The Ol’ Pioneer The Biannual Magazine of the Historical Society

Volume 18 : Number 3 www.GrandCanyonHistory.org Fall 2007

In This Issue Cowboys, Indians and the Grand Canyon 3 The 1864 Explorations of Octavius D. Gass and Company 4 Kolb Studio Exhibits 6 A Note about William Chesley Richmond 6 Hats off to Bishop Leithead 8 Harvey and Tom 9 Feedback from the 2007 Grand Canyon History Symposium 10 Grand Canyon Association Calendar of Events 11 Editor’s Letter The Ol’ Pioneer The Biannual Magazine of the Hello GCHS Members, Grand Canyon Historical Society

Volume 18 : Number 3 As the new editor of The Ol’ Pioneer, I thought I’d take this opportunity to in- Fall 2007 troduce myself. u A few months ago, George Billingsley approached me about taking on the job of editor of the now twice-yearly magazine The Ol’ Pioneer. I was interested, The Historical Society was established of course, because it fits well with what I already do—I’m a graphic designer in July 1984 as a non-profit corporation to develop and promote appreciation, and semi-retired Grand Canyon river guide. I live in Flagstaff and am also one under-standing and education of the of the editors of Grand Canyon River Guides’ quarterly journal, the Boatman’s earlier history of the inhabitants and Quarterly Review. important events of the Grand Canyon. My knowledge of the Canyon comes mainly from river level, so there is The Ol’ Pioneer is published bi-annually much I don’t know about the history on and just below the rim. Because of my by the GRAND CANYON HISTORI- work on the Boatman’s Quarterly Review, I’ve often found myself lost (in a good CAL SOCIETY in conjunction with The way) in the online photo archives of Cline Library Special Collections. Photos Bulletin, an informational paper. Both publications are a benefit of member- of people traveling to and participating in the early days of tourism at Grand ship. Membership in the Society is open Canyon I find incredibly fascinating. to any person interested in the historical, Obviously the history about Grand Canyon appeals to all of you I am pleased educational, and charitable purposes of the Society. Membership is on an an- that members are interested enough to research and write pieces for this maga- nual basis using the standard calendar; zine because without them this publication wouldn’t exist. and dues of $20 are payable on the 1st I will try my best to make it easy for members to submit articles, photos, and of January each year, and mailed to the stories. If you are internet and e-mail savvy, it is easiest to e-mail me your ar- GCHS Treasurer, PO Box 345 Flagstaff, AZ 86002. The Ol’ Pioneer magazine is ticles as a Word document. If you have access to a scanner I would love images copyrighted by the Grand Canyon His- as digital files, the higher the resolution the better. Very large files can be placed torical Society, Inc. All rights reserved. on my ftp site and I can e-mail instructions to you on how to do this. I will also No part of this publication may be re- produced or used in any form without scan your slides and photos, so if you would rather send them to me I promise permission of the publisher. to mail them back. If you have any questions about file formats or submissions please e-mail or call me. My e-mail address, mailing address, and phone num- Editor: Mary Williams Submit photos and stories to the editor ber are in the text box to the right. of The Ol’ Pioneer at: mary@marywil- I have tried to keep the general look and feel of The Ol’ Pioneer intact, while liamsdesign.com or 4880 N Weather- utilizing the tools I have as a graphic designer to update it. I welcome any of ford Road, Flagstaff, AZ 86001. (928) your feedback. Although I am not taking on this editor/designer position as a 779-3377. Please submit written articles and photos electronically on CD or via volunteer (as all others have done in the past), I am providing services at my email if possible. You may mail photos non-profit rate and am committed to doing everything I can to promote the or slides for scanning if needed. Historical Society and encourage even more readers of The Old Pioneer. This Submissions to The Bulletin should be magazine can become whatever you want it to, it’s just a matter of submissions, sent to Karen Greig, [email protected] really. And the more members there are supporting it the better! I already know many members through my connection with the river guid- GCHS Officers/Board of Directors Vacant, President ing community and just recently met John Azar at the historic Kane Ranch in Vacant, Vice President and House Rock Valley where I was helping round up cattle and ride fence lines and Outings Coordinator he was working on an architectural project. It’s a small world! Susan Billingsley, Treasurer I hope to meet more of you in the coming months. Todd Berger, Secretary George Billingsley, Chairperson of Pioneer Award Your editor, Dan Cassidy, Membership Committee Mary Williams Chairman Board of Directors George Billingsley Susan Billingsley Keith Green Beverly Loomis The Ol’ Pioneer submission deadlines are February 1, 2008 for Volume 19 #1 Amanda Zeman and September 1, 2008 for Volume 19 #2.

