Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
double issue
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This month marks two important DESERT events. One, we have
moved into our new home (see story on Page 20) and, two, we are
publishing the largest issue in our 28-year-old history. A few months
after purchasing DESERT MAGAZINE two years ago I made a survey
i
bulent frontier," says the author, in
explaining Pegleg Smith's skill in
"capturing" Spanish horses in Cali-
fornia. Nevertheless, Pegleg was one LIVE A 1000 LIVES
of the wildest, canniest and colorful in One Lifetime
of early mountainmen who broke
the West's great frontier. He plun-
ders, loves and jovially boasts his There are no physical limitations to
way through 239 pages of this ad- inner vision . . . the psychic faculties
venturous book. of man know no barriers of space or
Historically correct, no doubt, the
author has sacrificed excitement he time. A world of marvelous phe-
might have created in the narrative nomena awaits your command. Within
by making the reader conscious of his the natural—but unused functions of SEE WITHOUT EYES
laborious research, but for the rec- by inner perception
ords, it's a good sound account of your mind are dormant powers that
unsound times and anyone who col- can bring about a transformation of
lects Western Americana should have
this book. your life.
Pegleg gold hunters will be disap-
pointed. The famed lost mine that The Rosicrucians (not a religion)
keeps Thomas L. Smith's name alive are an age-old brotherhood of learning.
today is rarely mentioned. Instead,
the author dramatizes the lusty moun- For centuries they have shown men
SEARCH FOR
tainman as one who opened the way and women how to utilize the fullness THE UN KNOWS
to the West. And there his name is of their being. This is an age of daring know when youfindit
linked with those of Jedediah Smith
and Louis Roubidoux. adventure . . . but the greatest of all is
Hardcover, indexed, 239 pages. the exploration of self. Determine your
$7.50. purpose, function and powers as a hu-
GOLD! man being. Use the cou-
By Gina Allen pon below for a free
All the gold ever mined from the fascinating book of ex-
beginning of human history to the
present would fit neatly into a base- planation, "The Mastery
ball diamond 90 feet in any direction of Life", or send your re- THIS
—in dollars it would be worth $112 quest to: Scribe: c.D.N. BOOK
billion—an ounce of gold ordinarily FREE
covers an area of 100-square feet at
a cost of 35c per square foot — the
world's first prospectors were Stone
Age men. THE ROSICRUCIANS IAMORCI
In her new book Gina Allen has S A N J O S E , C A L I F O R N I A 9 5 1 1 4
blended fascinating facts and figures
into the paramount part gold has Scribe: C.D.N.
played in the history of man. Al- Rosicrucian Order (AMORC)
though highly informative, her ro- San Jose, California 95114, U.S.A.
mantic history reads like fiction and Gentlemen:
you will find it hard to put aside. / am sincerely interested in making the utmost of my powers of self. Kindly send
me a free copy of "THE MASTERY OF LIFE".
How gold since the caveman days
has incited murder and war, inspired NAME
poets and artists, lured explorers and ADDRESS-
adventurers, and borne the commerce
of the world are highlights of this -ZIP CODE
PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR ZIP CODE
(Continued on Page 60)
TURN-OFF
by Doris Cerveri
TO CRATER
N O MATTER where you travel
in the desert there is always some-
thing to see which is odd, outstand-
ing, or unbelievable.
One of the most unusual manifest-
ations of Nature's many whims may
be observed in central Nevada a few
GRANDFATHER'S CHAIR miles south of present Highway U.S.
6, which passes through a long stretch
of isolated desert lying between Ton-
opah and Ely.
In this strange, volcanic landscape
lies an immense steep-walled pit 400
feet deep and measuring three quar-
ters of a mile across named Lunar
Crater. Many thousands of years ago
during one of Nevada's turbulent per-
iods, the earth boiled, belched, and
burped, and then spewed out tons of
blistering hot lava in one gigantic
-CRATER upheaval. Numerous other vomits of
rock, cinder, and red hot ashes sent
skyward again and again in rhythmic
waves presented a magnificent, terri-
LUNAR CRATER fying display of fire and smoke. It is
believed Lunar Crater was formed by
cinder cones being widened and dis-
=*C 5,* v ,.
'-**&£•
*$£*
-«,*•<
:
"s<*#& «^,v
Historic and
Fascinating
Esmeralda County
Goldfield
Famous Goldfield Hotel, Old Fire Station &
torted from the constant buildup of a state park, it is an interesting place Truck, Courthouse built 1906, Mines, Gem-
tremendous live steam and volcanic fields, Relics, Gans-Nelson Championship fight,
to visit. Northeast of the crater is a Gift shops, Cafes, Saloons, Motels, Garages,
gas pressures under them. Many dark mass of basalt covering a large Scenic Areas, Industrial sites, Cattle ranches,
Homesites.
times these lava flows were covered section of the desert floor which ge-
with eruptions of cinder which con- ologists belive to be the most re- Silver Peak
Hot springs, Volcano last to go extinct, Silver
stantly changed the appearance of the cent of the many lava flows. Another mines & mill, Huge salt marsh, Movie set
cinder cones. interesting feature of this remote area atmosphere, Ore specimens, Gemstone, Hunt-
ing, History dates back to 1860. Industrial
In the entire Lunar Crater area the may be observed just south of the sites. Range of the Bighorn Sheep.
cinder cones and lava flows lie along paved highway about a half mile east Fish Lake Valley
a belt running north to northeast. of the Lunar Crater turnoff. This Gateway to the Bristlecone forests on White
Mountain, Scenic areas, Huge cattle ranches,
Valleys and mountain ranges in this attraction is a 12-foot cinder wall Farms, Mines, Agricultural development, Fish-
topped by layers of silt and alluvium ing, Hunting, Swimming, Gemstones, Indus-
part of the state also tend to run in trial sites, Lion hunting, Range of the Big-
the same direction. Geologists believe thought to have been built up in a horn Sheep, Pack Trains.
that the mountain building processes period of a thousand years. Goldpoint
left zones of weakness along which Old ghost town. Mines, Ore specimens. Famous
From the crater's rim over 20 in historical book "Ghosts of the Glory Trail"
lava developed and was pushed to extinct volcanoes appear as dark Explorers Mecca, U. S. Post Office. Camp-
grounds.
the surface by intense pressure. The mounds on surrounding hills. Some
largest lava flows are 400 feet thick; are obscure, but an odd-shaped vent Coaldale
Surrounded by Gemfields, Old railroad freight
most of the cones are about 500 feet named "Grandfather's Chair," north station, Columbus Marsh made famous by
high and probably took only a few of the crater, is a prominent oddity. Borax Smith, rich strikes at Candeleria, Coal
mine. Good accommodations.
months to form, while thousands of
years elapsed between the various Although the entire area is now Lida and Lida Junction
silent, such silence is fearful. Stand- Famous mining area in the 1860's. Ruins
volcanic eruptions. around Lida. Hunting, Gemstone, Eastern gate-
ing in the hot sun in the crater's rim, way to the "Big Molib," Bristlecone forests,
Tule canyon, Lion hunting. Cafe & Store,
In 1939 Nevada park officials erect- it's too easy to imagine these extinct
— For more information write —
ed a sign on the main highway indi- craters reawakening with a slight ESMERALDA
cating a dirt road leading to the crat- tremble, a deep rumble, and a mighty Dept. of Economic Development
c/o Ernest J. Koop
er. Although this unusual area is not roar. /// Fish Lake Valley, via Tonopah, Nevada
BONANZA
COACH
YOUR H O M E A W A Y FROM H O M E
ilflC
A NEW WAY TO GET AWAY — REALLY REST AS YOU SEE THE WEST
APACHE LAND
BEAUTIFUL
SCENERY
FISHING
HUNTING
FREE
CAMP GROUNDS
MODERN CABINS
a Vacation Land
to Remember
WHITE MOUNTAIN
RECREATION ENTERPRISE
P.O. BOX 218
WHITERIVER, ARIZONA
ANGEL ARCH
to picnic and so few people have dis- new and this brings to mind the fact Arch Opening is 190' High and 163' Wide
covered this choice spot that you may that our world is never really fin-
have it all to yourselves. ished. Under our feet forces are mov- TWO DAILY TRIPS
As you focus your camera on this ing, shifting, busy at work on that
fantasy of glass, y o u r imagination unfinished project — planet earth. HORSEBACK TRIPS
will take you back thousands of years But Mother Nature did complete a CAMPING TRIPS
to a day when it was so hot under- Mountain of Glass at the base of our
ground that this dome burst into Sierras a n d you will enjoy photo-
ALL EXPENSE PACKAGE TOURS
bloom like an upside-down tulip, gi- graphing and climbing on her work
gantic and black as jet. It looks brand of art. ///
City
MARKET BASKET PHOTO CO.
P. O. Box 370, Yuma, Arizona 85364 or P. O. Box 2830, San Diego, California 92112 State . , Zip Code_
METAL DETECTORS
FROM $75.00 TO $165.00
RAYSCOPES
and
DETECTRONS
Write for
free brochures
BOOKS ON LOST MINES
AND BURIED TREASURE
Arizona Treasure Hunters Ghost
Town Guide, Fox $1.50
Buried Treasures and Lost Mines,
Fish $1.50
Lost Mines of Old Arizona, Weight....$1.50
Lost Mines of Death Valley, Weight $1.50
Ghost Town Directory of the West....$1.00
Lost Desert Bonanzas, Conrotto $6.75
Nevada Treasure Hunters Ghost
Town Guide, Fox $1.50
Lost Mines and Buried Treasures
of Colifornia, Pierce $2.50
Superstition Treasures, Marlowe $2.50
Please add posctage.
