T HE

M A G; A Z I N E

SEPTEMBER, 1946 25 CENTS

 in
Canted

Winner of first prize in Desert Maga-

zine's July contest is this portrait of a
burro on the Mojave desert, by Wm. A.
Oberlin, Ventura, California. Camera
data: 1/100 sec. at F8, Plus X film, K-2
filter, 3 p. m.

This photo of a burro outfit, winner of

second prize, was taken by Laura
Adams Armer of Fortuna, California, in
1919 on the highway at Point Happy
near Palm Springs, California. Smith
lens, F16, 1/25 sec, 11 a. m.

To many who never have been in the

Southwest, the desert means a barren
place where only rattlesnakes, gila
monsters and other such reptilian life
exists. Of course this, as Desert Maga-
zine readers know, is a mistaken idea.
But reptiles, from the sidewinder down
to the tortoises and horned "toads," are
interesting and characteristic desert den-
izens. In order to present some of the
finest photographic records of this phase
of the Southwest, Desert Magazine's
September contest is entitled Reptiles.
Rules are elsewhere in this issue.
 DESERT

• Best news this month is that DES-

ERT's paper allotment has been in-
creased—and that means another eight
pages about the desert in this issue and
—we hope—the months ahead. Writers
have been sending in some fine stories
and pictures during the period of short
paper rations, and material has been pil-
ing up waiting for the day when it could
be published. Nine years ago when first
issue of DESERT was printed, some of Volume 9 SEPTEMBER, 1946 Number 11
our friends feared we soon would run
out of material. Actually, we buy only COVER BRIGHT ANGEL CREEK, a t bottom of G r a n d C a n y o n .
about one out of 20 manuscripts submit-
ted—and still it accumulates faster than Photo b y Hubert A. L o w m a n , S o u t h g a t e , Calif.
we can use it. PHOTOGRAPHY Prize w i n n e r s in July contest 2
• Newcomer to DESERT'S pages next CLOSE-UPS Notes on Desert features a n d contributors . . . 3
month is Elizabeth Cannon Porter, well
known historian and student of Mexico, CALENDAR S e p t e m b e r e v e n t s o n the desert 3
whose recent historical novel, Cortes the
Conqueror, romance of Cortez and the POETRY Sunset, a n d other p o e m s 4
Aztec maiden Marina, won wide acclaim.
The author, in private life Mrs. George They Live in Heat a n d Drouth
ADAPTATION
A. McCrimmon, is honorary member of By JOHN LINDSEY BLACKFORD 5
International Mark Twain society and is He H e l p e d C o m b a t O l ' M a n River
winner of Eugene Field award. Her story PERSONALITY
for DESERT, approved by Mormon of- By RANDALL HENDERSON 11
ficials, is advance account of the cele- His L e g a c y W a s a G e m O n y x Field
bration and monument at Salt Lake City, FIELD TRIP
By JOHN HILTON 15
which will commemorate, July 24, 1947,
the centennial of the arrival of Brigham Streamlined for S p e e d
LIZARD
Young and the Mormon pioneers in Salt By RICHARD L. CASSELL 19
Lake valley.
W e F o u n d the Hidden Shrine of O l d M a k a i
ARCHEOLOGY
By RICHARD V A N VALKENBURGH . . . 20
BOTANY Plant of Starry F l o w e r s — a n d S a n d p a p e r L e a v e s
DESERT CALENDAR By MARY BEAL 23
Aug. 31-Sep. 2—Nevada's 35th state SNAKEHUNTERS O n the Prowl for Reptiles
fair, Fallon. By KEN STOTT, JR 24
Aug. 31-Sep. 2—18th annual rodeo, MINING Current n e w s briefs 28
Winnemucca, Nevada.
Aug. 31-Sep. 2—Rodeo, Williams, Ariz. LETTERS C o m m e n t s from Desert r e a d e r s 29
Aug. 31-Sep. 2—Rodeo and horse show, HUMOR Cartoon, b y FRANK ADAMS 29
Bishop, California.
Sep. 2—St. Stephen's Day, harvest dance, TRUE OR FALSE A test of y o u r desert k n o w l e d g e 30
Acoma pueblo, N . M. ART OF LIVING Desert Refuge, b y MARSHAL SOUTH . . . .31
Sep. 4—St. Augustine's Day, harvest
dance, Isleta pueblo, N . M. NEWS Here a n d There o n t h e Desert 33
Sep. 5-6—Santa Fe fiesta, "America's CONTEST Rules for S e p t e m b e r p h o t o g r a p h i c contest . . . 38
oldest community celebration," at
Santa Fe, New Mexico. HOBBY G e m s a n d Minerals
Sep. 5-7—Horse show, Ogden, Utah. —Edited b y ARTHUR L. EATON 39
Sep. 5-7—Peach Days, Brigham City,
LAPIDARY A m a t e u r G e m Cutter, b y LELANDE QUICK . . 45
Utah.
Sep. 6-8—St. Augustine's Day, corn COMMENT Just Between Y o u a n d M e
dance, San Ildefonso pueblo, N . M.
Sep. 6-8—Rodeo, Winslow, Arizona. By t h e Editor 46
Sep. 9-14—"Boulder Dam Decade" cele- BOOKS If the Prospect P l e a s e s , a n d other r e v i e w s . . . 47
bration, commemorating dam's first
ten years' service to Southwest,
Boulder City, Nevada. E. A. Moritz, The Desert Magazine is published monthly by the Desert Press, Inc., 636 State
bureau of reclamation, chairman. Street, El Centro, California. Entered as seciond class matter October 11, 1937, at the
post office at El Centro, California, under the Act of March 3, 1879. Title registered No.
Sep. 11-14—Southern Utah livestock 368865 in U. S. Patent Office, and contents copyrighted 1946 by the Desert Publishing Com-
show, race meet, Cedar City. pany. Permission to reproduce contents must be secured from the editor in writing.
Sep. 16-22—Utah's Golden Anniversary RANDALL HENDERSON, Editor. LUCILE HARRIS, Associate Editor.
state fair and rodeo, Salt Lake City. BESS STACY, Business Manager. — WALTER E. KNAPP, Circulation Manager.
Sep. 19—Annual fiesta, Laguna pueblo,
Unsolicited manuscripts and photographs submitted cannot be returned or acknowledged
New Mexico. unless full return postage is enclosed. Desert Magazine assumes no responsibility for damage
Sep. 22—Arizona Photographers show or loss of manuscripts or photographs although due care will be exercised. Subscribers should
ends, Museum of Northern Arizona, send notice of change of address by the first of the month preceding issue. If address is un-
certain by that date, notify circulation department to hold copies.
Flagstaff. Opened Aug. 21.
Sep. 28-30—San Geronimo fiesta, Taos, SUBSCRIPTION RATES
New Mexico. One year . . . $3.00 Two years . . . $5.00
Canadian subscriptions 25c extra, foreign 50c extra.
Sep. 29-Oct. 5—New Mexico state fair, Subscriptions to Army personnel outside U.S.A. must be mailed in conformity with
Albuquerque. P.O.D. Order No. 19687.
Address correspondence to Desert Magazine, 636 State St., El Centro, California.

SEPTEMBER, 1946
 THE ARROWHEAD ONE WHO WROTE NO POEMS
By N E L L MURBARGER By CARROLL D E W I L T O N SCOTT
Costa Mesa, California San Diego, California
So still it lies, within my hand . . . By ELIZABETH LEE SARGENT
She does not write her poems
And yet, this flint bespeaks a band Ontario, California
For curious eyes to read,
Attacking at the break of dawn, Like giant granite walls the mountains rise, Although she loves the poets
With pagan cries to goad them on Their mystery shall never cease, Who answer to her need.
To raid and plunder, maim and kill, And sunset with a brilliant brush, It's just a kind of hobby
Where peaceful tribes are sleeping, still. Makes of their gloomy maze a masterpiece. To play with rhyming words,
And then, I hear the throb of drums High upon yon purple shadowed peak And make a music stilted
The sinking sun casts one fluorescent ray Compared with singing birds.
That spread the word, "The foeman comes!"
—The touch of Master Painter with his brush Poems are often fool's gold
With gallant shouts, braves leaped to go To symbolize the close of one more day. Glittering for a day;
To meet the onward rushing foe . . . A selfish mind can make them
From out his quiver one had drawn Rich crimsons vie with shades of deepest blue, As hypocrites can pray.
A feathered barb and sped it on; While banners rimmed with orange light,
And where it fell, beside the way, Seem painted by unseen fingers And well it is for humans
I found an arrowhead, today . . . Against the velvet background of the night. That, like a lovely tree,
• • • There are some happy spirits
Too soon the lovely picture fades away, Who live their poetry.
DESERT REVERIE And where the rugged peaks arise
By MARGARET KREBS The stars begin to softly shine—
Baltimore, Maryland Like tiny golden candles in the skies.
MOJAVE DESERT
I lay in my bed, silent and dreaming, By GILEAN DOUGLAS
• • •
Trying not to think and yet seeming Reno, Nevada
To want to know how and why DESERT SAND STORM This desert is not sand or heat or glare,
The broad plains of land and sky (Apologies to Poe) But half my heart.
Create in me this pressing loneliness. By CECILE BONHAM
It is a dream when northern nights are long
On my horizon only emptiness, Glendale, California And words are bare;
Yet, in my mind I know full well O you mad, rebellious spirit It is the suppliant, nostalgic song
Of two apart.
If home were here my heart would swell With your many-fingered rapping
At sight of dunes 'neath azure blue With your whimpering and tapping What is a spring of blossoms when the sage
And I would be content to spend my life with At my windows and my door, Smells passion-sweet?
you. Curses on your mournful wailing What is a rose when yucca candles shine
• • • Like a demon that is ailing On summer's page,
You shall never find me quailing While my heart marks the rhythm of each line
ODE TO THE DESERT As before. With fervent beat?
By J. C. W H I T T E D
Clovis, New Mexico Once I feared you as a master And once I saw the Spanish dagger stab
With a spell that none could banish, A desert dawn!
Some there are who love a mountain; some there
You could make my courage vanish So now this autumn streels down northern ways
are who love a plain; A painted drab,
Others love a fruitful valley, where the fields With your damnable uproar;
Now I know you are a bluffer, Unanswered and unsought because of days
are bright with grain. Beloved and gone.
But give me the mighty desert, with its shifting, Just a vain and ancient puffer,
trackless sand— And you cannot make me suffer
For the desert has a greatness that my heart can Any more.
understand! CREED OF THE DESERT
Fill my home with all your rubbish, By J U N E LEMERT PAXTON
Let its white-hot sun upon me, burn the evil Search for every crack within it,
Make it quiver every minute Yucca Valley, California
from my soul;
Let the clean heat purge and cleanse me—let the With your fierce and awful snore, While Saguaro stretches up his arms
desert make me whole! I'll be sleeping, never stopping, Imploring for the showers,
There I live in comprehension of the Master's Though the very walls be dropping, Incongruously upon his head
Perfect Plan: And tomorrow I'll be mopping He wears a wreath of flowers.
I'm a robot in the city—in the desert I'm a man! Up the floor.

THE DESERT MAGAZINE

 A ivide variety o\ animal adaptation to the desert may be found in this community of
saguaro and cholla cactus, yucca and creosote. Here numerous birds, each adapted to
its environment in its own way, use the plants to full advantage. Photo by U. S. Bureau
of Reclamation, taken near Bartlett Dam, central Arizona.

If you have wondered how an animal can survive in a land of treeless tripping the shutter. But it produced a top-
desolation, of heat and drouth, you'll be interested in some of the ways notch picture, thanks to my "assistant," an
that Nature has devised to take care of her children. Some of them simply irate cactus wren. Perched on a fiercely-
have become rugged enough to endure a hard life, while others are spined cactus joint, the hostile matron con-
equipped with some strange traits and habits to combat the elements of tinued her diatribe. She seemed not at all
a desert land. There are others—part-time desert denizens—who can disturbed by the flare that instantly dis-
range far enough to avoid desert extremes. John Blackford tells about persed her unobtrusive neighbor; nor even
some of the animal citizens who are successful survivors in a land where handicapped in her scolding by an assorted
only hardy individuals can exist. beakful of leg-waving insects. My surprise
By JOHN LINDSEY BLACKFORD doubled at sight of the nearly-grown crew
Photos by the author unless otherwise credited of fledglings that popped open mouths

r AUT, almost to breaking, I tensed

the thread that would fire the
synchro-flash of my camera. At last
a shy Palmer thrasher was settling cau-
cholla. Suddenly a volley of shattering ex-
pletives exploded from a bristling cactus
beside the camera only a few feet from
the thrasher's address.
from an undetected doorway in the same
golden-spined cholla and chorused insis-
tent approval. Promptly I trained the
camera's eye on this crowding family.
Their bustling parent, not long diverted
tiously on the four brown-specked, blue- The resulting reflex action caused me to from important matters, hurried about
green eggs cradled in her stick-nest in the jerk the tightened thread, automatically their feeding.

SEPTEMBER, 1946
 conquer the desert. Even the dread cholla
bends to their purpose and becomes a de-
fiant guardian. With survival assured, the
cactus wrens have achieved two "luxuries"
seldom tolerated in this land of abiding
thirst and threatened starvation. In size
they have increased strikingly over their
kindred elsewhere, and in dress they dis-
play such a startling plumage pattern as
to give mere dun-colored wrens scarcely a
claim as humble relations.
Most of the desert's children do not pro-
vide such contrasts. They conform in col-
oration as well as habit to the exacting re-
quirements of the desert. A few, like man,
are cosmopolitan species that have made
only minor accommodations to arid sur-
roundings. The others, all graduates of the
arid land's merciless training, have not
only adjusted themselves to distinctive
diets and formulated habit-patterns ideal
for this special environment; they have
drastically altered bodily functions and
modified physical forms as well. Even a
brief survey of the amazingly clever adap-
tations that fit each desert denizen into its
particular habitat niche becomes an ad-
venture that is endlessly intriguing.
Across the desert's parched, buff-colored
reaches, it is commonly leagues to water.
Within this expanse of aridity live mam-
mals that may never drink from birth to
death. In the wonderful laboratories of
their own bodies they extract moisture
from their solid food by the chemical
magic called hydrolysis. Other dwellers
here reverse the season of hibernation, and
estivate, or become dormant, through the
long summers of torturing heat and
The Kangaroo Rat is one of the most successful examples of desert adaptation. He drouth. They lie blissfully torpid, deep
is said to survive rainless periods of three to five years without discomfort. within underground retreats, while plant
George McClellan Bradt photo. and animal life above face the climatic
crisis that yearly threatens death and ster-
It was but March 18 on the already and the 26th before nestlings there became ility. Yet there are other forms, the rep-
shimmering Hassayampa plain in west cen- common. Rugged individualism, superla- tiles, that enjoy the furnace-like breath of
tral Arizona. Yet until April 23 1 could not tively demonstrated by my speckled critic, summer, tempered only by surface shade,
find another cactus wren's nest with eggs, undoubtedly enabled this race of wrens to and that disappear in turn when cool win-

Left—This young Western Mourning Dove's versatility Right—The Cactus Wren is another versatile, indepen-
saves it from being dependent on specialization. It nests dent bird. In its bristling home it is comparatively free
low in cactus or high in cottonwood. Its ivide range enables from enemies. Its bright markings are in contrast to most
it to escape heat by migrating to higher, cooler altitudes. drab colored desert denizens.

w
k I • si
 ; >
* ' • " ' ^

. > ' *'

< : •

. • ; , * .

Fox of the desert is larger and stronger than his Great Plains brother, giving him a
longer range in his predator raids on nocturnal rodents.
ter returns to dune, creosote plain and able them to bridge the months of scarcity rive adequate moisture from organic
rocky scarp of the ranges. between annual ripenings of the desert's juices of their plant-eating insect victims.
Still another group survives under the uncertain bounty of fruit and seed. Deep All drought-resisting carnivores depend
scorching sun and through the chill win- burrows with cleverly designed store rooms materially upon liquids contained in the
ter night, because like the kit fox, they are and cool, moist basements help to relieve bodies of their prey.
armed chiefly with an agile wit against them of trial by thirst and heat. By day Many noticeable differences in size,
the extremities of their unique environ- entrances to their many-tunneled shelters form and coloration mark the denizens of
ment. These are the ones that know the are tightly closed. At night, when lower the desert. Generally there is a slight
location of every tinaja and "coyote well," temperatures and higher humidity fail to dwarfing among them, separating each
that prey skillfully upon lesser associates, tax their water reserves, these successful from its kindred geographical forms. A
and generally choose the nighttime for denizens of dune and mesa work and play paleness in color of fur, plumage or scale
activity. across the desert's moon-drenched floor. also sets them apart. Buffs, browns, greys
The highly developed storing ability The voracious little grasshopper or scor- and fawns mark countless desert folk. Such
and tireless industry of desert rodents en- pion mice are year-round hunters, and de- subdued shadings are credited by investi-
Left—Palmer Thrasher, as well as the Cactus Wren, de- Right—This young Abert Towhee's world will be limited
pends on a cholla fortress for protection. But its grey- to the leafy verdant strips along desert rivers, for he has no
brown color also makes it inconspicuous.
conspicuous. special adaptation to the arid land.
 Left — An elastic armor of scales
gives the lizard ability to absorb heat
while preventing evaporation, these
are Western Black-scaled Lizards.

gators not only to Nature's gift of protec-

tive coloration, but to low humidity of arid
regions, a climatic factor causing loss of
pigmentation in skin and pelage. And who
does not recall those even more strangely
modified individualists of sun, sand, cac-
tus and rock—the horned toad, sidewinder
and kangaroo rat.
In addition to these "native sons," the
fauna of the desert includes many that sea-
sonally migrate, not away from the arid
lands, but upward on the slopes of its more
hospitable ranges. To them we add the in-
habitants of stream borders—dwellers in
the long, winding ribbons of green that
line watercourses journeying across the
desert. Similarly, summer bird residents
and winged winter vacationists residing in
the desert's miniature oases, the bowered
greenery crowding about springs and oc-
casional seepages.
But these that have the unmistakable
stamp of the desert upon them—the sum-
mer sleepers, the distillers of precious
moisture, the year-round defiers of heat
and prolonged drought, the wearers of pal-
lid hue—we must consider the true deni-
zens of the desert. Others here are but so-
journers in this land of aridity and heat.
Saguaro Association
Physically modified by climate, mois-
ture, food and shelter extremes, the desert's
inhabitants successfully populate a land of
Below—His armor plate is adequate
protection for the Desert Tortoise.
His habit of napping during heat and
cold protect him from extreme desert
temperatures. Harold Weight photo.

Besides his earth-color and habit of

hibernation, the Chuckawalla has
one of the most startling forms of
protective adaptation. Norton Allen
photo.

•' . .-'.. v
 Besides an effective coat-of-mail, the
varied diet of the lizard contributes to
its successful survival on the desert.
Leopard Lizard, pictured here, eats
crickets, grasshoppers, flower petals,
leaves. Leonard Richardson photo.

cactus forests, thorn scrub and sandy

wastes. In this saguaro association of cen-
tral Arizona, a fascinating society oi bird
citizens lives together with an unusual de-
gree of communal harmony. In apartments
excavated from the giant cactus by gilded
flickers and gila woodpeckers, reside also
elf owls, pygmy and screech owls, crested
and ash-throated flycatchers, desert spar-
row hawks and western martins. Their
tenancy illustrates the maximum use made
of the "upper story" of the region's lim-
ited flora.
Kangaroo Rat
A criss-cross maze of elfin trails and
runways, and a honeycomb of holes, pass-
ages and burrows testify that at night many
a sandy waste becomes a bustling center of
kangaroo rat activity. The smaller burrow-
ing rodents have been eminently success-
ful among mammals in populating the wa-
terless desert. Many are both summer
sleepers and manufacturers of their own
moisture. From seeds gathered into capa-
cious, hair-lined pouches, this banner-

The Gila Monster's poisonous bite

serves him as protection, despite his
conspicuous appearance. Clark H.
Gleason photo.

tailed sprite of the night secures sufficient *" T *»*!

body fluids through the magical processes
of metabolism whereby food starches are
changed into water. The little fellow's •:• • » •

health program calls neither for drink nor

perspiration. Together with wood rats, d p , | >••
^1
pocket mice and similar animal chemists
he survives rainless periods of three to five
years without discomfort. As with pocket
mi * '-. '.. ,' 1* ib. ::» W' -
' %J/; ,'...'
mice, the skulls of kangaroo rats enclose :
" •• " " " •* :
i

large air chambers that constitute impor- ' • . • • " /

•

tant aids to acute hearing underground. •

Western Mourning Dove
Due to its powers of swift long-range
flight, the western mourning dove has
J.1 -in
been little troubled by the problem of » ' ^ •

thirst. An unspecialized and cosmopolitan Hi*

species, it nests as readily in low, fiercely
spined cholla as upon the high arms of a ••'C
cottonwood. It chooses the earlier spring
months in which to rear its brood. Alti-
tudinal migration, or retreat to verdant
•&•• . ,' i-W ii
I
stream borders, are ways employed by the | •

more versatile and wide-ranging of the • *

i
This Diamondback was photo-

H
t " \* ' ' *
graphed on outskirts of Bumble Bee, • w •
i \. • -•

north oi Phoenix, Arizona. His de- 2*

% ^. '
fensive and offensive characteristics •«
# * •

are well known.

SEPTEMBER, 1 9 4 6. w •
*l '
V .'-:*'V;/ wmmmf*
desert's fauna to escape parching summer basins, grassy yucca plains and cacti-clad Gila Monster
heat. reaches of the Southwest. The sun-loving The Gila monster's heavy, flexible ar-
black-scales in the photo were not dis- mor and venomous bulldog bite justifies
Cactus Wren
turbed even by the photographer at close the leisurely gait with which he ambles
Sportily dressed and of uncommon size range. They inhabit rocky ledges of the over the pebble paved and rubble strewn
for a member of its drab family, the cactus Chiricahuas in the southeast corner of Ari- floor of the desert. The Gila does not in-
wren has reversed the usual dwarfing of
zona. flict the bite—unless you insist. His broad,
desert species and prospered by mas-
Chuckawalla forked, black tongue slithering out be-
tering a difficult environment. This indi-
tween rubbery lips, his hissing breath and
vidualist encounters little competition In brown or grey-black hide, hanging
the surprising swiftness of his guard give
from other birds on the scorched, shimmer- loosely in wrinkled folds about his shrunk-
more than sufficient warning. On slight
ing cactus-creosote plains and low foot- en form, that sleepy old philosopher of the
opportunity, the awkward, red-orange-
hills where it thrives. In the photo, a rocks, the chuckawalla, crawls unsteadily
and-black patterned body vanishes, demon-
streaked and speckled cactus wren feeds out of his winter bedchamber to soak in
strating remarkable skill at concealment.
her brood in the skillfully woven, funnel- the spring sunshine. Yet he is generally
But he remains the desert's unique experi-
shaped nest in the spiny armament of the quick enough to reach a crevice and swell
ment—a poisonous lizard that need not
jumping cholla. up tightly in it before most enemies can
flee his adversaries. His typical home is
seize him. He flourishes upon a drop of
Palmer Thrasher the slopes of the Tanque Verde mountains
dew or the moisture of flower petals, where
in southern Arizona.
The Palmer thrasher also relies upon others would wither in the heat. And he
the bristling daggers of a cholla fortress has that proper mental attitude that will Desert Diamondback Rattlesnake
to guard her nest. But the usual business of keep him traveling, though clumsily, down
these grey-brown birds is upon the gravel- the desert centuries when man has long Because small rodents are among the
ly ground, turning the flinty rubble, prob- been a forgotten trespasser of the wastes. most populous forms inhabiting the land
ing and digging in the scant shade with de- of the sun, the buff and tan desert dia-
curved, pick-axe-like bills. Few insects hid- Desert Tortoise mondback rattlesnake doesn't need to
ing on the desert floor escape the search of Only an occasional coyote is likely to worry about a living. Coiled in the shade
these dextrous tools perfectly adapted to of a creosote bush, he avoids the burning
dull his teeth upon the plated armor of that
the thrasher's work. midday heat, then extends his working
interest-exciting ancient of the wastes, the hours through the warm purple dusk into
Young Abert Towhee desert tortoise. This quaint reptile has few the silvery hours of moonlight when kan-
Devouring insect pests on leafy floors natural enemies and may be seen at all garoo rats and silky whitefooted mice play
of cottonwood groves, mesquite thickets hours through April and May. His beaten over the wind-rippled sands. While the
and verdant river borders of the Southwest paths are readily observed among succulent warm breath of the night wind soughs
is the career awaiting the young Abert tow- herb beds greening the flat stony mesas of gently among mesquite and palo verde, his
hee pictured in the photo. These green southeastern California, southwestern Ari- small cousin, the 15 inch horned rattler or
paradises not only serve as a refuge but zona and adjacent Nevada. Temperatures sidewinder actively roams the sand and
owe much of their vigor to such diligent between 85 and 95 degrees suit him best. stony desert pavement. The degree of this
caretakers of the underwood. The busy Apparently he lives to a great age and is midget's unpopularity stems also from
rustling of towhees in brown leaf-carpets indifferent to time. He naps during the several other characteristics—the ability to
of these oases is one of the subdued and blistering heat of midsummer, and secret- strike without coiling, a malignant tem-
contented sounds which evoke nostalgic per that induces him rarely to give warn-
ed in rock crevice or sand burrow retires to
memories of them. The towhee's habitat ing, a habit of lurking unseen at the base
is a restricted one, for it is not a true Hbernate through the chill of desert win-
of desert shrubbery within reach of the
dweller of the arid desert. ter. An ability to forego food, his knack of passerby, and an all too common affinity
storing water for lengthy periods in special for camper's blankets.
Long-Eared Kit Fox reservoir sacs beneath his shell, and his • • •
Silent-footed grey ghost of the night, the need for climatic aridity at all times evi-
little kit fox or desert swift patrols the dence a complete and long-lasting adapta- WOULD RENAME BOULDER DAM
wide reaches of the most desolate wastes, tion to desert conditions. Coming as a surprise to western senate
and everywhere, if not ruthlessly trapped, bloc, an amendment to flood control bill,
keeps destructive rodent populations with- Leopard Lizard being considered in July, was offered by
in bounds. The long-eared or desert kit is a Reptiles of all kinds abound on the des- Senator Albert W. Hawkes (R-N.J.),
size larger than his relatives of the Great ert, for it is one of Nature's outstanding which would change federal designation of
Plains, and has been bleached to a decided- tf'umnhs that this water-dependent group, Boulder dam to Hoover dam. It was im-
ly paler hue. Perhaps a stronger, larger, f:
rst designed for amphibious operations, mediately opposed by Senator E. P. Car-
swifter animal developed here under ad- b"s developed into perhaps the most suc- ville of Nevada, joined by Senator Sheri-
verse conditions for the reason that a des-
cessful class of arid-land dwellers. The dan Downey, California. "We feel the
ert predator must range farther, strike
more surely at less abundant prey, and model pictured is a leopard lizard, a speedy world has come to know this dam as Boul-
withstand the attacks of more desperate denizen of the sands and washes of broad der dam and the name itself typifies the
enemies. The skillful little hunter pictured r^esas and valley-basins. Crickets, grass- greatness and massiveness of the West
in this article wins his living from the tor- hoppers, flower petals, herbaceous leaves which we always wish to retain," Carville
rid, barren sink of Death Valley, Cali- and other sizable saurians contribute to its said. He added that similar discussions had
fornia. var'ed fare. In common with other dry- been heard at times for more than 10 years
land reptilians, this iguanid lizard wears an and had always met strong opposition.
Western Black-scaled Lizards elastic armor of scales admirably suited to Downey, terming matter "very controver-
From rocky strongholds on the flanks absorbing heat from direct and reflected sial," suggested more study should be
of desert ranges the western black-scaled rays of the sun while preventing evapora- given before senate was asked to act.
lizards look down upon the buff-colored tion of vital body fluids from within. Hawkes finally withdrew his amendment.