2 : Grand Canyon Historical Society www.GrandCanyonHistory.org Cowboys, Indians, and the Grand Canyon

Helen Lindeman

hen I came home from the Grand Canyon Sympo- sium—which I enjoyed Wso much along with my brother and his wife—I began to go through some of my dad’s papers (Miles T. Rowan) from when he worked for the NPS at Grand Canyon as an equipment operator (1929–1950). My brother and I were both born in the Grand Canyon Hospital! I found pictures of the Grand Canyon 4th of July Rodeo (from possibly 1934), and a document which appears to be a proposal for an event titled “Grand Canyon 1935 Indian Field Days Celebration”, to be held over Labor Day weekend.

In the proposal, the purposes for holding this event were listed as follows: •Increase park travel by train and au- tomobile—prolong stay of visitors. •Improve Indian arts and crafts— make available a new and annual market for Indian handiwork— awards to be made for representative Indian products exhibited by Nava- jos, Supais, and Hopis. •Recreation for local residents— greater use of splendid facilities pro- vided by the Government at Com- munity Field. Possible Revenues for Celebration were listed as: DANCE: The Labor Day Dance to be considered a part of the Celebra- tion, with the profit expedited (on basis past two years) to exceed $75. RODEO: One day show made a profit this year of $107.50 REFRESHMENTS: At one day show this year made profit of $35.35

I don’t believe the Indian Field Grand Canyon 4th of July Rodeo photos taken by Miles T. Rowan around 1934. Photos courtesy of Helen Lindeman Days event was ever approved or held, but it is fun to read about what the community was trying to do to draw more tourists to the Grand Canyon! www.GrandCanyonHistory.org Grand Canyon Historical Society : 3 The 1864 Explorations of Octavius Dacatur Gass and Co.

James Knipmeyer memorandum signed by four men, The second article was printed in the one of whom was O. D. Gass, of Los Angeles Star of July 2, 1864, and bout four miles south- Ranch, , who has is thought to have been penned by southeast of the Hualapai ascended to this point in 1864…. William H. Hardy, founder of Hardy’s Indian and Grand Canyon Mr. Gass told me in 1869 that he Landing [later Hardyville] on the AWest’s “Skywalk” is Quartermaster considered it impossible to penetrate and also located in Point. Overlooking the Colorado further.” what was then Territory. River and the mouth of Quartermaster Because of Wheeler’s and The May 14 article states that, Canyon some 2,500 feet below, the area Dellenbaugh’s specific naming of O. “Messrs. Butterfield and Perry [sic], is as yet, thankfully, comparatively D. Gass, this 1864 prospecting party left from La Paz, passed by here [Fort untouched by the thronging crowds is usually referred to as the Gass Mohave] a few days ago, on their way and “improvements” of the newly expedition. This gentleman, born in up the river, on an exploring tour. opened tourist attraction to the north. Ohio, first came to during They are making their way in a small On the upstream side of the mouth of the 1849 . By 1862 he had boat, propelled by their paddles and Quartermaster Canyon can be seen been drawn to the lower Colorado by a favorable breeze when they are so the former site of the so-called Gass the rich mineral strikes at Eldorado lucky as to catch one.” Monument, a cairn of piled rock and Canyon, a tributary of the Written from “Hardy’s Landing,” stone. It is now, however, buried by river in what is now the state of the July 2 newspaper story reports silt deposits when at one time Mead Nevada. The following year, 1863, he that, “A party of three persons reservoir extended back up this far purchased his Las Vegas ranch. Being returned here from an exploration of into the Grand Canyon. And, as they a longtime prospector and miner, it is the river in an open boat. They made say, herein lies a tale. natural that Gass would have, sooner their way up the river to a point…. Most students of Grand Canyon or later, investigated upstream into they estimate, by river….of some and Colorado River history are aware the Grand Canyon. 240 [actually closer to 170] miles…. of the prospecting party of O. D. Surprisingly, most modern writers They turned back because they met Gass, as he was commonly known, on the Colorado River and Grand the spring flood with its swift current that penetrated into the lower end Canyon do not even mention this and flood wood, which they feared of the Canyon some twenty miles 1864 trip. However, a search of too dangerous for their frail bark.” five years before the epic voyage the Dock Marston collection at the The July 4 account also provides of Major John Wesley Powell. Like Huntington Library in California a few more details of the trip. It many, I first read of Gass in Frederick turned up typescript copies of four says, “They went up some 250 [sic] S. Dellenbaugh’s 1902 book, The contemporary newspaper articles miles, when they lost nearly all their Romance of the Colorado River. which, though not mentioning Gass provisions by the capsizing of their Here, Dellenbaugh briefly states that by name, are undoubtedly accounts boat, and, of course, were obliged to “Some few prospectors for mineral of this prospecting exploration. They return…. Mr. Ferry is fully persuaded veins began investigations in the are valuable in that they do provide that he has a good thing, and parties neighborhood of the lower part of the probable names of Gass’ three here at the fort are of the same opinion, the Grand Canyon, and the gorge companions, the fact that Gass was and have aided him in fitting out a was entered from below, about 1864, evidently not the leader of the party, small pack-train, and he and his party by O. D. Gass and three other men. I and the revelation that there were have started out again.” met Gass in his home in Las Vegas in in fact two trips made by this band These newspaper articles provide 1875, but I did not than know he had of men into the lower regions of the the names of three of the members of been in the canyon and did not hear Grand Canyon. the exploring party, those that passed his story.” The first, third, and fourth articles Hardy’s Landing and Fort Mohave Even earlier, in 1871, Lieutenant in the San Francisco Daily Alta going up the Colorado River and George M. Wheeler of the U. S. Army California on May 14, July 4, and then returning there. The “Messrs. Corps of Engineers led a survey party August 6 of 1864. All were entitled Butterfield” were very probably two up the Colorado River into the lower “Letter from the California Volunteers brothers then living at La Paz, Arizona, part of the Grand Canyon. In his official on Duty in Arizona” and are believed listed in the special Territorial census report, which was not published until to have been written by Corporal of 1864 as M. Butterfield and James 1889, Wheeler remarks, “During the Alonzo E. Davis, Company “I,” Butterfield, occupation miners, both day a monument on the north shore California Volunteer Infantry posted born in the state of New York. “Mr. was passed, in which was found a at Fort Mohave, Arizona Territory. Ferry” was undoubtedly James H.

