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The 1950 Revised Edition of Grieger's "Encyclopedia and Super Catalog of the Lapidary and Jewelry Arts" $1.00 Per Copy This is a 192-page book 9"xl2" in size. There are at least 60 pages of in- structive articles by authors of national fame. There are new articles by EMIL KRONQUIST and LOUIS WIENER on jewelry making. The 15-page article on jewelry casting by the LOST WAX METHOD using the new KERR HOBBY- CRAFT CASTING UNIT is alone worth $1.00. "ROCK DETERMINATION SIMPLIFIED" by Mr. E. V. Van Amringe with illustrations and charts helps you to identify your field trip discoveries. Two excellent field trips are mapped. Everything you need in MACHINERY, TOOLS, SUPPLIES and MATERIALS is illustrated, described and priced for your convenience. VISIT OUR SHOP AND SECURE YOUR COPY OF THIS UNIQUE BOOK Sent Postpaid in TJ. S. A., its Territories and Canada for only $1.00. READ THESE REMARKS BY THOSE WHO PURCHASED THE FIRST EDITION—"I would still buy it at $3.00 to $5.00 as it contains as much if not more meaty 'nformation for the lapidary and jeweler than any of the books on the market selling in that price range. " "It is better than most lapidary handbooks." "It is the only satisfactory catalog of lapidary supplies and materials that I have ever seen. It is superbly illustrated and superbly printed."

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•••••• THE DESERT MAGAZINE

" DESERT CALENDAR

Feb. 2—Ceremonial dances at three Indian pueblos: San Felipe, Cochiti and Santo Domingo, north of Al- buquerque, New Mexico. Feb. 4-5—Sierra club weekend camping trip to Corn Springs in the Chuckawalla mountains. Feb. 4-5—Tenth annual Palm Springs Rodeo—parade and rodeo events, Palm Springs, California. Feb. 4-5—llano Indian dances at Taos pueblo, New Mexico. Volume 13 FEBRUARY, 1950 Number 4 Feb. 5—Don's Club Travelcade to Miami mines, from Phoenix. Ari- zona. COVER HOOVER DAM AT NIGHT Feb. 11-12—Fifth Annual Silver Spur Photo courtesy of U. S. Reclamation Bureau Rodeo, sponsored by Junior chamber of commerce, Yuma, Arizona. CALENDAR February events on the desert 3 Feb. 11-12—Arizona Snow Bowl car- POETRY Awesome Sentinels, and other poems .... 4 nival. Flagstaff, Arizona. RECREATION Desert Playground Feb. 11-12—Paradise Valley Horse Rodeo, Scottsdale, Arizona. By GENE SEGERBLOM 5 Feb. 11-13—Annual ski carnival, Wil- FIELD TRIP We Followed the Lure of Carnotite liams, Arizona. By JAY ELLIS RANSOM 12 Feb. 14-15—Missionary district of Ari- QUIZ zona of Episcopal church. Flagstaff, Test your desert knowledge 16 Arizona. EXPLORATION He Explored the Unknown Colorado Feb. 15—Turtle dance at Taos pueblo. New Mexico. By AL HAWORTH 17 LETTERS Feb. 15-16—Mobilgas Grand Canyon Comment by Desert leaders 22 economy run, starting from Los LOST MINE Angeles, California. Lost Gold of Salt Spring Feb. 17-22 — Riverside County Fair By JOHN L. VON BLON 23 and National Date Festival. Ara- MINING bian Nights Pageant free every Current news of desert mines 28 night. Horse show each afternoon. TALL TALES At fairgrounds, Indio, California. New Champions Selected at Annual Pegleg Feb. 18-19—Rodeo and Gila Monster derby, Glendale. Arizona. CONTEST Liar's Contest 29 Feb. 18-26—Maricopa County Fair CLOSE-UPS Announcement of February photo contest . . 29 and Citrus show. Mesa, Arizona. NEWS About those who write for Desert 30 Feb. 19—Bandollero trek to Wellton- Mohawk project. Starting from FICTION From here and there on the desert 31 Yuma, Arizona. Hard Rock Shorty of Death Valley 38 Feb. 23-25—Arizona Cattle Growers BOTANY convention, Globe. Lupine Once Had a Bad Reputation Feb. 23-26 — La Fiesta de los Va- LAPIDARY queros, annual Rodeo, parade morn- By MARY BEAL 39 ing of February 23, Tucson, Ari- HOBBY Amateur Gem Cutter, by LELANDE QUICK . 40

Feb. 25-26 — Sierra club weekend COMMENT Gems and Minerals 41 camping trip to Cat Canyon in BOOKS Santa Rosa mountains. Just Between You and Me, by the Editor ... 46 Feb. 25-Mar. 5—California Mid-Win- Reviews of Southwest Literature 47 The Desert Magazine is published monthly by the Desert Press, Inc., Palm Desert, ter fair, at Imperial fairgrounds, California. Re-entered as second class matter July 17, 1948, at the post office at Palm Desert, four miles north of El Centro, Cali- California, under the Act of March 3, 1879. Title registered No. 358865 in U. S. Patent Office, fornia. and contents copyrighted 1050 by the Desert Press, Inc. Permission to reproduce contents must be secured from the editor in writing. Feb. 26—Rodeo at Remuda. Wicken- RANDALL HENDERSON, Editor AL HAWORTH, Associate Editor burg, Arizona. BESS STACY, Business Manager MARTIN MORAN, Circulation Manager E. H. VAN NOSTRAND, Advertising Manager Feb. 26—Thunderbird Meet, Arizona Los Angeles Office (Advertising Only): 2635 Adelbert Ave., Phone NOrmandy 3-1509. Snow Bowl, Flagstaff. 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- February—Oil portraits of Nez Perce scribers should send notice of change of address by the first of the month preceding issue. Indians, by Mrs. Rowena Lung SUBSCRIPTION RATES Alcorn, will be exhibited at South- One Year $3.50 Two Years S6.00 west Museum, Los Angeles, daily Canadian Subscriptions 25c Extra, Foreign 50c Extra from 1:00 to 5:00 p. m. during Subscription to Army Personnel Outside U. S. A. Must Be Mailed in Conformity With month. P. 0. D. Order No. 19687 Address Correspondence to Desert Magazine, Palm Desert, California

FEBRUARY, 1950 By OR A KEHN Arvada, Colorado Could it be, they're living tombstones Of a race that's long been gone, Guarding with sharp thorns the buried People of an ancient throng? Queer, grotesque, these living markers With their upraised suppliant arms, Weave their weird and mystic shadows, In this place of witchcraft charms. Seen in noontime sun they're brazen, Warning all to keep away; In the eerie dawn, they're specters In a cemetery grey! Through the moonlight haze they're ghostly Awesome watchers, strangely cast, Sentinels well armed for duty, Keeping secrets of their past! Like some prehistoric monsters— Yet, they live and bloom instead; And they bear such gorgeous blossoms, Royal crown for royal head!

THE PLACE FOR A LIZARD By HENRY C. MORRIS Washington, D. C. If I were a lizard, I tell you what, I'd go to Nevada and there I'd squat. Under the sage-brush—fine and hot I'd lay out a nice little garden spot. I'd sell to the horn-toads, blue-bottle flies With sagebrush dressing and cactus pies. Also, the bones of tenderfeet, Who migrated there and died from the heat. For the burning sun is a friend of mine, And the scorching wind is to me sublime. Alkali dust I fondly love. Better than ought in heaven above. So, Ho! for Nevada! And a home in the dust, It's the place for a lizard, who is strong and robust, Saguaro —Photograph by S. Paul Lindau To build up a fortune and live in ease, Under the shade of the Joshua trees. SOURDOUGH'S LAST CAMP I REACH A STAR By HAROLD RAMSLIE By BESSIE GLEN BUCHANAN Los Angeles, California Los Angeles, California A DESERT RETURNING! The snows are a-restin', fair and frail, You cannot hurt me—it is strange you try. By GRACE PARSONS HARMON This night on the Great Divide, I think, perhaps, you do not even know Desert Hot Springs, California And I'll take the long, long trail, The blessedness of living clean— I'm back again! The hills take up the To camp on the other side. Beyond small meanness. song! The length'ning shadows carry it along! There I will meet the friends 1 knew Once I came upon a hill—high reaching The desert, my own desert, has me back- In the years that are past and gone: Into white fleeced clouds— Back from the busy mart, the madd'ning Stray Dog Smith and Faro Sue, Sharp jutted rocks—precarious the climb, pack! And Casey, the widow's son; Yet there, 1 found serenity Among the forest pines. Look up, oh heart, seek beauty in the hills, The mesquite nods a welcome from the Timberline Bob will sure be there trail; And the boys from Bonanza Hill; And peace of mind in stones and running rills. I hear the lonely whistle of the quail; Alongside my pardner, Rawhide Bill, The glory of the sunset gleams for me; I'll look for the Parson, St. Clair; The wind across the desert rushes free! And with Johnson, who struck it rich— This paean in my heart has one refrain: Carried nuggets around in his purse— O, desert, I am back! I'm back again! The Homestake Twins, you couldn't tell By TANYA SOUTH which, How dim the faring! Oh, we see And lovely Jennie, the nurse. So briefly and so sparingly. LOST IN THE DESERT Aye, tonight, while the flowers smell sweet Seldom the full, close step ahead. By EMILY I. ALLEMAN In the dells by the moon-white road, So frailly is our spirit bred Santa Ana, California I'll leave my camp, all snug and neat, In good intentions. Let us then The buzzards circle in the sky— And.track to my new abode. Be ever wary of our going. I see the shadows of their wings, Our every thought or joy or pain Passing passing, passing by; There, in a heavenly, better clime, On my brow a damp chill clings, My friends they'll welcome me Should be for uplift. Thus bestowing As they go passing, passing by. For to wash the sands of the stream of All strength and purpose, and all ruth Oh, God, it's hard for a man to die. time— For righteousness, we shall gain Truth. With buzzards circling in the sky, And camp for eternity. Passing, passing, passing by! THE DESERT MAGAZINE 77ze Par/: service has provided ample beach and bathing facilities for summer vacation visitors. Desert Playground. . . Folks come from all over the world to boat and fish and play in the great recreational area which Uncle Sam maintains on and around the shores of Lake Mead in Nevada and Arizona. The Lake Mead playground has become a popular rendezvous for campers and trailer vacationists—for those who cannot afford or do not care for the luxury of expensive resort hotels. Here is a glimpse of some of the recreational facilities of the area—and of the problems of the Park rangers who are in charge. By GENE SEGERBLOM Photos by William Belknap, Jr., and Cliff Segerblom three young men at- hours later the Park rangers found The Park service was assigned the tempted to row their old leaky them, wet and chilled, hovering around task of administering recreational ac- boat across Lake Mead to its a little fire trying to keep warm in al- tivities in the Lake Mead desert play- source in lower Grand Canyon. They most freezing weather. It was near ground soon after the dam was com- brought their boat to the lake by a midnight when the rangers reached pleted in 1935. Thousands of Ameri- back road — knowing that the Park them, and three hours later the boys can tourists and sportsmen flocked to rangers would not permit such a craft were back in their car and headed for the area to see Hoover dam and enjoy to attempt the journey, if they were home. the boating and fishing opportunities aware of it. Such rescues are all part of the day's provided by the new lake. A wind came up and the waves ran work in the Lake Mead Recreational The Reclamation bureau, which built high—and the boat began to take in area where Superintendent George Bag- the dam, is an engineering and con- water faster than it could be bailed out. gley and a small crew of rangers have struction organization, with neither the Somehow, the boys made shore—a the responsibility for protecting both time nor the facilities to entertain such rocky isolated place, where they aban- wildlife and thoughtless human beings great numbers of visiting tourists. doned the boat and tried to make their in a domain that spreads over 2,655 Since both the Reclamation bureau way to the nearest habitation. Some square miles of land and water. and the Park service are under the jur- FEBRUARY, 1950

m ;/)e lower basin of Lake Mead. Here craft may be rented or chartered for fishing or pleasure cruising. isdiction of the Department of Interior, ting the trees and shrubs to grow was a rooms. Then as the water goes down it was a comparatively simple matter project. The soil is salty. Water had they have to pull them out into the lake to bring the two services together and to be piped from the lake to irrigate the again. assign to the Park office the supervision trees and plants daily to keep the 115- The lifeguards, also Park service em- of all recreational facilities in the area. degree summer temperature from burn- ployees, have plenty of business. The Above the dam, the water backs up ing up the transplanted vegetation. diving rafts always look closer to shore 115 miles into the lower gorges of Rest rooms, electric stoves, garbage than they are and about once a day Grand Canyon. The entire 550-mile cans, etc., have to be kept clean. Many some over-eager swimmer has to be shoreline for a distance of several miles campers are not concerned over leav- pulled out. Besides saving lives, they inland was withdrawn from public ing a place as clean as it was found. help with swimming campaigns, keep entry to protect the purity of the Optimistically, the Park service asks one eye on stray youngsters, and act as water and provide space for roads and their cooperation with this lyrical re- caretakers of the beach. structural work which may become minder: Many picnic-swimmers ignore the necessary in future years. It is this "Let no one say, and say it to your garbage cans placed every 100 feet on area, plus the lake itself, that has been shame, the beach. To keep the beach clean, designated as the Lake Mead Recrea- That all was beauty here until you one man would have to work 24 hours tional area and hundreds of thousands came." a day picking up the picnic scraps, of visitors boat, swim, fish, camp and The big problem is not keeping the cans, bottles and gum wrappers. It is otherwise enjoy this playground an- camper happy so he'll come back, but not unusual to find broken pop bottles nually. taking care of the crowds that do come. thrown into the swimming water. Superintendent Baggley's desk is in The camp is full almost all year. At According to Chief Ranger Donal a deserted army hospital which serves times, overflow campers in trailers and Jolley, who has had 30 years of prac- as the Park administration's headquar- tents spread out in the brush on the tical experience with the Park service, ters, but he spends much of his time in edge of the camp trying to get close the visitors even run off with the trash the field with Chief Ranger Donal enough to avail themselves of the camp cans occasionally. Jolley and his 41 rangers, naturalists facilities. Fishing! The rangers work in con- and workmen. "At one time last year," Baggley junction with Arizona and Nevada state Three kinds of travelers find their said, "there were 120 families at the fish and game wardens enforcing laws. way to the area. First there are those campground which has sanitary facili- Two of the rangers are deputy war- who are migrating' to or emigrating ties for only 75." dens. Fishing is not overplayed in from California and choose Highway In order that a few people may not publicity given the area. It is good! 466 which crosses over the top of the monopolize the camp, the Park service And it is open season on hapless large- dam connecting Nevada and Arizona. has put a 30-day limit on camping in mouth bass, crappies, catfish, blue- Next are the tourists who come here one season. gill, perch and carp 12 months of the to see the dam and take a fleeting look The swimming beaches at Boulder year. The same fishing regulations ap- at the lake and surrounding country. beach, Las Vegas wash and Overton ply to the trout found in abundance in Then comes the motor gypsy with his present a difficult problem. They have the river below the dam. trailer or tent. He settles down on the to be movable. The lake fluctuates in The fisherman also gets into trouble. shores of Lake Mead at the Park serv- height with the spring runoff and the Although the lake is calm most of the ice's free public campground to stay dry summer. The water's edge is never time, winds come up quickly bringing indefinitely. in the same place. All spring and sum- whitecaps. Sportsmen are forced to The camp has the only shade trees mer the rangers must pull up the diving seek shelter wherever they happen to be. on the entire lake shoreline. Just get- rafts, buoys, lifeguard chairs and rest If they are out too long, the Park serv-

FEBRUARY, 1950 J. W. Powell, a converted navy craft. The lake is patrolled regularly. To keep everything under close surveil- lance, the rangers sometimes are forced to take to the air. They usually fly to inspect outlying fishing camps, to Davis dam and to Eldorado canyon on the river below Hoover dam. On May 18 Superintendent Baggley had been with the National Park service 21 years. He came to Lake Mead in November, 1946, from Isle Royale in Michigan. Isle Royale, a National Park, is the farthest north you can go and still be in the United States. "It was quite a contrast to come from an area of dense forest and snow- bound winters," Baggley said, "to the barren shores of Lake Mead. The only resemblance between the two is the volume of water. But I do feel that this is one of the most important places in the Park system. Its accessibility, if developed, could make it the most important." Even the natural features here are above par. There are more than 200 varieties of birds in the wild life refuge with its closed game reserve. More mountain sheep inhabit the area than any other reserve except Mt. McKinley. Desert kit foxes, deer, cougars, coyotes and wild burros are plentiful. "The animals don't give us any trouble," Chief Ranger Jolley said, "although there are too many wild burros at the moment. We do have to watch for bird poachers on the reserve, however." Although the flowering season is short, blossoms take over the desert from February until June. Naturalists have a never-ending job of seeking and classifying the highly specialized plant life and protecting the lovely blooms, which may not be picked. "It wouldn't be so serious," Jolley explained, "if flower lovers would just pick the flowers, but they insist on go- Motor launches take visitors up the lake and into the ing off with the whole plant. When I lower gorge of Grand Canyon. first came here in 1943, there was plenty of desert holly. Now it's almost extinct. If we didn't restrict the pick- ice sends a boat to the rescue. It is a owned and operated by A. L. "Doc" ing of flowers, there wouldn't be a cheering sight to a wet chilled angler Deatrick and Edi Juan. They run five bush left along the highways at the end huddled in a cove to see the Park serv- trips daily to the upstream face of the of a year." ice cruiser Major J. W. Powell coming dam and charter fishing or sight-seeing his way. A ranger, at that moment, trips to any spot on the lake. Three Baggley has several pet projects he'd is man's best friend. times a week there is a cruiser trip up like to get enough money to push. First "Boating is our biggest headache," the lake as far as the entrance to Grand there's the proposed public camp- confirmed Chief Ranger Jolley. "Peo- Canyon. ground at Overton, on the north arm of the lake. ple won't even inspect their own boats Deatrick and Juan have inaugurated moored on the lake. They insist on a fisherman's shuttle service. At 7:00 At one time last year, rangers count- putting six into boats meant for two. in the morning a large cruiser takes ed 80 families camped on the shore And they never worry about the leaks anglers to Boulder canyon where they despite the lack of camping facilities. even though there isn't a life preserver transfer to row boats to spend the day They have a museum and keep a ranger on board." fishing. At 5:00 they are picked up there, but judging from the number of Rental of small craft and charter and returned to the boat dock. tourists—1806 cars in April of last boat trips are well handled by the Lake All rescue work on the water is done year—they could use more help and a Mead Boat company, a concession by the rangers, usually in the Major campground. 8 THE DESERT MAGAZINE Above—Five-passenger Cessna plane flying over the area gives the passengers a fine view of the dam and the lower lake.—Mark Swain photo.

Below—Hoover dam puts on a water display for a little group of visitors suspended below the dam from an overhead cable.

FEBRUARY, 1950 It is open season for fishermen the year 'round in Lake Mead. Here is a morning's catch of bass.

Near Overton is Valley of Fire, a ested with ponderosa and pinyon pines, major highway. Because of limited lost world of unusual shapes carved in junipers, mountain mahogany and other funds, there has been no new road con- the bright red sandstone by wind and shrubs and trees. The rest is sage- struction since 1943. water. It is an area that could be the brush, manzanita and similar chaparral Just outside of the recreational area, Palm Springs of Nevada, if there was growth and grass. It is acclaimed as a water. But, as Baggley pointed out, five miles off the road to Kingman, Ari- scenic wonderland by those who have zona, is the ghost mining camp of there isn't "enough water there for one been there. horse." Eventually they hope to dig White Hills. (Desert Magazine, Jan. wells or pipe water from the lake. If "One thing is certain," Jolley warn- '47.) Once a boom settlement of 1500 water can be obtained, there is no limit ed, "if you try to get out there and claim-stakers, little remains at the old to the possibilities of the place as a va- something happens to your car, no- camp today except crumbling shacks, a cation spot. body's coming along very soon to help neglected cemetery and deserted streets. you out—you're on your own." Some of the richest ore mined in Ari- Another unpublicized spot is Shiv- He also suggested that persons at- zona is said to have come from here. wits plateau. Only a jeep or a pickup Twenty-seven miles of tunnels honey- truck could make the trip and very few tempting to reach Shivwits carry plenty of the thousands of sightseers ever visit of water and food for their own protec- combed the area. It is reported that the plateau. tion. more than $12,000,000 in silver and gold was mined here. Baggley places this lonely spot high Shivwits plateau is in the northeast- Today there are no restrictions on on his list of desirable areas for im- ern portion of the Recreational area, prospecting on public lands, but before bordering on the Grand Canyon. It provement. The only road is now ore can be mined from the recreational is a level plain covering 133,000 acres, little more than a trail. area permission must be granted by the approximately 6,500 feet above sea The Park service has to maintain 200 Park service. The Park administra- level. About half of the area is for- miles of desert road and 60 miles of tion merely is interested in protecting

10 THE DESERT MAGAZINE This cormorant from Lake Mead bit off more than it George Baggley, superintendent of the Lake Mead Rec- could chew. The bony-tail carp proved too big to be reational area for the National Park service. With a staff swallowed and too spiny to be disgorged. Bird and fish of 41 rangers, naturalists and workmen he is the Park were found floating on Lake Mead by a party of fisher- custodian of 2,655 square miles of land and water pro- men and turned over to Maurice Sullivan, park naturalist. viding a wide range of recreational facilities.

the beauty of the landscape against til such facilities are provided we are be increased in the near future, for needless destruction. reluctant to urge that the numbers be water is now backing up behind Davis Superintendent Baggley likes peo- increased." dam and when it is filled the new lake ple—but there are times when he wishes Baggley is a Rotarian and a member will almost reach the tow of Hoover fewer of them would come to his play- of the Boulder City chamber of com- dam—and then there will be more water ground. "I wish we had facilities for merce. He works untiringly for his to lure more boatmen and fishermen unlimited numbers," he said, "but un- playground. His responsibilities will and sight-seers.

