THE STORY OF MY LIFE: Edward Loyn Blacker

My father was born December 2, 1879 in Ystrad-dyfodwg, Glamorganshire, Wales. His father was Edward and his mother was Merintha Althera Loveday. Both my great-grandfathers moved to Mountain Ash from England for the purpose of working in the mines. In 1883 Grandfather Blacker and his family moved to Pennsylvania, Grandfather coming first. From there they moved to Illinois where they stopped but a short time from where they moved to Almy, Wyoming for employment in the mines. Their home in Almy was just a few hundred yards from the upper Bear River Bridge in Almy, the place being on the north side of the road. Their place consisted of but a few acres, which was tilled for the sustenance of the family in connection with the wages received from the employment in the mines.

Edward Blacker, father of my father, was one of the three first county commissioners of Uinta County following its organization after the new state of Wyoming had become a state in 1890. It was a while acting in this capacity he first visited the Star Valley country, and being favorably impressed with the valley, purchased in the neighborhood of 160 acres for the family. A few years later the family moved to the Valley and worked on the farm during the summer months, but returned to Almy and Spring Valley to work in the mines to work during the winter.

My mother, Hettie May Wilkes, was born November 19, 1883 in St. Charles, Bear Lake County, Idaho. Her father was John Wilkes and her mother was Elizabeth Hunt. This family moved into the Star Valley country while my mother was but a baby. They were among the first to permanently settle in the Valley and went through the hardships of pioneer life, having not only to secure a living, but having to do so while contending with Indians. As I recall the experience told by Mother, the Indians were seldom mean, but insisted on receiving food from the white settlers at times. Mother relates her feelings when many times as a little girl, she, with her young brothers and sisters, upon seeing Indians coming to the house, would scramble under a bed and remain hidden until the Indians went away.

The family lived in the little settlement of Afton where Grandfather worked with the Burton Brothers in the community store. Later, Grandmother arranged her home as a type of traveler's inn or boarding house, as it were termed. Grandmother Wilkes had auburn colored hair, thus explaining the source of mine. I can quite vividly remember her death in 1915 and remember going with Father and Mother to see her as she lay in the casket. About the year 1916, Grandfather Wilkes became seriously ill with erysipelas, and in order to save his life, his left arm had to be amputated between the elbow and shoulder. He died in Pocatello, Idaho on June 10, 1928 and was buried at Afton a few days later.

Father and Mother met in Star Valley and were married in 1903 in the Logan Temple. A forty-acre farm two miles north of Afton was purchased after they spent a year or two leasing a farm.

Prior to my birth, two boys, LeRoy and Theodore were born to Father and Mother. In August of 1907, prior to my birth on December 13th, Theodore died of whooping cough and pneumonia.

The greatest event finally came for which the world had been awaiting. On December 13, 1907, a little red haired, red faced lad was brought by the stork to a little log house situated on a forty-acre farm, which was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Blacker. Many of the great of America have been born in log houses, and probably to let some of the lowly follow the example, Mr. Stork insisted that he drop me off at such a station.

We lived, I presume, contentedly in this house until I was three or four months less than three years old. In the meantime, another brother, Fred was born on April 20, 1909. On the afternoon of a day in August, LeRoy, with his helper, the two and one-half year old me, went to the barns to gather the eggs. As usual, our friend, the dog assisted. After gathering the few eggs, the three musketeers, LeRoy, just past six, the dog and I, sauntered toward the house. Before we had completed our journey, a thunderstorm urged us on a little faster. We had gotten within a few yards of the house when a deafening bolt of lightning stopped us. Our friend, the dog, which was walking between Roy and me, fell to the ground dead, having been hit by the lightning. LeRoy, nor I were hurt except that we were almost deafened for the time being. The lightning hit the gable of the house and in a fraction of a minute, the entire house was afire. Mother was just finishing scrubbing the kitchen floor when the bolt struck the house. It dazed her, but as soon as she recovered, she ran to the door and called for us to go back, but we were unable to hear her, either because our hearing was impaired, or her voice was affected. When she saw that we could not hear her, she motioned for us to go back. She then ran into the burning house to get Fred, the baby, who was asleep in the bedroom. Already the room was burning and the hot burning sawdust which insulated the ceiling was falling onto the bed, some of which fell on the baby and burnt his forehead. A red scar has remained with him to this day. Father was binding grain two miles away from our home, and by the time he reached home, the house was in smoldering ruin.

There we were, Father, Mother and us three children on a Saturday afternoon. Everything we owned in the nature of household equipment and furniture, our clothing, excepting the ragged pieces we were wearing just prior to Saturday's bath, Father being in his greasy overalls and jumper; what money Father and Mother had, all was burned and not one single item was saved. I was not old enough to really appreciate the loss; however and naturally, Mother and Father felt badly but were grateful we were all spared. The neighbors were good, and clothing and other supplies were brought within an hour or two to Grandfather Wilke's house where we stayed.

Prior to the burning of the house, Father had purchased an adjoining forty acres on which stood an old log house which was still in good condition. To this house we changed our abode and there we lived for a year or so. Because of the corrals being a quarter mile away, milking and other chores were done rather inconveniently.

I do not recall whether our new house was started the next spring or still a year later; however, as soon as the folks felt they could afford one, a good house was built near the site of the old one. While living under these last mentioned conditions, one evening at about dusk, I was walking or playing in the yard when I fell into a nail which was sticking from a board. The nail was forced into the palm of my right hand until the end could be seen at the back of the hand. It was painful and necessitated the care of a doctor.

Soon after this I had the misfortune of spilling a pan of boiling water onto me. A scar remains near my eye as a witness that I have always endeavored to see what was in pots, pans, and dishes, especially if they were on the stove and there was a chance of foodstuffs being in them.

An occasion which I very well remember occurred when I must have been between four and five years of age. On a bright, spring morning at about ten o'clock, Uncle Hyrum Blacker stopped at the house. We kids were enjoying ourselves in the sunshine, building tunnels and mounds in the sawdust pile which had been formed by the sawing of our large pile of firewood. Evidently Mother thought it was warm enough for her little red-fleeced ram to be shorn of his curly wool, for on that morning I was called to the house to get my ringlets cut off. I don't recall that I hesitated in the least, for I knew that by the magic manipulation of a pair of scissors by my uncle, I should experience such a transformation as comes to only a few such as Cinderella experienced. With a clip-clip- clip, a pull- a twist- and all that goes with a little tot having a haircut, I finally emerged from the sissy stage to a boy. Often when I now return home and glance through the old Bible, I see an auburn colored ringlet, a sample of my first crop

During the summer before I started to school, the family went to St. Charles, Idaho, to visit Mother's relatives. The trip was made in a canvas covered wagon with the white team, Whitie and Prince. It was a long trip by that means of travel. I presume it was in the neighborhood of seventy-five or eighty miles one way. The trip was full of interest for much of the traveling had to be done through the mountains between Afton and Montpelier. Upon reaching St. Charles, we went to Aunt Sara Allred's where we spent most of our vacation. Bear Lake was an interesting sight, but what appealed to me most of all was the fact that corn and raspberries could be raised. It seemed a veritable Garden of Eden, and as long as I live, I shall never forget going with some of the others up onto the side-hill where the corn patch was, to gather corn, and particularly, the treat we had at dinner time when rather backwardly and awkwardly, I managed corn on the cob for the first time so far as I can remember. One evening while there, we went down to Uncle Ernest Allred's. We arrived there at milking time, and I can well remember the oldest boy, who was milking, calling me over to him. He asked me if I had ever seen a star at the end of a cow's teat. My curiosity was aroused immediately and I wanted to see it. I had often stood and watched Father and Mother milk, and I thought that if our cows had such a star, they would surely have told us about it. He continued to arouse my curiosity by talking about the star, but was not ready to show it to me. Surely these cows must be different, I thought to myself. He insisted that I would not be able to see it if I did not get very close so that I could look carefully. I did just as he suggested. It wasn't the kind of star I was expecting. I have always wanted to be able to accept the things I heard, but that was one simple lesson I learned in the value of skepticism. I gave the milker every chance in the world to work his plan. I faced it boldly and got milk squarely in the face. I saw more than the one star-- it was a constellation of stars---the "Milky Way"

While on this trip I thrilled with my first ride on a motor cycle.

One morning shortly before noon, I was kicked by Whitie, our gently gray mare. My first recollection was awakening in a bedroom, and the hay men coming in for supper after the day's work. I wasn't seriously hurt and was able to be up and around the next day.

On our return trip one of the outstanding events which I remember was our seeing some sage chickens near the roadside while we were traveling through the mountains. I distinctly remember seeing Dad throw rocks at some, (they were rather tame) but I can't recall whether or not any were killed.

School bells rang for me in September of 1913. Walking was the means of transportation during the fall and spring months, so my first days called for a two-mile walk before school, and a like walk home. The only distinct things I remember during my first year was that my teacher's name was Mrs. MacIntyre, and that but a few days after school started, I had to stay in for a part of a recess to learn to make the letter 's'. Because of my great learning ability, I had it mastered before the recess was over and I was permitted to leave. My school life has always been rather uneventful. I don't remember that I ever became conspicuous purposely; however, red hair and freckles always call for admiration. The one time I remember being punished for an evil act was when I was in the third grade. I really tried to keep it hidden from the teacher, but I failed. I happened to have a navy bean in my pocket. How it got there I hardly remember, nor do I remember just why I put it on the end of the ruler, but anyway I did. I pulled back on the end of the ruler and let her fly. I wasn't aiming at anyone in particular, but just shot toward the wall. The bean fell to the floor doing nobody any harm, but Miss Jensen turned and saw me before I could get my ruler out of sight. It has stopped stinging now, but at the time I thought the sensation would last my lifetime. She had me hold my hand out before me while she struck it with the ruler. I can still see it all as if it had only happened yesterday. When she raised her hand, I shut my eyes and prepared for the worst. I thought of pulling my hand away, but remembered what happened to one of the other boys because he did such a thing, so I just waited. It came and I felt it, but when I opened my eyes, at the same time hearing laughter from the others of the class, I saw the teacher had broken her ruler. I'm glad she didn't have another handy, for I knew her will enough to know what would have happened. As it was, she became red and angrier than ever and gave me a fair warning of my future status should I do such a thing again. I was the hero of the day for it always put one in the limelight to cause the teacher a little uneasiness.

It was the procedure of that school to have Religion Class once each week during the last of one of the school days. For some unknown reason, we would just have school as Religion Class. I thought of a plan one afternoon, and as I hoped, it worked. I placed my head in my arms on the desk and pretended I was not feeling well. Mrs. Barstow, the class teacher sympathized with me and asked if I should like to leave. I didn't say yes, although that it what I would have liked to have said. I made her think I was too sick to talk, so I sat there a minute or two longer, during which time she asked Dean Gardner if he would walk home with me. Dean was a neighbor and in the grade above me, but they met with us for Religion Class. He consented, got our lunch pails, books, hats, and led the way out. I did my best to walk heavily as though I could hardly get to the door, and we listened to the teacher's instructions which included her hopes that I would recover and come back to school in a day or so. When she closed the door, I felt easier, but walked with my head down and doing no talking, for the ones left back in the room could see us go down the street. When we reached the corner, we decided to take a short cut across the fields. It wasn't really much shorter, but the way was more interesting, for we had to walk across Swift Creek on the rocks. When we got out of sight, we evened up the load, I taking my own lunch pail and books. I told Dean I felt alright and we both had quite a laugh. I made him promise, however, that he would never let anyone know how we got out, and that if it was necessary that they were to be told, we must stick together with the story that I was not well. When we got to Swift Creek we spent the hour walking around on the rocks and sitting in the sun to get our feet dry, for little fellows like us couldn't keep on the slick, mossy rocks.

