FIFTY GLORIOUS YEARS

(from 1935-1944)

1935

Earl experienced pleasure in teaching at the University of Colorado. The teaching load was only ten hours per week and the courses were ones he had taught before. His specialization became public finance and taxation and as years passed he became a tax consultant for the legislature and at least three governors of the state.

He was elected secretary-treasurer of the informal senate-the faculty club-which gave him an opportunity to become acquainted with the entire faculty the first year.

Della rapidly made many friends. It was surprising how many people called to the home the first fall semester to welcome them. There were also several faculty groups the Crocketts joined for exchanging evening parties in the various homes.

Marian was happy in the third grade and Bob had many little friends in the neighborhood.

The North Dakota Model A Ford was turned in as down payment on a new and beautiful four-door De Soto car which was loved by all.

The Ozro Crockett round robin family letter was still circulating and the following is a quotation from Earl's letter to his mother, brothers and sisters, dated October 18, 1935:

Permit me to suggest a motto for the Crockett family:

"We believe in ourselves." It came to mind when I read Mother's statement that we are "gifted with many talents which have to be brought to light." I agree and believe also that we often are inclined toward over modesty. Humbleness is a virtue, but perhaps sometimes can be carried too far. Let's all vow that wherever we may be, or whatever we may do, we'll show the world that the Crocketts are somebody. Of course let's not be proud or haughty, but we can humbly believe in ourselves.

Della and Earl decided that they would not confine their professional and social contacts to merely faculty and wives within their department or college, but to make friends university-wide and also among down-town people. Their goal was soon achieved. Boulder people were most friendly and it was discovered that many families had the practice of entertaining guests in their homes with dinners. In fact it was customary for many, and soon including the Crocketts, to exchange dinners and share stimulating conversations and sometimes special programs.

The Art Club asked Della to join and also the prestigious Round Table -- a literary club. She also joined and was very active in the Faculty Women's Club.

1936

The following are quotes from a letter Marian wrote, perhaps assisted some by her mother, to Grandma Crockett, April 5th:

I was one of three chosen out of 4th grade to be in the Spring Operetta, singing with others in the 5th and 6th grades.

The name is "Cinderella in Flowerland."

Last week Daddy made a bird house for the little wren.

It is white and we put it on top of the garage. Since coming to Colorado we see lots of song birds. Some of them are catbirds, wrens, Baltimore orioles, blue birds and king birds.

Barbara and Colleen and I are starting a sewing club.

We have invited six others to join.

When I took my French lesson last Saturday, my teacher gave me a bouquet of violets and I am sending you one blossom.

With love, Marian Joy.

People frequently complemented Joy on her large beautiful brown eyes. They might say, "My your brown eyes are beautiful." Bob had hazel eyes and apparently had watched and heard the complements regarding brown ones. One day at the dinner table, he very seriously asked, "Mother, are hazel eyes better than no eyes at all?"

The family moved to a more spacious house located at 776 14th Street, which they rented for about two years.

This was in preparation for a fondly anticipated addition to their family and as it turned out, the big event of the year was the birth on May 18th of a second wonderful son, whom they named Earl David. He was a beautiful baby, good natured and healthy. It was great fun for the parents to watch Marian and Bob happily take turns holding him, feeding him from a bottle, and later helping teach him to walk, to talk, or still later to ride a tricycle.

Shortly after David's birth, Della's Mother came for two weeks to assist and to visit. She brought a suitcase packed with presents for the new baby, and also for the other children. Her stay was most appreciated and enjoyed by all.

In August the family received the following sad, but loving and spiritual message from Earl's Mother:

MY FAREWELL

Written 4 A.M. Thursday Aug. 20, 1936.

My dear children, grandchildren, and great grand-children, I feel very much impressed to write this message to you and arose from my bed to do so. When the time comes for me to be called from this mortal life I would like to bid you all a fond good-by, but only temporary, for we hope to all meet again beyond the grave and live and work together and enjoy each other's company throughout all eternity. I may pass like your dear father did, without being able to do this, so I want to bear you my testimony, that I know the Gospel is true. It has been a source of joy and comfort to me all through my life from my early girlhood days.

