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MAY, 1951 35 CENTS May Forecast for Wild flowers

Late March wildflower reports from "the fish are friends who generously keep Desert Magazine posted are similar to those really fresh since of last month—no mass displays such he switched to as had been hoped for. Along Highway 111 beyond the Mobilgas" Desert Magazine pueblo, lavender sand verbenas still blossom in sections where irrigation overflow reached them. In the Joshua Tree National Monument the Joshuas are in full bud and should be well opened by the middle of April, remaining to the latter part of the month, according to Frank Givens, park superintendent. Lovely red plumes are beginning to tip the thorny ocotillo bushes, and will be worth seeing by the middle of April. Mass quantities exist in Ocotillo Val- ley on the way to Julian, California and along Highway 60-70 leading toward Blythe, California. Others cover the hillside beside the Palms to Pines Highway above Palm Desert. In the Death Valley area there are a mile or two of primroses and sun- flowers in Daylight Pass and a small showing of verbenas in Jubilee Pass, according to T. R. Goodwin, monu- ment superintendent. The Las Vegas section, Dora Tucker writes, has a few verbenas, encelias and the ever faithful lupine. / Throughout Arizona the story is still no rain with weather mild in the WITH MOBILGAS YOU GET top perform- southern part and cool about the Lake ance and economy. Everyone knows the Mead Recreational Area. Surprisingly, amazing mileage scored by the 32 different makes and models of American cars in the scarlet mallow, scarlet bugler, poppies, Mobilgas Economy Run. They averaged 23.9 hyacinths, lupine and others of sim- miles per gallon using Mobilgas in the rug- ilar character are to be seen near Mesa, ged 840-mile run from Los Angeles via reports Julian King. Hedgehog cactus Death Valley and Las Vegas to Grand Canyon. are in bud and will be followed by The Mobilgas Economy Run proved that staghorn. The creosote and grease- every motorist who is a good, safe driver, wood bushes are also putting forth. who keeps his car in good condition, and who uses Mobilgas or Mobilgas Special Some should last well into April, aug- (premium), can get more from his invest- mented by the saguaro, that giant of ment. Both Mobilgas and Mobilgas Special the wastelands, ocotillo, palo verde deliver maximum power and mileage, as the and ironwood. However, generally Run showed. If you car runs knock-free on speaking, the blossoms are scattered Mobilgas, then save the difference. But, use and with the exception of cactus, will Mobilgas Special if your car requires it ... you'll be money ahead in the long run. be extremely limited in most sections. lobilga; Since the rain gods of the desert FREE-AT YOUR MOBILGAS DEALER-To Indians have not seen fit to favor the help you get more mileage from your car, 32 CARS AVERAGED arid regions this spring, those who drivers, mechanics, and fuel engineers who participated in the Run have pooled their follow the wildflower trails with cam- experiences in a booklet. Your Mobilgas 23.9 era and magnifying glass will have to Dealer has a copy for you. MILES PER GALLON be for the most part, content with GENERAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION IN THE MOBILGAS cactus blossoms. Much as one misses — converting nature's gift to better living. ECONOMY RUN the colorful carpets, cactus will not disappoint, since no lovelier flower exists than those delicate waxy blos- I soms in numerous clear shades. DESERT MAGAZINE DESERT CALENDAR May 1 — Fiesta and Spring Corn Dance, San Felipe, New Mexico. May 1-6—Fiesta de Mayo with pa- rade, Nogales, Arizona. May 3—Ceremonial Races, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., Santa Cruz Day Corn Dance, Taos, New Mexico. May 3-5—Southeastern Utah Junior Livestock Show, Ferron, Utah. May 5—Cinco de Mayo, Mexican patriotic observance, Tucson, Ari- zona. May 5—All day auto-caravan through Volume 14 MAY, 1951 Number 7 Joshua tree National Monument, start from Palm Springs Desert Museum, 9:00 a.m., bring lunch COVER Saguctro in Blossom. Photographed by Harold O. and water. Weight, Pasadena, California May 5-6 — Sierra Club overnight camping trip to Indian Cove on WILDFLOWERS Forecast for May 2 northern edge Joshua Tree Na- tional Monument, California. CALENDAR May eve-its on the desert 3 May 5-27—Annual wildflower show, Drill Crew in Marble Canyon nearly 2000 varieties displayed. PROGRESS Community Hall, Julian. California. By JOYCE ROCKWOOD MUENCH ... 4 May 6—Nineteenth Annual Spring Foruotten Ghost of Gold Mountain Festival, 22 miles east of Lancaster, GHOST TOWN By NELL MURBARGER 8 Hi Vista, California. May 6 — Public pilgrimage to old Gem Hunt on a Ghost Town Trail Spanish homes, Mesilla, New Mex- FIELD TRIP ico. • By HAROLD O. WEIGHT 13 May 10-13 — Elks' Heldorado and MINING Current news of the derest mines 18 Rodeo, Las Vegas, Nevada. TREASURE May 12—Final guest lecture of sea- Lost Gold of Mono Lake son by Edmund C. Jaeger, noted By A. FRED EADS 19 desert author, entitled "Desert Mis- FICTION cellanies,'' 8:00 p.m.. Palm Springs Hard Rock Shorty of Death Valley 19 Museum. PHOTOGRAPHY May 15—Observatory open for First Pictures of the Month 20 Quarter moon, Tucson, Arizona. POETRY Joshua in Flower, and other poems 21 May 15-30 — Bear Hunting Season, LETTERS Arizona. Views and comment of Desert's readers ... 22 May 18-20 — Annual Calico Days NEWS celebration, sponsored American From here and there on the desert 23 Legion Post 797, Calico Guest CONTEST Ranch, Yermo, California. Pictures-cf-the-Month announcement .... 28 May 22—Observatory open for view- QUIZ ing full moon, Tucson, Arizona. A test of your desert knowledge 29 LAPIDARY May 24-26—Unitah Basin Livestock Amateur Gem Cutter, By LELANDE QUICK . . 30 Show, Vernal, Utah. HOBBY May 26-27 — Sierra Club overnight Gems ard Minerals 31 camping trip to New York and CLOSE-UPS Ivanpah Mountains, California. About those who write for Desert 36 May 26-28—Fiesta of San Felipe de BOOKS Neri, Old Town Plaza, Albuquer- Reviews of Southwest literature 37 que, New Mexico. COMMENT Just Between You and Me, By the editor ... 38 May 26-July 5—All New Mexico Art LANDMARK Show, Old Town Plaza, Albuquer- Desert Trail Shrine Is Dedicated 39 que, New Mexico.

May 30-31—D. U. P. Stake Memo- The Desert Magazine is published monthly by the Desert Press, Inc., Palm Desert, rial Day celebration, Fillmore, Utah. California. Re-entered as second cla^s matter July 17, 1948, at the post office at Palm Desert, California, under the Act of March 3, 1879. Title registered No. 358865 in U. S. Patent Office, and contents copyrighted 1950 by the Desert Press, Inc. Permission to reproduce contents May 30-June 2—Annual Elks' Rodeo, must be secured from the editor in writing. Carlsbad. New Mexico. RANDALL HENDERSON, Editor 1SESS STACY, Business Manager May — Exhibition of southwestern MARTIN MORAN, Circulation Manager E. H. VAN NOSTRAND, Advertising Manager Los Angeles Office (Advertising Only): 2635 Adelbert Ave., Phone NOrmandy 3-1509 paintings by H. Arden Edwards. Unsolicited manuscripts and photographs submitted cannot be returned or acknowledged Southwest Museum, Highland Park. unless full return postage is enclosed. Desert Magazine assumes no responsibility for California. damage or loss of manuscripts or photographs although due care will be exercised. Sub- scribers should send notice of change of address by the first of the month preceding issue. May—Week end chuck wagon break- SUBSCRIPTION RATES fasts in the desert by automobile, One Year $:i.5O Two Years Sfi.00 horseback, hay-wagon or tally-ho. Canadian Subscriptions 25c Extra, Foreign 50e Extra Palm Springs, California. Subscriptions to Army Personnel Outside U. S. A. Must Be Mailed in Conformity With P. O. D. Order No. 19687 Address Correspondence to Desert Magazine, Palm Desert, California

MAY, 1951 Dropping from the rim of Marble Gorge at 350 feet a minute. There has been no accident to passenger or crew member. Drill Crew in Marble Gorge

Deep within the 2500-foot walls of Colorado River's Marble Gorge finger of the river deep in the shadows. a little crew of men from the Bureau of Reclamation has been engaged For more than a year, the squat for many months in preliminary drilling to determine if the site is suit- group of tents and house trailers had able for a 230-foot dam. This is one of the most inaccessible damsites sat on the rim, living quarters for the along the Colorado River—but Uncle Sam found a way to get his men crew making preliminary investigations and supplies down over the precipitous canyon walls. to determine a site for the proposed Marble Gorge dam. A small spot in By JOYCE ROCKWOOD MUENCH the desert landscape, 21 miles over Photographs by Josef Muench Navajo lands from U. S. Highway 89 at Cedar Ridge trading post and 100 BERING OVER the edge of upward to the steel tripod beside us. from the nearest railhead at Flagstaff, Marble Canyon, we could see The setting was tremendous. Rug- it is the focal point for a battle front the small squares of the tent- ged canyon walls swooped downward, in the 200 years' war with the great camp, 2200 feet below us. The tiny decorated by thousands of centuries river. ant-like figures down there were Rec- of weathering. Each passing age had Machinery and equipment brought lamation Bureau men, taking the mea- left its mark in definite layers on the by men is dwarfed against the over- sure of the Colorado for another dam, rock, and the inner gorge of marble, whelming size of the canyon they seek their only contact with the outside tinted red from its overlying beds, drew to subdue. A trail hacked from the world, a thread of cable stretching the eye inescapably to the wandering rocks down Twenty-Nine Mile Can-

DESERT MAGAZINE Marble Gorge damsite in the Colorado River above Grand Canyon. The gorge is 2500 feet deep at this point and men and supplies are lowered to the river on a double relay of cable, the first being a vertical drop of 2200 feet to the camp shown in the center of the picture. From this point another cable drops 350 feet to the edge of the river where borings are going on.

MAY, 195 1 yon leads to another outpost of tents, Even though the exact location of Earl Corey hoistmen, Fred and "Red," set on a narrow ledge, 350 feet above the proposed dam is still uncertain, the cooks, drillers, and engineers, the water. But before the real work proportions for it have been fixed. It are welded together by Bert into a of probing could begin, an aerial will stand 365 feet above bedrock and smoothly working team. They seem staircase was needed, flung from the 290 above the water, with a power to enjoy the vigorous life and I found plateau into the gorge. So the world's plant capable of producing about 360,- myself thinking they looked like Greek longest unsupported cable was in- 000 kilowatts, and a reservoir extend- warriors, bronzed by the sun and very stalled, 3800 feet of steel rope one ing up canyon to the proposed Glen fit. Some of them were shirtless but and three eights inches thick. Fastened Canyon Dam. When the entire project hatted, and a grin appeared to be only at the upper 20-foot structural of taming the Colorado is complete, standard equipment even though the steel tower and again to a lower an- this will be one of the necessary check temperature in the canyon is always chor block and fitted with a freight reins, fitting neatly into the patterns ten degrees higher than on the rim and cage, it cuts travel time to the canyon to make used of every single drop of it may reach 119 degrees in summer. bottom from eight hours on the trail water, for power or irrigation, in the Nights, they assured us, were cooler, to a breathless fifteen minutes. 2000 mile length of the Colorado. but there were apt to be mosquitos. There were six in our party, come Many factors will enter into the de- We photographed the men as well to see this wonder, ride down the cable cision as to when the dam may be as the gaunt canyon walls, the cable and view the proposed dam site: Red constructed but whenever and where- web, the river rushing by and the rig Baron from Detroit, Irene Johnson ever it stands, the necessary field work floating on it. Then darkening skies of Cliff Dwellers Lodge, my photog- to blue prints or concrete pouring, is urged us up to the ledge and aboard rapher husband, our 14-year old son, moving steadily ahead. the freight cage to swing skyward. We David, and myself. I found that with only a small were about halfway up when the skies The hoist man assured us that the stretch of imagination, I could see the opened and drenched us with icy water. heavy strands of metal were strong great white bulk of the dam, set solidly The shower lasted only until we were enough to carry a 2000 pounds load, in the Redwall formation of the inner wet all the way through and then so we needn't worry about our com- gorge. moved southward in a solid phalanx bined weights taxing it. He pointed The "marble" for which the canyon of black, cutting off our retreat over out the 40-foot system of take up is named is a sandstone, massive and the Reservation road which we had blocks to allow for the expansion and compact, light gray when freshly expected to take us to a six o'clock contraction natural in this changeable broken but colored by red shales of dinner date at Cliff Dwellers Lodge. desert climate. the Supai formation above it. You've "You couldn't possibly make it in Yes, of course, it had been danger- probably seen the same conspicuous your car," Al Love told us. "Not even ous work installing it, with men cling- red cliffs in the Grand Canyon. They four wheeled jobs would be able to ing to the cliff face to drill in the rock, always stand in the same relative posi- reach Cedar Ridge tonight." setting the rollers to ease the cable tion, a bulky 500 feet thick. Here, the So we stayed for dinner and had a over rock ground, and even pulling top layers have been scraped off by glimpse of what life is like for a Rec- the cable down after thinner strands erosion and the lower ones lie below lamation crew in the field. Several of of wire. But there had been no acci- the river, showing only about 350 feet. us sat out under the stars and talked dent to workmen or to visitors in all Redwall was laid down two hundred about the building of dams and the the months. And every hour spent in million years ago when huge amphibi- men who build them. The conversa- the construction had saved days of ans ruled the earth. tion turned to this crew and their fam- trail work and made it possible for In this new age, when man has ilies in Phoenix, Flagstaff, or a more the drill rigs and steel pontoons to be taken over, the formations are being distant place. The men look forward let down. They could never have been probed by diamond drills to find the to the weekend when they can go transported on burro back. depth and condition of bedrock, how home. Not every Reclamation camp When we stepped into the cage and much gravel lies in the river's throat is as remote as Marble Canyon and felt it push off into space / expected and whether the canyon walls will bear there are times when the men live at to be frightened. But there was so the weight of a great dam. One of the home. But they are often called away, much to sec and the sensation of flying drill rigs rides on steel pontoons, being soldiers in the service of their was so delightful there was no room anchored midstream by wire cables country, in the long war against the left for fear. Gravity seemed suspended reaching to either wall, and another Colorado. Their eyes are on the future for our special benefit and the walls on the north shore, both bringing up and they think in terms of an expanded grew like bean-stalks, millions of years a procession of cores from each foot vision. The day of triumph will come passing in close review. At one place of rock interior. The sections, a few long after they, as individuals, have we hovered 700 feet above the rocks inches long and about two in diameter stepped out of the battle line, but they and we could see our shadows, just as are marked for their source by the share in the coming victory. birds may, skimming across the irregu- engineer but the date of birth can be In a few months this site with its lar surface. All too soon the cage was read in the fossils they contain. Boxes stirring activity will be deserted and settling beside a platform and we were of the cores form a continual parade another one investigated. The cables being welcomed by the camp foreman, from way down in Marble Canyon to will swing at Mile 39.5 (figured from Bert Lucas. the Denver office of the Bureau of Mile "0" at Lees Ferry) the longer Now another drop opened below us Reclamation for study. one 300 feet shorter but over a still and we were soon swinging on a shorter We began to wonder how many steeper drop and the lower one 500 cableway, 700 feet through the air, men it had taken to perform the mira- feet longer than at present. The same across the stream and down to the cles we saw about us—surely an army! gigantic walls will shut them in and sandy shore. Here we had reached the Bert Lucas told us it was only a hand- the same kind of problems test their spot which had been picked for inten- ful, 16 to 20 in the usual crew. They skill and vigor. The battle front will be sive study by the Reclamation Bureau. work for two 40-hour weeks or a ten pushed on, one step closer to the The selection was m^de only after day period followed with four days building of a dam in the mighty maw the entire 65 mile length of the canyon off. Al Love, labor foreman. Bill of Marble Canyon, one more strong rim had been searched. Gardner, geologist, Danny Daley and link in harness for the Colorado River.

DESERT MAGAZINE Paradise—where a great stream of mineralized water gushes from the wall of Marble Canyon a mile above the proposed damsite. This lovely sidewall oasis was named by John Wesley Powell in honor of Dr. George W. Vasey, botanist of the U. S. Department of Agriculture.

MAY, 1951 Dora Tucker and the author examining some of the Nevada State Senator Harry Wiley and Mrs. Wiley in silver ore specimens found in the abandoned cabin front of their small general store, gasoline station and which was used as their temporary home in Goldpoint. postoffice in the ghost camp of Goldpoint.

audible sound—not so much as the rustle of a creosote leaf—and every visible movement seemed to be en- Forgotten Ghost compassed in one fluttering sparrow hawk. Thirty-five miles to the southwest spread the forbidding outskirts of of Gold Mountain Death Valley, separated from us only by the dark bulwark of the Slate Range and Gold Mountain. Somewhere in those rough hills lay our destination With a Nevada state senator as guide, Nell Murbarger followed a —two ghost towns so long deserted rocky road which led to a group of ghost mining camps so long de- that their one-time existence has been serted that their existence has almost been forgotten. Here is the story nearly forgotten! of a camp which 80 years ago was producing rich ore—but today has It was Harry Wiley, of Goldpoint, only its memories. Nevada state senator from Esmeralda county, who first told me of these By NELL MURBARGER towns. Photographs by the author Map by Norton Allen "If you can arrange your itinerary to include Goldpoint," he had written, TO BE rolling along a Ne- streams. Viewed through the clear air "I'll show you a couple of old boom vada highway in May had been their snowy summits seemed incredibly camps so little known that their his- grand enough; but once we had close; yet, for all they had in common tory never has been recorded . . . ' exchanged that smooth ribbon of pave- with the land we were crossing, they If Harry's previous acquaintance ment for the dusty little desert road, might have been the peaks of another had included many chronic ghost we felt that we really had Adventure planet. towners like Dora Tucker and me, he by the forelock. Here in Lida Valley were neither wouldn't have worried about the itin- It was a morning specially designed brooks nor trees, but only desert— erary. Our 25 years of gypsying around for adventuring. Along the western pure and unadulterated. Heat lay together have left us with definite aver- horizon stretched the 14,000-foot range upon the flat like a fleecy blanket. sion for anything resembling a time of the White Mountains, pine forested Even the scattered Joshuas seemed table, and the only schedule we ever and laced by a hundred sparkling strangely somnolent. There was no attempted to follow was sure to have

8 DESERT MAGAZINE jfio NEVADA ::|

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TO DE4TH V4LLEY a major operation on its first day, and houses—one a small "clubroom" and tain, and mining reports of the 1870's by the second day, scuttled altogether. bar; the other, a pocket-sized general and '80's invariably refer to them un- By return mail I had assured Harry store, gasoline station and postoffice der these names. that no itinerary would keep us away operated by Harry and Mrs. Wiley. "I must confess," he went on, "I from Goldpoint and the promised After tendering us the sort of wel- have no personal knowledge of these ghost towns. come that a promoter might reserve camps when they were operating. All Seven miles on the graveled Lida for potential investors, Harry climbed I know about them is what I have road brought us to a fork where we into the front seat with Dora and me, been told by Doug Robinson. I wish turned left on a semi-improved dirt and leaving Mrs. W. to cope with the Doug could have been here to give road. Another seven miles—-all up- assorted commerce of Goldpoint, we you the story, but he's probation offi- grade—and we were rolling through headed off into the range. cer of Inyo County now and doesn't get back to his old Nevada stamping the main street of that mile-high min- Following a twisting course, but ing camp which has served as Sena- grounds very often. Both Doug and bearing in a southwesterly direction, his sister, Mrs. Laura Bulmer, of tor Harry's headquarters for nearly 50 the little-traveled desert trail labored years. Reno, were born at Gold Mountain. up steep ridges, skirted rocky can- So far as is known, they're the survivors Important mineral discoveries made yons, clung to one-way curves and of all those who lived here when these here in the forepart of this century had wallowed across dry washes. Branch were operating camps. Doug and I resulted in the founding of this camp trails led away to either side and other have been close friends since 1905 which was known as Hornsilver until trails intersected and crossed. Occa- and I've heard him tell so often of 1929, when its present name was sionally the main route divided, only the early days in these two towns that adopted. A contemporary of such to rejoin itself a few hundred yards sometimes it seems almost as though spectacular boom camps as Rhyolite, beyond. I have lived there myself . . ." Bullfrog, Fairview and Wonder, this "Bear to your left," Harry would stubborn old settlement has continued say. "You'll miss a bad stretch of As our trail bumped onward through to muddle through while the sites of sand ..." or "Take the right fork— the desert hills, Harry unfolded the her one-time rivals have reverted to it's not so rocky." Between giving basic story. desert. road instructions he told UJ; some- Original strike in the area, he told That two world wars and other vi- thing of the places we were about to us, had been made about 1866 by cissitudes have left her hold on life visit. Thomas Shaw, following which the rather shaky, is evidenced by the rows "Like Goldpoint," he said, "both of Gold Mountain mining district was of dilapidated false-front buildings these old camps are known by two organized in '68. Little outside atten- which flank her dusty streets. Almost names. Folks like myself, whose per- tion was centered on the area until without exception they are empty sonal knowledge of them reaches back 1871 when Shaw began development buildings. Many of the headframes only 40 or 50 years, are inclined to of his rich Oriental mine. By this visible on surrounding hillsides are refer to the earlier settlement as Old time there were in production several standing over silent mine shafts and Camp and the newer as Stateline, for other mines including the Stateline, ghostly dumps. the Stateline mine. During their actual Dusty Bob and Nova Zembla. Where 2000 persons once lived, we years of activity, however, they were "By 1872," said Harry, "Gold found but two remaining business known as Oriental and Gold Moun- Mountain was a lively camp with

