My life in Artic Village, Alaska, Verdawn Hickman

Alaska book

Letters and memoirs of an LDS family in Alaska

Written by Maude Ver Dawn Hickman

Rewritten by; her daughter Jane M. Collette

June, July 2019

In the 1980s, my mother, Ver Dawn Gregerson Hickman, worked very hard to put together a book about her and her family’s experiences in Arctic Village, Alaska. Mamma Carefully compiled letters, newspaper articles, personal journal entries, as well as the remembrances of some of her children and her former husband for this book. The work gives an account of her and her family’s experiences in Arctic Village, Alaska, from the years 1965-1966. This was a tremendous effort for her, she worked on this project for several years. Unfortunately, only a few scattered pages remain of this wonderful account.

An LDS family living in Alaska.

In Preface

In January 1965, six young children, two parents assisted by a young pilot and an Indian supervisor of some forty years. As well as another supervisor named Mark Stelle (who flew home before the storm hit) landed on the ice of arctic village. The trip, not always advisable because of weather, did not stop those courageous people from going up there. The young valiant and courageous pilot and supervisor were killed on their return trip into Fairbanks, Alaska. When they flew into a bad storm. An Ice fog. For this reason, this booklet is dedicated to them.

Shortly after this a large amount of genealogy was found at the school. Shortly later a letter came from Frank Smith, the Indian research investigator, requesting genealogy from the school. Many of us have felt there was a connection between the two. Perhaps Mrs. Thomas and Mr. Olson were trying to convey the message they wanted this genealogy and the story told.

Part 1 - We Arrive

Leeds Utah news: January 20, 1965.

“Last Monday Walter and Jessie Eagar took their son Duane and his family to Las Vegas, to get a plane to begin their long journey to Alaska. Duane called his parents from Seattle before they got home from Las Vegas. His employment is with the government who took care of their family. When they arrived at Seattle, they found reservations at a good motel and spent the night there.

From Seattle, they flew to Juno, Alaska, where again all reservations for their care had been made. They were there two days to be processed and receive further instructions. He reported, “The sun was bright and warm and he was wearing his Dixie clothes with comfort. After processing they flew to Fairbanks, where again everything had been done for their comfort. Duane reported 50 below zero, the sun rises at 9:00 am and sets at 2:00 pm.

Now, Sunday, yesterday, a fine LDS family took the family home to dinner. At Fairbanks, they must invest in all the odds and ends which are necessary to provide food and clothing. Lots more warm clothing. From Fairbanks, they will fly in a small plane which will be equipped with skis and land on a frozen river very near the small arctic village which will be home to them for at least two years. Our very best wishes go with this young family. Transportation and communication make this a small world. 

In a letter from Ver Dawn to her mother, dated January 12, 1965, she writes:

“Momma, I would like you to preserve these letters I’m writing about this trip for when I get back.

The flight from Seattle to Juneau. We are at the airport all ready to go. People stare wherever we go with such a large family. We each have our own suitcase. Jimmy, Jessie, Markey, and Lee. Jimmy carrying my small suitcase along with his, and Markey the record player. Duane was responsible for David, I responsible for Grant, Jessie responsible for Lee. Jimmy responsible for Mark. Each younger child, a stuffed animal for comfort. Lee a stuffed kitty, David a stuffed fox, and Grant a teddy bear. We all enter the Large jet and sit together – the instructions are to fasten our safety belts. – to read emergency instructions and so forth. The stewardesses bring us our meals. Coloring books for the kids and some magazines and newspapers. We soar up, up, up above the clouds. We can see land, but we know there is water below.

As we travel, we soon come to beautiful mountains, water below and specks of small islands which are so beautiful. David, aboard the plane, cried because of the pressure, but the children sleep most of the way. There is a gambling game going on by the Juneau basketball team during the flight.

We arrive at Juneau, Alaska, we are met by the supervisor here and a state superintendent. We land and they have us bundle up, because of the cold wind. and I'm fascinated by the city of Juneau. It is built like San Francisco. The people are mainly Alaskan Indians. The food is poor and expensive. The education people have made us a reservation at a popular hotel. It is small, clean and smelly. Poor Duane and his sensitivity to smells. When we eat out, we are amazed at the 13,14,15-year-old kids smoking. There was an hour delay on our plane to Fairbanks. So, we went to the park for seven hours. They are kind to us, there we met and made friends. With a variety of people of all kinds from every walk of life. We soon discover that the Alaskans native to the country are the prettiest ever.

We arrive in Fairbanks and we are hustled to a warm, clean and roomy hotel suite. We go out for breakfast the next morning to a beautiful, modernistic drugstore. Later Duane meets an LDS family who later invited us to dinner on Sunday and who wants to take us to Sunday school and church. They have scads of toys and luscious food there. We have paid between $ 5.-10.00 every meal so we can appreciate this meal. The next day I go to a doctor, a baby specialist, who puts a date of the 20th of March for my flying in for the baby. He advises me to return in a little early to stay at a nursing home before coming into the hospital. The relief society President tends the children while I am at the doctors. She wants me to bring the babies in and she will tend them. The doctor thinks I’m in fine shape.

We head out to our destination. We are transported in by two small planes. Marky, Duane, and Jimmy along with the supervisor of this area, first, and myself, Jessie Dawn, Grant and Lee followed in the next plane. It is warm and comfortable. We are soon amazed at the thousands of small lakes below us. There are areas where no plant life can exist and then areas of thousands of trees. Then more lakes below us. Then lots of stuff in the plane.

We are greeted by Indians in the village. They swarm around us, taking children. We are amazed at the warm beautiful place. The pilots sleep with children while we unpack. A woman of my age comes to help me. A town council meeting is called in the school and the supervisor starts stew for supper. She comes to help the Indians anyway. I get the children ready for bed, far too early, you see they played a trick on me. The children have been excited to see the dog sled loaded with wood and the arctic dogs. The natives laugh at my skimpy things compared to their mukluks and type of dress. I am amazed at the gorgeous beadwork they do.

Word spreads that Jessie is our only girl and would like a playmate. Five to eight new little Indian girls come to play. They announce they will have a festivity in honor of the new school teacher and his family. Seven-thirty, the new school teacher and family make ready for the event. They have caribou hamburgers and pickles. After the feast, the supervisor visits with us far into the night. The next day we are unpacking boxes of groceries and will be thankful for the fancy food. We are to entertain unexpected travelers every week. Duane and the janitor are working on the frozen-up water system. Jessie has not less than ten new girlfriends come to play. I am amazed at the beauty of this place and feel bad at the horrible state the Indians are living in.

We are surprised at the unexpected visit of the minister who tells Duane that without a doubt the former school teacher was a communist who gave him a lot of information on Russia when he asked for historical information. The minister asked Duane to play the organ in his church. Not to be outdone I hold primary. But because the supervisor stressed no one to be invited to any of our church meetings. The primary is just for my children. Mark’s primary lesson manual is missing. Could you send it? We had quite a good primary.

