Jeff_Liz.ged

Personal History of Lloyd James Ashcraft

I was born 27 November 1901 in Thistle, Utah the second son of Don Orean Ashcraft and Abigail (Abbie) Wordsworth. I was one in family of five, an older brother, Orean, younger sister Donna, and Ruel and Elden. My progenitors on both lines were pioneers and among the first settlers of Utah. My great grand father William Shin Wordsworth crossed the plains with Brigham Young and his Company of 143 men, 3 women and 1 child. Another great grandfather Amos Sweet Warren, one of the first settlers in Springville, Utah, was an Indian War Veteran and an Indian interpreter. Lavina Fullmer, my father's mother, was the daughter of John Solomon Fullmer. He spent the night of June 26, 1844 with the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum in the Carthage jail in Illinois, sleeping on the arm of the Prophet, who with his brother was shot and killed the next day. The Prophet sent John Fullmer the next morning to get a lawyer, so he was not there when the Prophet was martyred. My father was born August 18, 1874 in Provo, Utah. He was the son of James Eli, who came west with a company of soldiers on their way to Mexico to engage in the Mexican War. They passed through Utah ahead of Brigham Young and the Mormon Pioneers. Mother was born July 27, 1879 in Royal City, Lincoln County Nevada the daughter of John Vance Wordsworth and Sarah Warren Brammall. I was born under the covenant, my parents having been married in the Salt Lake Temple. My father being a locomotive engineer on the D. & R.G. railroad, we moved several times until he could establish some seniority. One of my early recollections was at the age of five we were living in Salt Lake. My grandmother Lavinia Ashcraft came to live with us when grandfather passed away in 1906. A year later she passed away at our home, and it made quite an impression on me. We moved to Midvale where I started to school. It was a town where many nationalities lived because of a smelter being located there and although it was a small town, it had three saloons. As kids we got a kick out of some of the names such as: Patavich, Pratavich, Satavich and many others. We moved next door to the William Parker family. He was an engineer on the D. & R.G. railroad. Their family matched ours with four boys, and a girl in the middle. We really got along well together. At the age of eight or nine in company with an older group of boys, we were helping ourselves to a farmer's fruit when he started chasing us. We jumped on a freight train headed for the copper mines in Bingham Canyon. After riding we arrived at Welby which was the end of the line, it was late afternoon. When I got up even with the engine I was happily surprised to find out the engineer was my dad. Boy was he ever surprised to see me, and really shocked when he found out how I got there. He wanted to know how I was going to get home, I told him I didn't know. He told me it was lucky for me he had to take his engine and some cars back to Midvale. He called Mom up and told her he was bringing me home and it would be late that night. That was a real thrill for me to ride on the engine with my dad. I sat on the seat in front of him and before we got home I leaned up against him and went to sleep. I never went on a wild goose chase like that again. My parents were honorable, upright worthy members of the church. They taught by example and demonstrated to us that they loved each other and that they loved us. I never remember hearing therm quarrel or jangle nor did they gossip or find fault with others. Their policy was, if you can't say something good about a person you had better not say anything. I am glad I grew up in a home where there was a spirit of love and congeniality. I never remember sassing them or showing them disrespect and in this regard I have no regrets. Mom used to butter me up and call me her helper boy; she said with only one girl she needed my help. She made me feel proud by praising me for what I did. I used to help her with the dishes, mop the floors and help take care of my two younger brothers. I had a real good teacher in the fourth grade. She taught us in our reading to sound the letters and also in our spelling. She had us stand in two rows. The one in front stayed in front until he missed a word and then he stepped back. With the multiplication table she went forward and back. The one in front stayed in front if he gave the correct answer first; it was keen competition. The answer was spontaneous without thinking. She drilled so much that I learned them about to perfection without thinking. In the fall of 1909 Dad came down with typhoid fever. They took him to the hospital in Salt Lake. A short time later my brother Orean and I came down with it. Mother put us to bed together; when Donna came down with it she was put to bed in the same room. Ruel who was two years old was taken to Salt lake to stay with Grandpa and Grandma Wordsworth; then Mom came down with it. The neighbors took Elden the baby, two months old at the time. Lucille Whiting from Mapleton was paid to come in and take care of us. Mom got real real bad, they got word to Dad at the hospital that Mom was not expected to live. He managed to get out of the hospital, brought a doctor from Salt Lake with him and it was only a short time until Mother had passed the crisis. After being in bed over a month it was like learning to walk over again, was sure weak at first. We were sure a thankful bunch to all be together again and well enough to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner together. I'll never forget the impression I got when Grandpa Wordsworth came to stay with us for the first time. I knew he limped but I didn't realize why. It dawned on me when he got ready for bed and he took off his wooden leg. His leg was taken off about ten inches below his knee. That was a real shock for me. I must have looked like my grandsons looked when I took out my false teeth the first time. They put their hands up to their mouth to see if their's would come out. Grandpa handled his leg real well; most people wouldn't realize he had a wooden leg. It was only natural that I must know what happened. In his early married life in company with three others, they were out in the hills getting out timber to make railroad ties. They were using double edged axes. One of the fellows stuck his axe up in a log leaving the other sharp side sticking up. Grandpa slipped and fell backward against the sharp edge of the axe sticking up, it cut into the bone and was bleeding profusely. He asked them to administer to him. They help the Priesthood but hadn't participated in administration. He told them what to say. They put him in a wagon and drove several miles to a doctor. The doctor said it was nothing short of a miracle that he hadn't bled to death. The