THE THIRD FLIGHT FROM MY NATIVE LAND NOV. 1915
We had been there less than six weeks, when we learned villa was
planning a raid on Agua Prieta. We were just getting settled.
Parley had bought a flock of chicken and a bunch of weaned
pigs. He was cutting and hauling cane. Arthur was making the
Molasses. The Mexicans had hauled the first load in of husked
corn. The beans were about ripe, as also the squash etc, etc.
When Moroni Fenn drove into the yard about 2 P.M., to say that
the Villa's army was only miles away. We were supposed to have
been notified that A.M. Every one was leaving Douglas. What a
scramble! The molasses mill was miles away, Parley hailed a
passing native who took a note to Arthur. Moroni killed and
dressed a good sized hog and a chicken or two. The boys buried
various things, including a barrell of Molasses, leaving one in
the wagon. The wagon box was filled with loose wheat. As much
of our belongings as we could be were put in the other wagons
and we pulled out about 4 P.M. even before the teams from Morelos
proper reached our place. (4:12)
It was decided that Arthur should go on to Gila to visit his
mother, while Parley and Grace and Nellie stayed in Douglas
to see what happened. After the bombardment of Agua Prieta
stopped and the troops moved on, Parley left his family at
Ed Haymores and went back to Morlos alone. The sight of
desolation that he saw has been amply described in other
histories. He gave up any further ideas of Mexico under present
conditions and all returned to Benson (4:12)
THE RANCH 1915-1967
In the spring of 1915 Parley had previously rented what was
known as the Powers place and grubbed some mesquites and planted
a small portion to corn and potatoes. So upon reaching Benson area
"we camped in the center of the place, the sky our ceiling, the
ground our carpet! Ditch work was being done. It was now
Thanksgiving time. He procured a timber from Alvah Fenn which he
stretched our wagon cover with safety pins and a second large
canvas, we made our new home walled in the south end. I pieced
together sacks from the west side of our improvised tent. With
stakes and corn stalks the east side took form; but this invited
all the field mice and rats in the neigborhood. The gophers seemed
to think it their picnic ground. They tunneled through from the
nearby ditch making the dirt floor too damp.....(4:13)
Grace Jarvis Fenn
25 July 1888......24 Dec. 1967
by Daniel O. Jarvis
If, by definition, an Isrealite is one with unwavering faith in
the living God, Grace Jarvis Fenn may be called a true daughter
of the house of Isreal. If one may be called a pioneer who was
born in a crude cabin, has traveled weary miles on foot or in
wagon, has helped clear raw land and made home made soap, who,
by countless tasks, with others, laid the foundations for the many
blessings we enjoy today, then we may, with pride, call Aunt Grace
a real pioneer.
I'm sure many of us have pondered the roles played in the drama
of life and the casting of different personalities for the roles
they were to play. I picture a great grandfather calmly writing
the inspired words to "High on a Mountain Top", while journeying
along in a freight wagon across endless wastes. And I can feel a
great inner swelling, a humbling sort of thrill at the visions of
a grandmother torn between home, husband, security or a hazardous
crossing of the storm tossed deep to join the latter day gathering
of Israel.
I see this women, outwardly serene, sit at an organ and try a new
composition, the words of "Master the Tempest is Raging", to a
musical arrangement. I can surmise that the great tempest was
more truly in her own breast as she remembered the sacrifice in
forsaking all for the words of a prophet of the newly restored
church. The resulting turbulence came swelling up, perhaps, almost
to overwhelm and engulf her in a sea of terrifing emotion.
Oh! Heavenly Father, we thank thee this day for such ancestors,
and acknowledge before thee that thy daughter, Grace Fenn, is
one of these, a pioneer princess in thy royal house.
Indeed these are the builders, the patient, the sacrificing, the
self-denying, the uncomplaining. These are they whose endowments
of charachter combined great patience in trials with great courage
to face the tedious daily tasks essential to survival in a primative land.
The ingratitude that tends to accompany a veil of forgetfulness
seems to aflict us of a later generation and is matched by a
general apathy toward the struggle to perserve our heitage. In
our reverance this day, in tribute at the departure of another
noble pioneer, will you join me in rededcation to labor diligently
to perserve these two inseperable blessings, the restored gospel
of Jesus Christ and the freedom to proclaim it and live its principles.
Now may I reverently, though briefly, review for you some recorded
information concerning the life of sister Grace Fenn. She lived
79 years and 5 months less one day. Samuel Walter Jarvis was her
father. Shortly before his birth his parents, George and Ann
Prior Jarvis had recognized the truthfulness of the gospel
immediately upon hearing it preached and became members in England.
Coming to America, Samuel walked across the plains to Utah when 6
years of age. The family was called to settle in St. George.
Samuel grew up with meager education, rugged, self reliant, fearless.
