Sunday, October 18, 2015

Mary Ann Mitchell Davis- Jack's Maternal Great Grandmother







Letter written by Mary Ann Mitchell Davis - March 9 1881 (Sealed in a time capsule to come forth 1930)

To my much loved granddaughters:
My name is Mary Ann Mitchell Davis.  I was born in London, England, October 19, 1823.  My parent’s names are Robert and Sarah Mitchell.  My grandfather and grandmother on my father’s side are Welch. Their names are Robert and Mary Mitchell, which is all I know of my father’s folks.  My father died when I was two years old.
My great-grandfather on my mother’s side was named Gerring.  They were born in Gloustershire, England.  My grandfather’s name was John Hunt, my grandmother’s maiden name was Sarah Gerring.  She was born in Gloustershire, England.  They had ten children, two died in infancy and eight were raised.  Their names were James, Susan, John, Elizabeth, Ann Sarah, Mary Ann, and Jane. They are all dead except for Aunt Jane.  She was married to Henry Hansell in 1830. She has four children living.
I never had a brother or sister.  My mother lived a widow until I was 11 years old, when she married William Booth.  When I was 19 my mother went blind and remained so until she died at my house in Lehi, Utah, Co., 1875, after being blind 33 years.
I was married to Elisha Hildebrand Davis, December 20, 1846.  I am the happy mother of eight children whose names are as follows:  Ann Minerva, Elisha Hildebrand, Sarah Agnes, Orinda Jane, George Edward, Alphonse Mitchell, Edith Richards and Sabina Ann.


My oldest daughter is deaf and dumb, but is of a very amiable disposition, and also a natural genius.
 She has made a variety of beautiful work which is lovely to behold and she is a blessing to our household.
My son Elisha married Sarah Ellen Stewart, from Battle Creek, 7 miles east of here.  They have had five children: Elisha Stewart, Charles Ashwell (died), Pearl Ellen, Alphonse Leroy and Sarah Ann.
Sarah Agnes was married to Charles Karren of Lehi.  They have three children, Maud Agnes, Orinda Ann and Mary Edith.
Orinda Jane was married to Delbert Allred of Lehi.  They have two children, Orinda Lenore and Jennie.
Alphonse Mitchell was married to Martha Ann Winn of Lehi last December.
I received the Gospel from Lorenzo Snow.  I was baptized the 4th day of February 1841.  I can bear a faithful testimony to the truths of the same, and set to my seal that God is true.
I sailed from England in the ship “America” the 21st of Jan. 1847, arrived in New Orleans the 3rd of April, in St. Louis, the 17th and in Iowa the 24th of May in the same year. I arrived in the valley the 9th day of October 1852.  I have been a Treasurer in the Relief Society for 14 years.  I am also President of the Primary Association, Second District, organized in 1878. Mary Ann Webb and Rebecca Evans are my counselors, and Edith Davis, Secretary.  I can truly say I have had a great joy in my labors.

I thought I would write the acrostic that Wilford Woodruff wrote for me.  (He was one of the twelve apostles)
More precious than gold or the pearls of the east,
Are the virtues and beauties that adorn thy mind
Round thee all noble spirits share in that richest feast
Your melodious voice imparts from lovely gifts divine.
Adorned’s thy soul, with gems which angels love
No power shall take thy crown, for that’s secure above
Noble has been thy aim, through thy deeds of life.
May thy future life be marked by God’s own hand.
Inspired by eternal truth, let peace and joy surround thy brow. 
Tread in the Holy Courts of God, in Zion’s chosen land. 
Celestial love shall  through thy sacred bosom flow,
Heaven’s highest blessings are in store for thee. 
Eternity must lift the veil to point to thy domains,
Live then, O noble lady, for those gifts so free,
Lift up thy head in glory with kindred spirits reign.”
Your grandfather’s name is Elisha Hildebrand Davis. He was born in Columbine Co. State of Ohio. His father’s name was Isaac Davis, and his mother’s maiden name was Edith Richards.  His grandfather’s name on his mother’s side was Abijah Richards.  Abijah was of English descent.  His grandmother’s name was Esther Daniels, who was of German descent.
Your grandfather was on a mission a great many years.  He traveled through many of the states, preaching the Gospel of the Son of God, suffering much, but his labors were greatly blessed, for many were added to the Church through his instrumentality. 