doctor took care of it and he was alight, but a short time later due to infection and exposure the leg had to be taken off. From 1910 to 1912 Dad and our neighbor Mr. Parker each started building a frame home in Thistle. They were separated by a creek running between them; they were able to help each other. We moved to Thistle in 1912; I was ten years old. It was a small railroad town with a population of approximately 200 people. It had a round house with stalls for a dozen or more engines with a turn table in front. There was a large wooden water tank build about 20 feet above the ground with a large metal spout to be lowered and fill the water tank on the back of the engine. There was also a large building called the Coal Chute where the engines run under and were fueled up. A new depot had just been built, also a new four room brick schoolhouse. There were two stories; one was fairly large with an upstairs, where they were able to hold dances and a stage on one side where plays were put on occasionally. Postal service was handled in one of the stores. What was once the red sandstone school was now the church. It was heated by a large pot bellied stove. Sunday School was held each Sunday and Mom taught the class I was in. Sacrament meeting once a month was conducted by the home missionaries from Springville. Thistle was not much more than a wide place in the bottom of the canyon where the creek, railroad and highway ran. Spring 1983 brought extensive mud slides and flooding to many parts of Utah. But nowhere was the damage s severe, long lasting, or far-reaching as at Thistle. And while flooding caused temporary damage to many home in Utah, residents of the tiny crossroads community of Thistle permanently lost their homes, and both rail and highway travel to Eastern and Southern parts of Utah were disrupted for months. The Thistle disaster was caused when a gigantic earth slide created a dam. Soldier Creek, from the East, and Thistle Creek, from the South, meet at Thistle to form Spanish Fork River which flows into Utah Lake. The two streams; converging behind the dam formed a lake more than 200 feet deep and several miles long. A gigantic earth slippage continuing at a pace impossible to keep up with, eventually covering the railroad tracks, the river, and the highway with millions of tons of mud, forming a dam, creating a lake and submerging the entire community of Thistle. What first appeared to be a minor earth slide, resulted in the worst natural disaster in Utah's recorded history. Thistle was a kid's paradise. We built a dam in the creek just around the bend from the house; it made an ideal swimming hole with large rocks sloping up from the creek where we were able to sun ourselves and dive off. We didn't have bathing suits so we got a healthy tan. We fished in the creek, our poles were long willows with line and hook. Our home was built next to the creek about six feet above it, the back bedroom where Orean and I slept was only about 30 feet from the water. I used to enjoy laying in bed and hearing the water run. We didn't have running water in he house but obtained our culinary water from a spring across the creek; bathing was in a number three metal tub. There wasn't much for us to do, only a few chores, so we spent a lot of time climbing the hills. We found a lake and built a raft out of oaks. We found quite a few rattle snakes and killed some to get their rattles. We knew where to go to find the different variety of flowers: sego lilies, tiger lilies, Indian paintbrush, honey suckles, larkspurs and others. Sometimes we would meet the passenger trains and sell some. Dad was a real good fisherman and I used to enjoy going with him. For bait we got live bull heads, small fish about an inch and half to two inches long, their head fairly large and round. We obtained them along the edge of the creek where the water was shallow. I carried them in a small pail to keep them alive. We could come into a hole where there might be one or more fishing, and the first thing you know Dad would be pulling fish out, and they were usually nice sized ones. Boy did I get a kick out of it when he landed a nice one; I would rush over to take it off the hook, and was I proud of Dad. The others were curious to know what he was fishing with. It seemed it just came natural for him to know how to catch them, and I am sorry to say I never inherited his skill but I sure did enjoy going with him. I remember more than once when he got back from his run to Soldier Summit he would drop down two or three holes below the house and come back with fish. If it was in the morning, and we were still in bed and it was time we were up, he came in and laid a wet fish across our face. You can be assured we were not long piling out to get that slime off. When Dad got back from his run to Soldier Summit, during the day he would cross over the switch about a block from our home. He would blow the whistle one long and two shorts, which meant he was back and would be home in about half an hour. We would be watching for him and just before he got to the house, Mom and whoever was home would run out to meet him. Just as we got ready to grab him he would dodge us and we would take after him yelling and laughing. He would grab Mom off her feet, swing her around a couple of times; she would go right after him as he was real ticklish. Then we would all gang up on him. It was something to look forward to. We didn't know what it was like to have money to spend; there wasn't anything to spend it on anyhow. There was no picture show, no hot dog stand, or ice cream parlor. Oranges and bananas were only available about twice a year; radio and television hadn't even been thought of, so we had to make our own fun. A large group of boys and girls used to get together nearly every evening and play such games as run sheep run, kick the can, duck on the rock, pomp, pomp pull away if you don't come I'll pull you away, and others. Then for a change a birthday party and such games as post office and I formed a wreath were played, both kissing games. The girl stand up, puts her arms in front of her with fingers touching and says, "I form a wreath." When she is asked, "What kind of flowers?' and "Who do you want to wear it?" She names her favorite boy; he stands in front facing her, she puts her arms over his head and they kiss each other. The game ended one night when one of the girls as they kissed her threw up (rather embarrassing for both of them.) In 1914 we had a severe winter. It was 35 degrees below zero. The creek froze over so we could skate on it. The snow was about three feet deep and froze on top so you could walk on it. It was so cold that they dismissed school, so we hurried home to get our sleighs and go sleigh riding. We rode our sleighs belly booster. While zipping down the hill my sleigh hit a soft