Transcript for Juanita Brooks' Correspondence, 1970
[-PAGE 1-]
From the desk of….
Juanita Brooks
To: LEGRANDE SPILSBURY
Dear LeGrande,
I have thought I should telephone you or come and talk to you in person, but this seems the best way to say it.
When Will began to fail, we talked over the funeral arrangements and he said “I want the Spilsbury Home to handle it. I have been a life-long friend of all the family, have worked with George in the S.U.P, and loved Mack Crandall like my own son, and have the highest regard for LeGrande—for all of them, in fact.”
He had been friendly with Mr. Metcalf—he was friendly to everyone. But he and Metcalf’s father had boarded at the same place when they were going to B.Y.U. back in 1906, and he loved to talk about it.
Walt didn’t know. He couldn’t get in touch with me, and I didn’t get the word of the death until 6 p.m. Even then, I was too upset to ask about it: I was planning to get home. When I arrived at 3:30 in the morning, it seemed too late to change things.
While I have no complaint to make, I want you to know that I certainly planned things
otherwise, and that Will did too.
Sincerely,
Juanita Brooks
[-PAGE 2-]
Dear Juanita,
Will is such a large part of all we think of when we think of when we think over our most cherished experience of “Mormon Country” – it will be strange to think how he is no longer there now. The difference it must make to you I am sure is without measure.
But we did know him, Ed and I, we did have our share good hours with # him and it counts for a great deal with us that he thought of us as his friends.
At this time we want only to say we do think of you – These words come to you with our friendship & affection.
Ed & Laura Banfield
April 18, 1970
[-PAGE 3-]
Mr. & Mrs. Edward C. Banfield
121 Garfield
Watertown, Mass, 02172
Ms. Will Brooks
Box 303
St. George, Utah 84770
AIRPORT MAIL
Seattle
April 20
1970
WASH
[-PAGE 4-]
April 21, 1970
Dear Aunt Nita,
I have intended to write you for some time but procrastinated due to work, getting into our new house, moving, etc. At first I rationalized that I’d be seeing you on my way back to Utah and also coming back but my schedule didn’t allow me to go back for my family so I had to fly them down. We were saddened to hear of the passing of Uncle Will as I’m sure all who knew him were. We always felt a little something extra for him, and even to the extent of being somewhat possessive. I’ll never forget the times I spent with him—Especially at Hurricane and that trip to Idaho. Of course I could never pass St. George with out stopping to see the Brooks. I just reread your book on his father and certainly saw attributes of his father in him. I do want very much to purchase a copy of your book about Will. If you could let me know the publisher or place that I can acquire it I’d appreciate it. I know you’ve received many many letters, calls, thoughts, etc about Uncle Will and I can’t possibly say more- I can say we loved him and we love you.
I’m working on Mariner Mars 1971 project. In 1971 were sending two space craft near mars for scientific observation. I’ll be working in “data reduction and preparation” for scientist. I’ll probably get a chance to go to Cape Kennedy for the launch. We’re very happy in our new home and family seems to be adjusting well to school and friends. We have a spacious home and extend it to all who may wish to stop.
Love,
The Graeme Frehners
[-PAGE 5-]
Graeme Frehner
4610 Alcorn Dr.
La Canada, Calif.
91011
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
St. George, Utah
LA CANADSA, CA
PM
APR 22
1970
91011
[-PAGE 6-]
From the desk of…
Juanita Brooks
April 22, 1970
Dear Bros. Eddin & Haag
And other Ogden Friends:
I was so pleased to get your gift. My good friend who operates the shop called to say the order had come, but she had not a very nice azalea in stock—and besides she had sent me a number of them earlier. Would I like to come down and make a selection?
This I did, getting a lovely bronze Mum, and with the change an arrangement of fresh flowers which I sent to a friend in the hospital. Thank you all so very much. It was kind of you.
As I remember now, my good husband passed away while I was alone in the office, and our son Walter was trying to decide what to do and how to locate me all the time I was speaking. My telephone call at the desk was at 2:15.
I wonder now if that is why my own thoughts were so confused, and why I was not able to really put myself into my presentation. I felt that I had failed you quite miserably.
I got the word at 6 p.m., and was brought home during the night by my good friends, Dr. A.R & Dorothy Mortensen.
Everything went off well; he was ready to go. I knew it was [illegible-].
Thanks you all again.
[-PAGE 7-]
Box 303, St. George, Utah
April 22, 1970
- D. & Ethel S. Skeen
1324 East 4 South
Salt Lake City, Utah
84102
Dear Skeen Friends:
Indeed I do remember meeting you at the home of Angus & Grace Woodbury. How I miss them!
