Compiled by LauRene Thompson Buswell

February 1979

I. LIFE SKETCH OF HENRY THOMPSON

Note: While on a mission for the church Henry used his mother's maiden name as a middle name to further identify him. He was not actually christened Henry Bronson Thompson although we find it used in his adult life.

Henry Thompson was born in Fillmore, Millard County, Utah on March 6, 1859 to Lorenda Bronson and Daniel Thompson. He was the third child and third son in a family of 12 children - six boys and six girls. Seven of these children were born in Fillmore.

His father was a farmer, livestockman, religious and community leader. In 1868 Daniel was called to be the Presiding Elder for Round Valley which was north of Fillmore about 27 miles. The family moved to a fort there in a one room shanty. As soon as possible Daniel built a two room log house for his family. In 1869 the name Round Valley was changed to Scipio and Daniel's calling was changed from Presiding Elder to Bishop. So Henry's father was the first Bishop of Scipio.

Henry came to Scipio when he was nine years old. By the time he was 13 years old the ward members were living the United Order. The Millard County history book reports that the children and young people had various chores and responsibilities in living the United Order, such as helping build buildings, milking cows, distributing milk and caring for riding and work horses. Since he was the son of the Bishop he no doubt participated in these activities. He also herded cows in the hills near the town.

Henry's nickname was "Hen". He had auburn hair like his mother's. He freckled easily and had skin tender to the sun and was often bothered with eczema.

From his teen years on he worked with his father, brothers and brothers-in-law with cattle and sheep outfits. While still a young man he engaged in carrying mail by horseback a considerable distance to the Southern settlements, making hazardous trips through the winter blizzards. Obviously he learned how to care for, break and train horses because he became a great horseman. His sons, neighbors and grandchildren all attest to that fact. He had a reputation in Scipio for being able to lasso animals with great skill. "Go get Hen Thompson," they would say, "He can catch anything!"

Henry Thompson was interested in a pretty young girl named Hannah Elizabeth Yates. It must have been a special romance, for it lasted through a mission. Their fathers were good friends, having been in the bishopric together. Her father was the second Bishop in Scipio. Their mothers were also good friends, having worked in the Relief Society together as President and Counselor. How very please these two families must have been to have their children fall in love and marry.

Henry attended Brigham Young Academy the winter of 1879-80. He was 21 years old. In a beautifully penned letter to "My Dear Lizzie" dated January 29, 1880, and signed "Your Loving Henry," he gives an accounting of his joy in receiving a letter from her. Following are some sentences from the letter: "I would have written yesterday, but I was busy all day a copying my Theology Notes and in the evening there were a party which the young ladies of the mutual improvement association made up and the girls wanted me to go up and so I went. We had a first-rate party but I did not enjoy myself very well, I think that it is the last dance I want until I can dance with you. I was glad to hear that you had got your organ for when I get home I will want to hear you play and sing. If there is anything that makes me feel good it is to hear music. Well we went downstairs this term and we have to study some harder, but I guess what harder we study will not hurt us. You said that you was thinking of coming up here to school but you did not think it would be until the fall term commenced. I wish that you would come up next term and keep me company, for I expect I will be a lone. I guess that the rest of the boys will come home to stay at the end of this term, and I expect I will be really lonesome here alone."

On October 8, 1882 Henry left for his mission to the Southern States. He was set apart by Apostle Frances M. Lyman. While on his mission he was involved in an incident in a member's home, where a mob came looking for him and his companion and two other missionaries. These men were very angry and were intent on hurting the missionaries. Henry left the house by the back door and hid in some bushes near the house until the mob ran further, then he got away through the foliage of the fields, hid under a bridge while the mob and their dogs went over it and beyond. Two of the missionaries and two members of the Conder family were killed. This is referred to in Church History as the Gibbs and Berry Massacre.

B.H. Roberts (Counselor in the Mission Presidency) in heavy disguise took Henry with him back to the home where the dead missionaries were to bring them by wagon out of the area so their bodies could be sent home to their families in Utah. There is a detailed account of this in a paper prepared by Harold Thompson.

Tennessee Mission Notes, from Journal November 1883 to June 1884:

Blue Creek, Humphrey Co., Tenn., May 30, 1884.

Bro. K. had fetched letters from the office for me from my mother and sister Annie, one from Bro. Styler and one from Bro. Gibbs. That day we walked 6 miles.

Tumbling Creek, Humphrey Co., Tenn., May 31, 1894.

This morning we went to James Hollands and remained until after dinner. While there I put all of my things in one Valese and brought the other one with me here. We walked 14 miles today. (In another place he mentioned walking 20 miles in one day.)

June, 1884. We spent the morning with Bro. Woods, then we went on Indian Creek to hear Reverend Mr. Suther (a Campbellite) expose Mormonism. Took his text from the seventh chapter of Matthew from the 13th verse to the end of the chapter. He started in very nice on charity, but in a very short time he began to ridicule the Mormon Elders and the Church they represent, and some of the principles they taught. He went on in the most ridiculous manner I ever heard but we took it all in good play.

Blue Creek, June 10, 1884. Bought me some boots for four dollars and twenty-five cents.

On arriving at the mouth of the Creek we began inquiring for a place to sleep all night. Went to the head of the Creek before we succeeded in getting a place. We were refused nine times and accepted on the tenth.

Saturday, June 21, 1884. Hot day. Went into a field and cradled grains for Mr. Gray for about 2 hours. It was so very hot I came near melting, not being use to hard work for sometime (about 20 months). Spent afternoon shaving and sprucing up for Sunday.

Single Statements from Journal:

I bought some soles and tacks to fix my boots.

We had a very good mess of mulberry's at Gray's.

Had nothing to eat during the day except a few crackers.

Got along splendid today. Walked 14 miles.

Henry returned from the Southern States Mission on September 11, 1884. Henry and Lizzie prepared for their marriage which took place on Christmas Day in 1884, three and a half months after he returned from his mission. Three couples were given permission to be married in the Endowment House on that special day. According to Lizzie's personal account these were the last marriages performed in that building.* The Temple was built and ready to be used. Wouldn't it be an interesting story if we only knew some of the details of their trip from Scipio to Salt Lake City and return?

They lived with her parents for two months, then they rented a house for the summer. In October 1885 they moved into a new home which was a log house to which they later added two rooms. Their first baby was born there on November 1, 1885.