Ancient Indian petroglyphs on Atlatl Rock in the Valley Visitors often leave the beaten paths to camp among the of Fire state park near the shores of Lake Mead. Joshua trees found near the lake shore. By JAY ELLIS RANSOM 'mJ Photos by the Author IN AUGUST my father, Jay G. Ransom, and I decided to take off in our jeep station wagon for a two-week trip through the uranium boom country to secure the highly-prized ore specimens of carnotite, metahuatite, corasite and covellite. We especially wanted to obtain the rare petrified wood known as carnotite wood, streaked with bright yellow uranium oxide. Usually carnotite is a brilliant canary although it may be dis- colored by iron and organic matter. Essentially it is a hydrous potassium- uranium vanadate with a hardness ranging from 2 to 2Vi. In the last few months the quest for uranium has mounted to boom proportions in western Colorado and eastern Utah. Here lies a great red-ochre belt of sandstone known as the Mor- rison formation. Trapped in a vast series of rolls or lenses are heretofore unknown sources of atomically stra- tegic uranium occurring in canary-yellow clay lumps and veins of carnotite, usually associated with considerable quantities of vanadium. These lenses frequently show on the surface of the Morrison formation which outcrops all over the Utah-Colorado border region. Along much of the 2700-mile journey the landscape was arid and unpro- ductive and yet this region has a rugged beauty of great fascination for those who like to explore the remote areas. Starting in Los Angeles, our route took us into Arizona by way of the north rim of Grand Canyon, thence to Kayenta in the heart of the Navajo Charlie Cato (right) and son Owen Cato at the Yellow Cat uranium mine in Utah, five miles west of the Cactus Rat mine. country, Monument Valley and along the famous Navajo trail through Mon- ticello and Moab in Utah to the rich Morrison formation and Dakota sandstone country northeast of the Arches National Monument on the central Utah-Colorado border. Here the rich- We Followed the est outcrops of carnotite are being mined today. Thence back over atro- cious dirt roads across the states of Utah, Nevada and California to San Lure of Carnotite Francisco and home to Los Angeles. We did not attempt to prospect virgin territory. We knew that carnotite is found in a number of localities in the United States outside the well- known deposits of Colorado and Utah. Along the Navajo Trail of northeastern Arizona and eastern Utah a We wanted to visit the latter region confirmed rockhound and his scientist-author son went in search of the because the mines there have been highly-prized carnotite ore specimens. They obtained the cabinet speci- commercially worked since radium mens they sought—and more—but in addition explored some of the came into prominence shortly after the most wild and remote country in the Southwest as they went from ura- turn of the century. Prior to the discovery of rich radio-active ores else- nium mine to uranium mine in a region that is now experiencing a great where, these deposits in 1913 had new mining and prospecting boom. yielded about 2,700 tons of carnotite

12 THE -DESERT MAGAZINE Here is a carnotite mine 15 miles north of Kayenta, Arizona. Because of newness of the industry and remoteness of the region, methods are still crude. Location of this mine is a few miles south of Harry Goulding's famed Trading Post in the Navajo country. ore with a value of more than $1,000,- and shipping the ore to Naturita, Col- ant hills in that region. These semi- 000 in radium alone. Over 4,000 tons orado." precious gems formerly were a source of the ore were mined in 1914. He described the route to this mine. of private income to the Indians but Dusty from days of travel, our jeep His directions, he admitted, were since the tribal authority had issued a splattered with cloudburst-mud and vague. "I know that country," he decree that all natural resources could battered with storm and hail over the said, "but darned if I can draw you a be sold only in behalf of the tribal Kaibab plateau and the Grand Can- map of it. There's a ridge of low fund, the Indians had ceased gathering yon, we pulled at last into the Navajo bluffs running northwestward a mile them. trading center of Kayenta. back of the road. At the junction "The Indians won't work if they A score of gaily decked Navajo where a dirt road swings sharply back can't realize anything on it," the trader women loitered about the trading post. and then around in a big U is a Geo- explained a bit sadly. "I used to be Inside a dozen Indian men palavered detic Survey marker. You won't able to sell all the garnets they could with the trader. Several children gazed miss it." bring in and get a good price too. I unwinking at us. Presently the trader It was no wonder then that we took could pay the Indians enough to sat- approached and we asked him if he the wrong road at a junction a few isfy them. But now all the money knew anything about the uranium miles east of Kayenta. For two hours has to be turned over to the tribal mines to the north. we ground ahead in second and low treasury." gears over the worst road ever tra- The sun was nearing the western "Know anything about it!" he laugh- versed by modern machines until we mountains when we pulled out of Din- ed. "I should say I do. There's noth- reached the Indian trading post of nehotso. We crawled around the same ing secret around here about the Dinnehotso. There were so many washouts in the same low gear and mining activities of the Atomic Energy washouts following the cloudburst of eventually reached our junction. The commission and the Vanadium Cor- the day before that we spent most of last rays of the descending sun were poration of America. A new mine's our time bulldozing ourselves around highlighting the tall monoliths of Mon- just been opened 15-18 miles north them through cab-high sagebrush. ument Valley with an unearthly glow of here on the road to Mexican Hat. At this remote outpost where Nava- when we turned north on the flood- They've been operating about 30 days jos come for trading, we purchased damaged road to Mexican Hat. Dark- now with Navajos doing the mining, two pounds of fine garnets gathered on ness had fallen save for the luminous

FEBRUARY, 1950 13 20 feet long by 15 wide with enough water in it to permit a shallow swim. All were filled with fresh rain water These natural rain-catchers serve the desert-wise Navajos as a source of

!?••*! K ARCHES ifefc$&0\ ' water during dry periods. Later, when the Indians came up to the mine from their nearby hogans, one of them filled a five-gallon water can from one of the basins. With the sun well up in the sky and the purple shadows of Monument Valley giving way to red sandstone reality we pushed on past the base of one of the monoliths that constitute the "monuments" until we reached the Utah state line. The road was rough, dusty and washed out. At Goulding's trading post we stopped to refresh ourselves and make inquiries. Goulding was very busy with a movie company on location shooting Indian l^i: CARNOTITE K scenes, but in his generous way he MINES, took time out to talk about uranium mining and the old-timers who first opened up the southwestern Indian country. His trading post is not on the main U.S. Geodetic ' road, but his hospitality has become Bench Morker '. BLANDING Q3O/I933 so well known that few motorists ever Elev 5291 come this way without stopping for a few hours or days at Gouldings. A few miles away in Monument Valley stands

• .' HOVENWEEP the movie set of Old Tombstone. I in- quired about the strange city in the desert that is not on my map of northern Arizona. Harry laughed. "That's the setting where Fort Apache was filmed, followed by Clementine. You'll find it boarded up with maybe a few Navajos living in the unused shacks." On our way out we stopped to visit the town. Even today this solidly built set looks like an early-day town. The Bird Cage theater is an exact rep- lica of the original Old Tombstone opera house. Two miles south of Mexican Hat, where a suspension bridge crosses the muddy waters of the San Juan river, twilight that touched the red-ochre top of the bluff to the north he set an a dirt road beaten and battered to bed- mesas all about us when we reached iron stake and built a low cairn of rock by ore trucks leads southeastward the carnotite mine described by the stones, both of which are still there. 28 miles to what is becoming the great- Kayenta trader. There we made camp We made several interesting discov- est uranium deposit ever located in the for the night. eries incidental to our picking over the United States. Harry Goulding found Early in the morning we explored mine dump. Although the length of it on his two-month search of Wether- the open-cut workings before the sev- the bluff is scarcely 200 yards and its ill's original discovery when the Atom- en Navajo Indian miners arrived to summit barely 200 feet wide, we ic Energy commission advertised its begin operations. Later, from Harry found a small petrified forest of whole need for the bomb-blast element. tree trunks and innumerable sections Goulding at his trading post on the Mexican Hat has a trading post with nearby Utah border, we learned that on its top. Brief explorations to the east showed that the forest did not ex- canned goods for Navajos and the men these deposits had been discovered by who work the uranium mine down on the late John Wetherill, famous trader tend beyond the bluff. The wood is the San Juan. Navajo blankets were and guide who led the first white party dull and not of gem quality, but the to Rainbow bridge and is credited with find has interesting implications. Also for sale at prices that varied according the discovery of the Mesa Verde pre- on top of the sandstone bluff were to weave and texture. We bought historic Indian ruins. Since the strike many natural bathtubs, or potholes, soft drinks and pushed on, climbing lay on the Navajo reservation, Wether- filled with water. These ranged from a steep grade to the summit of the pla- ill made no attempt to stake it out three feet in diameter and a few inches teau above the river. or claim title to it. But high on the deep to the largest which was easily That night we camped 7,500 feet

14 THE DESERT MAGAZINE ! eers in the West—bought the Cactus Rat." Six men help George operate the mine. He told us about the work. "The Cactus Rat produces mainly corasite, metahuatite and carnotite, and covellite. The ore bodies are found in the form of rolls, or lenses, scattered all through the top layer of the Morri- son formation where they frequently break through the surface. I know just about where to drill to hit good ore. We're shipping 25 tons a day— it'll soon be 50 tons—to the Naturita, Colorado, plant 140 miles from here." He went on to explain that although the present boom is for uranium, the vanadium was not being tossed aside in the new mad scramble for atomic energy. Under the impetus of the Uranium Incentive Plan the workings of the old mines are becoming doubly productive, although the emphasis is placed on uranium oxide. "High grade ore runs about 1 percent U3O8," he went on to say as he helped us pick out some colorful specimens from ore piles being made ready for shipment. "The low grade scarcely reaches 0.2 percent vanadium, in the oxide V2O5, runs from a high of 15 percent to a low of 2 percent." After a fine dinner prepared and served in the semi-underground cook house, we roamed over the adjacent hills. The Cactus Rat mine is situated in a flat bowl surrounded by steep bluffs immediately to the north and east. From the talus slopes petrified dinosaur bone fragments continually Jay G. Ransom, father of the author, is here shown holding a piece of petri- weather loose to be scattered over the fied wood found near the Kayenta, Arizona, carnotite deposit. flats by rain storms. We gathered numerous samples of the deep red, jas- perized bone and noted the countless high on the wooded flanks of the Eventually we reached the Cactus fragments of fine jasper float that lit- Abajo mountains a few miles south of Rat uranium mine and were invited tered the gravels. Although we did Monticello, Utah. Here in this little to dinner by George Gallent, the fore- not find any jasper large enough to Mormon town that faces 200 miles man, who proved to be as fine and be worth keeping, we discovered that into western Colorado, 200 miles hospitable a host as one would en- all over the hills and nearby flats were across rugged terrain into northwest- counter anywhere. quantities of moss agate and pseudo- ern New Mexico, and 150 miles south Gallent showed us over the open-pit morphs after wood containing red into Arizona is a war-spawned vana- workings. "The uranium is found in crystallizations. dium processing plant. It is now be- the Morrison formation," he explained, We had at last almost everything we ing converted into a uranium plant for a wave of his hand indicating all the had come for. Only carnotite wood handling the Utah and Arizona ores broken and faulted sandstone bluffs of uranium and vanadium. At pres- remained somewhere in the region to and cliffs that stretched toward the ent nearly all the ore mined in the complete our collection. We asked region has to be trucked to distant Colorado mountains to the east. George Gallent about it. Naturita, Colorado, where the Vana- "About 40 mines in this district were "Carnotite wood?" he repeated. dium Corporation of America has its worked all through the war for vana- "Sure. There's plenty of it down at headquarters. dium. That's the lightweight metal the Yellow Cat mine about four miles From Monticello we followed the used in alloying steel into armor plate. west of here. Charlie Cato and his paved highway to Moab and thence Uranium wasn't worth ten cents a ton son, Owen, are shacked up there, pros- to its junction with U. S. Highway 50 then, but when the government began pecting around for the owners. They'll and turned east to a point five miles to buy it after Hiroshima, the old probably have a crew in there mining beyond Thompson where unmapped mine dumps began to pay off. Take before long when the Monticello plant roads lead into another area where the Cactus Rat, for example. We came gets started." rich uranium claims are being worked. here several months ago and the Min- We thanked our host and in the We lost our way in the wilderness of erals Engineering company under the bright morning sunlight headed for the breaks and faults and finally arrived presidency of Blair Burwell—he's one Yellow Cat. There we found the Catos at a remote cow camp. of the most prominent mining engin- busy sacking up ore samples.

FEBRUARY, 1950 15 "Sure, there's carnotite wood around On the way Charlie showed us a six- "You never know what you'll find here," Charlie told us with a wide grin. foot lizard tail he had found in a ledge. next out in these hills," Owen laughed. "Out there in the breaks." He indi- "Must have been lots of queer dino- "And they haven't all been prospected cated by a wave of his hand the red- saurs around here once," he said. As yet." Charlie, who's been roaming the dish sandstone of the eroded and frac- a token of our appreciation, I suggest- West since he was a boy, chipped in: tured Morrison formation. Owen, tall ed we help him carry the broken sec- 'Gold and silver in those La Sal moun- and rugged, with eyes and mouth for- tions of the 500-pound stone tail back tains, and no doubt plenty of uranium ever creasing themselves in quick to the car. deposits, too. Nobody's been up there, smiles, nodded. "Why not lay it out in front of your really, to find out." "You won't find it yourselves," he cabin?" I suggested. "Other visitors At last we had everything we came said. "Come on with us. We'll take can see it, then, and save you a trip for: uranium ore in big gleaming yel- you to whole trees of carnotite wood. way out here to show it." Both Catos low chunks of the raw oxide; slate It's noon anyway, and we could use a thought that a good idea and we all black vanadium ore streaked with the rest ourselves." That's how we got buckled down to lug the pieces back canary yellow traces of associated ura- our carnotite wood. to the pick-up. nium; and now a gunny sack full of carnotite wood. One chunk, thanks to Charlie's generosity, weighed more than 30 pounds. Here are 20 new headaches for We headed west toward our Cali- the desert fans who like to test fornia home. Had more time been TRUE OR FALSE their knowledge of the South- available we surely would have done west—its history, geography, botany, geology, Indians and general lore of some prospecting on our own. The La the arid country. Even those who do not know anything about the desert Sal mountains looked inviting. And should get 10 of these right. A score of 15 is good, 16 to 18 is exceptional, the Uranium Plan, as drawn up by the and if you score more than 18 you are either very smart or very lucky. Atomic Energy commission, is de- The answers are on page 30. signed to make prospecting for this vital element profitable. 1—It is easier to drive your car over sandy roads when they are wet than The commission guarantees for ten when they are dry. True False., years a minimum price of $3.50 per 2—Furnace Creek Inn in Death valley is operated by Death Valley pound for uranium oxide, U3O8. In Scotty. True.. False addition to the minimum price guar- 3—It is against the law to use dead ironwood for campfires on the desert. antee, the commission will pay for the True False same period a bonus of $10,000 for delivery of the first 20 short tons of 4—The ghost mining camp of Rhyolite is in Nevada. True.. False uranium - bearing ores or mechanical 5—Navajo Indians were breaking and riding wild horses before the white concentrates assaying 0.20 percent or man discovered America. True.. False more of uranium oxide by weight from 6—According to geologists there are three general types of rocks: igneous, any single mining location, lode or sedimentary and metamorphis. Sandstone belongs to the igneous placer which has not previously been group. True False worked for uranium. 7—Historian who contributed most to present day knowledge of Juan Here's a hint to those who might Bautista de Anza and his historic trek to California in 1775 and 1776 wish to follow the uranium trail after is Herbert E. Bolton. True False cabinet specimens. In general, the 8—Juniper, growing in its natural habitat, is never found growing below owners of the carnotite deposits do not sea level. True False like collectors to remove the rich ca- 9—The Indians were mining turquoise in New Mexico and Nevada before nary yellow ore. The Atomic Energy Columbus discovered America. True False commission raised many restrictions 10—Elephant Butte dam is in Arizona. True False during and following the war, most of which are not today enforced, but 11—Joshua trees are believed to have been given their name by the early do not expect to be able to go in with Mormon settlers who came to California. True False a truck and cart away this high-value 12—Kaiparowitz is the name of a plateau in Utah. True False mineral. Nevertheless, there are scores 13—Ubehebe, one of the most famous craters in the Southwest, was active of abandoned mine dumps scattered when the Jayhawkers crossed Death valley in the winter of 1849-50. over the lonely hills waiting for the True False collector who has time to pick them 14—Carlsbad caverns in New Mexico are maintained and supervised by the over. In the frenzy for vanadium, the carnotite ore was thrown away and U. S. Park Service. True False nearly every abandoned mine has a 15—Indians generally used a bone tool for the flaking of obsidian to make dump rich in carnotite. arrowheads. True False 16—Smoke trees on the desert often live to be 250 or 300 years old. Roads to the carnotite mines are not True False improved. We traversed hundreds of 17—The flower of the wild desert Datura is white. True False miles of desert trails in second and low gear. It is no place for a shiny new 18—The state university of Arizona is at Phoenix. passenger car. But it has become a True False very important region not only to the 19—The Bill Williams river in Arizona is a tributary of the Colorado. United States but to the whole world, True False for the energy locked in these sand- 20—Desert Indians still use the roots of certain species of Yucca for soap. stone hills, now that men have learned True False how to release it, may play a critical role in human affairs in the years ahead.

16 THE DESERT MAGAZINE Fort Yuma in the 1850s. Photographic reproduction from the C. C. Pierce collection, taken from an old lithograph.

proximity of water transportation would greatly enhance in value." The lieutenant never did change his mind. He Explored the Passing through Monument canyon, the most colorful yet discovered, with its fantastic shapes and outlines, the little party came out into an open valley Unknown Colorado and began to look for the mouth of the Bill Williams tributary. In 1853 Ives had accompanied the Whipple expedi- Here is concluding instalment of the story of Lieut. Joseph C. Ives' tion, exploring for a railroad route adventurous steamboat trip up the unexplored Colorado river in 1857-58, along the 35th parallel, and had de- under orders from the U. S. secretary of war to "determine navigability scended the Bill Williams to its conflu- of the Colorado." After assembling their boat under difficult conditions ence with the Colorado. Mouth of the near mouth of the river, the explorers made their way to Fort Yuma, then stream had been at that time—in the on into unknown country above. They left behind the valleys occupied month of February—about 30 feet by the Yuma Indians, and each day their difficulties increased as the wide and several feet deep. river became wilder and their supplies began to run short. But Ives But now there was no Bill Williams. would not give up. And he finally did reach what he had to admit was Ives was "confounded", and his com- the head of navigation. panions accused him of making a great topographical blunder. He was sure of By AL HAWORTH his location, however, ordered the boat to head for the left bank, and close S the explorers proceeded labor- Many of the mountains examined by examination revealed "a very narrow iously upstream, each successive Dr. Newberry showed the presence of gulley, through which a feeble stream range of mountains presented gold, silver, lead, iron and copper ore. was trickling. This was all that was more striking varieties and combina- And the amazing fact that Lieutenant left of Bill Williams Fork." The for- tions of color. The men were begin- Ives still considered the Colorado a mer mouth had been filled up and over- ning to believe there might be some navigable stream—even after all the grown. The explorers had been intro- truth in the wild tales told by trappers difficulties encountered—is proven by duced to a western river. about the fantastic Grand Canyon said this entry in his report: They learned, too, how the Southwest to be many miles above, which was "A careful search might develop am- desert can erase signs of man's inva- already a legend. ple stores of treasure, which the close sion. Lieutenant Whipple's party had

FEBRUARY, 1950 17 been composed of 100 men, 200 mules bowls of corn and beans" to trade for miles wide, "garnished with inviting and four wagons. But the trail was manta and beads. meadows, broad groves of willow and entirely obliterated, not a trace, even They came prepared for long hag- mesquite, and promising fields of of the wagons, remained. gling. But Ives did not settle into the grain." What a sight this must have It was on February 1 that Ives and pattern. His account of the incident been to the weary men. Captain Robinson had their first sight is a classic: As soon as the steamer was well out of the famed Mojave Indians. While "I made them place their burdens in of the hills, the Mojaves began to clus- out for an evening stroll, the white men a row on some boards laid out for the ter upon banks of the stream. Ives discovered two warriors lying on the purpose. Asking each in turn whether noted—he took this as a dependable bank. The watchers doubtless had been he preferred beads or manta, I placed sign—the presence of women and chil- sent down from the valley above to what I thought a fair amount of the dren and knew the Indians had no im- report on the expedition. We must desired article opposite the proper heap mediate hostile intentions. believe Ives' description of them to be of provisions. The whole tribe had This tribe impressed the lieutenant accurate, for he was not given to ex- crowded around to look on, and their greatly. He rated them much superior aggeration and had not added romantic amusement during this performance to any of the Indians who lived farther glamor to other Indians he saw. He was extreme. Every sharp face ex- down the Colorado. He was amazed wrote: panded into a grin as I weighed the at the fine physiques of the men, re- "I at once knew them to be Mojaves. different piles in succession in my ported that some were "gigantic." Their One of them must have been nearly hand, and gravely estimated their con- faces showed intelligence "and an six feet and a half in height, and his tents; and when, the apportionment be- agreeable expression." The women proportions were herculean. He was ing over, I directed two of my men to over the age of 18 or 20 were almost entirely naked, excepting the ordinary bag the corn and beans, and coolly invariably short and stout, but the com- piece of cotton about his loins, and his walked away, the delight of the by- paratively young army officer did not chest and limbs were enormously de- standers at the summary method of fail to observe that the younger girls veloped. A more scowling, sinister completing the bargain, reached its cli- "are very pretty and have slender, face than that which surmounted this max and they fairly screamed with graceful figures.'.' This was not a dif- noble frame I have seldom seen. His laughter." ficult observation to make, since the women wore only a short petticoat companion was smaller, though a large On final day of the sand storm the man." made of strips of bark, were bare from steamer was able to make only three the waist up. What has happened to these magnifi- miles, but this brought the explorers cent specimens? Perhaps, as Ives point- to the entrance of Mojave canyon. Fol- The Indians immediately opened ed out early in his report, "as is always lowing the storm the weather was trading with the exploring party. They the case, they have deteriorated since serene, "the atmosphere indescribably brought corn and seven or eight vari- the whites have come among them." soft and limpid." With the aid of lines, eties of beans. Ives also added to his Just after leaving the vicinity of the the boat was taken over a roaring rapid provisions a small amount of wheat Bill Williams river, the party hit rough near entrance to the canyon, then as an and a few pumpkins. He learned that going on the river and, adding intense abrupt turn was rounded the men the Indians raised watermelons, but it discomfort to their difficulties, lived glimpsed the cavern-like approach to was too early for that delicacy. Every- through a three-day desert sand storm. "the profound chasm beyond." thing he could acquire, the lieutenant Scarcely 24 miles was made in the three It was a sight such as they had never took on board, for only a week's supply days. Those who have been caught before witnessed. Ives called it a scene of his own stock remained. out in a real sand storm will recognize of imposing grandeur. "On either It was the next day, February 11, this description: "We were nearly side," he wrote, "majestic cliffs hun- that Lieutenant Ives had a significant blinded, and choked by drifts of fine dreds of feet in height rose perpendicu- and formal meeting with Chief Jose, sand that darkened the air and pene- larly from the water. As the river one of the five principal chiefs of the trated into the luggage, bedding, pro- wound through the narrow enclosure Mojave Indians. As the Explorer visions, fire-arms, and the very pores of every turn developed some sublime ef- steamed up the river a few miles from one's skin." fect or startling novelty in the view." the previous night's camp, an immense A month out of Fort Yuma Lieuten- Present-day travelers are still awed by throng of Indians was seen gathering ant Ives awoke to the fact that the the majesty of the Colorado canyons. in an open meadow. It was Chief ship carried rations for only two weeks Night almost caught the explorers in Jose and his warriors. It would be more. Should the pack train scheduled the defile, but they emerged into the policy, Ives decided, to stop for an in- to be sent from the fort be detained, Mojave valley beyond the range just in terview—and besides, there was wood supplies would be exhausted. So he time to make camp for the night. nearby for the steamer. determined to begin trading with the That their every move was under the When the party had landed, the chief Indians. The boat was still in the close scrutiny of unseen eyes became marched up with dignity. A crier walk- Chemehuevis valley, although ap- evident soon after the Explorer started ed a dozen paces in front to scatter proaching the Mojave range and "The up-river next morning. A column of the women, children and dogs from Needles," a cluster of slender and smoke rising from a little peak near around the conference spot where prominent pinnacles aptly named by bank of the river was proof that a Lieutenant Ives awaited the great man. Lieutenant Whipple. By a fortunate watcher had been stationed there to An old man with noble bearing, the occurrence a Chemehuevis chief, who warn the Mojaves that the steamboat chief in honor of the occasion had had been in Whipple's camp for some was approaching. painted his face entirely black except time, hailed the steamer from the shore The Mojave valley presented a far for a red stripe from his forehead down and Ives took him aboard. Negotia- pleasanter picture than the voyagers the bridge of his nose to the chin. tions were opened for beans and corn. had previously seen. It was open This was a crucial meeting for Ives. Camp was made the night of February country, with foliage and green trees, It could mean success or disaster to his 6 near headquarters of the Chemehue- at its best in spring attire. The course expedition. He found it difficult to vis nation, and in response to word of the river could be followed as far as satisfy the Indians about the purpose spread by the chief "about a dozen In- the eye could see. On both sides was of the trip. They could not understand dians brought baskets and earthen a belt of alluvial land from two to six why the white men should come up the

