EDNA FAY LAWSON HOSKINS

FOR THE GOOD TIMES
A TRIBUTE TO EDNA FAY LAWSON HOSKINS
YEARS OF YOUTH    1908 - 1930

Edna and brother Lloyd Lawson

Allen Hoskins and Edna Lawson's Wedding Photo

  
PREFACE

Edna Fay Lawson's parents: Effie Argie Fairly and Leslie Joe Lawson

Effie Argie Fairly and Leslie Joe Lawson

Edna Lawson

Edna's brother  Lloyd Leslie Lawson

Beulah (Boo) with her brother Lloyd and mother Effie Argie Lawson

My (Argie Ella) dear grandmother Effie Argie Fairly Lawson

Beulah (Boo) and friend

Effie Argie Fairly's parents: Leonora Alief O'Kelley and Daniel P. Fairly

Edna's grandfather Daniel P. Fairly was a Confederate soldier from Mississippi

 

Leonora Alief O'Kelley's brother William Daniel O'Kelley

Leslie Joe Lawson's parents: Susan Margaret Biggs and Joseph Rogers Lawson

 

Susan Margaret Biggs

Edna's grandfather Joseph Rogers Lawson was a Union soldier from Tennessee

Leonora Alief O'Kelley's parents: Elizabeth Ann Middleton and James Edward O'Kelley

Daniel P. Fairly's parents: Mary Elizabeth McLaurin and Peter Fairly

Susan Margaret Biggs' parents: Jane Gilbert Thompson and Milton Biggs

Joseph Rogers Lawson's parents: Helen Maria Rogers and Lazarus Lawson

This book holds tender contributions of appreciation for Edna's life along with a view taken from her own words.

I like the way she expressed herself. When I read, I hear Mother Edna's voice.

I had the privilege and joy of interviewing my mother and bringing her life to the hearts of her grandchildren. Edna is an inspiration for us to remember as we celebrate lessons which she has passed on to those she loved. This glimpse of life ventures through the window of time with Edna Fay Lawson from the time she was born on December 11, 1908 in Deming, New Mexico, until her marriage to “Al” Hoskins on March 20, 1930 in Lordsburg, New Mexico.

From your daughter Argie Ella Hoskins, “Mother, I will love you forever and hold your hand.”

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to my mother.

Edna Fay Lawson Hoskins

Edna with children Argie and C. L.

Edna with her son C. L.

Written by Argie Ella Hoskins at age twenty-one.

To My Dearest Friend

Who brought me into this world? Who heard my cries, felt my sad and happy heart? Who saw Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall come and go while my little body grew and mind formed thoughts? Who loved me and straightened the paths, which changed my life? My Mother. This was my friend who worked hard to accomplish tasks which brought happiness and joy to others. She sacrificed not only many hours of time, but self pleasures and many, many material things. My friend was always willing to listen, share, and endure my experiences; joys and sorrows, as me love me, console me, encourage me, guide me. How did I accept her advice? My friend has known me for twenty-one years from my first heart beat to my heart that prays that someday it will be filled with motherly love and kindness learned from Mother. Without selfishness, she kept sincere thoughts without telling the world. She gave up special things which she loved. My friend was sincere in forgetting personal heartaches, other's faults and looked for the beauty of the soul. I will never find an earthly person more committed than my friend. She shaped my world so I could see who I desired to be like. My Mother.

In retrospect, Mother seemed to just take it for granted that service to others was part of her role as a mother and as a “neighbor.” Likewise, the recipient, whether as Edna's child or as Edna's “neighbor,” frequently accepted the task performed by taking it for granted, without returning an expression of gratitude. A need for expressions of gratitude was neither a driving force nor an expectation. I am now reminded of a powerful talk I once heard, which was entitled “The Sin of Ingratitude.”

UNDERSTANDING

Many times I have thought about returning to the world

in which I once lived.

It was always so easy to go through life being what

others expected.

Yet as I think about it, I know I would never be happy.

Perhaps for a while I would be, but I would soon feel

cramped and confined.

You have always told me to be myself and others would

accept me.

I was afraid to be myself because I was unsure of who I really was.

You were the only one who never put restrictions on me.

Accepting me for who I was at that moment in time

Because of you and through your wisdom, I have finally

accepted myself.

I am now able to see others as I see myself.

Given a chance, we can all accomplish whatever we

really want.

Grandmother, you have given so much so that others may shine, where there was only darkness.

Your love and understanding, I will always cherish and hold close to my heart.

Thank you for being there for me, even when I was not able to say "Thank You."

Your warmth and kindness have touched many.

There is a candle in the window which shows the path home.

You are my candle, through you I have been able to find my way.

Penny Faye Hoskins, Granddaughter

Edna read this poem in Church before she went on a mission to Canada.

A Candle

A Candle's but a simple thing,

Yet dipped and dipped with patient hand,

It gathers wax upon the strand,

Until, complete and snowy white,

It gives at last a lovely light.

Life is so like that bit of string,

Each deed we do a simple thing.

Yet day by day, if on life's strand,

We work with patient heart and hand,

It gathers joy, makes dark days bright,

And gives at last, a lovely light.

Judy, C. L.'s Wife Talks About C. L. and His Mother Edna

C. L. loved teasing his mother about everything from her teenage junket to Las Polamas with her friends to putting a wagon on someone's roof. He teased her about him having an alien father from outer space, plus anything else he could think of to get that look on her face and that loving chastisement of “SON!” from her.

C. L. dearly loved his mother's special fruit salad which was grandma Effie's recipe. He was proud of all the pretty shirts she made for him when he was a teenager. I still have the sweater she knitted for him.
I especially remember something Edna said about C. L., more than once with gratitude in her voice, “He never in my entire life, said anything disrespectful to me.” They had their little discussions when disagreeing on things, but C. L. always maintained a loving respect for his mother.

One of his special memories of his mother, about which he often spoke, recounted those times when the Animas River rose so high that travelers could not cross.  He fondly recalled all the meals his mother so spontaneously, generously and lovingly prepared over the years for those caught on her side of the river. He also talked about how Edna raised chickens and sold eggs. He said that's why he would never eat chicken. While in the Army, C. L. wrote letters home and signed off with, “All My Love, Son.”

It is interested to note that even though C. L. said he had very few memories of his childhood, he always talked fondly of Edna's mother and father (Effie and “Les” Lawson) and Aunt Boo's husband (Bill Scott) as he truly loved his Uncle Bill.