I’m sorry not to have a book in stock, either of the Mountain Meadows Massacre or the Lee Biography. Both the University Press and the Arthur H. Clark company said they were getting out new printings this spring, but here it is near the end of April, and no word of them yet.
When they do appear—IF they do—I shall see that you get notice.
All good wishes
Sincerely,
Juanita Brooks
[-PAGE 8-]
From the desk of….
Juanita Brooks
Dear Neil-
This is far too much for one reading-
Omit all of page 1 for now, scan page 2 after the first two
[-PAGE 9-]
4545 South 2760 East
Salt Lake City, UtaH
April 23, 1970.
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
St. George, Utah
Dear Sister Brooks,
This is an intentionally delayed letter of sympathy and love with relation to the passing of our esteemed and beloved Will. I only had the pleasure of meeting Will once, this was in the Utah Historical building a few months ago when you and he were in Salt Lake. I was much impressed with his lovely and Saintly bearing and I can only wish I might have known him better.
Your touching reference to him in your talk before the Utah Historical Society and printed in the Quarterly impressed me immensely. What an inspiration to one doing the exacting research you were doing!
We admire you and your untiring efforts to secure for posterity the history of so noble pioneers as those who braved the desert of that area. I am attempting to do the same thing for those who settled the Little Colorado country. I am pretty late but amazed how much is still left. Most of my “finds” I am putting in a dozen libraries in Utah, Arizona, and California. I want to make it easy for researchers to find these vital original documents.
It is to be hoped that your strength and desire will continue for many years in your understanding work.
Most sincerely yours,
Geo. S. Tanner
George S. Tanner
[-PAGE 10-]
George S. Tanner
4545 South 2760 East
Salt Lake City, Utah 84117
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
St. George, Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
PM
23 APR
1970
Research on Salt River area
Ans enclosed
[-PAGE 11-]
Box 303, St. George, Utah
April 25, 1970
George S. Tanner
4545 South 2760 East
Salt Lake City, Utah
Dear Brother Tanner:
Thank you for your letter of April 23.
I am glad to know that you are working on the history of the Little Colorado Country. That area I consider one of most difficult of aall the many that were attempted.
You know, of course, that Dr. Peterson of the Historical Society has much material in this area, and there are a number of diaries and records covering part of it. Off hand I think of Price W. Nelson and Levi M. Savage.
Do you have their Articles of Incorporation in the United Order? I have seen them somewhere myself, but am not sure now just where.
Would not the Minute Books of the ward to extant somewhere in the Church files?
You might let me in on some of your “finds”.
I’m trying to get back into the writing routine, but finding it difficult to do more than keep up with the current mail.
Thanks again for writing.
Sincerely,
Juanita Brooks
[-PAGE 12-]
ACROSS THE MILES
To You on Mother’s Day
If this envelope were bigger
You know what I would do,
[-PAGE 13-]
I’d jump inside and take a ride
And spend the day with you!
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
Since we can’t, we’ll just drop in to say “hi.”
Richard, Linda & family
[-PAGE 14-]
6417 Evergreen
89107
Mrs. William Brooks
Mt Hope
St. George
Utah 84770
LAS VEGAS, NV
PM
7 MAY
1970
[-PAGE 15-]
RAY R. CANNING
May 7, 1970
Dear Juanita-
When we heard of Will’s death our hearts went out to you. Our love for you both is strong and we knew the pain you faced was both acute and continuing.
And like Socrates’ disciples we felt sorry for ourselves too- and for the church-and the Mormon community. We all need to have intimate acquaintance with men like Will-and when they are gone they cannot be replaced. It is a loss to us all, but especially to Mormon culture.
[-PAGE 16-]
RAY R. CANNING
We hope you will find Solace in the fact that here was a man of great and simple truth and humanity. His greatness seemed inconspicuous – but that is just the point. His life spoke so softly the fundamental messages of life that our ears will be straining to hear more for a long time to come.
We who knew him will be proud not only to remember him, but also to continue to tell about him, especially to the young, that his influence will go on.
Love,
Ray + Lois
[-PAGE 17-]
3975 S. 2910 E
Salt Lake City
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
St. George
Utah
Salt Lake City Utah
PM
11 MAY
1970
Ray + Lois canning
[-PAGE 18-]
Route 1, Box 367
Fallon, Nevada 89406
May 19, 1970
Mrs. Juanita Brooks,
St. George, Utah
Dear Mrs. Brooks:
May my sympathy be expressed in your bereavement? Your letter was the first inkling I received of your loss, but you’ll know how clumsy a man’s solace is usually expressed in such cases as yours. Again, my sincerest sympathy.
