Transcript for Juanita Brooks' Correspondence, 1967
[-PAGE 1-]
Provo, Utah
Jan 4 1967
Dear Juanita:
I have ready the affidavits, rather the petitions circulated for John D - Lee and will try to mail them tomorrow. Have enclosed also the nagatives I had made. You may have a use for them and again not. Dispose of them if you do not want them. Think it will be a little easier for you to do than for me to do it. I have burned so many things and am trying to clear the house of he unessentials.
"If we get at the redoing of the Mormon Chronicles, to make it into three volumes, I will use it " I had no idea you were contemplating making a third volume of the Chronicles. Wish it was reay so I could read it. At any rate you are welcome to them, if fact as I recall they were only b loaned me by you in the first place.
Thanks for you comments on this problem of sealing of wives. I know the Lord will straighten things out to our satisvaction in time and I hope he will assign us the Lee name. Reed was not a member of the church, and that makes a difference as I see it.
Seems as though Merritt Norton has not been too strictly honest about his participation in some of these Lee matters as I recall his saying he did not Seal Elizabeth to Reed. Remember I asked you to ask him. I for one am not going to bother about this matter any more, the only thing that bothers me that the Lord expects us to do all we can and then leave it to him.
I think you are doing another wonderful work in helping to restore the Old Court House there. I did not know Grandfather was the first Probate Judge in the County nor that the county was actually organized by him. I too feel that he should have a very special place and here is a small contribution which will help some
Thanks for everything and my love and appreciation always
Manetta
[-PAGE 2-]
Lee
[-PAGE 3-]
Thousand Oaks, Calif.
1-12-67
Dear Juanita:
A great surprise to hear from you. I thought you had given us up for lost souls.
We get out to C.C. about twice a year. Verda and Mike and his wife and Hallie went out last summer but I rfused to make the desert trip. If it were not for our kids I wouldn't go near the place again. (I don't know how they came to ask me to speak. Usually no one speaks in their meetings but members of the priesthood, except on testimony meetings. I guess this was a special occasion. I'm not trying to explain so you won't think I've joined up. If I had and was the sad husband of eleven wives I'd tell you about it.)
I probably know less people there than you do. Someday I'll write a study of the place, but there are more important things to think about now. (I always have painful memories when I go there anyway.)
life is blithely? uneventful here. Verda and Hallie drive to school in the San Fernanco Valley every day but Saturday and Sunday. I manage to bat out a few pages on a novel now and then, and work around the lot. It's delightful here, with a nice view of the Conejo Valley below us, lots of glass in my studio and in the view parts of the house. I have sweet peas, roses, calendulas blooming. Our vases have flowers the year round. But we are trying to sell the place. It's too far for Verda to drive — but she doesn't seem to mind, bless her.
Verda teaches in the L.D.S. Sunday school here. I go now and. then to meeting, but haven't been inspired. We're keeping Conrad on a mission in Texas, which is a financial burden. It was his idea, not mine, but we thought it would be good for him and Verda was all for it. My agnosticism is still showing, so I merely went along with it.
Just got copies of my new juvenile to be released March 11 by Little Brown. BLOOD, BANKERS AND WILD BOARS, Tales of Early Spain. A title that will, I hope, hook the kids even if it does scare the socks of the parents. It's a fringe benefit of my trip to Spain a couple of years ago.
THE EVERLASTING FIRE came out in paperback in December and is selling in all the drugstroes and supermarkets. I hope it sells a million. If it does I'll surprise — and embarass — the church by paying some tithing.
This on Spain makes my seventh juvenile, seven novels. Have a contract with Putnam for the eighth and ninth juvenile -- Calif .history for elementary grades— and am working on a novel of our early days, for which I have no contract. Will try to get it done before I submit it. Plenty work, no money. Probably much of what I am working for now I will not recieve until I'm gone. I told Verda last night if I got a good chance to herd sheep I'd go back to it. There is no profession where a person can get so much fame and glory, so little money, as in writing. And even the fame and glory is confined to a few well-trained friends and relatives. The others just stare at you and wonder how a man can be clever enough to write books and be too stupid to be Hemingway or Steinbeck
[-PAGE 4-]
How is Will? Whenever we go through St. George we think of you both and wonder about you. But it's not occurred to me that you live there. Do you, on occasion? It seems that someone told us you had moved back.
When you get through with the Jews in Utah come down here and see how they have taken over all the communications media, most of the financial and industrial world, and the real estate. I don't hate Jews. I just wish I had a little of their attraction for money and all that goes with it. They are shrewd, determined, tenacious, hard, indestructible, clever, artistically brilliant here and there, but their emotions are on their sleeve, their cries are loud, their hates are everlasting. So watch it, lady!
I was just going to write you a little note. Write again and tell us all about the family.
Love
Jan & Verda
[-PAGE 5-]
LAURITZEN
1635 KENT PLACE
THOUSAND OAKS, CALIF.
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
346 N. Main St.
St. George Utah
THOUSAND OAKS, CA
JAN 13
PM
1967
[-PAGE 6-]
Yakima, Washington
January 16, 1967
Dear Sister Brooks;
Thank you so much for your reply to my earlier letter concern ng the Mountain Meadow Massacre, it has helped me so very much. I am enclosing a checkin the amount of 6.50 for the book M.M.M and I would appreciate very much if you would autograph it for me. I have had much conversation on the MMM since I have done a little research on it and many people have asked me about it. We have a non member of whom the missionaries are trying to teach and he brought this up so they called onme to go visit him with them, the date is not set yet, I hope I can do some good. If the $6.50 is not sufficient to cover postage etc please let me know and I will reimburse you.
Thank you again for yor your troubles.
Sincerely
Ashley D. Lee
1303 Landon Ave
Yakima, Washington 98902
[-PAGE 7-]
Ashley D. Lee
1303 Landon Ave
Yakima, Washington 98902
Mrs Juanita Brooks
Box 303
St. George, Utah 84770
YAKIMA
JAN 16
1967
WASH.
book mailed Jan 19
[-PAGE 8-]
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA PRESS
Publishing Division of the University
NORMAN • OKLAHOMA 73069
January 23, 1967
Dear Juanita,
We have the manuscript noted below which I think may interest you. You can be very sure that your willingness to look it over for us will be of great value to our decision in the matter of publication. To save time, I am routing it to you. If for any reason you cannot give it time now, please route it back through the Faculty Exchange to me.
You will receive the book of your choice from our list for your service in this instance. Just let us know which one it is when you return the manuscript. Many, many thanks.
