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- SOURCE: 1- Family Records
2- TIB
3- Headstone, Pine Valley, Washington, UT cemetery
ALICE GARDNER SNOW
On June 8, 1865, in a little log house in Pine Valley, Mary Alice Gardner was born. She was the eldest child in a family of ten children. Her parents were selfeducated and appreciated fully the value of an education. Robert said in his diary, "I will say here to my children; and my children's children to the latest generation, make it a point, if possible, to give your children an education at least in common book learning, which they need to use every day of their lives; even if they have to go without some of the things of the fashion which are outside of the Kingdom of God.
"I wish you to give them the higher branches of education, if you can, for this will have a tendency to raise them in a higher scale of being."
Educational opportunities in Pine Valley, however, were very limited and Alice received little formal education. But in training for the home her own mother was an ideal teacher and since close association with great people is the ideal environ ment for youth, Alice had some rare advantages in that intimate relation with her parents and husband.
During her early childhood the family moved often from Pine Valley to Grass Valley and back, and to St. George and back from their summer to the winter homes. She has laughingly remarked that the family and even the chickens became accustomed to these journeys. It even reached the point, she said, when a wagon drove up the chickens would run out, lie down with their feet folded up ready to be tied, preparatory for another move.
When between two and three years old, Alice had her feet frozen and was unable to walk for days. With this exception, she enjoyed good health until the age of sixteen, when she contracted mumps, measles, and diptheria, one closely following the other. Since that time she did not enjoy good health, yet she never complained.
She bore twelve children, two of them died, one shortly after birth and the other at the age of eight. There were seven years in the home when it was not free from sickness for a single day. Several times she was very near death's door.
She wore home made shoes until she was twelve. Each child was allowed one pair for the year. When twelve, she had her first pair of regular store shoes.
Her childhood was a happy one. She loved the open air, the flowers, the trees, and could climb them. She played baseball and many other outdoor games. She enjoyed dancing and continued to keep young in spirit.
In December, 1883, while at a wedding, Alice met Jeter Snow who was to become her husband one year later. They were married on December 17, 1884, in the St. George Temple and moved immediately to Panaca, Nevada, where the young bride spent many lonely days among strangers.
At the December conference in 1887, her husband was called to be Bishop of Pine Valley. It took almost everything they possessed to pay for their new home, but they made no complaint at the call. In 1893 they bought a much larger and finer home from his brother, Orrin. Alice and Jeter lived in this home until July of 1929, when they were called to work in the Temple at St. George and at the same time he was released from his duties as Bishop of Pine Valley. Jeter continued this work until his death and Alice continued on until 1940.
One of Alice's strongest characteristics has been faith. She has had sorrow and trials, but she has escaped deeper sorrow by faith. At one time her son was stricken by typhoid fever. The doctor came and upon
medicine from Cedar City. Alice called for the medicine but found that he had left none. In the meantime the doctor had told his sister in St. George that the boy could not live. He grew weaker and in desperation she thought of the
priesthood, but there were only two men in town and neither of them could administer to him.
Alice says, "I went into my bedroom and knelt down and if I every offered humble prayer it was then. I told the Lord the condition; that I was alone needed help. I talked to him as I would have done to my own
to let me know what to do. A voice that seemed to be right at my shoulder make a plaster and put it on him."'
Alice followed this instruction and in six weeks the boy was well enough togo to St. George to school. Since that time he has filled a mission to Germany.
In 1936 her husband died and was taken to Pine Valley and laid away with the two little girls that were buried there. Mildred Bently says, "I have stronger character in the face of death than my Grandmother, Alice concern in life seemed to be for the happiness of years of sorrow, hardship, and many disappointments she still
able sense of humor and remains contented and happy. One of her qualties I admire is her broad minded ness and her ability to change the world.
She is one of the sweetest women I have ever known."
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