1937 - Helen Rex's trip to Los Angeles to visit her fiance Glenn Frazier

Helen wrote:

We surely had a Grand Time. I mean Glenn and I.

My father, Glenn Frazier moved  from Woodruff, Utah to Los Angeles, California in 1936. There he lived, attended school, and worked.  He left his girlfriend, Helen Rex behind in Randolph, Utah. There she worked in the Rich County Court House where she saved and planned for their future marriage.

Both on Bridge of Los Angeles River

 where it goes into the ocean May 19, 1937

In May 1937 Helen vacationed  in Los Angles, California with her fiance Glenn. Upon her return to Randolph she wrote a three page letter to her brother Harold Morgan Rex. He was serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Brazil. The pictures she saved and her letter to her brother described her WONDERFUL trip to California.  Grateful I am to her brother and family for saving her letter for me.  And for Helen!  I'm so PROUD of her for pulling off that dream trip.  

Helen at Forest Lawn Memorial Park May 16, 1937. 

The pool with "Finding of Moses"

May 18, 1937 Charlie Chaplain's home

Long Beach Hotel

May 19, 1937 

Ronald Coleman's home

May 18, 1937

4062 Oakwood Ave., L. A.

May 23, 1937

Glenn Frazier on left. I presume this man is his room mate.

I don't know his name. 

Helen wrote her brother Harold: "A fellow from Mississippi is living with him, and he doesn’t even have any kind of work. So Glenn does feel pretty good about his luck."  

Glenn at  Temple of Santa Sabina, 

Forest Lawn Memorial Park

 Helen with Glenn's friend in front of apartment

May 19, 1937

Soldiers at Long Beach

Long Beach

May 19, 1937

'I got my 1st sight of the ocean. I was surely thrilled."

4062 Oakwood Ave., L. A. 

Glenn and friend

Long Beach, May 19, 1937

Officer's boat from Battle Ship Utah

Santa Monica

May 21, 1937

Ocean Park

May 21, 1937

Pictures and their descriptions from Helen's scrapbook. 

Dearest Helen! A brother's loving concern for his sister.

                                         Helen Rex                 Harold Morgan Rex
                                        (1913-1982)                    (1915-1988)

Last week's Men and Women of Faith lecture "My Dear Sister: Joseph F. Smith's Letters to His Sister, Martha Ann Smith Harris" by Dr. Richard Neitzel Holzaphel was excellent. I was grateful to be in the Assembly Hall. The loving and caring relationship President Smith and his sister shared was reflected in the letters they wrote one another. They reminded me of my own mother's relationship with her brother Harold.

Harold saved all of the letters Helen wrote him during his 1936-1938 mission to Brazil and his family gave them to me. I've yet to read and study through all of them.

The following counsel from Harold in this Fall 1937 letter is an early favorite.

Harold and Helen had written each other about the biggest problem they each faced at the time. Harold's was, shall I borrow some money before returning home so I can travel in Europe? Helen's was, how much longer shall I wait to marry Glenn Frazier, who had moved to California for work and education?  

Harold wrote:

Jaragua do Sul, Sept. 27, 1937

Dearest Helen,

You asked wether I had things planned for my return. I certainly have. I have no other idea in my head than that, that I am going to school immediately upon returning. I know I can, if I try hard enough, and I shall surely try. I guess you read the letter wherein I asked about the trip to Europe. What do you think I should try to do, even if it is possible to borrow the money? I don’t know whether I should or not. I am almost afraid that $150.00 is too much to load upon a persons shoulders where he is trying to get an education. I am going to ask Pres. Howells when he comes two weeks from now.

The only thing is that the chance will probably never come again at least for quite a few years. Right now I need that experience. Traveling is really a wonderful experience. That would be something that very  few people get to see. I am very much in doubt though, as to whether or not I should try to borrow the money. Maybe you could give me an idea or your opinion as to what I should do.

Helen I think your idea about getting married is a very good idea. That is the only thing for you and Glenn to do. You have gone together long enough. You would both be much more happy. I hope the climate down there helps you. Write and tell me if it does.

