Reminisces of Rachel Scott and David Thomas McKee as written by Nephi Clifford Ostler, May 15, 1959:
My granddad, David Thomas McKee, told me of a time when he was obliged to kill an Indian because he was sneaking into the fort, through a hole dug under the wall of the fort at Spanish Fork, Utah -- the only Indian he ever killed
Granddad told of one trip to San Berdino (Bernadino), California, with a freight train. He was a 'night hurder', and tied his saddle horse to his ankle so he could catch a few winks. While the horses grazed, his horse got scared by a bear and took off through the sagebrush. He managed to grab the rope and balance himself long enough to pull his gun. He shot the horse in the rear end; end of horse - end of story.
One trip they were attacked by Indians. I don't remember what he said happened to the others, but he and another man managed to hide in an old wagon bed. He said that after the Indians had left, they climbed out and found the wagon bed so full of arrows, it looked like a porcupine.
One trip they came across an old shack and in it was a keg of something that they thought was 'old' liquor. After they had sampled it, they found it was 'Lion Poison'. The rest of the night was spent boiling coffee and pouring it down them. Two of them died, I think he said. He survived but the reason for telling about it was that when he returned home, Grandma didn't know him because his hair was snow white. (His hair was black before he left.) His hair was snow white when I first remember him.
Grandad was mining silver and lead at Knightville, Juab Co., Utah, when I first remember him. He quit working about that time, and shortly after, moved to Springville, Utah, into a two story house (second house north of the river on the east side of the street in the same block as Grant School).
Granddad or grandmother, either one, talked very little.
George Alma Ostler, age 85, of Springville, passed away Thursday, April 17, 1997, of Heart failure.
He was born May 20, 1911, in Springville, Utah, to Amy and Arthur Ostler. He married Velda Ostler and raised three daughters. He is survived by three daughters, Darlene McBroom (Seattle), Verna (Max) Locke and Laurel (Earl) Tuttle of Springville. Two sisters, Helen Nelson and Lilian; 14 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Velda, 5 brothers: Arthur, Clifford, Leonard, Harmond and Kenneth. Two sisters, Violet and Stella. Burial was April 19, 1997.
Leora Braithwaite Ostler Hasleton passed away after a lingering illness at the Art City Care Center Thursday, July 19, 2001 with her children surrounding her.
She was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth McKee Ostler to whom she was sealed in the Manti Temple May 25, 1965. She later married Hubert Hasleton of whom preceded her in death also. She was a long time resident of Springville and a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
She is survived by her five daughters and one son: Afton Kay Early; Karen Childs Robertson of Springville; Jan Adams of Sandy; Jolene Crawford of Afton, WY; Debbie Hall of Idaho; and Troy Beebe of Spanish Fork; 22 grandchildren, and a multitude of great-grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses of the Art City Care Center for their loving care.
A viewing was held for family and friends on Sunday, July 22, from 6-8 p.m. at Wheeler Mortuary, 211 East 200 South in Springville, UT.
Funeral was held Monday, July 23 at the 1st Ward Hobble Creek West Stake Center, 555 South 600 East in Springville at 11 a.m.
Burial will be in the Springville Evergreen Cemetery.