MAY, 195 1 weekly pony express service from the nearest railway point, which was Bat- tle Mountain, aoout 250 miles to the north. The rider, who handled the southern half of this route from Aus- tin to Gold Mountain, stayed overnight twice weekly at San Antone station, then the home of Doug's mother, Mrs. Alice Robinson." Beginning about 1875, Gold Moun- tain had come in for much newspaper publicity in which the Stateline mine was represented as one of the truly great mines of that day. Ore from the Oriental likewise was showing some fabulous assays. In Uncle Sam's Sev- enth Annual Report of Mineral Re- sources West of the Rocky Mountains, published in 1875, it was stated that selected specimens from the Oriental showed a gold and silver content of $1370.79 per ton, while nine unse- lected samples from the same mine averaged $169.19 per ton in silver and $13.47 in gold. The same report credited the Nova Zembla with ore averaging $302.87 to the ton, and the Good Templar, $233.55. Samples from 50 different claims in the Gold Mountain district were said to average $150 to the ton. "Sale of stock," said Harry, "was being pushed throughout the East, especially in New York, and a long period of prosperity was predicted for the camp." At this point in the chronicle we were approaching the summit of a rocky ridge when we caught our first sight of stone ruins. For the most part these tumbled buildings consisted of little more than foundations, or the fronts of hillside dugouts. Occasionally there appeared a roofless wall as high as a man's head, and here and there a stone chimney stood guard over the site of a vanished house. Well trained as a ghost towner, the car seemed to halt of its own volition as we reached the most concentrated portion of the ruins. "This is it!" said Harry. "This is the business section of Gold Mountain. That chimney and backwall, yonder, are all that remain of Dennis Reme-

Above — The massive fireplace ami oven is about all that remains of Dennis Remeset's former bak- ery at Gold Mountain, Nevada.

Below -- Around the base of a rocky knoll, a mile west of Gold Mountain, this fort was built as protection if Indians should attack. The double-faced, earth-filled wall averages six feet in height and is 225 feet long.

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ty store buildings and Joshua trees line the streets of Goldpoint, Nevada, former boomtown. set's bakery, and that excavation across at seven cents a gallon. In the late the street was the basement of Tallman at last exceeded the anticipated pain '70's the Gold Mountain Mining of its removal, the molar was extracted. & Squires' general store, which also Company had started erecting a 40- housed the postoffice. The store closed "But it wasn't painless dentistry!" stamp mill and steam hoist, and for laughed Harry. "Doug Robinson's about 1884 but the postoffice contin- water to operate it had laid 15 miles ued to function for another five or six son, at Boulder City, still owns those of pipeline from Mt. Magruder and pioneer pullers!" years. By the way," he added, "I for- Tule Canyon to Gold Mountain. The got to speak about it as we came up pipe first installed proved too light to All material for the big mill, hoist, the ravine, but those first ruins we withstand the pressure in the valley and water system, was hauled in from passed marked the former site of between the springs and the mill and Wadsworth, near Reno, by "long line" Chinatown. The Chinese did laundry had to be replaced; but with comple- —12 to 16-horse teams. Freight rates work and cooking, or whatever com- tion of the line in 1882 the town ob- were exorbitantly high. By 1881 a mon labor came to hand." tained its water from the mining com- man named Cluggage was operating As we, in imagination, strove to re- pany. a stageline from Belmont to Gold create the old town, we wandered over Mountain by way of San Antone, While pioneering conditions at Gold Columbus, Silver Peak and Lida. its site, pausing now and again to pick Mountain were not so rigorcus as in up a square-cut iron nail, a piece of About 1882, the Carson and Colorado some other parts of the West, life railroad was extended to Candelaria, desert-purpled glass, or some other there was not easy. The nearest doc- fragmentary souvenir of bygone days. and mail and passengers arrived at tor was at Candelaria, 85 miles away; Gold Mountain via twice-weekly stages In the earlier years of the camp, and not even at Candelaria was there according to Harry, water was quite from that point. Mail for Old Camp a dentist. The Robinsons owned the (Oriental) was dropped at Gold a problem, most of it being hauled town's only pair of dental forceps and from a spring at Old Camp and sold Mountain and transported to its des- when the torture of a throbbing tooth tination by horseback courier. MAY, 195 1 11 Shortly after inauguration of stage- the hill behind it there was adequate Another mile of upgrade brought line service from Candelaria, Mrs. room for all of Gold Mountain's fron- us to the pinyons and the outlying Robinson assumed charge of the Gold tier defenders, as well as their women ruins of Oriental, situated just under Mountain stage station and operated and children. 8000 feet elevation. Due to its greater it until 1890, providing travelers with Examining the place, we saw dead age or briefer period of occupancy, we sleeping accommodations and meals Joshua trunks along the top of the found here far less evidence of a at 50 cents each. wall. Further inspection revealed that former town than at Gold Mountain. "And those were real he-man meals!" the trunks had not rotted and fallen Except for the roofless walls and fire- said Harry. "None of your 'Blue Plate in that position, but had been hewn place of the original Robinson home Specials.' I've heard Doug tell about by axe. The only conclusion we could and the Oriental postoffice, Harry was Sam Piper bringing prime dressed draw was that the trunk sections had unable to identify any of the rock ruins beef from his ranch in Fish Lake been cut and placed there at the time which dotted the pine and cedar-grown Valley and selling it for a nickel a the fort was built—doubtless as a hillside and lined the canyon to the pound! Other wagon peddlers, from means of affording additional protec- west. For the most part they appeared Owens Valley, in California, brought tion and to provide firing loopholes, to have been dwellings. in pork and poultry, eggs, fresh fruit, which were lacking in the rock por- At the junction of the road and the honey and vegetables." tion of the wall. Smaller breastworks, canyon, sits an old steam engine in According to Harry, the worst time on the shoulder of the knoll and near apparently sound condition. Accord- they had at Gold Mountain was dur- its summit, likewise were topped with ing to our guide, this engine was in- ing the winter of 1889-90 when all the Joshua butts—many of them firm and stalled some time prior to 1871, and roads were blocked by snow and for stout despite the 80-odd years which was used to power an arrastre, now four months no wagons or pack ani- must have elapsed since they were cut. vanished, but originally located only mals could make it through to the Returning to Gold Mountain proper, a few yards to the southeast. The camp. The store was completely sold we visited the mill foundations, shaft, primitive-type mill was operated until out of food. Greater hardship might and caved stope of the old Stateline 1900, largely on ore brought down have resulted but for the fact that mine—said to have been one of the the mountainside by pack mules. many Indians in the vicinity were vir- first mines patented in the State of As we left Old Camp and headed tually starving and would haul flour Nevada. With the sun already drop- back across the hills to Goldpoint and over the mountains on hand sleds on ping toward the hills on the west and supper, Dora asked the inevitable a 50-50 basis—one sack for the hauler still another ghost town to be covered question, "What killed the camps?" and one for the purchaser. before nightfall, we drew the curtain Harry shrugged. "The usual thing! Relations between Indians and on Gold Mountain and headed across The ore which was to be so rich didn't whites of that locality had not always wide Oriental Wash toward Old Camp. hold up to assay figures. The stamp been so amicable. In 1868 a couple "If you were to follow this wash to mill at Gold Mountain was as good of miners had been killed by Indians its mouth," said Harry, 'you would as anyone knew how to build in those in Oriental Wash, two miles from Gold come out at Sand Springs, in the days but milling processes were crude Mountain; and the area suffered peri- northern part of Death Valley. Doug and half the values were lost. On top odic Indian scares. The first time an tells some great tales about the old of this, there was prolonged litigation. attack was threatened, every person burro prospectors of Death Valley Doug's father, H. H. Robinson, who in camp scurried for cover in one of region who used to come up Oriental was postmaster and kept the store at the mine tunnels. When it was real- Wash to Gold Mountain for supplies. Gold Mountain, was put in as receiver ized that this was not the most com- For the most part, he says, they were of the Stateline property from time to mendable safety measure—since one hunting the Lost Breyfogle mine, but time between 1883 and 1886, and be- or two members of the attacking force some, like Old Man Beatty, were just tween 1886 and 1890 had full charge could effectually block all escape from looking for anything they could find. of the mine and its workings. the tunnel until its inhabitants had "Jake Staininger, who cultivated an "During the eight-year period from succumed to thirst or starvation—the acre-or-so of ground where Death Val- 1882 to 1890, the mill operated a total camp built a stone fort around a nearby ley Scotty's two-million-dollar castle of only three years, with many starts knoll. now stands, always tried to make it to and stops. In 1890 the property was "Want to see that fort?" asked Gold Mountain for Christmas. One sold and the Robinsons moved away. Harry. "It's still standing!" year he arrived five days late because Finally the water pipeline was pulled Piling into the car, we headed down he had forgotten to cut the notches on and the camp abandoned . . . the wash toward a rocky knoll a mile his 'time stick.' When he learned that "And I guess that's about all there to the west. It was not a large knoll Christmas was over for another year, is to the tale," said Esmeralda's Sen- but as a means of repelling Indian the old man was sore as a boiled owl!" ator Wiley as we topped the last ridge attack, it must have been ideal. With For several miles we had been climb- and looked out over the darkening its summit commanding an unob- ing steadily up a stiff grade and were expanse of Lida Valley which lay like structed view over several thousand entering the lower fringe of the juniper a quiet sea at the foot of the grade. acres of surrounding territory, it belt when Harry pointed off to the To the west, the high range was sil- right where a small spot of brilliant would have been impossible for an houetted blackly against the flaming green stood out vividly against the enemy to approach the place unseen. splash of sunset, and a few windows in more sombre tones of the distant hill- the weathered frame buildings of Further protection was afforded by side. a massive breastwork which half en- Goldpoint already showed the friendly circled the base of the hill. Built as "See that green speck? That's the glow of coal oil lamps. a double rock wall, with center filling only cottonwood tree for miles around! "It will be dark in thirty minutes," of earth, we found its average width There's a spring near the tree and said the Senator. "You'd better grab to be three to five feet, its greatest many years ago a fellow named B. F. one of those empty cabins down there inside height about six feet, and its Leete ran a small mill there. It quit and stay all night." length 225 feet. Between the wall and operating about 1888." It sounded like a very good idea.

12 DESERT MAGAZINE Gilbert, Nevada's latest ghost town, sleeps in the sun. It once had 800 residents and a weekly newspaper.

One of the last of the Nevada gold strikes was made in 1924 in the Monte Cristo Mountains. GEM HUNT ON A It was while enroute to the ghost of this old camp 29 miles from Tonopah that Harold and Lucile Weight, following a rock collec- tor's hunch, discovered a field Ghost Town Trail where obsidian nodules could be gathered by the hatful. Here is an interesting lesson in the By HAROLD O. WEIGHT geology of obsidian and its re- lation to that much-in-demand Photographs by the author insulation material known as Map by Norton Allen perlite.

HEN EVA Wilson, Lucile and for a natural gateway in the east face place to find out what the makers of I headed into the vivid vol- of the Monte Cristos. the trail were looking for or had found. canic Monte Cristo Mountains As we approached them from the We left the truck to investigate. of Nevada last September, our primary southeast, the Monte Cristos were After climbing a little mesita, I purpose was to visit the ghost town of brilliantly colored — wide irregular paused and looked back toward the Gilbert, which lies in the heart of that bandings of orange accented in black southeast. It was late afternoon. The colorful range. That old camp held with grey and ashy areas above and gateway of the pass by which we had particular interest for us in that the below, and what appeared to be the just entered the mountains was bril- discovery of gold there by the Gilbert remnants of black and reddish lava liant in the golden glow. Through it brothers in 1924 set off Nevada's last flows. we could see the vast shadow-streaked real mining rush, and Gilbert was the While we were hunting a ghost town, width of the Great Smoky Valley last substantial boom camp in the state. we were keeping our rockhound eyes and the thread of a distant highway We left Highway 6 and 95 less than wide open too. Beautiful material—a leading to Tonopah. We were at least Wi miles beyond the ruins of the great variety of it—has come from 20 miles away but the individual build- milling town of Millers and 14.2 miles these mountains. And rocks came into ings of the great silver camp could be northwest of Tonopah, turning right the picture just as we passed the pic- picked out. onto the big playa there. The turnoff turesque portals into the Morte Cris- Lucile and Eva had not gone far was indicated by a wooden arrow be- tos. It was only a faint auto trail angl- before there were exclamations such side the highway with the name "An- ing to the right. But somehow that as would come only from a rockhound jax" on it. The road we followed trail looked like a rockhound road— on a hot trail. had a number of chuckholes when dry or at least a road that roc'vhounds "Volcanic tears," called Lucile, and and would be thoroughly unsatisfac- should investigate. as I approached she showed me sculp- tory when wet. We consulted a moment, and the tured chunks of volcanic glass so large This lower end of the Great Smoky ghost town lost. I turned onto the that one nearly covered the palm of Valley is spider-webbed with a variety sandy trail. Half a mile farther it her hand. Eva came up too, the of roads and trails—some of them branched again, the right fork head- crown of her broad-brimmed red straw dating to freighting days of half a ing directly toward the towering vol- hat full. Eva was happy. Before start- century ago. But from our maps we canic mountain beside us. That branch ing the Nevada trip, she had told us knew the one we wanted was heading couldn't go far, and it seemed a good she wanted pick up one volcanic tear

MAY, 195 1 13 *~*-,_/ //OBSIDIANITE 24.0 Mi.

S M 0 K Y \ :-V;,:^;5'^A;%,-VV*--...•••Gilberta=^;--"-°"'?'>".'i':? *-?•

Tonopah P ••'«/.:;•

TO GOLDFIELO

—just one would be enough. Here, in natural mother rock for volcanic tears, a few square rods, she had collected a GHOST TOWN LOG since they had been reported in the double handful. Miles same matrix from Arizona (Desert, 00.0 Tonopah. Head northwest on I traced the obsidian nodules toward Highway 6 & 95 toward Mina. Aug. 1939). But having found them the base of the mountain. They con- i2.8 Left branch to ruins of Millers, in place, I still was unable to hazard tinued up the steep slopes. It looked once big ore milling center for a guess as to their formation. Some as if we had come upon the hideout Tonopah. Continue ahead on occurred singly and were quite round main highway. while others—angled ones—were clust- of the granddaddies of all volcanic 14.2 Turn right on dirt road over tears, and most of them of cutting playa. Small arrow beside high- ered in groups. It was quite obvious quality—smoky-grey, banded, amber- way at turnoff is marked "An- that the obsidianites had not been brownish. jax." There are many crossroads made first, with the perlite flowing on playa. Continue on main around them later. The formation of these colorful little route toward pass in the east nodules of volcanic glass has always face of Monte Cristos, near Chipping some good specimens off intrigued me. Collecting them as float northern end of mountains. the cliff, complete with obsidianites of in a number of localities, I've figured 18.8 Road Y. Keep left. various sizes I returned to the car. By out any number of plausible explana- 23.5 Just through gateway of pass, crossing a narrow gulch to the north turn right from main road onto tions. But an explanation that seemed sandy tracks. and coming down a ridge, I found a to apply in one location would break 24.0 Faint tracks branch right onto much safer way to reach the cliff than down in another. For a long time, I'd mesa. Obsidianites may be found the one by which I had climbed. This hoped to find them in place, feeling all around this area. Obsidianites perlite dike has been filed upon by in place in grey cliff half way up that then I might be able to dope out mountain at end of side trail. Nevada miners and assessment work the whys and wherefores. NOTE: The grey dike (perlite) has been done. However, there are Here it looked as if I might do just has been filed upon ;.nd discov- enough loose obsidianites below the that. About half way up the mountain- ery work done by Nevada min- dike and all around the mountain ers. However, there are plenty side was a tall contorted gray cliff. of volcanic tears, as float, on slopes to supply almost any number The volcanic tears might be coming slopes below the dike all around of collectors. from that dike. It was a steep and the mountain. While I had been studying the ge- difficult climb to the cliff, but when I 24.5 (Approx.) Washes to right of ology of the dike, Lucile and Eva had road lead up to area below finally made it, the ledge beneath my orange outcrop where opalite, been prospecting the broad wash com- feet was littered with volcanic tears chalcedony, and other colorful ing down from the north and west. which had weathered out, and the cliff cutting rocks may be collected. They had found bits of jasp-opal, chal- itself looked like a greyish rice pudding 28.8 (Direct mileage from Tonopah, cedony and a striking banded pastelite plentifully spotted with raisins and without rock-collecting detour) which called for more investigation. spiced with big plums. As I examined Gilbert ghost town. We followed the main side road up the dike closely, I found that it was the valley to its end, more than a mile composed of perlite, and each tear was nodules ranged in size from three farther, then headed back down the delicately wrapped in many thin layers inches down to perhaps a quarter of rough and narrow track seeking a pro- of pearly grey which followed the an inch. tected spot to camp for the night. We shape of each nodule exactly. The Perlite apparently, then, was the pulled off at last onto a little flat under

14 DESERT MAGAZINE Obsidianites as they occur in the lustrous pearl-grey perlite in Monte Cristo Mountains. They vary from pea-size to three inches in diameter. a white shale butte and sought the I had noted the day before. Lucile and areas containing chunks of beautiful welcome warmth of sleeping bags. The Eva took oft to investigate a pass jasp-opal and opalite. It was most wind died completely before morning through the mountains across the val- colorful stuff—oranges, reds, fine two- and the sun rose clear and hot. I ley to the northeast. tone bandings in brown and tan and headed around the slopes to the south In the washes and on the slopes and white. Unfraetured pieces will cut into and west, aiming for a bright orange small hills in the formation below the fine cabochons and cabinet specimens, outcrop on the main mountain which orange cliff, I found a number of small With the sun high and no wind, Light outcrops are bright orange, and are landmarks for location of pastelite and chalcedony.