California residents add 4 % sales tax. Where the Falls Turned to Stone
Also Lapidary Equipment, Gems and
Minerals, Books, Jewelry, Tools. by roger mitchell
For Information Write
COMPTON ROCK SHOP . / \ . S SUMMER approaches, more runoff from these vast icefields made
1405 S. Long Beach Blvd., Compton, Calif.
Telephone. 632-9096 and more desert enthusiasts will be the Owens Valley considerably more
turning towards California's High Si- humid. Pleistocene inhabitants of the
GIFT PROBLEM? erras for their vacations and weekend valley included bison, bear, dire
trips. Many of these mountain bound wolves, giant ground sloths and even
travelers will be from Southern Cal- an occasional sabre tooth tiger and
ifornia and their route will take them mastodon. These animals lived along
north on highways 6 and 395, across the banks of what is now called the
says hello all year for only the Mojave Desert. At Little Lake Owens River, which in those days
they will leave the vast expanse of was a sizable body of water. The riv-
the Indian Wells Valley and enter er started far to the north in the vi-
NEW GRAY LINE the Owens Valley. It is here, at the cinity of what is now Glass and Dead-
ESCORTED TOUR gateway to this gigantic graben, that man Creeks. Gathering in size iq
one of nature's oddities is preserved flowed into the Lake Crowley basin,
Southeastern Utah in stone. then continued south cutting a gorge
Northern Arizona
During the most recent ice age, less in the volcanic tableland north of
than 50,000 years ago, the Owens Bishop. Entering Owens Valley, the
Valley was somewhat different than river decreased in velocity as it spread
America's Last Wilderness Frontier it is today. Glaciers covered many of out forming lakes and shallow marsh-
A land of Color and Contrast the Sierra peaks to the west and the land. The largest of these lakes was
Fantastic Geology—Pioneer History
Round trip from Sail lake City
All-Expense—Six Days—Five Nights
Air-Conditioned Buses
Two Boat Trips—Two Jeep Trips Included
Tour includes: Monument Valley . . . Goose Necks of the
San Juan . . . Arches National Monument . . . Dead "SINCE 1 9 3 1 "
Horse Point . . . Capitol Reef National Monument . . .
Natural Bridges National Monument . . . Moab (Uranium
Capitol) . . . Navajo and Hopi Indian Reservations . . .
Kayenta . . . Tonalea . . . Tuba City . . . Moenkopi
. . . Glen Canyon . . . Lake P o w e l l . . . . Bryce National
IflcbiU
Park . . . Boulder Mountain.
Jeep Tours (8-passenger Sedan-Type) at Monument Valley
and Capitol Reef. Boat trips on the Colorado River and
on newly-formed Lake Powell.
Jfh Travel Trailer
Every turn gives a vista of green-clad plateaus or flaming
cliffs. Entire 1253 miles is a paradise for camera fans. ELEVEN MODELS 16 FT. TO 3 5 FT.
Color for pictures is spectacular at every season.
High Desert Plateaus and Air-Conditioned Facilities make PROTECT YOUR HEALTH
heat no problem at any season. MODEL 21 with WATER-GARD purifier;
for details and brochures on this new exciting tour,
write: STANDARD EQUIPMENT ON AIL
GRAY LINE MOTOR TOURS Write for free literature SRF-CONTA,N« MODELS
Department 100 D
29 West South Temple
TRAVELEZE TRAILER CO., INC. D.P,. D
Salt Lake City, Utah 11473 Penrose Street Sun Valley, California TRiangU 7-5587
84101
in the middle of the valley floor. Just FABULOUS NEW GOLD CONCENTRATOR
before reaching the southwest base of • HIGH EFFICIENCY—Recover ALL the colors
the cone, a wide graded road crosses
the highway. As indicated by a coun- from any dry sand
ty road sign, this is Cinder Road, • HIGH CAPACITY—Up to three tons per hour
built by a firm who quarries the red-
dish-brown ash f o r use in cinder • TRULY PORTABLE—Weighs only 42 lbs.
blocks.
ONE MINUTE SET-UP—Easy operation
Turn east here and after 0.5 miles • EVERYTHING
turn right again on the old road lead-
ing back in a westerly direction. Fol- MINIATURIZED
low this road 0.6 miles to its end at INCLUDING THE PRICE
the Fossil Falls parking area. From $349.50
here it is less than a mile by good
trail to the top of Fossil Falls. MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE!
Mix the included sample of placer gold with dry sand and run thru
As you hike along the trail, notice machine. ALL colors must be recovered or return the machine, undam-
the rocks around you. The dark ones, aged, within 10 days, for refund. KEEP THE GOLD!
most prevalent, are basalt lava which SEND THIS COUPON TODAYI
flowed from vents and fissures in the
A. Enclosed is $349.50 + tax*. Please ship MIGHTY MIDAS freight Prepaid. Q
Coso Mountains to the east. The OR
reddish - brown material is cinder Please ship MIGHTY MIDAS C.O.D. I will pay $349.50 - f tax * and freight. •
thrown from Red Hill, the crater be- B. Please send complete literature, without obligation. •
hind you. Also seen occasionally are *ln California 4% Sales tax
pieces of lightweight gray pumice and NAME:_
shiny black obsidian, further testi-
mony of this region's violent volcanic ADDRESS:
past. AQUAPPLIANCES, INC. 16242 PINEVIEW RD. SAUGUS, CALIF.
BY MARY A. CRISTY
.LONG THE golden coast of gruously romantic in a setting where blancas (white rock) by the roving
California's Highway 1, on one of cattle wander and feed. Heidelberg, Spaniards, and look upon the glitter
the original Mission trails established or the Black Forest would seem a of mosaics that sparkle from castle
by Spanish Explorers, lies the placid, more appropriate place—or the mists towers through the lush groves of
seaside village of San Simeon, estab- of Brigadoon. citrus, pomegranate, oleander, acac-
lished in 1872. Buses leave the terminal at the ia, eucalyptus and Italian cypress.
Above its flat expanse of beach, base of the hill every 20 minutes, Paralleling the entrance drive is a
a hilltop castle is visible. This is the carrying about 50 sight-seers up the mile-long pergola constructed of con-
castle that William Randolph Hearst winding, five mile drive to the sum- crete piers and redwood beams, and
built for his family. It is difficult to mit. Enchantment increases as you espaliered with grape vines and fruit
conceive of this as a 20th century reach the crest of the Santa Lucias, trees vibrant with color and redolent
project. Its splendor seems incon- a gleaming range christened piedras of fragrance.
Spacious terraced patios lead to Today the castle and its 123-acre attractions that draw eager visitors.
a guest house harboring, among oth- estate, which encompasses a zoo (only But there's another, deeper motive
er treasures, a hand-carved bed be- zebras remain) and a cattle opera- for making a pilgrimage to this en-
lieved to have belonged to Cardinal tion begun in 1865 by Senator George chanted castle. Deep within every hu-
Richelieu. Corbels on the guest house Hearst who purchased the original man being lies a need to look upon
feature the faces of the five Hearst tract, belong to the State of Califor- pure beauty and to share in the cre-
children. The originals were cast by nia, a gift from the family in mem- ativity of great minds. Because Wil-
their m o t h e r , Phoebe Apperson: ory of William Randolph Hearst and iam Randolph Hearst, one of the
Hearst, noted patroness of arts and Phoebe Apperson Hearst. Castle West's greatest patrons of the arts,
an artist in her own right. It was grounds and buildings are open to saw fit to gather beauty from every
from Phoebe that William Randolph the public every day except Thanks- corner of the globe and house it
Hearst acquired his love for art and giving, Christmas and New Years. A tastefully within the confines of his
beauty. Construction of the three Roman pool, tennis courts, a theatre fabulous estate, this need may be ful-
palatial guest houses was begun in seating 100 guests, and the billiard filled for travelers taking a cool, sum-
1919. Outstanding as they are, their room with its renowned early-Ren- mer trip along an old mission trail
grandeur is subordinate to the mag- aissance "Hunt" tapestry are among today. ///
nificence of La Casa Grande, Hearst's
own residence, begun in 1922. All
materials had to be hauled up the
mountain. Many were brought into
the cove of San Simeon by boat. Eur-
opean craftsmen and artists were im-
ported, along with artifacts and mar-
ble, to create masterful copies of clas-
sic sculptures. Statuary is an integral
part of the overall plan and the vari-
IMPERIAL
ous figures seem at home in their
settings. A 3000-year old Egyptian
diorite sculpture is placed in prox-
imity to a classic Three Fates, and
each is exactly right for the space it IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
fills.
byJimMartin
Q EXTOLLED the promoters of somed into a hustling-bustling mining ed of a postoffice, newspaper, water-
Midas in Elko County, Nevada dur- community that proved up on the works, several stores, hotels, boarding
ing the boom days of the 1920s. "For- promised bonanzas for many. More houses, saloons, a community hall,
tune Beckons to the Wealth-Laden than a dozen mines honeycombed the and the inevitable "chicken ranch"
Hills of Gold Circle," proclaimed a hills. Many were backed by such within a discrete distance up the can-
Chamber of Commerce brochure prominent names as Charles A. Stone- yon. Streets and blocks were laid out
which urged fortune hunters to cross ham, millionaire mining broker and in symmetrical patterns and trees
Nevada on the Victory Highway (US one time owner of the New York planted to bring shade. By any stand-
40) and gather riches. Hundreds an- Giants; Noble H. Getchel, former ards, Midas was a sizable and pros-
swered the summons and flocked in- Nevada state senator; and the Manas- perous settlement.
