Give That Turkey the Axe

Hello Dear Reader,
Many times Grandma (Mary Hall) Carter went with her Francis cousins when they herded turkeys. One time they went clear to Scipio in Millard County. Lila and Mary had the assignment to watch the birds awhile when Lila’s brothers took a break from the dumb birds. All of a sudden the turkeys took off flying.

The girls ran screaming after them trying to get them to stop. When the birds got where they wanted to go they landed and started eating. Mary and Lila had a hard time getting them turned around and back where they were supposed to be.

Sometimes the cousins got so sick of turkeys they kicked one in the head killing the bird. Then they chopped off its head, removed its feathers, cooked, and ate the turkey they had killed. Revenge!
Love,
Aunt Genni

Turkey Trot

Hello Dear Reader,
Sometimes Grandma (Mary Hall) Carter went with her cousin Lila Francis to West Mountain where the Francis family had a house and farm where they raised, mainly, turkeys. Lila had to milk a lot of cows and Mary went along to keep her company—Mary really couldn’t milk. Every two weeks, after the milking was done, they walked and ran to "Center" in Lake Shore. They did what they “thought was some kind of Scout thing where you run ten steps and walk ten steps.”

It was a long way from West Mountain to Center. I measured it once and I can’t remember the exact distance but it was way over two miles. When they got to Center they proceeded to get ready and go to a church dance put on by the Elders’ Quorum. Mary said, “We always thought we were so glamorous. We had to make an entrance after they started.” I’m surprised they had any energy left but they did and loved those dances.
Love,
Aunt Genni

Something Up Her Sleeve

Hello Dear Reader,
Lois and Mary (Grandma Carter) both had chores to do at night. Lois hated to do dishes. Mary hated that chore too but Lois was stronger and could milk the cow—Mary didn’t have any strength in her grip. So Lois milked the cow and Mary did the dishes. Lois had a lot of gear that she wore, supposedly to keep warm while she was milking.

One night Lois was getting ready to go do the milking. She put gear on her head and started to put on an old fur coat that her boyfriend, Gus, had donated to the family to wear to the shed. She put her arm in the sleeve and there was a mouse hiding there. Mary said, “Oh, if you’ve ever seen anybody do a dance around the house that was it.” From then on none of the family ever put their coats on until they checked the sleeves.
Love,
Aunt Genni

Glorious High School

Hello Dear Reader,
By the time Grandma (Mary Hall) Carter started high school she was used to the long bus ride from Lake Shore to Spanish Fork. She loved being a teenager. She said, “I had a glorious time. I loved to dance and all my boy cousins would dance with me at the ward dances. I was always a dancer in any of the road shows that we put on or any other entertainments. “

One year she danced at June Conference in the old Saltair pavilion in Salt Lake. Shavy Argyle, her best friend’s brother was her partner. She always spoke of him fondly. I think she must have had a crush on him—but what a weird name. Do you think he shaved his head?
Love,
Aunt Genni

In Memory of Our Kindred Dead

Hello Dear Reader,
Happy Memorial Day to all of you. I have been working hard to post histories of our ancestors on The Family Thicket to honor our kindred dead on this beautiful day. I know none of the histories I have mention war service but many of these good people sacrificed a lot in order to provide better circumstances for us, their descendants.

When you go to the web site you can access the histories in a couple of different ways. If you don't know the genealogical lines you can go to the site map, expand the view, and click on the history you want to read. The navigation bar provides another way to get to the histories.

If the histories seemed long to me I provided an attachment that you will need to click on. Otherwise, the histories appear on the page of the particular person. If you do need to go to an attachment I have tried to give a brief summary of that person's life on their page.

I still have a couple to finish entering. I will get to them today, if possible. But most are posted. If you find mistakes will you please let me know so everything can be as accurate as possible?
Love,
Aunt Genni

Another Tribute

Hello Dear Reader,
In all of my sorting I came across another poem. This one was written specifically for Grandma (Mary Hall) Carter by Aretta Ricks. Aretta was Grandma's visiting teacher for many years. She wrote this June 3, 1998. It is entitled Mary

Your faith in Our Father shines in your face.
Your actions show kindness and love.
You bring a sweet feeling of gladness and joy
As you share with your gifts from above.
Your husband and family, your grandchildren too
Have cherished the care you have given.
Your home is a haven, a port in life's storms.
You've made it a wee bit of heaven.
The tasks you've accomplished, no matter how large--
The classes, the dresses, the meals--
All show you're a marvel at getting things done.
Your handiwork brings many thrills!