10 THE DESERT MAGAZINE

 By RANDALL HENDERSON

THE late summer of 1913

the meandering Colorado
river threatened to change
its channel and leave the intake
of the Palo Verde water system
high and dry. C. E. Clarke, chief
engineer for the water district, de-
cided it would be necessary to in-
stall brush jetties on the Arizona
side to divert the current to the
California side where the Palo
Verde intake was located.
But the Arizona shore was in
the Colorado River Indian reser-
vation, and this made it neces-
sary to go to the department of
interior for a permit, involving a
delay that might be disastrous.
Because of the urgency of the
situation, Ed. Williams, then a di-
rector of the water company, vol-
unteered to take a gang of work-
men, smuggle them into the res-
ervation, and get the control
work underway while the appli-
cation to Washington was going
through the customary channels
of red tape.
The river bottom on the Ari-
zona side was a jungle of mes-
quite, cottonwood and arrow-
weed. To find a route over which
it would be possible to transport
men and equipment through that
jungle was Williams' first job.
And since I had been a member
of the U. S. Land office survey
crew which mapped the reserva-
tion the previous year, Ed. in-
vited me to go along.
We crossed the Colorado on
the Ehrenberg ferry and spent
three days finding a route
through the dense thicket of trees
and brush. Part of the time we
were horseback, part of the time
on foot, and sometimes it was
necessary to leave our horses
and crawl on hands and knees.
At night we rolled up in our sad-
dle blankets and slept under the
stars. i l l HEN Ed. F. Williams went to "That's ridiculous!" exclaimed Dr. El-
Out of those days together in \A/ Washington in 1930 to ask that wood Mead, then commissioner of recla-
W $1,000,000 be appropriated out of mation. "How could an 11-foot diversion
that thorn-infested jungle devel- the United States treasury to compensate dam in a river with a fall of one and a
oped a friendship which has re- the landowners in Palo Verde valley for quarter feet to the mile affect the flood
mained warm to this day. And flood damage caused to their holdings by level of the channel 70 miles upstream?"
here is the story of the man who the building of Laguna dam, 70 miles Phil D. Swing, congressman from the
was my companion on that trip, down the Colorado river, officials to whom 11th district of California, Williams' home
and has remained one of my he made his appeal were not sure whether district, also was skeptical. But being a
idols through the intervening he was a colossal beggar, or just plain diplomatic congressman he did not ex-
years. crazy. press his doubt as bluntly as did Dr. Mead.

SEPTEMBER, 1946 11
 This rock weir raises the level of the Colorado and keeps water flowing into Palo Verde
intake just above. In the old days the same purpose was served less effectively by jetties
extending out from the Arizona shore on the far side of the picture.

"If you will show me how it would be townsite and melted the walls to mere piles those highly explosive conferences when
possible for Laguna dam to cause broken of mud. Los Angeles, Imperial valley and other
levees in the Palo Verde valley, I'll give When Williams finally appeared be- claimants were dividing California's share
you what help I can," Swing assured him. fore the committees that were to consider of the water allotted to the state under the
Before he had been in Washington his proposal, even Dr. Mead had been con- Six-States compact.
many days, Williams saw he would get no- vinced there was good engineering author- The Palo Verde delegates were not as
where with his million-dollar request un- ity to bear out Palo Verde valley's com- strong in numbers or as eloquent in speech
til he could prove to hard-headed engi- plaint. as some of the more powerful claimants—
neers and indifferent congressmen that Williams returned to Washington again but they had two winning cards to play.
there was engineering data to support con- in 1931 and 1932 to press claims of his One of them was a water filing on the
tentions. neighbors in the Palo Verde water dis- Colorado river which was prior to all
So he became a daily patron of the Con- trict. Before the grant was made, however, others in the lower basin. The other was
gressional library. He dug up old engineer- there was a New Deal in the national capi- Ed. F. Williams.
ing reports from Egypt and India and Italy tal, the RFC was born, and the Palo Verde Williams had spent many years of his
—some of them written two or three hun- landowners eventually received the aid life on the cattle range where gift-o'-gab
dred years ago. It was necessary to have they sought through the refinancing of was neither a virtue nor even an asset of
some of them translated into a language he their $4,500 000 bonded indebtedness at any great value. He doesn't go in for
could understand. For six weeks he read 25 cents on the dollar. speech-making. He told the conference in
everything he could find about the hydrau- With the building of Boulder dam the a few words what his district wanted. Some
lics of a silt-laden stream. danger of flood damage from the Colo- of the others thought it was too much, and
rado river ceased to be a problem to the stormed and threatened. In the end they
He also found convincing proof from Palo Verde community.
the records of the Colorado itself. For in- gave way to the quiet-spoken delegate
stance, the old adobe walls of the town of Ed. Williams' million-dollar errand at from Blythe who refused to be stampeded
La Paz in Arizona opposite the Palo Verde Washington merely was one of many by professional oratory.
intake had remained intact on the river tough assignments his neighbors have Ed. Williams is 76 years old, with clear
bank through the highest floods on record given him during the 36 years he has lived blue eyes that still sparkle with the enthusi-
since 1870. Then in 1914, four years after among them. asm of youth. Since 1912 he has played a
Laguna dam was completed, a compara- He was leader of the delegation which leading role in the public affairs of Palo
tively moderate flood crest overflowed the represented Palo Verde valley during Verde valley.

12 THE DESERT MAGAZINE

 It is inevitable that a man so conspicu-
ous in community leadership should be
the target of rebuff and criticism. But Ed.
Williams takes the bitter with the sweet,
and never loses his quiet good humor. He
is loyal to his friends and tolerant toward
critics. His strength is that of a man who
seeks neither wealth nor power for him-
self—and in whose heart there is charity
toward all.
Williams has been on the frontier all his
life. Born in Waverly, Iowa, in 1866, he

This old jerry operated between

Blythe and Ehrenberg before the
present bridge was built across the
Colorado.

C. K. Clarke, who helped keep the

Colorado "in a straight-jacket" for
many years. He is now dead.

ence to move out of bed for food and water.

Two horsemen stopped at his camp one
night, and he persuaded them to lift him
on his horse and guide him to the nearest
cow camp, 40 miles away.
To this day Williams believes the men
were cattle rustlers, but they were charit-
able enough to escort him along the trail
to within view of his destination where
they bade him goodbye and disappeared.
It was many weeks before he was able to
walk. When he returned to his dugout he
found his pelts water-soaked and value-
was 16 years old when his parents moved ern Nebraska and Wyoming, trapping, less.
to Dakota territory in the heart of the herding, riding range—anything he could But his determination to go back to
Sioux reservation. find to do. He was a novice cowhand at school was not dampened. The next winter
He was a rosy-cheeked youngster, none first but his likable personality gave him he outfitted for another trapping season.
too robust in health. His playmates in Da- work when more experienced men were This time he went up into the Big Horn
kota were mostly Indian boys, and his de- idle. country. But the fates were against him. He
termination to equal their agility in the His schooling had been cut short when was caught in a blizzard and frozen so bad-
field of sports soon developed his muscles his parents moved to Dakota and after two ly before he was found, the doctors wanted
to the point where he was a match for the years on the range he became conscious of to amputate his legs. He fought against the
best of them. the fact that he needed more education if idea and finally compromised with the loss
His parents had moved to Dakota when he ever was to rise above a $30-a-month of the toes on one foot. It was five months
job. before he was out of bed and a longer
President Arthur opened part of the Sioux time before he could mount his saddle
reservation to white homesteaders. The In- To earn money for his school expenses pony without help.
dians resented the encroachment on their he bought a trapping outfit and a winter's
lands and their attitude became so threat- supply of grub and moved out into the un- "I did not give up the idea of getting
ening President Cleveland revoked his inhabited sandhill country of western Ne- an education," Williams explains today,
predecessor's order and restored the land braska. He built a dugout and settled down "but my immediate problem was to re-
to the Indians. for the winter alone with his traps and cover my health and get a job to repay the
This brought hard times to the Williams pony. debts that had accumulated."
family along with other settlers, and. Ed- He had collected a sizable pile of coyote That was in 1887. When he could ride
win, now 19 years of age, decided to fulfill furs when the damp air of his crude dwell- again Williams went to Buffalo, Wyo-
his boyhood dreams and go West. ing brought on rheumatism. His condition ming, where he worked for several months
The next few years were spent in west- became so bad it was an agonizing experi- with a cattle outfit. Then he and Buck Tay-

SEPTEMBER, 194 13
lor took the old Mormon trail and headed upper part of the valley and overflowed Williams served on the water board 10
for Nevada and went to work on the ranch many thousands of acres of newly re- years, much of the time as president. At
owned by Governor Sparks. claimed land. This disaster hastened the one time he also was on the drainage dis-
climax of a feud which had been in pro- trict board of directors and the levee dis-
A few months later Williams took the gress between settlers and the holding trict board. He knows the Colorado river
trail again, crossed the Colorado river at company for many months over the man- and its vagaries as well as most of the vet-
Lee's ferry and found a job near Flagstaff, agement and financial set-up of the irriga- eran river engineers.
Arizona. He spent the next eight years tion project. Murphy and the Hobsons had
around Flagstaff and Williams, eventually formed a subsidiary corporation, the Palo He was married in 1912 to Miss Edyth
becoming range foreman under George Verde Mutual Water company, to manage Everitt of New Mexico. Mrs. Williams
Thornton, manager of the Bill Williams the water system, reserving a large block of was an artist of more than usual ability and
Cattle company. the unsold water stock for themselves. the walls of the cabin they built on the top
The old urge for an education returned of a sand dune at the homestead are hung
and he spent much of his spare time read- The settlers objected to the terms of the with many of her paintings. She died in
ing and studying correspondence courses contract between the land company and 1934. Their one son, Edwin Jr., was grad-
in English and grammar. the water company, and resented the fact uated from Stanford university and is now
that the control of the water company was assistant to the librarian at Harvard uni-
One winter he took a herd of 2000 steers entirely in the hands of the Murphy- versity.
down into the Salt River valley. That was Hobson group. They felt they should have
before Roosevelt dam was built and he be- In 1923 while mowing hay on his ranch,
a voice in levying water assessments and the team of horses Williams was driving
came interested in tracing the prehistoric selling water stock.
irrigation system and the Indian ruins ran away and he was thrown into the
found there. Some of his conclusions re- A general meeting between representa- sickle. As a result of this accident his right
garding the mysterious Hohokam people tives of the two groups was held at Hotel arm was amputated below the elbow. But
have been borne out by recent research Blythe in the fall of 1912. In the comprom- such a handicap means little to Ed. Wil-
work of archeologists. ise settlement reached at this time the farm- liams. He had to give up farming and to-
ers were granted the right to name one day he is assessor and land agent for the
In 1902 Williams formed a partnership member of the board of five water com- Palo Verde Irrigation district and secre-
with Ed. A. Tovrea, cattleman and packer, pany directors—and Ed. F. Williams was tary of Blythe chamber of commerce.
and made frequent trips into Chihuahua to the unanimous choice for the post.
buy livestock. On these trips he became ac- He likes to write, and has contributed
quainted with Col. Wm. C. Greene who Thus began Ed. Williams' active lead- short sketches on his frontier experiences
was interested in the Sonora Packing com- ership in the public affairs of Palo Verde to a number of publications. He has a port-
pany at Cananea. Later a three-way part- valley. He was put on the board to repre- able typewriter with a caps keyboard and
nership was formed by Tovrea, Greene sent the farmers who were his friends and pecks away with his one hand, keeping
and Williams. The firm prospered at first neighbors—and he has been fighting contact with friends in all parts of the
and had a high financial rating. their battles from that day to this. He has Southwest.
not always been on the winning side in the
Then came the revolutionary outbreak many controversies which are inevitable in Williams never has amassed much
in Mexico and Greene lost his concession. a pioneer community—but no fair-minded wealth. He couldn't. He will fight for the
The United States was in a money panic at person ever has raised a doubt as to Ed. interests of his friends and neighbors—
the same time and the partnership ran into Williams' integrity, or his loyalty to the but not for dollars or glory for himself. He
financial difficulties. The net result was cause which he believed to be just. belongs on the desert. He would be a babe
a reorganization in which Williams signed in the woods in the fierce competitive
over his interest to his partners in return One of the first things Williams asked struggle of the modern city.
for the cancellation of certain indebted- for when he went on the water board was
an engineer qualified to strengthen the He is an unusual combination of ideal-
ness. ist and practical diplomat. He held his
river-front protection and plan an effi-
In the meantime another Arizona cattle- cient canal system. own in the rough-and-tumble days of the
man, Frank Murphy, had taken a lease on West of a half century ago—but his
43,000 acres of the old Thomas Blythe es- Frank Murphy said an engineer was a weapon was not a six-gun, although he
tate in Palo Verde valley and was running needless expense—anyone with common could use one very handily. He fought with
cattle there. Murphy and Williams had sense could build levees and plan irriga- the quiet persistence of a man with infin-
been friends of long standing through tion works. Williams fought for his idea ite courage in his heart and a faith that be-
their cattle dealings in Arizona. —and in doing so incurred the lasting en- lieves there is some good in the heart of
every human being.
In 1908 Murphy and Hobson brothers mity of his old-time friend from the Ari-
• • •
and a group of California associates closed zona range.
a deal for the purchase of the Blythe prop- Williams finally was empowered to em- VILLAGE TO "GO WESTERN"
erty. The old Blythe irrigation system was ploy an engineer. He induced C. K. Palm Springs season of 1946-47 will
restored and extended and the land placed Clarke, who had been on the firing line in open with most elaborate celebration yet
on the market for settlers. Murphy induced closing the break which threatened to in- held, when Western Week is staged from
Williams to buy 160 acres and become a undate Imperial valley in 1905 and 1906, October 21 to October 24.
farmer. Later Williams filed on a home- to take the job.
stead which he still owns. Members of Los Compadres club are
"I am looking for an engineer who isn't working on plans, which feature cham-
Murphy and the Hobsons, operating as afraid to tell the whole board of directors pionship rodeo and gymkhana, kangaroo
the Palo Verde Land and Water company, to go to hell if he thinks they are wrong," courts, parade, dance and fashion show.
found a ready sale for the lands in their Williams told Clarke. That kind of a job In announcing plans, officials of the club
newly opened irrigation project, and the suited C. K. Clarke perfectly and he went said they again would emphasize the "Go
townsite of Blythe was laid out. to work. Williams worked with him, day Western Every Saturday" theme, which
In the spring of 1912 the Colorado river and night, and together they planned and was carried out in the Village the past
broke through the protective levees at the rebuilt the entire canal system. season.

14 THE DESERT MAGAZINE

 This photograph of Dr. Park was taken in his hobby room as he examines one of the many
rings he cut from single gem stones.

Dr. William S. Park of Las Vegas, Ne-

vada, has passed on to his final reward, but
before his death last February he mapped
for John Hilton and Desert Magazine read-
ers a field where abundant quantities of
gem onyx are to be found. Here is the story
of a man who played a leading part in the
development of one of the Southwest's most
lively frontier towns.

By JOHN HILTON
Photographs by Harlow Jones

r HROUGH the grapevine of the

rockhound fraternity I had heard
of Dr. William S. Park long before
I went to Las Vegas, Nevada. I knew he
that he not only was a collector, but an ex-
pert gem cutter, a leader in civic affairs, an
authority on Nevada history and a collec-
tor of both ancient and modern Indian
in from some far canyon or mesa. The big
house had a friendly look, and we soon dis-
covered this was no deception. When the
door swung open we were met by the
was one of the veteran collectors of the crafts. warm smile of Mrs. Mary Park. She
Nevada desert, but it was not until I As Harlow Jones and I crossed the lawn showed us through the hall to her hus-
stopped at the chamber of commerce to get to the veranda of the Park home I spied band's hobby room.
his address that I learned of his many the first signs of the collector. Near the Dr. Park arose to greet us, and smiled as
other accomplishments. There I was told steps were stone mortars evidently brought our eyes wandered around the lovely room.
SEPTEMBER, 1946
15
 Gem or agate onyx sets in Dr. Park's collection.

There were fine old Navajo rugs and to examine. Every piece was a labor of love. that mattered was beauty and perfection.
pieces of ancient pottery. Frames of In- It was easy to see that he never had consid- The cabochons were arranged in groups
dian arrowheads and spearpoints decorat- ered the hours he had spent in his lapidary from different collecting areas in Nevada
ed the walls. Along two sides of the room as other than that. A man would never do and the doctor had cut the stones in series
were arranged his collection of cut gems. that quality of work for money—nor could from each of his favorite gem fields. One
I was impressed by the fact that they were he make a living at it if he did, in our com- of these series was especially attractive and
not in locked glass cases. Gem collectors petitive world of today. Dr. Park informed us there was practical-
cannot truly appreciate a polished stone His skill as a dentist in his earlier years ly an unlimited supply of this material just
unless they can hold it in their hands and had trained his hands and eyes to precision a few miles from the huge Basic Magne-
turn it about in the light. Dr. Park, like and finish seldom attained by ordinary sium plant at Henderson between Las
the Chinese jade collectors, believes that lapidarists, amateur or professional. I am Vegas and Boulder City.
part of the beauty of a gem is in the "feel" convinced that the outstanding examples We asked if we might log this field as a
of it. of the lapidary art in this generation will mapped trip for Desert Magazine readers
One by one he began calling our atten- come from the shops of the advanced ama- and he was more than glad to share it with
tion to various items in the collection— teurs rather than the professional cutters other rockhounds. The doctor had ap-
spheres of agate, jasper, crystal and jade; no matter how proficient and experienced. pointments the following day but he
cubes and pyramids made from many kinds Some of our best amateurs are doing work agreed to arrange with his friend Bill
of desert gems; cabochons by the hundreds to match that of the ancient cutters who Brown to show us the area where collec-
—every color of the rainbow. Now and were employed for life at the courts of tors can gather nicely banded and colored
then he would pick up a piece as he talked, oriental monarchs. Gem cutting then took silica onyx to their heart's content.
caress it with his hands and hand it to us no account of time or cost—the only thing The word onyx has been misused in

Looking toward the hills in which the onyx outcroppings are jound.

16 THE DESERT MAGAZINE

 Bill Brown is looking for material for a pair of bookends at one of the
gem onyx outcroppings.

modern times. Originally it was a term run in gangs, cutting through hundreds of onyx gear shift balls which came to Amer-
covering certain banded types of agate with pounds of agate at one setting. They were ica in the 'twenties. Shops were set up in
contrasting colors. These bands either were slow because the abrasive material was California to make these novelties by the
perfectly parallel or so nearly so that they nothing but sharp sand and mud carried thousands from the famous onyx mines of
usually were cut in the form of gem on the soft iron blades, but they were inex- Lower California.
cameos, using one or more colors for the pensive to operate as they needed little at-
head or figure and a color underneath for tention and the power cost nothing. The The onyx near Henderson, Nevada, as
the background. Then the Germans found slices then were soaked in honey or sugar Dr. Park pointed out, is similar in coloring
there was a market for black agate. Rings water for months or even years and then to the finest Mexican onyx but instead of
became popular with sets of this material dropped into sulfuric acid. The resulting soft aragonite it is agate with a hardness of
on which were set monograms, lodge em- carbon from the sugar breakdown made seven. It makes excellent ring stones and
blems or diamonds. Natural black agate the black color. Then the gems were fin- the doctor had some beautiful link brace-
was scarce but the gem cutters of Oberstein ished by the crude but cheap methods of lets and many larger objects made of it.
and Idar long ago discovered that agate the time—much of it by child labor. The colors run through the reds, oranges
could be dyed and that the porous layers and yellows against white and bluish white
would take colors to suit their purposes. The terms "Cave onyx" and "Mexican backgrounds.
onyx" apply to a totally different sort of We thought that we had seen about
Under the name of black onyx, thou- material. These are cool water deposits of enough for one evening when Dr. Park
sands of pounds of dyed Brazilian agate limestone (aragonite) with impurities of ushered us through another door into an
was cut and sold to the world markets from iron which gives them colorful bands and adjoining room. Here was the most un-
these early gem cutting centers. The agate stripes. This material is too soft to be used usual gem cutting shop I ever have seen. I
was first graded by experts who could look as a gem stone to any advantage but most have watched Zufii Indians sit in a door-
at a piece of material and tell whether it people are familiar with it in the form of way and drill turquoise with a hand operat-
would take a dye or not. Then it was sliced desk stands, soda fountain counters, table ed bow drill. I have seen Chinese jade
on sand saws. These saws were huge af- tops and other decorative objects. Many carvers plying their laborious art with a
fairs operated by water power. They were readers will remember the fad for Mexican foot operated flexible shaft and a ruby

SEPTEMBER, 1946 17
point for a cutting tool. I have seen hand- The field was just as Dr. Park had de- Harrington helped open up new pages of
made cutting machinery operated by wind- scribed it. Low rolling brown hills on the the prehistory of Nevada and North Amer-
mills on desert dry lakes and diamond left of the wash were sprinkled with agate ica. Later his excavations at Lost City un-
cutting shops where the last word in tech- and chalcedony. There were outcroppings covered and preserved for science and for
nical equipment was at the disposal of the of the better grades of silica or agate onyx. Nevada priceless relics which probably
lapidarists, but this was something else. It didn't take long to discover that there would now be hopelessly lost under the
Every piece of machinery was shining was a good deal of the material on the sur- waters of Lake Mead but for his efforts and
and painted and clean. The guards were all face. We walked some distance and never enthusiasm.
splatter proof. Everything was in its place got out of sight of good cutting material. His unfinished plans included two new
and free from dust. Neat shelves lined the Mr. Brown assured us that this deposit schools for the city he loved. In one of
walls with slices of rough or partially cut runs for about two miles and that here and these was to be a room where his priceless
materials all properly labeled. there are scattered groups of geodes and Indian relics and cut gems could be placed
The place fairly sparkled. One almost chalcedony roses as added attractions. I am on permanent display. The foundations for
expected to see men in white with gauze sure that Dr. Park has given the rockhound these plans were so well laid that I am sure
bandages over their mouths, for this room fraternity a gem location that will bring they will come true when materials again
at first glance reminded me of an operating pleasure to thousands over a good many become available.
room or technical laboratory rather than years. In the meantime I propose that we of
a workshop for a gem cutter. I thought of This trip to the onyx field was made last the rockhound fraternity honor the mem-
my own cutting shop at home with its dust winter, and while the story was in prepara- ory of the kindly doctor by calling this field
and confusion, and secretly resolved to do tion for Desert Magazine word came that to which he has guided us the Park Gem
something about it when I got home (but I Dr. Park had taken his last rock hunting Onyx field. I can think of no more fitting
haven't gotten around to it yet). trip. On February 24 he accompanied his way to remember a man who went gem
Harlow and I left the place feeling bet- friend Bill Brown and other members of hunting on the final day of his life and
ter for having met this fine hobbyist and the Southern Nevada mineralogical society whose last words, spoken to a nurse in the
his cordial wife. We agreed between us on an agate hunting expedition about 15 hospital, were, "It has been a beautiful
that here was a man who really was getting miles east of Boulder City near Detrital day."
the most out of the late years of life. wash. After lunch he complained of a pain • • •
The next morning we went to the home around his heart and Brown rushed him DEDICATE MORMON MONUMENT
of Bill Brown, the gem dealer. He and his back toward home as fast as the rough This is the Place state park, planned to
wife took us out in the back yard and roads would allow. Brown stopped at the be one of Utah's greatest historical, recrea-
showed us a pile of the silica onyx from the checking station at the west entrance to the tional and scenic areas, extending 30 miles
field we were to visit. This material can dam and asked the rangers to phone the northeast along Old Mormon trail from
be obtained, with a little patience and Boulder City hospital to have a doctor Salt Lake City to Henefer, was dedicated
work, in sizes suitable for anything from ready. Dr. Park lived only a few minutes July 24 as high point of Pioneer day cele-
ring sets to large bookends, and the color after he was admitted to the hospital. The brations in the state. First stone was laid
combinations and markings have a wide Nevada desert had lost a great and true for the $300,000 monument at mouth of
and pleasing variety. friend. Emigration canyon.
We turned off the Boulder City road Dr. Park came to Las Vegas as a young "It is my hope that this park forever will
at a point 1.7 miles beyond the center of man of 28 in 1907. He was one of the first preserve the memory of the pioneers and
Henderson (townsite for Basic Magne- professional men in the then struggling the high ideals for which they stood,"
sium plant), and headed for the hills to community. His services as a banker and Gov. Herbert B. Maw said in his formal
the southwest. The road was a typical des- dentist, as a leader in community planning proclamation setting aside the park area,
ert trail—a bit rough but not sandy or and building, as active participant in civic which includes parts of Salt Lake, Morgan
rocky enough to give the average motorist and fraternal organizations, contributed and Summit counties, comprising the most
any trouble. At a point 4.6 miles from much toward making Las Vegas the thriv- rugged and scenic section of the entire
Henderson we stopped the car and climbed ing city it is today. trail. The trail also served Overland stage,
the first low hill to our left. His work at the Gypsum caves with Dr. Pony Express and other groups.

