1947 CENTENNIAL COMMISION PROGRAM

ANOTHER ONE FOR RIPLEY ~~~ Saga of the Sanpitch ~ Halbert S. Greaves

 

Halbert S. Greaves

1904 Herbert Avenue

Salt Lake City, Utah 84108

Professional Division

First Place Anecdote

Believe it or not, I tipped right-side-up a truck that was

upside-down. Incredible? Not when you realize that it was a light-

weight Model-T pickup, vintage 1921, And I had some unusual help,

extra adrenalin. 

I don't know how much that puddle-jumper weighed,

with four small cylinders, no cab, nor other non-essentials.  

certainly nothing like the trucks of today.

In early April, 1925, when I was seventeen, our cow strayed

from our farm on Little Lane, west of Ephraim. I took the Model-T

to look for her. I drove north to Big Lane, not because it was a

logical place to search, but because I liked the sweet, fresh smell

of springtime water flowing under the Big Lane bridges of the San-

pitch River. During springtime thaw, deep ruts had been worn in

the dirt road, and the truck's steering wheel had about five inches

of "play,” making it tricky to steer, with its pronounced wobble.

At seventeen I wasn't a particularly careful driver; the truck got

going too fast for the combination of ruts and wobble, jumped out

of control--and ruts—-and flipped over. I landed under the truck

bed, unhurt! I crawled out, looked things over, and decided I

could not leave the truck there blocking the road.

No doubt my adrenalin was flowing double, and the rounded

grade of the road favored me, for I gripped the frame and, with a

mighty heave, tipped the wreck right-side-up and off the road.

I walked to our farm, bridled a pony, rode home, and told my

‘brother, with whom I lived, what had happened. After checking the

ruin, he traded 1t for another cow, although we found the stray.

I remember thinking that he made a good trade, even if I had

to milk two cows instead of one.

ANOTHER ONE FOR RIPLEY by Halbert S. Greaves ~~~Saga of the Sanpitch ~Volume 13

Photo added by Kathy

 

MIRACLE ON HORSESHOE MOUNTAIN, CHRISTMAS EVE 

from Saga of the Sanpitch

Halbert S. Greaves
It seemed a losing moment for the sun,
Which sent its winter warmth against the snow
On Horseshoe's crest and endless slopes below.
Across the valley, mountains to the west
 Reached up to gather in the lingering light
And cloak the sun in dark, cold night
But then a miracle on Christmas Eve
Decreed that sun should halt in western skies
And wait for giant, silver moon to rises
Then fiery sun and radiant moon combined
 To conjure magic with converging rays
 And swiftly set the mountain snow ablaze.
NOTE; Christmas Eve, 1928. I was standing on the second floor fire escape at North Sanpete High School watching the simultaneous setting of the sun and rising of the full moon. The snow in Horseshoe's cirque and on its crest was pink for a few minutes. I have pictured that beautiful sight in my mind for 53 years.