We are in search of "Mrs. Majors", a wife of Pony Express Co-Founder-Alexander Majors!

We know that Alexander Majors was one of the three co-founders of the Pony Express riders going from Sacramento to St. Joseph, Missouri, with the pony riders having various stops in West Juab County, such as Simpson Springs. What we don't know is how the Nephi, Utah Jones family came in possession of the 1902 Webster Dictionary, with the stamp of "Mrs. Majors" on the inside flap. While going through the weathered but well persevered book, we found a newspaper clipping, which we believe may have been from a Kansas City paper printed in 1887. The article gives a short history of Alexander Majors and the Pony Express. Computer research shows Mr. Majors was married twice and had more than a dozen kids. We don't have factual evidence that "Mrs. Majors" was the same as the family of the Pony Express leader, but we will donate the 608 page book to the Nephi City Library, for use in their historical section, then some day a bright student may show finger oil proof of its true owner. For a little color, we threw in the black and white photos of the worlds greatest Lexicographers, but you will need a dictionary to figure what they are! The reverse side of the paper clipping has an article about "The Green Corn Stamp Dance as Celebrated by the Creek Indians".

"Yes Mom, we have Democrats in Juab County"!

It is the time of year when political campaigns are once again upon us, and the signs are being posted. At least down this way, it appears all the signs are properly placed, and even the opposing parties are lined up in perfect order. Although there are a lot of different political parties in Utah, in a sense, we all are a party of one, as we are Americans, and as such have the right and obligation to vote for whoever we choose. The Times News show in their Nov. 18, 1937 paper, Democrats of Juab County had a fine banquet and good speeches, and the other day, we found the Nephi lawn sign advertising the importance of loving your neighbor and to vote Democrat. As we have some old political bumper stickers and articles, we thought we would toss them in.

Road Signs.....do they help or hinder!

The freeway bosses don't like the suggestions I submitted, such as "Don't read these signs- they are distracting" and "Stop driving, the fumes are killing us". The first photo sign below is one that took some getting used to, and it is placed in an area of Utah that used to be very rural not long ago. The second photo is one in the  area of rural Nephi, which alerts drivers without obliterating the view. For a little humor, we put other road signs on which we borrowed from the inter-net, to show that here in Utah, perhaps we don't have it all that bad and hope we can keep some of our rural countenance without the signs which just may cause our rampant road rage.

This is our version of the Bracken family history of Nephi, Utah

Before our memory and notes fade more, we thought we should write our version of the Nephi Bracken family, as the first Bracken-Rulon, was my hero, as was his son-Dwain, who taught school to many of us local yokels in the 1950's and beyond. Rulon Bracken was born in Thayne, Wyoming in 1894, the third son of five boys and two girls. His personal diary relates hardships of dealing with Indian hostility and starvation rations. He nevertheless knew the importance of an education and attended Brigham Young Academy(now Logan High), then on to college at the AC(now Utah State). When World War One broke out, he joined the Army, and loved his duty, as it was tending to the horses of the Calvary in France. After his return to Star Valley, Wyoming, his family moved to Nephi, Utah. His sister Arvilla married Frank Lunt; brother Milo married Belle Kendall and Vera married Alvin Rolph. Rulon then started teaching school in Levan, Utah. One eye was on students and the other was on a teacher by the name of Tacy Irons, who was the seventh of nine children-six girls and three boys. She lived on a farm two miles southwest of Nephi, where she loved riding in a surrey; horseback riding, and gathering mushrooms and roots for family meals. She joined the LDS church, being baptized in Salt Creek on First East. She was put under the water by James Bigler, then confirmed by James W. Paxman. After graduation from Nephi High, she graduated from BYU and started to teach in the Duchesne School District, then came home to Juab County, and taught at Levan. She was fond of Rulon, but that was put on hold as the head man of the LDS church-Joseph F. Smith wanted her to go on a mission to a far away culture-in Brooklyn, New York. While there she traveled by train, boat, bus, horse drawn sleighs and by foot. She returned home to teach at Nephi Central, where her son-Dwain Bracken taught for 35 years. Rulon and Tacy were wed and along came Newell(married Evelyn Blackett); Mary(married Hugh Steele)Glenna(married James Moore) and Dwain, who married Joyce Huber and they had seven children. Dwain has passed, but Joyce remains as sharp as she ever was. Rulon was a hard working farmer, and that is where me and my brother Hal came to know him. We were hired to change the irrigation on the farm, and we would walk to his truck as 13 and 14 year old kids to drive it to the fields and work all night. During the day, as soon as Dwain left me and his Dad to work together, that is when I learned to love farm work, as Rulon had good work ethics, but would often teach other important things of life while taking a break. Although he was active in the LDS church, serving in the Bishopric for Elgin Garrett, there was a rumor the main reason he attended church was in order for him to sleep, as he worked hard for the other six days of the week.When I questioned him, he didn't admit or deny that. Rulon passed away after suffering from Parkinson and pneumonia. For me, that was a sad winter day in 1967.Tacy followed suit. Not only did I grow fond of the older Bracken, I had the same feelings for his son-Dwain, and lucky to have him as a teacher in both 5th and 6th grades. Like his Daddy, he fought in a World War, serving in the Army Air Corps. He too has passed, but I delight in talking to his wife-Joyce, a source of strength for all. Last photo is of home where Rulon and Tacy raised their kids 75 years ago

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This is another photo journey in or near Nephi of Utah's Juab County...Chapter Three.

