Reflections on Grandma Wright

From: Childhood Experiences of the Wardle Family, edited by Charlie Wardle
Reflections on my Grandmother, Mina Geneve Brandly Wright by: Sara Buff

Uncle Bill's Wedding, Grandpa and Grandma Wright on the left

    Grandma was always so very kind, just not to only a few but to all those she came in contact with.  I never remember a harsh word coming from her lips; she was a picture of patience, love and caring.  Grandma’s neighbors all had a great respect and love for her.  When she became ill and [too] old to care completely for herself they were always there to help.  And I know they were in their own way trying to pay Grandma back for all she had done for them. 
    Grandma was a marvelous cook.  My favorite was her steamed carrot pudding.  I can still remember the aroma that would fill her home when it was cooking.  Grandma loved to cook breakfast, and it didn’t matter what hour of the day we would get to her home, she would always ask, “Are you hungry?  Let me cook you something to eat.”  She was concerned about us after traveling for hours to visit with her.
    Grandma’s home was always neat and clean.  She had a big player piano in her living room, that I loved to make play.  Her home was modest and small but the atmosphere was so genuine.  As you walked into Grandma’s front door she had an entry way, where most of her treasured knickknacks were kept.  I would spend hours playing and imagining with them.  Then you would walk into a large formal dining room.  In this room I remember eating many Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.  I remember the year I became old enough to eat with the adults and not with the children in the kitchen.  Our family spent many pleasant hours in this room.  Adjoining the formal dining room was the living room.  This is where I would sleep at nights on our visits.  Grandma had a green couch that folded down into a bed.  It wasn’t too comfortable but I didn’t care because I was with my grandma.  The next room was the kitchen.  It was really big with a table in the middle of the room.  I remember the huge kitchen sink.  It wasn’t divided so in order to rinse dishes a big pan was used for the rinse water.  Grandma always had food around and always cookies in the big cookie jar.  Off from the kitchen was her bedroom.  It was also a large room.  Grandma had a big bed; it was really high.  In this room she kept her sewing machine.  She was a good seamstress, and I still wear the aprons she made.  Then we venture into the bathroom.  I’d just about give anything if I had in my possession that big white bath tub.  It was so much fun; it was so deep like a swimming pool.  There was what was called the spare bedroom.  It was never spare when our family of six visited.  I remember it having two big beds in it.  It was the bedroom my mom shared with two other sisters.
    There are lots of memories with visiting in that old home with grandma.  I remember her telling me about her first husband and when they were living in Salt Lake and their home burned to the ground, and they lost everything and had to start all over.  Grandma had a lot of courage.  Grandma’s grandfather, Thomas E. Jeremy planted the first tree in one of the neighborhoods in Salt Lake, and I’ve had the opportunity to see that tree.
    Grandma loved flowers and being outside.  She had a lovely yard.  It was a lot of fun to play in.  She had a big pine tree that I could run under and hide. 
    Grandma was always honest, always paid her bills.  She didn’t want to be indebted to anyone.  Her honest was a great virtue.
    Grandma was about 5’4” and weighted around 160 lbs.  She had grey hair all the time I knew her.  When she was younger she had blond hair and was fair complected, the peaches and cream look.  My mom says I look a lot like her which is great.
    My grandmother died when she was 80 years old and I was 21 years old.  She had been a widow for 14 years.  My second child was only a few months old.  Her death left a great void in my life; but a few weeks before her death, my mom, my two children and I went to Lincoln, Idaho to spend a few days with her.  Thank goodness I remembered the camera and I took several pictures.  At her funeral I gave her life history.  She was my most favorite.  I guess you could say she’s my hero and I want to be just like her.  My second daughter carries her name, and often I tell my little Geneve stories about how wonderful her great-grandmother was.  I hope she can also carry the memories of this wonderful lady.