TO LAS VEGAS
TO BEATTY TO SALT LAKE CITY

BASIC MAGNESIUM;
\i g£HENI

PARK ONYX FIELD..."

TO BOULDER CITY

18 THE DESERT MAGAZINE

 The Gridiron-tailed lizard is one of the many harmless creatures on the southwestern desert.
He doesn't object to having his picture taken if the photographer stalks him very slowly.
Photo by the author.

Streamlined for Speed. . .

By RICHARD L. CASSELL

S A SPEEDY little fellow, this which fly (with the exception of the bat) camera-man makes no abrupt movements,
Gridiron or Zebra-tailed lizard of and creatures that are swift on foot are it is possible to stalk within three or four
the desert. The scientists call him equipped with superior eyes. This is true feet of the little fellow.
Callisaurus ventralis. When startled, the of the gridiron-tailed lizard. His eyes are
interval from a rest position to full large, for a lizard, and lustrous black. This This lizard lives on foliage, insects and
"flight" is so instantaneous as to make one extra keenness of vision is invaluable to bugs, and apparently has no scruples
think of a dart shot from a blow-gun. this speedster in spotting an obscure hole against cannibalism. It will swallow a
or crevice in the terrain he inhabits. He smaller lizard alive. The body of the lizard
Confronted with an obstacle, he takes has a high degree of protective coloration,
off through the air like a ski-jumper, and will scoot along the surface and then dart
underground as though he knew that par- but the bands on its tail, like those on a rat-
lands on the run. However, when courting tlesnake next to the buttons, give it a mark-
season comes he becomes much more ap- ticular hole to be there all the time. When
indulging in such a sprint, the tail with ing that is easily distinguishable.
proachable. He has other things on his
mind. He and his mate stage a graceful and from four to eight black and light-grey This interesting and colorful reptile is
rhythmic dance back and forth before each bands is held high in the air to avoid the distributed over the sandy plans and gravel
other "in curious frolics like an amorous possibility of its dragging in the sand and washes of both the Colorado and the Mo-
pair of mocking birds," as Edmund C. thus offering frictional resistance. jave deserts, and is also found abundantly
Jaeger, describes it. This agile saurian is not as difficult to in southern Nevada and Utah. It hiber-
It is interesting to note that creatures photograph as might be expected. If the nates during the winter months.

SEPTEMBER, 1946 19
 Just after the sun slid down behind the
peaks and a great serrated shadow proj-
ected a pattern out into the sunlit grey-
green of the desert I saw The Crow hob-
bling up the path that led to the gap in the
butte. Watching Frank closely I finally
questioned, "Now I wonder where she's
headed?"
Frank took his time to answer before he
said, "That's Tash o' hak, Sun Leaves. She
and her old husband live down in the field
below your camp. People say that she is so
old that she was born before the Pima mas-
sacred the Yuma near Gila Crossing in
1857!"
After another long wait Frank surprised
me as he got to his feet, "I know where
she's going. Follow me."
Moving toward the Gila river we cut
her trail. Then we turned and started to
"After an hour's troweling and brushing we uncovered a cache of 14 pottery ves- pick our way up the northern slope of the
sels. It was one of the greatest discoveries of historic Pima pottery ever made." east butte. From a point almost hidden by
a clump of catsclaw we watched. In a few
moments the old woman walked out of the
shadows and into the sunlight that still
brightened the upper part of the butte.
We found the Hidden Frank whispered, "See that ring of rock
just below us. With the large boulder in
the center. Right where the old lady is
heading. That's Mavi' vd ak, the shrine of

Shrine of Old Makai the Lying Puma. Some of our people call
it Tci apatak, the place of the Mortar."
She entered the shrine. Fumbling with
her dress she moved toward the center
rock. Stooping, she laid something down.
"Don't try and dig up that Makai," the old Indian woman told the Then in the deep silence of the desert
archeologists, "and ii you don't I will direct you to a place where you can where the wind didn't even whisper, we
find more pots than there are ringers on your hands." And this was the heard the thin treble of her voice as she
clue that led Richard Van Valkenburgh and his associates on a field ex- seemed to chant.
pedition to one of the largest caches of ancient Pima pottery ever found in In a few moments she finished. Then
place. For the archeologists kept their word—and the Indian grand- she went up the trail. Motioning to me
mother kept hers. Frank whispered, "Let's follow her. She's
heading for the divide in between the
By RICHARD VAN VALKENBURGH buttes. Then she can see toward the moun-
tains where they say dwells Si oboe, the
Elder Brother."
As we climbed toward the summit the
years ago Ben Wetherill, woman in a ragged black dress watched
silence of the world was broken only by
archeologist for the Los Angeles Ben and Jack's every move!
the tick-tack of a Gila woodpecker as he
museum, Jack Snow, photographer, In time we grew accustomed to being drilled out a new home in a saguaro in the
and myself began excavation of the 1000- shadowed. Finally we labeled the old desert below. Then just as we broke out of
year-old Gila Butte site of the ancient des- woman "The Crow." For when the wind the jungle of cholla and rock a voice came
ert folk whom the Pima call the Hoho k blew and her ragged old sleeves flapped, down to us:
aam, or All-Gone-People. she looked just the part—an old black
Soon after we started work an old Pima crow. But even when we were watching "You might as well come out in the
came to visit. Announcing himself as Juan her, she never came into the open. open!
from Bapchule, a rancheria across the Gila But there was never a move made, par- There she sat on a rock. Her eyes were
river, he protested, "This will bring no ticularly toward the gap in Gila Butte, transfixed on the red afterglow of the set-
good. For you are stirring up the spirits of when we were not under scrutiny. Finally ting sun as it tinted the lavender-blue
the Hoho k aam." But as we later discov- I told Ben, "There's something up on that heights of the Sierra Estrella. Without
ered, disturbing the All-Gone-People butte. One of these days I'm going up there stirring she spoke, "So you boys have been
wasn't what really worried the Pima eld- and find out what this is all about." spying like Apaches on an old Pima wom-
ers. One brisk winter afternoon just before an who came to pray for a sick relative."
After Juan's hint I had a feeling that we Thanksgiving, Frank, a Pima boy from the She then turned. For the first time I saw
were being watched. Late one afternoon I nearby settlement of Sta tannyik, Many her face clearly. Lighter than the average
thought I detected movement behind a Ants, came to visit. Having considerable Pima's its color and texture made me think
nearby saguaro. Slipping away I skirted pottery exposed I was taking my turn as of something I'd seen somewhere before.
the high trash mounds in a wide half- guard while my partners went into Chand- Then I remembered—it was like the skin
circle. My hunch was right. An old Pima ler, Arizona, to get the mail. that stretched over the gaunt jaws of a

20 THE DESERT MAGAZINE

Basketmaker mummy I had seen in north-
ern Arizona.
But her eyes were bright! And they were
jet beads deeply set in the ovaloid frame
made by her black kerchief as she poked
her stick at Frank and chided, "Don't you
know better than to bring that white man
up here. Haven't you seen him digging up
the All-Gone-People. Now he will want
to dig out that old Makai or medicine: man
that sits under the rocks of Mavi' va* ak,
the Lying Puma."
My mind turned a somersault. Had Sun
Leaves let something slip? Was that what
they were really guarding—the sitting
burial of a Hoho k aam medicine man un-
der the shrine? If so, it was contrary to all
the archeological information we had ob-
tained from the Gila Butte site. For we had
found nothing but cremations!
These thoughts were interrupted as the
old lady poked her stick at me, "I see
what's in your eyes. Don't try and dig up
that Makai. And don't steal what I left
down there in the mortar. I'll know! For
with an old man, from Bapchule, I guard
The Shrine oj Mavi' Va' ak.
the shrine of Mavi' va' ak!"
Then looking me straight in the eye for
some time she finally said, "Don't bother boulder. And in its top there was a cavity similar to that found down on our site. In
filled with offerings. addition to pottery sherds of the red on
our shrine. And if you don't, before you
leave the land of the Pima, I'll direct you There was an assortment of nickels and buff variety, there were fragments of
to a place where you can dig out more pots pennies dating from 1906-1923. Then worked shell. Outstanding among these
than there are fingers on your hands." there were glass trade-beads. The tiny blue was a part of a glycimiris shell bracelet
and red ones of translucent glass were eas- upon which was exquisitely carved a frog.
After the old lady left we went down to ily recognizable as the type used by traders How these 1000-year-old pieces got to
the shrine. The outer ring of small s:ones around 1800 A. D. And mixed with them the shrine is anyone's guess. Of the first
was some 15 feet in diameter. Entrances was an assortment of the dime store would be that the Pima had picked them
came in from the four cardinal directions. variety. up. But actually the only definite way of
In the center, and on a slight rise, there Scattered through the rocks there was finding out for sure would be to excavate
was a cairn of rock piled against a larger an abundance of Hoho k aam material down a few feet and see what type of
sherds came from the bottom—Pima or
Hoho k' aam?
The old fence, which was the key to the location of the pottery cache.
I took nothing but one beautifully ser-
rated arrowpoint of flecked translucent ob-
sidian. And that was picked up near and
not on the shrine. But every few days I
would go up there and speculate. The old
Makai sitting under that rock almost be-
came an obsession with me. I used to pon-
der—what was more important. Dig out
the shrine? Or keep the Pima's friendship?
Just a few days before we closed the
"dig" I went across the fields to the old
saguaro-rib house of Sun Leaves. Using a
school girl, who was visiting the old wom-
an, for an interpreter, I said, "Grand-
mother, as far as I'm concerned your shrine
is as you left it."
After quite a time she answered, "I've
been up there. I've seen your tracks. Noth-
ing is disturbed. Not even the turquoise
beads that I hid under the big rock! For
after I talked to you in the gap I went back
and made sure that you wouldn't find
them."
Then taking a stick she started to draw
lines in the dust as she directed, "Go
around to the west side of Gila Butte. Then
travel along the back of the river until you
SEPTEMBER, 1946
21
 TO PHOENIX, 2 4 MILES
MAWVA'AK S ENVIRONS

CHANDLER Hohokam Sites

ARIZONA Pima Settlements-
A

. . GOLDMINE

' "•"••••' \Archaeological Site

r7"- ' •: • . i [Excavated by Gifa Pueblo
SNAKETOWN .......... i^SANTAN

I
•.;.":
a if)E J Site Excavated by ^MOUNTAINS . . . ,..
[*Af*UfT c ^ ]Los Angeles Museum
UAlfiC *y lZ_/g3/_/g32 II
5AN
MARICOPA WELLS
STAGE STATION = ' ™ ::;;^st?Si^,^,
1
BAPCHULE»°« ;

CASA BLANCA

NOTE: All Hohokam Sites Shown Are Located on the

Gilo River Indian Reservation. Permit from
the U. S. Department of Interior Must Be Obtained
Before Excavating.

TO CASA GRANDE RUIN & COOLIDGE

see an old log fence. In front of that fence tions to plainware of buff, grey and red. of the dome-shaped dwellings similar to
look for a burned spot. Dig there!" In shape they ran from small bowls to large the one still standing at Snaketown in
A few days later I asked Jack Snow to globular vessels with constricted necks. 1931. For some reason the house had been
Actually Sun Leaves had directed us to a burned. Whether this was occasioned by
get his cameras and come with me for a
jaunt down in the desert. Following Sun complete housekeeping outfit of a Pima death or disease we will never know.
Leaves' directions we traveled to the west family of the 1850's. We were reasonably For Sun Leaves never told us the story.
side of Gila Butte. Then shoving the sta- sure of the date. For the small red and blue As fate decreed, soon after our discovery,
tion wagon into low we ground through beads with white centers found on the she passed on to the Land of the East,
the silty soil of the river bank. floor are known as the Comdline d' Alep- where all good Pima go. All we know is
po, And this type was introduced into the what we saw and that the old Pima woman
After a short pull we spied an old wood- Southwest by traders during the middle of directed us to one of the greatest caches of
en corral. This might be it. So we pulled the 19th century. historic Pima pottery ever found in place.
up in front of the gate. While Jack set up This was our ample reward for not dese-
his cameras I began to comb the sandy sur- The circle of charcoal and burned arrow- crating Mavi' va' ak, the shrine of the Ly-
face. Something pulled my eyes to the weed told us that here once had stood one ing Puma.
ground. I was standing in the center of a
15 foot ring of dark earth shot with char- SUPERSTITIONS ALMOST CLAIM NEW VICTIM
coal! —BUT TREASURE SEEKER RESCUES SELF
Superstition mountains, east of Phoenix, at the idea that a posse had been sent to
Calling Jack I began to scuff away the Arizona, almost claimed another victim, find him, and declared his experience had
loose top material with the side of my shoe. latest in long line of searchers for legen- not stopped his determination to return to
My sole caught on something. Getting dary Lost Dutchman mine believed to be search again for the Lost Dutchman.
down on my hands and knees I looked located somewhere in the rugged range. "It was a case of too many canyons, and
closer. It would not be necessary to search A. F. Lohr, 61, a Phoenix railroad office I was sure mixed up for a while," he said.
further. For just flush with the surface employe, made his way out of the range to Although he reported he was "calm" he
were the rims of two pottery vessels. Apache Junction after a cowboy and sher- was without food, water or bedding when
An hour's careful troweling and brush- iff's posse made an all day search for him darkness fell in the Superstitions. Later he
July 29. Lohr had become separated from found a pool, where he bathed and rested.
ing uncovered a cache of 14 pottery ves-
two companions the previous day while
sels. To add to our loot there was an old the trio were searching for the lost gold Finally reaching the highway, next day, he
milling stone and fragments of coiled bas- mine. hitchhiked a ride to Apache Junction.
ketry. And most important were datable Saga of the fabulous mine has drawn
trade-beads and bottles some of which had Cowboys from First Water ranch south seekers to the Superstitions for half a cen-
the Spanish word boca fired into the glass. of the range organized the manhunt after tury. Many men reportedly vanished;
Fred Hammell and William Flora, both of others who lived to return told of finding
Leaving the pots in situ for a picture we Phoenix, reported their companion miss- skeletons of other treasure hunters who
studied them. In color they ran from those ing. Later sheriff's deputies joined them. either had met with foul play or had be-
with buff bodies with red linear decora- After Lohr "rescued" himself, he scoffed come fatally lost.

22 THE DESERT MAGAZINE

 ob ^tattu rlou/etl
--an J-.ea</e5
By MARY BEAL

/ / ERE'S a curious little bush, so pale in coloring that its

"f-J aspect is almost spectral. It catches the eye most notice-
ably in summer when the bush is covered with clusters of
very small white flowers. Blooming when most of the shrubs
have completed their annual flowering, the Sandpaper Plant sets
off its neutral surroundings with a galaxy of tiny twinkling
stars. It belongs to the Loasa family, a small group distinguished
by herbage with rough, barbed or stinging hairs, all more or less
unpleasant to handle. The most irritating genus, Eucnide,
warns emphatically "Hands off" at the slightest touch but the
genus we now consider is one of the least disagreeable, being
rough to the touch but not stinging. It is known botanically as
Petalonyx and the most common species is
Petalonyx thurberi
This species was named for the botanist George Thurber of
the Mexican Boundary Survey made in the early 1850s. Usually
a low rounding bush a foot or two high and as broad or some-
times more than twice as broad, the pale grey-green herbage
whitened by a dense covering of fine, stiff, short hairs turned
backward, giving the plant a sandpapery roughness. The
shortly-branched woody base bears numerous erect or ascending
branches, each branch with many slender ascending branchlets
ending in short, rather showy flower heads or spikes arranged Small starry white flowers cover this Sandpaper Plant,
in open clusters like a corymb. The individual flowers are tiny, Petalonyx thurberi, in summer. Photo, by the author,
the 5 petals of the white corolla with long hairy claws lightly shows end of one branch.
joined, to form a slender flaring tube, the blades spreading into
a sparkling little star. The delicately fragrant flower is unique in midsummer at altitudes of 3500 to 7000 feet and are rather
in the arrangement of its 5 stamens, which are outside the cor- rare but now and then delight the botanist (scientific or ama-
olla instead of within and are twice its length. The small harsh teur) in canyons of the western Mojave desert, mountains of
leaves are sessile, lanceolate to narrowly ovate, lA to 1 inch long, Owens valley and the Death Valley area, southern Nevada and
the upper ones smaller and entire, the lower sometimes with a Utah, and western Arizona. I have botanized over most of the
few teeth near the base. areas where the Death Valley Expedition found this plant but
This Sandpaper Plant is abundant in sandy soil on plains, it was in springtime (March and April) and the flower panicles
slopes and washes, up to 5000 feet altitude, from southern Ne- had barely started to grow.
vada through the deserts of California and western Arizona into
northwestern Mexico, blooming from late spring to early fall. Petalonyx parryi
Conspicuously different from the foregoing shiny species,
Petalonyx linearis though it was for a time assigned to that classification, this Par-
A woody-based, globose bush, leafier and generally smaller ry Sandpaper Plant is the largest of the Petalonyx species. It is
than the above species, from 6 to 15 inches high, the herbage more shrubby and decidedly woody of stem, 3 to 5 feet tall,
harsh to the touch, the leaves green and all entire, roughened by rounding in form. The leaves are Vz to 1 inch long, ovate and
minute hard points or prickles, and not noticeably graduated in sessile or nearly so, the margins with rounded teeth instead of
size, linear to narrowly oblong, V2 to over 1 inch long. The tiny pointed, the lower ones becoming small, oblong and entire. The
white flowers are clustered into dense heads, the blade of each white flowers are nearly V2 inch long and are borne in simple,
petal centered on the back by a thick hairy patch, the claws only dense, spike-like racemes. It favors dry washes at moderate ele-
slightly hairy. In bloom by early spring, it is found occasionally vations and may be found in bloom in late spring in southern
on sandy plains and rocky canyons, up to 2500 feet elevation, in Utah and Nevada, and northern Arizona.
Colorado desert, southwest Arizona and Lower California. • • •
Petalonyx nitidus Island of Ferns Found in New Mexico . . .
A very interesting, leafy bush with many herbaceous stems A sunken island of ferns watered by a year round subterranean
from the base, 8 to 16 inches high, the herbage minutely rough stream has been discovered in Grants lava flow, west of Albu-
to the touch. The plant is easily recognized by the glistening sur- querque, by Dr. Alton Lindsay, assistant professor of biology,
face of its leaves, which are described in the old botanical re- University of New Mexico. The fern, maidenhair spleenwort,
ports of the Geological Survey as "vitreous and shining." They grows on an island apparently made when roof of one of the
vary little in size, from an inch to 11/\ inches long, are coarsely- many caverns in the lava flow collapsed, forming a base in mid-
toothed, broadly-ovate to round-ovate, and attached to the stem dle of a doughnut-shaped pool. Because the fern pool is just
by short petioles. In addition to the conspicuous leaves, the within western boundary of Acoma Indian reservation, the bi-
flowers too are more showy and twice the size of the other ologist believes only a few Acoma herdsmen have seen the little
species mentioned, the white corollas V3 inch long and disposed island. It is invisible from road or railroad and seems destined
in dense cymose panicles terminating the branches. They bloom for indefinite preservation.

SEPTEMBER, 1946 23
 This time it's a Shovel-Nosed Ground snake, Chioactis occipitalis annulatus, a nocturnal
species little known prior to the advent of night collecting.

When hot weather comes, the reptiles on the des-

ert—like humans—prefer to do their traveling in
the cool hours of the night. This fact long ago be-
came known to the scientists whose business it is to
collect and classify these denizens of the dune coun-
try. And if you wonder just when and how the
"herps" go about their task of gathering in the liz-
ards and snakes—here is the story of a scientific
snake-hunt.

By KEN STOTT, JR.

Photographs by G. E. Kirkpatrick

v ^ R E E P I N G along the desert high- ing and at the same time constructive No idle pastime this. Each captured rep-
( way in darkness of night at 12 miles sports the Southwest has to offer. tile contributes to the general knowledge
an hour is a car bulging with pas- Each year during the late spring and of our native fauna. Reptile collectors have
sengers. There is one on each front fender, early fall night-collectors from western an unwritten agreement that any speci-
and from every open window projects a colleges and natural history societies pour men they pick up is to be sent to the man
head with eyes straining toward the into the deserts. Some of them are top- who knows the most about the group to
ground. notch scientists, others are students, and which it belongs. Consequently few valu-
"Migrant fruit pickers on their way to a still others mere novices out for a thrill. able specimens fail to arrive eventually at
new job?" you ask. But the object of one and all is to collect the institutions which can make the best
No, guess again. They are reptile col- every snake and lizard which is so unwise use of them.
lectors engaged in one of the most excit- as to crawl across the road ahead of them. The Southern California clearing house

24 THE DESERT MAGAZINE

 Above—"Got it!"—and this Western Glossy snake, Arizona elegans eburnata, is on its way to London via the San Diego zoo.
Below—The snake-stick removes most hazards from snake collecting. The prize here is a small species of rattler—the sidewinder.

