In Memoriam - Grandpa Stutz

Grandpa Stutz passed away peacefully this evening at the farm. He lived a long and vigorous life, having celebrated his 70th anniversary with Grandma just this past week. There is much to say about his life, but not today. Now is a time for reflection, prayer, and family.


We love you, Grandpa.

Grandma and Grandpa's Wedding

Among the many pictures that Ellen sent is this wonderful portrait of Grandma and Grandpa on their wedding day -- July 15, 1940. I had never seen it before; in fact, it is the only picture from their wedding that I know of. It is a beautiful, touching picture of a young couple at the outset of their lifelong journey together.


The writings on the picture are Grandma's, but they originally were above (names) and below (date) the picture. I transferred them onto the picture while cleaning it up after scanning.

Grandma and Grandpa's Anniversary!

Might there be a party in the works for this summer? Ellen asked me to post the following:

Grandma and Grandpa Stutz are celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary in July. We thought it would be a nice gift to present them with a collection of letters and/or pictures from all of the family members. We would particularly request short stories of a favorite memory or experience you have had with Grandma and Grandpa. I would be happy to do the collecting, but I need to receive these quickly (by the end of June) so that I can compile them into a notebook. Please remember to include your name with your letter or pictures. Ideally, we would love to hear from every family member. I will try to get the word out, but please notify your own family members because I am sure I don't have everybody's address or email. You can mail your letters to my address: Ellen Landeen 2906 W. 7500 S. West Jordan, UT 84084 or you can email to mlandeen@yahoo.com. Thanks for your help with this project. Call me if you have any questions. 801-561-3875.

For the record, Grandma and Grandpa were married July 15, 1940, making this their 70th wedding anniversary!

Proofsheet - G&G 06

The trickle of updates from the rolls of film that Ellen sent continues.


Some of these pictures appeared in the initial post when Ellen sent the rolls of film. Click for a larger image. Let us know in the comments if you would like GAP to post larger images of any of these.

Proofsheet - G&G 05

Another small update from a roll of film that Ellen sent.


Because only one of the pictures is interesting, here is a larger image of Grandma and Grandpa (click for a larger image.).


UPDATE

Shari writes in the comments:

This looks like the photo they had on display at their 50th Wedding Anniversary party. Remember those sheet cakes they had? And all the people who came to the farm? Grandpa and Grandma are (understatement of the year) troopers.

Thanks, Shari! I don't remember the sheet cakes -- until I found eggless cakes I didn't pay much attention to cakes -- but I would love to get more pictures (and stories?) about their anniversary. And, yes, they are quite the troopers!

Then and Now - Olympics

Mr. GAP and family visited beautiful Vancouver last week to catch a women's hockey match at the Winter Olympic games!


Our trip took us through Seattle, but unfortunately we did not have a chance to call Lori. (Hi, Lori!) I guess we will have to go back!


Joe, my dad, told me that Grandma and Grandpa took the family to the Seattle World's Fair in 1962 when the Space Needle opened, but I have not yet seen any pictures from it. Does anyone have a story or two to share about the trip?

This was our family's second trip to the Olympics, the first being in 2002 to the Salt Lake Winter Olympics when Boyd was three months old.


He is on the far right in the top picture, which provides a nice then and now comparison.

At the Salt Lake games we attended the women's halfpipe competition in Park City with Karla and Brian Toomer, as well as with some friends -- very good friends (our children's godparents) -- from Montana.


We crashed at the farm with Grandma and Grandpa, who were enjoying some unseasonably warm weather. We could not have asked for better hosts!


We also attended a women's hockey match in Provo with Lucas. I should get a more recent picture of Lucas so we can do a then and now of him, too.


We vowed at the time that if the Olympics ever came back to our neck of the woods we would have to attend again. Since we were in Montana when the Vancouver games were announced, we told the boys their whole lives that we would take them to the 2010 games. Although we now live in Virginia, a promise is a promise, so we went.

Now, if the Olympics ever come back to our neck of the woods again....

1943 Reunion Letters to Howard

Thanks to Ellen for sending these!

“Stutz reunions have been an important part of our lives,” Mildred Stutz records in All You Immigrants, p. 215. “The first Stutz reunion of which I have record was held August 25, 1943 on Viv and Verena’s farm near Cardston, Alberta.” She goes on to say that they were not in attendance because it was Howard’s 25th birthday, but that the family all wrote letters to him telling how much they missed having him there. I came across those letters the other day and thought you might enjoy reading them and feeling the spirit of the Stutz family in those early years.