to the mountains northwest of Win- sas Mauler himself, Jack Dempsey. Travel to Midas today and you will
nemucca in search of gold and silver. The mines wore colorful names—the find the same buildings, but with
Rex, Elko Prince, King Midas, Es-
Midas, or Gold Circle as the town meralda, and the Sleeping Beauty. changes. The town hall stands empty,
was officially named when approved Over $8 million in ore was removed but ready for a meeting. The yel-
by the Board of County Commission- from their depths and shipped away. lowed keys of a rinky-tink piano in-
ers on November 4, 1907, became the side eagerly await the caress of lively
trading center for the area. It bios- During its hey-day, the town boast- fingers. A well battered ballot box
YUMA
road is paved to the Getchel Mine
junction (17 miles from the turn-
off) ; the remaining 30 miles are grad-
ed and graveled. Check road and
weather conditions if you plan a win-
ter visit, for snow occasionally blank- On the Old Spanish Trail - U.S. 80
ets the land. No overnight accomoda-
tions are available in Midas so plan Yuma County Chamber of Commerce, Dept. DM
accordingly. P. O. Box 230 — Yuma, Arizona
This western portion of Elko Coun- Send me illustrated book on Yuma County
ty is a wild, wonderful land of en-
chantment; a country richly endowed
with natural wealth and beauty. Af-
ter once sampling its goodness, you'll
know why the touch of Midas still
persists. ///
Choose
from
LARGEST SELECTION of
This is Tsagagalal, "He who watches." •
According to legend, before people Ranch/Timbered Acreage
were real people, she was chief. When in beautiful Southern Oregon *^\
Coyote came he turned her to stone SPARKLING STREAMS & CREEKS
and commanded her to stay there GREEN PASTURES
forever watching over her people. HIGHWAY BUSINESS FRONTAGE
She still overlooks the Mixluidix site, PINE & FIR TIMBER
now flooded by The Dalles Dam. POULTRY RANCH SITES
GRAZING LAND
TRAILER RANCHO SITES
even coating across the palette. Then ly past Roosevelt, Washington, there BEEF CATTLE RANGES
run the roller over the fabric-covered is a new park devoted to petroglyphs TREE FARM SITES
petroglyph design. Experimenting
with color combinations and brayer
which were moved—as was the town
—to escape inundation from water 1 to 40 ACRES
Low as $150 down / $35 monthly <
pressure will help you achieve the ef- held back by new John Day Dam.
($1495 to $5995 full price)
fect you wish. Too much paint on the This park is primitive, but there are
palette and brayer will not only re- many interesting carvings and sever-
sult in a blob on your work, but may
soak through to the stone and leave
al conducive to good rubbings. Other
carvings may be found along the riv-
OREGON'S LAST FRONTIER!
KLAMATH — LAKE — HARNEY COUNTIES
a permanent stain. Roll finished rub- er at Roosevelt, some unique in that "Cal-Ore Ranches" offers a limited number
bings gently onto a cardboard tube they are carved on the horizontal of potential, unimproved LIVESTOCK GRAZ-
to carry home. I hang mine to dry surface rather than the vertical. If ING & RANCH SITES in the above Counties.
for about a week, depending upon you will go to the old town of Roose- 80 -120 -160 - 220 - 320 ACRES
the paint, and then press them lightly velt on the ferry road, turn left to low as $37-50 per acre
on the back with a steam iron. They the river at the old gas station, and EASY TERMS
are then ready for mounting. When pick your way along the low basalt YES . . the PHOTOS-MAPS-COMPLETE
you finish, if you've been careful, you wall, you can discover them for your- m DESCRIPTIONS are contained in our
FREE RANCH FINDER'S GUIDE.
have an actual reproduction of the self. This flat field was a fishing Send for YOUR COPY . . . TODAY.
original in it's true size and texture. campsite for thousands of years in
And you also have an intriguing, dis- prehistoric times and in many places SEND FOR ILLUSTRATED 1965
tinctive work of primitive art. the stones are rounded and polished RANCH FINDER'S GUIDE .. .TODAY
by human feet going back and forth You are under ABSOLUTELY NO OBLIGATION by .
requesting our land catalog. Our ONLY OFFICE is
The Winquat Museum at The lo the river. — in MEDFORD. OREGON. WE DO NOT SELL LAND -
Dalles, Oregon, displays several doz- THROUGH THE MAIL OR SIGHT UNSEEN and do
Along the Deschutes River at Sher- not employ salesmen in California or any other
en petroglyphs which were rescued State THANK YOU!... and we do hope to greet -
from the rising lake behind the Dalles er's Bridge, Oregon, on the west side you personally in the beautiful Rogue River Valley
very soon.
Dam. There are also three small sam- there is still another site. This area
ples at The Dalles Chamber of Com- is particularly interesting in the CAL-ORE RANCHES DM
merce rest area and they are obliging spring and fall when the Indians fish 1054 South Riverside Avenue / Medford, Oregon
about permitting you to take rub- for salmon by casting their nets from Please rush, by return mail my personal copy of your
1965 RANCH FINDER'S GUIDE including price lists, de-
bings. In the Administration Build- platforms over the wild river. scriptions and on-the-spot photos. I understand there is
NO OBLIGATION and NO SALESMAN WILL CALL.
ing at the dam there is an excellent Directly west from Tygh Valley in
example of the exposed rib motif, NAME
the Badger Cliffs, I've heard there
although I think it's displayed up- are more carvings, which means I'll ADDRESS
side down. They, also, do not object be off very shortly on an unexplored CITY STATL
to your taking a rubbing. Immediate- trail! ///
Magazine Bookshop
PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA 92260
Include 25c for postage and handling. Desert Magazine's new Book Shop and Mail Order Department offers the
California residents add 4% sales tax.
world's largest selection of books on the West.
2. 12 DAY ARCHAEOLOGICAL
TRIP EXPLORING FOR
ANCIENT MAYA RUINS ON
USUMACINTA RIVER IN
SO. MEXICO'S JUNGLE.
NOV. 29-DEC 10
• - ' • * • «
t
er mine made the drilling of the tun- In 38 years of drilling, Schmidt
was known to have sold only 20 tons
nel a waste of time. But instead of
working his claims a n d using the of ore from the estimated 2600 cubic TUNNEL
roads, Burro persisted in drilling his yards of rock he took from the shaft.
The ore, sold at $60 per ton, brought
half - completed shaft. Some people
him $1200 for the $44,000 worth of
considered this a 'sure sign of insani- labor he estimated he contributed to ft'LCS
ty. Others, more romantic, spread the tunnel. Yet, when the old man
rumors of a lost lode of gold known died $2700 cash was found under the
as the Crystal Room, where Schmidt windowsill of his cabin and caches
had supposedly found a fortune and of gold nuggets have turned up here
used the tunnel as an excuse to stay and there in his camp. Perhaps the
on the mountain. story of a lost Crystal Room is true.
Living a n d working alone, he Who can say? Several people yet alive
shunned company and spent most of claim to have seen the room which
his daylight hours working on his he, reportedly, blasted shut upon
hole. He laid a small track in the completion of the tunnel. ///
Lstonishing as it may seem, the saintly torch thread to sew hides and furs. Sharp spines on the
called Our Lord's Candle (Yucca Whipplei), once ends of the leaves furnished needles to facilitate
fulfilled a great number of basic needs in its spiny the sewing.
package. In early spring when young stalks But, along with all of its practical appli-
emerged like huge asparagus tips, primitive Indians cations, yucca combines beauty with practicali-
roasted them in rock-lined fire pits similar to those ty. An intricately patterned planter may be cre-
we dig for clam bakes today. The result was a ated by kicking away the plant's dried leaf spikes
sticky mass of juicy pulp eaten like thick pudding, where they join the dead flower stalk, sawing
pressed into patties, or dried in hot desert sun and the stalk to the height you wish the bowl to be,
stored for lean winter months. By diluting pulp and hollowing out the center with fire and a
with water, these Indians concocted a sweet bev- knife, leaving two or three inches of unburned
erage and by grinding the seeds of mature plants material at the base. You may then insert a tin
with stone utensils, they made a flour that could can or container and steady it by pouring dry
be mixed with other foods. sand into the crevices between it and the inner
These marvelous plants contain saponin, a walls of the yucca. Various sized bowls may also
soap-like substance which lathers in the hardest be employed to hold magazines, knitting, or to
water. What a blessing it must have been for provide unusual waste baskets.
washing fingers gooey with roasted agave! Re- On a recent trip to Baja, where the yucca is
ferred to as amole by Spanish settlers, this soap plentiful, we found ourselves short on containers
was also used by Indians to treat certain skin ail- to carry our rapidly accumulating mementos of
ments. the trip. One evening we chanced upon a camping
spot amid a large group of agaves which had died
Yucca stalks attain considerable rigidity as and were bleaching in the sun. Immediately we
they grow tall. In many areas they grow over 10 went to work and soon had a number of light-
feet high. Stalks were used by early Indians to weight baskets in which we could carry our ore
reinforce the adobe ceilings of hogans and cliff samples, fossils, sea shells, fresh clams, and other
dwellings and to provide framework for temporary treasures.
"wickiups" that were then covered with mats
woven of fibre obtained from the plant's leaves. If man must someday re-emerge from cave
dwellings as a result of his indiscretions in the use
These fibres were extracted by a process of of nuclear warfare (or some other diastrophic
soaking and beating to separate the fibre from the force), it would be comforting to find that these
pulp. Then they were rolled against the hips of hardy plants had survived and were again avail-
hefty squaws to form long strands that could be able to sustain human life while civilization re-
woven into clothing, sandals, mats, blankets or established itself. ///
This wild, rip-roarin' mining camp
of the 1800s is today considered an
educational sojourn into Western
America's past!
The Cain residence in Bodie. This colorful mining camp is mentioned often in the writings of Mark Twain.
Its mines yielded over $80 million in gold.
&
To Bishop
though tears are found everywhere, it Mayer - Onyx ends, revealing a cattle fence and
is easier to pay the nominal fee re- gate. Beyond the fence is the frame
quested by any one of the shops for Onyx is similar to marble, but of a jib crane used years ago when
admission to their particular tear slightly softer. It is easily polished the quarry was commercially operat-
bed. Charges vary from 25c per three with sandpaper and steel wool, or ed; park here or enter the quarry to
pounds of tears to 50c per person, can be worked with ordinary wood- park. (Please close the gate after ^ou
with no limit on amout. working tools, but is rough on them. enter.) The complete hill is onyx,
Sometimes called Arizona marble, much of it loose and easily removed.
