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Life History of Ruth Wilson Jarvis

Preface

This brief history of our mother, Ruth Bloomfield Wilson Jarvis, is the result of a promise I made to myself and to mother several years ago. I will tell you how it happened:

Wanting to visit Colonia Pacheco after a long absence, I arranged to ride up the mountain from Colonia Juarez with Melvin Turley. He was the president of the Pacheco Branch, the members of which were mostly native residents. Some members lived in Cave Valley and others in Rancho Willie. On horseback we visited some of those members.

Returning to Pacheco, I parted from Melvin to photograph Olla Cave. Afterward, I rode alone up the river toward Pacheco. Riding up the last short ridge, I suddenly came to the old Pacheco Cemetery. It was well fenced and overgrown with grass and shrubs. I tied up the mule I was riding and went inside this hallowed place.

There was only one grave that I was interested in, but would I be able to find it? I wondered if I could identify it after all these years. So many of the graves were sunken and the markers or stones were destroyed. I looked around in dismay. Perhaps I was too late.

Then I saw an old weathered board lying on the ground. Whitened with age, it had cracked and rotted off at the base and had fallen down. I turned it over. There was her name, Ruth B. W. Jarvis. Below her name was a barely legible inscription:

My sacrifice, Oh Lord accept,
Oh keep my family pure,
That they with me shall
Reunite and be with Thee.

I knelt there by mother's grave and wept. At that time I made a promise that I would never forget her and that I would show my love for her in a manner of which she would approve. The works that prove my love has, so far, been of little consequence. I feel that mother expects each of us to show our love for her by showing more love for each other. This history is an act of love and is especially written for those who never had the privilege of knowing our mother. This could also mean her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

It is a delightful experience to remember and to write. As we write, a shower of beautiful memories of parents, brothers and sisters is falling on us to freshen the emotional air we breathe and is keeping nostalgic forget-me-nots from wilting.

AN ERRAND OF MERCY

Across the wintry plain that stretched for miles, a high-spirited horse raced with a buggy carrying two figures. One was a short, self-assured young man, the other, a middle aged woman whose face plainly showed a stern self-discipline. She was a nurse. The man, though young, was skilled in the rigors of frontier living. Both leaned their heads with determination into the chill wind, intent on their errand.

Neither would think of turning back in spite of a biting blizzard that began to lash their faces with ice and caused the horse to labor heavily and stumble as snowdrifts covered the rough, unimproved road. They were on an errand of mercy. A young mother lay desperately ill in a small mountain village hours away.

Childbirth took a terrible toll on mothers in those days. This young mother had given birth to twin boys less than three weeks before. She had not regained her strength and was becoming weaker by the day. In final desperation, her husband had sent to the valley for the best medical help available. This was the woman in the buggy. Her name was Laura Mecham. The young mother who lay ill was our mother, Ruth Wilson Jarvis.

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Life History -- by Daniel

Our mother Ruth was born in Colonia Diaz, Chihuahua, Mexico. She was the baby in a family of 11 children. She felt the love and companionship of older brothers and sisters. She loved and admired them and they in turn lavished on her their love and attention.

The earliest photograph of our mother shows her in a family group picture at about 5 or 6 years of age. Her arms are folded. She appears attentive, serious. Everyone in the photograph appears serious. Mother's brother Benjamin wrote to us in a letter before his death that our mother was a mature child for her age. From the age of four she was helpful and capable of household duties.

Front Row (L to R) Rose, David Johnson Wilson, Ruth B., Julia Didamia Johnson Wilson, M.Harriet (back), Gladys, Pearl Melissa Wilson Brown, Baby Pearl (on lap)
Back Row (L to R) Esther, G. Benjamin, Mary Ellen (Mazie) Wilson Cluff, baby LeRoy, O. LeRoy Cluff, Miriam Adelia Cox (2nd wife of David Johnson Wilson), Olive Merrill Wilson, David Johnson Wilson Jr.

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The Early Life of My Sister Ruth
By Esther Lewis (and Harriet Webb)

Esther writes, It was on the morning of Dec. 3, 1890, that we children were awakened with the glad news that we had a little baby sister. It was a total surprise to most of us because expectant mothers in those days were so modest they did not dare tell a soul except maybe the daddy and the midwife, a few days before the baby arrived.

Harriet says that Grandfather Benjamin Franklin Johnson used to toss Ruth up lovingly and say, 1 could shake you all to smithereens. She said also that when Ruth was four our father sold our big home and purchased a large peach orchard, so we were rather camping while building another home. After breakfast one morning all the family left for their duties so Ruth assumed the responsibility of clearing up the table and washing the dishes, which she did perfectly without being asked. She was always helpful and sweet.

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Memories of Ruth
By her brother Benjamin Wilson

On March 26, 1963, Uncle Benjamin Wilson wrote in a letter to his sisters Esther, Harriet and Tennie (Sarah Centenna), the following: Ruth was the baby girl, yet she was not spoiled, she mothered her doll and was a great mother herself, giving her life in childbirth. Her motto: I fear to give way to anger or jealousy lest they overpower me.