Later- Dear Momma,

We have just received word that the pilot and supervisor were killed on the way back from bringing us up and we are most shocked.”

Note from Jane: It must have been a terrible shock for the whole family to hear about the deaths of two people they had just met and become acquainted with over the course of two days. The Supervisor and the young pilot. Perhaps this brought home the dangers facing them in this unknown place. Indeed, the whole community may have been affected by it. Mamma must have taken it deeply because after all those years she dedicated her book to them.

Note from Jane; After reading this I got a sense of what a big adventure this was for them, it must have been so exciting setting out on this long journey to the Alaskan wilderness, with a large family. Especially for Mamma, it shows you how brave she was and really what a good sport about the whole thing. She has such a positive attitude throughout and never once complains about things. She is trying so hard to be supportive of this new adventure/job that Daddy has taken them on. I'm not sure that I would be so enthusiastic in that situation, and yet she is and remains so throughout as you will see.

Part 2 - Life in Arctic village

Washington Co. News

Leeds News by Mrs. McMullan

Feb. 15, 1965

Duane Eagar tells us in a later letter that the sun shines a few hours each day, making the country most beautiful. He reports he had attended a village social. The villagers have their own orchestras and enjoy dancing, square dancing, circle dances and quadrilles of all kinds.

The US government has supplied the village with a huge cement block building which contains an ample apartment for the Eagar family, a well-equipped school area with a school lunch, also an area where school socials are held. It is well lit and heated.

He reports he is just now able to make limited contact by radio with the outside world. His parents, Walter and Jessie Eagar sent a tape recording of greetings to each of the family then finished with one of their lovely musical numbers. This brought “Dixie Sunshine into the Arctic. Duane reports that people who have heard the recordings are amazed that two people can make such music. He also made recordings of greetings. The people are out in -30-degree weather and are comfortably hunting caribou for hours.

There are no game laws there. People take only for their needs. Fishing through the ice will begin in April and by mid-May the waters will be free of ice and later, some gardens will be planted.

Thursday, March 4, 1965

Mr. and Mrs. Eagar received a tape recording from her son in Alaska which they played for me.

It is interesting. I want to pass some of it on to you. He says the thermometer has gotten up to zero and it feels like spring has come. The warmth in the hearts of the people often sets the cold climate. These people understand English and a few speak it. Several native children spoke in their language on their tape. I caught one sentence,” Mary had a little lamb. “In school, they are taught English but they learn slowly. In fact, Duane has English beginners in every grade. Then he works with village people making income tax returns and any other problems that arise.

He told of a recent party the villagers had in a schoolhouse. They have their own music. He recorded it, a violin and a guitar. They can’t read a note of music, yet it was amazing what they could play and they could swing it to suit any teenager.

Duane says the teens there are the same as here in music tastes. Some of the older girls are fine-looking.

Everybody has a boat and a motor if they live in a log shack, a must for fishing which with caribou is a vital part of their living. He reports he is happy and enjoying his work. Every day is a challenge. His family is all healthy and enjoying the wonderful change. It is so very interesting to learn from others what the faraway places and peoples are doing.

More notes from Mamma;

Leaving the LDS warm circle and flying up into the arctic for two years to teach some Indians who had somewhat limited knowledge of the whites, presented some problems which required prayerful attention.

One morning while praying, I felt impressed to pray for the protection of the children. For some reason on this day, the Indian children were mad and ganged up on the children. Our prayers were answered when a large ice cycles fell off the roof just in time to protect them and sent the Indian children running off in another direction.

On July 4, 1965, Mark won a race held by the Indians, so this showed Mark had a gift in running.

On this same day, the women had a shooting contest, but I didn’t win because I didn’t know how to use a gun for shooting.

That Elijah Henry, the school janitors’ father, seemed like a king. He had a majestic way with him as if he had come from royalty, and his voice was deep and rich. He would visit me and my little kids, up there in the arctic. His good wife Mary, to heaven had left, just before and all, and her family had been loyal in visiting her at her home before she died.

I found that toothaches in Alaska presented somewhat of a problem. There were no dentists close by in case the tooth went bad. On one occasion, my tooth ached and started swelling. Then infection spread all over my face. We had penicillin at this time in the village, but later when another infection occurred there was none. The infection spread all over my face, hair, eyes and so, when the mail plane came in, I was flown into Fairbanks for treatment at the St. Joseph hospital.

A cheerful African American nurse cared for me and later some good LDS people came to cheer me. The elders administered to me. Later, Sister Benson, their Relief Society president also came into cheer me up. She was from England and a cheery sort. I was administered to and became well. At this time, I stayed and enjoyed the weekend at Brother and Sister Benson’s place. About Saturday morning my face started swelling up again. Strangely enough, a dentist had tried to pull that infected tooth but hadn’t been able to do so. It was at this time that fate stepped in and a well-known doctor in that country decided my fate by pulling out this tooth before my trip by plane into the arctic occurred.

Our small Sunday school in the arctic may have been little on the in-church files but were a source of strength for the coming week at this time.

On this day, my husband chose to go hunting so that the Sunday school was a little weak. At any rate, while fixing the Sunday meal my young son David, unknown to us had climbed on the top bunk bed and had a bad accident, as recounted later -suddenly slipped to fall on the tin toy box underneath.

Note from Grant: Me and David were playing on top of the bunk bed, I was the big bad wolf and he was the little lamb. I pushed him off the bunk bed and he hit his head on the sharp corner of a trunk and cut his head open. I remember James running to the village to get help. I also remember Jessie getting in trouble for not watching the kids closer.

On a Sunday afternoon, those kinds of accidents just don’t happen in Alaska. David’s head was severely cut so that I had to stop the bleeding witrh a towel. And with a little anointed prayer at. The village nurse, Dorothy John, stated that David would have to be flown in very soon to Fairbanks because a butterfly bandage would never be enough. The Bible translator o in and that was very hard to do. But you see an air force plane flying in that area picked up the call for a plane and radioed it on in. A plane came very soon and picked James, myself and David up and took us into Fairbanks. It was sort of a fast trip to the hospital for numerous stitches in David’s head. But according to the doctor, another half hour and David would have had to stay in the hospital.

Also, at an earlier date, while Duane was going to the University of Alaska (U of A) in preparation to present a head start program, the Burrough of Indian Affairs (BIA) flew in a gentleman whose business it was to do some auditing for the village store. He helped us with our Sunday school and did a good job, even though he wasn’t a member of the church.

Lee’s Finger was smashed in the door. That doesn’t sound very bad, but you see the door was rather heavy and when the nurse bandaged the finger there, we didn’t fly Lee into fair banks for stitches. It was through prayer that the finger finally healed up after being bandaged and rebandaged many times by the village nurse, Dorothy John.