(From Howard’s brother, Lee)

Sorry you aren’t with us today, Howard. Just disposed of eleven quarts of ice cream, five chickens and a sack of spuds, which of course was nothing compared to what we would have done had you been here too. Plan to come next year. – Lee

(From Howard’s brother, Clifford)

Wish you could have been able to make a visit home while we were here. The family have gone all out to show us a good time. Half of our time has been spent in eating – and not brown flour gravy and potatoes. Dad claims that what we have had to eat is the regular rations but I notice most everyone has put on weight since we arrived. If you have changed as much as Rowan, I wouldn’t know you. He was a complete surprise. Hope we will be able to see you before many more years elapse. Everyone has promised to pay us a visit. We would like the same promise from you. -- Cliff

(From Rowan’s wife, Gladys. Rowan is another of Howard’s brothers)

It is as hot as fire outside and also in the house. We are all full and the kids are as cross as bears. How would you like to be here, although we wish you were here. We hate to see Cliff and family’s visit end but we have enjoyed them here. Guess I had better close so someone else can write and I had better get my share of the dishes done. Be good and take care of yourselves. – Gladys O.

(From Cliff’s wife, Gladys)

We have certainly had a grand time here and enjoyed meeting all the family for the first time. We thought a month would be a long time to visit, but really 30 days have seemed a very short time. You will have to plan to visit us in the near future so we may become acquainted with your family. I have eaten so much ice cream today, I will never be the same again. Mother Stutz says you and Cliff are somewhat alike. The first day we were here Cliff could see everything that needed fixing, trees trimmed, etc. Next day he fell into the old ways and couldn’t see anything that needed doing. All he has been doing since is eat, fish and sleep —almost. Write us soon. – Gladys

(From Howard’s sister, Fern)

Chicken and taters gulped down my throat,
Poor old tummy begins to bloat.
Followed by salad, ice cream and cake,
Wonder how much more it can take.

Tummy starts aching, feels mighty sore,
A person would think I couldn’t eat more.
Another dish of ice cream and more cake
You can tell that tummy is of pre-war make.

Wish you were here to relieve some of the strain
We’re all going to be sick and you’re to blame.
If you hadn’t made your home ‘cross the line
You’d all been here with us, your plate beside mine!

Anyway, we sure does miss you all. – Love Fern

Pumpkin Patch Pictures

"Ask, and ye shall receive." GAP asked, and we certainly have received! Ellen sent a story, Andrew sent two patriarchal blessings, and Craig also sent a story. In addition, Ellen sent a box of slides, negatives, and pictures that are currently being digitized. Finally, there is more stuff from Ellen in the email inbox that we need to go through, too! Thank you everyone for the family history information for GAP to post!

Can we keep this train rolling? GAP could still use plenty of help, and we're open to publishing pretty much anything family related. Old stuff, new stuff, whatever stuff is just fine. Send to stutz at montana dot com and GAP will take care of the publishing logistics. Or, if you want to be involved on an on-going basis, drop a line and ask to be an author!

Today, we have some pumpkin patch pictures from the Stutz farm taken in what looks like the late 1990s, though I do not know the specific year. They include Ellen's family and Grandma and Grandpa and are from the recent batch of materials Ellen sent. We recognize almost everyone, but we'll make this an interactive posting. Drop the names, year, and any stories in the comments and we'll update the post with new information.






The pictures have not yet been edited to remove the bars on the side that are part of the scanning process. By way of comparison, though, these pictures, when clicked, are 1/25th the size of the images that we send out on disc each year. You can look forward to these pictures (and more!) on the disc that goes out this Christmas.

UPDATE

Ellen writes in the comments:

I remember when we took these pictures. It was on a sunday afternoon in October and we came to Provo in our sunday clothes. Picture #3 is of Melissa, Sarah and Emily Landeen with Grandma. Picture #5 is of David and JR Landeen. The first two pictures look like Kenni Lynn Wilcox's children. Notice the giant Pumpkin. It made a wonderful jack-o-lantern.

A Story of the Revolution - Sarah Lucille Keith Allen (1975) (Introduction)

The previous two posts are the essay "A Story of the Revolution" written by Sarah Lucille Keith Allen in 1975. This story ties into the Stutz line as follows:

• Mildred Robison Stutz (Grandma) is the daughter of Ward Albert and Sepha Abbott Robison
• Ward Albert Robison was the son of Willis E. and Sarah Ann Ellett Robison
• Willis E. Robison was the son of Benjamin Hancock and Lillis Andree Robison
• Benjamin Hancock Robison was the son of Joseph and Lucretia Hancock Robison
• Joseph Robison was the son of Joseph and Cornelia Guinal Robison of whom this story tells
  

The author, Sarah Lucille Keith Allen, is a relative of Grandma's, although I am not sure what the exact relationship is.

The story is written in these posts exactly as it was sent to me by Craig. I broke it into parts -- one part per post -- because it is rather long to put in one post. I believe it was Craig who provided the explanation of the family relationship; it was not part of the original story and I thought it provided a good context for the story, so I put it in this introduction.

Thank you Craig for sending this story to me! It was especially helpful that it was already transcribed into an electronic format, making it easy to post and share with the family. If anyone else has stories transcribed or electronic versions of Grandma's books or other family documents, please send them along!

All You Immigrants - Part II - The Great Confluence

In GAP's earlier post about Lorenzo Stutz we promised to write more about him. Today is that day. While the previous post was composed of excerpts from online sources -- of which there were a surprising number, given that Lorenzo passed away in 1910 -- today we have an extended excerpt from Grandma's book All You Immigrants. Published in March 1998, All You Immigrants is an extensive history of the people who came together and gave rise to Grandma and Grandpa's family and the related families. It is a very worthy read, regardless of who you are, family or otherwise.

