William Hansen

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Voices from the Past
Life Devoted to Public Service
By William Hansen
April 8, 1984
Tape # 7
Oral interview conducted by Harold Forbush
Transcribed by Theophilus E. Tandoh
September 2004
Brigham Young University- Idaho
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HF: The following interview first and originally taped on a reel to reel machine is now
being transferred unto a C- 90 cassette by Harold Forbush a technician of the Upper Snake
River Valley Historical Society, this 8th day of April 1984. This is a missionary who
devoted his life to public service. With me today is Brother J. Glenn of Sugar City one of
the faculties of Ricks College and who is associated with the Ricks College library. And
of course Brother Hanson in whose home we have now met and I am going to have him
commence this interview by reading from his own journal, prepared by himself covering
the background of his early life, his birth date and birthplace their arrival from old world
into the new world, coming to Zion, and eventually into the Upper Snake River Valley.
So we shall now be pleased to listen to Brother Hansen himself who is now in his
ninetieth year who will read from his own journal.
WH: Quote from the cradle to the grave, “ Oh glorious day of blessed hope, my heart
leaps forward at the top, when in that happy, happy land will take our lovelies by the
hand in love and union heal our friends and death and sorrow have an end”- words by
apostle Parley P. Pratt 1879. I, William Moroni Hansen, was born June the 28th in the
year of our Lord 1879 on this small Island called Bin. This Island is 12 miles in
circumference and is situated between Denmark and Sweden, in all sound. This Island
Bin belongs to Sweden Europe. My father Herds Jorgen Hansen was born October the
22nd 1847 in the city of Southern Amp of Denmark Europe. My mother Mariah Nelson
Hansen was born March the 16th 1844 in the small town Forlorn towards Thornburg
south in Denmark Europe. My parents were united in marriage as husband and wife
October the 27th 1869 in the city called Crosiers Denmark by the justice of the peace Mr.
Shultz. My parents were both members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints
at the time of my birth. They heard the gospel as preached by the Latter- day Saints
missionaries and accepted same in the country that gave them birth. I recall my mother
stating that she was baptized in the ocean when it became necessary to cut hole in the ice
before the ordinance could be attended to. September the 10th 1879, I was blessed and
given my name by elder Andrew Jensen who at this time was filling a mission in that part
of God’s vineyard. His home was in Utah, United States of America. My father was a
brick maker by trade and moved about considerable from place to place with his family
trying to find a place where he felt contented but such a place seemed hard to find. As the
time went on his desire was as well as other his companion, my mother to emigrate to the
land called Zion and join with the Saints of God in America growing stronger and
stronger. My parents were always glad to have the missionaries with them and many
called and made my parents home their home. It was such visit that increased the desire
of my prayers to join the Saints to grow- For the elders showed them the beauty and the
blessing enjoyed by the Saints in America which was not enjoyed by Saints in foreign off
lands. My father this time has secured very good position with a company known as
Cueler Brothers. They operated a chain of brickyard as they were called. In Denmark and
in Sweden father was overseer of several of these yards in Denmark having worked with
this company two years or better. Not withstanding his good position, yet the desire
within his heart of my parents to join the Saints in America so good…, so on June the 1st
of this year my father turned in his resignation with this company and made ready to
leave for America. My father’s family at this time consisted of my mother, my brother
Christine Volderman born may the 23rd 1870, my sister Anna Marie Sophia born
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September the 13th 1871 and Marion Christina was born in March 1874 and myself I
being the youngest of the family. June the 15th we bid farewell to our relatives loved ones
and friends and the dear old land that had given us birth, and boarded the Steamer
Nevada, at Copenhagen the capital of Denmark. Soon we were on the mighty ocean and
sailed smoothly over the blue waters that tore us away. We shed dancing… as long as our
natural eyes were able and for a while we used glasses. But it was not long until no
matter whatever direction you looked decided to look, you saw nothing but water. I can’t
recall hearing my parents relating what a trial it was realizing quite well as they did that
they would see the tears but and friends no more. This was all done for the love of the
gospel and to see the land which God has made known as a land of Promise and where he
desire the saints at that time should gather. It was a beautiful day that we left the old
country as it was learnt in those days. June the 18th today, we reached Liverpool England
after three days of smooth sailing. Here we were compelled to lay over two days after
which we again boarded this same steamer, Nevada, and continued our journey towards
the land of promise. There was onboard the ship six hundred and ninety seven Latter- day
Saints. Twenty two missionaries returning home after filling honorable missions also
several other passengers. We were under the direction of captain Hans Margery who was
very kind and considerate of all aboard the ship. He did all in his power to make the trip
more pleasant and comfortable. My mother being sickly before leaving Denmark became
much worse after boarding the ship and getting out on the ocean. As we journeyed on she
became worse and worse and at the times it was a question, if she was going to be able to
make the journey. It was the desire of our father as well as we children that the Lord will
spare her life that we might reach the land and meet with the Saints of God. June the 28th,
today I was 12 years old. I spent the day ramping on the deck marching, watching the
mighty waves as they will lash up against the boat. Also in it with a beautiful wooden
horse my parents had purchased before leaving Copenhagen for the occasion. July the 1st,
today we arrived in New York City in the state of New York, North America. As a family
we rejoiced and raised our voices in praise and thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father for
reaching the land of promise known to us at then as the land of Zion in safety and
especially for sparing the life of our dear beloved mother. This same day we boarded the
train and soon we were speeding towards the west drawn by the powerful iron horse. July
the 7th, today we reached Ogden, in Utah territory. Found Ogden to be quite a city. Here
we spent the night. July the 8th, leaving Ogden early [ in] the morning we traveled by train.
We arrived in Logan city also in Utah territory about 2: 00 in the afternoon. This was the
city several missionaries had advised my parents to make their home. Again we rejoiced
and offered thanks to our Heavenly Father that we had now reached the end of our
tiresome journey and were with the saints of God in the valley in the tops of the mountain.
