WESTERN

FEBRUARY 1968 50c

ELEVEN DESERT TRIPS

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DIRECTORY OF SOUTHERN NEVADA PLACE THE MYSTERIOUS WEST by Brad Williams and
NAMES by Walter Averett. Limited edition. 1300 WHEN ORDERING BOOKS Choral Pepper. Rare book examines legends that
entries. Includes obscure names of ghost towns cannot be proven true, nor untrue. New evi-
and old mining camps. Hardcover. $5.00. PLEASE dence presented in many cases which may
Add 25 cents PER ORDER change the history of the West. Hardcover.
WATER WITCHING by Earl Shannon. Entertain- $5.95.
ing and instructive, whether or not you accept (Not Each Book)
water witching. Paperback. $2.75. ANZA-BORREGO DESERT GUIDE by Horace Par-
for handling and mailing ker. Second edition of this well-illustrated and
A GUIDE TO WESTERN GHOST TOWNS by Lam- documented book is enlarged considerably. Tops
bert Florin. Includes maps and mileages of ghost California residents add 5 percent
sales tax, regardless of whether you among guidebooks, it is equally recommended
towns in 15 western states. Large format, card- for research material in an area that was crossed
board cover, $2.25. are a Republican or Democrat.
by Anza, Kit Carson, the Mormon Battalion,
Send check or money order to Desert Maga-
'49ers, Railroad Survey parties, Pegleg Smith, the
ANZA AND THE NORTHWEST FRONTIER OF NEW zine Book Shop, Palm Desert, California Jackass Mail, Butterfield Stage, and today's
SPAIN by Bowman and Heizer. Explodes myth 92260. Sorry, but we cannot accept charges adventurous tourists. 139 pages, cardboard
that Anza founded city of San Francisco and or C.O.D. orders. cover, $2.95.
other interesting data related to Anza. Good
early Californiana. Hardcover, $8.75. ON DESERT TRAILS by Randall Henderson, foun-
ALL OF MEXICO and Guatemala at low cost by der and publisher of Desert Magazine for 23
COOKING AND CAMPING IN THE DESERT by
Norman Ford. Excellent guide for do-it-yourself years. One of the first good writers to reveal
Choral Pepper, Foreword by Erie Stanley Gard-
traveler. Paper. $2.00. the beauty of the mysterious desert areas. Hen-
ner and special section on desert driving and
derson's experiences, combined with his com-
surviving by Jack Pepper. A book to read cover- THE CONQUEST OF APACHERIA by Dan L. ments on the desert of yesterday and today,
to-cover for anyone who travels back country Thrapp. Covers both sides of the early Arizona- make this a MUST for those who really want
roads. Up-to-date cooking ideas which bring Apache controversy. Hardcover, 403 pages, ot understand the desert. 375 pages, illustrated.
gourmet fare into camp with little effort. 12- $6.95. Hardcover. $5.00.
page section of exclusive desert camping photos
with lots of ideas for places to go. Beautiful EXPLORING JOSHUA TREE by Roger Mitchell. RARE MAP REPRODUCTIONS from the year 1886.
hardcover book, $3.95. Excellent guide to Joshua Tree National Monu- Series I includes three maps, Arizona, California
ment in Southern California. Paper. $1.00. and Nevada. Series II includes New Mexico,
CAMPING AND CLIMBING IN BAJA by John Utah and Colorado. Reproduced on fine paper.
W. Robinson. Guide to the Sierra San Pedro PIONEER FORTS OF THE FAR WEST by Herbert
They show old towns, mines, springs and trails
Martir and Sierra Juarez of upper Baja Cali- Hart. Fourth in series, large format, illustrated
now extinct. Each set of three, $3.75. Be sure to
fornia. Paper, $2.95. with historical photos, good text. $12.95.
state series number with order.
OLD-TIMERS OF SOUTHEASTERN CALIFORNIA by THE MINING FRONTIER edited by Marvin Lewis.
Lester Reed. Recounts episodes of pioneers cov- Collection of rare articles related to old West. THE NEVADA ADVENTURE, a History by James
ering an area from Owens Lake to Anza-Bor- Hulse. Covers era from prehistoric Indians to
Hardcover. $4.95.
rego and from San Bernardino east to Twenty- ranching, atomic testing and tourism of today.
nine Palms. Spiral-bound. $5.95. 1200 BOTTLES PRICED by John C. Tibbitts. Up- 306 pages, $7.50.
dated edition of one of the best of the bottle
ARIZONA: GUIDE TO THE GRAND CANYON books. $4.50. NEVADA'S TURBULENT YESTERDAYS by Don Ash-
STATE. Newly revised and edited by Joseph baugh. The best book about Nevada's ghost
Miller. Past and present covered. Highly recom- A FIELD GUIDE TO WESTERN REPTILES AND towns and the rugged individuals who built
mended. 532 pages, illustrations and maps. AMPHIBIANS by Robert C. Stebbins. A Peterson them. 346 pages, $7.50.
$7.95. Field guide. 207 species, 569 illustrations, 185
in full color, 192 maps. The best book of this GUIDE TO COINS. Recent U.S. coin prices,
SAN DIEGO BACK COUNTRY 1901 by Gordon type. Hardcover. $4.95. Canadian, Mexican and foreign coins, medals,
Stuart. Filled with local color and nostalgia for tokens and emergency money, Colonial, Terri-
high-button shoes and shivarees. 241 pages, FIRE OVER YUMA by Peter Odens. Historical torial, and Civil War coins. Hardcover. $3.50.
$5.00. tales and anecdotes from the Lower Colorado
THE HOME BOOK OF WESTERN HUMOR edited
River area. Paper. $1.00.
by Phillip Ault. Collection of old and ned anec-
HISTORIC SPOTS IN CALIFORNIA Revised by
dotes about the West. Worthwhile gift. Hard-
William N. Abeloe. Only complete guide to Cali- ANTIQUE BOTTLES by Marvin and Helen Davis. cover. $7.50.
fornia landmarks with maps, photos and lively Paperback, full color, 62 pages, $3.00.
text covering both historical and modern eras. RELACIONES by Zarate Salmeron. Written by
639 pages, $10.00. CALIFORNIA, A Guide to the Golden State. 17th century Franciscan and is only source of
Edited by Harry Hansen and newly revised, it knowledge published for Spanish explorations
BUTTERFIELD OVERLAND MAIL by Waterman L. contains an encyclopedia of facts from early
Ormsby, a New York newspaperman who was into Arizona and New Mexico from 1538 to
days up to the Space Age. Mile by mile de- 1626. 121 pages, $6.00.
the only through passenger on this first west- scriptions to camping spots and commercial ac-
bound stage. Western Americana, 177 pages, commodations. Maps. Hardcover, $7.95. NATIVE SHRUBS of Southern California by Peter
$4.50.
H. Raven. Well illustrated, some in color, with
THE LIFE OF THE DESERT by Ann and Myron interesting text and descriptions of shrubs. Paper.
Sutton. Covers desert creatures, perennial water
DEATH VALLEY BOOKS $1.95.
problems and how animals and plants survive. Published by the Death Valley '49ers these
231 pages, $4.95. NAVAJO RUGS, PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE by
four volumes have been selected by '49ers Gilbert S. Maxwell. Concerns the history, legends
as outstanding works on the history of Death and descriptions of Navajo rugs. Full color
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK IN BAJA by Erie Stanley Valley. All are durable paperback on slick
Gardner. About people and places in enchant- photos. Paper, $2.00.
stock.
ing Baja California of Mexico. Colored photos,
368 pages, $8.95. A NATURALIST'S DEATH VALLEY IRevised edi- OLD CALIFORNIA MINES (1899) by Charles Yale.
tion) by Edmund C. Jaeger, ScD $1.50 Reprint from early mining industry records.
HANDBOOK OF CRYSTAL AND MINERAL COL- MANLY AND DEATH VALLEY. Symbols of Des- Photos show different types of mining, mainly
LECTING by William Sanborn. Describes environ- tiny, by Ardis Manly Walker $1.25 in Mother Lode country. Text contains statistics
ment typical of collection sites and physical and discussions of early problems $2.00.
properties of minerals and crystals. Paper, 81 GOODBYE, DEATH VALLEY! The story of the
pages, $2.00. Jayhawker Party, by L. Burr Belden $1.50 EXPLORING CALIFORNIA BYWAYS from Kings
CAMELS AND SURVEYORS IN DEATH VALLEY Canyon to the Mexican Border by Russ Leada-
REDIGGING THE WEST for old time bottles by By Arthur Woodward $2.00 brand. Maps for each trip with photographs,
Lynn Blumenstein. Photographs of over 700 DEATH VALLEY TALES by 10 different au- historical information, recreational facilities,
bottles with articles that tell the story and a thors $1.25 campsites, hiking trails, etc. Paper, 165 pages,
photograph of each. $4.25. $1.95.
Volume 31 Number 2

FEBRUARY, 1968 CONTENTS

JACK PEPPER 4 New Books
Publisher
6 The Rugged Rogue
CHORAL PEPPER By MARYELLEN GARVEY
Editor
8 Treasure and Art in Pinto Wash
ELTA SHIVELY By TED HANEY
Executive Secretary
MARVEL BARRETT 10 The Town History Forgot
By LEE LUCAS
Business

AL MERRYMAN 12 Trip to a Tough Town

By GEORGE HOLLISTER
Staff Artist

JACK DELANEY 14 Phantastic Phoenix

Staff Writer By JACK DELANEY

EDITORIAL OFFICES: 74-109 Larrea, Palm Desert, 16 St. Moses, the Black Desert Father
California 92260. Area Code 714 346-8144. By MARTIN PORRES WALSH, D.O.
Unsolicited manuscripts and photographs not
accompanied by self addressed, stamped and zip
coded envelopes will NOT be returned. 17 They are Carefree at Cave Creek
By MARY BONNELL
ADVERTISING OFFICES: James March & Asso-
ciates Inc., 1709 West 8th Street, Los Angeles,
California 90017, HUbbard 3-0561—115 New 18 Arbuckle Brothers
Montgomery, San Francisco, California 94105,
By LES BEITZ
DOuglas 2-4994. Listed in Standard Rate & Data.
CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT: 74-109 Larrea, Palm
Desert, California 92260. Area Code 714 346- 19 Weekend Prospectors
8144. DESERT MAGAZINE is published monthly; By CARL FISCHER
1 year, $5.00; 2 years, $9.50; 3 years, $13.00.
Foreign subscribers add 75 cents for postage.
See Subscription Order Form in back of this issue. 21 Enchantment at Chiricachua
BY STEVE SHERMAN

DESERT is published monthly by Desert Magazine,

Palm Desert, Calif. Second Class Postage paid at 22 Inside China Lake
Palm Desert, Calif., and at additional mailing By ROGER MITCHELL
offices under Act of March 3, 1879. Title regis-
tered NO. 358865 in U. S. Patent Office, and
contents copyrighted 1968 by Desert Magazine. 26 Hard Cash Saloon
Unsolicited manuscripts and photographs cannot By H. C. HENDERSON
be returned or acknowledged unless full return
postage is enclosed. Permission to reproduce con-
tents must be secured from the editor in writing. 30 A Mecca, Not a Mirage
SUBSCRIPTION PRICE: $5.00 per year in U.S., By LAURA RAEF
Canada and Mexico. $5.75 elsewhere. Allow five
weeks for change of address. Be sure to send
both old and new address. 32 Pegleg, the Fourth
By RETTA EWERS

