137. My mother Ruth Allen Miles (who wrote the poems) tells her own story -- full of her wisdom!
MY LIFE HISTORY BY RUTH ALLEN MILES # 1
(As she wrote it, partly from journals)
Her own story is quite extensive, with many chapters. I'll include many of them in the days to come, as her life was truly inspiring, and full of wisdom.
I, Ruth Allen Miles, was born on Sunday morning, on May 10th, 1908, about 8:a.m. in Panguitch, Garfield, Utah, at home. Strangely enough I was never interested about the details of my birth when anyone was alive who would have known. The only details I remember having been told was that my mother had a very hard delivery, and nearly lost her life to give me mine. A Dr. Clark, I believe was the attending physician. Mother had been told 4 years before that to attempt to have another child would probably cost her her life. After she was told this she had 3 girls, LaVern, myself, and Adelia, and miscarried a pair of twins. How thankful I am to her for her faith that gave us life. I have so enjoyed my life and the association of these 2 wonderful sisters.
I was the 8th of 9 children. My father was John Butler Allen, and my mother was Levinah Emmaline Wilson. I had 4 brothers and 4 sisters. We lived on a farm each summer and because of transportation at that time, our trips to town, 5 miles away, were few, not much more than the 4th and 24th of July. As a result my playmates in early childhood were mostly my sister LaVern, (3 years older) Bell Haywood, and Ruth Barton, each of which lived about one mile away and who we met and played with on rare occasions.
After I was married Mother lived 12 winters with us working in the Temple, going to Adelia’s in Washington (a town 5 miles away) often for the weekend and back to Panguitch in the summer. She loved to bring company home who came to the Temple and had no place to stay. They were always welcome in our home.
Levinah Emmaline Wilson and John Butler Allen, when they were married.
We always looked forward to her return each September. The 3 little girls, Pal, Vina Ruth, and Mavis would stand around to see her unpack her suitcase and always there was something for each one. Usually a tiny bottle of Jelly. She'd save vaseline bottles for this.
Mother used to make a salve, far better than Vicks. Ern (Adelia's husband) got the recipe from her years ago and coaxed Adelia for years to make some, so he decided to do it himself. By the time he bought up all the ingredients to put in it and got it made (with Adelia's help I'm sure) it came to, I believe, around $20 a small jar. The odds and ends from the drug store had come up so in price.
I remember her telling me, after they were married that she longed so to dance and never could get father enthused about it. She'd go out on the well curb and listen to the music 2 blocks away at the dance hall, and cry. No wonder Earl always loved to dance. While I was staying with him when he was nearly 90 we'd waltz around the room now and then.
When Ruth's father died, Earl was 17, and he basically became the head of the family, and they all really looked up to him. He was a wonderful oldest brother to them all. The family really came together and helped each other, and they all went to college -- 6 of them became teachers.
The next part was also told in Entry # 7. -- "The Suet Pudding Story" -- a choice family story!
THE SUET PUDDING STORY: One year while living with us, (Levinah -- Ruth's mother) she’d made the Christmas suet puddings as usual and put them around in a store room to “ripen.” When it came time to mail them to the family, she didn’t have near enough. She came running back to the house with “Someone has stolen nearly everyone of my puddings!” Pratt : “Oh, mother, I don’t think anyone would steal them.” Mother: “Pratt Miles, do you know anything about them?” Pratt: “Well, Mother, I know some poor old cusses (poor cusses to Pratt included anyone who lived alone) that I thought would enjoy a pudding. Yes, I took a few.” Mother: “I don’t care about the puddings but tell them to bring back my cans. I’ve saved them over the years.” Pratt: “Mother, I’ll get you some more cans.” This dividing what he had with those less fortunate has always been one of Pratt’s characteristics and I’m proud of it.
The next spring a “poor cuss” was helping dig a basement for us. (I believe and have heard it was cleaning out the cess-pool in the back yard – a fore-runner to a septic tank–Pal). (I’ve heard that Pratt came in and asked if the man could come in to lunch–that he hardly ever got a home cooked meal. I also heard he wasn’t very pleasant to sit by – Pal) Pratt brought him in for lunch. While eating he said, “Pratt, I never did find out who the pretty woman was you said sent me the pudding. I’ve asked all the pretty ladies I know. I’d surely like to thank her.” Mother choked, left the table to keep from laughing. She never did get her cans back, and that is the only pudding we found out where it went. (There were about 18, I’ve heard. I must mention that almost every Thanksgiving, and other times also, dad (Pratt) would bring some “poor old cuss” home for dinner. I especially remember one man who lived in the Arrowhead Hotel, which used to be where a bank now is, on the corner east of the Tabernacle, who wore an obvious toupee, light red orange in color. -- Pal)
The following recipe I found on the internet:
Christmas Suet Pudding
Stir ingredients together and place in a ring pan. Steam,
2/3 cup suet, ground fine Covered, over a pan of boiling water for 3 hours, until firm.
