Category Archives: Europe 1952

60 Years Ago Today

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Monday, 2 June 1952:

At 1:30 a.m. we reached Pittsburgh and everybody got out. We were already 30 minutes late, but we were due to be an additional hour late waiting for a new driver till 3 a.m. Finally, the new driver came and we were off.

After arriving in Washington D.C. we had to make ourselves presentable for lunch with Senator Watkins. So suitcases were spread on the platform in front of the bus depot in order to get some clothes out. Then most of the students proceeded to change their clothes in the dressing rooms in the depot. While some students took showers for a quarter.

I felt my culottes looked enough like a skirt, so I took a walk instead of changing my clothes. I went over to investigate the big railroad terminal across the way and saw the plans for the expansion. Taxis and cars were parked under the large outside foyer. One thing I can say for Pittsburgh, it certainly has an interesting smell all its own.

Sometime after 3 a.m. I again laid my head back on the nice soft bus seat and closed my eyes. I woke at intervals to find that we had been back and forth over the West Virginia and Pennsylvania borders.. Dr. Watkins’ voice brought me back to consciousness again, “Everyone was sleeping through the most beautiful part of our trip.” Awake again I saw beautiful fields, rolling hills, and the Georgetown Preparatory School for boys.

At 9:35 a.m. Eastern Standard Time we entered the outskirts of our nation’s capitol. We passed the Naval Medical Center and the National Institutes of Health, then drove through Bethesda, Maryland, and into Washington, D.C. at 10:45 a.m. We caught a glimpse of the Washington Monument before the bus finally docked at 11:25 a.m.

After preliminary arrangements, the bus took us to the Senate Office Building. Then we descended upon Senator Watkins in mass and deposited all of our excess baggage in his office. Alicia mischievously sat in the Senator’s chair. In the basement of the Senate Office Building, a little one-rail train took us through a passageway to the elevator. And thence to the Senate reporters’ room where we were scheduled to have lunch. Several tables were set in readiness for us.
We were welcomed by Mrs. Watkins and then Senator Watkins introduced us to Senator Lodge from Massachusetts, Senator Hill from Alabama, Robert Barker of Ogden (who is Senator Bennett’s secretary), and Senator MacFarlane from Arizona. On the walls were pictures of the pink-whiskered Senator James Hamilton Lewis, Joshua Giddings, and former Senator Shepherd of Texas who had fought for prohibition.

After Mrs. Watkins told us a story about Senator Lewis’ wife, Robert Barker brought us a bit of red hot news. The decision of the Supreme Court in the steel case had just been read at noon. The vote was 6 to 3 that the President did not have the authority to seize the steel industry. Chief Justice Vincent, Justice Reed, and Justice Mitton said the President did have the authority. Mr. Barker said some Justices wrote as many as 22 pages expressing views on the decision. He said Senator Ferguson is talking on the floor right now.

Then we were introduced to Senator Eugene Milliken from Colorado, the minority leader. Robert Barker sat across from us at lunch and talked to us about Senate procedure and explained the Taft-Hartley law to us. The luncheon was delicious, especially the apple pie. Senator Watkins gave us each a souvenir menu.

Our next stop was the gallery of the Senate where debate was going on concerning the consent calendar. Senator Watkins announced our tour and its purpose on the floor of the Senate, which actually goes in the Congressional record for the day.

From the gallery we went through the rotunda and into Statuary Hall. The statues here were selected by the states. The first statue from Utah was Brigham Young which was made by his grandson. It was the first statue there made by a relative. We took pictures of the Mall from the balcony.

Cars were waiting for us in front of the Senate with members of Senator Watkins’ and Senator Bennett’s staff waiting to show us around Washington. Our guide was Ralph Meacham, who was a research assistant for Senator Bennett. First on the tour, we drove past the Old and New House Buildings, Library of Congress, and Supreme Court. There were hundreds of cars in the Senate parking lot. We continued along Constitution Avenue past the United States District Court. We spotted a fountain dedicated to the memory of Andrew Mellon, former Secretary of the Treasury, who contributed the money for the United States Art Gallery. And then we passed the National Archives and Department of Justice.