So here's to you, Mary, may all of your days
Bring sweetness and light into living,
For you've truly found God's secret for joy
Through caring and serving and giving.

Love,
Aunt Genni

Back to Grandma's Story

Hello Dear Reader,
Before I return to Grandma (Mary Hall) Carter’s adventures in high school I thought I would share a poem that I came across as I have continued to sort through her papers. She wrote, “Carol, I love this poem! Read it at my funeral. (Just say, ‘This is a poem I gave my mother.’)” Sorry I didn’t find it in time for her funeral. But here it is now:

Family ties somehow don’t seem to mean as much these days—
Most children and their parents seem to go their separate ways,
But we happen to be different in a lot of things we do,
And I will always cherish my special ties with you—
You have a place within my heart that no one else can fill—
I need you and I love you and you know I always will!
Love,
Aunt Genni

Making Ends Meet

Hello Dear Reader,
The house Grandpa (Wesley) Carter and his brother, Bill, built for their parents had no electricity or inside toilet facilities. It was lined with cardboard. It must have been difficult to move from their home on Center Street even though the house they moved into was new.

That year Wes went deer hunting, pheasant hunting, and duck hunting. He was successful in each of the hunts. I’m sure his family was grateful for the meat that he provided for them that fall. It was 1938. The country was still experiencing The Great Depression and the Carter family was still struggling.
Love,
Aunt Genni

Building a Home

Hello Dear Reader,
Grandpa (Edward F.) Carter had accumulated a few hundred dollars from his mining lease at Mercur. He was, therefore, able to buy a lot at 1200 West 5th North in Provo. He had enough too to buy material for a frame shell of a house.

Wes had gained building experience working for Cox and Christiansen Company. With the help of Uncle Bill, his older brother, they were able to finish the house and the family moved into it in August that year. The house still stands at that address. Here is a picture of it taken several years ago.

Love,

Aunt Genni

Trying Times

Hello Dear Reader,
Grandpa (Wesley) Carter graduated from high school in the spring of 1938. In his history he didn’t mention how he did academically. I’m sure he missed being on the sports teams but I don’t know how much he missed school per se.

His family was going through a trying time at this point in his life. His grandfather Blake had died and the family was evicted from the house at 900 West Center. His dad (Edward Furlsbury Carter) had cancer and was unable to work. His mother (Annie Blake Carter) was trying to make ends meet by working as a seamstress at Utah State Hospital, the mental hospital for the state of Utah. Annie’s work fell under the WPA and the family had very little cash; most of Annie's wages were received in food commodities. Definitely times to try the Carter family's souls.
Love,
Aunt Genni

Basketball Hero

Hello Dear Reader,

The football team did well when Grandpa (Wesley) Carter played as a senior but the basketball team really excelled. Wes said, “I really achieved.” He broke the region scoring record and was selected as forward on the region all-star team.

One time, in a game against Lehi, Wes was fouled with just a few seconds left to play. He made both foul shots winning the game for PHS. He was a hero! Provo went on to win regional championship and went to state. They didn’t do well in Salt Lake but were eliminated after two day’s play. Oh well, he was still handsome. Look at that curly hair!

Love,

Aunt Genni

Senior Football Squad

Hello Dear Reader,

Despite the sorrow of the previous spring and summer Grandpa (Wesley) Carter continued to play football as a senior at Provo High School. The team did better that year and articles continued to appear in the Evening and Sunday Herald. Here's a picture from the yearbook. Grandpa is in the middle of the front row. Notice the cool uniforms.

Love,

Aunt Genni

Sorrow and Grief

Hello Dear Reader,
When Grandpa (Wesley) Carter was a junior in high school his mother, Annie (Blake) Carter received a phone call from a neighbor of his older sister, Beulah Frisby. Beulah had been married for several years, had no children, and was like a second mother to Grandpa. The neighbor said Beulah was sick and her husband, Royal (Tiny), was nowhere to be found. She had been alone for two or three days and they were very concerned about her.

