Wednesday, April 5, 1903

This is a story that begins with an entry in the journal of Josiah Johnston, the famed Western explorer. After exploring the Eastern half of Colorado and the territories beyond the border to the North, he came to rest one day on a rock. It says that he heard a sharp hammering noise to his left, across the small creek he'd just taken a drink from. When he got to his feet, he turned in the direction of the noise and, peeking through the brush, beheld a sight that gave him pause to wonder if he was awake or dreaming.

"It has been hours since I walked into the forest chasing the sound that brought me to attention. Still, I cannot understand what was before me in that instant. Reality seemed to slip from my very mind as I peered at something in the distance that can only be described as false for there is nothing in this world that can compare to the wonder that I came across on this day. I will not write further about it in this entry. Rather, I will set myself to repose for the night. When I awaken on the morrow, I shall venture further into the forested area surrounding to force myself to believe. Truly, Josiah Johnston June 14, 1868

It was this entry that caught my interest, for until this entry Uncle Josiah seemed a pleasant, sane fellow. He was jolly, happy in his writings and very meticulous in his capture of the Western spirit- the wild west in all its curiosity. Perhaps his being sane was an incorrect assumption on my part all of these years. Perhaps he was "off his rocker" as the remainder of his family claim to this day. I will continue to investigate my uncle's findings in the woods of Colorado until I am able to prove or disprove his sanity. After all, it was his money that gave all of us the lifestyle in which we live. It was his name that until a few short months ago, kept our own families in the very inner circles of society. He deserves at the very least my looking into the matter. Grace Johnston Dwyer 5 April 1903