This excerpt is from Part II - The Great Confluence, pages 69-79. Some of the facts and events parallel those from the newspaper excerpts in the previous post about Lorenzo Stutz, and it is interesting to see where they overlap and differ. I note for the record that Grandma has given me permission to publish these writings online; any deviations from her text are my errors.
Lorenzo Stutz and Katharina Leuteneggar.

Islisberg is a small village located in the German-speaking portion of Switzerland. It is a farming community made up of family-owned farms and peopled by the vigorous Swiss people. It is peaceful, scenic and ethnic. It was in this picturesque setting that Lorenzo (Lorenz) Stutz was born on September 7, 1838 to Leodegardi Loenz Stutz and Maria Verena Stutz Stutz. He was the fifth child in a family of eight siblings: Jacob Leonz, Elizabeth, Ida, Leodegardi, Lorenz Nikolaus, Jacob, and Agnus. The family was Catholic as were most families in the community. There had been intermarrying within the surrounding towns for many generations and it was common for a "Stutz" to marry a "Stutz" for they did not all claim mutual ancestry.

As a youth, Lorenz learned the trades of baker and confectioner as well as farming, fruit culture and beekeeping. When he was 22 years old, he converted to the Mormon faith, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was baptized by Elder Jacob Nassar on February 19, 1861. No details are known of his conversion but there is no evidence that he was ostracized by his family or community. Indeed, throughout his life letters of affection and concern were exchanged.

The following spring Lorenz made his way to LeHarve, France, where he joined a company of converts who were emigrating to Salt Lake City to join the "Saints." He set sail for America aboard the "Windermere." He never returned to his native land. During the voyage he met a widow, Elizabeth Galley Huegly, who later became his wife.

Lorenzo crossed the western plains of America with a wagon-train of Saints. He served as the company cattle drover. During the long trek he froze his toes and had to have some of them sawed off to prevent gangrene. Lorenzo testified that during this ordeal his life was saved by the ministering of angels.

Lorenzo arrived in Salt Lake City in the fall of 1861 or in the spring of 1862. He renewed his friendship with Elizabeth Galley Huegly who had arrived in the valley ahead of him and was living with her 14 year old son, Joseph who had emigrated a year earlier and had established a home for his mother and obtained a job on a ranch. Lorenzo and Joseph developed a friendship which lasted throughout their lives, Lorenzo later named a son for his friend.

Lorenzo and Elizabeth were married in the Salt Lake City Temple August 8, 1863 by Wilford Woodruff. Lorenzo was approaching this twenty-second birthday and Elizabeth was nearing her forty-ninth birthday. Although Elizabeth was beyond child-bearing age, her position as the first wife in a polygamous society gave her a status of authority. She presided over Lorenzo's home for twenty-four years through a succession of three additional wives.

The practice of polygamy, known as "The Principle" within the Church, was a sacred law in Mormondom. It had been introduced in 1832 by the Mormon prophet Joseph Smith. Lorenzo and Elizabeth were devout Mormons and took their responsibilities seriously.

Five years after their marriage Lorenzo, with the blessings of Elizabeth and the approval of the Church Authorities, married Mary Muller, a twenty-two year old girl from Switzerland. They married in the Salt Lake Endowment House December 28, 1869. It was over four years before their first and only child was born. Lorenzo Herman Stutz was born March 2, 1873. A year later his mother, Mary Muller Stutz, died leaving her infant son to be raised by Elizabeth.

Eighteen months after the death of Mary, Lorenzo married his third wife, Margaritha Stoller, also from Switzerland. This marriage was sanctioned by both Elizabeth and the Church leaders and was performed in the Endowment House. Two and one-half years later Margaritha gave birth to a son, Hyrum, who lived only 19 days. Margaritha followed her son in death two years later and was buried beside Hyrum.

Sometime after Margaritha's death, Lorenzo and Elizabeth were attending a German religious service in the Assembly Hall in Salt Lake city when they noticed a young girl nearby crying. They approached her to comfort her and learning she had recently arrived in the city from Switzerland and was feeling homesick, they invited her to their home and offered her employment. This beautiful, 21 year old girl was Katharine Leuteneggar. She was to become Lorenzo's fourth wife and the mother of the large posterity he so much desired.

Katharina Leuteneggar was born April 11, 1859 in the city of Sirnach, Switzerland. She was the fifth child in a family of six children. Her father was a well-to-do merchant in the city. His name was Johannes Leuteneggar. Her mother was Anna Wurst.

When Katharina was nineteen years old she met the Mormon missionaries and was converted to the Mormon Church. She was baptized against the wishes of her family and as a result was turned out of her father's house. She was the only member of the family to join the church. Katharina emigrated to America the following year. She never returned to Switzerland nor did she communicate with her family. In her later years she hired a professional genealogist to research her ancestral lines so she could do the Temple work for them.