Henry probably farmed and worked cattle with his father and brothers from his marriage to his second mission. Dates are not available, but probably it was during these years that the family was in the cattle business in the Henry Mountains.

*Note: The Endowment House was closed 22 Sep 1889 and the Salt Lake Temple was opened 23 May 1893 according to the Personal Ancestral File computerized genealogy program. - Shirley Watkins

From interviews with a nephew, Wells Robins, and Henry's sons Merwin, Gordon and Sterling, we can piece together the following information about the Thompson family cattle business in the Henry Mountains.

Daniel Thompson and his sons, Wilmer, Henry and William and his sons-in-law took the cattle herd they had into free government grazing land on open range in Millard, Wayne, Garfield and San Juan Counties. In order to find better feed the animals were driven higher and higher into the Henry Mountains (a range east and south of Hanksville). They established a ranch there on the west side of the mountains. There was an old ranch house and corrals near a spring so water was easily available. It is now known as Thompson Springs, named for this family.

When the time was right for marketing, the cattle were driven up to Price. Those cattle drives must have been hard work and high adventure. Pack Horses, tents, bedrolls and campfires were a part of this adventure. They would drive the cattle from the Henry Mountains north through the Capital Wash, up to Loa and then up the Fremont River over into Emery County to Price, where they would sell them. They then were shipped east on the railroad. The steers were brought out and they would leave the calves and heifers on the range. The next year they would have more ready for the drive.

It has been estimated that this enterprise extended over several years, probably about a ten year period. One summer the valley grass was short, dry and very sparse due to drought. The animals were driven higher into the mountains seeking better feed. That winter (about 1898) the storms came early and the snow was deep sooner than planned. There was no way to get feed to the cattle, and there was no way to get the cattle out of the mountains. So approximately 10,000 head of cattle were left on the mountain and the men and horses came back to Scipio heartsick. There was nothing else to do. This must have been a very difficult decision for men who had a reputation for giving animals good care. The total herd was lost, many died, but there was evidence that some lived.

The Meek brothers, a family living near the Henry Mountain area, were given permission by the Thompson family to round-up cattle they could find with the Thompson brand on. That put the Meek brothers in the cattle business. Those found were paid for, but those not found by the Meek brothers were years later used for winter meat by Hanksville people as they came upon them accidentally when they hunted wild fox and deer.

Years later Henry's son Sterling became a reputable cattle buyer. He trucked cattle out of Hanksville, Loa, Green River and other nearby towns. He tells this story. "When I was trucking cattle I stopped one day in Loa to get a drink of soda water. A man said to me, 'you're Henry Thompson's son, aren't you?' I answered, 'Yes'. 'Well, you sure look like him.' the man said. Then we had a discussion about the Thompson cattle loss. This man told me about how the people from Hanksville would go out and hunt wild cattle just like other people hunt deer. They would get their winter meat supply. One fellow told me that all the people in Hanksville were raised on Thompson beef, many of them with the HT brand. He claimed that a steer was brought into Hanksville that would have been close to thirty years old and had the Thompson brand on it. At that unusual age it was very big. They claimed it stood nearly seven foot tall!"

Harold Thompson, a grandson, says, "In my youth, Grandfather Thompson was getting checks on occasion for cattle that the Meek brothers had found in the Henry Mountains. This was thirty years after that great cattle loss. I learned the meaning of the Law of the Range. When cowboys ride the range and find a cow with an unbranded calf by it's side, they build a fire and heat the running iron and brand the calf with the same brand that is on it's mother's hip. For example, if HT was on the mother, then HT would be put on the calf. Five years later if that calf had matured and had a calf of her own and they were found by the cowboys, then HT brand would be put on the new calf. This demonstrated plainly to me what homey, honest people rode the range."

In 1894 to 1895 Henry was the Superintendent of the Scipio Co-op Mercantile. It is listed in his journal that he also managed the store in 1898 before leaving for his second mission. His father-in-law, Thomas Yates, was the chairman of the board of the Z.C.M.I. in Scipio. Lizzie managed the store the two years Henry was on his second mission. This was one of her means of support while he was gone. In order to defray expenses for his mission, Henry sold his livestock and property. He left his wife and a family of six children, the oldest being thirteen years.

On May 2, 1899 he left for a mission to Scotland. Following is an account taken from one of his journals telling of his travels from Scipio to the mission headquarters in Glasgow, Scotland.

"During the year of 1898 I acted as Supt. of the Scipio Co-op store. Jan. 26, 1899 I received a letter from Geo Reynolds saying he had been authorized by the missionary committee to write me and find if it was agreeable with my feelings and consistent with my circumstances to travel on a mission to preach the gospel and if so at what date I could make it convenient to leave. I wrote him telling. . . . .(not legible). His reply to me was for me having fulfilled a mission to the Southern States it was deemed propper to give me the privilege of choosing my field of labor.

"I received word to be ready to leave S L City April 22nd 1899. During the time between the two dates I was aranging matters to leave at the apointed time.

I sold my saddle to Louis....for $25 dollars, my harness to

....Strange for 25 dollars.....(not readable).

"Sunday April 16th I left home remained at Juab all night. Next morning I boarded a train for S L City arrived about 9:30 o'clock. I remained in the city preparing to leave until April 22. Was set apart for my mission 21st by Elder James L. McMurrin. Left the City in the evening of 22nd on Oregon Short line. Changed at Ogden, taking Union Pacific Road to Omaha. From the last named place we were on to Chicago. Changed cars for Buffalo arived there in the morning. Spent the day at Niagara falls viewing the sights about 10 o'clock took train for Philadelphia arived there on morning of 27 April. Remained there until 29th at 12 P.M. We set sail for Liverpool. Our voyage was not one of the most pleasant, the sea being rough most of the time. I was sick a great deal of the time. (Took 11 or 12 days to cross ocean).

"We arrived at Liverpool Dock Wednesday May 10th 12 P.M. Thursady 11 May remained in Liverpool during the day visited a museum the largest I ever saw. Fowls, fish and all kinds of animals on exhibition. Was asigned to labor in the Scotish Mission.

"Glasgow, Scotland May 12 1899. This morning at 9:45 a.m. I left Liverpool for this point, arrived here at 4 o'clock found Bros Young and Worthington at the Depot to meet me, we went to headquarters 53 Homhead. Remained there until after supper then went out and held a meeting on Cathedral Square at 8 o'clock returned to head quarters for the night."

Excerpts from Missionary Journals --(his spelling included).

