Professional Documents
Culture Documents
DesertMagazine 1962 January
DesertMagazine 1962 January
PREMIUM AWARDS
for
Southwest Literature
We take pride in presenting this selected list of the outstanding books
reviewed in Desert Magazine's twelve 1961 issues. The eight volumes
below were judged to be the most excellent in their respective categories.
—The Editors
BIOGRAPHY INDIANS
WHEN THE SANDS OF THE DESERT GREW GOLD, INDIAN ART IN AMERICA, BY FREDERICK J.
BY GORDON STUART. A different sort of rem- DOCKSTADER. Undoubtedly the finest thing
iniscence in which the author doesn't take ever done on this subject, this book represents
events or himself too seriously. All about the a six-year project for its author. Heavy with
early days of Imperial Valley when life was excellent color plates (70) and top-quality
full of hard work, fun, and big dreams. 204 halftones (180). A "must" for anyone who
pages, spiral binding, S3. is building a library on the American Indian.
22 1 pages,' $25.
HISTORY HOBBY
PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE SOUTHWEST, COMPILED GEMSTONES AND MINERALS, BY JOHN SINKAN-
BY RUTH MAHOOD. The best of Adam Clark KAS. Subtitle of this book is: "How and
Vroman, one of the Southwest's most versa- Where to Find Them." Practical informa-
tile photographers. This beautifully - done tion that the so-called "average collector''
book covers a decade of Vroman's work in needs in order to make an intelligent search
the turn-of-the-century years. Ninety photo- for gem-mineral treasures in the field. The
graphs, mostly exposed in California or Ari- author is unquestionably the top writer in
zona. 128 pages, 312.50. his field. 387 pages, $8.95.
8 TEST DRIVE: New for Desert Travel: The '61 Family Buses
V. LEE OERTLE
BOLD COINS
Of United States, European Countries,
11 TRAVEL: Needles, Calif.: Marinaland on the Colorado
LUCRE WEIGHT
Turkey at BARGAIN PRICES — especi-
ally the gold coins of Turkey, which are 14 HERPETOLOGY: Do You Have an Emergency Plan for Snakebite?
very low priced in relation to gold con- JOE PALMISANO
tent. They are all bargains because
gold is the only commodity still selling
at the 1934 price—and due for a rise. 20 ARCHITECTURE: The Varied Faces of Arizona Homes
Inflation is real — protect yourself by LOUISE PRICE BELL
buying gold coins. Please let me give
you the full story—write:
22 RIVER MYSTERY: Who Was Riverrunner Elias B. Woolley?
LOYD L. PARKER P. T. REILLY
Importer
BOX 88066, HOUSTON, TEXAS 43 GARDENING: The Hybrid Mesquite—After Three Years
BACK COVER: Daughters of the Navajo
CHUCK ABBOTT
Mini-Bike Problem . . .
To the Editor: After reading your report
on mini-bikes in the November issue, one
big question entered my mind. Since the
mini-bikes don't have fenders, wouldn't
there be a great deal of pebbles and sand
picked-up by the tires and thrown back at
the rider? I am seriously thinking of get-
ting some sort of trail machine, but this
question is making me hesitate.
ANDREW NELSON
Corvallis, Oregon
(No appreciable problem here unless you
travel at high speed-—and you can't go
fast over loose footing.—Ed.)
TOYOTA LAND CRUISER-rock hound
Against the Birds . . . A proud new breed. Fun to drive because it goes on when other
To the Editor: Anent Dr. Edmund Jaeger's
"Desert Woodpeckers" (DESERT, Oct. '61)
I should like to add something: the Gila
4-wheel drive vehicles have quit. The Toyota Land Cruiser has
Woodpecker is without doubt the most de-
structive bird that flies! If any of you— the power-135 HP of it- and the stamina to scramble up steep
as I do—live on the desert and try to raise
a few citrus fruits and dates, you will be-
come fully aware of "Ladderback's" de-
rocky grades or plow through mud and sand, with 7 passengers.
structive skill. They peck one small hole
in grapefruit, orange, or tangerine and Looking for quartz or supervising a quarry, your most reliable,
soon the fruit falls off, completely ruined.
Dates they especially love; I have seen
them fly away bearing a large date in beak
hard-working companion Rush me the facts on the Land Cruiser
and name of my nearest dealer
many times.
is a Land Cruiser-the Mail to TOYOTA
(Dept. D-l)
MOTOR DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
6032 Hollywood Blvd.,
Now I have a very high regard for the Los Angeles 28, California
scientific eminence of Dr. Jaeger, but my
observation of Mr. Gila for 30 years con-
most powerful all purpose
Name_
strains me to say that Dr. Jaeger's state-
ments in his article are "not the whole 4-wheel drive vehicle in Address_
truth" about the Gila. If his sympathies
are "with the bird," mine are certainly not. the world. Prospect for it City_ .State-
JAMES A. DIFFIN Land Cruiser Dealer Franchises are available in
Florence, Ariz. at your Toyota dealer's. [
January, 1962 / Desert Magazine / 5
JANUARY TRAVEL By WELDON HEALD
Until now these deposits have been which rise abruptly a hundred feet
almost inaccessible, since they are lo-
cated on top of a rugged mountain. In
or more. Pockmarked with wind- and
order to make this beautiful material water-worn caves, like holes in a Swiss
available to all, we have bulldozed a cheese, these bright colored monoliths
road over really rough terrain up to the give the area a rather theatrical ap-
Onyx deposit. We furnish transportation
by four-wheel-drive vehicle from Calico pearance, which is a delight to color
Ghost Town to the Onyx Mine and re- photographers.
turn. The Onyx itself, has been made
more easily obtainable by using the bull- There are several miles of unpaved
dozer. roads winding among the great rocks,
These tours leave Calico Ghost Town at and one climbs to an eminence cap-
9 & 11 a.m., 1, 3 arid 5 p.m.; returning ped by a white pyramid. Here is an
every hour.
extensive view of the park, and the
Open Saturday, Sunday and Holidays
or when a party of 6 or more desires
surrounding populous valley to its
this trip. Closed on Friday. distant rim of tawny desert moun-
FEE: $4 per person per day tains. The pyramid marks the graves
Fee includes 30 pounds of onyx of George W. P. Hunt and his wife.
(Additional onyx 25c per pound) He was Arizona's first state governor
Tickets available at Assay Office and served seven two-year terms be-
in Calico Ghost Town fore his death in 1934.
for additional information write to: But the big show in Papago Park
is the Desert Botanical Garden.