My big aim in life has been to seek my Heavenly Father in prayer for help and support, and I have received the same to the fullest extent. I feel richly rewarded for putting my trust in Him and trying to do what is right all my life.

I would ask you, my dear ones, to always do the same, and you will reap much real joy and comfort, strength and courage to carry on the wonderful work of the Lord, and in gaining a salvation in the Kingdom of God forever.

May our Heavenly Father bless you all my dear ones, that I love so well, and may you ever be humble and prayerful and true to the faith in the Gospel of our Lord, is my prayer for you all.

Lovingly Your Mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother

 

Ruth C. Crockett

She actually lived nine years longer, until she was nearly 90 years old. Almost until the last, she was able to wait upon herself, however, her daughter Ruth was always of great assistance.

1937

The Crocketts assisted in the organization of an LDS Sunday School in Boulder. By now there were several Mormon families residing in the area, as well as a few students. Sunday School was held in the Odd Fellows Hall and, each Sunday morning, someone had to go early and sweep out cigarette butts and cover the slot machines. Good services were held, however, and it was much more convenient than driving to Denver. Della was appointed Gospel Doctrine teacher and the class steadily grew in size.

Missionaries began coming to the Boulder area and they were always welcomed into the Crockett home. Della fed them and encouraged them to do their best.

In June, Earl's mother came to Boulder for the first time and visited for two or three weeks. After her departure, Della sent a letter which in part stated:

Dear Mother:

1 am enclosing a syringa blossom. There is a large syringa bush on the north of our front porch. It is in full bloom and beautiful . . . The children are making wild flower scrap books. Robert's love of flowers made him want to pick every wild flower he saw.

Marian is taking tennis lessons. She is also taking an art class this summer. We were all very lonesome after you left. Marian said, "The worst of having someone come to see us is that it is so hard to swallow when they are leaving."

We all often wonder what Grandma would think if she could see David do this or that. He has his bath in the big tub now and almost drowns us all. He does lots of standing alone. We are holding our breath for the first little steps.

We had especially wished you had been here to celebrate Earl's promotion with us. He is one of the youngest associate professors in our big university. This summer he is again Acting Department Chairman in Economics, with eight men under him . . . .

Affectionately,

Della

1938

The Crocketts purchased their 941 Grant Place home and had it remodeled. There was a spacious yard with grass and trees, even some fruit trees -- cherries, apples and peaches. Across the back of the lot, facing the alley was a beautiful lilac hedge. The house was a colonial two stories plus an attic and a partly finished basement. It was a large white brick house with firm foundations, strong walls and good roof. However, the house needed much remodeling, even changing the stairway, the porch, building a fireplace and kitchen cabinets, installing new plumbing, sanding floors, shingling the roof, and complete repainting inside and out.

Della furnished the home beautifully with new carpeting, drapes, a Knabe baby grand piano and other new furniture.

The family settled down in the spacious home, finding it comfortable indeed. With thick walls and shade trees, it was cool in summer and easily heated in winter. The Grant Place house was really where the oldest three children grew up and thought of as home. It was owned and lived in by the family for 13 years, except for one and a half years during the War, in Washington D.C.

As Dave approached two years of age, he was still saying very little, although he could communicate with gestures, etc. Then suddenly and surprisingly to everyone in the family, he began saying whole sentences. Out of the clear blue sky, as the family drove into the garage, one day, Dave pointed and said, "That's Daddy's fishing basket," or another time as Earl was lathing a wall in the house remodeling project, with lath nails in his mouth, Dave excitedly spoke up, "Daddy you must not put nails in your mouth, you might swallow them!"

During the summer of 1938, Della had a reoccurrence of her stomach ulcer. Perhaps she had worked too hard in supervising the remodeling of the house and furnishing it. For a change and rest, the family traveled in their De Soto car into the Colorado mountains, largely camping out and living in a tent. They visited such places as Leadville, Aspen, Gunnison, Durango and the Million Dollar Highway. Each morning, as the children awakened, little Dave excitedly exclaimed, "The same trip, Daddy?"