He went to England in 1841.  We have been married 34 years, and have lived a life of peace and happiness, uniting our desires for the benefit of our posterity. 
We have a great desire that our children’s children for many generations may walk in the path of righteousness and enjoy the gifts of the Gospel which will bring them joy and peace.
I have seen many changes since I was baptised, also much joy and much sorrow.  I have seen many turn aside and walk the paths of the ungodly.  I have, also, seen the righteous praise God in the midst of their afflictions.  I can say in the sincerity of my heart that those who seek God shall find Him, and the faithful shall have grace sufficient for their day.
I have received many gifts of the Gospel, which have brought with them the spirit that dwells with my Father in the Heavens, and my testimony is that the faithful shall never be moved out of their place.
I  conclude by wishing that my posterity may never turn aside from the truths, that their habitations may be lovely and be filled with the Spirit of God, and that lives may fall to them in pleasant places, and that they may be numbered up as the precious jewels of Him who is our Father and our God.  Never forget God, and believe me to be,
Your loving and affectionate Grandmother,
Mary Ann Mitchell Davis

Note:  This is the come forth in 1930….fifty years from now.  My home is in Lehi, Utah Co., Utah Territory.


Tuesday, April 22, 2014

WWI- William Thomas goes to war

WW I- 1914
William John Thomas enlisted in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force in Cardston, Alberta, Canada- 11 February 1915. He pledged allegiance to His Majesty King George V and it was witnessed by Major Hugh B. Brown.  He was in the 13th Regiment/ Canadian Mounted Rifles/ 50th Battalion. (Regimental # 118048)    In his enlistment papers he gave Oct.1, 1873 as his birthday, and his place of birth as Monmouth England.   His listed trade was railway conductor.  William was 39 when he enlisted. Orinda was 35,  daughter Leone was 15 and son Jack was 4 years old.




I found this fabric in England with the same Canadian Mounted Rifles picture on it. Because it was the 100th Anniversary of the war, there were commemorations all year in 2014.  These ceramic poppies representing each man who died in the war, were on display all year at the Tower of London. It was very sobering to reflect on the terrible loss of life. The English people have kept their love and support, for those who defended their country, alive for a century....and displayed it in many ways all year long.  We all wore a red poppy on the lapel on commemoration Sunday.  I felt very involved in it all, as my grandfather fought and was a British Citizen.




I did some research and found that the Thirteenth Overseas Mounted Rifles was organized in 1915 and, after training at Calgary and Medicine Hat, landed in Liverpool in 1916. 

Vimy Ridge monument in France- commemorating the Canadians who 
won the battle and lost their lives doing so. 

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Dear Mother, We are all remembering you with fondness on your 98th birthday today. We have missed hearing your voice for eight years, but all the things you taught us echo in our minds and will always be cherished. Your life of love and service to God and mankind is exemplary to all your posterity and many friends.
Your music, stories, and words of love, are being passed on to your grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  We love you Mother.

Monday, February 18, 2013

My Memories of Grandma Ada

Memories of Grandma Ada
by Alice Nielson DeWitt

My maternal grandmother, Ada Thomas, was a great lady.  She was a wife, mother of ten children, grandmother to 60-something grandchildren and 70-something great-grandchildren, pianist, organist, swimmer, runner, dancer, music teacher, frequent bread baker (to feed those kids!), and life of the party!  She loved to have fun, and though she was married to a "health nut" she loved sweets, and always had cookies and other treats for us whenever we came to visit.  We sometimes referred to her as our "Cookie Grandma" when I was little, but we always called her "Grandma Ada."

I loved spending one-on-one time with Grandma Ada.  She was so much fun.  I have fond memories of spending the night at their house; grandma took me to the mall in Scottsdale near their home and we had lunch (and dessert!) at Duck and Decanter.  I don't remember how old I was (maybe 12?) but I will always remember that; just hanging out with my Grandma (who I thought was beautiful and "cool"), window shopping and talking.  I loved every minute of it.

