Part 11: Laurel Maud Small Hacking

Janet and Laurel

Laurel Maud Small was born at the Small family farm on the 24 Apr 1915. She was the second child of Howard and Janet (Giberson) Small and the oldest girl.

She spent her earliest years at the Small family farm in Bucksport with her grandparents, parents, oldest sibling, Joy, and Bessie.

Laurel Maud Small

Janet, Laurel in her arms, Joy

When the flu pandemic robbed them of their parents, she was still old enough to have a few memories of their mother which she was kind enough to share with Bessie who wrote the following about Laurel's brief memory of their mother: "Laurel told me she used to go up on the roof on Division Street and help mama hang clothes on the clothes line and mama said to her ' Laurel, you're going to have to be my little helper when this new baby comes. She also said she used to call Papa, 'My papa'

This one memory becomes important because it helped confirm that Howard and Janet had moved from the family farm in Bucksport to Bangor before Valeda was born. It was an eternal choice with eternal consequences. If you look on a map of the pandemic, one of the hardest hit areas was the one they moved to.

It makes me wonder - would they have lived if they had stayed on the farm in the smaller, rural Bucksport? It's a moot point, but to emphasis how wise their Grammie was, Bessie wrote: "Grammie told we children the Lord has blessed you. Don't ever think sad (about their parents deaths)."

Because Laurel had been told by her mother that she would be expected to help with the new baby, I believe with the loss of her mother, those words sank into her bright mind. She must have also looked forward to it or she would not have remembered these words at such a tender age.

Bessie wrote: "She and I used to have to take turns rocking our baby sister Valeda to sleep. It was a big walnut cradle and it rocked on rockers."

Laurel helped Bessie with prayer. "When we were saying our prayers at night, Grammie would listen (Now I lay me down to sleep...) After awhile this no longer satisfied Bessie who told her Grammie, "I want to say the grown up prayer Laurel does." So, she taught me."

May 1919 - visiting their parents graves

The children were taught to pay their respects not just to the living, but the dead. Their grandparents made the extra effort to teach the children about their parents and part of this education was a trip to the graveyard to honor the dead.

The orphans grew and matured and things began to change.

Laurel and Bessie

"Laurel and I almost looked like twins. (I can testify to this after seeing so many photos of them) Grammie dressed us alike (when they were very young) If I was walking on one side of the street and a girlfriend of hers called, 'Laurel' I would say 'Hello'. The same thing happened to her.

Laurel Maud Small

Laurel didn't feel this was always a slice of heaven. She wanted to be known as herself.

Eventually, Laurel told Grammie 'I want to dress different and not be a twin.' I felt bad, but I got over it."

Their Aunt Georgia was kind and generous enough to offer the children their choice of lessons. Valeda chose art lessons, but the others (Joy, Laurel and Bessie) had piano lessons. This was a good thing, for they often had company on Sunday for church meetings and those with talent were desperately needed.

"When we held cottage meetings in our home, Laurel would play on our big upright piano for opening and closing exercises. Then we had a cookie or something and drink of water. The missionary would stand around the piano and Laurel would play while we all sang. She played anything the Elders and Lady Missionaries wanted. If she hadn't heard it before, they sang it for her and she picked it right up."

Laurel Maud Small

The Small's were known to be good honest workers and Laurel was no exception.

"Laurel at one time was working mornings at Grants 5 and 10 cent store and J.J. Newberrys in the afternoon. When Newberrys wanted her full time, she became the head of the stock room and was over all the help upstairs. She could beat all of them pin-ticketing the socks and clothing of all kinds. She was the window dresser. She would put models in the windows and dress them and add pretty things. There were five windows"

Laurel also set a good example for Bessie who told me:

"Laurel spent a lot of time at the library and she loved reading Romances! One time she said, "I'm taking this book back."

Bessie asked, "Can't I read it first?"

Laurel firmly said, "No! It's a bad book."

"Then why did you get it?"
"I didn't know it was bad."

Perhaps reading romances prepared her for what would come in an unexpected way.

