Honeymoon

Hello Dear Reader,
As they went back through Provo Caroline dropped Wes and Mary at Hotel Roberts in Provo. That’s where they spent their honeymoon—for one whole night.

Each time we went by the old hotel, which was at 192 South University Avenue, Grandma (Mary) would say, "That's where we spent our honeymoon.

Sadly, the hotel was torn down in 2004. An article in the Deseret News said, "The hotel. . . built in 1883 was once host to myriad of social events. 'It was the social center of Provo for so many years. . .Every women's luncheon, every club meeting, all the BYU social activities — before they moved to the upper campus — were always held there.'"

Love,
Aunt Genni

The Wedding

Hello Dear Reader,
Wes and Mary set their wedding date for October 16th. Meanwhile they made plans and spent as much time together as they could. Sundays were special as they alternately went to dinner at the Halls’ or the Carters’.

When the “big day” eventually came Grandma (Caroline Ferguson) Hall and Mary picked Wes up at his home and they proceeded to the Salt Lake temple where they received their temple endowments and were married for time and all eternity.

Love,
Aunt Genni

Proposal

Hello Dear Reader,
After Wes met Mary at the train depot in Salt Lake they stopped at a café for breakfast before continuing their journey to Lake Shore. Mary snuggled up to Wes’s side and he asked her to be his wife. He said, “Of course she accepted.” They were in love.

The following Sunday, when Mary’s father (Laning Hall) returned home from his job on the railroad, Wes asked him for his daughter’s hand in marriage. Wes said (tongue in cheek), “. . . with my dynamic personality, how could he refuse?”
Love,
Aunt Genni

Separation

Hello Dear Reader,
Grandma (Mary Hall) Carter went to Nevada in the summer of 1940 to stay with her sister, Myrl. Grandpa (Wesley) Carter took her to the train depot in Salt Lake to see her off on her six-week trip. I haven’t found any information about what the two of them did while they were apart. I know that Mary was very close to her sister and spent time with her on more than one occasion.

Wes, meanwhile, was probably saving any money that he would have spent on dates, gas, or such. He went back to Salt Lake City to pick her up when she returned. He said her train arrived early in the morning. She had probably traveled most of the night.
Love,
Aunt Genni

Big Spender

Hello Dear Reader,
Occasionally Wes (Carter) took Mary (Hall) to a show, or a movie as we would refer to it today. The price was 25¢ apiece. Their treat was a package of Walnettos which cost 5¢and a 5¢ package of peanuts. Wes said, “In those days I was known as a man about town and a big spender.”

In the summer Wes played softball for the Pioneer Ward M-Men team. His team won the regional championship and went to Salt Lake to compete in the All-church tournament. Wes said, “Of course, I took Mary along. She proved to be my [best] fan and supporter. By then we were going very steady.”
Love,
Aunt Genni

Courting

Hello Dear Reader,
Grandpa (Wesley) Carter was still working for Christiansen Construction Company for $3 a day. He was paying for a car, helping support his family, and courting his wife to be. But he always managed to have a few dollars in his pocket at the end of the week. He and Mary often went to Saturday night dances for the price of $1 per couple.

If you go to the playlist at the bottom of the blog you will find a few added songs beginning with number 9. These are some of the songs that Mary (who loved dancing) and Wes (who was a great dancer) danced to while they were dating.
Love,
Aunt Genni

The Checker Challenge

Hello Dear Reader,
When Grandpa (Wesley) Carter went to Lake Shore to pick Mary up for a date Grandpa (Laning) Hall was waiting and invited him to play a game of checkers. One of Wes’s responses was, “I don’t know much about it so I’ll pass.” Another time he said, “No Sir, you’re too good for me.” In this way he avoided humiliating himself. Mary said, “And Daddy liked him better than anybody.”
Love,
Aunt Genni