The Jonsrud Library

Many people do not know about a real treasure upstairs in the museum. The Jonsrud Library is free to use and contains fiction and nonfiction books, family records, information about local places, schools, businesses, events, and other things of interest. Library materials may not be removed from the building, but users may do research, photograph materials and record notes. The following is just one of a large notebook of stories by this son of pioneer Luigi Vaeretti.. Enjoy the wry humor!

A Happening in Antelope By Howard Vaeretti

Mildred Silvertooth was the daughter of the late John Silvertooth who had a remarkable western saloon in Antelope, Oregon. She grew up there and knew all the people. Mildred was a wonderful, caring person who had a neat dry humor. She was in charge of the office of Alder Creek Lumber, and we much enjoyed each other’s company.

This story she told me goes as follows: There were a number of older residents in Antelope who were good friends and spent time visiting together. One of these old fellows passed away. Antelope had a new cemetery in town and the old one about two miles up a trail in the hills. This man’s friends had promised to honor his request to be buried in the old cemetery. So, the day before the funeral, they hiked up to the old cemetery and dug the grave.

The next day the funeral was held and, afterward, they took turns bearing the casket up the hill. Upon arriving, they held a short service and laid the coffin down into the hole.

At that time someone noticed they’d forgotten to bring a shovel, so there was nothing to do but hike back to town and bring one back.