HomeTranscript for Juanita Brooks' Correspondence, 1966

Transcript for Juanita Brooks' Correspondence, 1966

[-PAGE 1-]

WW Gregory

c/o Mrs. E. J. White

Oraibi, Arizona

Juanita Brooks

346 N. Main

St. George, Utah

ORAIBI, AZ

JAN

1966

A.M.

86039

[-PAGE 2-]

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY 08540

WILLIAM S. DIX, Librarian

HOWARD C. RICE, JR., Assistant Librarian

for Rare Books & Special Collections

26 January 1966

Dear Juanita,

The peril of being a genuine friend of mine is that I then assume that you understand my situation completely, especially when I am pushed to abuse you through forced neglect. Each day since Christmas a great pile of mail has been piled in front of me for reply. Your letter was among the one or two that I felt any real eagerness to reply to, but since you would understand being postponed, you were!

Late though I am, I'm trusting that you recognize how delighted and overwhelmed I've been by all your packages and the thoughtfulness they represent. The scrapbook is a real treasure for my bibliography and the other little parcels all contain a number of items I had not known before. They are providing me with much good grist for my bibliographical mill. Each time I go through them again I find something new about them to excite me and call renewed blessings on your head.

Now you must make clear what I may do with them. Only a few Brooks' items are marked as something you'd like returned. May I consider that the others may stay here as part of the collections? If so I will put an arbitrary price on them and find an alumnus to purchase them from you. The eight books you mention as being left at your house by Albert Miller's son (the 1866 Records of the Leg. Assembly; 1849 Provional Gov't of the State of Deseret; 1884 Ward's Gospel Philosophy; 1880 Hymns and Songs; 1884 Compendium; 1877 Catechism; 1876 D & C) do interest me. Since we are interested in any variation in the printing I really have to see them to know whether they really duplicate what we already have. Is it too much trouble to ask that you mail them to us -- "Library Rate" -- and I will return those that duplicate what we have and get purchasers for the rest?

You've seen that by not going to San Francisco for the AHA meetings that I could not protect myself from being made a member of the council of the Mormon History Association. But since it also includes people like Dave Bitton and Flanders, I actually have some hopes that it will be something more than a pressure group to prevent the righting of tilted history. Have you read Flanders new Nauvoo? Astonishingly good, I think.

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Alfred

[-PAGE 4-]

St. George, Utah

Feb. 6, 1966

My dear Alfred:

It was really good to hear from you at last; I’d almost begun to wonder if you had stepped off the edge of the earth.

Mr. A. K. Hafen, who let me have the big scrap book, has asked about it several times. He wants to do a little article or two for the local paper on early-day medical practices and prices. So you might send that back as soon as it is convenient.

Everything else except the Brooks papers which I listed as wanted returned, you may either keep for your files or sell if you can and care to.

Dixie College Library is now being moved into its new building, so I am sure that before long we can get at the newspaper files. Mr. Reid has promised his full set of the Silver Reef publications, and his almost complete one of St. George newspapers. It think you will have no difficulty getting to film these, though of course I speak with no real authority here.

I’ll get these books out to you right away, also.

My own work is progressing quite satisfactorily. I spent almost a week in Salt Lake City, leaving here on Jan. 26. I have set up at the Belvedere Apts—I mean that I will make that headquarters. It’s comfortable and within easy walking distance of the new Library which has some excellent working space for me in the sub-sub basement. It is also right on the busline to the Utah Historical Society and the University campus. And I should add, less than half a block from the LDS Church Historian’s office, which, by the way, has come to mean something.

Brother Earl Olsen gave me a Xerox copies of Lee’s Mormon Battalion Mission, which I have already foot-noted for the New Mexico Historical Quarterly. I’m so glad to get this, because now I can work with much more certainty.

I’ll be in Salt Lake City again from Feb 12-16, but I think not longer than that. My actual writing can be more effectively done right here on this little portable.

All good wishes for your continues success,

Love- Juanita

[-PAGE 5-]

St. George, Utah

February 6, 1966

Mr. Richard Thurman

University of Utah Press

Salt Lake City, Utah

Dear Richard;

Thank you for sending me the Martha Spence Heywood diary. It is even better than I remembered it to be—a poignant, stirring story by a woman who writes well and straight from the heart.

Since I read it first, years ago, I have felt that this should be printed, either as a monograph or as a part of a book which would include the Journal of Martha Cox and at least one other done by a woman. Our history has been almost totally the accounts of its make members.

Martha Spence was an educated, cultured woman, articulate on paper, but not beautiful, and in her 29^th year. She records her activities, her hopes and aspirations. Her account of the “Elocusion Society”, with the Exhibition for which they charge tickets and secured $2.70 each, their plans to present Hamlet on stage. The class in French, the dances and sociables, all throw light on the social and cultural life of Salt Lake City in 1850.