Tears are found in pearlite, a light There are a few shafts where the
grey, crystalline rock mined and used it ranges from white through brown
onyx was previously mined, but these
for aggregate in concrete and cinder and purple. Lemon yellow and red- are not overly safe. Pieces found in
blocks. It is easily broken with a brown are the best specimens found bushes and on the dumps surround-
screwdriver, rock hammer, or small here. ing the quarry are your best source
cold chisel. Tears appear as small This field is 26 miles south of Pres- of material.
black dots in the pearlite, ranging cott, just outside Mayer on the Pres-
from pea to doorknob size. To re- cott-Phoenix Highway, Arizona 69. Saddle Mountain —
move a tear, carefully chip the pear- Because it is only a few hundred
lite away from it. You should have yards north of Mayer, it is easily lo- Fire Agate & Chalcedony
no difficulty gathering s e v e r a l - cated by starting just south of town The largest and most famous of
pounds of tears in one hour. Should and following Highway 69 north. the Phoenix area gem fields is Sad-
you find any larger than eggs, con- Shortly after crossing Big Bug Creek dle Mountain. Bright orange agate
sider yourself lucky. Large sizes are on the north side of Mayer, a rock imbedded in milky white chalcedony
rare. wall along the highway abruptly appears to be afire when held in
NATIONAL MINE
STALL SHAFT
Charleston Hill
Buckskin Peak
BY DEN GALBRAITH
skiers ripple the water, unaware that end was that the cave contained a
EXPLORATIONS OF the innum- underneath lie remains of the settle- pool that possessed magic properties.
erable caves of California have led ment of Baird and the site of an old It was said that whoever bathed in
to exciting discoveries of life in the U. S. fish hatchery. the pool would be granted his wish.
millenia past. It is evident that early Before white men arrived, the Win- Three Wintun maidens, apparently
animals sought sanctuary from the tun Indians inhabited the region, disappointed in the power of the
discomforts of the elements and water, were told by an old woman
enemy predators. Later, Indians used fishing its streams and hunting in its that deeper in the cave was a second
the caves for similar reasons. Geologi- jagged, wooded mountains. Some of pool with more potent water. Armed
cal formations and fauna fossil finds their prey found sanctuary in caves, with this new information they prob-
have contributed substantially to pre- until the Wintuns found the en- ed the depths of the cave until they
sent day knowledge of the ages past. trances and turned the caves into found a steep passageway leading to
Sometimes a slender thread of infor- traps. the edge of a pit. One of the maidens
mation has lead to great discoveries. It was natural, then, that explor- slipped on the damp rocks and
One of the explorations of caves, in ing cavers seeking information would though her companions tried to save
the early part of this century (1902- turn to the Indians for locations and her, she descended, screaming, into
1904) , was concentrated in the area legends. They were not disappointed. the darkness. They heard her "strike
of the McCloud River in northern One story of the Wintuns led to their and strike again—and all was still."
California. Part of the McCloud most important find. A rescue party, composed of Wintun
River is now an arm of Shasta Lake In the Wintun language it was braves, was unable to reach the bot-
where today's fishermen and water- called the "Samwel" cave. The leg- tom with grass ropes.
Gold
Again?
by Helen Young
Above is all that remains of a stamp mill in Chariot Canyon
( j E O R G E VALENTINE K i n g
sank down on a big rock to eat his to find it, and often died in the minute with a beat that shook the
lunch—cold flapjacks, the story goes, search. We still know that the desert earth like stampeding horses.
because he was at the end of his grub- means gold, but today there are rea- Ore, blasted from the ground and
stake. In disgust, he kicked the rock. sons for idle mines, empty stacks, and hauled to the mill, was dumped into
A chunk broke off. He glanced at it rusted stamp mills. a rock crusher and broken into pieces
idly, then let out a whoop. He no larger than hen's eggs, then fed
knew what gold looked like, and this The picture of a grizzled prospec-
tor kneeling by a mountain stream to the stamps. Small streams of
was gold. water ran into the stamp boxes and
to wash his gold never applied to des-
Today, if you take the rough dirt ert mines. Theirs were "dry diggin's" mixed the crushed ore to a sludge,
road which turns off California State where the gold had to be blasted out then splashed it against a screen. The
Highway 78 in San Diego County, as of the rock and worked with a pick. sandy water passed through the
it twists down the grade from Julian A typical hardrock mine started with screen and down a 10 to 20-foot sluice
to the Anza-Borrego desert, you can a main shaft about four by six feet, covered with copper and spread with
see where George Valentine King's from which gold-bearing rock was a thin coating of mercury. The mer-
discovery started a gold rush in 1869. loaded into a bucket and hoisted to cury picked up the gold from the
George's first words are not on the surface. It was not until the '90s sludge and held it, while the residule
record, but they could have been, that the invention of an air-drill of mud and sand washed away to
"Howlin' snakes! Whoever thought made horizontal tunneling possible. the dump of tailings.
I'd be the guy to find the Golden All through the desert mountains The mixture of gold and mercury
Chariot mine!" For that is what of California you can see reminders scraped from the copper - covered
they named the mine which was de- of the kind of life George Valentine sluice was then heated in a retort, as
veloped from George's prospect in King lived—deserted cabins, yawning mercury fumes are highly poison-
what is now called Chariot Canyon. mine shafts, abandoned stamp mills. ous. This re-condensed the mercury
By 1870 the mine was producing At the peak of the 1870 gold rush so it could be used again. The gold
such quantities of gold that 20-mule there was a stamp mill in Chariot which remained was mixed with
teams were borrowed from Death Canyon for every mine, some with cream of tartar, borax, and saltpeter,
Valley to haul the ore to San Diego. only two batteries, some with five, then heated until it became liquid.
George was only one of the pros- 10 or more. The stamp mills broke Then it was poured into greased iron
up the ore with stamps', each weigh- molds to harden into ingots.
pectors who came to California, sure
that the desert meant gold. For over ing 800-900 pounds, and each stamp Stamp mills were usually housed
100 years men had known it, lived making from 100 to 200 strokes a in wooden buildings, sometimes back-
46 / Desert Magazine / August - September, 1965
ed into the side of a bare mountain, A prospector's desert shack. ness operation without blasting out
with a narrow-gauge track for run- another ton of ore.
ning the ore cars to the road in Why isn't this happening?
front.
Why isn't every dump of tailings
George's mine was a rich one, but being re-worked?
when the shaft led into sulphide and
arsenical ores, the digging ended. Why are mountains and deserts
These compounds are not held by full of deserted mines, instead of
mercury, so most of the gold was lost booming new mining towns?
in the sluice and ended in the dump. Because in 1934 the United States
There was then no way known to went off the gold standard and the
recover it, so the heaps of tailings, price was pegged at $35 an ounce.
worth millions of dollars, were With mining and refining costs still
abandoned as refuse. rising, along with the cost of labor,
By the end of 1880, when the area materials, and transportation, it is
was almost worked out, a big new no longer profitable to operate a
boom burst in Arizona. Miners pack- gold mine.
ed up and moved their machinery Uncle Sam is the old gentleman
from the Golden Chariot to Tomb- who sits back and looks mysterious
stone. If old George Valentine King when someone whispers—as someone
was still alive, he probably left first. often does—"Hang onto your mines.
Prospectors are that way. The price of gold's going up to $50,
But the tailings are still there- $60, $80."
there, and in thousands of other sible to recover 90% or more of the Miners, proverbially looking for
mine dumps in California mountains gold in those once-worthless sulphides. the big strike on the other side of
and deserts. The story of gold has Now mills can handle lower grade the mountain, dream of another '49
added new chapters through the ores than mine operators bothered when the price of gold finally does
years, but the end is not yet in sight. with in the old days. It has been esti- rise, and they can see all the deserts
Today, with new type dredges, power mated that at least five million dol- and mountains of the West again
shovels, compressed air drills, and lar's worth of gold lies waiting in swarming with prospectors ready to
especially with the discovery of the Chariot Canyon—waiting for recovery.
flotation and cyanide processes of What of all the dumps of all the gamble their lives on a strike —
gold recovery, the story could go on West! The reclamation of tailings a strike which came true for men
to a thrilling climax. Now it is pos- could be carried on as a solid busi- as lucky as George Valentine King.
Ill
by Raymond Hillman
there was nothing but a pile of cord- financial aid was not given because blance of the old days grew up once
wood. We refreshed ourselves with stockholders had not received a divi- again in the canyon.
ice cold water running out of a pipe dend in two years. It is regrettable
and rested in the shade before hik- that the stockholders did not realize From our hillside vantage point,
ing up a side road to a large ruin that a great initial outlay had to be we could see that this company, too,
above the mill. From here the view made to develop the mine and mill, had left Ophir Canyon to its stillness.
and that no profits could be realized There are no signs of recent activity.
until this work was done. Without In back of us rose stone walls that
funds, the Twin River Mining Com- had seen many a mining company
pany went bankrupt in the fall of come and go. It was probably the
1868. center of activity during the original
The property was sold in the sum- operations and subsequent rebirths
mer of 1869 to the Cambridge Min- of activity. A fire has reduced this
ing Company. This was the first of fine building to a shell, but its red
a long series of owners who did little brick chimney still stands—a monu-
toward redeveloping t the property. ment to emptiness.
In 1876 the Nevada State Mineralo- As the waning sun ducked in and
gist considered the area still a good out of rolling clouds we started down
potential, but belived the mine had the steep grade that led us over Toiy-
seen its best days. No further activi- abe's nine old bridges. Some ghost
ty is reported on Ophir Canyon un- towns seem to promise a rebirth, but,
til the Nevada Ophir Mining Com- somehow, Toiyabe City doesn't leave
pany acquired the property in 1917. an impression that it will ever live
The mill was reactivated and a sem- again. ///
Idramatic
DAHO'S SILENT City provides a
link to the frontier West.
