Georgia Ann Jack

(Taken from the writings of Garth N. Jones Dean/Professor Emeritus, College of Business and Public Policy, University of Alaska, Anchorage)

Doris Faye Bingham—Father, James Edward Bingham—Grandmother, Ada Zoa Jack—Great Grandmother, Georgia Ann Horton

Born on the 30th of May 1841, Georgia Ann Horton, one of six sisters of part Cherokee blood, remembers that just before the Civil War, several denominations “came into the county: Methodists, Campbellites, Hard Shells…. They were very strenuous in their preaching”.

The war had taken its toll on the South, not to exclude the small hollow community of Groveoak, Alabama. Georgia Ann, now 35 years of age, and her husband James Hazlette Jack were living near extended family, in the tight knit community. In the fall of 1876, a Mormon Elder by the name of James T. Lisonbee came to their little settlement preaching the restoration of the gospel.

On November 5th, 1876, Georgia Ann attended a meeting held by Elder Lisonbee at the Pine Grove School House, about three miles from Groveoak. She opened her home for a second preaching service the very next day at “early candle lighting”. The house was filled to capacity with people sitting and standing on the front porch. She responded promptly and enthusiastically to his message. She readily accepted the gospel, made every effort to share the truth she had found and later wrote: “I don’t know how anyone with my sense could fail to see the light”

When aggressive preachers and individuals sought to drive Elder Lisonbee from the area, Georgia Ann was not intimidated. Throughout November and December, she opened door after door for Elder Lisonbee to deliver his gospel message. As opposition increased, she became bolder and bolder, finally becoming alienated from her husband’s family as well as several of her own family. Georgia Ann was a person of conviction. She had seen the light and her soul burned with the Truth.

Georgia Ann was instrumental in introducing the gospel to many of her family, friends and neighbors. Scores were baptized and would soon gather to “Zion”. Only their Zion would be Manassa Colorado: A unique settlement of southern saints.

Compiled by E.J. Dobbins

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We spent many hour in the mountains. I remember one time Alta and Tiny and Norene and Sheila and Isabel and Don and RaeDean and Gordon and Arlo, and Doris Faye and Donnie and Kent and Bonnie Lynn camped out on Wolf Creek Pass. It was a beautiful place and I had a lot of pictures that we took up there, but I don't know if I have any of them now. Arlo was holding Bonnie Lynn. I saw somewhere that it was said that in that picture the child was Donnie, It was Bonnie Lynn. There was a picture of RaeDean and Doris Faye. It was close to the highway and we heard trucks passing by all night.

We made what we called a Brigham Bed. Out side was a dad, then all of their children between the mom. Next was the next family, starting with the mom, the children of that family and then the dad. The dad of the next family was next, then their children and the mom, until all of the families were in the bed together.
Cooking on a campfire and eating on the ground on a ground cover and playing games and telling stories.

I remember another time all of the same people camped in the Conejos Canyon. It was a lot of fun and we really enjoyed Grandpa Vance's family.

One year we went to the South Fork on the Conejos. LaRue and Harold and Eddie and Grandma Lawson and our family camped. There was a raspberry patch and we made jam and ate all the raspberries that we could pick. We mad a tent with poles and blankets for the kids to sleep in. We had fried fish and fried potatoes.


I remember one year LaVerl and I took some of the cousins to the flat below the cabin where they made a camp ground. We set up two tents. One for the girls and the other for the boys. We stayed there several nights. The girls decided to move their tent after several nights, and had just got it set up and all of their things in it when it started raining. One day Edgar, Ethel and Don and Elma came to have lunch with us. Just about the time that they arrived, it started raining. The lightning struck a tree nearby. I said that it hit a tree close because I felt a chip hit me, and Edgar said he didn't think so, but he went looking at the trees near where we were and and found where it had struck two trees that were side by side. It peeled the bark on both trees from the top to the bottom in a line about 3 inches wide from the top to the bottom of both trees. I watched those trees for several years, after we bought the cabin, and I walked along the river. One of them died.

