Transcript for Juanita Brooks' Correspondence, January-June 1965
[-PAGE 1-]
Jan 18, 1965
Dear Brooks,
According to our agreement when we bought our home from you folks, we owe you $300.00 dollars. Just after this agreement was made there was a bill due on the house, for city taxes for 1961, of $175.00 dollars, which we paid. Thus, we feel this should be subtracted from the amount we owe you, leaving a balance of $125.00 dollars. When our income tax is received we will forward this amount to you in full.
As for the repairs on your car; this was done in friendship and appreciation to you for making it possible for us to buy a home of our own. By the way, we love it very much. We are about through finishing the basement. Next item you’re in town please come by and see all we have done. I think you will be pleasantly pleased/
Our only complaint is that we
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are having to reshingle the roof. This past year the from of the roof has developed several holes and bare spots. We haven’t had a leak yet, but its expected if we don’t have it taken care of soon.
We want to thank you for your patients and understanding. We do value your friendship and hope it will continue.
We are glad you and your family are well. We read a lot about your wonderful family and what they are doing. You must be very proud.
Today we are getting a few flakes and it’s very cold. It’s exciting sitting here watching the cars slip and slide here on “thirteenth”.
We send you our love and good wishes for the new year.
We remain yours sincerely,
Dell Gene, and LuAnn Stevens
[-PAGE 3-]
Stevens
1295 East Crystal Ave.
Salt Lake City, Utah
84106
Mr. and Mrs. William Brooks
North Main
St. George, Utah
84770
SALT LAKE CITY, UTHA
27 JAN
1965
[-PAGE 4-]
1290 La Ambre
Hillsborough, Jan. 24
Dear Juanita:
I was so happy to get your letter and could only wish that it had enclosed more personal information- even the reason for your being in St. George. I thought that you now lived in the north.
I’ve delayed answering it for a few days and I still can’t give a positive answer. For one thing, within about a month we leave for extensive travels in the Orient, then later to Europe, and we wont be home until July, probably about the middle of the month. [illegible] and some other men are traveling for the walnut industry, and
[-PAGE 5-]
I am going with him, the only wife to go. That in itself would rule out any work until late in the summer.
To be perfectly honest, I would like to edit the Heywood journal myself, if it is to be done, but if I don’t do it I would gladly turn it to you. And I have delayed so long that I don’t feel that the family would feel any obligation to me, in that if you so desire, you could [illegible] me to them.
Then I feel that the journal would have wide appeal and could somehow be used to bring in some money, particularly for Ella Hurst, who is the closet heir. Ive thought
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of a number of things, but have ever been able (or even tried some of them) to do them. And if I went to all the work of doing the journal I’d like to do it for a wider and more remunerative audience. For this very reason I’ve twice refused to do the journal for the Utah historical society. Perhaps I don’t feel as you do- I do this [illegible] merely for the satisfaction. I feel that if its worth doing, its worth being paid for. And its rather odd that just a few days you you better come. I was trying to do something about the journal. I hope within the next week or two to have the info person who might be able to do something about it- If nothing comes of that, then I
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may be able to turn it to you in a decade or something.
Of all the friends I know I thought three were of special importance; the Martha Cramer one, the [illegible] journal, and the Heywood. Do you suppose you can get permission to do the cover for me? In might to [illegible] the Heywood together. I got myself in bad with [illegible] heirs. I said I would send them my copy of it before you submitted it to the unlist for which I was working the friends. I gave up almost everything to edit the journals and worked as fast as I did, I only got the M.S. in at the last minute. With no time to send it to Rose Bunker--- I sent M.S. in planning to submit the Cramer one there in case the M.S. was accepted, and feeling that I would in that way keep my promise. If the objected to anything, I could change it. But she was terrible angry, and refused to understand my problem. But perhaps you could do something. I [illegible] she is deadly now. I’ll write you again before I go. I had your M. Meadows not a few weeks ago resending it. Don reads it and compiles it most valuable.
My best to you. Fay
[-PAGE 8-]
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
346 North Main
St. George
Utah
BURLINGAME
CALIF
JAN 26
PM
1965
[-PAGE 9-]
1290 La Ambre
Hillsborough, Calif
[-PAGE 10-]
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
BERKELEY • DAVIS • IRVINE • LOS ANGELES • RIVERSIDE • SAN DIEGO • SAN FRANCISCO SANTA BARBARA • SANTA CRUZ
CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF
COMPARATIVE FOLKLORE AND MYTHOLOGY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90024
February 5, 1965
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
St. George, Utah
Dear Juanita:
Thank you very much for sending me the material on the blessing of animals. I shall no doubt use this in due course, and when I do I shall acknowledge the wonderful help you have given. This is the kind of thing that I simply could not locate on my own.
I still recall with pleasure the trip to St. George early in December, and you will see an account of the Utah Folklore Society conference in the January number of Western Folklore, soon to appear.
Yours sincerely
Wayland
Wayland D. Hand
Director
WDH:rmb
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Wayland D. Hand - Folklore
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
405 HILGARD AVENUE
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90024
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
St. George, Utah
LOS ANGELES
FEB-1965
CALIF
[-PAGE 12-]
February 10,1965
Dear Mom and Dad:
Just a note today as it is Primary day and I have to finish planning our valentine Party.
We are all fine and Tony is recovering from his cold. We have all been saddened by the death of Phil Cook. Mom, you remember the young Indian fellow that was Assist. Coordinator of Research. He was on University business and was aboard the Eastern Airlines plane that crashed Monday night off Long Island. he is one of the two that assisted Tony in blessing Kriston. It is all so sad. He is just Karl's age, he has three little girls, and his wife is expecting the first part of March. It has been really hard on Tony. he was such an asset to the branch that you can't help but ask WHY!
I've been busy and on the go. The two boys are doing very well. Kriston is really a nice little feller. he has a charming smile and is growing like a weed! His eyes are as black as Mark's but his complexion is fair. Mark is so busy all the time that he almost drives his mother to drink! But, he gets cutter and smarter ever' day! I am sure his Grandpa Brooks would like him too!
Well, I'm afraid I am not in much of a mood for writing a cheerful letter, so I will close this by saying how much we love and appreciate you both very much and I promise to write after the saddening news has faded.
I'm enclosing a button off Mom's dress (I think). Write and tell us of your doings - bye for now.
Janet
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Logan, Utah
February 17, 1965.
Mrs Juanita Brooks
St. George, Utah.
Dear Mrs Brooks:
I have been advised to submit the enclosed check for $10.00 as a partial reimbursement on the expense incurred during your recent trip to Logan.
I wish also to express my personal appreciation in having this opportunity to hear you again. We all look forward to your participation in our programs, since we value greatly your ability as a historian and an authority in the early happenings in the story of Utah and the Mormon people.
Your choice of a subject for this occasion was especially fitting, and we will. looking forward to your next visit with us.
Very truly yours,
John W. Carlson
John W." Carlson, Treasurer
Cache Valley Chapter.
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John w. carlson
41 so. 4th east st.
logan, utah
mrs juanita brooks
- george, utah
logan, utah
feb 16
pm
1965
rec’d check for $10.00 cache valley hist. soc.
to pay on expenses of logan trip
[-PAGE 15-]
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
Institute of Religion
5130 Montezuma Place
San Diego, California 92115
Director
RALPH L. COTTRELL, Jr.
Instructors
KENT C. DUNFORD
KENNETH D. PETERSON
Phone 582-9534
February 19, 1965
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
346 North Main
St. George, Utah
Dear Mrs. Brooks:
Excuse this intrusion into your busy life. I am writing in hopes that you may find a little time to help me with some of my problems.
I think you know Irene Wasden of Cedar City. She is a friend of mine and has sent me many of her notes against Mormonism. She mentioned talking to you in her last letter and said that you might know something about the "destroying angels", blood atonement, etc. etc. She said you also mentioned a book that was soon to come off the press...I would like to know of this book or any (others that may help me. Let me give you a little background on myself.
I am a devoted member of the Mormon church; I teach at the Institute in San Diego; I was raised in Provo, Utah. I got a B.A. and M.A. in history and now only have my dissertation to complete to finish my Ph.D. at B.Y.U. I would like to know if you have any ideas that would be good dissertation topics in Mormon history. This is not my main problem however. My studies of Mormon history in past years have been somewhat disturbing. I have read your books and have enjoyed them immensely. I have heard you speak I was the one who asked you several questions at a lecture you gave in Provo (at a chapel near campus) about 2 years ago. One of the questions I asked you was concerning whether Joseph Smith knew the extremes to which Avard was taking the Danites. You answered: "I hope not."
I continue my studies and as I begin to see Mormonism through the eyes of non-Mormon critics such things as plural marriage, Adam-God, Blood Atonement, etc. become more of a problem to me. Brigham Young is an enigma to me. I can't understand why he said and did some of the things he did, some of which seem very unchristian. I find myself in somewhat of a dilema: the desire to commit myself completely to the gospel of Christ and yet finding my commitment weakened by my doubts and reservations. Yet if Mormonism is not true I WOULD CERTAINLY LIKE TO FIND IT OUT. I am writing to you because I have respected your objectivity and fair and honest approach. I am disturbed at any person who will put their devotion to church or other organization above their devotion to truth. I know I have been rather general and have asked more than you could possibly answer in a letter. Maybe on my trip to Utah this spring you wouldn't mind discussing some of these matters with me? Could you suggest any reading, etc. that might help me. Especially do 3/ou have any information about "destroying angels". Did such a group exist, were there really religious murders in early Utah? Any information would be appreciated.
Sincerely,
Kent Dunford
[-PAGE 16-]
346 North Main
St. George, Utah
Feb. 26, 1965
Kent Dunford
LDS Institute of Religion
5130 Montezuma Place
San Diegl, California
Dear Brother Dunford:
Thank you for your letter of February 19. You place me in a very difficult position indeed, but I will try to analyze my own stand toward our Church.
My father was a cowboy. He early recognized my tendency to question and to wonder about things, and warned me that if I continued to do so, I would finally apostatize from the Church. One day he said to me, "A good cowboy rider, with the herd, but he rides along the edge and he keeps up a constant noise of talk and singing, and so is able to turn the herd. If he runs counter to it he will be trampled to death; if she stays in the center, he is swept along and has no choice in which way it goes,"
I have often said that our best hope in the Church lies in our young Seminary and Institute teachers—much more than in the Bishops and Stake Presidents, yes, and even in the General Authorities themselves, They must ride the edge of the herd, actively alert to the new paths and to the new evidences on the old ones. So I hope that you stay in action. But I do not think any of us are called upon to close our eyes to facts; we have enough of good that we can afford to, try to see our past clearly and admit what we rust admit, I don t believe any of us are called upon to lie for God--that he expects it or approves it.
I share your feelings on Brigham Young. Orson Hyde is another about whom I have not been able to completely make up my mind. A very disturbing thing to me has been the definite "re-writing" of such of our history during the 1870*s and 1880*s, so that much of Jensen—some might be more accurate-- simply does not square with contemporary accounts.