Springs, Idaho directly to the Sil-
ent City in!849. He hadn't count-
CUSTOM MADE Scattered among towering granite ed on the extremely rugged terrain
AUTO SUN SHADES pillars, from which the area takes its
name, is one of the greatest pioneer
though, and actually saved few, if
any, miles in his attempt to cut 100
"Take the sizzle out of the sun."
Block sun's rays yet allow excellent registers of dates and names ever miles off the trail to California.
visibility. found. Written in wagon grease, The Pony Express ran a third
Improves air conditioning efficiency. often while under siege, these names route through to the Silent City in
Keeps car up to 15° cooler. and dates stand out in relief against
Ideal for campers, travelers, and ordinary the early 1800s, and paved the way
driving. their weathered backgrounds. for establishment of the Ben Holla-
Easily installed with enclosed instructions. Here, approximately 38 miles south day stage coach station in 1869. This
Custom made for sedans, hardtops, and of Burley, raged some of the fiercest trail entered Idaho from Utah over
wagons 1955-1965.
Free catalog and prices. Give make and Indian battles on record when Chief Kelton Pass, followed the California
model of 2 or 4 door wagon, sedan, or Pocatello with his warring Bannocks Trail a short distance, and then went
hardtop. raided the Silent City. In the summer through "the narrows" in the City
SIDLES MFG. CO of 1861, five people escaped on the of Rocks to connect with the Oregon
Box 3537D Temple, Texas fourth night their wagon train was Trail at Rock Creek.
under siege. Crawling on their hands In 1878 an overland stage bound for
and knees for several miles, one wo- Boise, Idaho from Kelton, Utah, was
man carried her baby by clenching waylaid in the Silent City. Two ban-
UTAH its clothes between her teeth. Some- dits robbed the stage of $90,000 in
THE FABULOUS LAND how they made it safely to the Mor- gold, and started a lost treasure leg-
mon settlement of Brigham City, end three quarters of a century old.
FOR HUNTING Utah, over 100 miles away, from where One of the bandits was shot and
FISHING a rescue party was dispatched to help killed during the holdup, but the
AND RETIREMENT the others. other escaped into the towering pil-
IS JUST BEING DISCOVERED. When the rescue party arrived at lars and cliffs. He was caught several
the scene of the siege, they found days later by a posse, but the gold
PROPERTIES OF ALL KINDS over 300 dead and mutilated bodies had vanished.
ARE AVAILABLE within the blackened ring of ashes According to legend, just before
FROM 2V 2 ACRES TO 10,000 that had once been their protection. he died in prison he confessed that
AND THE PRICES ARE LOW The bodies were buried in a well that he had buried the gold under a
had been dug in a desperate attempt group of five cedars in the Silent
WRITE FOR COMPLETE LISTINGS to get water. City of Rocks. Several people began
NO OBLIGATION Once three main trails met nearby, an immediate search to recover the
apd the Silent City was the hub of hidden loot, but they never found it.
D. W. CORRY east-west travel. The- old Fort Hall A few groups of five cedars have
been located by local people, but, as
route followed the Oregon Trail from
REAL ESTATE CO. the north along the Snake River, and far as is known, the treasure remains
Box 903, Cedar City, Utah crossed over to the City of Rocks hidden. Perhaps an ambitious ex-
through the Raft River country, plorer will yet discover the right
fames Hudspeth blazed his famous group of trees and unlock the secret
" Hudspeth Cut-off" from Soda of the lost $90,000 gold cache. / / /
$
FULL PRICE 695<
$1DOWN/$10 PER MONTH / NO INTEREST NO CARRYING CHARGES
:M:I±LA.IDO"W"
BOOMING NEVADA IS EQUALED BY ONLY A FEW PLACES IN THE WORLD. Population has surged Westward
in ever increasing numbers. Westward to Nevada, where the air is fresh and clear, taxes are low or non-
existent and opportunity is open to all. Yes, Nevada is booming and real estate investors are prospering.
It is a proven fact that many purchasers of Nevada acreage have realized fabulous profits from small
investments. Now, a NEW Nevada Real Estate Opportunity exists for you. This Ground Floor Opportunity is
MEADOW VALLEY RANCHOS, located only 1 Vz miles from the thriving city of EIko, Nevada.
GOLF: A mere one mile from MEA-
THE VERY BEST FEATURES OF T W O WORLDS DOW VALLEY RANCHOS is the Ruby
• View Golf Course. No rush for start-
...THE WORLD OF THE WEST Located in prosperous EIko County, the ranchos •» * • • ' ing times on this city owned and
have the backdrop of the majestic Ruby Mountains. The sparkling Humboldt J ^ I maintained golf course, but golfing
River is a short Vi mile away. Every Rancho fronts on a graded road that ii as it should be enjoyed. Play a leis-
leads into coast to coast U.S.*Highway 40. Amidst these spectacular sur- /3I ' urely 9-18 or 36 holes surrounded
roundings MEADOW VALLEY RANCHO owners can relax and enjoy the won- by breathtaking scenery, minutes
derful life of the Golden West. > from your rancho.
...THE WORLD OF CITY CONVENIENCES: The bustling city of EIko with its YOUR OWN LAKE... You, and your in-
modern schools, shops, theaters, hospital and airport is only IV2 miles vited guests will spend many happy
away. New homes, with FHA financing committments issued, are now hours boating, fishing and picnicking
under construction... less than 1 mile from the property. The Experi- at nearby Lake Osino. There is no
enced, Successful Developers of MEADOW VALLEY RANCHOS are not offer- charge to Rancho owners for full
ing remote land where purchasers have to hope for progress and rights to the use of this private multi-
expansion. They offer you the opportunity of a life time, a chance to acre lake and park area.
participate in Nevada's continuing b o o m . . . Minutes from the conveni-
ences of hospitable EIko, in the midst of current growth and progress, PROVEN OPPORTUNITY: Yes, individuals are taking advantage of Nevada
MEADOW VALLEY RANCHOS has all the necessary ingredients to skyrocket opportunity. But the country's leading corporations are also investing
in value! in their Nevada futures. Industrial giants, who erect plants where in-
creasing land values and population demand them, are building or
FISHING: In jewel like lakes, have secured acreage throughout Nevada.
and mountain fed bottom
LOW OR NON-EXISTENT TAXES: As a result of Nevada's low realistic tax
streams you'll catch trophy
structure, Profits And Wages Are Kept; not paid out to the state. NEVADA
size German Browns, Rainbow
HAS NO STATE INCOME, INHERITANCE, CORPORATION OR GIFT TAX. The low
and Brook Trout . . . large
real property tax is definitely limited by the state constitution. YES, NEVADA
mouth fighting Bass. RANCHO
IS ONE OF OUR LAST FRONTIERS OF TAX FREEDOM!
owners can catch their dinner
within easy driving distance TOTAL COSTS: The full price of the title to your IVi acre Rancho is only
of the property lines. SS95.00.,Complete payment schedule is $1.00 down and SI 0.00 per month.
No interest, no carrying charges. Live, Vacation or Retire on your land, or
HUNTIN6: Hunters from all corners of the globe come to EIko County to simply hold for investment security. Wise men like Andrew Carnegie said,
hunt the big game species Mule Deer . . . Quail, Chukar, and Partridge are "More money has been made in Real Estate than in all industrial investments
found in abundance. combined." Make MEADOW VALLEY RANCHOS' PROSPEROUS FUTURE —YOUR
FUTURE. DON'T MISS THIS GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY!
Yes! — Reserve acreage at MEADOW VALLEY RANCHOS for me — 2 V i acre parcel, $695 — payable $1 down, and
$10 a month, no Interest, no carrying charges. Send purchase contract and map showing exact location of my holding.
You w i l l return my deposit If I request same within 30 days. Have Indicated below number of Ranchos desired.
SIZE PER
ACRES DOWN MO.
2Vi $1 $10 Addratt-
5 $2 $15
7V4 $3 $20 Clty: State:.
MEADOW VALLEY RANCHOS 10 $4 $25
OOOO Stockman Bld 9 . EIko, N . v . d .
Indicate No. of Ranchos Total enclosed I
w, HENEVER WE hear about
California's giant San Jacinto Moun-
tains, memories of pleasant experi-
RETREAT FROM HEAT
ences come into focus. One is of fish- by Marie Valore
ing on the turquoise waters of Lake
Hemet; another is of hiking along
pine-edged trails or pitching a tent
on the lake's grassy banks. Now that
summer is in full fury, the mountain's
far away, but when the weekend rolls
around we will pack the stationwag-
on and leave our jaundiced valley.
Ahead, in the pine - scented upper
regions, lies our own particular hav-
en, Lake Hemet. We can almost
smell trout frying over an open fire
and old-fashioned boiled coffee as
we ascend the Palms to Pines High-
way that rises above Palm Desert's
floor.
In about a half hour we reach the
cool waters of Lake Hemet. Velvety
grass creeps from the pines to the
water's edge and sunbleached boul-
ders perch l i k e watching sentries
along the banks. Crystal springs rip-
ple toward the lake, the aftermath of than 90 feet deep, filling on the aver- Horn from England, then hauled up
late spring snows. age of three inches each day. This the steep mountain slopes by wagon.
Lake Hemet lies quietly in an ob- year is the highest since 1961. Both the State of California and
long bowl away from the cares and In the southwestern area is Lake the Lake Hemet Water Company
woes of modern suburbia. Cattle Hemet Dam, built in 1895. Rock maintain public picnic and camping
graze nearby and bushy-tailed squir- used to construct it was quarried facilities. The Lake Hemet Water
rels scamper a m o n g the trees in from adjacent ravines and the ce- Company Park has trailer and tent
search of pine nuts. The lake is more ment was carried by boat around the spaces for 200 and the manager, John
Somerville, claims to have never
turned anyone away.