Later, we had the cabin to stay in. That was nice for all of us. There wasn't as much preparation to get ready to go and we always had a place to sleep. There are a lot of memories there. I still enjoy going to the cabin. I never get enough of it. Those are precious memories. I enjoyed the reunions that have been held at the cabin. We had several with the Vances. Cecil and Jessie and Richard and his family and RaeDean and their children and Earl and Winnie and their children. Those are times that I enjoy remembering. There is a picture of Arlo, Earl, Richard, Gordon and I don't remember who else. There is also one of Earl and Winnie, Jessie and Cecil and Arlo and me.

I remember reunions with the Dunn family. We have some great pictures that were taken at the cabin. Those were wonderful times.

I remember many times as a young girl going to Aspen Glade Camp Ground. I always loved that place Arlo didn't like it very well so we never went there often with our family. We camped more at LaManga Camp Grounds. That was good too.

Dentures

Betty and I went to the movies one evening. I decided that in order to take full advantage of the environment, I needed a good chewy caramel. It tasted wonderful until I heard a loud crack when the anchor tooth snapped off. There was no pain, but my partial was loose in my mouth and had to be rebuilt to add another tooth.

Mom (Gatha) was forever using Super Glue to repair her dentures. She looked so cute when she smiled and her front tooth was missing. I prefer her smile however, with a full set of pretty white teeth.

I remember many, many years ago, Doris Faye got her first set of dentures. She was really young when she got them. She was having a hard time getting used to them. As we knelt around the bed for family prayer, Doris Faye had hardly begun and her upper dentures came flying out and onto the bed. We all had a good laugh.

We had a similar experience this week when Betty's dad went to the restaurant to celebrate his 88th birthday with Betty and Wick Bohanan. He was trying a new adhesive, Sea Bond. It didn't work as well as he hoped and he ended up with his dentures in his plate rather than in his mouth.

I watched Dad (Arlo Vance) for years eat without dentures. I appreciate his sacrifice for us, but he would have been so much more attractive with a mouth full of ivory cutting instruments. I'm personally very grateful for my dentures. They may be a bit hard to get used to, but food is so much better when we can chew it well before we swallow it.

I have been so tempted to take the plaster impressions of my teeth as a white elephant gift to a church party. Betty tells me that would be in very poor taste. Can you think of a humorous denture adventure to share with the family for a little fun?

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My children and I went on several trips. Arlo had to work and never was able to go with us. We went several times to Los Alamos, where Keith and Erma lived. A few times my sisters, Doris Faye, LaRue and Barbara and their children went at the same time. We went to Bandalier Indian Ruins, the Laboratories where they worked on the atomic bomb. Keith worked in one of the places were they did some kind of scientific research. That was always fun.

My dad, Ted Bingham worked in LosAlamos when they were working on the atomic bomb. Of course he didn't know what was going on there. He would work away from home in the winter, sometimes, when the farm work was done. and the boys could take care of the farm. Mom sometimes took him to work, so she had the car. At other times he rode with someone else. At that time there was not a very well finished road up the mountain and it was a scary ride. There was a gate at the entrance where nobody could pass, without a pass. I never went with them to LosAlamos then, because I stayed home to keep the house and whatever I had to do.

When we went up to visit Keith and Erma, Keith or Erma had to come to the gate and sign a pass, so we could go in. The gate was there for many years. It is no longer there.

We also went to Pueblo and visited with Nona and her children. One time we went in the VW pickup and it stalled and we had to find a ride home. Tom Rogers brought the pickup home in one of his trucks.

Arlo was pretty good about our little mishaps. I guess he was accustomed to our car problems. Sometimes we went through cars like women go through hosiery. I never had a car of for my use after our little Plymouth car was no longer usable, until Arlo bought Elma and Boyd's used car. It was short lived. Doris Faye took it to Alamosa to get some things for Grandpa Dunn's funeral and the car caught fire and that was the end of my car. I only had Arlo's pickup or one of my children's cars. I don't think I can even name all of the cars we wore out or wrecked.