"This morning amediately after breakfast we held Priesthood meeting in Conference house for the purpose of hearing reports from the verious Elders. They all expressed themselves as feeling well in the work and desired to sustain all those in athority over them. Before our meeting was ended there seamed to be a most glorious feeling in the room. Bro Eccles was unable to express himself being overcome with joy with the spirit he enjoyed. Bro Young was the same and amediately after sitting down Bro Woolventen said Bro Young There is an angel just over your head. Yes there is two of them one is yours and I don't know who the other belongs to. There was a great deal said in regard to the spirit that prevailed in our midst. It was shown to Bro McMurrin that the second heavenly being seen belonged to Bro. Eccles. I never in all my life felt such a glorious feeling, and that was the expression of all that was present. There was not a dry eye in the house at one time. After meeting went to the Photo Gallery and our Photoes taken in a group.

"Hawick, Wednesday June 7, 1899. We have been around town and find there is a great many manufacturing establishments here. The town looks to small to contain the amount of hands it must take to keep all the mills running. We are not feeling very well, owing to the change of water and food I guess.

"Thursday June 8, 1899. While sitting on a bench reading, a man came along passed by shortly after came back and stoped said it was not customary to see a man reading a book like that in a place of that kind. Said they usually read something like this and showed me a newspaper, but he expressed himself as being pleased to see any one reading the good old book, but on finding out who we was an our business said he could not fellowship us on account of the doctrine we taught. We told him we taught nothing but what we could substantiate by the bible, and nothing more than the Saviour and his apostles taught. I began thinking we had a conversation on our hands which we was looking for but when we got to baptism as essential to salvation and was proving where the thief went to that was crusified with our Saviour on the cross, he didn't have time to remain any longer, his wife being very ill.

"Hawick Friday June 9 1899. On our way back from the park we met the same fellow we were talking with yesterday. He stoped long enough to speak to us and said all he could say for us was that he hoped we was not successfull in getin one convertion.

"Hawick Friday June 16, 1899 Spent the day reading the news and studying the gospel until evening. Then we went down on the street and held our open air meeting. Bro Gould spoke first. I then talked a short time. The people would not stop and listen to us. They all seem to be content with what they have. It was a very hard task for us to make a start in that direction. We had been dreading our street meetings very much.

"Harwick Sunday June 18, 1899. We fasted all day and prayed our Father in heaven to bless us in filling our apointment at six p.m. Our prayers were answered in this respect for during our meeting we was blessed exceedingly well, although we had but few out to hear us, but one man and woman seemed to be interested and asked us to call on them which we promised to do. After meeting we payed for the use of the hall 5 shillings. We then met a man and he desired to know what was our persuasion. Bro Gould said preaching the gospel as we find it in holy writ. I then said we belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of L D Saints. He spoke up and said I'm a Mormon. I said give us a shake of the hand then. He had belonged to the Church for many years and was baptised I

believe in '57. He came to our lodging with us and spent a short time in conversation."

One of his missionary companions was David Oman McKay. When Elder McKay left the mission, Henry was made President of the Glasgow Conference District, the position Elder McKay had held.

When Henry was released the saints gave him a fine hardwood walking stick with a gold band on which was printed "To H.B. Thompson, Pres. of the Glasgow Conference 1901".

Henry returned from his mission in September 1901. He was met in New York City by Lizzie. She had made hats to help earn money for this trip east by train accompanied by a girl friend. There is another chapter in their story that is lacking information.

We can imagine what excitement there must have been as Lizzie made hats and clothes to travel in and made arrangements to leave her six children and the store in good hands. How did she travel to Salt Lake City? How long was she gone? Did the children stay in their home with someone in charge or did they go to their grandmothers' homes?

Her daughter, Bessie, remembered her mother telling about the three of them stopping in Chicago long enough to see the World's Fair. Someone accused Henry of being a Mormon polygamist because of having the two women with him.

Henry went to Ogden area to work part of that summer for Walt Lindsay, his brother-in-law, who had a cattle business there. Upon his father-in-law's request, he returned to manage his holdings which included two herds of sheep, two hundred head of cattle and the biggest farm in Scipio. Thomas Yates was sixty-one years old and needed his help. (He died when he was 63.) Probably Lizzie was elated to have Henry working near home.

Walt Lindsay requested his help again sometime in 1903. Merwin tells of going with his father that year to the sheep herd in the Chesterfield area of Idaho. Names of other places in Idaho where the sheep were herded were: Indian Creek, Marsh Valley, Tin Cup and Thompson Canyon. The sheep were shipped upon maturity from Pocatello.

Henry became Lindsay's sheep foreman. Later he convinced his brothers to work in this big enterprise. Ray was the cattle buyer, Jim the rancher, and Earl the range rider. Henry, also, persuaded several of his cousins and come other Scipio men to come to Ogden Valley to work for Lindsay. Henry felt secure in hiring men he could depend on. His cousins Clint, Everett, Ira and Stanley Robins came and several of them lived in the valley most of their lives.

Walt Lindsay gradually acquired from 40 acres homestead to 300 acres of the finest land in Ogden Valley, to 7,000 acres of land in Weber, Box Elder and Cache Counties. This became known as the Lindsay Land and Livestock Company. The huge range eventually became 76,700 acres with 5,000 range cattle, 6,000 hogs, 300 horses, 22 bands of sheep (1,000 sheep in a band). Henry herded sheep and cattle in many areas of this range. He could see a future with this livestock company, so he returned to Scipio to get his family. In April 1904 Ethel was born. The family moved from Scipio to Ogden on September 21, 1904.

Their first home was located at 3434 Washington Avenue (about where Lindquist Mortuary parking lot is now). They lived there about one year. Then they moved to 3025 Adams in a three story duplex where they lived for about two years. They were members of the Ogden First Ward at this time.

Henry was still working for Walt Lindsay. Sterling remembers when he was ten years old (1906) going to the sheep herd with Merwin at Ant Valley betwen the head of Beaver and Blacksmith Fork. Merwin often talked of his experiences herding in this area. He thought it was beautiful country. He particularly mentioned Scare Canyon as being so steep and it was therefore very difficult to control the herd there.

Once Henry took some of the cattle back to Chicago for Lindsay. On one trip he took Merwin with him. For so many cars loaded with sheep you could have a pass on the train.

