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DESERT MAGAZINE DESERT CALENDAR April 1-4—Desert Cavalcade of Im- perial Valley, Calexico, California. April 1-30 — Special Exhibit, desert paintings by Sam Hyde Harris. Southwest Museum, Highland Park, Los Angeles, California. April 2-4 — Fifth Annual Fiesta. Truth or Consequences, New Mex- ico. April 3—Annual Jeep Cavalcade to Calexico, from Hemet, California. April 3-4—Dons Club Travelcade to Grand Canyon, from Phoenix, Ari- Volume 17 APRIL, 1954 Number 4 zona. April 4—Western Saddle Club Gym- COVER Come and Get It! JOSEF MUENCH of Santa Barbara, khana, Squaw Peak Arena, Phoe- California, took this picture of himself cooking nix, Arizona. a camp breakfast along the Colorado River at April 5-9—Desert Caballeros Annual Lees Ferry, Arizona. Ride. Wickenburg, Arizona. CALENDAR April events on the desert 3 April 10—Play Day at White Sands National Monument, near Alamo- NATURE On Desert Trails With a Naturalist: gordo, New Mexico. I—Desert Campfires, by EDMUND C. JAEGER 4 April 11—Dons Club Travelcade to WILDFLOWERS Forecast for April 6 Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Phoe- IN MEMORY "Burro" Schmidt, by A. B. CHRISTMAN ... 7 nix, Arizona. FIELD TRIP Petrified Flotsam Along the Colorado April 11—Desert Sun Ranchers' Ro- deo, Wickenburg, Arizona. By JAY ELLIS RANSOM 8 PRIZES April 12-17 — Southern California A new Desert contest: Desert Birds 11 Sierra Club Easter week trip to WATER Waterflow forecasts for Colorado River ... 11 Havasu Canyon, Arizona. LOST GOLD Lost Wells-Fargo Gold, by JANE ATWATER . 12 April 16 — Penitente Passion Play, EXPLORATION Trail to Keynot Summit Talpa Chapel, near Taos, New Mexico. By LOUISE TOP WERNER 14 EXPERIENCE Life on the Desert, by LEE STROBEL .... 17 April 18—Easter Sunrise Services at SCIENCE The Cross on the Mesa, Taos, New New Source of 'Water for Desert Lands? Mexico. By GASTON BURRIDGE 18 DESERT QUIZ April 18 — Easter Sunrise Services, A test of your desert knowledge 20 Grand Canyon, Arizona. POETRY They Cradle Me, and other desert poems ... 22 PHOTOGRAPHY April 18—Easter Sunrise Services on Pictures of the Month 23 Horseback, Wickenburg, Arizona. MINING Current news of desert mines 24 April 18-21—Spring corn dances in INDIANS Navajos I Have Known, by JOE KERLEY ... 25 New Mexico Indian pueblos. LETTERS Comment from Desert's readers 27 April 20—Old Timers' Celebration, CONTEST Deming, New Mexico. Prizes for Photographers 28 NEWS From Here and There on the Desert 29 April 22-24 — Desert Circus, Palm FICTION Springs, California. Hard Rock Shorty of Death Valley 29 CLOSE-UPS April 24-25 — Desert Peaks section. About those who write for Desert 34 Southern California Sierra Club HOBBY Gems and Minerals 35 climb of Pleasant Mountain (9750') LAPIDARY and Cerro Gordo (9217'), Cali- Amateur Gem Cutter, by LELANDE QUICK . . 41 fornia. COMMENT Just Between You and Me, by the Editor ... 42 April 25 — Annual Spring Festival, BOOKS Hi Vista, near Lancaster, Califor- Reviews of Southwestern literature 43 nia. The Desert Magazine is published monthly by the Desert Press, Inc., Palm Desert, California. Re-entered as second class matter July 17, 1948, at the postoffice at Palm Desert, April 25 — Mounted Patrol Cham- California, under the Act of March 3, 1873. Title registered No. 358865 in U. S. Patent Office, pionship Steer Roping, Clovis, New and contents copyrighted 1954 by the Desert Press, Inc. Permission to reproduce contents Mexico. must be secured from the editor in writing. April 28-May 1—Annual Las Damas RANDALL HENDERSON, Editor MARGARET GERKE, Associate Editor Trek, Wickenburg, Arizona. BESS STACY, Business Manager EVONNE RIDDELL, Circulation Manager Unsolicited manuscripts and photographs submitted cannot be returned or acknowledged unless full return postage is enclosed. Desert Magazine assumes no responsibility for damage or loss of manuscripts or photographs although due care will be exercised. Sub- scribers should send notice of change of address by the first of the month preceding issue. SUBSCRIPTION RATES One Year S3.50 Two Years $0.00 Canadian Subscriptions 25c Extra, Foreign 50c Extra

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

APRIL, 1954 ON DESERT TRAILS WITH A NATURALIST

Summer and winter for 40 years Edmund C. Jaeger also is regarded as one of the foremost Jaeger has been spending a majority of his week- naturalists of the Southwest. ends out along desert trails. With boys from the And now Edmund Jaeger is going to write Riverside Junior College, where he taught for many regularly for Desert Magazine readers. The editors years, as companions, he has sought secluded of Desert have asked him to write from his mem- canyons and mesas where he could study the wild- ory and from his field notes about his experiences lings of the desert in their native habitat. with the animals, birds, reptiles, insects and flora Out of this long association with the plant and of the desert country—his intimate contacts with animal life of the arid regions has come the inti- them while in the field. mate knowledge of natural life which made it The accompanying article is the first of the possible for him to write such books as "Denizens series—and since his explorations are of necessity of the Desert," "Denizens of the Mountains," "The camping trips—and he loves camping—his first California Deserts," all now out of print, "Desert article this month has to do with the art of camp Wildflowers," "Our Desert Neighbors," and num- cooking. His food and the manner in which he erous magazine articles and scientific papers. prepares it on his camping trips are reduced to the Recognized today as the dean of desert writers, minimum of simplicity. This is the way it is done: Desert Campfires

By EDMUND C. JAEGER, D.Sc. Curator of Plants Riverside Municipal Museum O ME, and to many of my deserteering friends, camping is 7 never real camping without its wood fire and food cooked over it. There is a homeyness, a feeling of self- sufficiency and pride that comes with the building of a campfire that can never be had by the utilization of the hot blue flames of a patent portable gasoline stove. And what pleasure is No fancy gadgets are involved in the campfires on which the naturalist cooks derived from the sweet-smelling smoke! his meals. This drawing by the author shows the simplicity Every different wood that is burned of his cooking fire. emits its peculiar, often spicy redolence, that endears itself to the connoisseur of Vessels are now close to the source not only fine fuel but sweet smoke sweet scents. of heat, making cooking rapid and and the most beautiful of all flames, A campfire is a very companion- thorough. For some reason or other, marvelously colored deep red, char- able thing, not only because of its I find it easier to cook over an open treuse green, brilliant yellow and or- strengthening warmth, but because of wood fire than over a gas flame. I ange because of the possible presence its strange beauty. The flow of flames have yet to scorch food on a campfire of salts of strontium, sodium and other of the fire are like the waves of the and I cannot say as much for my elements the plants have gathered from restless sea, a never ending succession efforts at home with a gas range. the mineral rich alkaline soils in which of changing forms. That is why we Other advantages of such a small out- they grow. Many a campfire site in never tire of looking into an open fire of-door fire are many. They are cer- Nevada, Utah and southeastern Cali- for hours on end. Why too, this tainly easier to keep warm by, easier fornia is sacred to me because of the ministrant to our warmth and pleasure to supply with necessary fuel, and beautiful colors of the saltbush and so often stimulates the fabrication of since they are enclosed on three sides greasewood campfires I've had there. imagery and those contemplative they are very safe. There are few The desert's hard woods are always thoughts which lead to literary inven- places so devoid of shrubby vegeta- my first choice for fuel because they tion and interesting conversation. tion that one cannot find enough wood give off the least smoke, make the hot- for the moderate sized fire. The bot- test flame and leave behind a lasting What 1 mean by a campfire is not toms of desert dry-lakes may be wood- bed of coals which may yet be glow- a big roaring blaze consuming arm- less but almost invariably about their ing next morning and make easy the loads of wood but a small simply-made borders grow some of the numerous restarting of the breakfast fire. Mes- one set neatly between stones across species of saltbush (A triplex), or quite, catsclaw, ironwood and creo- which one can place the fire-irons. grease-wood (Sarcobatus) which give sote bush are considered best, but true

DESERT MAGAZINE sagebrush, juniper and pinyon are placed high on the list because of their sweet aromatic smoke. Yucca wood will make a good fire but the smoke is acrid and very irritating to the eyes. Woody cane-cactus (Opuntia) the so- called "ventilated wood," because of the many holes in the frame-work of its stem, the dry canes of ocotillo and the long woody inner ribs of the sa- guaro yield good wood with beautiful deep yellow flame, but it is not lasting. My favorite fireplace consists of a large flat stone, set upright to serve as a reflector and upward guide for smoke and flame, then two small flat- topped rocks set out in front and on either side (see illustration) to serve as a resting place for my two long fire- irons laid horizontally and parallel. Upon these I rest my cooking utensils. Fireplaces so made mark the sites of hundreds of my temporary out-of-door abodes scattered in wilderness areas from Mexico to Canada and from the Pacific to the Atlantic. There are even a few in Germany and England and Wales. Maybe you will find one some- time, and recognize the place as one of my old campsites. Yes, my long-used camp kettles and skillet are deeply encrusted with a layer of black soot. Quite often my fingers are blackened when I handle these vessels of my cook kit, but not for a world would I complain, much less trade the black pots for new and shin- ing ones. The layers of soot have been built up from the odorous smoke of hundreds of campfires I've built through the years of a happy life of wide wandering in desert wilds. How many hundreds of gallons of appetiz- Edmund C. Jaeger observes the most minute details of his desert ing food I've served from them I'd not surroundings—and writes his notes in the field as he works. even try to estimate. into their capacious cheek pouches. Other animals which enliven the Late last October I took two of my To empty the midget loads of dainties moments about my campfire are wood- students on an exploring and camping picked up about our feet they repeat- rats (seen nibbling off twigs to carry trip through the marvelously pictur- edly ran out beyond the light of the off to their homes in the rock crevices), esque deserts of Sonora in western flames and into the dark where small small spotted skunks, once a curiosity Mexico. Better campfires we'd never holes opened to their underground bent coyote, and several times dainty, had for these are arboreal or tree- store houses. Curiously, each time light-footed kit foxes—in my estima- deserts with an abundance of hard the little fellows reappeared it was tion, the most beautiful of all our des- wood everywhere. Our fuel ranged generally from a different direction. ert mammals. Generally they are un- afraid, taking food thrown out to them from tree ocotillo to palo bianco, or- Most exciting were those moments when moving about like tiny mechani- and long loitering about within the gan pipe cactus, acacia and the cal toys they came almost within fringe of light, all the time cautious strange thick-leaved hote tree. At our touching range of our hands. During but curious about that strange thing camp 15 miles north of Guaymas, our the whole time we talked in natural we call fire. One very warm night on evening was made memorable because tones of voice. Long ago I learned the high Mojave Desert a roving rat- of the visits to our campfire of num- that there is only about one thing that tlesnake joined our circle, crawling bers of small pocket mice, mere mid- will put a wild mouse in flight, and through camp between our feet and get, neat, gray balls of fur but with that is sudden motion. Move the least the glowing coals. Yes, we moved! extraordinarily long tails ending in a bit and they leap from sight with a Here was one campfire visitor we had pencil of soft hairs. They had big ears, quickness that always amazes. Sad neither expected nor invited. This past most knowing eyes and two long- moments in my out-of-door life have autumn I saw several large tarantulas footed hind legs which proved useful come when I've witnessed these com- running toward the fire at great speed, in sending them off on yard-long leaps panionable little rodents, in their con- only to back as quickly away when when occasion arose. Their two tiny fusion of flight, jumping right into the they felt the heat of the flames. I'd front feet served mostly as little hands burning embers. This has happened always before thought of tarantulas as with which to stuff crumbs and seeds more than once. big deliberately-moving spiders, per-

APRIL, 1954 haps, because I'd seen them only in APRIL WILDFLOWERS the daytime. Many years ago when camping alongside the old Bucksbaum Toll Road which passed from Death Val- ley over the summit of the Panamint OutlooA Mountains by merest chance I made o

DESERT MAGAZINE IN MEMORY Burro Schmidt

... A man who set a purpose in life and did not rest until he had reached his goal. By A. B. CHRISTMAN NE OF THE most unusual me- morial services on the Mojavj Desert was held January 31 for one of its most unusual residents, Wil- liam Henry "Burro" Schmidt. Schmidt was a strong-willed man who had but two major goals in life: to dig a tunnel through a mountain and to live to be 84 years old. He accomplished his first goal after 32 years of hard labor. The second he missed by one year and three days when he died last January 27. Schmidt started his tunnel through Burro Schmidt in front of his old cabin near the tunnel. The cabin, unused Black Mountain near Randsburg, Cal- by Schmidt in recent years, has been turned into a small desert museum by ifornia, when he was 36 years old. Mike Lee, who took this photo. Working with only the crudest mining tools, he holed through the half-mile which had claimed the lives of his in 1932 he was able to afford six years bore in 1938, at the age of 68. From three brothers and sisters at their home of full-time work on his project. the time he conceived the idea of a in Rhode Island. He had some claims After the tunnel was finished, Burro tunnel, he had no other purpose in on the northern slopes of the El Pasos. is said to have taken out about 20 life. His persistence was considered The road to the smelter was on the tons of ore through it. At $60 a ton, foolhardy by many; nevertheless, it south side. Rather than build a 12- he therefore carried about $ 1200 was admired. Here was a man who mile access road over Black Mountain, worth of mineral through the moun- had set a goal and who had accom- he elected to tunnel through. tain to the smelter on the south side. plished it. He worked at odd jobs during the It is a conservative estimate that he Schmidt came to the Mojave's El summer months to make enough put in $40,000 worth of work on the Paso Mountain country around 1900 money to spend his winters on the tunnel during 32 years of labor. No to seek a cure from the tuberculosis tunnel. By selling one of his claims ore was taken out of the tunnel itself. The memorial service was held at the tunnel entrance. Following the hearse up the winding road of Last Chance Canyon, old friends and fel- low prospectors gathered at the foot of Black Mountain to pay their last respects to strong-willed Burro Schmidt, a man who set a purpose and didn't rest until he had accom- plished it.

Johannesburg Justice of the Peace James B. Nosser, directly behind casket, presided over memorial serv- ices for Burro Schmidt, held Janu- ary 31 at the entrance to the tunnel he built through Black Mountain. At extreme left facing camera is early prospector Pete Osdick, Schmidt's friend for 50 years. On Nasser's left are Mike Lee, Schmidt's partner for the past two years, and Walter Bickel, who cared for him during his last illness. Photo by author.

APRIL, 1954 ROCK HUNTING STORY AREA QuflF (POSTED MILITARY RESERVE)

LIGURTA—""^eaanmr-. '-i-r^

added a word of caution: "All this area between Highway 95 and the Colorado River, from Yuma Test Sta- Petrified Flotsam tion 15 miles north of here for nearly 40 miles is a posted military reserve." He sketched the boundaries of the Along the Colorado artillery range and the tank proving grounds. "The Yuma Test Station asks that rockhounds get hunting permission Trees from mountain forests, palm root, ironwood, assorted twigs, before planning a trip by writing to burls and branches—the flotsam carried ages ago by the Colorado the Provost Marshall at the station. River was interesting and varied. When the river changed its course There are many areas which are safe much of this drift material was deposited on what is now the Castle to visit. However, under no circum- Dome Plain in Southwestern Arizona, where it gradually succumbed stances should anyone go east of High- to petrification. Here is the story of a marvelously diversified rock- way 95 in the vicinity of the Test Sta- hunting area which yields various types of petrified wood and palm tion, for this is the principal range, root, agate, jasper and odd-shaped sandspike novelties. and firing is often scheduled every day of the week, including many Sun- By JAY ELLIS RANSOM days." Photos by the Author My road map indicated a petrified Map by Norton Allen forest approximately 25 miles north of Yuma, several miles up a side road T WAS late afternoon. The sun vajo Center." The misnomer — the west of Highway 95. I asked Baker settled comfortably over Califor- "center" is far from Navajoland—he about it. nia's Picacho Mountains, throw- explains by the fact that his stocks "The area for petrified ironwood, ing long slanting rays of gold across feature Navajo wares. palm root, jasper and agate is very the Colorado River toward the tower- Joseph Baker is all rockhound. Tall, large," he replied. His pencil described ing Castle Dome range in Southern sandy haired and spectacled, he knows a half-circle above Laguna. "Right Arizona. Dad and I, hurrying along minerals first hand, from gemstones to about here, a crescent of sand hills Arizona State Highway 95 to a new iron ore, and he is a walking geogra- are loaded with rock, including sand- mineral field just north of Yuma Test phy of field trip sites to which he'll spikes of many odd and peculiar Station, hoped to reach our destina- gladly direct fellow rockhounds. With shapes. Actually there's fine hunting tion in time for a quick half-hour his carpenter's pencil—he's been build- from one mile south of the Test Sta- hunting before dark. ing his post himself—he will jot down tion to about ten miles north in an We had heard about the field from an accurate map showing where to area extending from Highway 95 to Joseph Baker, whom we had visited find good specimen rocks from the the Colorado River." a few miles back at his trading post Kofas to the Picachos. 1 Baker showed us around his trading on U. S. Highway 80, 1 A miles east "There is excellent material through- center, calling our attention to piles of of Yuma. Baker calls his post "Na- out this country," he told us, but petrified wood he had collected. Later,

DESERT MAGAZINE : ••••

Above—Sand hills of the Martinez Lake gem field in Southern Arizona. Below—Martinez Lake specimens: top, petrified palm root; beneath it to the left, jasper; in the foreground, two typical sandspikes. from inside his adobe home he brought Although it doesn't show on the forest showing on our highway map us samples of the wood he had sawed regular maps, 21 miles north of Nav- lay several miles farther, we followed slash-grained and polished. Particu- ajo Center (or 19 miles north of Blais- the road exactly one mile north of larly beautiful were the slabs of green dell) a windmill, surrounded by cor- the windmill. wood with knurls and knots clearly rals, marks the turnoff of a side road At this point a dirt road angled showing. which strikes northwest to the fishing westward toward the Test Station. "It's an unusually hard rock," Joe resort of Martinez Lake. Following Although sandy, its ruts had been told us, "and the larger pieces ring Joe Baker's directions, we turned onto solidly packed by heavy military tanks. like a bell when struck." From a back it, descending into the broad desolate This was posted area, but we turned yard post he had hung a sizeable piece expanse of the Castle Dome Plain. onto the tank road, proceeding another of dark petrified wood, and he demon- Dad looked back at the windmill, 0.2 miles. On our right, or north, strated by striking it sharply with an- gaunt against the deepening blue of extending in a broad low crescent, other piece of rock, producing a clear the evening sky. It stood where once rose gullied hills, scoured by wind and bell-like tone. a highway camp had operated for gracefully decorated here and there "Just like calling in the hands to crews cutting the route through the with a scarlet-tipped ocotillo in full dinner," he grinned. raw desert between the Colorado River bloom. Saying goodbye to our host and and the Kofa National Wildlife Range The surface of the desert here is thanking him for his detailed direc- to the east. utterly barren, devoid of any vegeta- tions, we headed north, Dad directing On our left, or west, we marked the tion save greasewood and an occa- my driving from Baker's penciled map. low roofs of the Yuma Test Station. sional ocotillo. Tumbleweed and sand Beyond the low pass which separates To our right were the Castle Dome burrs added their presence to the the Laguna Mountains from the adja- Mountains, their ragged domes and sheltered washes. cent Gila Range, we flushed a leggy cores softened by the vanishing sun, Almost as soon as we got out of jackrabbit that sprang into full stride which touched their crests with gold the car, we found our first specimens. at our approach and bounded off and spilled mauve shadows down the Stooping over alongside the tank tread across the desert. dry washes. Although the petrified marks, my father picked up a fine

APRIL, 1954 he had guessed. "You can look out wood. The latter were small and in over the whole area from the rim of the nature of float, and we wished the sand hills and just about tell where there were time to trace it back into that ancient stream had meandered. In the hills. flood it could move enormous boulders At the car, we checked all the wood as well as broken chunks of petrified specimens for radioactivity with a trees. Very likely some of the wood Geiger counter but got no results. decayed and petrified where it grew Looking back over the irregular con- before the river got it. Most of it tours of the terrain, we wondered must have come in as drift and been aloud at the way every wash and slope silicified after the river dumped it in was littered with different kinds of pet- back eddies." rified wood. It was obvious that sev- Hunting rock specimens in this field eral cycles of drift deposition and ero- is easier than in any collecting area sion had taken place by which so much I've ever visited. There is nothing to material had become buried in those hinder the prospector—no overburden barren dunes. of soil, for the scouring wind has al- ready removed it; no covering of vege- No one knows for certain what tation, for the desert is too dry and causes petrification; no one has yet discouraging for any but the hardiest been able to duplicate the process in the laboratory. Several theories have plants to survive. We could see speci- been offered to account for silicifica- mens clearly outlined by the setting tion, and "petrified wood" is the gen- sun at extraordinary distances, the eral term applied to all forms of re- worthwhile material easily distinguish- placed wood, regardless of the agent able from the native rocks, black with acting on the cellular tissues. Joseph desert varnish, which are mostly mala- Baker is of the opinion that most of pai washed down from the mountains. this wood was originally petrified in Following parallel ridges we climbed the far distant mountains of its origin, the hills, arriving on an eroded mesa and he may be correct. However, in swept clean by the wind. About six noting that none of the pieces we miles to the west we caught the gleam picked up were water worn but were of sunlight on the Colorado River. A sharply angular with annular rings and broad paved airstrip showed where knots unusually clearly defined, I de- Joseph W. Baker with a 100-pound the military has based planes. The duced another plausible origin. petrified ironwood log in front of sunlight leaped from the corrugated the adobe home he built for himself hangars as from a rippling stream. Because of several varieties of wood at his trading post east of Yuma on Far to the north Martinez Lake ap- appearing in these sand hills, it seems Highway 80. peared above Imperial Dam. safe to presume that most of it came to the area originally as floating drift- piece of yellow jasper. Then, while I Beyond the rise we had climbed, wood concentrated along back eddies was getting out my camera, he almost the desert lay level as far north as we of the ancient Colorado River or, as tripped over a 10-pound sandspike could see—about 20 miles. All of it in the case of palm root, by a prevail- nearby. was once the flood plain of the great ing westerly wind along the eastern Still with some sunlight left, we set river and all of it, according to Joseph shore of the prehistoric Gulf of Cali- out northwestward toward the low Baker, is rich hunting ground for fornia. This would explain the inter- hills a quarter mile from the road. wood, jasper, agate, palm root, and mingling of different kinds of petrified Everywhere scattered over the raw several other varieties of gem quality wood, as well as the absence of limbs surface of the desert were sandspikes, mineral. or logs or any standing stumps of an- from tiny finger lengths to oversize The last evening light was fading cient trees. All of it is broken as if specimens looking for all the world as we regretfully turned back and de- worked over by a gigantic rock crusher. like petrified Indian clubs. scended toward the road by a steep- Judging from the types of wood we Even more prolific were big and sided wash that bore southwest. little pieces of petrified ironwood. This picked up, the trees seem to have wood is sought by many rock collec- Here we found an abundance of thrived at higher elevations, away from tors for its deep red-brown color and petrified palm root in chunks ranging the probably swampy, unsavory, salt- the fine, beautiful polish it takes when from fist size to ten pounds or more. impregnated flats along the ancient sawed slash-grain. I remembered the My father broke open a specimen, shore line. Whatever the source of slabs that Joseph Baker had showed finding it well grained, the cells of the the wood, it is certain that percolating us. This wood comes in every con- ancient lily stem perfectly replaced by waters heavily charged with silica and ceivable shape. Most of it is knotty silica. "Palm root," Baker had told working through long periods of time and twisted like living juniper. It lay us, "is found along the shore of the replaced the original wood cells. everywhere, eroding out of the sand ancient Gulf of California that at one time inundated much of this same Silicification occurs from both sur- hills and scattered by cloudbursts face and magmatic waters; the major down to the flats. area. It is especially frequent over on the California side around Ogilby. problem is to determine which type Baker had given us his theory of There must have been some overlap- of water was the principal agent. As how the several varieties of wood had ping of sources in these Martinez Lake we drove on up highway 95 north be- become concentrated in this extensive sand hills." tween the castellated escarpment of area. "Most of this wood, except the the Castle Dome Mountains and the palm root perhaps, was brought here On our way back to the car, we deeply eroded core of the Chocolates from distant mountains by the ancient picked up some nice yellow wood and on the west, I was impressed by the Colorado River during its flood stages," several interesting pieces of green obvious volcanism which had occurred

