ROSELLA MALLORY CROOK

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF ROSELLA MALLORY

Rosella Mallory, the second child of Charles Lemuel and Emily Sophia Stoffers Mallory was born 13 September 1898, at Bedford,
Uinta County, Wyoming. My parents had lived in Cokeville, Wyoming since their marriage and then hearing of places they could homestead in Star Valley they decided to move to Bedford and make their home. They homesteaded 160 acres, built a three room log cabin and began to make preparations to cultivate the land. They also leased a 640 school section. Grandpa Stoffers had given them a couple of cows so they would have milk and butter. They planted a garden and hay and grain for the livestock. Their place was 2 1/2 miles north of the Bedford townsite, and being fertile ground with a few rocks it wasn't many years until they had it producing well and proved up on.

On a beautiful fall day, Father had been cutting grain when word was brought to him that a doctor was needed. He called our neighbor, Mr. Charles Wilkes, and asked him if he would go for Dr. Elise Hemmert (a mid-wife), who lived in Thayne, Wyoming. Father hitched a team of horses to a buggy, and Mr. Wilkes jumped in and was on his way. The dirt road he had to travel over was rough, but he was back in good time. Dr. Hemmert took care of Mother and me and charged five dollars for services rendered, then she was taken back home.

I was given the name of Rosella after my two aunts. One of Mother's sisters name was Ella, and Father had a sister named
Rose, so they decided to join the two together dropping one of the e's. I was blessed 25 February 1906 by John U. Moser. The church membership was 267,251 with 40 stakes and 20 missions.
The day I was born Lorenzo Snow 84, became the 5th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. William McKinley was President of the United States.

Our family consisted of LeRoy, myself, John Charles, Earl William, George Lorenzo, Frank Warren, Harold Lemuel who died when he was 21 months old, and Ethel Annetta. I was baptized by Thomas E. Titensor, June 5, 1909, in a pond used for swimming near Uncle Chet Staley's home, one mile west of our home and confirmed 6 June 1909 by John Fluckiger.

I attended grade school in Bedford in the church house the first year. Of my school days I remember the first and second grades the best because I was very shy and bashful and had a hard time adjusting myself. There was one room and one teacher, Mr. Benson for all eight grades. There were some rough boys in the eighth grade that year and it used to frighten me when the teacher used the ruler on them or made them stay after school. When there was more than one teacher a curtain would be drawn to divide the hall, we often found ourselves listening to the teacher behind the curtain (guess we were learning.) The next grade I remember much about was the fifth grade, we had a teacher who let us do almost anything we wanted to. My seventh grade teacher, Parley P. Baldwin, was just the opposite. We did what he said or else and we learned our lessons well and respected him. Other teachers I remember were Libbie Dustin, Ethel Dustin, Mary Oakey 7th grade 1913-14, Nellie Sprouse 5th grade 1910-11, Adelia Lemon 4th grade 1909-10 and Maud G Mallow 8th grade 1914-15. It was 2 1/2 miles from our place to school. We often walked to school in the fall and spring. During the winter we rode in an open sleigh. We used to have some good times going and coming from school. The parents had to provide the transportation for their own children. We lived on the end of the route, and everyone seemed to think it was our duty to haul everyone along the road, so by the time we got to school, we would have a load. The roads were often full of snow and it took longer to get to school so we had to leave earlier in the morning. Some mornings were bitter cold, and if we were in an open sleigh, our feet and hands were numb with cold and our lunches would be frozen. The school would be chilly on cold days. It was heated with a wood burning stove. Drinking water was brought in the school house in a bucket, with one cup for all to drink from and there were no rest rooms inside.

One morning the wind was blowing and we felt that we had better leave just a little earlier than usual. We started across the open flat with sixteen of us in the open sleigh, and only two quilts to keep us warm. We had only gone about one mile when a ragging blizzard hit us. All traces of the road were hidden and we had to cross an open flat the last mile of our trip. Instead of allowing the horses to follow the road the driver guided them right off the road to go in another direction. We yelled and said, "You are turning the horses off the road." "Oh no, I'm on the right road." The older boys were out walking ahead of the horses, trying to make a path for the horses to follow. NEVER WILL I FORGET THAT DAY! We were so frightened and nearly frozen. Finally the storm began to break, we could see the school house about one mile east of us. Mr. Roos, who had been feeding his sheep heard our cries of distress and came to break a road for our poor tired horses that were nearly exhausted and he helped us get to the school house. The teacher came out to meet us and I can still see the look on her face as se assisted each one in getting hoods and frozen boots off. "My" she said, "I've been so worried about you, I am so glad you are here." We were happy to get in where it was warm. Some of us could have frozen to death in a short time. Our prayers had been answered.

