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 Chapter 21c
GEORGE BURTON WHITNEY & LOVINA SYPHUS
Our Story: George Burton Whitney and
Lovina Syphus
By Lovina Syphus Whitney Written for Her
Grandchildren
Y our grandfather, George B. Whitney,
was born March 9, 1846 in Troy, New
York; but he was a delicate child and the
doctors told his parents they could not
raise him in the city. So they took him
up in the Green Mountains, Bennington
County, Vermont, to his grandparents, his
mother’s people, the Barnards. He got well;
they his parents, the Whitneys, brought
him home to the city. He grew weak and
puny and they had to take him back to
Vermont. They got him home again; but the
third time his grandparents, the Barnards,
told his parents the Whitneys they would
not take him back unless they promised to
leave him with them for good.
So there he went to school with their
youngest son, Burton Barnard, who was
seven years older than your grandfather
Whitney. He lived with them until he was
seventeen-years-old. His grandfather
Barnard died at that time. Then he went to
Illinois with his grandmother Barnard to
one of her daughters.
From there he went to Kentucky; spent
a term in school there; was conductor on a
railroad; then he got the spirit of “go west
young man.” The next place he was in was
San Diego, California. From there he went to
Riverside, California, helped make the first
canal there, had some good friends there
that wanted him to stay, but no, this was
at the time the mines were on the boom in
1870 or 1871 in Nevada; so he in company
with several others reached Pioche the
night of the big fire, when most of Pioche
was burned down; so the next day he came
to Bullionville, 13 miles from Pioche and
one mile from Panaca.
At that time, he was not a Mormon, and
had read such terrible things about the
LDS. He was most afraid to come to Panaca.
But he did come over, and stayed with
some people up by the Court Rock. He went
out in the mills at Bullion that used cord
wood to run the machinery. Your grandpa
found he couldn’t make much chopping so
he decided to buy horses and a wagon and
hire his wood chopped. So he got some men
to chop while he hauled it in to Bullionville
with his horses. In those days, we did not
have to pay down, got everything on credit
and paid as you earned it. When spring
came, one morning in April he went out
after his horses, could not find them and
never did see them or hear of anyone that
did. Some horse rustlers had taken them
right out of the country. So there he was a
foot and alone; he decided he would work
by the month until he got money enough to
take him to Texas. Meanwhile he attended
several Mormon meetings; he was very
much impressed by a subject Erastus Snow
spoke on while visiting Panaca. Erastus
Snow was one of the Twelve Apostles in
charge of the Dixie Mission.
George Burton Whitney
Summer came on and the weeds began
to grow. There were three men that needed
help, my father being one of them. The man
where your father lived, Sy Reynolds, told
him Bishop Syphus [Syphus did not become
a bishop until 1875] was the man to work
for; so when my father went to see him he
decided to try it out with the understanding
that when either one of them got tired of
their bargain, he would quit.
So here he comes one afternoon to learn
his next day’s job, as father was marketing
his garden products in Pioche, 12 miles
away and had to leave home at three or four
o’clock A.M. in order to get his vegetables
there in time for dinner. And would you
believe it, mother went too; and a stranger
coming to work; and just me to do the work
and get dinner. I just knew it would do no
good to ask one of the boys to bless the food
so I did it myself. We would no more think of
eating without the blessing than we would
think of doing without our dinner. So the
first day passed.
We girls did not invite him to go along
when we went for a walk with our crowd
after meeting. It was all so different to him.
He talked to my mother about it and she
explained to him that the LDS people did
not approve of their daughters mingling with
strangers. Why they were so strict in those
days that they did not allow an outsider
in their public dances, and everyone that
did not belong to the Mormon Church was
considered an outsider. But there was
such a rough element came in when the
mines were discovered they couldn’t permit
anyone to join in the dances unless they let
them all in. Even your Grandpa Whitney
was invited to leave the dance hall; he did
not know the rules. That was a long time
before he came to our home.
Even while he was hauling wood he
found out who I was. I suppose I looked
attractive in my plaid black and red dress
that I wore to school. Well I’ve strayed again
on the side lines.
While at our place, your grandpa
commenced to study the church books;
and he and my father would spend their
evenings studying the principles of our
gospel. He was finally convinced this was
the only true church and was baptized
in Panaca, first baptized 1872 in Lincoln and in 1857 raised abundant crops; but
County, Nevada. owing to the bad things that happened in
Utah, the LDS Saints in California were
By this time we were acquainted and threatened with death and were called to
thinking a lot of each other. The winter of Utah.
1872-1873 he taught school in Panaca. I
took my first grammar lesson from him.
When school was out in the spring, he drove
a four-mule team hauling lumber from
Clover Valley to Pioche for Dave Thomson.
When that job was finished. he clerked in
the Panaca Co-op store until we went to
Salt Lake City to get wed which occurred
on October 9, 1873.

Now I’ll start on my life. My father and

mother were born in England, embraced the
gospel there, and were married on the 25th
December 1851, and took sail for Australia
the last of 1852 or the first of 1853 on board
the ship Java. They were on the ocean
six months. My oldest brother, Luke, was
born on the ocean the 3rd of March 1853
and died the 29th of March 1853, buried
in the ocean. They finally reached their
destination, Australia, where my father
sawed lumber, there being a great demand
for same. I could write a lot of things that
happened there from hearing my parents
relate them.
Lovina Syphus
It was August 31st, 1854, when I first
opened my eyes in Sydney, New South There were so many things that
Wales, Australia. Before I was two-years- happened on this trip, enough to make a
old my parents started for California on the book. One thing that happened at the head
ship Jeneveve [Jenny Ford]. She caught fire of the Muddy the Indians had me nearly
three times on her three months’ voyage pulled out of the back of the wagon. My
on the Pacific Ocean. There was a large father heard a noise, jumped out of the
company, mostly LDS Saints. front of the wagon, run around and there
was Mr. Indian with me half out of the
They landed at San Pedro beach wagon, except he was pulling me out to find
[harbor]; most of the company went up to what he could eat, for all along the trail the
San Bernardino. Several friends stayed Indians were nearly naked and starved.
on the beach with my folks as mother was
ill. Father gathered material from wrecked I don’t know how many days it took
ships and built the first cabin on the beach; them to get to Beaver Dam; but there the
where my brother, Edward, was born on the whole band of Indians came out and were
22nd August 1856. In two or three weeks, going to kill them; but owing to a young
we moved up to San Bernardino where man amongst them that my father had
my father made lumber and made them a befriended in San Bernardino; he pled with
three-room house, and got rails from the the chief to spare their lives. So by giving
mountains and fenced in a 15-acre farm,

George Burton Whitney & Lovina Syphus

them most of their provisions they let them
go in peace.
They finally got
to Cedar City the
last of the year or the
beginning of the year
1858. I do not know
just how long we were
in Cedar; just about
a year I think, for my
sister Ellen was born
in Toquerville, Utah,
on March 6th 1859.
George Burton Whitney From there we
went to Santa Clara,
was there when the
big flood came along the first of January
1862. My parents lost everything; their
home, pigs, chickens, all the year’s crops:
corn, wheat, just our bedding and a few
things father moved when he saw the flood
was going to take the farm, home, and all,
he didn’t have time to move went down with
the flood. The rain had lasted over a month
and everything was soaked deep down.
The flood cut the channel so deep the land
began to cave, whole acres would cave off at
a time; even enough for a large tree to sail
down as far as we could see, still standing
upright. Father’s farm commenced to cave
off before dark, and in the morning when we
looked from the hilltop there was just the
rock chimney standing on the bank; that
made two homes and farms my parents lost
in about five years.
There had to be a new start made; so
father moved us around the point where
the Clara settlement now is. A company
of Swiss people had moved there from
the north in 1861; so father made us a
temporary shelter by digging into the sides
of the hill just below where the Boomer
building stands; then he went to work and
made adobes and built us a home near the
bottom of the street as you leave Clara for
St. George; my father did not get a farm at
the present Clara; he went to building. He
built that Boomer place for Jacob Hamblin,
also the [Marius] Ensign home and several
others.
That spring the whooping cough and the
scarlet fever broke out. My Uncle Mathew
Syphus had gone to California and left his
family for our folks to care for. Aunt Mary
Ann was a noble woman, we just loved her;
but she did have trouble; buried her two
oldest daughters that spring; they both
died in mother’s bed; as we children had
the same complaints, my parent could not
go to her home to help her so father moved
them up to our house.
For some reason, my father sold the
home and we moved up to the top of the
street just across from the Jacob Hamblin
place, where my brother, George, was born.
That’s where I stood on a stool to reach the
table and mixed my first batch of bread. It
must have been agonizing for my mother
to lie in bed and watch me get out of that
dough.
Well I’ve got the cart before the horse,
meant to have told you Aunt Mary Ann
went with us to this new home; during the
summer her baby Clara died, her children
were ill all summer; many is the time I’ve
seen her out under those big cottonwood
trees crying. Uncle Mathew came back that
fall and they went back to their own home.
December of that year, my brother
George was born on December 23rd, 1868.
About that time Apostle Snow called my
father to settle with others in Clover Valley
and preside as bishop (he was actually
called as the presiding elder to Clover Valley
in 1864). That was the time of the Indian
raids. They got so bad the settlers had to
build a fort and move into it; also built a big
round public corral, where everyone drove
their cattle, cows, calves; then guarded it
every night. The men would go out at dark,
stay until twelve o’clock. The guard saw a
man in the bull fence and shot. Mr. Indian
fell forward dead, and then another ran, he
wounded him in the back. Everyone in the
fort was up and dressed; the next morning
part of the men started to follow before
daylight. They stopped at a watering place
to get breakfast; my father’s horse got loose
and came back to the fort.
Talk about excitement! The women
were crying, one particular friend even
swore if they had killed “our Luke” she had
punishment in store for them.
President Grover Cleveland, and many other
distinguished Americans are branches of
this family tree. There are other Whitneys
in America, but this history has only to
do with certain direct descendants of
John and Elinor Whitney of Watertown,
Massachusetts.