Kenneth Hacking

Kenneth Hacking was called on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons). He would labor in the Eastern States and Maine was part of it.

Once on his mission he was stopped by the police for questioning because they thought he was Pretty Boy Floyd (part of the Brady Gang) who had been in the area using machine guns and threats.

The Small family was well known to the missionaries as they were often invited to preach in their home and stay for meals. Kenneth was not the only young man to be attracted to the Small girls. There are many pictures of the girls with the Elders who came to their home. However, in Kenneth's case, his attraction was problematic. Missionaries are not in the field to harvest wives, but the souls of those who want to know the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If a missionary today expresses the kind of intense interest in one of the flock, the Elder will be immediately transferred.

Kenneth wasn't. They conducted a discreet romance that ended with a proposal - "How would you feel about me being your Lord and Master?" Laurel's response: "Okay, I guess."

He patted her on the head and that was that!

Kenneth and Laurel
Wedding day

Laurel went to Idaho with him and a couple who were going out west to see their son. She worked at JC Penny's until they were married in the Salt Lake Temple 1 Sep 1938.

They settled in Sunnydell, Idaho and eventually had 8 children. Their family and Bessie's spent time together and the sisters remained close throughout their lives. Laurel returned home to her Father in Heaven and to Kenneth on 17 Mar 2005

Laurel and Kenneth headstone in Sutton Cemetery

Part 10: Valeda Irene Small Stetson

Valeda Small

Valeda Irene Stetson was born 27 Sep 1918. Twenty-three days later she was orphaned by the flu pandemic of 1918.

Siblings: Laurel, Valeda on Joy's lap, Bessie

Engagement announcement
in paper

Raised by her paternal grandparents, Valeda grew large of heart - if small of stature. While sisters Laurel and Bessie moved out west, Valeda remained behind in Maine, as did Joy, their brother.

Bob and Valeda

Valeda 1940

Wedding Invitation

She married Robert Stetson on the 22 Feb 1941 in Bangor, Penobscott, Maine. They had four children. The first child, David, died shortly after birth.

Bessie had a doll she named David in honor of her nephew that had passed away.

Valeda Small by Beverly Erickson

Her eyes of brown would dance and shine,
To match her cute laugh and smile so fine.
A zest for life glowed in her face,
And flowed through her body just like a race.

Her knowledge of herbs she freely did share,
To help heal others through her thoughtful care.
She loved all her family out here in the West,
And would send them gifts that were the best.

She and Grammie when they were together,
Would talk about everything including the weather.
They had a gift to be able to converse,
Not missing a note in the whole universe.

Her body was all of four feet one or two,
Her movements were quick and not a few.
Her faith was strong and made her quite tall,
To fill out nobly the name of Small.

In May of 1998, Eric, Bessie's son, kept after her and told her she needed to go see Valeda who was living in a nursing home. Eric, Tonya, Norman B, and Bessie made the trip back to Maine to visit. When they saw Valeda, she knew Norman right away and then Bessie, Eric, and Tonya. They were able to visit her three times while there. Laurel and three of her daughters visited the following July. Valeda recognized Laurel as well and she was so happy. It was like Valeda had been waiting for these visits.

Valeda moved on to the eternities on 11 May 1999. Once Bessie learned that her baby sister had graduated from this life, she spoke to Mary Jane to see if any of the speakers would be talking about Valeda's childhood.

Mary said, "Nobody knows about her there, would you like to?"

Bessie agreed and visited with Laurel to get more information to share in her talk. The following are excerpts from various notes Bessie made for the funeral and I edited for clarity.

When Valeda was brought home, mama called Laurel in and said you will have to help me care for so tiny a baby. In fact, she was so very small that a woman's handkerchief would have been big enough to diaper her and she would have fit in a shoe box.

Valeda called Grammie 'mama' and Grampie 'Papa'. When she was little, Grampie used to tap her gently with the newspaper on the head and say "A fly's on your head, Valeda." One day, Grampie was laying on the living room rug with a fly swatter near by and was resting his eyes. Valeda was crawling around him. She picked up the fly swatter and gave him a hard whack "Fy on you ball head, Papa.

