Friday, May 31, 2019

Thursday, May 30, 2019

Is Cursive Handwriting Dead? ~~~~ I hope not !!!

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Margaret Ann Bristol Renburg Family

This History is taken from the book "The Family History of William Bristol, Ane Marie Sophie Clausen, Joseph Cambron, and their Descendants ...... Written by Pat L. Sagers.

Monday, May 27, 2019

MEMORIAL DAY ~ DECORATION DAY ~ Let Us Never Forget Those Who Have Served For Us.

Flag Photo by Jon Hafen

1st Flag Raised on Iwo Jima

Military Photos

submitted by Les Seely

Members of C Company. Helped quell the Phillipean insurrection in 1900.

Sunday, May 26, 2019

Saturday, May 25, 2019

Mt. Pleasant Relief Society Poetry ~~~ 1962

Friday, May 24, 2019

Autobiography of Louise Thalmann Hasler

In a mountainous part of Switzerland in the County of Thurgau, Parish Dussnang, I was born on

the 26th of August, 1843. My parents were Heinrich Thalmann and Anna Thalmann. They were

distant relatives to each other.

My first recollection of my existence in life came possible to me when I was four years old. I

have a faint remembrance, at that age of seeing my father in life. I had been in the garden on the

front of our house and plucked some of his choices flowers and given them to a girl who had

asked me for them. My father came home and chided me for taking his nice flowers. It must

have been shortly after this time that I saw, one day, a strange man coming to the house. He

went into the bedroom. I learned afterwards that it was our family doctor. When he went away

my mother followed him to the door and when she came in again she seemed to be in great

distress.

After that I saw more people going into my father=s bedroom, and my mother was in tears. Then

they told me my father was dead. Then another man came and went into the bedroom, and I

slipped in with him, and this man took his measurements. I noticed then, my father lying on his

bed B so tall and still.

I did not realize what death meant until I was led into the room again to see him lying in a black

coffin. His eyes were partly open and I thought my papa would soon wake up again. But then

the funeral came and I was to begin to realize that the people that gathered were going to take my

papa away. A stretcher was placed before the house and our friends found me working hard to

get that stretcher out of the way. I was then gently taken into the house by sympathizing friends.

When the procession started, my sister and I were led by the hand of an aunt. Our dear one was

carried to his burying place in the churchyard. I heard my mother ahead of us sobbing in grief. I

rushed up to her, then fully realized where we were all going.

When we came near the church, the funeral bells were tolling and I well remember how my little

heart suffered. When we reached the open grave, the coffin was lowered, oh so deep! There had

not been a vault made to place the coffin in to prevent the earth and rocks from falling upon the

coffin. Oh horrors! That sound to my child heart was so terribly painful I could not stand it, and

years after I could not stand near an open grave. It is just as plain now at my age as it was then.

My father died on the 15th of September, 1847.

I well remember the first winter that followed. I believe our mother was timid to be alone. She

would keep us children up at night as long as we could stay awake. We both would cuddle up

close to her, and she would tell us stories and so many things about our father that we got as well

acquainted with him as if he were with us. Mother=s timid feelings were occasioned a great deal

because our house was broken into three times that winter, but it seems the burglars were

frightened away every time without getting anything. Mother was grieving so much over our

loss that she could not stand us children having our frolic and laughter, especially when she

prepared our evening meal. She would come into the dining room and bid us to be quiet.

A friend of ours noticed our condition and told her that she should not grieve so much. She

deprived her children of the happiness that was due to them. After that time, she tried hard to

control herself, and allowed us more freedom.

Mother=s task was a hard one because much hard labor was required of her and us children. We

were too small to help her. But she adapted herself bravely to hard labor that was required of

her. In our country, the law required of a widow that was left with children, that the house and

property left at her husband=s death be appraised at its full value and a guardian appointed, that it

should be protected in case the mother should marry again.

The law was right, but such a guardian could exercise too much power sometimes. The times

were hard, everything was high in price, money scarce, taxes high, the farm did not bring in

enough to cover expenses. The breadwinner was gone. We had splendid timberland on our

farm, but we were not allowed to sell anything to tide us over. My mother had to do man=s work

on the farm. We had no money to hire. In the first few years a brother of hers came and helped

her considerable in haying time, for which she was thankful. Also, a sister of mother=s came and

helped in harvest time to cut the grain with the sickle.

Pleasant memories are those for us children when Aunt Katherine came. She was never married

and always so happy. She was so quaintly dressed. She had always some nice candy in her deep

pockets of her homespun linen dress, and in her satchel, a huge gingerbread man for each of us

children and for mother, some coffee cake. She brought us children our first dolls. I remember

mine was dressed in pink silk, trimmed with lace and gold beads. She could do anything but

walk. As soon as we children were able to carry a burden, we had to help. Everything that

would grow on our farm had to be carried. There was scarcely a level place to build a house on;

however, our land and meadow were all close to our home; and we raised enough hay to keep

two cows. We always raised our own foodstuff, potatoes and fruit, etc.

