You are on page 1of 48

THE

M A G A Z I N E

APRIL, 1948 25 CENTS


mm \s
A emu
THE SHORTEST
ROUTE?
0IL

A
o
«•

G0T „ DOWN TO A

ITS SERVICE
YOU WANT,
SEE THE
MINUTE M E N !
r
^ i

4. BECAUSE OF THIS SYSTEM WEVE WORKED OUT,


WE THINK THE UNION OIL MINUTE MEN CAN SERVE
YOU FASTER AND BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE IN
TOWN. SO NEXT TIME GIVE MINUTE MAN SERVICE
UNION OILCOMPANY
A TRY. WE THINK YOU'LL LIKE IT. OF CALIFORNIA

THE DESERT MAGAZINE


Desert Calendar
March 21-27—Yaqui Indian Easter cere-
monials, Tucson, Arizona.
March 22-26—Sierra club camp at Phan-
tom ranch, Grand Canyon, Arizona.
March 26—Easter pageant, "The Master
Passes By," presented by civic
groups and individuals of Coachel-
la valley in Box canyon east of Mec-
ca, California, 8 p. m.
March 28—Easter sunrise services, Trav-
ertine rock by the Salton sea, Coa-
chella valley, California. Volume 11 APRIL. 1948 Number 6
March 28—Easter sunrise services. Death
Valley sand dunes near Stove Pipe
Wells, Death Valley national monu- COVER CACTUS BLOSSOM. Photo t a k e n in Y u c c a V a l l e y ,
ment. Owens Valley Ministerial as- California, b y Harry V r o m a n , L a w n d a l e , Calif.
sociation in charge.
CALENDAR • April e v e n t s on the desert 3
March 28—Fourteenth annual Easter
sunrise service with world wide POETRY Desert Trail a n d other p o e m s 4
broadcast over NBC, south rim,
Grand Canyon national park. Dan- FIELD TRIP N a t u r e ' s F r e a k s on Salton Shore
iel Poling, speaker. By HAROLD O . WEIGHT 5
March 28—Easter dances, various In- ARCHEOLOGY Winter Dig in Y a m p a C a n y o n
dian pueblos, New Mexico.
By EDISON P. LOHR 9
March 28—Easter Sunday soap box sled
derby, sponsored by Arizona Sno- PHILOSOPHER Soliloquy of a Prospector
Bowl, Flagstaff, Arizona. By FRANK a n d DICK ADAMS 12
April 1-3—Rawhide Roundup, Mesa, TREASURE Maximilian's Treasure
Arizona.
By JOHN D. MITCHELL 13
April 2-3—Twelfth annual Pinal county
4-H fair, Coolidge, Arizona. DESERT QUIZ A test of y o u r desert k n o w l e d g e 14
April 3—Lecture: Joseph Muench, "Pho- HUMOR H a r d Rock Shorty of Death V a l l e y 14
tographing the Southwest in Color,"
8 p. m., Desert Museum, Palm PHOTOGRAPHY F e b r u a r y prize w i n n e r s 15
Springs, California.
April 9-11—Sixteenth annual champion- INDIANS A p a c h e Ghosts G u a r d the A r a v a i p a
ship rodeo, state fairgrounds, Phoe- By RICHARD VAN VALKENBURGH . . . 16
nix, Arizona. NATURE
April 10-11—Sierra club, weekend trip Old M a n R a v e n
to Desert Hot Springs, on the slope By EDMUND C. JAEGER 20
of the Little San Bernardinos. CONTEST
Prize a n n o u n c e m e n t for p h o t o g r a p h e r s . . . . 21
April 14—Giant slalom and downhill, ART OF LIVING
Alta, Utah. Desert Trails, b y MARSHAL SOUTH . . . . 22
April 15-18—Arizona state open tennis BOTANY
tournament, Tucson, Arizona. Ghost Flower N a m e d b y Fremont
April 16-17—Third annual Yuma coun- By MARY BEAL 24
RECREATION W e S c a l e d El P i c a c h o
ty junior agricultural fair, Yuma,
Arizona. By RANDALL HENDERSON 25
April 17—Lecture: Mrs. J. H. Comby, LETTERS
C o m m e n t from Desert's r e a d e r s 29
"Glimpses into the Realm of Na-
ture," Desert Museum, Palm WILDFLOWERS
Forecast for April 30
Springs, California.
MINING
April 17-18—Sierra club, Desert Peaks Current n e w s of desert m i n e s 31
section, climb of Martinez mountain NEWS
From h e r e a n d t h e r e on the desert 32
in the Santa Rosas.
HOBBY
April 17-18—Ramona pageant, Ramona G e m s a n d Minerals 39
bowl, Hemet, California. LAPIDARY A m a t e u r G e m Cutter, b y LELANDE QUICK . . 45
April 18—Sno-Bowl trophy race, Ari-
zona Sno-Bowl, Flagstaff, Arizona. COMMENT Just Between You a n d Me, b y the Editor . . . 46
April 24-25—Lone Pine Stampede, pa- BOOKS
rade and western dance, Lone Pine, R e v i e w s of current Southwest literature . . . 47
California.
April 24-25—Sierra club climb of Whale The Desert Magazine is published monthly by the Desert Press, Inc., 636 State Street,
peak, highest in the Vallecitos and El Centro, California. Entered as second class matter October 11, 1937, at the post office at
El Centro, California, under the Act of March 3, 1879. Title registered No. 358866 in U. S.
Granite mountain, highest in the Patent Office, and contents copyrighted 1948 by the Desert Press, Inc. Permission to reproduce
Oriflamme mountains. Meet at contents must be secured from the editor in writing.
Julian. RANDALL HENDERSON, Editor. BESS STACY, Business Manager.
April 24-25—Ramona pageant, Ramona HAROLD and LUCILE WEIGHT, Associate Editors.
bowl, Hemet, California. Unsolicited manuscripts and photographs submitted cannot be returned or acknowledged
April—One man show of paintings by unless full return postage is enclosed. Desert Magazine assumes no responsibility for damage
or loss of manuscripts or photographs although due care will be exercised. Subscribers should
Arnoldo Rubio, Mexican artist, best send notice of change of address by the first of the month preceding issue. If address is un-
known for his frescos in public certain by that date, notify circulation department to hold copies.
buildings, at Southwest Museum, SUBSCRIPTION RATES
Marmion way and Museum drive, One Year . . . $3.00 Two Years . . . $5.00
Highland Park, Los Angeles, Cali- Canadian subscriptions 25c extra, foreign 50c extra.
fornia. Subscriptions to Army personnel outside U.S.A. must be mailed in conformity with
P.O.D. Order No. 19687.
Address correspondence to Desert Magazine, 636 State Street, El Centro, California.

APRIL, 1948
Photograph by Harold Kellogg, Santa Fe.
DESERT VARIETY HELL'S HALF ACRE
By M. M. PARRISH By CELIA E. KLOTZ
Albuquerque, New Mexico
A back drop laid in lapis iazuii,
DESERT TRAIL Moscow, Idaho
They call it the land that God forgot,
With mountains scalloping the sky, By N E L L MURBARGER
The devil's half acre of hell,
Borders a stage of pale and infinite gold Costa Mesa, California But a cactus plant found roots in a rock,
Set for a pageant ages old; I've a rendezvous with a desert trail, And into the silence, a bird's song fell.
No wearisome wait for the program to begin— With a willing horse, and a song . . .
It's under way as we move in: A cool breeze blew from the hills above
When sand and sun and the sky are one, Caressing the shack as it stood alone,
Some midget prairie dogs at first attract, Who cares if the way be long?
Doing a disappearing act; As if it knew in that shack was love.
With sage on mv lips and the wind in my face, On the devil's land could there stand a home?
A group of buoyant acrobats succeeds—
I will ride till the night draws nigh.
The somersaulting tumbleweeds; What matter, then, where my camp be made?
Countless cacti, each in dramatic pose, The sun sank low in a wreath of clouds
What matter where I shall lie? Tinted with purples and gold and tans,
Now entertain with stark tableaux: Whether dark clouds threaten or starlight
A mother with reaching arms, rigid and wild, Painting a picture of glory and peace
gleams Defying the work of an artist's hands.
Imploring for her missing child; On the silvery sweep of the dune.
A prophet with ominous upward-pointing finger My fire will burn with a ruddy light; Then low in the west the thunder rolled
Who warns to beware of Heaven's anger; My kettle will sing its tune . . . Like the voice of a god from a distant land,
A baby cactus seeming to say "So big!" And the moon raced madly between the clouds,
A wizened and distorted hag; Partner of mesa and rimrock. Could such beauty be made by an evil hand?
And all stand ready, as stage folk do they say, Stranger to trouble and tears;
To help a traveler on his way. With a stout-hearted horse beneith me So give me this land that God forgot,
Then—a star-embroidered curtain falling; I would ride through the sun-splashed years. Though its profit and yield be low,
A spotlight beaming; a coyote calling. With a bend beyond to invite me on This barren and silent and beautiful spot
To a magical, unknown goal, For the tired heart to go.
He who finds the desert dull Over hill and dale to The Last Great Trail • • •
Must have a most gregarious soul! I would follow my questing soul.
'Though the way be steep and the night be dim,
THE PEOPLED ROCKS
At last, when I reached The End. By H E L E N L. VOGEL
I would lay me down 'neath the darkening sky Coachella, California
AGE
By TANYA SOUTH
And the trail would be my friend . . .
• • •
Have frogs and gargoyles, goblins, sphinx
Been turned to stone through age and kinks
FORSAKEN LADY Or has the heat of desert sun
So scorched and baked and burned well done ?
The night recedes—the light ascends, By ROBERTA CHILDERS
So this is age! My vision wends Fallon, Nevada For there they crouch or sit or lie
To wider scopes. I now perceive — As if about to jump or fly.
Fearless, untrammeled. And believe Far up the range of mountains Atop the peaks, athwart the ridge,
That he who gives his soul to light Rock canyon veils its face
With yellow asps and pine trees. As natural statues by a bridge.
Shall guided be aright.
And silent mists that trace I would not wish them back to life
Broader and brighter now the day; About an old warped cabin Nor darodactyl and his wife.
Steeper, yet more direct the Way Walled in with fence of stone. They'd only add to all our bad
Unto the stars. And I strive Shining under a sagebrush, And make this world of ours worse mad.
With all my soul—now more alive I found the bride, alone.
To each unveiling face of Truth A ten-cent white glass lady, Perhaps my eyes are sun bewitched,
Than when I was a youth. Who slept beneath the tears The desert nary with a sphinx.
Of dripping bush. Deep spider lace I only hope they stay in stone,
Enmeshed her lonely years. These things that are not blood and bone.

THE DESERT MAGAZINE


Nature'sFreaksonSaltonShore
Rocks that float, mud that boils, gas that makes dry ice, springs that flow paint
—these are just a few of the many strange freaks Nature has contrived for those
who take the field trip mapped this month by Harold Weight. This is the story of
Obsidian buttes and other interesting phenomena along the southeastern shore
of Salton sea in California's Imperial Valley. And if you want obsidian for your
collection or shining black volcanic glass for your rock garden the map accom-
panying this article will show you the way.

The boiling mud geysers are building mounds on the shore of Salton sea. Mullet island is
the knoll in the background. Photo by Leo Hetzel.

By HAROLD O. WEIGHT story. Although the California Indians are for the visitor in this strange corner of her
known to have worked 142 quarries and desert domain, I regretted the times that
/ ^ M U H U A of the Kamia tribe was mines, it is doubtful if any of those depos- I had not gone.
~f / o n a salt-collecting trip to the bot- its were discovered through the process of Most of the route lay along paved roads
tom of Salton sink when a rabbit prospecting as we know it now. through the valley's rich agricultural flat-
bounced up almost at his feet and headed The white-whiskered old-timer of the lands where carrots and lettuce were be-
for the nearby rocky butte. For the mo- desert made his big strikes while hunt- ing harvested and thousands of little white
ment Amuhua forgot about his salt- ing straying burros. His Indian predeces- dunce caps protected young melon plants
gathering and bounded after the rabbit sors found theirs while foraging for food. which would have been foolish indeed to
with his curved throwing stick, which his Amuhua and his people left their marks thrust tender tendrils into the brisk night
tribesmen called kapu, ready for an open on Obsidian buttes—flakes and discarded temperatures. The morning air was clear
shot. bits of volcanic glass from what probably and cold. Far to the north new snow
But on the slope of the butte, the In- was Imperial Valley's first factory. And crowned San Jacinto's crest and to the east
dian lost interest in the rabbit. The ground their product was not entirely for local the great sand dunes shone with equal
about him was covered with chips and consumption. The obsidian from the Sal- whiteness under the sun.
boulders of shining black volcanic glass. ton buttes is marked by small gas holes The roads, which follow every irriga-
Amuhua knew he had made an important lined with calcium. Adan E. Treganza, an tion ditch, were washboardy when I left
find—or rather, that the tribe had made anthropologist who has spent much time the Calipatria-Niland paving, but to the
an important find. For among the South- on the matter, reports that this characteris- desert driver, they still seem like highways.
western Indians, mineral deposits were tic obsidian has been found in aboriginal I drove on, past windbreaks of tamarisk
considered the property of the group, even camp sites from Palm Springs to San Felipe and irrigated acres. But squares of desert
though found by an individual. on the Gulf of California and from the were encroaching now, and suddenly the
Perhaps those are not the exact circum- Peninsular mountains to the Colorado last reclaimed land was gone and I was in
stances of the first discovery of obsidian on river. Pumice, mined by the Indians as an the atmosphere of another world—scrubby
those strange volcanic buttes which poke abrasive, has been found as far west as salt-loving vegetation, grey rocky piles and
their heads through the silt floor of Impe- Jacumba. glimpses of the Salton near the marshes
rial Valley 10 miles northwest of Cali- The Salton buttes are only an hour's where the sullen Alamo inches its muddy
patria, California. The obsidian may have drive from Desert Magazine's office in El flood into the sea. I turned left across the
been found before the salt, and the finder Centro. It was a place I had always in- irrigation ditch and followed a twisty auto
may have been a member of a tribe pre- tended to visit, but never got around to. trail—used probably by hunters—to the
dating the Kamia in the great below-sea- When at last I went and discovered what a Obsidian buttes.
level sink. But in its essentials that is the geological jack-pot Nature had prepared There are five principal outcrops near

APRIL, 1948
ed the locality in 1855 and 1857, they must
have been more active then than they are at
the present. Perhaps their immersion of
many years beneath the waters of the Salton
sea, when the Colorado river broke
through and formed that body in 1905-7,
dampened their enthusiasm. Now they
;eem content to rise as great boiling mud

Looking across the sea from Mullet


island, which is now actually a penin-
sula. It is the only one of the buttes
still touching the sea.

Burping mud pots of the Salton


seashore.

the southeastern shore of the Salton: Ob-


sidian buttes, Rocky butte, Red hill, Pum-
ice butte and Mullet island. The Obsidian
buttes are the southernmost of the lot, and
they are on land owned by the Imperial Ir-
rigation district. District officials have giv-
en permission to Desert readers to visit Ob-
sidian buttes and to collect the grey vesicu-
lar pumice and the black obsidian which
tion, and it would be interesting to know pots, building themselves higher and
are abundant there.
what sort of explanation they figured out. higher as the mud pours over the sides and
The grey rock which predominates in all But geologists are pretty good at spinning hardens. Within these self-constructed
the Salton buttes except Red hill, has been that sort of yarn themselves. stew-pots the mud burps moodily, and
identified as being made up of tridymite, a
high temperature form of silica, and feld- According to H. T. Hill, the molten sub- strange mud-coated balls of gas rise
spar, formed from a typical rhyolitic ob- crust of the earth sometimes reaches the through the surface and plop as the gas
sidian, probably through the action of hot surface along a fault line, and that may ex- escapes. Steam fusses and whistles up-
gases. Obsidian crops out on at least two plain what has happened along the south- ward through the mud in a number of
buttes—Obsidian and Pumice—and pum- eastern shore of the Salton. The buttes sit places and there is a sulfurous smell per-
ice, interbedded with sediments is found directly astride an extension of the great vading the entire area.
many places in the area. Red hill is another San Andreas fault which has had so much When the Colorado river flooded the
matter. It seems to be formed of volcanic to do with the earthquakes and structural Salton basin in 1905-7, the buttes became
tuff in which small somewhat rounded bits features of California. And the mud and islands. For years they were entirely isolat-
of obsidian and pumice have been imbed- steam volcanoes which are so striking a ed from the rest of the valley, and the
ded. There are several interesting erosional feature of the Salton Buttes area also fol- aquatic birds thronged to them and nested
forms at Red hill. low directly along the fault line and once upon them. Visitors to the rocky islands
were traced for a distance of nearly 15 found the ground thick with eggs. What is
Geologists, with characteristic disregard miles. One of the theories which has been now Mullet island was called Pelican is-
for the briefness of the human span, say advanced is that water from the Salton land and Cormorant island. Pumice butte
the Salton buttes are of very recent origin. seeps down to super-heated rocks below was known as Obsidian island, and Ob-
But that doesn't mean they were pushed up and the resulting steam and gases find their sidian butte was called Big island.
day before yesterday while you were out way to the surface along the fault.
digging geodes in the Chuckawallas. They A party from Carnegie Desert labora-
definitely were created during the Quarter- Many Indian tribes believe that earth- tory, including D. T. MacDougal and
nary period. That limits their age to a quakes are caused by giants who live in the Godfrey Sykes, made many trips around
couple of million years and probably they earth. The giants under Imperial Valley the shores and the islands of the Salton
were created within the last few thousand, were a restless lot at times. November 9, when the water was highest, to study the
which is quite a period of time when you 1852, they must have had an argument and effect of the flood. When they visited Big
look at it from a personal viewpoint. in the resultant vibrations Fort Yuma was island in October, 1912, although the
When Amuhua and his partners sat on violently shaken and the shocks continued butte had been continuously isolated for at
the Obsidian buttes, happily chipping out almost daily for several months. least seven years, they found the tracks of
arrowpoints and knives, they probably At about the same time, the mud vol- a raccoon, and of some member of the cat
speculated upon the origin of the strange canoes beside the Salton were discovered family. There were many rodent burrows,
terrain which surrounded them. The In- by the Yuma garrison. From reports by and they saw two rabbits and many lizards.
dians had a keen eye and active imagina- J. L. Le Conte and J. A. Veatch, who visit- When the party made its first voyage across

THE DESERT MAGAZINE


<«Y spring" on Pumice btttte. On this volcanic hill Lucile Weight brings back a chunk of obsidian to work
moss grows on pumice rocks, kept moist by the gas which into book ends—and learns that volcanic glass will cut
comes from this vent. your fingers—like glass.

the Salton, thousands of pieces of pumice ert, but most of them showed the adven- was a student of Western history, and his
were afloat on its surface. Small pieces tures of the ill-fated Donner party. Davis particular interest lay with the Donners.
still may be found on almost any shore of
the Salton, where the "rock that floats" has
drifted from the southern buttes.
The water receded and the islands be-
came buttes again. This was not the first
time they had been islands, and perhaps
it will not be the last. Upon the buttes to-
day numerous shorelines of old Lake Ca-
huilla or Blake sea, the freshwater lake that
filled the basin within recent times, can be
seen. The Kamia have a legend that when
they first came to the valley a great lake
filled most of it and covered the present
site of El Centro.
Now, as increasing waste irrigation
water drains into the Salton, the level is
rising again, and waters once more wash
against the seaward side of Mullet island.
The Paint Pots—mud pots from which
highly colored clay oozes—are almost un-
der water and the mud bank on which they
lie, northwest of Mullet island, must be
reached by boat. "When old Cap Davis ran
the island as a resort and hunting club, he
used the natural pigments from the Paint
Pots to paint a series of strange primitive Hell's Kitchen, the museum built on Mullet island by Cap Davis. Inside are some
canvases. Some of them dealt with the des- of the gruesome paintings depicting the tragedy of the Donner party.

APRIL, 1948
TO BLYTHE
VIS BEAL5 WELi. corporation. At Niland the carbon dioxide
(Sometimes
Passable)
gas was compressed and liquified. Twenty
thousand cubic feet of the gas were re-
quired to make one ton of dry ice and the
S A LT 0 N ') VSM plant was capable of making 25 tons a day.
Natural Carbonic products had eight pro-
ducing wells. The plant of the company
located in the field, had a capacity of 20
tons per day. Today that plant has suspend-
ed production and is falling into ruin. It
can be seen beside the road that leads to the
mud pots, with the capped wells fizzing
noisily.
Everyone knows that much of the Impe-
rial Valley is below sea level. But when one
approaches the mud pots, that knowledge
becomes a reality. When gas fizzes from
the ground, mud boils upward, and the air
is filled with the odor of sulfur, the visitor
begins to wonder just how far below sea
level he is. As I hiked across Pumice butte,
I M P E R 1 A L I noticed a small black hole which looked
as if it might penetrate the heart of the
earth. The soil around the mouth of the
hole looked damp, and small patches of
moss were growing on the rocks. Amazed
at the evidence of moisture on an extreme-
ly arid slope I bent over the hole to study
it. My face was bathed in warm, moist,
faintly gaseous air. It poured silently,
steadily upward from that small hole in the
big volcanic butte.
I felt a little like the cowboy who is sup-
posed to have explored a cave near the mud
volcanoes in Lower California. The cow-
boy came out quickly, much disturbed, and
= KEY climbed on his horse. "The crust's too thin
1 Mullet Island
in this neighborhood," he complained.
2 Paint Pots "The end of that hole is only 40 feet from
3 Mud Volcanoes
4 Pumice Butte hades. I'm a fair gambler and only an or-
5 Red Hill
6 Rock Butte
dinary sinner, but I don't want to take any
7- Obsidian Buttes chances hereabout."
^ Paved Highways But those with clear consciences will
= Dirt or Gravel
— Route of Trip find much to interest them in the volcanic
buttes and along the southeast shore of
the Salton. They might even find Pegleg
TO EL CENTRO
Smith's black-coated nuggets of gold, for
these strange hills have become identified,
The paintings still may be seen in the mu- in legend, with the rich black buttes that
natural pigments from the Paint Pots are
seum on Mullet island, along with various Pegleg found and lost. As Philip Bailey
on display at the mud pots.
objects of local interest. But most of them tells the story in Golden Mirages, Pegleg
There have been a number of commer- entered a great sink and reached boggy
are weathered and cracked. cial activities in the area. Pumice was ground where a volcano was steaming. Be-
Both Mullet island and the mud pots are mined for abrasives from several sites un- yond it he found mounds with red and
privately operated, with Mr. and Mrs. E. til the large deposits were exhausted. Salt black mud oozing out, and not far from
McFarland in charge. McFarland is an ex- is made on the edge of the Salton, by run- these mounds he found his gold.
test pilot and air forces flyer with many ning the sea water into earth tanks and
allowing the water to evaporate. The That fits the Salton buttes perfectly—
Mediterranean theater missions, who almost too perfectly, as a matter of fact.
hopes to regain health in the desert. They Kamia Indians once obtained their salt by
leaching it from the chemical-impregnated There is a sort of "tailored-to-fit" feeling
plan expansion of present facilities at the about it. But if they do not find gold, rock
island, where a 50-cent parking fee is soil around the edge of the sink, then boil-
ing the product to crystallize the salt. collectors will discover great chunks of ob-
charged, and expect to reopen the restaur- sidian easily obtainable—a car can be
ant there. During duck season there are so Late in 1932 a well was drilled east of
the mud pots to tap the carbon dioxide gas driven to the base of Obsidian buttes—and
many hunters on Mullet they sleep on the the Imperial Irrigation District has given
tables. which oozes to the surface there. Produc-
tive gas sand was struck 600 feet down, permission to collect. The obsidian is in-
Admission to the mud pots area is 20 and the sand was found to be 35 feet thick. teresting for specimens and book-ends,
cents. The owners have built walks so it is In 1942 there were 15 producing wells in and makes striking garden rock.
not necessary to tramp through the chemi- the area and there was a dry ice plant at the And every visitor will come back with a
cal mud to the active pots, and little stands field and another at Niland. Gas was piped little more knowledge of the strange pro-
have been constructed from which the mud to Niland through V-h miles of 4Vi inch cesses through which Nature builds the
burps can be observed. Samples of the pipe, to the plant of the National Dry Ice world in which we live.