The first volume of the Hosea Stout diaries is now off the press. I suggest that you read it and form your own opinion of conditions in Nauvoo.
Re: the Book of Mormon. You have no doubt already seen the "Parallel" of it and Ethan Smith's View of the Hebrews which was prepared by B.H. Roberts some time before his death and not released until later. Copies were circulated to all Seminary and Institute teachers, I understand. At least I received four copies myself: one from Sterling McMurrin, one from Newel K. Young, and the other two anonymous, though I recognized the handwriting of Prof. M. Wilford Poulsen on the one.
Recently I had a gift copy of the book just off the press, by Wesley M. Jones. I have never met this man personally, and know nothing of him more than is on the fly-leaf of the book.
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Feb. 27
Before I got this mailed, I received another package of two books from Mr. Jones, with no word of explanation except "lending library" written on the outside. I'm sending one of them instead of the earlier one inscribed to me, and suggest that you read it and keep it if you care to, or pass it on if you are interested enough.
Your problem is that of all thinking members of the church. No, that isn't quite true or fair, but of all who go into research and discover that some of our early troubles were of our own making. Then we find our own people still using some of the same un-Christian actions toward our own minority groups—the Morrisites first, the Short Creekers later.
I have no desire to be branded an apostate. The Church has done too much for me and for my family. Perhaps I am truly as Dr. Ed . Banfield told me: "You are incurably religious, Juanita. If you were not a good Mormon, you'd be a good Methodist or Unitarian." This because as an agnostic, he could not understand my basic belief in God and my feeling that He does help to direct the affair of those who will let Him. My own experiences lead me to believe that there has been more than blind chance in shaping my life.
I have had several items sent to me unsolicited, some without identification except for the postmark, some I think quite rare. One such is Capt. Wm. Morgan's Exposition of Freemasonry, printed in 1827.
Well, Kent, I feel that none of this is of much help to you. As to your question "were there really religious murders in Utah," I answer that there were murders, whether you would call them religious one s is something else. Again—read the Hosea Stout diaries. The second volume is not yet out, but should appear, I think, any day. It deals with conditions in Utah. More important, it contains the index for both volumes.
Let me know when you are to be in St. George. I'll be glad to see you.
Sincerely,
Juanita Brooks
[-PAGE 18-]
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
Institute of Religion
5130 Montezuma Place
San Diego, California 92115
Director
RALPH L. COTTRELL, Jr.
Instructors
KENT C. DUNFORD
KENNETH D. PETERSON
Phone 582-9534
April 2, 1965
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
346 North Main
St. George, Utah
Dear Mrs. Brooks:
I certainly appreciated your letter. I was very interested in what you had to say. I believe, like you, that we must face the facts, that we must place our allegiance to truth above any organization, however dear it may be to us.
I liked your father's little story. Up to a few years ago I had been riding in the center of the herd, being swept along by the opinions and programs of others. Now I am on the edge of the herd and I find the view is often quite different from this vantage point. Mormon society is a very closed society, isn't it.
I was interested in your expression of faith in God and in your belief that there "has been more than blind chance in shaping [your] life." On the other hand, I have never had any experience that would objectively confirm my beliefs. This is why I become disturbed as modern scholarship and my own research weaken the impact of conventional arguments used in support of our faith. It seems from a purely factual and logical standpoint it is easier to disbelieve than believe our religion. But of course, there is much more to one's philosophy of life than "facts" and "logic." An interesting example of what I am talking about is the Book of Mormon. For years I felt that this was the greatest tangible evidence we had to support our beliefs. I nodded assent to those who said Joseph Smith with his limited education and background could not have written the book. Now as I become more acquainted with the historical milieu in which Joseph Smith lived I find it logical that he could have composed the book himself. I have read most of Ethan Smith's View of the Hebrews and I have read B. H. Robert's list of parallels. I find it quite disturbing that so much of what the Book of Mormon says could have been derived from intellectual currents and opinions of his time. (Thank you very much for the book you sent; it has some interesting comments).
I have read part of Morgan's Exposition of Freemasonry and other contemporary expositions and find some parallel's between their economy and ours too close to be accidental.
It disturbs me to learn that church leaders and writers have ignored or covered over embarrassing facts. I constantly find a temptation to do this in my teaching.
These are just samples of similar problems of which you know, run into the dozens. So I find myself in the awkward position of needing to strengthen my own faith while I am in an occupation where I am expected to strenthen the faith of others. In any other profession I would not find it difficult to suspend judgment, but it is difficult to do when others expect an affirmative position from you. I would have taken up some other type of work if it were not for my real love for the Savior, the ethical teachings of the Gospel, etc.
I appreciated you mentioning Hosea Stout's diaries; I am anxious to read them.
would like to talk with you sometime. Thanks again.
If our religion is true, why do you think the Lord has made it so difficult to believe?
Sincerely,
- Kent Dunford
[-PAGE 19-]
Kent Dunford
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST
OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
Institute of Religion
5130 Montezuma Place . San Diego, California
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
346 North Main
St. George, Utah
LA MESA,
FEB 22
PM
1965
CALIF
Ans enclosed
Feb. 27
[-PAGE 20-]
761 West 3500 North
Ogden, Utah 84404
March 7, 1965
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
346 North Main
St. George, Utah
Dear Mrs. Brooks:
In the approximately ten days since your letter came to me, I have accomplished more un- pleasant household tasks-that-can-wait-' till-tomorrow, than I would ever have dreamed possible. This, to avoid corning to the point of answering said letter. Today I am disciplining myself, end here goes.
First, I must tell you why it is so difficult for me to write this. It is because I must admit to a fraud which I have unwittingly perpetrated, and do continue to perpetrate, on poor Aunt Elise. I am not writing her biography, nor do I ever hope to do so. I am completely unqualified to undertake such a job. What I offered to do, about six years ago, was to take down some notes concerning her life — things that one might not find in her clippings and official documents — and make of them a little "history" that her only grandchild, Ann Musser, might treasure. I had also hoped that by so doing, I could help divert her thoughts from pain and bitterness, and concentrate on her accomplish- ments, which have been many.
It wasn't long before she began, hopefully, to build this "history" into something pretentious, and I lacked the courage and honesty to tell her that for me it was impossible. It wasn't long, either, before I began to realize that having her dictate to me was not all that I had hoped for because it was decidedly repetitious, and points that I had hoped to bring out, she ignored and turned to others which had
[-PAGE 21-]
- 2 –
been covered many times previously. So that now, even the small "history" I have put aside.
You mentioned her papers, which should be saved for posterity. I have in my possession some of her diaries which I agree are invaluable. I have seen and thumbed through (under her jealous supervision) numerous scrapbooks of clippings, etc., all of which would be of help to someone who might someday undertake her biography. These I shall ask Uncle Burton to save for me, so that I might turn them over to the proper persons when the time comes. I have also seen a large volume, written in Spanish, covering the proceedings at the Lima Conference. I know nothing about any other papers, though there probably are more.
One day each week I try to spend with Aunt Elise and Uncle Burton. I was with them yesterday, and Uncle Burton was reading the diary of Stout, which you recently published. It was he who first introduced me to your John D. Lee, which I thoroughly enjoyed, along with the Mountain Meadow Massacre. You have a scholarly way of assembling facts and putting them together. Had I your ability, Aunt Elise's biography would most certainly be written — by me. I have not, so it must wait for someone else who is willing to undertake it. Would that, by any chance, be you? Nothing in this world would make Aunt Elise happier at this point than that.
Thank you so much for your letter. I greatly appreciate your interest.
Sincerely yours,
Wynona Huefner
Wynona M. Huefner
(Mrs. Paul Huefner)
[-PAGE 22-]
Mrs. Paul Huefner
761 West 3500 North
Ogden, Utah 84404
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
346 North Main
St. George, Utah
OGDEN
MAR 8
PM
1965
UTAH
Ans enclosed
[-PAGE 23-]
346 North Main
St. George, Utah
March 12, 1965
Mrs. Wynona Huefner
761 West 3500 North
Ogden, Utah
Dear Wynona:
Thank you for your letter of March 7. I was pleased that you spoke so frankly, for in a sense I have been guilty of somewhat the same thing. I did ask about doing & biography of Mrs. Musser in some indefinite future, and was relieved that she had already assigned the task to you.
I consider her a great lady in every sense of the word. I think her paper should be preserved, all of them, them, originals arranged and microfilmed for the Utah State Historical Library and then filed there or in some other depository. The minutes of the meetings at the Lima conference especially should be kept and translated. (This need not await her death.)
When you visit her next, tell her that I wish to cooperate with you. I wish she would sign a statement, to the effect that under our supervision, all her personal papers should be preserved. Perhaps I could meet you there sometime soon and we could talk to her together.
I hope that you had dates of her birth, details of her early life, of her home, her parents, her family, her early education—all that we can get of her childhood and her memories of home.
When did she come to America? Where did she go first? Was she a LDS convert? She has told me little of her courtship or marriage, except that her health was poor following the birth of her son, and she was sent to California.
I have no idea of how to handle details of her private life, but would like to know of her entrance into public life, her work at the Neighborhood House, and especially her assistance to the various minority groups and to individual maladjusted aliens. I have heard of the Mexican gentleman who thanks her for helping him to become a citizen, I have met several students from foreign lands: China& Korea, especially, who lived at the, home while they attended the University. I'd like to have their names and the dates. But I'm afraid that I have waited too long.
She seemed much better when I was in town last. Might we not meet each other there and get her to sign a statement giving these things into your care on mine or to us jointly? I have just been appointed again to the State Historical Society Board, but do not know when shall be called in.
[-PAGE 24-]
PRINCETON UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY
WILLIAM S. Dix, Librarian
HOWARD C. RICK, JR., Assistant Librarian
for Rare Books & Special Collections
8 March 1965
Mr. James F. Mathias, Secretary
Guggenheim Memorial Foundation
551 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York
Dear Mr. Mathias,
I appreciate your two letters telling me that the acceptance of applications for
Guggenheim fellowships for 1965-66 closed November 1, 1964.
I should very much appreciate your sending the pertinent Information and forms for
application for the 1966-7 year, when they are available, to:
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
St. George
Utah
Thanking you, I am,
Yours sincerely,
Alfred L. Bush, Curator
Rollins Collection of Western Americana
[-PAGE 25-]
March 11, ‘65
Dear Friends:
Yesterday we were invited by Glen and Laura Snow who told us of their plan to retire and to return to St. George. That let to a chat about Dixie, and of course, inquiries about friends there, among whom we are indeed happy to include you. And I was reminded during our chat that your welcome letter of Jan 21 still lay on my desk unanswered. So I decided this morning to get off a note to you.
Explanation of our seeming indifference to in-coming mail lies in the fact that, owing to Leach’s poor health during the last 18 months, I have had many things to do, as nurse dietician, housekeeper, dog-walker, corresponding-secretary
[-PAGE 26-]
and other things. And then, I had to return to the hospital for a second operation from which I am only now recover-ing. Despite these difficulties we have, nevertheless, been able to carry on fairly well. Our weak spot has been correspondence. Knowing this, I am sure, you will pardon our delay.
