University of Arizona
September 11, 1936 3:00 pm (From Mother’s Journal) “Bessie left home with Lee Johnson for school at U of A in Tucson. She was brave until she kissed me goodbye. Then her eyes welled up with tears. The dear—my sweet Bessie—baby girl—is grown up. She flew away. Oh, how lonely I was, but happy we could send her.
Freshman Week
I don’t think there was ever such a lost and lonely freshman than I. The only other girl going to the university from Snowflake was Rosalyn Miller—the tom-girl-of the town. She was no companion to me in fact. I never did see her during those first few weeks.
I was assigned to a tiny little room on the back side of Maricopa hall. It was such a small room I could hardly get in and out, and to make it worse, there were two other girls in the room also. We slept on a sleeping porch—so the room was used just for dressing. There were two closets for three girls and so there wasn’t much room. The two girls assigned to the room were from Phoenix—they were good friends—so that situation didn’t help me any—they went off together—leaving me alone. I was really a “country bumbkin” J . I didn’t know much about city life, and was lost in such a big school. Oh, how lonely I was. Things were so strange, and I felt I would never be smart enough to cope with the studies. I longed for something or someone familiar.
Mayola Working in Douglas
My sister, Mayola, had attended the University of Arizona before me, and she though that it was a wonderful school. She was working, at the time in Douglas, Arizona—which wasn’t too far from Tucson. At the end of the Freshman Week—she came up to Tucson to see how I was getting along. I was never so happy to see anyone in my life.
My Clothes
I can’t remember too vividly my wardrobe but it seemed like I felt that the things I had measured up to those of other girls. Dad had a customer in Winslow who traded milk for shoes, Judge Greaves, so periodically we would make trips to Winslow to stock up on footwear. His styles weren’t always the most up-to-date, but the shoes were very good. We girls always had all the shoes we needed.
Green Satin dress and Shoes
Mayola had over-seen the preparation of my wardrobe and so I felt quite in style. I remember particularly the bright green dress, shoes, and hat she bought me. This must have taken her entire pay-check. But I never heard a word about that. The outfit was beautiful and it fit me well. The only trouble was I felt so over-dressed—I felt more like crawling in a corner and hiding than announcing myself with such brilliance. However, I wore the outfit—and as I became better acquainted with my new life, I enjoyed it. What a wonderful sister Mayola was to me and continues to be.
Rush Week
Freshmen girls were thoroughly “looked over” by the sorority girls during “Rush Week”. Mayola insisted that I have the experience and it was a great experience. We were invited to teas, dinners, etc.—so they could check out our manners, our clothes, our background, and try to find out how wealthy our fathers were. I didn’t fare so well with the wealthy girls—I was such a “green country girl”. But I received a bid to join the Chi Omega Sorority. But by the time the “Rush Week” was over—I could see for myself that sorority life was not for me.
My father was working hard during those weeks to get enough money for registration and lodging. It would have been so selfish of me to burden him more. How grateful I was that I wasn’t tempted to join one of those social organizations. As the year went on, more and more I could see how unwise it would have been for me.
Hope Brimhall and Jean Hondrum
I made some dear friends in the dormitories during that year. After rush week was over, the girls in the dorm were re-shuffled and I was assigned to a larger room in Maricopa Hall. My roommates were Hope Brimhall and Jean Hondrum. We were very congenial with each other. Jean, especially, became a dear friend. She was from Jerome, Arizona—her father was a mining engineer. Hope came from Mesa.
Mother and dad sent me about $35 every month. The room and board was $25. The balance of the money I needed I had to earn.
Mr. Pease and Music Lessons
I had decided I wanted to take some music lessons—so I registered with Dr. Rallin Pease, a great man, and a great teacher. He always said “My litte Bessie—from Snowflake”. In a loving way he taught me much. I had many opportunities to sing lead parts in the school musicals even though I was not a music major. He hired me to sing in the Presbyterian Church—his church. He gave me $5 for each Sunday and this helped my finances.
Mr. Pease’s accompanist was Mrs. Powell and she was terrific! During that first year Mr. Pease had me sing in all the operas and operettas with the chorus. He gave me so many opportunities.
Apostle Albert E. Bowen
Albert E. Bowen, one of our Twelve Apostles, visited Tucson, during the year. Mr. Bowen’s wife was a close friend to Mr. Pease. I had to sing at the conference—Mr. Pease attended—and introduced me to Elder Bowen as his “Little Mormon” singer.
Course of Study
I had a dream that I wanted to become a doctor. I registered for a pre-medic course. I was loaded with Chemistry, Zoology, etc. The hardest course on the campus was considered Cat Anatomy. My professor was Dr. Hammond. He was tough! He sang in the same Presbyterian choir that I did and he took a liking to me. I passed the course with a “2” but I worked hard. One Sunday Dr. Hammond brought me home from church and gave me a good talking to. He told me I wasn’t the type of girl to be a doctor and suggested Home Economics/Dietetics.
