Chapter IX We arrived in Salt Lake City before April conference where we again met with great kindness. It was snowing as heavily as I ever saw it. We made our home with Brother and Sister Hardy for a few days and then rented a very comfortable home which was owned by Brother White in the 17th Ward for $15.00 a month. I found employment in the Z. C. M. I. shoe factory and all appeared favorable with us more so than we might have expected all things considered for which we certainly felt very thankful. There appeared to have been quite a change made in the city during the eighteen months we had been down South but changes were the order of the day anyway everywhere. We soon adapted ourselves to this change and having a good size lot we raised a good garden and quite a sample of good fruit which was much help with our large family. In due time I was agreeably surprised to receive a letter from Cedar City informing me that the debt for the material that was burned in Hebron was canceled and wishing us all the good we could desire. Another noble act by those good people with whom I had associated but briefly and which proof gave denial to the false rumors abroad in the world. This took from my mind a weight of care and anxiety and placed therein a debt of gratitude for all concerned, God bless them forever. The first change of note was when the factory closed indefinitely for the installation of new machinery which of course threw all hands out of employment for the time being anyway. But for me another door opened immediately in the person of Brother James Heathcote who was married that day and wished to take a honey moon trip for a month, would I kindly fill his place at the Depot until he returned? Of course I accepted the kind offer readily although I did not like night work but that was no time for choosing, for me anyway with a family like ours. Seven p. m. until seven a. m. was the hours but I could do that better than to work on Sunday, something I had never done before, but there was no other alternative but to comply with the rule. At the end of the month James Heathcote returned and of course I supposed my work at the Depot was ended but the foreman told me he had a job for me if I wished to take a place as I suited him. He would much rather employ married men than single ones because they were much more dependable. That morning as I sat at the breakfast table a messenger came to tell me that I was wanted at the factory. Here I was informed that four of us had been chosen to start the new arrangement. Thus I had the choice of two positions. I accepted the one in the factory as most suitable to me at that time. When all was in working order and the hands returned to work a new system was adopted that of doing the work in separate branches, the machinery doing the finishing part. Brother John Butler came from Nottingham, England, and made his home with us. I secured employment for him in the factory, he was one of my men working with me before we came to Utah and he stayed with us just one year. As his wife would not come out he returned, I trust to give a good report of conditions in Utah, for he was certainly treated well while here.
A rather perplexing message from Hebron caused us to sit up and take notice, coming as it did, from Uncle John Pulsipher informing us that our daughter Ann Elizabeth, who we had left there was about to marry his son, if we had no objection. They wished to know immediately, or as soon as possible. We were not long deciding what our duty called for. I took the first train to Milford trusting to chance for crossing the desert and as a streak of luck I found Brother Orson Huntsman at Milford having come for merchandise and a very agreeable traveling companion he was during that lonely journey of one hundred miles. We arrived in Hebron in good time no one knowing that I was there until I sent for my daughter to the Post Office but I immediately regretted doing so in the way I did because of the effect the sudden surprise had upon her which almost caused a collapse. I then sent for our son Harry but although much surprised at my sudden or unexpected appearance he was better able to control himself than his sister. We sat and talked a while but nothing mentioned of the errand I came on. On the morrow however after a rather lengthy discussion of the errand, I gave my consent upon the following condition that I would write and ask her mother for her consent and await her answer and also that all the children, Harry, Ann Elizabeth and Florence should return with me to Salt Lake City. Bishop Terry then asked me to take a missionary trip to Clover Valley which I did and when I returned our people had gone to Conference in Saint George and I lost no time in following them to find my answer in the Post Office. Thus all necessary arrangements were made and on the morrow we went to the Temple where our daughter and John David Pulsipher were sealed for time and all eternity. I having the privilege granted by president David H. Cannon to witness the marriage ceremony a privilege not extended to any who had not been through the Temple themselves. We enjoyed the conference very much and then returned to Hebron to arrange for our starting for Salt Lake City as soon as possible which was expected of us by former agreement with mother. The usual journey across the desert was made and with the remainder of our children and daughter’s husband found a happy greeting at home.
This was certainly a happy reunion and myself and oldest son found employment with the Salt Lake Herald, our son in the press department, which occupation did not appear quite suitable to him and he did not remain very long. Brother David C. Dunbar and his venerable father had the management of that publication and were highly esteemed in that capacity. Our daughter and husband did not remain with us long but returned to Hebron and our son Harry returned also shortly after. This was really the beginning of the end of our sojourn in the city.