[Lovina Syphus Whitney’s history ends

abruptly at this point.] Waldo C. Perkins

History of George Burton Whitney and

Lovina Syphus

The Whitneys in Herefordshire,

England, are classed in genealogical “lore”
as one of the oldest and most distinguished
families in the west of England. The name
of Whitney originally spelled Whitenie or
Wyeteney – meaning White Water – dates
back to and even beyond the time of the
Norman Conquest, A.D. 1066. It derives its
origin from the River Wye near the borders
of Wales where yet stands the ruins of
Witenie Castle. The name is also said to
signify the island of the Wise Men. Whitney
Parish is still intact.

We will skip over the rest of the brief

history of the family from A.D. 1066 until
1635, when John with his wife Elinor, and
their five sons embarked at the Port of
London in the early spring of that year and
in June landed on the shores of the then
New World. John Whitney had received a
good education, probably at the famous
Westminster School and had become a
member in good standing of one of the great
trade guilds of that time.
In Watertown, Massachusetts, where
he settled, he became a foremost leader.
He died in 1673, being about 84-years-of-
age. From Massachusetts his descendants
spread out over other parts of the continent.
Eli Whitney, the famous inventor; Josiah
Dwight Whitney, geologist and professor
at Harvard; William Dwight Whitney,
philologist, scientist, scholar and editor
of the Century Dictionary; William C.
Whitney, Secretary of the Navy under
George Burton Whitney and Lovina Syphus’ Family
Some of the Watertown Whitneys
migrated to New York and Vermont. There
in the former place of Troy, on 9 March
1846, the hero of this story was born.
George Burton Whitney lived with his
father and mother in Troy, New York, until
he was nine-years-old (except for a number
of short visits that he spent in the country
with his mother’s father and mother, his
Grandmother and Grandfather Barnard.)
He had to spend some time in the country
because of his health. Later the doctor told
his father and mother that if he was to
grow to manhood, he would have to live in
the country entirely. Therefore, he left the
home of his father and mother to make his
home with his grandparents Barnard in
the country. There he lived until they died.

George Burton Whitney & Lovina Syphus

 The Barnards were strict Methodists.
His Grandfather believed in the Bible,
especially Solomon’s proverb which
says, “Spare the rod and spoil the child.”
Although they were strict and insisted on
obedience, they were very kind and loving
and gave him the same loving care they had
given their own children. He soon became
happy and contented in the home of his
grandparents. George B. received the best
education the country schools afforded at
the time, and his religious training was far
above average.
George Burton and Ralph Emanuel Whitney
It was probably more his religious
training than his secular training that
made him the scholar he was. He often said,
both in his private conversation and public
discourses that there was never a morning
in the Barnard home when a Bible was not
set at every place at the table as well as a
plate. No matter how rushed the farm work
or other things were, family prayers and the
Bible readings were never neglected. During
the winter when outside work couldn’t be
done, except the care of animals, not only
one chapter of the Bible was read but many;
and the Sabbath day was always religiously
observed and church-going was a part of
the family life.
This training was a wonderful
foundation for a man whose destiny it was
to be a pillar of the Church (LDS) in the
communities in which he would live after
the gospel (as restored by our Heavenly
Father through the Prophet Joseph Smith)
should come into his life. At the age of 17,
his Grandfather Barnard died and the old
home was broken up. He then, perhaps
unconsciously, began to wend his way to
the western shores of his native land.
We hear of him next in San Diego,
California, in 1868. It is thought that on
his way there he taught school one winter
in Kentucky and worked one year at
Riverside, California. There he helped dig
the first canal for the town, which at that
time had only one house. The first summer
after the canal was finished, he was given
the privilege of choosing any ten-acres of
land along the canal if he would stay and
be the water master and ride the canal.
He refused this offer because it seemed as
though he had not yet reached his destined
stopping place. From there he started for
Nevada, crossing the Mohave Desert on the
way, where he and the company he was
with, nearly perished for lack of water.
He prospected in the Ivanpah Mining
District around what is now known as Clark
Mountain. Late in the summer of 1870
he camped at Las Vegas, springs or on a
ranch near where the city of Las Vegas now
stands. From there he traveled north up
the Las Vegas Valley by way of Corn Creek
to the Pahranagat Valley and on to the
town of Hiko. (Hiko was a thriving mining
camp at this time.) After working there for
a few days, he started for Pioche, Nevada.
Arriving in Pioche on 1 October 1870, he
discovered that he came the day after what
is known in Pioche history as the “big fire.”
This fire destroyed a large part of the town.
At that time, Pioche was one of the largest
mining camps in Nevada.
In Pioche, there were hundreds of men
going to work every day. Deciding that there
wasn’t any work for him, he came back to
Bullionville, which is 12 miles south of
Pioche and one mile across the valley from
Panaca. Bullionville was where most of the
ore from Pioche was hauled and milled.
There were ten or fifteen quartz mills in
operation at that time, but again there
seemed to be no job for him. From there he
went on to Panaca.
 Panaca was the only Mormon town in Sy Reynolds told him that there was a
that section of the country. Like most non- Mormon man, Luke Syphus, who wanted
members at that time, he probably entered to hire a man to hoe weeds in his garden.
with many misgivings as to his safety for at Following this advice he went to the man
that time the Latter-day Saints were looked and was hired.
upon with suspicion, hate, and fear by many
people. He had heard about the Mormons,
and read about them having horns, and
their intolerance for other people. Many
other things were written by the emissaries
of Satan about the people that would one
day become his people that were not true.
In Panaca, he got a job chopping cord wood
for Sy Reynolds, a Mormon man. (At that
time all the mills or machinery in the mines
were operated by steam engines and wood
was used as fuel. Gasoline and gas engines
would follow later).

Never having had the experience of

chopping wood before, he soon realized
he was no wood-chopper. He bought a
four-horse team that winter and hired his
own choppers and began to haul logs for
the mills in Bullionville. He worked all
winter until the end of June. By then he
had his team paid for and a little money
saved. Being somewhat of a wanderer
by nature and owning his own team, he
decided he would take a trip to Texas. On
this particular venture, he had told his
companions of his destination and resolved
that this would be his last trip after wood.
One thing he hadn’t realized was that he
had not reckoned with providence and an
all-wise Father in Heaven.
It was the custom of many of the
freighters to hobble their horses at night so
they could graze, as hay was not plentiful.
As usual his horses were hobbled when
camp was made for the night. The next
morning the horses did not return to camp
for their feed of grain as they had always
done before. He went out and hunted for
them but he never saw or heard a word
about them as long as he lived.
When he had spent what little money
he had saved and decided it was useless
to look longer for his horses, he began to
look for another place to work. His friend
George Burton Whitney Family Home in St. George
Little did he think then that this
Mormon would later be the grandfather of
his children. It was on an errand to this
man’s home that he first met his future
bride. She was sitting on a big dry-goods
box bunching carrots and some other
vegetables for the Pioche market. She was
a beautiful girl of 17, with black hair, and
dark eyes and complexion. This was in stark
contrast to his light hair, fair complexion,
and sky-blue eyes. It was no wonder their
hearts missed a beat as their eyes met for
the first time in mortality. (Be that as it
may, this girl’s heart and soul were hers
to guard and keep until she knew where
it would go and she felt that the receiver
would be one of her own faith and that his
heart would beat with hers in unison which
would help her in the hopes and ideals she
had for herself and her children).
George B.’s pay was small each day plus
board and he was to start work the following
morning. The custom of the Mormon family
was to hold family prayer every morning
before breakfast. Luke said, “Mr. Whitney,

