Sunday, January 4, 1931

Another week at cooking for yours truly. Today was fast day so I got out of it for one meal. Attended Sunday School, returned and prepared a meal for four starving Elders. Oh! Boy what fun. However, we did eat and lived so far. We spent the rest of the day studying, writing, etc. At 7:30 we attended meeting Elder Hughes, Gwynn, and Thorderson were the speakers. I was informed that I would be the speaker for next Sun. evening. After meeting we wrote, studied and talked until bedtime was 11:30.

Saturday, January 3, 1931

Caption on back of photo: Proud? Yes, of my washing.

Today was wash day, and what a washing I did put out. We had the house straightened up and the washing on the line by 12:30. At 1:30 Elder Thorderson and Elder Hughs arrived from their visit of the coast. Had dinner at 3:00 and fooled around until evening. From 6:30 till 8 we took flash light pictures of all the simple poses we could think of. Rolled in at about 11:30.

Friday, January 2, 1931

Sis. Rigtrup preaching at a street meeting in Fresno.

My sleepless companion was up at 5:00 and at 6:30 breakfast was over with. After breakfast I took Elder Clark and Elder Hamilton to the highway. Returned and held class, yours truly being the speaker. At 10:15 we went tracting until noon. On returning, found the missionaries from Fresno here. Visited with them for a short time. Had soup for dinner and went tracting again in the afternoon. Tracted until 5:00 and then had another _______ street meeting. I surely hope I soon learn to like em. Returned from street meeting, had supper and studied until bed time. At bed time we were called out to administer to P.K. Smith’s child and we responded to the call. I found out that his wife was a relation to most of my relations and she used to go with Uncle Leslie.

            We returned and were in bed by 10:30.

Thursday, January 1, 1931

Happy New Year. But how much happiness it would be if Billy was only hear. We rolled out at 6:30, had breakfast and was ready for class at 7:45. Class was over with by 9 and then we welcomed the new year by cleaning up the house, washing dishes, studying, etc. Quite a different New Years day than I had been used to spending, but I think I’ll live. In the afternoon visited Saints for a while and then returned and did more studyding. Quite the thrilling day, I don’t think. We were in bed by 9:00. Elder Clark and Elder Hamilton visited with us and stayed overnight.

Wednesday, December 31, 1930

Up and at um at 6:00. Breakfast and class over with by 9:00. We then went to Oildale to visit Saints. Found one family to home and visited with them for a while. We then went to the other end of town to see some investigator but could not find them. Returned home and filled our grub baskets. Studied in the afternoon and at 7:30 went to the show. “Numbered Men” was playing. It was a story of prison life. The girl had to wait 10 yrs for her lover, about as bad as Billy and I. At 9:00 we returned home and celebrated the going of this year and the coming of the new one by going to bed. Sure different than last year.

Pause

November 23, 1930.

Nina and Elbert Beecher--married two days.

In front are Ora and Albert Simmons. Ora was Nina’s mother.

Who is Billy?

Two days before leaving on his mission, Elbert Ray Beecher married Nina Hess in the Salt Lake City Temple on 21 November 1930. Obviously in 2012, this would be frowned upon. But in 1930, rules for missionaries were a bit different. "Billy" must have been Elbert's term of endearment for Nina.

Tuesday, December 30, 1930

How well I realize this is Elder Gwynn's week at cooking. Gosh he pulled me out at 5:30 this morning for breakfast. I wish he was a better sleeper. After breakfast and class was over I took Elder Thorderson and Elder Hughes to the highway. They were on their way to the coast for their vacation. We would liked to have gone but money would not permit.
            From 10:30 till 11:30 we tracted. Boy, surely must have forgotten some of the folks we visited for they were surely on the war path. At 12:30 we had dinner and then studied and wrote until five. At five another street meeting, with yours truly taking charge. Lived through the meeting. Returned home. Found a note asking us to come and see a Saint family. We went and had a very good visit with them. Returned at 9. Hit the bed at 10:30 and was soon dreaming (about Billy).

Monday, December 29, 1930

Up at the horrid hour of 5:30, studied until Elder Gwynn had breakfast prepared. Was ready for meeting at 7:45. After meeting we went tracting and found it not so hot. Most of the people seemed to have spent a long evening and then got up on the wrong side of the bed. In the afternoon we went visiting Saints. Out of 5 visits or calls we found one family at home. Had a good talk with them however. At 5 we were invited out to Mr and Mrs Slaughters place for super. Had an enormous meal and lived, returning home about 9:15. Elder Thorderson and Elder Hughes spent the night with us.