Calico Silver Onyx Co. Whether you are an incurable cacto-
P.O. BOX 685 - YERMO, CALIFORNIA maniac or can't tell a cholla from
a senita, you shouldn't miss this. It
6 / Desert Magazine / January, 1962
Saguaroland Bulleti7i 10 times a year. But development is restricted and Mountain Park is a scenic desert area
Annual dues are $5 which includes a major portion of the reservation is of 275 acres, with picnic facilities,
the magazine, and there are 650 mem- maintained in a natural state, with nature trail and small reptile exhibit.
bers in 26 countries. The address is several sections designated as "wilder- Estrella Mountain Park, 1850 acres,
P.O. Box 5-17, Tempe, Arizona. ness areas." These are traversed by is maintained by Maricopa County,
delightful trails which thread the as is Lake Pleasant Regional Park,
At the entrance is a modern Visit- canyons and wind along the ridges. 37 miles northwest. Boating, swim-
or's Building, with book store, gift They climb to numerous wide-sweep- ming and camping may be enjoyed
and souvenir shop, and information ing viewpoints over the valleys be- in the latter.
center. For 10c you purchase a book- low, pass through rugged rock forma-
let for a self-conducted Nature Walk By all means sample the metropoli-
tions, and lead to ancient heiroglyph-
through this desert wilderness of un- tan diversions of Arizona's Capital
ics made by the prehistoric Hohokam
reality. There are 62 marked stations City. But if human entertainment
Indians.
which the booklet describes and ex- finally palls on you, try a Phoenix
plains. Along the way you will see Most of Arizona's varieties of cac- Desert Park. ///
the showy golden barrel cactus from tus grown in the park, including the
Mexico, and Baja California's writh- giant saguaro, and a total of 340
ing caterpillar cactus, octopus cactus, species of native desert plants have
the amazing knobby totem pole, and been listed. Wildlife, too, is pro-
fantastic boojum or "upside-down" tected, and both animals and birds
tree. There are also palms, mesquites, are surprisingly abundant. Saddle
acacias, ironwoods, yuccas, palo verdes horses are available at stables located
and ocotillos. Entwined among the just outside the park's north boun-
branches of some of the trees are the dary.
long, snakelike stems of "moon cer-
The Main Entrance is eight miles
eus," one of the climbing cactuses
directly south of the Phoenix busi-
of the tropical rain forests.
ness district, and you pay a lee of 25c
per car there. The principal Park
Then there is the Fisher Collection
Road ascends the Salt River Moun-
of about 950 North and South Ameri-
tains by easy grades to Dobbins Look-
can species of cactus., and an interest-
out, five miles. The elevation is 2330
ing experimental area for the intro- CALIFORNIA
feet and you look down across broad,
duction of trees and shrubs native to
flat Salt River Valley, 1000 feet below.
other arid lands for horticultural and
landscaping purposes. In the alumi-
num Lath House are sensitive plants
from the two Americas, Africa and
The panorama includes the whole
of Phoenix and its clustered satellite
cities to heaped-up mountains on the
RARl
Asia. Here are many tropical species
that couldn't survive in the open.
With spiny geraniums, succulent lil-
ies, and the transitional Pereskia—
horizon, north and east. A directional
viewfinder helps you to identify
places.
DESERT
half rose, half cactus—the Lath House
perhaps contains the most remarkable
exhibit of all. From April to June
The ridge road continues to Buena
Vista, takeoff point for several wilder-
ness trails, and a branch leads to
GIFTS
Mount Suppoa, 2660 feet, highest in from
there is a magnificent display of blos-
the Park. Its summit is a communi-
soms throughout the Garden, but be-
cause of the wide distribution of the
thousands of plants from both Hem-
ispheres, some blooms may be seen
cations center, occupied by tall tele-
vision transmitting towers and receiv-
ing stations. Nearby, Gila Valley
SNIFFS
every month of the year.
Lookout gives a view southward over
the irrigated fields of the Gila River
DATS GARDENS
Quite different is Phoenix South Indian Reservation, home of the Pi- Box 68 Indio, Calif.
Mountain Park. Called the largest mas, and in the southeast looms the
Owned and operated by the
municipal park in the world, it cov- 9000-foot Santa Catalina Mountains,
Sniffs for 37 years
ers an area of 14,817 acres and pre- near Tucson, 100 miles distant.
serves the entire range of the Salt The far western section of the Park
Featuring the world's finest selec-
River Mountains, just outside the is reached from the Main Entrance tion of prize-winning soft dates
city limits. Within the reservation by a seven-mile road to San Juan in beautiful gift packages.
are 10 miles of paved roads and 40 Lookout Point, and a separate road ORDER BY MAIL TODAY
miles of well-kept hiking and riding enters the eastern part from Guada-
trails. There are also three planned lupe. There is no direct connection You are invited to visit our famous
picnic areas. These have ramadas, between the latter and the Main En- show garden and unique gift shop
tables, grills and piped drinking trance except by trail. However, on Palm Springs' scenic Hwy 111.
water, as well as cement floors for rugged Pima Canyon and the Indian
dancing and roller skating, and some picture writings are well worth visit- Please send me Sniff's
lighted areas for after-dark gather- ing as a special trip. brochure of gifts in full color.
ings. In fact, you can have a quiet There are four other desert recre- Name
steak fry lor two or attend a lively ation areas in the vicinity of Phoenix. Address _
barbecue with several hundred peo- City-owned Thunderbird Park, 10
ple. However, the Park is closed from miles north of Glendale in the Hedg- City State
12:30 a.m. to 5 a.m., and there is no peth Hills, contains 1000 acres and Dates make excellent holiday gifts
overnight camping. has developed picnic grounds. North
FTER THREE days of road- into the bus-wagon domain is stylish, do well to follow this example.)
A testing Ford's Falcon Club
Wagon, Chevrolet's Corvair
Sport Wagon, and Volkswagen's De-
low-slung and clean. No excess
chrome clutters the body lines. Green-
briar is, in fact, 7 inches lower in
The wheelbase of Greenbriar is
95 inches, or 5 inches longer than the
Falcon Club Wagon, and half-inch
luxe Station Wagon (all of them overall height than the Falcon Club longer than the VW. The rear-door
buses), I went home convinced that Wagon, and 6 inches lower than the opening is necessarily choked down,
nowhere else are new-car models so Volkswagen. It is the heaviest of the due to the placement of the air-
individually designed. Despite a gen- three buses at 3032 pounds curb cooled six-cylinder Corvair engine in
eral similarity in outward appearance, weight. Base price of the Corvair the rear. Actual dimensions for this
the three competitive family buses Greenbriar Sport Wagon is about cargo door are 44.5x35.4-inches. Cargo
are as different as an orange, a peach §2655 on the West Coast. From there, space in Greenbriar is advertised at
and an apple. This seems strange in the price goes up rapidly with such just over 175 cubic feet.
view of the fact that most competitive extras as a four-speed transmission
sedans are about as different as door- ($64.60) , a third seat ($37.70), cus- The cockpit is comfortable, and
knobs, give or take a little chrome tom interior ($215), and the usual the steering wheel lies almost flat.
stripping! extras such as radio and heater. Final Three transmissions are available:
price of this model delivered will ap- the standard three-speed manual, the
I've been a car buff all my life, and four-speed manual, and Powerglide.
I have definite feelings about new proach $3300. The model I tested was equipped
vehicles. Comfort, power, handling Let me point out here that all three with the four-speed box. When you
ease, and economy have always in- of the buses tested had base prices start the Corvair engine you immedi-
trigued me. On the other hand, I'm and final prices within a hundred ately notice that engine noises come
not far enough into the "expert" dollars or so of each other. The im- from behind and are barely audible.
category for my thinking to become pression that these new vehicles are Acceleration is fair, about on a par
waterlogged with routine criticisms. "economy" versions of older types of with other six-cylinder cars.
