Evan Call Family - 19321025

Historical Context

Evan's mother, Ethel, wrote this letter to Evan on October 25, 1932. Among other things, she speaks of her recent visit to Salt Lake City for General Conference.

Did you know how the town of Smoot (mentioned in the letter) got its name? It was originally settled under the name Cottonwood. It was later renamed in honor of Reed Smoot, a prominent Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Apostle and a long-serving U.S. Senator from Utah (famous for co-authoring the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930).

The note in the margin about frequent snow by late October is typical for the geography. Star Valley sits at an elevation of over 6,100 feet, and early pioneers were famously caught off guard by brutal, freezing winters featuring snow packs up to eight feet deep on the valley floor.

Afton Oct. 25, 1932

My Dear Boy.

I hope you will not be too severe in with your judgement of my neglect in writing of late. The distance makes it so I am quite safe does'int it but I just could'int help it lately. Winter is coming and if you could just know how much Mother's often have to do you could forgive. When we went down to Conference Sunday afternoon Reuel came down to Salt Lake City for oil and he said he had plenty of room in the truck so we might send home some fruit with him so we went down Monday morning and bought it and he brought it in, we were very glad as we had no room our selves as we had Uncle Willard + Aunt Nettie and Mary & Maxine besides ourselves and several suit cases. Well I've just put up fruit ever since until so late every night that I could not get to do any thing else. but we now have a nice lot of fruit for winter for which I am very glad. We did not get to call at your companions home as it was so late when we came through and Papa thought he could not take honey home be cause he had such a big load. I was sorry as I had figured we could call there. Maybe we will get another chance.

We heard Pres. Moyle speak. He gave a very good talk on missionary work in which he said he was most interested. He was one of about three who spoke loud enough for me to hear so that made it seem good as I was anxious to hear him,

Mary came home with Pres. Ellsworth's wife + son who was going to fulfil a mission. She said they took turns driving, Traveled almost night and day to get here in time for Conference. She said they just stayed over one night. Arrived in Salt Lake City

at 2 oclock Friday morning. It was most too much for Sister Ellsworth she was sick when I saw her. Mary is a good driver. She has driven quite a lot since she's been away, They had a welcome home party for her last Wednesday night at Smoot. Jessie Lee took Vivian up and they invited me to go along so I went. Mary gave a very good talk and she surely looked pretty. What a wonderful opportunity for development a mission is. Too bad we can't all fill missions. It seems to be just what young people need to round them out.

Papa and Uncle Charlie are figuring every night until very late on the Heiner building, It's a big responsibility on them every time they bid on a job. They made a trip to Idaho Falls the last of the week to get prices on materials. We hope they will get it. We will know in a few days. It will make us feel secure for the winter. So far we have certainly been blessed. We have to work very hard but there are so many nowadays who have to do that and get nothing for it.

Vivian is trying to get up a dancing class at school. Just started this week so cant tell how she will come out but we hope she can make a success of it. Mr. Holdaway and Mr. Crook are doing all they can to support giving her the use of gymnasiums free of charge.

It's getting very late Evan so will have to close. Trusting in our Heavenly Father's care over you during the remainder of your mission. I enjoyed the thrill with Aunt nettie of Mary's return, Soon it will be my own Dear Boy. God Bless you until then

Lots of Love Mother.

[Written vertically in left margin:]

It is snowing tonight- has snowed several times and it is getting very cold-

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