10 DESERT MAGAZINE ;

How to attract them Below Notm$l Desert Birds,"' your home.... Spring Run-Off Prize Contest Announcement Despite heavy snows in many local areas of the Colorado River watershed, What experience have you had with desert birds? Have you found the forecast for the seasonal runoff a way to attract them to your home for food or water'' Or for nesting? this season, as issued by the U. S. Actually the desert country is the homeland for many species of birds. Weather Bureau February 1, indicates Some of them are wildings of canyons, others make their homes in the less than a normal discharge of water cactus. Some prefer the mountains and others the desert low lands. The this year. naturalists in Death Valley Monument, which includes the mountain ranges The forecast of the Bureau is as as well as the floor of the valley, have a check list of 179 different species follows: of birds seen in that area. Some of them are migrants, others are occasional "Colorado River above Cisco: The visitors, but scores of them spend all or a considerable part of the year current water supply outlook for the within the Monument. Some of the species prefer the desert wilderness— area is much less favorable than that others build their nests in the farmlands and towns. Some, like the road- of a month ago. The light January runner, appear to be equally at home in the cultivated districts and in the precipitation necessitated decreases arid back country. from last month's forecasts of from 4 If you are interested in the birdlife of the desen, and have been percent to 16 percent—averaging about successful in attracting them to your home by providing feed or water or 5 percent lower for the area above nesting facilities, Desert Magazine would like to have you write about your Cameo and about 12 percent lower for experiences for the benefit of other desert people. the main stem of the Gunnison and for the Dolores and Uncompahgre Rivers. This is a prize contest with a $25.00 award to the first and a $15 Precipitation for the balance of the award to the second place winner. In addition to the awards for manu- season must equal the upper quartile scripts of from 1200 to 1500 words, $5.00 will be paid for each acceptable values in order for normal runoff to be picture sent with your story. realized. Entrants in this contest may reside anywhere, but the stories must "Green River Basin: Forecasts for be based on experience with birds in the desert area—the states of Arizona, streams in Utah and Wyoming drain- New Mexico, Nevada, Utah or the desert sector of California. Also, ing the Uinta Mountains are from 6 stories must be about the wild birds of the desert region—not about percent to 12 percent higher than those imported or captive birds. of a month ago. For the lower Utah The contest will close May 20. Entries should be typewritten, double- tributaries to the Green only slight in- spaced, on one side of the paper and pictures should be 5x7 or larger in creases may be noted in this month's black and white, well wrapped for protection in the mails. Winning forecasts. Forecasts for the Colorado stories will be published in Desert Magazine. Unsuccessful manuscripts and upper Wyoming tributaries are and pictures will be returned if return postage is enclosed. only little changed or slightly lower. The Duchesne Basin in Utah may ex- Address entries to Bird Contest Editor, Desert Magazine, Palm pect approximately 70 percent of av- Desert, California. erage flow if precipitation for the bal- ance of the season is near normal. in ages past. Out of deeply buried hills above the Colorado River petri- The outlook for the Colorado tribu- magmas had risen the granite batho- fication has been extensive and non- taries is somewhat more promising. liths of the Castle Dome and Kofa selective. For the extreme upper Green Basin in ranges, and from vast faults had In addition to petrified wood, we Wyoming the outlook ranges from the 54 percent of average flow indicated spewed forth the raw lavas and mag- had filled our specimen sacks with for the Pine Creek at Pinedale to 76 mas of the Chocolate and Dome Rock some nice jasper and with one- and mountains, now so eroded away that percent of average flow for the Green two-ounce pieces of agate which we'd River at Warren Bridge. only the central cores are left above found in several colors. These speci- the desert's surface. mens were rough edged, not water- "San Juan River Basin: As a result I would guess that magmatic waters worn pebbles, and could not therefore of the below-normal precipitation dur- played a prominent role in converting have been transported any great dis- ing January, the current outlook is this large area of mixed woods into tance. somewhat less promising than that of quartz-hard rock. For one thing, sur- Stars were appearing when we drew a month ago. Forecasts for the tribu- face waters carry too little silica in abreast of Weaver Pass which separates taries draining the San Juan Moun- solution and operate along too re- the Chocolate Range from the Dome tains are for flows ranging from 80 stricted zones, like stream beds, to Rock Mountains. Baker had included percent of average in the western por- have silicified such enormous quanti- this area in his sketch as well as sites tion to 92 percent of average for the ties of wood found in the region de- along the road to Cibola. Navajo River at Edith on the eastern scribed. Magmatic waters, on the We were sure that this, too, was extremity of the basin. For the main other hand, are often heavily charged rich mineral country. Time for the stream, near 80 percent of average with silica, strongly acid in reaction, present forced us to pass it by—but flow is in prospect. Upper quartile and are capable of attacking and di- as we drove on homeward, we already precipitation for the rest of the season gesting the wood substance and re- were planning a return trip to this would be necessary for the water year placing it with the silica held in solu- rockhound paradise on an ancient run-off to equal the 1942-1951 aver- tion. In either case, here in the sand river bed. age."

APRIL, 1954 II For eight years the Mexican could look through these prison bars and see the exact spot where he and three fellow stage robbers had buried the Wells-Fargo bullion. The road where the hold-up occurred can be seen winding its way across the desert toward Empire City.

From his cell in Nevada State Along the Prison Road . . . Prison at Carson City, the old Mexican could see the spot where he and his three partners in crime had buried the Wells-Fargo strong- box with its $60,000 loot. Later Lost Wells-Fargo Gold pardoned, he never retrieved the stage coach gold, nor did he ever By JANE ATWATER divulge its secret burial place. Photos by Adrian Atwater Here is another intriguing story for the lost treasure hunter. OMETIME between the years Stage robbery in Nevada in the late 1870 and 1893, a Wells-Fargo 1800s was a recognized, and by many they were free to search out the enter- 5 express stage was making its approved, occupation. The Wells- regular run from Virginia City, Ne- tainments of the town. The bright Fargo Company controlled all the ex- lights of the dance-halls, saloons, and vada, to the state capital, Carson City, press business in the territory with where a branch of the United States theaters beckoned gaily in the minds undisputed firmness. So high were of the two men. Mint was in operation. The trail it their tariffs that in the opinion of followed was one etched across the some of the miners their operations While they were thus happily pre- desert by wheels of emigrant wagons, themselves fell just short of highway occupied, four armed men sprang out traders and freighters. Deeply rutted, robbery. To many, a stage robbery from behind the tall sage brush. Brakes filled with rocks and potholes and cov- was merely a case of robbers stealing screeched as the stage came to a sud- ered with thick alkali dust, it was the from thieves. den, jolting stop. One man stepped only route between the two towns. Crossing the Carson River, the stage forward and seized the bridles of the The regular driver was accompanied with its precious cargo left old Empire lead team, while another held at gun by an express messenger, for this was City behind, and off a few miles to the point the helpless driver and guard. a special trip. The strongbox that lay west the driver and guard could see The two other bandits lifted the heavy on the seat between the two men held their destination. The guard relaxed strongbox from the seat to the ground. more than three hundred pounds of his long vigil and settled back to make Then the two frightened men were mo- gold bullion, valued at about $60,000 caustic comments about the proficiency tioned on their way, unharmed. They and destined for the mint. Both men of the driver and about the stage that didn't need second urging. were alert and watchful. The driver rocked and rattled from pothole to Soon they were in Carson City, ex- handled the six horses skillfully over pothole. Having relieved his mind of citedly pouring out the news of the the rough road, and the guard, his the tension of the trip, he began to hold-up to a rapidly gathering crowd. rifle resting across his knees, kept a set in motion plans for that evening A posse was quickly assembled and sharp eye out for Indians and bandits. when their jobs were completed and galloped out across the desert to the

12 DESERT MAGAZINE place where the robbery had hap- man and his son gradually broke down one foot in the stirrup. Just as he was pened. The trail of the bandits, who the reserve of the ailing ex-convict. about to pull himself up he was seized were on foot, was picked up immedi- His confidence in them grew to such with a hemorrhage and fell to the ately and off rushed the posse in hot proportions that he delighted in enter- ground, dead. pursuit. They soon sighted the escap- taining them with wild stories of many For many years, the butcher and ing men and a pitched battle ensued. robberies in which he had had a part. his son searched for the gold, but they Three of the hold-up men went down He loved to repeat each detail in the never found it. One of the guards before a rain of bullets. The fourth, a preparation for the hold-up that re- from the state prison hunted for it Mexican, was captured alive and was sulted in his arrest. Once, filled with every off-duty moment, but he, too, carried back to Carson City. the sound of his own voice, he nearly failed. Through the years many other It was impossible for four men on divulged his precious secret. He told people have sought the treasure, some foot to carry three hundred pounds his benefactors that while he was in using metal detectors and divining of gold bullion very far. Before the prison he could look out across the rods. posse had caught up with them, they desert from the window in his cell and The robbery took place between the had buried their treasure, planning to see the place where they had buried Carson River and a low swampy spot return for it later when the hue and the gold. Never, though, did he re- near the state prison, in an area of cry of the robbery had faded. No veal its hiding place. approximately one square mile. Many amount of threats, bribes or other The old butcher and his son found of the rocks in this location have high means of persuasion could make the themselves more and more intrigued. iron contents. If the gold is buried one remaining hold-up man tell where Access to sudden wealth lay right there under one of these, it is possible that the gold was buried. under their own roof! They begged a metal detector could not give the The Mexican was given a quick and pleaded with the old man to let proper reaction. trial in the court at Carson City and them in on his secret. They offered The snows of winter cover the was sentenced to 20 years in the Ne- so many inducements that finally the ground around Carson City with a vada State Prison. The records of the Mexican's last resistance broke down protective blanket, but the furious prison in those days were very sketchy and he set a special date to take the gales of spring and autumn can be butcher and his son out to dig up the affairs, written completely in long- friend or foe of those who seek the gold. hand. They listed only the name, type treasure. They can pile it high with of crime, the possessions on the pris- Preparations were made, and all sand, or lay it bare. Searchers have oner at the time of his arrest and any was in readiness when that special undoubtedly walked over the shallow, identifying marks. One robbery by a day arrived. Three horses stood sad- hurriedly-dug hole filled with gold bul- Mexican in Ormsby County (the loca- dled in the early hours of dawn. The lion many times. tion of the crime) in the year 1885 two men waited in nervous excitement But the gold is still there, somewhere was recorded, but the lack of detail for the old Mexican to put in his ap- in the strip of desert that lies to the makes it impossible to say whether pearance. northeast of the prison, waiting for this was the same crime. The old man came slowly from the some lucky person to come along and The prisoner languished for years house, walked up to his horse and put find it. while the Wells-Fargo Company sent representative after representative to Along this road leading toward the Nevada Slate Prison stage robbers interview him in the hope that he stole $60,000 worth of gold bullion from the Wells-Fargo Company. might tell where the gold was buried. Although the road is much improved today, it still closely follows the old The prison officials tried their own stagecoach route. methods of persuasion to get the in- formation but they, too, failed. After eight years of his sentence had been served, the old Mexican con- tracted tuberculosis. A sympathetic governor, at the urging of the Wells- Fargo Company, gave him a complete pardon. The Wells-Fargo agents rea- soned that if the old fellow were re- leased he might inadvertently lead them to the place where the treasure was buried. Detectives were assigned to watch his movements at a discreet distance. To everybody's disappoint- ment, the ex-convict showed no inter- est whatsoever in returning to retrieve the gold. Instead, he became a pitiful sight on the streets of Carson City. He was emaciated almost to the point of help- lessness. At last a kindly old Dutch- man offered him a job cleaning up his butcher shop, and a bedroom in his own home. With a good bed to sleep in and three meals a day, the old man parti- ally regained his health. The kindness and thoughtfulness of the old Dutch-

APRIL, 1954 13 Trail to Keynot Summit

Keynot is an honest mountain. It rises openly above California's pines. Dwellers in the valley call it Inyo range, offering a single canyon route to its summit. Here was an "the upside-down mountain." easy, pleasant, uncomplicated Memorial Day weekend climb for Desert This was the peak 22 of us—mem- Peaks members of Southern California Sierra Club. Louise Werner bers of the Desert Peaks section of the writes of another adventure of this energetic mountain climbing group. Sierra Club of California—had selected for our Memorial Day weekend climb By LOUISE TOP WERNER last year. We had not been able to Photos by Niles Werner get much advance information about Map by Norton Allen Keynot—and that fact merely added to the challenge of our adventure. THE Owens Valley high- hiding behind false summits, no baf- way we could see Mt. Keynot's fling the climber with route-finding Just north of Lone Pine our caravan 11,101-foot summit looming up problems—Mt. Keynot laid its cards turned to the right off Highway 6-395. out of the middle of the Inyo Range on the table, face up. At the narrow gauge railroad east of the Lone Pine station we left the pave- in eastern California. A single canyon Its originality went further. Instead ment for two miles of steep rough cut its western slope, opening over an of thinning its vegetation to a bald driving up the canyon. alluvial fan into the valley. Here was dome, Keynot had bared its midriff an individual among mountains. No and covered its upper slopes with From the end of the road the trail zigzagged toward a twisted pillar of basalt 400 feet up the slope. The des- ert had stained the boulders along the way a rich mahogany. To the right, in the canyon bottom, a tangle of Virgin's Bower hid the trickle of French's Spring where quail scurried under ar- royo willows and an ash-throated fly- catcher dived, clicking its beak on an insect in midair. Niles Werner, leader, hitched up the felt pads that kept his 30-pound pack from cutting his shoulders, and began wearing down the zigzags with his slow, seemingly effortless pace. Apri- cot mallow growing out of the shale looked surprised at 22 pairs of boots plodding by. Traffic on the Keynot trail is light these days. Between 1878 and 1894 mule hoofs rang almost incessantly on the shale, their pack saddles loaded with gold from the Keynot Mine, half a million dollars' worth. From an 8000-foot ridge on the other side of the 11,000 foot saddle they came, clattering down the 12-mile trail to French's Spring, there to be relieved of their loads and to drink from the trough, now a pile of planks rotting under a rusted pipe. The gold was relayed to the 20-mulc teams which hauled it 225 miles to Los Angeles. Bev Hunter of Olancha remembers the big barns spaced aboul 20 miles apart up and down the val- ley, housing up to 80 mules, the relay stations for the teams. Bev was born and raised in Owens Valley in the days when eggs were a dime a dozen and a good team of horses sold for $600. "I would have called anyone crazy who said I'd see that day when cars would roll along the Owens Valley lakebed," says Bev. When he was six Keeler it took the family five days to drive 125 miles from their ranch near In-

'>.: TO DEBTH VALLEY dependence to the railroad at Mojave.

14 DESERT MAGAZINE Desert Peaks members of the Southern California Sierra Club on the top of Mt. Keynot in the Inyo Range of eastern California. Front row, left to right, are Bob Schmelzer, Margaret Jones, Lorraine Ogg, Louise Werner; middle row, Joe Frischen, Roland Kent, Virgil Sisson, Connie Jarabin, Art Widmer, Ed Burnop; rear, Frank Sanborn, John Nienhuis, Dick Kenyon, John Robinson, Jill Johnson, John Wedberg and Ken Rich.

An up-canyon breeze cooled our Walt Collins?" wondered Niles during like cabbage," he said, offering it to backs, perspiring under the packs. a pause on the second terrace. Roland. Roland tasted it, screwed up Niles paused to look back across the "Birds," said Frank Sanborn, "1 his face, spat it out and reached for his valley at the Sierra Nevada where six passed him back at French's Spring, canteen. peaks over 14,000 feet high paraded stalking birds with his binoculars." Lunch time—a chance to throw off their snowy headdresses among their No wonder. Walt had never before the packs, stretch out in the sunshine, less lofty fellows. spotted the Lutescent and Macgilliv- and after a while revive enough to "Which is Mt. Whitney?" asked ray's warblers. Mary DeDecker, a nibble a carrot, admire a coronet of Roland Kent, 14, our youngest knap- mountaineer-naturalist who lives at the buds on a prickly pear cactus and in- sacker. Niles pointed out the needle foot of these mountains, was of the spect Jill Johnson's new Kelty pack. which, though it marks the highest opinion that the warblers had sought Nylon on an aluminum frame it weighs point in the U.S., stood back, over- shelter in the desert from a recent only two pounds empty. With sleeping shadowed at this elevation by lesser storm in the Sierra. Especially inter- bag, ground cloth, a gallon of water, peaks in the foreground. ested in the plants of the Inyos, Mary dinner, breakfast and two lunches, At the top of the mahogany staircase had already listed under "Plants Along sweater, parka, flashlight, toothbrush we rounded a band of basaltic cliffs. the Keynot Trail," peppergrass, buck- and matches, the pack weighed 24 The packs lightened when we saw the wheat, wishbone bush, wild tobacco, pounds. trail leveling off over a shale terrace peach thorn, squaw currant and a Connie pointed to a scarlet loco patterned with bunches of yellow grass small fern found under the shady side weed and grinned at Roland. "They're and gray-green sage. To our left a of rocks. "And they call the Inyos good in sandwiches." fault cut off the terrace. Here Nature barren," she laughed. "Yeah?" Roland grinned back, "You had, in one of her convulsive moods, On another terrace climbing back eat it." taken the stratum in her hands and toward the main canyon on our right, twisted it, then brushed over the con- After lunch we climbed toward a the shale took on a grapejuice hue. bluish-gray streak that followed down torted surfaces with a rich brown var- Connie Jarabin, a big fellow with a nish. the left slope into the canyon narrows. ready laugh, picked a leaf from the The trail began dropping into the nar- "What's holding up Assistant Leader base of a Panamint Plume. "Tastes rows too.

APRIL, 1954 15 On the watercut walls we read some "SI pines, white and dead, marked a fork of the canyon's history. Erosion had in the trail. The right branch led up left a buttress projecting out of the toward the Burgess Mine on the ridge left wall. On its sheared-off face we several miles to the south. We had saw evidence of faulting and tilting traveled toward the sun for two hours of the strata and of the urgency of while it had traveled toward us, yet hot lava searching out weak spots in we had not met; the ridge stood be- the shale, churning tunnels as it tween us. swirled. The sheared-off shale glowed We had been hiking in forest for like polished walnut while the cross some time when castle ramparts sections of the tufa swirls looked like loomed on the skyline nearby. At the roots of branches roughly broken 8:30 we pulled up to the saddle and off at the trunk. A lower plug had met the sun. A hitching rack of pine eroded out leaving a cave 20 feet high. poles sagged beside the trail. Did the At the base of this buttress water muleteers enjoy the view while they dribbled over a lime bog. A single rested the mules after their three-mile willow spread above it. 'I had heard pull from the mine? Or were they rumors about a Lone Willow Spring," bored with slopes falling away beneath said Niles, when some demurred at their feet, and hankering for the level having carried a gallon of water, "but living below? We of the cities enjoyed I didn't feel like depending on a rumor the canyons filled with tall pines that to water a crowd." streaked down toward the Saline Val- "Ugh'," said Lloyd Balsam, the ley. Desert Peakers' chairman. "Now we Here in his youth, Bcv Hunter have no excuse for not washing." roped bighorn sheep. Some of the Most Desert Peakers prefer not wash- rams had a horn-spread of three feet. ing to carrying wash water on their "Then you had the rough job of bull- backs. Aromatic plants like juniper, dogging them to get your rope back," and sage may substitute quite well he says. Bev's skill with a bronc and for soap and water, with the added a rope later led to his sharing a bunk advantage that they don't rob the skin with the late Will Rogers in a Wild of natural oils. West Show. Ken Rich dug a hole in the bog with On the saddle the trail deserted us a tin cup and spoon and soon had a to contour down the cast side to the clear pool. It tasted slightly of min- Keynot Mine. With the help of the erals. map we picked out Keynot Canyon, Three and a half miles above but even with binoculars we couldn't French's Spring we made camp on a spot the mine. The Mineralogist's Re- semi-level spot bordered on the north port which had described "the Keynot by a 15-foot gully, just above the Lone vein, free gold in granite . . . seven Willow Spring. At some time during tunnels ... a five-stamp mill . . . the past a cloudburst, a real gully- water from Hahn's Canyon three miles washer, must have thundered down south . . ." didn't mention the score the canyon through the narrows, car- 3 of shacks that mushroomed out of rying down pine trees from above Mt. Jill Johnson's Kelly pack, nylon on rock, pine-poles and brush, or the Keynot's midriff. The logs came in an aluminum frame, weighs only piano that rode mule-back over the handy, and our fire blazed brightly two pounds empty. With sleeping 11,000 foot saddle. Keynot's little that night. bag, groundcloth, gallon of water, boom was hardly heard among the dinner, breakfast and two lunches, big noises of Panamint City and Cerro Desert Peakers eat strange things for Gordo. No tourists prowl among the breakfast on knapsack trips. Few care sweater, parka, toothbrush, matches and flashlight, Miss Johnson carried rockpiles that once housed its hopeful to risk carrying raw eggs; a frying pan miners. is hardly worth its weight in a pack. 24 pounds on the Mt. Key not climb. Some had brought their eggs hard- "It is the lightest pack I know of," A half-mile of trailless scrambling boiled. One mixed powdered egg yolk says the author. put us on the summit. Friendly ranges with powdered milk and cocoa. John rose all around; northeast, the Last Nienhuis was the envy of everyone in shadows, were left behind. As they Chance Range where we had once ex- when he pulled two quart cartons of fell below, the slopes took on a round- plored Dry Mountain, to the east the fresh milk out of a pocket in his knap- ness, except where scarred by volcanic Panamints where we had visited Tele- sack. "Long as I had to carry a gal- dikes. scope Peak not long ago, beyond, with lon of liquid . . ." he said. We remem- The sun, though it would not show Death Valley hiding between, the bered a trip when a carton of milk in over the crest of the Inyos for hours Grapevine Range. a knapsack got all mixed up with a yet, caused the Sierra snows to blush. The register placed on Keynot Peak sleeping bag. Most oldtimers carry Mormon tea was a lively green grow- October, 1950, by another Desert instant coffee but Niles likes to start ing out of the same shale as sage and Peaks group showed that we were the a long climbing day with a cup of hot bunchgrass, which paled into the back- fifth party to climb the peak since then. jello. ground. In the pines a Clark's Nutcracker The moon still hung over the south We zigged right to avoid the cliffs scolded and little birds chickadee-dee- wall when we started our six-mile trek of the midriff, then zagged back to- deed and everything seemed pleasantly to the summit. For a mile or so we ward the almost straight line above uncomplicated, just as the mountain followed the gully. The narrows, deep which the pines had survived. The first had promised us at the start.