While in Fairbanks before Allison was born, Duane sent me some money and I did some shopping in Fairbanks for some badly needed items. As I left to walk back to the place that I was living, I only had enough to pay tithing. I had very little to eat in the apartment before going to the hospital on Monday. Lo and behold there came a dollar in a Letter in the mail from Grandma Gregerson to tide me over. So, I know that the Lord works in mysterious ways to help you if you pay your tithing. You have just enough to get a long-on.

How my faith remained intact despite ridicule, severe tragedies in the loss of family is something only God knows. I remained true to the faith.

After living in the Northern. Arctic for two years with small children and my school teacher husband, taught me a new faith. Where I saw a young man, who had to go 15 miles in -50 degrees below zero weather before breakfast to get firewood. Before school. The young women had to go a long distance to get water for their families.

Letters to Grandma. Gregerson from James

February 22, 1965

Dear Grandma Gregerson,

I have received your letter. I did like it very much. It is 20 below zero.

I have missed you very much.

I rode on a dog sled; it went very fast.

Daddy shot 4 caribou in one hour.

The family is fine. I love you. I better stop goodbye.

Sincerely yours, from Jimmy Eagar

Arctic village, Alaska

February 5, 1965,

Dear Grandma,

We are in Alaska safe.

It was fun on the jets and planes.

We were going 500 miles an hour

25000 feet in the air.

They served lunch on the jets.

When we got to Arctic village, the village came out to meet us.

We saw caribou when we were on the plane.

It is pretty outside in the snow.

Daddy has gone out hunting and got 1 caribou.

I better stop but write back to me. goodbye.

.by Jimmy Eagar

Dear Momma,

Just a note on Jimmy’s letter. We are getting along pretty well.

Except for the children having the chickenpox.

A lady comes in and helps me a lot during the week.

She helps with the washing, makes bread, and does all the ironing.

As well as cleans.

I was happy to receive your nice letter. Everyone here seems very friendly.

Jessie has quite a few girlfriends.

Mark being a redhead they want to kiss him.

It is quite a challenge for Jimmy to keep up with the real strong boys.

Duane built him a sled. I have plenty of help with the babies.

Love, Ver Dawn

February 17, 1965

“Dear Momma, just a note to tell you that I have been in the hospital with a bad tooth infection and which the doctor termed as a wonder I was living. The mail pilot flew me in around 3:00 in about 5 hours. So, it was a quick trip. I wore Duane’s mukluks since it had been 50 below zero that morning. The hospital is nicely run here by Catholics. And pretty good service. Considering how crowded it is.

I will probably be going next Monday if my doctors will let me. I somehow got two doctors. Anyway, it seems I call throughout the day. The bishop was here and a councilor called last night and administered to me last night. The Relief Society President called and brought some nice magazines. Duane’s boss called also so I haven’t been alone here. The infection all over my head, face, ear, and neck, swelling them largely with blisters, now the swelling is going down and so I will be going home.

The kids will be well taken care of. There is a woman who comes every day anyway so she’ll tend the children with a couple of Indian girls at night. The patients are interesting here and since there seems to be a wide turnover. I guess I’ve met every type of individual. I’ve been trying to gather up enough material for a Sunday school. Would you mind getting the manuals for my children and mailing them to us?

Duane seems to enjoy his work. What pretty, smart, kids and good equipment. I have been trying to load on a few groceries before going home. I can take 40 pounds on the plane. The school nurse is going to be up there this week and giving DPT shots and will be staying at our house. I imagine she will help Duane with the little kids some.

The dentist will be there at the end of March, but I'm going to try to get these infected teeth out before going back to Arctic Village. I’m worried about the kids or I might stay here until the baby is born, as suggested by the doctor and Duane. Anyway, the baby isn’t due until April 12th.

How are you coming with your jobs? Are you still working? Is everyone well?

Lots of love to all, VerDawn

Letter to Jimmy from Grandma Gregerson

Dated April 3, 1965

Dear Jimmy, I was so happy to get your letter and know that you are thinking of me. Did you know that I moved down to Provo? I rented a motel room across from the trailer court where your mother and dad were living so I could be there when you were born and was I thrilled when you came, and you have the name of great, great, great grandfather James Sylvester who came from England?

I sent the letter you wrote John onto him. He will soon be up here to the Dr. You are so blessed to be to run and play and help take care of your dear little brothers while your sweet Mamma is away getting another dear baby. You must write to her dear and tell her how they are, so she won’t worry.

Art had to take Jake to the vet for a shot for distemper. It must be quite an experience living up there and going to school with the Indians. Take good care of your brothers and Jessie Dawn.

Love to all Grandma Gregerson.

Part. 3 Time for a baby

March 18, 1965

Dear Momma,

I’m leaving on the plane tomorrow to go to Fairbanks so I thought I’d write and tell you. I’ll be at the Gaffney Inn until the baby is born. I have had quite a lot of teeth trouble and the baby is quite low so I’m heading for Fairbanks.

The woman that works for me made a gorgeous pair of beaded dancing boots with white fur to wear out on the plane in this cold weather. Enclosed is a price list on the lady’s work. Should you happen to go to relief society please leave the list with the relief society president. These people have children with exceptionally high IQ’s and any extra work to help them. May help the children to go on with their schooling.

The children are well and Duane is doing good in his work.

It is a good idea to go to the doctor when you have the flue, especially at your age. The people here all haul their water and it is hard for them to stay clean, but when the ice breaks they will have more water. You see the girls of the village carrying ten-gallon cans of water along the way to their home, they are strong, beautiful and used to plenty of hard work from large families.

We have a toilet training chair for David, but he still isn’t trained.

Enclosed are some pictures of Jessie Dawn with the dancing slippers on.

I’m getting so I can tell what they are saying in this Indian language by gleaning an English word from a sentence.

Some mining men are bringing in some ore for Duane to write letters on and send in. The ore is high graded here.

Love to all, VerDawn

More News from Washington co. news.

April 1, 1965

“In our last letter from Arctic Village says spring is near up there, the ice cycles from the eves to the ground are beginning to melt. When it is warm enough to snow it is a blessed relief from the snow.

Duane is now killing Caribou, fat cows preferred, to be sure they have fresh meat in-store before they leave for the south lands. The people there use caribou in the winter and, fish in the summer and have a drying process for fish which they use in the summer. They are having spring weather there now 35 degrees and up. It has been -35 below and down. Mrs. Eagar is in the hospital in Fairbanks awaiting the arrival of her baby.

April 22, 1965

Duane and Ver Dawn of Arctic Village have their new baby girl, born in Fairbanks and she is home again. In that area, they travel by plane so comfortably to Fairbanks, and short.

