Changes and A Perfect Summer Day

From Jim's Journal, Tues. Aug. 24, 1937, So Shields

"We had our class, song and prayer and then I helped Bro. Blanch make ready. After he had cleaned up his stuff I started and packed. We are leaving 44 Salmon Street after six months here. . .saw the other Elders, Blanch and Hart off to Middlesbro and Bryson and I returned to carry my trunk over as well as several other things, and my new home is in 92 Ocean Rd, So. Shields. . .Geo. Bryson of the Central Park Ward is my companion."

Sat. Aug 28, 1937--
". . .Bryson and I enjoy ourselves pretty much as companions, so I know that when I and he are home we will have some good laughs."

When asked to "Describe a perfect summer day," Gwen wrote:

"Dad's alfalfa crop covered the west field edge by Mill Creek and Wandamere Brook. It was so peaceful and attractive. The twin calves, tied to the same rope, grazed in the alfalfa. . . and I sat leisurely in the porch swing dreaming of the day . . . when Jim would return from his mission to England." (From "Reflection from a Mother's Heart," 1998)

A Jimmy Stewart Look Alike?

From Gwen's Letter, July, 26, 1937--

"Dearest Sweetheart,
Have you ever walked down the path leading to your home and been almost afraid to go in for fear you'd be disappointed when you walked straight for the buffet and didn't find what you wanted to find so much? Well to-night I started down Welby--I ran at first then stopped suddenly and said 'Now, Gwen, you know what an awful person you are when you look forward to a letter from him and then you don't find it' so I took my own advice and walked slowly while I tried to make up my mind what I'd do if I didn't get a letter but whoopie I got two and was I ever thrilled but, honey, here's a secret, I was twice as thrilled when I opened them and read them. Honestly, Jim dear, I don't believe there's another fellow who can write such grand letters as you do. I just sit and read them over and over and then I have to hurry and get a book or go for a walk or something to get my mind off the fact that I want you here so much.

" . . . Mary and I just had to go see 'Born to Dance' because the lead was James Stewart and due to the similarity of two certain fellows both named 'James' we saw it and kid my heart just fluttered all over when I saw him because honestly he is like you in more ways than one."



While on his mission, Jim was often told he looked like Jimmy Stewart

". . .You asked me to put you on the carpet now as a husband so here goes. My picture of you as a husband in 20 years (Take it with a grain of sugar)

1. Your one outstanding failing will be my hats. Right?
2. You'll say 'Gwen, for goodness sakes why can't you cook like Mom.'
3. You'll hate cats. . .

5.You'll probably wear out that little black headed fellow's train and ruin little blondie's doll by playing with them so much.
6. You'll snore.
. . . but you'll be the best husband I've had on the carpet yet and I feel sorry for all these other girls who can't have a husband just like you."

Mission Conference in Preston and Rochdale

From Jim's Journal, Wed. July 28, 1937. Preston to Rochdale.

". . .We rode a bus out of Preston to be on the rode to Rochdale. There we made a ride to a place out and around Blackburn. Then after we walked a short distance a truck brought us to Manchester, so we waited until he had unloaded his lumber, and rode with him to Royton. We rode a tram out of Royton and a bus into Rochdale. . .At two P.M. we had our first Elders meeting, President Cannon presiding. It was great to see so many fine Elders all together. When Pres. Cannon called for those who hiked, then those who did not hike, those who did not certainly were booed and hissed."

Thurs. July 29, 1937. Rochdale.

"We were up dressed and went down to a breakfast of bacon and tomatoes bathed in grease. Then we took ourselves to the Hall and into a meeting and a discussion on the Millennial Star. . . Pres. Brown [Hugh B. Brown] spoke to us again, he had spoken to us on Wednesday afternoon, and found his way into every Elder's heart in the hall. We then went for lunch and a malt again, before returning to a second meeting and testimony meeting. An Elder's testimony meeting is one of the finest things a person can attend for truly the spirit of the Lord is there and can be felt. Each person who talks is so humble and sincere in his talk and actions."