Your Heart Will Burn: Scene 6, Ship Horizon

This scene is the first day aboard the Ship Horizon, or actually the first several days.  It starts with everyone meeting everyone.  I have Isaac meeting Langley and John Bailey.  However I have since discovered they actually attended the same branch, and very likely traveled from Whitwick England to Liverpool to together.  The first part concludes with the company singing "Friends for Life." 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NuVa8yqnvc&feature=plcp
The second part establishes a relationship between Betsy Ashton and Isaac Wardle.  It also sets up Peter McBride as being a tease of Mary Ashton.  However I do not know if Isaac had a relationship with the Ashtons at this time but used artistic license.  This section includes the song "Farewell to Thee England" which was a poem written aboard the Ship Horizon.  It is put to a familiar hymn.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pd-LI2M7Zmc&feature=plcp

The scene concludes with a meeting lead by President Richards and Elder Martin.  Robert McBride, who was the song leader, leads a song for the meeting.  An interesting note is the delay the Horizon had.  After being towed out to the river, some of the crew mutinied, and had to be replaced.  The leadership would have been put together quickly, and a young man like Isaac would have had plenty to do. The meeting includes a cultural dance.  The Horizon had members from Scotland and England.  The first mate was described by John Jaques as a surly type of man.  However he wooed one of the Mormon Women to marry him at the end of the voyage. 
This section also includes the romance of Mary and William.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLbn0tKV3ss&feature=plcp

Isaac Wardle: Mission, Millennial Star

I received an email from Iva Beckstead which follows Isaac's mission in the Millennial Star, 1879.

Hi Billy,

I don't know if you have the following regarding Isaac John Wardle's mission, but I will include it in this email.

In the book Latter-Day Saints Millennial Star, Volume 41, 1879, M-205.5, page 106 in the Salt Lake City, Utah genealogy library it states “Arrivals – on Saturday, February 6, 1879, Elders John South and Isaac J. Wardle arrived at this port per S. S. Montana.  They have been called on missions to this country and are now visiting their friends prior to being assigned to their fields of labor.” – European Mission – Great Britain.

Page 137 states “Elder Isaac J. Wardle is appointed a Traveling Elder in the Liverpool Conference.”

Page 173-74 states “Isaac was a traveling Elder from Liverpool at a conference held in Miners Hall, Millgate, Wigan, on Sunday March 2, 1879.”  James L. Bunting was President of Liverpool Conference.  Elder Wardle spoke at this conference .  “Elder Wardle testified to the sameness of the spirit that was possessed by those who were true Saints here, with to that possessed by those that had gathered to Zion.  The same spirit would be felt in all the assemblies of the Saints, so long as they sought to do the will of God.  He encouraged the Saints to draw near unto God and He would overrule everything for their welfare.”

On page 435 it states, “A district meeting was held in Miner’s Hall, Wigan, Liverpool Conference on Sunday July 6, 1879.

“The first assemblage convened at 10:30 a.m.  Elders from Utah on the Stand—John Nicholson, from the Millennial Star Office; James L. Bunting, President of, and I. J. Wardle, Ralph Smith, W. H. Haugh and L. R. Martineau, Traveling Elders in Liverpool Conference.

Meeting was called to order by Elder Wardle, President of the Wigan District.  Singing.  Prayer by Elder R. Smith.  Singing.  Sacrament was administered by Elders Marsh and Glover.

President Bunting made some preliminary remarks, explanatory of the duties of the priesthood and Saints.  Brother Wardle reported the district as in a healthy, thriving condition, much energy, he said, being shown by the local priesthood and Saints in reference to the spreading of the work by preaching, distributing tracts and other means.”

On Page 549 in the Minutes of the Liverpool Conference held in the lower concert hall, Lord Nelson Street, on Sunday Aug. 17, 1879, Isaac John Wardle was there in attendance as a traveling Elder in which he gave the closing prayer.

Page 559 – Elder Isaac Wardle writes a letter to President William Budge from Runcorn on August 6, 1879.

“Dear Brother,--According to promise, I write to you concerning the condition of my health.  It is about the same as when I last saw you.  Brother Bunting thinks it would be advisable for me to go home.  I feel myself that I am unable to cope with this climate another winter.  I should like very much if I were able to stay and fully accomplish the mission to which I have been called, but it seems my health will not admit of it. 