16 DESERT MAGAZINE Luther Burbank's amazing spineless cactus and the tepary beans of the ancients were just the crops to plant on his desert homestead, thought Lee Strobel. But he neglected LIFE ON THE DESERT to consider the appetites of his jackrabbit neighbors. By LEE STROBEL IN 1916 business was was completed and I turned my rabbit droppings in the bean field. To tough in my line around Los thoughts to farming. 1 must take ad- my distress, 1 saw more and more of Angeles. Fighting with my many vantage of the approaching spring if the lush bushes, heavily laden with competitors for what little there was I was to prove up and get my title swelling pods, fall victim to the in- finally broke me down. I needed a before the year was out. Just what creasing number of rodent vandals. rest, and preferably far away from the to plant 1 had not yet determined, but The fast growing cactus also showed clash and clamor of human society. the question was soon answered. evidence of gnawing. As if in answer to my problem, I Big advertisements appeared sud- By the time the beans were ready came across a rugged individualist who denly in Los Angeles newspapers ex- to harvest, at least half of the field called himself a land locator. I shall tolling the virtues of Luiher Burbank's had been destroyed. I took a gunny- refer to him as Mr. Smith, for I can- remarkable new discovery, spineless sack, ran a wire around its mouth to not remember his name. cactus. It was a boon to civilization, hold it open and went to work. When For a modest fee Mr. Smith located they shouted, the greatest feed for the bag was stuffed full of uprooted people on public lands where, "with a cattle ever found! The arid wastes of bean bushes I emptied it upon a wide California, Nevada and Arizona in a canvas. When the canvas was loaded little energy and gumption," they r could grow rich in a few years. His brief few years would be swa ming I dragged it to a corner where the sole mission in life, he convinced me, with fat herds relishing this wonderful shed and privy adjoined and emptied was "to help young fellers" like my- new forage! it. In a couple of days my quadruped self get ahead in this rough and tumble I hurried to the address given, en- competitors and I had cleaned the field. world. His enthusiasm was inspiring. tered the lavishly equipped offices and My share of the crop was a curing stack about as high as my head. A day or two later, on a dirt road was greeted by a beaming gentleman about ten miles west of the town of of substance and importance. 1 had Upon completion of the bean har- Mojave, California, he brought his come for some descriptive matter and vest the rabbits went to work on the battered and boiling Model T Ford to general information, I told him. then cactus, and in a few days the patch a halt in a wilderness of sagebrush mentioned my new venture out in the was gnawed to the ground. and greasewood. He turned to me and Mojave Desert. When the beans were cured I began smiled. "Here is the place," he an- "My dear sir! How fortunate you to thresh them. Using the big canvas nounced. are that Mr. Burbank has just per- again, I put a pile of bean bushes on I got out to survey the lonely land- fected the most suitable thing to grow it and beat out the beans with a club. scape. Not a house was in sight, nor out there," he said with assurance. His The net result of the laborious opera- did it appear that the hand of man had ten-minute sales talk convinced me tion was three grain sacks full of beans, ever disturbed a bush for miles around. and I invested a considerable sum of weighing about a hundred pounds Apparently Destiny had chosen me to money in a sackful of Burbank's won- apiece. They looked and tasted like pioneer the region. drous product. small navies. "How about water for irrigation?" An astounded public hardly had I was ready to admit the rabbits I asked. time to digest this botanical sensation had won, and I was convinced if I "That's easy. Drill a well. Plenty when another burst upon the scene. wanted to make a living I would have of water close to the surface around The tepary bean had been found! A to return to the city. My improved here," Mr. Smith said with convincing sealed olla full of them had been un- health was worth the seven months of finality. earthed in the ruins of an Arizona time and the several hundred dollars Upon our return to Los Angeles we cliff dwelling, it was reported. The I had invested in the venture. went to the U. S. Land Office. 1 filed bean had been a staple item in the The homestead fell victim to a homestead on 160 acres and handed diet of the ancients who found it hardy vandals and the elements. By 1929 Mr. Smith $160 for his services. In enough to be grown in their harsh there was no sign left of my seven- our parting handshake he said force- desert environment. Newspaper ed;- month occupancy. The depression had fully, "Now git agoin' out thar soon's tors and feature writers discussed with knocked me flat, and when a stranger you can, young feller. You'll make a great enthusiasm the probabilities of offered me $250 for my 160 acres, I killin' in a couple years. I'm gonna spineless cactus and tepary beans sup- took it. run out to see ya once in a while." planting sagebrush and greasewood I have not seen nor heard of a te- I never saw Mr. Smith again. from Los Angeles to Chihuahua. pary bean for 35 years. As to the As a veteran of the Spanish Ameri- I decided to try out both of these spineless cactus, I heard a plausible can war, I could gain title to the land great discoveries on my desert home- story which explains its early demise. by living there seven months, pro- stead. More of my dwindling funds According to my informant, cattle who vided that ten acres had been cleared were spent for enough of the wonder grazed exclusively on the "wonder and planted to some sort of crop. ] beans to seed ten acres. plant" soon died. Autopsies revealed could try dry farming if I chose. Later The beans and cactus were duly their deaths were caused by balls on I could put in a well and pump if planted, and a good rain came at the about the size of oranges and the con- conditions warranted. right moment to get them started. sistency of rubber which had formed The first thing to do was to put up When I moved my family to the home- to plug the digestive track. a rouse for my wife, two small chil- stead two weeks later, the beans were It would make me very happy to dren and myself. I designed a 10x20 two inches high, and every slab of know that the rabbits who ate my cabin, and had a lumber firm at Mo- cactus had new shoots on it. cactus on the homestead were similarly jave deliver the necessary materials. The plants thrived, and I already affected and were punished for their With the help of several friends was calculating mv harvest returns thievery with whopping big stomach- over a couple of weekends, the cabin when I began to notice more and more aches.

APRIL, 1954 17 Primary water is most likely to be found in the mountains rather than on valley floors. At extreme right is the new 1500-gallon water well on Riess Ranch high above Simi Valley, Ventura County, California. Photo courtesy Primary Water Development Company, Beverly Hills, California.

Of that portion falling on land about 50 percent runs off immediately in New Source of water rills, creeks and rivers, and returns to the ocean relatively soon. Of the re- maining 50 percent which sinks into the ground, 38 to 40 percent is re- for Desert Lands? turned, sooner or later, to the surface through capillary action and the trans- piration of plant life. Eventually, ] 0 Most water is "secondhand." Over and over again it goes through to 12 percent reaches the water table the cycle of evaporation, condensation, precipitation, evaporation. to feed our pumps. It too, joins the Weather is the master. But Stephen Riess believes it is possible to tap hydraulic cycle soon after use. This, primary sources of water at their original source. Not many geologists then, is secondhand water—water used share his revolutionary theories as to the availability of primary or over and over again in the hydraulic juvenile water—but here is his story. cycle. By GASTON BURRIDGE Primary water is water which has never seen the light of day before, AM FAIRLY certain most of the evaporation—mostly from the oceans. never felt the throb and rhythm of water any of us use today—no From here, the sun's heat lifts water ocean waves—water which has never matter where we happen to be— vapor. This water vapor rises until known what has always seemed to me is "secondhand" water, secondhand it contacts cooler air which condenses must be the most thrilling ride in all many times over, many years over. it into tiny drops of water. These the world—the ride with the clouds. Stephen Riess, a German born and droplets combine to make clouds. Neither has it ever been through the trained geochemist and geologist, is Clouds eventually become cooled suf- process of evaporation. not interested in finding secondhand ficiently to allow their minute drops "Primary water is the child of dark- water. He is looking for firsthand to combine into larger ones. These ness," says Riess. "It is conceived in water. It is called "primary," "juve- become so heavy that the force of convulsion and heat, in the interior nile" or "magmatic" water. gravity soon outweighs those factors depths of the earth where giant batho- Perhaps "secondhand water" is not holding them aloft, and they fall as liths of fluid magmas continue to cool too apt a description for ordinary rain, hail or snow. Probably most of gradually and form first crystals of water—water of the hydraulic cycle. this precipitation falls back into the the more basic foundation stone. Pri- The hydraulic cycle begins with sea, but some of it falls on land. mary water is, in my opinion, the

18 DESERT MAGAZINE I original source of all water on our globe." One of the most exciting possibili- ties of juvenile water is that it can be found as easily in desert country as anywhere else. Perhaps easier. " Walk on granite," says Riess, "and you walk over primary water." In the fissures and pipes of igneous and plutonic rock flows this new source of H2O. It can be found read- ily in the desert because there surface rock is more naked of top soil, thus revealing true faulting and contours. Stephen Riess is not a seer. He is not a "water witch," a dowser or water diviner. He uses neither crystal ball nor gadgets. He uses his head. Riess is a trained geologist and geochemist who employs scientific methods. Much of the information he obtains, upon which his decisions are based, is pro- duced in any one of several commer- cial laboratories, from their analyses of submitted samples. Riess studies the petrographic. the crystal'ographic as well as the chemical analysis of a site's rocks. How he uses this infor- mation is the important thing. That is his secret! A secret ferreted out the hard way—through long years of pa- tient work, thinking, experimenting— being laughed at from many quarters. '"I did not promulgate .the primary water theory," says Riess. "Such geo- logical bigwigs as Dr. Oscar Meinzer of the U. S. Geological Survey and Dr. Waldemar Lindgren of Massa- chusetts Institute of Technology have written on primary water, but you won't find out much about it in geo- logical textbooks." What Riess has done is to apply Stephen Riess, German-born geo-chemist, whose revolutionary theories on this theory, to learn how to use it in primary water have stirred a tempest among geologists. actually locating sources of this new Photo by the author. kind of water. his time in Las Vegas, Reno or Monte from affecting them as the moon. If Juvenile water is as wet as any Carlo—or it is evidence as to the val- Simi Valley received no rain for a other water. It tastes the same, boils idity of his thinking! hundred years, Riess believes his wells the same, looks the same as that spill- Riess lives high above Simi Valley would continue to deliver as much ing from the spigot or dipped from an in Ventura County between the Santa water. "Severe earthquakes may affect irrigation di^ch. Ordinarily, primary Susana Mountains and the Simi Hills primary water wells temporarily, or water is softer than average well water about 35 miles east of Ventura, Cali- permanently, by restricting or closing found in the West. fornia. There, on his own land, he their orifice," explains Riess, "but cli- To date, Riess has located 70 water has three wells which he believes tap mate—never!" wells—60 in the United States, six in the source of juvenile water—the one Riess does not go to the valleys Mexico, one in Canada, one in Brazil drilled 19 years ago, one drilled two looking for juvenile water, although, and one in Peru. The Brazil and Peru years ago and one just brought in. on occasions, it may be found there. wells were found and drilled in 1922. There is not one ordinary water well No, he hikes to the mountains—and They were the first and second wells. in Simi Valley which has not suffered not the mountain valleys or canyon- His third well was drilled on his own greatly from a constantly sinking water bottoms, either. He seeks the high ranch 19 years ago. All save three table. Many wells have played out sides of mountains, sometimes even are eminently successful and, he says, completely. Some can only be pumped "I believe I now know why those their higher tops. The wells which tap a short time, then must be rested for primary water are drilled through basic three failed to meet my expectations. days. Riess says his wells never I learn something new with every well." rock, into and through the very bones change. The 19-year-old one delivers of the continent, because juvenile Such a record, built over so 'wide as much water today as it did when water is found flowing in fissures, first brought in. an area, either makes Stephen R'ess cracks, flutes or pipes of these rocks. one of the luckiest men in the world Primary water wells are not affected Primary water does not come from — who could far more profitably spend by surface climate. Drouth is as far sedimentarv collections of earth sur-

APRIL, 1954 19 face materials caught in a basin and directly into water courses or into the from which it issues. Its course is long held for eons. The deepest well Riess sea," says Riess. "But I do not attempt and devious—probably as much as 40 has drilled for juvenile water is 1400 to tap it there. 1 tap it long before it miles! Naturally no one can be sure feet. His shallowest is 232 feet. gets that far down!" of just how the water comes into be- "All primary water may eventually Juvenile water comes from deep, ing. Riess says the trick isn't so much find its way into the water table, or very deep within the heart of the rocks in finding primary water as it is find- ing cool, sweet primary water. Fully 75 percent of all juvenile water is so There's a bit of geography, history, botany, hot and so highly mineralized as to be mineralogy and general lore of the desert unfit for human or agricultural use. Desert Quiz country in this Quiz—and you will find it an As crystallization takes place deep interesting and stimulating experience to test your own knowledge of this in the rock masses which lie beneath fascinating land of sun, sand and solitude. Twelve to 14 correct answers the surface, great quantities of the ele- is fair, 15 to 17 good, 18 or more excellent. The answers are on page 26. mental gases are continually formed. These are generated under tremendous 1—Bright Angel Trail leads to —The top of Mt. Whitney . . The and constant pressure. This pressure bottom of Grand Canyon . The shore of Great Salt Lake forces these gases into multitudinous The depths of Carlsbad Caverns cracks which lace this forming rock. 2—Pat McCarran is—A U.S. senator from Nevada . The governor As the gases rise, they cool. As they of Arizona . Director of the National Park Service . Secre- cool, they contract. As they contract tary of the Interior . they leave space behind them for more 3—The legendary Lost Dutchman mine was in the—Harqua Hala Moun- gas to come along. As these gases tains . Wasatch Mountains . Superstition Mountains continue to rise they come in contact Chuckawalla Mountains with other elements and combinations 4—El Morn National Monument is in—New Mexico . Utah of elements in different states of cool- California . Arizona . ness and exposure. Here they combine 5—Chinde is a Navajo word meaning—Dwelling place . Spring with these other elements, or some of Scalp . Evil Spirit them do. New compounds are formed, perhaps leaving hydrogen and oxygen 6—Before the Metropolitan Water district's dam was built in the Colo- free to move on together. rado River at Parker, the valley where the reservoir is now located was inhabited by—Apache Indians . Chemehuevi Indians Scientists now believe that water Mormon colonists . Yaqui Indians ...... vapor—commonly called steam—does not exist as such at pressures above 7—If you stood on the 12,000-foot peak of Mt. Timpanogos you would 560 pounds per square in:h, but sep- be looking down on the state of—Nevada . Arizona . New arates into its elemental g.ises, hydro- Mexico _ . Utah gen and oxygen. 8—The color of the Evening Primrose which grows on the dunes after heavy' winter rains is—Purple . White . Yellow The cool, sweet juvenile water prob- Orange ably is born under conditions where these two gases travel together for a 9—-The capital of New Mexico is—Santa Fe . Albuquerque long enough period to cool below the Gallup . Taos . 560-pound mark, then they are free 10—Kearny's Army of the West on its historic trek to win California for to join and become water vapor, which the Union crossed the Colorado River at—Yuma . Blythe is able to maintain its identity until Parker Needles .... . cooled enough to condense and be- 1 1—Rock so light it will float on water is—Manganese . Talc come water rather quickly in surround- Pumice _. . Obsidian ... . ings that preclude the absorption of solubles. 12—Until his death a few months ago Johnny Shoshone was a well known Indian in—Winnemucca . Peach Springs ._ . Death Valley Nobody knows about these things. Window Rock The deepest hole man has ever drilled 13—The author of Death Valley in '49 was—Kit Carson . William in the earth is slightly over four miles. Ten times that is a long way, and we Lewis Manly . W. A. Chalfant . Will Caruthers can have but theories for a while yet. 14—Indian symbols incised in the rocks in many places in the Southwest "It is my belief." says Riess. "that properly are called — Petroglyphs...... Pictographs . Hiero- during a considerable portion of glyphics .... . Indian Sign language . Earth's early history—even after its 15—Fairy Duster is the common name given a desert—Hummingbird surface cooled sufficiently to hold Flower __. . Insect ... . Lizard ...... water—there was liti> or none here; 16—Miners refer to a surface exposure of rock as an—Outcrop that all water now present on earth, Overburden . Vein ...... Ledge .„_ . was once juvenile water! I believe fur- 17—Stalactites found in caves generally are a form of—Limestone ther that the total amount of water Gypsum . Salt __ . Quartz on the earth's surface is increasing, 18—The Museum of Northern Arizona is located at — Flagstaff slowly, of course, and one day, some Prescott .. . Williams . Winslow two or three billion years hence, water w!1 cover most of that which is now 19—Tombstone, during the height of its mining boom, produced mostly— land.' Gold . Silver ... . Copper . Quicksilver Riess is 53 years old. He was born 20—The historic Oatman Massacre took place near—The present mining in Bavaria. In Germany he attended camp of Oatman . Alone the Gila River . At Taos . In a naval academy. His teacher of geol- Death Valley ogy there was a rebel thinker, geologi-

20 DESERT MAGAZINE cally. He instilled in Riess much in- dependence of mind and dislike for what Riess calls, "a lot of deadwood of dogma" surrounding much of pres- ent day geological thinking. Riess left Germany in 1932 after the Hitler Putsch. "I saw the hand- writing on the wall for the Fatherland," he says. He traveled in nearly every country in the world, sailed nearly every sea, following the career of metallurgist and mining engineer. He and the late Louis Adamic, the writer, were friends. They learned English together on the deserts of California, reading a dictionary while they worked at the mining game. How does Stephen Riess locate a juvenile water well? That, of course, is his secret. It is a complicated proc- ess having to do with the angles at which faults and strata lie in relation to one another and to the points of the compass, what the composition of each is in relation to its neighbor and to themselves in depth. In other words, what stratum lies on top of what stra- tum, for how far down, and at what angle, as well as in what relation to surrounding ridges, faults, strata and peaks. But let us assume a case. Riess is called to make a survey for a primary water well. Once in the vicinity, he can tell by general lay of the land what the chances are of find- ing a source of juvenile water. If he thinks the situation favorable, he makes a careful, complicated check. This requires three to five days, depending on terrain, kind of rock encountered on the surface, position of faults to points of compass, to ridges, to peaks. Stephen Riess beside one of the wells he has drilled in Ventura County, "If," says Riess, "after this survey California. He says this well is unaffected by climate conditions. is completed and the information ob- Photo by the author. tained from it evaluated, 1 still feel there exists concrete possibilities for developing juvenile water, we must Such wells are no places for any guess well owners to proceed on the same have core drillings made. Some of work. One of the most important fac- basis to acquire the well site as he these drillings are sent to any one of tors is, these bores must be straight! would if he were locating a mineral several commercial laboratories for Not straight just one way, but both claim. This is done to be certain, after analyses. After the laboratory returns ways because targets are often small water is found, that the owner will be its findings I assemble the information and if the hole is not plumb it can allowed to use that water for purposes for interpretation and combination easily miss. A near miss is as tragic intended. with my own findings. From these, as a far one! How do we know it is primary I determine how deep the pipe or flute Naturally, there is immediate inter- water? Even a cursory review of vol- carrying the water lies. Also, I can est as to how much such wells cost. cano eruption information reveals such predict then what volume of water the They are not cheap, but they are not explosions carry immense quantities well probably will produce." prohibitive. "Because every juvenile of water vapor under tremendous pres- well is an individual proposition as to sure. Where did this water vapor come After these conclusions are reached, depth, kind of rock to be penetrated, from? Surely not from the surface of there comes the problem of drilling roads to bring in equipment and sup- the earth! Such investigations as have the well itself. This is indeed no small plies, etc., no general figures can be been made there only point more in part of the whole scheme. Well drill- set down. But the most may be from the direction Stephen Riess is going. ers generally have their own ideas, and $10,000 to $20,000." are reluctant to take instruction. Riess Primary water is new water, revolu- says, "I know of only four rock drill- There is another important point. tionary water. It would appear to be ers capable of drilling such holes as I Unless one owns considerable land ad- a constant source of water. Whethei must have." Why? Mostly because joining mountains and unless a well site one has a water problem or not, here such a well driller must know what he can be located on land so owned, it is an interesting subject for future ex- is doing every minute of drilling time. is necessary for prospective juvenile ploration.

APRIL, 1954 21 Tfte

By OLIVE MCHUGH Salt Lake City, Utah I must go back to the mountains. To their steadfastness, grandeur and poise; I am lost in the maze Of the city's tense days, Their problems, their Babel of noise. I long for the beauty of mountains, Their c::nyons and forests and peace. I played as a child In the depths of their wild They will give my frustrations release. I shall go back to the mountains. They will cradle me once I am there. With the lullaby tune Of the creeks as they croon I shall rest and dream in their care.