Harold Ham (next door neighbor) used to call Valeda "Car" and asked if "Car" could come out to play. One time, he bit Valeda and she came in crying and showed Grammie the welts. When he came over again to play, Grammie said, "Harold, if you bite her again, I will bite you back 'til the blood runs" He never did it again.

Viola Hawkins (cousin) emailed Bessie the following story:

One day when Aunt Etta and family (Viola was there) were visiting, Aunt Maud, (Grammie Small) always put a plate of cookies on the table with the rest of the luncheon. When Unc Will (Grampie) asked the blessing, he must have been watching Valeda out of the corner of his eye. he would say a hasty Amen (she was sitting in her high chair next to him) He would grab her hand back as she got the cookie and said, "Valeda, I'll..." he never said what he would do, but Valeda didn't worry, she would munch on the molasses cookie.

We used to have an Ice Cream cart go by every week or twice a week. Valeda saw it coming. Grammie was busy in the kitchen and Valeda got Grammie's purse and pulled everything out - green backs all over the floor (they were no good, just looked like paper) she was looking for and found a nickel! And away she went and got her ice cream. Then Grammie found the house tax money all over the floor.

Bessie said, "Grammie and Grampie taught us right from wrong. No lying, stealing, or swearing."

When Valeda was little she and a neighbor girl came into the yard, I asked Valeda, "Where did you get that orange? The neighbor said Valeda had stolen it and Valeda denied it and said the neighbor had given it to her. 

The neighbor then said, Oh, it's alright for her to have it."

I told Valeda, "You're going right in to Grammie!" 

Grammie called Mr. Corners at the store and he said, "Mrs. Small, I know who took it, it wasn't Valeda." 

Grammie took Valeda and they took the orange back.

Mr. Whitmore lived on our avenue and never spoke to children. Kenduskeag Avenue is long and steep. In the winter, it can get very icy. He and Valeda were going down the hill about their business and he started to slide and as he came down, he grabbed onto tiny little Valeda to stay up.

When coming from shopping downtown in Bangor, we had to go through Harlow Street. A big bully who was five times Valeda's size would scare her. Years later we found out that Grammie and Grampie had told Joy to watch out for "the girls" and when he heard about what the bully was doing, even though this boy wasn't right in the head, he still took care of it. The boy never scared Valeda again.

Valeda tended Johnny Higgins, a rich boy who got smart with her and used bad language while she was tending him. She told him to stop it or she'd give him a licking. She was little, but she let him know she could handle him. She had to spank him. He told his father she did so and they asked her what happened and she told them. They got another baby tender. Much to their surprise, when they tried several other sitters, Johnny wanted Valeda back so she returned.

When Valeda visited us and brought Gay out with her, we took them to West Yellowstone. There are a lot of hot pools and you have to be careful. Valeda had to hang on to Gay tight because she was like her mother; on the go all the time and she was happy and having such fun! Gay is the baby the doctors told Valeda she should abort and Valeda wouldn't do it.

Headstone: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/40253012/valeda-irene-stetson

Part 9: Bessie's brother Joy Clarence Small

Joy Clarence Small 

Joy Clarence Small was born 5 Jan 1914 on the family farm in Bucksport, Hancock, Maine. This picture, however, is taken at the home of his grandparents, Bill and Maud Small. I wish we had copies of the pictures on the walls.

It was traditional (and warmer) for women to wear 'mob' caps like this one that Janet's wearing.

He was the first child and only son born to Howard and Janet Small. Here he is sitting on a blanket, presumably somewhere on the farm in Bucksport and possibly munching on a treat.

He was a big boy, husky and muscular like his mother's side of the family, the Gibersons. He would grow to 6'2" and by the early 1940's, weigh 210 lbs.

Grammie, Joy, Grampie

Joy was five years old during the flu pandemic which took his parents (probably about the age he is in this photo with Maud and Bill).