At Logan station we were met by Elder Hans J. Nelson who welcomed us with a sign. As
a young man in 1872 this elder Nelson boarded with my parents in old country. It was
while there that he heard the Latter- day Saints elders preach the gospel which he accepted
and immigrated to America. Brother Nelson was a polygamist having two wives, he
owned two houses, one house was a four room house two rooms on the ground floor and
two rooms up above. There was a small running between the two rooms on the ground
floor. He let my father had one of the rooms below and one above. A family by the name
of Martin Nelson just lately having emigrated from Denmark lived in the other part of the
house. Upon our arrival in Logan we found the Logan Temple was under construction.
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My father had once sought employment there which he received. His salary was 150 per
day which was with the understanding; he was to turn back half of this amount back to
the temple on the temple work. Hence it only left him 75 cents upon which he maintained
his family. This temple was built by the Saints of God to his honor and glory. Also that
the saints might be able to perform work for their dead loved ones who had passed away
without a chance of hearing the gospel preached unto them in the flesh. In the winter of
this same year, my father also worked on Brigham Young College which was also under
construction at that time. My father was very anxious to get into business for himself so
early in the spring of this year he rendered a piece of land in the north age of Logan from
a brother Cranny and went into making bricks. At first he met with considerable
discouragement and what might be termed hard luck. But nevertheless he was determined
to make a goal of it and therefore stayed with it. He felt with the sacrifice he had made in
bringing his family to the land of promise and if he served the Lord and was honest with
him as well as in his dealings from hence the Lord will bless him. During this year as a
child, I was with a very painful accident. One day I was playing marble on the sidewalk.
My sisters came out and started for the old sister Kanky home far East. This sister was a
great dear old soul and always treated us children to an apple or crackers or something
good to eat such as candy or nuts. Hence I was very anxious to go with them. My sister
Annie told me to hurry and asked mother if I could go with them. And my rush up the
steps on the back porch, my foot slipped and I fell striking my chin on the floor of the
porch. It was a habit of mine in running to always have my tongue out, which I did at this
time. The result was I bit it almost completely out. I was taken to the house and doctor
Armspree who lived just across the street was called. He said there was no chance to save
my tongue and the only thing to do is to clip the part that was holding it which was about
a very little on one side. This, my parents will no consent to have done. Father laid it
back in my mouth, took an old cow head he had and scraped some of the hair of it and
placed on my tongue in my mouth to check the bleeding. The elders were called and
administered to me. And for several weeks, I took nourishment through a straw. In time
my tongue grew together and I got completely well. The elders who joined my father in
administering to me were Ashton Whitney and Martin Nelson. Brother Whitney sealed it
and promised me I should fully recover and my speech will not be disturbed. Nothing of
any great consequence took place in my life during this year. I will say however my
parents were very kind to me but it was understood. I was off to seek pleasure and
enjoyment away from home. My parents will not allow me to have many playmates for to
associate with all kinds of boys. Therefore I had but one whom I played with and we
spent many happy hours, days, and weeks together as playmates and pals. His name was
Charley Sam. He was German boy. The neighborhood in which we were now living was
mostly German people. We found them very kind and Neighborly and they made us
welcome. From this fact I learnt to talk the great deal in the German language. My pets at
this time were rabbits, pigeons, and chickens. 1886, this thus far, my father has not been
successful in the brick business. This summer he purchased a fair piece of ground joining
the lot on the west where he was now living from brother James Johnson, where father
build a Lime field and commenced making Lime his business. The newest place father
obtained my rock was Creek Canyon six miles east of Logan. In this business father again
met with discouragement right in the midst of his business season and when lime was in a
great demand his scale fell down which is delayed making lime several months as well as
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extra expense building it up again. No changes had taken place in my life during this year.
1887, today I was secured in position with brother Joseph New Mole who was
conducting a chest coding store on the same street as the one my brother and his store
was located, my salary stand at $ 8 a month. And it was understood, this amount was to be
taken out either in crate or what was then called cork scrip. I recall during the winter
months whenever I wanted to attend some show or place of amusement I had to ask my
father to exchange some cash with me for C. C. M. I. store scrip. Elder Soren Peterson
was my Sunday school teacher; he had just barely been called home from his mission
laboring in the southern state on account of his brother Tedore Stem. He was only to
remain home for a short time then return to fill his mission. At our Sunday school class,
the first Sunday in December he made this prediction and promised all us boys in his
class, 14 in all, that if we will be faithful and live good lives, every one of us would
receive a call to fill a mission. This prediction came true for everyone except one. Next
few years received calls and all but one filled a mission. I was also a member of the ward
choir. John Emerson and his sister Nora also were members. Brother Joseph Yogo raised
my salary to $ 2 hence I was getting $ 10 a month...
HF: Now brother Hansen, we’d like to know when you first filled your first mission.
WH: This is where I am coming to now. Ready?
HF: Yes.
WH: June the 28th, today was my birthday. I was 18 years [ old], during the day my
champ Johnny Everson called on me at New Volt store, where I was working and told me
there was a surprise letter for me at the post office. At the same time showed me his
which was a P. O. Box B letter. In which we he was asked to take a mission to the
southern state. A letter of this kind always created considerable commotion and a spirit of
fear and trembling, always came along with it, especially among boys. We had once
called at the post office but post Master J. M. Breah, was unable to find a letter for me. I
then gave my son John Everson a horse laugh, and told him, the joke was on him. On the
next day at the post office, with much lighter or denied Edward, I went back to the store
and commenced my work. It was I must confess even though in some way I was
delighted I did not get such a letter, yet when I considered my Champ having received
one and myself not receiving one, I was somewhat disappointed. We had been such great
friends to Champ for so many years. About an hour later reaching the store, John again
returned and asked me Will, what you will give me for a Box B letter. I made him no
offer and he answered by saying I was not anxious.
HF: Not anxious for what?