We all had plenty to do while living on the farm. Crops had to be put in and harvested, cows milked, chickens and gardens to be taken care of. Every fall we were glad to see the threshing crew consisting of twelve to fifteen men. They would use about six teams hooked to the thresher, these horses would have to go around and around to turn the tumbling rod which led from the horse power to the thresher. When the horses were going around the tumbling rod would turn, thus setting the thresher in action. Men were on the bundle stack pitching the grain bundles onto the table of the thresher. One man would measure the grain, another hold the sacks and usually two would haul the sacks of grain in a wagon to the grainary. The boss would keep the machine greased and see that everything was going alright. They would thresh from 500 to 1000 bushel per day. All the men would stay for every meal and the main crew would bring their bedding and stay all night sleeping near the grain stacks or in the barn.

Grandpa Mallory lived near us for a few years and came to our home quite often, and would relate many interesting stories of the time he spent in Nauvoo, crossing the plains and would sing to us. Many times while Father was still working in the field, I would jump on one of the ponies and go after the cows. Father always tried to get through working early so our evening meal was over and we had plenty of time to play games. We never had a car at this time. The only mode of transportation was in a buggy, wagon, on horse back or walking. We often went to the church to see the three-act plays put on by other wards. Dancing seemed to be one of the main entertainments for young and old alike in the winter. Then ball games and swimming in the summer, sometimes we went to the Sulpher Springs in Auburn to swim. At Christmas the entire family would hang their stockings on Christmas Eve and awakening in the morning to a very special treat of oranges and candy are remembered. Also the Christmas's spent in Cokeville with Grandmother and Grandfather Stoffers and enjoying her good turkey dinners, and the fun we had coasting and ice-skating. Traveling there in a covered sleigh with a stove in it. One year I received my doll Daizy.

Our family went on a fishing trip with Uncle Chet's family one summer to the Snake River, taking our tents, bedding and food in a wagon. We camped in a grove of big old pine trees. Oh, how I hated to hear the wind swaying those trees during the night! I never did like to hear the wind blow. We would ride a ferry boat across the river when we wanted to fish on the other side. We had a lot of fun catching lots of fish and eating them.

I was about twelve years old when my little brother Harold was born, he was a healthy baby with big brown eyes. When he was about 8 months old he got pneumonia, the Dr. prescribed medicine, which seemed to help for a time, then he got the chicken pox and whooping cough, and then developed dropsy and was never well after that. His death filled our home with sadness as he had been given constant care all this time and it was hard to see him go. One Memorial Day, Mother and all our family, except Father, who was at home drilling grain, were on our way to the cemetery in a buggy to decorate little Harold's grave, when a hail storm overtook us. Mother said, "Boys, you had better get out and hold the horses' reins. I'm thinking they may become frightened and run away." The two boys jumped out, and held the horses, as they became very nervous when hail stones as large as quarters began pounding them. Thank goodness the storm only lasted a few minutes. The boys got back into the buggy and their backs were black and blue with welts where the hail had hit them. I've never witnessed such a storm since then.

During the winter months Father worked in the Turnerville Canyon cutting and hauling logs for our new home. Often in the early hours of the evening we would stay out of doors looking and listening for him to come home. We could hear him as he came out of the mouth of the canyon. He would be singing or whistling. He was one who looked on the bright side of life and seemed to be happy. He was about six feet tall and strong and healthy until the last two years of his life. Mother always depended on him.
We moved into our new 7 room home a few months before Ethel was born.

I'll never forget spring house cleaning. Our rag carpets had to be taken up, washed and new straw put down. When the carpets were dry enough, they were put down over the straw. Also the bed ticks (mattresses) were taken out in the fall and the old straw removed and new straw put into the ticks. Some bedroom walls were lined with white muslin. This was taken off the walls, washed and dried, then tacked back on the walls again. Windows and curtains were washed. Our kitchen was a big one and didn't have floor covering for awhile; so, this wood floor had to be scrubbed at least once a week or oftener, as needed. Conveniences such as we have now and electricity were hardly thought of. We didn't have electricity until 1939. Clothes were washed in a tub on a washboard by the push and pull movement. Later we got a washer run by hand. Baths had to be taken in a round tub, water being heated on a stove. Sometimes, I've wondered how Father and Mother endured having none of the modern day conveniences, having a large family to care for. I'm so thankful for the examples they set and for their teachings to always be appreciative of the gospel, of our teachers and others who have tried to help us in getting an education, and to love and respect the country we live in.