As we turned on Pennsylvania Avenue, we saw the Treasury Building just off the avenue and the White House where we stopped to take a picture through the fence. From here we could also see the old State Department Building and across a green expanse of lawns the Washington Monument. Next on the tour was the Jefferson Memorial, Pentagon and Department of Defense.

In Arlington, we stopped at the Grave of the Unknown Soldier, which was the first of many of these famous graves that we would see on this trip. Here we also saw the Lee Mansion and then continued along the Potomac to the Lincoln Memorial. This was one spot I had really anticipated with great enthusiasm. To me the Lincoln Memorial had always been the center and high spot of Washington. It was just as I had pictured it in my imagination. I felt very humbled as I gazed up into the countenance of this God-fearing man.

As we strolled down the stairs from this huge monument, there was before us another view of the Mall with its huge reflecting pool. We caught a glimpse of the Smithsonian Institute as we returned to the bus. We dashed back to Senator Watkins’ office to reclaim our stuff, but I didn’t quite make it there myself. I met Dr. Watkins carrying my coat and others who had brought the rest of my luggage. So we again boarded the bus and made our way out of the nation’s capitol just a little before 5 p.m.

On the bus again the University of Maryland came into view as we continued on to Baltimore. The city had white marble steps and little backyards. A TV Motel out of Baltimore caught our interest. We learned as we approached Delaware that the bridge had just been opened for seven weeks. Prior to that time ferry boats had been used.

Our bus driver, a jovial character, was helpful with bits of information here and there. It was most interesting. We entered the toll bridge before entering the New Jersey Turnpike. Paying a toll was a new experience for most of us Westerners.

By this time, we were straining for our first glimpse of the lights of New York. Can you imagine two of the world’s most famous cities in one day? We were getting primed for the many varied experiences ahead.

I smelled New York before I was in it. It reminded me of suburban Salt Lake coming in from the north but only a little larger. Another peculiar smell followed the first and then the lights of the city crept slowly out of the dark horizon. A sign appeared in the beam of the headlights—New York 10 miles.

I’m not sure if we came in on the Brooklyn Bridge or what, but the bus driver had to pay another toll, and we thenceforth rode in higher than the city. The kids were all firing questions at the bus driver, who must have had steady nerves to put up with all our noise and enthusiasm.

We passed through the Lincoln tunnel and soon thereafter arrived at the bus depot. However, the bus driver hadn’t received clearance to take us to the hotel. After a few minutes, things were all straightened out and we continued on to the Times Square Hotel.

As soon as we got our bags off the bus, Alicia and I tried to find Aunt Ellen’s phone number. No luck. With all those huge directories, I was rather confused. After a quick search, I gave up. We asked a cab driver how much the fare would be to 416 East 64th Street, and he quoted 75 to 85 cents more or less. At any rate, we jumped in and off we went.

The cab driver was a colored fellow from Brooklyn, and he seemed extremely interested in finding out just how well we knew our way around. The bus driver had just finished warning us about cab drivers, so impulsively I tried a bluff. He asked if we knew where we were going. Alicia said “no,” but I piped up with a brave “yes.”

Then he wanted to know where we were from and somehow got the idea we were from Philly as he called it. So we played along. His first guess was that we attended Penn State. I couldn’t think of any other Pennsylvania universities at the moment, so I concurred. Things kept getting a little more involved, and I had difficulty keeping up my bluff, because he kept cross-examining me.
Once he said, “Do you know what’s on your left now?” I happened to be looking the other way, so I gave him the name of one of the buildings we were passing. It so happened that we were passing Central Park on the left, which of course I didn’t know from beans, but tried to pass it off as a misunderstanding.

A little farther on he said, “Where are we now?” This time I was prepared. I had been watching the street signs just in case, so I quickly said 64th. I began to breathe easier because I knew we were getting close. We went three houses past the address, and as we were backing up he said, “Well, if you know where it is, why didn’t you tell me?” “But they all look the same,” was my very trite response. And thus our first taxi ride in New York ended without mishap and the cost was within the range he had quoted.