I thank you for the kind consideration you have shown in my behalf, and the valuable instructions you have given me.  I would like to go on the next ship, as I think it would be better for me to have a little time at home to recruit before winter sets in.  I hope I have been able to do some good in this land.  At least I have done no harm.

Your Brother in the Gospel,
Isaac J. Wardle”

In the same book, page 555 it says “Release on account of ill health Elder Isaac J. Wardle is released to return to Utah with the company that will leave Liverpool on September 6, 1879.  William Budge, President of the European Mission.”

Isaac Wardle Missionary Letters 1

I have gotten a c.d. of Isaac's letters and documents from Michael Wardle, of Boise who descends from Isaac and Sophia.   The letters were written during his mission, mostly to reassure his family that he was fine.  As I look through them I am impressed with Isaac's love for his wives and his children.  His testimony is also apparent.  It is difficult to transcribe them.  This is due to time, and misspelled words.  Michael transcribed one from later in his mission, and I have done one from when he was traveling to England. I hope to add more letters overtime.

Note from IJW to family
Transcribed as written by Isaac John Wardle

Ohio

Saturday Morning

Jan 25 1879

Dear families

Than god that we are getting along  wer at 30 miles fro hom.  We shall be in Pitbuge at dine

Start for New York at 1 here  That you are well as it leves me I lan at Wright for we ar gaine so sust  I J Wardle

[Some unintelligible] to you I shall Dd the Best  My health is been goo ever sinc I left home  keep your selves in good Cheer concern me  go is with us.

LTRfromIJW August 7, 1879

Transcribed as written by Isaac John Wardle

Ag 7, 1879

Digmore____, Lancshire, ED

Page 1:To my Dere Wives and Children good morning to you one and all i hope that you are all well at this time i ham very glad to tell you that my halth is much beter

than i have been for some time thank you i have been in the hands of very fine friends i make mantin up Bro and sister Marsh and Wiltsen at Wigen all John Tinsely and Glover Newtune and sis Ruebotem up holen and Bro and Sister Derby shire at Dig more and many others is far as they can make me comfeble. ___ Wich i feel thankful to hallmity God that he as bee so minful of me as to rase up friends to minester to me in time of need and i hope and pray that God will bles them for evry thank that they have to comfort me Page 2: in my affliction thrue wich [which] i have past so far i have been relest from been pr___ of the Wigen District on the count of my halth and a priside over the Chester District to wich place i have been once pres----- Budas and Bunting told me to travle eney whare thout proper for 1 or 2 wheaks but thay Wood Like me to bee in Liverpool at Confrenc on the 17 this climit is very ingures to meney of the Elders it as Raned all this Wheak We had 4 or 5 Days Dry Wather the last 2 Wheaks. 4 Days before that Whe only had some 4 or 5 Days that Whe sawe the sune it ranes most all the time i Do not see how the Erth Drinks all the Water that comes frome abouve it looks Like the judgements of God as Come in this land i hope that Page 3: the Lord will gather out is sant before the grate deluge sahll come on the wicked for i can see them coming very fast I meant then that I spoken of in the 18^th Chaper of Ravelations it wood be good for our yongment to reed that chapter and to infom themselves with pidetions of the servants of God I have injoyed myself very much in my labers traveling and preaching to sants and I tell you I never felt haper in all my life than I due in speeking to those have no met the gospel of god In the haper have our outdore meetings as been very well atended We little oppsition but that nothing is honly halp to make us to prepare ourselves for the work of God and to put our trust in him We feel  Page 4: that he as even been with the larned minersters come to aprose us We come of victims and we have had frandes in every place to we have been ____ for God as given us his spirit so fam I recved my sone John later Dated July 6: I was glad that he felt to due all that he cood to make me and my famaly comfortile I was sorey to larne the ___  of sheep but I thout like Page 5: Do not du enething to heart one another feelings compety another all you can I feel in my harte to bles you all and ask God to  bless you and I hope that you will perserved from all the snares that besets monttes heare on erth I wood be glad to see you all but wate till the right time shall come I shall righte you before long infrome you hou my halth is I have not wrote much to you lattely on account of my halth I home that you and all my breathen will forgive me for it tell all the nebers I have not forgot them I wood be glat to hear from them eney time Page 6: I expect to right to meney of them When I can set at a table the resene is that I can not have got pane in my breast and kidneys I can walk beter than set doune to right bee of good Cheer all will be right with me I get a later from J A Clever the other day tell him I feel thankfull it I will right mim as soom as I can I must conclue with my love and efeclen to you all thake care of the Baby send me word how he is good by God bless you all is the prare of your husbend and father Isaac J Wardle