spot; I slid off the sleigh across the crusted snow. It took the flesh off the side of my face leaving it raw and bleeding. I rushed home as fast as I could go. Mom nearly fainted when she saw me. There was no doctor to go to, but due to her tender care it didn't leave a scar. She used Vaseline mixed with boric acid powder. In 1915 Dad got a pass on the railroad to San Francisco for he and Mom, Oreon and I. We were on our way to go to the World's Fair. Boy, was that something. We traveled at night, Orean and I in the upper berth and Mom and Dad in the lower. There wasn't much head room. It seemed funny to undress and dress sitting on the bed, rather awkward to pull on you trousers. We finally went to sleep listening to the wheels go clickety clack, clickety clack over the joints in the rails. We were really excited to arrive in a large city like San Francisco with all it hubbub and activity, much of it built on steep hills. Some of the street cars were cable cars. There were still evidences of the notorious earthquake of 1906 which demolished a good share of the city and hundreds of people killed. The fair grounds covered a large area of ground. Many nations of the world were represented by buildings that were typical and exhibits that were marvelous and outstanding. In 1916 I graduated out of the eighth grade. We had eight in our class and our teacher was John I. Rayes. He taught the seventh and eight grades in the same room; while one class was reciting, the other would study. He lived on a ranch at the mouth of Diamond Fork about three miles down the canyon. He rode a horse back and forth every day tying it to a post. The weather was quite rough in the winter, so he grew a full beard. We got used to it and didn't think so much about it, but that day in spring when he came with it shaved off we got quite a kick out of it. We stood around grinning and laughing. He was a person of small features and we thought he looked like Ichabob Crane. He was different; if you didn't have the right answer sometime he would say, "Oh pig track" or "Johnny get your gun." Our eighth grade class of eight students had the thrill of a lifetime when he took us in his new Maxwell car some twenty miles to Nebo District exercises in Salem. Father purchased a piece of property in Springville at the corner of 6th South and 3rd West. It consisted of three acres of ground and a four room home at a cost of $650. The thing that prompted the purchase was to provide a home for Grandpa and Grandma Wordsworth, and a place for me to stay when I started High School in the fall of 1916. I considered it a privilege to be able to stay with Grandpa and Grandma Wordsworth. There were four wards in Springville at the time. I made friends with some boys in the neighborhood and ward and they helped to influence me to get started off on the right foot. I'll always be grateful for a Dad who was able to teach by example so that I might follow in his footsteps and spend my time, energy and money on things that help build one and not to weaken. In the spring of 1917 Dad purchased a five acre peach orchard for the sum of $600; the source of irrigation water was the creek water that flowed out of Hobble Creek Canyon. The water got so low each year they were unable to mature a crop. The Strawberry Reservoir had just been completed and the water was now available. We then harvested a thousand bushels of peaches and sold them for $1 per bushel making it possible to pay for the property and have $400 to the good the first year. This was the year that the United States entered the first World War and to come to the rescue of France, England and others. Many students in High School enlisted including some in the sophomore class. Some of them came to school in their uniforms before they left; they were real popular. Such songs as "It's a Long Ways to Tipperary", "Over There, Over There" and others were popular. When school let out I went home to Thistle and got a job working with a Negro at the coal chute for the Railroad Co. Cars of lump coal were spotted on a track over a cement pit covered with an iron grate spaced to let the coal go through. It was then hoisted to the top of the coal chute where the engines could run under and coaled up from a spout. After we got the bins filled up, it was my job to coal them up. I brought a camp cot and did a little feather bedding (sleeping) between times. It took two longs and two shorts on the whistle to bring me on the run. My shift was from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. at 27 cents an hour. I felt it was only fair for me to turn my checks over to Mom and Dad; there was no place to spend the money anyhow. I moved back with Grandpa and grandma to start my sophomore year. Two of my pals Milton Foe, Harlan Boyer and I had purchased new bicycles, so we decided to break them in by riding to Salt Lake to spend two days and see the State Fair. There was no cement surfaced road this side of Murray, so it turned out to be quite a jaunt for us. We really had a good time and were quite puffed up about it. The great flu epidemic hit in 1918, and it was practically world wide. Many of the soldier boys died in army camps in this country with it and many of them abroad. It spread so fast and they seemed so helpless to control it. Many in a family would be down with it; many members in a family were known to die with it within tow or three days, as many as four in a family were buried at the same time. All public gatherings, schools, shows, and church were closed down. People were supposed to tie a cheese cloth mask over their nose and mouth that they could breathe into when they ventured out in the public. It really had people worried everywhere. They were afraid to offer to come in to help, and even though several might be down with it at the same time, many of those holding the priesthood were called on to administer to the sick. Grandpa was one of those who went a lot and never came down with it. Our family all had it, but it was a light case and we were so grateful. Mom and Dad had talked about moving to Springville where it would be possible for us to attend school and church. In the spring of 1918 something happened that caused Mom to make up her mind in a hurry to carry that plan out. My pal Lindsay Parker and I had gone up the creek about three miles from home. The railroad track and road were adjacent to the creek and crossed it. A thunder and lightening storm came up and it turned out to be a real cloud burst. We got under a railroad bridge; the water was pouring down off from the cliffs into the creek. In about a half hour the water had raised about six feet. We decided to get out and dig for home, afraid it might wash our frame homes out. The water was funning down the street in front and starting to backup and run into the house. No damage was done