It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from this/these transcript(s) must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collection Coordinating Committee. [Notes added by transcribers are in square brackets. Dashes in square brackets indicate unclear words or letters. indicate words the author inserted to a previously written line.] MSS 661 – Myron Alma Abbott Autobiography Number of Tasks: 178 ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p001_nLwS7UV.jpg) 1953? Torn FORWARD Now after nearly eighteen years of waiting I find myself in what seems to be a position to continue the copying of Father's memoirs.. I attempted to copy them in 1937 but found that I only had a very small amount of what he had written. Through these many years great changes have taken place in the lives of the members of this large family. Another great war has been fought and it has made a tremendous mark on the family as well as taking the lives of some of our loved ones. At the height of the war there were over twenty members of the family in the services of our country at the same time; this is only counting grandsons, granddaughters and one son (myself). Two of the grandsons, Myron Lane Abbott, the older son of Leon, and Bennett Abbott, the fourth son of Lawrence, lost their lives in heroic duty in the front-line service. Both were given special citations. The others were in all branches of the services and performed with honor and distinction. Since the close of World War II a great many more of the boys have and are serving our country honorably. My greatest regrets are that before this story could be made avail- able to all, so many of Father’s sons and in-laws who loved him so much have passed away. I know they would have enjoyed it greatly. In 1937, Ward Robison, son-in-law and husband of Sepha, died. He was always very close to Father and was accepted as a brother and son by the entire family. In 1938, Nettie Theobald Abbott, wife of Leon and mother of ten children died of pneumonia. Perry, the oldest son, died in 1948 of a heart attack. His wife, Lorena Gee Abbott, mother of five children died early in 1952. Both Perry and Lorena were buried at Lehi, Utah. In November 1952, James Howard Abbott, the third son passed away at Provo, Utah and six weeks later on December 26, the fourth son, William Leon Abbott died at American Fork, Utah. Howard was buried at Sutherland and Leon at Hinckley. It was while attending the funeral of Leon that I received the manuscript of these memoirs from Lillian, the wife of Howard, who had jealously guarded them these many years. I have tried to copy the manuscript nearly verbatum and to use the original expression as nearly as possible. The latter part was written at widely separated times so I have set them up as separate experiences and stories. When I look back over them I realize there is a great deal which has not been said and as time goes on many of the things he wrote about lose some of their interest to us. But such is life, and it was his life that he wrote of. It is as it happened to him; each experience was warm and close and fit a pattern for him. His was an honorable life and his memory should always be an inspiration and a challenge to his offspring and descendants. L. Brooks Abbott MSS. 661 ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p002.jpg) Preface Memoirs Page 1-To-15 For several years I have had in mind and often debated with myself the question of writing an auto- Biography and now in it its beggining I am uncertain about its value, I am in much trepidation of spirit asto its reception by my sons and decendents; who of course will have more interest in it than any one else, if it should eventualy come into their hands. Will they charge me with an over-load of egotism and refer to it and me, with a cinacal smile and say, with one so full of faults and mistakes and failures he should have been content to let their memory die l with him If I had not worked already ten years gathering and compelling Genealogical Data and been impressed with [page torn] the pitifuly small [---] of knowlage that has been [page torn] concerning the personal affairs and traits of chara[page torn] and other personal matters connected with our a[page torn] Recently I had occasion to look into the public rec[page torn] Revolutionary War officer for a woman in Cali[page torn] who was entitled and wished to become a[page torn] D.A.R. Months of waiting [--][page torn] clerks of several towns [page torn] ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p003_lbKQZUC.jpg) Deportment at washington much recearch much Rumaging among musty files, documents ect. but finely the data was obtained and this Patriotic woman made happy This and several other things similar has decided to run the risk of being considered an egoist n the left [-]ton nestors cord of a fomia [--] member of the [--]pending with the ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p004_kvSSQ4I.jpg) This is an "Ear" clip used to identiFy animals Tom Abbott 3-11-68 3 3 I am of Puritan New England stock therefore also Pioneer stock My forebears pioneered Massachusetts Conn. Pennsylvania New York. Illinois and Utah while other members of the family not direct ancesters have been Pioneering t[-]se and many other states, One time this may have been a virtue but I think now it has gone far enough, however there has been one redeeming feature they have been Homebuilders all the time. The removal from Illinoise to Utah was made under similar conditions Motives, difficulties and sacrifices that the Pilgrimage from England to America was made and to all appearances the same benefits and blessings are following and we are still pilgrims and pioneers I was Born February 15 1862 on the west side of the Weber River near the Bridge at Riverdale near Ogden Utah I recall seeing the little log cabin once when I was 11 years old it was deserted then but I was pleased with the spot It stood in a grove of great Cottonwoods a beautiful little river running near and at the time I speak the Union Pacific Rail Road ran just on the other ride, Some farm houses peeping through trees made it seem nobo[---] whle the surprise ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p005_kpGaiEH.jpg) 4 great Wasatch Mountains in the near distance cut through by the great river gorge Weber Canyon gives the place a magnifficnt setting However I have no recolection of having lived there, for that same year my father went to Tocquerville in southern Utah with his Brothers in law Edward Bunker & Edwin Squire In 1862, Dixie, as this county is called was probably the acme of desolation probably few places have been settled under greater difficulties and Hardships, there were two prime necessities for the presistent efforts put fourth to make permenent settlements there one was to suply the people with cotton the other was to prevent the government from cutting down the teritorial area of Utah any more as there seemed to be a tendency to cut the territory up and divide it among adjoining states My Father got a farm on the La Vircan Creek a little east of Tocquerville and seemed to be doing well my Mothers Father and family lived here and they both had many friends everythink indicates that they intended to make a perminent home when a little incident occured that changed it all and sent them traveling again ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p006_HiNLPQU.jpg) 5 again. Some cows belonging our people got into the feild of an Indian Chief. He drove them far away up in an box canyon My father trailed them and brought them back afterward in a quarrell with the Indian who drew his Bow and arrow Father struck him with a spade and broke his arm this made quite a commotion between whites and Indians so it was thought best that he go back to Ogden this was in the fall of 1863 My Mothers name is Laura Josephine Allen they claim they are direct decendents of Ethan Allen of Vermont My Father & Mother were both born in Illinois and came to Utah when children with their parents, My Father in 1849 My Mother in 1852 My Erliest recolection of home was my Aunt Pheobe Brown's house in Ogden where we lived until 1864 or 5 when Father bought a little farm west of Ogden in Wilson Precinct about 15 acres but some of it was swamp land he did not seem to be able to make a living on it for he went to work at Wheelers Mill in Ogden Canyon and was away from home a good deel and I have heard my mother say there were times when food was scarce at our house ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p007_VZhQJTE.jpg) But I have no recolection of suffering but do recall on one occasion fathe brought home the hind quarter of a Bear and my brother Steve and I ate some of the meat raw with great relish and upon another occasion he came in the night with a quantity of sundried Mountain trout my Mother and us sat up in bed and ate our fill Matches were extremly scarce at our house perhaps they were scarce everywhere at that time but I remember that one of my chores was to gather sage bush roots to keep fire all night we burried them up in the ashes My first recollection of singing birds goes back to this place, black Birds and meadow Larks I never, even now hear a mourning dove but I am immediately carried back to that time and place and I think of doves Squaw Bushes and Stink weeds about this time my Uncle Chandler Allen came from the south he left his wife with Mother while he whent off to work my mother had 3 children Aunt Lucy one I was sentenced to sleep in Aunt Lucy's bed just to even matters up I didn't like this arrangement ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p008_ghHlbdY.jpg) so rebelled, would not go to bed, but sat pouting by the fireplace, the house sat at the foot of a bench land 30 or 40 feet high sudenly there came the sharp terror- fying howl of a Coyote immediately above the house the yell that I gave was just as terorfying and two seconds gave me ample time to get into bed, I shall always remember that scare After a while Father sold the place and took us all up in the canyon to live this was nicer for me there was quite a village here and quite a number of boys to play with one day several of us were following a trail around the side of the mountain when suddenly an anamol arose a little way from us and cam snarling and growling toward us I was the smallest boy in the bunch but I made a reputation for running that day The older boys said it was a bear and so reported to the man at the village who immediately organized a Hunting party while we were all petted and coddeled by our mamas but when the hunters returned they reported that it was only a Badger, howeve I have never been much afraid of bears since, that Badger took it all out of me ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p009_KEYvkHY.jpg) The sumertime passed quickly and pleasently and then it was winter, How cold it was they would scarcely let us out of door's How-deep the snow was, the houses was almost burried in snow, and outside the doorway was shoveled into great heaps that seemed almost like mountains no school no parties no place to go we were cooped up like little exqu[---] when it was clear the sun only shone a few hours in the bottom of the canyon I havent cared much for canyon's since. before the snow was gone Father returned from the valley I heard him tell mother that "The roads are dry and dusty down in Ogden" I wondered how it would seem to see the ground bare and dry again. but the snow did go off and the ground fairly dry but the creak that run in front of the village was a torrent, I heard some lumbermen say the snow in the basin was just beginning to go then it began to rain, How it did rain and soon a greater roar than ever, was heard and soon the little Mountain stream was a mighty roaring tearing torrent great logs and trees small timber, limbs, and rubbish ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p010_P8Ea1Ek.jpg) was carried by, and we could hear the great bowlders striking each other and hear them grind on the bottom and the terrible roar of the flood would it work out the whole bed of the canyon W village and all Many thought so, no one dared go to bed, but the most perilous moment was yet to come, A jam of logs, bowlders timber and rubbish formed at the uper end of the village, it was clear the creak, must form a new channel which way would it go, what could be done to help? What could anyone do to chang the torrents course? Nothing; and no one tried, they all stood there watching ready to abandon everything to the flood and seek safety for themselves on the Mountain side, then something Happened, A large pine tree washed down and lodged in such a manner that the current was thrown to the far side of the stream and the danger was passed as new channell was soon cut farther than ever from the village, every one felt releived but the whole little valley was torn and strun withe boulders and stumps and rubbish and I at least felt it could never be so pretty again ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p011_lS3JDqe.jpg) This was the year 1868 The Pacific Rail Roads were building toward Utah as rapilly as they could and evry body that could, went to work on them Father wanted to go too but for some cause or another did not go until late in the season I recall that at the time there was a great Army of Grasshoppers flying over going to South East the air was full of them almost obscured the sun Many flying high some low some stoping to rest and feed and they devoured everything green in their way I have since seen other armies but I will never forget this oneWe went up Weber Canyon out by Coalville and the emigrant Road to a place called Cache Cave Uncle Edwin Squire lived there keept a dairy ranch and Road house Father went to work for him so he. could be with the family There was much travel on the road Many Emigrants long trains of them, and freighters and the traffic made by the building Rail Road Father cut and put up hay (here I saw the first Mowing Machine) which he sold to the rail Road camps ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p012_lDETqob.jpg) for $75 or per ton that winter he hauled much wood and sold that to the camps too I went with him once late that winter and saw the train for the first time it was a very interesting sight to me and I have never been content to live for from a rall Rail Road since I was now 7 years old and had never been at school but Mother and Grand Ma Abbott had taught me to read and spell one day while pulling my sled in the frozen yard I sliped and fell upon a Broken Bottle and cut a deep wound in my left thigh and was laid up for several weeks so for passtime I began reading and during the period of my enforced idll idleness read through Wilsons second reader and McGuffy's Second reader and also several children's stories at the end of this time found myself a pritty good reader and the posessor of a habit for reading that has followed me all my life. I have read almost everything, Books were scarce in my vicinity, I was too indiscriminate should have been guided in these. matters, and had the right books furnished, but was not ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p013_1SrPc0d.jpg) and after 3 or 4 years I read school Book's, Magizine's, newspapers, Fiction History Roman & Greek mitholigy and was altogather precocious and superficial I think now the books that did me the most good were first, Wilsons third & fourth readers, they contained Bible stories and gave me an insight to that good Book that has been of lasting benifit there were also animals stories and anacdotes about dogs, Horses, and other domestic and wild animals that created an appitite for fuller learning later on so that when I chanced to get hold of a large fully illostrated volume entitled "Wild sports of the world" I read it all, yes more, I devoured it, I learned how the beasts looked, their genirie, their habits, how they were Hunted and something about the countries they lived in This I did before I was twelve years old Of course by this time I had been several terms at school and had studied Primary Grammer, Mental Arithmatic, Writing, Ect. Afterword the Natonal Searies of readers Readers came out they were devted to literature and several years study in these Books gave me a slight understanding of literature and aquaintance with Authers ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p014_DVFmo3X.jpg) Altogether my schooling is quite meager Arithmatic is a study I could not master with out a teacher and my abillity in this line is crude indeed. Geography, History science literature and other kindled subjects I could teach my self and learn to write by much practice So that I have appeared to be educated I have had Collage proffessors ask what school I had studied in, and profess great surprise when I told them I was not even a graduate of the public school Of course I was pleased with these complements but tried not to allow my self to be flattered I never did consider my self educated because in some lines I found my self a complete novice & In such cases I generaly keept my mouth shut However my ablilities such as they are has given me a standing in good society and among public men I hope I can say this without egotism, of course I studied morals and other ethics for I was ambitious to rise in the world but still the road was long and hard because while I worked hard S I more or less neglected to give proper attention to finance I went along blindingly after times a victim of circumstances ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p015_avXrdrS.jpg) but I am a long way ahead of my story In the spring of 1869 Father mooved us down to Ogden we went on the train He got a job as cook on a work train and for nearly a year stayd on this job and received $75 00 per month which was considered good wages in those days I went to school 3 terms in Ogden before we moved to Plymouth Box Elder Co in the spring of 1870 This was then a cattle County and we should have got a good start but Father did not seem to know how to get into the business right consequently the rewards were quite Indiferent however Father was a hard worker and an honest man. we lived there until 1876 and in that time had a comfort able home a nice little orchard a farm fenced and a few cattle and a few sheep we were not exactly thriving but were any way living I generaly went to school two or three months each winter and did much reading I herded sheep in summer two or 3 years looked after cattle helped in the Hay and did much Canyon work getting out wood and fencing I learned to drive and handle 3 and 4 yoke of Oxen and often drove them on a Breaking Plow ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p016_ncoOWlo.jpg) When I was 11 years old a man named Coots came and rented part of our house he had a large Herd of Texas Cattle which he was selling on the Salt Lake market he hired me to help him drive the Beef cattle to town and I then first visited Salt Lake City, one trip he drove 100 Cows and calves and Held the cows there until the calves were nearly all killed for veal which took nearly a month he left me there to herd the cattle and went back home 2 weeks we were just north of the warm springs and I herded upon the mountain bringing the cattle home every night well I had some trouble all right but did not lose and so that the Butcher at Slaughter house gave him a good report and he was so pleased that he afterward made father what we considered a very good offer if he would let me stay with him until I was 21 This of course Father would not do. for the Most Part these were happy years for me, I learned to be a good rider, an excelent swimer a good fisherman and a fairly good Hunter of small game, we seldom had Hay enough to last all through the long winter about the first of February we would have to take the ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p017_plDvg0o.jpg) cattle to the hills the southern side of which was bare by that time with plenty of grass but they had had to be looked after, to see that they did not get down or attempt to leave and get lodged in the great snow drifts Saturday or sunday were the days for these trips some times I had to go a foot on account of fresh snow and then would have to wade the Malade river twice, fortunately I never took cold I was also thinly Clad, many times exposed; but was never frozen, Though I now wonder how I escaped such a result One day when on such an errand I saw a great number of Deer, Hundreds of them, in canyon running to the east the north side of the Canyon was bare sheltered from the north wind and on sunny days was pleasint I went home and reported the matter and a hunting party was made up of the young Men, I wanted to go badly and asked father to go but he had nothing but a Colt's revolver and could not borrow a gun I had my dog and a butcher knife when we got ready to start I was surprized when some of the hunters made it plain that it ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p018_3IlVl1X.jpg) would be, every fellow for himself it was a painful bit of selfishness, a cooperative hunt would have given every body all they wanted I was a little blue, nearly all the enthusiasm was nocked out of me but accepted the program without question, my part was to go up the north side of the Ridge with my Dog I until quite above them then chace them down the canyon to the hunters who would lay in wait I had a long rope on the dog, as I went up north side of the ridge the snow was crusted but would not hold me up a cold north breeze was blowing my hands got cold so I tied the rope around my waiste I went on and on until I thought I must certainly above them all so when I came up on the ridge I came up on the Bunch at once. the Dog Immediately gave chase I was jerked onto my Bach and draged a long distance down the hill until I caught on a sagebush I then untiede the dog and let him go he chased them down into the deep snow and caught a yearling Buck The herd then ran up the canyon I ran down and Lassoed the deer and tied him to a maple tree ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p019_vycSnB5.jpg) Afterward my father and I led him out on the ridge then cut his throat draged him to our horses and went home The selfish Hunters never got a shot and I did not offer to divide with them About this time I began to monkey with tobacco smoke and chew also use profane language habits that grew on me though I have some times conquered both habits they have some times conquered me and greatly mared my character I some times was dishonest and untruthful although I was never realy bad in this way but still had many faults. One summer I was away nearly all the time herding sheep but came home one night to stay I was awakened in the night by angry voices, My Parents were quarreling, I had never heard them quarrel before, but Mother told me in the morning, when I spoke to her about it, that it had become a common practice with them, and she intimated that there might be a divorce. This caused me great grief and I weppt about it mothen and many times afterward financialy they were better off than ever before ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p020_qv0O4fk.jpg) They now had 8 children and should have tried hard and made many other sacrifices before letting it come to that, but they did not, In August 1876 the final rupture came I resolated to leave forever, a home that was no longer a home, I was 14 and knew how to work, a row was in progress and us older children crying, I went and got a change of clothes and told them all I was going, nobody paid any attention to me, except my sister Ella, she followed me and I could not send her back, I then controlled my self stoped and talked to her and finely Bribed her to go back, then as I walked on the Iron came into my soul, raising my arm as high as I could I said with a great Oath I will never shed another tear over those people no matter what they do, and I never have. Some people whom I knew overtook me and saked me to ride they were going to Willard 35 miles away I went all the way with them I had some friends there with whom I stayed that night I went next morning and got a job with a former binding wheat he agreed to give me 1 bushel of wheat a ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p021_VzXuItZ.jpg) 