I must not forget to mention the social life of Goshen. We had dances in the Ward frequently. There were special occasions such as "rabbit dances " when the men-folk of the town had been rabbit hunting to clear the area of the many cottontails which did damage to crops. We had "basket" dances, when the girls brought a lunch in a decorated basket, and the boys "bid" for the baskets. The boys ate the lunch with the girl who had brought the basket he had bid for. There was competition -- the boys liked to buy the basket he knew his "girl" had brought. We had big supper dances, when everybody had to furnish. There were no picture shows those days -- no television -- no radios -- perhaps one telephone in the town. The community was like one big family. The railroad ran through Goshen, which provided more taxes for our community than we would have had otherwise; hence, better school facilities. Often a group of us would congregate at the depot to see the train go through on its way to Eureka, Mammoth, and Silver City. Those communities were booming with mining, men from the farming communities worked in the mines or at the mill during the months they were not on their farms.

Again I found myself in Mammoth, this time at another boarding house, which belonged to Mrs._______________. I had to work very hard there, and cooked for thirty people. It was quite a task to bake bread for such a gang of hearty eaters, to prepare lunch-buckets, etc. etc. I was by this time keeping company with Lars Olson. Those days, we didn't say "boy friend" and "girl friend" --he was my "beau" and I was his "girl". He had advanced in his work -- was no longer delivery boy for Hagans, but worked in the mine, and later in the hagan store. The work was hard for us both, but we managed to have a good time, attending dances, going to church, and we were really quite in love with each other. Lars urged me to quit the hard work I was obliged to do -- handling fifty-pound sacks of flour, and heavy buckets of lard, etc., running to the cellar for supplies, and carrying geavy burdens up. I was really very tired. Lars kept telling me to quit this hard work, go home to Goshen, and plan to get married as soon as we could arrange it.

So that's exactly what I did. It was a very happy girl who went home to Goshen to prepare for the great event. Aunt Hattie Higginson always took such an interest in her neices and nephews, and I was no exception. She helped me plan my trousseau, helped sew my wedding gown with its fancy train, and make a wedding veil, including orange blossoms.

So it came about that Lars L. Olson and I went to Salt Lake City and were married in the Temple on the second day of October, 1901. The ceremony was performed by John R. Winder. We weren't supposed to return to Goshen until the next day, when a wedding reception was to be held. However, we decided to surprise the folks by our return, so we took the train out of Salt Lake and returned home to Goshen shortly after dark. It was rather easy to conceal our identity -- it was after dark, and we rode from the depot in the "hack" which carried the mail to town. When we reached home, the folks were indeed surprised; but the "gang" who had planned to meet us at the depot, and give us a "charivari", which newly-married couples seldom escaped those days, was very much put out because we outwitted them.

The wedding reception was a gala affair to which the whole town was invited. We had a good orchestra, and two wedding cakes -- one made by my mother, and one made by Lars's mother, Randina, from Santaquin. Lars' father bore the name which my husband does -- my Lars was named after him. We passed wine, which was the custom in those days. We used small wine glasses, -- a drink of wine, a piece of wedding cake.

I had a small diamond ring for my engagement ring; I still have the ring, but the set was lost years ago. However, my wedding ring I still wear, and it was unique. Lars purchased from the Assayer at the Mammoth Mine, a Mr. Crismon, a gold nuget, and from that my ring was made. Later, Lars acquired another gold nugget from a Mr. Chatwih, another Assayer at the same mine, and had a ring made for himself. So we both still wear our rings which were made from gold mined in the Mammoth Mine.

Now the wedding cake which Grandma Olson brought had an ornament on the top layer -- a miniature bride and groom. We saved that top layer, and Aunt Lucy Taylor secured for us a "globe" made of glass which covered it, and we kept this particular layer of cake with the "bride and groom" on it until our fourtieth wedding anniversary. At that time, when exposed to the air, the cake disintegrated; but we had a new layer made, and to this day have it, under glass, with the same bride and groom on it.

Imediately after our reception, we moved to Mammoth. Mammoth consisted of three parts -- Upper Town, Middle Town, and Robinson. It was fun to move into the house Lars had purchased in Middletown. It was a four-room frame building, with pantry and cellar. There were no "modern" homes in this mining community. We had ordered furniture through Hagan's store, and some of it had been delivered, so we could move right in. We didn't escape the usual "charivari" in Mammoth. In fact, there were two of them -- one consisting of young adolescents who came quite early in the evening, and who were treated to nuts and candy -- five or six pounds of each. Later, the adults charivaried us, and for them we had secured a keg of beer, and the crowd remained until it was consumed. The next morning we had breakfast, and as our chairs hadn't arrived, nor our table, we used a huge grocery box for the table -- I sat on the empty beer keg, and Lars sat on an orange crate! it was a never-to-be-forgotten breakfast. I couldn't help remembering what had been said at our reception in Goshen by one of the guests: "That's the first bride to ever wear a veil in Goshen." And my dress had a train, too.