Your letter expressed a desire to know the source of my information about William B. Maxwell. In her SAINT AND SAVAGE, Deseret Book, page 72, fn. Helen Bay Gibbons, cites from Alvin C. Warner’s WILLIAM B. MAXWELL, Kansas City, 1960, p13 and tells how Maxwell and two other Mormon Battalion members crossed the Colorado in 1847.
Mormon history tells about B. Young’s decision to send a messenger in Feb., 1847, to the Battalion in California. Off the cuff, (as I am quoting) there is a record that messengers arrived at Pueblo in March. Several journals of the Battalion mention the arrival of a messenger from church headquarters at Los Angeles in May of 1847. About the 8th, as I remember. I have been unable to get a copy of Warner’s WILLIAM B. MAXWELL. THERE IS NO RECORD OF IT IN Ccongressional Library. Dr. Cooley has been unaware of the volume’s existence.
The church historian’s office denies that a messenger was sent to Los Angeles. Have you a suggestion?
You’d be interested to learn that a sister of Lucy Bigelow Young was more than likely in the Ide party. Her name was given as Sarah. The Nahum Bigelow family record writes her name as Sariah.
With all other proofs it is pretty well established that the Council of Fifty had plans to conquer and hold California, and that Lansford B. Hastings had an understanding with B. Young about it. The “Old Sow” in the temple grounds museum wasn’t pulled all the way to Salt Lake Valley to conquer the gentle Indians there, those that Blackburn said could be chased to kingdom come by six men (Francis M. Pomeroy) armed with mop-sticks. Now that Martin J. Pomeroy, the only Spanish speaking member of the ’47 Pioneers, made the trip to Nauvoo to go with these Pioneers, rather than to sail with Sam Brannan and Thales Haskell’s father, Pomeroy’s father-in-law, to interpret Spanish with the Salt Lake Indians.
Can you give me the name of the Haskell family genealogist? Ide’s wife was a Haskell, you know, who was born in the same general area in Massachusetts that Pomeroy’s father-in-law lived in. There’s more than co-incidence in such items.
There hasn’t been time to get word from Mrs. Addy on the Ide papers. I look forward to it with much interest.
Most truly yours,
Allen Fifield
[-PAGE 19-]
Allen Fifield
Route 1, Box 367
Fallon, Nevada 89406
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
St. George, Utah
FALLON, NV
MAY 19
PM
1970
89406
[-PAGE 20-]
May 22, 1970
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
St. George
Utah
My dear friend Juanita,
I haven’t written sooner because I thought I was going to see you to express my sorrow in the passing of that wonderful husband of yours. I shall always carry in my mind the picture of him as one of the most genuine and friendly persons I have ever known. If only this world would have men in leadership, both government and church, who were like Will Brooks, this would be a much better place to live.
As life moves on for me and I see the lack of integrity in the lives of so many people, I wonder how we have reached this state of efficiency we exist in. I am certain the rarest and most needed commodity is integrity and few men seem to have it. Your husband was one of the greatest and finest men I have ever known because he had integrity plus other fine qualities. My trail crossed his but few times and those few times made a great impression on my mind and have helped me to live more fully the teachings Christ gave to the world.
I do love and have the highest respect for you and I wish you every happiness possible.
Sincerely,
Lawson
[-PAGE 21-]
LAWSON O. HAMBLIN
2160 North 750 West
PROVO, UTAH
PROVO. UT
MAY 22
AM
1970
84601
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
St. George
Utah
[-PAGE 22-]
May 30, 1970
Dear Dave,
I have no memory of discussing a specified topic for Wednesday afternoon, June 17, but the one you have printed is as good as any.
I take it that I begin at Independence Rock and follow them in to the valley, picking out “Highlights” as I can. I’m using Stout, Lee, and Pulsipher, and would like to get to Huntington if possible. If not—well, there’s plenty in the others.
Things for me generally have been so piled up and confused that I’ve done little on this assignment other than block out parts I wish to copy or have copied.
So—well, give me your faith & prayers, and I’ll try to fill the assignment.
Cordially,
Juanita Brooks
[-PAGE 23-]
UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY LOGAN, UTAH 84321
Office of the dean
School of graduate studies
June 23, 1970
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
St. George
Utah
Dear Mrs. Brooks:
I am sorry that I did not have an opportunity to visit with you while you were in Logan. A committee assignment for people located in different parts of the state is rather difficult to accomplish. I trust that we will be able to make some headway in this assignment through correspondence.