Bee good Children all right to farther a little peace in a later if no more make a x

Your Heart Will Burn: Act 2 scene 6 Brigham Young

This scene dramatizes general conference October 1856.  The theme of this conference was to rescue the Saints still on the plains.  Brigham Young had just learned the day before conference that there were companies still on the plains. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=py60LvJaBbo&feature=plcp

This prior post is a better description of the history. 
http://billywardlegen.blogspot.com/2012/10/rescue-of-handcart-companies-1856.html

This is a productions of the Stevens Creek Ward,  Ted Dorff portrays Brigham Young and Stan Dye President Franklin Richards.  The narrator is Ashley Orton.

Rescue of the Handcart Companies 1856; Brigham Young

Brigham Young must have approached the general conference with heavy heart.  He had been informed the day before that close to 2000 immigrants were on the plains, two handcart companies, two wagon companies, several freight companies.  It was already early October.

Brighan Young had met with church leaders the evening before to discuss what was needed.  The handcart plan was established with the idea that the Saints would be met on the plains with resupply wagons.  This was lacking, and the handcart companies would be facing starvation rations.

And so Brigham Young introduced the theme of the conference:

"I will now give this people the subject and the text for the Elders who may speak today and during the conference.  It is this.  On the 5th day of October, 1856, many of our brethren and sisters are on the plains with handcarts, and probably many are now seven hundred miles from this place, and the must be brought here, we must send assistance to them.  The text will be, 'to get them here.'  I want the brethren who may speak to understand that their text is the people on the plains.  And the subject matter for this community is to send for them and bring them in before winter sets in.

That is my religion; that is the dictation of the Holy Ghost that I possess.  It is to save the people.  This is the salvation I am now seeking for.  To save our brethren that would be apt to perish, or suffer extremely, if we do not send them assistance...

I will tell you all that your faith, religion, and profession of religion, will never save one sould of you in the Celestial Kingdom of our God, unless you carry out just such principles as I am now teaching you.  Go and bring in those people now on the plains."

An so was put into motion one of the greatest rescue operations of the Mormon migration.  The rescuers would be successful in bringing many Saints to the valley, while over 200 of them would die along the trail.  By the time the meeting had concluded men were making preparations to be part of the rescue.  Women removed underlinens to donate to the cause.

Book Review: Riverton Stake Materials, Second Rescue

When I visited Donna Olsen, my cousin in Riverton, WY,  she took us to Martin's Cove.  (This was before the visitor center.)  She also took us to the Riverton Stake Center and copied a bunch of materials for me--stories and  minutes with regards to the Martin and Willie Handcart Companies; first and second rescues.  I was left with a big packet of materials, including short synopsis Isaac's life, a day-by-day account of the Handcart Company and their rescue after they hit the snow. This includes journal information.  It keeps the Martin and Willie Companies separate, while telling the story of where each company was on a particular date.

This packet also included information of the second rescue, which resulted in over 4000 temple ordinances being done.  Many of the pioneers had passed away, and their temple work had not been done.  This included baby Sarah Anne Ashton, who was born on the trek, and lived a couple of weeks only.  This included dedicatory prayers, firesides, minutes of a special stake wide sacrament meeting, other interesting materials. 

I used this material mostly when I wrote the musical, but have enjoyed the talks and prayers around the dedication of the monuments.