Katharina made her way to Salt Lake City by train. On the way she contracted what was known as Mountain Fever and came very near dying. She arrived in Salt Lake City in the spring of 1880 physically ill and homesick. It was soon after her arrival that she met Lorenzo and Elizabeth and obtained employment in their home.

During the summer she consented to become Lorenzo's fourth wife. Again Elizabeth approved of the marriage as did the Church leaders. They were married in the Salt Lake Endowment House November 18, 1880. Many years later her youngest daughter, Frieda Beck Winslow, quoted her mother as saying she cried all the way to the Endowment House because she really did not want to marry Lorenzo. Lorenzo Stutz was a good man. He was kind to her and would be a good provider but he was twice her age and already had one living wife and a seven year old son.

Lorenzo provided a separate house for Katharina adjacent to the house where he and Elizabeth and Lorenzo Herman had lived together. It was in this house that Katharina gave birth to Joseph Reuben Stutz August 25, 1881.

Lorenzo supported his family on his 40 acre farm where he raised fruit and vegetables and kept a few farm animals and some beehives. To supplement his income he made wedding cakes and catered banquets. His wedding cakes were locally famous. Some fifty years after his death we (Howard and I) met some elderly women on a train who told us about his beautiful cakes -- especially the one he made for the daughter of Joseph Huegly, his step-son.

The birth of Joseph Reuben was followed at two-year intervals by Orson, 1883; Mary Magdalene; 1884; and John, 1886. John was only nine days old when the problems of polygamy caught up with them.

On November 6, 1886 Lorenzo was arrested by the Federal Marshal for "cohabitation." He was fined $100 and confined to the Federal Prison in Salt Lake for one year. At this time he was 48 years old. It appears that his family did not suffer from lack of food or housing as was the case in many of the polygamy families. Lorenzo Herman was thirteen years old and seems to have been an exceptionally responsible young man.

Lorenzo's prison diary reflects the deep commitment he had for the Gospel and the love he had for his family. He frequently expressed his feelings in bits of poetry. It also hints at a few domestic trials which confronted his wives. Lorenzo Herman visited his father every week bring him fresh clothing. Other family members also visited him at various times. Lorenzo served as cook in the prison.

The stress of this period undoubtedly contributed to the death of Elizabeth who died March 3, 1887 at the age of seventy-three. Lorenzo was allowed to attend her funeral under guard. Lorenzo deeply mourned the death of Elizabeth. They had been married for 24 years. Her son Joseph and Lorenzo's son, Lorenzo Herman also suffered at her passing. The death of Elizabeth allowed the prison sentence to be shortened to six months because Lorenzo was no longer a polygamist. The last three months of his sentence were especially difficult because his health was bad and he suffered from depression. He was released to his family May 31, 1887.

To make their marriage legal under Federal law, it was necessary for Lorenzo and Katharina to obtain a second marriage license. They were remarried December 20, 1887. The battle between the "Feds and the Co-habs" continued for many years and, even today, there are off-shoots of the Mormon Church who continue to live and defend "The Principle."

Church leaders and Church members realized that statehood and the return of church property and citizen's civil rights would not be realized until polygamy was negated. Polygamy was, to the Mormons, a holy order. It had been preached from the pulpit and defended in courts. Church leaders held tenaciously to its precepts. Since it had been ordained by a prophet, only a prophet could deny the practice. In 1890 Wilford Woodruff, the President of the Mormon Church and himself a polygamist, received a revelation suspending plural marriages. This revelation is known as the Manifesto. It is stated that there would be no more polygamist marriages performed and anyone living The Principle would be excommunicated. Relationships with the Federal government and throughout the world improved rapidly and statehood was granted to Utah in 1896. It certainly was not the end of the problems generated by the practice, but it made the Mormons acceptable in the eyes of the world and allowed political and economic growth.

Lorenzo did not take any more wives after the death of Elizabeth, but he did have another friend by the name of Eliza Gally Wholen sealed to him after her death. She is buried along side Lorenzo and Elizabeth in the Elysium Burial Garden in Salt Lake City.

Katharina bore two more children by Lorenzo; Martha in February 1889 and Lorena May in 1894. Both John, who was born a few days before Lorenzo went to prison, and Martha died as toddlers. Joseph Reuben never completed recovered from the deaths of his little brother and sister. He said Little Martha used to run to meet him when he returned from work and he would pick her up and carry her on his shoulders. He named one of his daughters after his little sister. Joseph Reuben said his mother was a beautiful woman and a good mother and the children never doubted that she loved them very much. Lorenzo was a good man who provided well for his family and taught them high moral standards and work ethic. Lorenzo and Katharina were both avid Temple workers attending the Temple regularly and doing ordinance work for the dead.

In 1887, two years after the birth of Lorena May, a young return missionary by the name of John Beck came to work for Lorenzo. During his employment he was attracted to Katharina and she to him. Sometime during the latter part of 1897 Katharina divorced Lorenzo to marry John Beck.