Gene Shumway's Heartfelt Feelings about
Edna

“I can't even imagine having a better mother-in-law than Edna Hoskins. In all the years of our interaction, including those last two or three years when it was necessary for her to give up her privacy and live with us, I don't remember her ever interfering in our affairs, or giving advice that wasn't welcomed. I don't remember Edna criticizing us for anything. She was always appropriately sweet and a pleasure to be around. I love and appreciate her. I do remember an occasion when we asked for her opinion. Her response was brief, with great economy of words and very wise. By the way, nothing would taste better right now than one of Edna's famous stacked enchiladas topped with a fry egg.”

Regarding my dear Grandmother Hoskins

As a small child, I was blessed to have had a small part in her life. I wish for the most part to have had more. But the mentioning of her brings tears to my eyes, knowing what type of strong, beautiful women she was. I've heard so many good things from her children, Argie and C. L. I remember the last time I was in her arms in Utah. After over twenty years of not talking with her, she remembered me like it was yesterday. Her (aqua) eyes were soft and caring and her skin always seemed soft. I will love and miss her forever and always. All my love and hugs always, Thonna Hoskins

HUMILITY

Mom never bragged about anything she accomplished. Her motto was if you were good at something, you didn't need to tell anyone because they'd find out soon enough. She did not appreciate others bragging about themselves.

LOYALTY IN LOVE

I Remember Aunt Edna

As early as the mid-50's I have fond memories of Aunt Edna. She, with Uncle Al, would drive regular trips to Deming from their home on the ranch south of Animas and would stop to visit us, and always stopped to see Mom and Pop Hoskins, leaving many "goodies" for them to enjoy. Besides being an excellent cook, serving fabulous meals and home-baked bread, cakes, and pies, I remember Aunt Edna being interested in handicrafts, once bringing me a snowman cookie jar that lasted a number of years, and a tissue holder that is still in use. Always, she was sewing something, or ripping apart an item of apparel for cutting quilt blocks. Piecing quilts was a specialty of her talents. I've long forgotten the number of quilts she completed and gave away, always working on a quilt for a member of her family.

Mostly, in the 60's, I remember Aunt Edna becoming interested in family genealogy. She worked many hours gathering ancestral information. In a subtle manner she soon had me hooked and involved completely in my family history. We worked together, helping each other. Apart, I was busy writing letters, sending in queries, and stay up 'till 2 or 3 a.m. getting my family history together. We enjoyed wonderful times, even traveling to Las Cruces and El Paso to libraries, reading microfilm, census records, books, everything that seemed of interest and rewarding at the time. Al and Edna traveled much, gathering family history everywhere they went. From her, I learned the art of searching cemeteries and reading gravestones, visiting court houses, searching birth, marriage, and death records. Edna stayed with family history research even as it evolved to modern-day methods of searching.

In closing, I want to mention the Hoskins' family reunions during this same period of time. In a sense, I believe our gathering family history information led to the family reunions. For several years, we would meet in the back yard of Ed and Elizabeth Hoskins' place on South Platinum Street, then we started meeting at the City of Rocks, before it was recognized as a state park. Those who wanted to would camp out the night before, then in the morning would prepare a breakfast of pancakes, eggs, bacon, and campfire coffee. Some folks came early to enjoy breakfast together. Others came later to gather for the pot luck dinner. Mabel Marsh, Earl and Ethel Hoskins, Al and Edna Hoskins, Ed and Elizabeth Hoskins, and sometimes even Guy and Myrtle Cleveland came. Occasionally, Darrell and Lucille Thompson with their children flew their plane to the Deming family gatherings. There were cousins, children, and grandchildren. The day always ended with eating homemade, hand-cranked ice cream. After Edna and Ethel mixed the cream to be frozen, there was no problem in getting lots of help turning the crank. In Aunt Edna, God gave me a special friend and, through her, a love and knowledge of our forefathers through the bond of family genealogy.

Bonnie S. Hoskins, 5 March 1996

Wife of Al’s cousin George Hoskins

Edna was an organizer for the Hoskins Family Reunion

CHALLENGES

Mom' s generation faced many challenges, and it becomes the greatest generation not despite the challenges, but because of them. Today, many more shirk challenges and difficult pursuits believing that the easier life is, the happier they'll be. But our parents and grandparents knew better. They know that one cannot have the sweet without the bitter, and that true happiness comes from overcoming the kind of challenges that build character and refine the soul. The challenges they experienced made their joy all the more sweet.

Memories of Edna Hoskins, my Sister

Growing up in Deming, New Mexico, nine years younger than my sister and ten years younger than my brother, made it seem like growing up as an only child. However, after we were married, my husband Bill and Edna's husband Al had a wonderful friendship. We took vacations, trips, and spent many weekends camping out. Our older children were close in age and enjoyed the time together.

Often Christmas was the most exciting time because Edna and Al lived on a ranch near Animas, New Mexico and once the children were out of school for the holiday, everyone would load up and travel from El Paso to the ranch to spend Christmas together. Everyone looked forward to the time at the ranch because the food was more than plentiful and homemade. There was also the chance of getting snowed in because we were closer to the mountains and the weather colder. Edna was a wonderful cook and homemaker. She made many of my clothes as a child and continued to make her daughter and son's clothes and also made clothes for my daughter. (Effie Lou)

After our spouses were gone, Edna and I had some very special times. We traveled to East Texas one summer and visited every relative we could find. We spend time together in New Mexico, Utah, California, and Texas. We could talk for hours about people we have known over the last 80 years and I will miss her very much.

Thinking of Family of Edna. I love all of you. Aunt Boo (Beulah Effie Lawson Scott)

Sisters forever Edna and Beulah Lawson

Memories of Granddaughter Twylla Jo

It was in 1962 that Grandma taught herself to knit. She made Twylla Jo a cap. Grandma would find a mistake and rip it out the next morning. T. J. would say, “Grandma, you don't have as much done as you did when I went to bed.” Twylla Jo loved her grandmother and grandmother loved Twylla Jo. As for that matter, both grandmother and grandfather loved precious Twylla Jo.

A SIMPLER TIME

Common sense and keeping a level head was a way of life. Many people today are obsessed with finding themselves. Mom's uncomplicated approach to life was refreshing. They didn't exercise because they worked all the time. They didn't obsess about their relationships. They always looked clean and crisp but never fussed with fashion trends. They did not think about how to get things done, they just got'em done. I can still remember my mother working well passed midnight. They were folks that got up and kept going, and the rest was something you did when you had time for it.

Dear Grandma,

You have been an important member of our family over the years. Although we haven't lived close enough (or we were in school) to spend a lot of time visiting, you have been here at all our important family events. I know how much it means to have a loving grandmother. . .not everyone has a grandmother who wants to or can spend much time with them. We have always enjoyed your thoughtfulness and expressions of love; your participation, the gifts, the times you have treated us to a meal out, etc. I hope you know that we love and care About you. Different generations of a family add different dimensions and security, and you are such an important part of our little family's "family tree."