4 : Grand Canyon Historical Society www.GrandCanyonHistory.org Looking downstream from Quartermaster Point photo: James Knipmeyer

Ferry, who, some five years earlier, their explorations some distance river travelers after 1871. had come to California from the Pikes further.” This second trip was also However, a seemingly different Peak gold rush in Colorado. Soon after reported in the San Francisco Daily monument was discovered on the the discovery of gold at the Laguna Alta California on July 2. The article south bank of the Colorado River at de la Paz in Arizona Territory in 1861, concluded by stating, “The same party Mile 260.3 on the upstream side of he had moved to that location. These left here [Hardy’s Landing] a week the mouth of Quartermaster Canyon articles strongly imply that Ferry, not ago with animals and provisions, to by U. S. G. S. surveyor Roland W. Gass, was the actual leader of the renew their adventure by land.” This Burchard in 1921. This cairn was prospecting expedition. second, overland exploration, never marked on the U. S. G. S. Birdseye O. D. Gass’ absence from any commented on by later writers, may survey map of 1923 and labeled “Cass mention in the accounts is easily explain a seeming incongruity with Monument,” obviously a misspelling explained by his living at Las Vegas the so-called “Gass monuments.” of the name Gass. As a result, river and not at La Paz where the other The stone monument, or rock historians have faced the question three men resided. The route up cairn, reportedly marking the farthest of why two stone monuments, both Las Vegas Wash from the Colorado upstream advance of the first 1864 connected to the trip of O. D. Gass, River to his ranch was only about 20 exploration group, was found by and both reportedly marking the miles, while it was almost 90 miles Lt. Wheeler and his party in 1871. upriver limit of the 1864 prospecting down to Hardy’s Landing and Fort In his diary report he definitely party, are some three and a half miles Mohave. It is very likely that Gass states that this was “on the north apart from one another? did not accompany the others any shore.” Modern researchers, utilizing I believe that the second 1864 farther than Las Vegas Wash and had Wheeler’s descriptions of the river and venture of Ferry, Gass, and the two probably not joined them until that surrounding terrain, have determined Butterfields, might provide a plausible point on the upriver journey. this point to have been near river mile explanation to this question. The As was mentioned in the July 4 264, in the vicinity of the mouth of monument found by Wheeler near Los Angeles Star, Ferry “and his Tincanebitts Canyon. This monument, the mouth of Tincanebitts Canyon party” refitted at Fort Mohave and though, was evidently not seen, or at probably did mark the upstream started out once again “to prosecute least not reported upon, by any other advance of the first river exploration, www.GrandCanyonHistory.org Grand Canyon Historical Society : 5 as that tributary canyon cannot be traversed with pack animals and only A Note About William Chesley Richmond with extreme difficulty by men on foot. The cairn shown on the U. S. G. S. map at the mouth of Quartermaster Virginia McConnnell Simmons and the boy stopped at home in Canyon possibly, then, marked the Vernal. In February, 1897, Richmond place where the second overland iscussions of the traverse and Galloway completed the run to expedition reached the river from the of “Than” Galloway and Needles, California.” In a later article, plateau above. “Billy” Richmond down “The Grand Canyon Boat Parade” On this second trip the four men Dthe Green and Colorado Rivers in (Westerners San Diego Corral, March could easily have followed close to 1896-1897 usually focus on the flat- 1971), Marston added that “Galloway the eastern and southern side of the bottomed, maneuverable, wooden and Richmond drifted to below Ouray Colorado River as far as the later site of boats built by Galloway and the [Utah] where they salvaged two of Pierces [sic] Ferry, left the river at that rowing style that he is usually said Galloway’s skiffs and rigged them point just before it enters the lower to have introduced. Although some with canvas decking and cockpit end of the Grand Canyon, ascended additional information about the shields.” the Grand Wash Cliffs to the Hualapai subsequent career of Nathaniel T. On the one hand, we might Plateau above, and finally descended Galloway might be offered in such assume that the greater experience of Quartermaster Canyon back down writings, almost nothing is said about Galloway would have been useful to to river level. Unlike Tincanebitts, William Chesley Richmond. His Richmond, whose original boat had Quartermaster Canyon does, in fact, role in the history of boating on the been deemed unsuitable in the Green’s have an historic Hualapai Indian trail Colorado River has been confined to Lodore Canyon. On the other hand, traversing it, down which men and that sole adventure. In fact, Richmond the physical strength of the younger stock could have been taken. vanishes from further mention in Richmond must have been useful In the last newspaper article, dated river lore after February 1897. to Galloway, who was old enough August 6, Ferry reports finding Otis R. “Dock” Marston contributed to be Richmond’s father. According deposits of almost pure rock salt, a data, and with reliance on the Marston to Lavender, based on information two-foot seam of which he refers to Collection at the Huntington Library, from George Flavell, Galloway was a “No. 1” coal, and large stands of David Lavender in River Runners of 45 years old in February 1897, when timber pine. Somewhat ironically, the Grand Canyon (Grand Canyon he and Richmond reached Needles, after all of their travels, Gass and Natural History Association, 1985) California, at the end of their Grand the others seem to have found no expanded the published information Canyon cruise, and in the fall of 1896, indications of gold placers or veins about the Galloway-Richmond trip. Richmond was 23 years old, Marston of metallic mineral ores, leaving that My following “Note about William reported. to Grand Canyon prospectors and Chesley Richmond” will catch up with After this boat journey and a miners of the decades to come. Richmond in the State of Washington gap of roughly 20 years, the next about two decades after the Grand information that I have found about Canyon transit and offers some Richmond comes from Jack Nelson’s additional snippets of information. book, entitled We Never Got Away First, some sketchy facts about (Yakima, WA, 1965). This volume is a Kolb Studio the relationship of Galloway and collection of anecdotes, accumulated Richmond. In an article entitled “River by Nelson while he was the gate- Runners: Fast Water Navigation” tender, beginning in 1911, at a Federal Exhibits (Utah Historical Quarterly, 1960), Irrigation Reservoir, Bumping Lake, Marston wrote that Galloway was on the east side of the Cascade Range, I Am the Grand Canyon: The Story of trapping and prospecting on rivers 65 miles from Yakima. Supreme Court the Havasupai People by 1891 and that in “September, Justice William O. Douglas testified Wednesday, August 01 through 1896, Galloway dropped his boat to the character of Nelson in the Wednesday, October 31, 2007 into the Green River at Henry’s Fork Foreword to that book, and the Justice and packed in his thirteen-year-old wrote an entire chapter about Nelson ______son [Parley] to start him on a river in Of Men and Mountains (New York, For updated information visit: career. At Little [Brown’s] Hole they 1950). Douglas was a summertime www.grandcanyon.org camped with Frank Leland and neighbor and admirer of Nelson. I William Chesley Richmond, the happened to spend the summer of latter agreeing to cruise down the 1973 on property adjoining Justice Green and through the Cataract and Douglas’s cabin at Goose Prairie, Grand canyons. Leland left by land, WA, not far from Bumping Lake, an