Uncle Ben Wilson adds, A fond recollection of our dear sister Ruth and her life, impressed upon my mind, and much joy has been a dded to my life from the beautiful life she lived. It was I who broadcast the news of her arrival. It was not by phone or radio but by bare feet and fleet.

She was pretty and got prettier... Uncle Ben continues. She never let her beauty interfere with her loving disposition. As she got more mature she said, I sometimes get stirred in my feelings, but dare not lose my self control. By such resolutions she retained her charming personality to the last. She has been a great pattern for all who knew her. I never knew her to quarrel with anyone or say unkind words to anyone and was a comfort and blessing to our aging father and mother to the last.

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AN ERRAND OF MERCY
(Continued)

As the darkness fell the horse stumbled more often and the buggy wheels struck large rocks concealed by the snow and the blackness of the night. After crossing the flat, the grade became steeper, the road narrower and rougher. It was a long grade that had been cut from the steep mountainside. It led to a pass at the top where the road then followed ridges and arroyos to finally end in a pleasant mountain valley known as the Corrales Basin. Colonia Pacheco is located on the north side of this mountain basin and Corrales on the south end less than two miles apart.

To lighten the load of the straining horse, the young driver handed the reins to the nurse and he jumped out, following the buggy on foot. The name of the young man was Dave Haws. We knew him in later years as a good friend and neighbor. He was always willing to help, to serve in time of need. We did not know of his role in helping the nurse get to our mother until years later in Mesa, Arizona.

At the pass, Clarence Lunt, the bishop of Pacheco Ward, and some others were waiting with saddle horses warming themselves by a big fire. A horse was also waiting for Laura Mecham, the nurse. After a quick greeting and without stopping to warm herself, she asked which of the horses she was to ride. Her parting comment was, While I stop to warm myself a few minutes, a sister may lose her life. Calling back to Dave Haws she counseled, If you're not going back right away, be sure to cover the horse with a blanket.

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Life History - by Daniel (continued)

Most of the colonists were poor and had to work hard. With the simplest tools, these pioneers accomplished the difficult task of building fine homes, schools and churches, as well as irrigation systems, orchards and gardens. There was much to attract and hold these people to their towns. It was a rewarding way of life.

Our mother, Ruth Wilson, matured to become a person loved and respected by those who knew her. She was refined through self-discipline and self-accepting because of strict obedience to principle.

We have no photographs or word descriptions of mother during her early teens. Uncle Ben mentions in the letter how quickly she matured. She was soon joining the social activities of the young adults in the community. Uncle Ben says that he matured very slowly and was, as a result, in the same social group as mother even though he was ten years older than she was.

It was decided for the family to move from Colonia Diaz to the Sonora Colonies, which were much warmer. They first moved to Colonia Oaxaca. It was about 1896 or 1897. It appears that from Oaxaca they moved to Colonia Morelos, which is 20 or 25 miles north and downstream from Oaxaca.

Father says that Ruth, our mother, was about 12 years old when her family moved to Morelos. Father was 19 at the time. Dad was a musician, playing the mandolin and fiddle for dances and mother had come from a home where music appreciation was fostered. In spite of the seven years difference in their ages they were drawn toward each other.

When Ruth was 16 she asked Will Jarvis take her to a New Year's party or dance. If the young man refused he was supposed to buy her a new dress, so the saying went. He accepted.

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Excerpts from Highlights of My Life
By William Heber Jarvis Sr. - dated 1946

It came leap year in 1906. The young folks were kidding each other. There was a saying that if a girl asked a boy to go with her and he turned her down he had to buy her a new dress, some say a silk dress. Ruth B. Wilson asked me to go with her. Rather than buy her a dress I said yes. We went together for seven or eight months. I fell in love with her. It seemed we were meant for each other and as if by magic we were led to the happy life we had together. I went to her parents for their consent which they gave happily.

From another more detailed personal history of our father he writes: It was at Morelos where a wonderful young lady became the apple of my eye. After a short courtship we decided we would take the big chance for better or worse. We saved and planned for our honeymoon trip, which we started in August of 1907. Leaving by team and wagon we went to Douglas, Arizona, we then took a passenger train for Los Angeles.

(An incident occurred while Dad and mother were in Los Angeles. They had not yet been married and each had a separate room in the hotel. Having been raised with nothing but kerosene lamps, mother blew the gas light out in her room. Later someone in the hotel smelled the gas and came in and turned it off and then opened a window. This probably saved her life.)