Even more significant is her picture of conditions on the frontier. One of the first women on the ground at Nephi, she traces the growth of that village: the visitors, the efforts to placate Chief Walker; the conflicts and power-pulls among the people. But most of all it is her own private life that is significant—her uncertainties, her longings, her marriage to a man with whom she is not really in love, her establishment of a home, her children. Yes, mostly her children. No reader can remain untouched by her joy in her son and daughter, and her grief at the loss of the little girl following measles.

I cannot help including this notation from Mrs. B.G. Ferris, wife of a Federal Judge in Utah who wrote pen pictures of all the dignitaries she met. In early 1853 she mentions the Heywood household:

Among our agreeable visitors must be numbered Mr. Haywood and his first wife…She is as pretty well informed, and accomplished as you would find in a thousand anywhere…and…exhibits…good taste in dress…I was surprised to learn from Auntie Shearer, that he has two other wives; one known as Sister Very, old enough to be his mother. (they call and act as another and daughter) …The marshal keeps her (his third wife) and her baby on his farming establishment in Juab, about 80 miles from here…

I did not mean to go on at such length. This machine just got our of hand, and I’ll not have time to do a re-write. Without an expert secretary to copy it for me. I’ll give it to you hot. But I do definitely think this Martha Spence Haywood diary deserves to be published!

Sincerely,

Juanita Brooks

[-PAGE 6-]

Logan, Utah

February 8, 1966

Dear Mrs. Brooks:

Thank you for the information that you sent me in your letter of January 26. This information has been particularly enlightening and should do much for my paper. I have retyped a copy of the letter that you sent to Dr. Arrington and Everett Cooley. Thank you so much for the added insight.

In your bibliography for the 1962 edition Mountain Meadows Massacre, you have listed a recent magazine article by John A. Widstoe, "Was Brigham Young Responsible for the Mountain Meadows Massacre?" Improvement Era, October, 1951; however, I have been unable to find this article (perhaps someone has torn it out) in the magazine. I was wondering if the church had taken a revised view of the massacre after your book was published. If you could give me a more complete citation to the source and pages, I would appreciate it.

I regret not being able to see you while you were in Salt Lake City last week. My family was ill and I was needed at home. I am sending back the letter, but I am keeping, for the present time, the articles that you sent to me. I certainly appreciate your help.

Sincerely,

Glenn R. Wilde

Apt. 38-I

New University Apartments

Logan, Utah 84321

GRW /aw

p.s. I am enclosing stamps for your letters. I had forgotten to do this until now.

Letter to=April 4, 1965 752-6640

[-PAGE 7-]

BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY PROVO, UTAH

84601

LIBRARY

ERNEST L. WILKINSON, PRESIDENT

February 9, 1966

Mrs. Juanita Brooks

346 North Main Street

St. George, Utah

Dear Mrs. Brooks:

The Brigham Young University Library would like to receive two copies of your publication "George Brooks, Artist in Stone. " We feel this book will be a valuable asset to our library collection and hope you will be able to make it available to us.

Thank you in advance for your consideration of our library.

Sincerely,

Keith J. Ward

Gift & Exchange Section

KJW:ss

[-PAGE 8-]

Gift & Exchange

THE LIBRARY

BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY

PROVO, UTAH 84601

Mrs. Juanita Brooks

346 North Main Street

St. George, Utah

PROVO

FEB 10’ 66

UTAH

(Books mailed Feb 11)

[-PAGE 9-]

St. George, Utah

February 19, 1966

Miss Leah Dunford

Dean of Women

Utah State University

Logan, Utah

Dear Dean Dunford:

Congratulations! I was so happy to hear of your coming marriage, for I know how wonderful and rewarding marriage is, or can be made, even when one gives up an excellent position for it.

You have given much to Utah State University, so much that they will have great difficulty replacing you, I am sure. You gave the position of Dean of Women something extra, a plus quality of personality and charm in addition to a set of basic values, personifying for the girls of the institution the finest, type of womanhood. The University was fortunate to have you.

I shall always remember with gratitude your warm personal interest in me, especially at the time of my receiving the Honorary Degree award. I was a bit frightened and confused until I came to your office, when things fell naturally into place and I was calmed and reassured. I shall always be most grateful to you for your part on this day as well as at my other visits.

Sincere good wishes to you in this new venture.

Cordially,

Juanita Brooks

[-PAGE 10-]

UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY

DARYL CHASE, PRESIDENT

LOGAN, UTAH, 84321

SUMMER QUARTER

ELLVERT H HIMES, DIRECTOR

January 26, 1966

Mrs. Juanita Brooks

St. George, Utah

Dear Juanita:

No doubt you will be somewhat surprised to hear from me. Nonetheless, this note has a two-fold purpose. One, to extend you greetings (and please say hello to Will also) and the other is to make a request.

In June of this year Dean Leah Dunford is terminating her period of service of more than twelve years with the University and will be married. Some of us are collecting all kinds of information including pictures, clippings, and personal letters to present in a scrap book format depicting her life at Utah State.

I wonder if you could find the time to address a letter to her and send it to me so that I may incorporate your letter with others in this book. You will remember that she was your hostess while on campus at the time the University honored you and of course you know her from other contacts. Anything you might wish to say would be appropriate I know. Our hope is that she can read these letters in time to come and be thrilled in doing so. We will have your letter right by the picture of your receiving your Honorary Degree and the part that she played in it.

