History of Evan T. Jones

Contributed By James Wortley · 2014-01-18 06:05:03 GMT+0000 (UTC) · 0 Comments

History of Evan Jones Evan Jones was the fourth child, second son born Oct 15, 1840 to Thomas and Letitia Thomas Jones at Saint Asaph, Flintshire, North Wales. His father when young was engaged in dairy farming. However, before Evan was born, he changed his vocation to mining. He was what we call a leaser, getting or cut by contract. His mother Letitia Thomas was a very lovely intelligent woman. She was heir to an estate, with this money she purchased a grocery store. She managed this at Evan’s birth. Evan Jones was a healthy vigorous child. He grew rapidly in stature and strength. He had very little schooling, as he was taken into the mines by his father at the early age of nine carry drills for the miners. He became very devoted to mines, shown by the fact that he continued to work in them nearly all the working days of his life. When grown, he traveled to different parts of the old world to work. He became acquainted with other people’s habits, their ways of living, ruling powers, traveling, etc. Although he had very little schooling, he became educated from these experiences. He was a very interesting person to talk with. In the village where he lived, there were many taverns. It was the custom of the people, old and young, to go there to eat and drink ale, talking of the news of the town, and they were often entertained by boxing and wrestling. Evan liked to box and trained in that line. He was very quick and athletic. He became well known in that field. He was known many times to defend someone who was being ill-treated. He was so quick that he was seldom overpowered. He stood six foot in his stockings, shoulders thrown back, head erect, blue eyes that looked into yours with interest, auburn hair, red mustache, and very fair complexion. He walked with a rapid stride, a very good dancer. He knew many steps. He would dance fifteen minutes at a time, often singing while he danced without any noticeable tiredness. At the age of nineteen he married Martha Price, who was a dress make. Two children were born to them, a boy and a girl. The boy died in infancy. The girl later came to America, married and reared a large family. Evan Jones went to England to work, leaving his family in Wales while he was there. While in England he witnessed a wonderful healing. He saw a man crushed by rocks and every bone in his body seemed to be broken. Doctors were helpless to do anything. Someone said that two missionaries were in the vicinity. The family immediately asked that they be called. They came, administered to him and he was healed. Evan was kneeling near the body. He heard the bones knit together. He and his father (Evan’s father) were immediately impressed, and they were ready to be taught the Gospel, and later joined the church. The elder was baptized first, Evan hastened to tell his wife of his new found religion. However, Martha refused to listen or have anything to do with the church. She refused to come to Zion, and this grieved Evan very much, so he took his daughter to his mother, and bid Martha goodbye. There he became so ill the missionaries were called. They advised him to come to America – to Zion. In his youth as he was walking around his home he heard a voice saying “Go to America and help build up the Kingdom of God.” Now for the first time in his life he was able to understand what was meant by those words. When he was able, he left Wales to come to Utah. William John Hill of Bountiful, Utah, who came across the ocean on the same ship at the same time as my father Evan Jones did, wrote the following in his history dated February 10, 1933. “We set sail June 18, 1868, from Liverpool on the ship, “Emerald Isle,” which carried about 1000 passengers.” He said, “We had a good deal of sickness because of bad drinking water and many other privations. Over 40 people died and were thrown overboard. After we had been on the ocean for over 8 weeks we finally landed in New York in that last part of August 1868. We came on the railroad as far as Omaha, and there were wagons, oxen and mules to bring us across the plains. We also had many hardships on the plains and quite a few died. We reached Salt Lake City the latter part of September 1868. When they landed in Castle Gardens, New York, under quaranteen 1,175 were taken to the hospital and 125 died there. Evan and Brother William Hill, and Sister Ada Bryson of Bountiful were Mormon emigrants on that fateful ship. They were all very thankful for being spared. Those three left by train as far as Omaha, Nebraska. From there, they traveled by team to Salt Lake City, arriving September 1868. That year the Union Pacific Railroad company was extending its roads from Omaha to Ogden, Utah. Because of Evan’s experience, he was hired as a shift foreman at Echo Tunnel. Men were rough and ready in those days, and most of them carried fire arms. To give you an idea of some of the things going on, I will relate an incident. An Irishman worked on this tunnel who was continually abusing a Latter-day Sait worker, calling him names. Evan asked the worker why he allowed him to swear and call him those names. His answer was, “What would you do, Evan, if he called you those names?” His answer was, “I would make him eat it.” The next time the Irishman abused him he