I also remember playing the organ at their house (mostly just playing WITH the organ, rather than actually "playing it").  Grandma would sometimes ask me to play something for her on the piano, which was intimidating, since she played so well, but I did it anyway.  Once after I stumbled through a hymn or something, Grandma taught me an important lesson I will never forget, and for which I'm continually grateful.  She said, "You don't need to look at your hands when you play... just look at the music, and feel the notes with your fingers.  You know where they are.  Keep your eyes up.  You waste too much time looking back and forth between your hands and the notes on the page."  I was surprised!  I don't think anyone had ever taught me that before.  My piano teacher must have mentioned it sometime, though I don't remember if she did, but some reason when Grandma Ada said to do it, it made an impression.  I was certain I would not be able to do it, but Grandma firmly insisted that I try.  I really struggled, but I kept working at it.  I forced myself not to look down at my hands.

I think I learned more from that one "lesson" with Grandma Ada than in all the years I had taken formal piano lessons.  Over time I was able to get better at keeping my eyes on the music, and my piano playing improved vastly because of it.  To this day I avoid looking at my hands when I play.  I think it's one of the reasons I enjoy playing the piano, and I always think of Grandma Ada when I do. 

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Southern California Earthquake, March 10, 1933


A BIT FROM A DIARY— 1933    FRANKLIN STUART NUTTALL PARKINSON
 MARCH 10th, l933.  At 5:56 P.M., just after most business places had closed, many business and working people had arrived home, schools had closed for the usual weekend vacation, and most people were about to sit down to dinner, Southern California experienced an EARTHQUAKE.
  Ora was at the stove finishing the work of serving dinner.  The table was set, chairs in place, and all were ready for the call.  The entire family, otherwise, was around the radio in the front room of a seven room, one story, tile-brick house, located at 1384 Orange Ave., (the corner of 14th and Orange) long Beach, California.  The radio was giving forth the Friday program of “TIME”, which consisted of the news of the greatest week in American peacetime history, that in which FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT became PRESIDENT of the UNION.  We had heard his several speeches and comments on the fast happenings surrounding his inauguration, and his ability to command and shape into organization that which would have floored most men. The program was still going when the phone rang.  I answered it and was talking with Mr. C. A. Emerson when the safe upon which my phone stood, seemed to undertake to throw me out of the house.  While we rocked and tossed from side to side, place to place, each trying to steady the other, Ora came from the kitchen shouting to everyone to GET OUT OF THE HOUSE WE ARE HAVING AN EARTHQUAKE,  while she ran for the front door, her purpose being to get it open so that all might get out. 
  The act of transferring my attention from the phone conversation, first to my contest with the safe, then to the words of my wife and the act of saving the lives of the children, took place slowly and the intervening time was so filled with happenings that one cannot comprehend.  By the time the real hard part of the quake came, I had seen that all the family was out on the sidewalk, and not too soon, because by this time the four walls of the house were all shaking like tent walls in a wind.  While this was going on and before I reached the front (west) door the fire place (north side of the living room) had fallen forward (southward) into the room, there to meet the piano which had come forward from the south side of the room.  A fire had been burning in the fireplace.  I sprang forward and turned off the gas, then ran back through the kitchen and turned off the gas at the range, from which all the food had fallen onto the floor (potatoes, cauliflower, and a roast) and on through the back door (northeast corner of the house) into the garage (attached to the house) where I turned off gas and electricity at the meters.  From the start of the quake to this moment- in all about 15 seconds- the tremblers were going strong.  The fire walls had failed, the north and south walls had parted from the roof and doors and windows had jammed or fallen.  We were in a tight spot, if that saying ever conveyed any thought it seems expressive here.
  We all gathered on Orange Ave., just in front of the house and, upon looking things over, realized that we were out of that house for good, and that our next problem would be to get food and clothing.  To the west of us we could see the fire which had broken out in the Poly High School and began to realized that perhaps more trouble was in store for Long Beach.  The quake had settled down to a very fast vibration only occasionally broken by a slow, long jerk, then back to the vibration, which seemed to be constant.  I ran in and out of the house and secured bedding, clothing, food and effects which seemed absolutely necessary, while the folk carried them and packed them into the waiting car, which stood just north of the house at the curb.
  More things were accumulation than we could find place for so the problem of elimination met us.  We must take only what we had room for and which was necessary to our existence.  What was to be done next we knew not, but we must face the future with only such things as we could or hoped we could take.  First space for our SEVEN and for FLORENCE, NORMA with her BABY, and GRAHAM, must be considered.  The top of the car might serve for packing and conveying bedding, etc., but we could find no rope.  Well we packed things inside and at the back, brought everything we could out of the house,  and put all we could not carry in the garage, hoping that it would not burn.  Once loaded and the doors of the house made fast, we undertook the ride from our past home to where Florence and folk lived.
  Good fortune was with us in making our trip.  There were no cracks in the streets and men were already at work pushing the bricks from fallen walls from the center of the pavements so to let autos by.  We turned south on Warren and east on Anaheim streets.  Anaheim was terrible.  Only about 45 minutes had gone since the first quake and we found the street walled with heaps of fallen brick, timber and debris.  We had heard of people being killed under falling walls, and that quite a number of students at the Poly High were caught in the Gym, and now we realized how it could all be.  Well, we picked our way, one in a caravan of cars, across the city.  The Marines were in charge with a man on almost every corner and others at points of danger and at the banks.  We held firm to our course, until, shortly after turning south on Park St., while hear the Wilson High School at tenth St., Marines informed us that we should not go south, but that we should go for higher ground as fast as possible.    
  The house in which Florence and group lived was a complete wreck, although frame, it had fallen in and crumbled about like a matchbox crushed in the hand.  The girls were out near a bon-fire enjoying themselves in perfect camping comfort and unmindful of the perils which the marines were warning people of, a tidal wave which might come soon.  We informed them and tried to get them all to join us.  Florence and Graham decided that they could help others and witness the experience of the rest of the happenings, regardless what might come.  Norma and baby joined us.  Our next problem was WHERE TO GO.  First we must get out onto the high lands.
  We turned north and made our way over the east end of Signal Hill.  Upon arriving on the crest of the Hill a very severe quake came.  We were shaken for fair while in the car.  As the caravan, for there were thousands of cars, moved forward we came to another cross road, about two miles north from the Hill, and while waiting to cross on our northward flight another severe quake overtook us, and what a shake it was.  It seemed about like we had moved the car onto a platform which could be rocked and shaken, tossed and pitched, with the one exception that all severe movements seems to be toward the hills.  Well we continued along our northward ride, without destination in mind until Ora suggested that we might go to Will’s place in Girard.  This seemed the thing to do, particularly in view of the fact that Norm’s baby was sick, and that we were out of a house until further arrangements could be made for renting and moving, if furniture remained. 
  It was about 11:30P.M. when we arrived at Will’s place.  Only Ruth was home so we had beds, the couch and the floor upon which to sleep, and we were now plenty ready for all we could get without regard to whether hard or soft.
  Next morning Ora and I returned to Long Beach.  We found quakes at frequent intervals and danger lurking on every side.  Ora’s nerve force was at low ebb.  She had only recently had all teeth removed and added to this the shock was all too much and the new quakes made a stop in Long Beach impossible.  We attended to a little business, had our furniture, which was in the open on our neighbor’s porch or in garages, placed under the watch of some one, and make our way back to Girard.
  At this point we shall bring up a few details which we have missed with about 50 minutes from the time of the first quake, or before 7:00 when Long Beach was under marshal law directed by officers on the sea.  Marines were seen everywhere, almost on every corner, and they knew their business.  They gave orders regardless.  Our police and City officers had to take orders from Uncle Sam.  Soon various officers made arrangements to cooperate and to carry out their part of the work, but for days all was to be done under direction of the Marines.