18 THE DESERT MAGAZINE Before entering the country of the gigantic Mojaves, the exploring party for several days traveled through the valley of the Chemehuevis Indians, came to know them as "complete rogues." They were small, shrewd, inveterate thieves, but traded freely with the Ives party. river in a steamboat and go directly not altogether conversant, to Capitan, west of the Colorado as far as the back again, nor why they kept in com- who, in turn, puts it into the Mojave Mormon road to Los Angeles. Ives munication with Yuma by runners. vernacular." immediately proposed that Ireteba Ives must have been a good and con- What changes his remarks underwent come aboard and continue the trip, to vincing actor and orator. Combining during these stages the lieutenant could act as guide on the overland journey pantomime and the services of his in- never know, but he observed that they eastward after leaving the river. Ireteba terpreters, the lieutenant apparently were "sometimes received by the Mo- was willing, brought with him a 16- succeeded, for the chief agreed to have javes with an astonishment and bewil- year-old lad named Nah-vah-roo-pa. his people bring in provisions and said derment that the original sense does Friendly relations had now been es- he would send guides to conduct Lieu- not at all warrant." tablished with the Mojaves, an ade- tenant Tipton and his pack train up the A near clash with the Mojaves was quate supply of beans and corn was on river. He detailed an Indian to carry avoided on this first occasion only by hand, and many zoological specimens a package to Fort Yuma. He also ac- the intervention of Capitan, who was had been added to the collection. cepted Ives' invariable ruling that no highly respected as a warrior. Next The Mojaves themselves greatly in- Indians should be about his camp after day things had smoothed over and Ives terested Ives and he regretted the lack sunset. was much relieved. As he well knew, of time to study their habits and cus- Chief Jose was invited aboard the the little party of 24 men in an open toms . He made one observation which, steamboat, but declined. "His friends," boat, half the time stuck upon a bar, although true of Indians to this day, is wrote Ives, "appeared to think that he would be virtually at the mercy of not generally understood by the whites. had done a prudent thing." several hundred men concealed in the "In most respects," he reported, How did the lieutenant carry on con- thickets that lined the banks of the "they think us their inferiors. I had a versation with the Indians? It was a Colorado. So a break in amicable re- large crowd about me one day and complicated process. Here's the way lations had to be avoided if at all possi- exhibited a mariner's compass. They it went: ble. soon learned its use, and thought we "I deliver my message to Mr. Bie- It was two days later when the lieu- must be very stupid to be obliged to lawski, who puts it into indifferent tenant met an old friend. He was have recourse to artificial aid in order Spanish for Mariano, whose knowledge Ireteba, a sub-chief who had been a to find our way." of that language is slight; when Mari- guide for Lieutenant Whipple when he Navigation through pleasant Mojave ano has caught the idea he imparts it passed through the valley in 1853, ac- valley, where in February winter had in the Yuma tongue, with which he is companying him through the country given place to spring, had not been dif-

FEBRUARY, 1950 19 showed, been visited by whites. Tense- ness in the party increased as they approached the locality where some supposed that the famous "Big Canyon", reported by earliest Spanish explorers and later confirmed by infrequent trappers, commenced. Tales of this Big Canyon staggered the imagination, but there appeared to be enough evidence to indicate the reports were not exag- gerated. Whether the Black canyon ahead was the legendary Big Canyon was a question uppermost in the explorers' minds, but in any event they could already see that it far surpassed anything they had yet encountered. Meanwhile word had been received by runner that Lieutenant Tipton had started with his pack train from Fort Yuma the middle of February. It wasn't a day too soon, and arrival of the train was looked forward to eagerly during the early days of March. For? Mojave in the 1860s. Photograph from the collection of Arthur Diet for the past two or three weeks Woodward, curator of history in the Los Angeles Museum. had been limited to the corn and beans obtained from the Indians. "This diet," wrote Ives, "agrees wonderfully with ficult. Two rapids, several trouble- tained us three days would not have the Mojaves; but either our stomachs some shoals, had impeded progress, stopped a boat of six inches less are not sufficiently trained to it, or it but as a rule the going had been better draught, with a smooth bottom, as is not wholesome fare for whites, for than, at any other place above Fort many hours." Yuma. Lieutenant Ives made his us- some of the men suffer a great deal." And again: "It is probable that there Lack of food combined with the hard ual excuse for the river, declared that is not one season in 10 when even the with a boat of lighter draft than the physical labor involved in snaking the Explorer would encounter one-fourth steamer up treacherous stretches of the Explorer regular navigation "would of the difficulty that she has during the present no difficulty." river had reduced some of the men to present unprecedentedly low stage of actual weakness. The want of coffee By now the voyagers could see a water." and the absence of salt were severe range to the east of the Mojave valley Success thus far in ascending the privations. that they called the Black mountains. rapids raised hopes that the expedition Leaving Cottonwood valley on the The range crossed the Colorado. might in some way actually reach the Where the river breaks through this last leg of the run to Black canyon, mouth of the Virgin river and the Ireteba showed increasing uneasiness. chain "there is doubtless a stupendous Great Bend of the Colorado. Already canyon," Ives wrote on February 17. He had heard reports that the "bad the party was in country seen by but Paiutes" were on the prowl, that some Entering the foothills of the Black few white men before. And the mys- of them on a recent visit to the Mo- mountains, the Explorer was in trouble. terious river beckoned them on. javes said they intended to destroy the Rapid followed rapid, each more vi- Ireteba, the Mojave, was becoming exploring party as soon as it entered cious than the last. At one the boat was infected with the enthusiasm. But his their territory. So care was exercised lightened, a line taken out ahead, and knowledge of the river tempered his in selecting camp sites that could be after hours of hard labor the steamer hopes. There were yet four difficult guarded against attack. was pulled through. At this instant rapids below the Great Bend, he knew. The last 20 miles before reaching the the line broke and the helpless Ex- The last of these occurred in an im- plorer swept back down through the mouth of Black canyon required five mense canyon, where the channel was full days. There were at least a dozen rapid, bumping upon the rocks, and filled with huge rocks and the water was in imminent danger of having her rapids. But still the stubborn Ives con- rushed in a furious white-capped tor- tended: hull stove in. The day's work was un- rent. He passed his knowledge on to done, and it took half of the next day "The last 70 miles will, perhaps, be Lieutenant Ives, who recorded on Feb- the best part of the Colorado to navi- to extric .£e the boat from where she ruary 24: had we .ged between some rocks. Half gate when the water is not at so ex- of anr .her day was spent in a second "Here, Ireteba informs me in em- ceedingly low a stage." atteir jt to surmount the rapid. phatic pantomime, we shall come to a Nearing the Black mountains the river dead stop." flowed between gravel bluffs which cut T y top it off, another sand storm As the steamer progressed, walls of off the view in all directions. Thus it ca' .e up and throughout the following the entrance to the gorge through the was that as the Explorer negotiated a d / the. men "ate, drank, breathed and Black mountains became plainly visi- turn around the base of a conical peak, - iw littie but sand." By this time some ble. Was this Black canyon to be, as the southern portal of the Black can- of them, at least, must have repented Ireteba said, the head of navigation? yon was suddenly directly in front. their presence with the expedition. The river flowed now for a short six "The Black mountains were piled And still Lieutenant Ives defended miles through Cottonwood valley, sur- overhead in grand confusion," Ives his river. "As has been the case at rounded by mountains not quite as wrote, "and through a narrow gateway places in the lower portions of the high as those ahead, and entered a flanked by walls many hundreds of feet Colorado, the bar that has here de- region that had never, as far as records in height, rising perpendicularly out of

20 THE DESERT MAGAZINE the water, the Colorado emerged from the bowels of the range." This was the feared Black canyon. Negotiating a rapid just below its mouth, the Explorer glided swiftly into its mysterious depths on water that was smooth. Spirits were high and all attention was focused ahead when the steamer, with a stunning crash, ''brought up abrutly and instantane- ously against a sunken rock." The men thought walls of the canyon had fallen in. Those in bow of the boat were thrown overboard; the fireman, who was pitching a log into the fire, went half-way in with it; the boiler was torn out of place, the wheelhouse ripped loose, steam pipes doubled. Everyone thought the ship was doomed. She was towed to shore, however, and examination disclosed the hull had no holes and that other damages could be repaired in probably two days. It took three. During the delay scientific investi- gations were not neglected, and Dr. Progress was slow when the steamer hit rapids and shoals. Here the crew Newberry and Mr. Egloffstein had dis- has gone ashore, taking a line to pull the boat over a sand bar. This was a covered that the region was a rock- frequent occurrence, afforded great amusement to watching Indians. Mount hound's paradise. Along the bottom Davis in the background. of ravines in the surrounding mountains, they reported, "are found crystals of quartz, in curiously grouped attempt to run that rapid with his cific instructions to "ascertain the navi- clusters, and great numbers of opals. steamer, but only because their ropes gability of the Colorado." Now, 500 Some of the latter are of considerable were nearly worn out. He still in- miles upstream, 102 days and 57 size, and promise to prove, when pol- sisted that "during a higher stage of the camps later, after surviving roaring ished, valuable gems." river the difficulty of the place would rapids, heat, cold, hunger, physical be much diminished." exhaustion, heart-breaking set-backs, Deeming it imprudent to proceed Lieutenant Ives wrote almost laconi- with exploration of the canyon in the Darkness caught the trio in the for- cally : steamboat, for should the boat be sunk bidding gorge and they spent the night there would have been no way for the on a little gravel bar. Next morning "I now determined not to try to ascend men aboard to escape — nothing to they were on their way and late in the the Colorado any further. It appear- swim to except perpendicular walls 500 day emerged at last from Black can- ed that the foot of Black canyon should or 1000 feet high—Lieutenant Ives de- yon. Finding a camping place before be considered the practical head of termined to make a reconnaissance of dark, Lieutenant Ives and Captain navigation." the canyon with Captain Robinson in Robinson climbed a 1000-foot hill Next step would be a reconnaissance the skiff. Taking a supply of corn and from which they could survey the sur- to locate a connection with the Mor- beans, blankets, a compass, sextant rounding country. They could trace mon road. the course of the river as it wound and chronometer, the captain, mate It was long weary weeks before and the lieutenant started early on the toward the east, forming what was called the Great Bend. Lieutenant Ives and his men, after be- morning of March 10. ing joined by the pack train, reached It was well that they decided on this Looking in the direction of the Mor- civilization again. But the part of his course. They threaded the mazes of a mon road to Utah they observed that mission on which his heart had been canyon awe-inspiring and almost ter- the country was less mountainous and set had been accomplished. He had rifying. In place of the brilliant colors broken. They concluded that there explored the unknown Colorado. And that tinted the sides of previous can- would be no difficulty in opening a despite the buffeting he took at its yons, this one had walls of naked rock wagon communication between the hands, he still stood up for the river. uniformly somber in hue. Rapids came road and the river. His formal report to Capt. A. A. Hum- one after the other, and even in the After a night's rest Ives insisted on phreys, in charge of the office of ex- skiff the men were forced to get out going upstream another two miles. plorations and surveys for the war de- and haul the little boat to quieter There they finally located the mouth partment, was this confident statement: water. of a brackish stream, about the size "I would again state my belief that Eight miles from mouth of the can- of the defunct Bill Williams fork. Ap- the Colorado would be found an eco- yon they heard a loud sullen roaring, pearance of the bed and bank indicat- nomical avenue for the transportation came soon to a rapid that Ives con- ed that it was at times a large river, and of supplies to various military posts in cluded must be the one Ireteba had its location led Lieutenant Ives to sup- New Mexico and Utah. The amount warned would be impassable. The pose that they had reached the mouth of land transportation saved by adopt- channel was filled with masses of rock, of the Virgin river. ing this route would be: to the Great against which the torrent dashed with There he made what must have been Salt Lake, 700 miles; to Fort Defiance, tremendous force. The doughty lead- for him a hard decision. The young 600 miles; and to Fort Buchanan, 1100 er admitted it would be hazardous to army officer had started out with spe-

FEBRUARY, 1950 21 Lapidary for Convalescents ... author states the Rio Colorado was Knight's Ferry, California discovered "in 1540 by a detachment Desert: of 25 men who had left Vasques de Many months ago you published my Coronado's exploring party and fol- request that rock collectors send cut- lowed the stream to its mouth." ting material for use of convalescent I believe there is a slight discrepancy "And We're 2500 Miles Away . . . veterans at Livermore hospital. The here. Hernando Cortez commission- Milford Center, Ohio response was fine. Material came in ed Francisco de Ulloa, who sailed with Desert: from all the western states. three ships in September, 1539, to You and your Desert Magazine staff I was released from the hospital the head of the Gulf of California. He ought to be crucified for cruelty to nearly a year ago, but recently I re- reached the mouth of the river, but dumb human beings. I've been read- turned there for a visit. Perhaps those his three caravals were turned back by ing all your back issues with the stories who contributed minerals will be in- the tidal bores. about the lost mines in the Southwest, terested to know that the hospital lapi- Hernando de Alarcon sailed from and about that big pow-wow on New dary now has all' modern tools and re- Acapulco on May 9th, 1540, with Year's eve when you all get together cently installed a faceting machine. It three ships, with supplies intended to around a big campfire in Borrego val- is as fine a shop as I have seen and the reinforce Coronado, who was on his ley and swap lies, and then go out men are getting both enjoyment and way seeking the fabled Cities of Cibola. looking for the Lost Pegleg—and here valuable training there. Alarcon had difficulty navigating I am stranded in the prosaic prairies of CLAUDE E. NAPIER through the bores and shoals and sand Ohio 2500 miles away. bars, and left the sailing fleet at the Sooner or later my partner and I are delta, proceeding in small boats, each heading out that way—so please save manned with ten men. They finally a few of these lost gold nuggets for us Forgotten Pioneer of Nevada ... reached the point near where the pres- to find. Las Vegas, Nevada ent city of Yuma is located, where they L. CARL DAVIS received reports that Esteban the Desert: Negro had been killed. The expedi- I am interested in learning the back- tion returned to the delta for rein- Invaders of the Desert... ground history of Bonelli's Landing, forcements and pulled up the river a formerly on the Colorado river, now a Fullerton, California second time with three boats, but failed fishing camp on Lake Mead. Who was to contact Coronado or anyone con- Desert: Bonelli? Where and what did he land, nected with his expedition. After leav- I like the desert backroads, and re- and why? There must be some history ing a note in a tree, they returned to cently made the trip from Niland, Cali- connected with the name as I have a their ships. fornia, to Wiley's well near the famous map showing Bonelli peak also. I find Hauser geode beds. Along the way nothing about him in the Nevada his- His note was later found by Mel- were many signs posting the area as a tories—apparently he is a forgotten chior Diaz, who with 25 soldiers had bombing range. The signs were old man. But the place which bears his left Corazones in search of Alarcon. and some of them mutilated. But I name is never to be forgotten. It is Diaz did some exploratory work of his met several motorists along the way. one of the most beautiful spots in this own, and apparently reached Volcano Is this still an active bombing range, area, and easily accessible. I shall be Lake. On his return trip to Corazones or did some one forget to take down grateful for any information you can Diaz was impaled on his own lance, the signs when the war was ended? give. dying later from his wounds. My former home was New Jersey DORIS V. HANCOCK and I am a comparative newcomer in FRANK SCHILLING California. I am surprised, unpleas- Daniel Bonelli was a Mormon, antly so, that so much of the California and a leader in the colony which Reader Schilling is of course desert area has been swallowed up by attempted to establish an agricul- right. Use of the word "discov- the military. tural industry in southern Nevada ered" was an unfortunate choice The idea that these deserts belong about 1863-64. He came from the on the part of the author. What he to the people and are in constant use Muddy, and built a home along meant was that the detachment of as a recreational area seems to be quite the Colorado six miles from the foreign to the thinking of the military mouth of the Virgin river. He 25 men, sent by Coronado under authorities. I am especially interest- established a ferry across the river leadership of Diaz to scout for ed in the Niland-Blythe road by way with a flatboat pulled by man- news of Alarcon, did find the of Wiley's well. Isn't there something power. The fee was $10.00 for river—coming to it after an over- we can do to keep this road open? team and wagon and two persons. land journey from Sonora. CARL R. ENGLUND Each additional passenger was charged 50 cents. At low water This was in the fall of 1540, Many of us who live on the des- the river could be forded but it was only a short time after Alarcon ert share your resentment that so a dangerous undertaking. Later arrived at head of the Gulf of much of the desert has been mark- the crossing became known as California on August 26, 1540, ed off with warning signboards. Stone's ferry.—R.H. You will find the answer to your with his three vessels. Alarcon question regarding the status of sent small boats up the river, is the Niland-Wiley's well road in the entitled to be called the real dis- California news items in this issue Discoverer of the Colorado ... coverer of the Colorado. Ulloa in of Desert. The compromise be- Garden Grove, California 1539 had reached head of the tween the navy and Imperial coun- Desert: Gulf, but some historians doubt ty supervisors is only a tentative In his excellent article "He Ex- arrangement—we hope. plored the Unknown Colorado" in the that he knew or realized he was —R.H. current issue of Desert Magazine the at the mouth of a river.—R. H.

22 THE DESERT MAGAZINE Jack Moore of Los Angeles, present owner of the old mine. His daughter, 12, was "acting superintendent" when photographed. Lost Gold of Salt Spring . . . By JOHN L. VON BLON Life is an exorbitant price to Photos by the Author pay for a chance in the lost gold lottery. But down through the N the faint blue light of a midsum- The scene was the Amargosa mine, years men have been willing to mer dawn, under myriad glistering conspicuous landmark on the historic pay that price, and the fabulous stars, the solitary building loomed Old Spanish trail from Santa Fe to Los Amargosa mine at the edge of phantom-like on the mountain before Angeles and first gold strike on the California's Death Valley is no us. desert, perhaps in all California. It exception. How it was discov- "Reminds me of an ancient lamasery may, indeed, be the Breyfogle "lost ered a century ago, its colorful in bleak Tibet that I've been reading bonanza" which countless eager souls and sometimes bloody history about," my son Phil said. have hunted since '67. since then, and the high hopes Having seen it before I said noth- Its locale is Salt Spring, 30 miles that still center around Amar- ing; but when the sun blazed over the north of Baker, on State Highway 127 gosa are told here by the first ridge beyond and limned it in red fire it and a mile off the pavement, with the man ever to piece together the impressed me as a rare study for an unique Amargosa river intervening. famed mine's story. artist. The setting at the fringe of The river is rated the world's longest Death Valley is bizarre. underground stream and the most

FEBRUARY, 1950 23 I encountered a persistent tradition TO SHOSHONE 3 DEATH VALLEY that precious dust was gleaned from the Salt creek sands by Mexicans as far back as 1830. This was told me in 1898 by an aged prospector named Sparkuhle, who was familiar with the region, and I heard it repeated recently. "Spark," as we called him, was based at Mojave. When in the city he haunt- ed the Los Angeles Times newsroom, where his fabulous tales served as 5PRING & legal tender for grubstakes. As canny RMFIRGD5R MINE and husky a character as ever roamed the wastelands, he often plodded far without burros, packing heavy burdens on his own back. Older desert rats will remember him. The tradition cannot be given cred- ence. In the vast, silent, distorted reaches of the Mojave fact and fiction may blend like liquids. Myths and mirages linger. Authentic record credits the Amargosa discovery to Sheldon Stod- dard, Mormon and member of Cap- tain Hunt's party, in March 1849; but it is established that Mexicans passed that way from 1826. It was Stoddard's first glimpse of native unmined gold and he secreted the bits taken from a ledge until China ranch was reached and showed them to Colonel Williams. The latter fitted out a pack train and set Stoddard and others to work with arrastres. This paid well but Paiute Indians soon drove them out. Then a San Francisco company transported a mill there at considerable cost but the Indians killed two crew members and the others fled for their lives. George Crismon had the machinery hauled to the San Bernardino mountains and sawed lumber for that valley. Beale's west-bound expedition halt- ed at Salt Spring August 15, 1853. He was greatly surprised to find the remains of nouses and arrastres where "a fortune had been sunk by men sufficiently deluded or sanguine to abandon the rich mines of California, »• . : \ TO B'ARSTOW BT L.A. travel across 150 miles of desert, and live upwards of 12 months in a spot so desolate and forlorn that there is not down-in-the-mouth in this hemisphere, tion of the desert, entailing awful suf- enough vegetation to keep a goat from flowing to Bad Water on the floor of ferings for humans and the sacrifice of starvation." His mules would not drink Death Valley 279.8 feet below sea famished beasts. I saw no signs of its from the sulphurous and nauseating level. use by birds or wild animals. spring. Hemmed in by granite outposts of Although worked intermittently a full century the mine's past is obscure. It In 1861 the Marysville Express an- the Avawatz mountains, the mine cen- nounced that the mine, abandoned nine ters about a narrow rocky canyon half has been strangely neglected by chron- a mile long, cut through ages ago by a iclers and given space on few maps. years previously, was currently operat- former expansive lake. At its head is Judge Dix Van Dyke of Daggett has ed by a Los Angeles concern with the bitter spring, an ugly stagnant pool taken pains through many years to as- Mexican labor and arrastres. Again four feet across and three deep, shaded semble its fragmentary annals. Some the Indians raided and expelled them. by two scraggly mesquites. And there are tragic, written in blood; nine or ten The following year McFadden, Stuart is Salt creek, seldom trickling. men perished there at the hands of and Bennett set up a mill and built The vicious water was a cruel dis- merciless savages. Most of the basic some adobe houses and the granite- appointment to thousands of weary data in this article are from the Van and-adobe cabin to which I have re- travelers over the most forbidding por- Dyke files. ferred and which remains, though dou-

24 THE DESERT MAGAZINE •5!?*P5!b.%.

—Perched high on the south brink of the canyon wall the rock cabin lends medieval aspect to the landscape.

Below—Built of granite and adobe over 80 years ago the mine headquarters cabin is well preserved and has just been reroofed.