Lars was an enterprising young man. He trasferred from the mine to the Mammoth store. A Mrs. Donahue ran the store. Lars was in the Grocery Department to begin with, and later was transferred to the Gentlemen's Furnishings, where he worked for quite a while.

At the time of our marriage I was twenty-two years old, and Lars was twenty-seven.

Our first child, Roland Lars, was born in Mammoth on the 9th day of September, 1902. Dr. Bailey was in attendance, and my mother came from Goshen and helped me. We were all very happy together. I failed to state that water was a commodity which was quite precious in Mammoth. There was a huge tank on the mountain-side which provided water for the hydrant situated half a block from our home. We paid five cents for two buckets of water, or a "tubful."

In the autumn of 1903, we received a letter from "Box B" in Salt Lake City. This could mean only one thing. Folks who received a letter from "Box B" knew it meant a call to go on a mission, and that was what that letter was -- an inquiry to see if Lars would fill a mission. At that time my brother, Hardy, was on a mission, and Lars' brother, Joseph, had been on a mission. We were assisting them as best we could financially. I was in favor of Lars accepting the mission, but we had to make plans. A mission to a foreign country was never shorter than two years -- sometimes longer. So we decided that when Hardy returned, Lars would be able to go. We sold our home, which was indeed a sacrifice. Lars left for his mission in June, 1904. My sister Nettie had married a year or so before we did. She and her husband, Charles Wentz, were living in Goshen, and Lars arranged for me and Roland to live with them in Goshen.

Of course I was lonely with Lars so far away in Norway. Roland was a great comfort to me. After Nettie and Charles decided to move to Provo, I moved to Provo with them. I left Roland with Nettie while I worked at the Passey Woolen Mills. I sent some of the money I earned to Lars in Norway. His brother sent him some. I kept working until I began to have trouble with my eyes. Grandma Olson wanted me to come to Santaquin to live with her and Grandpa, but I declined to do this, and remained in Provo until Lars returned from his mission in August, 1906. It had been a long two years and two months. While Lars was on his mission my father and his mother both died.

Soon we returned to Mammoth. We were fortunate in being able to re-purchase our original home. Lars went to work with Chatwin and Hansen, and bought an interest in the store, so was a part owner. It was nice to be back in Mammoth again. My sister Lucy had married Peter N. Anderson of Santaquin, and they lived in Mammoth too. Pete was an assayer for the Mammoth Mine. So we visited together and enjoyed each other's companionship a lot. We both liked hand-work, and through the years I've done a great deal of crocheting, making rugs, sewing, and so on. I worked in the Church while we lived in Mammoth, also when as a girl in Goshen I belonged to the Primary, Young Women's Mutual Improvement Association, and sang in the choir.

On the third day of July, 1907, our daughter, Lucille was born. What a cute little baby she was, with brown eyes and dark hair! She was exactly what one would want in a daughter.

Time went by, and when the 19th day of February, 1910 came by, we were again blessed with the arrival of another baby boy, Max David, as beautiful a child as anyone could wish. He grew fast, and soon was a rosy-cheeked, smiling, dark-eyed, dark-haired little boy.

The children were growing and we realized soon they would be in school, and we were aware that Mammoth could not offer opportunities such as we would find in a more permanent place, so in the autumn of 1910 we decided to leave our Mammoth home and move to Provo, Utah. It was in Provo that our youngest child was born, Leon Robert we named him, and he arrived on October 2 (our wedding anniversary) 1912. We've allways called him "Bob". He was the exact opposite of Max, blue-eyed, blond, curly hair. He was what you'd call a "colic baby" -- and until several months had passed, he was a constant care and cried a great deal. We took turns "walking" him until he finally grew out of this distress.

It was while we lived in Provo that I did most of my church work. I worked in the Primary in the Bonneville Ward. Later, in the Provo Sixth Ward I was Counselor in the Primary, and later an Assistant Secretary of the Primary Stake Board, Utah Stake. I kept this position for four years and can truly say that I enjoyed this work. The children were large enough to be more dependent on themselves.

After the death of my father, when he was sixty-three years old, my mother moved to Provo where the younger members of her family -- Joseph and Hyrum, Hattie, Junius, and May were students at the Brigham Young University. This institution was no longer an "Academy" but had progressed to a point where it had a College Department, and awarded degrees -- M.A., B.S., B.A. It was nice to live not too far from Mother's family, and we frequently got together socially, especially on holidays, and we saw each other quite often. Our children were then in the District Schools of Provo, and got along remarkably well, and we were very proud of them. I'll never forget when Lucille, at the age of about six, at a school entertainment, represented the Happy New Year. She came dancing on the stage and sang"

I didn't always have good health, and during our living in Provo I had two major operations which I survived, but not without great discomfort. I had trouble with one of my toes which was finally healed, but for years it gave me great pain. Dr. Wallick told me I ought to have it amputated, but at last it cleared up.

