Writings of Ida Butler, upon reading her fa­ther's journal

June, 1955    Acequia, Minidoka Co. Idaho June 17th 1955

Having just finished reading fathers journal, and find the last date of his entry in his journal was Jan 1918, and as his health was so poorly all that year he did not finish his journal.  That was the year during World War I when the "Flu epedimic" raged so in the U. S. and in many places all public gatherings were stopped to try to stop the spread of same.

My father had another serious sick spell in November 1918 and my mother and one sister, Mary had been alone to care for him.  My brother William who was living in Idaho, determined to go home to see what he could to help them, but instead of being a help he contracted the dread deasese on his way home, and became seriously sick and being at mothers home, the Dr. at once quarenteened the house.  And while he was in this condidion fathers condition became worse, and on Dec.6th 1918 he passed away, the immediate cause being hermmorage on the brain.

Because of the quarentine no public funeral could be held.  So the last tribute to him was in his own door yard, the casket being inside by an open window.  Bp Walter O. Lundgreen conducted the short service with just a few close friends standing near.  A stormy December day.  Was buried in Monroe Cemetery, Dec. 9th, 1918.

Although father was in poor health most of his life yet he kept up his church duties faithfully.  And provided for his home and family.

Mother's nerve seemed to snap at his passing and would not remain in the house alone.  Her grandchild Edith Filer use to stay with her at night.  In July 1919, she left Monroe with my sister Mary and children to visit some other members of their family in Idaho.  They came to our home (home of daughter Ida Butler) near Rupert Idaho, and remained there part of the summer.

Sarah Ann Visits Ida Butler Family

Then returned to her home in Monroe, but could not stand the lonliness so rented her home and went to Salt Lake City Utah, to live with my youngest sister Luella Morrison, but her health failed and just fifteen months after Fathers death, she passed away in S.L.C. and her body was taken to Monroe, Sevier Co. Utah for burial by the side of her husband.  Two sisters Sarah and Emma were living in Canada and were not able to be to her funeral.  Also brother Frank absent (in France in war).  Those present were Mary G Filer, Luella Morrison, Effie Peterson, brothers William and Leo and his wife and myself.  The funeral services were held in Monroe Ward Chapel.  My uncle Frederick Goold conducted the singing.

After disposing of household goods the home was rented until after all was settled.  After expenses were paid there was $50.00 each for the 9 children. (I will say here that my portion was used as payment on our piano.)  They did not leave much of this worlds goods, but they left a rightous heritage and noble example for their family.

As a child I worked with my father a great deal.  Having three sisters older than myself, I was not needed to help in the house, so it was my delight to follow him, whether in the field or in the garden.  I learned to love gardening while working with him, and still love it.

Father and mother were both singers, and use to sing together, until after a severe case of blood poisioning my mother had, and as her lungs were so affected by it she could not sing.  But father would teach the family to sing.  And as we grew up we all sang in the ward choir.  In our neighborhood in Monroe, there were two home-bound old people, one sister Rich and on the other block was a brother Griffith, and I remember father taking my three older sisters Sarah, Mary and Emma and their hymn book and going to visit, these two people and sing a few songs to them.  He also use to take the sacrament to them when he was Bishop.  He always visited the missionarys wives and also the widows, to see how they were.  All his life he was interested in choir work and he loved the songs of Zion.  A few stand out in my memory as favorites, and no matter when or where I hear them I always in my mind see my father leading them.  I will list some of them.    "Nearer Dear Savior to Thee"

"Beautiful Zion Built Above"

"Love At Home"

"Rock of My Refuge"

"Joseph Smith's First Prayer"

"Oh My Father"

"Kind Words Are Sweet Tones of The Heart"

"Nay Speak No Ill"