MARCH 11, 1933 – Ora’s Birthday
A few references under the date of the tenth actually occurred on the eleventh.  On our way back to Girard Ora and I passed up Long Beach Blvd. as far as possible.  We found much damage had been done all along the line.  Our neighbors had spent the night around campfires.  We went out to Park Street and got Florence, whom we almost forced into the car.  She had had no sleep and seemed about exhausted.  Graham had worked during the day trying to extract furniture, and he had had no sleep.  How they had managed with food I do not even now know.

MARCH 12, 1933
  Ruth, Florence, Norma, Mother Wilson and I returned to Long Beach.  On the way we passed through parts of the country, which had been hit by the quake, particularly the west and southern parts of Compton.  We worked at the house to get more things out and stored in the garage.  All hands helped until we had about everything, except heavy furniture, out.  Later we visited Graham, and Norma and Florence decided to stay, so they made arrangements at the camp in Recreation Park for a tent and cots.  With the bedding they had they were made quite comfortable.  About 1500 persons were in the camp and seemed to be fairly well organized by this time.  The Marines were still in charge.  Ex-Service men were helping Marines everywhere, and the traffic, for twenty miles in all directions, was controlled by these men.  Graham had worked all day and been up ever since the quake began.  He was about all in and had arranged a cot for the night in the garage back of his wrecked house.  Mother Wilson and I left after dark and arrived in Girard about mid-night.