8 THE DESERT MAGAZINE


CASTLE PARK
YAMPA CANYON
W Y O M I N G
C O L O R A D O

Winter Dig in Yampa Canyon


canyon, you just haven't seen much of the
The rumors were persistent: cliff-dwellings similar to those of the South- gorgeous scenic landscape which Uncle
west had been seen in the canyon of the Yampa river in northwestern Sam had encompassed within this national
Colorado and there was evidence of Basketmaker Indian culture in the reserve.
area. Did the cliff-dwellings exist or were they the vivid imaginings of Since our work was to be carried on in
some wandering cowboy? In the winter of 1939-40, Charles Scoggin and a national monument, although mostly on
Edison Lohr were sent by the University of Colorado museum to settle Mantle's property, we obtained official
the matter and to excavate a huge cave on the Charles Mantle ranch, permission to test additional sites through
ten miles above the confluence of the Yampa and Green rivers. Here is David Canfield, superintendent of Rocky
what they found out about this rugged portion of the Colorado river Mountain national park. Besides the V-8
watershed. station-wagon and necessary equipment
By EDISON P. LOHR provided by Hugo Rodeck and the Uni-
versity of Colorado museum, we were paid
Photos, courtesy University of Colorado Museum, made by a small salary. Two impoverished students
Charles Scoggin, later killed in World War II actually being paid for a grand adventure
in archeology! But we took the car, equip-
/IN DECEMBER, 1939, Charles by the famous Wetherill discoveries at ment, and the money . . .
V Scoggin and I were sent by Univer- Mesa Verde. A look at road maps will show there is
sity of Colorado museum for a win- This was December, mind you, and only no problem in driving to Elk Springs,
ter's digging in a previously examined but the fact that the cave was well protected Colorado, about 50 miles west of Craig on
unexcavated cave near the Charles Mantle made excavation possible. Even so, a man U. S. 40. Out of Elk Springs, which we
ranch in Yampa canyon, Dinosaur national has to be more than a little crazy to attempt reached December 11, the fun began. A
monument. We were to investigate repeat- archeology in northwestern Colorado in dirt trail, blandly referred to on most high-
ed rumors that something resembling a winter. Chil and I were crazy. way maps as road, unimproved, swings
southwestern Indian Basketmaker culture Many motorists have seen the exhibit of generally westward to Bear valley, forms a
existed along the Yampa and to determine dinosaur bones in the western part of the loop which hopefully approaches the can-
whether there actually were cliff dwellings monument north of Vernal, Utah. But un- yon, then sadly crawls back to Highway 40
in the numerous caves along the cliff walls til you've bucked your way from Elk at Skull creek. We had no interest in such a
or whether they were the imaginings of Springs, Colorado, over 40 miles to Char- circular journey. Our problem, Chil and I
some romantic cowboy inspired, perhaps, ley Mantle's ranch at the mouth of Hell found, was to locate the unmarked June-

APRIL, 1948
tion where Charley Mantle's hand-made
road branched from the Bear Valley road,
about 20 miles out of Elk Springs.
I was almost sorry when we found the
road. We picked and shoveled our way
across the pinyon-pine and juniper-forest-
ed plateau, roared in and out of gulleys,
worried about our over-loaded V-8 and
finally reached the top of Hell canyon.
I said it was possible to reach the Yampa
river via Hell canyon—so it is. The prob-
lem, once you start down that boulder-
strewn cut into Hell canyon, is not to get
down but to reach the bottom in one piece.
Chil looked hopefully over the edge, put
the car in low gear, grabbed the emergency
brake. With a grinding, slipping moan,
the V-8 slid us, junk and all, down to the
bottom of Hell. From the foot of that rocky
descent, it is only two miles down the dry
creek bed to the Yampa and Charley's
ranch, which we reached December 12.
Like all cattle ranchers who see only a
handful of people in a year, the Mantles
greeted us cautiously, but presently accept-
ed us as neighbors. We were flattered.
That's a rough country and people must be
lively to survive in it. It's wild and lonely.
Though the Mantles live in the largest
school district in Colorado, Mrs. Mantle's
five children, three of school age, were the
only pupils in it. A teacher, usually a lo-
cal girl trained at Colorado state college at
Greeley, was imported for the winter, and
school was held in a log cabin built for the
purpose.
Our home for the winter was the base-
ment of Charley's new house up the Yam-
pa about a half mile. We were lucky. There
had been a strong possibility that we would
either use a tent or actually live in the cave
we were to excavate. The Mantles lived in
two log houses at the mouth of Hell can-
yon, and had not moved into the unfin-
ished new house, a marvel considering its
location and construction.
Cement for the huge, ten-foot ceiling
basement had been hauled in at great ex-
pense and labor. Outside construction was
of Douglas fir logs skidded down from the
8000 foot slopes of the mountains just out-
side the canyon and above Red Rock bench.
The upstairs was carpentered in soft finish
pine. There was a piano, in excellent tune,
parked in one unfinished room. After a
day's excavation as I started supper I'd
hear Chil clump hollowly across the floor
above and, using a hunt-and-peck style,
plunk out "South of the Border" and other
choice ditties of the day.
We began work by attempting to survey
Castle park, as Charley's three mile stretch
of livable canyon is called. It was too cold.
Though I have never spent a milder Colo-
Top—Cliff Canyon cave, Yampa canyon, where Scoggin and Lohr dug to determine rado winter, trying to use a plane table and
if early inhabitants belonged to the Basketmakers. Mound of debris washed from alidade proved too much. We were obliged
above which appears to lie inside the cave actually is outside the overhang. to let the surveying go until spring.
Bottom—Rope was necessary to reach an almost inaccessible cave above
the Yampa river. The temperature rise in the open during
10
THE DESERT MAGAZINE
the day was truly encouraging. No such
luck awaited us, however, so far as our
cave was concerned. Mantle's cave (Cliff
Canyon cave, officially) lies about a mile
down the Yampa from Charley's and up a
short side canyon on the south side of the
river. A glance at the sketch map will show
that the cavernous opening of our powder-
dry cave faced north. In this connection I
quote from Charles Scoggin's preliminary
report to the National Park service on our
work:
"It should be mentioned in connection
with the caves and rock-shelters of the Cas-
tle park area that because of the regional
dip of the rock strata, those shelters which
open to the south, and would thus, nor-
mally, be most favorably located for inten-
sive occupation by man, are invariably
damp to wet from ground waters breaking
out along bedding planes within their in-
teriors."
We had, then, a mixed blessing—a cold
cave, but a dry one. And it was cold! Ac-
curacy is required of archeologists, but did
you ever try feeling through cold sand with
blue fingers? We tried to heat ourselves by
delivering impassioned political speeches
in the acoustically perfect cave. But we
ended by building the usual cedar-wood
fire.
Technically, of course, this wasn't a
cave, but a typical shelter like those at
Mesa Verde, but there are no house struc-
tures of any kind in the big Yampa shelter.
Measurements showed that the reddish
sandstone opening was about one hundred
yards long, one hundred and thirty feet
deep from the extreme outer overhang to
the back wall, and had an awesome 90-
foot ceiling. We used to pause in our work
and consider thoughtfully the enormous
rocks that had fallen from the red-brown
roof and wonder about things.
Because of the general reluctance of hu-
man beings to be hit by collapsing roofs,
we started excavations along the back wall
where long archeological experience has
shown cave Indians tended to live or to
cache their precious belongings.
The cave was a gold mine in one respect.
We found perfectly preserved hide cloth-
ing, basketry, cedar-bark twine, reed mats,
corn-on-the-cob, flint knives with handles
still attached—and a medicine bag con-

Top—Yampa canyon near Castle park.

Center — Lohr and Scoggin found


most of the artifacts along the back
ivall where their excavations are
shown.

Bottom — 77?i? author removes a


buried Basketmaker willow basket
which had been placed top down in a
hole in the old cave floor.

APRIL, 1948 11
taining among other gadgets, the finest plainly visible, there was nothing to be Probably as interesting as the monu-
red flicker-feather head-dress you could found in the central and outer portions of ment's prehistory is the record of its many
imagine. the cave. Plainly, the Indians had not cared historical characters. Pat Lynch, for whom
But little actual living had been done in for that high ceiling and rock fall possibil- Pat's Hole is named, wandered into the
the cave. Since our purpose was to learn the ity, either. Yampa shortly after the Civil war. Charley
nature of the prehistoric peoples who had By April, 1940, we had finished Man- Mantle says this canyon hermit named
been there, and not simply to collect some tle's big cave, explored and mapped addi- Hardin's Hole, Castle park, Hell canyon
pretty specimens, the absence of a cave tional cave sites in the canyon country, and Red Rock bench. The Yampa canyon
mjdden (garbage heap) was disappoint- and concluded that the Yampa cliff dwell- walls, besides exhibiting many Indian pic-
ing. Nothing reveals a people's history like ings were a myth. On a later expedition in tographs, offer Pat Lynch's inscriptions,
trash piles. We did, however, find num- 1941-1942, Charles Scoggin and the Na- including several dates and boat pictures.
bers of pits dug into the true floor of the tional Park service found some peculiar For some reason this old sailor, who had
cave. These contained squash, bean and house structures in two as yet unexcavated served with the British and French navies
corn seeds.
caves in the canyon. But these structures and in our own Civil war, liked the lone-
With the exception of masonry storage are not in any way similar to true south- liness of the country. Rumor has it that Pat
cists constructed with flat sandstone slabs western cliff dwellings. We finished our had been involved in some scrape and had
and cemented together with red mud upon sketch map of Castle park, and hiked over- fled west.
which finger-prints of the fashioners were land to Pat's Hole on the Green river.
Another interesting and perhaps related
possibility is written (not quoted exactly)
in Pat's diary which Mrs. Mantle owns:
%
I VE DRUNK CHAMPAGNE I N DAYS GONE BY
AND COCKTAILS, SIPPED, FROM GLASSK TALL "I came into this land to see the country
BUT A DESERT SWRINS AND AN OLD TIN CUP Major Powell wrote about." Old Pat died
I NOMINATE ABOVE THEM A L L . *
in his 90s, a few years ago at Maybell, and
is buried at Lily park.
Major J. W. Powell undoubtedly saw
Castle park in 1871 when he and two of
his men poled up the Yampa from the
Green river on the second of the Major's
trips down the Colorado. Many outlaws,
particularly the notorious Butch Cassidy,
used Yampa canyon for years.
Castle park is a fascinating four-mile
open stretch of a twisting canyon whose
pinkish-brown walls vary in height from
150 feet at Lily park, the canyon's head,
to 2000 feet at Warm Springs above Pat's
Hole. The brown sandstone cliffs along
Castle park are from 1000 to 1500 feet
high. Approximate elevation above sea
level at Mantle's, on the canyon floor, is
about 5300 feet.
In May, 1940, we were visited by Hugo
Rodeck. With him were Earl Morris of
Boulder, Colorado, and Robert Burgh, his
assistant. Morris, an authority on Basket-
maker culture, thought the bottom of two
occupation levels in our excavated cave
might date as early as 500 A. D. This level
showed a strong Basketmaker influence
which probably had spread northward
along the western slope of the Rockies into
Utah. Later Indians, probably Ute or Pai-
ute, had used the cave into modern times.
Mantle's ranch and Dinosaur monument
are more than worth a trip, providing you
love wild country, care for hospitable iso-
lationists like Mantles, and have only a rea-
sonable respect for your car. If you love
your car, or worry overmuch about getting
a new one, Charley's road into Hell isn't
for you. The National Park service, how-
SOLILOQUY OF A PROSPECTOR . ever, still is considering building a good
—By Frank and Dick Adams road into the canyon. Getting into the
country should be easier in the future.

12 THE DESERT MAGAZINE


The treasure ivas loaded in 15 carretas drawn by oxen jor the trip north.

and was astounded to find they were load-


ed, not with flour, but with gold coin, gold
Maximillian's Treasure and silver plate, and chests of jewels. The
ex-Confederates decided to kill the Austri-
ans and the 15 peons and obtain the great
treasure for themselves. At Castle Gap, 15
By JOHN D. MITCHELL miles east of Horse Head crossing on the
Illustration by Bill Edwards When ill-fated Emperor Maxi-
milian came from Austria to the Pecos, the four Austrians and 15 peons

r HERE is a story told in Texas and


many parts of Mexico that the pup-
pet Emperor Maximilian, placed on
the throne of Mexico by Napoleon III,
throne of Mexico he brought with
him, according to legend, a great
personal fortune. Today at Cha-
pultepec Castle one may see a
gold-encrusted carriage, cano-
were sound asleep after a hard day's march
when the Missourians fell upon them and
killed them.
After a hurried consultation the Mis-
sourians decided it would be unsafe to ven-
early foresaw that the empire was doomed. pied bed, a few jewels and some ture out on the plains with such a large
In 1866, according to this legend, 15 heav- pieces of gold and silver plate. treasure and only six men guarding it.
ily loaded carretas, closely covered with What happened to the rest? Does They determined to take the gold needed
canvas and drawn by oxen, left Chapulte- it lie buried in Texas, east of the for their immediate expenses, bury the rest
pec Castle in the dead of night and headed Horse Head crossing of the Pecos and return for it when conditions were
north. This was nearly a year before the river, with 19 skeletons to guard more peaceful. They dug a deep hole in the
empire fell and Maximilian was captured it? sand and dumped in the 15 cart-loads of
at Queretaro and executed with the Mexi- money, gold and silver plate and the chests
can traitors, Maramon and Mejia, at Cerro of jewels. The hole was partly filled with
de las Campanas. the bones of animals and dead men, and sand and the dead bodies of the four Aus-
The caravan was in charge of four Aus- that every mile of it was infested with ban- trians and 15 peons thrown into it. Then
trians, close friends of the emperor, and dits and hostile Indians, he seemed greatly the carts, harness, and canvas were piled in
guarded by 15 peons. After several forced disturbed. He offered to reward the Mis- and the whole set on fire, so the burial re-
marches, it reached Presidio Del Norte and sourians handsomely if they would turn sembled nothing more than a burned out
crossed to Texas soil. At that time the about and help guard the caravan across camp fire. The Mexican oxen were
border between the United States and the plains to San Antonio. turned loose to shift for themselves in the
Mexico was the goal for many desperate The Missourians, glad to avail them- marshes around the lake.
men. Mexicans who had collaborated too selves of the opportunity to replenish their With their saddle bags bulging with
freely with the French were fleeing to rapidly dwindling funds, agreed. When gold coin, the six Missourians retraced
safety beyond the Rio Grande, while ex- the men and jaded animals had refreshed their steps toward San Antonio to seek
Confederate soldiers and other Southern- themselves the caravan pulled out from help of friends in recovering the treasure.
ers, distrustful of their fate at the hands of Presidio Del Norte with the six Missouri- One became ill and dropped out, agreeing
carpet-baggers from the north, were cross- ans as scouts and outriders. to meet the others in San Antonio when he
ing into Mexico. Everything went well for the first few was able to travel. When he had recovered
At Presidio del Norte, the caravan met days until the ex-Confederates had their sufficiently to travel he came upon the
six ex-Confederate soldiers from Missouri, curiosity aroused by the close manner in mutilated bodies of his friends who had
who had ridden west over the Chihuahua which the carts were guarded by the Aus- been killed and robbed for their ill-gotten
trail from San Antonio. The Austrian in trians and peons. They were nearing the gold.
charge of the caravan inquired anxiously Pecos river when they decided to find out The massacre left the one survivor sole
concerning the condition of the road. He for themselves what the carts contained. owner of the great treasure. His horse was
volunteered the information that he had a They chose one of their number to make an jaded and he was a sick man. However, he
valuable cargo of flour that he must deliver investigation and report his findings. plodded on, evading Indians and bandits
in San Antonio. When informed by the When the opportunity came the Missour- until he camped, by accident, with a band
Missourians that the road was strewn with ian raised the canvas on several of the carts of horse thieves. During the night a sheriff

APRIL, 1948 13
and posse swooped down upon them and Before dying the Missourian made a treasure. The lake had gone dry and wind-
the Missourian was thrown in jail with the rough map to his treasure, which was use- blown sand had changed the topography
horse thieves. He was seriously ill and se- less to him now and gave it to the lawyer of the country. It was impossible to locate
cured the services of a doctor. The town and doctor. Many years later when the In- any of the points called for in the map or
lawyer was called in and finally secured dians had been rounded up and placed on waybill the ex-Confederate soldier had
his release from jail. But the doctor told reservations and the bandits were in jail or given them many long years before.
him that his malady was incurable and that their graves, these two men took the map As far as this writer knows, that was the
he had only a few weeks or months to live. and went to Castle Gap to search for the only effort ever made to locate Maximil-
ian's great treasure at Castle Gap, 15 miles
east of Horse Head crossing on the Pecos.
This is the hour for the monthly test—to see how
DESERT QUIZ much progress you are making in your acquaint-
ance with the Southwest. So get a pencil and relax
in any easy chair. Don't make hard work of it, for St. Peter doesn't put any black
marks against you for the quiz questions you miss. Anything less than 12 correct
Hard Rock Shorty
answers is a tenderfoot score. 12 to 15 is good, 15 to 18 excellent. If you get more
than that you are very smart or very lucky. Answers are on page 36.
1—On a camping trip on the desert the proper way to dispose of your camp gar-
bage is to— Dump it in the nearest arroyo Burn it in your campfire
Dig a pit and bury it Leave it on a rock for the garbage collector to
pick up
2—Tallest tree native of the Southern California desert is— Mesquite
Palo Verde Joshua Palm
3—Death Valley was given its name by— Members of the Bennett-Arcane "The laziest man I ever knowed
party Death Valley Scotty Jedediah Smith was slower than a sand dune in
Pacific Borax company July," remarked Hard Rock Shorty.
4—Indians who call themselves "Dine" meaning "The People" are the— "Pisgah Bill and me found this
feller sittin' in his old car which
Yumas Navajo Hopi Apaches looked like a batch o' 17-year locusts
5—The famous Mormon battalion was recruited to— Aid the conquest of Cali- had nested in it two seasons. We
fornia Help colonize Utah Open a new Northwest trail asked him where he was bound. 'No-
Guard the Santa Fe Trail wheres,' he said. He stopped because
6—The astronomical name for the North Star is— he didn't need nothin' so why should
Venus Jupiter Polaris Mars he go lookin' for somethin? He had
7—Javelina is a name commonly used in the Southwest for— A spear-like a box of eggs for grub and a can of
weapon used by the Cocopah Indians Birds that nest in fissures in the water to drink. "You don't need
rock Member of the lizard family A species of wild hog found in much to eat and drink if you don't
southern Arizona move much,' he says.
8—If you were going from Winslow, Arizona, to see the Hopi Snake dances "I seen he was parked right in the
your general route would be— South East West North path of one of them marchin' sand
9—The Navajo Indian reservation extends into all but one of the following dunes. I warned him that marchin'
dune would catch up with him in a
states— Nevada Arizona Utah New Mexico couple of weeks. 'Let it march,' he
10—Mesa Verde National Park is best known for its— Geysers says. He didn't care. He didn't have
Waterfalls Caves Indian ruins anywhere pressin' to go. 'Further-
11—Ed. Schiefflin was the name of a man credited with the discovery of— more,' he says 'if camels and turtles
Gold at Goldfield Silver at Tombstone Potash at Trona can live buried in sand, so can a su-
Casa Grande Indian ruins perior bein' like man.'
12—The ingredient most common in the sand generally found in the floor of the "Me and Pisgah figured we'd done
desert is— Quartz Manganese Mica Hematite all we could for the crazy critter, and
13—Most exhaustive written works on the Anza expedition were prepared by— left him dozin' beside his box of
Bandelier James Bolton Hornaday eggs. It was four, five weeks before
14—The Wasatch mountains are visible from— Las Vegas, Nevada we went back that way, and there set
Salt Lake City Tucson, Arizona Albuquerque, New Mexico that lazy good-for-nothin' in the same
place we left him. That sand dune
15—Tuzigoot is the name of— A Ute Indian reservation in Utah had marched right over him and was
A national monument in Arizona A river that flows into Great Salt just leavin' and that feller was
lake A weapon used by the Cahuilla Indians for killing rabbits shakin' himself free of the sand
16—If you wanted to spend a night in Fred Harvey's La Fonda hotel you would which had settled on him.
go to— South rim of Grand Canyon Ogden, Utah "He told us he was glad things hap-
Santa Fe, New Mexico Palm Springs pened the way they did. He'd had a
17—The blossom of one of the following desert trees is creamy white— nice long rest. He'd proved man is
Mesquite Smoke tree Palo Verde Joshua tree the equal of hibernatin' animals like
18—John Hance was— Governor of New Mexico A guide at Grand Can- turtles, and that box of eggs had
yon The discoverer of Carlsbad caverns A Mormon missionary hatched him out the finest batch of
19—On a westbound trip across the Southwest desert, when you crossed the Colo- little fluffy chicks you ever seen,
rado river at Topock you would be entering— Nevada Utah which wouldn't have happened if he
California Arizona had et the eggs in the first place.
20—Next to English, the language most commonly heard among dwellers of the " 'It sure beats gallopin' like mad
Southwest is— Spanish French Portuguese Chinese all over the country,' he says."

14 THE DESERT MAGAZINE


the Month. *

Roan Son
First prize in Desert's February con-
test was awarded to this photograph
(right) of a stately Navajo elder. The
picture was made by Russ Ecker-
strom, Santa Barbara, California, us-
ing a Speed Graphic camera and
Super XX film. It was taken at 1/25
sec, f.22, through a G filter.

Special M&ut
Many splendid pictures were en-
tered in Desert's February contest.
Outstanding among them were:
"River Silhouette" by Jack Yoa-
kum, Parker, Arizona.
"White Sands, New Mexico" by
Mai Vaughn, Santa Barbara, Cali-
fornia.
"Sentinels" by Will Bragg, Santa
Barbara, California.

Nicholas N. Kozloff, Jr., San Bernar-


dino, California, tied for second place
with the photo (left) of a crown of
blooms around the head of a barrel
cactus. Photograph was taken with a
4x5 Speed Graphic on Super XX film,
1/25 sec. at f.22.

Moonlight Oasis, other second


prize winner by Don Ollis, Santa Bar-
bara, will appear in a later issue of
Desert Magazine.

15
By RICHARD VAN VALKENBURGH

/ / O T I O N I N G eastward across the


/IrL. wide green sweep of the San Pedro
river valley toward a shadowy can-
yon that faded into the stepped benches of
the Galiuro Range, Old Lahn, the Apache
in whose acorn harvest camp I was visiting
near Oracle, Arizona, said, "That canyon,
which we call the Little Running Water,
must be the place of which you speak."
Until this writing the Camp Grant Mas-
sacre of 1871 has been recorded only from
the white man's viewpoint. And hoping
to get the Indian story I persuaded Old
Lahn to guide me to the scene by promises
of the mineral that all old Apache cherish,
turquoise-blue azurite.
Half-way down the grade that drops
from Oracle and snakes its way through
copper-colored hills toward the old mining
camp of Mammoth, old Lahn called for
a stop. And after we had climbed to the
summit of a rocky knoll he said, "My story
begins at the base of that shaggy red ridge
which drops off toward the river bottoms.
"Our trouble started just before the
white man came to this country. While our
neighbors to the north, the Pinal Apache,
raided the Mexican settlements the Ara-
vaipa Apache, whose name was Tsejine,
the Dark Canyon People, were content
with their farming and hunting and were
the most peaceful of the Apache.
"It was in the time when the saguaro
fruit was ripening. Mexicans from Janos,
Sonora, caught three Aravaipa Apache
women while they were gathering willow
for baskets in the river bottoms. The Mex-
icans were looking for the band of Apaches
who had killed seven of their men and had
stolen a girl called La Nina Ynez in La
Canada Coscospera.
"Fearing that the Aravaipa might be
blamed, the women guided the Mexicans
away from the camps on the Little Run-
ning Water and toward the Santa Catalina
mountains. But in some way the Mexicans
found out they had spoken with forked
tongues. Sticking lances in their backs they
Hashkibanzin. last chief of the Ara- two wives and five children died. The left them lying in the chaparral to die.
vaipa Apache, called Eskiminzin by girl, left, may be the baby, Chita. "When night came those in the camps
the whites, survived the Camp Grant Photo from Arizona Pioneers His- knew something had happened to the
massacre with one baby daughter. His torical society collection. women. A man named Gotchtla went to
search for them. When he found them, two
were dead. The other breathed l o n g

Apache Ghosts enough to tell the story. Today one can go


down under that ridge and see where
Gotchtla piled stones over those women's
bodies.
Guard the Aravaipa "Before dawn streaked the ground Got-
chtla had returned to the Little Running
Water. When he told the news to the old
chief, Santo, he was angry as he said,
i 'These Na'kaya have killed our women
There are many dark pages in the history of American dealings with with no cause. We will hide by the trail
the Southwestern Indian, but none is blacker than the Camp Grant Mas- that comes down from the west and kill
sacre in Arizona Territory. Here is the story of that grim morning in 1871. them all.'
as Old Lahn the Apache told it to Richard Van Valkenburgh while they "But Hashkibanzin, Angry-Men-Stand-
stood on blood-soaked ground where stone piles mark the burial place of In-Line-For-Him, whom the white men
112 Aravaipa women and children—and six Aravaipa men. later called Eskiminzin, spoke, 'No! That is

16 THE DESERT MAGAZINE


not the way. We will leave the Little Run- Santa Teresa mountains that the white juncture of Aravaipa creek and the San
ning Water and go into the Santa Teresa Nant'an (chief) wanted to hold a peace Pedro river. And for the next 16 years this
mountains. From there we will raid and council near the present Loma Vista ranch malaria infested post played its dramatic
take blood revenge for these women who by the Canada del Oro. part in Arizona's frontier history.
were our relatives.' "Hashkibanzin talked with Santo a long After following the east bank of the San
"Sadly leaving ripening crops to rot in time before the old chief agreed to go. His Pedro for seven miles we dipped across the
the fields the Aravaipa trekked eastward. trust in the white men was never strong. concrete apron that girds cottonwood-lined
Following the well worn trail that passes After issuing corn, copper wire, and red Aravaipa creek and climbed to the summit
through the narrows of Aravaipa canyon, cloth, the white Nant'an said, 'We have of a low rise on which the adobe quad-
they traveled for two days before reaching taken this country away from the Mexicans. rangle of Old Camp Grant once stood.
the shadowy canyons that lie under the Now we are going to build a fort in your Now nothing but piles of adobe, almost
blue peaks of Santa Teresa mountains." country so that you will stop killing each hidden in a forest of giant cholla, remain
Old Lahn fell silent, and we returned to other.' to mark the location of this long deserted
the car. A steep grade and sharp turn to "And Hashkibanzin answered, 'C'Enju, post.
the left dropped us into Mammoth. Dodg- 'Tis good. We will stop killing Mexicans Our loot after a half-hour's prowl
ing the burros dozing in the middle of the when they stop killing Apaches. We will through the ruins totaled a few plainware
street of the town which was taking its now return to our fields by the Little Run- pottery sherds, some old Henry rifle shells
siesta in the midday sun, we passed ning Water. And when they hear of this the and four oxen shoes. Then taking the well
through and traveled north on the paved Papago, Apache Manso, and Mexicans graded Aravaipa canyon road we traveled
road leading down the San Pedro to around Tucson will come to kill us. You three miles toward the east before Old
Winkelman, Arizona. must stop them if there is to be peace!' " Lahn grunted for a stop.
Once through Mammoth, Old Lahn As nearly as I can determine this Coun- Leaving the car we climbed to the sum-
picked up his story, "Soon afterwards, cil of del Oro took place in 1855. Two mit of a low ridge. As we looked down
white soldiers came into our country. News years later Fort Breckenridge, which later across a small valley through whose des-
reached the Aravaipa still hiding in the became Old Camp Grant, was built at the olate sun-burned flats there slashed a wide
Renegade Aravaipa Apache warriors held prisoner at new Camp Grant for an attack on
a wagon train, hater three were hanged. Photo from the Arizona
Pioneers Historical society collection.

APRIL, 1948 17
?" "''. "•• To Winkelmon S Hoyden Kr.
to talk. But after a couple of cigarets he re-
laxed. Squinting at the sun, sloping down
into the western sky, he muttered, "We
will leave before dark. When I tell you of
what happened here you will know why.
"After the white soldiers built Camp
Grant, which you can see from this flat,
never again was there any peace for the
Aravaipa. They brought whiskey. And
among them were evil ones who hunted
Indians for sport—like deer. We soon
learned that there were as many bad white
men as there were bad Mexicans!"
History definitely verifies Old Lahn's
statement. Barrels of "rot gut" were an
important item at the post suttler's store.
Furthermore—between 1857-1870 no less
than 50 Aravaipa men, women and chil-
dren were killed ruthlessly by miners, ad-
venturers and soldiers for no other reason
than that they were "Injuns."
"Then came a time when Santo and
Hashkibanzin stopped their people from
coming down here to the Little Running
Water to plant crops. For years the Ara-
vaipa lived like hunted beasts in the Santa
Teresa and Galiuro ranges. And—against
Hashkibanzin's wishes—some young men
did accompany the Pinal on raids, lest they
starve.
"Then came news that there was a new
white Nanfan at Camp Grant. It was four
moons before the chiefs agreed to ask for
peace. Hashkibanzin won because he said,
"It makes no difference where we die. I'd
rather we be killed down by the Little Run-
ning Water than have death sit beside us
here in the mountains!'
"With suspicion deep in their hearts the
Aravaipa sent five old women, one of
LITTLE RUNNING WATER whom was Hashkibanzin's mother, to
APRIL 1871 Camp Grant to ask for peace. The old
women were treated kindly. In two days
they returned with the news that the
O OLD CAMP GRANT Nant'an would hold council with the chiefs
(RUIN) .;
at the rising of the fourth sun."
History records that this new Nant'an
was Captain Royal E. Whitman, of the 3rd
U. S. Cavalry, who had been detailed to
Camp Grant in the winter of 1870. No
green shavetail, Whitman was mature in
military experience, having risen during
the Civil War from the ranks to a lieuten-
from RY*
ant-colonel of volunteers.
After six months of quiet investigation
arroyo, the old Apache said, " 'Tis where benched off and projected from the main Whitman had become definitely sympa-
the waters of the mountains sink into the bulk of the tablelands to the south. thetic to the Aravaipa. He learned that
sand—where once there flowed the Little After cooling off for a few moments in these most peaceful of the Apache were
Running Water! the shade of a thirsty looking cottonwood, being needled into hostility by sinister
"Seventy-five years ago it was not like Old Lahn entered a fissure that knifed up forces in Tucson who planned their ex-
this. T'was a land of beauty—through into the bluff. Fifty feet of climbing termination as a means of grabbing their
which flowed a stream of cool blue water. through the crumbly conglomerate brought fertile agricultural lands and fabulously
Along its tree-shaded banks were the us over the rim. Before us spread a grass rich mineral deposits!
campfires of our 50 gata or family clans covered flat ten acres in size. It was Whitman's idealistic dream that
of Hashkibanzin's people, the Aravaipa As I watched the old Indian's eyes fixed among civil and military authorities would
Apache." on some circular rings of stone. Sensing be some men who would help forestall
The old Apache started down a game- that this was not the time to ask questions, this plot by aiding in his plans for pacifica-
trail heading toward the bottom of the I checked my curiosity and followed as he tion of the Aravaipa. With this in mind
valley. As we ploughed across the powdery carefully avoided the rings and headed for he was anxious for the band to return to
sand of the arroyo I could see he was head- the shade of a palo verde tree. their homes by the Little Running Water.
ing toward the white bluffs of a mesa that For some time I doubted if he was going "On the rising of the fourth sun, Santo,

18 THE DESERT MAGAZINE


Apache women, like these, were massacred by Americans, Maggie Black, Aravaipa pioneer since 1889 and her grand-
Mexicans and Papagos as they slept beside the Little Run- daughter Christine show examples of Apache basketry. The
ning Water. Photo taken about 1880. From the collection small basket was presented to Mrs. Black by the son of
of Arizona Pioneers Historical society. Hashkibanzin. Van Valkenburgh photo.