George Burton Whitney & Lovina Syphus

we always have family prayers. You can
join with us or you may go out on the porch
until we get through.” George B. answered
that it was always the custom in his home
where he was raised. So George B. knelt
in prayer with the Syphus family and that
morning the two men began a discussion
of religion.
Imagine the wagon seat with Grandfather G. Luke
Whitney seated with his 5-year old son at his side,
six lines in one hand, foot on the brake, Book of
Mormon or other scripture or uplifting book in his
other reading to his son.
After breakfast, Luke and Christiana
went to Pioche with a load of garden produce,
leaving their eldest daughter, Lovina, in
charge. She had to prepare dinner for the
younger children and the new hired man.
You can imagine the thoughts that were
going through this young girl’s mind as she
prepared the food. She wanted to impress
the handsome young stranger. The family
wouldn’t think of eating without blessing
the food. When dinner was ready, Lovina,
wanting everything to be just right, blessed
the food herself rather than asking the
younger children to do it.
George B. spent many evenings
discussing and studying the principles of
the gospel with Luke. The months following
resulted in this wanderer accepting the
restored gospel and making it a part of his
life. He was baptized by Bishop Thomas
Jefferson Jones on 1 September 1872.
He was now taking an active part in
the community life, working for first one
man and then another, and also teaching
school during the winter. His future wife,
Lovina, attended school with George B.
as the teacher in the winter of 1872-1873.
They became well acquainted with each
other during this time and their friendship
turned into love.
They were married in the Endowment
House in Salt Lake City on 9 October 1873
(not married for time, but for all eternity by
one who was authorized by our Heavenly
Father to give them to each other with a
covenant and promise to live true and
faithful to each other.) It was 400 miles from
Panaca to Salt Lake City, a long way to go
by team and wagon to get married, when
they could have been married for time at
home. But this would not satisfy the kind of
love they felt for each other. Theirs was the
kind that would endure and not wear away
but grow stronger and truer with the years.
When one would pass on to the next stage
of existence, he or she could welcome the
other as they passed on to eternity together,
in each others love and companionship.
George B. and Lovina returned to
Panaca where they made their first home.
Here their first three children were born:
George Luke, 3 August 1874; Chrissie
Eveline, 16 June 1876; and Lovina Ellen, 4
October 1878.
At the St. George Stake Conference on
15-16 March 1879, a number of brethren
were called from Panaca to settle Mesquite
Flats. Among those from Panaca were
Bishop Luke Syphus, his unmarried son,
Edward, and two sons-in-law, George
Burton Whitney, and Harry (Henry) Gentry.
They constructed a ditch and channeled the
water from the Virgin River onto the land
the first spring. Early in the summer they
planted a few melons and a little corn.
When George B. moved his family
from Panaca to Mesquite, his oldest son,
George Luke, was six-years-old, and he
remembered most of the events of his father
and mother’s lives. The following incidents
are told by him: “Father and mother located
on twenty-acres of land on the east boundary
of Arizona. This was approximately three-
fourths of a mile above the present town of
Mesquite and just below the present location
of the grist mill. Our land ran from the base
of the hill on the north side of the river, south
to where the bank of the river was then. On
the bank of the canal that runs where it does
now along the base of the hill, father built a
one-room, rock hut with a dirt roof.”
It should be pointed out that all of the
above families called to Mesquite Flats
were living in Panaca according to the 1880
Federal Census. It is possible that just the
men went to the flats in 1879 to secure their
land and help construct a canal. Another
source lists Luke and Edward Syphus as
being among the early arrivals. This has to
be George Luke (Luke’s son) for we know
that Luke Syphus never lived there.
On 16 July 1881, St. George Stake
President John D.T. McAllister dined with
Luke in Panaca. President McAllister was
again in Panaca on 18 February 1882 and
stated that, “Bishop Luke Syphus called
on me. Panaca affairs and his own in
Mesquite.” It appears that Bishop Syphus
was discussing with President McAllister
matters relative to his families who had
left or remained in Mesquite Flats and also
his tenure as a bishop for as previously
pointed out he was released on 6 May 1882
and Milton L. Lee was set apart as the new
bishop.
Luke’s narrative continues: “The first
winter of 1880-1881 was spent in clearing
land and hauling salt from the salt mine
five-miles below St. Thomas and forty-
miles below Mesquite. The salt was hauled
to St. George, Utah, making the distance
from the mine about 90 miles. The hauling
rate was $17.00 per ton. It cost the men
$1.00 per ton if they blasted it from the
mountain themselves, but $2.50 per ton if
they purchased it already blasted out. This
salt mine was owned by Daniel Bonelli.

Freighting brought in much needed cash to our ancestors’ pockets. Extreme heat and extreme cold and
treacherous roads made this way of life extremely difficult and dangerous.