6 : Grand Canyon Historical Society www.GrandCanyonHistory.org area now incorporated in the William 1973 I found mining claims with Richmond’s association with the O. Douglas Wilderness, between the names of Richmond, Miller, and lore of the Colorado River then Chinook and White Passes, east of Meigs. The first work by Richmond disappears. As he aged, William Mount Rainier. During that summer, was recorded in September 1919, and Chesley Richmond seems to have I became familiar with information the Richmond Mining Company was been content to presopect on dry about Nelson and his book. still working the claim in 1964, but no land in the environs of a considerably Because of the remoteness of other information turned up. smaller stream, the Bumping River. Bumping Lake in early days, most Not surprisingly, Nelson’s story travelers who were passing by included “a hair-raising trip” Billy stopped for coffee, cake, a chat, and made on the Colorado River with a perhaps an overnight stay with companion named Galloway. Nelson Virginia McConnell Simmons, an the hospitable Jack Nelson and his said that he and an acquaintance historian, is the author of the new wife Kitty at Bumping Lake. Being of his both tried without success to book Drifting West: The Calamities not only an avid collector of their get Richmond to write that story on of James White and Charles Baker tales but also a raconteur in his own paper. Without such benefit, Nelson (University Press of Colorado, 2007), right, the well-educated Nelson was from his own memory reported that delving especially into the arguable able to compile many stories for his Richmond and Galloway “planned mishaps of Baker, a subject of ongoing interesting book, which contains a a beaver trapping expedition” and debate in Grand Canyon history. In section entitled “Billy Richmond” that they “had no definite destination the past she has written articles about (pp. 34-35). Although Nelson himself when they commenced their journey,” river for American West, National seems to have been a reliable source, which started “somewhere on the Parks and Conservation Magazine, and caution is necessary, as some of the Green River in Wyoming.” As told Trail. Besides several regional history anecdotes that Nelson repeated in by Nelson, Richmond was involved books, she has written The Ute Indians his book came to him secondhand. In in the building of their boat, a point of Utah, Colorado and . the case of Billy Richmond, however, that most researchers would dispute. Nelson gleaned his information They ended their trip at Needles, firsthand from Richmond himself. California. Nelson was well-acquainted with Nelson included a few more Billy Richmond. He was described by details. For instance, at one point Nelson with these words: “Billy was Richmond and Galloway camped on not a large man. He was one of the trapping grounds where unfriendly most resourceful men I’ve ever known Indians were threatening them. in the mountains. He did everything “Billy and Galloway left shortly well. Never was there a lost motion. after dark, leaving their traps for the How graceful and neat was he in his natives.” Here is Nelson’s version of movements.” a well-known incident involving a Richmond was an early miner and renegade Indian: “Then shortly ere prospector in the area, of Bumping reaching Needles, the sheriff of the Lake. The gatekeeper, Nelson, wrote commandeered their boat that Richmond had previously spent and services to assist in transporting some years along the Columbia a Mexican prisoner to Needles. The River and speculated that Richmond charge was murder for which he later had been attracted to the Columbia paid the penalty.” River for some years because of his Lavender’s River Runners (pp. 37- earlier experiences on the Colorado. 38) presents a somewhat different Nelson first became acquainted with version of this incident, telling of Richmond when he was prospecting the Paiute renegade, Mouse, who on the east slope of Nelson Peaks. (On murdered two prospectors and was detailed maps, these peaks are shown captured by a posse, just as Galloway a short distance southeast of Bumping and Richmond conveniently showed Lake.) Richmond had a wife and up. The dead miners were put in two children, Chesley and Martha, their own boats, and their partner who accompanied Billy during his rode with Galloway and Richmond, prospecting ventures in the summer. who were forced to tow the floating His partners were John Miller, Leo coffins to Needles. Meigs, and Jimmy Courtright, Nelson Once there, Galloway’s boats said. In Yakima County Records in and the trappers’ furs were sold. www.GrandCanyonHistory.org Grand Canyon Historical Society : 7 Hats off to Bishop Leithead