Happy Birthday, Have a wonderful day!

Love Annie (granddaughter-in-law)

Dear Grandma,
We love those whom we serve and serve those whom we love.

I thank you for giving me my mother. I thank you for teaching her to work hard. She is still an example to me. I thank you for encouraging her to seek for truth.

Grandma, you've given me wonderful memories. You defined Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. Your cooking is the standard by which I judged all cooking. Every time, I smell pies baking I remember your pies. You helped me make pie crusts one afternoon. Some crust was used for pies and some for apple turnover.

Mom would tell us that you and granddad were coming. All day long I would glance out the window wondering when you would arrive. You never got there soon enough.

Going to your house was wonderful. I can remember watching you explain a wringer washer. The clothes came out looking like parts of a cartoon character who's been crushed. I can remember sitting on your steps cleaning green beans for dinner with Brad helping mom refinish the piano. . . Mom would often tell us with great solemnity of. . . your sacrifice: sewing for extra money.

Thank you for being "Grandma."

Christopher (grandson)

Dear Grandma,

I remember coming to a birthday dinner for you three years ago. At that time, I'd only known you for a few weeks. Since then, you have become a very important person in my life. I remember coming to your apartment and helping you work on a jigsaw puzzle. You roasted some almonds for us and told us stories About your life. That was one of my favorite dates with Brad. Thank you for the good influence you've been in Brad's life and now in our family's life. Brad shares your love of animals and people as well as your love for reading. Ruth "shares" your nose and Benjamin inherited his Grandfather Hoskins' hands. I'm glad that my children are able to associate with their great-grandmother. I love watching you play with Ruth or hold Benjamin. It's nice to live close enough to share important events. We missed you last year while you were in International Falls. We're grateful for your example of missionary service in such a cold area of the world! Thank you for being you and thank you for sharing so much of you with me and my family.

I love you!

Marne (granddaughter-in-law)

Dear Grandmother,

Thank you for helping to create some of my best childhood memories. I remember riding the train to Deming and finding you waiting for us in the station. You took us with you to Farmer's Market, to buy plastic "army men" and squirt guns, and to the library. We all enjoyed your picnic lunches at places like the City of the Rocks and Rockhound Park. You helped us make Popsicles and other treats. You were very patient with your grandsons who played football in your yard and climbed all around and over your house, yard, garden, garage, and fence--yelling and shooting at each other. Those are wonderful memories that I will always treasure.

Thank you for being such an important part of my life and the life of my little family. I am glad that my wife and children can also enjoy my wonderful grandmother.

Love,

Bradley Allen (grandson)

My Grandma,

My grandma lives next door. She is always very kind. She smiles whenever she sees me. She keeps mom in line and gives good hugs. She's the best Grandma.

Daniel (grandson)

Dear Grandma Hoskins,

It seems like I have been a part of this family for a long time even though it has only been officially 3 months. Thank you so much for making me feel a part of this wonderful family.

I love to hear Randy tell about the memories he has had with you. One of my favorite stories is the time you and Randy sprayed the Christmas tree pink.

You are a wonderful lady and grandma. I admire you for the life you have led. I am glad we are close and look forward to spending more time with you. (I still want you to teach me how to knit.)

I love you, Happy Birthday

Julie (granddaughter-in-law) and Randy (grandson)

Dear Grandma Hoskins,

Happy birthday to a wonderful lady. We have been friends and relatives a long time. I first remember you visiting our house in Tucson with your husband. What a handsome cowboy and you such a delicate lady. Thank you for bringing Argie Ella into the world and guiding her. She is a blessing to all of us. Have a happy, healthy year ahead.

Love, Ruth Reneer (Argie Ella's sister-in-law)

Americans have always risked everything striking out for better opportunities for better or worse, and they never look back. Whether going to the moon or moving thousands of miles from their families, it has always been true that the first step toward improvement is getting uncomfortable. What do you think?

You always wish for a better one, however so glad to have this one.

Back: 
Daniel Reneer, Argie Hoskins Shumway, Edna Lawson Hoskins, Leamon holding Benjamin, Brad, Baby Ruth, Marne Reneer 
Front:
Christopher, Caitlin, Aunt Ruth, Meghan Reneer, Gene Shumway, Julie and Randy Reneer  and Annie not shown because she was taking picture. Someone always has to take the picture . . .
 

Snapshots of Edna Fay Lawson Hoskins by her daughter Argie Ella Hoskins

These were written as the memories came to my mind. They are not in order of time or importance.

My mother, Edna Lawson, has always been motivated to be a good mother. She has always been committed to her children. She has shared that love and concern for her grandchildren and now great-grandchildren.

I remember the care she gave to C.L. and me so we would look nice. For every special occasion, I had a newly sewn dress or skirt. Mother went to great effort to sew beautiful detail into my clothing. When C.L. and I went to college, we had matching shirts and dresses. It was fun to show off our dance steps at college dances with our matching outfits. What a team. Thanks to Mother's time and skill to give us the "look of confidence." Thinking of dancing, Mother drove us to dance, after dance, when we lived at Animas. It was hard to get to dances because we lived so far out of town on the Howe Ranch in southwestern New Mexico. These were good ole western dances with the likes of Pug Scott, Ray Price, Minnie Pearl and Little Jimmy Dickens singing “Out Behind the Barn.” Straight from the Grand Ole Opry, Minnie Pearl and Little Jimmy Dickens right there in Duncan, Arizona. Very big deal. Mother would sit there and watch her children and their friends as they "swang to the twang."

Mother not only took us to dances, but to basketball games. We drove mile after mile, up and down, that dirt road from our house, twenty-six miles from Animas. “Lookin nice there.”

Mother sewed not only for us, but for the public, so she would have additional money for special things. Mother sewed way into the night, night after night, to earn money to buy a piano. She did the same for piano lessons. I am so very grateful for her dedicated effort. I became even more grateful when Gene and I were in Canada on our mission for the ability to bring to memory the lessons, so I could play for the members. On two occasions, the sisters just sang and sang for about an hour, song after song, saying how grateful to be able to sing with a piano. Sister Olson said how much she would have given to have learned to play. “Thank you, Mother, for helping me out in that very special way.”

Mother cooked good meals and delivered them around a nice table with a table cloth and she expected good manners. “Thank you, Mother for teaching me consideration and manners.” We were on time, washed, and in our places or we didn't eat. We always came when we were called. I mean always. There was never a problem. We just knew there was a place and when and where to eat. Oh, yes, not just on Sunday but every meal was designed to be enjoyed. When we finished our meal, we could not leave the table until we said, "Excuse me , I enjoyed my supper," and then we were given permission to leave the table. Mother's table was always a welcomed occasion. We knew we could always bring our friends home. That was so great. Delicious! Mother loved to share her "goodies" with everyone.