George Burton Whitney & Lovina Syphus

Because of their small teams, only three-
fourths of a ton of salt could be hauled at
once and it took ten days to make the round
trip. Although they did not make much, the
little they did get, helped to provide them
with a little flour and a few clothes.
“The following summer of 1881, father
thrashed a little wheat. We had it ground
in Bunkerville in a small mill owned by
Dudley Leavitt. Bunkerville had been
settled previously in 1877.
Ellen Whitney Perkins and Lovina Syphus Whitney
at Stowell Ranch
“That same summer father and I came
down with the chills and fever and we were
sick most of the time. Poor mother! How
she worked milking the cow, looking after
the little crop, and the hundred and one
other things to be done on a new place,
and in a new country with very little to
get along with. That fall, 18 October, 1881
their fourth child, Luella May, was born to
George B. and Lovina.
“From 18 October on of that year was
spent in hauling salt and getting more
land cleared and planted. It began to look
as though we would be able to establish
ourselves there permanently. But it seemed
that the time had not yet come for the
establishing of a permanent settlement
there because in June of the year 1882, we
were struck with one of those thunderstorms
that this arid west is sometimes subject to
in the summer. This storm filled the ditch
in places, and washed it out in others, and
took the dam out which they had put in
the Virgin River to divert the water into
their ditch. This was a real calamity for
everyone. They did not seem to have the
heart to begin all over again. I think father
and mother were probably hit worse than
anyone else.
“I well remember that terrible storm; it
came during the night. Mother had been
washing that day and was in bed earlier
than usual, so were all the other children
except myself and a boy, Andy Pulsipher by
name, who was living with us at that time.
I remember mother saying to father, ‘Why
don’t you put the light out and go to bed;
the flies are so bad I can’t go to sleep.’
“Father said, ‘I’m watching the storm,’
but he put the light out, and he and I stood
in the south door and watched the black
clouds come clear across the southwest
horizon. The lightning was so vivid it lit up
everything. Presently the thunder began
to rumble and as the storm approached,
it became a roar; then it just seemed to
crack and the storm was there in a regular
deluge. My, how it did pour down; it seemed
to come in buckets full. The water began to
come through the dirt roof and father began
putting pans and buckets on the beds and
all around to catch the water; then all of
a sudden it came pouring through the
back window. That was a signal for action.
Father gathered mother and the baby and
started for the hill just back of the house;
the water was up to his waist. He took
mother and then came back and took the
rest of us children up on the hill by mother.
He returned for a few quilts to put over us;
then he left to go help Johnny Hansen and
his wife, who were an old couple living in a
dugout in the side of a wash a quarter-of-a-
mile below us. He got them out and stored
them in a haystack on the back of a wash.
“I will never forget that night; my two
sisters, Chrissie and Ellen and myself lying
there on the hillside with a quilt over us;
mother sitting there with the baby, little
Louella May in her arms and a quilt over
them and Andy, the boy of about 12 there
with us. The rain was pouring through
those quilts; the lightning flashing; the
thunder rolling and rocks rolling down the
hillside; it seemed as though father never
would come back. A half-hour seemed a
long time to a seven-year-old boy. I think
mother was worried too, but the boy Andy,
was calm and unafraid like he has always
been in the fifty years I have known him
since. I remember him saying, ‘We will be
alright; nothing to be afraid of here. We
may be wet, but that is all.’ When mother
would say, ‘ I wonder if father will be able to
get back,’ he would say, ‘Sure he is alright;
he will soon be back.’
“When father came back he moved us
up into a cave that was in the side of the
hill where the Indians used to cache or
hide their dried dogberries and pine nuts
and other food they gathered and stored
for the winter so it would keep dry. We
children were soon asleep when we got to
a dry place. Father made several trips to
the house, getting out clothes and other
needed things he could find. All our tools
were buried in mud, books and many other
things of value were destroyed.
“Father was elected delegate to the
convention on 17 August 1882. He was later
elected a Nevada State Assemblyman.
“That winter, 1882-1883, Father went
to Bunkerville and taught school. We lived
in a small room in George Washington
Lee’s home. He had three rooms and was
kind enough to rent one. That winter in
December and January, there was an
epidemic of measles and the youngest child
Louella May, died on 13 January 1883. She
was one year, two months, and twenty-six
days old when she died and was buried on
14 January. There was a double funeral; a
Miss Earl was buried the same day. Mother
was unable to attend the funeral; my two
sisters, Chrissie and Ellen were very sick
with the measles.
“In June 1883, the family went down
to St. Thomas in the Muddy Valley, as it
was then known, to help mother’s brother,
Edward Syphus, and brother-in-law, Harry
George Burton Whitney & Lovina Syphus
Gentry, harvest their grain crop. They had
moved to St. Thomas the year before the
flood at Mesquite (1881). They were the first
Latter-day Saints to establish themselves at
St. Thomas after the exodus of our people a
few years previously (1871).
“The following winter, 1883-1884,
Father again taught school in Bunkerville.
It was there my parent’s fifth child, Stowell
Edward, was born on 28 March 1884. His
birth nearly cost my mother’s life. She had
been sick with chills and fever and the
sorrow of the loss of her last child all coming
together was too much for her frail body.
It was only through the faith, prayers, and
kind administration of those who attended
her that her life was spared.
Bert, Ralph, Luke, Stowell - Whitney (Nay) Ranch
I remember as a child in my tenth year
how the Elders and the two good sisters,
Aunt Mary McQuarrie Bunker, mother of
Martin Bunker, and Aunt Viola Earl, cared
for her and helped her in every way. I also
remember others of the Bunker family,
because of their kindness to us – John M.
who married mother’s sister Mary Etta;
Francis, May, Ezra, Robert and Hector. It
seems to me as I remember it that I was
indebted to these good people for mother’s
life. I know Father and Mother have always
held these people as their closest friends.
Another good lady I want to mention is Aunt
Mariah Leavitt, one of the wives of Dudley
Leavitt Sr., who was one of the original
settlers of Bunkerville. I pay tribute to
these good sisters because of their faith in
God and the wonderful unselfish help they
gave their fellow men all the days of their
lives.
Today (2008) the George Burton Whitney home is
known as the “Green House” - It is in St. George,
Utah and is available for short term rental
“On the last day of April they carried
mother and put her in the wagon and we
started to look for a new home. Circle Valley
and Junction in Piute County were being
settled up then and since mother’s three
brothers, Alfred, George, and Levi were
locating in Circle Valley, father was going
there too.
“We got as far as Washington, Utah,
and mother stayed there with Virgil Kelly’s
family, people they knew in Panaca, Nevada.
In fact, Mrs. Kelly was one of mother’s
girlhood friends. Father and mother were
married at the same time this lady and her
husband were. After leaving mother with
the Kelly’s, father and I went on to Circle
Valley.
“On arriving in Circle Valley, father
planted ten-acres of wheat and started
back to Washington for mother. The Sevier
River was very high when we were coming
up the river going after mother. The water
was in the road in places and when we got
back to the Sevier it was so high we could
not get down the river, so we stopped at a
ranch owned by a man named Wooley.”
Luke Whitney’s story ends here, but
it seems that George B. and Mr. Wooley
became friends and the Whitney family
spent the summer of 1884 at his ranch south
of Panguitch where the green meadows
border Panguitch Lake. In the fall of that
year they moved back to Panaca. Here
their next four children were born: Mary
Maudeen, on 18 February 1886; Mabel
Clara, on 18 December 1887; Levi Burton,
on 25 July 1890; and Ralph Emmanuel, on
26 May 1892.
They needed a school teacher in St.
Thomas, Nevada, so George B. Whitney and
family once again decided to move. They
arrived in St. Thomas in the late summer
of 1893. They moved into the Bonelli home
and many times the Saints gathered there
for church services.
School was held in a boarded up tent
for two years; then for several years it was
held in the front room of the Moses and
Lizzie Gibson home.
There was only one ward of the LDS
Church in the Muddy (Moapa) Valley at that
time and it was located at Overton, eight
miles up the valley. George B. Whitney was
a counselor to Bishop Thomas Jefferson
Jones (the man who had baptized him in
Panaca) of the Overton Ward while they
lived in St. Thomas. He was also sent to
the Nevada State Assembly to write or help
write the original school laws for the State
of Nevada. His “Book of Procedures” is
dated 1897. (This book is in the possession
of Idona Merrill, a granddaughter.)
The trials and drudgery of pioneer
life could not for long suppress fun and
romance in the Whitney family. In spite
of long hours of hard work, there were
intervals for singing and dances and family
outings. During this St. Thomas sojourn,
Luke, Chrissie and Ellen were budding
into manhood and womanhood. From little
quotations in John M. Bunker’s letters from
George Burton Whitney Mission Letter

George Burton Whitney & Lovina Syphus

 Envelope of above mentioned letter
St. Thomas to Lovina’s sister, Mary Etta, in
Panaca, we catch a glimpse of the courting
that was going on, usually in a white-top
buggy. Here is one quotation: “Utey has
Ellen, Louisa, and Nellie out in ‘Brig’s’
buggy. He is Ellen’s best fellow.”
But Chrissie was the first one married.
On 10 March 1895, she married John
Austin Abbott. A little over two years later,
on 10 June 1897, Ellen married her “best
fellow,” Ute Vorace Perkins. Both of these
marriages were sealed in the temple of our
Lord, proving the effectiveness of the gospel
teachings in the Whitney home.
A great deal of thought, counseling,
and prayer preceded the marriage of Luke.
On 17 February 1887, Lovina’s brother,
Alfred Luke, had married the lovely brown-
eyed, Julia Wardell, in the St. George
Temple. Seven years later on 16 May 1894,
Alf passed away, leaving Julia with three
small children and an unfinished adobe
room and no means of support. The young,
blond, Luke Whitney had been working for
his Uncle Alf, and when he noticed people
taking advantage of the young widow
in their financial dealings with her, he
determined to do something about it.
There were long counseling sessions
with his mother and father and the bishop
of the ward. Luke, being of a religious
nature, was well aware of the scriptures
which state that if a man die, his next of
kin shall marry the widow and care for her
children. So the resourceful young Luke,
with Bible in hand went boldly to Uncle
Alf’s bachelor brother, Levi, explaining the
situation and pointing out the Lord’s will
in the matter. But Uncle Levi, being averse
to marriage, refused to marry Julia. There
followed more discussion with his parents
and the bishop. Luke was now the next-of-
kin who was not married, but it was a hard
decision to make since Julia was sealed to
his Uncle Alf. Luke would have to sacrifice
his right to a wife and children in the life
to come. But in spite of this, and the fact
that he was six years younger than she, he
courted Julia and they were married on 10
January 1897.
A few months later another important
event occurred in the Whitney family. On
Hand Written History of Luke Syphus and Christiana Long. Written by Lovina Syphus

George Burton Whitney & Lovina Syphus

12 May 1897, a baby girl, Jane, was born eight-years-old, had to ride a horse and
to Lovina and George B. She had a short drive them. It was a big job for a small boy
sojourn on earth and passed away the and it made the journey slower. Luke and
same day she was born and was buried in Ellen decided to remain in St. Thomas and
the St. Thomas cemetery. Overton where they raised their children
and helped build those communities. After
In April 1899, George B. and his he returned from his mission, John and
15-year-old son, Stowell, went to Enterprise, Chrissie made their home in Idaho and
Washington County, Utah. Here they Oregon.
leased a ranch about a mile above town.
The first week they were there they planted
a garden and cleared sagebrush from the
twenty or thirty-acres of land. He was real
pleased with the work they had done and
that Sunday on 23 April 1899, he wrote
a long letter to Lovina, telling her of their
accomplishments, describing the country,
outlining his plans and giving instructions
for the family’s journey to Enterprise. One
sentence in the letter shows his faith and
trust in Lovina and gives a glimpse of her
character. “Now, Lovina, I am going to state
the situation to you and you can act on
your own judgment. Whatever you do in
the matter will be alright with me. I have
all faith and confidence in your judgment
and business qualifications. So whatever
you do, I will stand by you.”

