OCR Text |
Show HilfirlUirtar JULY 21, 1995 , I have an unusual and, I hope, interesting request. I am trying to find out as much as I can about a great uncle of mine, Garrett Reynolds, of Pimlico, Dublin, Ireland, who emigrated to North America in the early 1880's. I am writing a book about him, based on a wonderful collection of letters he wrote home to my great grandparents, Roseanna and Denis Reynolds. The letters span 18 years, from 1886 to 1904, and begin and end in Milford, although he traveled widely throughout North America, prospecting for gold and silver. As you can imagine, his letters are a social record and of the struggles adventures such a life entailed. But it was not all wild adventure. He married and settled in Milford, and a son was bom on August 21,1 904. He may have been called Garrett or Patrick, and was born in his uncle's house in Beaver, moving to Milford on the September 1 1, 1904, aged only 3 weeks. Through you goodwill, I am trying to trace his or him, possibly descendants. I want Garrett's story to be as true to him as I can record it, and hopefully, someone in Milford will be able to help me. I would be delighted too if a local historian or writer wished to lease with me about the era, as I cannot afford to travel and do the research I would dearly love to do; unless of course, I get an advance from a publisher! I would be most greatful if you could print this letter in your paper, and for any assistance you can offer me. I enclosed a photograph copy of a of Garrett, sent from Milford in June 1886, before he went off on his long trek. In a letter written in 1896, from North Fork, Salmon British River, said: Garrett Columbia, after I "....Shortly I from wrote Utah, left . .where I am now is a wild country. I am SO miles from the nearest post office. There are 4 men here all told. We are here for the winter, can't get out 'til spring, for there are no roads in this country, everything is packed, (carried) on the back here. You see it is new unsettled country, and like all this western mining it is wild and region, mountainous, nobody living here only prospectors seeking for fortunes, and a hard life it is to lead... If only I had space to tell you all connected with the ups and downs of this kind of life. I should be glad to do tin-pla- te GardenaCA June. would them. anyhow.' I don't know about prompt, because it has been left for a century, but I want to tell Garrett's story for him. maybe one day you will read it in Milford, the town he began his American adventure in, and the place he choose to go back and settle in with his wife and son. Thank you for reading my letter, and hopefully, for publishing it. I look forward to hearing from you, or my relatives, or from anyone from Milford. Yours Sincerely, Patricia O'Brien. 43 Duncan Rd. Rainsgate, Kent England CTH 924 Dear Editor, By way of introduction, let me present a brief genealogy: I. Arvin Mitchell and Caroline Sargent Stoddard. II. Arvin Nathaniel b. San 1853, Stoddard, Bernardino. III. Robert Sargent Stoddard, b. 1895, Milford. IV. Robert Jack b. Soda Stoddard, 1923, Springs, ID. V. Patricia Jo b. Los Stoddard, 1960, Angeles, CA. You see, my was Arvin Mitchell Stoddard, founder of Milford. Last October, my fiance and I traveled to Beaver County to visit your town (and also Minersville, where my grandmother and were born). We much enjoyed our trip very and met a good number of friendly folk in the town hall. We spent some time at the the visiting cemetery, Stoddard plot. I have a photo of Arvin standing next to the marble obelisk which marks the site. I took some photos of the site, but not all of the I gravestones are legible. know of course, that both Arvin and Caroline are buried there, but there is a third corner, grave, a the north-ea- st that gives the following dates: born Feb. 12, 1863, died April 27, 1917. Can you tell me the name that is on this grave? Can you also copy down the names of others who are buried here? I believe there were several children who did not live to adulthood and who I might be buried here. assistance appreciate any you may be. Is there a historical Your very truly, Tricia Stoddard 90249-391- 1 P.S. One of the great delights of my childhood occurred whenever my grandparents took a trip to Utah (Usually to Beaver County) and returned with pine nuts that had been gathered by the local Indians. These were roasted, cracked open, and consumed with glee We by ne and my sisters. were fortunate last October to be able to enter the market in Milford and purchase several pounds of these. I hope we can return sometime soon and enjoy this delicacy one again. Dear Editor: To the People of Milford, I would like to the Little congratulate League and Babe Ruth teams of Milford. Because all the teams are not done What an accomplishment! My question is this. Is our and board school superintendent paying any attention. These are the very young men whom they are the to trying deny opportunity to play high school baseball. I had an opportunity to talk to a board member and his explanation for not having a baseball team in Milford was a number of things. The region in which we have played in the past three years would like Milford High School to field a girls softball team. He stated that he didn't know if Milford had "Enough Competitive" girls to have a softball team. I suggested they ask the Milford High School girls before making a determination. He, ss well as most of the board members have said that the region wouldn't allow a boys team without a girls team. I spoke personally to three coaches in the region and they said that they would like a girls team but it was not This board mandatory. member also said the problem was financial. The cost of transporting two and (Beaver Milford) baseballsoftball teams to games was prohibitive. Years ago our music department was dismantled, our instruments sent to Beaver (later salvaged and sold) and we were all told that someday we will again have a music department in our school. I am still waiting to see a band at a football game or march in a parade. What a shame it is. I've heard rumors that our football team could be abolished. Now our baseball team. Where will this end? Will it be our school? Our town is growing, and with that our enrollment in our high school. Will we still be told by "our" school board that we need to give up more and more? I wonder what is really behind getting rid of our baseball team? Create the opportunity for students and then let them decide. Don't do it for Them! Are we the people of Milford going to allow this to continue? This time we have the support of Minersville and Beaver, as evidenced in the petitions presented to the board by Dick DeArmitt, with several hundred in favor of signatures, Milford retaining baseball. If the people of Milford are as tired as I am of hearing what Milford High School has to give up, then I suggest you write or call the board members and voice your opinion. It's time we are heard. On second thought, put your comments and opinions in writing then there is no mistake in what is said. sKATHYROSE '0 great-grandmot- 0 0 Last Chance to Dance to 0 0i 0"O BairireU & Hughesi Live at the or genealogical society in town? Perhaps you could forward this letter to someone "Iback the family insurance I sell with good neighbor service." And our new computer system makes that good service even better. Call me. BRENT STAPELY 757 N. MAIN, BEAVER a good neighbor, State Farm is there. TAU State Farm Insurance Companies Home Offices: Bloomington, Illinois July 21 & MRM INIUIANCI July 22 9: P.M. to 1: A.M. If The PUB is a privateclub for mombers only. Milford, Utah 413 S. Main 801-387-24- 98 1 801-438-5- 45 Like 15213 Faysmith Avenue be happy to so, but it would take a book, a reciprocate with any help that large one at that, and better I could be in conducting writer. A more prompt one family history research for I Dear Editor, playing, I don't know the final outcome of some of the games. I do know that as a Community, we should be very proud. I want to congratulate the Babe Ruth on the district team championship. These young men also took a gold medal at the summer games in in town who has a common interest in the Stoddard family. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR PAGE 6 |