said, “You wouldn’t dare call Evan Jones those names.” The Irishman said, “What would he do?” when told what Evan said, he started in pursuit of him. He found him standing on a lift built for a blacksmith forge. The Irishman immediately called him the same names he had the other fellow, and as he said this he drew two guns from his belt, pointed them at him. Evan said he could feel his hair standing straight on his head. Suddenly a calm feeling came over him and quick as a wink he kicked the other fellow under the chin, jumped on to him, taking his guns from him. He then ordered him to leave camp, and the other men who had gathered to watch back to work. When the tunnel at Echo was completed, the camp was moved to Weber Canyon for tunneling thee. While in Morgan, he boarded at the house of Susan Householder. He and Susan went over to Porterville to a meeting. While there, he saw a dark-eyed, good looking lady singing in the choir. He asked Susan who she was. She told him “Cynthia Porter, and she is engaged to another man.” “It doesn’t make any difference, if she isn’t married, she will be my wife.” After meeting was over, he was introduced to Cynthia. A mutual friendship soon existed between them. Evan Jones at this time was 29 and Cynthia Porter 19. Although she was young, she was cultured, a village school teacher, teaching from the first to the sixth grade readers, she learned early to knit, weave, and sew. Evan Jones, as most Welshmen do, had a splendid voice. He could alternate from a rich baritone to a high tenor. He must have created alternate from a rich baritone to a high tenor. He must have created quite a sensation as he attended that meeting, adorned in a soft tailored suit, leather shoes, and expensive flannel shirt. Quite a contrast to the home spun clothes of that day. His physical condition rated high with unwavering faith in his new found religion. These two had much in common, and were married April 14, 1869. They lived in Almy, Wyoming, after the tunneling was finished. There he worked in a coal mine. One child was born to them in Almy. At that time in history it was a very common sight to see Indian villages. The Pioneers had made friends with them. Cynthia’s father had taken two Indian orphans to rear. As a result, Cynthia could understand and take some of their language. John Porter, who was sitting by my father (Evan) aimed a gun at some Indians in fun. The Indians were fearful of his actions and considered him an enemy and those in the group with him. One evening six large Indians came to the door dressed in war feathers, tomahawks and guns, and wanted to know where Evan was. Cynthia was very frightened. She knew from their talk and actions that they were going to do harm. Evan was outside doing the chores. She dared not leave the children in the house to warn him, fearful, also that if he came in, they would kill him. She could only pray. This she did sincerely. When Evan did come, he soon knew they meant trouble. He also began to pray. Soon voices were heard outside. Opening the door, six men had called. They were invited in. the Indians were frightened and soon left. Evan asked those men how they came to call on him, and they said that they were on their way to town when one of them was impressed to come that way. He urged the rest to do so, too. So that night of fear and horror turned to be one of thankfulness and great joy. While at Porterville, Evan sent for his mother, his daughter, his brother and an adopted brother who was left at his mother’s doorstep in infancy, with name written on paper – William Lester – in the basket. Evan’s mother lived to be 9f4 years old, and William Lester cared for her in her declining years. After her death he lived but a short time. Evan’s brother, Ben went with him to work in the quarry. Drilling was all done double-hand. They attracted much attention from officials which came to the quarry. Evan using the hammer and Ben turning the drill. Some mining men from California were watching them, and offered them $10 per day if they would come to California to work. Father was impressed with the offer, knowing what it would do for his family as wages were very low. His answer was “Gentlemen, your offer is very generous, but I cannot, I have been called by God’s servant to this work.” The family was finally moved to be near the quarry after walking from the quarry to Porterville. The family had many happy times, and also times of sorrow were experienced there. At one time the whole family was ill with typhoid fever. There was no doctor available. Evan and Cynthia used herb teas. Omni became so sick, they prayed to the Lord to take him if it be his will. Evan stepped outside the door, and he could not endure to watch him suffering any longer. He returned quickly and said, “Stop crying. That child will not die, and I know it.” The power of the Holy Ghost bore witness to him that he would not die. The family all rejoiced together in God’s goodness. That son did recover, and his first words were, “The Lord did make me well.” While living at the quarry, they were blessed with two more children. After the temple was finished, the family moved to Salt Lake City. Evan then worked at Park City. The next move was to Centerville Most of all the children loved to hear of their parents’ experiences which happened in their youthful days. They sang beautifully