Brother Arthur Winter, his mother and two sisters, Annie and Kate came from Nottingham, England and made their home with us and he being proficient in phonography soon found a suitable position in the President’s Office where he remained a number of years. I should mention here a few of our close friends with whom we had agreeable times in England, when they were in the mission field. Brother Charles W. Stayner, John Nicholson, David C. Dunbar, Nelson Empy and others. Brother William H. Roe sent for me to act as night watchman in the factory, to have a gun but not to use it unless absolutely necessary. He hinted that there was an attempt at burglary but he said he had perfect confidence that I would use proper discretion. I was to be on duty when the factory closed at five p.m. and remain until seven a.m. fourteen hours and to keep enough steam in the pipes to prevent them from bursting by the frost. That was a rather lengthy and lonely position but I had the satisfaction of knowing that I was chosen to act in confidence. The first night passed off quietly and I so reported but two a.m. on the second night a man muffled to beat the band appeared at the glass or the upper part of the door being glass opposite the office. When he began to turn the knob I exerted myself and warned him to stay outside or take the consequence for it appeared to me that the time had come when it might be absolutely necessary to defend life and property without too much risk. He repeated two or three times that he was the night watchman on that beat and had keys to each business establishment but not recognizing his voice I still held him at bay and told him positively that if he opened the door he did so at his own peril. Finally at the end of our colloquy I was convinced of his sincerity and opened or allowed him to open the door and was thankful to know that he had been as he represented himself to be discharging a duty legally. I was more than pleased to take his hand in friendship instead of his life as I had a few moments before supposed I must. Supt. Roe came at his usual hour whistling up the steps I met him to give an account of what had or might have happened, imagine my surprise when he said with apparent indifference, “I heard you had a visitor last night.” Was I mistaken? He actually laughed aloud until I told him that I came within an ace of killing an innocent man then he threw up his hands and exclaimed, “My God would you have killed him?” I felt righteously indignant when I said why did you not inform me that I might expect such a visitor and not to run such a terrible risk of what might be termed cold blooded murder if that was the method adopted to test my fidelity it certainly was fraught with too much danger on the part of all concerned. I may have killed on the battle field but the thought of shedding innocent blood is to me appalling in the extreme and I trust Brother Roe that this disdainful incident may be a lesson to us through the remainder of our days. I may here state however that truer friendship never existed than was manifest between Brother Roe and I after that episode. On one occasion through jealousy he was told something derogatory to my character he plainly stated they were wrong that my record and work of honor was sufficient guarantee to justify the act in controversy. One Sunday evening my wife and I visited the resting place of President Brigham Young and while commenting upon his life and great achievements a man suddenly appeared and asked if we had been acquainted with Brigham Young in life to which I replied that I had not met him in person but that his character was an open book. Cunningly he pointed to the tomb and said, “place a gold twenty there and see him come and take it,” and he walked away as though he had made a wonderful impression, which he had but not as he intended it to be. We were silently willing to admit that none are perfect but to reproach the dead in the presence of strangers was beneath the standard of a true gentleman and though we never met that person again we were convinced that he was of that same stripe that told or tried to tell us so much to sour our minds when in Council Bluffs.
The next exciting occurrence in the city was the murder of Sergeant Burk of the police without warning or the slightest provocation and the speedy ruthless killing of the soulless assassin by a righteously indignant community. Those acts always affected me and many others to have to witness.
The next exciting event was at midnight when an explosion shook our homes and brought the people to view the fire that threatened the destruction of the business section and even the Tabernacle was in danger.
We only took one excursion trip to the great Salt Lake where I enjoyed a mild sea bath but found it most difficult to swim as my feet would find the surface at nearly every stoke. As we came home we passed through a place with a few houses called New Brighton I thought what a difference to the Brighton in England. This one an exclusive bed of saleratus all around and our curiosity was roused. The warm spring baths a few blocks below our residence was often visited and tram cars passed back and forth drawn by mules, this was another strange arrangement to us.
