Thomas Minson History (by son Moroni Minson)
continued from previous page
Minson family was now reaching proportions where more room was needed to properly house them. The log house that Father had first built would either have to be added to or a new one built. Father had acquired a small farm on the north of town, so it was decided they would build a new home there. Then there would be the barn needed for the animals, a chicken coop for the poultry, a pig pen for the pigs. Father believed it was just as necessary to have good, warm quarters for his stock as for himself, so he planned and built accordingly. It was decided that Father and Joseph would take the team of oxen and go into the timber and cut logs to be piled ready to be hauled out in the winter when sleighs could be used.
A much larger load could be hauled on a sleigh and much easier. The oxen were strong, powerful beasts, but they were very slow. It took them a long time to go a few miles, and by the time they got into the timber, the day was pretty well spent. So they used the rest of the day making camp and getting ready for work the next day. While Father was setting up camp, Joseph was to take the oxen to the spring for water, which was in a cove nearby.
The oxen were controlled with a long rope tied to their horns. The long rope was tied to Boaz with a short end passing on and tied to Jim's horns. Boaz was much older than Jim and very easy to handle. Jim was young and full of life, but a good draft animal. Everything went well. They were drinking of the sweet, cool water of the spring when a huge mountain lion, coming from the opposite direction, entered the clearing. The lion was as much surprised as the boy and the oxen, for he stood there for a few seconds as though wondering what to do. Then he let out a roar of rage as though challenging the intruders to his private drinking pool. This frightened the oxen beyond control and they bolted down the canyon. Joseph's foot became entangled in the rope
and he was dragged along behind the frightened animals until they were brought up short when one of them passed on one side of a large tree and one on the other side. Father heard the roar of the lion and the terrible rush of the animals through the brush. He grabbed his ax, which was his only weapon of defense, and ran in pursuit of the team. His heart was pounding like a trip-hammer for he was in great fear of what he would find.
As he entered the cove, he saw the monstrous beast retreating from the other side. The lion vanished in the forest as though he were a shadow. Father rushed on dreading what he might find. He soon came upon the oxen securely bound to the tree, and Joseph untangling himself from the rope. Father's heart leaped for joy at the scene before him, for his son and oxen were safe. Joseph suffered only a few scratches and bruises. It took some time and patience to calm the terrified animals but this was ultimately accomplished and they were led back to camp.
The night was a long and tedious one. The lion apparently did not want to give up his watering place, or he may have thought he could get one of the oxen for a meal. At any rate they heard him around the camp most of the night. This required a fire to be kept burning all night. The days following were without incident so far as the lion was concerned. He apparently left the locality. But the days were full of activity and many a tree felt the bit of the ax. Then the trees were trimmed and piled to be hauled out later
These were busy days
for all. Hearts, might, minds, and strength went into the common cause of
building a more suitable home. Finally, it was completed and this was to be
the greatest day of our lives. All the people from town would be invited for
a house-warming, there would be a band to provide music for dancing, and there
would be food for all. At the conclusion of this gala affair there would be
the prayer of thanksgiving and the dedication of this home and those who dwelt
therein to the services of God and His purposes here in Zion.
| But this was not to be for at this time other factors entered into their lives which changed their plans. There was the prospect of a new increase in the Minson family and Typhoid Fever had struck the town. Early in September 1881, Typhoid entered their home and several of the children were very ill with it. |
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| Hyrum, who was now nearly eleven, and Eliza, who was nine, were the hardest hit. Despite constant vigil day and night, this terrible disease could not be conquered. On the 20th of September, the life of Hyrum was taken. |
Tintype photo possibly of |
Father and Mother went down on their
knees before God and pleaded with Him to give them knowledge and power to subdue
the power of destruction that was rampant in their midst. They did get this
knowledge and power, and under the hands of their administrations, many lives
were saved. Eliza and the other members of the family were spared and lived to
raise families of their own.
On September 30, 1881, another precious baby boy was born. He was blessed and
named John. Their gratitude was great for He had sent them another son to fill
the void made by the loss of Hyrum.
Typhoid continued to rage on through most of the winter months. Not many
families escaped it. Because of the heavy fall rains, the surface water leaked
through into wells and springs carrying the disease. Most of the water had been
contaminated. The only way they could be sure the water was fit to drink was to
boil it and keep it in sterilized containers. This presented a great problem for
most of their containers were made of wood, and to properly sterilize them
entailed quite a process. But this had to be done; no one was to drink from an
open spring, stream, or well.
Mother learned early that to combat the disease there were strict rules which
must be followed, the most important one being cleanliness. This applied not
only in one thing but in everything. She was conscientious in seeing that all
waste was disinfected and buried. It is not my purpose to tell the treatment she
used of the disease, but to say that she was blessed with the spirit of God and
His divine guidance in the treatment of many cases who lived to bear testimony
of her love and skill.
| The Minsons had moved into their new home. The next thing was the problem of landscaping and beautifying the place. Their plans had not been alone for the building of the home but it must be a place where all who came would see its beauty and feel the spirit of diving inspiration in its planning. Their whole thought was to please God and give expression of their thankfulness to Him. The farm fronted west on the main road running into Paris. There were shade trees planted along the front with lilac bushes in between. These trees and bushes not only served to beautify the place but also shielded it from wind, frost, and the dust from the main road. |
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Thomas' log house |
It also shielded it from the blizzards which came in
the winter. There was a large swinging gate almost in the center of the
property, and from this came the driveway to the house, flanked on either side
with a row of shade trees and beautiful flowers in between. As the years passed,
equipment was added so there would be sufficient entertainment for all. Here
they learned good sportsmanship, and to honor and respect the rights of others.
Here lovers came to meet and enjoy the companionship of friends, all under good
supervision.
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