Uncover the secrets of the The park, open from March to late
October, enjoys a reputation for fun
West's romantic history... and relaxation. It lies approximately
gem-minerals and cultural 40 miles from sun - shrouded Palm
Springs in Riverside County and 90
artifacts of past ages lie miles from smog-filled Los Angeles.
hidden in these legendary After unpacking our equipment
areas of lost mines and and setting up camp, we rented a
boat for a small fee and drifted lazi-
buried treasure... ly over the lake, fishing tackle and
worms tucked between us. Sometimes
Follow the old trails of the Spaniards, Padres, Indians and Prospectors with we caught glimpses of rainbow trout
near the surface, their marble - like
GOLDAK METAL/MINERAL LOCATORS eyes as curious as our own. There are
small-mouthed bass and catfish as
well and last season a boy caught a
model 520-B German Brown 14 inches long! The
The "CHAMPION" State keeps the lake well stocked.
The lightest and most sensitive • With plenty of trout in our iced
metal/mineral locator of its cool-can, we rented horses and rode
type ever developed, the
"Champion" instantly detects
buried metal objects, gold, silver
to high regions overlooking green
and minerals to a depth of meadows and glistening pine tips.
eight feet!
Fully transistorized, yet of simple, The promise of a rewarding day
easy-to-operate design, the
"Champion" is equipped with a
had come true. We fried our trout
tunable detection head for maximum over an open fire and then lay back
sensitivity over mineralized ground,
as well as a special, curved, folding to wait for the moon to rise. Tomor-
aluminum handle for lighter weight,
ease of storage and balanced,
row we will again fish on the lake,
one-hand operation. $127.50 hike the back trails, and rent horses
Write or phone today
for more hours of enjoyment. But
for FREE Literature! tomorrow is another day. Now we
find peace listening to a comforting
THE GOLDAK COMPANY, INC. concert of sounds peculiar to nights
Dept. DD-3, 1544 Glenoaks Blvd., Glendale, Calif. • CH 5-6571 underneath star-speckled skies. ///
NO INTEREST
STAKED LOTS
GRAVELED STREETS
POWER AVAILABLE
PHONES AVAILABLE
$
10 DOWN,
MONTH
NO CLOSING COST
NO CARRYING CHARGE DAILY MAIL DELIVERY 10% OFF FOR CASH
PERSONAL Write ELMER L. BUTLER, Box 486. Kingman, Arizona TRACT OFFICE
INSPECTION FREE PICTURES, MAP LOCATED ON
WELCOMED NO OBLIGATION — NO SALESMAN WILL CALL SUBDIVISION
Hornitos, California
BY LAMBERT FLORIN
DESERT
DISPENSARY
by Satn Hkks
17 ROM THE sparsely settled moun- Musaro may be purchased in any Baja California market.
tain regions to the east, Indian wo-
men herb vendors arrive daily in the to the United States in search of re- dition and he is still enjoying a
city of Navajoa, Sonora, Mexico. In lief. He was examined by specialists happy, healthful life.
the market place they spread out in three major American cities and Throughout the State of Sonora,
their displays of curative plants and was summarily told his case was hope- on both ranches and in villages, Mu-
edible herbs gathered from the can- less. saro plants are raised in vegetable
yons of the Rio Mayo and await their Dr. Mandonado returned to Mex- and flower gardens for medicinal use
regular customers. Other women bal- ico, first to the doctors of Guadala- in homes. Gathered from the desert
ance heavily laden baskets of organic jara, then on to Mexico City. In the cactus sells in Navajoa and Ciu-
medicines on their heads and pro- every clinic or hospital in which he dad Obregon at the rate of four or
ceed through the streets, selling door was examined he received the same five stalks, each from one to two
to door. Among the strange variety report. His condition, he was told, feet, for $1.
of medicinal leaves, barks and roots had progressed to the point of being
which fill the women's baskets, thick incurable. In Tijuana, where America's high
stalks of green cactus are more abun- cost of living is reflected across the
dant than any other type of plant. Back home in Navajoa, he was told border, Musaro presently sells for
This cactus is called Musaro and a by the Mayo curanderas that they 50c a slice. It may be purchased in
highly concentrated tea cooked from could cure him with Musaro. He de- some fruit and vegetable stores on
the sliced stalks is a well-known cure cided to give it a try. First Street and also at a herb ven-
for ulcerated stomachs. These dark, dor's stand in El Mercado Municipal,
Curative Musaro tea is made by
auburn-haired, blue-eyed Mayo wo- slicing 15 or 20 cross-sections about the principal market in downtown
men first introduced Musaro to the two inches in length from the stalks Tijuana.
Mexican people as a curative plant. of cactus. These are then placed in Musaro is bright green and grows
a container large enough to hold five somewhat like Pitahaya. Its stalks
Dr. Xavier Mandonado of Nava- of water, then it is boiled for may have either three, five or six
joa is now retired after a long and ac- gallons until the liquid is re- ridges and be identified by the
tive career as a surgeon and general duced tohours,
8 or 10
approximately one gallon. evenly spaced, star-shaped clusters of
practitioner. He is in good health,
is 66 years old and presently leases spines which grow only on the crests
For a period of four months Dr. of the ridges. It is found along most
his clinic to a group of young medi- Mandonado drank no other liquid.
cal doctors in Navajoa. In 1958 Dr. He was never out of reach of a con- of the Baja California peninsula. / / /
Mandonado had a severe case of tainer of Musaro tea and he forced
stomach ulcers and after a great deal himself to drink it in quantity. The
of medication and suffering he came treatment completely cured his con- BALDNESS:
By Katherine Pugh
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Nutrition on others growing their
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SET—COMPLETE WITH CHART—$6.45 Send NOW for FREE Circular giving details
EUNICE D. INGHAM Post Office Box 948 ROCHESTER, N. Y. 14603
NECESSARY?
Five of the nuggets are on display at our new DESERT Magazine Building in shacks. Works M
Palm, Desert. Below is his answer to letters that appeared in the June issue. through
mud, water, m
m J I f RELCO
m m Dept. D-18
concrete, m f \ BOX 10563
wood. JStk 1 \ %.! HOUSTON 18,
1# TEXAS
Dear Choral Pepper: I made it very clear in my story why I
Some of the questions from readers in didn't file a claim or engage in mining op-
the June issue were answered, even before erations and the way Mr. Stephens has
they were printed, by my letter in the
July issue. Robert Buck's comment about
the number of buyers was partly answered
phrased his question, it is a bit tricky. If
I answered it fully then I would eliminate
certain areas and pinpoint others so I will
METAL & MINERAL
then. I suppose the nit-picking could go on
forever even if I wrote a nugget by nugget
account of the sale disposition of each of
just ask him to read the original story
again. Frankly, I don't know how many
other facts I can substantiate my story with
LOCATORS by .
them, but to be completely truthful I did have unless it would be to have a public gather-
trouble finding enough buyers with ready ing, announce the exact location, lead who-
cash 1o buy all the nuggets I had for sale. ever would want to go there and dig for
I was determined not to sell or display any nuggets on the spot—after removing some
overburden. Anyone who will read my let-
quantity over about 15 ounces at one time
so as not to focus too much attention on ter in the July issue will know why I won't FINDER
do this.
myself and this was why—as mentioned in
my July letter—on several occasions I had Now then, regarding Ed Kirkland's letter.
ALWAYS BETTER ALL WAYS
nuggets smelted down and refined in Cana- He is right in that undoubtedly a lot of
da, then later sold the bullion when 1 dis- people will be looking for the gold and all "LITERATURE
THE BED HINDER co.
BOX 3 7 , LAKEWOOD, CALIFORNIA
covered it would be illegal to possess bul- of them won't be amateurs. I presumed this
lion in the United States. even before I sent the story in to DESERT.
Although I was an amateur myself when I Low as / "The Bonanza
Continuing on to Choral Pepper and Jor- first discovered the Pegleg nuggets, I didn't
dan Stephens' letters, the most expert legal remain one. I meant it when I said I found $18.50 ml Metal Detector
counsel and interpretation of the federal every nugget on the surface and under- Kits"
gold regulations boils down to this: Native ground within range of the most sensitive
placer gold may be owned, possessed, detector. Ten years was a lot of time to get America's biggest
bought and sold, made into jewelry, etc. and lowest priced
educated and learn a lot about gold, detec- line of fully guaranteed
without violating any part of the regula- tors and a lot of other things. I also made Detector Kits. Will react
tions. If it were illegal to have placer gold, it plain a couple of times that while I to all kinds of metal ob-
then nobody would ever hunt for it, other- jects including gold, copper,
thought there were more nuggets under- silver, lead, guns, cannon
wise the minute a miner or prospector lift- ground at my location and possibly at oth- balls, etc.
ed a flake of gold out of his gold pan he er surface outcroppings—maybe far away,
would be in violation of the law. On the Free literature, budget terms,
I was satisfied with the gold I found and trade - in accepted.
other hand—and this is the odd twist to wasn't greedy for more. Maybe there are
the law—should a placer miner or anyone some who just won't believe it, but the pos- BONANZA ELECTRONICS
else for that matter, melt his gold dust or P. O. Box 246, Dept. DM
sibility of $30 million more in gold as men- Sweet Home, Oregon
nuggets in a crucible or a mould, then at tioned by Mr. Kirkland that I may have
that moment he has created bullion and is passed up doesn't bother me in the slight-
in violation of the law. Gold taken from a est. I'm going to say this one final time:
mine that is recovered by milling or by
other processes, and the end product of
which is gold bullion, can only be sold to
I got my share of the Pegleg gold and I'm
satisfied! Metal Detectors
BOUGHT - SOLD - TRADED
the government. Records must be kept, I appreciate Mr. Gardner's kind words
forms filled out, and even jewelers, artists, and, in fact, am quite flattered by them. Dealer For
dentists and others who use refined gold But while he may have made the right guess Detectron. Fisher, Goldak,
must have certain licenses and fill out gov- in a thousand mysteries, this time he guessed
ernment forms. wrong. I'd never written a story in my life Rayscope, GeoFinder. Metrotech
Jordan Stephens is right when he says until I wrote about finding the Pegleg gold. Repair Service
that most native or "free" gold found in Then I simply picked up a copy of a writ- Write for FREE 32 - Page Booklet
nature is usually a higher concentration er's magazine that told how to lay out a on Detectors, Books and Maps.