Some of the men became dissatisfied with the new arrangements in the factory and called a meeting to decide whether they should strike as they called it, I was there and tried to show the folly of such a move and in a few days Supt. Roe and myself persuaded them to reconsider the matter and let well enough alone. I was then in the overall department and at conference time as usual many old time friends came to visit with us and among them was Bishop Thomas S. Terry from Hebron with his wife Mary Ann and their children. They stayed with us a week but I could not be with them only in the evenings as it was stock taking in our department, inventory to be more proper, so busy was I that my dinner was furnished at the restaurant each day. I was made acquainted with the fact that the chief topic of conversation during my absence was Hebron and our children there who had returned as before stated and the changes in conditions, how nice it would be for us to make our permanent home there. Each evening this same argument was repeated but I could not be convinced that it was for our best good or at least before spring, it seemed folly to move again in the winter. Here are two mothers appealing to my sense of duty as a father which when all else failed appeared send the arrow straight to my heart and having no more to say was taken to mean that silence gives consent. Bishop Terry was planning to return but I had not fully consented, to accompany them even when I went to the factory that morning their parting words were, you had better join us at Provo. These would not be silenced. I took off my coat as usual, on arriving at the factory, and thought to commence work but something seemed to whisper quiet and without second thought I put on my coat and after saying goodbye to my associates I went down to the office and told Brother McAllister that I had decided to go back to Hebron. The plain simple truth appeared to mystify the good brother but what could I say of the matter other than the facts. “Why brother you have been down south before and did not succeed you had better see Brother Roe and have a talk with him,” and after a kind friendly talk with him I rather reluctantly left the office. The man I met on the main street was Brother Roe on his way to the factory and in his cheerful manner he saluted me with, “well Brother Bowler are you taking a morning stroll?” If I ever felt a loss of words it was surely then and I supposed I appeared as confused as I felt but he relieved my embarrassment by adding, “Is there anything I can do for you?” In a moment that brought out a positive no Brother Roe and that appeared to unseal my tongue. I briefly told him our intention of moving south again at the same time thanking him for the many acts of kindness received. “Well I’ll tell you Brother I think you are foolish to risk your future prospects down there but if you must go you will remember my address” and so we parted for aye in this world as he passed beyond the vale and I have not returned to Salt Lake City.
It was now definitely understood that we should rejoin Bishop Terry and family at Provo or Milford and we called on Sister Phoeby Woodruff for our daughter Kate who had been in their family for some time and they did not wish to part with her. President Woodruff stating that we had a large family and might not miss her. They did not understand as did my wife that she had once left some of our children behind for nearly a year and could not forget the anxiety she felt at being separated so long. We explained these matters very kindly and with a God bless you Brother and Sister Bowler we parted from two of the best people we ever met in this world. All arrangements being made for our departure we took leave of Sister Winter and family, John Oliver, and a host of dear old friends an experience I shall never forget thus ended our journey in Salt Lake City. Being weighed in the balance it was akin to leaving England but it appeared to be the will of Him who ruleth the universe whose will we came to obey. I dwell on this momentous event in our lives as being by a power unseen. Can a rolling stone gather moss, is a question yet to be answered but that there may be exceptions to every rule future events may disclose. I had a full kit of tools again and we started westward with hopes of better prospects in the future than when we left. The train stopped at Provo but Bishop Terry and family had left but there being quite a number of saints returning from conference we had a pleasant trip until we reached Juab where we were informed that the flood had damaged the bridge over the Sevier River. They telegraphed to Milford for a train and all the passengers walked to the canyon this side of the bridge, supposing that we may not have to wait very long. We gathered something to make a fire and light and tried to keep it burning and thus we passed the night. A night never to be forgotten in the cold until the train came early in the morning and we arrived in Milford thankful that nothing more serious had happened. Quite a change in appearance here during the two and twelve years past but the next three days were as before the same old desert with the same barren aspects. The weather being favorable and the company agreeable the one hundred miles did not appear so long or lonely as before and we arrived in Hebron with thankful hearts for the blessings vouchsafe to us. A cordial if not elaborate reception awaited us, that same good influence enjoyed as when mingling with those people a few short years previously not forgetting the meeting our dear children who had preceded us. In expressing our appreciation of the good will of all towards us I said that if that was the place God had appointed for us to make our home we must adapt ourselves to these conditions, by which we were surrounded and do all the good possible in our humble way. Many times I have reflected upon the way we were wrought upon to cast our lot with some of Gods chosen people in the secluded part of His vineyard, free from the fascinating allurements of Babylon and the wickedness of the world.