34 Short Trip to Baja

By JUDITH RICHARDSON
THE COVER
36 Johnnie, Nevada
Although winter remains in most By LAMBERT FLORIN
parts of the nation, the first flowers
will soon bloom in the lower desert 38 Back Country Travel
areas. Prickly cholla and brittlebush
42 DESERT Cookery
are among others that will soon By LUCILLE I. CARLESON
brighten the desert. Photo by Don
Valentine, Whittier, California. 43 Letters
 bOOK REVIEW
in various places and perils as well as ad- and brilliantly written by one of South-
Books reviewed may be ordered vantages to settling in them. According ern California's finest historians. Hard-
from the DESERT Magazine Book to the author, the average investment in cover, 267 pages, $9.50.
Order Department, Palm Desert,
California 92260. Please include Mexico today yields 9%, with safety
25c for handling. California resi- comparable to similar investments in the THE DESERT LAKE
dents must add 5% sales tax. U.S. Almost all dividends and interest
By Sessions S. Wheeler
Enclose payment with order. are paid tax free and most fixed income
securities pay interest monthly. This little This is the story of Nevada's intrigu-
book, written by a thoroughly reliable ing Pyramid Lake. A remnant of ancient
SKY ISLAND Lake Lahontan, this picturesque body of
By Weldon F. Heald writer of long standing, tells you how to
evaluate such investments and where to water is surrounded with oddly shaped
Written by a man who, with his wife, find them. For vacationists, the going rate tufa formations which thousands of years
left the pressures of Southern California for rentals of both apartment and houses ago sheltered an ancient civilization.
to live in Arizona's back country, this is —as well as hotels in every area of Mexi- Later came the Northern Paiutes, whose
a sensitively written, informative book of co—is listed, along with the names and reservation includes Pyramid Lake. Cov-
their experiences with climate, wild life, addresses of reliable brokers. Paperback, ering regional history, archeological find-
unusual guests, fantastic terrain and fan- 142 pages, $1.50. ings, ancient cultures, geology, fish and
tastic vegetation such as can be found bird life, this well-illustrated paperback
only in the remote Chiricahua area where contributes to a broader scope of interest
they established their non-working ranch. DESERT GARDENING than its title implies.
What this couple discovered in wilder- By the editors of Sunset Books Of particular interest to fishermen is
ness living was that they had not escaped the story of the rare cui-ui, a member of
Written exclusively for desert garden-
from reality, but had escaped to it. Un- the sucker family that weighs up to nine
ers, this book is climate zoned with maps
derlying the whole narrative is the phil- pinpointing five diverse desert zones. pounds and is found only in Pyramid
osophy of Thoreau—that "in wilderness Whether you wish to join with the desert Lake. They must be caught with snag
is the preservation of the world." in utilizing native plants which survive hooks and offer great sport during their
The country in which the Healds set- in drought conditions, or whether you spawning migration when they surface.
tled has a history as wild as its terrain. prefer to create a controlled oasis of non- At other times they remain so deep in
Geronimo spent his last days here. Rust- native plants, particulars relative to mix- the lake that fish smaller than 12-inches
lers, desperados and mining towns came tures of soil, sunlight, water, air, cold and have never been captured.
and went. One chapter of the book, des- heat are discussed. A special calendar Nevada researchers will welcome this
tined to be a favorite with many readers, presents plans for care of plantings book. $1.95.
concerns the Buried Treasure of the Chiri- throughout the year.
cahuas, a lost treasure tale that Heald The book also gives ideas for planting ANOTHER WILDERNESS
first recounted for DESERT Magazine and caring for trees, shrubs, succulents, CONQUERED
some years ago. Collectors of Western cacti, palms, cycads, citrus, seasonal flow-
Americana will value this book, as will By Grady Setzler
ers and vegetables, perennials, bulbs,
others interested in vicariously sharing pool plantings green lawns and ground Here is an informal history of Blythe
the Healds unusual way of life. Hard- covers. Illustrated with black and white and Palo Verde Valley, California, writ-
cover, illustrated with black and white photos. Large format, paperback. $1.95. ten by the former editor and publisher of
photos. $5.95. the Palo Verde Valley Times. Because
Ehrenberg, Arizona, across the Colorado
A TRAGIC FOOTNOTE: WELDON THE RISING TIDE River, was the post office for this isola-
HEALD PASSED AWAY OF A HEART ted area, the book has chapters covering
ATTACK SHORTLY BEFORE HIS By Richard F. Pourade
persons and historical incidents that took
BOOK APPEARED IN PRINT. Sixth in a series of books commissioned place at La Paz, Ehrenberg, and other
by James Copley of the Copley Press ghost towns on the Arizona side. Re-
which recount the history of Southern prints from books now out of print, such
FABULOUS MEXICO Where California. This one covers the boom and
Everything Costs Less as excerpts from Vanished Arizona by
the bust of the twenties and the thirties. Martha Summerhayes, as well as out-of-
By Norman Ford It tells about San Diego's early citizens print DESERT Magazine articles and
This has long been one of this review- who planned the city, built hotels and de- manuscripts by old-timers now deceased
ers favorite informative books on Mexico veloped land—Spreckles, Bridges, Mar- make this area history a real treasure for
and now it is completely revised and up- ston, Burnham, Copley and others. It tells historians and collectors of Western
dated, so throw away your old copy. The of the fishing industry, the aircraft in- Americana. Much of the material includ-
author and his wife spent the past year dustry, the U.S. Navy, dams, fairs, parks ed has appeared only in the local Palo
living in and covering all of Mexico in and all of the developments which, put Verde Valley Times and would have been
order to practically rewrite the book and together, make San Diego today one of lost to history had not this author dedi-
still retain its former format. Investing, the most beautiful, exotic and interest- cated himself to putting it into book
vacationing and retiring prospects are ing cities in the nation. form. Privately printed. Hardcover, 152
covered with consideration for future de- This entire series is splendid. The pages, illustrated with valuable historical
velopment, bargains, climatic conditions books are large format, well-illustrated photos. $5.50.
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coil passes over hidden metal resulting in a loud squeal at the ear- variable oscillator is in the search coil and changes its inductance
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 Western Events
Information on Western Events must be
received at DESERT six weeks prior to sched-
uled date.

ORANGE COAST MINERAL AND LAPI-

DARY SOCIETY'S 1968 Gem Show, Feb. 3
& 4, Orange County Fair Grounds, Costa Mesa,
Calif. Parking and admission free.
CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF FOUR
WHEEL DRIVE CLUBS annual convention,
Feb. 3 & 4, Hacienda Hotel, Fresno, Calif.
Speakers, food and lots of fun. Contact Mrs.
Sylvia Neely, chairman, P. O. Box 5001, Sa-
cramento, Calif.
YUMA TREASURE FESTIVAL sponsored
by the Yuma Coin Club, Feb. 16 through 18.
Coin show with exhibits and displays. Special
Gun Show. For details write Yuma Coin
Club, c/o Chamber of Commerce, 200 West
First St., Yuma, Ariz. 83564.
SAN DIEGO'S TIERRA DEL SOL 4WD
CLUB'S 6th annual Desert Safari, Feb. 24 &
25, Borrego Desert Badlands. Family cross
country event, all four wheelers welcome. For
information write Tierra Del Sol 4WD, 5083
Conrad Ave., San Diego, Calif. 92117.
PHOENIX GEM & MINERAL SHOW,
March 1 through 3, Arizona State Fair
Grounds, Phoenix, Ariz. Rockhounds and all
persons interested in the outdoors are invited.
MONROVIA ROCKHOUNDS 9th annual
Gem & Mineral Show, March 9 & 10, Masonic
Temple, 204 Foothill, Monrovia, Calif.
LOS ANGELES LAPIDARY SOCIETY'S 28th LTHOUGH the coyote has proximately 21 inches high, weighs 20
annual St. Patrick's Gemoree, March 16 & 17, been the hero of many to 30 pounds, and is about four feet long.
Cheviot Hills Playground Center, 2551 Motor
Avenue, Los Angeles. Public invited. Indian legends (coyotl, About one-third of his length is tail. He
the Aztecs called him,), can run up to 45 miles an hour and
FOURTH ANNUAL NATIONAL FOUR
WHEEL DRIVE GRAND PRIX, April 7 he is today considered a therefore can catch jackrabbits and also
through 10, Riverside, Calif. Open to 4- renegade and a rogue. He escape his enemy the grey wolf. Eagles
wheel drives, dune buggies, motorcycles. For and owls often catch the young coyotes,
entries write Vic Wilson, P. O. Box 301, Ful- is clever and cunning, crafty and shrewd,
lerton, Calif. Event held on Santa Ana River fleet of foot, and more often heard than however.
bottom at the Van Buren Street crossing. Pub- seen. There are a dozen or more varieties.
lic invited.
Mark Twain said of him, "He is a The handsomest is the Arizona coyote.
ANNUAL PHOENIX JEEP CLUB 4-wheel This particular species can endure the
drive outing, April 13 & 14. Write Phoenix long, slim, sleek and sorry-looking skele-
Jeep Club, P. O. Box 168, Phoenix, Ariz, for ton with a grey wolf-skin stretched over furnace-like heat of the Southwest desert,
details. it; a living, breathing allegory of want. even in time of drought. He has great
BERKELEY GEM & MINERAL SOCIETY He is so spiritless and cowardly that even stamina and endurance and can live any-
SHOW, April 20 & 21, Contra Costa College, where below sea level to above timber-
San Pablo, Calif. Write P. O. Box 755, Berke- while his exposed teeth are pretending line. And he is smart. He is smarter than
ley, Calif, for details. a threat, the rest of his face is apologizing most hunters. He is smarter than most
14TH ANNUAL SAREEA AL JAMEL Four for it." campers. He is smarter than most grizz-
Wheel Drive Club Cruise, May 4 & 5. A fam- He is the representative animal of the
ily outing and fun event. For details write lies. Not many humans nor other animals
P. O. Box 526, Indio, Calif. 92201. West, amis latrans being the scientific like him, but he somehow manages to
TUCSON GEM & MINERAL SHOW, Feb. name for most generally-known types. survive, even when Mother Nature is
16 through 18, Pima County Fairgrounds, The average coyote is about half the size against him. For instance, he intensely
Tucson, Ariz. Write to Chester Culp, 5713 dislikes the cold, yet he can withstand the
W. Tumbling F St., Tucson, Ariz. 85713. of his relative, the grey wolf. He is ap-

Mnnri7inp / February. 1 968

 worst of blizzards. He loves warmth, but The coyote is nocturnal. In the daytime
his heavy coat makes him uncomfortable he hides in hollows and burrows made by
in hot climates. other animals. It isn't until dusk that he asatf
It is believed that he can smell water sets forth to hunt for food. If near water,
miles away. At any rate, wherever South- he likes to catch fish, but his usual diet
western Indians settled—because of a is gophers, lizards, rabbits, rodents, rep- COOKING and
tiles, kangaroo rats, bugs, birds and birds'
water supply—there Don Coyote also en-
eggs. If he can get nothing better, he will CAMPING
camped. He is the wiliest of thieves and
seldom bungles. He has laid siege to the eat prairie dogs, carrion or dead animals on the DESERT
Red Man's corn, pigs, poultry and other —and even newspapers. This makes him
CHORAL PEPPER
foods. But it is not only the Indian who a scavenger.
has been so often visited by the coyote. He has also been called a pest to man.
Innumerable times, tracks in the sand He is so destructive to sheep and poultry
have told of coyotes' visits to new neigh- and small livestock that farmers and
bors. They have been known to walk in ranchers are constantly waging war on
and out of camp so carefully and noise- him. Battle has been going on through-
lessly that sleepers were unaware of their out the West for over 60 years. Boys who
presence. live in coyote country are taught early to
trap these animals. It has been said that
The coyote doesn't mind "watching"
every coyote does at least $50 worth of
at a safe distance because he can get away damage in his lifetime. Is it any wonder ^ % " ~~t ' T " " ! ^ *
quickly if need be. They have learned the that in some states there is a bounty on
art of working together; if chased, how- him? by Choral Pepper
ever, they separate and do not join forces
again until they have out-maneuvered the Their pelts can be sold to make robes, with a chapter on
enemy. But the leader usually searches gloves and coats. About 30 years ago,
out food alone, scouts the land and looks irate citizens in central Califorfnia poi- Driving and Surviving
for traps and poison. When he is certain soned the coyote. The government also
all is safe and clear he signals the whole waged war on him. A vigorous exter- on the Desert
pack by relay messages, one to another, mination-campaign was begun with the by Jack Pepper
so that coyotes within many miles get the result that the countryside was so over-
signal. run with jackrabbits, gophers, moles and
rats that the farmers and ranchers began "Cooking and Camping on the Desert" is
It is believed that coyotes mate for life screaming their heads off for an exter-
more than just a book on preparing for a
and propagate rapidly. This is one reason desert outing or making meals that will
mination program against the rodents. appeal while in camp. This book is a brief
they have not been snuffed out long ago. At one time there was an e^imated manual on how to survive in the desert . . .
A mother coyote can have as many as 10 the book is a must for anyone making a
82,000 mice per acre. These hungry ro- trip to the desert, whether it is his first or
to 15 young in one litter. Her babies are dents ate millions-of-dollars worth of fiftieth. BILL HILTON, Santa Barbara News-
born in caves, hollow trees or burrows in grain and other products as well. So those Press.
the ground and they stay with their who had been against the coyote finally ONLY $3.95
mother for six weeks or more. The father decided that he had value after all and
keeps the family supplied with food, but there was a lessening of war upon him. Plus 25 cents mailing charges. California
is never allowed into the den. In two addresses add 20 cents tax. Send check or
months the young are trained to hunt and Of course, there are still coyote hunts— money order to Desert Magazine,
by fall (they are usually born in the often called "varmint safaries." Some of Palm Desert, Calif. 92260
spring or early summer) they are on their these safaries are as carefully planned as AUTOGRAPHED COPIES ON REQUEST
own. any big game hunt and are extremely
All coyotes seem to have a sense of popular in some places. Don Coyote is
humor. Some authorities believe they wise to the ordinary traps laid for him,
laugh. They love to play and tease each however, and is cleverly learning how to
stay out of gunshot range. So, in spite of
other, are friendly and sociable with
other coyotes, and always loyal to one traps, bullets and poison, he is holding PLEASE ZIP!
another. It is the coyote who does so much his own against extinction. Many author-
noisy, dog-like yelping, so much high- ities believe that the coyote, because of Desert Magazine and Uncle
pitched, blood-chilling howling and wail- this amazing ingenuity and adaptability, Sam can handle your orders
ing at night, part-yelping, part-growling, is likely to be the very last animal on
earth. In the meantime, the expression, a day faster if you will in-
part-barking. This sound is often heard in
lonely places—strangely wild and yet with "You old coyote!" as applied to people clude your zip code in ALL
a human quality too. who are much too clever will always be correspondence. And when
The howling of coyotes is considered a "fightin' " words—especially in Texas.
MOVING please inform us as
good omen and also is suppose to indicate And yet, the coyote is so altogether a
a change in the weather. A natural ven- part of his Western setting that he be- soon as possible and include
triloquist, the coyote can throw his voice longs as naturally as do Indians and cow- both OLD and NEW ZIP
great distances—a useful talent in send- boys and cactus and sagebrush. He may be CODES.
ing out an S.O.S. when he needs help. a villain, but he is a colorful, amusing
One coyote can sound like a whole pack. one. And he is here to stay. •