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
346 North Main
St. George, Utah
SL/ie
"From Texas Pioneer to Mormon Preacher," by Davis Bitton
[-PAGE 9-]
RADIATION RESEARCH
Official Organ of the Radiation Research Society
Managing Editor:
TITUS C. EVANS
College of Medicine
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Associate Editors:
- H. Cohn R. N. Feinstein D. J. Kimeldorf W. K. Sinclair N. Wald
- M. Dorfman W. R. Guild L. F. Lamerton W.W. Smith J.E. Willard
- M. Elkind O. Hug M. L. Randolph J. B. Storer H. O. Wyckoff
PUBLISHERS:
ACADEMIC PRESS INC.
111 Fifth Avenue New York, New York 10003
9 March 1967
Dr. Antone L. Brooks
Fission Products Inhalation Project
Lovelace Foundation
5200 Gibson Boulevard
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Dear Dr. Brooks:
Your manuscript entitled "Comparison of Radiation-Induced Chromatid Aberrations in the Testes and Bone Marrow of the Chinese Hamster" (our #3056-B) will be acceptable subsequent to some minor revisions. Our reviewers feel that you may wish to consider the possibility that your time curves for the two tissues extrapolate to the same point and they felt you would like to consider this before publication.
When you have the manuscript in final form, please return it to me and I will send it to the publishers.
Sincerely yours,
T.C. Evans
Titus C. Evans
by Dr. D. D. Schottelius
Assistant to the Editor
[-PAGE 10-]
Ms# 3056-B
SUGGESTIONS TO THE AUTHOR
1
This is a nice piece of work. I feel, however, that you could perhaps handle the interpretation of your time curves a little differently. I think that the following specific comments will make my point clearer.
[-PAGE 11-]
Ms.#. 3056-B
SUGGESTIONS TO THE AUTHOR
2
Your results are well presented and merit publication in Radiation Research. Some specific questions and comments follow.
[-PAGE 12-]
St. George, Utah
March 27, 1967
Dear: Dr. Cooley & Marge:
This has been cut again since I went over it with Dorothy, and the wording changed in some places in an effort to rake it fit the 2-page spread.
Minor changes like the one at the bottom of galley one need not be made, of course. I just wanted you to know that I am conscious of its awkwardness. The same is true of the dangling phrase which, begins, "As they attempted to build up their kingdom of God.... a sentence which I would not allow a student to get by with in a theme.
The one thing with which I am most concerned is the paragraph which does not make clear that there are TWO grave sites, This is the whole point of the article now--that since the place is no longer made accessible to the public, a second site containing the remains of the women and children, the most innocent of the victime is left un makred---As witness the article which follows I wonder if we would be justified in re-setting this short bit. I'll be willing to pay the expense.
Teh bodies of the ten had been immediately buried in their own
defense pits, deep enough to be unmolested, but those of the women and children, approximately a mile to the north-east, had been dragged from the shallow grave by animals or washed out by the rains of two winters, were put into another grave. in the vicinity… The soldiers marked the first spot, as containing most of the remains, where a rough pile of stones had been placed. Building a pyramid,
In 1859 a contingent of soldiers from Camp Floyd was sent to examine the place, gather and bury any scattered bones, and mark the spot The men had been immediately buried in their own defense puts, where thir had been unmolested, but the bodies of the women and children, dragged from their shallow graves by animals or washed out by the rains of two winters, were scattered -bout. These were gathered and re-interred in a separate grave
In 1859 U.S. soldiers exanined the site carefully, gathered up such scattered bones as had been dragged from bodies of the men had been immediately placed
[-PAGE 13-]
I take it that this has been made to fit the available space in the Quarterly. If it has not, I think it should be brought up to date, for the events of the last year are significant indeed. Should we not say that the LDS Church has purchased the land, that the policy has been changed, that if a suitable marker is ever to be placed it must be over this second grave?????
[-PAGE 14-]
St. George, Utah
March 29, 1967
Dr. Klaus Hansen
Department of History
Utah State University
Logan, Utah
Dear Klaus:
Thank you so much for the autographed copy of QUEST FOR EMPIRE.... I have just finish reading it, and I congratulate you on a task well done indeed. You put the YTFIF in its proper perspective in relation to the whole colonization program. Better still, you have a smooth, readable style, which makes the reading a pleasure.
I am especially grateful for your clear statement of the wire-pulling behind the call of the Mormon Battalion (pp. 115-116). I have a correspondent who, reading the sermons of Brigham Young in 1857 and 1858, is certain that the President of the United States called the boys out of spite, to test their loyalty or to get an excuse to attack the Mormons should they refuse to volunteer. No amount of evidence has been able to move him, but perhaps this will.
I had rather expected that you would touch the business of counterfeiting at Nauvoo, if not earlier, or later at Council Bluffs and again in Salt Lake City. Some people say
that the early exodus from Nauvoo was occasioned by a federal indictment dated Dec. 18,1845, naming Brigham Young, Willard Richards, John Taylor, Orson Hyde, Parley P. Pratt, Theodore Turley along with Joseph H. Jackson, Edward Bonney, Augustus
Barton, Gilbert Eaton, Peter Haws, Carlos Gove. It is easy to see that these men were not connected with the YTFIF—at least the last six were not. On the other hand, the making of counterfeit money was carried on with the knowledge of the leaders. The counterfeiting area constitutes an interesting field for further study and clarification.
I enjoyed our experience on the TV, but felt ashamed of my own performance: I was too belligerent, too acid--too off key in some ways. Hal got rather wound up, which might have been appropriate, since his book was newest off the press and yours had not appeared yet, I'd like to see you have a chance to discuss this on the air, as a part of a different panel.
Thank you again for a book that I will treasure and will turn to often. My love and good wishes to Joan and the family.
Sincerely,
Juanita
Juanita Brooks
[-PAGE 15-]
Box 303, St. George, Utah 84770
April 27, 1967
EDlTORS: DIALOGUE
P.O. Box 2350
Stanford, California
94305
Gentlemen:
I am much interested in the cover of the Spring 1968 DIALOGUE. It is challenging and provocative, as though it carries a hidden meaning. I had some difficulty in the Deseret Alphabet bit, until I discovered that it was upside-down and I was going at it backwards. It is, of course, the title, DIALOGUE.
The three buildings, the people singly and in groups, the cannon and its three balls, all have their place in our past, and each can be tied in with our history. What impressed me was the large, heavy word MORMON on the front cover, with the tiny, thin, almost microscopic word THOUGHT underneath it. Is Miss Thompson trying to say to us that the magazine is heavy on MORMON and light on THOUGHT?