MARCH 13, 1933
  Will, Ora and I left Girard about 9:00A.M.and made our way through Sawtelle, on through Santa Monica, and Wilmington to Long Beach.  We had gone through Englewood and over the hills down toward Compton, but were not permitted to pass through the town.
The damage done through these cities was plenty, although not nearly so bad as in Compton and Long Beach.  We wanted to get downtown in L.B. and to do so had to park the car near the corner of Linden and 7th.  The business district was roped off against cars.  Our walk brought us within all parts of the business district.  Much damage was apparent everywhere.  We ate a cold lunch at Schuh’s Café, feeling in danger every minute, although the place showed little damage.  The banks paid a few small checks which I presented and the money surely was welcome.  This was the first day banks had done business freely for many days because of the State holiday, followed by President Roosevelt’s orders to remain closed.  (See History)  We checked our things, which were still, in a great measure, on porches and in the open.  The Marines were still in charge.
  Our return home was up Long Beach Blvd., along Florence Ave., and other streets in the south of L.A.  Havoc had been made of brick and some frame buildings all along the way.  The experience was a good one for Will.  He saw the realities, although everywhere by this time the streets had been cleared of the debris and getting around was merely a matter of common sense to be safe.  The quakes were much apparent all day.  
  MARCH 14, 1933
  Again Ora and I went to Long Beach.  This time we took Helen and on the way we spent several hours in the Westwood district looking for a house.  We found several which we could use but we were not satisfied.  We went on to Long Beach, and in the northwest district looked over several places without getting satisfaction.  At the old address we found letters waiting, and telegrams form the home folk, to whom we had already sent post cards and letters. 
  We made new arrangements for the keeping of our furniture, which had been on a neighbor’s porch.  It was stored in another neighbor’s garage.  We learned that the Wilcox youth, who was hurt in the Poly High Gym, was much better and soon to be with his folk again.  People throughout the quake district are still living in the open, most of them under tents.  It had rained slightly during the night but without damage.
  Florence and Norma were working as K.P. at the camp, and Graham was helping.  Chas. L. French is directing the outdoor work at the kitchen. He seemed to have plenty to do and many to feed.  He said that he had been helping with the cooking for a couple of days.  All were well housed and seemed satisfied.
  Throughout Long Beach most of the schools were perfect wrecks and none could ever be used for school purposes again, except for a few buildings, which were concrete and steel.  Many other public buildings displayed the graft of the politician, and I am inclined to think there may soon be DER TAG for those who construct or permit to be built such places for public and school purposes.
  I had occasion to call on a very sweet lady for whom I had been doing some business- Mrs. Georgia K. French- and, while she was soon to pay me money which was not yet due, she paid me $10.00 on account, which came in as a gift from heaven.  We retuned to Girard about mid-night, because we had called on Mr. Aydelotte on the way home.

MARCH 15, 1933
  Mr. J. T. Aydelotte, an old friend, had been to the Girard home of my brother Will yesterday, and left word that I was to look him up as he wanted to help.  I took Ora and Ada with me and we went to Glendale where we met Family Aydelotte.  Mr. Aydelotte joined us in a house hunt.  We located several places and decided that a day’s work had been done.  We arrived home in the early evening hungry and tired.  Mother Wilson and Ruth were prepared for us with good vittles.

MARCH 16, 1933
  About 9:00A.M. we arrived at Glendale again and after several hours we selected a place to live, made arrangements for drayage, drove to Long Beach, where Mr. Aydelotte helped us bring our things out of the falling house, helped the draymen load and sent him to Glendale with the things just as darkness crept over the land.  We then went to the Park and saw Florence, Norma and Graham, with whom we ate supper.  Ada, Ora, Helen, Mr. Aydelotte and I swelled the line of hungry but found plenty of good army ration food ready.  We ate it and went our way feeling that a good days work had been done and that another was to come on the morrow when the furniture should be unloaded at the new location 937 Coronado.

