Isaac Carling Spencer Family
Biographies and Stories
Isaac Carling Spencer
by his daughter Annie S. LeBaron
Isaac Carling Spencer grew up in the “Order” at Orderville. His father was President of the Order so he didn’t have much time for his family. Carling used to go to Elk Ranch (known at that time as Spencer Ranch) in the summer and help do chores and run th farm. His father’s first family, Aunt Louisa, lived there. Carling and his brother Gurnsey used to go up in the hills north of the ranch and climb down a big tree into a cave or ice hole and get ice out and take it ten miles to their sister Katie who made ice cream to sell. It was a busy time for everyone in those days.
When Carling was 19 years old, he met Lydia Ann Johnson of Kanab, and married her the next year. They made their home at Orderville for about two years, then Carling became very sick with rheumatism and heart trouble. He was advised to go to a different climate, so they went to the Big Horn, Wyoming country for two years, then they returned to Orderville and Carling and his brother Gurnsey took over the Telephone company for Southern Utah. Carline was line-man and did the installing of the phones. Lydia was the operator (“Central”) at Glendale, and Gurnsey’s mother and sister ran the office at Kanab.
Carling was a great out-door man, and loved to fish and hunt. He became the first Game Warden in Kane County, and was the first one to stock the mountain streams with trout. He worked with John Morrill from Junction, Utah, and they carried the tiny fish from the Hatchery at Hatch Town in milk cans, on the pack horses, to the streams. Carling and Lydia liked to take his sisters and cousins with them when they went on fishing trips. Everyone had a good time and looked forward to the next trip.
Carling was a self educated man. He took a correspondence course in photography. He took many photos. He was a great scientist. He was a rancher and raised livestock. About the time of World War I, Carling drew plan for an automatic machine gun and sent them to his Uncle John M. Browning, who patented it and received two million dollars for it, but Carling never received any money nor an acknowledgement of his letter. This gun was used in two World Wars.
Carling was an honest tithe payer and helped any one in need. He lived a good life and was firm in his belief in the Fullness of the
Gospel.
In 1928 he moved to Mexico, where he met Sylvia Allred, and they were married. They moved to Lee’s Ferry, Arizona for a few years, then made their home at Short Creek, Arizona. Carling had 15 children by this union. Rather than give up his testimony and honest convictions to the Gospel, he spent eleven months in the State penitentiary at Florence, Arizona. He suffered very much, both while there and all the rest of his life, because of the treatment he received while there. In 1945 Carling moved his young family to Mexico. Here he spent the remaining years of his life.
by his daughter Annie S. LeBaron
Isaac Carling Spencer grew up in the “Order” at Orderville. His father was President of the Order so he didn’t have much time for his family. Carling used to go to Elk Ranch (known at that time as Spencer Ranch) in the summer and help do chores and run th farm. His father’s first family, Aunt Louisa, lived there. Carling and his brother Gurnsey used to go up in the hills north of the ranch and climb down a big tree into a cave or ice hole and get ice out and take it ten miles to their sister Katie who made ice cream to sell. It was a busy time for everyone in those days.
When Carling was 19 years old, he met Lydia Ann Johnson of Kanab, and married her the next year. They made their home at Orderville for about two years, then Carling became very sick with rheumatism and heart trouble. He was advised to go to a different climate, so they went to the Big Horn, Wyoming country for two years, then they returned to Orderville and Carling and his brother Gurnsey took over the Telephone company for Southern Utah. Carline was line-man and did the installing of the phones. Lydia was the operator (“Central”) at Glendale, and Gurnsey’s mother and sister ran the office at Kanab.
Carling was a great out-door man, and loved to fish and hunt. He became the first Game Warden in Kane County, and was the first one to stock the mountain streams with trout. He worked with John Morrill from Junction, Utah, and they carried the tiny fish from the Hatchery at Hatch Town in milk cans, on the pack horses, to the streams. Carling and Lydia liked to take his sisters and cousins with them when they went on fishing trips. Everyone had a good time and looked forward to the next trip.
Carling was a self educated man. He took a correspondence course in photography. He took many photos. He was a great scientist. He was a rancher and raised livestock. About the time of World War I, Carling drew plan for an automatic machine gun and sent them to his Uncle John M. Browning, who patented it and received two million dollars for it, but Carling never received any money nor an acknowledgement of his letter. This gun was used in two World Wars.
Carling was an honest tithe payer and helped any one in need. He lived a good life and was firm in his belief in the Fullness of the
Gospel.
In 1928 he moved to Mexico, where he met Sylvia Allred, and they were married. They moved to Lee’s Ferry, Arizona for a few years, then made their home at Short Creek, Arizona. Carling had 15 children by this union. Rather than give up his testimony and honest convictions to the Gospel, he spent eleven months in the State penitentiary at Florence, Arizona. He suffered very much, both while there and all the rest of his life, because of the treatment he received while there. In 1945 Carling moved his young family to Mexico. Here he spent the remaining years of his life.
Isaac Spencer and Sylvia Allred
by Sylvia Allred
I met Carling and Lydia Spencer in Colonia Dublin in April 1928, where they had moved from Utah and where operating a Hotel. Lydia offered me a job in the hotel which I gladly accepted.
Carling and I went to Salt Lake and were married 18 June, 1928, returning to Dublan. In November 1928 we moved to Lee’s Ferry, Arizona, where we made our home for five years. We were blessed with four sons while there, though called to lay one to “rest” at the age of six weeks. We moved from there April 22, 1933, having lost our home and land, going to Kane County in Utah where we lived
for three months. In July we moved to Short Creek, Arizona, where we bought land and again built a home, setting out grave vines, trees, etc. Of our next eight children, seven were born there– one being born at Salt Lake City while visiting relatives. We lay another son to rest – age three months – at Short Creek. While living there Carling served eleven months – from Dec. 1935 to Nov. 1936 – in the State Prison at Florence, Arizona, for living plural marriage.
On 6 April 1945 we moved back to Mexico, settling at Las Parcelas, a rural district, near Buenaventura, where we and three of our sons obtained small farms. Carling again planted trees, grave vineyards, and made the desert to blossom.
After years of poor health we were saddened to be told in July 1957 that Carling had cancer of the bone, and would not be with us for over a month. He lingered on, bedfast, for seven months finding his Maker 11 Feb. 1958. His friends gathered to pay their last respects. A funeral was held at our home, where he had worked, lived and died, teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to his family and others, and living in faith and hopes of again meeting our God and Savior when this life was over.
We laid him to rest in the cemetery at Buenaventura 12 Feb. 1958 as he had requested, by the side of our little daughter who had left us at the age of sixteen months. And he is now carrying on his work on the other side. We know he is often near us and is ever mindful of those he has left here. His memories and teachings will always live in those he has left to carry on. He was ever a kind
and loving husband and father. And we pray his children will ever honor his name and the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ that their father lived and died for.
by Sylvia Allred
I met Carling and Lydia Spencer in Colonia Dublin in April 1928, where they had moved from Utah and where operating a Hotel. Lydia offered me a job in the hotel which I gladly accepted.