Our Christmas' were special times. We had a hardwood floor, that had to be waxed and polished by hand. It was beautiful when it was polished. When Arlo and I married, he had never really celebrated Christmas the way we always did. He didn't think we needed a Christmas tree. I told him that when the time came that I didn't have a Christmas tree, he would know that I was too old. I have always had a tree. His family were very poor and didn't buy Christmas presents. Arlo learned to love Christmas. One of the traditions that we had was on Christmas Eve. we did the story of the birth of Christ and after had a family testimony meeting. Everyone didn't have to bear testimony, but everyone told of their love for each other and how special our family was. I believe that is one of the things that helped Arlo gain a testimony of the Gospel. He loved Christmas. He would sit in his chair by the fire and watch the lights on our beautiful tree. It shone on the floor where the floor was polished.

Arlo loved beautiful things. He was really interested in Bonnie Lynn's ballet concerts. He would watch an opera on television. He loved good music. Those are things that helped me to know how deep and sweet his feelings were for good thing.

It is interesting to look at the faces and see similarities to children of another generation.

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I don't remember the year that we moved to our home on 3rd street. A lot of things happened while we lived there. Arlo was still working for Boyd Pagett. We lived across the street from Elma and Boyd. Grandma Dunn had died and Doris and Verden moved into Grandpa's house. Loyd and Cathryn still lived in Manassa. Keith had married Erma Rae and Leon Married Jean, LaRue and Harold were married. Barbara was alone with her children. Doris Faye and Bill were married. Our lives were surrounded by family. Isabel and Alta had died.

Arlo's back was doing good. He worked from daylight until dark at the station. He loved fishing and hunting. Those things took his off time. I took the children and went to LosAlamos and visited with Keith and Erma and their family. I think Barbara and Doris Faye went too. We also went to Pueblo and visited Nona and her family. We went in the VW pickup and it broke down in Pueblo. We had to find another way home.

Larry got Brights disease and when I took him to the Doctor. (Dale Thomas), He said we needed to take him to Denver, the next day, to a specialist. That night I took him to Alamosa to the hospital, because he couldn't go home. Before we I took him, we went by Mrs Brothers, Jerry Dunn was the and gave him a Priesthood blessing. We waited in the waiting room for about 3 hours, because they didn't have a bed for him. The hospital was full. It was getting late and Dr. Thomas hadn't come yet. I decided to go home and get some things ready to go to Denver the next morning. I hadn't been home long when Dr. Thomas called and said that Larry's blood pressure had gone so high that he didn't know if he would be alive until we got there He said that he was going to give him a shot that could be fatal. All of the way to the hospital, I prayed that whatever was best for Larry would be. When we got there the shot had worked and his blood pressure had come down. Arlo took us to Denver the next morning and Larry was admitted, then Arlo went home. That was in January and it was so cold in Denver, I wasn't prepared for that cold. I got a room close to the hospital. I walked to be with him each morning and back to the room each night. The temperature didn't get above zero the ten days that he was there. That is the coldest I have ever been. Larry and I rode a bus home.


I think it was earlier when Bonnie Lynn had surgery to correct her eyes. Later Bonnie got hit in the ear by someone when she was swimming and got an infection in her ear. We took her to the doctor right away, but they couldn't stop the infection and it destroyed her ear drum. I took her to Denver, where she had surgery to replace the ear drum. It was like a miracle. She didn't loose any of the hearing in that ear. She couldn't go home so we stayed in Denver for a week and then we went to Nona's for a week. We couldn't take her over a mountain pass, because it would have too much pressure on her ear. We had to wait two weeks.

We took her back several times for check ups. I think all of the children went with us and we went to shows and ate at a restaurant where they had a toy train that ran around the the top of the restaurant. We also went to the museum while we were there.

TO BE CONTINUED--8

80 CONTINUED--7

When we moved to the Christenson house, I was still working at hot lunch. I don't remember how long I worked there. Arlo was still working for Boyd. Arlo had an old red pickup, that he drove to work. When it was snowy, and the roads were slick, I tried to drive the monster and it would just jack knife. I didn't know how to drive that pickup when the roads were icy.

We bought a Plymouth coupe that was just right for our family. I don't know what happened to that car. It was a good little car. Later Arlo did some work on the model A and we drove that for quite a while.