½ cup sugar Best served hot (or reheated) with Lemon Sauce.
1 tsp. Cinnamon
½ tsp. Nutmeg Lemon Sauce: (This is a recipe I found on the internet
1 cup molasses, dark 1 cup sugar and which I think is very similar to
1 tsp. Baking soda 4 cups water Grandma Allen’s.
1 tsp salt 2 tbsp. Cornstarch They may have served it without
1 tsp. Vanilla Pinch of salt sauce, or used a different sauce.
1 cup sweet milk 1 tbsp. Butter Suet was bought at a butcher’s
1 cup raisins Juice and rind of 1 lemon, grated shop or meat counter.
3 cup flour It is like solidified shortening.
I don’t remember much about when I was baptized, except that a friend, May Cooper, was so frightened that she didn’t get baptized. It was procrastinated until time for marriage, hence she didn’t go to the Temple. She died with her first baby. I’ve often wondered if vicarious work was done for her. (Pal–I checked and it is done.)
I don’t remember the things I ought to about Primary. Primary and M.I.A. were not stressed then as now. They were never held in the summer. The school year marked Church activities also in those fields. I remember a sister saying to my mother, “My girl doesn’t have to go to Primary as long as a teacher like that is there.” It left me wondering what terrible thing she had done. My how we need to teach charity to our young.
As a class member in Sunday School in my early years I remember little. When I was about 16, I was set apart as Sunday School Secretary. One memory I have of this is one Sunday arriving to find that the S. S. President and both counselors were absent. The Bishop informed me I was next in line of authority and that it was my responsibility to conduct. I remember how both frightened and embarrassed I was, as there were tourists there visiting. (I wonder just how this would be handled now.) Different I hope.
M.I.A. (Young Men and Young Women–then call “Mutual Improvement Association – MIA) wasn't stressed when I was young. There was always "opening exercises" with a special number or two of music or dramatic readings, etc. Then class work. Each Friday night a dance was held (about the only form of recreation), sponsored by Church or school. I sang with the ward M.I.A. double trio. That trio went to Salt Lake City. for the Church contest.
What a thrill it was, as it was my very first trip to Salt Lake City.. I remember our contest song was "The Rosary," a strictly Catholic type song which is not allowed to be used in our Church today (It is a beautiful song however.) My, how far we have come in such activities. Now there is no contest with first, second, and third place honors with their resulting jealousies, etc., but they are rated on a rating scale. If 10 or 12 deserve an identical rating they get it.
Also now the Church has grown so rapidly that there is not "all Church" dance and music festivals but this is done on stake or district levels. Also the last instructions are to "simplify" all such activities and leave more time for family activities. How I hope families will take the responsibility and that young people will respond to closer knit family activities. Otherwise it will leave young people with more time on their hands for 'self made activities;' many of which are to say the least, a waste of time if not absolutely undesirable. How I love the youth and pray for their strength! They will live through trials that we are unable to comprehend. Their hardships will be far different from the pioneers, but equally if not more difficult. At least this is my opinion. But I feel we have stronger (and perhaps weaker) young people than the world has ever known. What a responsibility young parents are facing.
I started school at the age of 6 attending the Panguitch Elementary school at Panguitch, Garfield County, Utah. ( Four of my close friends are all dead now). We were kept close to home. My mother saw to that. She was a born disciplinarian. My favorite teachers were Miss Excell, my first grade teacher, so kind, and Miss Cameron, 4th grade, who died with flu that winter, and Mr. Scott Worthen, music teacher and of course my brother Earl, 6th grade.
I remember playing around the great piles of wood. (The large building being heated with wood, not even coal.) Playing the first tunes we learned in band, out south of the school house in about a foot of snow, and the debates we had in Earl's room are outstanding memories. (For those who don't know Panguitch, it is very very cold in the winter with lots of snow.)
Our home was 4 rooms, in the home in Panguitch. A large kitchen which was also front room, family room, study room – you name it. It served the purpose. The other downstair’s room was mother’s bed room. In it was mother’s bed, with its fluffy feather bed (or mattress, called a feather “tick”.) Nobody – but nobody ever sat or even leaned against that bed to spoil the fluffy effect of the feather bed mother took such pride in. On the other side of the room was a “Baby’s Bed.” Actually a single bed with a “straw tick.” This we lounged on as a couch. Then there were two rooms upstairs, unfinished and unplastered: one was the “girl’s” bedroom, the other the “boys.” Ours was not 4 rooms and a bath. Bathrooms were unknown then. Ours was “4 rooms and a path.” That path was to be dreaded on a cold winter night. Bathroom tissue was not in common use then. An old Sears Catalog was carefully preserved for this purpose.
