Nils CARLSON

                   NOTE:
      Historical sketch in NOTES


The family of Charles Carlson and Mary Cordelia Henderson Carlson with their six children were happy in theri home at Clifton, Franklin, Idaho in the beginning of the year 1897. Many, "a happy New Year," had been siad to one another and the family settled down to enjoy the blessings of the New year. But death and the scattering of this family was soon to take place.On a bright sunny day in February 1897, Charles, father of this family, went up into the mountains west of Clifton to dray out some logs which he had cut and rolled into the ravine early in the winter. He and his neighbor Mr. Twitchell went with their teams on this day to drag out the logs where they could load them on their sleighs. while Charles was fastening the chain around the end of the log, a snow slide came rumbling down the mountain side, completely covering Mr. Carlson under ten feet of snow and buried his horses so that only their noses were above the snow.Mr. Twitchell and his team were a little to one side of the log and the snow pushed them away, so that they were not harmed. He gave the alarm and soon many willing men were digging to recover the body of Mr. Carlson. After several hours the body was found showing that he had been killed instantly.Mrs. Carlson, being in poor health and with the sudden shock caused by the death of her husband, was more than she could stand. After giving birth to a baby daughter, died the following June. Just four months after the death of Mr. Carlson.Seven orphaned children were left. Kind relatives and friends came to their aid and the children were all given good homes. They were separated as a family but were able to see each other often.They have all grown to man- hood and woman-hood and all are married and raising families, carrying on the misson of life.Written by Samuel M. Lee June 1935