Since there were cows and pigs

available in Enterprise, he advised her to
sell their animals if she could, since the
weather would be too warm to move them
successfully.

At that time, Chrissie’s husband, John

Abbot, was on a mission for the church so
George B. suggested that Chrissie and her
children come and live with them, but Luke
and “Bub” (Ute, Ellen’s husband) were free
to make their own decisions.
The letter is included later in this
chapter as it shows a father’s faith and
confidence in and his love and devotion for
his wife and children.
As soon as the pigs had been sold and
preparations for the journey made, Luke
and Julia moved his mother, Lovina, and
her children to Enterprise. They took the
cattle with them and Bert, who was only
George Burton Whitney and Lovina Syphus - If you
look closely you’ll see a little round circle on the
left side of his chin underneath the corner of his
mouth. That was a hole where a cancer had been
removed. It went completely into his mouth. All the
grandchildren were fascinated by it.
The people of Enterprise tried to
persuade George B. and his family to
remain there, and offered him a job teaching
school. But he felt he was getting too old to
teach as his patience was not as good as he
got older.
 In the fall of 1899, the Whitney family
moved to St. George, Utah. George B. was
hired as water master for the Washington
Fields. He rode horseback to do this work.
He often took Ralph, his youngest son,
along with him as he “rode the ditch.” It was
a wonderful experience for the boy and has
been a fond memory for him throughout
his life.
The Whitneys lived in rented homes
in St. George for several years, and then
bought the old home at 300 West and 200
South. This old home is still standing (1965)
and is occupied. It looks the same as it did
when the Whitney’s lived there.
George B. worked at Shem for a while.
He also freighted to Modena and Acoma,
taking ore to the railroad and bringing
back supplies for the stores.
Lovina’s parents, Luke and Christiana
Syphus came to St. George and lived with
them one winter, working there in the
Temple. Clara Syphus, Lovina’s unmarried
sister, came from Panaca and spent a
summer with them.
In the spring of 1901, George B. was
called on a short mission to teach the
gospel to his family in Troy, New York. This
turned out to be a disappointment to him,
as he said many times, “Their hearts were
too much set on this life’s worldly goods.”
His people were comparatively wealthy,
and if he would have given up his religion
and come back, he could have had a share
of it, but this he refused to do. His uncle,
Burton (who seemed like a brother), and
wife, Helen, came out West from the East
and spent two months with the Whitney
family. Burton never joined the church, but
asked George B. to do his temple work and
have his first wife sealed to him after he
was gone.
George B. took every opportunity to
make a living for his family, even though it
took him away from home many times. He
freighted from Las Vegas to Goldfield. Then
in 1904, Levi Syphus, Lovina’s brother,
George Burton Whitney & Lovina Syphus
asked George B. and Lovina to help him.
He had charge of the Indian Springs ranch
and needed help. So George B. and Stowell
helped with the farming and care of his
horses. There were many freight teams
going through there then, including the
twenty-mule team wagons carrying borax.
Lovina cooked for the freighters and their
daughter, Maud, waited on tables. Mabel,
then 16, was left at home to take care of
Burt and Ralph, who were 14 and 12.
Lovina Syphus
The Whitneys moved back to their home
in St. George in the fall of 1905, and on
18 February 1906, Maud married Abram
Burgess.
In later years, George B. earned his
living by hauling wood and selling it by the
cord. This he did with a one-horse wagon,
as was the custom in Vermont where he was
raised as a boy. He also raised vegetables
and sold them to help with their needs.
Burt left home at a young age to work in
the mines in Arizona and Nevada and on
the freight roads. He married Nellie Valate
Hughes in June 1910. They had a daughter,
Mabel, born in December 1911. Her mother,
Nellie, passed away when Mabel was about
two years old, so George and Lovina took
her into their home and raised her.
 First Row: Mabel, Maudeen, Ellen. Back Row: Ralph, Burt, Stowell
Previous to Burt’s marriage, Mabel
married Isaac Chauncey Macfarlane on 8
October 1909, so Ralph was their only child
left at home. When he finished the eighth
grade, he left home and went to work with
Burt and Stowell. The boys spent much of
their time in St. Thomas and while they
were there, Luke and Julia cared for them.
Stowell married Anna Isabel Frehner
on 21 May 1914 and Ralph married Doris
Elizabeth Nay, on 23 December 1920.
In the fall of 1921, Ralph left his wife,
Doris, with his father and mother at their
home in St. George to await the birth of
their first child. Doris really learned to
love George and Lovina. George was such
a kind, patient, man and treated her as if
she was his own daughter. At this time,
he spent most of his time working in the
temple. Luke’s daughter, Clarice, and
Ellen’s daughter, Lorna, stayed with them
one winter while they attended school in St.
George.
The home of George B. and Lovina
Whitney was always open to anyone who
needed help. George B. passed away on
5 April 1927, and was buried in the St.
George cemetery. At his funeral in the St.
George Tabernacle, there was a profusion
of beautiful flowers. The speakers were his
neighbors. They paid tribute to this great
pioneer in the following words:
“He was one of God’s noblemen, a man of
great faith; the gospel was the main-spring
of his life. His life was above reproach; he
has been an inspiration to all who knew
him. While he did not have much of this
world’s goods, he was wealthy; the fullness
of the earth was his. He loved his life of toil,
and while he appreciated the love and help
of his children, he liked to be independent.
God bless Sister Whitney who has been his
faithful companion.”
“I doubt if ever a man lived truer to
himself than Brother Whitney; his was a
strong character, as perfect a man as I have
ever known.”
“He was one of the most independent
of men, but was always ready with his
contributions and his tithing. Although he
did not have much of this world’s goods, yet
he left to his family a legacy worth more
than money.”
George Burton Whitney lived a full life.
He raised a wonderful family and was an
inspiration to all who knew him. We, his
descendants, should be proud to honor the
name of Whitney. He was 81 years of age at
the time of his death.
After his death, his dear wife Lovina
sold the old home. In 1928 she and Mabel,
Burt’s daughter, went to Overton and
lived with Ellen and “Bub” Perkins. Then
she went back to St. George and lived for
a while in a room of the home of Lorna
(a granddaughter) and Vernon Worthen.
In 1931, she went back to Overton where
she lived in a house that Ellen and “Bub”
owned. Then later that same year, George
and Clara (another granddaughter) Logan
moved into part of the house to be with
her.
In 1932, when the government bought
the property in St. Thomas, in preparation
for building Hoover Dam, Luke and Julia
moved to Hurricane, Utah. When they
became settled, Lovina lived in one of their
rooms, insisting on caring for herself and
doing her own cooking. Later she returned
to St. George where she passed away at age
80, on 10 December 1934, and was buried
beside her husband in the St. George
cemetery. She was capable and independent
until the last. She was a wonderful woman,
full of faith and courage. She was precise
and dainty in her ways, taking great care
to be neat and attractive. We love and honor
her name.
George Burton Whitney & Lovina Syphus
Patriarchal Blessing of George Burton
Whitney Received June 7, 1874
St. George, Utah June 7, 1874
A Patriarchal Blessing by W.G. Perkins
on the head of George Burton Whitney,
son of George Sanders and Eveline Mary*
Whitney, born In Troy, New York, March 9,
1864.
George Burton,
I place my hands upon your head, I seal
upon you a Fathers Blessing.* You are one
of the house of Joseph that shall push* the
people together, and you are a lawful heir
to the gospel of the Son of God. Your days
shall be as the age of a tree, and you will
accomplish a great and a mighty work in
the kingdom* of God. For you are one of
the Hundred and forty and four recorded in
the Lamb’s Book of Life, and through* your
firmness’* in the truth there it will remain
forever.
You will be called and chosen and set
apart to preach the gospel to many nations,
you will cross* the arm of the sea and
preach the gospel to the lost sheep of the
House of Israel. You will go with power from
on High, and they will have a vision of your
coming, and they will gather together many
people, and you will make your appearance
in the midst of them and preach unto them
the fullness* of the gospel. Your tongue will
be loosed and you will preach the gospel
of Jesus Christ, they will fall at your feet
to worship you, supposing* you to be that
Great Spirit. You will command them to
arise and say unto them I am thy fellow
servant, worship God the Eternal Father
and Jesus Christ who he has sent. You will
bring many of them into the fold of Christ.
Then you will see a nation of them born in
a day. You will baptize them and lay your
hands upon them that they may receive
the Holy Ghost, that will be upon them as
Cloven tongues of fire*. Then they will shout
praises to God and the Lamb as you never
witnessed* before, and some of them will be