Our schooldays were very happy ones. In the long winter months, we had lots of sport with our

sleighs. They would carry us down to the valley below to the schoolhouse about as fast as we

travel now in our autos. It was not quite as pleasant going home in the evenings through the

deep snow that had fallen during the day. We had such long hard winters there, but the boys

would go in single file and draw our sleighs to make a path for the girls, and keep the road open

for the next morning. It was a half-hour walk to our school, to church - one hour.

We spent lunch time and recess on the mill pond skating. I fell in once and got under the ice.

The boys quickly formed a chain, got hold of my head and pulled me out. I worried more about

my wet clothes than about my cold head.

After we got out of school, we could be more of a help to mother. We got ingenious and had a

little wagon made to haul our products home, which helped us very much.

I just mention, at this time, our good neighbors B two or three families that lived not very far

from our home, who were so very good to us. One was a carpenter, and when any farming tools

or many other things in our home were broken, we could go there and they never turned us away

and mended many things for us without pay. How thankful we were for their great kindness to

us. We tried our best to show our appreciation in doing errands for them. Neither of them had

children. Mother advised us that if ever we could do any errands for them to drop everything

and do it. But we always felt that we never could get even with them. I have never forgotten

them, and I had been so thankful that I could do the work for them in the temple and for their

families. I want to meet them again in the life to come.

Our mother was quite strict with us children. We did not have as much freedom as many other

children had. We were kept at work. She taught us to pray, and was very particular to have us

attend Sunday school and meetings. We were taught in the Protestant Church. I well remember

how she would get us children up in the middle of the night when there was a thunderstorm and

she would pray with us, asking the Lord to temper the elements and that we would be preserved

from fire. Our large house was a wooden structure. There was danger of lightening striking the

building. We were mostly without water to fight a fire in the summertime and we had full faith

that the Lord would answer our prayers.

Mother loved nature and instilled that love of the beautiful in us children. Often I have seen her

working in the fields in springtime when all nature was in its verdure. The birds were singing B

the cuckoo calling. She would lay down her tools and fold her hands, thanking and praising our

Father in Heaven that in his loving kindness he was doing so much for us. When my sister got

out of school, she learned to weave cloth in the long winter months. Mother would be at the

spinning wheel working up flax we had raised in the summer, myself knitting and sewing our

family=s linen. Can anyone picture a happier, more contented, and more peaceful life with us

girls singing our patriotic songs which the Swiss love and believe in so much?

But the poet, Schiller, says, AWe cannot limit the threads of happiness for any length of time!@

My sister commenced to have her love affairs and when she was 19 years old, she was engaged

to a young man who was in good circumstances, was a baker by trade, and an only son. Before

she was 20 years old, she married and left the parental home.

By this time, we girls had learned to do all work that was needed on the farm, even cutting the

grass with scythes, curing it and bringing it home like men did. Now her leaving was a hard

blow for us, but Mother and I kept it up. By this time we could afford to hire a little more help in

the busy season. We had brought the farm into better paying condition and also in our country,

when we left school at 14 years of age, we entered into our religion class work with the

Protestant minister twice a week until we were 17 years old. During this time, we went through

the old and new Testament catechism before our confirmation and we then were admitted as

members and allowed to partake of the sacrament. I was fortunate to have a devout teacher as

far as he understood it. I was a favorite of my class and was religiously inclined. My teacher

said I was truly converted. His training, however, was a great help to me when later I received

the true gospel of Jesus Christ.

After about three years after my sister got married, she and her husband=s sister went on an

errand to a place where they met Mormon Elders and were introduced to them. The lady they

visited was a member. The missionaries engaged them in a conversation and explained their

doctrine to them. They both became very much interested and the Elders invited them to a

meeting the next Sunday that would be held in the woods away from town. They could not get a

place to meet in. After they got home late in the evening, my sister told her husband what they

heard and persuaded him to go with them on Sunday to attend the meeting. Strange to say, their

church was but a stone=s throw from their own house. More out of curiosity, he consented to go

with them.

They all got interested in what they heard. They were anxious to hear more. They made

frequent visits to the lady first mentioned who was a good conversationalist and was eager to

explain and teach. They later invited the elders to their home, and in the matter of a few months,

applied for baptism. My brother-in-law was very popular and jovial. They kept an Inn, besides a

flourishing baker trade and a very comfortable home. The news that these people had joined the

Mormons spread like wildfire. The opposition they had to face from relatives, friends and the

whole population was hard against them.

