Friday, April 26, 2013

Famous and Not-So-Famous Relatives

June 29, 1963, Saturday

Dear Gene,

Received your short letter this AM and it was the only mail I received. Seems quite a coincidence that I should happen to pick up an old letter of Herald Cox's mother and read it to you the other night while you were here, of all the great experiments in the polio virus vaccines that he has achieved and to read again that he is still director of vital research in those Lederle Laboratories. I still have the magazine section of that Sunday newspaper. It shows pictures of the other two doctors as well as one of him, where he is administering a dose of his cherry-flavored syrup to a little child.

It had been so long since hearing anything more about him. I began to wonder if those other doctors had stolen the whole show or wanted to introduce their vaccine first. Herald had introduced and tried his vaccine first in South America before these other doctors did here in U.S. [Here's the link to a Wikipedia article about this scientist who is a distant relation to Leora. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._R._Cox]

I've taken the first two oral vaccines, 1st while living on 87th Street last summer (in a school nearby) given on sugar, and then one Sunday this year at a school since living here, but haven't taken the 3rd. I'm wondering when we should take Herald's. From what I read in this clipping, it's a 3-in-1 vaccine and the combination of groups under the direction of Sabin and Dr. Herald Rea Cox, Lederle's director of vital research.

Pauline Rea Cox with her son Herald
I suppose Pauline, his mother, is still living, but being cared for in this convalescing hospital when I last heard about her through Aunt Minnie. She was so crippled up with arthritis, etc. I think that was the last letter I'd received from her when she wrote so much about the accomplishments of her 3 sons, all seemed extremely brilliant. Pauline was talented. She had one daughter, her name was Mary Louise, but think she divorced first husband. She was a pretty little girl and the youngest child. Pauline had a talent for poetry and kept a pencil and paper nearby. Whenever a bit of poetry came into her daily busy life, she'd write it down.

I don't know which side of her posterity she inherited all this talent from. Her father's name was George Rea and her grandmother was a sister of my wonderful Grandma (on her mother's side, who married a Lee.) But she died after having several children, and my grandmother helped a lot on the younger children's care. The one I received information from about genealogy after coming here to Los Angeles was Danny Lee. He sent me that 100-year-old letter that my Grandma Orlton Young wrote her mother after my grandma had her first baby born in Missouri.

Poor Grandma hated Missouri and they migrated back to Indiana, but not before my father and his twin sister were born in Hancock County, Illinois. They were slowly getting back to Indiana, I guess, about like the Mormons when they decided to go west to Utah. But Grandma evidently wanted to be near her own mother who was living in Indiana. But this great-grandma of mine was born in Pennsylvania where she married the Orlton husband. He was a Baptist, and she was born a Quaker, so I guess her religion was a mixture by faith. My father was a Baptist too.

Anyhow, I don't know where Pauline and all her children inherited all the brains. Her grandmother married a Lee and mine married a Young, but my grandmother almost outlived all her own children. I saw her pass away when [I was] 17 or 18 years of age. Anyway, I'd better close all this reminiscing and should get some of these memoirs down in family history records. If I was living as close to Indiana as Aunt Minnie has been all these years, I'd probably have gotten more.

But we had to keep moving about, or we wouldn't have contacted the Mormons when we did. So we struggled through a depression, war, etc., to humble ourselves to be prepared when we did find a few of them in the east. I heard Cleone Skousen for a few minutes on TV last night. Accidentally tuned on the station where he was talking. He's beginning to show his age. A news commentator must have had him on for a few minutes on his news program.