Because of the distance of our home from town we seldom were able to attend Primary. The meeting was held after school hours, and should we ever attend, it made it late for us to walk home and do our chores. I went to Primary a few times but was cured of any desire to go when one afternoon I went with some of the regular attenders. I was encouraged to go this particular time because they had planned a little social. I hardly knew what to expect and they promised that there would be some refreshments, so with all the excuses I could muster up, none convinced me my going home was more important than Primary with refreshments. I went. The teachers welcomed me, but when I found that children my own age (I was in the third grade of school) were called on to pray alone, I felt it was no place for me. All went fairly well, the songs were good, the stories interesting, and the games were full of fun, but all took a change. My Primary spirit was killed, nor did it come to life again, refreshments or no refreshments. The nerve of that teacher! She wanted me to take part in some type of square dance. I would gladly have done so, but she had girls lined up on the other side. That was too much. She coaxed and partly carried me a ways, I suppose for encouragement, but when she let me go, my legs let me wilt. I slumped to the floor. I was small, but I won! I just didn't have the courage, that's all there was to it. Dance? Dance? Why, the word gave me horror which I never overcame until I was finally persuaded to start some seventeen or eighteen years later. (The deciding factor at that late date was a girl. At that time I could no longer boast of a level head.) But a girl to face when I was nine! I couldn't do it! I have hardly been able to do it since, and I have always dreaded Leap Year, not that any girl would have anything to do with me, but the thought, "What if one should?" always haunted me.

During the simmer of about 1916, Father was called to join the National Guard. I distinctly remember the day he, with others, received their military suits. We all went to town in the white-top buggy. They had drilled before and now with their uniforms and guns over their shoulders, they impressed me very much. I didn't realize the real significance of it, and wondered why Mother had a difficult time keeping from crying. It was not long after this drill that the Star Valley Unit was called to Cheyenne to the training camps. There was trouble on the Mexican border and preparations were being made on the part of the National Guard. It was a gloomy time for Star Valley when the soldiers left. Mother was left with us children to care for the farm and cows. The trouble soon cleared on the border, however, at least sufficiently enough to permit the married men with the larger families to return home. We were surely happy to hear of Father coming aback to us. He had been gone only a few weeks, but it seemed a long time.

At the same time the U.S. was having trouble with Mexico, we were receiving word of the proceedings of the World War which had broken out. The stories told of the German atrocities in the latter part of that war seemed horrible to us and they really affected us children. After the United States declared war, it really seemed a lot closer to home. As brave as I tried to be, I was always frightened to go alone in the dark. I always imagined I could hear German soldiers in the dark places, and wouldn't have been surprised had they at any moment come out and stuck me with a bayonet and carried me off. I was only ten years old, and of course my imaginations were exaggerated to what really would have happened. My imagination seemed to work its best when I was cleaning the horse barn and watering the horses. This usually was quite early in the morning (just as the day was breaking during the winter time). At this time the others were in the cow barn milking, some distance from where I was. There was a shed with an open door a hundred feet or so away from the horse stable, and as it was getting light, I could distinguish the black opening quite well. I don't know how German soldiers were able to stay in that cold shed morning after morning during the winter of 1917 and 1918, nor do I know why they were very much interested in me. I was quite satisfied the winning of the War depended on some extent on the bravery shown, and their success in my capture. During the day time I would investigate the shed to see if I could find anything the Germans left behind, but they were always careful enough to never leave behind so much as a track. That was an example of the power of imagination, but it was very much real to me. I suffered the agony of fear and it couldn't have been a great deal worse had it been an actual thing.

On November the 11th, 1918, LeRoy and I went up the canyon with a team and wagon for a load of shale for the floor of a new garage Dad had been building. On our return we saw a car go by with a string of cans tied to a wire dragging behind. They were celebrating the signing of the Armistice, and in our own limited way we also celebrated. On an occasion prior to this we had gone into town and witnessed the burning in public of a dummy, representing the Kaiser. The Kaiser had been the subject of our conversations for months, and we felt like conquerors when the War ended.

Our first car was an interesting item. In the spring, about May, if I remember correctly, of the year 1917, a car salesman was successful in getting Dad and Mother to buy a "Grant Six". It was a touring car and the first time I saw it was one noon while I was at school. They drove up to the school and took us kids for the afternoon. Missing half a day of school is quite an item, and this half day was especially one of interest to us. When we arrived home, Dad had Roy do some spike-tooth harrowing while the rest of us tried the car. The car was an attractive-looking black touring car, and on this occasion the top was down which made it look longer than it actually was. As all important people do, I sat in the back and let the chauffeur do the driving. My, it was grand! We tried to count the fence posts as we went by and noticed how often a telephone pole was passed. We went north from home, through Grover and down toward the Narrows, between the Upper and Lower Valleys. Little events in the lives of little folk appear quite important and leave a lasting impression. Such an event occurred to me on this occasion, for as we were crossing the bridge which spans Salt River, lo and behold, my hat blew off. I suppose some of the others saw it go, but I let them know about it nevertheless. Because of our terrific speed, I imagine at the time not over fifteen miles an hour, we were not able to stop at the signal, " Whoa!", but the salesman who was driving had to apply the brakes and we finally got stopped. It gave him an opportunity to show that the car could run backwards, and he proceeded to do so, but the car was too slow for me, in fact, before it stopped I was ready to get out. I ran back for that old hat which meant quite a lot to me, and I lost no time doing so. It was fortunate it did not go into the river for it fell on the bridge and came within a foot or two of going over the edge. If it had fallen into that big river, I was sure I'd never be able to get it. I don't remember much more about the trip other than after we returned the neighbor children really envied us because we had a car. The car on that trip gave us no trouble and it was one of the few times that that marvel occurred. Trouble was a part of it. Many times has it had to be pushed to get started. The occasion made no difference, in fact, practically all occasions were the same.

During these years my chores were much the same as any other farm boy. The summer months were the most enjoyable. Morning and evening it was our job to take and bring the cows from the day pasture about a mile and a half away. Often this was done on foot, but usually a work horse or pony was available. The neighbors usually had their cows going the same direction as ours, but to a different pasture, and it made it very convenient to take more time getting back home than was really necessary.

The rocky nature of most farms in Star Valley provided a spring job which I always disliked, and so long as I live, I believe I shall dislike hauling rock. Every year, after the land was plowed and worked, and even on alfalfa ground, it seemed that more rocks had come to the surface than were hauled away the year before. While we kids were younger, Dad would throw the rocks from one side of the wagon as he took a strip up and down the field, my older brother, Roy, would take the other side, and I picked them up from behind the wagon. I preferred this position for two reasons, first, that the area was not so large, and the other was that it made it enjoyable to hang on the end of the dump boards and the reach, for a little ride, even though it necessitated my walking back to get the rocks. While hauling rocks we experimented with riding the hind wheel of the wagon around as it turned. We stood on the felly between two spokes, and put our heads between the spokes on the felly on the opposite side of the wheel. As the horses moved ahead, around and around we went. Father did not permit our doing it because of the danger of getting our heads or feet between the wheel and the standard, which, if such did happen, would crush the foot or head, but our enjoyment in doing it even though we were asked not, was greater than our fear of danger. Fred, a younger brother, learning to do it also, at one time narrowly escaped having his head crushed. Father was hauling hay from a small piece of ground near the house. Because of the smallness of the plot, the hay was bunched and he pitched it on the wagon by hand. Fred was walking along watching him. Father went from side to side to get the shocks, when he missed Fred. He thought he would move up before looking for him. He started the horses, but he was impressed to stop them, which he did before he had reached the next shocks. He walked around the wagon and there was Fred in the wheel. He was not tall enough so that his head could reach the felly on top so his head had nothing solid to brace against. As the wheel turned, his head slipped in between the spokes, and if the wheel had turned two inches further, his head would have been crushed between the spoke and the standard. Father has always felt that it was a Divine prompting which impressed him to stop and look for Fred.

It seems to me that I remember more vividly the things I disliked to do more than the things I liked. Another yearly job came in the fall of each year. Each year Dad planted several acres of grain, and in irrigating the land, ditches had to be plowed to the various knolls, as also main ditches through the field, Each fall, these ditches had to be filled in so the binder could go over them. We were too small to handle shovels, so we used a garden hoe to pull the bank in.

While speaking of planting grain: I remember when quite young, of riding with Dad and Mother in the white-top buggy to broad-cast seed. Mother drove up and down the field while Dad, on his knees in the back of the buggy, took handful after handful, and broadcasted the seed along both sides of the buggy. I also remember following Dad while he was plowing with the hand plow before we ever bought what we called then, a riding plow.

An early recollection I have was Dad selling a large gray team of horses for $400.00. I remember them standing tied to the wheels of the buggy at the time a man came to get them. Their going was on the same day Hyrum, a younger brother, was born, April 17, 1814.

Soon after this I remember Dad purchasing a brown mare we always afterward called Brownie. He bought her to match a big, brown colt of our own. Soon after this the colt was broken. His name was Snap and he developed into one of the finest horses we ever had, weighing close to eighteen hundred pounds. A year of so later, his full brother was broken. The two matched very nicely, but Star, the younger of the two was very high-lived, and caused trouble several times in various runaways. He never caused any serious accidents, but he always wore the driver out in his efforts to hold him.

During these years Roy bought a pony from Dell Gardner of Afton. She was a beautiful little animal, and all of us enjoyed having something to do with Doll. A horse seems subject to getting wise and this one was no exception. She was as gentle as most ponies when caught. Many a time an onlooker would see one little boy, maybe two, three, or half a dozen, for neighbor boys were mustered into service, all endeavoring to corner Doll. Often it was harder and took longer to catch her than it would have to have gone on the errand on foot. We took good care of her and often slipped her an extra feed when Dad didn't know of it. I always imagined the other horses envied her, for when we went into her stall with a little grain, they, the other horses would look over the partition as if to ask, "Well, why for?" One day when the folks were away we treated her extra well. We put a gallon of oats in her box and got another one for her when that was gone. She did her best for a little pony, but she disappointed us. She didn't seem to care for all of it, in fact, I doubt if she could have eaten more than she did. A little time later we noticed she had her head down and was quivering quite badly. We realized we had foundered her. We were worried little fellows about that time. We tried to atone for our mistreating her by putting her in the calf pasture for awhile, but got her down in the horse pasture before the folks got back. It relieved us greatly when she began to feel better. At one threshing time I was asked by Dad to catch the pony and ride down to Uncle Hyrum's place to get a few empty grain sacks. Our granary was only a few hundred feet from the thresher, and the grain was sometimes carried in sacks to the bin. It was thought to be better by this method than to be bothered loading a wagon box and then unloading again, for the old time horse powered machines were much slower than the present large steam, gas or oil driven machines of today. Getting back to the main theme, I caught the pony and started for the sacks. I got about a quarter mile away from home (this was about three o'clock in the afternoon). The next thing I remember was that I was on the bed in our bedroom and that I noticed the sun to be almost down, in fact, it was nearly quitting time for the thresher men. I actually never knew one single thing that had happened in the meantime, however, the folks think I must have known, for I returned on the horse, no sacks of course, tied the pony to the fence, and went into the house alone. The horse was still by the fence when I awoke, but in all soberness of my being, I still maintain I knew nothing, at least did nor remember anything about it. I wasn't seriously hurt. I remained in bed that evening and night. The next day I was up and about again. I do not remember falling off the horse, but evidently I did and that was possibly the cause of my queer behavior. I can account for nothing else.

Winter time was not altogether disagreeable. It has its chores of course. While I did not milk, being too young to do a good job, at least Dad thought, I was expected to be on the job, doing odd jobs such as graining the cows and grooming them with a curry-comb and brush. Most mornings before leaving for school I drove the team on the feed grounds while Dad or Roy threw the hay off. During the winter months the families of the community took weekly turns driving a community school conveyance. The coldest morning I recall going to school was when the thermometer registered forty nine degrees below zero.

Coasting and skiing always proved enjoyable to me. Less than half a mile to the east of our place was the bottom of a long, sloping tableland at the foot of the mountains. By going for a long walk up the canyon it was possible to coast a mile and one half or two miles. Across the tableland at the foot of the mountain were two canals about a quarter of a mile apart. They would fill up with snow, but even at that they always presented a problem. The snow was often drifted, which formed a rough spot if not a jumping off place. Many a speedy ride ended at one or the other of these places. If the sled hit the drift squarely it probably remained upright and continued on down the hill for a quarter or half mile. The snow, during the best coasting was crusted hard, and many a nose or cheek, arm or leg, smarted on the way home and for some time after for that matter. It was like I always imagined one would feel after sliding across a large sheet of coarse sandpaper, and that on his hands, knees, face, and whatnot.