February, 1968 / Desert Magazine / 7

While hunting ollas, the author turned up a clue
to a cache of hidden antique guns

UCH has been written

Treasure and Art mPinto Wash about petroglyph sites in

the West, but virtually
unknown ones in remote
areas still turn up today.
by Ted Haney Such a site is one in Pin-
to Wash, located in the southwestern
corner of Imperial County, California,
just north of the Mexican border.
As an avid olla hunter, I have been in
and out of Pinto Wash many times—en-
tering it both from above, near Smug-
gler's Cave, and from the desert side on
its east. The wash is reached by traveling
from the junction of Highway 80-98
about three miles toward Calexico, then
turning off to the right on an average
desert road to an abandoned tungsten
mine about \^/l m i l e s distant. Turn right
here and go northeast on the road to
Davies Valley. At the end of this road
(about 10 miles) you will come to the
This petroglyph seems to represent some Grinding holes indicate an ancient Indian edge of Pinto Wash, which runs from
sort of primitive angel. campsite. north to south until it goes into Mexico,
where it turns back north and east into
The map below marks the general area of Davies Valley, but follow directions in story the U. S. From here it is a good 4-wheel
for more detail. drive run, if you like sandy washes. To
return to the end of the road, turn up
DOS the wash on the right or to the north, for
about % of a mile, where there is room
to park or turn around.
5AI1TO ROSi To reach the petroglyph site from
•••••••••»
Df AN2A here, you must hike up the wash for
about a mile. On your right hand side,
pecked into a large pile of rocks black
DESERT with desert varnish, is displayed an enor-
loo/tour Jt mous concentration of prehistoric art.
TOWER
Metate holes, which suggest an Indian
campsite, are rarely found near petro-
glyphs of the "hunting magic" variety
because the Indians knew better than to
camp in spots to which they hoped to
lure game. The figures found in Pinto
Wash, however, are of a different nature.
Stick people are prevalent and one exam-
ple seems to portray a sort of guardian

I / Desert Maqazine / February. 1968

angel watching over two mummies. Pos- on this side of the border, may also be
sibly these petroglyphs represent ceremon- seen here. Across the wash and on higher
ial or religious symbols.
On the north side of the rocks is an
ground is a second petroglyph display,
but of less consequence than the one on
the side of the wash.
Baja California
arrow which points directly to a camp-
ground, or burial ground, located about
200 yards further up the wash. This area
I was interested in an article in the
June, 1967 DESERT Magazine about a
cache of antique guns hidden in Davies
Adventure Map
has been dug into extensively and it is
doubtful that any treasure or artifacts are Valley. The photo of the man with the The most accurate, detailed map
left, but it might still be worth a look palm trees in the background was taken
of Baja California available. Com-
with a metal detector. Large rocks with up Pinto Wash from the campground
metate holes in them and a few potshards and around the first bend to the left. piled by Baja authority Mike Mc-
lie here and there, along with the usual About 30 years ago I was told by an old-
timer in Jacumba—Sam Elliot—about this Mahan from over tweny-five years
beer cans. Further up the wash is an
oasis with palms of all sizes, mesquite, ar- gun cache. He claimed that they were in
travel and exploration. Shows all
rowbush, and a scattering of tamarisk, another canyon south and west of Pinto
all of which provided products used by Wash. In fact, the directions he gave roads, resorts, air strips, etc. This
early Indians. would be directly south of Smuggler's
Cave or Elliot's mine. This would put it handsome linen - finished, four-
Several holes about two-feet deep in a
south of the border, but accessible from
side wash attest to the fact that water had color 34"x58" wall map is easily
the east side of the mountains. This is
been found here by digging, but the
also the general area of the famous gold framed for home or office. An
dampness around the holes appears black
mine of Bill Hill, a well-known miner
and oily. There may be a small oil seep. ideal Christmas gift. Only $7.50
of Jacumba.
I have been told that as recently as 15
years ago a tarpit existed in one of the Pinto Wash, both above and below (uijfjan^l $$f\ paid. California
side washes near here. This was substan- the border, is a vast area that could
tiated when I found ollas which had been stand more exploration, but if you don't residents add 38 cents sales tax.
repaired with tar from it to make them know where the water lies—and few of
waterproof, but in my many trips to the us do—carry a plentiful supply. With Phone or write (213) 747-4224
wash, I have yet to locate this pit. Two that caution observed, you probably won't McMahan Brothers Desk Co., Inc.
elephant trees, a species which grows have any trouble, but you will surely have 3131 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, Calif. 90007
profusely in Baja California but rarely a lot of fun! •

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February, 1968 / Desert Maaazine / 9

 INAL CITY has been

The Town History Forgot snubbed. Arizona histor-

ians praise the Silver
King mine in flowing
paragraphs, but devote
by Lee Lucas only a concise sentence
or two to old Pinal City. Tourists, rock-
hounds and ghost town-hounds drive
miles to view the Silver King and blithe-
ly ignore the site of old Pinal City, a scant
half-mile off U.S. 60 & 70.
True, the Silver King mine was one of
the richest of its day; all told, it gave
forth approximately six and a half mil-
lion dollars. But Pinal City was more than
a mining town, or even just a mill town—
it actually began as an army camp when
General George Stoneman laid out Camp
Pickett Post in 1877 on the northeast
slope of Pickett Post Butte.
Located along the shady banks of the
winding Queen Creek, Pinal City was an
important stage stop between Globe and
Florence. The Silver King mine, five
miles distant, had its stamping mill work-
ing night and day on the banks of the
creek because of the available water. Mill
hands, business men, wives and children
swelled the population of Pinal City to
nearly 2500. It was a well-run, up-to-
mt m' date town with four doctors to sew up

10 / Desert Magazine / February, 1968

knife wounds and deliver babies. There before the mine, we decided then to visit people take pictures and sometimes 1
were drugstores and lawyers and a school- Silver King mine. The road to it was don't. It all depends on whether or not
house for children. A church and pastor smooth and graded, twisting along a I want to let you."
provided spiritual solicitude and there wash, and finally snaking up an incline. On that discordant note we ended our
was a post office, bank and numerous At its summit, five miles out, weathered conversation. Without pictures, or even a
general stores for everyday needs. Of boards blocked the road. Within seconds glimpse of the mine, we turned our car
course no town in that day and age could an equally weathered woman rushed to back towards U.S. 60-70. Somehow I
survive without the blacksmith's shop, the side of our car. couldn't help feeling a twinge of pity as
livery stables and corrals. Pinal City had "Can we go up to the mine?" I asked. we drove away, leaving the woman sil-
lots of them. There were also two brew- "You can if I'll let you," she replied, houetted on her lonely hilltop where
eries to supply the demands of its 12 "but it'll cost you a dollar per person." she guards the remains of the Silver King,
saloons. Today, the ruins of Pinal City We talked awhile, but mostly I listened with only dogs and cats for company.
are well hidden. Devil's tongue cactus to the woman tell how she had acquired Back at the highway, we crossed on
trails across melting adobe walls and mes- the Silver King mine. After I felt that I over to Pinal City to wander further
quite trees spread above old foundations. had gained her confidence, I asked, "Is among the odds and ends that litter old
One day when I was hunting, without it all right to take pictures?" Pinal—odds and ends that tell unwritten
much luck, for the site of old Pinal City, "Well," she asserted, "sometimes I let tales of a town long vanished. •
I was lucky enough to meet kindly Mr.
Williams. He showed me the deep ruts
that scar the bedrock, cut there by the
enormous ore wagons that were lashed
Make Your Outings More Fun
four together and pulled by 20 mules.
Down these ruts the mule skinners drove
the stubborn mules, lashing them with Stop By And See Our . . . METAL DETECTORS
whips and angry words. Some of the • Detectron
drivers, dissatisfied with their wages, Western Artifacts, Indian Collection, Jewelry
Display, Lapidary Equipment, Tumblers, Gold • Rayscope Find
urged the mules on by pelting them with Get the Best . .
Pans, Dry Washers, Books on Treasures and
hunks of rich silver ore while following Top Guarantee . .
Lost Mines . . . and other items of fun for Easy to Operate Gold
the wagons at a discreet distance a con-
federate picked up the ore and rushed it
the entire family. For information just write From
$75.00 to
Old Coins
to or calh
to a businessman in Pinal City, who also $165.00 Treasures
happened to be a fence.
COMPTON ROCK SHOP
In one short walk across the corner of Ph. 632-9096 1405 South Long Beach Blvd. Compton, California 90221
Pinal City we found a stove lid lifter, a
hook of undetermined origin, a rim from
a wagon wheel, purple desert glass, a
mule shoe, dozens of square nails and bits Weste/in
of imported crockery. Surprisingly, the
bottle hunters haven't been here yet. Many
orientals lived and worked in Pinal City,
and in one section of the ruins large
quantities of opium bottles have been Deerskin moccasins and moccasin boots . . . men's and women's sandals . . . Rachel Brown
vestidos and capes . . . men's, women's and children's leather jackets . . . authentic Indian
found, as well as clay pipes and an old beaded moccasins . . . Kaibab buckskin molded sole moccasins . . . Guilmox, Minnetonka,
Chinese coin or two. Taos, Lazar, Bass moccasins.

