THE SNOW-SHOE ITINERANT. PUBLISHERS PREFACE This book was originally published in 1890, it has never been reprinted and copies are not readily available. By reprinting this book, we feel that more people will be able to obtain a different insight into the early history of our State, as it gives an eyewitness account of Colorado history in the making as seen by an itinerant preacher. Father Dyer also worked as a miner and mail carrier to supplement his very small income. His picture is shown in one of the stained glass windows in the Colorado State Capitol dome, honoring pioneer builders of Colorado. Father Dyer was appointed to the Breckenridge Circuit at the conference held in Pueblo in 1879. He tells of his travel to Breckenridge and of purchasing a lot in the town. He gave one-half of his lot to the trustees to build the church on. The church was built with much help from Father Dyer and in August 1880 services were held in the first church on the Western Slope in our conference. This was the beginning of the church we use today. The steeple and bell were added in the summer of 1890, later arched windows and a vestibule were added, but it still stands on the same lot that Father Dyer built the building on. The proceeds of the reprinting will be used for the maintenance and preservation of the Father Dyer Church. We wish to acknowledge with sincere thanks The Sliff School of Theology for the gift of our original copy of the Snow-Shoe Itinerant the State Historical Society and editor Cathy Johnson for their help and encouragement the Colorado Centennial-Bicentennial Commission for en dorsement of this project the Hon. James P. Johnson, 4th Congressional District and his aide ChickCasteel for all their help The Rev, Mark L. Feister, Pastor Emeritus for the use of the drawing of the original church and our many friends and members who helped in so many ways. We also want to thank the Robinson Press, Fort Collins, CO, for their excellent reproduction of the original book and a special thanks to those of you who purchase this book. Father Dyer United Methodist Church Breckenridge, Colorado Father Dyer United Methodist Church as It is today. REV. JOHN L, DYKR. THE SNOW-SHOE ITINERANT. AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY REV. JOHN L. DYER, FAMILIARLY KNOWN AS FATHER DYER, Colorado Cor f r i ce, Meblpodisb Episcopal Clp ILLUSTRATED FROM DRAWINGS BY MRS. HELEN H. CHAIN, DENVER, COLORADO. CINCINNATI PUBLISHED FOR THE AUTHOR BY CRANSTON STOWE. 1890. WORDS INTRODUCTORY. IT were easy to have edited Father Dyer out of his book. But, dressed in my diction, he would have been a sorry masquerader. The sur vivors of The Fountain and Buckskin Joe would not have recognized him. The placers of Fair Play and the diggings of Breckenridge would have turned their backs xipon him. All would have been disappointed to find the conventional minis ter where they had the right to expect the unique individuality of the frontiersman. Next to the biography of Peter Cartwright, says Prof. S. W. Williams, who has edited more manuscript than any man in our Church, this is the most in teresting in the annals of American Methodism. I trust that Father Dyers hosts of friends will enjoy the story even as they love the story-teller, and see and hear him in every chapter that his worthy successor in the Colorado Conference will catch the fervor of his dauntless spirit and that his artless narrative will contributesomewhat of value to the History of Rocky Mountain Meth odism. 4 WORDS INTRODUCTORY. I have gone over these pages alone, and with my venerable and beloved brother, until their personality has possessed me, and I and the Snow shoe Itinerant seem to be one. But now his snow shoes are to bear him in one direction, and I am summoned in another. As for him, I have no fears…