Juanita Brooks
[-PAGE 16-]
Box 303, St. George, Utah
April 27, 1968
EDITORS: DIALOGUE
P.O. Box 2350
Stanford, California
94305
Gentlemen:
I was much interested in the cover of the Spring 1968 DIALOGUE.
It is challenging and provocative, as though it carried hidden meaning
I think I identified properly the places and, but could not even with my
Deseret Alphabet Primer be sure of that inscription-- Oh, yes, I have it upside-down.
It's the word DIALOGUE. Which only bears our my
[-PAGE 17-]
NEW MEXICO HISTORICAL REVIEW
The University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106
Eleanor B. Adams, Editor
Fine Arts Center M 227
May 16, 1967
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
St. George, Utah
Dear Mrs. Brooks,
The Lee Diary is now in galley and we are ready to begin proofreading it. As we prepare the July issue, I find that we will soon need the biographical information we discussed during your recent visit for our Contributors' column. Anything that would be of interest to our readers in relation to your article will be useful.
The work schedule becomes more pressing as I prepare to leave at the end of the summer. I am afraid that exploration of our unidentified "Nephite" building will have to wait, although I still cherish hopes of running across another description of it some day.
It was very pleasant meeting and talking with you.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Kraft
Mrs. Keith Ann Kraft
Editorial Assistant
[-PAGE 18-]
BIOGRAPHICAL
Juanita Brooks became interested in original manuscripts at the age of fourteen, when she found and copied the handwritten memoirs of her great-grandmother, Sarah Studervant Leavitt. In the years following she secured the diaries of John Pulsipher and Myron Abbott, and had located several other originals. Because of this, she was made area director in the Emergency Relief Administration for the collection, and transcription of pioneer manuscripts, an activity which was carried on under the Historical Records Survey of the W.P.A.
Encouraged by the Henry E. Huntington Library staff and financed by funds from a Rockefeller Foundation grant, she made a study of the Mountain Meadows Massacre, which resulted in a book by the same name published by Stanford University Press in 1950.
John D. Lee, the only participant in the massacre to be brought to justice, was a faithful record keeper. At the time of his execution he gave five volumes of his diaries into the hands of his attorney. Later these came into the possession of the Henry E. Huntington Library, and Mrs Brooks assisted Dr. Robert G. Cleland to edit them. They appeared on 1955 under the title A MORMON CHRONICLE: THE DIARIES OF JOHN D. LEE.
One JOURNAL OF JOHN D. LEE 1846-1847 had been edited by Charles Kelly and published in a limited edition in 1938
[-PAGE 19-]
PUBLICATIONS
Until the confusion of the Revolving Fund was resolved, the staff could not proceed with revision of the special tourist issue of the Quarterly. But with that problem resolved, the staff has moved ahead with the preparation of a new edition of the Valley of the Great Salt Lake. The artists working on it are Bailey and Montague.
Under their supervision some minor changes have been made in the format of the regular Quarterly. A new masthead was designed, minor changes in type faces were made, a new process (duo-tone) for the cover was employed, and a squared binding using "Perma bind" was adopted. So far, only favorable comments on the changes have been made. Eight more pages of text have also been added, making it a 96 page journal.
Beginning with the last issue of the Newsletter in 1966, we began writing a feature lead article in the Newsletter. We have tried to build these around centennial events. Once again the response has been favorable. Others planned are centered on the Tabernacle, the Episcopal Church, and various other buildings throughout the state.
PUBLIC RELATIONS
The Statehood Day program on January 4 at the Capitol was excellent, if not well attended. Neal Maxwell's speech will be distributed to the members. The governor spoke extemporaneously, so his welcoming remarks, though appropriate, were not available for printing.
The reception following the Capitol program was poorly attended. But those who came enjoyed the occasion.
A lot of the director's time and energy was spent on matters relating to the legislature. On January 11, the director was invited to address the House of Representatives. As a result, friendly relations were established. Mrs. Oberhansley had the Society help prepare a resolution, calling for a State Gem (Topaz). Mr. Kenneth Brady had us help prepare a resolution to create a committee to determine what art work should adorn the Capitol, both exterior and interior.
Society board members and staff played a major role in obtaining an Historic Districts bill to aid cities and counties in the preservation of historic sites and buildings.
Considerable time was spent by the director and board president in working with the sponsors of our Revolving Fund bill.
Staff and Board were also involved with Senate Bill 91 which placed the Society in the Department of Development Services.
[-PAGE 20-]
Another, "Journal of the Iron County Mission," covering the story of the settlement in Parowan, Southern Utah, 1850-1851, was edited by Gustive 0. Larson and printed in the UTAH STATE HISTORICAL QUARTERLY in 1952, January, April, end July.
From all these and from diaries as yet unpublished as well as from material from many other Brooks wrote a biography, JOHN DOYLE LEE: ZEALOT- PlONEER BUILDER- SCAPEGOAT, which was published in 1963 by the Arthur H. Clark Company, Glendale, California.
It is hoped that the now out-of-print MORMON CHRONICLE may be expanded into a three-volume set in which volume one will include all the writings of John D. Lee before 1848, with newly acquired bits and letters fitted into their places in the second and third volumes.
The item here printed fits neatly into the early period, closing just one day before the one edited by Charles Kelly begins.
[-PAGE 21-]
published in three instalments the John D. Lee diaries from December 1850 to July 1851.
The article here printed is one of several others yet to be print
[-PAGE 22-]
NEW MEXICO HISTORICAL REVIEW
The University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106
Fine Arts Center M 227
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
St. George, Utah
ALBUQUERQUE
MAY 17 ‘67
- MEX
Ans enclosed
[-PAGE 23-]
May 24, 1967
Dear Mrs. Brooks,
I have completed the research for my paper about you and your contributions to the field of history. I do, however, have some questions I would like to ask you which are listed below.
For your convenience I have enclosed a stamped, self- addressed envelope in which you may return this letter. I have left spaces between each of the questions in case you may wish to comment. Please feel free to leave any of the questions unanswered.
- Did "The Outsider" (American Folklore) give you your first real "thirst" for knowledge learning?
- Where did you teach school before your first marriage?
What subjects did you teach?
- What years did you teach at Dixie College?
Did you teach English?
- Did any of your sons go on missions for the church?
- What is the number of your grandchildren?
How old is the oldest
- Have any of your children or grandchildren done historical writing?
