Notes for Henry Eyring Bowman, Jr.: Block 6 Lot 118
CHAPTER II -YOUNG ADULTHOOD - COLLEGE YEARS
Two years passed during which I worked on the farm. The longing for higher education became intensified. An invitation was received from my Bowman Grandparents, Henry Eyring Bowman and Mary Gubler Bowman, to come to Logan, Utah and live with them and attend the Utah State Agricultural College. Grandfather had undergone a serious prostate operation and was not recovering rapidly. Grandmother needed someone to take care of the cow, chickens, garden, and help around their apartment house. This was my golden opportunity.
Dad had ordained me a Priest on October 5, 1930.
Dad and Mother took me to El Paso to buy some clothing. Upon our return, we learned that Lamar Taylor and the Pierce boys and girl were going to drive up and I could ride with them. Dad was only able to give me $100.00 toward my college education.
When I got on the Noroeste De Mexico train to leave for college, Mother was crying. She knew that this was only a temporary separation, but it was emotional. I have used this example in talks in funerals to remind us that even though death is not a permanent separation, we are sad at parting. Just as I was getting ready to leave, Dad took me aside and told me that he would prefer that I be sent home in a coffin, rather than that I should come home disgraced for having committed sexual sin. This is an example of the impressive teachings I received from my parents. As a result of these teachings, all eight of us who lived went on missions, and were married in the temple.
We had a pleasant trip to Provo, where the others were going. Evidently a Mr. Smith was driving, because he took me as far as Brigham City, where I stayed overnight. (I don't remember where.) The next morning I took the Interurban (train, two or three cars) to Logan.
I was a little worried about how to find Grandmother's house, but I walked a couple of miles or so carrying my bag, north and east until I found it (585 East 700 North). My first impression was that it was a very nice place, away from the business section, and peaceful and quiet like a small town. Grandmother was very surprised, because she hadn't been informed that I was coming. I arrived on September 13, 1932.
There was plenty to do around the place. There were weeds to hoe in the garden, a steeply sloped lawn to cut, 500 chickens to care for, a Jersey cow to feed and milk, and there were apartments to clean, etc., etc. There was time to tinker with the old 1925 (or 1927) Oldsmobile sedan that was abandoned in the back yard because it wouldn't run. Then I took Grandmother in it to Salt Lake to see Grandfather. She hadn't been able to leave until September 22nd until all the apartments were rented (3). Grandfather really beamed all over when the "only woman he ever really loved" walked in. But he took one look at little Claudius and said, "You're not a Bowman!"
Uncle Henry came from Provo daily to massage Grandfather's legs, so while Grandma visited Grandpa, I went to Provo where I spent two happy days becoming acquainted with Uncle Henry and Aunt Eva's family, an exceptional family where there was never a dull moment. This friendship has lasted over the years, and we have had many wonderful times together.
Grandfather insisted that Uncle Henry drive him to Logan on November 6, 1932, although he admitted later that he should have stayed longer in the hospital. It was a great and interesting experience to get acquainted with Grandfather, even though at first he was so miserable because of the pain he suffered that it accentuated his bad temper. By the middle of December, he felt better and would get out for short walks. He enjoyed Christmas, and visiting with his many friends and relatives.
Dad, I can readily see where you get all your grit, because you are just like your father. As he described his operation, it was some ordeal. It seems that they were trying out a new anesthetic that they inject into the spine, and that is what they used on Granddad. But it did not work. They started the operation and it was too late to stop, so they went through with it. Granddad said that if Dr. LeGrand made one move that he didn't get full benefit of the pain that he would challenge anyone to tell him about it. The way he described how they got their hands down under his bladder and jerked the prostate out was very touching. Then they sewed up two or three incisions with him gritting he teeth and bearing it without the aid of an anesthetic. They called him superman around the hospital.
The nearest thing I have to a diary are my letters that I wrote almost every week. To give you an idea of how I was during my education and growing up years, as well as later, I will quote from them. If anyone reads my letters, he or she should take them with a grain of salt, because it seems that I was always trying to he funny and exaggerated the situation and the spelling.
