Happy Birthday Steve!

PEACE - While decorating your grave yesterday.
WISH - When family is together that you could enjoy also.
WONDER - What you are learning and experiencing.
HURT - Sometimes when I think of you not here.
KNOW - that you are in a better place.

Until our reunion,
know that
I Love and Miss You,

Much love, Mother

Yummy Potatoes

8 boiled potatoes
1 can mushroom soup
1 cup sour cream
4 TBS. butter
1 8 oz. pk. of cream cheese
1 cup milk
pinch of salt
1 cup shredded cheese
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 cup cubed ham
1 cup crushed corn flakes

Cook potatoes until just about done, peel and shred.
Sauce - in pan mix soup, sour cream, butter, cream cheese, milk and salt.
Heat until butter and cream cheese melt.

Spread 1/2 of potatoes, then 1/2 of cheese & onions.
Spread 1/2 of ham, then 1/2 of sauce.
Repeat the first two layers.
Bake 25 min. at 350 covered with tin foil.
Top with shredded cheese and crushed corn flakes.
Return uncovered to warm oven to melt cheese.
.
Ready to eat and absolutely YUMMY.

Chapter 7

Lawrence Sardoni (my father)

Elizabeth Lindsay Thomas (his mother)

Charles John Thomas (her father)

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C.J. Thomas is my great grandfather

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One of his regrets at the end of his life was that he hadn't compiled and published much of the music he had written. As far as it is known, he was the first to compose anthems based on words taken from the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and covenants.
On the morning of the 28th or 29th of March, 1919, when he first opened his eyes, he asked, "Have they gone?"
His wife who was also his nurse asked, "Who?" He answered, "My father and other brethren." Feeling sure that the visit had been a very real one to him. She answered. "O yes, yes they have gone." She asked who the other brethren were and he told her. They had told him of the work that had been planned for him to do and said,"It is wonderful. Wonderful".

On the morning of the 31st of March 1919, like a healthy child just awakened from a peaceful sleep, he asked the time, then nestled closer to his wife-nurse, closed his eyes and went to where we believe his fondest hopes and ambitions are being realized.

.

.This information has been abridged from three sources.

1. A Sketch of the Life of Charles John Thomas
by Amy Adams Thomas - wife

2. Charles J. Thomas - Early Guide on Temple Square
Improvement Era -March 1963

3. Biography of Professor Charles John Thomas
A tribute to my Father
by Anna Thomas Piercey

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This has been challenging to condense and may be changed from time to time.

Chapter 6

April 6, 1892, work on the temple's exterior was completed. At the Temple Capstone Dedication, he directed the Union Glee Club, singing "All Hail the Glorious Day", which he composed. The Military Band played a grand march "The Cap Stone", composed by him especially for that occasion .

April 6, 1893, forty years exactly after the cornerstone, or foundation stone was laid, the interior was finished and at the Temple Dedication some of his compositions were sung. In 1893 he was called to direct the Temple Choir which position he held until his death in 1919. He was an ordained temple worker. He spent time and money seeking out his genealogy and having their work done.

In June of 1902, a musical contest was held at the Tabernacle. The prize was $250.00 offered for the best rendition of the celebrated chorus, "Comrade in Arms" by Adolph Adam. There were four male choruses who competed from Oneide County, Idaho, Utah County, Weber County and Salt Lake City. C.J. Thomas was requested on brief notice of two weeks to take charge of the newly organized male chorus from Salt Lake of about seventy members. The prize was awarded to the Salt Lake chorus.

Temple Block & Mission Chapter 5

Salt Lake Tabernacle built between 1864 and 1867.

Temple block 1897.

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Early Guide on Temple Square

In 1875 he received an additional appointment from Pres. Young, to act as custodian of the Salt Lake Tabernacle. In this work he was to meet tourists on the Temple Square, show them the grounds and interior of the Tabernacle, answer their questions regarding the Mormon religion and perhaps play a few hymns for them on the Tabernacle organ.

It was at this time that he purchased a book for guests to sign. This book has been given to the Church Historian's Library. He worked alone on the Temple Block for twenty five years. Except for two years, 1885 to 1887, when he was a missionary in Great Britian. In 1902 the first Bureau of Information was established.

Some of the names in his book are : Civil War General - Philip H. Sherida, President Ulysses S. Grant, President Rutherford B. Hayes, President Theodore Roosevelt, President William Howard Taft. World Prize fighter - John L. Sullivan, William F. Cody or "Buffalo Bill", greatest pianist of his time - Paderewski, band leader and composer - John Philip Sousa, John W. Rigdon son of Signey Rigdon who later joined the Church.