Left to right in the photo of the four children: Laurel, Joy holding Valeda, and a very somber Bessie (perhaps it was the bow, Bessie always had a sense of style and that bow...well, it speaks for itself)

Laurel, Joy (sitting, holding Valeda), Bessie

Boys of that era wore short pants rather than long and if you look at his childhood pictures, or any pictures of that day and age, you will see this tradition carries on until the boy becomes "a man".

From an early age, Joy was a great protector and took his duty seriously. This was a legacy that provided help and a shoulder to cry on - not just for his own family, but our country well.

Joy Clarence Small

"JC" Small was a firm supporter of the Boy Scouts of America. He was very involved in the Farrington Troop and his young charges greatly admired him. He received awards from the NRA (National Rifle Association) and ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) in high school.

Bessie recalled that Joy would have her punch him in the stomach to toughen it up. "And he'd have me hit him hard!" she said.

Eventually, Joy (who was a VERY handsome young man with many girls after him) met a young woman he couldn't live without.

Bessie told me that one Valentines Day, Joy bought several boxes of candy and had Bessie help him deliver them to different girls. She felt she was asked to go mostly so he wouldn't have to stay and visit with any of them. One of the boxes was significantly larger and much prettier than the others and he took Bessie home before he delivered it. She was very curious who it was going to go to.

Lillian and Joy - wedding day

Lillian Lunt

Naturally, he had saved the best for last. It went to Miss Lillian Lunt of Brewer, Maine.

He married Lillian Carolyn Lunt 30 Nov 1939 in Brewer, Penobscott, Maine in a civil ceremony at the First Congregational church of Brewer. Thirty six years later on 8 Jun 1976, they were married for time and all eternity in the Washington DC LDS Temple.

 Joy was a potato broker and Lill a nurse.

Joy and unknown man near truck

Eventually, unable to have children of their own, they reached out to adopt two that fit perfectly into their arms and hearts.

Joy and his adopted children, Susie, and Billy

Joy never forgot the woman that raised him and he took good care of Maud. He did many things for her she could not do for herself as age crept up on her. Here she is pictured with Joy and Lillian.

Lillian, Maud, Joy

I asked Norman his first impression of Joy when he and Bessie went back to Maine for their honeymoon in 1941. His answer: "He was a big man and a handsome son-of-a-gun. He liked me. We got along alright."

I think at least part of that comradery was due to the way that Norman treated Bessie. Joy knew that Laurel had married a good man because he had met him. Once he met Norman, he knew he wouldn't have to worry about Bessie anymore.

Norman worked with the potatoes back in Maine until December. Then the world changed. On Dec 7, 1941, Joy was working with Norman when the news came that the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor. The war which had raged over Europe and the Pacific had now provoked America. Joy was going to war.

He was inducted along with 41 other men and began his stint in the army as an acting corporal. He was known as "Tiny" to his men.

I hope I get this short story right:

At one point, he was knocked out by a bullet hitting his helmet.

One of his men called out, "They got Tiny!"

He replied, "I ain't dead, but I'm (swore) mad!"

He wasn't so lucky the next time he got shot.

Joy received the Silver Star, the third highest U.S. military decoration. It is awarded for "Gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States"

In the letter dated 1 Sep 1945, the reason for the award was given as follows "...On 10 Aug 1945 in the vicinity of Mt Puloy, Luzon, P.I. Company "G" was given the mission of securing a commanding hill. The securing of this key point was imperative to the success of the operation of the battalion. The 1st platoon, commanded by Lt. Small, was ordered to lead the assault. By cautious maneuvering, the platoon was able to reach within 100 yards of its objective. At this point the Japs opened up with intense automatic and rifle fire causing the platoon to halt its advance. The enemy fire was coming in from well dug in and camouflaged positions that were almost impossible to discover. Lt. Small, realizing the predicament of his platoon, crawled forward of his platoon under constant and relentless enemy fire to within 20 yards of the first Jap position. At the risk of his own life he purposely exposed himself to enemy fire often in order to spot the exact location of the enemy emplacements. He found one pillbox, but his grenade fire was not enough to destroy it. At this time, one of Lt. Small's men, in changing his position, fell wounded a few yards in front of the enemy. Lt. Small with utter disregard for his own safety, braved close range rifle fire in order to crawl forward and pull the wounded man to safety. After administering first aid he maneuvered his platoon in a difficult double envelope movement and succeeded in destroying 10 successive enemy positions, annihilating one Jap platoon. His courageous action at the risk of his own life reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service..."

