My name is Lucile Tippets Bassett. I was born on a Thursday the 24th of June 1909. I was born in my parent’s own two room house, on a 160 acre farm two miles south of Georgetown, Idaho, Bear Lake County. My great—grandmother, who was also a doctor was also my doctor. I can remember her and her home, also the house she was living in at the time of her death when I was about 6.
My father’s name is Joseph Maurice Tippets. He was born the 9th of January, 1883, I think, at Brigham City, Utah. His father’s name was Joseph Tippets. When a young man, he and another man were both courting the same girl and because of a dispute, my Grandfather was shot in one lung, which he never recovered fully. Although he raised a large family, he died quite young. This left my father the breadwinner for a large family, as he was the oldest of 14 children. My father’s mother’s name was Ellen (Nellie) Rosenbaum. My mother’s name was Hannah Emmorette Wixom, hut because she had a dear cousin by the same name, my mother was always called Retta. She was born at Sharon, Bear Lake County, Idaho, on 15 September 1889. Her father’s name was Joseph Wixom and her mother was Elvira Ricks.
I was blessed the 5th day of September 1909, by Bishop Alma Hayes at Georgetown, Idaho. I can remember Bishop Hayes as he had a long, white beard. My blessing certificate is in the ward record of Children, Book 1, number 198. Abel Smart was clerk.
I was baptized by Elder Thomas Hayes at Georgetown, on the 6th of July, 1918. I was confirmed by Bishop Harrison Tippets, my father’s Uncle. Edwin E. Pinckney was the clerk. The day was a sunny day and in the Georgetown Creek. I was scared of the water, but I came out okay. I don’t remember if any others were also baptized at that time.
I commenced my schooling at the age of 7 years. We lived two miles from town, and as I was the oldest child in the family, my parents did not start me to school when I was 6. Then in May the next year, twin boys came to our home. Because they were tiny and delicate and needed special care, I was not sent to school as there was whooping cough in the ward. But one day as Mrs. Blame, the Beginner’s teacher was passing our place on her way to Montpelier, she stopped and ask my parents if “Bernice”, her favorite name, could not start to school. So it was decided I should stay with my Grandmother Tippets, who lived in town and go to school. Mrs. Blame and her invalid husband lived neighbors to my Grandmother. Mrs. Blame was my teacher in the first and second grades. Well I remember her for the many songs she taught us. She bought a large doll and doll buggy which she kept in her room for the girls to play with. She bought a sled for the boys. At Christmas time she always had a fish pond, in which she always furnished the presents for each pupil. I used to take my troubles to her. My Aunts, Jeanette and Rhea, had been telling me they were going to burn Santa Claus up when he came down the chimney. She consoled me by telling me they wouldn’t.
Another outstanding teacher was Uncle Alma Neilson, whom I always loved dearly. I was in the seventh grade just two days. I was then promoted to the eighth grade by the principal, Edwin E. Pinckney. I really had to work hard, hut received my diploma for the eighth grade in the spring. I passed with an average of 92, which wasn’t the highest in the class, but it pleased me.
I am sorry to say I cannot remember of any girls I could call chums, although we used to play in groups, more than pairs. I was among the high jumpers and fast runners in our school. I was always on the lookout for my younger sisters and many times almost got in trouble for taking sides with them.