We are requested to select nominees for the Vice President who will be elected at the spring meeting 1971. Nominees should be in the area of the biological sciences and should come from Utah State University. I shall, therefore, take the liberty of suggesting some possible candidates for Vice President that fill the above requirements. You may know these suggested candidates, or you may have others to suggest. I know that you are acquainted with a number of people who may be knowledgeable concerning possible candidates for this position and whom you may consult for advice. The candidates that have occurred to me are Datus M. Hammond, Chairman of the Zoology Department; George F. Knowlton, Extension Entomologist and long-time supporter of the Academy; John M. Neuhold, Director of our Ecology Center; and Orson Cannon, Head of our Botany Department.
If it seems possible to handle this assignment by correspondence, let us attempt to do so. I shall write the third member of our committee who is located at the University of Utah as soon as I hear from you concerning the possibility of completing our task through correspondence.
Sincerely yours,
- Gardner
Eldon J. Gardner, Dean
School of Graduate Studies
EJG:bjt
[-PAGE 24-]
UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES
LOGAN, UTAH 84321
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
St. George
Utah
LOGAN
JUN 24 ’80
UTAH
ans enclosed
[-PAGE 25-]
Box 303, St. George, Utah
84770
June 25, 1970
Dr. Eldon J. Gardner, Dean
School of Graduate Studies
Utah State University
Logan, Utah 84321
Dear Dr. Gardner:
I am sorry that I know so little of the personnel in the area of biological sciences at Utah State University.
I asked Mrs. Ione Bennion to give the matter some thought and make suggestions. Whether she consulted with others or not, I do not know, but she suggested Dr. John M. Neuhold, Director of the Ecology Center, Dr. Rex S. Spendlove, Head of the Bacteriology Department, and Dr. Joseph C. Street, Animal Nutrition Department.
I understand that we are to present more than one name for the consideration of the society, and since Dr. Neuhold was named by two of us, perhaps he could be counted as one possibility.
It will be interesting to see the list from our third member.
I shall be glad to meet with you and discuss the matter if it seems necessary.
Very sincerely yours,
Juanita Brooks
[-PAGE 26-]
July 1, 1970
Dear Dr. and Mrs. Mortensen:
I returned from an extended trip back East to find a letter to Juanita Brooks addressed to me. This morning I talked to her by phone in St. George and it is being sent to her. I thought it would be only proper that I write you a brief note to give you some idea of what is happening here in the production of Uncle Will Tells His Story.
We aimed towards July 4th as a publication date, but because of the enormous amount of work we have undertaken on this book, we have delayed and hope to have it out by August 1st. A week ago we chartered a plane and flew to St. George with a photographer and we took some superb pictures of the St. George area as well as Mrs. Brooks.
The book is completely ready now. We have progressed very swiftly and in another fourteen days should be on the presses. All in all, we are enormously pleased and it should be a delightful, entertaining, and informative book.
This is quickly approaching the 4th of July. Utah has had extremely hot weather over the last few weeks, but it has cooled again and we are looking forward to the fabulous holiday. I can’t begin to tell you how pleased I am to have been able to meet the two of you. I know that you will be pleased with the work we are doing here. I promise that as soon as I return from the holiday I will write you a longer, more detailed letter. In the meantime, I hope this letter finds you well and full of strength and happiness.
Sincerely yours,
Charles
Charles W Taggart
[-PAGE 27-]
P.S. If there is anything I can do to help look after your property or do anything for you, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I finally got my lawyers to work out my $2000 gift today and I have met with the University and signed it over. I know you would be pleased.
CWT:kma
Cc: Mrs. Juanita Brooks
Dr. and Mrs. A.R. Mortensen
Department of History
University of Alabama
Alabama 35486
[-PAGE 28-]
MEMBER OF OMAHA BUILDERS CLUB
MUTUAL OF OMAHA UNITED OF OMAHA
VIRA H JUDGE
3461 Quincy Ave.
Ogden, Utah 84403
July 7, 1970
Mrs. William Brooks
346 North Main
St. George
Utah 84770
Dear Juanita:
I’m flattered that you recommended me to the Redd family for a biography of their father, Charles Redd. I imagine this is the Uncle Charlie Redd I’ve heard Aunt Anna speak of.
The idea intrigues me and frightens me at the same time. Intrigues me because I have had an interest in that San Juan country since early childhood when my parents took me there to visit with Aunt Anna and Uncle Roe Redd in Monticello. Also, Aunt Anna wrote two novels about that country and many poems and articles.