I face a new breed of car with a cer- transportation is false. Prices of the
tain naive enthusiasm. I like cars. First gear is a creeper, second gear
fully equipped bus will run very close a real shot in the arm — and then
I'd like to see more truly useful en- to the regular deluxe station wagon
gineering improvements each season. third gear seems to fall flat. Shifting
bodies. For the record, this little into high gear seems almost pointless,
Since that seems beyond hope, at detail should be noted.
present, I test cars by comparing them since there is so little difference from
to the current market crop. A quick walk around the body of third. I was disappointed in the
the Greenbriar reveals a large double- four-speed box. Zipping around town,
All three of the vehicles — Green- door in the middle of the curb side, across railroad tracks, and down a
briar, Club Wagon and VW — were double-doors in the rear, and the stretch of freeway proved that Green-
tested before I made final notes. usual left and right front doors. briar -responds fairly good. It tracks
Thus, direct comparison between Double doors on the driver (left) straight with no wander. Ride is
models was possible. side of Greenbriar are optional. The firm but comfortable. Cornering is
something to get used to—because
Desert devotees will find these buses three seats are roomy, firm, but not you ride far forward. The turning
very appealing—a good compromise extra comfortable. Leg room for circle is 42.6 feet.
between conventional car and four- passengers is very good in the rear,
wheel-drive vehicle. The bus gives fair in the center seat, and good in I liked the solid feel of the body.
you plenty of room for camping gear the front. My wife complained that Few squeaks or rattles annoyed me.
—and it can double as a family car the Greenbriar was hard to climb But the low windshield-height forced
for town use. These vehicles will be into. It's a high step. (Volkswagen me to stoop over to see overhead
seen with more frequency on desert has an assist handle on the dash near traffic lights. Out on the high road,
area roads. the front passenger door, which is a Greenbriar rolled right along at the
GREENBRIAR: Chevrolet's entry real aid. Ford and Chevrolet would legal limits without strain. Hilly
8 / Desert Magazine / January, 1962
country forced me to downshift sev- The first impression of the Club fool you! It's really another bus. You
eral times, since horsepower is limited. Wagon body is one of spaciousness, can't help but notice the care and
which is born out by statistics. As quality that goes into the Volkswagen
Turning and maneuvering in traf- with Greenbriar, it has large double machine. Body lines are dull, but
fic, in parking, and off on side-roads doors on the curb side and in the finish is clean and professional. The
spoke well for Greenbriar. It is light rear, plus the usual front doors. Rear interior is almost flawless, and points
on its feet, quiet running, and tight- cargo doors measured 49.4x47.3 inches up a marked superiority over both
turning. Doors were difficult to shut —considerably larger than either of Greenbriar and the Club Wagon.
tightly, however. the other buses. Seats are firm, and leg room in the
All things considered, I'd say the rear, adequate. However, front cock-
Greenbriar is a dandy little bus, While not as stylish as the Green- pit space seemed restricted and
though a little short on performance briar, and not as tastefully appointed cramped, compared to the two Ameri-
and power, like most sixes. Some in the interior as the VW, the Club can models.
statistics: Fuel tank capacity is 18.5 Wagon was the best-riding of the
gallons, overall length is 179.7 inches, three — though slightly on the soft I tested the model that would com-
width is 70 inches. Ground clear- side. The seats are plush buckets in pete with American buses, the Deluxe
ance is 8.1 inches, and tread is 58 the front, making the cockpit unusu- Station Wagon. Base price is about
inches front and rear. A vast array ally comfortable. Tracking was $2775 for this four-cylinder air-cooled
of extra camping equipment, both straight and firm, though not as good bus. Rated horsepower is 40, with
built-ins and accessory items, is avail- as the Greenbriar, in my opinion. engine in the rear. It is equipped
able from Greenbriar dealers. Shifting was effortless. Acceleration with a four-speed transmission, which
was good—and felt better than the is the only one available, so far as I
FALCON CLUB WAGON: If Greenbriar. Ford's engineers placed could tell. Tread is 53.9 inches in
Ford's entry into the bus field is the Club Wagon's Falcon engine up front, 53.5 inches in rear. Overall
larger and bulkier than the Green- front, smack between the two passen- length is 169.3 inches, with a body
briar, it is also roomier and more gers. This placement robs the cock- width of 70.9 inches. There are
comfortable. I liked the large wind- pit of an extra seat space and of double doors on the curb side, and
shield, excellent visibility, peppy en- course, is a potential source of both a lift-up rear cargo door. Rear door
gine, and ease of gear-shifting. The heat and noise. I would like to opening is the smallest of the three
Club Wagon is plain-looking and hastily add that this noise is only buses, with measurements of 35.4x
could certainly stand a face-lift. But relative. Compared to most sedans, 28.7 inches.
under that prosaic skin everything it is noisy. Compared to the VW, it
functions satisfactorily. Engine op- is quiet. Compared to Greenbriar, it The first thing I noticed when I
is boisterous. climbed into the driver's seat was
tions based on the six-cylinder water the limited leg room. Windows did
cooled Falcon are 85 and 101 horse- I did not like the large false door not roll down, but slid back about
power, with two transmissions: Ford- on the glove-box. It covers twice the half-way in each door, horizontally.
omatic and three-speed manual. My space actually necessary. The steer- This seemed like a clumsy arrange-
test model had the latter. Base price ing wheel seemed a little oversized, ment to me, a guy with long bony
of the Falcon Club Wagon is about but there was plenty of leg room. elbows. I couldn't find a comfortable
$2600, climbing rapidly with extra- Head room, too, was good—the best place to rest my arm while driving.
cost options to about $3000. Of of the three. I could not find the
course, less expensive models are figures for ground clearance, but it Visibility was restricted by the low
available in Ford's Econoline bus. appeared to be better than Green- windshield. I found myself leaning
briar's. Fuel-tank capacity is about forward to get a good look at the
Height of the Club Wagon is 77.4 road. Gear shifting was more difficult
inches, width 75.8 inches, curb weight 15 gallons. than in the Ford, but about on a par
about 2750 pounds. Tread is 60 VOLKSWAGEN DELUXE STA- with Greenbriar. Acceleration was
inches in front and 60.2 inches in rear. TION WAGON: Don't let the name totally and singularly disappointing
VOLKSWAGEN WESTFALIA WITH BUILT-IN CAMPER HAS SIDE TENT, ICE B O X , WASH BASIN, STORAGE CABINETS. SLEEPS T W O ADULTS, T W O CHILDREN.
Trail Scout
THIS POWER PLANT OF A MINIATURE
SCOOTER WAS DESIGNED PRIMARILY
FOR THE HUNTER, FISHERMAN, ROCK
m
park is scheduled for later completion
than next May. Location is on about
30 acres in the city, between the dike
road and the Indian Village, and
fronting on the river. Experts say:
Needles people had to cut through
some extra red tape, for originally
their recreation department was un-
"THE HONDA
der the school district. When it came
to applying for a loan from the State
Small Craft Harbors Commission, to
hire a consultant for formal planning,
TRAIL "50"
a ruling made it necessary for the city
to take over the recreation depart- OUTPERFORMS • ;W
ment. That same summer, 1959, the
• -'to ,
city levied a tax for recreation pur-
poses, and planned to finance their 'EM ALL!" ('••'
4'
golf course by four percent of a gross
revenue tax on motels, hotels and
trailer parks in the city. A private
corporation was working on plans in Veteran hunters and fishermen who have tried EASE OF OPERATION: 3-speed transmission,
1961 for an elaborate development every trail machine on the market say you automatic wet multi plate clutch. Dual cam-type
can't beat Honda's amazing TRAIL "50" for surestop brakes, front and rear.
east and south of Needles, in addi-
performance and features. The fabulous "50" VERSATILITY: Backwoods gearing (low gear
tion to the city project. takes you where others can't go...does it 82 to 1) takes you anywhere at up to 30 m.p.h.