WH: And with that he pulled a box B letter from his letter and handed to me. When I read
the letter, I became so nervous, I was unable to open it and John opened it for me and
read it to me. We found the content exactly the same as written for John’s letter the
mission to the southern state. When I opened the letter I found it read as follows: Brother
William M. Hansen, Logan. Dear brother I am directed by the missionary committee of
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the apostles to inquire if it will be agreeable to your feeling and consistent with your
circumstances to be called to take a mission to the southern state. If so state the early days
at which you could be prepared to leave, a prompt reply would be appreciated. Please
have your Bishop endorse your answer. Your brother, George Reynold, secretary. I took
the letter to my bishop and he looked at it and said I can’t imagine while they will call a
boy as young as you are to fill a mission. After I got this letter and had showed to my
father and mother and my brother and also brother Neville and others, they felt I should
feel highly honored and accept the call like that because being so young and being called
direct from the presidency of the church who at that time was Wilford Woodruff, George
G. Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith. I have once gotten busy to raise what money I needed
to take me to my field of labor. At this time I had secured a horse, a wagon, a cow and a
bicycle. I raffled off my horse and got $ 44. I sold the cow for $ 35 and I sold the bicycle
for $ 20. In a way, meanwhile I had gathered $ 144 when I was ready to leave for my
mission. At the time that we got ready to leave for our mission, we were in Salt Lake City,
July the 24th 1859. This was the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the Mormon pioneers
from the Nauvoo valley to Salt Lake City, Utah, as we were permitted to stay over and
watch the big parade. After the parade, we went to the Church office where we were set
apart. I was set apart by an apostle, George T Stale and Christian D. Filson but that one of
the seven presidents of the seventy. There were twelve of us missionaries in the company.
Six of us took the evening train and the other six waited till the next morning to take train
to the southern states. Our headquarters for the southern state mission at that time was in
Cadinogo, Tennessee.
HF: Now Brother Hansen, you have completed your first mission into the southern state
mission and are back at work, I guess in Logan but what induced you to come to St.
Anthony, Idaho?
WH: The reason I came to St. Anthony is this, I was working for Del Bore Robinson and
they decided to consolidate the two stores and that left myself as well as another clerk out
of employment. Meanwhile there is a gentleman came in the store and I told him that I
was laid off at this store and he said I know where you can get a fine job. You can get a
good job at St. Anthony, Idaho with Mr. A. M. Bowen who is manning a men’s clothing
store and needs a person with experience just like you have. You write him a letter and I
am sure that you will get the job. So I wrote him a letter and the next two days after I got
a telegram: come at once your salary is $ 100 a month. And this was almost unbelievable
because there was one clerk in Logan that is earning biggest salary and that is John L
Ballard. He was getting 45 dollars a month and I was getting 40. However I took the train
the next day and came to St. Anthony and I landed in St. Anthony here April the 7th no
April the 24th 1907 and I went direct to Mr. Bowen’s store and there I got the job.
HF: What did St. Anthony look like at that time?
WH: Well to me St. Anthony from a business point of view looked better than it does
today. We didn’t have any what you might call big store. The only two big stores we had
was O. O. Scalars store. The building is now leak instance and many can recall it. And
then we had the Flamm store. The Flamm Company had a big store in Rexburg and they
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also had this one in St. Anthony and then we had several other stores. When I came to St.
Anthony we had three saloons and we had four public homes if you understand what I
mean that. But anyway St. Anthony was a very prosperous little town and was growing
very fast. And at one time we had a talk that St. Anthony will be the next biggest town in
the Snake River Valley outside Idaho Falls. So I worked there with Mr. Bowen for a year
then I went home and worked for the Flamm Company for a year, and then I went
home[…] or two Falcon Jacobs and worked at that big department store for a year. One
day decided to condense their help and three of us were laid out of the job. And from then
on I shifted into many different positions: selling, going out selling mops and selling
books and taking orders with pictures and everything else I got a chance to work at.
HF: Married at that time?
WH: Yes I was [ a] married man or had been at that time. I married Lucy Morgan in
Logan temple in 1901 and she passed away in 1904 and so I was a widower of course
until I came to St. Anthony. I had two children, my son two years old and my daughter
six months old. So I brought my mother and my sister up to St. Anthony here and we
lived here in St. Anthony and of course I got work in the various stores here from one
store to another. And when I came to St. Anthony of course as I have stated I was
employed at the men’s clothing store known as A. M. Bowen clothing store. Here I
worked a year and got a position over Flamm store and while working in Flamm store
in1909, at Christmas time came walk a very fine looking young lady. And I asked her
what I could do for her and she told me so I waited on her and she left the store and after
she left the store I said to Miss Rule that was working with me, who was that young lady
that was just in here. And she said I don’t know. To me she was one of the prettiest girls I
ever saw. So I went at the steps side walk and watched her as far as I can see her. The
next day she came back to exchange what she bought for something different. And so
during our conversation, I met her and she told me that her name was Miss Denim and
that her home was in Iowa. That she has come up here to teach school in Ruddy. And she
had been since school started that fall. At the time that school started she arrived at Sugar
City and Bishop John W. Haskinson from Teton met her at Sugar City in a white top that
is in September. And on her way from Sugar City to Ruddy, she ask Mr. Haskinson if
there was any Mormons where she was going to teach school and he said oh yes, we are
all Mormons. And ask her so and she [ said] I almost jumped out of the buggy. Because I
have always been told and learned that here in Nebraska and Iowa what terrible people
the Mormons were. And then of course she said here I was and I had to take the medicine.
So I went home with Mr. Haskinson and he secured me room and position with George
McKinley. So I roomed with George McKinley and we started school and by next spring
while I had taken such a liken to the Mormon people that I couldn’t describe it. At this
time I was a very faithful Presbyterian and belonged to the Presbyterian Church over in
St. Anthony and I had gone to Presbyterian Church every Sunday whenever I came to St.
