Family Folklore By: Analee Meyer

It was in the year 1952, my Grandfather was 18 years old. He was living with his parents and two sisters in a little mining town called Bingham Canyon, Utah, He was working eight hours a day for Kennecott, as mechanic. He was paid a thousand dollars a week for working the big off road dirt hauling dump. He was so strong he could do the work of five men. He could lift a whole motor out one of these trucks all by himself and replace it with a new one in just three hours, including coffee breaks. When the trucks needed new tires they always celled my Grandfather to do it. He would lift the truck up on blocks and could change the tires faster than a NASCAR pit crew. Times where rough for his mom and pop and two sisters, but he took good care of them.. Keeping the house repaired their cars running and food on the table.

One day my Grandfather’s took his good high school buddy named Miles Clark, dragging state street in his 36 cope roadster. That drive changed his life forever. On this particular day my grandfather looking so cool and hot with duck tail hair cut his muscles bulging at the seams of his black leather jacket.

Miles was eager introduce my grandfather to his girlfriend Donna’s sister named Ellen. After showing my Grandfather her picture in the swimsuit edition of Hot Rod Magazine. My grandfather became very excited at the opportunity to meet Ellen.

They immediately left for the little town of called Fruita, Utah, were Ellen and Donna lived.

It was well known by all through out Utah that his hot rod 36 cope roadster could out run any of the police cars in Utah. So they never got pulled over for speeding. It would take most people 6 hours to drive to little town of Fruita. My Grandfather and his friend made it in just 4hours .

Ellen and her mother were sitting under a nice shady tree, peeling peaches when my Grandfather and his friend pulled up to their house. You know some, people don’t believe in love at first sight. But when my Grandfather looked at Ellen for the very first time, the birds in the trees gathered around started sing in harmony. The tree branches started to sway to the music as the bees began buzzing aswwet background harmony. The smell of fresh peaches filled the air. As she slowly turned and looked into his eyes. He knew it was love. That this was the girl he wanted to spend the rest of his live with. The immediately stated dating and were married on February 4, 1955.

Ellen and my grandfather where quite excited when theyhad their first child. It was 1956 when we reccived our daughter, Patricia. their seconed child, Jane, was born in 1958 and our last child, who was named after him (Bill), was born in 1960. The family life was wonderful and was filled with many new and exciting adventures. He enjoyed being home with his wife and kids. I admired the way Ellen always took care of the family when I was away, and the great person she was. they had burdens and struggles during these years, but Ellen always made them lighter.