On November 4, 1916, I was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints by Bruce Gardner in the mountain stream just above the old sawmill. The following Sunday I was confirmed by Osborne Lowe.

On December 13, 1917, I reached what I considered then, my majority, for as was promised by Father, when we boys reached the total of ten years, we were to fall heir to a heifer calf. I awaited that event with even more eagerness than Christmas. I thought I possessed the best calf in the world and I treated it as such. After it had become several months old, less than a year, I had a chance to trade it to a man in Grover, I believe his name was Anderson, for two yearling ewe lambs and so I made the trade. I had always liked sheep more, I believe, than any other type of farm animal, and I felt that the trade was in my favor, although I did dislike losing my heifer. Dad bought a few head of sheep, also. A few months later Dad sold his and I had a chance to sell mine. I didn't know whether I wanted to or not but twenty-one dollars seemed a fortune to me, so I finally sold them for that price, and Dad put the money in the bank for me. I thought I was mighty successful -- eleven years old with a bank account of twenty-one dollars. Of course, I didn't think of spending it. Dad and Mother always suggested I leave it there, for they said, they would buy my school clothes and other needs. Well, I left it there several months without bothering it, but when Mother's birthday came along, the temptation was too strong. I was in school that particular day, November 19, and at noon I went down to Burton's store where I had seen a cameo brooch, and with the help of the clerk whom I knew, made out my first check for, as I remember, one dollar and seventy-five cents. It was a proud little fellow that went home that night with a birthday gift for Mother. The wrapping did not amount to much by that time, however, for by that time it had been secretly unwrapped and wrapped several times.

I do not recall any incidents relating to the spending of the balance of the twenty-one dollars, but at present, some twenty one or two years later, I am quite positive there is none left.

As is related in the story of my Father and Mother, in another section of this book, we moved during the very last few days of 1919 from Afton, Wyoming to Rupert, Idaho. Our farm and a good herd of high grade Holstein cows, with machinery, etc., were sold. A forty acre farm one-half mile south and one fourth mile east of Rupert was purchased. The trip itself was impressive, particularly to us youngsters, and I am sure a few of the experiences, though nothing unusual, will remain with us for many years.

On the morning of about the 27th of December, very early, Dad, Roy, and I loaded two Jersey cows into a sleigh and before daylight, left out home in Afton, for Fairview, eight or ten miles to the southwest, where they were unloaded , and we started for Montpelier nearly fifty miles away. Roy and I , with a work horse, Brownie to ride when we wished, started our journey herding them. Dad returned to prepare moving the furniture and family the next day.

Our trip was rather uneventful. The day was bright and cold. We did very little riding the horse because of it being so cold. We had sandwiches in our pockets, but they froze so that we ate but little of them. Our aim was to get to the half-way house some twenty-five miles from Afton, which at that time, was run by Mother's brother, Uncle Noan and his family. We wondered if we ever were going to get there. There was very little traffic, and there were but three of four ranch houses on the way, so we were very much by ourselves. Due to the fact that we did not know the way well enough to recognize where we were, we hoped often that the house ahead of us was to be our stopping place. About sundown, we sighted the place. After putting the cows and horse in the barn, Roy milked "Laid", the other cow was dry, and then we spent the evening with Uncle Noen's family. Rena and Ruth popped and candied popcorn. We had a pleasant time, but we were two tired boys, and as soon as bedtime came, we found it easy sleeping.

Early the next morning, we started the last half of our journey. It was cold, but not so cold as the first day. We were deeper in the mountains and it was a more interesting walk, for we walked most of the way, and we enjoyed the sights of the trees, a few rabbits, and other mountain scenery in winter time. During the early part of the afternoon, we could see the break in the mountains which we could tell was Montpelier Canyon.

In the neighborhood of four-thirty or five o'clock we reached Montpelier. It looked a large place to us. Several years before we had been through the town, but we were small then and by this time could not remember much about the place. The town looked black and smoky, and if I had been entering London, I wouldn't have felt a great lot differently than I did. Of course, Roy was the older, so probably I didn't have to be quite so concerned. We had been instructed to go to Thatcher Kimball's place, they being old friends of the folks, in fact, old neighbors. We found their place, tied the cows to a sleigh box in their yard, went in and waited for the folks. We had not long to wait, probably half or three quarters of an hour, when they drove up. It seemed good to get back together again. They had but little trouble on their way, the two year old colt, not wanting to lead, but after some dragging, they said he preferred following.

Trains -- that was probably the most interesting thing of all. We had never seen one and the whistles during the night were interesting as could be. We anxiously waited morning when we were to ride in one and we weren't disappointed when we boarded one the next morning. Mother, Fred, Alma, Hyrum, Afton, George the ten month old baby, and I, I being the oldest of the children with mother, left Dad and Roy who were to bring the livestock and furniture on a freight train. We must have been a worry and chore to Mother. We older ones were large enough to help some, and green enough to take in as much of what we went on as we possibly could. Possibly the most valid recollection of that ride was that on the train was an insane woman who was being taken to Blackfoot. He warning to all to "not tackle a woman with a black shirt tail" was, we kids thought, rather amusing. At Pocatello she was taken off the train to be transferred to Blackfoot.

We arrived in Rupert at about two-thirty and were met by Uncle Will and take to his home four miles south of Rupert, he having moved from Star Valley a year or two before. It was like dropping into the land of summer. It was but two or three days from New Year's Day 1920, but the ground was bare and all travel was done on wheels. Dad and Roy arrived on New Year's Day so we moved to our new home. The house was small, only three rooms, but it had two large screened porches, a front and back porch.

I don't remember our first day of school. I was in the fifth grade and we went to the Pershing Grade School. A school wagon took us to and from school.

I shall not go into detail of our difficulties encountered due to the depression that followed the war boom for some of such has been written in the life's story of Father and Mother. We did have a difficult time however, and we wished we had remained in Star Valley. Dad paid six thousand dollars on the farm we were buying at $425 an acre, but when the depression came on it could be seen that the balance of $11,000.00 was more than the place was worth , so rather than continue we dropped the contract and turned the place back to the owner. Dad leased the place for the two years following the three years during which we were buying.

During the time we were on that place many important and interesting things occurred. During those five years, uncle Hyrum of Afton died, and also, Grandma Blacker. At the time Dad returned to Afton at the death of Grandma, George became very sick. He was between one and two years of age and had pneumonia for the third time. I remember well one afternoon while in the room with Mother, she was holding him that he appeared as if he were dying, in fact, he was stiffening and we felt we had lost him. One can imagine how we felt, Mother particularly, for Dad and Roy were not at home. I prayed silently, and I am sure Mother did, for his recovery. He remained very sick for some few days , but by the time Dad and Roy returned he was improved. George had learned to walk before he became sick, but it was some time before he could get on his feet, and then he had to learn to walk again.

I have not mentioned much concerning church activities: however, in our lives it was not forgotten. We had become members of the only Rupert Ward of the Blaine Stake. Soon after our arrival into the ward, I was ordained a Deacon by Richard T. Astle, who, a year or two later became the bishop of the Rupert Second Ward. I do not recall the exact date of my ordination, but it was in the early spring of 1920. Because of the large group of boys, two deacon's quorums were organized and I was chosen as the 2nd counselor in the 2nd quorum presidency. We attended Sunday School, Sacrament Meeting and Priesthood meetings quite regularly. On August 8, 1922, I was ordained a Teacher by Father and for a rather long period while a Teacher, was first counselor in that quorum. Prior to this time and after our arrival in Rupert, the Rupert ward was divided into the Rupert First and Second wards. We lived in the First Ward and, due to the fact that there was no church building, it was necessary to hold meetings in the Lincoln Hall, public dance hall. David J. Borup was our bishop, he being the bishop of the old ward before its division. Under such conditions it was necessary to build a ward meeting house which brought on an expense making it even more difficult during the depression.

Less than a year after our arrival in Rupert, Merintha was born, the ninth child, the second girl. On July 17, 1924, a double portion was sent to us. Twin boys -- a total of nine boys -- a baseball team -- eight of whom were living. The twins were welcome even though they required a lot of attention. They were rather puny -- five and four and one-half pounds each. They had to be put on the bottle, and it took some time before they became accustomed to the food. Verl was the smaller and had a harder time than Earl, he not faring so badly.

The winter before as I remember, possibly two, Fred had his hand severely hurt. While riding in the school bus on the homeward trip from school, the bus slipped into a post at the side of the road. It happened that Fred had his hand over the back of the seat, the bus having curtained sides with the curtains up. His hand was mashed between the post and the bus. It was very painful and of course required a doctor. Kenneth Adams was the driver of the bus and he took Fred directly to the doctor who treated it. The doctor at first felt that he would be able to save his thumb which was badly mashed, but with all his care, it had to be taken off at the first joint.

On January 8, 1924, I was ordained a Priest by Austin Hyde. While a member of the Rupert First Ward, I was appointed secretary of the Priest's Quorum. This quorum is presided over by the Bishop, himself.

In the spring of 1924, Dad leased an eighty acre farm three miles west of Rupert. As before stated, the place on which we lived during the previous four years was turned back to the owner; however, as was mentioned, two of those years were years of leasing. When we planned on moving, we children thought we were going a long way off somewhere. We had heard of the Pioneer District, the name of the new district, and thought it to be a remote place. We were all pleased to make the move, however, for there was a large two story , ten roomed house, and if any family needed more room it was ours. Those going to school below high school, changed schools and went to the Pioneer School. I was in high school, so continued at that school.

We also changed wards, this time moving into the Second Ward. We liked the First Ward very well, and preferred staying there for that reason, but we soon became acquainted in the Second Ward and learned to like it as well if not better than the First. In the fall of 1925, I was selected as secretary in the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association, and acted in that capacity for a period of two years. In the fall of 1927, I was selected as second counselor in the YMMIA presidency of the Second Ward.

During the years of 1926 and 1927, I was asked to work with Brother Joseph Bailey, who was chairman of the Aaronic Priesthood of the Minidoka Stake. I enjoyed this work, as I did all my Church work, for the opportunities it afforded. In this particular work, we traveled from ward to ward in the interest of the Aaronic Priesthood, and it gave me practical experience for what came later.

One of the outstanding experiences of my younger years occurred in July of 1925 when a large truck load of us boys and girls were taken to the Logan Temple to be baptized for the dead. Brother Joseph Bailey drove his "White" truck with which he hauled mail and passengers from Rupert to Malta, daily. We left Rupert early in the morning and got to Logan where we camped for the night on the grounds of the tabernacle. We enjoyed the ride -- a group of such an age always does. It was the first time I had ever been to Logan, and the sights interested me immensely. As we neared Logan, the sight of the Temple thrilled me through and through. On the morning we were to go through we arose early, for our breakfast and walked up the hill to the Temple grounds. After we got almost there, I found I had forgotten , I forget just what, but it was either my recommend or a piece of my temple clothing, I think the latter, and of course, I had to scamper back after it. Another of the boys forgot something to, so I had company. We ran back as fast as we could go, for it was then almost time for us to go into the Temple. We made good time, for it was down hill, but by the time we had re-climbed the hill, we went much slower. We succeeded in getting back just in time to show our recommends. I suppose they would have let us in of we had been late, but at that time we didn't know whether they would or not.

We were ushered into the meeting room where a meeting was conducted by President Sheperd of the Temple. I was thrilled and felt as if I were in another world. The song we sang, "Ere You Left Your Room This Morning Did You Think to Pray" has, from that time to this, been one of my favorite church songs. After a talk by Brother Sheperd, we went to the dressing rooms where we prepared for the baptisms. I was baptized for twenty people, and I presume the others of the group did work for about that many. I felt that I never wanted to leave the Temple that day, and ever since, it has been my desire to work in the temple. I envied the people who spent all their time there, in fact, I still do.

After leaving the Temple, we gathered our possessions together and left Logan, homeward bound. We returned as far as Downey, Idaho that night and camped at a camping ground. The day following, we went to Lava Hot Springs, where we went on as far as Pocatello, where a celebration was being held in connection with the dedicatory exercises in preparation for the building of the American Falls Dam. We stopped there two or three hours and then continued on toward Rupert where we arrived before sundown.