While teaching school that winter my impression was that I was filling a mission that had been marked out for me and that my efforts were being crowned with success. Better children could not be found than in attendance at that time and I look back on those days as being among the most enjoyable of my earthly career, honor and respect was the order of the day. My family had not increased since January 15, 1881 and all were with us excepting Ann Elizabeth and her home was within a stones throw of ours making life a bliss complete where there’s love at home, was applicable then and there.
Our oldest sons were employed carrying mail and herding sheep and I purchased a small field with a spring known as sheep spring which we developed for I could not remain inactive although I realized the fact I might not make a success of farming. To be sure I had my tools and knew how to use them if only I had leather and material which was remote from there at least fifty miles or more. The glorious fourth dawned auspiciously and a program befitting the occasion was rendered. The twenty fourth of July our pioneers day also considered a general holiday, it being the anniversary of the arrival of the pilgrim Saints in Salt Lake Valley in the year 1847. Having crossed the plains on nearly the same route as they, but under different conditions, they with ox teams and us in railroad cars we appreciated this celebration fully, and took an active part therein, as usual. Thanksgiving day displayed the gifts bestowed upon the husbandman during the summer season and we rejoiced with them as having participated in some degree in their labors. School called my attention now with a larger attendance than the year previous and I felt more at home in that vocation than any I engaged in, especially so with those dear children with whom I had taken so much interest and that was fully reciprocated by them and it is doubtful whether any community, large or small had more real social enjoyment than we at that time. One feature of conduct I may briefly mention here with regard to our amusements which was strictly adhered to for many years. One round dance, or waltz only each evening in compliance with the instructions given by the presiding officers, or leaders of our church. Our sabbath school, sacrament and mutual improvement meetings were well attended thus keeping temporal and spiritual matters excellently balanced to the enjoyment of all concerned. My choir were attending practice well and they were attaining a degree of proficiency which was only a type of things to come as will be made plain later. “Dispise not the day of small things,” looms up well here.
Could it be possible that I should be blessed and prosper to the limit without being tested as was that exemplary man, Job? Is it not written “The Lord will have a tried people?” Should I not taste the bitters as well as the sweets, if so why should I murmur or complain? I was staking down the trough in the pig pen when the animal bit my leg but I paid but little attention to it at the time. There was a foot of snow on the ground and after attending our mutual improvement meeting that evening and while sitting by our fireside my leg began to ache quite badly. I did not rest very well that night and on the morrow I applied such remedies as we had at hand but my leg began to show signs of inflammation or still worse I feared blood poison. I went to Gunlock and good old Sister Jones applied a homemade remedy that for a time appeared to relieve the pain but a change for the worse in a few days was evident. I went to Saint George where it was treated by good old Sister Barnes one of a handcart company that crossed the plains and she was the doctor all right but she told me that it was almost sure to break out again if exposed to extreme cold or frost. While there Brother Edward H. Snow was married and I wrote some words on a broom handle for them that caused some little comment. I was too lame to accept their invitation to join them at their wedding. I had the pleasure of attending September Quarterly Conference, many visitors were present among whom was James Wadsworth from Panaca, Nevada who told me that his father came from England and that if I had not planned for the winter he would be pleased to have me take my tools and commence business with him which I promised to do.
Proper arrangements being made I commenced operation in the back part of the Wadsworth store and soon learned that the name Bowler was not at all strange with that family as in conversation with Brother George Wadsworth Sr. I was informed that my grandfather Benjamin Bowler baptized the man when a young man in Derby Shire England and that seemed to form a tie of closest friendship. My boot and shoe shop was very well patronized by residents and Bullionville close by and I learned that burglars had entered the store some time previous and helped themselves to a small amount of goods but signs indicated that they had been interrupted and might try their luck again. As in Salt Lake City I was requested to be on night duty by taking my bed and intercept their movements should they make another attempt but as they did not I was just as well satisfied on my part to know our arrangement had succeeded. I spent Christmas holidays with my family in Hebron and a right good festive week we had which terminated all too soon after New Years eve. My family were anxious to join in my new enterprise but proper arrangements had not been completed for their convenience and I returned on the mail at midnight and a bitter cold trip it was and I contracted a severe cold which finally settled in the old wound in my leg and soon it was so swollen and painful that I could have no rest night or day. Then a blessed thought came to mind why not try the remedy my grandfather Hutchinson applied on such occasions, but the nearest drug store was in Pioche. My dear friend Jeter Snow kindly offered to take the prescription and in the shortest time possible returned with the very thing needful, God bless his memory for ever he is now Bishop of the Pine Valley Ward loved and respected by a vast number of acquaintances. I purchased a home on the Co-op block but never lived in it as the family that rented it had no place to go. We rented a home of Martin Neilson. My family came and Brother or Mr. Neilson was kind though rather eccentric, being a bachelor.