FEBRUARY, 1950 25 bled in size since. Threatened by the The plant was transported from Cres- the highway. Beneath the cliff is the Indians they improvised a rock fort, cent, east of the Vanderbilt camp near spring. kept a barrel of water there and an- Ivanpah, by Adolph Nevares and James Principal workings comprise a mile other in the longest tunnel, and posted Christian with two eight-horse teams, and a half of tunnels in solid rock, five guard day and night. the job requiring two months. Nevares shafts, two of them vertical and the One morning when the workers were recalls having been shown bullet holes others inclined. The deepest is 180 going on shift the crafty redskins at- in an Amargosa shack where a deadly feet and half filled with water. In an- tacked from ambush and massacred brawl had been finished. He lives on other, hot water was struck and boils five of them, riddling their bodies with his ranch in Death Valley and is among noisily 30 feet below the surface. On bullets. The survivors hid in the tun- the very last of the pioneers—continu- wintry days a column of steam almost nel until night and escaped to make ing active. a hundred feet tall has been observed. their way to Mojave. An armed posse When Egbert converted his gold into Volcanic commotion down there! was organized to bury the victims. bars, several thousand dollars worth, Along the west wall there has been Their graves and others were reported and started to drive to Daggett with the extensive stoping, and chambers sug- visible until 1900. My efforts to find avowed intention of shipping it to the gesting cathedral interiors are the re- them were not successful. Time has mint and meeting the payroll, the min- sult. On the slope is a large mill foun- obliterated all traces. If the dead sleep ers, left behind with scanty food, at dation. Lying at its base is a huge bel- in the canyon sands, as is plausible, it once became panicky. John Tonnies, lows from a vanished blacksmith shop. may well be that their lost sepulchers employed there, volunteered to walk Scattered throughout are endless im- are lined with flecks of virgin gold. the 80 or 90 miles to Daggett, his home pediments of former value—odds and Fremont, who had camped at the town, and head off the boss. Egbert ends eloquent of blasted ambitions, spring in 1844, arrived again in De- stopped overnight at Cave Springs and broken hearts and financial ruin. In cember, 1864, and saw the destruction Tonnies beat him in. To avert at- the sand lies a heavy boiler and a ton wrought by the hostile Indians. The tachment proceedings immediate set- flywheel carried 200 yards by a violent same month Mrs. Rousseau, diarist of tlement was arranged. It was an amaz- flash flood rises vertically half buried. Dr. J. A. Rousseau's party from Salt ing foot feat. Both Egbert and Tonnies Lake City to San Bernardino, describ- have passed on. It appears that the original miners reaped rewards in the gulch which ed the ruins as she saw them, stating Egbert's last activities were unusual that three men left to care for the their successors have been unable to and beneficial mainly to others. He duplicate in the upper ledges; that property had been slain eight weeks went to Cave Springs, between Barstow before. much more capital has been poured in and Death Valley, in the middle 1920s, than has been returned. Undaunted, a new company, with the made the water available to the public, late George Rose as superintendent, set up a small store of provisions, and My youthful companion passed tenderfoot snap judgment in this wise: took over in the middle '60s with ade- provided overnight accommodations "Mine's no good. I looked all around quate facilities and operated success- for travelers by hewing out several fully a number of months. Extraordi- for gold a whole afternoon and didn't chambers in the canyon wall. These find a single nugget!" nary values were produced in pockets Sleeping rooms were used for a number and attracted outside attention. of years. And to aid persons in pos- But there remains a lot of unex- Just then Anton Breyfogle stirred the sible need along lonely roads he main- ploited ground. Jack Moore of Los mining world with his alluring and sen- tained water supplies in glass demi- Angeles, present owner, believes the property has a promising future and sational find. He had spent an after- johns under wooden shelters for a de- cade or longer. (Desert Magazine, Nov. is preparing to go ahead with develop- noon and evening at the Amargosa, ment. He and his daughter Maureen, rambling all over the property, and '39.) A beautiful little spring annual plant growing in that region was named 12, were taking ore from the glory hole Rose stoutly maintained during the re- on one of my visits. She informed me egbertia in his honor. mainder of his life that the stuff the that she was acting superintendent and eccentric adventurer carried came from Interested also in that novel enter- he concurred. They were comfortably there and nowhere else. prise was Mrs. Ira Sweetman, former quartered in the antiquated citadel. Daggett postmaster, and a beloved The late Frank Denning, an ore ex- My Amargosa mine research dis- pert who lived at Demming Spring and pioneer desert woman. She now resides closed the discovery in that mysterious operated the Ibex mine, saw the Brey- in Barstow. Though on a paved high- area 75 years ago of an apparent treas- fogle rock and declared himself willing way Cave Springs is deserted, a fav- ure that is lost to this day and of which to take oath that it was Amargosa orite rendezvous of birds, especially no account ever has been published. highgrade. That free-milling quartz is doves. It is a story of heroic courage and in- a distinctive rose-pink color with oc- Thirty years ago another outfit tack- credible endurance and hardship. casional brown deposits such as Brey- led the Amargosa and abandoned the About 1872 Johnny McCloskey of fogle had. These men knew minerals enterprise after making heavy expendi- Bishop went to his birthplace in Texas and could not readily have been de- tures. Its mill was sold in 1939. to be married. A few years later he ceived. This may shed new light on In my three explorations the pic- and his wife, with their small daugh- the Breyfogle puzzle. turesque cabin standing on the south ter, decided to return to Owens Valley. Adrian Egbert of Daggett, which was rim of the gulch proved the most inter- With true western fortitude they set out the mining center of an immense ter- esting relic. Weathered but well pre- on the far and hazardous journey in a ritory, met an aged Mexican in Los served after eight decades it supposed- light wagon drawn by two good horses. Angeles in the late '90s who boasted ly is the oldest of all desert buildings. In pleasant early springtime they of having taken "plenty gold" from the It is 60 x 12 feet, divided into three drove into the Golden State via the old Amargosa in 1853 until the Indians sections by low rock walls, and has two Government road, but at Marl Spring ousted his group. Egbert became so fireplaces. Several years ago the ori- misfortune befell them, one of the enthused that he and associates went ginal thatch was shattered by a wild horses died suddenly. Their only re- to the mine with a force of men and set gale and has been replaced with a green course was to abandon the vehicle with up and operated a five-stamp mill. composition roof barely visible from most of their possessions, pack abso-

26 THE DESERT MAGAZINE lute essentials on the remaining horse, which also carried the child, and set out afoot. Fortunately McCloskey was sure of his bearings. They turned northwestward toward Ash Meadows, where he knew his friend Jim Butler— afterward discoverer of Tonopah— was prospecting and amply provision- ed. The distance is 140 miles. One evening they camped on the Amargosa river 30 or 40 miles above the mine. There was a natural em- bankment of black boulders, and clear water flowing from beneath on a broad, lengthy sand flat. Sensing gold the tired man took a milk pan, the only utensil available, and was astounded to extract an ounce and a half in an hour from various parts of the wash! Supplies were critically low, the heat becoming intense, and they dared not tarry for anything. But Johnny would be back for their fortune. High hopes buoyed them henceforth. Finally arrived at the Inyo home, McCloskey hastened to backtrack to begin placering operations and recover his wagon and contents. George W. Golden, Daggett mining man who was born in Bishop, relates that his father, Steve Golden, accompanied the supposedly lucky Johnny on that and two other trips. They came upon different places strewn with black boulders but devoid of sand and never found the placer gold. Presumably de- vastating cloudbursts to which the region is subject had completely changed the river channel. Thieves had made away with the wagon at Marl Spring. As a young man George Golden accompanied his father, George Rose and others, in futile quests for the placer and he plans to continue looking. Steve Golden died at the age of 90 five years ago in Kern county with his sights set to the end for that lost gold! That's not a greenhorn country. None but seasoned desert men should venture in. It is perilous for amateur argonauts. Life is an exorbitant price to offer for a lost gold lottery chance.

Above—Salt Spring's bitter and undrinkable water was a cruel dis- appointment to early travelers on the Old Spanish trail.

Center—Foundation and timbers of the 5-stamp mill operated a half century ago by Egbert and associates.

Below—Phil Von Blon beside the huge bellows used in the mine blacksmith shop a half century ago.

FEBRUARY 1950 Greenriver, Utah . . . After lying dormant for nearly 30 years, mines on Temple mountain are again being worked. But this time it is uranium ore that is being sought. Randsburg, California . . . Winnemucca, Nevada . . . Cliffs along the old Spanish Trail echo Reactivation of placer claims located Ranked among the leading tungsten to the blasts that gouge out the hard near the Black Hawk mine two miles producers in the nation, the Nevada- sandstone criss-crossed by veins of red south of Randsburg was scheduled for Massachusetts company has resumed or yellow ore that is said to run high in early this year utilizing a new recovery operations at its Tungsten property, uranium content. Old dumps are also method perfected by Virgil Murray of Pershing county, with a full-scale min- being assayed and hauled to mills Van Nuys. Owner of the claims—the ing and milling schedule. The company equipped to salvage uranium from the Balatine. Silverton and Blue Bird gold began operations at start of World War low-grade ore. Mines on both South claims—is J. J. Neito, Los Angeles. An I and had never closed until last June Temple and North Temple are active.— initial crew of four men was to start when general economic conditions and Moab Times-Independent. operations with a one-yard steam low prices for tungsten forced a shut- • • • shovel. Murray is in charge.—Rands- down. From 150 to 160 men will be Goldfield. Nevada . . . burg Times-Herald. employed and more than 300 people The long-awaited activation of an- • • • will be living on the property when full- other major company in the Goldfield Albuquerque, New Mexico . . . scale operation is reached, according to mining district is expected to be realiz- High quality coal that may run to W. G. Emminger, general superintend- ed probably this spring when the Gold- more than a billion tons has been dis- ent.—Humboldt Star. field Great Bend, Ltd., is scheduled to covered in the San Juan basin of New • • • begin development of extensive hold- Mexico and Colorado. The new re- Salt Lake City, Utah . . . ings in the area. Liquidation of hold- sources were reported to Interior Sec- *The 1950 Metal Mining convention ings in Panama has held up the pro- retary Oscar L. Chapman by the U. S. and exposition of the American Mining gram in Nevada, company officials geological survey after studies on north- congress is to be held in Salt Lake say.—Goldfield News. western rim of the basin. The coal City, Utah, August 28 to 31, it has • • • deposits are said to be less than 1000 been announced. Roy A. Hardy, con- Winnemucca, Nevada . . . feet below the surface, are estimated to sulting engineer in charge, Getchell be present in beds more than 28 inches Boasting a recorded production of a Mine, Inc., Reno, has been named pro- million dollars, but closed since 1943, thick. A considerable proportion of the gram chairman, according to D. D. coal in the area is of coking quality, the the Pansy Lee mine—formerly known Moffat, chairman of the western divi- as the West Coast mine—is back in government report states. The coal is sion of the American Mining congress. said to lie in the Menefee and Fruit- operation. The mine is about 10 miles The exposition of mining equipment, to from Winnemucca. Ore is being ship- land formations.—Gallup Independent. be held concurrently with the conven- • • • ped to a Utah smelter because the mill tion, is expected to be outstanding.— at the mine was removed soon after Tonopah, Nevada . . . Humboldt Star. the property shut down in 1943. The Tonopah again has an assay office. • • • Pansy Lee was located about 25 years This famed Nevada town has for some ago, is named for the daugher of Lee time been without this service, but an Los Angeles County, California . . . Development and exploitation of the Case, in charge of operations.—Hum- office is now open at the former site of boldt Star. the West End Mining company's mill. Don claim of the Hi-Grade gold mine Ore samples may now be handled lo- in Mint canyon is reported progressing • • • cally.—Tonopah Times-Bonanza. rapidly. Arthur Lueck, Hollywood, Goldfield, Nevada . . . • • • has a lease on a block which covers 300 Mines in the Goldfield area have a feet along the strike of the vein and is mill close at hand now that the Deep Beatty, Nevada . . . 600 feet in width. Exposures of the The copper prospect located several Mines Operation of the Newmont Min- gold-bearing vein in the shaft range in ing corporation is running custom ore. years ago by the Looney brothers of width from 12 to 22 inches. Ore will Beatty is reported to be developing The mill is to treat ore from the Com- be treated in the Hi-Grade mill. Ca- bination Fraction, under lease to good showings. Four men are now pacity is being increased to approxi- employed on the ground under direc- George Metscher and associates; from mately 20 tons per day.—California the Clermont; from the Red Hill Flor- tion of Tom Beard. Larger equipment Mineral Information Service. is being moved in since ore running ence lease; from Andy Anderson's lease, 17 percent copper has been found • • • and other mines.—Goldfield News. to be not unusual.—Tonopah Times- Randsburg, California ... • • • Bonanza. A complete laboratory for the test- Mina, Nevada . . . • • • ing, assaying and quantitative analysis Lead ore averaging $100 a ton with Battle Mountain, Nevada . . . of mineral specimens has been opened some of the richest assaying up to $260 Construction of new facilities at the in Randsburg for the convenience of is reportedly being shipped from the Getchell mine near Winnemucca has miners and prospectors. The labora- Vogel property in Queen canyon where progressed rapidly and by first of this tory is located at the Big Gold and Edward Vogel discovered a vein of month the mill was scheduled to be in Tungsten mill operated by Mr. and galena ore four feet wide in the vicinity production. Equipment being added Mrs. Jack Kreta. Chemist and assayer of the old Queen mine. In the same includes a new crushing plant, new in charge is Don Duckworth, graduate area William Knight, Charles Morris 8 x 12 rod mill, new flotation section of the Stevens Institute of Technology. and Bill Ryan are developing a ledge and new classifiers. An auxiliary well The laboratory is equipped to do analy- of galena ore 26 inches wide, said to has been drilled to supply water for the sis on the rarer minerals, as well as carry high grade lead ore. Prospectors mill and for domestic purposes.—Bat- gold, silver and tungsten. — Trona are working adjoining claims.—Los tle Mountain Scout. Argonaut. Angeles Times.

28 THE DESERT MAGAZINE spent more time in quest of the Lost Selected at Pegleg than any other living person. He told of his experiences in his search for the gold, beginning in 1900, and Annual explained that out of the many versions of the Pegleg legend he selected the Strange things have been happening actor, stole the show with a clever one- one he regarded as most probable, and on this desert, if one is to believe the man skit in which a barrel cactus play- on 28 different expeditions during the yarns told around the campfire in ed the role of saving him from death by last 50 years, has clung to his original Borrego valley on New Year's eve thirst, supplying him with weapons theory. He is convinced the Pegleg when the annual Pegleg Smith Liar's with which to kill food, shoes for his gold is in the Borrego desert, and he contest was held. feet, and finally pointing the way to the presented his conclusions in convincing manner. The 500 visitors and contestants lost Pegleg mine. Chaney dramatized who sat around the big bonfire heard his story with so realistic an act he had Although not a contestant, 84-year- about cotton that grows on smoke trees, the crowd in a continuous roar of old C. E. Utt was introduced by his a burro that broke its legs and then laughter. He asked the judges to dis- friend John Hilton and told a rather turned over on its back and used its qualify him from the contest, how- amazing tale of coyotes in Baja Cali- ears for propellors, horned toads as ever, on professional grounds. fornia who with their tales catch crabs big as coyotes and petrified oysters that John Hilton, artist of Thermal, Cali- for food along the shores of lagoons. came to life and supplied food for fornia, and Cliff Eaton of El Cajon, He insisted it was a true story. starving prospectors. . . California, furnished guitar music and Harry Oliver, editor of the Desert songs between stories, and as midnight Rat Scrapbook, served as master of The winners of the contest were ceremonies, and Desert Steve Ragsdale, Dorothy Vick of Gallatin Gateway, approached John staged his annual ritual of burning some of the oil paint- Guy O. Glazier and Joe Wright of Montana, in the women's division, and Knott's Berry Farm at Buena Park, Arthur Dorsey McCain of Barstow, ings made during the previous year. California, were judges. Walter Knott California, in the men's section. He explained they were his "mistakes" sent cases of berry preserves and old- Dorothy Vick explained she and her but there were exclamations of protest time music records from his famous husband came south from Montana from the crowd as he tossed his can- Ghost Town as prizes for the contest when it got so cold up there that words vases into the flames. winners. These were presented by Ray came out of their mouths in the form Henry E. W. Wilson of Los Angeles Hetherington, member of the sponsor- of ice cubes, and they had to be put was introduced as the man who has ing committee. in a frying pan and thawed out before they knew what was being said. Then she went on to tell how she and her husband had gone down to the Bor- rego badlands and found the legendary Pegleg hill covered with black gold nuggets. They sat down on boulders Winter months are picture months on the desert—and the subject of pure gold to make plans for spend- material is unlimited: Landscapes, strange rock formations, unusual ing their new-found wealth—and then botanical specimens, wildlife, prospectors, Indians, sunsets—all these the thought came to them that it would and many more invite the camera owner. Remember, it takes the be cruel to disillusion the thousands of shadows to make the picture, but there are nearly always good shadows people who expect some day to find on the desert. The judges favor strong contrast—gray pictures do not the fabulous treasure. In the end they make good halftone reproduction. decided to leave the gold there and Entries for the February contest must be in the Desert Magazine keep its location a secret—and so office. Palm Desert, California, by February 20, and the winning prints there would be no living person who will appear in the April issue. Pictures which arrive too late for one would know just how to reach the month's contest are held over for the next month. First prize is $10; place they put blindfolds on each other second prize $5.00. For non-winning pictures accepted for publication when they left. $3.00 each will be paid. "Mac" McCain, who operates the former Pop Dillon rock and mineral HERE ARE THE RULES stand just out of Barstow, and came to 1—Prints ior monthly contests must be black and white, 5x7 or larger, printed the annual Pegleg trek in Borrego in a on glossy paper. motorized covered wagon decorated 2—Each photograph submitted should be fully labeled as to subject, time and with hundreds of old desert relics, won place. Also technical data: camera, shutter speed, hour of day, etc. the men's championship with a mono- 3—PRINTS WILL BE RETURNED WHEN RETURN POSTAGE IS ENCLOSED. logue that included a tortoise which 4—All entries must be in the Desert Magazine office by the 20th of the contest reacted like a Geiger counter when- month. 5—Contests are open to both amateur and professional photographers. Desert ever it crawled over rock containing Magazine requires first publication rights only of prize winning pictures. gold, a talking dog, and a score of 6—Time and place of photograph are immaterial, except that it must be from the other weird characters improvised for desert Southwest. the occasion. 7—Judges will be selected from Desert's editorial staff, and awards will be made One contestant was disqualified from immediately after the close of the contest each month. future participation for relating an off- Address All Entries to Photo Editor color story. The tall tales were one of many PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA entertaining and hilarious features on *De4€nt the campfire program. Lon Chaney,

FEBRUARY, 1950 29 Mild midwinter temperatures His writings are better known in Eng- there were 100 men in the field report- brought many campers to the annual land than in United States. ing directly to Nichols. Pegleg Trek and Liar's contest, and it John L. first crossed the American "I believe the maximum advance- was estimated that more than half of desert 51 years ago, and has been an ment of the welfare of the Indian will those present spread their bedrolls on ardent desert enthusiast ever since. result from this decentralization and the floor of the desert and remained With his camera he has tramped liter- the successful local integration of vari- there that night. ally thousands of miles in the South- ous Indian Service activities," Nichols In accordance with tradition, each west and Mexico gathering story ma- commented. visitor was required to deposit ten terial—and just enjoying the kind of In the Southwest, area directors are: life he likes best. rocks on the Pegleg monument which Eric T. Hagberg, Albuquerque, New is slowly rising at the site of the annual The one thing that annoys him more Mexico—The states of Colorado and program. During the past year a fine than anything else is to be mistaken New Mexico. He has been acting register, housed in a metal box, was for a tenderfoot. superintendent of the United Pueblos placed there by Desert Steve Ragsdale Agency since May, 1946. The all- as a visitor's guest book. Gene Segerblom, who wrote this Pueblo council urged that he be re- month's "Desert Playground" feature tained permanently. for Desert Magazine is a native daugh- Allan G. Harper, Window Rock, ter of Nevada and the mother of two Arizona—The Navajo and Hopi re- small children, Robin aged five, and servations in Arizona. Since June of Richard, 15 months. 1949 he had been general superintend- Her interesting story about the Lake ent of the Navajo reservation. A sep- Mead recreational area is illustrated arate superintendency will be main- with pictures taken by two of the tained at Keams Canyon, Arizona, but Among veteran journalists of United Southwest's best photographers, Cliff will report directly to Harper's new States few men have had a longer or Segerblom, her husband, and William area office. more active writing and editing career Belknap, Jr., of the Belknap Photo- James M. Stewart, Sacramento, Cali- than John L. Von Blon whose "Lost graphic Services. fornia—All of the state of California. Gold of Salt Spring" is published by He has been state director since June, Desert Magazine this month. They all make their home at Boulder City where Cliff is associated with the 1949. John L. was born in Ohio 79 years Belknap photo studios. Walter V. Woehlke, Phoenix, Ari- ago. He went from university into ac- zona—Arizona (excepting the Navajo tive journalism in 1890 and after serv- Gene was graduated from the Uni- versity of Nevada in 1940 and fol- and Hopi reservations) and Utah (ex- ing as city editor on eastern newspap- cept the Intermountain school at Brig- ers became a special writer for Warren lowing their marriage she and Cliff went to Panama canal zone in 1941. ham City). He has had broad exper- Harding, then publisher of the Marion ience in the desert Southwest. Star of Ohio. He and the man who There he was in charge of a photo lab- was later to become president were oratory for the Army Air Corps' Pan- close friends, and the letters written by ama depot. They returned to the ANSWERS TO TRUE OR FALSE Harding to Von Blon are now in the United States in 1948 and came to Questions are on page 16. Library of Congress. Nevada because they like the desert 1—True. country better than the jungles. Gene 2—False. Furnace Creek Inn is op- Later John came west at the request has written articles for Popular Me- erated by Death Valley Hotel of General Otis to serve as city editor chanics, Pacific Motor Boat, Outdoors- Co., Ltd. of the Los Angeles Times and was man and the Christian Science Moni- 3—False. There is no law protecting there from 1898 to 1916. For eight tor in the last six months. dead ironwood. years he was publicity director for the 4—True. Los Angeles Athletic club and later be- Bill Belknap was in the navy during 5—False. Horses were first brought came an associate editor of Westways. the war and assigned to the White to America by Europeans. During World War II he was manag- House as official photographer. He 6—False. Sandstone is a sedimen- accompanied the Truman party to tary rock. ing editor of Basic Bombardier, the 7—True. official publication of the great Basic Potsdam and later came to Boulder City to establish his own photo service. 8—True. Juniper is seldom found Magnesium plant near Las Vegas. growing below 2,000 feet, never More recently he has retired to a little He and Cliff have covered many of the below sea level. desert cabin at Daggett, California, not least explored sections of the West on 9—True. far from the home of his friend Judge photographic assignments, and they 10—False. Elephant Butte dam is in supply many pictures for national Dix Van Dyke, to do free lance writ- New Mexico. magazines. ing. 11—True. • • e During an active journalistic career 12—True. 13—False. Ubehebe crater in Death of 60 years, he has written for nearly INDIAN BUREAU ACTIVITIES DECENTRALIZED BY NICHOLS Valley has been extinct since long every leading magazine in the country, before America was discovered and his syndicated articles have been Reorganization of the field services by Columbus. of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, de- translated into a half dozen languages. 14_True. signed to decentralize many of the 15—True. activities carried on by the bureau in 16—False. Smoke trees are short- Calif. Ore. Wash. Ida. Washington, has been completed un- lived compared with other desert der direction of Commissioner John R. trees. COUNTY MAPS 17—True. for Travelers, Homeseekers, Prospectors Nichols. Eleven area directors have List and prices on request FREE been named, and these will report di- 18—False. State university of Arizona rectly to Commissioner Nichols in is at Tucson. WORLD'S MINERALS Washington, as will 10 superintendents 19—True. 2417 San Pablo Ave. Oakland 12. Calif. of detached field offices. Formerly 20—True.