20 20 a day. it was then worth 50 cents I worked for him several days until his wheat was all cut, then got another job with the Bishop George Facer with the pay the same I worked about ten days for him then got a job from a Danish farmer I did my work well but in those days many people thought the dane's were an inferior people and I shared in this oppinion and did some foolish actions and and some foolish talk too to the nabors they soon came to hear of it The old man gave me a good talking to, then told me to get out, This was before breakfast but I went, I did not have any money but felt so humiliated that I did not want to see anyone who knew me so I took a field road until I came to the rail road then having no place on earth to go started toward home I was soon very hungry and looked many times for mellons or any other vegitable but found none I felt so much like a criminal that I hadent the courage to face anyone to ask for a job or any thing to eat, about noon I was in the vicinity of some hospitable southern ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p022_05VKb6x.jpg) Peopl friends of my mother I knew they would give me food but I did not have the courage to go in and answer the questions they would ask me and explain why I was there, I had never mentioned the trouble between my parrents though I was demonzed by it and this demonzation was the direct cause of my present trouble I was very tired and sat down to rest I thought and debated the question but could not bring myself to appear before Mothers freinds when I rose up to go I went dizzy and Blind I was very hungry and faint but I went staggering on another two or three miles then went into a little farm house of another danish family I knew they were danes but was resolved to tell the truth hereafter and thought perhaps they would not know me There was no one in except an old lady she was very kind to me and gave me some Bread milk and butter she sat and talked to me in fairly good English as I ate I answered all her questions truthfully she did not express her opinion of me or offer any advise so when my hunger was satisfied, my stock rose 1000 percent ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p023_Sz80G4O.jpg) While I was still eating a drove up and stoped a little while he was going my way and said I might ride with him. He carried me 8 miles and then our ways parted it was now near sundown and I had 8 miles more to go but I was refrished and rested and I triped along without noticing any fateague I had not heard from home since I left. I thot perhaps the folks had become reconciled, the thought of home and seeing my brothers, and boy friends made me more light hearted than I had been for a long time I ran the last 3 miles and got home before bed time. I found my Father was not at home. he was at Weston Idaho working on a farm Mother told me there had been no reconciliation and said there would be none she said that I was old enough to chose my gaurdian and tried to convince me it was my duty to go with her as she expected to keep all the other children and what property there was I was quite noncommital, though I told her I go with her if she would agree not to marry again She said she would not make any such agreement and would not have terms dictated to he by her children I told her I would not submit ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p024_giI56yo.jpg) to a step father and that I thought she was more to blame than Father any way. This peice of impudence made her very angry so in a few days I left and went to my father He was glad to see me and got me a job binding wheat The altitude is high here and the harvest was just on every body hurrying for fear of frost He was very dejected about affairs He wanted me to stay with him too but I would not promice. He went home in a few days but I stayed with this farmer his name was Hoops he was and Old man an American he had a wife about 30 years old a Danish lady they were kind to me and would have let me live with them and I was inclined to do so but in a few days Father sent my brother Stephen to tell me to come home I loved steve very much and as he could not stay there, that influenced me more than a message received in any other way so I went home It was very difficult for me to chose between my parents and as they both importuned me and in some instances held out inducements it was a great wonder I was not spoiled more than I was, I sympatized much with mother I guess, just because she was a woman ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p025_ul1qWjS.jpg) and also Mother, I tried to reconcile them but she was abdurate, and in my talks with her censured her which always angried her things went on this way until November one day Father and I had been getting out the winter's wood we fell to talking about the family affairs we sat down on a large rock and did not try to get any wood we just talked I had always considered mother the more reprehensible of the two, Father exhibited a much better spirit so that day I made up my mind where I would go. The decision was finale, and I have never regretted it That evening I told Mother about my dicision, if she was greatly disapointed she did not show it The Jars and Bickerings made the place intolerable so 3 of us oldest Boys went with Father to Ogden to live that winter, I have never lived with Mother since The divorce was procured the next May at Brigham City in the Probate Court which at that time had Jurisdiction of these matters The court sympatheticaly apointed live arbetors to try and bring about a reconciliation saying it it was a pityiful thing to see a young family broken up in such a manner. They worked disinterestedly for ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p026_dikYfWa.jpg) two days, and I agreed unconditionaly to go and stay with mother and help her if she would accept a new home and separate maintance but she would not The court finaly granted a decree of absolute divorce gave mother the home and real property the two smallest children, both Babys, Father took the 6 oldest children all the personal property She was to go back Home, Father to Ogden Then came the parting The actual severing of ties we left first, The children were put in the wagon They were all crying, Mother swooned and fell, we were at a friends home, Everybody cried and wept but I did not though My heart seem as large as a Beef ox'es heart I hope to never see so sad a sceen again I am sure Mothe was greatly disapointed with the court decision as she had some friends who had been tellim her a lot of nonsensical things. They had cruelly deceived her The following August I went to the old home I was looking for some cows for another party that was in 1877 it is the last time I ever saw the home and the last time I saw my mother for nearly 20 years about that length of time before I saw my sister Sopha the ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p027_7j7MtT8.jpg) the Baby died a few years afterward in California where Mother had gone after her second marriage that summer I attended a High school in Ogden that summer I devoted the greater part of my energy to the study of Arithmatix and the knowlage I gained there represents the My sum of knowlage of that great and useful study as it proved to be the last school I ever attended, for much against my will and in what I for many years regarded as a mistake, we moved to South East Nevada on the Rio Virgin River From now on what I learned would be by experience and largely along vocational lines, Fortunately however I learned some splendid lessons and I learned to love the soil, the plants and anamals and also some thing in farm management I also kept up my reading and out side of Arithmatic I found by comparison that I was quite abreast of students of my age any where, but I was bitterly disappointed that I was unable to get a collage education which was my ambition but as time passed and my fortune came more into my own hands and I could have then ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p028_iTV8rNx.jpg) realized that ambition other matters had intruded themselves into my life, new interests claimed my attention There would be no vocation or proffession for me now Just a farmer, but even that has taken a long time to get my self "shaped up," learn the market end of the business and get the rewards sufficiently large that I would admit that I was realy a farmer We left Ogden about the middle of October on our Journey to the new home I felt like I was leaving behind every that was worth having in life, So as we Journied along slowly we left behind the Rail Road and big towns, The Country was drier, the towns smaller, the people poorer the prospect drearier, I was cross and moody; My resentment stronger for being forced to come into such a country and probably follow such a life Sometimes and in some places I felt completely ugly and entirely mean and if any one's profanity can leave a "Blue streak" Mine did Father was quite patient with me and tried to cheer me up and show me the bright and good side but one occasion he gave me a mauling I guess I deserved it but it did not help my feelings any ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p029_cMu2Gus.jpg) We reached our destination about the 6th of November the last week was the worst of all We had to buck snow Sand, rocks, desert and at last a treacherous quicksandy river, There was only one good thing desernable to me that was climate and I was suspicious about that We was now at what afterward became Bunkerville Nevada although it had no name at that time except Mesquite Flat Bishop Edward Bunker and family Lemuel S Leavitt and family Dudley Leavitt and family and a few other individuals had that year started to make a new settle- -ment They had taken out a small ditch cleared up about 75 or 80 acres and raised a crop of wheat Corn and Vegetables, They all lived together in some limber and brush Huts, worked together too, and held all their property in common and called it the United Order To my eyes there were many peculur things about them but the most noticable was that they were Industrious and Happy The Boys had a Bunkhouse graded out in a hollow on the side hill covered with Brush they were up at the peep a day everybody singing every body seemed to know their own chores and went straight to work at them ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p030_4DpRqT2.jpg) The Families each had a prvate shack to sleep in but every body ate at the Public dinning Room Morning and evening befor meals they all gathered here and said prayers any one of the young men were hable to be called upon to lead in prayer and I heard none refuse. I soon learned that this was only the advance Gaurd for the most part the families still were living in their old homes and still held their properties, Those here were were the working force the Girls and Children were picking Cotton the Boys were making Sorgum Cutting and hauling Corn, late stubble corn raised for feed for the teams, others were putting in fall wheat Still others were clearing land, I was quite interested they were a happy crew and seemed unselfish and willing to do what ever they were told to do I was at my wits end to distinguish between them learn what families they each belonged because they were adresses as Jim and Ey and Will and tom it was the same with the Girls. There was a girl that I was interested in most of all it happened that she was an odd one that is she was her Mothers only child, though she had several ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p031_nB3TppF.jpg) several half Brothers and sisters she looked like none of them and her mother had died when she was a small child I made so many questions about her that I betrayed my interest and had to endure some ridicule and so did she though I was not quite 16 years old My interest was genuine and it was not long until I braved the ridicule to show her prefference but she was a timid self supressed little thing and her exbarrassment would not permit her to allow me to notice at all but I put my claim on her and everybody knew it and I had to submit to seeing other lads excort her around and smother my resentment and jelousy and try to be pleased with other girls all of which was very hard to surpress but 3 or 4 years afterward I won her from a whole field but that is another story I had always before associated with older boys than myself and had no trouble in holding their confidence and respect and fellowship but here I found it quite different either the warm climate of the responsibillity and labor placed on them advanced them far beyond my years ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p032_5vLVXrM.jpg) They too were under a religeous enthusiasm that I did not then feel, When things went wrong I swore about it which shocked them. I had been raised different I was not nearly so well grown Our ways did not seem to chime at all, I was mocked and ridiculed and was about as uncomfortable as it was posable for a boy to be I became Iritable and sarcastic and used my tongue in battle because my arms were not strong enough I was many times threatened with violence but fortunately no one actualy did tackle me at that time I had one friend however Jim Bunker we could enjoy each others company but he was a popular fellow and enjoyed the crown that made me unfomfortable, but I think his friendship saved me some f suffering I was not at first alloted a regular job I helped on the Sorgum Mill. I was already familiar with this work I helped in the corn field and any where there was a weak spot that needed help, then afterward they set me to picking Cotton I did not dislike this job though I could not pick as much as the girls I guess I would have become efficient with a little ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p033_eNvYjNY.jpg) Practice ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p034_UMXQF9x.jpg) practice, but the boys taunted me that I could not do a man's work so must work with the girls So one night I rebelled I told father I would pick no more cotton He inserted that I go on and make row row for he felt the crop had been raised and we would share in the proffits we should do all we could to help This was all true, and I did not dispute it but he could not see my position or could see no way to remidy it and insisted that I go back to the cotton field I told him, I would not, ever again This so angered him that he took a fall out of me. Well, I was now utterly down and out. Father and I had been pritty good chums but he was courting a young woman Lovisa Leavitt whom he married a short while after ward he had crossed the valley his fortune's were now going up, just as mine seemed to being going down, I did not blame him for mauling me I felt that I deserved it and was just what I needed and wanted I went off and layed down in a large mesquite bush to think and make my plans I layed there a long time way into the night and thought we were way out in the ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p035_NsE6WxX.jpg) desert, 50 miles from the nearest settlement It was winter in my beloved North, too cold to sleep out, I had no money too proud to beg, to the south was an unknown world but my back was against the wall, I was desperate, again the Iron came into my soul but this time there were no dramatics, but my mind was made up I would not pick cotton and bear the sneers and jibes from the boys. If worst came to worst I would go into the unknown south, I would not go "a foot" I would not be captured and brought back to be more humitiated I was ready now for any emergency Though I wanted to have it come to me rather than make it and force it through in short I wanted be little bit good, a little bit decent if they would lett me later on I heard father inquiring for me but no one had seen me I heard him say he's willful headstrong boy, I am afraid he will run away I felt strong now and did not care what happened I went off to bed and showed up for breakfast, with my self well under control just as if nothing had or would happen That morning no new task was given me but I did not go to the cotton field. I was pleasant and ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p036_4CWzo9c.jpg) chearful and wiling to do any little chore asked of me but I was very much alert and keyed up to a high tention but nothing at all Happened that day or for two or three days afterward There was keen rivalry between the boys to have a team to drive and care for, that was the time of promotion. Sunday my Cousin Eddie Bunker who was foreman asked me how I would like to drive old Jack & Bill this was his team and the largest one in the company What will I have to do I asked sparing for time for to tell the truth it was such a big jump I could hardly believe it. Well he explained We want to level up that 40 designating it and you will have to run the big scrapper if you can handle it how long can drve the team I asked, for I wanted a complete understanding Well he answered if you can handle it all right and take good care of the team that job will last all winter all right I said I will try it. My Bridge was built it carried me clear through the winter 3 month was as far ahead as I wanted to see There were now several camps I could keep the team at our place for conveniance I took charge of them immediately ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p037_djYtthP.jpg) (14) I fixed up a stall and manger, and a place to hang the harness I husked Corn for them. they never had better core or more attention for the first week the big scraper was a heavy job I got very sore and tired too but I knew the other boys were watching me enviously I did not intend to give them any chance to "holler or blat" There was usualy three teams worked in a gang, George Lee was a mild tempered chearful man and had charge of this leveling job he and I became fixtures and for third team we had a great many different men and boys I had no more trouble at all on that job I think they all had a better opinion of me generaly weather they liked me better or not My attention was gradualy drawn to religon I had almost quit swearing and I learned a lesson in ground leveling that has been valuable to me in bringing me 4 new form[-] of my own later on in life This heavy work did a good deal toward sobering me I lost much of my taste for froloc This little place and These few people was the center of a little universe turn which ever way you would, go which ever in any direction only profound solotudes greeted you ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p038_fwN9X6T.jpg) I was morose and Impulsive I pined for change I longed for comradship work hard work dulled those sensibilitys gave me an apitite and som sleep My memorys of the old things and places grew more hazzy, My longings for return grew more and more infrequent I was becoming more reconciled to present conditions I had letters occasionaly from my mother who was now married again and had moved to California and they always made me feel glad. I was with my father, I think I was becoming maturized I was being broken just as a Bronco is broken, but all the Snort was not yet taken out of me sometimes I would "kick viciously" at some I little think or almost just nothing at all, but for the most part I got along peacably enough with the Boys and some of the older people liked me very well, and treated me with consideration gradualy I became better understood gradualy things and conditions became more bearable The canal was extended on down to the Townsite People came and built little shacks and houses and lived by them selves we began having a few simple amusements ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p039_udOgusq.jpg) My longing comradship was gratified sometimes Later when the Srague family came to live here Sol Sprague was 3 years older than I, like me he had no mother he had an inquisitive mind was inclind to be intelectual but Indolent in short in many ways he was strong where I was weak and vise versa while our tastes were quite similar we became fast friends at once he was almost as unpopular with the other boys as I so neither had any cause to complain of neglect we would go off togather sometimes with da book and lay down in the shade read and discuss it contents, argue over questions in which we differed he loved Music and was apt with it we sang much togather, and was often asked to sing in public. we aranged our work so we could be together, we found our selves quite congenial and was always content and Happy when alone. and shadows in my life for the time vanished Other peoples opinions did not bother me much if he approved of me in In some ways we were quite different. Mortaly I was much better, His mind much more mature, and his ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p040_S7Yg5UW.jpg) experiances much greater, but my range of reading was wider. History, Geography, and philosophy were my strong points while music arithmatic and machanics were his we were of great help to each other and our intamacy lasted for many years, later he went to school graduated from the BYU went into the News paper business, family troubles drove him to colorado where he still resides and edits an country newspaper. I have not seen or heard from him direct for 25 years but there is still a warm place in my heart for him even with all his faults, we often went to church afterward discussing the subject of religion generaly and the philosophy of Mormonism as far as our knowlage went he was inclined to be agnostic but accepted Mormonism There were potentialitys in him that would have caried him far had his love affairs been more fortunate. My Cousin Miss Celestia Bunker was his enamorata and cordialy reciprocated his love. Her Mothers and other relitives objections to the Match governed her. Personaly, I know they were disapointed and neither had a successfull matrimonial venture. ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p041_i33FWAz.jpg) He gave her his complete respect and esteem together with a great love, they were well matched phisically, She was a happy laughing girl with a bright mind strong and well balanced and would have "held him level" and been an inspiration to him, She married George Lee a man many years her senior after the death of her sister, and she too perrished in just a few years, She was one of the jolliest girls I ever knew and we were always good chums too near related to think of marrage our selves distant enough to be interesting and confidential with each other we sometimes teamed in our love affairs, I much regreted her failure to match up with Sprague and was much greaved her her untimely death. Communism has been the Dream of social reformers for ages, Idealy it works out much better than it ever has practically, The United Order is what the system is known by among the Mormons There have been many attempts to reduce the system to practice but up to date they have all been failures, for the most part it has been in old established communities with the power and authority or the church and religious enthusiasm behind it but there were many things ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p042_tBZNIrI.jpg) that intervened to iritate its members and mor and mutulate its machinery. Pride, selfishness, abuse of authority, jelousy Indolence, and dishonesty are a few of the things that usualy wreck each venture of this sort Bishop Edward Bunker of Santa Clara had tried to reduce the systim to practice in his ward which was com- pared of for the most part of swiss people but there was, as is always the case in old settled communities some, well to do people who think more of their goods than of their religion and will will not join the Order they are always agitators and severe critics when it failed in Santa clara the Bishop planned this element largely for its failure He was a determined jelous man and thought if he could start in a new place select or accept as members just those people who thouroly believed in the systim who had a good standing in the church and who were willing to sell out their old homes put everything into the company and take stock for it and build new homes out of company funds they could make a success of it. He communicated this idea to a few friends and to his sons, and sons in law he received enough encouragement ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p043_f2P1g7d.jpg) to go on with the project and and Mesquite Flat Selected as the place He communicated his idea to President Brigham Young and asked the for premission to go and make the trial, which was granted and the Great Brigham also sujested they go to the south side of the river as he considered that it was easier to take out the water there, they accepted the sujestion and made arangements to go and comense work on the 1st of January 1877 Accordingly 12 or 15 men and several teams with suplies went and built a canal 2 miles long and had the water out in Less than a month they then had to clear the land and level it which was no small job, They thus planted about 80 acres and raised a very good crop The people who became Charter members were Bishop Edward Bunker and several of his sons and Daughters Lemuel S Leavitt and his family Dudley Leavitt and his family Jerrimiah Leavitt and a part of his family before the end of the year My son Abbott and family joined them They were all Honest, Industrious, Inteligent sober religeous virtuous people and it now seems to me that if it has ever had a fair trial this was it, later other ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p044_6cX3p11.jpg) people nearly if not quite as choice came and joined the community They made and saved means too but they only lasted 3 years, when they disorganized and devided up the property, they had made a failure in communism but they made a permanent settlement at Bunkerville and also the majority of the people at Mesquite And it would be a very hard matter to bring two communities of like size any where, of finer people The real disolution commenced in the 2nd year when they devided up into Stewardships, 3 or 4 groups of families, and then keept on subdividing, there was more or less jelousy, friction and fault finding all the time I think Bishop Bunker with all his zeal and determination was quite satisfied and had had enough, I am quite sure everybody else interested had There are some who still say it is practicable "if people were a little different" Bishop Bunker a few years afterword resigned and went to Mexico where he died in 1901 and nearly all of his desendents have left the place that has the Honor of his name but the Lemuel S Leavitt family Dudley Leavitt family and Myron Abbott families are nearly all there and are the leading People ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p045_ZiwEpFH.jpg) About this time the United States Government through it appointed Officials in the Teritory of Utah were conducting a campaign against Polygamy and as a consequence Most of the High Officials of the Church were in Penetentury or had gone out into Hiding on what was termed the "Underground Rail Road" In this came Wilford Woodruff at that time president of the twelve apostles he also had an assumed name, Mr. Thompson He was well loved by all the people and the larger children recognized him at once, but still they spoke of him as Mr Thompson and any spotter would have had a hard time recognizing him, he stayed in Bunkerville several weeks he liked to hunt and made that sport his out door exercise and when his costume was made up was hard to recognize even by his friends To illustrate he was one day squatting by the little ditch on the sidewalk washing his over shoes A woman who knew him well began to try to get "The Indian" to cut her some wood He paid no attention to her talk and she discovered her mistake only after shaking his sholder ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p046_gwWIKqd.jpg) At length it was considered safe for him to go home for a while and David N Cannon came for him in "White topped Buggy" It was thought advisable to have an advance gaurd and for some cause I was selected after leaving the Village I was called to the Buggy and give my instructions they asked me if I knew who they were I told them yes then President Woodruff said my name today is Louis Allen and Cannon said his name was David Henrie I was to travel a Mile ahead and if I saw some thing suspicious to ride back and give the alarm At noon we came to some Beaver dams and there was a large grove of willows and cottonwoods and a few ducks we were going to feed the horses and lunch. He was much interested in the Beaver's and their work and spent the hour with his gun exploring the wood then appeared at the last minute before starting onc again and ate for lunch only some bread and raw salt side Bacon saying he prefered it that way and that was the yankee sport of it In the afternoon they way was clear so we could see ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p047_JG2YTCQ.jpg) a long way ahead he called me to the side of the buggy and as we rode along explained some points on doctrine about which we had been disputing and worried me about getting into "deep water" That night we built a nice camp fire and he inserted on making the coffee saying few people knew how to make coffee to suit him The next day on the summit he saw a bunch of quails he was out and after them almost before I could think he walked rapidly and at the right moment let go and got 7 His plain chearfull common sense way and talk completely wonk my admiration and I consider those two days and one night and one of my Boyhood's most pleasent experiences "She said" went on intensely for several years there was much sorrow and mental distress all through the land then Wilford Woodruff became President of the church and finely promulgated the "Manifesto" which abolished polygamous Marriages in the church and brought about a change of governmental policy and the Admission of Utah as a state in 1896 ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p048_iqnzB2X.jpg) My life now at this time was about as Hum drum as it ever is in Pioneer Communities there was work all the time farming, freighting, leveling land, making Canal ect The amusements were of the most primitive sort once in a while a little social gathering a little dance once in a while a horse back ride but the horses worked hard too but yet we were not unhappy, that Hope, Optimism and Cheerfulness of youth together with a wholesome religious training that we all had, made us contented, and another thing when we were able to a little better suply our wants we were full of gratitude in fact I now think those early privations those struggles the lessons taught by Industry self reliance economy and stick to itiveness were all wholesome character builders I have watche the careers of most of the boys and girls of that time and place and in almost every instance they have become very useful citisens scarcely one of them went wrong at one time later I thought the 9 years I spent in this community was lost, financialy I had but very little to show for it but I now think it was no more lost than the High school days of other youths are lost It was a school of experiance of the very best sort although of course the training was quite different ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p049_DSUHtqI.jpg) My unpopularity with the Boys was a surprize to me I had never experienced anything like it before but after two or three years was much reduced by better acquaintance and after finding a chum I did not care so much, the dislike was did not appear to be shared by the older people and I never had any complaint of the girls I gave attention to several, though "little" Mary Leavitt was always my favorite She was the daughter of Lemuel S Leavitt and was called "Little Mary" to distinguish her from several other Marys in that "tribe" I had so em- barassed her with my early attentions that she was as frightened of me as of an Ogre so I had to be content to let the other lad's escort her only once in a while take her to a party to reassert my claim on her I paid attention to other girls treated them respectfuly and received the same kind of treatment but they and every body else knew of my real sentiments and they often quit me I had laid myself open to much ridicule I often told the boys you may take Mary now but she is my girl and when I get old enough to marry then I am going to take her This created some resentment ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p050_79DjK0H.jpg) Page-15-to-17 Among the Boys and made some of older people smile especialy whenever I got the worst of a contest Her father had lost 3 wives in quick succession she was her Mother's only child her mothers name was Betsy Mortison a young Danish woman of a well to do farmer family but little is now known of her family she died when Mary was less than 3 years old so she grew up a village girl without much schooling or the care and training that only a Mother can give but some of her older sisters had watched over her with much solicitude and no girl had ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p051_vqUPsw8.jpg) more wholesome moral training She had Blue eyes clear and Bright Dark, almost black hair and cheeks as red as two roses though all her featchers were not regular she was most beautiful to me Although I had almost no trouble at all to "get a girl" in a place where there were three boys for each girl g yet I did not seem to get on with her and I sometimes thought perhaps would be not be able to make my Boast good and I supose those things more or less keept the Idea of Marrage before me However early Marrages was always encouraged here ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p052_iKEkJxq.jpg) about this time an agent of a certain firm of Mail contractor wanted carriers on one of their lines in Arizona so I hiered to them My route was from Rioville on the Colorado River up onto the Mesa south is Mountain springs a distance of fifty miles I had to make a trip and a half each week and one half of each journey was made in the night when off duty too I worked on the farm of the ferryman Mr Daniel Bonelli I only staid on this job 2 months but took home $100.00 and gave to father ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p053_GScpP4r.jpg) Here The United Order was now just breaking up, when I got home I found all the people on a great public quarrel and every body feeling ugly toward some one else I took no part in it said very little and keept on pritty good terms with body My friend Jim Bunker was just leaving going to Richfield to go to school he said to jokeingly take good care of Mary 'till I come back yes I said you just as well say goodbye to her forever not at all he said I take her away from you when I come back ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p054_SkjowPu.jpg) And I figured he was in earnest about it and that made me ernest but I thought perhaps it was best not to be in too much haste so I took two or three other girls out but always made it a point to very attentive to Mary when I met her she had so many admirer's I had to feel my way very carefully but I took her riding a few times and to partys but she had many aunties to advise her and many cousins to spy and tatle and we had several misunderstandings and some quarrels and finely fell out entirely though I knew she cared for me most ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p055_1pgBGIG.jpg) I was sore at her because she beleived her relation in preference to me I gave up the chase got perfect control of my sentiments and had me a good job of work at the River I figured that I would help father a little get me a good Road stake and then I would go and commense to accumilate my fortune I was 19 nineteen now a pritty steady decent yound fellow I told my father my plans and he said I thought you was going to marry Mary and settle down well I said she is so fickle and changeable I She does not know one minute what she ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p056_NqCKL7y.jpg) wants the next I said I am tired of her and her nonsense I expect that is true he said but he added I dont like to have you go wandering it ruins nearly every young man who does it I told him my Home life was not satisfactory that I had no means to marry on ect ect so we could not agree upon anything at all I did not want to leave without his premission for I now esteemed my father very highly and I felt that needed his blessing to insure my success he consented however to my employment at the river but the clown was yet to early ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p057_DODKxXo.jpg) So my friend Sprague and I plannd at trip to St George Washington tog and Selves Reef togather and we had very Jolly time saw many Girls went to several parties and came back cured of my love affair with Mary and had put her out of my thoughts and future plans Then fate again intervened She had a little house party at her home Sprague and I were both in attendance I had a nice time all right but did not dance this gave her a chance to come and ask me why I was not dancing say she wanted her guests to enjoy themselves ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p058_1Ov2Lun.jpg) I made some excuse but when the music struck up a waltz she bantered me to dance withe her I called her dare then while we were dancing she delicately refered to our latest quarel saying too that she had discovered that she was most at fault and asked pardon In two minutes I was again a lover the party soon broke up and I asked her for and interview and because there was another pair of lovers in the house we went for a walk in the moonlight we came to a complete understanding and she pronounced to believe me in prefference to he medling friends ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p059_UaaD8UH.jpg) It the Old Old story I could go now make my wedding stake and we would marry as soon as we were able one year mebby two and we were both happy and the other fellows saw that they had lost out The gossips got bussy again and I was afraid they would do us mischief so I told her we had better Marry befor I went away to work and I honestly thought that plan would work but it dident but I convinsed her it would or at least over came all her objections so we went and were married in the St George Temple on April 14 1881 ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p060_61c7JwC.jpg) When I told her brother Tom that I intended to take his house keeper away from him he said then I must pick another and you must furnish her I asked him how he said well I'll exchange with you and he did He courted my sister Ella and they accepted our wedding day as theirs And one of my late rivals Wire Leavitt came to me and inquired kindly what date we had pixed for the wedding, I told him and he figured about one month and said if he could find a girl he would marry at the same time He did succeed and there was a tripple wedding ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p061_vpm76xk.jpg) 3rd original Page 17-To-43 I brought home 12 gallons of sweet wine and every body had all they wanted, some drank too much, but in that such things were premissable and no one was really injured. We also had a great reception and a dance for every body in the little community, and everybody was interested, and the whole affair did much to break down the restraint and cure the illwill in the neighborhood, after the break up of the United Order. The three marrages were all happy ones, Tom and Ella Mary and I have raised large famities families and are all living at this time (36 years after) Wire lost his wife about ten years after. had several children, and has never remarried I took my bride and lived that summer at my father's place and worked on the farm with him that fall I got a small team and old wagon and went down below town and cleared up a piece of land and built a ditch and put in 14 acres of [---] wheat and barley which came up and made a good crop I continued to live at Fathers home I had bought a nice new harness for my team and worked like a demon and felt like a man ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p062_od7p8uX.jpg) In those days there was much silver mining at Silver Reef and in the reduction mills much rock salt was used The greater portion of this salt was hauled from near St Thomas Nevada and was about the only was about the only way we had of getting cash or store goods so this freighting was quite an industry Though on account of the quicksand river crossing and heavy sand in the road it was very exhausting to teams and men too and was not very remuneritive but still we had to do it for cloths, tools and a "grub stake" While making one of those "grubstake" trips I was Hurring home from St George one night in April when my Brother Steve met me 30 miles from Home and told me my wife was sick near unto death and I must go quickly I rode all night and found my wife alive but very weak, but her babe was dead We nursed her for a month before we felt at all save and she could walk around a little I left her with her sister Mrs Will Lay while Lay. James Bunker Orson Leavitt and my self went to Bull Valley Wher there were many will cattle to hunt and get a suply of Beef to carry us through the summer ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p063_wBqWJGh.jpg) We killed 10 Beefes some of them were small though We "Jerked" the meat, tried out the tallow and cured the hides I insisted on saving everything posable though some of the cattle were killed so far away that we could not save all of it such waste was a grief to me, there were about seven seamless sacks full of dried Beef for each of us which was a great help to us in the way of food. the country had no surpluss food at that time and not much in the way of veriety, so every little addition in that was considered almost as a godsind we had taken my wagon on the trips it was an old one and traveling acros the desert in the Hot sand and rocks loosend the tires and in trying to wedge them I broke one of the felloes The other fellows did not seem much concerned and talked about killing one beef and Packing home Thoughtlessly we had not taken any tools along but I cut an Ash tree and hewed out a fellowe with the axe and with the wrench burned holes for the spoke tennents set the tire and run the wagon almost a hundred miles until we got home I learned two or three lessons on that trip ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p064_tFrnkrB.jpg) Our way led up the Beaverdam Wash and about 20 miles above the Beaverdams on the day my wagon broke down we came to a grove of Cottonwood timber where we expected to find a stream of water but to our dismay there was no water any where to be seen, our horses were perrishing and we were dry too, there were many birds around there, and I told the boys there must be water some where and after making a diligent search we discovered a little puddle in the bottom of the wash, we had no shovel so I took a tim pan to scoop out the sand and trash it was then I discovered that there was a large stream of water just under the serfice running through the sand and gravel Several years afterward the stream flowed on the serfice and contained small fish and still later the place was taken up and a nice little ranch was built there with orchard, alfalfa field, and vegatable field ect, ect. In May and June m my Grain was harvested the Barly Bunched the wheat was bound and shocked I felt that it was safe for a few days and having a chance to take a load of freight down to El Dorado Canyon left the grain ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p065_H7KtXOz.jpg) in the feild and made the trip. The weather was very hot and the teames was not very strong having but little grain in them the trip was a hard one, my young brother James was with me we were comeing back on June 26th near the narrows above St Thomas the most terrific rain storm I have ever seen overtook us Fortunately we were in a heavey salt grass bend and well wooded and sheltered from the current of the river, we hastely unhiched our horses and turned them out then crawled into the wagon with a heavy new cover on laid the quilts on the rock salt as best we could and wraped up, but the rain was so heavy that it beat through and drenched us and every thing else food and all, as well as matches we were hungry, wet and miserable while the rain fell in torrents and the lightning and thunder was terrable soon the little river was a mighty roaring, ragging torrent, every side canyon was also a flood, and every ledge a catteract This was one of the worst nights in my whole life when morning came the rain had ceared but the river was most awe inspiring spectle I have ever witnessed the waves were rolling 8 or 10 feet high heavily boden ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p066_MNVGHyb.jpg) with mud and sand. Nothing could withstand its force trees, rocks, and great Banks melted down like wax before the flame we were marooned and could not move in any direction about noon the waters began to subside but the road was all washed out we could not move our wagons we had nothing to eat, and even the grass was covered with mud there was nothing for the horses to eat all we could do, was to put every thing in the wagon and try to get home, Through the narrows the water was to deep to cross so we tried to drive the horses up over the hills but they broke away from us and plunged into the river and swam across. We did not dare to follow and had to go around about 5 milles miles and then back to get them after which the roads were very muddy and our progress was slow Night came on before we got home and at the Hooper ranch again the horses again broke away from us and swam the river they went into the field and were alright One we cut off and tried to drive before us a mare belonging to Samuel Cerosby but she was a contrary creature and our horses were almost exhausted so we tried to ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F1_p067_LFE04JZ.jpg) leave her but she attempted to follow, when we returned next day we found her mired at the mouth of a wash on the quicksand and it took us 2 hours to dig her out After resting and feeding and hour or two we started to drve home while corssing an old river channel they all sudenly droped into a deep quagmire the we went back to the ranch and got a team and long chains and pulled them out Just at nightfall, not dareing to try to go further that night we left them there until morning early next morning I went to look for them I found that the mare had followed a muddy ditch and then layed down I then went for a team to pull her out again when I returned She had simply droped here nose in the mud and smothered to death I got the other horsed home that day but it was several weeks befor the wagons were brought home My own team had been nearly killed in pulling them out of he quicksand when I The storm had done great damage to the settlers in the washing out of the roads and canals and to crops and to the health of the people Mary had to ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p001_yGRLhsp.jpg) flee to the hills for safty and stand in the Pitiless rain without shelter the strong were all drenched with water and plastered with mud in their ifforts to take care of the weak My Barley was all swept away and scattered over the country the wheat was burried deep in mud but some of it I pulled out and saved My wife was drenched with rain and overexerted herself and was soon stricken with fever while the next thing to famine stalked abroad, Mr Samuel Crosby whose mare I had lost owned the only store in the country was now sore at me and would not extind me any credit and having no money and no way of earning it, I was almost facing starvation and I was sore afraid my wife would die for want of suitable food and medical attention, I did what I could to save my wheat, but about the 25th of July becoming alarmed at my wifes condition I got what food I could and took a few hundred lbs of Rock salt I started out for a cooler Climate and find a job my team was still weak and poor and I had to be very careful of them I was almost discouraged but only an indomnoteable will carried me on I was almost desparate and almost without ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p002_7SSuIOe.jpg) hope On the 3rd day at night we got to Santa Clara where some of my wifes people lived. One of her sisters came out to the wagon and saw her But we did not ask us to stay with her or offer my wife