to speak of, but it threw a scare into everybody. Mom said, "That does it, we are going to get out of here" and that's what we did. Dad had bought a place for Grandpa and Grandma and we moved in where they had been living. As a sophomore I realized that I had a problem with my eyesight. I was unable to read or see things at a distance. In the classroom it was a real handicap with questions or problems on the board. I finally realized I had to do something about it. I had my eyes tested and was made aware of how much I had been missing. I got my glasses but was too big a coward to wear them, there being only one other in the class wearing them. I would put them on in a picture show and other places occasionally, and then I swallowed my pride and put them on the first thing in the morning and took them off the last thing at night. We never had tea or coffee in our home. Dad told me that I was old enough that I might be tempted to smoke or drink, that it would be harmful to the body, costly, habit forming and offensive to others, that if I was going to smoke to wait until I saw him smoke and we would smoke together. I never saw him smoke. Milton Noe and I decided to get a cigar and light it up to see what it was like. It only took a few puffs and we decided it was not for us. I am glad I didn't get sucked in on something like that. The same thing is true with beer and coffee. I saw too many who formed the habit and were slaves to it; besides, over the years it would be costly. In the fall of 1918 they held back on starting school on account of the flu. It was my junior year. Milton Noe and I decided to go to Thistle for a job. We both got a job and even though school started again, we decided to stay and work. it was just after the close of World War One on Nov. 11, 1918 after four years since it started. People everywhere celebrated for a day or two. On Nov. 11 the armistice was signed and the first world war was ended. When word was received at noon, whistles began to blow. Everyone got out and joined the throngs in center of town to sing, shout and do foolish thing to know they were jubilant. I had a shotgun, so my friends Milton Noe and Hurlan Boyer bought a box of shotgun shells, removed the shot from each, and we drove through Main Street firing the gun into the air. Train locomotives' whistles and factory whistles blew for half the afternoon until they ran out of steam. I was 17 years old and worked the night shift as a call-boy. The dispatcher at the depot would get a call for an engine and crew to hook on to a train in an hour and a half and push them to the top of Soldier Summit and then return to Thistle. We worked for several months and missed out on our junior year. In the fall of 1919 we took classes with the senior class and only had three years in high school. There were 38 in the class that graduated in 1920. Dad talked to me in the spring about the family going in together on a project which he had been considering for a long time. Much of the time his work was on the Tintic Branch as a locomotive engineer between Springville and Eureka. Joe Vane's 35 acre farm was parallel with the tracks at Fifth West in Springville. It was on of the better farms, well kept choice crops, a good water right, a good granary, cellar, corn crib and barn and house. He had visualized that as an ideal set up for he and his four sons to settle on, share and share alike, a little Utopia as it were. Dad would continue to work on the railroad as his job was steady and paid well. The rest were to work on the farm or as many as were needed. We would turn in the home at Third East and Sixth South which we had moved into in 1918. This was also the home where Grandpa Wordsworth and Grandma lived. Dad had bought this home for them. They would be living with us. The purchase price was $18,200 which included two cows, two horses and the equipment. It was to be financed by Springville Bank at 8% interest. The deal was consummated on May 20, 1920. The crops turned out well and the prices were good, with the war being over two years and things looking up. Wheat was $3.00 per bushel at harvest time. We did like many others and held it for a better price and took a lot less in the recession of 1921. It really caught people unexpected. When school let out in 1920, I went to work on the cement mixer for Earnest and Lee Boyer, constructing the first cement highway between Springville and Spanish Fork. I failed to make it to college that fall. After the best harvest in the fall; Harlan Boyer and I got a job in the Spanish Fork sugar factory. When we were on the graveyard shift, we steeped our dates out till time to go to work and dropped them off on the way to work. He was going with Florence Christensen from Spanish Fork, and I was going with a little blonde from Benjamin. As we returned home the next morning, dressed up again after our shift, we noted some look down their nose at us like, "It's sort of late to be getting home from a date." It doesn't pay to jump to conclusions. Our farm was in the second ward, and I was working with a group of Deacons. They were a choice active group and we had some good times together. I remember the Utah Lake froze over, and I got ten of them in and on a Model T Ford and went ice skating. There was no snow on the ice and it was as slick as glass, and I had a few spills. This Model T Ford was our first car and we were so proud of it. It had no glass windows, just curtains to fasten on doors when weather was cold or stormy. There was no starter on the car; it had to be cranked in font of the motor. Milton Noe taught me how to drive. This lesson consisted of sitting in the driver's seat and steering the car. Milton moved the gas lever as needed while I put my attention to the steering. A few blocks on I took over the gas feed also, and all that remained was to learn how to get the thing to stop properly without killing the motor. One had to use another floor pedal to cut out the clutch. The trickiest part was knowing how to set the gas lever and the spark lever so that the motor would start nicely when you got out and walked around front to crank it. This cranking and having the motor kick back at you was the worst part of driving, and it kept women from trying to drive, especially if there were no men folks to do the cranking. When the motor "kicked" it went backward, jerking the handle of the crank out of your hand and spinning it around to knock you on the elbow or thereabouts. Dad later bought a Model A Ford in 1926. It had glass windows and a starter. We were proud of it. After the boom year of 1920 there was a recession year of 1921 in which all of the countries were affected. We were having difficulty keeping up with farm payments, and I convinced Dad it would be well for me to get a job at Soldier Summit and join him, which I did in 1923. Dad