The Elders felt much concerned about them and the situation that confronted them, more so as

they were going to be released to go back to Utah. They convinced the family to try and get

ready and emigrate with them. But there were the aged parents to be left behind. The situation

was indeed critical. Their father refused them money to emigrate, being much influenced by

others. My brother-in-law, with his jovial disposition, and after marriage often found past-time

in card playing, which is most always accompanied with the wine glass. My mother had noticed

this habit soon and had worried over it. They were raising a family and she thought it would be

such a bad example to their children.

At this time when we too were agitated about this new and unpopular religion he came to our

home often to tell us about their trend of mind. He took pains to explain to us out of the bible

that this so much misrepresented organization was in accordance with the teachings of Jesus

Christ. We could, of course, not comprehend at that time; but mother said there must be

something very remarkable or it would not make such a change in a man=s heart who never

pretended religion before. She then came to their rescue and borrowed the money to help them.

They were determined to go and she said no child of hers should suffer if she had it in her power

to help her.

They got ready with their two small children and his sister and left of the 6th of May, 1864, to go

to Utah. My sister took from us the promise before they left us that is some missionaries should

come our way, we should entertain them and we would be blessed. We did do that for their sake.

They endured many trials on their journey. They had a child born on board the ship which died

before they landed, and a boy two years old across the plains, but their faith was strong and they

never wavered. When they wrote to us after they arrived in Salt Lake sometime in October their

testimony was strong, full of faith and cheer.

In 1866, I got acquainted with my future husband which ripened later into friendship. I had

suitors before this time, which was not uncommon with a young woman of some means in sight

at her marriage, but I was always very cautious for fear it was the money my admirers were after

and not just the girl. I was more afraid that the gospel was true and I would do a great wrong if I

would bind myself to anyone there and would be deprived of accepting it if I would be

convinced that it was true. I was not humble enough to accept it. I was generally frank to such

young men, and told them that I might go to Utah. This answer was generally sufficient. They

would not press the suit any longer.

But this method did not work so well with Mr. Hasler. He wanted to know more about it.

Before my brother-in-law went to Utah, he had some business transactions with him and came to

Mr. Winkler=s home a day or two before they were leaving. He wanted to know what could

induce him to leave such a good home and prosperous business to go to America. Mr. Winkler

took him to his private room and explained the gospel and bore his testimony to him. I was

present and asked Mr. Hasler if he wanted to become a Mormon. He then took a promise from

Mr. Winkler that he should write to him if he would find he was not deceived.

This incident must have been forgotten by both parties. But two years later, Mr. Hasler was led

to my home to ascertain how my folks had found their new home and religion in Utah. He asked

for their address. He wrote to Mr. Winkler who answered his inquiring letter, and again bore

testimony to him. He investigated in the City of Zurich the nearest branch where President Karl

G. Maeser, in his eloquent, convincing way, made many converts. A few months after in

November, 1868, he was baptized by Benjamin Brapbacher and confirmed by Karl G. Maeser.

My sister and husband continued to encourage Mother and me to give obedience to the gospel

message which we finally accepted. I was baptized on the 1st of April, 1869. I was married to

John Hasler on the 14th of May, 1869. We were then able to sell our home and farm at a great

sacrifice, but we were thankful that the way was open for us to go to Zion.

Leaving our home had not been so hard on us. Relatives and friends turned against us. Some of

them forbade us to come and take farewell. We now made preparations to emigrate. My

mother=s health was very poor. Hard work had weakened her constitution. The dreaded disease

of dropsy had set in. The doctor told us we should never attempt to take her on a journey. She

would never reach Liverpool. But Mother was determined to try. She had great faith in the

ordinances of the gospel. She was administered to and when we reached New York, she was

well and stood the overland journey just fine. Our was the first company of saints that traveled

in comfortable cars over the desert to Ogden, Utah.

My brother-in-law, Ulrich Winkler, met us in Salt Lake City. We bough us a yoke of oxen, a

wagon plow, some farming tools, and a cook stove before we started for Mt. Pleasant. I forgot to

tell that when we started from the city of Zurich, we took with us a little boy, three years old, of a

poor sister who had no money to emigrate. Another family took a little six-year-old with them.

Their mother had a promise to come the next year. When we left Salt Lake City our wagon was

heavily loaded. Another family followed us to Mt. Pleasant.

When we came as far as Payson one of our oxen took sick, and we hired a man with another

yoke of oxen to help us along for a day. I was riding on the wagon that was loaded with trunks

holding the little boy on my lap. The man was not a careful driver. He crossed a deep ditch and

I lost my hold and was pitched from my high seat onto the wagon tongue, and the little boy into

the ditch. The heavily loaded wagon went right over his abdomen. After we were both

extricated, the little boy opened his blue eyes and just gave one gasp. Imagine my feelings when

I sat on the side of the road holding the little boy in my arms, apparently lifeless.