SEPTEMBER, 1946 25
Page 2 of snakes and lizards with a minimum of
effort. Furthermore, they discovered that
5/12/59 * species which they previously had consid-
ered uncommon could be collected by the
SPECIMENS ( & known- MILEAGE. TEMP. TIME REMARKS DOR bushel. Inactive during the day, and as a
polnts for mileage result seldom collected, creatures like the
correlations.) Leaf-nosed snake became run-of-the-mill
captives.
Julian 7369
After a few years of concentrated night-
collecting herpetologists were able to for-
mulate a fairly definite schedule of reptil-
Worm Snake 7391 75° 7:15 Wind fairly ian activity. They found that there are two
L. h. cahuilae strong seasons during which desert reptiles are
most active, late spring and early fall. Dur-
Spotted Night Snake 7393 Cliff left X ing these f ~tiods, more reptiles are on the
H. t. ochrorhyncha Drop-off rt.
move between eight and eleven p. m. than
Sentenac Bridge 7394 at any other time of night. From eleven on
their numbers dwindle until the small
Glossy Snake 7396 72° 8:02 hours when catches come few and far be-
A. e. eburnata tween.
7397
Night collecting is not an expensive
Yaqui Well
pastime nor does it require a great deal of
Long-nosed Snake 7398 -73° 8:15 equipment. "Musts" however, include: a
R. 1. clarus snake stick which consists of a broom han-
it 11
dle at one end of which is secured a leather
Gecko 7398 noose that can be manipulated by a long
C. v. variegatus wire leading to the other end, a pair of
Shovel-nosed Ground 7399 X long-handled forceps, several hole-less
Snake flour sacks, half a dozen large glass jars
C. 0. annulatus with perforated covers, a thermometer, a
notebook and pencil, a couple of flash-
Leaf-nosed Snake 7400 73° 8:33 lights, and a car. This list should be sup-
P. d. perklnsi plemented for safety's sake by a snake-bite
n 7401 74° 8:35 Strong west kit of reputable make.
wind In planning a night collecting trip, it is
Gecko 7402 73° 8:44 best to arrive at the area in which you in-
tend to collect well before nightfall so that
a survey of the country may be made in
daylight. The surface and shoulders of the
road should be examined as well as the ad-
jacent terrain. Whenever possible, roads
bordered by ditches should be avoided for
such obstacles discourage reptiles from
Sample page from the log of an actual crossing them and the road beyond. Ideal
night collecting trip. is a road which runs on exactly the same
level as the adjoining country with no in-
tervening obstacles, and the darker the
for reptiles is the San Diego 200 where Twenty-five years ago night-collecting macadam the better.
L. M. Klauber, C. B. Perkins and Charles techniques were very primitive, consisting When dusk falls the time for snake col-
E. Shaw, three internationally recognized of merely wandering across the desert on lecting begins. A collector with flashlight
herpetological authorities, examine and foot and collecting by the light of a Cole- in hand perches on each fender and the
identify each specimen and relay it to the man lantern. First to recognize the poten- hunt begins at the speed of from 10 to 12
proper destination. Duplicate specimens tialities of this method was L. M. Klauber miles per hour. Every additional mile of
not desired by specialists are sent to fill out who developed it into a science. speed above that decreases the chance of
collections in various scientific institu- On driving surfaced desert roads at seeing the more minute and neutrally col-
tions. Hundreds of specimens pass through night he found that pale-colored reptiles, ored snakes and lizards. Traveling at a
the San Diego reptile house each year and which were difficult to discern against the snail's pace it is possible to scan every inch
subsequently find their way to every corner desert sands, at once became apparent of the road as the headlight beams move
of the globe. A Mojave rattler picked up by when they crawled onto a macadamized along. Whenever some object which may
a high school student near Barstow may road. Against this dark and unnatural be a specimen is spied, the signal for a halt
wind up in the London 200 and a Long- background, their light bodies were per- is given and all occupants pile out of the
nosed snake brought into the zoo from fectly outlined. Klauber began to make a car to take a look at it. Sometimes it may be
Borrego may be dispatched to the museum business of touring desert roads at night in no more than a wisp of straw, a coil of
in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Money search of reptiles and his results were so wire or even a "fan-belt snake" but then
never is involved in these transactions, astonishing that other southwestern herpe- again it may be the real thing.
either between the original collectors and tologists (or "herps," as they have come Since the only dangerous snakes in the
the intermediaries or between the latter to be known) lost no time in following his Southwest are rattler and coral snakes, any
and the institutions to which the reptiles lead. other type of snake may be picked up in
eventually are sent. It's all for the sake of In using Klauber's method, collectors the bare hand. With rattlers it is always
science. found a way to accumulate large numbers best to use the snake-stick which puts a

26 THE DESERT MAGAZINE

distance of three and a half feet between cord the living ones for such statistics
the collector and the business end of the prove valuable in defining the distribu- Western Glossy Snake is in a
reptile. Coral snakes, which are restricted tion of a species. A slip of paper bearing group called the Faded Snakes,
to eastern Arizona, can be handled safely the speedometer-reading should be placed is closely related to the bull
with a long pair of forceps. Large reptiles in the receptacle with each specimen and snakes which it somewhat re-
should be dropped in flour sacks while serves to correlate it with the correspond- sembles. It is smooth and shiny,
small ones are better placed in glass jars. ing information in the notebook. is strictly nocturnal, averages
It is of extreme importance that certain When snakes and lizards are forward- 30 inches in length.
information regarding every specimen ed to scientific institutions by collectors, Sidewinder or Horned Rattler is
collected be recorded. Following the complete information should accompany remarkable for its peculiar loop-
snake's name (or number, if his identity is each one. Without this data, the specimen ing, sidewise locomotion, is al-
uncertain) should be placed the location loses much of its value and contributes lit- most entirely nocturnal, aver-
at which he was caught, best done by giv- tle to the knowledge of its species. ages about 18 inches in length,
ing the exact mileage from a known point; While night-collecting has brought is poisonous.
the temperature; the time of collection; much to light concerning the various rep-
and remarks regarding the surrounding tilian denizens of our deserts, there still is Leaf-nosed Snakes (Phyllorhyn-
terrain or anything else which seems sig- a great deal to be learned about them and chus) are nocturnal desert spe-
nificant. This data may be recorded most only continued collecting and the resulting cies. Although first discovered
conveniently by lining a sheet of paper so statistical studies will fill in the gaps. So in 1868 only 10 additional speci-
that each item has a column of its own— rig yourself up a snake-stick, climb into mens were found until 1922, but
name, location, temperature, time, and re- the car and head for the desert. You may after L. M. Klauber discovered
marks. To these add a sixth column head- be the one to collect a rare specimen or their nocturnal habits often more
ed by the initials DOR which in the ver- contribute some important piece of infor- individuals were collected in
nacular of the herp means "Dead on mation for which herpetologists have one night than in the entire pre-
Road." It is almost as important to record searched in vain since a serpent upset the ceding 65 years. Averages 15
every dead specimen observed as it is to re- applecart in the Garden of Eden. inches.

Bob Glaser (left) and the author record the temperature immediately following the capture
of a specimen. Recordings over a period of time establish the temperature at
which each species is most active.

SEPTEMBER, 1946 27
 Winslow, Arizona . . .
A small group of Phoenix men are reported

GM& . .
to have purchased on a royalty basis the silica
sands in Meteor crater near here. The sand is
reported to test 99.7 per cent with no refractory
elements except a low per cent of iron. The sand
Washington, D. C. . . . Salt Lake City . . . will be used for precision casting.
Ending a long controversy, the silver bill Production of steel at the Geneva war plant, • • •
raising the price of the metal from 71.11c to recently acquired from the federal government Johannesburg, California . . .
90.5 cents was approved by both houses of con- by the U. S. Steel corporation, was resumed late A steady producer for more than 50 years the
gress July 19, and the signature of the President in July. The corporation has filed an application King Solomon gold mine has resumed operation
was assured. Under the compromise reached by for a rate of $8.00 a ton on finished steel after being closed down during the war years.
house and senate representatives in conference shipped to Pacific Coast points from San Diego Both the mine and mill have been leased to Max
the U. S. mints will pay the new price for do- to Seattle, Washington. Hess and James Christensen by the Shipsey Min-
mestic silver only for one year after the month • • • ing company, owners of the property. It is re-
in which the mineral is mined. Actually, the ported the mill will handle custom ore from
U. S. treasury may get $1.38 an ounce for a Miner, Nevada . . . other nearby properties.
limited amount of silver to be used in the coin- Following several months of exploratory
• • •
age of 100,000 half dollars commemorating work, production of ore is expected to start
Iowa's statehood, and 5,000,000 honoring the soon at the Warrior gold property in northwest- Jerome, Arizona . . .
Negro educator, Booker T. Washington. Con- ern Nye county. The property recently has been After 60 years of operation during which
siderable foreign silver was dumped on the acquired by John Siri and Martin G. Evanson. more than $600,000,000 of copper, silver and
market by speculators during the controversy A considerable ore body that assayed from l'/i gold have been produced, the old mines at Jer-
in congress, temporarily relieving the shortage to three ounces of gold has been tapped on a ome have been worked out and the smelter at
of metal among Indian metal workers. new drift. Clarksdale is to be closed down next year. The
• • • o • • United Verde Copper company opened the Jer-
El Ceniro, California . . . ome district in 1883. In 1915 the United Verde
Gallup, New Mexico . . . U. S. Gypsum company, which purchased the Extension Copper company was formed, and
One of the large wells used for irrigation pur- Plaster City plant and quarries of the Portland in 1935 Phelps Dodge acquired the United
poses in Bluewater valley recently began pump- Cement company, has announced plans for en- Verde and the extension company was dissolved
ing saline water that was reported to carry ep- larging the capacity of the mill, rebuilding the in 1938 due to exhaustion of ore. Phelps Dodge
som salts. Owners drilled deeper and were suc- narrow-gauge railroad which runs 26 miles to has made an exhaustive search for additional ore
cessful in casing off the salt water and getting the deposits in Fish Creek mountains, and re- in the area without success.
a fresh supply. building the housing facilities of employes. • • •
Bisbee, Arizona . . .
After being closed by strike for more than 100
days, the smelters of the Phelps Dodge corpora-
A T W O MILLION DOLLAR tion are in operation again and expect a steady
increase in the production of lead, copper and
zinc. More than 1,000 men are employed at Bis-

POWER BUSINESS bee and the Morenci plant expects to use 2500
when it reaches full production. Miners are
said to be plentiful for the first time in five
years.
IMPERIAL IRRIGATION DISTRICT'S POWER REVENUE FOR 1945 • • •
TOTALED MORE THAN TWO MILLION DOLLARS Prescott, Arizona . . .
According to the report of J. Walters Jr.,
owner of French Lily mine, a process has been
perfected for the refining of vermiculite which
will have an important bearing on the produc-
tion of lubricating oil. It was stated that capital
TOTAL REVENUE for 1945 was $2,413,235.40, recorded by is available for the construction of a $5,000,000
refinery in Yavapai county where the mineral is
the District's power division, an increase of $284,768.25 over plentiful. Until recently the mineral has been
1944. MORE IMPORTANT is the total of $827,088.89 IN NET too abrasive for use in lubricants but the new
REVENUE as compared to the 1944 total of $622,697.35—A refining process eliminates this objection and it
is believed a commercial product can be pro-
GAIN of $204,391.54. . . . duced at between 20c and 30c a pound.
• • •
This large increase in power revenue was made possible
An extensive deposit of bone-white pumice
by greater consumption of electricity, previous elimination of has been located near Oasis in Inyo county, Cali-
competition, and intelligent business planning which is con- fornia, according to the report of D. H. Patten,
tinuing to provide for expanding power needs of rapidly locator.
growing communities. • • •
Arizona Bureau of Mines at the state univer-
sity at Tucson has issued two new maps showing
A decade of successful growth is ample proof that Impe- metallic and non-metallic deposits in Arizona.
rial Irrigation District's Power Program when fully developed A third map shows the Arizona mining districts
will take care of future requirements, as well as it has past and is indexed. A fourth map, revised reprint of
needs. the state topographic map will be out soon.
• • •
After a brief lapse of market quotations fol-
lowing the lapse of OPA, the price of copper
was re-established at 143/^ cents a pound.
• • •
Carter Oil company, a subsidiary of Standard

Imperial Irrigation District. of New Jersey, has set stakes for oil drilling op-
erations 10 miles northwest of Vernal in Utah.
This is the first major oil company to enter the
Ashley valley district.
• • •
According to reports from the Civil Produc-
Use Your Own Power-Make it Pay for the All American i tion Administration, 300,000 tons of copper in
government stock piles may be released for the
veteran housing program within the next 60
days.

28 THE DESERT MAGAZINE

 Challenge of the Indians . '. .

LETTERS...
Fangs of a Rattlei . . . of the size indicated by the crater would
Dear Editor:
Prescott, Arizona

The article quoting Mrs. Threepersons

of Silver City, New Mexico, on the high
Ajo, Arizona possess an enormous amount of energy infant mortality rate and the 8V2 times
Dear Sir: which would be turned to heat when the U. S. average of tubercular victims among
I wish to take exception to an item in meteorite was suddenly stopped. This heat our Navajo is U. S. scandal No. 1. It is a
your "True or False" column in your July might easily be enough to vaporize the challenge to our churches, our educational
issue. You state that the rattlesnake has mass and cause an explosion capable of system, and to all of us as individuals.
but two fangs. I have examined many rat- forming a crater much larger than the me- These "real Americans" deserve the
tlesnakes and have never found one with- teorite producing it. The Henbury craters right to expand educationally, to have am-
out at least two fangs on either side. It is of central Australia afford proof of the ple hospitals, and the best medical care.
true that only two, one on either side, are above conclusion. There are 13 of these What will be our future action to im-
used when the snake strikes but right back pits, all smaller than the one in Arizona, prove these deplorable conditions? Will
of the pair that is in use is another pair and the 12 largest are entirely empty while we continue to concern ourselves with the
ready to grow into place in case the first the smallest contained meteoritic matter welfare of those in foreign lands and
pair is lost. The second pair can be lifted which has now been removed. neglect our duty to the Navajo at home?
from the roof of the mouth with a knife While the main mass of the Arizona me- Christ said, "As much as ye have done it
blade or stick very readily and it certainly teorite was dissipated as vapor, there is unto the least of these, ye have done it un-
looks potent. still plenty of evidence of its former exist- to me."
LESLIE N. GOODDING ence. When the explosion took place, the MRS. E. J. McCORMICK
heat fused some of the sandstone in which • • •
Friend Gooddlng: Just to put us the crater was formed and impregnated it
both straight on this matter of the with vapor. Mr. John Herman, well Those Lost Wagons . . .
rattler's fangs I referred your question known Los Angeles assayer and chemist, San Gabriel, California
to Ken Stott Jr. of the Zoological So- has kindly made for me spectroscopic tests Dear Desert:
ciety of San Diego. The information of the fused material and reports that it
in Stott's answer comes from C. B. On March 10, 1928, Henry Moore and
contains nickel and other elements found myself started on a trip to Death Valley. I
Perkins, head of the reptile depart- in the smaller meteoric masses which fell
ment of the San Diego society. Fol- wanted to find out about the history of
over the surrounding country. He states those lost wagons that have held a prom-
lowing is his letter.—R.H. that the result is "exactly as would be ex- inent place on all Death Valley maps in
Dear Mr. Henderson: pected from meteoric vapor." recent years—about six miles west of the
Neither of the versions of fang shedding The fact that one geologist holds to the mouth of Titus canyon.
and replacement which you gave in your theory of a volcanic origin of the Arizona On the morning of the 12th we left
letter is strictly correct. Fangs are contin- crater is of interest, but we should not for- Stovepipe wells and drove to the mouth of
ually shedding and replacing, there always get that a large number of scientists have Titus. We had field glasses so we could
being a series of fangs in various stages of made a personal investigation of the local- search the landscape for the missing wag-
development in addition to the working ity and have come to a quite different con- ons. But we could find no trace of them.
pair. If one of the working pair is injured clusion as a result of evidence that seems Apparently they were gone. I had heard
or destroyed there is no replacement im- to them to be quite conclusive. many times they were wagons abandoned
mediately, the next fang in line taking its W. SCOTT LEWIS by the Jayhawkers in the winter of '49. But
place only when it would have done so in
the normal replacement process.
KEN STOTT JR.
• • •
Origin of the Crater . . .
Hollywood, California
Dear Mr. Henderson:
The July issue of Desert Magazine con-
tains a note saying that Dr. N. H. Darton
of the U. S. Geological Survey has conclud-
ed that the Arizona meteor crater was
formed as a result of a steam explosion,
apparently basing his belief on the fact that
search has failed to reveal the presence of a
deeply buried meteorite. Such a conclusion
seems to me to be rather surprising in view
of the evidence that has accumulated re-
garding this and other similar craters.
As a result of a personal study of the
region, the evidence in favor of an explo-
sive origin of the crater seems to me to be
very strong. However it points also to a
meteoritic origin with nothing to indicate
any volcanic action.
The fact that the meteorite is no longer
there is really what we should expect. A
mass, or more probably a group of masses, "Our road turns off along here someplace .

SEPTEMBER, 1946 29
according to Manly's book, that was not
true. Folks who never have seen the desert
We went back to Surveyor's well and
stretched a canvas on which to eat our
TRUE OR FALSE sometimes have strange notions as to what
the country is like, what people do there,
lunch. The thermometer read 110 degrees and how the humans and plants and animals survive the hot summers. The answers
in the shade—yet we didn't feel too warm to these questions all appear sooner or later in Desert Magazine—and many of
in our shirt sleeves. As we finished our them may be found in the monthly Quiz. So you can learn something from this de-
lunch an Indian rode into camp. As he partment, even if your score is not very high. The average person knows about ten
came closer I recognized him as Shoshone of the 20 answers. A desert dweller should score 15. More than that indicates a su-
John. perior knowledge of the desert. Answers are on page 44.
He said: "Me look for horses from Fur- 1—In the desert country, as a rule, the higher the altitude the higher the tem-
nace Creek ranch. You see horses?" We perature. True False
told him we had been searching the area
with our field glasses and had seen a few 2—Many of the Indian tribesmen in the Southwest still daub their faces with
burros, but not- one horse. Then I put a paint for ceremonial events. True False
few oranges in John's saddlebag, and in- 3—Cottonwood trees shed their leaves in wintertime. True False
troduced him to my friend Moore. In the 4—First explorer to run the rapids of the Grand Canyon in a boat was Lieut.
conversation that followed I got what I be- Joseph C. Ives. True False
lieve is authentic information about the 5—Palm trees on the desert may live for six or eight years without water.
lost wagons. I asked him if it was true those True False..
were the wagons abandoned by the Jay- 6—Wupatki national monument is an old Indian ruin in New Mexico.
hawkers. John shook his head and said, "I True False
tell you all."
7—The state of Utah derived its name from a tribe of Indians.
"Some man buy wagons from Borax
True False
company to take to Nevada. Two wagons,
try take 'em up valley north. No road, get 8—Furnace Creek Inn is the name of a hotel in Death Valley.
'em stuck, get disgusted, leave 'em wagons, True False
go 'way, say come back some day. One 9—Hornblende often occurs in crystalline form. True False
month no come back. One year no come 10—The Colorado desert is in the state of Colorado. True False
back. Ten years no come back. Forever no 11—According to the tradition of the Hopi Indians, their gods live in the San
come back. People at bungalow city
(Stovepipe Wells hotel) haul 'em wag- Francisco mountains of Arizona. True False
ons to bungalow city." We recalled we 12—The famous Comstock lode was located near Tonopah, Nevada.
True False
had seen a couple of ancient wagons at the
Wells. And so the old wagons are being 13—A line drawn north and south through Salt Lake City would be west of
preserved—and this is what I believe to be Tucson, Arizona. True False
the true story of their origin. 14—It never snows at Snowflake, Arizona. True False
A. FRED EADS 15—Gen. Kearny's Army of the West in 1846 crossed the Colorado river near the
• • • present site of Needles, California. True False
Be Good to the Tenderfeet . . . 16—Conchas dam and reservoir supply irrigation water for farmers in New
Warrenton, Oregon Mexico. True False
Dear Mr. Henderson: 17—Beavertail cactus has no spines. True False
18—Rattlesnakes often are killed by non-venomous kingsnakes.
Please do not be too rough on the ten-
True False
derfeet. I've helped entertain many of them
with tall tales of the West. This desert 19—Father Kino was the first padre to explore the present territory of Utah.
would be a dull place without 'em. So be as True False
tolerant as you can for we'll surely miss 'em 20—Fiber from the devil's claw is used by the Indian women for weaving baskets.
if they ever quit coming to the open spaces. True False
Don't let anybody kid you about rattle-
snakes and hair ropes. If you'll just follow
world is quite likely to remain just a tion that if you feed White Leghorns yel-
a rattler around awhile you'll find they
dream for a few thousand years. low corn their feathers will turn yellow."
cross anything, no matter how sharp or jag-
Anyway, in the event of an atomic war, Now anything you write in Desert is all
ged. There may be some special kind of a
please save space for me and my bedroll at right with me. I like it. But my Leghorn
rope they do not like, but I have never seen
your Juniper spring (Desert, July '46). pullets took offense and quit laying eggs
such a rope and I have spent long periods when I told them what you said.
On second thought, though, I reckon my
in the desert. I have never found a rattler
patriotic sense of duty would prevent me So if you are ever up this way look me up
in my bed nor around it. The Indians do
(and you too) from hiding out like that. and I'll show you any number of White
not use ropes for protection.
We probably would join up again, or pro- Leghorns with yellow feathers. Well,
J. JAMES
duce food and other essentials to keep the maybe not a canary yellow, but definitely
• • • rest of the gullible folks fighting each
Hair Ropes and Yellow Feathers . . . a nice rich creamy yellow tinge all through
other.
Centralia, Washington the feathers. They got that way from eating
I see that old rattlesnake hair-rope ar-
Dear Mr. Henderson: yellow corn, or perhaps it was just some
gument is still going strong in Desert.
That reminds me that you stuck your neck of that wonderful carotene content alfalfa
Your "Just Between You and Me" page
for August was tops. May I have the privi- out something scandalous (Desert, May meal that was grown, harvested, ground
lege of being numbered among the tribal '46) with your comment, "a hair rope to and de-hydrated in your irrigated desert
members of the dream world you wrote keep rattlers off the bed comes from the country.
:about? But the sad part of it is your dream same school of voodoo as the old supersti- RALPH WALDO

30 THE DESERT MAGAZINE

 Juana Maria Better Than Nothing provided the an artful camouflage of the spot where it had been dug. When
thrill of the month for Rider, Rudyard and Victoria her labors were completed all the earth, dry twigs and fallen
South. Bearer of the multiple name is one of the three leaves had been replaced so expertly that it was absolutely im-
desert tortoises cherished as pets by the young possible to see that they had ever been disturbed. Then, con-
members of the South family. Juana Maria's tentedly, well satisfied that she had done a good job, Juana
achievement—with the resultant anticipation—is re- Maria ambled off to rejoin her companions—and Rider, Rud-
vealed by Marshal in this chapter of life at Ghost yard and Victoria, who had watched the proceedings with
Mountain. breathless interest, carefully dug up the precious eggs and in-
stalled them safely in a screen-covered box of earth to hatch.
When—and if—the tiny tortoises emerge to the light of day
they can count on a hearty and affectionate welcome.
We are still far from settled. In fact it often seems that we
have not yet even begun to start our settling. Almost all of our
possessions still are scattered over the landscape, sketchily
housed against possible thundershowers by scraps of canvas,
By MARSHAL SOUTH old roofing iron, tar paper and anything which might serve to
turn storm water. Many of them are uncovered, for there is not

r HE WILDERNESS of tumbled boulders, which is the

summit of Ghost Mountain, gleams in the sun. The des-
ert is utterly still. Not even one of the vagrant little
winds which are almost constantly tip-toeing amidst the mescals
enough cover material to go around. Still, bit by bit, they are go-
ing up the mountain. It promises to be a long task. And, while
it lasts, many other activities have to be suspended. Mail is back-
ing up, unanswered, into a pile of terrifying proportions. We
hope our good friends understand.
and the junipers is stirring. The ramada casts a rectangle of shade
Meanwhile we are excavating for a dugout that may serve as
which is as sharp as though it were a section of black paper, cut
a temporary storage place for some of the more spoilable things.
out and laid upon the white quartz gravel. In its cool shadow
The boys are working on this with a will. A short time ago they
Rudyard and Victoria squat like little Indian statues, watching
were thrilled by thinking they had struck water. Their picks and
the three desert tortoises who are gathered, heads almost touch-
shovels broke through into a pocket of very damp sand, between
ing, about a bit of green upon which they are eagerly munching.
banks of soft limestone rock. "Water!" shouted Rudyard.
This is, for the tortoises, a great occasion. For they are feasting
"Look, we must be close to water! A spring!" And the shovels
upon lettuce—something which is as dear to their leathery
flew and the sand flew.
hearts as the most exotic dish would be to an epicure. They do
not often get it. But yesterday I went in to town for supplies and, But the wet sand petered out and the gritty limestone grinned!
under orders from Rider, who spends a good deal of his savings thirstily under the desert sun. The boys were disappointed, but
in buying tid-bits for his queer pets, brought out a supply of let- not entirely discouraged. There might be water nearby, or
tuce sufficient to last them for some days. Our tortoises are, alas, deeper, they argue. And this hope lends energy and a fascina-
softening under the influence of—to them—civilization. When tion to the digging.
we first adopted them they would not even look at such things Day before yesterday they passed another definite desert mile-
as melon rinds, cabbage leaves or even lettuce. They preferred to stone by their introduction to dynamite—an intriguing com-
munch hardy desert fare like rattlesnake weed, galleta grass, pound which they never previously had seen. It was a fascinat-
bunch grass and the tasty twigs of dry and spiny bushes. But ing experience to them to drill the hole, spoon out the rock dust,
the system-weakening insidiousness of easy living has left its cut the fuse and crimp on the cap. The business of cutting a
mark upon them . . . as it does upon everyone. Shame to relate stick of Giant Powder in half (we have to use very light charges
they lately have been seen contentedly eating corn meal mush, because of nearness to many breakable objects) and adjusting
apple parings, bread and many other trimmings from the out- cap and fuse to it and tamping it down likewise was thrilling.
skirts of "Progress." Then they discovered lettuce. And, like the When the little blast went off and scattered a rain of falling
Indian with alcohol, it has gone to their heads. They have no re- gravel over the juniper tree behind which we had taken shelter
sistance. Lettuce days are the days when all other food is abso- their satisfaction was complete.
lutely ignored. One bit of practical demonstration is worth years of theory.
Well, I suppose they are entitled to some pleasures in life. A They never had seen Giant Powder used before. Yet when the
desert tortoise has few dissipations and does not even seem to gravel had ceased pattering they scurried back to the hole and
get any thrill out of politics or shivers about atomic bombs. They like old miners criticized the way the shot had been handled. It
have been terribly spoiled since Mojave died. For Rider was so had been wrongly placed—of course. The hole should have
heartbroken at the tragic fate of the big tortoise that he fusses been drilled so—and so. It should have been better tamped.
and worries constantly over the remaining three. On very hot And the fuse could, with advantage, have been just a bit shorter
days they get damped down at regular intervals with precious —or longer. Anyway they were one more lap along the desert
water. And on chilly or stormy nights they are carried tenderly trail and a new page of knowledge has been opened.
to comfortable quarters within the house. All these attentions, The season on Ghost Mountain is late this year. When we
however, Rider feels were amply repaid the other day when came back the purple finches still were fussing with their
Juana Maria Better than Nothing contributed two very fine eggs broods. And a short time after our return we were astonished
to the tortoise establishment. This was a momentous occasion, to see a crested flycatcher carrying nest material into the little
and one that was not lightly come by. For Juana Maria spent a red roofed cement bird house that stands among the junipers
long while making up her mind—and changed it many times down in front of the house. This is much later than usual for
after making it up. She spent several days digging trial nests, all the flycatchers who, in the section we moved from, were already
of which, after almost deciding, she discarded. Finally, while well in the midst of their home-making season. There are cac-
out on the flat before the house, during one of the periods when tus wrens, too, that are equally busy. A cactus wren usually pre-
she and the others were being herded on pasture, she found the fers a nice bristling Silver Cholla to nest in. But they are not too
ideal spot beneath a goatnut bush. Here she excavated a little pit particular. Down at the mountain foot, close to our temporary
approximately eight inches deep and deposited therein two camp, there is one that is working hard to complete an elaborate
pinkish white eggs about the size of large bantam eggs. This nest that is perched among the bayonet leaves of a tall yucca.
done she carefully filled in the pit and spent a lot of time making The cactus wren, however, like some of the other wrens, has a