November 6, 1932
Uncle Henry and Aunt Eva brought Grandfather home in Brother Done's car. They took the front seat out and made a bed on the right side. Grandpa is feeling pretty good. He stood the trip pretty well. He is now lying on the divan talking to a couple of visitors. I guess that I'll have the pleasure of rubbing him down with alcohol every night. Uncle Henry and Aunt Eva went right back after dinner. Granddad is surely glad to get home. He admits now that he should have stayed in the hospital a few days longer the first time. It would have saved him an awful lot of suffering. He left the hospital and went to Hugh Hurst's home for a while, but had to return to the hospital. (Hugh Hurst is a very good friend of the family. He is a son of the Hurst that has the largest marker in the Dublan cemetery. I became well acquainted with him later, and he helped me considerably because he was the veterinarian for the Utah Poultry Producers' Cooperative.) Granddad thinks he can get along all right now. He can walk around using two canes, and he can get up and down into the easy chairs, although he needs help to sit on the dining room chairs.
I met Dr. Reuben A. Hill and his wife Theresa Snow Hill. Dr. Hill is a Chemistry professor at the College. Theresa Snow Hill and her sister, Beatrice Snow Winsor, were Mother's best friends at the J.S.A. and their Mother is an Eyring. They were very anxious to hear about the family and they asked me questions for more than a half hour. Dr. Hill later took me up to the College and introduced me to Professors Coe and Wilson who were over the Horticulture Department. Everyone has been so good to me. I guess it's because they can see the rube sticking out all over.
June 22, 1933
At present I am out of a job again (partially). I cleared about $1.15 per day thinning sugar beets. It cost me about 30 cents a day to run the "Olds" the 30 miles round trip.
The chickens (pullets) are growing like weeds and seem to be as healthy as I am. We have not lost even one. We are feeding them sour skim milk from the college dairy at 5 cents per 10 gallons.
(I do not know why I didn't write about Grandfather's death, funeral, etc. He died on May 30, 1933, and was buried in the Provo cemetery. Uncle Henry died a few months later.)
Improvement Era · Improvement Era, 1906 · Vol. IX. September, 1906. No. 11 · Editor's Table.
Elders P. S. Williams, James Maybin, and Henry E. Bowman , Jr., writing to the ERA from Toluca, Mexico, July 30, say: "President H. S. Harris and family and many of the Saints assembled with us in a ward conference capacity at this place, where we had arrived on our farewell trip around the mission. As returning missionaries, we bore our parting testimonies to the truth of the cause for which we have labored, expressing our appreciation for the friendship and kindness received from members and acquaintances. Eight persons were added to the fold by baptism and confirmation." A social program was rendered by the Saints and elders of the Toluca conference in appreciation of the presence and labors of their departing brethren, who say further, "We have appreciated very much the reading of the ERA, and thank you greatly for your kindness in sending it."
By Claudius Bowman III, great-grandson
"A story is told that Henry Bowman Jr. was captured by a band of Pancho Villa's soldiers during this revolution and had been backed against a wall to be shot. As a last resort, Bowman pleaded with the officer in charge to allow him to speak with his friend Butch Cassidy, before he was executed. Cassidy had been a resident of those parts for many years and was well known to the officer, so the request was granted. A messenger was sent and Cassidy arrived in haste. When he saw Bowman he protested on behalf of the boy's innocence of any connection with the Mexican Federal soldiers, vouched for his honesty, and agreed to be responsible for his future actions. The officer was convinced and Bowman was freed, returning to Cedar City, Utah shortly afterward. The incident is undoubtedly true. But, according to Jim Marshall, an old-timer who knew both, the man who saved Bowman's life was Mike Cassidy, the old southern Utah bandit whose name was taken by George LeRoy Parker." 1
More About Henry Eyring Bowman, Jr.: Date born 2: 09 Aug 1886, St. George, Washington, Utah.104, 105, 106, 107 Burial 1: Unknown, Provo Cemetery, Provo, Utah, Utah.108 Burial 2: Provo Cemetery, Provo, Utah, Utah.108 Died 2: 13 Oct 1933, Provo, Utah, Utah.109 Endowment (LDS) 1: 03 Jun 1908, SLAKE.110 Endowment (LDS) 2: 03 Jun 1908, SLAKE.110 Other-Begin: Kane County.111, 111 Residence 1: 1930, Star, Beaver, Utah.112, 113, 114 Residence 2: Not Stated, Kane, Utah.115 Residence 3: 1920, Kanab, Kane, Utah.116 Unknown-Begin: Utah, Utah.117
More About Henry Eyring Bowman, Jr. and Eva Sarah Done: Marriage: 03 Jun 1908, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, United States.118
Children of Henry Eyring Bowman, Jr. and Eva Sarah Done are:
Jr. Henry Eyring Bowman, Jr. (b. 09 Aug 1886, d. 13 Oct 1933)
Notes for Henry Eyring Bowman, Jr.: