Grandpa Argyle

Eddie remembers one time when Rachelle was a baby she was babysitting another little baby about Rachelle’s same age.  She and Grandpa Argyle were walking through the South Center mall in Seattle.  People were looking and wondering.  Some were asking Grandpa Argyle, “Are they yours?” and “Are they twins?”  He would say “Yes, they were born three days apart.” That left them wondering.

 

(1974 Rachelle Forschler)

 

 

(1995 Delbert Argyle and Edwinna Forschler)

 

 

 

Sheep and Roosters

When Denece was about 3 her mother never needed to worry about her leaving the yard.  This was because there was a sheep and rooster that would chase her if she left the yard.

Sneaking Down the Scaffolding

Edwin had a scaffolding to the upstairs of the house and when Denece needed a break, they’d put the kids upstairs for a nap.  Edwinna told them a story all about Never Neverland.  She would dress all the kids up in costumes.  Edwinna would wear her mother’s full net slip. 

One time she helped all the kids out the window and down the scaffolding and away they went.  They were in the ditch along the road waiting for a rainbow when the neighbor saw them. The neighbor called Denece and asked if she knew where her kids were.  She was sure they were upstairs.  The neighbor told Denece to check again and she would keep an eye on the kids until she got there to get them.  Boy did they get scolded.

(1962 Edwinna, Delbert, Darlene, and D.Ann Perkins)

 

Quick Stop on the way to the Hospital

Edwin got out of the air force and was trying to farm when Denece was expecting Delbert.  Her father, Delbert Kynaston Argyle was cutting hay and needed help moving the equipment.  Denece was driving and got the truck stuck.  When Grandpa Argyle finally got the truck out, Denece was in labor so they headed towards the hospital in Soda Springs.   Of course, they had to stop at Hooper Springs for soda water, all while the doctor was waiting at the hospital wondering where they were.

A week after Delbert was born, Edwin was offered a job at Boeing, so the family packed up and moved to Seattle.

 

(1954 Delbert Perkins)

Trading for Denece

When Denece was 4 or 5 she was very pretty.  The Indian Chief from the Blackfoot reservation took a liking to her.  He came a few times to try to trade for her. He tried to trade blankets for her, then a horse, then his own son.  Grandma Baty got so worried when she saw him coming that she would hide Denece under a big wash tub until he left.

(1937 Doyle and Denece Argyle)

 

Bath Time for Grandpa

Edwin did not have an indoor tub until he was 5 or 6 when his father (Lamar) built on to the back of the house.  At his house, the girls got to go first so their hair could be rolled in rags for curlers.  He could remember his dad bringing in the wash tub and they would take baths in the kitchen.  Often they would have to wait for the hot water tank that was attached to the kitchen stove to heat up again.

(1935 Evelyn and Edwin Perkins)

A Church Loving Family

From Dora Baty Argyle

One of our other prayers were answered when one Sunday we were attending conference in Soda Springs.  Doyle was called to go on a mission.  We had always hoped he would go but when he didn't before he got married we gave up the idea.  We were so happy over this even though it did mean leaving his wife and little girl, Julie.  He left for Salt Lake City, Utah on 8 May 1954 and he has labored in Norfolk, Virginia and Fayetteville, North Carolina.  He has been out for four months and was made Branch President.  We are very proud of our son and the fine job he is doing on this mission but we are looking towards the day he will be home, May 1956.

(1954 Joyce, Doyle, and Julie Argyle)

 

Alene brings much joy to us and she is now thirteen years of age.  All of my life so far has been made rich by the lives of my husband and family.  I enjoyed all of them.  I was Young Women's President in the M I A and Primary President for three years.  I now teach in Sunday School and Primary and love every minute of it.

(1954 Alene Argyle)

 

My life has also been made full by the work my husband does in the church.  Much joy came into our home when he served two terms in the Stake Mission.  He is now second counselor in the bishopric to Joseph Eliason.  All our married life we have been good companions to each other and our children's joys and sorrows are also ours.