Mr. Winkler and my husband administered to him and before very long, he commenced to

breathe again. We worked very long with him and in the confusion I could not find any dry

clothes for him. We wrapped him in a blanket and my mother took him in the other wagon. I

stayed behind and washed his clothes. Evening had overtaken us.

After I had washed his clothes, I started to follow the wagon but my legs refused to go. I tried

hard to follow but my legs refused to go. I could not. It got dark and I could not overtake them.

They did not miss me until they stopped to unhitch. Thinking I was in the last wagon, my

husband came rushing back to find me and when he assured me that the little fellow was alive, I

began to get strength to walk to the camp with his help. What a wonderful testimony that was to

us all. The boy was all well the next morning when we continued our journey.

We arrived in Mt. Pleasant the last of September, 1869. Our joy and happiness was complete

when we were united again as a family. Mother often told me she would never be happy until

we could embrace one another again. We two sisters had always been so near to each other, such

close companions. My sister=s family had been driven from Richfield a year before on account

of Indian trouble, and had to make a new start again in Mt. Pleasant. They had a little house

partly built with two rooms. We lived together that year, but in the spring, both of our families

had welcomed an addition. My sister now had three children, and ours was our first son. We

called him Henry Hasler. We began to get crowded for room, and we now wanted to start a

home of our own. He was born June 14, 1870.

My husband had taken up a city lot and started to build a cellar. We did not have means enough

to start a new house, too. We had assisted several families to emigrate, but of course they were

not in a position to pay us back. My husband then put a roof on the cellar and divided it into two

rooms. We had lumber enough to make a floor in one room, made two small windows and

doors, and on Christmas Eve 1870, we moved into our new home. I had whitewashed the walls

and decorated them with pictures of relatives and friends. People may move into mansions, but I

doubt if anyone could feel more happy than we were. We held ourselves in each other=s arms,

shed tears of joy that we now had a home again of our own. But to the credit and gratitude I

must say that my sister and family had made us more than welcome and assisted us in every way

that they could.

I cannot remember that we ever had an unpleasant word between us, until we came to divide our

dear mother. My sister claimed that since she had left our home I had had her all the time and

that it was her turn to have her. We shed some tears together, both of us seemed to be selfish.

At last we concluded to let our mother decide where she wanted to stay. She said, ASince there

were only two city lots to divide us, she thought she could mother both of us.@ As I was the

youngest, she decided I needed her most, with a promise that she would always be where she

was most needed. This was satisfactory with all of us.

We started in with a will to make us a home, cleared the land off and fenced the two city lots

with cedar posts and willows, weaving them in basket fashion. We started some gardens, but the

grasshoppers ate up everything the first year. We got two pounds of lucern seed from Salt Lake

City and planted the first lucern in Mt. Pleasant. We had many rocks, large and small, on our

lots, which showed bigger when the sagebrush had been removed. Water had to be brought on

the land a mile away that could not be plowed. I had done hard farming at home, but this was a

new task. My husband was a hard-working man, but neither of us was skilled at pioneering. We

did not work to an advantage as an American goes to work.

I must admit that one day I say on one of these huge rocks and cried bitterly in front of the place.

He came and sat by me and tried to comfort me. He said this very rock could be made a very

romantic spot. The rocks could be made very quaint and scenic. He would plant shrubs and

vines around them, flowers would make it beautiful. The picture helped to comfort me. The

rocks are still there yet, but there is lucern grown around them and they do not look nearly as

large as they did then.

On February 11, 1871, another son was born to us. We named him John Hasler. He did not

come to stay very longBonly three months. He was sick only one day with convulsions and we

had to give him up. He was so sweet and bright. His papa often called him his little angel, and

an angel he was soon going to be.

In September, 1872, my husband came down with typhoid fever. I will not repeat this long and

severe trial. It is described in my husband=s diary, but I must mention how faithful and true the

brethren holding the Holy Priesthood had been to us. They came to visit us for months almost

every day to comfort, help and bless him. It was hard for us all to exercise faith. He was so very

low so long. To human appearance, it would seem impossible to think he could live. The

nearest doctor was living in Nephi. I telegraphed for Dr. McEwan, but on account of sickness in

his household, he could not come. We were often told it was not right for us to fast and pray for

him to live. It would be better if he could be released from his suffering, but as long as there is

life, there is hope.

Those were trying days. My little boy, Henry, then two years old, had also taken the fever. Both

were lingering between life and death for a long time. My mother was a great support to me in

tending and nursing the little boy. Never will I forget the help and support of my sister, her

husband and the faithful elders who exercised faith, prayers and fasting in our behalf. Surely our

Father in Heaven will reward them. They have all of them since gone to their rest. Blessed be

their memory.

