Dyer Memorial Chapel
by Lynn Sprowl
Title
Dyer Memorial Chapel
Artist
Lynn Sprowl
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Dyer Memorial Chapel by Lynn Sprowl.
Father John L. Dyer, "the snowshoe itinerant", was a Methodist circuit rider.
Mosquito Pass connects Leadville to outlying Alma. When gold was discovered in Leadville, transportation of goods and people over these passes was a difficult and costly journey.
Father John Dyer was called "The Snowshoe Itinerant" and was notorious for carrying gold and mail over this pass in the winter, wearing 10 foot snowshoes! Traveling as an itinerant preacher, Dyer began having problems with his eyesight. Having longed to see Colorado, he decided to go before it was too late. Once there, his eyesight bagan to improve, thus he stayed.
Dyer would travel over the passes to preach at different towns, even walking into saloons for impromptu preaching. Traveling over the pass was treacherous, and inclement weather made it more difficult. Dyer crafted 10 foot Norwegian skiis that acted as his "snowshoes" to keep him above the deep snow.
As preaching didn't pay well, Dyer began carrying mail over Mosquito Pass for $18 a week. He would also carry gold dust for local miners to be exchanged for cash.
Uploaded
October 19th, 2018
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