I attended Garfield Co. High School at Panguitch. My special friend in high school was Myrtle Sargant, the only other girl in the band with 40 boys. How bold we were to want to be in a boy's activity such as band. We were also leads in the operas which were so important to me. I remember Mr. Webb, band, orchestra, and vocal teacher, Ward Moody, Seminary, bless his soul! I loved him. Miss Williams, Home Economics, and Miss Hodson, English from whom I learned much in literature and who gave me some private vocal lessons. I graduated from High School in 1927. (Pal: I think it probably was 1925) I went through 8th grade and High School in 2 1/2 years, except for 1/2 unit which I finished up by correspondence during my first year at Dixie College the year of 1926-27. (That’s why she wrote 1927).
I attended Seminary for 2 1/2 years plus correspondence which enabled me to graduate both from Seminary and High School in the spring of 1927 (but she had spent that winter at Dixie College). I was once asked as the roll was called to give a scripture (this was done each class but this time I was not prepared.) I quickly said, "Go to the ant thou sluggard; consider her ways and be wise." To which my teacher Brother Moody smiled and asked "Let's see, is that scripture or is it a quote from Shakespeare?" To this day I don't know which it is ! ! (Just a note from Pal: it is from the Bible, Proverbs 6:6.)
Ruth, in college, 1928 or so.
I attended college at Dixie Jr. College 2 years, BYU, and U of U. I graduated from Dixie in 1928, and the U. of U. in 1949, or thereabouts. During one of these years I was in college we lived at Tenn. Atkins, whom we learned to call Dad Atkin. Some college memories are music, music, music, dances, plays and parties, with a little hard study included in Junior College.
My last 2 years credit was earned mostly after I was married, had a sick husband and 3 girls to care for. It was extension courses, correspondence and summer schools, but strangely enough this is where I got my best grades. In August 1949 I graduated from U. of U. with honors. I was told that it would have been "high honors" had I stayed to take the final exam in one hard class (evolution -- required). I had to be back in St. George for teacher's institute and start teaching so I had to miss the test, (no the professor would not give it to me early.) And as a result I got a "C" which put my grade point average just under the "High Honor" scale. It's just as well. Maybe if I'd waited to take the test I may have rated a "D" instead of the "C".
One memory I have of that class is that on one test we had to match scientific names with common names. I wrote the scientific name for man was "muridie", which actually is the term for "mice." The teacher asked the class, mostly young men, and I was a mother almost 40, getting my degree, if they thought he should give me credit for that answer. Pres. Harold Snow’s son Lee Snow was in the class, and he spoke up, "It's okay with me!" And the others chimed in their approval also, and we all got a good laugh over it.
Never in my school did I ever receive a "D". I also had to miss my own graduation exercises, but missing them saved me the expense of a cap and gown, and at that time all expenses had to be cut to rock bottom. Well to be absolutely honest that has been necessary all my life. It hasn't hurt me however, and perhaps some young people today would profit from the forced economy that has always been my life style. It has taught me values and also a deep concern for and a desire to help others who are having similar struggles. These struggles are character builders if faced bravely, with understanding, lack of self pity, and a burning desire and determination to face life and win.
This may be a good place to end this section, but the following is also important. If you want you can read it in 2 settings!
This is Ruth, about the age she wrote the following memories.
The following is written from her journal, with dates entered.
I, Ruth Allen Miles, am a procrastinator, or a poor organizer or both. I never quite get done what I assign myself to do. Nevertheless, today, New Year's Day, 1979, (age 71) I'm going to start my Life's History.
Oh, how I pray for my family today; each one with their own set of joys and trials. May your joys be increased and your power of appreciation strengthened so you can more deeply rejoice. May your burdens be lightened in this coming year, may your wisdom be quickened, that you may better understand how to cope with your trials. These are the blessings I ask for you individually and collectively, "This day and always." I love you all so very much. Words are so inadequate to express my deep feelings for you this morning, or ever. I am so deeply grateful for each one of you and I'm so anxious for your success and happiness. I want to help but never hinder you.
I have been greatly blessed throughout my life. I've never suffered for the physical necessities of life, but have been given enough trials, heartaches, sorrows and problems to keep me humble (I hope) and give me better understanding of, and empathy for others in their struggles. As I sit here quietly alone and look around my humble home, even the very walls and doors send back happy memories, sad memories, and a message that "You're not alone." And sort of a "Peace I Leave with You," feeling. May your New Years ahead be profitable to all of you.
January 2, 1979, 10 A.M. There has just been another bad wreck up on the corner. (She lived many years at 230 South 100 East in St. George, and that corner was the corner of 200 South and 100 East) I have helped with at least 5 wrecks on that corner. If someone gets killed there they may put up a stop sign or at least a "yield." This time 2 Indian women with 2 children were in one car. I have the two little Indian children here trying to entertain them while their mother and grandmother (I suppose) are consulting with the officer and then they'll have to be checked with a doctor. I think they are not hurt seriously. Perhaps a broken arm and bruises. The kids are now enjoying TV but that won't last too long. They are about 2 and 4 years.