•; HMffPiP MAY, 195 1 15 So they loaded the big seven-pas- senger Chandler, "not paid for but impressive," and returned to the Old Camp. They worked out the silver in the Carrie in three days and, discour- aged, decided to go on to American Fork, Utah, where they had relatives. But Fred remembered a little peak less than three miles from Old Camp that he always had intended to prospect. He wanted a day or two to look it over before they moved on. On September 24, 1924, they drove down to the area he had in mind. Their mother, who was 70, came along and was left in a little square wooden shack so she would be in the shade. The three brothers scattered. Fred went to the top of the little hill. Down on the west side he saw a small de- pression. From the bottom of the de- pression he filled his sample sacks. That night, at home, he panned his samples and found a pennyweight gold nugget. "I let out a warwhoop," he Two specimens to lure collectors to the Monte Cristos. Left, polished piece remembers. "First the others thought of laminated pastelite, a beautiful rose-brown. Right, one of the obsidian I'd salted it. Then they suggested the tears which occur in this area. gold must have been in the sample sack. Then they doubted it was real gold." The Gilberts had reason to be the narrow canyons became breathless. pied—nothing but a few dugouts will doubtful. There were silver claims in Finding myself resorting to the can- survive for future generations to con- the area where Fred had made his find, teen too frequently, I headed back. sider picturesque. but no gold mines anywhere in the Lucile and Eva were resting in the Fred and Logan Gilbert are living Monte Cristos. But Fred took a ham- shade of the car. They had found in Luning, Nevada, today and are still mer and smashed the nugget and "it some of the same colorful material prospecting. Currently, after having just spread out." that I had, but in a different state— completed a long hunt for uranium, All three brothers took out for the arrow chippings. In the pass they had they are after manganese and other hill and panned until after dark—with come upon the remnants of an Indian strategic minerals. Herman Gilbert, unsatisfactory results. The mother told trail. Around almost every huge the third brother in the Gilbert strike, the boys to try again. Their lunch the lichen-encrusted boulder near the trail lives in Mina. At Luning,, from Fred next day was cooked over a sagebrush in the pass was a scattering of chips. and Logan, we heard the story of the fire, with snow lying on the ground all Obsidian flakes were most common, boom in the Monte Cristos. around. In the afternoon they began but there was a variety of more color- "We were raised in a prospect hole," to find fine gold in the hill. Each ful material. Possibly this spot was a Fred declares, "and have been pros- sample improved, one pan showing lookout where guards were posted for pecting all our lives." Their father $38. The values were in silicified shale the Indian group that lived at least came across the plains in 1865. They —gold had run into it with the liquid part of the year at Willow spring, a lived in Idaho, Tintic, Pioche, Pahran- silica. few miles to the southwest. Good agat, Reveille. Their father came to water still is obtainable at this spring. the Monte Cristos before 1900, found The Gilberts filed on six claims Lucile also reported that there were the silver mine later known as the around the hill. When the news got thousands of obsidian nodules coming Carrie, and moved his family into the out, six cars came the first day, 17 the down from the mountain to the right mountains. They were there "about next. Visitors were so thick it was of the pass. But we had enough of the the time Jim Butler discovered the almost impossible to work, but the tears, so we loaded our camping equip- Tonopah silver when there were only values continued to soar—one pan- ment, returned to the main road and 21 voters in Nye county." They went ning $97. The real strike, however, made a right turn for Gilbert. A few to the first school in Tonopah, in 1901, was yet to come. miles farther it twisted through low and Fred still remembers the pretty When their friend Dick Raycraft hills, and we came out above the ghost redheaded teacher. became discouraged because the crowd town. Just before they made the Gilbert made work impossible, the Gilberts Gilbert is not an attractive ruin— strike, the three boys were working at sent him to a huge outcropping not perhaps because so much of the debris Millers. But too many of die mill men far away to prospect for them. There is familiar to us and therefore reminis- were suffering from silicosis and noth- Dick found a chunk of highgrade cal- cent of a waste-dump. Somehow—at ing was being done to protect them. cite and quartz running $800-$900 a least to our generation—a ruined gaso- Herman sold some Tonopah Extension ton. But he panned the whole sample line station pump and sign does not stock and moved with their mother and they had no float to trace the have the glamor of an ancient black- into Tonopah. Fred and Logan fol- ledge. smith shop. Tar-paper and wood lowed soon afterward. With no jobs The place where he made the find shacks cannot compete in romance and little money, they decided to go was on land already filed upon as the with weathered adobe and stone. At back to the Monte Cristos, certain that Black Mammoth silver claim, but the the rate that Gilbert is collapsing — some paying ore still remained in the silver was way up in another corner though some buildings still are occu- Carrie. of the property. The Gilberts obtained

16 DESERT MAGAZINE a $10,000 option on the Black Mam- moth, then told Dick to go ahead and find where the rich ore was. Two weeks later Dick found another bit— where the badgers had been working, but it was a long time after that before they located the rock carrying the real values—and then it proved to be in a spot in plain sight around which they had hunted. This strike started the real boom and the Gilbert brothers later sold their share in it for $82,000. Picked sample ore, taken into Tonopah where it was stored in the bank's underground vault, was valued at $18,000 for about 12 ore sacks full—$96,000 a ton. Gil- bert boomed. A townsite was laid out and lots went for high prices. Peak population was about 800, there was a weekly newspaper — The Gilbert Record printed in Tonopah. The real boom was in 1925 and 1926. Miners began to move out the next year and by 1929 the population was down to about 60. They began to move out because the Mammoth mine was having the same trouble that afflicts many desert properties. The rich vein was badly Logan (left) and Fred Gilbert whose strike in the Monte Cristo Mountains faulted. It was lost, found again, fol- was made in 1924. Fred holds picture showing delivery of 12 ore sacks lowed down to 160 feet and lost. The worth $18,000 to a Tonopah bank. Gilbert brothers came back and took a lease when the mine was at the 200 foot level. They got out $14,000 then perlite coating and put the shining of water and the peculiar method of "chased it down" to 600 feet where nodule into a test tube and the tube cracking." they came to a major fault with the over the flame. Soon little wisps of "Here's the story as it might be," possibility that the paying ore might vapor rose from the tube. Jerry explained. "These volcanic glass have shifted 2500 feet in either direc- "See the moisture — the steam — nodules are just the remnants—resid- tion. There the Gilberts gave up, hav- being driven out of the obsidian?" ual wads, you might say—of a dike of ing lost $35,000 on this deal. But Jerry asked. "Obsidian has water in obsidian that is turning into perlite. mining still continues in the district. it—juvenile water it's called since it Yes, that whole big dike where you Fred says: "I think the Farrington was there from the beginning, part of found them probably originally was a and Mammoth are still good mines. the molecular structure of obsidian. solid mass of obsidian from a felsitic But it will take money to develop Perlite has water too—but less." He magma. Then it started drying out— them." rolled the little obsidianite out of the devitrifying. Obsidian looks and feels So we learned the story of Gilbert. test tube. solid to us, but molecularly—from its But my problem of the volcanic tears "Now look at it under the glass." 1 own point of view, you might say— was still unsolved. When we returned looked. The formerly clear glass was it's still a liquid. It continues to crys- from Nevada, I took my specimens of coated with a layer of white, appar- tallize. The crystallization is micro- obsidianite in perlite out to Jerry ently a layer of perlite quite similar to scopic and takes a long time. But Laudermilk, research associate at Po- those which originally had surrounded Nature has plenty of time, and it mona college. When it comes to sleuth- it. doesn't take much heat if there is ing out the mysteries of minerals and "You know about perlite?" Jerry enough time. rocks, Jerry is a super-detective. Jerry questioned. Having just read about it "When the obsidian is almost com- examined the little black blobs in the in Pirsson and Knopf's "Rocks and pletely devitrified, it's perlite. The pearly rock through a magnifying glass. Rock Minerals," I knew. The book volcanic tears are the last survivors of "Let's try an experiment," he said. says: "Perlite—Glassy rock composed the obsidian. They, if left long enough, He got out charcoal, alcohol lamp and of small spheroids, usually from small will devitrify layer after layer. So the blowpipe, pried one of the tears still shot to pea size. The spheroids either little pearls in perlite are the last stage. partly coated with perlite out of the lie separated in a sort of cement and They are the ghosts of the obsidian mass. With the nodule on the char- are round, or they are closely aggre- nodules." coal, he directed a fine hot flame gated and polygonal. They tend to Jerry made it clear he was just put- against it. Soon there was a crackling have a concentric, shelly structure and ting two and two together. But so far and fine white dust drifted from the are the result of a contraction phe- as I am concerned, the Mystery of the nodule. nomenon in the cooling glass, which Obsidian Nodules is another solved "You're popping the perlite," I said. produces a spherical, spiral cracking. case. Next time I go into the colorful "Not only the perlite," Jerry re- . . . They have a rather constant per- Monte Cristos to collect them, I can sponded. "If I'm right, the obsidian centage of combined water, between concentrate on their beauty, and not is popping too." He took another three and four per cent, and thsre may fracture my brain worrying about how nodule from the perlite, cleaned the be a connection between this amount they were made.

MAY, 1951 17 Barstow, California . . . A unique night mining operation is reported from the recently discovered Starbright tungsten deposit 25 miles north of Barstow. According to the Mineralight Information Service of the Washington, D. C. . . . Austin, Nevada . . . California Division of Mines, the ore The Atomic Energy Commission has Famous Lander Hill, which played is being mined at night by open cut offered bonuses up to $35,000 plus a so important a part in the early de- methods, so ultravolet light may be sharp price boost to stimulate U. S. velopment of Austin and of Central used to check the ore. Approximately production of uranium. The new bonus Nevada, is in line to return to the 30 tons of crude ore are being shipped plan does not supersede the commis- limelight as the result of a transaction daily to Bishop for concentration. The sion's long standing offer, yet to be recently completed. Deep diamond deposit, including an outcrop 100 feet collected, of $10,000 for discovery of drill tests will be conducted to learn long with a maximum width of about a new deposit and production from it just what metals and in what quantities, 40 feet, was discovered in 1950 by A. of 20 tons of ore containing 20 per- are to be found at depths below any C. Lambert of Barstow. It has been cent or more of uranium oxide. The reached in previous operations. The actively mined since August, 1950, by new premium payments program went tests will be made by the Round Moun- Mineral Materials Company of Al- into effect March 1 for three years. It tain Gold Dredging company. The hambra.—Mining Record. applies to newly discovered deposits area to be tested covers approximately • • • producing ores containing as little as 1000 acres. The Nevada Equity com- Washington, D. C. . . . .01 percent uranium oxide. It is pay- pany, which up to three years ago was able on each pound of new production active in the area, will collaborate. It The government has set out to check up to 10,000 pounds. Complete de- is believed mineral wealth of various skyrocketing world prices of tin, one tails of the new schedules are being kinds underlying Lander Hill, greatly of the few strategic minerals which supplied to the mining industry. — exceed all that was recovered during the United States does not produce in Humboldt Star. early operations.—Pioche Record. quantity. It has suspended all pur- • • • chases of tin for the national stockpile • • • and said it will hold down buying of Henderson, Nevada . . . Salt Lake City, Utah . . . the metal for industrial uses to the A bright future for known mangan- Advent of jet engines for both pi- "barest possible minimum." Tin, which ese ore deposits in the vicinity of Carp loted and pilotless aircraft has sent before the outbreak of the Korean war and probably for other promising lo- scientists searching for materials which sold for about 77 cents a pound, now cations is seen, according to an an- are not wilted by acid fumes, intense sells for around $1.79.—Battle Moun- nouncement by United States army heat and extreme pressure. Some of tain Scout. signal corps authorities. New and en- this research is being carried out by • • • larged processing facilities are to be graduate students at the University of Austin, Nevada . . . set up at Henderson to provide new Utah. Supervised by Dr. George R. The Breyfogle Mine, most famous compounds for electric battery use. Hill, acting head of technology, John These will be located at Western Elec- and long sought of all western "lost Weeks, graduate student and reserve mines" was not in Death Valley, where trochemical company at its basic plant. army engineer, began his investigation Much of the ore now being used is many prospectors have died hunting of corrosion of radioactive cobalt un- it. According to a carefully worked said to be coming from Utah. The der a grant from the Atomic Energy Carp workings in the southeast corner out solution, it is in Round Mountain. Commission. Weeks will subject co- The error in calculations which set of Lincoln county, 40 miles down balt to various acids under mechanic- Rainbow canyon from Caliente, prom- Breyfogle and his many successors ally brutal conditions, then disolve and hunting the lost mine 200 miles from ise to step into the picture in a big evaporate the corrosion film. The co- way.—Caliente Herald. its actual location, is explained in a balt "rust" being radioactive, can be story written by Harold Weight, editor • • • measured by a Geiger counter.—Salt Esmercdda, Nevada . . . of the Calico Print.—Reese River Re- Lake Tribune. view. Higher prices and a constantly in- • • • • • • creasing demand for tungsten, one of the strategic metals, has sent Nevada Washington, D. C. . . . Tonopah, Nevada . . . prospectors into the hills searching for Representative Walter S. Baring of Operations on the War Eagle group new deposits. Owners of prospects in Nevada has introduced a bill designed of claims located in San Antone can- the Nye, Esmeralda and Mineral to increase production of strategic and yon, west branch of Meadow canyon, county areas are showing renewed critical minerals by making incentive is expected to begin early this spring activity. At least half a dozen prop- payments. It provides for increasing according to W. A. Flower, owner of erties in these sections have already the country's ore reserves by putting the land. He has sold a half interest started operations. The Nevada Tung- into operation a liberal exploration in his holdings to a group of mining sten corporation has re-opened and plan in which mining companies will men from Tacoma, Washington, is now operating the Sodaville flota- act as agents of the government in headed by Ed Doty, who will be in tion mill, concentrating tailings of the expending exploration funds on their charge of the work. The War Eagle old Atkins-Kroll mill which operated own properties. "The automatic in- group is comprised of 11 claims, tra- on ore from the Silver Dyke tungsten centive payment plan worked for cop- versed for several thousand feet by a mine in 1918. Other large and already per, lead and zinc and I do not see quartz vein carrying gold and silver. operating companies are planning to why it should not work for all strategic The crosscut tunnel, driven 5 years expand. Renewed activity in tungsten metals and minerals," Baring said. ago for the purpose of cutting the vein mining in Nevada does not come as a According to him, the bill in no way at a verticle depth of 250 feet, will be surprise since it is a highly strategic interfers with the authority of the I. completed as soon as possible and ex- mineral, holding high priority in gov- M. A. under the Defense Production tensive driftings on the vein will be ernment needs.—Pioche Record. Act.—Humboldt Star. done.—Tonopah Times Bonanza.

18 DESERT MAGAZINE Monticello. Utah . . . The largest uranium-copper deposit CM in the United States, according to Fletcher Bronson, is in the Happy Jack By A. FRED EADS mine located in White Canyon. It is T WAS in the year 1923 that news its gold content. The assay produced owned by Cooper and Bronson of trickled into Los Angeles through a small button of gold which he car- Monticello. The ore mined from it is grapevine channels that the great- ried in a glass vial. When he showed more than enough to keep the mill at est of all California gold discoveries White Canyon running. There is a me this he remarked that it was the had been made in Mono Coumy. The only measurable quantity of the pre- surplus stockpile each week, both at gold was in Mono Lake. the mill and mine. The mine has been cious metal that had ever been ex- worked only two or three years, and With a friend, I left immediately for tracted from the lake. the ore is increasing in volume and the the scene of the new gold strike. When He estimated that the water carried percentage of minerals in value. Three we reached Mono Lake I found that in solution $1.00 a ton in gold and 15 hundred fifty feet back in the mine every foot of the 60-mile shoreline pounds of chemical ash. Using such there is a deposit of pitchblende, one had been staked out as mining claims. approximate measurements as were of the richest sources of uranium. — Seven more or less crude gold recov- available, he and I sat down and esti- San Juan Record. ery plants had been installed along mated that Mono Lake contained 15 the western shore of the lake and an billion tons of water. If this figure is eighth plant was on the north shore. correct, then there were in the lake Window Rock. Arizona . . . Most of the plants were owned by $15,000,000,000 in gold—more than stock companies formed at Portland, all the gold mined in the United States The eleven-member advisory com- Oregon. None of the companies had mittee of the Navajo tribal council is since the first gold discovery was made. qualified to sell stock in California. And in addition there were 225 bil- starting work on a detailed program One of the men who had made an to develop large uranium deposits on lion pounds of chemical ash—also experimental installation was Profes- worth a fortune. the reservation. Committee members sor Herschel Parker, member of the met with reservation superintendent, American Geographic Society and a Prof. Parker spent several months Allan G. Harper and representatives Fellow of the Royal Society of Lon- experimenting with his recovery plant, of the Atomic Energy Commission, don. He had been a professor of phys- revamping it many times. In the end the geological survey and several ur- ics at Columbia University 20 years. he made the statement that the gold anium processing firms. Navajo pros- Prof. Parker had made a commer- in Mono could not be salvaged by any pectors and miners also sat in on the cial assay of the water in the lake for known chemical or electrical process. sessions. The Navajos hope to have a processing mill for the atomic bomb material built at Shiprock, New Mex- here," he exclaimed. "Too hot fer ico.—Tucson Daily Citizen. MardKock Shorty 'em." Obviously the young ladies • • • were disappointed. They wanted Baker, California . . . some stories they could tell the folks when they returned home. Rare-earth minerals of "highest im- Shorty sensed their disappoint- portance" have been found 35 miles ment. east of Baker, according to Secretary "But they's a lot o' snakes up of the Interior, Oscar Chapman. He along Eight Ball Crick," he as- said the discovery area, six miles long sured them. "Up there the rat- and two wide, makes the United States tlers grow as big as a fire hose, largely self sufficient in rare-earth Hard Rock Shorty was em- an' they can swaller a coyote at minerals, many of wartime value. barrassed. A touring bus filled one gulp. Snakes got so bad one Discovered by geological survey sci- with school teachers spending year Pisgah Bill decided he had entists, they are chiefly cerium, lan- their Easter vacation on a sight- better build a corral fer his bur- thanum, neodymium and praseody- seeing trip through Death Valley ros so they wouldn't wander off mium. Rare-earths are used in arc had stopped at the Inferno store up the crick and get bit. lamps, tracer bullets and luminescent for cold drinks. Hard Rock was "Trouble was he didn't have shells as well as in lamps and pocket half asleep on the bench in front no fence posts. Prospectors'd lighters.—Printer Review. of the store when they arrived, cleaned out all the mesquite fer • • • and immediately he was sur- firewood. Then Pisgah got one Mina, Nevada . . . rounded by more women than o' them smart ideas o' hizen. he had seen in 15 years. He went out an' lassoed a few o' Newmont Mining Corporation has They recognized Shorty as a them rattlers an' staked 'em to completed extention of a 1000-foot local "character" and began ask- those salt cedar switches growin' tunnel into mineral bearing Mt. Di- ing questions. "How hot does it just below the spring. Made the ablo at Candelaria, 27 miles south of get here? Do you have a mine snakes so mad they started bitin' Mina. It is reported to be planning an up in the hills? Where are your the salt cedars. Within 30 min- extensive diamond drilling program burros? etc., etc." utes after a salt cedar got a dose next spring. Mexican prospectors dis- Shorty tried to shrug them off, o' that snake pizen it swelled up covered rich gold-silver ore in the area but his embarrassment only made as big as a full grown mesquite in the 1860s, and Candelaria became them more inquisitive. Finally tree. Inside a week Bill had one of Nevada's leading producers of one of them asked the usual enough fence posts to build two the precious metals within a few years. question: "Do you have any corrals an' six cords o' logs fer The district has been comparatively rattlesnakes around here?" timberin' the tunnel in his silver inactive for nearly 50 years.—Mining mine." Record. "Naw, they ain't no snakes

MAY, 195 1 19 First prize in Desert Magazine's Pictures-of- the-Month contest in March was won by Brooks Hill of Neosho, Missouri, with the accompanying print oi a veteran juniper tree with its root system exposed by the weathering of rain and the erosion of wind and sand. Photograph taken in White Can- yon, Utah, with a Medalist II camera, Super XX film, 200th of a second at f. 22.

JCavien dei Weldon Heald, author and lecturer of Painted Canyon Ranch near Portal, Arizona, was winner of second prize in March with a new picture of the much-photographed mission of San Xavier del Bac near Tucson, Arizona. Photograph taken with a German FECA at f. 4.5. Taken near sunset with Super XX film with Ki filter at 100th of a second. By CONSTANCE WALKER Los Angeles, California Unsympathetic eyes have often scorned Your tattered garb and melancholy hue And labeled you as weird and unadorned With awkward fingers etching desert blue. Inured to silent days without regard, The solitary monotones of night; Assailed by wind and sun and careless bard Only a brooding dream gives you delight. The alchemy of time brings your reward, A long awaited coronation hour, As fortitude becomes a royal sword To vest humility with petaled power. At last your beauty claims the boon of spring And you are crowned with splendor, flowering.