I sat down here in the kitchen to write a few lines to Ricky. It's been quite a while since I wrote him, so will write him a little news about our activities, about Perry and children going to SLC, taking Dale, and you and Linda spending a week here. . . . Love, Mother

Minnie and her husband, Arthur,
on their wedding day August 27, 1913
[The following is a letter from Gene's Aunt Minnie--Leora's sister--who was visiting from Illinois.]
Paris, Illinois
August 3, 1963, Friday

Dear Gene & Family

Well, I arrived home last Tuesday around 5:40 Chicago time. It was a beautiful ride. The sky was so clear after we leveled off above the clouds. Over Grand Canyon it was as clear as it could be. I was so disappointed because we'd forgotten to purchase any colored film. It would have been perfect pictures. The cliffs and peaks of the mountains were so picturesque with the beautiful coloring of the canyon below. It was just breathtaking. But no colored film or even black & while. We went 3500 feet elevation. I got a window seat. Kay could have gotten one too but said she wanted to sit by me and that I could have the seat by the window. So it was grand. I shared though with her, finally, when we were still over the canyon.

Gene, I'm sending you and children some things as soon as I can get around to it. But it's going to be delayed for a few days. Hope you will like what I send. Have so much right now to take care of here straightening up and fixing something for Uncle Arthur [Minnie's husband]. Also, he is getting his last fall's corn shelled now, has close to 9 or 10,000 bushel to shell on the place. You know so many farmers are getting theirs shelled too to empty cribs for the new crop that they have to take their turn.

He came to Lockport to get me from Kathryn's house the next morning at eight o'clock. We were still at the breakfast table. She wanted him to stay overnight so she could talk with us but he told her "no," he had to drive right back on account they might call him and tell him they were ready for his corn shellling. She begged and begged him to stay all night because she was going on duty at 10 am and had to stay until 5 pm on account of the patient's wife had to drive out to all of her farms so she knew she couldn't call her work off. So Dad and I left Lockport when she left and arrived in Paris at 2:30 pm. It's 168 miles from Lockport to Paris. It was raining hard when we left. Sure enough than Wednesday night they called him and said they'd be in to his corn cribs.

So shelled all day Thursday and will be all day today (Friday) and part day tomorrow, Saturday, before they can finish. So he always goes out and keeps count of the truckloads corn which they haul out to the elevators so he'll know that he gets all his tickets weights or loads. So you see he's quite busy and has the car, and I'm left stranded without a way to go anywhere unless I walk or beg a ride. Wish we were rich bugs so we could have 2 cars, ha. But too much expense he says to keep 2 cars in operation, insurance, licenses and upkeep.

Gene, I just had such a wonderful time in your home. I will never forget it. It was so nice to see your children and meet your husband too. I'm real fond of your family and think you have such a fine bunch or kiddies and such a nice husband. Wish we could see each other oftener. I had such a lovely day with Pierce and family too. They also have a lovely home. Pierce came in and took us out to his home. We went to afternoon church meeting and heard the program. It was very interesting and Becky played two numbers on their piano. It was so nice. She is doing so well for no more lessons than she has taken.

Pierce took us to El Monte in the evening and we took the bus into LA. I got such a nice visit with your mother too. We talked every night until almost midnight or after. And too, I think it must have been pretty tiresome for her because when we'd go places she always wanted to go along too and boy! oh boy! I do a lot of walking whenever I go sightseeing. I forget everything but that. So I know she must have gotten pretty tired, but she wouldn't acknowledge it to anyone.

We went to see 'Oklahoma' that night after you left. It was wonderful and the players were splendid in their performances. I was so glad I got her out to Berry Farm. I wish I could have afforded to have taken her on all those different tours. She worries so much over the freeways and the drivers. I guess she can't help it tho. Believe if she could get out more, she'd overcome her worries.

If Uncle Arthur will go to Arizona this winter after corn picking and after income time in January, I'll leave him in Phoenix and I'll take a bus for 3 or 4 days and visit her then because we're both getting older fast. I don't know yet what Uncle will do. You know it doesn't cost us any more to spend cold months there than spending it here during the extreme cold weather. We shut off our telephone, shut down our gas, lower and shut off water and electricity, so that expense is gone, and we were able to get a large sleeping room for $30 a month. I never eat very much whenever I'm gone, so I think it's cheaper to spend it away from these cold winters here.

