Luther M. and Beatrice S. Winsor letters to Lu and Wickie 1961

 Feb. 25- Saturday A.M. 

Dearest Wickie & Lu: Since Dad has a letter written I would like to add something. The things I think of to tell you, ask you about & to report after I write a letter you could make a good sized volume in a year. Excuse the pencil (Pencil on Onion skin translucent paper, written on both sides-not easy to decipher!-Marilu) I am under the dryer at the beauty shop & have time enough to get this off. I woke at 9:30 & got over here at ten. We sometimes more often than not sit up until twelve. Dad and I got home at 9:30 so Dad & I did a lot of visiting & television viewing too. 

I enjoyed your letter as usual, Wickie. I am relieved that you are at last learning what you need to keep a balance. A new doctor has to take time to understand a patient's needs. So glad you have confidence in him. 

I am glad you are struggling along with genealogy. You learn that way. My struggle has been more profitable than taking classes. I can follow up Aunt Theresa's work now & do an acceptable sheet. I've finished the Lincoln ancestry-now there is plenty more. Dad & I will now check the Archives for the Winsors. 

I think the Book of Remembrance size for pedigrees is far more satisfying & easy to work with if you number them properly than the large one. (My opinion of course).

Would you like me to inquire about the Indian back ground in Ancestry? Ada Wood, Dad's cousin has done a lot of work with the Maoris in the Islands. She showed us her big parchment charts & the way they remember their ancestors. 

I too have plenty of illegitimacy to deal with even in this day but mostly foreign born. A beautiful young woman (Elfrede Lenzen) half Russian &half Jew lives across our street & she presents quite a probable. Has had a heart breaking childhood-spent 3 hrs. with me the other not just remembering & needed an outlet. 

Dad did not tell you about his fall on the ice last Sunday morning. He looked up once when he should have watched his step & his 2 ft. went out from under him. Hit the crown of his head (we'll never know how) cut an inch opening & Mon. Lu had an X-ray with 4 trials getting it at the back of the neck. (so much accumulated calcium & apparent Arthritis. He's been stiff & sore since but seems OK otherwise. We wrote about this in R.R. so it will be a repeat.

I don't think I ever told you how we loved your Xmas "Pome". (Referring to mom's creative poem in 'hillbilly language' about our life in Cherokee and Oconaluftee) I've read it-several times to classes of mine to demonstrate the value of original thot & writing in Books of Remembrance. 

Love you all so very much hug the children for me-Yours, Mom

Feb 24-1961

Luther, Wickie and Family

Dearest Ones-

This is to all of you but it is prompted by the letter from you, Wickie, just received, and it will be directed to you, Wickie Dear, in particular. 

I am at home, alone. Mom has been out finishing her assignment in "Relief Society teaching. Now she is down at Genealogical Library. She spends a lot of time down there either with her own records, or in helping members of her class to get acquainted. The building will be torn down soon to make way for a 38 story office building to be erected by the church. For about 3 years the Genealogical work will be done from the buildings way out on Redwood Road south. That, at least will be the temporary office. Eventually there will be a large, new building for Genealogy on the North West corner of 1st No. & Main. 

Now, Wickie, we are alarmed because of your very low heart beat. That is much better than it would be if it were high. 

I have just talked with Dr. Ershler, who is a heart specialist. He says, of course, you must follow your doctors instructions. Our advice is that you see a real, heart specialist, as well as your "Thyroid Doctor" and obtain from him further advice. Naturally your "thyroid trouble" is aggravating the condition. But, you must not "procrastinate". (Maybe you are not)

Dr. Ershler said that there is a wide range of pulse beat. It may be low at time, then with strenuous exercise or when excited, it may be high. But when the pulse is above 80 for long periods then there is danger. 

With me, the pulse is normally low, below 62-to 65 when it gets under that I was advised to take a little stimulant. Caffeine tablets will do the trick, I think, but it is best for you to do what the doctors say. 

We are pleased that you are doing genealogical work. Please don't think you have to know everything about it before getting started. There is much to learn and it requires much study. You are doing just the right thing in getting your people started in making their own family records, their pedigree charts etc. They will be able to surprise themselves in what can be done. They will be able to assemble more records than they think possible when they start,-pictures too, and they will become intensely interested as they work at it. 