Hashkibanzin and the sub-chiefs walked watch the dancers as they moved back and "After finishing those on the dance
into Camp Grant. After a long yoshidii, or forth in the glow of great fires. ground the Papago began to hunt out those
council, it was agreed that the Aravaipa "Hashkibanzin was still uneasy at the in the kowas. That's why I avoided those
would surrender their weapons and be news from the Santa Cruz and did not join stone rings over there—for they are places
placed under the protection of Captain the dancers. Going through the crowd he of death. And from that rim above Ameri-
Whitman and his soldiers. When they had tried to make the watchers return to their cans and Mexicans shot down those who
finished, Hashkibanzin laid a large rock camps, on those high bluffs above us, and tried to flee up-canyon. Yes! There were
on the ground before the Nant'an and be alert. But believing that they were pro- Americans from Tucson there. We found
said: tected by the Nant'an at the nearby fort out later that they were the ones who
1
We have faith in you. You have they paid no attention. planned the whole thing!"
spoken to us like men and not dogs. I "Only when the moon had passed What Old Lahn charges is verified in
shall bring my people to you. And so long across the southern sky to drop into the the Tucson Citizen for May-June, 1871.
as this stone shall last the Aravaipa Apache west did the exhausted dancers lie down Inflamed by the succession of bloody
will keep peace with the Americans!' on the ground and go to sleep—the men Apache raids along the Santa Cruz valley,
"Smoke signals puffed into the sky. In on this side and the women on the other citizens of Tucson headed by Wm. S. Oury
a few days over 500 Aravaipa straggled in as was custom. Slowly the fires burned and Jose Juan Elias had enlisted the aid of
from the mountains. After surrendering down, flickered and then died in the dark- the Papago chief, Francisco, and 92 of his
their weapons and placing their names on ness that follows the moon. warriors in taking vengeance on the near-
the census roll, the Nant'an told them that "From out of the east came the first est Apache available—the peaceful and
they could return here to their old homes light of Blue Dawn Boy. Not a leaf flut- unarmed Aravaipa.
by the Little Running Water. tered in the mesquite. Then way down "And when those human wolves with
canyon there was the warning twitter of the black and white skins got through with
"Then came the day when the Nant'an vermilion flycatcher. Creeping through
called Hashkibanzin to Camp Grant and their killing they set fire to every kowa
the shadows toward this place were the
said, 'Your people have been home for two Saikine, or Sand House People, whom the they could find before starting back toward
months and have kept the peace. They Americans call the Papago. Tucson. They circled Camp Grant so that
have worked hard and their crops are grow- the Nant'an and his soldiers would not
ing. In two suns from now, which will be "Silently they crept up the bluff—over know what they had done. They carried
the white man's first of May, we will have the very trail we just climbed. Like jaguars into captivity 29 Aravaipa children!
a fiesta and barbecue.' they crouched to spring. Then from those
rims above flickered the signal. Moving "The buzzards were beginning to circle
"But even with this good news Hashki- swiftly with their mesquite war clubs when something stirred under a pile of the
banzin's heart was heavy. Maria Jilda Gri- loosened they surrounded the sleeping dead. Pulling himself loose, Hashkibanzin
jalva, his good friend and the Nant'an's in- dancers. Striking in every direction they tried to shake the dizziness from his bloody
terpreter, had whispered bad news into his began to smash the skulls of the sleeping head as he staggered across the dance
ear. Just a few days before, some Pinal Aravaipa. ground toward his kowa that stood under
Apache who had passed through the Ara- "The screams of the dying ripped open
vaipa camp, had raided and killed an the cottonwoods which we passed before
the clear morning air. Roused from his starting to climb the bluff.
American near Mission San Xavier. sleep, Hashkibanzin ran from his kowa or
"The young people, unaware of the bad wikiup, toward the dance ground. And as "His kowa had not been burned. But
news, began to dance—right on this flat he yelled for his warriors to stand and before him on the ground lay the bodies
that spreads before us. As the voices of fight, a Papago club crushed his head. of his two young wives and their five chil-
the singers echoed up and down the can- Crumbling, he fell to the ground amidst dren! Then from under a bundle of grass
yon the Aravaipa, young and old, came to the slaughtered bodies of his people. he heard the whimper of a baby. Bending

APRIL, 194 19
over he pulled back the grass and picked
up his only living child—the tiny Chita!
"With the baby in his arms he avoided
the dance ground and followed the rims
until he reached that high point which
noses so sharply down into the canyon.
"Turning back to look down on the
scene of the massacre of the Little Running
Water, Hashkibanzin, the last of the Ara-
vaipa chiefs, breathed a curse of vengeance
against all white men!"
There is no rose-tinted ending to this
version of the Camp Grant Massacre.
When the news reached Captain Whit-
man he immediately went to the scene.
There he found and buried the bodies of
118 Aravaipa Apache—most of them on
the dance ground. Of the dead only six
were men—the rest were women and
children.
A ripple of indignation swept the na-
tion. Under the pressure of President
Grant's threat of martial law Wm. S. Oury,
Sidney de Long, Jose Juan Elias, and about
100 Americans, Mexicans, and Papago,
stood trial for the massacre in the federal
court in Tucson, A.T. Tried by a jury Part of the time he is a dignified ert country, and his name is raven,
composed of citizens who believed "the sort of a scavenger, and at other times although he often is mistaken for a
only good Injun was a dead Injun" they he assumes the role of aerial acrobat crow. Here Edmund C. Jaeger, well
were quickly acquitted. and does all manner of stunt flying known desert naturalist tells about
for the entertainment of his mates. He the life and habits of this bird—and
The victims paid. Captain Whitman was is one of the birds who haunt the des- how you may identify him.
defamed as a drunkard and grafter by the
local citizenry until removed from his com-
mand. And until the day of his death at
Old San Carlos in 1896, Hashkibanzin, the
chief who never really wanted to fight the
Americans, was continually harassed by
both civil and military authorities.
Old Man Raven
We hope that Hashkibanzin in his By EDMUND C. JAEGER
Apache heaven knows this: There were Sketch by the author
white men who participated in this mas-
sacre who were haunted to the day of their E OF the questions desert visi- nize the flight of the comparatively small
death by the screams of dying Aravaipa tors most often ask me is: "Are crow you will never mistake it for that of
women and children. Sidney de Long, in those big black birds I see on our the big-bodied raven. In flight the crow's
the latter days of his life, once said that the desert crows or ravens?" And when I re- wing tips turn upward much like the tur-
ply: "Most certainly ravens," the ques- key buzzard's. The raven carries the entire
only thing he ever regretted in his life was tioner continues with the additional query: wing horizontally. The crow rather rapidly
his part in the Camp Grant Massacre. "Well then, what is the difference between and steadily flaps its wings and seldom
Today this once lush and fertile garden a crow and a raven?" The answer is not soars. The raven flies with more deliberate
spot, where not so long ago dwelt happily difficult. wing strokes, and often in hawk-like man-
the Aravaipa Apache, is a brown and desic- Crows are seldom if ever seen on our ner, alternately flying and soaring.
cated land. Along the parched arroyo, California deserts. Crows stay in the low The raven's call note too is distinctive.
mountains and in the valleys of the coastal In contrast to the crow's somewhat metallic
where water runs no more, lie the de- plain, leaving the desert as the sole domain caw, we hear a definite croak, a "woody"
hydrating carcasses of drouth-stricken cat- of their larger cousin, the raven. Crows gutteral cr-r-uck. It is doubtless this
tle. Sagging rottenly by overgrown fields generally are seen in flocks. Ravens usu- strange, throaty note of the raven that gave
are the ranch houses of those who tried to ally are seen as solitary birds or in pairs. it its scientific name corax, that being the
make a crop in this blood-soaked ground Occasionally one may observe them gath- Greeks' imitation of its call. Nor does old
and failed. ered in small companies of four, five or man raven talk as much as the more social
On a little mesa just above these fields even fifty. Groups of four or five are gen- and gregarious crow. He is anything but a
erally family parties, parents and near noisy bird. You could never say that about
are piles of stone which marks the graves grown offspring. I once saw 16 gathered to the crow.
of the Aravaipa. Possibly what Old Lahn feed around a cow corral near Ivanpah It is hard to imagine this bird, so at
said as we were leaving has come true, and a party of as many as 30 feeding on a home in arid lands and such a lover of soli-
' 'Tis a place accursed to white men for- carcass in a similar place near Victorville, tude, as a jolly play-fellow, acrobat and
ever by those who really own this land— California. prankster. Yet that is often the role he as-
the ghosts of those who died in the mas- There is so much difference in the flight sumes. In early spring when ravens gather
sacre of the Little Running Water." of the two birds, once you learn to recog- in small groups and you see them show off

20 THE DESERT MAGAZINE


in aerial somersaults, erratic glides and know what they think of their bad manners
rolls you suspect that behind the usual and evil ways. The raven goes doggedly on
look of glum awkwardness lies a brain that his way showing little concern over their
revels in high jollity. pigmy efforts to drive him from their
Last spring I saw one of the raven cir- midst.
cuses, in which every actor is alternately In desert areas ravens generally choose
clown or interested spectator. This was far to build their nests on high rock ledges
out on the Mojave desert southeast of Soda quite inaccessible to intruders, including
lake where lies a remarkable deposit of man. The outer bulky nest is often a huge
cinder cones and lava flows. Twenty-eight low basket of creosote sticks and twigs.
birds comprised the company of players. The lining which in former days was made
One after another they took off from the of leaves, hair and bark shreds is now,
rocks to go through their series of strange since the advent of litter-casting man, often
aerial antics, each bird seemingly trying made of bits of old soiled paper, rags, and
to out-exhibit his fellows. They glided, other refuse.
pitched, turned, rolled over and swung in Peculiarly the American raven, so wide-
wide circles. After a few moments of such spread over continental United States, is
activities the performer would return to much more numerous on the high Mojave
perch on the rocks and watch in evident desert than on the low Colorado desert of
satisfaction the antics of the others. California. In southeastern Arizona's
From eight to 15 of the birds were in the yucca lands there is a much smaller species,
air at a time. The most exciting trick was the white-necked raven, so-called because
the roll in which the bird would dart The raven acquires his insatiable ap- the basal ends of the feathers of the neck
downward and then suddenly turn the petite early in life. Photo by and breast are white. But this white is seen
body half over and for a moment fly up- George M. Bradt. only when the feathers are ruffled by the
side down, then roll over the rest of the strong desert wind. The call note of this
way before continuing onward in ordinary with all the fury at their command. With raven is not a coarse cr-r-uck like that given
flight. Sometimes they would both teeter bill snappings, menacing calls and dashing by the ordinary raven but a distinct
and roll, then make a grand swoop up- flight they let the ruthless old robbers cr-aak.
ward. That the birds were all the time in
state of high merriment there could be no
doubt.
I don't know how long this show went
on. The ravens were at their play when I
arrived at 10:30 in the morning and the
skilled exhibitionists were still maneuver-
Your Best Desert Photo
ing, rolling and tumbling when I left an may be the one we're looking for! If you have a striking picture of desert
hour and a half later. I had a ring-side seat people, desert life, desert scenery, desert plants or animals—why not
at a desert bird circus I may never see submit it in Desert Magazine's monthly photo contest?
again and which I certainly will never for-
get. First prize is $10, and second prize $5. For non-winning pictures
It was a noisy affair with all sorts of accepted for publication, Desert will pay $3 each. Entries for the April
queer sounds and unusual notes—noises contest must reach Desert Magazine office in El Centro, California, not
and warbles you would never suspect could later than April 20, and winning prints will be published in the June
come from the raven's feather-decked issue. Pictures arriving after that date will be held for the May contest.
throat. The time of mating was at hand, a
time when most birds do many strange HERE ARE THE RULES
things not a part of their normal routine. 1—Prints for monthly contests must be black and white. 5x7 or larger,
The raven is no exception. printed on glossy paper.
Ravens like crows are wary birds. They 2—Each photograph submitted should be fully labeled as to subject,
take no chances at being caught off guard. time and place. Also technical data: camera, shutter speed, hour of day, etc.
Often they allow you to come quite close. 3—PRINTS WILL BE RETURNED ONLY WHEN RETURN POSTAGE IS
Then just as you are about close enough ENCLOSED.
to get a photograph they fly off. 4—All entries must be in the Desert Magazine office by the 20th of the
We see them most often along roads and contest month.
railroad tracks where they feed on the car- 5—Contests are open to both amateur and professional photographers.
casses of rabbits and other animals killed Desert Magazine requires first publication rights only of prize winning
during the night by autos and trains. pictures.
Driven by an almost insatiable hunger, the 6—Time and place of photograph are immaterial, except that it must
big birds begin to fend for food early in be from the desert Southwest.
the morning. Then they fly close to the 7—Judges will be selected from Desert's editorial staff, and awards will
ground hoping thus to pick up small ani- be made immediately after the close of the contest each month.
mals such as lizards, baby rabbits, young
birds and bird eggs. They are good though
awkward walkers and comb the ground for ADDRESS ALL ENTRIES TO PHOTO EDITOR. DESERT MAGAZINE,
crickets, grasshoppers and other small
dwellers of the dust and sand.
Because they eat eggs, ravens are not
popular with smaller birds. I have seen
fly-catchers, sparrow hawks, mocking EL CENTRO, CALIFORNIA
birds, and hummingbirds go after ravens

APRIL, 194 21
In the badlands country described in this story. Photo by L. B. Dixon.

This is the tale of a lost mine. But the mine is not in the des-
ert badlands. It is in Mexico. And it is still lost. The location of
"La mina del tortuga de oro"—the mine of the golden tortoise
—is probably lost forever.
The story begins in the city of Guadalajara, which is the capi-
By MARSHAL SOUTH tal of the Mexican state of Jalisco. Years ago when Don Porfirio
Diaz was president of Mexico and Don Miguel Ahumada was
gobernador of Jalisco I was in Guadalajara. And while there I
"He who seeks for that upon which the Ancient made the acquaintance and became the fast friend of a brilliant
People have placed a curse, follows a trail to young Mexican of high family whom we will call Fernando
death." Suarez—because that is a name which does not even faintly re-
—Old Indian saying. semble his real one.
One afternoon as we sat on a bench in the Guadalajara
plaza, watching the Mexican army officers and important look-
~~ I HE DESERT region which was once the bed of the an- ing civilians who drifted in and out of the doorway of the Pa-
/ cient upper reaches of the Vermilion sea—now known lacio de gobierno, Fernando Suarez told me the story of a lost
as the Gulf of California— is a weird and fascinating mine. At the time, I had the feeling that he was mixing fact
area. Civilization and progress, though they have pressed upon with fiction. But I have since changed my mind.
it roads and canals, have not destroyed its mystery. According to Suarez the ancestors of his family had come
The early Spaniards who toiled across these scorching wastes over to Mexico at the time of the Conquest. And, like most
brought back fantastic tales of mirages and phantom ships. And Spaniards who had a nose for Aztec gold and the source of its
you can, if you are lucky enough to find the right desert rats, supply, they had been interested in mines. One of the mines
still hear weird tales. Particularly is this true of the so-called which Suarez' ancestors had located—or rather had persuaded
badlands—the desolate section of eroded clay hills which lie the Indians to reveal—was la mina del tortuga de oro—the mine
upon the desert like a vast goblin relief map, the haunt of all the of the tortoise of gold. He said it was very rich, and sacred to
devils of desolation and of burning thirst. I have heard some the Indians. It was located somewhere in the mountains in the
strange tales of these badlands and have seen some queer things region which is now the Mexican state of Michoacan. "For
found in them from old iron cooking utensils, of curious de- many, many years," Suarez continued, "my ancestors had in
sign, to arrowheads, bits of Spanish armor and stone age axe their possession the little gold tortoise from which the mine
heads. took its name. It was of very ancient Indian workmanship and
not pretty to look upon. In fact it is—how shall we say—'the bad
My own contribution to this legendary material is strange luck.' "
enough, and thoroughly in keeping with the atmosphere of the
region. Until a few months ago I could not have told the story. The Suarez family never actually had worked the mine, al-
Now, however, the man whom it chiefly concerns, the last of though through Indian channels they had received considerable
an old Mexican family, is dead. There is no longer any reason gold from its ledges. Its location was given on a piece of parch-
for silence. ment which they had acquired from unrevealed sources.

22 THE DESERT MAGAZINE


Finally, when members of the family set out to locate the the desert badlands. If I am vague it is because I wish to be.
source of the gold they found the directions confusing. They This thing is now over and done. I will be no party to subse-
tried many times, but always failed, and eventually the parch- quent searchings. Hunters could find nothing. But they might
ment was lost. But the ugly little gold tortoise (the tortuga) possibly find death. The badlands are still bad.
that seemed to embody the bad luck—or maybe the Indian
curse, as Suarez said meditatively—stayed merrily on with the We started walking in the early dawn—when the light was
family. Suarez had often seen it in his youth. "It always," he still ghostly and mysterious and the stars were still faint slivers
said, "seemed to leer at me. It was an ugly thing, even though of diamonds in a grey sky. Across the forbidding tangle of
made of gold." sculptured clay hills that lay before us Pablo Suarez extended a
dramatic, pointing arm: "Uncle Ramon came here," he said.
The family fell upon evil days. Eventually Suarez' father, "He did not go to Michoacan. He was a scoundrel—and he
who was a government official, was given a post in Baja Cali- feared to go too soon to the mine. But there were other scoun-
fornia and the family moved to residence close to the United drels whom he feared also. All my life I have sought the clues.
States border. The little gold tortoise went along. Accompany- And I found them. Now we shall soon see if they are true."
ing them was an uncle, a brother of Suarez' father. "He was," We walked—scrambling and toiling on through a goblin
said Fernando feelingly, "a devil of the first class, with neither land of eroded desolation. Dawn came and the sun. The bad-
conscience nor regard for God or man. A thorough scoundrel." lands are not a pleasant place for walking exercise—especially
This uncle, Ramon, had the habit of going over, with pains- when the sun warms up. Somehow those weird hills and ridges
taking care, all the old family records and documents—of which of glaring clay, carved and sculptured by ages of wind and rain
there were many. "This," said Suarez, "was the only work that grow upon you with a feeling of awful loneliness. They are de-
he ever did in his whole worthless life." He made no secret of void of life almost. Here and there there may be a scraggly
the fact that he was trying to unravel the clue to the lost mine. scrap of burroweed or a lone tuft of desert holly. But over all is
But by that time it was not seriously regarded. The years had death and barrenness. We had brought canteens of water and
dimmed its lure, and the family was wearied and crushed by Pablo Suarez carried a small light shovel.
troubles.
By what particular landmarks Pablo steered I do not know.
One day Uncle Ramon disappeared. And with him the gold But early in our tramp I discovered that he was steering a course
tortoise. He left a sarcastic note saying he had discovered the —and a very precise one. He had told me casually that he was,
clue to the lost mine—a map on a bit of parchment pasted be- by profession, an engineer and a surveyor. And I now thorough-
tween the leaves of an ancient book—and that he was going to ly believed him. His clues and information apparently were very
be rich. Also that all his relatives could go to the devil. They definite. He never faltered. Almost he seemed to be using a
wouldn't see him any more. sixth sense. At one point, towards evening, we cut across a
Which was the actual truth. They never did. Uncle Ramon curved section of what was plainly a very ancient trail. There
apparently vanished from the earth. For long it was supposed were some pieces of broken pottery to one side of it. And just
that he had gone to Michoacan, where legend said the mine where it vanished into nothingness on the edge of a scoured
was located. But all inquiries failed to bring any trace of him— out storm channel there was a greyed piece of wood, set like a
or of the golden tortoise. "The Indian curse of bad luck," said post, in the side of a clay bank. It was very old and weathered
Suarez, dramatically, "undoubtedly dissolved him into the in- and there was a rusted bit of metal driven into it. It might have
comparable dust of hell." been an old knife blade.
So ended the story that was told me in the sunny plaza of Pablo Suarez, however paid no attention to the trail. He was
Guadalajara. Some time later, after I had left Mexico, my friend evidently short cutting. He could walk faster than I could and
Fernando Suarez, choosing his allegiance unluckily among the he seemed all muscles and nerves, like a bloodhound on a hot
many factions of Mexico's revolutionary days, was shot against scent. By nightfall we came upon the almost unrecognizable
an adobe wall in a sleepy little town in Sonora, a hundred miles foundation traces of what had once been a little hut. It was
south of the U. S. border. I mourned him sincerely. He had been in the desolation of a dreary gully. "This," said Suarez, wearily,
a dear friend and he was a brave man. I often wondered what "is the place. But first we must sleep."
had become of his little son, Pablo, whom I had known as a By the first streaks of dawn the following morning he selected
bright, eager boy. a place near what had evidently been the old chimney and be-
gan to dig with his little shovel. The thing is uncanny, but he
The years passed, with their trail of lights and shadows—joys struck the old metal box exactly. It was badly rusted and the
and troubles. Long years. lid crumbled in his hands as he lifted it from the hole. Inside
And then, one day, nine months ago, in the little town of was a modelled representation of a tortoise done in the ancient
Julian, California, a bright, athletic man walked in the door. Aztec style. It was about the size of a small saucer and very
I knew he was a Mexican. And in that same glance, before heavy. With it was a packet, evidently papers or parchment,
even he uttered a word, I wondered where I had seen him be- wrapped in fabric that had been soaked in either wax or
fore. There was a something . . . asphaltum.
He greeted me by name and held out his hand. "I have read "Well," said Pablo Suarez briefly, "we seem to have suc-
your articles for a long time," he said, smiling. "I know you. ceeded. Let us go."
You knew my father." It was late that night when we got back to the car. We were
"Pablo!" I exclaimed, startled. "Impossible!—can it be that very weary. But neither of us had any inclination to camp. We
you are really . . ." started back toward civilization.
"But yes," he said, gripping my hand hard. "It is true. I Early the next morning Pablo Suarez parted from me in
am Pablo—the little boy whom you knew so long ago in Guada- Julian. He gripped my hand hard as he said farewell. "I go now
lajara. And I have things of importance for your ear alone. to Michoacan," he said. "If I find the mine, you also, friend of
Where can we talk?" my father, will be rich. But if I find only death, then write of
We found a place to talk. And he talked swiftly and con- me this story. It will make for you a good article and I would
vincingly. That evening I left Julian with him in his car. It was so wish it. It would be good to tell of the bad luck of this evil
an expensive one and powerful. Apparently he was not a poor little tortuga of gold, no?"
man. But he told me frankly that the things I saw and judged He shook my hand and departed.
by were about all. His finances were all but exhausted. Six months ago he was slain by Indian bandits in the moun-
We camped that night in a desolate section on the edge of tains of Michoacan. So I have told here the story.

APRIL, 1 948 23
point, 1 to 4 inches long, with edges curling inward, but on the
lower part of the stem often are much broader and shorter.
The delicate blossoms are disposed singly, on very short pedi-
cels, in the leaf axils and in clusters terminating the main stem
and branches. The silken corolla is captivating. Its creamy-
yellow is speckled with fine purple or reddish dots and dashes
frequently arranged in vertical lines. The form of the flower also
engages one's interest with its two large fan-shaped lips flaring
from the very short tube. The upper lip has a swollen base and
is deeply notched into 2 sharply-pointed lobes. The lower lip
has 3 shallow, pointed lobes and at the base is inflated inward to
form a crested palate, the hairy fold bright yellow, the crest pur-
ple. The 2 cells of the thin globose capsule are filled with many
tiny black, wing-margined seeds.
You'll find them on gravelly and rocky slopes and washes of
the Mojave and Colorado deserts, southwestern Nevada, west-
ern Arizona and Lower California.
Mohavea breviflora
A smaller plant than the foregoing species, less than 6 inches
high, and sometimes barely 2 inches. The herbage resembles that
of its more showy sister and the habit of growth is the same.
The leaves are shorter and broader, Vi to 2 inches long, broadly
lanceolate to narrow ovate. The flowers show even more differ-
ence, being only V2 to % inch long, and the 2 lips lightly pen-
ciled with only a few inconspicuous purple or red dots and
streaks, or none at all. The color is bright sulphur-yellow or
Large blossoms like "a swarm of butterflies settled down lemon-yellow but is less noticeable because the small posy usu-
to rest'' adorn the pale greyish plant of Moharea conferti- ally is set in the midst of several much longer leaves, which
flora, or Ghost Flower. Mary Beal photo. somewhat eclipse it. It flourishes in sandy canyon washes and
rocky slopes of the mountains on both sides of the Death Valley
sink and also is found in the Inyo mountains, scattered locations
in the Mojave desert, northwestern Arizona, and southwestern
Nevada, particularly in the Las Vegas-Lake Mead areas.

A/timed (yu Ttemont


By MARY BEAL

f yMONG the odd and fascinating plants the desert claims


"~7 for its own is the Mohavea, or Ghost Flower, a unique
annual of the Figwort family. It is a pale greyish plant
with large blossoms that make you think of a swarm of butter-
flies settled down to rest. Captain John C. Fremont found it on
his expedition of 1843-44 and named it for the Mojave river,
along which he collected it, one of his many floral discoveries
previously unknown to science. I have collected specimens of
it in the area where I am sure Fremont must have found it, but
not in profusion. I well remember my delight when I first came
upon them in considerable numbers, growing down the long
39th season under itltlul n n r s t l i
slope of the Kane Springs wash before it debouches from the and mansEtment il Nellie K. Cifftui.
Newberry mountains into the valley of the Mojave. But a deeper Earl Colfman, Georte Ribtrsn.
thrill was kindled when I encountered a superlative colony of
the Mohaveas in the Bullion mountains, where I was in quest of
Mentzelia involucrata which had eluded me for 10 years. Along
with an amazingly exuberant assemblage of them I found my
old friend Mohavea in equal luxuriance.
In its early days it was classed as Mohavea viscida by Gray but
now its full name is listed in botanical manuals as
Serene and beautiful, the desert awaits you . . .
Mohavea confertiflora
health and new vitality in every sun drenched day
Commonly from 3 to 8 inches high, with a single stout stem
or a few branches from near the base. Under favorable condi- ...perfect comfort in the Desert Inn's 35-acre
tions it reaches 12 to 16 inches (rarely 18) with several garden estate. All sports. Come hack, enjoy life anew!
branches. The pale grey-green herbage is downy with soft glan-
dular hairs. Most of the leaves are very narrow and tapering to a PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
24 THE DESERT MAGAZINE
The Sierra Club of California
has established a pattern for *••:'
those who love exploration and
adventure in the great outdoor
world. Here is the story of a two
day outing in which members of
the organization founded many
years ago by John Muir achieved
the feat of scaling two of the des-
ert's most rugged mountain
peaks during a recent weekend
excursion.

