Bio: Guenther, Rev. & Mrs. E. E. (Arizona Mission - 1929)

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Guenther, Knoop, Behn

----Source: Neillsville Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) February 21, 1929

Rev. & Mrs. E. E. Guenther (Arizona Mission - 7 January 1929)

The following letter was recently received by the members of St. John’s Lutheran Ladies Aid from Rev. E. E. Guenther and his wife, who have charge of an Indian Orphanage at Whiteriver, Arizona.  Mrs. Guenther, who was formerly Minnie Knoop was brought up in Neillsville and has many friends here.

Whiteriver, Arizona, Jan. 7, 1929

Dear Friends: This is to acknowledge receipt of your generous Christmas contribution to this orphanage.  An epidemic of flu in school, camp and our own home prevented my writing to your sooner.  Please extend to all concerned our sincere thanks.  With the clothing, other articles and cash received it was a joy to give, for we were not obliged to slight anyone.

We still have a small surplus of cash on hand which we shall dispense during the course of the year as we see fit.  Our outlay for fruit for the sick in camp is a considerable one yearly.

The service for the camp Indians was held on Christmas morning, Rev. Behn, preached the sermon, while I ushered the crowd.  About six hundred Indians were again in attendance. For the real needy we had generous packages of used clothing done up and tagged.

For the rest we had purchased inexpensive gifts, such as cheap stockings, canvas gloves, handkerchiefs, tin cups, plates, etc., with the gifts of money we received.  These were also done up in individual packages with the name on each.  You can well imagine what a task it is to make such preparations, that may do justice to every man, woman and child within our field.

Three hundred boys and girls again worship with us from the local Government Boarding School.  These children were permitted to come down on the evening of Christmas day.  Christmas Eve is always celebrated at the school.  This is the first time the children have attended an evening Christmas service at our church.  It would have made your hearts glad to see the happy faces of these children and the joy with which they sang and otherwise participated in the little program that we had arranged in spite of the interference of the flu which had held over two hundred of the children confined at the time.  Outside, white visitors were deeply impressed with the service.

You have helped us to spread Christmas cheer, joy and comfort; and again our sincere thanks.  We beg you also to remember us and our Indians continually in your prayers.

Gratefully yours,

E. Edgar Guenther

P. S. - Some friends also included gifts for the missionary families. To these our sincere personal thanks.  A few Indians were also so thoughtful. (a portion was cut off from this)