Don Lago directed to the postmaster, stating that you may as well get up. I want to talk and he had landed and would stay a few days want to hear the news. We got up and after ost of our understanding of before proceeding farther and to send any satisfying him he gave us some account the Powell expedition comes letters or papers for him or his men. He of his trip down the river. He had one of from the diaries written by also intimated that they were short of his boats smashed all to pieces and its theM participants. Yet one first-hand everything at that time. occupants thrown into the raging rapids, account of the first Powell expedition I was postmaster at St. Thomas. The but escaped with their lives. Another boat has escaped the notice of historians. Indian arrived in the night. I wrote a note they left at the head of the last rapids; two It was written by someone not on the stating that I would be down the next of his men refused to run the rapids and expedition, but who encountered it. morning and would bring his mail with he left the boat with the hope that after It was an historical coincidence that me. In the morning I got Brother Gibbons seeing him thru safe would follow in any whites witnessed Powell’s arrival to go with me, taking one hundred pounds the boat. He also left them a part of the at the mouth of the Virgin River, for of flour, some tea, coffee, sugar, tobacco, bedding, food, guns, and ammunition the Mormon settlements in this area and about twenty five very nice melons. It and they attempted to cross the country were newly built and would soon was after night before reaching his camp, to St. George or some of the settlements in be abandoned. The man in charge but he was expecting us and met us a southern Utah, were killed by the Indians. was Bishop James Leithead. Later in short distance from camp bare headed, When I afterwards learned of their fate I life Leithead wrote a brief memoir having lost his hat during the perilous wrote Major Powell and aquainted him of his experiences, and he must have trip down the river. They had a blazing of the fact. He was very much concerned been impressed with one experience fire burning when we drove up and when about them, feared they would perish and in particular, his meeting with John we tumbled out the melons they went into so they did in that way. Wesley Powell, for Leithead devoted them with a will after being for months In the morning before Brother about 10% of his memoir to the final running the fearful rapids of the river Gibbons and I were ready to start, the night of the Powell expedition. wet day after day, it was a treat unlooked Major had concluded to go with us to St. Leithead’s account closes with for. After talking until after midnight we Thomas, him and his brother and let his a complaint that sounds rather made our bed to take some rest. In a short other men have the boats and everything familiar. Though Leithead has known time the Major came and asked us if we else left from the ravages of the river and Powell for barely a day, he lodges were asleep. When we told him no, he said pursue their way to Ft. Mohave. He gave the same complaint that many of them an order on the commandment Powell’s boatmen would make, that [commandant?] there for sixty days Powell has taken their loyal services rations. And we returned to St. Thomas, and given no gratitude in return. Or arriving there before night, we learned worse, taken the truth and replaced that Brother Henry Nebeker had started it with a self-aggrandizing legend, that morning with a four horse and in this case the story that Mormon wagon for Payson. I furnished the Major leader was so worried a hat his brother a pair of shoes and some about Powell that he put his outposts other articles which I do not remember on alert for him. Powell’s defenders now. We prepared food to last them to St. have dismissed such complaints as George, got some young men to overtake the petty jealousy of grumpy old Nebeker during the night and he would boatmen, but when it comes from give them passage to Payson. All of this a Mormon Bishop, it has a higher I furnished myself as well as what I took authority. to the river; and in the Major’s book he Published with permission of gave all credit to Brigham Young, L. Tom Perry Special Collections, so I have been told. He did not Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham even send me a copy of his Young University. book.