We then obtained our marriage license and were civilly married by a minister of the gospel, Reverend A. W. Erwin. Going from there by train to Moapa, Nevada, we took passage on a light wagon to Littlefield, Arizona. From there we went to St. George by team and wagon where we had a soft thing of it, as in the wagon was some freshly harvested cotton for us to ride on. We found the ride hot s love in August and in a very hot climate. The lad who was our teamster told us after we had traveled a few miles that he had counted the times we had kissed. We had kissed seventy-six times according to the young teamster. We must have been silly over each other.

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Life History - by Daniel (continued)

Among the few documents that have survived in our family since the death of our mother is a small piece of school notebook paper with the signed consent statement given to father by mother's mother, Julia. It reads: Colonia Morelos, Mexico, July 29, 1907, This is to certify that I Julia Wilson mother of Ruth Wilson give my daughter to William Jarvis to wife with consent of her father. Julia D. Wilson.

Arriving in St. George they were sealed by President David H. Cannon, 28th of August 1907. While they were in St. George Father's grandfather, George Jarvis, who was a patriarch, gave mother her patriarchal blessing. It is a beautiful and prophetic blessing. Some of the promises made to her seem to have fit her life experiences very well. She is certainly the mother of a great posterity.

After they were married, they went back to Morelos to start life. These must have been happy times for mother and father. They felt secure in their colony. It was isolated from corrupting influences and things looked hopeful for the economy of the people. Our parents had very little in the way of material possessions but father was a hard worker and mother did not have her heart set on the things of the world. Her highest values were spiritual values.

A round tintype photo in 1919 shows Ruth with their first baby William (Bill) born Dec. 18, 1908.

Our next photograph is their first family picture. Mother is standing; father is seated holding their first baby boy, William Jr. The photograph shows a striking young woman of slender build and fine features. She has dark, deep-set eyes and dark hair. Her general build and facial features show a resemblance to her mother, Julia Didamia Johnson Wilson.

Some two years later on December 28, 1910, a little girl came to make them very happy and they named her Ruth Lenora. Father had obtained a small piece of land from the Morelos Land Company and began to clear it, fence it and make an irrigation ditch by which to irrigate it. He built what he called a stockade.

In 1911, when little Willie was three years old, he became seriously ill. What he had is not mentioned. It was necessary to go to the States for medical help. They sold the developed land and went to Thatcher, Arizona for medical help where Ruth's sister, Esther Lewis, was living.

From Thatcher, Arizona, they went to Kirtland, New Mexico for work or to visit relatives. In February of 1912, they were in Mesa, AZ where father worked for a time as a muleskinner or helper for a freighter who hauled supplies to the newly completed Roosevelt dam. In Mesa, they visited relatives, including Ruth's mother. But their hearts were still in Colonia Morelos where they had been so very happy. In March 1912, they returned to Morelos.

Then came the Madero Revolution in Mexico. The colonists were told to leave their homes in Mexico. This was a major event in their lives. Most would never return because conditions were too unsettled in Mexico. Our father and his father Samuel W. Jarvis apparently were willing to remain close to the Mexican border in order to facilitate their return to their homes when they could do so.

Mother and father were to remain near Benson, Arizona for the next 7 or 8 years. It is during this period of their lives that the older children in our family have memories of how we lived. Father gives the best information about how and where we settled in his life history.

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Excerpts from Highlights of My Life
By William Heber Jarvis Sr. - dated 1946 (continued)

In 1912 came the Madero revolution. My father and I went to St. David, Arizona (near Benson). In the later part of 1912 we took up a homestead at what we later named Miramonte. This is about 7 miles west of Benson. I worked on the railroad at times to get a little grubstake. Then I would go to the homestead to do some clearing and fencing and made a small shack and corral. I got permission to milk a cow from a Mr. Treet, manager of the Boquillas Cattle Co., who later bought my homestead.

While on this place I took honey from the oak trees. I caught the bees and had 27 stands to sell when we moved to El Paso in 1918. While at Miramonte, I dug stumps from the hillside, split them into cordwood, (cord of firewood) took it to Benson and helped in that way to pay bills.

I was second counselor to the Presiding Elder R. L. McCall for about four years. I had charge of the construction of our church house. I dug a well in the granite ledge formation with a pick and shovel and bar. I would knock the ledge loose with a bar, then go down a ladder, fill a bucket, climb out and pull up the bucket of rock. The water seeped into the well very slowly. Neighbors would come with barrels in their wagons for their home use. Sometimes my stock would wait until the next day for a drink.

Mother gave birth to a baby boy named Raphael on March 3, 1913 in Benson and two years later another boy, named David Leroy, was born on March 29, 1915 in Benson. Then on July 3, 1917, another son was born on the homestead at Miramonte. He was given the name of Daniel Oriah.