PEACHES OF THE PADRES By FERN TAPSCOTT BELL Aztec, Arizona The day was hot. The desert sun shown down Relentlessly. A dark robed figure strode In silence down the dusty mission road. The glare brought to his genial brow a frown. While curling tongues of dust licked at his gown And settled on its trailing hem, he showed Awareness only to his basket load, Comparing it to gems fit for a crown. The wind-blown trees, their very lives hard- fought, Gave to the scene a touch of Old World charm; Their laden boughs the essence of good cheer. The padre, counterpart of those who brought The seed from far-off Spain, bore on his arm The first full-ripened peaches of the year. • • • IF I WAS A FREE SHADOW By AMY VIAU Photograph courtesy U. S. Bureau of Reclamation. Santa Ana, California If I was a shadow and could be free To dart away, TRUE GRACIOUSNESS WHERE TUMBLEWEEDS ROLL I'd go where shadows have never been By ELSIE MCKINNON STRACHAN By HARRIETT L. GEORGE With their cooling lay. Santa Ana, California Pasadena, California Out where desert and farm lands meet I have found true graciousness, And wide blue spaces arch, I'd shadow the desert, here and there, On life's highway, in old shade trees Where men might gaze Where tumbleweeds and dry brown seeds That welcome all with friendliness. Are ever on the march. Until their eyes caught the lovely tints And pass cool gifts of shade with ease; Of desert haze. There stands a windowless sagging wraith Caressing with serenity Of what was once a home, The traveler resting for a space, Abandoned now like a sunken scow If I was a shadow that could go free Refreshing him with pleasantry; I'd thwart the sun It matters not, how fair his face. Encircled with sandy loam. By healing the burn of the desert sands Before I'd run. The secrets it has known are lost • • • As the elements win their race With steady thrust and searing dust— THE DESERT SLEEPS To leave at last but space. By HALLEE CUSHMAN HENDERSON • • • Riverside, California By TANYA SOUTH Erase the stark, the beaten face, CALL OF THE DESERT Across the waste of sand and dunes, By GRACE BARKER WILSON Lonesome, silent, deep, The shoulders stooped from burden trace. Kirtland, New Mexico Slumbering in yesterday's noons, The desert is calling, and I must go, The desert lies asleep. The lagging footsteps, and the sigh. Let but your soul to heaven cry, Though the road be hard and the travel slow; Bleaching bones of cattle yield And rest in faith that God is caring, And oh, how easy is the faring! Cactus and sagebrush and rattlesnake hole, Grimness to the past, Sun beating down into my very soul; Sullen sands are motionless, Through peace at heart, a calmer Sandy and wind-worn, a tortuous sea. And heat waves travel fast. grain, Yet the god of the desert is calling me. Life will assume a higher plane. But yuccas bloom, white belled and Grief and regret can but deter. Wide, lonesome spaces under the stars, chaste, Have faith, strive on, and you will Whispers of magic no human voice mars; A sand verbena smiles. soar. The gods walk abroad in communion with Mourning doves still call a mate. all Across the desert miles. Who follow the road at the desert's call.

MAY, 195 1 21 Ancient Spanish Mining „ . . Save the Mesquite Trees . . . Los Gatos, California Banning, California Desert: Desert: I would like to add my comment to Referring to your recent news item the interesting story of ancient Spanish concerning the controversy between Hasn't Found the Nuggets . . . mining as told by Charles Knaus in those stockmen who would denude the March issue of Desert Magazine. the range of mesquite trees to provide Aztec Well, California When I read this story I questioned more grazing lands, and those who Desert: the statement that this was the only believe the mesquites should be pre- So many people have been coming evidence of ancient Spanish mining in served as shade for range animals and to the Corn Spring oasis in the Chuck- southwestern United States. for the food value of their beans, may awalla Mountains expecting to find During the first World War 1 spent I suggest the following? water that I think you should make some time in New Mexico in connec- Nitrogen is the prime requirement clear that the spring has been dry for tion with mining equipment. I recall for the building of protein, and direct a long time. a small museum at the open pit mine sunlight extracts nitrogen from both Many prospectors have been com- at Santa Rita where there were ex- flesh and plants. Without shade, ani- ing into this area in search of the lost hibited some notched logs, rawhide mals have to eat more of less nutri- Pegleg gold as a result of John Mitch- bags and Indian skeletons which had tious food. ell's story in your February issue, in been dug out by steam shovels during As for the value of mesquite beans, which he stated he had found some the mining operation. How ancient they are equivalent to the carob, about of Pegleg's nuggets in the Chuckawal- they were, or whether or not they were whose virtues any dealer who is for- las while looking for a meteorite about Spanish I do not know, bui: apparently tunate enough to obtain it can grow 25 years ago. they were relics of the same period eloquent. Wherever obtainable it has I don't know about the nuggets as described by Mr. Knaus, although the been food par excellence for the last I haven't found any, but I did find a mine itself had been destroyed years 4000 years. meteorite near Corn Spring in 1945. ago. Both the range and the mesquite It weighed more than 40 pounds and GLENN HOLMES trees may be preserved by periodically I still have about half of it in a single • • • running a fast fire through the forest, chunk. just before a storm, thus thinning the Which Areas Are Off Limits? . . . WILL LEWIS old growth and making the pasturage Las Vegas, Nevada • • • they have been nursing, but leaving Imperial County Geography . . . Desert: the roots intact. Meddlers should be warned that once the roots have been El Cajon, California Thank you for publishing the map showing the boundaries of the Las destroyed mesquite is very hard to Desert: Vegas Bombing and Gunnery range in start again. More bad geography, and history. your April issue. And now if you can J. BRECK Grace E. Gray stated Imperial, Cali- obtain from the military and naval • • • fornia, was founded in 1904, and El authorities the maps of their other Freedom from Worldly Care . . . Centro in 1907. Imperial was founded reservations in the desert country, and in 1901 and by 1907 El Centro was publish them, it will be a great help to Los Angeles, California quite a town and won a bitter fight those of us who follow the desert trails, Desert: with Imperial as to the location of the and who wonder just how much of the Within my acquaintance are many county seat in August that year. desert is left for our explorations. young people seeking an independent ANDY VAN DERPOEL G. M. MERRILL existence, usually as writers, but be- cause of the high cost of living they find it necessary to engage in work which gives them no opportunity for A Guide to the Land of the Northern Lights . . . creative effort or self-expression. About 11 years ago I learned how THE MILEPOST to live on an expenditure of about eight cents a day for food, with no in- jury to my health. In fact I have A LOG OF THE ALASKA HIGHWAY gained over 25 pounds. Then I bought a half acre lot and built my own cabin Sooner or later you will be taking the scenic route that now makes near the desert—total cost about $350. Alaska accessible to every American motorist. In this 96-page guide The taxes are about $3.00 a year. book you will find accurate information as to the road to Alaska—and In this manner 1 found it possible the paved highways in Alaska, with map and accurate detail as to to live on $10 a month, half of which the accommodations you will find along the way and what they will went for books and postage. Thus I could earn my livelihood in an aver- cost you. With this guide you can budget your Alaskan trip bcth as to age of a half hour a day, leaving the time and expense. remainder of my time for creative work. But this is possible only for $1.00 postpaid those who are willing to forego every- California buyers add 3c tax thing except the basic essentials of living. However, that is not too big a "Detent Palm Desert, California price to pay for the freedom from anxiety and worldly cares which can (Just enclose a S1.00 bill—and a 3-cent stamp, if you are a California resident) be attained in that manner. THEODORE B. DUFUR

22 DESERT MAGAZINE fraVe/thef/igh ways ofRpmance in ARIZONA Museum Opened for Summer . . . Javelina Areas Listed . . . FLAGSTAFF — Opening of the I1EUI IIIEXiCO AJO—Plentiful plant food is keep- Museum of Northern Arizona for the ing Javelina in lower areas, according summer season has been announced THE LAND OF ENCHANTMENT to R. L. Neill, assistant chief of the by its officials. Hours will be from 9 division of law enforcement. North- to 12 and from 1 to 5 on weekdays; east of Florence, before the country 1 to 5:30 Sundays. Admission is free. I here's romance in its name . . . The breaks out into the lower rolling hills Re-opening at this time makes the Santa Fe Trail . . . and for six decades it between Calvin and the Gila River, is Museum and facilities available for was a glamorous route which belonged a favorite area for wild hogs, particu- many weekend visitors. During the to the days of the singing cowboys, of the larly since recent rains have made winter a new panel was added showing mountain men, the traders and trappers, the life of pit house people on Bonito food adequate. The Tom Mix wash but also along its course came the long on the south side of Tucson in another Terrace before and after the eruption of Sunset Crater about 1066.—Coco- caravans of homeseekers and homelovers haunt, especially in the beds of the who remained to help build the West. washes. The lower foothills of the nino Sun. In fancy you'll travel this and other Superstitution Mountains and in the © • • famous trails as you drive along New Sierra Anchas north east of Roosevelt Archeological Gift Packed . . . lake have always been Javelina loca- Mexico's fine highways, to famed GLOBE—The Gila Pueblo arche- scenic wonders and places of historic tions.—A jo Copper News. ological collection, donated to the • • • interest —Carlsbad Caverns National Arizona State Museum last December Park, eight National Monuments and by Mr. and Mrs. Harold S. Gladwin, Water for North Yuma County . . . eighteen Indian pueblos. Each day you'll WASHINGTON, D. C — The De- of Santa Barbara, California, is being packed at Globe, Arizona, and will be discover something new and strange partment of Interior has announced and different; and too, you'll find that farmers in the Ranegras plain transferred as rapidly as it can be made ready. The first shipment is valued at yourself reliving many of the epochal area of Arizona could tap between events of more than 400 years of 5,000 and 10,000 acre-feet of water $1,000,000. The collection will be a year by drilling wells. This amount placed on the first floor and mezzanine fascinating history in New Mexico. would support irrigation on a small of the museum, located on the campus Start planning now for youf scale. The information came through of the University of Arizona, Tucson. vacation of tomorrow! the Geological Survey and Arizona Some of the artifacts are to be housed State Land Department, who made a in the basement, conveniently avail- study of the ground water resources able to archeological students. It will of the northern part of the Ranegras be some time before the entire collec- plain. According to the report, a year tion, conceded to be the best of its ago only two wells had been drilled kind in southwestern United States, but others were under construction or can be unpacked and arranged. — being planned. Water levels, the re- Tucson Daily Citizen. port states, range from about 30 feet below the ground surface near Bouse Voting Navajos Show Up Whites . . . to more than 250 feet between Desert WINDOW ROCK — The Navajo Wells and Hope.—Yuma Daily Sun. Indians gave their white brothers an • • • election lesson recently. Using the Poison Weeds Threaten Stock . . . white man's voting system for the first TUCSON—With the ranges of Ari- time in a tribal election, more than 75 zona extremely dry and grazing scarce percent of the eligible voters cast their at this time of year, Dr. William J. ballots at 74 polling places scattered Pistor, head of the University of Ari- over the vast reservation. The cam- zona department of animal pathology, paign was similar to election proced- warns ranchers against loco and burro ures everywhere, except that candidates weed poisoning. Since ranges are espe- canvassed undeveloped areas and there AND WE'LL SSND YOU OUR was no mud-slinging. The ballots bore FREE BOOKLETS AND MAPS cially dry after the winter drought, PRONTO! \ cattle are more apt to graze on them pictures of the candidates in place of than in years of normal rainfall. Loco names since most of the Indians can- weed is usually found at from 4,000 not read or write. Since 1938 the to 6,000 feet elevation, burro weed Navajos have voted by selecting a at lower levels. All the usual weed colored card representing their choice. killers will destroy both, but are too Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Dil- Room 1492 State Capitol • Santa Fe, New Mexico expensive for general range use. Cat- lon S. Myer sent a congratulatery mes- Please send free: Q New booklet "Land of Enchantment" tle should be kept from infested areas sage to Sam Ahkeah, who was re- • Official Highway Map, • New Mexico "Historic Trails" Map and supplemental feeding employed elected as chairman of the Navajo until regular grasses green. The poison Tribal Council. With the message went in loco weed is probably an alkaloid, a gavel made from wood taken from that in burro weed is trematol. Both the White House, now under restora- have an accumulative action.—Tucson tion. — Department of Interior and Daily Citizen. Gallup Independent.

MAY, 195 1 23 Antelope Transplanted . . . NOGALES—Early in February 57 THE D6S6RT TRADING POST antelope were transplanted from the Raymond Ranch, southeast of Flag- Classified Advertising in This Section Costs 8c a Word, $1.00 Minimum Per Issue staff, to the San Rafael Valley, 40 miles northeast of Nogales. The move NEW HOME IN DESERT MAGAZINE TRACT was accomplished under the direction INDIAN GOODS —lively, 2-Bedroom Desert Home now under construction in the very he; rt of Desert's of Jay Klaus of Phoenix and Harold WE SEARCH UNCEASINGLY for old and rare 40-acre cultural and residential section, one- P. Heddings of Flagstaff for the Game Indian Artifacts, but seldom accumulate a block from Desert Magazine. Close to shop- large assortment. Collectors seem as eager to ping center, ultra modern school, community and Fish Commission. Moving the possess them as their original owners. To church, Shadow Mountain Club, and Stables. those who like real Indian things, a hearty Lot size 115'xl34'; floor spate 1600 sq. ft. herd was decided upon after a thor- welcome. You too may find here something Spacious rooms throughout; extra room can ough study indicated the project would you have long desired. We are continually be used for den or breakfast room. Plenty increasing our stock with the finest in Navajo of closets. Air-cooled for sunnier comfort. be successful. In 1944, thirteen ante- rugs, Indian baskets, and hand-made jewelry. Full Price—$15,000. Write or call Lois Roy, Daniels Trading Post, 401 W. Foothill Blvd., Box 33, Tel. 76-2251, Carl Henderson, Realtor, lope were transplanted successfully. It Fontana, California. Palm Desert, Calif. is hoped to once again populate a por- ( PERFECT AND FINE Indian Arrowheads CAFE FOR SALE: 9 stool, near good trout and tion of the original southern range of $1.00. 2 large arrowheads $1.00; extra fine bass fishing on Colorado River. Also near stone tomahawk $2.00; 4 beautiful bird ar- lake Mojave. On Hiway 1-95. Good business. the antelope. Now only a few are rowheads $1.00; 2 flint knives $1.00; fine Write P.O. Box 60, Searchlight, Nevada. effigy peace pipe $8.00; bone fish hook $2.00; found in the area.—A jo Copper News. 6" or over spearhead $5.00, thin and perfect. List Free. Lear's, Glenwood, Arkansas. BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FABULOUS EARNINGS — Fascinating pastime. Growing Genuine, living miniature (Ming) CALIFORNIA BOOKS — MAGAZINES Trees. New Sensational Business or Hobby. PANNING GOLD — Another hobby for Rock Astounding information FREE. Dwarf Gar- Hounds and Desert Roamers. A new booklet, dens, Box 355N, Briggs Station, Los Angeles Ice-Age Fish Found . . . "What the Beginner Needs to Know," 36 pages 48, California. DEATH VALLEY —A species of of instructions; also catalogue of mining books TRADING POST, Hiway 80, Rox and Indian and prospectors supplies, maps of where to go Goods. 1 acre, 3 houses, soft water well. fish which has survived in Death Val- and blueprints of hand machines you can Healthy, good living for coup.e. Reason old build. Mailed postpaid 25c, coin or stamps. age. $8500. Trading Post, Boulevard, Calif. ley since the Ice Age has been dis- Old Prospector, Box 729, Desk 5, Lodi, Calif. .•-,'. t^njuw/. HUUU15 A \JH ^, iJWLi-ltVcll'Ja V-'tl •»**-' VADA—Two mining claims, calcium carbon- covered, according to Dr. Thomas "GOLD PANNING FOR PROFIT." Healthy out- te, water soluble, at one one, running into Clements, U. S. C. geologist. These door hobby. Beginners big illustrated instruc- beautiful banded travertine, phosphorescent tion book—$1.00. Miners' gold pans, $2.00. fish, a single species of minnow, have Prospectors' powerful magnifying glass, $1.00. Desert Jim, 627 Lillian, Stockton, California. presumably lived in Salt Creek since the drying up of the late Ice Age lakes, WE WILL PAY 50 cents each for good copies of the Desert Magazine issue of April, 1947. he said. Salt Creek disappears into Desert Magazine, Palm Desert, California. the sand a short distance after leaving icai ior cnicKens, LurKeys or ) farming orr hay $7500.00. OOr. Hiway. its shallow canyon. The depth of the REAL ESTATE Box 428, Herlong, California water is nowhere over two or three BORREGO: Some good values are available. Excellent and abundant water. Good soil. MISCELLANEOUS inches and in most places less than an Whether you want acreage or a building site consult Rear Admiral Ralph Wood, Ret. Drive PROSPECTORS AND ROCKHOUNDS WANTED. inch. Backs of the little fish are fre- over and investigate. To join the newly incorporated United Pros- pectors Organization. If you ;ire experienced quently above water which is over 80 or beginners the articles in our magazine are degrees F., and quite salty to the COZY, MODERN, pumice brick and knotty pine bound to help you enjoy your hobby and the home. 1.75 acres. Redwood beam ceiling. outdoors. Send your name for our new bro- taste. The continued existence of these Near new school. All utilities. Finest year chure and literature. United Prospectors, Box round desert climate. Good location motel 729, Lodi, California. fish is an amazing testimony to the or trailer court. Big payroll community. $6500 includes furnishings and desert oil FRED AND JESSIE PORTER welcome you to tenacity of life through the ages, says paintings. Half cash. Grail Fuller, owner, "Pow-Wow" Rock and Gift Shop. East end Dr. Clements. Amplifying his previous Daggett, California. of Yermo, Calif. Hi-way 91. You are assured of an interesting stop here; whether it be reported evidence that man existed in rocks, gifts, information or a souvenir. What's your hobby? Ours is rocks. Come in Death Valley during the Ice Age, 20,- INVENTORS and "Pow-Wow" with us. 000 years ago, the geologist disclosed When you are satisfied that you have in- PHOTOMICROGRAPHS of rare and unusual the finding of mills for grinding gold vented a matter of value write me, without scenes, formations and intrusions in agate. obligation, for full information on what steps 2x2 color slides six for $1.95; 100 for $25.00. and silver ores.—Los Angeles Times. Also Western scenes, cacti, models. Sample, you should take to secure a Patent. literature 25c. Dave Harris, 2401 Pittsburg, • • • PATRICK D. BEAVERS El Paso, Texas. Registered Patent Attorney SAVE 50% ON NEW BINOCULARS! Free Cata- Painted Canyon Road Opened . . . 1023 Columbian Bldg., Washington 1, D.C. log. Free Booklet, "How to Select Binoculars." Write Today! Bushnell's 43-D3 Green, Pasa- INDIO—A public celebration high- dena 1, California. lighted the formal opening of a new Headquarters for LADY GODIVA "The World's Finest Beautifier." graveled road into Coachella Valley's Repairs & Sales all For women who wish to become beautiful, for makes. Collimator women who wish to remain beautiful. An picturesque Painted Canyon. The Coa- alignment. outstanding desert cream. For information, write or call Lola Barnes, 963 No. Oakland, chella Valley troop, Riverside Sheriff's BINOCULAR Pasadena 6, Calif, or phone SYcamore 4-2378. Posse, handled grounds details, pro- INSTRUMENT CO. COLOR SLIDES—Travel, Nature, Geology, etc. viding firewood for those who wanted 536 S. Hill St. Free list (with sample 30c, three for dollar). TUcker 1824 Kelly D. Choda, Box 5, Los Alamos, New to camp overnight and attend "The Los Angeles 18, Cal. Mexico. Master Passes By" showing in nearby GEIGER COUNTER — Nucleus, $16, Postpaid. You add battery and phones to make a reli- Box Canyon. Sponsored by Desert able, sensitive, beta-gamma detector at low- est possible cost. Free informative literature. Associates, the event, starting at 3 p.m. Westcoast Products, Dept. D-M, 8227 Grove, five miles up the multi-hued gorge from lir national „„.,< „ Sunland, California. Highway 195, was presided over by end of a thrilling pack t>ip from DESERT TEA. One pound one dollar postpaid. Greasewood Greenhouses, Lenwood, Barstow, L. C. Lewis. He read a paper by " California. Lloyd Mason Smith, curator of the >•(„„ .>,« k.» in iod,in,, i.od and SILVERY DESERT HOLLY PLANTS. One dollar »«p'>aii'r. each postpaid. Greasewood Greenhouses, Len- Palm Springs Museum, which told of \ wood, Barstow, California. geological formations within hiking m W''" Bi" *"""' T°""'"' ***"* WANTED USED Bausch Lomb or Zeiss 6x30 distance beyond the end of the new W,J*« *„...... ln4 dewripi;™ bwhUr«, Or I-F. Binoculars and Short and Mason 0-12000 a> Cm n A, or 16000 grade A pocket Altimeters. May road. Many brought lunches, others J$' \/JL """ ' "IonJ- show wear but must be optically and me- •H l\ fc'San Diego, Mendocino, Humboldt—$2.50 Inyo county, $15; E or W14 $7.50; San Trinity, Shasta, Mono, San Luis Obispo, Bernardino, 73x110, $15; No. or So. V4 Monterey, Lassen—$3. $7.50; NW., SW., NE. or SE'/i, $3.75. Also Oregon, Idaho and Washington County Maps Mexican Hat Expeditions (Successors to Nevills Expeditions, world- 2417 San Pablo Avenue—TEmplebar 2-3£:70 famous River exploration trips) WORLD'S MINERALS OAKLAND 12. CALIFORNIA P. O. BLUFF. UTAH