Besides the marinas, development faster, easier, more comfortably! How? Quick-change rear sprocket for speeds up to
More power, for one thing: the rugged, pre- 45 m.p.h. Haul logs, water, game, equipment.
of almost 13,000 acres in Fort Mo- cision-built 50.ee engine develops 5 full horse-
have Indian Reservation north of power., .gives you up to 200 m.p.g. of gasoline RUGGEDNESS: Climbs steep 45° grades with
Needles, where Nevada, Arizona and (no mixture necessary). It goes at speeds from full load, rides over rocks, logs, through under-
California converge, is a tremendous zero to 30 m.p.h gives you safer dual brak- brush. Knobby-traction tires.
potential. Four bids from develop- ing and shock absorber comfort... easily COMFORT: Easy handling over roughest ter-
ment corporations were opened in carries 250 lbs. of payload plus rider! And rain. Hydraulic shocks on both wheels.
May, 1961, and these were sent to you can make a quick change of rear sprocket
government and Indian officials for for highway speeds up to 45 m.p.h.
evaluation. Visit your Honda dealer for a demonstration
ride... compare the Trail "50" point-by-point
Oldtimers who remember drifting with others...then, compare the price. For
down the "silvery" Colorado, camp- nearest dealer, call Western Union by number
ing on river islands, landing on tule- and ask for Operator 25. Or use coupon for
bordered shores or cutting their way free literature.
through mesquite jungle, may miss MAKE THIS POINT-BY-POINT COMPARISON!
the wild beauty and stillness they POWER: 5 H. P. from dependable 50 cc, 4-cycle
r
HONDA TRAIL " 5 0 " Mark 100-T
or swimming beaver . . . or they may 4077 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles 19, California
find partial substitutes in wildlife Please send free literature on Honda Trail " 5 0 " to:
A SNAKE'S LIFE HISTORY: Snakes may either be temperatures reached freezing, it would have been
born alive (viviparously) or as eggs (oviparously). safely below ground, hibernating the winter away.
More North American snakes produce living young Like all other hibernating things, the snake would
than eggs. Among the egg-laying species are the need no sustenance until spring. Then the sun would
bull, gopher, whip, racers, king, milk, rat and coral warm the ground and lure the snake out to hunt
snakes. Live-bearing species include the rattle, cop- small rodents. All summer it would hunt and sun,
perhead, mocccsin, garter and water snakes. and change its skin every few months.
The probable life history of the 12-inch baby Green By the time the rattler was two years old, it would
Rock Rattler coiled so neatly in the photograph is have measured about 16 inches; by full maturity it
typical of the sequence of events in the existence of
viviparous species. I say "probable" because the
snake in the picture now resides in a bottle of alcohol
at the American Museum of Natural History.
The little rattler was born probably late in Septem-
ber along with three other eight-inch babies. It was
born alive, though encased in a thin transparent
membrane. It broke this envelope almost immediately
and wriggled away from its disinterested mother and
brothers. It was well equipped to do this since its
tiny fangs held more than enough poison to kill the
small mice it would hunt, and even enough to make
a man seriously ill.
When born it had no rattle on its little tail—merely
a delicate "pre-button." But within two weeks it would
have shed for the first time, and acquired the begin-
ning of a true rattle. This beginning—the button—is would have reached about two feet—average length
visible in the photograph. Hereafter each shedding for this species. After its third winter's sleep, it would
would produce a new rattle segment. But rattle or no, have sought a mate.
the baby snake would vibrate its tail when nervous or If the little rattler had been fortunate enough to
angry. evade man, it might have lived a dozen years. But,
The snakeling was found sunning itself on a warm even had I not found this little fellow, it is quite
rock late in the fall. Had it not been discovered it probable that before dying of old age, it would have
would have missed both immortalization in DESERT had occasion to rattle in man's presence — thereby
and preservation in a museum. It would have sunned saving the man's life and assuring the end of its own.
less and less as winter approached. Before night —GEORGE BRADT
serve the useful purpose of stimulat- are "not unusual." The discomfort
Snakebite Plan ing you to plan, in detail, what you
would do should one of those close
for the victim, not to mention the
chance for infection when this is done
in the field, seems quite obvious.
(continued) calls become an actual snakebite.
Once a rattlesnake has injected Despite these drawbacks, incision-
with car trouble in some isolated suction does have some advantages.
desert canyon? Or in Baja California venom into his victim's body tissues,
there are three ways of attempting to For one thing, it can be applied im-
or other remote parts of Mexico mediately, even if there is no emerg-
where, even with the best of luck, cope with it:
ency equipment except a knife. If it
you could not hope to reach a hos- 1. Remove it. is applied immediately, some of the
pital for several days, perhaps a week? 2. Slow down its action and venom can be removed while it is
Can you afford complacency then? spread. still concentrated in a small area; this
1 think not. The desert traveler 3. Neutralize it. may mean the difference between life
who goes into remote areas owes it Familiar to everyone—at least in and death for the victim.
to himself and his companions to principle — is the "cut - and - suck"
carefully think out exactly what Suction - type snakebite kits are
method of treatment. From time to small, inexpensive, and easy to carry.
course of action he will take should time we see the hero of some tele-
snakebite occur under the conditions The rockhound or desert hiker is
vision Western bitten by a rattlesnake. much more likely to have one of these
I have described. He should rehearse His trusty sidekick takes out his
in his mind every detail of how he in his pocket than the more elabor-
bowie knife (with which he has just ate types of equipment. My wife and
would cope with the emergency. finished skinning a buffalo), slashes I own two of the Cutter kits. These
One does not think clearly under the uncomplaining hero, and sucks are only three inches long and an
stress; only forethought and planning out the poison. In the next scene the inch in diameter; yet they each in-
will assure wise action. This fact is hero gets up, nods his thanks, dusts clude a small lance, antiseptic, a cord
the basis for centuries of military oft his buckskins, and goes about his for constriction, three suction cups,
drill, for school fire drills, for aban- business as if nothing had happened. and a set of instructions. On desert
don-ship drills at sea. Why not for Unfortunately it is not that simple. trips we carry these kits with us at
rattlesnake drills? The prevailing medical opinion seems all times.