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Excerpts from I Remember Mother
By daughter Ruth Lenora Jarvis

Sundays were always a special day. We had to bathe good on Saturday and dad would hitch up the horse Sunday A.M. and we went to Benson to church. We were a very humble family with great love and respect for God and each other. It was there that I came to believe that there were no better people on earth than we were because we loved God and each other. My heart was so full of love for mother that when she cut her hand and it turned to blood poisoning and I heard her cry I went outside, so she could not hear me, and sat under the buggy to cry with great heartbreak, so that my tears would not add grief to the pain my wonderful mother had that day. Somehow the poisoning subsided and soon dad was playing Redwing on the mandolin again. One day dad said to mother, If you will learn to play Redwing, I will give my mandolin to you. Mother did learn it and he gave the music maker to her.

Dad worked very hard at farming and was proud of the cane he raised, the tallest ever. We had all of the good things to eat and I know that we always had plenty of it.

One day mother fainted and Bill and I ran for father. Dad said, Oh, her time must be here. I was afraid he meant she might die now. I was frightened until he explained there was to be a baby, and we were all hustled off again. Then I remember a baby who was very weak and mother anxiously watching over baby Danny, and mother saying, He is so little and weak and special care and food she would give to make him strong. Danny was a special baby to mother and she kept a special vigil over him and it soon caught on and we all did likewise and I still remember his frail little body which I was afraid would break if I loved him too hard.

Dad kept working long and hard and one day a storm, a heavy wind storm, lifted a sheet of tin dad had on the barn roof with a heavy boulder on it to hold it down, and the wind sailed it down and it landed on dad’s back, nearly killing him.

I remember mostly mother wearing high-necked blouses and long black skirts. She was a slim woman with big black eyes and beautiful black hair, slim hands and one little finger that would not open fully out because of the case of blood poisoning she had.”

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Memories - By son William (Bill) H. Jarvis, Jr.

One Sunday we all loaded into the wagon and went to church. The door to our small home was locked by hooking a wire over a nail from the outside, so it wasn’t very secure. While we were gone some neighborhood boys who were not in church went wandering around. They visited a number of homes and ours also. It was no trouble to break in.

They ate a few of the goodies that mother had planned for our Sunday dinner and left but they didn’t close the door and wire it good because ole Dazey, our pet cow, managed to go in. The door opened to the inside and when she got in she bumped the door and it closed shut so she was unable to get out again.

When we arrived home mother went to the door while dad went to unhitch the team and put them out to grass. She was surprised because the door wasn’t wired, but she didn’t think much of it at the time. She just supposed that we had forgotten to hook the wire or hadn’t wired it good enough. But when she pushed the door open and stepped into the shadowy interior, she looked and saw Dazey staring at her as her eyes adjusted to the shade.

Dazey had long horns that spread out something like a Texas Longhorn, only not quite so long. Mother was so startled and shocked at seeing Dazey standing there staring at her that she screamed and then she fainted and fell right on Dazey’s horns. Dad, hearing her, came running and found her there leaning on the horns of old Dazey. Dazey was just standing there holding her up until dad came and took over. So dad carried her outside and sat her down in the shade and pretty soon she was all right. With the door now open Dazey wandered out with the Sunday dinner in her stomach, including the bread, potatoes, carrots and other things. There was a mess to clean up on the floor as Dazey had been there for some time.

Mother never seemed to lack for something to keep her busy. One of the things was sewing on her White peddle sewing machine (White Sewing Machine Co) making clothes for her little family. Mother made a lot of soup, consisting of vegetables raised in our garden cut up into a kettle with a bone and a little meat and some rice. The soup was very good.

To do the laundry she would draw the water from the well and carry it about 100 yards, then heat it in a five gallon can balanced on some rocks with a wood fire under it. The black can blackened her fingers when she lifted it up to pour the water in the tub where she would put in home-made soap cut into small chips, and make sure they were dissolved before she put in the clothes. The tub rested on a homemade wooden bench waist high, then she put the clothes in the sudsy water and rubbed them on the rubbing board until clean and then rinse, ring out by hand, and hang out to dry. It took all day to wash.

Mother cooked on a small cast iron wood stove. The stove also served to heat the home when necessary. The oven would accept three loaves of bread and it nearly always burned on top. We had little milk in those days and even the black crust on the bread could not be wasted. Some claimed it would sweeten the stomach and was good for the teeth. The main use for the burned crust was for making a beverage, crust coffee. It was made by boiling the black crust for about a half an hour in a teakettle.

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Memories of Our Mother
By son Raphael (Ray) – 1997 (continued)

Even I, Ray, at five years old had to help do some of the work (at Miramonte) like getting water from the well that Papa had dug 100 yards away. I carried a large lard bucket of water and even that wasn’t real easy to do. But Mama had to depend on me to get her enough water for the house use for cooking and washing. Mama had a lot of hard work doing the laundry. I remember how she stood by that big old tub rubbing - up and down went her arms until quite a bunch of dresses for Lenora, shirts for Bill, both had to go to school, also a dress for her along with Dad’s long jons.

I was told by Mama to keep the fire going under the funny shaped boiler tub and add water when it got too low from boiling away the water, so the washing always looked nice cause Mama worked so hard to keep us all clean to look like we had a little pride in our selves.