changed as white as snow. You will ordain
and set others to work to baptizing and
confirming, and in due time you will return
with your sheaves to the *Center Stake of
Zion. Then you will give an account* of your
stewardship. They will say *well done thou
good and faithful servant, thou has been
faithful over a few things. We will make you
to rule over many cities.* You shall have
power over the winds and waves of the Sea.
As you rebuke in the name of Jesus, there
shalt be a calm.
You will have many wives and a large
posterity, and you will teach them the ways
of the Lord and they will walk in his paths,
you will have an inheritance in Zion and
the Glory of the Lord will be upon it. You
will enter into the House of the Lord and
with your wives you will go through the
ordinances of that House for yourselves and
your Dead. And you will have power to call
the dead forth. You will see many graves
open and the dead coming forth. You will
assist* in building up many temples, and
be a strong pillar in the house of the Lord,
and I seal the blessings of life, and strength
upon your body, that you may do all this
work to the Glory of God, and seal upon
your head a Crown of Celestial Glory, in the
name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
George Burton Whitney’s Blessing
Recorded in Book C, Page 67.
* spelling changed or not sure of word
Patriarchal Blessing of Lovina Syphus
Whitney Received December 16, 1874
Panaca, Lincoln County, Nevada
December 16, 1874
A Patriarchal Blessing by Joseph L.
Heywood upon the head of Lovina Whitney,
daughter of Christiana Long and Luke
Syphus, born in Sidney, New South Wales,
Australia, August 31, 1854.
Sister Lovina,
I place my hands upon your head in the
name of the Lord Jesus and by virtue of the
Authority conferred upon me I seal upon
thee a fathers blessing. Thou art a rightful
heir to all the blessings pertaining to the
daughters of Abraham. Thou art greatly
blessed in having had parents capable of
instructing thee in the principles of the
everlasting Gospel, and in raising thee up a
companion who will honor the Priesthood.
Seek earnestly for the treasures of Heaven
and for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Seek
to honor these whom God honors, and thy
light shall increase thy heart be enlarged
and thy gratitude to God abound. Seek
for every opportunity to inform thy mind,
that thou mayest be qualified to instruct
thy children and prepare them for future
usefulness. Thou art of the Seed of Joseph
and thine inheritance shall be in Zion. in
the name of Jesus of Nazareth, Amen.
No. 36, recorded in Book A, Page 30
Milton L. Lee, recorder
Patriarchal Blessing of George Burton
Whitney Received May 24, 1875
Panaca, Lincoln County, Nevada
May 24, 1875
A blessing by John L. Smith, patriarch,
upon the head of George Burton Whitney,
son of George S. and Mary Eveline Barnard.
Born Troy, New York, March 9, 1846.
Brother George,
In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth*
I place my hands upon thy head and seal
upon thee* a Father’s blessing. Thou art of
the house of Joseph and thy reward shall
be with Ephraim*. Thou hast a mighty work
to perform among thy Father’s house and
among the Nations of the Earth. Power in
the Priesthood to stay the raging* of the sea,
to remove mountains, even to command
the destroyer* to stay his hand that thou
mayest gather out the honest in heart from
his dominion*. So speedy* and important
shall be thy mission that you shalt travel
as upon the wings of the wind. When the
Ten Tribes come from the North thou wilt
meet* them as a messenger of high repute*
from among the Saints. Thou shalt see a
Temple built in the Center Stake of Zion,
stand on the earth with thy Savior*, thy
wives and children with thou*, a numerous
host among the mighty ones* of Zion. In
thy house there shall be no lack* and thy
councils shall be esteemed far and wide.
All thy former gifts and blessings I renew
upon thee* with every desire of thine heart
in righteousness, with Eternal life and all
thou canst imagine, for not one word shall
fail if thou art faithful to the end for they
are sealed upon thee in the name of Jesus
thy Redeemer, Amen.
G. Pulsipher, Scribe
Recorded in Book B,
Page 42, No. 54
Agnes A. McDonald, recorder
*spelling changed or not sure of word
Patriarchal Blessing of Lovina Whitney
Received on May 24, 1875
Panaca, Lincoln County, Nevada,
May 24, 1875
A blessing by John L. Smith, Patriarch,
upon the head of Lovina Whitney, daughter
of Luke Syphus and Christiana Long. Born
Sydney, South Wales Australia, August 31,
1854.
Sister Lovina,
In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth
I place my hands upon thy head and seal
upon thee a patriarchal blessing. Thou art
of the house of Joseph and entitled to all
the blessings promised to the daughters of
Ephriam.
Thy guardian angel hath watched over
thee and preserved thy life many times
and will continue to do so, until thou shalt
accomplish all the labors required of thee
in thy father’s house. Thy posterity shall
be mighty and numerous and thou shalt
George Burton Whitney & Lovina Syphus
be crowned a queen to reign in company
with thy companion over them to all
Eternity. The riches of heaven and Earth
shall be thine, thy store house shall be
well supplied and peace shall be all about
thee, thy sons among the mighty and thy
daughters among the favored ones of Zion,
a wise counselor among thy seeds. Power
in the priesthood with thy companion to
preserve the lives of thy children and drive
the destroyer from the habitation shalt live
to see Zion redeemed and peace established
in all her stakes and see thy Savior face to
face and know that he is thy redeemer. All
thy former gifts and blessings I renew upon
thee with Eternal life, which is the greatest
gift of God. And every desire of thine heart
in righteousness, and not one word of this
blessing shall fail if thou art faithful to the
end. Even so amen.
George B. Whitney as scribe
Recorded in Book B. page 42, No. 55
Agnes A. Macdonald, recorder.
George Burton Whitney’s Legal Battle
in Nevada on Behalf of all Mormons
by Mark Lindsay Rawlins
In 1888, the national campaign against
the practice of polygamy by the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (The
Mormons) was coming to its climax. Over
the years, Congress had passed a series
of laws disenfranchising the Church, and
making polygamy a felony. This battle
finally ended when the church formally
renounced polygamy via the Manifesto
which was accepted in 1890, and Utah was
allowed to become a state in 1896.
However, during the 30-year battle over
polygamy, the States surrounding the Utah
territory got into the act, and in 1888 at the
height of the confrontation, Nevada passed
a law that required anyone who voted to
subscribe to or swear an oath that in part
said:
 Reno Evening Gazette
Thursday - August 9, 1888
Published every evening except Sunday
The Mormon Question
There is much being said
relative to an Act prescrib-
ing the qualifications of elec-
tors and modifying the oath
of registration in conformity
therewith, passed by the last
Legislature. The intention of
the framers of the Act, and
those who voted for it, evi-
dently was to not only weak-
en, but to take away the
political power of the organi-
zation known as the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints, commonly called the
Mormon Church.
Before anyone can exer-
cise the election franchise,
unless this law should be
held to be unconstitutional,
he will have to subscribe to
and take an oath, among
other things, that he is not a
bigamist or polygamist; that
he neither teaches nor prac-
tices bigamy or polygamy;
that he is neither a member
of nor belongs to the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints, commonly called the
Mormon Church; that he is
not a member of nor belongs
to any order, organization or
association which sanctions
or tolerates bigamy or po-
lygamy, or plural or celestial
marriages, etc. Many claim
that this Act is in violation
of not only the spirit of our
National and State consti-
tutions, both of which rec-
ognize the free exercise and
enjoyment of religious pro-
fession and worship, but the
letter.
That there is a large ele-
ment in the Mormon Church
that disbelieves in the plu-
rality of wives is beyond
question. One branch of that
church, so to speak, as far
as the marital relation goes,
is orthodox, and denies the
alleged revelation authoriz-
ing the plurality of wives. Yet
these people are members of
the church, and cannot take
the oath; hence are disfran-
chised, yet they can hold of-
fice.
The clause of the State
Constitution which accords
the right of religious belief
has an exception, which
says; “But the liberty of con-
science hereby secured shall
not be construed so as to ex-
cuse acts of licentiousness or
justify practices incosistent
with the peace and safety of
the State.”
Whether the exception is
broad enough to cover the
Act is a question of some
gravity, and one which the
Gazette will not attempt to
decide.
While averse to the teach-
ings and practices of the
Mormon Church as a church,
and radically opposed to the
power exercised by the few
over the many in that body,
if this law goes beyond the
limits of the Constitution
we say it should be held for
naught.
If the Constitution gives
the power to the Legislature
to disfranchise the members
of an organization as a body,
because the law-making
power may think that they
are guilty of acts of licen-
tiousness or that they jus-
tify practices inconsistent
with the peace and safety of
the State, without a hearing
