On Our Way to New York City

Hello Dear Reader,
We arose early Thursday morning. Grandma (Caroline) Hall had prepared a lovely breakfast for us of hot cereal and warm malted milk. But we were all too nervous to eat much and I'm afraid we hurt her feelings. She told Grandma (Mary) Carter that we were her pickiest grandchildren and never liked anything she cooked for us. She had worked hard to help us prepare for travel. I remember she sewed a pocket high up on my slip where $250, that I had saved from my part-time job, could be carried without fear of a pickpocket. I know she was worried we would get hungry on our trip.

I don't remember who took us to the airport but I think it might have been Bishop Olsen who dropped us off on his way to work. Grandpa (Wesley) Carter said, "There were many friends and relatives [at the airport] to bid us farewell."--I don't remember much about our departure. We flew to the Chicago Midway Airport (The O'Hare Airport had not yet been built.) None of us had ever flown before and we all felt a little queasy. It came as quite a shock that we had to change planes and were not flying straight to New York City. Grandpa and Grandma rushed us down the corridor to the gate we had to be at to catch our connecting flight.

The plane's atmosphere was foreign to us. Cigarette smoking was not yet prohibited on domestic flights and the cabin soon filled with second-hand smoke. We were served a meal and many of the people on the plane had alcoholic beverages. Some of the people became boisterous and all of us including Grandma felt out of our element. But the flight from Chicago was fairly short and soon we were in New York City.
Love,
Aunt Genni

Journey's Eve

Hello Dear Reader,
The last few days we spent in America were interesting but filled with stress. Grandpa (Wesley) Carter had to finish building a storage shed to hold our belongings. The task was not easy considering he had two broken fingers.

Grandma (Mary) only wanted to spend time with Carol and her new baby. Baby Scott was Grandma and Grandpa's first grandchild. He had been born August 27. Grandma always adored babies so you can imagine how hard it was for her to leave Carol and this little one who was just over two weeks old.

On September 13, with our bags all packed we went to spend the night at Grandma (Caroline) Hall's house. Things had come together like clockwork and the new renters were in the process of moving into our house. Curfew was early that night as we were to leave for the airport early the next morning. We didn't sleep well that night but we had no idea what a life-changing experience we were in for.
Love,
Aunt Genni

A Farewell Testimonial

Hello Dear Reader,
We had about a week left before our trip which could have been very inconvenient but Grandpa (Wes) Carter had an old pickup truck he used in his construction business that provided transportation when we had to get somewhere farther than walking distance.

Things were happening very quickly now. On September 10 there was a Farewell Testimonial held in our honor. The program was filled with hymns and talks by people we loved. It's interesting to look at the program now and see that the Sacrament Song was "I Stand All Amazed," which was Grandpa's favorite hymn. I had forgotten that Blaine Bray, Grandma (Mary) Carter's nephew, sang a solo, "It May Not Be on a Mountain Height." Two stake presidents and two bishops spoke and each of us gave brief remarks. The scripture included in the program was, "And inasmuch as my people build a house unto me in the name of the Lord, and do not suffer any unclean thing to come into it, that it may not be defiled, My glory shall rest upon it."
Doctrine and Covenants 97: 15.

After the Sacrament Meeting we returned to our home where we were packing our bags. I don't remember if people came by or not but it seems to me that they didn't. We had said most of our good-byes at the church. There were only three more days until our departure.
Love,
Aunt Genni

Final Preparations

Hello Dear Reader,
Our busy schedule didn't slow down the week before departure. Arrangements had been made for Grandpa (Wesley) and Grandma (Mary) Carter to be set apart as building missionaries so we went back to Salt Lake for that event. Billy, LeAnn, and I were there when Spencer W. Kimball set them apart.

On the way back to Provo that evening we were involved in a car accident. We were going through an intersection betweeen Murray and Midvale (remember there was no freeway at that time) when a car that was stopped on the other side of the light waiting to make a left turn was rammed by a woman who was distracted by one of her children. Grandpa yelled, "Watch out, we're going to crash and turned the wheel trying to avoid the ensuing collision. We were t-boned and Grandma immediately began to cry. Grandpa said, "Oh, shut up!" That broke the tension and we all laughed. Then we examined ourselves to see if everyone was all right. Grandpa had some broken fingers and, I think, a slight concussion but that seemed to be the extent of our injuries.