30 THE DESERT MAGAZINE *De&ent

ARIZONA Indian Traders Adopt Code ... GANADO — Traders from the In- Tribes Asked to Submit Plans ... dian country of Arizona, New Mexico, PHOENIX — All Southwest Indian Utah, Colorado and California gath- tribes have been asked by Indian Com- ered at year's end in Gallup, New Mex- missioner John R. Nichols to draw up ico, and adopted a code of trading rehabilitation programs similar to the practices for the Navajo and Hopi In- 88-million-dollar Navajo-Hopi plan dian reservations. Adoption of a code, pending in congress, and to submit the it was decided would be soundest plans for consideration. "We will try method of regulating trading on the to get them through congress," Nichols reservation and would help enhance the declared. He said the federal govern- good reputation of traders in the eyes ment should complete the task of re- of the Indians, the public and the gov- habilitating reservation Indians before ernment. shifting the load to states. Roads, Traders play an important role in the schools, medical facilities are most life of Indians, particularly on isolated needed.—Gallup Independent. reaches of the reservations. They buy the Indian's products, supply him with necessities, serve as his banker. Pur- Precautions to Avoid Tragedy ... pose of the code is to standardize busi- GREATEST DESERT WASHINGTON — In hopes of ness practices and eliminate practices avoiding another tragedy such as oc- by individual traders which damage the DATE SHOW curred in last winter's blizzard, when good name of all Indian traders, and to At Russ Nicoll's world-famous thousands of Navajo Indians in Ari- protect Indians from unscrupulous zona suffered severely from lack of treatment or excessive prices. Traders food and clothing, the bureau of In- also pledge themselves to help educate dian affairs has made extensive plans the Indians in sound business proce- to prepare the Indians for a possible dures.—Gallup Independent. repetition of the record storms. Allen 'Date G. Harper, general superintendent of "Ill the Valley of the Palms" the Navajo reservation with headquart- WINSLOW—Lawrence W. Pattison ers at Window Rock, Arizona, said the Featuring our delicious, exclusive | has assumed charge of the Chevalon confection problem of communications has been ranger district in the Sitgreaves Na- solved for this winter, warehouses have tional forest, with headquarters in been stocked with clothing and as much Winslow. He replaces District Ranger Vate-TUt in other commodities as the budget H. V. Allen, transferred to Flagstaff.—• fresh baked in our own ovens would permit. Holbrook Tribune-News. ALSO . . . Candy of the Palms Date Loaf Sticks Date Butter Date Crunchies "Alldate" Syrup Brandied Dates Creamy Soft Dates TRADITIONAL M

FEBRUARY, 1950 31 Restoration Plans Advanced ... TOMBSTONE—A board of directors has been chosen, articles of in- THE D€S€RT TRADING POST corporation have been filed and ap- Classified Advertising in This Section Costs 8c a Word, $1.00 Minimum Per Issue parently the program to restore much of Tombstone to its 1880 appearance PANNING GOLD — Another hobby for Rock is well underway. Hope is to make INDIAN GOODS Hounds and Desert Roamers. A new booklet, the one-time rip-roaring mining camp DEAR CUSTOMERS: Sorry we have no catalog. "What the Beginner Needs to Know," 36 pages Because we handle Indian Artifacts and each of instructions; also catalogue of mining books "the show place of the West." In- piece is distinctive, cost would be prohibitive. and prospectors supplies, maps of where to go cluded in the proposed project is the We have lots of old and new rugs, baskets, and blueprints of hand machines you can jewelry and ceremonial things. Plenty of build. Mailed postpaid 25c, coin or stamps. replacing of modern signs with the type rocks and minerals, gold specimens and nug- Old Prospector, Box 21 B 334, Dutch Flat, gets. We also have Chimayo blankets, coats California. prevalent in the early '80s; putting the and purses. We will be glad to ship. Tell us old style fronts back on buildings; lay- what you want and send the money. Daniel's DESERT WOODCRAFT—Fine gift items made Trading Post, 401 W. Foothill Blvd., Fontana, from Ironwood, Mesquite, Cactus. Bowls ing wooden sidewalks; replacing side- California. 8 x l'/2, $6.00. Beautiful color and grain. Other bowls of various sizes and design. walk overhangs which were in Tomb- FOUR VERY FINE ancient Indian Arrowheads, Cactus book-ends $6.00. Table lamps $8.00 to SI.00; 4 tiny perfect bird arrowheads, $1.00; $12.00 including special matching shades, stone in the early days.—Tombstone 1 ancient stone tomahawk, $1.00; 2 flint skin- postpaid. Also coffee tables, end tables and Epitaph. ning knives, $1.00; 1 large flint hoe, $1.00; 2 floor lamps. First time offered anywhere—I spearheads, $1.00; 10 arrowheads from 10 have a special treatment which brings out a • • states, $1.00; 20 damaged arrowheads, $1.00; the natural yellow color in the cactus. Finely 10 fish sealers, $1.00; 10 hide scrapers, $1.00; finished in Lacquer. Anything made to order. Gila River Flood Dikes ... 4 perfect saw edged arrowheads, $1.00. The See display in Palm Desert Book Shop or above 11 offers $10.00, postpaid. List Free. write to D. R. Jones, Craftsman, Palm Desert, Lears, Kirby, Arkansas. DUNCAN—Situated along the Gila California. river in eastern Arizona near the New HAND MADE MOCCASIN: Soft "Buck Tanned" leather trimmed with nickle silver conchas set KODACHROME SLIDES ON APPROVAL. Gla- Mexico border, the town of Duncan with turquoise color stone, wool shearing cier, Banff, Jasper. Mtn. Goats, Mtn. Sheep, insoles—for indoor or outdoor wear. Women's Bears. Moose, Deer, Lakes, Mountains, Sun- is at least doing something about flood sizes 4 to 9, $5.95, Men's 6 to 12, $6.95, pre- sets and many others to select from. Round protection. A control dike is to be built paid, cash with order. Satisfaction guaranteed. out your series from our collection. Also Make ideal gifts with name embossed in gold other Western National Parks. Douglas starting about a mile south of the main on sole if desired at no extra charge. Photos Whiteside, Yosemite National Park, California. on request. Mohave Gem Shop, Kingman, section of the town, will reach a height Arizona. FLUORESCENT TURITELLA and other type Paperweights, $2.50 each. Exclusive pattern. of 12 feet at its highest point. Besides Letter Openers $2.50 to $3.50. Clay Ledbetter, protecting the town and its residents, BOOKS — MAGAZINES 2126 McKenzie, Waco, Texas. the dike will remove flood hazards BOOK OF CACTI for the amateur collector. LADY GODIVA "The World's Finest Beautifier." Describes and classifies over 500 varieties, For women who wish to become beautiful, for from U. S. Highway 70, it is believ- over 200 photographs. Subjects on care, their women who wish to remain beautiful. An ed.—Lordsburg Liberal. culture, how to plant in rock gardens and outstanding desert cream. For information, pots. Sent postpaid $1.00. Discount to dealers. write or call Lola Barnes, 963 No. Oakland, Published by M. Nowotny, 1401 Broadway, Pasadena 6, Calif, or phone SYcamore 4-2378. • • • San Antonio, Texas. COLOR SLIDES^Travel, Nature, Geology, etc. Indians Good Loan Risks ... BOOKFINDERS—Scarce, out of print, unusual Free list (with sample 30c, three for dollar). books quickly supplied. Send wants. Clifton, Kelly D. Choda, Box 5, Los Alamos, New WASHINGTON—Records show the Box 1377d, Beverly Hills, California. Mexico. Indian is a good risk for federal loans. "GOLD PANNING FOR PROFIT." Healthy out- He has repaid so promptly that the door hobby. Beginners big illustrated instruc- THREE DIMENSION, Cactus framed desert land- tion book—$1.00. Miners' gold pans, $2.00. scape pictures, size 6x8x2, $3.00; 8 x 13 x 2, Indian affairs office wants to make Prospectors' powerful magnifying glass, $1.00. $5.00. The Special 10 x 20 x 2Vi, $10.00. Package black sand and real gold, $1.00. Diorama Studios, 1225 N. Anita, Tucson, Ariz. more money available to loan to tribes Desert Jim, 627 Lillian, Stockton, California. KODACHROMES of Cathedral Valley, newly dis- in several states. Theory is that loans PALM SPRINGS PICTORIAL: 21st Annual Issue, covered scenic area in Utah; or colorful Capi- may hasten the time when federal sup- 45c by mail, or ask your newsdealer. Pictorial, tol Reef National Monument. Sets of 10, $5.00 465 No. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, Charles Kelly, Torrey, Utah. ervision over tribes can be reduced. California. PROSPECTORS AND ROCKHOUNDS WANTED. Indian agency files show that losses on URANIUM PROSPECTOR'S Handbook, $1.00; To join the newly Incorporated United Pros- loans up to end of the last fiscal year non-technical, complete, Dept. T., Craft- pectors Organization. If you are experienced Connor Publishing Co., 601 S. Vermont, Los or beginners the articles in our magazine are were less than one-half of one percent. Angeles 5. California. bound to help you enjoy your hobby and the outdoors. Send your name for our new bro- And 95.27 percent of all money due chure and literature. United Prospectors, Box was paid on schedule. REAL ESTATE 13, Dutch Flat, California. DESERT LOTS: $129 to $179. Why pay more? • • • 60 cycle electricity and water available. Lots BURIED METAL LOCATORS. Army SCR-625 are '/2 block south of Highways 60, 70, 80 mine (metallic) detectors, $49.95 complete. on Main St. in Evelyn Subdivision, in fast Mayhall Appliance Co., Belmont, Mississippi. Remembers Early Tombstone... growing Superstition Village. 14'/2 miles east of Mesa. (Trailers Welcome.) Wm. Hughes, OLD PHOTOGRAPHS WANTED—Desert Maga- TOMBSTONE —A man who re- Rt. 2, Box 594-A, Mesa, Arizona. zine staff is seeking pictures of the late Frank members when first cottonwood trees Coffee, veteran prospector who spent the HOT MINERAL WATER. Enjoy your own latter years of his life at Dos Palmas spring were planted in Tombstone in 1882 Nature-heated swimming pool. Five acres with east of Mecca, California. Loaned pictures or well—temperature 110 to 170 degrees—$8500. negatives will be returned after copies are and who witnessed the lynching of Arthrittcs should investigate. R. H. McDonald, made. Address Editor, Desert Magazine, Palm John Heath visited the one-time Ari- Box 21, Phone 143, Desert Hot Springs, Calif. Desert, California. FOR SALE: 5 acres very fine warm grape land, zona boom town recently. He is Ray level, canal water, piped, utilities, paved road. DINOSAURIAN MATERIAL. Thumb-nail collec- I. Swain, last member of one of Tomb- Near Valerie Jean Date Shop. Price $5000. tion. Consists of one gastrolith (Dinosaur giz- Ronald L. Johnson, Thermal, California. ard, or stomach, stone) and 15 thumb-nail size stone's first families. His father was specimens of petrified dinosaur bone. These HOME SITE near Borrego Springs for sale by small, but select, specimens will average about an early-day lawyer in Tombstone. owner. R. Lee Stowe, 1648 Cota Ave., Long Vi inch by % inch in size and are a repre- Beach, California. sentative series of the various types and colors Swain now lives in San Francisco.— of petrified dinosaur bone found in this lo- Tombstone Epitaph. OCOTILLO: A fast developing desert resort 26 cality. All sixteen specimens postpaid for 25c. miles west of El Centro on Highway 80. Resi- W. C. Minor, Box 62, Fruita, Colorado. dential lots with water rights in mutual water Co., $250. Abundance of high grade soft water. PALM SPRINGS and the desert. Articles, pic- Business opportunities. Get in on ground KARAKULS—Producers of Persian Lamb fur tures, information. Sample 45c. Subscription floor. Send for circular. ALPINE: high class are easy to raise, adaptable to any climate $3.50 a year. Villager Magazine, Palm Springs, homesites, 1 acre or more with water already or altitude. For further information write California. developed for irrigation gaden, fruit trees, Addis Kelley, 4637 E. 52nd Place, Maywood, etc. All year delightful and healthful climate. California. 20 OLD WESTERN outlaw photos, $1.00. 20 dif- Grand view of ocean. John C. Chalupnik, ferent Old West, Pioneer, etc., photos, $1.00. Ocotillo, via Plaster City, California. FRED AND JESSIE PORTER welcome you to 10 different battle of Wounded Knee 50c. SHOOT!!! your pictures of "Ghost Town of 5 different Lincoln 25c. Lists 5c. Vernon Lem- Calico" and mountains in miniature, at the ley Store, 302 Dallas Ave., Mena, Arkansas. MISCELLANEOUS "POW-WOW" Trading Post, Hiway 91, Yermo. Calif. The hub of Rock-hounds Paradise. SILVERY DESERT HOLLY PLANTS. One dollar Crystals, cutting material in rough or slabbed. FOR SALE: Large Blue limestone deposit. Tests each postpaid. Greasewood Greenhouses, RFD, Uranium, highly fluorescent, and specimens run 85 to 99%. Near rail and road. Inquire Barstow, California. Harold V. Sims, P. O. Box 16, San Jacinto, Miniature cactus, gifts and souvenirs. California.

32 THE DESERT MAGAZINE Fort Huachuca Gets Antelope . . . perial county had a hard decision tc TOMBSTONE —To reestablish the make recently when opposing groups species in the southern part of Arizona, appeared at a public hearing to consid- 60 antelope have been transferred from er the status of the desert road con- Anderson mesa to the 43,000-acre Fort necting Niland and Blythe. Huachuca game management area. This road is of considerable impor- Buffalo, wild turkey, chukkar part- tance to the public, as it is a link in the ridge and California mountain quail Four States Highway connecting the have also been released in the area. Mexican and Canadian borders, and is A choice of Trains The region already has a good popu- of special interest to rock collectors lation of white tail deer and mule and prospectors because it is an access to deer.—Tombstone Epitaph. route into the Chuckawalla geode field. • • • Naval officers appeared before the Cotton Big Cash Crop . . . board to ask that the road be closed to CHICAGO CHANDLER—Close to $6,000,000 travel as it crosses their jet plane fight- is the estimated value of the 1949 cot- er and machine gunning range. Resi- and the ton crop in the Chandler area. When dents of northern Imperial county pro- ginning is completed in March, the four tested the closing, stating that this road EAST Chandler gins expect to have ginned is too important to be blocked for nearly 45,000 bales. This will be 17,- 000 bales more than the record crop MARY COSTER'S DOUBLE J RANCH ever harvested in the Chandler dis- in Beautiful Lucerne Valley A guest ranch with a friendly hospitable trict.—Chandler Arizonan. atmosphere. Good food—clean comfortable • • • accommodations. Riding, Swimming, Square Dancing, Steak Fries. CALIFORNIA Fun and Relaxation Contact travel agents or write direct. Navy Wins First Round ... MARY COSTER'S DOUBLE J RANCH Lucerne Valley, California EL CENTRO — Supervisors of Im-

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Los Angeles: 434 West Sixth Street or Riverside County Fair and Union Station • Phone TRinity 9211 NATIONAL DATE FESTIVAL At Fairgrounds — Indio, California February 17-18-19-20-21-22. 1950 FREE "ARABIAN NIGHTS" PAGEANT HORSE SHOW CAMEL RACES U N I O MANY OTHER OUTSTANDING FEATURES PACIFIC FEBRUARY, 1950 33 naval training when other unoccupied Report on Gulf Highway ... 7 JEWELS I desert areas can serve the navy equally CALEXICO — Recent motorists 3 Year SERVICE GUARANTEE well. who have made the 140-mile trip from • Sweep Second Hand C Ha QC • Radiant Dial * ^T **& The supervisors finally reached a Calexico to San Felipe on the Gulf of • Chrome Case ^w.Paid California report that the rock fill • Leather Band %# Add compromise agreement with the naval • Shock, Watet Resist 60c Tax acrossthe great salt desert at the head Special! Order today! Money Back authorities and ordered the road closed if not satisfied. Sorry, no C.O.D.'s. from 6:00 a. m. to 1:00 p. m. four of th* gulf has been completed, but ELCO PRODUCTS CO.,3805 Braadway, K.C.2MD. days a week, Monday through Thurs- that the road is still corrugated along day. Residents of the area affected much of the way. They recommend have threatened to secede and form a against trying to take a trailer or a new MY TWIN DOLL new desert county if the supervisors do car over the highway until further work LOOKS JUST LIKE ME not rescind their action. is completed. Work is still being done • • • on the road, but the engineers in charge have not yet announced a completion Range Cattle Fattened ... date. BLYTHE—Range cattle from Ne- • • • vada, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona and other western states pour into Califor- Tramway Believed Assured ... nia to spend the winter. By mid-winter PALM SPRINGS—Construction of 617 carloads of beef cattle and sheep the world's highest and longest aerial had come by rail to Palo Verde valley tramway, which will scale the tower- along the Colorado river to be fattened ing slope of Mt. San Jacinto, is sched- for market. Some of the cattle go to uled to start in February of this year feed yards, some are turned into irri- with completion expected by December gated pastures to eat their fill of green 1, 1951, according to Earl Coffman, feed. Thousands of feeder beef cattle heading the project. When finished, and sheep are also wintered in Cali- the tramway will take tourists and vis- fornia's rich Imperial valley, where the itors from near Palm Springs, on the livestock industry is big business too.— desert, to the wooded heights of the Palo Verde Valley Times. San Jacinto mountains in a matter of minutes. Opposition to the project • • • THE CHILD AND DOLL ARE has been expressed by individuals and IDENTICAL TWINS Banning as "County Seat" ... groups who fear that one of the few Your child's face, hand tinted, is the face BANNING—Riverside county sup- remaining primitive areas will be ex- on this fascinating doll created in Holly- wood. See your child's actual personality re- ervisors have been invited by the Ban- ploited and spoiled if made too readily produced on this amazing playmate. Send ning chamber of commerce to move accessible.—The Desert Sun. photo or snapshot (full face) giving color of eyes and hair. Photo returned intact along the county seat from the City of River- • • • with sturdy stand-up twin doll, plus 2 complete paper wardrobes, 1 in full color; 1 for side to Banning in San Gorgonio pass. "Queen" Returns to Desert... the child to color. Price only $2.00 postpaid. Supervisors and the county attorney Delivery in about 2 weeks. A perfect gift BARSTOW—Grace Finley Walker, or keepsake. Delight your child NOW—order have told the Banning boosters of legal one for her TODAY. nationally known as the Queen of Cop- difficulties involved, and that only way per City, has returned to her home MY TWIN DOLL CO.. Dept. 42 the matter can be brought up for a town of Barstow. The woman who 8424 Melrose Avenue special election is by obtaining a peti- prospected alone in the Mojave desert, Hollywood 46, California tion with some 50,000 signatures.— finally struck rich ore, is back and is Indio Date Palm. looking for someone to grubstake her for another venture into the desert. She says she knows where there are ore de- HERE'S MORE HOUSE posits "within 20 miles of Barstow."— Barstow Printer-Review. . . . FOR YOUR MONEY • • • Rodeo Head is Named ... PALM SPRINGS—Trav Rogers has been named general chairman of the annual Palm Springs rodeo and dates of the event have been set for February 4 and 5. The western show has received the sanction of the Internation- al Rodeo association and the Rodeo Cowboys' association has approved the event. Thus top-notch riders and rop- HOMES of DISTINCTION ers and the wildest animals will be Built With Call for Estimates — Plans Available available.—The Desert Sun. Investigate now. Year 'round comfort, low • • • heating costs. Cool in summer. Low cost Noted Explorer-Publisher Dies . . . maintenance. Build with "Precision Built" DEATH VALLEY—George Palmer concrete, pumice and red cinder blocks. Desert Putnam, 63, died at Trona hospital cinder blocks for desert homes. January 4 after being under treatment four weeks for uremic poisoning and TRANSIT MIXED CONCRETE CO. internal hemorrhages. Owner and op- 3464 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena 8. California erator of Stovepipe Wells hotel, he has SYcamore 3-8133 RYan 1-6329 ATlantic 2-5104 been well known as explorer, publisher and writer.