Word from the Executive Residence in Salt Lake leaves us feeling that the Ramptons are finding their stride and we, of course, are confident they will do a good job. Our second daughter came up from Gulfport to be with Leah while I was in hospital. And Leah’s sister,’Gusta, from New Haven, is with us now. Our M.D. son, lives near us. (P.V. Jr.) He’s in Med. Research
When Spring really comes, and we can get out into warm sunshine, we shall get on fine. We hope you are very well and we send our love and good wishes—
Vince and Leah
[-PAGE 27-]
P.V. CARDON
1730 Crestwood Drive N.W.
Washington 20011 D.C.
Mr. and Mrs. Will Brooks
346 North Main
St. George, Utah
WASHINGTON D.C.
PM
11 MAR
1965
Ans April 1st 65
[-PAGE 28-]
Ettie Lee Homes, Inc.
A Nonprofit Foundation
623 West Fifth Street
Los Angeles 17, California
Madison 4-5991 Dunkirk 9-7482
EXECUTIVE BOARD
RUTH FAIBANKS HEIM, PRESIDENT
- WESLEY WILLIAMSON, VICE-PRESIDENT
RUTH WHITE, SECRETARY
PAUL P. COMAK
ADMINISTATIVE STAFF
ETTIE LEE, DIRECTOR
DELBER G. ECCLES, SOCIAL SERIVSE
SANA LUND WILLIAMSON, ASSOCIATE
ADVISORY BOARD
JUDGE LEVI S. UDALL
ORA PATE STEWART
ALIVE M. BRAUM
INEZ U. TURLEY
HAL F. RADO
March 14, 1965
Precious Juanita and Will,
On April 3rd at 3 pm: Elder Spencer W. Kimball will dedicate the David Lee Home for Boys in Mapleton Utah. It may be that his entire Committee consisting of Alvin R. Dyer, Bishop Simpson and Attorney Robert Dyer will be present. I am not sure but I do know that Euart Lee Edna Louise Anthon and others of my Fathers family will be there and we would feel honored and happy to have you as our honored guests.
Fred Ward and wife are living at Hurricane now and we hope he will get the place ready for rebuilding. We have a choice man who wants to operate the home. I have been overtaxed here with many changes or I would have had the Will Brooks House ready by now.
Much love and God’s choicest blessings on you and yours.
Tenderly, Ettie
I love the Will Brooks Home for Boys.
THE LIAHONA FOUNDATION — (Liahona- known anciently as a Compass of Righteousness)
[-PAGE 29-]
Ettie Lee Homes, Inc.
A Nonprofit Foundation
623 West Fifth Street
Los Angeles 17, California
661 Shatto Place
Los Angeles, California 90005
Mr. and Mrs. Will Brooks
St George
Utah
LOS ANGELESES CALIF
PM
13 MAR
1965
[-PAGE 30-]
346 North Main
St. George, Utah
March 17, 1965
Dear Ettie:
It is always good to hear from you, and I am glad that
the new home is ready for formal dedication.
I'm afraid, however, that I shall not be able to attend. Some private problems, of which I will not speak or write, are the basic reason.
I'm sure that it will be a lovely, memorable occasion.
Best love,
Juanita
[-PAGE 31-]
346 North Main,
St. George, Utah
March 16, 1965
Prudential Federal Savings
and Loan Association
P.O. Box 540 Salt Lake City 10, Utah
Gentlemen:
On December 1, 1964 I sent in to you my check for eighty-five dollars ($85.00) as my payment on contract 1322, and asked about payment of the amount in full. My check was returned, but not my
[-PAGE 32-]
3440 South 3610 East
Salt Lake City 84109
March 16, 1965
Mrs. Will Brooks
St. George, Utah
Dear Juanita:
I have been intending to write you for a long time. Our visits when you are in Salt Lake are all too brief. Even so, I have never failed to come away from a conversation with you without feeling as a beneficiary. Faye and I both hope that we can visit with you when you come up again, or possibly we will journey southward for a visit this summer. We certainly miss you and Will at our monthly meetings.
I was delighted to receive a copy of Wesley Jones' little book on Book of Mormon sources from Oakland which it seems you ordered for me. Thank you very much. I find it most interesting and with some possible sources I had not considered. While there is often a good deal of repetition in such works it is always intriguing to follow each particular line of reasoning.
We are so proud of our HOSEA. Your arduous and patient labors have paid off handsomely. From the arresting jacket to the veriest footnote it is a huge and dramatic success. Your notes clarify and add marvelously to the text. I am eager to get Volume II so that the index will make each entry more valuable. It is the largest and finest book I have seen in many a day and we are devouring it with pleasure. I believe it will set a standard for years to come in works of such type.
Richard Thurman is reading my Ms., "Hearts Made Glad." While I don't expect anything can be done with it here he may have some ideas on finding a publisher elsewhere. Russ Mortensen thinks I have a saleable Item but he is too involved to give me any help.
- C. Lambert was our speaker in Feb. at Fitzgerald's home. He has a monumental library of Mormon materials but has no intention of publishing or making his work available to other scholars. I told him I thought the duplication of effort by so many researchers—amateur and professional --was a sad thing. He seemed surprised to learn that so many people were doing a similar job to his.
Faye joins me in wishing you and Will continued good health and success in all your work.
Sincerely,
LaMar Petersen
[-PAGE 33-]
LAMAR PETERSEN
3440 SOUTH 3610 EAST
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
84109
Juanita Brooks
St. George, Utah
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
PM
16 MAR
1965
ans enclosed
[-PAGE 34-]
346 North Main
St. George, Utah
March 28, 1965
Dear Lamar:
Forgive this delay in answering your wonderful letter of March 16. I've been involved in several things since it arrived, not the least of which was a bout with Flu which Iasted abort five days. (I —who boast that I NEVER get a cold!)
But I'm back to normal again and spending my early Sunday morning of some of the best religion I know—visiting on paper with my friends. There is no way to tell you how much I miss the association with the group there—we have nothing here comparable to it, of course. And how I wish I could have heard A.C. Lambert! I have many of his things,but he has seemed to want his telephone number and address to remain unknown. He has called me twice since he moved to Salt Lake City, but was very secretive about what he is doing. I gathered that he was on Governor Clyde's group for investigating the schools, or was in some other close way working for the Governor. Now, I could be wrong in this, so don't quote me.
I too rather enjoyed Wesley Jones little project, though it
is by no means as complete or scholarly as your own. Still it does add up.
Thank you for your kind words about HOSEA. Like you, I'm eager for volume two, so that I may find some of the items in volume one. I look forward to its appearance.
It would be wonderful to have you come South. Our weather here has been so perfect lately. "What is so rare as a day in June," must be changed for Dixie to "a day in March, Or April." Spring is here in the fruit trees, the cotton- woods, the bulbs. My forsythias have been out of this world, but are well past now.
Let me tell you a bit of my activities. I'm home mostly, but in April I speak at Cedar City on the afternoon of the 8th, and expect to be in Logan for the Utah Academy sessions on the 14th & 15th. Now that I'm on the State Historical Society Board again, I'm not sure of the spring meeting, but thought I'd suggest to Everett that it coincide with this Academy date--say Saturday afternoon of the 15th.
Nothing yet for sure in May, but our Son Karl will be married on June 3, the reception in Kamas on the 4th and our Open House here for him on the 12th. We expect our children all to gather in from the four corners.
I'm much interested in your "Hearts Made Glad" Ms. Tell me more about it.
[-PAGE 35-]
I'll telephone you the next time I am north. And you let me know your plans as they develop, so that. I can fit my own to them. We could find interesting places to go and things to do here, I'm sure, and would love to show you around.
My best to you also, Faye. This in a double letter, as all ov mine are. Come and see us!
[-PAGE 36-]
GRANT A. STUCKI, D. D. S.
6416 W. HIGGINS RD.
CHICAGO, ILL.
SPRING 5-3165
April 7, 1965
Dear Mrs, Brooks,
I just finished reading your book, "Mountain Meadow Massacre" and I enjoyed it very much. It certainly cleared up alot of questions that have bothered me from time to time.
Just as I finished reading it I was told by one of your friends, R.J. Snow, that you had written another book....a biography on the life of John D. Lee. I am enclosing a check for $10.50...would you be so kind as to send me a copy?
I also just learned that you are a descendant of Samual Stucki, through Mary Ann Hafen. I guess this makes us about second cousins once removed or something like that, as I am a descendant of his through John S. Stucki....brother of Mary ann.
At last I have some claim to greatness. I've envied others who could get up in a genealogy class and expound on their relatives greatness. Now I can, with a great sense of pride, drop your name as one of my relatives. It really was a thrill when I discovered, after I had read your book, that we had common ancestry.
If the money isn't sufficient, let me know, and I'LL send more.
Sincerely,
Grant A. Stucki
[-PAGE 37-]
GRANT A. STUCKI, D. D. S.
6416 W. HIGGINS RD.
CHICAGO 31, ILL.
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
St. George, Utah
49 CHICAGO
APR 7
PM
1965
ILL.
AIR PAR AVION MAIL
[-PAGE 38-]
St. George, Utah
April 9, 1965
Dear Cousin Grant:
I was really pleased to get your letter--glad that you had read one of my books and wanted another and twice as glad that you would claim me as a relative.
Since I was a little girl and came for the first time to Santa Clara, I was fond of my Stucki relatives. Leona always treated me well, and so did Uncle Chris' daughter, Katie. The Hafen girls, on the other hand, were very distant and cold and sometimes openly scornful.
But Uncle John S. was my favorite, although I didn't really know him much until after I was married to Ernest Pulsipher. Ern was suffering from cancer, and we were bringing him to the doctor in St. George. Roads then were only trails, and our car was old. It had been raining, and we got stuck on the Ivins bench. Acrowd of cowboys from Santa Clara came along and pulled us back onto the road with their lariats and set us on our way. Among them were two of the Stucki boys, Joe and Sam. Soon we were stuck again, and when they caught up with us, they pulled us out the second time. By now it was almost sun-down, and since we were almost to Santa Clara, the Stucki boys suggested that we stop in at their place for the night. Since the car was acting up, we did.
Uncle John S. saw us stopped outside the fence and immediately came out and urged us to come in. We were all total strangers to him—I knew who he was, but he didn't know me and I was too proud to tell him that I was Mary Ann's grand-daughter, because I didn't want to wish off three strangers onto the family—Ern's mother and brother were along. But after we had eaten supper and were sitting before the fireplace, I did tell him, and his joy to see one of her descendents was sweet to see. I'll never forget the incident. He has always been in my mind since the finest example of a perfect Christian.
Do you have a copy of his autobiography? It's precious. I wrote first my grandmother's life (Aunt Mary Ann to your folks) and then Uncle Roy (Dr, LeRoy Hafen) added to it and had it published under the title Memories of a Hard Cart Pioneer.