After graduating from the eighth grade, John and I attended the first year of high school in Thayne, traveling back and forth each ay in a covered sleigh or buggy. We later lost our credits as they said it was not accredited. We went to the Star Valley High School in Afton. Mildred White and I rented a room, did our own cooking, washing and ironing. John usually had a team so we could go home on weekends or when we were homesick. During the 1917-18 school year the Spanish influenza hit the valley, and the high school was closed for awhile. In just a day or two practically all the students and teachers were down with the flu. Some students, one teacher and one doctor died with that terrible disease. As soon as we were well enough to travel, we went home. It took us a long time to get over the effects of the flu, so when school started, our parents thought it best we stay home for the rest of the school year.

After graduating from high school in 1921, I borrowed $150 and went to Laramie to the University of Wyoming to summer school. Up to this time very few had attended summer school from Star Valley. There were twenty-one from my class that attended school that summer in Laramie. I became interested teaching and received a lot of teaching helps and hoped I would be offered a contract to teach the following school year. When I returned from school, the Superintendent offered me a contract to teach the intermediate grades in Smoot in 1921-22. Irene Johnson was the Principal and Gladys Bagley taught the primary grades, with a little praise and encouragement I was able to get through the first week or so, then I began to manage and enjoy teaching. The pupils I had were nice to work with. The school house was a little a little three room building just west of Bp. Charles Peterson's store. The school house was not much more up to date than when I attended grade school. I received $85 per month and boarded with my cousin, Vivian Johns.

It was during this year and my high school years that I had a lot of fun, dancing going to basketball games, sleigh riding, coasting and parties. Most of the traveling was done in a sleigh or by team and buggy. Few cars were used and only the one main highway was kept open for cars. It was this winter that I met and started going with my future husband. Harvey was one of the Smoot basketball players,along with his brothers, Ray and Rulon, Morg Taggart, Reuben Johnson, and Newell Peterson. They won most of their games, competing with other teams in the valley. We went to many games, parties and dances that winter.

I returned to school that summer and taught in Bedford the 1922-23 school year, my sister Ethel was in my class with Roscoe Titensor and Marian Gardner. Just as school was nearing the end, Harve and I both received a call to go on a mission. His was to Australia and I was called to go to the Central States. We went to Salt Lake City in June, where we were set apart for our missions by Brother Melvin J. Ballard, an Apostle, a man who has always ranked high in my estimation, as I had heard him bear his testimony at a conference in Afton. With tears running down his cheek, he told of a time he had seen the Savior in the Salt Lake Temple. In my blessing he said-"An angel was flying with everlasting gospel sending me to proclaim the gospel to the world. That my testimony of the gospel would cut like a two-edged sword." We went through the Salt Lake Temple the same day, 13 June 1923 and received our endowments. There was a large sessions. We went in at eight o'clock and never came out until three and my train was to leave in about forty-five minutes so we really had to hurry. I traveled with Lucy Houston and Marguriete Thomas from Lovell, Wyoming. Our headquarters were at Independence, Missouri. Samuel O. Bennion was my mission president. Sr. McBride, from Pima, Arizona, was my first companion. She was a very humble missionary and a help to me in getting started to do missionary work, which I found interesting and enjoyable. Some of my other companions were Charity Leavitt, Mary Peterson, Emma Gardner and Lulu Brim. I labored in Kansas City, Kansas, and Joplin, Springfield, and St. Louis, Missouri. Long hours of tracting and revisiting kept our minds busy and it gave us encouragement when we found people who were interested in the message we brought to them. It was our duty to deliver this message and to bear testimony of the truthfulness of the same. We must consider that our own eternal joy, glory and exaltation are reflections of what we bring into the lives of others. God has told us how He values souls and has promised us great joy if one soul is saved and how great the joy if many souls are saved. I was released from my mission on 30 May 1925. After visiting in Chicago, I returned to Salt Lake City. The time spent in the mission field was a highlight of my life, which I will always be thankful for. Meeting so many wonderful saints with such strong testimonies of the gospel and always ready to help and encouraging us and to open their homes and invite us to eat with them. It seemed they could never do enough to make our stay there welcome. All this strengthened my testimony of the gospel. I am grateful for my parents and brothers and sister for the assistance they gave me so I could have this opportunity to help in my weak way to further the work of the Lord and to increase my testimony and knowledge of the gospel.
It was while on my mission I found many new and lasting acquaintances. Also learning the real purpose of life and what it means to me. Those were two of the happiest years of my life.
Prior to my release, my brother, John had said to Father, "It would be great if the family could be ready to go to the temple when Rosella comes home from her mission." Father got in his buggy and went to see the Bishop and Stake President and came home with his recommend.

Roy met me at the train the 11 June 1925 and took me to his home. There was all my family; they had come down to go through the temple, and have our family sealed.

Brother Ray Thurman gave me my Patriarchal Blessing 6 May 1926 which has been a guide and comfort to me.

