Key Words: Spanish flu, diphtheria, LDS Church

Transcription

1 STAR VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY HISTORICAL BOOKS INVENTORY DETAILS 1. Overview Title: Minnie Luthi Robinson Author: Subject: Personal History Publisher: Publishing Date: Number of Pages: 5 ID#: 702 Location: Website 2. Evaluation Evaluator's Name(s): Kent and Polly Erickson Date of Evaluation: February 2015 Key Words: Spanish flu, diphtheria, LDS Church Included Names: John and Rosina Schweizer Luthi, Martha Weber, Otto Mehr, Rony Suter, Ivan Nelson 3. Svnopsis She was born in 1893 in Bedford, Wyoming. Carl Robinson was called to serve a mission in The letters between Carl and Minnie show their relationship. They were married in 1916 after his release. They lived on a farm. Ivan Nelson, who worked for them, wrote a tribute that is included in this selection. For health reasons, they left the farm. She and Carl were active in the community and the Church. She passed away in Other ^submitted by Laraine Robinson

2 MINNIE LUTHI ROBINSON September 24, December 15,1940 Some background ofminnie's parents helps to understand her parental heritage and tells of the family's strengths in adapting to a new land and culture. John and Rosina Schweizer Luthi were both native Swiss, bom and living in the Bern area before and after they met and married 17 Dec They had a home, dairy cattle and bam in Landiswil, with the village boys taking the cows to the mountain pastures in summer. The three eldest children were bom in Switzerland. In 1883 Mormon missionaries came to their area, resulting in the baptism of John and Rosina. Feelings were quite strong against the Mormon Church and this was so with their family and friends, who now wanted nothing to do with them. It was determined to emigrate to Utah to help build Zion as church leaders encouraged. So in 1885 the family offive' made the move by boat and train settling in Providence, Utah where four more children were bom. John leamed land was more readily available and at much better prices in Star Valley, Wyoming. By wagons the family made the move in 1892 or 1893, settling in Bedford where some Swiss/German families were. John traded a wagon and colt on some acreage. The family lived in a cabin, covering the floor with rag mgs and made an attic for additional sleeping room. A large garden was raised and flowers were added around the home and yard. It was to this setting and heritage that Minnie was bom in the cabin home on 24 September Minnie's first three or four years were spent in Bedford, then in 1896 or '97 the family moved about thirteen miles Northwest to the community of Freedom. Their hard work and fingality had made it possible to buy some good crop land/pasture, which had no improvements. A larger home was built first, then the cow bam, horse bam and granary/shop as finances allowed. Dairy cows had been acquired and the family now found themselves making a The Luthi Freedom Home livelihood the Same as they had in Switzerland. In grade school Minnie observed many ofthe students dressed considerably better than she and her siblings. She was fiiendly, outgoing and got along well with everyone. A life-long friendship was with Martha Weber (later by marriage Kennington and to live in Afton as would Minnie). Max recalled his Mother and Martha's visits in Afton and the good times they shared. In 1903 the John & Hilda Robinson family moved from Utah to Freedom and children from both the Luthi & Robinson families found themselves attending the same grade-school. Carl, one ofthe Robinson boys, would later become Minnie's husaband. By this time Minnie was 13 years old and her two older brothers and an older sister were married, making it necessary for the girls at home to help with the hand-milking. At age 17 her Mother passed away. The girls then assumed responsibility for all ofthe cooking and housework. In her later teens Minnie enjoyed dancing, stage plays and sporting events between the Valley communities. She was nice looking and did not lack for dates, some ofthe young