January 10, 1979. Today is a bitter cold morning, but 2 things have happened already to warm my soul. I just looked out our south window to see Laurie Cottam who has been paralyzed from the 5th vertebrae down, due to a motorcycle accident, struggling to get the snow off her car wind shield. Her dad came to the door to offer help but Laurie said, "No thanks, Dad, I'll manage", and manage she did. Then brushing the snow with a long handled broom so she could get her wheel chair into the back seat.
Then she started her push-button car and headed for a day's work, where again she will, I'm sure, say "no thanks" to any offered help. She has had every advantage that money can buy since her accident. But money doesn't buy a spirit like Laurie's. What a beautiful face, beautiful character and what an inspiration to everyone who knows her.
Not many months after Laurie left, another wheel chair caught my eyes. This time a woman perhaps in her 60's was warmly bundled up and sitting proudly while a man, her husband I suppose, happily wheeled her toward the Temple. Where else would they have courage to go in this cold?
We have been told that a personal history should be about yourself, your personal experience and feelings, etc., rather than the family in general. However my parents, brothers and sisters and my own children are so much a part of me, that to write my history, without including them, now and then, wouldn't be a true picture of me. I have chosen to write for the most part, by different topics rather than in chronological order. I will put here enough of my journal to let you know that you have a mother and grandmother who is very human in my desires, weaknesses and strengths and my fears, worries, and happiness.
My relation I remember best was first perhaps Grandma Wilson, Martha Ann Riste Wilson, my mother's mother. It was a glorious occasion when we went up to Hillsdale to visit "the folks" as mother called her family. I remember one time grandma sat braiding my hair and singing to me, "I dreamed I dwelt in Marble Halls," in her heavy English accent. It wasn't until I was grown did I know that song was a famous opera song--yes, my grandmother sang for "Queen Victoria" before she left England at age 16. It is not impossible that she may have lived in marble halls had they not joined the Church and come to Utah. They did give up a fortune rather than denounce their religion. She died while I was still young but a lovely memory always remains.
Martha Ann Riste Wilson, Ruth's maternal grandmother, story in blog # 96. She is mentioned in other blogs -- you can look under "labels" to find them.
Grandma Tuttle (father's mother -- married a Tuttle later in life) lived a block away from us. She also died while I was still young. She was ill most of the time I remember her and I stood in awe, if not really frightened to be around her. She lived a life of service, however, and was a very noble woman I'm sure. It was just my sensitive shy disposition that held me in fear of too many things.
There were several in mother's family having their babies about the same time. The ones LaVern's age were all girls, and the ones my age were all boys but me. James and Don Wilson, Arthur Norton, "Bud" Lamoreaux all teased me while young. But come college days they were the best of friends and came in handy as dance partners. Kids that are raised without "cousins" have surely missed out in my opinion.
I was in high school by the time we finally got electricity in our home. Before then it was coal-oil lamps, which had to be cleaned daily. We would gather around the large kitchen table, each with his or her study books, to share the dim light of the one lamp.
Soon after electricity came into common use radios came into being – The first ones however had to be used with ear phones. My brother Earl got one of the first radios in town.
How modern we felt sitting around the “set” with its 2 ear phones, each one taking his turn of the wonderful opportunity of listening to some scratchy music, etc., if we were lucky enough to get tuned in sufficiently to get the program. “Just imagine, hearing someone miles away talk!”
Stop for a minute and list down all the things that you use daily that depend on electricity. Each one was not known until I was half grown. List things used in home, school, farm tools, office, etc. I was 10 years old or so when I first rode in a car. Before then we used what we called a “buck-board” which was somewhat the shape of a pickup truck, only horse drawn – much as you see on T.V. in western movies. There have been advances in every field; most of them will benefit man. Some will or will not, according to our use of them.
At the time the L.D.S. Church was organized the Lord promised He would “Pour out His Spirit on all flesh.” This certainly has been done in the fields of science, medicine, transportation, communication, etc. We thrilled at listening to a radio. Now we don’t give a second thought about hearing a message from the moon. The computer is so common now that we take it for granted. And I could go on and on.
While the Lord has been pouring His Spirit upon all flesh, so has Satan been pouring his spirit upon all flesh. We see this most vividly in the deterioration of family life – the breaking down of moral standards – the contention and strife in all the world. The pioneers had their trials, or extreme physical hard ships. The greatest trials facing our youth today will be moral issues with all the temptation. I feel sure of this. They face problems the world has never known, and blessings greater than men have ever had the privilege of knowing. The choice is up to each one. Standing on your own two feet is hard, against opposition of friends. How I pray you will all be strong!
I have been in the world from horse and buggy days to this: (At this point in her journal there are inserts of a page from the TV Guide November 8, 1980, and a newspaper clipping of that time telling about the Voyager’s moving around the moon, etc., – space satellites.)
Who knows what else will happen before I finish this life? If so much can happen in a short life time, think of the wonders we will experience when we leave this life! I’m in no hurry to go, but it will be a marvelous experience. (The last part written in 1980, when she was 72 years old. She lived to be almost 91 and passed away on February 10, 1999).