and Bill Parker had built a two room home out of railroad ties and I moved in with them and we batched it. Our bathroom facilities were a number three galvanized tub and a path outside to a toilet. My job was to unload railroad oil tank cars into large underground storage tanks. This oil was used to soak the packing used to pack the wheel bearings on the railroad cars. It was also used to maintain other supplies needed. It was a six day a week and Sundays off and a trip home each Saturday night and back Sunday night. Dad and I would go together to Branch dances and socials. We both loved to dance. We spent some evenings at Murl Fullmer's home, playing games and cards. Then I went back to the farm and stayed there to work hard trying to get ahead during the 1921 recession. I dated a Springville, Ruth Davidson. She was not a Latter-Day Saint. I thought I was in love with her and gave her a diamond ring. My parents tried to persuade me to not go with her, but I was stubborn and thought I could get her to join the Church. She went to Wyoming to work, which was probably an answer to my parents prayers. I became more active in the Church and didn't miss her as much as I thought I would. Patriarch O. B. Huntington gave me a blessing December 1926. It told me if I would be faithful, I would go on a mission and marry a good girl in the Temple. Then I began to wonder why I was planning on marrying a girl that didn't belong to the Church. I was ordained an Elder on January 23, 1927. That spring I went to Wyoming to see Ruth and we broke our engagement on friendly terms. My sister, Donna, was divorced from Braemar Snell, so she and her little 15 month old daughter Arlene came back to the farm to live with mother for 12 years. It seems that mother and dad were always giving someone a home. Dad's mother lived with them in Ogden until she died. They bought a home for grandma and grandpa Wordsworth. Later they came and lived on the farm. Mother's brother, Clarence, and his wife were out of work and came from California to live with them for over a year in 1932. Bert Sumsion and his family moved from Idaho and were living in a cold barn in the winter, so mother had them stay with our family until they could find a home. Mother and Dad were always so kind and big-hearted to help others, even when they were struggling to get ahead themselves. The summer of 1927, I started to go with Helen Manwaring. WE enjoyed each other and had some good times together. When I received my mission call to go to the Eastern States in February of 1928, I decided not to ask her to wait for me. I thought I was in love with her, but wondered if either of us would change while I was gone and not care for each other later. She wrote such interesting encouraging letters, so before the year was over, I knew I wanted her for my wife and for the mother of my children. I wrote and told her of my love and hopes, and she promised to wait for me. I first labored in Hartford, Connecticut and Glen Nielson was a wonderful companion. He was 22 years old and I was 26 years old. I was older than most of the missionaries and felt a little self-conscious about it at times. I labored in New Haven, Conn.; Springfield, Mass; Rochester, N.Y. and all the towns surrounding these cities. I Kept a journal while on my mission, so I won't write about my experiences here. Anyone interested may read my journals. I will mention that missionary methods were quite different them. We had just a few days training at the Mission Home in Salt Lake City. There were no plans or organized lessons given to us to help us. We just went out and did tracting, held street meetings and cottage meetings, and visited members and investigators. If there were enough members living close enough, we would hold Sunday School and Sacrament meetings and we were in charge of them. Usually we had to be the speakers and give the lessons. Sometimes we could get a Mutual meeting and a social held in a home. The Lady Missionaries would have Primary in some districts. There were no L.D.S. chapels. WE really had to do a lot of praying and studying and rely on the Lord's help and inspiration. The missionary rules were not so strict then. We were allowed to go to picture shows, visit other Churches, go to a few sport events and get permission from District President to go visit interesting places, such as: Vermont, the birthplace of Joseph Smith, the Sacred Grove, Washington D.C., Boston and others when we were somewhere near. Missionary companions were not required to always stay together. When we traveled it was on the highway, thumbing a ride, and we would stay at members or investigators homes at night. They were always happy to feed us. We passed out a lot of literature when we tracted or held street meetings. We had good gospel conversations with the people who gave us rides, and when we were invited into people's homes. We loaned and sold Books of Mormon. The missionary methods are so much more efficient now it is no wonder they are making so many converts. I truly enjoyed my mission, and it was hard to say goodbye to those dear people; many tears were shed. I still have many fond memories of the people, and we continue to correspond with some of them after 55 years. I was thrilled that mother, dad, and my sweetheart were coming east to meet me. Two years was a long time to be separated from Helen and my parents. I met them at Buffalo, N.Y. We toured Albany, then went to Niagara Falls and up into Canada. To Palmyra, the Sacred Grove, and Hill Cumorah. Visited some of my friends in Rochester, N.Y. and Springfield, Mass. To Harvard University museum. Enjoyed the historical places in Boston. Went on a ship and it was great to dance for the first time in two years. Sailed down coast to New York. Thrill to see sunrise on Statue of Liberty and N.Y. skyline. In N.Y. we stayed at Eskridge home, an old friend of Mother and Dad. At one time he lived in a boxcar in Thistle and now was in the millionaire district. (Quite a contrast.) We went to museums, art galleries, Central Park--66 blocks long, to Broadway, Cathedral of St. John the Devine. It was so elaborate; had seven chapels. We went to a night club, an Opera, Bronx Zoo and many other interesting places. At the huge Grand Central Station we got on the train to go to Washington D.C. It was a clean beautiful city. Senator and Apostle Reed Smoot gave us passes to the Bureau of Printing and Engraving where the U.S. money is made. We went through the beautiful Congressional Library, White House, Capitol, Lincoln and Washington memorials, Smithsonian Institute. To Arlington Cemetery and to George Washington's home in Mt. Vernon. We enjoyed all this and our trip home on the train. It was great to be with those I loved the most again. I was surprised when I arrived home to see three long chicken coops on the farm. They