MAY, 195 1 25 Harold Gates, Lone Pine mountaineer, acts. At the present time Nevada can found them while hunting last fall, the obtain about $450,000 in such funds BORREGO VALLEY tree having grown well over and around by putting up $142,000. Sportsmen A beautiful desert at 500 ft. altitude them. According to George Hardman, have requested only $78,000, feeling •—protected by majestic mountains. Nevada state conservationist, the horns the economy-minded legislature would Away from crowds. were placed in the tree sometime be- not consider the larger sum. To make tween 1862-69, the tree having begun up the difference, a proposal to in- PEACEFUL SEKEXE life about 1700. Gates says horn rings crease non-resident hunting and fish- Here at sensible prices you can find indicate the ram was 13 years old ing license fees and to abolish free everything from a cabin site to ex- when killed.—Inyo Independent. licenses for residents over sixty years pensive ranches. Drive over and let's • • • of age was advanced. This met with talk about it. Anchor Discovery Reported . . . some opposition.—Las Vegas Review Rear Admiral RALPH WOOD (Ret.) LONE PINE — A ship anchor of Journal. the type in use 50 to 100 years ago • • • has been dug from Owens Lake about Scotty's Castle Road Complete . . . four miles southwest of Keeler. Old timers in the Keeler area say it could GOLDFIELD — Construction on "EVERYTHING FOR THE HIKER- be from the Bessie Brady or the Mol- roadbed of the 21.3 miles of Nevada State Road 72, from junction with U. SLEEPING BAGS lie Stevens, boats that once transported Cerro Gordo silver across the lake for S. 95 below Goldfield, to the Cali- fornia line has been complete. Cost of AIR MATTRESSES shipment by mule freighter to Los Angeles. Hand forged, the anchor has the project, including an oiled surface, SMALL TENTS been estimated to weigh 400 pounds. is $214,000. Oiling will go forward and many other items It was discovered by Gary Vaughan, as rapidly as possible. This road will a Keeler youth. There is a persistent provide California visitors to Death tale in southern Inyo county that one Valley Scotty's Castle, with a mod- VAN DEGRIFT'S HIKE HUT of the bullion-laden ships sank in the ern highway into Nevada. It is ex- 717 West Seventh Street lake and was never recovered.—Inyo pected many will avail themselves of LOS ANGELES 14, CALIFORNIA the opportunity to visit historic and Independent. scenic attractions in the state.—Tono- • • • pah Times Bonanza. NEVADA • • • SEE MORE ON ALL YOUR TRIPS! Two Year Wildlife Program . . . CARSON CITY—A two-year pro- Sportsmen Attend Lecture . . . gram for the betterment of Nevada WHITE PINE—An illustrated talk fish and game conditions, proposed by on counting deer herds in Nevada by sportsmen from all parts of the state, airplane was given by Joe Rabb, bi- World's Greatest ologist for the State Fish and Game BINOCULAR VALUES! met with the general approval of law- makers at a recent public hearing. It Commission, at a recent meeting of is hoped at least a part of the neces- the White Pine Fish and Game Asso- sary $78,000 sportsmen are seeking ciation. Rabb reported the state com- from the state will be forthcoming. mission had been helping set the sea- This money would be used to obtain sons on deer, elk, antelope and sage- federal matching funds under the Ding- hen by accurately counting the herds well-Johnson and Pittsman-Robertson and broods over the entire state. The movie accompanying the talk illus- trated the method used in counting herds. Some deer have been trapped, ASK YOUR CONTRACTOR ABOUT "PRECISION BUILT" tagged and released. It is hoped tags returned by hunters will chart move- ment of deer.—Ely Record. RED CINDER BLOCKS • • • You'll hav& year Historic Fort Being Restored . . . around comfort LAS VEGAS—The Old Fort, lo- with cated on the Old Ranch, Las Vegas, Nevada, is one of two, built by Mor- "Precision Built" man pioneers, still standing. Mrs. Kate B. Carter, president of the central RED CINDER OR company of the Daughters of the Utah PUMICE BLOCKS Pioneers, states the Fort was built in 1855 to protect Brigham Young's col- Homes of Distinction onists in Vegas Valley. The only other are built with is located in Cove Fort, Utah. Several PLANS AVAILABLE years ago members of the Daughters DESERT CINDER BLOCKS FOR of the Utah Pioneers obtained per- DESERT HOMES mission from the Union Pacific Rail- road, on whose property the Fort stands, and began restoration. Many Transit Mixed Concrete Co. relics have been placed in the building 3464 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena 8 and a monument, calling attention to RYAN 1-6329 or Corona Phone 1340 the Fort, erected on the highway. — Las Vegas Review Journal.

26 DESERT MAGAZINE Old Postoffice Closes . . . plans were announced for draining the Maps Show Old New Mexico . . . OREANA—One of Nevada's oldest northern reservoir to repay water owed ALBUQUERQUE—Rare maps at and one-time busiest postoffices has to the Elephant Butte dam, serving the University of New Mexico Library closed. Early in Nevada history, Ore- southern New Mexico and Texas. The show the state once incorporated most ana was the site of one of the first Indian council has warned that legal of Arizona and a portion of Utah, lead smelters in America. Quantities action will be taken if another foot of with borders extending to California of mail funneled through the postoffice water is released from El Vado reser- on the west and to the Gadsden Pur- to and from such boom communities voir. Diego Abeita, council secretary, as Rochester, Rye Patch and Arabia. says the Indians are entitled to enough A narrow gauge railroad operated be- water to irrigate 20,000 acres. State tween Oreana and Rochester. Long game warden, Elliott Barker, esti- 4M RANCH line wagons hauled lumber and sup- mates 50,000 pounds of fish will be Serving spectacular and color- plies to the mining towns. The village lost by draining El Vado reservoir. ful San Juan and Grand Counties is now a section station and in early Senator James T. Brewster of Las of Southeastern Utah. March the postoffice closed.—Tonopah Cruces says the value of the crops ir- Guest accommodations on an Times Bonanza. rigated from water above Elephant operating cattle ranch. Butte Dam, outweighs loss of fish. The Unusual pack trips into Colo- • s • rado River area, the Needles, Salt Roadside Parks Planned . . . Rio Grande compact, drawn up in Creek Canyon, Indian Creek Can- 1939, states nothing in the compact yon and Junction of Green and RENO—A system of roadside parks shall impair the water rights of Indian Colorado Rivers, LaSal Mts., Castle along major highways of Nevada has tribes.—Gallup Independent. Valley, Fisher Towers and Arches received executive and legislative ap- National Monument section. proval. Governor Russel has signed • • • Auto camping trips to Monu- ment Valley, Navajo Land, Goose a bill calling for the small cost of such Fireball Meteorite Hunted . . . parks to be paid from existing federal Necks of the San Juan, Dead SPRINGER—A flaming ball of fire Horse Point, Indian Creek Can- and state funds. Locations will be se- yon, etc. lected by the state highway engineer. followed by a heavy blast was reported flashing through the sky March 6. Al- Horseback service and Pack trips Although Assembly Bill No. 30 does through Arches National Monu- not specify the details of the parks, it though the phenomenon was not seen ment and Court House Towers. is expected each developed area will by many, scattered reports have come Chuck wagon trips, riding the include drinking water, one or more from as far south as Albuquerque, range, ranch life. picnic tables, a fireplace, shade and where it is believed the meteorite may Especially qualified to serve in- have fallen in the vicinity of the San- dividuals, family groups and boys a comfort station. It is hoped the and girls. parks, designed to make Nevada travel dia Mountains. Since it was seen in Las Vegas, Springer, Roy, Clayton and A paradise for Rock Hounds, more pleasant, will increase the aver- geologists, archaeologists, writers, age time tourists spend in the state.— other communities, it may have struck photographers, artists, students Tonopah Times Bonanza. much farther north, possibly in the of wild life and those seeking an vicinity of Gladstone or Farley, east unusual vacation experience. • • • of Springer. There is some disagree- NEW MEXICO ROSS S. MUSSELMAN ment as to the time. One report places Moab, Utah New Water Method Developed . . . it at 2:54, another at 2:30. Dr. Lin- SANTA FE — New geo-physical coln La Paz of the University of New methods used in drilling for water by Mexico and Rick Raphael, photogra- New Mexico School of Mines may pher on the Denver Post, are searching give the state a new source of water. for it. Dr. La Paz states it is the first The school has found a water deposit fireball instance in his two years steady Western River Tours under the barren hills north of Socorro, work in this field, he definitely believes SAN JUAN & COLORADO RIVER TOURS capable of supplying one New Mex- it to have been a meteorite.—Springer Blufi, Utah to Lee's Ferry, Arizona May 1 to May 11 ico town. Dr. E. J. Workman, presi- Tribune. May 14 to May 24 dent of the school, reported the find to June 12 to June 22 the state economic development com- Fares $175 mission. He said the water was lo- LUXURY CLIMATE Shiprock. N. Mex. to Lee's Ferry cated below the so-called Santa Fe (Not luxury prices) Wide acre and larger homesites overlooking beautiful valley, util. May 27 to June 9 clay formation, where drillers usually incl. from $850. All year health spot. Mod- Fares $225 erate el. Unhampered building. Letter stop. Dr. Workman said the new well brings maps, new bargain list. GRAND CANYON OF THE COLORADO is the first concrete evidence that ex- LUCERNE VALLEY SUN Lee's Ferry to Boulder City perimental techniques developed by Lucerne Valley, California July 10 to July 31 the School of Mines may pay off. The Fares $750 well, drilled on a grant from the EDC, GREEN RIVER — COLORADO RIVER may bolster chances of the commis- Green River. Wyo. to Hite. Utah sion's survival, which has been threat- ADVENTURE-VACATION Aug. 6 to Aug. 31 ened by a cut-off in appropriations. See spectacular scene-y Fares: $850 GLEN CANYON — COLORADO RIVER Robert McKinney, EDS chairman says of Southeast Utah ard the ETJC gives the School of Mines Hite, Utah to Lee's Ferry $75,000 for research.—Gallup Inde- MONUMENT VALLEY Sept. 4 to Sept. 14 |pN by limousine. Sept. 18 to Sept. 28 pendent. Fares: $250 • • • "'flfi" Colorado Trips to Twelve Years River Experience Indians Protest Water Use . . . RAINBOW BRIDGE Write: ALBUQUERQUE—Indians of the LARABEE AND ALESON United Pueblo Agency may be instru- ~ Ufah Wonderland Staies mental in saving the fish behind El \ 19 W. So. Temple WESTERN RIVER TOURS Richfield, Utah Vado Dam. Considerable concern •> Salt Lake City, Utar about the fish has been voiced since

MAY, 1951 27 chase, titled Arizona, on the south. County State Bank. Other businesses, 000 acres of state land, materially The oldest, dated 1682, was made in have been sheltered by the old build- helped the water situation. "The Paris. All show old wagon trails, pro- ing, including a drug store and ab- springs in the area all doubled their posed railroad routes, settlements and stract offices. Early pioneers watched output right after the fire and have United States Army Posts. Some have the demolition nostalgically.—Loving- continued to do so," he said. McDan- been donated to the library, but most ton Press. iel attributes the increase to lack of have been purchased from the Argosy • • • transpiration from heavy timber. Two Book and Map Store in New York ranchers from other parts of New Mex- City. One of the maps shows New Penitentes Stop Bloody Bites . . . ico concurred with his opinion. Floyd Mexico extending to a territory known TAOS — The bloody rites of the Lee of San Mateo, president of the as New France, now called Canada. Penitentes have all but been forgotten New Mexico Wool Growers associa- They range in size from three to four in the hills of the oldest Spanish parish tion says five states are now burning inches to two or three feet. Most were in the country. The secret sect, whose off brush to increase water supplies.— made by surveyors for the General members once tortured themselves and Gallup Independent. Land Grant office. — Alamogordo even crucified each other in a re-enact- • • • ment of Easter, now taks part in the News. Permanent Fish Trap on Pecos . . . • • • usual rites as good members of the Catholic church. Perhaps. 100 men in CARLSBAD — A permanent fish Old Land Bank Only a Memory . . . the parish of the church of St. Francis screen and trap, built by the Game LOVINGTON —The old building at Rancho de Taos, are members of and Fish Department for the disposal housing the First Territorial Land the Penitentes.—Gallup Independent. of such rough fish as gar and carp, is Bank, chartered under territory law nearing completion on the Pecos River before New Mexico became a state, is • • • between McMillan and Avalon Lakes. no more. Built in 1909, this two story Fire Improves Water Supply . . . Fish that are contaminating these structure of frame and sheet iron, in SANTA FE—A northern New Mex- lakes can thus be removed when water recent years known as the Lester Als- ico rancher claims last summer's big is shut off at McMillan Dam. The ton building, has been torn down to forest fire near Ocate substantially in- department feels the screen and trap make way for a modern office building. creased water supplies in the burned will be beneficial to local fishermen as The bank was operated continuously over area. H. A. McDaniel of Cim- well as making more effective hatchery until 1921, when the depression closed arron, estimates the fire which burned restocking activities. — Eddy County it. It was later organized as the Lea over 6400 acres of his land and 40,- News. • • • UTAH Indian-Stockmen Clash Feared . . . For Prize Photos in May... SALT LAKE CITY—Physical hos- tilities, personal conflicts and violence Although the desert flower display has been disappointing this between livestockmen and Indians are season there is still no lack of subjects in the desert country for prize a serious possibility in southeastern photography. And it is for the purpose of securing the best of these Utah, according to a group from pictures for publication that the Desert Magazine offers two monthly Blanding, in a suit against Jon D. prizes for the best "Pictures of the Month." Felornia, Slim Cowboy and 31 other Navajos. The suit came before the There is a wide range of subjects—landscapes, wildlife, strange U. S. district court as the result of a rock formations, sunsets, prospectors, Indians—there is no limitation petition for removal from the San Juan as long as the pictures were taken on the desert, and all Desert readers county court by the Indians. The cat- are invited to participate. tlemen seek to have the Indians re- The next Pictures-of-the-Month contest will be held in May, and all strained from building hogans on the photographers, both amateur and professional (the amateurs generally land and grazing their animals. The win), are invited to submit their best prints. Indians contend they are not residents Entries for the May contest must be in the Desert Magazine of the state and, as wards of the gov- office. Palm Desert, California, by May 20, and the winning prints ernment, cannot be sued in state courts. will appear in the July issue. Pictures which arrive too late for one —Salt Lake Tribune. month's contest are held over for the next month. First prise is $10; • • • second prize $5.00. For non-winning pictures accepted for publication Plan Trek Along Old Trail . . . $3.00 each will be paid. CEDAR CITY—An Explorer ac- tivity is being planned in Cedar City, HERE ARE THE RULES according to John L. Cross, field ex- 1—Prints for monthly contests must be black and white, 5x7 or larger, printed ecutive for the Boy Scouts of America. on glossy paper. 2—Each photograph submitted should be fully labeled as to subject, time and It will take Explorers over a portion place. Also technical data: camera, shutter speed, hour of day, etc. of the Old Spanish Trail. The object 3—PRINTS WILL BE RETURNED WHEN RETURN POSTAGE IS ENCLOSED. is to familiarize young men with the 4—All entries must be in the Desert Magazine office by the 20th of the contest history of this part of the state. The month. first trek is scheduled for August. Ac- 5—Contests are open to both amateur and professional photographers. Desert Magazine requires first publication rights only of prize winning pictures. cording to present plans, it is expected 6—Time and place of photograph are immaterial, except that it must bo from the over 100 Explorers will rendezvous in desert Southwest. Parowan, first white settlement on the 7—Judges will be selected from Desert's editorial staff, and awards will, be made Trail, and make the 35-mile trip from immediately after the close of the contest each month. Pinto toward Santa Clara. It is hoped Address All Entries to Photo Editor Explorers from all over the country will make the trek. Expeditions can *De4ent PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA be arranged for any time of year.— Iron County Record.

28 DESERT MAGAZINE Highway 6 Nears Completion . . . acre including 5.4 miles of fence. be controlled to get maximum forage WHITE PINE—Grading and grav- Ranger Max Rees of Panguitch, in production. A total of 37,373 acres eling this summer to be followed by charge of the work announces the new in the Dixie National forest has been oiling at a later date will complete the grass will be protected from grazing reseeded to date.—Iron County Rec- last 33 mile link in U. S. highway 6, for three years, after which grazing will ord. between the Nevada-Utah state line and Delta, Utah. D. H. Wittenberg, Utah state highway engineer says the Here are 20 more questions for the Quiz class. contract will be let at once. Another They cover a wide range of subjects—geog- 30 mile stretch is nearing completion. Desert Quiz raphy, history, Nature, Indians, and the gen- It ties to the first 27 miles that were eral lore of the desert country. But they are not catch questions. Every built eastward from the state line near one involves an elementary fact about the desert country which every Baker. This roadwork marks the suc- traveler should know. Twelve to 14 is a fair score, 15-16 is good, 17-18 cessful culmination of a 20-year fight excellent, over 18 is very exceptional. The answers are on page 35. to have a 90-mile stretch of Utah high- way completed. — Tonopah Times 1—Carlsbad Caverns are in — Texas Colorado New Mex- Bonanza. ico Arizona 2—Highest mountain visible from the Great American Desert is in— California Arizona. New Mexico Utah Notify Before Planting Poison . . . 3—Climbing over the desert rocks you discover a vug. In it you would VERNAL — Danger and penalties look for—Indian pottery Crystals A desert tortoise involved in laying poison without no- A pack rat's nest. tifying Federal agencies and private 4—Hank Monk was a — Bandit Mountain Man Indian land owners, was emphasized by Dale Scout Famous stage driver C. Naylor, range manager, recently. The warning was prompted by reports 5—Author of the famous stories about a frog that never learned to from Deep Creek that valuable live- swim was—Isaac Walton . . Frank Dobie Oren Arnold stock dogs and been poisoned. Poison Dick Wick Hall should not be placed where there are 6—Among the native desert trees of the Southwest, the best for shade small children since it is also a human purposes is the—Mesquite Palm Palo Verde Joshua hazard.—Vernal Express. tree • • • 7—Ancestral home of the Chemehuevi Indians was in—New Mexico Along the Colorado River In Tonto Basin Cocopah School Enters Second Year . . . Mountains BRIGHAM CITY—The Intermoun- 8—Coolest clothing to wear on the desert in summer is—Green tain Indian School at Brigham City has more than 1300 Navajo children Olive drab ." White Black of all ages enrolled. Dr. George A. 9—To enter scenic Oak Cr:ek Canyon from the north you would leave Boyce, school superintendent, says Highway 66 at—Winslow Flagstaff Williams Ash- they hope to have 2150 pupils at next fork year's session beginning the middle of 10—The squash blossom hairdress of the Hopi Indian girls is worn— August. The children, coming from Only at the Snake Dance To mark their engagement As primitive hogans on the Navajo reser- evidence that they are eligible for marriage When in mourn- vations of Arizona and New Mexico, ing are taught English, arithmetic, civics 11—Correct spelling of one of the best known National Monuments in and other routine classroom subjects. Arizona is — Chiracuacua Chiricuha Chiricahua They are also grounded in personal Chiruchua hygiene. Shop training is given the 12—In firing their pottery the pueblo Indian women of the Southwest boys and the girls study home eco- generally use—Aspen wood Dry manure Cedar wood nomics. Democracy is practiced at the Coal. school. A student council operates and the Boy and Girl Scouts have troops. 13—Mature fruit of the Saguaro cactus is -Red. Golden brown. Regular religious programs are held. Light Green Pink and green According to Dr. Boyce, treating In- 14—True onyx is a variety of—Agate Calcite Gypsum dians as first class citizens and provid- Mica ... ing good educational facilities, is sound 15—-Palm Springs is at the base of—Catalina mountains San Fran- public policy.—Salt Lake Tribune. cisco peaks Panamint range San Jacinto peak 16—The petals of the Encelia or brittle bush blossom are—White • • • Purple Pink... Yellow Range Reseeding Hits New High . . . 17—The Great White Throne is a conspicuous landmark in—Zion Na- CEDAR CITY —Range reseeding tional Park Grand Canyon Cedar Breaks National Monu- in the Dixie National forest for 1950 ment. Petrified Forest National Monument encompassed 8753 acres newly planted 18—John Wetherill for many years before his death operated an Indian to crested wheatgrass, smooth brome, Trading Post at—Kayenta, Arizona . Tuba City . Keams orchard grass, slender wheat, timothy Canyon . Monument Valley and other palatable range grasses. 19—Going from Tucson, Arizona to Hermosillo, Sonora, by the most Supervisor Albert Albertson reports direct route you would cross the Mexican border at Douglas most of the acreage went to complete San Luis Nogales Sonoyta the huge Pines project near Bryce 20—The historic "Crossing of the Fathers" on the Colorado was made by Canyon which now has 25,658 acres an exploring party headed by—Father Escalante Garces tilled and planted to grass. This year Kino Marcos de Niza reseeding costs amounted to $6.43 an