My advice not long ago to Winnie is that we should all be married in the Temple. Helen if it is at all possible get married in the Temple. If you just can’t make it, then go down to California and get married. Then as soon as possible get through the Temple, but by all means do it just as soon as possible, and use no procrastination about it.

Not long ago I read an article written by President Grant. He said that it was his first intentions with his first wife not to get married in the Temple just at the time they were to be married because they lived down in Southern Utah, and would have to have made the trip with team and wagon, and that would have taken to much time. At which time he was very busy. But they finally did decide to be married in the Temple instead of putting it off until the next year. They were married and shortly after they were married his wife died. Had he not married in the Temple when he first got married, he wouldn’t have been able to go through the Temple with that wife. He would have had the work done for his wife. He is a Prophet of God and he advises all people to be married in the Temple. So Helen if it possible get married in the Temple. But if it is not at all possible then go to California and get married.

I hope that you and Glenn will be happy and I am sure you will, if you keep active in the church.

Bessie Morgan Rex. Letter to Harold, May 10, 1938.

Glenn and Helen Rex Frazier 1938

 

Randolph, Utah

May 10, 1938

My dear boy,

I waited until after the mail was in to write this letter, hoping of course not expecting, just hoping there might be a letter. Not being selfish tho’ you know, for you see I received a letter Sat. for Mother’s Day. That was lovely & I did enjoy it, but we usually get one on Monday. Well, we didn’t this Mon. so I’ll just have to tell you some news & gossip.

Saturday we received a grand picture of Winnie. A double—one in her uniform and one in her dress. They are lovely. Then yesterday comes one from Helen & Glenn. It is the cutest picture. They both look so fine, and Helen looks five years younger. Of course I am thrilled. I finally have them arranged on the piano, with yours in the middle, but it has taken me all day.

Roy was to be here today. He was released to go to his mother in the hospital, but they said he was coming home. Dottie is still very ill. Not a very happy homecoming for him.

Well, our old cold storm is finally

Harold Morgan Rex 1936-38

clearing off and things are warming up. I’m afraid you will find this a rather bare place when you come back.

Father is down to the B. Q. They are turning the earth over down there. Four tractors plowing. I rather think your father is in his glory.

Winnie graduates this month. I am glad, for her. It has been a long grind I think, but she is a brick.

Oh I wish something exciting would happen, so I would have something to tell you. Life is rather dull right now. Unless this is news. Jim Jackson married Jean Nebeker. Some combination.

School is out in two more weeks.

Morgan graduates from seminary this Sunday. He is a good boy but rather quiet. Not like his older brother, is he.

Here it is the next morning and I haven’t got any body else to send a line with this. I needn’t have written on both sides, but  if the others write it is better. A beautiful morning outside. I hope it keeps it up. Well, my dear I’ll sign off, praying that the Lord will ever help you in your work.

Of course we all send our love, and an extra lot from Mother.

Winnifred Rex Andrus 1938

Bessie Morgan and Percy Harold Rex Letters - February 17, 1937.

 This card to P.H. Rex was in his wife, Bessie's scrapbook or boot box. 

I scanned the card, but didn't note which son sent it to him. 

My guess is Harold.

P. H. Rex about 1937

Randolph, Utah

Feb 17, 1937

My dear son,

I really am ashamed of myself for being so indolent when I know a boy way down below the equator is waiting for a letter. Days come and go so fast, I just can’t keep up. Winnie was home last week and just for a day or so. It was short, but it did seem good to have her here. Of course it took some of my time trying to get straightened up. I am so slow. But she is going to send me some iron. That is what I need.

We are all feeling quite sad here this week. Delbert Fackrell died last Sun. and is to be buried tomorrow. Everybody liked him, and now everybody can see his good points.

I have been quite busy this last week with a Relief Society lesson and a Mutual lesson on Shakespeare. There is always plenty to do.

