It is 1930, and Nephi High graduates its 56 Seniors.

Whenever we go through the yearbooks of Nephi High/Juab High School, we prefer to show the photos and accomplishments of all students. However, since the computer gurus have modified how I did the 579 history blogs I have written, I can no longer do that. So until this old man figures out the new systems, we wanted to at least praise the school administration, then give this yearbook to the Utah Daughters of Utah Pioneer Museum in Nephi, Utah so that all can check out each of the Seniors as some may recognize the names. I pay special tribute to the teachers and school administration as they may have had it rough to keep the Seniors positive. Some of the kids had lost their fathers doing World War I, then the Great Depression hit in 1929, then when it recovered, World War Two starts and off to war we go again, fighting for freedom of others. The swimming pool used to be below where the County Agent's office is now in the County Complex building. Main Sports were basketball and Tennis and swimming. I pay tribute to the School staff and the difficult lives those Seniors were faced with. This writer became friends with James H. Ockey, George A. Sperry, Maurice Chase and Harry Beagley, who was a substitute teacher for those of us in Ag. in the 1960's. We must honor history to understand our present problems, so says me.

No-Nose Maggie, Juab County's most Infamous BAD gal of the Old West

If folks are from around these parts, you may have heard of the life and times of No-Nose Maggie, the last known resident of Joy, Utah. After 6 decades of research, I thought it was time to write what I knew or what I thought I knew about this gal who may have been considered BAD. She was BAD to me, as she is one of my hero's. She was Bound And Determined to survive, regardless of the situation. Todays post is pieced together with help from Earl Spendlove; Nick Castleton; Shanna Memmott; yellow newspaper clippings from the old Juab County Courthouse; Chester Foote- a World War I Vet who I passed papers to; National Archives; Justice of the Peace John Robertson, who ran a motel in Nephi two blocks from where I grew up and a number of other people. She was born in the Dakota Territory in 1858. Back then she was considered one of the most beautiful and well....most endowed teenagers around. Her real name was Mary Alice Ann Devitt; married a man she knew was bad but hitched up with anyway and moved to Seattle. The marriage quickly failed and she went to work as a bar maid in Virginia City, Nevada. She soon found that she could make more money working in the oldest profession in the world. When Virginia City got too dull for her liking, she headed to Eureka, in Juab County, Utah as mines were flourishing and miners were pouring in by the hundreds. She was well paid for her shady lady activities, and was the favorite of the men, but not with the other gals of the same profession, as she brought in a lot of loot. She decided to hit the road again and ended up in the the mining area of Fish Springs in West Juab County. She had no competition until one Katie Kilkoshi moved in and trouble brewed. A bearded whiskey loaded miner came in and rolled a bunch of bills in front of Katie and the two gals duked it out, and no man wanted to be a gentleman and stop them. Katie  hit Mary Alice in the face with a broken whiskey bottle, cutting off her nose. Her face was smashed with broken bones, and needless to say, the miners cared little for her after that. Instead of waking up in her comfortable bed with all of her fine clothing, she awoke naked in the back of a moving wagon in the middle of the Drum Mountains. The driver said he was heading to the new mining town of Joy, where Manganese was discovered and a highly sought after ore. She told him she was going to walk back, but realized she would die in the blazing hot sun and rocky road. She was Bound And Determined to make the best of a bad situation. She climbed on the wagon and went into Joy where she remained until she could hardly make ends meet, but became a saint, giving thirsty travelers and miners water where she slept by the Joy Spring that is still there. She then met a Scotsman named Ardabold Laird and shared his bed. Together they developed the Spring; had animals, sold meals to prospectors, cowboys and sheepmen. They took the long road to Deseret, Utah and got married, and Maggie was appointed postmaster in 1899 til it was closed in 1919. She and her dog moved back to Joy alone, where she became old and sick in the desert. As a kid, our family thought we visited her grave on the crest of the mountain, but came to find that it was the grave of 19 year old Matt Evans, who froze to death after being thrown out of a bar. We discovered the real name of No-Nose Maggie who died on Dec. 18, 1934 in Payson, Utah; buried in Eureka, with help from the Anderson Funeral Home of Nephi. Mary Ann Devitt, to this writer, you are a noble woman and Angel of God, who did the very best you could with the hand you were dealt. Mary Ann, you are my Princess of Joy, and now have joy and beauty.

Nephi High School graduates-1928 style.

July 28, 2020 was the birthday anniversary of LaVon Harris. In earth years, she would have been 110 years old. Rather than write about her achievements in raising five hellions and important Secretarial jobs, we thought we would talk about some of her pals from her youth and the Nephi High graduates of 1928.We will show her classmates, and if you are from around these parts of Ruralville, Utah, you just may recognize some of the names. The High School changed its name to Juab High, and now called the County Complex on the corner of Second North and Main in Nephi. Although many wanted to tear that structure down 40 years ago, the builder told Alma Jones in 1922, that he built it to last a hundred years, so we think that builder kept his word, as it is still very functional. For students to produce a yearbook, it takes local business' to support that effort. In looking at the ones back in 1928, the only one that is still in business appears to be The Times News, and still operated by the Gibson family. Back then, business backbones were Nephi Merc; Nephi Drug; Nephi Cafe; Chas. Foote; Carter Cleaning; J.C. Penny; Silver Maple; Ord & Mangelson; Vicks Cafe and others.