Any realistic plan of action for such to be that suction, especially mouth During recent years, cryotherapy,
an emergency must assume only an suction, is not very effective treatment. or treatment by cold, has gained much
average layman's knowledge—that is, Suction cups or other devices which favor in cases of snakebite or scorpion
no special medical skill or training— can exert a strong steady pull are sting. Dr. Herbert L. Stahnke of
and equipment which the ordinary somewhat better. Suction should be Tempe, Arizona, has been a leading
desert camper might be expected to continued at the site of the fang figure in the development and pop-
take with him. Within these limits, marks for a half hour or more. And ularization of this method. Simply
what effective methods of snakebite if this is to be the only method of stated, cryotherapy is based upon the
treatment are available? treatment, further incisions and more principle that lowering the tempera-
suction must be applied as the venom ture of the bitten area will slow down
Here are the conclusions reached travels up through the bitten leg or
by one layman, myself, after question- the effects and spread of the venom
arm. and bacteria injected, so that the
ing physicians and pharmacists and
doing fairly extensive reading on the The instructions with one snake- body's natural defenses can deal with
subject. Perhaps my remarks will bite kit state that 50 to 120 incisions them. Writing in The American
is&XZJSfL
'"< «i
» X ..
LAS VEGAS
VEGAS VIEW - The real estate with skyrocketing value
$10. DOWN
$10.00 per Month
$795 FULL PRICE
You can now take advantage of the fabulous business boom in the Las Vegas area. Here gains in real
estate activity outstripped all other parts of the nation during 1959 with a spectacular jump of nearly
100 per cent in sales volume-this trend and the trend in retail sales and other business activity has
continued to soar upward during 1960 and 1961.
Both fun and profit can be yours...Bask in the desert sun...Ski at 11,910 foot Mt. Charleston...
Boat, swim arid fish at giant Lake Mead. These water and snow-fun areas are within a 30-minute drive
of VEGAS VIEW,
Vegas View sites are free of city taxes but adjacent to the present Las Vegas city limits—totally
unlike much of the barren land being sold today in remote desert and swamp areas of doubtful future.
The lots now have graded streets and electricity on the East and West boundaries of the subdivision.
Never again will sites with such a potential increase in value be offered at these low, low prices. Com-
parable lots in Las Vegas are now selling for many hundreds of dollars more. In VEGAS VIEW just $10
will start you on your way to early future profits! Total cost of these 50' x 100' sites is only $795 plus
the low interest included in monthly payments. You must act NOW to take advantage of this oppor-
tunity of a lifetime. Remember—only a very limited number of these choice sites are available.
HE TRAVELERS e m e r g e d
T from the west end of Grand Can-
yon. They had traversed 280
miles of the Colorado River and the
boat had been full of water on about
a dozen occasions. John King
departed on foot from this camp to
find Charlie Bolster. It is not known
that he had ever been in this locality
previously, but the interval must
have amounted to several weeks. King
did not have a canteen in an area
when the temperatures are usually
over 100 degrees. Anyway, he set off
and traveled northerly along the foot
of the Grand Wash Cliffs.
While King was gone, Woolley
and Arthur unloaded the boat and
dried the wet contents. The hatch
covers had been designed to seal the
openings by mating on four beveled
edges. When the covers had been wet
repeatedly, the wood had swelled.
The last capsize had not helped this
condition, and one compartment had
considerable water. The other com-
partment was in better shape. Unfor-
tunately, the 4x5 camera and the 10
glass plates, which had been exposed
at various points on the voyage, were
in the wet compartment. The emul-
sion on the plates had caused them to
stick together and they were ruined.
Arthur threw them away. The two
remaining unexposed plates were in
the dry compartment and still in good
shape.
The camera was dried and cleaned
and appeared to be in working order.
They made minor repairs to the boat,
BOULDER NARROWS and noted that the supply of food
Feb WEIGHT: "Red Rock LEADABRAND: "Treasure MURBARGER: "Living Silver JAEGER: "Desert
56 Canyon Gem Trails" (Cal.) Canyon in the Argus Mts." in the White Mts." (Nev.) Termites"
(Cal.)
BRINKMAN: Jerome, ASHLEY: "The Gold I Lost MURBARGER: " I n the Land JAEGER: "The Rarest
1.' Ariz, (no map) in Morgan City Wash."
(no map)
of the Pronghorn" (Nev.) Pinyon"
May WEIGHT: "Agate in the MURBARGER: JAEGER: "Palm
56 Chuckawalla Mts." (Cal.) Lida, Nev. Beetle"
Jun MURBARGER: "Charcoal HENDERSON: "Petrified JAEGER: "Poisonous
56 —the West's Forgotten Forests in the Circle Desert Plants"
Industry" (Frisco, Utah; Cliffs" (Utah)
Ward, Nev.—no map)
Jul WEIGHT: "Petrified Palm HENDERSON: "Boat Trip in JAEGER: "Last Stand
56 in Chocolate Mts." (Cal.) Lodore Canyon" (Utah) of the Pronghorn"
WEIGHT: "Opalite in the WING: "Exploring the JAEGER: "Desert
Ship Mts." (Cal.) Little Colorado" (Ariz.) Owls"
WEIGHT: "Agate in Silver KENYON: Sandstone Can- JAEGER: "Agave
Peak Mts." (Nev.) yon in Anza Desert State and Ocotillo"
Park" (Cal.)
Oct WEIGHT: "Treasure Trails PAGE: "Mine With the JAEGER: "Canyon Bat,
56 in Superstition M t . " (Cal.) Iron Door" (Ariz, no map) Mice and Shrew"
Nov WEIGHT: "Gemstones of CARROLL: "Jeep Trails in JAEGER: "Elephant Trees
56 Palo Verde Pass" (Cal.) the Needles" (Utah) in Baja Calif."
Dec TAYLOR: "Chalcedony in TINKER: "Stone Walls in JAEGER: "Cordon Cacti"
56 the Gila Mts." (Ariz.) Baboquivari Volley" (Ariz.) (Baja Calif.)
Jan LEADABRAND: WEIGHT: "Lost Apache HENDERSON: "Old Trail to JAEGER: "Where Birds
57 Leadfield, Nev. Gold" (Ariz.) Chuckawalla Spring" (Cal.) Come for Water"
May WEIGHT: "Lost Silver JAEGER: Plants that
the Trigos" (Ariz.) Thrive in Saline Soil"
BACK
ISSUE Mapped Gem-Mineral Mapped Mapped Mapped Desert Southwest
DATE Field Trip Ghost Town Lost Mine Treasure Travel Exploration Nature
Jun TILSHER: "Garnets in the APPLEBY: "Baja JAEGER: "The Upside
57 Inkopah Gorge" (Calif.) California Vacation" Down Mojave River" (Cal.)
Jul SPERRY: "Gizzard Stones MURBARGER: "Camper's JAEGER:
57 in Yellow Cat Area" (Utah) Tour of New Mex." "Skunks"
Aug MUENCH: "Cliff Dwellings JAEGER: "Parasites of
57 on Black Mesa" (Ariz.) the Desert"
Sep CONROTTO: "Banded Rhy- MURBARGER: "Dripping JAEGER:
olite and Petrified Wood" Springs in Organ Pipe "Shrike"
(Baja Calif.) Nat. Mon." (Ariz.)
May CONROTTO: "Apache MURBARGER: JAEGER: "Owls
58 Tears in the Chuckawalla Taylor, Nev. and Moths"
Mts." (Cal.)
Jun CONROTTO: "Chalcedony MURBARGER: "The Seven JAEGER: "Dry Lake Filled
58 in Whipple Mts." (Cal.) Troughs Bonanza" (Nev.) with Water" (Baja Calif.)