I didn't intent to write at such length, but the machine got away from me. Thanks again for your letter. You sent too much money, so I'll have to get stamps to make the change
Grant A. Stucki D.D.S
64l6 W Higgins Rd
Chicago, Illinois
THE HOME ON THE HILL
Juanita Brooks
Page 18
[-PAGE 39-]
Friday, April 9th -65
Dear Juanita: It was good to hear from you - and your letter was most thoughtful. You and Will are among our very "choicest" folks - and we wish we could have more visits. Arthur and I have often sort of dreamed about retiring to Washington and taking life easy - but it looks as if by the time the "easy" stage is reached we will not be on the scene. Anyway we can't dispose of the burden of the farm - and as long as our grandchildren (three granddaughters) are near - we couldn't leave. But this climate is discouraging particularly in spring - wind and snow and cold - and only two sunny days so far since last fall. "Hard on our old bones" as the saying goes.
I have been wanting to ask you for a frank opinion regarding a problem I have. Perhaps you will recall that some years ago I engaged in some extensive research on the life of Emma Smith and even wrote the first draft of a manuscript (Fay Ollerton Tarlock) helped with the research. Now the material is scattered around in our basement and in our garage - the part not lost. Some of it is valuable - or could be to an historian or biographer. Would you like to have this material - or do you think that it should go to Dale Morgan - or to the Utah Historical Society. I would like it to be in the hands of a person of integrity and not a "sifter." I will never try to do the book again (got into difficulty with the dear Reorganized people who gave me much source material) and also was severely beaten down by the LDS orthodox (some of them) .... Anyway I do not feel that now I should every try history or biography - and what little time I may have left I would rather work on poetry. So please let me know what you think.
About the Utah State Poetry Society Contest. (Ann Hafen is the retiring President - and we have never had such an efficient and helpful one.....) The Contest was for a book-length group of poems - published or unpublished or both - thiryt-two manuscripts were entered and there were three judges (whose names I do not know). In addition to the $100 prize money the book is to be published by the Society and perhaps 25 or 50 free copies given to the author. So it is an opportunity. I had never thought I cared to have a collection published and would be satisfied
[-PAGE 40-]
with publication of the individual poems .... as they have occurred (I have had about 500 published) the book contest required about fifty poems or fifty pages...... so I picked the ones that seemed to me the best - mostly poems written in the last ten years - but including some early lyrics (sifted out from a lot of over-sentimental effusions.....)
Arthur's health is not good. He doesn't have enough muscular control and each trip to the farm seems to involve him in accidents (falling off the haystack, falling out of the wagon, falling into the canal, having fights with bulls, and getting wound up with the calves ..... etc.....) and at his age ranching is too hard for him and the wages for hired help eat up the retirement income right down to the bone. It is just too bad to love to do things that neither provide money or contribute to one's physical well-being - although Arthur thinks farm life is transcendent fulfillment. I like it, too, but now, at my age, field and cattle are fine to look at (and my father's desert ranch in Flat Canyon - in the mountains between Nephi and Manti - is pure delight to look at and visit ....) but when I remember pigs in the ditch and water barrels filled with mud - wheat withering in the field - flies in the house more work than could be done in generations….such as moving
rocks and cleaning out weeds ..) Well, now the glamour is in the looks of some things and not in the hard and incessant labor.... I am glad to have had the experience when I was young and fairly strong and the summers in the mountains with the sheep were in some ways filled with pastoral beauty.... But being practical and realistic I have known as an adult that farm labor is not my line - but Arthur will not give it up as long as he can move or find a dime to invest in a fence or an irrigation ditch and he doesn't seem to mind that he has had to pay in cash earned otherwise for every hour of the "delight" he has found on the farm. It is deeper in him than it is in me - or perhaps he is more of a dreamer and a hoper and a postponer .... I don't know. So strange and so powerful are the emotional drives. I own some land on my father's ranch and I love every dry rocky foot of it .... but I know it well .... what it can give and what it can take. Didn't mean to elucidate.
Come to see us when you are again in SLC. I would love to spend some days with you - and if I live beyond retirement .... and you do, too, and Arthur and Will do, too ..... then we could enjoy so much some visits.....With love from Vesta
[-PAGE 41-]
- Crawford
1067 East 5th South
Salt Lake City, Utah 84102
MRS. JUANITA BROOKS
346 North Main
St. George, Utah
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
PM
9 APR
1965
Ans- promise to pick up material
[-PAGE 42-]
Saturday Morning, May 8, 1965
Dear Juanita: This a snowy miserable looking morning outside - but inside I have a fireplace fire and think I will do a day of letter writing, mending, washing, etc. interspersed with some office work. The last week has been snowy and cold and both apricots and leaves are frozen on our tree and we haven't taken the covers off the tomatoes and petunias to take a look - since it is still snowing. Arthur has gone to
the farm because he has to he says although he isn't feeling well and is still suffering from an encounter with a ram about two weeks ago.
Our daughter Marian said that when you were on your way home from the academy meetings in Logan - that you telephoned and said you would like to have the Emma Smith notes. and you are surely welcome to them. I will get together as many as I can locate. They are scattered in many places about the house and the garage, but I will get as many together as I can and whenever you know of someone from there driving back with a car or when we know of someone going down, I will send the material. It will likely be in a most haphazard shape because it was just pushed aside. Thinking back over the research it seems strange to me that a woman so much admired and so dearly loved before the polygamy deal etc..... could then have been criticized and oppressed and hated, especially after the prophet's death and the cult of "hate Emma Smith" arose .... and various manifestations of this seem to be the current orthodox opinions (?????) although many historians know better.
We do get lonesome to see you and Will and have some more visits. I am trying to persuade Arthur to go down there to the Crawford family reunion this month but he says the farm needs all his time and attention... but I like that country down there and the dear folks
who live there...Arthur's sister and her family and you folks and I like the feel of sunshine on
[-PAGE 43-]
red rocks and the desert has so much to say to folks who have an empathy with it.
Do you remember meeting Paul and Dorothy Roberts in the writers groups? He was a photographer and poet and she also. Paul passed away about three weeks ago. He was our dear friend and I had known him since B.Y.U. days when we took literature classes together....
We have lost a number of dear friends and relatives lately. My Sister Alice's husband (Anthony Willardson) passed away a month ago, and yesterday my oldest brother Lee Pierce passed away in Santaquin. I suppose we are in the age when the ranks of our contemporaries start to thin out, and it begins to look as my dear Grandfather Redington used to say.... that we have more waiting for us over there than we have with us here.
I was so sorry not to get to go to the meetings in Logan. Claire says they were very interesting and all the talks wonderful.
Best love to you and Will and your dear mother and all the family....
from Vesta p.c.
[-PAGE 44-]
Ettie Lee Homes, Inc.
A Nonprofit Foundation
623 West Fifth Street
Los Angeles 17, California
MAdison 4-5991 DUnkirk 9-7482
Executive Board
RUTH FAIRBANKS HEIM, President
- WESLEY WILLIAMSON, vice-president
RUTH WHITE, Secretary
EVELYN FOSTER SIMS
PAUL P. DOMACK
Advisory Board
JUDGE LEVI S. UDALL
ORA PATE STEWART
ALICE M. BRAUN
INEZ U. TURLEY HAL F. RADO
Administrative Staff
ETTIE LEE, Director
DELBERT G. ECCLES, Social Services
SANA LUND WILLIAMSON, associate
661 Shatto Place
April 13. 1965
Precious Juanita,
How glad I was to get your good letter and how happy I would have been had it been possible for you and Bro. Brooks to have been to the dedication of the David Lee Home for Boys. Wes and Manetta were there along with my brothers and sisters, and Josephine, my cousin on my mother's side, and we had a happy time together. The place was so crowded that the whole two or three acres were cover- ed with cars. But I would surely have been happy for you to have been there. We were saddened by learning of the death of my brother David's grand child, a little girl of three who was drowned in the canal. This word came through just as Elder Spencer W. Kimball was ready to give the dedicatory prayer.
My next project will be to put the Will Brooks Home for boys in perfect order and get it ready for occupancy. I love you and Will and this Home is very precious to me, because of what you have done personally there and because it can of great service to many boys. A choice man and his wife are interested in becoming the Home parents, and I do not want to wait too long in getting it ready for them.
Sana called me and let me know that Wes was in the Provo district Had she not done this I would not have been able to contact him there. I had them an invitation to be at the dedication, Truthfully, I did not know that there was a rift between me and Wes. He had given out some information that I didn't appreciate and instead of going to others about it, I discussed it with him. We are all adults, I thought and can disagree and still be in harmony in important things of life. I'm glad you spoke of his photography. I introduced him to the group as one who is gifted in recognizing a picturesque scene and told of his ability as a photographer.
How glad I was to get your reaction on Wilford Lee ! To me he was one of the kind good souls of this world. My sister, Edna, and I have often spoken of him and George both. They were gentle and thoughtful in the little things that make life pleasant for others. They stood ready at all times to go extra mile.
We are happy that we have one who is so capable as you , Juanita to edit and prepare this material of our grandfather. Surely I will do everything I possibly can to assist and promote this work. I think I have told you that I feel that it was God who prompted you. to help us.
THE LIAHONA FOUNDATION — (Liahona - known anciently as a Compass of Righteousness)
2
Please let me know what I may do to render service in assisting with the work you have in mind. I have the copies of the diaries typed by Manetta and if you do not have them I will gladly share them with you. Too, I have at least 50 copies of the first edition of The Mountain Meadow Massacre. If you desire any of these books, you are welcome to them, as you know I hope.
To me the Junior College in St. George, is an outstanding institution of learning. I take pleasure in recounting the capable men that began their education there. Hence, I am pleased ,indeed ,that your works will be exhibited there.
The Dixie District and particularly Washington, grips ray heart. My father had his beginnings there and his love for the temple and all it meant to him seems to have been transplated in me. Please keep your eye on that home that is something of a replica of Grand- father's home. If it ever has a For Sale sign on it, let me know.
Surely I am thankful that the problems that were confronting You are being solved.I found a little ache in my heart when I read your letter referring to them . I longed to write and see if I could help in any way but time seemed to get away from me. I do hope you will always know that nothing would give me more pleasure than to help you wherein I can. As I have told you before I am deeply grateful for the assistance you have given me and my family, and without sounding sentimental, all of us regard you and Will as persons set apart in a great cause. My love to Will too.
Tenderly and sincerely,
Ettie
Ettie Lee Homes, Inc.
A Nonprofit Foundation
623 West Fifth Street
Los Angeles 17, California
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
346 North Main
St. George Utah
LOS ANGELES, CALIF.
PM
13 APR
1965
346 North Main, St. George
April 13, 1965
Dear Alfred:
I've had such a hard time making myself make application for any of the fine things you have held out for me. The reasons? Well, they are many and complicated. As you know, I did considerable spadework on the Thomas D. Brown Journal, only to learn that the publication rights were in Dr. Cooley's hands. He indicated that he would be glad to have me do the editing IF and WHEN it is to be done.
Then suddenly the new governor, Governor Rampton, re-appointed to the Board of the State Historical Society, a position I did not really want at all! It will make possible occasional trips in to the city, expense paid, though.