Anthony. But now I got acquainted with the Mormon people and I really took a liken to
them. So in time when I come to St. Anthony while I’d spend the Saturday in St. Anthony
and then Mr. Haskinson will take me back to McKinley where I was lodging. Well the
winter went on and the next spring she decided she was not coming back to school. But
after she got acquainted with the Mormon people and their religion she decided she’d
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come back another year. So the next spring or the fall she came back to school. And our
courtship commenced then in earnest. And so she taught school during that winter, and
the spring or the next summer we were married in the Salt Lake Temple by President
Anthony H. Larne. She had only been a member of the church for ten days when we went
to the temple there in Salt Lake City and many people would not believe that it is
possible for a person only a member of the church ten days to enter the house of the Lord.
But President Larne knowing me as he did ever since childhood, he was very glad and
happy and took us in and married us. So after our marriage we came back to St. Anthony
while I had a four roomed house. My mother and sister living with me at that time and I
had once got busy and added four more rooms to our home so we had a very comfortable
home.
HF: Now brother Hansen you’ve been in the Mortician business many years.
WH: Oh yes.
HF: How did you come to get into that business?
WH: After I had to serve as a clerk for many years, I tried several days and finally and
knowing quite [ a lot] about tailoring, such as measurement and alteration and so on, I
decided to start a tailor shop. So I started a tailor shop and at that time the flu came on.
And Mr. Yale had undertaking establishment right across the street from where my
tailoring shop was which at that time was what they called the old brick Opera house. So
Mr. Yale very often called on me to go with him out and pick out bodies and help him in
the undertaking business which I did off and on for two years. And at that time the flu
stopped. And Mr. Yale after the flu stopped decided to go to Arizona and investigate in
the oil business. After he’d been there for three months he came home and said I am
going to sell my drug store, I am going sell my two garages, I am going to sell my
undertaking business, I am going to sell my home and go to Arizona and enter into the oil
business. And he says, Mr. Hansen I want you to take over the undertaking business. I
said why Mr. Yale in the first place I haven’t got any money and on the other hand I
don’t know anything about it. And he said so far knowing anything you’ve had a great
deal helping me in the business and you can handle it very nicely. Even though you are
not an embalmer you get Tim Young from Rexburg to come up and embalm the bodies
for you. So I said I haven’t got any money and he said I don’t care about the money. Give
me your note and take out all the time you want in paying me. And I want you take the
business over come on let’s get busy. And so we went over and then took stock in it came
to $ 1750 so I took the business, the Hearse and everything he had except the building.
And so I practice alone for about a year while the tailor people came from Salt Lake and
they had started a chain of the undertaking establishments, one in Rigby one in Rexburg
and one in different places and they wanted to start one in St. Anthony. Well I knew if I
didn’t go in with them they will break me anyway, so well I went in anyway. So I went in
with them and we operated for two years and then they went broke and then Amber
Tailor from Salk Lake City got started all by themselves. So I got into business by myself
in 1928. And I have been in that business until three years ago when I sold out to my son.
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HF: What was some of the early practices and procedures followed in Mortician Morgue?
WH: Well at the time that Mr. Hugo was in business and sold out to me. It was very very
seldom that we embalm bodies. We had very seldom shipped bodies and very seldom we
embalm them. We just took care of them as best as we could either in the homes or to this
place. Of course at that time Mr. Hugo or nobody else had what they called a Mortician
or a home in which a mortuary as I should say.
HF: To be continued on…
HF: Side two, continuing the interview with William Moroni Hansen who is reading from
his personal journal.
WH: So towards our home. So we just took care of the bodies in the homes and there as it
was just once a while I bring them to my establishment and took care of them there. And
ninety percent of the bodies at that time we didn’t embalm we just took care them,
prepare them and kept them cool by pressing ice bottles around the bodies and cold cloth
over their faces and heads and kept them that way until the day of the service then we
dress them and put them in the caskets and take them to the church. And I am sorry and
yet I am not shameful, I say so, because we didn’t have anything else better to work but it
is too bad to see the way all the bodies were laid away in those days. Then later on I
picked up a corresponding school, corresponding course in embalming and I got my
certificate after eleven months of study, I became an embalmer and then I was in position
to take wonderful cared bodies and did so from then on until I retired from the business.
HF: Did you use em… horses to ah…?
WH: Oh yes, when you are in those days while there wasn’t such a thing known as a herd
sourcing, however Mr. Hugo did have a herd drawn by horses and finally he got an old
chassis, oxen chassis and he built a funeral coach on it from just common lumber. After I
bought out Mr. Hugo I took this old wooden funeral Hearse that he had down to Idaho
Falls and then I had some establishment take all the wood off the side and put in glass
and I had quite a nice funeral Hearse and in fact the nicest one this side of Salt Lake City
with the glass sides where you can see the casket and the flowers from the street as a
Hearse would pass go up and down the street. Then later on they came up with a later real
funeral coaches and I was one of the first ones at the mid part of this valley to buy an up
to date Hearse, of course that Hearse in those days compared to what we have now is just
like modeled before and a big fancy car.
HF: What area did you serve what area?
WH: When I bought out this area, we had a… due to my religion and people knowing me
so well down in Salem, I got a very good support from Salem and quite a few on the
Rexburg, on account of knowing so many of them there. But I got everything on the
Teton basin and quite all the Latter- day Saints and even some of the non Latter- day
Saints on Ashton everything at this far west Yellow Stone and Teton City had always
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stood faithful with me and still do. And so I have to have figured the whole Snake Valley
from Rexburg onward to look after.
HF: About how many a year?
WH: Ah, mean did I bury a year?
HF: So you, just let us know?
WH: Oh I couldn’t say exactly, the run, use to have from sixty to about ninety cases a
year.
HF: Brother Hansen we’d like to ask you, what the cost and expense of the funeral
service was in 1928 when you started as compared to this more recent time.