Jul WARD: "Back Road on JAEGER: "River of Bitter
58 the Mojave" (Col.) Water" (Amargosa—•
Cal.—Nev.)
CONROTTO: "Marble from HEALD: "Lost Bells of JAEGER: "Edible Plants
A U 9
5 8 Verde Antique Quarry" Tumacacori" (Ariz, no map) of the Desert"
(Cal.)
Dec MURBARGER: WEIGHT: "Old Dutchman's HENDERSON: "Canyon JAEGER: "Birds Lost in
58 Jarbidge, Nev. Lost Mine" (Cal.) Boat Ride" (Utah) the Desert"
Jan WERNER: "Salt Spring" BECKWITH: "Use of
59 (Baja Calif.) Native Desert Plants"
Feb MURBARGER: ANDERSON: "Lure of the JAEGER:
59 Rhyolite, Nev. Salton" (Cal.) "Burro"
Mar CONROTTO: "Gem Banks MURBARGER: "Exploring JAEGER: "Names of Desert
59 at Lake Mead" (Nev.) Fable Valley" (Utah) Places and Things"
Apr SHAUB: "Touring Mexico ABARR: "Fort Ojo WEIGHT: "Lost Silver in JAEGER:
59 for Minerals" Caliente" (New Mex.) the Trigos" (Ariz.) "Palm Trees"
May WEIGHT: "Cornelian and MURBARGER: WORTLEY: "Alec Ramy's JAEGER:
59 Roses at Ash Hill" (Cal.) Cortez, Nev. Lost Bonanza (Death Val.) "Mesquite"
Jun STOVALL: Randsburg-Jo- ABARR: "Seven Cities that JAEGER:
59 hannesburg, Cal. (no map) Died of Fear" (New Mex.) "Sage Grouse"
Jul RANSOM: "Red Jasper on WERNER: "Wheeler Peak" JAEGER:
59 the Mogollon Rim" (Ariz.) (Nev.) "Desert Vines"
Aug NAPIER: "Five Trips in DOYLE: Randsburg, MURBARGER: "Recreation JAEGER: "To Baja Cali-
59 Hoover Dam Area" (Nev.) Cal. (no map) on the Lower Colorado fornia with a Naturalist"
River" (Ariz.)
Sep JAEGER: "Desert Ground
59 Squirrel"
Oct HEALD: "Winter at Grand JAEGER:
59 Canyon" (no map) "Sand"
Nov RANSOM: "Tourmaline, DOYLE: Needles, Cal. HILTON: "Bahia de los JAEGER:
59 Crystals, Quartz in (no map) Angeles" (Baja Calif.) "Creosote Bush"
Bradshaw Mts." (Ariz.)
Dec HILTON: "Whispering JAEGER: "Kangaroo
59 Canyon" (Baja Calif, Rat, Small Birds"
no map)
May WEIGHT: "The Lost OERTLE: "Boating on the PETERSON:
60 Wilson Bonanza" (Cal.) Desert" (no map) "Desert Quail"
Jun JENSEN: " A Visit to Lee's JAEGER:
60 Ferry" (Ariz.) "Agave"
MAIL YOUR ORDER TODAY TO: DEPT. J-62, DESERT M A G A Z I N E , PALM DESERT, CALIF.
in reality the widow, Mrs. Jacques but I found him listed in the Los
Traves. Angeles City Directory in 1913. Com- Wooley, and one deed had the name
paratively little is known about Elias spelled both ways. So far, no surviv-
When asked about the discrepancy B. Woolley. My wife found his name ing members of his family have been
between the time the men were in spelled Woolley more often than found, although it is known that he
Yuma and the date the assessment
work was recorded, Arthur stated
that Madam Shell was very upset
about the negligence and had them The New
return to Yuma and attend to the
legal end of the matter.
Bill Keiser remembered Woolley,
Reese Hybrid Mesqtiite
MONARCH OF THE DESERT
and in succeeding years he performed
the assessment work for Mrs. Traves The greatest tree of all time for early, effective,
on the two claims adjoining the mine. economical shade and windbreak. Most beautiful,
symmetrical, artistic, evergreen leaves—common to
Arthur Sanger thought that Wool- no other. Loves hot sun and drouth; controls the
ley had died in Tonopah about 1908, wind; stops blowing sand.
Deepest tap-root system ever known. Flowers and
lawns love it! No insects nor diseases; no droppage
From the Hi Country of leaves or sap. Ideal for yard and patio, shading
to the Desert J<g»*Sf**" of pool; never molests fence, sidewalk, septic tank,
Floor— Jj SAVAGE cess-pool, water or sewage lines. Clean, majestic,
SAVAGE 7 1 1 MINI-BIKE attractive. Effective shade in one year; windbreak
has IT! in two!
Write for W S K Every tree fully guaranteed. We ship anywhere in the
catalog. iJP58 world, safe delivery assured.
Prices B \ For detailed information, prices, write—
from $179 JH1 Sft<
2'/2 to 7V2 Y - H TUPELO GARDENS
H.P. NdP*' LEE REESE, Mgr. TEX REESE, Mgr.
Oildale, Calif. Desert Hot Springs, Calif.
Phone Ex 9-1461 Phone 329-5473
BERKELEY ENG. CO. Six-month-old hybrid
11650 Me Bean El Monte, Calif. Height: 9 ft.; spread: 8V2 ft.; Members California Nurserymen's Association
Gl 46381 trunk diameter: 1 % in. Honesty, Integrity, Fair-Dealing
• BOOKS-MAGAZINES LOAFING ALONG Death Valley Trails-by Wil- NEW—FLUORESCENT mineral detector that de-
liam Caruthers. Announcing third edition of tects boron, fluorine, lithium, molybdenum,
READ THE Prospector's Guide. Tells how and a perennial favorite for those who enjoy the strontium, tungsten, uranium, zinc, zirconium
where to prospect for minerals, etc. Send authentic personal narrative of people and and other minerals. Cigarette pack size, day-
for application to United Prospectors, 701V2 places in Death Valley, $4.25. Death Valley light operation, requires no batteries. Price
East Edgeware, Los Angeles 26, California. Publishing Company, Shoshone, California. $12.50. Free brochure. Essington Products &
Engineering, Box 4174, Coronado Station, Santa
BOOKS: "PANNING Gold for Beginners," 50c. BOOKHUNTERS: SCARCE, miscellaneous, out-of- Fe, New Mexico.
"Gold in Placer," $3. Frank J. Harnagy, 701V2 print books quickly supplied. Send wants, no
E. Edgeware, Los Angeles 26, California. obligation. Atlantic Book Service, 102 Cedar, WORLD'S SMALLEST power generator, 200 watts,
Charlestown 29, Massachusetts. 110 volts, AC, or switch to battery charger.
FREE BOOK Catalog of the Southwest—history, Factory to you $100. Includes engine, gen-
people, legends, lost treasure, Indians, nature, GOLDEN TREASURES of the San Juan, in south- erator, frame, belt, etc. Shipping weight 28
gems, minerals. World's largest all-desert book west Colorado; 235 pages information lost pounds. Larger models available. Krestronics
selection. Write for your catalog today: Desert mines, hidden treasures of bullion, maps, pic- Corporation, 140 Sheldon Street, El Segundo,
Magazine Book Shop, Palm Desert, California. tures. Price $4.50. Sage Books, 2679 South California.