Some where in my contacts I learned that you were engaged in another special project. I would be happy to hear about this too. Thanks for your help, Juanita. We shall long remember one of the outstanding highlights in your life and the thrill we all felt because we could be numbered among your friends, thus sharing your thrill.

Very cordially yours,

Ellvert H. Himes

EHH:lmb

Excellent taste in dress-

Dentist

sensitivity Oregon

Beautiful

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UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY

SUMMER QUARTER

LOGAN, UTAH 84321

Mrs. Juanita Brooks

St. George, Utah

LOGAN JAN 27’66

UTAH

THE STATE IS OUR CAMPUS

Dr. Himes

Answered

Willa

Peg

[-PAGE 12-]

St. George, Utah

February 19, 1966

Dr. Ellvert H. Himes

Utah State University

Logan, Utah

Dear Dr. Himes:

I apologize for my delay in answering your letter of January 26. It came while I was in Salt Lake City, remained with other mail unanswered through a second trip of a week's duration, and has just now come to my attention again. This commuting by bus is

disrupting, to say the least.

I am really glad for the privilege of writing an appreciation to Miss Dunford, for she seemed to me so ideal in her position.

You asked about my new project. The University of Utah has asked me to write a book on the history of the Jews in Utah and Idaho. It seemed a challenge which would force me to work in a new field and become acquainted with a different culture. This I welcomed. But now I find so many cross-currents, so many folkways strange to me, so many divisions among the Jews themselves, that I wonder if I can do justice to the subject. I shall work on a while longer toward an approach to the subject before I am finally committed. This is not quite accurate I have given my word, but have not signed a formal contract. My word has always been as good as my bond.

I appreciate so much your many kindnesses to me, especially at the time of the real "sun-burst" of my life—when I received the Honorary Degree at Utah State University. This was so unexpected and altogether so wonderful that I can hardly believe it yet. I know that you were responsible for much of it and shall always be grateful.

Will's health is excellent; he has lost none of his verve or his interest in people. He has been pruning the vineyard these last few days, and looks forward to the basket ball game tonight. He sends his good wishes to you and to your sweet wife—as I do also.

Cordially,

Juanita Brooks

[-PAGE 13-]

St. George, Utah

The Last day of February, 1966

My dear Peg:

I've thought of you so often since I last called and you sounded so ill and low-spirited. I'm so in hopes things are better with you.

Then yesterday noon who should appear but Wes & Sana Williamson! They had dropped out of our lives as completely as though they had taken off from the earth. For how many months, I do not know. I know only that they had been living at Zion Park for the summer, and that he was evidently drinking heavily.

But they look wonderful, both of them. He has a story of months in a hospital or a series of hospitals, of his son Dr. John Wesley Williamson returning from Chicago to help with his care, of many tests and many doctors and great expense. Sana told me privately that at last she had her husband back again —that he has not touched liquor for a long time and has even laid off coffee also. As I said, they both look very well, indeed, and seem happily on their way to nowhere.

It was good for me to have them, because I've been a bit frustrated myself these last few weeks, and for several days fighting a cold—not actually FIGHTING it—just going to bed and turning my face to the wall. I'm not entirely free of it yet, but I have the upper hand.

I have another set of the Lee Diaries here—I mean I have forty more pages of the one we are working at. These I have read again against the original, so that I feel they are pretty accurate. In pencil on the margin I have put the page of the ms. copy, so that we can very quickly turn to any questionable point. There will be some ten or twelve pages more, but I'll wait and send them all at once. Then when you feel up to it, we can talk them over. If necessary, I'll fly down for a day or two--unless the business can be carried on as well by mail. I really have no assurance that these will be published there, remember--or when.

In the noting, I'm sure that perhaps I have stayed too closely to the people involved, rather than the geography. You will see more clearly than I how to strike a balance. I feel that, now that we have the original, the thing is worth publishing, even with very few footnotes.

(Vira Judge)

When Hilda's daughter/has these last few pages done and I have them all checked, I'll send them in one package along with the xerox, so that you may take off a copy of either or both if you wish. I expect to go in to SLC about Wednesday night, and to be there over the week-end. I'll write again with the material.

In the meantime, take care of yourself, and get back to normal health and work again. I wish I could be some real help. As it is, I send my love and faith and prayers in your behalf, and remember with great happiness experiences we have shared.

Always,

Juanita

[-PAGE 14-]

I.J. Wagner

SALT LAKE CITY

Post Office Box 984

Salt Lake City, Utah 84110

March 1, 1966

Dear Mrs. Brooks:

It certainly was a pleasure to have you for luncheon at the University Club on February 16th.

I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with you and wish you continued success in your writing endeavors.

As soon as I have an opportunity to visit St. George, I will certainly call you.

With kindest regards.