Allison Rebecca was born in Fairbanks, Alaska. She was born on the 6th of April at a time when the Fairbanks city has a breakup of ice. Although I traveled from Hurricane, Utah clear up into the Arctic where my husband was teaching the Indians and had a terrible infection before she was born. She seemed to arrive in good shape. She has been a healthy child and lovely with red hair. She walked at one year and when we arrived in the states where Duane was teaching in Vernal, Utah she suddenly developed a lazy eye condition called Amblyopia/ lazy eye. She has been wearing a patch and glasses and seems to be improving, but may have to have an operation. Allison did have an operation so that with the wearing of glasses it corrected her eyes.

Letters to Grandma;

Dear Momma,

I received your nice letters and $2. It just came at the right time. I was broke until Duane could send the money and it bought me groceries for a weekend.

I might as well tell you I got my girl and we’re naming her Allison Rebecca. She looks like you quite a lot and weighs 6 lbs. 2 ½ ounces and the delivery was comparatively easy, unlike some of them I’ve had. I’ve had some nice visitors from the ward and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).

The baby is taking hold and nursing well and a pediatrician has looked after the baby saying the baby is alright. He will be the baby’s doctor.

The baby has nice features and I’m really happy she is here. I feel really good.

Thanks for the robe. I just got it as Duane just sent it down. It is a beautiful thing and you shouldn’t have bought it when you need groceries. The baby has a lot of brown hair. Send word around to the folks. Lots of love to you; Ver Dawn

PS: I went to a lovely relief society Japanese party last Fri. and stayed with sister Benson. Be sure to write to Greg and Larry in the mission field. They need your help and prayers.

Letter from Grandma Gregerson,

Dated 5-4-65

Dear Ver Dawn,

I was so happy to get your letter telling me more about the new baby girl. I can imagine how worried you can be about the water with so many little ones to look after. Do you think it wise to let your good help go when your baby is so young? It is necessary to keep well when there are so many depending on you. There will be one dear little mother I will be thinking of on Mother’s Day. I know you will appreciate the blessing of the new baby girl along with the other dear little ones.

Why don’t you take up the fence problem with the Alaska governor, you can always write. Tell them how many little ones you have.

As far as I know, the families are all well. I don’t see Dorothy much since she started working, she has such a long way to go to work.

Spring is here, the lilac bush opposite my window is out. They have pulled that old frame house down at the back of the next big house and hauled the debris away thank goodness.

I saw in the Relief Society magazine that Aida Sylvester Snyder is 91 years of age.

There is a lovely Mother’s Day story in the last magazine by Camilla Woodbury Judd. Who was a childhood friend of mine.

Art is starting a new house this spring, so I don’t expect him very often. The new baby is doing fine. Their children have had mumps, measles, and chickenpox this past winter, but they are fine now.

Shirley is taking an interest in the Hanks genealogy. She is writing a history and went to the Hanks reunion. You know her son is on a mission to California. I wrote three letters last week to missionaries. Greg, Larry, and Brent. Times are so unsettled now the people sure need the Lord’s help.

Hug all the dear kids for me. Best love to a dear daughter. Your loving mother Maudie Gregerson.

Letter to Grandma Gregerson from Jessie Dawn

April 1965

Dear Grandma,

I love you very much. You are a good Grandma.

I made some doll clothes

It was fun to do it

I did it today.

And Mark made a purse for my doll,

He said it was fun to do it.

David took hold of the new baby’s toes

Love Jessie Dawn Eagar

Letter from Grandma Gregerson to her sister Dickie,

Dated April 13, 1965

Taken from the book, The Joseph Sylvester Family Letters.

Written by Kerry William Bate and Maureen Smith Bryson

“Dear Dickie,

I received your letter and was glad to get it and know that you are still able to be about. Sometimes I wonder how long my pills will keep me going.

I have good news for you I have a letter from Ver Dawn telling of the birth of a lovely baby girl weighing 6 lbs. 2 1/2 ounces to be named Allison Rebecca. We are so thrilled and relieved. She has had such a serious time from start to finish. This baby is the 7th five boys and two girls. All seemed well with mother and baby. I suppose she has gone back to the village…”

Letter from Grandma Gregerson to Mamma

May 10, 1965

Dear VerDawn,

I received your letter written May 7, I am sorry to hear of the sickness in the Village and it will soon be cleared up. There has been such a lot of sickness here mumps, measles, and chickenpox, with the children, flue, with the older people. It seems hard to clear up, so many people have had it.

Don’t worry about getting me something for Mother’s Day, all I ask for is to hear from (you) regularly. I went with Dorothy with her little girls to a mother and daughter luncheon given by her ward by the Relief Society. Janet, a lady gave a musical play, she told the story and sang the song “Hello Dolly.” Dorothy Ward is in the building where you used to go to the stake on Sunday.

Sunday, I went out to dinner at Arts for Mother’s Day we had a nice time.

And I ask you what you need for the baby. I thought of a good blanket or some nightgowns, please tell.

I don’t know which is the most dangerous all that water out there or all the cars here. Nearly every day we learn of a child being killed, sometimes by a hit and run driver.

I would have liked to be there when you had the primary program. Honey, you are sweet and good and we all love you so much. I hope you and the little ones to keep well. Tell Jim hi, he owes me a letter. Lots of love to all, Mother.

April 29 Thurs

Washington county news

Duane Eagar of Arctic Village recently sent his mother a beautiful handbag and belt made by a native woman, Helen Tritt who works in his home. They are made entirely from the skins of animals — so wonderfully treated they are as soft as any animal. Some skins used inside the bag is a light leather brown and of suede texture. The outside and handle are white – the texture is so fine and soft. It is embroidered in a solid pattern of beads— a lovely pattern, so carefully done as to be called perfect. Both in patterns and colors used— Only an artist could do such work. The belt is much the same- it seems that tribes of Indians are born artists in various ways.

Duane says they are now fishing through the ice. The little squirrels are coming out to sun themselves and patches of mother earth are coming into view.

May 13, 1965

Washington county news

Some very interesting letters from Duane Eagar of Arctic village. First of all, winter has returned up there as well as here, bringing considerable sickness to the people, old and young.

I quote, “Last week was the annual dog race contest at Arctic Village. They had races of all kinds. Dog teams and sleds. First, they held the lady’s race on an 8-mile track. Then the children’s races on a 3-mile track. Last of all the men’s on a 14-mile track. The fastest time on the track was 48 minutes. I was asked to help keep time and there was plenty of excitement. Prizes were given to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th winners. There were keen competition and a lot of excitement when a whole village enters in.”

“I will establish a new program called project head start. A new educational program sponsored by the Johnson administration as part of the anti-poverty drive. It will be for all the children ages 4 and 6. I will go to school for one week, at the University of Alaska to prepare for setting it up.”

May 20

News from Alaska

News from Arctic Eagar’s- all-night dances- 3 in one week. Everybody goes. When they tire, they drop their coats on the table and sleep. They serve coffee and cake, pie and hamburgers. There is no drinking at the Arctic village.