When Major Powell made He did not even spell his first trip down the Colorado Leithead’s name correctly River he landed at the mouth of the in the book. Rio Virgin twenty five miles from St. Thomas. He sent an Indian with a note

8 : Grand Canyon Historical Society www.GrandCanyonHistory.org Harvey and Tom

Elias Butler I never did get to meet him. But Harvey’s stomping grounds as a when Tom offered me the chance kid. When I stepped foot into those om Myers is among other to join the quest to write Harvey’s mountains, everything became clear things a gutbucket hiker. He’s story, the timing was right. Neither regarding Harvey’s fixation with the as tough as anyone I’ve ever of us realized what we were getting Canyon. For here was the same kind Tshared the trail with, which is a good ourselves into; we probably wouldn’t of beauty, the same kind of “feel” thing considering we took on some of have changed our minds had we that I was familiar with in Arizona’s the roughest hiking either of us ever known just how difficult the process largest canyon. If it weren’t for experienced while researching Harvey would be, but you never know. Harvey, I would have missed out on Butchart’s biography. Yes indeed, What unfurled before us was not one of my life’s most rewarding and Tom can keep a positive attitude in only Harvey’s story, but adventurous trips—and believe the worst of situations, whether it’s the story of foot me, negotiating a bus ticket in bushwhacking for miles at night or exploration in the mainland China was far more simply keeping the writing fire lit Canyon. It took challenging than any Redwall when the inevitable weariness of too years, but as we cliff I’ve ever surmounted. much writing occasionally arrived. amassed more and In the end, however, it Grand Obsession was Tom’s idea more information, was Tom Myers’s undying from the start. He began approaching this crude sculpture energy and enthusiasm Harvey in the 1990s. Tom was like the that we had started for seeing this book rest of us who hike the Canyon, he with began to through which brought had a healthy respect for and curiosity assume a distinct it to completion. Grand about Harvey ever since first reading form. Neither of us Obsession encompassed Grand Canyon Treks. Fortunately had read much about 14 years of his life. You for all of us Canyon readers, Tom Francois Matthes and don’t meet many people took things a step further than just Richard Evans, and with that kind of enduring meeting the legendary Canyon suddenly the mapping passion for a project. It’s to all explorer – he decided that his story of Grand Canyon needed to of our benefit that Tom had the vision needed to be written and published. become part of the book. Likewise, and patience for telling this unique Tom proceeded to record what was in Merrel Clubb was a phantom figure tale of the West. danger of forever being lost, Harvey’s from the pre-Harvey days who Next time you see Tom, I hope version of the way things happened. turned out to be an integral part of the you’ll join me in telling him thanks. By the time I met Tom in 2002, I Canyon’s backcountry lore. We had was trying to meet Harvey myself, to cover Clubb, we decided. And on though not for the purpose of writing and on. The book was now in charge, a book. I was just another fan, albeit not us, and we followed its demands Editor’s note: You can order “Grand Ob- one who was a journalist looking to no matter how exhausting. session” through Puma Press at www. write a first book, subject unknown. The book instructed me one day pumapress.org, or through your local Harvey died in May that year and to visit China and Mount Lushan, bookseller - ISBN978-0-9700973-4-7. Mark Your Calendar

October 13, 2007 – GCHS Board Meeting, an agenda item will be a discussion of a 3rd Grand Canyon History Symposium. The 2007 Symposium was a great success. Please attend the October 13 meeting in Flagstaff to voice your opinion about a future symposium. The next GCHS History Symposium is planned for January 2012 at Grand Canyon.