Fri. July 30, 1937. Rochdale to Preston and return.

" . . . We met at the town hall and in chartered busses went in a caravan to Preston, where the Gospel had been preached one hundred years before. The caravan took us to Vauxhall where the first Mormon missionaries preached in England for the first time. Then we went to the cookpit and lodge where they stopped. At the Vauxhall Chapel I spoke to and shook hands with Pres. Grant and Clark [Pres. Heber J. Grant and J. Reuben Clark]. We then went to the bank of the River Ribble where we held an open air service and unveiled a plaque commemorating the first baptisms one hundred years before. Our open air service was a success and everyone enjoyed it. Back in our busses we returned to Rochdale and to the cafe for tea. We, Robison, Blanch and I, had tea with Pres. Brown and Bishop Taggart, and again found Pres. Brown to have a rare sense of humor."

Commemorative Millennial Star, which includes the program celebrating 100 years of Missionary Work in England

Sat. July 31, 1937. Rochdale.

". . . Elder Cannon and I went down to the town, had a drink, bought me a tie and out to his lodge for him to shave. . . After tea we went to the Town Hall to see the Pageant and there I met Leila who had come over from Middleton. We could not get in, so we had a talk out in the park about church, Salt Lake, home, and parents and family. She is nice to talk to and very interested in what she has heard about the church and what I have to say about it and the truth of the matter. We talked quite late, then went to the town hall where I made her acquainted with several of the Elders. Then I saw her to the bus and on her way home. I returned to my own lodge and called it a day. And so to bed. Tired and happy. So far our conference has seen nothing but success and I know it will continue. . . I had a letter from Gwen this morning and in her letter I found the same sweet, lovable Gwen that I left at home. Something tells me that she will be there when I return to Salt Lake. For truly she must love me, if what she tells me is true. And now I am in love with her and when I return, I hope to find her there, that we can enjoy the plans we have for the future. For truly and sincerely do I love her.
"This ends the first seven months of 1937 and what I call my mission. My testimony is stronger, my desire to serve is greater, my faith has not wavered. 'So, Carry On.' "

June 19 !!

From Gwen's Letter dated June 13, 1937--

"Dearest Jim,
I'm surely glad of a June 19 because if there had never been a June 19 I wouldn't have the picture I requested. I was plenty happy to finally receive it. I really began to believe you were never going to send it but now I have it so I won't be a beefin' Bill anymore. Please wait a minute though while I beef just once more. OK, here goes. I think the photographer didn't make you as good looking as you really are though but, nevertheless I'm plenty glad to have it and also to know that you still remember our June 19 just as you always remember our anniversaries. I say there old chap if I may say so I know jolly well you'll make a toppin 'usband. Now wouldn't that knock ye fer a cocked hat by jove. Gee, honey, I wish you were here at least for June 19. I guess I'll have to go up Lambs [Canyon] all alone or if I can't do that I could standout by the roses and watch our old moon come slowly over Mount Olympus and be with you in spirit."


Proofs of the Professional Photos Jim had taken in England


From Jim's Journal, Sat. June 19, 1937. Egremont to So. Shilelds

"Four years ago today, I kissed my only sweetheart for the first time. Today I wake up and Eva and Margaret came in and we talked and then said goodbye for the time being. Then I had my breakfast and at ten Uncle Harry and I went to Whitehaven. He saw me on a bus to Workington and then I hiked to Maryport. It was starting to rain so I bussed into Carlisle and took a train to Newcastle and So. Shield where I arrived at 5:30 P.M. Had letters from Gwen and home, . . . wrote some letters and a glorious week was ended. I have had a fine time. The country over there [St. Bees] is beautiful and the folks [did] all they could to make me feel at home."