MARCH 17, 1933
  Mr. Aydelotte, Ada, Helen, Ora and I met the draymen and our load of furniture about 9:00A. M.  We made time count and had our unloading and the things in the house by middle afternoon.  I then drove to Girard and brought Mother Wilson, Marjorie, Donald and Stanley to the new home, 937 Coronado Ave., where we all appreciated our beds.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Uncle Kenneth Parkinson at War

Headquarters 414 Motor Supply Train 1st Army Corps American E.F.A.B.O.759 Tonnerre , Yonne, France February 17th 1919
(KENNETH NUTTALL PARKINSON) My Dear Brother Harold: Yours of January 24th, received today, and for which I beg to express my thanks. I am also in receipt of a letter from Will of the same date, conveying the fact of his discharge and stating his many intentions. Your mention of the marriage of George D., as well as that of J. Leo, was certainly in the nature of a surprise. However, I read the account of Leo’s decease in a copy of the TRIBUNE just a few days previous, and in a letter from Miss. La Berge, also learned of George’s departure from the straight and narrow path. However she informed me that the victim was from Detroit rather than from Washington, as suggested by you. But either way will do and leaves the way clear for me to proceed as before, but with certainty. I certainly wish them both the best of luck, as they most certainly deserve it. A man who has the courage to tie himself up for life certainly has all the credit coming to him, as well as sympathy. You might inform Mr. Dorsey that while the path has been hard, yet the results seem to be in my favor, nest ‘pas? Your mention of Parley as being with the 91st Division, I am afraid is a mistake, at least until the signing of the Armistice he was with the 3rd Division of Regulars, and still was the last time I heard from him. It may be that after his evacuation from the hospital that he was transferred, but that I doubt very much. I think you must have misunderstood the letter. But at any event he has made a wonderful record as did the entire 3rd Div. At one time they were within our corps, but the opportunity was not ripe to see him. That was during the Argonne offensive. Unfortunately the toll of officers was very heavy as well as of the men. In one regiment of the 1st Div. that I visited, the 18th Inf., they came out of the Argonne with only 15 and 20 men to the company. However, most of those men were either gassed or rounded and no doubt, finally returned to their organizations. Records show that the losses incurred by the 3rd Div. was 3000 men killed and wounded, as well as missing, which, next to the 1st Div. was the heaviest endured by any division. That was for the entire period of the war.
(3RD DIVISION REGULARS) The 91st Div., while a new Div. and saw only action in the Argonne and some on the British front, distinguished itself in the most wonderful manner. The boys of the West all did, and their names will go down in the history of warfare as of the very best. Man for man, they put it all over the men from the East, though all of them were par excellence.  But the 91st, stands out with a record for a new organization as unsurpassed. They deserve a royal welcome. The 40th Div. to which the 145th Artillery belonged never managed to get into action, with the exception of a few of the men who were used as replacements. That they would have made a record unsurpassed by any Division is openly admitted by all who knew them. They were physical giants, well trained though inexperienced in modern warfare…but men like that learn fast, and I am confident that the Deutsch would have faced one of the toughest problems of their life. Utah may well be proud of her sons. They were there on the spot and were the type to do the job, well officered and well manned. The Idaho regiment has credit to it.
(IDAHO BOYS SUPPLY TROOPS) It belonged to the 41st Div. which Div. was used as a replacement. These men were used to replace the men lost in the divisions of regulars, which in itself speaks for them. No better men were in the American Army. These men we have heard but little of, but believe me there is not a state in the Union that deserves more credit. Idaho can not do enough for her valiant troops. The sustained record of any division is due to the quality of its replacements, and it took men like the Idaho men to furnish that want. They did it as no others could, and their names will live in the laurels of military history. Men like Floyd McDonald and Edward Byers are the heroes of the American army. Both of them are entitled to a citation cord, but I am willing to bet that neither of them wear them. The regular soldier who has gone through a sustained hell doesn’t. Floyd is entitled to two wound chevrons, nearly three service chevrons, numerous service bars, and a citation cord. He and Byers have faced cold steel more times than almost any men in the American army. Then again take Leonard. You people at home who are not familiar with military work and action in this war, other than that of the infantry, have no idea of what those men went through. Did you ever consider that in modern warfare the Engineer works in advance of the Infantry? And further, that the engineers when not busy at anything else, go over the top with the doughboys. Floyd McDonald was an engineer and, perhaps has been over the top 50 to 75 times, taking his life in his hands at each trip, and almost losing it twice. A good many men of the German army went under from his careful aim and bayonet. With Leonard it was different. He was a railroad engineer, and when not running a large engine, was running a narrow gauge, which said lines operate between the second line trenches and the rear. Believe me, there is where it takes courage. Leonard was one of these, luck being with him, however, he came out