During these few years, schooling continued as would be expected. We attended as regularly as possible, but we were required to help on the farm occasionally when work was pressing. During the fall of the years, it was necessary for us to stay out as much as four or five weeks to assist with the potatoes and beets. This handicapped our school work, as can naturally be seen, and it made it difficult to catch up with the remainder of the class members. I didn't overly enjoy school, possibly because of this fact, however, I didn't dislike it to the extent I did not want to go. My school life was rather uneventful. I was interested in the school activities, and attended various activities. I have always enjoyed basketball, and attended most of the games.

Farm work during these years kept us rather busy. For the first three or four years on our present farm, we planted and raised as many beets as we could take care of. During those years we did nearly all of our own work. For three or four years, we planted thirty odd acres which required a lot of work and much time. Fred, Alma, Hyrum, and I did all the thinning. Our job got very tiresome before it was over.

When we first moved onto the place it was not in as good shape to irrigate as it is at present, and that proved to be one of our big jobs for Dad and I, Roy having married Myrtle Hendricks during our first year on that place and moved into town where he worked at a creamery.

In the spring of 1926 I entered the public speaking contest sponsored by MIA. The title of my speech was "My Debt". I was able to win in the ward tryouts and then again in the stake tryouts. In Burley, in the Inter-Stake tryouts where the six stakes, Burley, Blaine, Twin Falls, Cassia, Raft River and Minidoka stakes competed, I took second place. The following year, 1927, I again competed, this time being fortunate enough to take first place in each of the above mentioned tryouts including the Inter-Stake Tryout, which qualified me to go to Pocatello to try in the Idaho Division of the Church. Competition was keener, naturally, and with larger crowds, etc., it made it more difficult than we had experienced before. I had the misfortune of becoming confused with my speech and had to refer to my paper. I felt disappointed in myself for I had worked on it very hard and knew it weeks before that particular contest. But due to the excitement and crowds I became confused. I don't know that I would have won had I not jumbled it, but I'm sure I would have had a better chance. At this particular contest, Blanche Loveland contested for the Gleaner Girls of the YLMIA, she being from the same ward and being successful in each of the contests. She gave hers very well but did not place first, as I remember she won third place. This association with her was the beginning of a close friendship which lasted rather regularly for three years.

In May of 1926 I was graduated from the Rupert High School and following that, remained at home working on the farm until January of 1928.

During November of 1927, my name was sent in as one being worthy of going on a mission for the Church. In November, I received a call from President Grant, calling me to the Western States Mission, and was asked to write a letter expressing my feelings regarding the call. In writing I told him that I would gladly accept the call and would make preparations to go but stated that I had always desired to go to England because Wales was the place from where my folks on my father's side had come, and England was the former home of the Wilkes, my mother's side. A few days later I received another letter telling me that because of my desire and the fact that missionaries were needed in the British Mission, my call had been changed to that Mission. This chance in one way, thrilled me even more than the one to the Western States, but at the same time I felt badly, and have since that time, at times felt badly, particularly, whenever I have heard a person say we should never hesitate to abide by a call from those in authority, and I have wondered whether I did wrong in telling that I had a preference as to where I should like to go on a mission, but I would have gladly accepted the first call, and I did nothing in informing the General Authorities that I was not asked to do. They asked me for an expression of my feelings and I told them the truth, nor did I infer I was not willing to do as I was directed, in fact, I made mention of the fact that I had always made it a policy, and hoped to continue, to do my best wherever the Lord wanted me to go.

At the November monthly Stake Priesthood Meeting, I was ordained an Elder by Father.

There was much to do in preparing for any mission and even more to prepare for a foreign mission, for it was necessary to make arrangements for a passport, visa, etc., so I was kept busy. Letters to write, applications to fill out, my picture to be taken for the passport, inoculations and vaccinations, beside the necessary studying and other matters. I was invited to several places for suppers and two or three separate showers were given me at which various items were given, such as socks, handkerchiefs, shirts, etc. As an example of what I got, I recall people had given me some twenty pair of socks and other things in proportion. The people were very good to me and did much to help me on my way. A ward dance was given on January 17, 1928 in my honor, the proceeds of which were given to me, and that amount with other cash donations amounted to $204.00. I do not say it boastingly but it has been reported that no other missionary has ever had such a send off from Rupert. Whether that be true or not, I must say the people were very good to me and I have always been very grateful for what was done. A farewell testimonial was given January 15 at Sacrament Meeting at which a large crowd attended.

Leaving home was as hard a thing as I have had to do, I believe, at least to that time. It has always been hard for me to leave home and it was extra hard this time for I knew it was for a period of at least two years that I would have to be away. It was about eight thirty on the morning of January 20th that I said good-bye to all the folks but Dad, he going with me to Salt Lake. Upon reaching Rupert, I met Blanche, later Stanley Goff and Zelma Orton, who drove us to the station. When we got there, to my surprise, there were about twelve or fifteen MIA officers to see us off. The train left at 9:30 AM. After such type of farewells, as is customary when one leaves for a mission, mostly jolly, just a tear or two coming in sight. I won't say in whose eyes.

After a day's travel on the train we arrived in Salt Lake at 6:30 PM, and went to see D'Rilla Read, a girl I had been writing and keeping company with since her visit to Rupert in August of 1926, some seventeen or eighteen months before.

Dad stayed in Salt Lake with me Saturday and Sunday, and left for Rupert Sunday evening on the 11:30 train. I went with him to see him off. It was another hard parting for me. A lump came into my throat and chest which I couldn't swallow nor get rid of for some time. The last words he said were, "Be good and write, and remember, you'll get out of it just what you put into it." That was a challenge --- and I never forgot it. I felt my folks had faith in me and could depend on me doing my best under any circumstance, and I then and there resolved that I would do my best and not disappoint them.

I felt a loneliness come over me after Dad left that stayed with me during the entire night and into the next day. I knew that I was alone and that it was up to me. I missed my folks. Very few nights had I ever been away and I was already homesick.

Monday morning I reported at the Mission Home where we missionaries were to begin two weeks preparatory course before we left for the field. The second morning, Tuesday, an experience that few in the world are granted came to us when we went into the Holy Temple and received our own endowments. I thrilled at this experience and though I didn't comprehend all, I realized I was in a sacred place, and that I covenanted with the Lord to live my life in His service, a covenant I have endeavored in my weak way to fulfill.

The days of the two weeks were full on instructions and out classes were interesting and timely. The privilege of meeting the First Presidency and other General Authorities was a faith promoter in itself. One really sees the greatness of such men when associating with them in various classes. I was set apart as a missionary Tuesday, January 31 at 2:30 PM by David O. McKay. Later in the day the Presiding Patriarch, Hyrum G. Smith, gave me a Patriarchal Blessing.

On February 1, the group again went through the Temple as a proxy group for endowment work. I overlooked to mention that on January 28, the group had the privilege of going through the Temple as tourists. A guide showed us through the Temple from bottom to top, including the going up on the roof of the building. We could then more appreciate the grandeur of the building and the work the early pioneers had put into it to finish it under the conditions of its building.

On February 4th we left Salt Lake for our respective mission fields. To see me off were Roy and Myrtle who had come to Salt Lake two days before to visit with me, also, Uncle Kem, Aunt Marie, D'Rilla, and George Catmull of Rupert, who was studying at the university of Utah.

The entire group of us decided to take a chair car, rather than a Pullman for the nights. There were enough of us to have an entire car by ourselves. We got along but were worn out after a few days and nights traveling; however, we had the time of our lives. At 4:05 on the afternoon of February 6th, we arrived in Chicago and went to the Majestic Hotel where we had a chance to get a good night's rest. We did not do a great deal of sightseeing in Chicago, as we took the train for Buffalo at 2:40 PM; however, we did spend some time at the Field's Museum. On our arrival in Buffalo at 7:40 the next morning, we prepared to visit Niagara Falls, going there by street car. Our visit there was interesting. We crossed the river and went on the Canadian side for awhile. On the 7:40 PM train we left Buffalo for New York where we arrived at 6:30 the next morning. We took an underground railway to the Herald Square Hotel (120 W. 34th St.) where we stopped while in that city. We took a Gray Line sightseeing bus and visited Millionaire's Row on Fifth Avenue, General Grant's Tomb, got a good view of the Hudson River by going along Riverside Drive. We went down Broadway and over Manhattan Bridge into Brooklyn. From there we went down to see the docks, and then to an aquarium. We passed through a section of the slums of the city and from there into Wall Street. The sights were very interesting. People -- and people -- everywhere were people. One wonders when in such a place where so many people come from and what each one does. The skyscrapers appeal to one and he marvels how it is done. Much could be written about this particular tour which I shall not attempt.

The next morning, Saturday, February 11th we boarded our boat, the Leviathan, at that time, the largest passenger boat afloat. It was a marvel to my eyes. such a boat nearly 1,000 feet long, and over a fourth as wide, with a capacity of 60,000 tons. There was no rocking the boat with her when stepped on. Our papers were checked at the pier and tickets shown as we walked up the gangplank, leaving American soil for a period of two or more years. Again, it was like leaving home. The engines of the boat started at twelve o'clock, and at two o'clock the tug boats started to pull her backward toward the open harbor. After getting out in the channel far enough so the boat could be turned around, it was done so, and then started out on its own power, of course being piloted our by the pilot. We passed the Statue of Liberty and lost sight of land at about four o'clock. The sea was smooth, however, the wind was cold and it felt much better to stay on the inside, rather than on the decks.

Our entire trip was rather uneventful so far as sailing was concerned. The sea did get rather rough the third or fourth day out, at least rough enough to cause dishes on the tables to slide, as also chairs on the floor. I got but a slight feeling of what may be termed seasickness, however, I never went to bed except to sleep, nor was I ever away from the dining room at meal time, and the latter is a pretty good indicator of the seriousness of seasickness. Before I left home I had been told that a large boat was just like a large hotel and that was certainly true. We went over Tourist Class and, of course, did not have the best, but it was good enough for a king. The meals served were as good as any high class cafe.

The missionaries held devotional exercises every evening while on board, in which short talks were given, songs sung, etc. The percentage of attendance was about as poor with that group as the average ward; however, the absentees were excused. As an example, on the evening of February 13th there were twelve present, thirty-five excused because of seasickness.

The time on board was spent in mostly walking or playing games on deck. Reading and visiting were also done rather extensively. We had the privilege granted us of going into First Class and seeing a moving picture one evening.

On the morning of the 17th we arrived at Cherbourg, France, where several of the passengers left. After leaving there we were able to see land most of the time. At 4:30 o'clock as we were entering Southampton, the ship ran into a sandbar. No damage was done but it was impossible to get off, even with the aid of tug boats, until the tide came in a few hours later and lifted the boat off. Because of this difficulty we did not get off the boat until 11:30 that night, Friday, February 17th. Due to the fact that we were the first group of missionaries who went on the United States Lines, the other groups having gone on other lines, landing at Liverpool, the entrance officials hardly knew whether we should land or not. They finally decided they would permit us to land for a period of thirty days and in the meantime would consult higher immigration officials, so, on our visas were written the words, "Permitted to remain in the British Dominion for a period of thirty days". We left our passports with the officials and landed on British soil. We immediately entrained for London where we arrived at two o'clock Saturday morning.

The streets were rather dark and the atmosphere rather murky, and all in all, we seemed in a strange place indeed. We took a cab to a hotel, The National. The queerest of all things, I believe, was the sound of the motor car horns and the driver sitting on the right side going down the left side of the street!

The next morning we met with President Widstoe where we were welcomed into the mission and given instructions and assignments. I was very much surprised and a little disappointed in my assignment. I had my hopes set on Wales, the land of my father's birth, but I was asked to go to the Ulster District in Northern Ireland. It was quite a coincidence when our names were read --- three of us to go to Ireland, Bryce Vance from Canada, Joseph S. Brough of Trenton, Utah, and myself, and out of the entire group of missionaries to remain in England, Elder Brough and I were the only two who had red hair. I made up my mind right then and there to accept my assignment and be satisfied.