Sincerely yours,

I.J. Wagner

IJW:lmd

Mrs. Juanita Brooks

St. George, Utah

[-PAGE 15-]

Mrs. Juanita Brooks

St. George, Utah

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH

1 MAR

1966

[-PAGE 16-]

I.J. Wagner

Salt Lake City

Post Office Box 984

[-PAGE 17-]

Lee M. DeVeer

2834 McClelland Street

Salt Lake City, Utah 84106

485-0174

March 23, 1966

Dear Juanita:

Of necessity at this particular time this will be merely a short note. We are conducting a "time and motion" study here at work for the next two weeks, and at home I am typing a 200 page dissertation for Jalil Moumoudi which must be turned in by April 13th and should really be turned in by April 6th. I think I've spelled his last name wrong, but won't worry about it right now. At anyrate it's for his Ph.D. in Sociology, concerns Sociology and Religion and seems to be about 40% Arabic words and names. I'm presently on page 9 so you can see why the mad rush.

Last night when I arrived home from work, I was thrilled to see a package in the mail box from you. I knew what it was, of course, and was absolutely delighted to open it and found the First Edition of MMM autographed by its illustrious author. Needless to say this shall remain a treasured possession among the other works of the same author, some of which will be added as time goes by. For the first time in my life I have begun a hobby and although the hobby is a single item - book collecting - it has two parts to it - the books of Juanita Brooks and the books relating to JDL. My next step is Hosea Stout and then I will work back - the Journals of JDL and the story of Dudley Leavitt. Speaking of your grandfather, I now have a copy of Mormonism Unveiled and note grandfather's name in the list of this present at MMM in the book. Of course I have read your preface in MMM (both first edition last night and the Oklahoma U edition which you autographed so graciously for Helen Haycock Brown), so know that you mention he was around and as I remember (I'm at work) said that even if he didn't contribute, he nevertheless did nothing to prevent, etc. I am absolutely thrilled with this edition of MMM and Juanita, thank you so very much.

I am one of the subscribers to Channel 7's Program Schedule which comes out monthly and in looking it over the beginning of March, was pleasantly surprised to notice they scheduled a program of St. George. I hurried home last night so that I could watch this at 8:00, knowing if it (the program) was any good at all, you would be on it and I wasn't disappointed. You can now add another star - to Author-Historian, add "Television Star." I thoroughly enjoyed the program, however I should have made notes on it, and didn't happen to have pencil and paper handy. You mentioned Maurine Whipple's grandfather, when they showed his home - Big Mac? I have, of course, read Giant Josua (is there an "h" in it?) but really wasn't aware that the main character was based on a real person. As I remember from last night, It's "John" two initials and a last name. Oh well, that will teach me to have pencil and paper handy in the future. Smiles.

I also have some questions concerning the lost wife of JDL's to ask you. I note in MU toward the end of JDL's story, he lists all nineteen of the wives. Janice still has my JDL, reading it avidly so I haven't been able to check them

[-PAGE 18-]

against the one missing - Mary Louise? As soon as she returns JDL I want to and then either write to you or talk to you about this.

Incidentally, I have been rather on the disgusted side with this particular volume. Up to now I have admired JDL very much, as you know, but in this book, based on the collection of writings he gave to Bishop, he appears to be "crying" in a bid for both sympathy and to lay the blame elsewhere. Although I still don't doubt that he was not to blame and was merely involved, he begins to sound like the little boy crying "wolf." I don't know if you understand what I mean, but I'm beginning to be irritated with him in this volume. "Me think he doeth protest too much! "

I do hope when you get to S.L. next time, if you have an opportunity, you’ll call me. I know you're busy and I very definitely don't want to be "pushy," but I love to visit with you, so forgive me.

With many thanks for a gift I will treasure a lifetime, and certainly best wishes to you - -

Sincerely,

Lee

[-PAGE 19-]

EMBASSY

OF THE

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Kuwait, State of Kuwait

March 26, 1966.

Dear Juanita and Will,

Within a few hours after I took home your biography of grandfather George Brooks, I had read it from cover to cover. It's a precious and skillful portrayal of our family, our town, and our era. I was wholly absorbed and strangely exhilirated as you revealed the answers to questions long dormant in my mind and refreshed my memory on a myriad of incidents and facts.

I didn't know grandpa and grandma Brooks as well as some of the others, because I was No. II of the Brooks grandchildren, I lived a mile downhill from the estate, I was No. 3 in the large Thomas Cottam clan, and we moved away from St. George when I was 12. But my admiration for them had no bounds and my recollections of many of the anecdotes and incidents were vivid.

Your book did much more than entertain me; even more than enlighten me: it renewed my appreciation of our pioneer culture and family-community idiosyncrasies which formed my own character. It both rolled back some of the veneer and revealed a few spots that needed refurbishing or reinforcement. It was a fine stimulant, a potent cathartic, and a satisfying rejuvenator. I am most grateful that you wrote it.

Sincerely

Howard

Howard R. Cottam

Mr. and Mrs. Will Brooks,

346 N. Main Street,

St. George, Utah.

[-PAGE 20-]

356 East 89^th St.

New York, N.Y.