SEPTEMBER, 1946 31
tendency towards making play houses and sleeping nests. Birds ver of the moon upon the lonely buttes. And I wanted again the
and animals, in this respect, are much like humans. They play peace of it all. I just had to come back."
and enjoy themselves by doing apparently aimless and silly Jade went away with the sunset. She had far to go and a heavy
things. And each creature is just a little different from its fel- list of appointments. But she will be back. They all come back.
lows. It has been said that "The proper study of mankind is The desert calls them. It is tired children, weary of noise and
man." But that should be amended a little. The proper study of foolish gaming, who turn homeward in the quiet dusk towards
mankind is all of animate—and inanimate—creation. One can- Peace and Mother.
not understand man without observing and studying also the It has not rained so far, though the possibility of thunder-
animals and birds and insects. And one cannot understand birds, showers keeps us ever on the alert for the safety of our unpro-
animals or insects properly unless he first understands some- tected goods. We need rain, though. Precious water ran to waste
thing of the reactions of the human family. The whole of crea- last season because we were not here to attend to the cleaning
tion is one great brotherhood—all beads upon the one string. of the eaves gutters. You cannot be too careful in the collection
It has been said also that "One touch of Nature makes the of cistern water. Any trash or impurities which may find their
whole world kin." And this also is true. For it is the fundamen- way into the tanks speedily renders the water unfit to drink. For
tals which establish brotherhood and understanding. Somehow this reason, unless we are at home, the catchment system usually
this is particularly noticeable in the appeal of the desert. The is disconnected. So our reserve supply is of the slenderest and
desert is fundamental. It is like the ocean in this respect. But the water hauling is a regular order of the day. We bring it to the
desert is more accessible. There is, deep within the heart of every foot of the mountain and store it in barrels, carefully covered
human being, a yearning to get back to the peace of the Infinite against ants and bees. Then each day the "water gang"—which
which is found only in a close association with nature. It is the consists of the whole household—descends the rocky foottrail
call of silence. Of the peace of wide stretching, uninhabited and loads up on the precious fluid, each, from the youngest to
land. The call of the wind, of the stars and the glowing sun of the oldest, carrying his (or her) capacity in filled water jars or
the solitudes. That is why the desert appeals. It holds within its canteens. It is a procession and a pilgrimage. But it is easier than
heart the balm which a tired, civilization harassed humanity it used to be in the old days when there were but two of us to do
craves. So it is not astonishing that more and more people turn the carrying. How like the Pueblos and their burdens of filled
to the desert. It is a turning toward "home." water ollas we become. But is it strange? Like conditions will
produce like results, customs and actions. After all we all are
And from all parts they come. And from far places. Thus products of the land. And thought, and morals, and behavior are
came Jade to Yaquitepec. Jade is a gemstone of mystery. Subtle. but products of geography.
Full of strange lights and shadows. Revered of Chinese Emper-
ors and the joy of a long line of skilled craftsmen and fashioners While we were away the Yaquitepec packrats which previ-
whose shadowy ranks stretch back and back beyond the lost ously had been extraordinarily well behaved, developed new—
horizons of forgotten time. albeit quite normal—lines of thought. They went pack-rattish in
a big way and carried spikes and nails and bolts all around the
But the Jade who came drifting mysteriously through the interior of the empty house. Taking them from their rightful
creosotes of the desert was not a cold stone. We never had seen places and building of them platforms and pyramids—and just
her before, and her car came unheralded and almost silently plain junk heaps—in other places. The effect was good, in the
from between the junipers and the yuccas. Yet when the door main. But we heartlessly levelled these edifices. Even with all
swung open and she sprang lightly out with glad words of greet- due consideration to one's fellow house tenants one does have
ing and'introduction she was one of the family. There are some to have a little free space and some rights.
people whom you know at first glance. You have known them
And, did you ask if our three sun-tanned youngsters are shed-
a lifetime—have known them for many lifetimes. And there are
ding any tears over the flowing rivulet of water which they left
others whom you will never get to know—not even if you live
behind them when they moved back to Ghost Mountain? Not a
side by side with them for a lifetime; for many lifetimes.
bit of it! That is over and passed. They had it—and they enjoyed
Jade is an interpretive dancer. She was a lithe flame in the sun it. Now they are back home. And home is home, whether the
and she moved between the cactus and the crowding mescals as water bubbles from a sparkling spring in uncounted hundreds or
pliantly and as surely as the desert wind. The footlights of many gallons, or comes laboriously up a scorching rock trail in two
countries have seen Jade turn the bodily grace of the dance into quart lots. Perhaps they, with their desert upbringing, have ac-
sheer poetry. But she came back to the desert. "I love it," she quired something of the dry-land natures of the desert lizards
said. "I've always loved it. And I'd heard of you and your moun- and the cheerful little horned toads.
tain. And I knew we'd be friends. I just had to come."
We spent a long, happy day talking to Jade. She climbed the
mountain—barefoot, to get the thrill of the earth. And she sat ON FATE
under our ramada and gazed off into the dim distances where How then can Fate betray us?
the haze and the heat devils weave mystery across the lowlands. 'Tis we who make our Fate.
She told us of far places, and—what was more important—of No, no one can delay us,
deep dreams and longings. "I was in Panama," she said—and Nor cause our sorrows great,
as she told of it you could see the Isthmus in all its characteris- But we ourselves. Fate's forces,
tic glare of patterned color and tropic heat—"and so many times Whether for good or ill,
I would shut my eyes and see again the picture of just one bit of Stem from our inmost sources,
desert up here that I knew. It was as though I were standing And of our innate will.
there—watching the sunrise touch the ridges; watching the sil- —Tanya South

32 THE DESERT MAGAZINE

 Two new industries started in Arizona
in July with incorporation of Tedsco Plas-
tics, Inc., to manufacture plastics, wood
_.. <ut tke and metal compounds, and of Arizona Mo-
tion Picture corporation, to produce and
manufacture motion picture films and han-
ARIZONA Son of Famed Wetherills Dies . . . dle photographic supplies.
Gila Project Has Opposition . . . WINSLOW—Ben W. Wetherill, son
YUMA—After month long hearings in of the late John and Louisa Wetherill, died
house irrigation and reclamation commit- July 15 in Winslow general hospital. Fol-
tee in Washington, Chairman John R. lowing profession of his famous father, in
early life he was a guide into unexplored
Your "Refrigerator" out-of-Doors
Murdock (D-Ariz.) stated July 23 he
feared his bill to reauthorize the Gila proj- areas of Arizona and Utah. In 1933-35 he
was with Los Angeles county museum as
PORTA-FREEZE
ect and create a new Wellton-Mohawk
project east of Yuma, was stymied for field explorer and archeologist; he worked
current session of congress. Opposition to with Ansel F. Hall for two years as field
the bill stemmed from charge of Californi- archeologist in Monument Valley; 1937-
ans, led by Rep. John Phillips (R-Calif.) 39 he was supervisor for Indian Service at
and M. J. Dowd, Imperial Irrigation Dis- Pinon; later he owned Pine Haven trading
trict engineer, that use of Gila river water post, south of Gallup, New Mexico, and
for the proposed projects (Gila is tribu- had spent war years on essential projects. •pr
tary of Colorado) would endanger water
State Power Authority Named . . .
supply of Southern California farm, land A Beauty...and Built
PHOENIX—Kenneth B. Aldrich, for- for Lifetime Use
and metropolitan supplies for Los Angeles
merly a member of Bonneville power ad-
and San Diego. Arizonans' contention is Were is the perfect „
ministration, has been appointed Arizona accessory for family out-
that Gila river, in Arizona, is exempt from
power authority, according to announce- ings, traveling, camping,
interstate agreements on division of Colo- and hunting and fishing
ment July 12. In his new capacity he will trips. Stows away snugly
rado river water, and projects could pro- in car, trailer, plane, or
be responsible for all power, operational boat. Uses either dry ice
ceed within limits of Arizona's rightful or ordinary ice. No me- . v t ^
and functional activities of the agency. chanical equipment to
share of the stream.
Among first duties will be to handle plans get out of order. Beauti-
ful two-tone, sturdy plas- —
for construction in connection with Ari- tic exterior. . . sanitary 3 ^
Woman Bags Snakes for S m o k i . . . zona's allotment of 763,000,000 kilowatt aluminum interior. ~~

PRESCOTT—Business men of this city hours from Boulder dam, and for similar • KEEPS FOOD FRESH AND TASTY
who stage annual Smoki Snake Dance to work concerning Davis dam project. • KEEPS BEVERAGES COLD
perpetuate native Indian ceremonials, say • STORES OR MAKES ICE
that never in their 26-year history has any Investigate Indian Education . . . • QUICK-FREEZES FISH AND GAME
one person provided them with so many WINDOW ROCK—Trip of a Navajo
The handy PORTA-FREEZE is avail-
reptiles for the ceremony as Edna Ballau Indian delegation, headed by Chee Dodge, able in two models. The SPORTSMAN (2400
to Washington in May to urge government cu.in. capacity) and The TRAVELER (1800 cu.
of Skull valley. A month before scheduled in. capacity). See them at your sporting goods
to provide adequate education for Navajo store, auto dealer, or department store . . . or
date of dance, she had snared and taken to write direct for complete description.
Prescott 30 snakes for the Smoki tribe. children has borne fruit. Dr. George I.
Sanchez, University of Texas professor in
When not occupied behind counter of
Skull Valley store, Miss Ballau goes snake July was making preliminary survey on CALPLASTI CORP.
B364 BEVERLY BLVD., LOS ANGELES 3 6 , CALIF.'
snaring. When her specially constructed 16,000,000 acre Navajo reservation.
cage has enough specimens to warrant the
trip she takes them into Prescott for the
Smokis.
INSIST ON THIS
More Davis Contracts Let . . .
KINGMAN—Work was expected to
be underway early in August on long-
awaited Kingman to Davis dam road. Bids HALLMARK OF GENUINENESS ON
NAVAJO AND PUEBLO SILVER
submitted in May so far exceeded engi-
neers' estimates that new call for bids was Only genuine Indian handmade silver Jewelry of good craftsmanship.
issued, resulting in letting of contract to sound construction and ornamented with typical Navajo or
Pueblo designs bears this mark.
Nathan A. Moore construction company,
Los Angeles, whose bid was $245,921. At
about the same time, another contract, for Ul&fA
manufacture of hoists to be installed in
spillway of dam, was awarded United
States Pipe manufacturing company, San
Francisco, for $144,225. The electrically
UNITED&JNDIAN
driven hoists will raise and lower the huge
gates which will regulate flow of water TRADERS ASSOCIATION
over spillway of Davis dam, now under INCORPORATED
construction 67 miles below Boulder dam ORGflMZ€D FOR TH6 P€RJ>€TUPTIOn &»PROT€CTIOn
on Colorado river. Work on the $77,000,- OF HflnDIT1flD€ inDlfln APJS flnD CRflFTS
000 project is proceeding ahead of sched-
ule. GALLUP. NEW MEXICO

SEPTEMBER, 1946 33
 Jap Centers Yield Books

THE DESERT TRADING POST

Classified advertising in this section costs 7 cents a word, $1.00 minimum per issue
For Indian Schools . . .
PHOENIX—In July Indians of the
Southwest for the first time had enough
books to go around. George C. Wells, re-
gional Indian service educational super-
ATTRACT HUMMINGBIRDS: Plant San CACTI AND SUCCULENTS—From the des- visor, disclosed he had acquired more than
Juan trees (Nicotiana glauca) outside your erts of the world. Don-Rita brand. By ap- 100,000 library and text books from aban-
windows. Never lack for entertainment from pointment only. Write us your needs and we
these beautiful, darting birds drawing nectar will try to help you. Michael-Donnelly Cacti doned Japanese war relocation centers at
from clusters of tubular yellow flowers that Gardens, 334 Lowell St., Daly City, Calif. Poston and Rivers. After book needs of
sway gracefully among grey-green leaves and tribes in Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and
slender branches. Six to fifteen feet high, ev- COMMERCIAL LAPPING and Polishing on Colorado were filled, surplus was dis-
ergreen, bloom first year, thereafter almost flat surfaces. Finishing of bookends and pol- tributed among other regions, a number
continuously. Drouth resistant. Not choosy ished rocks for fireplaces a specialty. Send for
as to soil. Order now for fall delivery. Four estimate. Joseph R. Mathieu, 12301/2 Boyle of technical texts going to Haskell Indian
seedlings $1, postpaid. Frank P a y n e , Ave., Rt. 1, Box 841, Fontana, Calif. institute at Lawrence, Kansas.
Aguanga, California.
FOSSILS—Geological supplies, Geiger count- Yuma's building boom, despite restric-
ARROWHEADS: 4 very fine $1.00; 8 fine ers, thin sections, picks, hammers, etc. Omaha tions, in July was continuing at $100,000
$1.00; 15 good $1.00; 20 fair $1.00; 35 dam- Scientific Supply Co., Box 1750, Omaha 4,
aged $1.00. 8 fine birdpoints $1.00. 75 wam- Nebraska. per month rate, an increase of 6.1 times
pum beads $1.00. 150 grave beads $1.00. that of prewar year of 1940.
Ancient pot or water bottle, fine $4.25 • • •
(mended specimen $2.25). Entire lot $12.50. BOOKS — MAGAZINES
Chee Dodge, veteran chairman of Na-
All prepaid. (Have also guns, coins, an-
tiques—buy, sell, exchange.) Paul Summers, ENJOY THE GREAT OUTDOORS: Learn vajo tribal council who* recently made a
Stamford, Texas. wildcraft, woodcraft, Indiancraft. By experts. plea for his people's rights in Washington,
Articles on outdoor living. Hunting, fishing, suffered a heart attack in mid-July but was
camping, trapping. $1.00 per year, 35c copy.
INDIAN ARTIFACTS. Arrows, Spears. No Subscribe today: Wildcrafters World, Rt. 1, reported making a "good recovery" at Ft.
Catalog. Write Herbert Lewis, Builder of Alton, Kentucky. Defiance hospital.
fine Indian collections, Box 4, Strafford, Mo. • • •
PAN SOME GOLD in those Desert gulches. Sinclair M. Dean, former advertising
FOR SALE: Mr. Kenneth B. McMahan's com- The book, "Gold in Placer" written for be- salesman for Los Angeles Daily News and
plete mineral and gem collection. Come and ginner prospectors has 160 pages of instruc-
see and make offer. Also stock at invoice of tions on the modern way of HOW TO FIND recently discharged after four years' army
Indian Trading Post. Mrs. Kenneth B. Mc- IT—HOW TO GET IT. The book and three service, was appointed July 24 as perman-
Mahan, Box 41, Jacumba, Calif. large blueprints on small equipment you can ent secretary of Prescott chamber of com-
build, sent postpaid for $3.00. Eight page
booklet with pictures 10c. OLD PROSPEC- merce.
HAND WROUGHT COPPER, in all types of TOR, Box 21R62, Dutch Flat, Calif. • • •
metal arts for the home. Many desert gems
cut and polished or rough. Inlays for the fire- Bright lights and thrills of movieland
place and barbecue. Send for a list of our CAMP AND TRAIL INCIDENTS OF PIO- hit little southern Arizona town of Elgin
special items. Valley Crafts Shop, 14135 Ox- NEER LIFE, by W. Irven Lively. A desert in July, when construction of movie sets
nard St., Van Nuys, Calif. book by a desert author, who has lived for
fifty years in the Southwest. It has the real started preliminary to filming "Chisholm
tang of the Desert. If you like poetry, you will Trail" starring Gary Cooper.
INDIAN RELICS: 4 very fine ancient Indian like it; if you do not like poetry you will
arrowheads $1.00. 4 very fine bird arrow- read it and forget that it is poetry as you be-
heads $1.00. 10 nice perfect arrowheads come absorbed in its narrative and descriptive
$1.00. Stone tomahawk $1.00. 2 flint skin- thrills. $1.50 postpaid. Address W. I. Lively, REAL ESTATE
ning knives $1.00. 10 arrowheads from 10 Route 6, Box 1111, Phoenix, Ariz.
different states $1.00. 10 arrowheads of 10 FOR SALE: Account old age, Nevada Cinna-
different materials $1.00. 2 nice spearheads BOOKFINDERS! (Scarce, out-of-print, unu- bar and silver-lead properties. J. L. McKin-
$1.00. 4 small spearheads $1.00. 5 stone net sual books). Supplied promptly. Send ney, Dyer, Nevada.
sinkers $1.00. 5 stone line sinkers $1.00. 2 wants. Clifton, Box 1377d, Beverly Hills,
fine flint chisels $1.00. 4 finely made duck Calif. AMETHYST CRYSTAL mine for sale—Op-
bill scrapers $1.00. 10 stemmed scrapers portunity for disabled soldier to establish a
$1.00. 5 rare round hide scrapers $1.00. 5 paying business in wholesale souvenir jewel-
small finely made knife blades $1.00. 2 ARIZONA HIGHWAYS, Deserts, National ry in competition to turquoise which sells for
stemmed hoes $1.00. 4 fine drills $1.00. 5 Geographies, other magazines, bought, sold, from $30 to $60 lb. Amethyst does not fade.
fine awls $1.00. Rare ceremonial flint $1.00. traded. John Wesley Davis, 1611% Donald- A. Pennoyer, Redfeather Lakes, Colorado.
4 sawedged arrowheads $1.00. 4 odd shaped son St., Los Angeles 26, Calif.
arrowheads $1.00. 4 fine drill pointed arrow- FOR SALE: 35 Acres studded with oaks, on
heads $1.00. All of the above 23 offers for BOOKS OF THE SOUTHWEST. For outstand- oiled highway, just 5 miles out of Mariposa.
$20.00. Fine Stone Celts or ungrooved Axes, ing titles on the desert country—Travel, His- Cottage, spring, and power driven pump,
50c, 75c, $1.00, $1.50, $2.00 each according tory, Desert Plants and Animals, Gems and only $4300. F. A. Bonbshu, agent, Mariposa,
to size. 100 assorted Sea Shells $10.00. Loca- Minerals, Indians, Juvenile — write Desert Calif.
tion given. 20 slightly damaged arrowheads of Crafts Shop, 636 State St., El Centra, Calif.
good grade $1.00. 100 damaged arrowheads Free catalog. FOR SALE: $2500.00, Eighty acres land Bor-
$3.00. List free. Lear's, Box 569, Galveston, rego Valley, San Diego Co. El/2 of SEVi Sec.
Texas. 36, Twp. 9 So. range six, East. Nearly level,
LIVESTOCK water close to surface. Fine dates, grapefruit,
alfalfa and vegetables raised in Borrego Val-
WE ARE AGAIN RECEIVING real hand-ham- ley. Indications of oil. Have patented title.
mered Indian jewelry from the reservation DESERT PETS of all kinds, wild and tame. Chan Streshly, 215 Willow Ave., Baldwin
all made by top silversmiths. For our rock Grail Fuller Ranch, Daggett, Calif., Phone Park, Calif.
customers we have bought another collection 3489.
of rock, making this one of the largest col- For Imperial Valley Farms—
lections of rocks and minerals in this part of KARAKULS. Producers of Persian Lamb fur
the country. Our collection of rugs, baskets are easy to raise and adapted to the desert W. E. HANCOCK
and jewelry is still large despite the shortage. which is their native home. For further in- "The Farm Land Man"
Come in and see us. Daniels Indian Trading formation write Addis Kelley, 4637 E. 52 Since 1914
Post, 401 W. Foothill Blvd., Fontana, Calif. Place, Maywood, California. EL CENTRO CALIFORNIA

34 THE DESERT MAGAZINE

Navajo Prayers Answered . . . Land of Oz is in Mojave . . .
FLAGSTAFF—Whether the rains that
deluged Arizona in July were in direct an-
INYOKERN—Naval Ordnance Test
Station here, the huge naval operation
A NON-DIGRESSION
swer to appeal to Navajo rain gods, al-
most the entire state got a good soaking,
which apparently is one of the permanent
fixtures of eastern California recently was PACKET
even though runoff by July 23 still was called "The Navy's Land of Oz" in a Sat-
negligible. Early in the month, Sam evepost article, which described its devel-
Akeah, vice-chairman of Navajo tribal opment from a tract of desert larger than
council, said the most powerful rain cere- Rhode Island, to an $85,000,000 installa-
mony known to the Navajo was so secret tion by V-J Day. Captain James B. Sykes,
that only one person, 90-year-old Tsit Na- USN, commanding officer of NOTS, says,
jinne, who lives near Black mesa, could "Our job is not so much to prepare for the
perform the ritual—and he had agreed not next war, but to help put the United States
only to perform the ancient ritual but to so far ahead in weapons that there will
teach the secret chant to one other person never be another war."
so that it might be perpetuated. "This cere-
mony was last given a very long time ago," No Gateway for Death Valley . . .
Sam said. "And it rained. We had lots of RANDSBURG—$400,000 stone gate- A prime requisite of pleasurable
good feed then." So perhaps it was Tsit way to Death Valley, provided for in will motor touring is to stay on the
Najinne's knowledge of the magic rite that of late Mrs. Christine F. McMillan of San right road and not digress to parts
brought rain to Arizona a few days after- Francisco, was knocked out when Superior
unknown.
ward, following a long and serious Court Judge Timothy I. Fitzpatrick broke
drought. the will. Unusual bequest, which provided Often the motorist gets lost in
• • • that elaborate monument was to be erected the mountain country and ends up
CALIFORNIA from granite taken from each of 48 states, miles from nowhere — which isn't
was contested by Mrs. McMillan's sister, the place he was headed for.
Bill Aids Palo Verde Drainage . . .
Mrs. Elsie Haag, 85.
BLYTHE—Colorado river front bill It's easy to take the wrong turn.
was signed by President Truman early in "Biggest Bird" Reported . . . There are no land marks in the
July, the Palo Verde irrigation district was BANNING—Mrs. R. T. Morton be- deep tangled wildwood — when
informed by its attorney, Arvin B. Shaw, lieves she saw one of the almost extinct you see one tree, you see 'em all.
who had been in Washington in interests condors as she neared the foothills while
of the measure. Bill is designed to provide riding south on San Gorgonio avenue. After driving hours in all direc-
for permanent control of Colorado river U. S. Forestry department thinks some of tions, the only thing the motorist
from Needles to Palo Verde. By straight- the condors may nest on north face of Mt. knows for sure is that he doesn't
ening the river in that section, making it in San Jacinto, and has asked residents of this know for sure.
effect a huge controlled canal, bed of river area to watch for them.
will be lowered, with expected result that
Palo Verde valley will receive considerable Patton Memorial Plans Proceed . . .
relief from critical drainage situation INDIO—General committee meeting CJf course, a motorist doesn't have
which has existed. to start construction of Patton Memorial to be driving on or about moun-
monument was scheduled for August 1, tains to get nice and confused.
according to July announcement of Walter
He can find himself astray right
Irving, chairman of the project which was
originally suggested and sponsored by in the middle of a strange city.
For Imperial Valley and Coachella Valley Parlor No. 288, Native He can try street after street and
Desert Information Sons of the Golden West. Design of never get anywhere but lost.
monument calls for large mound with a
and huge General Sherman tank mounted half
SHELLPRODUCTS way up, to represent all the armored divi-
sions who served under General Patton. .Because there are so many roam-
STOP AT Along side will be a towering shaft of na- in' roads in this country, the Shell
COLUNGS & WAGNER tive iron from the hills of this region, to Touring Service acts as a rescue
AUTHORIZED SHELL DEALERS symbolize all the soldiers who trained in station.
U. S. 99 Imperial/ California the desert under the general. Finally, a
museum building will be erected, and any Nice part of this Service is that
soldier who served under Patton will be the motorist is rescued before he
invited to contribute relics, mementoes or gets lost.
SCENIC GUIDES . . . trophies of World War II. Shell Touring Service is glad to
The most complete travel guides ever • • •
attempted. Attractive covers in full color. make up a neat bundle of road
New radio station KREO, at Indio, was
Descriptions, pictures and maps to lead maps, metropolitan maps and rout-
you to the many scenic wonders of the expected to be on the air by August 10.
• • • ings for the prospective traveler.
West.
Building permits for the first half of It's a wise motorist that gets one
Guides to Northern California and Ne-
vada are available now. More to come 1946 hit highest peak in history of Palm of these non-digression packets to
soon. Springs. Total for period January 1-June take on his trip.
30 was $5,199,865, compared with only
PRICE $1.00 EACH All he has to do is ask his Shell
$562,181 for entire fiscal year of 1940-41.
Largest building application granted so Service Station man and he'll get
Address — Scenic Guides
Box 288 Susanville, California far in 1946 is to Bullocks, approximately his tour guidance fast and free.
$500,000. — BUD LANDIS