The only drawback now is I'm older and can't walk as good as I used to. I used to go to the mountains and walk all over the mountains and hunt pretty stones while he sat in the car and slept. Then I'd take street bus and ride out where all the secondhand stores were and gradually walk back after hunting for pretty antiques. I'd always find pretty things and they'd be valuable too. I called it junking. That's the way I found my amethyst stone and big pearl that I set in rings. Some poor people didn't know how valuable some of the china, glass, etc, were. I'd have so much fun. He'd go sit in lobby of a hotel 'til I got back.

So if everything works out, I'll go see Leora again just for 3 or 4 days during winter. I know she'll be lonesome for a while after we left until she gets used to it. We had such fun talking. The only thing that worried her was because I'd go to the store and buy groceries to help out. She resented it, but I always do that when I go to a big city. We have a big garden here on our farms, so it makes a difference I know in town. I had such a wonderful time with her.

Well, my letter is getting so big, must close and write to Pierce and Mona yet too. It was so nice to see you all. Will send you copies of pictures.

Perry Manwaring family, Claremont, California 1962
August 28, 1963, Wednesday

Dear Gene & All,

I hope Marian and her girlfriend arrived home ok and that Marian will be feeling better. She seemed so tired and didn't have much pep. I think losing her tonsils sorta sapped some of her strength. I went to the Save-on Drugstore and got her a small box of Geritol, so I hope she takes them every day--2 a day--I told her after or with her meals, and I hope she will be pepped up for school with the results of a little more of the iron content. They're supposed to be a good tonic. They helped me after that siege of flu that really got me down awhile.

I watched and listened to the colored people's big march and drive on the TV as they performed in Washington DC before the monument of Abraham Lincoln today, listened to several speeches and the crowd was very big. I didn't see President Kennedy but saw Vice President Johnson and a few more notables. It seemed quite orderly. Heard the great colored singer that Mrs. Roosevelt helped to make famous, and she is very good, quite a bit older now.

The scenes sure take me back when we lived in Washington DC and so near to the capital buildings we could just walk over there and sit in the park across from the Capitol, or as Dad and I did so often, go over to the Senate grounds to cool off in the evenings before going to bed. Pierce and I used to go so often and sit on the Capitol steps and listen to the Navy, Army, and Marine bands of different evenings of the week. We were sure living close to hear and see everything of importance. I'm glad we had that experience.

Well, I'd better close and hope Marian and rest of you are all feeling better. Suppose my sister Minnie and Uncle Art had their big day last Sunday, the anniversary. I sent a beautiful anniversary greeting and wrote a letter to them. She was wishing so much that I could be there for the event and how much she felt I'd enjoy seeing everyone and some of the old friends. But I had no desire to go--our ways and habits, besides our spiritual ways, are so entirely different. I'm happy that my living habits are simple and that money does not rule my life and material things are only to be used for our good or the good of others in spiritual living. We are not judged by how rich we are in material things but only in our spiritual living and what good we can do in that way.

Oh, yes, forgot to tell you that night before last, about 2 AM here, Richard called me by telephone and it sure awakened me quite suddenly. So I fumbled for the phone and answered it. He was at the hospital, as he works at night, and he said Betty had called him from hospital that they had another baby boy and they were going to call him by name Christian Fast. I hope they have a middle name for him too. I got so wide awake, I couldn't sleep, and I was sure tired all day yesterday. I stayed up and wrote him a letter. He couldn't talk too long as he had to answer another phone in the office. But the baby seemed good-size, not sure but think it was 6 1/2 pounds or so.

Betty's mother was with them and would be for 2 weeks. I got out some of Dad's genealogy and looked over the family group sheet of Christian Fast and his wife. They had a family of 13 with the name Christian used 2 times, the first son didn't seem to live too long. He died. Then down later in the list of children, another son was given the name Christian, so there was 3 of the same name in that Fast family. Almost feel it was overdone and I believe it is used in another group. I told Rich, as I wrote, I hoped he would have a middle name to add to the baby son's title for as he grows older into manhood, he may wish he had another name to be called by besides the Christian title. I wrote Rich all the 13 names of this one particular Fast family--think they lived in Ashland County, Ohio.