DESERT'S SECRETS By DMNA-DER FOVANESSIAN Cedar City, Utah My desert keeps no secrets Nor sings the same long tale. And though no voice nor eye she shows Heie is the last wind's trail. Here sunned a snake and lizard. Here passed a horny toad. And here's a scaly centipede's Lightly fingered road. And though she hides her denizens And covers them so well. Where they were and what they did. The desert likes to tell. • • • ENCHANTMENT By ANNA M. KLAOGE Phoenix, Arizona Sun bathed, wind swept and aged Beneath the eternal sun. The desert weaves enchantment When the eventide is crme.

DEPARTURE By ROBERT R. READ, JR. State College, Pennsylvania Mount Rose, near Reno, Nevada "My boots hang by the old corral, My saddle is in the shed— DESERT ENCHANTMENT DESERT CACTUS Tomorrow morn I'll saddle up By GRACE PARSONS HARMON By PATRICIA K. NORMAN Before the dawn is red." Desert Hot Springs, California El Paso, Texas Shave that growth of whiskers! The dawn broke red, then palely moved It was a rare, unearthly light Across the desert sands— That laced the desert air; Comb that tousled hair! Then the desert maids will love you A horseman climbed the westward ridge There was an opalescent sheen That borders the mountain-lands. That wrought a beauty there: And you'll be welcome everywhere. The desert hills no more were harsh, No one knows where that rider went But shed a rosy glow DESERT ROYALTIES When he left the old corral; That fused to amethyst—to pearl— By GEO F. RANSOM The law of the desert was never to ask. Then, as the sun slipped low, Los Angeles, California But only "Good luck, old pal!" Each peak shone alabaster soft, As from an inner gleam I sat in the desert, where the bairen hills New-freed by alchemy unknown— Watched over the naked ground Elusive as a dream! And the shadow crept from peak to peak As in a dream, the light intor.eo As the moonbeams drove them around. The song soft colors hymned, And over the lake, dried, seared and old, Till, like a great recessional. With its salt crust fathoms deep, The soundless vespers dimmed! The moonlight played on the ice-like sheet By TANYA SOUTH • • « Where the ripples that gleam were asleep NEW TAPESTRY The wise man knows his limitation. And the royal moon, with her knights—the The wiser, knowing, forges on, By ALICE TENNESON HAWKINS stars, Determined nothing in creation San Pedro. California All wrapt in a robe of blue, Will stop him ere his quest is won. Went stately by on her westward bent; Although the rains began but yesterday. Till the mountains hid her from view. Already, winter hills have been washed The wisest says a little prayer clean I too was of royal blood that night In faith — and strives. It gets him And have discarded rugs of sun-bleached As 1 sat with my queen on the throne; there. gray And we ruled together this desert land For velvet carpeting that shimmers green. Over no one but us alone.

22 DESERT MAGAZINE :

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PICTURES OF THE MONTH

Pctiuie This quartet of entrants in an In- dian baby contest at Carson City, Nevada, made a prize-winning pho- tograph for Adrian Atwater of Carson City. Taken with a 4x5 Speed Graphic camera, Super XX film with flash fill, 1/50 second at f. 12, the picture won the first award in Feb- ruary.

m. Nicholas N. Kozloff of San Bernar- dino, California, was given second place honors for this study of an old adobe barn on the Keyes Ranch. He used a 4x5 Speed Graphic cam- era, 1/100 second at f. 11 with Panchromatic X film and an X-l green filter.

APRIL, 1954 23 Goldfield, Nevada . . . A diamond drill crew is busy ex- ploring a group of patented claims in MINES and MINING the Goldfield area recently purchased from the county by J. T. Brunette. Nelson, Nevada . . . Elko, Nevada . . . The claims — the North Star, White Rock, Black Hawk and Black Lion— "One hundred percent recovery of Sloan & Kingaard moved in diamond drilling equipment to the Searchlight are located approximately three miles gold," is the claim of Inventor Peter east of town. Close to the old Pitts- Gregerson for his Gregerson Concen- group of tungsten claims for a winter exploratory program in the south end burg shaft, they are in a highly min- trate Classifier, now at work in a eralized zone upon which extensive of the Ruby range, White Pine County. leased canyon near Nelson, 60 miles diamond drilling was done several from Las Vegas. Previous gold min- Preliminary surface investigations re- years ago.—Pioche Record. ing machines have never been able to turned assays of .30 to 3.7 percent recover all the gold from gravel fed tungsten trioxide.—Pioche Record. to them. The machine, result of 20 • • • Washington, D.C. years' research and experimentation, Ely, Nevada . . . Dr. Thomas B. Nolan of Nevada, has been used successfully in Alaska, assistant director of the U. S. Geologi- it is reported. According to those who A new gold rush broke in Nevada in February—but this time the race was cal Survey, has been awarded the K. have seen it in operation, it requires C. Li medal together with a cash only three men to operate, is capable for black gold, something new in the state that has produced billions of dol- award of $1000. The medal, estab- of doing in a week the amount of work lished in 1948 by Li, discoverer of the that takes a month by hardrock mining lars worth of gold and silver. The U. S. Land office in Reno was swamped world's largest source of tungsten in methods and moves about a thousand southwestern China in 1911, is for yards a day, processing as it moves. with hundreds of applicants after Shell Oil Company announced that oil in meritorious achievement in advancing The only machines now operating are the science of tungsten. Dr. Nolan is in Alaska and in Nelson, where the commercial quantities had been dis- tungsten specialist of the USGS. — inventor says "there is enough work covered in Railroad Valley, 60 miles to keep us busy for about three years." southeast of Ely. Shell announced that Reese River Reveille. —Las Vegas Review-Journal. 40 barrels of 26 gravity oil—oil of • • • medium or fairly good quality—had Winnemucca, Nevada . . . • • • been produced during a four-hour test First carload shipment of uranium Aguila, Arizona . . . period from a 6,583-foot well. Shell struck oil in its first drilling venture ore from the Moonlight Mine strike Bert Boyd reports he is building a in the state. At least half a dozen assayed at .20, a fair commercial 300-ton capacity manganese mill eight other wells have been drilled in the grade, it was reported. As a result of miles south of Aguila. A well is being same general area by other firms within initial tests, the Uranium Metals Cor- drilled at the mill site, and it is hoped the past 18 months without success. poration of Denver, developers, sent that sufficient water is developed to —Ely Record. out five of its top geologists to conduct operate the mill 24 hours a day. If so, a survey of samples in the field. By • • • 12 to 15 men will be employed on shafting the open cut, there is a good three shifts.—Wickenbi:rg Sun. Farmington, New Mexico . . . possibility that a more valuable grade of ore may be uncovered.—Humboldt 0 • • Two Farmington men who made a Star. Gctbbs, Nevada . . . hobby of prospecting with a geiger • • • counter announced recently that they Toiyaba Mining and Milling Com- had made the first discovery of ur- Washington, D. C. . . . pany's newly constructed scheelite anium ore in San Juan County. Jack More public lands covered by oil mill near Gabbs went into operation Boyd, refining company employe and and gas leases now are open for ur- the last week in January, processing hotel night clerk, and Joe Siracusa, anium mining development, according 50 tons of raw ore per day into tung- barber, said Atomic Energy Commis- to a new Atomic Energy Commission sten concentrates. The firm buys raw sion assay reports show the ore "very regulation which allows uranium leases ore from small producers in Gabbs promising." They said the deposit on lands previously closed to entry Valley, where there are six deposits was about 20 miles west of Farming- under the mining laws. The new rul- now producing.—Fallon Standard. ton.—New Mexican. ing is designed to encourage private • • • • • • companies and individuals to develop and produce uranium bearing ores Pomerene, Arizona . . . Clarkdale, Arizona . . . from public lands. A person seeking Standard Tungsten Corporation is Erie P. Halliburton, Oklahoma oil a lease must record for each tract a building a 150-ton concentrating mill man, does not plan to use the whole "Notice of Lease Application" in the in the Little Dragoon Mountains 35 town of Clarkdale for his limestone office of the county recorder of the miles east of here. When operating at operations and is interested in bring- county in which the tract is situated. full capacity, the mill will employ 100 ing in other industries. Associates of The application must be made within men, according to Dr. S. C. Hu, presi- Halliburton said he is anxious to sell 30 days after he has identified, marked dent and chief engineer of the inter- or rent Lower Town, a development and posted the land. Within the next national mining company. Dr. Hu of smaller houses, and at least two 60 days he must file a lease application and Chinese and American friends large buildings. Whether of not he with the Grand Junction Operation formed Standard following the seizure exercises his right to buy Clarkdale Office of the Atomic Energy Commis- of China by the Communists in 1950. depends on proof of large quantities sion, P. O. Box 270, Grand Junction, Seventy percent of the tungsten used of limestone of uniform grade. Tests Colorado. A copy of the new regula- yearly by the United States had pre- so far have shown high-grade stone, tion, "Domestic Uranium Program Cir- viously come from that country. — but their extent is unknown.—Verde cular 7," also may be obtained from Mining Record. Independent. this address.—Beattv Bulletin.

24 DESERT MAGAZINE .•• •••.•.••.•• '•• ••,..•• ••• ' •• -•• NAVAJOS ..... I Have Known Joe Kerley became a successful trader on the Navajo reservation —but he learned Ihe hard way. His story of one of the first lessons he learned in a trading post re- veals some interesting facets in Navajo character and custom. By JOE KERLEY Illustration by Charles Keetsie Shirley Navajo artist T WAS ALL because I lost my temper that I have this tale to tell. Thirty-five years ago I was running a trading post on the Navajo reservation. One of my finest cus- tomers was Blind Man. According to Navajo standards, Blind Man was well-fixed. According to white man's standards, he was very poor. Today Navajos are somewhat better off. , Blind Man owned a few hundred head of sheep, several ponies and bur- ros and two wives. Through the rav- ages of trachoma he had become to- tally blind. He was a fine and noble figure. He had a large intelligent head and all his features proclaimed manliness Hi and strength. Even his sightless orbs gave evidence of intelligence, compo- sure and quiet, worldly wisdom. Look- ing at him one felt that he saw clearly with his mind, and felt deeply with

his heart. 1 was proud to have him .••'. for a customer and a friend. Dealing with him was a pleasure. He had con- fidence in me and never complained about what 1 paid him for his wool or lambs, nor about what I charged him for the goods he bought. HHMBUBiiHIHWUBsmmsmgBBB^BL Some Navajos make the life of a "By terrific tugging and yanking I finally got him through the door." new trader miserable by telling him he is stingy, a liar and a cheat. Some will one's temper is looked upon as child- counter spending his money for gro- even go so far as to tell him that he is ish—a weakness. Once having shown ceries and dry goods. His younger not liked, and that the Navajos are this weakness, a trader would be for- wife was with him. Their baby, neatly going to run him off the reservation. ever hounded and belittled, perhaps laced to his cradle board, lay on the Blind Man never did any of these forced to leave the reservation. The counter in front of them. Navajo things. Of course this pleased me and Navajos would say that he was "mad babies are beautiful. No other babies 1 valued his friendship highly. all the time." have such alluring eyes, such endearing smiles. Old-time traders had told me that I will never forget one day when at first I might be subjected to much Blind Man had sold me a hundred I have heard people say that they raillery. I was cautioned to let it all dollars' worth of wool. In those days have never seen a beautful squaw. We go in one ear and out the other, and a hundred dollars was a whole lot of must class such people with those who above all, never to lose my temper. money for a Navajo to have all at one say that the Grand Canyon is just a Navajos very seldom lost their tempers. time, and it meant a good day's busi- big hole in the ground. They patiently thresh out their diffi- ness for any trader. Blind Man's younger wife was a culties in quiet even voices. To lose Blind Man was standing at the lovely woman. She was tall, slim and

APRIL, 1954 25 graceful. Her oval face of light tan but it was difficult not to hear what changed him. Worst of all, I asked complexion was warm, girlish and was being said about me. There must him to pay for an article he had al- friendly. In her purple velveteen have been some sort of detour in my ready paid for. blouse, fall skirt and neat buckskin ear passage; everything wasn't going "I told you this trader is a cheat moccasins, she was as attractive a fig- out the other side. and a liar," said my tormentor. "He ure as one would see in any land. I had been told that one way to makes you pay twice for everything." Blind man and his family were shut up a fellow like this was to ridi- That did it. Let them run me off among the aristocrats of the reserva- cule him — make fun of something the reservation! I jumped over the tion. It has always been a marvel to about his clothes, his horse or his hat counter and grabbed the scoundrel by me how so many Navajos, living under —or I could say, "Everybody knows the shoulders and tried to rush him such primitive conditions, untrained in you skin coyotes," or "When did you out of the door. I thought I had taken court etiquette or Emily Post, c:

DESERT MAGAZINE campground is provided with stoves, wildlife and game commission. But tables, fresh water, firewood, rest to have these things, others must be rooms and a campfire circle complete sacrificed. with electrical outlets for showing "Graveyard of the Dinosaurs" in slides and motion pictures. In addi- the December issue of Desert Maga- tion to the campground, our guests zine discusses the problem of the pres- umnsCall for Cutting Material . . . will have the use of a warm water ervation of all that would be inundated Veterans Home, California swimming pool and a tennis court. We were the dam to be built. Desert: will also provide student guides, if Between 1938 and 1941, 1 worked Again 1 am calling on Desert Mag- guests desire to see some of our Death for the Bureau of Reclamation. A azine readers for help. Valley country. good part of the time I spent on the Many of them will recall contribu- In return for the facilities we offer, Green and Yampa rivers, assisting ting cutting material to the Veterans we will expect our guests to contribute in preliminary investigation of the Administration Hospital lapidary shop in some way to our school curriculum. Echo Park, Split Mountain and other at Livermore, California, a few years We hope to attract people who can dam sites up and down the river. ago. This writer started the shop as instruct us in the fields of music, art, We took a lot of pictures. The a form of occupational therapy. geology, nature study, crafts and in- country was wild and beautiful. I saw The Livermore shop is now well- dustrial training. my first mountain sheep at Echo Park equipped and always busy. The many Anyone who is interested in our as well as deer and smaller animals. men and women patients who use it camping plan is invited to write to us Pictographs and historical inscriptions get a psychological "boost" from their and let us know the size of the group, abound in the area. There arc many interesting hobby work there. the contribution it can make to our small caves which hold ancient Indian I have recently transferred to the students and the dates preferred for artifacts. Veterans Home and, with the coopera- a visit. Many people have roamed that re- tion of commanding officers, have ac- Reservations may be made by writ- gion throughout the years—Jedediah quired a small room in which to install ing to: Student Body Camping Di- Smith, Butch Cassidy, Major John a lapidary shop similar to the one at rector, Death Valley Union High Wesley Powell, the early railroad en- Livermore. There are nearly 3000 School, Shoshone, California. gineers who left their stakes on the men and women here, many of them WALTER M. BYBEE ledges to mark the Salt Lake-Craig active, who would enjoy such recrea- Principal railroad, and hundreds of others. tion. • • • At one spot above the river, carved We need cutting material. We would Water vs. Wilderness . . . in sandstone, I found the initials "J.S. appreciate receiving supplies from 1838" and presumed they were carved rockhound readers of Desert—the best Ogden, Utah by Jedediah Smith. They had been they can spare. We have plenty of Desert: carefully inscribed, designed to stand jasper and agate, but anything else is I have been an ardent reader of for many many years as witness to his welcome. Desert Magazine for many years and visit. I would hate to see them covered Send contributions to: Claude E. have agreed with most of the opinions by water or destroyed in any way. expressed in its pages. I must take Napier, Veterans Home Gem and It is fascinating country, that land Mineral Club, Veterans Home, Cali- exception, however, to your stand about preserving "a great wilderness roamed by dinosaurs a million years fornia, Post Office Box 72. Many ago. Its scenery is breathtakingly here will thank you. area" from being covered with water by the proposed Echo Park Dam. beautiful, its history and geology rich CLAUDE E. NAPIER with interest. I hope someday to see I do not disagree that a recreational it again, and to find it as I remember it. area will be covered with water. But Swap Fun for Knowledge . . . don't almost all dams cover some de- EINAR H. STRAND Shoshone, California sirable land? The dams planned in • • • Desert: Glen Canyon certainly will cover beau- Indian Songs and Chants . . . I have a swap to suggest—and I tiful wilderness areas. The Echo Park Medford, Oregon think Desert readers will be interested. Dam in reality will create a recreational Desert: area similar to that produced by Death Valley Union High School, Last summer I purchased a number Hoover Dam. located at Shoshone, California, mid- of back issues of Desert Magazine. way between Baker and Furnace Creek The water that these projects will Among them was the October, 1949, Inn, is the smallest union high school make available to the people of Utah number with the story, "Chants of My in California. We have a total enroll- and surrounding areas is needed now. People," about Manuel and Alyce ment of 19 students and a staff of Water means productivity for the des- Archuleta of Albuquerque, New Mex- three teachers. ert. ico. The Archuletas were making re- DVUHS offers both a college pre- AARON B. ROSS, M.D. cordings of the different Indian songs paratory course and a general curricu- • • • and chants, the story reported, and lum for students who do not plan fur- Wilderness vs. Water . . . hoped to establish a good business ther education. Because of our isola- San Bernardino, California selling them. tion, we feel that our students need Desert: It was such a lovely little story that the opportunity to develop contacts Of the two factions which are argu- I read it many times, and then wrote with people of other areas. For this ing over the construction of the pro- the Archuletas a letter which brought reason, we have adopted our camping posed Echo Park Dam, one could be me data on the records available to- plan. called the reclamationists, the other, gether with a nice note of appreciation. The students have constructed a the preservationists. I have sentiment Other Desert readers may be inter- campground for the exclusive use of for both groups. ested in knowing the records may be individuals and groups who would be Yes, a dam at Echo Park would ordered from Tom-Tom Records, Box willing to contribute to the widening bring water to dry lands, power to 1493, Albuquerque, New Mexico. of our high school curriculum. The industry and certain benefits to the LUCILLE SANDALL

APRIL, 1954 27 The Immune Indian . . . don't know what would have happened no solid footing for a jack, and de- Los Angeles, California if we hadn't had a gun in camp. I have flating the tires didn't help. There Desert: shot rattlesnakes from Mexico to Ore- wasn't a house within miles. It looked First question in Desert Magazine's gon. like a night on the desert for me. January true-false quiz, claiming in its Mr. H. must be a tenderfoot if he Then I remembered a friend telling answer that a rattlesnake cannot strike doesn't know that snakes hibernate in me how some Indians had extricated unless coiled, is in error. winter. All I ever wear on my feet his car from a mud flat on the Klamath I personally witnessed an Indian are oxfords, but 1 keep my eyes and River with a device they had called a catch a rattlesnake as it was crawling ears open. 1 have been over a lot Spanish wind ass. out of his way, grabbing it about 18 of the country that F.J.H. contemplates Luckily there was a stout Joshua inches from its head. The snake struck exploring and have never yet seen a tree a short distance to the rear of the backward hitting the Indian's fore- snake there. I am old now and have car. I tied the end of a rope to the arm about four inches above the wrist settled down to feed the birds and rear bumper. Finding a sturdy Joshua and making two tiny punctures in the wild animals who visit my desert home. log about ten feet long, I lashed an- skin. He instantly subdued the snake You can throw away your gun if other rope to its center and secured by holding it behind its head. you want to, R.H.. but my advice is the other end to the tree. Holding the I wanted a closer look at the snake to take one along. log erect, midway between tree and wound. Approaching the Indian, I NELLIE F. GOODENDORF car, I wound the rope loop from the saw a drop of venom on the punctures. • e • bumper around the center of the log The wounds did not bleed; there were For Sand-locked Cars . . . and then, using my shovel handle only tiny red specks where the fangs San Clemente. California through the loop as a lever, I kept had entered. The Indian took a small twisting the log. As the ropes wound stick about the size of a match and Desert: Late one afternoon I was driving upon it the car was pulled back onto raked the poison off. He said there some brush I had placed in its path. was enough to kill five men. alone on a seldom used trail in the Mojave Desert. At a sharp curve my It wasn't long before I was on my way The Indian was not affected by the home. snake venom. He was a professional rear wheels skidded off the road and snake catcher and had been immun- I was stuck in the sand. There was FRANK B. RUTLEDGE ized as a boy. ALBERT LLOYD • • • For Better Flapjacks . . . Fresno, California Prizes for Photographers Desert: "Desert Valentine" was the title of E. Foster Scholey's photograph Studying the picture of Dude Sands which won first prize in Desert's January, 1951, Picture-of-the-Month and his burro Judy winning the flap- contest and appeared in the March issue. It is an unusual shot of a jack contest (February Desert) a cluster of desert hyacinths blossoming against the heart-shaped end probable factor contributing to their of a fallen log. This is the type of photograph which wins prizes each success is readily seen. Mixing some month for the camera fans. of those delicious Ruskets from the This is a good time of year to photograph flowers. But there are now-empty carton on top of the fire- many other eligible photo subjects—from Animal life to Zuni Indians, wood into his batter would insure a anything of the desert Southwest. Remember, judges emphasize good superior product, appetizing to both composition, unusual subject matter and sharp contrasts of black and man and beast. white. Whatever precious seconds which might have been lost starting the fire Entries for the April contest must be in the Desert Magazine or mixing and cooking the flapjacks office. Palm Desert, California, by April 20, and the winning prints would be more than regained by his will appear in the June issue. Pictures which arrive too late for one burro's eagerness to gobble up the contest are held over for the next month. First prize is $10; second prize finished product. $5.00. For non-winning pictures accepted for publication $3.00 each Out of personal experience eating will be paid. various foods while camping, I highly recommend that every desert traveler HERE ARE THE RULES include Ruskets in his camp grub. 1—Prints for monthly contests must be black and white. 5x7 or larger, printed ROSS THOMPSON on glossy paper. • • • 2—Each photograph submitted should be fully labeled as to subject, time and And Keep It Loaded . . . place. Also technical data: camera, shutter speed, hour of day, etc. Julian, California 3—PRINTS WILL BE RETURNED WHEN RETURN POSTAGE IS ENCLOSED. Desert: 4—All entries must be in the Desert Magazine office by the 20th of the contest I will agree with you that the desert month. 5—Contests are open to both amateur and professional photographers. Desert is safer than a highway, but never Magazine requires first publication rights only of prize winning pictures. about throwing away the gun, as you 6—Time and place of photograph are immaterial, except that it must be from the advised F.J.H. in the February issue desert Southwest. of Desert. I have been a prospector 7—Judges will be selected from Desert's editorial staff, and awards will be made most of the time since 1916 and would immediately after the close of the contest each month. no more think of starting out without a gun than I'd think of starting out Address All Entries to Photo Editor without coffee. I believe you published something *De4en,t PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA about the rabid coyote at Agua Cali- ente Hot Springs. I was there, and I