About 1906-07 Henry left Lindsay to become a partner with Jack Spires in the sheep business. Mr. Spires had property in Plain City. Lizzie and Henry decided that they needed a place where their boys could have work and responsibility. Merwin, the oldest boy, encouraged them to buy a farm. He had been going to the Weber Academy and was now 22 years old and anxious to get involved with his brothers in working a farm. Henry bought 106 acres of land from Jack Spires.

So it was then that the family moved to Plain City to be near the farm in 1907. Their first home was a house north and east of where Sterling now lives. It was east up a lane. Bill Davis and his family later lived there. They next rented a home from Claude Bramwell across the street from where the new stake building is now located.

Merwin tells, "Jack Spires gave us a cow when we moved to Plain City. We brought our family cow with us from Ogden. So we had two cows."

Henry's children give their description of the farm.

Gordon made these comments. "When we took over the farm from Jack Spires, it took a lot of hard work to get that farm in good farming condition. Merwin, being the oldest, was in charge while father was away. Father gave us to understand that we were to follow Merwin's instructions and all work together. This farm

required different type of farming than those in Scipio. Merwin didn't understand exactly how to go about it. He was one of the hardest working men I've ever known. He taught us all how to work. He felt that often he had to work on Sundays to make the farm go."

Merwin said that he worked on the farm, averaging from 12 to 15 hours a day and often watering the clock around for 30 hours. He admitted openly to being a slave driver to his brothers. But he said, "We had to work hard. I knew we had to make a go of it. Father was away so much of the time."

Sterling says, "Father bought the farm so all his boys would have something to do. Farming wasn't his line at all. My father liked wide open ranching. Merwin was pretty good at figuring things out about the ditches and the plotting. He hadn't had a lot of training, but he took charge of it and told us kids what to do. John Bingham lived across the road and he helped us out once in a while. The farm was very unlevel. We had to run ditches in every direction to get the water where it had to be. As soon as we'd get the grain off in the fall or summer then we'd start to work with four horses on a Fresno scraper to be ready for the next planting. Merwin would take a spirit level and that was his survey mark. He got so he could just get down and look along the ground and say where it ought to be taken off and where it needed to be filled in."

Gordon said, "The farm was mostly row crops: potatoes, sugar beets, tomatoes, barley, alfalfa, beans. Father didn't do much with the plowing, cultivating or such work."

Ethel said, "Father endured the farm because Mother and Merwin thought it was the thing to do. He was no farmer."

Several times in his letter written at the sheep herd, Henry would suggest to Merwin and Lizzie that they should sell the farm. He heard that William Telford had bought the farm across the street north, and suggested that Merwin go see him and offer to sell him the farm.

With the help of Frank Gale and Rollo Taylor, Henry and the boys built a six room cement block house (two story). The family moved into this home in May of 1913.

Interviews with Henry's children revealed a common statement by each of them, "My Dad was never home." Ethel came to his defense with this statement, "You must remember, he didn't want to be away all the time. That was the result of the way he made his living." He was gone with the sheep herd in various areas for months at a time. He was gone two, three or sometimes six months at a time, then home for a short visit and gone again to the sheep herd. Ethel remembers him being gone one time for thirteen months.

Merwin remembers when he was a very small boy waking up one morning and hearing his mother talking to someone. He went into the kitchen and wondered who the stranger was talking to his mother. It was his father.

His son Sterling said, "My father was gone most of the time during my childhood. I don't remember him being home very much." However he took his boys with him part of the time. He needed their help and he wanted to be with them and he wanted to teach them. Each of the older boys had a turn or two for a few months at a time. Merwin, Leland, Gordie and Sterling went with their father at different times.

Sterling tells some details about the sheep herd and camp:

"There were 2,000 sheep in a winter herd. Father had two herds. He kept them separate. We were gone to the herd for two or three months at a time. There was a team of horses, two or three mules and several saddle horses. We used tents in the summer and a camp on a wagon bed in the winter. There were two herders and a camp tender for each camp.

"I remember spending one winter betwen Lucin and Grouse Creek. We were gone from home October to Christmas, then came home for the holidays and returned until spring.

"There were two or three dogs for each camp. There were also a lot of coyotes around the area. One of my jobs was to poison bait and set it out for the coyotes at night, then early in the morning I would have to gather the bait to protect the dogs. I guess I didn't get them all one time, and I killed all the dogs we had on both herds, perhaps six or seven of them. It was very seldom I ever saw Father get cross at anyone. Father was always happy. But he was cross at me when I poisned the dogs. He took the strychnine and burned it up."

"Gordie and Lee each herded for a camp. I tended for Gordie's camp, and a man by the name of Gary Oberry was the camp tender for Lee's camp. The camp tender's job was to move the camp where the sheep were when necessary, feed and water the horses, set up the beds and have meals ready. So tending meant that I was a cook. I could make the poorest bread that anybody ever ate. I used to make raisin pie. Lee would come over every chance he'd get and sit and eat a whole raisin pie. It must not have been so bad. This is some of the food we ate: cooked cereal, bread, lamb, canned milk, potatoes, canned vegetables, dried apples, peaches, raisins, pancakes, pies. Father was one of the best dutch oven cooks you ever saw. He always did the cookin' when we went camping as a family."

Gordie was with the sheep herd when they wintered on the Hogup Mountains. That is south of Park Valley. The year he went there he was there from fall until spring (1913-14). He was eighteen years old. Gordie tells it this way. "I only went to the sheep herd in the winter because I was too busy helping Merwin work on the farm in the summer. Mer and I did most of the

farming. Someone asked me why I was going to the sheep herd. My answer was, 'So I can get acquainted with my father!'"

To quote Sterling again, "Father ran sheep at Mendon in Cache Valley. One time lightning hit the sheep camp and killed two sheepherders. My brother Lee and Sam English, who worked for my father, had to go round up the sheep and help around the camp because of those deaths. Father also wintered the sheep on the west desert near Lucin, Grouse Creek and in different places in Box Elder County.

"Father was always a horse lover. He was a very good horseman. He always rode good horses, the best that he could find. He knew a good horse when he saw it. The winter I was out at camp, as soon as Father had his breakfast he would ride off and be gone all day. He'd ride that horse all day long, looking at the range, checking the herd or going off visitin' somebody. It was my job to catch his horse and saddle it up for him. He'd get on and ride off 300 yards or so, get off and check the blankets to see that they were ok so that the horse's back wouldn't get sore. He took good care of his horses. They had grain all the time, no matter where we were. We'd travel days to get grain to feed his horses."