After the meeting we all took a sight seeing trip about London. While on the trip we saw Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the Parliament buildings and many other notable places of note. We had to shorten our tour in order for us Irishmen to catch our train for Liverpool. After getting on the train we were alone -- the three of us -- all pretty green so to speak. We knew we were headed for Liverpool but where that was we hardly knew except that it was on the west coast of England. We were company for one another and that with the sights along the way it was all very interesting. The country side was green. It seemed almost inconceivable to us, but we could see it so we had to take it as a fact. The trains were different than those at home. Instead of large coaches the trains were divided into small compartments with an aisle going lengthwise on the side of the train and from which a door opened into each little compartment, there being room for six or eight people in each compartment. Our train trip lasted four hours, from 4 PM till 8 PM, and at about midway between the two ends of our ride, we decided we should like something to eat, and at a stop we called a boy who was peddling candy over to us. We asked how much a certain package was and he said "sixpence". We had our money changed into English money, but at the time didn't know one piece from another unless it were a penny, so when the boy said sixpence we didn't know what to give him. We didn't know for sure that we had enough, but as the train was about to leave we offered a handful of coins and told him to take a sixpence out. He did, but we eyed him with skepticism and said, "Say, you took more than a sixpence", at which he returned and endeavored to show us that he had not. The train started to pull away so we had to part with him not knowing whether he took the right amount but supposed that he did. At Liverpool we were met by Elder Seth Pixton, a missionary from the European Mission office at 295 Edge Lane. He, nor anyone else, would have ever had any trouble recognizing three new missionaries such as we were. He took us to the ticket office of a steamship line and told us to buy another boat ticket each. We let him buy them. Of course, it was with our money. We didn't dare try another attempt at handling money. We got our supper and went to bed just as the boat left Liverpool. The time, 10 PM.

At seven o'clock Sunday morning February 19th we were awakened and then prepared to leave the boat for Irish soil, which we did at 8:30 just thirty days after leaving Rupert.

We were met at the boat by President Kendall D. Garff and were taken to the District Office at 78 Limestone Rd., where we got breakfast and got ready for Sunday School, thus starting our actual missionary work. We found that President Garff had been released and President Evan H. Jenkins had been appointed head of the Ulster District. I was asked to remain with President Jenkins as District Clerk, which position I held until after District Conference which was held the latter part of April.

Missionary work in the capacity was very interesting to me. I had plenty of work to do. Besides the book work of the district and branch, I was given the job of preparing the theme for the Sunday School session of the conference. It was customary to prepare a program assigning parts to various members of the branch. These parts were all to relate to the main theme. It was a pleasant job but one which called for considerable time. After preparing it I was asked to send it to President Widstoe for his approval which was received without a single suggestion for improvement. He complimented us on it and when he came for conference, congratulated us on our fine conference.

I did not have many chances for tracting, however, I got some experience. The people of the first house I called on in my tracting experience refused to accept a tract. I had a few gospel conversations and distributed a few tracts and pamphlets that first time out. I was very grateful that I had attended Church duties at home and had, I believe, an average understanding of the principles of the gospel. Naturally, I found it necessary to do a great deal of studying and did as much as time would permit. Being the only two missionaries in Belfast, President Jenkins and I had considerable work to do in the branch and, naturally, considerable work to do in the way of visiting, which included visits to the sick and administrations.

At our conference President and Sister Widstoe met with us. On the following day, Monday April 30th, they, with all of us missionaries of the district took a bus and traveled to the northern shoreline of Ireland to see the freak geological formation of rocks known as the Giant's Causeway. It was the first time President Widstoe had seen it and it interested him more than it did us. He understood it while we did not, however he instructed us as to its possible formation. The top surface of all the rocks in that particular place are hexagonal in shape, each side measuring six to eight inches. Each column is a separate formation and they all fit together perfectly, as if they had been placed that way by man. We enjoyed the trip immensely, and particularly the association of President and Sister Widstoe.

A few days later, the entire group of missionaries of the district exchanged partners. President Widstoe had recommended that I be permitted to go out in the field for awhile to give me a taste of actual missionary work, in as much as I had been assigned to the office at the beginning of my mission, I had not had such an opportunity.

On Monday, May 7th, Elder Brough and I left Belfast for Ballymena, a city some thirty or forty miles north of Belfast. We were assigned there for the reason that it had been fourteen or fifteen years since any LDS Missionaries had been in that particular locality. We arrived there at three o'clock and started looking for a lodge, or at least a place to stay that night. We found a place, took our bags there and went for a walk to look over the town. When we returned we were informed we could not stay there. It was our instructions to inform people who we were before moving into a lodge. We did so and the people did not appear to mind, but they evidently had time to talk the matter over with someone, for they had changed their minds. We got another lodge but, again, after getting settled were asked to leave. They said they had reconsidered and felt they didn't want us.

It was getting rather late by this time so we decided we would go to a hotel and get a room for the night and try again the next day. We expected no difficulty there, however, we were refused to be permitted to stay there even for overnight. We were refused at two or more other places where they were advertising rooms and board. We had walked and walked and were very tired but we had to continue. We had a prayer in our hearts that we would be able to find a place. At nine o'clock we were successful. It was not an inviting place at all, but we had to make the best of it for awhile, in fact, we were thankful to get it.

We stayed at this place for a few days and endeavored to find a better place which we did after about ten days. Our new lodge was with Mr. and Mrs. Richmond on Railway Terrace. They were very fine people and treated us very well. We were very pleased to have such friends as they were, as we didn't have many in that town.

The day after our first arrival bore out our impressions received the afternoon before, that we were to find opposition. In tracting that day, after having most of the doors slammed in our faces, I was told by a lady that we would be driven out of town before night. Another lady said that if she had a gun she would shoot us. We were fortunate for neither of the two warnings turned out as they desired. We found that the Protestant churches were bitter toward us as well as the Catholics. Despite the opposition we found it to be a rather fertile field, at least so far as distributing literature was concerned. We used bicycles and worked the near by territory which proved to be better than the city itself. We put in long days. Our first month's report in that district showed 110 hours tracting with about 1,500 tracts distributed each. The second month showed 123 hours tracting each, 31 copies of the Book of Mormon (my distribution), about 1,500 tracts distributed, and 89 pamphlets (These figures are from my individual record -- Elder Brough had close to the same numbers). Naturally we had visiting to do as well, however there were no members of the Church in that section.

At the end of our first month we returned to Belfast for Elder's Meeting and a baptismal service which was held at Helen's Bay some ten or twelve miles southeast of Belfast along the seashore. At this service I baptized two, Brother George Scott and his small daughter, Eileen. We returned to Ballymena the same day.

For our first street meeting, four Elders from Belfast came out. We were permitted to hold our meeting at a five point junction where we had plenty of room. We had a large crowd and had a fine meeting. Standing on a soap box and talking to such a large crowd, I presume two hundred at least, was a thrill in itself. One week later Elder Brough and I held our first one by ourselves. The crowd was as large as the one a week before but hardly so orderly. Several were bickering and ridiculing us.

Our third meeting which was held Saturday June 30th, drew the largest crowd of all. There must have been from three to four hundred people. During the week or two previous to this meeting, a busy-body minister of a "saved faith" denomination had shown a great interest in warning the people of the Mormons. While tracting one particular day, he went ahead of us informing some on the people to inform their neighbors of our approach. He had several followers and as we approached, the women, particularly, gathered in groups and "hurrahed" us as we approached and passed. The preacher informed them that he considered us false teachers and suggested that we were to be considered as such. We found we could make no headway for the longer we stayed, the more noise they made in a jeering way, so we left the vicinity for the day. As we worked in other parts of town, the same man did about the same thing -- at least for a few days. He was quite concerned about us.

We understood later by some who were in attendance at another church that the minister on the Sunday before our third street meeting, which was held on Saturday, had preached against us to his congregation and had encouraged his members to see that the town was rid of us. So, it appears, that one of the reasons for the large attendance was for the purpose of causing a disturbance.

Elder Brough spoke and then I, after which I opened the meeting for questions from the hearers. the crowd had been quite orderly but got restless during the questions and it appears that it must have been at a signal that a group crowded toward us with the intention of taking us, but due to the crowd in front, it became rather a pushing mass. One woman from the back grabbed me by my clothes and skin and pulled me backward off my box. We did not endeavor to scuffle but instead tried to protect our books from damage, for they would have been trampled on. After all was over we found it to have been wise for we had not taken the same precaution with our hats, and they showed the effects of a good trampling. We were so crowded, being rushed from all sides that we could hardly touch the ground with our feet. The closer ones in, started to strike with hands and fists, but fortunate for us, they didn't have time to do anything but jostle us, when four policeman rushed in to our rescue. It is always the policy of missionaries to ask permission and for protection of the police before street meetings are held, and this we did, and it was fortunate for us that we had done so. It took but a minute or two for them, with the help of their clubs to scatter the crowd enough to get in to where we were. They had been standing on the outskirts of the crowd and knew that we were doing nothing we shouldn't have done. They suggested we had better go with them to the police barracks until the town quieted down. They helped us gather our things up and waited while I returned the box we used for our stand, to a nearby grocery store. The crowd was very noisy during this time . Some were talking about the Mormons while the most, and they, I think, just spectators, hurrahed in appreciation for the excitement.

Two of the policemen led the way up the street and we were asked to follow them, while two others followed directly behind us. With all this protection, a lady with an umbrella rushed in from the side and tried to strike me with it, in fact, did give me a glancing lick across the shoulders and head. It was just what pleased the crowd and they showed their approval by the laughter it caused. As we looked back the street, after going uphill a block or two, there was nothing but a mass of people all the way down the street, all excited over what had happened, many of whom were waving hats, hands, handkerchiefs, scarves, and what not, to give it color. It looked as if everyone in Ballymena, a city of about five thousand, were out. I am sure it is not an exaggeration when I say there were at least a thousand people, and very possibly more, on the streets interested in what took place, many of them bitter toward us; however, many were disinterested onlookers, at least disinterested so far as any activity against us was concerned.

After we reached the barracks we talked to the chief of police for some time. He was thoroughly disgusted with the people of Ballymena and felt that they had no reason whatever to disturb us. We talked to him for some time, during which time he suggested that if we had other places to work, we leave Ballymena for awhile. He said he suggested that for our own safety; however, if we wished to stop there they would do what they could. In the dim twilight of the evening we returned by ourselves to our lodge, it being suggested by the police that we wait until then to give the town time to quiet down.

We were very grateful and thanked our Heavenly Father for His protecting influence. Neither of us were harmed with the exception that I had a slight blue mark on my leg which was caused by the pinch the lady gave who grabbed me and pulled me down from the box. Neither of us sensed any state of fright in ourselves, in fact, we both stated afterwards that, at the time, we didn't feel like taking the disturbance seriously.

In as much as the next day was Sunday, we decided to return to Belfast and get instructions from the District President. We spent that night without any disturbance whatever, but we learned at a later date from the people at whose place we were staying, that they heard that had some people have known where we lived, they would have gone after us. We lived on the outskirts of town toward Belfast so we didn't have to go through town to catch a bus, but could catch one at a stop just a few hundred yards from the house. We took our cases and while waiting for the bus were picked up by a man who was employed by the government and was just driving through Ballymena for Belfast. He had his own private car and would charge us nothing for the ride.

After arriving in Belfast, it was then about time for Sunday School so we went to the hall at 122 North St. where we waited for the other missionaries, including President Jenkins. They were surprised to see us and could hardly believe our story. They then envied us of our experience -- envied is, wishing they had had such an experience behind them. We attended the Sunday School in the morning, Bible Class in the afternoon, and Sacrament Meeting in the evening. Elder Brough and I, having been away for several weeks were the speakers in the Sacrament. Meeting.

Monday morning as we were walking down the streets, with our street meeting experience partly forgotten, we passed by the Belfast Telegraph, a large newspaper office, and saw printed in large letters on sheets of paper about 24 by 36 inches, and posted in the bulletin windows these words -- "Mormons Mobbed in Ballymena -- Taken to Barracks for Protection". It sounded much worse than we ourselves thought it to have been. After buying a paper we were surprised that they advertised it so on the bulletin as there was but a short article about it in the paper. I presume they played it up as being something sensational. Later in the day I was able to secure one of the bulletins from the head office.