Mom has not read your letter yet. She will have much to add that I cannot say. She knows much more, far more about these questions than I do- 

We should enjoy being there to absorb some of the lovliness of your country with you, this spring. But we'll have to wait. May our Father bless and protect all of you. 

Lovingly, 

Dad, Grandpa

PS the cookbook you sent us for Xmas is precious-so unique. Everybody loves it

May 7th, 1961

Dearest Lu & Wickie

Your letter of Apr 11 Wickie has looked up at me every time I approach my desk. I seem to have any amount of resistance. I love to get letters from either or both of you but to get them answered requires a bit of pushing. 

I have to write Aunt Theresa quite often & she answers immediately though I am forced to do many hrs. of research & typing to satisfy her assignments, genealogically speaking. She wants the group sheets of all the signers of Magna Charta made right now. Her information contradicts that which Bro. Bennett has done in many respects. 

Many of them are all finished & in the archives of which I have copies-But Theresa doesn't believe me. She thinks nobody but herself can do these things. A descendant of William Snow (Gdfather Erastus' brother) has hunted me up & we've spent hours checking these records. Shirley, my 2nd cousin is her name, is very efficient in proving her material & I know that together we could do this work ourselves. But I am "Girl Friday" still & you cannot argue with an invalid. 

I'm so glad Wickie you are feeling so much better so you are able to control your Thyroid??? I hope you will stay with your "nap" long after you think you do not need it. 

The beagle pup sounds like a wonderful deal. The children surely do need a pet if not 2 of them. 

And now you & Mark have eye troubles-we have been offering a special prayer for you both these last weeks. 

We are so proud of your woodwork accomplishments Lu, it's not easy to edge these projects. You are doing the things I used to do for Dad-finishing the woodwork. It's satisfying all right if you finally finish it. Do not be discouraged-just keep the hunger you have for doing the "special things" and some day you will be able to express yourself through them.

How we should love to visit you this month & see your paradise of flowers! The price of the trip the way we have to travel is out of the question until we can save for it. 

I can squeeze out of my $111.00 check $40 in 3 months time. That will take me to California & back by train. I feel the need for a visit with Bea before her baby arrives June 7. She doesn't want me around at "the time". She is moving slowly this month & will vacate the old home before June. I hope to help her a little. She is a good manager in the important things & Ray provides extra help if she needs it. Colleen & Susan help a lot. If I see Ken before another year is gone I'll have to do it before he leaves for Buenos Aires for the summer June 9-. So I plan to go down next Friday night & stay about 10 days. The next 2 Sundays I do not have to teach a S. S. class since it is Mothers Day next week & conference the following week. Dad is once again on the fence waiting for a call from Quebec.

Your genealogical copy work includes your close ancestry, Wickie? I suppose your Aunt has these sheets in the archives. 

They are very helpful to the family at large so you know who is working with you. The family records of living members are now placed on filmsort cards so they can be found and read effectively. Dad thinks you will not know what a filmsort card is. I myself do not know where the word was coined from, only this: When living members make a group sheet of their family or of parents or gdparents whom they know has not been filed in the reading room of the Archives they tell us they will film it on a "filmsort' card & file it for future use. Scarcity of space has prompted this action. When the new building is completed they will make these cards available to the public and have film machines to fit.

We have a day sealing for our stake this week (doing temple names) We furnish the couples, witnesses & scribes. Then we have stake sealing sessions three other nights of this week. This is my responsibility. As well as ward training of home teachers. I love my work. Dad & I are about to swoop down on Winsor genealogy soon. The family is in a "state", we can't reach the point where we know what has been done. Walters' wife is the researcher & she allows us to see only what she wants us to see. 

Our weatherman has kept up cool breezes every day & cold nights & a few warm days. 

We love you all very dearly & miss you. As ever, Mom

July 28th 1961

Dearest Luther, Wickie & Family-All-

It seems to be such a long time since we heard from you-the last R.R. I think. But we think of you many times a day and wish we could see you. 

Thressa Mare, Don and family came by a little while ago. They have two girls who are grown and one that looks like Theressa-Marie used to look. Their son Tom who had the broken arm is nearly well from it. His arm was broken off-nearly- but he can use his fingers again. Remarkable how young people can mend. Others were hurt too-but they seem to be OK again. Auto collision you know. 