Nothing much remains of the huge WRITE FOR FREE BROCHURE

20-stamp mill that once busily crushed THE MOCCASIN SHOP, 174 North Palm Canyon Drive
out 50 tons a day. Ore shipments to the Palm Springs, Calif. 92262 AC 714 325-6425
mill ceased when the Silver King stopped
mining; without the ore, the mill was
soon idle. Without the mill, Pinal City DISCOVER TREASURES, COINS, RELICS & ARTIFACTS
was doomed. ONE OF AMERICA'S FASTEST GROWING SPORTS !
Across the highway lies the lonely Easy ^ * ^ k Outdoor Adventure that is
cemetery. Unkempt graves are being Budget ft JB both profitable and fun
claimed by the desert and wooden crosses Terms *^w ^ o r t n e 5 n t ' r e family.
have weathered away to nothing. We
were told that originally fine granite THE GOLDMASTER Model
tombstones marked many of the graves, S63 Metal-Mineral Detector
but these were stolen, chiseled clean, and detects Coins, Guns, Jewelry,
now grace the graves of more recent dead. Gold and Silver nuggets,ore
We did find one tombstone, perhaps deposits, mineral floats a n d * . - 5 Q
saved from a similar fate because it was veins...Seperates magnetic i r o n ^ l O y
cracked, that marked the resting place of from non-magnetic metals.... SEND F 0 R F R E E
an immigrant from Denmark. Two Year Guarantee CATALOG
Since we had already put the cart be- Room 121 WHITE'S ELECTRONICS, Inc.
fore the horse by visiting the mill town I0II Pleasant Valley Rd. Sweet Home,Oregon 97386

February, 1968 / Desert Magazine / 11

Clyde Forsythe's Famous . . .

Gold Strike
Series
Four Mining Camp Scenes
DAN DOWD

I £ HOWARD
All In 4-Color •ass*
Each 1 4 " x l 7 " with white margins
on high quality paper suitable for
framing.
No lettering or folds.
ONLY

$2.50 A SET
Postage & Tax included
Send Check or Money Order TO
TRIP TO K TOUCH TOWN
Desert Magazine Book Shop, by George Hollister
Palm Desert, Calif. 92260
No Charges Please.
AMED as the town "Too hours by stage coach to get there—if the
Tough To Die," Tomb- Indians didn't get you first. Now it takes
stone is an easy half-day an hour.
'TRAVEL
OR
AGENT sight-seeing excursion
from the old pueblo of
The entire trip is through rugged,
mountainous country covered with sage-
T0UR GUIDE . . . I ' L L GIVE YOU this
Tucson. As far as Ben-
son, which is most of the distance, there
brush, cacti and nothing else—not even
a gas station for at least 30 miles. But
Rand-McNally World Globe is a four-lane highway. The balance into once having arrived, forlornness is for-
8 Tombstone is by a good two-laner, mark- gotten and your imagination envisions
ed for a speed of 60. It used to take 17 days when lawlessness and the fast-draw

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12 / Desert Magazine / February, 1968

were more common than false eyelashes stone Epitaph in 1882, and during the
are today. same year, the municipal government
To the left of the city limits a building moved into the new City Hall on Free- "Let's Go To Baja!
rears upward bearing the ominous words mont Street. As it does today, the build-
"Boot Hill." Admission to the graves is ing also housed the Fire Department.
free and the immediate impression is Water was brought in from 25 miles
that an amazing number of people have away, the pipe coming around the Horn
been buried at the city's expense. The to the Gulf of California to be hauled
sites are now nothing more than mounds overland. Today, more than 80 years
of rocks, but they extend in rows a good later, this same water system is still used.
distance down the hill. Most are marked Silver was mined at a great rate and
with just a name and date, but solemnity during the '80s, over $5,000,000 worth
is forgotten when you come to "Shot by was taken from the ground annually.
Mistake." At least two are inscribed, "Sui- Then water started seeping into the
cide," a happenstance hard to imagine mines and eventually forced them to close.
Equipment was removed and the mine ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME!
with Tombstone's robust reputation.
structures dismantled. Today a visitor can Are you dreaming of Baja down Mexico
Others reflect poetic justice of the times,
stand on the southern edge of town and way? Baja California in Old Mexico has mo
like the one that says: Here lies Lester
in its spell and I must go back again. Maybe
More—Four Slugs from A 44—No Les— see in the hills beyond a few crumbling
you have always wanted to see this fascina-
No More. And what could be more des- foundations and piles and piles of tail-
ting peninsula that time forgot. If so then
criptive of history than the one that ings—rock refuse. now is your chance. Come with me in
reads: John Heater—Taken From County Now Tombstone is alive again and 4-wheel drive air conditioned station wagons
Jail and Lynched by Bisbee Mob in growing. Two television series—Wyatt for a wonderful trip. We leave San Diego
Tombstone —Feb 22 1884? Earp and Tombstone Territory—have area Jan. 10 and go all the way down to
Famed in print and on television, publicized the town and a daily parade La Paz and the cape on a leisurely trip
of tourists arrive to see in person what lasting 30 days. Or you may take the
Tombstone was named by a prospector,
return trip leaving La Paz Feb. 11. I am
Ed Schieffelin, in 1877, when he broke they've viewed on the tube. The Can Can
taking a limited group so make your reser-
a rock from an odd formation and dis- Restaurant, the Bird Cage Theatre (where
vations soon. Write to me for details.
covered silver. The following year, he Wyatt once upset the entire town by ap-
found a really rich vein and called it the pearing in full formal attire), and the MITCH WILLIAMS
Lucky Cuss. Shortly after, the Toughnut Epitaph Office still stand, as do others, 156 North First West Moab, Utah 84532
lode was found, as were others. Riches and are still in use. Many of the build- Phone 253-4346
are hard to hide and before long hun- ings still have wooden walks in front of
dreds of men arrived, all seeking wealth. them and weather-aged storos display the
Ed retired a millionaire, but many more clothes and implements of that bygone
never found enough to pay their bills. age.
The influx, however, caused a building The Tombstone Epitaph continues to
boom of wooden shacks, saloons and be printed and dated Thursday of each
houses of entertainment. The first adobe
structure still stands on the corner of
week, although it goes on sale the day
before. Its style hasn't changed much and
Hew lor
Fourth and Toughnut Street. In its patio
is a rose bush planted in 1885 and said
the humor doesn't differ a bit. The Sep-
tember 1, 1966 issue, for instance, carried
rackhounds
Rocks and
to be the largest of its kind in the world. this gem on the last page: "Cargo Bor- minerals —
Into this rip-roaring camp there rode, acho: Final Notice—Some of Tomb- full-color folder
in December 1879, one of the most con- stone's Very Pleasant People may become tells where to
troversial figures of the west—Wyatt otherwise, unless they pay up immediate- find what in
Berry Earp. His four brothers also ar- ly or sooner. Signed Jack Hendrickson." Arizona — from
rived, as did his old friends Bat Master- And right above it, "Will the distin- actinolite to
son and Doc Holliday. Historians differ guished gentleman whose enthusiasm wulfenite.
on Wyatt's actions in Tombstone. Some caused him to forget his wallet . . . in Special bonus:
claim he was a U. S. Marshal while "Story of gold." Quick reference
my place of business after church Sunday chart shows rock
others flatly state no evidence exists of A real "find"
last, please pick up same at the Lucky & mineral group-
such a title. Nevertheless, the famed O.K. for hobbyists! | j ings in 14 counties.
Cuss Restaurant to save embarassment.
Corral where vengence was sought in a Mme LeDeau." On page one is an adver- WRITE FOR FREE COLOR FOLDER
gun battle still stands on Allen Street tisement by the same lady concerning her
between 3rd and 4th. Visitors can't re- 21 lovely hostesses, claiming that her AMAZING
solve the issue, but they have no trouble
deciding that the holes in the adobe walls
business' motto is: "Ask Any Man."
Today Tombstone boasts a population
ARIZONA
are from the same fight. Wyatt survived ARIZONA DEVELOPMENT BOARD, DEPT. 105

the duel and eventually died in California of 1400, a far cry from the exciting '80s. 3443 N. Central, Phoenix, Arizona 85012
Pleas« send Free Rockhound Guide
in 1929. Consumptive ex-dentist Doc In spite of numerous misfortunes, kill-
Holliday used his last breath in Colorado ings, fires and floods that have tried to
asking for another drink of whiskey. erase this town from the map, Tombstone
ADDRESS
"We're at least ten thousand strong lives and grows. It truly is "The Town
now," claimed the newspaper, The Tomb- Too Tough To Die." •

February, 1968 / Desert Magazine / 13

 n_n
pn
by Jack Delaney

Scottsdale, a fashionable Western resort town, lies on the outskirts of Phoenix.

F THEY had known you Nationally known as an arts and crafts and cultures. Among thousands of pieces
were coming they would center, Scottdale's fine shops along their on display are 230 Pima baskets and 125
have baked a cake. This 5th Avenue display native and imported assorted Navaho textiles. Pima baskets
is the kind of hospitality handicraft items of top quality. In an at- rank with the world's best as to beauty
you sense when you ex- tractive court a fountain featuring a re- and diversity of pattern—no two baskets
perience your first visit clining figure with a continuous shower are.ever exactly alike and the textile work
to this modern Arizona metropolis. Even of perfume spraying over her vies with of the Navaho Indians is excellent in
though Phoenix is the largest city in Ari- cactus blooming in a spitoon, but the old quality and unique in design.
zona, it hasn't lost the charm of a relaxed, West always did go in for amusing An annual affair worth seeing is the
informal Western town. It has been called touches of sophistication! two-day Indian Fair. This year's celebra-
"Miracle City in the Sun" and "The The Parado del Sol (first week in tion will be held April 6-7 and it will
Queen City of the Desert," but I prefer to February) offers a fun-filled week-end feature talented Navaho weavers, Hopi
think of it as a vacation bonanza of un- with a typical Old West parade and world Kachina doll carvers, Mariposa potters,
excelled outdoor recreation with historical championship rodeo; the Arabian Horse Papago basket makers, Plains Indian musi-
and scenic attractions. Show (last week in February) features cal groups, Mexican mariachis, and var-
After checking into one of its fine fabulous Arabian horses bred and trained ious Indian tribes presenting their fascin-
motor lodges or setting your boots in an in Arizona; and the Indian Arts Show ating dances.
exciting guest ranch, the first place you (first and second weeks in March) dis- While we are thinking "Indian" it
will want to visit is Scottsdale. This u- plays the best in Arizona Indian crafts. might be an appropriate time to point out
nique village adjacent to Phoenix offers Before seeing this presentation you might that the Hohokam people, believed to date
lovers of the Old West a generous sam- want to delve into the area's Indian his- l^ack to about the time of the birth of
ple of what he hankers for. Porch-fronted tory. Christ, were skilled artists and master
shops with rustic hitching posts contribute The Heard Museum of Anthropology farmers. They set up the irrigation canals
to the frontier atmosphere and on the and Primitive Arts (on East Monte Vista that have been enlarged and improved
streets, "horseless carriages" yield the Road) is one of the Southwest's foremost and are responsible for the green lawns
right-of-way to horses! museums dealing with early Indian crafts and beautiful plants in modern Phoenix.
 •y-