Chapters to come include: Her childhood on the farm, jobs she had (singing waitress in both Grand and Bryce Canyons) thoughts and experiences about her college days, her school teaching days, thoughts about her "Eternal Companion" my father, Orson Pratt Miles, her mother, and her severe accidents, faith promoting experiences, and thoughts about the different Church positions she has had. Blog # 30 and # 48, both in December 2013 are inspiring to read. I won't repeat them again. You may refer back to them when you have time. Also the most read of all my blogs is # 95 -- my mother Ruth's poems.
(As she wrote it, partly from journals)
Her own story is quite extensive, with many chapters. I'll include many of them in the days to come, as her life was truly inspiring, and full of wisdom.
I, Ruth Allen Miles, was born on Sunday morning, on May 10th, 1908, about 8:a.m. in Panguitch, Garfield, Utah, at home. Strangely enough I was never interested about the details of my birth when anyone was alive who would have known. The only details I remember having been told was that my mother had a very hard delivery, and nearly lost her life to give me mine. A Dr. Clark, I believe was the attending physician. Mother had been told 4 years before that to attempt to have another child would probably cost her her life. After she was told this she had 3 girls, LaVern, myself, and Adelia, and miscarried a pair of twins. How thankful I am to her for her faith that gave us life. I have so enjoyed my life and the association of these 2 wonderful sisters.
I was the 8th of 9 children. My father was John Butler Allen, and my mother was Levinah Emmaline Wilson. I had 4 brothers and 4 sisters. We lived on a farm each summer and because of transportation at that time, our trips to town, 5 miles away, were few, not much more than the 4th and 24th of July. As a result my playmates in early childhood were mostly my sister LaVern, (3 years older) Bell Haywood, and Ruth Barton, each of which lived about one mile away and who we met and played with on rare occasions.
After I was married Mother lived 12 winters with us working in the Temple, going to Adelia’s in Washington (a town 5 miles away) often for the weekend and back to Panguitch in the summer. She loved to bring company home who came to the Temple and had no place to stay. They were always welcome in our home.
We always looked forward to her return each September. The 3 little girls, Pal, Vina Ruth, and Mavis would stand around to see her unpack her suitcase and always there was something for each one. Usually a tiny bottle of Jelly. She'd save vaseline bottles for this.
Mother used to make a salve, far better than Vicks. Ern (Adelia's husband) got the recipe from her years ago and coaxed Adelia for years to make some, so he decided to do it himself. By the time he bought up all the ingredients to put in it and got it made (with Adelia's help I'm sure) it came to, I believe, around $20 a small jar. The odds and ends from the drug store had come up so in price.
I remember her telling me, after they were married that she longed so to dance and never could get father enthused about it. She'd go out on the well curb and listen to the music 2 blocks away at the dance hall, and cry. No wonder Earl always loved to dance. While I was staying with him when he was nearly 90 we'd waltz around the room now and then.
The next part was also told in Entry # 7. -- "The Suet Pudding Story" -- a choice family story!
THE SUET PUDDING STORY: One year while living with us, (Levinah -- Ruth's mother) she’d made the Christmas suet puddings as usual and put them around in a store room to “ripen.” When it came time to mail them to the family, she didn’t have near enough. She came running back to the house with “Someone has stolen nearly everyone of my puddings!” Pratt : “Oh, mother, I don’t think anyone would steal them.” Mother: “Pratt Miles, do you know anything about them?” Pratt: “Well, Mother, I know some poor old cusses (poor cusses to Pratt included anyone who lived alone) that I thought would enjoy a pudding. Yes, I took a few.” Mother: “I don’t care about the puddings but tell them to bring back my cans. I’ve saved them over the years.” Pratt: “Mother, I’ll get you some more cans.” This dividing what he had with those less fortunate has always been one of Pratt’s characteristics and I’m proud of it.
The next spring a “poor cuss” was helping dig a basement for us. (I believe and have heard it was cleaning out the cess-pool in the back yard – a fore-runner to a septic tank–Pal). (I’ve heard that Pratt came in and asked if the man could come in to lunch–that he hardly ever got a home cooked meal. I also heard he wasn’t very pleasant to sit by – Pal) Pratt brought him in for lunch. While eating he said, “Pratt, I never did find out who the pretty woman was you said sent me the pudding. I’ve asked all the pretty ladies I know. I’d surely like to thank her.” Mother choked, left the table to keep from laughing. She never did get her cans back, and that is the only pudding we found out where it went. (There were about 18, I’ve heard. I must mention that almost every Thanksgiving, and other times also, dad (Pratt) would bring some “poor old cuss” home for dinner. I especially remember one man who lived in the Arrowhead Hotel, which used to be where a bank now is, on the corner east of the Tabernacle, who wore an obvious toupee, light red orange in color. -- Pal)
The following recipe I found on the internet:
Christmas Suet Pudding
Stir ingredients together and place in a ring pan. Steam,
2/3 cup suet, ground fine Covered, over a pan of boiling water for 3 hours, until firm.