had gone in debt more in 1929 when it was a booming business. Dad realized it would take more than the farm to provide for four sons and their wives. That was a foolish dream of Dads to have us all together, but we went along with him. It would have been impossible even in good times. I was worried that they had bought $10,000 worth of baby chicks just when our Church authorities had been warning the Saints to get out of debt. They were inspired to give that advice even before they knew there was a depression coming. Well the "Great Depression" come in 1930. Eggs sold for 12 cents a dozen and Cocherels and cull chickens sold for 20 cents each. Dad got cataracts on his eyes and had to quit the railroad in 1935. We had depended on his good wages to pull us through. We struggled on, but kept getting farther behind, even with Elden and Ruel going to work in California to help out. We finally had to turn the farm over to the bank. Other people that plunged into the poultry business lost out also. In March 1935 the Bank sold the farm to Boyer brothers for $13,500 leaving a balance of $1,500 to Dad's credit. Well I had spent 15 years of hard work and had nothing to show for it. I was sorry for Mother and Dad. They had sacrificed so much for others when they could have a nice home and easy life on Dad's good wages. They made a deal to buy the old H. T. Reynolds home for $2,600. It was a bargain; a seven room brick house with furnace and modern plumbing (something they had never had before). In the mean-time Helen and I decided to get married even if I didn't have a thing and was struggling with the rest of the family on the farm. We were married in the Salt Lake Temple, October 30, 1830 by George F. Richards. That was when the "Great Depression" started throughout the world at the close of World War II. Helen's father gave us the little house his mother had lived in. One room was log and one was lumber. There were no conveniences. I put electric lights in, dug a cesspool and put a sink and cold-water tap in. We painted it, bought some nice kitchen and bedroom furniture and were real happy in our little love nest. Our daughter Elaine was born at Ekstrom nursing home the next October 8, 1931. Then Verl was born at our home the following October 28, 1932. Nelda was born at home November 4, 1933. With three in three years, we had our hands full. Dr. George Anderson was Helen's doctor and he only charged $25 for delivering each baby He told me I had better slow down or he would have my Bishop send me on another mission. I was almost 29 and Helen near 26 when we married and I guess we were afraid we would not have time to have much of a family. In September 1936 we sold the little home and bought a five room brick house at 13th East and Center Street. There was 3 1/2 acres of ground, a barn, coop, brick granary over a cellar, and a young orchard. I worked at various jobs after we lost the farm and then bought a cow, pigs and a few chickens and a car. While living at 13th East, Geniel was born on September 12, 1937; Marilyn on August 22, 1944, at Utah Valley Hospital; and Don on April 24, 1947, at Payson Hospital. I started to work at Utah Service Lumber and Hardware for $70 a month from 1938 until 1949. Once after asking for a raise, my boss told me if I would quit paying tithing all the time, I wouldn't need a raise. I answered that I couldn't afford not to pay tithing, working for him. We sold fruit to help increase the income; peaches and apricots for 90 cents - $1 for a bushel; raspberries and strawberries for 10 cents a cup, delivered. I worked from 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. caring for work at home along with my job. Helen and girls got up at 4 a.m. to pick berries, then picked again in evening. Helen spent many night shifts bottling fruit and doing other work. If I hadn't had the support of my dear wife and family, we would never have made it on my small wages. I kept busy in the Church. I taught a Jr. Genealogy class and a Sunday School class, was Secretary of Seventies for 9 years, Stake Missionary for 2 years, and a Counselor to Bishop Sheffield in the new Sixth Ward for 4 years. I was happy to be able to build a nice bathroom, kitchen cabinets, wash room and an extra bedroom in the house. I sold two building lots in the orchard. In August 1948, we sold the home and bought Ben Holley's home at 91 N. 400 E. It was larger, had a furnace and an apartment in the basement to rent. Our children were glad to be in town and closer to school. Don was 14 months old. In August 1949, we went with Orean and Elva to visit our brother Elden and his wife Francis in Redwood City, California. We went through Redwood forest to see the giant trees, and to San Francisco. Returned by way of Hoover Dam, Bryce and Zion Canyons. WE were a day late getting home and W. W. Clyde fired me from my job at Utah Lumber. Helen cried and we wondered what we would do. I worked at different jobs and then in November was elected by a large majority of votes to Springville City Recorder. So my being fired was really a blessing in disguise. I worked there 17 years. Our daughter Elaine married Bernell Anderson May 4, 1950 in Salt Lake Temple. They moved to Benjamin. Nelda married Vaughn Behrmann August 29, 1952 at home. They lived in Mapleton. December 1952, Helen and I went to Pasadena, California to visit Elden and family, and to South Gate where our son Verl was working. I had the privilege of ordaining him an Elder December 28, 1952. We saw the Rose Parade and other interesting sights. I was Stake Genealogical Chairman from 1949 to 1954. I arranged for a group of 30 members from our Stake to make a trip to St. George and Arizona Temples. Helen and I had the privilege of talking in both meetings prior to the sessions. Our son Verl spent two years in the Army in Alaska, then went to California again to work. In August 1956, he was called to go on a mission to Gulf States Mission, the first missionary called from the Tenth Ward. I was Superintendent of Tenth Ward M.I.A. from 1954 to 1955. The following year I was High Priest Group Leader; then Ward Genealogical chairman in 1957. I was set apart as Springville Stake High Priest Secretary September 22, 1959. When Verl returned from his mission in 1958, he went to an electronics school in Chicago. He met Hilda De Laney in Salt Lake and she followed him out there. They were married by the Bishop and then he had to give up his schooling and go to work. Our family was getting small. We took Don and Marilyn on a trip to Bryce and Grand Canyon and later to Yellow stone Park. On the way we were happy to be able to go through the Idaho Falls Temple in 1960. Our daughter Geniel took a nursing course and roomed with girls going to B.Y.U. She met Russell Sly and they were married December 20, 1961 in the Manti Temple. I bought a 1962 