October 20, 2007 – The Second Grand Canyon Hikers Symposium will be held Saturday at the Shrine of the Ages in the Grand Canyon National Park, South Rim Village. The symposium is open to the public free of charge. Go to gchba.org for more information.

www.GrandCanyonHistory.org Grand Canyon Historical Society : 9 Feedback from the 2007 Grand Canyon History Symposium

I have attended dozens of sympo- Our regret is that we could not attend received a standing ovation. Schwartz siums over the years, some profes- the simultaneous sessions, but we look detailed his Canyon archaeological sional and some related to my various forward to the publication of all the pa- expeditions, which started back in hobbies. The 2007 Grand Canyon His- pers to catch the ones we missed. 1949. He shared the epiphanies about tory Symposium was, bar none, the Hopefully, we won’t have to wait Ancient Puebloans that occurred to best by far. The topics were both var- another five years for the next one. him this past year. Bravo! ied and fascinating, and the presen- The only word of caution we offer is John Stark tations were of excellent quality. The against the suggestion that the next Flagstaff, AZ presenters provided a delightful mix symposium be expanded to include of interesting history and humor. But subjects beyond human history. From I thought that the entire Symposium most of all, I enjoyed the people I met. our point of view, the history of hu- was well presented and worthy of Some special interest groups that I’ve mans in the canyon, especially be- my time and expenses to attend. For been involved in are filled with large tween 1880 and 1950, is the most fas- me the presentations on the role and egos and celebrity wannabes - people cinating of subjects and it would be history of Native Americans at the that give off an aura of thinking they a shame to dilute the symposium by Grand Canyon and the archeological are better or more important than ev- expanding it into other areas. investigations of Ian Hough and the eryone else. Not so with the GCHS Dave and Darlene Barnes findings of Douglas Schwartz after —everyone was friendly, excited, and Hebron, KY many devoted years of studying ru- sharing. And I was amazed at how ins in the Canyon were the most valu- many people ended a conversation It was a source of sincere gratification able for new information. I was also with “I’d love to go hiking with you to me that so many symposium par- partial to the cowboy culture presen- sometime.” A marvelous experience. ticipants were interested in personal tations on the North Rim even though Arnie Richards accounts of contemporary experienc- I have strong reservations about the Downey, CA es with the Grand Canyon. The bonus subject of cattle grazing in marginal day gave me and my daughter Me- lands of the Southwest. In the past, I have never considered lissa, also a writer and historian, an Glenn O. Clark myself to be a connoisseur of history opportunity to spend a magical time or even one who would attend a his- at Hermit’s Rest, see wild sheep, elk Marvin and I (along with his sister, tory symposium. But now, as my pas- and many birds, including condors in Helen Lindeman) attended this year’s sion for the Grand Canyon and its flight. It was a grand and glorious vis- symposium and thought it to be near intricacies continues to engulf me, I it with warm and appreciative fellow perfect. Marvin and Helen were both find myself not only interested in the devotees of the canyon, hikers, walk- born at the Grand Canyon Hospital history, but I am enamored with it, ers, speakers and wonderers, all. in 1936 and 1938. Marvin graduated and this function also enabled me to Elisabeth F. Ruffner from 8th Grade in 1950, along with 7 spend time with others who share the Prescott AZ others. At the symposium they were same passion. I am but one “Canyon reunited with several classmates in- Addict” who got his “fix” at the 2007 The wide variety of presentations at cluding Dr. Paul Schnur ( one of the history symposium. Thank you for a the symposium was excellent. It was presenters) Steve, Susie, and Mike well run symposium with top-notch often difficult to decide which ses- Verkamp, and Tee Cook. Marvin and presenters at a fine location. We are sions to attend. I was very pleased Helen were interviewed about their all very fortunate to be the beneficia- that Native American perspectives dad, Miles T. Rowan, who worked in ries of all the hard work of so many were included. It is too easy to for- the CCCs at GC and later hired by the that made this possible. get their long history with the Grand National Park Service at GC. Many Pete Borremans Canyon. Next time I hope to see more fond memories were rekindled! Green Bay, WI Native American presenters and at- Marvin and Merilyn Rowan tendees. Estes Park, CO We thoroughly enjoyed the History Lois Hirst Symposium. Over 200 like-minded Flagstaff, AZ ______participants, perfect weather and the Read more feedback on our website most beautiful setting on earth! The The History Symposium was superb- www.grandcanyonhistory.org organizers are to be commended for ly orchestrated. It ended in a crescen- keeping a smooth flow. The presenta- do. Douglas Schwartz’s presentation, tions were informative and interesting. the last presentation on the last day,

10 : Grand Canyon Historical Society www.GrandCanyonHistory.org Grand Canyon Association Calendar of Events