York St., Denver 10, Colorado.
OUT-OF-print books at lowest prices! You name WILL SELL rock tumbler and approximately one-
it—we find it! Western Americana, desert and "OVERLOOKED FORTUNES"-in the Rarer Min- half-ton rough gemstone for $150. Write for
Indian books a specialty. Send us your wants. erals. Here are a few of the 300 or more appointment: Harry Scheihing, 55642 Santa
No obligation. International Bookfinders, Box you may be overlooking while hunting, fish- Fe Trail, Yucca Valley, California.
3003-D, Beverly Hills, California. ing, mining, prospecting or rockhunting: Ur-
anium, Vanadium, Columbium, Tantalum, Tung-
"GEMS & Minerals Magazine," largest rock hobby sten, Nickel, Cobalt, Titanium, Bismuth, Mo- • FOR WOMEN
monthly. Field trips, " h o w " articles, pictures, lybdenum, Selenium, Germanium, Mercury,
ads. $3 year. Sample 25c. Box 687J, Mentone, Chromium, Tin, Beryllium, Gold, Silver, Plati- LADY GODIVA "The World's Finest Beautifier."
California. num, Iridium, etc. Some worth $1 to $3 a Your whole beauty treatment in one jar.
pound, others $25 to $200 an ounce. Learn Write: Lola Barnes, 963 North Oakland, Pasa-
HOW AND Where to Pan Gold, 72 pages, many how to find, identify and cash in on them. dena 6, California.
illustrations, 19 maps and placer areas. Every- New simple system. Send for free copy
thing you need to know on the subject. $2 "Overlooked Fortunes in Minerals," it may SWEDISH MASSAGE by Hildegard (for ladies or
from Nugget, Dept. DM, Box 462, Tucson, Ariz. lead to knowledge which may make you rich! gentlemen) in your home or hotel. Telephone
Duke's Research Laboratory, Box 666, Dept-B, 324-4017. If no answer, call: 324-1557.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Magazines, 1888-1961, Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.
any issue, maps, bound volumes. Free litera-
ture, "Geographic Hobby," price lists, circulars
CANADIAN BERYLLIUM-the wonder metal. Free • GEMS, CUT-POLISHED
on books about collecting geographies. Peri- booklet describes prospecting information,
odical Service, Box 465-DE, Wilmington, Del. uses, prices, etc. Beryl Prospector, Swift River, NEW FIND lavender star sapphires from Mon-
"DEATH VALLEY Scotty Told Me" by Eleanor Mile 722, Alaska Highway, Yukon. tana, $2.50 ounce. Blue covellite, Montana
Jordan Houston. A ranger's wife recalls her minerals, crystals. Postage please. Brant's
NEW BOOK: "Guardians of the Yosemite," Rock Shop, Box 65, Silver Star, Montana.
friendship with the famous desert rat and
story of the first Rangers, $2.50. John Bing-
some of his fabulous stories. $1.50. A. F. aman, Box 95, Palm Desert, California.
Houston, Box 305, Coolidge, Arizona. HINEGARDNERS' HAVE a large selection of fine
minerals including fluorescents, cutting, facet-
THOUSANDS OF out-of-print books in stock, ing; supplies for gem grinding, tumbling; gifts,
especially fiction. Murray's Bookfinding Serv-
• EQUIPMENT-SUPPLIES jewelry that are beautiful and different; hand
ice, 115 State Street, Springfield 3, Mass. spinning supplies. Nine miles east of Mesa,
10X SELF illuminating pocket magnifier. Examine
Arizona, Highways 60, 70.
specimens anywhere anytime. A magnifying
HUNTING FOR treasure? Treasure hunter, Frank
glass with its own built-in light. $3 postpaid.
L. Fish, tells you how and where to find it in TEN POUNDS of beautiful Colorado specimens,
Emerald Distributors, Box 275, Oceanlake, Ore.
his new book—"Buried Treasure and Lost $8 postpaid. Jack the Round Hound, Carbon-
Mines," just off the press. 93 bonafide treas- LIGHTWEIGHT CAMPING and mountaineering dale, Colorado.
ure locations, 20 photos and illustrations, 68 equipment. The World's finest; used on Ever-
pages including vicinity maps, ghost towns and est, Himalayas, Andes, etc. For free catalog, FOR SALE: Superior agates from Minnesota, 1/2
old mines. A must for the treasure hunter. write: Gerry, Dept. 107, Box 910. Boulder, to 1 inch, $1 pound, % to 2'/2 inch banded
$1.50 per copy postpaid. Large treasure map, Colorado. $2.50 pound, blue chalcedony $2 pound,
19x24, beautiful four color, pinpoints treasure tumble polished Superior $3.50 pound, plus
locations described in above book. $1.50 each METAL DETECTORS bought, sold, traded. Com- postage. Frank Engstrom, Grey Eagle, Minn.
postpaid. Send check or money order to: plete repair service. Free estimates appraisal.
Amador Trading Post Publishing Co., L. Erie Bill's Service Center, 15502 South Paramount
Schaefer, 14728 Peyton Drive, Chino, Calif. Blvd., Paramount, California. MORE CLASSIFIEDS
January, 1962 / Desert Magazine / 37
INDIAN PHONOGRAPH records, authentic songs
and dances, all speeds. Write for latest list:
Canyon Records, 834 No. 7th Avenue, Phoenix,
1, Arizona.
ALASKA GOLD nuggets, selected for beauty, 14c PINE VALLEY Indian Trading Post offers for sale • LODGES, MOTELS
per troy grain. 10 to 200 grains. Definite its large collection of old Indian baskets.
sources given. Full refund if customer not Highway 80, Pine Valley, California. CHINOOK, ROCKHOUND, fisherman and hunter's
pleased. Frank H. Waskey, Olney, Maryland. paradise, cabins with kitchenettes and wood-
6 ARROWHEADS, 10 warpoints, 4 birdpoints, 2 burning fireplaces. Groceries, fishing tackle,
ROCK COLLECTORS—attention! (Kids only), for spearheads — $5. Have beads, beadwork, Texaco gas, rock-cutting material, guide serv-
$1.50, $3.50, $5., $7.50, I will send prepaid: masks, fetishes, prehistoric pottery. Paul ice, Continental bus depot, etc. Marge and
rock, mineral, fossil surprise packages, labels Summers, Canyon, Texas. George DuBois, Highway 160, South Fork,
and localities. Big assortment, small sizes. Colorado. Phone Olive 7-3771.
IF YOU are looking for prehistoric or historic
The Rockologist, Box 181, Cathedral City, Calif.
Southwest material; for a certain Indian ROCKHOUND HEADQUARTERS: Calico Motel,
CRYSTALIZED GOLD, rare lode pocket specimens. painter, a good rug, jewelry—anything unus- Highway 91-446 & Calico Road. Phone Clinton
Many intrinsic patterns, attractively displayed, ual, why don't you write? House of Six Di- 6-3467. P.O. Box 6105, Yermo, California.
$2 postpaid, guaranteed. Lester Lea, Box 942- rections, Fifth Avenue, Scottsdale, Arizona. Brochure on request.
D, Mount Shasta, California.