before some court of compe-
tent jurisdiction, it is a vast
power, and in certain cases
might work great injustice.
There is no telling what
the result of the exercise of
it might lead to or what a
fanatical legislative body,
prompted by a spirit of vin-
dictiveness or religious zeal,
might do. The exercise of
the power under the Act is
one of grave importance. Its
interpretation involves the
proposition of religious lib-
erty. Some one should raise
the questions and have them
passed upon by the higher
courts and set at rest.
 “He is not a bigamist or polygamist; that
he neither teaches nor practices bigamy or
polygamy; that he is neither a member of
nor belongs to the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints, commonly called the
Mormon Church; that he is not a member
of nor belongs to any order, organization
or association which sanctions or tolerates
bigamy or polygamy, or plural or celestial
marriages, etc”.
Obviously even in modern days such
an oath would be impossible for a faithful
member of the church to accept, let alone
in the days before the Manifesto.
On the opposite page is a portion of
an article from the Reno Evening Gazette
from Thursday, August 9th, 1888 to help
you understand the tensions of the day,
and after that a letter about George Burton
Whitney’s role in overturning this law.
Overton, Nevada, 21 Feb 1933
George L. Whitney
Hurricane, Utah
Dear Brother Whitney:
Your letter of the 16th inst, received,
I am much pleased to hear from you and
learn that you are well. My association with
you and your father’s family has been one
of pleasure to me and very much profit. I
got a better understanding of many things
in the Old Testament from your father than
any other man. My association with you
in this Stake has always been such that a
deep love for you has been kindled in my
heart that I feel will continue through-out
the ages to come.
I think you understand aright what I
said about your father; it was in the summer
of 1888 that the incidents occurred that I
referred to:
A commission had been appointed by
the United States to supervise the election
in the Territory of Utah. Before one could
register to vote, an oath had to be taken,
George Burton Whitney & Lovina Syphus
the nature of which no true Latter Day
Saint could take. Idaho had also passed
a law requiring all to take an oath about
the same as the Utah law. It was designed
to disfranchise all the Mormons, because
no Latter Day Saint would take the oath.
Nevada, to be in line with the others,
had, through its Legislature, passed a
law requiring all voters before they could
register to take the same oath. (I am not
sure that the Oath was just the same as the
others’ oaths but was such that our people
in this state would not take it.)
Brother Findlay was the Register Agent
at Panaca. Your father protested the oath,
claimed that he was an American Citizen
and had a right to vote, that the oath was
unconstitutional and demanded that he be
registered without taking the oath, thus the
matter was brought to a head. The Officers
of Lincoln County at that time were friendly
to our people, claiming that the Oath was
an outrage on law abiding people.
George Sawyer, a lawyer of Pioche, had
a law partner in Carson City by the name
of Trenmore Coffin. They agreed to carry
the case to the Supreme Court for $50.00
(Sawyer not having to make a trip to Carson,
this was the whole cost). They did it for the
bare cost as they felt that it was aimed at
our people and was unjust.
The people of Pioche raising part of the
money, Panaca and Pioche paying $30.00,
and the people of the South paying $20.00.
The case went through in a rush, officers
in Pioche depended on the Mormon Vote to
put them in office, so before the time for
Registration had passed, the case had been
decided, the Supreme Court declaring that
the oath was unconstitutional, thus the
whole thing fell flat, and we all rejoiced.
Your father making the fight for the people
of this State.
I took the ballot box to Pioche that fall.
There was much rejoicing even in Pioche
over our victory. George Sawyer was elected
Senator from Lincoln County over Gear of
Pharanagat Valley, but Gear was very sore
and never got over it, though in a way was
friendly.
To Kindest regards to you and Sister
Whitney and Fenton and Family;
I am yours Truly
J.I. Earl
Letter from George Burton Whitney to
his wife, Lovina Syphus on April 25, 1899
Copy of Original letter from George Burton Whitney
to his wife Lovina (Syphus) Whitney at St. Thomas,
Lincoln Co. Nevada. It is postmarked Hebron, Utah,
April 25, 1899, which at that time was the mail station
for Enterprise, Utah, and was where the George B.
Whitney family were planning to locate before moving
to St. George. Original letter is in the possession of
Ralph E. Whitney family, George B. Whitney’s youngest
son.
Enterprise, Utah
Apr. 23, 1899
Dear One,
Another Sunday has come and as I
am not clothed for attending meeting I will
put in most of the day writing to you. I
have been watering the beets and carrots
this morning. I can rest contented with
myself today as far as last week’s work is
concerned. I don’t think I ever accomplished
more in six days that we did last week. We
are both well and hearty and have got rid
of that lazy sluggish don’t care feeling that
we had and just begin to feel as though
we could undertake anything. Last week
Aaron Huntsman, Stowell and I got a big
grubber, put six horses on it and grubbed
nearly 30 acres of big sage brush and got
part of it cleared and burnt off. So you see
we are not idle. We* are taking a big rest
today, ready for next week.
I don’t remember whether I wrote you
about the places and distances or not but
will now. St. George is 45 miles, Cedar 45
miles, Panaca 43, D E Lanny 70 miles, rail
road 18 miles from Enterprise so you see we
are about in the center of all the business
of the country around. There is from five to
twenty five wagons pass every day since we
have been here. Heber Harrison past here
to Panaca with a load of potatoes for N. J.
Wadsworth last week. He saw pa. Ma was in
Cedar. Levi was in Pioche on Grand Jurior.
I engaged seed potatoes for two acres.
You remember you have often spoke of
the time you and your pa lost your horses
at the mouth of the canyon. How you went
across the valley and found a spring. Well
there is a house about where you camped
and I am about to rent it for a year. It is
close, or that is, right in sight of Enterprise.
You can look right down on the town. It is
a very good place to catch travel and will
give us a chance to look around us and get
us a good start on our own place when you
come and we find one that suits us.
Now Lovina, I am going to state the
situation to you and you can act on your
own judgement--whatever you do in the
matter will be all right with me. The case
is just this: the weather will be very hot
before I will be able to get away from here
(as I want to get in everything I can), so
hot that I am afraid that it will be death
to hogs to try to haul them so if you could
find out how much more we owe Harry and
he would allow you what they are worth or
anyone else or Bub might want them and
turn the price to Brig, or anything you think
best, I have all faith and confidence in your
judgement (?) and business qualifications.
So whatever you do I will stand by you. I
think in fact I know we can get some pigs
here, quite reasonable for money. Now as
to the cows we can get all we want to milk
for nothing and to buy for ($26). Twenty six
dollars for cows and calves and the Bishop
tells me the some of the range cows are good
cows too. What I want to leave to you is
whether when Commerell comes down next
month it will be best to turn everything
into cash that you can, for everything is as
cheap here as there, and the extra time it
will take to bring them and the expense of
feeding on the road and when we get here
as hay and grain are high here. Hay $12
George Burton Whitney & Lovina Syphus
twelve dollars per ton and none to get at
that. Grain $1.50 one fifty and none to get
and then it would take some time for them
to get use to the range and climated. As I
said I will be satisfied with what you do. I
only wish you were all here now or as soon
as I get the house ready Crissie and her
children and all but I shall never say any
more to Luke and Bub. They must act on
their own responsibility. I saw Jo Comorell
the other day. He said he had rather chance
this than White River. And as far as I can
see our chances here are good. Of course
we cannot control the elements the wind
is blowing very hard today from the south
and looks like it might blow up a rain.
We had a caller just now from Hebron.
He said Thomas Terry, who married Roxy
Woods, had lost a child about a year old. It
has never been strong or well. We are doing
our own cooking, we get milk and butter
from Sister Huntsman. If there should come
a rain soon there will be a considerable
corn just, (?) in Enterprise without any
water they all have wells of fine water it
does one good to drink it. But I guess you
will be tired of so much of this country so
I will leave it for you to see and decide for
yourself whether you like it or not.
I got the letter you wrote before you
heard from me last night. The mail comes
and goes Tuesday and Saturday so if you
mail a letter Monday I will get it Saturday.
If I mail it Tuesday you will get it Saturday.
I have written you every Sunday and will
do so till I see you. Unless you tell me you
don’t want to hear from me any more and I
shall look longingly for one from you every