Impala Chevy in 1964 for $2,100. So we decided to take a trip in June to Seattle, Washington. I just sat back and relaxed and let Marilyn who was 20, and Don, 17, take turns driving. We spent several days with cousins George and Mary Ashcraft, seeing many interesting sights. They had never had any children and they enjoyed us and our children. We rode down highway 101, the coast route from Seattle to San Francisco, following the ocean for hundreds of miles. The scenery was gorgeous. We passed through the Giant Redwood forest, visited San Francisco and its China Town, then on to Long Beach to visit brother Elden and family, and our son Verl, his wife Hilda and little Robin. We enjoyed seeing interesting places and spent a lot of time at the beach riding the waves, etc. Marilyn attended USAC in Logan for three years, working during summer and at college library to help pay her expenses. She met Robert Mayer there and they were married in the Manti Temple September 3, 1965. She went to school the next year and graduated. Don started to go to B.Y.U. in 1965, then joined the Air Force June 1966. He was sent to Lowry Air Force base in Denver, Col. That fall on Labor Day weekend Bob and Marilyn drove us down there to see Don and to celebrate their first wedding anniversary. Marsha Hayward, a Lehi girl that Don had been going with, went with us. Don got time off duty and we went to the Museum of Natural History, the Zoo, U.S. Mint, the show "Dr. Schivaugo." to Fast Mtg. and headed home on Labor Day. Geniel and Russ were living in Hermosa Beach, Cal. and when their daughter Carolyn was born July 13, 1967 we went down for three weeks. We decided to ride down on the train. We reached Las Vegas at noon and the railroad workers went on strike at noon; we were stranded. Extra buses were brought in but they were already loaded. We prayed that we could get there soon to help Geniel. A lady that we visited with on the train, phoned her husband in Anaheim, Cal. to come and get her and their children. They offered to take us to their home. That was an answer to our prayers. Elden lived in Anaheim, so he could take us to his home, then Russ came and got us. Geniel lived a few blocks from the beach and I would jog along the beach every morning. We sailed over to Catalina Island. Verl came and took us to Huntington Museum. I had retired from my job as City Recorder in March 1967 after working there for 17 years. For a little vacation, we drove down to St. George and stayed at the Temple cabins for a week; going to the Temple everyday. It was a restful and spiritual experience. Bishop Jacobson asked us consider going on a mission in about six months. We told him we had no savings and would need to rent our home for enough income. We accepted and prayed that we would be able to get the finance necessary. I was called to jury duty on a federal case in S.L.C. in September. This provided the extra money we needed, and Weldon Thacker's family wanted to rent our home in the spring. We were called to the Southern States Mission May 4, 1968. After spending two wonderful weeks at the Mission Home in S.L.C. we left home in June to Mission Headquarter in Atlanta, Georgia. I was released as Sec. of Stake High Priest Quorum after having served since 1959. The Stake High Priests put four new tires on my car and gave us each $100. The Ward High Priests gave me the four scriptures. They were leather bound and in large print. This was a blessing because I had impaired vision with glaucoma. The Tenth Ward gave us $200 for traveling expenses. Many friends and relatives gave us money to help. It was a beautiful drive through eight states, we enjoyed every minute of it. We arrived at Mission Headquarters in five days, and stayed overnight there with Pres. and Sis. Charles W. Nibley. He sent us to Dothan, Alabama where District Pres. Maxwell assigned us to work in Eufaula, Alabama. We found a nice apartment in the large home of a Baptist widow, Anna Belle Taylor. She was a lot of fun and very kind to us, just like a mother. She had rented to L.D.S. missionaries for fourteen years but couldn't be converted. We were not assigned to do proselyting, but to help in the Branch. Eufaula members were transferred to the Lodi Branch, a distance of 22 miles. There was discontentment about it and criticism of the leaders, and inactivity. We worked to get them more active and to be enthused about building a new chapel in Eufaula; we helped them with fund raising projects. They were not having Primary, M.I.A. or Relief Society. Helen advised the Sisters and President of Branch to have those organizations meet while Priesthood was being held just before Sunday School and Sacrament. The families made the long drive together and meetings were all on Sunday, like we now have all over the church. This worked and attendance and activity increased. The beautiful chapel was started in December 1968 and completed, except for landscaping, in June 1969. After being there nine months we were pleased to see the Branch more united and reverent and running smoothly. They had a farewell for us and gave us a silver plate. We were transferred to Highland Home Branch in March, where Brother Best had us stay at his home until we could find a place to rent. His wife was in Florida and he gave us a key and told us to help ourselves to food in he fridge and deep freeze. We moved into a trailer house belonging to Mary Registar. I was Branch President, with Ford Beesley and John Nimmer as counselors. Helen was R.S. and Primary President and Treasurer and teacher. We enjoyed our labors there also, but there was more responsibility. When we left after three months, they were able to take over the leadership. We asked to be released after one year as our renters were leaving, Don was due home from the Air Force, and mother was 90 years old and might not be here much longer. We loved the people there and had enjoyed their Southern hospitability. WE were blessed spiritually, financially, and physically. We were grateful for the privilege of serving in the mission field. After being released June 9, 1969, we visited Independence, Mo.; Adam-on-diomen, Liberty jail, Nauvoo and Carthage jail on the way home. We had gone through 15 states going to and from our mission. We had a savings account of $1,000, the first one during our married life of almost 40 years. We used it to remodel our bathroom. Mother passed away at a rest home July 1, 1970. She would have been 91 years old on July 27. She was a wonderful mother who sacrificed and worked hard for her children and taught us to live the Gospel. Our son Don married Lynda O'Driscoll in Salt Lake Temple January 8, 1971. There was a big snowstorm, making it bad traveling and for the reception at our ward that night. Lynda lived with us for two months before they were married. Helen and I were called