CHAPTER
II -YOUNG ADULTHOOD - COLLEGE YEARS
Two years passed
during which I worked on the farm. The longing for higher education
became intensified. An invitation was received from my Bowman
Grandparents, Henry Eyring Bowman and Mary Gubler Bowman, to come to
Logan, Utah and live with them and attend the Utah State Agricultural
College. Grandfather had undergone a serious prostate operation and was
not recovering rapidly. Grandmother needed someone to take care of the
cow, chickens, garden, and help around their apartment house. This was
my golden opportunity.
Dad had ordained me
a Priest on October 5, 1930.
Dad and Mother took
me to El Paso to buy some clothing. Upon our return, we learned that
Lamar Taylor and the Pierce boys and girl were going to drive up and I
could ride with them. Dad was only able to give me $100.00 toward my
college education.
When I got on the
Noroeste De Mexico train to leave for college, Mother was crying. She
knew that this was only a temporary separation, but it was emotional. I
have used this example in talks in funerals to remind us that even
though death is not a permanent separation, we are sad at parting. Just
as I was getting ready to leave, Dad took me aside and told me that he
would prefer that I be sent home in a coffin, rather than that I should
come home disgraced for having committed sexual sin. This is an example
of the impressive teachings I received from my parents. As a result of
these teachings, all eight of us who lived went on missions, and were
married in the temple.
We had a pleasant
trip to Provo, where the others were going. Evidently a Mr. Smith was
driving, because he took me as far as Brigham City, where I stayed
overnight. (I don't remember where.) The next morning I took the
Interurban (train, two or three cars) to Logan.
I was a little
worried about how to find Grandmother's house, but I walked a couple of
miles or so carrying my bag, north and east until I found it (585 East
700 North). My first impression was that it was a very nice place, away
from the business section, and peaceful and quiet like a small town.
Grandmother was very surprised, because she hadn't been informed that I
was coming. I arrived on September 13, 1932.
There was plenty to
do around the place. There were weeds to hoe in the garden, a steeply
sloped lawn to cut, 500 chickens to care for, a Jersey cow to feed and
milk, and there were apartments to clean, etc., etc. There was time to
tinker with the old 1925 (or 1927) Oldsmobile sedan that was abandoned
in the back yard because it wouldn't run. Then I took Grandmother in it
to Salt Lake to see Grandfather. She hadn't been able to leave until
September 22nd until all the apartments were rented (3). Grandfather
really beamed all over when the "only woman he ever really loved" walked
in. But he took one look at little Claudius and said, "You're not a
Bowman!"
Uncle Henry came
from Provo daily to massage Grandfather's legs, so while Grandma
visited Grandpa, I went to Provo where I spent two happy days becoming
acquainted with Uncle Henry and Aunt Eva's family, an exceptional family
where there was never a dull moment. This friendship has lasted over
the years, and we have had many wonderful times together.
Grandfather
insisted that Uncle Henry drive him to Logan on November 6, 1932,
although he admitted later that he should have stayed longer in the
hospital. It was a great and interesting experience to get acquainted
with Grandfather, even though at first he was so miserable because of
the pain he suffered that it accentuated his bad temper. By the middle
of December, he felt better and would get out for short walks. He
enjoyed Christmas, and visiting with his many friends and relatives.
Dad, I can readily
see where you get all your grit, because you are just like your father.
As he described his operation, it was some ordeal. It seems that they
were trying out a new anesthetic that they inject into the spine, and
that is what they used on Granddad. But it did not work. They started
the operation and it was too late to stop, so they went through with
it. Granddad said that if Dr. LeGrand made one move that he didn't get
full benefit of the pain that he would challenge anyone to tell him
about it. The way he described how they got their hands down under his
bladder and jerked the prostate out was very touching. Then they sewed
up two or three incisions with him gritting he teeth and bearing it
without the aid of an anesthetic. They called him superman around the
hospital.
The nearest thing I
have to a diary are my letters that I wrote almost every week. To give
you an idea of how I was during my education and growing up years, as
well as later, I will quote from them. If anyone reads my letters, he
or she should take them with a grain of salt, because it seems that I
was always trying to he funny and exaggerated the situation and the
spelling.
November 6, 1932
Uncle Henry and
Aunt Eva brought Grandfather home in Brother Done's car. They took the
front seat out and made a bed on the right side. Grandpa is feeling
pretty good. He stood the trip pretty well. He is now lying on the
divan talking to a couple of visitors. I guess that I'll have the
pleasure of rubbing him down with alcohol every night. Uncle Henry and
Aunt Eva went right back after dinner. Granddad is surely glad to get
home. He admits now that he should have stayed in the hospital a few
days longer the first time. It would have saved him an awful lot of
suffering. He left the hospital and went to Hugh Hurst's home for a
while, but had to return to the hospital. (Hugh Hurst is a very good
friend of the family. He is a son of the Hurst that has the largest
marker in the Dublan cemetery. I became well acquainted with him later,
and he helped me considerably because he was the veterinarian for the
Utah Poultry Producers' Cooperative.) Granddad thinks he can get along
all right now. He can walk around using two canes, and he can get up
and down into the easy chairs, although he needs help to sit on the
dining room chairs.
I met Dr. Reuben A.
Hill and his wife Theresa Snow Hill. Dr. Hill is a Chemistry professor
at the College. Theresa Snow Hill and her sister, Beatrice Snow Winsor,
were Mother's best friends at the J.S.A. and their Mother is an Eyring.
They were very anxious to hear about the family and they asked me
questions for more than a half hour. Dr. Hill later took me up to the
College and introduced me to Professors Coe and Wilson who were over the
Horticulture Department. Everyone has been so good to me. I guess it's
because they can see the rube sticking out all over.
September 24, 1932
We register next
Monday. When I told Granddad I was going to major in Horticulture, he
said, "Goodness, don't do that, it's a four year course". (I was
planning to go only one year, or at most two). If I don't go at least
two years, I won't get much Horticulture, because I have to take so
much basic sciences such as Botany, Chemistry, etc.
October 2, 1932
Well I'm
registered--glad of it. It was rather confusing at first, although I
laugh at myself now. I didn't have much of a say about which classes I
took. Professor Coe helped me, and he said that the faculty had gotten
together and picked out the course for agriculture students. I have one
course in Horticulture taught by Coe. My hardest course is Mathematics.