Wes drove his mother to Salt Lake to assess the situation. They found Beulah very ill and were also unable to locate Royal. They took her back to Provo and admittted her to Aird Clinic hospital. The family took turns staying with her twenty-four hours a day.

Wes and his brother, Bill, were staying with her the night she passed away. Wes was alone with her when she died. This was a hard experience for him--one that affected him the rest of his life.
Love,
Aunt Genni

PHS Basketball Team 1936-37

Hello Dear Reader,
For Mother’s Day I received a new digital camera. I decided to try taking a picture from a newspaper clipping in Grandpa (Wesley) Carter’s high school scrapbook so you can see what he looked like when he played basketball as a junior. I haven’t read anything yet about the features of my camera but just took the picture. Here it is! Not bad, eh? The picture is small but Grandpa is third man from the right on the front row. You can see he was a handsome young man—now you grandchildren know where you got your good looks from.
Love,
Aunt Genni

Hard Times Ahead

Hello Dear Reader,
The Provo High football team did better when they played Spanish Fork and won 13-7. Grandpa (Wes) Carter played in that game. They went to Pocatello, Idaho for their final game of the year and lost the game by fumbles.

Beginning in December they played their first basketball game as reported in the Herald Sunday, December 8th. The basketball team was smaller and very good. They won their first game 25-20. They were off to a good start. In fact, the whole season they played well and did well. Grandpa found success in sports but was about to go through a difficult time with his family.
Love,
Aunt Genni

Frustrating Football

Hello Dear Reader,
Grandpa (Wesley) Carter continued to grow as a football player although the team did not do well. In a Sunday Herald article dated Sunday October 18, 1936, Provo High tied the team they played but Grandpa was said to have been an outstanding player. The next couple of articles dated October 19, and 22, mention the team’s upcoming trip to Las Vegas. When the game was reported on Monday, October 26, the reporter said the Bulldogs lost to a larger and more experienced team.

They finally had some success against Payson when they won 12-0. Grandpa played in that game. The next team they played that season was Carbon High in Price, Utah. They lost again but reportedly played an outstanding game. The football team didn’t give up, but now it was time to start practicing basketball.
Love,
Aunt Genni

Junior Year Football

Hello Dear Reader,
Grandpa (Wesley) Carter’s junior year on the football team found his name appearing in the newspaper numerous times. It is interesting to note that in games reported on September 24, 27, and October 7, 1936 there is no mention of Wes Carter in the paper--and the Bulldogs lost all three games. But on Sunday October 11, 1936 Wes is mentioned and the Bulldogs tied the game. It was the first positive report of the season. He was pretty light but he was definitely a fighter.
Love,
Aunt Genni

The Rest of the Trip

Hello Dear Reader,
Anne and I went back to Fort Madison, crossed the Mississippi River, and had lunch in Nauvoo. I love going there. Crossing the river to Hancock county and back to Lee county reminded me of the Ballengers going across to walk through the Nauvoo temple after the Saints had been driven out of the state. At one of our gatherings Wallace Curl mentioned that he also has Ballengers in his genealogy, providing another avenue to persue.

After an hour or two in Nauvoo we continued our journey. Saturday night we stayed in Tennessee. We arrived at Jill's and David's on Sunday where they had prepared a delicious dinner for us. They then stocked our car with food so we wouldn't have to buy anything on Sunday. We arrived in Tampa at about 10:00 Sunday night. We traveled safely with no incident and the car functioned perfectly. I am grateful for that blessing.

By the time you read this I will be back in Utah. I hope to rest this summer, garden, and spend time at the BYU Family History Library catching up and digesting all of the things I've learned this past year.

Tomorrow I will get back to Grandpa (Wesley) Carter's history.
Love,
Aunt Genni

Future Reunions

Hello Dear Reader,
There are other McNeills in the Denmark cemetery although Orren and some of his brothers are buried in Marion county. After we made the rubbing of Eliza's headstone we drove a little farther north to a cluster of McNeill headstones. Anne and I felt blessed to have experienced a few hours which connected us with our ancestors and the past, and to have made the acquaintance of good and generous people.