His condition was very low all winter. His body was reduced to a skeleton. He had to be lifted

around. He could not help himself in the least. On March 25, 1873, under this condition, I was

delivered of a little baby girl. She came indeed to bring hope and cheer and gladness under this

condition. I had for weeks and months carried my husband in my arms from one room to the

other. My strength was much spent and overtaxed by night and day. At this time, my sister was

with me and when I was made comfortable she wanted to go home and bring the glad news to

her family, intending to be right back. As she turned to me as she was leaving, she noticed that I

had at once become unconscious. She rushed to my bedside and tried hard to bring me to notice

her, but to no avail. I can remember I heard her pleading, but I could not speak. At last she

rushed off to find some elders, but she had to run a long way as we then had no near neighbors.

During this time, my husband had managed to get to me without assistance from his bed, and in

the anguish of his heart and soul, prayed over me and asked the Lord to let me come back. More

than an hour must have elapsed when my sister returned and an elder with her. He administered

tome and after he took his hand from my hear, I came to again. My sister tenderly nursed me

and in about two weeks, I was able to do my work again and take care of my dear ones.

My husband was lifted up from the cellar the first time on the first day of May to enjoy the

sunshine, and soon after was able to walk on crutches.

About July, papa was still not able to walk without his crutches, and we had to have hay for our

cattle. We owned some hayland in what is now called Chester. Everyone was so busy getting

their own hay home, but some kind brethren told us they could cut and load our hay if we could

get our team down there. We managed to yoke up our oxen. I got a little ladder for my husband

to get on the wagon and we drove to the hayfield. There were always kind people to load our

wagon, and then put us both on the load again. Our home journey was mostly in the night. Ox

teams are slow. I was told to always put my arms around the binding of the pole so if we got in a

chuck hole I wouldn=t fall off, but one night I went to sleep and fell down from the load

unnoticed. Papa drove on. He did not know what had happened. After I gathered myself up I

started limping after the wagon. He had quite a start. It was not far from town when I caught up

beside the wagon and called to him to let me ride with him. Papa was not a little frightened,

thinking it was my ghost calling. Happily, I was not hurt much. We were thankful to get our

hay home.

In 1875, we joined the United Order which delayed, somewhat, the building of our house. We

had the adobes made. I handled those adobes two and three times until they were in the wall. I

helped to bring them from the yard, unloaded them, and then handed them up again. I can

remember how sore my hands were. My husband gave up his land, oxen, wagon, cows and he

had to teach music in school, brassband and the choir. Mason and carpenters were assigned to

do the building, but before the house was up to the top the mason drew out of the order and the

carpenters likewise. It was a six-room house, intended. However we had two rooms ready ready

to put the roof on. It was getting late in the all. I was determined there should not be another

baby born in the cellar. I put the shingles on myself so that we could move into the house. Papa

did the carpenter work in the house, so we were able to move into the house about December. In

January (the 31st), 1875, another son was born to us. We named him Walter Hasler.

In 1875, I was called as Secretary to our President, M. F. C. Morrison, in the Relief Society,

which position I held for 32 years until our President died and another organization was effected.

At the time of my calling I was ill-fitted for the position. I was greatly handicapped, not having

mastered much of the English language, but I went to work with a will, with my papers and

dictionary. I translated the minutes into English from my mother tongue.

This work was a great joy and blessing to me. I was associated with the best and truest of sisters.

I was the youngest of them. The experience of associating with them was a great joy and benefit

to me. I am ever-thankful to my Heavenly Father that this great privilege came to me. When

later my sons were called on missions, I could correspond with them and encourage them in their

work.

In 1877, on the 16th of July, another little daughter came to bless our home. We named her

Louisa Hasler. She was such a sweet treasure to gladden our home, but only for a short time.

She died of scarlet fever when she was only eight months old. Parting with those little treasures

was a very hard trial for us.

On the 22nd of December (1878 or 1879) another son was born to us. We gave him the name of

Emil Hasler. He was very welcome because the other children had grown out of their babyhood.

About that time another sorrow awaited us. My dear mother took very ill. She took to her bed

after Christmas time and lingered all winter. We hoped that springtime would have an

invigorating influence over her, but the Lord had destined it otherwise. She had lived 76 years.

Mother was always so thankful and happy that she was able to reside in America and receive the

gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She was the only one of her family that was able to

come to this land, and be united with her children and live with the prophets and apostles.

She was greatly handicapped at her age. She was not able to learn the English language, but she

had received the spirit of the gospel. As soon as she was baptized, she gave of her means to help

different families. She was generous to a fault, as some of the people did not appreciate her

kindness, and did not prove worthy of it.

In the fall of 1880 my only sister=s health seemed to be failing her. It caused us some alarm, but

we attributed it to her delicate condition and we hoped when her time would come she would

soon be restored to her former health and strength again. Her hopeful and cheerful disposition

gave us reason to hope for the best.