28 DESERT MAGAZINE HBN and 1km on the Oesett... MardKock Shorty ARIZONA Institute for Cloud Study . . . Studies "Blessing Way" . . . TUCSON — Clouds as a possible untapped water resource in the arid ST. MICHAELS — If a Navajo Southwest will be studied intensively holds to his religion, he always will in a scientific research program oper- live in a hogan, the traditional dome- ated jointly by the University of Ari- shaped Navajo home, regardless of zona and the University of Chicago, how wealthy he may become. Strict officials of the two universities an- rules for the type of home he must live nounced. Establishment of an Insti- in and the way he must live are set tute of Atmospheric Physics at the down for the tribesman in the Bless- University of Arizona at Tucson, in- "Ain't no way o' tellin' how ing Way ceremony. Rev. Berard Haile, itially manned by University of Chi- hot it gets here in Death Valley," OFM, who has lived with the Nava- cago scientists, is aimed at determining Hard Rock Shorty was explain- jos for 54 years, has just completed how much the future development of ing to the tenderfoot. "They the first study of this ceremony on dry regions throughout the world can don't make the thermometers tall which these Indians base their lives. be enhanced by efforts to stimulate enough. On these hot summer Ready for publication, it is written in additional precipitation. Radar, cam- days the mercury goes to the top Navajo with an English translation and eras and balloon instruments will be o' them—an' then the thing busts. fills two lengthy volumes. In general, used to observe the behavior of clouds "Them thermometers usta ag- the Blessing Way is a prayer—which in the Tucson area. Later laboratory may last for days—for a blessing on gravate Pisgah Bill. He liked to tests and field measurements will be write back to the editor of his the Navajos and their property. It may made in other areas. Other problems be compared to the Christian Bible, ol' home town paper in Missouri of the atmosphere, such as the possi- an' tell 'im how hot it wuz in according to Father Berard, in that it bility of utilization of solar energy contains most of the precepts of Nav- Death Valley. But with all the received in the bright sunshine of Ari- thermometers busted he could ajo daily life. The 80-year-old priest zona, problems of the high atmosphere next hopes to study the Chiricahua only guess at it — an' nobody and related topics, will receive future would believe him. Wind Way ceremony. — Phoenix Ga- study. All aspects of Arizona water zette. problems will come under scrutiny. "Finally Bill got an idea. He • • • Clouds and rain possibilities will be went over in Nevada where they Need Wedding Records . . . the main interest, initially, however. have that big quicksilver mine, • • • and mooched enough quicksilver WINDOW ROCK — To qualify to make a thermometer of his them for social security benefits, Nav- Cheer TB Progress . . . own. This one wuz to be so tall ajo couples, whether they were wed WINDOW ROCK—Normally sto- in civil ceremonies or according to ical Navajo leaders cheered wildly it would register any temperature tribal custom, must have a marriage when told of the startling success of a this side o' hades. record. In 1940, the tribe resolved two-year fight against the tribe's num- "He sent to a mail order house to register all marriages, but there ber one killer—tuberculosis. "We now and got a long glass tube to put still are many widows and children on have new hope," said Councilman the mercury in—an' then Bill's the reservation who are entitled to James Besenti after the Tribal Council scheme ran into trouble. Takes benefits but cannot get them because calmed down. The demonstration — a lot o' 'rithmctic to figger out the women were never listed as mar- unprecedented for a council meeting where to put the marks on one ried. Social security agents explained —started following a report by Dr. o' them thermometers so yu'll the situation at a Tribal Council meet- Walsh McDermott of the Cornell Uni- know how many degrees hot it ing, and the tribesmen adopted a reso- versity School of Medicine. Dr. Mc- is. An' Bill never got any fur- lution calling again for registration of Dermott told the council that of 100 ther'n the third grade in school. all marriages and adopting a program patients admitted to the hospital at of telling the Indians of the importance Fort Defiance last year, not one died. "So he stowed all the gadgets of such action.—New Mexican. He contrasted this with a record of he'd got together back in one of his old mine tunnels to wait 'til • • • about 80 deaths in every 100 admis- sions in 1948. In addition to patients some scientist came along to Indian Water Claims Mount . . . at Fort Defiance, 300 Navajos are re- show him how to finish the job. WASHINGTON — Water claims ceiving treatment at hospitals in Ari- Finally one o' them Cal-Tech from the Colorado River and its tribu- zona, New Mexico, Colorado and fellers showed up, and when Bill taries in the lower basin on behalf of California.—New Mexican. told him about it he said sure, Indians and Indian tribes now total • • • he'd help. 747,170 acre feet, with requests for Grand Canyon Approach . . . "But when Bill went tu git the ultimate development to 1,747,250 PHOENIX—Bids have been issued mercury an' the tube, he found acre feet. The claims were contained for construction of a new Grand Can- the tunnel'd caved in. The mer- in intervention action of the govern- yon approach road which would en- cury wuz buried under a hundred ment in the pending case of Arizona able tourists to get their first look of feet o' rock, an' the tube prob- vs. California in the U. S. Supreme the canyon from Mather Point. The ably'd been smashed to smither- Court. Most generous previous esti- road will begin Wi miles east of eens. mates placed total Indian claims at Grand Canyon village and extend not more than 500,000 acre feet. The south 4.8 miles to connect with exist- "So we still don't know how figures are based on estimated flows. ing new construction. — Yuma Daily hot it gits in Death Valley." —Holbrook Tribune-News. Sun.

APRIL, 1954 29 NEW CALIFORNIA State Topographic Map 64x90" $2.50. Lost mines of 10 Southwestern states, with map $1.75. Sectionized County maps: San Bernar- THE DESERT TRADING POST dino, Riverside $1.00 each, Inyo, Mono, Classified Advertising in This Section Costs 1Oc a Word, $1.50 Minimum Per Issue Kern, Los Angeles 75c each. Imperial. San Diego 50c each. New series of Ne- vada County maps $1.00 each. Joshua INDIAN GOODS BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES Tree-Twentynine Palms area $1.56. Town- ship blanks, all sizes. Lode or Placer AUTHENTIC INDIAN SONGS and chants IMPORT-EXPORT! Opportunity profitable, location notice forms 5c each. Topo- on high fidelity phonograph records. Re- world-wide, mail-order business from graphical maps in California, Nevada. corded by well known tribal singers •— home, without capital, or travel abroad. Utah. Arizona and all other Western Natay, Pop Chalee, Chief Spotted Back Established World Trader ships instruc- states. WestwMe Maps Co., I 14'/2 W. Hamilton, H. Lomawaima, J. Gachupin tions for no-risk examination. Experience Third St.. Los Angeles. California. and others. For catalogue write Canyon unnecessary. Free details. Melinger. 984. Records, 834 North 7th Avenue, Phoenix. Los Angeles, 24 California. GHOST TOWN ITEMS: Sun-colored glass. Arizona. amethyst to royal purple; ghost railroads REAL ESTATE materials, tickets; limited odd items from WILL SACRIFICE large collection of In- camps of the '60s. Write your interest-— dian baskets and misc. materials to party 82 ACRES WITH WATER RIGHTS: East- Box 64-D, Smith. Nevada. buying complete collection. No dealers ern High Siena. Fishing, hunting area. please. John Morrison, Box 339 Big Bear Ideal for Trailer Park or subdivide for REQUEST OUR LATEST LIST of irresisti- Lake, California. cabin sites. Box 417. Bishop, California. ble quality minerals, books, magazines. DINOSAUR BONE — California beach Mineralights, Geiger counters, Rockhound stones—Indian artifacts. Pioneer Trad- FOR SALE: Small Desert Resort. Oppor- specials and lapidary equipment. Five ing Post, 8216 Santa Monica Blvd., Hol- tunity for the right couple. First class cents, please. Gritzner's Minerals, Mesa lywood, California. clientele, exclusive location and space to 3. Arizona. grow. Ample water and power. Fully CLOSING OUT—For many years we have equipped. Reasonably priced and attrac- AVAILABLE: four 8x10 glossy photos served you, our friends and customers, tive terms. For further information write showing over 100 dried plant decorations with the finest of Reservation Indian made Box NC, Desert Magazine. for home use. With list $1.00. Palm artifacts, but now the time has come for Valley Ranch. Box 70. Palm Springs. us to retire from active business. We FOUR BEAUTIFUL Desert View lots, black California. are offering our selected stock at a sub- top street, electricity, water. Bargain if stantial discount for quick disposal. You you take two or more. Neal Shane, 363 SILVERY DESERT HOLLY PLANTS: may now buy things you could not afford Termino, Apt. C, Long Beach, Calif. One dollar each postpaid. Greasewood at former prices. Many items of interest Greenhouses. Lenwood, Barstow, Calif. to collectors. Daniels Indian Trading A NICE RETREAT: Stucco cottage, beau- Post, 16299 Foothill Blvd. (Highway 66) tiful view, 12 minutes to Palm Desert. FIND YOUR OWN beautiful Gold nug- Fontana, California. $350.00 down, easy payments. For in- gets! It's fun! Beginners' illustrated in- formation write owner, 2705 Woodlyn struction book! $1.00. Gold pan, $2.00. 6 PERFECT ANCIENT FLINT arrowheads Road, Pasadena or phone Syc. 46097. Where to go? Gold placer maps. South- $2.00. Fine grooved stone tomahawk ern California, Nevada, Arizona, $1.00 $3.00. Grooved granite war club $2.00. WANTED TO RENT: Isolated shack in each state. All three maps $2.00. Desert Perfect peace pipe $5.00. 6 fine bird ar- desert or mountains for weekend jaunts. Jim, Box 604, Stockton, California. rows $2.00. 2 flint knives $1.00, 6" to 1". Within 150 miles of Los Angeles. P.O. Perfect spearhead $7.00. All offers Box 967, Glendale, California. GOLD PROSPECTING CATALOG—List- $20.00. List Free. Lear's, Glenwood, ing, placer and lode maps, steel gold pans, Arkansas. COACHELLA VALLEY — Beautiful 480 mining and mineral books, books on lost acres unadulterated desert with many mines, pocket magnifying glasses, min- PIPE TOMAHAWK—Authentic cast bronze unsurpassed view building spots, palo eral collection sets, blueprints of dry head. Indian handmade stem, 18 inches verde, smoke tree, white sand. Sixty washers and wet washers you can build over all, $18.65 postpaid. Pat Read, In- acres under Canal. This parcel includes yourself. Catalog and Gold Panning Les- dian Trader, Lawrence, Kansas. the famous Fish Traps. All for only son — Free. Old Prospector, Box 729, $20 (twenty dollars) per acre. Write Desk 5, Lodi, California. BOOKS — MAGAZINES Ronald L. Johnson, Realtor, Box 162, Thermal, California. MINERAL RICH NEVADA MINES — MOTHER LODE Newspapers cover criti- Our old "Reno Gazettes" tell location. cal mineral finds, 1900-1926. Many rich PALM DESERT: Home and income, Many a profitable digging. Find vana- plums waiting to be picked by modern model desert duplex near Shadow Moun- dium, cadmium, titanium etc. — dollar detection equipment. Newspaper Origin- tain Club. One half leased at $150 per for dollar more precious than gold. Ne- als, $3.50 per copy. Associated, RM701, month unfurnished. Full price $25,000 cessary to modern industry, overlooked 117 W. 9th St., Los Angeles 15, Calif. on easy terms. Henderson and Carries, as useless by old timers. Get to yours 73941 Highway 111. Box 201, Palm Des- this easy way: year 1899-1910, per copy SOUTHWEST BOOKS — Large stock of ert, California. $5.00; year 1911-1915 per copy $4.00; new and out of print books on the Des- year 1916-1925 per copy $2.50. Sorry, ert, Arizona, Nevada, Baja California, BARGAINS GALORE! We are liquidating no C.O.D.s to facilitate handling. Send Sonora, etc. Open 9:30 to 5:00, Monday several thousand acres of virgin, unim- cash, check or money order to: Great to Saturday. Catalogue 274 on request. proved land in Kern & San Bernardino Western Discount Co., Suite 105-112. Dawson's Book Shop, 550 South Figu- Counties. If you would like to acquire 4459 Avocado St. Los Angeles 27, Calif. eroa St., Los Angeles 17, California. acreage for as little as $10.00 per acre, write or see us at once. Example: 160 PRESERVE YOUR VALUABLE papers in BOOKS FOUND—Any title! Free world- acres in Kern Co. near Randsburg, just plastic. Social Security card 20c each. wide book search service. Any book, $995.00 $25.00 down. $22.00 per month. Other work 8c sq. inch. Wallet size new or old. Western Americana a spe- Act now! Pon & Co., 711 N. Azusa Ave., photos, licenses 40c each. Press capacity cially. Lowest price. Send wants today! Azusa, California. 5V2XIV2. Prompt service, inquiries wel- International Bookfinders, Box 3003-D, come. H. G. Gray, Plastic Laminator, Beverly Hills, California. MISCELLANEOUS P.O. Box 89, Sun Valley, California. LIGHT WAVES AND LOVE TIDES: ADAMS GOLD: 5 years research, 5 trips, PAN GOLD: Pan and tweezer pick yellow Vivid stories and graphic word pictures landmarks perfect. Have located pump- golden nuggets. Panning pans $2.75 and of our West, by a world traveler. $2.50. kin patch. Want partner by April 1. M. $2.25. Nugget tweezer $1.00. Leather Vantage Press, Inc., 6356 Hollywood Anderson, 1464 Redondo Beach Blvd. dust poke $1. 75 spots in 25 California Blvd., Hollywood 28, California. Gardena, California. Counties for placer gold. Township, range, elevation, geological formation. $1. BOOKS ON GEMS — Rare, old, out-of- DESERT TEA. One pound one dollar Possible health, happiness, hideaway, hunt, print books in many languages. Stamp postpaid. Greasewood Greenhouses. Len- hike, fish, camp. Box 42132, Los Angeles, for list. Willems, Box 1515, Chicago 90. wood, Barstow, California. California.

30 DESERT MAGAZINE CALIFORNIA Consider Spear Fishing . . . Plan Patton Memorial . . . MECCA — Spears and bows and Your BIG arrows may be allowed to take mullet INDIO — Riverside County super- and carp from Salton Sea, if hunting 1954 Vacation visors have established a commission and fishing regulations proposed by From Hitc, Utah to Lee's Ferry, Ariz. that will create a memorial for Gen- the department of fish and game for By Boat eral George Patton whose troops were 1954 are adopted. Chukar partridge trained in the desert areas of the Glen Canyon, the most beautiful hunting, prohibited since the birds county. The committee's chairman is section of the Colorado River, trans- Supervisor Homer Varner of Indio, were introduced in 1930, also may be verses desert country famous for permitted for the first time. Other scenic and scientific marvel and whose district takes in land on which untouched by civilization. An ad- General Patton's soldiers trained for than these two innovations, the 1954 venturous journey into the historic the African campaign of World War regulations were only slightly modified past. See the famous Rainbow II. It has not yet been decided what from those adopted in 1953.—Calex- Bridge — Crossing of the Fathers — form the memorial will take, but Var- ico Chronicle. Ancient Indian Cliff-dwellings—Hole • • • in the Rock where Mormon pioneers ner favors a small park, well equipped perilously descended. Thousands of with water and shade, alongside the More, Better Camps . . . thrills await you during 8 full days Indio-Blythe highway.—Desert Sun. INYO — Public camp grounds in this wonderland! throughout the Inyo National Forest Safe! No Rapids! Experienced Guides! • • • Sailings: June 5 and 1!) Overdue Funeral Held . . . will be in better shape this year, thanks July 3 and 17 to generous government appropria- MOJAVE — Funeral arrangements Fare: $150.00 Per Person tions and a special $10,200 allotment Deposit: $25.00 were made in February for a man voted by Congress last summer. Ac- dead 21 years. Bakersfield Coroner For Reservations and Further cording to W. S. Davis, National For- Information, write to: Norman Houze said it took 19 years est supervisor, the funds are being to find the bones of Claude Yake and JOHANNES RIVER SAFARIS used for the construction of new camp Hanksville, Utah two additional years to identify them. tables and rest rooms, the repair of Yake, a prospector, was last seen alive existing camp facilities and water sys- in 1933 when he stepped out of a tems, digging of garbage pits, rock- hotel at Randsburg after telling the barrier construction and other needed desk clerk he was going out for a improvements.—Inyo Register. drink of water. He was then about 38 years old. Yake may have walked out • • • on the desert and become lost, Houze Outdoor Housekeeping . . . theorized. The bones were found by CATHEDRAL CITY—"Help Keep another prospector January 6, 1952, Our Desert Clean" is the motto of the in a wash between Ridgecrest and newly-formed Desert Outdoor House- Mojave.—Los Angeles Times. keeping Association of Cathedral City. • • • On its first clean-up day, held in Feb- Promise Park by Fall . . . ruary, volunteer workers from nearby desert towns turned out to pick up WHAT EVERY MAN WANTS: INDIO — Newton Drury, chief of This clever Map, Blue-print Header the state division of beaches and parks, trash and debris from alongside High- measures all distances on any flat has given assurances that the long- way 111 between Cathedral City and surface . . . has dozens of uses . . . delayed Salton Sea State Park will be Indio. Sandwiches and punch were Tax and Postpaid $2.75 fully opened by next fall, although served to workers between hauls. The MARSHUTZ OPTICAL CO. construction of camping and picnic California Division of Highways as- 531 So. Olive St. Est. 1887 Los Angeles grounds, scheduled to have begun in sisted by assigning trucks to pick up September, 1952, still hasn't been sub- trash piled at 500-foot intervals along stantially started. According to Drury, the road. Riverside County Super- VACATION the state department of architecture visor Homer Varner, chairman of the in is working on installation plans and group, reports the clean-up day was WAYNE WONDERLAND should be ready to advertise for bids the first in a long-range program to with this spring. "Even with delays during restore desert areas to their natural JACKSON'S SCENIC TOURS beauty.—Desert Sun. Sightseeing, picture taking, rock hunting, summer heat, the park should be ready camping and deer hunting in October. Regular weekly tours over Thousand Lake for full operation in fall and winter," • • • Mt. to Cathedral Valley, Painted Desert, Pinto Hills, Dirty Devil R., Land of the Goblins, he said.—Desert Sun. Claim 75 Million Acres . . . and San Rafael Swell or Capitol Reef. • • • Spl. Tours-—Standing Rock Basin, Colo. WASHINGTON — Scheduled to River or anywhere in explored or unex- Plans Salton Sea Swim . . . come up before the Indian Claims plored scenic Southern Utah. For in format ion or reservations write to: PALM SPRINGS—Ray Carmasie, Commission is a case involving mil- JACKSON BROTHERS TOURS swimming instructor at the El Mirador lions of dollars sought by California J, Wortlu'ii Jackson Hotel here, hopes to become the first Indian tribes as reimbursement for Fremont, Utah man to swim across the Salton Sea. lands allegedly seized from their an- Carmasie planned an attempt for the cestors. Claims of the Indians cover aquatic record early in March, as a 75,000,000 acres of the total state Looking for a PUBLISHER? conditioner for proposed swims across acreage of 103,000,000 acres. De- Do you have a book-length manuscript you would like to have published? Learn about the straits of Gibralter, the English scendents of the Indians who were our unusual plan whereby your book can be Channel and a round trip swim to ejected from their lands by earlier published, promoted and distributed on a professional basis. We consider all t.\ pes of Catalina and back. He planned to settlers are basing their claims for re- work—fiction, biography, poetry, scholar I \ and religious books, etc. New authors wel- enter the sea opposite Fish Springs re- imbursement on treaties entered into come. For more information, write for valu- sort. The opposite shore is between by federal officials of the time which able booklet D. It's free. VANTAGE PRESS, INC. 10 and 15 miles distant.—Indio Date were not ratified by the Senate under RS56 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood 28, Calif. Palm. its treaty-making powers. Main Office: N.w York 1, \. V.

APRIL, 1954 31 Homestead Tract Reopened . . . S. Geological Survey study showed the NEVADA continued withdrawal to be unneces- TWENTYNINE PALMS — Jack- Lake Mead Development . . . rabbit homesteaders in the Joshua sary. Applications from 3000 persons Tree-Twentynine Palms area received who wished to establish five-acre rec- BOULDER CITY—Under propo- word recently from the Navy Depart- reation homesteads were held up by sals now under consideration by the ment that 172,640 acres of govern- the Bureau of Land Management be- National Park Service, present regula- ment land which was informally with- cause of the Navy's action.—Los An- tions at Lake Mead National Recrea- drawn from entry last March has been geles Times. tional Area would be relaxed to allow made available for homesteading again. • • • private development of residential The fight for such action, led by the areas along the lake shore. Among High Joshua Desert Association, has Desert Getting Hotter . . . other proposals are better navigation been going on for nearly a year. The BLYTHE — According to O. W. aids, now dangerously inadequate; acreage involved lies close to the U. Malmgren, Blythe weather station ex- greater public use of lands bordering S. Marine Corps 600,000-acre instal- pert, the desert is getting hotter. Lake Mead; termination of present lation near Twentynine Palms. The Twenty years of figures compiled by exclusive contracts prohibiting compe- Navy said its action was to protect the Malmgren reveal temperatures have tition in providing proper commercial base's water supply. However, a U. climbed upward since 1933. Twenty concessions; development of sports years ago the mean average was 70.05. areas near the beaches; provisions for In 1943, it was 72.6, last year, 72.8. yacht club facilities for private boat Maximum average showed a rise from owners; establishment and enforce- 'EVERYTHING FOR THE HIKER" 88.7 in 1933 to 89.7 last year.—Coa- ment of proper safety and sanitary chella Valley Sun. standards for concessionaires and open- SLEEPING BAGS ing of areas for private development • • • AIR MATTRESSES of tourist facilities.—Las Vegas Re- Fishing at Salton Sea . . . view-Journal. SMALL TENTS MECCA — While most California • • • anglers are holed up for the winter, and many other items others are camping out beside one of Hits State Cave Control . . . the world's strangest fishing waters and RENO—Nevada Senator Pat Mc- VAN DEGRIFT'S HIKE HUT enjoying good catches. The California Carran has announced he will fight 717 West Seventh Street Department of Fish and Game reports any action by the Interior Department LOS ANGELES 14, CALIFORNIA that sportsmen have been landing to return Lehman Caves, Nevada's many mullet and gulf croakers from only national monument, to state con- the desert-bound Salton Sea, 237 feet trol. The Interior Department was SAN JUAN and COLORADO below sea level. The mullet are na- considering recommendations propos- RIVER EXPEDITIONS tives, but the croakers were planted ing the return of numerous national Enjoy exploration, safe adventure and there by the department in recent years. monuments, including Lehman Caves, scenic beauty in the gorgeous canyons of A winter survey showed that the to state control because they were Utah and Arizona. Staunch boats, experi- progeny of the original croaker plant "purely local in interest." McCarran enced rivermen. For 1954 summer schedule have become abundant and are pro- said that Lehman Caves had visitors or charter trips anytime write to— viding excellent salt-water fishing. J. FRANK WRIGHT from 43 states and six foreign coun- One of the strangest of angling tries last year, with more than 30 per- MEXICAN HAT EXPEDITIONS sports is the catching of mullet with cent of all visitors coming from states Bicmding, Utah the bare hands. At this time of the not bordering on Nevada. He added year they may be driven near the shal- that any economy motive could not low deltas of the Sea's tributaries and be supported, as the caves cost the Your Key to the Intermountain West picked up legally by hand, hook and federal government only $8,000 in line or dip nets not over six feet in 1953. Congressional legislation would diameter. be required to authorize a change of RflinBOW ROODS GUIDE control of national monuments.—Las To Highways 91, 89, 191 Vegas Review-Journal. Check Your • • • from \ VACATION CALENDAR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TO YELLOWSTONE Lake Mead Lodge Sold . . .