President Jenkins suggested that we work in Belfast for a few weeks, which we did, but not with the same enjoyment we felt in the country. Opposition made us work and made it interesting, more so than we experienced in Belfast. I do not wish to leave the impression we did not enjoy ourselves in the city for when one is doing missionary work he does enjoy it.

President Widstoe wrote President Jenkins suggesting we, Elder Brough and I, be not sent back to Ballymena if there were other places to go, for he felt, that as much as we had almost completed the tracting of the town, we could do more in a new territory without the danger to us, President Widstoe also wrote me asking that we write him a complete account of the mobbing in such a manner as to be sent on to Salt Lake to the Historian's Office.

We remained in Belfast during the entire month of July. Besides tracting we attended meetings and did considerable visiting. Elder Brough and I stayed at Sister McCaughrin's home, making no effort to find a new lodge as we were advised not to, due to the fact that we were to leave for country tracting again.

It was while working in Belfast that we attended a meeting and were late returning home. When we arrived we found a note under the door from Brother John Hagan who asked that we go as soon as possible and administer to Sister Hagan who was very ill. It was rather a long way to walk but we had to do so. It was also a stormy night but we gladly went. Brother Hagan and family were poor and crowded in their little house, and Sister Hagan was a very sick woman. Elder Brough anointed and I sealed the anointing. I felt the Lord would bless her and promised her that He would and the promise was fulfilled. In a letter received from Brother Hagan after I had left Ireland, he said that they believed firmly that Sister Hagan was alive and well only as a result of our administration.

During the latter part of July, Elder Rulon D. Barnes of Kaysville arrived in the Ulster District. He had been selected as our new District President, to follow President Jenkins who was released about the first of August. Soon after his arrival he asked me to write the theme for the Fall District Conference. This required considerable time and effort but I knew more of what was expected so it was easier for me than the last conference theme, The title used was "Why Mormonism".

On Friday, August 3rd, Elder Brough and I again left for the country, this time to Ballymoney some twenty miles beyond Ballymena from Belfast. We did not have a great deal of difficulty in getting a place to stop. This town proved to be much less opposed to Mormonism than Ballymena. We were instructed by the District President to not endeavor to hold street meeting but to spend our time tracting and visiting.

Soon after going to Ballymoney we returned by bus to Ballymena to get our bicycles and books. As we went about town gathering our copies of the Books of Mormon we had loaned we were hailed by the populace again. No disturbance was made but all the way down the streets we could see heads sticking out of windows and doors. We spent a long day for we had to go into the country districts also, to gather some. We cycled back to Ballymoney, each having about twenty books besides some clothing, so we had, at least, two bicycle loads.

We were even more successful distributing literature here than in Ballymena. On one particular day I loaned ten copies of the Book of Mormon. My highest monthly report as I remember it, showed 136 hours of tracting and 44 copies of the Book of Mormon sold and loaned.

We tracted Ballymoney quite thoroughly, as also the surrounding country and near-by towns, also retracted the most of it. We made several visits to near-by places of interest, such as Coleraines on the north coast of Ireland. We had planned to move to that place after we had finished Ballymoney but due to the lateness of the summer we spent our time there. We visited the town of Ballycastle which is on the seacoast to the east of Ballymoney. It has a nice little harbor and a nice sand beach. From there we could easily see the mountains of Scotland. We also visited Port Rush on the north coast from where we cycled over to the Giant Causeway. While on our return home, we passed a marker on the side of the road which was put up to show the locality where thirteen shells had hit, they having been shot from a German submarine during the World War. It was related that the only damage done was the breaking of a wire on a tram car line. This attack by the Germans was the only one made on Ireland.

On our return trip Elder Brough broke his bicycle chain. This necessitated a long delay. We walked some distance to a blacksmith shop where we finally found a fellow who fixed the trouble. The work had to be done by candlelight. The riding of bicycles after dark was prohibited unless one had lights, which we didn't for we seldom had us for bicycles after dark. The law was enforced rather rigidly, even in the country districts, so we had to walk most of the way, nine miles, even tho the chain was fixed. It was eleven o'clock before we reached Ballymoney.

On October 18th we finished our work in the district and prepared to leave for Belfast the next day. We were assigned a territory in Belfast and after arriving there endeavored to find a lodge. We located one and went back to town to get our bags, etc., but when we returned to the place they informed us they had changed their minds. There was nothing for us to do but find a new place, which we did. After getting a new place we endeavored to make sure we would have a permanent place this time. We had to return downtown for some things. While there we saw the show "The Ten Commandments". We returned at nine o'clock and were again instructed that we had no place to go and had been depending on that place, but it made no difference with her. She did say, however, that it was her husband's insistence that she was acting on.

It was fortunate for us there were members of the Church in the city or else we would have been left out that particular night. We stayed at Sister McCaughrin's for a few days following this. Elder Brough finished our work together, he being appointed to work with Elder Toone who arrived October 30th. I remained at the office for a few days awaiting the arrival of Elder Alma Palmer, from Park Valley, Utah, who was just entering the field. When he arrived November 5th we were sent to Bangor, a small city, a type of summer resort, some twenty miles from Belfast to the east.

We enjoyed our work in Bangor and though we couldn't do nearly as much tracting as we did in the summer , due to the time of the year, short days as well as stormy weather, yet we kept very busy.

Our Fall Conference was held November 25th. Sunday morning President Barnes went to meet President Widtsoe who was advertising to be present. When President Barnes got to the docks he found that there was no boat in. Due to the severe storm it did not leave Liverpool the evening before. There we were -- eight missionaries on the morning of conference and President Widtsoe not coming. We had secured the Ulster Minor Hall and had passed out two or three thousand handbills and otherwise advertised it well so we were expecting a large crowd. We got a large crowd and had fine meetings. the Lord was surely with us that day if He ever was and I am sure people were not altogether disappointed. President Barnes, as he had in the past, seemed to have great confidence in me and asked that I discuss part of the subject which was to have been discussed by the Liverpool visitors.

At the conference previous to this the Elders adopted plans for a Book of Mormon contest to be held among the missionaries of the District. The missionary who distributed the most copies of the Book of Mormon during the time between conferences would be given a prize by the other missionaries. At the afternoon session of the conference, President Barnes told the congregation of the contest and asked that I stand and accept the prize for distributing 128 copies in connection with my regular talk. The prize was a black leather wallet with embossed initials. I value the wallet very highly. My winning the prize was not considered by myself as a prize to the best missionary. Far from it, for I felt the least of all, but it was but an indication that I had the best opportunity, having been assigned, possibly unknowingly, to the richest field in possibility. I feel I was abundantly blessed by the Lord. I am not desiring to leave the impression that I was outstandingly successful; however, repeating what President A. William Lund afterward said to others, that my Book of Mormon record was the highest of any missionary in the British Mission for many, many years past, and would possibly stand for a long time.

In our work in Bangor we ran into some opposition, however, it was not as strong as what Elder Brough and I experienced by any means. One particular minister preached against us in his church and advised his followers to have nothing to do with us. The following is a sample of what was published in the local newspaper: "The Mormons have been canvassing Bangor. It is time someone were looking to this". I might mention that the word 'Mormon' was not capitalized, but may have been due to a mistake. Another article: "The 'saints' from Salt Lake City, the city of the much-bewifed Mormons, disciples of the degraded Brigham Young, are very active in Belfast of late and have the cheek to announce a public meeting in the Minor Ulster Hall. What are the young Belfast Fascist doing to allow this? What are the boys doing about their girls?" President Barnes and I went in the newspaper office to see the editor concerning this but they refused to let us see him.

My missionary expenses for the year amounted to $721.00 including tickets over and all other expenses incurred while in the field.

On January 13th while in Belfast attending to church meetings President Barnes informed me that I had been called by President Widtsoe to go with him (Pres. Barnes) to Birmingham, England, to attend a District President's Conference, so, on the following Saturday I packed a few of my things and went to Belfast where, at 11:30 PM President Barnes and I left by boat for Liverpool where we landed at eight o'clock Sunday morning. From the docks we walked to 295 Edge Lane, the mission headquarters. We attended the meetings of the day there and had dinner with President and Sister Widtsoe. I spoke at sacrament Meeting on the subject "The Apostasy".

The first meeting of the District President's Conference was held at 23 Booth St. Handsworth, Birmingham, Monday evening. I did not feel well, nor did I feel at all well during the meetings of the next day. The following day, Wednesday, I was not as well. I got up but everything went dark and I fell against the bed. I was helped back by President Barnes and had to stay in bed for the day. I regretted it for it was an opportunity of a life time to meet with President Widtsoe like that, also our new British Mission President A. William Lund. The next day I was no better and President Widtsoe had President Barnes get a doctor to see me. He called and examined me and, though he said there was nothing serious, had me taken to a Nurse's Home, a type of private hospital. I was administered to occasionally, the last time by President Lund. During the next few days I had several visitors each day, including the doctor who said I would have to stay there for a few days. He said I was run down with overwork. President Barnes had to return to Belfast without me; however, I was informed that I was to be transferred to the Birmingham District, so President Barnes was instructed to gather my things together and send them to me. Such was the way I left Ireland. I shall never forget that island. I enjoyed my missionary labors there immensely and sincerely feel that it is the best missionary field in the world. My country work was particularly interesting and I long to go back to that missionary land of my choice.

I remained in the Nurse's Home for about ten days when I was taken by President Matkin of the Birmingham District to his lodge where, upon my recovery, I was to act as District Clerk until his release during which time I was to prepare to take his place as District President of that district, one of the largest in the entire British Mission.

I felt that poor judgment was being used somewhere and would have much preferred going back to Ireland, On Friday the fifteenth of March I was sustained in Elder's Meeting, President Lund presiding, as District President of the Birmingham District. I believe no one ever felt as weak and inexperienced as I in this new calling and I can assure you , though I had known it was to come for several weeks, I slept but little that night, for in part, I sensed the responsibility of presiding over a district which covered a territory housing millions of people, and it was my duty to direct the teaching of the Gospel to them with the help of from twelve to sixteen missionaries, and to direct the affairs of some nine hundred members of the church in six branches, all but one presided over by local members. I was humble and felt the need of the help of the Lord and I feel that during the eleven following months I was blessed abundantly.

I enjoyed my work in this capacity but it was a different type of work than I had in Ireland. I had but little chance to work in the field with such work as tracting, but spent most of my time with the Elders and Saints, in meetings, visiting, and traveling, besides the necessary office work which took considerable of our time.

The Birmingham District was one of the finest in the Mission. We had more chapels than any other District, in fact, we at that time had more than all the rest of the British Mission put together, we having three, all real nice ones. The tithing was as high and members as active as anywhere in the Mission. During the year 1929 the members of that district paid $2,022.49 in tithing some of which was turned over to the Mission due to the fact that the district was one of the very few districts in the entire Mission which was as much as self-sustaining. It was a fine district with fine Elders, and very fine people and I learned to love them dearly. Mentioning capable missionaries I may state that out of a group of fourteen missionaries, seven became district presidents, if that be any indication of capability. When it was time for me to return home I could see that a promise in my Patriarchal Blessing was fulfilled wherein it said that my leaving the mission field would be more sorrowful than leaving my home to go into the field. I had fathers and mother, brothers and sisters, in very deed over there.

My work with my missionary companions, the clerks, was a pleasure and I learned to love them. No one in the world felt much worse than I when Elder E. Anthon Clayson of Spanish Fork left for home. I felt that something of me went with him. I was never to seem him again, though I did not know it at the time. A few years later he was killed in an accident with some highway equipment which he was running.

The other clerks, Elder LeRay Swainston, John w. Southwick, and Therald Jensen, an exceptionally brilliant fellow, all became very close to me.

The Missionaries "Pop" and "Mom" (Brother and Sister Charles Collins) possible did more for me than any others. I lived with them, for our office was in their home for almost the full eleven months and it was a real home to us missionaries. If anyone in all the world are to be blessed for caring for the missionaries while in the field, they will be.

There are many things of this mission that could be written which I shall not. My diary covers most of the twenty seven months I was away from home. No two years in anybody's life could be more enjoyable and I can truthfully say I would give anything if it were possible for me to go through it all again. I worked hard -- probably not always as hard as I could have done but I kept in mind what Dad said when bidding me goodbye prior to my mission. "Remember, you'll get out of it what you put into it".