3 men coming from Afton and other S.V. towns. Carl became 19 years of age and was called to the California Mission., leaving home about 1 June In recent years the children ofcarl and Minnie found the letters Carl had received in the mission-field and with them were the letters he had sent to Minnie. We were impressed with the high tenor, good english and grammar of Mother and Dad's correspondence. We had not known they had dated quite a lot before he left. They were not engaged, but it was seen they were very much interested in each other and may have had an understanding ofcorresponding and looking forward to Carl's Minnie, dating age retum and then an engagement. In a letter to Carl, his brother Alvin told Carl his "girl Minnie was true as steel." A sister, Justie, in a letter referred to Minnie as "your girl." Minnie continued some dating but told Carl all about them in her letters. She declined a marriage proposal. Carl answered her letters the day he received them, a good correspondence habit he immediately lost upon being released. Carl's Mother had passed away when he was 12 years old. His Father stammered and did not go to school or learn to write. So, Minnie was Carl's source of news about his own family, the community and about herself We found three wonderful letters to Elder Carl from his younger sister Justie, who passed away at age 11, which was about ten months after Carl had begun his mission. It became Minnie's lot to inform Carl ofjustie's passing and her letter shows such good understanding oflife and is so well written it is partially quoted as follows: "Dear Carl,...It is with the deepest regret I must pen you these lines. Justie... became sick Sunday night with a very sore throat and diphtheria developed. She passed away today at 1:20 a.m. Dr. West was down twice but nothing seemed to help. It seems as if when the Maker calls us home mortal help is ofno avail. I hope you will not feel God has dealt hard with you. Little we know what the morrow will bring us. It seems as ifwe all have our burdens and trials in some way. But she is laid away in innocence of youth. We have nothing to mourn save the companionship ofa loved one. Yet there is satisfaction in knowing there is hope beyond the grave and without that we would certainly be miserable.... Your family is quarantined and no one can enter the house. They cannot write you. The interment will take place tomorrow forenoon and they cannot hold a funeral. Well, my dear, I will close as I have to go and sew, as the clothes (burial) must be made tonight. It is with a prayer in my heart that you will be comforted. Be prayerful that you may be comforted and peace be your lot, and hope nothing else overshadows your labors. I send my heartfelt sympathy in this bereavement. Lovingly yours, Minnie." Carl's retum letter was one of sorrow, but also ofappreciation and hope. From their correspondence we learned that while Carl was away Minnie worked for some time at a Freedom general merchandise store for a Mr. Otto Mehr, who later was a leader in chartering the Freedom State Bank. Her attendance at the Fielding Academy, Paris, Idaho, for a matter of months was also mentioned. We also learned that when Carl and Minnie started dating, quite understandably, she never wanted him to see her in milking clothes.

4 Carl & Minnie,weddingpicture First home,at the ranch Minnie looked forward with anticipation to Carl's release and likely had mixed feelings when he was asked to extend one month. He returned in July 1916 and they were married in the Logan Temple 28 September the same year. Their first home was on a ranch in Freedom which Carl had purchased from his Father prior to his mission. The time ofthis purchase was verified in a letter to Elder Carl from his brother Alvin who in it said, "Yesterday we finished the haying on your place." Water was piped from a spring on a hill to both the home and for the livestock. A Delco system provided lighting, by a motor charging a series of large batteries from which wiring was run to the home and bam. Washing of clothes was by a Maytag washer powered by a gasoline motor, which had an extended, flexible exhaust. In summer washing was done on the porch and in winter inside with the exhaust running outside. All work on the farm was done with horses and cows had to be milked by hand, making for some long work-days. In 1919, two years and eleven months after his mission Carl was called as Bishop ofthe Freedom Ward and seven months later in January 1920 the Spanish flu took the lives offive ward members (including a brother-in-law), who were buried without services. Memorial services were able to be held the next month. Neither Carl or Minnie contracted the disease. Minnie's oldest sister. Rose, passed away in 1916, leaving her husband with four younger children. Three of them, Dewain, Merelda and Helen, lived with Carl and Minnie for periods of time - Dewain, then age 11, about one year and Helen about two years. Dewain, responded to a request and wrote some memories about Minnie, which are partially quoted. "To me. Aunt Minnie was a very sweet person. She had a very quick mind and was more outgoing than her other sisters. She kept you on your toes as at times you did not know ifshe was serious. She was always doing something for each of us in our family. I was always thankful for the help she gave Helen, Merelda and me. I lived with Carl & Minnie the year I was eleven years old. It was the time in my life when I didn't know where home was. She always made me feel at home and it was the first time I'd ever had a bedroom to myself. She liked to tease you. She kept you in line spiritually and had a strong testimony. Later, the year I was selected as the outstanding athlete at Preston High School, my picture came out in the Church News. She was the only one who wrote me a sweet letter telling how much it thrilled her. She was a great influence and help to your Father (Carl). I left Star Valley in 1927 and have missed especially the influence ofpersons like your parents." Helen commented that when first staying at Aunt

