Delta chief., 1883-07-04
An Old Pioneer in the Reservation

In n larc number Of the Colorado .u,thO-
dit We find the following letter, from the pen
of Rev. Father whicher, which will be read
with interest by many:
DEAR BROTHER RADER.-I received yours
asking letter from me IS to how was get
ting along. what the prospects, etc. In an
swcr. | can write a larger volume as to what
have not done than wha, have. But
can say that our Sunday School is really
Aourishing and our congregations are incrcas-
ing in number and interest. Four weeks ago
/ stated for the North Fork of the Gunnison
river. hut Satan hindcrei me; for when got;
across the bridge found the river was over
the bottom very far, and either 10 go back or
wade stared me in the face; 80 chose the
latter. and after q time found myself safe
across. then went ON across lovely valley,
unsettled and unclaimed thence across hills
and mcsas until came 10 the hill of difficult
ty. Here found man with team that could
not get up the hill, which was long and steep
lie appeared in the safhc condition Of mind
as the great prophet Balaam in his dispute
witt, the animal he rode. | also saw that he
had some OF tho qualifications Of justice of
the peace, Is he seemed expert in administer
oaihs. So opened my mouth and spake that
would help him to carry his load up the
hill, which he asscnicd TO. In performing this
got my eyes full of sand. as the wind blew
very hard When all was taken out of wagon
then the team came up also. Here night
came on, and we went into camp. rode with
him the mex, day, which was cold and stormy.
Night overlook us again where there was
wood and water, but no house. Here we
camped again and it rained all night. Next
day We crossed wide mesa covered with the
white sage 80 much sough; after by cattle
men. Before sundown we arrived at u house
on the North Fork. where ! parted with my
friend and stayed all night, my eyes badly in
famed. Here found lady eighiy-one years
old. who set out to see the end of n praying
life about the same time that did, and unit
ed with the church when Mcthodism was
young and she was young. We jlad time
of rejoicing as we talked of the reyivals we
had seen and the shouts of new. born souls we
had heard.
Next morning started on afoot with my
ewes badly inilamcd, and could hardly see the
road. Calling ut the houses as l went, |
found farmer from Georgia who believed.
and as we knelt at the altar the Holy Spirit
was prcsoat and we had time of rejoicing
So went on to the next house, where l got
my eyes relieved from the sand by one who
was skilled in such cases. After travelling all
day came to the house of our county COM
missioner, gentleman of culture and great
hospitality, md whose wife and children arc
worthy of such husband and father. Next
day went on calling ut every house, and
found many interesting eases that will long
be remembered into ths eternal world.
Many who thought themselves forgotten by
all mankind and by their Heavenly Father,
too, rejoiccd again to see minister of the
gospel.
Sunday came, and with II rainy day, so
we could have no preaching. This valley Is
about fifteen miles long and one mile wide.
The river runs through 1t in the center and
farms are taken on both sides. The soil Is as
productive as the plains of Egypt and is all
taken up and nearly all settled. The settlers
ere wcll-to.do, and have shickens aud turkeys
and swine and horses and much cattle. They
are planting out much fruit. Monday had