Wednesday, October 10, 2007 cial airline disaster. This crash led to he know that this road would lead 5 Damming Grand Canyon: The USGS the creation of the FAA and the mod- miles down a narrow, steep trail into 1923 Colorado River Expedition ern air traffic control system. the depths of another canyon—the Diane Boyer, USGS Driskill, McComb and Waldock Grand Canyon. Nor could he predict NAU Cline Library, Flagstaff, 7:00 p.m. will discuss this tragic mid-air colli- that he would live in this unlikely sion, as well as post-crash recovery, place for over thirty years. In 1923, special radio broadcasts, news- investigation and clean-up efforts In a remote side canyon along a paper headlines, and popular-maga- (which continue to this day). stream that ultimately flows into the zine cover stories helped America pay ------Colorado River, Bruce and his wife attention as a government party de- Wednesday, November 07, 2007 Mary raised three children while he scended the Colorado River to survey Incredible Grand Canyon tended to Grand Canyon National its passage through Grand Canyon. Scott Thybony Park’s precious water supply at Roar- Something important besides ad- NAU Cline Library, Flagstaff, 7:00 p.m. ing Springs—and painted. Out of this venture was going on though. Claude intimate relationship between the art- Birdseye led an expedition that in- For decades Scott Thybony has tra- ist and his muse came a body of work cluded a complement of impressive versed the Southwest in search of its unparalleled in the annals of Grand characters, among them such nota- history, its people and its little-known Canyon landscape painters bles as early river runner Emery Kolb, stories. For this program, Thybony ------popular writer Lewis Freeman, and has compiled some of his favorite Sunday, December 16, 2007 hydraulic engineer Eugene LaRue. tales about Grand Canyon—some Damming Grand Canyon: The USGS The party’s topographers, engineers, quirky, some pure whimsy, many ac- 1923 Colorado River Expedition and geologists would complete the tually true. Diane Boyer, USGS first accurate survey of the river gorge, ------ Museum, Prescott, 1:00 p.m. and many expected this to decide the Sunday, November 18, 2007 See description for October 10, 2007 fate of the river in the canyon. Volcanoes of ------They headed downstream the next Wendell Duffield Sunday, January 20, 2008 year after the Colorado River Com- Sharlot Hall Museum Prescott, 1:00 p.m. Incredible Grand Canyon pact had divided the river’s water be- Scott Thybony tween upper and lower basin states, Just south of the Grand Canyon lies Sharlott Hall Museum Prescott, 1:00 p.m. based on overestimates of the river’s a range of volcanic mountains known See description for November 7, 2007 flow, and a primary goal of the Bird- as the San Francisco Volcanic Field. ------seye expedition was to determine the They vary in age from six million Wednesday, January 23, 2008 best places for dams in Grand Can- years near Williams to about one hun- Rock Art of the yon—dams that might help fulfill the dred thousand years at Sunset Crater. Kelley Hayes-Gilpin compact, feed California’s growing From a geologic-time perspective, fu- NAU Cline Library, Flagstaff, 7:00 p.m. agriculture and cities, create hydro- ture eruptions are likely in northern ------electric power, and otherwise tame a Arizona. Wednesday, February 20, 2008 natural wonder. Wendell Duffield, a geologist and The Southwest of George Eastman: Diane Boyer is an archivist working the author of Volcanoes of Northern John Wesley Powell, the Kodak Cam- for the U.S. Geological Survey’s Des- Arizona, will discuss the volcanic era, the Hopi Snake Dance, and the ert Laboratory Collection of Repeat field and the overall landscape south Grand Canyon Photography in Tucson, Arizona. of the canyon. Richard Quartaroli ------NAU Cline Library, Flagstaff, 7:00 p.m. Sunday, October 21, 2007 Wednesday, December 05, 2007 ------Grand Canyon Air Disaster Bruce Aiken’s Grand Canyon: An Wednesday, March 12, 2008 Dan Driskill, Michael McComb, and Intimate Affair Envisioning the Colorado Plateau William Waldock Bruce Aiken Alan Petersen Sharlot Hall Museum, Prescott, 1:00 p.m. NAU Cline Library, Flagstaff, 7:00 p.m. NAU Cline Library, Flagstaff, 7:00 p.m. ______On June 30, 1956, two airliners collid- As a child growing up in the concrete For updated information visit: ed over and crashed into the Grand canyons of New York City, Bruce Ai- www.grandcanyon.org Canyon, killing 128 persons in what ken dreamed of someday living at was then the world’s worst commer- the end of a long dirt road. Little did www.GrandCanyonHistory.org Grand Canyon Historical Society : 11 Spread the Word — Join the Grand Canyon Historical Society!

Membership in the Grand Canyon Historical Society has its benefits: • Annual subscription to the bi-annual magazine The Ol’ Pioneer. • Annual subscription to the monthly newsletter The Bulletin. • Discount on all GCHS publications. • Free admission to all GCHS programs and outings, including an annual picnic on the edge of the Canyon. • Participation in the annual GCHS membership meeting and the election of Board Members. Membership is $20 per year ($25 outside U.S.). To become a member print out the online application at grandcanyonhistory.org or write down your name, address, phone number and email address and send it with your check to the Grand Canyon Historical Society at PO Box 345, Flagstaff, AZ.

Grand Canyon Historical Society PRSRT STD PO Box 345 U.S. POSTAGE Flagstaff, AZ 86002 PAID FLAGSTAFF, AZ PERMIT 333