(1954 Delbert Argyle)

Grandma's Bath Time

When Denece was a child, they had a bath every Saturday night.  They used a large wash tub.  It was set up in the middle of the kitchen floor.  The water was heated on top of the wood kitchen stove.  They always started with the youngest and went to the oldest, adding more hot water to keep the water warm.  They sometimes would have to use the homemade lye soap.  It was always nicer when they had store bought soap to use.  When the kids were done with their baths, they would stand beside the kitchen stove to get dry and warm.  Then everyone would be ready for church on Sunday.  Denece remembers when she was 10 or 12 and she got to try some real shampoo.

(1945 Denece Ann Perkins)

Rocky and Bullwinkle

D.Ann liked the cartoon Rocky and Bullwinkle.  She asked Santa one year for two flying squirrels for Christmas.  Her parents talked her out of asking for a moose.  Christmas morning came and she was a little disappointed when there was just an empty cage.  The squirrels came later and they were fun.  One time one got loose and they found it in Edwinna’s closet.  They were trying to catch it when it ran up Edwinna’s leg and up into her dress.  She did quite a dance as she squirmed and giggled as the squirrel moved around in her dress. 

(1965 Edwinna, Darlene, and D.Ann Perkins)

Drying Smitty

Edwinna had a Siamese cat named Smitty.  It loved to lay on top of the clothes dryer.  One time it climbed in the dryer when it was still warm.  They threw the next load in and turned it on without knowing she was in it.  After awhile, the family sat down for dinner and realized there were no tennis shoes in the dryer.  Dad pulled her out.  Her tongue was hanging out and he had to massage her back to life.

(1965 Edwinna, Darlene, Delbert, and D.Ann Perkins)

Camping at Big Springs

One time the Perkins family rented a cabin at Big Springs.  The cabin had a screened in porch where Evelyn and one of her friends slept.  Lamar had hung up his fishing gear in the rafters.  The girls woke up and though that there was a man in the rafters.  You can imagine the fuss they made until Lamar came out and turned on the lights.

One morning while they were there, Edwin had slept in and the men went fishing without him.  He went out and found some wild strawberries instead.  He must have picked a gallon of them.  Louise talked to the woman who ran the nearby store and was able to talk her out of five pounds of sugar.  Louise didn’t have any ration stamps for sugar so she may have traded her some Avon products to get the sugar.  She always had her Avon bag with her.

(1946 Evelyn, Lamar, and Louise Perkins)

 

A Fire and Help

From Doris Alene Argyle Maughan

 

In November 1976, my parents had their home destroyed.  This time it was by fire.  It started in the garage and swept through the house so fast that there was little time to rescue anything.  About all they had left was the clothes on their backs, the television set, and a couch they had managed to pull from the living room.  Brent and I were settled in Soda Springs, Caribou County, Idaho at this time and they came to stay with us until they could get back on their feet.  I watched as they pulled themselves together and began plans for a new home. 

The people of Chesterfield Ward and other friends were so good to help.  They were given showers to replace the items that had been lost in the fire.  People made quilts for them and gave them housewarming parties.  My father was overjoyed when he was going through the debris, trying to find anything that could be salvaged, and found the first diamond ring he had given to my mother.

My sister and her daughters spent many hours trying to replace irreplaceable items.  My mother and father demonstrated so much courage, trust in the Lord, and thankfulness to family and friends at this time.  It will always be an example to us, their posterity, as we recall these times.  Never once did she (Dora) let any of us see how truly devastated she was at this complete loss.  Once again, I witnessed her busy hands as she restocked her shelves for her two year supply.  She left a legacy of good works, putting trust in the Lord and always making the best of what had been placed in her path.

 

(1976 Delbert Argyle)

 

A Lasso in Church

When Doyle was 4 or 5 he lassoed a deacon while he was passing the sacrament in church.

He would also lasso Denece as a kid while she ran around the house.  He did it so much she got a rope burn around her neck and their mother Dora made him quit.

(1937 Doyle and Denece Argyle)