Item Detail
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Day, Lillie Buhler
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1917-1958
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MSS SC 2516
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Autobiography
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Lillie Buhler Day was born June 22, 1917 in Highland, Utah to Alma H. and Hazel Loveridge Buhler. She was born prematurely, and although doctors said she would die, she survived, but suffered from illness throughout much of her life. She started school at age seven but quit not long thereafter because of her health. Just as the Depression hit, Lillie's father broke his arm and ribs in accidents, and when they lost their farm and home, Lillie's mother was forced to build a one-room shack on a small plot of land across the street under the direction of Lillie's father. Lillie helped with chores, but the family still lived meagerly. She received her first calling as a Nursery teacher, and later, was called as a counselor in the YWMIA. She and her sister, Ruby, got jobs at Pulleys, a turkey dressing plant, and the two saved money to contribute to the family. In 1941, Lillie's brother, Reuben, died of an illness. In that year, she began a courtship with Lawrence Day, whom she married March 2, 1942. Less than two weeks after their marriage, however, he was transferred to Alamogordo, New Mexico, where he served in the army. Lillie joined him in September, and there, they were told they could never have children. Yet, despite much illness, Lillie had their first child, Lillie Martha, soon after the couple had been transferred to Tucson, Arizona. Again, they were told that Lillie should not try to have more children, but she was resistant, and was soon pregnant again. Lawrence was transferred not long after to Seattle, Washington. Lillie stayed there for only a few weeks before returning to Utah, to see her family. Lawrence was transferred again to Nebraska, but was able to see his second child, Alma Lawrence, born in October. Not long after, Lillie grew ill, and doctors discovered she had cancer on her leg. It was removed, but they were to later discover and remove eleven other cancerous spots on her arms, sides, back, and neck. Meanwhile, Lawrence had been shipped to Guam to fight. Not long after his return, Lawrence's older brother Louis died, leaving behind a widow and five young children. The family moved in to Louis's old home to help Beth, his widow, and while tending the farm, Lawrence decided to attend Brigham Young University. Lawrence and Lillie eventually returned to their home, where they had their third child, Earl Marvin. Despite being told again not to have any more children, they had another, Sterling Buhler Day. Following, Lawrence decided to become a teacher, and they were relocated in Heber. Their fifth and last child, Vaughn, was born there, and Lillie was so ill that they eventually hired someone to help in the house. The family later befriended a recently divorced woman, Evelyn Applonie although rumors circulated concerning a love affair between her and Lawrence. Through the help of Adam S. Bennion, Lawrence later acquired a job as a teacher at Roosevelt Junior High School. Lillie died December 31, 1958 from cancer.
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This is a 54-page typescript autobiography of Lillie Buhler Day. Within these recollections, she writes many of her personal feelings: as a child, she describes how weak she was, and the impact her illness had on her life. Unable to play with many of the other children, she stayed inside and helped her mother to tend the children. She also recounts two particular memories in which she injured her arm and burned herself severely. She also recounts instances of death she encountered as a young child: her uncle died, leaving behind a young wife and family; her grandmother died from an illness; one of her closest cousins died from an illness at age twelve; and a year later, her grandfather was hit by a car. Lillie then describes the conditions in which her family lived during the Depression: their small, one-room house had no floor, no windows, and a bad roof, and the children experienced intense hunger, such that upon being given a bag of flour, they attempted to eat it dry. Her father, injured, was finally able to get a job at the Sugar Factory, and that year, Lillie describes the Christmas they had, with the children gathered around the stove, while their parents cried because they had so little to give their children. Yet, the fire-chief, Irving Pratt, arrived later that night dressed as Santa Claus, with presents and candy for the children. Lillie describes this Christmas as the one none of the children would ever forget.
However, times were still rough for the family, and Lillie describes how they often couldn't make their beds because the sheets would freeze together. Lillie, having to quit school because of her health, also explains how she struggled from intense shyness and an inferiority complex. In order to somehow counter this, she puts immense effort into her calling as a nursery teacher, and though she recognizes and is grateful for her talents, she is still incredibly insecure. She describes her brother Reuben, his illness, and her worry for him during his sickness. Following his death at age eighteen, she includes a typescript of an article concerning the funeral services and his life, from the American Fork Citizen. Thereafter, the next two chapters concern her search for a husband. She includes various excerpts from her diary, describing the process. She has continual dreams concerning a particular man, Lawrence Day, and she includes some typescripts of letters he wrote to her. Upon their marriage, Lillie describes their first home in New Mexico, and of the experiences she had there. She continues to elaborate on the loneliness she often experiences when away from Lawrence, and when ill. She experiences many pains while pregnant, and she also describes how hard it was for the family to live, especially in Heber. After her last baby, Vaughn, is born, the family struggles'Lawrence, with his job, and Lillie, with her illnesses. Lillie dedicates one of the last chapters entirely to their family friend, Evelyn, who they grow closer to despite the circulating rumors. During one of Lillie's sicknesses, she even asks Evelyn if she, Evelyn, would marry Lawrence after Lillie dies. Lillie writes of her faith that Evelyn would be a great comfort to Lawrence, and also a good mother to Lillie's children.
The last page is a tribute given by Lawrence to Lillie and includes scriptures, a poem, and his testimony of his gratefulness for her. -
1824-1915