- Did you receive some type of grant to do you study of the Jews in Utah?
What type of a study is it, chronological?
- In one of your footnotes in The Mountain Meadows Massacre you voiced displeasure with the attitude of certain church officials who seemed to disapprove of your investigation into the matter. Was this disapproval ever openly expressed?
[-PAGE 24-]
- Do you believe that the results of your investigation into the matter played a significant role in the fact that J.D. Lee has been reinstated into the church?
If so, do you think it was the result of your investigation that
1) prompted the family to plea his case?
or
2) prompted church officials to reconsider his case?
- Do you plan to edit another volume of J.D. Lee's diaries?
- I have looked over Mrs. Hardy's Thesis. Do you think that she has placed too much emphasis on the influence of folklore on your writing? I personally feel that you just like to write about things that are near and perhaps dear to you, which happens to be Southern Utah,
Please forgive the way in which I have worded the above questions. I found it very difficult to get my point across. Thank you very much for all of the help you have given to me.
Sincerely,
Ellen M. Lowe
11632 Mayfield Apt. 5
Los Angeles, Calif.
[-PAGE 25-]
Ellen M. Lowe
11632 Mayfield Ave. Apt 5
Los Angeles, California
90049
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
Box 303
St. George, Utah
84770
LOS ANGELES, CALIF.
PM
24 MAY
1967
AIR MAIL
Ans enclosed
[-PAGE 26-]
May 27, 1967
Dear Ellen Lowe:
I came in on the night bus from attending a Library dedication at Logan; bu tonight my youngest son, Dr. Antone L. will be here enroute back to Albuquerque from seminars and interviews in northern California while his wife and two sons should come in by early afternoon from Riverside--brought by her parents--- to spend until the 31 here. Hence this early morning epistle may be shortened or discontinued unfinished.
Truly, towrite the life of a person is to dip a small bucket into a well and then spill most of the contents bringing it to the surface. I assume that you have a carbon of this letter in your files, so I'll keep this original for mine.
1- NO, the Outsider did not inspire my first thirst for learning. I cut mybabys teeth on the idea that "You cannot be saved in ignorance "You take with you at your final leaving only what you have saved in your head," "The Glory of God is intelligence, w...and so on. He gave me a new horizon of "light" different from just the light of the Gospel.
2- I taught school first in Bunkerville, my second in Mesquite, five miles away, and in both cases had third and fourth grades—the first room with some thirty students, the second with more than forty. After Ernest's death, after my year attending Dixie College, I returned to teach fifth and sixth grades in Bunkerville, this to finance my sister Charity on a mission to the Central States.
4- Speaking of missions for the Church: My father left for his when I was not yet five years old, leaving Mother with three little girls and a son to be born in three months. He sold his team, wagon, harness, and farm machinery to finance it, kept two cows for our milk, leased his land, and traveled largely without purse or script. So we were "a family of the missionary" to be remembered in the prayers of the ward members and to be the recipients of the liver--or part of it--whenever the neighbors killed their pigs. I used to wish it might be a mess of spare-ribs occasionally, and to wonder of people would recieve a blessing for giving away what they did not want themselves. But that was before anyone knew the nutritional value of liver. ---This whole family experience should be a chapter in my QUICKSAND AND CACTUS, if I live long enough to write it.
Re: Charity's mission, I sent her $40. a month for her first year. My salary was $120., so I paid tithing of $8.00, arguing that I actually had only $80. of my own to tithe. My Bishop put me on the record as a "partial tithe-payer" as a result.
I also helped to finance my brother Laurel E. when he went later.
In our own family, Walter was in the Spanish-American Mission when I was married to his father; Grant later went to the Brazilian
[-PAGE 27-]
Mission, and Joseph Kay also to the Spanish-American Mission. Karl served as a Stake Missionary in the Moapa Stake. Our daughter & her husband were as active as missionaries for the years they were stationed in England, as Brother Marion D. Hanks will tell you. All are active in the wards and stakes where they live.
As for my own service: became organist for primary at thirteen, and after I was fifteen was ward organist, Sunday School organist, and played for the dances, After I came to Dixie to teach, I was on the Stake Board of MIA; soon after my marriage to the Brooks family in 1933, was made Stake President of Relief Society, where I served for seven years. Ours was the pilot Stake which Brother Harold B. Lee used to help develop the Church welfare plan. We canned peaches and other fruits and vegetables, set up a sewing center where mothers could make clothes for their families out of old suits, etc. which were gathered up from the ward. They were supervised by an expert tailor. I have taught many S.S. classes, usually young marrieds.
3- I taught English and debate at Dixie Junior College, which then included the last two years of high school. I came to Dixie in 1925, went to Columbia 1828-9 left teaching to be married in 1933. I think it was about 1948 when I returned full time and served until
1960, No-- I must check this. I was out a few years and went back again, but there's not time this morning to stop to hunt it out.
5- I always say I don't know the number of my grandchildren, because it changes by the month--or that of the great-grandchildren does. Walter has 7 children and 5 grandchildren, with 3 more well on the way; Grant had 4 children and 5 grandchildren and 2 to be born soon; Bob has 2 children and Clair 3. Ernest (Pulsipher) has 5 children and 2 grandchildren; Willa 4 children, Karl one due in June, Kay 1 and Antone 2. Add them up yourself. Ernest's daughter is 21,
6- None of my children has done historical writing, though Karl is taking his PhD in history. Kay is a linguist with the FBI and Antone a PhD in radiation genetics. Grant died in 1956 (I think) Walter and Clair are teachers--as is Karl, and Bob is in the offices of the Army reserve.
7- Yes, I am paid expenses and a stipend as I work, with the bulk of whatever I get after the book is finished. As the rate that I am able to work--with all the distractions-- I wonder when that will be.
8- I thought the note to which you refer was eloquent enough. I have often wished orally that the Church policy was more lenient, Though Brother Olsen is now most cooperative. Brother Lund does not love me.
9- Well, they helped. The family did not plead his case; they did not know of it until it was done.
10- I should like to do a volume of his writings before 1848.
11- You are right here.
The family is stirring--- like Hamlet's ghost, I must leave
Juanita Brooks
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EMBASSY
OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Kuwait, State of Kuwait,
June 3, 1967
Dear Juanita and Will,
We've been obliged to change our travel plans, but still hope to visit you, possibly during August. We'll let you know. These are busy, exciting days.
Love,
Howard
Mr. and Mrs. Will Brooks,
Box 303,
St. George, Utah.