34 THE DESERT MAGAZINE Secession Move Still Alive ... entries are being filed rapidly, each for Pioneer Editor Dies ... BLYTHE—Agitation for formation the maximum of 320 acres, with the RENO—R. L. (Dick) Richie, pio- of a new Desert county to include the bureau of land management, it is es- neer Nevada newspaperman and min- desert area of Riverside county is ap- timated the total may reach 200. A ing authority, died on Christmas night parently increasing instead of dying water company has already been form- at the age of 80. Richie had been out. Newspapers from Banning east- ed and preliminary steps have been closely associated with Nevada's rich ward are reporting more interest in the taken to lay out a townsite. Wells mining developments near the turn of plan, which was first offered by Desert are being drilled and water resources the century, and had a hand in much Rat Harry Oliver and now has serious closely investigated.—Goldfield News. of the state's early colorful history. support of influential desert leaders. • • • He published the Nevada Mining Press An idea of the size of Riverside county Cattlemen Choose Winnemucca . . . until last spring.—Salt Lake Tribune. may be gained from the fact that the WINNEMUCCA—An invitation ex- Blythe supervisor must travel 174 miles tended by the Humboldt County cham- A N one way to attend meetings of the ber of commerce has been accepted FURNACE CREEK INN VIV county board at the Riverside court- by the Nevada Cattlemen's Associa- FURNACE CREEK RANCH EUROPEAN PLAN house.—Palo Verde Valley Times. tion and that group will hold its 1950 CK 1g

NEVADA People Still Want Land ... ESMERALDA COUNTY — Proof that the pioneering spirit is not dead may be found in the rush for desert land in the Fish Lake valley area of Esmeralda county where potentially rich agricultural land has been thrown open for desert entry. Desert land ftatwa designed by bartolucci-waldheim U. S. GOVERNMENT LAND Rest such as you never experienced before Government 5-acre tracts selected. Govern- Head to toe floating comfort removes all sense of weight ment 5-acre tracts surveyed by Licensed Land The secret is a "feet high" principle that stimulates circulation Surveyors. Corners set and flagged. $12.00 to Perfectly balanced—two positions—reclining or sitting $25.00 per 5-acre tract in groups on accessible sections. Certified maps furnished with Made of sturdy 1 Vi inch aluminum tubing—steel springs which to obtain Deed or Patent, and County Replaceable, water repellant canvas covers Recorder's needs. Water Sources, Cabin Plans Blue - Rust - Green - Turquoise - Yellow - White and Costs Furnished. Services, Roads and Wells provided. All your details expertly Rose - Chartreuse - Coral - Mist Green - Red handled by State Licensed Persons. An entirely new type of service. Send complete $29.95 legal description of your 5-acre tract for full information. Enclose stamps for reply. MANUFACTURED BY COLONEL E. B. MOORE, Hon. Res. Retd. Expert on The Great American Desert United States Government Lands Joshua Tree 231 E. Angeleno Ave. Kalph Elliott Company California Burbank, California 3227 East Fowler St. Los Angeles 33, California Phone: Angelus 9-5533

FEBRUARY, 1950 35 Ranges Being Improved ... register with the county clerk before 70 years, the historic Santa Fe Trail AUSTIN—With the help of Uncle they leave. County officials have on is being retraced on foot by a man and Sam, the trend on Nevada range lands record time of departure, area where a tiny mule. Edwin Gallinagh and his is being reversed. Vast areas which prospectors expect to work, length of hardy companion started from Santa had been damaged by overgrazing and time food supply will last and approxi- Fe on New Year's day, hope to reach other ill-advised practices are being mate date of scheduled return.—Gold- Kansas City, Missouri, by June 3. On improved by developing springs, drill- field News. that date Kansas City will open its cen- ing wells, protecting grazing regions • • • tennial celebration. It will be an 830- and sowing forage seed. Cattle tend Newspaper Anniversary Marked . . . mile overland trek. to stay close to water and are likely to PIOCHE—Founded in 1870 when Accompanying Gallinagh will be overgraze the land near watering Pioche was a roaring boom camp of Little Mo, said to be the smallest Mis- places. Development of additional the early West, the Pioche Record is souri mule on record. Little Mo stands watering places spreads livestock out now celebrating its 80th anniversary less than 36 inches high, is two years for feed, helps prevent overgrazing. in a new building which has risen from old. The travellers will not follow Grazing land is also being fenced and ashes of a fire last August. It is the highways, but will go for the most part thousands of acres have been reseed- second oldest newspaper in Nevada, through foothills of the Rockies and ed. Proper management is important has seen history made from the admin- over plains where vast herds of buffalo too, cattle and sheep are grazed at the istration of President Ulysses S. Grant once grazed. Gallinagh plans to cover proper time and in reasonable num- up to the present administration of a maximum of 10 miles a day, camp- bers.—Reese River Reveille. Harry S. Truman. Early copies of the ing along the route. • • • paper report the last of the Indian wars Safety First for Prospectors ... in which era Custer's command was • • • GOLDFIELD—Lone Wolf pros- annihilated. The paper has existed War Declared on Billboards . . . through an eventful 80 years. pecting is at best a dangerous business. TAOS—The war against highway To prevent such tragedies as that • • • billboards is spreading in New Mexico. which cost the life of Dan McCarty Mine Tailings Spoil Water . . . Latest chapter of the New Mexico during last winter's blizzard, prospec- FALLON—Dumping of mine tail- Roadside council has been formed in tors going into the hills are urged to ings in the Carson river is raising seri- Taos, where 34 "undesirable" bill- ous problems, according to report of boards were noted in a recent survey. BARBEQUE the state fish and game department. The New Mexico Roadside council was A study has disclosed that livestock NEW SENSATION organized by a group of sign-hating won't drink the water unless forced to Santa Fe residents who don't want the do so, and that cattle which do drink state's scenic highways to become "bill- it suffer ill effects. Fish are reportedly board alleys."—El Crepusculo. dying, and vegetation in irrigation ditches has been killed, according to • • • Fred Wright, state biologist. Ranchers CARLSBAD—A new potash mine along the river have complained to the may be opened here, it is believed, fol- state.—Fallon Standard. lowing the visit of George Zoffman, • • • president of Duval of Texas Sulfur NEW MEXICO company. If plans go ahead, it will Sante Fe Trail Retraced ... be a multi-million-dollar project. —- SANTA FE —Unused for almost Eddy County News.

FOR SALE "VISTA GRANDE" — Tomorrow's House Today" Indoor - Outdoor - All Purpose BEAUTIFUL - MODERN - SPACIOUS CHARCOAL BROILER • The revolutionary new CHARCOOK enables Elevation 712 feet, overlooking Borrego Valley from Yaqui Pass to Coyote Canyon. YOU to charcoal broil streaks, fish, fowl, etc., Located on three-acre estate at foot of Sleeping Indian Mountain, near Hoberg's Desert every day—any season right in your own home— Resort and private landing field. Built for comfortable year-round desert living in Borrego brings outdoor living indoors—gives food that tantalizing outdoor flavor and leftovers can be Springs, which Ponce de Leon must have overlooked. Arthritic and asthmatic conditions glamorized. disappear like magic. • Made of nickel plated steel (unconditionally guaranteed)—10'/2" grill—ash and drip pan elim- Write or visit VERNON M. NIDEVER, Owner-Builder, 220 Verbena Drive inates dirt and grease—compact-proven over 90% smokeless—requires no kindling (lights over your gas or electric stove in seconds). Also perfect for garden, picnics, camping, etc. A large bag of our finest hickory and hardwood charcoal is included FREE with each CHARCOOK. «L* QC Order now, immediate delivery, costs only *^#a" No. C.O.D.'s Add .55 for shipping costs in USA. CLIFF'S TRADING POST Crestline. California ORDBK BY MAIL CLIFF'S TRADING POST CRESTLINE, CALIF, Please send ( ) CHARCOOKS at $4.95 each with free bag of charcoal—plus 55c for shipping f SINGLE ... $2.50 TO $3.50 costs, and 15c state sales tax if you live in California. / DOUBLE... $4.00 TO $6.00 Enclosed $ ^TELEVISION IN GUEST ROOMS Name Address L - '•'• ''.'."- •.•.•.• -.-.w.'.''-[- ~-± . .'.- . . T • ^ te-. ^^*' ">w * .-* ^ ^- \. ^ City State

36 THE DESERT MAGAZINE Ceremonial Dates Anounced . . . Quilts Instead of Blankets ... GALLUP—Dates for the 29th an- ST. GEORGE—Indian women on "EVERYTHING FOR THE HIKER" nual Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial the Shivwit reservation are being help- have been set. The famed festival of ed to keep warm this winter. Mrs. SLEEPING BAGS Indian dances is to be presented Aug- Henry Graff, appointed by the state ust 10-13, Thursday through Sunday, relief society, has been going each week AIR MATTRESSES it has been decided by the board of to the reservation to teach the women SMALL TENTS directors. Improvements to the how to piece and make quilts. The and many other items grounds are planned before this sum- Shivwit women are reportedly highly mer's show, an event which attracts pleased with their handiwork.—Wash- thousands of visitors to the Gallup area ington County News. VAN DEGRIFT'S HIKE HUT each year.—Gallup Independent. • • • 717 West Seventh Street • • • Good Year for San Juan ... LOS ANGELES 14. CALIFORNIA Quail Need Water Too ... MONTICELLO—It was a good year LAS CRUCES—Five sites in Santa in San Juan county. A review of 1949 Fe county and eight in Bernalillo coun- shows above normal precipitation pro- ty have been selected and work has vided moisture for the largest wheat started on installation of quail water- crop in history of the county. More ing units, the state wildlife restoration than 40,000 acres of winter wheat had UNBELIEVABLE! service reports. The work is part of a been planted, growers were blessed rive-year quail and dove habitat im- with an average yield of 33 bushels per • • » ^ - » r i ^ ^ provement program, confined at pres- acre. Ranges also produced abundant- ent to the upper Rio Grande valley. ly. The county's 16,000 head of cat- Quail "guzzlers" have been developed tle and 63,000 head of sheep did ex- HOME in California's arid regions with highly ceptionally well. Other crops grown PLUS... satisfactory results.—Las Cruces Citi- in the county were above average.— Full Membership in zen. San Juan Record. • • • The Law of the West... POOL HOPE—They still make it hard on cattle thieves in the West. Sixteen AND men have been sentenced to the state penitentiary in the past six months for stealing cattle from members of the TENNIS Cl New Mexico Cattle Growers associa- ALL tion, according to President G. W. Evans.—Penasco Valley News. • • • SANTA ROSA —The new year '10,950 started off for residents of Santa Rosa with first carrier delivery of mail in the FULL PRICE town's history. The new service was ATTRACTIVE TERMS inaugurated January 2.—Santa Rosa Everything under the sun for a' News. glorious desert vacation. 35-acre • • • garden estate with every facility PROVINCIAL for rest or play. Traditional des- Favorable weather conditions and ert hospitality, luxurious accom- PALM SPRINGS above-average rainfall gives promise modations, superb food. Ad- of more green feed in most sections of vance reservations suggested. OUTPOST ESTATES New Mexico. Range conditions last 14 1 s t SEASON fall were good, should be good this i 11 (1 <' i• original spring and summer.—Lordsburg Lib- THE I ownership and eral. management of DESERT I Nellie X.Coffman, • • • Earl Coffman, UTAH INN George Roberson. UK ANCEUS Of IKE: 1031 5. U WEA. LOS ANGELES », CAIIF., WtfctNr 016 Stay Off Bombing Ranges ... WENDOVER—Heed the "Danger, Keep Off" signs with which bombing ranges in the Utah desert are posted. WHERE PALMS GROW WUV This is the warning issued by air force In Palm Canyon, 5 miles south of Palm Springs, is the officials to geologists, prospectors, largest native palm oasis in Southern California—where ranchers and desert visitors who might visitors are always welcome to wander among the chance to wander on to a desert target majestic trees and enjoy the beauty of one of the desert's range. Bombing planes from the March most lovely canyons. You are invited also to inspect the lovely display of genuine Indian silver work, weaving, Air Force base in California use the pottery, basketry and other crafts in Dean Kirk's Utah desert for target practice. The huge ships fly at 26,000 feet and higher PALM CANYON TRADING POST from where persons on the ground can- situated on "The Bench" where you park your car at the head of the trail leading down into the park of stately not be seen from the planes, nor can Washingtonia palms. Visitors are always welcome. the planes usually be seen from the ground.—Salt Lake Tribune.

FEBRUARY, 1950 37 Lehman Cave National Monument is closed until next March 15, according to Max R. W.ainwright, superin- them books o' his'n about Musk tendent. The Monument is to be open Rose and some o' them sweet-smell- on a seven-day basis during the spring MardKock Shorty ing plants they use in making per- and summer travel season.—Millard fume. He got the idea that if he'd County Chronicle. feed them scented flowers to skunks of it'd turn that foul odor o' their'n into a sweet perfume. Then he'd take Death some o' them perfumed skunks down to Hollywood and start a fad. Everybody'd want a pet skunk Valley around to make the house smell sweet. Bill had it all figgered out. "Must be some skunks around He'd sell a thousand skunks a year here," exclaimed the visitor who had at ten bucks apiece. Then he could quit muckin' ore at that low grade just stopped at Hard Rock Shorty's mine o' his. cabin to ask about roads. He sniffed the air again, and evidently did not "He sent to the seed houses and enjoy the odor. got a lot o' seed to plant in his gar- "Yep, lot's o' skunks," answered den at Eight Ball crick, and ordered Shorty. "Country's been overrun with some traps from the mail order 'em ever since Pisgah Bill got that house to ketch the skunks with. Bill crazy idea o' havin' a skunk farm." worked all summer packin' boxes out to the spring to make cages for "Skunk farm? What the devil the skunks, and growin' flowers. By would a man have a skunk farm the time the flowers was ready to for? Fur's no good in a hot climate blossom he had 47 skunks there like this." ready to eat 'em. Cost him quite a "Didn't raise 'em fer furs!" grunt- lot bringin' in feed fer the skunks ed Shorty. "Bill was gonna sell 'em while the flowers was gettin' ready fer pets. But the scheme was no to bloom, but Bill's a patient cuss good—like all the rest o' Pisgah's when he's workin' on one o' them get-rich-quick ideas." big ideas o' his. The stranger was curious and be- "But it didn't work. Bill couldn't from Los Angeles gan asking more questions. get them skunks to eat them flowers. ^l^ng^a Las Vegas Shorty wanted to get back to his He'd put fresh blossoms in the cages game of solitaire, but it was evident every morning—and nothin' else. there was no way of getting rid of But the skunks wouldn't touch 'em. the stranger without telling him the Finally when the pore skunks was story. nearly starved to death he turned "Bill'd been readin' in some o' 'em loose and went back to minin'."

Glass Factory Proposed ... PAROW AN —Construction of a RIVSR VACATION 1950 glass factory in Parowan may follow BOAT TRIPS ON SAN JUAN AND COLORADO RIVERS formation of the Western Glass cor- COME VISIT THE GORGEOUS CANYON WONDERLANDS poration, approved by the State Secur- ities commission. Huge silica deposits • Boat from Mexican Hat or Bluff, Utah, to Lee's Ferry, Arizona. in Parowan canyon is reason for loca- Eight or nine days on the rivers. tion of the glass factory here. Feldspar, • Two days and overnight in Monument Valley with Harry and lime and other ingredients are avail- Mike Goulding. able within a reasonable distance, com- • Overnight at Rainbow Bridge at Bill and Katherine Wilson's pany official say. Engineers say the Echo camp. silica deposits are unlimited.—Iron County Record. ALL-EXPENSE TRIP—10 to 11 Days. Start at Art Greene's Cliff Dwellers. Return to Cliff Dwellers in Arizona. Full Fare - - $175 per person Sugar Beet Yield Higher... These river trips will be made only during May and June, 1950 OREM—An increase of more than four tons to the acre over 1948 was In July, 1950, you may join A GRAND CANYON EXPEDITION, from realized by sugar beet growers in the LEE'S FERRY, ARIZONA, to BOULDER CITY, NEVADA 1949 season. Average yield for the 18 to 22 Days. Fare: $750 Orem district was nearly 17 tons to the acre. Better farming methods and For Details Write: favorable growing conditions contrib- LARABEE AND ALESON WESTERN RIVER TOURS uted to the increase. Price for the Richfield, Utah crop was satisfactory.—Orem-Geneva Times. 38 THE DESERT MAGAZINE Lupine Once Had a Bad Reputation

By MARY BEAL

Lupines are among the best known flowers in the world, and blue is the color most frequently associated with them. But there are many species, some of them amethyst, lilac and violet, and it is these lesser known members of the family that I want to present to Desert Magazine readers this month. First, however, let's give a thought to the origin of the name Lupine, of world-wide usage. Farmers of ancient Chick Lupine — Lupinus microcarpus, var. horiz.onto.lis days thought this plant robbed the soil of fertility, perhaps because it is often found on waste lands. From this idea of the plant's ravenous or wolfish character came the name 3000 feet, preferring deep sand. Quite common in western Lupinus, from the Latin for wolf, lupus. It has come Arizona, southeastern California from Death Valley to down to us from the Romans but no longer are rapacious the Mexican border on down into Sonora and Lower qualities attributed to it. Actually the plant is a legume, California. and is being planted in some southern states for soil fer- tilization. Var. barbatulus Many Lupines are showy and handsome enough to be Is identified by stout, hollow, very erect stems, larger cultivated as favored ornamentals and it is not surprising leaves, and racemes up to 12 inches long, the corollas that several species have an established place in gardens. pale lilac or purplish with a more reddish tinge. Found in Western species are among those in the front rank for the Needles area of the Mojave desert, the Colorado desert popularity, even in Old World gardens where they were and western Arizona. Another interesting species is the introduced by the early European botanical explorers sent Wide-petaled or Chick Lupine. to our pioneer West to seek new plants to beautify their gardens. Lupinus microcarpus var. horizontalis Lupine leaflets have the habit of folding up, usually or during the heat of the day — you might call it taking a Lupinus horizontalis var. platypetalus mid-day nap, though it's usually too long a sleep to be labeled a nap. A low trim plant 5 to 10 inches high, with somewhat succulent, stout hollow stems, branched from the base or One handsome amethyst-flowered species is the Coulter a little above, the branches at an ascending angle. Except Lupine, named for Dr. Thomas Coulter who first collected for the upper surface of the leaves, the herbage is soft- it about 1831. You may know it as Arizona Lupine or hairy, the long-petioled leaves with 5 to 9 leaflets Vz to Loose-flowered Lupine. Botanically it is listed as 1 inch long. The clean-cut upstanding racemes measure 4 Lupinus sparsiflorus to 10 inches atop peduncles varying from short to long. The flowers are on very short pedicels, arranged in 3 to 8 An extremely unstable species, which has led to the close neat whorls, more or less remotely spaced. The segregation of several varieties, these are also inconstant. corollas are lilac or lavender, fading to white and becoming The species is generally larger than the varieties, usually a papery in age. The ovate pods are covered with long soft foot or two high, the stem rather slender, with few to hairs and sit erect in the whorl of calyxes, like so many many branches, the herbage clothed with soft hairs and baby birds in a nest. also a scattering of stiff hairs. The palmate leaves have 5 to 9 leaflets, linear to oblanceolate, 1/3 to 1 inch long, on Found in the northern, central, and eastern Mojave petioles 1 to 3 inches long. The slender racemes are 3 to desert on sandy or gravelly flats and slopes at moderate to 9 inches long and may be loosely flowered or occasionally higher elevations. densely so. The corollas are typical pea blossoms, about Vi Another wide-spread annual species of different habit of inch long, a violet or lilac hue, the banner centered by a growth is the Bajada Lupine or white spot which ages to a bright red-purple. The hairy Lupinus concinnus oblong pods are about Vi inch long, constricted between the 4 to 6 seeds. It favors sandy soil of foothills, valleys The specific name is interpreted as shapely, elegant or and mesas, up to 4500 feet, in southern Nevada, Arizona, skillfully put together. Varying from the upright fashion of southern California and Lower California and should be the preceding species, it follows a more diffuse pattern. found in bloom from March to May, often adding large From 4 to 8 inches high, the several branching stems from sweeps of attractive color to the landscape. The common- the stout base are inclined to spread out, the lower ones est variety is arizonicus, sometimes classed as a separate often decumbent. The herbage is densely clothed with soft species. hairs, which sometimes turn rusty or tawny in age, the many long-petioled leaves with 5 to 8 oblanceolate leaflets. Var. arizonicus The short racemes are rather dense and very short- Ordinarily 5 to 8 inches high, somewhat succulent, the stemmed, well scattered as a rule, and surpassed by the flowers mostly smaller, the freshly opened corollas pale foliage. The corollas are lilac or violet, edged with a rich purplish-pink, lavender or lilac, often drying deep violet, reddish-purple, the banner centered by a spot of yellow. the leaflets broadly oblanceolate. Usually found below It is an exquisite color scheme.

FEBRUARY, 1950 39 Rock Cutting - Rings Mounted to Order ROCK and GEM HOBBY SHOP FELIX V. BRADDI, Owner Stones Ground and Polished AMATEUR GEM CUTTER Uranium Ore 1e- ed Western Jewelry 2014 Harbor Boulevard COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA • By LELANDE QUICK, Editor of The Lapidary Journal- While our column on the 20 percent excise sults in many errors. An example of this tax situation on gems and gem materials was is the wrong labelling of a fine large speci- at press last month the President of the men of chrysocolla as chrysoprase in the AUSTRALIAN United States, vacationing in Florida, held Field Museum in Chicago. a hasty press conference on the matter. This "Why is this?" we asked a top authority. GEM & JEWELRY conference was so hasty that the President "Because of a reported lack of interest by EXPORTERS came to it in his pajamas. The gist of the the public in the minerals and because art matter was that Mr. Truman thought all is crowding them out," he said. He con- Boulder Opal speci- excise taxes except those on beverages and tinued, "Art has a snob appeal that im- mens from 50c each tobacco should be repealed—when Congress presses prospective donors. Donation of or $4.50 per dozen. meets again. art objects, or money for their purchase, Gems 8xl0mm$1.00, While we applaud his belief we deplore gets one's name in the papers. News about 12x16 mm S3.00, 14x24 mm $10.00. Rare donations of minerals goes to the news- Opals irom Lightning Ridge, Cooberpedy the action for nothing could have been so ill-timed. It had the effect of an atom bomb paper editors' waste baskets. And so people & Andamooka. Write for Details, Order by offer no money to museums for the pur- air mail for quick delivery. on the Christmas trade. Anyone who had any plans for giving gifts involving the tax chase of fine mineral specimens. Museum AUSTRALIAN GEM & JEWELLERY immediately deferred them and switched heads therefore cater to the art patrons, and EXPORTERS their buying to other items. The result was as new Chinese screens and modernistic that the sale of diamonds was reported in paintings are acquired the minerals and gems 22 Russell Street. Five Dock are usually given the gate. Wherever art Sydney. Australia. the press to be off more than 50 percent from the previous season. Stores were stack- and science is housed under one roof art ed high with luggage, jewelry, cosmetics, takes over. I like the idea of the British perfumes, etc., on which the tax is collected. Museum. They educate every Briton to believe that if he encounters anything in his NEW ALTA Business on these items will boom of foreign dealings in commerce, or in personal BALL BEARING GEM SANDER course when the tax is repealed but it was a blow to merchants left with high inven- travel, of interest to the empire, it is his duty tories and to the gem and mineral dealers to acquire it and donate it to the museum. hoping for a little of the over-emphasized The result is that the people themselves, and commercialism of Christmas. We hope the not a handful of wealthy names, have made tax is repealed while this item is at press it, perhaps, the best educational museum in but if it isn't we suggest they quit talking the world. Americans shoufd be encourag- about it. And if the tax is never repealed, ed to do that for their museums." or merely reduced, we hope some sensible The truth of our informant's opinions be- interpretation of the law is made so that the comes apparent when one compares museums hobby of mineral collecting and gem cutting of Los Angeles and New York. In New is not the only hobby in the country penaliz- York, where art and science have been ed with taxes. separated, they have two of the greatest A further sidelight on the farcical inter- museums in the world in the Metropolitan pretations of the excise law is revealed in a Museum of Art and the American Museum personal experience. We had thought of of Natural History. But in Los Angeles, taking two diamond rings and having them where the county maintains a "museum of made into one. Both rings were made of history, science and art," art has crowded platinum and we consulted a jeweler about science right out into the famed rose gar- a new setting. After deciding on a design dens while the history continues as princi- and fixing the price he said "and 20 percent pally a collection of old autos and items of tax." "What tax?" we asked. "There is no clothing worn by former motion picture tax on labor and that is all you are supply- idols of a time when acting was the worst ing. The diamonds and platinum you are the world has known. using to make the ring are not a new pur- In fairness we must report that a new chase. You are only reprocessing our own mineral section has recently been opened FEATURES materials." "That is true." said the crafts- and favored with a fine spot. It is well dis- Extended shaft for tapered buffing wheel man, "but the end result is that I will de- played and lighted but it is only a beginning. mandrel and threaded for drill chuck. liver a new ring to you and I must collect One looks in vain for any evidence that Endless belts. No bumps. Runs cool with the tax under the law." California is one of the greatest mineral minimum heat. Quick change from one belt That ring can wait! areas in all the world or that neighboring to another. Frame — aluminum casting. If the tax has not been repealed by the San Diego county is one of the greatest gem Finish—Nassau green. time this appears we urge you to write your bearing areas. Easterners visiting the mu- Congressman about it so that the little deal- seum will look in vain for the tourmalines Ball Bearing Sander: Price $31.00 er at the side of the road can again sell his and beryls and there is not a faceted gem Woven Polishing Belt 2.60 agates and jewelry, which were never luxury or a cabochon under the roof. Leather Polishing Belt 4.75 items within the meaning of this law. But the mineral and gem collector and Dry Belts (120. 200. 320 Grit). 3 for... 1.00 student can gather heart by crossing the Wet Belts (280, 400. 600 Grit). 2 for.... 1.00 park and entering the new California State Splash Guard 7.50 During our recent trip around the nation Exposition building to be opened in March. Prices F.O.B. Pasadena, Calif. we visited many museums and we were dis- There he will see the modernized mineral (Calif, purchasers add sales tax.) mayed to learn one thing. There are but and gem display being assembled by Her- Send postal for free literature. two museums now in the whole country that bert Kornfeld with the help of a special Other Lapidary Equipment have paid qualified curators for minerals committee headed by Howard McCornack Regular Alta Belt Sander (plain bearings). and gems. Several have volunteer and and including Belle Rugg and ourself. This Improved Alta 16-18 inch Power Feed Dia- honorary curators, but the number of paid commitee was appointed by Victor Gunder- mond Saw Unit. Improved Alta Grinding authorities has dwindled because the mineral son, president of the Los Angeles Lapidary Arbor and Trim Saw Unit. Alta Drill collections have dwindled. They are being society. Through the cooperation of all the Presses. broken up and sold for many museums are Los Angeles county mineral and gem socie- discontinuing the space assigned to minerals. ties there will be active demonstrations of The latest museum to do this is the Academy lapidary technique every day in a glass en- ALTA INDUSTRIES of Science in Philadelphia. Their great closed lapidary complete in every detail. It Lapidary Eguipment mineral collection is reported to be for sale is a thrilling story of the gem cutter coming 915 East Washington St. because of public apathy and curator Dr. to the people at last in a museum for the Pasadena 6. California Samuel Gordon has left the mineral field people. We shall report on it in detail next entirely. The volunteer curator system re- month.