We were living there when we bought a T V. Everyone else seemed to have one and the children were going to other homes to watch them so we decided to buy one. Arlo watched it as soon as he got home from work until it went off at night. He really loved to watch television. It did keep the children home, too. The first T V, I ever saw was just after World War II. The programs then were so good. I Love Lucy was so popular that everything seemed to stop when it was on. There were good musical shows and fun things. It has really changed in the last 50 years.

The first time I heard of a recorder, I thought that was strange. Why would anyone want to record things. I surely didn't understand all of the things that came because of that instrument.

I remember times when Bonnie Lynn would go to Nancy's after school or would go back to the garage with Arlo after lunch and one day I tied her to the clothesline with a rope that went the full length of the line. She still tells me about tying her to the clothesline. She didn't go again without permission.

Maggie Weston worked at hot lunch with me. I learned a lot from her. I loved that lady.

While we lived there, Donnie and Kent were in scouting and the ward was taking the Mutual boys to Arizona to the Dam. The boys were all ready to go, but our alarm didn't go off and they were left. I have always felt bad about that.

While we lived there, Barbara was left alone in Denver. Doris Faye and I went to Denver to get her and the children. It was quite an adventure. Barbara's car broke down on the way back home and we left it there and all of us rode in Doris Faye's car to Manassa. Barbara and her children lived with us for a time. We bought the house on 3rd street. where we live for the remainder of the time we lived in Manassa. Barbara lived in our old house for a time, until she moved into the house that Doris Faye and Bill owned.

80 -- CONTINUED --3

I hope to touch on all of the things in the 2 lists of 80.

I missed telling about my baptism. I was baptized in Manassa in the old brick Stake building that is on the northeast corner of the church lot, on 1 November 1936. There was a baptismal font, in the basement, at that time. I don't think it is there anymore. I don't remember much about it, but I am thankful for that blessing in my life.

Arlo and I moved several times before he went to work for Ed Guymon, and we moved into their two room house. There was no indoor plumbing, so we had a path. There was a running artisian well. The water was wonderful, sweet and icy cold. We had an oil heating stove and a cook stove that was heated by oil also. We heated water for washing and we carried the water for any use we had.

TO BE CONTINUED !

Doris Faye was living with us when we moved there. We lived there when Don was born. He was a sweet red head. Both Arlo and I thought that he was the best child that was ever born. He slept through the night, from the time we brought him home. Arlo washed out his dirty diapers. Can you believe that. He was so proud of him. Life does a drastic change when babies come. It was a cold winter night when Don was born. We had the model A and there was no anti-freeze, so we drained the car every night. When we were preparing to go to the hospital, Arlo had to fill the radiator with water and He had such a hard time getting it filled. He was so nervous. Don was born in the Alamosa hospital. Everything went well. The doctor that delivered him was Dr Hurley. He was the doctor that had delivered me and all of my brothers and sisters. He talked about my mom as he was waiting for Don to get here. I felt the presence of my mom at the time. I think she was there when each of my children were born.

I often took the children, Doris Faye and Don and the other children as they came, to see Grandma Dunn. She was like a mother to me and I felt her need at times.

Eighteen month later Kent was born. He had dark hair and was a good son. Kent has always been a special person to me. I was so proud of my boys. There are a lot of things that make a family. I loved my little family.

We were in the Richfield Ward when we moved there. I was a counselor in the Primary while we lived in Richfield. The LaJara chapel was built when we lived there and Arlo worked on the building. In the winter, there wasn't much work to be done on the farm, so Ed paid him to work on the chapel.

I taught a primary class there. One day the car wouldn't start. It was a heavy car. Not the model A. Arlo had made a crank for it, because that happened sometimes. I cranked and cranked and couldn't start the car. Finally I went into the house and prayed that the car would start, because I felt a great responsibility to be there to teach my class. I went back out and turned the crank once. The car started. I got there, but I was really tired. I know that prayers are answered. I love the Lord and am thankful for his care.

Three years after Kent was born we had Bonnie Lynn. I had always wanted a girl and was so pleased to get my sweet Bonnie. She was a red head, although it didn't really show red until she was about a year old. I told Grandma Dunn that it was red, but she didn't think so. I liked her beautiful hair. The Lord greatly blessed us as a family. When Bonnie was four years old, her eyes were crossed and she had surgery to correct them, Uncle Bill payed for that surgery. It is wonderful to belong to a good family, who are there for you when you nave a need.