I spent the summer after my mission at home and then attended Normal Training School the next winter 1925-26 in Afton, and taught in Bedford the following school year. Harve returned from his mission in July and we continued going together. On the 9th of June 1927, we were married in the Salt Lake Temple. Mother and Father accompanied us through the temple. When we got home to Bedford the kids shivereed us, and we gave them a dance. Harve had been asked to be a counselor in the Bishopric in Smoot before we were married. We lived about a month with his folks and then moved into the Orson Crook home which we purchased. $3000 160 acres. This was our first home, and our two oldest girls, Nola and Theda were born while we lived there. We had a few cows, sheep, and chickens and always had a nice garden and crops to care for. I started teaching school again in Smoot from 1929 to 1931, I resigned in Dec and Nola was born in March. I taught in 1943 after Mrs. Gardner left in Dec. Nola was in my fifth grade. I taught 1943-44 school year in Smoot when we were living in Smoot. Evelyn was born the 26 of August.Then in 1947 the superintendent came and asked me if I would teach that winter in Smoot it was following the war and they were short on teachers. I accepted and taught the next 16 years. After attending the University of Wyoming, USAC, Weber State, and correspondent classes from Ricks College I graduated from USAC with a BS degree in elementary education and minor in social science after getting my credits the hard way, taking correspondent classes, extension classes, and attending a lot summer school. You didn't have to have a degree when I first started teaching. I retired in 1964 after teaching 24 1/2 years. Many changes have taken place during this time. Hot lunches were started in the schools in the 30's. All children were transported to school in well heated buses. I taught in Bedford, Smoot, Afton, Grover and Osmond schools. These were busy years but the girls were good to help. School teaching was a rewarding job when one could see children progressing and developing. The valley schools were consolidated in 1955, which was a big improvement in our educational system, giving elementary teachers one grade. (She made a profound influence on the lives of many young people.)

We sold our little farm about 1942, also the sheep and bought more cows and purchased the Charles H. Peterson ranch which we had rented. It was located 2 1/2 miles south of Smoot on highway 89. There were no buildings on the place except an old log house; so we rented Rulon's home in Smoot across the street from the church while we had a home built on the ranch. Evelyn was born while we were living here. We were milking about 22 cows the years that our home was being build and the money received from the milk that we sold was a great help in paying the carpenter and purchasing building materials. This was during World War II and a lot of things were rationed or unavailable at times. We were happy when it was completed and we were able to move into our new comfortable home the summer of 1946. Here we have been engaged in ranching. First we had a large herd of milk cows, then we sold them and then started running sheep. Harve started sending them to th desert for the winter in 1963.

Some of the church positions I have held--
Mutual as a teacher and counselor and President
Sunday School and Primary teacher
Relief Society Counselor and teacher
Sunday School Stake board 1948-1955, visiting all the ward in the stake. I am a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.
We have three lovely daughters who were a help and joy to us. All were married in the Logan Temple to fine young men and have families of their own, and are active in the church.

We have gone through one depression in our married life having to kill some of our cattle, as there wasn't any sale for them. If there was, at times, they didn't sell for near what they were worth. So we've had problems but have found enjoyment trying to accomplish things that were worth while in our lives. Harve has been a great help to me, giving encouragement, seeing that I get to my meetings and work.
(This was all taken from her writing)
Her home was always clean and neat. A place of comfort and warmth, things never seemed to get out of order, even when she was busy with meals and canning. Dishes were always done immediately following a meal and when meal preparation was completed everything was tidy.

She wrote to her grandsons and Kim while they were on their missions encouraging them to do their best and that she was proud all could serve.





Blessing date 25 Feb 1906 by John U. Moser
Baptism date 5 June 1909 by Thomas E. Titensor
Confirmed 6 June 1909 by John Fluckiger
6 May 1926 Patriarical Blessing by Ray S. Thurman Guide & Comfort
1898 Church membership 267,251 40 stakes and 20 missions
Mother's teachers:
1st grade Mr Benson
They had to draw big white curtains to separate the classes as all were in the same building
"Of my school days I remember the first and second grades best because I was very shy and bashful and had a hard time adjusting myself. I went to school in a one room nuilding with one teacher for all eight grades. There were some rough boys in the eighth grade that year and it used to frighten me when the teacher used the ruler on them or made them stay after school.
4th Adelia Lemon 1909-10
5th Nellie M Sprouse 1910-11
6th P.P. Baldwin 1911-12
7th Mary Oakey 1913-14
8th Maud G Mallow 1914-15