Although Mama had a hard day at the rub board she went in after hanging the clothes out and instead of resting she started a fire in the cook stove and made some tomato gravy, at the same time toasting some homemade bread to crumb up and have a very good lunch of that and I don’t ever remember of going hungry very long except when we all went up on the hills to pick up acorns under the oak trees.

At that time I wasn’t old enough to go to school and Mama told Lenora to show me how to read a book from school and when Bill was done getting in the wood and dumping the wash water, he also helped sister Lenora get the clothes in, some of them off the grape vine hanger wire.

Mama would say, Now while you’re resting, Willie, you can take a turn helping David so he won’t spill his cup of milk, and Ray could also use some more phonics whatever that was.

That weekend Papa came home from the railroad job and then it was hustle and bustle to get ready to go to the Church/School house, where Papa had to play the mandolin for the band. Well the part I liked when we finally got there was hearing the tuning of the fiddle and mandolin, then the music was really to my liking, and when it was cold Mama always brought a quilt I could wrap up in and just lie down on one of these long benches and enjoy that dance music till I’d go to sleep. Some time in the night, Mama had Willie wake me to be out to the wagon to go home.

Saturday was a special day, “Get washed up Willie and see that Ray is too”, Papa said, “Your Mama wants me to take her to Pomerene -- we’ll go to church with Uncle Parley and Aunt Grace, they’re having a big meeting called Conference.”

Mama’s character was very spiritual pure in speech and clean physically more than other women of her time. She was strong physically to the extent she had a great amount of endurance, shown by her continuous efforts caring for the family members.

Mother was a very loving person and did not rile easily and when she did it stayed under control of composure. Mama had a very charitable heart and would give more than asked for in substance and her time. Mama and Papa had such good mental relations there were practically no big surprises or sudden demands to deal with except in the health experiences when someone in the family became ill.

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Life History - by Daniel (continued)

The years at Miramonte were not prosperous years for father and mother so far as income or crops were concerned. But the saints were at least united enough to build a small adobe church and school house. Father was second counselor to Robert L. McCall who was the branch president. He tells of having seven widely scattered families to visit as a ward teacher. With quite a number of people having taken up homesteads, there the membership in the branch was sufficient for enjoyable socials and to carry on the normal activities of the church.

Mother received word that her mother, Julia, was quite sick so she left the children with Will to take care of except little Dan (13 months) and she went to Mesa to be with her mother. Grandmother Wilson was very ill. Mother had a difficult time trying to help her mother because little Danny was fussy and any noise was disturbing to grandmother. Ruth wrote her sister, Esther, a letter dated August 6, 1918. She thanked Esther for some money she had sent her and said. “I am going home, I don’t know when. I think Emma is going to come and stay with mother. I sure don’t like to leave her but I can’t stay away from the children much longer. Ma can get around in the house a little but it is hard for her to get up and down.”

Conditions had, by this time, improved considerably in the colonies. Word had been sent out quite some time previously that those who wished to return to their homes in Mexico could do so in safety. Apparently not a great many wished to return. Our parents and Grandpa Samuel W. Jarvis did want to return but needed the resources. The way would soon open.

In Miramonte several families had looked for a place to survive until they could return to Mexico. That they found in Miramonte and more; they proved all over again, that when they worked unitedly for the common good they could provide for their families and learn valuable skills in the process.

I had passed very close to the Miramonte town site many times in my travels through the years, but had never stopped to find our old homestead. Then in 1979, our brother Bill, acting as guide introduced us to some folks that had lived there since the Miramonte days. They remembered our mother Ruth and the good times, the dances and visiting house to house. We were simply thrilled to see our old home site and for me a special joy to see the place where I was born. There were pieces of broken dishes, and other pieces there of our lives symbolized by rusted tin and enamel ware, and various things to show that someone had lived on the site. A stump of the porch post still remains. (Still there in 2010)

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Excerpts from Highlights of My Life
By William Heber Jarvis Sr. - dated 1946

In the fall of 1918, after proving up on my homestead, I sold to the Boquillas Land & Cattle Co. for $1,600, with which I paid all debts leaving us $1,200 with which we bought a few cows, a team of mules, an old laundry wagon etc, to move to El Paso, Texas. I chartered a railroad car and as my father was moving also, he too chartered two cars for his stock and household goods. We lived at Clint, Texas, just down the Rio Grande River a few miles from El Paso, until we decided to move back to Mexico. I worked on a survey party, farmed a few acres of land, milked a few cows, saved a little money, bought a used car, paid it out and still had a couple of bucks.

(This was the most prosperous time our family ever knew while mother lived. It was about this time that the family group photograph was taken)

Father continues, Then on the 25 of Sept. (1919) a cute little red headed baby came along, and we kept him and never was sorry. (They named him Alma Grant Jarvis.)

