE COUNTY FAIR

IN OVER 1,000 CHAPTERS IN OUR BLOGSPOT WRITINGS, WE MAKE FUN OF THE CONSTANT BARRAGE OF THE SO CALLED BREAKING NEWS, WHEN IN FACT IT IS USUALLY A WEEK OR MONTH LATER, AND IT IS WHY I GAVE UP ON THE BS OF MOST OF THE SUCKER TYPE BREAKING NEWS. BUT WHAT I JUST READ AT THE PRCA COMPUTER PROGRAM MAY HAVE SOME VALIDITY TO IT.

ON AUGUST 8, 2026, THE COMPUTER SHOWS MOST OF THE BRONC RIDING WRIGHT BOYS OF THE MILFORD AREA WILL BE HEADING FOR THE CACHE COUNTY FAIR TO RIDE RIGHT THE WAY CODY WRIGHT LED THE WAY. STETSON WRIGHT HAS BEEN OUT WITH AN INJURY, AND THE COMPUTER SHOWS FORMER CHAMPION OF BRONC RIDING WAS JESSE WRIGHT,. WE THOUGHT HE HAD BEEN PUT OUT TO PASTURE, BUT IT SHOWS HE IS SET TO HOP A HORSE NAMED "SNYDER SPECIAL", SO REGARDLESS OF YOUR FAITH OR RELIGION, LETS ALL PUT A CHRISTIAN HEX ON ONE HORSE, AS A CHRISITAN FROM ST. GEORGE IS SET TO RIDE VUDU DOLL.  UNCLE STETSON IS SUPPOSED TO DO BOTH BRONC AND THE BULL IN AN EFFORT TO GET THE TRIPLE CROWN IN VEGAS. HOPE STETSON IS THINKING WITH HIS BRAIN, RATHER THAN HIS INTERNAL SPIRIT TO RIDE BABY RIDE!

IF IN FACT ALL THE WHOLE KIT AND KUDOOLE WRIGHT FAMILY MAY BE GOING TO WATCH THEIR COWBOY KIN RIDE IN LOGAN, WE HOPE THAT THE GOOD FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF BEAVER COUNTY TAKE CARE OF THE CATTLE THAT HAD TO BE MOVED  BECAUSE OF FLOODS AND FIRE IN THE BEAVER AREA. IF THIS BREAKING NEWS IS BREAKING, PUT YOUR BRAKES ON, AND MAKE THE TRIP TO LOGAN TO WATCH THE WRIGHTS DO THINGS THE RIGHT WAY. AND THE WAY MY THINKING GOES, IT IS OKAY FOR UTAH FOLKS TO CHEER FOR A KID FROM NEW PLYMOUTH, IDAHO, AS HIS HOME IS ON THE LINE BETWEEN UTAH AND IDAHO, SO HE CAN STAND WITH HIS COWBOY BOOTS ON IN IDAHO AD UTAH AT THE SAME TIME. 

LONG LIVE AMERICA AND LONG LIVE COWBOYS WHO KEEP UTAH RIGHT & RURAL

  