SEPTEMBER, 1946 35
Mexican Roads Promised . . . NEVADA Davis Dam Will Bring
EL CENTRO—A network of modern River Voyagers Rescued . . . New Game Paradise . . .
highways that will connect Mexicali LAS VEGAS—Fishermen around these
(across the border from Calexico) with BOULDER CITY — Battered and parts are looking forward to the new game
San Felipe, Ensenada, Tecate and Tijuana bruised, Mrs. Georgia White, Los An- paradise which will come into being with
has been promised the people of Baja Cali- geles, and Harry Aleson, Boulder City, completion of Davis dam, about four years
fornia by Mexico's president-elect Miguel were rescued by a national park service from now. Davis, latest link in harnessing
Aleman, it was announced in July by Ed- boat June 30, after an unsuccessful attempt Colorado river, will back up a lake, 67
mundo Guajardo, Mexicali attorney and to complete a 90-mile downstream Colo- miles below Boulder dam, which promises
one of Aleman's campaign directors. Gua- rado river voyage on a homemade drift- bass fishing to equal that of Lake Mead,
jardo, in making the announcement, said wood raft. They had been object of an behind Boulder. For at least 30 miles be-
the proposed highways "will draw many aerial search when they failed to complete low Boulder dam, river water will remain
tourists to this section. When completed it trip on schedule. They had spent six of the at 64 degrees fahrenheit, suitable to trout,
will be possible to drive to several of Baja eight days clinging to a rubber life raft, as so that creation of another huge lake be-
California's most picturesque fishing re- their original raft was sunk on second day hind Davis will not impair world re-
sorts over fine paved roads." out. Both wore double life preservers. Al- nowned rainbow fishing grounds, accord-
though caked with mud and painfully ing to Guy Edwards, park service superin-
Helicopter Makes Rescue . . . bruised, the two planned to make the at- tendent. This past spring, the service
RIVERSIDE—Searching party of nine, tempt next year. dumped 20,000 legal size fish in the Colo-
trapped without water in 140-degree heat rado ; additional stocking is being done by
of Colorado desert, owed their lives to a Gunnery School to Stay . . . Nevada and Arizona state game commis-
helicopter. Army craft, piloted by Lt. Ed- sions.
LAS VEGAS — According to United
ward Frost, rescued two of the party most
Press release, army has decided to make its
seriously stricken by heat, left water to sus- Up and Down with Don Coyote . . .
air force gunnery school here a permanent
tain the others. Party, including Deputy WINNEMUCCA — National and
base for 3500 men. School trained 50,000
Coroner Seymer L. Cash, Deputy Sheriff world events affect increase or decrease of
aerial gunners during wartime. Suitable
James T. Williams and seven soldiers, had predatory animals in Western states—and
flying weather is said to prevail 363 days
left their car seven miles from wreckage of here is how it works. Recent statistics dis-
a year.
plane carrying Arthur P. Coddington, 21, close there has been a general increase in
of Burbank. They found the body in a can- • • • stock-killers, especially the coyote, since
yon at dawn and started back with it, but Winnemucca has been making extensive the 1930s, when price of furs declined
heat halted them. Upon rescue, Cash said, improvements to insure success of its 18th greatly. Coyote pelts, that are used to make
"We would all have died if the helicopter annual rodeo, August 31, September 1 and many other artificial furs, sold for $10 and
hadn't dropped water for us." $15 in the 1920s, but price during de-
pression dropped to $1. Also, during de-
pression, bounties on pelts were reduced.
Then, just when prices were increasing to
a point which made trapping and hunting
the animals a profitable business again,
World War II not only took the hunters
from the range, into the services and war
plants, but ammunition became scarce and
traps were hard to find. Now once again,
pelts are becoming more valuable and
funds for predatory control work are in-
creasing. So maybe Don Coyote will find
himself facing extinction after all.
• • •
Cash balance in Nevada state treasury at
close of fiscal year June 30 was $4,989,- '
987.87, Dan Franks, state treasurer, re-
ported.
• • •
Fallon's postal receipts for 1945, $43,-
000, automatically gave it first class status.
Figures revealed 126 per cent increase over
prewar high.
NEW MEXICO
Suggests Navajo Buy Land . . .
GALLUP—Purchase of lands adjacent
to Navajo reservation on the east, with
funds of the tribe and agreement to pay
taxes, was urged by James M. Stewart, Na-
vajo superintendent, at a meeting of New
Mexico Association on Indian Affairs in
July at Santa Fe. Such purchase, which
would place the lands on the state tax rolls,
should not be opposed, he said. About 13,-
U 000 Navajo and 350 non-Indians are now
living in the area mentioned, he said.

36 THE DESERT MAGAZINE

 More Evidence for "Cibola" . . . Germans Aid Rocket Work . . .
GALLUP—Further confirmation that
ruins in and around Lupton, Arizona,
which H. E. Miller claims are the Seven
ALAMOGORDO—Top German sci-
entists whose pay is only enough to keep
them in cigarettes are helping in desert
Stove Pipe Wells Hotel
Cities of Cibola, were occupied in the 16th tests by U. S. army, aimed at development offers you
' century has been made by Dr. Lyndon Har- of super-rockets, according to United Press
grave, associate of Dr. Russell F. Colton at correspondent Willard Haselbush, who re-
Comfort and Relaxation in the
Museum of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff. ports army experts in charge of American Heart of Death Valley.
Dr. Hargrave checked with M. A. Wether- rocket development have disclosed that
ill of Lupton on pottery finds on the Lup- German scientists who developed the V-2 EUROPEAN PLAN — DINING ROOM
BAR
ton sites and confirmed Mr. Wetherill's rocket are now at White Sands proving
MODERN ACCOMMODATIONS
opinion that they were occupied at the grounds near here. The Germans living
HOTEL AND COTTAGES
time of the Coronado expedition in 1540, under American custody are nameless as
and probably until some time after the end far as the army is concerned. "We captured
of the 16th century. Earlier Dr. Arthur them in the last days of the European war "The Oasis of Death Valley"
Woodward, Los Angeles County museum, and induced them to come to America with
reported that crosses and letters carved in us to help in rocket research," said Col. OWEN MONTGOMERY, Manager
the rocks had been put there in the: 16th Holger N. Toftoy, the ordnance depart-
century. ment's chief of rocket development. "The
Germans came to America of their own
New Atomic Leader Named . . .
free will," said the colonel. "When the FOR SALE
war ended, the Russians asked these same
LOS ALAMOS—James H. Roberts of men to help in Soviet rocket experiments.
Tucson, Arizona, who came to Los Alamos They declined, and almost eagerly came to
atomic bomb laboratory from University us." Most of their pay is being sent to their
of Chicago's metallurgical laboratory in families left in Germany.
November, 1944, has succeeded Dr. Louis
Slotin as a group leader of an atomic: proj- Yes, It's a Dry Year . . .
ect division. Dr. Slotin died from burns GAMERCO—Only twice in 26 years
suffered when fissionable materials used of records at U. S. weather bureau here has
in an experiment were brought together precipitation in first half of the year fallen
too rapidly during an experiment May 21. lower than this year. Not a drop of mois-
ture was recorded in June, total for first
six months being only 2.44 inches. Highest This is the finest swimming pool
mark for this period was 8.81 inches in in Imperial Valley, located at El
NON-RATIONED . . . Centre- Permanent improvements;
first half of 1941. Furnished Apartments; snack bar;
Basketball, • • • Profitable going business; Excellent
real estate for expansion and sale;
State of New Mexico ended fiscal year
Bowling, June 30 with surplus of $531,000 in ad- A Bargain at $60,000, on terms.
ministrative funds of the bureau of reve- J. R. GABBERT, Sales Agent
Baseball nue, beating last year's record by $371,- Box 512 Riverside, California
SHOES 000. Courtesies to Brokers
• • •
VAN DEGRIFT'S UTAH
717 W. 7th Street Utah Parks "Father" Dies . . . THE HOTEL
LOS ANGELES. CALIFORNIA SALT LAKE CITY—Randall Lunt AT THE
Jones, 65, a man who probably has done PALMS
more to glorify Utah's scenic attractions
than anyone else, died suddenly at his • • •
DESERT SOUVENIR home here July 10. A special representa- FIREPLACE-
A four-color picture suitable for framing tive for Union Pacific railroad company, ADOBES
shows the covered Wagon Train of '68 he was nationally known for his colored il-
crossing the desert; now on display at lustrated lectures on southern Utah's na- • • •
Knott's Berry Place, Highway 39, two
miles from Buena Park out of Los Angeles tional parks and monuments. Through his ALL SPORTS
22 miles. This remarkable oil painting 20x60 efforts these scenic attractions which he • • •
feet took over one year to complete. A copy discovered as a barefoot boy, were made
will be mailed you together with the special available to millions of visitors. He was OPEN
souvenir edition of our Western Magazine ALL YEAR
jampacked with original drawings and pic- born in Cedar City.
tures and complete description of Ghost
Town and Knott's Berry Place. Both will be Rubber Plant to Rise . . .
mailed with current issue of our 36-page NEPHI—Formal announcement recent- Gateway to Joshua Tree Monument
magazine for 25 cents postpaid in the U.S.A. ly was made by Thermoid company, Tren- ROBT. VAN LAHR, Mgr.
Thousands have already viewed this great For reservations write or call at
work of art and acclaim it a wonderful con- ton, New Jersey, that a $500,000 rubber 29 Palms Inn, Twenty nine Palms, Calif.
tribution to the history of the West. Ad- goods manufacturing plant would be erect- or Gall any Travel Bureau or Automobile Club
mission is without charge whether you stay ed on a 28-acre site north of Nephi. Early
for the chicken dinner and boysenberry pie

29 r
in April company officials made a prelim-
or not. Send 25 cents for all three: picture,
souvenir and current issue to Ghost Town inary announcement when options were
News, Buena Park, California. obtained on several parcels of land. Break- NN
ing of ground was expected to start in July.

SEPTEMBER, 1946 37
 Jacob Hamblin park, at Kanab, first of Sand Painting is Lacquered . . . Meet to Divide Colorado Water . . .
four state parks expected to be opened this SALT LAKE CITY—For first time in SALT LAKE CITY — Representatives
year in Utah, was dedicated in June. Navajo history, says Salt Lake Tribune, a of five Upper Colorado River basin states
Others are located in Salt Lake City, Ver- medicine man has permitted a religious were scheduled to meet here August 1 to
nal and Wendover. sand picture to be preserved in lacquer. Joe perfect a permanent organization and be-
Lee, medicine man from Lukachukai, Ari- gin drafting a compact for division of basin
zona, painted the six foot sand picture in waters. States will endeavor to allocate
For Nice Things . . . Salt Lake City, while a white brother satur- 7'/2 million acre feet of water, the amount
ated the bright-colored sand strokes with apportioned from entire flow of Colorado
• INFANTS' AND
CHILDREN'S WEAR $100-a-gallon lacquer. Lee worked from river basin to upper basin states in a previ-
• LADIES' READY-TO-WEAR 1 p. m. to 7:30 p. m. creating a night- ously negotiated compact which deter-
• MEN'S FURNISHINGS healing sand picture for his friend, Atty. mined amount of water to be allocated be-
• FINE LINENS John S. Boyden, long active in Indian le- tween upper and lower basin states. Five
gal affairs. Sitting cross-legged on the states involved in present meet are Wyo-

206
OUSTER'S
W. TENTH STREET PHONE 246
floor under fluorescent lights he created
with vivid natural sands a prayer-painting
ming, Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New
Mexico. Federal representative in negotia-
LANCASTER. CALIFOFiNIA used for centuries in his tribe to cure sick- tions, appointed by President Truman, will
THE HEART OF ANTELOPE VALLEY ness. Unlike most religious sand paintings, be Harry W. Bashore, retired commission-
'RlLLA CUSTER GALEN CUSTER this one is not erased at night. He used er of reclamation.
sand of lemon, tile, rose, grey, white and
black. Boatman Meets New Challenge . . .
DESERT COLOR SLIDES . . . MEXICAN HAT—Searching for new,
Gorgeous 35mm color desert slidos of Palm State May Buy Bushnell . . . faster "white water" to master with his 16-
Springs, Indio, El Centro, Borrego and Paint-
ed Desert area in selected planned picked SALT LAKE CITY—First official no- foot cataract boats—and to disprove belief
shots by Hollywood color expert. Series in-
clude balanced clear-sharp properly exposed tice that the army's multimillion dollar that Salmon and Snake rivers cannot be ne-
transparencies of Borrego Desert with wild
flowers in bloom; Palm Springs, famous Bushnell General hospital was being con- gotiated in small craft—Norman Nevills
Seven Palms, Indio Palms, and spectacular sidered as a solution to Utah's institutional of Mexican Hat, rated world's No. 1 fast
restful views of California Painted Desert be-
tween Indio and El Centro. Series of six slides
$2.50—Six slides with Hollywood Profession-
care problems came July 15 when Gov. water man, with seven companions, set out
al (third-dimensional-effect) Viewer $5.00. Herbert B. Maw announced he would ap- in July for upper reaches of Salmon river
point a committee to study advisability of where he was to start a trip of 275 miles
Immediate delivery by first class mail. Full
desert list sent on request.
down Salmon and Snake rivers—a distance
DESERT COLOR SLIDES acquiring the 3600-bed hospital. The base
Box 345 Beverly Hills, Calif. he hoped to cover by August 2. Mrs. Doris
was declared surplus July 1. Nevills, who accompanied the party to
Idaho, will keep the boats supplied at
points where contact can be made.

REPTILES Picture Contest Utah's Golden Anniversary . . .

SALT LAKE CITY—For first time in
Snakes, lizards, tortoises—any creature that comes under the general head-
ing of "Reptiles" is an eligible subject for Desert Magazine's September photo- four years, all buildings and facilities of
graphic contest. The judges prefer pictures taken in the wild, under as natural state fair grounds, which during wartime
conditions as possible. Name of the subject and the place where taken should were turned to essential use, will be open
accompany each entry.
for the state exposition, which will com-
For the winning picture $10.00 will be paid: for second place $5.00. For each memorate Golden Anniversary of Utah
non-winning picture accepted for publication Desert will pay $2.00. Entries must
reach the Desert Magazine office not later than September 20. and the winning statehood September 16-22. Special trib-
photographs will be published in November. ute will be paid Donner party, who 100
years ago camped on site that is now the
HERE ARE THE RULES home of Utah State fair.
1—Prints must be on black and white, 5x7 or larger, printed on
glossy paper. More "Projects" Than Water . . .
2—All entries must be in the Desert Magazine office by the 20th VERNAL — Twenty-seven potential
of the contest month.
3—Prints will be returned only when return postage is enclosed. reclamation projects involving estimated
4—Contests are open to both amateur and professional photo- cost of $319,840,000 are described by bu-
graphers. Desert Magazine requires first and full publication rights reau of reclamation in its Colorado River
of prize winning pictures only. Basin report, as possibilities for ultimate
5—Time and place of photograph are immaterial except that development of water resources in five
they must be from the desert Southwest.
major drainages of Utah and Colorado.
6—Judges will be selected from Desert's editorial staff, and
awards will be made immediately after the close of the contest each Ten of the potential projects are in Uin-
month. tah basin of eastern Utah and five are in
7-—Each photograph submitted should be fully labeled as to Price and San Rafael river basins of south-
subject, time, place. Also as to technical data: shutter, speed, hour eastern Utah. The projects would be main-
of day, etc.
ly for irrigation but six would be primarily
ADDRESS ALL ENTRIES TO PHOTO EDITOR, DESERT MAGAZINE, for power production. Total number of
projects call for more water than is avail-
able in Colorado river tributaries on which
THE they are located. Therefore, a selection
4 must be made of those which will best util-
EL CENTRO, CALIFORNIA ize supply available.

38 THE DESERT MAGAZINE

 West
estern

OEMS AND MINERALS

ARTHUR L. EATON, Editor
Ingeniously designed—by
Master Indian Silversmiths
Your cabochons mounted in handmade silver
Bracelets, Brooches, Pendants and Earrings.
We will make to order Scatter Pins,
Watchbands, Buckle Sets, Etc.
Prices on Application
WICHT PROPERTY TO BE SEATTLE COLLECTORS HOLD
In our Western Jewelry we otter you only
SILVER MINE BASE CAMP HANDMADE JEWELRY SHOW the finest of Turquoise, Jaspers and
Board of directors of Searles Lake gem and Annual show of handmade jewelry highlight- Picture Wood.
mineral society have leased the Chris Wicht lode ed June 18 meeting of Seattle Gem Collectors'
mining claim and the buildings and fixtures club, held in chamber of commerce building.
thereon to the American Silver corporation. Tacoma Agate club cooperated by bringing
Lease agreement calls for yearly payment of jewelry for a guest display. Floral and leaf de-
$600 in advance, for performance of assessment signs and an array of small land and water ani- W s ^ J f W E LRV =S5fe^
work, and for erection of a monument to the mals made unique ornaments. It was especially
memory of Chris Wicht, by the American Silver interesting to note that the amateur workmen Glover BIdg. Kansas City 6, Mo.
corporation. Lease is for a period of 50 years, were able to originate designs to match indi-
beginning July 3, 1946, and on expiration or vidual stones.
cancellation of lease, all improvements built
on or into the premises revert to the society. LOS ANGELES SCHOOLS HAVE
American Silver corporation will start min-
ing operations at Panamint City and require the
FREE MINERAL COURSES
Adult Education program of Los Angeles
1946 VICTORY CATALOG
Chris Wicht property as a base camp for use in City schools is offering tuition free classes in NOW AVAILABLE
rebuilding the road whenever it washes out. Mineralogy-Geology in three of the evening
They expect this to occur twice a year. Danger high schools, starting September 16. Classes ......_
periods for washouts are from July 5 to Sep- meet at North Hollywood Evening high school
tember 15, and from December 15 to February on Mondays, at Hollywood Evening high school
15. Any visitors to Chris Wicht's may run into on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and at Belmont
danger or into road building crews during those Evening high school on Wednesdays and Fri-
periods. Club members will be more than wel- days.
come at any other time. Though nothing was During the fall term the work will consist of
stated in the lease agreement, arrangements a study of the principles of geology; origin and
might be made to hold barbecues, picnics, or occurrence of minerals; prospecting methods;
other outings on the premises. and a study of the nature and properties of min-
Road to Panamint City is now in process of erals, including laboratory work in the identifi-
being rebuilt, and rockhounds soon will have an cation and recognition of the important types.
opportunity to drive all the way up. No matter The classes will be under the able direction of .: J
how good the road is, however, there are still John Benkart, a mineralogist, author and ex- As it costs 40c to produce one of these
20 per cent grades in some places. perienced teacher.
72 page illustrated catalogs, we are ask-
ing you to send 20c in coin or stamps
for your copy. It contains a listing of—

ANNOUNCEMENT . . . LAPIDARY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

SILVER IN ALL FORMS
JEWELRY FINDINGS
BROOCH. PENDANT. AND RING
WE HAVE MOVED TO NEW LARGER QUARTERS MOUNTINGS
ROUGH. PREFORMED, AND
EASY TO FIND ON 101 ALTERNATE HIGHWAY POLISHED GEMS
FLUORESCENT LAMPS AND
MINERALS
. . . Visit Our New Store with a Larger and More Complete Stock o f . . . BOOKS. MAGNIFIERS, ETC.
FELKER DI-MET BLADES DO YOU WANT THE BEST DIAMOND
SAW BLADE MANUFACTURED? Stop in
RX LAPIDARY MACHINE (See actual demonstration of this and let us show you the radically NEW
machine or work on it yourself) NORTON SLOTTED RIM DIAMOND
BLADES. They cut faster and last longer
B. & I. GEM MAKER (Take one home with you as we have than any other diamond blade on the
them in stock for Immediate Delivery) market.
6" $7.20 8"......$9.60 10" $12.00
MINERALIGHTS 12" $14.40 14" $20.40
CARBORUNDUM WHEELS Postage or Express Extra
G. & W. LAPIDARY EQUIPMENT WE HAVE MOVED — VISIT OUR NEW
ALLEN FACET MACHINE & ACCESSORIES SHOP — NEW FOREIGN SHIPMENTS
NOW ARRIVING.
Remember Our New Address
GRIECIER'S
1633 E. Walnut Street
Long Beach Mineral & Lapidary Supply Co. PASADENA 4, CALIFORNIA
This is the same firm that formerly adver-
1850 East Pacific Coast Highway Long Beach 6, Calif. tised as Warner and Grieger.

SEPTEMBER, 1946 39
 FINE SOLID Pisolitic Limestone. D a r k
Pisolites, light matrix, fifty cents per pound
GEM MART ADVERTISING RATE
7c a Word — Minimum $1.00
plus transportation. Dwight Brooke, Big
Pine, Inyo County, Calif.
TURQUOISE, Rough gem material $2.40 per
BARGAIN ASSORTMENT N O . 10—One slab APACHE TEARDROPS, Indian Gems, rough- oz. Half interest in a Turquoise mining:
tempeski wood to polish or make into ring ly rounded, flawless, take nice polish. Black claim $500.00. Samples of gold, silver and
stones. One chunk sagenitic agate, for lovely until held to light, then show pinkish trans- copper ore, all three for $1.00. Petrified wood
ring stones or to polish. One chunk Arizona parent smokiness. Stones Vi. % or 1 inch are 50c per pound. Gem Agate wood $2.40 per
picture wood. One slab white quartz with 15 for $1.00; 2.00; $3.00. POSTAGE EX- pound. Other kinds. Write Sally Breen, Box
green tourmaline inclusions, make rare pol- TRA. MaryAnn Kasey, Box 230, Prescott, 432, Goldfield, Nevada.
ished slabs. One slab green moss agate. One Arizona. WANTED: Excellent crystallized specimens,
round Wyoming agate. One slab white opal outstanding cutting material for wholesale
with red cinnabar, lovely when polished or ATTENTION TOURIST: When passing trade. Send specimen samples and prices.
as is. One small fern agate nodule. y 2 pound through Modesto, California, do stop and see Jack Frost, 59 E. Hoffer St., Banning, Cali-
clear and white banded agate, from Horse the Ken-Dor Rock Roost at 419 South Frank- fornia.
canyon. 1/2 pound dark petrified palm, from line St. We Buy, Sell or Trade Mineral Speci-
a new find. One roughed out moss agate mens. Visitors are always WELCOME. SUPERLATIVE FLOWERED AGATE: Solid'
cabochon, only have to sand and polish. One and multicolors of coral rose to vivid reds,
chunk fluorescent selenite. All for $3.00 plus ATTENTION Cutters and Dealers. I am offer- mimosa yellow and black in exquisite flowers-
postage on 7 pounds. West Coast Mineral ing "Flowering Obsidian" in wholesale quan- and vivid plumes in extremely translucent
Co., Post Box 331, La Habra, Calif. tities. It's distinctive and beautiful. Write for agate, sometimes being the finest of carnelian.
particulars. W. T. Rogers, 1230 Parkway A gem agate for the connoisseur, but requires
ARIZONA W O O D in red, yellow jasper, love- Ave., Salt Lake City 5, Utah. the patience of the gem cutter, and value of
ly agate. Each piece cuts one to several cabo- specimen is not determined by size alone.
chons, 15c, 25c, 50c. List other rocks, crystals, RARE OR HARD TO FIND—Chrysocolla, Specially Selected Suites: $10.00; $15.00 and1
for stamp. Postage extra. Katharine M. Gohn, Turquoise and Chrysoprase—enough for sev- $25.00. Single Specimens: $2.00 and Up.
Box 481, Mesa, Ariz. eral exquisite gems will be included in a qual- FRANK DUNCAN AND DAUGHTER,
ity slab offering of Agate, Jasper, Wood, Box 63, Terlingua, Texas.
ARIZONA AGATES: Moss, small beautiful Flower Obsidian and Rhodonite—Over 12
pieces, 85c lb. Lovely Pink banded or solid square inches—postpaid for $3.00. Mission 100 MINERALS and fossils, nice size, $4.00.
Blue, 50c lb. Solid red, mustard, or Brec- Mineral Mart, 818 Fort Stockton Drive, San 40 small $1.00 ppd. Bryant's Rockpile, Box
ciated Jaspers, 35c lb. Minimum order $1.00. Diego 3, Calif. 64, Jett, Kentucky.
Postage EXTRA. MaryAnn Kasey, Box 230,
Prescott, Arizona. SPECIAL OFFER to collectors. 200 pounds of MINERAL SETS—California Mineral Map-
agate in small pieces (one to three inch) from Set 7^4x9 in. in color with 31 colorful
TOURMALINE — KUNZITE — APATITE the Big Bend, especially selected for rich, mounted specimens. Attractively boxed. This
— A specimen of each—all three for $1.00— vivid coloring and beauty of design to be cut is the finest souvenir California has to offer
postage paid. Limited quantities of rare in our own shop. One-half for sale; five all Rockhounds of America, $2.25. A Holly-
Aurichalcite, showy Mexican Wulfenite and pounds for $10.00, postpaid. Satisfaction wood Mineral Chest of 50 mineral specimens-
superb Illinois Fluorite at $1.00 to $5.00 the guaranteed. El Paso Rock & Lapidary Supply, in IV4XII4 in. compartments boxed in a beau-
specimen. Super-specimens in Fluorite and 2401 Pittsburg Street, El Paso, Texas. tiful California Redwood display box, $9.50.
Wulfenite range to $50.00—See these and 50 highly fluorescent specimens in similar
many other rare ones at our store. MINER- GREEN FLUORESCENT Specimens: Chal- box, $12.50. Supplementary sets available on
ALIGHTS and choice fluorescent minerals cedony in rose, clusters and other interesting order. Prices quoted are prepaid. Correspon-
in stock. Mission Mineral Mar:, 818 Fort designs, $1.00 lb.; Colorful agate, 50c lb.; dence invited. E. W. Suring—The Mineral
Stockton Drive, San Diego 3, Calif. opalite 25c lb. Postage and 2l/ 2 % tax extra. King, P. O. Box 407, Hollywood 28, Calif.
McShan Ranch, Box 22, Needles, Calif.
CAN SUPPLY Montana moss agate, agatized FASCINATING FLUORESCENCE—Zincifer-
wood, jasper, jade and sapphires. The sap- "OWL" DOPPING WAX—and now fighting ous Aragonite with fluorescent Calamine. Sil-
phires are small and are put up approximately on the home front, a new different DOP- ver white on bluish background. After-glow
75 in a glass vial with two or three Montana PING WAX. Special formula. Not greasy. in total dark long lasting. 2 in. to 4 in. 50c to-
rubies included for $1. Good grade agate $1. Lasts longer—holds your gems for that final $1.50. Larger sizes to $5.50. For short wave
per pound plus postage. Jade in various mirror-finish in any climate. Lb. $1.00, plus lamps. Visit our store. The finest minerals we
shades of green $3. per pound and up. E. A. postage. L. E. Perry, 111 N. Chester, Pasa- have ever had. THOMPSON'S STUDIO,
Wight, 217 Hedden Building, Billings, Mon- dena 4, Calif. "BE WISE—USE 'OWL.' " 385 West Second Street, Pomona, Calif.
tana.
MINERAL SPECIMENS, slabs or material by
ATTENTION ROCKHOUNDS — Arizona the pound for cutting and polishing, RX
THE DESERT RAT'S NEST is back again with Agates, Jaspers, Petrified Wood, is now un-
a good supply of faceting and fine cabochon Units, Felker Di-Met Saw Blades, Carborun-
der new management. We are now offering dum wheels, Cerium Oxide, Preform Cabo-
material, full line of Brazil minerals and many all of this beautiful material for sale by the
rare gems. Write me for prices, money back chons, Indian jewelry, neck chains. Be sure
slice. No price list on this material just send and stop. A. L. Jarvis, Route 2, Box 350,
guarantee. Sapphires, Beryls all colors. Topaz any amount you wish and please describe the
and Tourmaline, both foreign and domestic. Watsonville, California, 3 miles S. on State
kind and grade you want and I will send it to highway No. 1.
Ceylon shipment in Sapphires up to 1 ounce you. If you are not satisfied I will refund your
wt. Star and white, moonstone. Fine matrix money. Chalcedony Roses in the rough $4.50
specimens also. Good line of specimens. Lo- SPECIMEN BOXES—Made of California Red-
per lb. These are small pieces and make very wood, well constructed, beautifully finished,
cation, between F & G Streets on Fourth. fine cabochons. Cut stone from $1.00 to
Mailing address, P. O. Box 1123, Encinitas, hinged and with fastening clasp. Contains 24
$100.00. Cutting done to order. Satisfaction compartments 2x2V2xlV2 in. deep. Overall
California. Visitors welcome. Geo. W. Guaranteed. Postage, Express, Freight Extra.
Chambers. dimensions 141/^x111,4x2 in. Beautify and
C. Wallace, Mt. Graham Court, Safford, Ari- preserve your collection. $3.50 postpaid.
E. W. Suring, P. O. Box 407, Hollywood 28,
WANTED: TO BUY and sell crystals and California.
superbly colorful rare minerals, strictly top LARGE ASSORTMENT of good quality gem
grade. Sam Parker, 2160 East Van Buren, stones. Prices in the rough run from $2.00 BARGAIN BUNDLES—Assorted rough cut-
Phoenix, Arizona. per pound up. Sawed slabs, assorted $3.50 ting material—Agates, Jasper, Geodes, Var-
per pound up. One pound of slabs will cut iscite, Turquoise, Chrysocolla, Petrified
AGATE SLABS ON APPROVAL. Brilliant dozens of excellent cabochons. Send for ap- Wood, Obsidian, etc., 5 lbs. $3.50, 10 lbs.
colors, exquisite patterns, plume, flower and proval selection of beautiful cabochons. Cus- $6.00, 20 lbs. $10.00. Assorted sawed cut-
moss. Choice gem quality for jewelry making. tom silversmithing and lapidary work esti- ting material—20 sq. in. $3.50, 50 sq. in.
End pieces and slabs for outstanding cabinet mates on request. Sterling silver sheet and $7.00, 100 sq. in. $12.00. Agate, Jasper,
specimens and colorful transparencies. Send wire in small quantities. I purchase good Chrysocolla, Variscite, Turquoise, Wood,
$10.00 deposit for approval selection and quality gem stone in the rough. Correspon- Rhodonite, Obsidian. Opal, etc. Please in-
state types desired. Now by the pound to those dence invited. Satisfaction or money-back clude postage. Send for price list of cutting
who will call in person. Mae Duquette, 407 guarantee. Paul F. Fryer, Walpole St., Dover, material, minerals, specimens, jewelry, etc.
N. Muscatel, San Gabriel, Calif. Mass. John L. James, Tonopah, Nevada.