[-PAGE 29-]
THE FOREIGN SERVICE
OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
HOWARD REX COTTAM
AMERICAN AMBASSADOR
KUWAIT
Mr. and Mrs. Will Brooks,
Box 303,
St. George, Utah,
PAR AVION
AIR
WASHINGTON
12 PM
[-PAGE 30-]
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA PRESS
Publishing Division of the University
norman, oklahoma, 73069
June 10, 1967
Dear Author and Friend:
I take this means, because thirty-five years have made a legion of you — more than eight hundred, in fact — among the published scholars in our list, to tell you that the President and Board of Regents have consented to my retirement as of June 30, 1967. Helene and I will be on vacation during the present month.
My successor and friend, Edward A. Shaw, was first trained in publishing as a University Press Fellow, after which he was a member of the staffs of the University of California Press, Berkeley, the W.H. Freeman Company, San Francisco, and until his appointment to the Assistant Directorship here a year ago, Managing Editor of the publications of the American Dental Association, Chicago. You will find in him a fine and receptive mind and a high capability.
My association with you during these years has been richly rewarding to me personally, and I wish you to know how very much this has meant in the always exacting as well as exciting business of scholarly publishing. It is not a business, of course, but a rich intellectual enterprise, important to all of the disciplines and to human understanding.
My earnest wish for you is continuing success and satisfaction with your scholarly productions, and long life!
Cordially yours,
Savoie Lottinville
[-PAGE 31-]
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA PRESS
NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, 73069
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
346 North Main
St. George, Utah 84770
NORMAN
JUN 12 ‘67
OKLA
[-PAGE 32-]
August 5, 1967
Dear Grandma & Grandpa Brooks-
Greetings from sunny San Juan! Thanks to Mr. Hoover, we have the priviledge of living in the blue Carribean for the next two - three years.
After vacationing for the month of June in Utah, we returned home to Hackensack and received a call from the office saying that we were transferred to Puerto Rico. So here we are-- and we're in love with it already.
We hurridly packed our belongings and left New Jersey on July 15. Our plane trip down was delightful, mainly because all the tourist class seats were taken, and we had to come first class. We had a hard time choking down the filet mignon and cornish hen they served for lunch! What a shock it was to step off the plane and feel the humidity and be met by hundreds of Puerto Ricans. Our friends, the Millers, who were already here, met us at the airport.
We all piled into the Miller's car, and were given a grand tour of San Juan. With all the honking taxis and bustling traffic, we thought we were still in New York. We then went grocery shopping, which was a real experience for Jeannie, with everyone speaking Spanish. However, she soon felt at home with Bordens Milk, and Campbell's Soups on the shelves. San Juan is very Americanized, with chain stores like Sears, Grand Union, Woolworths and others, but the prices are quite a bit higher than the States.
After shopping we came to our hotel, which is right on the beach. Palm trees, white sand, warm blue water, blue skies, and bright sun. Our room has a kitchenette, lots of closet space, balcony, air-conditioner, and a maid who makes the beds and cleans every day. We'll probably be living here for about 1-2 months until our furniture arrives and we find a place to live.
Kay leaves for work at 6:30 a.m., and it takes about 15 minutes to the office. He is on the security squad and enjoys his work thus far. Three weeks ago a plebiscite (special election) was held to see if Puerto Rico would remain a commonwealth, become a State, or become independent. The voting resulted in favor of the status quo, the Commonwealth.
There are about 60 agents in the office, and most are fairly young. The "FBI Wives" is a very active group. Last week Jeannie attended one of their luncheons, held at the Commandant's Race Track. After eating, they saw the horse races. Jeannie isn't much of a gambler, and didn't win or lose any money.
[-PAGE 33-]
Brian and Jeannie spent most of their time at the beach (where Brian tans and Jeannie burns.) Brian was afraid of the waves at first, but now he jumps in the ocean with all his might. The people here are really friendly, and they love children. Brian has four or five playmates at the beach all the time.
Our car finally came, and we have been house hunting for the past two weeks. The houses here are quite different with concrete walls, flat roofs, terazzo floors, fancy grill work (to keep unwanted visitors, both animal and human, out), and no glass panes-just adjustable shutters and screens. The yards are small, but are filled with nice tropical fruits and flowers, such as coconuts, bananas, mangos, and papayas. Everything here is green because of the rain. Suddenly it will down-pour for about 10 minutes, then stop as quickly as it started.
Church is held in the Protestant Chapel at the Navy base. The membership numbers about 80, so there is ample opportunity for activity in the Branch and for missionary work. Kay taught a Sunday School class the first week we were here. Jeannie taught one the next week and then played for District Conference this week.
What this letter is trying to say is that we already really like it here, and it would be even greater if only our family and friends were here to share it with us. We do miss
you all, and hope that you'll plan to spend your next vacation in the Carribean because the Brooks' are here to show you around, and we plan to have a nice guest room especially for you. Start saving your pennies now, and maybe you can come down to get away from the snow.
Our love from the Brooks' Three,
KAY, JEANNIE, AND BRIAN
Our address is: (HINT)
C/O F.B.I
GPO BT
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936
We will use this same address even when we get into our own home, because home delivery here isn't too reliable.
I know most of this is old news to you, but we thought you might enjoy reading this.
We are so much more happy & content than we’ve been for such a long time. It’s a bight new world here. Brain & Daddy are singing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” & I’m afraid we’re raising a monotone! Brian is as tanned as an Indian, & this sun & swimming is so good for him. He loves the water & the sand crabs & all the shells & little fish. It’s a whole new world for him! He sings many songs now & can say quite a few nursery rhymes. All in all, we think he’s a child wonder!
Finally found a house to rent. We decided against buying mainly because of the high down payment & because re-sale isn’t too good here. It’s a nice house with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, a large living & dining room, a lovely porch & back yard with 12 banana trees lime & orange trees, & tropical shrubs. We’re paying $175 a month-but that’s quite average for down here. We’re both quite please
with it-& we’re so anxious to try house-living for a change. Grandpa, you’ll have to come down & help us plant a garden. We have plenty of room for one. And we have an extra bedroom for you. There’s nothing more we’d love than to have you come. Brian sends you a big kiss- & he misses you.
Don’t know when we’ll move in our house ‘cuz our furniture hasn’t arrived yet.
Love ya so much!
[-PAGE 34-]
St. George Utah
Sept. 16, 1967
Mr. Ben Roe
Deseret Bank Building
Salt Lake City, Utah
Dear Mr. Roe:
I have not been able to locate anything on the Mendell Bailes case.