Saturday. Oh! if you were all here and time
would not seem so long.
Give love to Luke and family. Crissie and
children and all who take pains to inquire.
I guess not many will go the trouble. Tell
Maud, Mabel, Burt and Ralph to be good
children and kiss ma for me and you then.
Tell Burt Pa has got Dick Deck and Daisy
all right.
xxxxxxxxx
Geo Whitney
Minutes From the George Burton
Whitney Organization
These minutes have been very fun to read. The
George Burton Whitney family organized in October
1918. The George Burton Whitney Reunion is still
held every other year in late October or November.
For more information about the reunion, go to www.
georgeburtonwhitney.org
As you read these, you’ll see what the consequence
was for not attending the meetings and how it was
executed. However, it must have been less than
popular because by the fifth meeting, they discontinued
this practice.
First Meeting, October 11, 1918
George B. Whitney and family met at
the home of Chauncey Macfarlane, St.
George, Utah October 11, 1918.
The purpose of this meeting being to
organize as a family. to elect officers, and
start gathering genealogy. Father George
B. Whitney acting chairman. George L.
Whitney was unanimously sustained as
president and Mrs. Mabel Macfarlane as
secretary and treasurer. Father and each
son and daughter were assessed three
dollars each, cash to be paid on or before
November 1, 1918.
It was moved and seconded and vote
carried that the secretary have power to
assess and notify members of any necessary
funds to carry on the work.
The date for the annual meeting or
family reunion was set for December 10,
1919, unless changed by a majority of
votes of the family. Place of meeting not
designated. It was agreed that each member
of father’s immediate family must be at the
reunion, or give a reasonable excuse for
their absence. An unreasonable excuse
calls for a fine not to exceed the expense of
trip required to attend.
 There was present at the meeting
Father, Mother, four sons, three daughters,
eight grand daughters, Chrissie Abbott, the
oldest daughter, being the only chiid not
present. A vote was carried that George L.
Whitney, oldest son, become a member of
the
Genealogical Society in order that best
results be obtained in gathering genealogy.
Ten dollars was appropriated for his
membership fee. Meeting was adjourned.
Mrs. Mabel Macfarlane, acting
secretary
Second Meeting, November 30, 1919
Minutes of the second annual meeting
of the George B. Whitney family held at
the home of B.L. Whitney, November 30,
1919 at St.. Thomas, Nevada. President
Map of Residences of George Burton & Lovina Whitney
George Burton Whitney & Lovina Syphus
George L. Whitney presiding, Father taking
charge. Father explained the purpose of
meeting. Prayer was offered by George L.
Minutes were read and with amendment
were approved.
Financial report was given showing
a balance of $14.45 on hand, President
George L. gave a genealogy report of what
had been done during the year. Father gave
an interesting account of his forefathers and
the names and dates of many members of
his family. George L. explained why Julia’s
children should be members of the Whitney
organization.
Father gave the plan of Life and
Salvation as believed by Latter Day Saints,
which was very interesting and instructive.
It was moved and seconded, vote carried,
that the next meeting be held the first
Wednesday after the 20th of August 1920.
An assessment of $2.00 was made from
each child of Father’s family. All joined
in singing and an interesting program of
singing, reciting and speaking followed.
Count showed an attendance of fifty
members present. Out of town members
remained at St Thomas three nights and
two days.
Minutes taken by Mabel Macfarlane
Back Row: Luke Whitney, Ute Perkins, John Abbott,
Chauncy Macfarlane, Abe Burgess, Stowell Whitney,
Ralph Whitney. Front Row: Julia Whitney, Ellen
Perkins, Mable Macfarlane, Maude Burgess,
Isabel Whitney, Doris Whitney
Third Meeting August 24, 1921
Minutes of the third annual meeting of
the George B. Whitney family held at the
home of George B. Whitney, August 24,
1921 at St. George, Utah. President George
L. Whitney presiding and taking charge.
Opening prayer was offered by Father
George B. Genealogical reports given by
George L. Minutes of previous meeting read
and approved.
Financial report read showing a balance
on hand of $14.45.
There was present: Father, Mother, three
sons, two daughters, one son-in-law, one
daughter-in-law, eleven granddaughters. one
grandson-in-law, one great granddaughter,
making a total of twenty-two present.
The members present lamented greatly
at the small attendance. The excuses sent
in by the absent children were seriously
considered. A vote was called and carried
that only Ellen’s excuse be accepted, hers
being sickness. It was decided that a
small fine of seven dollars and fifty cents
by Chrissie and Bert. It was decided that
all money taken in the treasury from
assessments and fines be used to carry
on the work of the organization and to be
loaned at a reasonable rate of interest to
any member who is financially unable to
attend the reunion. A vote carried that the
$2.00 assessment for last year be collected
at once and an assessment of one dollar be
levied on all George B.’s children. to be paid
on or before date of next meeting or at call
of treasurer if needed. Time and place of
next reunion set for December 28 and 29,
1922 at Moapa Valley. Meeting adjourned.
Visiting members from out of town remained
in St. George two nights and one day.
Minutes taken by M. Macfarlane, Sec.
& Treas
Patriarchal Blessing of Lovina Syphus
Whitney Received on September 1, 1929
Nampa, Idaho
September 1, 1929
A blessing given by William Henry
Edgley, Patriarch, upon the head of Lovina
Syphus Whitney, daughter of Luke Syphus
and Christina Long, born August 31, 1854
at Sidney, North Australia.
Sister Lovina Whitney,
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ
and by power of the Holy Priesthood, I
place my hands upon your head and give
you a Father’s and a Patriarchal Blessing,
with the blessings, hopes, and promises
extended unto the faithful daughters of
Abraham, with the blessings of the Gospel,
and the new and everlasting covenant.
The Lord is pleased with your labor
here in mortality; continue to call on Him.
He loves you and has blessed you, and
your Guardian angel has directed you in
the paths for you to walk in the past and
will continue to direct your activities in
this life, and the days that are still before
you on this earth shall be peaceful. The
testimony of the Gospel shall at all times
burn within your heart, and your mind
shall grow stronger.
Maude Burgess, Stowell Whitney, Mable McFarlane,
Luke Whitney (front), Ellen Perkins, Ralph Whitney
You shall not want for the necessaries
of Life, and some of the comforts of life
shall be yours. Your Heavenly Father and
your loved ones on earth shall pour out
their blessings upon you, and you shall
be blessed with the good things that will
comfort you in this life.
Thou art of Ephraim and entitled to
all of the gifts and graces extended to the
Daughters of Abraham.
I bless you with continued health
and vigor of body and mind. You shall be
blessed with eternal life and come forth
in the morning of the first resurrection,
and associated with your Husband, your
Children, and those whom you love dearly,
redeemed and sanctified, receive your crown
of glory for your righteousness, receiving
your lot and portion in the Celestial
Kingdom of God. All of these blessings are
sealed upon you.
I seal you up against the power of the
Destroyer until the day of redemption, by
virtue and power of the Holy Patriarchal
office, and in the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen.
Wm. H. Edgley, Patriarch
George Burton Whitney & Lovina Syphus
Account of Trip From Hurricane to Visit
Children
The original account was written on a Las Vegas High
School Commencement Program.
Written by Lovina Syphus
Left Friday, May 25th, 1934 went to St
George. Met my daughter Maud Burgess
and family there. Saturday morning Maud
and I took the bus for Las Vegas. Got
here and went to Overland café to drive
from there to the Macfarlane home where
the 3 boys and their families and other
friends came to visit us. Early Sunday
morning Idena took me all over town in
four directions to the Suberb of (town?).
We stopped at G. daughter Afton Hannig
but they were not (home?). Went home and
my son Stowell and wife called to take me
to this program. By the time we returned,
our daughters Maud and Mabel Mack had
returned from Glendale where they went to
meet their sister Chrissie from Idaho; then
our rancher, Stowell, took us all 8 miles to
the ranch where there was chicken dinner
ready. He brought us back to town while he
and his son delivered milk to a man by town.
When we got back to Mack’s our other two
sons, Burt and Ralph, with their families
spent the evening. Monday afternoon all of
the family in town took picnics and went
to surprise our two youngest sons on their
ranches. The Overton folks had to go back
home that night so Chrissie, Maud and I
went over with them. Maud had to get back
to (central?). The folks took her to Glendale
where she met the car she went home in.
Tomorrow my daughter Chrissie is leaving
for L.A. Calif. A G. daughter (Vera?) to the
General Conference in Salt Lake City and I
for home. Also a dear grandson’s wife, sister
Ella Perkins, accompanied my daughter
Chrissie to California on a 3 months
mission. 
George Burton Whitney & Lovina Syphus
George Burton Whitney & Lovina Syphus