Things I remember about Great Grandpa Sandberg (RIN #212)

December 28, 1967

By Vere Jensen

Grandpa died April 9, 1891. I was two years old on April 2. 1891. We lived with Grandpa and Grandma. My folks lived about a fourth of a mile from Grandma and Grandpa's.

My folks were having dinner with Grandpa and Grandma and I was naughty that day. I don't remember what I did but they took me in Grandpa Sandberg's room. It was a room built on the side of the log house. To punish me they tied me to Grandpa's bed with a rope, after dinner Grandpa came to his room to rest, I think, and found me tied to his bed. I don't know if he could see at all as sometime while he was active he was chopping wood and a stick flew out and hit him in one eye. He lost all sight in that eye. Grandpa couldn't untie me so he cried and made my folks come and untie me.

One more thing I remember about him. When he ate he always tied a bandana handkerchief around his right wrist and put it over the back of his neck. He would hold the end of the handkerchief in his left hand, and raise his left hand to let his right hand get the food. We would then pull his right hand up to his mouth so he could get the food in his mouth.

Then I remember I was to Grandpa Jensen's and Aunt Ellie and Aunt Clarie (that is what we always called them) were talking about Grandpa Sandberg. I told them that I could remember when he died. They said, "Oh you can't either. you were only two years old." I told them enough to convince them that I could remember my Great-Grandpa Sandberg.

Things I remember about Great Grandfather Jensen's Mother

April 24, 1967

By Vere Jensen

I think Grand-Father's Father died while they were coming to Utah. His wife, Grand-Father's Mother, was very upset and grief stricken. I don't know how many children there where then, or whether any of them were with them. I think Great Grand-father has more money than most of the people in their company. One of the leaders, I don't know if it was the Captain, a Bishop or Stake President, said he would take care of the money for her so she would have it when she got to Utah. That man never gave it back to her. Through that and losing her husband she lost her mind. It seemed to me that folks those days were ashamed to have anyone like that in the family as I only remember hearing about it once. Aunt Clara and Aunt Ella said that Grandmother had to be watched all the time. Grandpa's house was a block or so off the road and was surrounded by sage brush. I don't remember ever seeing taller sagebrush than theirs. Grandmother would wander day or night. They were afraid she would get lost. I was quite small when I heard them talking about this so it might not be right, but my cousin Twila (Aunt Ella's daughter) remembers her mother telling the same thing about Grandpa's Mother.