Author Archives: ehoopes

Biography of Rebecca Rocena Beck Berry

Written by her daughter Harriet L. Berry in her 75th year. In the year of 1840, Orson Hyde was ordained as Apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, by the Prophet Joseph Smith in Nauvoo, Illinois, and was sent on a mission to Palestine without purse or script, to dedicate that Holy ground for the return of the Jews. On arriving in Philadelphia, Hyde was without means to cross the mighty ocean. Being full of faith in […]

Walter Lysle Platt and Alice Campbell

Written by their daughter Rocena Platt Chidester November 1976 Walter Lysle Platt was born 5 November 1900 at Kanarraville, Iron, Utah, to John William Platt and Mary Wilhelmina Perry. He was the fourth child. The other children were William Grant, Rulon Berry, John Elton, Jay Clair, Mary Rebecca, Minnie, Leila, Melvina, Verna, Vernon (twins), and Ralph Browning. Lysle spent all of his life in Kanarraville. Lysle had long ringlets up until the time he started school. As a boy he […]

The Tennesse Massacre: Newspaper Article with Account of President Miles Jones’ interviews with surviving Saints, family and members of the mob

Erection by the church of a little monument at Cane Creek, Tennessee, last June recalled in the minds of many saints in that section and others knowing of the event, a happening which many years ago shocked the entire Church membership. It was the brutal killing of two missionaries and two faithful friends of James Condor, August 10, 1884. The elders killed were John H. Gibbs of Paradise, and William S. Berry of Kanarra. The two others were Martin Condor […]

The Tennessee Massacre: Retrieval of bodes, burial, and conclusion

Meet Fugitives When Elder Jones arrived among the Saints in Shady Grove, Monday morning, he found Elder J.G. Kimball there on a visit with the Saints. Tuesday morning these two brethren secured horses and a guide to go and see what had become of the other elders. They had proceeded but about eight or ten miles on their way when they met with Elder Thopson, who had fled from Condor’s house immediately after the killing of Elder Gibbs, and Mr. […]

The Tennessee Massacre: Defense and memorial of the martyrs

Victims Buried Those who had fled to the woods in the excitement, returned as soon as the mob left; the eyes of the dead were closed, and the bodies of the two elders and their brave defenders were laid side by side. Plain coffins were made of poplar lumber and the Saints and friends laid away in the best possible manner, under the circumstances, the bodies of the four martyrs.  The Condors going to their graves where they will sleep […]

The Tennessee Massacre: An account of events

Sunday Services Sunday morning dawned in all splendor that is only known to a day in early autumn. The day seemed auspicious both to the Saints and Elders. The former were to be taught more of the principles of eternal truth, the latter were to have the privilege of preaching the precious gospel of Christ, and leading several into the waters of baptism. Especially was it a day of gladness to Elders Gibbs and Jones. For two months they had […]

The Tennessee Massacre: Setting the Scene

One of the most courageous events in the life of Pres. B. H. Roberts, was his recovery of the bodies of two elders who had been slain by mobs while performing missionary work in the Southern States mission. The account of those events are given as follows in President Roberts’ own language: THE TENNESSEE MASSACRE “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel,” was a commission given to the Apostles by the Son of God when ministering in […]

Kanarraville Takes Fame in Stride

by Carl E Hayden Tribune Staff Writer KANARRAVILLE, Iron County–How does little Kanarraville feel about having been tossed into the limelight through interest in 26 Californians discovered camping in nearby winter-bound Sprint Creek Canyon? CALM AND COLLECTED. “They say they were harried by overgrown California,” one of Kanarraville’s 250 residents, who prefers to remain anonymous, said. “They seem tobe doing nothing untoward, and are welcome to our quiet.” ON U.S. HIGHWAY 91 about 14 miles south of Cedar City, Kanarraville […]

Kanarra Miss Weds Richfield Man In Temple Ceremony

Rocena Platt, daughter of Mr and Mrs. Walter L. Platt of Kanarraville, exchanged marriage vows Wednesday with Arnon Reeve Chidester in a ceremony performed in the L D S temple in St. George. Officiating at the wedding was Harold Snow, president of the Temple. The groom is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Arnon Chidester of Richfield. Following the ceremony, the newlyweds left on an extended honeymoon to the west coast. A reception in their honor is being planned on […]

“I Remember When” – Memories of Arnon A. Chidester by his daughter-in-law, Rocena Platt Chidester

MEMORIES OF ARNON A. CHIDESTER (GRANDPA) Written for his  102nd Birthday By Rocena Platt Chidester, daughter-in-law November 6, 1993 I remember when:  I remember the very first time I met Reeve’s mom and dad.  Reeve called and said that he was bringing “Rosa” home for them to meet.  All his mother could think of was the “Big fat Rosa” on the “I love Luigi” radio program, “well” they treated me great.  I also met Lois that day, as she was […]

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