From Gwen's letter, June 20, 1937--

"My Dearest Sweetheart,
With all my heart I can say you're the grandest man in the world, the most thoughtful and the best prospect for an ideal husband. Jim, dear, I mean every word of it. For two weeks I waited anxiously for a letter. Your picture came to thrill me and then as June 19 came closer and closer I hoped so much that I'd hear from you on or before 'our' day because you and only you are the one I want to be near on that day. Well finally on June 19 I got not only one letter but two. Mother and Dad met me up town and I was swept off my feet. Yes, right there on Main Street when she handed me your letters. We went to a show after that and I just couldn't wait to get home and read those two long looked for letters and they were both perfect. I could have bawled I was so thrilled and happy to be engaged to such a considerate, romantic and grand fellow. Sweetheart, I love you so much that sometimes two years seems an eternity and yet almost 1/4 of the time has slipped by. When we got home from town I had to fight with myself to keep from crying all over everything for there were your roses.
Jim, they were beautiful. Our symbol so fresh and unblemished. Darling, I can't tell you in words how wonderful you are but I feel it so deeply that I wouldn't trade being engaged and expecting to be married to you for anything in this wide world and that's right from the heart. Mother also told me she thought you were about the most thoughtful man she'd ever known and Dad was radiant over your letter to him . . .

" . . . Our mission in life is going to be a glorious one, sweetheart just because I'll be with you working and living and just because I love you so much. Here's kisses and a fond embrace from your sincere sweetheart of 1933 and years to come. Gwen."

Meeting Uncles, Aunts, and Cousins for the First Time

From Jim's Journal, Mon. June 14, 1937. So Shields. Egremont

.
" . . . I took a train to Newcastle. I took a tram out to the Fox and Hounds and then started to hike toward St. Bees and Egremont. I made one ride from the "Bank," to the junction, and from there a ride in a truck to Carlisle. Walked through the city and out on the road again and made three rides to Prospect and then had to resort to a bus to Whitehaven and Egremont. . . I had wired Uncle Harry of my coming and I arrived there at 8:20 PM and was met by him. [travel= approx 115 miles] If my own father had met me they could never have been more alike. It was easy to recognize him, but the others were very difficult. Aunt Eleanor, Margaret, Eva and Millie. Harry and his wife. We had a nice long talk about my folks and St. Bees and what thirty years has done. . .It has been a fine day. A easy trip, and its swell to be with some people you have heard so much about but have never seen before. So as sleep came over me, I felt to thank God for the blessings I am receiving."

Tues. June 15, 1937. Egremont and St. Bees

" . . . I went to St. Bees in the afternoon. I called on Uncle Bill first and the way Edith looked at me one would think she was seeing ghosts. But they made me feel very much at home and each in turn, Aunt Sally, Aunt Annie, Chris and all the girls [were] very sociable. Later in the afternoon I called on Aunt Rebecca and after a fine visit with her I called on Sarah Telford. I met people who had known Dad and Mother and each of them had a good word for them."

Wed. June 16, 1937, Egremont and St. Bees
" . . . I went over to St. Bees and Uncle Bill's. Uncle Bill took me to the Methodist Church that Dad used to attend then left me at Aunt Rebeccas. After tea, Chris, Rowland, and Edith and I went for a walk down on the beach, over Tomlin and to Kesick Bay and St. Bees Lighthouse.



Thurs. June 17, 1937. St Bees and Egremont

". . . I wrote a letter to Gwen and after breakfast we, Edith, Rowland and I, went for a walk around the town. Here I went into the school Dad attended, and into the church he and Mother were married in. Then we went down on the beach and walked back that way, to Sea View, where we had lunch. . . I rushed over to Egremont to dress for the wedding of Bill and Belle. The wedding was solemnized in the Castle Methodist Church. . . I was asked to toast the bride."

Fri. June 18, 1937. St. Bees--Egremont

" . . . I cycled over to St. Bees, to call and say 'Goodbye' to the folk[s]."

Pictures of The St. Bees Lighthouse and Methodist Church