In October, she was delivered of a baby boy. In our joy in her new delivery, we did not notice

that a change for the worse had come over her. The dreaded disease of dropsy had rapidly

developed, to which she succumbed on the 9th of December, 1880. Her little baby had preceded

her a few weeks before in death. This was a hard blow to her husband and family of five

children, the youngest not two years old. And indeed it was a very hard trial for me, we having

so recently parted with my dear mother. But then we felt our loss together. Now I mourned

alone. We had been more than sisters to each other. There was a companionship that few enjoy.

I, too, was in a delicate condition, and the shock came so unexpectedly to me, I took sick and in a

few weeks gave birth to a premature child, we named him Edward Hasler, but he died the day

after he wa born. Thus we added another grave to those we had already laid away.

In the spring at April Conference, my husband was called to go on a mission to his native

country. He had only two weeks to get ready. We were quite destitute for clothes to wear at this

time. We had used our means to finish the house, but we had plenty of breadstuff. The good

people of Mt. Pleasant donated enough money to take him to his field of labor. He was given a

farewell party together with another missionary. Many were invited. I had nothing to wear to

accompany him to the party. I had a silk wedding dress, but I had taken it to pieces, thinking I

could make it a cloak for my little seven-year-old girl. I intended to make it warm with some

woolen home-made lining, but when I was invited to the party, I say up all night and put the

dress together again. And to the surprise of my friends I came out in the silk dress and wore a

pair of home-made shoes which sounded quite loud to the rustle of my dress. Fortunately, it was

quite long and I was careful to cover my dress over my shoes.

I worked very hard while my husband was a way. I worked in the harvest field. We did not

have self-binders them, and I was not the only woman that worked in the field. But it came hard

on me because I was not used to that kind of work. I left my four children alone. Oh, how I

missed my mother! It was always late at night when I came home. I told the children to sit on

the floor when they were beginning to be sleepy as they would not be apt to fall from their

chairs. I would most generally find them all four in a row on the floor asleep.

From that time on my little girl mothered my children. I could always depend on her to be with

them. In the winter, I got work crocheting hoods for the school children. I earned enough

money to make us comfortable, thus we got along just fine until papa returned in the fall of 1882.

When he returned, he brought some emigrants home with him in fulfillment of his patriarchal

blessing that he would return bringing his sheep with him. Four followed him to Mt. Pleasant.

He also had charge of an emigration of 72 saints from Switzerland. Among them, he brought

home to Mt. Pleasant, and old lady who just recently had lost the only daughter she had, who

was also to emigrate with her mother when death overtook her. This sister before her death had

taken a promise from Brother Hasler who had visited her at her deathbed that he would take her

mother home with him to Utah and take care of her as long as she lived.

When she came we all were very glad to have another grandmother, which she indeed proved to

be to us and out children in every sense of the word. If she had been our very own grandma, we

could not have loved her any better and she loved us. She lived with us for fifteen years and died

in August, 1897. Her name was Elizabeth Muller, born in Langenhart at Zurich, Switzerland.

On August 13, 1883, Mina Otilia Hasler was born. We called her our missionary girl. She

brought much joy and happiness into our home. After my husband returned from his mission, he

started to teach music at our home. He had mostly students from out of town. They boarded at

our house. We had two instruments in different parts of the house. The first session would start

at 6 o=clock in the morning. There were generally three students. Four-hour lessons were given

a day and that many hours practice in a day. A term was three weeks. Many of the students that

had some talent would advance quite fast in the art of music. Many of them would return home

and would be able to play in Sunday Schools and meetings to play our church hymns, which was

quite a help in those days. Many of our organizations had thus been benefitted throughout the

counties of Sevier and Sanpete.

In June, 1886, our last baby was born, which nearly cost my life. It was one of the greatest

tesimonies we received of the power of the priesthood when my life was spared. Conditions

were such that it was impossible for me by human appearance to get through this ordeal and live.

No skilled medical help was obtainable. Nightly prayers were offered up to our father in heaven

by the priesthood and my dear ones, and in a wonderful way my life was spared. My beautiful

baby boy=s life had to be sacrificed.

It is hard, often in human life, when you have to meet with trials that will try your heart and soul,

trials you cannot share with any soul, however near and true. Your heart strings may be almost

ready to snap, but you will carry the burden alone. Hearts don=t break. It will be wounded, it

will bleed, and the wound will be hard to heal. Some try to find relief in the whirlpool of

pleasure. I doubt it! Fortunate is he or she who can go to their sacred alter, humble themselves

and bring before their Father in Heaven your load you have to bear when it seems to you that the

waters of sorrow will overflow it. Unload your burden to Him that lurks in the recess of your

heart; you will not ask in vain, his great mercy, his loving kindness will manifest to you the

healing balm of his holy spirit and there alone you will find peace and comfort. What wonderful

testimonies will be revealed to you.