WH: Well, I started this undertaking business in 1918 that is when I got to the
undertaking business and in those days as I already stated, very very solemn did we
embalm a body. We only took care of the bodies at home and when it come to caskets we
use to have and still call county burial, we furnish the casket and gave us a risk from 25
to 50 dollars. Then in family homes for adult caskets, I’ve sold many many caskets for 75
dollars and 100 dollars, 150 and when we got up to 200 dollars for a burial we were
operating a very good burial. And if we should go above that which I did once, I got a
very good case out here in Teton where the husband bought a good old casket for his wife
it came to 400 dollars and we thought that is a tremendous expensive funeral. But most of
them run between 150 to 300 dollars. And we never charged for embalming in those days.
Of course just as I said very seldom involve the body but when we did by in fact we don’t
have charge for embalming. Now that goes in with the service. But in those days we
never knew such a thing as a vault, very very seldom that we ever use a vault it is always
fit the casket down in the ground and sometimes we will line the grave with bricks. Make
a brick wall all around inside the grave and place the casket in the grave and then we put
the board over the casket and then they began using cement pouring cement down on top
of the boards that is placed over the casket that was done very much and especially in the
Teton Valley was one of the first valleys where they adopted the idea of putting cement
on top of the post after the casket has been placed in the grave. And then after we came
up with a steel vaults. However before we got the steel vault they had manufactured a
grave covering what they call a grave covering and that is made of four sections similar
to the covers that they make the braces off from the corporal across the street. They were
bolt in a half circle and we will put them in the casket and then when the dirt came on to
it that did fasten them to solid on each side that they will never cave in. And in that way
while the grave or the casket was never disturbed or box in which the casket is placed.
HF: Did they use a lot of flowers in those days?
WH: Yes, they used quite a few flowers but nothing like today. Absolutely not, we in
those days I can remember I used to buy a lot of my flowers in fact all my flowers from
Idaho Falls and people will come in and say Bro. Hansen, could use get me spray for ¢ 50
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or ¢ 75. And that spray for 2 dollars was an extremely expensive spray of flowers. Once in
a great while was some real prominent person we might get a spray for five dollars, but if
we got that that is really a wonderful spray. I can recall many many times with, take a
little bouquet of roses or snack crackers ( real name of flower unknown to editor) or lily of
some kind and lay on the casket and we thought that it was really nice. And another thing
when I first thought to undertake a business the casket was never opened. We use to have
a glass cover just to cover the face and we used to take those to one side and all that you
will see is the person in the casket will be their face you will never got a change to see
their clothing or anything like that. Then later on they came with what they call the half
carts that is where, well before that they came up with what they call the open lid at that
time, we open the lid turn it back like we do now only enough to see the face and there
will be a glass cover over the face. Then finally they came with what they call the half
couch and that means where half of the lid was opened like we do now. But I can very
well remember the very first steel casket that I sold. And we thought that was something
wonderful that is to Mr. Dave Buckhurst an old timer that lived here in St. Anthony and
people just couldn’t imagine how they could they ever afford to buy casket as expensive
as that was. And that wasn’t very much as compared to what they are today. And once in
a great while some prominent men will buy an old wallet casket but nearly all the casket
up until recent years were covered with cloth either in denim skin or broad cloth or
pressed in different colors we call in to what people decide and care to select.
HF: Were the funeral services about as they are now, were they quite lengthy?
WH: At that time we will always nearly always take the body to the home the morning of
the service and people will come to the home and view the body and then they’d have the
family prayer there, and then we will take the casket and the body to the church. And
there quite often in fact every time until late years the casket was opened that is the face
part of the casket will be opened and people would circle all around the casket viewing
the remains before they finally left to church.
HF: Were the serves about an hour long maybe longer?
WH: Well you will be surprised if I turn to my journal here and let you read some of the
services. In fact just the other night I don’t care to mention the name but a man called me
and ask if I can give him the report of his father’s burial in 1922, and I gave it to him and
there were six speakers at the services and that is equally to ours. We never had a service
less than an hour and half in those days. Then they finally got down to about an hour and
a quarter but the service will always a song, a prayer, a song and then they like story and
then a talk, the speaker and then a song and then a speaker or two and a reading maybe
something appropriate then another speaker or two but nearly all the services, there was
never less than four to seven speakers at the services.
HF: Now Brother Hansen ah we would like to change the tempo and the subject matter
slightly to some of the old problems that one faces in the area in the winter time, weather
conditions, traveling conditions and any comment which you would like to make in the
conditions in the summer pertaining to the weather.
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WH: Well, as now far as weather is concerned of course it is summer time we use to have
very beautiful weather and sometime till way late in the winter and the storms will come
in but to go back by way of travel when I first started the undertaking the business we
never hardly ever used a hearse. In fact we didn’t use a horse it is always in white tops
and then in the winter we put the casket on a pair of ball slings and in that way we take
them to the cemetery and then people would relatives and friends would come along and
form slate. Now as far as the weather is concerned, it is almost impossible unless you’d
see it yourself to believe the kind of weather that we used to have to face here sometime
along in 1915, ’ 20 and ’ 25 and so on. Many times I have gone out to the Teton basin and
on a cut of the weather within Tetonia after a service at 5: 00 and I won’t get home until
12: 00 at night due to the heavy snow. At that time we did not have bridge over Canyon
Craig like they have now we had to go down to the dark way as it might be called. And I
can remember times when we being in our order sometimes more than that just going
from the top of the dead way down and around across Canyon Craig and then back up on
the road again. And in those days after we finally got using the hearse, I often walked
behind the hearse with a big rock because the edge will quick and I would have to put the
rock under the wheel until my driver got the hearse going again. And when it come to the
roads there was no high ways and we follow six in lines and after on Canyon Craig
toward Tetonia I’ll be seeing the roads when we’d be on the roads as high as the fence
and you can hardly see the top wire line and yet we were in a with a per box sled or
probably we got on the best we could with our hearse. I recall one service I had at
Tetonia when Bishop Mcdae died I took the casket to Tetonia in the hearse. When we got
to Tetonia we had to take the casket out the hearse and put it on a pair of box slid over to
the church. And we took the casket and put it on box slid until we got to the fence of the
cemetery then we had eighty- five dogs there pull the casket on the thread over to the
grave in the winter time. You would have to believe it to realize the hardships that we
used to face in those days. On account of the snow being so deep and of course in those
days, we never knew what such a thing as a snow plow was. All the snow shoveling, all
the snow removing has to be done by shoveling snow. And of course when I started to
undertake this business we never knew what the funeral was in the winter time, with the
automobiles in fact many of them in the summer time was all by team work. I remember
out here at Teton I can just recall the names of the two men Thompson was one of them,
and they had some very beautiful white horses and when ever I had a funeral of any
prominence I would always go out there and have brother Thompson bring in his white
team and hook it onto my team hearse in which to draw the casket. But in those days
everything was done by team work in the summer time and by slaves in the winter time.