Our first reaction was to get out of the car but Grandpa was wearing a new suit which was pinned in the door so he told us to stay in the car until the police came. Then we worried about how we would get home as the car wouldn't start. But Grandpa said Bishop Olsen, his former counselor would be traveling back to Provo after work and would see us so not to worry about getting home.

The police came and were able to remove the car door without tearing Grandpa's suit and, sure enough, soon Bishop Olsen drove by with whoever he carpooled with, saw us, and stopped to get some of us home. Our car was demolished but the insurance paid the same amount (I think it was $500) Grandpa and Grandma were going to sell it for. So this was just a small blip in our final preparations.
Love,
Aunt Genni

Surprise, Surprise

Hello Dear Reader,
The family was filled with mixed emotions as we prepared for England. Grandma (Mary) Carter was worried that we might have to live in a thatch-roof house and so there might be bugs and rodents to contend with. (Grandma could think of lots of things to worry about.) She was also worried about schools, money, and such. LeAnn, Billy, and I were mostly worried about making new friends. But through all of our worries Grandpa (Wes) was very reassuring and so, for the most part, we were just excited to visit new places and experience new things.

We went to Orem to visit with Uncle Morrie and Aunt Angie because Uncle Morrie had been in England during World War II. It was fun to talk to him and he gave us some idea of what it would be like but it had been nearly twenty years since he had been there so we knew there were surprises ahead. What we didn't know was that we were in for a more immediate surprise.

Grandma had sent for Grandpa's birth certificate which was needed for his passport application. When the certificate came Grandpa and Grandma were shocked. His whole life Grandpa had celebrated his birthday on Christmas Eve but his birth certificate stated he was born on Christmas day at twenty minutes past midnight. After discussing this and remembering Grandma (Annie) Carter had always claimed he was born at twenty minutes before midnight, Grandpa concluded that his mother had wanted him to have a day of his own so for forty-two years he had celebrated his birthday on the wrong day.
Love,
Aunt Genni

Preparing to Go

Hello Dear Reader,
After Grandpa (Wesley) and Grandma (Mary) Carter spoke with Brother Mendenhall they were sent to the office of Dyke Walton where the building missionary program was explained and the wheels put in motion for the Carter family to depart for England.

The next few weeks were very busy. The family had to obtain passports, get vaccinations, and rent their home. Grandpa had to finish the Oakhills building, get the new Provo Stake Center started and turn its construction over to Uncle Ed and Ralph Burk. There were also other odds and ends that needed to be taken care of.

Grandpa and his brothers had invested in a geiger-counter and had staked a claim out on the west desert. Grandpa asked his brothers to please work the claim while he was gone so no one could jump it. There were also other business matters to attend to. And there were things to sort through and store or give away, clothes to buy, callings to be released from, and many, many people to say good-bye to. It was a busy time but one full of anticipation and excitement.
Love,
Aunt Genni

Pioneer Day

Hello Dear Reader,

By the time Grandpa (Wes) and Grandma (Mary) received their calling from the First Presidency it was almost Pioneer Day. That year we celebrated in a special way with Aunt Deon, Uncle Vic, and their children. Early on the morning of the 24th we drove to Salt Lake City for the Days of 47 parade. If I remember correctly we met Aunt Deon's family there. It was a great parade and we enjoyed the company very much.

After the parade we all drove to Heber City to swim at the Homestead where the pool was filled with warm spring water. It was a wonderful day. I can't recall all the details but I will always remeber the warm, happy feeling I had as we celebrated with our cousins and Aunt and Uncle. It seems like we laughed a lot.

In the afternoon when the fun had all been had we posed for a family photograph. Because the weather had been so hot Grandpa had decided to have his hair cut short. But after he saw his photograph he remarked, "Well look at that, I look like Mitzi the Pinhead." He decided he would never get his hair cut like that again.