Must close and get this in the evening mail. Marian promised to write me after she got home, so hope she feels lots better and takes the Geritol that I made her a gift of. Love to all, Mother

PS. I received a nice gift of 5 glasses of Knotts Berry jellies and jams over a week ago or so. Opened one up for Marian to try. They were made up in a nice tweed basket package as packed and sent me from Kotts Berry Farm. I remember Minnie and Kay were in that shop awhile, so was I too, but didn't know she'd ordered this for me.

Marian says you let your soup blow up like a volcano. Keep it on low pressure, but start early enough to get it done for a meal. I hope your pressure-top didn't blow off and spoil it. Better clean it up good inside. Sometime I'll send you a recipe for a good "Hobo" dinner or it's called a Hobo Stew. It can be made in pressure cooker and doesn't take so long. I had some of it when Pierce, Mona and family dropped in on that 1st rainy day a month or so ago. She liked it so well that she wrote down the recipe. I think all of you would like it too. It's easily made by pressure style. Maybe sometime when I come out, I'll make a batch of it.

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Dale in Vernal for the summer

May 10, 1963 (Friday)

Dear Gene,

We'll be celebrating Mother's Day this year on the 12th of May. As I look at the calendar today, I notice it is the 10th and just remembered this date is my own father's birthday. He was born in the year of 1861 and if living, he would be at the age of 102 years--or I should say he would begin his 102nd birth year, just finished his 101st. He and his twin sister were born near Carthage, Illinois in Hancock County. I don't know how near he was to this town, or should say how close his parents were. It was in that county that I think his parents were on their way back to Indiana since their older children (little girls) were born in Missouri. Grandma wasn't used to living in that kind of country as she was born in Pennsylvania. Those Missouri people were not her type, were not friendly and helpful.

She was a very spiritual person, had many sorrows, so many deaths in her immediate family besides losing her husband, my grandfather Young and her older sister who died and left several children in Indiana. And Grandma tried to help them out. This sister's husband's name was Lee. I met two of her sons after they were grownup and had their families. Danny Lee loved Grandma as if she was his mother. They all called her Aunt Harriet, and she visited in his home often after he married and had a family. They just loved her. Grandma almost outlived her own children, except one, my father's twin sister where she made her home with Aunt Susan in Indiana. I visited several times there too. My twin sister lived with my aunt.

I received a letter from Aunt Minnie today. She still doesn't feel too well and wonders why I can't come to visit her, thinks she'd feel a lot better if I came. I feel Aunt Minnie has just worked too hard on farm and keeping up two homes and all her children with their families. She felt she had to help them all out in their care also. But Uncle Arthur and his hired man are trying to farm another year yet, so I think they're batching it out there. Anyway, I don't have the cash to travel so far. . . .

Jan with Grandma Leora
May 13, 1963 (Monday)

Dear Mother,

Guess you were still at the cemetery or over at Flossie's yesterday afternoon when we came in. I didn't have Flossie's address or phone number so couldn't call. Sorry we missed you. It was a beautiful day so I know your trip was pleasant. We went over to Perry's Aunt veda's house awhile too then had to be back for church at 6:00 pm.

First, after Sunday school, Perry took us all to a nice Chinese restaurant for lunch. We all enjoyed it except Harriet Lea. (She dislikes strange foods.) She was hoping to get a snack at your house. We got back just in time for our Sacrament services.

Jan received his certificate of graduation from Primary. He is a 2nd class scout now too and going to mutual now. He is a deacon now also and passes the sacrament with Dale and other boys. He and Dale went with several other boys to the temple Saturday morning and did baptisms for the dead. Each were baptized 25 times.

Marian's birthday is this coming Saturday. She will be 15 years old (May 18th). She wants to go to the beach to celebrate her day, so I and her girlfriend's mother will drive and take the girls. . . .