1500 miles of major highways in seven BOULDER CITY — Negotiations western states are under way for the sales of the

• 250 pages Lake Mer.d Lodge and the boat oper- 12 13 14 ations on the lake by Frederick B. • 100 photographs Patterson, longtime lessee. An agree- • 50 full-page maps EB ment has been reached between Patter- PLAN NOW TO ATTEND son and W. A. Porter, president of • 8V2 x 11 inches Continental Hotels and operator of the THE NATIONALLY FAMOUS • Ring bound • Large type lodge for several years, for sale of the GALLUP INTER-TRIBAL hostelry to the latter organization. Order from your bookstore or direct from Patterson also repossessed the boat Indian Ceremonial operations from Edi Juan, operator, RAINBOW ROADS • For 33 years America's Outstand- to sell the Overton operation to Bert ing Exhibition of Indian Dances. P.O. Box 544, Salt Lake City, Utah Arts and Craits Stevens and the Boulder Beach and Vegas Wash businesses to a Bakers- $2.95 For full information write Dept. C (plus 17c mailing) field, California, man. — Las Vegas CEREMONIAL ASSN., GALLUP, N. M. Review-Journal.

32 DESERT MAGAZINE Mother Nature's Age Showing . . . something be d.jne about the 20,000 the law that says rights for a hole in HENDERSON — Scientists have acres that were grabbed from grazing the ground can be reserved when a recently discovered that Mother Na- lands to make the Chaco National piece of property is sold. Mineral ture has been hiding her age all these Monument." The BLM also agreed, rights can be withheld, but not much years and that she is older than any- Counselor said, to cease charging the else. It is hoped that the schools will one thought or believed. Four scien- Indians for the entire herd if the num- be able to trade their land for some tists have figured that the earth is at ber of sheep went over the amount equally valuable property outside of least 4.5 billion years old. Previous allowed free grazing rights. — New the park boundaries.—New Mexican. estimates were 2.5 billion years. The Mexican. • • • new figure was the result of the study • • • Navajos Back Project . . . of two slightly different kinds of lead Sheep Hunt Successful . . . SHIPROCK—Officials of the Nav- found in meteorites, the relative LORDSBURG—New Mexico's first ajo tribe have given their backing to amounts of each giving a clue to the bighorn sheep hunt, held in the Hatchet the big four-state Upper Colorado age of the meteorite. Uranium changes Mountains of Hidalgo County, has River development plan. Sam Ah- into lead at a known rate, and different been termed a "complete success" by keah, chairman of the Navajo Tribal kinds of uranium change at different State Game Warden Homer C. Pick- Council, said the proposed Shiprock rates. The difference in amounts of ens. Eleven of the 15 permittees killed and San Juan project units in north- the two different kinds of lead found their sheep. The hunt was held in an western New Mexico might irrigate as in the sample determine when it so- effort to cull older sheep from the herd much as 129,000 acres of Navajo lidified into its present state. — Las and was the first bighorn hunt ever lands. "When the land is irrigated, it Vegas Review-Journal. held in the state.—Eddy County News. will make about 1500 farms of a size • • • • • • to support Navajo families," he said. Anchor Rock Slab Threat . . . Flay Navajo Abuse . . . "This means 1500 families—or about BOULDER CITY—A unique en- GALLUP — Blasting Gallup as a 7800 persons — will be supporting gineering job was recently undertaken place where "the flagrant abuse of the themselves directly from the project, at Hoover Dam, to anchor a 20-foot civil rights of Navajos is a matter of will become self-sufficient and be able slab of rock which threatened the common knowledge," the Navajo In- to live with dignity." valve house. The 180-foot long by dian advisory committee appealed to 115-foot high slab is immediately Gallup business men for more coop- above the house on a sheer canyon eration and understanding between 1000 TRAVEL SCENES wall. Scaling off the rock was con- Indians and whites. "Gallup has many COLOR SLIDES sidered, but abandoned in favor of fine citizens," said Navajo Tribal FOS'YOUR .. the cheaper bracing operation. The Chairman Sam Ahkeah later, "and by VACATION RECORD pulling together in a united effort, the FREE LIST rock was anchored by means of 350 [SAMPLES 30C WRITE TODAY two-inch wide steel bars of lengths up Navajos can be given a better deal." SPECIAL OFFER to 33 feet. The bars were inserted • • • into drill holes with cement and water Caverns Threatened . . . To introduce readers of DESERT to our grout forced around them.—Salt Lake CARLSBAD — Four sections of 2"x2" COLOR SLIDES for home projec- Tribune. public land lying within the boundaries tion, we are offering a FREE 20 page of Carlsbad Caverns National Park, catalcg and a FREE sample color slide. NEW MEXICO Our color pictures ae on many subjects, put up for sale in January, were with- such as Travel, Science, Nature, Na- Gallup Retains Office . . . drawn by Land Commissioner E. S. tional Parks and the sou'hwest. W;i:e GALLUP—The Navajo area office Walker following a deluge of inquiries today to — of the Bureau of Indian Affairs will and protests. The land is the property remain at Gallup, New Mexico, ac- of the New Mexico common schools. KELLY D. CKODA cording to Glenn L. Emmons, com- If the land were sold, the government, BOX 588 STANFORD, CALIF. missioner of Indian affairs. The Al- which has invested thousands of dol- We'll send your Free s"ide and buquerque area office will be retained lars in the park, may have to stop catalog promptly to administer affairs of the Pueblo In- operations there. There is nothing in dians and other tribes. It had been proposed that the two offices be con- solidated into a single office at Albu- querque. Navajos opposed the plan. MOTEL CALICO —Phoenix Gazette. Is located in the center of the rockhounds' and photographers' rendezvous 9 miles E. of Barstow, California on Hiwy. 91 at Daggett Road. • • • From Motel Calico it is Navajos Win Point . . . 3.5 Mi. to Knott's Calico ghost town (Minerals, Silver, Lead & Gold) ALBUQUERQUE—Penniless Nav- 3.5 Mi. to Jasper Peak (Red Jasper) ajos of New Mexico's "checkerboard" 4 Mi. to Odessa Canyon (Minerals, Agate & Copper) 4.5 Mi. to Mule Canyon (Petrified Palm root & Borax) area have won part of their fight with 10 Mi. to Agate Hill (Agate) the government over grazing rights on 15 Mi. to Fossil lJeds (Sea Fossils) ancestral tribal lands. Jim Counselor, 25 Mi. to Manix & Alvord Mts (Palm Wood) veteran New Mexico Indian trader and FIFTH VKKMO ROCK AND MINERAL SHOW friend of the off-reservation Navajos, APRIL 17 and 18, 1954 said that the Bureau of Land Manage- There will be guided field trips for rock-hounds ment has agreed to increase the "free Two people $5.00 a night Four people $6.50 a night use" grazing allotment to small Indian Pets $3.00 Extra stockmen from 50 to 100 head of Tiled Kitchens available—Electric ranges and refrigerators. Ycu rest sheep. "But we're not through fight- in quiet, insulated, individually heated units. Informative Brochure ing yet," he added. "We still are going mailed on request. to demand that an accounting be given Phone Barstow 34G7 Box 6105, Yermo, California of Indian land allotments and that

APRIL, 1954 Cowboys Bigger All Over . . . as Harpers Corner, Buena Vista Park SANTA FE—It isn't only in their and Pat's Hole; construction of ap- feet that cowmen are bigger than they proximately 200 miles of trails; six used to be. They're bigger all over, camping, three picnic and seven beach claims a buyer of Western clothes, areas; lodges for 400 guests plus ac- noting a boot salesman's observation companying facilities as restaurants that the average Western boot is sev- and shops; one large marina in the vicinity of the main lodge and six Jane Atwater, author of "Lost Wells- eral sizes larger than it was in bygone Fargo Gold" (p. 12), and her husband years. Take pants, for instance. "The smaller ones adjacent to camping areas, and a main and eight secondary Adrian are inveterate collectors. Their average rancher doesn't ride a horse collections of Indian artifacts (more as much as he used to," the buyer museums which would exhibit exca- vated materials telling the archeological than 5000 pieces), desert glass and explained. "He uses a truck or a jeep. rocks have grown so large, they are Result: his hips are expanding. Pants and geological story of the monument building a new home in Carson City, sizes now run 34 to 36." However, area.—Vernal Express. rodeo cowboys, who do a lot of the • • • Nevada, to accommodate their many stiffest kind of riding, keep their weight Bridge at Mexican Hat . . . display cabinets. down and wear a 30 to 33 trouser MEXICAN HAT — Work on the Adrian is a photographer. He took size.—New Mexican. steel arch bridge across the Colorado the photos illustrating his wife's story • • • River at Mexican Hat is under way and also won first prize in the Feb- New Mescalero Super . . . again after a year's delay due to a ruary Picture-of-the-Month contest with his candid shot of the four Pai- MESCALERO — Walter O. Olson shortage of structural steel. The new ute Papooses, printed in this issue. A has been appointed superintendent of bridge is being built near the old sus- the Mescalero Apache Agency, to suc- pension bridge which was badly dam- native of Bennett, Colorado, he re- ceed Lonnie Hardin, recently trans- aged last June. It is expected to be ceived his professional training in the ferred to the Fort Apache Agency as ready for travel sometime this spring. army and now is photographer for the reservation principal. Olson has been —San Juan Record. Nevada State Highway Department. with the Bureau of Indian Affairs since • • • Mrs. Atwater is from Stockton, Cali- he was graduated from the University Indian Freedom Bill . . . fornia. of Idaho in 1940. WASHINGTON — Strong adminis- • • • • • • tration support has been pledged on As a young man, Lee Strobel, author UTAH legislation designed to end federal of this month's Life-on-the-Desert Plan Dinosaur Development . . . wardship of 353 Utah Indians in the story, had his troubles—like the stug- WASHINGTON — Details of the Paiute and Shoshone tribes. The bill, gle to make a living on his desert proposed $21 million recreational de- introduced by Utah Senator Arthur V. homestead and the battle with the jack- velopment of Dinosaur National Mon- Watkins, provides that members of the rabbits for his crops. But now he's ument—if and when Echo Park and Utah bands would receive the proceeds making up for it with a life of ease. Split Mountain dams are constructed from any sale of their lands now held Mr. and Mrs. Strobel are trailerites, —have been released by Secretary of in trust, which were estimated as taking their home with them as they Interior Douglas McKay. Plans in- worth about $100,000. After a three- travel about the Western states. They clude construction of 85 miles of roads, year conversion period, the Indians spend each winter on the desert near including access roads to scenic areas would get full citizenship. This would Palm Springs, California. mean, however, the payment of local • • • taxes on their lands, estimated at about Not all the stories and feature art- HAVASU CANYON "Gem of the Grand Canyon" $5,000 a year, and the local govern- cles which appear in Desert Magazine Outstanding for birds, rocks, ments assuming responsibility for are written by professional writers. A scenery and Indians. 3 and fi day trips—March 27—May health, education and welfare for the majority of them arc, it is true, but 15, 1954. Cost from Indians. The legislation is opposed by hardly a month passes that the editors Write for literature, details and reservations WAMPLER TRAIL TRIPS the National Congress of American do not buy one or more articles from 1910 Hearst Avc. — Berkeley !), California Indians which claims it would violate persons who never before sold a man- federal treaties with the Indians. •— uscript for publication. Salt Lake Tribune. This is true of nearly all the Life- • • • on-the-Desert stories now appearing ALL ROADS Shift Land Office . . . each month. These were purchased LEAD TO SALT LAKE CITY—A new area during the annual Life-on-the-Desert contest held in 1953. Very few of these HOTEL field office of the Bureau of Land Management has been established at authors ever wrote professional copy Salt Lake City as part of a reorganiza- before they sent their manuscripts to ICUERDH the Desert Magazine. !> FIFIGUEROG A AT OLYMPIC BLVD. tion plan of Secretary of the Interior if « with Douglas McKay. H. Byron Mock, for- This month Desert is announcing a from Statin Center. TUB CANYOX GUEST RANCH awards will be persons who have had EARL J WOLFORO, M4naq0, owned and operated by Noel and interesting experiences with the birds Ruth Crickmer. Write for Reserva- which live on the desert, and who are tions to Box C, Borrego Springs able to write down in plain simple Postoffice, California. English the story of their experiences.

34 DESERT MAGAZINE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY'S SECOND ANNUAL SHOW Second annual San Joaquin Valley Gem and Mineral Show, sponsored by Calaveras GEMS <»<* MINERALSGem and Mineral Society, Lodi Gem and Mineral Society, Mother Lode Mineral SHOW IN SAN JOSE Society and Stockton Lapidary and Min- SECOND ANNUAL SHOW eral Club, will be held April 24 and 25 at Ninth annual show of San Jose Lapidary IN BRAWLEY. CALIFORNIA the San Joaquin County Fair Grounds, Society will be held April 24 and 25 at the Charter Way and Sharps Lane, Stockton, Second Annual Gem Show and Trade Woman's Clubhouse, 75 South Eleventh California. Exhibits will be housed in the Days of Brawley Gem and Mineral Society Street, San Jose, California. will be held April 30 to May 2 outdoors in main fairgrounds building. • • • the city plaza in Brawley, California. There 0 • • will be ample room for camping, Secretary SOUTHWEST MINERALOGISTS TACOMA AGATE CLUB Glenora Barfell announces, and the camp ANNOUNCE APRIL SHOW DATES ROCK SHOW IN APRIL area will be policed at night. An overnight Show Chairman Jack Lasley has an- field trip is planned to San Felipe, Baja nounced that the 1954 show of Southwest Tacoma Agate Club's rock show will be California, to hunt for shells. Mineralogists will be held April 10 and 11 held April 3 and 4 at the Community Cen- • • • at the Palestine Masonic Temple, 41st Place ter in Tacoma, Washington, announces Joe Harbaiigh, show chairman. Hours will be PLAN SPECIAL DISPLAYS and Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, Califor- nia. Gordon Bailey is exhibit chairman. from noon until 10 p.m. Saturday and from AT GLENDALE GEM SHOW The dates were changed from May 15 and noon until 8 p.m. Sunday. Pendants and One of the special exhibits planned for 16 to avoid conflict with other rockhound other items cut and polished by club mem- Glendale Lapidary and Gem Society's an- events. bers will be sold. nual Gem Festival May 15 and 16 includes • • • a water wheel, mill house and log cabin constructed of petrified wood by President LOS ANGELES LAPIDARY MINERAL GEMS Grant Ostergard. Other exhibits of lapi- SHOW COMING MAY 1, 2 Fine crystal and mineral specimens dary and jewelry work and flower and drift- Los Angeles Lapidary Society and the for collectors and beginners wood arrangements will be shown. The Southwest Art Association will join efforts festival will be held again in Glendale Civic to present another show featuring lapidary O. A. NEWHOUSE Auditorium, 1401 Verdugo Road, Glendale, and jewelry displays and oil paintings. The 4(>7(> Park Blvd., Corner Adams Ave. California. Doors will open at 9 a.m. and show will be held May 1 and 2 in the San Diego, Hi, California will close at 9 p.m. on Saturday. 7 p.m. on auditorium of Van Ness Playground, 5720 Sunday. Second Avenue, Los Angeles, California. • • • Hours will be from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. FIRE OPAL- MEXICO SHASTA SHOW IN APRIL Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. • • • Fine minerals, Aztec agate and other Shasta Gem and Mineral Society will "Petroleum was known in the Orient at CHOICE cutting materials hold its fourth annual show April 10 and least 2000 years ago," Dr. Paul Miller told REQUEST FREE PRICE LIST I 1 in the Veteran's Memorial Hall, Yuba members of the Mineralogical Society of Street, Redding, California. Hours will be Arizona when he addressed the group at a RALPH E. MUELLER & SON from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Among featured meeting in Phoenix. He traced the history 1000 E. Camelback Phoenix, Arizona exhibits will be a fluorescent show. and uses of petroleum. FIFTH ANNUAL YERMO GEM AND MINERAL SHOW Fifth annual rock, gem and mineral show It Could Be There... of Yermo, California, will be held April 17 and 18 at the grade school in Yermo, an- Prospecting with Modern Electronic Equipment, nounces "Calico Fred" Noller, chairman. will help locate buried minerals, that the eye alone The show is the only one of its kind spon- cannot see. sored by a chamber of commerce. Guided The latest improved equipment by Detectron: For field tours are planned as well as sunrise testing uranium ore this inexpensive high services Easter morning at the foot of the quality CliAIMSTAKEU $ 37.50 Calico Mountains. The Prospectors Pal, Model DG-2. Now more sen- • • • sitive than ever, with three scale sensitivity A permanent exhibition of minerals and meter $ 98.50 gems found in the region has been placed Model DG-7. Same as above with separate, de- in the lobby of the Washington Hotel. tached probe $135.00 Weiser, Idaho, by the Weiser Chamber of The Xucliometcr, Model DK-290. Super sensitive Commerce and the Salmon River Gem Radiation Detector of extreme sensitivity, for Club. Lower Valley, Hell's Canyon and ground, jeep, car, and Airplane survey..$545.00 Salmon River areas are popular hunting The light weight Detectron Model 27. Prospecting places yielding agate, petrified wood, garnet, for metallic mineral, Gold and Silver included. sapphires and copper, lead, silver and tung- sten ores. The region also provides good (Depth Range 7 ft.) $ 98.50 hunting for arrowheads, spearheads and The Deluxe Model 27—see cut above. Same as above with easy reading stone tools of ancient Indian tribes . meter $110.00 Model 711. Metal case, light weight, easy to carry, and with a depth range of 21 ft. $138.50 COLORFUL CUTTING MATERIALS Sawed, untrimmed pieces, none smaller The above instruments carry a One Year Guarantee than half inch; sampler of one piece each against defects in workmanship and materials of Arizona Jasper, chrysocolla, moss agate, Shattuckite, petrified wood, Norwegian All prices are F.O.B. Compton, California moonstone, verdite, sodalite, green quartz: All nine pieces, identified) postpaid guaranteed $1.00 We stock a complete line of Ultra-Violet Miner- LOST MOUNTAIN GEMS alights, also gem and rock polishing I'.O. Box 5012, Phoenix, Arizona equipment and supplies

TURQUOISE COMPTON ROCK SHOP Cabochon and baroque cut stones in all sizes 1409 South Long Beach Blvd., Dept. D. and grades, drilled, tumbled nuggets matched for necklaces and earrings. Compton, California Approval selections Open house every Tuesday Eve. MARYOTT'S Telephone Nevvmark 2-9096 Claypool, Arizona Model DG-7

APRIL, 1954 35 AMONG THE ADVERTISING RATE GEfl) fllflRT 10c a word . . . Minimum SI.50 ROCK HUNTERS