HF: Brother Hansen, when you first came to St. Anthony in the early teens later on
you’ve been here a while, uh who were some of the prominent men who operated the
businesses in the St. Anthony area?
WH: You mean the undertaking business?
HF: No, in all kinds of businesses, some of the lawyers, some of the doctors, some of the
businessmen.
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WH: Well, oh I could go down to Idaho Falls, C. C. Dena Green he was the leading
undertaker there and there is a man by name of Hays who was not a Latter- day Saints, but
he was an undertaker and he finally left and the Woods came in and took over the Hays
undertaking business there in Idaho Falls. But when I came to St. Anthony farms they
had the undertaking business along with furniture store and there grocery and hardware
business that is all one business combined. And one of the first undertakers are
embalmers I got it acquainted with was James Young at Rexburg and then John Philips
they were my two first friends in the undertaking business. At that time the business was
operated by Henry Flamm Senior father to Henry Flamm and the grandfather to the
Flamm brothers in business at this time. Among the leading upstanding bishops at that
time was Brother Hamilton in Sugar City, and in Rexburg was Brother Wright, Hugh
Wright he was bishop for the first ward there for many years and the Stake Presidency
was Brother Basset and Brother Austin and Brother Heat they were the Stake Presidency
when I came to St. Anthony. And here in St. Anthony was Bishop Fog he was James E.
Fog he was the bishop when I came here to St. Anthony and I could name you the
bishops that have served since then but it takes too much time but we always had to go to
Rexburg to our union meetings, to our priesthood meetings and to our conferences. To
begin with we used to hold our conferences and Sunday school meetings and mutuals and
what they call the Flamm’s Hall that is and over the store where Flamms use to have their
store up along main street. Then later on they build a Fog and Taken fall here in St.
Anthony and we had our conferences here and then in 1909 the tabernacle was built here
in St. Anthony and however one year before that we had conferences in what they call the
old bottled hall. The first general authority that visited any conference here in St.
Anthony after the Yellow Stone stake was organized was Apostle Clutton. When the
Yellow Stone Stake was organized in 1909, there was Brother George F. Richards and
President Thomas E. McKay of course then I don’t mean I mean David O. McKay he was
then an apostle but they were the two men that came here and organized Yellow Stone
Stake. And we met Danard Parker under a barry and I think it is the later part of January
when we had our meeting done there when the stake was organized so I could turn to my
record and tell you for sure the exact date. But any way we had Apostle George F.
Richards and Apostle David O. McKay who organized a stake and at that time Daniel G.
Miller became President, Marion J. Care, 1st counselor and James E. Fog second
counselor and Chocely B. Walker became the stake clerk. They served for so many years.
HF: Was St. Anthony mainly LDS?
WH: No, when I came here we only had less than a hundred members in fact I think I am
right when I say we had 94 members Latter- day Saints in the entire St. Anthony. Our
ward was scattered throughout the entire town here and we had our little small, very
small mini house over on this south side that could sit about 150 people and we were very,
well we made two welcome, if I may say that when I came here to St. Anthony, but we
had seven different churches of Saturday Latter- day Saints church in St. Anthony at that
time.
HF: Which were they?
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WH: There was the Catholic Church, Presbyterian Church, Methodist Church, Apostolic
Church, Saturday Adventist Church, and uh did I say Methodist?
HF: Where had most of the people come from, the non LDS where had they coming
from?
WH: Well, when St. Anthony was first started, or founded that is for a long in about the
18 or 1908. No, no excuse me I mean 19…
HF: 18…?
WH: 1894 I think it was, no I think but anyway it is a long and close to 1900 it is
established by a man by name Mull and White were the first people that came to live here.
And so all St. Anthony at that time was inhabited by people coming from the east out
here. And of course a Latter- day Saints were among the very last ones too to come up
here.
HF: Did you remember C. C. Moore?
WH: Yes very well.
HF: What about him, tell us about him?
WH: Well C. C. Moore when I came here was in the real estate business together with his
partner Chris Filler. They had a tremendous amount of real estate lands big farms all over
here up on well, I don’t know if they had any on Ricks recent but any way up to Tetonia
about Cleven’s village up to there and especially around Ashton there was C. C. Moore
and Chris Filler and further C. C. Moore he became a senator and then he became the
governor. He was a governor here I think, I can turn to my book and tell you for sure. But
I think it is in 1922, ’ 24 and ’ 26 and ’ 28. He spoke at Bishop Samuel R. Wilford in the
year 19 well I can say for sure 1920, I think about that time. I had just got well started the
undertaking business when Bishop Arm passed away and Bishop Arm at that time was a
senator in the representing our state here. And when he passed away while they had C. C.
Moore come up and speak at the funeral.
HF: Was he friendly towards the LDS people?