Carling and I went to Salt Lake and were married 18 June, 1928, returning to Dublan. In November 1928 we moved to Lee’s Ferry, Arizona, where we made our home for five years. We were blessed with four sons while there, though called to lay one to “rest” at the age of six weeks. We moved from there April 22, 1933, having lost our home and land, going to Kane County in Utah where we lived
for three months. In July we moved to Short Creek, Arizona, where we bought land and again built a home, setting out grave vines, trees, etc. Of our next eight children, seven were born there– one being born at Salt Lake City while visiting relatives. We lay another son to rest – age three months – at Short Creek. While living there Carling served eleven months – from Dec. 1935 to Nov. 1936 – in the State Prison at Florence, Arizona, for living plural marriage.
On 6 April 1945 we moved back to Mexico, settling at Las Parcelas, a rural district, near Buenaventura, where we and three of our sons obtained small farms. Carling again planted trees, grave vineyards, and made the desert to blossom.
After years of poor health we were saddened to be told in July 1957 that Carling had cancer of the bone, and would not be with us for over a month. He lingered on, bedfast, for seven months finding his Maker 11 Feb. 1958. His friends gathered to pay their last respects. A funeral was held at our home, where he had worked, lived and died, teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to his family and others, and living in faith and hopes of again meeting our God and Savior when this life was over.
We laid him to rest in the cemetery at Buenaventura 12 Feb. 1958 as he had requested, by the side of our little daughter who had left us at the age of sixteen months. And he is now carrying on his work on the other side. We know he is often near us and is ever mindful of those he has left here. His memories and teachings will always live in those he has left to carry on. He was ever a kind
and loving husband and father. And we pray his children will ever honor his name and the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ that their father lived and died for.
History of Isaac Carling Spencer
Isaac Carling Spencer was born April 1, 1880 at Orderville, Kane County, Utah to Howard Orson Spencer and Asenath Emmeline Carling. He was his mother’s oldest child. She was the third wife of his father. Carling grew up in the United Order of Orderville, Utah. His father was the president of the order so his time was taken up with the affairs of the Order. His family didn’t see him
very much. Carling attending the school of the Order. In the summertime, he and his brother, Gurnsey, (Aunt Persis’ boy) spent some time at the Spencer Ranch. They would go to the red cliffs above the ranch and get into an ice cave and take ice to Orderville for their sister Kattie (Aunt Louisa’s girl) to make ice cream to sell. She never gave them any ice cream to eat. Howard was very strict with his family. Carling loved the out-of-doors. He knew all the mountain streams and canyons. He loved to fish and hunt wild animals.
Carling was full of life and liked to tease. All the young people loved him very much. He had many cousins and relatives in the Order. When he started to court girls, he chose a girl who had a wild reputation. His family was very upset over it so they held a prayer circle in his behalf. He told me (his daughter) that the only time he took this girl out he knew it would be the last time.
Aunt Lizzie Carling (Uncle Isaac Carling’s wife) was living at Orderville at this time. Her younger sister, Lydia Ann Johnson, came over to visit her. She lived in Kanab. When the family saw her, they felt the Lord had answered their prayers. Carling made a trip to Kanab to see Brother Warren Johnson, and ask for his consent to court his daughter. Brother Johnson asked the questions, “Do you smoke?” “No.” “Do you swear?” “No.” “Do you use profanity?” “No.” Brother Johnson gave his consent for Carling to marry his daughter. They were married on August 10, 1900, in the St. George temple. They made their home in Orderville. Father Howard gave the young couple a team and wagon. Lydia had a sewing machine. She loved to sew. She soon became the town dressmaker. Their first child was born May 18, 1901. They named him Warren Delmer.
Lydia’s folks had moved to the Big Horn Country. Carling became very sick with rheumatism and heart trouble. The doctors advised him to move to a different climate, so they decided to go to the Big Horn Country in Wyoming where Father Johnson had moved to. There was a colony of people going to move to this new country from Mt. Carmel. Carling and Lydia thought by leaving a day or two early, they could go over to Wayne Co. to see Dr. Brother Elias Blackburn who had lots of faith and used herbs. They wanted to get a blessing. I will now quote from Carling’s diary: Trip to the Big Horn. We left Orderville first part of July 1902. I bought a wagon, set of harnesses, one horse from P. Allred. Paid $60 for all. Went to Ranch. Spent a day with my dear parents and family. Went through Panguitch up Kingston Canyon over through Grass Valley down to Loa, where I received treatment and medicine from good old Dr. Elias Blackburn. I was in bad shape with liver trouble and rheumatism and left next day on our journey down by Aurora. Back on the main road before Richfield. At Centerfield I bought a new gun 25-35 WCF. We went up Provo Canyon. Three days my legs were bent and stiff, effects of medicine. I was stiff for over a year. Lydia had to drive and do all the work on the trip. We went up through Elks Canyone through Evanston, Wyo. Met Catholic Priest out for a walk just out of town, we took him to the Mormon missionaries. I shot antelope, setting up the wagon. We enjoyed the meat. Went on to Lander. I shot coyote and several sage hens on the way. After leaving Lander we took road leading to Owl Creek Mountains, dimly visable in the North East. This road was recommended to us by people we met. It went to Fort Washakie and continued on. Before entering Washakie we met Indian agent and wife in a small buggy. He talked hard words to us. He told us to return and go back, if not the hundreds of hostile Indians would kill us. He went on his journey, we took a road that went around Washakie and back on the same road we were on. We met the Stage driver who ran mail stage from Thermopolis to Lander. He told us it was a very bad road, but we were able except our Heavenly Father opened the way for us. We went on until we came to the ranch which the stage man held headquarters. We were short of money. I traded my gun to the Stage Man’s helper for $5 cash and a 41 cal. Colts Revolver and belt and scabbard. He sold us some flour. So we went on and met artfil man, who wanted to trade a young mare for our old yellow horse. I took his word on the truthfulness of the horse. We managed to go a few miles to a ranch where we traded Lydia’s new Singer Sewing Machine for a good
horse. He would not allow us a cent for the mare. He was a fleshy man, short a leg, named Luce, a great elk hunter. We started on the next morning, this ranch district was Big Piney, P.O. ranch district. We went but a short distance when a couple of boys, man and woman name Gallagher, over took us. They had a fine large mule team and other extra horses. They came just in time to help us cross
the swift Wind River which was so swift our team could not of pulled our 5-1/4” wagon. They hitched horses on head of us and helped us over. We traveled together on over the high boulders of the Owl Creek Range called a road in that country in those days soil in road for miles just granite boulders joined together. Stage man told us he had new tires every five weeks as the rocks wore these out so quick. The one boy had a colt pistol but the other one had none. So when we got well on the road I took my Colts pistol and belted it on him and told him it was his. He was sure glad. The Gallaghers helped us on down to Thermopolis. The road from Owl Creek to Thermopolis was fair. There is a large Hot Spring Bathing Resort in Southern Big Horn County. The Gallaghers were going here to spend a few weeks. Bathing here were people from many parts of the U.S. Mr. Gallagher helped us trade our heavy wagon to a Swede living there, for a light, 3-inch wagon so we made it fine on to Burlington where Lydia’s sister Lucy and husband Ray lived on a ranch. We stayed several days with them. They were glad to see us. They turned our team loose in the large field where the hay and grain were partly gathered. Both horses took sick and one died. They could not stand the heavy feed after being gaunt so long. After a few days, Bro. Solon Robsin, Ray’s father, took us on to Byron about 35 miles from Burlington. Here we were at our journey’s end spending 55 days on the road. Grandma Johnson, Aunt Permelia and children were all glad to see us. We met and made many dear
friends in Byron where we lived until the next fall. I went with the boys on several trips to Pryor Mtns. About 40 miles to the northeast where we loaded with the fine, slender pine poles and lumber from sawmills. We also killed deer in the mountains nearby. During fall Lydia and I helped a Switzerland man named Cristen Nauser harvest potatoes. He lived on a ranch about 2 miles west of
Byron. I was badly crippled but Mr. Nauser felt loving towards us and helped us very much. Lydia gave music lessons, doing much sewing and many things. I painted two stores and a school house at Byron, also took photographs for people. Jerry, Frank and I also spent a few days working on R.R. section at Garland about 9 miles north of Byron on the B.E.W.R.R. running from Tabico Junction, Montana to Cody, Wyoming.