GET YOUR COPY of "A Mineral Collec- SLABBED AGATE: Montezuma and Mrs. Vivian Dosse, an authority on col- tor's Guide to Wonderful Wyoming." 25c. Gayegos agate 50c to $1.50 per square lecting and preparing thumbnail specimens, Gritzner's, Mesa 3, Arizona. inch or $7.00 per Ib. in the rough. Satis- displayed her collection of mineral speci- faction guaranteed. Palmer's Lapidary mens at the February meeting of Delvers ROCK COLLECTORS — Attention! The and Fixit Shop. Palmer H. Nelson, Prop.. Gem and Mineral Society, Downey, Cali- Trailer Rock Store is back. Same place, 1503 N. College Ave., Ft. Collins, Colo. fornia. between Palm Springs and Palm Desert. • • • Crystallized minerals my specialty. The MINERAL SPECIMENS, cabochons and "Quartz Night" was held recently by Ne- Rockologist (Chuckawalla Slim). Box cutting materials of all kinds, western braska Mineral and Gem Club, Omaha. A 181, Cathedral City, California. jewelry. Beautiful travertine for book- photo quiz, asking identification of speci- DENDRITIC OPAL, Kansas, good polish- ends, paper weights, spheres etc. Write mens shown in colored slides, opened the ing stone, only $1.25 a pound. Hastings for prices. Eighteen miles south of Battle program. Mrs. Bertha Minardi discussed Typewriter Co., Hastings, Nebraska. Mountain at Copper Canyon, John L. quartz in her talk which was followed by .lames. Box 495, Battle Mountain, Nev. two films, "Crystal Clear" and "Coaxial and McSHAN's GEM SHOP—open part time, Micro-wave Miracles." Quartz specimens or find us by directions on door. Cholla ROSE QUARTZ: New find, facet and cab- filled the display case at the meeting. cactus wood a specialty, write for prices. ochon grade. Wide range of colors at • • • 1 mile west on U. S. 66. Needles, Cali- $1.00 and $2.00 per ounce and $15.00 Archeology interest group of the Earth fornia, Box 22. per pound. Postpaid and insured. Frey Mineral Enterprises. Box 9090. Reno. Science Club of Northern Illinois planned BOOKS: Beginners to advanced. Gemology, Nevada. a combined laboratory and lecture meeting mineralogy, geology, etc. Write today for February. Topic of discussion was for free price list. Gem Finders, 859 QUARTZ CRYSTAL GEODES (Kentucky "Problems in displaying for the Public Ex- North Ramona, Hawthorne, California. Diamonds). These geodes range from hibits in Archeology, Geology. Paleontology 2" to 8" diameter. Showy xls. Masses and Related Sciences." RADIOACTIVE ORE Collection: 6 won- clear to white, some phantoms. Selected derful different specimens in neat Red- specimens from broken geodes $2.50 lb. GENUINE TURQUOISE: Natural color, wood chest, $2.00. Pretty Gold nugget. Unopened geodes $1.50 lb. Dealers blue and bluish green, cut and polished $1.00, four nuggets, $2.00, choice col- write for wholesale rates. Midwest Min- cabochons — 25 carats (5 to 10 stones lection 12 nuggets, $5.00. Uranium eral Mart. R. B. Boies, P. O. Box 391, according to size) $3.50 including tax. Prospector, Box 604, Stockton, Calif. Hamilton, Ohio. We trade for Western postpaid in U.S.A. Package 50 carats minerals. 10 to 20 cabochons) $6.15 including AUSTRALIAN cutting fire opal, specimens, tax, postpaid in U.S.A. Elliott Gem & cutting material. H. A. Ivers, 1400 Ha- ROSE ROCKS—Barite crystals in the form Mineral Shop, 235 E. Seaside Blvd., Long cienda Blvd., La Habra, California. of a rose l'/2 in. size $1.00. We will send Beach 2, California. a free sample if you inclose 25c for pack- HOW TO HAVE FUN WITH ROCKS aging and mailing. Harris Gems, Yukon. ROCKHOUND PARADISE. Stop and see GEMS AND MINERALS Oklahoma. our display. Agate rough and slabs. No since 1937—(lie rorkliound's OWN magazine junk. Minerals, fluorescent minerals. Sat- —featuring mapped field trips, gem cutting 10 POUNDS of beautiful mineral speci- isfaction guaranteed. Write for prices. helps, silverwork and designs, mineral col- P. G. Nichols, Prop., Sun Valley Trailer lecting helps and articles, many supplier mens, selected $6.00. Ask for list. Jack ads, and all manner of material that will The Rockhound, P.O. Box 245, Carbon- Park, 3922 No. Oracle Road, Tucson, help you have more fun with rocks. dale, Colorado. Arizona. Owned by over 75 organized clubs, the Cali- fornia Federation of Mineralogical Societies, GEMS AND MINERALS is written and ed- MONTANA SAPPHIRE: Small vial mine TONOPAH, Nevada, is where C. C. Boak ited for practicing gem cutters and rock lives, with his outstanding, scientific, collectors. It is the ONLY monthly maga- run $2.00. Sapphires 1 to 2 carat, clear, zine in the field publishing 12 full issues suitable for faceting $1.50 each. Harry world-wide collection of Mineral, Gem a year. Over 9,000 rock hobbyists already Bentz. Philipsburg, Montana. and semi-Gemstone species—spectacular use and enjoy GEMS AND MINERALS, so crystal groups, etc. Visitors welcome. C. will you. Send only $3.00 for 12 monthly issues. Subscribe today. ATTENTION ROCK COLLECTORS. It C. Boak, 511 Ellis St., Tonopah, Nevada. will pay you to visit the Ken-Dor Rock GEMS AND MINERALS Roost. We buy, sell, or exchange min- ONYX BLANKS, unpolished, black 25c Box 7t6B Palmdalc, California eral specimens. Visitors are always wel- each; red, green, blue 35c each. Perfect come. Ken-Dor Rock Roost, 419 Sut- cut titanium. Fine cutting and polishing ter, Modesto, California. at reasonable prices. Prompt attention to ALTA INDUSTRIES mail orders. Juchem Bros., 315 West 5th St., Los Angeles 13, California. 2123 West Encanto Blvd., Phoenix, Arizona WANTED: Chalk grade Turquoise. Write complete details as to quality and price. LAPIDARY EQUIPMENT P.O. Box 5171, Phoenix, Arizona. FOR SALE: Beautiful purple petrified Manufacture and Design wood with uranium, pyrolusite, manga- 16-18 inch powerfeed slabbing saw GEMSTONE COLLECTORS — Our Rock nite. Nice sample $1.00. Postage. Maggie Belt sanders and Trim saws Corral, is loaded with beautiful Gem- Baker, Kingman, Arizona. (send postal for free literature) stone, rhodenite, marcacite, Horse Can- yon agate, Death Valley plume, Idaho FIFTY MINERAL Specimens, %-in. or plume, morrisonite, shaffonite, rainbow over, boxed, identified, described, mounted. MINERAL CATALOG AVAILABLE agate, Mojave green jasper, central ore Postpaid $4.00. Old Prospector, Box 729, Semi 5c, cost of handling agate, lavic jasper, Cadey Mtn. moss, Lodi, California. If you want Fine and Rare Minerals, Ores, turtilla, coquina, Crater Lake moss and Fluorescents, Geiger Counters, Mineralights, Books, Ring Mounts, or advice, write to— many others. 10 lb. selection from above FOR SALE: Jasper wonder rock all colors. types prepaid in U.S. for $7.00, our de- For flower pots, fireplaces, tiling etc. MINERALS UNLIMITED luxe selection, 60 sq. inches of slabs pre- Polishes wonderfully. By pound, ton or 1724 University Ave., Berkeley 3, California paid for $10.00, will send same on ap- car load, also claims for sale. Mary proval if you send postage. Mineralights, Moser, Box 176, Goldfield, Nevada. lapidary supplies etc. Satisfaction guaran- teed, write for price list. Beautiful tumble SELECTED CAB. BLANKS: Mexican LAPIDARY SUPPLIES — MINERALIGHTS polished gemstone, baroques or slabs, agate, flower obsidian, poppy jasper, Send for FREE price list dealers write for wholesale price list. San petrified wood, native copper in matrix, CALIFORNIA HOUSE OF ROCKS Fernando Valley Rock Shop, 6329 Lind- chrysocolla and malachite in agate, leop- ley Ave., Reseda, California. ard jasper. Your choice 3 for $1.00, 7 16208 S. Clark Ave.. BelUIower. California for $2.00. Excellent black jade $1.00 Open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wed. till 9 p.m. THE BELEAL'S Ironwood Rock Shop. per sq. inch. Satisfaction guaranteed. Closed Sunday Specializing in fire agate. P.O. Box 542, Tanner's Gem Shop, 5236 N. 27th Ave., Highway 60-70, 7 miles from Blythe, Cal. Phoenix, Arizona.

DESERT MAGAZINE Gerald Backus, field trip chairman of Compton Gem and Mineral Club, Compton. California, plans 1954 field trips to Lead Pipe Springs, Lucerne Valley for garnets, Calico Mountains, Crystal Mountain near Quartzsite, Arizona, Mesa Grande and Wil- Society low Creek. In March, the society plans to visit the California Federation convention in lndio. At its annual banquet and rock show in Yuma, Arizona, Gem and Mineral So- February, members of Sequoia Mineral So- ciety will be piloted through 1954 by the ciety, Kingsburg, California, installed offi- following officers, elected in January: Jo- cers for the 1954 season. J. L. McCreary seph Baker, president; Anthony DeCres- of Reedley is new president; C. O. Soren- cenzi, vice-president; Mrs. Ferrer Detrek sen of Selma, vice-president; Ann Shoetker publicity chairman and secretary-treasurer; of Orosi, secretary; Mabel Andersen of Dick Brown, trek chairman, and Mrs. D. Attention Parlier, treasurer, and Joseph Johnstone Monica Baker, parliamentarian. of Orosi, federation director. • • • • • • Eugene Mineral Club of Eugene, Oregon, Contra Costa Mineral and Gem Society has elected Walter Howes president for this activities will be led this year by the follow- year. Other new officers are Roger Bale, Rochhounds! ing officers, elected at a recent meeting in vice-president; Mrs. Stanley Jamison, secre- Walnut Creek, California: Harry Fletcher, tary; F. O. Rosencrans, treasurer, and Mrs. Announcing the president; John B. Phillips, vice-president; Walter Dennis, Northwest Federation di- Eleanor Learned, secretary, and Vaughn rector. Much of this spring and summer's Grand Opening Smallwood, treasurer. club activity will be concentrated on pro- • • • ducing material to be shown at the North- At Our New Location At a regular meeting held in the Turn west Federation show in Eugene next Labor Verein Hall, Sacramento Mineral Society Day. elected a new slate of officers. Dermond • • • APRIL 2 d'Arcy was named president; Martin Col- Newly-installed officers of San Francisco SUPER SPECIALS ON ony, vice-president; Genevieve Colony, re- Gem and Mineral Society are Dr. George cording secretary; E. E. Pook, financial Bates, president; Ed F. Grapes, vice-presi- secretary; Luther Ford, treasurer; Laura dent; Walter Eyestone, treasurer; Kenneth Mountings • Findings Krueger, librarian, and Lillian Coleman, W. Hinkle, secretary, and Alden Clark, Faceted Stones • Cabochons director. Past President George Winslow Cecil Iden, Henry Reinecke and Ivor Welch, automatically became federation director. directors. Appointive offices will be filled Cutting Material • • • by Mrs. Mildred Wurz, librarian; Robert A. J. Paul will wield the presidential White, curator, and Mrs. Ruth Merwin, Mineral Specimens gavel at this year's meetings of Wasatch hostess. Gem Society, Salt Lake City, Utah. On (Specials will run one week only) his board are T. H. O'Neal, vice-president; Mrs. W. H. Sayler, secretary; K. O. Stew- • Specializing in • art, treasurer; Henry T. Fisher, Stewart FINE FOREIGN GEMS So Stock Up Now Romney, Dr. B. D. Bennion and Howard AND MINERALS A. Hanks, directors. • • • Lapidary Equipment and Supplies Coast Gems Inc. Mrs. Vera Archer will lead activities of Gem drills—Jewelry tools—Sterling Dona Ana Rockhound Club, Las Cruces, Jewelry Mountings—Books—Mineralights 891 I E. Valley Blvd. New Mexico, in 1954. Assisting President SUPERIOR GEMS & MINERALS ROSEMEAD, CALIF. Archer will be Vearl Hooper, vice-president; 4665 Park Blvd.. San Diego 16. Caliiornia Mrs. Oleta Becker, recording secretary; Open 10:30 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. V2 Block west of Rosemead Blvd. Mrs. Bea Letcher, corresponding secretary; Charles A. Moore, treasurer; Mrs. Lesla Closed Sundays Markley, historian; Mrs. Selma Jones, re- porter, and Mrs. Lois Olinger, editor. • • • Master Sergeant George Zurian is new SAWS! GRINDS! HILLQUIST SLABBING SAWS SANDS! BUFFS! 12" bench model, $72 president of El Paso Mineral and Gem Everything in-I 16" floor model, $110 Society, El Paso, Texas. On his board are eluded except I 20" floor model, $155 E. S. Dye, vice-president; Mrs. Kathleen motor. Uses all I Real rockhounds saws favored for their big Miller, secretary; Emil J. Mueller, treas- Hi|lquistacces-I series. Ideal for] HILLQUIST DIAMOND SAWS capacity and lifetime urer; Mrs. Hortense Newell, historian; beginners. Only I Cut Faster-Last Longer-Cost construction. "Magic- Harry L. and Grace Zollars, bulletin edi- $42.50 complete. Less. Available in all sizes. Brain" automatic feed tors. George Miller, retiring president, was You'll swear by 'em, not at 'em! for above $46,35. named trustee. HILLQUIST TRIM SAW The "Cadillac" of trim saws. Exclu- • • • sive "up-and-down" Before you buy any lapidary Installed at the February meeting of Old irbor. "No-splash" Baldy Lapidary Society, Pomona, Califor- plastic guards. equipment-send for our big' nia, were newly-elected officers Joel O. Precision rock Bowser, president; Jimmie Rittenhouse, clamp and guide. vice-president, and Catherine Rittenhouse, Complete with 8" FREE CATALOG! blade, $62.50 FULL OF HELPFUL LAPIDARY secretary-treasurer. INFORMATION s n d O 0 • • • HILLQUIST GEM DRILL-HOLE SAW _ : 1| |j; gI • Drills finest holes .HILLQUIST DRUM SANDER James A. Moore was named president of I The most popular drum lat high 1545 W. 49 St. SEATTLE 7, WN. XrS; San Diego Lapidary Society in recent bal- I speed and saws sander made. Patented loting. Other officers who will help steer • discs up to 1 W. I "quick-lock' screw makes ' the club's activities in 1954 are Johnny I Exclusive ramrod 1 it easy to change sanding Underwood, first vice-president; Lee Weath- | action prevents I cloth. 3"x7"- $9.50 erbie, second vice-president; Erma Under- core plugging. I Fully automatic. $68.80 I HILLQUIST COMPACT LAP UNIT wood, secretary; F. V. "Tex" Oliver, treas- I Bigger than the Gem-Master. I urer, and Bill Runnels, historian. HILLQUIST COMPLETE FACETER I up to a 10" saw. Saws, grinds, • • • Only $62.50complete with 31 3333 I sands, polishes, laps, facets, , \ index plates. You can cut any I At its first meeting this year, Indiana ,t! Takes' I cuts spheres — does every faceted form quickly and P ! Rugged! n jluablefor pro-' I thing and does it better. Geology and Gem Society of Indianapolis ^easily. The equal I elected Francis M. Hueber president; Lester I 2<'X12" wheels. of faceters I °"°A nly$53.5Q Everything included R. Sparks, vice-president; Florence Geisler, costing twice I except motor secretary; Mrs. Fred S. Smith, correspond- the price, f at $122.50 ing secretary, and Fred Smith, treasurer. APRIL, 1954 37 The history of cinnabar in California, its Four young rockhounds tied for first Evansville Lapidary Society, Evansville, mineralogical specifications, crystallization place in a recent junior mineral identifica- Indiana, celebrated its first anniversary at and California locations, were outlined for tion contest sponsored by Colorado Min- the January 30 meeting. the Gem and Mineral Society of San Mateo eral Society, Denver. Prizes were awarded • • • County, California, by Gordon I. Gould. to Brian Silver, Marsha Wells, Don Wal- In breaking up small rocks for polishing Cinnabar was first discovered in California lace and Elvin Carroll. in a tumbler, Emil Muller and Harry Zol- in 1845 on the property now known as the • • • lars of HI Paso Mineral and Gem Society New Almaden, Gould said. California now suggest using a small rock crusher such as Mrs. Gladys Babson Hannaford spoke are used by mineral assaycrs. produces about 8? percent of the country's on "Diamonds, Their Origin, Sentiment, total supply. Tradition and Use" when she appeared as • • • • • • "What Would Rocks Be Without Rock- guest speaker on a Pasadena Lapidary So- hounds," was the title of Florence Dutton's "Gold Deposits of Georgia" was the ciety program. She illustrated her talk with talk to Coachella Valley Mineral Society, feature article in the winter issue of the samples of rock in which diamonds are Indio, California. David MacKaye also Georgia Mineral News Letter published by found, the rough and polished stones, the spoke, tracing with colored slides the his- the Georgia Geological Survey. The story industrial diamond, replicas of famous dia- tory of man's use of stones. was illustrated with photographs and with monds and colored pictures of diamond a map of the state's gold deposits. mines. • • • Castle Butte was visited by members of San Fernando Valley Mineral and Gem Society on a January field trip. • • • Appointed officers for 1954 have been TIN OXIDE $1.50 PER POUND announced by San Antonio Rock anJ Lapi- dary Society. San Antonio, Texas. Arthur If you buy $5 worth of Basic Lapidary Supplies from the following list. Lawson was named historian; Bob McBride, A $10 purchase entitles you to buy 2 lbs. Tin Oxide at $1.50 per lb. librarian; E. W. Immel, field trip chairman. • • • A $25 purchase entitles you to buy 5 lbs. of Tin Oxide. Lee Robinson discussed Indian artifacts at the January meeting of Marcus Whitman NORTON CRYSTOLON GRINDING WHEELS . . . Gem and Mineral Society, Walla Walla. Size 6xV2" 6x1" 8x1" 8x1 W 10x1 V%" Washington. He displayed trays of arrow- 80 grit $7.50 heads, many of them made of high grade gem material—carnelian, chalcedony, agate, 100 grit $2.65 $3.60 $5.35 7.50 $11.35 bassanite, jasper and petrified wood. 220 grit 2.95 3.95 5.90 8.25 12.50 • • • 320 grit 3.35 4.50 6.70 9.40 14.20 A quiz program was conducted at a re- Shipping weight .2 lbs. 3 lbs. 5 lbs. 6 lbs. 9 lbs. cent meeting of the Oklahoma Mineral and Gem Society, Oklahoma City. Alvin Mark- Crystolon Wheel Dressing Brick 6"x2"xl" 95c well acted as master of ceremonies and asked questions of contestants. A correct CRYSTOLON ABRASIVE for the Lapidary . . . answer won a quartz crystal for the con- Grit Size 1 Pound 5 Lb. Lots 10 Lb. Lots 25 Lb. Lots testant, and for each succeeding correct 80. 100. 120. 180, 220 $ .83 $ .52 $ .39 $ .30 answer he could exchange his prize speci- 2F (320), 3F (400) .88 .57 .41 .32 men for a larger one. A miss and he for- Graded 400 1.09 .73 .57 .48 feited his prize. Graded 600 1.35 .94 .78 .69 DURITE (Silicon Carbide) ROLL SANDING CLOTH— DETECT-URANIUM-DEPOSITS Available in 120. 150. 180. 220. 320 grits WO mi$ EASIER! 2" wide rolls—24 feet long $1.65—(220 & 320 only) 3" wide rolls—15 feet long 1.50 10" wide rolls—70 inches long 2.00 Round Disks of Durite Dry Type Sanding Cloth . . . Available in 120, 220. 320 grits 6" round disks 10 for $1.00; Quire of 24 $2.00 8" round disks 6 for 1.00; Quire of 24 3.75 10" round disks 3 for .90; Quire of 24 5.90 Round Disks of Speedwet Durite Sanding Cloth . . . Available in 150, 220. 400. 600 grits 6" round disks 4 for $1.00; Quire of 24 $4.95 WITH THE 8" round disks 3 for 1.00; Quire of 24 5.90 PR OS 10" round disks 3 for 1.35; Quire of 24 9.25 DEALERS "SPECIAL @ WANTED CONGO OR FELKER DI-MET DIAMOND BLADES SCINTILLATOR' 4" diameter by .025" thick $ 7.80 10" diameter by .040" thick S14.80 Here is the ideal field instrument for Uranium 6" diameter by .025" thick 7.80 12" diameter by .040" thick 18.20 prospecting. It's ultra-sensitive, low in cost, light- 14" diameter by .050" thick 25.20 weight and small in size. 6" diameter by .032" thick 7.80 16" diameter by .050" thick 28.60 The model 117 "Special Scintillator" is made 8" diameter by .032" thick 10.40 20" diameter by .060" thick 39.20 by Precision Radiation Instruments, Inc., manu- 8" diameter by .040" thick 11.40 24" diameter by .060" thick 50.60 facturers of the famous Model 111 "Scintillator;' When ordering please state arbor hole size Write for free complete cata- ALL PRICES F.O.B. PASADENA log on instruments for detect- $29050 ADD 3% SALES TAX IF YOU LIVE IN CALIFORNIA ing oil, uranium, other metals.

Member of American Gem and Mineral Suppliers Association RECISION RADIATION INSTRUMENTS, INC. 2235 Ds? S. La Brea, Los Angeles 16, Calif. Please send free Catalog. GRIEGER'S Name Address 1633 E. WALNUT ST. PASADENA 4, CALIFORNIA City Zone State WORLD'S LARGEST MANUFACTURERS OF PORTABLE RADIATION INSTRUMENTS

38 DESERT MAGAZINE John Gabelman discussed pegmatites for January field trip of Clark County Gem Geology and surface features of the Chi- Wasatch Gem Society, Salt Lake City, Utah. Collectors, to the Park onyx field neat- cago region formed subject matter for Dr. Spearhead Mountain, was attended by 51 Leland Horberg when he appeared as guest Jasper, agate and clear calcite were sought members and guests. speaker on an evening program of the on a recent Southwest Mineralogists field • • • Earth Science Club of Northern Illinois. trip to Afton Canyon, California. Minnesota Mineral Club has appointed He showed how the region looked before a hospitality committee to welcome and the glacier came, how the glaciers changed assist new members and visitors at meet- the topography and how the nature of the "Come slump the experts," read invita- underlying rock strata affected the change. tions to the February meeting of East Bay ings. Mineral Society, Oakland, California. Dr. e • e • • • Francis T. Jones led a panel including R. Three movies formed a recent evening Main entertainment feature of Chicago E. Lamberson, Robert Chisholm and Dr. program for San Francisco Gem and Min- Rocks and Minerals Society's eighth annual C. W. Chesterman, guest speaker. They eral Society: "Silversmithing," "Death Val- birthday meeting was a color film on Nav- promised to try and identify any puzzling ley National Monument" and "Miracle ajo and Zuni handicrafts. rocks members might present. Flame," the story of natural gas. • • • • • • Following a Valentine motif, the cupid- A colored-slide trip down the Colorado decorated February issue of Long Beach Edward Soukup combed the bookstalls and San Juan rivers was presented by Mineral News, bulletin of Long Beach looking for an instruction book to recom- Georgia White at a meeting of Los Ange- Mineral and Gem Society, was mimeo- mend to his beginning faceting students. He les Lapidary Society. graphed in red ink. found none, so he wrote his own. The book, Elementary Faceting Instructions, is being published by the San Diego Lapidary So- ciety, of which Soukup is a member. Mineralight Makes Rich Tungsten Find in Nevada Hundreds of specimens exchanged hands at the annual auction of Colorado Mineral ped Society in Denver. Jack Britton, auction- eer, announced a net of $109.20 after sales AFTER SEARCH. *Vt\Ve tanium Mines taxes were deducted.

Meral W. Hinshaw took members of the Mineralogical Society of Southern Cali- fornia, Pasadena, on a colored-slide tour of the diamond mines of South Africa. He I was collecting discussed methods of sorting and process- ing the diamonds and some of their in- minerals for fun... but dustrial uses. FOUND A FORTUNE! Dr. Robert Norris told how he conducted his mineralogy classes when he appeared Each of these as guest speaker on a Santa Barbara Min- headlines ...reprinted eral and Gem Society program. front just two recent editions of MINING RECORD...refers to a find made «ith a Mineralight Ultra-Violet Lamp.