Investigation of their culture is difficult Mountain Park, the world's largest city- location for the rebuilding of the near-
because they cremated their dead, along owned park. It is a desert-mountain re- extinct Arabian oryx population. This zoo
with their possessions. However, much gion with a wide variety of plants, vol- now has more than half of the known
has been learned through excavations of canic rock, and native animals. Eight cen- number of these animals in the world!
ancient sites. Phoenix is the only city in turies ago the Hohokam Indians lived When viewed from the side, the Arabian
the nation with a city-employed archeol- here and roamed this land. More than oryx appears to have a single horn. At
ogist. 2000 of their stone etchings have been one time it was believed to be the fabled
You may visit the excavations of an found within the park. This is now a unicorn.
ancient Hohokam village at the Pueblo major recreational paradise. Ken McClure, manager of the Phoenix
Grande Ruins, an historical monument Papago Park, with its wind and sand News Bureau, suggested to us a number
maintained by the city at 4619 East Wash- eroded red rock formations, is a regional of goodies that should interest the average
ington Street. Excavations are carried on zcenk highlight between Phoenix and visitor. Among them was the famous Lulu
at intervals and artifacts encountered are Scottsdale, stretching from Camelback Belle's in Scottsdale—a fine resaurant
recorded, studied, and stored in a small Mountain on the north to Van Buren with western motif, a rinky-tink piano
museum at the site. In viewing the par- Street. Attractions include the Desert player and mustached bartenders. Here is
tially uncovered living quarters of an Botanical Garden, the Municipal Golf featured a rum drink called Joannie's
extinct people you will appreciate the fact Course, the Phoenix Zoo, and the fa- Garter that is almost a work of art. (The
that the glorious past of the Hohokams mous Hole-in-the-Rock — a noted red garter around the glass is yours to keep).
is being kept alive through this worth- rock formation where the elements have Other restaurants startle you with such
while project. eroded a passage completely through the novelties as an armored knight on a white
hill. horse who escorts you to the front door,
For a smooth transition from earth
and stone structures of an ancient civili- One of the largest Desert Botanical
zation to one that is super-modern, drive Gardens in the world is Papago Park
east on Van Buren Street to the Arizona where more than 300 acres are devoted
State University campus. Here you'll see exclusively to desert plants. The annual
the last great work of Frank Lloyd Wright Cactus Show is in late February.
—the Grady Gammage Auditorium. De- Once you've seen a couple of lions or
signed as an auditorium, concert hall, and baboons, you've seen them all, but the
theater, it seats 3000 persons. Accoustical Phoenix Zoo is worthy of mention for
excellence is enhanced by the detachment several reasons. Located in a beautiful
of the grand tier and balcony from the hillside setting, it is uniquely arranged
rear wall, permitting sound to surround with the animals grouped by continent.
every patron. Two exceptions are an interesting Ari-
For outdoor recreation Phoenix pro- zona exhibit and a five-acre children's
vides 30 parks. Most scenic of the in- section. The Arizona exhibit features
town areas is 220-acre Encanto Park on animals indigenous to the state and an
15th Avenue with its tree-shaded lagoons, aviary where Arizona's birds live among
grassy picnic grounds, golf courses, and native flora.
kiddies' playland. About seven miles from In 1963, the Phoenix Zoo was chosen
downtown Phoenix is 15,000-acre South by the World Wildlife Fund as the ideal
The rare Arabian oryx has been imported
to the Phoenix zoo.
strolling Mexican mariachis, and leggy
French waitresses who bounce with the
ounce. Another suggestion for interesting
dining will also send you straight to the
dogs! The Phoenix Greyhound Park on
Washington Street is one of the nation's
largest and finest glass-enclosed racing
facilities with a posh clubhouse and fine
food.
Worth seeing is the Stable Art Gallery
(East MacDonald Drive) with its metal
sculptures, the Glass and Garden Drive-
in Church (East MacDonald Drive), the
Horse Country Club (on the Pima Indian
Reservation) which is dedicated to the
horse set, the Food Bazaar (Town and
Country Center) with indoor and outdoor
dining—it offers foods of many nationali-
ties, including authentic Indian food, and
the Cracker Barrel Country Store (Indian
School Road), a re-creation of an early
Papago Park in Phoenix is one of the largest botanical parks in the world. general store fully stocked with all of the

February. 1968 / Desert Maaazin*' / 15

 SL Moses, the
by Martin Porres Walsh, B,O.

ITH so much attention focused upon frus- Authorities constantly pursued the youthful bandit until
tration and violence in the asphalt world of at last pressure forced him to escape to the desert. This is
today, it is important that we value more than what caused his downfall as a bandit.
ever the peace and stillness of the desert. This Those who have spent time alone in desert solitude know
is the story of a man who heard the call of the haunting call that must have forced the reckless young
the desert over 1500 years ago. Moses the African to come to grips with himself. The silence of desert
Black was a Negro, born sometime after the year 300AD. As stones and sand and sky can shatter a man's psyche. It is no
a youth in northern Egypt he was dismissed from his position coincidence that the great religions of Judaism, Christianity,
as household servant because of general immorality. With and Islam were influenced by men who spent much time in
free time on his hands and no income, he organized a band of the desert's vast solitude.
other young men and they turned to thievery for a living. The
band of young brigands, traveling from town to town under Eventually Moses became restless with constant hiding
the leadership of Moses, became the terror of the Nile River. and sought refuge with a group of desert monks. Only for
Because of his great stature and strength, Moses soon became brief visits to Alexandria did he ever again leave the desert.
known throughout the land for his fierceness. On one occa- After finding peace with God, he then found himself at
sion, after an attempted burglary had been thwarted by the peace with other men. Later he became a monk and so re-
barking of a sheep dog, he swore vengeance on the owner. To nowned for his holiness that the Patriarch of Alexandria
carry out the threat, he approached the dwelling of the dog's called him to the great city to ordain him a priest and appoint
owner from the other side of the Nile by placing his sword him the superior of an isolated Egyptian monastery which
between his teeth, and swimming the river. Fortunately the offered shelter to strangers and travelers. At the age of 75,
owner hid and escaped death, but Moses killed the shep- while greeting with open arms a band of wondering tribes-
herd's four best rams, sold the skins for wine and after a men about to attack the monastery, he was murdered by the
meal of roasted mutton and wine, walked 50 miles back to very men he desired to serve. Moses the robber is now ven-
his gang's camp. erated as St. Moses The Black, an apostle of non-violence. •

Phantastic Phoenix Apaches made it real hot for them! To-

items and equipment of that time. Phoe- day a changed situation exists; visitors
nix is an all-year vacation center, but its arriving in droves are not searching for
treasure—they bring it with them. The A Gift That's REALLY Different!
busiest season is from October to May.
Many years ago, the first white visitors residents, both Indian and non-Indian,
extend a warm welcome and tempt them
Zodiac Parties
arrived in this land when it was the ex-
clusive stamping ground of the redman. to linger in what they consider to be a Menus and Recipes
They came in search of treasure and re- fascinating city—and half a million Phoe- By Choral Pepper
ceived a warm welcome—in fact, the nicians can't be wrong! • Editor of DESERT Magazine
The author plans a different party
for every month in the year. Her
suggestions on the guests to in-
vite and the food to serve are
based on astrological analyses of
the tastes and interests of those
born under each of the twelve

5LLJItL'l 11 I signs of the Zodiac.

HARD COVER, 130 PAGES, ILLUSTRATED

ORIGINALLY $4.95

$3.00
Order from
Desert Magazine Book Shop
Palm Desert, California 92260
California residents add 15 cents sales tax.

• • • • • Be• sure
• •to •visit•the•unusual
• Iron Museum in™
Phoenix.
 They are Carefree at Cave Creek
by Mary Bonnell
N AN area where the
desert and mountains
breed peculiar forms, a
scenic route now makes
it unnecessary for travel-
ers to carry botany books.
Called Desert Foothills Drive, the new
botany trail runs through Carefree and
Cave Creek, Arizona and species names
for cacti may be read from attractive red-
wood signs without even stopping your
car, although parking and picnic areas
are also provided.
This new scenic drive, 17 miles long,
forms the upper part of a loop based in
Phoenix and Scottsdale. Entrance signs
on both Cave Creek and Scottsdale roads
proudly boast, "The Most Beautiful Des-
ert in the World." Ample evidence sup-
ports the claim.
The Desert Foothills area is one of
nature's most unique spots. It inundates
through washes and ridges that lead to
Tonto National Forest and the Mazatzel and sign ordinances. Work crews organ-
Wilderness. The growth is, for the des- ized to haul rocks, hammer, rake and
ert, lush and greatly varied. Saguaros paint. Now, three years later, the results
stand up like antennae in a subdivision of the community endeavor have encour-
In spring the sunny yellow flowers of aged an extension of the "botannical gar-
the blue and foothill palo verde are com- den" for the enjoyment of everyone.
plimented by the lacy lavender of the The mining history of Cave Creek
delicate ironwood blossom. reaches back to 1880 when a Phoenix
From the tiniest pincushion to chain newspaper hailed it as one of the great
fruit and jumping cholla, almost the en- gold finds of history. As it turned out, BLUE ....
PALO" VERDE
tire range of American desert plants is there wasn't that much gold—nor silver,
represented. And if the winter rains are nor copper, nor mercury—though some
generous, the ground space between cacti of all were mined here. The village re-
is carpeted with purple lupine and orange mained, however, a small community
poppies in the spring. with the easy-going philosophy of the Old
The Desert Foothills area lies 1000 to West.
1500 feet above the Valley of the Sun. About 10 years ago, a new neighbor
From several vantage points you can see moved in along Cave Creek's eastern then chosen and put up for "adoption,"
the metropolis spread out below. Moun- boundary. Named "Carefree," it develop- with individuals, families, or organiza-
tain ranges 3500 to 4500 feet rise around ed into a carefully planned and exclusive tions accepting the responsibility for prun-
it and a few miles north, through Tonto residential and resort center. After a short ing and landscaping the plants. The
Forest, lies fabled Bloody Basin. The two time, it boasted an International Restau- County Parks and Highway department
villages which form the focal point for rant, a fabulous Carefree Inn, and a golf cooperated by providing picnic tables and
the Desert Foothills Drive, and whose course considered one of the most diffi- a frieze at the entrance gate sculptured by
citizens are responsible for its existence, cult to play in Arizona. In spite of other Lawrence Tenney Stevens. The frieze de-
are Cave Creek and Carefree. The motive differences, however, the people attracted picts a pair of fighting bucks, heads low-
which instituted it was selfish—these peo- to Carefree shared with Cave Creek resi- ered and horns interlocked. Deer are still
ple, who live 25 miles above Phoenix, dents a respect and affection for the na- a frequent sight here.
wanted to protect the natural beauty of tural desert. Together, they agreed to Material for signs was donated by the
their desert from creeping urbanization. maintain the 150 redwood signs which local lumber yard, which provided week-
Thus, talk led to action. Civic committees identify the cacti along Desert Foothills end space for the business men, retirees,
started with requests for legal setbacks Drive. Four plants of each species were and women who researched the data and