I seem to have forgotten all the algebra I ever knew. I've been to two
dances so far, one to the Ward recreation hall, and the other was a
student body dance downtown at the Palais D'Or, which was free. The
first cost me 15 cents. I didn't dance much, although I did meet a few
girls. I went to a football game yesterday between the Aggies and
Montana State. The Aggies won 26 to 0. (I took time out to go to Sunday
School at the College Institute.) I enjoyed Sunday School immensely.
I've never been to a meeting where there was such a profound spirit of
reverence and worship. I could not help but compare it with ours down
home. I'm very much afraid it was to the disadvantage of the Dublan
S.S. I was never before impressed that the Sunday School was a place to
worship. At least, our young people did not have that attitude down
home as they should have had.
October 10, 1932
I'm getting so very
wise after two weeks at school that I am sprouting a wisdom tooth. Oh
say, I had my first job last Thursday picking apples. I have all
afternoon free on Thursdays so I guess I'll be able to earn a few
farthings which I need because that last $5.00 book took nearly all
had.
It's winter now,
all right, and how! A week ago it was warm and sunny, but now it's down
to Zero weather. We had a regular blizzard last Friday. I sure donned
my overcoat in a big hurry. And yet the cold doesn't go through you
like it does down home. It just makes you feel tingley and gives you a
red nose, etc.
I'm the invalid of
the family now; I have been having me a tummy ache every night for a
week or so. Granddad thinks he's a man again now. He goes walking
nearly every day, snow and everything. Grandmother used to gather the
eggs every chance she had, but since it has become winter she likes to
stay inside a little better, so I get to gather the eggs three times a
day. Christmas is near, because Grandma's Christmas cactus is blooming,
a sure sign. The kids around here surely have a good time. The street
just south of the house goes up a steep hill. They walk to the top, get
on their sleds and really come. They pass here like a streak. I'm
certainly glad I am only 3 blocks from the college. You take one step
and slip back two.
I really enjoy the
College Institute Sunday School. They have only two classes, both with
wonderful teachers. I go to Dr. West's class. He combines religion, the
Bible and science so beautifully it has strengthened my testimony very
much.
October 30, 1932
On Saturday I
harvested the carrots for the old bossy (cow) to nibble on all winter.
There were so many it took me more than half a day to haul them in. I
buried them in a pit back of the house, where they will keep very well
all winter. Well, Dad and Mother, it is easier to tell you how much I
love and appreciate you in a letter. It was "kinda" hard to get at it
when you are right there with each other. Besides. I guess that I never
thought of it. When you are with someone every day you seem to take him
or her for granted. You never think that they might like or appreciate
a few words of love, but I guess I can make up for it now. I am so very
proud of my parents and my family.
November 30, 1932
Granddad is getting
along pretty well. He was out yesterday showing me what to do and just
how he wanted his lot plowed, etc. He is a good boss, but he doesn't
give me any credit for any intelligence. He is like Uncle Harvey Taylor
in this respect. His slogan is "get organized." If I ever have to look
for anything he laughs at me. However, I have learned to love him
sincerely. He is a great old man, so full of wisdom, etc. Grandmother is
the best financial manager I have ever seen. If a nickel is to be
spent, there must be a good reason for it. She really hates the idea of
being in debt, and I don't know if I blame her.
The A.C. had a
rally down to the Capitol Theater Thursday night. I went on a spending
spree and took it in. It cost me a quarter with my student card. They
had a good show, and the fraternities and sororities presented
stunts--very good. I am joining the Ag Club (it costs a dollar for the
year). I am getting along fine financially, but since Granddad came I
haven't had time to get any extra jobs. Dad, he is just like you, he
can see so many things to do. I could see them too, but had the idea I
should earn some extra cash while I had the chance.
After this last
week of Thanksgiving I'm still so full I don't see how I can eat any
more for a month (until supper time). I got to thinking the other day
of all the things I am thankful for, and I'm afraid if I wrote them all
it would use all my stationery, and then I couldn't write you any more
letters, so I won't try. But I would like to tell you how thankful I am
that I have such good parents. At times, I confess I have been
dissatisfied, but when I'd stop and think of all you have done for me
(and my brothers and sisters) I'd feel ashamed of myself. In comparing
my dear parents with other fathers and mothers I'm afraid the others
suffer terribly, for there are none I have seen who come anywhere near
to MY PARENTS. I hope that as I go through life I will never cause you
pain. If I do this, when I am called up to be judged, I will not be
ashamed.
I am thankful that
Granddad is so much better. I was feeling pretty bad about his
condition, but he's getting better every day. He gets out his old German
songbook and sings to pass the time. He certainly knows his onions when
it comes to the chickens. He lectured me for a couple of hours the
other night.
December 1932
I have certainly
found out what it means to be in a cold country. The thermometer has
been down around 30° below zero F., but it has now moderated until
it only gets down to 10° below. One morning, I didn't wear my
gloves. Coming home I was carrying some books and my hands nearly
froze. I walked the floor with pain for at least a half hour because I
didn't know enough to put them in cold water. This country is funny,
anything that it not warmed some way freezes up. In the chicken coops
we have a half inch pipe bringing water from the canal that runs right
by the barn. The water runs through tin troughs in the front of the
coops for the chickens to drink. When it gets down to 30° below
zero the troughs freeze solid and the water runs all over the floor.
This makes me get up at 4:00 A.M. to clean the coops and put new straw
in.
The water jacket in
the furnace became clogged with lime and blew up, so I didn't get to go
the the Institute Christmas Program. It's fixed now.
December 26, 1932
Old Santa Clause
came from the south this year instead of from the north. I surely
appreciate your Christmas gifts to me. Thank you so very much. It
really wouldn't have seemed like Christmas without some of Mother's
wonderful homemade candy. We were invited up to Hills' for Christmas
dinner. Granddad went too, and we all had a real feed and a lot better
time than I had anticipated.
Well, we have this
holiday, and I do not have a job as yet. Prof. Wilson had promised me a
job, so I went up to the college this morning. The buildings were not
heated, so he wouldn't stay. I hope they heat them tomorrow so I will
have work.