The Last Photo

Family at Dad's funeral (Keith Edward Bingham)

Many family members came to be with us at my Dad's funeral. Back row: Kelly, Barry, Doris Faye's husband, Doris Faye, Harold, Gatha, LaRue, Leon and David. Front row: Laraine, Barbara, Sue Ann, Mom (Erma Rae) and Dick. We were so glad to have these wonderful people together.



On March 9, 2008 my father passed away in Belen, New Mexico. My brother, Kelly, directed the construction of a beautiful casket for Dad. It is made of pine and cedar wood. All of my brothers and Sue Ann's husband, Keith, and many grandsons helped to make this beautiful casket. Sue Ann and I lined it. My brothers added Dad's brand. See the BoxK on the lid? In this picture, David, Laraine, Kelly, Mom, Sue Ann, Barry and Dick are standing by the finished casket.



My Dad's siblings came to be with us for the funeral that was held in Los Alamos, New Mexico. Doris Faye's husband, Doris Faye, Harold, Gatha, Barbara, LaRue, Leon and Mom (Erma Rae) are in this picture.

Grandma Cora 100

I did this once but don't find it on the blog. Today my Mom would be 100 years old. I have never been able to see her in my mind since she died 64 years ago. She was a wonderful mother and I think of her so often. The years have gone by so fast and so slow. It seems forever.

Mom and Dad were very in love. Dad could hardly leave the house without Mom being with him. I think that is why it was so hard for him when she wasn't there any more. They were fun parents. We did a lot of fun things together. I remember sitting around the table after supper in the winter, we visited for long periods of time. Those are special memories for me. We didn't have TV or even radio that was plain enough to listen to very well. Living on a farm and spending evenings together was special. Sometimes one of our parents read to us or we played table games. We had a good life. The gospel was center in our lives. We talked about many things. Those were the days!!!
Doris Faye was 70 today.

I am sure that they would both have been very pleased with all of you. They didn't get to know any of you. I think it will be a joyous day when we are all together again.

Grandma Cora

Today, July 29th, my mom would be one hundred years old. The time has gone fast in a way and slow in another. It has been 64 years since my mom died. It always makes me feel sad that none of you children and grandchildren have never seen her or my dad. They would have been so pleased with all of you. The were good parents and everything was for our good. I feel that I was raised in a home full of love. My dad didn't want to go anywhere without Mom. They were very in love with each other. I look forward to the time when we will all be together again. Today Doris Faye is 70. She and Bert are in Alaska. They will be home tomorrow.

Cora Emily Dunn Bingham

Cora Emily Dunn (Second from the right in the back row of the picture to the left) was born on 29 July 1908. Her parents were Anna Buletta Jensen (known as Annie) and Simeon Harmon Dunn. Cora was born 25 August 1901 in Eastdale, Costilla County, Colorado. Her older sisters were Frances Edna, Ethel Leona, Ruth Carrie. Cora and these sisters were born in Eastdale.

The family then moved to Manassa, Colorado. Cora's younger siblings were born in Manassa. They were, Edgar, Ina, Hazel, Elma, Doris and Loyd. Her mother then had a stillborn child they named Keith Melford. Cora's baby brother was Rex.

Cora grew up with seven sisters and three brothers. Because the girls were born first, they milked cows, fed chickens, and helped in the fields. Cora was very good with math.

Cora had several friends that she spent time with. Nora Christensen, Dollie Christensen, and Leta Kaneaster were the closest friends. Cora was a good basketball player.

(Taken from Ted and Cora, A love story by Gatha Bingham Vance Wilson)

Dad died - 62 years ago today

Today is the 62nd anniversary of the day my dad died. It is really hard for me to even think of that time.

In June Arlo and I drove him to Alamosa to enter the hospital as he was having surgery the next morning to repair a hernia. We went to Ruth and Bill's and had supper and then went to a movie. He had the surgery and there were complications. He had pains from adhesions from a former surgery. They operated to remove the scars, but that was not successful either. He developed a bowel obstruction and it progressed to the point that it burst.