The sheep men and cattle men were usually having disagreements with each other over the range. Henry was able to encounter the cattle men bravely and effectively.

Ethel remembers going with her parents to Mackay, Idaho for two summers when she was about ten or eleven years old (1914). Henry bought a 500 acre ranch near Mackay in partnership with a Mr. Smith from Ogden, a jeweler and pawnbroker. They ran sheep and cattle on this place. There was a lot of wild hay. There were four big streams of water nearby, two of them were Lost River and Warm Creek. "I can remember mothering seven bummer lambs (poor and weak lambs the mothers would abandon). They took a lot of care with bottles and keeping them warm and comfortable. I also remember caring for cripples and ewes (mother sheep). It was a beautiful place."

Howard Hansen tells about going with his Grandfather Henry on a trip to Mackay, Idaho when he was five years old. That was 1919. "The mode of transportation was a Willis Knight Sedan with high pressure tires requiring 70 to 90 pounds of air. Three extra tires and wheels were chained to the rear tire carries. Grandfather was prepared." A stop in Fort Hall Indian Reservation to trade and buy from the Indians was exciting to Young Howard. They bought gauntlet buckskin gloves and deerhide moccasin footwear beaded and stitched by the squaws.

Howard recalls pitching camp near the Lost River. "Tents were up near the meadow where grass was as long as my legs. A campfire pit was prepared that would handle a big iron bake oven (Dutch Oven) which would be buried in red hot coals from the fire. Grandfather's sheepherder bread and biscuits were a delight and Grandmother and Aunt Ethel put the finishing touches to great meals.

Ethel recalls that this ranch was sold because of the American Falls Dam construction and reservoir preparations.

In the meantime Henry and Lizzie lived in the block house.

About 1916-17 Lizzie worked a plan with Gordon and his wife newly married to trade houses with she and Ethel. She was Relief Society President and getting from the farm to the middle of town to do her visiting and holding meetings became difficult at times. Gordon was farming and needed to be closer to his work. So he and Margaret moved to the block house. Lizzie and Ethel and Henry moved to the adobe house north of the Plain City School that Gordon had been renting. (This later became Vern Palmer's home.)

In 1919 Gordon and Margaret moved to Hansen, Idaho and Sterling and Frances came to live in the cement block home. About 1917-18 Henry bought a home for he and Lizzie on 21st Street just east of Monroe in Ogden.

The mortgage to the farm was paid off in 1915, two years before it was required. Gordon, Merwin and Henry entered in a partnership for a few years. As the boys matured they made their own plans for a livelihood. Lee disliked farm work and eventually went to California to work for Brunswick Bowling Equipment. Gordie went to Hansen, Idaho to farm, then to California for a course in auto mechanics, and finally back to the farm. Sterling worked and lived at the Weber County Courthouse for a few years and then came back to farming. Shelby worked at the Amalgamated Sugar Factory. His home which was located east of the cement block house was moved to West Weber for his family. He died in 1928. When Gordie and Ster returned to farming, they shared equipment and children with Merwin to help harvest crops. Merwin stayed with farming.

Sterling gives the following account. "Walt Lindsay borrowed $90,000 from Matt Browning of gun fame. The depression came along in about 1921. (There was another in 1929.) Uncle Walt couldn't sell anything. Browning took over the big ranch which Uncle Walt figured was worth a million and a half for $90,000. After Browning took it over he hired father to be the foreman for the sheep. He and mother lived in what was called 'Jones' cabin' at the head of Beaver. To reach it you go west from Ant Valley and then over to the head of Middle Fork. They lived up there for two summers after Ethel married."

About 1923-25 they sold the house on twenty-first street and moved back to the farm. When Gordon wanted to work the farm again and move into the cement block house, Henry and Lizzie bought a house on the south side of twenty-seventh street in Ogden between Adams and Jefferson. That was about 1928-29. Henry's sister Elizabeth, who was teaching at Washington School, lived with them.

Lizzie's health was not too good and the summer heat was hard on her. Henry rented a cabin on the north side of Ogden River up Ogden Canyon, in back of the Hermitage area. They enjoyed the cool canyon breezes and the sound of the river running under the living room window. Children and grandchildren enjoyed visiting them there. Her brother, Thomas Yates, had them use this cabin in Lamb's Canyon east of Salt Lake City in the summer, also.

About 1932 they bought a smaller home on the south side of 17th Street, halfway between Washington and Grant Avenues (about 339). At this time Lizzie was sewing burial clothes for the local morticians, Henry was puttering around the house and taking regular long walks. City life was very difficult for him.

Poor health of Lizzie necessitated them eventually living with their children. They spent time with Bessie and Lorin in California about 1937, with Merwin and Martha and Sterling and Frances in Plain City. While at Merwin's home Lizzie died in February 1938. Henry lived on with Merwin and family about two and a half years, and later with Gordon and Margaret. Then he went to live with Sterling and Frances, in whose home he died in March of 1941.

II. CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS

THE MAN, FATHER, GRANDFATHER, NEIGHBOR, UNCLE

Henry loved to whistle, a trait all of his children (even

the girls) and many of his grandchildren have adopted. He was a

cheerful, good natured, generous and kind man. His grandchildren

remember him wearing a green eyeshade both in and out of the

house. He often wore armbands to stabilize his long shirt

sleeves. He always had peppermints in his pockets for eager

grandchildren.

* * *

Ethel relates that, "My father insisted we have family

prayers. We often had family discussions. Father led out. This

was a sort of family home evening. He was well-versed in the

gospel. My father and mother were so devoted to one another. I

can remember him sitting in the rocking chair and saying, 'Mama,

come here. I want to talk to you.' She would sit on his lap,

put her arms around him while they discussed a Sunday School

lesson or something else. He was very tender with her. My

father read a lot. As I recall, it was study pertaining to the

church. He loved music. He had a remal (tremor in his voice)

when he sang. He loved kids and they loved him."

His nephew Wells Robins in an interview in 1978 had this to

say: "Uncle Henry was quiet and unassuming. For that reason

everybody liked him. He was a good, honest, hardworking man. He

didn't try for high places or high offices. He was a very

friendly man. I never heard anything disrespectful of Uncle

Henry. He had a good reputation in our town of Scipio."

* * *

"Willow Tea" was a punishment term. A small willow with a

few leaves on it was carefully chosen to be used on bare legs or

arms. Often the child had to choose and get his own willow. The

whipping was not harsh. It was the idea of the discipline that

hurt.

