My paternal grandparents came to Colorado over a hundred years ago. My father, whose birthday was September 7, 1860, was the first white child born in Colorado Territory.
The family was composed of strict Presbyterians, and breaking the Sabbath was a deadly sin. So it was a shameful day indeed when their nearest neighbor, from five miles away, came by and found them building a chimney for their fireplace. You see, it was Sunday.
In recalling the incident years later, Grandma said, “It was my fault. I was supposed to keep track of the days, but somehow I must have missed one. I confessed to God and asked him to forgive me, and I’m sure he did. You know, that was the best drawing chimney we ever had!”
Georgia L. Pinkerton
Cambrian Park, California
Back in 1955 a call went out from the editors of the then Capper’s Weekly asking for readers to send in articles on true pioneers. Hundreds of letters came pouring in from early settlers and their children, many now in their 80s and 90s, and from grandchildren of settlers, all with tales to tell. So many articles were received that a decision was made to create a book, and in 1956, the first My Folks title – My Folks Came in a Covered Wagon – hit the shelves. Nine other books have since been published in the My Folks series, all filled to the brim with true tales from Capper’s readers, and we are proud to make those stories available to our growing online community.