MAY, 1951 29 field. The result is that in every case the student is markedly more familiar with the geologic formations and types of minerals. Their grasp of the science course is far more complete. AMATEUR GEM CUTTER "For any who may be interested in pro- moting such a school class we advise that • By LELANDE QUICK, Editor of The Lapidary Journal- you take it easy. The best that can be expected is that a very few will continue the new interest after leaving the class. During the past year we have had many is going to be placed upon an individual High school brings quite a few outside in- inquiries about juniors. How can they fit member for injuries sustained on field trips terests to compete with the lap wheel and into the adult club and how can lapidary to either adults or children, for damage the lapidary hobby is confining to a young- activities be promoted as a part of a public caused by thoughtless persons who destroy ster who needs a lot of physical activity. school curriculum? property or leave gates open on ranches, At least you can expect that the students We have often told societies that it was etc., etc. The Junior Rockhounds of Pres- will benefit considerably by learning much a lamentable fact that few in the audience cott, Arizona, a branch of the Yavapai Gem more about the crust of the earth and were ever under 30 and indeed too few & Mineral society, is the first junior group they will have a good time while doing it." are under 50 years of age. Youth itself is we remember. It has had a conspicuous There is enough in the foregoing experi- a hobby. When young people finish their success and interested persons could get ence to stimulate the imaginations of those formal education they are not inclined for much helpful advice from John Butcher, who wish to bring a painless form of teach- many years to feel the necessity of a study secretary. He was their first president and ing science into their own schools for their program in their pleasure-filled lives. Rais- has been a leader of the group ever since its own children. For the youngster who main- ing a family is a study program of the first inception. John can be reached at 331 Park tains a permanent interest in the hobby order and as an educational program it is Ave., Prescott. We understand that junior will inevitably branch out into allied studies at the top. rockhounding is emphasized all over Ari- that will enrich his life. And, if nothing But we have noticed that the average age zona where every high school in the state else, it will instill in the child the supreme of the earth science groups is noticeably has its own rockhound club. Each year satisfaction that comes from learning to do lower than it was several years ago, and these clubs enter an exhibit at the state fair something with his hands and to promote that is good. Through the intensive adult for competitive awards. The result of this that love of the rocks of the earth which program is that the next generation in Ari- was Man's first love in the beginning of education program, begun all over the land things. in the early thirties, people have learned, as zona will no doubt be the best informed they did long ago in the Scandinavian group of citizens of any stale regarding the * * * countries, that the process of education mineral wealth of their own common- wealth and its importance to its citizens. The Glendale Lapidary & Gem society should never cease if people wished to have will present its fourth annual gem show at a full life. Many school superintendents are coming the Glendale Civic Auditorium, 1401 Ver- However it is the very young and the to realize that the best way to interest dugo Rd., Glendale, California, May 12 teen-age group that concerns our correspon- young students in the science of geology, and 13. In addition to their own work they dents and we find many people inquiring mineralogy, natural science and physical will have a marvelous attraction in the how to organize a kids' rockhound group. geography is to let them learn about hard- private gem display of William E. Phillips. In almost every case the inquirer wants to ness and values at the lap wheel. The re- It was about a year ago that we first saw know "what will happen if a child is hurt sultant growing appreciation of beauty is a Mr. Phillips' great collection in the com- on a trip or at a machine?" We cannot fine antidote for the comic books. pany of Dr. Frederick H. Pough of the answer that question but children are hurt Many of the adult education programs American Museum of Natural History. He every day in thousands of other pursuits include evening education in gem cutting pronounced it one of America's outstanding of happiness. We believe all societies should and silvercraft. The machinery involved is assortment of gems. be incorporated and then no responsibility now being used in day classes by the young- Since then Mr. Phillips has flown around sters. One of the first of these classes, the world, gathering new additions for his which has since grown inlo national im- collection in Siam, India, Ceylon and Eur- portance, was the class started at Woodrow ope. Among items of special interest in the WANT $\O,OOO? Wilson high school in Washington, D. C, Phillips collection is a 149 carat white topaz by William T. Baxter, author of Jewelry, in a square cushion antique cut of more Earn the govern- Super Sensitive P. R. I. Gem Cutting and Metalcrajt, now in its ment bonus. Locate pr|flED rnilMTFR than 200 facets. In Ceylon Mr. Phillips Uranium with a BtlBtK tUUN 1 tit third edition. This book is used as a text acquired a brown peridot weighing 158.55 Also get one for Atom Bomb book in schools all over tie land. Many carats. This was sold to him as a brown Defense! big city schools have fine lapidary shops. Find gold, silver, and other tourmaline and later identified as genuine valuable ores with a P.R.I. Trea- „.„,„ ,„,„;„•„ The lapidary program for youngsters olivine. Other interesting items are a deep sure Locator. Worlds finest in- invited can be instituted with great success in the struments. Free catalog. Write! purple amethyst (101 carats), a peridot PRECISION RADIATION INSTRUMENTS small towns too. A good example is the from the Red Sea that is 45.40 carats and 4113D W. Jefferson, Los Angeles 10, California program of the Junior higfi school at La reputed to be the largest and finest green Porte City, Iowa; a town of less than 1800 peridot outside the British Museum. The population. Let Richard II. Holland, the largest stone in the collection is a citrine A NEW BOOK town druggist, tell you how it came about. weighing 944 carats. He writes: "Our school has had such a program since January, 1950. It was the We will exhibit for the first time what "Gem Trail Journal" idea of the class in science and the instruc- is believed to be the largest opal in private tor, Mrs. Boyles. Early in the school year hands—eight full ounces of fire loveliness. By the eighth grade science class began the This opal was 11 Vi ounces when we first DAROLD J. HENRY study of rocks and geologic formations for acquired it several months ago from Mr. Price $2.00 Postpaid about three weeks. As on 5 of their field Seward. At that time he advised us that it trips they visited the local mineral and gem was one of the largest opals ever found in California Residents add 6c tax collections of William Bahr and H. R. Australia. We removed the matrix and — Contents — Halbfass. The students planted the germ of most of the potch and polished the opal as Over 50 maps and excellent locations the idea when they saw the Halbfass equip- a specimen piece. Despite several fancy Over 90 localities mentioned ment. Harold Matt, school superintendent, offers we prefer to keep it as a specimen Over 40 treated in detail was agreeable to instituting a lapidary class because it is so lovely and just to prove Over 32,000 words of wisdom for the col- as a part of the science course but he was that all amateurs do not cut every magnifi- lector unable to provide any school funds for cent specimen into cabochons. Over a score of brand new places to collect equipment. The eighth graders initiated a * * * All locations described by an author who program of classwork for which they sold Our readers in the Chicago area will be "Has Been There" . . . recently. tickets. There are very few who can with- glad to learn of the first big lapidary show We are National Distributors for this Book stand a home demonstration of ticket sell- to be held there on May 19-20. It will be ing and thus enough cash was raised to given at Grand Crossing Field House, 76th GORDON'S purchase two arbors and a saw. The class St. and S. Ingleside Avenue from two until Gem & Mineral Supplies built their own tables. Now each student ten p.m. each day. Admission is free and 1850 East Pacific Coast Highway is required to polish one flat and one cabo- it will be sponsored by the Chicago Lapi- chon from material he has collected in the Long Beach 6. California dary Club. Ninety-three prize awards will be given.

30 DESERT MAGAZINE Heavy-Duty Sur- Standard Super-Ched. charged Chargd 6' $ 8.60 $ 7.60 8' 10.95 9.95 Gems Minerals Id' 14.50 13.35 12' 21.20 17.65 11' 27.95 24.45 16' 31.20 27.70 18' (12.50 41.25 34.40 20' 74.25 49.50 37.95 24' 88.80 62.(10 48.95 •MY 142.50 119.75 State FRESNO, CALIFORNIA, HAS MID-WESTERN FEDERATION 215.30 179.10 Arboi NEW MINERAL SOCIETY SETS UP EXCHANGE BUREAU sales tax in California. Size The Fresno, California. Gem and Min- A mineral exchange bureau, designed to Allow for Postage and Insurance eral society held its first meeting January facilitate the exchange of specimens be- 18 with 72 charter members. Regular meet- tween members, has been set up by the Covington Ball Bearing Grinder ings will be held the fourth Thursday in Mid-West Federation, under the chairman- md shields are each month at the John Burroughs elemen- ship of Frank J. Sadilek, 1308 West 42 'urnished in 4 tary school. The president is Dr. Andrew Street, Des Moines. Iowa. Sadilek and a sizes and price Still Wallace. Serving with him are: George committee will compile lists of material -an^es to suit Harbison, first vice president; Dr. Clement available from interested members. These our require- Tavares, second vice president; Anita Mar- will be mimeographed and distributed ents. Water and shall, secretary and Minnie LaRoche, treas- through member societies. Those submitting <;rit proof. urer. The first field trip took members lists of exchange materials should enclose nine miles north of Coalinga where they nine cents in stamps to help defray costs dug for fossilized clam shells. Four miles and postage. COVINGTON 8" TRIM SAW nearer Coalinga nice specimens of opalized • • • and motor are com wood were dug from the Shell Oil company EARLY LAPIDARISTS CREDITED pact and do not gravel pits. FOR PRECISION EQUIPMENT splash. Save blade* "Cutting and polishing Cabochons" was and clothing witli the subject of an entertaining talk given by this saw. JADE NIGHT AT Herbert Monlux at the March meeting of BUILD YOUR OWN LAP MINNESOTA MINERAL CLUB the Santa Monica, California. Gemologica] society. Monlux is a pioneer hobby lapi- and SAVE with a COV- The Minnesota Mineral club held its darist and a charter member of the Los INGTON 12" or 16" Lap February 10 meeting in the solarium of the Angeles Lapidary society. He said very Kit. We furnish every- Curtis Hotel, Minneapolis. Kenneth John- little lapidary information was available 15 thing you need. Send son, popular member of the club told "The for free catalog. Wfv Story of Jade" based on his own research. years ago. He recalled his first experience reading and observation. He explained the in cutting a geode—four days of eight hours various locations throughout the world each with a home-made mud saw. He cred- h COVINGTON its present day precision equipment to the ^ Multi-Feature where jade is found and the real ancient experimentation of early rockhounds. 18" Lap Unit history connected with it. Later, Johnson Does gave another talk entitled "The Metamor- everything phasis of a Rockhound," illustrated with NEW FEATURE PLANNED FOR for you. COVINGTON colored slides. A short business meeting SEQUOIA SOCIETY BULLETIN J2" 14" was followed by a period of trading and The Sequoia Mineral society. Parlier, or lfi" selling. According to the serial numbers on California, has planned a new feature for Power Feed the tickets, 130 people attended this meet- the Bulletin, its official publication. Through Diamond ing, all agreeing it was one of the best of the courtesy of Bill McDonald, society Saws the year. member and Fresno jeweler, a series of articles on birthstones will be published. SAVE The first appeared in March, with blood- BLADES NORTHERN CALIFORNIA stones and aquamarine being discussed. According to legend, a piece of green chal- SWAP PICNIC PLANNED cedony lay at the foot of the cross. Drops Semi for New Catalog, IT'S PKKE Jointly sponsored by the Sacramento, of the Savior's blood fell upon it and be- Mother Lode and Sequoia Mineral societies, came a part of the stone, the small red COVINGTON LAPIDARY SUPPLY the Northern California Annual Swap Pic- inclusions which distinguish the bloodstone Redlcmds. California nic is scheduled for May 20, American and give it the name. Legion Park, Modesto, California. The affair is open to all rockhounds. Those attending should bring their own lunch but coffee, cream and sugar will be served by the Sacramento Mineral society. Ample display space is planned and dealers are welcome. Prizes will be given the winners tyou've Seen o>i{ of games, quiz programs and the best tall tale. Petrified Wood, Moss Agate, Chrysocolla Turquoise, Jade and Jasper Jewelry MOHAVE MINERAL SOCIETY HAND MADE IN STERLING SILVER HEARS FACTS ON BORAX Bracelets, Rings, Necklaces, Earrings California, source of 94 percent of the and Brooches world's borax, produces more in a day than the rest of the world does in a year. This SPECIALLY SELECTED STONES WITH was only one of the facts heard by the CHOICE COLORS AND PICTURES Mojave, California, Gem and Mineral so- ciety in a talk by Mr. Morgan, chief chem- Write for Folder With Prices ist for the Pacific Coast Borax company, March 1. Morgan stated that borax has many other uses besides that of a cleansing ELLIOTT'S GEM SHOP agent. He listed its use in refining precious 23J. East Seaside Blvd. LONG BEACH I. CALIF. metals, in the manufacture of rayons, dyes, Across from West End of Municipal paint and insulation, among others. The Auditorium Grounds door prize for the evening, a slab of sanded Hours 10 A. M. to 9 P. M. Daily Except Monday agate, went to Mrs. Ted Galusha.

MAY, 195 1 31 AMONG THE ADVERTISING UTE GEM MART 8c a Word . . . Minimum $1.00 ROCK HUNTERS

FLUORESCENT MINERALS (Franklin, N. J.) FREE HERKIMER DIAMOND embedded in Dona Ana County rockhounds, Las Superb specimens of Calcium Larsenite with the book "Let's Hunt For Herkimer Dia- Willemite and Franklinite. Fluoresces vivid monds." A must for crystals hunters. $1.00. Cruces, New Mexico, held their March 9 yellow and green. Some specimens also con- Claude B. Smith, Box 291, Geneva, N. Y. meeting at the Mesilla Park school. After tain Calcite and fluoresce vivid yellow, green a business session, Dr. L. L. Camien, pro- and red. $3.00 to $15.00. Willemite or Cal- BLACK ONYX blanks 25c each. Red Onyx cite, Willemite and Calcite, 5 beautiful speci- blanks 35c each. Green Onyx blanks 35c fessor of Sociology and Anthropology at mens (2x2) $5.00, single specimens $1.10, small each. Prompt service given to mail order State college, lectured on the Folsom Man, pieces $1.50 per lb. Larger specimens in jobs. All kinds of fine cutting. Juchem Bros., earliest known human from whom we have stock. Other specimens non-fluorescing. In- 315 W. 5th St., Los Angeles 13, California. quiries invited. Postpaid, money back guar- artifacts. Professor Camien stressed the antee. Fred W. Morris, 8804 19th Avenue, 100 POUNDS of Copper and Crystal specimens fact that amateurs have contributed much Brooklyn 14, New York. $25.00. Will take part in rocks in trade. 1 to archeological research and exploration. Copper specimen $1.00, 1 Calcite specimen A March 11 field trip into the Little Hatchet ROCK COLLECTORS ATTENTION—The Trailer $1.00. 1 Aragonite specimen $1.00. All 3 Rock Store is again open to visitors to the $2.50 postpaid. L. M. Jones, Box 307, Bisbee, Mountains six miles west of Hachita netted area between Palm Springs and Palm Desert, Arizona. jasper-agate and agate in plentiful quan- Hiway 111. The Rockologist, (Chuekawalla tites. Slim) Box 181, Cathedral City, California. IF YOU ARE A ROCKHOUND you need the Lapidary Journal. Tells how ":o cut and polish • • • MINERAL SETS: 24 Colorful Minerals (iden- rocks, gives news of all mineral-gem groups. tified) in lxl compartments, S3.00 postpaid. Tells how to make jewelry, carries ads of "Minerals of the Duchy of Cornwall" PROSPECTOR'S SET — 50 minerals (identi- dealers in supplies, equipment, gems, minerals was the topic of a talk given at the March fied) in lxl compartments in cloth reinforced, from all over the world. Well illustrated, sturdy cartons, $5.00 postpaid. ELLIOTT beautifully printed. Subscription $2.00 a year 12 meeting of the Southwest Mineralogists, GEM SHOP, 235 East Seaside Blvd. Long —back numbers 50c. Sample Copy 25c if you Los Angeles. Speaker was Kilian Bensusan. Beach 2, California. have never subscribed or been sampled. For hundreds of years, slate, tin, iron and LELANDE QUICK, Editor, Palm Desert, TITANIA GEMS $5.00 per carat for stones over California. kaolin have been mined in Cornwall. Ben- 3 carats. Also mounted in 14K gold rings. susan said that Cornwall is a rockhound's All precious gems at lowest prices. Ace FOR SALE: Beautiful purple Petrified Wood paradise as fine specimens of many varieties Lapidary Co., Box 67, Jamaica, N. Y. with Uranium, Pyrolusite, Manganite. Nice sample $1.00. Postage. Maggie Baker, Wen- can be picked up by going through the mine ATTENTION ROCK COLLECTORS. It will pay den, Arizona. dumps. The March field trip to Muroc dry you to visit the Ken-Dor Rock Roost. We buy, lake netted a small amount of fine quality sell, or exchange mineral specimens. Visitors ITS BRIGHT GREENS AND WHITES make It are always welcome. Ken-Dor Rock Roost, worthy of a place in your collection. It's petrified wood to those who were willing 419 Sutter, Modesto, California. highly silicified chrome Diopside; polishes to do a terrific amount of pick and shovel into beautiful cabochons. You may order this work. MINERAL SPECIMENS, slabs or material by gem material from the discoverer-prospector. the pound for cutting and polishing. Carbo- Send 1.00, 2.00, 3.00, 4.00 or 5.00 dollars for • • • rundum wheels Cerium Oxide. Mountings. your specimen. If you return your specimen At the March 13 meeting, Joseph W. Approval selection sent upon request. You I'll return your monev. Address orders to are welcome. A. L. Jarvis, Route 2, Box 125, Eugene A. Bacchi, 3333 Fillmore St., San Baker gave the Yuma, Arizona, Gem and Watsonville, California, on Salinas Highway. Francisco 23, California. Mineral society a resume of mining activi- FROM CRYSTAL RIVER come beautiful speci- RADIOACTIVE ORE COLLECTION. Six won- ties in the vicinity. He said the most inter- mens. Large grab bag assortments, $5.00, derful specimens of Kuxenite & Monazite, esting and extensive work on general geology $10.00, $15.00. Choose your assortment. Ask Autunlte, Uranophane, Carnoi.ite, Samaraskite and mineral deposits of southern Yuma for list of other fine specimens, cutting ma- and Lambertite in neat redwood chest, only terials or fluorescent types. Jack The Rock- $2.00 Postpaid! Supply limited—Order now! county was done by William P. Blake be- hound, P. O. Box 86, Carbondale, Colorado. URANIUM PROSPECTORS, Box 604, Stockton, tween 1853 and 1898. More than 1800 California. different minerals have been classified in ALLEN FACET UNIT, Allen Gem Junior, Hil- quist BV unit, one 12ct, Kunsite Step cut, one SEND $3.00 for the most beautiful box of speci- Yuma county, with deposits found in either 3 ct. Peridot Diamond cut. Will sell or trade mens you have ever seen. 20 large colorful placer or vein. Baker listed the different for prewar car. Call New—1-2071 after 6:30 specimens, boxed and named, postpaid. L. areas and told about the river boats that p.m. H. E. Harshbarger, 2908 Oakwood Ave., M. Jones, Box 307, Bisbee, Arizona Lynwood, California. once docked at the granite bluffs near the SIX LARGE SLICES of Arizona Agates, $5.00 mission of the Yuma Indians. postpaid. Arizona Agate Mines, Cave Creek, FAMOUS TEXAS PLUMES Arizona. • • • FIFTY MINERAL SPECIMENS, 3A-ln. or over, Gladys Babson Hannaford gave a talk on Red Plume and many other types of agate. boxed, identified, described, mounted. Post- Slabs on approval. Rough agate. 8 lb. mix- paid $4.00. Old Prospector, Box 729 Lodi, "Diamonds from the Ground Up" at the ture postpaid, S5.00. Price list on request. California. February 6 meeting of the Tucson, Arizona, WOODWARD RANCH DESERT GEM SHOP under new management. Gem and Mineral society, illustrating with 17 miles So. on Hwy 118 Lots of cabs., slab cutting material and min- pictures taken at African mining areas. She erals. Order by mail or stop two miles west also showed crystal models of many famous Box 453, Alpine, Texas of Salome. L. C. Hoekett, Eox 276, Salome, Arizona. jarge diamonds. At the February 20 meet- ing several members gave short talks on BRING OR SEND your big rocks for cutting on our 36 inch diamond saw. Write for re- silver and silver mining. Numerous ore duced prices on lapidary supplies. F. E. Ran- specimens were displayed. On March 6 Mrs. MINERAL SPECIMENS kin, Hathaway Pines, California. H. Murchison addressed the society on Lapidary & Jeweler's Supplies MINERAL SPECIMENS and cutting material of "Whys and Wherefores of Mineral Names" I. C. FILER & SON all kinds. Gold and Silver jewelry made to covering the subject in an entertaining 1344 Hiway 99, San Bernardino. California order. Your stones or ours. 5 lbs. good cut- ting material $4.00 or $1.00 per lb. J. L. manner. Midway between Redlands and James, Battle Mountain, Nevada. San Bernardino • • • OVAL CABOCHONS — Symmetrically cut and Open Every Day beautifully polished. 3 for $1.00 tax included, The San Diego Lapidary society recently no C.O.D. Sizes from 18 to 30 mm. Lapis presented the San Diego Museum of Natural lazuli—Agates—Amethysts, etc. Pacific Gem History with pieces of jade from the sculp- Cutters, 424 So. Broadway, Los Angeles, Calif. tures of "Yang Kuei-Fei" and "Thunder" YOURS FOR READY-REFERENCE DIAMONDS: Save 40% —Wholesale prices, $85 by Donal Hord. Two sets of pictures show- to $2200. Loose brilliants. R3sale. For price RADIOACTIVE MINERALS list Airmail Joachim Goldenstein, Export ing different views as the work progressed, Dept. 6. Antwerp, Belgium. were included in the gift. The two statues Know first-hand the important types FOR TRADE—Good cutting material for good are showing at the Fine Arts Gallery, San of the world's most strategic minerals. showy mineral specimens, correspondence in- Diego. 16 selected specimens attractively vited" James Longden, Box 1002, Redding, • • • boxed plus data handbook California. (Me 7 Id) $7.50 70 DIFFERENT MINERAL SPECIMENS mounted In the future the regular monthly meet- and labeled in l"xl" compartments, $3.75. ings of the Northern California Mineral (Advise nearest Express office; Satisfaction guaranteed. Coast Gems & Min- shipment Collect) erals Inc., 11660 Ferris Road, El Monte, Calif. society of San Francisco will be held on the first Wednesday of each month and the BERYL CRYSTALS, Columbite, Tantalite, Pur- purite, Andalucite Crystals, Rose Quartz, Hell's business meeting on the second Wednesday. NATURAL SCIENCE Canyon Agates. Mac-Mich M.nerals Co., Cus- Several field trips are being planned. One ter, So. Dakota. within the city and county of San Francisco ESTABLISHMENT, INC. CUT YOUR OWN Gems! Write for catalog on has been proposed by a charter member of finest line of lapidary machinery in America. P.O.Box 24, Beechwood Station. Rochester. N.Y. Equipment Engineering Co., Dept. F., Box the society, Morris White, who really knows 292, Kansas City, Missouri. his way around when it comes to rocks.