The day he died, Keith sent a telegram that he had been released from the Navy and was on his way home. We tried to find him, but were not successful. Some of the aunts and uncles met every bus and train that came into Alamosa. He was home in time to go to the funeral. We no longer had a home and Keith wanted to buy back the farm and take the four (Leon, Barbara, LaRue and Doris Faye), to raise them. He didn''t have the means to do that.

After the funeral, Leon went to Farmington, New Mexico, Barbara went with Ethel and Don, to California, LaRue stayed with Grandma and Grandpa Dunn. Doris Faye went home with Arlo and me. Keith went to Los Alamos, New Mexico and lived with his friend Bud Richarson. He found work and remained there to marry Erma Rae and to raise his family.

The years go by, but the facts don't change that there was no place to go home again. After a year Leon went to Grandma and Grandpa Dunn's home. After 6 years Doris Faye also went to Grandma and Grandpa's home. Barbara was the last one to go to Grandma and Grandpa's home. All of them graduated from Manassa High School. I will forever be thankful to Grandma and Grandpa Dunn. They were a great blessing to us.

Posted by Kent for Gatha

Ted and Cora's Family

Thank you, Bonnie Lynn Olsen, for sharing this picture. The pictures date about 1956.

Doris Faye's Family

I got this email from Gloria and thought you would all like to see a picture of Doris Faye's family:

"Here is a picture of the family we saw in Mesa: Doris Faye and her children with new husband If you are not able to open the attachment let me know.

The names should be under the picture. maybe some of you will not know them, but they are cousins.

Maybe some of you may not recognize them either! Hope you all have a good day.

love ya gloria"

Visiting Family

Leon, Bonnie Lynn, Don and Gloria went to Belen, New Mexico for Keith's funeral, and on Friday evening we had dinner with Erma and Keith's family. The ward provided it. All of Keith's children were there and most of their grandchildren also. Loraine lives in California, three of her children are married and 2 of them are not. Dick and Cindy live in Los Alamos, I don't know about their family, Sue Ann and Keith live near Provo, We saw all of their chidren but I don't know about them. Barry and his wife live in Los Alamos. I know his wife's name but I can't think of it. Kelly and Ruth live by Belen. We didn't have time to get acquainted with them as I would have liked. The funeral was wonderful. The boys and grandsons and sons in law made Keiths casket. It was beautiful It was made of white pine with cedar panels. The girls made the liner. The funeral was good. The children did the talks and music. It was a real tribute to Keith. We returned home on Saturday after the funeral. Don and Bonnie had to be to work on Monday.

On March 24 I flew to Phoenix and Joe and Doris Faye picked me up at the airport. I spent the night and the next day with Doris Faye, getting her final things done before moving to Phoenix. On Tuesday Erma came and we rented a car and went to a motel. It was nice spending time with Erma. We went to the temple then helped get things ready for the wedding the next night. All of Doris faye's children were there. Joe and Darla came first. of course. Warren and kathy live in the valley and Carl and Naelene live in Mesa, I think. Pam and Philip live west of Phoenix so they were already there. Jacob and Ellen live in Minnesota. So does Joe and Darla. EJ lives in Alaska. There are a lot of grandchildren and some great grandchildren too.

The wedding was very nice and they are so happy. Erma and I went to Sun City West and saw Rex and Nancy. On Friday night Bonnie and Gloria came. We had breakfast with Leons three girls and Jay and Kimberly. That was special. We went to Phoenix on Saturday night for a reception with Bert's children. that was special too. On Sunday morning, Bonnie and Gloria came home. It was a good trip. Doris Faye and Bert are very happy.

Where are the Dobbins now?

Not too long ago, I had to have throat surgery and have my thyroid gland removed. I was feeling really anxious and learned that EJ had similar surgery. I reached out and sent EJ an email with questions and concerns. I was not disappointed. EJ responded and was a real support to me.

I learned that EJ and Bonnie are living in Alaska and he works the airlines. He travels a lot.

I understand that Billie Jean and Tom are in the Mesa area.

