Evan Call Family

Historical Context

This letter, dated September 27, 1932, is a heartbreaking message from Niels Peter Lee (N.P. Lee) his wife, Florence, and his son, Jesse.

Victor Lee, Niels and Florence's son, and an associate of Evan's from Afton, passed away unexpectedly while on his mission in Tonga. According to historical records, he passed away from typhoid fever on August 2, 1932, in Ha'alaufuli, Tonga.

Apparently, Evan had heard of the untimely passing and sent the Lees a note. This was their response.

The Guernsey Farm
N. P. Lee, Owner
AFTON, WYOMING

Sept 27 — 1932

Elder Evan Call

Dear Brother and friend we received your very kind and lovely letter in which you express your sympathy for us in the loss of our Dear boy Victor we thank you very much it is very kind of you to think of us when you are so far away But just think Victor is nearly 7,000 miles away Buried in a lone grave and a strange country and among people that he knew nothing of Before he went there but they were very kind to him did every thing they could for his comfort while he was laboring among them and when he was dead they turned out to his funeral and the Relief Society Sisters decorated his grave the same afternoon that he was laid away They take good care of the missionary graves and keep it looking nice all the time so Harold Peterson tell us he sang O My Father at Victors memorial serves [service] it was so beautiful he sang in the Tongan Language Then he told us how they buried their dead Victor died at 1 oclock Tuesday morning after being sick only 6 days and Heavenly Father was kind to him by causing him to be unconscious after he had been sick only 2 days

Then he was dellirious [delirious] most of the time the other 4 days that he lived I don’t know how he could Have stood it if he had kept his right mind knowing and thinking that he could not come home and would have to die so far away without seeing Father Mother or brothers or sisters before he went or could not get home it is just awful to think off. And you know Evan that he died was dressed In his Temple clothes had a funeral was buried The Elder wrote to me after the meeting and his grave was decorated and Victor was layed to rest the same day all this was done before we got the Telegrams at about dark the same night yes it would have been nice for you two to talked over your missionary experiences but as you say it will Be on the other side every one that has wrote to us say that he was called to a greater mission and that he was well qualified to go on and preach in the Spirit world but it all seems so strange to us it just seems like he is on a mission yet and that we are looking for him to come home in another year He will be 23 the 21 of Oct such a young Boy to have lived his life but he had a full life of usefulness and he surely lived well and never was Idle was ether playing his instruments — writing stories Drawing or reading every minute of his life we had his picture enlarged framed and set in a large wrethe [wreath] of sweet peas and ferns at the memorial service I am so pleased that they had one for him it makes us feel better. You know he was not here of his farewell nor at his death. awful! Thanking you kindly for writing we are your friend and Bro and sister and Jesse Lee and Mrs Lee & Jesse

(Written in the left margin of Page 2): we wish you health prosperity the spirit of the gospel and knowledge to preach it.

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