Ellen G. White: The Progressive Years: 1862-1876 (vol. 2)

Chapter 26—(1873) Colorado Interlude

It was seven-thirty Wednesday evening, June 25, 1873, when the party of four, James and Ellen White, Willie, and Lucinda Hall, reached Denver. They were cordially received at the Walling home. Thursday and Friday they made preparation for the summer in the Rocky Mountains. To ensure comfortable beds, they arranged to have two hair mattresses made, and bought pillows. Mr. Walling came from the mountains Sabbath afternoon and found the visiting party in the city park enjoying the Sabbath rest. After the Sabbath they started out for Golden City, in the mountains (Manuscript 8, 1873). Late Sunday afternoon they were at Walling's Mills and getting settled in the cottage that was to be their home for the summer. In a letter to Edson written on Thursday, July 3, Willie described their situation: 2BIO 385.1

We are here at Walling's old mill, two miles from where he is now operating. It is a good house which he lets us have the use of. There are a parlor, dining room, kitchen, two bedrooms, and a sort of underground room, which serves as buttery and cellar below, and two bedrooms above. 2BIO 385.2

We are nearly settled. Walling lends us nearly all the furniture we need. Day before yesterday we awoke in the morning to find an inch of snow on the ground and the thermometer two degrees above freezing. How is that for the first of July? ... 2BIO 385.3

Father is quite well and cheerful. He is tinkering up shelves, bedsteads, et cetera, and keeps busy most all the time.... 2BIO 385.4

July 4. Father and I have been mending fence today. Expect Walling will lend us a horse as soon as the pasture fence is mended.... Guess I shall plant some garden next week.—In Carrie Johnson, I Was Canright's Secretary, pp. 35, 36.

Before long they were in a leisurely paced routine, with reading, writing, and recreation in the beautiful setting of the mountains. They treasured copies of the Review, which came each week, and the monthly visits of the Health Reformer and the Youth's Instructor. Frequent letters from Battle Creek and from George Butler in Iowa kept them in touch with the activities and progress of the cause. Diary entries give us a picture of their devotional program: 2BIO 386.1

Wednesday, July 16, 1873.

It is a beautiful day. We rested well during the night. We had our praying season in the family and also by ourselves upon the mountain. 2BIO 386.2

Thursday, July 17, 1873.

After we had breakfast and prayers my husband and myself had a season of prayer in the valley. 2BIO 386.3

Friday, July 18, 1873.

It is a beautiful morning. After breakfast and prayers with the family my husband and myself walk out and have a praying season alone in the valley.—Manuscript 9, 1873. 2BIO 386.4

As they were walking in the woods Sabbath afternoon, July 12, they found some wild strawberries, the first of fresh fruit that they would enjoy. Sunday they picked a quart. From then on there was almost a daily picking of strawberries, sometimes several quarts. As these tapered off, there were raspberries in even greater abundance. This delighted the fruit lovers in a country where imported fruit was scarce and very expensive. 2BIO 386.5