February. 1968 / Desert Maaazine / 17

painted the signs. Teenagers staged a
workday during Christmas vacation to
speed the job. They also adopted a cat-
claw of gigantic proportions, 30 feet
across, and suffered plenty of scratches
while clearing out underbrush.
by Les Beitz
OSTEEN Cohay!" That's slogging ranchmen and sodbusters were
what long-hair Navajos ordered from Arbuckle premium cata-
uttered when they bar- logues. Old company records show,
gained with Indian trad- among other intensely interesting things,
ers for Arbuckles. Trans- that a couple hundred thousand fine qual-
lated, it means "Mr. ity straight razors were sent out in re-
Coffee." And that means John Arbuckle. demption of Ariosa coupons. And, as
John had gotten into the coffee busi- might be supposed, coffee grinders went
ness in a big way shortly after the close of out by the thousands. Hefty pocket knives,
the Civil War. By reason of his remark- watches, pot, pans, dolls, polka dot hand-
able ingenuity in perfecting a glazing kerchiefs, rings, scissors — just about
process to seal in the flavor of freshly- everything a Westerner wanted or needed
roasted coffee beans (and through some (except firearms) was included on Ar-
mighty sharp merchandising practices), buckles premium leaflets.
he and his brother Charles weren't long
in making the flying angel trademark the
symbol for good coffee everywhere. With
a keen eye on the rapidly expanding trade
areas opening up throughout the far
West, they saw to it that every wagon
freighter and train of boxcars heading
in that direction had plenty of "Ariosa"
aboard. In brief, the Arbuckle boys had
All of this was possible because a few come up with a product much in demand
people determined that if a thing was and they proceeded to deliver it where-
worthwhile, there must be a way to get ever the demand existed. Actually, they
it done. Much of the 150-foot set-back had three things going for them. So all in all, Arbuckles enterprise in the
ran through private land and compromise marketing of coffee resulted in something
often was necessary, but this was the only you might call an "institution" in the
way to legally protect the strip along the West. And it's their homely little cou-
highway from future development. For- pons, Ariosa packages, fancy stencilled
tunately, the idea was born and the set- (janpanned) signs, counter display pla-
back assured before any building was cards, shipping cases, premium lists and
done in the desired area. the like that go to make up a unique
Prime mover of work on the scenic area of collector interest. The store signs
drive, Leslie H. Rhuart of Carefree, sug- First, their coffee was good. Secondly, show up from time to time when old
gests that other communities play follow- in prairie country where wood was scarce, stockrooms or warehouses are renovated.
the-leader. "There are still undeveloped Arbuckle shipping boxes were important Shipping cases can sometimes be located,
areas in our part of the country where items of salvage. Homesteaders knocked but they're usually in a knock-down state,
deed restrictions and ordinances can be out the ends and used them for well cas- still doing good service as interior par-
set up to provide parkways like the Des- ings. Post traders used them for shelving, titioning in stables and sheds. Occasion-
ert Foothills Drive," he says. "It takes bins, chests and storage containers of all ally when the far reaches of an old closet
time and effort and a lot of work with sorts. Indian women used them for cradle or trunk have been penetrated, a packet of
your County authorities, but it can and boards, decorated with buckskin and sil- Ariosa coupons comes to light. Even a
rhould be done." ver. They also wound up being used for few unopened one-pound bags of the
Since Scottsdale and Cave Creek roads pack saddle panniers, feed boxes, furni- aromatic brew have lately been recovered
were paved a few years ago, the 50-mile ture, doors—and coffins, too. You name which years ago had been sealed and
loop has been a favorite Sunday after- it; an Arbuckle packing case would make stashed in attic corners.
noon trip for people from the Valley. Us- it. One of the nicest old chuck wagon A fair share of all these wonderful
ing any major east-west road in Phoenix grub boxes I ever saw was made by an Arbuckle items are still lurking around,
and Scottsdale, you may travel leisurely old-time ranch handyman from a couple but I won't go so far as to say they're
up one leg of the loop, through the vil- of those sturdy cases. plentiful. Elusive is a better way to put
lages, and back the other leg. And any And lastly, there were the coupons. it. Anyway, keep an eye peeled, because
season is a good one to test your know- Or, more appropriately, the things you sooner or later you'll run up on a gen-
ledge of cacti along Deesrt Foothills got for the coupons. There's just no way uine bit of "Arbuckliana" . . . and that
Drive. Spring, however, is particularly of estimating how many thousands of spells "Bonus Points" in any collection
rewarding after abundant winter rains. • pairs of wide suspenders worn by hard- of things western. •
 Weekend Prospecting for fun and Prom
by Carl Fischer
EEKEND prospectors and be interested in King's Gem Separator.
amateur gem hunters who This is a simple but highly efficient de-
roam California's moun- vice for separating gemstones from their
tains and deserts are find- overburden. It lets gravity do most of
ing fresh bonanzas with the work. Three inclined screens of dif-
astonishing frequency. ferent sizes feed one into the other, grade
Their efforts often pay handsome divi- the stones to size and let the tailings pass
dends. Only last month the credit man- through to the ground. With the finds
ager of a local firm left his job to de- on a level plane, gemstones are readily
vote his full time to the development of identified and quickly retrieved. The sep-
arator can be set up in five minutes. It
an opal mine he discovered less than a
folds flat for an easy carry and weighs
year ago. Sam was a weekend gem hunter
under 30 pounds. King says anyone can
until last winter, when he unearthed a
build it in a day and it costs less than
valuable opal deposit in the desert. Since
$20.
acquiring title to the property, he has
uncovered enough of the precious mater- The average gem hunter, King ex-
ial to guarantee a good income for many plained, walks over more valuables than
years. he finds because he searches only on the
Because the earth sciences provide surface. While this material represents
healthful outdoor relaxation and give the the most recent deposits, the valuable
entire family fascinating hobbies to pur- gems were buried during an earlier geo-
sue, weekend prospecting is gaining thou- logical period. Having been subjected to
sands of new followers yearly. Quality the sorting action of water, these valu-
specimens are easy to sell and there's al- ables can be found beneath the surface,
ways the chance of a rare find which can covered by several feet of overburden. By
bring rich financial rewards. Retired cou- digging a small hole a few feet deep and
ples are finding this sport to their liking putting this material through the separa-
and the additional revenue it brings often tor, it is easy to find the level at which With a few carriage bolts and wing nuts,
augments inadequate pension checks. top-quality gemstones were deposited. King can set up his portable separator in
But it takes more than a casual walk Once this level is located, the operator five minutes.
over the countryside to locate treasures of
more than mediocre value. The easy
"strikes" were made long ago and the
most accessible deposits have been worked
and exhausted. However, with modern
tools and a knowledge of geology, serious
prospectors, even today, can hit pay dirt.
Finding a valuable gem or ore deposit
can kindle a brand-new kind of excite-
ment in anyone!
To get an idea how a modern prospec-
tor operates, we contacted King Fisher
and learned about tools and methods
which can be used by families who en-
gage in these hobbies for fun or profit.
A professional prospector, gem hunter
and lapidary, King recently turned his
attention to prospecting for space age
metals. Although most prospectors are
secretive about their equipment and meth-
ods, King invited us to photograph a
number of the devices he uses in his in-
teresting vocation. In addition, he offered
many useful tips for amateurs and pointed When working with bankrun containing a large amount of rubble, King uses a l/2"
out areas where finds can be made. grizzly to screen off unwanted material. Note the 4 foot wings with rods driven into
The rockhound and gem collector will the ground to deflect water into the sluice for an increased flow.

February, 1968 / Desert Magazine / 19

 can retrieve as many gems as his time lium is found in pegmatites, a coarse-
allows. The separator works as well in grained rock which, in its molten state,
a live streambed as in a desert arroyo. filled cracks in granite and other igneous
Quartz-family gems are the most pro- deposits. Beryllium ores generally are
lific and the easiest to find. These in- light in weight, but they are very hard.
clude agate, jasper, carnelian, rose quartz, These ores can be found as surface de-
onyx and amethyst. Our deserts yield posits in many parts of San Diego, San
these gems in surprising quantities, though Bernardino and Kern counties.
they can be found in many areas, even on Old-time prospectors thought they had
the beaches. For your first desert explora- a bonanza when they found ore worth
tion it is suggested that you inspect an $50 per ton. Today, a 10% beryllium ore
arroyo near a paved road. If gemstones pays a base price of $400 per ton, with an
were carried down this dry wash, they additional 10% for each 1% increase in
Quarter-inch perforated metal plates carry generally will be found scattered through- beryllium content! Some ores run as high
out its length. Many fine-quality agates as 38%, but these deposits usually are
off all gross material, allowing only the
have been found in arroyos near Interstate small and rarely contain more than a few
smaller particles to enter the riffle area tons. Because the ore can be sold in small
10 and along State Highway 14. Quartz
below. Sections over-lap one inch and are lots of 200 pounds, amateur prospectors
crystals and smokey quartz are abundant
held together with bolt and wing nuts; east of US 395, between Lone Pine and are finding beryllium prospecting excep-
a stepped wedge prevents over-tightening. Independence. tionally profitable.
For those who like to prospect for pla- When a deposit is located, it's neces-
cer gold, King suggests they use a 12-foot sary to determine the metallic content of
sluice like the one he carries in his camp- the ore. An assay will show whether it is
er. Built of marine plywood, the sluice economically feasible to mine it. Many
takes up little room because its three-foot prospectors carry small chemical kits for
sections nest perfectly. It can be carried this purpose which enable them to make
by one person. Sluicing for gold has be- tests on the spot. These tests are neither
come a seasonable operation for today's difficult nor dangerous, but they are con-
prospectors. The small streams in gold clusive. Books are available that describe
areas are still productive, but contain them in detail.
enough water for sluicing only for a few Whether your outdoor passion is for
months. Therefore, prospectors must work gems, gold or space age metals, you'll
at a feverish pace during the short season. enjoy every minute of your family safaris.
That's why many of them are prospect- Regardless of where your search area lies
ing for space age metals during the re- —along a rippling mountain stream or
King tests a piece of black magnatite for mainder of the year. Hobbyists who have through a dry desert arroyo—keep an eye
possible gold content. Many tests call for a flair for chemistry will find this field open for old prospect holes and' aban-
the application of heat to speed identifica- exciting. Because of its demand in rock- doned mine dumps. Their tailing piles
tion. A small alcohol lamp is a handy etry, special emphasis is placed on beryl- are fertile fields because often they contain
accessory. The kit can be use to test speci- lium. Zirconium, molybdenum and co- gems and minerals which are extremely
mens for more than 50 metals of value. lumbite also are needed. These space age valuable today, but were discarded by the
metals do not occur in the free state like old-time prospectors as worthless. These
gold, but are contained in ores which old-timers are really your partners—be-
closely resemble common rocks. Beryl- cause they did your digging for you! •

mm, ' » m > m

Each stone is carefully inspected with a Feeding shovelfuls of dry material into Swatches of adhesive tape on each rock
lens for identification. the separator, King shows sorting action hold identifying number of discovery area.
of inclined screens.

20 / Desert Magazine / February, 1968

 Enchantment at Chiricachua
by Steve Sherman
HE deep southeastern other national parks. Horses are available Chiricachua Mountains became more and
corner of Arizona is spot- at Faraway Ranch, if riding the trails ap- more a stronghold of the Apaches in their
ted with a fascinating ar- peals more than wearing down shoes and strikes against the Mexican and encroach-
ray of famous state and stamina. Most of the trails are open to ing white man. U.S. Calvary and troops
national landmarks from horseback trips. A campground with 37 were sent to the region to protect travelers
Saguaro and Tumacacori sites, drinking water, fireplaces, and and cargo on the Butterfield Route that
to Fort Bowie and Tombstone. But prob- tables is located about a half-mile from passed through the Southwest. Fort Bowie
ably one of the least-known and least- Monument headquarters. There is a was established in 1862 at Apache Pass
visited fantasylands of nature is the Chiri- small camping fee, but no fee for en- at the end of the Chiricachua Mountains,
cachua National Monument, an enchant- trance into the area. north of the Monument, as a check
ing oasis between two horizons of desert. The elevation of the Monument sup- against marauding Apaches.
The Monument, about 100 miles east of ports a curious range of vegetation and Geronimo, Cochise, and "Big Foot"
Tucson, is bounded by U.S. Highways animal life. Manzanitas and madrones are Massai were three famous Apaches who
666 and 80 on their way to Douglas at widely interspered with sycamore and used Chiricachua as a hideout during
the Mexican border. Arizona cypress. Scrub oak, yuccas, cen- their resistance. Geronimo surrendered
The magic of Chiricachua is its wonder tury plants, cacti and, with seasonal his band of renegades near Chiricachua
of strange geological shapes and shadows. changes, varieties of wildflowers grow at in 1886. All three names are immortaliz-
The setting is not in the middle of an random. Arizona white-tailed deer, coatis, ed in the area.
ancient dry lake, but amid a mountain
forest. Rugged columns of rock rise up
through the trees in weird military forma-
tion. Silhouettes of the stone pillars made
it easy for Rangers to give them such
names as Mushroom Rock, China Boy,
Duck on a Rock, Punch and Judy and,
the most photographed of all, Big Bal-
anced Rock. The latter, 2 5-feet high and
22-feet in diameter, balances 1000 tons
on a slender joint.
Only 17 square miles, the Monument
is small in comparison to others better
known, but this is part of the delight of
Chiricachua. The seven mile Bonita Can-
yon Road is the only road in the Monu-
ment. The rest is covered by 15 miles of
compact, easy-to-follow trails which range
from quick quarter-mile jaunts to five
mile hikes through valleys and up and
down mountain sides. All are well mark-
ed, well graded, and interesting.
One of the best hikes is the three-and-
a-half-mile trail from Massai Point to the
Heart of the Rocks, the most famous sec- peccaries, and birds of many species in- This wonderland was first discovered
tion of the Monument. The trail passes habit the region. by white man by accident in 1886. Colon-
through small gulches with trees and But, of course, the major feature of el Hughes Stafford and Sergeant Neil
stone towers, up the side of a mountain, Chiricachua is its peculiar pinnacles and Erickson followed the trail of Massai,
and then along the top lip of the highest balanced rocks. Geologists consider the
ridge of the Monument before dropping who had stolen a horse from Stafford,
Monument a result of millions of years through the rocks to the formation later
down into the Heart of the Rocks. It's in of unrelenting erosion by wind and water
this canyon the trail winds among pillars called Massai Point. The two soldiers
after a series of volcanic activity had found the horse, but not the thief.
and pylons from one beautiful area to formed layers of rocks of varying hard-
another. Vantage points along the way ness. It was Erickson who spent many days
offer intriguing sights and scenes. A half- exploring the region and discovering fur-
Not only is the Monument a scenic spot
mile tributary trail to Inspiration Point ther beauties. Afterward he brought the
but it also contains romantic history of
gives an overall view of a large section of Chiricachua region to the attention of the
the country. the westward movement. Its very name
comes from the Chiricachua Apache In- government and general public. Finally,
In this rarely visited park it is possible dians who made the area their ancestral on April 18, 1924, President Calvin Cool-
to walk the trails without meeting friend, home. With the advancement of settlers idge declared the Chiricachua area a na-
foe or stranger—a treat not frequent in to the West in the middle 1800s, the tional monument. •

February, 1968 / Desert Magazine / 21

 Photo opposite:
Roaming through Coso Range.
By Roger Mitchell.