THE RIGHT BOYS OF UTAH ARE SHOWING THEY ARE LEADERS OF WRIGHT SPORTS

Yup, them thar words are the Wright ones for this time of the year. For those of us that started out with baseball, we couldn't afford real baseball's or the bats, so the Nephi Jones boys used a 2 X 4 as a bat, and rocks to hit out in the field behind the Nephi Jones residence. It was difficult to get our brothers and buddies to play in the field with a pair of old socks to catch the rocks! Getting hit with or catching a rock hurt, so we started looking for a safer sport. That was when we walked up the street and started to hang out with Joe and Ross Garrett, helping them herd and milk the mild cows at Spin Mac's milkhouse. In turn, they permitted us to "try" to ride their steers. Us Jones boys and Blake Garrett knew we were going to be just like Dean Oliver, the famous Rodeo Champion during our youth. Then later on, I was helping my father stucco a home in Mona, Utah, that he would call the "Olivers", and I was so excited to help, as I figured it was the home of Dean Oliver! I found out later it wasn't, but still got hooked on rodeo as being the true American sport and after seeing the "Un-American BS with the other sports people, I soon lost all interest in that kind of stupidity. Another very American sport was going to Alaska to watch and help our brother-Gary B. Jones race in the 1,000 miles across Alaska in the Iditarod race! It was difficult to watch that grueling competition, but when he gave me a chance to gather his dogs, they were just like the Painted horse that Bob Garrett let me ride rounding up cattle a couple years ago. When the Garrett Boys took the horses out without old Paint, she didn't like that and it took a cap full of apples to settle her down. A true cattle horse and a racing dog or built to go after it and they paw the ground demanding to work for their hay. Sometimes I think they have better work ethics that what we teach our kids of today! Today, we wanted to send out a "Atta Boy" to all the cowboys from Utah who are looking good at the competitive sport of Rodeo which seems to be more popular than ever. The cowboys are moving to the small rural areas of Utah and America to get back to Ruralville. Like the three Fullmer brothers of once rural West Jordan, Utah, the Fullmer brothers were the top boxers of Utah, and those Mormon brothers made Utah shine. And I had the privilege of being a friend to Gene and even my son Justin interviewed him for his 4th grade essay on meeting a famous person. Gene made his farm work with Mink, then horses, but became the world champion in the Middle Weight Champion of the world. As I was driving him to Ogden to address a conference of Law Enforcement Officers, he first asked me to pull around the homes of  his brothers so I could meet his mother. They were fond of each other, and what a thrill to see what a gentle giant that Champ was. Like John Wayne, he was tough when needed  to be and gentle when it was right. Now back to rodeo. As I checked the computer stats this morning, I found that the top three World Rodeo contenders in Saddle Bronc are Rusty Wright, Stetson Wright and Ryder Wright. Stetson is out with an injury, but should be ready for the finals in Las Vegas, which the Nephi Jones Family attends and cheers for. Down the line in Saddle Bronc is another couple of the Wright boys including Statler and Spencer Wright, as well as a cowboy from downtown Axtell, Utah who is married to a Juab County gal.  And we just read where former Bronc Champ-Jesse Wright is set to come out of retirement and join his Nephew-Stetson to right a Bronc at Cache County Fair. If you believe in cowboy prayer, beg for animal and rider safety.

 SO CHEER ALL THE UTAH BOYS ON. THEY ARE ALL OUR LOCAL HERO'S, AS THEIR WIVES AND SISTERS DO THE FARM WORK. GOD FIRST, THEN FAMILY AND RODEO! EVERTTHING ELSE WILL FOLLOW.

                                    DEAN OLIVER-RODEO CHAMPION OF MY YOUTH

NEATH THE MAJESTIC HEART OF MT. NEBO STANDS OUR JUAB HIGH SCHOOL

When members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints(Mormons) arrived in the Nephi area of Juab County in Central Utah, they referred to the high three rocky mountain peaks to the north east and called it Mt. Nebo. In the days of Moses, a high mountain in Jordan was reported that Moses referred to that Middle East mountain peak as Mt. Nebo and considered it holy, so the same three peaks in view of Mona, Nephi and Levan was named the same. The high school was first built on "Track Street" in Nephi, and made strong and sturdy during the late 1800's, but local people didn't think a compulsory education of 7th grade was enough, as not all the students were farmers, so demanded the school official's to build it big enough for a high school, and it was and initially called Nephi High, with those students being placed on the second floor. Until 1932, it was referred to as Nephi High, then students and parents outside of Nephi, persuaded the Board of Trustees' to change it to Juab High, and asked the Class of 1928 to write the school song which was completed, and the words were written by Jim McCune, who was a gifted student, and later in life became an excellent Attorney and District Judge. We are not sure however, if he wrote "heart of Nebo" or "Guard of Nebo" as in doing research with a member of the Class of 28 and with a living daughter of Jim, it is still undecided, so if you sing the school song, sing it as you may. Although the builder of the newer high school promised my father it would last 100 years, school officials and local politicians' wanted to tear it down, and the taxpayers kept getting hit for more money, but the IQ level appears by some, as going down. That building still stands at the corner of Track Street and Main in Nephi. Here are a few pages from the Juab High School handbook of 1958.  I spent the entire morning trying to put these in order, so sorry, I have SAI(Stupid Artificial IQ).

                                                                                                        

THE 116TH HEAVENLY BIRTHDAY PARTY OF LAVON HARRIS WHO BECAME A JONES WAS HELD.

