28.

from CLARINDA'S STORY of SAN LUIS VALLEY ROOTS
by Clarinda K. Sewell

page 115
"There was some excellent talent in the early days. There were dramas and an orchestra organized by William Woodward. The very first dance orchestra was Jordan Brady, Will Thomas and Joseph Mott. Joseph Mott played the large harp in the first dance band. Whether the other two played anything different from violin is not stated. There were no pianos in the settlement then."

page 209
"Joseph Mott was born in Italy. He, with his uncle and cousins, were concert musicians making a tour of America. While in Denver, he left his group and went to Idaho to visit cousins. While there, he was converted to "Mormonism." On his return to Denver, he discovered that his uncles and cousins had been murdered and their instruments destroyed. Having no place to go, Joseph Mott joined the Mormon migration to the San Luis Valley. He brought his Italian harp with him and it is in possession of one of his descendants. He was the only Italian born pioneer among all the early Mormon settlers. He took up farming like all the rest." (related to Clarinda by Marilyn Mott Oberrick)