Speaking of manners, yes, oh yes! Mother encouraged manners. She was an Eastern Star and I was a Rainbow Girl. These organizations taught values and "what to do" and "how to do it." “Thank you Mother for that very special time in my life to help me understand and internalize the values of consideration, selfishness and respect, which taken as a whole, form the core of good manners.” Lack of consideration, selfishness and respect are serious in nature and rude by definition.

Taking time back, Mother was my girl scout leader. She went to the "company boss" in Santa Rita, a mining town, where we lived, and arranged for a house where we could have our scout meetings. I remember the day she went to the office of that very important man. I sat in the car and was very concerned that he might say “No” to my mother. I was so pleased that he said, "Yes." I would guess that he felt her desire to contribute to the community and appreciated her efforts. Mother worked very hard to make the scouting program successful in the small mining town, which no longer exists, in the hills of Santa Rita, New Mexico. I remember the smell of burning coal in the house on Booth Hill where we held our meeting. The house would be somewhat cold when we arrived, but I knew that Mother had been there before the girls arrived to build

and stoke the fire to get the chill off before we showed up to work on our badges for advancement. With Mother's encouragement and standard of achievement, I was able to earn the Curved Bar. At that time, it was the highest achievement a Girl Scout could earn. When I was awarded the Bar, I was glad mother cared enough to push me along because I had learned so much in the scouting program.

Mother took Charles Leslie and me to church. She would not permit one squeak out of us. We sat reverently and quietly. You know, manners in consideration of the spirit. I remember feeling the good spirit on many occasions, sitting there by Mother. One snapshot comes back like the light flooding through a window, and that is what it was. A crisp, colorful, fall, Sunday morning, sitting by Mother and C.L. on the right side of the church and enjoying the light as it filtered through the window on the first row of seats in the church. I felt that the world was good and I was part of that goodness. As I looked down at my new dress of white pakay with flowers, which was new because it was the very special occasion of what was called "Children's Day." I was happy. Tears surround my heart as I remember that day as if it were this very moment. Reverend Johnson made all of us want to do better, because he was so kind, interested in us and set a good example for us. “Thank you, Mother for taking us to church.” I never wanted to go anywhere else on Sunday morning. It seemed right to get up, bathe, brush my teeth, and put on my special dress for church. At the Community Church in Santa Rita, New Mexico, Reverend Johnson was always standing at the entrance to greet us.

Mother made great cakes for many birthday parties. Not only cakes but meals, big ones. Of course, these were not only for us, but our friends. Mother cooked wonderful cakes: white, chocolate, pineapple upside down, jelly rolls, stacked ice cream and other layered "goodies." The icing or frosting, as we now call it, was always a work of art. Mother swirled the icing this way, that way and colored it appropriate to the occasion. When C.L. and I were growing up, Mother put dimes in the batter, cooked them in the cake and surprised us as we ate. We were careful because we knew that Mother had surprises in the batter. We loved the money and it was a real treat for our piggy banks. She made the best pecan pies in the whole world. I wish I could eat a whole pecan pie right now that was made by Mother. I can smell her home cooked meals. Everything made from scratch. During World War II, she made her own cake mixes before there was such a thing as cake mixes. She would mix the dry ingredients together and package them so that she would have them ready when she needed to get the cooking job done in a hurry.

Mother had a huge party for me on my 18th birthday. I was going to school in Lordsburg, New Mexico and was graduating that year. She rented a community hall; decorated it, invited all my friend, and provided a fantastic meal for all who came. I really don't know how she accomplished this show of festivity. She brought the food from the ranch in Animas and had it all ready for the party. On went the records, out came the music and we all had a fun time dancing. Again, I knew that I was good to be me.

I don't believe Mother ever read a book on parenting, however she made me feel good about myself. I have complained on occasion about how she expected me to do certain things in a particular way and would not be content until I succeeded. I always knew I was O.K. Sometimes, perhaps embarrassed because others may not know that I was O.K. Awkward. In retrospect, I am so very grateful that Edna was the kind of mother who was at the crossroads for her children. I moved from the valley, went to college, got a job, and found a better way of life than what I would have had if Mother hadn't insisted on me moving forward. I am grateful for her expectation of me. She desired for me to have opportunities that she had not experienced. I was obedient.

Mother sewed a swimming suit, beautiful dresses, shirts, blouses, and skirts for every special occasion. She taught me to "start something and finish it." Yes, even a western shirt for my brother with the ripped out stitches before it was finished. It was worth it.

Mother loved her yard. She had lovely flowers. I remember looking at the Sweet Williams and smelling them in Santa Rita. Mother planted them just outside our bedroom window and there were lots of them. I felt life was good when I would smell the flowers around our home. We, also, had Poppies and Sweet Peas. Mother would cut and package the beautiful Sweet Peas and send them off to my grandmother Effie Argie Fairly Lawson in El Paso, so she could enjoy what we were enjoying in our garden of flowers. Mother knew that my grandmother, Effie Argie Fairly Lawson, loved flowers. “Thank you, Mother, for giving me the very special gift of loving flowers.”

Mother did tons of genealogy. I remember a gift she gave me one year for my birthday. She found a Revolutionary War grandfather, Jacob Lawson and his record. She knew how important that would be to me. There it was in the mail at birthday time. I was thrilled. She organized a wonderful genealogical workshop at the Deming Public Library. She had the Genealogical Helper people from Utah come to Deming for this workshop. Your family beyond the veil loves you, Mom. Mother was a member of Daughters of the American Revolution. I became a member of the D.A.R. because of her good efforts of establishing our lineage to the Revolutionary War grandfather, Jacob Lawson.

She found herself in many service clubs; sewing one thing or another to help make money for this or that. One service project was the quilts (54 of them) Mother pieced for the Relief Society in the Animas Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was the homemaking leader in Relief Society long before she became a member of the church. As well as Mother's sewing talents, Animas Branch knew Mother's cooking talents. She loved to do service projects and contribute to doing good for all when or where. We have a few of her quilts, here and there.

Mother loved crafts and started many, many, many and finished many, many. Some are still waiting to be finished. I can never remember when Mother didn't have a new craft filling her spare time. She knitted, crocheted, whatever the Relief Society was doing, whatever her neighbors were doing, whatever her club was doing, and whatever the craft books that came to her door were highlighting for the month and then she made up her own creations. Some of her crochet patterns were published in the Simplicity pattern book. I have framed two of her patterns. She was amazing!

