Written by herself
Contributed by granddaughter,
Paulene Greenwood, January 28, 1937
George Washington Taggart Newsletter
Volume XX, Spring 2005

ALICE JANETTE TAGGART BRIGHT

"I was born in Richville, Morgan County, Utah, 15th of February 1873. Our home being near the hills, I spent my childhood days (in connection with my brothers and other playmates in the neighborhood), roaming the hills gathering wildflowers, pretty rocks, choke cherries and digging Segos which grew quite plentiful on the hills. Of course, in the winter we went to our little district school near our home, where we all sat around big tables, used slates and pencils, and all drank from the same water bucket. As in those days we hadn't the nice water systems we now have, but however we enjoyed life and had what we called real fun.

We had very good parents and were taught true principles and to live worthy upright lives, for which I have always been truly thankful. We always attended Sunday school and church, which became part of our lives as we grew to man and womanhood. When but a tiny girl I used to sing on the church programs a lot and have followed it up some during my life. I especially followed choir work a great deal.

When about 17 years of age, I started attending the Morgan Stake Academy, attending three or four times. It was here I found myself, and began getting a little more social life than had been my privilege previous to this, meeting so many more young people and making so many nice friends.

Through the association of some of them I feel my whole life was bettered. I must state, that when about thirteen years of age I started helping my sister-in-law (Brother Albert's wife) weave carpet and after she moved away, I continued weaving carpet and bought my clothes and other necessities this way as long as I was at home. I would sometimes have a whole room of warp and rags piled up to do. Some days I would weave sixteen yards in a day.

When I was small, Aunt Fanny taught me to tell the time; to knit socks and stockings; and how to make a bed, neatly, and how to wash dishes and sweep the floor. She was very precise in all she did, and as a child, I often went over to spend the night with her. It was such a pleasure to sleep with her in her lovely, soft feather bed, made up so smooth and straight. Each morning when she made her bed, everything had to come off and hang to air before it was made up again.

My brothers were good boys, but a few of the things they did to tease me still stir my feelings. Such as the times Jim and Henry sat me between them and composed songs and sang them to me. I would get fighting mad at them, but would have to sit and listen to them. Oh, what songs they would sing about me! They surely had a lot of fun at my
expense.

When the Salt Lake Temple was dedicated, George and Sister Jane Taggart Heiner and I went with Jessie Little to Salt Lake on the train. It was April, 1893 and what a wonderful time we had!

At the age of 23 I married John Wesley Bright of Lewiston, Utah, and moved to that place. I left my dear mother in tears at my leaving which made me feel very bad. In about a year my first baby (a boy) was born. When he was a year and a half old my husband was called on a mission to the North Western States, which he gladly accepted. We
weren't in the best of circumstances, and to me, it was two years of struggle and hardship, but I have always been thankful for the experience, although my mother passed away just before his return.

As we were trying to buy a farm, it was necessary for us both to work hard, on the farm in summer and in winter. Wesley worked in the sugar factory and I kept boarders from the factory. In this way, by being very saving we were able after a number of years to build us a comfortable home and pay for our land.

When my last boy was five months old, my husband was again called on a mission. With my oldest child about thirteen years, a babe in arms, and my health badly broken which it had been for several years, I certainly felt this quite a trial. But with the desire to do all the good possible, we set to work preparing for the mission, and I must say the Lord certainly did bless us during his absence. We were able to buy the things we had to have, and I feel that I am a much better woman for having had that experience.

When our oldest boy was old enough, he was sent on a mission for two years. The next spring after his return, we lost our home by fire, which was a great loss to us at the time, but having some insurance on it we soon built another home and are still living comfortably in it. Our children are all married but one, and he is away teaching school. When our family was growing up we tried to teach
them right living. We tried to create a homey atmosphere that they might enjoy bringing their friends home. We did enjoy ourselves together, and have had a very happy home with all our ups and downs.

Although my health hasn't been the best for years, I have always tried to do what I've been asked to do in church work, during my entire life. I have held some positions in the church, namely Secretary of Relief Society, Chorister and visiting teacher of the same organization, Sunday school teacher, counselor to Relief Society president and finally, president of the same organization in the 2nd
Division of Lewiston First Ward. I am at present a visiting teacher, Valeria Hyer being my companion. I am also a committee member on genealogy work and a member of the Old Folks Committee of the Lewiston First Ward. I am sixty four years old.

(NOTE: Alice Janette Taggart Bright passed away on December 27, 1961 in Lewiston, Utah at the age of 88).
* * *

Alice Janette Taggart was the daughter of Clarissa Marina Rogers and George Washington Taggart.

She married John Wesley Bright October 28, 1896 in Logan, Utah.

To this union were born: Hazen Wesley Bright, Marva Bright, Phoebe Bright, Norene Bright and living Bright.