[The following letter was written by Perry to Gene and Linda who did not go on this trip to Utah. The main purpose of the trip was to take Dale to Vernal, Utah for the summer where the plan was that he would work on Great-Uncle Ashel's farm, make a little money, and come home at the end of the summer with a better idea of the "meaning of hard work."]

June 20, 1963

Dear Gene & Linda,

We have received your two letters and please don't be angry with me for not writing sooner. We arrived at Hope's and Grant's at 2:00 am Saturday morning very tired. We slept there and then had one of Grant's famous breakfasts. They then took us up to Fish Lake where Grant had to look over some work. I rented a motor boat and took the children out for a ride. They all took turns steering the boat. At first Harriet was frightened. Then after she lost her fear, she thought it was the best ever.

We arrived here, Salt Lake City, about 7:00 pm Saturday very tired. I took Marian and Gwen [Marian's best friend from high school] out to Hazel's to stay. (David has a job at a drive-in theater from 6:00 pm to 1:00 am. The next morning Marian and Gwen were so tired and as it was Conference, we were afraid we would have to be at the Tabernacle too early for the broadcast. However, Dale wanted to go so we went and got in just before they closed the rope, but we couldn't find a seat. While we were standing, David Mitchell from our stake spotted us, came over and brought us to where he was sitting and squeezed us in.

Dale enjoyed it so much that he wanted to stay for the next session of Conference. Can you believe it? While we were shifting places to get a better seat, I ran into Cynthia Stone and Pricilla Neff. Sunday afternoon we all went to the monument ad then to the temple grounds where we went on a conducted tour, went into the Tabernacle, heard the pin drop, etc.

Monday morning we went to Vernal. (Marian and Gwen stayed here and David took them places. We met Genevieve and Lorin at Heber and they followed us out. We stopped at Venice's. They will soon have their house finished and it looks very good. I was pleased Venice and Elvyn followed us to Vernal. we went to Uncle Ashel's first. Only Aunt Elva and her daughter Elva Lynn were home. Elva Lynn is just Dale's age. Elva Lynn is real friendly and cute and she made Dale feel at home right away. Of course she promised Dale a conducted tour of the farm via horseback.

Aunt Elva had to take lunches to Uncle Ashel and the boys into Vernal where they were all working on a house. Uncle Ashel is contracting bricklaying. He has three of his boys plus Uncle Dee, and a number of other men working for him. They were all so pleasant and happy that when we left Jan said, "Daddy, people are happier here than they are in California."

Dale got left behind in Vernal to "learn to work hard"
From there we went to Aunt Thelma's and Uncle Dee's. While there, Mother received word that Uncle Abe had just passed away. He was 92. [Albert was Leona's brother.] We then went to the Dinosaur National Monument. It was quite fabulous and much improved from what it was when I saw it 30 years ago. But Dale was so restless. He kept wanting to get back to Uncle Ashel's. We stopped to see Laura and a few other relatives. Dale was so anxious to get back to Uncle Ashel's that he almost embarrassed me. He was really taken with the place.

Because of Uncle Abe's passing, we decided to stay overnight so that Mother could visit with Aunt Vilate and Aunt Lucy, the only others living in her family. The next morning Dale was up at 5:00 am milking cows. He worked on one cow and with my help managed to get about a half-bucket of milk. He then started swinging his arms to fight off the mosquitoes. the cow took that as a signal to walk off and in doing so, capsized the milk. Dale only sat staring at the spilled milk and said, "All that work gone down into the dirt." Everybody just laughed.

Yesterday I took Dad and Mother down-town. Dad had some business to take care of. He has now been permanently retired. I think he has done real well. they then wanted to go see Grace Manwaring arrive by plane from Hawaii. She has been visiting her parents there. Last night we all went out and visited Dick and Betty. Today June and I are taking them out to Lagoon.