manuscript—and followed the directions.
than the assay of the Pegleg nuggets. I
pointed out in my original story that most This time I'm sending a nugget from a BILL'S SERVICE CENTER
batch that I tumbled. Besides using a num- 15502 South Paramount Boulevard
of the known California gold was around Paramount California
80% gold and about 20% alloy, usually ber of cleaning agents and solutions, I also
silver. However, there are deposits of free mentioned tumbling some of them, which
gold known that go all the way down to removed the black oxidation from the sur- Direct From Australia
a few percent of gold. Actually, they aren't face, but left it down in the cavities. This
considered gold, but some other metal with
a small percentage of gold as an alloy. For
process gave the nuggets their most natural
appearance. I didn't mention it before, but
OPALS and SAPPHIRES
example, some silver mines have contained probably 80% or more of the nuggets I This Month's Best Buy
silver nuggets with, say, 10% gold alloyed sold looked like this one, i.e. a slight red-
with the silver etc. The Pegleg nuggets just dish color instead of the lighter "chemically SPECIAL OFFER
Opal Offcuts medium and small size.
happened to be a bit lower concentration cleaned" appearance of the first one I sent Very colourful pieces. Suitable Cutting
of gold than some of the other high-grade in. There must be a lot of Pegleg nuggets Small Stones, Doublets Inlay Work, Novelty
deposits from central and northern Califor- around that I sold that look just like this Items, etc.
1 Whole Pound $12.00 5 pounds $50.00
nia. Also in regards to Mr. Stephens com- one, undoubtedly bought in Alaska and Free Seomall
ment about gold dealers, at no time did I Canada by tourists or in the form of jew- Send personal cheque, international money
ever consider myself a "dealer" in gold. I elry and brought back home. order, bank draft. Free 16 page list of all
was simply an individual who found gold Australian Gemstones.
nuggets and sold them, just as prospectors Yours very sincerely,
AUSTRALIAN GEM TRADING CO.
and miners have done for the last 150 The Man Who Found Pegleg's 294 Little Collins Street
years. Black Gold. MELBOURNE, C.I. AUSTRALIA
DESERT MAGAZINES for sale: first copy includ- RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA. We have everything
• AUTO-TRUCK-CAMPER ed. 1937-1938-1939 complete, bound. Some for the rock hound, pebble pups, interesting
JEEPS LOW as $53.90. Used. Buy one or more on 1940, 1941, 1942, all in perfect condition. gifts for those who are not rock hounds.
bid from U. S. Gov't. Bidders information and Make offer. Dr. Edna J. (Nelson) Blaine, 875 Minerals, slabs, rough materials, lapidary sup-
our over 400 item (order by mail) Surplus Fiske Street, Pacific Palisades, Calif. plies, mountings, equipment, black lights. Why
Catalog, $1.00 (deductible on $10.00 order). not stop and browse? Shamrock Rock Shop,
READ "BURIED Treasure and Lost Mines" by 593 West La Cadena Drive, Riverside, Calif.
Quality Surplus, Box 22038(DD), Indianapolis,
Frank Fish, 93 bonafide locations, photos and OVerland 6-3956.
Indiana.
illustrations. Research done by Fish, treasure
CHOICE MINERAL specimens, gems, cutting ma-
hunter who made it pay. Large 19x24" color-
• BOOKS -MAGAZINES ed map, pinpointing book locations. Book
terial, machinery, lapidary and jeweler's sup-
plies, mountings, fluorescent lamps, books.
OUT-OF:-print books at lowest pricesl You name $1.50, map $1.50. Special: both $2.50 post-
Sumner's, 21108 Devonshire, Chatsworth, Cal.
it—we find it! Western Americana, desert and paid. Publisher: Erie Schaefer, 14728 Peyton
Indian books a specialty. Send us your wants. Drive, Chino, California. SUPERIOR AGATES, Vi to 3/4 inches, $1 Ib. >/2 to
No obligation. International Bookfinders, Box 13A in. banded, $2.50 Ib. Tumble polished
3003-D, Beverly Hills, California. • DESERT STATIONERY $3.50 Ib. Send postage. Frank Engstrom, Grey
Eagle, Minnesota.
LEARN ABOUT gems from Handbook of Gems
and Gemology. Written especially for ama- DESERT WILDLIFE, Flowers, Scenics living-color
teur, cutter, collector. Tells how to identify notes. 59 varieties $5.90. Dozen assorted $1.50. • INDIAN GOODS
gem;. $3 plus tax. Gemac Corporation, Box Illustrated brochure. Artist Henry Mockel, Box AUTHENTIC INDIAN jewelry, Navajo rugs, Chi-
808J, Mentone, California. 726, Twentynine Palms, California. mayo blankets, squaw boots. Collector's items.
Closed Tuesdays. Pow-Wow Indian Trading
"SUN-"COLORED GLASS, It's Lure and Lore," 50
pages, illustrated, $2.75 postpaid. Mary J.
• DUDE-GUEST RANCHES Post, 19967 Ventura Blvd., East Woodland
Hills, Calif. Open Sundays.
Zimmerman, Dept. D., Box 2641, Amarillo, DESERT HILLS Guest Ranch, Lucerne Valley, Cali-
Texas. fornia. Housekeeping cottages, single units SELLING 20,000 Indian relics. 100 nice ancient
with bath, meals available, beautiful view, arrowheads $25. Indian skull $25. List free.
GHOST TOWN Guide: Complete guide to over
heated pool, quiet, ideal for honeymooners, Lear's, Glenwood, Arkansas.
100 ghost towns in California, only $1.95. W.
Abbott, 1513 West Romneya Drive, Anaheim, writers, artists, etc. Write for brochure. Joe FINE RESERVATION-MADE Navajo, Zuni, Hop!
California. and Janice Horst, owners, P.O. Box 444, jewelry. Old pawn. Many fine old baskets,
Lucerne Valley, California. CH 8-7444. moderately priced, in excellent condition
BOOK HUNTING is our business, service is our
C-BAR-H GUEST Ranch — Rest or Play — a real Navajo rugs, Yei blankets, Chimayo blankets,
product. No charge for search. Satisfaction
western holiday. American plan includes three pottery. A collector's paradise! Open daily
guaranteed. D-J Book Search Service, P. O.
delicious meals each day, horseback riding, 10 to 5:30, closed Mondays. Buffalo Trading
Box 3352-D, San Bernardino, Calif. 92404.
comfortable cottages, swimming pool, ranch Post, Highway 18, Apple Valley, California.
"1200 BOTTLES PRICED"-well illustrated, com-
lodge activities, hay rides, sports galore. P. O.
plete description, covers entire field, 164
Box 373D, Lucerne Valley, Calif. Area code •~JEWELRY~ ~
pages, by J. C. Tibbitts, first president of
714, CH 8-7666. PRECIOUS JADE . . . Heart shaped Burmese
Antique Bottle Collectors Association and edi-
jadeite pendant on sterling silver chain. Cut
tor of the "Pontil," $4.25 post paid. The
• EQUIPMENT-SUPPLIES in the Orient. Excellent quality. $17.95 ppd.
Little Glass Shack, 3161-B 56th St., Sacramento
Satisfaction guaranteed. Farwell, Dept. DM,
Calif. 95820. QUALITY CAMPING and mountaineering equip- Box 175, Torrance, Calif. 90501.
WANTED: ARIZONA Highways magazines 1925 ment. Down sleeping bags, lightweight tents,
to 1933. Write giving prices to W. Elmer, P.O. boots. Free catalog. Highland Outfitters, P.O. • MAPS
Box 875, Scottsdale, Arizona. Box 121, Riverside, Calif. SECTIONIZED COUNTY maps — San Bernardino
GHOST TOWN Bpttle Price Guide, 1965 revised DESERT WEAR—warm or cool. Boots, casuals, $3; Riverside $1; Imperial, small $1, large $2;
edition, enlarged to 72 pages, $2.25 postpaid. hats, deerskins. Rockhounds' Paradise—In- San Diego $1.25; Inyo $2.50; Kern $1.25;
Wes Bressie, Route 1, Box 582, Eagle Point, format ion Center. "Biq Horn," 4034 Paradise other California counties $1.25 each. Nevada
Oregon 97524. Road at Flamingo, Las Vegas, Nevada. counties $1 each Include 4 percent sales tax.
"GEMS & Minerals Magazine," largest rock hobby Topographic maps of all mapped western
110 VAC 60 cycle from car generator. Power,
monthly. Field trips, " h o w " articles, pictures, areas. Wesfwide Maps Co., 114 West Third
lights, refrigerator, transmitter, receiver, etc.
ads. $4 year. Sample 25c. Box 687J, Mentone, Street, Los Angeles 13, California.
Simple, easy to convert. Plans: $2. Tedco,
California. Box 12098B, Houston, Texas 77017. TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS, western states. Stamp ap-
TREASURE^ SOUVENIRS Ghost Town Guides. preciated for each state index. Also Nautical
ENJOY LIGHTWEIGHT camping. Free catalog of Charts. Silva compasses, $2.50 to $14.95, Free
Large folded map, complete booklet glossary
tents, packs, sleeping bags. Gerry, Dept. 90, brochure. Jacobsen Suppliers, 9322 California
with hundreds of locations. Nevada $1.50.
Boulder, Colorado. Ave., South Gate, California.