I didn't feel so well in Birmingham, particularly during the latter part of my mission as I did in Ireland. On several occasions President Lund suggested that it may be best for me to be released and go down to the southern part of England, to the Portsmouth District, to take a rest, but I felt it was unnecessary. When I arrived in Birmingham in January 1929 I weighed close to eleven stone (154 pounds) and by the end of the year I weighed 9 stone eleven pounds (137 pounds).

On January 20th the yearly District President's Meeting started. This meeting was again held in Birmingham with the president of every district in the mission present except the Free State. Meetings, three sessions each day, were held. On our last two days, the 22nd and 23rd the entire group of District Presidents held a street meeting in the "Bull Ring". Elder Clifton G. M. Kerr, Mission Secretary conducted. I was asked to be one of the three speakers. We had an unusually fine meeting with a large crowd in attendance.

On Friday the 24th, the District Presidents, with Mission Authorities went by bus to Stratford-on-Avon, the home of Shakespeare. We went through his old home, it being arranged as he had it. I had hopes that by sitting in his old chair I could contract a little literary ability but it didn't seem to be contagious. We also visited Ann Hathaway's cottage and took pictures. The home of Marie Corelli, author of "The Sorrows of Satan" etc., was pointed out to us as we passed it. We visited the church in which Shakespeare was buried. On our return trip we passed the Warwick Castle and went through the Kennilworth Castle, it being in ruins.

On January 27th we moved our District office from Brother and Sister Collins' home at 22 Grove Hill Road to 24 Durham Road in Sparkbrook. We felt as if we were leaving home when we left Pop and Mom Collins!

On February 3rd I took the 8:45 train for Tewkesbury, the birthplace of Grandfather Wilkes and his parents etc., which is forty-two miles from Birmingham. After arriving there I visited the first church building I came to -- the Holy Trinity Church. From there I went to the Abbey. I looked through the cemetery to find genealogical information but found no tombstones erected to any Wilkes'. I went on the inside of the Abbey and inquired but no Wilkes seemed to be listed. The Abbey is a very nice old place dating back to eleven hundred. From there I went to a near-by grave yard and found the graves belonging to my great-great-grandfather and great-great-grandmother, William Wilkes Sr. and Elizabeth Hunt.

From the cemetery I went into town and, after inquiring, found a Mrs. Wilkes, wife of Frank Wilkes. I was directed to his mother's place 2 Safforn Walk. I talked with her and her married daughter for some time. He husband James who was killed some four years before (1926) appears to be a brother of William Wilkes Jr., the father of Grandpa.

The day following my visit to Tewkesbury we went to Nuneaton to visit the missionaries. We all visited the home of George Elliot which is just outside Nuneaton. We walked up to the mill which is on the little stream called "Floss". It is nearly demolished due to age, it being not in a state of preservation.

It did not take long for two years to pass by. It hardly seemed possible that I had my mission behind me but time has a way of passing on, and the busier one is the faster it appears to pass. On Saturday evening, February 8th, a farewell social was held in honor of four of us who were leaving shortly for home, Elders Kerr of the Mission Office, Monson, Quayle, and myself.

A day or two previous to this time President Lund was informed by the Presiding Authorities of the Church of the serious illness of Elder Monson's mother and of Elder Quayle's father. They were asked to go home immediately. Both boys returned home safely. Brother Monson's mother died soon after he arrived home and a few months later he died. I do not recall the cause. Elder Quayle's father died two or three months after his return. Their call home was rather a unique occurrence. Both calls came the same day. They were both in the same mission, in the same district, and were companions and, of course, living in the same house.

The next evening, February 9th, I was released as District President by President Lund. Virgil J. Smith of Lehi was appointed as my successor. During the following few days of my mission I assisted Brother Smith in visiting. On February 17th I was officially released from my mission, just two years to the day from my arrival at Southhampton. Although released, I had considerable to do in regard to book work, visiting, and doing other odds and ends.

Not being able to afford a trip on the continent I made no plans to go but rather, with some extra money the folks sent I made a short visit to Wales, the homes of my foreparents on my father's side.

On Tuesday February 25th I left Birmingham for Cardiff. I arrived in Cardiff at 2;30, nearly three hours after leaving Birmingham. Newport, the district headquarters of the Welsh District, no being a great distance about noon of the following day I returned to Cardiff where I took a bus to Mountain Ash. It was a very pretty drive. After arriving in Mountain Ash I inquired of the police and others for any Blackers;, however they didn't seem to know of any. I walked over to the cemetery but could locate no Blacker names on any of the headstones. After further inquiry I was informed of a Blacker family at whose house I called but they claimed to be no relatives of the Blackers for whom I was looking. However, the informed me where I could locate them. It was necessary for me to take a bus to Penrhywceiber, two or three miles to the south of Mountain Ash. I knocked at a door and introduced myself and from then on until I left some five or six days later I was in good keeping. The man who answered the door was uncle William, a brother of Grandpa Blacker and the father of Ted Blacker of Evanston. His second wife, Aunt Louisa, Uncle William's son, Harold, and Ernest, the small son of uncle William and Aunt Louisa were at home.

Later in the evening Uncle William and Harold took me to his sister , Aunt Mary's place. She was not in but her married daughter, Edith, was there. Later still, we walked through parts of Mountain Ash and I had pointer out to me various places of family interest. Among other things were the following: The old home of Grandfather and Grandmother Blacker before they moved to Ferndale, the address the Great Grandfather John Blacker built -- a nice plain stone house, was seen. Saw the little place in which Grandfather and Grandmother were married. The building now used for city offices etc. was the home of Great Grandfather John Blacker for a period of two or three years while holding a municipal office. Just which office I do not recall.

After returning to their home we spent the evening visiting. Uncle William showed me a chair which he had in the hall-way of the house which has been in the family for four hundred years. Also, a walking-stick of Great Grandfather John Blacker which is initialed J. B. 1852. I was also shown a watch of Grandfather Blackers which was bought off him by Uncle William.

The next morning Uncle William and I went to the Mountain ash cemetery where I got some information from the tombstones of Great Grandfather's and Great Grandmother's tombstone; also, from Thomas Loveday's tombstone, he being a brother of Grandma Blacker. Again we went to Aunt Mary's and this time we found her home. She lived at 25 Copeley St. Mt. Ash. Both she and Uncle William were getting well up in years but were enjoying reasonably good health. From there we went up to a second cousin, Ester, a daughter of Aunt Margaret, she in turn a sister of Uncle William, Aunt Mary , and Grandpa Blacker.

The following morning Uncle William and I took the train and bus to Abertillery. We called at Edward Blacker's, a son of Aunt Margaret. We also visited Cousin Rosetta Blacker Morris. Rachel Morris Evans, Rosetta's daughter who corresponded with Delos Gardner and Irene Nisbet was at her mother's place. We went up to Aunt Margaret's old home (she being dead) where her husband and a married daughter were living. We returned to Rosetta's place where we had a nice dinner. Uncle William, Cousin Edward, and I then went to the Blina Gwent cemetery where we got a little information from tombstones. From there we to Cousin Telitha's, a daughter of Aunt Margaret. She has two nice looking girls who are deaf and dumb. From there we took a bus to Blaina cemetery at Blaina and got some more information. All seemed glad to see a relative from America, part of the interest being in the fact that they had heard of a fortune in America which was left to the Blacker family and had not been settled. They inferred that they thought I was getting genealogical information in order to make a settlement of the money. The Blackers in Abertillery were the only ones who seemed interested in that matter. Just what the fortune was I never did find out nor did I learn where the story originated.

We returned to Penrhywceiber late that evening.

The following morning Uncle William and I visited around the coal mines which he superintended before he retired. I was shown the mines in which Grandfather Blacker worked before he left for America.

Later in the day I met another second cousin, Mary Blacker Hayes. The next day I met another second cousin, Beatrice, a daughter of Uncle William's, also May, another daughter.

On the morning of March 3rd I left Penrhywceiber for Cardiff and from there to Bristol. I stopped off there and took another train to Clutton, a forty-five minute ride from Bristol. This little country village is the home of my ancestors on the Blacker line, prior to Great-grandfather's move to Wales. I called on a Mrs. Tiley, a daughter of Mary Blacker, who in turn, was a sister of Great Grandfather John Blacker. I got some information of George Blacker's family, the father of Great Grandfather John Blacker. I called at Frederick Blacker's home but found that he was not at home. He is the son of William Henry Blacker who was a son of William Blacker a brother of the father of George Blacker. This last mentioned William and the father of the last mentioned George were sons of Alexander Blacker 1745-1792. Since returning home I have corresponded with Frederick Blacker and have gotten some information. His business is the same as our ancestors for several generations back, at least -- our progenitors being the same, were at that trade. Alexander Blacker and his father, Tobias were experts at the trade, This Tobias entertained John Wesley in his home at one time.

With Frederick's son, as I remember, the son's name is also Frederick, I went to the Clutton Church and cemetery where I was able to get a little information. I regret I did not get to see Frederick as he was the one I desired to see and who could have helped me most in gathering information of my family.

After returning to Birmingham I spent a few days in the district visiting members and assisting with district affairs, transferring all property over to the new president. It was necessary that I wait a few days for a boat. Elder John W. Southwick of Lehi was to be released about three weeks after I so we planned to return home together.

It was hard leaving and the promise of my Patriarchal Blessing was fulfilled in that it was harder to leave England than home, for when I left we felt as if it may be a permanent good-bye while my leaving home was realized as but a short separation.

On Thursday morning of March 13th, 1930 we left Birmingham for London, the first leg of our homeward journey.

We spent the four following days visiting in London. We enjoyed the days for they were full of interest. I shall but mention some of the most important and most interesting things rather than write anything lengthy regarding them. The underground railways of London, particularly the Piccidilly Line, were the best of any we were on in either England or the United States. We spent some time in such places as Leicester Square, Piccidilly Circus, and Trafalgar Square. We walked across London Bridge to the Tower of London where we went through the Bloody Tower, White Tower, and Jewel Tower. We visited Westminster Abbey wherein among other things of interest is the grave of the British Unknown soldier. We walked to 10 Downing St. to see the type of house used by the British Prime Minister. We were rather disappointed in it for we thought it would be a rather interesting-looking place but it was just an ordinary looking dwelling as one sees in any middle class section. We went to the Prince of Wale's Palace, and through the London Museum where is kept antique articles of old royal families. We also went to see Buckingham Palace; also, the home of the Duke and Duchess of York, the present King George V1. We saw the change of guard at Whitehall. Went to the Parliament buildings on visitors' day. Neither the House of Lords nor House of Commons were in session. At that time, 1930, there were 770 titled members in the House of Lords and 615 members in the House of Commons, fifteen of whom were women. The building was wonderfully furnished, the House of Lords much more so than the House of Commons. The coronation chair which we saw is in the House of Lords. We went through St. Paul's Cathedral and into the main Bank of England. Some time was spent in the British Museum. Other places of interest were visited which I shall not mention, however, I think I have mentioned the most important.

While in London we visited Alfred Blacker and family of 74 Brookwood St., Southfields, W. C. 18, London. He is a son of Aunt Mary of Mountain Ash. We were surely treated fine.

On March 18th we left London for Southampton from where we sailed on the George Washington the following day. There were twenty-five released missionaries on board on the return trip, most being from the continent. After getting on board I was handed some mail from Birmingham which included a box of mints and a ring on which my initials were engraved, these being sent by the John Clarke family of Dudley Port near Birmingham. They were very dear friends of mind, and friends of the missionaries. I was the first Mormon missionary to call at their place and later used their home as a meeting house for the Dudley Port branch.

Our return trip, while rather uneventful was rougher than out trip going over, possibly due in part to the difference in the size of the boats, the George Washington being much the smaller; however, we returned First Class while going over we were in Tourist Class. We went back into the Tourist and Third Class departments but were glad we were in first class for there was considerable seasickness back there. The boat was smaller but exceptionally finely furnished.

