Peterson wrote this poem from a hospital in Arizona for his mother while she was gravely ill in Minnesota in hopes that she would see it in the Chicago Tribune. She didn’t live to see “Memory Quilt;” it was coincidentally published on the day of her funeral. Moe, Lawrence. “The Poetry of Colorado Pete.” Shevlin, MN: Clearwater County Historical Society, 2008.

Originally published December 8, 1926. Moe, Lawrence. “The Poetry of Colorado Pete.” Shevlin, MN: Clearwater County Historical Society, 2008.

Moe, Lawrence. “The Poetry of Colorado Pete.” Shevlin, MN: Clearwater County Historical Society, 2008.

One of Peterson’s most popular poems with readers, “I Want a Pal” displayed the western motifs inspired by his stay at a Colorado sanitarium which became his signature style. His sentimental style earned him hundreds of fan letters from women around the Midwest. Moe, Lawrence. “The Poetry of Colorado Pete.” Shevlin, MN: Clearwater County Historical Society, 2008.

Arthur Peterson (right) with his brother Andrew, 1919.

Arthur Peterson in his military uniform, ca. 1918.

Crewmen from Ortonville’s C Battery, First Battalion, 151st Field Artillery, prepare to fire their M777 155mm howitzer at Camp Ripley, July 2016. Photo by Anthony Housley.

Lt. Col. Scott St. Sauver (left) and Command Sgt. Major Erik Arne, First Battalion, 151st Field Artillery, unfurl the unit colors during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, August 8, 2009. For the next year they provided convoy security escorts from Kuwait into central Iraq. Photo by Joe Roos.

Lt. Col. Scott St. Sauver (left) and Command Sgt. Major Erik Arne, First Battalion, 151st Field Artillery, unfurl the unit colors during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, August 8, 2009. For the next year they provided convoy security escorts from Kuwait into central Iraq. Photo by Joe Roos.