Katharina took Lorena May and moved to Idaho with her new husband. A year later their daughter, Frieda, was born. The Becks moved back to Salt Lake where they both worked and ran a hotel. During those years she remained close to her children Joseph Reuben, Orson, Mary Magdalene and their half brother Lorenzo Herman. Lorena May and Frieda were unusually close sisters and remained so throughout their lives.

In 1908 John and Katharina separated. John being several years younger than Katharina desired a younger wife who could give him a large posterity. Later they were divorced. Katharina remained in Salt Lake City and reared her two daughters. when they grew up she continued to be an important part of their lives. In her old age she lived with Frieda and her husband Fred Winslow who loved her dearly. Lorena May died at age 45. Neither Frieda or Lorena May had children. Katharina died 26 June, 1940 at age 81. She is buried in Salt Lake City Cemetery alongside Ralph and Frieda.

Lorenzo died 18 March 1910 at age 71. His property was inherited by his daughters Lorena May and Mary Magdalene. Lorenzo Herman was named guardian of Lorena and administrator of the estate. Lorenzo's sons received portions of his personal property.

Although Lorenzo and Katharina both did extensive Temple work for the dead, their own marriage vows were dissolved and never reestablished. Frieda Beck Winslow said that her mother made Lorena May and Frieda promise they would never have her sealed to either Lorenzo or John Beck and this promise has been honored. Lorenzo reported having had a dream wherein he and Katharina had passed beyond the veil. He could see Katharina and desired to be with her but realized there was no possible way to cross the wide, deep moat that separated them. He interpreted this dream to mean they would never be reunited in the eternities.

References

Lorenzo Stutz 1838 - 1910. Clifford Stutz.
When Grandpa Went to Jail. Clifford Stutz.
Katharina Leuteneggar 1859 - 1940. Clifford Stutz.
Exiles for the Principle; LDS Polygamy in Canada. Jessie L. Embry.
Word of Mouth and Traditions. Frieda Beck Winslow.

UPDATE

Dave in the comments points out a typo, which I fixed. Thanks, Dave!

Andrew writes in the comments:

I found the mention of Stutzes marrying each other interesting. When I was in Islisberg in October 2008, I took pictures of the graves in the churchyard, and there were several Stutz-Stutz, Stutz-other name, and other name-Stutz buried there. Unfortunately, all the graves are new ones, with the oldest dating back to only 1985.

Thanks, Andrew!

More Stuff to Scan! Thanks, Ellen!

Ellen sent box full of slides, negatives, and pictures for me to scan and add to the collection. There is a lot, and it is quite diverse, so I will tackle it after the project I am currently working on. I have mentioned that I love getting surprise packages with family history to digitize, right?

At the very top of Ellen's box were some 35mm negatives, and I dug around for one to post as a teaser of things to come. Here are Grandma and Grandpa in the early 1990s.


Thanks, Ellen!

Found On The Interwebs - Lorenzo Stutz

Lorenzo Stutz, my great-great-grandfather, was sentenced to the the Utah Penitentiary from 1886-1887 for polygamy. Here is a picture of him locked up; he's the one with the X underneath (click for a larger image).


Grandma has written several excellent family history books that are must-reads for the family. One of them, All You Immigrants (p. 356), describes Lorenzo Stutz as the father (Katherina Leutenegger is the mother) of Joseph Reuben Stutz, who is the father (Clara McLean Coombs is the mother) of Howard Coombs Stutz, who is my grandfather (Mildred Robison is my grandmother). The genealogy is much more complicated than this linear description.

Despite the fact that Lorenzo died a century ago, there is information about him on the Internet. The following are some online resources (thanks, Utah Digital Newspapers!) about Lorenzo Stutz and his polygamy ("unlawful cohabitation"), presumably under the Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act of 1862. The LDS Church issued the 1890 Manifesto that ceased the Church's practice of plural marriage after Lorenzo was released from prison.

Deseret Evening News, Another Raid, November 10, 1886, p. 13. (http://udn.lib.utah.edu/u?/deseretnews4,61140)

MILL CREEK AND BIG COTTONWOOD VISITED BY DEPUTY MARSHALS.

About 7 o'clock on Saturday night the home of LORENZO STUTZ at Mill Creek, Salt Lake County, was encompassed about by deputy marshals with a warrant of arrest for William Stutz, on a charge of unlawful cohabitation. The warrant was served on Mr. Lorenzo Stutz, who was brought before Commissioner McKay to-day, and pleaded not guilty to the complaint, signed by D.W. Rench, and charging him with unlawfully cohabiting with Mrs. Wm. Stutz and Jane Doe Stutz as his wives. The Commissioner changed the name "William" to that of the defendant. The preliminary examination was waived, and Mr. Stutz gave $1,500 bail for himself, and $200 for each of four witnesses for the prosecution.

At the time of the visit of the deputies, Mrs. Stutz was in a very weak condition, her babe being but nine days old, and the shock to her system has been quite serious.