On another front, Pres. John Tucker of the Junior College at Price wrote
Mr. Lottinville of Oklahoma, suggesting that I collect all the early Lee material—the unpublished Nauvoo Journal, the trek from the river to Winter Quarters, the Santa Fe Mission Journal, even the Kelley excerpt, and work them into an additional volume of The Chronicles He even went so far as to say that they ought to be redone, and the whole made into a fine three-volume set. Strangely, Lottinville reacted favorably, though the expense would be great indeed. As you know, only 250 copies were done of the Kelley publication and I think only 1500 of The Chronicle.
Don't misunderstand. Lottinville has assured me that he will print a volume of the early, unpublished material if I will edit it. He said only that he would consider the other proposition, and that the more he thought of it, the more kindly he felt toward it.
As for me, I've spent so much time on Lee that I was not too eager to plunge in again, though I realize that I perhaps am as well qualified as anyone else to do this. So I am making application for a travel grant from the American Philosophical Society for travel help only. Since I'm not officially attached to any institution, I've asked for it direct to me as I make the necessary trips, as a refund upon presentation of ticket stubs or vouchers. Probably will not go through.
A bitter family feud is splitting the Lee family asunder, with the several factions all trying to tell me their side of it, all trying to enlist my sympathy, all assuring that there is not anything that they would not to to further any plan or program I might adopt to bring out further material on John D. Lee. I don't want to work that way. I prefer to do what I do independent of them all. Their split is over money.
Next has come an urgent request from Leonard J. Arrington that I write up the story of the beginnings of the WPA Federal Writer's Project or the Historical Records Survey—actually the beginning of collecting original documents and copying them -which started in my home here in 1933. It need not be a long article, they say, but it should be done soon. Dr. Cooley had asked me about doing this a year ago.
On the brighter side, our son Karl is engaged to be married to a very lovely girl, Miss Carla Hoyt, who is teaching English in the high school here. Their date is set for June 4 and we'll have an Open House for them here a week later. Another worry and distraction, but a thing I'm very glad to have happen.
My health is better. Except for a lingering sore throat, I'm nearly as good as new.
So now I'm going to impose upon you to recommend that I be given a travel budget of enough to enable me to make one trip East, where I may visit the Library of Congress, see the Coe Collection, and your library there; also a trip to include Phoenix and Tucson, where there pre contemporary records of the later period. I expect to work at Huntington for a couple of weeks or so. I have asked, only for actual bus or plane fares for such trips as I find necessary to make less than $1,000, or approximately that amount. The trip East, if I return via Oklahoma, will take nearly half that amount. The whole to cover one year.
My project will be on the Lee diaries and letters before 1848, with the understanding that Oklahoma University Press will publish the volume. If I get this, I'll be satisfied. I'll ask for nothing more.
I enclose the form and envelope, and will appreciate it very much.
Much love,
St. George, Utah
April 20, 1937
Dr. Luther H. Evans, National Director
Historical Records Survey WPA
1734 New York Avenue NW
Washington, D.C.
Dear Dr. Evans:
I am being released from the Historical Records Survey for a time, at least, so I should like to file my work with the County. I have all the documents we have done completed and ready except the ones I sent to you last September. I wonder if you are not through with them.
I sent two of the copies to the Ogden office, gave one to the owner, and sent the other to you, so that I am without a filing copy. I believe that the ones you have are the diaries of Esias Edwards, Myron Abbott, Levi M. Savage, and Nephi M. Savage. I should be glad to receive these if you have finished with them.
We have done some forty such records under this project, some them very valuable history, I think, in addition to the work on the County and Church Records. I feel that it has been worth while, and has fully justified the expenditure. While much remains to be done, I am glad for this start, as many of these would never have been preserved otherwise. The work has also been most interesting.
Best wishes foryyour success.
Sincerely,
Juanita Brooks
GRANT A. STUCKI, D. D. S
6416 W. H1GGINS RD.
CHICAGO, ILL.
SPRING 5.3165
April 22, 1965
Dear Juanita,
Thank you so much for the book "John D. Lee. It was, without a doubt, the most interesting book I have ever read, I could hardly lay it down. Even my Wall Street Journal went without reading for a few days. You did a tremendous job.
I also appreciated you letter referring to the Stucki's of Santa Clara. I am glad that they treated you as you should have been treated. How embarrassed I would be if it had been other-wise.
When Father died a month ago, I quickly gathered up some of his prized possessions, and among them was the little book you referred to.....the life story of your Grandmother, Mary Ann Hafen. How I learned to love that great woman as I read of her trials. What a strength it was to me to realize that my forebears could endure abject poverty, sickness, death, and polygamy, and yet keep an abiding faith in the Lord and in his church. It thrilled me to know that they could overlook the human frailties of their leaders...something that even in this day some of us find difficult.
I jst learned that you also edited the Diary of Hosea Stout. There was quite a write up, as you probably know, in the University of Utah's Alumnus magazine April 1965. I would appreciate very much if youcould send me the two volumes. I'll enclose $18.50 and hope it covers the expense.
Once again, let me thank you for all you have done. I am truly proud that I am related to such a distinguished person.
Love,
Grant
St. George, Utah
April 25, 1965
Dear Grant:
You are more than generous in your appraisal of my John D. Lee story. I'm happy to have you say that you enjoyed it. Scholars criticized me for not foot-noting it as I did the other book, but I thought that general readers would enjoy it so much if they had to assume that I knew what I was writing about, and would take my word for it.
And thanks, too, for your tribute to my grandmother, "Aunt Mary Ann" to you. She was truly a noble woman, without a thought of evil in her— neither envy nor malice nor evil-speaking of anyone. She was full of love for everyone, ready to overlook faults and mistakes and believe the best of them.
The Hosea Stout Diary, volume one, is out, but volume two is being held up for the long, long index which it contains. Every month since last September we have thought it could be finished; April 1 was set as the deadline. So I think I should bank your check, and send the book an soon as it is available. I must be in SLC this week end, and can
then find more definitely when it will appear. Be sure that it will be mailed out promptly.
I haven't seen the article in the U Alumnus, since I graduated first from BYU and later from Columbia. I'll look it up in the library here.
Thank you again for your kindness. I hope that we'll meet in person sometime.
Sincere good wishes,
Juanita
GRANT A. STUCKI, D.D.S.
6416 W. HIGGINS RD.
CHICAGO 31, ILL.
MRS JUANITA BROOKS
ST, GEORGE, UTAH
AIRMAIL
CHICAGO
APR 22
PM
1965
ILL
BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY EARL C. CROCKETT, ACTING PRESIDENT
PROVO, UTAH
library
April 27, 1965
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
St. George
Utah
Dear Mrs. Brooks:
I was extremely unhappy to not have gotten to see you over the weekend, but was afraid that you would be coming through after school and as I left town immediately after school I did not know whether you had called me or not.
I have a boy working on the bibliography and will have it to you as soon as possible. I note that many diaries say that they were done through the courtesy of the St. George librarians.
I suppose that you were instrumental in getting us these and, therefore, will send them to you in a separate list.
Yours sincerely,
Chad
Chad J. Flake Special Collections
CJF: jr
Since I dictated this the boy has finished the list. I have sent them along in another envelope. Hope these are all of them. Don’t worry about cost. We are glad to be of service.
DF-26 revised 2-60
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COMPUTATIONS CHECKED BY
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mileage CHARGE — (privately owned automobile)
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RESERVED FOR STATE AUDITOR
May 5, 1965
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
St. George, Utah
Dear Mrs. Brooks
We appreciate your acceptance to speak in our Graduation exercises, May 25, 1965.
Our theme is, "Climb Every Mountain." We have scheduled you to speak from twenty to thirty minutes.
Dixie Gayle Andrus has consented to bring you to the exercises, which will be held at eight o'clock.
Respectfully yours,
Linda Heaton
Senior Class President
Senior Class
Valley High School
Orderville, Utah
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
St. George, Utah
ORDERVILLE UT
MAY 5
PM
1965
84758
BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY EARL C. CROCKETT, ACTING PRESIDENT
PROVO, UTAH
LIBRARY
May 7, 1965
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
346 North Main
St. George, Utah
Dear Juanita:
I suspect that there were several other diaries which should have been attributed to you, but Mr. Butt had neglected to put prefaces in. The only way I can suggest to pick these up would be to either send you a complete listing of our diaries or for you to drop in some time and look through the listing. We would certainly like to get copies of any of the diaries which we do not have.
The person to thank for having the list typed would be Dr. Tyler. He was the one that insisted that. I have had someone do it on company time. One of my people did it on timecards so he has already been paid. This is small enough payment for the many favors you do us.
Yours sincerely,
Chad
Chad J, Flake
Special Collections
elm
Journals, Diaries, etc. located in Special Collections in the
- Reuben Clark , Jr. Library
Brigham Young University
Provo, Utah
that have been obtained through the kind help of Mrs. Juanita Brooks.
The books listed are only those that contain Written acknowledgement of Mrs. Brooks' help in obtaining these diaries and journals, There are undoubtedly others, that were acquired through her help that do not contain such credit. Total 376.
