1 Charles Batt's first job at Utah State

Charles Batt (1861–1949) married Eliza Brazier in England before they accepted the restored gospel, joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and immigrated to America. Most of his history details their life after they came to Utah. This is the third of six installments (see Batt & Lee Ancestors, 18–19). Charles was the father of William B Batt (1888–1959) and the grandfather of Dorothy Batt Cleverly (1915–1982).

Charles decided to try looking for a job to get a few things they needed so badly and to pay the midwife who brought Ernest. He left his wife and children with Sister Kemp's promise to call and help with the family. He went to Logan to find a job. It took his team a long time to get there. The only people he knew in Logan were the John Mortimers, so he went to their home. Sister Mortimer gave him a good hot meal while Brother Mortimer took care of and fed his team. Then they sat down and talked over what kind of jobs to look for. Brother Mortimer wanted Charles to go to the new Agri­cul­tural College that was being built at that time in Logan.

Brother Mortimer hitched up his own horse and buggy and took Charles up to the college. The school buildings were about ready to take their first classes that fall, and someone was needed to plant the trees and the lawn. Charles was very backward and was afraid he didn't know enough about it to ask for the job. For­tu­nately, Brother Mortimer had more confidence in Charles than Charles had in himself, so the two of them went in to see the college president.

President Sanborne met with them and indicated they needed all kinds of workers but could only hire one or two at this time. He wanted to know what Charles could do. Charles answered that he could do many odd jobs but his real work was gardening and land­scaping. President Sanborne wanted to know where Charles had learned that trade. Charles told him that he was an English­man and had not been in America very long and that he had learned it in England. The presi­dent told Charles that he would have to talk to a board member about hiring him but to come back the next day.

The next day found Charles at the college before President San­borne arrived. When the president did arrive, he took Charles into his office and told him it didn't look like anything could be done about land­scaping until the next spring. He did want Charles to walk around the grounds with him though and look them over. As they were going out the door, it fell off its hinges, knocking Presi­dent San­borne down. Charles caught the door before it fell on top of Pre­si­dent Sanborne. Charles examined the door and found all the screws in place, but they had never been tightened. He set the screws as tight as he could with his pocket­knife and told Presi­dent Sanborne to have one of the workmen tighten them with good tools. President Sanborne brushed the dirt from his suit and told Charles to go to work at once. He took Charles into his office and signed him up as a handyman, his first job at the Agricultural College.