Nephi Cold Case re-opened after more evidence discovered.

It was a cold winter Saturday in Nephi, Utah during 1968. During that era, folks in this rural town didn't have to lock their doors as all respected each other and looked out for each other. We left the truck and tractor keys in place as if locals borrowed them-it must have been for a good reason. Before you knew it the borrowed driving machine was returned and usually with a full tank of gas. But way back then, it was quite unusual, even for a local-to borrow a truck and not return it the next day so we could go to church. Especially if the truck belonged to Alma Jones, who was Sunday School big shot and a hard worker who needed his truck to finish that plaster job at the Levan Church. But it didn't show up after the night it was taken from the 1885 Jones Homestead. When Chief of Police Jack Brough came to investigate, he had a hunch it may have been an "inside job" and talked to Alma's family and friends. Nobody confessed. They pointed to the North, as it had to be somebody from up North, where the real gangsters hung out. Chief Brough contacted Juab Sheriff Ray Jackson, and he called Jack Webb, who knew all criminal things during the 1960's. The heat was on and the family was sweating bullets. Low and Behold, the tan Chevy truck with the side panels were found stuck in the mud west of town. With a heave ho and two plug horses borrowed from Bill Ockey, the truck was pulled out and returned to the owner, with no damage and no visible foot prints or fingerprints. The case was semi-closed......until last week, when evidence appeared. A photo was found in the old records of Nephi, and the attached photo copy is shown. Most photos are just photos, but in this case, the photo is evidence. On the day in question, the Chevy Tan truck can be seen in downtown Nephi, heading Northbound, in front of the stationwagon, by the Post Office. The case is re-opened and while the photo is being sent to Quantico, Virginia for photo analysis, local police were able to determine that the four Jones Boys were living or serving in different countries at the time of the crime, but the youngest and boldest of the kiddos was 15 years old, and we have a hunch that she and her friends may have been involved with this Juab County Shenanigan. We will keep readers updated if we obtain more of this Absolutely Phony Non-Breaking and Fake News!

Turn off Un-American sports and watch a True America Sport.

It appears that many Americans are disgusted with the un-America type of sports on TV. Others believe that major media supports the actions of violent protests with nothing in mind other than to sensationalize their own agenda of selling more ads with bias or "breaking news". For those of you that are still addicted to watching mecca national sports, we have an idea. How about attending a rural football game, where all attendees take the sports competitively, but honor a personal code of supporting their school, playing fair and by the rules; treating the opponents with dignity, and then do like the Juab Wasps did the other night on the 19th anniversary of 911. They honored the American Flag, and those who sacrificed their lives for others. If you can't break your National Sports addiction, I have one last suggestion. Attend one last true American sport that still honors the Cowboy Creed; America, and preserve the rural West of the United States. It is the Finale of the Extreme Bulls in Nephi, Utah, six days from tonight. The Ute Stampede Committee is sponsoring the best raging bulls and 40 of Americas top Bull riders, and you can tell the world you been there and done that. Once that is over, then return to local high school and Little League to ween you off what used to be wholesome. Those kids are the true United States of America people that you may not ever seen in the National News or even in the Utah Sports page. Man Vs. Beast. Be a part of Ruralville America, before it is gone in to oblivion.

The Ute Stampede starts a week from today. Soap your boots.

The best darn tootin rodeo in the west starts a week from today, so get ready and get your tickets. On thursday we will open the old Utah Territory Jail where Butch Cassidy was held and we will have a fake Marshall there to ask for your to list your alias and your crime. Then your are set to head to the rodeo. Friday and Saturday are parades then another more bucking bulls. Come and join us, but please wear your masks to be compliant with health standards, especially the old jail as your may encounter the remains of Butch and the gang. We will give away old rodeo tickets from the Ute Stampede and the National Rodeo Finals

Welcome to Nephi, Utah, home of the Ute Stampede-the great American rodeo.

Nephi, Utah used to be referred to as "The Wheat City" when there was sufficient water near the surface to produce dry land wheat; alfalfa; good work ethics and most of us rode a horse to relax. One no longer has to ride a horse for pleasure, but if you come to the rodeo, you can enjoy how the rider and the animal work together for great entertainment. Health officials remind us to wear masks and the Rodeo Committee encourages not to congregate and not to come if you think you are sick. You need not bring your comfort dog, as the rodeo will give you sufficient comfort. There is a parade on Friday and Saturday, and on Thursday, we have permission from Juab County and DUP to open the old Utah Territory Jail, and we will give out free NFR tickets(however tickets are from years gone by) if you can figure out which cell Butch Cassidy was held in. Prior to the beginning of the Ute Stampede, we celebrated peace after the "Indian War" which was called the "Blackhawk Encampment". In early days, the Ute Stampede had a horse race track around it and helding boxing matches. The entertainment changes, but the competition remains and we expect top riders, as it is one of the only rodeos that weekend, and high money winners go to Vegas for the Finals. Even Vegas doesn't match the American patriotism of the Ute Stampede. We have a new high class RV facility at the south of Nephi. Cowboy up and buck all night.