Love,

Aunt Genni

Officially Called

Hello Dear Readers,
The official call to "Brother and Sister Carter," arrived on July 21, 1961 and was signed by the counselors in the first presidency of the Church, J. Reuben Clark Jr. and Henry D. Moyle. The letter said in part, "We therefore call you to this service in England, and extend to you in advance our sincere appreciation for your willingness to so serve. You will labor under the direction of the supervisor of building construction, who will give you specific assignments for your labors, and make provision for your housing while you are so engaged. The Church will provide transportation for you to and from England, and also arrange for a limited and stipulated expense allowance while you are engaged in these building activities.

"Please be assured that you have our confidence, our commendation, and our blessing in this important undertaking for the advancement of our Father's Kimgdom in the part of the world to which you are to go. We promise you a great rewarding satisfaction for your faithful labors."

The Carter family were about to embark upon a great adventure.
Love,
Aunt Genni

A Call From Salt Lake

Hello Dear Reader,
Shortly after Grandpa (Wesley) Carter made the commitment to build a building in the Provo Stake he was contacted by Wendall Mendenhall's secretary in Salt Lake City. Brother Mendenhall was head of the Church Building Department. His secretary asked if Grandpa and Grandma would come to Salt Lake to visit with Mendenhall. Of course they consented.

When they arrived at the Building Division offices at 150 North Main Street, Grandpa and Grandma were invited into Brother Mendenhall's office. Grandpa said, "I [don't know] how I knew but for some reason it came as no surprise to us [when we were] asked if we would consider going on a building mission to the British Isles for the Church. Brother Mendenhall was surprised that Grandpa and Grandma accepted so quickly and that their family would go anywhere they were asked to go.
Love,
Aunt Genni

Keeping On Keeping On

Hello Dear Reader,
As the construction of the Edgemont Ward building was in its final stages Grandpa (Wesley) Carter was contacted by Ora Hatch once more. President Hatch asked Grandpa if he would consider building a new LDS building in his stake. Grandpa told him that as soon as he was finished with the Oak Hills building in the East Sharon Stake he would be most happy to take on the construction of a building in the Provo Stake. It seems that Grandpa had built his reputation as a good building contractor and some of the stake presidents in Provo were impressed with his ability.

Grandpa seemed happy in his work but construction work is hard physically and I know he was worried about the future when his physical abilities would become diminished. But in the meantime he just kept on keeping on.
Love,
Aunt Genni

Kent and Carol Grow Up

Hello Dear Reader,
As Grandpa (Wesley) and Grandma (Mary) Carter's lives continued to be full of everyday adventures so did those of their children. Kent turned 19 on May 24, 1960 and was called to serve a mission in the Western States Mission. His mission call was signed by David O. McKay, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was dated November 1, 1960. A week later Grandpa and Grandma received a letter from Daisy H. Romney, his mission mother with instructions of things he should know and what he should take with him. Then on November 20, a Farewell Testimonial was held in his honor in the Rivergrove 2nd Ward and he entered the Mission Home November 28th.

About 10 weeks later, on February 10, 1961 Carol was married to John C. Buckley. The wedding was held in the living room of our home and, if I remember correctly, Grandpa Carter performed the ceremony. So, within a short period of time, Grandpa and Grandma's two oldest children had left home and were creating new lives for themselves.
Love,
Aunt Genni

Continuing to Build

Hello Dear Reader,
By the spring of 1960 Grandpa (Wesley) Carter had finished the Provo Welfare Cannery and the Edgemont 2nd and 3rd Ward Building and had begun construction on the addition and remodeling of the Oak Hills, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and stake building. For those of you who know where Deseret Towers were located on 9th East, it is the church building just east of there.

When I think of that building I think of Grandpa's story about one of his crew commenting on the beautiful carillon bells that rang hourly on BYU campus. One of the other crew members kept asking, "What?" and then finally responded, "I can't hear you for those d[arn] bells!" Of course now, whenever I hear the bells, I think of Grandpa's amusement at telling the story.