Autobiography of William Adams (1822-1894)
Autobiography of Milo Andrus (1779-18750
Diary of Joseph Smith Black (1836-1910)
A Journal of the Emigration Company of Council Point, Pottawatamie County, Iowa. In the Summer of 1852 George Bowering, Clerk
New Zealand Mission Diaries of Nelson Spicer Bishop (1855 - Journal does not contain death date)
Biographical Sketch of Charles Negus Carroll (1817-1896) Died 1902
Record Book of Edwin Charles Cox (1838 - )
Diary of John Clark Dowdle (1836-1894)
Diary of John B. Fairbanks (1855- )
Diary of Henry Chariton Jacobs (1846-1915)
Diary of Joel Hills Johnson (1802-1882)
Biography of John Lee Jones
Diary of Thomas Judd (1846-1922)
Journal of Elijah Larkin (1854-1867)
Autobiography and Journals of William Lang (1826-1896)
Diary of George Laub (1814-1880)
Diary of Christian N. Lund (1846-1921)
Diary of Platte D. Lyman (1848-1901)
Journal of Wandle Mace (1809-1890)
Diary of William Mcintosh (1857-1898)
Journal of Henry W. Miller and Elmira Pond Miller Cherokee Indian Mission
Biographical Sketch George Orin Pitkin (1837-1910)
Diary of John Pulsipher
Diary of John Redington (1859-1905)
Diary of Charles Smith (1819-1905)
Missionary Diary of Edward H. Snow (1899 to 1901)
Diary of W. S. Tolton (1896-1927)
Diary of Charles L. Walker (1833-1904)
Sketch of the Life of Adolphus Rennie Whitehead and Diary of Mary G. Whitehead
Journal of John Stillman Woodbury (1825-1877)
Biography of Manomas Lavina Gibson Andrus (1842-1922)
Alexander Fullerton, Oldest Living Boy Pioneer to reach St. George in 1861 - by Mabel Jarvis
Autobiography of Edward Bunker (1822-1901) (obtained through WPA)
Diary of William Wallace Hammond (1837-1869)
Biography of George Orrin Pitkin (1837-1910)
Letters of Charles C. Rich and Sarah D. Rich August 1, 1853 to January 11, 1863
Biographical Sketch of Elethra Calista Bunker (1859-1901)
Founding of a School -- Randle W. Lunt (1897-1898)
Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin LeBaron (1860 - )
Group of Nielsen Biographies and Account of Taylor Ancestors
Genealogical and Blessing Book of Samuel Turnbow with brief Sketch of his life (1804-1876)
Journal of William Morley Black (1826-1914)
Diary of Joseph L. Heywood (1815-1910)
History of Goudy E. Hogan
Autobiography of William Leany (1815-1891)
Biography of Isaac Leany (1815-1873)
Biographical Sketch of Seth E. Johnson, Lydia Ann (Smith) Johnson and Martha Jane (Stratton) Johnson
Diary of Mary Brown Pulsipher (1799 -- Died after 1879)
The Story of My Life by William Elias Abbott
Diaries of Thomas Sirls Terry (1825 -- )
Life Sketch of James Smith Abbott (1868-1929)
Diary of Benjamin Platt (1856-1863)
Journal of Edwin Ward Smout (1823-1900)
Life of Kezia Giles Carroll also Sketch of Charles Negus Carroll (1817- 1917) (sic) 1902 -- by Amy C. Stark Also My Grandmother's Life by Genevieve Chamberlain
Autobiography and Diary of Eliza Marie Partridge (Smith) Lyman (1820-1885)
Journals, Diaries, etc. credited to Mrs. Roxey S. Romney
Records of Christopher J. Arthur (1860-1900) Diary of Henry W. Bigler (1846-1850)
Historical Sketch of My Life -- John Johnson Davies (1831-1891)
Diary of William Y. Empey (1852-1854)
Diary of James Farmer (1851-1856)
Diary of William Gibson (1841-1858)
A Life Sketch of Orson Welcome Huntsman (1868-1890)
William Ellis Jones, Journal (1861-1896)
Journal of Priddy Meeks (1879-1882)
Edward H. Snow -- Autobiography of (1865-1925)
Diary of Andrew Sproul (1841-1847)
The Life Sketch of Mary Ann Mansfield Bentley (1838-1935) Memories of George W. Fawcett" (1848-1902)
Ancestral Sketch and memories of Mary Julis Johnson Wilson (1876-1877) Sketch of Dell Cox (1850-1879)
History of Delawn Mills Cox
Biographical Record of Martha Cox (1852-1932)
Sketch of the Life of Hannah A. Crosby - Daughter of Edward and Emily Abott Bunker
Diary of Richard Harrison (1838-1867)
A Brief History of the Erection of the St. George Temple--by Edward L. Parry
Incidents in the Life of Brigham Y. McMullin (1851-1892)
Memories of Alice Parker Isom and George Isom (1838-1923)
Miscellaneous credits:
Autobiography of Zadoc Knapp Judd (1827-1909) credited to Mrs. Bertha McGregor
Joseph Orton, Autobiography (also credited to Mrs. McGregor)
Diary of David H. Morris (1886-1936) credited to Mrs. George Brooks, Jr.
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah 84112
Department of History
May 13, 1965
Miss Juanita Brooks
346 North Main Street
St. George, Utah
Dear Miss Brooks:
We would like to extend an invitation to you to participate in our Western History Conference this coming June. Specifically, we would like you to participate on a panel with Wallace Stegner and Russ Mortensen discussing the general subject of problems relating to the gathering of materials on western history. Enclosed is a flyer outlining our program.
In order to encourage you to make this trip to Salt Lake City so that you can hear Wallace Sterner's speech and renew old acquaintances, we are prepared to offer you $50 to help in defraying transportation expenses. We want particularly our students and faculty to meet you.
We expect between one hundred and one hundred and fifty graduate students and teachers of American history to attend this conference. Already we have had inquiries from as far away as North Dakota. Will you be with us?
Sincerely yours,
J.L. Clayton
JAMES L. CLAYTON
Director, Western History
Conference
The University of Utah Summer School 1965
4 th Annual
WESTERN HISTORY CONFERENCE
Utah and the West
June 21-25, 1965
Fee: $30
Guest lecturers:
Wallace Stegner, professor of English, Stanford University
Samuel W. Taylor, author
George D. Clyde, former Utah Governor
Director: James L. Clayton
The Program:
Two hours credit may be obtained from this History I57WR workshop, which has as its theme: "The Far West in the 20th Century." The $30 workshop fee includes the cost of transportation to all field trips, but not for the banquet or luncheon. Each day will spotlight the following:
Monday: Reclamation and Conservation in the 20th Century West
Tuesday: Intellectual, Social, and Cultural Developments in the 20th Century West Luncheon (Panorama Room)
Wednesday: Research Materials for the Study of the Far West in the 20th Century Politics in the Far West
Thursday: The Nuclear Era
Official Banquet (Panorama Room) Friday: Publishing and Teaching Western History
Registration inquiries should be directed to the Dean of the Summer School,
Park Building, Universty of Utah, Salt Lake City. Air-conditioned housing accommodations
are available by writing to Housing Office, Ballif Hall, University of Utah.
- L. Clayton
Department of History
ORSON SPENCER HALL
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah 84112
Miss Juanita Brooks
346 North Main
St. George, Utah
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
PM
13 MAY
1965
346 North Main
St. George, Utah
May 16, 1965
Dr. J. L. Clayton
Director, Western History
Conference
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
Dear Dr. Clayton:
Thank you for your invitation to participate in your Western History Conference this season. I shall be glad to come. Since I cannot stay all week. I should be glad to get more definite information.
Sincerely,
Juanita Brooks
3410 South 1940 West
Salt Lake City, Utah
84119
May 20, 1965
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Brooks,
Several months ago, I wrote you and inquired if your property on U Street, here in Salt Lake, was for sale. You answered that the property was subject to redemption, and un-available at that time.
I now have a client who is interested in the property for a purchase price of $14,550.00. This price would include the house at 84 U St. Since the house at 98 U St. can be financed, you would have most, possibly all the sale price in cash.
Since the redemption period is up on June 29, any offer made would be subject to the redemption period, and would not be closed until after June 29. It would not be binding upon you if Mr. Morrison does redeem the property, which seems un-likely now. The purchase price is based upon the house and lot at 98 U Street, and the ground value alone at 84 U Street, and seems reasonable and fair. Unfortunately, the condition of the house in which Mr. Morrison lives in has a tendency to drag down the property values, rather than enhance them. I doubt that it is feasible to remodel, and the most realistic solution seems to be to tear down the house completely, which my client is prepared to do.
If you would be interested in the sale as outlined above, I would greatly appreciate hearing from you as soon as possible, as time is of the essence, in this matter. My home address is above.
Sincerely yours,
Dorothy M. LeBreton
Mooney Real Estate Inc.
1627 Foothill Blvd.
Salt Lake City, Utah
Phone: 486-2334
P.S. I am sure that arrangements can be made to satisfy your tenants in the house at 98 U Street. Either we can find them a home or apartment of equal value, or compensate them financially for their inconvenience.
Mrs. D. M. LeBreton
3410 South 1940 West
Salt Lake City, Utah
84119
Mr. & Mrs. W.T. Brooks
346 North Main
Street Saint George, Utah
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
PM
20 MAY
1965
Salt Lake City,
May 20, 1965.
Dear William and Juanita:
We were pleased to get your letter and the news about the shorthand writer Long. The attorney who has possession of the notes of Mr. Long, except the one little portion we have for transcription, is still out of state. Anyway, we have been unable to contact him, and he advised there was no hurry to get the transcript.
In the obituary section of the Salt Lake Tribune on May 12, this year, was an item on the death of John Varah Long, Jr. two days before, a man 76 years of age. From the unusual middle name, I assume he may have been a son of John Varah Long who wrote these shorthand notes we have, or grandson. The Tribune of May 12 gives: "Born April 28, 1889, Salt Lake City, son of John V. and Angie Cross Long. Married Ethel Griffin July 1942. Member LDS. Survivors: Widow, grandchildren," etc.
I have typed the pages of shorthand notes from the small note book about 4 inches by 7th inches in size which we have, and it now consists of 35 typewritten pages, letter size. I assume there will be some 300 or 400 pages more to be typed if the attorney wants us to continue.
Your account of the death of John V. Long is a little different from what we get, that is on the report as to the cause of death.
Our information is that Brigham Young wanted to marry a daughter of John V. Long. That Long objected, and that thereafter their relationship was unfriendly. Possibly following that time is when Long was dropped from the High Council, as you mention. From the shorthand notes, most of which we have examined only hurriedly, it appears that Long worked with or for Brigham Young up until l864, and you give the date of his death as 1869.
This John Varah Long who died in Salt Lake this month is survived by one sister living in Salt Lake City, also other brothers and sisters residing elsewhere. I intend to try to contact this sister in Salt Lake and get some information on the family.
I am waiting word from my sister in Los Angeles as to when I should leave for California. I will let you know the date I will be in St. George as soon as I get word from her.
Don't fail to call when you are up this way. That other James H. in our telephone book messes things up for me some time.
With kindest regards,
Sincerely,
Jim
PS: I have just talked to the lady, whose brother, J. V. Long, died May 10, 1965 in Salt Lake. She doesn't think he is of the line of John Varah Long who wrote these shorthand notes, although she thinks one of the Long's died in Salt Lake in a drunken stupor and that he probably used dope also.
JK
James Keller
2210 Blaine Ave.
Salt Lake City, Utah 84108
Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Brooks,
346 North Main St.,
St. George, Utah.
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
PM
20 MAY
1965
346 North Main, St.George, Utah
May 20, 1965
Our Dear Children:
So many things crowd in—-addressing invitations for one thing, helping outside for another, worrying about the visit of Governor Rampton to our county for a third.
Then there was this business of losing my wallet! On Sunday afternoon Walt & Irene came to take us out to Panaca to look over possible homes for Paul to rent or buy. We had a wonderful time, and were impressed with the cheap prices real estate. The afternoon before I had changed a $57.00 check, bought a few groceries, and intended to get four rolls of 5c stamps and to pay for the invitations. WELL, the P.O. was closed and so was the News office, so I had the money in my wallet.
As we left Panaca, we a stopped at a malt shop where I bought us all a root beer float, put my wallet into my purse, and got into the car. I did not move out of my seat until we stopped out in front of the house. Walt got out and got some lunch (fried chicken) out of the back: we ate in the car & went on. At home I gathered up my sweater, which I hadn't needed at all, and my purse & came in, went to bed with a clear mind, and Monday morning went about my work.
Then I went to get my wallet to pay for some eggs. NO WALLET THERE! I couldn't believe it! I ran quickly out to where we got out of the car, but it was now noon, and no wallet there. I telephoned Panaca; no, I had not left it there. Irene & I even drove all the way back to the picnic stop, just on the chance that I had dropped it there, though I was in center front and did not move.
All the time, I felt sure that it was NOT lost-- that I should find it. Last evening just at sundown, they called from across the street. It was in the ditch and had lodged against their garage in the back. It was intact, not a penny missing. Now the mystery is: who carried it up the street and then hid it in the ditch across the street?? The Ditch was dry on Monday morning, but the water came down during the day and ran all day Tuesday and until Wednesday afternoon. The purse was full of sand, everything in it soaked, but intact. Talk about a grateful person! Though I had said all along that "IT is NOT lost", I had begun to doubt myself.