½ cup sugar Best served hot (or reheated) with Lemon Sauce.
1 tsp. Cinnamon
½ tsp. Nutmeg Lemon Sauce: (This is a recipe I found on the internet
1 cup molasses, dark 1 cup sugar and which I think is very similar to
1 tsp. Baking soda 4 cups water Grandma Allen’s.
1 tsp salt 2 tbsp. Cornstarch They may have served it without
1 tsp. Vanilla Pinch of salt sauce, or used a different sauce.
1 cup sweet milk 1 tbsp. Butter Suet was bought at a butcher’s
1 cup raisins Juice and rind of 1 lemon, grated shop or meat counter.
3 cup flour It is like solidified shortening.
I don’t remember much about when I was baptized, except that a friend, May Cooper, was so frightened that she didn’t get baptized. It was procrastinated until time for marriage, hence she didn’t go to the Temple. She died with her first baby. I’ve often wondered if vicarious work was done for her. (Pal–I checked and it is done.)
I don’t remember the things I ought to about Primary. Primary and M.I.A. were not stressed then as now. They were never held in the summer. The school year marked Church activities also in those fields. I remember a sister saying to my mother, “My girl doesn’t have to go to Primary as long as a teacher like that is there.” It left me wondering what terrible thing she had done. My how we need to teach charity to our young.
As a class member in Sunday School in my early years I remember little. When I was about 16, I was set apart as Sunday School Secretary. One memory I have of this is one Sunday arriving to find that the S. S. President and both counselors were absent. The Bishop informed me I was next in line of authority and that it was my responsibility to conduct. I remember how both frightened and embarrassed I was, as there were tourists there visiting. (I wonder just how this would be handled now.) Different I hope.
M.I.A. (Young Men and Young Women–then call “Mutual Improvement Association – MIA) wasn't stressed when I was young. There was always "opening exercises" with a special number or two of music or dramatic readings, etc. Then class work. Each Friday night a dance was held (about the only form of recreation), sponsored by Church or school. I sang with the ward M.I.A. double trio. That trio went to Salt Lake City. for the Church contest.
What a thrill it was, as it was my very first trip to Salt Lake City.. I remember our contest song was "The Rosary," a strictly Catholic type song which is not allowed to be used in our Church today (It is a beautiful song however.) My, how far we have come in such activities. Now there is no contest with first, second, and third place honors with their resulting jealousies, etc., but they are rated on a rating scale. If 10 or 12 deserve an identical rating they get it.
Also now the Church has grown so rapidly that there is not "all Church" dance and music festivals but this is done on stake or district levels. Also the last instructions are to "simplify" all such activities and leave more time for family activities. How I hope families will take the responsibility and that young people will respond to closer knit family activities. Otherwise it will leave young people with more time on their hands for 'self made activities;' many of which are to say the least, a waste of time if not absolutely undesirable. How I love the youth and pray for their strength! They will live through trials that we are unable to comprehend. Their hardships will be far different from the pioneers, but equally if not more difficult. At least this is my opinion. But I feel we have stronger (and perhaps weaker) young people than the world has ever known. What a responsibility young parents are facing.
I started school at the age of 6 attending the Panguitch Elementary school at Panguitch, Garfield County, Utah. ( Four of my close friends are all dead now). We were kept close to home. My mother saw to that. She was a born disciplinarian. My favorite teachers were Miss Excell, my first grade teacher, so kind, and Miss Cameron, 4th grade, who died with flu that winter, and Mr. Scott Worthen, music teacher and of course my brother Earl, 6th grade.
I remember playing around the great piles of wood. (The large building being heated with wood, not even coal.) Playing the first tunes we learned in band, out south of the school house in about a foot of snow, and the debates we had in Earl's room are outstanding memories. (For those who don't know Panguitch, it is very very cold in the winter with lots of snow.)
Our home was 4 rooms, in the home in Panguitch. A large kitchen which was also front room, family room, study room – you name it. It served the purpose. The other downstair’s room was mother’s bed room. In it was mother’s bed, with its fluffy feather bed (or mattress, called a feather “tick”.) Nobody – but nobody ever sat or even leaned against that bed to spoil the fluffy effect of the feather bed mother took such pride in. On the other side of the room was a “Baby’s Bed.” Actually a single bed with a “straw tick.” This we lounged on as a couch. Then there were two rooms upstairs, unfinished and unplastered: one was the “girl’s” bedroom, the other the “boys.” Ours was not 4 rooms and a bath. Bathrooms were unknown then. Ours was “4 rooms and a path.” That path was to be dreaded on a cold winter night. Bathroom tissue was not in common use then. An old Sears Catalog was carefully preserved for this purpose.