The first picture is of the completed Edgemont building and the second picture is of the completed Oak Hills building.
Love,
Aunt Genni

Death in the Family

Hello Dear Reader,

On September 11, 1959, while Grandpa (Wesley) Carter was working on the Edgemont building he received a telephone call from Grandma (Mary). She had called to tell him that his mother had passed away. Grandma (Annie Blake) Carter had been in the Lehi hospital for several days after suffering a heart attack. She had been ill for some time so the family were not too surprized but Grandpa said, ". . . when death comes to people you love dearly it is never easy."

Grandpa had loved his mother dearly. When he wrote his history he reflected upon the great influence she had been in his life and how she supported him in everything that was good and righteousl He said, "So to a great lady I have nothing but great love and affection for her and for my pleasant memories of her in influencing my life." He was grateful that she had been able to stay with us occasionally during the last few years of her life.

I'm thankful for that blessing as well. Grandma taught me many things and was always patient and kind to me. I was in the 9th grade when she died and the funeral procession went right by Dixon Junior High where I was enrolled. The next day my art teacher commented on the huge funeral procession that had passed the school--it was huge. Grandma had many people who loved her.

Love,

Aunt Genni

Building a Life

Hello Dear Reader,
While Grandpa (Wesley) Carter was in the process of building the subdivision for Bushnell Reallity at 500 North 1055 West he was contacted by Ora Hatch, stake president over construction of the new Provo Regional Welfare Cannery, and Fred Marhman, the architect. They asked him to submit a general contractor's bid for construction of that building. He began building the cannery in the summer of 1959. I don't remember exactly where it was but it was in the southeast section of Provo.

Shortly after starting the cannery Grandpa was contacted by Ben Lewis, stake president of Sharon East Stake, who asked him to build the new Edgemont 2nd and 3rd ward chapel. He started construction on that building the same summer. I don't remember exactly where it was but it was in the northeast section of Provo (up towards Provo Canyon). So Grandpa had two major building projects going on at once.

That fall he was called to serve on the high council of the West Utah Stake in Provo. It seems that from then on building churches and the Church were to be his lot in life.
Love,
Aunt Genni

Grandma's Rewarding Life

Hello Dear Reader,

While Grandpa (Wes) Carter was involved in many things, Grandma (Mary) was also involved in rewarding activities. She served as Judge of Elections for several years and we actually had voting booths in our living room on at least two occasions. She was also very active in church callings (she loved serving as Junior Sunday School Coordinator) and Relief Society homemaking meetings. She planted flowers every spring and canned fruit every summer. She spent a lot of time with Grandma (Caroline) Hall just visiting, helping her quilt, or doing things for her. She got Billy enrolled at BYU Nursery School and ran back and forth taking and retrieving him, worked in the PTA, was involved in her other children's activities, and always found time to visit with and do the hair of the elderly women who came to see her. She seemed to find odd jobs such as delivering phone books to bring in extra money and give her children something to do. She was a charter member of Camp Blue Spruce of Daughters of Utah Pioneers and was actively involved in that organization.

I thought my mother was beautiful and I was very proud when her picture appeared in the newspaper showing off some baked goods she had prepared for the holidays. She had a hearty, contagious laugh that she inherited from the Hall side of the family. She led a busy, productive life.

Love,

Aunt Genni

Life: Still Rewarding

Hello Dear Reader,
Grandpa (Wesley) Carter had devoted so much time to his calling as bishop that, when he was released, at first he was at a loss as to what to do with his spare time. But that feeling didn't last long. He took a volunteer coaching position for boys in pony-league baseball. At the same time he completed construction of the duplex then was recruited to build a subdivision for Bushnell Reality. In January he was chosen to serve as the alternate member of the Provo City Board of Adjustment and was commended for some work he did for the city. So he was involved in sports, the construction business, government, and his family.

It was soon time for the official adoption of Billy. The procedure took place in the Fourth Judicial Court of the State of Utah, in and for Utah County, 2 May 1958. Judge Tuckett presiding. Then on June 26 Grandpa, Grandma, and Billy made the trip to Salt Lake City to the temple where Spencer W. Kimball, then a member of the Council of the Twelve, sealed them together as a family at 3 o'clock pm. Life was still rewarding.
Love,
Aunt Genni

1957 or 1958?

