JARED DANIEL FRANCOM -GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN

Regardless of what type of work we choose to do, their is always a risk! We can take a leisure drive or hike a mountain or sail the sea, but their is always a chance that we may not return. When my brother was ordered to the Front Lines of a country that most young men couldn't even pronounce, he was taking a major risk, but not by his own choice, but being a Combat Medic made him a target in Viet Nam and forced to kill or be killed. The same risk goes for many police officers, and although they knowingly make that decision, we applaud and pay homage to those that Serve and Protect. If in fact you are one of those First Responders, their will be a time that the hair on the back of your head will raise, even if you are bald. If you were a Jared Francom and responded to an extremely dangerous assignment, one will find the practice and training kicks in, but things can go astray as it did for this HERO. Once you put your finger on that trigger, it is Fight or Flee, and this officer was trained to do his duty, and even though it has been a few years ago, I will never ever forget him or other people that faced the same scenario. 

FRANCO AGUILAR - GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

Regardless of how a loved one leaves earth and ascends to the Heavenly Family above, those that are left behind will never ever get over the transition of a father; son; brother; husband or Hero to their Country and Fellow Man. Although Franco departed more than 14 Years ago, many of us will never ever forget the LAST CALL of a fallen Hero.

SALT CREEK FORT WAS BUILT IN 1853

For this history writer, it is difficult to explain why Mormon Pioneers had to built a Fort for Defense at Salt Creek, which named was later changed to Nephi, as the Mormon leadership of Brigham Young wanted to be more like the Book of Mormon leader of Nephi. That was the same as other cities in Mormonville. A shorten version will be attempted today, as I have studied books; researched by own family journals and notes from when they arrived here in 1852. If one is to study the history of the world, one could ascertain-even Mormons; Americans and other good cultures INVADE other countries and homelands for what they believe is "The good of all", but in my view, it could all be questionable, as the Ancient Ones used to always maintain "All Earth Belongs To God, And One Cannot Sell Gods Land". From day one the USA has used "Manifest Destiny" as their goal, much like Spaniards and Romans who Invaded the Aztec's; Incas and Mayas. Then after the Spaniards seized the gold; women and land, they called it there own. Then America started to invite all Europeans to this Continent as did France; England and other counties. When the Mormons were raped; slaughtered and dehumanized in places like New York; Missouri and Illinois, and like today's Washington D.C. back then- American leaders declared "there is nothing I can do"  even if it was Unconstitutional. Mormons then headed to desolate Utah to be at peace, as it was only occupied by the Indian's (or what I refer to as the Ancient Ones). American went to war with Mexico, who gave up their claim to the land. When the Mormons landed in Salt Lake and Nephi-then Southward, they were actually "Invading" the land the Indians occupied, so who really does know all that were really here before them, as Archeologists show their were people in West Juab County 12,000 years ago. Indians were upset as the White Man brought cattle which ate the grass and seeds the Indians used for food and shelter. Local Indian leaders began to rebel and major Skirmishes' began in 1853. At the time, their were a variety of Tribes and Bands with their Chiefs, so I refer it all as the "Indian Wars". Unlike other rural areas in Utah, Nephi had a Crossroad of roads in the middle of town, so we were hit with a lot of attacks, many of which to this "pretend" historian were justified. Brother Brigham advised local's to built a Fortification, which they did, and my great-grandfather-Edward Jones helped. Photo of one of the gates hangs at Nephi City Hall. If you see the Big Corral Block, that was "Precured" by the School Leaders to build where Nephi High was, then torn down for a bigger one on Main Street. On the southwest corner was where the Lenhart Blacksmith shop served as a social gathering for the Lenharts, Lew Jones, and Will Jones with his team of Duke and Nellie! A bigger Map hangs in the Nephi Library in a protected area and the DUP has a great re-construction of the Fort in their basement. The Nephi Lions Club has placed cornerstones where the Fort used to be. Peace came in 1855, but Indians are about gone!

WE HAVE A BLUE LIGHT SPECIAL TODAY-TWO FOR ONE

If you watch some of the old shows on Grit TV; Hogan's Hero's or Andy Griffin, their ads are a little deceiving. They often get a spokesman who keeps repeating "AT NO COST TO YOU". It is deceiving as that which they often advertise may not cost the person watching, but it does in fact cost the hard working middleman, or the company will bill all legitimate American's who deserve to get the full benefits of Retirement or Attorneys. Regardless of that introduction, if you have an old laptop like me, their should not be any added cost to look up our history stories. Todays History is about the Golden Wedding Anniversary of my fathers parents-Wm. and Liz Jones. My middle name was given after Will, and I take pride in that. That is a clipping from the local Times News and faded through the years. The second is the funereal of my Uncle Vic Jones, who I took on as a Father figure after my own father-Alma passed away, and as he was alone, our talks may have been helpful for both. I took notes as he recounted his life and times on the farm in Nortenville; his devotion to special son-Sherm and how proud of his kids that achieved so much. I listened intently on how he was shot in the hip during World War One, as never heard the details of it all. All of the kids of Vic and Alberta are now gone, and I feel sadden when I see few people who don't truly honor our Veterans without trying to sell something for their own greed. I PAY RESECT TODAY.

WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE FROM A 1930's PHOTO?

 We are not sure who most of these people may be, although we quickly recognized the two middle photos that show husband and wife. The photo in the middle is the picture is of Wm. Jones and his wife Elizabeth Tolley Jones. In the photo to the right is Jane Tolley Jones and her husband Edward Jones. That was the time that two brothers married the two sisters of Nortenville, Juab County, Utah. As this collage of photos was given to us by a member of the Tolley family, we are doing a Guesstamatiion that this must have been some sort of get together of Tolley folks. At least one of the gals is the same in different photos, and in at least two different photos, so that clan stayed wherever they were for a couple days. That sane gal is leaning against a photo of a car which appears to be have a Utah plate(as they had different plates every year), but this old semi blind guy can't read the year, but guess it was the 1930's. The background isn't Nephi, so time for you folks to guess! The nice looking car is certainly not the car of either Jones boys, as they were Nortonville farmers and lost much when the Great Depression hit. The gal on the older car is always looking away from the photographer, so not sure who may have been what caught her attention. So have fun guessing what the Fancy Dancy car that is and who the other folks may be. The photo in the top right has a name on it that appears to be "Louie" and the gal by the fancy car may be a smoker she has interest in! And what is the full name of the "Mission" word on the building sign and is that Reno? Time to get your Microscope out, but have fun.

THIS APPEARS TO BE A LITHOGRAPH IN NEPHI AFTER 1852

 Lithographs were a Pre-curser to the modern day Photography. Years ago, I showed this Lithograph to Kimo of Kimo Cameras, who gave information about how old this one may be. A Lithograph such as this is said to be art drawn or prepared on a piece of metal such as Aluminum or Zinc(the most popular), but the one we have appears to be more like Brass. Photographs as we know it today, were popularized during the Civil War of the 1860's, but since the original Jones Family member came to Nephi, Utah in 1852, we know it was after that time. On the back of this piece of metal, the worker scratched the Cursive name of Edward Jones, who departed England after being married to Hannah Pendlebury, and he came five years after the Mormons arrived in Utah in 1847. In addition to that name, we found a scratched in page number than appeared to be what the artist or Lithographer used to keep track of and give to the owner, who was my Great Grandfather. After Edward got his work started as a Blacksmith outside Salt Fort, he sent letters to his wife to come to Nephi. Problem was-during those days, there was a lot of Anti-Mormons in the British Isles(as their is today in Utah), and Hannah's parents hated Edward and Mormons, so they kept the letters secret, which confused Edward. (Now see info. below photo). He told his LDS Stake President, who said it had been more than five years, and advised him to marry another that was just arriving in Nephi from the 1856 Handcart folks. He found Martha Jackson, and they got hitched. Both gals are buried at VineBluff by Edward Jones, and same place as my Tombstone.

Back in England, Hannah got itching for her husband and said she was heading to "Zion", at which point her parents told her the truth, so she headed out. Arriving in Nephi in 1856, she found her husband took another wife. They were advised to get in their buggy and go meet with Brother Brigham in Salt Lake. Brigham Young knew Edward Jones, and thought they were all worthy of a Polygamy threesome, and the first wife approved, and as far as all we know, they all got along, as did all the kids and grandkids(so says my father-Alma Jones). However, with todays women, not sure they would approve of that sharing!

TODAY IS THE 44TH BIRTHDAY OF TROY COYN JONES

It used to be easy to keep track of birthdays, but not anymore, although I remember one of the two kids I have left on earth so Happy Birthday to Troy Coyn Jones of Nephi, who wanders somewhere-just like his old man used to do when younger! Troy's middle name was given after his grandfather-Alma Coyn Jones, who was often called "Cash" by folks in Juab County, America. As I got older, I think it was because Alma didn't have much Cash on him, but enough to keep five kids and a great wife to feed and clothe us, and we were happy children, although one was a Rascal, and Troy followed his Dad I'm afraid. Anyhow, Troy has always danced to his own independent way, which became noticable when we didn't give him enough water at age one when he was playing outside. He had enough courage and guts to get to the gutter where some of the irrigation water spilled over and got his drink! He is fond of animals and likes dogs; frogs; and rabbits which lived in their own fenced area with trees and bales of hay to survive during the winter. He then got into raising pheasants which he released in Nephi, but they were so tame, we waited until after the pheasant hunt to release them. He and his late brother loved to play in the two story Fort we built behind the house, and they often played there without having to purchase any gizmo machines. Here are some of the photos we kept, and I am finally going through all the papers me and my family have collected since 1852, and even some of my 3rd grade spelling tests, which make perfect fodder for starting my wood fireplace. I have kept the kid clothes so there may be a shirt from when the three of us went to Jellystone; photo of Toe heads in Pre-school, then photo of Justin; Beached Whale and Troy building the Jones Castle in California. Computer Gurus keep changing Menus and Mice for us Seniors, so good luck!