Emily LaRue Gardner McCleve

On October 4, 1916, Emily LaRue Gardner was born in her parent's home in Lakeside, Arizona. Emily was a family name on the Gardner side and LaRue was a family name on the Hansen side.

Their home in Lakeside was typical for this part of the country at that time. Essentially this meant:

No electricity, so lighting was provided by candles and kerosene lamps.

No running water in the house, so water had to be carried from the lake in barrels. Water had to be heated on the kitchen stove and used for all purposes including cooking, dish washing, hand washing, and bathing. After baths were completed, the remaining water was carried outside to water the plants and trees.

Heat was by the fireplace and stove in the kitchen.

Ashes from the stove and fireplace were used to make lye that was then used to make soap and for softening the hard water for use in laundry.

Fruit and vegetables were canned in the summer and fall and stored in the cellar for eating during the winter.

Apparently, the water from the spring tasted great. Mother said she thought of this water many times when she was sick. The area around the lake and spring was beautiful and kids all enjoyed walking and playing there. Mother had very fond memories of Lakeside and of her family members and friends who had lived there. She was very proud that her parents donated the property for the Lakeside cemetary. Church meetings were held inthe schoolhouse. Mother attended the first grade in this same building.

While in Lakeside, most of the traveling was by horse and wagon. When the weather was cold, they made a bed in the wagon and put heated rocks and irons in the blamkets to keep them warm.