Mother was a good example of being a good neighbor. She taught a young girl to alter and sew so that she could have more desirable clothing. Mom taught her to clean house, iron clothes, and do other homemaking tasks. Mother picked her up for church. Mother was a missionary for humanity's call. She did these things for no other reason than for who she was . . . a loving friend. “Love Thy Neighbor as Thy Self.”

Mother filled a support mission with Gene and Argie Ella in Canada. The members loved her. She would visit with the children in her well-known baby talk. She was so precious and such a patient companion and traveler as we made our monthly visits to far away Branches of the church. After a particularly rigorous five hour night trip from
Thunder Bay to Ft. Frances in a blizzard over icy roads, Mother said,
“Thank you for the lovely trip and thanks for taking me.” Mother was a such good traveler. Mother did not complain and was a great support in every way. Gene and I were on the mission to help challenged members who desired counseling services. When Gene and I were dealing with a difficult problem, we would ask Mother what she thought. We found that Mother was a very wise lady and her wisdom was both needed and appreciated.

Mother's grandson, Brad Reneer with wife Marne and baby Ruth came to visited us while we were on the mission. Mother loved that attention. She loved little people. Baby Ruth was a joy. So kind for them to sacrifice for a trip to visit the Canada Winnipeg Mission. Wonderful memories.

Mom had pneumonia and was in the hospital in International Falls, Minnesota. Her son C. L. with his wife Judy and daughter Penny Faye, came to visit her at the hospital. They visited in our cabin on cold, icy, beautiful Rainy Lake, where we lived with Mother. She was so pleased that they came to see her. We all were pleased. Family has always been important to Mom.

Daniel came to International Falls on his way home to Utah from his service in the Florida Tallahassee mission. Mother talked about Daniel coming for days before he arrived. “When will he be here?” The Ft. Frances Branch received Daniel with a warm welcome homecoming. He was an added joy. I would like to take Mother on another mission.

One evening when we were out at the church in Ft. Frances, I was practicing the piano. I said to Mom, "Sing along. Mom, if I can challenge myself to play for church, you can sing." Well, after some encouragement, she stood up and sang along. That was a thrill. She challenged herself to try something very hard for her. She said that she never sang because she couldn't carry a tune.

The greatest gift Mother gave me was once when she called me to repentance and the spirit said, "Do as your Mother advised or to hell you may go." Mother, thank you for your spirit of knowing what is RIGHT.

Edna, Argie and Gene while on a mission serving in Canada

You are a great Mother. Thank you for the example you are for me. I have desired to be the same kind of mother as you were to me, You have talents that I only dream of having someday.

Lovingly, Your daughter, Argie Ella

THE FOLLOWING WORDS ARE FROM EDNA'S JOURNAL

Edna Fay Lawson’s personal history:

January 1, 1906

Leslie Joe Lawson and Effie Argie Ella Fairly were married at Dripping Springs, Hays county, Texas. Leslie Joe Lawson (Les) and bride Effie Argie Fairly came to Luna County, New Mexico, to make their home at Cambry, New Mexico.

“Hired help” brought food and supplies for four or five ranches, so they didn't have to go to the store very often. Les was foreman of the ranch owned by Frank Hoffman and Frank's brother. The Hoffman brothers were from Chicago.

August 3, 1907

Brother Lloyd Leslie was born in Deming at the Clark Rooming House. The following year I was born.

December 11, 1908

During a very snow storm, I, Edna Fay Lawson was born in Deming, Luna county, New Mexico at 7:30 P.M. at the Clark Rooming House. I have been told by my mother, Effie Argie Fairly, and my father, Leslie Joe Lawson, that they were very happy over my arrival. One of my cousins, Blanch Biggs Ferguson, was my mother's mid-wife nurse and my nurse. She was Uncle John and Aunt Mollie Ray Biggs's daughter. This made her my Papa's cousin. When I was eight days old, Blanch wanted to go to her home for the Christmas holidays. They lived near Cambry, New Mexico. It was decided that she would take me with her. I was a bottle baby and on Eagle Brand milk. She took me from Deming to Cambry. My parents, also, lived on a ranch near Cambry, New Mexico. It was the X Ranch belonging to the Hoffman boys. Cousin Blanch took me home with her and had planned to remain at her parents' for some time. Before the holiday was over, Blanch was called to Deming on another case. Taking me, she boarded the train at Cambry. The day before New Years, my parents decided to go home to the ranch from Deming. They warned Blanch by wire that they were coming home. My uncle, John Biggs, received the wire and wired my father that Blanch had taken me and gone to Deming. He had the depot agent wire the train coming from Deming that I was on the train going east. The trains met on the siding. The conductor on the westbound train brought me aboard the eastbound train calling, “Lawson, come get your baby.” (Story from Mrs. Ferguson)

I have a brother who is 16 months older than I. He did not think much of me at that time. We had been home a few days when our Mother walked in as he was about to hit me in the head with a hammer that he had received for Christmas.

Guess I was into one thing, out of another. When I was two years old, I decided to take a look at the world from the platform of a windmill tower. Lewis Smyers was a young lad at the time and working for my father. He saw me and by talking to me, he got on the platform and picked me up and carried me down. I can see him coming up the ladder and talking to me, "Don't say one word, not one word." I can see myself walking around that platform. My mother watched me walking around the platform and as near the edge as I could walk.

1910

About age two, Papa went to work for the Southern Pacific Railroad. My mother ran a rooming house. We were living in one of the apartments. Les moved his family to El Paso, Texas, when I was almost three years old. Leaving the ranch, due to the fact that the ranch had been sold.

About 1912

The first illness I had, that I can remember was measles. My brother Lloyd and I had them at the same time. I was four years old. My mother Effie had the measles at the same time and was never well after that time. We were living in the apartment house.

Lloyd and Edna Lawson

About 1913

I had the chickenpox.

About 1914

Leslie Joe Lawson worked on the San Bernardino Ranch. I was about six years old.

Later in 1914

We were living in Dripping Springs, Texas. Leaving there, Les moved his family to Clinton, Oklahoma in a covered wagon. It was fixed with beds and a family chuck box. In the back was a fireless cooker with an insulated container. We would heat stones in an open fire and put them in the container which had pans into which prepared food was put. A stone was put on the bottom and one on the top, if that much heat was needed to cook the food. In about four to six hours your meal was ready to eat. My father tried to stop over night by a stream to fish. We would have a fish supper. One time a man was driving his turkeys to market as we were stopped by the stream. The man asked my father, "How good a shot are you?" My father said, "Fair." The man told him that he could have as many turkeys he could kill in two or three shots. First shot brought down two. Papa said, "That is more than enough." So we had turkey for a few days. The man made the turkeys fly up into the trees. That is when my father shot. The trip took about six months.