In the year 1893, our oldest son, Henry, was called on a mission to Switzerland and Germany.

He worked one year in our native land, one in Germany, and one in the office in Bern as

Secretary. He returned in 1896. In 1898, our second son, Walter Hasler, was called on a mission

to our native country. After he graduated from the B.Y.U. in Provo he labored 2 2 years in

Germany. He returned in 1901.

We have been able to give our children, and not without sacrifice, some educational advantages

that would be a help to them through life. Our home was not a pretentious one, but hospitality

was given freely to all that entered it. We welcomed and entertained in our home such men as

Dr. Karl G. Maeser, Dr. Talmage, Brimhall, Keeler, B. Cluff of the B.Y.U. We entertained

sisters of the General Board of the Relief Society, Mrs. Annie T. Hyde, Elizabeth Grant, Lisa

Farnsworth, and many others. We harbored about 24 emigrants at different times, some of them

for weeks, some for months, until they could find houses of their own. All were made welcome

and at home.

Our home was a place where the young folks congregated, where freedom, music and song were

enjoyed and all made welcome. We also harbored a number of people that were hunted down

because they were accused of breaking the law of the land. We were loyal to our trust and not

any of our children betrayed the trust. I remember a little incident that happened some time ago.

It was a cold and dreary November night, rain had come down in torrents all day. At a late hour

we heard a loud knock at our door. As my husband opened the door, a man stepped in, all wet

and cold. He asked if he could not get a night=s lodging for two families. They came from Manti

where they had been in the temple. They aimed to reach Fairview where they had friends, but

their horses gave out and they could not get any farther. As they entered our town, they asked at

many places, but no one could make room for them. They had little children with them, both

women and children were cold, hungry and wet. My husband told them to come in.

We made a warm fire. I warmed a kettle full of hot milk with fresh bread, then I put the little

children in our warm beds. I kept a good fire all night to dry their wet clothes and bedding.

They told us that a man had directed them to our place where a light was still burning. AThere

lives Brother Hasler. He is a good man. He takes everybody in. He will make you

comfortbale.@

In later years I met one of the ladies in Provo. She told me that never in her whole life had hot

milk tasted so good to them as it did that night.

In 1897, our daughter, Lydia, was married in the temple at Manti to Arthur C. Candland of Mt.

Pleasant. Her husband left her a few days afterward on a mission to the southern states. Lydia

did not leave our home until he returned two years after. The same year my son, Henry was

married to Sophia Kelch in the Manti Temple.

Also see: https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2217707143168230507#editor/target=post;postID=3649504862967368811;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=4;src=postname

Thursday, May 23, 2019

Peter Hafen In His Blacksmith Shop

Some say this photo would make a dandy puzzle. What do you think???

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

NORTH SANPETE SENIOR CLASS 1959

Monday, May 20, 2019

8 of the most sensational crimes in modern Utah history By Robert J. DeBry | Posted - Feb 25th, 2019 @ 8:00am

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8 of the most sensational crimes in modern Utah history

By Robert J. DeBry | Posted - Feb 25th, 2019 @ 8:00am

This story is sponsored by Robert J. DeBry—more than 200 years of combined experience practicing personal injury law.

Today’s headlines are replete with criminal stories ranging from petty to catastrophic. On average, a crime is committed every 5.74 minutes in the state of Utah with a homicide occurring every 4.87 days, the Utah Department of Public Safety reports.

That said, Utah ranks as the fourth safest state in America, a WalletHub study reports. However, it isn’t absent from housing some master criminals of its own — including some that garnered national attention.

Here are eight Utah crimes with unique aspects that made them out of the ordinary.

Mark Hofmann forgeries and murders

Mark William Hofmann was dubbed by forensic experts “the best forger yet caught” and one of Utah’s most known criminals, the Utah History Encyclopedia said.

While most known in the Beehive State for his "Joseph Smith III Blessing" and the "Salamander Letter," forgeries, Hofmann falsified various other manuscripts (and currency) that affected organizations other than The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Library of Congress and the American Antiquarian Society were also victims of his masterful deceit.

Hofmann was charged with double murder in 1986 after crafting two bombs that killed two people when he learned officials had discovered his criminal behavior.

He continues to serve out a life sentence at the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison.

Elizabeth Smart kidnapping

Anyone old enough can recall the 2002-2003 media coverage of the abduction and discovery of Elizabeth Smart.

She was just 14 years old when she was taken in the middle of the night from her bedroom at her parents’ Salt Lake City home. Elizabeth Smart was forced to live in various campgrounds and wooded areas for nine months with her captors, Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Barzee, enduring daily sexual assault and abuse.

Mitchell’s attorney stated, “that his client considered taking Elizabeth a call from God.” Mitchell called himself Emmanuel and proclaimed to be a prophet with his own religious sect.