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Excerpts from I Remember Mother
By daughter Ruth Lenora Jarvis (continued)

There were vaccinations and passport pictures because we were moving to old Mexico and back to the place dad had lived as a lad. Dad had lots of tales to tell about the country of his boyhood. Tall tales about the wolf that chased him and he ran so fast his feet didn’t touch the ground. It all fascinated us. We were in Clint but a short time when Alma was born, but even with the new baby, mother spent many hours taking care of Danny, always saying, I hope he lives, he is so weak.

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Excerpts from Highlights of My Life
By William Heber Jarvis Sr. - dated 1946 (continued)

Then came the time to make up our minds to move to some place where we could have our children attend Primary and Sunday school, so as at other times, we asked in faith for guidance, and received the same. (In a dream) I saw us going in a southern direction quite swiftly between two rows of corn about 18 inches high. Then after traveling 6 or 8 miles we turned more westward for a short way and then turned more southwest; and I went to figuring the meaning of the dream. The meaning opened up to my mind in a flash. The two rows of corn represented the railroad track. The directions fit, the exact directions and turns of the railroad track, so I knew the way we were to move. And it happened that as we left Ciudad Juarez, the green straight rows of corn paralleled the railroad, the same height as it was shown to me, thanks to my dear Lord.

We moved to Mexico in May of 1920. We stopped at Guadalupe where at the time; by brother Lehi and my sister Clementine & Helaman Judd were living. I planted some beans here. Now the account of going to Chuichupa: My wife Ruth and I had made application to purchase land in Chuichupa, and yet something seemed to say it wasn't right to go to Chupe, and the urge was strong to go.

We again asked for divine guidance and the same night I was awakened about 3:00 A.M. by an audible voice that said, Pacheco. I knew in an instant the meaning, that we were to go to Pacheco instead of Chuichupa. The feeling of doubt left me, as also Ruth, feeling very happy and much relieved of our feeling of doubt, thanks to our greatest friend.

We were given such a very warm welcome by the people who lived in Pacheco. Everything went fine for about two years.

Ruth was a very quiet and unassuming person. She had seven years of schooling. She was a good housekeeper and fine with children. She had a lovely disposition. She never spoke ill of her neighbors, a sunny sweet nature. She had a very pretty voice, but never had a chance to develop her talents. She was a counselor in the Relief Society in Colonia Pacheco.

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Memories of Our Mother
By son Raphael (Ray) – 1997 (continued)

It seemed to me Mama was always packing clothes to move somewhere and when we were getting ready to move to the Sam Jarvis Sr.'s ranch at Guadalupe, Chihuahua. There were large boxes and more of them, and from the expression I saw on her face it appeared she was really feeling pooped out.

In Ciudad Juarez where we had to be inspected Mama kept a very close vigil of our belongings and stood a lot of the time watching and caring for the brothers and sister while (Dad) Papa was seeing to the loading of our belongings on the Noroeste Train which would take us to Casa Grande, Chihuahua.

At Grandpa's ranch Mama had to spend a lot of time helping with the house work so Papa's half sister Aunt Pearl and Grandmother (Frances) Jarvis kinda took me over and also Uncle Lee showed me how to play the accordion, Grandma the organ, and Aunt Pearl just buddied up with me and I was happy even tho Mama seemed a little occupied and spent most of her time with the baby Alma Grant.

At Pacheco we had to live off the land some until Papa could raise crops. Mama learned to use herbs as a girl and was no stranger to picking Quelette (Lambs Quarter) pot herb for greens and she made them taste very good. {Ed. Note: When I was growing up in Iowa in the 1940s & '50s, we enjoyed them regularly in the spring and early summer. --Mark Jarvis]

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Son Dave Remembered a Special Poem

Aunt Elsie Jarvis and our cousin Nora shared a memory about Uncle Dave. When Dave and Elsie and their family were living in Toquepala, Peru, Dave was serving as the Branch President and was speaking in a Mother's Day program. He quoted a certain poem that his mother had taught him. Dave was only 6 when his mother died, but he remembered this particular poem and had memorized it. Aunt Elsie and Nora did not remember the poem - perhaps someone may remember sometime so we could know the poems she loved.

Aunt Elsie and Nora remembered that when Uncle Dave told this poem in the Mother's Day program, he cried, which Uncle Dave did not do very often – especially in public. It must have been a very meaningful poem, which brought back tender feelings as he remembered his mother.

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Excerpts from I Remember Mother
By daughter Ruth Lenora Jarvis (conclusion)

In Mexico there was the swimming pond, school and the orchard. When we arrived the neighbors brought food and friendship and welcomed us and we belonged. By this time Ray (Raphael) was showing wonderful musical talent. He played the organ for the dances and could hardly reach the pedals. He also could draw very well. Dad said I was growing into a young lady or showing promise of becoming one. Mother would clean the house so clean and so sweet and clean it was. She also made porridge and she cooked very well.