Early one morning I took a trip to the river and chopped a hole through the ice, about a foot deep. I used spinning lure with a scrap of bacon for bait. I caught 5 nice graylings. I had a little trouble getting them up through the ice hole- one big fellow got caught up through the ice hole and I had to enlarge the hole.

The largest was 17 inches. They taste like delicious mountain trout. As I pulled them from the water, I tossed them on the ice. In a little while, they were frozen stiff. When I went to carry them home, they were like sticks of wood. I took my rifle but found the caribou were too far from the villages. I did hear a wolf however, it must have been a mile away, however, I didn’t venture any further in his direction.

The LDS members were so kind to VerDawn (my wife) during her stay there. They practice the gospel of brotherly love. No one could have been treated better. Her little Irish visiting teacher writes to her each month to give her a wonderful lesson.

Summer in the arctic

June

He tells of a hunting trip up river 15 miles told. They had good hunting coming back loaded boat with meat and fish. Said weather was wet and cold but enjoyed roughing it again.

June 4, 1965

Dear Momma,

I’m sorry this has to be in pencil, but we seem to be out of ballpoint pens at Arctic Village. We are all well. The ice has broken and we are watching the children carefully. I have had a slight infection but received the penicillin back in a good five days from Fairbanks. It seems to be a flare-up from that other one I had but not near as bad. The baby has red hair. She is gaining weight nicely. Lee took her out to a birthday party in the village the other night. The little home was orderly and clean with everything in its place.

It was built of logs. There was just one room for a family of eight, with the oldest one being seven. A stove made of a large oil can heated the place. And a large pelt from a fox hung on the wall. She had a gasoline washer, one bed, two tables with chairs for company. We listened to cowboy music from the radio.

Everyone up here wears nothing but pants to keep warm and warm boots. If possible, I wish you would shop there in Salt-lake and obtain some pants that are pretty, size 16, that would be pretty.

We had duck soup with cake and Jell-O as a dessert. As you probably know several of the Indians have large families; a few gain much weight, and a couple lose considerable teeth. Duane has gone camping on the river with an Indian. He has eight days before going to Fairbanks for a week’s schooling. He has been going hunting a lot since school let out, and a good thing for his nerves. I'm trying to learn the short-wave radio, give, talk, such as mega live, roger, roger, etc. I also must give a weather report twice a week while he is gone. When he returns, he will have a kindergarten for children ages 4-6, which includes Grant, Lee, and Mark for two months. He will have an assistant and a cook from the village.

We are all excited about the army bivouac which starts here and goes up to Borderland. An army lieutenant is coming Monday to talk to Duane about missions, trails, communications, etc.

It will be an 80-mile hike for those boys through the rain in August and no doubt a very hard one.

It is beautiful out here and the children are excited about playing outside. It keeps the two oldest ones and myself, hoping to watch them as there is a high water, beautiful lake two hundred feet from us.

My two oldest ones are reading a lot from the lovely library at the school, playing the nice records and using the school paints. Markey, as well as the others, seems to love to paint. Enclosed is a painting he made.

A lady is doing my washing, ironing, baking and washing the refrigerator, as well as the couches and four windows once a week. So why complain. The SMA formula failed to arrive so we obtained special morning milk from the village store which seemed to the baby seemed to thrive on. We have a little lamp we turn on when it comes off cooler which warms her crib. We received some bunk beds from the government as well as some dishes which is nice. The Indians are camping out a lot these days. They depend on the game a lot. They are no doubt without worldly goods but make the most of what they have. It may be a few weeks before you will hear from me as I will be busy with Duane going into Fairbanks, but I will try to write soon.

All my love, VerDawn

P.S. We are still having primary, family night, church, and even Relief society and mutual.

The first part of July 1965

Salt Lake City, Utah

Letter from Grandma Gregerson

(we only have a partial letter)

Jane wrote that they are getting a smaller home in Cedar City. LaVell and his wife have a nice home they have spent a lot of money remodeling. Everybody asks about you and your little ones. They were all so happy about the new baby girl. I have just had a letter from Elizabeth. They made a quick trip to Las Angeles to the Woodbury reunion. Seven sisters were there. Eugene and JT to visit Aunt Dick. She is in pretty good condition. She had written to him.

Eugene will be up with John for a check-up on the 26th. He wants me to go back but I don't know that I am up to it. The new University hospital is open now. All the equipment and patients have been moved up there. It is a part of the Midvale division of the University. I will go there next time for a checkup, on the 19th of July.

Ilene took me up to visit her mother, all Marjorie’s roses were out.

I hope you will be able to read all of this.

Your loving mother, Maudie

PS. You wrote about the mosquitoes when I was a kid living at Hanksville near the Dirty Devil river, we suffered from mosquitoes, mother used to make smudge in the yard in the evening the smoke drove them away.

I ask you what you need for the baby. I thought of a god blanket or some nightgowns. Please tell. I don’t know which is the most dangerous all that water out there or all the cars here, nearly every day we hear of a child being killed, sometimes a hit and run car. I would have liked to be there when you had the primary program.

Honey, you are so sweet and good we all love you so much. I hope you and the little ones to keep well. Tell Jim he owes me a letter.

Lots of love to all, mother

The first week of July 1965

Arctic village, Alaska

Dear Momma,

Thanks for the nice letter. We had races at the village and the fourth of July celebration was quite fun. We had few mosquitoes because of the breeze. The baby has hazel eyes and is standing on her feet. She is a strong baby. Markie won the races for his age group.

We have had a lot of mosquitoes, but have gotten something to help them now.

Duane is in the process of implementing President Johnson’s Head Start program. He has two men to assist him with this and a janitor.

Markey, Lee, and Grant are all under this program. It is a romper room school which lasts for 5 hours. It is pretty quiet here during the day. The bible translator and his wife, and family have moved into the village and they seem to be quite nice folk. Did you get the picture of the baby I sent? Tell Montey thanks a lot for the letter, especially when she was so busy. We are expecting Duane’s supervisor soon. We have been cleaning the house for the occasion.

Sincerely,

Love, Ver Dawn

Accidents will happen, even in the arctic.

July 19, 1965

Arctic Village, Alaska

Dear Momma,

I just got back from Fairbanks. David fell off the bunk bed cut his head badly and we had to fly in to have his head sewed up. Duane was away at the time and so I had the bible translator radio into Fairbanks. We made in there just in time to have the head sewn up. Jimmy and the baby and David and I went in. We came into Arctic Village with skis on the airplane landing in the water. David seems well at present. However, blood tests showed that he is anemic and he is taking iron. This little trip cost us some $400. The Baby specialist says that the baby is getting too heavy. The Indians in the village gathered up $150 in the village for us. We are going into fall here, having had some 8 weeks of spring and one week of summer. We are fast learning to wear pants all the year round up here and long-sleeved blouses and long socks.