Hello Dear Reader,
Grandpa (Wesley) Carter had been ordained a bishop by Spencer W. Kimball on May 4, 1951. According to his history he was released as bishop in March of 1958, "after nearly six years." If you do the math, this doesn't add up and I have searched everywhere I can think of to find a certificate of release--all to no avail. I don't suppose it really matters but I try to be as accurate as possible as I relate Grandpa and Grandma's histories.

Anyway, this was a busy, memorable time for the Carter family. One of the last things Grandpa did as bishop was to give Billy a father's blessing and name for the records of the Church. I just found a list of blessings performed by Wesley Carter and he blessed Billy David Carter March 31, 1957 so I think he must have been released in 1957.

But now I have found the program for the missionary Farewell Testimonial given in honor of Elder Harry Lydiksen and Elder Woodrow Blaine Sneed and it's dated Sunday, Nov. 10, 1957. I think Grandpa called them on their missions so Grandpa must have been released in 1958.

But wait, the remarks given at the end of the meeting were made by Bishop Charles A. Sturgill so Grandpa was definitely released in 1957! I think.
Love,
Aunt Genni

Henry

Hello Dear Reader,

Henry was a great hunting dog and Grandpa (Wes) Carter enjoyed hunting very much. His favorite thing to hunt was pheasant although he sometimes hunted quail; Grandpa was an expert shot with the rifle. He especially enjoyed hunting with Kent, his oldest son, who was also an expert shot. Grandpa said, "When I [went] hunting with Kent . . . we never had any trouble getting our limit of birds. A good companion and a good dog traveling through the fields pheasant hunting has been one of the most [enjoyable] experiences of my lilfe." Many friends and relatives welcomed the opportunity to go hunting with Grandpa and his dog, Henry.

Henry didn't always find favor with Grandma (Mary) though. One time he pulled all the clean clothes off the neighbors clothesline much to Grandma's embarassment. She considered him big and awkward but she forgave him after he led Grandpa and her to Billy.

Love,

Aunt Genni

Henry to the Rescue

Hello Dear Reader,

Grandpa (Wes) Carter had a big white and black hunting dog that Grandma (Mary) named Henry. She felt that if the Joneses could name their fancy poodle Riley we should have a fancy name for our dog as well. But Grandma didn't like Henry very much. However, Billy loved Henry right from the start. Henry was very gentle with Billy who would sit on him, pour sand over his head, and other such tricks. The only time Henry nipped at Billy was when Billy bit him first.

Anyway, during all the excitement of searching for the little lost boy Henry kept running back and forth and then he would disappear. Finally Grandpa (and Grandma) followed Henry to the Provo River. There Billy sat throwing rocks into the water. The river was very high that year and very swift. Billy could have been in great danger. We all thought Henry was as much of a hero as "Lassie" or "Rin-Tin-Tin."

Love,

Aunt Genni

Adventures at the Duplex

Hello Dear Reader,
After the Sneeds had brought Billy to Provo life resumed its normal course with children returning to school and Grandpa (Wes) working on the construction on the new duplex which was to become a source of income for several years. I don't remember exactly when the construction started but it was still going on the following summer.

Grandma (Mary) went to Relief Society one day (back in the day when it was during the week) and Grandpa took Billy to the duplex with him. When Grandma went to retrieve Billy he was nowhere to be found. Grandpa had become so engrossed in his work he forgot all about his new little son. We (the other children) and all of the neighbors were enlisted to help search for Billy.

The tension was pretty high for what seemed a long time.
Love,
Aunt Genni

Grandpa's Work

Hello Dear Reader,
After Grandpa (Wes) Carter had dissolved his partnership with Ray Taylor he went into business for himself. Early in the spring of 1957 he worked for Sister Lothfield Newren remodeling her house. For pay Sister Newren gave Grandpa a building lot located at 605 North 750 West. This was a newly-created road that went through from 5th North to 8th North.