Grandmother's
children all sent her something except Uncle Harold and I guess his
present is just late. She surely feels bad about not being able to send
them something, or do anything for Christmas, but she feels that the
debts come first and pleasure, etc., afterward. They gave me a dollar
to buy some galoshes.
Grandma was surely
surprised to get a box from you, as I was. She sends her love and
sincere thanks. Granddad has not been feeling so good lately. His
improvement is very slow.
January 1, 1933
Happy New Year, and
may it be a prosperous one for us all. In just 3 days we have to hit
the ball again. Jimminy! A million dollars would represent a lot of
time if you had to earn it at 25 cents an hour, wouldn't it. I've had
about 20 hours work this week--only $5.00, but I am very glad to have
it.
I profited greatly
from Grandfather's teachings and philosophy. Unforgettable memories of
him and Grandmother have been a constant influence in my life. If I did
any little extra task on Sunday, he would say: "You're kinda' bending
the sabbath, aren't you boy?" "Get organized." "A place for everything,
and everything in its place."
Grandfather seemed
to know that possibly he would not be around too long. He wanted to
leave everything in good shape for his beloved wife. He saw that she
needed an automatic coal stoker for the furnace. Much against her
wishes, he arranged with a good friend, who owned a heating and
plumbing store, to trade their stock in the Utah Cooperative Poultry
Association for the major part of the cost of the stoker. This took
some doing, because the stock did not mature for two or three years in
order to be cashed. Grandmother later very much appreciated his
foresight and his concern for her welfare.
Grandfather felt
well enough in January that Uncle Harold and Aunt Nina came to take him
the Salt Lake City so he could attend the Poultry Association annual
meeting.
January 24, 1933
Granddad got back
from his convention Saturday night, feeling as chipper as ever.
However, his incision has broken out again, so now the house smells
like a goat pen. We are hoping it will heal quickly. Since we have the
stoker, I will not have to get up quite so early some days. I am
planning to hike up Mount Logan in the snow with an engineering student
who lives in one of the apartments. He goes up to measure the water
content of the snow. He brought me some snowshoes down to fit to my
feet. I went on a spending spree last week and bought me some "high
top" boots, and some pants that lace on the calf and stick out at the
side. I also got my picture taken, so I will have something to show for
my college education (my picture in the yearbook, The Buzzer).
January 30, 1933
I wish you had some
of our snow. We have more than 2 feet of it. The sidewalks are lanes.
Last Saturday I
went on that hike I told you about up Mount Logan. Now it seems a great
relief to get back where there is only 2 and a half feet of snow. It
was new to me to be in so much snow (7 or more feet, and much more in
the drifts). The trees looked like a fairy land. It snowed on us all
morning and got us all so wet that we had to keep moving or freeze. On
the steeper parts it was very difficult for the trail breaker (we all
changed off} to get his snow shoes on top of 1 and a half feet of new
snow. We made a trail that deep as we passed. There was not a crust, so
we just wallowed. The water content was measured by taking a core with
an aluminum pipe and weighing it. We came home a different way, and slid
down the steeper places on our snow shoes.
This is the week of
mid-term exams, so I'll have to get to work. I'll have to be more
efficient, I guess, so there will be time for remunerative labor.
February 6, 1933
I think that I will
get to go on some pruning demonstrations with Professor Coe this
spring. I quite like the Prof., even if he is a "Christian Scientist."
He said it was not the apple that caused the trouble in Eden, but a
green pear (pair).
February 23, 1933
We certainly had a
nice assembly today. We had a really great speaker who made us think.
We also had a holiday. Old granddaddy Washington did us a favor and
gave us time to clean out the coops without using valuable study time.
Granddad went down
to Salt Lake last Sunday to see if he couldn't get a little help from
the Doc. He was feeling pretty rotten, and was recovering very slowly.
He went down with Ovando Gubler, Grandmother's nephew, who was here
selling molasses.
I think I have
nearly convinced Grandmother that she should go to the "opera" with me.
The college is putting on "Faust" on March 2-3, downtown in the Capitol
theater. They do a great job, including the scenery. (She didn't go,
finally.)
Going to College is
like a 5 ring circus. You can't possibly see it all, and if you move
your head much you don't see much of anything.
March 29, 1933
I am enjoying my
two hours per week in the gymnasium pool, even though we do not have a
coach. Grandma is off to the temple tonight with the Hills. She is
getting more and more worried about Grandfather, because he is not
improving. They have taken him down to Provo where Uncle Henry can work
on him with those "magic hands" of his. He needs another operation, but
refuses to have it. He is probably too weak to stand it anyway.
The Dean of
Agriculture, Dean Maynard, said he knew you, Dad, when you played
basketball in days of yore. I should go in and talk with him. Uncle
Thel wanted to introduce me to him, but I had a lot of bad luck with
freezing water when he was here (and had to clean out the coops) so I
was not available.
April 20, 1933
We must get our new
pullets (8 weeks old) right away, so there is a coop to wash, scrape,
clean, and disinfect.
April 27, 1933
You could say we
had a holiday, "A" day. Boy did we work. My hands are still sore. The
rest of the school knocked off at noon, but Professor Coe got a group
of us horticulture students to landscape the Animal Husbandry building
(where the horticulture classes are also held). We stayed all day and
finished the job, so we have the prettiest landscaped building on
campus.
I have put in the
garden and cleaned up a big junky back yard. I terraced it and put in a
strawberry patch.
May 14, 1933
School is out, and
since the last edition of the "scribble" I have been and done things. I
have been over to Newton thinning beets. The labor agent said that it
was 8 miles over there, but the "Olds' says it is 17 miles. Just the
same, I have learned the value of a dollar. I have almost irrigated the
man's beets with the sweat of my brow, and what do I get? A paltry one
dollar. We came home Monday afternoon and cleaned the two upstairs
apartments, and rented them the next day at a reduced summer rate. I am
having a time growing a garden. I water and the sun bakes. We can have
baked vegetables.
June 22, 1933
At present I am out
of a job again (partially). I cleared about $1.15 per day thinning
sugar beets. It cost me about 30 cents a day to run the "Olds" the 30
miles round trip.
The chickens
(pullets) are growing like weeds and seem to be as healthy as I am. We
have not lost even one. We are feeding them sour skim milk from the
college dairy at 5 cents per 10 gallons.