We discovered that my Aunt and Uncle lived four floors up. I am convinced that someone had slipped some rocks in my luggage—in my one piece of luggage that is. They had already retired, the hour being 11 p.m. We roused them and received a hearty welcome. By 1:30 a.m. we were finally ready to crawl in bed after washing myself, my hair, and my clothes.

Provoans, Bound for Europe, Enjoy Washington Stopover

Dear Friends at the Daily Herald
Would you like to hear of the experiences of the group of Brigham Young University students who are Europe bound. This third day away from home has been exciting (We left Provo about 5 p.m. May 30). It really commenced in Pittsburgh where we changed bus drivers and our clothes. So far we’ve worn out three buses and five drivers but we are still going strong: learning to eat and sleep when it’s appropriate and convenient, even if it doesn’t fit the hour.

Arrive in Washington
At 3 a.m. in Pittsburgh it seemed advisable to spruce ourselves up for our entrance into Washington D.C. We rented a wash room in the bus station, where every 10 minutes the colored maid poked her head in and said “Time’s up ladies,” where by we gave her another dime for 10 minutes more.

Upon reaching Washington we went directly to the Senate office building where we were taken under the generous wing of Senator and Mrs. Wallace Bennett., although Senator Bennett was not there. He was out in Maryland giving a commencement address.

While waiting to be served, we had the pleasure of meeting several distinguished people, one of which was Senator Lodge of Massachusetts, who is chairman of the “Ike for President Campaign” and who is a grandson of the statesman Henry Cabot Lodge.

It was nice to chat with Zelma Winterton Colton too. She assisted Mrs. Watkins in making arrangements for us and reported that her husband is busy writing his history thesis.

Famous Bean Soup
While we were eating, Mr. Barker (Ogden) from Senator Bennett’s office came in with a report fresh from the senate floor that the Supreme Court had decided 6 to 3 that President Truman did not have legal power in the Steel Mill seizure (quick release here).

Our memento of the luncheon was a menu from the U.S. Senate restaurant with their famous bean soup recipe on the back. We’ll have it for you when we come home.

Seeing the senate in action was interesting. Their program for the day was a majority consent process, but Senator Watkins injected into the record, speaking from the senate floor, he paid a nice compliment to the Brigham Young University and the members of this tour.

Leaving the senate office building, we were escorted in private cars of government employes who are from Utah. What a beautiful city Washington is! The shrines to our national statesmen are inspirational. There is something homey about Washington, perhaps it is the well-cared for lawns and shrubbery and the mocking birds nesting in the magnolia trees, which are as yet just beginning to burst into blooms.

Visiting hours for the White House are in the morning hours only, so we had to view that from the street. The fountains and lawns were in happy harmony with the gleaming white pillars of the beautiful building. As we passed the entrance of the White House we saw the man who may well be the new life in the renewed building – General Dwight D. Eisenhower. He was smiling and of course, we could see that he was smiling at us for our car passed directly in front of his. He was in the front seat with the chauffeur.

Just ahead of us now, as we ‘bus’ our way along, is a carload of young men with “New York or Bust” painted on their car but I think we’ll get there before they do.

Mrs. George H. (Afton) Hansen

60 Years Ago Today and Yesterday

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Saturday, 31 May 1952:

At 4 a.m. in the Laramie bus depot I brushed my teeth. As we left I saw the outlines of the University of Wyoming. We sped up over the mountains, 8800 feet, and over the Continental Divide. There was an accident on the road where a deer had apparently been hit by a truck.
As we left Wyoming behind, the flat plains of Nebraska stretched before us. At North Platte, we crossed the time zone and set our watches ahead one hour. While traveling I talked to the bus driver and he pointed out a herd of buffalo in the fields along the road and told me about Boys’ Town as we passed it.

At Omaha we changed buses and drivers. Then we had difficulty getting rearranged in our seats because the committee in charge decided to switch the kids in the back of the bus to the front and vice versa. A couple of us ended up in the aisle because two of the kids couldn’t decide which of the two seats they were going to sit in.

