COMING SOON  The articles appearing in this book were first printed in The Journal of the Western Slope, which was published for seventeen years by the staff and students at what was then Mesa State College, now Colorado Mesa University.  It was meant to give student a chance to research and publish articles about Western Slope history.  It was well received and was even honored by Phi Alpha Theta, the national history honor society, as being exemplary.  Over the years there have been requests for many out of print articles.  Some of the most requested are included in this book as well as some of the editor’s favorites.  Whether or not you have ever read any of the articles in The Journal of the Western Slope, we know you will find these articles interesting and informative; but they will be of special interest to newcomers to Grand Junction and Colorado’s Western Slope.