If you could send me the book or pamphlet which you suggested, I can return it when I come up next, which will be the last week in the month.
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Juanita Brooks
[-PAGE 35-]
Box 303
St. George, Utah
October 25, 1967
Mrs. Pearl Jacobson
340 West 5th North
Richfield, Utah
Dear Mrs. Jacobson:
Finally, finally, the last deer-hunter has gone home, and the gear has been put away until another season. I find it most difficult to write even a letter in the midst of confusion.
I have found a small picture—not a very good one, but all I have. I doubt that it would be any advantage to use it.
As to my biography, I have often told younger people addressing younger audiences to just say, "She is a Mother in Israel,"because of our total of 8 sons and 1 daughter, besides several students I have "mothered" through two years of college—all non-paying guests.
But this will not do here. I'll outline on a card of some kind a summary of my activities in the business of collecting and inferpreting and writing history.
I look forward to meeting your group, and hope that I can live up to their expectations.
Sincerely,
Juanita Brooks
[-PAGE 36-]
SEVIER VALLEY CHAPTER, UTAH STATE
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
August 25, 1967
Dear Members
Your officers are delighted to present to you another fine series of historical lectures for the 1967-1968 season. With- out an exception, each speaker whom we approached was very willing to come to speak to our chapter. The program we have scheduled for you is as follows:
Thursday, October 19, 1967
Dr. Donald R. Moorman-"Historic Camp Floyd" Dr, Moorman is Associate Professor of History at Weber State College. You will enjoy his lecture about the military camp established by Johnston's Army at Fairfield, Utah, and the Old Stagecoach Inn which is now a state park.
Saturday, November 18, 1967
Mrs. Juanita Brooks - "John D. Lee" Mrs. Brooks is a well known historian and author of several books including Mountain Meadows Massacre. She is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Utah State Historical Society.
Saturday, January 13, 1968
Dr. Klaus Hansen -"The Council of Fifty" Dr. Hansen is an authority on this subject, having written his doctoral dissertation on the research that he did about this interesting portion of Utah history. His book, Quest For Empire is one of the books that our chapter has contributed to the Richfield Public Library, Dr. Hansen is Professor of History at Utah State University.
Saturday, February 17, 1968
Dr. Richard D. Poll - "The Utah War" Dr. Poll is Professor of History at Brigham Young University, and is eminently qualified to speak on this subject. He is president-elect of the Utah Valley Chapter, Utah State Historical Society.
Sometime in March, 1968
Dr. Leonard J, Arrington, Professor of Economics at Utah State University. This will be Dr. Arrington's
[-PAGE 37-]
second visit to our chapter. In March of 1965 he spoke to us on the subject "The Edmunds-Tucker Act", His subject and the exact date will be announced later.
Sometime in April, 1968
Mrs. Margaret D. Shepherd- "Historic South Temple" Mrs. Shepherd is Photograph Librarian at the Utah State Historical Society headquarters at 603 East South Temple. Her lecture, accompanied with colored slides, tells of the elaborate homes built on South Temple (Brigham Street) during Utah's early history, and of the interesting people who lived in them,
We believe that you will truly enjoy these lectures. Dipping into Utah's fascinating history can provide much enjoyment. We hope that you will renew your membership for the coming year. The officers have decided that it would be better to raise membership dues a little this year rather than to charge an extra amount for each dinner in order to defray our expenses. For the coming season, then, dues will be $5 per couple, or $3 per single membership. We would appreciate it if your dues were paid in advance of the October meeting. For your convenience we are enclosing a stamped, addressed envelope for this purpose.
Plans are under way to proceed with our project to do some tape recording of local history. This should prove to be a most rewarding activity.
We also wish to announce that the Annual Meeting of the Utah State Historical Society will be held at the Union Building, University of Utah, on Saturday, September 23, 1967. This will include morning and afternoon sessions with out standing speakers, for which there is no admission charge, A banquet at night will feature Dale L, Morgan, noted authority on western history. All members are welcome to attend these sessions of the Annual Meeting. Reservations for the evening banquet may be made through Mrs. Pearl Jacobson, chapter president.
We are looking forward to greeting you at our meetings this coming season, and we wish to express our appreciation for your support of this organization.
Sincerely,
Pearl Jacobson-President
Dorothy J Buchanan-Secretary
Dear Mrs. Brooks: If I haven't stated the subject of your address as you would like it, we will change it to suit you.
[-PAGE 38-]
SEVIER VALLEY CHAPTER
OF THE
UTAH STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
RICHFIELD, UTAH 84701
Mrs. Pearl Jacobson
340 West 5th North
Richfield, Utah
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
Box 303
St. George, Utah 84770
RICHFIELD, UT
SEP 21
1967
84701
Speech Nov 18
Ans enclosed
[-PAGE 39-]
St. George, Utah
Nov. 18, 1967
TO THE DESCENDANTS OF
MARY H. LEAVITT
Each and all, wherever you are;
RE: THE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
First, to you who could not come—We missed you, we talked of you, we wish you could have been included in the picture. It is just one experience missed, which no amount of second-hand talk will fill in.
To those who did come, especially you who came long distances at great expense, we did appreciate having you here, and hope that in the over-all, the memory of the day will be a bright one for everyone of you.
GrandmaGrandma Leavitt was thrilled and pleased with it all: the number who accompanied here to the Temple was beyond her expectations, and she felt that this was a demonstration to show that her family are active in the Church. She liked the program, to
As I see it now, THERE JUST WASN'T ENOUGH TIME. I have been almost sick with a sense of my own failure with the program, because I forgot several very important things that I had planned. I just got befuddled or fell apart or something. Call it what you will, I shall always regret not being able to carry out that program as I had planned.
If we ever have another, I promise to do better, or to step down and let younger, more efficient hands take over.
The dinner was perfect. Credit for that goes to Aunt Eva and her family, Uncle Dudley and his, Aunt Mary, and Marylynn. along with several others who helped with the final clearing up. Such a meal as that doesn't just happen. Many people put in some time; a few people put in a lot of time. To all who furnished cakes, salads our most hearty thanks. We have a list of all and will mail them out with the money receipts to each of you who contributed.
I must mention Mary Lynn's two little girls Keena, 8 and Ranon, 7, who were so faithful in picking up and cleaning off the trays. They worked out a system for putting the paper waste in one box, the food in another, the cutlery in a third, and the trays on the lower table. I told them they deserved a medal.
We'll follow with definite information on the pictures right away. Our best love to every one of you.
