YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A MORMON TO UNDERSTAND THEIR HISTORY

 If one was to move and live in Paris, France, my recommendation would be to first visit and understand the people, culture and history of France. Not only did I spend time at the Louvre, but experienced the awe and splendor of the Notre Dame Cathedral. I learned of Joan of Arc and the Invasion of Allied Forces at Normandy. However, I saw things that convinced me that would not be my future home. I mention this as it appears that thousands of people are being directed to come and live in rural Nephi, America, taking away precious clean air, water and open areas for agriculture. For those who are to consider that, we hope we can show we are the friendly city at the crossroads of Utah, but hope the new person can know our history, culture and rural ways. To give insight, we have obtained a copy of the life and times of Thomas Bowles, who was among the first settlers in the Juab Valley. It will show the difficulty coming across the plains, as many Mormons were driven out by assassins' and unfriendly Americans, including government officials. 

IF YOU HAVN'T MET VONDA BOWLES, YOU OUGHTA

About four years ago, I attended a funeral in Nephi, and noticed Vonda Bowles walking through deep grass to get back to her car. With difficulty, I caught up to help, as a strong man should do that for the elderly. I wasn't overly acquainted with her, other than she had been a teacher in the Nephi Elementary school system. I knew her husband-Jay and his brorld War Two. Both those War Vets have passed, but Vonda is still kickin strong. In fact, it was Vonda who kept me from falling in the grass, as she was motating for this fat old man. She is in good shape and cuts her lawn at 90 years old. I interviewed her today and enjoyed her wit and wisdom. Rither-Earl better, as they were both teachers who I feared, both of whom just returned from Woght out of the chute, I asked her who her favorite President of the US was. She then raised her voice so this deaf guy could hear, saying President Trump was not Presidential, but did more for the United States than any other President for the last 100 years. Jay grew up in Nephi, the son of Lorene Pay and Alvin Roy Bowles. He came from Pioneer stock including Thomas Bowles, who was one of the first settlers of Nephi. As a kid, Jay loved helping his father with his sheep herd and running through the sage brush.Vonda Despain grew up in Ft. Green, the daughter of Thomas and Laurelda Oldroyd Despain. She met her future husband at Snow College, then both went on to get their four year degree. They got hitched while finishing their education and living with kids in a 16 foot trailer. Jay worked at various places including Fub Heppler's gas station; Thermoid, then both became teachers. There living kids are Michael, Von, Jim and Craig and each help their mother, but ONLY when she asks for it. When she told me that, I acknowledged the strength and independence of this woman, and often greet her when she comes to the Nephi library to get a new read to study. She has organized all of her family history, and can tell you just about anything about Ft. Green; Birch Creek; Nephi; Chief San Pitch and the men who shot and killed him in 1866; of  the "Lucky Boy" gold mine; the Sidwells: Pays; her son with the UHP and about loneliness. When a parent looses a child what we believe is 'before their time", it always touches my heart. Vonda did, and we both shed tears when I saw the cute photo of Karen who died at 2 1/2 of Meningitis. The night before, Vonda tried to put her sick child to bed for sleep, but Karen wouldn't have it and told her mother in no uncertain terms "I will tell Heavenly Father on you". Karen knew what Mom didn't know. The sweet child died during the night. At age 13, another child-Kevin died from a brain aneurysm, and apparently a lot of other kids between Juab and the Dugway Proving Grounds died of similar symptoms during that era. If you still have an old calendar like me, write down Vonda's birthday of May 2th and send her a hand written note. Her keenness, kindness and knowledge deserves the respect she is due. She was Miss Lamb Days Queen. Check the cars and see if you can tell the year.