40 THE DESERT MAGAZINE

MINERAL SETS—24 Colorful Minerals (iden-
tified) in l x l compartments—Postage paid, AMONG THE MONTANA AGATE . . .
$3.50. Prospector's Set of 50 Minerals (iden- Sawed slices in packages $5.00 per package.
Sawed slices mixed gem materials $5.00 per
tified) in l x l compartments in cloth rein-
forced sturdy cartons, Postage paid $5.75. ROCK HUI1TERS package. No culls in these packages. Montana
Agate, rough, good cutting material, $1.00 to
$2.80 per pound. Montana Agate, fine to
Elliott's Gem Shop, 26 Jergins Arcade, Long choice, $3.00 to $10.00 per pound. Rough
Beach 2, Calif. Montana Sapphires, mixed pale colors, choice
Los Angeles Mineralogical society, at its June gem but not large, cut about half carat, each
CHOICE SPECIMENS that should be in your 20 meeting, heard Melvin Levet speak on 50c. Finished Montana Agate cabochons $1.00
Electro-logging and radio activity logging. One and up. Precision facet cutting. All work and
collection. Clear gemmy Apatite crystals 25c materials guaranteed or money refunded.
to 75c. Bright showy Wulfenite crystals 25c of the movie reels he showed was on Gun per-
to $5.00, both from Mexico. Brilliant Vana- forating. These are phases in process of finding FLATHEAD HOBBY MUSEUM
dinite crystals from Arizona 25c to $2.00. and obtaining oil, as developed by Lane Wells Highway 93 Rollins, Montana
Mail orders only. Gaskill, 400 No. Muscatel, corporation.
San Gabriel, Calif. • • •
San Jose Lapidary society has made a pre-
N E W SHIPMENT Uruguayan Amethyst. Beau- liminary announcement that its Second Annual
tiful specimen material. Deep purple crystal Gem show will be given in the spring of 1947. Before you buy any lapidary equipment-
groups. Sizes lVix3 in. up to 3x4 in. Prices • • •
$3.50 and up. Those who know buy our Searles Lake gem and mineral society voted to
beautiful Mexican Onyx for book ends, paper
weights and specimen material at 15c per
forego 4th of July barbecue at Chris Wicht's for
lack of tires. A hike to Telescope peak was NEW CATALOG
pound in 100 Ib. lots. Famous Hauser Bed scheduled for June 22-23. THE NEW COMPACT 3 V
Geodes—endless variety. 25c apiece and up. • • •
Postage not included. We carry Highland
Park Lapidary Equipment and The Carbor- Bertha E. Schell, Camp Wood, Arizona, re-
cently discovered curious dendrite formations.
[LAPIDARY UNIT,
undum Company's diamond saws, wheels it
and supplies. GEMARTS COMPANY, 4282 The matrix had weathered away leaving the tiny SAWING • POLISHING
Marlborough, San Diego 5, Calif. "Every- dendrite "trees" unbroken. She exhibited the LAPPING • FACETING
thing for the Amateur Lapidary." trees at a meeting of the Yavapai gem and min- SANDING • GRINDING
eral society, Prescott, Arizona. SPHERE CUTTING
• • • • THE LATEST in lapidary
$2.50 brings you prepaid six rare and beautiful
crystallized Arizona minerals. Vanadinite, Colorado mineral society, Denver, invites out equipment, with many
of state rockhounds to join it in summer field exclu sive features found
Dioptase, Wulfenite, Willemite, Chrysocol- in no other machines. More than 1000 in use.
la, Azurite. Specimens 1V2X2 or larger. trips. Georgetown-Silver plume area will be Price includes diamond saw, grinding wheels, sanding
Wiener Mineral Co., Box 509, Tucson, Ari- visited August 18, northern Colorado Niobrara wheels, polishing buff and everything necessary |t>
section September 22. Secretary is Alice Gather- make cabochons and specimens up to capacity of ttw:
cole, 4557 Zuni, Denver 11. 8" saw. Saws up to 10" con be used on this machine.

MONTANA MOSS AGATES in the rough for • • •

gem cutting, $1.00 per lb. plus postage. El- Umpqua mineral club, Roseburg, Oregon, en-
liott's Gem Shop, 26 Jergins Arcade, Long
Beach 2, California.
joyed one of the most delightful meetings of the
year, July 11, when Mrs. Essie Koentz invited
'FACETING ATTACHMENT'
# A FINE precision tool (hut
members and guests to her home in Edenbower greatly simplifies the cut-
MINERALS, GEMS, COINS, Bills, Old Glass, to meet Mr. and Mrs. Albert Hake of Los Ange- ting of any faceted gem.
Books, Stamps, Fossils, Buttons, Dolls, les, members of Southwest mineralogists and Can be, used with any hori-
Los Angeles lapidary society. The Hakes have zontal lap thru the use of.
Weapons, Miniatures, Indian Silver Rings a simple adaptor socket.
and Bracelets. Also Mexican. Catalogue 5c. been touring the Northwest in car and trailer.
Cowboy Lemley, Las Cruces, New Mexico. Hake, a cabinet maker, has contrived an ingeni-
ous way to carry and exhibit specimens. Shallow
INDIAN RELICS, Curios, Coins, Minerals, wooden trays are hinged in the center and when
Books, Old Buttons, Old Glass, Old West closed resemble books. Name of contents is
Photos, Weapons, Catalogue 5c. Lemley An-
tique Store, Osborne, Kansas.
printed as title of book. The "books" fit snugly
in large wooden carrying boxes.
DIAMOND SAW
• HANDLES from
• • • a 10" to 16" blade. Safe
MONTANA MOSS Agates in rough for gem Victor M. Arceniega, mining engineer, geolo- clamp hold quickly adjusted
to any size stone. Cross feed
cutting, direct from diggings, $1.00 per gist and teacher, was scheduled to speak on permits several parallel cuts
pound, prepaid. Nels Christofferson, Richey, megascopic determination of rocks at July 18 without reclamping stone.
Montana. meeting of Los Angeles mineralogical society. Internal Pressure grease lu-
brication . . . adjustable oil
San Jose Lapidary society has rented a post- sump. Splash proof, yet
100 GOOD GRADE ancient Indian arrowheads office box, to which all correspondence should work is visible at all time-.
$4.00, 1000 $30.00. Tomahawk, hoe, discoi- be directed. This is to simplify the situation
dal, axe and 20 arrowheads $5.00. Large flint when new officers are elected. Address is: San
knife, large spearhead, game ball, celt and Jose Lapidary Society, Box 942, San Jose, Cali-
20 stemmed scrapers $5.00. 100 blemished fornia.
spearheads $10.00. 100 fine arrowheads | guti (tuUx!
$10.00, 100 slightly blemished stemmed
scrapers $4.00. 100 beautiful sea shells
• • •
Monterey Bay mineral society elected the fol-
Will \

$10.00. List free. Lears, Box 569, Galveston, lowing officers at July meeting: T. G. Emmons, PRICES
PRECISION MACHINE MADE

Texas. president; A. W. Flippin, vice-president; A. L.

Jarvis, Watsonville, secretary; Alice R. Everett,
treasurer; D. E. Perry, director; previously
NEW

7". _ $4.75
YOUR MADE

RECHARGED

$4.00
4.75
Dili§§€W
am
"C. EARL NAPIER — F o r Rock." Historic 8" _ . 5.75
elected directors still serving are H. M. Samuel- 10" 7.85 6.85 • USERS say our Hillquist
Knights Ferry, California. Fireplace mantles, son and R. L. Dey. A. L. Jarvis and Charles 12" 9.50 8.25 SuperSpeed D i a m o n d
sawing, polishing, moss opal. Correspon- 10.00 " Saws cut faster and OWN""
Murphy reported on federation convention. 14"
11.50 *• last many saws that sell
dence or visit invited. 16" 13.50
Members enjoyed bureau of mines film—Ari- k for twice the money. If
zona, its mineral resources and scenic wonders. you need a new saw or
GILDE GEM CUTTER. W e now offer this • • • w 6 PAY POSTAGE
the old one needs recharg-
compact portable outfit to the home cutter. ing,- try a SuperSpeed—
O. P. Avery of Los Angeles Lapidary society you'll swear by it, and not
Write for details and new catalog listing over talked on stalactites and petrified wood at June at it. Be sure to state size
one hundred varieties of rough. Also all kinds meeting of San Fernando Valley mineral and of arbor hole.
of supplies. Gem Exchange, Bayfield, Colo. gem society, North Hollywood. Avery was one
of the first to visit Eden valley and possesses
MINERALITE: For best Ultra-Violet fluor- many unique specimens from that location. Tay-
escence. Every rockhound should have one. lor discussed with the group minerals having
Every prospector of minerals needs one. Send hardness of 7 and 8. Clark gave door prize talk
today for free catalog with natural color illus- on tourmaline. Forty members and friends field
trations and valuable information. Gaskill, tripped to Tick canyon for howlite, agate and
400 North Muscatel, San Gabriel, Calif. bloodstone.

SEPTEMBER, 1946 41
 Miners and
Mr. and Mrs. L. E. Perry, Pasadena, have Long Beach Mineralogical society planned to
| Prospectors been taking a well earned vacation, camping on show a picture on wildlife at July 10 meeting.
Q | INSTANTLY Mt. Laguna. Both worked at lens polishing dur- At June board meeting the election method was
™ IDENTIFY ing the war. Lon is looking for harder-than-7 changed. Heretofore, members elected a board
URANIUM stones to facet cut. He is displaying a pair of of directors, who selected officers from the
MERCURY
gorgeous mystic blue acquamarines which he board members. By the new method, members
recently cut and polished. will elect officers by direct vote.
MINERALIGHT SCHEEUTE
• • •
DETECTS U R A N I U M | WIUEMITE
"The available methods for detecting Imperial Valley gem and mineral society met
uranium lacked one or more of the de- July 20 at home of Mr. and Mrs. C. K. Patton
sired characteristics. Etcnt-ually, however,
a method was worked out that is prob-
ably more specific and sensitive than the
usual qualitative methods for,uranium.
MINERALIGHT
QuU Jtidde*
for a potluck supper. Many members are out of
the valley for the summer months, and vacation
Rough Cutting Material
Since uranium is most susceptible to meetings are held at private homes. AMAZONITE — Colorado
short-wave ultra-violet light, the lamp Value* • • •
used in this work was the MINER-
ALIGHT V-41 . . . which emits short- PETOSKEY STONE — Michigan
•wave ultra-violet rays at 2,537° Angstrom Mrs. A. Wade, secretary, Orange Belt miner-
"Units."* alogical society states that July meeting was a TURQUOISE — Nevada
^INFORMATION CIRCULAR 7337
MINERALIGHT || covered dish dinner held in Fairmount park,
Copies of the full report, "Fluorescence Test I Catalogue. Riverside, California. Reports from California $4.00 per lb. Postpaid
for Uranium," are available from the Bureau I WRirEDEPT-Tll
of Mines, Office of Mineral Reports, Wash-
ington, D. C
TQOAYI
federation convention were given by members Vt lb. S2.25 — Vt lb. $1.35
who attended. Col. M. Mills, Dr. Warren Fox
and Capt. Kennedy displayed gems and unusual Prices include 20% Federal tax
types of minerals. I. V. Graham has invited
ULTRA-VIOLET PRODUCTS, INC. members to his home in San Bernardino for I. J. JEWELCRAFT
August meeting.
• • • P. O. Box 446 Montrose. Calif.
Word comes from Curator's office of San
CABOCHONGEMS . . . Diego museum that in the near future its unique
CABOCHONS cut from outstanding semi- postwar reconversion problems will be solved
precious materials including Horse Canyon
agates, Lavic Jasper, Wonder stone, etc. Good
and the museum open to the public. BLACK ONYX . . .
• • •
variety of sizes and shapes suitable for jew- FINEST QUALITY AND POLISH
elry making or collections. Quality workman- Orlin J. Bell, president California federation In lots of one dozen to 1000 and up.
ship and very reasonable prices. All sales sub- of mineralogical societies, has appointed Ernest
ject to your complete satisfaction.
Chapman to act as chairman of a committee to Same in men's 14K Gold Rings,
SAWED SLABS—Now have good stock of $180 per dozen.
finest gem quality Nevada Wonder stone. compile a history of past conventions. Report is
Free of pits, takes a high polish and comes in to deal solely with behind the scenes, overall, Fancy cuts per order of 2000 stones each size.
a marvelous variety of patterns and colors. detailed planning and execution. It will consti- Synthetic Rubies, 10x8, Cabochons, oval
Choice slices at 20 cents per square inch. Sold
tute an experience record of value to convention and blue Spinels.
on a money back guarantee. Also have a good Tiger Eye and fine Amethyst Cabochons,
variety of slabs of agates, jasper, woods, etc., hosts. A chapter will be added each year.
reasonably priced. • • • 10x8, 14x12 in lots.
Finest Belgian Congo Diamond Bortz,
W. J. KANE. Lapidary San Diego mineralogical society has suspend-
$190 per 100 carats.
ed activities until Friday, September 13- Ring Mountings, 14K and setting of your
1651 Waller St. San Francisco 17, Calif. • • • stones in 100 lots.
At August meeting of Los Angeles Lapidary Also single stones for collectors on approval,
society, held at Police academy in Elysian Park, such as Andalusite, Emerald, Zircon and
society's history during past year, under leader- many others.
ship of A. B. Meiklejohn, retired president, was E R N E S T M E I E R
given by Lelande Quick. Although the 1946 Church Street Annex Post Office Box 302

\RECC public exhibit had closed but a short time be-

fore, plans were being formed for an improved
show next year. Mr. McPhail of Standard Oil
company showed movies of Alaska and Grand
NEW YORK 8, N. Y.

BEAUTIFUL VERMILION AGATE for cut-

Lapidary Supplies Tetons.
• • •
In main foyer of Chicago Museum of Natural
ting oi cabochons, etc. $1.00 brings you a
generous sized specimen of this mate-
rial. Write lor list and prices on other
History is huge crystal of beryl, found at Al-
for the bany, Maine. It weighs, according to Marquette specimens and cutting materials.
Gem Cutting Shop Geologist bulletin, 950 pounds, measures four Jack the Rockhound
feet high, 2 feet across base, is of greenish-blue P. O. Box 86 Carbondale. Colo.
color.

V&ECO
Diamond Saws
Grinding Wheels
Polishing Wheels HERE ARE THE GIFTS
YOU'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR!
VRECO
Abrasive Cloth
Polishing Powders Petrified Wood. Moss Agate, Chrysocolla,
Abrasive Grains Turquoise, Jade and Jasper Jewelry
HAND MADE IN STERLING SILVER
WRITE FOR COMPLETE LISTING Bracelets, Rings, Necklaces, Earrings
OF ABOVE ITEMS AND OTHER and Brooches
VRECO SUPPLIES
SPECIALLY SELECTED STONES WITH
CHOICE COLORS AND PICTURES
Write for Folder with Prices
VREELAND Wholesale and Retail

MANUFACTURING CO. ELLIOTT'S GEM SHOP

26 Jergins Arcade Long Beach 2, Calif.
2026 S. W. Jefferson Street Entrance Subway at Ocean and Pine
PORTLAND 1. OREGON Open 10 A. M. to 10 P. M. Daily

42 THE DESERT MAGAZINE

 Three members of San Jose lapidary society,
'Charles Murphy, Walt Sutton and Mr. Addison,
made a trip recently into Sonora, in search of
moss opal. Trip was uneventful, except for tired
backs and sore hands. A great quantity of ma-
terial was dug from the vein, but careful exam- Of a Rockhound
ination showed that only about 200 pounds was
good for cutting. This was divided into four por- By LOUISE EATON
tions, one for each explorer, and one for the so-
ciety grab bag. Therz shure gettin to be a lot uv rock-
houns scattered all over th country. Espe-
chully in out-uv-th-way places. Maybe it's
only that they shows more in isolated dis- 6" HIGH-SPEED TRIMMING SAW. All cast
LAPIDARY EQUIPMENT tricks than in cities, but most enny little
general store has a pile uv rox an' a few
metal. No wood. This saw saves time and ma-
terial. Saw operates at 2000 R.P.M. Priced at
$47.50 without motor, F.O.B., Los Angeles,
polished speciments tucked away sum- Calif. This price includes saw-blade, belt and
where. Th folkes'll most genrally tell yu pulley to give you the correct speed. Requires
either that they're jus startin to get in- Vi-horse motor. Shipping weight approxi-
mately 60 pounds.
trested in rox or that they've bin rock-
houns practically all their lives. Highland Park Lapidary Supply
1009 Mission St., South Pasadena, Calif.
A nuther nice thing about rockhouns
is that therz no caste system amung um.
Send for Neither money nor ejucation (or lack
Literature to there uv) counts for 'r against a fella.
Cavington Lapidary
Engineering Co.
It's just what he is hisself an' what he
has in his heart that's important. No true Cabinet Specimens . . .
Redlandi, Cal. rockhoun could be a snob. Anyhow when
a group gets to field trippin all are on Petrified wood — Opctlized wood — Red
the same level—ground level—an' th' Jasper — Red and Green Jasper Blood-
most important purson is the wun with stone. Limonite mottled with Malachite.
STRAWBERRY G E O D E S. Complete Mixed assortment at least 6 different,
showy geodes nicely broken to show- the most luck 'r keenest eyesite 'cause he
finds the best speciments. sample order $2.00. With each order we
crystal lined interiors. Weight from 1 give free one slab Azurite, Malachite,
to 10 lbs. and priced from $1 to $10. Native Copper and Cuprite in Quartz.
CHOCOLATE MT. GEODES for ycu to This material cuts beautifully. Larger
cut. 1" to 6" at 35c per 1b. Specimens on request. Write for Prices.
BEAUTIFUL PASTELITE for cutting. $1.00 New officers of Los Angeles Lapidary society,
per lb. 5 lbs. $4.00. installed in July, are: Benton MacLellan, presi-
dent; John Gaston, 1st vice-president; Jessie MRS. CAROLINE LIMING
DESERT ROSES (Chalcedony). Picked Quane, 2nd vice-president; Mary C. Ryan, secre-
for beauty. 25c and 50c. Box 757 Hawthorne, Nevada
tary; Clarence Chittenden, treasurer; Lelande
Satisfaction Guaranteed — Postage Extra Quick, historian. Mrs. E. Grace Peters, pub-
Send dime for list of showy specimens at licity chairman, announces the society now has
moderate prices. Refund on first order. a permanent address: Box 2184 Terminal An-
VISITORS WELCOME nex, Los Angeles 54, and letters from friends THE
JACK F R O S T and new acquaintances of the society will be
59 E. Hoffer Street Banning, California welcomed.
• • •
Re-discovery of a Lost Art was subject of ad-
MINERAL dress by Lelande Quick at July meeting of San
IDENTIFICATION Jose Lapidary society. He sketched recent his-
tory of revival of gem cutting as a hobby and
SIMPLIFIED art and as a mode of self-expression. Mr. Quick
By O. C. Smith, A.B., A.M. in 1940 organized Los Angeles Lapidary society,
2nd Revised Edition the first of its kind in the world.
Price $3.50 For tile,
• • • lapidary and
Plus Tax in California Mrs. Grace Dearborn, of New England feder- ceramic operations
Order from — O. C. SMITH - Dept. D
5157 Santa Ana St. — Bell, California ation, was recent guest of Los Angeles Miner-
HEAVY-DUTY * SEMI - PORTABLE
alogical society.

IMMEDIATE DELIVERY
Engineered and designed by the manufacturers of

NAVAJO INDIAN SILVERSMITHS . . . the Bevil Diamond Abrasive Cutting Wheels, this saw
meefs all requirements, and offers new and advanced
improvements:
1 . Standard hose coupling eliminates coolant can.
We have expert Navajo silversmiths making jewelry to order. 2 . Positive coolant feed to both sides of the blade
Rings, bracelets, pendants, brooches, earrings, etc. Have your cabo- thru wiping sponges.
3 . Easily accessible shut off cock for coolant flow
chons mounted in custom designed coin silver mountings. control.
4 . Large hand nut and fulcrum permit quick ad-
We also do commercial rock cutting of all kinds. Our stock includes justment.
5 . Single screw, pivoted guard for blade accessi-
both raw and finished picture petrified wood and turquoise cabochons, bility.
petrified wood slabs, Navajo and Zufai handmade jewelry, rugs and 6 . Adjustable steel ball bearing rollers and ma-
chined ways prevent side motion and assure ac-
other Indian crafts. curacy of cut.

