Sunday, January 30, 2011

A Little Piece of History


In 1900 my great-grandparents Robert and Sarah Alice Nelson Baird were called by leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to help colonize the Big Horn Basin in northwestern Wyoming. They sold their home in Heber, Utah to travel by wagon train to Wyoming; a distance of over 500 miles.
My Great-grandparents Robert and Sarah Alice Nelson Baird
When the group arrived in Wyoming they had to dig a canal that was over 30 miles long. During that summer of 1900 when my great-grandfather was not working on the canal he built a small cabin for his family in Cowley. He and my Great-grandmother lived there until she died. Then his son Dan moved his wife Ona and their family in to the cabin to help my great-grandfather and great-grandfather’s brother Jimmy. Uncle Danny and Aunt Ona lived in that log home for many years. In the mid-1970’s their children and grandchildren tore down the log home to replace it with a nice modern home.
Uncle Danny and Aunt Ona in front of their log home
My mother asked for and was given a slice from one of the logs. It sat in her basement until about a year ago when she gave it to me.  
Laurence doing more detailed chiseling with his dremel tool.

Laurence busily sanding.....

Applying polyurethane. I believe it has close to 8-10 coats.
The first 2-3 coats soaked in immediately the wood was so dry.
No wonder at 110+ years old!

Ready for the clockworks

The craftsman and my clock
Laurence does such BEAUTIFUL work!! Never taking shortcuts, it always shows in the result!
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9 comments:

  1. Stephanie DicksonJanuary 30, 2011 at 6:37 PM

    What a wonderful piece of family history. That was great foresight of your mother's.

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  2. We're All WrightJanuary 30, 2011 at 11:37 PM

    I love it! It is even prettier than I had imagined.

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  3. Together We SaveJanuary 30, 2011 at 11:45 PM

    Oh wow - that is beautiful!!

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  4. UnknownJanuary 30, 2011 at 11:59 PM

    So cool, great post :)

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  5. Beloved's Redheaded BrideFebruary 4, 2011 at 3:25 PM

    The clock is beautiful. And, what a great piece of History. Don't you wish more wood was saved? I am sure everyone would love something so nice.

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  6. Laurence and SidneyFebruary 4, 2011 at 9:39 PM

    Carmen,
    I can't tell you how blessed I feel. I was asking one of the grandson's of Uncle Danny & Aunt Ona some questions about this and he asked me if I knew where he could get any. I felt lucky to have what I do. As it was his brother that did the new home I hope his brother knows where some is. I really wished I could help.

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  7. Beloved's Redheaded BrideFebruary 5, 2011 at 11:50 PM

    Such a blessing indeed! UL did a fabulous job. He has a gift! And, I can see that been a treasure to be passed down for many more generations! Just lovely. Truly!

    On a side note: It is FEB. How did you enjoy your blog challenge. I sure did enjoy reading.

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  8. SidneyFebruary 6, 2011 at 12:15 AM

    Carmen, it has truly been a challenge. I missed a few days, but not too many. I didn't want it to become drudgery. I really enjoyed it. Probably the thing I enjoyed the most was the people I got acquainted with through the challenge. I learned a lot from them!! Thanks for asking!

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  9. TeraFebruary 27, 2011 at 5:58 PM

    What a treasure! Great job Laurence.

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I LOVE comments!! They make me smile! Thanks!!

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