History of Frank & Lucinda Tyler Carpenter by Lucinda, installment #4

On April 2, 1909, Frank and I were married in the Salt Lake Temple. At this time I was secretary of the M.I.A. and a member of the Primary Stake Board. They combined and gave me a surprise shower. I went, thinking I was going to a Board meeting. When I arrived the room was full of people and gifts galore! They took me and dressed me up with all the gifts and took my picture. It was a good party and we had lots of fun – a party I will never forget!

When we were getting ready to go to Salt Lake to get married it was with some misgivings, for neither of us had been out of Arizona, nor hardly any distance from home. But we bravely boarded the train and were on our way to Salt Lake City, Utah.

We made the trip, found the Temple, got married and spent our honeymoon in Los Angeles and other cities of interest on our way home. We made the trip in about three weeks.


When we arrived home we were anxious to get our little house ready to move in. We were going to live in Frank’s half brother, Will’s house. But we found our dear families had everything done, and the house was ready for us to step into. It was a nice surprise, and very much appreciated.

My father had given us a building spot across the street from his home. So later when Will was going to get married and wanted his house, we got a big tent and moved it onto our lot. We were quite comfortable and happy there. It was while we were living there that our first baby, a beautiful daughter, was born – December 8, 1910 – only she was born at my mother’s home. The doctor (she was called a midwife then) was Sarah Elmer, the same that brought me into the world.

The name of this special child caused quite a controversy. I had had the name of Phyllis picked for my first baby even before I was married. I was quite determined, but my husband overruled and we had to name her Bertha, for his old girl friend. But she has made the name beautiful for me.

Months later we bought a house and a lot on the highway south of us. There were big shade trees, some fruit trees, a place for a cow and chickens. What could be better? That was a big day when we moved in. The tent was pretty good but a house was much, much better.