* * *

Ethel recalls her father's method of disciplining her. "My

father cut my hair. I would wiggle. He would say, 'Sister, sit

still.' A little later I would wiggle again. 'Sister, sit

still,' he would say. When I would wiggle the third time he

would flip me on the cheek with his fingers. That was my

discipline."

* * *

Ethel also recalls, "Once I was having a bath in the round

tub in the kitchen. Father came home from one of his trips with

a grin as big as his face. In his hands he held a guitar and

told me it was for me. I jumped out of the tub as barenaked as a

jay-bird, and threw my arms around him to give him a bear hug."

* * *

Zelda Pitcher, a granddaughter, gives tribute to her

Grandfather in this manner: "Grandpa Thompson showed great

respect and love for the women in his life with such tenderness

and affection. He was so attentive and concerned about

Grandmother. I have a mental picture of seeing him pass her in a

room and tenderly patting her arm as he went on his way. He made

such a 'fuss' over her, complimenting her and attending to her

comfort.

"He was a big, robust, strong man who stood straight and

tall. He had a friendly hospitable way of greeting people. His

handshake was firm and sustaining. Grandpa didn't say a lot. He

was quiet and reserved by nature.

"His sisters were hospitable, happy people to be around.

They all had sunny dispositions. They loved to joke, kid and

tease. They were prissy, well-dressed, well-groomed 'hats and

gloves' ladies.

"Grandpa Thompson used 'Sister' in addressing daughters and

granddaughters. I remember one time, when I was a little girl,

playing the old phonograph in their home. I allowed one favorite

record to remain on long enough to run down slower and slower and

hear the words become drawn-out and distorted. I repeated the

process several times enjoying the funny sounds. It became very

annoying to Grandpa, so he finally said, 'Sister, that's

enough!' I recognized that as a strong statement of fact. I

knew his patience had run out. He was usually so lenient and

good in all things that I recognized his final discipline.

"My Grandfather and Grandmother must have had strong

character traits to have instilled in their children similar ones

we all recognize in each of them. Friendly, loving, kindly ways

are evident. They treat other with decent respect and expect the

same treatment. They never intentionally hurt anyone and would

avoid situations that were difficult. Determination and

perseverance in achieving and enduring are family traits.

Holding to a decision once it is made is common. Being

arbitrators and peacemakers was often the case. They had a

devotion to truth and honesty. Right was right and wrong was

wrong. Their word was their bond with no deviation. Hearty

laughter, good humor, pranks and jokes were also a part of life.

They all had a love for music. They enjoyed singing together as

a family with Bessie at the piano. They loved musical programs,

vaudeville, radio, and now TV and stereo.They also loved to

dance, especially at ward functions"

* * *

Bishop Charles Heslop expressed his admiration for this

couple. "The lives of Brother and Sister Thompson throughout

their days and especially in their old age is an inspiration to

all who know them. They were so kind and devoted to each other

and always so appreciative of anything that was done for them.

They labored as members of the Genealogical Board of the North

Weber Stake for some time. They were both happy to bear their

testimonies to the great work that they had engaged in all of

their lives."

Aunt Lula remembers visiting with Lizzie one day and talking

about some of the troubles someone was having in the ward. Henry

admonished them, "Now, Sisters, if you can't say something good

about someone, don't say anything at all."

Aunt Lula remembers one time when Uncle Charle had some new

chickens in an incubator which overheated and the coop caught

fire in the night. Mr. Thompson came running to help, carrying a

bucket to use for throwing water out of the water trough. He was

barefooted. His underwear showed above his pants, and on his

head was a hat. Wearing a hat was one of his trademarks.

* * *

His Grandson Howard Hansen gives this account of his

Grandfather. "My Grandfather Thompson was a man that I 'took

after' from the time he came to see us until he would leave for

home. He told many interesting stories of his personal

experiences riding horses, taking care of cattle in the Henry

Mountains in Southern Utah and large herds of sheep in the

various places in Utah and Idaho. He could tie knots in rope

that did not come loose, splice broken rope that would be strong

again, braid horsehair into rope or halter or a bridle for his

horse, train a dog to help him move sheep.

He exhibited great faith in God. He never swore except when

it was beyond his control, then you had better look out, 'cause

you would get a 'Juda Kate and the gal named Tom." He honored

those in authority over him in the priesthood and strived to

follow the counsel he received from them.

"You never had to wait for my Grandfather. If a plan was

decided upon, he was the first one to apply himself. If it was a

trip, the things needed were prepared in advance and his hat and

coat would be on with him waiting for the rest of us to move.

"He taught me how to fish and how to clean them and care for

them so they wouldn't spoil, by placing them in a box in which

long grass had been placed, then gunny sacks soaked with cold

water covered them.

"Grandfather was a respected man in the community where he

lived. He suffered great financial loss in the 1929 depression

with the closing of the Ogden State Bank where he kept the money

needed to manage his affairs.

"He moved back to his farm in Plain City (about 1929-30) and

began to work at hard labor at an age where many men retire

(about 70). One summer at the Plain City farm (during my 15th

year) I was the loader and drove team for Grandfather during the

grain harvest. It was hard to keep pace with him, he would pitch

all the grain on his side of the wagon up to me and then walk

around front and help a man 25 years younger on the other side of

the wagon. He could never be content to wait when there was work

which needed to be done.

"To my memory he stood nearly six feet tall with a weight

near 185-190 pounds.

"When I took my first job away from home at the Amalgamated

Sugar Factory in Amalga, Utah, he said to me, 'Son, you be there

in the morning and take the first shovel full and the last shovel

full at night, and you will have a job as long as you want to

work.' I have never been out of a job since then."

* * *

His Grandson Norman Thompson tells this experience of having

his Grandfather give him the following advice: (This was when

Henry lived in Merwin's home, after Lizzie's death.) "There was

just Grandfather and I home this one day. He said, 'One thing you

need to remember if you're going to be dealing with people.

First off you've got to get acquainted with them and become a

true friend to them. The second thing is to remember to let them

make the deal, then the only thing you need to worry about is

whether it's a fair deal for you and you are satisfied with it,

'cause if they make the deal you don't have to wonder if you've

satisfied their requirement.' Over the years this has been a

real good thing for me to remember about Grandfather and his

philosophy of dealing with people. He applied this method when

he was trading horses with someone, always allowing them to make

the deal."