As we drove through Omaha, I found it to be an interesting city with many beautiful homes and clean streets. The next city was Council Bluffs. Once again while driving I talked to the new bus driver about Salt Lake City and the Mormons. When crossing the Missouri River, he pointed out the huge dikes which had been built in an effort to control the rising waters. Sleep? Whatta night!

Sunday, 1 June 1952:

Around 4 a.m. we arrived at the Tri-Cities: Davenport, Moline, Rock Island. Whatta night in the bus! The bus driver promised to wake us up so we could see the great Mississippi. And he did. There was a toll charge of 25 cents to cross the Mississippi River. It was pretty dark to get a good idea of the river though.

At about 6 a.m. we stopped at DeKalb, Illinois. The driver insisted we could get a better breakfast here than in Chicago, but I think he had some ulterior motive. Most of the kids came back moaning about the heavy hot cakes and the “hole” of a rest room. I decided not to have breakfast, because it was fast Sunday. While the group ate, I redecorated the bus and then made an attempt at starting my diary.

At a fire station across the street someone asked for permission from the firemen for us to slide down the fire pole. After we got permission, we hurriedly climbed up the stairs at the fire house and each of us took a turn wrapping ourselves around the pole and zooming down through the flapping doors.

Around 7 a.m. we were back on the road again. We had a singing Sunday School on the bus and entertained the driver with:
Come, Come Ye Saints
The Spirit of God Like a Fire Is Burning
We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet
We Are All Enlisted
 Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam
Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel
Master the Tempest Is Raging
Did You Think to Pray
Oh, It Is Wonderful
Secret Prayer
Will the Youth of Zion Falter
Onward Christian Soldiers
How Gentle God’s Command
Welcome, Welcome Sabbath Morning
Oh, How Lovely Was the Morning
Oh, My Father
I Know That My Redeemer Lives
and many others.

While we entered the suburbs of Chicago we were still singing. And when we crossed another time zone, we set our clocks to 8:45 a.m. Soon after we passed the Chapel Hill Gardens, biggest Veterans Hospital in the United States, and Glenn Oaks Cemetery and Mausoleum.

Then as we drove into Chicago through their narrow streets, we passed Sunbeam, Formfit, and General Motors Parts Division. We headed northeast into the colored section which is an older section along Roosevelt Road. We craned our necks trying not to miss anything.

For many of us this was our first look at Chicago. As we were heading northeast through the older section of Chicago, we passed the Gold Theatre where three features were playing. The bus driver gave us a few interesting bits of information as we rode along. The driver warned us about holding onto our luggage since the bus terminal was notorious for thievery. He also told us that an ordinary house in the suburbs costs $25,000-30,000 compared to a dirty looking apartment above a store cost $80 a month. Next he discussed how Chicago bus drivers receive a higher cost of living allowance than any other bus drivers in the United States.

Then we saw an elevated L train in West Roosevelt and traveled through a section of better looking apartments. Then a car darted between our bus and street car in a mad dash to get somewhere in a big hurry. We passed street markets, a rummage sale, an International Harvester Company, and the largest railroad depot in the world. Next we went along the Chicago River and passed the Chicago Tribune building. The bus driver told us that the main papers are controlled by colored people. Lastly we passed some big radio and TV stations and the YMCA.

When we arrived at the depot, Irene Blake was there. She had been waiting since 7 a.m. along with Mrs. Hansen’s son, Al, and his wife, Ruth Purdy Hansen. The depot was dirty and crowded. In the rest room there was a lady taking a public bath. They certainly need the new super depot which is in the process of being built.

We changed buses and drivers here, but we had too much luggage for the bus. So some of the luggage had to go in the lower compartment. There was a rest room in the back of the bus, which might have had something to do with the lack of baggage facilities. We put our lunch at our feet and rented a pillow again for more comfortable sleeping.