any refreshment with anger rankling in my heart I drove on to her fathers home but he was not at home I went in and spoke to her stepmother and told her that I wanted to stay withe her at first she refused me but I very sternly told her my wife was very ill and that she must give her food and a bed, that as for my self I wanted nothing Seeing me so angry and determined she graciously retented treated us very well indeed so I did not complain but the slights I received at that time rankled for quite a while The next morning my wife was a little better so I hichedup and went to St George I sold my salt and bought a grubstake not a very large or elaborate one but still a stake I met my Uncle Chandler Allen my Mothers brother there, He tantalized me to the fighting point before making himself known but afterward insisted on me going with him to a friends place where my wife could rest again that day and night after which we accompanied him ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p003_LwbLKyJ.jpg) and his sister libbie Rodgers to Touquerville where we rested again then went up on the south fork of Ash Creek on Pine Valley Mountain where my Cousin Jim Thorpe was operating a sawmill. I guess now I must have looked pritty seedy for when I asked them for a job they would not give me one but I thought the attitude, good water and good food would help my wife so I told Mrs Rodgers that we would stay a week with her she was willing, and her Husband could not very well decline He was logging for the mill, work I was quite familliar with so every day I went with the loggers I was right at home with an axe and saw and 3 yoke of Oxen My wife was getting better and I was content. I turned My horses out on the mountain grass and they were picking up too I sometimes went in to the mill and tried to engage my cousin who was several years older in conversation but he was always very bussy and not any to sociable My uncle "Chan" was quite friendly but he was Just in from Arizona and working for a stake to go back on Things went on that way for two weeks My wife was much Improved and I made anouncment of my ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p004_oZdvqTN.jpg) intention to go some place where I could get work when Jim Thorpe said if I was willing to work weather I got wages or not perhaps I had better have a job with wages and asked me to stay so I told him f if they would give my us a room to sleep in, and board us at his table, I would work for $1.00 per day, this was agreable to all parties they all thawed out to us and we all became the best of friends and my wife got healthy and strong and more beautiful than she had ever been and we staid 3 months until the weather got cold My wages was small but having no expense they amounted to a neat sum and I spent it all for clothes for us Both, and a nice big grubstake. I I traded horses with uncle Chan I gave him ten dollars boot, Mathed up my team which were now rested and as fat as seals Jim helped me fix up my old wagon all over and we went back home It was a great surprize to our people who had seen us going away so sick and shabby and miserable to see us now so happy so healthful and well dressed and provided for and I think their respect for me increased about 100 per cent ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p005_A874n27.jpg) We fixed up to stay that winter at my fathers place We had a room all to our selves had plenty to eat and a veule veriety too I did what I could to make a little money but there was very little money to be made in that country at that time, we thought to go some where else to make a home when spring should come but we had Many friends now and they had many socials and parties they all wished us to stay there and help them subdue the country. What they needed most was vigorous ambitious young people, We did not know where to go had no particular place in mind in the spring when people g again began to work on the farms we felt we must come to a dicision my wife and I talked the matter over earnestly several days we had a few improvements but could not sell it for any thing our friends appealed to us to stay which had considerable weight with us so we concluded to stay and try it again so I went to work again and put in a crop, built a little adobie house with two rooms and continued to be as happy as it is humanly posable to be My crop was not large but I planted some alfalfa and gradualy I accumulated ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p006_mpJHLLX.jpg) a little more meanes and the next Oct 1883 when our little son Perry came a bright hansome child and my wife rallied fine and strong our Joy was almost complete The only realy sad thing that hapened that year was when my wifes oldest Brother Lemuel Leavitt was killed while trainig a colt to run, the colt flew the track, ran under a tree, in trying to save himself from being brushed off by the lims and leaning forward the top fo off his head squarely struck the tree. from the impact his spine was broken between the sholders and he died the next day leaving a wife and two children He was a very charitable man and was much loved by his relitives he had always been a good friend to me and I esteemed and relied on him like an elder brother His conentness and sublime faith and strong testimony of the truth of the gospel and his exhortations to to faithfulness and charity for the poor made his dying words very impressive and pathetic Things went along in about the same way with us for another year I was struggling along with poverty but getting a little ahead and getting a little stronger and wiser but my wife's ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p007_P9xu9Fr.jpg) was not good. When the hot weather came on she lost her appitite and just willted down and I would have to take her to some cooler place for a while On the 19th of March 1884 My Brother Stephen was killed while working in the salt mine by a large cave He was like a twin to me and I mourned his tragac death for many months he was a sociable fillow and was well liked by every body and there was genuine regret in all the community. There were several prior to his death that occured in such a manner that seemed almost supernatural several people felt and commented upon some approaching tragady, something that would shock the community the impression was so strong that it seemed tangable to the corporal senses Father dreamed that some mysterious person came and told him that he must leave his oldest son Father in his dream replied no thought it was me but protested that I had a wife and a family and could not be spared. About that time I had a very narrow escape from death and after ward when we compared notes and experiances it seemed as if providence, the fates or whatever you are mind to cal it dad had had decided to take one of us but had not ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p008_dCSQ0Eu.jpg) decided which one The incident refered to occured as follows: One night about the 1st of March Steve and I were going to St George with loads of salt, I was ahead and was walking beside my wagon driving my team. Comming to a steep [----] hill at the upper end of Camp Spring Flat. I attempted to make the horses hold the load down the hill, when about the middle of the hill a large ceder stump which I had forgotten stood so near the road that to avoid it I had to step in between the wheels, when a crosbar on the rack struck me in the back, I staggered and fell on the front wheel which caught me in the crotch and I rolled upon the top of the wheel, the standard caught on my hip and held me there the horses thus turned loose ran on down the hill a hundred yards or more, I was injured but the danger was imminent. Afterward I dreamed I saw Steve drive into the river in a black muddy flood and drownd and afterward saw his body recovered which I always thought was Sybolical of his actual death. I have two tragidies coming so Close together and so closely concerned me and the several almost supernatural warnings and spiritual or mental forbodings made deep and lasting impressions on me. ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p009_4pon5Jz.jpg) There is a phenomina there that I do not understand nor doubt nor explain except in spiritual way; there must be something to it. Things went on in the usual way until the autumn of 1885, Then Taylor Frush's Oriental Circus came through from Utah to Arizona. They needed some help to get through that country of heavy Roads, I ws bargaining with them and was going to take 4 horses and wagons then Tom leavitt got busing and waked up a deal with them, he was to have 25 hundred lbs to Mineral Park for $50.00. I was angry and said something about him "Butting in" after the company had gone on he came to me and wanted me to take it off his hands, foolishly I consented. It was too much load travel so fast with but I got Festus Sprague to help me. We loaded up and started and went about 7 mils; and got stuck in the river and had to carry much of the load out. They went on to Little Virgin hill and got stuck again. I road back home that night and told Tom he would have to take the load through himself, he was under contract, I was not, we agreed to both go to the Colorado River, then one could go on with it we caught the company at the river and we came to an ement that I should go on. I told the wagon boss that I too heavily loaded and so he had my wagon unloaded ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p010_nRkDu8b.jpg) and then loaded with water so that in about 20 miles I had only empty Barrels, at Mineral Park they paid me off then we talked about Arizona and circusing and other matters but it all ended up with my agreement to go with them one month, have all expenses paid and get 60 dollars. I was looking for a new home anyway and everybody was going to Arizona. anyway There were several Mormons in the company already, Tymothy Foote of Nephi, Don and Ed Olson of Fillimore, were in and George Whitehead of St George were in the Band. and One acrobat whose name I have forgotten and, myself and Sprague we had shows at Mineral Park, Kingman, Hackberry, Williamson Valley, Prescott, fort verde, Phoenix, Mesa City Pinal, Flowrence and Tucson. For the most part the traveling was good but the towns were so far apart and small I am sure they did not make expenses. At Prescott I saw a gunplay, fortunately the intended victim was a brave man and no damage was done, although the gunman was a bad actor with a record. At Phenix I met George Whithead he came to me and wanted to borrow 10 dollars he said they had fired him and did not pay him he wanted the money ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p011_ABtuvdg.jpg) to pay the officer afor serving the writ of attachment. I told him I was just going to ask for 5.00 but now I would ask for $1000 and if I got it I will lent it to you. I went and saw the manager, and got the $1000 and in ten minutes the attachment was served. The recovered $18000 and the next day paid me back my ten and incidently that was last money I ever got from them, my accomidation had helped my friend and benifitted me. Mesa City was a Mormon town while there many people came out to look the outfit over somebody told me that some one had said I was the only decent man in the crowd I was curious to see him and when I raked up aquaintance I found his name was Lyman Leavitt a cousin of my fatherinlaw, he was very pleased to meet me At Pinal I saw my first Etectric light, one of those large one intended to light the whole town. In Tucson I saw my first Bycicle. The southern Pacific Rail Road has some large shops which interested me greatly I made up my mind to turn back here and asked for my money, they pleaded poverty but promiced me after the shows I waited and then the manager told me some of the actors had attacked him. ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p012_pbj6BBy.jpg) I would have left with out pay but the stable man would not let me have them he held wt them for the feed bill, they shut down on our meal tickets too I think some of them went pritty hungry I had a little money so I went to a chinese Delicatessen 3 times a day and bought 10c worth of cakes this satisfied me very well. I stayed around the stable and took care of my horses The other fellows went and consulted lawyers and tried to institute proceeding but I staid away from them all they threatened to mob and hang the managers at this time, I dreamed I was fishing in company with many others I thought they were very dirty with black slimy mud I looked at my self and saw that my clothes were clean and white, the fish were small and black and I did not try to catch any more. I called on the manager and told him if he would come up to the stable and release my teams I would leave and make no trouble this was on Tuesday Wednesday morning he came and told the stableman that I was the whitest man in the bunch told he to let me have everything I claimed he also released the team of Robert Pope a man who pulled the advance wagon. I got two sacks of Barly filled up my wagon with hay and with $2.00 worth ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p013_zcEPIjc.jpg) cakes we left town, Sprague tired of the Mob and came with me we had 150 miles to go before we could hope to help our selves, we got to Mesa City in 2 days and in 2 1/2 days we had no dinner the last day Pope had friends and went to them I went to the Hotel keept by George Serine I told him we had been beat out of our money by the circus people that we wanted board and Horsefeed for a few days until we could get a job and some money he said drive right in and put up the teams by that time supper will be ready nothing could have been more spontaneous or hearty we staid with him for a week and it was just the same, times were awfull dull I looked and inquired and tried in many places but could find nothing to do Again I dreamed a dream that gave me the most perfect confidence that something good was coming up in the way of Money I felt so confident that I rode to Phenix ar 8 miles and back without result and completely nonplussed that I had found nothing, when I got back, I found a man there with a load of goods he was taking to Tonto basin 100 miles over the mountains there were 36 hundred lbs he could only pull 1 ton so he offered me 1600 lbs at 5c per lb ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p014_Qtsy5Rr.jpg) I told Mr Serine about it he said take it when I explained that I owed him and had no hay or grain he said, I have get what you want and grub too and send the money back for the trip carried me toward home so I got things together and started Christmas Morning when starting the old man brought out a dum[--] full of grap brandy and gave me saying it was christmas so we went on our way rejoysing and with a better understanding of humanity than I had ever had, I had seen much good and much bad and knew better how to discriminate, but after all I think I loved humanity better The road was heavy rough The Mountains steep and high but there was plenty of grass wood and water and we could stop any where and camp that night over took us, we saw many Deer and other anamals We arrived at our destination on the last day of the year discharged our freight and received our pay what a glorious feeling it is to have a goodly sum of money after being "up against it" and far from friends and home I lost no time in sending Mr Serine the money we owed him I met some people that I knew got some clean clothes ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p015_IzN5ka9.jpg) went to a party on newyears night and had a good time I stayed a few days and then fell in with some Utah Boys going home I joine them and we come through togather Joseph Wing of Springville and Louis Allen Wilson they had a small bunch of Leg weary horses to drive we had some grain but depended on grass for forage so we traveled slowly we got caught in some very heavy rainstorms and had to lay over several days We crossed the River at Scanlan's Ferry just at the mouth of the grand canyon and even there the mighty Gorge and Clefts can be seen and the river looks like a silver ribon for below, I thought it all very interesting I got home on Feb 2 1886 having been some 3 months and traveled 1500 miles I had made no mony had lost a horse and 3 months time my friends charged it up to me as a total loss but curiously enough, I then and still do consider the trip a very valuable one When I arrived home dirty, covered with vermin and none too well dressed, my friends were glad to see me but I soon learned that many of them thought me a failure because I brought home not money but my wife and Baby were glad to see me a bath a change of clothes a hair cut and shave soon ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p016_2AQYRxf.jpg) made a transformation in my appearance, and I did not care much what they thought and I will here take the opertunity to say that aside from a few intimate friends I have never cared much for the plaudits of the public alway's willing to be in the minority if I thought the portion right but I have sometimes been in the minority and wrong too I rested my horses a few days and then went to hauling salt, Before I went to Arizona I had sold my form and fully made up my mind to move. I now had made up my mind to go to Idaho falls, I owed a few bills that I had to pay and needed some suplies and equipage for the trip and it was yet to early to travel north I had been we could not sell our household goods or carry them with us so we gave them to our young friends who would appreciate them. the only thing we carried away was our beds and stove My wife's father and my father in the days just before we were to go developed an intense interest in our affairs and both objected to our going to Idaho each of them had some locality to which they directed us my wife's father wanted us to go to Escalante father recomended Castle vally so insistent ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p017_wNG6I4n.jpg) were they that I had to promice to look the locality over before going on to Idaho My wife's health was not good and I was very careful of her but we started on our journey on the 28th of April 1886 all the younge people of Both B V and Mesquite came and gave as a nice farewell party and the older people gave us their good will and many gave us their blessing, so we left with hope happy-sorrow and few regrets My beautiful young wife and baby and myself I thought the trips would be rather long, so I traveled rather slowly so as not to overdo my horses, we camped in Paragoonah one night here the Woods forked I could not make up my mind that I wanted to go to Escalante so next morning I told my wife I would let the horses take which ever road they Pleased they took the road leading on north so on we went but having passed the road to Escalante I felt duty bound to go and look Castle valley over so when we got to cove fort we turned East over the momtary to seveere valley we had some friends living in Annabella the Sarah Bunker family, we went there thought we would rest and wash up and visit and ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p018_seIpHjQ.jpg) then go up Salina Canyon and over the mountains to Castle Valley "The Sevier Vally is a beautiful country I was pleased with it and when my old friend Jim Bunker sugested that I might trade for a peice of land I consented to try so we went up in town and met Hy Barney and others Barney seemed to take a fancy to me and got in and helped rib up a trade so I traded "Neeze" Dalton one of my teams for 10 acres of land and $2500 water stock they told me the land was in the process of being patented and that John & Davis would give me patent when he got his from the Government I was green about those things at that time and was easily satisfied made the trade went to work on the land plowed it up and put in some Oats and Alfalfa which contrary to the expectations of the People there (I learned later) did well The people there were generaly congenial to me and I had no trouble making friends, many of them, but Hy Barney was the nearest and most Patent and I may say the longest lived Tho we lived there 27 years and had many, and still have many very dear friends there I came there in the heyday of my young manhood and my youth devenoped into ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p019_EeUivOL.jpg) maturity Cleare on to the verge of Old age the sweetest things of life are clustered around those days, nearly all my children were bred and Born there. The real strugles for a home and for a living the real unfolding of the problems of life, the self imithitive, the long hard climb to heights of knowledge of life's problems and find success were all accheived here so no matter what comes Annabella is the sceane of some of the pleasentast memories of a Happy life In those days Church members were suposed to carry with them when they moved frim one place to another a "recommend" from the Bishop and it was optional with him weather it was good bad or indifferent When I asked Edward Bunker Jr "my cousin" Bishop of Bunkerville for a recommend he said he would give me one but when I went for it befor leaving he diclined to given me one saying that I had had trouble with Sam Crosby, "his Brotherinlaw and 2nd Counselor, I said yes but he was the agressor and I would not humiliate my self to him, Then he said you are in the habit of harboring and hauling around men not of our faith stragglers and trantrents I said yes ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p020_zSPDDiI.jpg) I treat all men like human beings, If I find a man walking and carring his blankets I let him ride or at least healed haul his Blankets and if hungry I always feed him and I thought I should be commended rather censured for this then he said well you have only paid on an average of $1200 per year Tithing sinse you were married, Well I said that is better than I expected, I feel good about that, Finely she he said I will give you one but not such a one as I would like, then I said you will give me a good one or none, Then he said I can give Mary a good one I took it home and gave it to her when she discovered that I had none and I told her the reason she put on her hat and gave her recommend back to the Bishop and told him that her and I were one and that if I was not entitled to a recommend she was not so we went out into the world with out a recommend to give us standing in a new community, this was a great handicap to any one I went through the summer made aquaintances and a reputation as best I could It happened that late that fall Ed Leavitt was in Annabella he was familliar with the facts in the core he also knew me So I took ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p021_akHD9Hd.jpg) him with me and interviewed the Bishop. I wanted him to witness, that told the Bishop the exact truth without exagiration or "attempt to screen my self After I had told my story Ed said he thought I had told the exact truth The bishop said he was pleased with it all and later I was made president of the Young Mens Improvement Association and when I received a long letter from Bishop Bunker appoligising and begging pardon for his conduct and treatment of me, I felt fully vindicated When I had traded for a piece of land suitable for a building spot I went to work on the mountain getting out timber for a house and Corrells but as I had to earn our living as I went along I was quite all summer doing it I hauled Hay, dug drain ditches hauled Poles and did anything I could to earn a dollar Then when there was nothing else to do bought a lot in town and built a pritty good log house on it, I got the house finished Just a few days before our second son Lawrence was born Fortinately I got a job from a new settler Philip Bauchat all winter and so did not want, Mr Bauchat and his wife too were ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p022_WfLrdVM.jpg) good friends to me as long as they lived which was only a few years, that winter I traded my other team for another 10 acres of land adjoining my other 10 but I soon learned that John E Davis did not have a fileing on that land at all that he and others were just holding it under a bluff My informant told me that other parties were ready to file on it but were