Fiery sermon not the cause of the blaze! One winter evening, on Monday Feb. 19, 1924, Reverend David A. Gregg, pastor, of the Meeker Methodist Episcopal Church began ringing the church bell to sound an alarm that a fire was blazing in the church. Several neighbors and townspeople came hurriedly[Read More…]
History Lessons
HISTORY LESSONS – Meeker’s star of the Silver Screen
The May 16, 1925, issue of the Meeker Herald proclaimed that the Princess Theater in town would be showing “The Rough Rider,” another of Kenneth Sanderson’s pictures. Kenneth was acting under the name of Buddy Roosevelt. Kenneth was a homegrown Meekerite, so the community was delighted to see someone they[Read More…]
HISTORY LESSONS: Agency Survivors, Part IV
So, what happened to the captives taken hostage by the Utes? After 23 days in captivity, Mrs. N.C. (Arvillia) Meeker, daughter Josephine, Mrs. Price and her children were welcomed back in Greeley with honors. When Nathan and Arvilla left Greeley, they didn’t take their three older children. Mary Ann, Rozene[Read More…]
HISTORY LESSONS: Agency Survivors, Part III
The result of Meeker’s first panicked letter to Washington, D.C., was an order to Major Thornburg at Ft. Steel to take troops to the White River Agency. They left Rawlins in the evening of Sept. 23. In route, Thornburg sent a courier, scout Charlie Lowry, ahead to Agent Meeker inquiring[Read More…]
HISTORY LESSONS: Agency Survivors
A couple of weeks ago Kevyn Mack of the White River Museum produced Letter No. 56. Correspondence between Nathan Meeker and E.A. Hayt, commissioner, Indian Affairs. On July 2, 1879, the commissioner had approved the appointment of five employees and mentioned two resignations: Edgar E. Clark and James S. Fullerton. This[Read More…]
HISTORY LESSONS: Fire, the sequel
As a veteran Boy Scout, I can tell you that any camping experience can be rated on the quality of food consumed, how many blisters on your heel, and the availability of dry firewood. A rainy day spent in a leaky tent with no chance of lighting a campfire can[Read More…]
HISTORY LESSONS: Miller Hill Cemetery Pt. 4
The Meeker Herald in the July 27, 1895 issue reported the US 8th Calvary was headed to Jackson Hole, Wyoming to persuade members of the Bannock tribe to return to their reservation. A large number of Indians were roaming the area hunting game. They were granted these hunting rights by[Read More…]
HISTORY LESSONS: The discovery of fire
One of the characteristics that separate man and beast is the control of fire. Eons ago, the first man discovered a burning ember left over from a lightning strike and said, “OUCH.” Language and four letter words were also discovered. Things progressed when he found a roasted squirrel left over[Read More…]
HISTORY LESSONS: The Miller Hill Cemetery Part 3
The Meeker Herald in the July 27, 1895, issue reported the U.S. 8th Calvary was headed to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to persuade members of the Bannock tribe to return to their reservation. A large number of Indians were roaming the area hunting game. They were granted these hunting rights by[Read More…]
HISTORY LESSONS: The Miller Hill Cemetery Part 3
I am continuing the series on people involved with the Miller Hill Cemetery, whether you want to read it or not! The names will appear in their order of death, if known. I am interweaving newspaper headlines as a backdrop to what was happening here in Northwest Colorado and the[Read More…]
HISTORY LESSONS: The Miller Hill Cemetery Part 2
When the oil companies began buying up land in the Piceance area, Miller Hill Cemetery was deeded along with the rest of the ranches. Through the efforts of the Rio Blanco Historical Society, RBC commissioners, Lila Cox, and Phyllis Lake, Exxon-Mobile deeded the cemetery and access to the Meeker Cemetery[Read More…]
HISTORY LESSONS: The Miller Hill Cemetery
Miller Hill Cemetery is located on County Rd 5 (Piceance) just about 1 mile north of the Rock School. I would recommend it as part of of a leisurely half-day trip. The White River Museum has an informational brochure giving you points of interest along the way. If you are[Read More…]