Deseret Evening News, Local News, December 1, 1886, p. 13. (http://udn.lib.utah.edu/u?/deseretnews4,61416)

FROM FRIDAY'S DAILY, NOV. 27
...
Arraigned.--Lorenzo Stutz, of Mill Creek, was arraigned in the District Court to-day on a two-count charge of unlawful cohabitation. The periods alleged are--December 1, 1883, to November 30, 1884; December 1, 1884, to April 30, 1886, the alleged wives being Elizabeth Stutz and Catherine Stutz. A plea of guilty was entered and sentence set for Monday at 10 a.m.
...
Court Notes.--Proceedings in the Third District Court to-day:
...
United States v. Lorenzo Stutz; unlawful cohabitation, two counts; plea of guilty; sentence set for Monday, Nov. 29th.
...
FROM MONDAY'S DAILY NOV. 29
...
Sentenced to One Year.--Brother Lorenzo Stutz, of Mill Creek, was called in the Third District Court to-day to receive sentence on a two-count indictment for unlawful cohabitation. He declined to make any promise as to his future conduct, and was sentenced to one year's imprisonment in the penitentiary, and to pay a fine of $100 and costs of prosecution.

Deseret Evening News, Released To-day, June 8, 1887, p. 1. (http://udn.lib.utah.edu/u?/deseretnews6,33048)

The terms of imprisonment, and thirty days additional for the fines imposed, of Brothers John Stoddard, of Ogden, and Lorenzo Stutz, of Mill Creek, expired on Sunday, and to-day they were brought before Commissioner McKay and underwent a rigid examination as to their proper qualifications. They were finally discharged on taking the oath. Brother Stoddard's sentence was six months and $300, while Brother Stutz received double that penalty, but only served one term, being released through the Supreme Court decision. The wife of Brother Stutz died while he was in prison.

Ogden Standard Examiner, Divorce Suit, April 28, 1897, p. 3. (http://udn.lib.utah.edu/u?/ogden5,32736)

Catharine Stutz has entered a suit for divorce from Lorenzo Stutz and alleges that her husband has treated her cruelly and also has failed to support her. She further states in her complaint that her husband owns real estate to the amount of $3,000. She asks for a decree of divorce and that she may resume her maiden name of Catharine Bentonnigger and $250 alimony.

Salt Lake Tribune, Divorce Applied for, April 28, 1897, p. 6. (http://udn.lib.utah.edu/u?/slt17,11010)

Catherine Stutz filed an action for divorce against Lorenzo Stutz in the Third District court yesterday. Mrs. Stutz says that she was married to the defendant in 1890 and that he has since treated her cruelly and failed to provide for her. Mrs. Stutz also asks for permanent alimony in the sum of $250.

Salt Lake Tribune, Divorce Decree Denied, May 9, 1897, p. 5. (http://udn.lib.utah.edu/u?/slt17,12612)

Catharine Stutz appeared before Judge Hiles yesterday as an applicant for decree of divorce from Lorenzo Stutz, on the grounds of failure to support and cruelty. Mrs. Stutz was unable to submit sufficient proof, however, and the court denied the decree temporarily, but held the matter open pending the introduction of further testimony.

Salt Lake Tribune, Says He Ejected Her, August 3, 1897, p. 5. (http://udn.lib.utah.edu/u?/slt17,24787)

Catherine Stutz was yesterday granted a divorce by Judge Cherry from her husband, Lorenzo Stutz of Mill Creek. The plaintiff charged the defendant with cruelty in putting her out of his house about a year ago. She stated that since that time he had failed to support her or her three-year-old child and she had earned her own subsistence by acting as a nurse. The plaintiff was granted the custody of the child and $250 alimony.

Deseret Evening News, Death of Lorenzo Stutz, March 19, 1910, p. 16. (http://udn.lib.utah.edu/u?/den6,77454)

Lorenzo Stutz, aged 71 years, died at 10 o'clock Friday morning of hemorrhage, caused by over-taxing himself about the home 3571 Seventh East. The deceased was born in Switzerland, Sept. 7, 1838, and came to this country in 1862. He settled in Salt Lake county. Mr. Stutz had been married three times, his first wife dying shortly after he came to Utah. His second wife died about eight years ago, while his third wife was divorced about a year ago. Five children survive him. Funeral services will be held Sunday at noon at the Wilford ward meetinghouse. The casket will be opened the day of the funeral at the family residence from 10 to 11 o'clock in the forenoon. Interment will be in the Mill Creek cemetery.

Of course, there is much more to know about Lorenzo than is available on the Internet, but that will have to wait for a future post.

UPDATE

An extended excerpt from Grandma's book All You Immigrants provides the promised fuller story about Lorenzo Stutz.

Videos - Grandma Discusses Calves, Seams, and the Next Morning

Today GAP posts its first videos. They are large files, but that's OK. Grandma tells three great stories that we hope you enjoy. Thanks for recording and sending them, Susan!

Look below the videos for details about a contest GAP is running.

Check Out My Calves



Seams Right



The Morning After



The videos have lousy names on purpose. If you are the first person to post the transcript of a video in the comments, you can give the video any reasonable name and GAP will change the title in this post and give you credit. That's right, GAP is holding its first contest! And there is even a prize, of sorts -- fame on this blog.