We received your letter of Jan 15 last evening. Am so glad you are enjoying your work. Now you are in for another scolding. I do hope our letter[s] have had 

Some effect on you. I mean, in regard to Clara. Don’t be so mean to her. She is a lovely girl and she waits for a letter from you. We know she is going with nobody else. Did I ever dream one year ago today that I should be scolding you now for not writing. How fickle men are anyway.

We had a terrible blizzard here last night. The snow [plows are kept busy. However we haven’t as much snow this year as last. It has been cold though. It is clouding up again now. I hope it is a good day for the funeral tomorrow. Bishop is down to the legislature & may not get home. He is some busy man.

Morgan has made me a nice magazine rack. Here it is next morning & daddy has written you a long letter. So I will close with this. Daddy told you not so much wind. Well it has surely been howling the last two days. Snowdrifts aren’t so deep either. Well enough for now. Love & kisses and our constant prayers go with this.

Lovingly, Mother

Give my regards to Mrs Duke.

I am so thankful for funds raised up to help my boy.

Randolph, Utah.

Feb. 17, 1937

My Dear Boy in the Land of the South,

I will try and pen you a few lines again to let you see that I have not lost the use of my right hand, although it does cramp some when I write. We received your letter of Jan. 15, Monday Feb. 15. It seems we always get your letters on Monday nite. And we always look forward to your letters & I am sorry you don’t get your mail, you should as there are more letters written than you get. We are all well and happy at the thought that you are out in the world as an ambassador of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is where you get the real joy out of life, is in his service. And from your letters you seem to be receiving your share of His Joy, and may you continue to receive more as you become more efficient in your labors. As time goes on and you study and become older in the service, you will receive this.

We are having some real winter again this year, about the same amount of snow as we had this time last year or more, but

hardly as much wind and I don’t think that it is in hardly as big piles here in the valley as a year ago, but I think we have as much or more moisture in the ground as last year. I think the Lord has us in the hollow of his hand, so to speak, when we look around and see what other people have. They are just getting fixing up after the floods down the Ohio and Missi. Valleys. It must have been terrible there the water was so deep it covered up houses in places. We saw some pictures in the paper where the water was up to the eves of the homes all down the street. And on one street corner where they had the red and green lights, the water was up to the light. It would be awful in a condition like that.

Bishop Johnson is in Salt Lake now in the legislature and it sort of leaves the ward more or less with Willard and myself. We have to conduct the Funeral services for Delbert Fackrell tomorrow, he died Sunday morning in the Hospital in Montpelier Idaho. He died of Gangreen or infection of the naval and bowels, he had had the flue and had not been very well after it, but was sick only about six days before he died. This leaves us

with another widow in our ward.

We are using the new Amusement Hall for church and amussements [sic] too, as we can warm it up so nice. We have the Basement [presumably at the Church] all torn up, and it makes the upstairs harder to warm up, so we are saving fuel by using the Hall.

It’s sure some place you would think you were in some place much larger than Randolph. I say it is the Best Hall this side of the Coconut Grove in Salt Lake City. If I told you this before just skip this as we are so thrilled with it we may tell you the same thing twice.

Winne was home over Sunday she sure is some lovely girl if I do say it myself being her dad, but I am real proud of my 3 oldest children, I think any parent could be proud of children of the same type as you are. I hope that the 3 younger ones will follow in your footsteps. I hope you will always bring joy and happiness to us, as it will be a pleasure to you to do this, if you continue to live for it.

Morgan has become more or less

Neglectful of his duties in the church. Maybe if you gave him a little sermon it may help a little. He is a good boy, any other way. He helps to run the picture machines and makes him a little money. He is here reading about the fellows who are going to skie jump next Sunday at Ecku [perhaps Echo] Hill.

He bought him a new pair of skis and has been giving them a coat of wax here tonight. He said to tell you he jumped 21 feet on them. He was off last Saturday doing it and was so stiff Sunday, he could hardly move.

We are sitting here writing to you and waiting for the 10:30 news over the radio as there has been a prize fight in the East and we want to hear who beat in the fight.