Dea, Norman & Norman's oldest sister are here. They are due here now. Norman has been failing, but he seems to be OK now-

Just had a letter from Andy enclosing one from Rulon and asking if we want to go to San Diego to a "Winsor" reunion; but I have written that we do not want to go. I was asked last year to head the A.P. Winsor Family. This I am trying to do-but I do not wish to go further than Grandfather and Grandmother at this time. We are planning to meet at Pipe Spring-that was build under Grandfather's direction. It is now a part of U.S. Park service-a "monument". 

I am planning to have next week for Logandale to see La Var Winsor and see what can be done for him. He is a real Genealogist, but he has become discouraged and has "quit". 

Mom will go to St. George the last week of August to an E. Snow reunion. She is spending most of her time now at genealogical work. She is good at it. 

It is still dry and hot, and water is short. Last month early , the lake we built for the scouts in Mill Creek was drained by a muskrat burrowing along the outlet pipe. The break has been repaired under my supervision. I spent five days up there with a bull-dozer (and operator) and made a much better lake than we had before. I squared it up, made the deep part deeper, (11 feet now) and much longer-then tapered it from bottom to top. It is now right, we think. 

Mom will add a word. We love you one and all and we are anxious for your welfare. 

Lovingly  Dad-Grandpa

Dearest ones: The summer is slipping by so rapidly and I feel really guilty in not writing you specially since last May. I'm afraid it has been that long. I do not remember thanking you for the Mother's day gifts. That is inexcusable. We are now wondering where the R.R. is and what to do about it. There were some special snapshots in it-also the hospital picture of Chas. Scott Riley. I have wondered if Bea had the right address to send it to you, Luther. Pat said you usually send it to her. I .had a card from her since they returned home after visiting us and she said nothing about the R.R. having come. 

We have had a few visitors this summer here and there. But Pat has been the only one of our our family. They are all saving their money for new homes it seems. Ray is working too hard - reason - his hearing is more than half gone and the doctors can do nothing for him - he wants to get enough together in case anything happens to him. He is very sensitive about it but it makes a change in his attitudes.

Ken seems to be having a wonderful visit with his Pan-American friends - he has written a few letters. I think he will benefit a great deal in his readiness for a new year of teaching. He was a bit tense when I saw him last. 

Aunt Theresa is having her family in Portland for a reunion next month. The Ashdowns passed through here day before yesterday - 12 of them in one station wagon. A lady friend with her 15 year old daughter and a small son were a part of the group. Did you hear about the Ashdown car collision in which all but one were hospitalized? Broken arms and legs, broken pelvis, collar bone. Tommy's was the worst - The tendons were wrenched from the muscles. It looked terrible the other day but it must have been much worse. The elbow section it was - cannot use the hand yet. 

Dad has made some errors I will try to correct. His memory is failing badly and he shows his age in many ways. I have the hardest role to play right now than ever before. The Communist news keeps him despondent most of the time. We are trying to plan a shelter and prepare our one year supply. We are busy in the group here who are organizing for anti-Com. work. I find myself compelled to keep quiet as far as conversation goes - otherwise I am on the carpet. Polly came home once for a week but "never again" she said as long as Dad is here. All this work for the scouts is gratis. He is not able to do it any more but is hungry for those contacts - it all points to retirement in action". 

Let us hear from you soon - we are so anxious to know if you are all well. It is Dixie Centennial at St. George Loving you Always, Mom

The Arizona Winsors planned the reunion at San Diego not even letting Dad know. An insult to him of course. 

August 21, 1961

Dearest Lu and Wickie: you have no idea how far away you seem this summer - out of contact entirely. I am to blame for one thing. Wickie, you have saved us through your Letters altho they have been few. Busy as you've been you have reminded me that it is the only contact we have. I do not know when I have missed you more. 

I haven't even acknowledged mother's day gifts you sent - if I remember right. These things are unforgiveable. I hope you will forgive me, even if I do not deserve it.

What a treat to have access to huckleberries and blackberries. I never will forget the good times we had picking at Bar Harbor. We are trying to pack away a few dollars at a time so that we can make a trip back to see you. The visit I made to Arcadia and San Bernardino was filled with hard work - a little visiting in between. I work from dawn to dark and it isn't house work. The research is getting heavier now and harder even though I have two cousins helping. I have had a tremendous task getting ready for the Snow reunion at St. George this month - Aug. 27. 