Frances Godfrey Defriez was a well educated and refined English
girl of 18, small and gentle of disposition. She had just arrived
in St. George with her mother and little but few souveneers of
the prosperity voluntarily left. The marriage of these two
literally symbolized the joining of pioneer resourcefulness and
cultural refinement. It also explains, in part, the versatility
of character and range of interests their 6th child, Grace, exhibited.
Grace was born in the small moutain colony of Corrales, Chihuahua,
Mexico 25 July 1888. In all there were 12 children born to Samuel
and Frances. There were many moves, from a temporary cabin to a
wagon box camp site. Samuel contracted work on railroad and mines.
It was a harsh life, particularly for Grace's mother.
A short autobiography written in her own hand has let us know the
importance of education in her life. She named nearly every
teacher in her young life and mentioned that once she attended
school in a shelter made of cane walls and a sod roof. Split
logs served as desks and chairs. Education continued to be a
goal and she attended the academy at Colonia Juraez, Chihuahua.
During a period of much illness in the colonies Grace helped a
number of families in their need, an early example of lifelong
compassionate service.
Formal education completed, she taught school at Colonia Chuichupa,
for a year before the saints were evacuated from Mexico in 1912.
After about a year in Arizona a call was sent asking her to return
and teach in the colonies. This request was accepted but was
terminated shortly, something else was in the wind, for Grace had
met a fine young Latter Day Saint.
Grace Jarvis and Parley Fenn were married in the Salt Lake Temple
8 April 1915. Thus a new role was opened for this capable young
women of scholarly mind and compassionate heart. Within a few
short years this hard working couple developed a large farm from
mesquite land, struggling with an irrigation project from the
unpredictable San Pedro River.
But of more importance, seven children blessed this farm home at
Pomrene, Arizona. During these years all the joys and sorrows
common to pioneer life were known to this family. All the children
save one lived to raise families.
In her brief life story, Grace mentions two seperste occasions of
either coming home establishing a new home at christmas time. Now
what more appropriate time could there be for one to be returning home?
May I witness to you the convictions I feel at this time, though
solemn to us, that a most joyous homecoming and faily reunion
ocuured in the spirit world this christmas season. Father and
husband Parley is there and two children of this grand family.
As a final staement of tribute and to point to a characteristic
I believe she would most desire her growing posterity might
posses, I will share with you this excerpt from a statement
by her daughter Camilla Smith.
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"Mother was a person of great faith. Many is the time she
sat by the bed and held her hands on a fevered brow at
the same time uttering a silent prayer.
She always set a good example in all she undertook to do
and used the scriptures as her daily code of living. My
memory recalls her studying by kereosene light before the
children ever awakened in the morning and again at night
the lamp was still glowing through the window as we
returned home from MIA or school functions. Her Sunday
School lessons were always prepared with great care and
meditation and were not only a pleasure to listen to but
satisfying to the soul."
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That is a beautiful tribute from a daughter and shows this great
characteristic of unwavering faith. The closing lines from Evans
Stephens hymn. "Shall the Youth of Zion Falter?" seem especially
fitting as a response to what must have been her final wish,
"Faithful and true we will ever stand."
The Tempests and the storms are now at rest
Safely in the harbor her ship has come,
The turbulence, unguessed, that sometimes filled her breast
Is reconciled, old hurts are gone, Dear Grace is home.
As tears fill our eyes in remembering imperfections in ourselves,
may we look up. May we recall the message of the angelic host at
the birth of a babe in bethlehem, Peace on earth, good will
toward men. May this peace be yours. May you ever cherish the
memory of our departed loved one and when that day of reunion
and reconciliation comes, may our eyes be lifted up in joy.
A letter written by Grace September 24, 1918
Dear Aunt,
Owing to the scattered condition of the family we have held no
gathering this year.
Before Mother left for El Paso, in April she gave me $.60 to be
sent in as the dime fund for herself, Lehi, Joseph, Benjamin,
Ester, & Nellie. I did not send it then as I hoped to collect
from all but have failed to do so. Will lives some twelve miles
from here, I have only seen him three times this year & then
just for a few minutes, so that other thoughts crowded my mind &
I forgot to mintion about the donation to him. I have spoken
both to Pa & Pearl but neither handed me their amount so from
necessity can send very little. It seems to me that $.10 is a
very small amount but that is what I was told to collect. I asked
last year if that was all that was required; but recieved no answer.
Enclosed please find P.O. money order for $ 1.30. Parley Fenn -.25,
Grace Fenn -.25, Rey L. Fenn -.10, Olga Fenn -.10, Mother's - .60-- $1.30.
Olga was born Sept. 3rd 1918 at Pomerene, Arizona. Kindly fill in
the record as I have no blank.
This has been a very dry year so that farming on a homestead has
not been successful, but we have to live our time out whether or
not Parley has had land rented under the ditch, so we hope to make
good inspite of disadvantages.
I haven't heard from St. George for so long that I know nothing
of conditions there.