Bill was my big brother and always took me everywhere with him. I looked to him with awe and respect. I told him all of my secrets and took my problems to Bill. To this day I do not remember that Bill and I have ever had an argument or bad feelings between us. I still love him that same way.

Mother had a rocking chair. It was not a large one but she sat in it holding her baby and when I came home from school everyday I would see our neat and clean mother sitting by the door watching for me, holding a baby in her arms and that was much more important than school or anything else.

There were times when I cried because I hated to go any place if she was not there. I still recall my very strong love for mother. She had a very magnetic personality and many people later told me of her wonderful personality and how good she always was.

Just before Ervin and Ike were born she had a lot of discomfort and as she stood before the fireplace, her arm on the mantle, she put her head on her arm and said, ‘If I get any fuller, I just think I’ll bust.’ I remember thinking how neat mother looked, her hair all sleek in a bun, her nose straight and her eyes bright. I was old enough then to know about babies and I thought, I will be glad when the baby comes so mama will be more active and comfortable.

Christmas was over and dad had to go to Dublan and suddenly there was great excitement in our house. We had to get sister Kartchner. All the children had to go to bed again. There were moans from the room where mother was and we were afraid because father wasn’t there. Then more ladies, hot towels, hot water, fire and firewood. Then it was over and they told us we could come in and see mother and she had twin babies. Born January 9, 1922, named Moses Ervin and Isaac Albert Jarvis, making eight living children; Willie had just turned 13, Ruth Lenora just turned 11, Raphael 8, David 6, Daniel 4, Alma 2 and the twins.]

We were a large family and watched anxiously for daddy. He finally came and we cried out to him, Mama has twins, Mama has twins. And he bounded up the steps to reach his loving wife, the woman who never complained and like Bill (my brother) and I, they (our parents) never had (harsh) words or hard feelings. It was a perfect relationship for dad and mother.

Three days later mother sat up and I rushed to her and asked how she felt and her reply made me very crestfallen. It was this, I don’t feel very good and I don’t know if I will ever get up again or not. Seven days later mother was still ill and father was getting worried. Two days later I heard father trying to calm both his infant sons. He was holding them both in his arms. Mother was moaning and very sick. Dad was saying, Oh Dear!

My bed was in the same room and I could no longer lie still and be quiet as he had commanded me to do, so I raised up and said, Daddy can’t I do something to help? and he said, Yes, go and get sister Kartchner. I couldn’t move fast enough because I sensed something was terribly wrong. I was afraid our mother would die because she seemed to know it from the first and I knew it too.

I raced as fast as I could to the Kartchner home and was told that she was at the school house, so I ran there. It was dark but I ran crying and frightened past a dogfight but I had no fear for myself. I ran hard and fast, crashed into the party room or meeting being held and asked for sister Kartchner. My mother is dying, I cried, and soon there were many women soothing me, and all coming to our home. After the women came from the church, I recalled noticing my dress being wrong side out, shoes on the wrong feet and I was in a public place and mother had taught me to be neat.

Mother had gone into a coma and was no longer conscious except for one time, only minutes. This lasted three days and suddenly there was an urgent call for us. Bill and I made it first and we were told that our mother was dying. I suddenly felt numb with fright. Father was frantic and crying and then mother lay still and we knew she had died.

I knelt before the door, holding on to the knob, crying and sobbing, and a gentle woman’s voice said, “Don’t cry honey, we will all be a mother to you.” And it was music to the pain and I went to see how father and the twins were and pressed my hands to mother’s face.

The face I loved so much was so cold, and my family, my wonderful family was in such a sudden and strange shock. I only remember my own loss and that of father and how he said, “I don’t think I will live very long now.” And then the voice that had soothed me said, What in the world is poor Will going to do with all those children? And I realized that the kindness was not there, only words, empty words. I no longer looked to the women for care for myself, but set out to care for my brothers.

The following morning there was a dead wolf where the dogs were fighting. This got little notice in the face of our tragedy, but I do recall thinking of the wolf and me being so close to it and alone. We were soon scattered out among different families. While others went about the task of burying mother I stayed at sister Ida Kartchners and helped care for the twins there.

I don’t know exactly where everyone else was in the next few weeks, but as I was sitting before the fireplace I considered what I wanted most, to keep my mother close to me, and I suddenly knew it was a lock of her hair to pin in my own. I wore her hair for 12 years until it was no longer hair, and I burned what was the last of it and prayed as I did so. No one ever knew of this for I told no one, not even of wearing her hair.

I was so hurt by all of this that I set about turning my mind away from the people who wondered what poor Will would do with all those children. Ray remembered much more about the people. I guess I just did not care anymore, and I felt no remorse about that, not even tonight as I write it. Our father really lost so much more. She was his very life, and I have always known he tried to take her place to me and to the others, but fathers are fathers and not mothers and no one has ever come a close second to be in her place.