I speak to the graduating class at Orderville on Tuesday night, May 25. I am responsible for the entertainment of Mrs. Rampton on Friday, June 2. Go to Kamas to the wedding & reception on June 4.
Were glad to hear your voice, Kay and Jeannie, and hope the work gets to be in teresting. Enjoyed the "Folklore" piece, Janet, but wished you had written more. The note from you, Willa, was most reassuring.
St. George, Utah
May 22, 1965
Mr. Leslie E. Bliss
Henry E. Huntington Library
San Marino, California
Or Any other Library employee:
This will introduce Mr. James H. Keller, who is interested in seeing the shorthand notes of the John D. Lee trials. Mr. Keller was a court reporter for many years, and is presently transcribing the shorthand of John V. Long, secretary to Brigham Young from about 1856 to 1866.
I think you will be happy to become acquainted with Mr. Keller
Sincere good wishes to all the Staff,
Juanita Brooks
346 North Main
St. George, Utah
May 23, 1965
Mrs. Gertrude M. Richards
Pleasant Grove, Utah
Dear Gertrude:
In my reading about your grandfather, Amos Milton Musser, I often found references also to John Neff. As you know, the two women were sisters: Neff's wife, Mary, and Amos' mother, Ann Barr,
Somewhere in my reading I found a reference to say that after his arrival in Salt Lake City a few years, John Neff married two other wives. I'm not sure whether this was before or after the death of Mary, but as I remember it, Brigham Young counseled him to take two emigrant girls.
At the time, I thought little of it, because this was a pattern so often followed, and many men were urged to live this law as a requirement to holding a high position.
If you know anything of this, one way or the other, I'd be glad for word of it. Don't go to a lot of trouble unless you have it somewhere in your record book. When I get in to the library, I can follow through myself, but here I have no source material to speak of.
I hope you see Elise occasionally. She admires and loves you so much. I've written a note occasionally, but do little else to keep in touch. Mothers of large families become quite tied up in the doings of their children, I find, and my last son is being married on June 4. After this is over, I'll have more time for research.
Sincere good wishes,
Juanita Brooks
At Home
Sunday afternoon May 23/65
Dear Tony & Janet:
I'm so glad and relieved since I talked to you, Tony, for now I know that Janet is held blameless by the Mother and also before the law, Jan, honey, this has been a horrible experience, and it will take time to adjust and get over it. But you must feel that we cannot know the WHY of things—why this had to happen or did happen in just this way—why it was you that had to be involved. When we try to figure out the whys of the universe, we just chase ourselves in circles and come back to where we started from.
We just have to keep our faces forward and move ahead from day to day, doing the best we can. I'm so grateful that our own two were securely fastened, otherwise there might have been a double tragedy, and one for which you would have blamed yourself. So I hope that you will get yourself in hand—take the children in the car and get out of doors if the weather is good, down by the park where we had such a pleasant afternoon. I'll never forget it—the fun Mark had and his fascination with the water. Our anywhere where you can move around a bit. For me, the out-of-doors is good medicine The top of the Sugar Loaf has seen me through some troubled times and sent me home calmed and quieted.
Our prayers are all for you both, as well as for the babies. We feel that you will come through your test well, Tony. Your work has been consistent and solid, and you pretty well understand what you know about it. Don't over-work your eyes trying to cram for it. Don't wear your nerves frayed. Take a few days off; relax; eat sensibly and get your rest. Trust in the dear Lord for help in recalling what you have learned and for integrating it into meaningful patterns. If you don't know, say so. No one knows everything.
And then take your time coming home. Don't try to hurry or to drive too long. Stop at night for the sake of the boys, or at intervals during the day, so that Mark may run and exercise.
I'm up to my ears in plans for entertaining the Governor's wife on June 2. Then we go to Kamas on the third for the wedding on the 4th. Back at home for a week before the reception. We decided to hold it at the Chapel in the patio, and I'm glad now that we did. Chiefly it's because the weather has been so uncertain and then because the mulberries are on. We'll just have to take these two trees out, looks like. They're so loaded this year, and such a mess.
I think Daddy must have told you all the family news. Karl & Carla went to Conference this afternoon, and then rode up to Cedar City after it to visit her brother who is going to school there. They are getting things painted and cleaned up around the little house, so that they can move right in when they come down.
I'm enclosing a few clippings that I thought might interest you. One or two are old, that I mislaid when I should have sent them.
We are so proud of you-all, and so eager to see you,
Love, Mother
346 North Main, St. George
May 23, 1965
My dear Miss Lee:
This card has just come to my attention. I don't know why it was not mailed to you long ago, or why these water certificates have not been changed and sent to you.
As you see from the enclosed slip, this went delinquent once before and we paid it inorder to keep it from the open market, for water shares are much in demand. So you should take care of this promptly in order that it be not sold again.
The Water Certificates are in our vault at the Bank of St. George, but we will get them out and take them to Hurricane where we can hca have them transferred to your name, so that the notices will go to you direct.
There is also some duplication on the tax notices of one small parcel of land, so that we have paid the taxes on it each year.
We keep well, for which we are thankful, and in general things are fair with us. We hope that you also are able to carry on and to continue your wonderful work with success.
We shall be very happy to see you when you come this way. As of now, my schedule is:
June 2 Help to Entertain Gov. Rampton and wife
June 4 Attend Karl's wedding and reception in SLC
June 12 Have Open House for him here
June 21 Participate in the Western History Conference at the University of Utah.
Tomorrow night I give the Commencement address at the graduation exercises out at Orderville, Utah.
After mid-June I hope to have things move at the site on Kolob. The spring has been unusually late and cool here, so we have not crowded it as yet.
My best love and my eternal gratitude to you for many things,
Always,
Juanita Brooks
617 Oak St.,
Rich Hill, Missouri.
May 23rd., 1965
Mrs. Juanita Brooks,
St. George, Utah.
Dear Mrs. Brooks.
some fifty years ago, I read about the Mountain Meadow Massacre in a narrative of the old west. For some reason, I was impressed enough to remember some of it over the years. With the help of a columnist and some ads. in. the KC Star, a lady loaned a copy but it was a revised edition and not containing the part about the Massacre .
All this made me only more sure that I would follow up until I got the real story of this affair. It has lead me to you and I hope you can help me reach a decision as to the possibility of some religious belief being connected with this gruesome affair.
This is my personal whim and not for any exposee of any sort, public or personal
Sincerely
Oscar Pace
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HENRY E HUNTINGTON LIBRARY AND ART GALLERY SAN MARINO, CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PHOTOGRAPHIC REPRODUCTIONS |
GALLERY |
INVOICE NO. 21860 |
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SOLD TO |
• Mrs. Juanita Brooks, St. George, Utah, |
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PLEASE GIVE THE ABOVE NUMBER WITH REMITTANCE AND ADDRESS TO THE PHO- TOGRAPHIC DEPARTMENT. |
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YOUR ORDER NO. |
DATE MAY 25, 1965. |
, 1965. |
TERMS: 30 DAYS NET; NO CASH DISCOUNT. |
35mm Microfilm of:
John D. Lee: 8 Letters $ 4.50
John D. Lee: Diary. Mailing charges .20
$ 4.70
js
®s
Henry E. Huntington
Library and Art Gallery
San Marino, California
91103
SOUTH PASSADENA
MAY 26
PM
1965
CALIF.
Paid--James
Ettie Lee Homes, Inc.
A Nonprofit Foundation
623 West Fifth Street
Los Angeles 17, California
Madison 4-5991 DUnkird 9-7482
EXECUTIVE BOARD
RUTH FAIRBANKS HEIM, PRESIDENT
RUTH WHITE, SECRETARY
EVELYN FOSTER SIMS
PAUL P. DONACK
ADMINISTATIVE STAFF
ETTIE LEE, DIRECTOR
DELBERT G. ECCLES, SOCIAL SERVICES
SANA LUND WILLIAMSON, ASSOCIATE
ADVISORY BOARD
JUDGE LEVI S. UDALL
ORA PATE STEWART
ALICE M. BRAUN
INEZ U. TURLEY
HAL F. RADO
May 25, 1965
Precious Juanita and Will,
How good to learn that conditions for you are good though I detect a note of not quite up to par but I pray that whatever it is, that it will soon be corrected. You have full days ahead for June and I am sure you will never be too free to live quietly nor would I desire that for you.
I have hoped to have had our home in Hurricane corrected long ago but the demands- unjust ones such as yesterday which I spent in court because a con-artist thinks I am his just prey- come up too often.
I hope to see you good folk the next time I come through St. George but often it is during the night that we travel with the drivers too busy to stop. We have had too much to accomplish and too little time. My love and gratitude are always with you. Love to Will and Karl, too. How happy I am for him. Some girl is most fortunate in finding Karl. He deserves the best and I have the feeling that he would not settle for less.
We also have a June wedding- Minnie Lee’s son- this is Vina’s grandson. Joseph David Foster will be married June 1, here in the L.A. temple- to his childhood sweetheart- Both have been on missions-she to France and he was in most of the places your son was, and in the same capacity. My little car was on the mission with him.
As the days come and go with too little accomplished it seems I find my gratitude to you Juanita stronger and stronger. Will fills a large place too. You released us from the bondage of distrust and ignorance and helped us to meet the world with our heritage respected and understood. What a blessing you have been to all of us. God bless you!!!
May God always be with you and lift your burdens when they are too heavy.
Much much love and gratitude to both of you!
Tenderly and sincerely,
Ettie Lee
Ettie Lee Homes, Inc.
A Nonprofit Foundation
623 West Fifth Street
Los Angeles 17, California
Ettie Lee
661 Shatto Pl.,
Los Angles, California 90005
Mr. and Mrs. Will Brooks
North Main Street
St. George
Utah
LOS ANGELES, CALIF.
AM
26 MAY
1965
346 North Main
St. George, Utah
May 31, 1965
Mr. Oscar Pace
617 Oak Street
Rich Mill, Mo.
Dear Mr. Pace:
Thank you for your letter of May 23rd.
I take it that you have not seen my book, The Mountain Meadows Massacre, published first in 1950 by the Stanford University Press, and re-printed in a second edition in 1963 by the Oklahoma University Press. You can secure a copy from them at Norman, Oklahoma, or I can send one from here. The price is $5.95, plus postage.
The causes for this tragedy were many and complicated. The religious angle came in partly because the Mormon people thought they were at war with an invading army from the United States, and partly because some of them had pledged to avenge the blood of their prophet, Joseph Smith, and his brother Hyrum, who were killed, at Carthage, Illinois. Some of the men in the emigrant group had boasted that they had taken part in this.
I spent more than two years on research in writing this book, and found all that I could about it. You could probably borrow a copy from a library, or ask then to get one. After yon read it, I should be glad to discuss any points you wish to bring up or answer any questions.
Thank you for writing me.
