THE LIFE AND TIMES OF LIZ TOLLEY OF NEPHI

In most cases, life on earth begins with a birth, and ends with a funeral. In this situation, however, we have did in backwards. The last Post entry was on the funeral proceedings of my grandmother-Elizabeth Tolley Jones. We now write of her life and times on earth. Attached, the reader should find a copy of things I put together to present to the Wm Fisher Tolley Reunion in 1979, which was held at Dad's and Son Campground, up Nephi Canyon- a place where locals, both present and past, celebrate and take care of, at least in the past when the U.S. Forest were of service to the public. Not so much anymore, so what we have been told. In that which was typed and presented had typos, so for the thousands of descendants' of Wm. Fisher Tolley and to those related to his 4 wives, please excuse. At that reunion, present was the last surviving granddaughter of Wm. Fisher. To her and others, the fourth wife was not normally spoke of, but she is listed on the LDS Temple ordinance and in accordance with Brigham Young. My writings are based on the journals and papers in my possession or that which I have donated to the LDS church, as some of the daily journals were a part of the same journals that her husband kept tithing receipts on. We will include a photo of the Nortonville Ranch area; one of  the two bedroom cabin that Liz raised her children in that was under the grove of trees in one photo; and her reading glasses that I started out with and preserved. Liz is sitting on the chair behind standing husband. To me, she was the terrific wind that Will flew on. I have preserved her glasses that can  be seen on a previous entry as I couldn't figure how to add a photo.....8 track mentality!

FUNERAL SERVICES FOR ELIZABETH TOLLEY JONES

Liz Tolley was born on March 27, 1865, the daughter of Wm. Fisher and Sarah Warren Tolley of Nephi, Utah, and was considered the first wife of Wm. On another occasion, we will give a life sketch of her but today will just be the funeral services for her which were in 1941. She was before my time,  but I saw this woman as a noble daughter of God, and a very independent but valor servant to her family, people and all. She had already lost two of her sons when young, and pregnant when she supported her husband-Wm. Jones, who went to the British Isles on an LDS Mission without a penny, and left the Nortonville farm up to his strong wife. First photo is of Wm. and Liz on 50th Wedding Anniversary.

Juab High School Baseball Team of 1954

We came across this photo as per credit of the Times News and the JHS student paper. See if you know some of these guys. That Kelson kid was a  hitter, and a big league scout came down to the Fairgrounds(when the minor league played in the northeast corner) to watch him. Although, perhaps bias, this writer was coached by both of these Coaches, and to me, they were the best men and coaches around, and both grew up in Nephi. By the way, why do they "Sing Take Me Out To The Ballgame When They Are Already There"?

The Birthday of Stetson Jones is Feb. 5, 2023.

Just in case you need a reminder, Stetson is the first child of Vicky and Shane Jones of South Mona, Utah. When the crowd gave a roaring round of applause, we at the 2018 graduation, one could tell it was not only the special ed. teachers that helped him through the years, but the entire student body who treated him with admiration and respect. He is the guy photoed sixth down along side his cousin-Tanner Jones and Stetson's sister-Vanessa Jones. And his proud parents graduated, as did Vicky, but she didn't  do as well in barber school, or was in the New Years Eve victim listening to Gentleman Jim Reeves on his 8 track? Oh, by the way, when Stetson was born, my notes say I was informed of it at 6;19 a.m, but birth moment was something like 3:30 and a half second in the morning. He weighted 7 lb. 3 ounces and twenty one inches long.

JUAB HIGH SHOOL GRADUATES OF 1989-Where are they now?

When I graduated from the old Juab High school, their was about 100 of us, and that included the auditorium and girls gym. My father helped build the old school when it was being build in 1923, and said it would last 100 years, which it is now and used as the County complex. The community protested(they were right) but school officials voted against it and advised to have it condemned(they were wrong), and it withstood and still in good shape. The Class of 1989 was one of the first to use your new complex, and I hear tell the school wants more money to build another and use taxpayers money, not school funds. Like most governments, they think the money is free, but hope students know there is more in the school than just the sports and pep clubs. Oh well, Congratulations kids. Here is a photo of each graduate; the program and committees. This is just a guess, but quite certain teachers were glad to see the departure of my Nephew-Shane Jones, like the day I was kicked out of Kindergarten at the old Central School(Nephi's First High School). And if Shannon Sutorius was better known in 1989, she would have out sang Bette Milder in "Wind Beneath My Wing". A song that still beckons my heart forever. 