Frightens me because I have never attempted anything like this My writing so far has been for the newspaper with a few magazine articles to my credit. Nothing more, except that I did win, I think it was third place for an article submitted to the annual Utah Writer’s contest, and got in the third category in an annual Writer’s Digest contest one year.
I have no idea how to charge for something like this. Do you do it by the word, by the hour plus expenses, or how?
Of course, I don’t know that they will engage me for the project, but I would like a few suggestions from you about the financial arrangements and how to go about it, just in case.
We think of you often, Juanita, and wonder how you are getting on. Do you still think about moving to Salt Lake, as you told me one time you might do?
We would be so very very happy to have you make our home head-quarters when you are in this area. I could take you where you need to go and perhaps be of service to you in other ways.
Sincerely,
Jimmy and Vira
MUTUAL OF OMAHA INSURANCE COMPANY - UNITED BENEFIT LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY- HOME OFFICE - OMAHA, NEBRASKA
[-PAGE 29-]
Vira Judge
Mrs. William Brooks
346 North Main
St. George
Utah 84770
OGDEN, UT
PM
8 JUL
1970
ans enclosed
[-PAGE 30-]
State Of Utah
Calvin L. Rampton, Governor
Department of Development Services
Division of State History
Dr. Charles S. Peterson, Director
603 East South Temple
Salt Lake City, Utah 84102
Telephone: (801) 328-5755
July 8, 1970
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
346 North Main Street
St. George, Utah 84770
Dear Juanita,
Enclosed find copied of letters from the Utah State Medical Association. They have been asked to participate in a national display of medical history in Philadelphia as part of the Bicentennial celebration in 1976. Nothing occurred to me as I read the letter but I thought perhaps with your broad experience you might have some worthwhile suggestion.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Charles
Charles S. Peterson
Director
CSP:bt
Encl.
STATE HISTORY BOARD: Dr. Milton C. Abrams, Chairman-Theron H. Luke-Juanita Brooks- Cleo L. Jensen-Howard C. Price, Jr.-Dr. Dello G. Dayton-Dr. Dean R. Brimhall-Jack Goodman-Clyde L. Miller-Elizabeth Skanchy-Naomi Woolley
[-PAGE 31-]
STATE OF UTAH
DIVISION OF STATE HISTORY
603 East South Temple
Salt Lake City, Utah 84102
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
346 North Main Street
St. George, Utah 84770
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
PM
9 JUL
1970
[-PAGE 32-]
Utah State Medical Association
42 South Fifth East Street / Salt Lake City, Utah 84102/Telephone (801) 355-7477
OFFICERS
John H. Rupper, M.D.
President
Russell M. Nelson, M.D.
President-Elect
Homer E. Smith, M.D.
Past President
Allan H. Barker, M.D.
Treasurer
Mr. Hoyt W. Brewster
Executive Director
Mr. Harold Bowman
Senior Consultant to the
Executive Director
June 30, 1970
Mr. Everett L. Cooley, Director
Utah State Historical Society
603 East South Temple
Salt Lake City, Utah
Dear Mr. Cooley:
The attached letter was recently received by John H. Rupper, M.D., President of the Utah State Medical Association. It was considered at the recent meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Association.
In the course of the discussion, it was recommended that the letter be made available to certain institutions and councils within the State to provide a sounding board as to any interest or suggestions that they might have in connection with it. Should you have any suggestions to make, or any reactions with which to respond, we would appreciate receiving these.
Thank you for your interest in this matter.
Sincerely,
HOYT W. BREWSTER
Executive Director
HWB/mah
Attachment
[-PAGE 33-]
Samuel B. Hadden, M.D.
135 South Nineteenth Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
19 May 1970
John H. Rupper, M.D., President
Utah State Medical Association
1275 N. University Avenue
Provo, Utah 84601
Dear Doctor Rupper;
The City of Philadelphia and its medical community have been planning for their part in the Bicentennial celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence for almost five years and we hope to have a very extensive celebration even if Philadelphia is not selected as the center of the Bicentennial celebration. It is our intention that Philadelphia become a model medical city and plans are afoot to integrate all health activities so that there will be more effective delivery of health care.
I am chairman of a subcommittee to plan historical and commemorative aspects of medicine for this celebration. We are planning the erection of a building in which permanent historical and commemorative exhibits will be placed.
Philadelphia is the city of many medical firsts. It was here that the first medical school and the first hospital in the U.S.A. were established. We will emphasize that five physicians signed the Declaration of Independence and hope to commemorate the important and historical medical events that have occurred in all parts of the United States by suitable means.