32 DESERT MAGAZINE LAPIDARY SOCIETY HOLDS ROGUE GEM AND GEOLOGY 1 SECOND ANNUAL ROCK SHOW CLUB HOLDS FINE SHOW Agate Jewelry The Maricopa Lapidary society, Phoenix, An excellent display of rocks, minerals, Arizona, held its second annual show at the cut and polished semi-precious stones and National Guard Armory, February 17-18. a number of mounted specimens were fea- Wholesale Dealers and demonstrators had ample space tures of a show held by the Rogue Gem Rings — Pendants — Tie Chains around the edges of the room while the and Geology club at the Grants Pass, Ore- Brooches — Ear Rings exhibit material formed a hollow square gon, Library auditorium March 2. Of spe- Bracelets — Matched Sets in the center. There were many fine ex- cial interest was a brick from the Great —Send stamp for price list No. 1— amples of lapidary art. Two lectures by Wall of China. Harold Wolfe, of I he State Dr. C. D. Woodhouse of Santa Barbara Department of Geology and Mineral Indus- Blank Mountings college. University of California, and one tries, brought a rock and mineral display Rings — Ear Wires — Tie Chains by Odd Halseth, Phoenix City archaeolo- from the local office. Plans were made for Cuff Links — Neck Chains gist, were interesting features of the show. the mid-March field trip. Beiel — devices — Shanks • • • ' • • • Solder — Findings "Aerial Photography and Its Relation to The Palo Alto Geology society members —Send stamp for price list No. 2— Geology" was the subject of a talk given were guests of Calaveras Gem and Mineral the Yavapai Gem and Mineral society, Pres- society, Angels Camp, California. March O. R. JUNKINS & SON cott, Arizona, by Hugh Hughes, S. E. 10 and 11. Professor V. L, Vanderhoof, of 440 N.W. Beach St. Jerome and W. P. Johnston of the New the Stanford school of mineral sciences, Newport, Oregon Jersey Zinc Exploration company. The spoke on California earthquakes at the speakers pointed out how aerial shots taken February meeting. On display was [he most over familiar territory could be of value to accurate earthquake forecaster known, a rockhounds. They explained the different perfect crystal ball, belonging to the Stan- types of pictures used by their company, ford family collection. The Palo Alto Ge- explaining why oblique photographs are ology society members are "rock readers" more easily interpreted by the amateur. rather than rockhounders. Door prizes for the evening were won by Marie Kuhne and Dick Manley, Jr. • • • • • • The Mineralogical society of Phoenix, Arizona, enjoyed an outing in the Desert Fourteen out of state guests met with the {han the Diamond I members of the Mineralogical society of Botanical Gardens March 4 and a lecture Phoenix, Arizona, February 2. President by Dr. Marshall as well as a tour of the Benham gave an interesting talk on the gardens and new lath house. A aot luck lunch was served in the patio of the gar- FACETED ROUND GEMS physics of fluorescence, using charts to dens. At the mid March meeting Mr. and show the relationship between the basic OF SYNTHETIC facts underlying the phenomenon. The field Mrs. Zeitner of the Zeitner Geological Mu- trip on February 11 netted tourmaline which seum at Mission, South Dakota, showed will be used in the grab bags at the Feder- color slides of exhibits in the museum, ex- TITANIA ation Convention in June. Glen Moore plaining each as shown. Mrs. Zeitner also have five times more ability than the gave an interesting lapidary demonstration explained the collecting areas, geology and Diamond to break light into its component on the evening of February 16. During the scenery of South Dakota. colors producing a magnificent rainbow month seven new members were accepted • • • effect. into the society. The Contra Costa Mineral and Gem so- • • • ciety, Alamo, California, has installed the SEND FOR A FREE PRICE LIST describing At the regular monthly meeting of the following officers for 1951: Ed Ross, presi- Pomona Valley, California, Mineral club. dent; Lynn Hulse, vice president; BH Wight, Titania Rainbow Jewelry Walter S. Chamberlin, chairman of the secretary-treasurer. A field trip, February Southern California Grotto of the National 24-25, took 25 members below the Big Sur OTHER SERVICES OFFERED to Mill Creek, looking for Monterey jade. JEWELRY REPAIR SERVICE speleological society, explained the methods This is an extremely rugged bit of coast. used in cave explorations. He described It is reported most rockhounds got a good GEM STONE CUTTING equipment and showed colored slides of ducking. Some were successful in finding GEM CUTTING EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS cave explorations in the vicinity of Sequoia jade, others picked up serpentine. At the AND SUPPLIES and Death Valley, California, and Natural JEWELRY MAKING TOOLS AND MATERIALS Bridge, Arizona. Underwater photos of March 9 meeting, Glenn E. Daniels, a cavern streams and pools, taken by Cham- member of the East Bay society, spoke on MINERAL SPECIMENS "Water as a Mineral," showing many nice FLUORESCENT LAMPS, GEIGER COUNTERS berlin. were also shown, closing an unusu- color slides. ally entertaining evening. URANIUM SAMPLES, FLUORESCENT MINERALS • • • • • • A field trip to Red Rock canyon and FIELD TRIP GUIDE BOOKS At the February 9 meeting of the San the nearby opal fields on January 28 and ROUGH AUSTRALIAN OPALS Diego Mineral and Gem society, Norman another to the pegmatites near Naevo, five Dawson and Robert Dye took members on miles off U. S. 395 in Riverside County, for a lecture "Trip to Four Peaks Amethyst tourmalines and garnets, were a part of GRIEGER'S Mine." The mine, located in eastern Ari- recent activities of the Whittier, California, 1633 EAST WALNUT STREET zona, is being operated by Dye, who has Gem and Mineral society. Meetings are spent months packing out deep purple ame- PASADENA 4, CALIFORNIA the first and third Tuesday of each month, PHONE SYCAMORE 6-6423 thyst crystals. Kodachrome slides, revealing at Whittier Union high school. the color of the soil diggings skirting the opening and a panoramic view of the sur- rounding terrain, were shown. Many fine amethyst specimens were on display. The Four Peaks area is one of the most difficult to reach in the Pacific group of states. • • • Collecting areas in Mason, Llano, San Saba, Lampasas and Brown counties were discussed by Dr. R. T. Havens at the Feb- BEFORE YOU BUY ruary meeting of the Austin Gem and Min- SEND FOR OUR BIG FREE CATALOG eral society. Dr. Havens displayed a collec- The world-famous HILLQUIST LINE of lapidary equipment tion of faceted stones, including 29 cut topaz, the largest weighing over 23 carats. LAPIDARY EQUIP. CO. 1545 W. 49 ST., SEATTLE 7, WASH At the March meeting, Sergeant Lee El- more, of the Bergstrom Air Force Base, showed pictures made while stationed in Alaska. An interesting feature of the pro- gram were the "braggers" who exhibited their bragging rocks.

MAY, 1 95 1 The Southwest Mineralogists of Los An- At the regular monthly meeting of the geles, scheduled its fourteenth Annual Gem Wasatch Gem society of Salt Lake City, and Mineral show for April 21 from 1 p.m. February 16, a short talk on amethysts was to 10 p.m. and April 22 frori 10 a.m. to 6 given by Mary Moorehead. Dr. W. D. p.m. Exhibits of rough and polished gems Armstrong's illustrated lecture on "The and stones, as well as displays of jewelry Beauties of the Mineral World" was greatly and mineral specimens are planned. appreciated also. • • • • • • At the February meeting of the Denver An overnight field trip, March 18 and 19, Mineral society, Dr. Richard M. Pearl took members of the San Gabriel Valley showed colored slides of minerals in the Lapidary society to Mule Canyon in the Harvard Mineralogical museum. Car stick- Calico Mountains. Petrified palm roots, ers, bearing the emblem of the American blue agate, jasper and a small amount of RUTILE (Titania) Federation of Mineralogical societies, were petrified wood were found. Those who Pacific Gem Cutters is first to offer you this given to those who desired them. The de- remained for the second day's hunt found most amazing gem cut in our own plant, at sign on the stickers is the prize winning good blue and plume agate as well as some these Low Prices. emblem submitted by Betty Burwell in the golden jasper. Small (tones can be had in pairs for earrings Vz to I carat sizes at $10.00 carat national competition last summer. James • • • 1 carat sizes and up at $ 7.59 carat Hurlbut has been appointed chairman of a At the February meeting of the San Each stone guaranteed to be first quality. committee which will plan a series of field Brilliant cut stones from Linde Air Products Gorgonio Mineral and Gem society, Ban- boulea, facet for facet to duplicate the bril- trips for this summer. Doris Short, Mrs. ning, California, colored slides of rock liant diamond cut. These synthetic balls of Thomas Allen, Trudy Martin and Tike specimens from various sections of the fire have a double refractive index and Meissner will assist Hurlbut. exceed the diamond in brilliance. world, were shown, with Stan Breitschneider PACIFIC GEM CUTTERS as commentator. The club is sponsoring a LAPIDARY AND STONE SUPPLY Bob Kuhne, amateur photographer and silver-craft class in Beaumont, conducted by Phone MA 8833—Judson Rives Building Paul Walker. To date 18 rockhounds have 424 South Broadway, Los Angeles 13, Calif. a friend of the Havasupai Indians, showed a collection of Havasu canyon colored enrolled. slides at the February 20 meeting of the • • • Yavapai County Archeological society, Pres- The Searles Lake, California, Gem and FIRE OPAL cott, Arizona. An interested spectator was Mineral society held its annual '49er Cos- Mrs. Viola Jimulla. chief of the Yavapais. tume Ball on February 17. George Pil- Kuhne's "ictures of the Havasupai are a cher's young Moonlight Serenaders from MEXICO pageant of their lives. By special request of the Trona high school furnished the music. 10 Small Pieces Average Vi" S1.00 W. M. Beveridge, supervisor of Prescott A melodrama and barbershop quartet were S Larger Pieces Average %"—1".... 1.00 National Forest and a member of the special features. Mr. and Mrs. Neil Hinckle 12 Nice Pieces Cherry & Honey Opal 1.00 archeological society, Kuhne concluded his and Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Gale took top (Suitable for Cabochons) show with color photographs of the forest honors for the best costume. Mrs. Al Gil- 1 Small Vial Clear Fire Opal 1.50 fire that came close to the outskirts of the bert won the door prize. 1 Large Vial Clear Fire Opal 3.00 Mile High City. • • • W. R. Miller talked on "Original Rock- $7.50 Dr. C. H. Cleminshaw, Associate Director hounds" at the February 22 meeting of the of Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles, spoke El Paso, Texas, Rockhounds. The lecture Entire Lot Postpaid for S5.00 covered artifacts left by ancient Indians. on "Meteorites" to the San Fernando Val- Miller, who is associated with Texas West- Satisfaction Guaranteed or Money ley, California, Mineral and Gem society ern college, displayed a part of his collec- Cheerfully Refunded at its March meeting. He used slides and tion, explaining the manner in which they actual specimens to illustrate Griffith Ob- were made. Many of his fine arrow and Prompt Shipment on all Sizes servatory has a fine meteorite display as spear points came from Comanche County, Felker Diamond Saw Blades well as other exhibits covering geology, Texas. mineralogy and lapidary work. RALPH E. MUELLER & SON • • • At the February 1 meeting of the Ta- 307 Admiral Blvd. • Kansas City 6, Mo. THE ROCK OF THE MONTH CLUB coma, Washington, Agate club, Jack Miner Receive every month a different beautiful rock specimen. Six months' membership Sfi. showed colored pictures of Mexico. Mrs. First month's rock is a high Ki'ade piece of Fred Chester and Esther served refresh- Per Pound Turquoise polished on one side. ments. At the second meeting of the month Snowflake Obsidian $ .75 May be purchased separately postpaid for Thomas Morgan talked on faceting. There Star Agate, Fluorescent 50 only $1.50. Grape Agate 50 The Rock of the Month Club were two door prizes, the first a Bear Creek, Petrified Wood, strong in Carnotlte 1.00 Round Mountain, Nevada Oregon, cabochon and a piece of the ma- Finest Petrified Wood $1.00 to 3.00 terial was won by Mike Keena; the second, Finest Dinosaur Bono.. 1.00 to 4.00 Blue banded, Carnelian, Pigeon a Porter concretion, from Porter, Washing- Blood Agates 1.00 ton, was carried home by Kent Freeman. Lime Onyx for book ends & spheres .50 Selenite Crystals, all sizes, clearest • • • known 40 ALLEN The Mineral and Gem society of Castro Beptrian Nodules, all sizes 25 Lime Onyx book ends, unpolished JUNIOR Valley, California, held its membership per pair Sfi.00 to 10.00 GEM meeting March 9 in the cafeteria of the Utah Picture Rock 7c per inch Hayward Union high school. Two color Slabbed stuff 30c to 60c per sq. in. CUTTER Postage and cash with order please sound films were shown through the cour- tesy of the Standard Oil company. The HUBERT'S ROCK SHOP A Complete Lapidaiy Shop Utah Ilocks and Minerals first film showed formations in Carlsbad Springdale, Utah Only $43.50 Caverns. New Mexico; the second was a travelogue of South America. F. W. Buhn • Ideal for apartment house dwel- gave an account of his trip to Horse Can- yon in Southern California where he found ers. specimens of agate. Plans for the third an- 1 JEWELRY MOUNTINGS! • Polish rocks into beautiful gems. nual Mineral Show April 7 and 8 were ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE AVAILABLE • Anyone can learn. discussed. The superb finish and fine • • • craftsmanship of CONLEY'S • Instructions included. ELKHEAD LIFETIME PAT- Edna Nichols has been elected president TERN in 3-tone gold filled en- ables you to create exquisite Write for Catalog, 25c of the San Jacinto-Hemet, California, Rock- jewelry equal to the finest pro- hounds. Officers serving with her are: fessional shop. Other CONLEY mountings ALLEN LAPIDARY EQUIPMENT John Felt, vice president; Kay Kelly, secre- in Gold—Filled—Silver and Plate. Lowest Possible Prices Consistent with Qual- COMPANY — Dept. D tary-treasurer. An installation dinner was ity — Insist on Conley Quality. scheduled for April 12 at the Hemet Elks AVAILABLE AT ALL BETTER DEALERS 3632 W. Slauson Ave.. Los Angeles 43, Cal. club. Members attending at least six meet- or write us WT. 715 Riverside Ave., Spokane, Wash. Phone Axminister 2-6206 ings during the past year are to be awarded new Rockhound pins.