The centennial begins then (100 yrs. since the pioneers went down to establish the cotton mission).  Our reunion is on September second on the temple grounds. The following Tuesday the temple opens and we have an endowment session. Our names of course. I worked three months to get enough ready. These were Tillinghast and Lincoln names - English and New England sources. I have had to start from scratch with everything since Theresa's sources from the Logan library are not all in ours. Her records are full of errors and all have to be copied over. I hope before too long we can get the finished records microfilmed. They are excavation in the mountains at the mouth of Big Cottonwood to prepare a storage place for all the microfilm and other records. 

Dad is in southern Utah - has been gone for two weeks and may be home soon. H went for an interview with LaVar Winsor to see if he could wake him up and give some information as to the status of our genealogy. He and his mother have always avoided showing us the Winsor records. All the old ones prepared and finished by Uncle Andrew should be microfilmed. Nothing has com e in to the archives for years. So, I guess we'll have to do some pushing. Dad was voted in as the A.P. W. president last year but the Arizona branch went ahead an planned for the reunion in San Diego. This trip was also planned for hunting up pioneer relics and authentic articles to put in the Pipe Springs museum at that place - where Grandfather and Grandmother kept the place after building it and the church cattle also. They furnished the cheese and butter for the workers on the St. George temple. Dad has also been surveying and cleaning up the Winsor Family cemetery, etc. etc.

I have been more than busy keeping up the yard and the daily appointments in various places. We have had about three fairly good rains this summer - everything needs water. I have the grass back to normal since Dad left. He has taken it over the last year and everything just about dried up. I am in about the same position now as Bea and Pat have been during all their married life. I have to ask for the necessities except food. Dad is fearful that the time is near when we will be left without means until it has become an obsession. I look on it as a senile attitude so ignore it and we get along. Living with a retired man is a real test. This last year has been very trying in every way. The children who have been home just do not understand Dad. Polly was here a week last year and she left with the promise she would not try it again. Of course you know Polly. Pat didn't let him get her down but she was also forced to accept it. Usually in daily living with the two of us we manage. I am gone most of the time and he goes quite often. Mostly he broods about communism. I hope it will pass and I think it will. 

So that you may know, Bea will be moving for sure the first of September-her address is 30 Meadow Lane Arcadia, Calif. You might want to get in touch. 

Aunt Theresa has had her entire family in Portland for a reunion. Judy is to be married this week and Reuben will take all his family to Europe immediately after. The Ashdowns called here on their way up to Portland.

Keep well and happy and remember we are looking forward to seeing you next summer (?)

Our love to each one of you and may the Lord bless you each and every day-protect and guide youl

Lovingly, Mom

October 24th, 1961

Dearest Wickie and Luther:

We sent the R.R. along more than a week ago, say two weeks and I have tried to find a few quiet moments to answer Wickies's letter and give you a few bits of news I dare say you have not heard. The R.R. is a long time going around and the report of my St. George trip along with other things were included. Most of the children write between R.R. letters; we love to get them but sometimes I cannot keep up. Aunt Theresa's letters have to be considered and I have many from relatives pertaining to genealogy I must take care of. If any of you want to give me a Christmas gift make it "time." Since this trouble of :protein deficiency" descended on me I have too little strength for the demand. 

Aunt Theresa has returned to Logan now to a rest home "Sunset Terrace: where she will have no family. She will have to depend on her friends and they will have their own lives to live. I do not know how long it will last. The family will be looking to me to go up as often as possible and aunt Theresa will not be able to understand why I cannot do that. I have a Snow cousin who drives and she may be able to go with me occasionally-up and back in a day. She is helping with genealogy and is very efficient except that she is so enthusiastic about the magna Charta people she has no time for anything else. I have enough to keep me going for years on old stacks of sheets that have been returned for correction. this is the hardest because most of them are competing with other workers with whom I must compete in sources of information. aunt Theresa has cut the corners all of her life - never quite finishing the job. The censoring board are lenient as they can be with me but they understand. So much for one of my problems. 