(I do not know why
I didn't write about Grandfather's death, funeral, etc. He died on May
30, 1933, and was buried in the Provo cemetery. Uncle Henry died a few
months later.)
July 19, 1933
I have a job at
last, hoeing sugar beets for $1.75 for 9 hours. The raspberries are on
now, and that means that Auntie Maybeth must pick them. She has been
very rushed these last few days. She is up the canyon at the girls'
camp leaving me all alone.
I drive ten miles
to the farm, but it is not so bad now since 3 other fellows ride with
me and pay the expenses. I broke a spring on the car, and it's so old,
I do not know if I can find another.
August 11, 1933
We have been
cleaning house for quite a number of days, and I am tired of housework.
I've had to go over all the walls (they have a type of plastic wall
paper on them) with a wall cleaner of our own manufacture. We use it
like an eraser to remove the black deposit from the hot air heating
system and grease from the cook stove.
The pullets are
starting to lay eggs now--got 8 yesterday. They are nearly 5 months
old. I have lost 9 by disease. In this country where chickens have been
raised for so long, it is difficult to keep them disease free. We have
lost about 15% of the hens over the winter. Still, this young flock is
relatively disease free.
August 13, 1933
It is about time, I
think, for me to be making some sort of a plan for my future. I feel I
am at the crossroads, so to speak, whether to go on to school to
graduation, or return home to help the family. I would like to know your
desires, and whether or not I could be spared for a few years, so as to
govern myself accordingly.
September 7, 1933
School starts
September 25. Before that time I must amass about $45.00. If I can
collect the $7.00 due from the sugar beet job, I'll have about $25.00.
If I can get about two more week's work before school starts, I will
not have to use any of Grandmother's chicken money. When I talked to
Maybeth, she approved the idea that I could use a percentage of the net
income. But Grandmother is buying another washer, then there is the
coal to buy, other bills, and taxes.
Sept 13, 1933
I have been
varnishing and painting here in the house (chairs and floors). I
dropped in to see Mr. Maynard, the Dean of the School of Agriculture. I
introduced myself to him, and he said, "Are you Curly Bowman's boy? I
used to know him years ago when he played basketball down in Texas." I
asked him if he could help me find work, and he told me to go to Alder
(head of the Poultry Dept.) and if he couldn't help me to come back.
The cow had her
calf, but it was dead when I found it. She has freshened anyway. The
price of eggs has gone up to 21 cents for extras, so that will mean
quite a lot to us.
Well, I have turned
wallpaper hanger. Grandma had a couple of men come to hang the "sanitas"
on the two kitchen walls upstairs. She thought they were charging $1.00
per roll. When she found that they were charging $2.00 per roll, they
had already finished the ceilings. She told them she couldn't pay that
much, so they left the paste and brush and turned the job over to me.
Grandma paid them $4.60 for their work. So we saved $5.00.
September 26, 1933
I'm registered, and
more broke than ever. All I am doing this quarter is filling required
groups of classes. I have two tough courses, Chemistry 3 and Freshman
composition. I have to take High School Geometry, and if there are not
enough who want to take it, I'll have to take it by correspondence.
Grandmother
deserted me today. She went to Provo because Uncle Henry is worse. She
got a ride on the spur of the moment with someone, I don't know who.
I have signed up
for the A.C. Glee Club. I want to learn to sing. I feel myself growing
inside. The sensation is pleasant to think you are somebody (even if
you are not), and it’s heavenly. It has been truly said that the more
you learn, the more you find that you do not know. I hope to pass
through these four short years with ever widening scope, vision, and
capabilities.
It cost me $45.00
to register this quarter. The next quarter will cost about $20.00, and
the Spring quarter, $10.00.
The student body
had a free dance last night, so I went down and indulged. I danced more
than I have for a long time. There were some good looking girls there
too. I have found that not everyone has as high moral standards as us
colony raised young people.
October 11, 1933
I am now deeply
submerged in study again, which is simply another way to say I'm in
deep water. What with trying to take 19 hours of courses, earn a
livelihood, and have a good time, my days are pretty full. I have
earned $5.00 since school started (one afternoon and both Saturdays).
Grandmother gave me chicken money to register with. The chickens are
still $197.00 or so in the red. I am hoping they will pay it by
Christmas. The young pullets cost $128.50 and we bought wheat costing
$148.50. The price of eggs has gone up to 30 cents a dozen for extras,
which will help.
I get tremendous
pleasure our of Men's Glee, even though I didn't the first few days.
Welti is "quite the guy.” He really embarrasses the pianist, a girl,
with his jokes. Incidentally, he did the same to me. He had us all get
up and try out to see which part we could sing. I marched bravely up.
He said. "Do this," and ran off a scale on the piano. I tried, and my
voice cracked. "No fair yodeling," he said. Those few minutes were
hours long. He commented that I took life too seriously, and that my
voice had not fully changed yet. He put me in the first bass section,
and I thought I was a tenor.
Vertis Wood is
staying here with us this winter. He is a fine young former missionary
in his Senior year here at the college. He stayed in one of the
apartments last year. So now I have a sleeping partner. I have always
slept in the fruit storage room in the basement. It is an unfinished
room. So now we both sleep there.
October 18, 1933
I went down and
represented our family at Uncle Henry's funeral. I know how much you
missed not being able to be here. The only family members on both sides
of the family who were not present were you, Dad, and Aunt Maybeth. The
service was very beautiful and impressive. It is at times like this when
I appreciate my family most. I cannot think of any other family I would
rather be a member of than ours. Our heritage is a wonderful thing to
contemplate. We, the younger generation, must show our appreciation by
passing on to our children a heritage as great as the one we have
received.
Uncle Henry was
like his father in many ways. He understood boys, and could get the
utmost out of them. They had put him in Scout work.
When I think of the
heights that man can now attain, it gives me no small amount of
inspiration to go and make something of this insignificant individual I
call myself. I enjoy school this year more than ever, and although I am
not taking much horticulture, I am laying a foundation on which to build
in the future.
After the funeral,
I met Brother and Sister Young. They took me up to the Y to see
Mennell. We found him at the horticulture exhibit. It was Founder's
Day. They had a pretty good exhibit, but nothing like our show last
year. While I was there talking to Mennell, Professor Coe came by, so
Mennell got to meet him. The Horticulture Professor at the Y is a
former student here at the A.C. I met quite a few students there from
the Colonies.