34 DESERT MAGAZINE Date for the Delvers Gem and Mineral COACHELLA VALLEY MINERAL club of Northern Illinois at Downers Grove. society, Downey, California, show has been SOCIETY HOLDS SHOW Illustrating with colored slides, Dr. Whit- set at May 19-20, location Woman's Club field described points of similarity and dif- building on Paramount Boulevard. Those interested in minerals and gems ference, names of species and the relation- • • • had an opportunity to enjoy them at the ship between various types. He had many The regular monthly meeting of the Coachella Valley Gem and Mineral show, fossil flora specimens on display. Western Nebraska Mineral society was held held at Indio, California, March 30 through « • • April 1. An entire building on the fair March 5, Chappell, Nebraska. A program Arrangements have been completed for yearbook was organized. Luncheon was grounds was devoted to exhibits ranging from specimen displays through beautiful the 1951 annual meeting and show of the served by Mr. and Mrs. George Peterson. State Mineral society of Texas. It is sched- The next meeting is planned for Sidney, cabochons and artistic jewelry to the largest star sapphire in the world, owned by Ka- uled for May 4, 5, and 6 at the Woodlawn with E. P. Chapman of the Ohio Oil com- gymnasium, San Antonio. Jesse Burt is pany lecturing on the geological features of zanjian Brothers of Los Angeles. • • • president of the society; Joe Murphy, vice Nebraska. president; Mildred K. Spillman, secretary- • • • Dr. Robert Whitfield, who is associated treasurer. The Mojave Mineralogical society. Mo- with the department of Paleobotany at the • • • jave, California, held its regular meeting at Chicago Natural History Museum, spoke the Marine Base chapel March 3. Members on the identification of fossil flora at the Show Date Changed . . . arranged many displays of petrified wood March 9 meeting of the Earth and Science The Delvers Rock and Mineral society from the Mud Mine, as well as mineral has changed the date of its show from May specimens and cutting material from Death 5 and 6, as previously announced, to May Valley. Colored slides, prizes and free Answers to Quiz 19 and 20. Location remains the same. doughnuts and coffee wound up an enter- Questions are on page 29 taining evening. 1—New Mexico. • • • 2—Mt. Whitney in California. An interesting and informative talk on 3—Crystals. usable plants of the desert, was presented 4—Famous stage driver. by Preston Mercer at a recent meeting of 5—Dick Wick Hall. the Yuma, Arizona, Gem and Mineral so- 6—Mesquite. ciety. Mercer is the inspector in charge of 7—Along the Colorado River. the Arizona plant quarantine inspection sta- 8—White. MERCURY / tion in Yuma. 9—Flagstaff. • • • 10—As evidence that they are eligible TUNGSTEN — URANIUM The Coos County Mineral and Gem club. for marriage. North Bend, Oregon, was a year old in 11—Chiricahua. January. Meetings are held the first Wed- 12—Dry manure. FIND VITAL nesday and third Tuesday in the month, 13—Red. with refreshments being served at the Tues- 14—Agate. WAR METALS! day meeting. Officers are: Joe Lessard, 15—San Jacinto peak. with Ultra-Violet Mineralight president; L. J. Wright, vice president; Mrs. 16—Yellow. Roy Law, secretary-treasurer; Mrs. B. N. 17—Zion National Park. MINERALIGHT instantly identifies mercury, Selthon, librarian. 18—Kayenta, Arizona. • • • 19—Nogales. tungsten and many other valuable minerals Ruth Simpson, formerly connected with 20—Father Escalante. now in demand for rearmament. the Southwest Museum in Los Angeles, was guest speaker at the regular monthly meet- 5 MINERALIGHT models for every require- ing of the Orange Belt Mineralogical so- ment. Money-back guarantee. ciety, San Bernardino, California, March 6. POLY ARBORS—With accesories for grind- Her subject was "Prehistoric Rockhounds." ing, sanding and polishing. She explained the two great stone ages of Send jar free brochure on South and Central America, illustrating with DI-MET (Felker)—Diamond saw blcdes all "Prospecting for Scheelite colored slides. Miss Simpson displayed ar- sizes up to 16" at list prices. (tungsten) with Ultra Violet." tifacts of the pre-Inca Indians of the Mayan GRINDING WHEELS. Sanding cloth, Tin Temple age, proving people in those times Oxide, Templates, etc., at standarc prices. also had knowledge of cutting and polishing stones. CUSTOM CUTTING—Your stones expertly ULTRA-VIOLET PRODUCTS, Inc. • • • cut to order for moderate charges. The Sequoia Mineral society, Parlier, 145 Pasadena Avenue, South Pasadena, Calif. California, has been given an unusual speci- men of selenite crystals by past president, KANE LAPIDARY & SUPPLY Ocie Randall. It was presented, sealed in ALTA INDUSTRIES glass and has been placed in the society's 1737 E. McDowell Road. Phoenix. 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MAY, 195 1 35 able returns and increased their space. Lelande found that his job was inter- You are invited fering with his hobby—he couldn't be to entertain a group of your friends a top flight officer in a big pharma- privately, in the grand manner, ceutical concern, and the editor of a in the distinctive fast-growing magazine, and do justice to both interests. As a student in the University of So in March, 1948, he resigned from Pennsylvania many years ago Lelande the Miller corporation and became a Quick wanted to become a journalist. full-time editor and publisher. The But when school days were over he dream of his college days had come learned that there were more journal- true. ists than there were editors who wanted • • • to hire them—and so he took a job in "The reason none of the present a bank. From that he went into insur- day prospectors have had any luck in ance, and eventually came to Los finding the lost Pegleg gold nuggets," Angeles. writes Fred Eads, "is that they do There, he was offered a position as their prospecting in automobiles. If salesman for the E. S. Miller Labora- the Pegleg mine is ever found, it will tories, Inc. Lelande remained with the be re-discovered by a single blanket Miller company 14 years, and in 1946 desert rat with a couple of burros." had become vice president of the com- Fred Eads, who wrote the story of pany in charge of sales. Also, he was the Mono lake gold for this issue of vice president of the American Phar- Desert Magazine, probably knows more maceutical Manufacturers association. lost mine stories than any other vet- He owned considerable stock in the eran in the West, with the possible Miller company and his place in the exception of John Mitchell of Chand- £+ aboard the NEW industry was secure. ler, Arizona. But in the meantime he had ac- Eads is a newspaper man by pro- quired a hobby. It started in Septem- fession, and for many years was on ber, 1938, when he bought a copy of the staff of the Los Angeles Times. Desert Magazine containing a story But the desert was always a lure to written by John Hilton about some old him and he spent many months tramp- Indian turquoise mines on the Mo- ing over Death Valley with the old- Saner jave desert — and the fun the rock time prospectors in quest of lost treas- collectors were having in gathering ure. Following his retirement from specimens of the colorful stone. the strenuous life of a reporter Eads Lelande became interested in stones, moved to San Gabriel, California. Al- and being a very thorough student of though well along in years, he still every subject to which he turned his goes off to the desert on a prospecting attention, he soon had his own lapi- trip whenever he has the opportunity. The Turquoise Room in the new dary equipment and was cutting and He has compiled over 100 lost mine Chief stories of the Southwest which he plans lounge car of the new Super Chief polishing beautiful gems from the is the only private dining room rocks which came from the desert and to publish in book form eventually. on rails in the world ... the most elsewhere. • • • distinctive social feature ever He learned that others were inter- Eleanor Hodgson of Phoenix, Ari- provided on any train. ested in the same craft, and with other zona, who wrote this month's story Fine Enough for Any Occasion hobbyists he helped found the Los about Geronimo, is a versatile artist In the intimate and charming Angeles Lapidary society—the first of and craftsman. She works not only with canvas and oil, but also in cer- Turquoise Room, parties up to its kind in the United States—and be- came its first president. Since then he amics, making pottery lamps, bowls, ten persons may celebrate a birth- flower holders, etc., with the desert day or anniversary, or enjoy a has helped organize 20 such societies across the country. motif. Her decorations in clay include delightful cocktail or dinner party cactus blossoms, gila monsters, elf —with the appointments, the ex- At the invitation of the Desert Mag- azine editor, Quick began writing a owls and other familiar denizens of perienced Fred Harvey service, monthly page for the gem cutting fra- the desert country. and the unexcelled cuisine that ternity in Desert in August, 1942. Originally from Canada, she came the most exacting hostess can His sage counsel and informative com- to the desert many years ago and has demand. ment have appeared in every issue found it an artist's paradise. For Turquoise Room reserva- since that date. • • • tions consult any Santa Fe ticket The old urge to become a journalist Loved by His Neighbors . . . agent or the dining car steward haunted him again, and in April, 1946, One of the most colorful old-timers on the he launched the Lapidary Journal — in the Southwest, Tom Childs of Ro- new Super Chief an entire magazine devoted to gem wood, Arizona, passed away during cutting and silver craftsmanship. At the latter part of March. (Desert Mag- C. C. Thompson first the publication appeared only as azine, Dec. '45). He was a survivor Passenger Traffic Manager a quarterly, but after a year its popu- of the period when the Apaches were Los Angeles 14 larity made it necessary to step it up still running wild in Southern Arizona, to a bi-monthly. and his death was mourned by both The well-edited new magazine grew his white neighbors and the Papago and prospered. Advertisers got profit- Indians.

36 DESERT MAGAZINE That he is able to communicate to the reader the many colorful reasons BOOKS OF THE SOUTHWEST for this nostalgia is a tribute to the author's artistry. The reader chuckles with him at his turning of the tables VIVID TALES OF LIFE COWBOY AND TRADER IN on the not quite crafty enough Navajo, IN DEATH VALLEY THE NAVAJO COUNTRY son of Many Horses, who drove away As a reporter in Los Angeles in the Joseph Schmedding, author of Cow- Schmedding's horses in the night in early days of the present century Bill boy and Indian Trader, worked as a the hope of reaping a reward for "find- Caruthers was intrigued by the stories cowboy in New Mexico just after the ing" them the next day. Joseph which occasionally filtered out of the turn of the century. In his book of Schmedding liked the Navajos and arid California-Nevada desert known memoirs he gives a true picture of cow- gives a wealth of information about as Death Valley. boy life, far removed from the con- the Dinneh whom he came to know so well during seven years as owner At the first opportunity Caruthers ception built up by fanciful musical comedies such as Rio Rita and The of the Reams Canyon Trading Post. went into the region—in a buckboard. The Caxton Printers, Ltd., Caldwell, And that trip was the first of many, Rose of the Rancho. He writes, "I never saw a guitar in any trail camp, Idaho. 42 photographs illustrate the covering a long period of years. During book. 364 pp. $5.00. those years he became intimately ac- and though possessed of a good pair quainted with Dad Fairbanks, Shorty of ears, never heard the soft modula- This book may be ordered from Harris, Death Valley Scotty, Indian tion of touching cowboy ballads at Desert Crafts Shop George, Charley Brown, and the scores the end of twelve hours or more of Palm Desert, California of others who sought riches in that strenuous activities." arid sink. In his late teens and early twenties, Schmedding worked at the Triangle Caruthers kept notes about the peo- SAGA OF AN OLD Bar Triangle ranch, owned by Richard ple he met, and the tales they told. SILVER MINING CAMP And now those notes have been com- Wetherill, which was near the ruins of piled and presented in Loafing Along Pueblo Bonito in Chico Canyon on the Douglas D. Martin, professor of Death Valley Trails, one of the most Navajo reservation in northern New journalism at the University of Ari- fascinating volumes yet to be written Mexico. There he learned much of zona, has announced the publication in about the most forbidding area in the the historic background of this ancient May of a new book on the history of United States. Many of the stories in land. There too he learned tc know Tombstone, colorful mining camp in this book have never before appeared Indians and the business of trading southern Arizona, to be titled Tomb- in printed form. with them. His account of ranch and stone's Epitaph. Prof. Martin became Caruthers' book is the story of man's trading life makes fascinating reading. interested in writing the book two quest for gold in that mad decade A great deal of information is skill- years ago when he served as summer which followed the turn of the cen- fully woven into the tale of the youth- editor of the Tombstone Epitaph, the tury—when a few men were growing ful years of a man whose travels and local newspaper. Since then he has rich while many others died of thirst occupations have taken him to many done much research on the lives of as they searched for treasure in a re- countries. The New Mexico of sun- Wyatt Earp and his brothers. Doc gion where summer temperatures often shine and space, sparsely populated Holliday, the Clantons, McLowerys reached 125 degrees. In this book are by vigorous pioneers who lived a free and others who played leading roles recorded the stories of bad men and courageous life almost unknown today, in the bloody saga of the old silver brave men, of braver pioneer women, claims first place in Schmedding's camp. The book is to be published by of honkies and of harlots who added heart and memory. the New Mexico University Press. to the color of the mining camps even though they contributed nothing to the morals. It is a very human book. The author About Men and Their Queist for Gold . . . was not so much concerned with his- tory—although there is much authen- tic history in its pages—as with the intimate personal lives of the people LOOT ALONG DEATH VALLEY TRAILS who made mining history in the early By WILLIAM CARUTHERS days of Death Valley. A fine tribute is paid to Senator Here are stories of men's search for gold in the most arid region of the Charley Brown of Shoshone, who per- United States—told by a reporter who followed the trails with them. haps more than any other deserves the credit during the last 25 years for Here is much information never before published about Death Valley the transformation of the Death Val- Scotty, Shorty Harris, Indian George, Jacob Breyfogle and scores of ley region from a forbidding waste- other hardy frontiersmen who played leading roles in the early day land to a popular winter mecca for drama of Death Valley and. the boom mining camps of the California- motorists. Nevada Desert. This edition of Loafing Along Death Valley Trails is limited to 3000 copies. $3.85 postpaid Published by Desert Magazine Press. California buyers add lie tax Halftone illustrations. 184 pp. Index. $3.85. This book available at "Detent Palm Desert, California Desert Crafts Shop Palm Desert, California

MAY, 1951 37 etween If on and Me

By RANDALL HENDERSON

N MARCH 30, Newton B. Drury, director of the with the Great American Desert. There are a thousand National Park Service, resigned his position—at the publications devoted to the rest of the world—our's is for request of Oscar L. Chapman, Secretary of Interior. the desert only. A. E. Demaray was named acting director pending the Writers, before submitting a manuscript to any editor, appointment of Drury's successor. should study the publication in which it is to appear. For Newton Drury was a Californian, held in high re- each magazine has its own editorial formula—its style, its gard by those of us who were acquainted with his conser- taboos, its limitations. Some very well written articles vation work in this state, notably in connection with the are rejected in this office because they are too impersonal. Save-the-Redwoods league. Readers like human interest, and most editors like to give I have no information as to the reasons for Drury's them as much human drama as possible. And there is removal, but I suspect they are related to matters of policy good reason for that. For after all, the most interesting in the Department of Interior. The Park director pre- phenomena on this planet are the humans who occupy it. sented a strong case against the encroachment on the People like to read about the doings of other people. Dinosaur National Monument by the Echo Park and Split In this office we not only limit our material to the Mountain dam project on the Utah-Colorado border— desert country, but we insist that it have the "feel" of the and was over-ruled by Chapman. des;rt. That is an intangible something which some folks Generally I am on the side of the conservationists— acquire very quickly—while others may reside in the arid but I am well aware there will have to be some compro- region a lifetime and never understand. Some persons mises between those of us who would preserve the scenic live in a tiny little world of their own, so small that they wilderness areas of the West in their natural state, and never acquire the feel of anything beyond their own little those who, without regard for scenic values, would exploit ego-centric selves. In conversation they talk mostly about every resource to the limit of its profit-making capacity. themselves. Compromises will be necessary because of the pres- This desert is a big world—a world of plant life, of sure of increasing population and diminishing natural animal life, a world of constant change in which the les- resources. More dams in the Colorado river are inevitable. sons learned today may have to be re-learned tomorrow. It is a depressing thought to those of us who would like Newcomers have to adapt themselves to life in this arid to see the incomparable canyons of the Colorado pre- region, to the lack of rainfall, the absence of verdure, the served in all their majesty. And yet we cannot ignore the extremes of temperature—and perhaps most important demands of an increasing population which will want of all, the dependence on themselves rather than on the more television sets, more automobiles. We must realize services rendered by others in more densely populated that all the manufactured gadgets with which we surround areas. ourselves will require an ever-increasing supply of power. If you would sec the desert at its best, turn your back Unless atomic energy is evolved to the point where it on the main highways because they are not akin. Ambling will supply this need, you and I may have to surrender along winding trails, flanked by creosote and mesquite, some of the natural beauty of our western wilderness areas. you can meet the real desert and listen to its leisurely lan- Fortunately, there are men and women—idealists like guage. Each hillside and miniature canyon has its own Newton Drury—who will resist the encroachment of the particular charm for those who would see. Each morning profit-makers with all their strength. For we do not want the rising sun seems to rest for a moment in a niche on to live in a world in which the chief aim of all human the eastern mountains. The thin light strengthens. From effort is the acquisition of material wealth. somewhere close by comes the high-low call of a mourn- • • • ing dove. You draw a deep breath and thank your lucky Every day the mail man brings from one to a half stars for the privilege of just being alive. dozen manuscripts—from persons who would like to sell • • • their feature stories and pictures to Desert Magazine. We From my scrapbook, this quotation from Everett Case: welcome the material from free lance journalists—for it "According to democratic doctrine, wisdom is a kind of is these writers who make magazines possible. plant, to be nourished from many sources. It requires Perhaps it will interest readers of Desert to know some constant cultivation, careful pruning, and a good deal of of the tests to which these manuscripts are submitted be- sun and light; above all it matures slowly. It tends more- fore they are accepted. In this office the number one rule, over to exhaust the soil, which must be repeatedly fertil- of course, is that the subject be associated in some way ized if the plant is to be strong and hardy ..."

38 DESERT MAGAZINE and that would yield in ample supply 'De&ent Itail SkUne % ^Dedicated . .th e. fruits for which the march was undertaken. The silent prayer in the With H. M. (Barney) Barnes of heart of the savage as he deposited his stone on the Shrine may well be ex- Corona del Mar, California, as master Readers of Desert Magazine, of ceremonies and Desert Steve Rags- pressed in the prayer uttered by the passing through Palm Desert, Navajo today: dale as the main speaker, the Desert are invited to visit the Trail Trail Shrine sponsored by hundreds Shrine, add their rocks — and " 'With Beauty before me, I walk. of rockhounds in Southern California their names—to the little monu- With beauty behind me, I walk, and Arizona was dedicated at the ment in front of the Desert Mag- Grant me success in my journey. Desert Magazine pueblo Sunday morn- azine pueblo. In Beauty I walk.' ing, April 1. "These Trail Shrines symbolize a Barnes told of the interest taken by beautiful tradition. And it is for the the mineral societies which participated one stone at a time, by tribesmen who perpetuation of this ancient religious in the plan to establish a Shrine for all followed these trails on their hunting custom that members of the Desert followers of the desert trails. Desert expeditions, or on their journeys from Magazine staff conceived the idea of Steve made clear that the Shrine was one waterhole to another, or as they placing a Trail Shrine on this spot, not for rockhounds alone, but for all moved from place to place for the where those who follow the desert those who come to the desert for its seasonal harvesting of mesquite beans, trails of today also may have the op- "sun, sand and solitude." chia, agave, acorns and other native portunity to symbolize their prayer for Lelande Quick, editor of Lapidary foods. peace and beauty as they deposit their Journal, was introduced as a man who stones on the Shrine at the base of this has played an important role in the "These Shrines, it is believed, were granite boulder." growth of the lapidary hobby all over symbolic of the Indian's prayer for a the United States. He paid a tribute successful journey — a journey that Pictures of the Trail Shrine will appear to all those who with the tools of the would be made in peace and safety, in Desert next month. lapidary have revealed the beauty in the rocks which occupy the major AVAILABLE portion of the earth's surface. More than 100 visitors, coming NOW/ from many distant points, were present at the dedication program. At the re- I Hunting and fishing knives-world's only quest of Randall Henderson, Barney knife with patented Barnes, who secured the participation "double-tang". The of the mineral clubs in sponsoring the tough steel extends project, placed the first stone at the all the way through base of the mound. the handle in a double tang-gives unusual Following the brief speaking pro- strength and balance. gram, each of those present deposited Locks handle and end a stone on the growing mound of the knob in place forever. Trail Shrine and signed the special register which had been provided. The story of the Indian Trail Shrine, and BLADES ARE HAND- GROUND OF HIGH CAR- its significance in the lives of the prim- BON ELECTRIC FURNACE itive dwellers of the desert country, CHROME VANADIUM was made clear in an introductory CUTLERY STEEL. statement on the first page of the reg- PRICE'NUMBER ister, which will remain permanently at the Shrine. The statement reads: ,,, "At intervals along many of the • 2-S5 9,18 prehistoric trails in the desert South- • 2-95 17 west are found small mounds of loose '325. 6,8,10,11,12,23 stones—placed there by Indian hands i 3-'0 2, ! 3'9* 2,7,13,14,19,20 long before the white man discovered ' 4'25 25 this western country. 4-'° 24 "These Shrines are widely scattered iMAIL COUPON* ! : SEND AD WITH KNIFE : over the lands once occupied by the : MARKED-ILLUSTRATED i Cahuilla Indians of Southern Califor- i 1/5 ACTUAL SIZE. i BEAUTIFUL EMBOSSED nia, the Yumas, Mojaves, the Pimas, GENUINE SOLE LEATHER the Hopis, the Navajos, and in north- SHEATHS FURNISHED WITH ALL WESTERN western Mexico. Even today in the HUNTING KNIVES. COMPARE OUR POST Navajo country the Indians will often PAID PRICES ANYWHERE stop at the Shrines occasionally seen along their old trails and place a twig of juniper among the rocks. "From such Indian legends as have IAMTAAHAV-W MAIN OFFICE-99 been passed down from the ancient 406 »I FOURTH E.COLOftADO-PASAOENA FRESNO -RIVERSIDE-SAN BERIIARDINO - people who erected these mounds, the HIS VAN NESS 4023 MAIN- 571 FOURTH archeologists of today have concluded COMPLETE CAMPING SALES-RENTALS that they are Shrines—placed there, ALL MDSE.FULLY GUARANTEED.

MAY, 1951 39 "I'M MI6HTY PARTICULAR, ABOUT THE MOTOR OIL

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