Adelbert Lewis
SOME HIGHLIGHTS ON HIS LIFE
Adelbert Lewis is the son of Samuel Lewis and Sarah Jane Huntsman. He was born 17 November 1863 in Minersvi1le, Utah. He grew up in that town, later moving with his parents to Panguitch, where he lived for two years, until the family sold their home and migrated to Arizona.
Here he lived with his folks for a few years and moved around where ever he could to find work. He made some very good friends in the town of Pima, Arizona. He thought an awful lot of Jenetta Ferrin through the years and almost took up his abode with this family. He thought a lot of Jenetta and also her daughter, Jenetta, and in a few years he made their home his headquarters. Sometimes he didn't get along too well at his parent's home.
He is the writer's Uncle Dell, as we called him. Don't know much of his life but will put down all I can find and if the other cousins know anything more of him we will insert it later.
Uncle Dell had a sweetheart and he was really in love with her, but he remained an old bachelor until the Spanish American War started, and he signed up and went to fight Spain. He was on the ship "MAINE" during the siege in Havana Harbor, but he happened to be on ground work at the time of its sinking. I don't know much about what he did while in the service, but he was there for two years and got an honorable discharge. When he came home his girl friend was married. We11, I don't blame her, he was 35 years then and if he was afraid to ask her to marry before he went into the service, he deserved to live the life of an old Bachelor, and that is just what he did. He moved over by the town of St. David and there bought land, built a home add lived the life of a hermit, so to speak. Well, I hate to say it, but he left the church and wasn't the best of company and didn't live a commendable life. He was a goodhearted man, and would give the last cent he had and help anyone in needs but he didn't care for the gospel and it made a sorrow to the whole family. He told me he never loved another girl. Too bad he let this one slip away. If he had married, his life might have been a whole lot different.
Another Quote: Adelbert Lewis enlisted in the Spanish-American War, and climbed the famous San Juan Hill in Cuba with Teddy Roosevelt, as a Rough Rider. He witnessed the sinking of the MAINE, with ever so many service men aboard and it was a terrible disaster. The Spanish Was accused of doing the terrible deed, but they denied it and it has taken years to try to find out the real cause of the sinking of such a great ship, not counting the loss of life. Of course, Uncle Dell had many experiences those two years but we as his nieces and other kinsmen were so careless about asking questions. Think of the stories we might have heard if we had been just a little more curious.
My sister, F1o, was teaching school in Mesa, years ago long before she was married. She tells of having her children do some singing and she took the alto. The principal came to her room, waving there was an old man wanting to see her and in walked Uncle Dell. He talked with her awhile, told her he knew this was her room because he heard her singing, and he knew no one else but Peter McBride's girl could sing like that. She took him home for dinner and mother was there with the meal ready and they had a good visit together. Uncle Dell just seemed to appear and disappear just like that, you never knew when to expect him.
Our uncle had a small piece of land in St. David, with a house on it which he used as a home, although he was gone a lot of the time. I stayed there one night, me and three of my children. It was terribly cold, and I know he gave us most all the bed clothes he had and he coughed all the time. He must have slept cold. It was then he told me about me about Jenetta Ferrin and her daughter Jenetta Lamb coming to visit him several times. He said they told him that was the last time they would come to see him. He surely did love those two women. Jenette Ferrin was my father's sister--she was a McBride. They had been dead a long time and I put this in to show there was someone on the other side who were allowed to come back to see people they loved.
HERE ARE SOME LETTERS WRITTEN BY OUR FOLKS IN ST. DAVID, ARIZONA
Dear Aunt Laura: I don't hardly know how to begin this letter, as I have some bad news to tell you. I've just returned from the hospital and it is 10:30 p.m. and dear Uncle Del is dying. He and Leo were hurt Friday night in a car accident. Uncle Dell has both legs and one arm broken and his lungs were crushed or very badly bruised. There is no hope for him and he will have to buried there at the County Hospital, because we haven't the money to care for him ourselves. I don't know how much longer he can live. I am writing to you, Aunt Laura and Aunt Keturah, Josie will write to Mamma and Arthur so I guess you can get word to Aunt Lula. With best wishes to you. Uncle Del has never liked me but he was so good to my little children. I can never forget him for his goodness to them. Love,
Your Niece, Jane P.S. There is no use in coming--there won't be time.