When Spring came, I went out and tried to herd sheep for a sheep man and sons, Macqueen by name. I was so crippled up I stood it only a week. Later during summer I got on my bike and road out to sheep summer range by East Yellowstone Park. I got a job lambing for German, Paul Righter feed plentiful in high mountains. I found a cub bear while herding. I quit in July, worked a few
days on Gody Government Dam then got a job with Bell Telephone Co. constructing telephone lines. I worked the balance of the summer helping construct telephone lines through the Big Horn Basin.
We bought a bare lot in Lowell from Mrs. Strong. I hauled log or poles from mountain. Jerry helped me build room up to square. There we took willows and straw and put on roof, then moved in. It was dreadful cold during winter in so open place. Next spring I got a job with Gov. surveyors working through the Big Basin surveying townships and quarter sections. We stayed at Lowell during
winter except for a few days we went up and stayed at Trieder Nauser. While I worked Lorenzo Jolley’s team on a new canal that was being made to water land from head of ditch to land, I crosses Shoshone River to go and return from work each day. The water so deep I could not keep my feet out while riding across. One of the horses was found dead in the stable one morning so cold. The frost
would hang in strings on the wire fences. Sun shone bright all day but did not thaw the frost, this happened during extra cold
weather.
March 1905 a friend named Frank Funk and I schemed out a way to get our families back to Utah. We each had a wife and two children. He sold a wagon and harness for $70. He loaned me $35 of it so on April 1st we put our families on train and sent them home, tickets $35 each, being conference rates. Friend Funk traded other property for a one-horse cart and horse and harness, so we took our bedding and set out for work in Montana but it was too early in spring to get work except section work. We worked a week on section work then Frank sold his outfit for $25 and we set out by R.R. for Pocatello, Idaho. I paid brakeman for riding in boxcar as far as Ogden, Montana, there I met Frank as agreed to do. It being Easter there was reduced rates from Ogden Montana to Butte on a high short cut off, a road that passengers cars only ever went on. We arrived at Butte then we agreed to meet at Pocatello next time. So I saw Frank off on passenger car for Pocatello, than that night I bought ride from Brokey on freight train, I arrived at Pocatello at day break, met friend Funk, we went to employment office, got job on R.R. and the R.R. co. shipped us as agreed down Snake River almost to Oregon to a station called Medberry. Here we worked a few days then went back to Shoshone a town just north of Twin Falls by team crossing the Snake River at a Freey called Blue Springs Ranch, a deep gorge where the road went across, but one of the finest fruit ranches I ever saw, just north of river owned by O.B. Porrins, fine fruit frost did not bother.
We arrived at Twin Falls, received a job from a real estate man S.T. Hamillom. We took contract to clear 10 acres of land covered with sage brush. We cleared it then took contract for 25 acres. When we finished it I paid Frank balance I owed him, then we took stage to Oakley a town up in the mountains. We both took job helping farmers put up hay. Then Frank went home to Sterling,
Sanpete Co, UT. I got a job herding sheep for a sheep man, John Coffield, who lived in small town east of Oakley. I went to Pocatello, to catch the train for home. The Portland Oregon fair was on and the trains were loaded so as the train was leaving the station for Ogden, Utah, I stepped on the steps of the last car and rode in the open. Then on to Marysvale and home at Orderville to my family
and loved ones. (end of diary)
Father’s brother Gurnsey had bought out the Telephone line from South of Richfield to Canaan Ranch. Carling worked with his brother installing telephones and repaired telephone lines. Lydia became the Central Operator at Glendale. Carling and Lydia had bought a home at Glendale. While in the Big Horn, Howard was born to them, on August 21, 1903, at Byron, Wyo. After they got settled at Glendale, and became part of the community on July 18, 1906 another baby boy was born to them. They called him Merle J. Mother did sewing, and gave music lessons and helped support the growing family. On May 17, 1908 a tiny baby girl was born to them. She was so tiny and they didn’t know if she would live so the bishop was called in and they named her Annie. Father had to be out in all kinds of weather to keep the lines repaired. It was very hard on him. So they sold their home at Glendale and moved to Orderville. Father took up a homestead joining his parents about Glendale by the Spencer Ranch. Carling bought a home at Orderville, and did photography work and trapped in the winter, and whatever he could to support his family. Verna Leona was born to them while living at Orderville, on Aug. 25, 1910. On July 13, 1912 a baby boy was born to them. They named him Ronald LeGrande. Then on July 14, 1914 another boy was born to them. They named him Ferrel Gurnsey.
Father became the Game Warden for Kane County. He worked with brother John Morrill from Junction. He was the Garfield Co. Game Warden. They worked together to keep the mountain streams planted with fish from the fish hatchery.
Gurnsey, (Carling’s brother) sold his interest in the Telephone Co. to Ben Cameron of Panguich. Mr. Cameron contacted Carling and Lydia. He wanted them to work for him, Carling to help keep the telephone lines installed and repaired, and for Lydia to be the Telephone Co. operator at Glendale. Father made a trade with Tom Clark, trading his home in Orderville for the Clark home in Glendale. One reason Mr. Cameron wanted Lydia was that she was always available for any phone call night or day. It was a great help to the many lone ranch families around the area, in case of emergencies.
After living here a short time on Feb. 26, 1917 another baby girl was born to them. They called her Elda Lydia. She was a very healthy child. We enjoyed her very much.