Mrs. Juanita Brooks

St. George, Utah

Dear Sister Brooks,

Thank you for your letter of March 25^th. I am pleased to know of your willingness to address our group, especially since when you come you will want to spend valuable time with Kay and his family and with your research. However, whenever you do come- July, August, Sept, Oct- etc - we will be honored to hear from you.

I suppose Kay has returned by now from his visit in the west and I trust that it was a delight for all of you.

With all good wishes-

Sincerely,

Kathleen Halverson

[-PAGE 21-]

Kathleen Halverson

356 East 89^th St. (SC)

New York, N.Y. 10028

Mrs. Juanita Brooks

St. George, Utah

NEW YORK, N.Y.

26 APR

1966

[-PAGE 22-]

MODERN MICROFILM CO.

BOX 1884

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH

May 6, 1966

Dear Mrs. Brooks,

I want to thank you for your kind reply concerning the counterfeit money in Nauvoo.

I do not remember anything concerning Mr. Bonney except for his book. If I find anything I will try to let you know.

I am very interested in finding everything I can concerning Oliver Cowdery’s “Defense”. Richard Andersen has a letter from a book dealer in Ohio stating that there “was no press at Norton. Ohio in 1839”. I noticed, however, that he is referring to the city of Norton in Delaware County. There is another Norton in Summit County (it used to be in Medina County). I seem to remember that Wilford Poulson told me at one time that he had

[-PAGE 23-]

located “Pressley’s Job Office” in Norton. I was not too interested at the time, and now he is not too helpful. (he is 81 years old). I think he has the information in his notes.

I wonder if you have any information on the location of “Pressley’s Job Office” or any ideas as to how it could be located.

Richard Andersen talked of a letter by Cowdery stating that he was rather angry when he left the Church. Do you happen to know where this letter is located? Also he stated that you had some reference which you thought was concerning the “Defense”.

I have always assumed that the poems in the Timer and Seasons concerning Oliver denying his testimony had something to do with the “Defense”. Richard Andersen did not agree.

I found some information in the “Saints Advocate” for 1884, pp. 454-5, concerning Oliver Cowdery’s return to the Church. This may be of some interest to you.

Sincerely,

Jerald Tanner

[-PAGE 24-]

St. George, Utah

May 8, 1966

Mr. Jerald Tanner

1350 So. West Temple

Salt Lake City, Utah

Dear Gerald:

First re: counterfeiting activities in Nauvoo. I have here a note of a U.S. Circuit Court indictment dated December 17, which names Brigham Young, Theodore Turley, Augustus Barton, Gilbert Eaton, Peter Haws, Dr. Willard Richards, John Taylor, Parley Parker Pratt, Orson Hyde, Joseph H. Jackson, Carlos Gove, and Edward Bonney as co-defendants...” Now do not use this (and do not quote me on it at all) but find the microfilm from which it was taken. It came to me in answer to a Joseph H. Jackson pamphlet which I had loaned. By the way, Gilbert Eaton appears in other places as M.G. Eaton.

I believe Stanley Ivins can direct you to the microfilm, though I am not sure. You follow this further, end so will I.

Now, re: Oliver Cowdery. I have a copy of his Defense, which I consider genuine. I'm not sure, but I think it came through Dale L. Morgan. I'll take some time with Mr. Poulsen when I am in town again, and really find out what he knows, for if I remember correctly I have talked this over with him before. I have learned not to trust ot memory, however.

There are so many contradictory angles on this man that I have had to reserve judgment. I have stated that I doubt he was ever re-baptized into the Church at all. IF he were actually "dipped"--which would have been something in itself for a man as ill as he was and in November, too-- but IF he were, why did not Orson Hyde himself write this to the Star in England? Why did he not make mention of it in his Frontier Guardian first issue which followed in January?

And can we really disregard the Oliver Overstreet confession that he "personated " Cowdery in the meeting that day, and read a prepared statement???? True, I have searched some, and never found his name yet anywhere—well, I must not say that I have searched; I've just been conscious of it and on the look-out for it.

I feel sorry for a boy like Richard Andersen who, because of his position, must work so hard to find material to support a conclusion already formed. I had written him twice before i met him.

As for me, I'm still too uncertain to go on record. I suggest that you do not be in too much hurry to pet this material out until some of this questions are answered, as I am sure they can be. Forgive me: the DEFENCE could appear as a separate item, I suppose. I just feel that there are so many related facets to the Oliver Cowdery story. You must do according to your own judgment. But please wait until I am more certain before you quote me, and I will make a formal statement.

Juanita Brooks

[-PAGE 25-]

THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO

PRESS

ALBUQUERQUE

5/30/66

Dear Juanita,

ESP must have been at work when you wrote to me from the hairdresser’s. That was the day that I gathered together all the MBM mailings and talked to Roland about what next.

I learned that Eleanor Adams, editor of hmq, is in Mexico. Roland will be out of town when she returns, so he will give me a letter to her. This will be better, anyway. Meanwhile, I’ll do whatever there is for me to do. In this connection, I think John D should be edited in the style of the diaries; that is, enough capitals, periods, and commas to make it a little easier for the reader. Have you any objection to that? It can be explained as it was in the Diaries. I’ll raise other questions later.