The article in the Bangor newspaper about him reads: Cited - Second Lieut. Joy C. Small, husband of Mrs. Lillian Small of 17 Blackstone Street, who is stationed in Korea, has been awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action in the vicinity of Mount Puloy, Luzon, August 10, 1945.

Lieut. Small voluntarily exposed himself to heavy enemy fire as he led his platoon in an attack against a strongly fortified enemy position. When one of his men was wounded and fell in an open area within easy range of the enemy, Lieut. Small crawled forward under the intense fire sweeping the area and managed to pull the man back to safety. He then renewed his advance, deploying his platoon in a double envelopment movement which succeeded in knocking out 10 enemy positions. He is now a commander of a service company stationed in Korea.

On 20 Feb 1946 Joy was awarded the Purple Heart.

This is an award that no service man really wants to earn because it's awarded for "Being wounded or killed in any action against an enemy of the United States or as a result of an act of any such enemy or opposing armed forces"

He received the Bronze Star
(a step above a Purple Heart)
that's awarded for
“Heroic or meritorious achievement or service”

After the heading, etc. the body of the letter, dated 20 Feb 1946 states the reason for the award:

"...for heroic achievements in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Antipolo area, Luzon, Philippine Islands on 3 August 1945. Lieutenant Small led his platoon to an objective in the face of heavy enemy rifle and machine gun fire, forcing the enemy soldiers to leave their positions. His platoon knocked out two machine guns, killing the crews, and several of the enemy riflemen. Then in the face of a determined enemy counterattack, he held his position, directing mortar fire, which together with the artillery fire concentrated on the objective, forced the enemy to completely evacuate the area. This enabled the company to occupy and consolidate the objective. Lieutenant Small's heroic action was highly instrumental in securing the object and reflects great credit upon himself and the military service..."

I'm not sure which award he was being given here, but it looks like he had already received the purple heart so it had to be one of many others.

Another newspaper article announcing his advancement to that of first lieutenant. It also gives the name of the division that he belonged to. I'm not sure if they do this anymore.

This is the patch the "Sight Seein' Sixth" or "Red Star" division wore on their uniforms.
Here is a link to see some actual footage about what the division was busy doing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcj_BeExvAI

Joy received a few other medals:

Philippine Liberation Medal for
participation in the liberation of the Philippine Islands
from 17 October 1944 to 3 September 1945

The American Campaign Medal - WW II (ACM) is granted to personnel who served one year of consecutive duty between December 7, 1941 to March 2, 1946 and within the continental boarders of the U.S., as well as to those who served 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days of duty outside the borders of the U.S. but within the American Theater of Operations.

WW2
Victory Medal
The World War II Victory Medal was awarded for service between 7 December 1941 and 31 December 1946, both dates inclusive, with no minimum time in service requirement.

Army of
Occupation Medal
The medal was created in the aftermath of the Second World War to recognize those who had performed occupation service in either Germany, Italy, Austria, or Japan

Asiatic Pacific
Campaign Medal
awarded to any member of the United States Armed Forces who served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945.

Once released to civilian life, he remained with his family in Maine. He watched as best he could over his youngest sister Valeda and was able to visit Laurel and Bessie out west a few times and they returned back East to visit him on occasion.

Missing picture

Here Bessie is with Lill and Joy in the early 1980's on their visit out west. That visit took place some time after August of 1983 because I had the pleasure of meeting them after Norman and Bessie had returned from their LDS mission.

During that visit, Aunt Lill (a nurse) was unexpectedly called upon to help my toddler who had tripped and fallen into the piano bench and received a gash above her eyebrow.