I went over to an
orchard last Saturday to pick apples for Professor Coe, who was buying
the crop. While I was waiting, I went over and helped Henry Peterson,
an old man who owns the orchard, and who is also a professor of
psychology. He was pulling extra large crop of watercress off his pond.
I helped him for about half an hour. When we finished, he said, “When
you go home, take a bushel of apples to your Grandmother." I explained
to him that I didn't expect anything for that little bit of work, but he
insisted, so I did. He had learned quite a bit of my family history in
that short time. He told me that he had been to the colonies before the
revolution. The world is a very small place.
October 24, 1933
I have not missed a
Saturday at remunerative work since school started, and I have worked
some in between. There is no school Friday so I can finish harvesting
the carrots. They average about three inches in diameter and over a foot
long. English and Chemistry are not as hard as I expected. I even get
"A's" on some of my themes.
November 8, 1933
Grandmother has
gone to the temple tonight, as she does quite often when someone is
going who will take her. It is good that she can go to the temple, it
makes her day seem more worthwhile. I admire Grandmother more every
day. She is of a different era, and it is difficult to understand her
sometimes, but upon looking into her soul, so to speak, I see a
character that is hard to duplicate, even by looking the whole world
over. Isn't it funny how environment shapes our lives and way of
thinking and acting? The teaching a child receives even while very
young means everything in the world to him or her. There is a family
across the street--the father is a regular demon. He curses and swears
at his kids just like they were dogs. The children are just like him;
anyone who is around them for a while gets a surprisingly complete
lesson in swearing and meanness. They have no sense of right, or of
other people's rights. They will go through life handicapped, for it is
very necessary that we get along with our fellowmen. It is things like
this that make me appreciate my upbringing. Oh, my home foundation
means so much to me!
I bought me some
rubber boots to wear doing my chores this winter and winters to come.
They cost me $3.25--cheap for the comfort they will give me, especially
when the water freezes up and floods the coops. Winter is upon us; it
has snowed since I wrote last week. That makes two light snowfalls we
have had. The last two days have been as warm as Logan's two days of
summer.
I went to the
football game last Saturday. (I had no work assignment.) We won against
Wyoming U. 28 to nothing. It doesn't cost me anything to go, we get in
on our student body activity card.
Well, Utah went
"wet” (voted against terminating prohibition). What a shame!
Grandmother's only consolation was that Kane, Washington and Cache
counties (our county) voted dry. We are not very good Mormons are we?
Especially since the President of the Church spoke so strongly in favor
of keeping prohibition. To think that Utah would let North and South
Carolina be the only two states that didn't ratify.
I am going to get
the lot plowed this week before the snow comes and covers it for the
winter. A man came and offered the furnish our straw if he could have
the fertilizer. It will save us $10.00.
November 15, 1933
I need to go up to
the gym to help prepare the Horticulture Show. It opens in the morning.
There are loads of activities this week because it is Homecoming, the
Ag. Club Harvest Ball, and the big game with the Y on Saturday.
P.S. I forgot to
mail this so will add a line. I didn't get home until 1 :00 A.M. last
night. Needless to say it was hard for me to get up this morning, and I
had an eight o'clock class. Vertis' fiancé came up from Salt
Lake last week. She surely is a swell girl. She drew my picture, which
I will enclose.
November 24, 1933
Last week the
Horticulture Show was a great success and all the Homecoming activities
were fine. It was capped off by the U.S.A.C. beating the Y in football,
14 to nothing. It was the best game I've seen.
We have had a raise
in wages because they have received aid from the government. Now we
earn 50 cents an hour.
I can attend the
Varsity Play tonight with my student body card, so I think I'll go up,
even if I am so very sleepy. Last night I was up unti1 12:30 getting a
thousand word theme for Freshman Composition. These themes are getting
me down. The show was "As Husbands Go." I went early and got a good
seat--studied while waiting.
November 30, 1933
Congratulations
Dad! I cannot describe the feeling of pride that I have upon learning
that they have made you President of the Stake, but I know (and I say
this with pride too) that they set apart the right man for the calling.
If we children of this wonderful family will only live up to the
standards set by you, our beloved parents, we will surely go to that
much desired place that we mortals call the Celestial Kingdom. With all
my pride, I think that Grandfather and Grandmother are just as great or
greater than any of us.
Grandmother also
wrote a letter of congratulations to Dad. This is the sort of thing
that makes her heart swell with joy--to have her sons be worthy of a
high position in the Church. Everyone she talks to hears about it. In
fact, it was the subject of a very lively conversation at Thanksgiving
dinner today.
We were invited up
to Hill's to eat a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. They surely take an
interest in us, and we appreciate it. It is the next best thing to being
at home. Beatrice Winsor and her family were also there, including
their two grandmothers, so there was quite a crowd.
December 6, 1933
Vertis and I are
now on our own again. Grandmother found a way to Provo with LaVieve
Huish.
We had a good stake
conference last Sunday. Reed Smoot was the visiting Apostle. I guess I
will never forget his talk. He spoke of the sufferings borne by the
pioneers, and whether we, the youth of Zion will carry on. He made it so
graphic and impressive that I said to myself, "I will carry on, or
something will be radically wrong with me." Another thing he wanted to
impress us with was that all the prophecies that have been made by the
Prophets of God will be carried out to the letter.
"Ya con esto me
despido, con el alma entristecida. Ya te cante los dolores Y las penas
de mi vida. Ay! Love Claudio.
December 12, 1933
Last night the Glee
Club gave a concert down at the Logan Tabernacle. It really was a
musical treat, even if I did sing in it. On Sunday, we are going to
ride the Interurban over to Smithfield (about six miles) to give
another concert, participating in the fine glee club is giving me a
great deal of pleasure. I think that I will continue to take it all
year. I am enclosing the program.
I got a hundred
percent on the last Chemistry examination. This is the first time I've
done that under Maeser.
December 28, 1933
Old Saint Nick has
come and gone and the bright New Year is upon us. We spent a very
pleasant afternoon at Winsor's last Sunday. They have such a nice home
and everything. It is built like a castle on the edge of the hill. We
were served a very elegant lunch and played and talked the time away.