Another letter: Oct. 9, 1935. Just a line to let you know Uncle Del died today at 12:20. Will be buried with military honors, of Soldier's service as he wished. He said he didn't any funeral held for him. With best wishes. Please send me a little history of him, where was he born? And all you know. There are a lot of papers I must fix up. He will get $100. to bury him so I told the undertaker to not go over that. My husband is still very bad. It will be two or three weeks before he can leave the hospital. The doctor said he was just beginning to get to the stage where his innards hurt a lot. This is all I can think of. With much love to you all, as ever, your niece; Jane.
Number 3: St. David. Pioneer Lewis Buried
Funeral rites were held last Friday at St. David for Adelbert Lewis of that city, who died in the city hospital following an automobile accident, near the C.C.C. Camp at St. David, the preceding weeks. Mr. Lewis was 73 years old and had lived in Arizona 65 years. (wrong) He was a Spanish American War Veteran, having served in the Voluntary Cavalry Troup D. Funeral services were held in, Benson, or I mean services were in charge of the Benson Post of the American Legion. Mr. Lewis had been engaged in farming, mining and ranching in this country for many years.
Number 4: Dear Aunt Laura: I am writing to you to see if you have Uncle Dell's discharge papers. I understand they had been sent to you. (Not so) My husband has been trying to arrange for the American Legion Post here to have a headstone for Uncle Dell's grave made, and until we get the discharge papers the headstone cannot be made. The government will make it. I hope you are all well. May I hear from you immediately? Love, Your niece.
Number 5: Dear Aunt Laura: I should have written you Friday night, but I am 4 1/2 miles from town and depend
on the children to mail my letters, and as there is no school today, I can't send this letter. But I can say that dear
old Uncle Dell looked better in death, than I ever saw him in life. The undertaker put underwear on him, and a nice
white shirt, a tie, sox, and a nice suit of clothes. He did look nice. He was put in a lovely gray casket lined in white
and I am sure he felt better than he had for many years. I don't know how everything was paid for but I didn't say
anything about it. Aunt Keturah wrote and wanted him taken over there for burial, but Aunt Lula wrote and said
to bury him here as they couldn't help much. So all the help I am asking for is for the three of you to make out
papers before the Justice of the Peace, or someone who does that ' kind of work and say that as his heirs you will
give to me what he has left here. We own half the place. He has a two room house on his part. There isn't much to fight over, and I would appreciate it very much as it would make me and my three little children a home, as it joins on to us and will be a help to us. (Part of this letter is gone)
"Couldn't have done any better." The American Legion had charge of
the service and it was splendid. While I don't approve of this kind of service I
am thankful I could see him laid away looking so nice. If he had been buried at
the County Hospital they would have gotten the money for burying him, and they
wouldn't have dressed him and buried him like this.
St. David
January 12, 1928
Dear Laura,
I received your cake and was very glad to get it. Thank you so much. I have been late in answering your letter, but I have been very busy. I turned the Book of Mormon you sent me over to a sinner. I surely would love to see you. I am well and hope you are too. I am sure sorry to hear of the death of my poor sister. This is the first time I ever wrote you in my life. Your dear brother, A. Lewis
Other Items: My father in leading his choir taught us so many songs about current events such as the war with Spain which was going on at that time. One song, "Remember the Maine" was the most popular song of the day. Here are a few sketches of it as I can remember
Brave boys, Brave boys, your names will ever be.
The pride of all the sailors who sail upon the sea.
Brave boys, Brave boys, your lives were not in vain
You died for love of country; You heroes of the Maine.
Remember, Remember the Maine
The blood of her heroes cry vengeance on Spain.
Re echo the war cry again and again.
All hail valiant heroes Remember the Maine.
Down went the battle ship Maine
Heroes who with her were slain,
Down went the Captain and crew.
Under the Red. White, and Blue.
Now they fill an unknown grave, on a Cuban shore.
While the stars and stripes in beauty Benedictions bore.