IN 1975 WHAT DID GEORGE JACKSON GIVE JILL SABEY ON VALENTINES DAY

It wasn't a box of chocolates or candy. Yup, she received a diamond to solidify their engagement. It was in a heart shaped box tied with a special red velvet ribbon on it. And she did say yes. That was Feb. 7, 1975. Going back before that, we have to do a little history. Russell and Grace Marie Garrett Jackson was living down Center Street in downtown Nortonville, Utah. They announced the arrival of George Ray-the third child in a family of six kids. Russell was a good teacher in showing his kids how to be good farmers, and George listened well as he kept out of trouble. I just checked the little black book and it shows no demerits for him. George got by in grade school and he received a variety of recognition while going to Juab High. He was FFA President and worked diligently in striving to have the class meet all the guidelines and sure enough, the Mt. Nebo Chapter took home trophies in many divisions. In addition, George was chosen as the Region Football player and graduated in 1969. He then attended Utah State for a year, then called to serve on a mission where Kangaroos kept jumping around him. He considered that place "A Choice Mission". After he completed that service, he came back home to Nortonville for a short visit, then headed back up to Logan at the AC College. As one may assume, he majored in Agricultural Education and served as President of the Agricultural Teacher Fraternity, which had a lot of responsibility, but a great honor. In January, 1974, at a class at USU, George met an attractive young lady by the name of Jill Sabey, and she knew all about farming and attending church, and the two spent a lot of time together. Jill is the daughter of Ross Elliott and Effie Scott Sabey. She is the youngest of ten kids, born in 1953 at Payson. Her farm experience was in Lake Shore, then graduated as a Don in the Valley of the Spanish Conquistadors. She also went to USU, but this was on a free ride scholarship, as she was a genius. Good thing George turned the accounting over to her, as  she majored in Business Education and member of the Lambda Delta Sigma Sorority and the Phi Beta Lambda Business Fraternity. They were married on March 28, 1975, so George, you better come up with something better than a bale of hay. They moved to Kamas, where George taught Agriculture at South Summit High for a year and half. Jill worked at the Lumber Yard as payroll secretary and at the bank as a Teller-Secretary. Their next move was to Nephi on South Main. George committed to teaching at Spanish Fork High. Not sure of the spelling, so I am going to call her Kristi Jo and born to George and Jill in 1976, and loved feeding the calves with baby bottled milk. Their next move was back to Nortonville, in the home where Alan Tolley used to live and before that, it was the home of Len Jones. In time, they built a new home on the southwest of Nortonville and still there. Not sure of more kids as my information is from a hazy brain, just like their photo. I do know that both of these people are genuine. When we hired them to farm our land, it was on a handshake only, and last til we shook hands and unsealed the deal. Like all people, they have their share of health issues, but like a good farmer, they are tough and go through each hurdle, one at a time. They are both some of the most trusted people the Jones family ever dealt with. And they are active in their LDS faith serving in various callings When they pass through the computer where St. Peter sits, he will just pass them through. They still go by the Golden Rule of life.

I AM ALONE, AND JUST WONDERED IF ANYBODY IS IN THE MOOD?

Now wait a minute, our history blog is G rated, so don't let the mind wander. But if you are in the mood for work or a Dating Mood or even a fantasy mood, you just may like to read this Dance Review put on by the Juab County Recreation a few years ago. Not sure what year it was, but guessing it was the mid 1960's. It is hard to read the faded type, but not sure how to enlarge it. Good Luck.

1909 Post Card from Maria to her mother-Sarah Warren Tolley of Nephi, Utah

Things have changed since 1909, including people; dying trees; cost of sending mail and medical miracles. Our example today involves a postcard from Maria Nowling to her mother-Sarah Warren Tolley of Nephi, Utah. As the two cent stamp postcard was written in pencil 112 years ago, the lead writing has faded, so we will type which was written. It is addressed to Mrs. Sarah Tolley(one of four wives of Wm. Fisher Tolley); Nephi City, Utah. The postmark is April 30, 1909. She writes: "Dear Mother, I received your letter yeasterday and was afful sorry to hear you were so sick but hope you are better by the time this reaches you. I haven't been very well for sometime. Put a mustard plaster on but continues vomiting.

Maria Tolley was born on June 20, 1849 in South Molton, Devonshire, England and came to Utah with her parents during pioneer times. She married Jabus Nowling of Nephi on Jan. 23, 1891. Her mother-Sarah died in 1916.She was the Matriarch of all of the Utah Tolley family.

First photo is of the front of postcard showing a view of Cape Horn on the Columbia River, while the third photo is off the computer, but still show the sharp rock and possibly the two trees which now appear on there last leg or root of life.

HAPPY HEAVENLY BIRTHDAY TO ALMA COYN JONES OF NEPHI

On March 10, 2021, Alma Jones would have celebrated his earth life of 118 years. He was such a perfect of the perfect fathers, his kids can't help but still celebrate by going on what we have been calling the "Alma Jones trek". We have lead family members consisting of a few of us up to 50 all over various states where Alma's father-Wm. Jones traveled as a muleskinner. Alma was called Dad by us, but "Cash" by others. This year, on his birthday, three of his five kids are jumping on a train at the Nephi Depot, taking us to Provo. We will then jump off and switch trains, then stop at the other side of the Point of the Mountain and break Hal loose from Maximum Security, then jump back on a freight train to Ogden. If our pioneer GPS is correct, we will then head west across the Great Salt Lake and on to Alaska to pick up little brother Gary B. with his Iditarod Dogs and we will beat all competitors on the thousand mile journey to Nome. Well, at least part of the plan is true. If we don't return to Salt Creek City, start church without us. If space permits after the typical Jones B.S., gaze at the photos of Cash Jones, rumored to be Al Capones western hit man in Prohibition days.

CONGRATULATIONS JUAB FINE ARTS COUNCIL-OLIVER WAS GREAT.

Last night, we attended the last performance of "Oliver" and we were extremely impressed with all those that put this fabulous performance together. It was better that Broadway and the time I watched "King Lear" at Stratford Upon Avon in England. When a kid gets up to bat and the baseball game is tied, there is a lot of pressure on him. Same goes for young Oliver when he sang a solo. He and others did well, and credit goes to all of the parents and instructors that could put 34 people on the stage and performed together perfectly. I counted about a hundred people in the audience, a lot of which were kids. Sports and athletic competition is not cut out for all people, so it is great to see this type of Fine Arts expanding as it is. Keep up the good work and we look forward to the next upcoming event.