Elizabeth Smart thread, September 5, 2002-?

[landerwy]

My mistake, that was the Francom address! By the way their address is real close to my Brother-in -laws parents house. Their ward encompasses three blocks there.

[Palladin]

varina,

The other thread has some maps showing the proximity of the Francom grandparents' house and Ward to Dixon's house and Ward.

The first map (from C&P site) is a little off, but not by much. Neff's Lane is quite near S2500 East. It is not a stretch to say that Dixon may have encountered Mary K. and Eliz. strolling through their grandparents' neighborhood, or that Dixon may have been acquainted with the Francoms. Perhaps he even attended Myron L. Francom's wake or funeral.

Francom's Ward House is East Millcreek 15th Ward at 3750 S Hillside Lane, 2500 East. (This is in the obituary).

[Palladin]

Myron LeGrande Francom Saturday, June 1, 2002

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Myron LeGrande Francom died May 29, 2002 at his home surrounded by his loved ones.

Myron was born January 6, 1921 in Salt Lake City, Utah to William LeGrande and Laura Boley Francom. He married his eternal sweetheart, Genevieve Pettit on November 14, 1941 in the Salt Lake Temple. p>He served honorably in World War II and loved his country. He worked at the Deseret News Press for over 30 years and found it a great blessing to set the type for many Church magazines and books. His greatest love was reserved for his family. Myron and Jenny were blessed with nine children, 51 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren who were the center of Dad's life. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints having faithfully magnified many callings throughout his life, including over 25 years of service in the Salt Lake Temple. He served as the President of the Philippines Manila Temple with his companion from 1993 to 1996, and continued thereafter as a sealer in the Salt Lake Temple. Dad's greatest qualities were faith, integrity, and devotion to his wife and family and love for his Savior. Families are Forever.

Myron is survived by his eternal companion Jenny of 60 years; children, Laura Parr (John), Myron L. Jr. (Beverly), Mark S. (Janice), Carolyn Joy Bradford (Kenneth), Michael A. (Lorna), Genevieve Wright (Steven), Stanford L. (Terry), Lois Smart (Edward), David B. (Carolyn). He was preceded in death by his parents, his older brother and both sisters.

Funeral services will be held Monday, June 3, 2002 at 12:00 noon at the East Millcreek 15th Ward building, 3750 S. Hillside Lane (2500 E.), Salt Lake City. Friends may call Sunday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 South 2300 East, and at the church on Monday from 10:30-11:45 a.m. prior to the services.

Any chance that Dixon, being a good neighbor, attended either of these publicly listed events, and saw Elizabeth there?

[Palladin]

That'd be a good trick, seeing as that particular grandfather died a few days before the abduction!

You nutcake! ;) Maybe Grandpa's Ghost did it!!

[Utah Girl]

The ward that Dixon was over is located at 1300 E 2400 S. The Francoms meetinghouse is at 3750 S. Hillside Lane (2500 E.). What 20 blocks south and 12 blocks east? NOt in the in the neighborhood. Of course, there is always the possibility that Dixon was a friend of the family, but we don't know that.

[varina davis]

The other thread has some maps showing the proximity of the Francom grandparents' house and Ward to Dixon's house and Ward.

The first map (from C&P site) is a little off, but not by much. Neff's Lane is quite near S2500 East. It is not a stretch to say that Dixon may have encountered Mary K. and Eliz. strolling through their grandparents' neighborhood, or that Dixon may have been acquainted with the Francoms. Perhaps he even attended Myron L. Francom's wake or funeral.

Francom's Ward House is East Millcreek 15th Ward at 3750 S Hillside Lane, 2500 East. (This is in the obituary).

Thanks, Palladin, you are on the ball and I agree with your comments.

[varina davis]

Thanks, Utah Girl.

[varina davis]

Thanks, landerwy.

[varina davis]

Any chance that Dixon, being a good neighbor, attended either of these publicly listed events, and saw Elizabeth there?

Wouldn't be too surprised if he attended a good number of events involving the extended Smart family.

[Palladin]

One city block equals 1/8 of a mile. 20 blocks south = 2 1/2 miles. 12 blocks east = 1 1/2 miles. Not a huge distance for a walker, jogger, or runner. I walk 2 1/2 miles almost every day. I don't consider that far at all, and the whole distance is all in my neighborhood.

I guess all things are relative to the type of spin you wish to put on the facts.

[Utah Girl]

I'm not spinning, but the two neighborhoods are not all that close. Plus the blocks in SLC tend to be bigger than average. Plus the fact that the further east you go from 1300 East, the streets really start rising in to the bench areas, and then the mountains. And I'm not trying to defend Dixon, but unfortunately, there are many child molestors in SLC. Nineteen I do believe are registered within the Smarts zip code.