We Scaled
El Picacho
m ,
By RANDALL HENDERSON
Photos by Wm. G. Johnson and
the author

/ J / HEN Father Pedro Font looked


YY over the Yuma landscape in 1775,
seeking a site for a mission to
serve the heathen tribesmen of the Colo-
rado river valley, he saw a conspicuous pin-
nacle several miles to the northwest and
recorded it in his diary. Being a mission-
ary, it was only natural he should observe
its resemblance to a mission bell, and he
called it La Campana.
Eighty-three years later, in 1858, Lieut.
Joseph C. Ives steamed up the Colorado
in his stern-wheeler, the Explorer. Twenty
miles above Yuma he rounded a bend and
came in full view of this same pinnacle. He
called it Chimney Peak, his selection of the
name perhaps being suggested by the
great stack on the deck beside him belch-
ing mesquite wood smoke from the fire be- \ .
neath the steamer's boiler. He so entered it • * • • ,

in his diary.
Showing the route followed by the Sierrans to the top of Picacho. The difficult
Not many maps were published in those climbing is above the saddle at the top of the couloir.
days. And when gold was discovered near
the base of the pinnacle in 1862 the Mexi-
can miners who swarmed into the new its most recent ascent, by the largest climb- by the old Picacho mine, three miles from
camp had no knowledge of the records of ing party ever to attempt the feat. the base of the peak. The mine has not been
Father Font and Lieut. Ives. They simply Members of the Desert Peaks section of active for many years, but the owners be-
referred to the monolith as El Picacho, The the Sierra Club of California have scaled lieve there is valuable ore yet to be recov-
Peak. And that is the name the map- most of the summits in the Mojave desert. ered from the old workings, and a watch-
makers of today have adopted. They decided this season to extend their man remains on duty to protect the shaft
From a distance you would guess that climbing activities to the Colorado desert and what is left of the equipment.
Picacho is too precipitous to be scaled. Ris- —and selected the Thanksgiving weekend Forty-two of us gathered around the
ing 1945 feet from a jumble of lesser peaks in November for a double-barreled assault campfire in a sheltered niche in the hills
like a great volcanic plug—which some on Picacho and Castle Dome, which is Friday night, November 28. Most of our
geologists say it is and others deny—its across the river on the Arizona side. Since party members were from the Los Angeles
sheer thousand foot walls appear to offer I had made three previous ascents of both area. To reach the spot we had left U. S.
no footholds for human ascent. these desert mountains, they asked me to Highway 80 at the underpass just west of
But Picacho can be climbed, with the go along in the role of guide. the California inspection station on the
help of some rope—and this is the story of Our rendezvous was a little mesa close western bank of the Colorado. From the

APRIL, 1948 25
Left—The 10-foot gap, the first climbing obstacle to be overcome on the route up Picacho,
Center—To reach the highest point it is necessary to rope down this pitch and then
return hand over hand.
Right—This was the No. 2 roping problem on the way up. Roy Gorin at the bottom
of the rope gives the climbers a boost.

paved highway we drove directly north, inside a sleeping bag. We turned in early, Our first serious obstacle was a 10-foot
the first five miles through the cultivated for the three mile hike from the mine to crevice that cut across a ledge. One can
area in Bard valley. Then the dirt road the base of the pinnacle would start early jump across, but the mental hazard is bad,
crossed the All-American canal and next morning. for a slip means a 300-foot fall into the
climbed to a long mesa and eventually to Breakfast was over at 6:30 and ten min- depths below. There were women in our
a summit overlooking the highly mineral- utes later we started single file up the party and we played safe by extending a
ized Picacho mining district. arroyo that leads south from the mine. The rope across the gap with loops for hand
At the summit we paused to pay homage hills on both sides were pecked with the holds.
to the departed spirit of the mythical In- coyote holes of prospectors who have At this point in the ascent Roy Gorin
dian princess E-vee-Taw-Ash. I have long sought wealth in this area for nearly a cen- and Bill Henderson assumed the leader-
suspected that E-vee-Taw-Ash was created tury. Occasionally we saw rusty steel rails ship in the climb. They are experts in the
by Ed Rochester, mayor of the old ghost protruding from the sandy floor of the roping technique of the rock climbing fra-
town of Picacho and well known among wash—relics of the narrow gauge railroad ternity and we had need for both skill and
desert rats of Southern California. But it is which once brought ore down the canyon caution as we advanced up the hazardous
a good yarn, and since there no longer is to the mill on the bank of the river seven route above. The fact that so large a group
mineral wealth to lure visitors to Picacho miles from the mine. of hikers with comparatively little know-
I think Ed's effort to create romance as a There is no well defined trail to the base ledge of scaling technique made the ascent
bait for tourists is entirely commendable. of the pinnacle. One simply follows the without mishap is to the credit of Roy and
Where the road climbs over the ridge easiest route over the intervening ridges Bill.
and starts down the grade to the old town- and arroyos—with the chimney-like mas- While the rear section of the climbing
site on the bank of the river, Ed has erected sif always directly ahead. party was spanning the gap, the rest of us
a shrine to E-vee Taw-Ash. A book is there For those who would reach the top there pushed on to where the ledge ended in a
where visitors may register, and a recep- is but one approach—from the southwest 15-foot vertical pitch, the next obstacle to
tacle for the donation of small coins to be side of the thousand foot turret. I explored be overcome.
used to maintain the shrine. If you would other possible routes many years ago, and
have a safe journey in the land of the always was turned back by impassable rock Here one of the party with the help of a
legendary Indian princess you must deposit faces until I discovered a chute or couloir shoulder-stand scaled the wall and at-
a coin in the box. tached a rope above for direct help to those
on the side opposite the mine. This cou- who were to come. One at a time, with the
And so we signed our names and put loir, with a gradient of about 40 per cent, help of Gorin, members of the party
our nickles and pennies in the box—for it provides a safe route half way up to the climbed hand over hand up the rope to
might be well to have the magic of the summit. the ledge above.
departed princess on our side when we The chute ends in a narrow saddle, and From this point it was a steep but easy
tackled the precarious sidewalls of Picacho 26 of us reached this point at 8:15 and walk to the summit ridge of the massif.
next day. stopped for a breather before tackling the This ridge is about 20 feet wide and 300
As we sang our campfire songs that eve- more difficult climbing above. From this feet long, with sheer walls dropping away
ning a lone coyote howled back at us from point to the top we zig-zagged up a series on all sides except the route of our ap-
across the gully. It was a delightful night of ledges to the summit—but it was not proach.
for camping—just cool enough to be snug quite as simple as that. We were on top of the pinnacle—22 of

26 THE DESERT MAGAZINE


der normal marketing conditions the mines
are not profitable and Castle Dome's popu-
lation today consists mainly of claim own-
ers doing their assessment work and more
or less transient prospectors who persist
in their efforts to find new pay ledges.
We camped that night five miles north
of the old ghost town, along a wadi where
dense ironwood and palo verde growth
provides a generous supply of firewood.
The desert there is clean and vital and un-
disturbed. This is the land of the saguaro
cactus—the giant species that grows so
widely over Arizona. We were less than
20 miles from the Colorado river which at
this point marks the boundary between
Arizona and California. For reasons
known only to the gods of Nature, few of
these cacti have ever crossed over to the
California side. But on the Castle Dome
desert plain they grow abundantly. Sil-
houetted against the western sky at sunset
they suggest gendarmes stationed here to
On the summit of Picacho ivhere a cairn contains the names oj those ivho have guard and preserve the serenity of this re-
reached the top. mote Arizona desert. They are friendly cus-
todians, and you do not have to be a moun-
tain climber to enjoy this spot.
us—but not yet at the highest point on that cho, and have done so, with less roping
narrow ridge. For Nature had placed two than we did. But the Desert Peaks section As ironwood trees attain old age they
more barriers in the way of those who is a hiking rather than a scaling organiza- discard some of their branches to make way
would scale the last 40 feet to the high tion. They are great mountain hikers, but for new growth. Thus, in a desert where
point where the summit cairn has been generally they leave the more hazardous the arroyos are lined with ironwood the
erected. ascents to the Rock Climbing section of problem of firewood is easily solved.
The first of these barriers is a 20-foot the Club, which goes in for more adven-
turous mountaineering. That evening around the campfire there
pitch where the rope is needed mainly for was singing and impromptu entertain-
security, since a fall would end at the base The return to the base was over the same ment. But the party broke up early for the
of the pinnacle nearly 1000 feet below. route we had followed to the top, and by
With hard rock for hand and foot holds three o'clock we were off the mountain and
this pitch would be a comparatively easy packing our camp equipment for the 60- Alary Liggett stops to sign the register
ascent. But Picacho is not good climbing mile drive by way of Yuma bridge to and pay her tribute to the legendary
rock. Much of it is a conglomerate that Castle Dome range on the Arizona side of princess, E-vee-Taiv-Ash.
breaks away under pressure, and the the river.
climber has to test each grip as he proceeds
up the wall. Castle Dome peak, with an elevation of
3660 feet, is a more conspicuous landmark
Having reached the top of this knob on even than Picacho. Father Font saw it in
the ridge, we were but 20 feet below the 1775 and named it Cabeza del Gigante,
cairn—but the last 20 feet is the hardest Giant's Head. He reports that the Indians
test of the entire ascent. It is necessary to called it Bauquiburi. Lieut. Ives named it
drop down over an overhang with a rope Dome Rock. It is believed the present
sling, and then walk up a gentle grade to name was given in 1875 when "William P.
the cairn which contains the names of the Miller established a postoffice in the min-
few who have reached the summit. That ing camp at the base of the Castle Dome
part is easy. But the return from the cairn range.
requires a 20-foot hand-over-hand climb From Yuma to Castle Dome mining
up that last overhang. Only hardened mus- camp the road is paved much of the way.
cles can make such a climb. The alternative The camp, like Picacho, is a mere ghost of
is to assemble enough hands on the rope the days when the mining boom was on.
above to lift the climbers bodily to the top. The mines were discovered in 1863, and
Since we lacked the time for such a pro- were reported to be immensely rich. But
cedure, the final scaling party was limited most of the ore turned out to be lead, and
to 10 members of the group. The names of gold and silver miners turned away in dis-
the 10 who placed their names in the cairn gust. Six years later it became a profitable
were: Roy Gorin, Bill Henderson, Wm. G. lead producing camp. But the best of the
Johnson, A. D. Hamilton, Jack Adams lead veins were worked out and the camp
(aged 12), Louis B. Mousley, Bradley lay dormant for many years until World
and Roger Janetzky, Bill Yinger, and the War II when the Holmes brothers, George
writer. and Kenneth, reopened them under gov-
Expert rock climbers might scale Pica- ernment subsidy to take out fluorite. Un-

APRIL, 194 27
NAVAJO TO BE ALLOWED
INCREASE IN LIVESTOCK
Interior Secretary J. A. Krug has direct-
ed the Indian office to prepare immediate-
ly new regulations which will permit the
Navajo to increase their livestock to the
carrying capacity of the range and to sub-
mit the plans to the Navajo tribal council
for approval. The instructions are the re-
sult of a land utilization study made on the
reservation last summer by Lee Muck,
Krug's special assistant, who reported that
the range was not being used to full capac-
ity and that there was room for expansion
by 70,000 sheep units.
The report showed that a total of 565,-
652 sheep units were permitted and that
125,829 units less than that actually were
being grazed. However the total permitted
units actually exceeded the rated carrying
capacity of the range by 52,730 units, the
excess being carried on special permits.
The sheep unit is based on the amount of
forage a sheep requires. A horse is rated as
five sheep units, a cow four sheep units.
Livestock owners are permitted to keep
spring lambs on the range to December 1
and cattle for one year before they are
counted against permitted units.
There are 7491 permits in effect on the
reservation, approximately one to every
eight Navajo, based on 60,000 popula-
tion. The number of sheep units allowed
on each permit varies from 280 in districts
three and five to 61 in district 14. It was
said that flocks smaller than 250 sheep can
not be operated on an economic basis.
Tribal attorney, Norman Littell, declares
that the Navajo with the smaller flocks
have been forced to eat their livestock capi-
tal in order to stay alive, and so have not
Castle Dome, showing the gendarme which marks the route of ascent. been able to bring their flocks to permitted
size.
9-mile round trip hike to the summit of steep slope to the top a great splinter of
the Dome the next day called for a good rock stands like a granite statue and our The Muck report charged that the In-
night's rest—and we wanted to start be- route was around the base of this pinnacle dian bureau used arbitrary methods and
fore sun-up and return to base camp by to a ladder-like pitch directly behind it. made no efforts to win Indian cooperation
noon if possible. When I first climbed Castle Dome in with the result that the grazing lands have
Castle Dome does not offer serious 1931 the tobacco can in the cairn at the been poorly managed and unnecessary
climbing difficulties from the north side, summit contained 34 cents in nickles and stock restrictions imposed. Tribal Chair-
and we carried no ropes when we left camp pennies, and a note inviting all climbers man Sam Akeah told a congressional com-
at five in the morning. to add to the fund. There was no sugges- mitee that the Indians had not been in-
The most accessible route is up Ladder tion as to the purpose of the contribution. formed of the programs planned and be-
Tanks canyon near where we were camped. Perhaps that was another tribute for E-vee ing carried out for range improvement,
A half mile back in the range the canyon Taw-Ash. No doubt Ed Rochester could soil and water conservation, and said that
splits into three tributaries. The natural clear up the mystery. if the Indians were kept fully informed,
tanks which gave the canyon its name are they would cooperate.
The original can and its money have
in the south branch. In years past there was long since disappeared. But the Sierrans Akeah pointed out that the Navajo
a fine water supply here, in a series of rock rather liked the idea, and they started a could not be expected to inform them-
cavities one above the other. But today, new bank account for the Indian princess. selves of the programs being carried out
due partly to deterioration of the rock and
partly to the prolonged drouth in western Two desert peaks in two days is rather for their benefit, nor could they be expect-
Arizona, they are dry. strenuous for folks who spend their work ed to manage their livestock for maximum
days in offices and class rooms—but the income and range conservation without
The north branch of the canyon leads Sierrans are sturdy mountaineers, and we first being educated and properly instruct-
directly to the base of the Dome. It is easy were all back at base camp by one o'clock. ed in livestock management.
hiking along the floor of the canyon for The pennies we put in the can really were
2 Vz miles, and then a steep but not hazard- a very insignificant tribute to pay for the Krug told the Indian bureau that the
ous ascent to the summit. security and pleasure we enjoyed during new regulations must be submitted to the
Ladder Tanks canyon brought us to the two days of glorious adventure in the do- Navajo tribal council before he will ap-
north base of the massif. Half way up the main of E-vee Taw-Ash. prove them.

28 THE DESERT MAGAZINE


The only restitution Desert can make is

L ETT E RS... to publish 19 questions in the next quiz


which will be of the usual type, and to give
to us who swear by it, one free question.
For this I suggest: "What is the best re-
gional publication in California?" The an-
It's Fun to Be an Editor . . . further training, engage in types of work
which are within the limitation of their dis- swer to that is the Desert Magazine. We'll
Lancaster, Missouri all get that one right to start with. But what
My Dear Editor: ability. Patients are also able to build up
their 'work capacities' beginning with one have you got against Yuma to put it way
In the last Desert, on the Letters page, up on Highway 50? I like Yuma right
someone complains about snakes. Quits the hour per day and working up to four hours
per day before discharge. They may also where she is.
magazine because there is an occasional EDWIN CORLE
snake picture in it. Now the editor really complete work for high school diplomas
is on the spot. For I shall quit unless there and have a choice of about 200 courses of Dear Edwin: We've apologized to
are more snakes. I want the biggest and study, as well as a great number of Univer- the Yuma chamber oj commerce, an-
most threatening snake picture you can sity of California correspondence courses." swered 57 letters from indignant
find—and put it on the front cover. You'll The list of contributions and contribu- Quiz fans, and sentenced the proof-
find a good one in Ditmar's Snakes oj the tors would be too long to go in this letter. reader to three days in the doghouse.
World, Plate 84. So come on now, and I will write each of you, as individuals, and And congratulations to you on a per-
give us Missourians some snakes. answer your letters, to the best of my abil- ject Quiz score. —R.H.
And thanks for everything in Desert. ity. But, please, hold up the rock for now. • • •
We have an abundance of most of the gem About Those Mesquites . . .
LYLE L. GAITHER stones and some minerals from the West- Phoenix, Arizona
ern states (thanks to you) and more will Dear Editor:
Thanks to the Rockhounds . . . come. It looks as if these Old-Timers had you
Veterans Hospital May your pack sack never come in up a tree, and a mesquite tree is one of the
Livermore, California empty, and may you find a second Com- worst I know of, to be up, on account of
Dear Sir: stock, Mother Lode, or a solid jade moun- the thorns.
This is in sincere appreciation for space tain on your "next field trip." I was afraid you might not get down in
you gave in Desert for my letter "Rock CLAUDE E. NAPIER time to put out the next number of Desert
Needed," for this hospital, and thanks to • • • Magazine, so I am coming to your aid, to
all the generous Desert readers for their Anyway, it is a Pretty Canyon . . . help you down.
overwhelming response. I have often won- Palm Springs, California Your statement that mesquites grow
dered what became of the rock the time the Dear Randall: only where their roots reach underground
Scotchman excavated the Grand Canyon You must study up on your Spanish. water, may have taken in a little too much
(you know, the time he lost the ten cent S. G. Morley is right and you are wrong. territory, but in the main it is absolutely
piece down the gopher hole). I know, Canon del Muerto means Canyon of the true. At least, 'tis so in Arizona.
now, where part of it is—it was sent to us Dead Man. The Old-Timers are also right in saying
by a grand bunch of "rockhounds" who £/ Muerto, the dead man. that mesquites sometimes grow where it is
have collected it from all the Western Del Muerto, of the dead man. a long distance to water, including straight
states from Oregon to Texas. Un Muerto. a dead man. down. In that case, however, they are lo-
It reminds me of a time I ventured out Canyon of the Dead would read Canon cated along washes or in swales or low
on the base of a talus slide (in the Sierras) de los Muertos. places where the scanty rainfall collects
to get, and look at, a piece of float rock I R. P. FRANCK and gives them an added amount of mois-
could see about halfway across. I ventured ture. They never grow at random over the
out, picked it up, and from results, it must / am beginning to understand why mesas and ridges and on top the hills as do
have been the keystone holding that whole I got such a bad grade in Spanish in other desert trees and shrubs such as the
mountain side in place. I sure started my school days. Thanks R.P.—R.H. palo verde and creosote bush. In places
something then, too. This "rock slide" is • • • where there is underground water or seep-
quite a bit more pleasant—and not so dan- Try H i g h w a y 80 . . . age, their roots will go 40 and 50 feet
gerous—I hope. Santa Barbara, California down to reach it.
For those readers who may be interested, Hope Ranch When I came to Arizona, 52 years ago,
the following may give some idea as to Dear Randall: there were large forests of mesquite, some
whom, and where, your rock got to, and Well, well, so if I go east on Highway of them 50 feet high and with trunks five
how it will be used. This hospital is located 50 I'll come to Yuma? and six feet in diameter. The large trees
on a part of what was the early Jess Liver- I always take (without peeking) your grew always along the streams and river
more ranch, a Spanish grant, some five fascinating Desert Quiz, and as I have bottoms. As they reached back to higher
miles south of the present town of Liver- spent a lot of time in the desert area and ground, they became smaller, clinging to
more, on a north and east slope, and has a traveled over most of it, it is a source of the washes and swales, and almost entirely
sunny, mild climate, away from fog for the satisfaction to my ego to be able to get disappeared at the level of the foothills.
most part, and below the snow line. about 18 out of the 20 questions month Agriculture, and the demand for wood, has
Here is a doctor's statement on occupa- after month. In your March, 1948, issue, I almost obliterated the mesquite growth in
tional therapy: "There is among other was sure I had them all. Then I looked at Arizona, but what remains, still clings to
services here a physical rehabilitation serv- the answers. Well—the day may come the original habitat, making a heavy sec-
ice for patients to do vocational work in a when I'll drive east on Highway 50 and ond growth in favored places. The present
number of completely equipped shops, come to Yuma, but when I do it'll be on drouth, with the accompanying lowering
such as photo laboratory and machine shop some other planet. of the underground water level, has re-
including some tools for lapidary work Recently I had occasion to drive east tarded the re-growth of the mesquite
(writer's note) and some tools to procure from San Francisco on Highway 50. and I thickets, and has in many places killed
for a complete workable shop." (But, we'll do recall Sacramento, and Placerville, but them.
get them.) "This is done so that upon dis- I must have passed through Yuma without The mesquite is not strictly a desert tree,
charge from the hospital, patients can, with noticing it! and cannot adapt itself to desert conditions

APRIL, 1948 29
as many other trees and shrubs do. The river. No good for anybody but white men warm for a week and very cold the next,
palo verde, when drouth strikes, rolls its with lots of money to make plenty irriga- with some terrific winds and sandstorms.
leaves into tiny balls, to prevent evapora- tion—raise cotton maybe." In the Lava mountains, near Randsburg,
tion, and stands dormant until rain falls His alternative plan: "Make open to us and Eagle Crags, filaree, lupine, larkspur
again. The ocotillo, after the spring rains, forests near our reservation—give us big and owls clover are coming up abundantly
sheds its leaves, and stands with dead forest country north of big canyon (Grand and promise a good showing.
stalks until summer rains come, when it Canyon North Rim country) before white
sends out new leaves and blooms gorgeous- men kill all deer, cut down trees and maybe Plants which usually make the best
ly. The mesquite cannot do this. Extreme burn all up. We could live there like our flower show in the Death Valley national
lack of moisture means the death of the Apache brothers in White mountains— monument with peak blooming time in
tree without fail. raise plenty cows and sheep—not need March and April are: Desert gold, eve-
white men's help any more." ning primrose, phacelia, desert five spot,
In my opinion, your statement that the Mojave aster, monkey flower, desert star,
mesquite sends its roots down to under- Concerning the situation in general: gravel ghost and nama. Those with maxi-
ground water is true in 75 per cent of cases, "Why do white men always say for us mum bloom in April according to Park
and in the remaining cases, they receive something they do not like for themselves? Naturalist Floyd Keller, are gilia, encelia,
extra moisture from some conservation of We do this; we do that; we go here; we creosote bush, beavertail cactus, mentzelia
the intermittent rainfall. go there; we go away somewhere else like and gold poppy. The prospects for a dis-
W. I. LIVELY poor people in big war—let white man play do not appear encouraging, but the
have everything he wants and we take what final result will depend upon precipitation
he no wants, always like that it is for us. through March.
Thoughts of a Navajo . . . We have many talks with big men in
Pueblo, Colorado Washington; always they say more schools The only really encouraging report from
Dear Mr. Henderson: and teachers, many good things for us and Arizona comes from Organ Pipe Cactus
Relative to comments of yourself and our land, but we still wait. Why say so national monument where William R. Su-
Mr. Ed. F. Williams concerning the Na- much and do so little for us? Make us citi- pernaugh, custodian, states that poppies
vajo situation: zens ; give us square deal same as white were starting to bloom late in February
men and then we will make out all right with some mass displays. The ajo, a desert
In discussing these matters recently with
and take care of ourselves good." lily, was coming along abundantly and
a young Navajo war veteran, he had the
The foregoing statements, earnestly giv- should be flowering in March. Other des-
following to say: As to the Colorado river
en, should contain sufficient food for seri- ert flowers of the area should reach their
reservation idea: "No good for my people;
ous thought. peak in April.
too hot, summers like hell; no good for
sheep or cows; no water on land—all in W. G. HEISLER Some moisture fell in Tumacacori na-
tional monument late in February and with
rainfall almost normal for that month there
will be some flowers, Custodian Earl Jack-
Wild flower Forecast for April. son believes, but no spectacular displays
unless the hills get rain during March.
Extent of 1948's wildflower parade still Mary Beal notes the possibility of a fair Normally, ocotillo, cream cactus and
rests in the hands of the rain gods, but crop of wildflowers in the Daggett area, hedgehog cactus are blooming in April
chances for mass displays this year are if more rain comes soon to continue the with verbenas and poppies at their height.
growing more remote. That does not mean growth already started, but the season will The winter, to late February, has been
that there will be no blooms for those who be late. The dandelion field east of Dag- exceptionally dry in Saguaro national
come to the desert in April. Individualists, gett is fairly well carpeted with young monument. There was no sign of cacti
undaunted by drouth and cold, already are plants a few inches high and on the slope, blooms, paper daisy, encelia and mal-
flowering along washes and roads and in to Ord mountain a varied array of young low, usually starting to bloom at this time,
areas where a little moisture has been avail- plants have made a good start. Among and the ocotillo were not leafing out. Cus-
able. Most hopeful reports come from them she recognized Yellow Wooly todian D. W. Egermayer found a few Par-
southern Nevada, where rain has fallen, Breeches, Fremont and fiddleneck phace- ry's penstemon flowering, but did not ex-
Organ Pipe Cactus national monument in lias, mentzelias, Mojave poppies, chaenac- pect much of interest this year.
Arizona, and Daggett, California. tis, fairy mist, evening snow, lilac sunbon-
nets, desert stars, coreopsis and sun-cups. Southern Nevada received badly needed
Verbenas are said to be blooming along rain, Dora Tucker of Las Vegas reports,
the road north of Indio, California, and The lycium bushes—rabbit-thorn and
water jacket—are beginning to bloom, she and the desert is putting on its Easter gown
there are a few dune primroses between El of beautiful hues, with large patches of ma-
Centro and the sand hills. In the washes of says, and they usually herald the coming
of the flower parade. The north side of the genta colored verbenas dotted with white
the Chocolate mountains above and below sand primrose. Here and there are bright
Beals well, and in Paradise valley, encelia valley shows less promise, but there are
patches of green in the canyons of the Cali- yellows of encelia, the soft maroon of sand-
promises a good showing. mat and wild buckwheat. She found lupine
co mountains about boulders and shrubs
The Julian area is having damp weather, and at the base of cliffs, wherever moisture and phacelia and many others, some in
slight snow fall and fogs. If the dampness might settle. bloom and some just showing their bright
continues wildflower chances will be in- greens and greys.
creased, according to Myrtle Botts. In the But drouth was still the word in the Lan- In Lake Mead recreational area, wild-
Borrego area, she found ocotillo in bloom caster valley where Jane S. Pinheiro flowers were blooming at lower altitudes
at the north end of the valley, and a few anxiously watched low-hanging clouds and along the Colorado river on February 27,
desert lilies, verbena, primrose, chicory hoped for a two-inch rain fall which would Maurice Sullivan, park naturalist, found.
and creosote bush. At Twentynine Palms bring lots of flowers, since the ground tem- They included lupines, encelia, evening
there will be no annuals blooming this perature is up. But the outlook is not opti- primrose, red-stem filaree, desert mallow.
spring, Sara M. Schenck reports. Encelias, mistic. So far, some poppies, lupine and As the season advances, the flowers will be
yuccas and Joshua trees started blooming chaenactis are showing. The Joshua trees found at higher and higher elevations. A
there early in March, but not profusely. are sending out a few buds which seem to good rain early in February started spring
The general outlook: desert blooms small be maturing more rapidly than usual. The growth and another rain would insure a
and far between. winter has been unpredictable—balmy and fine floral display this year.

