Uncle Gus

Uncle Gus, as my father called him, was an interesting, rather unpredictable person, most likely due to war injuries, it couldn't have been heredity! One time he took a scythe and cut off the head of one of the fine blooded bulls that belonged to his father, perhaps in anger. (In 1946, when we were trying to find the grave yard where many of the family were buried, a man we ask directions of said, "Die you know old Gus Dyer?" When my father said, "Yes, he was my uncle", the man said, "Well, don't step on his grave or he'll raise up and beat the hell out of you!!) Uncle Gus had a bald spot on the back of his head which was caused by a strange accident. It's said that he drank too much moonshine one night and Aunt Lucinda had to go after him. She pulled him up on a sled and tied his feet to the single tree. When she got home, she found that his head had slipped off the back of the sled and dragged on the ground, wearing all the hair and hide off the spot. It never grew back.

Gus was a farmer in what is now called the Tarpine Valley, but which was originally called the Valley of the Terrapins. Augustus died the 8th of Sept. 1907 and is buried in the Dyer graveyard on a little hill overlooking the valley.

Taken from a typewritten manuscript written by Nancy Mildred Beals DeWitt.

Introducing the Beals Family

This is a picture of my Great Grandfather, William Thomas Beals. He was married Josie Caroline Hicks in 9 Dec 1893. They were married for a short period of time. They had two children, Rosie Verdeame Beals and Arthur Beals who died as a child. William Thomas Beals and Josie Caroline Hicks were divorced and William went on to marry at least two other times. I have a record of a marriage to Abbie Ellen Patterson in 1898 and to Eddie Jane Viars in 1913.

I have a Doctrine and Covenants that Great Grandpa Beals gave to his daughter, Rosey Verdeame Vance on her 35th birthday.

This is my Great, great grandfather, John Simpson Beals who was born 29 Oct 1844 in Loudon, Monroe, Tennessee and who died 19 Jul 1904 in Pima, Graham, Arizona. He brought his family west to Colorado and after a couple of years, they moved on to Pima, Arizona. He died in Pima in 1904.

His wife, Elizabeth Frances Dyer was born 31 January 1847 in Rodgersville, Hawkins, Tennessee. She died in Pima, Arizona in December of 1928.

I have some histories I would like to share if you are interested, but they are long and I will have to do the sharing in installments.

The Traditional Thanksgiving

Some say the traditional Thanksgiving began in Plymouth. For me it was a gathering at one of homes of my aunts or uncles in Manassa. The family packed in so tightly that there was hardly enough room to move. There was roast turkey, sage dressing, stuffed celery, mashed potatoes and gravy, fruit salad, fresh rolls, and plenty of pie. The menu was not as important to me as the closeness I felt with those I loved and a sense of belonging to something larger than I.

There was laughter and sharing. There was sharing of family news, encouragement, and love. As I remember, uncles would often disappear to a nearby home to watch a football game after the meal. The women would clean up the tables and the kitchen. As kids, we would play and laugh and build a stronger bond with one another.

I still try to have family gatherings with my children. Will there ever be another like those we had in Manassa?

Sadie Hawkins Day

When I was in high school, I had a real affinity to reading the "Lil' Abner" comic strip. I was even able to draw most of the characters. This interest in Dogpatch, the home of Lil Abner and his girlfriend, Daisy May, was shared by others in my comunity. Each year, the school had a Sadie Hawkins dance in which the girls could ask the boys out.

I was a Sophomore in High School when I went to my first Sadie Hawkins dance. I was invited by a very smart girl in my class. I felt a bit nervous, but I donned by cut off levis, my burlap belt, and my flannel shirt. My date picked me up and pinned her cabbage corsage on my shoulder and we were off to the school.

I don't remember all of the details because it was such a long, long time ago. I do remember the bails of hay that we sat on and some of the booths around the school gymnasium. The one that holds a grip on my memory was the kissing booth. It was like a square tent made with dark blankets or something. I entered the booth hand in hand terrified of what came next. I had never kissed a girl before and wasn't sure I was ready to do that just yet. I extended my hand and shook her hand. She pulled her hand back and exclaimed, "You fink!"

The rest of the evening was cold and uncomfortable, and not just because I was wearing cut off levis.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday to a special Sister - Bonnie! I know I don't always remember everyone's birthday. But I want all to know that you are loved and I really do appreciate your love.

I know our family has had some really fun times with 'Aunt Bonnie'. The children have all thought a lot of you, Bonnie, as do Don and I. You have a special talent and spirit about you. I remember one time when two little girls were going to run away from home and go to Aunt Bonnie's! (who lived not too far in another trailer park in Alamosa)

I also remember when I became Bonnie's sister, she wasn't sure she wanted to share her 'big' brother, but I am glad she did! Love ya.

Our Last Year in Romeo

We moved into the Paul weddington house. It was on the northeast corner of the block that Shirley Sorenson lived in. We lived there until two months after I was married. This letter was written when Dad was moving from that house that is explained in the letter. The only house that I lived in, in the town of Romeo, is the house that I just described. That is where we lived when Nona and Moine and Arlo and I dated. We were together most of the time as we courted.

One day when we lived there, someone came into my class room at school and said "Gatha, your house is on fire". I jumped over a desk and ran as fast as I could to the house and Barbara had ironed a dress to wear to school and left the iron on. It burned a hole in the ironing boar and was starting to burn the floor. We got there in time to put the fire out.

There was always something going on. Life was not easy without a mom. When I have heard people complain about their moms I would say, "I'll trade you places.