Grandfather Spencer met with an accident. He was living in Orderville at this time-he went across the creek to get his mail. It was a black night. On his return to his home crossing the bridge, he missed the bridge and fell into the creek below. He died during the night from injuries he suffered internally. We loved him very much.
Carling was able to buy the Spencer Ranch as it joined his land up the Canyon. He borrowed the money from a good friend, a brother Leonard Cox. Carling was to herd his sheep every summer until the debt was paid. Carling’s health was very poor but with the help of his boys Delmer and Howard and Merle taking turns herding the sheep, and the younger children helping on the ranch, the debt was finally paid off.
Merle became very sick from a boyhood fight; he had a kidney infection and heart trouble. Father took mother and Merle and Ferrel and Elda to Kanab to the doctor. Father was to return to Glendale the next day to be with the other children. In the middle of the night Father’s appendix ruptured. Dr. Morris and Dr. Farrow were called to the home of Aunt Persis Spencer’s (Grandfather’s
wife) at 3 o’clock in the morning. Carling was operated on a kitchen table at the home of Aunt Persis Spencer. The doctors could not remove the appendix but put a drain tube in his side to drain out the infection. They didn’t believe that he would live. The older children went to the neighbors to live.
The people of the Glendale Ward held a special fast day for Carling’s recovery and after awhile Carling’s brother Howard borrowed a white top buggy from Aunt Ellen Chamberlain and took all the older children to Kanab to see their parents. The children remained until their father was able to return home. They attended the school at Kanab.
In the fall, on Oct. 12, 1919 another baby girl was born; they called her Wanda. Mother Lydia’s health was very poor at this time.
The doctors told Carling to go and have his appendix removed as soon as he could. He kept putting it off until they started to bother him again. So in February father took Mother and the children to Hurricane to stay while he took the mail truck to Provo to Dr. Hardy Carroll, his boyhood chum who was a doctor. He was operated on and the doctor found that his appendix had ruptured again. So father stayed right there about six weeks until the doctor could remove his appendix. He returned to Hurricane and gathered up his family and went to Short Creek for the rest of the family. He found them all down with the flu. He also got it and it was very hard on him because he was very weak from the operations he had. Finally the family was ready to go home. Father had to take it easy for
awhile. At this time World War I was going on.
Carling was very concerned about helping win the war. Many nights he spent drafting up plans for an automatic machine gun. This gun was to be set on tripods and worked with a revolving belt. He sent his plans to Uncle Johnathan Browning who lived in Ogden, Utah. He never answered father’s letter. Later Carling read in the newspaper about the Browning Machine gun. He had used
Carling’s plans and had them patented. Browning received two million dollars for this invention which helped win the war and also the next one too. Father never received a penny.
Carling farmed the Ranch and grew most of the food stuff the family needed. The family grew up and one winter father rented some rooms from Louisa Siller at Orderville and the older children went to High School. The family enjoyed this year very much. Delmer was with the Edson company in California; he became an electrician. After school was out we returned to the ranch. Mother had to give up the telephone business before Wanda was born as she got arthritis in her arm and couldn’t crank the telephones anymore.
My father had one field of alfalfa hay; this hay always went for tithing. Father was a honest tithe payer. And he helped anyone in need. My mother was ward organist wherever she lived. She took an active part in the Church. It seemed my father was not interested in going to church. One day I (daughter) asked him why he didn’t go to church. He told me that his mother went through so much before the manifesto and then the church had done away with it. He said he couldn’t see the reason why it had to be. He just lost interest in the church. He had a copy of the 1886 revelation the Lord had given to President John Taylor.
“My son John: You have asked me concerning the New and Everlasting Covenant and how far it is binding upon my people. Thus saith the Lord: All commandments that I give must be obeyed by those calling themselves by my name, unless they are revoked by me or by my authority, and how can I revoke an everlasting covenant; for I the Lord am everlasting and my everlasting covenants
cannot be abrogated, nor done away with, but they stand forever.
Have I not given my word in great plainness on this subject? Yet have not great numbers of my people been negligent in the observance of my laws and the keeping of my commandments, and yet have I borne with them these many years; and this because of their weakness, because of the perilous times, and furthermore, it is more pleasing to me that men should use their free agency in regard to these matters. Nevertheless, I the Lord do not change my word and my covenants and my law do not.
And as I have heretofore said by my servant Joseph; All those who would enter into my glory must and shall obey the law. And
have I not commanded men that if they were Abraham’s seed and would enter into my glory, they must do the works of Abraham?
I have not revoked this law, nor will I, for it is the everlasting, and those who will enter into my glory must obey the conditions there of; even so, Amen.”
Cousin Isaac and Carling went to Salt Lake City; they obtained work at the Baldwin Radio factory. They met many good people who were trying to carry on plural marriage at this time. From this time on my father would not miss a meeting and do his duty to the church.
Carling moved his family to Lee’s Ferry for the next two winters. He returned to the Ranch and Glendale in the summer.
Delmer had returned from his mission; Lydia went to Salt Lake City to take a nurse’s course in midwifery.
The children were growing up and were getting married. Carling moved his family to Mexico. He remained here just a short time. He met Sylvia Allred here, and she became his wife. He later moved to Lee’s Ferry, Arizona. Here four children were born to his young wife. Lydia maintained the home at Glendale, Utah. Their second child died while living at Lee’s Ferry. Carling, and others
who were living at Lee’s Ferry Ranch, were told to vacate the place in thirty days or go to court. So to avoid trouble, Carling moved his young family to the Spencer Ranch until he could find a home. He later found a place at Short Creek, Arizona.
Carling enjoyed living at Short Creek as the climate was mild. A baby boy was born to them soon after moving to Short Creek. They called him Derrel Dean. He was born on October 12, 1934.
The people of Short Creek, invited the people in Salt Lake City to come and join them so they could live their religion as they desired. A number of the people came and joined them there. The people became known all over the country. Finally the law entered in and the newspapers carried stories about this people. Amos and Andy, the radio comedians, told how they toured all the famous cities of the U.S. and Short Creek.
Taken from Carling’s diary:
On July 26, 1935, word came to us, while we were quietly minding our own business and working hard to keep the wolf from the door, that there were arrest warrants in the hands of the sheriff for the arrest of John Y. Barlow, C. Allred and P.W. Johnson, I. C. Spencer and Sylvia Allred, who are accused of living in open and notorious cohabitation. We talked over the situation and decided we had broken no law of the land and that we would stay right where we were and let the law takes its course.
On August 9, 1935, Elmer Bollinger Co. attorney, came out from Kingmen; he had the papers made out for our arrest. On August 13, we appeared before the J.P. who was our friend J.M. Laretzen. The date was set for our local trial Sept. 6; we appeared for our hearing at the school house at 10am. The warrant proved defective and the case dismissed. The Barlow and C. Allred cases thrown
out on account of having no evidence whatsoever.