Lars was always interested in mining, and especially in prospecting. We found that no regular income was difficult at times, although he sold stock in certain mining interests he had. He was obliged to be away from home frequently; many times his advice was sought by men interested in mining, but most of the "rainbows" we chased were unrewarding -- no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. However, our children feel that other legacies of more rewarding value were left them. Our home was united and happy, and they were taught the principles of the Gospel. We moved several times in Provo. We had the reputation of improving each home and treating it as if it were our own -- the property value was increased each time. Our family went through High School, then were students at the Brigham Young University. They all worked and helped themselves as much as they could. We often had a lot of company -- there were Leadership Weeks at the B.Y.U., and folks would come and make headquarters with us. Once we decided to buy a home, which we did, and although I took boarders and used every device to keep up payments, we finally gave up and rented again.

Once when mother was alone and had been ill she came and lived with us for several months. I have always been glad that she chose to come and stay with us. Lars and Mother got along very well -- he always welcomed her into our home, and frequently visited her in her own home. We had nieces and nephews who seemed to like to stay at our home, and different ones came on various occasions. Once Lars' brother, David, and his wife and son were guests for a long period. My niece, Deon, Junius' daughter from Heber City often came for a short vacation when she was just a little girl, and I loved to have her. Harry, Lars' nephew, also came often, and he lived at our home part of the time while he was attending B.Y.U. And many others I need not mention.

I always wanted our children to have a musical education -- they all had some. As parents we encouraged them to get together and perform. At one time Roland had made several instruments, and he played the madolin, Max the mandola, and Lucille the piano. They gave a number of programs through Provo, and for our family enjoyment in the home. We took great interest in our family's progress. Roland graduated from B.Y.U., worked as a accountant for some time, and then entered the teaching profession. Max also graduated from B.Y.U., and Bob lacked only a quarter of graduation. Lucille attended two years in the business department. All four of them showed considerable ability, and have made wonderful adjustments in their lives.

Unless you are a mother, and have sons in the Armed Forces, you will never know the real anxiety of such an experience. Max and Bob served their country in World War II. I am thankful that during that time when so many parents were bereft of their soldier-sons that our boys were spared, and came home to us again.

In 1936, with our children away from home, we decided we'd move to Salt Lake City. Until we got settled by ourselves in an apartment we lived in our son Roland's home. His wife, Estella Goddard was busy with her small children. The oldest, Enid, was a little black-eyed, black-haired girl -- everybody said she looked so much like me when I was a child.

We moved to an apartment on North Main in 1937, (the Geneva) and lived there for several years. When our son, Robert, bought a small apartment house at 258 Vine Street we moved there and managed the property for several years. In 1954 we moved to another apartment house he had purchased at 760 East First South, where we reside to this day.

While on Vine Street, we spent many a session in the Salt Lake Temple, which was within walking distance. These quiet hours were happy ones for us both. In fact, I have done considerable temple work in the Manti and Logan temples as well.

Lars and I are taking care of Bob's apartment house now -- eleven units -- and while the work at times is strenuous, it is a good way of keeping young, having something which requires us to be alert at all times. Lars is eighty years old now. He had a serious eye operation a few years ago -- a cataract removed -- but he sees well now, and enjoys reading and keeping up with the events of the day. I have had several hobbies, probably the most important being crocheting. I think I haven't a niece or neqhew whose home cannot boast a piece of my handwork. I've made rugs, braided ones, hooked ones; I've made lace bed-spreads and table-cloths. Among my hobbies has been gardening -- mostly flower gardening. I've loved flowers and beauty all my life. Even when we lived in Mammoth, and had to pay five cents for two buckets of water, I indulged in this hobby. Not extensively, of course; but my windows were filled with house plants, and some flowers grew near the house. Wherever I have lived I've watched for the first sunny days when the ground would be dry enough to be worked, and I've planted flowers, and cared for the perennials, and the grounds around our home have had something in blossom from early spring until the snow flew. At our present location, I've worked very diligently to clear away space for flowers, and last summer enjoyed the fruits of my labor. I am looking forward to spring when I can again set out the geraniums in the garden, and cultivate again my hobby to make things around me beautiful.

Lars' brother, Alvin, younger than Lars, was married when Lucille was just a little girl. He married Eva Jenson, the daughter of the L.D.S. Church Historian, Andrew Jenson. Lucille was one of the flower girls at the wedding, which was a very nice affair. Eva and Alvin, Lars and I have been very close to each other all through the years, and we have spent many happy hours together. On the occasion of our Fourtieth Wedding Anniversary our children held a reception for us at Eva and Alvin's home -- the old Andrew Jenson Home at 154 North Second West, where hundreds of friends called to greet us. On that occasion, I wore my wedding dress of forty years before. It fit me perfectly, so you can see I hadn't changed any as to size.