Inside T WAS like turning the

clock back three decades.
The old buildings ap-
peared somewhat the

China Lake by Roger Mitchell

worse for wear, but there
was a remarkable absence
of bullet holes and other signs of sense-
less vandalism so often associated with
Western ghost towns of today. ,
Author of "Exploring Joshua Tree" I was exploring the ruins of Coso, a
mining camp dating back to I860. It was
last occupied just before World War II,
when a few sourdoughs still roamed the
arid hills of Inyo County, California.
Then on November 8, 1943, Secretary of
the Navy Frank Knox signed an order
withdrawing a vast area of 1198 square
miles from public use. This area, only 16
square miles smaller than the State of
Rhode Island, was to be used in connec-
tion with wartime rocket and missile
development.
Today, important research is still cen-
tered in the famous Michelson Labora-
tory and China Lake Naval Ordinance
Test Station still remains "OFF LIMITS"
to the public, unless permission to visit
it is secured. Since 1943 access to the
Coso Mountains, the western flank of
the Argus Range, and the northern half
of the Indian Wells Valley has been
tightly controlled by the Navy and gener-
ally restricted to base employees, which ac-
counts for the remarkable state of preser-
vation to be found among the old mines
and other points of interest within the
Petroglyphs at Renegade Canyon depict bighorn almost life size. base.

22 / Desert Magazine / February, 1968

This boiler is among ruins of Millspaugh. Mercury Retorts in the Nicol area. numerous flash floods in Shepard Can-
yon have made this route completely im-
passible, except by foot.
M. H. Farley, an early comer to the
Coso Country, found what he thought to
be a live volcano. Actually, what he dis-
covered was a fumerole of steam vent.
These are associated with the final stages
of volcanism, but what Farley saw -was
far from a live volcano. Two separate
thermal areas covering less than a square
mile each are found near Cactus Peak in
the northwest corner of the base. During
World War I there was an unsuccessful
attempt to mine sulfur from the area
Perhaps the most noteworthy feature Within a few years the district was reor- known as the Devil's Kitchen. A decade
is the outstanding examples of early primi- ganized and named Spanish Mines by its later the main hot spring area two miles
tive art. The basalt cliffs of Renegade and new inhabitants, a group of Mexican to the east was developed into a health
Big and Little Petroglyph Canyons abound prospectors. resort. Two massive stone structures re-
with them. Rather than the abstract geo- A number of the dozen or so buildings main, as well as smaller wooden build-
metric forms frequently found in the which remain today were last occupied ings. The largest building was the hotel,
Southwest, these petroglyphs feature rec- during the depression years of the '30s. while other buildings contained the bot-
ognizable forms. Deer and snakes are Some of these are a century old and sag tling works and hot baths. Quart bottles
well represented, but the early inhabitants in the sagebrush near hidden shafts, ar- of Coso Water and its sister product,
of this land must have been preoccupied rastras and millsites. Volcanic Mud, were sold in Los Angeles
with the desert bighorn sheep. At every Equally forgotten and even less known and San Francisco. The results were pro-
petroglyph site these predominate, some- is the mining camp of Millspaugh. Loca- fitable and remarkable. Soon hordes of
times of life size. A close look might even ted in the Argus Range a mile or two health seekers began to brave the dusty
reveal a hunting scene with an arrow pro- within the military reservation, this short- desert roads to come out and wallow in
truding from a running animal. lived town flourished around the turn of Coso's hot mud. If a visitor didn't need a
Apparently early Indians found abund- the century during the Tonopah and hot mineral bath before he left, he sure
ant game in the area. The nearby lava Goldfield excitement. Its main business needed one when he arrived.
flows and other volcanic rocks provided and residential districts have vanished and In 1929 the mercury ore, cinnabar, was
a generous supply of obsidian with which the industrial section of town is marked discovered in the Nicol thermal area, adja-
to make arrowheads and spear points, only by a few stone walls and a lonely cent to Devil's Kitchen. Mercury mining
probably reason enough to attract the boiler. At one time a road connected started in 1931 and continued intermit-
ancients to this otherwise desolate land. Millspaugh with Panamint Valley, but tently until 1939. While considerable
It was gold, however, that attracted
the white man. In March of I860 a pros-
pecting party lead by Dr. Darwin French
set out to find the then famous Lost Gun-
sight Mine. Instead, they found gold in
a little valley east of what is now Coso
Peak. The word coso is taken from a Sho-
shone word meaning broken coal. Just
why Dr. French decided to name the new
mining camp Coso is not clear because
the veins were found in granite, not coal.
As word of the fabulous strike reached
the nearest point of civilization, Visalia,
300 miners arrived to work in the mines.
There was serious talk about building a
trans-Sierra wagon road, until the spring
of 1862 when serious Indian troubles
motivated the entire population of Coso
to seek a fortune elsewhere. When the
small army of 150 miners returned, they
found the town destroyed, except for the
steam-powered mill at the Winoshick
Mine. Apparently the Indians were awed
by the massive and complex machinery.
Soon the town was rebuilt and although
there was some significant early produc-
tion, the big bonanza was never found. Ruins of Coso Village, once a spa.

24 / Desert Magazine / February, 1968

work and expense went into the venture, yards east of Switzer Circle. The person of the military for tying up much of our
the total mercury production amounted to at the pass desk in the main gate can dir- desert land so that the public is barred
less than $20,000, a small return on the ect you. Besides a publication program from enjoying it. In the case of China
investment. Remains of mercury retorts (which includes a guide to Coso Hot Lake N.O.T.S., however, I'm not so sure
may still be seen on the Nicol property. Springs, 75(£) the Maturango Museum it hasn't been a good thing. I wonder
Beyond Coso Hot Springs, a rough and also conducts local field trips each month, just what state of preservation some of
seldom used desert road goes northward which include sites both on and off the these historic sites would be in without
some five miles to end at Haiwee Springs. base. If you don't want to bother with the protection they have been afforded
The spring is seldom dry, although range the red tape required for a special pass, these past 25 years. Would the petro-
cattle often pollute the small stream be- you may join this group on an outing. glyphs be vandalized like those else-
low the springs. Canyon walls near the More information may be obtained by where? Would the sites of Coso Village
springs are covered with petroglyphs writing Maturango Museum, P.O. Box and Coso Hot Springs be torn apart by
similar to those a few miles to the south. 5514, China Lake, California 93556. the few bottle hunters who are careless?
All of this land within China Lake There are those who are highly critical I have no reason to think otherwise. •
N.O.T.S. is restricted to public entry
except by special permit. I have found
however, that the Naval authorities are
cooperative in granting special weekend
passes whenever possible. Firing tests and
other range activity usually rule out week-
day visits. To visit a specific place on the
base, you should request permission to
do so by writing Commanding Officer,
U.S. Naval Weapons Center, China Lake,
California 93555. Then, between 4:00
and 4:30 p.m. on the day before your pro-
posed visit, call the Base Security Police
(phone area code 714, 375-1411 ext.
71330). At that time you will be advised
as to whether or not the range is open
and the status of your request. On the
following morning it will then be neces-
sary for each driver to appear at the Base
Security Office at the Main Gate to sign
the Recreation Pass and obtain keys to
the various locked gates encountered. A
minimum of two vehicles is required for
any trip on the range. Water, food, and
a shovel must be carried in each vehicle.
Overnight camping is prohibited and all
visitors must clear the area by sunset.
To reach Coso Hot Springs it is neces-
sary to go to Inyokern, then take highway
395 some 29 miles north to Gil's Oasis.
Here a good road goes east 11.7 miles to
the thermal area. Visitors should not get
too close to the unprotected gysers and
hot springs. A "hot-foot" in 212° water
is no fun, and the Department of De-
fense assumes no liability for your safety.
It is permissable to continue on to Haiwee
Spring, but only 4-wheel drive vehicles
can proceed past Coso Hot Springs.
To visit the petroglyph area, or Coso
Village, the procedure is the same. These
locations are reached by way of Mountain
Springs Canyon, however, and it is not
necessary to first go off the base. The
route is marked and the Security Police
will provide you with a map.
Regardless of your destination, any trip LESEMfi
DO NOT ENTER UNDER ANY CONDITION
on the base should include the Maturango MAIN ROUTE TO PETROGLYPHS
FOUR WHEEL 0RIVE ONLY
Museum. It is located in a long building
OFFICIAL ACCESS MAP—to recreational areas within NOTS — " I * . " ? " * " " "
on the north side of Halsey Avenue, 100 IMPASSABLE

February, 1968 / Desert Magazine / 25

Our home was saved by

The Hard Cash Saloon

by H. C. Henderson

T HAS been about 16 be seen by people to be enjoyed. They was kept busy and the coffee pot brew-
years since our family must be touched, turned and moistened ing most of the evenings during the week.
made our first trip to to see if they will polish. Beautiful speci- Then it happened!
the Mojave Desert to mens under a bench or behind a shed are We started bringing home old bottles
look for rocks. A great of no value to anyone. and glassware we found around the mine
many enjoyable trips were To solve this problem, we fixed up a dumps where we looked for mineral
to follow. Upon our return from each shed on the back of the lot and moved specimens. Next we began visiting de-
one a new prize inevitably found its way the collection from the house. The over- serted mining camps, looking for the
into our house. Eventually prize rocks flow from the yard, and the cutting and purple bottles. For the next two years,
became so numerous that it was necessary polishing equipment also went into the bottle hunting became our hobby. We
to remove some of the less desirable new quarters. This was wonderful. We bought books from which to learn their
specimens. could display our rock specimens, work identity and history, maps for locations
This is where our problem arose. What on projects and store raw materials with of ghost towns and deserted mining
does one do with an extra specimen in a no more mess in the house and no more camps. Tubs were set up for washing
house already full to overflowing? worry about overflow. bottles and racks were built to display
Obviously, the overflow had to go out them on.
During the next few years many en-
of the house, but you don't just pile joyable hours were spent with rockhound There were groups of purple bottles,
"good" rocks out in the yard. They must friends in our rockshop. The equipment bitters bottles and bottles of special inter-
est. Large and small bottles, jugs, crock-
ery, fruit jars, insulators, bits of jewelry,
old coins and watches—then, of course,
came barbed wire samples, blacksmith
shop bellows and rolled and riveted iron
pipe that had come "around the Horn."
Treasures of this type started to pile up
in our rock shop and creep into our
house.
Once again we were faced with the
problem of displaying our treasures so
that others might enjoy them with us.
The fact that we were enlarging our
problem by collecting these items was
minimized by our fear that vandals would
thoughtlessly ruin them, or they would
eventually rust away if left unprotected.
Then, gradually, a solution began to ma-
terialize. From a store in town we were
given some counters. We worked one into
a bar and set it up in a re-vamped single
garage. Utilizing old mirrors, planks, 2
x 4 lumber, and odds and ends, we then
created a back bar. By using some old
glass shelves and glass separators from a
long-gone drug store, the back bar pro-
vided a means for displaying the best of
our liquor and beverage bottles.
At one end of the bar, against the
wall, are shelves for the "Patented" medi-
cine bottles and a cabinet for the fabulous
old fruit jars. At the other end is a glass
display case containing some of the more
The author, with Chico, greets visitors in front of hotel. fragile items. Again, using the glass sep-

26 / Desert Magazine / February, 1968

arators and glass shelves on top of the grew into an ambitious plan. As the idea
case, a nice display has been built of pur- of a ghost town gained support, the town
ple, amber, cobalt blue, and green glass continued to expand and improve. A two-
bottles that reaches to the top of the large story building was constructed to be the
window. This area soon became known Frontier Brewery. This houses the beer
as the Hard Cash Saloon. With sawdust bottle collection on the ground floor,
to cover the concrete floor and a brass while on the second floor, which is open
spitoon, it acquired a real frontier atmos- to the sun, racks hold bottles that are in
phere. all stages of turning purple.
Next we erected a sign outside upon The Stove and Iron Works is the build-
which we coined the name Iona City. ing in which welding equipment and
Soon a street was born. Bordered on one work benches are housed. An Assay Office
side by the saloon and on the other by was added in connection with the rock
a two-story, false-front hotel, our project shop. This is the location of the old desk

The saloon and all other buildings are furnished with relics of the Old West.