I think you had better take time to write your grandmother Rex a few lines that she may read, she is showing her age some, but has pretty good health for here.

I will close now asking the Lord to let his choicest Blessing attend you in all that you do in righteousness, is the prayer of your Father with Loads of Love.

P.H. Rex

[I added some punctuation to Grandpa P.H. Rex’s letter.]

Bessie Morgan Rex - letter February 5, 1937.

About 1927

Helen, left rear. L-R Maeser, Morgan, Winnie,

 Harold in front of the Rex's Bear River Ranch House

My dear boy,

Helen has written a letter, and I had her wait until I wrote one before we sent it. So I mustn’t fail today. Last week I was rather under the weather. Experimenting—and it did not turn out so well. I thought of so many things to tell you. Whatever were they all about? I suppose you have heard of the floods up here. Disaster can certainly humble a mighty nation. Today a heavy storm on the Pacific coast is tying up traffic and communication. The whole country, practically, has had its share. Strikes tie up business & men wrangle back and forth until it is all sickening. It makes on wonder how it is all going to turn out.

The weather is acting very much like it did a year ago, and I shouldn’t be surprised if the snow is piled up much the same as it was last year.

Winnie hasn’t been able to get home yet. I suppose she has told of the Flu down there. Maybe she can come next week. We all hope so. Tonight is a basketball & dance. The new building is a delight to go to. I think they will make plenty for a while anyway.

Well, here it is 9 p.m. The family (excepting Flora & myself) have gone to the game. A while ago I read an essay on writing letter with many reasons for putting it off. In the end, the friend of the man who has been putting the letter-writing off, walks in. Now if you could do that, I shouldn’t have to finish this, rather dumb, letter.

Flora is asleep on the couch. Can’t you see her? She is growing so tall tho’. Morgan took one half hour pushing two waves in his hair. Did it look sleek & pretty—and does that boy primp. Heaven help me if I get three of my boys under the same roof. Maeser struts around in his new suit like—well like Harold

 used to.

Ohio University has been putting on a show on the radio. They are plucky. Ohio has been badly hit by the flood. Some announcers were giving news of the flood from Cincinnatti. Terrible news too-and then they said “We will now have some music.” The music was “Beautiful Ohio.” It would make you weep.

I wish I knew something to tell you. As far s the town is concerned, well I could live some other place for all I know.

Did I tell you I went with Uncle Will to S.L. to see Winnie while he went to a funeral. The funeral of Sis. Stoof was also held the same day. Bro. Stoof was president of the Argentine mission & I believe all of S.A. before it was divided. He is a German. He spoke at conference & I cut his talk out of the report. It is very inspiring, and if there

is room in the envelope, will send it to you.        

Did you get your garments? I am anxious about them. Do you get your money every month?

You never say. Its 30 or 35$ enough? Please advise.

Helen went down to Don’s and Mabel’s to stay overnight. I hope you never want to come back & settle down like that. There is too much in this world to bury one’s self on a place miles from nowhere. Don’t do it son.

Winnie surely looked grand when I saw her. She is a dear girl. I shall be glad if Helen can get to California. She is so thin here, but she is feeling pretty good.

I must be closing. Give Mr. & Mrs. Duke my best regards. They certainly must be nice people. Was that place you visited Xmas a resort of some kind. You are indefinite. The Lords blessings on you my dear is our constant prayer.

Lovingly, Mother

Bessie Morgan Rex - letter written March 25, 1936.

Maeser and Flora Rex about 1941.

The next of the letters Bessie Morgan Rex wrote to her son Harold while he served a mission in Brazil.

Randolph, Utah

March 25, 1936

My dear son [Harold],

Here it is 5 in the after-noon and I have been going to write all afternoon. Tonight is the missionary pic-ture show, so I cannot write it then. I must hurry. Let me see, I suppose that within the next 24 to 36 hours, you will feel the good earth again. I wonder if you will be glad. We are sending $25 to the church office in the morning. Hope you received the other 20$. We will send it down to be sent on the first from now on.