Coming home, after dark, and passing Smith's home up there, I could see
old Santa Clause and his good wife through the window. There were lots
of kids and they were all making merry, having a great time. I stopped
there on the sidewalk and watched and listened for a while. My thoughts
wandered southward--I found myself looking for Santa's sleigh. I wanted
to stowaway in some corner of it until he stopped at a certain house in
Dublan. But old Santa came out and would not let me go because he had to
pick up a large cache of presents in Salt Lake, and he already had his
wife along. One passenger was enough he said. All of those kids, old
Santa, the Christmas spirit made me so homesick that I could scarcely
contain myself.
We spent Christmas
day very pleasantly indeed at Hill's. The kids all had lovely presents,
and were all busy entertaining themselves and us also. That afternoon
Bea Jr. and Theresa Jr. and I went downtown and saw "Little Women."
That is a good show. Everyone was in tears when Beth died. I have been
trying to get Grandmother to go, but the one who gets her to go to a
show will accomplish one of the seven wonders of the world. She had a
very happy Christmas, and heard from and received presents from all her
children except Uncle Harold, who has gone to the coast for the
holidays. She appreciated your letter just as much as if it had been
the most costly of presents.
Grandmother gave
the loveliest little book for Christmas ("Flashes From The Eternal
Semaphore"). If I send it to you to read, I know you will use it to get
ideas for talks in conference or other meetings. It contains signals to
keep us on the strait and narrow path while traveling down life's
highway. Grandmother composed a pretty little verse and wrote it on the
first page of the book:
Dearest Claudius:
This gift of mine
is a book so fine,
If you will but
heed its teachings.
It shows the way
you should live each day.
It is through toil
and strife
One gains eternal
life.
On January 23,
1934, Grandmother encouraged me to go to Salt Lake City for the Utah
Poultry Producers Cooperative convention. It didn't cost me anything to
go because I rode with Mr. Elliot, the manager of the Logan plant. Dr.
Hugh Hurst gave an illustrated lecture on diseases that was worth the
trip. He also invited me out to dinner. I stayed at Uncle Harold's
overnight. Dr. Hurst told me that I had some footprints to follow if I
wanted to equal what my Dad has done.
I tried out for the
ROTC Rifle Team, and did fairly well, but not quite good enough to make
the team. The team practices shooting instead of marching as the others
do. My quarter this quarter is:
Military Science: 1
credit per quarter. I only take it because it is required.
Inorganic
Chemistry: 5 hours credit, with two laboratory classes per week.
Soils: 4 hours
credit, 3 classes per week and one laboratory. This is a required
course and a good one.
General Animal
Husbandry: Required course, 3 hours credit. Darn these orientation
courses.
Agricultural
Entomology: 4 hours credit. To learn how to control insects. Four
classes and one laboratory per week.
Geometry: Two
hours, and ten dollars gone to the dogs, because I didn't take it in
High School.
February 15, 1923
It was the
anniversary of Grandfather Bowman's birthday on the tenth of the month.
I get a funny feeling when I think that last year he was with us here,
as an invalid, of course. He thought he was good for another 20 years
yet. He would have been 75 years old on the tenth.
February 20, 1934
This is a
red-letter day for me. Dr. Hill got me a $15.00 per month job. I will
be working in a laboratory for Dr. Hirst, a Chemistry Professor. It is
great to have a job. I had thought I was busy with what I had to do.
How will I be able to put in an additional 50 hours a month? It is now
10:10 P.M. and I have to get up at 4:30 to clean the coops.
Bishop Arwell
Pierce came to Utah on business, and he brought Aunt Eva, her daughter
Mary 1 and Marion up to see Grandma. Bp. Pierce asked President Ivins
about his daughter marrying Marion. (They are cousins.) President Ivins
said. "I wouldn't hesitate a minute to let one of my girls marry a
Bowman, they are strong in both mind and body and good citizens all."
February 28, 1934
I ought to have a
blue ring around the date this time. Last Friday, I went up to work,
and they showed me a lot of those big acid bottles and told me to get
busy and wash them. They were hard to clean. I had worked for about a
half hour when one of the bottles slipped. I tried to catch it, but it
hit the side of the sink and crumpled in my hands. I saw that my hand
was in the sink. It was so sudden that I didn't even feel it. I grabbed
the towel so the blood wouldn't drip on the floor, and went in and
asked the Professor if he had some disinfectant. He sent me over to the
school doctor, Doc. Preston, and he took me downtown when he went to get
it sewed up. (Mother was crying when she got to this point in the
letter, so my trying to be funny misfired and I felt really repentant
when I received her letter.) Oh yes! I forgot to tell you that my hand
was not disconnected from my arm while it was in the sink, but I did cut
the left side of my wrist quite deep and a little over an inch long.
After only five days, it is almost healed up. It was a little
inconvenient to milk the Jersey with one hand. Vertis cleaned the coops
for me last Monday morning. The doctor bill was paid by the school.
March 7, 1934
We are all well,
and anticipating your trip this spring to conference. (Dad and Mother
came up to conference twice a year, most years, and this took the place
of my going home.)
Another red letter
day for me; I have been elected to Alpha Zeta, the National Honorary
Agricultural Fraternity at the A.C. No wonder I think that my stock has
gone up a few points. Although I might not merit the honor, I am really
glad that they have given it to me. It is going to cost me $9.00 a year
to belong, but it will be well worth it. To be elected, a person has to
be in the upper eighty percent of the class, and receive the unanimous
vote of all the members. (William Bennet was elected at the same time I
was. He later became president of the fraternity. He also became an
Assistant to the Twelve Apostles, and later one of the Seventy. On a
trip to preside at the Juarez Stake conference, he came to our home to
see me, and I was very flattered because he did it.)
April 19, 1934
Yesterday, P. V.
Cardon, the Director of the experiment Station, and husband of one of
the Ivins girls, spoke to us in the Alpha Zeta meeting. Afterwards, the
pledges had to say a few words. He found that I was a Bowman, so he
came over afterward and told me that he had met you (my parents) at
Winsors. He invited me to drop into his office any time that I had
problems. He was glad that I was in this select group. He is a swell
fellow.