holding off to give me a chance to save my self I went to Davis and talked to him about it he did not seem to care much about it said he would not move his family down in the brush for it I told him I would have to protect my self so on April 1st 1887 I moved my litte family into a little old shack little better than a stable I filed a pre emption claim because I could do that for $3.50 while a Homestead would cost me $1600 I let that [-] filing run nearly out, then got it changed into a homestead I filed on 160 acres all of which was claimed by other people in 5-10 20-and 40 acre tracts there was very little of it being used though except to trade on there had never been a filing on it except on 1, 40, acres and it had been vacated 7 years before the claiments did not have even good squaters rights to the land ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p023_FAhZqgs.jpg) but I recognized them all and in nearly all cases was able to make satisfactory setlements with them about it but I had no team or out fit of any sort to work with further more I had to have a grub stake without delay I rolled up two quilts and left my wife and her two Babys in the little shack and walked to Marysvale 25 miles, Mr Bauchat got me a Job on a quick silver retort at $250 per day 5 hours shift. I boarded my self to save money I worked there several months bought a good horse for $5000 which I afterward traded for water stock which advanced in value to 50000 I also bought a good cow for $3000 Moved my house from town and fixed up with a little furniture and prepared for winter again I could plainly see that I had to russell so I went to Sulphur Beds in Beaver Co and worked all winter I could only get $15000 per day for work that they would have to pay $250 or $300 for now but any how it helped, many of the young men in Sevier County and particularly in Annabella did not pretend to work in the winter in fact did nothing but sport and dance as a consequence they all "came out spring poor" I did not like this way I wanted to get ahead ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p024_t18AtD0.jpg) but I found that it was a slow process, I can home in April but had no team I hired some plowing done and put in some oats but could see that my money would soon be gone I left with a bunch of other men to spanish Fork Canyon and worked in the timber Cuttrey saw logs R R Ties ect this work was not very remuneritive and besides they had a systim making a man wait several monthes for his pay I got a chance to go home so I went to the comissary and drew up my pay in Bacon, Sugar, tea, Cofee, tobaco, overalls ect and went home Soon after I got home a young man John Joshua Bordines wanted to sell me a team Harness & Wagon (a pretty good outfit) for $10000 I had no money, no grain or Hay and no work for them to earn the money and while it was a bargain I could not see any way to pay for it and was very loth to make any promises but he was anxious to get rid of it and said If I would take it he knew he would get his money he fof offered to take a long time note so I closed with him I had a team again and felt more indipendent than for a long time and have never been without one since I feel uterly helpless without a team ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p025_8LvgHBJ.jpg) That fall I took my wife and Babys and went back to Bunkerville on a visit We had been away 2 1/2 years and was getting home sick, Our people were not expecting us, it was on December 1st My father's birthday When we drove in about 11 o clock they were preparing a big family dinner, and when we were discovered we were greeted with a great demonstration of shouting, laughter and an impro- ptu impromptu dances, we were hugged Kissed and and patted until our sholders were sore we were treated like princes as indeed we were to thim. We visited two weeks and then went back home. Just in time for Christ I took a young Indian boy Called Amos home with me he was a good boy and lived with us several years until he was grown and we were fond of him he then went back to his people and married and I am told has just died (25 years after) My Brother Jim also came and lived with us 2 years he was then called on a mission to New Zealand where he labored 3 years My land for the most part was a refractory clay soil or low land and was not fertile and productive without a ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p026_GhR9pvq.jpg) great deal of work and fertilisation and it was a process getting crops to grow but I kept at it got nice lot of lucern and kept bringing in more, I [-] fencing and fenced my land I also bought a house lot in town and moved into town Times were extr dull there was but little busines or money in circula to work and earn a dollar one had to go far away north out in Nevada I went several times to nevada to work some times I took my team and freighted or worked odd Jobs however it was not very remuneritive but [-] thought I had to do it to get along but I worked hard [---] winter and summer and was getting a head a little all th time Polygamy had been abandoned by the chur the crusade had been stoped and era of good feeling had set in Utah was preparing to be admitted into the Union and the verious Political parties were campa- igning to win control of the state I had aways taken several times as a delegate to Conventions as a peoples party man (the Mormon party) taking ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p027_k1lhXaz.jpg) There was a breaking up of the old Peoples' and Liberal parties and a realignment along National party lines I had read and studied and had sometimes favored one and then another of the Partys but at this time the Democrats got into the field first and formed clubs I noticed the emotional and and unthinking people joined the clubs at the first meeting this disgusted me I thought those question worthy of serious thought, they got very positive and agressive and served notice on us that we had got to get in now if we ever wanted consideration, I resented these things and called them the Rag tags & Bob tails and at my first opertunity anounced that I was a republican and I have affiliated with that party ever since The spring of 1893 found me with a good team and outfit and needing money, very bad or at least I thought so James Bunker and I sized up and went to Pioche Nevada we loaded flour and 400 dozen eggs which we sold at a good profit we then went about 60 miles south behond where Delawar was afterword ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p028_EnSVSoc.jpg) and hauled Lumber to the mines at Pioche we made several trips and made good money then at last in July loaded the first All shiped from Delawar and loaded it on the cars at Milford at that time the terminus of the Rail Road, Business by this time was getting dull again so I sent my team home and went to Occola Nevadd and got a job in a placer, mine, this was very heavy work but I could stand it and hold my Job when they were laying off nearly all theire men but I quit and went home to prepare for winter I had been home but a few days I was upon the mountain after a large load of timber coming down a steep hill My Indian Boy was fulling break for me when he gave the lever a hard jerk it snaped off and turned us loose on a long steep and wooded hill. One of the snaps on my breast strap broke so one horese was all I had to hold the load. My wagon was turned out off the road, one wheele struck a stupip, I was thrown off between the horses. I tried to rollout between the wheels to avoid the drag behind the wagon but the hind wheel struck me in the right ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p029_gDm5GYL.jpg) side. run over me and crushid my right lung. I was very badly hurt and I thought surly killed. I told Amos to ride as quickly as posable for help. I bode him good bye forever for I was spitting blood sweating at every pore and getting cold hands and feet, I realy thought I was dying and was truly surprised to find my self alive when the Bishop and Hy Barney came to me. I asked them to Administer to me and told them I now thought I would get well live. After a while the doctor came and gave me a hy po and releaved the awful pain. they fixed up a litter and carried me home where with careful nurcing I was able to get out in about a month Thinking it best to go to a mild climate for the winter I clothed up the children as well as I could, I bought a load of potatoes and went to Bunkerville, Later I got some work to do at St Thomas. I did very well there; I traded horses and improved my team and earned about a Hundred dollars I came home about the 1st of March and encountered some Cold weather and deep snow. I stood at [---] ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p030_nOxaPvs.jpg) well, and felt no ill effects, and rapidly gained strength. but my wife was afflicted with Rheumatism and was confined to her bed for several weeks. I done nothing except take care of her and the house. In fact I would generaly rather in such cases do this than depend on hired help, I have generaly done this and flatter my self that I am a pretty good cook and housekeeper. I staid home this year and farmed and built a fence. This was the first year that I had realy farmed and the results were so satisfactory that I never realy neglected the farm any more, and things began to come easier to me. > There was a political campaign on that year I sought and received the nomination for County Commisioner on the Rebublican Ticket, I was also elected and I took office on January 1 1895. We had just built a new Court house, my predesessors had exhausted the Bond isue all the money in the treas'y trying to finish the house. "there was no furniture and County warrents were selling for 60 c on the dollar and the business of the County was panac-stricken. ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p031_kaETR21.jpg) the first thing we did was to find the indebitedness and agreed to pay certain interest on all indeditedness This brought our warrents up to par. We bought what furniture that we needed, practiced strict econimy and got through the first year with a small deficit, the next The next year brought statehood. There were a great many changes to bring about and get the machinery in motion, Though the youngest member of the Board I was elected chairman, this placed considerable responsibility on me but by being careful and alert I was able to get through with out many serious blunders, This year there was a national Campaign on and Bryan and free silver the [ishue], I was a straight Republican or "Gold boy" which was an unpobular side, I again received the nomination but was beaten at the polls as was nearly evry other Republican in the state, after serving out my terme I went to Delamar Nevada I worked 5 months in the mill that afterwards killed hundreds of men with the "dust" In just a year or two there was but one man hiring that worked with me; but I was very careful of my health on acount of my injured lung, I was strictly temperate too ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p032_BmojkUc.jpg) although I was much alarmed when they all began to die but have never felt any ill effects from the Dust, I sent my team home and had my little Boys do what farming they could But I was indebt and wanted to pay it off and get a little stake ahead, I quit the mill and I got a job in the mine at $300 per day and I stayed 14 months right there and worked every day. I soon got on a job that was quite easy, but carried some responsibillity I had to lay floors in a slope being worked by Contractors. I also had to repair the shoot and masure and run the Ore The Mine was a very large one the Manager foreman and all the shift bosses were Cornishmen as were also the contractors that I worked with There came a time when they run into hard ground and did not make much It was then they tried to get me to tally up more ore for them I very civily told them that Bright could not wrong any body that was all they were entitled to this did not seem to "reach them so when they insisted that I help them out, I told them there was nothing in it for me and that I was not going to steal for them they all let up on me then but two they concluded to get ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p033_vzzA220.jpg) me fired They did many things to Iritate and intimidate me and tride tried to get me fired but I was very carefull and booked evry carlode of ore, things went on this way for about a month I did not repert them because I thought I was able to hold my own with them and for the other reason that I thought they would lie out of it to their "Cousin Jack" Bosses One night I dreamed that I had an awful fight with a rattlesnake but finely chased him away shakeing his rattles, into a snowdrift They made some lying charges against me to the sampler hoping to get me fired he came to me and asked me what the trouble was I told him that they was sore because I would not steal for them he reported the matter to the foreman who called on me the next day and I told him the h whole story He asked me why I had not reported it to him I told him how I had keept Book on the Tally sheet and that I could take care of the business against them and protect my self too. He went up the ladder as fast as he could they had a big row but they could not convince him that I had lied ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p034_VQ8QEjG.jpg) And he fired two of them then and there on my word and one of them went off cursing and swearing and threatening me but I never seen him again and the affair though I did not talk about it made me many friends. Mitchell the Rattlesnake was out of a job in the dead of winter Hundreds of miles from another job again courage and honesty had won a good victory There was a young man named William Wilkison from Annabilla working there he leaned on me like as if I was an elder Brother we associated with the best people in the town went to church Joined a literary society and had a very interesting time. William had been Called on a mission while there but was ambititous to make a stake to start life on and regarded the call as mowe by the Bishop to cheat him out of his ambititian I talked to him and tried to show and convinse him that the mission would be a blessing and a help to him but he was a stubborn fellow and nurced his own views he worked on the 700 ft level but above chear clear to the surfice was some ground that was partly worked out, and was dangerous. They had ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p035_iNDtWB8.jpg) cleaned the surfice and prepared it to cave in but many did not know it so when it fell many were scared and thought they had had a narrow escape William thought so and got nervous and for some reason decided he had better go on the mission it was now the middle of March and I wanted to go home again so I proposed while he was in the humor to quit and go home which we did that very day we got a freight team to carry us home I was happy indeed to be with my family and friends again. I was now in good financial condition and I got ahead better ever since that time William went on his mission and served two years and got an honorable release when he came home everybody was disapointed in him he seemed to have lost the spirit of his mission I afterwards learned he had fallen into sin with a young woman just at the close of his mission he soon after apostitised wandered all over the country following minning at one time saved a considerable sum of money then fell into evil ways again lost it all then found himself in failing health took a short cut out a life that had become a failure ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p036_yWeJvmr.jpg) insert 1 The winter of 1896 was a very mild, dry and open one after November there was scarcely any storm at all, the sun shone bright all winter on the 23rd of January I planted some wheat hoping to have moisture enough to bring it up early but there was none and had to irigate it up in April nor was there any rain in the spring, but the wind blew fiercely evry few days but in July the rain comensd falling in torrents and there terriable floods it seemed as if all the soil on the canyon sides together with a lot of rock and great Boulders had slid ito into the torrent at the bottom and slid rather than flowed out onto the Bench and then into the valley it was as thick as plasterer's mud and floted great boulders or at least carried them along as easily as if they were wood When those floods did finely come to rest in the valley, the deposites were sometimes 2 or 3 feet deep. I had often wondered how those Boulder strewn benches were made and thought of course the process had long ago ceased but I find it is not so, though I do think it is much slower now than formerly, say in the age of Lake Bonneville. I think then perhaps those barren tie stormes were characterstic of the country ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p037_YXWz7ZR.jpg) insert 2 In those days Sevier County was nothing but a farm country the farms were nearly all small and the farmer and his family aimed to nearly all the work. There was no Rail Road until 1895 there were no mines, no factories, no pay roll, Hay, wheat, Oats and potatoes, were the products. so that any body who had no farm as if for any reason he could or did not work it or if for any reason. he had to earn a dollar, he was almost compelled to go off somewhere else to find the work, there was some times Mountain work hauling fence poles Lumber or someting like that but even then most of the pay was in trade this condition made it particularly hard for me for I had some crop but not enough to make me a full living so was sometimes compelled to leave and get money to buy clothes pay debts and taxes ect Many farmers hauled their Oats, flour, Poultry, Eggs and vegitables to Nevada mining camps to find a market. So too many of the young men and boys got the habit of "going off to work" in the summer season and coming home in the winter. So prevelent was this in some sections that we spoke to and of young married women left at home as "widows". The system though perhaps necessary was somewhat demoralizing and not good ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p038_gKn3vcQ.jpg) 103 insert 3 It retarded development delayed the making of good homes and farms, trained the Boys and young men away from the farm and spoiled their interest in those Best things in all rural communities. They acquired a taste for tobacco liquor and sometimes riotous living. Sometimes in the small towns those things led to serious affairs sometimes shooting and killing. I recall a case though not so serious will serve to illistrate my subject it accured in Annabella We were having a public celebration when two young married men who were drinking heabily and their wives got into a heavy platform Buggy insisted on driving rapidly up and down the street filled with women children they were often cautioned and admonished but paid no attention. In those small towns where every one are aquainted and nabors citizens are very loth to interfere in such matters, there are many young men who resent any interference by older men in what they regard as their rights and if there is some general intoxication or only Partial they are ready to start a "rough house" in this case the constable would not do his duty and went home The Justice of the Peace came me and commanded me to arrest the young men ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p039_FXImcUF.jpg) insert 4 I was talking to the Bishop Joseph W. Fairbanks he was a nervy man who could fight as well as pray. I called him to assert me because I knew what would happen as the men in the buggy came by I went out unto the street and haled them, the driver Fred Bosnett turned the horses in an effort to run over me but I caught the horse by the bits and unhiched one tug the half inebreated driver began beating me on the back with his lines when I steped upon the wheel to get hold of him he receeded to the for side of the wagon while his Brotherinlaw John W Gardiner ran up behind me struck me several times in the back of the head then when I turned to him ran away only to come back and repete the operation several times The Dalton the man in the back seat was quite drunken and woo more eisiely taken care of The Bishop worked around on the other side and had Jerked Barnet out threw him down and was holding him when Barnets wife ran up and kicked him under the Jaw and nearly put him out Many other young men had started to poke part in the Mele but were stoped by older men Ed Dalton run into Hy Bosney and got an awful walloping there was some more rioting but we ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p040_iL7hwW1.jpg) insert 5 finely got it quelled, but the young fellows generely sympahtized the culprits, and when they, the four of them were tried convicted and fined $20.00 each and were allowend to give bond for payment their sympathizers went on their bonds, then when the County forced payment the Bonsmen had to pay the fines, I was right well pleased This affair Brough things to a climax we served notice on the young roughs that we were going to have place and order and we did finely have it But I and Hy Barney and others have had to get out nights sometimes with clubs and hurt out rioters arrest them and sometimes send them to County Jail I was now quite unpopular with many of the young men some of them made threats against me but I was generaly alert and gave them no good chance, or at any rate occasion to start it I got a chance that fall to "heap coals of fire on one of the fellows head" John W. Gardiner, we were hauling wood out of Cottonwood a water canyon, that year the floods had left the bottom full of loose gravel for a mile and a half, Though it has sinse all been washed out Cury Lisonbee and I were working together for up the canyon and were the last teams to start out we soon came to Gardiner he had a Balky horse and was cruelly beating it we drove on past him and said nothing on down and out ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p041_ToRzC3P.jpg) insert 6 of the canyon onto the bench where I was sure he could pull his load it was now nearly Dark but I stoped and told Lisonbee that I had to remodle my load and for him to take my team and go back a full Gardiner out explaining that he was so angry he might want to fight me I further told him to unhich Gardiner team and hitched mine on and came right along this consumed more an hour but he got home with his load all right. he was completely surprised, shamed and humbled he talked to us and his friends about it and it led to better feeling and later on gave me considerable prestage among the young fellows that helped me in several ways but more particularly in a political way I also learned something out of it or at least received more evidence to prove what I already knew that is that we should never hold a grudge or cultivate malace because it injures us more than anyone else after having trouble I get control of my feelings just as soon as posable and eradicate all harmful resentments and if my oponnent is a manly fellow as soon as convenient show him friendliness I have discovered that it works out fine and I dont recall any instance of having to right it ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p042_T5WlQp9.jpg) I stayd home and worked my home farm that summer and raised a fairly good crop. I also hauled lumber from the sawmill making good money but late in November I went again to Delamar Brother Jim and Cury lisonbee went with me we all worked there until March then I went home lisonbee went with me but Jim stayed in Delamar Joe Thurston also came with me he had been working a year in Delamar and had more than $50000 saved He was a Democrat and had nearly hollered his head off for "Free silver" and had abused everybody called "Gold bugs" he had never had any money before but now all his money was gold coin nothing else would do, nothing but yellow gold coin and we teased him good and plenty about his consistancy and his politics I formed again that summer My mother came from California that fall, one of her daughters Gussie Felts had married Willard Bean of Richfield I had not seen mother for 21 years and she seemed almost like a