Letters To The Editor, Meeker, Opinion

Request for info about traveling gypsies

This is a historical request for information about three wagons of traveling gypsies that came through the town of Meeker around 1946. My mother, Dorothy Kracht Archer, told me that she was about 13-14 years old when they came through town. They parked their wagons in front of Evelyn Chrysler’s trailer park at the time. Dorothy remembers how interesting they were to talk to and told me what they looked like, etc. Her mother, Aretta Findlay, was concerned, of course, with my mother’s well-being and told her to stay away from the gypsies as they “stole little children.” She said that later on she found out that her father, Gus Kracht, had given them permission to park their wagons in his hay field down the river at his ranch. They were on their way to Utah. Grandpa Gus Kracht gave them permission and also gave them milk, eggs and potatoes from his garden. Everyone told him not to do this, but being the kind person he was, he did anyway. Everyone said that the gypsies would steal him blind if he let them stay, but through his kindness, not one thing was missing from his ranch.
Anyway, I am writing some historical things down about my mother, Dorothy Kracht Archer, who is now 77 years old. I would like to know of any information recorded about this event, when the gypsies came through town.
Doyleen Archer Conover
Apache Junction, Ariz.
(480) 671-1353

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The Meeker Preschool Roundup will be held this Friday, April 26th from 8am to 4pm!
The Meeker Preschool Roundup will be held this Friday, April 26th from 8am to 4pm!
3 hours ago
View on Instagram |
1/9
Gear up for an unforgettable adventure with the 2024 Ride The Rockies Route, set to unfold from June 9th to 15th! Read all about this new and exciting adventure visiting Meeker this year in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Gear up for an unforgettable adventure with the 2024 Ride The Rockies Route, set to unfold from June 9th to 15th! Read all about this new and exciting adventure visiting Meeker this year in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
22 hours ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
Rangely Panther Kobey Chism (#22) has been selected to play in the 2024 8-man football all-state game. He’s sponsored by the Bleed Green Lancaster #17 Foundation. Story at ht1885.com.
Rangely Panther Kobey Chism (#22) has been selected to play in the 2024 8-man football all-state game. He’s sponsored by the Bleed Green Lancaster #17 Foundation. Story at ht1885.com.
23 hours ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Rio Blanco Fire Protection District (RBFPD) will begin work on a firebreak northwest of the Town of Meeker this month. Read about it online at ht1885.com.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Rio Blanco Fire Protection District (RBFPD) will begin work on a firebreak northwest of the Town of Meeker this month. Read about it online at ht1885.com.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
You can always find a reason to laugh... start with yourself. Hear from our Editor in her column this week online at ht1885.com.
You can always find a reason to laugh... start with yourself. Hear from our Editor in her column this week online at ht1885.com.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
The amount of money reported lost to fraud and scams in the United States nearly tripled from $3.5 billion in 2020 to $10 billion in 2023, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Learn the tricks to help protect yourself and your family in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
The amount of money reported lost to fraud and scams in the United States nearly tripled from $3.5 billion in 2020 to $10 billion in 2023, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Learn the tricks to help protect yourself and your family in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
About 80 Meeker Elementary Students participated in the reading competition. Prizes were distributed according to the most minutes read by each student.  Story at ht1885.com.
About 80 Meeker Elementary Students participated in the reading competition. Prizes were distributed according to the most minutes read by each student. Story at ht1885.com.
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
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The Rangely Panthers track and field team traveled to Grand Junction this past weekend to compete in the Phil Wertman Invitational. Catch up online at ht1885.com.
The Rangely Panthers track and field team traveled to Grand Junction this past weekend to compete in the Phil Wertman Invitational. Catch up online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
Natalie Kracht took first in her 100M heat for the MHS Cowboys at the Glenwood Springs Invitational last weekend. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
Natalie Kracht took first in her 100M heat for the MHS Cowboys at the Glenwood Springs Invitational last weekend. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
9/9

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