Sincerely,
Juanita Brooks
St. George, Utah
June 3, 1965
Mr. Ray B. Heaps
5288 Charlotte Avenue
Kearns, Utah
tele: 298-0167
Dear Mr. Heaps:
This is just to confirm our very pleasant telephone visit this afternoon, and to tell you that I am much interested in the diaries of Charles Griffin during the period of the Mormon War. I have one kept by John Pulsipher during that time, and should like to
compare them. Like you, I think there is much yet to be written on that episode.
Whenever I find an original, handwritten diary, I try to persuade the owner to let me have it put on microfilm and placed in a library where it can be available to researchers and students without their having to handle the originals. Often errors are made by people who copy them on the typewriter, and though I favor having them copied and indexed so that they are more easily used, I still think there is something very significant and precious in the handwriting itself.
Many questionable acts were committed by the Mormons in the time of the "war"—not only the massacre in the south, but some killing in the north, all as a result of the general war climate and the strong feeling that Zion was standing against the United States, and all who were not for us were against us.
How long is this diary? Is it a pocket book, or a regular diary size? You see, I am really eager to get a look at it.
I'll call you if and when I come. And thank you again for calling. While many people tell me they have read this book, few have studied it as you have done.
Sincere good wishes,
Juanita Brooks
QUADRANGLE FROM PALM DRIVE,
Stanford University, Stanford, Calif.
Mr. & Mrs. Wm. Brooks.
346 No. Main
St. George, Utah.
Los Valtos, Cal. 6-7-65
I got thru to L.A. without any trouble, left there yesterday, and staying over two nights here at my nieces home. I had access to the [illegible] files in Huntington Library without any trouble, checked them about an hour. I do thank you for your kindness in helping me to get into the right section of the library.
With kindest wishes,
Sincerely,
Jim Keller
June 7, 1965
Mrs. Juanita Brooks,
346 North. Main,
St. George, Utah
Dear Mrs. Brooks:
Since receiving your letter (of June 3) I have been troubled. You seem to have misunderstood me. I have an original copy of Charles Griffin's record - he left one for each of his children and I believe he dictated it. The copy I have is the one left to my grandmother, one of his daughters. If there is an original, hand written copy (if you feel what I have is of any interest) I believe I know where it can be located for micro-filming.
I have the 'mission diary' of my grandfather Alonzo Shirts (in his own handwriting) which dates from April 5, 1897 to October 27, 1900.
I also may be able to get an original record of Albert G. Brown (my wife's great grandfather) who participated in the Utah war. My wife remembers it from, when she was a child. She says (if she remembers correctly) he tells of his brother being shot and killed while getting some water from a spring etc., etc.
There are many old papers and photos in my mother's trunk (it was my grandmother's and was left to her by her mother). I would like to furnish you with something you might be able to use; perhpas, if you are still interested, we will try.
Again let me express my sincere appreciation for the time you gave me Thursday (the 3rd) from what must be a busy schedule. I was very enlightened by our talk. Your book "The Mountain Meadows Massacre" is, in my opinion, a grand step in the right direction and you took it masterfully. And thank you for your letter.
I look forward to the occasion of meeting you in person; and I do hope I'll be able to help you in some little way.
With respect,
Ray Heaps
Ray Heaps,
5288 Charlotte Avenue Kearns, Utah
Ray Heaps
5286 Charlotte Ave.
Kearns, Utah
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
346 North Main
St. George, Utah
KEARNS
JUN 8
AM
1965
UTAH
Ans. Promise to contact him
346 North Main, St. George, Utah
June 21, 1965
Dear Lucille:
Thanks for your letter of June 19. I was glad to hear from you, but you've rather caught me on a blind spot in this genealogy business. When Ernest married, I gave him all I had of the Pulsiphers, which wasn't too much, and practically NONE on the Bowlers.
But I have called Laura Bowler, wife of Truman, and she says she has much of what you want—or at least some. It seems that Antone Bowler of Denver has been going strong on this. Also I think: Joe Bowler, son of J.L., who lives right there in Salt Lake City. You might give him a call after you hear from Laura. You can find him in the telephone book, I'm sure.
As to me, sounds like you have everything you need, but just in case, I'll fill in
Born 15 January I898, Bunkerville, Lincoln County, Nevada
Baptized 2 Sept 1906 " by D. H. Leavitt
Endowed 9 October 1919 St. George Temple
married 10 Oct. 1919 by David H. Cannon
I feel sure that you will get good help from Laura, and I'll take the letter right down to her.
Give my love to all the family,
Sincerely,
Aunt Nita
- Brooks
Mrs. Keith Lewis
2410 Lambourne Ave
S.L. City, Utah
June 8,1965
Dear Friends:
Walter and I want to send our love and best wishes to both of you, and also please give your son and his wife our congratulations and very best wishes for a long a happy married life with the best of health and much joy.
I’m enclosing this clipping I cut out of our Deseret news last nite.
We surely enjoyed our nice visit with you folks.
Lots of love
Mr. and Mrs.
Walter Keller
Walter M. Keller
1043 Douglas St.
Salt Lake City, Utah 84105
Mr. and Mrs. William Brooks
St. George, Utah
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
PM
5 JUN
1965
St. George, Utah
Monday morning early, June 28/65
Our dear Willa:
I'll try to get a line out before the family begins to stir. I was in SLC last week-end to that History panel, upon which I appeared Friday morning, then stayed over to go to the Governor’s reception on Saturday afternoon, returning home in the night.
Tony & Janet arrived Saturday afternoon, and we hope will stay on until after the Fourth at least. The children seem well oriented here already, and it is a delight to have them.
Karl and Carla seem to be making very good headway. She arrived late Monday night a week ago, and brought Diane Hunt down with her. I left for the North on Wednesday night without seeing her or making any contact, for I understood that they had decided to leave out their parents on both sides of the house.
She taught her classes Iast week from Tuesday on, I understand. They were at Sunday School together yesterday, came here for dinner, and took Tony & Janet out for a ride following to show them the gravel plant and the general improvements about the town. I feel very much encouraged myself. The general idea is that no mention will he made of anything in the past, that they will be left to work out their problems in their own way and as they can.
My trip was successful, I felt. I am to begin working now on the History of the Southern Indian Mission by Thomas D. Brown for my first project under the $1000.00 grant which I shall receive, and shall also stay with the George Brooks biography too, hiring my typing done.
Tony & Janet have great praise for you, your sons, your lovely home—and of course, for Thales, for whom we all have such great love and respect. We really look forward to seeing you there, and also to having you here at least through the month of August.
Daddy is waiting to go down after the milk, so I'll close off for now. Was about to telephone, but our bill this month will be so tremendous that I decided to do it this way.
Tell the boys that Grandma and Grandpa Brooks love them very, very much, and are proud that they are such manly boys, so ready to help their mama and their tiny baby brother.
‘Bye for now,
Mother
Mom
910 N. Pine
Harrison, Ark-
6-28-65-10:55 am
Dear Juanita,
Thought the enclosed clipping might be of some interest to you-
Your time spent of 6-4-1955 made at M.M.M. counseling in Harrison, Arkansas was used in the June 1965 issue of the Carroll County Historical Quarterly-
Hope this finds you, husband and family well and happy. Give my regards to your mother, to Mrs. Graff, and to Mr. Foremaster-
Love and best wishes always-
Kenner
(J. K. Fancher)
- K. Fancher
910 N. Pine
Harrison, Ark.
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
St. George, Utah
HARRISON
JUN 29
PM
1965
ARK
St. George, Utah
Monday morning, June 28, 1965
Dear Ern & Margie:
As you see, I'm home again, and trying to get this out before the family start to stir. Tony & family are here, to stay until after the Fourth, I understand—I hope-and we are enjoying them very much.
I started a letter to you in Salt Lake City while I was getting my hair done, which I may send on too. I don't want to interfere in your affairs nor in Sharon's, but I do feel deeply on the matter of divorce, and hope that they will not act hastily, but will go to a good family counselor first. Rarely is a second marriage any better than the first.
I felt unhappy about the fact that we did not seem to really Get together during your visit here, but there was not an opportunity to talk to either of you alone or to both of you together without other audience. Our own affairs and Karls were clouded; we had not wanted to discuss them anywhere.
Things with them seem fine now; Carla taught her classes all last week, and they are pretty well settled in the house. We're not sure yet whether or not to try for any Open House now or to just let them entertain their friends at a time. It was a great disappointment to us to have to cancel it before, when we had everything ready, but it was the only thing to do.
Now, about next winter. Tell us about Gary's line-up now and for the summer, what his counselors there say. I myself think he would be better off here for another winter, because he is oriented here and has friends here. We have made no move to change anything with regard to the house yet, and will not until about fall because Willa will be here with her family during August. But in any event we will have the "dungeon room" available, and we hope fixed up better than it is now.
I have received a grant of $1000. on which to travel and do research, which means that I will be away some—not a great deal maybe, but for perhaps a month in the fall in addition to short trips to California and Salt Lake. As Gary knows, he and Grandpa never did communicate very well. Daddy's hearing is very poor, especially when he does not have his aid on, and not too good then, so often he didnt hear Gary's answers when he spoke to him, and he felt that Gary did not pay any attention to what he told him to do. I think that this condition could be corrected if Gary would be more conscious of it and try to be more friendly with Grandpa—talk to him a little, tell him about things, treat him more like a person than just something or someone to be around. As I said before, we are much interested in Gary and want to help give him every break that we can, but we are older, and if he is to be in college and do college work, he must be more mature. I feel that he came a long way last winter, though, and that it was truly a good year for him. So let's all try to consider all the possibilities.
Best love,
A Beauty School
Salt Lake City
Thursday June 24
Dear Ernie, Margie-family,
While I’m looking here under this drive, I’ll start a line in your direction. I figure that the vacation is over and you’re back on the old routine. I think we told you that we had to cancel our Open House because Carla sorta collapsed from fatigue. She’d been burning her candle at both ends for too long, I guess. She’s O.K. now and back on her job as the summer teaching program, though Karl took her classes for the first week.
We may try an informal gathering while Tony & family are there next week. I must wait till I get back before I know for sure.
I’m here at a Western History conference and on a panel tomorrow morning-then attend a reception at the governors home on Saturday. Rode the midnight bus up and will go back the same way.
La Van says that Sharon is filing for divorce- I’m sorry to hear it, for I think Carroll is a fine fellow, the father of her little girl, and more apt to love her and be good to her than any step-father will be- Or will you take her over and raise her as yours?
As to her business training, she can get it right there from her own home easier than anywhere else. Typing is 98 % practice and you have a machine there she could use. Vanna could baby-sit Danielle a couple of hours a day while her mother took a short hand class and with these two can get a job, I’m sure. Many wives – yes, most of them, work some on the side to make the home and get the things they need.
They say that the only thing you can get free in this world is advice, and most of that is not worth taking – But if each one tries to see the good points of the the other they’ll find many – especially if at the same time they look at their own faults.
I do hope they’ll not be too hasty in this.
As for Gary, he is well enough oriented in Dixie to get along, and Sharon’s being there would not be any advantage to him.