40 THE DESERT MAGAZINE NEW CATALOGS AVAILABLE If you want Choice Cutting Material, Fine & Rare Minerals, Geiger Counters, Miner- alights, Books, Trim Saws, Fluorescents, Ores, Gems, Ring Mounts, or advice, write to ... Gems Minerals MINERALS UNLIMITED 1724 University Ave., Berkeley 3, California

NEW MINERAL SOCIETY BIG YEAR AHEAD FOR Ring Mountings and Findings FORMED IN WHITTIER SEARLES LAKE SOCIETY RING MOUNTINGS: Sterling Silver, finished, ready to set. Men's from $8.65 to $15.00 per Whittier, Califorrfia, now has a society of Following the traditional '49er Days com- doz. Ladies from $5.65 to $13.80 per doz. rockhounds. The Whittier Gem and Min- munity party in January, the Searles Lake Ladies 10K Solid Gold $3 and $4 each. eral society held its first meeting in Decem- Gem and Mineral society in the Searles val- NECK CHAINS: Sterling Silver $3.50 doz. 1/20 12K Gold Filled $4.50 doz. ber and has announced that regular meetings ley area of California is busy now planning BEZEL OR GALLERY: Sterling Silver $2.00 will be held the first and third Tuesday eve- for the California Federation convention oz. 1/20 10K Gold Filled $2.90 oz. which will convene at Trona in June. With CLEVICES: For Pendants, Gold Filled $1.25 nings of each month at the high school. doz. For Ear Rings, GF or SS $1.20 doz. Officers of the new club are: Robert B. a membership of 85, the group is now in its PENDANT FRAMES W/CHAIN: Sterling or Myers, president; Ed.Kantor, vice president; eleventh year. GF $12.00 doz. EXTRA EASY FLOW SILVER SOLDER: Vi Miss Irene Thompson, secretary; Al Styer- Perhaps because the locality is rich in oz. 50c; $1.90 per oz. walt, treasurer. Darold J. Henry, professor mineral and gem deposits, the club has had LOW KARAT GOLD SOLDER: 50c per DWT. of geology at Mt. San Antonio college in a large enthusiastic membership since it JOINTS, CATCHES AND PINSTEMS: $1.00 per dozen sets. Pomona, was instrumental in getting the new started. It meets the third Wednesday of CUFF LINKS: For large oval stone $8.25 group organized. each month at the Trona club. Numerous per dozen pairs. • • • field trips are made each year, an annual TIE CHAINS: For 12xl6MM Stone $6.00 doz. JUMP RINGS: From 90c to $1.25 per gross. TUCSON GROUP STARTS event is the trip to Telescope peak. Ralph Merrill is now president of the Searles Lake Ask for Price List No. 2 for YEAR WITH NEW OFFICERS society. Additional Information The Tucson, Arizona, Gem and Mineral O. R. JUNKINS & SON society started off the new year with a slate Box 1295 Newport. Oregon of officers elected at the December meeting. EARTH SCIENCE *CLUB Officers elected for the 1950 year are: Mrs. FORMED IN ILLINOIS A. H. Murchison, president; George W. Bay- With 30 enthusiastic people present, a new lor, vice president; Mrs. Lena Marvin, sec- earth science club for people living in the retary-treasurer. Retiring officers were S. L. suburban area between Chicago and Aurora, Wolfson, Mrs. A. H. Murchison and Mrs. Illinois, was organized recently and a name Jean Serrano. was to be chosen at a January meeting. An 10 small pieces—average V2"-V*" $1.00 • • • invitation to join is extended to everyone 5 larger—average %"-l" 1.00 Walter Pilkington has been elected to interested in minerals, fossils, geologic for- 6 still larger—1"-2" or over 2.00 head the Victor Valley Mineral and Gem mations, ancient man, gems or silver smith- 1 small vial clear iire opal 1.50 club, Victorville, California, during 1950. ing. "Geological Features of the West" was 50 rough mixed Mexican Opals, in- Elected along with him were: Robert Pierce, title of an illustrated lecture by Stevens T. cluding honey, cherry, etc., aver- vice president; Mrs. Helen Pratt, secretary; Norvell at the group's first meeting. age 1" 1.50 Miss Virginia Love, treasurer; Mrs. Martha • • • Merrill, librarian and publicity. More than 100 members and guests en- ALL 5 LOTS POSTPAID—$6.00 joyed turkey and dressing at the annual High on the club's list of activities this Christmas party of the Mother Lode Min- Although these are sold chiefly as cabinet year will be a bigger and better mineral and eral society, Modesto, California. Highlight specimens and have plenty of fire, many gem display at the 1950 San Bernardino of them will work up into new cabochons. County fair. The club is growing, had an of the program was the showing of colored mineral slides rented from W. Scott Lewis. Money Cheerfully Refunded If Not active year in 1949 with several field trips. Julian Smith was narrator. New officers Entirely Satisfactory • • • were nominated. They are: Paul Rayfield, Undaunted by snow the weekend of De- president; Lois Wemyss, secretary-treasurer; Polished Mexican Opals and other gem cember 10 and 11, the Yavapai Gem and Helen Wittorff and Royal Brown, directors. stone cabochons on approval to responsible Mineral society, Prescott, Arizona, staged its Royal Brown is retiring president. persons. third annual show as 1949 neared its end • • • with several new features which attracted Officers now heading the San Diego Lapi- DR. RALPH E. MUELLER the interest of rockhounds. Visitors from 3701 Valentine Road Kansas City 2. Mo. over Arizona and from as far away as St. dary Society, Inc., were elected as 1949 Louis, Missouri, came to see the exhibits. neared its end. President is C. A. Dietrich • • • while Mrs. Ada Harrison is secretary. Gem and Mineral clubs all over the nation made December a month for observ- ance of Christmas, and the Mineral and Gem society of Castro Valley, California, was no IBM exception. A potluck supper in the Hay- ward high school cafeteria started off the society's annual Christmas party with about •HI* iB Petrified Wood, Moss Agate, Chrysocolla 60 persons present. Mrs. Tom Robb was chairman, assisted by Mrs. B. E. Sledge and Turquoise, Jade and Jasper Jewelry Mrs. May Myers. Gifts of mineral speci- -1 " mens were exchanged by members. Meet- HAND MADE IN STERLING SILVER ing place from now on will be at the high V Bracelets, Rings, Necklaces, Earrings school instead of at the Community center. • • • and Brooches Fiftv-one members and guests gathered SPECIALLY SELECTED STONES WITH for a Christmas dinner December 14 which CHOICE COLORS AND PICTURES was the monthly get-together for the Santa Cruz. California, Mineral and Gem society. Write for Folder With Prices Sound movies obtained from the University of California at Berkeley by Mrs. R. E. Camnbell nrovided entertainment. On the ELLIOTT'S GEM SHOP Sundav following the dinner members went 26 Jergens Arcade LONG BEACH 2. CALIF. on a field trip to Big Sur and San Simeon to look for iade and rhodonite. A talk on ¥• Entrance Subway at Ocean and Pine gem cutting was enjoyed at the January Open 10 A. M. to 10 P. M. Daily meeting.

FEBRUARY, 1950 41 AMONG THE ADVERTISING RATE GEM MART 8c a Word . . . Minimum $1.00 ROCK HUNTERS

MINERAL SPECIMENS, slabs or material by HUNT AGATES BY PROXY — If you cannot The Sequoia Mineral society (California) the pound for cutting and polishing, RX Units, come to the agate mines then have us dig and Felker Di-Met and Carborundum Saw Blades, gather Arizona agates in chips and chunks for has changed its name to the more descrip- Carborundum wheels Cerium Oxide. Mount- your collection, rock garden, fish bowls or tive "Sequoia Gem and Mineral society." ings. Approval selection sent upon request. gem and specimen cutting pleasure. Mixed The organization, after an active year, is You are welcome. A. L. Jarvis, Route 2, Box assortment 10 pounds $5.50. Vein agate in 125, Watsonville, California, on Salinas High- large chunks at $1.50 per pound. Sample now planning for its annual banquet in way. package of agates $1.00 postpaid. Shipping February. Ira Woolley, Mildred Wallace extra on rough agates. Arizona Agate Mines, and Frank Paiva are on the committee to GOLD NUGGETS! Beautiful, solid gold speci- Cave Creek, Arizona. mens, $1.00 each or 3 for $2.00. Special col- choose a location. Election of officers was lection 12 nuggets from California, Oregon, PETRIFIED DINOSAUR BONE. Extra good, col- scheduled to take place at the January Nevada and Alaska, $5.00. Desert Jim, 627 lection size, cabinet specimens. 2 x 2 to 3 x 4 meeting. Lillian, Stockton. California. inches in size, average around 2x3 inches. Series of five specimens, each a different type, ATTENTION ROCK COLLECTORS. It will pay for $1 plus 25c postage. W. C. Minor, Box 62, you to visit the Ken-Dor Rock Roost. We buy, Fruita, Colorado. sell, or exchange mineral specimens. Visitors Presidents of many mineral and gem are always welcome. Ken-Dor Rock Roost, 419 S. Franklin, Modesto, California. ROCKHOUNDS SOUTHWESTERN HEAD- societies receive far too little recognition for QUARTERS: Lapidary, prospecting equipment the work they do, in the opinion of mem- and supplies. Custom sawing, cutting and MINERAL SETS—24 Colorful Minerals (identi- polishing, practical instruction, specimens, cut- bers of the Sacramento Mineral society, so fied) in lxl compartments — Postage paid, ting material, silver work, Geiger Counters. this California group at its December meet- $3.50. Prospector's Set of 50 Minerals (identi- Mineralights, the "original" Desert Scenic fied) in lxl compartments in cloth reinforced Stone. $2 pound—30c inch. Buy - Sell - Trade, ing presented a past president's pin to each sturdy cartons. Postage paid $5.75. Elliott's of the group's former leaders. Presentation Gem Shop, 26 Jergins Arcade, Long Beach 2, Laguna and Rio Puerco agates. New Mexico California. Minerals, 2822 N. Second Street, P. 0. Box was made by Mrs. Rita Downard who con- 6156 - Station B, Albuquerque, New Mexico. ceived and carried out the idea. At Janu- BEAUTIFUL AUSTRALIAN Opal Cabs, 10x8— ary meeting of the society there was to be $3.00 to $7.20. 12x10—$4.80 to $0.00. Opal MONTANA MOSS AGATES in the rough for rough for cutting $1.20 and $2.00. Ace Lapi- gem cutting $1.50 per lb. plus postage. Also election of officers for the 1950 year. George dary. Box 67, Jamaica, New York. Slabbed Agate 25c per sq. in. (Minimum order L. Hinsey was president during 1949. $1.00). Elliott's Gem Shop, 26 Jergins Arcade, BRAZILIAN AGATE, Specimen pieces, also good Long Beach 2, California. for coloring, $1.00 a pound. Pieces run from one to ten pounds each. Black Onyx Blanks, ARSENOPYRITE CRYSTALS: $3.00 brings you 16x12 and 14x12 size—$2.50 dozen. Mail orders 12 of these beautiful crystals, nice size, 1 inch, Harrison Stamp, retiring president of the filled promptly. JUCHEM BROTHERS, 315 W. Silver white to steel grey. Ask for list of San Fernando Valley, California, Mineral Fifth St., Los Angeles 13, California. other fine specimens and cutting materials. and Gem society, was honored at the group's Fluorescent and crystal groups. Jack the Rock .MINERAL SPECIMENS and cutting material of Hound, P. O. Box 86, Carbondale, Colorado. Christmas party when 115 members and all kinds. Gold and Silver jewelry made to guests gathered to celebrate. In apprecia- order. Your stones or ours. 5 lbs. good cutting $3.00 BRINGS YOU a large specimen of Colo- tion of his two years of service, the club material $4.00. J. L. James, Box 117, Carson rado's banded mahongany oil shale. This ma- City, Nevada. terial cuts into beautiful slabs or paper presented Stamp with a gold wrist watch. weights. Takes a fine polish, easy to cut. Ben Sisco made the presentation. A musi- IF YOU ARE A ROCKHOUND you need the Write for list of other fine specimens, crystals, cal program was presented by members of Lapidary Journal. Tells how to cut and polish fluorescents and cutting materials. Jack The rocks, gives news of all mineral-gem groups. Rock Hound, P. O. Box 86, Carbondale, Colo. the society, there was group singing and Tells how to make jewelry, carries ads of exchange of gifts. dealers in supplies, equipment, gems, minerals from all over the world. Well illustrated, LOVELY GYPSUM rose crystals, fluorescent, beautifully printed. Subscription $2.00 a year 50c, $1.00. Agatized Dinosaur bone, wood. —back numbers 50c. Sample Copy 25c if you R. Hadden, Aldersyde, Alberta, Canada. have never subscribed or been sampled. January field trip for the Dona Ana LELANDE QUICK, Editor, P. O. Box 1228, PENTRIMITES, size Va" x %" 10c, %" x %" County, New Mexico, Rockhound club was Hollywood 28, California. 25c. 56 1" x 1" minerals, many in XL form, each on card, identified and classified, put up to the vicinity of Picacho peak, while the TEXAS AGATES—Five pounds selected from in neat box, price $2.75 plus postage. Good January meeting was held on Friday, the all locations, including plume, iris, fortifica- specimens Wavelite, also Fluorite in cubes. 13th—but both were successful. The club tion, scenic, opal assortment, etc., postpaid, Octahendrons of Fluorite, 1" 35c. Have many now has a permanent meeting place, in Saint $5.00. Visit. 20 tons to select from at 25c museum specimens of various minerals. Write per pound. El Paso Rock and Lapidary Sup- your wants. Harding Rock Shop, West Fork, Paul's Methodist church in Las Cruces. ply, 2401 Pittsburg St., El Paso, Texas. Phone Arkansas. Meetings are on the second Friday of each 5-8721. month at 7:30 p. m., visitors are welcome. FLAME OPAL, new discovery. Beautiful red FIFTY MINERAL SPECIMENS, %-in. or over, and white flames intermingling. Makes beau- boxed, identified, described, mounted. Post- tiful cabochons, etc. Send 50c for cab size paid $4.00. Old Prospector, Box 21B-364, Dutch sample. You will want more after seeing. Flat, California. Cutting chunks $3.00 per lb. Courtesy to deal- A new section of the Georgia Mineral ers. Dan Fabun, 329 E. 4th St., San Bernar- CUTTING FIRE OPAL—We now have in stock dino, California. society, known as the Prospectors and Ex- a wonderful selection of Australian Fire Opal, plorers section, has been organized. Pur- at the following prices: $2.00, $4.00, $6.00, BRAZILIAN QUARTZ Rock Crystal Stars, cut pose is to prospect for commercial minerals, $8.00, $10.00, $20.00, $30.00 per oz. Please and polished in the Orient. Supplied in sev- the section has the active support of the remit by Post Office Money Order. WEST eral sizes % in. to 1% in., either unmounted COAST MINERAL CO., 1400 Hacienda Blvd.. or mounted as pendants, chokers, earrings, Georgia Geological Survey. First field trip (State Highway 39), La Habra Heights, Calif. 18 in. Stirling silver chains, clasps, etc. of the new section was taken December 4 to Plush lined boxes furnished. We also have gorgeous cut gem stones, genuine and syn- Stone mountain. thetic. H. STILLWELL & SON, Rockville A NEW MACHINE Centre, N. Y. JUST RETURNED from one of the most color- FOR THE LAPIDARY BRAZIL: Amethyst and Citrain, green Tourma- ful Agate fields in the world. Have a fine line, golden, green and white Beryl, Aquama- selection of clean cutting material. True The Macon Products rine, Chrysoberyl. Australian gems: Fine Opal, Carnelian, mosses, banded, patterns in many blue Sapphire, Zircon. Burma: Pigeon Blood colors, tubes, plume, Texas red and black Sealed Ball Bearing Belt Sander Ruby, Balas Ruby, Zircon. Africa: Fine Tour- plume. Rickolite and Honey Onyx, fine for maline, spec. Emerald, Tigers Eye, black Star book ends, spheres, etc. Also some beautiful May Be Used in Horizontal, Veitical and Sapphire. Ceylon: Fancy Sapphire, 7 carat white Aragonite, fibrous masses and crystals, 45° positions. average, Spinel. Moonstone. Local: Peridot, all shapes and sizes. Make your next rock Montana Sapphire, Yogo Sapphire, Mexican hunting trip in our yard and save money. TAKES STANDARD ABRASIVE BELTS Topaz. P. O. Box 1123, Encinitas, Calif. Visi- Good material as low as 25c lb. Geo. C. Curtis, tors contact postoffice. The Agate Man, 645 thirst St., Hermosa Beach, This machine will do the finest possible job California. of sanding cabochon or flat stones of every NEW! STARTLING addition to your Fluorescent collection. Our "Novelty Rocks" are now offer- MIXED ROCKS, slabbed and in rough. Write for hardness from gypsum to sapphire. ed for the first time. Guaranteed to put new descriptive prices. S. Cornwell, Parker, Ariz. life into any collection. Displayed alone are Come In And Try It Yourself simply the most dazzling array of color you PLUME, BANDED and Moss Agate for sale at have ever beheld. Respond with any mineral Ranch. Write or come. J. A. Anderson, Box $29.75 light, long or short wave. Each rock differ- 182, Alpine, Texas. Classes in lewelry Making Under ent in size and color. 12 novelty rocks selected for their beauty only $6.50 postpaid. HERKIMER DIAMONDS (quartz crystals). These Qualified Instructor. Fluorescent Tundereggs, beautiful beyond im- matchless natural gem-like crystals are prized agination, $2.00 each. Fluorescent plaques, by collectors everywhere. We can supply them our best fluorescent attraction, $7.50 per pair. in variety, freak formations and fine matrix S - T GEM SHOP Expect a surprice and the thrill of your life. specimens. Assortments $2,50, $5.00, $7.50, 7004 Foothill Tujunga, California FLUORESCENT SPECIALTIES, P. O. Box $10.00, postpaid in U. S. H. STILLWELL & 691, Red Bluff, California. SON, Rockville Centre, N. Y.

42 THE DESERT MAGAZINE FIELD TRIP TO DESERT COACHELLA VALLEY GROUP Games, contests, group singing and entertainment filled the evening when the Santa PLANNED FOR FEBRUARY CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS Monica Gemological society had its Christ- One of the first acts of the new board of The Coachella Valley (California) Min- mas party at the December meeting. There directors of the San Fernando Valley, Cali- eral society made a real Christmas celebra- was exchange of gifts, refreshments were fornia, Mineral and Gem society was to tion out of its annual banquet in December served by Mrs. Lefa Warth's social commit- accept eagerly an invitation from the Coa- with the Junior Rockhounds as guests. A tee. Six new members were welcomed by chella Valley Mineral society for a joint delicious ham dinner, entertainment, group President C. E. Hamilton. field trip in February. New president of the singing of carols and an exchange of rock San Fernando group is Glen Craig. Action g.fts made a complete evening. Dinner ar- on the invitation was taken when the out- rangements were made by Mrs. George going board of directors entertained the new Smith, Mrs. Neva Rush and Mrs. Floyd board December 22 at the home of Mr. and Hammer. Mrs. Rosa Thomas decorated, Mrs. W. L. Cooper, Glendale. the program was handled by Florence B. It was decided that locations of all future Dutton. field trips will be scouted. The scouting • • • REGflLITE chore will be the job of Lester Cowan, new Members of the Oklahoma Mineral and A Now Gem Discovery field trip chairman. Gem society combined their December meet- • • • ing and Christmas party, enjoying an eve- The nomenclature of Lake Superior agates ning affair at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Del- was topic of a talk given by T. C. Vanasse, bert H. Markwell, Oklahoma City. On No- COMPARE Spring Valley, Wisconsin, at December vember 8 a special meeting was called at the meeting of the Minnesota Mineral club, Min- Oklahoma Historical society building to hear DANA'S REGALITE neapolis. His talk was a preview of a book a lecture on diamonds by Gladys Babson BURMA JADE ANALYSIS he is writing. Arthur Anderson is president Hannaford. ANALYSIS of the club, Mrs. Lydia Heumann is secre- • • • tary. Santa Claus dropped in at the December Silica .... 59.4% Silica 58% Alumina . . 25.2% Alumina . . . 27% • •• • meeting of the Los Angeles Mineralogical Another group which enjoyed a Christ- society, and with members of the group en- Sodium ... 15 % Sodium . . . . 15% mas party was the Kern County, California, joyed a Christmas program. A paper on Mineral Society. Members met in the Ber- the geology of Palestine was read by Frank 39.6% 100% tha P. Elliott hall in Oildale, exchanged gifts F. Larkin. immediate past president of the and listened to a program. society. Herbert Fritts arranged a display • • • of molybdenum ores and minerals associat- REGALITE available in beautiful Election of officers at final business meet- ed with them. Greens, Green and White, and ing of the 1949 year and a Christmas party for members ended an active 12 months for White. the Clark County Gem Collectors, Las ALLEN Vegas, Nevada. New officers are: Bill Brown, Rough $2.50 per lb.. Slabs 50c per Las Vegas, president; Cortez Cooper, Boul- JUNIOR der City, vice president; Annette J. Drury, GEM square inch, postage paid. Las Vegas, secretary-treasurer. In recogni- CUTTER tion of his help to the society for the past Minimum Order $5.00 several years, Paul Mercer, Boulder City, was named a director along with Paul O. A Complete Lapidary Shop Drury. December was not without its field Only $37.50 trip: one to Keyhole canyon for Indian artifacts and another to the Searchlight area • Ideal for apartment house dwell- Royal Gem Company for petrified mountain mahogany. ers. 1517 Cross Roads of the World • • • • Polish rocks into beautiful gems. HOLLYWOOD 28. CALIFORNIA A full turkey dinner for members and guests, followed by installation of officers, • Anyone can learn. provided a pleasant evening for the Searles • Instructions included. Lake, California, Gem and Mineral society. The meeting was in the Trona Club ball- « Write for Free Catalog » room. Installed to lead the group during FINE QUALITY MINERALS this year were: Ralph Merrill, president; Leo ALLEN LAPIDARY EQUIPMENT Synthetic Rutile: Write for prices Briggs, vice president; Pat Sturtevant, re- COMPANY Mounted in 14K gold cording secretary; Eddie Redenbach, treas- Geiger Counters for sale and rent urer; Oscar Walstrom and Newell Merritt, 3632 W. Slauson Ave.. Los Angeles 43, Cal. Silversmith Supplies directors. Phone Axminister 2-6206 Lapidary equipment and supplies I. C. FILER & SON "OVERLOOKED FORTUNES!" Midway between Redlands & Colton In the Rarer Minerals ROCK COLLECTORS ATTENTION There is other mineral wealth in "them Address: 1344 Hy. 99, San Bernardino, Cal. thar hills" besides gold and pretty rocks! Back again at the old stand on highway There are "overlooked fortunes" in the many 111, with the TRAILER ROCK STORE. One newer and rare minerals, such as Colum- mile S. E. of Cathedral City. Have gath- bium. Tantalum, Vanadium, Molybdenum, ered lots of fine cutables and XLS this UNUSUAL! DIFFERENT! Uranium, Nickel, Cobalt, Bismuth, Didymi- Exciting colorful cutting pebbles from a um, Selenium, Rhodium, Osmium. Rutheni- summer. .Also many imports from foreign beach near historic Plymouth Hock. Brecci- um, Platinum, etc., to mention just a few lands have arrived and more are com- of the 35 or more rarer elements and their ated, mottled and variegated patterns in a 300 or more commercial ores which the aver- ing. Come and get yours from mixture of reds, yellows, age prospectors and mineral collectors are THE ROCKOLOGIST (Chuckawalla Slim) greens, browns and ma- 4 A A ..„„ ib walking over in the hills today and mine roons They make striking 1,00 postpaM owners, large and small, are throwing upon P. O. Box 181. Cathedral City. Calil. cabochons. Money - back their waste-dumps unidentified! Many more guarantee. valuable than a gold mine: Cassiterite $fi00 a ton; Columbite or Samarskite $1,000 a ton; GERALD F. KRUMM Bismuth ores $2,000 a ton; Tantalite or Box 222 Astor Sta. Boston 23, Mass. Microlite up to $6,000 a ton, etc. Now you FAMOUS TEXAS PLUMES can learn how to find, identify, and start cashing in on them! Send for FREE copy Pick up your own for 25c a lb., or choose "Overlooked Fortunes"—it may lead to from my tables. Red Plume and many CRYSTALLIZED MINERAL SPECIMENS knowledge which may make you rich! other types of Agate, orders filled. 10-inch, 5 Cutting Material DUKE'S /8 arbor Gov't. used saws $1.00 each. 17 miles south of Alpine Texas. LARGE ASSORTMENT RESEARCH LABORATORY Send postage please. MOJAVE DESERT GEM & MINERAL SHOP Box 666. Dept. B WOODWARD RANCH Highway 91, One Mile West of HOT SPRINGS. NEW MEXICO Box 453, Alpine, Texas Yermo, California