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Information from an article on C.J. Thomas in "The Improvement Era" 1963.

Thank you to my sister Betty for sending it to me.

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Mission Call to England

In 1885, he was called on a mission to great Britain to serve in Yorkshire and London. The dense fog caused acute bronchitis which became chronic and from which he suffered more or less for the rest of his life.

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He returned two years later and the authorities called him to his previous position on the Temple Block.

The Golden Spike. Chapter 4

May 10, 1869, (141 years ago) the last spike, a golden spike, was driven to join the rails of the Union and Pacific Railroads at Promontory Summit, Utah. This connected the east and west coasts of the United States with a single railline.

This event opened up new territory and made

travelling easier and more popular.

It affected C.J. Thomas's life.

Many noted artists begin performing at the theater,

sometimes a whole troupe would arrive, bringing their special music for their perfomances which would have to be rehearsed and played on very short notice and he, as conductor, received many splendid compliments on the efficient manner in which this was done.

In July 1874, '75 and '76, he conducted great musical festivals given in the Tabernacle, on these occassions, between four and five thousand Sunday School children participated, assisted by the theater orchestra and the great organ.

Southern Utah - Chapt. 3

In November of 1865, he was sent to the St. George area

to help in various settlements. Brigham Young was anxious for

the colonizers to to be taught both vocal and instrumental music.

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While there he was called to join the militia because of

serious Indian troubles and wars.

He went on several expeditions in defense of the people.

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On one occasion, while traveling alone on horseback,

he saw a small company of Indians approaching him.

There was nothing to do, but go ahead and meet them.

He started whistling a merry tune and as he drew near,

he stopped his horse and saluted them in the Indian dialect.

With a very thankful heart, he was allowed to go on in peace.

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In 1868, he was sent to Beaver, UT. to teach

and organize musical groups there.

The settlers were poor here and to help support himself,

he worked in the woolen mills and also taught school. (3)

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Three years later, in 1871, Pres. Brigham Young

called him back to Salt Lake City to resume his

old position as musical director at the Theater.

"This Is The Place" Chapter 2

In 1861, the family of four started the journey across the plains.
Charles had very tender feet. When a child, he had

sprained one of his ankles that had never thoroughly healed.

He walked with a slight limp the rest of his life.

He walked most, if not all the way across the plains.

At night when he took off his shoes, he poured blood from

the shoe that had encased his weak foot and ankle.

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They arrived in Salt Lake on the 23rd Sept. 1861.

Soon after his arrival, he was appointed to the

leadership of the late Captain Ballo's band.

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At that time, the Salt Lake Theater was being built.

An experienced conductor for the orchestra was needed.

He was the person selected to fill the position.

This was challenging because musicians were few

and many had to be taught how to play an instrument. For a while

the orchestra received no financial compensation for

their services, which made it very difficult for a leader to control

the members either at rehearsals or performances.

But even with these obstacles, he had a very creditable orchestra

at the opening of the theater and it kept improving until in a short

time it became quite famous,receiving many compliments from

artists who came from the East.

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It took four or five months to receive anything from the East,

so he composed some of the music for concerts,

musicals plays and extravaganzas at the theater.

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For three years, from 1862 to 1865, he served

as director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Charles John Thomas 1832 - 1919

Born in Burnley, Lancashire, England.

The eldest son of Joseph K. and Margaret Spottswood Thomas.

His father was an accomplished musician who played the French Horn.

When Charles was seven his father began teaching him the French Horn.

At nine, Charles performed with his father at the

Theatre Royal, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

His father, recognizing his unusual abilities, arranged for

him to be tutored in London with Professor

Thirlwall, of the Royal Theatre Orchestra, Covent

Garden, where he graduated "with honor."

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While a musician in London at seventeen years of age,

he first heard the gospel preached by L.D.S. elders.

He was baptized that same year in 1850.

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For the next 10 years he was involved with many prestigious

music festivals, choruses and orchestras.

Three seasons he traveled with an Italian Opera Co. to Scotland.

He also published some of his compositions, which had been

successfully performed at several London theaters.

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May 11, 1860 he bade farewell to Old England and sailed

on the ship "William Tapscott ", arriving June 16, 1860

in New York with his wife, his widowed mother and younger sister

Margaret, (who later married George Romney, Mitt's g. grandfather).

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For a year in New York, he filled engagements with different

orchestras of the theaters which were most popular in that city.

A Still Life by Jenae.

The citrus fruit looks so real and refreshing.

The steel bowl is a masterpiece.

Looks great hanging in her kitchen.