Bollinger went to work to issue new warrants. During the mean time, Johnson and I walked over to our house. After which Johnson walked up the street and over the line to Utah. No one seemed to notice him except the Movie Man who turned his machine on him and photographed him as he disappeared. Sylvia was taken to Viola’s home where she was safe until night. I picked up a burlap sack
while in the house, put in a piece of bread, reached for my rifle, and disassembled the gun and put it in the sack with shells. I walked out of the house, and took a straight line east until I reached a small wash. About three hundred years away, during this time I kept in line so that the house I started from was between me and the school house. So I would not be seen, I knew I had broken no law by escaping. As the warrant was defected so I walked up the wash until I reached an altitude where cedar trees grew abundantly enough to give us shelter on over to the Utah line which was only a few hundred yards distant. I strolled slowly through the forest until I was safe over the Utah line; at this spot I sat down by a large rock, took my rifle from the sack, remounted it, filled it with shells, sat down for a few minutes, watched my back trail, no one came in sight so I strolled leisurely over across the Short Creek Canyon to the fields where Isaac Carling had plenty of grapes, peaches, melons, cantaloupe, tomatoes, corn, string beans and other vegetables all nice and ripe ready to be picked from the vines and trees. I had no sooner entered the melon patch when I noticed a man at the other end carrying a couple of large melons towards a shady peach tree. I recognized him as being Price. I joined him at once. We sat under the shady tree, filled up on ripe, juicy watermelons and cantaloupes. Finally the hot scorching sun sat in the west, darkness came, we could see the headlights of several cars as they traveled up and down the highway of Short Creek town. We realized the situation, for Short Creek was a very quiet place usually at this time of night. We decided to cross over the Arizona line.
Price and I returned to a certain place just over the Utah line where we had previously agreed to meet. Here we watched a short time when Sylvia joined us accompanied by Elmer and her father. Sylvia, being well advanced towards bearing a child, was very upset and tired after the excitement of the day and the tiresome walk at night.
We spent the remainder of the night here; just before the break of day we continued our journey on up the line a mile where we turned to our right, following up a large wash about a couple miles where we came to a nice small spring and plenty of large cedar trees. There had recently been several deer watering at this place, as their hoof prints plainly showed. Here we made our camp, cutting large limbs from the cedar trees we made a leanto where Sylvia and I slept, while Johnson located his bed under a small shady grove across the wash from us. At day break we heard a sniff towards Johnson’s bed; we were not alarmed at all, thinking it was Johnson blowing his nose. He heard the noise, thinking it came from our side of the wash. The noise came from a large buck deer that had come for water; it had detected us, gave the usual sniff and bounded away.
After eating our breakfast, Johnson and I took a stroll down to the field where we obtained a fresh supply of fruit and melons and
vegetables.
Sylvia was a little uneasy on account of not having our children with us. But that night we heard the noise of hooves and wheels coming up the wash. It proved to be her father, Roy, and Isaac bringing our one horse cart and leading our jersey milk cow. The children were glad to be with their parents once more; they had a fine time gathering wild flowers and looking at the deer trails and
watching for deer.
During the meantime a lawyer named Victor Hayek , from Los Angeles, California, wrote our leader John Y. Barlow offering us his assistance in defending our case, which he gladly accepted.
Bro. Barlow went to L.A. at once, brought Mr. Hayek back, they in company with Millard Black, our local sheriff who met us in the wilderness on the eighth day of our confinement in the mountains. Mr. Hayek advised us to return and give ourselves up to sheriff which we did at once.
The news of our return was wired to the infuriated.
Isaac Carling Spencer was born April 1, 1880 at Orderville, Kane County, Utah to Howard Orson Spencer and Asenath Emmeline Carling. He was his mother’s oldest child. She was the third wife of his father. Carling grew up in the United Order of Orderville, Utah. His father was the president of the order so his time was taken up with the affairs of the Order. His family didn’t see him
very much. Carling attending the school of the Order. In the summertime, he and his brother, Gurnsey, (Aunt Persis’ boy) spent some time at the Spencer Ranch. They would go to the red cliffs above the ranch and get into an ice cave and take ice to Orderville for their sister Kattie (Aunt Louisa’s girl) to make ice cream to sell. She never gave them any ice cream to eat. Howard was very strict with his family. Carling loved the out-of-doors. He knew all the mountain streams and canyons. He loved to fish and hunt wild animals.
Carling was full of life and liked to tease. All the young people loved him very much. He had many cousins and relatives in the Order. When he started to court girls, he chose a girl who had a wild reputation. His family was very upset over it so they held a prayer circle in his behalf. He told me (his daughter) that the only time he took this girl out he knew it would be the last time.
Aunt Lizzie Carling (Uncle Isaac Carling’s wife) was living at Orderville at this time. Her younger sister, Lydia Ann Johnson, came over to visit her. She lived in Kanab. When the family saw her, they felt the Lord had answered their prayers. Carling made a trip to Kanab to see Brother Warren Johnson, and ask for his consent to court his daughter. Brother Johnson asked the questions, “Do you smoke?” “No.” “Do you swear?” “No.” “Do you use profanity?” “No.” Brother Johnson gave his consent for Carling to marry his daughter. They were married on August 10, 1900, in the St. George temple. They made their home in Orderville. Father Howard gave the young couple a team and wagon. Lydia had a sewing machine. She loved to sew. She soon became the town dressmaker. Their first child was born May 18, 1901. They named him Warren Delmer.