Wholesale and retail. Prices on request. Member of LESS MOTOR

f o. b. South Pasadena

UNITED^INDIAN
ART'S GEM SHOP TRADERS ASSOCIATION WITH 8" BLADE $ 1 9 0 . 8 0
INCORPORATED
Main Office — West Y otcsnizeD FOR THE KUKTUHTIOFI M t o r c a i o n
Store No. 2 — East Y of HoncmsiK inoinn HUTS nns CROFTS 815 Fremont Ave.,
so PASADENAr CAUF.
Box 225 Gallup, New Mexico—THE INDIAN CAPITAL Sales Division of BEVIl CO., Los Angeles. Manufac-
turers of BEVIL Diamond Abrasive Cutting Tools

SEPTEMBER, 1946 43
 Gems and minerals editor would appreciate Marquette Geologists association publishes,
receiving lists of officers, and time and place of in its monthly bulletin, brief notes about various
meetings of recently organized societies. members and their special interest in collecting.
Recent sketch was of charter member Jerry Her-
dina, Chicago, who specializes in Coal Measure
HEIRLOOMS OF THE FUTURE . . . fossils, flora and fauna of Wilmington area. He
Marvin's fine handicrafted sterling has a complete collection of these concretionary
silver jewelry. fossils comprising plant and animal remains of
the Pennsylvanian coal age, approximately 250
MARVIN'S ROCK SHOP million years old.
U. S. Hiways 160 & 550, Durango, Colo. • • •
Visitors Always Welcome Minnesota mineral club, Minneapolis, in its
bulletin, Rock Rustler's News, introduces its GEM VILLAGE
officers in a chatty informal manner. Adolph Black Petrified Wood. 5-10 lbs., lb $2
Heumann, vice-president, is subject of recent Colored Wood. 5-10 lbs., lb. $1
'Alia'Lapidary Equipment "portrait." His 15-pound agate is champ in the
club. Ricolite. striped serpentine, lb. 50c
• • • Black Obsidian, lb 50c
E. W. Suring of Hollywood is originator of Snowflake Obsidian, lb. 50c
a unique specimen set of California minerals. Garnets, pyrope. cutting quality, oz. ..50c
Set consists of a 71/ix91/4 card on which is print-
ed an outline map of the state with small but ex- Colorado Plume Agate, per slab $1 to $30
cellent specimens of minerals glued to the loca- Other materials too numerous to men-
tion at which the ore is found. There are 31 tion, also, cabinet specimens, cut stones,
specimens ranging from kyanite mined in the silver jewelry, fluorescent materials,
southeastern corner of the state to the gold ore mineral books, lapidary work, gold and
that comes from the northern sierras, including silver work to order.
lead, sulphur, beryl, opal, fluorite and all the
more common among the 60 minerals found in THE COLORADO GEM CO.
the state. BAYFIELD. COLO.
Mrs. Marie Lackie talked on geologic occur-
GRINDING ARBOR Heavy construction. rence of California agate at July 11 meeting of
Sealed SKF Ball bearings. Shaft 15" lg. Hollywood lapidary society, held in Plummer
with % " arbor for up to 10" dia. wheels. park, 7377 Santa Monica boulevard. Mrs.
42" Belt furnished. Built to last a lifetime. Lackie is research geologist for Shell oil com- TURQUOISE & CHRYSOCOLLA
Price (less wheels) $22.50 pany and a charter member of Los Angeles lapi-
dary society. The group enjoyed a trip to Horse JEWELRY
Shipping weight 23 lbs.
canyon June 23. (Wholesale Ex«Iu»ively)
• • •
Searles Lake gem and mineral society has de- HAROLD D.MARYOTT
cals representing a hanksite crystal, made in 40 Oak St. Rt, I Miami, Arizona
club colors, gold and purple, now available for
D the cars of members.
• • •
I On July 15 Lelande Quick organized a new
F lapidary society at San Pedro. New club began
F with membership of 38.
• • •
RX
E A COMPLETE LAPIDARY SHOP
R Minneapolis mineral club will sponsor a class
in jewelry making this fall. The teacher is to be IN ONE SMALL MACHINE
E Douglas La Tond, a manufacturing jeweler.
N Meetings will take place in the metalcraft room
T of Miller vocational high school. Membership
will be limited by the size of the room to 20.
Registration fee $10.00.

SANDER & POLISHER Alum, construc- TRUE OR FALSE ANSWERS

tion. Die cast pulleys. Eccentric cam de- Questions are on page 30
vice makes changing and tightening of 1—False. Higher altitudes are cooler.
belts easy. This unit is ideal for sanding 2—True. 3—True.
and polishing. 4—False. First navigator of the Grand
Price (less belts) $19.50 Canyon was Major Wm. H. Powell.
3 Belts 120. 220. 320 Grit _ 1.00 5—False. Palms without moisture at
1 Woven polishing belt 1.95 their roots would die quickly.
Shipping weight 15 lbs. 6—False. Wupatki national monument
is in Arizona.
LAP UNIT All alum, construction except 7—True. 8—True. 9—True. Entirely made in the RX factory by
alloy steel bevel gears and sealed ball 10—False. The Colorado desert is in skilled mechanics.
bearings. With 8" dia. "MEEHANITE" Southern California.
Lap plate. Ideal for lapping flat speci- 11—True. True running, and will last a life time.
mens. 12—False. Comstock lode was located 12 inch saw.
Price $28.50 near Virginia City.
Shipping weight 20 lbs. 13—True. The gem machine you have been
14—False. Natives of Snowflake often waiting for.
NEW SLABBING SAW 16" capacity. see snow in winter. Only seconds required to change from
Cabinet model, power feed, completely 15—False. Gen. Kearny's Army of the one operation to another.
enclosed. West crossed the Colorado at Yuma.
16—True. Start with the best and you make
Price on Request no mistake.
17—False. Those velvet-like pads have
thousands of tiny spines. See your lapidary dealer or write direct
Prices are F.O.B. Pasadena. California 18—True. for Bulletin A.
19—False. Father Escalante is credited
ALTA ENGINEERING CO. with being the first white explorer
RX LABORATORY
P. O. Box 1149 of Utah.
PASADENA 20. CALIFORNIA 20—True. 1143 Post Ave. Torrance. Calif.

44 THE DESERT MAGAZINE

 mmem NAVAJO INDIAN RUGS * JEWELRY
Tom S. Hubbell, 2331 Pico Blvd.
Santa Monica, California

By LELANDE QUICK
MINIATURE SETS, Asst'd per doz $6.00
SO RING STONES, including genuine and
page, Loran Perry of Pasadena. Perry writes, synthetic $7.50
What is happening in the gem cutting world? SYNTHETIC RUBIES or GENUINE GAR-
How has peace affected it? Several facets of "It was my thought to make a place for some NETS, per carat $1.25
these questions are polished very interestingly GI Joes in the gem cutting trade where they CAMEOS or OPALS—Genuine—12 for $3.7S
by correspondents who write me from all over would be able to maintain a family and home 100 JEWELRY STONES removed from rings,
etc., $2.40; 50 large ones $2.40
the country. Let's begin with the story of the after the American pattern. What do we have 12 ARTICLES ANTIQUE JEWELRY, rings,
soldier who dashed into a house near Rheims really ? Everyone who can get a motor and arbor pins, etc $3.00
during the invasion of France. The owner had or a faceting head and a lap is in business. You 500 COSTUME JEWELRY STONES $2.00
fled without taking the book he had been read- can get cabochons cut from 10 cents to five dol- B. LOWE. Holland Bldg.. St. Louis 1. Mo.
ing at the time. The book was Baxter's Jewelry, lars. The same applies to faceted stones. What
Gem Cutting and Metalcraft. Then we consult chance has the returned soldier or anyone else
the interesting correspondence of Madeleine for making a living when amateurs are all cut-
Burrage of Kennebunkport, Maine, who accuses ting gems for resale for practically nothing—
many of the professional gem cutters of down- and they do a good job too. How can we give DRILL GEMS . . .
right victimizing. "When you feel that you real- this gem cutting business a face lifting?"
ly can trust them with something superb they It was Mr. Perry who did so much in switch- . . . DRILL JEWELRY
get the building janitor and hand over your best
specimens to him," she writes. Miss Burrage is
enthusiastic about the possibilities of the GI in
ing the amateur gem cutters to a professional
status by having them transfer their activities to
the solving of one of the greatest bottlenecks
MIDGET DRILLER
the gem cutting and jewelry trade. She taught in the defense program—the cutting of quartz A Universal Drilling Machine. 11 Inches
many of them jewelry making at Halloran hos- crystals for radar, etc. Those people all made High. Black Wrinkle Finish on Castings.
pital on Staten Island, New York, during her money and I think that the present crop of gem A Real Instrument . . .
two years of this work. She says, with emphasis, cutters have the same privilege. Things will
"There wasn't anything they couldn't do and simmer down and in the years to come lapidaries
everything had to be perfect. W e had everyone with imagination and skill will survive in the
who had ever fooled with a car or a radio (and business world as the law of supply and demand
that is practically 100 per cent of American creates a proper balance. After all, the "face lift-
boys) and they wanted to do precision work, so ing" already has taken place and America has
that I have hope in the future for really good become the gem cutting center of the world. I
work." believe it was the "amateur" who brought most
of it about and the new "amateurs" will keep it
So great was the interest in gem cutting going.
among convalescent sailors that the navy depart-
ment sent Captain Charles Cox from Alameda, I don't believe the professional lapidary has
California, to Washington, D. C , for a two anything to fear. I know from a personal survey
day visit and conference. That was more than a that there probably isn't a professional lapidary
year ago and the captain is still there. In the in the country who is looking for work. They all
meantime, plans have been made to establish are frantic with back orders—and they're getting
150 rehabilitating gem cutting shops in every two and three times as much for their work as
section of the country. Captain Cox's greatest they did five years ago. I doubt if there is an
difficulty is in equipping the shops and secur- amateur lapidary in the land who hasn't visited
ing adequate instructors. Ruth Mitchell, sister a professional after a time to have work done
of the late General "Billy" Mitchell, who was that was beyond his ability or visited a jewelry
prominent in the Yugoslav resistance organiza- store to buy precious stones which he would not
tion of the late Mikhailovitch, is now carrying otherwise have bought. He buys because of his
on a project of training legless veterans in gem increased knowledge and love of the gems of the MODEL A PROFESSIONAL
cutting. The government has recognized the earth. Knowledge of the stones and how to cut Departure Sealed Ball Bearings, Jacobs Key
gemological course of the Gemological Insti- them on the part of the public never has harmed Tightening Chuck, 3 Drilling Blocks, Motor
Pulley and Belt . . .
tute of America as part of the postwar GI train- the people who make a business of selling them.
ing program and is paying for the courses. There are few people who dabble at painting $37.50 Without Motor
who do not eventually purchase for themselves
All of this activity is built around the veteran a painting that is beyond their own ability. MODEL B AMATEUR
and principally around the disabled veteran. There are few persons who turn out a homemade Oilite Bearings, Hand Tightening Chuck, 3
There still is no school in America, outside of bookcase who do not possess in their homes bet- Drilling Blocks, Motor Pulley and Belt . . .
high school courses, where the civilian can learn ter furniture than they ordinarily would have be- $27.50 Without Motor
gem cutting as a vocation. Therefore, the obvi- cause of their appreciation of the artistry behind Model A and B are identical except as stat-
ous is happening. Average Man is learning his it acquired through "doing." Cutting and sell- ed above. You can use any sized motor. We
gem cutting through mineralogical and lapi- ing a few gems at two or three dollars each still furnish the pulley for your motor free. Give
your motor shaft dia. and R.P.M. when you
dary societies and then turning professional, so doesn't turn an amateur into a professional any- order. Deposit required with order—Balance
that all over the land innumerable lapidary more than publishing a piece of poor doggerell P.P. (C.O.D.). Circular on request.
shops are springing up catering to the public, a makes a man a real poet.
public increasingly aware of the possibilities of DIAMOND DRILL POINTS
our native semiprecious stones. The tourist has The jewelry trade believes this too, for they
widely quoted in their press the following para- NO TUBES — NO PASTE
been acquainted for some time with turquoise, For Drilling Agate, Ruby and Sapphire
petrified wood and agate jewelry but now any graph from my page in the February, 1945,
Desert Magazine. "Most amateur gem cutters, Very Fast.
road leading anywhere has its stands where 3/64 (0.045) Dia $ 7.50
jasper and many other gems are cut and sold. like most laymen, are intensely ignorant of gems 1/16 (0.062) Dia 8.50
This new tourist interest in gems carries over until they begin cutting themselves and then the 2/MM (0.078) Dia 9.00
interest is stimulated and they glean knowledge 3/MM (0.118) Dia 10.00
into Canada too, for when I was recently at
about gems which they willingly pass on to The 1/16 Size is the All Purpose Size
Banff I saw for sale the best Virgin Valley opal
I ever have seen anywhere outside of a museum. others until their circle of friends becomes an in- Prompt Delivery
formed group. Good merchandisers of jewelry Post Paid, Cash with Order or C.O.D.
This trend is a matter of concern to many in have nothing to fear from the knowledge pos-
sessed by the customer; those who prey upon the
SHUMAKER PRODUCTS CO.
the business and their voice is best expressed by 1312 East Fourth St. Sterling, 111.
a steady correspondent often quoted on this ignorance of the public deserve to be exposed."

SEPTEMBER, 1946 45
 Qu5tjSetweenclfou and Me

By RANDALL HENDERSON

E HOT summer afternoon two years ago this month endless bickering, the American citizen pays and pays. If one
the General in command of our North African Wing state gains an advantage, it is at the expense of the citizens in
flew out to my station on the Sahara desert for one of another state. From the standpoint of United States as a whole
his periodic inspection tours. My only transportation was a jeep, there is no gain—only loss, in the costs of litigation and in de-
so I invited him and a couple of his aides to climb in and we lays. We are all paying the penalty for permitting the old states
went out to look the camp over. rights feud of the colonial days to be projected into an age when
We inspected the runways, visited the fuel dispersal area, the theory of state sovereignty is almost as antiquated and many
the barracks, the mess hall, the motor repair shops and then we times more harmful than the ancient belief that the earth was
drove out in the wadi to see the new well our Arabs had put flat.
down to improve our water supply. The well was okay, but when Within a smaller sphere we are perpetuating here in the
I started to leave the place the jeep dropped down to its axles United States the same silly barriers between geographical sec-
in sand. tors which in the world-wide sphere divide people into nations
It was one of those embarrassing moments. You know how and keep civilization in a constant state of turmoil. Excessive
it is—you don't like to ask the General to get out and start shov- nationalism breeds war. Over-emphasis on state lines within the
eling sand. Not when the temperature is around 118 degrees, nation creates a milder form of the same evil. The difference
anyway. merely is one of degree.
And I didn't, either. I shifted to the four-wheel drive, and When a farmer moves to 80 or 160 acres of land under an
pulled the lever that put the car in compound low—and the lit- irrigation project his interest mainly is in the productiveness of
tle old jeep got us out of that hole in less time than it takes to the soil, the cost of irrigation, and the accessibility of markets.
write about it. That day I resolved to own one of those jeeps Whether the land is in Utah or California or Arizona is a sec-
when the war was over. ondary matter. State boundaries neither add nor detract from
Last month I went to one of the war surplus sales armed with the fertility of the land nor the happiness of the home that may
a veteran's priority. And now I have the jeep. Aries Adams has be built there.
built a special top for it, and before many weeks we'll be prowl- Under the present system of allocating the water according
ing out over the desert looking for some of those palm oases and to state boundaries, a farmer may be required to assume a recla-
gem fields the prospectors have been telling me about, and mation debt of $300 an acre for land in California when equally
which I haven't visited yet. And in due time Desert Magazine productive land in Arizona could be served with irrigation wa-
readers will share this information with me. ter for $210 an acre—or vice versa.
How much more equitable and sound would be the program
from the standpoint of the man who farms the land if the leaders
California and Arizona are having another of their cat and of the seven states would say to Secretary Krug of the Interior
dog fights over the allocation of the waters in the Colorado department: "We petition your department to classify the po-
river. These two, and the other five states in the Colorado tential irrigation projects in the Colorado basin according to
river basin have been at it for 30 years. productiveness, cost of irrigation per acre, and availability of
California started the latest rumpus. The Californians sent markets. We will then agree that regardless of state lines, the
a delegation to Washington to try to block one of Arizona's ir- development of these lands should proceed in the order of their
rigation projects. In past years Arizona has been equally aggres- merit."
sive in its efforts to restrict California's water allotment from
the Colorado. At other times the upper basin states have been Under Hitler's scheme, the individual was sacrificed for the
aligned against the lower basin, and vice versa. And when glory of the State. When the vanity of state politicians takes
there's nothing else to do they gang up on Mexico which also is precedence over the interest of the American citizen-farmer in
a claimant for Colorado river water. the allocation of Colorado river water are we not guilty of the
same bad logic?
As a matter of fact there is no shortage of water in the Colo-
rado today. Millions of acre feet of water flow into the Gulf of * * *
California unused every month. But the engineers say this will Before this issue of Desert comes off the press I will be on my
not always be true—that there are more lands which ultimately way to the Four Corners region of southeastern Utah to spend
can be brought under cultivation than water to irrigate them. three weeks with one of Ansel Hall's archeological and explor-
And so the battle goes on year after year. I daresay enough ing expeditions. Much of southern Utah is still a land of mys-
money has been spent on litigation and conferences and propa- tery except to cowmen, prospectors, Indians and a few venture-
ganda to finance a $100,000,000 irrigation project. some explorers. Out of this trip I hope will come some interest-
The tragedy of all this is that while the states carry on their ing glimpses of that desert wilderness for Desert's readers.

46 THE DESERT MAGAZINE

 ROADRUNNER LATEST IN
MESALAND SERIES
Cocky, the Roadrunner, was just what
his name implied. He could afford to be
saucy, because all the other animals were
so amused by his funny antics that they
never seriously tried to kill him for food
. . . and even the hunters thought him so
funny they wouldn't shoot him.
AUTHOR VIEWS WEST U.S.G.S. maps issued 50 years ago, and When he first arrived at the Mesaland
WITHOUT ITS GLAMOR long out of print, besides being seriously village to find a home for his family, the
"It's a land of fable, myth, tradition and erroneous. inhabitants couldn't believe their eyes. He
the lack of it, of extremes of heat and cold, This enchanting desert region differs was the queerest looking creature . . . a
wetness and dryness, lowness and high- strikingly from the more familiar deserts bird who would run instead of fly. And
ness, of promise and bitter disappoint- of California, Arizona, Nevada and west- the footprints he made looked as if he
ment, of million-dollar schemes by the ern Utah. The desert here is broken by a might be going either forward or back-
countless people who own no more than a confusion of great bold escarpments which ward!
jalopy or the down payment on a radio." form beetling cliffs, deep canyons and Many of his amusing experiences in
Contrary to the expectations from this long impassable ridges or reefs. The stone Mesaland are related in the book COCKY,
somewhat glorified generalization about faces are highly colored and are carved into accompanied by clever and instructive il-
the West, the book IF THE PROSPECT a variety of pillars, arches and alcoves lustrations of animals and plants of the
PLEASES, in which this quotation ap- which never fail to charm the traveler, even Southwest.
pears, is a practical, 1946 guidebook to a though they make his progress unbeliev-
ably difficult. Above the brilliant cliffs This is the fourth in the Mesaland series
practical, 1946 West. The subtitle, "The by Loyd Tireman, professor of education
West the Guidebooks Never Mention," soar the five lofty peaks of the Henries,
with mantles of pine and spruce forests, at University of New Mexico. Previous
also is a little misleading—instead of un- books in the series are Baby Jack and
folding the mysterious or secret, author sharp dikes and rock castles, and rugged
slopes and ridges through which clear icy Jumping Jack Rabbit, Hop-a-Long and
Ladd Haystead sums up facts and figures Dumbee.
to explain the modern West. creeks find their devious ways. And be-
The author says his purpose is to give to tween the vast mesas and frowning rim- Published by the University of New
service men, war workers, and others who rock is a variety of intricate and delicate Mexico Press, Albuquerque, 1946. $1.25.
are tired of living as they have been, a thor- badland pinnacles and forms, carved out —Evonne Riddell
ough and critical view of the West as it of brightly colored shales and clays, in • • •
really is and not as it is romanticized. To themselves worthy of serious study, but ov-
ershadowed by the magnificent architec- BOOK BRIEFS . . .
this end Mr. Haystead, farm editor of For-
tune magazine and native Westerner, ture and flaming color of the region. This is New Mexico, a compilation of
views the scene and interprets the signs for None of the subtle colors of the Mojave, 45 factual articles on the state, is sched-
the future. Industries, agriculture, profes- nor the delicately traced slopes, or grey uled for fall publication according to The
sions, tourist trade, climate, and opportuni- ruggedness of the Colorado desert, win Rydal Press, Santa Fe. Its subjects will in-
ties he describes in a virtually unbiased and the eye here. This country is too bold; the clude climate, history, outdoor activities,
well informed manner. He proposes solu- colors are strong, and do not grade gently Indians, towns, and numerous others.
tions to the problems facing the newly ma- from one to another. Blue, gold, red, choc- Among authors to be represented are Ruth
tured West in its postwar economy, and for olate, green—they blaze almost threaten- F. Kirk, Harvey Fergusson, Ernie Pyle,
the most part his appraisals and conclu- ingly into the valleys. Even the more deli- Agnes Morley Cleaveland, J. Frank Dobie
sions are convincing. cate tints—pink, salmon, azure—take on a and Dr. Ross Calvin. George Fitzpatrick,
For those interested in the future of the forceful tone. editor of New Mexico magazine, is com-
West, this book deserves some attention. The rough topography and extreme piler and editor.
As a well qualified spokesman, Ladd Hay- aridity make travel difficult. Yet Hunt out- • • •
stead presents the region to the outsider lines five tours in detail, covering all the John Day company announces for pub-
with tempered enthusiasm. roads of the region. Two of them, along lication soon The Winged Serpent, an an-
University of Oklahoma, Norrnan, State Highway 24, may be traveled in fair thology of American Indian prose and po-
Okla. 208 pp. $2.50. weather by almost any adventurous tour- etry, by Margot K. Astrov who has been
—Aliton DuBois ist who is not dismayed by rough earth making intensive anthropological studies
• • • roads. For the remaining three, both car of American Indians.
GUIDEBOOK TO UTAH'S and driver should be selected for rough • • •
HENRY MOUNTAIN REGION desert travel. None of the tours is passable
in any but fair weather. New volume in American Mountain
For a number of years prior to World series is The Pacific Coast Ranges, edited
War II, Charles B. Hunt, member of Notes on geography, history, culture by Roderick Peattie and published by Van-
United States Geological Survey, with a and resources of the area are included, with guard Press, at $3.75. Covers mountains
competent staff, studied the Henry Moun- a summary of the botany. Primary purpose from Puget Sound to Southern California.
tain region in southeastern Utah. First of the book, however, is a summary of the California mountains and their people are
published results of this work now are geology, including stratigraphy, structure, given lively interpretation by Idwal Jones.
available in GUIDEBOOK TO THE GE- petrography, topography, and geological Book is enriched by superb contributions
OLOGY AND GEOGRAPHY OF THE history of the region. The same subjects of Donald Culross Peattie on wild flowers
HENRY MOUNTAIN REGION, by are to be covered, in detail, in a report be- and the Spanish missions. Among other
Hunt, first of a series to be issued by LItah ing prepared for publication. chapters are those on wild life, written by
Geological society. Utah Geological Society, Salt Lake City, Aubrey Drury, on the foothills by Judy
Most important is a series of maps, the Utah. 51 pp., 12 maps and sketches. $1.50. Van der Veer, and on geology by Daniel
first available for the region since the —Ernest H. Lyons, Jr. E. Willard.

SEPTEMBER, 1946 47
 Desert Gift
Suggestions from • t •

VALERIE
JEAN'S
• The always popular DELUXE gift pack
1 lb. $1.30. 3 lbs. $3.50

• Valerie Jean's Date Cake—

Baked in our own ovens
1 lb. $1.30, 4 lbs. $4.75

• Date Nuggets
1 lb. $1.30, 3 lbs. $3.50

• Date Crumbles
1 lb. $1.10, 3 lbs. $2.75

• Desert Date Candy

1 lb. $1.30, 3 lbs. $3.50

• Date Candy Roll

1 lb. $1.10, 3 lbs. $2.75

• Dates in brandy flavored syrup

51b. keg $8.25
American Grown Dates—in Coachella Valley • Fancy California date packs
1 lb. $1.25, 3 lbs. $3.25
CALIFORNIA
• CREME OF THE DESERT
The middle of March the pollen is taken from the male (Creamed date butter)
palm and dusted on the female blooms. In due time the bunches 2V* lbs. $2.00, by the gal. $6.75
are thinned to give size and in early August they are bagged
as protection against rain and birds. The picture above was
taken in September and the fruit is ready to pick. This palm PREPAID TO YOU
will produce 250 pounds of fruit and as they are picked one date
at a time many pickings are required to complete each bunch. Ask for illustrated folder describing
They are then cleaned and graded. A great many tons of the the many luscious date products listed
TOP GRADE are required to supply our customers each year. above.

WE SHIP 'ROUND THE WORLD

Just Send Us Your Gift List and
We Do the Rest
,~ -.'_-.-

VALERIE JEAN'S
T H E R M A L . C A L I F O R N I A
On U. S. Highway 99. 11 miles south oi Indio, Calif.
Mailing address Thermal. California