We are inviting each state, all branches of the armed services and many other medical groups to plan some exhibit commemorating the advances of medicine in their particular area, and I am herewith asking you and the Medical Society of Utah through a committee or other means to consider participation in the development of a permanent historical and commemorative exhibit of some outstanding medical events from your state to be made a part of the exhibit planned for the bicentennial celebration in Philadelphia.
I would appreciate being informed of the action of your society as early as convenient and since I will be at the meeting of the American Medical Association in Chicago I would feel privileged to speak to your delegation should you so desire. I can be reached at the headquarters of the Pennsylvania Medical Society in Chicago during the A.M.A. meeting or at my office address at any other time.
Sincerely yours,
Samuel B. Hadden, M.D.
[-PAGE 34-]
4545 South 2760 East
Salt Lake City, Utah
July 24, 1970
Mrs. Juanita Brooks,
St. George, Utah
Dear Sister Brooks:
In 1946 I was with a brother and he took me to a building in Los Angeles where I met a Daniel H. McAllister. He was the son of Daniel H. McAllister who spent a year (1876) with the first Mormon colonists on the Little Colorado. I told this McAllister junior that I was a son of one of the pioneers who settled the Little Colorado and he informed me that his father spent a year there and wrote a diary. I succeeded in getting a copy of the diary for the one year period he was in Arizona which was all I cared for at the time.
Since then my horizon has broadened and I am wondering what became of this diary or journal. I was of the opinion that McAllister was guarding it pretty closely and it would be most difficult to obtain.
In going through some old letters yesterday I ran across a letter from this man. It was an official stationary with the heading as follows:
Frank N. Killam
Chief, Bureau of Bldg & Grounds
Sacramento
State of California
Department Of Finance
114 California State Building
Los Angeles, California
- H. McAllister
Manager Calif. State Building
Los Angeles
December 21, 1946
The writer of the journal was born in 1857, the 4th child of John D.T. McAllister and Ellen Handley. His name was Daniel Handley McAllister. It comes to me that John D.T. McAllister was president of the St. George Temple at this time. His name is listed in Biographical Encyclopedia Vol. 1, 334, but I do not have this volume.
If this McAllister journal has not been copied or secured in some library we may be missing a good one. Will be pleased to hear from you if you know anything about it
Yours Sincerely,
George Tanner
George S. Tanner
[-PAGE 35-]
George S. Tanner
4545 South 2760 East
Salt Lake City, Utah
84117
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
St. George, Utah.
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
PM
24 JUL
1970
[-PAGE 36-]
BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERISTY
PROVO, UTAH
84601
ERNEST L. WILKINSON, PRESIDENT
132 Joseph Smith Bldg.
July 28, 1970
Juanita Brooks
Box 303
St. George, Utah
Dear Sister Brooks:
Your recent leter reminds me of neglected files on Oliver Cowdery. I am right now engaged in intensive work on the earliest visions of the prophet, putting together all known historical references and trying to integrate them. I find it remarkable that references made over a period of several years on spontaneous occasions fit so intimately. They seem to reflect a real experience which could be remembered in individual detail, and the statements about the early visions certainly do not seem to be prepared for publication, but rather simply and even incidentally spoken. I will have an article on one of these visions in the September Era, and I hope something more significant by way of publication materializes after that. Our friend Jerald Tanner took the position in his pamphlet a couple of years ago, that the Miller and Overstreet documents correspond, because Overstreet simply copied Miller. I’m inclined to believe this.
Your additional statements on Pendleton were interesting because I did have the reference to Pendleton. I do not have a reference to Bentley, and so I will appreciate getting that when you see fit to share it. If it is in Northern Utah I will be able to locate it, but you may have access to an avenue of investigation that I have not.
The “bit” about Oliver Cowdery being escorted to the stand by Orson Hyde is in a reminiscence by Davis Frampton. As I recall, Frampton lived in Missouri at the time of the Cowdery-Whitmer excommunications in the spring of 1838. Frampton’s comments to the Deseret News also indicate that he was quite historically conscious. In his statement given to Judge Booth here in Provo, he said that he sat in the front and saw Cowdery escorted to the stand by Hyde. Booth made a copy of Frampton’s letter, certifying that, since he was an attorney with some knowledge of certification procedures, and he sent this to the Church Historian’s Office. The David Frampton statement is there.