I attended Garfield Co. High School at Panguitch. My special friend in high school was Myrtle Sargant, the only other girl in the band with 40 boys. How bold we were to want to be in a boy's activity such as band. We were also leads in the operas which were so important to me. I remember Mr. Webb, band, orchestra, and vocal teacher, Ward Moody, Seminary, bless his soul! I loved him. Miss Williams, Home Economics, and Miss Hodson, English from whom I learned much in literature and who gave me some private vocal lessons. I graduated from High School in 1927. (Pal: I think it probably was 1925) I went through 8th grade and High School in 2 1/2 years, except for 1/2 unit which I finished up by correspondence during my first year at Dixie College the year of 1926-27. (That’s why she wrote 1927).
I attended Seminary for 2 1/2 years plus correspondence which enabled me to graduate both from Seminary and High School in the spring of 1927 (but she had spent that winter at Dixie College). I was once asked as the roll was called to give a scripture (this was done each class but this time I was not prepared.) I quickly said, "Go to the ant thou sluggard; consider her ways and be wise." To which my teacher Brother Moody smiled and asked "Let's see, is that scripture or is it a quote from Shakespeare?" To this day I don't know which it is ! ! (Just a note from Pal: it is from the Bible, Proverbs 6:6.)
I attended college at Dixie Jr. College 2 years, BYU, and U of U. I graduated from Dixie in 1928, and the U. of U. in 1949, or thereabouts. During one of these years I was in college we lived at Tenn. Atkins, whom we learned to call Dad Atkin. Some college memories are music, music, music, dances, plays and parties, with a little hard study included in Junior College.
One memory I have of that class is that on one test we had to match scientific names with common names. I wrote the scientific name for man was "muridie", which actually is the term for "mice." The teacher asked the class, mostly young men, and I was a mother almost 40, getting my degree, if they thought he should give me credit for that answer. Pres. Harold Snow’s son Lee Snow was in the class, and he spoke up, "It's okay with me!" And the others chimed in their approval also, and we all got a good laugh over it.
Never in my school did I ever receive a "D". I also had to miss my own graduation exercises, but missing them saved me the expense of a cap and gown, and at that time all expenses had to be cut to rock bottom. Well to be absolutely honest that has been necessary all my life. It hasn't hurt me however, and perhaps some young people today would profit from the forced economy that has always been my life style. It has taught me values and also a deep concern for and a desire to help others who are having similar struggles. These struggles are character builders if faced bravely, with understanding, lack of self pity, and a burning desire and determination to face life and win.
This may be a good place to end this section, but the following is also important. If you want you can read it in 2 settings!
The following is written from her journal, with dates entered.
I, Ruth Allen Miles, am a procrastinator, or a poor organizer or both. I never quite get done what I assign myself to do. Nevertheless, today, New Year's Day, 1979, (age 71) I'm going to start my Life's History.
Oh, how I pray for my family today; each one with their own set of joys and trials. May your joys be increased and your power of appreciation strengthened so you can more deeply rejoice. May your burdens be lightened in this coming year, may your wisdom be quickened, that you may better understand how to cope with your trials. These are the blessings I ask for you individually and collectively, "This day and always." I love you all so very much. Words are so inadequate to express my deep feelings for you this morning, or ever. I am so deeply grateful for each one of you and I'm so anxious for your success and happiness. I want to help but never hinder you.
I have been greatly blessed throughout my life. I've never suffered for the physical necessities of life, but have been given enough trials, heartaches, sorrows and problems to keep me humble (I hope) and give me better understanding of, and empathy for others in their struggles. As I sit here quietly alone and look around my humble home, even the very walls and doors send back happy memories, sad memories, and a message that "You're not alone." And sort of a "Peace I Leave with You," feeling. May your New Years ahead be profitable to all of you.
January 2, 1979, 10 A.M. There has just been another bad wreck up on the corner. (She lived many years at 230 South 100 East in St. George, and that corner was the corner of 200 South and 100 East) I have helped with at least 5 wrecks on that corner. If someone gets killed there they may put up a stop sign or at least a "yield." This time 2 Indian women with 2 children were in one car. I have the two little Indian children here trying to entertain them while their mother and grandmother (I suppose) are consulting with the officer and then they'll have to be checked with a doctor. I think they are not hurt seriously. Perhaps a broken arm and bruises. The kids are now enjoying TV but that won't last too long. They are about 2 and 4 years.
January 10, 1979. Today is a bitter cold morning, but 2 things have happened already to warm my soul. I just looked out our south window to see Laurie Cottam who has been paralyzed from the 5th vertebrae down, due to a motorcycle accident, struggling to get the snow off her car wind shield. Her dad came to the door to offer help but Laurie said, "No thanks, Dad, I'll manage", and manage she did. Then brushing the snow with a long handled broom so she could get her wheel chair into the back seat.
Then she started her push-button car and headed for a day's work, where again she will, I'm sure, say "no thanks" to any offered help. She has had every advantage that money can buy since her accident. But money doesn't buy a spirit like Laurie's. What a beautiful face, beautiful character and what an inspiration to everyone who knows her.