Would you like something to cool you off. The snowbank out in front of the house that they shovelled [sic] to get the big gate open is still about three feet in the air. It has stayed quite cold and the meadows are still covered with snow. Last Sunday was stake conference. It was held in Evanston again, on account of the condition of our buildings.

I shall have to write on both sides to save postage. Daddy & Helen went up. Of course a little girl [Clara] grabbed daddy & took him right up there. He said there was a big picture of a good looking guy on the bookcase. Am glad you got your fountain pen back. The bishopric is trying to get this repair & building job going. It is hard. People haven’t enough community pride & they are so afraid it will take a penny out of their pockets. I hope we can keep you there ourselves. Money seems to come some way. Daddy’s loan has just been approved. He is very glad & thankful. Town [Randolph] news? There isn’t much worth while. Vella S. [Smith] Kennedy has a baby boy next door. I think we told you Mary & Francis [Frazier] were married. I simply don’t get the gossip. I’ll tell you what Flora said. Max A. [Argyle] spoke to them in Primary. She said it was a grand “spoke” too. She wishes Maeser would be more “kindly.” Maeser and Morgan still go the rounds and Maeser wishes his big brother were here to deal the middle sized brother a little misery. Well I wasn’t going to write any at night, but it must be or I

[That ends the letter. Sadly the next or final page is missing.]  

1942 letter from Percy Harold Rex to his descendants. Pt 1

(The following links will be added after they are posted.)

Part 2

Part 3

In 1942 some citizens of Randolph, Utah decided to write letters to their descendants and place them in a “time capsule” to be opened fifty years later. I can’t remember just where the “time capsule” was deposited, but it seems like it may have been on a shelf, or in a closet in the city hall, or ward house. A few years short of the fifty years the “capsule” was discovered and opened. Many interesting items were in it.

This letter from Percy Harold Rex to his descendants was among the papers, and a copy made its way to me. I honestly cannot remember how. I believe it may have come via Aunt Flora Rex Lamborn, because my mother, Helen Rex Frazier, passed away in 1982.

Thank you to my granddaughter for typing part of it for me while she visited this past conference weekend. I added a few notes and some punctuation to make it easier to read.

Randolph Utah

May 26 1942

To John Morgan Rex, My first Grandchild, and those who come in the Future.

I was born here on Sept. 30, 1889 and lived here all my life. In June of 1911 your great Uncle John Osland and myself went to Salt Lake City to June conference or Mutual Improvement associations. And while there I met one of the sweet[est] and grandest persons that I had met in my life, your grand Mother Bessie Morgan. We courted for a year and on June 12-1912 we 

were married in the Salt Lake Temple for time and all eternity.

We made our home on the ranch that your Uncle Sam Rex now has and spent nearly all of the first two years of our married life there. And how happy we were together because no one will ever have a sweeter wife than I had at that time.

On March 31-1913 our joys and

(page 2) and happiness was added to greatly so we had a sweet little Black headed daughter come to our home and we named her Helen and today she still has that sweet Loveable nature that she was born with.

She expects to become a mother in the next few months and I hope that her joys will be as great as ours was.

We were getting along just Grand and on July 24-1915, Pioneer day at 4-30 A.M. a little boy appeared in our home to add more happiness to our little nest that was one half block east of Main Street on Canyon Street. And we named him Harold Morgan Rex.

He grew quite fast and when he was four years old he had a saddle and horse we called Nell and was following his father almost ever where he went.

I had a ranch at that time 3 ½ miles S.E. of Randolph with a number of cattle and he would help me with them as he grew up.

In April of 1917 our good old U.S.A. declared War on Germany as one of her U. Boats had sent one of our ships

(To be continued.)

Picture of the Randolph Ward taken February, 2011.

Percy Harold and Bessie Morgan Rex, Part 5

Percy Harold and Bessie Morgan Rex family members in Randolph, Utah in 1937, left to right; are John Morgan, Bessie, Percy, Helen, in front, Flora Elizabeth and Maeser Morgan.

