My Birth: Taken from Leonora S. Rogers’ journal
October 8, 1918:
“Our baby Bessie, girl, was born Oct. 8, 1918. The first morning of the opening of the first Navajo County Fair. Marion was still down on the road trying to finish up before the event, Clairissia was sleeping with me for company. I routed her out (a little girl) and sent her over to get my nurse, Aunt Emm Smith, across the road. It was between 3 and 4 o’clock a.m. and it took bravery on her part to go. Then I rushed her and Mayola off down to get my sister Edith, who was sleeping in mother’s up-stairs and over from Joseph City to attend the fair. Edith put the two little girls in her bed, and then came up in a hurry. I was surely blue and lonesome that morning, but the two women helpers soothed my aches and pains, though they were terribly handicapped for conveniences, having to trot back and forth between the bedroom and kitchen in the rain. Aunt “M” had the “flu”. I nearly waited on myself that time.”
“The Epidemic” (L.S.R Journal)
“At the time there was an epidemic of Spanish Influenza “flu” over the community—my father and mother were both down with it and other in her family, and it was raging in the U.S. Training Camps among the soldiers. There was a heavy loss of life from that disease.”
“With all the discouragement that October morning, I hated to send for Marion, for I know he was nearly finished up. However, Edith rushed word to him in the afternoon and he arrived home at 6:00 PM. Always when he got home he could rustle about and get things moving about right in a little while. He put the heating stove in the bedroom and soon had us warm and smiling.”
“I should have stated when Bessie was born and she gave her first cry, Louise (2 years old) stood up in her little bed and said “Baby” and smiled in ecstasy. Enough to make any mother happy.”
Side note: I was named Bessie for one of Dad’s favorite cousins, Bessie Spencer. Most of my married life I was known by my nickname, Bess.
New Home: (From L.S.R. Journal)
“With so much sickness and excitement with house building going on just outside the door, it was a hard job for me to get well. I think faith and determination pulled me through, and helped me escape the disease with only a slight touch.”
“ Marion cleared $1,000.00 from his 10 mile Road contract. On the morning of Oct. 10, 1918, the day for me was filled with smiles and tears. Marion paid Mr. Ayon just half of our house contract price $2640.00. He needed to borrow only about $600.00 of this amount from the Bank. Of this amount my father gave me a special gift of $100.00. And to help out I sold by A.C.M.I. stock to Alof Larson for $125.00 for 105 shares. Marion sold our two hill lots to Walter and Roxie for $200.00, and sold the hay to the amount of $250.00. This all helped out in the House Building.”
Cost of Home: (L.S.R. Journal)
The home was nine months under construction. It finally did come to an end, though. Mr. Ayon was still in debt to Mr. J.R. Treat of Lakeside for lumber and Babbitts Bros. of Holbrook. Together it amounted to nearly $1,000.00. One of Mr. Ayon’s friends, Mr. Artego of Concho, helped him out and signed a lein bond for $1,000.00. Our legal advisor was Atty. Jordan and with his help all creditors were kept away from us. Babbitts threatened a time or so to file suit against us, but never did. I think Ayon, in time, cleared up most of his obligations. It finally died out. He paid the contract price of $5,280.00. Besides excess charging amounting to $1,220.00, which included the cost of the upstairs, tile for fire-place, cement walks, extra cost on basement rooms, water system, electric lights, and $465.00 for painting and snterior decoration. Total cost with a fw new furnishings, we figured was near $7,000.00.”
Dedication of the New Home—July 20, 1919 (L.S.R. journal)
“Sunday, July 20, 1919—After sacrament services, we invited a few friends and all our relatives in town to meet at our home for its dedication. To Marion and me it was a beautiful occasion. About 40 guests were present. The following program was carried out— Marion presiding:
A.L Rogers offered a beautiful prayer, among other things he blessed the home against destroying elements such as earthquakes, lightening, storm, and fire and asked Spirit of the Lord to abide in this home always.
Home Paid Off—December 1, 1920 (L.S.R journal)
“About Dec. 1, 1920 Rogers Bros. finished up their Federal Road job. Besides paying off all the debts of the old contract, each one of the boys cleared $1,000.00 each. With our $1,000.00 we took up the last of our house-notes at the Bank of Northern Arizona which amounted to about $800.00. We paid $100.00 tithing. We were very grateful for these blessings, acknowledging the source from which all blessings flow. Our years tithing amounted to $220.33, highest year yet for us.”
Marion ’s Mission to Great Britain—September 8, 1921 (L.S.R. journal)
“September 8, 1921 Marion leaves for a mission to Great Britain. Bessie comforts Mamma: “My darling little Bessie has tried to comfort me. She kissed me over and over wiping my tears away and said, ‘“I will be your Daddy, but you must let me sleep with you.”’ ha! ha! She laughed (she was always teasing to sleep with me). “I am trying hard to be brave, but looking from this end of the mission, two years seems a long way off.”
Nov. 19 1921
Marion Roscoe Rogers born while father was in Great Britain serving a mission.
Trip to N.Y—1923
Mother made a trip back to New York City to meet Dad on his return home from England. Roscoe and I stayed up to Taylor with Grandma Eager. Vaguely I remember the little house and a few of the play things.
Sept. 14, 1923
I took sick with the scarlet fever. I was very ill. Roscoe came down a few days later. We were quarantined in Mother’s bedroom for 6 weeks.
When dad returned and Aunt Margaret dressed Waldo and Roscoe alike and stood them p together to let Dad choose which was his son. Roscoe happened to see Mother out the window and his recognition gave away the secret. Dad could choose correctly.
Aug. 11, 1924
Grandma Smith died. I have very few memories of this great woman, but I do love and admire her.
Road Contracts
During the early part of my life Dad made his living by building roads. He had no heavy equipment—just teams and frezznos. It was hard work.
Christmas 1927—Aunt Eliza Roger’s Death
I remember the stir in town over the search for Aunt Eliza Rogers who wandered from her home Christmas Eve after a family quarrel and became lost in the Sinks area. They found her 12 days later after an intensive town search.
April 16, 1928
Mother organized the Daughters of Pioneers inspired by a visit from Annie Wed. Connor.
1928—Alpine Summer
Mother had an operation in Gallop to correct some female trouble in May 1928. It took her a very long time to recover. So Dad decided to take her along with him on his road trips. I remember especially the summer we spent in Alpine. As Mother’s strength returned, she would take us children on hikes up the mountains and when she would tire we found a spot to read. I remember especially reading “Little Women.” How I loved that book. I pictured myself as “Joe”.
Mother Stake Relief Society President—1928 Jan. and Feb.
Mother was sustained as Stake Relief Society President August 25, 1928. I remember well the conference when Mother’s name was presented. Dad was on the High Council at the time. During Jan. and Feb. Doctor Leland Heywood began the first dental work done in Snowflake. This was sponsored by the Stake R.S. and was followed by numerous projects. Mother was always busy with “projects” but her family never suffered because of them.
Among other projects which the Stake R.S. sponsored was the presentation of “Joan of Arc” (mother wrote this), Gypsy Rover, Dental Projects for the stake, the Snowflake Maternity Hospital in which over 500 babies were born. Mother was the “power” behind them all. We as children saw lots of the workings behind the scenes.