FEBRUARY, 1950 43 GEM SHOW DATES SET Materials best suited to faceting and tech- niques he finds most effective were discussed RADIATION DETECTOR FOR MARCH 10 TO 12 by Dr. J. R. Hudson, Dayton, Ohio, at De- cember meeting of the Chicago Rocks and Designed Especially for Prospectors Second Mineral and Gem show to be staged by the Coachella Valley Mineral so- Minerals society. Regular meetings of the ciety, Indio, California, has been scheduled group are held the second Saturday of each for March 10, 11 and 12 and the group will month at 8:00 p. m. in the Green Briar have the use of the main building of the Park field house, 2650 West Peterson ave- Riverside County fairgrounds at Indio. The nue, Chicago. Visitors are welcome. Presi- show will be open until 10:00 o'clock each dent of the society is Herbert F. Grand- night, there will be no admission charge. Girard. Those who wish to exhibit should write to • • • O. A. Rush, P. O. Box 3362, Indio, Cali- Colored motion pictures of many mineral fornia. Rush is show chairman. A field localities in the Southwest desert area, and trip is planned for early Saturday morning, scenic pictures taken over much of the west- March 11, to the Kaiser iron mines at Eagle ern United States were shown at December mountain. meeting of the Pomona Valley, California, Mineral club. The films were shown by Mrs. A. F. Dossee, who took them herself. • • • The Dona Ana County, New Mexico, Rockhound club now is what they choose WE HAVE MOVED to call a double-barreled organization. One Engineered By group of members takes a field trip on one Pioneer Manufacturers oi scheduled date, another group goes on an- KANE LAPIDARY & SUPPLY other official date. Although all aren't Radiation Instruments pleased with the arrangement, it does make Now Located in Phoenix it possible for more people to go on more • LIGHT . SENSITIVE field trips. • PORTABLE • RELIABLE • Carborundum Company grinding wheels and abrasives. Write for Full Details on Model F-4 HAROLD D. MARYOTT & CO. • Covington Super-charged Dia- TECHNICAL ASSOCIATES mond Saw Blades. Manufacturing Jewelers 3730 San Fernando Rd. - Glendale 4. Calif. Wholesale Exclusively • Tin Oxide, $2.00 lb. Miami, Arizona DIRECT TO YOU FROM OUR Phoenix area residents: Call for OWN CUTTING PLANT demonstration of the finest lapi- WE'RE WAITING FOR YOU AT ... RUTILE (Titania) dary equipment on the market, in- Town & Country Market also Farmer's Mar- ket. Brazilian Phantom Quartz $1.50 — sand Pacific Gem Cutters is first to offer you cluding Highland Park 16" slab pictures — Indian Jewelry, etc. Will make this most amazing gem cut in our own most anything to your specifications. We saw with power feed and lucite have 1 Automatic lapping machine at a bar- plant, at these gain. Address everything: LOW PRICES hood, Nelson Trim saw units with excellent vise that has cross feed, CHUCK JORDAN Small stones can be had in pairs for earrings 350 So. Fairfax Avc. Los Angeles 36, Calif. V2 to 1 carat sizes at $10.00 carat and many other excellent pieces YOrk 0-923 1 carat sizes and up at $ 7.50 carat of equipment. Each stone guaranteed to be first quality. Brilliant cut stones from Linde Air Products boules, facet for facet to duplicate the brilliant diamond cut. These synthetic balls of fire have a double refractive index and Wm. J. KANE exceed the diamond in brilliance. 1681 E. McDowell Rd. Phoenix. Ariz. All stones precision cut and beautifully polished. PACIFIC GEM CUTTERS LAPIDARY AND STONE SUPPLY Phone MA 8835—Judson Rives Building BEFORE you Suy Any LAPiPARy 424 South Broadway. Los Angeles 13. Calif. MINERALIGHT Model SL Ultra-Violet Lamps • Vivid fluorescence • Much lower prices • Weight 16 ounces • Stream- RX-47 lined • Short Wave • Long Wave A Complete • 110-Volt • Battery Lapidary Shop in One CATALOG- After two years of research, the Compact finest Mineralights ever produced, Machine 32 pag-es packed-full of helpful Lapidary Inst- are now here—at unbelievably low ructions...Should be inevery rocknuls library. prices. The most practical Îu6 complete informaHon on the -famous I MODEL SL 2537 - ever devised for 1 gem cutting and Hillûist line of Lapidary Eûipmenr including 1 Short Wave • $39.50 polishing. Hilliju/srCointJdcrldpynir.Millijuisflfe'Rock Saw/, ' MODEL SL 3660 - Send for Circular A HillquisrTnmSaw, Hillûisr 4ufo Feed, Hillqwif- Long Wave - $29.50 6eroT>ill 6 Hole Saw, HillquishFacetor; Mill^Mi's Modernized, light weight, low-priced field Price. Less Motor and Saw Blade Vrum Sanders 5 Hillû.sf Diamond Saws accessories. Write for catalog SL 2. See your Mineralight Dealer. $157.50 F.O.B. /? tjSend NOW to RX LABORATORY Japioa/Uf EQUIPMENT co. ULTRA-VIOLET PRODUCTS, INC. Box 26, Station C IS45 W. <*9 ST. 'SBKTTLE 7, WASH. SOUTH PASADENA, CALIF. 915 E. Washington St. Pasadena 6, Calif. 'NOTIONS LAR6£STMF6RS Of FINE IWIVARY EQUIPMENT" Some Dealerships still available

44 THE DESERT MAGAZINE GEM SHOW SCHEDULED FIRST SHOW FOR ROCKS RELIEVE THE TENSION IN APRIL AT SAN JOSE BRAWLEY GEM CLUB You'll enjoy a visit to our "Rock Shop on Fifth annual gem exhibition of the San Rockhounds of Brawley, California, staged Wheels" where you will find beautiful Jose, California, Lapidary society is to be their first rock and gem show in December rock specimens, crystal groups, slabs and held in the San Jose Woman's club building with gratifying results. The Brawley Gem unusual cutting material. All at reasonable on Saturday and Sunday, April 22 and 23, and Mineral society display was in basement prices. it has been announced. Displays this year of the Christian church with both Brawley will emphasize transformation of rough and El Centro exhibitors showing cut and Saturdays and Sundays Only stones from many lands into jewels and polished stones. There was also one dis- The RockSmiths mounted gems. The San Jose society is an play of fossils and Indian artifacts. 1824 West Manchester Avenue amateur organization, each piece exhibited Interest in the hobby is growing in Braw- Los Angeles, California at the show will be the work of some mem- ley, and a group of high school students ber of the society. None of the exhibited have formed the Brawley Junior Rock club. pieces will be for sale. The show will be Members of the adult group help the be- open to the public from 10:00 a. m. to 9:00 ginners. Field trips to nearby mountains p. m. each day. There is to be no admis- are on the society's schedule this season. sion charge. MINERAL SPECIMENS GEM MATERIALS Edward L. Dowse is new president of the Wasatch Gem society, Salt Lake City, Utah, A SPECIAL OFFER A huge selection of BEAUTIFUL MINERALS, following election of officers which took RARE MINERALS, COMMON MINERALS place during the society's public exhibit of $6.00 and GEM MATERIALS. work in the Salt Lake City Civic center December 2. Serving with Dowse will be: — One Price to All — Mrs. Geraldine Hamilton, vice president; Helmut Wachs, secretary; Mose Whitaker, I have made up WE'LL WELCOME YOUR VISIT treasurer. A great deal of public interest BURMINCO was shown in the society's displays. 75 BOXES of assorted pieces . . and have 128 S. Encinitas Monrovia. California stamped the locations from (In same block with postoffice) Members and friends of the Mojave Des- which these materials came on ert Gem and Mineral society heard a nationally-known authority on the desert when Leroy Palmer spoke at the December meet- 75 CALIFORNIA MAPS ing on "The Geology of the Mojave Desert." (if from California) DIAMOND BLADES Each piece of the following list will Heavy-Duty slOtr- Slaadud $10,000.00 REWARDS be labeled and its source given: Super-Chsd Charged Charsed Your Government pays for discoveries of $ 8.70 $ 7.70 $ 6.75 URANIUM ores. No expensive Geiger l. Green and Breccia Jasper. 12.75 9.90 8.95 Pil V io8"" 15.75 12.95 11.95 counter is needed to test for radio-active 2. Howlite. 21.80 18.95 15.75 ores. The BIKINI KIT with complete instruc- 3. Red and Black Obsidian. Ml MW 12" 32.30 24.95 21.85 tions is all you need. Send $1 or pay post- VI m i6" 36.40 27.85 24.75 man $1 plus postage. Write today. 4. Lavic Jasper. 66.30 44.20 33.95 5. Horse Canyon Agate. 79.30 55.90 43.75 RADIOGRAPH CO. mlmT '' 127.25 106.95 State 6. Hauser Bed Nodules. Nf 30" 192.20 159.95 Arbor P. O. Box 1708 ^Jlf 36" 7. Opal - Jasper - Agate. -J^ sales tax in California. Size Plaza Station St. Louis 1, Mo. Allow for Postage and nsurance. 8. Dumortierite. 9. Burns Ore. nodules or Nipomo Agate. COVINGTON A \ 10. Moonstones. Grinding Heads ALPHA 11. Succor Creek Agate. and Shields are { 1*500 12. Petrified Palm. 5\ i 1 ' furnished in 4 COUNTER 13. Serpentine. sizes and price ll m 14. Onyx or Travertine. t •' • -* • ranges. (Pat. Applied For) 15. Texas or Turitella Agate or Rhodonite. COVINGTON 8" Trim 16. Petrified Wood. Saw and Motor are 17. Pastelite. compact- and do not 18. Petrified Bone. splash Koolerant. 19. Variscite. 20. Pearl or Abalone Shell. BUILD YOUR OWN LAP 21. Marble—suitable for ash trays or book with a ends. COVINGTON 12" or 16" Lap Kit. I'radically all of these pieces will be just as found or will have most of their outsides M COVINGTON on them so that they may be used for 16" Lap Unit Radioactive Ore Detector identification in the field. I guarantee that This newly developed nuclear instrument is they came from and are typical of these a practical tool for the prospector, assayer and physicist. It is an optical instrument locations. which gives a clear, distinct visual statis- COVINGTON tical count of alpha particles (rays) from any ISoxes will weigh from 20 to 30 lbs.— 12", 14" or 16" source. Complete with carrying case, quench- er, radio-active samples and instructions on you pay the express. Power Feed its use. Mail your order today—only $5.00 Diamond Saw complete. PRICE —$6.00 per BOX and MAP (In Calif, add 3% sales tax) Send 3c Stamp CHRISTIE CONWAY for Catalog NUCLEAR DIVISION A 3507 W. 115 Street 1927 WEST PICO BOULEVARD SEND FOR LITERATURE to LOS ANGELES 6 4, C A L I F O R N I A Inglewood, California LAPIDARY ENGINEERS REDLANDS, CALIFORNIA

FEBRUARY, 1950 45 Between l/ou and Me

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by RANDALL HENDERSON T pleased me immensely a few weeks ago when a tice of its jet plane gunners without barricading as import- manuscript and letter came from John L. Von Blon— ant a peace-time trade route as the Blythe-Niland road. from Daggett, California. For John was an old friend. I knew him many years ago when he was city editor of the And while we are on the subject, I would like to suggest Los Angeles Times and I was starting my newspaper career to the big brass and braid of the army and navy that while as a cub reporter on his staff. there was a time when the desert was regarded as an unfit place for human habitation, and they could have taken After 18 years on the Times he became associate editor over the whole arid Southwest without a protest from any- of the Auto Club's magazine, Westways. Then I lost one, those days have passed. Today a million and a half track of him, and it was gratifying to renew my associa- Americans are earning their livelihood on the Great Amer- tion with a man for whom I always held a great admiration. ican Desert, and millions more come here every winter The pressure of a metropolitan city editor's desk is ter- season for rest and recreation. rific. It eventually will break the strongest of men. But Defense preparation is important, yes, but the generals John had the good sense to retire before it was too late. and the admirals should not get the idea that because this And now at the age of 79 he is living in a little cabin on the region is called desert, they may come out here and fence desert doing the things he likes to do—exploring the ghost in great areas without hurting anyone. mining camps, and doing free lance writing. I am thinking not only of the target range that has been Aside from my personal regard for my former boss, I am established on the Blythe-Niland road, but of numerous glad to be able to publish in Desert Magazine the work of other military establishments which have been spread over a journalist who not only is a skilled reporter but also a the desert landscape apparently without regard for the master of clear concise English. peace-time values the terrain may have. • • • We would like to preserve as much of the desert as pos- Motorists who have bumped along over the rocks and sible as a place without fences and without "No Trespass" through the sand of the desert road which connects Blythe signs. We would like to maintain it as a sanctuary for those seeking freedom and peace. in California's Palo Verde valley with Niland in the Im- perial valley, have often expressed amazement that so im- • • • portant a natural trade route should have been so long A patch of clean desert sand, a blazing campfire, and a neglected. warm sleeping bag spread on the ground—these are the It is an important road. It not only connects southern accessories for the kind of a New Year's eve I enjoy most. California's two largest irrigation projects, but it is the This year Cyria and I camped with the Pegleg trekkers most direct route between the Mojave and Colorado des- on the Borrego desert. erts. More than that, it is a link in the Four States high- We spent the evening in the campfire circle listening to way connecting the Canadian border with the Mexican border—a very bad link to be sure, but nevertheless a very the tall tales of the contestants who had gathered for the necessary part of an important international highway annual liar's contest. This event has become a sort of project. annual reunion for the old-timers of the Colorado desert. Desert Steve Ragsdale insists that Pegleg Smith was an For many years the main obstacle to the improvement old reprobate who got his gold by hijacking it from legiti- of this road has been the indifference of the Riverside mate miners. Hank Wilson is convinced that Pegleg was county supervisors, a majority of whom reside on the an honest man and really found the gold be bragged about coastal side of the mountains and, I suspect, know less in later years—and Hank tells a very convincing story to about the desert which comprises three-fourths of their bear out his theory. supervisorial domain than they do about the geography of Hindustan. As far as I am concerned it doesn't make much differ- ence. Pegleg Smith has become a good desert legend Since the road has not been improved, the U. S. Navy and I hope folks keep on looking for that mythical hill has very logically assumed that it was of no importance covered with black nuggets. and now wants to close it permanently by reserving the great plateau between the Chocolate and Chuckawalla Early on New Year's morning Cyria and I resumed our ranges as an aerial gunnery range. standing feud as to which can flip flapjacks most skillfully. We have a system of scoring—so many points off for I want to join my protest with those of other desert folks burning the flapjacks, more deductions for catching 'em on who are fighting to keep this road open. I am sure the the rim of the frying pan, etc. She started the New Year navy can find ample space on this big desert for the prac- by winning the family championship. But just wait!

46 THE DESERT MAGAZINE the handsomest in the land—and offered 3,000,000 acres of raw land to any one who would build it. A Chi- BOOKS OF THE cago syndicate accepted the deal sight unseen, and by that foolhardy gesture STORY OF A HIGHWAY Spanish history of the village from its discovery by Coronado's expedition in launched themselves on one of the THAT MADE HISTORY most incredible and astonishing ven- The padres who built California's 1540, through the founding of the mission in 1629, the Pueblo Rebellion of tures in Southwestern history. On missions called it El Camino Real, but paper, they figured that the ranch to motorists of today it is known as 1680, the attempted reconquest, and the final destruction of the village in should earn in five years four and a U. S. Highway 101. This north-south half million dollars raising beef cattle, road across California has played an 1700. Montgomery, an architect who spe- but actually it was 30 years before the important role in the history and de- American and British investors got velopment of the state since 1769. cializes on church architecture, and who restored the Santa Barbara Mis- their money back. While the Capitol In his newest book, The Royal Freehold Land and Investment Com- Highway, Edwin Corle has written sion after the earthquake of 1925, makes the most exciting contribution pany, Ltd., wrestled with blizzards, something that he says he "very much prairie fires, drouths, and the hostility wanted to write." He explains that to the book. His splendid drawing re- of neighbors, rustlers and barbwire "while I tell the story of El Camino constructing the church, his intimate Real it enables me to tell in popular knowledge of modern Franciscans, and snippers, Texas enjoyed a beautiful guise a great deal of California his- a tremendous amount of historical re- granite state capitol free of charge! tory." search, bring the ancient mission to life William Morrow & Co., Inc., 1949. as we read his account. He was able 273 pp., illustrated with maps, photo- It should be pointed out that the to direct the excavations and interpret book is written for the contemporary graphs and documents. $4.00. the finds of the archeologists in a most reader—long-past events are located • • • interesting manner. in terms of today's landmarks. His- TREACHEROUS SHORT CUTS Smith has contributed a section on tory professors may gnash their teeth, OF THE WESTWARD COURSE but the reader can readily locate the the mural decorations of the Awatovi spot where insurgents lay in wait for church, where floral patterns and sim- Prairie Schooner Detours is a sequel Governor Victoria when Corle, in tell- ple dados were found, and also designs to Irene D. Paden's The Wake of the ing of the Battle of Cahuenga Pass, simulating the glazed tiles and wrought Prairie Schooner. As in the previous designates the place as "the southern iron grille work found in the churches volume, Mrs. Paden and her husband end of the pass at what would be ap- of Mexico and Spain. have retraced, step by step, the old proximately Hollywood boulevard and Published by the Peabody Museum and now almost obliterated trails of the Vine street today." of American Archeology and Ethnol- pioneers on the way to California. This ogy, Cambridge 38, Mass. 360 pp., book treats of two of the alleged All the colorful characters in Cali- "short-cuts" — which were actually fornia's early history are given what- illus. $5.85 paper, $8.35 cloth. —Katherine Bartlett. treacherous detours. Hastings' Cut- ever treatment Corle believes they de- Off, named after the strange and am- serve—he will puncture a stuffed shirt bitious promoter who once dreamed of no matter how well history may have ruling California, led ninety miles across starched it. The Royal Highway is BIGGEST RANCH IN AMERICA'S HISTORY the Great Salt desert south of Salt Lake both interesting and informative. City and so delayed the Donner party Published by The Bobbs-Merrill Besides being exciting reading, Lewis Nordyke's Cattle Empire, The Fabu- that they later perished in the now- Company, Inc., 724 North Meridian famous pass. street, Indianapolis 7, Indiana, 1949. lous Story of the 3,000,000 Acre XIT, 327 pp, appendix, biblio., index, 38 is a valuable contribution to America's The other cut-off was Lassen's which illus., 2 maps. $4.00. frontier history. This is the first au- led the unsuspecting emigrant through thoritative account of what was the big- the Sierras and was later referred to gest ranch in U. S. history, sprawling bitterly as the "Greenhorn Cut-Off." FRANCISCAN MISSION IN the length of the Texas Panhandle. Both of them were an important part The story began in 1875, when Tex- of the history of the 49'ers. ANCIENT HOPI AWATOVI ans decided they must have a new Macmillan, 1949. 295 pp., biblio- Awatovi, a northern Arizona Hopi state capitol building—the biggest and graphy and index. $3.75. village long abandoned, flourished from about 1300 to 1700 A.D. Dur- ing that interval from 1629 to 1680, the Franciscan Fathers maintained a What are meteorites? Where do they come from? How can they be mission there, known as San Bernardo recognized? You'll find the answers to these questions in de Aguatubi. The story of this mission, based on such records as are available, but most- OUR STONE-PELTED PLANET ly on excavations at the site near Keams By H. H. Nininger canyon prior to 1937, is told in Fran- This fascinating book tells all about meteors and meteorites, arid is ciscan Awatovi, just published by the lavishly illustrated with photographs of interesting specimens of the Peabody Museum of Harvard. several types—iron, stony, and combinations of the two. Dr. Nininger Authors are Dr. J. O. Brew, arche- is a leading authority on the subject. ologist, now Director of the Peabody Museum, Ross Gordon Montgomery, $3.00 postpaid to you Watson Smith, archeologist of the Pea- California buyers add 3% sales tax body Museum, and J. Frankling Ewing, PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA S. J. @*a(t& Dr. Brew has written a very complete

FEBRUARY, 1950 47 A distinguished combination...

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