• On July 28,2026, the five kids of our mother celebrating her earthly birthday was the other day, and we had fun. We now believe, she was instrumental to keep each of us marching to the heart beat of herself, who went back to her professional work as a secretary and helped to keep her bosses to their work, but made sure each of us kids did house chores around and in the house. Every week, she would modify who did what and place in on the water tank that was heated by the kitchen stove. 
• Every morning, she was up early to cook breakfast for our Dad and us kids, as their wasn't enough money earned to purchase school food. But we found a clever way to get in free, and that was being one of the servers behind the chow line. After school, she would take turns with each child to make sure we were doing our lessons and we often sat by the kitchen stove while she was cooking great food. Pig grease was always the secret to making anything taste cook. LaVon was set upon being a secretary for insurance companies; working for A. E. Smith, who was the local County Agent; the Utah Poultry, then the Secretary for four different Juab School Superintendents. And to this day, teachers of yesteryear pay tribute to her with whatever they needed. But she also used Juab High Principal Clark Newell to chase me down racing my "low speed" Tote Gote. She started with Supt. Clyde Child; Ralph Menlove, then trained Clark Newell, as well as each of the newly elected School Board Members. Although her sons didn't appreciate her advice,  their would be a day in the future, that "even boys will have to know how to type in the future". She knew! I continued to type reports in college, then used the skill to type investigative reports in my career. My favorite home chore was ironing, and became proficient at it, and when I became the father of two young boys. I used my weekends to wash and iron their levi's for school, both inside and outside. The older we get the more we seem to appreciate and acknowledge what our parents had to do to get each of us kids to do only three essential things in life. First was to graduate from High School; second was to vote and third was to pray, and for me I found that "be careful what you pray for, as you just may get it" and it is one of those things that we shouldn't have prayed for. Thanks Mom from each of your five kids. I have often felt our Mother nearby, and it was a very comforting glow within, Often times when our parents pass to the next level of our test, we miss them dearly, but in our family, our folks had four boys in a row, which can be a headache to any mother, but then along comes a baby girl and our sister Jaynette, is a daughter of her mother, as she takes care of not only her own kids and their kids, but every where else from Idaho to Nevada, she keeps so busy, it makes me weary to watch her, and forces me to take a nap! Anyway, thanks Mom, as you and Dad hit it right with the kindness and refinement all parents should have. First Photo is of the sister of LaVon Harris, who died at a young age. Watch is thought to have been that of John Harris, who arrived in Nephi with Mormon Pioneer's. They came from the British Colony of Wales. Second photo is of marriage of LaVon and Alma and then of our family back when our sister sprang, and has kept sprinting to this day. And yes Mom, we have kept the promise to stick together, and our average age is now about 80, but we had a fun time with "Abby" who was our Waitress at the place all students would gather, below the steps of the Heber J. Grant Building on the Y. Campus.

                                                                                  

 

                                           Hal, Alma, Gary, Weston, Jaynette, LaVon and Kent

                                   All descendants of Mormon Pioneers coming to Nephi in 1850's

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GARY B. JONES, WHO STILL CALLS NEPHI HIS HOMETOWN.