unscathed. We have numerous men wearing wound stripes, and when the truth is known we have dispatch riders and truck drivers that fare equally with Paul Revere. One of our lieutenants and some men were cited for bravery for an act that ordinarily passes without interest. They were delivering small arms ammunition to the second line with trucks, when the bridge behind them was destroyed by enemy fire. They delivered the ammunition, helped build the bridge and rebuild it, it being destroyed several times, and after four days managed to get back to the company. For four months and ten days our entire organization was posted scarcely at any moment less than five miles from the rear. Shell fire and aerial raids, the latter the worst feature of all to endure, were a daily and nightly occurrence. Trucks do not run except at night in hauling ammunition, and then without light. A man who would lite even a match, would be subject to court-martial; if a military police or one of his comrades didn’t shoot him himself. Picture yourself driving a three ton truck loaded with ammunition or hand grenades, on a night as black as pitch, as most French nights are, driving up to the front lines, perhaps under fire, and especially subject to aerial attacks, trying to deliver the load to a second line trench or to the Artillery. Keep that up for months, night and day, without relief and see what will happen. We had sixty men gassed at one trip, three seriously, the other lightly. We had one man killed, several wounded, and one man went crazy under the strain. Ours is only a small organization of 500 men and officers with 120 trucks and nine motorcycles in addition to touring cars. The driver of the touring car operated for the major was wounded with shrapnel while in advance of the barrage put over on the night of the first of November. One dispatch rider while trying to keep the road for the trucks, or rather to find it ran into a second line trench, just before the St. Mihiel drive started, smashing the front wheel of his machine and otherwise bruising himself. The bearers of dispatches from corps Headquarters to the various divisions in the corps, and the advance P.C were mostly our men. Every night they went to the first or second lines delivering messages. One truck found itself on a road in front of the Infantry awaiting the command to advance in the Argonne.
(SUPPLY TRUCKS) But still, many amusing things happened as well. For example one whole company of our men were returning from a trip to the front in the Chateau Thierry sector, when stopping along the banks of the Marne they decided to take a bath. (That was our third day at the front when we were all young and foolish). When they were all in the water a “Boche” airplane spotted them and let fly. Believe me, they jumped for the trucks and set out for home. Fortunately the bombs missed. That night we were all bombed at La Ferte, next to Chateau Thierry. Just above Chateau Thierry the first day out, one of the boys picked up a live hand grenade and, after playing with it a while, tried his luck at throwing it, thinking it harmless. He learned the first real lesson of his sweet young life. One of our riders from Train Headquarters, while in the Argonne, started out to deliver a truck order to one of the companies. It was after mid-night and the sky was black. After stopping several times and putting his ear to the ground to avoid being run into, he managed to get there, but on the way back he ran into the rear end of a cow, very nearly ruining the machine and the cow. Another time he was on the road when a delayed mine exploded, knocking him off the truck to the side of the road but leaving him uninjured. At a later date he turned up missing. We found the machine along the side of the road, and after two months found that he was in the hospital with a broken leg. He is still there, having been hurt Nov. 1st. He must have either been run into or else got in the way of a stray shell, we have never learned just which. Of the nine motorcycle riders, only one or two have come out without being crippled thru accidents caused by incidents while in the line of duty. The above represent just a few of the many thousands of incidents that occurred in every similar organization. Every day, every hour was marked by something new. Our outfit has received honors too. We are the supply train, and let me add, ammunition train for the 1st Corps, the oldest corps in the service. Three of our companies are with the Army of occupation, another with the First Army Headquarters, and the balance together with Headquarters is here with the corps. Several of our trucks were the first machines and their drivers the first men to enter occupied territory. These and numerous other honors have been received. Our train has been written up by New York papers.. Atlanta and Detroit papers as well as several others. So take it all in all, we feel that we have done our share, and are willing to let the other fellow take a turn. Still, if we had to do it over again every man and officer would start without a moments hesitation.
(AMERICAN MONUMENT AT CHATEAU THIERRY) And now other subjects. You mentioned the enclosure of a card of some description, but neglected to put it in the letter. I am now anxious to receive it and know the donor. Next week I leave for England for my first leave since entering the service and I expect a real time. Also have learned that my application for a course in a British University was acted upon favorable by Corps Headquarters and has now gone up to General Headquarters for approval. This makes it appear that it stands a chance for going through. About 75 of the applicants were rejected due either to prior records or to lack of sufficient college training, The Chaplain, the Doctor and myself managed to get by. Must close with best wishes. Kenneth