5 Minnies she had not wanted to sleep upstairs, so for the first while a comfortable bed was made in the bathtub. Carl & Minnie's first child. Max, was bom at the ranch home 17 May It was a difficult birth and Minnie's recovery was protracted. As Max grew his Mother read frequently to him - children stories, bible stories and even books. Max's favorite was the book "Smoky," Will James' story about a horse. One chapter was read at a tune and it was hard to wait for the next reading. She taught word pronunciation, also good manners and etiquette. A second child, Kay was bom 30 October 1926 in Afton at the home of Mrs. Henry Kennington, who often helped with birthing. Shortly, the proud parents returned to the ranch home with their new baby. He, too, was much loved by parents and received his pre-school teaching primarily from his Mother. The number ofdairy cows were increased. At that time the crop-land was flood irrigated by a large ditch taken out ofthe Tin Cup Creek. It became necessary to hire help during the busiest season. Max recalled Rony Suter working at the ranch. Ivan Nelson started working full-time in September Shortly, Carl's hay fever became so severe it was necessary to leave ranch work. He & Minnie purchased the Red & White General Merchandise store in the town of Freedom and the family moved there, the living quarters being the South side of the store building. In December 1931 the ranch was leased to Ivan, a lease which by extensions lasted 14 years. Ivan wrote of Minnie and Carl, part ofwhich follows. "It was such a blessing to me to come into such a wonderful home and be accepted and treated as one ofthe family. Having no mother since I was 4 years old Minnie provided the atmosphere that I really needed. She was kind and generous in her love, sometimes giving me counsel and advice in a motherly way and which I accepted wholeheartedly. Minnie had long, beautiful dark hair which she kept done up in such a way a person would hardly notice how long it was. In the home she always dressed in a becoming way, always looking so trim and neat that someone not knowing her might think she was going somewhere. Minnie seemed to have time for everything, and with all this she kept the home in such a clean and orderly way. It always sparkled it was so well cared for. Carl, your Father, was such a wonder^ man. A lot of that was because he had such a wonderful wife. In the time I lived with them I never heard a harsh or cross word. Minnie quite often encouraged Carl to do certain things to improve himself or do something about the place. He always did so in such a way as to please her. I will always remember how Minnie came to my rescue at a time when I needed counsel and advice, given in a way that couldn't do anything but good. I will always be grateful to them for helping me thru those depression years. We love you folks very much. Ivan G. Nelson." In October 1931 the store was sold and the family moved to Afton, Carl having been invited to become the Cashier and Executive Officer ofthe Star Valley State Bank which was experiencing the problems of the depression. The family lived in three different rental homes first at the SW comer of Monroe and 4^ Ave., then at the NW comer of Madison & 3'^ Ave. and the last at 347 Madison. Afton, as Star Valley's largest community had the stake center, the only bank, a movie theatre, larger schools and business district. The family made new fnends and quickly adapted to closer neighbors.

6 Aftonhome Minnie was invited to join and enjoyed the Star Literary Club, later serving as its president. On 4 April 1935 Minnie gave birth to her third and last child, a son Don L. The birth of her children were some years apart so this was a greatly anticipated event and he was a handsome baby. Carl and Minnie had purchased the last rental home and now completely remodeled it, increasing the size ofthe main floor and added a second story. Minnie was involved in the home plans and with new carpet and furniture she was so happy. Carl ran for the House of the 1937 State legislature, Minnie being a benefit in his campaign. Carl was elected, and re-elected for the '39 & '41 sessions, serving as Speaker the last session. At the end ofa session a party was always held for legislators, wives and staff. For the '37, session party Minnie wrote a humorous reading using the name or a likeness for each ofthe legislators. For those who didn't know her well there may have been some surprise, but the laughter was loud and applause prolonged. Now everyone knew her and Carl was so pleased. Minnie and Don L. accompanied Carl to the '39 session and happy they were, with everyone making a fuss over Don L. and giving him candy, small coins, etc. Their picture was published in the Cheyenne paper, with a laudatory article and Carl cited as a strong U.S. Senate possibility. Both English and Swiss were spoken in Minnie's parental home. After marriage when she and her sisters got together they changed to Swiss when not wanting children to hear a part ofthe conversation. She knew almost everyone in Star Valley and they were all her friends. On the streets in town everyone said hello and many stopped for a short visit. Relatives and friends who visited here home near meal time were always invited to eat. Minnie was a recognized teacher of youth, doing so from her late teens. She gave leadership service in the auxiliaries of the Church. Her testimony of the Church was absolute and for her there was no gray area between right and wrong. Love for her family coupled with the Gospel was her highest priority. She never enjoyed the best of health and late in life suffered severely with pancreatic cancer, spending many weeks in the hospital. At the end she told Carl the spirit ofher deceased Father had sat in a chair in her room during the worst days, finally saying he would come for her the next night. The next evening she asked that each ofher family come into her room separately. She reaffirmed her abiding love, told each to stay Front, L. to R., Minnie, Don L,Carl. Back, Kay, Max close to the Church and to each other as a family and all would be well when they met again. Before morning, 15 December 1940, she passed away leaving a legacy ofgoodness and hope to her family.