We left Chicago via South Park and the shores of Lake Michigan at 10:40 a.m. and passed the sight of the Chicago World’s Fair. There were miniature sail boats on the lake and people horseback riding in the park. We passed a huge Chicago museum, a ball game with the local hoboes, and the “L” train again. The dirty section of Chicago popped up again as we left via highway 30 through a slightly foggy atmosphere. We snoozed and ate. Later we caught sight of a big semi that had hit a tree and ran into a house. Ouch!

Dr. Watkins told us a few interesting things about the European people. He said the Frenchman instinctively conquers all of his disappointment and was orderly about his own emotions. The German man was orderly about his personal affairs, where the English were enterprising.

As we passed through Warsaw, Indiana, we discovered many beautiful homes along the lake. This country seemed very rich and fertile as we proceeded by a roadside trailer camp. Soon after we journeyed past Columbia City and then Fort Wayne at 2:45 p.m.

At our next rest stop a gorilla in a large wagon greeted us and we bought orange juice out of a push button machine. Wow! Can you imagine that? Back on the bus I rested my eyes until we arrived in Lima and rested some more until we came to Mansfield. Later I spotted a group of young people in what looked like white graduation robes.

60 Years Ago Today

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Europe 1952 Cover

60 years ago today my mom left on a three-month trip to tour Europe with a group from Brigham Young University. I recently finished a 440 page book incorporating her journals from the trip, 100’s of photos and lots of brochures and other memorabilia. It is the biggest project of that kind that I’ve tackled so far and I’m really happy with the results. I’ll post the finished pages over the next 3 months as she progresses through her journey.

The cover was inspired by a suit case that my mom used on the trip. It had an alligator texture and she add stickers from the hotels they stayed in. I printed this book using Blurb.com in their large landscape size.

Transportation by special Burlington Bus. The bus is scheduled to leave Knight Hall in Provo at 3:30 p.m., Friday, May 30. It will pick up students from Ogden and Salt Lake in front of the Salt Lake City and County Building at approximately 4:30 p.m.

We leave Salt Lake City by way of Parley’s Canyon and travel via Cheyenne, Omaha, and Chicago to Washington D.C.

After doing some sightseeing in Washington during the morning and early afternoon of Monday, June 2, we continue on our way to New York arriving there at approximately 8 p.m.

Friday, 30 May 1952:

Can you believe it? It was 3:30 p.m. and I was still disorganized for the trip. However, I had plenty of help with Aunt Mary, Lynette, Marion Allen, Doris Hermansen, and Maria Zamora assisting me. As time grew short, we just tossed the remaining equipment in the suitcase and gently closed the lid. I was given 3½ months ahead to get things organized. You would think I could’ve been better prepared!

By the time we arrived in front of Knight Hall, there was a big crowd that had already congregated. There were goodbyes and more goodbyes. Then Dr. Harold Glen Clark called us all into Knight Hall for prayer. President Wilkinson bid us God speed, and Dr. Harold W. Lee led us in prayer. With our heads hanging out the bus windows for last glimpses and final waves our big beautiful greyhound bus pulled out about an hour late.

Then the Give Us Some Money Committee hurried into quick action collecting money for the anticipated performance of Rigoletto in Paris. Our first stop at the Salt Lake City bus depot brought more excitement and new friends: Eloise Wilcox, Margaret Brown, Dick Myers (one of the sadly outnumbered boys on this tour), and Alene (my old friend).

Spirits were high in anticipation of the wonderful experiences ahead of us. I made an attempt to pick up some travelers cheques at American Express, but it was closed. Dr. Rogers called Paul Childs, who took us down to the Union Pacific Depot where I exchanged most of my money for 39 ten dollar cheques. Then we were ready to go when Herr Rogers discovered that he still had to sign his cheques. He had lots of money in large denominations though, so it didn’t take long.

At approximately 7 p.m., we went back to the bus depot where all goodbyers and well-wishers had departed. As we boarded the bus and headed east, things quieted down a little. All of us ate sandwiches and napped. Alicia and I had a huge box full of goodies that her family had fixed for us. We came to Evanston and went into the restaurant for a drink. Then we traveled on to Rock Springs and Laramie. The bus driver woke us up every two hours.