Grandpa was an industrious entrepreneur who scrambled to make a living for his family. So he started to build a duplex on the lot he had received for payment. It was nice to have him working so close to home. We children often went over to see how things were progressing and sometimes we were required to lend a hand. Grandpa said, "We started to build a duplex." When he said "we" I think he included, Kent, Ralph Burk, Grandma, Carol, me, and LeAnn. I just remember we seemed to spend a lot of time there.
Love,
Aunt Genni

New Child, New Name

Hello Dear Reader,
The Sneeds had been almost afraid to come back to our house for fear Billy would cry and hang on them again. But their fears were calmed when they did return and Grandpa (Wes) and Grandma (Mary) were able to have a good visit with them.

In the course of the conversation Grandpa and Grandma mentioned that they were concerned about what to name him. Sister Sneed said they had had that conversation on the trip to Utah and their oldest daughter said, "His name should be Billy David--Billy because that was already his name and David after David O. McKay, the prophet, of course." I remember the adults all laughing and deciding that that was the perfect name. So Grandpa and Grandma's new little son was named Billy David Carter. Not William. Grandma could never pronounce the name "William" but Billy. His name wasn't completely new--just the middle and last parts.
Love,
Aunt Genni

The Miracle

Hello Dear Reader,
Grandpa (Wes) and Grandma (Mary) called Sister Sneed and she said it was just like a miracle--that never before had such a thing happened. Grandpa said, "There was much joy in our household at hearing this good news!"

The Sneeds came to Utah at Christmas time bringing Billy with them and staying for the holidays to be with their son, Woody. Of course Grandpa and Grandma had not seen their new son before the Sneeds arrived. He was a cute little boy but he was crying and hanging onto Sister Sneed. She said he cried all the way from North Carolina and had been car sick.

Grandma took her new little son and the Sneeds went to a motel. They thought it would be better for him to bond with our family as quickly as possible. He cried all night long and Grandma sat up with him. But the next day when the Sneeds came back for breakfast Billy was happy and didn't even try to go back to Sister Sneed.

Love,

Aunt Genni

Into the Hospital and Home Again

Hello Dear Reader,
That fall Grandma (Mary) Carter went into the hospital to have the varicose veins removed from one of her legs. As I remember she was there for a few days. On returning home she said, "I wouldn't [have minded] going to the hospital if I could [have come] home with a baby.

The phone was ringing as Grandpa and Grandma entered the house. Grandma took the call. Grandpa recalled, "It was the Welfare [Department] in Provo asking us if we were still interested in the little Indian boy." Grandma answered, "Oh no, they've turned us down and have given us all these reasons why we can't adopt him." The woman at the other end of the line said, "They have moved his case to a new county and right away [the officials in the new county] wanted to know why the boy had not been adopted by you."

Grandma didn't bring a baby home from the hospital but the news of one was awaiting her.
Love,
Aunt Genni

Discouragement

Hello Dear Reader,
Sister (Mary) Sneed suggested that Grandpa (Wes) and Grandma (Mary) Carter go ahead and make application to the Utah Welfare Department despite the North Carolina laws. They were so anxious to have another child that they followed her advice. A man came, interviewed them, and sent his findings to the NC Welfare Department.

It wasn't long until Grandpa and Grandma received a letter from Sister Sneed saying that North Carolina had turned them down. Along with North Carolina laws forbidding interratial adoption the study that was done indicated that the Carters were too religious, had too many children of their own, and the youngest child of the family(LeAnn) was too much older than the little Indian boy.

Grandpa said, "We were very discouraged and [gave] up all hope."
Love,
Aunt Genni

Possibilities

Hello Dear Reader,
Woody's mother, Mary Sneed, corresponded with Grandpa (Wes) and Grandma (Mary) Carter on a regular basis. She was a welfare worker in North Carolina. One particular letter Grandpa and Grandma received from Sister Sneed contained an inquiry that was full of possibilities.

She asked Grandpa and Grandma if they knew of an Indian family in Provo that would be interested in adopting an eighteen-month-old Indian boy. Grandpa and Grandma inquired at the BYU Indian Council but had no success in finding anyone.

They prayed about it, discussed it with the family, and then wrote to Sister Sneed informing her of their findings and asking if it would be possible for our family to adopt the child. She wrote back saying that, according to North Carolina laws, it would be impossible. Who really knew what the possibilities were?
Love,
Aunt Genni

More College Boys

Hello Dear Reader,

Besides the college boys living with our family Grandma (Caroline Ferguson) Hall boarded boys in her home. Our street became pretty popular among girls that age. One young man who lived with Grandma Hall was Harry Lydiksen. The story of his arrival in Utah amazed me because he didn't belong to the Church and arrived just in time to register for BYU.