Sunday, December 28, 1930

Up at 7:30. Had breakfast and studied until church time. Went to church and enjoyed a good meeting. Returned home, wrote to Billy and studied. At 4 we were invited over to Sis Hansen for soup. Had a good dinner and chatted until church time. Thought I’d have to talk in church but they fooled me. It wasn’t long after church until we were peacefully slumbering about 11.

Saturday, December 27, 1930

Trying the highway.

Slumbered till 7:30. Had breakfast and chores over with by 9 and was ready to try the highway by 10. I was told Fri that the Watkin girls were at Fresno, so I decided I would go and see them, but after I had stood on the highway for 15 mins I began to think I didn’t want to see em and after I had been there 20 min I knew I didn’t want to see em. As it happened there happened to be a Saint family living right across the street so I went over and visited with them till noon. I then road to town with the Saints and from there walked to the mission home. Arrived home, done my washing, cleaned up the house a bit, went and got a hair cut, returned home and ate supper, talked, studied, and hit the hay about 9:30.

Friday, December 26, 1930

Relief Society Presidency. Sister Smith, Secretary, Sister Star, President of California Relief Society, Sister Hansen, President of Bakersfield Relief Society and the one that is so good to me, Sister Bunting--wife of the Branch President and 1st counselor of the Relief Society. She is also very good to the missionaries.
Sister Painter, 2nd counselor in the presidency.

Fell out at 6:00. Cooked breakfast and had dishes over with by 7:15, ready for meeting. After meeting a guy came to the home and wanted some money to get to a certain town. The boy didn’t know or realize what a bunch of Scotchmen he was trying to pump and of course was shown the door. We were sorry but couldn’t do nothing for him. At 10:30 we went to Wasco, a town 26 miles from Bakersfield. Visited Saints and returned home to find a letter from my Billy and some other mail at 2:30. Studied till 7 and then went to the hospital to administer to Sis. Underwood. Boy, of all the spooky looking people. Those poor skeletons were the worst I ever did see. We returned home, washed our hands, cleaned up a bit and went over to Sis Hansens and played pit until 10:30. Returned and called this the labor of the first day (after Xmas).

Thursday, December 25, 1930

Christmas tree at home.

Pulled out at 7:30 and wasn’t half as thrilled as I usually am on Christmas. Elder Thorderson and I visited Saints until eleven. We then went over to President Bunting’s place and spent the rest of the day going to the show in the evening. I had one of the most enjoyable days that was possible to have without my darling wife and folks. Gosh, how I did miss them. We had an enormous dinner and all the candy and nuts we wanted after that. Boy, I ate till I felt like a pollywag. At 8 we went to the show and saw John McCormick in “Song of My Heart.” Oh! How I would have like to had my Billy, but I didn’t so I enjoyed myself the best I could without her. Returned home and sunk in the mattress at 11:00 and thus ended my first Xmas away from home.

Wednesday, December 24, 1930

The day before xmas. Pulled out at 7. Had breakfast and went to a Methodist Church house to help sack Xmas candy and nuts. Had an enjoyable time and was invited out to OcKey’s for dinner. Enjoyed a very good dinner. Talked awhile and returned home to find that the Relief Society had brought us a good supply of food. At 7:30 we went to the community program and spent one hour and a half in herding kids. Had quite a bit of fun and returned home and was soon in bed.

Tuesday, December 23, 1930

Elder Thorderson and Elder Beecher

Cooked a successful breakfast and was ready for class at 7:45. Held class until 9 and then Elder Thorderson and I went for a five mile hike to visit some Saints. Found two of the saints at home and spent the rest of the day until 5:00 with them. They brought us home, and at 7:30 we went to a Xmas program which was held in the church house. Had a good time. Got candy & nuts and returned home. Were in bed by 10:30.

Monday, December 22, 1930

Cooked my first good breakfast and done dishes. Had meeting at 7:45 till 9:00. At 9:30 I went down town. Bought present for Billy and then spent the rest of the after, I mean forenoon, in tracting with Elder Thorderson. I then had to get my first dinner. More fun. We then visited saints until 5 and at five held our street meeting. Returned home, done our evening chores and crawled in.

Sunday, December 21, 1930

Elder Thorderson 

The beginning of my week to cook, so we had very little to eat for breakfast. Attended church at 10 and after S.S. were invited over to the Lady Missionaries for dinner. Surely had a feed. Elder Thorderson arrived about 3:30 and then we went visiting saints until church time. Had to speak at church and enjoyed it very much, after it was over. After church I wrote letters and talked until bedtime.