I appreciate being able to discuss the issues on this question with you in a non-emotional situation. I am sure that both of us as historians do not have a vested interest in the facts coming out one way or the other. In my research on Cowdery I have done my best to face whatever facts were there, and not try to [illegible-] the issue in direction of faith promoting interpretations. As we both know, facts are facts, and no amount of hiding will ever cover them up. You are presently taking the position that the Cowdery return was a contrived situation by officials and suggest that the rank and file were not entirely happy about what other things and perhaps not this. It is simply because there are so many rank and file statements to corroborate the official version that I accept the genuineness of Cowdery’s return. Why would David Whitmer
[-PAGE 37-]
Juanita Brooks
July 28, 1970
Page 2
say that Oliver Cowdery returned to the church at Kanesville and even refer to his baptism? This he does in his opening sentences of his address to all believers of the Book of Mormon. No one knew more about Oliver Cowdery’s final year and a half than David Whitmer because Oliver dies at David’s home in Richmond, Missouri. Furthermore, David had no interest whatsoever in promoting the cause of the “twelve”. I simply raise this as a question for your consideration, not as a point of debate.
Let’s keep in touch on this issue. I will look forward to hearing more of Richard Bentley when you get the chance to send his material to me.
Sincerely,
Richard Anderson
Richard L. Anderson
Professor of History and Religion
RLA/sc
[-PAGE 38-]
RLA 132 JS
BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION
JOSEPH SMITH BUILDING
PROVO, UTAH 84601
Juanita Brooks
Box 303
St. George, Utah
PROVO
JUL 29’70
UTAH
“Learning for Self-Improvement”
1970 BYU Education Weeks
OK Nicholes
John Cochane
3-3010
[-PAGE 39-]
Box 303, St. George, Utah
August 9/70
Dear Brother Anderson,
You’ve got me all mixed up. I can find in David Whitmer and Oliver Cowdery’s coming to Kanesville, nor a word of his baptism. I assure that my pamphlet is the same as yours.
On page 8 I read that
…”I will say once more to all mankind, that I have never at any time denied that testimony or any part thereof. I also testify to the world, that neither Oliver Cowdery or Martin Harris ever at any time of the divine authenticity of the Book of Mormon. I was present at the death bed of Oliver Cowdery, and his last words were, “Brother David, be true to your testimony of the Book of Mormon!” He died here in Richmond, Mo., on March 3rd, 1850. Many witnesses yet live here in Richmond, who will testify to the truth of these facts, as well as to the good character of Oliver Cowdery.”…Not a word of any baptism!...
In CHAPTER III TO BELEIVERS IN BOOK OF MORMON, I can find nothing about his return to Kanesville or any reference to his baptism. I have read all of Chapter III and most of Chapter IV.
Anyway, Brother Gunn (p. 203) says that “Oliver arrived in time to meet in Conference on the 24 of October 1848.” (BUT IT WAS HELD ON OCT. 21! Miller says so; Overstreet says so; George A. Smith says so; the LDS Bio. Ency. says so) If he were there that early, why did he wait until Nov. 12 to be dipped in the river?
This could have happened; perhaps it did happen. But it must not have soaked in or in only fifteen months he would not have been called Oliver Cowdery ESQ. That is a dead give-away; He would have been “Brother” or “Elder” if he were in good standing.
My pamphlet is AN ADDRESS TO ALL BELIEVERS IN CHRIST by a Witness to the Divine Authenticity of the Book of Mormon. David Whitmer, Richmond Missouri, 1887.
All good wishes,
JB
My regular machine is in the apt house in SLC & this is an ancient portable. I often gets out of hand.
[-PAGE 40-]
August 11, 1970
Mrs. Henry Tumen
135 South 18th Street
Philadelphia, PA. 19103
Juanita Brooks
Box 303
St. George, Utah 84770
Dear Mrs. Brooks,
I hope you are going to be understanding of my inability to send you the Myers Cohn material, as I had promised, this summer… (I still hope to do it!!!)
In fact, I do have it all down, but must organize my notes, and have been unable to do this, to date, because of the death of my Aunt Miss Emma Cohn (a daughter of Myers and Sarah Cohn) who lived here, with us, and who just died, unexpectedly, on July 7th. She was 91 years old…
There has been a lot of work to do, in connection with her funeral (in Salt Lake City) and in moving my Mother who is 93, into another apartment with a nurse…so July has gone, in this way, in an unexpected way, but using up the whole month, to get Miss Cohns’ affairs in order, and my Mother settled.
Now I am, unfortunately, going into the hospital, on Monday, August 17th to have an eye operation, so must defer my work for you, until I get out and have recovered from that…
I am eager to get at the Cohn Family history, no only to send it to you, but also to have a friend in Europe look up their origins (as she did for the Hirschman Family for me) so I muskt get it in good order, for you both…
Please send me what you have, already, written up on both the Cohn, and Hirschman Families, so that I can add to it…You can probabay have them Zeroxed for me…
With kindest greetings, and I hope your summer has not been as hectic as ours has!!!