30 THE DESERT MAGAZINE


increased to 27 men. Lee Albertson and

Minel and Mtiu+uj. . Harry Manning have taken a contract for


mining work and are running two shifts a
day. Otto Rolphs, mining engineer, recent-
ly has joined the staff.
Big Pine, California . . . Oatman, Arizona . . . • • •
Eureka Valley Sulphur mines, near Big Gold values averaging half an ounce Goldfield, Arizona . . .
Pine, will resume operation in the near fu- per ton along a 140-foot ore shoot have Renewed attempts to operate the Black
ture, it is reported, with R. E. Ketching in been reported in the White Chief shaft of Queen and Mamouth properties on the
charge. The product will be marketed by Triumph Gold Mines, Inc., at Oatman. northwestern flank of Arizona's rugged
Dan Nord and Art Ronchausen. County Stoping widths have been opened to eight Superstition mountains this winter may
road equipment has started work on the feet, according to Gilbert Phillips, general bring life to the ghost camp of Goldfield.
road between the sulfur mines and Oasis. manager, with values from $35 to $80 per Alfred Strong Lewis, formerly with the
Another projected road would run from ton in assay and engineers reports. In the state mineral resources branch, will super-
Big Pine through Eureka valley to Zurich, Oatman gold mining revival, 18 men are vise operations. Mining activities in the
past the talc and sulphur mines to Sand preparing the Victoria mine, five miles area started in 1891 and by 1894 the mine
canyon and into Death Valley via Scotty's south of town for large scale production. was producing 100 tons a day and Gold-
Castle. Values at the Victoria shaft, according to field had a reported 5000 inhabitants. The
• • • J. H. McCarthy, general manager, range town was swept away by a flood in that
from $7 to $35 per ton. A 300-ton mill year, and attempts to resume operation
Randsburg, California . . . from the Producers' mine near Chloride since that time have been unsuccessful. The
Production Research, Inc., of Pasadena will be installed at the Victoria and will 1067-foot Mamouth shaft and its two
has leased the Grey Eagle perlite claims of also mill ore from the company's Bullrush miles of underground workings are now
Gerbracht and Muer, located in Last claim where $3.50 to $10 ore will be filled with millions of gallons of seepage
Chance canyon, 15 miles west of Rands- mined by open pit methods. water.
burg. The property is located between the • • • • • •
Cudahy Old Dutch Cleanser mine and the Monticello, Utah . . .
Calsilco Holly Cleanser claims. The pres- Randsburg, California . . .
ent work is planned to give access to the The Atomic Energy commission has re- Kern Placers, Inc., have sub-leased their
property, strip the deposit, and make core vealed plans to operate the recently pur- equipment and the Hammon placer prop-
drilling tests to determine quantity and chased vanadium plant at Monticello, erties just north of Randsburg to Foley
quality of the perlite. Preliminary analysis Utah, and announced that it was working Brothers, Inc., of St. Paul, Minnesota.
and reports from the state division of out a program of buying uranium ore from Harry Dorvinen, Foley superintendent, is
mines and private laboratories have indi- private sources and to limit direct govern- employing crews for what is expected to be
cated extensive deposits and high quality. ment production of the ore. The Grand a two-shift operation requiring around 20
]unction Daily Sentinel, Colorado, de- men. Dorvinen declares that competent en-
• • • clared that, since evidence has been sub- gineers will be hired to handle the gold-
Fallon, Nevada . . . stantiated that Colorado and eastern Utah tungsten recovery processes and full opera-
The Summit King gold-silver mine, 30 provide the only large sources of uranium tion is expected within 30 days.
miles east of Fallon, was expected back in ore in the United States, the area was due
for vast expansion. It reported bids for re- • • •
operation during February, according to
P. G. Dodson, manager. The mine, which modeling of a warehouse building at the Mining regained its old position as Ari-
closed three years ago due to war condi- uranium mill near Gunnison river, for use zona's number one industry in 1947. Pro-
tions, is expected to employ 20 men. Since as offices of the U. S. geological survey duction valued at $200,000,000 pushed it
operating costs were said to be 60 per cent and a small chemical laboratory. ahead of agriculture, the leader for several
higher than when the mine was closed, lit- • • • years. Price increases were a greater factor
tle development work was planned. Ore Goldfield. Nevada . . . in the showing than gain in production
will be taken from the third, fourth and volume, but copper was up 26 per cent in
Newmont Mining corporation has an- volume, zinc 21 per cent, silver 32 per cent
fifth levels with two years' run blocked
nounced officially, the first mill unit of and gold had increased nearly 14,000
out. Raymond L. Clawson is mill superin-
100 tons daily capacity for their Goldfield ounces.
tendent, Frank Kennicot in charge of the
Deep Mines operation will be installed
mine, and Ira B. Joralemon, consulting en- • • •
some time this year with construction to
gineer. "Uncle" Tom Duke, pioneer of the
begin in March. Elmer Burt, superinten-
• • • dent of the Deep Mines operation report- Rand, California, district and first mine
Shoshone. California . edly has been instructed to install pumps foreman of the Yellow Aster mine, died at
in the Laguna property to determine for Phoenix, Arizona, January 19, aged 85.
The 100-ton mill built by New Suther- mill purposes the flow of water in the old He was with the Yellow Aster from 1895
land Divide Mining company on the workings. The mill will be located on the to 1905, when he left for the Tonopah-
Queen of Sheba property in the Panamint site of the Florence mill which burned and Goldfield area. He returned to Randsburg
range, 42 miles directly west of Shoshone, was dismantled years ago. No official in- in 1912 and lived in the area intil 1919.
is completed and a number of test runs formation regarding underground opera-
have been made. An expert from American • • •
tions was issued, but reports told of an-
Cynamid company will observe further other rich ledge which was cut by a cross- Nevada state bureau of mines has issued
test runs and select proper reagents for the cut from the old Whitehorse group and a 90-page bulletin, Mineral Resources of
flotation process. The mine is located at which may prove larger than the original Douglas, Ormsby and Washoe Counties.
1200 feet elevation, 9 miles from Bad- strike. The bulletin, No. 46, was prepared by
water. Drinking water is hauled from Sho- Thomas D. Overton and deals with the
shone, water for other purposes pumped • • •
topography, geology, ore deposits, history,
three miles. The property, in charge of Fallon, Nevada . . . highways and production of each county.
John L. Desmond, is reported to have a big Operations reportedly have been There are 14 illustrations in the text and
tonnage of good ore, mostly galena, ex- stepped up at the Nevada Scheelite mine, maps of the area. The bulletin is free to any
posed. 40 miles southeast of Fallon, with the crew citizen of Nevada.

APRIL, 1948 31
OH tke
ARIZONA equipped with sails in open spaces
chopped in the ice and hope the wind will
Seek New Colorado Dam Site . . .

GO EAST BY YUMA—Plans for a new dam across


the Colorado river, north of the Mexican
border, were discussed at joint sessions of
the United States and Mexican sections of
keep the rafts moving and prevent the
water from freezing. The fish have died
from lack of oxygen in the past when the
lake was frozen over for months.

SOUTH! the International Boundary and Water


commission, held at Yuma in February.
Under terms of an international water
treaty, Mexico has the right and authority
Expand Navajo Medical Work . . .
CHINLE —The 15-bed hospital at
Chinle has been changed into a health
clinic, according to Dr. Harold M. Knudt-
to construct the dam, it was said, and is al- son, chief medical director of the Navajo
lotted 1,500,000 acre-feet of water a year. reservation. Beds were moved to Fort De-
fience where patients requiring bed care
Rurales Ride an Old Trail . . . will be taken. The move, Dr. Knudtson
NOGALES — Horsemen once again said, is the first in a plan to extend field
traveled the old Tucson-Nogales wagon medical work among the Indians.
trail when 22 members of the Santa Cruz • o •
County Rurales covered the 70 miles in
Los Angeles • New York three days, riding from Nogales to Tucson Frank C. Spencer and his wife, in charge
with a gay stopover in for the Fiesta de los Vaqueros. The Ru- of the museum and curio shops at Hopi
rales, with a membership of professional House, Grand Canyon, for more than 30
New Orleans years, are retiring. Spencer has been with
men, cattle ranchers, business men and
housewives found the going rough, but the Fred Harvey company for 46 years.
For a coast-to-coast trip that's dif- they did not face the Apache warriors who • • •
ferent, delightful —go via S. P.'s caused pioneer Pete Kitchen to christen the Mrs. Carlotta Connelly who teaches at
road: "Tucson-Tubac-Tumacacori to hell." Mishungnovi with her husband John, has
Sunsef Limited and the Washington- written her own primer for the Hopi
Sunset Route.
The cavalcade was led by Bird Yoas, griz-
zled veteran of early days on the trail. youngsters, illustrating it with pictures of
Hopi life. She is working on books for
ROUTE OF ROMANCE: G o via Phoe- older Indian children.
nix and the fascinating Southern Cabeza Prieta Tanks Improved . . .
YUMA—Actual development of water • • •
Arizona guest ranch country, El sources for wildlife on the Cabeza Prieta Aaron Anmahian, tourist from Massa-
Paso, San Antonio, Houston, the game range was started in February with chusetts, saw a wild mountain sheep on the
bayouland, New Orleans, Mont- John Kempton in charge. Arthur F. Hal- highway near Mohawk. He stopped the
gomery, Atlanta, Washington, Bal- loran, game range manager, explained that car for a better look and the sheep leaped
timore, Philadelphia, New York. natural rock water holes or rain filled tanks over the car's top, breaking the windshield
become low or dry in the summer. Work of and damaging the body.
THROUGH PULLMANS: Enjoy a the service has consisted in making the • • •
New Orleans stopover — without watering places deeper with more shade Arthur F. Halloran, manager of the
worries — while we move your and in blasting the slippery rock sides of Kofa game range, has collected three
certain tanks which have become death badgers in the Castle Dome range, Yuma
luggage — without charge — from county. The find extended the known
your incoming Pullman to iden- traps for wild sheep attempting to water
at them. range of this species, Taxidea taxus s»nor-
tical accommodations on your iensis, 325 miles northwest from its previ-
outgoing train. Billy Fourr Dies . . . ously recorded type locality near Hermo-
DOUGLAS—Billy Fourr, 77, pioneer sillo, Sonora.
NEW ORLEANS SIGHT-SEEING: I f Arizona cattleman, lawman and miner • • •
you wish, take our tour of the city died in Douglas, January 31. Fourr's par- CALIFORNIA
during your seven-hour stopover. ents settled in the Dragoon mountains in
the late 70s, establishing the famous 4-F They Made Their Highway . . .
The tour, including dinner at a
ranch. Most of Billy's education was RIDGECREST—Three "desert-happy"
famed French restaurant: just $5.
gained in the Tombstone schools. While adherents of the proposed Cross-country
active as a cowboy, Fourr was a friend of highway proved in January that it is pos-
For reservof/ons and information, Pancho Villa, famous Mexican revolu- sible right now to take off due east from
see your near-by S. P. Agent. tionist and nursed Villa to health after a Ridgecrest and drive to Las Vegas—if you
He'll gladly serve you. siege of pneumonia. have the right car. The trio, Harold Fuller,
Elliott Fox and Bruce Manley, left Ridge-
Respirator for Fish . . . crest in a surplus weapons carrier, crossed
SPRINGERVILLE—Arizona game and the south end of Searles Lake and picked

SP
the friendly Southern Pacific
fish commission is using a "respirator" to
save the lives of fish in Big lake in Apache
county. Dick Slade and Bill Burke, who
will camp at the lake until spring, haul the
device, a portable compressor, out on the
ice on a sled and pump air through holes
up the mountain trail that leads into the
winding canyons of Leighton pass. From
the summit they went down through Pana-
mint valley, over Wingate pass, through
Death Valley to Death Valley Junction,
following the proposed route of the new
in the ice. They also have rigged up rafts highway.

32 THE DESERT MAGAZINE


Smoke Trees Are Protected . . . Ranges 44 East to 47 East and Townships Famed Entomologist Passes . . .
PALM SPRINGS—Following reports 25 South to 30 South. The navy release PALM SPRINGS—Professor T. D. A.
of wholesale destruction of smoke trees in did not state whether the closure was Cockerell, internationally known in the
the desert areas, Lloyd Mason Smith, direc- permanent. Rock collectors and prospec- field of biology and especially entomology,
tor of the Desert Museum warned that the tors, questioning need for the vast addi- died in San Diego, aged 81. Professor
picking of desert shrubs carried a strong tion to the present 1100 square miles of Cockerell and his wife, Wilamette, came to
penalty. Smith quoted the state penal code: the NOTS reserve, which is as large as the Palm Springs in 1943 and maintained the
"it is unlawful to cut, mutilate, remove or state of Rhode Island, are said to be plan- museum there during the war years. The
destroy any native tree, shrub, fern, herb, ning congressional protest. Included in the Cockerells served without pay and expand-
bulb, cactus, wildflower, huckleberry or range and township boundaries listed are ed the facilities of the museum, inaugurat-
redwood greens growing along public Lead Pipe springs, Eagle Crags, Brown ing the motion picture and lecture pro-
highways or to collect for commercial pur- mountain, Copper City and Pilot Knob. grams which now are an important part
poses any plants from public lands, or from The area has been posted. of museum activities. Professor Cockerell
private lands without the consent of he is the author of a study: The Colorado
owner." Further on the code specifies: Fight for the Burros . . . Desert of California: Its Origin and Biota,
"Yuccas, the snow plant, the desert holly, TRONA—Residents of Searles valley published by the Kansas Academy of Sci-
the smoke tree and cacti must never be mo- have banded together to fight for legisla- ence. He was professor of zoology at the
lested." The smoke trees reportedly were tion to halt the wanton slaughter of desert University of Colorado for 28 years.
being hauled away for use in Los Angeles burros. Action was taken after bodies of
florist shops. four of the little animals were found in Park for the Salton Sea? . . .
Homewood canyon on January 17, where
they apparently had been shot without rea- MECCA—Riverside county board of
Navy Closes Desert Area . . .
In the greatest closure of desert land son and left to die. Present laws protecting supervisors unanimously has passed a reso-
since World War II, the navy has ordered the burro are effective only if the killers lution requesting the State of California to
all non-authorized personnel to stay clear are caught in the act of transporting a car- declare a portion of the Salton Sea area a
of "Mojave Range B, Naval Ordnance cass for food purposes and were designed state park. The proposed 320 acre park
Test Station, Inyokern," an area of 864 to stop wholesale killing of the harmless will lie southeast of Mecca and will include
square miles which extends from the south- animals for dog food. Inyo county authori- a mile of sand beach. Lyle Howell, sports
ern end of Panamint valley to the outskirts ties have joined the Searles valley fight, director of the Coachella Valley Sports
of Barstow. The range, being used for high and the burro may be legally classified as a league, declared that no drainage problem
level and ground ordnance tests, is 24 game animal and protected by game laws. would be faced in the new park since
miles east to west and 36 miles north to In the meantime state rangers are patrol- drainage ditches are on adjoining private
south, with boundaries given as from ling the area. property.

"Ocean-breeze" summer comfort,


in your home or place of business,
now is easily, quickly available through
your PAYNE C O O L E R A l R dealer. Ask him about this years-ahead evaporative
cooler that the West has been waiting for.
14 POINTS OF SUPERIORITY...including NEr-TYPE "FIBERGLAS"
EVAPORATIVE FILTERS- clean, sanitary, odorless, long-lived—
that obsolete old-fashioned wood-fiber pads. Also: Certified air-
delivery; evaporative efficiency of 90% plus; PAYNE standards of
quality and performance; 10 other star features.
WRITE for free booklet and name of nearest dealer.
PAYNE FURNACE COMPANY (One of the DRESSER Industries) BEVERLY HILLS, CALIF.

APRIL, 194 33
FOR SALE—120 A.—25 miles west, El Centro;
south of, adjacent to R. R. yds. Excellent

THE DESERT TRADING POST water plentiful, depth 16 ft. in coarse gravel;
close to Hiway 80, on county road connect-
ing two national Hiways 1 mi. apart, elev.
Classified advertising in this section costs 7 cents a word, $1.00 minimum per issue 265 ft. Soil brown loam to sandy, one hill,
3 wells; 90 miles San Diego—$2500. George
Hulst, 240 E. Taylor, Stockton, Calif.
INDIAN GOODS 100,000 BOOKS—Old, new, unusual books.
Send wants. Hellar's, Box 2507, Los Angeles
ALWAYS THE BEST in Indian things. Old 53, Calif. MISCELLANEOUS
and new Navajo rugs a specialty. Fine jew-
elry and baskets. Our thirty tons of rocks and $50.00 BUYS Desert Magazines and binders. WANTED: OLD ENVELOPES with western
minerals include many hard to get items. Al- Dec. 1937 to Dec. 1948. W. A. Goldschmidt, cancellations before 1890. Also gold coins in
ways welcome. Daniels Indian Trading Post, 629 N . Findlay Ave., Montebello, Calif. good condition. Write: C. H. Greiner, 106
401 W . Foothill Blvd., Fontana, Calif. N. Sunset, Temple City, Calif.
YOU'VE HEARD OF IT, but have you seen
FOR YOUR DEN, or Indian or Western room, Desert Spotlight magazine, chock-full of FREE—Geologic and Scenic Color Slide Cata-
or fireplace—a decorative Indian tomahawk illustrated stories and articles of desert and log. Heald-Robinson, 2202 N. Santa Anita
with stone head and wooden handle wrapped mountain country, mining, rockhound, pio- Avenue, Altadena, California. Enclose $1.00
with rawhide and buckskin, finished in gold neer stories and about folks who left crowded for Special Offer—No. 439 Owachomo Na-
and silver lacquer. A substantial, handmade cities for the great open spaces and improved tural Bridge; No. 1185 Devil's Tower, Wy-
gift for the home. $3.00 postpaid. Write Bob their health, found happiness and made their oming; No. 1234 Yellowstone Falls.
Baker, 1825 B St., Sparks, Nevada. living on the desert. Send a dollar bill for six
month subscription to Box 162-DM, Yucca KARAKULS. Producers of Persian Lamb fur
FRED AND JESSIE PORTER welcome you to Valley, Calif. are easy to raise and adapted to the desert
the "Pow-Wow" Trading Post, Yermo, 14 which is their native home. For further in-
mi. east of Barstow Hiway 91. Gifts, Indian formation write Addis Kelley, 4637 E. 52
Jewelry, souvenirs, rugs, lamps, etc., cutting BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
place, Maywood, California.
material, cabochons, slabs, cabinet specimens.
See your own cut! Free maps for rockhounds. FOR SALE—Wonder rock claims, silver, gold,
lead and copper claims. Also a lease on gold CACTI AND SUCCULENTS—From the des-
4 VERY FINE ancient Indian Arrowheads property, very promising. Peter Moser. Box erts of the world. Don-Rita brand. By ap-
$1.00. 4 tiny perfect bird arrowheads $1.00. 176, Goldfield, Nevada. pointment only. Write us your needs and we
1 Ancient Stone Tomahawk $1.00. 2 Flint will try to help you. Michael Donnelly Cacti
GET IN on ground floor for residence or busi- Gardens, 334 Lowell St., Daly City, C»lif.
Skinning Knives $1.00. 1 large Flint Hoe ness opportunity at Ocotillo, new desert re-
$1.00. 2 Spearheads $1.00. 10 Arrowheads sort, 26 miles west of El Centro on Highway
from 10 states $1.00. 20 Damaged Arrow- 80. Acreage $100 and up. Lots 100x100 $200. LEARN the profitable jewelry and gold-smith-
heads $1.00. 10 Fish Sealers $1.00. 10 Hide Electricity, abundance of water. ALPINE: 1 ing trade at home. Simplified course teaches
Scrapers $1.00. 4 Perfect Saw Edged arrow- acre or more homesites. Best climate in U. S. jewelry designing, manufacture and repair-
heads $1.00. The above 11 offers $10.00 according to gov't report. Abundant water to ing; gemsetting, etc. Gemcrafters, Dcpt. F.,
Postpaid. List free. Lear's Kirby, Arkansas. irrigate garden, fruit trees. Electricity, oiled Kalispell, Mont.
road, grand view. DESCANSO: Opportunity
INDIAN CAMP SITES—Visit old historic for health and livelihood, ll/2 acres choice 5x7 BEAUTIFULLY COLORED photographic
camps. See your artifacts in situ. Form a valu- land, large rock garage building, 3 furnished enlargement—$1, made from any size nega-
able collection. There's no thrill like discov- cabins, oiled road, water, lights. $5000, terms. tive. Fine quality work guaranteed. Color
ery. Send for the first of a series of beautiful- John Chalupnik, Ocotillo, via Plaster City, Craft Studio, Danbury, Iowa.
ly and accurately prepared maps 9V2 x i 2 " Calif.
showing two camp locations with detailed
mileages. $1.00. Guaranteed satisfaction. FOR SALE—Karakul wool blankets, colors,
PANNING GOLD—A side line hobby for blue, green, natural, maroon, weigh at least
Neva Greminger, 4058 E. 52nd St., May- Rockhounds and Desert Nomads. You should
wood, California. 41/2 pounds. Money back guarantee. Price
know how to pan gold, recognize gold bear-
$17.50. Write Addis Kelley, 4637 E. 52nd
ing gravel and valuable quartz ledges. The
THIRD YEAR in Portland. Business has been places you go are where rich virgin ground Place, Maywood, California.
good. Now reducing prices 10%. All North- is found. Send your name for new folder on
west native products. Jean-Paul Mestrezat, panning gold, with pictures—list of mining 35MM COLOR ART Transparencies—Paris,
owner. Send stamp for price list. Northwest books and equipment for prospector begin- Florence, Rome, Capri, Naples, Venice,
Indian Novelties, 2186 N . W . Glisan, Port- ners. Old Prospector, Box 21B96, Dutch Grand Canyon. Send 50c for sample and list.
land 10, Oregon. Flat, Calif. Globalfilms, Box 2976-C, Hollywood 28,
California.
OLD AND N E W Navajo Rugs, old beaded
pipe bags, beaded saddle blanket, beaded baby GUEST RANCHES FREE, to all my friends. Send me your name and
carrier, Columbia river arrowheads, Klikitat address and I'll mail you one of my Block
cooking baskets, Apache woven water jugs. VACATIONS ARE FUN at the Banner Queen
ranch. Located on the rim of the desert— Printed desert postcards as a free souvenir.
Ripper's Indian Arts and Gifts, 100 W. Marshal South, Julian, California.
Ocean, booth 6-W, Long Beach, Calif. quiet, friendly, excellent food—swimming—
saddle horses—trails for hikers—once the
happy hunting ground of the prehistoric I HAVE 2 D.C. Motors in good condition,
BOOKS — MAGAZINES Cahuilla Indians. American plan—$9.50 V4 h.p. and % h.p. Will swap for good qual-
double, $10.00 single. Mail address: Banner ity cabochon stones (no freak stones). Will
SCENIC GUIDES — " T h e Key to Western Queen Ranch, Julian, California. Phone for pack and ship. Am an old subscriber of Des-
Travel." Maps, descriptions and pictures, all reservation, Julian 3-F-2. Bill and Adeline ert Magazine. Samuel Steinlauf, 759 State
alphabetically arranged for quick reference. Mushet, owners and managers. St., Bridgeport 4, Conn.
Guides to Nevada, Northern California,
Southern California, Arizona and Utah are TREASURE AND MINERAL Locators. Sur-
available now. Price $1.00 each at your Book REAL ESTATE plus Army mine detectors, commercial instru-
Store or by Mail from—Scenic Guides, Box ments, information on lost mines, etc. May-
288, Susanville, California. Write for infor- $650, TERMS, buys desert homesite overlook- hall Appliance Co., Belmont, Miss.
mation. ing beautiful valley, water mains, electricity,
mile to store, postoffice. New folder mailed.
WANTED TO BUY: Early Western manu- Battelle, Box 105-D, Lucerne Valley, Calif. FOR SALE or will exchange, fine Tri-state min-
scripts, letters, diaries, log books, maps, eral specimens for guns, Indian relics, stamp
charts, prints, stamps, newspapers, maga- FOR SALE: One hundred acres placer ground collections or antiques. Boodle Lane, Box 331,
zines, books. John Eldean, 88 East Ashland in Shasta County, where nuggets worth up to Galena, Kan.
Ave., Phoenix, Ariz. $1500 have been found. Year round creek
runs past one side of house, county road on IMPORTERS & EXPORTERS Tropical Foliage
GOLD PANNING for profit. Healthy, outdoor other side. Goat pens, chicken pens, etc. Plants. East Indian Grafted Mangos, Budded
occupation. Beginners' big instruction book, Price $10,000 or will trade for place of busi- Hybrid Avocados. Headquarters for Central
blueprints, photograph—$1.00. Desert Jim, ness in Desert. V. H. Kohl, French Gulch, American Cacti, Orchids & Philodendrons.
627 Lillian, Stockton, Calif. Calif. La Hacienda Nurseries, Delray Beach, Fla.