That brings you up-to-date. My present plan is to leave here Sunday eve, go as far as Richfield, leave there the next morning, go through Bryce and on home. I will call you when we get in unless it is too late. Love, Perry, "Dad"

PS. I feel real good about Dale. He is in a very good environment. Uncle Ashel wants to give him a chance to earn a little money. The very first day he had him up helping with the brick-laying. We came by on our way home. Dale was working real hard. Jan is very busy learning to play the guitar.

Linda, we all enjoyed your letter. Little Harriet is just fine and nobody caught Jan's and Renee's colds.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

I suppose most of the fruit is frozen

Feb. 12, 1963

Dear Perry and family,

We laughed at your last letter because you addressed it "1139 Elgin Ave." Now if you were to come to Salt Lake, you likely would not know where to find us. [Perry's parents moved from 1139 to 1190 Elgin Avenue--just up the street--to Hazel's and Walter's old house.]

We read of rain in California--a lot of rain. How is it at Claremont? It is dry here and yesterday and the night before we had a terrific wind and cold as Alaska. In fact, I think it must have come from there. Today is better. We are glad you enjoy the books. There are several stories we could write and will when we can get at it.

Renee, I think you are going to be an artist, and we surely do like the pictures you sent of the roses and Milky Mae. I have shown them to the folks who have come, and June showed Kerry Dee your letter so he could see what good writing you do. Kerry Dee is in such a hurry. He doesn't take time to write very well, and June says the teachers give the children such big assignments in writing that it is discouraging. It seems strange to think of picking roses in January.

Venice and Glenn were here on Sunday and Monday. They came out with some friends. Glenn got his patriarchal blessing. They are getting their house nearly finished now. Mrs. Parker was in our house yesterday and she asked about you folks--especially the children, so I showed her the colored picture of the group and how tall Dale is getting. She was very pleased to see all of your pictures. Venice says their Dale is taller than Glenn and has bigger feet and longer fingers. When he plays basketball, he can catch the ball with his one hand, his fingers being so long.

We were so interested in Jan's Christmas letter saying he and Harriet and Renee were in the glee club at school. Just keep on, that is fine. Grandpa and Grandma

February 28, 1963

Dear Perry & Gene,

I have been up to talk with the doctor and office lady, and he says your plans will be all right, but that he would want to see Marian as soon as she can come to the office so he can check her condition first. I like the nurse there and office lady. They are all nice and sociable. I hope Marian doesn't have any setbacks, or anything to hinder her progress or your plans. It will be a good time of year, or should be.

We have a ward banquet tonight to go to. The ward plans building on to the present building and so it is money now. It is only $1.50 per plate to night, so everyone should be able to come I should think. We have such a big increase in membership from the Graystone Apartments.

Elmer has his day off today and is resting. June and Kerry Dee were in a wreck the other night. She stopped her car before driving on the highway, and a truck being driven by a girl came around the corner "pell-mell" and crashed right into June's car head-on. June said she knew she couldn't get out of the way, so they both prepared to "face it." She did have presence of mind to turn the key and shut off the gas. Neither were hurt, just shocked, but the car was all mashed in front and later had to be towed away. It was close to a service station on the corner and there were plenty of witnesses.

June said she was real proud of Kerry. He said, "Mamma, you stay here, and I'll go and phone." She said, "Why, do you know what to do?" "Sure," he said, "I'll call the road patrol and tell them there has been a wreck here and to bring the officers." She is still busy filling out blanks and forms for insurance, etc. The man at the service station let her take a car for use until hers can be fixed. It is hard on her nerves as she can't stand such things very well.

Well, I will watch for the mailman and get this off today. We hope all of you keep well. Love to all. Mother & Dad

PS. Elvyn and Venice and boys came to Salt Lake last week to see Gordon in the basketball tournament. He is in St. George you know. They visited everybody a short time. I believe all the folks are well at this time. Mother

April 22, 1963

Dear Folks,

You were surely good managers when you chose to come the week that you did. It has been real bad weather ever since--snow, rain and wind and so cold most of the time. This morning when we got up, there was quite a bit of snow on the ground again. The sun is shining now and it looks quite nice. We hope the patriarchal letter has reached you by now.

