Memories from Mary

Walter was a very hard working man, and he expected the family members and hired help to carry responsibility, energy, and ambition in their labors.

Even with all the labor and responsibilities, father took time out for short trips for us throughout all the years. We had a family cabin in Fish Lake for several years and always took a week during the summer to play in the lake a bit and row the boat. We would drag a worm through the lake in hopes a fish might be hungry.

When we purchased the Ranch in 1925, dad’s eyes was beauty in the mountains in the opposite direction, and the children, as well as I had many trips upon dear old Mt. Baldy through the next twenty-five years.

It was the summer range for our two heard of sheep, which was our work. So work and recreation were combined, and our wonderful son’s stood close to their father’s shoulder through the years of depression. If it had not been so, we may have lost all. Many men whom we knew, did.

Well, we spent twenty-two summers at the Ranch while our boys were growing through adolescence, and our older girls into beautiful young ladies. It was not exactly a way of life, according to some of our children’s friends, but it made fine women and men in our family, and who could want more.

Our nine children brought many fine boys and girls into our home. We had parties of every kind during the years. I’m sure there are many who still think of the good times had in our big old house. We truly have wonderful memories of years spent while we were all tighter, and shared with friends the joys of home.

“This is our home

Hallowed by friends like you

Who, passing through its portals

Left something very precious

A clasp of hands, a word, a glance.

An understanding heart, perchance,

Or prayer divine.”

Our ranch home was not as comfortable and nice as was our permanent home are 160 S 2^nd West, but many were entertained within its walls and riding horses, swimming in the river, hiking the hills in search of “diamonds” that just grew only on our hills, and many more sports, (if they made the sport themselves). Those were the days when Marysvale didn’t even boast a picture show.

Most of our children socialized with the Marysvale young people during our years of summers there. Anna brought Dr. Jenkins from Marysvale, Olive got Dwain. Dale, with some difficulty persuaded Edna to leave and I think Marie “Windsor” left before Ross did, but remember (Ross’ children), your daddy has taken out a movie star.

How dear to my heart are

The scenes of your childhood.

As fond recollections present them to view

The ranch and the trees

With the train running near it

Yes, every loved spot in your

Young lives you knew.

The wide spreading slew, with

The red hill close by it.

The river, so crooked, winds

Its way through:

How often you stopped as you

Crossed that old river

And took a refreshing dive or two.

The old Ogden ranch house

That stands in the canyon

The dear Ogden ranch

With its cattle and sheep

Many years we came with out family each summer.

Then at last we came with

Only one little boy to keep.

These lines I wrote one day in the spring of 1946. I’m quite sure I was feeling lonely for action, since that was mostly what we had at the ranch at that time or year, but now father’s cares were lighter, and our other children were married or away at school. So we did have cause to feel alone.