Love to All
Lovingly Grace
The following is a letter written
to Ella, from Grace June 25, 1944
Dear Cousin Ella,
I did appreciate your nice letter recieved some 6 mo ago & truly
expected to answer then. I began answering in order of receiving
messages but had less than half answered when other things claimed
my attention & to date have never got back to it.
Early in March I told my daughter I must write Mabel & send my family
membership dues, but alas tho I've kept it in mind that too has
gone the same, so I'm enclosing same to you. All living children
of Mother's family gathered at El Paso Texas for Sam's funeral
May 4, his death came after an illness of a matter of hours. The
Dr. pronounced it heat trouble. He died April 30th.
July 13 1944
I'm glad I had even written what I have. You will know I've at least
had good intentions.
Yours of the 8th just recieved & least I procrastinate again I'm
looking like the unkept farm women. I am & will not trust even
to taking time out to tidy my self.
The girls say "Mother how did you used to manage..." I guess I'm
gowing old... But actually I've never had more to do. My records
are in shameful condition in fact the are nought personally I've
never done research, But in hoping to futher Mother's line I
sent the Genealogical Society a check & as nothing could be done,
because of "Restricted Area", in England they switched to
Scotland to the McEwan line & have to date sent me I believe 29
one family group sheets on the [top of page missing, lost words]
has been worked up.
I sent another check & at last writing the society said it would
be 2 or 3 months before returns would be made, so I hope in that
way to have available some names.
Uncle Heber asked me about research at Mesa Temple, about the
time you wrote last. At that time I was expecting Viola home,
but her husband was not sent across & while she is with me now
she is looking "Stock"ward so is unable to help out. Upon
learning this I planned to have Camilla to to Mesa as soon as
school closed but emergencies presented themselves which has
failed that hope. Now I'm wondering what to do. Perhaps as our
society has found it necessary to ask us to respond (because
of neglect) I'd better send you the Miss Iengles(?) genealogist
& have her look into books there from England....
Lehi & Clare have a new boy born 8 Dec 1943, at Red Bluffs
California. Name Philip Mae Jarvis. Joseph & Minnie have had
changes in their family, their eldest daughter Josephine who
married 1st Alva Willis Jones 18 Mar 1938. Their daughter Barbara
Lezel Jones born 29 Jan. 1939---above parents divorced 8 Feb
1943. Her present husband is ____ Stacey, Married 8 Feb 1943 at
Alamo, Gordo, New Mexico.
2nd Daughter Wilma Jean Jarvis married J.M. Shepherd, 10 Feb 1940
at Los Cruses, New Mexico. Children Mary Shepherd, Bettie Jo
Shepherd 28 Sept 1942 at Medford, Oregon, Died 29 Sept 1942.
3rd Daughter Flora......(see dates and etc. on personal Rin numbers.)
We are very dry in this area at present. I Don't know what might
add that would be of interest.
With Love to all,
Grace
The following is a letter written by
Grace to Mabel March 25, 1947
Dear Mabel:
Here I've procrastinated til the last hour!!... I'm with you in
spirit today, if distance & circumstances do prohibit my presence.
I've kept your invitation in my mind, in the hope some twin of
affairs might bring about a rift & let me slip through.
Ranch people can't just "pick up" & leave nor even by putting in
extra hours, make a vacation possible at a desired time. It
requires that there must be some one to "carry on" in their
absence, a thing we haven't, None of our children have settled
around us. Camilla as you know is attending BYU & Eli is atending
[words missing] absent from early morn til almost night. We have
no near neighbors & no one we know of who could or would "take
over" for us, neither inside or out. So even with modern
transportation facilities we are still very much "home bound."
Then too Parley's health has been wavering for many months. He
still "puts in the day" but not as he used to do. He requires
almost double the rest & then moves about slowly. I've hoped
give up the ranch & farm life but to date he sees no alternative.
I'm sorry to learn of Briggs ill health, & hope it has improved.
I've wanted so to be at hte Temple there, with the group, perhaps
I'll yet have that privilege. I expected a visit, a week ago from
Hy & Fayne, something must have intervened or they found it
necessary to change plans. Like wise Rey & Fern thought they
would drive over from Los Angeles & present their girls, as we
haven't seen the baby.
Many recent changes are going on in and around this valley, for
instance the El Paso Natural Gas Co. are putting their lines
thru to L.A. also and under ground telephome & television
trans-continental line is being laid through. Health sukers[sic]
& people from the East are proving in taking up vacant lots etc..
Wells are being put down here & there in the hope of transforming
the [missing words] into production areas, at least making water
available for ranch purposes etc.
My time has slipped away all too soon. I must put breakfast on.
Enclosed find $5.00 I do not know who is the family secretary.
Please see that it reaches the proper person. I did not send
my dues in last year & maybe not the year before because I knew
of no activity.
Thanks for your picture.
Love to all, write whenever opportunity permits.
Affectionately,
Grace
From notes in the PAF (genealogy) file by Pearl Jarvis Augustus.