We would often walk to school in the fall and spring months of the year and during the winter months ride in a sleigh. The roads were often full of snow and took us longer to get to school.
One morning we started across the open flat with sixteen of us in an open sleigh, and we only had two quilts to keep us warm.
We had only gone about one mile when a ragging blizzard hit us. All trace of the road was hidden. We had to cross an open flat the last mile of our trip. Instead of allowing the horses to follow the old road the driver guided them right off the road to go in another direction. We yelled and said, "You are turning the horses off the road." "Oh no, I'm on the right road. The older boys had to get out and help to make a trail for the horses to follow. Never will I forget that day. We were so frightened and nearly frozen. Finally the storm began to break, we could see the school house about one mile east of us. Mr Roos, who had been feeding his sheep had heard our cries of distress and came to break a road for our poor tired horses that were nearly exhausted and help us get to the school house. The teacher came out to meet us by the door, I can still see the look on her face as she assisted each one in getting hoods and frozen boots off. "My" she said, "I've been so worried about you, I am so glad you are here." We too were happy to get in where it was warm. Some of us could have frozen to death in a short time."
Our prayers had been answered. 1922-23 taught in Bedford with Roscoe Titensor & Marian Gardner.
1925-26 Normal Training in Afton
1926-27 Bedford 3-4-5- Frane Wilkes Allie Burton
1929 1/2 year in Smoot
1929-30, 30-3l, 31 in Smoot Quit in Dec as Nola was born in March
Small schools in each community with several grades in each room.
1943 1/2 year in Smoot took Mrs. Gardner's place. Nola was in the 5th grade.
1943-44 Smoot 3-4-5 Evelyn was born 26 Aug 1944 while we were living in Rulon's home across the street from the Smoot church and school. When she was three years old, the Supt of schools came and asked me to teach that winter in Smoot. It was during the war and they were short on teachers. I accepted and taught for sixteen years, they were busy years, but the girls were good to help. I retired in the spring of 1964.
I taught in Afton, Osmond, Grover, Bedford and Smoot the grades -1-6 at different times.

Depression in early married life but found enjoyment trying to accomplish and do things that were worthwhile. Having to kill some of our cattle as there wasn't any sale for them and if there was they didn't sell for near what they were worth.

"Set apart by Melvin J. Ballard, June 12, 1923, in the blessing given me, "An angel was flying with everlasting gospel sending me to proclaim the gospel to the world. That my tyestimony of the gospel would cut like a two edged sword."
1983 Xray severe Osteoperosis

1983 at the Mesa Temple endowment work done by HOC 75 and RMC 73

1986 RMC in Mesa Luthern Hospital
Aug 7 1988 HOC & RMC Right eye lens transplant.




ROSELLA MALLORY, (3) the second child of Charles Lemuel(6) and Emily Sophia Stoffers Mallory (7) was born 13 September 1898, at Bedford, Uinta County, Wyoming. My parents had lived in Cokeville, Wyoming since their marriage and then hearing of places they could homestead in Star Valley they decided to move to Bedford and make their home. They homesteaded 160 acres, built a three-room log cabin and began to make preparations to cultivate the land. Grandpa Stoffers had given them a couple of cows so they would have milk and butter. They planted a garden, some hay and grain for the livestock. The homestead was two ½ miles north of the Bedford townsite, and being fertile ground with a ‘few rocks’ it wasn’t many years until they had it producing well and proved up on.

On a beautiful fall day, Father had been cutting grain when word was brought to him that a doctor was needed. He called to our neighbor, Mr. Charles Wilkes, and asked him if he would go for Dr. Elise Hemmert (a midwife) who lived in Thayne, Wyoming. Father hitched a team of horses to a buggy, and Mr. Wilkes jumped in and was on his way. The dirt road he had to travel over was rough, but he was back in good time. Dr. Hemmert took care of Mother and me and charged five dollars for services rendered, then she was taken back home. I was given the name of Rosella after my two aunts. One of Mother’s sisters name was Ella, and Father had a sister named Rose, so they decided to join the two together, dropping one of the e’s. I was blessed 25 February 1906, by John U. Moser. I was baptized by Thomas E. Titensor on 5 June 1909, in a pond used for swimming near Uncle Chet Staley’s home, one mile west of our home. I was confirmed 6 June 1909, by John Fluckiger. Our family consisted of LeRoy, myself, John Charles, Earl William, George Lorenzo, Frank Warren, Harold Lemuel, who died when he was 21 months old, and Ethel Annetta.

I attended grade school in Bedford. I remember going to school in the church house the first year, I was very shy and bashful and had a hard time adjusting myself. There was one room and one teacher, Mr. Benson, for all eight grades. There were some rough boys in the eighth grade that year and it used to frighten me when the teacher used the ruler on them or made them stay after school. When there was more than one teacher a curtain would be drawn to divide the hall, we often found ourselves listening to the teacher behind the curtain (guess we were learning).