Leona's mother informs me about her new marriage - a military man she met at Hill Field where she has been working - name 'Hutchins" I think and L.D.S. Some time ago while her mother was down state on a job Lynne attended Sunday School with her grandmother so I sat with her and she was very pleasant - has had a job all summer. She had little to say at that time. Her hair was back to normal once more. The last time I had seen her she was a platinum blonde. In any case she is a very pretty girl and I do hope she will not have to meet more and harder problems. I believe a few years hence she will do or is now doing her own thinking.

Here is a piece of news you will love. Your dearly beloved Dad, Luther, has just about finished cleaning out the storeroom; enough so that we can finish in a few days time. About fifteen boxes of professional material in boxes went out to the state engineers' office to the prison and to the garbage collector. We have quite a few of your things, Lu that will be accessible so when you come home if you wish you can check for things you might want. I am returning your copy of you "life story" that you may find useful later on. How I did appreciate that--so detailed concerning your life's work up-to-date and your memories. 

Would it be possible for you to furnish me a good, clear snapshot of both of you with the children in the course of the next three weeks so I could use it for our Xmas letters. We want all our family together again at least on paper. This is a lot to ask so late but I would so like to have it "current" and all of you together. I could patch one up but it would not be as nice. Make it two weeks if you can. We are rather anxious to do it this year - nobody knows what next year will bring. So many of our contemporaries are passing on. Every day takes a little more out of us - we are finding this place a real burden to keep up. Yet, in these perilous days we'd like to hold on to our home. Dad spends every Friday at the temple - half a day in the font room as a witness for baptisms. His old friend Orval Stott is in charge and called him to this assignment. He loves it. 

We look forward to Christmas and having you home (?) You are coming? We'll have some conversation and loving then - thank you for all your thotful remembrance of us from time to time - we do appreciate it. Our love and many a hug for the children and yourselves. My letter is full of typical errors - right hand is tricky. 

Yours affectionately- Mom

1202 E Crystal Ave

Salt Lake -6- Ut

Nov 9 1961

Luther my Son-

Your birthday is nearly here but I cannot let it by without a note to you at least. I think that I have written you each year since you were mature and out on your won. 

Mom is up early and is writing too. I have read her letter and shall only add a few things. 

You are far away. Sometime please come closer. It is hard for us to get around since I stopped driving. But we manage alright locally. 

Wickies father and mother came in for a short evening and we saw some of the pictures they took; but not all. We are looking forward to an hour or so at Layton with them when we can see the rest of the slides. Your mountains are lovely, but, you must come back before Mary Lu and Mark are old enough to form permanent attachments. You must plan to send them to B.Y. U. when they are old enough then they will find companions that will stay on through eternity. 

I am spending one day each week at the temple. I go down on the 6 o'clock bus, spend half a day in the Baptistry, then go through for two names. (Two sessions). It makes a full day but I love it. Mom is pending much time in Genealogy. She teaches a class each Sunday, has many "work shop" meetings here at home and is considered the leader in our ward and stake. She spends many hours down at the Library. I am assistant chairman and have charge of home teaching. We have the ward divided into 4 districts with a pair of 'home teachers' for each. but it is slow work. We need more enthusiasm and support at the 'top'. 

We are pleased that you have 'bomb shelters' going. Maybe you too have a side hill where you can build a cellar into which you can store food for emergency when you will not have time to the to the Park Shelter. 

We have a little food and water in our basement and that will serve our needs. 

We have had no instructions from church authorities except to provide an abundant supply of food. Our Civil Defense office seems to be 'political' and they know nothing and are doing nothing except to hand out literature prepared by another 'political' office. So far it is nearly worthless. 

Our authorities have stressed the need for living the gospel, and for following the plan laid out in the beginning. 

the world has divided into two camps, the one for God and His teachings. The other for Satan and his destructive influence. 

Happy birthday- Son and our love to all of you 

-Dad-

November 8, 1961

Luther dear:

Happy birthday and my love to you and yours - I do hope you will find a way to "let go" for an hour or so to remember how young you are and enjoy the day with your family. It takes me back to the beginning of course when you began this earth life. That was a day of rejoicing when our first son arrived - he would grow up to be a lover of truth; conscientious, thoughtful and kind. Consideration and love for his parents and willing to serve in his Church - all these and more you have been - including the great blessing of giving us another daughter who loves you and represents the best in womanhood. She is true and faithful to her trust- gifted and thrifty and kind - willing to go where you go and make sacrifices necessary to family welfare. You are both very dear to us and we love you with an enduring love that will carry over into the eternities. 