The beautiful scenery, restful travel, and eating simple food, but including Colorado steak dinners, was apparently just what Della needed, for she quickly and completely recovered from her illness.

As the family often camped by a canyon stream, there were mountains which Marian and Bob loved to climb, and then upon reaching the summit, to excitedly wave down to the rest of the family. Both Marian and Bob were very active and athletic as they were growing up and in their teens. Marian had quite a reputation for doing handsprings and turning cartwheels-many times without stopping. Bob was always very interested in all kinds of sports and overjoyed whenever he made the basketball team or football squad.

1939

Two events of great importance occurred in 1939. The Second World War began in Europe and Della and Earl with Marian and Bob took their first long trip away from home. It was a journey by auto to Quebec, New England, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. David, only three years of age, was left with the Hatch family. He apparently enjoyed himself playing each day with Mary Ann and Lota.

The drive East lasted about two weeks and was taken leisurely enough to be thoroughly enjoyable. In fact, many historic sites visited, made the trip exciting for all. They first went to the city of Quebec in Canada. They stood on Cape Diamond and looked down upon the beautiful St. Lawrence River. They walked the Plains of Abraham, the site of the famous battle between the French and British, and saluted the large monument of the British General James Wolfe, who won the battle and ultimately the war. Della greeted some guards in uniform, speaking in French, and the children were surprised and impressed.

Returning to the United States, the drive through New Hampshire was beautiful, and upon reaching the Boston area, many historic sites were visited, including Concord and Lexington, the route of Paul Revere from the Old South Church, the homes of Longfellow and other poets and the Glass Flower Museum at Harvard University.

The family found an apartment near Columbia University, where they stayed a few days in New York City. Driving through the streets on Sunday morning was easy, as there was almost no traffic. Then on they went to Philadelphia with Independence Hall and its Liberty Bell. As they arrived at the edge of Washington D.C., Earl asked a policeman how to get to the White House and he said, "Just follow me," and on his motorcycle guided the family to the President's White House home. Did he think the Crocketts were important people? Perhaps cousins of the Roosevelts?

There was a visit to the Capitol Building, Arlington Cemetery, Mount Vernon, Lincoln and Washington Monuments. They went to the top of the Washington Monument, by elevator, but they all decided to walk down, and in doing so, they got tired and had stiff legs for two days. The children were quite impressed with Lindberg's Spirit of St. Louis in the Smithsonian Museum.

The return home was uneventful, yet Earl recalls the most delicious and sweet watermelon ever eaten, being obtained from a roadside stand in Indiana.

In 1939, the family was saddened by the death of Earl's sister Lucile at the age of 43. She was the first to go among the eleven brothers and sisters in the Ozro Crockett family.

1940

As Dr. Bushee retired from the University, Earl was appointed in his place as Chairman of the Department of Social Sciences, which included anthropology, economics, political science and sociology. The department was changed to a division and each of the subject areas was made a department. Thus, he had many faculty members to supervise and the responsibility for employing four new department heads.

That spring he was also promoted to full Professor.

He decided to attend the American Economics Association convention held in New Orleans about Christmas time, so that he could interview prospective candidates for Chairman of Economics. He took Della along and they were invited to ride by auto with a Professor and his wife from the University of Denver.

Dwayne and Reba with Della's Mother drove to Boulder and stayed with the Crockett children.

New Orleans was found to be one of the most beautiful and interesting cities of the nation. The Christmas decorations were everywhere. The conference was held in the beautiful new Roosevelt Hotel where many friends and acquaintances of the Crocketts also stayed. A number, getting together, spent the holidays and evenings in the French Quarter and other places at dances and parties.

Another sad event occurred. In 1940, Earl's brother George died at the age of 54. He and his family were residing in Portland, Oregon. The reader may recall Earl and Della's honeymoon was a trip to Portland at which time George and family had also traveled to that city.