along with other couples to do sealings and initiatory work for six months at the Manti Temple. We went down every Tuesday and spent the whole day. A great privilege. We went to California during the winter of 1971 and 1973 to visit with son Verl and brother Elden. They took us to many interesting places: Knotts Berry Farm, Disneyland, Salvang-Danish town, Port 0' Call, Temple, Mission in Capistrana, Princess Louise ship, Japanese Park, Busch Gardens, Montery Park, Wax Museum and Palace of Arts at Buena Park. Don, Lynda, and one year old Ryan lived with us two months while they finished building their new home in Payson. Our children had a surprise party for our 45th Wedding Anniversary. All except Verl and most grandchildren were there. Because my eye sight got worse I had a cataract removed from one eye, but it didn't seem to help because glaucoma was worse and there was deterioration in my eyes. When I went to get my drivers license in November 1975, my eyes were so bad they wouldn't renew it. Dr. Oakes planned on a iridectomy operation to see if it might help me to see well enough to get a license. The family fasted and prayed for me, I was administered to and my name was put on the prayer list in the Temple. The Dr. checked my eyes just before time for the operation and my eyes had improved so he didn't operate and gave me a permit to get a drivers license in daylight at 40 mph. We were all grateful for the Lord's blessing to me. Helen and I were greeters at Church for Sunday School and in charge of scheduling all activities for three wards in our ward building. We also enjoyed going to the Temple every Tuesday to do two sessions. We went on an interesting trip with the Senior Citizens to San Diego in January 1976. We went on a whale boat tour, zoo, and African wild life Safari, Sea World, planetarium and stayed overnight on the Queen Mary Ship. In July we flew up to Geniel's. I went deep sea fishing and caught a salmon, flying with Russ, and to Victoria, British Columbia and a large aquarium with cousin George. We went to Grand Teton National Park in 1978, then to Flaming Gorge with the Senior Citizens. Both trips were enjoyable. October 1982, Elva drove us down to Cedar City to visit Ruel and Phyllis. We went to St. George Temple, toured old Tabernacle and Brigham Young's home, and rode over the famous Virgin highway and gorge cut through solid rock mountains. My brother Orean passed away suddenly August 3, 1978. He had been bad with arthritis for several years. My brother-in-law and good friend Zenos Manwaring died August 1, 1979 at a Rest Home. Helen and I both had hearing losses that made it necessary to get hearing aids May 1978. Christmas of 1979 we had a family Christmas party at the Church. Helen decorated a tree with small gifts for everyone. Lynda and Marilyn's children presented a beautiful play about the birth of Christ, along with other program numbers. Santa brought gifts for all the grandchildren. Refreshments and fun were enjoyed by 32 family members. For our 50th Wedding anniversary the children had a lovely reception at the Church for us. All of our children and grandchildren were there except four of them. many friends and relatives attended. We received nice gifts and many cards. The next day our family had a picnic at Canyon View Park. We have had 50 wonderful years together, even though it was a struggle at times. We love and are proud of our family. Because of Lloyd's very poor eye sight and failing health he was unable to finish his history so his wife Helen will complete it. In the spring of 1980 Lloyd had a bad cough that lingered on in spite of doctor's help. He lost weight and only weighed 119 pounds. The doctor was afraid of cancer so Lloyd had all kinds of tests and x-rays. There was no serious problem except a dark spot on upper arm. He had it operated on and a bone biopsy taken to see if it was a bone tumor, but it wasn't. He had laser beam treatment on his eyes, but instead of it helping his bad eye sight, his vision rapidly got worse until he was almost blind. Lloyd continued to get weaker and more handicapped because of his weak eyes, but he could not give up working in the yard and helping me. In the meantime, my (Helen) back got worse with arthritis. i was in bed or in the hospital all of June and July, 1983. I was nauseated and lost 25 pounds and got very weak. Finally operated on me July 21. Lloyd worried so about me, he got worse, discouraged and depressed after coming to the hospital to see me. He tried to put on a brave front, but just got so bad Nelda took him to Mt. View hospital the night of July 23. Dr. LoRoy said his heart and lungs were okay, but he was in acute depression. Two days later a nurse found him unconscious on the bathroom floor. One lung had filled with water and he was in a coma. He was unconscious long enough that oxygen didn't get to vital organs. The doctor said Lloyd could not last long, that machines might keep him alive longer, but he would be helpless in mind and body because of so much brain damage. So we are grateful the Lord saw fit to take him. Elaine, Lynda and Don were with him when he passed quietly away at 4 a.m. July 27, 1983. Nelda was with me. I went to the viewing and funeral at Church on an ambulance stretcher. Lloyd looked so peaceful, it consoled me that he didn't look so distressed anymore. The coffin, flowers and service were beautiful. All the children, most grandchildren and many relatives and friends attended. It was on August 1, 1983. He was buried in the Springville, Utah City Cemetery. Lloyd was survived by his wife, 2 sons - Verl and Don, and 4 daughters - Elaine Anderson, Nelda Behrmann, Geniel Sly, Marilyn Mayer; and 25 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren; a sister - Donna Whiting, and 2 brothers - Ruel and Elden Ashcraft.

Words to a Song that Lloyd often sang: I was born about 4,000 years ago And there's nothing happened since, that I don't know I saw the serpent search the garden o'er I saw Eve and Adam driven from the door While the apple they were eating Round the bushes I was beating I can swear that I'm the guy that ate the core.

I was there when Cain killed Abel in the glade I can prove the game was poker that they played When it came to the rub Did Cain kill him with a club No, I think it was a diamond or a spade

I taught Solomon his little ABC's I helped Brigham Young invent limburger cheese I went sailing down the bay With Methuselah one day And I saved his flowing whiskers from the breeze

Queen Elizabeth fell dead in love with me A honeymoon in New York was to be But I turned around and shook her And I went with General Hooker To fight mosquitoes down in Tennessee

I am a highly educated man To keep my brains beneath my hat, I plan I've lived on earth so long But for you I'll sing this song How Abraham and Isaac rushed the can