I can imagine the ones left at home were glad to see Mother and the girls arrive. That really was a fast ride home. Renee and Harriet, that was real thoughtful of you to pick some (right now I can't think of the word) for us. [I wonder what it was--fruit? flowers?--something from California that doesn't grow in Utah] They were nearly all good.

Marian, we surely do hope and pray that your throat continues to heal and get well. [Marian went to the old family doctor up the street on Highland Drive to get her tonsils out. That was a less expensive option than seeing a California doctor. And according to Marian, in California, she would have had to be hospitalized for the procedure.] Dale and Jan, the girls were really anxious to see you, so you must always remember that they think a lot of you.

I suppose most of the fruit is frozen. Our apricot tree was in bloom. We are wondering if there is any use to plan spraying the apple trees.

Perry, it seems easy for you to write poetry. Keep it up. The Daughters of the Utah Pioneers asked me to read my mother's history in our meeting last Thursday. Yes, I have her's and her mother's that you can get when someone has tine to type them. I have written mine and sent it in to Stella Richards who is getting histories of Naples people born before 1900.

I don't think of anything in the line of news, and I hope you are all back to normal, including Marian. We were glad to visit with them and you didn't put us to a lot of trouble either. Love, Mother & Dad

PS. We just received another number of the "Millennial Star" which is published in England. Nelson, I suppose, is responsible for that. Thoughtful of him.

Friday, April 5, 2013

Dale injured his knee

Dale with his fully-repaired knee
January 9, 1964 (Thursday)

Dear Mother,

I am writing this to you at the Kaiser Hospital here in Fontana where I have brought Dale. I don't know if I told you Dale injured his knee one day right after Thanksgiving at school while running on the track. He smashed it into a football tackling block, tore some ligaments, and we thought that was all, but it locked on him and he was put on crutches. We still didn't think it so bad. After three weeks, however, when it still remained the same, we were referred out here to a bone surgeon who says Dale has a torn piece of ligament between the joint of his knee, which will not move and will have to be operated on for removal before he can ever use his leg again. This came as a shock to us all.

Perry took out a family hospitalization plan with Kaiser in November which will cover most of the expense (I hope). That is why we are out here. He will be operated on first thing in the morning.

This is as far as I got with my letter this afternoon. It took us an hour to get him registered, etc, and into a room and settled and it was 3 o'clock before I got home. Then, of course, I had supper to prepare, etc. I will go and see him tomorrow after the operation. Please add your prayers to ours for his speedy and successful recovery. He will use the crutches a few weeks after the operation. Then he should be ok again.

1190 Elgin Ave.
January 11, 1964

Dear Perry & Gene,

We received your letters yesterday and we have called the girls about it. We surely do hope and pray that everything will work out well for Dale. Glad you have hospitalization. How about the doctor's fees? Perry, did the amount I sent help with what you needed then? I just volunteered that much and you never did say. Now we can spare a little more if you need it. We want to do whatever is needed for Dale's best good, and we know that the Lord can bless and heal. It seems to me that your family have a great deal of faith, and the prayers of the children reach up to the Father where sometimes others don't.

We had a wonderful Christmas, and we surely did enjoy all the letters your family sent. They are all good letter writers, and sometime I will catch up with them. Thanks to all of you. We have some snow, and it still looks cloudy, but then it is not so cold. June and Kerry Dee ate dinner with us on Christmas day.

Last night when I called June about Dale and to exercise her faith and prayers in his behalf, she said, "All right, we will, but Mother, pray for Kerry and me too. Sometimes I feel like I am at the rope's end." Kerry has been causing her some trouble the last while, and she has worried so much. He is so restless, and June is so nervous and emotional. He needs a steadying hand.

Hazel brought a gallon of paint for a Christmas present. Then on Monday after Christmas, she and David came and painted the front room a very light color. It is so much lighter now and more cheerful. I tried to pay for the paint, but she would not.