We hope to make GAP a little more collaborative; our previous efforts have been duds. If you have any ideas to encourage participation, let us know and they just might make it into GAP's New Year's resolutions!

Found On The Interwebs - Gift Givers

Sometimes -- and especially during the holiday season -- I am at a loss for choosing just the right gift. Grandma and Grandpa do not have this problem. They are great gift givers!

One of the most memorable gifts they gave me for Christmas was a pencil. It was just one pencil, and not even a new one -- an odd gift at first glimpse. But it got me thinking. How had they used that pencil? Perhaps it was used for writing family history, paying bills, recording phone numbers and addresses, or making shopping lists. How could I use that pencil? Probably for the same sorts of things.

The pencil is long gone, but its utility remains, although in many cases I have replaced its graphite with electronic 1s and 0s. I write family history online, on this very blog. I pay my bills through bank transfers. I keep my phone numbers and addresses stored in a word processor, in an e-mail program, in an Amazon.com account, and in a dozen other places. I still use pencils for shopping lists, and now they also serve a newer, more important purpose: I use them to help my children with their homework.

Of course, Grandma and Grandpa gave me many, more important gifts. Their love led to seven children, one of them my father, without whom I would not be here. Their love was shared with an extended family who I still call, e-mail, and chat with on Facebook, even though I have not seen some of them in years. They gave me stories about the past, wisdom for the future, and a piece of Earth -- the Stutz farm -- on which they allowed me to create my own stories and gain my own wisdom during life's brief journey.

The importance of the Stutz farm cannot be overstated. I have traveled around the world with the comfort of knowing that Grandma and Grandpa's farm remains just a visit away. And I have loved the visits! Reunions in the picnic area. Ice cream on the back porch. The river on a hot day. Pipes to move, grass to cut, orchards to flood, cows to shepherd. An old barn full of weird tools and dusty relics. Trees of all types, one with an impossibly long rope and an old tire for a swing. Fond memories, all. The best times always involved lots of family.

The farm is a gift of Christmas past, present, and future because Grandma and Grandpa have ensured that, someday, the Stutz farm will become the Stutz Park. I will visit with my children and my children's children. We will eat a picnic lunch, splash in the river, run through the trees. We will laugh, live, and love. I will tell them stories about the past and watch as they create their own stories and gain their own wisdom. I will confess to my son Boyd that my cousin Boyd and I rode the tractor faster than we should have, but don't tell Grandma and Grandpa.

I could go on, of course, and I probably will one day. But, today is my day to give thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for the gifts they have given me. Thank you, Grandma and Grandpa, for everything. I look forward to seeing you this summer and to letting my children explore your farm.

"Provo looks to buy land for new park." Provo Daily Herald (April 7, 2002).

The park site is perfect, Mayor Lewis K. Billings said. "It's a magical, wonderful piece of ground," Billings said. Amenities of the land include its proximity to the river, there is a well for irrigation, it's a good size and there isn't another park nearby. "It's a beautiful, needed location right along the river," said Max Mitchell, assistant parks director. "The view from the site is spectacular," said City Parks and Recreation Director Roger Thomas. And the city definitely won't have to plant any new trees on the land." Howard Stutz has already created an arboretum around his home," Thomas said.

"Couple looks back on memories of land." Provo Daily Herald (April 7, 2002).

Stutz likes to caress the soft green boughs of the bristlecone pine. Or brush the feathery leaves of the dawn redwood. And then there is the hidden tree fort. "It's a secret tree place," he says. "Every child discovers it and thinks they're the only one who knows about it," Mildred Stutz says.

"What a steal for a Provo park." Deseret News (April 10, 2002).

"It's hard to describe what I feel in nature," Stutz says. "I guess it's an emotion of peace and tranquility." It's an emotion he felt as a boy hiking in his hometown of Cardston, Canada. His wonder of nature never left him, and now that his hair has turned white and his gait slowed, it is the legacy he wants to leave for his family, friends and city.

"Park coming to Riverbottoms." Provo Daily Herald (April 18, 2002).

"I'm delighted, of course," Howard Stutz said. He is a retired BYU botany professor who has planted 40 species of trees on his land and wanted to leave his legacy as open space. "If the council wouldn't have approved it, we wouldn't have gotten our dream," Mildred Stutz said.

Mystery Pictures 091219 - Ghosts of Christmas Past

Not much is know about these pictures, so any dates, stories, or additional information you can provide would be great. You can also send in other pictures for us to post.

This holiday shot with Grandma was featured in a previous mystery picture, but now it is cropped and has better color correction.


Angie, Lloyd, and lots of tinsel.


Susan, John, Ellen, Angie, and Lloyd.


Dave, Karla, Rob, and Stella. The picture had 1973 written on it, but I am guessing it is 1972. In either case, this is in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Does Santa hang a sheet at anyone else's house?


Rob, Karla, Dave, and Joe, circa 1975 and probably at Grandma and Grandpa's house in Provo, Utah.


Dave, Susan, and kids circa 1999.


