"The James Frank Gardner's of Rapid City, SD":Information about Clara Evenson
Clara Evenson (b. February 23, 1889, d. December 23, 1946)
More About Clara Evenson:
Burial: Unknown, Wall, Pennington Co. South Dakota.
More About Clara Evenson and Philip Arthur Doughty:
Fact: See Notes.
Marriage: April 17, 1916, Phillip, Haakon Co. South Dakota.
Marriage Notes for Clara Evenson and Philip Arthur Doughty:
Unlike his father and grandfather, "Phil" was more inclined to stay in one place.When a teenager he came to Rapid City and would pick up the milk cows in the town, herd them around the West Boulevard area, and bring them back to each barn at night.Later he worked for Mr. Feigle, helping put organs together, etc.With a little of each pay check, he purchased a violin and learned to play.He rode horse back from Rapid City to Rockerville and played for dances, participated in the rodeos held on "Main Street" and told of the "sham" battles with the indians.When he was older, he worked on the roundup at Peno Basin.He was driving the chuck wagon.A young boy in the back was playing with his 30-30.The rifle went off sending a bullet through Phil's thumb and shot the bridle off one horse.Another cowboy and he rode about 130 miles to Pierre where they put a steel plate in his hand.
He worked for John Edwards on Deep Creek where he met Clara Evenson who was teaching school on Rainy Creek.Clara was the daughter of Sever and Julie Evenson of Rapid City.Phil and Clara were married in April 1916.Phil worked around Rapid City for awhile.
Gertrude and Esther were born at Grandma Evenson's, she being a mid-wife.Eva was born at Wasta where Phil worked on the Railroad.Later they settled down on Clara's homestead (already approved) on Deep Creek.According to her sisters, Dr Jernstrom "brought Phyllis there in his suitcase."While Grandma Doughty stayed with the family, Clara went to Grandma Evenson's and came home with Lucille.
We five girls grew up on Deep Creek.We walked on and a half miles to school, jumped the creek when it was high, waded through snow drifts and blizzards, but the worst was the drought and grasshoppers.Like "Pa Ingalls," dad played the "fiddle" on long winter evenings.Our Beautiful sister Esther, was a senior at Wall High School when she died of scarlet fever and pneumonia.
Our mother was a frail, sweet, wonderfully patient person.On December 23, 1946, God called her home too.
Our Dad died doing what he liked best.On August 19, 1959, he and Gertrude's husband, Richard Palmer were fishing in a dam north of Phillip.We believe Richard had a heart attack and fell from the boat, and dad attempted to save him and drowned as the boat was not capsized.
By Phyllis (Doughty) Reub.
Taken from The History of Pennington County South Dakota book by Kenneth R. Gardner.
Children of Clara Evenson and Philip Arthur Doughty are:
- Esther Violet Doughty, b. April 10, 1918, Wall, Pennington Co. South Dakota, d. January 27, 1937, Wall, Pennington Co. South Dakota.
- Phyllis May Doughty.
- Gertrude Emma Doughty.
- Maryann Lucille Doughty.
- Eva Charlotte Doughty.