Not many months after Laurie left, another wheel chair caught my eyes. This time a woman perhaps in her 60's was warmly bundled up and sitting proudly while a man, her husband I suppose, happily wheeled her toward the Temple. Where else would they have courage to go in this cold?
We have been told that a personal history should be about yourself, your personal experience and feelings, etc., rather than the family in general. However my parents, brothers and sisters and my own children are so much a part of me, that to write my history, without including them, now and then, wouldn't be a true picture of me. I have chosen to write for the most part, by different topics rather than in chronological order. I will put here enough of my journal to let you know that you have a mother and grandmother who is very human in my desires, weaknesses and strengths and my fears, worries, and happiness.
My relation I remember best was first perhaps Grandma Wilson, Martha Ann Riste Wilson, my mother's mother. It was a glorious occasion when we went up to Hillsdale to visit "the folks" as mother called her family. I remember one time grandma sat braiding my hair and singing to me, "I dreamed I dwelt in Marble Halls," in her heavy English accent. It wasn't until I was grown did I know that song was a famous opera song--yes, my grandmother sang for "Queen Victoria" before she left England at age 16. It is not impossible that she may have lived in marble halls had they not joined the Church and come to Utah. They did give up a fortune rather than denounce their religion. She died while I was still young but a lovely memory always remains.
Martha Ann Riste Wilson, Ruth's maternal grandmother, story in blog # 96. She is mentioned in other blogs -- you can look under "labels" to find them.
Grandma Tuttle (father's mother -- married a Tuttle later in life) lived a block away from us. She also died while I was still young. She was ill most of the time I remember her and I stood in awe, if not really frightened to be around her. She lived a life of service, however, and was a very noble woman I'm sure. It was just my sensitive shy disposition that held me in fear of too many things.
There were several in mother's family having their babies about the same time. The ones LaVern's age were all girls, and the ones my age were all boys but me. James and Don Wilson, Arthur Norton, "Bud" Lamoreaux all teased me while young. But come college days they were the best of friends and came in handy as dance partners. Kids that are raised without "cousins" have surely missed out in my opinion.
I was in high school by the time we finally got electricity in our home. Before then it was coal-oil lamps, which had to be cleaned daily. We would gather around the large kitchen table, each with his or her study books, to share the dim light of the one lamp.
Soon after electricity came into common use radios came into being – The first ones however had to be used with ear phones. My brother Earl got one of the first radios in town.
How modern we felt sitting around the “set” with its 2 ear phones, each one taking his turn of the wonderful opportunity of listening to some scratchy music, etc., if we were lucky enough to get tuned in sufficiently to get the program. “Just imagine, hearing someone miles away talk!”
Stop for a minute and list down all the things that you use daily that depend on electricity. Each one was not known until I was half grown. List things used in home, school, farm tools, office, etc. I was 10 years old or so when I first rode in a car. Before then we used what we called a “buck-board” which was somewhat the shape of a pickup truck, only horse drawn – much as you see on T.V. in western movies. There have been advances in every field; most of them will benefit man. Some will or will not, according to our use of them.
At the time the L.D.S. Church was organized the Lord promised He would “Pour out His Spirit on all flesh.” This certainly has been done in the fields of science, medicine, transportation, communication, etc. We thrilled at listening to a radio. Now we don’t give a second thought about hearing a message from the moon. The computer is so common now that we take it for granted. And I could go on and on.
While the Lord has been pouring His Spirit upon all flesh, so has Satan been pouring his spirit upon all flesh. We see this most vividly in the deterioration of family life – the breaking down of moral standards – the contention and strife in all the world. The pioneers had their trials, or extreme physical hard ships. The greatest trials facing our youth today will be moral issues with all the temptation. I feel sure of this. They face problems the world has never known, and blessings greater than men have ever had the privilege of knowing. The choice is up to each one. Standing on your own two feet is hard, against opposition of friends. How I pray you will all be strong!
I have been in the world from horse and buggy days to this: (At this point in her journal there are inserts of a page from the TV Guide November 8, 1980, and a newspaper clipping of that time telling about the Voyager’s moving around the moon, etc., – space satellites.)
Who knows what else will happen before I finish this life? If so much can happen in a short life time, think of the wonders we will experience when we leave this life! I’m in no hurry to go, but it will be a marvelous experience. (The last part written in 1980, when she was 72 years old. She lived to be almost 91 and passed away on February 10, 1999).
Chapters to come include: Her childhood on the farm, jobs she had (singing waitress in both Grand and Bryce Canyons) thoughts and experiences about her college days, her school teaching days, thoughts about her "Eternal Companion" my father, Orson Pratt Miles, her mother, and her severe accidents, faith promoting experiences, and thoughts about the different Church positions she has had. Blog # 30 and # 48, both in December 2013 are inspiring to read. I won't repeat them again. You may refer back to them when you have time. Also the most read of all my blogs is # 95 -- my mother Ruth's poems.
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