Lydia’s folks had moved to the Big Horn Country. Carling became very sick with rheumatism and heart trouble. The doctors advised him to move to a different climate, so they decided to go to the Big Horn Country in Wyoming where Father Johnson had moved to. There was a colony of people going to move to this new country from Mt. Carmel. Carling and Lydia thought by leaving a day or two early, they could go over to Wayne Co. to see Dr. Brother Elias Blackburn who had lots of faith and used herbs. They wanted to get a blessing. I will now quote from Carling’s diary: Trip to the Big Horn. We left Orderville first part of July 1902. I bought a wagon, set of harnesses, one horse from P. Allred. Paid $60 for all. Went to Ranch. Spent a day with my dear parents and family. Went through Panguitch up Kingston Canyon over through Grass Valley down to Loa, where I received treatment and medicine from good old Dr. Elias Blackburn. I was in bad shape with liver trouble and rheumatism and left next day on our journey down by Aurora. Back on the main road before Richfield. At Centerfield I bought a new gun 25-35 WCF. We went up Provo Canyon. Three days my legs were bent and stiff, effects of medicine. I was stiff for over a year. Lydia had to drive and do all the work on the trip. We went up through Elks Canyone through Evanston, Wyo. Met Catholic Priest out for a walk just out of town, we took him to the Mormon missionaries. I shot antelope, setting up the wagon. We enjoyed the meat. Went on to Lander. I shot coyote and several sage hens on the way. After leaving Lander we took road leading to Owl Creek Mountains, dimly visable in the North East. This road was recommended to us by people we met. It went to Fort Washakie and continued on. Before entering Washakie we met Indian agent and wife in a small buggy. He talked hard words to us. He told us to return and go back, if not the hundreds of hostile Indians would kill us. He went on his journey, we took a road that went around Washakie and back on the same road we were on. We met the Stage driver who ran mail stage from Thermopolis to Lander. He told us it was a very bad road, but we were able except our Heavenly Father opened the way for us. We went on until we came to the ranch which the stage man held headquarters. We were short of money. I traded my gun to the Stage Man’s helper for $5 cash and a 41 cal. Colts Revolver and belt and scabbard. He sold us some flour. So we went on and met artfil man, who wanted to trade a young mare for our old yellow horse. I took his word on the truthfulness of the horse. We managed to go a few miles to a ranch where we traded Lydia’s new Singer Sewing Machine for a good
horse. He would not allow us a cent for the mare. He was a fleshy man, short a leg, named Luce, a great elk hunter. We started on the next morning, this ranch district was Big Piney, P.O. ranch district. We went but a short distance when a couple of boys, man and woman name Gallagher, over took us. They had a fine large mule team and other extra horses. They came just in time to help us cross
the swift Wind River which was so swift our team could not of pulled our 5-1/4” wagon. They hitched horses on head of us and helped us over. We traveled together on over the high boulders of the Owl Creek Range called a road in that country in those days soil in road for miles just granite boulders joined together. Stage man told us he had new tires every five weeks as the rocks wore these out so quick. The one boy had a colt pistol but the other one had none. So when we got well on the road I took my Colts pistol and belted it on him and told him it was his. He was sure glad. The Gallaghers helped us on down to Thermopolis. The road from Owl Creek to Thermopolis was fair. There is a large Hot Spring Bathing Resort in Southern Big Horn County. The Gallaghers were going here to spend a few weeks. Bathing here were people from many parts of the U.S. Mr. Gallagher helped us trade our heavy wagon to a Swede living there, for a light, 3-inch wagon so we made it fine on to Burlington where Lydia’s sister Lucy and husband Ray lived on a ranch. We stayed several days with them. They were glad to see us. They turned our team loose in the large field where the hay and grain were partly gathered. Both horses took sick and one died. They could not stand the heavy feed after being gaunt so long. After a few days, Bro. Solon Robsin, Ray’s father, took us on to Byron about 35 miles from Burlington. Here we were at our journey’s end spending 55 days on the road. Grandma Johnson, Aunt Permelia and children were all glad to see us. We met and made many dear
friends in Byron where we lived until the next fall. I went with the boys on several trips to Pryor Mtns. About 40 miles to the northeast where we loaded with the fine, slender pine poles and lumber from sawmills. We also killed deer in the mountains nearby. During fall Lydia and I helped a Switzerland man named Cristen Nauser harvest potatoes. He lived on a ranch about 2 miles west of
Byron. I was badly crippled but Mr. Nauser felt loving towards us and helped us very much. Lydia gave music lessons, doing much sewing and many things. I painted two stores and a school house at Byron, also took photographs for people. Jerry, Frank and I also spent a few days working on R.R. section at Garland about 9 miles north of Byron on the B.E.W.R.R. running from Tabico Junction, Montana to Cody, Wyoming.
When Spring came, I went out and tried to herd sheep for a sheep man and sons, Macqueen by name. I was so crippled up I stood it only a week. Later during summer I got on my bike and road out to sheep summer range by East Yellowstone Park. I got a job lambing for German, Paul Righter feed plentiful in high mountains. I found a cub bear while herding. I quit in July, worked a few
days on Gody Government Dam then got a job with Bell Telephone Co. constructing telephone lines. I worked the balance of the summer helping construct telephone lines through the Big Horn Basin.
We bought a bare lot in Lowell from Mrs. Strong. I hauled log or poles from mountain. Jerry helped me build room up to square. There we took willows and straw and put on roof, then moved in. It was dreadful cold during winter in so open place. Next spring I got a job with Gov. surveyors working through the Big Basin surveying townships and quarter sections. We stayed at Lowell during
winter except for a few days we went up and stayed at Trieder Nauser. While I worked Lorenzo Jolley’s team on a new canal that was being made to water land from head of ditch to land, I crosses Shoshone River to go and return from work each day. The water so deep I could not keep my feet out while riding across. One of the horses was found dead in the stable one morning so cold. The frost
would hang in strings on the wire fences. Sun shone bright all day but did not thaw the frost, this happened during extra cold
weather.
March 1905 a friend named Frank Funk and I schemed out a way to get our families back to Utah. We each had a wife and two children. He sold a wagon and harness for $70. He loaned me $35 of it so on April 1st we put our families on train and sent them home, tickets $35 each, being conference rates. Friend Funk traded other property for a one-horse cart and horse and harness, so we took our bedding and set out for work in Montana but it was too early in spring to get work except section work. We worked a week on section work then Frank sold his outfit for $25 and we set out by R.R. for Pocatello, Idaho. I paid brakeman for riding in boxcar as far as Ogden, Montana, there I met Frank as agreed to do. It being Easter there was reduced rates from Ogden Montana to Butte on a high short cut off, a road that passengers cars only ever went on. We arrived at Butte then we agreed to meet at Pocatello next time. So I saw Frank off on passenger car for Pocatello, than that night I bought ride from Brokey on freight train, I arrived at Pocatello at day break, met friend Funk, we went to employment office, got job on R.R. and the R.R. co. shipped us as agreed down Snake River almost to Oregon to a station called Medberry. Here we worked a few days then went back to Shoshone a town just north of Twin Falls by team crossing the Snake River at a Freey called Blue Springs Ranch, a deep gorge where the road went across, but one of the finest fruit ranches I ever saw, just north of river owned by O.B. Porrins, fine fruit frost did not bother.
We arrived at Twin Falls, received a job from a real estate man S.T. Hamillom. We took contract to clear 10 acres of land covered with sage brush. We cleared it then took contract for 25 acres. When we finished it I paid Frank balance I owed him, then we took stage to Oakley a town up in the mountains. We both took job helping farmers put up hay. Then Frank went home to Sterling,
Sanpete Co, UT. I got a job herding sheep for a sheep man, John Coffield, who lived in small town east of Oakley. I went to Pocatello, to catch the train for home. The Portland Oregon fair was on and the trains were loaded so as the train was leaving the station for Ogden, Utah, I stepped on the steps of the last car and rode in the open. Then on to Marysvale and home at Orderville to my family
and loved ones. (end of diary)
Father’s brother Gurnsey had bought out the Telephone line from South of Richfield to Canaan Ranch. Carling worked with his brother installing telephones and repaired telephone lines. Lydia became the Central Operator at Glendale. Carling and Lydia had bought a home at Glendale. While in the Big Horn, Howard was born to them, on August 21, 1903, at Byron, Wyo. After they got settled at Glendale, and became part of the community on July 18, 1906 another baby boy was born to them. They called him Merle J. Mother did sewing, and gave music lessons and helped support the growing family. On May 17, 1908 a tiny baby girl was born to them. She was so tiny and they didn’t know if she would live so the bishop was called in and they named her Annie. Father had to be out in all kinds of weather to keep the lines repaired. It was very hard on him. So they sold their home at Glendale and moved to Orderville. Father took up a homestead joining his parents about Glendale by the Spencer Ranch. Carling bought a home at Orderville, and did photography work and trapped in the winter, and whatever he could to support his family. Verna Leona was born to them while living at Orderville, on Aug. 25, 1910. On July 13, 1912 a baby boy was born to them. They named him Ronald LeGrande. Then on July 14, 1914 another boy was born to them. They named him Ferrel Gurnsey.