Sincerely,
Aunt Nita.
[-PAGE 40-]
Box 303
St. George, Utah 84770
Nov. 29, 1967
Dear Francis & Marian:
You suggested that if you had this little write-up, you might have a secretary copy it off with carbons, or cut a stencil. It is very sketchy because it was cut to fit the length of time I thought we would have in the program. But it is better than nothing.
My judgment was not good on the preparations. We should have rented a church building and included in it a nursery with someone to supervise the little children, and with the program in the Relief Society room, where the accoustics would have been better.
But then—we can't do much about it now. On her 95th birthday we'll make a number of changes.
I've been much disappointed at not receiving the pictures yet. I called about them two weeks ago, & Mr. Clark came up, said he would print them up right away, but was called away for a few days. We, too, were gone. Had Thanksgiving with Bob in Logan and Will stayed on to the football games, in which Walt's team won the state championship this year. Everyone here rejoiced about that.
I called Mr. Clark again early yesterday morning, when he said he would get them on the mail immediately. But they didn't come. I'll hold this until after mailtime today.
Things go well with us. We manage to fill each day with trivia so that nothing really worth while is accomplished. I will be so until after Christmas at least, and probably to the end of the trail.
As of now things go well with us. We have good health and enough of challenge to keep life interesting.
Our love to you, to all of yours, and our prayers for the year ahead
Juanita Brooks
[-PAGE 41-]
Box 303, St. George, Utah
November 28, 1967
Mr. Paul Hughes
Public Relations, Inc
Suite 102
1439 North First Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85004
Dear Mr. Hughes:
Thank you for your letter of November 25. You have indeed a challenging task if you present the Gov. Pyle---Short Creek story with anything like justice to both sides.
I knew little—practically nothing, in fact- - of this incident, except what I read in the papers. My interest was aroused later when the state of Utah, also bent upon breaking up the community, selected a test case in one family, taking seven children from the mother and putting them into a foster home in Northern Utah.
I wrote a number of letters protesting this, to newspapers and to other groups. My chief interest was a five-year-old, pure child who was so frightened and disturbed that I felt he would be injured for life. My letters did no good. The case proceeded; the children were taken and kept; in a foster home without any communication with the Mother, but were finally returned—under what conditions I do not know. I do feel sure, however, that the experience did not change their loyalty to the way of life which they are taught is right.
My own feeling is that behind both these actions was the economic pressure of the Cattlemen's Association. The community at Short Creek had grown so large that the school needed four teachers. The State of Arizona had not then any equalization laws regarding public education, or if it did, they left the burden of the schools largely to the local districts. That meant that what is locally THE BIG FlVE (I think that is the number) must pay taxes to help educate these children.
No one living in either Phoenix or Salt Lake city would need to go out to this local area to find people "living in sin."
Now that the community is divided, so that the Utah and Arizona share the tax burden of the public schools, and the Community maintains its own "Academy", the people are allowed to live in peace under the same order that they have had from the beginning.
I myself think that such a book as you propose, if it could be done with fairness to both sides, would be a contribution. I shall wait any action until I have opportunity to consult some of the people there with whom I am slightly acquainted.
Sincerely,
Juanita Brooks
[-PAGE 42-]
Box 303
St. George, Utah
November 29, 1967
Mr. Leslie E. Bliss
Henry E. Huntington Library
San Marino, California
84770
Dear Mr. Bliss:
I am sending by registered mail today the fragmentary diary of George Deliverance Wilson of the Mormon Battalion, with the idea that you will photograph it for your files and return it and a free photograph to me. I shall deliver these to Miss Agnes Wilson, from whom I borrowed the diary.
Although brief, it does make a significant addition to the records of the sick detachment who spent the winter of 1846-1847 at Pueblo, Colorado.
Miss Noya assured me that the Library still carries on the program of collection. For this I am most thankful.
Sincere good wishes to you and to all my friends there,
Juanita Brooks
Juanita Brooks
[-PAGE 43-]
PAUL J. HUGHES
PUBLIC RELATIONS, INC.
SUITE 102 • 1439 NORTH FIRST STREET • PHOENIX. ARIZONA 85004 • DIAL 252-8828
November 25,1967
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
St. George, Utah
Dear Mrs. Brooks:
This letter is written at the suggestion of Dr. Kimball Young, who is now teaching at Arizona State University. Let me tell you something of myself and my purpose.
In my youth, I was editor of a small-town daily newspaper in Oklahoma, but I've been in Phoenix these last 25 years, in radio, television, advertising and public relations. All the while, I have devoted every spare moment to free-lance writing; l have had three books published, a fourth one coming up, and a good many shorter pieces
My old boss in the radio business, and a long-time friend, is Howard Pyle, now president of the National Safety Council in Chicago. As Governor of Arizona, he organized and directed the raid on the polygamous community of Short Creek in 1953.The last couple of years, he has encouraged me to do a book about it, offering to turn over all his records to me. I have read the same offer from Ross Jones, who was then state attorney- general and is now a county judge.
All this is fine, and is even sufficient, if I wanted to do a story that read like a police blotter. Since you are a writer yourself, you will understand that I have simply got to get some of the other side of the case. That would involve visiting what is now Colorado City, meeting with people on friendly terms, and assembling the material to make the book human. It is certainly not my intention to make criminals of the Short Creek residents, or for that matter to make ogres of the state police. I simply want to set it all down in context, as a dramatic confrontation between religion and the law, with
sincerity as well as shortcomings on both sides.
MEMBER COUNSELORS SECTION OF THE PUBLIC RELATIONS SOCIETY OF AMERICA
[-PAGE 44-]
Dec. 12, 1967
Dear Family All,
This may be the last letter you get beofre Christmas, so first of all, let me wish you MERRY CHRISTMAS, and a HAPPY NEW YEAR. It seems like this time is a time of reviewing the events of the past year, and of counting our blessings, and this year has been one full of events and happiness for us. We had a good first six months in New Jersey and New York, then after what we termed a "perfect" vacation in Utah, with much visiting, fishing, and relaxing, we returned to New Jersey to find a transfer to Puerto Rico. Our stay here since July has been entirely enjoyable, and we look forward to staying for the remainder of our committment here. We are also blessed to the fact that we are anxiously awaiting our number two addition to our family, and as yet, Jeannie hasn't had any problems or complications. We have been quite active in Church, and we are enjoying our responsibilities here.