Bullionville was booming then and I was kept busy from early morn till late at night with a ready sale for boots at $10.00 a pair.
Word was received that Sunday School Conference would convene in June and that the Stake Superintendency would be in attendance very agreeable to all and preparations commenced immediately to make the occasion one that would be appreciated by all concerned. I was urgently requested to organize and train a juvenile choir especially for that event which I did and they certainly rendered their parts very credibly and received joyous approval of parents and all present. I regret to state however that their accomplishment caused jealousy on the part of Brother Finley the Ward Choir Leader which caused a breach that was never fully reconciled. Myself and oldest son Harry went to Pioche and took out our naturalization papers and in July our family were called together and we went through the Temple in Saint George for their adoption. In September we took a week vacation in Little Pine Valley, a dairy ranch where our daughter Ann Elizabeth and husband resided during the summer and while there I took a ride through Cave Canyon one of the most picturesque scenes in that neighborhood and in wandering around I lost my bearings but noticed a rather peculiar rock a small piece of which I broke off and put in my pocket, but paid no further attention to it as I became aware of the fact that I was minus a compass. It was getting late in the afternoon when I discovered flat top mountain the only familiar guide to direct my homeward trip where I arrived so late that the folks began to feel uneasy about my safety. That was my first bewilderment in the mountains, but not my last by any means as all elevations appeared so much alike that I never attempted a journey of that kind after without more or less misgiving. The good people in Hebron asked me to come and teach their school that winter but I told them I had plenty of business on hand. I thanked them for their good will of course. Upon my return I found plenty of work accumulated in the shop and in a few days my old friend John Reese from Pioche came to pay his usual visit and to show me a specimen of rock he had just found and his glowing description aroused my curiosity and brought to mind the rock I had in my pocket but I was not all prepared for the exclamation, My God man you’re a millionaire. I looked closely at the man to see if I was mistaken to find that he was in earnest. He smelt of the rock, turned it over a number of times, put his tongue to it as though eager to test its value and said you will of course allow me to take this to Sam, meaning Samuel Godby Jr. in Pioche.
It was amusing to see him carefully wrap it in paper enough to bury it. Little Samuel Godby Sr. was in New York in quest of money to fully test the new process of roasting the tailings from Pioche that he considered rich in mineral value but not succeeding there he went to England and there he failed in his purpose also. Finally a cablegram came for Bullionville to close down tight immediately. Such unexpected termination of operations caused something like a slight panic in that vicinity for a short time. Prior to this I had purchased a load of hides and taken them to Cedar City and exchanged them for leather and on that trip in the meadow canyon I experienced one of the stormiest nights I ever was in anywhere. Lying on my quilts by my wagon I realized that water was underneath as well as above and though it was midnight I got up and took my medicine for in either event I must have a good soaking and make the best of it. After what had happened in Panaca and Bullionville there was only one course for me to pursue in justice to all concerned and after arranging business matters with James Wadsworth we bid adieu to the state of Nevada and returned once more to Hebron. As stated we had not resided in our home in Panaca and it was now left in the care of the family residing there with the understanding that they pay the taxes and keep the place in proper repair but they did neither but instead without advising me they moved away as if by stealth. I did then what I aught not to have done neither would I had I known the danger of the undertaking. Having sold the house to Mr. Rich I was requested to send the deeds to him in Pioche and receive the money there which I did entrusting all in the care of our son John, just a boy. Bless the boy he held to the deeds until he received the money and though a stranger and in a mining camp late in the evening, more than fifty miles from home he went to Panaca with all speed and passed that night in a chicken house. He reached home late the next night after traveling through a foot of snow and busy as I was I then realized what had happened to the boy in anxiety, and what might have happened on an undertaking of that kind and wished I had taken the risk myself. He was certainly a faithful son.
Providence had directed our course to unite our efforts with those good people with whom we had spent many happy days and thus for the third time our lot was cast where to all human appearances the Lord had intended us to be. Surely He acts in a mysterious way his wonders to perform, and had we not come to Zion with the sole intention of devoting our time and all that He saw fit to bestow upon us to His service?