WH: We never had a more friendly man than C. C. Moore was. He was always he didn’t
so far as I know had all taken at any particular church but a better friend the Latter- day
Saint people never had than C. C. Moore. When it came to any celebration or any social
affair or any missionary going, C. C. Moore was always on hand to help us. And he was,
oh he was such a wonderful head, during our 24th July celebrations he gave us all the
support that he could and he was a means one time of Brigham Senator William E. Borah
up here about the first time when he started running for office and he became our U. S.
senator, Senator Borah, William Borah.
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HF: Did C. C. Moore have anything to do with getting with reform school, the youth
training school here in St. Anthony?
WH: Well now, I am not sure about that, but I believe that C. C. Moore, yes I am sure
that he was the man that got the Idaho desert school started here. And the first
superintendent that was here was Amperes. I can’t remember his first name here I have in
record but I can’t tell it off hand. He was the first superintendent, and when I came here
there was only one building on the ground Standard Industrial school one big tall building
there and the girls and the boys they all met together that is what I mean by that in the
same building they didn’t have different buildings like we got now that in the same
building and the second Sunday of every month we use to have a speaker go down there
and speak to the boys and girls. As I remember when I came here there was about a
twelve girls and there was something like 25 or 30 boys in the school at that time. I had
one boy from the school that came and worked with me and tailoring business and he
took such a likening to the business that after he got through work down at the school he
went to Boise and there he got Edward company and now he is running or did run one of
the biggest tailoring and cleaning establishment in Boise. I could turn to my book here
and give you his name and the name of his establishment. But Professor Amperes though
he wasn’t a Latter- day Saints but he was a wonderful singer and he was such a great help
and when it comes to the state choir which I conducted several years he was one of my
most strongest supporters when it comes to singing solos he was an expect turner singer
and he will take some of our Latter- day Saints hymns and take the leading part to help us
out. Every person we’ve had at the Industrial school has all been wonderful good friends
towards Latter- day Saints, all trying to help us. And then many years back that will be
about 1914, ’ 15 or then every Wednesday during May, June, July and August all the
stores up here at business housing saloons, doctors office, dentist office everyday will
close up at 12: 00 pm, every Wednesday for the rest of the day then we go home and have
a clean up or whatever we want [ to] do then we go down to the industrial school and then
the industrial always had a baseball team amongst the boys there and they gave us a good
baseball gave and then we’d have races led by people that came up there and then to wind
up the day or the afternoon we’d always have a big barbecue. I remember on a burg used
to work down there and he was in charge of the cava business and the programs so he
went to work and had a barbecue and with all of us had a great big barbecue roast for us
and there is a barn along with it. And then in the evenings we go back to the school and
there we’d have a dance. In the afternoon we’d always have a baseball team, the game
between the industrial school boys or sub local team.
HF: Do you recall the first year for one of the prominent chairs of the county. John T.
Fisher?
WH: Now let’s see, the first set we had here when I came here late in the Teton basin and
oh dear I would like to tell you his name. I know it.
HF: Do you recall John T. Fisher?
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WH: Who? Oh yeah...
HF: Comment about him. Tell us about him.
WH: John T. Fisher?
HF: Uh- huh.
WH: To me he was a finest man we’ve ever had here. He was a county Sheriff for eight
years I think it was, and during his administration I was county coroner. I was the latest
county coroner in 1914 and I served for 31 years when I was called to go to Denmark and
I turned it over to my son. But during that time, I served under several sheriffs and John T.
Fisher was now not ashamed I am happy to say it, was one of the best men we ever had in
this valley. And the best sheriff I don’t think you could get a better man than he was. He
wasn’t a very large man. He was the length you are and now maybe not quite as large. He
and I became very good friends even though he is a democrat and I was republican but
that made no difference and so after his retirement, we were very close friends and he and
his wife would always come to our church to ward reunions or if had a special program,
that always come with us and then Mr. Fisher he was 94 years old when one day he was
out on his porch and became over balanced and fell off the porch and broke his hip and
then he was bed pressed and then sickness set in there and he became quite ill and so he
called his daughter one day and said he would like to have his friend Bill Hansen come
down. I’ve been there before so I went down and his daughters were there they knew that
he wasn’t going to live very long so they invited me and I went in, he is turning his face
toward the wall and his daughter Phyllis, Fletcher now, says, “ Dad here’s is your old
friend Bill Hansen” and he rolled over just as slow as he could reached out his hand and
gave me good hand squeezed and said Bill I am glad to see you. Now talked with him for
a few minutes so I left him and had just inside the door here when his daughter called and
said Bill, father passed away. And when his wife passed away, she was a very strong
faithful Presbyterian. But I had the honor of being pall bearer at her funeral. And the rest
of the world's Presbyterian Church. I have never had a better friend in my life than John
T. Fisher was.
HF: And now as we come to the end of this tape, I’d like to have you tell us a little about
your other missions that you served?
WH: Well, the first mission I served was in the southern states. And of course in those
states, well I won’t say that they practiced travel without purse or script only in the
southern states mission. When I came to the southern state mission of I. S. S. Kimball, a
brother to J. Golden Kimball, he was President of the mission. Now J. Golden Kimball he
was one of the seven president seventies he stood about six feet four. And just as slender
as a broomstick, but he was the most powerful speaker and when he spoke, he said what
came to his mind he didn’t care whether it pleased anybody but himself alone and he
cared to just a little profanity once a while. One time down in southern part of Utah, he
was called to give a funeral talk to a man by the name of Larsen I think it was anyway he
was a Scandinavian, and brother Kimball got up speaking and while during his talk he
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stopped turned round to the Bishop and he says Bishop is not brother Larsen sitting down
there? Bishop called his first and the bishop said yes. Well he says, who the hell should
have sat aback preaching? And he was up here to Teton basin one day my wife and I
went up there to visit Brother and Sister Harris they run a store up there when we got up
there Bishop Harris said it is conference today let’s go to conference. So we went and
wife said we didn’t want to go there it is so warm and you men go to conference and we
stay home. So the women had stayed home and we went over to Drakes Conference and
the Prophet Carson was there and J. Golden Kimball. Of course you brother didn’t know
Brother Carson by he was a very good man he was with Joseph standing at the time he
was shot. First missionary shot and so Brother Carson got up and spoke and there is
warm and people will go to sleeping and there we didn’t hear much. After he got through
the stake president says, Brother Carson shall we have a song by the choir and he said
sure. So the choir sang and then they called up Brother Kimball to speak and as I told you
he is six- feet four slender as could be. He went in the Clark Store down there in Salt Lake
one time and walked up to the clerk and the clerk came up to him and said “ Something I
do for you?” And Brother Kimball said, “ Yes I’d like to see if this set coat had to fit me.”
