Evan Call Family - 19320129

Historical Context

This letter, dated January 29, 1932, was written by Thomas Call to Evan. Thomas's letter tracks a harrowing winter journey starting from Star Valley through a blizzard across state lines into Utah, targeting the stockyards and markets of Ogden, and subsequently traveling further south to Salt Lake City to negotiate construction supply prices. Even today, this drive covers well over 150 miles across challenging, mountainous terrain that is notoriously treacherous during winter storms.

Afton Wyo. Jan 29th 1932.

Dear Son Evan:-

It has been fifteen days again since I wrote to you. It seems the time goes on whether we keep up or not. I mean by this that whether we make ill or good use of the time allotted to us here on earth, time does not wait, and maybe I will wake some morning and find I have grown old, and have not done all I should have done, or shall have accomplished only little, and time has fled. It stands us all in hand to do all the good we can now. 'Work while it is day, for soon the night cometh, when no man can work.'

A week ago last Tuesday afternoon your Uncle Charlie and I got in a truck with a load of cattle, five head of 1100lb steers in side a frail rack built behind the cab. I thot any minute the one wild long horned steer would ram through the glass in the back, all we had for protection between us and that herd until I found a piece of old white pine and reinforced the appearance

of the situation. We did not get away from Smoot until after dark, and in the face of a blizzard we were to accompany the driver James Gomm to get this load to market in Ogden the next morning. I insisted some wire reinforcement, to act as a brace, be attached at top of two back corners of the flimsy rack, so we had some chance to hold the cattle. We put in rather a bad night wind with snow almost every minute through the long night. We arrived safely in Ogden at about 8:30 next morning. We went to Ogden and Salt Lake to get materials and especially a lower glass bid for the building here. After some strenuous shopping for three days, we returned and expect to be well paid for our trip, for we needed at least $200.00 lower figure on the glass job in order to enable us to have a chance to come out on top in completing the work. This we got if the company go through as agreed. We had figured on a $300.00 reduction on a figure of 991.00 when we undertook the job, only to find that this 300.00 was a mistake. This was putting us in bad. So we are indeed thankful for the $200.00 better price.

Reuel and Verna have just come in from the gas station, They live here at home with us (nights) so far. They seem sincere toward each other and happy. Reuel has bought his house back from Uncle Roy. Roy having got it in a trade. Tomorrow night we expect to attend our home talent drama held in Ward meeting house. We are enjoying health. May you be able to continue in the good work.

Your Father Thomas J. Call.

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