ALLEN JUNIOR GEM CUTTER "This is without doubt om A Complete Lapidary Shop "Yes, we had with us one nf tlie world's inn joe de- Only $43.50 of your lights, which we "We use the Mineralighi posits of Schcelitc.icould used. Without the light we in nil our prospecting, 11 probably never have been • Ideal for apartment house dwellers. would have never located has been very valuable in discovered icithoui a Min- • Polish rocks into beautiful gems. the tungsten." locating uranium." cralight." • Anyone can learn. —Ira C. Lambert. -Win. H. Baldwin. -W. II. Hooper. • Instructions included. Write for Catalog, 25c (ABOVE QUOTATIONS ARE EXCERPTS FROM ACTUAL LETTERS IN FILES OF ULTRAVIOLET PRODUCTS, INC.) ALLEN LAPIDARY EQUIPMENT COMPANY — Dept. D Many a Mineralight user will tell you that what started as a hobby produced a 3632 W. Slauson Ave., Los Angeles 43, Cat. bonanza. For in addition to providing added pleasure and excitement for collectors all Phone Axminster 2-6206 over the world, this magic black-light lamp has often located hidden values by the ton! Tungsten, uranium, mercury, zirconium and many other valuable minerals are readily identified with Mineralight. You do not have to be an expert to make these identifica- BLANK MOUNTINGS tions. Anyone can do it quickly and easily. for Mineralight will make your mineral collecting more interesting-more thrilling-more AGATE JEWELRY exciting. And there's always the possibility that the magic of Mineralight may light your WHOLESALE way to a fortune...as it has done for so many others. Rings — Ear Wires — Tie Chains Cuff Links — Neck Chains ULTRA -VIOLET PRODUCTS, INC. Bezel — devices — Shanks Fill out and mail Dept D South Pasadena, California • Solder — Findings coupon today,for free L Please si nd tnt complete infofmoti HI on ijouv Mincraliffht pro Send stamp for price list No. 3 catalog, prospecting rpecting Instructions and illus- w lamps, and nm ic of 'I' i(h r ill UTt st air. O. R. JUNKINS & SON trations of minerals ! NAME in glowing colors. 440 N.W. Beach St. 1 ADDRESS NEWPORT, OREGON CITY STATE '

APRIL, 1954 DIAMOND BLADES lf to the best" rself to the best" Super Standard WEWERE Charged Charged S 9.03 $ 7.98 11.50 10.44 15.23 14.02 22.26 18.53 HERE— 29.40 25.67 32.76 29.08 43.20 36.12 51.97 39.84 65.73 51.10 125.73 188.05 WE HAD Arbor Size Mf/AD in California Allow tor Postage and Insurance Covington Ball Bearing Grinder FUNf and shields arc pam/ssm. furnished in :s zes and price anges to suit o u r r e q u i r e • lents. Water and MOBSERVED GROUND RI/IES grit proof. r COVINGTON 8" TRIM SAW and motor are com- AND LIFT A CLEAN CAMP. pact and do not Splash. Save blades and clothing with this saw. Deciding it was "high time something was done" about cleaning up the favorite desert campsites of gem and mineral collecting groups, Compton Gem and Mineral Club of Compton, California, had a number of these signs made. One is left at each field trip BUILD YOUR OWN LAP site, as a record of the club's honorable use of the campground and as encouragement and SAVE with a COV- for other groups to leave clean camps. INGTON 12" or 16" Lap Kit. We furnish every- "For each carat of diamond, 20 tons of LAPIDARY SHOP PLANNED thing you need. Send material must be moved," Speaker James TO SHOW VISITORS HOW for new free lapidary Coote told members of Hollywood Lapidary Society. He gave tips on how to shop for A working lapidary shop is planned as catalog a diamond. one of the feature attractions at the Del- * COVINGTON vers Gem and Mineral Society annual show 'Multi-Feature May 8 and 9 in Downey, California. Ex- 16" Lapidary Unit Docs TREASURE HUNTERS hibits will be seen in the community build- everything type metals detector. Distinguishes ing of Simms Park in Bellflower, California. for you. s from black magnetic sands. Ideal for ng g jld nuggets, placer deposits. De- Doors will open at 10 a.m. and close at 10 metals under salt water. Locates p.m. on Saturday and 8 p.m. on Sunday. COVINGTON coins, jewelry • • • 12" 14" on beaches. or IB" Free f r o m At a recent meeting, Hiimboldt Cicm and Power Feed false detec- Mineral Society, Eureka. California, dis- Diamond tions. Each Slab Saws unit supplied cussed the proposed Tri-County Gem and with two dif- Mineral Show. Plans are for three shows, SAVE ferent searcli one each in Humboldt and Del Norte coils. Ask for 15 LADES free litera- counties, California, and Curry County, ture. Oregon, with societies from all three coun- Used by the U. S. Government GARDINER ties participating in each. Send for New Catalog, IT'S FKEE ELECTRONICS • • • CO., DEPT. DM "Up From the Bed of a Desert Sea," a Covington Lapidary Eng. 2018 N. DAYTON PHOENIX, ARIZ. film on potash, was shown at a recent meet- REDLANDS D, CALIFORNIA ing of Dona Ana County Rockhounds, Las Cruces, New Mexico. • • • Milton Arbetter was invited to appear /lie as guest speaker at a meeting of San An- If tonio Rock and Lapidary Society. ouve WHOLESALERS, IMPORTERS AND RETAILERS Petrified Wood, Moss Agate, Chrysocolla of fine mineral specimens, gems and gem materials. Represent Highland Park Mfg. Turquoise, Jade and Jasper Jewelry Co. and other leading manufacturers. Whole- sale distributor for The Carborundum Co. HAND MADE IN STERLING SILVER We maintain the most complete stock of mineral specimens, gems and gem materials in the country, and at the most reasonable Bracelets, Rings, Necklaces, Earrings prices. Visitors always welcome. Open week and Brooches days 9 to 5. SOUTHERN GEM & MINERAL CO. SPECIALLY SELECTED STONES WITH 2307 North Mesa (Highways SO & 85) CHOICE COLORS AND PICTURES Phone 2-21(iO El Paso, Texas Write for Folder With Prices FAMOUS TEXAS PLUMES ELLIOTT'S GEM SHOP Red Plume, Pom Pom and many other types of agate. Slabs on approval. Rough agate, 235 East Seaside Blvd. LONG BEACH 2. CALIF. 8 lb. mixture postpaid, $5.00. Price list on Across from West End of Municipal request. Auditorium Grounds WOODWARD RANCH 17 miles So. on Hwy 118 Hours 10 A.M. to 9 P.M. Daily Except Monday Box 453, Alpine. Texas

40 DESERT MAGAZINE displays are pieces of petrified wood, dino- saur bone, moss and sagenite agates, many other agate types, jasper, clear crystals, AMATEUR OEM CUTTER amethyst, smoky quartz etc. They are all in the quartz family. By LELANDE QUICK, Editor of The Lapidary Journal If you arc a program chairman of a club and you carry through these five programs There are now about 500 gem and min- long tables so that persons can examine in the next five months you will not only eral clubs throughout the country and the them by handling them. The tables should make yourself so popular that you will be number is growing daily. People are attend- be set up at least an hour before the meet- selected for the next president of your ing the shows in all sections of the land and ing is called. This gives everyone a chance group, but you will have the high satisfac- they return home to get together with a to examine the rocks at close range and tion of knowing that the members of your few other kindred souls interested in some make his selection and he knows the mini- club will all leave with a greater knowledge form of the rock hobby and organize a club. mum price that the rocks of his selection of gems and minerals than when they It has been said that there isn't anything will fetch. This makes it easier for the started out to the meetings. Please pass that is destructible or that has outworn its auctioneer. That important individual should the chocolate cake. usefulness, for when it becomes junk to the be a combination of a wit, a salesman and original owner it becomes a collectors' item an authority on the rocks he is selling. to someone else. And then when someone Some groups have two or three auctioneers collects an item he soon finds others who who spell each other and compete in getting collect and thus a club is formed to pool in the money. common interests and knowledge. The next most popular program is one But rockhounding has so many facets of that we promoted years ago and that is the interest that several phases are combined "braggin' rock night." Everyone who has in the purpose of one club. In the Pacific any rocks at all certainly has a favorite; Coast area we find that gemcutting is the one that he likes the best for a special rea- chief interest of the rockhounds while in son and the special reason usually is a the mid-west fossil study leads and in the good story. These rocks too should be east we find the really serious student of spread out upon a table before the meeting mineralogy. so that everyone can get a close look at Most of the clubs now have some kind them. This program gets all the club mem- of a notice about their meetings and many bers on their feet and it is amazing how of these notices have evolved into bulletins successful such a program can be. The an- that are, in many cases, highly informative swer is obvious—if a member hasn't one and capably edited. A great many of these rock he is proud to tell about he ought to bulletins come to us but we haven't the resign his membership and quit wasting his time to read them through from cover to time. cover. We always look for one thing how- Nothing tops the audience participation ever and that is information about the pro- type of program like an old fashioned spell- gram. To our dismay we fail to find in ing bee. This program needs some good some of them what the program is going prizes and the prizes are usually a selection to be or what the program of the previous of books on mineralogy, gemology or gem- meeting was about. We think that the per- cutting. A selection of words relating only fect bulletin is one that reports some high- to mineralogy or gemology should be made lights of the program of the previous meet- by the spelling master. These selections are HILLQUIST ing and then does a lot to promote interest easily made from the Dictionary of Gems in the program for the coming meeting. and Gemology by Shipley, and Chambers' ^v ^mwmw mm m"^ mm^mmi m • Put the Hillquist Gemmaster beside any lapidary We find that many societies are failing Mineralogical Dictionary. It is wise to machine — cheaper, flimsy "gadgets" or units that to be realistic about their purposes. They have a list of at least two hundred words sell at twice the price. Compare construction! Com- were all organized in the beginning to pro- for such a program and the membership pare ease of operation! Compare how much you mote one thing—knowledge of the earth should be advised to study their spelling get for your money and you'll say, "I'll take the sciences. When they fail to teach they weeks before the meeting is held. Have Gemmaster!" should quit meeting at all. The promotion two leaders choose sides or else have the Here is a worthy companion for our larger and of friendship and the blessing of breaking ladies oppose the men if they are about more expensive Hillquist Compact Lapidary Unit. bread together are worthy adjuncts but they equally divided. Emphasize at the start Tho smaller in size, the Hillquist Gemmaster has should not be paramount in groups organ- that the meeting is intended to embarrass many of the same features. It's all-metal with spun ized for scientific study. no one for many people would like to aluminum tufa. You get a rugged, double-action rock clamp, not a puny little pebble pincher. You get a While it is true that no club is any enter a contest but they fear embarrass- full 3" babbitt sleeve bearing and ball thrust bear- stronger than its leadership we have seen ment. The spelling master should be selected ing. You get a big 7" Super Speed diamond saw some very successful clubs with weak lead- for his tact as well as his personal knowl- and all the equipment you need to go right to work. edge. ership but only because they had a hard USES ALL ACCESSORIES working and imaginative program chair- There is a participation program that is You can use all the regular Hillquist accessories man. We have always said that the pro- immensely popular if the group con- with the Gemmaster: The Hillquist Facetor, Sphere gram chairman was the most important tains a considerable number interested in Cutters, Laps, Drum and Disc Sanders, etc. job in a gem and mineral club. faceting. Hold a potato night. Every mem- WRITE FOR FREE CATALOG We have something important to offer ber brings a couple of potatoes, a large the program chairman, in the hope that we sack for parings and a paring knife. A are instrumental in promoting some highly faceter from the group explains the pro- interesting programs for some of the clubs. cedures for faceting the standard brilliant. Just now we are engaged in writing a list At a given point in his talk each member of 100 programs for clubs for the Rock- is instructed to cut the top from his po- hound Buyers Guide. A survey of hun- tato. He has then cut the table on his dreds of bulletins indicates that the audi- "gem." The other facets are cut in their ence participation type of program is the regular order and all the finished "gems" BIG 7" Diamond Saw • 6" x 1" Grinding Wheel • 6 "Felt Buff • 6 Backing Wheel one that draws the largest attendance and are placed upon a table for judges to de- 6" Disc Sander • Double-action Rock creates the greatest interest. cide which are the best, and prizes are Clamp • Oil Feed Cup • Water Feed awarded. No lecture on faceting can teach | Hose & Clamp • Dop Slicks & Dop Wax* The leader in the participation type of as much as a group cutting potatoes. | Polish, Compound, Etc. program is the auction night. Members BUILT FOR LONG SERVICE! are urged to bring in some of their surplus A fifth participation type program is a No other low-cost lap unit rocks and donate them to the club. These "quartz night." Each member is urged to gives you full 3" sleeve are then auctioned off to the highest bidder bring his finest quartz specimen and dis- bearing, ball thrust bearing and the club's treasury is enriched. The play it before the meeting. A club mem- and pressure lubrication. best way to conduct this program is to have ber then gives a lecture on the quartz fam- the person donating the rock indicate on a ily of minerals, for this group contains / OA piece of paper, fastened to the bottom of more than 90 percent of all the stones an the rock, the lowest price he thinks it should amateur gemcutter will ever cut. It comes be sold for. All of the rocks are spread on as a great surprise to many that among the

APRIL, 1954 41 Hetween If on and Me

By RANDALL HENDERSON NE EVENING late in February I camped with mem- It is gratifying to me to announce this month the bers of the Sierra Club—the Desert Peaks Section series of Nature articles by Edmund C. Jaeger who, if not of the Club—at the base of the Turtle Mountains foremost among teachers of desert Nature subjects, is at not far from the Colorado River in California. least outstanding among contemporary writers on these The wind was strong and we sought shelter by build- subjects. ing our fires and spreading our bedrolls in a deep arroyo Recently I had the privilege of accompanying Dr. that drains the mountains. It is common, I know, in some Jaeger on a walk through the Wildlife Sanctuary now in parts of the desert to warn tenderfoot motorists against process of being established by the Palm Springs Desert camping in the dry water-courses. In northern Arizona Museum. Within a distance of less than a mile and a and other places where some of the dry rivers serve half he had identified 60 species of desert plants—each watersheds of great area, the warning is timely. But on with its own, and in some instances very amazing charac- the Mojave and Colorado deserts of California where the teristics. When we came to the creosote bush he pointed drainage basins generally are limited in extent, the camper out how jackrabbits had been trimming off the lower twigs can determine by local and distant cloud formations of the shrub. Apparently the rabbits do not eat either the whether there is danger of flash floods. On much of the wood or the leaves of creosote—but for reasons which we Great American desert during the last year there has humans do not yet understand the tender shoots had been been so little rainfall that the soil will soak up an inch of bitten off and left lying where they fell. rain without appreciable run-off. In the upper Colorado We found desert mistletoe growing in a catsclaw River basin in August it is well to heed the warning. shrub, and he asked me to crush one of the small berries The Sierra Club group had come to the Turtle Moun- between my fingers. The seed inside the fruit is covered tains to spend the weekend climbing Mopah Peak, a with a glue-like juice which causes it to cling to beaks and volcanic pinnacle which is a conspicuous landmark in feet of birds which eat the berries, and is able to cling and that region. Around the campfire that evening the con- take root high up in the branches of the host trees for this versation turned to a common topic among mountaineers: parasite. Why do people climb mountains? I hope the time will come when every desert com- Many answers have been given to that question, and munity will have such a sanctuary as is being established I do not know which of them is correct. But I am sure near here by the Desert Museum. Foremost in the de- one of the contributing factors is that mountain climbers velopment of such outdoor classrooms should be the live in a bigger world, physically, than folks who spend pastors of the churches. I am sure the effectiveness of all their lives without expending the effort necessary to their work would be more than doubled if, after they have scale the heights. Mountain-climbers live in a three- taught the word of God from the pulpit on Sunday morn- dimensional world—a world in which, within a com- ing they would take their congregations out and give paratively short distance, they may become acquainted them a demonstration of the amazing works of the Creator with the life zones ranging, in this desert region, from in the afternoon. the Sonoran to the Arctic. On foot, with a knapsack, One cannot live close to the world of Nature without one has the opportunity to become intimately acquainted acquiring a deep reverence for the Creator of all this with a world in which Nature preserves an amazing world around us—and it really isn't important whether degree of balance—a problem which we humans have we choose to call Him God, Jehovah, the Great Spirit, or not yet been able to solve in our own affairs. Allah. * * * * * =:= From The California Grizzly Bear, magazine pub- As the political and economic affairs of mankind—the lished by the California Native Sons, I clipped this quo- man-made problems — become more complicated and tation, written by Frank H. Benson: "I was reminded of frustrating, thoughtful men and women are turning more the quotation inscribed across the front of one of the and more to the world of Nature where the rules of life stately buildings of our State Capital: 'Give us men to are inviolate, and where an intelligent faith is always match our mountains.' Never was the world more in need rewarded. of such men—big men. Men who can rise above the Natural law is the basic law of the universe, and can petty and sordid things, men who will stand true and be altered neither by legislators nor dictators. unyielding though the tempests of opposition shriek about And that is why Desert Magazine devotes so much them. The world is crying out for tall men, men who look space to Nature subjects. The better understanding we out for the world from an eminence, whose vision is humans have of the works of the Creator, the less dis- undimmed by partisanship, intolerance, greed or ignor- turbed we will be by the frailties of the human species. ance. Civilization must find such men."

42 DESERT MAGAZINE at their hips, fighting Westerners, con- fident with six shots instead of one, blazed thei: trails across the plains. B00KS°H>°S0UWM8T Handsomely engraved dueling sets graced the mantlcpicces of Eastern MODERN EDITION OF 1864 miniature world which the amateur mansions. In the Civil War, the revo- JOURNEY THROUGH ARIZONA can study as a hobby. lutionary firearm became a major ... a city of mud boxes, dingy Published for the California Acad- weapon in both handgun and rifle and dilapidated, cracked and baked emy of Sciences by the University of versions. into a composite of dust and filth; California Press. 80 pages, $1.50. The book is well illustrated with littered about with broken corrals, • • • clear photographs, drawings and dia- sheds, bake ovens, carcasses of dead MOUNTAIN MAN'S STORY grams. animals and broken pottery; barren WRITTEN FOR CHILDREN Published by The Stackpole Com- of verdure, parched, naked and As his mother said, young Jedediah pany, 468 pages, 7%xl0Vi" in size; grimly desolate in the glare of a Smith had "fiddle-feet." They couldn't more than 200 illustrations, index, at- southern sun. keep still. He loved every mile of his tractive end papers showing plan of This was the Tucson of 1864 as J. family's gradual journey westward Colt's armory. $10.00. Ross Browne saw it. Browne was a from New York and longed to explore e o • sharp-eyed journalist, artist and trav- every blank spot in his dog-eared map ASKS HELP WITH BOOK eler who visited the frontier state and of the West. ON BELIEFS. SUPERSTITIONS recorded in candid words and draw- He finally had his chance, and how Professor Wayland D. Hand of the ings its towns, Indians and white men, he used it is history. In Young Jed mining camps, legends. Indian attacks, University of California at Los Ange- Smith, Westering Boy, Olive W. Burt les, who is compiling a standard col- desert and wilderness scenery. tells the story of one of the greatest Originally published in Harpers New lection of California popular beliefs American explorers since Lewis and and superstitions, enlists the support Magazine in 1864 and in book form Clark and one of the greatest of the five years later as Adventures in the of all people interested in California Mountain Men of the Western fron- history and popular antiquities. A Apache Country, Browne's observa- tier. tions were recently published in mod- postcard addressed to him at U.C.L.A., ern edition by Arizona Silhouettes of Written for children. Published by Los Angeles 24, will bring free of Tucson as A Tour Through Arizona, Bobbs-Merrill Company, 192 pages, charge a prospectus of the project and 1864. The narrative is interesting large, readable type, pen and ink illus- a check-list of several hundred super- and frequently shows the author's keen trations by Harry Lees. $1.75. stitions representing all categories of sense of humor. His drawings, too, are • • • popular belief. warm and at times amusing—as the BOYS FIND ADVENTURE • • • self caricature showing Browne, pencil ON THE CALIFORNIA DESERT Books reviewed on this page are available at in hand and rifle and sketch pad across Ronnie and Don found a whole new Desert Crafts Shop, Palm Desert his knees, entitled "The Fine Arts in world when they went out to stay with Arizona." a mining engineer in the California Published by Arizona Silhouettes, desert. A little man with a booming 292 pages, 72 ink drawings by the voice, Palito Jake took the boys on author. $5.00. several expeditions over what first seemed like a dry and empty wilder- GUIDE FOR COLLECTING. ness. But it turned out to be a fas- BUGS PHOTOGRAPHING INSECTS cinating country, full of new experi- How to Study Them Edward S. Ross, curator of ento- ences, brilliant plants and flowers and How to Collect Them mology at the California Academy of unusual animals. Sciences, never quite outgrew his child- Ronnie and Don, by Lester Roun- How to Photograph Them hood curiosity for small living things. tree. is an exciting adventure storv for His small-boy fascination for bugs led young boys and accurately introduces to a career; to others it may point the them to the fascinating desert land. A Insects way to a fascinating hobby. down-to-earth book packed with fac- Ross suggests how in Irsects Close tual information boys love. Up, "a pictorial guide for the photog- Published by The Viking Press, 160 Close Up rapher and collector." pages, excellent ink illustrations by The small paper-bound booklet, Don Perceval. $2.50. By EDWARD S. ROSS well organized and beautifully printed, SIX OUICK SHOTS Here is the guide to a new includes 125 photographs and drrw- hobby—a study of the small ings which offer an introduction to the ARE BETTER THAN ONE crawling or hopping things fascinating citizens of the insect wor'd. The Story of Colt's Revolver is the which so fascinated us as chil- How-to-do-it sections tell how to find, story of an invention, the history of dren. Entomologist Ross intro- capture, preserve, mount, organize and an amazing family and the birth of a duces students of Nature to a label specimens and give tips on equio- new manufacturing procedure, mass broad and complex, intriguing ment and techniques for photograph- production. miniature world. ing live insects both in Nature and in Author William B. Edwards pre- the studio. sents a voluminous biography of SI.50 postpaid Seven of the excellent photographs Colonel Samuel Colt ?nd a comnre- are in color. Each species pictured is hensive, study of his Greatest invention, DESERT CRflfTS SHOP described in the scientifically accurate the Colt revolver. The new and effi- and very readable text. Insects Close cient repeating firearm had a tremen- Palm Desert, California Up presents a fascinating, complex dous effect on American history. Colts

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