Arizona $1.50. Postpaid. Theron Fox, 1296-C
Yose-nite Ave., San Jose, California. BACKPACKERS: ATTENTION! Free information.
LOST MINES and Buried Treasures of California, Famous Kelty Pack also backpackers checklist. • MEXICAN AUTO INSURANCE
1964 edition; 160 locations, $2.50. R. A. Write Kelty Dept. 02 - 1807 Victory Blvd., GET INSURANCE in Mexico's largest casualty
Pierce, P. O. Box 3034, Berkeley 5, California. Glendale, Calif. 91201. company through Sanborn's—by mail or at
affiliated service offices in El Centro, Yuma,
DESERT MAGAZINES for sale: Years 1954, 1955,
1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961. $10 each • FOR WOMEN Nogales, El Paso. Write for daily insurance
year. Fern Pattani, 739 13th Street, Elko, Nev- rates—and ask for free Mexico Travel-Aid
LADY GODIVA "The World's Finest Beautifier."
ada. packet, very helpful in planning your Mexico
Complete beauty treatment in one jar. Write:
motor trip. Sanborn's, McAllen, Texas 78502.
"BACKWARD THROUGH A Bottle"-Ghost towns, Lola Barnes, 963 North Oakland, Pasadena,
California 91104.
homesteads, bottles, relics of Arizona Terri-
tory. Sketches, Photos, history, dating. $2.00.
• MINING
Kay Devner. 8945 E. Twentieth, Tucson, Ari- • GEMS ASSAYS. COMPLETE, accurate, guaranteed. High-
zona. est quality spectrogrephic. Only $5.00 per
POCKET GOLD, $2. Placer gold, $2. Gold dust, sample. Reed Engineering, 620-R So. Ingle-
"CHARM, HISTORY and Heritage," 78 pictures $1. Attractively displayed. Postpaid. Money- wood Ave., Inglewood, California.
historical buildings, related objects, history. back guarantee. Lester Lea, Box 1125D, Mt.
$2.85 postpaid. Adele Reed, 272 Shepard Shasta, California. •"OLD COINS, STAMPS"
Lane, Bishop, Calif. 93514.
APACHE TEARS or snakeskin agates (rough), V* DOLLARS—1878 CC Mint $3.50, very good. 1878-
"OLD BOTTLES and Ghost Towns," 400 bottles pound 35c postpaid. Two free lists, Gem Rough 79-80-81-82 S Mint, 1883-84-85-99-1900-01-
sketched, ghost town trips, research. $2.15 or Mineral Specimens. Quality guaranteed. The 04 O Mint uncirculated $3 each. 100 page
postpaid. Adele Reed, 272 Shepard Lane, Vellor Co., P. O. Box 2344(D), St. Louis, Mo. catalog, Coins, 50c. Schultz, Salt Lake City,
Bishop, Calif. 93514. 63114. Utah 84110.
How to Lose a Mine . . . No Tigers in My Tree New York Mts. ore West . . .
To the Editor: The craziest things can hap- To the Editor: I read the poem in Jack Pep- To the Editor: I enjoyed Royce Rollins
pen to a prospector. I should have known per's July column which he said was written article about Searchlight, Nevada, in the
better than to do what I did, but several by DESERT'S editor. All I've got to say is June issue. I lived there for many years.
months ago I lost a rich strike. It was Feb- that I don't see how such a nutty dame can The last big strike was at the Old Blossom
ruary 22nd, to be exact, and I didn't have edit such a great magazine! mine in 1937. Gaines and Kirkley found
much to do at our desert mining office, ED MARSHALL the ore there when they were in their late
so I decided to take a 25-mile run over Santa Ana, California 70s. It's sad to think that they, Bert Calkin,
to one of my pumice claims and see if the the assayer, Ollie Thompson, the mill man
markers were in place. As is customary at the Cyrus Noble where the Quartette ore
with prospectors, I picked up a few speci- Take A Safari was milled, and James Cashman (later a
mens en route and threw them in the truck Las Vegas automobile dealer) who brought
Then, on my way back—since it was only To the overworked Editor: If you're seeing the telephone line to Eldorado Canyon and
1:00 and I had until 5:00—I decided to go tigers in your trees in Palm Desert, what did so much to develop Searchlight in its
up high in the mountains where I'd never you need is a vacation! early days before Las Vegas even was a
known any vehicles to go. Back in 1890 ELLEN LAWRENCE town, are now all dead.
some pure silver and also copper and gold Dallas, Texas But please don't let Mr. Rollins place
were found in that rugged area, but I'd the New York Mts. east of Searchlight. I
never been there myself. So I bounced the Success is a Tiger prospected in them from 1905 to 1908 and
truck up and over more sharp rocks than I'd say they're as directly west of Search-
I thought existed, stopping every now and To the Editor and Publisher: light as can be.
then to take some samples. Along about That's no TIGER in the tree JAMES FREEMAN
3:00 I realized I was a long way from It's just SUCCESS looking at thee Long Beach, California.
camp, so I figured out a short cut so I Through DESERT, folks,
wouldn't have to back track and maybe Through DESERT.
miss a "big strike." It won't jump, never fear
It will grow greater year after year Expert Opinion on Pegleg's Gold
At 5:00 I rolled the truck into camp, Through DESERT, folks,
carried out the samples, and drove my Through DESERT. To our Readers: The following letter was
"town car" to San Bernardino where I written at the request of DESERT Maga-
was scheduled to go to a Washington Congratulations on the move to your zine. In our files we came across an article
Birthday party. I took the samples along own new building and may the "Tiger" written in a 1956 copy of the California
so I'd have something to keep me from of "Success" be with you always. Mining Journal. This article protested a
getting bored until I returned to camp MARY CRITOR move at that time to acquire the western
the following week. La Crescenta, California half of San Diego County and part of Im-
perial County for a half-million acre state
Well, on the 23rd I went out to unload park (AnzalBorrego) because the writer
my samples. By golly, I had one with shiny More Six-toed Men . . . believed the area both rich in valuable min-
metal in it. I took a power glass and ex- eral deposits and capable, due to a shallow
amined it closely. Good gosh, it was shot To the Editor: In reference to the article in
the June issue regarding pictographs and water level, of producing early, disease-free
full of yellow stuff in fine gray quartz fruits and vegetables. He lamented the agri-
with lots of fractures. I tried to remember petroglyphs depicting six-toed footprints, I
know of others. Besides one in the Valley cultural and mining opportunities that would
where I'd picked it up, but couldn't even be denied by prohibiting the development
come close. Anyway, I proceeded to the of Fire, there's a six-toed figure in Red
Rock Canyon west of Las Vegas. Also, of such an enormous amount of potentially
assayer and asked, "What would you pay productive land. Since then, of course, the
for a mountain of this?" there's a painted red six-toed figure at the
Erskine Creek site on Kern River just be- area has been acquired by the California
Cliff, the assayer, pulled out his 60 low Lake Isabella. In addition to the poly- Department of Parks and Beaches, so his
power and looked it over. "Nope," he dactylism as described in the article, there protests were in vain. However, this mining
says, "this isn't pure gold, but," he con- are also figures throughout central New engineer's brilliance and knowledge of the
tinued, "it's about 70% and 30% silver. Mexico, Utah, Ariaona, and California de- AnzalBorrego desert area so impressed us
Where in the devil did you locate it? How picting four-toed characters, also three-fing- that we obtained his address, sent him the
much have you got?" ered hand prints. A number of hand prints I March, May and July issues of DESERT
have seen indicate at least one or two containing letters from "The Man Who
"Well," I says, "that's all I have and joints of one or more fingers have been Found Pegleg's Black Gold" and asked his
1 don't know where it came from, but I amputated; this particularly in central New opinion as to where such a lode might
can retrace my steps and find out, for sure." Mexico and northern Arizona. Your arti- exist. The gentleman is Mr. Harry J. Phil-
cle was interesting and I expect more work lips of El Cajon, California, and below is
"Beat it out there, locate it, and bring me will be done on this subject eventually. his answer for DESERT readers. C.P.
2 # -for analysis," he ordered, "I'll test this
in the meantime and see what you've got." JOHN J. CAWLEY, M.D. To the Editor: Pegleg black gold does exist
I didn't get back to camp for a week; Bakersfield, California along the Elsinore fault in the Julian dis-
not until after he'd called to report the trict. The same slaty phylite shist existing
stuff assayed at $1800 per ton! You can Retiring In the Desert in the California Mother Lode was very
bet I hustled then. And I'm still looking. productive in gold. The last uplift caused
I've retraced every step, looked at 5000 To the Editor: My husband and I plan to ice-age erosion to a depth of 2500 ft., or
rocks, and haven't found a trace of that retire to the desert in about five years. In more, of this gold-bearing shist. A U.S.G.S.
$1800 per ton stuff. However, in the losing the meantime, we are anxious to learn all report estimated that, at $20 per oz., a 1000
and looking I've found other valuable min- we can about it. million in gold eroded from Volcan Mt.
erals that are now blocked out and tested, While in Palm Springs last winter we dis- near Julian through Coleman Creek west-
so it turned out good anyway. But, if you covered DESERT Magazine. Please start erly onto Ramona flat, where an estimated
ever wonder how a mine is lost, here's our subscription with my husband's birth- 100 million in gold, difficult to recover,
how. And this is a true story. I can prove day this month. And thank you for pub- reposes in cemented young conglomerate
it. lishing such an interesting, informative gravel.
magazine. East of Ramona, $2 nuggets were dug
HAM SAUNDERS, MRS. A. R. RODITE out of an exposed bedrock. However, most
San Bernardino, California Park Ridge, Illinois of this goldbearing shist, as eroded, moved
CITY
ADVENTURE TOURS
STATE . .ZIP CODE
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MAP YOUR VACATION TO DISCOVER UTAH
NAME.
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ADDRESS
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IT'S A DIFFERENT WORLD