During the first
part of the summer of 1934, I couldn't find work, except the chores
around the house, picking raspberries, etc. Aunt Maybeth was home. We
played some tennis. I had a day or two work irrigating the school tree
and plant nursery. Rosalba Gubler stayed with us while attending summer
school. She was married in July. We used some of the chickens to feed
those who came to the wedding. Dr. Hill gave me a little work in his
milk testing project. He was testing cows for mastitis.
I attended a free
lecture at the college given by a geologist, Dr. Larry Gould, who had
been to the north and south poles with Byrd. The lectures were
illustrated with slides and moving pictures. It was very educational
and entertaining.
I also worked a few
days cleaning up the Winsor flower garden. Also I had to find a farmer
who would sell us wheat. I bought 50 bushels from Mr. Down and more
from Andrews.
August 17, 1934
I have been working
8 hours a day cleaning windows and rooms at the college. Maybeth took
Grandmother on a trip to Silver City New Mexico, they planned to stop
and visit relatives along the way. I washed and waxed her car to make it
look like new.
I have been working
for Larsen, the head janitor. He laid off most of the crew, but since I
was such a valuable man, he kept me on to finish up. Also, I cleaned
and painted the apartments, and they were rented without any problems
(worked occasionally for Dr. Hill testing the milk samples. He taught me
to do the entire test. We had 68 in one day.
We have a little
alfalfa patch on both sides of the canal. I cut the hay with a scythe
and carry it into the barn when dry.
September 27, 1934
I went up and
registered last Tuesday. I had bought a suede jacket, some shoes and
cords (pants), and so I had to borrow $15.00 from Grandma to register.
I have $30.00 due me on October 10, so I will be able to pay the loan
back. Coe is taking a sabbatical and going to Cornell, so we have
another professor, Arvil Stark. He is a distant cousin.
Grandmother
returned on September 20th. Aunt Flora and her children brought her
home. We have had a killing frost. I finished digging the potatoes
yesterday. We have enough to last the winter. We also have cabbage and
carrots, so we will not starve.
I hadn't been too
exact in paying my tithing. I was having so much trouble getting enough
work, so I got really serious about my financial condition. I knelt
down and promised the Lord that I would pay a full tithing, and I asked
him to help me with my financial problems from that time on I have paid
my tithing faithfully, and the Lord has really blessed me. My income
has increased every year since that time.
October 17, 1934
Everything is going
well for us, except that the cow got into the canal somehow and
drowned. Grandma is nearly sick about it. She has been phoning trying
to find another. I am going to go see some prospects she has located to
see the production and how rich the milk is Grandma sets the milk out
in pans, and in the morning there is a thick layer of cream on it.
I have paid back
what I borrowed, and have paid for my suit, with a few pennies over I
have worked sorting apples, and also making cider. We grind up the
apples and press out the juice in a press. We sell it to the
fraternities and sororities or anyone who is having a party. We made 25
gallons today. We are back to working for 25 cents an hour.
November 7, 1934
Busy times are here
again. The Horticulture Show is this weekend. The gym has taken on a new
appearance with lumber and nails, pretty paper, and WORK. Today I made
about 55 gallons of cider. We are all preparing exhibits of fruits and
vegetables, using products available at the college. I am getting
better acquainted with Dr. Arvil Stark, our distant cousin. He says he
knew Ara Call very well at Ames, and hence he knows quite a lot about
the Colonies.
Dad, the bishop has
asked me if I would like to be advanced in the Priesthood. I would like
to wait until you come up so that you can ordain me as you have in the
Aaronic Priesthood. Please let me know what you think about it.
November 14, 1934
I won the poultry
judging contest, but instead of awarding a prize for first place as in
previous years, my name goes on a cup. If I win again next year I get
to keep the cup. I got a 100% on the production judging, but on show or
"Standard of Perfection" judging I was a little rusty.
December 14, 1934
Now for the good
news: I got a $10.00 per month job, which will make it possible for me
to pay my expenses this year. I'm going to take care of Dr. Wilson's
greenhouses. Dr. Wilson is now head of the Department since Coe left.
January 13, 1935
Grandmother and I
were just like a couple of kids Christmas morning opening packages and
dancing around etc. Maybeth sent me a lovely leather case containing
brush, comb, and containers for toilet accessories (not a razor; I do
not use such an unnecessary thing).
Boy! did I enjoy
that cake and candy you sent Mother. The pajamas fit perfectly, so I
will enjoy sleeping more for years to come. Thank you so much. Uncle
Devereaux and Aunt Cleah were here last week, and he gave me $3.00 for
Christmas. Uncle Harold and Aunt Nina sent me a couple of pair of
beautiful socks, and Uncle Demar a nice tie. Grandmother gave me a
couple of little books on photography.
January 30, 1935
I came within one
foot of heaven the other day. Clara, a neighbor girt, and I were coming
down the hill on a sled. The hill is like ice. We were going about 40
miles an hour when a man backed his car out on the street. He didn't
see us. We whizzed by the back of the car so close that Clara caught
the calf of her leg on the spring shackle of the car lacerating it
terribly. They had to put her under ether and use about 70 stitches to
sew the wound up. It took a long time to heal up.
Last week we had
some cold weather--8°F. below zero. The chickens dropped a little
in production, but they are still doing fairly well. This reminds me
that I must pull out very early in the morning, in spite of my flu, and
clean the coops. Coops and examinations wait for no man.
Dad came to Logan
and ordained me an Elder on February 8, 1935.
May 13, 1935
I am President of
the Horticulture Club (The Grafters) and co-manager, with Wes Soulier
of the next Ag Show.
June 6, 1935
Bob is in Salt
Lake. He called me Tuesday morning, so he must be rich. Maybeth arrived
Monday about 4:00 P .M. and left the next morning to take Grandmother
to Provo to see Dr. Merrill. For some time, Grandmother has been
bothered with an itch, but she wouldn't go see a doctor. She seems to
be rather particular which doctor she sees. Maybeth is going to find
out more about what Bob is doing.
I have been working
the last two days trying to get caught up on the work around here. I
have cleaned the coops and runs, hoed the weeds, planted garden, and
sprayed the raspberries with iron sulfate for chlorosis, etc.
