Comments on: Frederick Vincent Dankowske: A Pilgrim, But Not a Stranger

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:14:31 +0000

Don’t know, Mark B. They must have given a lot of interviews, at least, to be well enough known for Time to cover them, but I don’t know what records they might have kept. Time to hit the National Union Catalog …

By: Mark B.

Mark B. — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:03:53 +0000

In the Ken Burns documentary on the National Parks that’s showing on PBS this week, there’s a story of another couple, Margaret and Edward Gehrke, Nebraskans, who traveled every summer to the national parks, took pictures, kept a journal of their experiences.

Did Bro. and Sis. Dankowske take pictures, or keep a journal? If so, where are they??

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:13:08 +0000

I get a kick out of your reactions. While Fred’s story may not have an obvious use in your next Sacrament Meeting talk, our history is still made up of all the people — including the quirky ones, just like some of us.

By: queuno

queuno — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:01:04 +0000

I’d like a summer trailer home in the Black Hills and keep my home in North Texas.

By: Maurine

Maurine — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 23:59:07 +0000

This was a totally fun story. It doesn’t say whether Fred and Mary had any children. Probably not, though, because it would have been hard to tote them along all the time. I like to travel, but I like to return to my home, too. I have a hard time understanding friends who pick up every winter and go live in a trailer in Arizona.

By: queuno

queuno — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 23:58:33 +0000

*sigh*

Fred’s my new hero.

(45 states and counting, and it will be 47 by year’s end.)

By: Clark

Clark — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:10:54 +0000

I hope today’s LDS worship services have enough spirit to convince visitors of the truth, like the 1890 service did for Mr. Dankowske.

This is fascinating, Ardis.

By: Hunter

Hunter — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:36:12 +0000

What an interesting story. These nomads certainly seemed to be at home on the road.

As I read, I wondered at how much Mary was given to the travelling life, too, or whether Frederick had to twist her arm to head out. So it was pleasing to read the Time Magazine clip that said she “shared his passion for travel and scenery.”

Also, I was struck by the reaction that Frederick had to meeting the Mormons for the first time. I chuckled that he was shocked at how different the Mormons were from all the gossip he’d heard back home. Perhaps they have a positive purpose, these anti’s, these lazy journalists . . . With rumor mongers like that, who needs enemies?