34 THE DESERT MAGAZINE


Carrizo Visitors Warned . . . pany. Two small fires were extinguished ary 17, and resumption of service was ex-
EL CENTRO—Commander W. I. Dar- by chemical trucks, but it was feared that pected then.
nell of the El Centra navy air base warned if a large one broke out there would be no • • •
all would-be visitors to the Carrizo valley way of stopping it, and Reno city officials A state highway crew is engaged in sur-
region north and west of Plaster City that pledged that equipment would be sent in veying a proposed new route for the
there are unexploded bombs in the area. such a case. Workmen removing ice from Austin-Battle Mountain highway, which
Careful check has revealed that as the re- the flumes neared the Comstock on Febru- will include Copper Canyon.
sult of current bombing operations there
are six unexploded high explosive mis-
siles now on the ground ranging from 100
to 1000 pounds. They have been located
and marked by navy ground crews but will
not be exploded by demolition experts un-
til current operations are completed in
March, and visitors were warned to stay
clear of the entire area.
• • •
Charles Davis, sports and fishing com-
mentator and writer, told Blythe residents
that the best bass fishing in the United
States was in the Colorado river near their
town.
• • •
Lucille Coke, manager of Calico Ghost
Town museum, reports an increasing in-
terest in the possibility of making Calico
a public park. According to Mrs. Coke,
1000 cars were checked in at the ghost
town the last Sunday in January, and 960
the first Sunday in February.
• • •
A string of eight wells which will carry
brine from the lower deposits of Searles CLptute. the.
Lake to the new Soda Ash Borax plant has IN 1948
virtually been completed. Wells have been . . . take the thrilling trip on mule back down Rainbow Trail 'mid
sunk to an average depth of 135 feet. colorful scenes so vivid no artist could portray . . . to the most
• • • spectacular of all national monuments . . . RAINBOW BRIDGE.
NEVADA Rest at picturesque RAINBOW LODGE, backed by the breath-
taking span of Navajo Mountain . . . where comfortable lodging,
Virginia City Water Famine . . . excellent food and hospitality are, as before, directed by Bill and
Mrs. Wilson.
VIRGINIA CITY—Water in flumes
Open April 1 to November 15
which serve Virginia City from Lake
Mariette area above Lake Tahoe, 30 miles W R I T E BILL WILSON, TONALEA, ARIZONA, FOR RATES
AND A BROCHURE DESCRIBING " T H E RAINBOW"
to the south, froze solid on January 26 and
for more than three weeks the old mining
camp suffered a water shortage. The 1000
inhabitants were supplied with rationed
water hauled into the city by the state high- — into the heart of
way department and a construction com-
BY BOAT t h e Southwest's
most scenic can-
yon country with
Norman Nevills
DESERT COLORED GLASS for sale. Various
bottles, jugs, lamps and salt shakers. Write A limited number of reservations are now being made for the 1948 Nevills
Scissors Smith, Box 61, Bishop, Calif. expeditions down the San Juan and Colorado rivers—191 miles in seven
FOR SALE: Mineralight Lamp No. 423, nearly days. Special-built river boats, skilled boatmen, good food and sleeping
new, complete, bargain. Write H. A. Wyn- bags for all passengers.
koop, 3729 E. 57th St., Maywood, Calif.
THE N E W fast moving Photo Color Lamp Boats start from Mexican Hat, Utah, on the San Juan, and complete the
Shades, now available to dealers in the west. trip at Lee's Ferry on the Colorado. Arrangements will be made to have
Write for information and price list. Norval
Johnson, Western Distributor, 217 North your car driven from Mexican Hat to Lee's Ferry. Sidetrips include:
Main St., Lone Pine, Calif.
500 WONDERFUL ROCK and mineral speci- Crossing of the Fathers, Music Temple, Mystery, Twilight and Hidden
mens. Worldwide, identified, and individual- Passage Canyons, Outlaw Cave and the famous Rainbow Bridge
ly wrapped. A rare bargain for schools, stu-
dents, prospectors' and collectors—only $50. For schedules a n d rates write t o . . .
Details from E. R. Hickey, Sr., 2323 S. Hope
St., Los Angeles 7. N O R M AN N E V I L L S BLUFF, UTAH
PICTURES in full color with the Argus C-3. " . . . /I river trip with Norman Nevills is more than a mere boat ride. It is a flight on a
Unexcelled for 35mm slides. Complete with
case and flash $74.71. Horton Photographic magic carpet of adventure into a canyon wilderness of indescribable beauty and grandeur."
—DESERT MAGAZINE
Supply, 115 North Main Street, Santa Ana,
California.

APRIL, 1948 35
Miners in Arms . . . to be operated in exactly the same manner
"EVERYTHING FOR THE HIKER" GOODSPRINGS — Armed Good- it was before A. M. Johnson's death.
springs miners are awaiting the return of
junk collectors with an Arizona license "Psychological Kid" Arrives . . .
SLEEPING BAGS GOLDFIELD — William Saunders,
plate who have stolen many tons of mining
AIR MATTRESSES machinery during the past month. E. E. known for 40 years in Western mining cir-
Kinney reported that dynamite had been cles as the "Psychological Kid" has arrived
SMALL TENTS used to blow up and wreck his hoist so that in Goldfield with the boom resulting from
the metal could be salvaged. Deputy Sher- reported rich strikes in the Newmont min-
and many other items ing operations. Saunders says the psycho-
iff A. H. Kennedy is making a canvass of
junk dealers in the surrounding county in logical moment for starting his own opera-
VAN DEGRIFT'S HIKE HUT the hope of picking up clues. The miners, tion hasn't arrived, but that "the old
717 West 7th Street patrolling their claims, warn that they plan town's getting ready to roar down the
LOS ANGELES 14, CALIFORNIA to shoot first and ask questions afterward. comeback trail." Saunders explained his
name to local prospectors: "Boys, the psy-
Fight Coyote Poisoning . . . chological moment is getting into a camp
AUSTIN—Molly Flagg Magee, writ- just when a boom is starting and getting
ing in the Reese River Reveille, has at- out just when it ends. I've been doing that
tacked the wholesale slaughter of coyotes for years." Goldfield has invited the Kid
by poison in Nevada, charging the poison to stay a while.
is fatal to all meat eating animals, includ-
ing badgers, golden eagles, mountain lions
and many range dogs. Even household THE HOTEL
pets, she declares, have fallen victim to the
wide-spread poisoning program of the AT THE
federal predator and rodent control. She PALMS
"THE BEAUTIFUL DESERT DIORAMA" says destruction caused by coyotes, except
Now available direct in sizes 5"x8", $3.00, in the killing of young lambs, has been ex- • • •
7"xlO", $5.00, 8"xl3", $6.00, 10"x20", $15. aggerated and they actually do useful work FIREPLACE-
All cactus framed, desert vegetation and high
grade mineral display in foreground. as scavengers and in their staple diet of ADOBES
Utmost Satisfaction Guaranteed, or
Sent on Approval rabbits, gophers and field mice. Wildlife • • •
DESERT DIORAMA STUDIOS officials say the baits are placed carefully
1225 N. Anita St. in Tucson
and taken up in the spring and as the result ALL SPORTS
of the program one northern Nevada
sheepman who lost 500 lambs last year lost
none this year. OPEN
ALL YEAR
Promise Castle Road Maintenance
\Secon*R
1
BEATTY - - Indications are growing Gateway to Joshua Tree Monument
from the that unimproved sections of the Death Val- ROBT. VAN LAHR, Mgr.
personal collection of ley Castle road, lying between Highway 5 For reservations write or call at
It. Comdr.CLIFFORD J. LISHMAN, U.S.N. (Ret.) and the California line, will be graded 29 Palms Inn, Twentynine Palms, Calif.
regularly. County commissioners of Nye or Call any Travel Bureau or Automobile Club
and Esmeralda have assured the Castle
manager, Henry Ringe, full cooperation P A L M S
and the two counties will work together
in the project. Ringe declared he has hesi- INN V
tated to send many tourists who planned to
visit Nevada along the bumpy 26-mile
stretch. The Castle, according to Ringe, is

DESERT QUIZ ANSWERS


B R Y C E ancTNorth Rim of Questions are on page 14
GRAND CANYON 1—Dig a pit and bury it.
The painstaking perfection of this gor- 2—Palm.
geous kodachrome brings to your film 3—Bennett-Arcane party.
library the infinite details and panoramas
of natural beauty from Utah and Arizona 4—Navajo.
wonderlands. These are silent films, sup- 5—Aid the conquest of California.
plemented by narration, expertly timed 6—Polaris. Palm Village affords a perfect,
for reading during projection, 7—A species of wild hog. healthful, secluded community lo-
e Shipped postpaid, with reel and can. 8—North. cated just 12 miles beyond and
Send check or M. O. NoC.O.D. p/ease. through Palm Springs, at the junc-
(Add 2'/i% Sales Tax in California.) 9—Nevada. tion of the Palms to Pines High-
10—Indian ruins. way. Homesites from {795 to
ORDER HERE • Narration included' 11—Silver at Tombstone. $3500. Terms If desired. Some
lots with beautiful date and citrus J
Please send me, postpaid - films checked here 12—Quartz. trees. Business and income oppor-1
ZION CANYON 100' $17.65 13—Bolton. ' tunities. No place offers so much '
BRYCE CANYON 100' 17.65 14—Salt Lake City. in truly restful desert living.
for further information and
GRAND CANYON 100' 17.65 15—A national monument in Arizona. descriptive folder, contact
COMPLETE EDITION 400'opprox. 65.50 16—Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Name 17—Joshua tree.
PALM VILLAGE LAND COMPANY
2304 Huntington Drive, Son Marine
Address . 18—A guide at Grand Canyon. CU. 3-1218-or
19—California. P.O. Box DD, Palm Springs
Moil to Lt. Comdr. CLIFFORD J. LISHMAN, 20—Spanish.
U . S . N . ( R e t . ) , P. 0 . B o x 1 3 2 , L a J o l l o , California

36 THE DESERT MAGAZINE


She Brought the Yellow Rose . . . Sheriff Pat Garrett who killed Billy the UTAH
AUSTIN—Mrs. Elizabeth Jones Acree, Kid is buried, is littered with bottles, Suspension Bridge at Hite . . .
Austin pioneer, died in Reno in January weeds and trash. "If Garrett were to re-
sume earthly form," he said, "he'd be HITE—A drawing of the proposed sus-
just before her 89th birthday. Mrs. Acree pension bridge across the Colorado river
came to Austin in 1877 from Texas and pointing his six-shooters at the indifferent
persons who have permitted a shrine to be near Hite has been made by Junius J.
brought with her a bush of the yellow rose Hayes, University of Utah professor and
of Texas. From this bush, according to the transformed into something worse than a
pigpen." The cemetery was established as civil engineer. Plans call for a structure 125
Reese River Reveille, came all the yellow
roses which make Austin a beauty spot in a burial place for Civil war veterans and feet above water with a total length of 500
the summer, and it was the parent stock other early day residents and was main- feet and an inner span 260 feet long. The
for yellow roses found throughout much tained for many years before dropping into bridge would carry traffic up to 13 tons,
of Nevada and California. neglect. Rotary club members have taken have a protected pedestrian walk on either
0 • •
up the job of restoring the cemetery. side and withstand temperatures of 100
James F. O'Brien, who established the
Goldjield Tribune in that camp in its boom Abandon Old Custom . . .
days, died in San Francisco January 27.
• • o
SANTA FE—The old practice of print- COUNTY MAPS
ing New Mexico's legislative session laws CALIF.: Showing—Twnshp, Rng, Sec,
NEW MEXICO in Spanish as well as English is being aban- Mines, Roads, Trails, Creeks, Rivers,
Navajo Funds Sufficient . . . doned. The legislature failed to appropri- Lake, RR, School, Rngr Sta, Elev, Canals,
GALLUP—James M. Stewart, general ate funds for the project. State laws require Ntl Forest, Pwr Lines, Boundaries, etc.
the laws be published in both languages, Sizes: 20 x 30 to 73 x 100 inches
superintendent of the Navajo agency, an- Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Butte, Cal-
nounced the $500,000 congressional ap- but Attorney General C. C. McCullough averas, Colusa, Contra Costa, Del Norte,
propriation for Navajo-Hopi winter relief declared mimeographing of copies in Eldorado, Glenn, Kings, Lake, Los An-
would make further aid from other sources Spanish would fulfill the intent of the law. geles, Marin, Mariposa, Merced, Napa,
unnecessary this winter. Red Cross and Secretary of State Alicia Romero reports Nevada, Orange, Sacramento, San Be-
she has had only three requests for the laws nito, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San
tribal funds were not to be used after Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Sierra,
February 1, and relief contributions from in Spanish this year. Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Sutter, Ven-
private sources, still coming in, were no tura, Yolo, Yuba, each $1.00.
longer needed. The Navajo people and the Oldest Navajo Dies . . . Tuolumne, Santa Barbara, Plumas,
Indian bureau were grateful to the people Placer, Modoc, Madera—$1.50. Tulare,
of the country for their generous help, he SAN PATRICIO—Francisco Saiz, Na- Tehama, Siskiyou, Imperial—$2.00. San
vajo Indian who was said to be 137 years Diego, Riverside, Mendocino, Kern, Hum-
said. boldt, Fresno—$2.50. Trinity, Shasta,
old, died in San Patricio January 21, at the
Mono, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Las-
"They Don't Want the Vote" . . . home of Simon Sanchez. He became ac- sen—$3.00. Inyo county, 67x92, $15.00.
SANTA FE—Assistant Attorney Gen- quainted with the Sanchez family in the San Bernardino, 73x110—$15.00. No. or
eral Robert Ward believes two Zuni Indi- 1860's while he was a government freight- So. 1/2—$7.50. NW, SW, NE, or SE—1/4—
ans decided to withhold their state su- er hauling for troops stationed at Fort Stan- $3.75 ea.
preme court appeal in a suit to test their ton. From Sanchez family records, a girl Also Oregon, Idaho and Washington
reporter of the Ruidoso News recently County Maps
right to vote in state elections because
"they don't want the vote." The Indians placed his birthdate in 1811. The ancient WORLD'S MINERALS
are afraid if they are enfranchised the state Indian had worked as cowboy and sheep- 2417 San Pablo Avenue
will tax their land and assume jurisdiction, herder in his younger days. Oakland 12. California
he asserted. The Indians' attorney, Wil-
liam J. Truswell said it was possible press-
ure had been brought to bear upon the
plaintiffs, William L. Lewis and John Sim-
plicio, by their own Zuni pueblo officers. PUMICE BLOCKS
Representative A. M. Fernandez has sug-
gested a plebiscite of the pueblos be held
to determine actual Indian opinion on the
CINDER BLOCKS
matter.
dIACRETE BLOCKS
Restore Pat Garrett's Grave . . .
LAS CRUCES—Max Mandelko, repor- BE SURE TO SEE OUR EXHIBIT
ter for the Las Cruces Sun-News declares AT THE NATIONAL ORANGE SHOW
the local Odd Fellows cemetery where At San Bernardino March 11 to 21st

ATISKET!
ATASKET!
DESERT DESIGNED ...
A 4" CERAMIC
for maximum insulation and light weight. Precision built, accurately
square. In natural colors for any background or architectural design.
BASKET and
For commercial and residential construction, garden walls, fireplaces,
S Desert Plants
barbecues—adaptable for Class "A" construction.
Its charm
enchants Immediate delivery anywhere on the desert. For descriptive literature write—
$1.40 p.p.
Send 10c for Desert Jewel Plant and TRANSIT MIXED CONCRETE
Cacti List to 3464 E. FOOTHILL BLVD.. PASADENA. CALIF, —or— BOX 186. CORONA. CALIF.
oRm RANCH Phone Sycamore 38133 Phone Corona 781 or 311
Route 1 Holtville, Calif. EL CENTRO ADDRESS: 1000 North 4th Street — Phone El Centro 71

APRIL, 194 37
degrees and winds of 100 miles. Cost of a Will Study Uintah Geology . . . Smith of Iron county declared. He warned
single car roadway was estimated at $100,- SALT LAKE CITY—Students in the all truckers transporting cattle that every
000, two car roadway, $130,000. Professor geophysics classes at the University of Utah truck will be stopped and checked for
Hayes, who designed and built the giant will attempt "exploration geophysics" in brand inspection certificates, bills of sale
roller-coaster at Saltair, may seek the con- the still-wild Uintah basin this summer, ac- or other evidence of ownership. Deputy
tract for the Colorado bridge if experi- cording to Edward Jacob, associate profes- Sheriff E. H. Carroll will patrol all roads
ments for which $4000 have been appro- sor. throughout the comparatively isolated
priated prove footings substantial enough range area in 1948.
for the suspension type. Cattle Rustlers Active . . .
CEDAR CITY —Cattle rustling has "It is Good with Us" . . .
reached such a scale on the open ranges of MONUMENT VALLEY—A thumb-
35mm KODACHROME SLIDES western Beaver and Iron counties that a print-signed letter dictated at Goulding's
ON APPROVAL! full-time deputy has been put on the job to trading post by Navajo who gathered for
Scenic Views — Flowers — National Parks stop it. Losses last year in the two counties that purpose declared: "The Navajo want
Now, through the WEST-VIEW COLOR their names on paper to send thanks to our
SLIDE CLUB, you can select the Koda- probably totaled $10,000, Sheriff Kent
chrome slides you would like to own after Bilakana (American) friends that heard
viewing or projecting them in your own
home. Membership in the Club is FREE about our hunger and cold and sent
and involves no obligation other than re- food and clothing from away off. It is very
turning those slides not wanted. No mini- BOOTS . . .
mum purchase required. good with us. We will not forget this kind-
West-View Kodachrome slides are mounted Handmade to your measure- ness. May you ride in beauty, may you
in 2x2 Kodak Readymounts and fit all stan- ments, Western high grade,
dard 2x2 slide viewers and projectors. Price fancy styles for men, women live in beauty." Harry Goulding, who
—Fifty Cents per slide—with discounts and children. Write for catalog. translated the letter from Navajo dictation
based on number selected.
Write to West-View, Dept. D3, 1523 Mon- into English, said each of the more than
tana Ave., Santa Monica, California, for CRICHET BOOT CO. 350 Indians who gathered at his remote
complete information. El Paso 70. Texas post wished to sign the letter, but were
persuaded to let the blue-ink thumbprints
of 17 leaders stand for all.

Feed Deer Herds . . .

IMPERIAL IRRIGATION DISTRICT SALT LAKE CITY—In an attempt to


keep deer out of the nurseries, orchards
and backyards of Salt Lake's east bench,
the Utah state fish and game commission

POWER is feeding an average of 400 animals every


day on the slopes of Emigration canyon.
The deer automatically migrate to lower
levels when snow hits the mountains, and
they seem to enjoy their daily meal of al-
FOR EVERY PHASE OF LIVING falfa.

Clothing for students at Whiterocks In-


Men through the use of power, have created a life of dian school whose parents are unable to
good living for us. We take it for granted that when provide for them, and also for needy Indi-
we flip on a switch a light will come on. We'll have ans on the reservation, has been purchased
through a $350 donation made by the Ute
hot water, our dinner cooked and many other tasks Tribal council. Clothing supply at the
performed. Now, just stop and consider these things school had been depleted by curtailment of
. . . and how relatively little that power costs. Is it Indian bureau funds.
any wonder we are proud of the services we render?
Whether we are at home, in the office, out in the coun-
try or in town. Imperial Irrigation District Power is Permanent Gold
ready to do the chores in the vast agricultural area it embossed binders for
serves.
DESERT
THE DISTRICT CONSIDERS IT AN HONOR TO CONTRIBUTE These easy-to-insert binders are
TO THE WELFARE OF ITS CUSTOMERS IN THE FERTILE made especially for Desert Mag-
IMPERIAL AND COACHELLA VALLEYS OF CALIFORNIA azine readers who want to pre-
serve the maps and other travel
information for future use.
They open flat, and each binder
Imperial Irrigation District has space for 12 magazines.
Mailed postpaid for
$1.50

Use Your Own Power-Moke it Pay for the All Amefican Canal THE

El Centro. Calif.

38 THE DESERT MAGAZINE


HAZEN'S FOSSIL MUSEUM
See Fossil Plant and Animal Remains
Gems and Minerals For Sale
On Highway U.S. 93-466. 3/4 mile west
GEMS AND MINERALS of its junction with U.S. 66 at
Kingman, Arizona
GUY E. HAZEN
Box 69S, Kingman, Arizona

DISTINCTIVE JEWELRY
LARGEST AUDITORIUM FOR current one. The society will give each person
attending an attractive illustrated brochure.
MOUNTINGS
CALIFORNIA STATE SHOW Competitive classes will be cabochons, flats,
Long Beach municipal auditorium, where the
Wide Selection in
jewelry, jewelry working under two years, lapi-
ninth annual convention of the California Fed- dary work under two years, novelties, facet cut
Sterling. Gold Filled, 10k Gold
eration of Mineralogical societies will be held gems and transparencies. First, second and third 1948 Illustrations and Price List Free
July 16-18, is the largest building ever used for prizes will be awarded in each class. Cameos Send ior Your Copy Today
this convention and there will be room for one and fluorescent material will be on display.
and all, Roy Wagoner, convention chairman, • • • Mail Orders Sent Postpaid
reports. Wagoner is the new president of the We Are Still at the Same Location
Long Beach Mineralogical society, host organi- "The Turbulent Colorado" was to be the sub-
ject of a talk by Rosalind Johnson and Pauline Only Our Number Has Changed
zation for the convention. All dealers, clubs and
individuals are cordially invited to participate. Saylor at the February meeting of the Miner- Until further notice our shop will be open on
alogical Society of Southern California, held in Saturday only from 9 a. m. till 9 p. m.
The federation has decided not to award ribbons Prompt attention to mail orders.
for individual displays this year, it was reported, the lecture room of Pasadena public library. The
so that beginners as well as old-timers would story of a summer voyage from Green River
down the Colorado to Bright Angel in Grand ABERCROMBIE'S AGATE SHOP
feel free to exhibit. Convention headquarters
Canyon national park was to be illustrated with 16505 So. Lake wood Blvd.
are located at 1850 Pacific Coast highway, movies and Kodachrome slides. Utah and Ari-
Long Beach, and all suggestions, inquiries and BELLFLOWER. CALIF.
zona minerals were to be displayed.
requests for space should be mailed there.
The Long Beach society held its regular meet-
ing the second Wednesday in January. Featur-
ing the January birthstone, Charles Knowlton
displayed part of his garnet collection and told
stories about garnets. The club displayed its
own collection of minerals for the first time.
January field trip was to Lead Pipe springs.
Fifteen members made the long trip and one
Open Friday and Saturday Only
found a piece of fire opal. February field trip On the Week Days of Monday Thru Thursday We Will Be
was planned to Opal mountain.
• • • OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
SOUTHWEST MINERALOGISTS
GIVE 11th EXHIBIT, MAY 1-2 PHONE AND MAIL ORDERS WILL BE FILLED PROMPTLY EVERY DAY
Southwest Mineralogists, Inc., will hold their A new supplement for our 15th ANNIVERSARY CATALOG is being
11th annual Gem and Mineral exhibit at the
Masonic temple, 471 West 4lst place, corner of prepared. A copy of this will be mailed free of charge to everyone on
Figueroa street, Los Angeles, on May 1-2. All our mailing list about March 1st.
persons interested are invited to attend and ad-
mission will be free. Walt Shirey is show chair-
man. NEW 15th ANNIVERSARY CATALOG NOW AVAILABLE—52 pages 9x12" printed
Jack Streeter of the Mineralogical Society of and profusely illustrated. It contains the MOST COMPLETE listing of EQUIPMENT,
Southern California was to exhibit the Koda- TOOLS AND MATERIALS ior use in GEM CUTTING and JEWELRY WORK that has
chrome slides of the Harvard museum miner- ever been published. Send 35c for your copy today. This catalog contains many
als at the February meeting of the Mineralogists. valuable articles containing information not elsewhere available. Worth several
February field trip was to the Ashley Kunzite dollars to every gem cutter and jeweler.
mine at Pala.
• • •
BARGAINS IN GRINDING ARBORS—Reg. $24.50 Poly BALL BEARING GRINDING
THIRD ANNUAL SAN JOSE GEM ARBORS with 3/4" shaft and grit slingers NOW ONLY $17.50. Same arbor with 1"
EXHIBITION, APRIL 24-25 shaft regular price $40.50 NOW REDUCED TO $29.95. Illustrated in our regular
catalog.
The San Jose Lapidary Society, Inc., is hold-
ing its third annual gem exhibition April 24-
25 in the National Guard armory, 240 N . Sec- SUPER WAR SURPLUS BARGAINS ON FELT WHEELS: Regular first quality all
ond street, San Jose, California. Doors will be wool white polishing buffs. Regular value $3.75. NOW SPECIAL AT $2.75. These are
open on Saturday from 10:00 a. m. to 9:00 p. m. 6x1" and have 1/2 or 5/8" arbor holes. We also have some that are new but of a
and on Sunday from 9:00 a. m. to 7:00 p. m. softer grade. Excellent for wet sanding with fine grit. $1.50 each.
Admission wiil be free. In all, about 55 cases
of gems and jewelry will be on display in what
the society hopes to make the finest show in NEW LAPIDARY EQUIPMENT—You can see all the latest new units in our display.
California this year. Club members have de- See the NEW HILLQUIST TRIM SAW, the radically new and wonderful MERZ
signed and built 45 uniform show cases, each DUPLIGRINDER. The new Mineralite MODEL H fluorescent lamps at $12.50 are in
individually lighted, for the exhibit. stock. We stock Highland Park, Hillquist, Allen, Covington and Perry Saw Units.
It is expected that there will be more than See all the best makes at one place—compare them in one store—no need to shop
9000 pieces of finished work by 45 members in around.
the show. Every phase of lapidary art and its al-
lied crafts will be represented. One of the big
attractions will be a large transparency case
1633 E. WALNUT STREET
which will face visitors as they enter the hall.
The case will be four feet square and three feet
high on eye level. Attendance at last year's show
GRIEGER'S PASADENA 4. CALIFORNIA
was 4000, and 5000 visitors are expected at the

APRIL, 1948 39
EXCELLENT TEXAS AGATES. Rough as-
sorted, $1.00 per pound postpaid. Slabs 25c
GEM MART ADVERTISING
7c a Word
RATE
Minimum $1.00
up. Satisfaction guaranteed. Witte's Rock
Laboratory, Route B, Henrietta, Texas.