Last week I was as
busy as a hen with no chicks. Examinations would have been enough, but
in addition, I had to spray. I put in 28 hours doing 8 hours of work,
working with an old 200 gallon sprayer (about 25 years old). I think,
however that I did all right on my examinations in spite of insufficient
study.
I worked at the
college on Saturday instead of going to the graduation exercises. But I
attended the Baccalaureate on Sunday. It was a morning of supernal
beauty. It was held in a green filled amphitheater. The view included
the snowcapped peaks, green slopes of fir and spruce, more green slopes
of dry-land wheat that had been rained upon for a week, a tree filled
valley with the magnificent Temple of God thrusting its magnificent
spires into the sky among the green trees.
June 12, 1935
We have been
cleaning house and various other things so I didn't get to go to
conference. The chores are quite a drawback. I would also have had a
few more days work. Dr. Wilson wanted me to go to Farmington to take
care of the spraying, but it was while Grandmother was not here, so I
couldn't possibly leave.
Grandmother came
back from Provo with an armful of prescriptions. It seems that she has
been overdoing. Her heart can't take it.
Maybeth took
particular pride in presenting a sandy haired Loaz Johnson and a
magnificent diamond. They took Bob to Provo with them, sitting on
Johnson's knee, but because of the inconvenience, didn't bring him up
here.
Grandmother still
has the itch. I took her to see Les Miserables last night and she
practically wore out the seat scratching her back.
June 20, 1935
I have been working
every day except yesterday doing various jobs for money and otherwise.
I appreciate a little leisure. Yesterday I let everything go and went
trout fishing. Pretty poor fishing, but I got 15 so Grandma has plenty
to eat for a meal of two.
July 14, 1935
Grandmother is
feeling very noticeably better. She sends her love. Her brother, Henry
Gubler, and his wife were here today. Rosalba's mother will stay until
the birth of her child.
I went fishing on
July 4th, and have seen a show or two lately. Fuzz is starting to grow
on my face, so perhaps I will become a man.
July 24, 1935
Boy! Do I feel good
with a tummy full of cherry pie. It is Grandmother's birthday tomorrow,
which I suppose explains the celebration. We had two trees of
Montmorency cherries at the college, and I brought a few home.
Grandmother will be 72 tomorrow, and her golden wedding anniversary is
September second.
I really celebrated
the 24th by picking berries all morning and cleaning the coops in the
afternoon. I spent most of last week working in the laboratory. I left
the labels off four nitrogen tests that I did, which messed them up. Doc
Wilson didn't cuss me out. He just told me what I had done and said we
could do them over.
Maybeth and Loaz
were married last Sunday as planned. The boys didn't come up, but Aunt
Josie and family did. Gaskell Romney performed the ceremony on the
front porch, and the invited guests stood on the lawn. We slaughtered 9
hens and did away with 4 gallons of ice cream and lots of cake, not to
mention tons of potato salad and sandwiches. I finally got enough ice
cream and cake. Lorraine was maid of honor and I stood in as the best
man. Grandmother now feels pretty good about the marriage. Before, she
was worrying herself sick about it.
Maybeth and Loaz
left yesterday morning and their honeymoon is a pack trip into the
mountains of Colorado. The chile from the seeds you sent me are doing
fine. I find I am quite a chile eater.
October 10, 1935
The Ag. Show is
growing in proportions by the day. Plans are slowly whipping into
shape. We are trying to make this the biggest show that has been held
to date. Here is the Ag. Show letterhead. (It wouldn't fit so I will
put it at the top of the next page).
I am ready to turn
my stomach in on a new one. Consumption of sodium bicarbonate has
increased a thousand percent around here (we didn't have turns).
The A.W.S. Ball was
a huge success. I went with Louise and had a very nice time.
I have another
bed-partner this year. John Hale, who is a Chemistry major, needed a
place to sleep so he could board with his sister and other girls
upstairs. I would rather be alone, but I guess some sacrifices are
necessary.
October 23, 1935
Lou Wagner lent me
his 25/35 rifle, so I went hunting the other day. I saw 11 does and one
buck, that is, I saw the buck for a split second. Six does played around
me for about half an hour. I should have had some field glasses to see
horns if any of them was a yearling buck. You must see horns before you
shoot. When I came home without my buck, Grandma said, "I told you so"
or words to that effect.
We get out of
school Friday for Teachers' Institute. This offers a little time to
catch up. Maybe I can get a little paint on the house. I started to
paint last Saturday morning, but had to quit and go down and go
downtown to put up a 30 x 3 foot sign over the street advertising the
show. This typewriter is my bed partner's.
December 19, 1935
Uncle Harold bought
a Kodak for me and saved me $6.00. It will certainly be a source of
much pleasure to me.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Since for various reasons it is impossible for me to say it in person.
Grandmother is not doing so much for Christmas this year, that is, she
is not shopping. She is making a bathrobe for Aunt Eva. She is also
working on a project foisted on her by Aunt Nina: which is a crocheted
bedspread. This is an imposition because it will take her many months to
complete it. I was not planning to send any Christmas presents, but I
did send $5.00 to Bob in the mission field, along with another five
from Grandma.
February 5, 1936
We had to buy a new
battery for the "Oldsmobile" because the old one burst--it froze because
the temperature went down to 15 degrees below zero for a few nights.
There are only 3
more weeks in this quarter, and there are so many things to get done.
We are planning on attending the Utah Horticulture Society meeting in
Salt Lake. Now I must gather the eggs and get up to school for a class.
March 7, 1936
I did go down to
the Horticulture Society meeting with Prof. Coe, leaving the cow in
charge of a neighbor boy and the chickens in charge of one of the boys
living in one the apartments. I stayed overnight at Uncle Harold's and
saw the pictures they took in Mexico City. Dad and Mother went with
them.
My close
association with Grandmother Mary Gubler Bowman and Aunt Maybeth added
unforgettable memories and taught me more that I realized at the time,
My admiration and love for both is great. I also had the privilege of
becoming well acquainted with my Uncles and their families when they
came to visit Grandma, The Winsors and the Hills (our Eyring relatives)
invited us to participate in their Thanksgiving and Christmas banquets
and celebrations, and were especially kind and helpful to me.
I do not remember
the arrangements we made to take care of Grandma's chickens, cow and
garden. She must have hired a boy to do it, because I believe that I
returned to Mexico with my parents in their new car.