September 13, 1936: Sunday. Moved into the dorm. Mayola returned to Douglas.
September 14, 1936: Monday. Stood in line all day registering. I’m lonesome. Have two roommates. The next day we took English exams. I went to the “Previe Mixer”—met lots of kids. Marion Smith, Van, and Lorenzo also here. They had an old Ford we all piled into.
September 18, 1936: Registration for classes from 8am-3pm. Went to a party (Friday) at the Methodist church. Getting acquainted with our own church young people. Bought all my books, paid my lab fees, went to Panhelenic meeting. School life is in full swing.
RUSH WEEK:
September 27, 1936:
Sunday: Went to S.S. Attended “Rush Tease” from 4pm-8. Mayola came up to see me.
Monday: Can’t speak to anyone during Rush Week. Mayola left at 5:40 am. Got three invitations to sororities’ dinners. Chi Omega, Alpha Phi, and Alpha Chi Omega. Fire drill at the dorm. Chi Omega are real anxious for me to join with them.
Friday:. May came up again. Zoology exam. Alpha Phi dinner.
Sunday: Went to S.S. Went to the church and practiced all afternoon.
Monday: Formal dinner at Chi Omega house.
Tuesday: Formal dinner at Alpha Phi house. Have decided not to pledge.
Wednesday: Called to have my name take off the “Rush” list. It would be too expensive. Went to MIA.
October 9, 1936: Mayola came and took me to Mesa to see Jack. Jack, Mayola, Dan, and I and Guida went to the game. Sunday we went to the Klienman’s to dinner.
Monday: Moved into a new room. Roommates are Hope Brimhall and Jean Homdrum.
October 20, 1936: Red Miltenburger came from New Orleans to see Mayola. She brought him to Tucson to see me. She took him to the San Xavier Mission.
October 25, 1936: Met Delmar Layton.
October 29, 1936: Went to hear Lawrence Meleboir—world famous tenor.
November 23, 1936: Find out I was on the “D” list for English. I’m having a hard time with that subject. There are so many smart kids here.
November 25, 1936: Left for home for Thanksgiving. Stayed at Aunt Marie’s.
November 26, 1936: Thursday. Thanksgiving at Aunt Marie’s. Mother came down with Uncle Lawrence. Our family, mother, Mayola, and I—all went to a show together. Boy is it good to see mother.
November 28, 1936: Cleaned Aunt Marie’s house. Gabbed to mother. Saw all Aunt Marie’s pretty clothes.
November 30, 1936: Failed a Chemistry test. Everything looks pretty black. Must study harder.
December 11, 1936: Hall Formal. I took Dean Miller. Met Felix Berra, an engineering student.
December 12, 1936: Messiah practice.
December 13, 1936: Messiah at the University—very thrilling.
February 1937: Mayola is engaged to “Red” Miltenburger of New Orleans. (E.J. Miltenburger)
March 4, 1937: Max Layton has been asking for dates
March 16, 1937: Sang in “Sampson and Delila”. I was great.
March 17, 1937: Had a date with Felix Berra to the country club. He’s an engineering student from Bisbee. A catholic.
March 19, 1937: A date with Felix to Cochise Hall dance.
March 20, 1937: Date with Ralph Gunte—lots of dates and excitement.
March 25, 1937: Went to Jerome with Jean Hondrum for the Easter vacation.
March 28, 1937: Had a Cat Anatomy exam. I did well. Dr. Hammond is my teacher. Made a new Spring Formal. Leah Belle helped me.
April 24, 1937: Del Rio Country Club Engineer’s dinner dance. Went with Felix. I had my first experience with squid—I didn’t know what it was or where it should be attacked first. Felix laughed at me—“such a little country girl”. But he likes me—he says I haven’t been spoiled.
May 2, 1937: Went to the Catholic church with Felix. Had to watch him closely to know when to get down on my knees, etc.
Lots of dates with various boys. My roommate during this was Leah Belle Lester, a home economics major. She was a sweet girl and I loved her. She married before the year was over. Jean Homdrum was a good friend and we enjoyed each other.
The year ended and Felix Berra graduated. I came home and gradually I forgot about him. He was probably my first real boyfriend. It was exciting for me.
Christmas 1937:
We all helped dad fill 250 bags of candy and toys for the children of the community. Dad played Santa for all the kids in town under 8 years of age. Decorated Grandma Rogers’ beautiful Spruce tree. Grandpa Smith is living with us.
Dad spent all day lighting up the yard and decorating the outside of the house. He loves the festive season and always does so much to make it nice.