White River Agency, Colorado April 14, 1878. Sir: On November 28, 1879, I responded to your circular No. 26 concerning issues to Indians individually instead of to families, and therein I showed that, in the weekly issues, the requirements were so difficult and impossible of performance that I would be[Read More…]
Tag: Meeker History
LOOKING FOR LESTER
Information wanted! The man on the left in this photo is Lester Burns, pictured with George Wilber. Mr. Burns worked as a ranch hand at several upriver ranches in the 1920s. He went missing in 1931 and his body was never found. If you have any old photos or other[Read More…]
HISTORY LESSONS – Farthing
A farthing is a British coin worth a quarter of a British penny, or 1/960 of a pound. Not much value there. In 1918 a Dr. Farthing in Rio Blanco County was worth his weight in gold. Dr. Charles H. Farthing was recorded in the county clerk’s records as certified[Read More…]
History Lessons – The person who never was
Occasionally, I run across a person who simply disappears in records. This doesn’t make for a riveting newspaper article. It kind of falls into the category of a personal quest. I took it as a challenge to my research ego. If you are easily bored, skip to the last paragraph.[Read More…]
DAYS GONE BY – February 8th, 2024
Meeker Herald ~ 125 years ago The Odd Fellows will celebrate St. Valentine’s Day, next Tuesday evening, February 14, by giving a dance at their hall. Vernal is considerably worked up over alleged late gold discoveries in the vicinity of the Colorado-Utah line. There ought to be no scarcity of[Read More…]
Museum Musings – Letters from history, No. 33
WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington City, April 9, 1879. Sir: I have the honor to transmit for your information copy of a communication from Mr. N. C. Meeker, Indian Agent at White River Agency, stating that a large part of White River Utes are about to start north, probably for the scene[Read More…]
DAYS GONE BY – February 1st, 2024
Meeker Herald ~ 125 years ago Experience teaches people a lot of things they’d rather not know. Dr. French was a passenger on the outgoing stage Monday morning en route to Plymouth, Pennsylvania, to visit “the folks at home.” The doctor will be absent two months or longer. Our local[Read More…]
Museum Musings – Letters from history, No. 30
Special to the Herald Times Sir: Your circular No. 27, as to the appointment of relatives, is received, and shall be shortly regarded. Respectfully, N. C. MEEKER Indian Agent HON. E.A. HAYT, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington, D.C. White River Agency, Colorado. March 24, 1879. Sir: In response to “remarks[Read More…]
Guest Column – Pat’s Christmas Letters, Part 3
My mother-in-law, Pat Hendrickson lived in Meeker about a year before passing at the age of 94. She didn’t get to meet most of you, so I would like to share some of her humor with you now. Her Christmas letters from Bartlett, Kansas, population 69, were hilarious stories of[Read More…]
Museum Musings – Letters from history, No. 27
Special to the Herald Times White River Agency, Colorado. March 17, 1879 Sir: I have now not less than twelve Indians regularly at work on the farm, and it is likely that the number will be considerably increased. They are engaged in fencing, in grubbing a large bottom for potato[Read More…]
GOOD CHEER
Illuminated for Christmas, the historic Coal Creek Schoolhouse is available to rent for special events, holiday parties and gatherings. Contact the White River Museum for details and reservations at 970-878-9982. STEVEN BRICKEY photos
History Lessons – Hot off the presses! Three-quarters of SF destroyed by fire
(OK, I could not resist the “hot off the presses” pun, do not blame Niki.) In the Meeker Herald April 28, 1906, issue, there is a story about the victims of the recent earthquake (April 18) and fire that devastated San Francisco. Several of the survivors had family ties in[Read More…]