Warren and Kathy were in the Denver area. We saw one another at Larry's house in Littleton. We talked about getting together. We never did and I have lost contact with them.

I don't know where Joe, Karl, Jacob and Pam are now. There was a time that our families were close. We have all moved and I would love to know where everyone is. I love my cousins and draw strength from being part of an extended family.

Doris Faye is getting married this month. We wish her the very best and wish we could be there to pull some ornery pranks, but it's too far to go to be mischevious. Best of luck Doris Faye!!

The cousins.

I have fond memories of my cousins. I can say that I miss seeing and knowing them. My uncle Leon Bingham would visit Manassa to come celebrate the 24th of July. I always wanted to see Jim, Brenda, and all the others. We would play together, I don't remember just what, but we would. It was an exciting time to have them come. I remember going to Mesa Arizona once to visit them. It does not seem like a fair trade. I thought that they were the perfect family.



Sometimes we would go on a road trip to New Mexico to visit uncle Keith Bingham and his children. Kelly and Barry were the boys that I remember playing with. I do remember riding down the streets of their town in a wagon. They lived in Los Alamos. I vaguely remember going to the atomic processing plant and touring the facility where the atomic bomb was created. I can't remember anything other than the wall with the glass that had long rubber gloves attached to work on the materials on the opposite side.




The Whites lived in Manassa for the years when I was in early grade school. Barbara White lived in the white house a few blocks away with her children. Bob, Connie, Larry, Danny, and Jeff.

Larry, Danny, and Jeff were my buddies. They are all gone now. I get somewhat melancholy when I dwell on it. I don't have any good pictures of them. Only of few.

Larry Dean and I (Larry Arlo) are kneeling down in the front in the picture below Aunt Barbara. Barbara moved to Albuquerque New Mexico and we did not have much contact after that. I miss the days when we boys would go on our adventures. (I do not miss getting into trouble.)




LaRue Lawson came to live with us in Manassa while her husband Harold was serving in Viet Nam. They had a trailer that was parked on the lot where the garden plot used to be. Eddie and I were about the same age, but Eddie was a little older and quite a bit larger than me. I don't have any pictures of them.

Eddie and I play together, after a fashion. Eddie always wanted things his way (anyway that is the way I remember it) and I did not want to always do what he wanted, so we would sometimes engage in arguments and what our parents thought were fights. Go figure!

One day LaRue and Gatha determined that they were going to have an end of our fighting. They were going to make us fight until we wanted to fight no more. They secures some willow switches to use to threaten us if we did not continue to fight. We fought. But as seeing that Eddie was much larger than me, it was not long before he had the upper hand. I was on the bottom and he was sitting on me while we pushed each others hands and arms around. Nobody was really getting hurt, but I was getting tired.

I laid down on the ground and rested. Eddie exclaimed, "I KILLED HIM! I killed him!" and started to get up. As he did I actually hit him with a right cross to the head. I don't remember how the fight ended, but there we were having fought with probably no clear victor, and as I remember, not much changed in the way we played. Maybe Eddie, Gatha, or LaRue could add some light as to what really happened then and thereafter.

Doris Faye was mostly like a big sister. I don't remember her living with us, but I do remember her living in the house that Barbara used to have. Doris Faye and Bill and their children were close enough that we spent a lot of time interacting. Billy Jean was the one that we played with the most. When Bill died things changed a bit. I hear Aunt Doris Faye is getting ready to get married again.



I have lost touch with all my cousins. I wish then all well.

My Aunt Doris Faye

Doris Faye and her family lived in Manassa for the years when I was a teenager. She was very kind to me. She and Uncle Bill would allow me to use their vehicles. I don't remember now much about what I did when I was out with their cars, but I do remember the exchanges.

Doris Faye was good enough to let me try to learn to drive in her Chevrolet sedan. We went out of town behind the "M" where the roads are not level, but have an incline. As we were going down the hill I stepped on the clutch. This allowed us to accelerate along the road. The road curved. I lost control. Doris Faye grabbed the wheel and told me to step on the brakes. I tore the muffler from the exhaust system on the rocks at the side of the road. What an adventure.