This may not be a very good description but she was a gentle woman and always there in the whole place and while there, she was our world, our guide; just mother. She simply overshadowed everything. I love my family very dearly.
Your sister, Ruth Lenora

(From Ruth Lenora and Bill Jr. Reminisce in 1981 - Ruth Lenora and Bill remembered that the wonderful two-story Pacheco Church building, also used for the school, burned near the time that their mother died. It may have been a few days before she died, maybe even the same night that Ruth Lenora ran to get help. One source I have read said that some did not want Ruth to see the burning church – just two blocks from their home – but when she did, she simply said, We can build another Church.)

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AN ERRAND OF MERCY
(Conclusion)

Leaving the campfire to Dave Haws, Bishop Clarence Lunt and the other men mounted their horses and hurried after Laura Mecham. This nurse fully realized the urgency of their errand. Maybe it would be too late, but then, maybe it wouldn’t be. She had to complete this errand. She must give aid if there was anything she could do.

We have no written account of Laura Mecham reaching our mother in Colonia Pacheco. We can assume that if there was anything she could do that it was done. It was too late to save our mother. And we cannot be sure of the result had she arrived earlier. May we as a family be forever grateful for the effort, for the sacrifice that was made in mother’s behalf.

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Excerpts from Highlights of My Life
By William Heber Jarvis Sr. - dated 1946 (Conclusion)

Soon after Ruth’s death my children were sent into different homes which in most cases didn’t prove satisfactory; a good thing to avoid doing if possible. In late 1923 I moved to Juarez with two or three of the children, at times went to the US to get work: at times moved the children from one home to another.

Then came the time when I thought best to find another mother for my lovely children. I sought for divine aid and direction. The Lord knew the sincerity of my prayers and gave me direct answers and directions. I was absolutely sure it came from a divine source. So I followed direction which resulted in my taking Ella Wall to be my wife, and the new mother of my children, which proved to be a great boone and much help to my children and myself. So I can say, the Lord knows best and if his children are living upright lives, the Lord will help all who are worthy of His help and guidance. Which testimony I leave to my descendents in all sincerity. (William and Ella were married Sept. 24, 1925) (Ella was born Sept. 5, 1885)

We gathered most of the children around us and commenced life anew. (Dan remembers listening to their prized phonograph, memorizing all the songs, and of the lasting and beautiful impression of Ella telling stories at night there by the fireplace.) (At one time Ray wrote a song titled “Darling Other Mother of Mine” showing his appreciation to Ella)

Mary and Amy came and gave additional joys and blessings. Thanks be to God for them and all my children. They are wonderful and we love them all. (Mary was born on Mar. 27, 1927 and Amy was born Mar. 3, 1929)

Children of William H. Jarvis 1971

(L to R - Youngest to Oldest)

Amy, Mary, Ike, Ervin, Alma, Dan, Dave, Ray, Ruth, and Bill

Back: Dave, Dan, Amy, Alma, Ervin, Ike

Front: Bill, Ruth, Mary, Ray

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Danelle writes:
The original history A Brief History of Ruth Bloomfield Wilson Jarvis was written by my father, Daniel Oriah Jarvis, in 1989 – just a little over 20 years ago. He had collected memories and letters from some of his mother’s siblings and from his older brothers and sister who were old enough to have memories of their mother. The original history that my father wrote was 54 pages; the text was hand typed by my Dad, which he then copied. He also included many glossy prints of pictures. He then gave a copy to each of his brothers and sisters and each of his children.

For many years I have wanted to re-do this wonderful history into a format that could be shared electronically with all the family members of this ever growing Jarvis family. When combined with the histories of Grandpa William Heber Jarvis and Ella Wall Jarvis -- these 3 histories will provide a glimpse into the lives of three very wonderful people, who gave life and love to 10 amazing children. Now there are 49 grandchildren and at least 194 great-grandchildren. I couldn’t even guess at the number of great-great grandchildren. I hope this history can reach them all eventually.

In preparing this version of the history, I used most of my father's original text. I have added memories by Ray written in 1997, and an experience of Dave’s as told to me by Aunt Elsie and our cousin Nora.

For anyone who desires, I will make available extra family photos, copies of William’s birth certificate and Will & Ruth's marriage certificate, patriarchal blessings, maps, poems by Ray and Dan, and family group sheets. For additions or corrections you may contact Danelle Curtis. (Completed in Jan. 2010)

Danelle (Jarvis) Curtis
kelly.danelle@cox.net

** Note – The inscription given on page 1 which Dan found on the weathered board at his mother’s gravesite was originally placed on a footstone by William Heber Jarvis Sr. in memory of and in behalf of his beloved wife. Also sculptured on the stone were two lambs lying down one on each side on the top. The lambs symbolized the birth of the twin boys for which Ruth gave her life. The base of the stone (receptacle that is) measured 8 ¼ x 13 inches and is concealed near the grave. The original stone with the inscription and the lambs was broken up before the cemetery was fenced.