SPIRAL CONCRETIONS: Special offer for the


SPECIAL—LADIES 10K gold rings, beautiful FOR SALE: Black and grey petrified palm with month are the spiral concretions from Im-
design, set with one carat genuine, not syn- eyes and red plume jasper. $1.00 per lb. plus perial Valley, Calif. Prices from 25c to $2.00
thetic, stones. Your choice of deep red garnet, postage. Maida Langley, Box 331, Needles, while they last. Supply limited. Hazen's Fos-
yellow citrine-topaz, pink tourmaline or clear, California. sil Museum, Box 695, Kingman, Ariz.
diamond-like zircon, only $14.50 each, post-
paid. State ring size and stone wanted. Idaore JADE, RHODONITE, Lapis Lazuli. Try us for BELGIAN CONGO Malachite, gem 50c oz.
Gem Company, Weiser, Idaho. a fine gloss polish on these hard to finish gem Variscite, Utah, gem slabs, 50c sq. in. Agates,
stones. Large specimen polishing. Drilling Utah, moss-banded, 25c and 20c sq. in. Amer-
GOLDFIELD, NEVADA, VARISCITE. Spe- any size and quantity. H. M. Samuelson, 1012 ica's Gem Stones, Beryl, Jade, Kunzite, To-
cial 50c per ounce. A few selected pieces large El Camino Real, N., Salinas, Calif. paz, Tourmaline, etc. Brilliant Minerals, Apa-
sizes at three pounds for $20.00 It is blue- tite, Benitotite Brookite, Calcite, Descloizite,
green in an attractive matrix design, attrac- Endlichite, Fluorite, Galena, Gold, etc. Daz-
tive and interesting. Why not plan your trip MONTANA MOSS AGATES in the rough for zling Fluorescents. Write for free lists. Su-
gem cutting $1.00 per lb. plus postage. Also perior Minerals, Box 248, St. George, Utah.
via Goldfield this summer to the Rockhounds Slabbed Agate 25c per sq. in. (Minimum or-
Paradise. Write if interested in fluorescent der $1.00). Elliott Gem Shop, 26 Jergins Ar-
materials, 3 pounds assorted $2.00. Smoky cade, Long Beach 2, California. A BARGAIN: One box of beautiful specimens,
topaz, called obsidian, in various colois $1.00 fluorescent or non-fluorescent, $6.00. For
pound, 3 pounds $2.00. Specimens in three schools I have a large assortment $15.00.
sizes. Small 15c. Medium 25c. Large 35c. Ask MINERAL SETS—24 Colorful Minerals (iden- Write for price list on other fine specimens.
for Opalite, Rhyolite, Agate, Jasper, Petri- tified) in l x l compartments—Postage paid, Jack the Rockhound, P. O. Box 86, Carbon-
fied Wood, Magnesite, Barite, gold, lead, $3.50. Prospector's Set of 50 Minerals (iden- dale, Colo.
silver, copper, or zinc ores, Tungsten, man- tified) in l x l compartments in cloth rein-
ganese, psilomelane, calcite, spar, bornite, forced sturdy cartons. Postage paid $5.75.
Elliott's Gem Shop, 26 Jergins Arcade, Long OBSIDIANITES—Gem quality, % " to ll/ 2 ",
steatite, perlite, opals, fossils, marble, traver- dozen $1.50, p.p. J. Dietrich, 1011 7th St.,
tine, onyx, silica, cinnabar in opalite. By Beach 2, Calif.
Las Vegas, New Mexico.
weight large specimens 50c pound. Odd
shaped pieces of wonderstone 15c pound. SILVER and gold soldering for the jeweler and
Selected material 25c pound. Best quality of mechanic. Low temperature method gives PETRIFIED PALM ROOT, red and grey with
agatized wood $1.50 pound. Opals 50c ounce. amazing results. Complete instructions, eyes $1.00 lb. Palm wood, red and various
All prices f.o.b. Postage or express extra. Mrs. formulary and flux postpaid $3.50. Gemcraft- colors 50c lb. Postage extra. Mail orders filled
Maryphyllis Foreman, Box 178, Goldfield, ers, Kalispell 91, Montana. or stop at first service station, Winterhaven,
Nevada. 1 mile west Yuma, Ariz. E. L. Vanderlip,
Winterhaven, Calif.
AT THE DESERT RAT'S NEST—Coober
FINE PAPERWEIGHTS — Pen mounts, pedy opal, pinpoint and blue fire (10 carat
matched sets, many mineral types. Featuring anthill garnets will wholesale smaller grade), PERRY 8" TRIM SAW. Now $24.75 at all
Texas fluorescent turitella. Sent on approval. cut and uncut moonstones, Ceylon. All dealerrs. L. E. Perry, 118 N. Chester, Pasa-
Discount to dealers. Clay Ledbetter, 2126 Brazilian facet material in stock. A new dena 4, Calif.
McKenzie, Waco, Texas. blue sapphire up to 10 carats, flawless.
Australian and Siam uncut zircons, Burma BEAUTIFUL LUCITE boxes, full of Colorado
AUSTRALIAN OPAL, beautiful oval cabo- rubies. Tasmania white zircons, Queensland Mineral specimens. Something nice. $6.00
chons $8.00 to $35.00. Precious, semi- sapphire. Geo. W. Chambers, P. O. Box 1123, each. Jack the Rockhound, P. O. Box 86,
precious, synthetic ring stones. Ace Lapidary Encinitas, Calif. Visitors inquire at Kizer's Carbondale, Colo.
Co., 92-32 Union Hall St., Jamaica, New filling station, corner 101 and F St. for ad-
York. dress. ARIZONA: CHRYSOCOLLA, not gem, but
bright cabinet specimens, generous sizes $1.00
MINERAL SPECIMENS, slabs or material by and $2.00. Azurite nodules l/2 to 1 inch, 8 for
the pound for cutting and polishing, RX AUSTRALIAN OPALS. For cutting or display.
Lovely colors. Lists free. Write N . D. Seward, $1.00. Colorful imbedded minerals in clear
Units, Felker Di-Met Saw Blades, Carborun- plastic squares, $1.50 and $2.00. Postage
dum wheels, Cerium Oxide, Preform Cabo- "Highlands," 2, Studley Ave., Kew, Mel-
bourne, Australia. Sample packet $10.00. Extra. MaryAnn Kasey, Box 230, Prescott,
chons, Indian jewelry, neck chains. Be sure Arizona.
and stop. A. L. Jarvis, Route 2, Box 350,
Watsonville, California, 3 miles S. on State ATTENTION ROCK COLLECTORS. It will
highway No. 1. pay you to visit the Ken-Dor Rock Roost. We FOR THE BEST in New Mexico Agate visit or
buy, sell, or exchange mineral specimens. write James T. Lawyer, Industrial Minerals,
TEXAS AGATE—The best from many beds. Visitors are always welcome. Ken-Dor Rock 923 W. Birch, Deming, New Mexico.
A generous assortment postpaid for $10. El Roost, 419 So. Franklin, Modesto, California.
Paso Rock & Lapidary Supply, 2401 Pitts- FOR SALE: Slabs, satisfaction guaranteed. Or-
burg St., El Paso, Texas. Phone M-4840. MINERALS, GEMS, COINS, Bills, Old Glass, ders mailed until April 15. G. C. Goodin,
Books, Stamps, Fossils, Buttons, Dolls, Needles, Calif.
INDIAN RELICS, Curios, Coins, Minerals, Weapons, Miniatures, Indian Silver Rings
Books, Old Buttons, Old Glass, Old West and Bracelets, Also Mexican. Catalogue 5c. FIFTY MINERAL SPECIMENS, 3/4" or over,
Photos, Weapons, Catalogue 5c. Lemley An- Cowboy Lemley, Las Cruces, New Mexico. boxed, identified, described, mounted. Post-
tique Store, Osborne, Kansas. paid $4.00. Old Prospector, Box 21B97,
Dutch Flat, Calif.
OREGON PLUME AGATE: Superb gem ma-
LAUCK'S PROSPECTOR GUIDE, now in its terial from Central Oregon sage lands near
4th printing, comes to you in a new weather- scenic Bend. Latest find of red, black, yellow SEE US for Desert gems, Arizona petrified
proof cover. No trip or meeting is complete and mixed shades of plume agate. Does not wood, $1.00 lb. Snowflake obsidian, black or
without this easy to carry Booklet. Sent post- undercut and takes a high polish. (From same mahogany, $1.00 lb. Custom cutting. Pioneer
paid for 50c. E. R. Hickey, 2323 So. Hope St., vein as the famous 187 lb. chunk that sold Rock Shop, Route 1, Box 521, Saugus, Calif.
Los Angeles 7, California. for $1000 at the N . W. Federation conven-
tion at Boise, 1946) 50c to $2.00 per sq. in. TREASURE AND MINERAL Locators. Sur-
MONTANA MOSS AGATE of especially and every inch a gem. $5.00 per lb. for small plus Army mine detectors, commercial instru-
good cutting quality, 50c per lb. in lots of rough chunks. Also moss agate in fine color- ments, information on lost mines, etc. May-
100 pounds or more; 75c lb. in smaller lots; ing and quality, $1.25 to $3.00 per lb.; in- hall Appliance Co., Belmont, Miss.
less than 10 lb. lots, $1.00 lb. Postage extra clude postage. Approval selection on request,
on all above prices. F. E. Rankin, Route 1, with references and $5.00 deposit. Slabs post-
paid. C. G. Springer, 862 Roosevelt Ave., MAGNIFICENT PLACER Gold Nuggets for
Box 131A, Oroville, California. discriminating collectors. These exquisite
Bend, Oregon.
specimens will give your collection that pro-
MINERAL SPECIMENS: Micro - mount and fessional touch. $4.00 per pennyweight, Troy
Thumb-nail sizes; write today for free list. WE HAVE PLUME, banded, flowered and measure. Minimum order $10.00. Beautifully
J. E. Byron, Mining Engineer, 1240 Pearl moss Agate of many colors for sale. J. A. packed, sent postpaid, insured. Specimen
Street, Boulder, Colorado. Anderson Ranch, Box 182, Alpine, Texas. Gold Co., 627 Lillian, Stockton, California.

40 THE DESERT MAGAZINE


ROCK COLLECTORS ATTEND
AMONG THE PROSPECTORS INSTITUTE

ROCK HIMTERS Hundreds of inquiries have been received by


the Mining Association of the Southwest con-
cerning the free course of instruction which
iHUBBJELLSl
opened February 17 at the Prospectors Institute,
given at Virgil high school, First and Vermont,
y TRADING POST lyl
A lecture on "The Quartz Family" by Ralph
Dietz, past-president of Searles Lake Gem and Los Angeles. Most requests for information NAVAJO INDIAN RUGS & JEWELRY
Mineral society was to feature the February came from ex-service men who wanted to learn Tom S. Hubhell, 2331 Pico Blvd.
the fundamentals of prospecting so they can Santa Monica, California
meeting of the society at Trona clubhouse. Dietz
was said to be one of the outstanding authori- identify mineral specimens found on weekend
ties on quartz in the country. Members were and vacation trips to mountains and desert.
urged to bring specimens of the mineral to the Many were from mineral collectors seeking
meeting. The club made a trip in January to a training to identify specimens collected on field
dyke near Cinco where Carlsbad twin feldspar trips.
crystals were collected. February trip was The Prospectors Institute was scheduled to
planned to Last Chance canyon, near Red Rock run seven Tuesday evenings. One evening is de-
for opals and petrified wood. voted to simple assay methods and a fluorescent
• • • mineral demonstration, a session which attracted A N N O U N C I N G
a capacity audience last year. Other lectures tell
A show of Fremont county, Colorado, rocks where to prospect, what to look for, how to COVINGTON MADE DIAMOND SAW
was to be displayed at the annual Miners' Sow- identify it and how to file on a claim and hold BLADES. NOW AVAILABLE — SUPE-
belly Dinner in Denver in February by the it. RIOR QUALITY "SUPER-CHARGED"
Canon City Geology club. Much of the material • • • DIAMOND BLADES. TWO GRADES.
will represent types of building stone, feldspar, SIX SIZES. EXPERTLY PROCESSED.
Newly elected officers of the Sequoia Min-
vermiculite, terazzo marble and rock wool. The POPULAR PRICES.
eral society, to be installed at the February meet-
major part of the display was to be left in stor-
ing, are: Forrest Minch, president; Clarence The PEIKING "CLING-TU" SYSTEM and
age in Denver until the national convention in GENERAL ELECTRIC glyptals have been
Yoder, vice-president; Leon Dial, secretary;
June. combined in a unique COVINGTON DIA-
Mabel Andersen, treasurer; Florence Chapin, MOND CHARGING PROCESS.
• • • federation director; Herb Taylor of Dinuba,
New officers of El Paso Mineral and Gem Pete Eitzen of Reedley, Oscar Venter of Fresno, High grade diamond
society were installed January 22. They includ- Wheeler Bryant of Parlier—directors. The meet- bortz is skillfully dis-
ed: R. H. Miller, president; B. R. Newell, vice- tributed and securely
ing was to be held at Belmont Christian church, impregnated around
president; Mrs. William Whener, 6304 Weems Fresno. At the January meeting at Parlier, Bill cutting rim by this
Way, El Paso, Texas, secretary; Mrs. Roy C. Wedel showed colored travel pictures. k e e n COVINGTON
Bible, treasurer; Col. A. S. Imell, retiring presi- DEVELOPMENT.
dent and three-year trustee. • • •
Tool steel chisel
• • • Four Corners Rock club's annual election re- needed to dislodge
sulted in selection of Merle Smith for president; bortz. Blades cut as
An explanation of how rocks are formed was smooth as silk.
Alma Stransky, first vice-president and librar-
scheduled for February 5 meeting of the Miner-
alogical Society of Arizona, with J. R. Wilson ian; H. C. Brockman, second vice-president and Covington Super-Charged "Blue Edge"
of Phoenix union high school as speaker. Louise parlimentarian; E. W. Neunschwander, third Blade. Super-charged with Kimberly
Lawton was to talk on "The Art of Gem Cut- vice-president and program; S. N. Green, fourth District Diamond—
ting" at the February 19th meeting. Field trips vice-president and publicity; Harvey Harding, 6"—$6.60 10"—$11.95 14"—$20.22
of the month were to the Desert Botanical gar- executive secretary; Mrs. Merle Smith, corres- 8"—$8.95 12"—$15.30 16"—$23.75
den at Papago park, February 8, and the Mon- ponding secretary; Kenneth Owens, treasurer.
tezuma mine near Morristown, February 29. • • • Covington Standard Diamond Blade.
About 30 members participated in the January Officers of the Cheyenne Geology club for Charged with West African District
11 trip to Canyon lake after geodes, with the 1948, elected at the January 2 meeting are: Diamond—
"take" reported as satisfactory. Feldspar was Mrs. Frank Clark, 1203 West 32nd, Cheyenne, 6"—$5.52 10"—$10.44 14"—$17.76
discussed at the January 1 meeting, and a ques- Wyoming, president; George Westrup, vice- 8"—$7.98 12"—$12.96 16"—$20.22
tion period lasted an hour. president; Miriam West, secretary-treasurer.
Eden Valley wood from the collections of Every Blade Given Thorough Test Run—
• • • ORDER NOW
Henry Arp, W. E. Jacobs, Mrs. Frank Clark,
Pacific Mineral Society of Los Angeles, Inc., Mrs. S. M. Thompson and John Charles Thomp-
elected 1948 officers at the January meeting. son, was exhibited at the meeting. The Cheyenne
James Underwood is president; Harold Eales, club will supervise the north-bound field trip
first vice-president; Leon Heghinian, second of the first national mineral convention to be
vice-president; Virginia Everard, secretary; held in Denver, June 13-16. The field trip, to
John Jones, field trip chairman; W. A. Clarke, Wyoming localities, will start June 17.
George Kardell, directors. The club was ad-
dressed by Hugh R. Van Wagenen at the
February meeting in the Chancellor hotel. Van
Wagenen is a consulting mining engineer who
served with the strategic minerals division of
the foreign economic administration in Aus-
tralia, New Zealand and Africa, checking min-
HERE ARE THE GIFTS
eral deposits. The club planned a February field
trip to the city quarry at Riverside. YOU'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR!
• • • Petrified Wood, Moss Agate, Chrvsocolla,
An audience participation discussion was Turquoise, Jade and Jasper Jewelry
planned for the February meeting of Marquette
Geologists association, to be held in the regular HAND MADE IN STERLING SILVER
meeting place, the auditorium of the Chicago
Academy of Sciences. At the January meeting Bracelets, Rings, Necklaces, Earrings
M. E. Slagel explained the industrial use of the and Brooches
spectograph in analyzing elements and metals. A
general discussion of the treating of various SPECIALLY SELECTED STONES WITH
metals in the smelting business followed. CHOICE COLORS AND PICTURES
Write for Folder with Prices
ZIRCONS, loose, 1st quality. Pure white.
Special: 3 Zircons approximate total weight
3-kts. $3.00. W e can supply Zircons in all
ELLIOTT'S GEM SHOP
sizes and mountings of all types. Send order 26 lergins Arcade Long Beach 2, Calif.
or write for details today. B. LOWE, Dept. Entrance Subway at Ocean and Pine
DM, Holland Bldg., St. Louis, Mo. Open 10 A. M. to 10 P. M. Daily

APRIL, 1 9 4 8 41
At the regular meeting of San Fernando Val- LOS ANGELES HIGH SCHOOLS
ley Mineral and Gem society, February 12, OFFER MINERALOGY COURSES
Chang Wen Ti took 100 members back into
ancient Chinese history, 2580 B. C , on the sub- Mineralogy classes of three Los Angeles city
ject of jade. He told how workers, making their evening high schools will offer a study of uses
stone tools, found one piece of stone they could and nature of metallic and nonmetallic minerals
not cut. They took it to the emperor who looked during the spring semester. The course will
the stone over and said: "Go find more stones cover origin, occurrence, history, uses and pros-
like this and use the system of nature—sand and pecting procedure for locating ores of metals
water—to form them." The speaker then pro- such as tungsten, lead, gold, copper and zinc
ceeded to trace the history of jade, its use in re- and nonmetallics such as borax, sulfur, gypsum,
ligion and dress, and its effect on Chinese his- asbestos. Special emphasis will be given to the
tory to the present date. The club's January field geology of fuels and water resources. Class work
ANNOUNCEMENT... trip was to Horse canyon, with a caravan of 25
cars. February field trip was planned to the
will be highlighted by films showing scenic and
national park and mineral resource areas of the
Lloyd Langston. Silversmith, is now af- Camp Irwin area in search of agate. Meetings West. Guest speakers will appear. A large part
filiated with us and is ready to mount are held at Sepulveda Woman's club, 15236 of the class period will be spent in the labora-
your cabochons in Personalized Hand- Parthenia, Sepulveda, California, and guests are tory in the study of the identification of miner-
made Sterling Silver Jewelry. Send or als.
weicome.
bring in your cabochons for free esti- The groups meet on Monday at North Holly-
mate. • • •
Two sound films, Story of Nickel and Arizona wood high school, 5231 Coif ax avenue; on
FAST MAIL ORDER SERVICE Mineral Resources and Scenic Wonders were Tuesday and Thursday at Hollywood high
planned for the February meeting of the Los An- school, 1521 N . Highland avenue; on Wednes-
geles Mineralogical society. February field trip day and Friday at Belmont high school, 1575
It's Ready for You . . . W. Second street. Interested adults are urged to
was to the Darwin mine of the Anaconda Cop-
per company. Mine Superintendent Dudley join one of the groups which are offered as part
Davis was to conduct the group through the of the adult education program of the Los An-
geles city schools.
GORDON'S mine Sunday morning, February 22. On the way
to the mine, in Inyo county, a stop was sched-
PRICE LIST
uled at the calcite mine, three miles west of
Darwin where linerite, scheelite, pyrite crystals, E. P. Van Leuven was to speak at the Febru-
ary meeting of the Kern County Mineral Society,
limonite pseudomorphs, galena, anglesite, cerus- Inc.,1 held in Bakersfield, California. A motion
site, plumbo-jarosite, chalcopyrite, calcite, wol- picture of the mineral resources of Texas was
lastonite, sulphur, dogtooth spar and fluorite shown at the January meeting, with 38 members
occur. Harry Hurlburt was in charge of the and three visitors present. Mr. Blanchard pho-
three-day field trip. tographed slices of Horse canyon material which
• • • members brought. February field trip was
The Northern California Mineral society of planned for the Chuckawalla mountains near
Send for Your New Price List of San Francisco has moved to 1001 Oak street, Desert Center.
San Francisco 17, from its old quarters, 422 Bel- • • •
"DEPENDABLE LAPIDARY vedere street. Minerals used in industry in Cali-
EQUIPMENT- fornia were to be discussed by Henry Simons, Hollis Page showed colored motion pic-
California state division of mines, at the Febru- tures of a recent trip through Oregon, Wash-
SUPER JET BLOW TORCH $1.00 ary meeting. Field trip for January was to the ington and Montana at the February meeting of
Livermore area where petrified wood was col- Pomona Valley Mineral club, and told of the
Extra, Fuel for the Super Jet Torch. 12 mines and old mining towns he visited. The club
Tablets. (2-hour supply) _..25c lected. February trip was planned to Pigeon
point after fossil bone which has been ten- held its annual auction of minerals and cut and
tatively identified by Dr. Austin F. Rogers as polished specimens. Door prizes were won by
Open Daily 9:30 A.M. to 6 P.M. probably belonging to a whale. Mrs. Kroger, Mrs. Kryder and Mr. Smith.
February 29, the club planned a field trip to the
• • • Metropolitan Water district's softening and fil-
Mail Orders Filled Promptly The Utah Mineralogical society presented tration plant at La Verne.
Professor H. D. W . Donahoo, speaking on geo- • • •
ORDONS physical prospecting, at the February meeting
held in room 202 of the geology building, Uni- Wendell O. Stewart of Monrovia presented
"Minerals in Kodachrome" at the February
GEM & MINERAL SUPPLIES versity of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.
• • • meeting of Santa Monica Gemological society.
1850 E. Pacific Coast Highway Stewart commented on each of the 100 minerals
LONG BEACH 6, CALIF. Mr. and Mrs. Lee Reeves showed colored and gem stones shown in natural color from the
Phone 738-56 slides of the January rock hunt at the dredger famous Harvard university collection. The
piles just outside Oroville, at the February 13 speaker also told of the gem stones and minerals
meeting of the Cherokee Gem and Mineral so- of Mexico. February field trip was planned for
ciety of Oroville. The club was organized No- the Pala area of San Diego county to visit
vember 12, 1947, and there are now 30 mem- George Ashley and his kunzite mine.
BEFORE you Suy Any LAPIPARY bers. Club officers are: Eleanor Barney, presi-
dent; Florence DeLong, vice-president; Rose
Churchman, secretary; Oliver Truex, treasurer. At the February meeting of the Orange Belt
Club meetings are held the second Friday. Mineralogical society, a talk on the Mother Lode
Funds are being banked so that the club can was given by Mr. Gros and slides of Bryce, Zion
purchase its own cutting and polishing equip- and Grand canyons were shown. A field trip to
ment and portable mineralight. The society the Cargo Muchacho mountains, Imperial coun-
plans its first gem and mineral show this fall, to ty, was held February 21-22, with J. C. Filer,
be held in the old Cherokee school house at a field trip chairman, in charge.
date to be announced later. • • •
• • • J. A. Wood was elected to lead Mineralogi-
3Z Pages packed full of helpful Upiddry Inst- First meeting of the Feather River Gem and cal Society of Southern Nevada, Inc., in 1948.
ructions—Should be inevery tocknuls library. I Mineral society of Oroville, California, was D. McMillan is vice-president; D. G. Malcolm,
ffluAcomp\e\e informariononthefimous J held January 27, when Charles A. Bush, organ- treasurer; Mrs. F. McMillan, secretary. The so-
Hill^uist line of Lapidary Eqjiipmenf- including 1 izing chairman, spoke to 26 members. February ciety will function as a scientific group, under
Hillqu/srCom^dct lap Umf; Hilltjuisl- 16'Rbck Saw, f 12 the name and constitution of the club were the recently granted articles of incorporation,
Hillquisr Trim Saw, Hillijwisr 4ufefe-d, Hill^ms officially adopted. Officers nominated were: with mineral identification and research on re-
6emDrill 5 Hole Saw, Hill^isHacetoi; Hill^ui Charles Bush, president; F. E. Rankin, vice- lated sciences as the object of study. The society
Dram Sanders S W l l ^ i s f Diamond Saws president; Adeline B. Rankin, secretary-elect, sponsored an address by Fred Anderson, U. S.
Route 1, Box 131A, Oroville, California; Ray geological survey, "Measuring the Flow of the
P i '/Send NOW to Palmer, treasurer; W . S. Westwood, Lloyd Nie- Colorado River above and below Hoover Dam"
JctfuOMlf EQUIPMENT CO, meyer, Mrs. Alma Hogge, directors. Meetings at the January meeting. "Weather of the West-
are held at the Bird street school the second and ern United States and its Effects on Topogra-
IS45 W. 49ST.'SEATTLE 7, WASH.
fourth Thursdays of each month. Visitors are phy" was discussed by Marvin Diamond, U. S.
''NOTIONS iMteesTMFSRS Of FiveIAPIDAKY ewpmeur" welcome and correspondence is invited. bureau of reclamation at the February meeting.

42 THE DESERT MAGAZINE


NEW MEXICO COLLECTORS San Diego Mineral and Gem society official-
ly became the new name of the former San Diego HAROLD D. MARYOTT & CO.
ORGANIZE ROCK CLUB Mineralogical society at the February 13 meet-
The Dona Ana County Rockhound club of ing. The new name recognizes the growing in- Miami, Arizona
New Mexico was organized January 23, 1948, terest in lapidary, work within the society. It had Turquoise and Chrysocolla Jewelry, cut
at the home of S. F. Sanders, Brazito, New been approved by the board of directors and was stones of all kinds, blank sterling cent
Mexico. The club at its second meeting had 15 passed by the society without a single dissent- rings, ear rings, etc. Write for our current
members from Brazitos and Las Cruces. Officers ing vote. New emblem of the society was drawn price lists.
elected were: Mrs. F. S. Sanders, president; Ed- by Mrs. R. F. James, member of the Lapidary
win Archer, vice-president; S. F. Sanders, treas- division. Homer Dana, assistant to Donal Hord,
urer; Mrs. Louis Roberts, recording secretary, spoke to the February meeting. He outlined the
Don Alfredo, Casa de Las Cruces, Las Cruces, difficulties encountered by Hord, San Diego
New Mexico, corresponding secretary.
Regular meetings are to be held at the homes
sculptor, in carving "Thunder," said to be the
largest jade sculpture ever made. CHRYSOPRASUS
and business establishments of members on the • • • At last, a naturally colored
second Friday of each month, and a schedule of
field trips is to be set up. Membership is open Glendale Lapidary and Gem society planned hard stone, equal to that found
to residents of the Hatch, Las Cruces, Brazito, its second anniversary dinner at Schaber's res- in the Ancient tombs. In every
Mesquite, Berino area. Mrs. S. F. Sanders spoke taurant in Burbank, March 29- Colored slides of
vacation trips made by various members of the color combination known. Cuts
to the first meeting on crystals. At the second
meeting, February 13, Edward Archer spoke society were shown at the February meeting. and polishes exactly like petri-
on hardness of minerals and Ruth A. Perkins on Jack Hadden, 3229 Montrose avenue, La Cres- fied wood. For a short time only.
centa, California, is club publicity chairman.
gems. we will sell a minimum of six
• • • • • • inch slice in the opaque for $1.00.
Election of officers was held at the January George E. Smith, past president of the Okla- The same with a small translu-
meeting of the Mother Lode Mineral society, at homa Mineral and Gem society of Oklahoma
Modesto, California, junior college. Ira Mar- City, spoke to the February club meeting on the cent area for $3.00, with tax and
riott is the new president; Julian Smith, vice- subject: "Minerals of the Southeastern United postage paid on a money back
president; Lois Wemyss, secretary, 1310 Tuo- States." The lecture was illustrated with loca- guaranteed basis. A few 2" slabs
lumne boulevard; A. J. McMeakin, Felice Ste- tion maps and mineral specimens. Charter Presi- for book-ends at $15.00. None to
vano, directors; Ed Bowlin, field man. Julian dent J. B. Lankford reviewed the history of the
Smith was retiring president. The club held its club, preceeding organization and drafting of
Dealers or lump sales at this
annual auction with Bill Weston acting as auc- the charter. time. We will announce next
tioneer. The group voted to collect and send • • • month our offer on clear, translu-
cutting material to the Livermore veteran's Geoffrey Butcher spoke on staurolite at the cent faceting material in the Im-
hospital.
• • •
February 20 meeting of the Junior Rockhounds perial Greens and Blues.
of Prescott, Arizona. He told the legend which
Sacramento Mineral society officers for 1948 pictures the fairies weeping when they heard of
are; George MacClanahan, president; Joseph
B. Nichols, vice-president; Mrs. Lillian Cole-
the crucifixion of Christ, their tears crystalliz-
ing as they fell into the form of crosses—the
"THE MINER"
man, recording secretary and publicity chair- familiar shape of staurolite. Eight members and Box 2251. Main Post Office
man, 2809 T street, Sacramento 16; Mrs. Irma two visitors were present at the meeting, held San Diego, California
L. Siler, financial secretary; Mrs. Kathryn Hol- at the Rockhounds' headquarters, 331 Park ave-
ley, treasurer; Mrs. George Hinsey, director; nue. Interest in rock collecting is being shown
Mrs. Henrietta Thomas, librarian. in local schools and Chip Murdock, club presi-
• • • dent, has spoken on fluorescent minerals at the
junior high school.
Colorado Mineral society planned a mineral
display contest at its February meeting. It was
being sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Fed-
eration of Mineral societies, with awards of 15
• • •
At the regular meeting of the Texas Mineral
society in the Baker hotel in Dallas, William
CHLIfORl G l TRfllLS
ribbons to the winners in five classes: Colorado Weber of the geological department of South- A NEW BOOK for the gem
minerals, Colorado crystals, out-of-state speci- ern Methodist university showed colored slides
of the Harvard university mineral collection. hunter, gem cutter, mineral col-
mens, lapidary, and special, including any un-
usual mineral material not otherwise classified. Weber also lectured on color photography of lector, and those who love to
• • • rocks. visit the wide open spaces. By
• • • Darold J. Henry of Brea, Cali-
Officers were elected at the December meeting
of the Mojave Mineralogical society, held at the Ventura Gem and Mineral society selected fornia, well known author, gem
home of Mr. and Mrs. Lon Torrey of Mojave. the following officers at the annual election hunter, and educator. Not a com-
Vince Morgan is president; Lon Torrey, vice- held in December: James F. Taylor, president;
president; Lillian W . Ballinger, secretary- Ruth E. Parker, vice-president; M. B. Rising, pilation of the other man's work,
treasurer; Mignonette Morgan, federation di- secretary-treasurer; E. G. Kempton, field trip the author has been there, and
rector; Howard Pontier, H. J. Hardin, Rena chairman. At this meeting a life membership writes in a readable style from
Wilkens and Bill Ballinger, directors. A rock was presented to J. H. Imhoff, veteran collector
auction was held following adjournment, with and lapidary, who has a fine collection of min- first hand experiences, most of
specimens donated by members. The month's erals, cabochons and fluorescent wood. them recent.
field trip was to Gem mountain, near Rosamond. • • •
Ralph W . Dietz of NOTS Rockhounds was San Gorgonio Gem and Mineral society em- 16 accurate and reliable maps
speaker at the February meeting, subject quartz barked on its second year as a rock club Janu- by the author, photos, and valu-
crystals. February field trip was planned to Opal ary 21, 1948. Meetings are held every third able text, little known localities
mountain. Wednesday, at 8:00 p. m. in the study hall of
• • • Banning high school. Short talks on different
are described by one who is per-
Rockhounds as well as miners play an impor- types of garnets were given by officers of the haps as familiar with these gem
tant part in the discovery of useful rocks and society. Diamond sawing was discussed by Dick producing regions as anyone.
minerals, Attorney J. Andrew West told mem- Gilmore and Harold Rouse. Interesting pro- Book 68 pages, bound in heavy
bers of the Yavapai Gem and Mineral society grams and field trips have been planned for flexible cover for field use. Not
of Prescott at the February meeting. His sub- each month by Stanton Bretschneider. At the re-
cent club election, M. D. French and Albert F. just a "bird's eye" view, but on
ject was "Rocks of Yavapai County," and he de-
clared that there were more than 1000 varieties Showman were selected as directors. the ground description.
of rocks and minerals in the county. The small • • •
mines of the county produced $2,000,000 last Emil Weyrich was to demonstrate techniques PRICE ONLY $1.50
year. Homer R. Wood, mining engineer and one in cutting and polishing and discuss problems in
of the first white residents of Prescott, gave a the construction of equipment at the February
short talk on Arizona mineral resources, ex-
plaining that 40 per cent of patented mineral
meeting of Nebraska Mineralogy and Gem club
to be held at Joslyn memorial, Omaha. C. H.
DESERT MAGAZINE
acreage in Arizona is in Yavapai county, Hutchens was to show the techniques of silver- The Book Shop
where there are 800 producers. Wood was smithing. The meeting was designed for mem-
unanimously awarded an honorary life mem- bers just starting lapidary work, or getting ready El Centro California
bership in the society. to start. Election of officers was planned.