During the evening of March 27th we sighted lights on Long Island and after getting into quarantine the boat was anchored for the night. The next morning we again set foot on U.S. soil, this being at Hoboken New Jersey. We went over to New York and got a room for the night at the McAlphin Hotel. The next morning we got a bus at the Baltimore-Ohio Bus station and went to the railway station -- going on the ferry down the Hudson River. Elders Kerr, Nelson, Nebeker, Schmidt, Southwick, and I left New York for Washington DC where we arrived at 3:45. We passed through Philadelphia and Baltimore on our way. After arranging for rooms at the Pennsylvania Hotel we looked about the city. We walked to the Capital building and took a picture, it being after dark. We went through the Congressional Library and found the interior of it to be the most beautiful of any building I had ever been in. All government buildings, including this, were built of white granite. While in Washington I saw more Negroes than I've ever seen before or since. One third of the 550,000 people of that city are Negroes.

The next morning we took a sight seeing trip, seeing the homes of ex-presidents Taft, Wilson, Harding, and Coolidge. We saw Senator Borah of Idaho and his home. We went out to the Arlington Cemetery, "The City of the Dead". This was a beautiful sight. Here is also to be found the grave of the "Unknown Soldier". We went to the aviation field where we took a ride. This was my first airplane ride. It was, of course, different, but not extraordinarily thrilling. Washington was quite a sight from the air. The wagon wheel plan of the city could be plainly distinguished. Later we visited the Lincoln and Washington Memorials on the Potomac River. We attended a Sunday evening sacrament meeting while in Washington. They had but a rented hall at the time.

On Monday March 31st we visited the government buildings. We spent some time in the Smithsonian Institute at which place, among many other things of interest is Lindbergh's plane "The Spirit of St. Louis". We went through the portion of the government printing department where stamps and currency are printed. We went to the White House and went through two or three rooms which are open to visitors on certain days. We visited the Pan-American building which was supposed to have been the most beautiful building in Washington at that time. It was a beautiful place. We visited through the Capital building, going up on top. This was not open to the public but a friend of Elder Kerr who was a secretary to Don B. Coulton, Utah Representative, took us up. Also, he took us in some of the offices in the building. We went into the gallery of the House of Representatives while they were in session. We were not permitted to go into the Senate chamber.

Our return trip to Salt Lake was uneventful and rather long. We didn't stop over at any place but hurried home.

On the morning of April 4th we arrived in Salt Lake City, having returned by way of St. Louis and Denver. Aunt Marie was at the station to meet me. I was disappointed in the size of Salt Lake. I figured it was a large city when I left there, but it surely looked small, squatty, and scattered. The folks, Dad, Mother, and Marie, my baby sister, who was three or four, came to Salt Lake the afternoon of that day. I was surely glad to meet them again. It was a happy meeting for me and I hope it was for them. While in Salt Lake we all attended the Centennial Conference of the Church. On about April 7th or 8th we returned to Rupert. Home once more. It was the same and again it wasn't. Everybody had changed, that is the younger ones and I hardly recognized some of the family.

I remained on the farm during the years 1930 and '31, during which time Fred was on his mission to the Western States. I must mention that the period of transition was rather a hard one for me. Many a time I actually got home sick for the mission field and the people back there.

In the spring of 1932 I leased the forty acre farm of Mrs. Earl Broadhead and spent my time that year working on that place raising beets, potatoes, hay and grain. In the spring of that year Myrtle Hendricks Blacker, the wife of my older brother, Roy, died. Following her death Roy came home to live with us.

In the spring of the following year, 1933, Roy and I leased the eighty acre farm of M.E. Beecher across the road from the Pioneer school house. Roy remained working for the Minidoka Irrigation District, I sharing his wages and he sharing the crops, he also working on the farm when not working on his job. Beets and potatoes were the major crops. We tried to do as much of the work as we could without hiring. Irrigation was rather difficult due to the place being high and on the end of the canal.

In Late August of that year I had a break down which disabled me as far as work was concerned for two or three weeks. This is one of the few times I have ever needed a doctor. After harvesting the crops that year I decided to quite farming and get into work that was lighter.

During these three years I was active in Church work teaching a Sunday School class of young people seventeen, eighteen and nineteen years of age. Later, I was called by the Bishop to attend the Stake Missionary class at the Seminary building.

The winter following my return from my mission I was called on a local mission with Brother Orland Wilkins to the Eden and Hazelton territory where we tracted and visited members and non-members alike. The winter following that I was appointed and set apart as a missionary to go with Frank Campbell in doing missionary work in Rupert, taking as our field all , members and non-members, living within the boundary of the Second Ward. We visited every house in that territory, leaving literature, preaching the Gospel. and visiting where we were permitted. During the summer or 1931, the Seventies Quorum, to which quorum I was ordained in 1930 by Rudger Clawson, held an open air meeting in the Rupert City Park band stand. I was asked to be one of the speakers.

In the last part of 1931 or the first of 1932 I was appointed first assistant to Brother Arlie Cole on the Stake Genealogical Board. Of all organizations I enjoyed this work most. I was assigned to direct the class work of the stake. While on my mission I gathered some information of our own family and got in touch by mail with a Blacker family in Ireland from whom I secured their history and considerable data. While in the Stake work I arranged considerable of the data I had on hand. I worked in this organization until leaving for school.

Sometime in September of 1933 I bought a 1931 model Ford coupe, my first car.

In December of 1933 Frank Campbell and I went to Rexburg where we entered Ricks College. Frank had been there for one quarter of work but it was my first college work. I enjoyed it all very much. I endeavored to put myself through school., so, in as much as my savings were rather limited it was necessary for me to work on the side, which I did as much as I could at the school. The school was formerly a Church school but at that time it was a State school, the Church having given it over to the State. Nearly all students attending as well as teachers were members of the Church. It was not a large school, possibly between two and three hundred students. Of course, it offered but two years college work as it was a Junior College.

I remained at Ricks during the Winter and Spring quarters. English was the bug-a-boo subject with which I had more trouble than any other. It had been almost seven years since I had completed high school and I had forgotten most of what I knew regarding grammar rules, so in order to get a background I took what we called "bone-head" English. This called for a quarter of work in English without any credit. I believe I got more from that one class than any other one class. The grade of 'B' was gotten for the course. I entered school with the desire to get out of it what I could, so, every effort was made to learn. I have never been what one could call "brilliant" but considered myself but average and it was necessary to work for the grades I got.

It was necessary for me to attend a summer session of twelve weeks in order to complete the two year's work, for I had not gotten the Fall Quarter's work. For this summer school I attended the Idaho State Normal at Albion. I made the change in schools because of two or three different reasons. Possibly the outstanding reason was that I had decided to take up teaching, and the State Normal was much better qualified to train teachers. Another important reason was that Albion was but eighteen miles from Rupert and should we "batch" we would be able to take our food from home, thus getting along cheaper and this had to be considered. Another reason which at that time seemed important was that Julia Thomas, the girl with whom I had been keeping company for nearly two years started to attend Albion after I had gone to Ricks so my making a change we would be together more often than we would have been otherwise. Fred, my brother, also attended summer school so he and I batched together. When the Fall term commenced we all returned to Albion. Bill Neilson from Paul joined Fred and I in our batching. This was an enjoyable year, Bill giving life to the trio.

There is considerable that could be written of the three quarters of that year's work but let it suffice to say that we were all busy. During the Winter Quarter we were particularly busy with art. During the three quarters Fred and I were taking practice teaching which took up considerable of our time. I was a member of "The Little Theater", a dramatic organization which put on several little plays, I being in the major role of two of them. I was in the cast of "Gold in the Hills", a student body play which we put on during the Fall Quarter. I felt I was too busy to try out for the later ones.

In June of 1935 I received my diploma from the Normal and five year teacher's certificate for Junior High School work particularly, but which entitled me to teach in the elementary grades also.

One of the most difficult tasks of all school work is to find a job, especially a teaching job, after the school work has been completed. I spent the spring and summer of 1935 trying to locate a school. I had about given up hopes of ever finding one. As a last resort I wrote letters to County superintendents of schools in a few counties in Wyoming. Very late in August I received a letter from Mrs. Jennie Isherwood, Superintendent of Uinta County asking that I send credentials for there was a vacancy in her county. That afternoon I went to Albion and had my credentials telegraphed. The next day except one I received a telegram stating that I had been selected and that a teacher's institute would be held the following Saturday. The work came on Wednesday, so I had no time to spare. I preferred not going so far from home, it being in the neighborhood of 275 miles, but a job was a job and another would be hard to get.

I arrived in Evanston, Friday evening at eight o'clock and attended the institute the next day. I met the other teachers and was told Hilliard was to be my new home. It was necessary to take an examination on the Constitution of the United States, and one on the Constitution of Wyoming in order to get a teacher's certificate but I was given a month to prepare for it. I passed both examinations with the grades of 94 and 88 respectively as above named.

Mr. George E. Mylroie, the principal of the Hilliard schools, took E. Wayne Hanks of Tooele, Utah, a newcomer and me up to the school and to locate a boarding place. Mr. Mylroie and Mr. Hanks went in Mr. Mylroie's car and I followed in mine. Before we got up there I wondered quite a lot about the job. It wasn't the job as much as the place, and the place was alright too, but it was where the place was. I wondered if Mr. Mylroie knew. He just seemed to go on and on up a narrow dirt road. After we had gone for what seemed a mighty long time to me we came to a bridge which spans Bear River. I was sure the place was near for I could see a farm house which I later found out to be Myer's. But we didn't stop. Instead we went up on a bench -- passed a pioneer marker which I could have taken as a tomb stone over the body of some scout or trapper who had gone the farthest from civilization and had passed away when he could go no farther. But Mr. Mylroie kept on going. We went and we went, on and on, until we got upon another bench which was nothing more than a rock pile and on top of this rock pile we went on and on. In the far distance I could see a high white building, then came in sight a red roofed building. I would not even guess as to what they were but we continued on the rock pile until we reached the buildings of which I spoke. This was the place and we were informed it was but twenty miles from Evanston. They surely seemed a long twenty miles, that trip. The school house looked -- well, not so bad on the outside but the inside was dark and dingy. From the school we went up to Mrs. Grace Lester's, two miles further on and still on a rock pile, where we made arrangements to board for the year. We found that the lady teacher, Miss Virginia Henderson, was to board there also. Mr. Mylroie had a house nearer the school for his family. Hilliard seemed to be a nice looking ranching community, but I had seen more rocks that day than anywhere else, in fact, more than in all my life combined, I believe.

But a month or two after school started, Mr. Hanks returned home to get married, after which he took his wife, Mabel Smith, also of Tooele, up to Hilliard. They lived in George Barker's house, a mile or so through the field from Mrs. Lester's. I spent considerable time with them, at least many of the week-ends.

Soon after going up to Hilliard, in fact, a week after, we attended church and attended regularly while there. While attending the first Sunday we met several whom we had not met before. One in particular was the organist. In the introduction I understood her to be called Mrs. Brown. It may have that she was called Sister Brown and because of she not being a young girl I supposed her to be married. Well-- as I have since found out, she was single-- I mustn't say an old maid for she wasn't that old-- about twenty seven. We found out that there must have a reason other than getting a job for my going to Hilliard, for this same organist and I were married about thirteen months after our first meeting.

The first winter I spent up there was a hard winter. What wind could do with snow was exemplified that winter. Without making a long story out of it I shall give but one example. The giant stride pole which stands twelve high was buried so that it could not be seen even after the kids had played on the snow over the top of it. Naturally it was in drift, but there was a lot of snow that winter. At Mabel's place we often saw the horses eat hay from the loft of the horse barn, there being an opening in which hay was thrown into the loft.

Travel, of course, was by sleigh. The school route from where we got in, to the school house was about four miles which required us, in the worst weather to get into the covered sleigh shortly after seven-thirty in the morning in order to get to school by nine. It was a like trip homeward so our hours were rather long, and the trip got to be tiresome.

I was a foot during the winter time but did a lot of traveling from one place to another on skis. It was on skis that I went to see my best girl. I enjoyed skiing down the hills and in as much as they were close by I did considerable of it.

In leap year on March 21, (1936) Mabel May Brown started our venture toward married life which resulted in a ring being presented while in Salt Lake City at the Coconut Grove, on May 21, 1936 and being married in the Salt Lake Temple on October 9th of the same year.

This page covers my father's history from birth until just before his marriage to my mother. To read the rest go to "Blacker-Brown History".

Ruth Blacker Waite - 2023