The next grade I remember much about was the fifth grade, we had a teacher who let us do almost anything we wanted to. My seventh grade teacher, Parley P. Baldwin was just the opposite. We did respect him. Other teachers I remember were Libbie Dustin, Ethel Dustin, Mary Oakey, Nellie Sprouse, Adelia Lemon and Maud G. Mallow. It was two ½ miles from our place to school. We often walked to school in fall and spring. During the winter we rode in an open sleigh. We used to have some good times going and coming from school. The parents had to provide the transportation for their own children. We lived on the end of the route, and everyone seemed to think it was our duty to haul everyone along the road, so by the time we got to school we would have a load. The roads were often full of snow and it took us longer to get to school so it meant we had to leave earlier in the morning. Some mornings were bitter cold, and if we were in an open sleigh our feet were numb with cold and our lunches would be frozen. The school would be chilly on cold days. It was heated with a wood burning stove. Drinking water was brought in the schoolhouse in a bucket, with one cup for all to drink from and there were no restrooms inside.

One morning the wind was blowing and we felt that we had better leave just a little earlier than usual. We started across the open flat with sixteen of us in an open sleigh, and only two quilts to keep us warm. We had only gone about one mile when a ragging blizzard hit us. All traces of the road were hidden and we had to cross an open flat the last mile of our trip. Instead of allowing the horses to follow the old road the driver guided them right off the road started going in another direction. We yelled and said, “You are turning the horses off the road.” “ Oh no, I’m on the right road.” The older boys were out walking ahead of the horses, trying to make a path for the horses to follow. NEVER WILL I FORGET THAT DAY! We were so frightened and nearly frozen. Finally the storm began to break, we could see the schoolhouse about one mile east of us. Mr. Roos, who had been feeding his sheep heard our cries of distress and came to break a road for our poor tired horses that were nearly exhausted and help us get to the schoolhouse. The teacher came out to meet us and I can still see the look on her face as she assisted each one in getting hoods and frozen boots off. “My” she said, “I’ve been so worried about you, I am so glad you are here.” We too were happy to get in where it was warm. Some of us could have frozen to death in a short time. Our prayers had been answered.

We all had plenty to do while living on the farm. Crops had to be put in and harvested, cows milked, chickens and gardens to be taken care of. Every fall we were glad to see the threshing crew consisting of twelve to fifteen men. They would use about six teams hooked to the thresher, these horses would have to go around and around to turn the tumbling rod which led from the horse power to the thresher. When the horses were going around the tumbling rod would turn, thus setting the thresher in action. Men were on the bundle stack pitching the grain bundles onto the table of the thresher. One man would measure the grain, another hold the sacks and usually two would haul the sacks of grain in a wagon to the granary. The boss would keep the machine greased and see that everything was going all right. They would thresh from 500 to 1000 bushel per day. All the men would stay for every meal and the main crew would bring their bedding and stay all night, sleeping near the grain stacks or in the barn.

Grandpa Charles Henry Mallory lived near us a few years in Bedford. He came to our home quite often, and would relate many interesting stories of the time he spent in Nauvoo and of crossing the plains. He would also sing many songs for us. Many times while Father was still working in the field, I would jump on one of the ponies and go after the cows. Father always tried to get through working early so our evening meal was over and we had plenty of time to play games. We never had cars at this time. The only mode of transportation was in a buggy, wagon, on horseback or walking. We often went to the church to see the three-act plays put on by other wards. Dancing seemed to be one of the main entertainments for young and old alike in the winter. Then ball games and swimming in the summer, sometimes we went to the Sulphur Springs in Auburn to swim. Christmas’s where the entire family would hang their stockings on Christmas Eve and awakening in the morning to a very special treat of oranges and candy are remembered. Also the Christmas’s spent in Cokeville with Grandmother and Grandfather Stoffers and enjoying her good turkey dinners, and the fun we had coasting and ice-skating. Traveling there in a covered sleigh with a stove in it. One year I received my doll ‘Daisy’.

One summer our family went on a fishing trip with Uncle Chet Staley’s family on the Snake River, taking our tents, bedding and food in a wagon. We camped in a grove of big old pine trees. Oh, how I hated to hear the wind swaying those trees during the night! I never did like to hear the wind blow. We would ride a ferryboat across the river when we wanted to fish on the other side. We had a lot of fun catching lots of fish and eating them.

I was 11 years old when my little brother Harold was born 3 April 1910, he was a healthy baby with big brown eyes. When he was about eight months old, he got pneumonia. The doctor prescribed medicine, which seemed to help for a time. Then he got the chicken pox and whooping cough, then he developed dropsy and was never well after that. His death 4 January 1912, filled our home with sadness as he had been given constant care all this time and it was hard to see him go.