[sandude]

I guess all things are relative to the type of spin you wish to put on the facts.

Talk about putting some spin on the facts! You and others practically have Dixon and the Smarts as bosom buddies when there is no known connection. I'm sure LE is looking into this guy so why don't ya'll just keep your powder dry on this one until there are some FACTS that link Dixon to the Smarts.

[Palladin]

OK. You know your city better than I ever will. Might it be correct to say that at some points the two neighborhoods touch on one another?

Do people from one Ward or neighborhood ever speak to or mingle with people from adjacent Wards/neighborhoods? If not, it must be a mighty unfriendly place.

Some evenings I walk in different nabes of my town, but the greeting is always the same--a warm "Hello! How are you? Nice evening". I much prefer a friendly small town over a faceless big city.

Somehow I'm getting the impression that there's a kind of competition between Wards, and the Francom/Smarts may even be insulted by being lumped in with the Dixons and their ilk. A bit of snobbishness going on? You seem so hellbent on keeping the two neighborhoods separate (but equal, of course).

[Utah Girl]

All I am saying is that the neighborhoods aren't that close physically. And to be really honest, I don't see Spencer Dixon, nor any other bishop attending the funeral of a man they didn't know, who lives two or three stakes over. Like I said, we do not know if the Smarts know the Dixons, or the Francoms know the Dixons, that is all I am trying to say.

I do have friends who live in the Foothill area, and they like it there a good deal. Some of the neighborhoods are a little older (sixties and seventies), but can be quite friendly. And yes, we do mingle with others from other neighborhoods, wards, and stakes. You might want to visit Utah and SLC someday, what you find just might surprise you. I'd prefer not to live in SLC either, well, I wouldn't rule it out, but the neighborhoods are good ones for the most part, and people are friendly and will help out those in need.

As far as competition between the wards, no, well, maybe in ward basketball games. Otherwise, we're here to live the gospel of Jesus Christ, and help those in need, not to compete with other wards to see who has the best people or the richest or whatever. That is not the purpose of the LDS church nor the gospel of Jesus Christ.

[L84AD8]

Thanks for the link, Utah Girl!

At Netscape's White Pages, you can pull up a map and see that the elder Smart's live right around the corner from Ed and Lois, on Kristianna.

Ed had mentioned in an article, that he didn't always lock his doors because he had grown up in that neighborhood and felt safe there.

Ed's Dad is a retired Doctor, isn't he? Does anyone know if the Smart grandparents were at Ed's house on June 5?

[sandude]

Do people from one Ward or neighborhood ever speak to or mingle with people from adjacent Wards/neighborhoods?

Mormons tend to have their closest non family ties with people from the ward that they attend. A ward, because it is determined by geographical boundaries, is made up of people from your own neighborhood. No attempt is made to set boundaries based on social or financial standings. When a new ward is established the only things that are considered is who will fill the leadership positions. The Smarts may very well have people in their congregation who are not affluent and the feelings that ward members have towards one another is based on Christian brotherhood not social standing.

Beyond the ward there is the sake which is comprised of between 6 to 12 wards. The Smarts would have some contact with people within their stake because there are activities that involve members within the stake and there are stake leadership positions that utilize people from the various wards. It is unusual for people to become acquainted with members from another stake because there are virtually no inter-stake activities. Former Bishop Dixon’s ward is too far from Federal Heights to be in the same stake as the Smarts. I would find it very unlikely that they had any contact because of church activities.

[Utah Girl]

Thanks, sandude, for stating this much better than I...

[Palladin]

If my grandchildren lived right around the corner, I'd probably be there every day, at least for a brief visit.

It was stated in early articles that the Smarts had overnight guests in their home the night Elizabeth went missing. Did anyone ever find out who these people were?

[Utah Girl]

Yeah, I did pull up a map to see where the elder Smarts live. Thanks for the info.

Charles Smart is a retired surgeon. I do not know nor have I heard any reports of Charles Smart and his wife being at Ed Smart's home on June 5 (the night of Elizabeth's abduction?)

[Palladin]

Thanks for your patient explanation, sandude. This set-up sounds not unlike our Catholic parishes when I grew up in Brooklyn, NY. We mostly mingled with those in our own parish, about an 8 to 10-block-square area, which coincided with the neighborhood. eg, St. Cecilia's--Greenpoint; Holy Name--Park Slope; St. Michael's--Bay Ridge, etc. There were several interparish activities, mostly for the youth, like CYO basketball, and weekend dances. We dated girls from other parishes. (I'm talking 50 years ago).