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Show Reflections, April 19, 1984, Page 5 ding or funeral, the favorite topic of conversation was what became of Daniel LEE NELSON Beginning this week, the Tooele will serialize "The Storm Testament, a historical adventure-romancby Utah authur Lee Nelson. Transcript e Appearing in 29 publications in fourteen states, The Storm Testament" is the most serialized story of all time. The introduction describes the discovery of Dan Storms lost journals which contain the story that follows. Wanted by Missouri law for his vicious revenge on mob leader Dick Boggs, Dan Storm, a Mormon, flees to the Rocky Mountains with his friend Ike, an escaped slave. Outsmarting the savage Blackfeet following a riverboat disaster on the upper Missouri River, Dan becomes an apprentice mountain man. After a narrow escape in the legendary Valley of the Grizzlies at the headwaters of .the Bloody Dick Creek, Dan heads south from the Bitter Root Mountains to the Ute homeland. He runs into Neuwafe, subchief of the Ute tribe known as lawgwan-nuanc(lakeshore people). A remarkable crisis makes the two young men fast friends, with Dan joining Neuwafe's tribe camped at the foot of the majestic Mt. The black man Ike ends up with the horseless, destitute Gosiutes in the western Utah desert, becoming their fiercest warrior, and eventually their chief. In an effort to win a dowry for the hand of Neuwafe's sister, the strong-willeRed Leaf, Dan teams up with Ike in a daring horse raid on the Northern Commanches. There is plenty of adventure and excitement in every installment of this sizzling epic story. Author Lee Nelson has spent the last nine years accumulating research and experience in preparation for writing "The Storm Testament." He has lived in a tepee, learned to make arrows, bows, twine, items and clothing from natural items found in the wilderness. He has particiapted in wilderness survival expeditions, traveling into desolate roadless areas of the West for as long as 10 days with nothing more than a pocket knife and blanket - and killed elk with his bow and arrows. Nelson's research included extensive study of Western, Indian and Mormon history which resulted in two "The regional best selling books Journal of Joseph", and "The Journal of Brigham", each containing the pernarratives of the first sonal leaders of the Mormon pioneers. Nelsons other serialized novels include Hearteater" (a historical novel dealing with the 1877 Nez Pierce migration), "The Selway Savage" (a contemporary story about a young man's struggle to become a world champion bull rider), "Taming the sasquatch" (a science fiction story of an old man capturing the first Bigfoot or Sasquatch creature), and The Adventures of Isaac Crabbe" (a young man becoming a mountain man. e Tim-panogo- s. d When asked about the possibility of The Storm Testament being made into a movie, Nelson says he has nothing to report except that two people associated with the movie industry have requested copies of the story to review. Prologue By Sam Storm Caro- My line Storm, would never allow anyone to read her husbands hand written journals. His name was Dan Storm, and he filled eight volumes with his life story. Caroline would read parts to her children and grandchildren, like her husbands involvement in the Far West persecutions in Missouri, his living with the Ute Indians before Mormon Pioneers came to the Utah territory, and his involvement with the Mormon Battalion and one of the handcart companies. But she would never let anyone else read the journals. She promised that after she died everyone could read the secret parts. After her funeral in 1905, the journals could not be found. She had been living with her son, Joseph, in American Fork, Utah, and the house was searched from top to bottom, but the journals simply were not there. For the next 74 years, every time the family got together for a reunion, wed- - Storms journals, and after his death, why Caroline refused to let anyone read them. Some speculated that they contained juicy tidbits about early polygamy. Others suggested that they might contain criticism of Joseph Smith or Brigham Young. Perhaps there were counts of revenge against Missiouri mobbers or Utah Indians, that if made know would bring shame to the family. But only Caroline knew the real reasons for keeping the journals secret, and she didnt tell. The family was divided into two camps, those who believed she had destroyed the journals before her death, and those who believed that she couldnt have destroyed them, that they must be hidden, or perhaps stolen. I personally was tired of hearing about the journals. There wasnt any sense worrying about them now that they were gone. Someone should have been more concerned while Caroline was alive, and not have let them disappear. This is now I felt on that fateful afternoon in June of 1980 when was having lunch with Grandma Storm at the old house in American Fork. She was talking about the journals, the same old stuff I'd heard a thousand times. I was in no hurry to go anywhere, so with an occasional nod, encouraged her to keep talking, even though there was nothing new or particularly interesting in what she was saying. had just graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in English literature, unemployed and not very inter I I I ested in becoming an English teacher. There was nothing to say. Family members had been searching in vain for over 75 years, and never a single clue had been found as to where the journals might be. Grandma stood up slowly, and with the help of her cane hobbled into the bedroom. She was gone what seemed a long time, but finally returned carrying an old blue box under her arm. cleared a space for her on the table so she could set it down. "Maybe somewhere in these old papers theres a clue," she said. "Youre a little old to be playing Sherlock Holmes," said. She ignored my remark and handed me a handful of yellowish wrinkled papers. Most were letters from relatives and friends, homey stuff about someone getting married or breaking an arm, or buying a new flush toilet. had read most of the letters before, and wasnt particularly interested in reading them again. Near the bottom of my pile were some old advertisements, probably torn out of magazines or catalogues. These never failed to interest me. One of the ads showed a pen and ink drawing of an upright organ, the kind you pump with your feet, priced brand new at $27.95. I I I W SATELLITE SYSTEM SALES SPRING MOTOR HOME SERVICE NOW HAS A SYSTEM AVAILABLE FOR RENT OR DEMO! We can bring our system right to your home so that you can experience first hand what the others are only OQO c70-- . 0 D . telling you about!! 0 We rejwir all make. More park in. Limner Iray-- i lo accomodate tire larnest motor homes Heel service and discount OOtOO Ml M I Call D today for information on how you can receive D demonstration in vour own home. D a FREE SjC J Bobs 6ARA6G WAITES APPAREL 29 No. Main 8S20667 life-stor- 278 N. Main Q I was in limbo, trying to figure out what to do with the rest of my life. "I just know she wouldn't have destroyed them," said Grandma, with conviction. Too many times she said how grateful she was that grandfather had written his history for posterity." I didnt respond to her statement. $ioo SZ Off Any Adult Sized Pair 01 JEANS We have merchandl se arriving daily. We're grow Ing to meet your needs. |