Today's History Lesson will be on 3 Lawmen, all of which is true "To The Best Of My Knowledge"

Anytime somebody, including a wanna be historian, such as me, there is always a chance it is not real true, but only as I believe it to be, then read of it or saw it or heard it second hand or third and so forth. The third Lawman is one I didn't know personally or professionally, but read about him and spoke to folks about him after a briefing with Texas Rangers and touring their museum in Austin, Texas years ago. His nickname was "Bigfoot" but his real name may have been Wm. Wallace Anderson. He volunteered to fight for America in the Mexican War, and helped to fight for the Republic of Texas, and almost may have overdone it with his intent to kill Mexicans with his border patrol, but simmered down with the Texas Rangers and tried to be lawful as an Indian Fighter; Trapper; Adventurer and how to use his "Bowie Knife" and answered the call when Capt. Jack Hay's called him up to be a Texas Ranger. He became the "Daniel Boone"  of Texas. He was a tall big guy and had an unincorporated town after him called "Big Foot", Texas. Others say his honest to goodness name was Jack or John Coffee, and even writer Larry McMurtry wrote him in the script of "Lonesome Dove", although a fictionized account. The second lawman I come to know professionally and personally is Dan Knight of West Branch, Iowa, where he was Chief of Police for 17 years. He is now retired, but like myself, likes to read about the Civil War and the Old West. His motto was "It is much easier to STAY out of trouble than it is to GET out of trouble". He does that by playing in the dirt, but calls it gardening. The first Lawman is now retired, but was the former Sheriff of Millard County, Utah, ending his 27 years in Law Enforcement, but also a big wig with the Utah Dept. of Pubic Safety. Like others in rural Utah he developed a keen relationship with all Utah law enforcement, and their Deputies were always a back-up to other agencies or vice versa. Like many of the heads of rural Utah, their is always controversies and contradictions, especially when it comes to who gets the money, and State Legislatures often make those decisions with little input from law enforcement. Like other rural communities, they also a have to do an all year battle with US Forest Service and the BLM. Professionally, I was amazed how Ed put together a integral and disturbing murder case 31 years ago, while one of the culprit remains on Death Row, getting 3 squares a day-at the expense of Utah taxpayers, when our military's may not. Photos courtesy of individual; Deseret News and Internet.

WELCOME TO NEPHI, WHERE AGRICULTURE IS STILL KING

When the Mormon Pioneers settled this area, it was known as Salt Creek, but later changed to Nephi, a Mormon type name. You won't find many folks by that name any more, but we used to have a slew of them including Nephi Jackson, who arrived with the Martin Handcart Company in 1856. Mormons believed in self sufficiency back then and do now or at least we would like to be, but then big city folks want to take away the importance of growing our own vegetables; fruits, chickens and eggs and squeeze all together so we can shake hands from one bathroom to another! Double Yuk! At one time, the whole area was covered in wheat and had our own flour mills for that. But more people; homes and highways take water and land, so we are not quite as self sufficient was we were raised to appreciate and acknowledge our heritage, history and work ethics. And if have noticed or haven't noticed- we love our hamburgers and steak, as we still produce some high quality beef. But remember to drive with caution up and down Nephi Canyon, as more deer are killed by speeders than hunters. We also have county roads that are "Free Range", which means that the cattle are free to choose where they roam, so please don't kill our industry and cut off our supply of food. And this is the time of year, when all of your little Bulls and Cows are being born, so please help preserve our pioneer heritage, rather than taking a chance from food from one of our enemy countries. Pictured below is one of twins that were born last night. Welcome to Nephi, even if it was 10 degrees, your Mommy will help you make it and so will the rest of us. Come up with good names for the calves and you may win a free steak at Rays Cafe or the Snak Shak!