APRIL, 1948 43
Minerals have been mined in Park county, Chas. S. Knowlton suggests, in the March is-
Colorado, since 1859, according to Mineral Min- sue of Mineral Notes and News that, if the Beil-
RX-47 utes of the Colorado Mineral society. Placer by layer theory of polishing is correct, the effect
gold was found first in South Park, then lode of polishing will be lost when the specimen is
gold was discovered. Rich silver strikes were rotated 180 degrees. The Beilby theory is that
A COMPLETE made on Mts. Lincoln and Bross in 1871, fol- the polishing agent heats the surface and causes
LAPIDARY lowed by a rush of prospectors and new discov- some of the molecules to flow in the direction of
eries on Buckskin mountain. Lead was mined the buff's rotation. If the specimen is rotated
SHOP and held the same length of time, he says, the
in 1872 and copper in 1873, but first figures on
IN ONE zinc were listed in 1908. Other important min- molecules would flow back and the result be the
erals from South Park are galena, pyrite, barite, same as that of finer sanding. The Beilby the-
SMALL ory was tested at California Institute of Tech-
chalcopyrite, sphalerite, quartz, caicite, hema-
MACHINE tite and limonite. Famous mining camps of the nology. Surfaces with tiny pits were stained with
county included Fairplay, Tarryall, Jefferson, contrasting dyes, then polished in one direction.
Montgomery, Buckskin, Hamilton and Mos- The microscope showed the dyes beneath the
The Most Practical Ever Devised for surface and they were not removable by solvents.
Gem Cutting and Polishing quito.
• • • The sections then were reversed and given the
Send for Circular A same polishing. The pits returned and the dyes
Boiling copper that is not oxidized for a few were dissolved out.
minutes in a strong solution of soap suds will
RX LABORATORY give it a rich orange color, The Pick and Dop
1143 Post Ave. Torrance. Calif. Stick, bulletin of the Chicago Rocks and Min- One of the most popular attractions at the San
erals societv, reports. The color will shade to Diego county fair in June and July was the gem
violet if left in a long time. Beeswax and tur- and mineral display. Operating lapidary equip-
pentine—melt wax, add turpentine and cool— ment was set up, and nodules, geodes and petri-
will act as a lacquer and help the color. Rub it fied wood were sawed and polished while
• New beauty in collections on when the metal is just warm, cool a little and crowds watched. Cases of San Diego county
• Instant identification polish with a soft cloth. To make a bright pol- gem stones included rose-pink to lilac kunzite,
ish, rub on any oil such as raw linseed, heat the colorless spodumene, blue to colorless topaz,
• Faster analysis article a little, repeating the process until the blue beryl, aquamarine, morganite, essonite and
• Uncover new wealth desired color is obtained. This, it is said, will cinnamon garnets, and all varieties of tourma-
produce a rich orange or dark brown. A green- line. Roy M. Kepner, Jr., superintendent of the
ish color may be produced by submitting the fair's new mineral and mining department, su-
SEND piece to the fumes of spirits of ammonia after pervised the show.
FOR the usual pickling. The information is offered • • •
BULLETIN to lapidary workers using copper.
D200 The state of Minas Geraes, Brazil, has a gold
• • • formation called jacutinga, according to Arthur
MINERALIGHT does all this with Although iron is the second most abundant J. Bensusan, in Rocks and Gems, bulletin of the
such ores as Scheelite, Uranium, San Fernando Valley Mineral and Gem society.
Mercury, Zircon, Hydrozincite, metal in the earth's crust, difficulty of reducing
Willemite and many other minerals it from its ores prevented its use before 4000 The gold occurs free in a sandy, micaceous iron
and materials. See these com- B. C , and meteorites, probably, furnished the ore, with large slabs and chunks of the yellow
pletely portable lamps at your metal found in crevices of the formation. Gongo
MINERALIGHT D E A L E R . 12 first iron used.
models from $12.50 up. • • • Socco was one of the mines producing this type
of ore. In 1837 it was owned by an English
Officers of the Columbian Geological Society, company which employed 180 Englishmen and
Inc., of Spokane, Washington, are P. N . Bran- 600 African slaves and freedmen. The mine
PRODUCTS. Inc. nan, president; Pat Hubbard, vice-president; camp became a typical English village, with
J. M. Seubert, W 1820 26th avenue. Spokane 9, church and chaplain consecrated by the Bishop
5205 Sinti Monica Blvd.. Los Angelis 21, Calif secretary; Dale Lambert, treasurer; P. M. Blake, of London.
Alma C. Walker, C. E. Kline, directors; C. O.
L Fernquist, mineralorist; Chas. Magee, federa-
tion director. The club meets the first Thursday Fossil bones of the glacial era, 20,000 years
of every month, 8:00 p. m., at the Eastern Wash- old, are being recovered systematically as a by-
ington State Historical society, W 2316 First
Majave em avenue, Spokane 9, Washington. The group is
product of Alaskan gold mining. Water under
high pressure is used to thaw and tear down the
dedicated to the study of gem collecting, cutting, gold-bearing gravel beds. When a fossil bed is
and Mineral minerals and geology. reached, the water is cut off and the bones re-
moved carefully. Bones of mastodons and hairy
On Highway 91. 11. Mi. East of Barstow • • •
One Mile West of Yermo, Calif. elephants are common, and 40 tons of bone and
Black Diamond granite from the Escondido tusk have been shipped to museums in the
E. W. Shaw, P. O. Box 383, Yermo. Calif. area of San Diego county, California, was used United States in the past few years. Bones of
for the monuments at Hoover dam, on which small animals are not recovered. The Univer-
the names of government officials and construc- sity of Alaska has been helping to save the fos-
tion firms were carved. Three large blocks, one sils.
weighing 65 tons were shipped at the time the
Ft RE OPAL - MEXICO dam was completed.
• • •
10 small pieces—average W-W $1-00 JUST PUBLISHED . . .
5 larger—average %"-l" 1.00 According to Rocks and Gems, bulletin of
6 still larger—1"-2" or over
1 small vial clear fire opal
2.00
1.50
San Fernando Valley Mineral and Gem society,
the true cabochon is a stone cut in the form of
Handbook of
50 rough mixed Mexican Opals,
including honey, cherry, etc..
an ellipse. Most patterns obtainable from lapi-
dary supply houses are designed as 20, 30 and
Gem Identification
average 1" 1.50 40 degree ellipses. Beyond 40 degrees, they ap- by
ALL 5 LOTS POSTPAID—$6.00 proach the round and are called ovals. RICHARD T. LIDDICOAT. Jr.
• • • 300 Pages—130 Illustrations and Tables
Although these are sold chiefly as $4.50
cabinet specimens and have plenty of The element chromium was first separated
fire, many of them will work up into nice from its ore in 1859, W. Scott Lewis declares For Gem Mineral Collectors and Students
cabochons. in a recent issue of his Mineral Bulletin. But it GEMOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF
was not until 1894 that sufficient uses were dis- AMERICA
Money Cheerfully Refunded if Not covered to make commercial production prof- Founded 1931
Entirely Satisfactory. itable. Principal present use is in the making of 541 South Alexandria Ave. Los Angeles 5
Polished Mexican Opals and other steel alloys with great strength, toughness and
hardness. It also is used in bricks for furnace Publishers of Dictionary of Gems and Gem-
gem stone cabochons on approval to ology . . Introductory Gemology . . Famous
responsible persons. linings, in paints, dyes and tanning, and in bat- Diamonds of the World . . Story of Diamonds
tery manufacturing. Principal ore is chromite, a , . Jewelers Pocket Reference Book . . Gems
black mineral with a hardness of 5.5 which fre- and Gemology (Semi-Scientific Quarterly >
DR. RALPH E. MUELLER quently occurs in serpentine regions. It is an
and numerous booklets pertaining to Gem-
3701 Valentine Road Kansas City 2, Mo. stones and Precious Metals.
oxide of chromium and iron.

44 THE DESERT MAGAZINE


A National Magazine for the Gem Cutter,
Collector and Silversmith
SPECIAL JADE ISSUE STILL AVAILABLE
AT 35c A COPY
Other Back Issues 50c Each
By LELANDE QUICK, Editor of The Lapidary Journal (There are 3)
Send $1.85 for First Volume Complete
The weekends in April will see thousands of all better. Fills the day with stories of fine ma- Beginning April 1st we will publish
rock hunters all over the land out in the spring terial available elsewhere. Never helps plan a 6 issues a year for $2.00
Renewals are now $2.00
sunshine on field trips. Many will be in large trip and takes home very little material.
groups but more will be alone or in pairs. I pre- THE PESSIMIST—"Looks like rain." "Too P. O. Box 1228 Hollywood 28, Calif.
fer field trips to the desert regions in the so- much dust to see specimens." "Could have LELANDE QUICK, Editor
ciety of no more than two or three persons, and bought a load of stuff for the cost of this trip." HARRY R. RINGWALD, Manager
that number is for safety rather than society. "Material here is third rate." "Wouldn't climb
I see no good reason to flee the hordes of the that hill for a one-ounce benitoite brilliant."
city to go to the peaceful desert only to meet "Sunset is probably beautiful—but we came
with other hordes there. I hope no one will re- for rocks." Wonders why he came along in his CUSTOM SAWING, DRILLING
sent this attitude, for many others gather great business clothes—and so do we.
joy from such rock picnics and we want every- GRINDING AND POLISHING
THE FIELD ASSAYER — H a s so much Faceted Stones as Ordered
one to have fun in their own way. equipment he can't carry any specimens. Wastes
There are many forms of bad manners dis- the day digging and breaking useless material. WATSON'S
played on rock trips but no one has catalogued Ruins his clothing with reagents. Holds up the
them more aptly than our good friend Ray group while running tests. The gang must gather 11074 Emelita St., North Hollywood, Calif.
Mitchell of Franklin Park, Illinois, who is vice- around as a windbreak while he uses a blow-
president of the Marquette Geologists associa- pipe. Makes world-shaking field discoveries that
tion. Mitchell writes: "We are unquestionably simmer out under proper tests.
the finest, most generous and warm hearted THE LOCATION LOSER—He has a good NEW FACETING MATERIAL
group of hobbyists extant but we do develop specimen eye. Out two hours and halloos his Aquamarine, Citrine, Topaz, Amethyst
field trip traits that can be described as unso- and Smoky Quartz
way back with several fine pieces of material. Lapidary Equipment and Supplies
cial. Here is a list of objectionable types. If the Spends the rest of the day trying to relocate the Sheet Silver, Trim and Findings
shoe fits we'll tie it for you." deposit with the help of the entire group. Usu- Write for Lists
THE BLASE SOPHISTICATE—He has seen ally a swell guy but should be assigned a keeper S - T GEM & MINERAL SHOP
everything. There's no material worth picking. on all trips.
6924 Foothill Blvd., Tujunga, Calif.
He usually includes a superior criticism of the "ALONG FOR THE RIDE"—A friend or
location, organization of the trip and prospect- relative of one of the rockhounds. Always
ing technique. He took little or no part in plan- thought they were peculiar and can now under-
ning the trip but expects to assume a major part stand why. Not properly clothed for the trip.
in supervising the day's activities. If a lady she tears nylons and wears high heels.
THE "OVER THE RIDGER"—The speci- She gets hungry and thirsty once an hour.
mens underfoot are pretty good but he just Spends hours lugging around junk and asking,
knows they will be better over the next ridge (or "Is this anything?" Complains of flies, dust,
arroyo, canyon, valley, gully, etc.). This state sun, hills, mud, wind, etc. Is hysterical about
of affairs can be carried over any number of snakes. At the end of the day is not speaking
obstacles, wasting valuable picking time and to the person who brought her along.
finding the group far from transportation and
with few specimens at sundown.
THE LONE RANGER—Starts developing a
THE LOCATION BROADCASTER—While
not a trip spoiler is still a prime pest. Uses no
discretion in protecting the location. Tells the
Lapidary Supplies
shifty eye several miles before arrival at the site. world about every good spot with no considera- tor the
Disembarks and disappears surreptitiously. Re- tion of property rights or ownership of the land.
turns late in the day, frequently loaded with Soon has the location overrun with collectors Gem Cutting Shop
choice material. "Don't we wish we had gone and it becomes closed to collecting. Many city
with him?" he says. He is evasive as to the ex- collectors do not understand that rural property
act location where the best material was found. is just as subject to trespass as city property. Lo-

VRECO
THE "CUT IN FRONTER"—Gives you cations should be protected to the extent that Diamond Saws
corns from stepping on his heels. Lets you se- permission is granted beforehand where pros- Grinding Wheels
lect a site and very actively helps you look it pecting is to be done on private land. Polishing Wheel*
over. Frequently finds gorgeous specimens right To Mitchell's fine list we would like to add
under your nose. This type has been known to the plain unadulterated crook. He examines
disappear without trace, especially on sagenite everybody's load, looks it over carefully and

WE(O
locations. says, "This is no good, no use hauling it home, Abrasive Cloth
THE CROSS COUNTRY PROSPECTOR— it's dog-rock." Then he tosses it over his shoul- Polishing Powders
Plans a week's coverage for a one day trip. der. When the unwary rockhunter gets out of
Thinks nothing of hiking 15 miles in one di- sight he hastily gathers the really fine specimens Abrasive Grains
rection. He's usually brought in about midnight he has discarded and parks them in his own
by a searching party and he has lost or discard- sack. Months later, when his fine cabochons ap-
ed most of his material. He never finds much pear at the society meeting, he says "Yeh, some WRITE FOR COMPLETE LISTING
anyway because he travels too fast. nut threw that away and I picked it up." Such OF ABOVE ITEMS AND OTHER
THE OVERLOADER—This born optimist folks should be made to swallow a geode whole. VRECO SUPPLIES
wants to take everything along. His motto is, By going off in twos and three you eliminate
"You can always throw it away." Has leanings most of the objectionable types. There's the
toward outsize specimens and never has enough other side too. You'll miss the real fellowship of
specimen bags. His car has broken springs and
he complains of poor gas mileage. His clutch
slips on the hills so that persons riding with him
a big gang. Here and there among the tales of
the campfire, one might make you laugh. And
although you swear you'll never eat rabbit,
VREELAND
must crowd into other cars for the return trip.
He should have a dump truck. He usually has
someone palms it off as chicken and you find it's
really good. And while you are not allowed pas-
MANIFACTVRINS CO.
the largest rock garden in town and is usually try in your diet you try four different kinds of 2026 S. W. Jefferson Street
well liked in spite of the foregoing. chocolate cake. You think you'll take off five PORTLAND 1. OREGON
THE OTHER-TRIPPER—Compares the cur- pounds with all the hiking—and you come home
rent location to others he has visited. They were three pounds heavier.

APRIL, 1948 45
Uletureen If on and Mi

By RANDALL HENDERSON

"" / " HE MINING men are going on the warpath again. until I come to a clean sandy floor, and there I unroll my sleep-
/ They've held a couple of powwows lately to plot a new ing bag.
attack on the Joshua Tree national monument. They want I carry an air mattress which is easily inflated. It may be done
all mining restrictions removed in the park area. with the tire pump—or by mouth. I favor the latter method.
I haven't much sympathy for those fellows. Three years ago It is a good deep-breathing exercise. And I will defy the makers
they were offered a fair compromise. The U. S. Park service of inner springs and other sleeping luxuries to create a more
acknowledged there was some mineralization in the eastern comfortable bed than my zipper bag on the ground.
area of the park and agreed to restore 310,000 acres to the pub- The secret of comfort on an air mattress is in the proper in-
lic domain, leaving 550,000 acres of the scenic western portion flation. Too much air becomes as uncomfortable before morn-
for park purposes. Conservation groups generally went along ing as too little. One learns by the trial and error method.
on this proposal, and it was embodied in H.R. 4703 known as During March and April I sleep out on the desert as much
the Sheppard bill. as possible. These are the ideal camping months. Most evenings
But the mining men opposed the compromise. They wanted the air is just cool enough to call for a jacket and a small camp
all or nothing. And they have gotten what they deserved— fire. In congenial company, or alone, an evening by a campfire
nothing. is one of the best tonics I know for the ills of an insecure civili-
Prospectors burrowed into that area for a hundred years be- zation.
fore it was set aside as a park without finding enough gold to Recently I spent such an evening in Deep canyon on the south
pay for the grubstakes. If it had minerals worth reclaiming the side of California's Coachella valley. I followed a winding road
ground would have been patented long ago, as have the iron which leads through a luxurious growth of ironwood, catsclaw,
claims now owned by Henry Kaiser on the east side of the dis- smoke tree, palo verde and smaller shrubs far back into the Santa
trict. Rosa mountains. The trail is sandy in places but with careful
The western two-thirds of the Monument is a natural park— driving one can make it even in a heavy low-slung car.
a fantastic wonderland of rocks among which Nature has When I came to a catsclaw which had lived its span and died
strewn a gorgeous array of flowers and shrubs and grotesque I pulled off the trail and built my campfire. The moon was just
trees. Within this area are a thousand sheltered little coves that coming over a ridge to the east, and I do not know whether the
have an almost irresistible appeal to those who love camping in coyote up on the slope above was barking at me or the man in
the open. I have spent a night in Joshua when the ground was the moon. But it did not matter. I welcomed the companionship
so carpeted with color it was difficult to find a spot big enough of both the moon and the coyote.
for my sleeping bag without crushing a tiny blossom. At such a time and place one can see millions of miles through
Those of you who have traveled the West know what miners space to the stars in the heavens above. I have a feeling that in
do to the landscape. You've seen the scarred hillsides, the un- such an environment perhaps one also may see a little further
sightly dumps, the mutilated vegetation, the ugly shacks, the into the maze of conflicting interests with which we are sur-
piles of tin cans and broken machinery. Miners build for the rounded in our daily association with other human beings. It is
day only—and when they have robbed the earth of its riches important that we try to gain such insight.
they leave. But the ugly picture they have created remains. I pondered the reasons for the insecurity, which seems so
I really do not believe there is enough mineral wealth in much more prevalent today than in the period of my youth. I
Joshua Tree national monument to bring such a condition to suspect this feeling of insecurity is in some measure responsible
pass in that area. But even if the rocks were studded with gold, for our economic inflation. Too many of us are managing our
I think I would favor leaving it there. I cannot see much sense affairs on the theory, "get all you can while the getting is good."
in digging it out of one hole and then stuffing it away in an- To the extent that is true we are defeating our own ends. We
other at Fort Knox, Kentucky, where we have to hire guards make the mistake of assuming money alone will buy security. It
to protect it. Uncle Sam has no crying need for gold—and the isn't true. Most of the things one buys with money may be taken
hungry folks in Europe cannot eat it. away or lost in a thousand ways—and that is especially true of
Let's keep Joshua Tree national monument as Nature cre- gold itself.
ated it—where the folks who have to live in crowded cities may True security is something we acquire within. It is the reward
come out and share the beauty and peace of a world that has of sincerity, integrity, tolerance, understanding. We can develop
these inner resources ourselves as a matter of habit. And no
not been disturbed by man's greed for gold. power on earth can take them away from us.
* «• *

Anyway, those were my thoughts as I sat beside the catsclaw


Traveling the desert country I always carry my bedroll in my campfire in Deep canyon. I daresay that in the same environ-
car. And when evening comes, if the "no vacancy" signs are out, ment you would arrive at about the same conclusions. It is good
or the rentals seem exorbitant, I merely pull off on a side road for one's morale to spend such an evening.

46 THE DESERT MAGAZINE


ing in the book. The book obviously was
designed for the Southwest visitor who
knows not too much about the country.
University of New Mexico Press, Al-
buquerque, 1947. 253 pps., illustrations by
Lloyd Lozes Goff, bibliography. $2.50.
• • •
BOOK NOTES . . .
St. Michaels Press of St. Michaels, Ari-
HE BLAZED LONELY Mormon firing squad. "Shoot me first," he zona, plans publication of Head and Face
SOUTHWEST TRAILS said. "I pledged these Indians safety. If Masks in Navaho Ceremonialism, by
Jacob Hamblin, Mormon trail blazer they die—I die. I'd rather be murdered Father Berard Haile. The work will cover
and missionary, was one of the great fig- than the murderer." It is easy to under- masks of the Nightway, Mountain-topway,
ures of the Western frontier. JACOB stand why the Indians came to trust him Coyoteway, Big Hashch-eway and other
HAMBLIN, BUCKSKIN APOSTLE, his when they would no one else. "Jacob's Navajo ceremonials, including plates in
first full-length biography, written by Paul heart is good," they said. color.
Bailey, has just been published—more And Jacob's story is good. It is regret- • • •
than 60 years after Hamblin's death. Many table that JACOB HAMBLIN, BUCK- Desert rats of Searles Valley long have
things have contributed to the tardy reali- SKIN APOSTLE was printed in a limited enjoyed the fantastic tales of Panamint
zation of Hamblin's towering position edition. Jacob's story should be widely dis- Pete, which accompanied the weekly tem-
among the makers of Southwestern history, tributed. The book is an important South- perature reports in the Trona Argonaut.
among them the facts that he was a Mor- west item. Now a selection of the stories with Leon-
mon and a polygamist. And Jacob was al- Westernlore Press, Los Angeles, 1948. ard F. Murnane, editor of the Trona paper,
most unique among his contemporaries in 400 pps., photographic illustrations, map admitting authorship, have been published
that he treated the Indians like human be- end-papers, index, notes, bibliography. under the title 101 Adventures of Panamint
ings, kept his word to them and worked $4.50. Edition limited to 1996 copies. Pete. In addition to the tall tales, there is
always for peace. That attitude has not ap- • • • an amusing outline of the history of Trona
pealed to the writers of Western thrillers. OREN ARNOLD WRITES FOR as Murnane sees it. The 102 page booklet
Despite—or because of—his refusal to SOUTHWEST VISITORS was published by the Randsburg Times,
shed Indian blood, Jacob Hamblin's life SUN GETS IN YOUR EYES is a sort Randsburg, California.
was one long adventure story. He was the of Oren Arnold reader containing, for the • • •
first, after Escalante, to ford the turbulent most part, condensations, reprints and se- Echoes of Yesterday, a centennial his-
Colorado at the Crossing of the Fathers. lections from his earlier writings, includ- tory of Summit county, Utah, has been
In 1858 he went to the Hopi villages in ing material which has appeared in Desert published by the Summit county Daughters
the heart of savage Navajoland to try to Magazine. He deals with Indian and Span- of Utah Pioneers. The book briefly re-
convert a people who had driven out the ish history, irrigation, cowboy brands, ar- • views the story of trappers, the Reed-Don-
Spanish padres. He went alone to the ho- cheology, plants and flowers, dude ner party, Mormon pioneers, handcart
gans of Navajo who believed Mormons ranches, rodeos, square dancing, lost companies, Johnston's army, the stage-
had killed their chief's son, and placed his mines, western recipes, building hints and coach, pony express, telegraph and rail-
life in immediate danger to halt a new In- a few typical Southwestern jokes. There is road. History of 14 towns in the county is
dian war against Zion. He guided and pro- much interesting material and good writ- retold.
tected emigrant caravans along the Old
Spanish trail. He was J. W. Powell's guide
on the second Grand Canyon expedition.
All this Paul Bailey tells—and much
more. It is a full-rounded portrait which
does not attempt to gloss over Jacob's First Modern Biography oi the
faults. The matter of polygamy receives Great Mormon Trailblazer . . .
full attention, and the story of the Moun-
tain Meadows massacre is told with the ap-
parent attempt to assess fairly the known JACOB H A M B L I N
facts. Bailey is well qualified to write Ja- BUCKSKIN A P O S T L E
cob's biography. He knows the background
intimately and has already told the stories By PAUL BAILEY
of Sam Brannan and of the Mormon Bat-
talion. With Jacob's story he includes The documented story of one of
much of the history of the Mormon church. southern Utah's first pioneers, who
In his attempts to present a complete pic- lived adventure and made history
ture he probably will draw fire from both
sides in the Mormon controversy—the in Navajoland, the Grand Canyon
violently pro-Mormon and the violently and along the Old Spanish trail.
anti-Mormon. Such criticism merely would Photographic illustrations.
give emphasis to the book's integrity.
Jacob Hamblin was strongly religious LIMITED NUMBER AVAILABLE!
throughout his life. While a young man he
had a vision or message in which he was Postpaid — $4.50
told that if he never shed the blood of an
Indian, not one of them would have the
power to shed his. This he believed im- DESERT CRAFTS S H O P — El Centre California
plicitly. And once, in Tooele valley, he
stood between unarmed Indians and a

APRIL, 1948 47
EASIER PAGEANT.. Under desert Stats

You might also like