We said, "Good-bye," to Marieta with fondness and a desire to be associated with her again. Marieta said that she felt as though we were meant to know each other. The McNeills are planning another reunion in the fall of 2010. They are looking at dates which would make it possible for me to attend. Marieta would like me to come a few days early so we can look at places between Des Moines and Lee county. I hope I will be able to.
Love,
Aunt Genni

Saved by Marieta

Hello Dear Reader,
As Anne and I stood trying to make out the carvings on Eliza's headstone Marieta went to the trunk of her car. She walked back carrying archival paper, masking tape, and several colors of rubbing wax for us to choose from. She taught us how to apply the paper to the headstone and showed us how to rub the wax across the surface of the paper.

To our delight images began to appear and we were able to decipher what was written. A crown and a swagged curtain are at the top of the stone with these words written underneath: Eliza wife of Orren McNeill DIED Dec. 20, 1878, AGED 76 Yrs. 1. Mo. 21 Ds. She was a tender mother here, And in her life the Lord did fear. I will bring the rubbing back to Utah with me.
Love,
Aunt Genni

More Cemeteries

Hello Dear Reader,
As we traveled we viewed the property where Jaybird School had been located. We have connections there. We saw another parcel of land owned by Orren--land I feel was where Eliza lived with her husband and children. From there we went to Lost Creek Cemetery and viewed beautiful headstones with familiar names and heard stories about people buried there.

Then we drove north to Denmark township and the Denmark cemetery. Marieta remarked that they usually visited a certain headstone last but we would be stopping there first that day. I was deeply touched to view the headstone of Eliza Darrow Fifield Bates McNeill, my third great-grandmother. Eliza was buried next to her daughter Louisa Brockway and her husband Wilder Brockway. The headstone for Louisa and Wilder was newer and very readable but Eliza's headstone was old, worn, and very hard to read.
Love,
Aunt Genni

Touring Lee County

Hello Dear Reader,
Anne suggested that I ride with Marieta and she would follow. We thought it a great idea. Marieta was then able to talk to me as we took our tour. We started by going to property that Orren McNeill had owned. It has not been determined where he and Eliza lived as he owned three parcels of land in Washington Township, Lee County.

We then went to Hickory Cemetery with its old headstones and wild violets growing everywhere. What a lovely place to visit.

From there we drove north by properties owned by Warren McNeill, Salmon McNeill, Samuel McNeill, Solomon McNeill, and Amos McNeill. We drove to the stone house built by Amos McNeill. A tour of this home had been the final activity of the reunion attendees the day before. It had been our hope to make it to that activity. It was enough, though, just to view the outside of the charming old house.
Love,
Aunt Genni

After the Reunion

Hello Dear Reader,
Before we said, "Good night," to our newly met shirttail relatives we agreed to meet them for breakfast at 8:00 the next morning. When we arrived at the breakfast room there were other good people we were introduced to and immediately felt a connection with. But that was just the start of an amazing day.

The reunion was over and everyone was heading their separate directions. Marieta, however, said she wanted to show us some of the area before she headed back to her home in Indianola near Des Moines. Needless to say we were delighted. She gave me several documents including maps, cemetery records and two sections of her Application Portfolio. She recently became a certified genealogist--the only one in the state of Iowa. Congratulations to her for this well-deserved honor.
Love,
Aunt Genni

McNeills

Hello Dear Reader,
It has occurred to me that you might like to know just what our connection with the McNeill family is. My third great-grandmother, Eliza Darrow, married, as her third husband, Orren McNeill. Her son, Mark G. Fifield (my second great-grandfather), married, as his first wife, Sally McNeill. Eliza's daughter, Emmi Bates (by Eliza's second marriage to Dennis Bates), married Almond McNeill. Eliza's youngest sister, Olive Darrow, married Thomas McNeill. These McNeills were all close relations--some siblings, some cousins.

These connections are some reasons I chose to name my web page, "The Family Thicket." These relationships are confusing. I hope, however, this summer to make these records available to you on the web. And I hope, while I am here in Florida and have access to NewFamilySearch, to add to or combine some records that appear there.
Love,
Aunt Genni