stranger to me but I gave her my love and was glad to help he in any way I could but she was quite unsettled in her plans I could not tell what she wanted to do ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p043_QdlnWfX.jpg) but she finely decided she wanted to go Bunkerville to see the rest of the folks so I took her down there The meeting between her and my father was cordial he soon made her feel comfortable and we had a good visit I got a job mining and staid all winter I had used each opertunity to practice in public speaking and had acquired some little reputation at it while at Bunkervill I attended a public social in honor of the Bishop and was given a place on the program It seems that at a previous affair of some kind Joseph Earl had bored them telling a dream He was now just preceeding me and the man presiding gaily told him there should be no telling of dreams there was great Laughter so when it came my turn to speak I supose to make another laugh some body shouted the same admonition to me immediately an inspiration came to me and abandoning my serious prepared talk, I humored the joke I said I recall having heard about another Joseph in the long ago, and curiously enough he was a dreamer too he had wonderful dreams and like the present Joseph he made the mistake of telling them to his friends and got himself into very serious trouble and, into prison ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p044_GhaRYdP.jpg) where he had plenty of time to consider his folly He then went to interpreting othere peoples dreams which made him such a good reputation that he got a job from the king This brought him honor and success, Then turning to Joseph Earl I advised him not to tell his dreams to his friends, I had made a hit, and the house roared I always liked public speaking and often took part in debates and was often apointed Orator at 4th of July and other celebrations I have adrressed public assemblages upon many different subjects and have sometimes won praise and complements but sometimes have brought down censure too, I have never wanted to preach however because while a pritty prim believer in the doctrines of mormonism, was never any where ashamed of it, always willing to defend it, I never felt as if I absoloutly knew it was true, was a bit chary about saying that I knew it about the strongest things I had to impress my audiences was earnestness and sincerity to make these effective you must be positive which I could not always be for I could not always tell or differentiate between what I beleived ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p045_POBBNyo.jpg) what I hoped for, and what I knew I have often taken isue with preachers Church officials and others I h expect I have often been wrong or at least allowed my self to be placed in a wrong position, but I had the good sense to never allow myself to be deceived or to deceive my self, so no matter what ground I took or allowed my self to be driven to, in and argument often it was all over I came back to the base line of the proposition and reviewed it all over dispossuentely with a view to arriving at the truth I beleive that by pursuing this policy I have grown stronger in the faith, Mormonism satisfies my hope, convinces my my judgement and justifies my loyaty as no other does or could I have not the slightest compunctim about teaching and recommending it to my children although I am not nearly so punctilus about some fine points as some people I sincerely hope to "stick" to the end I came home in the spring from BU paid some bills helped the boys with the crops and then in May I got a chance to buy a new Buggy and harness at a Bargain it was the first big luxury we had indulged in ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p046_30ClItv.jpg) I also had a pair of nice little mares to drve on it and we enjoyed it very much but it was probably more comfort to my wife than any of us she understood horses and enjoyed driving them and gave her an opertunity to go and come independently when I was away, at this time the Automobile was only an experiment and our equipage was as nobby as any bodys, but it had to be paid for, there was good wages in mining so I went Bingham and worked in the Hyland boy mine they put me to working out ground that had caved it was loose and dangerous and every inch had to be timbered I worked several months at this and picked up considerable knowlege about timbering, After this job was done I asked for and got the Job Timberman it paid biger wages I staid here until March when I quit and went home to farm the next winter I went to Bunkerville and worked in the Keywest mine, My Mother was cook there and I got better aquainted with her than I had ever been I think she now realized how much she had lost and would have gladly done anything in reason to rectify the mistake, but it was to late, there was now no opertunity I had to face another heart ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p047_Cwzgjfa.jpg) breaking scene, again I had to be firm and almost stern with her but I was just and charitable our family affairs had got into such a shape that they could not be reconciled to her wishes she was much disappointed and soon went back to California much to our disappointment her second family all married they were of but little comfort to her after a few years she married again and elderly widower, they have a litle Berry farm and truck garden at Fortuna Humboldt Co and are living Happily at this time, 1917 She was a bright intelligent woman also hansom, she longed for what she called better things, meaning money and the things wealth would buy she had some flattering friends who made her think that those things were within her reach but she could see no way to attainment with Father she had a brother who had many years before gone to, California to the gold mines, she had some romantic Ideas and thought of course he must be rich and powerful after several years she found him he had some gold mines but worked them on a small scale much as a farmer works his farm a good enough man but had married and raised a ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p048_b3dHMis.jpg) a family by an Indian woman I am sure her pride received an awful schock when she discovered Her husband was about as worthless a cuss as could be immagined he abused her starved her and tried to kill her she had to leave him he finely went lived and died with the indians but through it all she preserved a good reputation but what a price to pay for a "romantic hope" for "better things" Foot note by L. B Abbott Things went on about the same with me for a year or two I farmed in the summer and worked in the mines in the winter If I had chosen to make mining my occupation I could have easily got into a position of trust and responsibility and drawn a good big salary but I had a big family of boys some of them almost grown now, I did not want to leave them all the time nor did I want them to grow up in the mining camps with their lights and shadows, Principaly shadows the time had come when I must do something different I found too that though I was able to make big money for a working man my health was being shattered the boys too were following me to the mines I did not like this so I went home, I talked to several of my friends and there being a Political campaign on resolved to try for the sheriffs office ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p049_G4aOSRM.jpg) The present incumbent of the sheriffs office was W H Clark a friend of my father and of myself too he was an able officer and had a state wide reputation but was an old man now had lately been shot and wished to retire but I felt considerable trepidation in following one so able I was easily elected defeating the city mashal of Richfield much to the surprise of his friends this was a line of work entirely new to me I was resolved to be very careful and make as few blunders as posable, for I thought it would be very hard for me to make a reputation to make matters worse. [-] J Stewart the new County Attorney was a sly man who wanted to do things by cunning, Paul Ply Pry peeping sam methods all of which was distasteful to me, he aimed to force me into things that seemed trival and foolish to me or do some detective work himself thus discrediting me, but he injured him self with his auspicious, and ill advised persecutions. There had been considerable complaint about some cattle risselers on the mountain two young men Walt Anderton and Ed Rasmussen were the men generaly accused a delegation of cattle men same and asked me if something could not be done to stop it I told them I would try if they would help me which they promiced to do the russellers heard of ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p050_GdbOBwF.jpg) it and said they would learn that damed doga sheriff something I went to work on a promicing case I went on the range with the cattlemen and picked out a hieffer said to have been stollen by them, upon their discription I arested the fellows and put them under bonds and scored them nearly to death they had been smart enough not to Brand the heiffer or dispose of her and so shiped of out of it but the portines ship was broken up Ed who was realy a decent fellow went into lagitamate business I had two other affairs with Anderton and I am sure he fully respected the doga sheriff this affair made me sollid with the Cattlemen but the affair that gave my friends reassurance happened a little while afterward A disreputable looking "Dago" came through the country tramping he was a cunning fellow carried a sharpened broomstick to fight off dogs and without doing any or saying anything to get him into trouble his appearance frightened women so that willingly gave him food, gold to get rid of him A boy about 12 years old came home at vermellian with the saddle strings tied around his neck and told his mother that the ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p051_Vzu3Kim.jpg) Dago had caught him on the dug way and tied him and turned the horse loose The constable a bright fellow immediately went over the ground and could see no trackes any where near the suposed scene I investigated the matter but could find nothing tangable but The paper published a report of the matter and all the women beleived the story. One of my friends said, "Sheriff, I think you had better hunt that Dogo up," for he had now completely disapeared, I told him my theory of the case and said it was just a waste of public money. "No matter" he said Many people beleive it and furthermore your reputation is at stake you had better spend the money I thought it over and concluded to do it and with out consulting the County Attorney went to Provo the Sheriff there knew the Dogo and said he thought he was somewhere in the county then we called the various city marshals and asked them to pick him up if he was around the next morning the Marshal of Lehi reported that he had him I wrote out a "Dummy" warrent and went and got him I searched him carfully for weapons found a raizor hanging around his neck put handcuffs on him for he made ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p052_6p1LoBC.jpg) excelent villain and as there were many Sevier County people on the train I got considerable advertising out of it I put him in Jail and then went to the County Attorney and got a warrant the Attorney went with us to Vermillian the boy was not at home so left the Dogo with the attorney and he was to watch for recognition between them when I brought him in but there was not the slightest indication of it, and the boy promptly said "that was not the man" I discharged the fellow and gave him note stating that had discharged him to protect him against Marshals I also gave him $300 I had made a reputation all right and the people felt well satisfied I was on the job all the time though the salary was small and I felt the need of a larger income I got what I could of the farm but at the end of the first year I found I was a little behind I often had leasure time but could not lannch out for fear Official Business might and did intervene at any time I had been interested for some time Genealological work for some time I now found an opertunity to do this work I became very much interested in it and was quite successful and I now regard that some of the most satisfactory and valluable work ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p053_ROHCYKk.jpg) then went on down to Loa where he took treatment from Patriach Blackburn a great who had a great reputation as a healer. I took him to the Blackhawk war veterans camp fire at Ephraim. He enjoyed himself much, then I took him to Ogden where he met many of his old friends <& relatives and> said goodbye to all his relitives He said that he enjoyed it and that it was the climax of his life, he went home, put his affairs in order and died Sept 3 1907. He was a good man had been active, vigorous, Industry and honest all his life. His children loved him very much and regard his life as successful, though the means he had accumilated was pitifuly small. ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p054_b7vOb9n.jpg) . The year 1906 brought us to another County election I was a candidate and had very little opposition for the nomination I. J. Stewart the County attorney was a Democrat but had now anonssed himself as a local Republican wanted to be renom- inated by the Republicans. He was a hard man to get along with and I hoped for his defeat. George I Bean another reformed democrat was a candidate. Then there was John G. Jorgensen a bright, genial young fellow who had just been admitted to the bar, he had been County clerk 4 years. He came to the Office from Monroe bought a home in Richfeld so when he came up for his second term Monroe would not claim and nominate him and neither would Richfield. In the convention I was a delegate from Annabella. We could see that Annabella could get nothing so we ribbed up a surprise. When nominations were called for for County clerk the precincts were called in alphabetical order, Annabelle came first. I, in a neat little speech, called attention to John's record, his abillity and the anomelous position he was in, told the Convention we had no candidate so would adopt John S Jorgensen, I then nominated him for County Clerk he was nominated amid much enthusiasm. ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p055_67Mhfb6.jpg) So when it came to nominations for County Attorney in 1906 Judge John F Chidester and others came to me and wanted me to nominate John for County Attorney I demured and told them I too was a candidate before the convention and that Stewart & Bean were both delegates and had may friends who would be sore at me and do me "dirt" but they said I had not opposition and that they would take care of me. that I could do it in a manner that would carry weight and must do it. my objections were all overruled and I did it and John was easily nominated but just as I had fore seen I had transfered the fight to my self. Both factions turned on me and I just did nose out in the convention, but having won the nomination, I had a walk over in the election with over 700 majority. now came Now came one of the pleasentest 4 years in my whole life, I had mastered the intricacys of successful detective work had acquired confidence, tact and good executive ability My acquaintance had greatly extended, I had an annual pass on the Rail Road and could go and come at will I was generaly respected even by lawbreakers for I had always been considerate of their feelings and treated then justly ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p056_LiNHrBb.jpg) I always considered it my business to try and reform offenders rather than punish them, though I am free to confess that I still think some punishment is often necessary John F Chidester Judge of the 6 Judicial district court Joseph H Erickson District Attorney Parley Magleby County clerk Morton Jenson, George I Stevens and Henry Larsen County Commisoners John [-] Jorgenson County Attorney M A Abbott sheriff Sam Clark Treasurer with a few appointees and lesser offices comprised what came to be know as the Court House gang they were able bright, Congenial pleasent bunch and with one or two exceptions Clean. I never had, and never hope to have more congenial companions or live a more completely satisfing life though at the end of 4 years we all fell out politicaly scattered alroad and some died I am sure the living all carry pleasent memories just I do of those times. My salary had been raised so that by very strict economy I could make my income pay my expenses I had enough good hard work to keep me busy and interested but paid strict attention to business all the time so that public men genearly treated me with respect and consideration and ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p057_9xdVItz.jpg) Lawyers who entrusted their Civil work to me often wrote me letters of appreciation. I never meddled in the town affairs or the work of the town marshals unless requested to do so or it became necessary on account of their inability to handle the work. I had a great deal of Insanity cases to handle I learned to manage my patients without much trouble and had several heavy Ceriminal cases that at least gave me considerable satisfaction. The campagn of 1908 came on there was beginning to be felt some political uneasiness all over the country Magazine writers criticized public men and measures Public men everywhere noticed political and social unrest so in a local way people began talking about the court house [-]unch not for any wrong doing, but because of the harmony among them and fear of their domination in political affairs. So that in Richfield, the big precinct in the county in prmary held for the election of deligates to the County Ceowenty every one of us were defeated and only went to the Convention as alternates, However it turned out that we had a few friends on the deligation that were of great assistance to us ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p058_PGLEeky.jpg) It looked bad for us as they our opponents were confident and jubilent, but our friends were all there from the other precincts in sufficient numbers to give us a majority after we got a grip on the situation our opponents however organized the convention nominated the representitive and two Commoners but those nominations were so distasteful to many that they sost control right there and we sitting back as advisors dictated evry subsequent nomination our selves mostly a more the convention was held at Elsinore and a more crest fallen disapointed bunch I never saw and in the exection that followed the two commisioners who were realy unfit were the only men on the ticket to be defeated For many years it has been the practace to nominate a woman for County recorder this time Miss Viola Burr a young Grass widow was nominated and elected The work in the County Attorneys and sheriffs offices made natural team mates of Mr Jorgensen and I but aside from that we were naturaly congenial Just as Sol Sprague and I had been [-] years before, He was a hansome fellow and was very attractive to the Ladies There had been rumors ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p059_3aQJ2hP.jpg) of some kind during his incumbence of the clerks office but positive evidence was lacking and the matter almost forgotten He was such an able, genial, good fellow people were pleased to forget but when a pronounced intimacy sprang up between him and the new recorder it set all the tongues around the court house and around town, too, nagging at first I was not supiciouse Jorgenson had two sisters working, one in his Office and one in the recorders office I thought it imposable that he would be indiscreet in their presents he also had a family but finely the matter was called to my Attention by Miss Burss own family and also one morning I went hurriedly into Johns Office on business they were in the inner Office and she was weeping. Ignoring the situation I stated my business briefly and withdrew for I was then on my way to the Train A few days later I refered to the affair and told him there was some gosip afoot and reminded him of the danger they were both in I could do this with natural ease and propriety on account of the intimacy betwen our work and also our friendship and the difference in our ages He got a little indignant about the gossip saying an unprotected woman could not even have a friend but her reputation was in danger ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p060_mZ3bwuu.jpg) Of course that was allright but it did not deceive me and I told him that it had gone far enough he had better be careful and that I could not premit a stench right under my nose to go unnoted This clouded our friendship for a while but I noticed that she did no spind so much time in his office However her infatuation was such as to make her reckless of consequences and hateful toward me she did not try to conseal her hate although I had never said a word about it in her presence later on her Father wrote me several letters about the affair telling me several things to look out for and other members of her family put evidence in my hands I did not want to make a disturbance or any public exposures I only wished to stop liason but it went on and got more rank I was now finishing my third term and intended to retire from Office My two oldest sons Perry & Lawrence had gone to Millard County and became interested in the new Carry Act Lands at Delta They had appealed to me to come and pass judgement on it and I had become interested too and bought 80 acres and wanted to give my whole attention to my new investment I layed the evidence I had accumilated against the pair before the judge and district Attorney they did not discredit me but thought we would be unable to prove it in court and thought as ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p061_52uZ9Xk.jpg) there was another campaign coming on it would hurt the party and advised me to drop the matter for the present under the circum- stances I thought perhaps it just as well to do it but as time went on the leaders of the party out in the out side precincts began to ask me questions about the matter And I told them frinkly of the things I had seen and heard of my report to the court Officials and of their conclusions My simple story seemed to convince these level headed men there were at least a half dozen of them but I will not name them now they told me I must not quit that it had all occured under my nose and I must vindicate my self or share the odium some insisted that I again become a candit so I could better conduct the fight against the reelection of Mr Jorgensen and Miss Burr I did not like this and my wife strongly advised against it but I finely yealded to their my friend advise Candidates were already getting together and pledging each other help planing team work and the leaders were selecting the strong ones or the one that would contribute most to their on success I met the Judge and John in the latters office one day and talked politics with them I told John I thought he and I had better Lay out this time for the good of the party I told them that if John would lay out this term he would be in line for the District Attorney ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p062_A052osf.jpg) office, The Judge said why not stay in the County Attorneys office and be more directly on line. Then I said I had made up my mind to quit but if you are going to stick, I am. They had been my best political friends but they did not congratulate me, did not say anything but we all knew what the result would be, a fight to a finish, I could not team with my old mates I did not care for my on success but I did want to defeat Mr Jorgensen and Miss Burr The first ding thing I did was to go to Mr Henry Hays a very popular Democratic Attorney who has just been elected District Judge of that 6th Dist and ask him to become a candidate against Mr Jorgenen he demured and said he could not afford it, that the chanes were against him I told him why he should make the race told him he owed it to the people that it would bring him prestige and that I would pledge him my suport and many other republicans Still he did not agree to run but I and several of my helpers went to his Democratic