Our first photo coverage of Nephi was on the April 27, 2017 blog; the second on April 4th, 2018, and since the photo bug hit, we submit Chapter Three for your consideration.We included photos outside of Nephi, but still in Juab County. If you visit Nephi, we are a progressive City, but wish to remain rural, as the journey of life can be as serene as the destination. However, it may not be advisable to take a slow "Sunday Drive" up Nephi Canyon as many of us pretend we are in the Indy 500 and drive like a bat out of hell-thus the two grave markers at "Deadman's Curve". Please gear down with speed as we have loose sheep; big buffalo; mean trains, and tiny tots walking home from baseball games. You can even pay your utility bill at the counter that resembles a beautiful front room, with items purchased from local thrift stores.

Cowboy Town has selected the 2018 Ute Stampede Royalty.

Once a Queen, always a Queen! That was our take when we heard the news of the 2018 Ute Stampede Royalty selection in Nephi, Utah. With that rodeo going back to 1935, us old folks recall many of the royalty of yesteryear, and today we roll back the years and tell a little of the life of Betty and Kemp Motes. Kemp was the local King of Cowboys, and the shy Betty has always been the Queen, first being in the Royalty in 1949, then the Queen in 1950. Kemp is now roping with Roy Rogers, but Betty remains living at the family home. The first photo shows Jean Gowers Yates as the Queen with Arlene Jarrett Jones and Betty Pew Motes as the attendants. Betty is on the left. Background wise, Kemp was born in Solomon, Arizona, with seven brothers and three sisters. He graduated from Safford High. The family moved to Mesa, where Kemp worked as a carpenter, until Uncle Sam sent him packing in 1942, being a "packhorse" for front line supply duties in Italy. As a Lineman he was wounded twice  from mortar shells. He received two purple hearts; two bronze stars and the Oak Leaf Cluster, then came home at the end of World War Two, but seldom spoke of his heroic acts, but a valiant fighter he was. He enjoyed one of his furloughs, as that was when he met Betty, who was a native of Mesa, Arizona. At the time she was working at Williams Military Base. They got hitched in 1946 and since Kemp didn't like pickin cotton, they moved to Nortonville, Utah, where Kemp had a dairy farm for ten years. Years ago, the LDS church assisted Native Americans in what was called the "Indian Placement Program" which helped Tribal kids get an education and the Motes kids started with Kee Nez, who maintained his noble heritage, but appreciated the love and support of Kemp and Betty. Christmas brought a big bonus for the Motes in 1956 when Anna Marie came to live with them, and later married Nephi local Billy Lunt and both now help assist Betty along with grandchildren. Phil joined the family roping team in 1960. Betty worked at the Nephi Processing Plant; Thermoid, then secretary for School Supt. Evans, and Principal Clarence Pay. She served her church, holding a variety of positions in the Primary; MIA, Relief Society, then Sunday School Chorister for twenty years. Kemp has always known for his hard work, being employed as a Nephi City police officer for 14 years, then the water department for several years. At the same time, he was roping and riding in rodeos all over the western states and helping the youth. He was a member of the Nephi Nebo Posse and Nephi Roping Club. To this writer, the Betty and Kemp Motes tag team will always reign as the King and Queen of the Rodeo of Life, as their Service will put them in the heavenly hall of fame.

Not all who wander are lost!

During my world wanderings, I discovered more richness than I could find on an electronic device. In mixing with people in their own habitat, there is a greater appreciation for their culture and sense of being. That includes eating their foods. Needless to say, some food in third world countries are not the meat and potatoes I grew up on. However, once we try the foods of others, we can then return to our own comfort food. We have put a few of the names and menus of eating joints, both locally and throughout. What is your favorite place to eat other than your own home! The Nephi Jones Boys usually have a back up plan for food, which may include a raw potato; can of Sardines; Vienna Sausage or Spam. Although I enjoyed the spiritual essence of  Notre Dame Cathedral; the ambiance of the Eiffel Tower; how the Louvre Museum edified my inner need for art, the food of France was not to my liking, but I didn't want to leave the country on an empty tank. I therefore retrieved my emergency food and headed to Utah Beach. Alone I sat with my can of Spam and a fistful of sand, and fed my soul with gratitude for those who gave their lifes that I may eat whatever I chose.