Tuesday, December 6, 2011


Ada Parkinson Thomas was appointed to the Arizona State Board of Education by the Governor of Arizona in 1986. She had developed some expertise in recognizing good educational material and had previously served for sometime on the State Textbook Committee, reviewing and recommending the best textbooks for the Arizona Schools to choose from.  She had worked as a music teacher for many years in California and was active in the Southern California Music Guild.  She taught school for a time in Arizona.  She was active in PTA and saw both excellent and poor educators, books and materials during the many years that her 10 children attended school.  


As a little girl, Ada was blessed with a talent that served her well all her life.  She had the ability to recognize danger before it became apparent to others. 
It all started one day at the beach with her family.  She saw a young man lose his life because he got caught in the undertow and was pulled under the water and out to sea by it.  She learned from her father that day, that rip currents are narrow, powerful currents of water running perpendicular to the beach, out into the ocean. One minute you could be bobbing along peacefully in the surf, the next you are being dragged out to sea at top speed.  It is terrifying because you cannot see it and probably will not notice a rip current until you are right in the middle of it.


Ada never forgot the lesson she learned that day.  She applied what she learned to other things in life.  If something seemed “not quite right”, she became cautious and considered the possibility of “undertow” effects, and would look for them.  She had a mind that could solve mysteries, and she became good at it.  She was blessed with a spiritual gift ....to know if something is of God.

Because of her ability to see things as they are, people would come to Ada for advice.  For this reason she was asked to serve on the State Board of Education.  United State Senators at times would consult with her about the direction that Public Education was going.  She found “undertow” in organizations who were quietly trying to change the definition of “the family”.  Though most people could not see the changes that were taking place,  she spoke up to warn of the impending effect of the attack on the family.  Ada kept her eyes on the Prophet, and knew that “The Family Proclamation To the World" in 1995 was given at the right time,  to keep us from being caught in the undertow. 

Monday, October 31, 2011


Laguna Beach, California 1930
Ada Parkinson age 15, Helen 12, Majorie 6, and Donald 4. 
Ada loved the beach and would be happy to know that her Grandson and his family live in Laguna B. and her great-grandaughters attend Laguna Beach High.
Posted by Picasa

Monday, September 19, 2011

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Thomas cousins at the Ranch




Labor Day weekend 2011 the Thomas brothers and sisters and cousins had our 4th annual reunion at the Nielson's Bluewater Ranch in New Mexico. One of the favorite evening activities is "skits in a bag".  We divide the children and adults into groups and give each group a bag with 10 random items in it, along with a theme.  They have 25 minutes to come up with a skit......Always fun!
Lilly and Carol kept us laughing.


We loved eating out of the garden, and had a wonderful feast of corn that the Herrings brought with them from St. Johns. (60 ears in one delicious meal!)

Lucy pleased the crowd with her tasty snacks.

The weather was great for the reunion. The kids and adults loved to be out in the open spaces where the sky is big, and we have plenty of that at the ranch. 



It is obvious that they like to ride the quads to the highest overlook too.



The chimney of an old homestead house near prop canyon is a favorite marker, a few miles from the house.


Saxon and his friend Luke took on the challenge of solving the extremely difficult....Tavern Puzzels.  Luke takes a break and practices his EMT skills on Major.
Meanwhile, Saxon solves the puzzle!!!!!!!












Saxon and his twin brothers Anson and Bowen.


The cousins ---- ready to go on a pottery hunt. They were not disappointed and came back with some treasured shards.

Farewell until next year!  We loved seeing you all and enjoyed our time together.