friends and urged them to nominate him and then he could not refuse and as the scheme worked out all right we also groomed Nephi Bates as a candidate against Mr Jorgensen in the Republican Convention held at Salina but the other fellows were not Idle and in the ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p063_gkFo90f.jpg) scramble for delegates held their own in Richfield with us and rather layed it over us in the out side precincts so it turned out that they nominated their ticket easily Mr Jorgenson Miss Burr included and now the campaign was on But under cover the fight centered around the County Attorney Office Mr Jorgenson and I each to vindicate him self had to discredit the other and day he asked me what I expected to get out of it I told him nothing except his defeat then he said why do you want to defeat me I replied to save you and the party both The Judge too tried to get me to desist saying that I was injuring him I told him that I was throwing rocks in this campaign and if he stood in the way he might get hit so the fight went on, I went personaly to the very best people and told them the facts in the core there were some realy good men on the ticket but who had weakly toadied to Mr Jorgensen for a place on the ticket so when the election was over only 3 men on the ticket that had in no way owed Mr Jorgenson their portion got through Just one commisioner the Assessor and the Surveyor I was not for a few days the best hated and the most popular man in Sevier County but I took my honor modestly and ignored the hatered or only laughed at them ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F2_p064_JXcBc4k.jpg) here I presume there is a spark of the pioneering spirit in me at any rate I entered into the subdung the Desert with an enthusiasm that thrilled me through and through The making of new farms new homes villages & towns appealed to me and brought my best efforts I did not underestimate the difficulties disappointments or hard labor or the time required to ackomplish those things I was passed middle age but only wished for 10 years more youth However I was rested had vigor and strength teams and implements and boys to help so I tackled the job with high hope I finished my term as Sheriff without particular incident and then prepared to tackel my new Job vigorously The winter of 1910-11 set in early, November and December were cold months but from January 15 to february were mild and sunny My son Howard and I made two trips to Delta with timber and lumber & slabs stuff we had on hand that would come in handy building bridges, sheds ect when March come in we prepared to go over and put in crops I took Implements ans some cooking utensels with my Daughter Sepha to keep house ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p001_2DpsMRY.jpg) we arrived on the Fourteenth of the month and soon commenst operations we built a granery with Attic to sleep in and commensed clearing land and putting in wheat however it was a month before the water came in the canals and well into May before our crop was all in and Irigated 32 acres of wheat 30 acres of Oats and acre of potatoes and some corn I wanted to give it a good trial before letting go of our holdings in Sevier County School was now out and my wife insisted on me bringing her over to camp with us I had intended on leaving her and the kiddies sitting comfy in the old home while mwe did the pioneering and testing out but I went and brought her over and such things as we could to make her comfortable She was patient and happy as we all were for the crops came up well and grew apace and yealded well we threshed 21 hundreds of Bushels that decided us some of the Oats went 100 bushels to the acre there was no schools however so I took her and the kiddies back to the old home for the menter but O I returend and worked building new canals for the ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p002_9o67WzE.jpg) company and made good money until croping time come which I did not neglect In the meantime I had sold my farm in armabilla and got some money horses & cattle and 10 000 feet of native lumber to help build up a new home still my wife hesitated about sellind her old home until she had a new one she having entailed a great deal of time and labor and also expense I went home in April and took here to Salt lake for conference and an outing and visit and had time to presuade her to sell the place which we did I promiced her I would build her a better home than she had ever had but I left her there until school was out and went back and finished the cropping and then in May went back and brought her back to camp another summer but in the meantime there were many settlers coming in so I fixed up a horse and buggy and sent my Daughter and a naber girl out with a pettition among the settlers to have a new school district and voting organized calling the new precinct Sutherland in honor of Senator Sutherland now a Justice of the Supreme court of the United States ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p003_fNxcycB.jpg) 1912 [page torn]ried the pettition before the Board of county com- missioners and the petition was granted and a board of trustees appointed one of the commisioners also sujested where we might borrow sufficient money to build a small school house and in due time we did this we built it of Brick all of the hauling and much of the Labor was done by Donation of the settlers the house was not finished until late in the season but we opened and held a short term of school For the most part the settlers were strangers to each other but they worked and got aong well together in a public way It may appear that I led out in nearly all there affairs which is true the people expected and wanted me to do it My son lawrence now po married but poor had not much to do with wanted to Join me in my farming operations so we leaned and cleared up 120 acres of new land for me Guy Lewis of Richfield and we raised more than 4000 bushells of grain that year of 1912 I kept my sons Howard and Leon on the road a good share of the time in early summer haliling lumber and building material [page torn] [--] which I had dressed up at the planning mill at Richfield ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p004_4S7xUCE.jpg) In the meantime my wife and I were planning our new house but I let her have her own way in most things for I wanted her to be content and happy It was built out of Sawed dry white pine logs 4 inches thick planed tongued and gruved like rustic on one side I hired a man named Thorsen who was an expert on that kind of building. It was Dovetailed in all the corners and joints and nailed a w very substanciel building lathed and plastered inside contained seven rooms we finished it painting and all and moved in in the spring of 1913 and were all happy we had now quite a community and felt like we wanted a church organization to carry on that Part of our affairs so I called President Hinckley on the Telephone for we had a local line from Delta and asked him to come out and see us and organize a ward after some time this was done George B Shiply was made Bishop Laurence Abbott first and Jensen Hulse second councilors Mary M Abbott president of the relief society a sunday school had allready been organized for the most part the people of Sutherland were contented and happy but allover the North track as the whole section is called there a great many outsiders or gentiles they were called there was much ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p005_5eWrwSl.jpg) The winter of 1916 was hard much cold and snow then was an epidemic of Rabies around the Coyote's it seemed to start in southern Oregon from inoculation and spread over Nevada and Utah the poor brutes crazed with desease went every where lost fear of man and became a great menice they fought the dogs who in turn bit people, houses, cows, hogs, cats and each other my son Leon was bitten by a mad dog and I had to take him to Salt Lake where he took the Pastuar treatment some who neglected to do this Died It was this year too and 1917 when the Flu swept over the whole country killing thousands sometimes almost wiping out whole families and taking toll from nearly all families but mine all escaped for which we were very thankful ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p006_bCokx35.jpg) dissactisfaction and contention with the Delta land and water company many meetings were held and much illfeeling and vituperation indulged in I did not like this and seldom went to their meetings but did accept one appointment to go before the Slate Land Board with certain complaints and request however this was only suc- cessful in part many of the settlers were only what is known as Boomers and as soon as the speculative fever had abated began to go and that was just as well for development went on we raised much wheat and alfalfa and many hogs. We started Beet Culture which developed into a considerable Industry a Branch Rail Road was built from Delta to Lucerne 13 miles through good agricultural land a large sugar factory was built at Delta a large amount of Alfalfa seed was raised and several cleaning and grading plants were built and and business was good. The roads were really all graded up and easier communication established a rural free delivery Route established every body bought Automobiles we had a good climate good productive soil good transportation and good markets and good water rights. It looked as if our greatest difficulties were over Add ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p007_2Rsq6xr.jpg) A BUSINESS PROMOTIONAL TRIP TO MONTANA 1 In August 1916 I was rquested to go to Hamilton Montana as a land expert where they were trying to establish a new Beet Sugar factory I was to pass judgement on the Land offered for Beet culture and secure contracts 4th origonial Page 44-to-45 ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p008_zqvLkGu.jpg) 2 It seemed there was considerable rivalry between Hamilton and Misoula both trying to secure the factory for their locality in a teritory only large enough for one at first I was given the poorest teritory in the whole district Darby and the uper valley but had a well known local mass with a good car as a helper we worked hard and met with some success upon the first evening of my arrival a meeting of the Farmers was called which was largely attended I was called to address the meeting which I did as a Farmer not as an expert. I also answered many questions explained But culture as well as I could and the benefits of another money crop to then this seemed to impress them I worked hard in a business sort of a way without ostentation I had a chance to meet Bankers and businessmen and many large landowners who leased their land and was listened to with courtisy and attention Some farmers called for me to visit them personaly to talk over their problems So toward the last I went all over the valley we secured to acrage covered by contracts sufficient to guarantee the building of the Factory and then came home although I was offered a position there with the factory people I declined for I was doing well at home and did not care to move ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p009_Phu6iEr.jpg) Drainage Affair 1917-29 5th only or 12 Payc 45-To-49 Our high hope for good times and big crop were soon to be shattered, we were using large quanities of Irigation water and in 1917 there were several places indialeng (of water, etc) ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p010_iI2AzjM.jpg) Of waterloging with a strong content of Alklili on the surfice which prevented germination of seed and killed established plants this condition spread rapidly and by 1918 we all knew something must be done or else every body would be financialy ruined and have to move away Ther had been some attempts at Drainage at Hinckley, Oasis, corinne and some other places but the work was attempted on too small a scale and too cheaply to do us any good nor were they themselves very successful The encroachment of the waterlogging was generaly gradual but sometimes a whole field of alfalfa would be ruined at a simple irigation it was one of the most heart breaking conditions that I ever encountered About this time Mr R A Hart senior drainage engineer of the United States in the west visited us and told us that the land could be drained and reclaimed but on account of the level con- dition of the land and the distances for discharge and the large extent of the land that it would be quite expensive that a survey would have to be made before a acurate estimate could be made That a Commitee should be appointed to asscertain what lands should be drained and how many farmers wanted drainage accordingly some meetings were held and a commitee of several members elected ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p011_6Ju9HPi.jpg) to carry on this work. I was among this number we found the track was very large and reported back to another meeting our findings At this meeting we decided to organize a Drainag district recommeded six men from whom the county commisioners could select 3 for the first Board of supervisors again I was one of the six At a meeting of the Board of County commisioners on November 13th 1917 <1917> I was appointed one of the first Board of supervisors DN Gunston and JB Seams were the other two Our first business was to Levy a tax on the land listed of 50 e per acre to cover the expenses of organization and pre- liminary surveys to ascertain if the propct was feasable and with in reasonable cost we hired Caldwell and Richards of Salt Lake to make the survey After the survey had been made they estimated the minimum cost at $2800 per acre and a maximum of $3500 per acre the Benefits were estimated double that figure we reported back to another meeting of the land owners and were instructed to go ahead put the rest of the machinery of the Drainage District in operation and proceed to drain the land according ly I went to Salt Lake and secured the services of Mr O P Soule Attorney to help us ferfect our organization and get the Ball to rolling now there was much to do ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p012_Enq2KPk.jpg) Insert The big machines bit into the ground and 65 miles of Open canals were dreged out to cary the ground water out onto the desert to points of discharge and the great tile machines cut the trenches and land the tile large and small while trucks scurried here and ther distributing the tile hauled in by hundreds of Rail Road cars 9 ranges built form bridges while other gang with teams backfilled the trenchs and burried the tile lines altogether it was a very busy scheme sceane Mr Seans and I were very busy. Men supervising everything consulting with the engineers our attorneys meeting and pasifying aggreeved farmers adjusting differences and paying the bills In one month in one check we paid the contractors $83.000 There was trouble with the Rail Road People abut Rail Road crossings and strikes and tile breakage but every thing was adjusted and the work went on ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p013_rqE7ZyK.jpg) By 1920 we had fully demonstrated that the lands could be Drained and reclaimed but the dense groth of Tumble weeds and Thistles and other weed grothes during the waterloging period were a great nucence to us blowing and filling up our open drains and open tile trenches they had also raped the land of much of its former fertility the drains too washed out some of the valuable mineral salts so that sometimes the land was slow in responding to cultivation and bringing fourth heavy field crops The farmers through loss of crops and discourge -ment were hard up and none to confident about the success of drainage were slow about paying their taxes and as the credit of the District had to be maintained there was a heavy drain on our recources So now we began to see there must be another Bond ishue of $440.000 however we went before the people and they voted the Bonds In 1920 Mr Seams was afflicted with cancer of the stomache and died in November Now the work and responsibility on me was much augmented Mr Albert Watts of Woodrow was appointed to take his place he was a good man and a hard worker and also a good friend of mine but was inexperienced However we carried on. Insert In the spring of 1921 came the governmental Policy of Deflation valued tumbled land values farm Products cattle, sheep and stocks of all kind ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p014_0Ji1Vxd.jpg) The Rail Roads, Markets and all kinds of trade was almost demoralized Bands and banking set money for legitimate Business was almost unattainable no matter what the security offered, the Banks held on to their money, they did not want securities/ here Mr Livingston treasure of the District had several large ranches and was a large operater in cattle He had a large Bunch of cattle feeding for the market when the cattle were ready for market the Rail Roads were in the midst of a serious Strike of it operatives and would not recieve the shipments Hay and other feeds were high and hard to get He was compelled to hold his stock and to feed heavily and needed a large sum of money to do so Thousands of middle aged men in Utah farmer's, Cattle and sheep men went Broke at this time in many cases their entire fortunes were swept away By the time Mr Livingston could and did sell his cattle Deflation had set in prices had fallen and he suffered a great loss The District owed Mr Foley $180 000 for construction work and he needed it very badly to pay operating expenses and labor and material Our books showed we had the money Mr Watts and I wanted to pay him but Mr Livingston was dilatory, Contions and unwilling to part with the money saying perhaps ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p015_1XssfKs.jpg) The Bond People would have difficulty in getting the money fast enough for us and urged us to more caution further more we could not get him to attend our meetings at Delta All the time Mr Foley was demanding his money and we could give him no valid excuse One day I was riding along alone thinking about our affairs when an Inspiration came to me When I next saw Mr Watts I asked him if he knew any reason why Mr Livingston did not want to pay Foley. NO! he said, I don't. Well I said I may be off a mile but I am just afraid he has used some of our money and cant get it back for a while That may be so he said Then I proposed that we both go to Salt Lake and there with our attorneys try and get a meeting with Mr Livingston This being agreeable with Mr Watts we went about the first of May We found Mr Livingston very busy with his own Personal affairs and on account of press of business he put us off from day to day After several days I imparted my impressions to Mr Soule no such thought had occured to him but upon consideration he thought there might be something to it but no mention of it was made to any one else One night after Mr Watts and I had retired Mr Livingston came to our Hotel Room and we had ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p016_D4HR5J0.jpg) a long conversation in which he plead with us to be patient that he was in a jam right now which needed moment of his time and attention but it was clearing up and in a day or two at most he would be at liberty to meet with us we agreed upon a time to meet at Soules Office. We waited until the time set and then waited again Without saying any thing I left and went to his Office his Office man said he was not in and did not know where he was I was angry and thought the Man was lying any way So I said My Patients are all worn out and so is everybody else'es I dont care a damn where he is or what his engagements are or weather he comes to our meeting or not and I left the meeting office I was in a towering rage but composed myself before going into Souls Office At an opertune time I told Mr Watts and Mr Soule what I had done but no one else They approved and thought Perhaps that would bring things to a climax and it did That evening a telephone call from Mr Carl Badger's Office requested an interview in his office a 8 PM with Mr Soule Mr Watts and my self with Mr Livingston in attendance By this time we were ready for any thing but were all calm For myself I know I was as grimm and stoical as an Indian ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p017_DswGKQc.jpg) We went at the apointed time and waited. When Mr Badger came in he said I will not keep you waiting gentemen Dan has used a lot of your money and in the stress of present conditions can not replace it How much he could not tell but a very large sum Soon Dan came in worn and distorted, bloodshot eyes and in an almost uncontrolable frienzy I have seen many insane people but none more pittiable "Oh," he exclaimed, "I took the money, Oh those poor people down there; I had ought to be in Jail and I am ready to go." He then went and raised a window as if to throw him self to the pavement below, Mr Soule caught him and tried to compose him and then took him home. Mr Watts and I went back to our hotel room but not to sleep. The picture would not fade nor the grief and agony subside. Next morning we met at Souls Office, we notified Mr Foley, we We sent telegrams to Mr Speer and to the Bond house Dan's surrity Co. I telephoned to Mr Cole the local Engineer to take charge and shut down the works. Then went about trying to find out the amount of the defalection and to trace it through the Banks that handled the funds. We soon got a line on things but it takes time to untangle a snarl like that. ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p018_fEv4hZb.jpg) We discovered the Mc Cormick and the Utah state national Bank had handled the most of it and they knew or had a right to know that it was our Drainage funds he was operating with which was a great releif to us. Mr Livingston had many strong and loyal friends who beleived he was worth saving, further more it would have been easy to start a crash in financiel circles so that in a few days we had organized a commitee of Business men who were earnestly trying to make up the sum of the deflation which was fully computed to be $214000 There were days when no progress was apperently made there was days and nights of utter disapointment and almost dispair. The Board of directors of the Delta State Bank were a Bunch of impulsive young young men where some of our funds were held. HE Maxfield was president of the bank he was level headed but come to Salt Lake twice and I held conferences with him told him the whole situation and he told me about the Bank directors I beged and implored him to hold them by the bits and fortunately he was able to do so On Mr Speer came on from Chicago he met me Pleasently in Soules Office after chatting a few minutes ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p019_icunx8g.jpg) Some reference was made to our difficulty and I made the remark that we were ruined why ruine Why ruined Mr Abbott he asked then added this is not all the noney in Salt Lake and Salt Lake hasent got all the money in the world but we cant finish the dranage I said why not? he asked; you have another Bond Ishue havent you. But the look of confidence I replied. I have not lost confidence in you you dident steal the money. Oh what a load sliped from my sholders One evening after an almost dispairing day we went to our room and leyed down on the bed thinking and resting I supose I must have droped into a very light sleep I dreamed I saw a beautiful wild chery tree in full bloom all it clusters perfect I roused right up and said to Watts we're going to get all our money back! he said what makes you think so and then I told him my Dream, but I dont think it impressed him much But I was certain about it and the impression lingered I told Mr Caldwell who was a church member and made me/repeat it to soule and told it to speer who after ward came in smiling and tesing me about my wild cherry tree But I assured him we would get our money back I hope you are not dreaming now! he said ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p020_7yxn61F.jpg) things draged along a few days longer when I dreamed again that an unknown man came with a greate quantity of mettle checks and poured them into socks held by Mr Watts and I. he said they were tokens again I told Watts the time had come for us to receive our money and sure enough the next day a representitive from one of the Banks called and gave us a cahiers check for $96,000 the other Bank the surety Bonding house and verious other Parties made ut the ballance we had broken our contract with the construction Co and had that to adjust. We [---] and received Mr Livingstons resignation and had to smothe out other Details then went home to face the angry farmers and their sympathsers have another sup- pervisor appointed ect. At a largely attended meeting at which the County commissioners were present I was "called on the carpet" and told and explained every thing and answered all questions but that did not satisfy the agitators and their friends but when a vote was called we found the factions very evenly divided The agitators wanted the commisioners to throw us all out and appoint a new board The commisioners refused to do this but appointed one of their choice to fill the vacancy Mr Lafayette Morrison He was a bright capable fellow a little impulsive ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p021_yX9Z9Xj.jpg) He served the district well and faithfully for several years and we got along well together In June Mr Soule and I went to Chicago and arranged the Sale of the new Bond ishue and we went ahead and finished the distinct in March 1922 It was a great work and reclaimed an empire It will become an asset to Millard County and the State of Utah but we tremendiously in debt and taxes dreadfully high Our lands shrunk in value in sympathy with agricultural land all over the United States and farm products also many of the land owners already discouraged sold out for what they could get and left for other ports others held on for better times and crops and prices saw their taxes go delinquent and their equities dwindle A few have been able to stem the tide but the end is not yet My farm gradualy came back into productivity and I went on working and Hopeing keeping my bills and Taxes paid as far as posable I also continued to serve and the Drainage Board until 1929 ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p022_mZRnuhJ.jpg) 1 6th on/1on/21 1918 Page 49-to-50 George Joins the Armed Force The great was was on the public interest was nearly all directed to that our Boys were over there frighting or in training camps being fitted for war in 1918 the casualty list was mounting and many in homes there was sorrow and every body were economizing and buying liberty Bonds. On July 4th a recruting Agent came and called for volunteers among the young men & Boys of 18 years My Son, George M came and asked if he might enlist they wanted the boys for service in the Moter Truck service over seas I told him he might go A dozen or so of other boys in this vicinity also volunteered they were hurried to Atlanta Georga and in a few days were asked if they wanted to go over seas, they all did and /here in a few days were on the High seas found for France They were of tender age for foregn service El[---] Bunker died before reaching his destination the others all came back but some have died sinse returning George M was made a Sergint and returning in 1919 was given charge of a company from New York to fort D A Russell Wyoming where they were discharged ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p023_V4XJ1IZ.jpg) During the year 1918 my time was largely ocupied with Dranage matters after organizing the Board of supervisors J B Seams President M A Abbott secretary D N Livingston Treasurer 44,000 acres of land had to classified all the land owners notified and Bond ishue of $1,250,000 satified by an election and as the county was at War premium from the Capitol Ishues commitee at Washington DC to to sell the Bonds ocuped much time and incured much expense then after that the problem of funding a market for the Bonds then the letting of construction contracts before actual construction work commensed but we worked hard and presistanly Soule & Spallding took care of the legal work Caldwelle & Richards took care of the engineering work We sold the Bonds to N C Speer and sons Co of Chicago and let the construction contracts to D A Foley & Co of Minnesota and by the first of September 1918 the work was under way and for two years the great work went on with hitch or stoping day after day winter and summer storm or shine my livingston was a very busy with his own affairs so the work fell on Mr. Seams and I but there was no stopping and no delay ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p024_a2PLINI.jpg) In October of that year I was called as a witness in a Law suite at Los Angeles this was my first visit to the coast and I enjoyed the trip very much ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p025_AGwfgzf.jpg) On days when I was off I visited many points of interest and at Santa Monica visited the U S cruser South Dakota which lay about a mile off shore I was much interested and met a Utah Boy among the crew with an interesting story Returning home just in time to vote in the national election for President of the United States and also State Election The Democrats were successful this year and carried both state and nation winter set in early in November and was a long cold hard winter but I consoled my self with the knowlege that my stock had shelter and feed and my family was very comfortable. In 1917 I bought a Dodge touring car it was not exactly new but had been but little used my wife and too as well as the boys were very proud of our new acquisition we had not even hoped for such a thing a year before but the roads were very rough bridges narrow all unkept and not repaired we soon jamed the car so that repair bills almost discouraged us but the Auto had brought about a new condition everybody wanted and abought cars everybody wanted good roads so it came about that good roads began to be built every where It was very expensive to the tax payers but became a necessity and nobody wants to comp[---] about that In this year it became appearent to all of us that we would have to Drain our lands or our property would lose their ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p026_JkWqwuF.jpg) Values and we would have to move I was busy much of the time creating sentiment and working for Drainge In November <1918> I again was called as a witness in a Law suite in Los Angeles My wife's heath was failing I was very tender over her and much concerned I asked her to go with me to which she consented She stood the trip very well but the sudden change in climate affected he some what for a few days Recovering however we visited many places of interest the Buch Busch Gardens, Pasadena, Hollywood, Long Beach, Santa Ana, Venice and Santa Monica but she Bathed at Catilina Island she was afraid of sea sickness We visited many friends we visited the Southern California State fair the collage grounds and musium She saw her first Air Plane We went to the best shows ect We went to good eating places but she prefered the Plane little cafes and short Order houses At Santa Monica we heard a splendid orchestra this pleased her then we wandered out on the pier right where the waters of the great Paciffic were at our feet I bought some fine fruit we sat down in the bright sunshine and watched the ships go bye I watched her and saw the light in her eyes the quiet satisfaction and interest in her face and my Joy was unbounded I felt it was one of the high lights in my life ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p027_Sw6UDhG.jpg) Soon an Airplane Zoomed down and startled her and she said lets go We then went to the Aquarium She was interested in the Fishes but when we came to the Seals her interest was entirely captured, I could hardly presuade her to leave There are few things that have given me as much satisfac- tion as this trip with my wife satisfaction that I had the opertunity and money to give her this one beautiful satisfying trip Our home life was happy but noted now disturbed by her failing health which indeed was soon to end but fortunately not until after the return from France and Marrage of her soldier boy George ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p028_agDm5wN.jpg) A Business Trip to California 7th origonal 1916- page 50-To-51 ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p029_J7m4pbx.jpg) Death & Heartache 1919 ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p030_S2hvH6h.jpg) 1 On November 6 1919 My wife who had stood by me interested and helpful in all my interprizes and doing was stricken with heart trouble but rallied again in a day or two so that by having our daughter to be with her I was able to go to Salt Lake on a short Business trips Returning on the 13th I discovered that she had had a stroke 3 or 4 hours before. I kept a Phisian in attendance and she began to recouver again later we discouvered that a blood clot had lodged ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p031_aABTU5F.jpg) 2 In her right leg also there were Intestinal derangements the docter was baffled and unable to help her much on December <23rd> I called in another Phisian and sergeon after consultation an operation was recommended and was pro- formed that afternoon They found a malignant condition in the intestines they sewed her up but informed me she could not live She died next morning about 9 o clock The even tenor of my life was Broken my home disorganized Things would never again be the same for me but my family were all present they gathered around me in that bitter hour and we all weapt together Then each one came foward and Pledged me their love confidence and loyalty there were no ecceptions This greatly cheared me for I knew they would not do this insincerly and I was not deceived their Mother's beautiful spirit ruled them, and ever has they are all still kind and considerate of Dad The Holidays were on but all our friends remembered us in our sorrow we laid her away tenderly and beautifully and then went about our living as all Humanity has had to do since the world began and will do to the end of time Fortunately for me I had plenty of work to do my friend ships were wide and many letter of condolence came ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p032_FHMRWSJ.jpg) from all over the country and the men I was associated with were all high class Professional and business men and I may say here that I was at the high peak of my life's work but there was much work yet to be done some Joy, happiness and satisfaction yet to be acheived as well as disappoint -ment and sorrow to be met My son Perrys Wife died a month or two later and left him with six little children My son George M returned from France had lately married and I gave the young people charge of the home and life went on My work carried me much away from home and the wounds healed after a time my best friends and nearest relitives began to urge me to find another companion Dont let your home life decay, you will soon be an old man. Dont waite too long I listed to their kindly ment sugestions but my heart was dumb ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p033_66iejkz.jpg) Courtship & 2nd Marriage 9th page 52 Finely My Cousin George Bunker told me about a widow lady middle age a relitive by marrage of ours but whom I had never seen at provo She had 4 children was working hard to suport them and he thought she would make me a good wife but did not know if she would listen I promised to go and see her at some future time In March I was in Provo and had an opertuntiy to meet Mrs Eliza Skousen she was a fine woman Fair, robust and intelegant I was much impressed with her apperance I visited Provo twice afterward but was unable to see her for she was working and away from home Later I wrote her a frank letter and asked premission to call She promptly answered that she was not in the market and but that I might call as a relitive which I did later I cultivated her friend ship and as we became better aquainted her confidence grew as did my admiration I courted her and we were married in September and I took her and the children to my home ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p034_SyHWrfP.jpg) Eliza takes her leave 10th-52-53 ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p035_MakGgeP.jpg) My wife Eliza Did not like Farm life though I provided well for her and her family The children finished High school they were bright and intelegent and were devoted to me and I gave them a fathers love and duty She was ambitious for Higher education for them She induced them to go to Salt Lake and attend the University of Utah. her eldest Daughter was married and had two little children she induced her to leave her Husband go too The children lived in my home for two years There was some friction between my wife and I but not much Finely She quietly told me that all was not going well with the girls in Salt Lake and that they needed her worse than I did and that she was going to them So she packed up and went This was a great grief to me for I was very fond of her and wished for better things I was now all alone and very sad but went right on keeping my house Tending my stock and farm until June of the next year then I sold out everything except my little car and household goods which I moved to Lehi Utah After making a property settlement with her I went traveling and visiting with my friends for a few months we did not quarel. I did not reproach her, but I did try to disuade her from what I considered a wild adventure. On the morning of her departure I was unexpectedly called away on business so I kissed her and said goodbye When I returned at night she was gone ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p036_1hfnIPD.jpg) In reading back over my notes I am impresed with the face that I have said much about my failures and almost nothing about my faults I supose it would be fine if we had neither one or the other but it would not be human or time of life Also it would be fine. if we could forget them even as we pray God to do but I can not forget them even though I may condone them and hide behind the sheild of our poor common humanity I had both faults and failures plenty of them However it does not seem necessary to relate many of them. In youth and early manhood I had a quick hot temper and a biteing tongue that sometimes got me into trouble and sometimes lost me friends and some times into fights though I never was a physical fighter ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p037_PLOtiKK.jpg) However I will relate one circumstance It happened about 1895 when I was County Commisioner of Sevier County I was secretary to an Irigation Board and one of its directors A number of men conceived the Ideah of draning some Mountain lakes and making reservoirs of them, I among the member the proper filings were made The majority of the Board made objections we then claiming the filings and reserves would interfere with their vested rights we offered to sell our filings and works to the company if they would complete the works then they claimed quite inconsistently that our filings had no value, and so the tempest raged finely a public meeting was called I knew it would be a hot one so I resolved to keep myself under control. I did through a long hot debate I was made a targate for much censure but held my mean temper but felt it necessary to make a statement while doing so one man called me a liar I did not think or stop but went and handed him a right and left knocked him down and blooded his nose before by standers could detain me then while being held turned to my hecklers and told them that I had struck the wrong man he had only laid on the last straw that I would meet any and all of them ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p038_ccOxo6L.jpg) That broke up the meeting but I went before the Justice of the peace he fined me Five dollars I paid the fine and after cooling off felt pritty cheap Money was pritty scarce with me in those days I was pritty Poor I had been elected a delegate to the Republican State convention which nominated the governer and/ state officers of the new state of Utah The convention was held at Salt Lake city I had been saving for a long time now I felt I could not go I felt pritty blue I told some of my friends I could not go and why It seems I had a good many friends in that meeting but did not take part in it only as spectators and it also seems they approved of my bad conduct for they chiped in and gave more money than I had before So went to the great convention and I had the satisfaction of picking the winner on every occasion Later when the Board of County Commisioners were checking up on the Justice Dockets this Item appeared and I was razzed and laughed at good and plenty I may relate here that I have always taken a lively interest in politics and have nearly always been a delegate to the county and State Conventions of my party for 35 years I never have conquered my mean hot temper but have learned in a measure, to control it, my failures and many other faults still continue ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p039_mGdVyr5.jpg) After the year 1925 there was a period of Drouth for several years the Sevier River watershed was was unusualy deficient The storage Reservoirs were not filled to their capacity and Irigation water insuficient to make good crops taxes were let go delinquent and the supervisors were unable to meet the Bond interest payments and the first Maturing Bonds were defaulted The farmers discouraged by loss of crops and delinquent taxes were almost frantic at the prospects of loseing their homes and lands were ready to listen to the ever present aggitator some of whom were unscruplus and openly advocated the nonpayment of taxes thereby hopeing to compel the Bondholders to accept as settlement in full of 25-to50 per of their invest- ment many of the leaders and best people did not subscribe to this but wanted to pay in full and keep our credit good and so the bottle raged meetings were held and firey speaches were made on both sides of the question but the aggitators held the largest group The Bondholders had organized and appointed a committee to handle the situation They came out and the Board of supervisors met with them showed them over the District I had been thinking for some time over a place whereby & thought we might be able honorably meet our obligations It was very simple at a meeting of the Board of supervisors and the Commitee I proposed that the interest of 6 per cen on the Bonds be out to 3 per cent and that all maturities of Bonds be set Back 10 years explaining to the comite that the burden ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p040_R68kLfQ.jpg) was realy and truly so heavy that we could not carry them longer What the people were honest but could not pay more but with more time and better weather conditions we could and would pay The commity listened attentivly and received the proposol kindly my fellow Board members thought it quite radical but were very tolerent of me for it seemed something must be done and some substancial adjustments made As the duly appointed qualified and acting representitives of the people of the district we had a legal right to make this pro- -posal but when the leaders to the aggitator group heard of it they were furious and convened on meeting and called me on the carpet I explained every thing to them as fully and clearly as posable but it did not satisfy them at all The Board Committe took the proposal under consideration until the next day then with some modification and extentions made the proposals to a meeting of the Landowners but they would not listen to any thing or at least would not agree to any thing except what would in effect amount to repudiation of the Bonded indebtedness so nothing was done in the way of settlement My term as supervisor was about to expire the aggitators were angry with me and to make matters worse for me my strongest opponent was elected County commisioner The body who appointed the supervisors Still I had some strong and influential friends though they were in the minority and it was qute appearant that I would not be reappointed The apportion selected their leader to for appointment to my position my friends circulated a petition for my appointment ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p041_JIzz8yP.jpg) My Petition was signed by nearly all the large Land owners and many nonresident Land owners and most of my near nebors but I was still in the minority However there was a dead lock on the county commision and no appointment was made for two months after my term had expired when another man entirely was appointed I had served Eleven years as supervisor of Millard County Drainage District #3 and was also President of Utah association of Drainage Districts ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p042_b0czBzD.jpg) Enemies some time helpful 13th= page 55 I have often said that I was thankful for the enemies I have made, which is true They are either actual wrongdoers whom I have had to check by word or action or people who wished to use me to further their nefarious schemes or they were that other Large class of people who are always willing to help pull a man down or pleased to see a mand pulled down h who has climed a little higher than they I have always thought that they were of as much help as friends to illustrate, I recall an incident ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p043_SbVE3fN.jpg) which occured at the close of my third term as sheriff of Sevier County A group of acquaintences were talking in my presents about my immediate retirement from public life someone what I was going to do now I replyed that I was going to Farming One fellow said; you will be like a lot of others, you will just drift along like a soldier or an ex Bartender after the laugh was over, although nettled to think professed friends had no better opinion of me I said Gentlemen you dont know your man I promice you that I will not loaf, I will not look for Office ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p044_rTS2ep0.jpg) I will not loose my interest in public Affairs but I will do bigger things. I will do better things than ever before My critic asked, how old are you, I replied 49, he shook his head, I was now on my mettle I So I challenged them all to watch and see My Plans were already formulated to throw my whole life and force into my new Millard County farms enterprize and if I needed a little more stimuli or Zest this conversation furnished it and I remarked to my family at the moment of my embark ation into it that I would rather ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p045_BDvREuY.jpg) be found dead out here on the desert with no one to close my eyes than to fail I was able to put no little energy and enthusiasm into my work and some of those critics have been generous enough to acknowlege that I had made no mistake ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p046_I6yxvp6.jpg) A Family Reunion 19th page 56 In June 1919 we held an Abbott family reunion at my place in Sutherland. We had a fine time and entertaiment with over One hundred and twenty five friends & relations in attendance. Large tables we spread under the trees and on the lawn where dinners were served to all. Speaches and members of the family rendered entertainment of range, stories, reading and special acts. We formed a large Mots Caveleade and toured the valley inspecting inter- esting places We rented one of the large theatre at Delta for a full show sasses matinee and after the show had some further entertainment [---] our own family. Our local reletives and friends cooperated in helping all to find lodging. All of which made it a very sucessful and enjoyable reunion and there were visitors from widely seperated places. ----- new page (MSS661_B1_F3_p047_c2YwQKZ.jpg) set them as seperate experiences & stories When I look back over them I realize there is a great deal which has not been said. and as time goes on many of the things he wrote about [---] some of there interest to us, but such is life, and it was his life he wrote about it as it happened to him, each experience was Warm and Close and fit a pattern for him. His was an honorable life and his memory should always be an inspiration and chalenge to his offspring & decendants. L. Brook Abbott