Reg has been working very hard since he retired. And loving it. No [illegible] Medicine a lot in this country for EOB, and has pulled together all senior citizens” groups.

[-PAGE 26-]

Clint and Patsy graduated in February and will walk through Commencement on Friday, June 10. The following Sunday, Reg and I are having a large “brunch” so that our friends can meet our kids. The Kellogg’s will be down from Los Alamos for it.

As you can tell, I am better. I take pills half a dozen at a time and see my psychiatrist, still once a week. I stopped smoking for three weeks in November, started again, so am still stuck with it. I’ll try it again sometime when I have nothing else to worry about, and have completely recovered from my emotional nose dive.

You will hear more about MBM from me very shortly.

Best love,

Peg

[-PAGE 27-]

WW Gregory

THE UNIVERSITY

OF NEW MEXICO

PRESS

ALBUQUERQUE

Juanita Brooks

St. George, Utah

ALBUQUERQUE

MAY 30’ 66

[-PAGE 28-]

NEW MEXICO HISTORICAL REVIEW

The University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106

Eleanor B. Adams, Editor

Fine Arts Center M 227-28

July 13, 1966

Mrs. Juanita Brooks

St. George, Utah

Dear Mrs. Brooks,

Thank you for allowing the University of New Mexico Press to pass the Lee Diary on to me. I am happy to accept it for publication in NMHR, I hope within the next year.

Mrs. Gregory and I have talked about it at some length, and I am now going over it and shall make some suggestions about putting it into shape for publication. When I have done this, I will return it to Mrs. Gregory who has kindly offered to do the final editing.

Sincerely yours

Eleanor B. Adams

EBA/sav

cc Mrs. Gregory

[-PAGE 29-]

St. George, Utah

July 21, 1966

Eleanor B. Adams, Editor

NEW MEXICO HISTORICAL REVIEW

Fine Arts Center M 227-228

The University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106

Dear Mrs. Adams:

Thank you for accepting the Santa Fe Mission Diary of John D. Lee for publication in NMHR. I think it throws an interesting side-light to that whole expedition.

I shall keep in touch with Mrs. Gregory and work closely with her.

Sincerely yours,

Juanita Brooks

[-PAGE 30-]

NEW MEXICO HISTORICAL REVIEW

The University of New Mexico

Zimmerman Library

Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106

Fine Arts Center M 227-28

Mrs. Juanita Brooks

St. George, Utah

ALBUQUERQUE

JUL 14 ‘66

Santa Fe Mission

[-PAGE 31-]

St. George, Utah

November 23,1966

Mr. Jack B. Shumate

Forest Ranger, Dixie National Forest

569 South 580 West

Cedar City, Utah

Dear Jack:

Within the last week two cars have stopped for direction to the monument at the Mountain Meadows, both saying that there is NO marker there of any kind. When we both knew that the sign was gone about the middle of July, we wondered if it might be the work of vandals, but I learn now—via the grapevine— that it was taken down by the ranger at Enterprise with the excuse that it needed re-finishing.

Now the road workers —or one of them—says that the sign was removed by orders from the "LDS Church, and that it is not to be restored at all. In any event, five months should be long enough to have given it a face-lifting.

What do you know about this? Are we to assume that, the spot is no longer to be marked on the road? Is the current whisper that the place itself will be closed to visitors founded in fact?

The St. George Chamber of Commerce say they are troubled daily by complaints, more especially because their literature had named it as a point of interest. Now the general attitude seems to be, If the Church says NO, who are we to dispute it?"

Well, does the Mormon Church or any other church dominate the US Forest Service? If they want to build a wall around their acres or put strong fences and locked gates around that, surely that cannot prevent a marker on a public road to point it out. Is not this an important spot in the line of historic places that are being marked?

I do not want to seem too out of line in this, but I am ashamed when a car of people en route from Denver to California detour here and waste almost a day trying to find an advertised point of interest and cannot find it.

Sincerely,

Juanita Brooks

[-PAGE 32-]

St. George, Utah

November 23,1966

Mr. Jack B. Shumate

Forest Ranger, Dixie National Forest

569 South 580 West

Cedar City, Utah

Dear Jack:

What do you know about this? Are we to assume that, the spot is no longer to be marked on the road? Is the current whisper that the place itself will be closed to visitors founded in fact?

Sincerely,

Juanita Brooks

[-PAGE 33-]

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

FOREST SERVICE

DIXIE NATIONAL FOREST

CEDAR CITY, UTAH 84720

IN REPLY REFER TO:

1600

November 29, 1966

Mrs. Juanita Brooks

O. Box 303

St. George, Utah 84770

Dear Juanita:

Thank you for your letter regarding our failure to replace the Mountain Meadow sign. I must confess that I thought it had been delivered and installed before now.