We also have many friends. We have one couple from New Jersey, Bob and Pat Pexton, who are coming to visit us this week. They will arrive on Wednesday, the 14th, and will stay for about a week. We have a busy week planned for them, taking them swimming, snorkleing, sightseeing, etc. I think we may plan to open up a "Tourist Hotel", with guided tours, etc, so if any of you want to take advantage of it, better put in your reservations ea rly. The rates are very cheap . . .All you have to do is put up with us, and help us eat our food. We would really like to have some of you come for a visit while we are here. For your information, though, if you are coming, try to come between November 1, and May or June. Between June or July and November, it is rea lly quite hot, humid, and uncomfortable.
We are presently planing for a trip and visit from Mom and Dad. The ideal time for you to come, folks, would be around the end of January or the first of Feburary. If that isn't a good time, let us know when, and we will be at the airport waiting for you.
Jeannie's condition continues about the same... no real complications, just low back aches, still a little nausea, but not often. The doctors tell us that she will go into the hospital in the first week of Janurary for about 3 days, and have the little operation which should make it possible for her to carry the little one without any difficulty.
Brian is getting all exicted about having Santa Clause come to our home. He says that Santa is going to bring him a book and a ball and that's all. Actually Santa may bring him a little more, as I've ordered, as a surprize, some shoes, and a tricycle.
My work goes about the same. Lots of it, and pretty interesting. I will be glad to get back to the states, though, and start investigating something other than Security cases. Best close, as is one.
Much Love to all.
Ken, Jeannie & Brian
[-PAGE 45-]
Brooks
GPO BT
San Juan, Puerto Rico
00936
WILLIAM BROOKS FAMILY
P.O. BOX 303
St. George, Utah
84770
SAN JUAN, PR
PM
12 DEC
1967
[-PAGE 46-]
RECEIPT FOR CERTIFIED MAIL—.30
SENT TO
Henry E. Huntington Lib
STREET AND NO.
- O., STATE, AND ZIP CODE
EXTRA SERVICES FOR ADDITIONAL FEES
Return Receipt
Shows to whom and date delivered
X.10 fee
Shows to whom date, and where delivered
35 fee
Deliver to Addressee Only
50 fee
POD Form 3800 NO INSURANCE COVERAGE PROVIDED- (See other side)
Mar. 1966 NOT FOR INTERNATIONAL MAIL
[-PAGE 47-]
1.Stick postage stamps to your article to pay:
BASIC CHARGES
Certified fee—.30
Postage (first-class or airmail)
OPTIONAL SERVICES
Return receipt (.10 or .35)
Deliver to addressee only—.50
Special delivery
2.If you want this receipt postmarked, stick the gummed stub on the left portion of the address side of the article, leaving the receipt attached, and present the article at a post office service window or hand it to your rural carrier. (no extra charge)
3.If you do not want this receipt postmarked, stick the gummed stub on the address side of the article, detach and retain the receipt, and mail the article.
4.If you want a return receipt, write the certified-mail number and your name a return receipt card, Form 3811, and attach it to the back of the article by means the gummed ends. Endorse front of article RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED. (Fees-.10 or .35)
5.If you want the article delivered only to the addressee, endorse it on the front DELIVER TO ADDRESSEE ONLY. (Fee—.50). Place the same endorsement in line 2 of the return receipt card.
6.Save this receipt and present it if you make inquiry.
GPO 1966 O —216-700
[-PAGE 48-]
Box 303, St. George, Utah
December 13, 1967
Mr. Leslie E. Bliss
Henry E. Huntington Library
San Marino, California.
Dear Mr. Bliss:
On November 29 I called for you at the Library there, but since you were out, I spoke to Miss Noya. She encouraged me to send the George D. Wilson Diary down for photographing.
It went by Certified mail No. 263966, but Mr. Brooks did not get a "Return Receipt Requested". Since I have had no word of its arrival I'm just a little concerned. The family were so reluctant to even let me see it for so many years, to say nothing of trusting it to me.
I would appreciate it very much if you would let me know if it arrived all right.
All good wishes for a happy holiday season,
Sincerely,
Juanita Brooks
[-PAGE 49-]
OFFICE OF THE CHAPLAIN
5th. Comm. Bn.
FPO San Francisco 96602
27 December 1967
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
The Arthur H. Clark Company
Glendale, Calif.
Dear Mrs. Brooks,
May I just take a minute of your time to say how much I enjoyed reading the book that you compiled and wrote titled "John D. Lee." I completly enjoyed reading every page and hope that when I get home I will be able to get a copy of that book along with the one on Mountain Meadow Massacre.
Presently I am serving here in Vietnam as a Mormon Chaplain and have found my work here very enjoyable even though there is so much to do and the problems of war that we face each day.
May I again say how much I enjoyed reading your book and I say that it is good to read a "book that is so full of information that keeps one from putting the book down.
Sincerely,
Pres Kearsley
Preston N. Kearsley CHC, USNR
L.D.S. Chaplain
[-PAGE 50-]
Box 303, St. George, Utah
January 6, 1968
Chaplain Preston N. Kearsley
5th Communication Battalion
FPO San Francisco. 96602
Dear Brother Kearsley:
Thank you so much for your letter of December 27. I am so pleased that you should read and enjoy my biography of John Doyle Lee. Through many years of study of his diaries and letters, I have decided that he was sincere in his belief in "The Truth", as he called the principles of the Gospel. I have said often that no one will write better for this man than he writes for himself in recording the activities of each day.
I am glad that you are serving as a Mormon Chaplain. It seems a great calling to me, carrying with its many opportunities also a great responsibility. We had four sons in World War II, all of whom came home safely, only one who was injured, and he lost first the vision in one eye from the repercussions of the big navy guns, and later lost the eye itself in a hospital where army doctors tried to restore the vision.
My only daughter is married to a jet pilot, who has done his stent for the time being, flying some 142 combat missions. You may have met him—Capt. Thales A. Derrick-- now Major Derrick, with some honors for bravery in action. While we all hope that he will not have to return, we know that he will go willingly if called, though behind are a wife and four young children.
Thank you again for writing me. May the Dear Lord inspire and direct you in your very important calling.
Sincerely,
Juanita Brooks
Juanita Brooks
[-PAGE 51-]
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
THE OFFICE OF THE STAKE PRESIDENT
CHAPLAIN PRESTON N KEARSLEY
I5TH COMMUNICATION BATTALION
FPO, SAN FRANCISCO 96602
Mrs. Juanita Brook
346 N. Main St.
St. George,
Utah
GLENDALE
JAN 2
PM
1968
CALIF.
Air Mail
Lee Biography
ans enclosed