We will be praying and hoping for Dale, and let us know how he makes it. Love, Mother & Dad

Perry, Gene, Dale, Harriet, Renee & Jan
January 22, 1964

Dear Perry and All,

We are surely glad to get your letter saying everything is all right with Dale. A real miracle has taken place, and the Lord heard all of our prayers. I have said that people who have gained a real testimony have had to pay for it in some way. Maybe your doctors deserve a real testimony too.

Your father has just been out sweeping the snow and it is coming down in big flakes. Your children would enjoy this. Ashel and Elva are in Hawaii. Ashel has a friend who thinks so much of him that he has given both of them a trip with all expenses paid for two weeks. They left Salt Lake by train Monday night (evening), and plan to stay all night with Veda on their way back, which will be Sunday, Feb. 2. Your father thinks you might like to talk with him by phone at least. So maybe you can work it out.

One of Ashel's boys, Glendon, is going on a mission to Chile but is going to BYU for a few months to learn more about the language. It is the youngest son. I don't know of any more news that I should write. Glad you are all well, and we are doing all right here. Elmer has used all of the records of "Jesus the Christ" on the machine for the blind and a few records of articles from the Reader's Digest.

We will be waiting for the book on Columbus. You are evidently relieved at getting it done. Love, Mother & Dad

January 24, 1964 (Friday)

Dear Gene & Family,

Have wondered how Dale is getting along as a patient now and is he still in the hospital? Tell him I think he'd better stick to basketball. He's tall and probably could be "the star" of his team by getting the ball in the basket oftener and maybe not so rough and dangerous as football, I hope!

Of course, I've found out that I couldn't star in either game for by my reaching up too high with a box of books to put on a shelf, I really took a flop, and by being careless not to check on my little stepladder's hinges. But that's what we get by not checking and being too tired. This also will cause a person to do tricks like this. but we learn the hard way so regret afterwards when it's too late.

Looks as if we will have a beautiful day, as I gaze away off to the mountains, but do notice the usual haze that seems to be gathering toward the mountains north and east in your direction so guess we can blame the automobiles for that. My back seems to bother me on the line with my hips where I bend like an old rusty hinge that needs plenty of oil. But I hope to get back to normal so need your prayers to add along with the ones that you ask for Dale--"the tall and short ones" of the family.

I wear my tight girdle to give me support and hope for the best. It's hard for me to keep inactive. But I like it here on the top floor. It's quieter and gets more light. I wrote Rich and family yesterday, don't hear very often from them since they have such a large family. They don't have time hardly for themselves if they try to keep up with all their activities like school and church and making a living. Same as you folks. Good thing people are younger when in all these activities with a family.

12:25 PM - Had to stop since I had a caller to come in from the 3rd floor. She is such a tall, good-sized LDS but not well and has to watch her diet. So she sat down and visited for quite awhile since she thinks I'm a little handicapped from my "spill." Slowly I'm getting my belongings organized, so I'll know where to find them. Woodwork and all seemed so dusty up here even though a fresh coat of paint had been put on before I moved up. Shelves, etc, needed cleaning and clean shelf paper. I was grateful that Brother Burnham sent his 2 boys to bring up my few heavier pieces of furniture for me the evening that I hurt my back. Sure hope the strained muscles will get better.

I went to Relief Society meeting last Tuesday AM and do my own shopping when I need anything. I got my laundry caught up also by taking it to a good laundromat several blocks with my cart, but it's such a fine, new clean place near Ardmore on Olympic--not far from where I used to live.

I must close and write Aunt Edith and Harriet. They'll wonder why they don't hear from me. Hope Perry got his book finished and will prove himself a famous author. I'll go drop this in mailbox and will have to fix me up a lunch by making a hobo stew in my pressure cooker. It's a good meal all in one. You should try it--think your family would like it--a layer of meat, ground or unground, seared well with layers of vegetables on top, flavored well, tomato sauce. So good. Love to all, Mother (Leora)