We stayed overnight at Fort Yukon in a log cabin. It was exciting.

There is a lady from Fairbanks who I believe is in Salt Lake right now. She has a baby who only weighs 13lbs and is 2 years old, who is at the Primary children’s hospital. This family has befriended me while at Fairbanks. I wish you could contact her. Her name is Mary Case. If you could invite her to your place and to come occasionally it would be nice. She is a very lovely person.

Later. We received your nice letter and were happy to learn about the reunion. We are at present writing all ok. Where is Brian stationed? My baby is calling so I will write again soon.

Love, Ver Dawn

Mamma later wrote of the incident,” When David was hurt in the accident of falling off the bunk bed, and we had to have him flown into Fairbanks, we had David administered to at the chapel. The relief society was having a homemaking meeting. At any rate, James, David and I started home after and became lost as it was quite a distance and the route was new to us. From the Motel, we were staying at.

Suddenly a woman stopped and picked us up and took us home. I felt we were blessed and David’s stitches healed up very rapidly.

Letter to Aunt Dickie from Grandma Gregerson

Dated; July 28, 1965

Boulder City, Nevada

“…..I received a letter from Ver Dawn saying her little three-year-old David fell from a bunk bed and cut his head seriously. They had to charter a plane and take him to Fairbanks to a doctor. Duane was away so she took Jimmy nine and the new baby with the little hurt David and made the trip. David has never been as strong as the other children. He seems to be doing alright. The trip cost $400 dollars. The Indians donated $100 dollars. Ver Dawn certainly rises to the occasions. She certainly has had some varied experiences since going to Alaska…”

Washington county news,

August 1965

“Duane says that summer is gone in Arctic Village. The landscape is green and beautiful, but the daylight hours are shorter by three hours, of cold, cold darkness each night. The rain is falling and everything is wet. Recently a little son, David, fell from his bunk bed, receiving a severe scalp wound that necessitated a trip on a chartered plane to a hospital in Fairbanks. We hope no more accidents come to this family in their faraway home.”

August

Arctic village, Alaska

Dear Momma,

I just received your letter from Nevada and it was nice hearing. We surely hope and pray that Johnnie’s operation is a success there. I enjoy your letters and appreciate them.

We are all well except for a touch of the flue. I had more infection and so needed three more pain killer shots. The Army boys came and will start out tomorrow morning on bivouac.

The natives say they don’t have near enough things to keep warm and no tents or sleeping bags. A helicopter landed in my back yard yesterday and the kids were plenty excited. A baby was born in the village last week with all the ladies helping. The lady that works for me came about 10:00 am and said the baby had no clothing, for the clothes hadn’t come from Sears, so I noticed Allison had grown out of quite a few things so I rounded up some and some government flannel and sent them down. The baby was in a pasteboard box with just one receiving blanket around her when the lady got there. Part of the afterbirth didn’t come out so they flew them to fort Yukon to the nurse.

The kids are picking berries and enjoying the evening. Part of the caribou have come down so the men in the village are out hunting with Duane. A grizzly bear has been reported out there too.

A jet brought the school supplies for the year and Duane has been plenty busy putting them away.

Grantie’s speech is picking up somewhat with this new head start school.

We are $600 dollars in debt on David’s accident but are thankful David is alright.

I went to an Indian dance the other night and I believe they outdo the whites on square dancing. They have a good orchestra too. We took all the kids as they do and the kids thoroughly enjoyed watching it.

Love,

Ver Dawn

Letter from Jimmy Eagar

Arctic Village, Alaska

to Grandma Gregerson

October 1965

Dear Grandma Gregerson,

I miss you very much today. How are you today? Are you fine?

We are all well today. It is 20 below 0 outside now. Snow on the ground,

Ice on the river and lakes. I am sorry I did not write to you sooner.

There is a fine place to slid near here.

I better stop now to help

Love, Jimmy

Salt Lake City, Utah 10-31-65

letter from Grandma Gregerson

Dear Ver Dawn,

I received your letter with the news that all is well with you. I am so sorry that sweet old Lee hurt his finger. Give him a big hug and kiss for his grandma, who thinks he is the real thing. I don’t know what the person from the Peace Core does in the United States. Tell me.

The family seems to be in good condition. I was out with Dorothy to visit Marjorie Billy Jean on her way to the hospital to get her baby. I haven’t heard how she came out. I will call before I mail this letter. I received a sort of history from Aunt Dick. Letters by her and Day Hanks of Ebenezer Hanks. Now she is 80 years old, she seems interested in the things she should have been doing for years. Anyway, she sent some early information that I am glad to have. After I started this letter I went to church. It was such a lovely day, and I am afraid we will not see two such days. It was a good meeting; the speaker gave a good talk. They have a pretty fair choir, this time of year, so many young people that go to school come to this part of town to live. So, after church, Billy Jean and her husband came by and invited me to go with them out to Marjorie’s. We had a nice dinner and visit. Billy Jean is expected to go to the hospital any minute. You wrote you wanted to borrow money but you didn’t say how much or how much you could pay a month. In borrowing money, you must have all the details. You didn’t say anything about the slacks, whether or not they fitted. I don’t want to send anything you can’t use.

I have a roll of wool new pieces I am sure I could make David two shirts and Grant one if you want them. Let me know. Do you get a newspaper? Over T.V it told about 70 children in St. George they were making tests with. They have developed lumps on the thyroid gland caused by the fallout of the tests made-on the desert on the other side of Ls Vegas several years ago. I haven’t heard how it turned out.

Nov.1, I went up to the hospital for a check-up. Last time I was there they gave me a cartogram my heart was beating too fast. But today it seemed better-

I was happy to get a note from sweet Jessie Dawn- I wouldn't like to think that the children have forgotten me. Dear little Mark with his drawings.

I received a card from Greg Gubler today. He expects to be home about January.5th.

Please answer my questions.

Best love all, your loving mother, Maude Gregerson

I hope you learn to ice skate you were a whiz on roller skates.

November 2, 1965

Arctic village, Alaska

Dear Momma,

Here is a note with the other letters to tell you that we are all well excepting for Duane’s sinus condition. (we have penicillin for this)

We have a winter's supply of food. And medicine and vitamins in which it is costing us quite a lot, but by, coming parcel post it is much cheaper.

The village had a fun Halloween party for the children and one for the grownups.

Some men came up from BIA to help us with our pipes and so forth for winter.

Thanks so much for the nice blanket and birthday present and little toy for the baby.

It is hitting 30 below right now. We have mukluks on our feet. I made some new drapes for the children’s room to keep it warmer. I stayed up…..