Although he has lived in various places in the Alaskan Frontier, he still calls Nephi, Utah, his hometown. He and his siblings have always thought the small rural town of Nephi was the best place to have grown up in and we have saved a building spot for him, and a burial plot for him. As kids we were not supposed to talk of the word "dead" or Cancer, but only call it the C word, and that was pretty radical in the Nephi Jones Kin who arrived here by horse; handcarts and wagons. Our ancestors were pretty dam tough......oh sorry, I was supposed to spell it out so D A M tough. Of the five kids of Alma C. and LaVon Harris Jones, Gary, at an early age was self taught to be tough and could survive just fine sleeping with all of his animal friends in the barn, or racing with his Mutts in the Iditarod of  the 1,000 miles across the frozen tundra. And after running with and feeding each of the dogs with placed food along the trail, he would then take a relaxation trek climbing one of the tall mountains in Alaska. And he was mentally fit more than the rest of us, aceing high school; then both BYU and USU. He had a strong voice, and could be heard throughout any concert hall, and still has that varoom to it. Although Gary has always been one of God's children that would always greet any kid or adult and greet them if they were best friends. But in reality, the forest and the animals and plant life of the mystic of Alaska put him at ease. Although we all want to see him come to Nephi again, the city has outgrown itself too much, and he would not find solace here, but we long for a visit. I have traveled to Alaska to visit Gary B. and although I am not a friend of dogs, I found it relaxing to take care of his kennel while he raced. But living up their yonder is fit only for the bravest of all, as the 20 and 30 below zero never seemed fun for me. And the first time I visited, the flight was long with a plane change somewhere along the way. When I arrived, I told him I was starved and I would buy him a steak dinner. He said he would treat me to a great meal, but kept passing all the diners. He then pulled off the road under some trees. I tried to convince him that eating me wouldn't be his cup of tea, although when he was an Army Ranger during the Viet Nam Era, he was trained to live off the land, and grasshoppers and Beetles didn't taste that good to me. He then scared the Bejeebies out of me when he pulled a shotgun out of the trunk, and yup, he took down some Ptarmigans out of the tree tops, and they were better tasting than Ringneck Pheasant's, or the Pine Hens of Juab County. When I last spoke to Gary B., I told him that their are no "Bish Belliston" in Nephi anymore, and that all drivers have gone Whackos driving like the "Herd Instinct" of Dead Horse Point near Moab and told him a couple years ago I was nearly a victim of "locus en quo" speeders  by Doc Steele's  trying to kill me. Your sister told me it just may help to take down the sign off the back of my old Mazda truck which reads " ITS A HEMI"! I am not sure you can read it, but will try to put a letter of many years ago that Mom sent to you just before her transition. Happy Birthday on July 23 and here is one of your greatest books of all, if folks want to write you a letter and buy one, then you won't have to find that ass again and hitchhike back home. You did that once on a Tote Gote, so try an airplane this time!

        

                                                                                         
  

                                                                                  

HOW DOES ONE GET A PIG TO SING?

 

WHY, TO CRASH FROM THE DAZZLING HEIGHTS OF SUCCESS TO THE DARK RECESSES OF REJECTION IS INEXORABLY WOVEN INTO THE TAPESTRY OF LIFE'S STRUGGLE. WHAT DID YOU USED TO BE?        Photo credit of New Yorker.

                         

AT FUNERALS OR OTHER NOTABLE PLACES, AMERICANS PLACE THEIR RIGHT HAND OVER THEIR HEARTS. BUT IF YOU ARE A GREAT AND GLORIOUS LEADER, STANDING IN A  FORBIDDEN AREA, ONE MAY DROP THEIR HAND AS THEY JUST MAY FEEL THE NEED TO PUKE!

AT THE END OF WORLD WAR TWO, THE ALLIED FORCES WERE ACCEPTING THE SURRENDER OF THE NAZI  KILLERS  OF GERMANY AND WALKED AWAY FROM GENERAL JODL. SOUNDS AS NOBLE AS GENERAL PATTON. AND TO THOSE WHO ARE LOOKING AT THIS HISTORY PRESENTATION WANTING TO KNOW IF PIGS CAN SING, THE ANSWER IS I REALLY DON'T KNOW, AND NEITHER WILL I SHAKE THEIR FEET OR HUG THEM, LIKE MANY PEOPLE SEEMED TO HAVE DONE IN THE VOTING BOOTHS OF YESTER YEAR.

 