And the clerk said “ If I help so would I.” By the way he got up there stood there for few
minutes after the choir had sang looked around and says wake up, and they people stood
up a little bit and he said “ wake up!” little louder they got woke up pretty good then he
stacked up all his hands just as high as he can reach them and said wake up the worst is
yet to come. And boy we did wake up. Ha- ha. He was a very quiet fellow.
HF: Now when did you start on your second mission?
WH: Then I started on my first mission and I labored in several places, then most any
refuge place I labored was on Acorns Island and there Brother Telford and I we got over
there and labored there and had already been there for about six months when I got
another companion and then we decided to build a little church there. And the night
before the church should be dedicated it is brought down. So we never got to, the chance
to use our little church. But now Acorns Island of course you can see picture of Elder
Glenn sitting up here you’ve seen that they’ve got a chapel there now on the same spot
where that little church was burnt down that cost them $ 270,000 and is now the head
quarters the stake at that time. And when I was here there is on the 31 families and when
I left there wasn’t any member to the church until I went back until we got a few families
of the church then it was that they build the church for non Mormons as well for the
family and for the town. But that is where I stopped. After returning home from my first
mission, four years later I got a call to go to Samoa Islands, and I was already to fill that
mission ready even two weeks when my first wife died then I came to St. Anthony and of
course got married and there my second wife and after several years she passed away and
then I kept company with the young lady here a widow lady and we were ready to get
married when I got called while on my second mission. So we decided that we’d not
marry until I got called from the second mission. So I went to the northern states that
takes to the states of Illinois and filled my second mission there, two year mission. At that
time I served as district president and branch of the mission under President Leo J. Miller.
And oh, he was a marvelous President. We baptized several but the church wasn’t
growing very fast then I came home and was home until 1951 when I was called to fill
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my third mission to Denmark. And I left here in July 1951 and returned in July 1953.
While I served in the Danish mission, I served as second counselor to the President
Sorenson is now in the Salt Lake Temple Presidency. So I served there for two years then
I came home from my second mission. But during the two years that I was in Denmark, I
served 21 months as counselor in the mission Presidency with President Edward
Sorenson. And since coming home I’ve tried to do my duty here at home, I’ve tried to do
my duty here at home and the mean during my mission I also served three short home
missions, one in Cash stake and two up here in this stake.
HF: If my arithmetic is right; you’ve now lived in St. Anthony 62 years?
WH: Well I came here the 7th and I am still here.
HF: Sixty two year of service and being in St. Anthony, do you have any comments as to
how you’ve enjoyed your stay and your experiences here in St. Anthony?
WH: Well, so far as enjoyment I couldn’t have gone anywhere I don’t think on the first
day I could enjoy myself more than here especially after I’ve been here a year or so.
Because when I came here we were not quite as welcome as Latter- day Saints as we all
know. But I want to say this for the people of St. Anthony that I couldn’t go anywhere
and find more pleasant and friendly people than I have found here. And no matter who
the ministers were or what church the people belong to, even though we had another
alternative church they always called me, and I had to pray as bishop and even speaking
at funerals and singing in the funerals and lots of times I’ve dedicated graves for them.
As far as the people here in St. Anthony they have been wonderful to me and I am happy
and when I came here, St. Anthony was a very fast growing town and we did feel and we
were quite sure that it wouldn’t be long before St. Anthony would up to Rexburg easily.
As we took the reed the county seat was taken away from Rexburg and brought into St.
Anthony short lived I came here, and afterwards taken when the county was divided. The
county divided they made Madison County, Jefferson County, and Fremont County then
later on the made Teton County and Clark County. But then of course Rexburg became
the county seat of Fremont County again. Now is it Fremont County now is it?
HF: Madison.
WH: Madison County and they changed the name to Madison at that time. So.
HF: Brother Hansen it’s been a really wonderful experience.
WH: But I must say that I am sorry that St. Anthony isn’t growing fast as it is now.
Rexburg I am happy to see it that it is growing becoming. I can’t believe it when I go
down and see those buildings. In fact I think I’ve told you brethren that I could buy lot
down there for $ 25 dollars a lot. When you do buy take you own time pay for them
whenever you want. And see what its grown, just two building there on that spot, when I
came here. And now see what it is. So I am so thrilled about Rexburg growing the way it
is. And I only wish St. Anthony would grow faster. But I’m sorry it isn’t. I remember
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when we use to have trains brought in through here. Seven trains a day, railway trains.
Three passenger trains a day. And here we don’t have any. When they used to have the
dogs they disappeared and Ashton, my wife and I counted seven trains going from Salt
Lake up to the dog races one day. The dog races oh, it used to be quite a holiday.
HF: Tremendous, winter sport wasn’t it? Tremendous winter spot.
WH: Oh yeah. I bet it was a lot of fun.
HF: But again I want to say we appreciate the opportunity of interviewing you on this day
here in your home and in closing Brother Hansen I am joined if it was possible for the
population of the Upper Snake River Valley to hear me. I will be joined by them and
saying and wishing you a very wonderful 1969 and for the balance of your life that you’ll
enjoy a wonderful happy life.
WH: But I must say brother that I sure appreciate you being here and having and I want
to say for the Ricks College that they have shown me more consideration than I deserve
by far.