About the Spring of 1914

We arrived in Oklahoma, probably with the hope of acquiring land. I started to school the following fall. My mother rolled my hair in rags for long curls. We played the games "Run Sheepie Run" and "Tag." I never got a paddling in school. I took ill on my 7th birthday and did not return to school that year. I had pneumonia and complications.

Papa hadn't got our cellar fixed up. Our next door neighbor, Mrs. Redmond, came over and told my mother that we needed to get to her cellar. There was a tornado coming. That was the only tornado I ever saw or have been in to this time.

Another event was when an Indian chief came to the house in his beautiful clothing to buy a Mare from Papa.

About 1915

I had the mumps. I learned to make my bed, when I was seven years old, and clean my room. I, also, learned to use a needle and thread when I was seven years old.

About 1916

We returned to Dripping Springs, Texas, where Papa farmed. On the way, I fell out of the wagon. The spring seat fell on top of me. It hit my head. I still have a dent in my skull.

In Dripping Springs, Texas, we lived on a hill. Papa and Uncle "Ol" or Ollie, Aunt Mat's husband, Aunt Mat (Mattie) was Mama's sister, built a three room house and a large porch. One room was used to store feed in the Fall until the barn was built. I was given a nickel by whom I do not remember. However, I put the nickel in a small box. I put the small box in the corner of the room where the feed was stored. By crawling upon the corn, I put it upon the rafter in the corner. And when we moved, I forgot it.

My brother Lloyd and I had a play house back of the house, down in the cedar break. It was near a stream. These cedar trees grow close to the ground. I made my play house in among the trees, and when it rained it didn't get wet in the house.

September 10, 1917

One day just before school started, my mother gave me a note to take to Daddy, who was in the field and another to Aunt Mat. This note was for Papa to go get Dr. Sheldon and my Aunt Mattie. When Aunt Mattie and Uncle Ol came, Uncle Ol took my brother and me home with him. The next morning my Uncle Ol said, “Snukum, you are not the baby anymore, now you have a baby sister.” That was a hard way to break it to me. I can remember it so well. Before the baby came, I pumped the treadle sewing machine by sitting on the floor back of the machine. Mama was making the baby clothes, putting them under the pressure foot and guiding them through the machine. I didn't know what was going on with the sewing. I feel that the children of today benefit from knowing that there is going to be a new baby in the home. They named her Beulah Effie Lawson. She was born September 10, 1917. Grandmother Margaret Biggs Lawson came to take care of Mama. A non-relative, Grandma Spaw, also came to care for her. Grandma Spaw baked a dewberry cobble in a large gray enamel pan. She lived about five miles away. Dewberries are a little smaller than a large blackberry. They grow on a vine close to the ground.

Edna, Beulah, Lloyd Lawson

Edna's sister Beulah Effie Lawson

My brother Lloyd and I had to walk two and a half miles to school. Two cousins walked with us, Preston and Clarence Martin. I was nine years old when I stated to school. Preston liked to tease. One time he told me some wild hogs were in the timbers and they sure liked little girls. It was heavy timber and I could not see very far. I didn't know the hogs were domesticated. One afternoon on the way home from school, some hogs were running near by. They smelled our lunch pails and started running after us. I fell down and skinned my knees. I still have the scars. Preston then said they would not hurt anyone. "They aren't wild hogs," he said. "Don't tell Mama I told you they were wild hogs, if you do she will whip me." I don't remember if a whipping took place or not.

Front row in the center:  Edna with long curls and a large bow.  Behind her and to the right is a dark haired Paul Sorrells who was her first husband.

1918

The first train ride I remember; I rode from Austin, Texas to El Paso, Texas. We were returning from Dripping Springs, Texas, which is west of Austin and east of El Paso.

Beulah, Lloyd, Edna Lawson

February 1918

We returned to the El Paso area. I was nine years old. Papa worked on the Circle C Ranch at Newman, Texas. The next fall found me attending school in the second grade at Clint, Texas. That year everyone had the flu, my parents, brother, and sister. I didn't have it. We could not get help as everyone was sick. My dad told me to call his sister in El Paso and ask her to come. It was the first time I had called anyone long distant. Aunt Ida came. She brought the best nougat I ever tasted. I can almost taste it yet. Nougat is a kind of soft candy made chiefly from sugar, egg whites, and containing nuts. [Aunt Boo remembers when Edna would make something like nougat called divinity. She would make this to take to El Paso at Christmastime. She also brought peanut brittle. Al, Argie , C.L., and Daddy Les loved peanut brittle. Edna put the whole peanuts in the brittle. Edna would make fondant and fudges. Aunt Boo loved to make fudge and peanut brittle. Les loved the divinity. Aunt Boo says that Edna made it "just right." Edna put a half of a pecan on each piece of divinity. Edna would drip pecans in heavy chocolate sauce and let them cool. She would stuff dates with pecans and roll them in powered sugar. Al would sit under a tree and shell pecans. He would cut the ends off and break them open and had the art of getting them out in halves.

On December 13,1993, Edna's sister, Beulah (Aunt Boo) recorded this account of Christmas memories:

Christmas was red and green. The tree was cut fresh. Papa (Leslie Joe Lawson) would go out and cut the tree. We always had a big one, well it seemed big. The ceilings were very high and the trees reached for the ceiling. The tree was trimmed with strings of cranberries and popcorn.

The dinner was a big event. The men would kill a wild turkey, along with other birds for the dinner. The dinner would be baked turkey, other baked birds like duck and chicken, uncured ham, giblet gravy (made from the chopped up liver, gizzard, heart and neck) and hard boiled eggs. The men really liked that. Along with that were homemade rolls made from the kind of yeast that goes on and on, freshly made butter, lots of sweet milk and buttermilk. The milk was kept in an extended window which stuck out back of the existing window. It had a canvas on the back, which the family kept wet to provide for cooling. We had fresh coffee, also. Yes, mashed potatoes, candied yams, called sugar yams, baked apples, and fresh pies: dewberry, which looks like a green grape (it is a blackberry) blueberry, berries which they picked, apple, along with sweet potato pie. There was lots of homemade candy: divinity, fudge, and taffy from the family taffy pull.

Grandmaw (Susan Margaret Biggs Lawson) and the older ladies would have knitted scarves, mittens, and socks for the children. My mother made rag dolls. The boys and men received a new shirt, and the girls, a new dress. The boys would get wooden toys that the older men had carved and the girls would get rag dolls. The stocking would have an apple and orange in them.