When Dave was a little boy he often wore sailor suits. They were much the same style as worn by the ROTC Navy boys at the University and were loved by Dave. Apparently they made a hit with most women too, for when they saw darling little Dave, dressed so beautifully in navy style, they would want to hug and kiss him. Of course his blond hair and brown eyes might have been the big attraction.

The spring of 1940, Marian was nominated and elected to the highly honored position of Head Girl for her senior year at University Hill Junior High. She had many influential class members, especially boys, who had campaigned for her election.

1941

As the war developed in Europe and, especially, after President Roosevelt's Lend-Lease assistance program for England, vigorous debates and discussions occurred among people throughout the country, including those in Boulder. As the Crocketts entertained friends in their home, or attended social functions in other homes, discussions inevitably led to the question: "What should America do?" "How can Hitler be controlled?"

During the latter part of the summer, it was decided to take a vacation and the family visited in Franklin and Preston and then went to Long Beach, California, where they lived in an apartment on the beach for a few weeks. The children had a wonderful time swimming. Dave had learned to swim and Marian and Bob swam like fish. Earl's brother David and wife Pearl visited them there.

Marian returned to Boulder ahead of the family, so that she could attend school early. She was a new sophomore in the senior high school. After arrival in Boulder, the following is part of a letter she wrote:

September, 1941

Dear Family:

Today was the flag rush and I had such a wonderful time. This morning we went to school at 7:30. First, we went to assembly and everyone was dressed in pajamas, except the sophomores . . . We had thirty minute classes and got out at noon. At 1:30 we went down to 17th and Grove streets to watch the Sophs and Juniors in their flag raising contest, climbing Flag Staff Mountain. We were in Helen Picket's car -- with us were Barbara, Nancy, Pat and Mary Ellen. [Note: Marian then described in detail the contest indicating that her class, the Sophs, won!] I've never had so much fun in all my life. Tonight is the Flag-rush Dance. I am going with John. I got a darling dress.

I am a biologist and you'll see me chasing insects and bugs with a net. If you see any rare insects, Bob or Dave, be sure and bring them . . . We think our geometry teacher is marvelous. If anybody could make me like geometry it's him . . .

Love, Marian

When Dave was a young child, he and his boy friend Ronnie, would play with electric trains and construction toys, with initiative and imagination. They demonstrated considerable skill, especially, for their very young ages. They even stretched a wire from Dave's upstairs bedroom window to far outside the house and operated a primitive telephone system. Perhaps it is no wonder that in college, Dave majored in electrical engineering.

When he was five years old and attending a private kindergarten, his teacher said David was the best socially adjusted child in the entire class.

On December 7, all of the family was skiing at Estes Park. Even Dave was learning how to balance and guide himself on skis. It is true that Earl and Della rested quite often. While sitting in the car watching the children have great fun, the radio was turned on and shockingly they heard the report of the Pearl Harbor attack by the Japanese! This of course plunged our nation into the Second World War.

1942

As the war developed, government agencies rapidly expanded while new ones were organized for the purpose of conducting the war. One of the latter, was the War Production Board. Within this organization was the Office of Civilian Requirements, and within it, a unit of government concerned with wholesale-retail activities. Earl was invited to take a position with the government as Principal Economist, to supervise the Wholesale-Retail Unit. After considerable discussion, Della and Earl decided to do their bit for the war effort by accepting the invitation. In April, they found tenants for the Grant Place home and took the family to Washington, D.C.

Their Boulder friends held parties with going away good wishes and they were on their way.

A duplex apartment was found at 5050 Benning Road in Bradbury Heights, Maryland, just outside Washington city limits, and Della proceeded to see that it was comfortably furnished, which was not easy because some appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines were scarce.

During the year and four months the family was in Washington, Earl enjoyed his work and felt that he was making a contribution. He supervised case studies in Baltimore, New York City, Buffalo and Hartford, Conn. The purpose of these studies was to determine genuine civilian needs during the war period. To the extent possible, scarce materials such as copper, steel, gasoline and rubber, as well as labor power, were transferred from civilian products to war industries.

