The following three sections are letters from "The Old Ranger" to then college student and long-time Ranger Bill fan, Mark Huggins. I hope you will enjoy the warmth and humanity of this star of Ranger Bill and real-life "Warrior of the Woodland", Miron Canaday:

February 10, 1990

Dear Mark-

You made my day! I would never have dreamed of hearing from such a long time Ranger Bill listener as you. I am the one to be honored that you have written.

This "old ranger" is 73 now and peroneal muscular atrophy has been sneeking up on me for the last 27 years. Now the "Warrior of the Woodland" couldn't even fight his way out of a paper bag!

So far as I can remember, the Ranger bill program started in 1950, 40 years ago! How about That! I was 34 at the time. I always visualized the ranger as being about 35 years old. We must have recorded the programs for about 10 years. A number of them had to be discarded as they had become so dated. They were made in the age of propeller planes and trains with steam engines.

It's been a long time since I've seen or heard anything about the other actors. Henry Scott was in his early twenties. A divinity student. His name escapes me at the moment. (probably Roger Compton) At least he had a very young voice.

Gray Wolf was played by Ed Ronne, a Moody staff announcer. He did a good job. Gave the part just enough "Indian".

As for Stumpy Jenkins, I've kept track of him alright. I did that part, too. Sorry to disillusion you.

To give you a little background, I was born in Ithica, N.Y. Our family move to Rochester, Minn. in 1930. In 1944 I came to Moody and worked in the radio department for 35 years. There I met Marion, my wife-to-be. We have four children and eleven grandchildren.

I've been retired now for 12 years. In the winter we come to Florida. This year we found a new radio station and guess what! On Saturday morning at nine o'clock they put on Ranger Bill I haven't heard the program in years and years. Sometimes I catch myself in other parts on Stories of Great Christians It's kind of fun to relive the "old days".

Down here in Florida I don't have any pictures. Never did have any of the other cast. Perhaps I could find something when I get home. However you are better off using your imagination. People think I'm big and good-looking! Remember Matt Dillon? When he went on television they had to get another actor.

Well, it thrills me to think that you are involved in the Lord's work and that I had a little part in it. Our ranger programs didn't always push the scriptures but we tried to stress moral values.

If you ever get to Rockford Marion and I would be so pleased to see you. In the meantime have a good final semester.

Sincerely in Him,

Miron Canaday
(Ranger Bill)

Labor Day
September 3, 1990

Dear Mark-

No, I have not left the face of the earth. As you can see, I am not much of a correspondent. I'd rathe be "battling the many enemies of nature" than writing letters. Anyway, I will try to answer your letter from last April.

By the way, we did make a trip to Virginia last may and anothe trip to Vermont in July. In between I just find it difficult to get to writing!!

Anyway, I was glad to hear that you finished your Bible training. It would be a priviledge to hear you preach if you were ever in our area. However, I was sorry to hear about your car accident. Thank the Lord you were not more seriously hurt. Your explanation about your "earlier life" was also most interesting.

Now let's see. As to the questions in your letter, you asked about Ed Ronne and Roger Compton. No, I haven't heard about them or seen them in all these past years!

You asked about the writing of the Ranger Bill scripts. The script writer was John Rowen of the WMBI Production Staff. For years before he'd been writing our serial story Sailor Sam. He was the one who came up with the Ranger Bill idea. He was always searching the newspapers and anywhere else for ideas for stories.

In production we were pretty much "stuck to the script." Of course we were always open to suggestions and the producer could always make alterations.

No, my wife Marion never played any parts. She was a singer. When I came to WMBI in 1944 I said I was going to marry a soprano - and that's what happened!

Once in a while I would get a "fan letter." Of course they were mostly from kids who'd ask nature questions or want to know how to do something or build something. It kept me busy in the "research area."

Concerning my disability, I'm not surprised that you've never heard of it. It doesn't get any attention like muscular distrophy. The nerves just atrophy and then the muscles don't work anymore. Nobody knows what causes it and nobody knows what to do about it. But it does seem strange to see "The Warrior of the Woodland" with a cane.

Back to the program. The series started in October, 1950. We'd read through the program and then dress-rehearse the script before recording it. It would take a couple of hours. During the day I also did Continued Story Reading, Open Bible, Reverie and other programs.

I don't recall how I got the part of Ranger Bill. It must have been my kind but assertive voice! Actually I always wanted to be a forest ranger. I always followed the rangers around when I was a kid and we visited a number of the national parks.

When our kids were small Ranger Bill was on at 8:30 Saturday morning. The kids would pile into our bed and listen to the story. Of course they were rather blase about their father being a radio actor.

You asked about the girl who played Rose Warmer(?) on Stories of Great Christians. I'm sorry, I don't even remember the part - let alone the name.

About Bill Gothard - yes, we attended one of his seminars many years ago. It was held at McCormick Place on the lakefront and I recall that it was outstanding. He presented such good material but a lot of it slips my old memory.

I don't recall that Bill Gothard's dad was connected with "Unshackled" but it could be. We did the first program in the WMBI studios in 1950. It was the story of Billy Sunday. The stories are now recorded on Saturdays at the PG Mission auditorium.

Somehow or other I don't recall who played the part of Billy Sunday. Stories of Great Christians began in October of 1946. We recorded the Sunday story many years ago and Bill Pearce played the part. He did a great job.

I worked at Moody for 35 years but I never attended any classes. However, my wife graduated in 1945 so I sort of attended "by proxy." The old school has really advanced in the past 45 years but the doctrine is still the same.

You mentioned that we vacation in Florida. Yes, we've had an apartment there the last three years. We like to get away from the ice and snow during January, February and March as I don't navigate very well in that stuff. our April letter was sent to New Smyrna Beach but was returned back to Rockford.

It is interesting that our sister-in-law lives in Winter Park on the edge of Orlando. We have visited ther many times. Often we went to Disney World until my brother died two years ago. So we are quite well acquainted with your dad's hometown.

We have been through Pa. a number of times. In 1965 our family made quite a tour of the east. Of course that included a visit to Philadelphia to see the Liberty Bell et all. I just love to visit historic places.

Our daughter has lived in Newport News for a number of years. That gave us a rare opportunity to see Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown. Last May we stopped to see Monticello.

Well, I think this letter has run it's course. Anyway, I hope I have answered your questions. Your letters are most informative and enjoyable. Let me know how you are coming in your profession.

Your friend in Christ,

Rang(oops) Miron Canaday

January 31, 1994

Dear Mark:-

Thank you so much for your newsy letter. It was a surprise to hear from you - but a very pleasant one.

I was very sorry to learn about your bad accident. Just glad you are making good progress in your recovery. Also know how you miss your grandparents. My grandfather died when I was 18 and my grandmother some years later.

We have been enjoying Florida although the temperatures go up and down. Well, warm and cool I guess one would say. At least it's much better than at home in Illinois. You have really gotten clobbered in the northeast.

I was surprised to hear about your earthquakes in the "old" mountains of Pennsylvania. And just before the big shake up in California. No earthquakes in florida - and this is not the hurricane season.

It was great to hear that you are still recording Ranger Bill. Maybe I told you some years back that we get it on a small station here in N.S.B. I record it when we are not away. Will send it to the grandkids.

We're glad you can keep up with your preaching. I recall the years you were busy studying. Thank you for the picture too. It's always nice to put a "face" on a good acquaintance. Enclosed is a photo we'll send you in return.

May the Lord bless your life and your work.

Your friend -

Ranger Bill