Saturday, December 20, 1930

Elder Gwynn and Elder Beecher

Today was wash day, and everybody happy? Well I should say. We had great sport washing and did a good job. After washing we cleaned up the house and by that time our washing was dry and I ironed mine first. Then Elder Gwynn ironed his. We got along famous for beginners. But Elder Gwynn put a little too much starch on the colors and Boy, what fun we had ironing the shirts. We lived however, and night found us tired, proud and happy.

Friday, December 19, 1930

Picture of Nina that went on Elbert’s mission

            Up at 6 and had breakfast over with by 7. Held meeting and spent the rest of the forenoon in tracting. Returned at 12:15 and found a letter from Billy in the mail box. Boy! What a sad one it was, if I hadn’t have been such a big boy I might have bellered. To think that my darling wife was blue didn’t help my lonesomeness for her at all. At 5:30 we held another street meeting. This time there was an accident on our corner and we had a good crowd but they didn’t care much for what we were saying.

Thursday, December 18

            Had meeting, tracted, etc until noon. Had lunch and then studied untill 2:30. We then were asked to visit some Saints that were sick and in the hospital. We did so, and of all the disabled T.B. and diseased people, that was the worst mess I was ever in. I was surely thankful to get out of it. At 5:30 we held another street meeting and I had the job of taking charge, but that was lots better than speaking. After meeting we returned home. Had supper, studied, wrote and at 10:30 rolled in.

Wednesday, December 17, 1930

Had a good breakfast. Put beans on to cook for dinner. Had meeting and forgot beans, burning beans, pan and making a perfume that lasted all day.

            Went tracting in the forenoon and held street meeting at 5:30 in the evening, visiting investagators, in between times. During this street meeting I gave a very good talk to the brick wall which was in front of me. It seemed to cold for people to even stop and I surely felt foolish at times, talking and explaining the gospel to no one. After street meeting we drove home, had supper and went to mutual. This ending one more day.

Tuesday, December 16, 1930

Had a good nights sleep in our new bed, and after breakfast and our priesthood meeting was over we went visiting investigators. Had one interesting talk with an old lady and she gave us a bottle of fruit for our dinner.

            Studied until 5:30 and then went to town and held a street meeting. There were three of us and after singing and praying we each took a turn at preaching and talked on the subject of Baptism. For about 10 min, the other on Faith & Repentance, and then we sang another song and closed the meeting with prayer. Part of the time the corner was our only audience but we held meeting anyway. After meeting we had a good old bread and milk supper, studied and wrote a while and went to bed.

Monday, December 15

     

       Up at 6:00 and through with breakfast by 8:00. At 10 o’clock we were ready to try our luck on the highway. Elder Thorderson took both Elder Gywnn and myself to the highway and then let us go, letting Elder Gwynn off first. I got out a little further down the highway and stood there like a bum trying to hale everyone that past. Boy of all the stupid feelings. I had not waited long however until Elder Gwynn came along riding in an old Chevy. The back of the car was filled with tires, suitcases, beds, and junk in general, and the two (driver and Elder Gwynn) filled the front seat so I climbed on top of the junk and in this manner rode to Bakersfield which is 120 miles from Fresno. After reaching Bakersfield and getting my legs and arms wake we found no trouble in finding the mission home, and boy what a nifty little home. So much better than the barn at Fresno that it seemed to good to be true. Elder Gwynn got food to stewing and I cleaned up the house and it wasn’t long until it was real homelike.

Sunday, December 14

            Went to church at Fresno both morning and night and spent the rest of the day in preparing to move. Staying with the same saints again tonight on the account of the home being crowded.

Saturday, December 13

Image courtesy of wikimedia commons. Sign constructed in 1949.

   

         Had a good night sleep in a real bed and then had breakfast with the good Saints. Held report meeting from 2:30 till 4:30. I was transferred to Bakersfield and felt most thankful for the change. Stayed with the same good saints last night.

Friday, December 12

         Slept with Elder Clark and had a very peaceful night. At 7:30 meeting was held and I was the speaker. Talking seven minutes on the subject of Public Speaking. At 9:00 o’clock we went tracting and found it not so hot. Discovering that most of the people, no speaky English. At noon we had dinner and then I was through for the day so I tackled the job of washing. More fun. At 7:30 I went down to Turner place and spent the evening and night with them. Played golf, heard radio and had a good time.

Thursday, December 11

Park meeting at Fresno, talking to the checker players.

            Had my first trial at tracting alone and found it a very interesting job. We tracted from 9:00 untill 11:45. Then returned and had dinner. At 2:30 we went down to the park and held park meeting and again I had to talk to the checker players. This time having Practical Religion for my subject and the traveling missionaries to listen to it. This was one more meeting that I was glad when over with.