The sign was stolen on June 2, during the time cattle were being moved in the area and the Ranger was traveling the road every day to mark cattle. Our sign order is usually sent in soon after new fiscal year funds are available, usually in August. The signs are constructed in Salt Lake and sent down when one of our vehicles makes a trip. I started action today to see that the Mountain Meadow sign is delivered, and District Ranger Rathbun will see that it is installed as soon as possible.

Except that it was stolen, I know of no effort made or influence exerted to have the sign removed. Your grapevine information was erroneous.

Since we last talked, I have learned that a flood swept away the foot bridge and tables at our little picnic site. I am scheduled for an inspection trip there this winter and will make plans with the Ranger to do the necessary repair work on our land.

Thanks, again, for your letter.

Sincerely yours,

Jack B. Shumate

JACK B. SHUMATE, Supervisor

Dixie National Forest

[-PAGE 34-]

St. George, Utah

Dec. 1, 1966

Mr. Jack B. Shumate, Supervisor

Dixie National Forest

Cedar City, Utah 84720

Dear Jack:

Thank you for your letter of November 29. I apologize if I seemed

too emphatic in my last: I'm afraid I was more annoyed than I should have been.

I am much interested in the date when the sign was "stolen." June 2 to December 2 means that the place was totally without advertising for the entire tourist season this year. The business of stealing it poses some interesting possibilities also. Why anyone would go to so much trouble to remove, not only the heavy sign, but the bolts by which it was suspended; what they would do with an article they could not display; how they might dispose of it when kindling wood in that area can so easily be secured? Certainly they must not have known that tampering with government property might be a serious offense!

Mr. Brooks and I spent this forenoon at the Mountain Meadows site. Certainly they had a flash flood there which took out the foot-bridge, twisting out the uprights on one side, but leaving the other two standing in their cement casings. The bridge was carried beyond the camp site and lodged in a tangle of brush just below it. The handrail, screws and nails intact' lies a short distance— a few steps—beyond.

But no tables went down with the flood. The largest body of water joined the stream below the camp site, as is clearly evident by the water level as shown above and below, as well as in the heavily eroded banks of the wash along the trail down.

The camp site is unchanged. No sediment on the grass, no washing out. We followed the stream bed down the full length of the Lytle property, and no tables were deposited. George Lytle had covered the ground ahead of us; we followed his tracks. I talked to him since our return, and he says men on horseback have followed the wash down, and NO tables are anywhere deposited. We went two miles

So he agrees with me: the tables were removed before the flood, but he does not know the exact date, nor by whom they were taken. Anyway, it seems that the myths of Mountain Meadows will continue in the mystery of the missing sign and the greater mystery of themissing tables.

Sincere good wishes,

Juanita

You know of course, that a visit after winter has set in is impossible.

[-PAGE 35-]

St. George, Utah, Dec.1, 1966

Dear Dale,

I have just returned from a different visit to the site of the Mountain Meadows massacre, and it set me remembering the time we two followed the old Spanish Trail from Cedar City down to Lytle's ranch and then couldn't find the monument. Remember? We had to come in and get Will to take us back to it.

Well, since the Church purchased the property on which the monument stands, things are different in Zion. I had heard via the grapevine that the general policy was to be one of discouraging visitors, but I thought that would be like trying to gather up the scattered feathers of the pillow in the old folk tale, Now I wonder.

About mid-July I wrote to the district ranger, Jack B. Shumate, at Cedar City, enclosing a xerox copy of a letter of complaint sent by a man from Berkeley. He reported that both the National Forest sign and the Western Trails signs were gone and only the supports left standing, Mr. Shumate seemed much surprised to get this word--at least he telephoned immediately and said that he would see that something was done at once.

The thing was put out of my mind until last week when a car stopped from Denver with another complaint that they had gone out and could not find the place because there was no sign. Again I wrote to Jack, suggesting that something be done to speed action. His reply included a foot-note to say that a recent flood had washed away the foot-bridge and the picnic tables! A flood, when all summer and fall the sky has been as brass over our heads? A flood? When? I began to inquire and learned that there truly had been a flash flood in the area sometime in August from a cloudburst that had hit only a small area.

Knowing that any flood Iarge to carry off one of those heavy picnic tables would likely cut into the bank and undermine the monument itself. Will and I rode up there early this morning. Truly there had been a flood, but most of it had joined the at stream below the picnic area. The rain had fallen heavily on the mountain to the east, so that there was plenty of evidence of erosion on the wash that paralleled us as we rode down. And some water had come down from the Lytle farm area, enough to dislodge the foot- bridge and carry it to just beyond the willow tree of the picnic area and drop it in a pile of debris. The long hand-rail was a few feet beyond. But in the picnic area where the table had been, the debris clinging to the willows (standing straight up was

not more than 18 inches high~~certainly not enough to float a table. There was no disturbance of the cooking area, no sediment deposited--and yet the table was gone, as was the one on the bank above. This had been placed for the convenience of people who did not care to go down into the deep gulley.