All of these young men became very dear to us and we considered them members of our family. One of my fondest memories was getting to stay up on Sunday nights until all of the young adults gathered in our living room for gospel discussions. Harry ended up joining the Church. He, Woody, Ralph, and others served missions. Although Johnson Lee never joined the Church he returned to BYU with his wife and child and graduated. I loved the gospel even then and I loved knowing it was being taught in our home.

Love,

Aunt Genni

Adventures at the Carter Dorm

Hello Dear Reader,
Woody and Johnson Lee started feeling comfortable with the Carter family but our food was different than they were used to and I know they considered me, for one, a pest. Meanwhile, another young man returned to our ward from his mission. His name was Ralph Burk. His mother was a widow and had moved to Arizona where the laws governing teaching credentials were not as strict as the newly passed Utah laws. Ralph had no place to live so he also moved in with us. Ralph worked for Grandpa during the summer months and attended Utah State University fall and winter semesters. He regularly stayed with us on weekends as well.

Generally everyone got along very well. The one exception that I recall had to do with school rivalry. I can't remember what kind of game was to be played between BYU and Utah State but Ralph and his friends from USU stole the Victory Bell from BYU. It was mounted on a trailer which they pulled into our garage. Grandma (Mary) was horrified much to everyone's amusement. Woody and Johnson Lee were at a loss as to what to do. You can read about the Victory Bell here. Until today, when I looked this up, I always thought Ralph and his friends had returned the bell to campus. Gullible me.
Love,
Aunt Genni

Cherokee Nation

Hello Dear Reader,

Woody did very well in his first semester at BYU and before we knew it, it was time for him to go home for Christmas. While he was gone Grandpa and Grandma received a letter from him saying he had an Indian friend who was not a member of the Church who would also like to attend BYU.

The administrators of the Indian Placement Program tried to find him a home with another family but weren't successful in their efforts. So Grandpa and Grandma agreed that he should stay with us also. This young man's name was Johnson Lee Owle and he was also very handsome and intelligent. It was beginning to look as though Indians would be part of our lives for a while.

Love,

Aunt Genni

Indian Treaty

Hello Dear Reader,

Shortly after Grandpa (Wesley) Carter was made bishop of the Rivergrove 2nd Ward the Church began what they called the Indian Placement Program. Members of the Church were asked to take American Indian students into their homes to live while they pursued an education.

Grandpa and Grandma asked us children what we would think of participating in this program and we all agreed it would be a good thing to do. So, in the fall of 1954, we had a young man by the name of Woodrow Sneed, a Cherokee Indian from North Carolina, come to stay with us while he attended BYU. He was an intelligent, handsome young man who brought a new dimension into the lives of a family who had been very provincial up to that time.

I haven't come across the photo of our house that I had hoped to show so you could see how different it was then than it is now, but in this photo of Woody you can see the redwood on the front of the house where there is now stone and you can see the white brick planter box that was in front of the porch. Maybe this will give you an idea of the difference.

Love,

Aunt Genni

More Changes

Hello Dear Reader,
Shortly after the Rivergrove Chapel was dedicated the new stake house was finished for West Utah Stake. And shortly after that, the ward was assessed for a new seminary building and a new stake welfare farm. As poor as the members of the ward were, they quickly raised money to pay off their obligations. In at least one case, our ward was the first ward in the stake to pay off its assessment. Grandpa (Wes) Carter felt that he was greatly blessed by the experiences and opportunities that came through association with fine members of the Church--especially those in the Rivergrove 2nd Ward.

But things are seldom perfect. Grandpa began to feel that his business partner, Ray Taylor, was unhappy with Wes's church responsibilities especially when he had to take time off to conduct a funeral or other duties that interrupted their work day. Ray had no use for the Church and became increasingly critical. Wes decided that, after 13 years, it was time to dissolve their partnership.
Love,
Aunt Genni