together, songs of the day and hymns., Davis County. One more child was born to them there. In 1886 the family moved to the bench land in Bountiful. Evan was then forced to work away from home most of the time until 1893, and then he took up some claims in Hard Scrabble five miles from Porterville in Morgan County. There he began prospecting. He had found some very high-grade ore on the surface of the mountain – iron, copper, and gold quantities between quartzite and lime rock formation. There he worked for four years. At the end of that time he gave it up disappointed indeed. Evan was light hearted, and seldom complained. He was nimble and playful with his children. In his home family meetings were held each week. There they would sing, recite, tell stories, each one express themselves in regard to the teachings of our Lord and Savior. The children received very good advice and much information was given them. In this home two more children were born, which proved to be a blessing to the family. Most of all the children loved to hear of their parent’s experiences which happened in their youthful days. They sang beautifully together, songs of the day and hymns. We would all sing together. Evan’s favorite hymns were “God Moves in a Mysterious Way.” And how firm a foundation. He had a very definite way in controlling his children, never whipping, but when he spoke them all became quiet, or performed whatever was required of them. Evan’s gift was inspiration. He often told us beforehand many things which would take place in our lives, and they did. He was a great source of comfort to us in trouble. He loved and adored Cynthia, treated her as a queen and taught his children to do likewise. Their love for her was very sincere. She was ill in a great deal of the time after her eighth child was born. Evan loved to hunt. He always had several guns loaded, and belts full of loaded shell. He was a very good marksman. He taught Cynthia to be one, also, and as his children grew older, he would teach each one of them to shoot, and have then knowledge to properly use a gun. The family would have a day of making lead bullets. They would heat the lead in iron kettles, when hot pour into forms, and when cool snap them out and fill the shell with powder. Then they would put in another compressor to push lead into the shell solid. It was lots of fun. They would make hundreds at a time. Evan moved his family to Mercur, Tooele County in 1900, which was mining town. Cynthia’s health improved after moving. She was made second counselor in the Relief Society, block teach and was also set apart to wash and anoint the sisters in the ward. This she did in humbleness; the sisters loved her and were comforted, for they felt the spirit of God was with her. Cynthia was cultured, full of nobility, she studied every spare moment, and retained what she read. She spoke in conferences. Whenever she was to speak, the chapel was filled to capacity. Her children adored her. Her sons called her their “Angel Mother.” The beauty of her face, and the richness of her voice as she sang to them, told them bible stories bore her testimony, were things which none of them could forget. Early in 1907 she became ill and was brought to her daughter’s home, Lydia E. Fisher, at Bountiful, Utah, She died August 7, 1907 and was buried in the Bountiful Cemetery August 10, 1907. Evan’s loneliness was so hard to bear, his children all being married, except for Jane and Aaron. Aaron was fifteen years old, and was placed in Porter and Eliza’s care. There he stayed for a while, then went to live with Martha and Stephen. He worked his way through school and is now a doctor of Education, and President of the Carbon College. Evan went to Eureka in 1907 to work. While there he met and married a German woman with a family. The match was a poor one, and rather costly for Evan. He gave her his Tooele home, and went to live with his oldest daughter, Estella, at magna. There he worked as night watchman. After some time, he decided to change his vocation, so he moved to Woodruff and lived on a ranch with his daughter Annie and her husband Alexander. He trapped animals there, and did a great deal of hunting. While in Woodruff, Evan dreamed that Dan Crump came to him, and told him that in eight months, he would come for him. Dan was a dear friend. The children all received letters telling them of the dream. Just one month before he specified time, Evan visited with some of his children and there he said goodbye. On his visit with his youngest daughter, Jan and her husband at their home he became very ill. The other members of his family visited him there. Evan closed his eyes in death ten days after his arrival there, joining his wife, whom he loved and missed. Evan fulfilled his responsibilities as husband and father – never shirking. His work was a good as his bond. He would walk miles to keep a promise. He was dependable, straight forward in all of his dealings. He was also a proud citizen of his beloved, acquired America. He was a defender of the helpless wherever he found them. His children all grew up to obey and honor their distinguished sire and their angel mother, and each of the children were worthy of marriage in the Temple. Evan died the 11th day of January 1916. His body was brought by his children to Bountiful, where it was laid by their mother’s side.