UPDATE

Shari writes in the comments, "What a great castle. I remember that castle." Thanks for the memories, Shari!

I remember that castle well. It broke my arm when I was four. Because of that castle, my boys are not allowed to stand or to jump on furniture, lest they also break their arms. The boys like to joke about all they things they are not allowed to do because of injuries I received as a kid.

• No running on ice because they might slip and crack their heads like I did in second grade.
• No fake fighting or they might bloody each others' noses like, ahem, Dave did to me in second grade.
• No bursting through things when you cannot see what's on the other side or they might crack their heads like I did playing bullfighter with Dave in third grade. (I was the bull; go figure!)
  
• No throwing hard, non-toy objects at each other or they might cut their eyes open like, ahem, Shari did to me in fourth grade.
• No running through the house or they might break their toes like I did in fifth grade.
• No real fighting or they might chip their teeth like I did in seventh grade.
• No riding bikes without helmets -- and this also applies to skiing and skating, which I did not do growing up -- or they might crack their heads and break their thumbs like I did in eighth grade.
• No playing football or any other full-contact sport or they might tear their ACLs like I did in ninth grade.
• No throwing basketballs at each others' faces or they might break their noses like I did in tenth grade.
• No flag football or they might break their jaws like I did in twelfth grade.

There have been plenty of other injury lessons learned as an adult -- don't play squash with a bad ACL, stay aware of the lit vs. non-lit status of fireworks you are holding, when prying off old cabinets stand to the side, etc. -- but that would fill a book. Two things especially stand out as I look at the above list. First, I cannot imagine how much I cost my folks in medical bills as a kid (thanks Mom and Dad!). Second, I injured my head quite a bit. Here's to hoping my kids are less injury-prone than I am!

Holy Glee!

Grandma and Ellen seem to be happy at church, but what is with the long face, Susan?


Other than the names of the people in the picture, though, I know nothing else about it.

UPDATE

Susan comments, "I don't know why the sad face, but I do remember those dresses. Grandma made them (of course)." Thanks, Susan!

Mystery Picture 091208

This group shot has a whole bunch of people I do not recognize, except for Grandma and Grandpa. It is from a slide developed in October 1965.



The first picture can be clicked on to view a much larger image. The second, numbered picture can be clicked on to view a somewhat larger image. If you leave comments with the names of the people, we will fill in the numbered list as people are identified.

1 -
2 -
3 -
4 -
5 -
6 -
7 - Mildred
8 - Howard
9 -
10 -
11 -
12 - Earl Wright

UPDATE

John names number 12 and writes in the comments, "I don't know any of the others but the photo is taken in front of the Salt Lake City Temple." Thanks, John!

Mystery Picture 091205

Yesterday's mystery picture was too easy, so we decided to turn up the difficulty with today's picture. This is a group of Provo River swimmers from a slide developed in July 1964.



We see Grandma, who we named as number 6, as well as a little girl we recognize, who we did not name as number 5 because we're guessing someone else would really enjoy identifying her. And, yes, we hope to get the dog's name, too.

As with all these group pictures, the first picture can be clicked on to view a much larger image. The second, numbered picture can be clicked on to view a somewhat larger image. If you leave comments with the names of the people, GAP will fill in the numbered list as people are identified.

1 - Cookie?
2 - Clara
3 - Brent
4 - Russell
5 - Susan
6 - Mildred
7 - Sondra
8 - Aunt Gladys
9 - Lauryl
10 - John

UPDATE

Susan chimes in with some names and some guesses. Thanks, Susan!

John provides more names, including a suggestion to label number 7 as Sondra.

Since this is mostly Howard and Rowen's families, I would guess that #7 is Sondra rather than Angie since she is about Susan's age and I think #5 is Susan.

Thanks, John! I am going to put both names on number 7 for now with Sondra's first, and perhaps someone else will chime in.

James chimes in and confirms that number 7 is definitely not Angie.

I asked Angie about this picture. She was born in March 1964. If this picture was taken AND developed in July 1964 then it definitely isn't her, as she would too little. She also said that is probably isn't her because Lloyd isn't in it, and they were almost always together in pictures from back then.

Thanks, James! I am changing it to just Sondra ... for now.

Mystery Picture 091119

This picture, developed in September 1966, shows Bess Hess and Grandma in Zurich, Switzerland.


Who are Bess Hess? And, what were they doing in Switzerland?

UPDATE

Ellen comments and provides some context for this picture.

Bess Hess' husband, Wilford, taught at BYU in the botany department with Grandpa. On a trip that Grandpa took to Switzerland, Mom was able to fly over and join him for the summer. Bess and her husband were also in Switzerland going to school. They had a nice visit together.

Thanks, Ellen!

John's Missionary Farewell

I forgot to include these in the previous post, but GAP also has pictures from John's missionary farewell.


I am guessing these are from February 1977, because that was when the slides were developed, but I do not know the details. Does anyone have a good mission story to share (about John or anyone else)?

Karla recently posted some pictures of her husband, Brian, on his mission to Dearborn, Michigan, but omitted the details of just what, exactly, is going on with the dolls in the first picture.