[-PAGE 36-]

BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY

PROVO, UTAH

84601

ERNEST L. WILINSON, PRESIDENT

COLLEGE OF RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION

December 9, 1966

Mrs. Juanita Brooks

St. George

Utah

Dear Juanita:

Thanks for yours which came today. I hope you won't mind my responding so eagerly to an item you mentioned.

I doubt if Ray Taylor gave you the right impression of the chapters I've done. The Underground is only one chapter in the proposed book. The chapters which I call Crusade in Utah are as follows:

The Kingdom of God
Plural marriage among the Mormons

(I've quoted you in Harpers Magazine in this chapter.)

Passive Resistance
Launching the Crusade
Cohabs vs Deputies
At the Edge of War
On the Underground (This is Pres. Taylor's party)
The Pen (mostly Diaries)
The Visible Church
Death of a Martyr
Struggle for Statehood
Hopeful Signs
The Manifesto

I am very much interested in the "code" as given in the Diary of Moses F. Farnsworth and would appreciate receiving it. I quote the U.S. Marshal's report to Washington how the Mormons used codes etc., to escape the Deputies, but I hadn't ever run across the code you speak of. I'd be very pleased to get it.

Virginia joins in very best wishes for the holiday season.

Sincerely,

Gus

Gustive O. Larson

GOL: kld

[-PAGE 37-]

Gustive O. Larson 130 JS

BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY

PROVO, UTAH

Mrs. Juanita Brooks

St. George Box 303

Utah 84770

PROVO, UTAH

DEC 10

1966

Outline of Projected chapters “Co-hab Code” mailed Jan 19, 1967

[-PAGE 38-]

noodles

sugar

bacon

eggs

oranges

yeast

Bernard Bound

[-PAGE 39-]

Hays, Kansas

December, 1966

MERRY CHRISTMAS HAPPY NEW YEAR

Once again it is time to send Christmas greetings to all our friends, far and near.Just a year ago we were in New Haven, Connecticut, where Myrl did research at Yale Peabody Museum. We made short visits to Princeton University and Myrl spent some time at the American Museum in New York City. We enjoyed New Haven and Yale University far beyond expectations. There is certainly a charm, a tradition and a heritage in those old universities that makes a mid-westerner stop and think.

Oneonta, New York was only about 200 miles from New Haven, so we made several trips over to visit Margie and Bob and family. They managed one trip to New Haven. We had nice visits at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Margie and Bob have three lively children. Mike is seven and second grade, Tamara five and kindergarten, Susie three, and at home with mamma. Margie taught last year but not this year--too much when one has the family scattered all over town. Bob continues to enjoy his mathematics position at the State University College of Oneonta.

We returned to Hays late In January in time for the second semester. Myrl is kept busy with the geology department and the College Museum. We are still old fossil hunters and this fall we made several field trips on week ends and were fortunate in finding some unusual fossil specimens, the first ever found in this part of Western Kansas. Myrl says they are invertebrates and scaphites, what ever that is. I think I found more than he did. They were added to the already unusual museum collection for which Hays is noted all over America. Many college textbooks use photographs of our museum specimens.

Because of his work in the museum, Myrl gives talks to many groups and reads scientific papers for various societies. All this requires considerable traveling around, but, we still enjoy it. Myrl is involved in Lions Club, Red Cross, Phi Kappa

Phi, Faculty Men, etc, and serves as consultant for the State Historical Society on the development and restoration of old Fort Hays, one of Custer's noted camping localities

in his wars with the Indians.

I keep busy with several projects, and at present am serving as a Grey Lady doing volunteer service at Hadley Memorial Hospital one or two mornings a week. Have been an officer in AAUW, in a Federated Club, in Faculty Wives, and participate in several interest groups and in the League of Women Voters. I do not, however, let this interfere with my knitting, and have added some 12 to 15 pieces to my knitting collection this past year.

We have had a few Park Service friends of yester-years stop by for short visits, and we are surely hoping more will travel this way. The new Interstate #70 has just been completed and Hays is nicely located about half-way between Denver, Colorado and Kansas City, Missouri. This is a wonderful new four-lane limited access Highway, and with not a red light or stop light for over 600 miles.

We had hoped that Margie and Bob could get to Kansas in August, but summer school kept them busy too late. They didn't make it, so——you guessed it, we have reservations and will fly back to New York and spend Christmas trying to entertain the grandchildren for a few days. We both enjoy flying very much, and that is entirely too far to drive for just a few days vacation.

While we are visiting in New York, we will be thinking about all your nice cards and letters that will be waiting for us on our return. So—from the Walker House at 503 Elm Street, Hays, Kansas, to your house—wherever it may be, here's wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Myrl and Wilda

[-PAGE 40-]

PULL SLOWLY

[-PAGE 41-]

MAY YOUR CHRISTMAS SEASON BE

AS BRIGHT AND GAY

AS A CHRISTMAS TREE.

THE MYRL WALKERS

PULL SLOWLY

[-PAGE 42-]

Walker’s

503 Elm St

Hays Kansas

Mr. & Mrs. Will Brooks

346 North Main

St. George

Utah 84770

HAYS, KS

DEC 6

1966