Joy Clarence Small

As all real heroes do, Joy remained true to his God and faithful to his wife and his family.

Funeral

Joy graduated from life 12 Dec 1984 in Ellsworth, Maine and returned to his heavenly home with honor. Lillian followed him into eternity two years later.

21 gun salute

He was buried with full military honors.

Including the 21 gun salute (each man shot 7 times, they gather the bullet casings and present them to the widow or designated relative/representative).

Nicolin Cemetery,
His baby sister Valeda is in the foreground.

His headstone

Part 8: Married Forever, in love always

Norman and Bessie Erickson
13 March 1941, two days after
getting married

Norman and Bessie were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on Tuesday, March 11, 1941 in the early afternoon. 

The following information was adapted from notes made by their oldest son Eric on 11 March 2009 on Norman and Bessie’s 68th Wedding anniversary

They didn't have bridal showers or receptions in those days, but Norman remembered that the ward choir got together and gave them a gift. Note: This was in the era where women were traditionally expected to make/have a trousseau - which could consist of everything from pillows to clothing.

Norman and Bessie left Archer, Idaho on Monday and drove to Brigham City, Utah with his mom, Gladys, and sister Olive who sat in the back seat with Bessie. Norman, Gladys, and Olive stayed with the Olsen’s (some of Gladys' family)

Bessie stayed with Henry and Jenny (Marble) Nielson. Jenny had been a missionary in Maine and knew the Small family. Henry Nielson, who worked in the clerk's office, helped them get their marriage license on Tuesday before they left for Salt Lake. Olive stayed in Brigham City with family and Norman, Bessie, and Gladys drove to Salt Lake.

When they arrived, Norman couldn't get the car trunk open to get their clothes. He had to bump it and pound on it to get it open. When they finally got inside he realized that he forgot his tie and had to go back out for it. They just barely made it to the endowment session.

They spent their wedding night at a motel on State Street in Salt Lake. They remained in Salt Lake and stayed the following night with Alfred and Beda Erikson. Alfred was Norman's Uncle (Herman's brother). Gladys stayed there as well. Bessie said that Beda didn't like her because she had someone else in mind for Norman so they slept in separate rooms.

They left Thursday morning and stopped in Ogden to have their wedding picture taken. Bessie had promised Grammie Small that they would have one done. They drove to Brigham City where they spent the night with the Nielson’s and Gladys and Olive stayed with the Olsen’s. They drove back to Archer on Friday and stayed for a few days at Herman and Gladys' home.

They returned to Maine for their official honeymoon and went to Old Orchard Beach.

Newlyweds
Bessie and Norman
Old Orchard Beach

Where the Erickson pie-tradition began

They had planned to stay about a year in Maine.

Bessie got her job back at JJ Newberry's. She remembered that all the girls wanted to know who that good-looking man was and enjoyed telling them that he was her husband.

Norman got a job as an ice man and worked 18 hour days for $2. He said he was wet all the time. After two days of that, he went to work at the airport in Bangor. He walked to work every day (distance of 2.5 miles one way). At work, he lit the lamps along the runway for evening landings, cleaned the planes, emptied the puke bags and pulled the chucks from the wheels when the planes were ready to take off.

In the fall, he went to work with his brother-in-law, Joy, in the potatoes. They hauled the potatoes in barrels from the field and would drive to the cellar to unload. The cellar was dug into one of the rolling hills in the area. They would pour the potatoes in the top of the hill and when they were ready to sell them, they would take them out the bottom of the hill, sort them into bags, and then deliver them around to Joy's accounts.

They were working together when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. Life changed for every American, but especially those in Norman's age group.

Norman and Bessie board a bus to
return to Idaho

Norman and Bessie left Maine in January (Here they are boarding the bus) to go back to Archer, thinking that Norman would be drafted. His older brother Howard would serve in the Navy and younger brother Stanley served in the Army.

With two of seven sons gone to war and the others married with families and land of their own, there wasn't enough help on the family farm so Norman was able to remain a civilian and work with his 63 year old father and teach 4-H.