On Christmas Eve, Mother (Effie Argie Fairly Lawson) and the other ladies would dress in velvet skirts which reached the floor with white blouses. We girls would wear black or blue velvet skirts and be really dressed up in our white stocking. The older men (Uncle Hugh and Uncle Peter Fairly) and Mother (Effie Argie Fairly Lawson) would play the juice harp and we would sing old carols, like Silent Night.

By Beulah Effie Lawson Scott

1919

My 3rd year in school was quite different. We had a room with a blackboard and desk, just like a regular school room. It was about 300 yards from the house. We were living on a ranch near Lanark, New Mexico. My brother and I had a governess, Miss Minnie Wells. She married Bill Graham, who was working for my father. Just about the time that school was out, my brother and Bill captured an injured eagle. Mother would take jerky and make jerky gravy and put it on toast for the eagle to eat. Bill took the eagle to El Paso and gave it to the zoo.

The Summer I was ten years old, I learned to swim in a steel rim tank. My father had been teaching my brother Lloyd and me to swim. Mother and Papa were putting up peaches. I was told to watch my baby sister Beulah. Instead, I went swimming. I did not know as much as I thought I did when I jumped in. I knew I had to swim, which I did. When my daddy found out what I had done, I didn't get to go swimming for several days.

My sister Beulah didn't learn to swim until she was married. Her husband Bill Scott taught her to swim at Brownwood, Texas, in a lake.

The next two years, Mother, Lloyd, Beulah, and I went to El Paso for our school years. My 4th grade teacher was Miss Grace Lattner. She was my favorite teacher. She was a triplet. One of my nicknames was Ed. Each weekend we returned to the ranch. We had a model T Ford.

1920

I learned to drive the summer I was eleven years old. One time we were going to Lanark, New Mexico, which was our Post Office. It was four miles from the ranch. My father told me to drive through the gate, the road was very sandy. I got stuck. It seemed like it was for all afternoon, but it may not have been.

I had my tonsils out when I was twelve years old.

We moved to El Paso where I attended school at Bailey and Rush Elementary, and Austin High and El Paso High Schools. At Bailey, there was a red circular fire escape. On weekends, we children would crawl up as far as we could and slide down. What fun! One of the times when we were sliding down, a big boy kicked me on my right ear. I think that this was the beginning of my hearing loss.

In high school, I played on the volley ball team and the basketball team. Our uniforms were black bloomers, black stockings, and white middy blouses with school colored stars in the corner of the collar and colored piping around the collar. My junior year, I won second on girl's track by walking a rail road rail about two feet off the ground and 20 feet long.

About 1921

My father worked for the Circle C Ranch at Newman, Texas, where we lived a short time.

"Les" and Unknown, Edna, Beulah, Lloyd, Unknown, Effie Argie Fairly Lawson

We moved back to El Paso where Papa worked for Globe Mills. At the present time the company that my son is working for has bought the Globe Mills.

1923

When I was 15 years old, I first tried lipstick and rouge. I had my first date when I was 16 years old. When I was 16, I really enjoyed doing the Charleston and I was good at it. I suppose you could describe me as shy, brash, lean, romantic, and athletic.

Paul Sorrels came to El Paso with his family. Paul was short, thin, black haired and dark eyes. His brother was working at Tornillo, Texas, which is near El Paso. Papa got Paul a job at a service station. His parents and my parents were friends before our parents were married. Paul and his family got an apartment and stayed in the El Paso area.

July 7, 1926

After graduation from El Paso High, Paul and I were married at the El Paso Justice of Peace Office with Mama and Papa present. We were living on Morehead Street in El Paso, Texas. We moved with Mama, Papa, and Beulah east of Florida, New Mexico, to the Spear B Ranch. It was owned by W. J. Johnson of Cambray. Lloyd was running the garage at Cambry.

September 1, 1926

Paul had a job lined up to begin working for the gin in Tornillo, El Paso County, Texas. He borrowed money to get to Tornillo.

September 7, 1926

He left and we never again lived together. The final divorce decree says that on September 7, 1926, the defendant. . . without cause, deserted and abandoned plaintiff and still continues to desert and abandon plaintiff and refuses further to live with her. . . . defendant has failed and refused and still fails and refuses to support this plaintiff according to his means and station in life and ability. That since the 7th of September 1926, the said parties have been separated from each other and have not co-habitat since last mentioned period. That neither of the parties to this action are possessed of any property of any value and there is not issue of this marriage.

December 1926

I heard from him and he was in Oklahoma. All he sent were 13 records and a little cedar music box. The next time I heard from him, he was managing a store and had a job for me. [He wanted her to get on the train and come to him.] Papa said, "No, he needs to come get you."

Aunt Boo ( Edna's sister Beulah) remembers they had a dog "Tige." He would bark when the hobos came around. Mother Effie Argie would feed them. They would stand at the gate and wait for their food. She fixed them sandwiches, cookies and a pail of milk. Our house was marked, don't know how, but hobo after hobo knew where to come for food.

While on the Spar B Ranch, a Black Widow spider bit me on the hand. I still have the scar.

FRIENDS

SNAPSHOTS OF EDNA

January 1928 TO December 1928

I went to work in El Paso at Kresses and lived at the Y.W.C.A.

1928

Mr. Johnson sold the ranch to Rube Clayton. Papa moved his family to Deming, and shortly after moving to Deming he was employed by the New Mexico Cattle Sanitary Board. When he retired it was from the Sanitary Board. We lived in the Simpson house. I went with Bill Simpson at one time.

I had my teeth fixed as soon as I got my first check from Kresses. I had buck teeth. I had them taken out and a bridge put in. This really helped how I felt about myself. My sister Beulah had an extra tooth in her mouth that she had to have removed.

May 1928

On returning to Deming, I went to work at the Deming Sweet Shop. A Mrs. Case was the owner of the shop. She got the first Cadillac in Deming. It was so much fun to drive. As I remember, she let me drive it home once.

January 9, 1929

I went to work for Proctor and Gamble. We went from door to door giving away small samples of Oxydol. This was a traveling job. There were six of us girls, a lady supervisor, a bus driver, and his wife. During a snow storm in 1928, we were marooned for 26 hours in the snow. We lived in Durango, Colorado. The bus driver had us put on clothing, on top of clothing, to keep us warm. When we needed to go to the restroom, he had made a rope of our dress belts. He tied it to the bus and to the one who wanted to make a short trip. My favorite city was Denver, Colorado.

Edna is second from the end.

August 1, 1929

I had my appendix removed.