Father became the Game Warden for Kane County. He worked with brother John Morrill from Junction. He was the Garfield Co. Game Warden. They worked together to keep the mountain streams planted with fish from the fish hatchery.
Gurnsey, (Carling’s brother) sold his interest in the Telephone Co. to Ben Cameron of Panguich. Mr. Cameron contacted Carling and Lydia. He wanted them to work for him, Carling to help keep the telephone lines installed and repaired, and for Lydia to be the Telephone Co. operator at Glendale. Father made a trade with Tom Clark, trading his home in Orderville for the Clark home in Glendale. One reason Mr. Cameron wanted Lydia was that she was always available for any phone call night or day. It was a great help to the many lone ranch families around the area, in case of emergencies.
After living here a short time on Feb. 26, 1917 another baby girl was born to them. They called her Elda Lydia. She was a very healthy child. We enjoyed her very much.
Grandfather Spencer met with an accident. He was living in Orderville at this time-he went across the creek to get his mail. It was a black night. On his return to his home crossing the bridge, he missed the bridge and fell into the creek below. He died during the night from injuries he suffered internally. We loved him very much.
Carling was able to buy the Spencer Ranch as it joined his land up the Canyon. He borrowed the money from a good friend, a brother Leonard Cox. Carling was to herd his sheep every summer until the debt was paid. Carling’s health was very poor but with the help of his boys Delmer and Howard and Merle taking turns herding the sheep, and the younger children helping on the ranch, the debt was finally paid off.
Merle became very sick from a boyhood fight; he had a kidney infection and heart trouble. Father took mother and Merle and Ferrel and Elda to Kanab to the doctor. Father was to return to Glendale the next day to be with the other children. In the middle of the night Father’s appendix ruptured. Dr. Morris and Dr. Farrow were called to the home of Aunt Persis Spencer’s (Grandfather’s
wife) at 3 o’clock in the morning. Carling was operated on a kitchen table at the home of Aunt Persis Spencer. The doctors could not remove the appendix but put a drain tube in his side to drain out the infection. They didn’t believe that he would live. The older children went to the neighbors to live.
The people of the Glendale Ward held a special fast day for Carling’s recovery and after awhile Carling’s brother Howard borrowed a white top buggy from Aunt Ellen Chamberlain and took all the older children to Kanab to see their parents. The children remained until their father was able to return home. They attended the school at Kanab.
In the fall, on Oct. 12, 1919 another baby girl was born; they called her Wanda. Mother Lydia’s health was very poor at this time.
The doctors told Carling to go and have his appendix removed as soon as he could. He kept putting it off until they started to bother him again. So in February father took Mother and the children to Hurricane to stay while he took the mail truck to Provo to Dr. Hardy Carroll, his boyhood chum who was a doctor. He was operated on and the doctor found that his appendix had ruptured again. So father stayed right there about six weeks until the doctor could remove his appendix. He returned to Hurricane and gathered up his family and went to Short Creek for the rest of the family. He found them all down with the flu. He also got it and it was very hard on him because he was very weak from the operations he had. Finally the family was ready to go home. Father had to take it easy for
awhile. At this time World War I was going on.
Carling was very concerned about helping win the war. Many nights he spent drafting up plans for an automatic machine gun. This gun was to be set on tripods and worked with a revolving belt. He sent his plans to Uncle Johnathan Browning who lived in Ogden, Utah. He never answered father’s letter. Later Carling read in the newspaper about the Browning Machine gun. He had used
Carling’s plans and had them patented. Browning received two million dollars for this invention which helped win the war and also the next one too. Father never received a penny.
Carling farmed the Ranch and grew most of the food stuff the family needed. The family grew up and one winter father rented some rooms from Louisa Siller at Orderville and the older children went to High School. The family enjoyed this year very much. Delmer was with the Edson company in California; he became an electrician. After school was out we returned to the ranch. Mother had to give up the telephone business before Wanda was born as she got arthritis in her arm and couldn’t crank the telephones anymore.
My father had one field of alfalfa hay; this hay always went for tithing. Father was a honest tithe payer. And he helped anyone in need. My mother was ward organist wherever she lived. She took an active part in the Church. It seemed my father was not interested in going to church. One day I (daughter) asked him why he didn’t go to church. He told me that his mother went through so much before the manifesto and then the church had done away with it. He said he couldn’t see the reason why it had to be. He just lost interest in the church. He had a copy of the 1886 revelation the Lord had given to President John Taylor.
“My son John: You have asked me concerning the New and Everlasting Covenant and how far it is binding upon my people. Thus saith the Lord: All commandments that I give must be obeyed by those calling themselves by my name, unless they are revoked by me or by my authority, and how can I revoke an everlasting covenant; for I the Lord am everlasting and my everlasting covenants
cannot be abrogated, nor done away with, but they stand forever.
Have I not given my word in great plainness on this subject? Yet have not great numbers of my people been negligent in the observance of my laws and the keeping of my commandments, and yet have I borne with them these many years; and this because of their weakness, because of the perilous times, and furthermore, it is more pleasing to me that men should use their free agency in regard to these matters. Nevertheless, I the Lord do not change my word and my covenants and my law do not.
And as I have heretofore said by my servant Joseph; All those who would enter into my glory must and shall obey the law. And
have I not commanded men that if they were Abraham’s seed and would enter into my glory, they must do the works of Abraham?
I have not revoked this law, nor will I, for it is the everlasting, and those who will enter into my glory must obey the conditions there of; even so, Amen.”
Cousin Isaac and Carling went to Salt Lake City; they obtained work at the Baldwin Radio factory. They met many good people who were trying to carry on plural marriage at this time. From this time on my father would not miss a meeting and do his duty to the church.
Carling moved his family to Lee’s Ferry for the next two winters. He returned to the Ranch and Glendale in the summer.
Delmer had returned from his mission; Lydia went to Salt Lake City to take a nurse’s course in midwifery.
The children were growing up and were getting married. Carling moved his family to Mexico. He remained here just a short time. He met Sylvia Allred here, and she became his wife. He later moved to Lee’s Ferry, Arizona. Here four children were born to his young wife. Lydia maintained the home at Glendale, Utah. Their second child died while living at Lee’s Ferry. Carling, and others
who were living at Lee’s Ferry Ranch, were told to vacate the place in thirty days or go to court. So to avoid trouble, Carling moved his young family to the Spencer Ranch until he could find a home. He later found a place at Short Creek, Arizona.
Carling enjoyed living at Short Creek as the climate was mild. A baby boy was born to them soon after moving to Short Creek. They called him Derrel Dean. He was born on October 12, 1934.
The people of Short Creek, invited the people in Salt Lake City to come and join them so they could live their religion as they desired. A number of the people came and joined them there. The people became known all over the country. Finally the law entered in and the newspapers carried stories about this people. Amos and Andy, the radio comedians, told how they toured all the famous cities of the U.S. and Short Creek.
Taken from Carling’s diary:
On July 26, 1935, word came to us, while we were quietly minding our own business and working hard to keep the wolf from the door, that there were arrest warrants in the hands of the sheriff for the arrest of John Y. Barlow, C. Allred and P.W. Johnson, I. C. Spencer and Sylvia Allred, who are accused of living in open and notorious cohabitation. We talked over the situation and decided we had broken no law of the land and that we would stay right where we were and let the law takes its course.
On August 9, 1935, Elmer Bollinger Co. attorney, came out from Kingmen; he had the papers made out for our arrest. On August 13, we appeared before the J.P. who was our friend J.M. Laretzen. The date was set for our local trial Sept. 6; we appeared for our hearing at the school house at 10am. The warrant proved defective and the case dismissed. The Barlow and C. Allred cases thrown
out on account of having no evidence whatsoever.
Bollinger went to work to issue new warrants. During the mean time, Johnson and I walked over to our house. After which Johnson walked up the street and over the line to Utah. No one seemed to notice him except the Movie Man who turned his machine on him and photographed him as he disappeared. Sylvia was taken to Viola’s home where she was safe until night. I picked up a burlap sack
while in the house, put in a piece of bread, reached for my rifle, and disassembled the gun and put it in the sack with shells. I walked out of the house, and took a straight line east until I reached a small wash. About three hundred years away, during this time I kept in line so that the house I started from was between me and the school house. So I would not be seen, I knew I had broken no law by escaping. As the warrant was defected so I walked up the wash until I reached an altitude where cedar trees grew abundantly enough to give us shelter on over to the Utah line which was only a few hundred yards distant. I strolled slowly through the forest until I was safe over the Utah line; at this spot I sat down by a large rock, took my rifle from the sack, remounted it, filled it with shells, sat down for a few minutes, watched my back trail, no one came in sight so I strolled leisurely over across the Short Creek Canyon to the fields where Isaac Carling had plenty of grapes, peaches, melons, cantaloupe, tomatoes, corn, string beans and other vegetables all nice and ripe ready to be picked from the vines and trees. I had no sooner entered the melon patch when I noticed a man at the other end carrying a couple of large melons towards a shady peach tree. I recognized him as being Price. I joined him at once. We sat under the shady tree, filled up on ripe, juicy watermelons and cantaloupes. Finally the hot scorching sun sat in the west, darkness came, we could see the headlights of several cars as they traveled up and down the highway of Short Creek town. We realized the situation, for Short Creek was a very quiet place usually at this time of night. We decided to cross over the Arizona line.
Price and I returned to a certain place just over the Utah line where we had previously agreed to meet. Here we watched a short time when Sylvia joined us accompanied by Elmer and her father. Sylvia, being well advanced towards bearing a child, was very upset and tired after the excitement of the day and the tiresome walk at night.
We spent the remainder of the night here; just before the break of day we continued our journey on up the line a mile where we turned to our right, following up a large wash about a couple miles where we came to a nice small spring and plenty of large cedar trees. There had recently been several deer watering at this place, as their hoof prints plainly showed. Here we made our camp, cutting large limbs from the cedar trees we made a leanto where Sylvia and I slept, while Johnson located his bed under a small shady grove across the wash from us. At day break we heard a sniff towards Johnson’s bed; we were not alarmed at all, thinking it was Johnson blowing his nose. He heard the noise, thinking it came from our side of the wash. The noise came from a large buck deer that had come for water; it had detected us, gave the usual sniff and bounded away.
After eating our breakfast, Johnson and I took a stroll down to the field where we obtained a fresh supply of fruit and melons and
vegetables.
Sylvia was a little uneasy on account of not having our children with us. But that night we heard the noise of hooves and wheels coming up the wash. It proved to be her father, Roy, and Isaac bringing our one horse cart and leading our jersey milk cow. The children were glad to be with their parents once more; they had a fine time gathering wild flowers and looking at the deer trails and
watching for deer.
During the meantime a lawyer named Victor Hayek , from Los Angeles, California, wrote our leader John Y. Barlow offering us his assistance in defending our case, which he gladly accepted.
Bro. Barlow went to L.A. at once, brought Mr. Hayek back, they in company with Millard Black, our local sheriff who met us in the wilderness on the eighth day of our confinement in the mountains. Mr. Hayek advised us to return and give ourselves up to sheriff which we did at once.
The news of our return was wired to the infuriated.
Lydia Ann Johnson (Spencer)
by her daughter Annie S. LeBaron
Lydia Ann Johnson spent her childhood at Lee’s Ferry. Her father was a school teacher and taught his own children. He had two families and they all lived at the Ferry until the children were old enough to go to high school or needed more social life, then Lydia and the rest of her mother’s family moved to Kanab. Here Lydia enjoyed her adolescent years. She loved music and became the ward organist at Kanab for many years. She loved to sew and learned very young to sew for others. She still likes to sew and make quilts.
In their early married life they went to the Big Horn Country and pioneered there for two years, making the life of the community happy and entering into a life of many people there by her music and sewing ability. After returning to southern Utah and locating at Glendale, Lydia spent many years as Central phone operator. She was also organist there for many years. After she
raised nine children, she took the nurses’ training and was the only Midwife in the Valley for years.
She still lives in the old family home at Glendale, Utah (1963), is very active and does all her housework and makes quilts, and is very alert. She is surrounded by family and many friends, who love her very much.
Dan Valentine’s Today’s Valentine—April 1962
A Happy birthday Valentine of the Day today to a grand lady, Mrs. Lydia Ann Spencer of Glendale, Kane Co., Utah, who celebrated her 82nd birthday anniversary Tuesday.
Mrs. Spencer is one of the champion quilt makers of the West. She has made hundreds. She is a fine seamstress. She served many years as a midwife in her area and helped welcome hundreds of youngsters into the world. She is always helping somebody, and has done so all her life. She is and has been organist for her church, and general friend and good neighbor to all who live in her community.
Mother of 7 she has 54 grandchildren and 76 great grandchildren, and she has hundreds and hundreds of friends and neighbors who want to wish her an extra special birthday. And a Valentine to you Lydia Ann Spencer and many more happy birthdays to come.
Sylvia Spencer Allred
by Sylvia Allred (Spencer)
by Sylvia Allred (Spencer)
From the Diary of Sylvia Spencer
by Sylvia Allred (Spencer)
by Sylvia Allred (Spencer)