One Memorial Day, Mother and all our family except Father, who was at home drilling grain, were on our way to the cemetery in a buggy to decorate little Harold’s grave, when a hail storm overtook us. Mother said, “Boy’s, you had better get out and hold the horses’ reins. I’m thinking they may become frightened and run away.” The two boys jumped out and held the horses, as they became very nervous when hail stones as large as quarters began pounding them. Thank goodness the storm only lasted a few minutes. The boys got back into the buggy and their backs were black and blue with welts where the hail had hit them. I’ve never witnessed such a storm since then.

During the winter months Father worked in the Turnerville Canyon cutting and hauling logs for our new home. Often in the early hours of the evening we would stay out of doors looking and listening for him to come home. We could hear him as he came out of the mouth of the canyon. He would be singing or whistling. He was one who looked on the bright side of life and seemed to be happy. He was about six feet tall and strong and healthy until the last two years of his life. Mother always depended on him. We moved into our new seven room home a few months before Ethel was born.

I’ll never forget spring house cleaning. Our rag carpets had to be taken up, washed and new straw put down. When the carpets were dry enough, they were put down over the straw. Also the bed ticks (mattresses) were taken out in the fall and the old straw removed and then new straw put into the ticks. Some bedroom walls were lined with white muslin. This was taken off the walls, washed and dried, then tacked back on the walls again. Windows and curtains were washed. Our kitchen was a big one and we didn’t have floor covering for a while; so this wood floor had to be scrubbed at least once a week or more often if needed. Conveniences such as we have now were hardly thought of. We didn’t have electricity until 1939. Clothes were washed in a tub on a wash board by the push and pull movement. Later we got a washer run by hand. Baths had to be taken in a round tub, water being heated on a wood stove. Sometimes I’ve wondered how Father and Mother endured having none of the modern day conveniences and having a large family to care for. I’m so thankful for the examples they set and for their teachings to always be appreciative of the gospel, of our teachers and others who have tried to help us in getting an education, to love and respect the country we live in.

After graduating from the eighth grade, John and I attended the first year of high school in Thayne, traveling back and forth each day in a covered sleigh or buggy. We later lost our credits as they said it was not accredited. We then went to Afton for the next three years. A girl friend and I rented a room, did our own cooking, washing and ironing. John usually had a team so we could go home on weekends or when we were homesick. During the 1917-18 school year the Spanish influenza hit the valley, and the high school was closed for a while. In just a day or two practically all the students and teachers were down with the flu. Some students, one teacher and one doctor died with that terrible disease. As soon as we were well enough to travel, we went home. It took us a long time to get over the effects of the flu, so when school started, our parents thought it best we stay home for the rest of the school year.

After graduating from high school in 1921, I borrowed $150 and went to Laramie to the University of Wyoming to summer school. Up to this time very few had attended summer school from Star Valley. There were twenty-one from my class that attended school that summer in Laramie. I became interested in teaching and received a lot of teaching helps and hoped I would be offered a contract to teach the following year.

When I returned from school, the Superintendent offered me a contract to teach the intermediate grades in Smoot in 1921-22. It was during this year and my high school years that I had a lot of fun, dancing, going to basketball games, sleigh riding, coasting and parties. Most of the traveling was done in a sleigh or by team and buggy. Few cars were used and only the one main highway was kept open for cars. It was this winter that I met and started going with my future husband. Harvey was one of the Smoot basketball players. Others were his brothers, Ray and Rulon, Morg Taggart, Reuben Johnson, and Newell Peterson. They won most of the games, competing with other teams in the Valley. We went to many games, parties and dances that winter.

Irene Johnson was the Principal and Gladys Bagley taught the primary grades. With a little praise and encouragement I was able to get through the first week or so, then I began to manage and enjoy teaching. The pupils I had were nice to work with. The schoolhouse was a little three-room building just west of Bishop Charles Peterson’s store. The schoolhouse was not much more up to date than when I attended grade school. I received $85 per month and boarded with my cousin, Vivian Johns.

I returned to school that summer and taught in Bedford the following winter, my sister Ethel was in my class. Just as school was nearing the end, Harve and I both received a call to go on a mission. His was to Australia and I was called to the Central States. We went to Salt Lake City in June, where we were set apart for our missions by Brother Melvin J. Ballard, an Apostle, a man who has always ranked high in my estimation, as I heard him bear his testimony at a conference in Afton. With tears running down his cheek, he told of a time he had seen the Savior in the Salt Lake Temple. In my blessing he said, “An angel was flying with everlasting gospel sending me to proclaim the gospel to the would. That my testimony would cut like a two-edged sword.” We went through the Salt Lake Temple the same day 13 June l923, there was a large company. We went in at eight o’clock and never came out until three and my train was to leave in about forty-five minutes. We really had to hurry.