Most sincerely,
Bernice Hirshman Turner
[-PAGE 41-]
UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY -LOGAN, UTAH 84321
SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES
OFFICE OF THE DEAN August 12, 1970
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
Mr. Pete D. Gardner
Dear Colleagues:
Enclosed please find summaries that represent the results of our recent balloting for Vice President of the Utah Academy. The figures represent the sums of scores from the three independent ballots that were prepared by the three of us. Dr. Neuhold is top man, with the score of 8; Dr. Hammond next with 5, and Dr. Wagner third with 4. I presume we will agree that Dr. Neuhold should be our nominee for the office, with perhaps a recommendation that Dr. Hammond be first alternate and Dr. Wagner second alternate in case Dr. Neuhold should not be available.
Since we are handling this through correspondence, I shall appreciate your verification of this conclusion or your suggestions as to any further balloting that might seem desirable. As soon as I have assurance from all members of our committee concerning the results of the voting, I shall inform Dr. Bussof the results.
Sincerely yours,
- Gardner
Eldon J. Gardner, Dean
School of Graduate Studies
EJG:bjt
Enclosure
[-PAGE 42-]
--BALLOT--
Please vote for three, assigning number 3 to your first choice, 2 to your second choice, and 1 to your thirds choice.
____ Dr. Orson Cannon, Head, Botany Department
_5__ Dr. D. M. Hammond, Head, Zoology Department
_1__ Dr. George F. Knowlton, Extension Entomologist
_8__ Dr. John M. Neuhold, Director, Ecology Center
____ Dr. Rex Spendlove, Head, Bacteriology Department
____ Dr. Joseph C. Street, Professor of Animal Science
_4__ Dr. Fred Wagner, Associate Dean, College of Natural Resources
____ Dr. Herman Wiebe, Professor of Plant Physiology
[-PAGE 43-]
UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY
SCHOOLS OF GRADUATE STUDIES
LOGAN, UTAH 84321
Mrs. Juanita Brooks
- O. Box 303
St. George, Utah 84770
LOGAN
AUG 13’70
UTAH
ans enclosed
[-PAGE 44-]
Box 303, St. George, Utah
August 16, 1970
Dr. Eldon J. Gardner
School of Graduate Studies
Utah State University
Logan, Utah 84321
Dear Dr. Gardner:
Thank you for yours of August 12. I was in Salt Lake City when it arrived here—hence this delay. I should tell you that after September 2 I shall be there for the winter. My address will be 98 U Street.
I think that we have done as well as we could under the circumstances in nominating—or suggesting names—for men to fill the office of vice-president of the Utah Academy. I am in full agreement with your recommendation.
Sincere good wishes,
Juanita Brooks
[-PAGE 45-]
Mrs. Richard L. Bushman
24 Irving Street
Arlington, Massachusetts 02174
19 August 1970
Dear Mrs. Brooks,
A group of Mormon women in the Boston area has been meeting this summer to talk about our lives and future options. While Gene England was here recently we persuaded him to let us edit a special issue of Dialogue on women and the Church, to come out a year from now. We hope women from a broad range of geographical and philosophical positions will be included and wondered if you would be interested in contributing.
Sometime ago I read an article of yours in the Utah Historical Review about your journal-copying project during the depression (Jest a-Copying’ Word fer Word” or something similar). I remember some allusions to difficulties you had attending college as a young widowed mother, and wonder if you would be interested in telling that story. The problem of crossing over from domestic to professional life, especially with children, is of great interest to our group. We always wonder how successful women made it and would like to hear your answer.
Gene fears you bear a grudge against Dialogue because your first ms. was lost. I hope it isn’t so.
Sincerely,
Claudia Bushman
Claudia L. Bushman
(Mrs. Richard L.)
address after Sept. 1
28 Oak Street
Belmont, Mass. 02178
[-PAGE 42-]
Beth Ann Address
Wm Bruker
Sam Allan
942-3145
Hesloe New
533-5755
Blue Ribbon Realiters
292-4195
Irene Jensen 299-3332
Marvin Jensen
Aunt Josie
Taggart arrives with Brent Crosby Feb. 12, 1970
March 27-“ Get Present
Will dies – March 28 1970
Book Club Dec. 22 1970
Picket died
Picket & Scarth
July 2, 1971 $98.58
Sept 22 1971 Jim Scarth 138.00
Chem 365
December 21