Harold Morgan Rex is on the left. It appears he is with a companion while serving his mission in Brazil, 1936-1938.

In 1938, after three years training, daughter Winifred graduated from the Salt Lake General Hospital in nursing. That is her on the right.

Percy and Bessie wrote to Harold nearly every week while he was in the mission field. Their newsy letters were encouraging and kept him abreast of the family. Harold kept all of the letters he received from home. His wife, Diana, and then his children preserved them further. Thanks to their family, I have copies I will share here from time to time. This letter from Percy to his son Harold was written in November 1936.

[The following is part of a letter Bessie typed to Harold.]

At home, Sunday evening.
May 30, 1937.

My very dear boy,

… Your sister is some tap dancer. You’ll see when you come home.

Floyd Kennedy is leaving this year. He didn’t get a contract to come back. I am sorry. I wanted her to take music from him. Oh, between Helen getting her English lesson, and Flora trying to write you a letter I am all mixed up. Daddy and the boys have gone to the field to milk. I do hope they wont [sic] get too wet. They were soaked this morning. Morgan had a new pair of gray trousers and white shoes to wear today. I think he will surprise you when you get back. He has grown so.

I think Winnie is coming home for the 12th of June, our wedding day. I shall be so glad. She hasn’t been up for some time, and I surely get homesick to see the pair of you, but that is all the good it does for you. Well, the time is flying by, when you look back, but an awful long time to look forward. I can’t get any inspiration from the weather today. It gives one the blues to look out at gray dripping skies. I always do think of this little verse of Longfellow’s.

“Be still sad heart, and cease repining.
Behind the clouds the sun is shining.
Thy fate is the common fate of all;
Into each life some rain must fall,
Some days must be dark and dreary.” …

(To be continued.)

Pictures are from Helen Rex Frazier collection. Copies of letters to Harold Morgan Rex are from his descendants.

Percy Harold and Bessie Morgan Rex Part 4

The Randolph Recreation Hall on the corner of W Church Street and Main Street in Randolph, Utah was completed in 1937. I believe this may be the picture Bessie Morgan Rex talks about sending her son, Harold, in the quotes from her letters below.
While Percy Harold Rex was a counselor in one of a number of bishoprics he served in, he was assigned to oversee the building of a new town cultural hall. From July 1936, when they first tore down the old opera house, until January 1938, when the new town hall was completed and paid for, Percy oversaw the building work-crews. He “was in charge of labor.”

Those were difficult, economically pressed times. “Must we do it during this Depression,” community members asked. “Perhaps this project might help rather than hinder our circumstances!”

“At one time during construction it was so cold the mortar had to be kept warm with a fire in a tub while the men laid brick around the entrance hall.”

[Nov 1936 letter written by Bessie to her son, Harold, in the mission field.] It is so cold out today. Daddy is working on the amusement hall. Oh it is a beautiful building. If we can get a picture of it we will send it to you. The whole corner is occupied. I am on the finance committee. You would be surprised to see the way they raise money these hard times.
[Undated letter written by Bessie.] We are sending you a picture of the new Recreation Hall. Isn’t it nice? But, oh boy raising the money. We are having some time, but we’ll have it. It just comes some how. I do hope it is taken care of after it is finished. It is going to be a beautiful hall. Daddy says it is 101 ft long—50 ft wide. People find fault and grumble, but wait.

In 1975 Percy Harold Rex’s children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren are enjoying the recreation hall at a family reunion.
As of 1981 the term “Recreation Hall” was dropped and the building is now properly referred to as the “Cultural Hall.”

Would someone out there reading this blog be willing to snap a current picture of the hall and e-mail it to me?

(To be continued.)

Picture of the Recreation Hall from Helen Rex Frazier collection. Reunion pictures by the author. Randolph, A Look Back, Written and compiled by Steven L. Thomson, Jane D. Digerness, Mar Jean S. Thomson, 1981, pgs. 151-154.