Sometimes silly suggestions were made by uninformed people. For example, in order to save steel, it was seriously proposed by one man, that horses might have their steel shoes removed, when they are through work each day and then have them replaced in the mornings!

The family joined Capital Ward where David Kennedy was bishop. Ezra T. Benson was stake president. The people were most friendly and it was enjoyable for the entire family in attending church services. Della taught the literary lessons in Relief Society and Marian taught a Sunday School class.

Della became very active in the League of Women Voters, joining a group which frequently visited the House and Senate and had luncheons in various interesting places in the city.

It was a great opportunity for the family to attend outstanding operas and stage plays. Broadway productions frequently came to Washington with the regular cast of famous people. They saw Ethel and Lionel Barrymore, Joan Fontaine, Helen Hayes, Alford Lunt, Lynn Fontaine and many others. When the Barnum & Bailey Circus came to town, the children were entranced with it.

In the fall, the children attended school in the District, Dave beginning first grade. They all did very well. At the end of the school year, David's report card had the following:

Promoted to second grade. David has made excellent progress in all his work. His seatwork is always very neat and accurate. He is a good thinker and is able to reason things out for himself. He has contributed a great deal to his class in the way of discussions.

Dave broke his arm, but this didn't stop him long.

Apparently Bob's teacher was quite committed to the importance of intelligence tests. After giving them to members of the class, she reported to his parents that Bob had an I.Q. of 165, the highest in the whole class.

In the Washington school, Marian had excellent grades. She began dating boys, one of them a sporty young [zoot-suiter] with bell-bottom trousers and wearing a long watch chain dangling down to his ankles.

1943

Dated May 1, 1943, a letter from Earl to his Mother contained the following:

Washington is beautiful now. I wish you could see all the cherry blossoms along the Potomac River and other colorful flowers, green trees and grass, as well as beautiful buildings.

The University of Colorado wants me to return to Boulder to teach Naval students. Some of the faculty have been drafted into the service and they are short-handed. We shall, therefore, move back in time to begin teaching July first. The children are happy about this because they want to see their old friends. Della and I are also quite willing to return, because in many respects life is simpler and easier in a small city.

We are having some Boulder friends in to dinner tonight. We see lots of people whom we have known before in Idaho, Utah, North Dakota, California or Colorado. At present, Washington attracts many people, mostly in military or civilian employment.

Before leaving for Boulder, a testimonial dinner was held June 24, honoring Earl, by those he had supervised. A written toast was given which contained much praise, was signed by all staff members and placed in a glass frame.

The time spent in Washington was a glorious experience indeed, but Colorado was also glorious, and the Crocketts found the University crowded with Navy V12 boys, many of whom had been transferred from the University of Utah. There were a lot of L.D.S. Church members and thus the Branch grew to a large size.

There was also an Oriental Language School for military people organized on the campus and the leaders became close friends of Della and Earl.

Marian graduated from Senior High at the end of the first term and entered the University of Colorado as a freshman. She was rushed by sororities and finally joined Delta Gamma.

1944

Upon returning to Boulder, Earl was appointed the Gospel Doctrine class teacher in Sunday School. This was quite a challenge with the large number of Navy men in the class. Marian was Branch pianist.

A cocker spaniel puppy was obtained because of the strong desire of Bob and Dave. It was a red, smart little pup and the children named it Victory (called Vic) and it became a great pet.

In June, there was an Ozro Crockett family reunion held in Preston. Mother and all living brothers and sisters were in attendance. Also many grandchildren and great grandchildren were there. A formal organization was made with a constitution and by-laws. Ozro David was elected President and Earl Secretary-Treasurer. Edwin was requested to lead out in genealogy work. He was already becoming an expert.

Mae Reddish, Elva's daughter, came to Boulder, staying with the Crocketts during the summer while she attended summer school at the University. Her older sister, Lou Dean, had done the same, two years previously.