Thanks for the last letter of Oct. 22 and the latest news. Your activities are always so interesting - little things but so satisfying. The trips through the countryside and your recreational bits. The painting and handcraft you are both doing make me want to fly back to you if only for a da - the progress of the children and the development they are receiving in this unusual environment - all these things make us very happy. Please love our four grandchildren real hard for us until we meet at Christmas time (?)

This is another fair day since our last heavy storm - cold but pleasant. Everything is bare and wintry; we need another blanket of snow. Our election this week turned out a democratic city commissioner with no strings to Lee and the same old Joe Christensen. The 'fluoridation of our water' voted down for which we are grateful. It would be a tremendous expense as well as the handicap of not knowing the harm to our children and grandchildren as it builds up in the bone. We still have to study its long term reaction on the human body. 

Aunt Theresa is back to Logan now and living at the Sunshine Terrace Rest Home at 337 E 2 N. next to the hospital. It is very nice there - my cousin (genealogical assistant of mine and a Wm. Snow descendant and I went up there last Saturday to see how it was with her. She is very keen mentally, sharp as a tack when it comes to genealogy and we had a wonderful day together. I don't know what we would have done without her help on connections - she remembers where she found these things and we are able to pick up details. Many are the books she has donated to the library in Logan that we cannot get down here. Theresa will try to find someone to take care of her and fix up enough room at her own home to live there after next June when the renters are out. 

Marshall called on us on his way to a Calif. training school We had a good visit with him the best in years - he seems to be taking a keen interest in his family and carrying responsibility at last. 

Have you been able to get a picture of yourselves and family for me to use this Christmas? Deadline is here. thanks again in advance. I must start my day and a happy birthday, Lu, with all the trimmings. All my love, 

Mom

7 December 1961

Dearest Wickie and Luther:

The R.R. has been here several days and your latest letter just arrived today. Like a bomb shell it was. We are very unhappy not to have been able to visit you in Cherokee. I see by the map Richmond is not too far from your present location. So, it might be possible to come to see you after all. We are so glad, Lu, you are receiving recognition for your devotion and hard work. I have been not a little anxious about your police duties and the sanger attending them. I guess it would not do for me to live near you. I might be a temperamental nuisance. 

I sent your news along with the R.R. I hope that was all right. I have been very busy getting my paintings ready for a 'showing'. They are hung now at Somerset Art shop in Sugar House and will be there from Dec. 6-18th. the press hasn't been very co-operative - cannot depend on them. They took a picture and were to print it with an article - to be in tonight's paper. No Picture. No article. 

I am getting some experience anyway. Most people do not want to pay the price of a good picture. They prefer you give it to them. I'm not expecting any sales so I will not be disappointed. Christmas is almost upon us & I hope you can simplify it this year and let others  do things for you. Is there anything I can do at long distance? We used the snapshot of you where the dog was not in it- (no offense implies) but the boys were not clear enough. Then the other which was more clear two of the boys had their eyes closed. we love it just the same and I know you will too. the film is enclosed. Thanks for all your trouble, and the snapshots. Dad is busy at the temple for endowments every day. they are way behind with mens' names, 16,000 I think. so, he has done seven names this week and participated in a sealing session and now today his own regular day participating as a witness in the baptistry. He loves the work and never gets tire, which of course sums up to this: the Lord helps him along. he is always stiff jointed when he is at home, ---not so at the temple. 

I must get the R.R. off today sure. We are both well as usual and find the fight for freedom just as strong as ever. May the Lord bless you in the preparations to move to your new home. Our prayers will be offered for you success and your safety. If you want some inspirational reading for Christmas find 'an Instructor' (Church magazine) in your community (?) and read Dilworth Young's article "Jesus Christ, the son of God" P 102 December 1961. If you cannot find one let me know. You may not be able to read all of it to the children. Try it and see but  do read it aloud yourselves. 

The typed material enclosed I gave to Relief Society women. Jeanne Taylor's is her own. Note how much stress Dr. Mead places on temperatures of food in storing. 

We love you all so dearly and miss you. God grant that we may meet very soon. 

Yours lovingly - a kiss and hug around please. 

Mom

Dad will write you very soon.