Despite wearing disguises in public, she was ultimately recognized in Salt Lake City with Mitchell and Barzee and rescued by area police.

More than eight years after the kidnapping, in December 2010, Mitchell was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. Barzee was sentenced to 15 years for her role in the crimes Biography.comreports. She was released on parole in September 2018.

The Singer-Swapp standoff

The Singer-Swapp standoff was spurred by the 1979 death of then polygamist, John Singer, who resisted arrest at his home by Utah officials and was shot during his attempt to shoot them, the Utah History Encyclopedia details.

Following John Singer’s death, Addam Swapp who had moved in with the Singer family and had taken two of Singer’s daughters as wives, plotted to bring the church and Utah authorities to “atonement,” the Utah Department of Public Safety said.

On Jan. 16, 1988, two days before the ninth anniversary of the death of John Singer, Swapp broke into the Kamas LDS Stake Center, filled the cultural hall with 50 pounds of dynamite and a booster of ammonium nitrate which doubled the explosive force. The explosion resulted in $1.5 million in damage.

Swapp believed the bombing would precede the resurrection of John Singer, but instead, it triggered a 13-day standoff between the Singer-Swapp compound and the police. The standoff culminated in the death of officer Fred House by the hand of John Timothy Singer, and jail time for John Timothy Singer, Vickie Singer, and Adam Swapp.

The unsolved Sherry Black murder

One cold case that is still chilling in its brutality is the November, 2010, murder of 64-year-old Sherry Black, mother-in-law of Greg Miller, the former CEO of the Utah Jazz.

Although thousands of hours have been dedicated to the investigation, authorities have yet to identify a suspect or person of interest.

Black was murdered at B&W Billiards and Books, a store she and her husband managed in South Salt Lake near Sherry’s home.

The Feb. 9 killer

On Feb. 9, 2006, Sonia Mejia, 29, was found strangled to death inside her Taylorsville home. She was six months pregnant. Then, two years later, on the exact same date, Damiana Castillo, 57, was also found strangled in her home just blocks from the first incident.

While no arrests have ever been made, authorities believed they were looking for the same person for both killings, but the case went cold.

The case drew interest again in 2010 when the district attorney's office filed murder charges from DNA evidence found at the scene.

“A ‘John Doe’ was charged with two counts of aggravated murder, two counts of aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary and aggravated sexual assault in 3rd District Court, KSL reported.

The Salt Lake district attorney office reports they know who the alleged killer is, however, the person isn’t in their jurisdiction and is already serving jail time outside of Utah.

Authorities continue working to bring that person to justice in Utah.

Cult leader Ervil LeBaron

Ervil LeBaron was the leader of a polygamous organization called the Church of the Lamb of God, HistoryOntheNet.com reports. He had 13 wives in plural marriage and approximately 25 children.

LeBaron convinced his disciples to murder between 13-20 people, including some of his religious opponents, who had failed to abide by what he called the “constitutional law of the Kingdom of God.” At one time, President Carter was also on his list of those to be executed.

Mounting evidence indicated that LeBaron was guilty of multiple murders and on June 1, 1979, the Mexican police captured him near Mexico City and delivered him to the FBI.

LeBaron was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. He died in Utah State Prison in 1981, BYU Studies reported.

The Lego murder

In 2006, 15 years after the case was opened, Salt Lake County investigators classified the murder of 78-year-old Lucille Miner Johnson a cold case. Despite dedicated efforts to find the suspect, police were unable to discover who had severely beaten and strangled Johnson to death.

While robbery was long thought to be the motive, the case had a real breakthrough when it was reopened in 2013 when clues linked Johnson to convicted murderer John Sansing.

“Investigators went back to Lego bricks that were collected from the crime scene, and matched a fingerprint on them to one of Sansing's children, who was apparently with him at the time of the murder,” Ranker.com said.

Investigators were then able to link DNA evidence collected at the crime scene to Sansing.

Sansing resided in Utah until 1995 when he relocated to Arizona. He is currently serving time in an Arizona, prison for a 1998 murder for which he was sentenced to death.

6-year-old Rosia Tapia

“There are roughly more than 400 cold cases throughout Utah which include homicides, missing persons, and unidentified deceased persons,” Utah Department of Public Safety reports. The case of Rosia Tapia is one of these cold cases.

Tapia, 6, was found August 13, 1995, in a surplus canal connected to the Jordan River a few blocks away from her home. She had been both sexually assaulted and brutishly attacked.

Although it has been 23 years since her death, the family and the Utah Cold Case Coalition —which initially formed to bring awareness to Tapia’s death – hold hope that answers may be found with the DNA technology that is available today that wasn’t back in 1995.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of a crime Robert J. DeBry & Associates can help. Robert J. DeBry is dedicated to improving the quality of life in Utah by offering education, donating resources, and providing services to the Utah community we serve.