I traveled with Lucy Houston and Marguriete Thomas from Lovell, Wyoming. Our headquarters were at Independence, Missouri. Samuel O. Bennion was my mission president. Sister McBride, from Pima, Arizona, was my first companion. She was a very humble missionary and a help to me in getting started to do missionary work, which I found interesting and enjoyable. Some of my other companions were Charity Levitt, Mary Peterson, Emma Gardner, and Lulu Brim.

I labored in Kansas City, Kansas, Joplin, Springfield, and St. Louis Missouri. Long hours of tracting and revisiting kept our minds busy and it gave us encouragement when we found people who were interested in the message we brought to them. It was our duty to deliver this message and to bear testimony of the truthfulness of the same. We must consider that our won eternal joy, glory and exaltation are reflections of what we bring into the lives of others. God has told us how He values souls and has promised us great joy if one soul is saved and how great the joy if many souls are saved.

I was released from my mission on 30 May 1925. After visiting in Chicago, I returned to Salt Lake City. The time spent in the mission field was a highlight of my life, which I will always be thankful for. I met so many wonderful saints with such strong testimonies of the gospel and always ready to help and encourage us, and to open their homes and invite us to eat with them. It seemed they could never do enough to make our stay there welcome. All this strengthened my testimony of the gospel. I am grateful for my parents and brothers and sister for the assistance they gave my so I could have this opportunity to help in my weak way to further the work of the Lord and to increase my testimony and knowledge of the gospel.

It was while on this mission I found many new and lasting acquaintances. Also learning the real purpose of life and what it means to me. Those were two of the happiest years of my life. Prior to my release, my brother John had said to Father, “It would be great if the family could be ready to go to the temple when Rosella comes home from her mission.” Father got in his buggy and went to see the Bishop and Stake President and came home with his recommend. Roy met me at the train the 11 June 1925 and took me to his home. There was all my family, they had come down to go through the temple, and have our family sealed. Brother Ray S. Thurman gave me my Patriarchal Blessing 6 May 1926, which has been a guide and comfort to me.

I spent the summer after my mission at home and then attended Normal Training School the next winter in Afton, and taught in Bedford the following year. I taught ½ year in 1929, and the following years, 1929-30, 30-31, and 1931 in Smoot. Harve returned from his mission in July and we continued to go together. On the 9th of June 1927, we were married in the Salt Lake Temple. Mother and Father accompanied us through the temple. When we got home to Bedford the kids shivered us, and we gave them a dance. Harve had been asked to be a counselor in the bishopric before we were married. We lived about a month with his folks and then moved into the Orson Crook home, which we purchased. This was our first home, and our two older girls, Nola and Theda were born while we lived there. We had a few cows, sheep and chickens and always had a nice garden and crops to care for.

I taught school again in Smoot in 1947 the superintendent asked me if I would take a school again as they needed more teachers. I retired in 1964 after teaching 24 ½ years. Many changes have taken place during this time. Hot lunches were started in the schools in the 30’s. All children were transported to school in well heated buses. I taught in Bedford, Smoot, Afton, Grover and Osmond schools. These were busy years but the girls were good to help. School teaching is a rewarding job when one could see children progressing and developing. The valley schools were consolidated in 1955, which was a big improvement in our educational system, giving elementary teachers one grade. I graduated from USAC in 1953 with a B.S. degree in elementary education, after getting credits the hard way, taking correspondence courses, extension classes, and attending summer school.

We sold our little farm in 1940, also the sheep and bought more cows and purchased the Charles H. Peterson ranch, which we had rented. It was located two ½ miles south of Smoot on highway 89. There were no buildings on the place except an old log house, so we rented Rulon’s home in Smoot while we had a home built on the ranch. Evelyn was born while we were living here across the street from the church. We were milking about 22 cows the years that our home was being built and the money received from the milk that we sold was a great help in paying the carpenter and for building materials. This was during World War II and a lot of things were rationed or unavailable at times. We were happy when it was completed and we were able to move into our new comfortable home the summer 1946. Here we have been engaged in ranching. First we had a large herd of milk cows, then we sold them and started running sheep. Harve started sending them to the desert for the winter in 1963.

Some of the church positions I have held include-teacher, counselor, and President, in MIA, teacher in both Primary and Sunday School, Relief Society Counselor and teacher and on the Sunday School Stake board. I am also a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.

We have three lovely daughters who were a help and joy to us. All were married in the temple to fine young men and have families of their own. We have gone through one depression in our married life having to kill some of our cattle, as there was no place to sell them. If there was they didn’t sell for near what they were worth. So we’ve had problems in our married life, but have found enjoyment trying to accomplish things that were worthwhile in our lives. Harve has been a great help to me, giving me encouragement, seeing that I got to my meetings and work.