On the occasion of our Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary, our children again gave us a reception and open house -- this time at the home of my brother and sister-in-law, Joseph and Bessie. This was our Golden Wedding, and we had a very enjoyable time, greeting our friends and relatives of long standing, and friends of the new generation. At that time all of our children, and grand-children, and great-grandchildren (we had two at the time) were in attendance. It being October, and General Conference was in session, an opportunity for visitors from out of town was afforded. More than two hundred friends called on us that day.

Of late years six of us have been meeting together frequently for supper, visiting and games. Alvin and Eva; Amanda and "El." and Lars and myself. Alvin, is Lars' brother and Amanda is his sister. My brother, Joseph has had a pleasant habit of dropping by for a short visit on Sunday morning between church sessions. Other relatives come often, and we really enjoy staying close to our folks.

It has been my privilege to do a little traveling during my life time -- not too extensive, but appreciated nevertheless. In 1937 Eva invited me to accompany her to San Francisco, where we visited her daughter, Randina. It was my purpose to remain with Randina in the event she needed me, as she had been very ill prior to our trip; but while we were there she completely recovered, so I returned to Salt Lake City with Eva.

On another occasion I again went on a trip with Eva and Mrs. Moncur -- this time to the East Coast. We traveled by train and had a marvelous vacation. Eva's son, Don, and his wife, Margie, lived in New Jersey. Every day we would ride the ferry from Jersey to New York; every evening we returned the same way. We had a very good opportunity to see the sights in the big city, and at the same time enjoy visiting with Don and Margie, whose hospitability I shall never forget. On our return home, we stopped at Pittsburgh and visited Lars' youngest sister, Pearl Olson Ewald, and her husband Bob. Pearl has never returned to Utah since she was married -- has made her home in the East, so it was a great occasion for us to see her and her husband and young son, Phillip.

Another time I had a wonderful trip to Denver and other Colorado cities with Alma and Lucille. So you see, I've had some travel opportunities. We have owned several cars during our lifetime, but haven't traveled extensively in our own car -- only locally.

Our grand-children are doing well. Roland's oldest boy filled a mission to Norway; his second son, Eldon, is now on a mission in the Northwest. I have four living great-grand-children. The fifth, Enid's little boy, lived only a few days.

With Roland living in St. George, Utah; Lucille in Garland, Utah, and her name is now Mrs. Alma W. King; Max living in Denver; Bob in Los Altos, California, all with families of their own, I am very thankful that means of travel has reached a stage where even with the farthest away, it is only a matter of hours until we could be together. We do see each other frequently, and also our grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. I can say with sincereity, "It's a great life if you don't weaken."

--As told to Bessie I. Jenkins, my brothers Joseph's wife.

August, 1960

At this time I would like to add a few more lines to indicate the changes which have taken place in the past few years -- since I gave this story to Bessie.

I now find myself without Lars -- he passed away on Sunday morning, Father's Day, June 15, 1958. In August of 1956 he had a relief operation which prolonged his life for two years, and then finally he succumbed to cancer. Although we try to prepare ourselves for these events -- we are never quite ready when the time comes. Although not well for two years, Lars was on his feet most of the time, bathed, dressed, and ready to meet people. His work was somewhat curtailed, but it was marvelous what he managed to do around the place. Lucille and Alma had made plans to meet Paul (their son) in the Hawaiian Islands, as he finished his mission. Lars repeatedly encouraged them to go - a chance of a lifetime. He bade them farewell, although he was not feeling at all well, and got up and went to the door to see them off. We had all hoped that Lars would last until their return, but it was necessary to call them home after they had been gone only twelve days. Bob and Max flew into Salt Lake City and talked to their father before he passed on -- by the time Roland arrived Lars was in a coma. His going was peaceful -- modern medication prevented any great pain or suffering.

Being without my husband has been a difficult adjustment for me -- somehow I never visioned life without Lars - and suddenly I am confused and lonely.

I have moved into a small rear apartment now that I no longer take care of the apartment house for Bob. During the winter months I spend most of my time with the children, Roland in St. George, Lucille in Provo, and Bob in Los Altos.

Our family has grown somewhat -- there are twelve grand-children; Enid, Dean, Diane, Eldon, Kay and Richard are Roland's; Marlene, Paul and Larry are Lucille's; Bob has Gary and May Anne; and Max has Stephanie Ann. There are thirteen great-grandchildren: Enid has six, Diane has two, Dean with one, Eldon has two, and Marlene has two. Paul filled a mission to Hawaii, and Larry is now in Minneapolis on a mission for our Church. Gary is serving with the U.S. Navy in Japan, and others are growing up and attending school.