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Show Camp Vernal DUP Camp Vernal DUP May meeting was held May 23 at the home of Leora Jacobe with Dora Freestone and Erma Weeks as co-Tiostesses. A delicious salad lunch was served to seventeen members and one guest. Mrs. Iola Winn, from San Dieeo, Calif. Captain Myrl Eaton conducted. Alice Wall opened tbe meeing with prayer. The group sang, "Long Long Ago." Minutes of the April meeting were read and approved. This history of Hyrum and Sarah Watson Oaks, was read by their granddaughter, Ila (Oaks) Herbert. Sarah's parents came from Scotland. She was born in Illinois. Hyrum's parents came to Utah in 1852 and settled set-tled in Heber Valley. He was born in American Fork. Five children were born to this union. One died in infancy. In 1888 they moved to the Uintah Basin, settling in Maeser. Mr. Oaks was in the sawmill business with his father and brothers, establishing a sawmill in what is now Oaks Park, named for the Oaks family. Hyrum was also a farmer. Sarah was a kind and helpful person by nature, always helping others. She raised several children of a sister. When her son Ed's wife died, she helped his raise his eight children. Hyrum died March 13, 1930. Sarah passed away January 29, 1933. Mary Freeman gave the lesson, gunsmiths and guns of pioneer time. She told of many pioneer gunsmiths who made and repaired guns. Although the Mormons were forced to surrender their guns in Missouri, some were hidden and saved for use as they crossed the plains and after arriving in Utah, for obtaining food and sometimes to defend their homes and families from outside invaders. Jonathan Browning, born Oct. 22. 1805. in Tennessee, was one of the gunsmiths who made guns and also repaired those that were saved. He invented the first repeating rifle, which had four barrels that had to turn when it was shot. He made pistols and other weapons. He migrated to Utah in 1852, where he and his son John Moses carried on the gun business. His motto,"Love Thy Neighbor Neigh-bor as Thyself," soon turned his shop into a public workshop for all. Officers were installed by President Deon Merkley for the next two years: Leora Jacobe, captain; Bertha Richards, 1st vice captain; Erma Martin, 2nd vice captain; Ella Feltch, secretary and treasurer; Mary Freeman, lesson leader; Dora Freestone, chaplain; Darlene Evans, chorister; Mildia Jones, historian; Elizabeth Hatch, registrar; Venice Rooks, marker chairman; Fadalice Hatch, friendship. A vote of thanks was given the outgoing officers for three years of good leadership. |