November 29, 1965

Arctic village, Alaska

Dear Mama, Thanks so much for the nice letter and all the little bits of news. We have had a bit of delay on our mail here due to a wreck. The mail plane had while landing. Fortunately, the pilot was not injured. There was a large amount of smog all over the valley. Rass called in to find out where he was. He went inland on the ice on a clearing above the village with the intention of……

Washington co. news

November 1965

A very interesting letter from Duane was recently received by his parents. He says that the University of Alaska (U of A) asked him to track down satellites with an electric camera each day. He also tells us of a man in his village from the geological survey corporation, vista volunteers’ workers in the village and two BIA plumbers and electricians to get everything thing in order before winter. It is only -20 up there now and everything buried in snow. Duane hopes their health is good.

Washington co. news

December 1965

Duane reports the thermostat is at a -20, yet the children wrap up and play at times outside.

We enjoyed a nice Thanksgiving with Turkey for all. There is just one white family in the village. The father is a minister for the same Christian church. They all begin and end school in the dark.

Another unfortunate accident

Winter of 1966

Dear Momma,

We are writing to tell you that all is well here and that the children are alright. Lee smashed his finger in the door and tore it apart. It should have been sewn up but is mending anyway gradually. David is doing better but I’m afraid that we will have to keep him on that 8 dollar a bottle medicine the rest of the winter because he seems to go downhill when we take him off it. We have had tons of snow, it snows all the time; the mail is going out a little irregular, because of this. We have two cooks cooking for the school lunch and an assistant teacher. The folks had to turn out the people in our house down-home because they refused to pay the rent.

The kids have skates and have learned to ice skate.

The footwear is mukluks right now.

I have a date to go to the show with my husband tonight.

I hope it doesn’t snow all night.

I ————have to get the kids down.

We had some flour come so I used your recipe to bake bread. It turned out pretty good.

Thanks so much for the nice package. You shouldn’t have taken your money to buy this.

We have been saving our best blankets for the doctor when he comes in, which made us short. The peace corps worker turned out to be so fancy from Washington DC. That we are all in a Dither to keep up appearances. Allison Rebecca seems to be more advanced. She is sitting up; she likes to stand and try and take steps. She tries to talk at 6 months. They have assigned us to a new missionary district.

They are going to the Hawaiian temple in January.

I wish you would ask Art to try and borrow the money for me to go and let us pay back at so much a month. Let me know if he says he will try to do it so I’ll know how to plan.

Love, VerDawn.

January of 1966,

Arctic village, Alaska

Dear Momma,

I’m sorry I haven’t written sooner, but it seems like it takes all of my time to keep the children well in this 60 below zero weather.

It is a powerful cold these days and we have had freeze-ups etc.

Your nice letters have been most welcome and I hope you will forgive me for my not having written sooner. The baby is cutting teeth and is up at night.

She is growing by leaps and bounds.

Jimmy has a new room and his own dog team.

Marky is proud of his own large dog too.

They are training them to pull the sled the kids are getting to be regular little Eskimos. They enjoy skinned, white, raw, frozen fish.

They are uncomfortable in anything more than 20 below zero weather.

We need packages but haven’t gotten them yet, because the plane never came in for 3 weeks, broken down and being a small plane it takes a long time to get things hauled in.

The village has had several pot-luck dinners with turkey for the whole village and all the good foods possible on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s.

The baby got a new crib for Christmas, I hope you got our package and the cards.

We had a primary program. The Episcopal church had a program too.

We held ours then went to theirs. If I had to rely on a book to tell me what to pray and when to pray to the very word I believe I would not be content with that kind of set up but would be seeking a better church.

The villages had no lights at all for Christmas. They had no covering of any kind for their floors. It is sad to see a lot of little kids who have to suffer from the cold.

The cold comes through.

We got a nice lot of Christmas cards from friends and relatives.

Thank Monty and Art for the lovely pillowcases. They are truly beautiful.

I’m not promising any letters as I say my hands are full keeping the kids well in this terrible cold temperature.

David still isn’t too well. I think though with candy not around he will do better.

I’m going to start giving him pudding again.

I believe I’m pregnant and as you folks will say it's about that time again.

We have nice groceries coming in which should be good to help.

I still have that cleaning woman coming in all day Monday which is good to help. It is getting dark at 2:0 o.c. in the afternoon and light at around 10 o.c.

The kids are getting along pretty well in school. Duane and I both are doing private tutoring on our own. I’ve been helping Jimmy with his time's tables and Marky with his reading. Duane has been listening to Jessie read. Jimmy just recently went through a cursive book to improve his writing

The kids got pajamas and house slippers from Eagar’s for Christmas, and Duane and I received garments.

The Eagar’s we’re going to California but decided against it. We sure appreciate the nice letters we want to wish you a happy birthday you are a wonderful person.

There have been quite a few films here and so it breaks the monotony on a cold day.

It is something Margery being a grandmother to two all at once.

I can't believe Scott is going to the BYU isn’t that wonderful! And Kent in the bishopric. Good old(young) aunt Dick always comes through with the cards Aunt Altheria too.

This is very important to me. Would you phone up and find out why we haven’t gotten an improvement era for December. We sent in the money to continue our subscription. Also, we must find out if they got the $28.00 I sent in for Sunday school supplies at the president's corporation. I believe it is this (anyway it would be under church offices)

It sounds fun to go shopping with Margie.

Lots of Love, Ver Dawn

P.S. Take care of yourself.

Letter to Grandma Gregerson from Mamma

Dated; February 6, 1966

Arctic village, Alaska

Dear Momma,

Enclosed is a picture taken of myself and children.

It is getting more sun here, but still terribly cold.

Thanks for the nice Letter. It was good to read about everyone and especially about Greg.

We are all pretty well. Thanks for the nice vitamins.

Duane has put in for a position in the southwest, but if he can get a position we can only wait and see. We hope you will pray with us that he can get that position.

We are out of airmail stamps so it may be a while before this letter reaches you.

It is still running 40-50 degrees below zero.

We got a small organ the kids and I are trying to learn to play. We are enjoying it.

Love, Ver Dawn

P.S. Please call the Improvement Era Dept. and find out why it hasn’t come.

We are in the Alaskan Canadian Mission.

Letter from Grandma Gregerson

Dated March 22, 1966

Salt Lake City

Dear Ver Dawn,

The sun is shining once again after the big wind and rain storm yesterday. I shouldn’t mention cold considering what you are going through.

I sent a little gift for your birthday; I am ashamed I didn’t get the personal things I intended to. I love you as much and I am thinking of you all the time all day on your birthday and dear cute Lee, he is precious. I was so thrilled about the sweet picture of the baby; I always pass the pictures around to the family.

I hope Duane will be able to get another transfer to another school if that is what he wants. I know it will be better for you and the little ones especially since you are expecting another little one.

Marjorie’s girls are taking pills. They make Marjory oh so sick, she can’t take them. The poor woman they sure do have a time, no getting out of it.

You didn’t tell me whether or not the vitamins I have sent you for David.

If they help him, I will send more honey. How are your legs holding up?......