            At 7:30 we went to the church to see what the traveling missionaries had for us. They put on two plays, had several songs and rendered several musical solos which was all very interesting; after which they practiced the mutual dance and Oh; how my feet did itch for a dance, but that didn’t help a missionary any. We then went home and hit the hay; getting in about 12:30.

Wednesday, December 10

Sis. Rigtrup preaching at a street meeting in Fresno.

Helped put a top on the wrecked Ford and studied during the forenoon. At noon the traveling missionaries arrived and I helped get dinner for the bunch. Met Elder Bingham my pat at the AC and it was quiet a surprise for both of us. Elder Bailey was also a member of the traveling missionaries, who at one time taught art at the Box Elder High.

            At 2:30 all the missionaries went down to the street corner, and there I experienced my first street meeting, being lucky enough nought to have the job of speaking, but was promised my turn would come the next day. I often wondered how it would feel to start singing in the center of a busy town and I surely found out. I hope I soon get bold enough to like it. Attended convention at 7:30 and froze all the time I was there; in fact I haven’t got good and warm since I arrived.

Tuesday, December 9

Pulled out at 6; had breakfast meeting and then my first shot at tracting. Went with Elder Gwynn. Felt rather foolish but rather enjoyed the work. In the afternoon we went and tied a quilt for one of the Saints and had a good homemade supper after. It surely tasted good. At night we went to mutual and heard and saw a one act play. Staggered home through the fog and went to bed.

Monday, December 8, 1930

Park meeting at Fresno, talking to the checker players.

           
Staggered out a 5:30, crawled through the fog from the porch to kitchen and prepared for the days work. Had meeting from 7:45 to 9, then fixed wrecked Ford till noon. At noon I was told that a street meeting was to be held at 2:30 and I was to talk using Faith as my subject. We arrived on the said corner at the set time but due to the fact that there was an old lady there ringing a bell we decided not to hold it on that corner and so we went up to the park and held it there. We had a bunch of checker players for an audience and they played checkers while we preached. Boy I surely felt foolish up on the platform talking to such a bunch, but I am still alive and feel very glad that my first park meeting is over.

Sunday, December 7, 1930

            Sunday, and of all the trials and experiences this day was the worst so far. I was supposed to go 50 miles away to church with Elder Thorderson, out on account of a cold, which I had, could not go, which maybe was lucky for me. Elder Thorderson on his way down had a wreck and the car rolled over, but he was not injured. He also was in a wreck coming back but both times escaped injury.

            We attended church and had baptism exersizes after, baptizing 8. After which they confirmed them and I had my first experience at that. I also spoke in fast meeting. After church we were invited out to dinner. We took the old Ford which the home owns. Elder Thorderson was driving and going a little faster than necessary. On one of the crossings he didn’t slow up. A car coming in the other direction done the same thing and in order to avoid a mixup with the other car he gave the Ford a quick turn and tipped over. None was hurt but the older Elders badly scart. We crawled out through the back curtain, tipped the Ford back on its feet and went to dinner. Had a good dinner and went again to church after. They had a good program and after they finished they asked the new Elder to talk. Elder Freeman not being there on account of the scare left the talking to me, and due to the fact that I've lived through that day I believe I’ll live forever.

          

             I also met Miss Anderson, now Mrs Ensign, who was my English teacher in the 7^th and 8^th grades. We both recognized each other while in Sunday school, and then after had a quiet little chat. After nights meeting we went to Mr. Tylers place to listen to the radio and have lunch. He knew and was a very good friend of John Adams (known as the Book of Mormon seller).

Saturday, December 6, 1930

Spent my first night at the mission home, which was fairly good considering the cold I had. Very cold and foggy morning but it soon cleared up and was nice and warm.

At 2:30 we were to hold a street meeting, and I was to talk on faith. We got ready, went down to the park and then one of the Elders who was in charge, decided not to hold one. The Lord was sure on my side that time. Went home, cleaned up the house, washed and did other odd jobs.

Friday, December 5, 1930

Taken at the mission home, Fresno.

Spent a very sleepless and long night, and as luck was with me I caught a very nice cold which added to the comforts. When daylight broke we found ourselves in the Feather River Canyon. One of the most beautiful and longest canyons I have ever seen, being 116 miles long. We passed through 48 tunnels along the trip, saw where the Calif. Gold rush was, and very many other important scenes of interest.

            Arrived at Oroville and saw the first oranges and lemons on trees. Landed at Sacramento at 11:40 and stayed over there until 5:30 seeing the Capital and other points of interest, and from there went to Fresno, arrived 10:40, where we were met by the Elders, Gwynn & Thorderson, and took to the mission home, had prayer and turned in for the night.