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Old Rock Archer Ward |
This is the Archer Ward church house in 1939 and where Bessie attended her meetings when she came west. It was also the home ward of her future husband, whose family lived across the street from it.
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Norman Blackburn Erickson |
Norman Blackburn Erickson was the son of Herman Erickson, an immigrant from Sweden, who had to get permission from the King to come to America and he did.
Gladys and Herman Erickson |
Their son came from a long line of men and women that worked the land. It was embedded in his DNA to be persistent against all odds. It would take this level of determination and patience to court the most popular woman in the county and he did.
Norman fulfilled the main requirement that Bessie was looking for - a return LDS missionary who was worthy of Temple marriage. He had served in the Western States mission and traveled from Texas to the Dakotas preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
It was icing on the cake that he was handsome, and came from a good family who had produced 11 children.
It was icing on the cake that he was handsome, and came from a good family who had produced 11 children.
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The Erickson family about the time Bessie met Norman.
The back row: Edna, Howard, Phyllis, Alvin, Henry, Bernarr, Eugene, and Norman
The front row: Olive, Gladys, Stanley, and Herman.
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Herman Erickson's Dance Hall. The dimensions were 58'x35' and the stage 12'deep. There was a balcony about 6' deep. It was torn down in 1937. This information came from a book called "Builders in the Kingdom". I find this curious because Norman and Bessie danced here and they didn't meet until after this year. Perhaps they meant 1947? More research is needed.
Yet.
She had no idea that Norman had been told by the spirit when he saw Bessie: "That is your wife!"
I asked him if he had ever had any doubts she would be his afterward because he watched her date "every Tom, Dick and Harry" in the upper valley.
With a smile, he answered, "No. It was better she got it out of her system before we got married."
I asked him if he had ever had any doubts she would be his afterward because he watched her date "every Tom, Dick and Harry" in the upper valley.
With a smile, he answered, "No. It was better she got it out of her system before we got married."
Bessie Amelia Small |
(Andrew) Neal Machen |
I got discouraged and the night of the Gold and Green Ball held in Rexburg I went with Neil Machen, I had been going with him for awhile. He was a return missionary and had a cute mustache, and was a good dancer. He was President of the M.I.A. and Norman was the Vice President. Norman took Frona Rawls. In those days you had a program to fill out. Neil asked me to fill it out as he was so busy.
Well, Norman had one dance and later he came over and asked if I had any left. I said, "Yes, I have one.”
Neil came later to see if I had it filled out and when he saw Norman had two, he said, "You’re in love with that guy!”
I was shocked, "I am not!"
He was mad.
Well I was not in love with Norman, and I wasn't. I was not lying!
I went home that Saturday night and prayed so hard, I said, “I can't find any one here that I can love, I am going to have to go back to Maine.”
The next night, Sunday, I prayed so hard! Again, the voice came to me: “You are in love with Norman!”
"I am not!”
"Yes you are.”
I was!
By Monday morning I knew it was Norman. It was like I had to be hit in the head, but I knew for sure.
I started going with Norman and we drove up into the cemetery one night and parked and it took him forever to ask me.
I said "Yes, I thought you would never ask."
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Jan 1, 1941: Their announcement was printed in the Bangor, Maine New Years edition of the newspaper. |
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