Journal entry from Duane Eagar

Sunday, May 29, 1966

Dear Memory, Today Jim, Mark and I repaired and painted the boat.

Today marks the beginning of the last school week that I will teach in Arctic Village.

We hold (our family) our Sunday school. I played some music on the organ and taught Jimmie’s lesson. Jim Sam came over from the village and we had a visit.

Listened to the tabernacle tape from sister Olsen. Mostly a lazy day.

Finished the B.L.A property inventory and planned next week’s schoolwork.

Took Allison R. and went over to the village, helped fill out Mr. N. Allotment.

From then went to visit George and Hellen, then Jim and Mary, then Pat,

then came home. Allie slept most of the time, fresh air, I guess.

Journal entry from Duane Eagar

Monday, May 30, 1966

On this last day of May, school began as usual and we had writing practice then recess and reading outdoors in the sun on the canvas,

It was a bit windy but enjoyable because of the warm sun and birds singing.

We watched the airplane come and go.

Tim Isaac and John Fredson returned to Venetie River; ice still piled up at the bend –

Maybe it will break up today. It seems that Tim Sam did not go to Venetie. He took my boat and crossed the river with Christian.

Steven Pete Sable and Raymond. We hiked over to where the caribou had been killed and got some good meat to take home. Then went down and skinned the bear

And put the skin on my pack too. Gee, I was heavy, I had to stop and rest often there but finally made it back.

Letter from Grandma Gregerson to Mamma

Dated; June 1st, 1966

Salt Lake City

Dear Ver Dawn,

I was so happy to get your letter saying you are in good condition; I hope you are taking care of the leg that troubles you.

I can hardly take the thought of you having your teeth out, hold onto everyone you can, you are so young to have them all out.

I got a map of Alaska but I couldn’t locate where you folks are and are going.

I hope it will be in a more civilized place.

I can hardly stand you not coming home in June

But I know you must do what you think is best.

I hope the sickness there has subsided. It quite often comes after a thaw.

All seems to be well with the Gregerson family except Marjorie….

A card written to Jessie Dawn from Grandma Gregerson

Dated June 1st, 1966

Salt Lake City

Dear Jessie Dawn-

I was so happy to get your letter and to know you are learning to type.

Johnny writes to me on a typewriter too.

Uncle Jean has a new swimming pool so John can swim when he feels like it for exercise-

When you get there to visit, I can hardly wait to take another bus ride with you.

Do you help take care of baby sister it must be so fun-?

Write again to your loving Grandma Gregerson.

Memoirs of Grant and James’s recollections of their experiences in Alaska.

Grant’s Quote,

Written by Mamma

Arctic village

“Another fear I had was of the bridge that went across a river between a village and the school where we lived. The rough boards that went across the middle had thick gaps between them. As I walked across (and Grant was only four years old)

(I-was afraid) I would fall between those gaps in the icy waters below. It seemed to me at that time that no one else was afraid of them and no one cared if I fell in”. Note, this was just the same way with all the children there. We tried and tried to build a bridge in at Arctic village and the government pulled it down, because of red tape.

The little Indian children had to cross that bridge to get into the school. Grant had strayed with some other children over there. Children were used to getting across easy. Later he dove off the highest board at south high without knowing how to swim. I don’t know if that was just a part of his nature. Mark caught him just as he was going to dive across to get across to the other side.

We all loved Grant very much. He was most lovable.

“I was once locked out of the house and no one would come no matter how hard I knocked and I was very cold. note; the door was so thick that you couldn’t open it”

Side notes from Mamma; I had several other children and was very busy and didn’t hear him knocking at the door.”

I finally went to the shop and talked to the Janitor and he let me in the back. Everyone was mad at me for coming in through my dad’s class where he was teaching.” (They had very heavy doors and I guess you couldn’t hear sometimes.)

I was away on trips to Fairbanks. It could have happened while I was away and also, I maybe thought that I was with Lee playing outside.)

A two-year stay in Alaska

By James Eagar

I was eight years old when Mom and Dad worked to run a school for Indians, for grades Kindergarten – 6th grade in one room.

The school went on mostly during the dark, during the winter months.

Peter, Gilbert, John, James, and Tritt were some of the strong members of the tribe.

One time when it was 30 or more below zero, I was cold and ran home to the schoolhouse crying, an older woman, who helped in the school lunch wisely and quickly calmed me down and put my hand in cold water.

I later learned about a human way of life. Peter brought his young baby, and the hunting and the fishing.

David, my brother, had an accident and was flown to the hospital and we got some treatment, dental care, and health care was provided by the BIA.

I don’t think the snow was over three feet, but the snowdrifts caused it to pile up to six feet high. Try and visualize what it would be like to have a generator on your place going day or night. Dogs barked most all night and the Indians had movies Friday night at school. The land was covered with black spruce. The territory consisted of the black range mountains, lakes, and rivers, with ice for almost nine months.

Some recollections of Jessie Dawn Eagar Taylor;

Written July 27, 2019

Memories of Alaska;

1. Baptized early.

2. New coloring book and crayons.

3. Landing in White Horse, Canada and then Fairbanks.

4. Two planes flying our family to Arctic Village, Alaska.

5. Sadness at deaths of pilots.

6. Blocking windows in Summertime.

7. Barrels with smoked salmon, and Kool-Aid

8. Not getting enough light in the winter.

9. Northern lights.

10. Herds of caribou.

11. Old Presbyterian church minister and his family, only other whites.

12. Their daughter Gracie.

13. Log homes with oil drums to cook on.

14. An old bridge between school and canoes.

15. Pristine lakes and pure wilderness.

16. Sled dogs; Chunlee, half-wolf, honey, blackie, brownie.

17. Dog sled race.

18. David hitting his head on the steel box and Mamma calling on the radio to get help so he could get stitches.

19. Mamma having trouble with her teeth.

20. Allison born in fair banks.

21. I had pain like appendicitis and it got better.

22. Moved to Beaver, Alaska.

23. Dances.

24. Teenagers behind bathrooms kissing.

25. Tami doll with fur.

26. Smelly bear rug.

27. Lovely beadwork.

28. Ice fishing.

29. I room schoolhouse and Dad had two aids.

30. Fur hats.

31. It must have been hard to care for the children for Mamma; no places to go cooped up in winter and nowhere to go and so on.

Note from Jane ;

From everything I have read in Mamma's writings, it is clear that Mamma loved the people that she met there in Arctic village. She was a people person, and she cared about the people there. She saw their troubles and hardships and though she pitied their poverty and struggles, she admired their resourcefulness and strengths and often spoke of the wonderful beadwork the women created, as well as the firewood business that some of the men started. Mamma wanted to help the arctic villagers all she could, once she gave some of her very few baby clothes to a woman in the village, who had just had a baby. I think she considered being there in Alaska as a kind of mission for her and her family.

Here is the report of the accident that killed the pilot and the supervisor.