INDIAN ARTIFACTS Catalog No. 12; 28 pages, FOR RENT: modern cottages completely furnished,
CALIFORNIA GEM materials, crystals, fossils, 857 illustrations, B.C. to early A.D. with his- secluded in superb scenery of Chiricahua
minerals. Good selection to choose from. tories. Arrowheads, wampum, charmstones, Mountains near Douglas, Arizona. Ideal for
Custom sawing by the inch. Award Orna- etc. Send $1 for catalog, will credit on first artists, birders, rockhounds, nature - lovers.
mental Iron and Welding, 971 E. Barbour, $5 order. H. W. Worcester, 1229-B University Open all year. Write: Cave Creek Ranch,
Banning, California. Avenue, Berkeley 2, California. Portal, Arizona.
N E W IDENTIFIER B I L L -
JANUARY CALENDAR
FOLDS: The day of the credit Jan. 2-6: Arizona National
Livestock Show, Phoenix.
card is upon us, and it is some- Jan. 14: Saguaro Lake Trek,
times difficult to fit them all Mesa, Ariz.
into a conventional wallet. Some of Jan. 20 - 21: Junior Rodeo,
my friends carry a dozen credit cards! Phoenix.
Fraternal Suppliers have solved the
problem with a 17-view passcase-bill- Jan. 21: Desert Sun Ranchers'
fold, which should satisfy anyone! Rodeo, Wickenburg, Ariz.
Made of top-quality vinyl, this new Jan. 27-28: Death Valley Open
billfold will probably resist desert- Horse Show at F u r n a c e
RUBBER ROPE induced perspiration better than or- Creek Ranch.
dinary leather. Surprisingly, the item Jan. 27 - 28: Annual Rodeo
then has room to whip and pop. sells for one lonely dollar. The man- sponsored by Palm Springs
Using rubber rope for a tie-down ufacturer also makes sturdy vinyl Mounted P o l i c e a t Polo
makes sense. It will stretch to four flight briefers for a low $2, which Grounds, Palm Springs.
times its original length without are large enough to hold several is-
breaking, and exerts a continuous
strong, firm pull.
I used rubber rope to tie-down Now Open and Anxious to Welcome You
camping gear in the back of my pick-
up truck, and found it real handy. - o n the highway
Best of all, rubber rope is smooth to Joshua Tree National Monument in the High Desert
with no splinters. As an added at-
traction, this new rope can be knotted ARTISTS
or spliced like ordinary rope. Eye- Now Showing
splices or splices of rubber rope into
manila are possible, for use as a PACKSADDLE GALLERY Bill Bender
Bill Hampton
shock-snubber. The price is $3.25 for John W. Hilton
a package of four 22-inch pieces of William P. Krehm
%-inch diameter rubber rope. Di- Featuring Exclusively Paul Lauritz
ameters up to one inch are obtain- Kirk Martin
able, in any length, on special order.
From: Griffith Rubber Mills, 2439-D
Western American Art Emil Morhardt
Gallery Hours: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily except Tuesdays. Juanita Reed
N.W. 22nd Ave., Portland 10, Ore. Mail Address: Box 236, Yucca Valley, Calif. Phone: 365-5925.
(Indian Ceramist)
By RANDALL HENDERSON
NE OF T H E legislative proposals on the agenda payers, is evidenced by a recent experience in my home
O of the 87th Congress which convenes for its second
session this month involves complete revision of
the public land laws. This will be the first major
community. Here in California's Coachella Valley, des-
ert real estate is booming. Land once regarded as quite
worthless is bringing fabulous prices. Three years ago
plan for the disposal of public lands since 1938 when our newly formed Junior College district paid $4000
the Small Tract Act, known as the Jackrabbit Home- an acre for a 160-acre campus site—$640,000! This par-
stead law, was passed. cel of land was given to the Southern Pacific railroad
Uncle Sam still owns 439 mil- originally as part of its subsidy for building the south-
lion acres of vacant land in addi- ern transcontinental railway line. The Espee has long
tion to the National Forests and since disposed of it, and there was a time when land
Parks, and in recent years there in this area could be bought for less than $5 an acre.
has been increasing pressure from As recently as 1946 some of it was sold for $10 an acre.
private individuals and corpora- Spokesman for the Desert Protective Council pointed
tions who wanted to acquire these out that vacant public land now belongs to all the
lands for development or specu- people of the United States. "Why then," he asked,
lative purposes. To this end, "should we sell it today to private owners for appraisals
lour bills are now pending—H.R. of perhaps $25 or $50 an acre, and make it necessary
7788 by Congressman Aspinall of for another generation of Americans to buy it back
Colorado and H.R. 5277 by Con- for schools, parks and other public purposes at prices
gressman Saund of California be- which may range from $1000 to $5000 an acre?"
ing the most favored. If there are readers who share this view, letters to the
Good homestead land in a temperate zone where a Sub-Committee on Public Lands, House of Representa-
family could stake its claim, build a home and start tives, Washington, D.C., would be influential in secur-
growing crops with the assurance of ample rainfall has ing the necessary amendment to the legislation now
practically all been taken up. Most of the remaining under consideration.
land is in Alaska and the desert Southwest.
My personal view is that a minimum of 40 acres in
We desert dwellers have a special interest both in the each 640-acre section should be reserved for these public
manner of disposing of this land, and the use to be purposes, the land to be selected by the county adminis-
made of it. For the new owners will be our not-far- tration wherein the land is located, at the time of the
distant neighbors. We do not want it to become the sale.
pawn of speculators. Nor do we want the scenic can- * * *
yons fenced off with No Trespass signs, or the timbered Not far from my home are the Cahuilla Hills where
slopes of the higher elevations which are the source of an entire section is now occupied by Jackrabbit Home-
our water supply denuded of their vegetation. steaders. In one of the neastest little cabins in the tract
Recently a Congressional Sub-Committee which is lives Mora Brown who in past years has contributed
studying the proposed legislation held a hearing in some beautiful prose to the pages of Desert.
Palm Springs. One of the most constructive proposals I think of Mora sometimes when I hear a newcomer
at the hearing was the petition of the Desert Protective complaining about the summer heat, the sandstorms, and
Council. The key paragraph of the Council's resolu- the seemingly drab landscape of the arid horizon. Those
tion was this: were Mora's impressions when she first came to this
"That in the sale of public lands to private or corpo- desert frontier.
rate purchasees, there be reserved in perpetuity for But the desert eventually won her over. The time
public use for schools, parks, playgrounds, libraries, came when she wrote: "In every visit to the desert I
civic centers, nature reserves or other public non-profit find new lessons waiting. From the twisted Joshua tree
use, a parcel amounting to 10% more or less of the I am learning more of fortitude. From the Yucca-
total acreage so disposed, and that the county wherein expectancy. From the Saguaro—dignity. From the rug-
such land is located be given title in trusteeship for ged hills—steadfastness. From the small green strugglers
such reservation pending the time when the citizens of on the desert floor—courage and persistence. And from
the immediate area shall have need for such sites for the desert's vastness, as in the mountain's song, I am
the purposes specified herein." learning to discard the clutter of my man-made world,
This is a long-range proposal, and the great tax sav- and sense more clearly the presence of the Source of
ing which would accrue to a later generation of tax- Peace."
Photograph
by
Chuck Abbott