Norman Thompson gives his impression: "Grandfather Thompson

to me was a gentleman farmer. He wore a stiff-brimmed hat. He

stood erect. He walked erect. He didn't like farming as such,

but in my early recollections of him around 1925-29, he was

working around clearing the weeds and wishing he was out on the

sheep herd somewhere."

* * *

One of the things Henry enjoyed most was sitting in a hotel

lobby with half a dozen silver dollars in his pocket and jingling

them as he talked. He loved people and he liked visiting with

them.

* * *

Harold Thompson gives his impressions of his Grandfather:

"In my memory my Grandfather was a hardworking farmer. Around

1925 when I was about ten years old, I used to help him

irrigate. I remember going down to Sunshine at 3 a.m. to help

him put in a dirt dam because my father was give out.

"Sometimes Grandfather didn't use very good judgment. When

the day was hot, he'd get in the ditch to clean it out. I'd

follow along and pitch out his diggings with a fork. He would

shovel and shovel, work and work until he'd give right out. Then

he couldn't work the next day at all.

"I used to rake hay and he would pile it. He'd help us hoe

beets, pick up potatoes, haul hay....none of which he enjoyed.

He was always talking about the range and sheep herding and

working with cattle. That's where I got my love for beef cattle.

"He let me keep my own time when I worked for him. Then

when I went to settle up, he would ask me how many hours I worked

and pay me accordingly.

"One time when he was helping us dig potatoes, someone was

talking about a county official who had died and the special

honors being paid him. Grandfather said, 'When I die, they'll

say old Hen Thompson&emdash;he's dead. Bully for him!"

* * *

His daughter-in-law Frances (Sterling's wife) had this to

say about Henry: "One thing about Grandpa, he took good care of

everything he had. He was one of the kindest, gentlest, most

patient men. When he stayed with us, he would get up in the

morning and come out of the bedroom all dressed so neat. He had

a wonderful personality. You couldn't do a favor for him but

what he would say, 'Oh, thank you, my dear."

* * *

Skin medication that became a family tradition in Henry and

Lizzie's family and even on down to some present day usage in

grandchildren's homes were: Capillaris, Watkins Ointment, called

"Cow Salve" by the family, Mentholatum, Cuticura Medicated Soap.

Exzema is a skin problem in the family tree. Asthma and hay

fever are also family problems.

* * *

Henry was a doting father who probably pampered his

daughters somewhat. His tender, teasing, kindly ways drew them

to him. How he relished their visits to the family home with

their husbands and children. The children adored him, and the

sons-in-law found him to be a good conversationalist, a ready

supporter with any work project and a proud grandfather.

Bessie married in 1907. She and Loren lived in Wilson Lane

and Burch Creek in Weber County, at Trenton in Cache County, in

El Segundo and Glendale in Los Angeles County, California and in

Plain City, Utah.

Ethel married in 1920. She and Ralph lived in Hansen,

Idaho, Ogden, Utah and Portland, Damascus and Gladstone in

Oregon.

III. HORSE STORIES

Sterling. "Father had a special horse named 'Roaney,' a

roan horse (rose-gray mottled). I was with him one time on a

man's ranch looking at his corral full of horses. The man

offered Father any three horses he would choose in trade for

Roaney. Father wasn't interested."

"After he sold his sheep he brought Roaney in with him and

kept him here on the farm. While he was away from home for a

trip, Merwin sold him to Guy Rhead who was working him on a milk

wagon. When Father came home and found Roaney gone, he told me

to go buy the horse back. 'How much shall I pay for him?' I

asked. 'I don't care how much you pay for him, just get him

back.' This I did. He was an old horse by now and I think I

paid $75.00 for him. Father said, 'Now don't ever use him

again. Let him stay here. He's pensioned off. He and me we own

this place and we're going to take it easy.' That is the way he

was with horses.

* * *

Gordon. "He had a horse out at the sheep camp that got all

crippled up and couldn't walk. We were hauling oats for about 50

miles. He took that horse out and gave it all the oats it would

eat. He then took it out and shot it. He loved his horses. He

wanted them to die happy."

* * *

Aunt Lula tells this story about Henry.

One morning while she and Uncle Charle Telford were eating

breakfast, Mr. Thompson came knocking at our door, saying,

"Charlie, I've a favor to ask of you this morning. Old Rowdy's

got to die. He is too old." Charles answered, "I'll come right

now, Henry." "No hurry, Charlie," replied Henry, "I'll feed him

a big feeding of oats." "Why do you want to do that?" asked

Charles. "Well, he can't die on an empty stomach," was the

reply.

* * *

Sterling was trying to catch a horse in the corral and was

having trouble doing it. He went to the house and asked his

father who was elderly at the time to come and lasso the horse

for him. "I'll do that, but that's all I'll do," his father

said. The horse eyed the two men with a stubborn stance. Henry

prepared the lasso. Then he stood near the horse, moved one of

his feet quickly with a stomp. This distracted the horse who

looked at the ground and Henry threw the lasso and secured the

horse for Sterling. He knew tricks and ways of handling horses.

* * *

Gordie tells us another horse story. "One of his horses

being ridden on a steep hill near Mendon, Utah went down and

rolled and had an injured leg which became worse and worse as

time went on. Finally it got so bad the horse couldn't be used

any more. So my Dad had us boys sweep up snow and melt it and

let it settle so the horse could drink it. Then he gave the

horse all the oats he could eat, and then took him away from the

herd and shot him. Whenever a horse was disabled, Father would

keep him around and give him a good chance to get over it, then

he'd give him all the water and feed he wanted, and then shoot

him. He wanted him to die happy."

* * *

Norman Thompson also had a story. "Harold and I had a

sorrel pony with cropped ears. I had $2.50 interest in that pony

and Harold had $17.50 interest in him. So everybody considered

him Harold's horse. We rode him a lot. He was a well-worn

pony. This one spring he had his mane and tail full of burrs.

He hadn't been clipped. His hair was long. He looked like he

had been neglected all winter.

"One morning, Grandfather Thompson came out of his house up

the street from us with his cowboy hat on, his gloves in his hand

and his cowboy vest on. Carrying a hackamore in his hand, he

came walking down the street and into our yard. He said,

'Where's Harold, I need to make a deal with him?' We rounded up

Harold and Grandfather said to him, 'I've come down to see if I

can borrow your horse today.' Of course we were tickled to death

that he wanted our horse. So we said of course he could take

him.