INTERESTING.....BUT SAD STATISTICS ABOUT THE VIET NAM WAR

1. This weekend in Nephi, Utah is always great, as we celebrate the Ute Stampede, a rodeo that has been a yearly celebration where families and friends get together. As two of my brothers pulled up where I had been watering our horse pasture, I  recognized the 9th Infantry patch on the hat of Hal Jones, who was a Medic on the front lines of the horrific killing spree that met the Allied forces in a swamp called Nam. I thought I would put off the rodeo celebration and gather some statistics from that war of wars. I had three brothers in the military during the Era of Viet Nam, and glad they all came home, and only Hal with sadness to be a victim of that upfront fighting. Hal was partially hit with an explosion when his medic partner was ordered to go in a Chu Chi tunnel that was a booby trap that killed his partner and partially hit Hal, who turned down a Purple Heart, as he only wanted to return home which he did and safely so. And he had a chance to travel to Washington D.C. to  see the Stats on the Vietnam Memorial Wall.
2. There are 58,267 names now listed on the polished black wall, including those that were added in 2010.
3. The names are arranged in the order which they were taken from their families and within each date the names are alphabetized. 
4. The first known casualty was Richard Fitzgibbon, of North Weymouth, Mass. He was killed on June 8, 1956. His name is listed on the Wall with that of his son, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Richard B. Fitzgibbon III.
5. There ae 711 West Virginians on the Wall.
6. The Marines of Morenci - They led some of the scrappiest high school football and basketball teams that the little Arizona copper town of Morenci (pop. 5,058) had ever known and cheered for. They enjoyed roaring beer busts. In quieter moments, they rode horses along the Coronado Trail, stalked deer in the Apache National forest. and in  the patriotic camaraderie typical of  Morenci's mining families, the nine graduates of Morenci High enlisted as a group in the Marine Corps. Their service began on Independence Day, 1966. Only 3 returned home.
7. The Buddies of Midvale, Utah were LeRoy Tafoya, Jimmy Martinez, and Tommy Gonzales were all boyhood friends and lived near each other, and played ball on an adjacent sandlot. They all joined the military and traveled to Viet Nam. In a span of 16 dark days in late 1967, all three were killed.
8. The most casualty deaths for a single day was on January 31, 1968-245 deaths.
9. The most casualty deaths for a single month was May, 1968-245 Deaths.
10. For most Americans who read this will only see what the Viet Nam War created. To those who survived the war, and to the families of those who did not, the survivor's and the Medics only see their faces, and hold them for that last shot of Morphine and their transition is felt. They feel the pain for ever. Remember, we too will pass, so never ever forget those who fought for our liberty. 

                          THERE ARE NO NOBLE WARS, JUST NOBLE WARRIORS.

GOD VS.THE DEVIL

                                                                              

                                                                               

A SHORT HISTORY OF NEPHI AND THE UTE STAMPEDE

Today's history lesson is a brief overview on the Utah City of Nephi, named after an individual that the LDS folks believe was directed by God to this the western part of the world. We have submitted information about Nephi's Centennial Jubilee of 1951. If you are now or may be a future leader of our area, we would encourage  all to seek out the book that I have used to explain the beginning of our County and Cities within Juab County. They didn't have hand held "Gigaphones" or "Retro Emulator's" to chat with each other and the many organizations you could join to play with the instruments' of the several marching bands or join the all female band called the "Dellu" or perhaps attend the Presbyterian Church located along Main Street on the west side at about half way between 2nd and 3th North. And since the rodeo of the Ute Stampede is around the corner, we thought about showing a page about it's beginning. I am not sure, but when it was named that, there was a big crowd of the "Ancient Ones", which we refer to as Indians, and they often came to Nephi to watch the Stampede. I don't remember Utes arriving, but several Navajos liked to be here for the good entertainment that is still here. When I was a kid, those Indians and the Cowboys would often camp out beneath the Cottonwood Trees that used to be lined up on the west side of the arena. They could wash up in the irrigation water nearby.   

HAPPY HEAVENLY BIRTHDAY TO EMMA OCKEY CARTER

 I am not sure why, but today's blog entry is on a beautiful gal now and back a few days ago for her June 18th birthday. I guess she was trying to get my attention, as her funeral program fell in front of me and perhaps that was her way of reminding me, as we had birthdays on the same day, but a couple years apart. If you didn't know Emma, you missed a golden chance of meeting the beauty within her and her dry wit and honest words. When I interviewed her a few years ago, I reminded her she and I were "First Cousins", she instantly gave me a verbal reprimand! She said something like "all of us are cousins, and not first or thirty first", and she knows the truth, and one can always expect Emma to let you know the truth of things. Her very best friend was her sister Dora, and another close friend was a "Cousin" named "Marian Garrett Mickelson" and my guess is that both are having a "Heavenly" good time. I became acquainted with Emma and her sister Dora as they both took great care of their mother- Pearl Jones Ockey, who I loved visiting as she would take me down to the farm where she grew up and we would pick mushrooms and wow, she would cook them up while I pulled her weeds. and cut her lawn. I was about ten years old and wrote notes of how things were in "the good ole days".We now present the beauty of Emma Ockey Carter, and she married Jack Carter as when he came home from the war, he looked so handsome in a uniform, just like her Dad-Bill Ockey when he returned from W.W. One and gave his 30-40 Craig Rifle to Paul Ockey and now with granddaughter-Debbie. Bill was tired of killing and told my father that! And Deb has that now, and proud of her Veteran Family!