August 15, 1929

Final Divorce Decree at Silver City, Grant County, New Mexico, this 15th day of August, A.D. 1929

Sometime later

The first time I remember seeing my future husband Allen Eugene Hoskins was at a party of people by the name of Robert Sabins. I went to a party with my girl friend, Thelma Darling. Harold Holiday took us home. A few days later Allen, better known as Al, came by to see my father, who introduced me to him. My daddy was the jailer in Deming for Jesse Thorn and Bob Frainey. Al was Deputy Sheriff. He was there all day and nights if he had to be. We lived across the street from the jail. The jail was next to the court house.

September 1929

In September 1929 was the first time since my surgery that I was able to walk to Sunday School and then on to the post office with my sister Beulah. We had left the post office and were just about in front of the old Armory, which is now the Museum, when Al picked us up and took us home. We started going together after that time.

November 28, 1929

Al asked me to go on a date with him to Silver City to a show and have dinner with him.

February 1930

Al asked me to marry him.

March 1930

We were married March the 20^th of 1930 in Lordsburg, New Mexico. We were married on Al's stepmother's birthday. Alf and Genevieve stood up with us. I had stood up with them three years earlier. At the time Al and I started dating, he was deputy sheriff. He was deputy sheriff under his brother Ed Hoskins who was sheriff at that time. By the time we got married, Al was working for Bassett's Motor.

MOTHER EDNA'S KITCHEN

Aunt Boo said this is Mother Edna's recipe

SCALLOPED POTATOES

Take 6 medium sized potatoes, wash, and peel. Slice them about an 8^th of an inch thick.

Put a layer of potatoes in a Pyrex dish and then sprinkle white flour generously, dot with butter about an inch apart all over the flour and salt and pepper this layer slightly. Continue making layers until all potatoes are used. Then you take heated milk diluted half and cover potatoes. Do not have the dish too full because it will boil over easily. Take baking cookie sheet, cover the cookie sheet with foil, set the dish on the foil. Cover the dish with foil. Bake at 250 degrees for 45 minutes, and then turn oven down to 200 degrees until potatoes are brown on top. Then, when Potatoes are done, sprinkle with grated cheese. Fork the potatoes to see if tender. I got this recipe from Edna. I don't remember her putting meat in dish, perhaps spam.

PIE CRUST

2 cups of flour

Cut in 2/3 cup of shortening

Add 1 egg yoke

Add ½ cup of milk

Beat egg white slightly and brush on pie

ANOTHER PIE CRUST

3 cups of sifted flour

1 cup shortening

1 teaspoon salt

1 egg

2 tablespoon vinegar

1/3 cup of water

Blend flour, shortening and salt until consistency of course meal.

PECAN PIE

3 eggs

1 cup light corn syrup

1 cup of sugar

2 tablespoons of melted butter

1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon vanilla

Few grains of salt

1 cup pecan halves

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Beat eggs lightly

Add corn syrup, sugar, butter, flour, vanilla and mix well

Arrange Pecan halves in bottom of shell

Pour mixture and let stand about two minutes

Bake for 45 minutes

24 HOUR FRUIT SALAD

1 small can of crushed pineapple

1 medium can of apricots

½ pound of marshmallows

1 cup of chopped pecans

2 eggs

1/3 cup flour

1 cup sugar

1 cup whipping cream

Drain fruit, take juices and add flour, eggs and sugar

Make custard for pie

Add marshmallows and let cool

Then add chopped apricots, pineapple, pecans and real whipping cream

Add to mixture and let stand over night or at least from 12 to 24 hours before serving.

Mother Edna made this delightful desert salad for every important event. Brother C. L. and I can remember the many Thanksgivings, Christmastimes and New Years that we enjoyed this delectable delight which Mom and Aunt Boo made from Grandmother Effie Argie's southern table of such good food.

STACKED ENCHILADAS

Fry a corn tortilla and pat off grease

Dip in enchilada sauce

Sprinkle with cheese and chopped onions, (lettuce optional)

Same with another tortilla and another, making a stack of tortillas

Finished? Not yet! Lightly fry an egg and place on top of stack

Ready to eat

ROLLS

1 Fleishman's yeast dissolved in ¼ cup of warm water

1 cup of potato water, warm

2 cup mashed potatoes, warm

1 cup milk, scaled and cooled

1 cup shortening (dissolved in hot milk)

3 eggs beaten lightly

1/3 cup sugar

3 teaspoon of salt

6 to 7 cups of flour

(Just enough flour so you can knead into smooth ball.)

Let rise once, take what needed for rolls, work them out, work down the rest lightly

Set away, closely covered in refrigerator

About 1 and ½ hours before baking time, take out of refrigerator and let rise till light

Bake at 450 degrees or about that

This will keep for days in refrigerator if you work it down each day. Just slip floured hands and pull it down.

Mother got this recipe from Argie's teacher Mrs. Ames and Edna's friend.

WHITE BREAD

Yield: 2 loaves

Pan 9x5x3 inches or any pan about this size

Temperature 375 to 400 F

Baking from 50 to 60 minutes

Ingredients:

2 ¼ cups of milk or 2 ¼ cups water plus ½ cup of skim milk powder

1 package dry yeast

¼ cup water, lukewarm

2 T. sugar

2 t. salt

2 T. fat

About 6 cups of sifted flour

If fresh milk is used, scald it and cool to lukewarm or if dry milk is used, add lukewarm water to powered milk.

Sift and measure flour, add salt, sugar, and sift together.

To test for lukewarm, place a drop of water on inside of wrist.

If liquid feels neither warm or cold, it is the desired temperature.

Sprinkle yeast on the ¼ cup of warm water, stir to dissolve.

Allow to stand 10 minutes.

Add flour, knead, and place in pans.

Rub top with fat (butter.)

After Mom had a stoke, she was asked, “What would you like to do?” With a sad but excited look in her eyes, she looked up and said, “Make a loaf of white bread.” So tender to remember that moment.

DIVINITY CANDY

8 cups of sugar

2 cups of white Karo

1 quart cream

Cook until it forms a soft ball, beat well, add 5 pounds of assorted nuts; Almonds, Brazil nuts, English walnuts, Black walnuts, and Pecans.

Beat all until it pulls from pan.

Pour into buttered dish and cut.

Fall on waxed paper.

FONDANT

½ cup of soft butter

1/3 cup white corn syrup

½ teaspoon salt (I put half that amount)

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 ½ cups (one pound) powered sugar

Blend butter, Karo, salt, and vanilla

Add sugar and mix and turn out on board which is dusted with powered sugar, knead until smooth, wrap and chill.

Add nuts and dates if desired.

Use for chocolate covered cherries. 1 teaspoon around one candied cherry and drip in melted dripping chocolate.

(I, Argie Ella Hoskins, will write more at a later date about Edna Lawson and

“Al” Allen Hoskins)