"Grandfather went out in the corral and caught Old Tony with

all his burrs, looking sad and forlorn. He walked back up the

street just as straight as when he came down. Old Tony's nose

was on the ground walking along behind. Grandfather and Old Tony

disappeared around the old garage and blacksmith's shop.

"Two or three hours later we looked up and here comes

Grandfather and Old Tony. He didn't look like the same horse,

except he was the same color. All the burrs were cleaned from

his mane and tail and he was well brushed and groomed.

Grandfather was sitting as erect as if he was riding a show horse

and Tony's head was as high as if he was a Thoroughbred, prancing

like he was going to the races. Grandfather had one hand on the

reins just right and the other down to his side holding the

opposite end of the reins. His spurs were a 'janglin'. He rode

on past our place like he was going to a parade. He was going

out to the Skeen pasture to catch Old Rowdy who had been

wintering there. Two or three people had been out trying to find

him, so Grandfather went to get him himself. We always respected

Grandfather's ability with horses."

IV. SOME MEMORIES OF GRANDPA THOMPSON

By LauRene T. Buswell

Probably one of my first recollections of Grandpa Thompson

is being in his and Grandmother's home where Uncle Gordie now

lives (the "block house"). I don't recall many details, but I do

recall the love I felt for that dear man when he talked to me or

held me on his knees. He had a kind face, a big grin, happy eyes

and skin that seemed to be made out of 'graham bread' because it

was kind-of freckled. It seems like he always wore a hat or a

cap.

In their home I especially liked the fringed, multi-colored,

dome-shaped light fixture and shade that hung over the dining

room table. The shade was made up of brightly colored triangular

shaped pieces of glass that somehow reminded me of a

stained-glass church window. The fringe was four inches long or

longer. It was so elegant.

The heavy round oak dining table had a feature that

attracted me. The four legs that branched out from the single

center post had claw-feet that attached to amber glass balls.

Going upstairs was always high adventure. Somehow the small

window on the landing intrigued me. Then going down the hall

past the attic door was a bit scarey. Grandma did allow us to

see into that attic room where trunks and suitcases and boxes

were stored. When we had company at home, I was often allowed to

go to Grandma's to sleep. I can remember the cream-colored,

high-backed wooden bed where I slept. It was Birdseye Maple and

there was a dressing table to match.

Playing in the grain in the big storage bins in the granary

was the greatest fun in the world. I can remember peeking out

the knotholes in the walls.

I have a very faint memory of the house they lived in on

21st street. But I have a strong memory of the one on 26th

street. Aunt Lizzie lived with them. She was so special to talk

to. My cousins and I had such fun climbing the steep cement

stairs across the street that led up to some kind of a monument

and joined the street at the top of the hill.

Grandfather liked to read and he wore his glasses kind-of on

the end of his nose. He wore the kind of house slippers that

look like shoes only don't have laces, with elastic on either

side. On his head he wore a green isinglass eye shade.

I can remember his Chev car that my brother Norm bought when

he went to Weber College. How Grandfathr hated to give up that

car, but his driving was no longer dependable.

It was always special when Grandfather and Grandmother came

to visit us.

They lived on 17th street in a little house that I loved to

stay in when I was about 12-17 years old. I remember liking to

read Edgar A. Guest poem books of Aunt Lizzie's that had a

special place on the shelf of the library table where I often

studied.

It seems that Grandmother was always sewing on burial

clothes whenever we went there. She made them for morticians

Malan, Larkin and Lindquist.

Grandfather kept his yard so neat. It seems like he mowed

the lawn twice a week. He loved to walk and was often out

walking for a long time. Grandfather didn't "mosey" when he

walked, he strided out gingerly.

Three things I particularly remember liking to eat at

Grandfather and Grandmother's table were soft-boiled eggs served

in an egg cup, plain cake with chocolate frosting and clingstone

peaches.

Grandfather did some of the cooking. Grandmother wasn't too

well and had to rest a lot.

I remember a camping trip up South Fork at Beaver.

Grandfather had set up camp in a huge tent east of the road near

a stream. His sheep were near....we could hear the sheep bells.

Grandfather was a great Dutch Oven cook. I remember Grandmother

wore knickers and high-laced hiking boots. It seems that many of

my cousins and aunts and uncles were there, too. This camping

experience occurred when I was a very young child.

Grandfather was a pleasant man who had a quiet dignity. He

and Grandmother often bore their tetimonies at Church. They were

good Church-goers.

I loved my Grandfather Thompson. They came to live with us

when Grandmother became too ill to care for them in their home.

Grandfather was so attentive and tender to her. They were dear

people in my life.

After Grandmother's death he continued to live with us. He

became very forgetful, but he could remember in details

experiences of his early life. He was such a gentle man, so

appreciative of any kindness. He was a great man.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

A. Books:

1. Milestones of Millard, 1851-1951.

2. Remember My Valley, by Laverna Newey, Pages 266-269

B. Biographies:

1. Autobiography of Hannah Elizabeth Y. Thompson

2. Life of Daniel Thompson by Elizabeth Thompson

3. Life of H. B. Thompson, by Charles L. Heslop.

C. Genealogy Records:

1. Family Group Sheets

2. Scipio Ward Records

3. Missionary Records

D. Interviews with children, grandchildren, nephew, neighbor.

(Several are taped.)

Several years ago, while on assignment to the Salt Lake

office of Touche Ross, I spent my spare time doing Genealogical

work. I have photo copies of the following hand written letters

from Henry Thompson accepting his mission calls and signed, also,

by his Bishop, Thomas Yates - Shirley Watkins 7/8/91.

Scipio Sept 16th 1882

Prest John Taylor

Dear Br (as written-SW)

Your letter of the eigth came safe to hand in reply will say that

I am a young man twenty three years old with a scanty Education

and have not had any experience in speaking and but little

understanding of the Gospel but if you wish me to go I will go

and do the best I can

Your Brother in the Gospel.

Henry Thompson

Thomas Yates

Bishop Scipio Ward

* * *

Scipio Feb 22, 1899

Prest Lorenzo Snow

Salt Lake City

Dear Brother

Yours of Feb 8th at hand. In reply will say, will be ready

to depart for a mission on the date mentioned April 22nd 1899.

Your Brother in the Gospel

Henry Thompson

Thomas Yates Bp Scipio Ward

* * *