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February, 1968 / Desert Magazine / 27

 and swivel chair. Many old books and
tools of the assay trade are here, as well
as a gold display. Next came the hay
barn. It is used to keep hay and grain for
the ducks, goats, and Chico, the burro.
Two more false-front buildings are on
the street. One is the Iona City Mining
and Supply Co. where old items used in
the mines are displayed and the other is
the City Jail. Adjoining the Assay Office
are two work areas, one for rebuilding
and refinishing old furniture, the other
for leather craft. On a bench here, along
with the modern tools, are the hand tools
used by my grandfather in his business as
Bottles are placed on screen racks to pur- a saddle and harness maker many years
The Frontier Brewery Co. stands next to
ple in the sun. ago.
the Stove and Iron Works.
On down the street a stone house was
built of concrete block to store extra gem
stone material and mineral samples. At
the start of this project, sand and gravel
were taken from an open hole in the back
yard to be screened for use in mixing con-
crete. The open hole has since been trans-
formed into a shaft down to a stope that
follows the vein of sand and gravel at
about the 10-foot level. It is complete
with timber sets and cribbing to prevent
cave-ins. The "ore" is mucked out to the
shaft, brought to the surface in a small
ore car on angle-iron tracks, and dumped
over a set of screens for separation into
the desired grades for concrete. We have
View of Main Street in lone City. Old bottles decorate back wall of bar. named this the "Lost Red Lizzard Mine"
so Iona City has its own lost mine.
A path leads from the main street to
a secluded fountain and barbecue area
called "Church Socials and Hangin's."
Another cross street leads to Crystal Lake,
the swimming pool. There is also a City
Dump where bottles are spread out on
racks for sorting when they are brought
in from field trips.
Many items have been given to us for
display, such things as an old family
Bible, tin-type photographs, dishes ilver-
ware, clocks, spectacles, razors, a stereop-
tican viewer and some pictures, cast iron
pull-toys, and the safe that now bears the
name, Hard Cash Saloon, Iona City. Each
item has been logged in a book with the
donor's name, the date, and its history.
Nothing is for sale, nothing can be
bought. It is there for people to see free
of charge. It is a hobby.
The Hard Cash Saloon saved our home
by starting a new trend of activity in our
yard. It may seem a little crowded at
times, but our only real problem is one
MOT SoM-OF-A-QUM ST6W, we can't lick—there just aren't enough
hours in the day to do all the things we
would like to do. •

28 / Desert Maaazine / February, 1968

 Here's a book with new
factual evidence on the
legends of the West.

THE
MYSTERIOUS WEST.
by Brad Williams and
Choral Pepper $5.95

This book examines many little-known stories and Illustrated with photographs, this fascinating survey
legends that have emerged from the western regions of North of Western Americana will be welcomed by all readers inter-
America. Two unsolved mysteries, unearthed in this century ested in the folklore and history of the United States.
and detailed in this absorbing book, furnish evidence that the About the authors:
earliest European navigators to set foot on American soil date
back to ancient times. Old Roman artifacts buried near BRAD WILLIAMS has worked for various news-
Tucr .n, Arizona, and Phoenician hieroglyphics inscribed on papers ranging in location from Oregon and California, to
a rock uncovered some miles southwest of Albuquerque, New Mexico and India. He has published several mystery novels
Mexico, raise startling questions about America's past. Are and nonfiction works; his books include Flight 967 and
these genuine archeological finds or elaborately conceived and Due Process.
executed hoaxes? These unusual discoveries form but a small CHORAL PEPPER hails from the mysterious
part of the intriguing history, legend, and folklore that make up west — Palm Desert, California. She is the editor of Desert
Magazine and she has been a columnist, free-lance writer,
THE MYSTERIOUS WEST.
and author. Her most recent book is Zodiac Parties.
Included are such phenomena as the discovery of a
Spanish galleon in the middle of the desert; the strange curse
that rules over San Miguel Island; the unexplained beheading Send check or money order to Desert Magazine
of at least 13 victims in the Nahanni Valley; and many other Book Shop, Palm Desert, California 92260. Add-25* for
equally bewildering happenings. Elaborate confidence postage and handling. California residents add 5% sales tax.
schemes and fantastically imagined hoaxes are documented,
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After having seen nothing but dry, hot and cared for, it was designed to become
desert for hundreds of miles, many a a "clean and green oasis" featuring beau-
TfllllfiUJll ilUITHJH weary traveler is sure he is witnessing a tiful parks. Today it is a mecca for retired
mirage when he comes upon this oasis people, but it has all the necessary re-
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by is found Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, living.
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30 / Desert Magazine / January, 1968

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February, 1968 / Desert Magazine / 31

As if history weren't rattled

enough, here is a fourth Pegleg

Smith to mystify hunters of the

desert's black gold.

BY. ami) flui

HREE are the tales of operation is in the private collection of

Pegleg Smith and his fa- the Tibbet family.
bulous lost black gold. Smith's main object in life was to dis-
Here is a fourth version, cover a gold mine for himself. In this he
told by Mrs. Lawrence must have been successful, for subsequent
Tibbet of Riverside, the trips to the desert always produced an
daughter-in-law of one of the men who ample supply of sun-burned gold. When
amputated Smith's injured leg. he wasn't prospecting, he worked inter-
Jonathan Tibbet was a member of a mittently on the Tibbet ranch near El
wagon train on its way to California Monte.
about 1848. In the group were 110 men Jonathan Tibbet used to question
and half as many women. They had Smith as to the location of his gold.
started out from Independence, Missouri. Smith said his rich deposit was marked
•' While traveling the northern route to by three hills and even drew a map of
Fort Laramie, they were joined by sev- the region (reputed to still be in the pos-
eral other men, one of whom was Albert session of the Tibbet family), but Tib-
Smith, later known as "Pegleg" Smith, bet didn't ever make a trip to look for it.
who discovered a famous gold deposit Jonathan Tibbet claimed that his
that still bears his name. At the time father believed Smith had located a rich
Smith joined the Tibbet's train, he had placer pocket somewhere and made his
both his limbs. trips to the spot whenever he needed
Coming south, the train journeyed via money, but that it wasn't what you would
Utah. At Chicken Creek, described as call a "mine." The younger Tibbet also
"one day's drive by ox-team east of recalled often seeing Smith hobble about
Mountain Meadow," the group en- his father's ranch and once rode with him
countered a band of roving Indians. A as far as the El Monte post office for the
battle' ensued and Smith and one woman mail when Smith was on his way to the
were wounded by flying arrows; Smith desert to obtain more of his gold.
in the leg, the woman in the arm. Afraid Smith, like other exhuberent prospec-
of gangrene when the injured limbs re- tors, was never reluctant to talk about
fused to heal, Smith decided they should
his discovery. On one occasion he almost
be removed. As there was no surgeon in
depopulated San Bernardino when its
the party, several men volunteered to do
citizens left to search for gold in an area
the job with an ordinary carpenter's saw.
Smith pulled through, but the woman described by Smith. Mrs. Tibbet stated
died of shock. Jonathan Tibbet was one that her husband believed the deposit lay
of those who acted as surgeon. Always further north than has been supposed by
handy with carpenter's tools, he after- most searchers—possibly northeast of the
wards fashioned the wooden leg that gave Salton Sea in the Chocolate Mountains.
Pegleg his name. The saw used for the This possibility has been more recent-

32 / Desert Magazine / February, 1968

ly substantiated by three Riverside men
who claim they located the area from
which came the Pegleg gold. According
to their story, they had been following
a bob cat trail that led into the hills
above Alessandro, a small Indian settle-
ment, when they came to a cave. Inside
the cave they found a leather pouch in
which was a small jar containing sev-
eral maps and a letter. The letter was from
an Indian woman, thought to have been
Albert Smith's common-law wife, tit
read, "You gone long time. Me no see
you. Put black rocks in buzzard's nest.
Me go loco stay here. Never come back."
Directions on the map led the three
men to a lonely grave in the eastern part
of Riverside county. On the map the
Salton Sea was called "Salt Sink," which
indicates it was not then filled with
water. (It was dry until 1906 when the
Colorado jumped its banks and filled it.)
The men dug into the grave and found
another pouch with more maps, seven in
all, and gold that assayed $4000 per ton.
Choosing the map easiest to follow, the
explorers penetrated far into the desert
to a low range of hills among which was
a canyon described on the map as "poi-
son water canyon." Here they found poi-
son water with skeletons of birds and
animals scattered among the rocks.
Against the side of the canyon was a
rude hut. As they approached it, an aged
half-breed stepped out with a rifle in his
hands. Without further ado, he started
to shoot. The three men took to their
heels and didn't ask any questions.
They believe this old Indian was per-
haps the son of Smith and his squaw
wife. That they were on the trail and,
perchance, close to it, the men felt cer-
tain because of the fact that among the
the papers from the grave was a bank
deposit form made out in the name of
Albert Smith for the sum of $11,000.
This canyon was in the northern section
of the Chocolate Mountains. The hunters
U
It was Jonathan Tibbet who amputated Smith's leg with a carpenter's saw.
involved wish to remain anonymous.
There are other tales that indicate this same your camp. At feet lay much black much gold as he could load onto his
area as a hot one for Pegleglophiles—pro- rock—very heavy. Take some. Heap too burro. Every ruse and effort was made to
vided they obtain the proper permission big load. I want t'row away, but he no track him, but always he eluded his pur-
from the U.S. Navy to go into the area. let. Me heap tired." suers. His death was due to a bullet,
(See DESERT, April 1967, page 39.) Needless to say, her story started a which allowed him no time to disclose
his secret source of
When the Southern Pacific was pushing gold rush, but one-by-one the construe- S old -
its rails toward the coast, an Indian and tion workers returned to camp—tired, According to an anonymous claimant
his squaw stumbled, exhausted, into the thirsty, disheartened. who told his story to DESERT Magazine,
construction camp of railway engineers. Then, in 1898 a cowboy named Mi and sent black nuggets to prove it,
The squaw carried a heavy load which guel Escarna came to San Bernardino ( M a r c h 1965), the black Pegleg gold
the men discovered to be black gold, with $10,000 worth of black gold. He has been found and
garnered from the
such as that Smith was accustomed to f B
B utt ff o r ^ ^ hard souls w h o
told no one where he found it, but went surface. ^^ h a r dYy s o u l s w h o
get from his undisclosed claim. to Los Angeles and bought himself a question his story, or who are hopeful
The squaw described the manner in small ranch. From then on he made that a few nuggets eluded him, the story
which they had found it. "We got lost." periodic treks to the desert, as Smith of Albert Smith might further pinpoint
she said. "Climb big hill an' see smoke, had done, always returning with as the location. •

February, 1968 / Desert Magazine / 33

by Judith Richardson
Jade green, hot spring pools tempt bathers at Puertocitos.

OR those who have not and the Mexican government recently road parallels the sea until you reach the
seen how much of the cleared thousands of acres more for pri- village of San Felipe.
rest of the world lives, vate farming. San Felipe is a primitive fishing village
the Baja California road Finally, as you wind your way down with about 400 inhabitants, or so the sign
from Mexicali to San the paved highway toward its finale at on the edge of town reads. This must in-
Felipe is an enlighten- San Felipe, you enter into an arid area clude the horses, goats, cattle and pets.
ing adventure. Along this paved highway framed by cinder cones. These are left However, no matter what time of day or
you will see civilization as it was 200 over from what were large and active year, it is a busy little town consisting of
years ago, assembled with the jet age. You volcanoes long ago. At one time this en- about three blocks of paved streets. Here
will see adobe huts with thatched roofs tire area was covered by a sea, which has you may purchase supplies, including
reinforced with ocotillo and next to the left an inland reminder in the Colorado gasoline and a few extras such as home-
hut will stand a piece of modern machin- Desert, the Salton Sea. Soon, on your left, made skyrockets, tortillas hot off the fire,
ery. The land surrounding Mexicali is you will see tide lands and vast salt flats. fresh fruit and vegetables, Mexican cer-
fertile with fields of alfalfa, cotton and Then, all at once, there it is, the blue, veza, canned goods and pan dulce, those
vegetables. Cotton is the main crop here blue Sea of Cortez! From this point the wonderful sweet rolls of Mexico. The big

34 / Desert Magazine / February, 1968

thing here, though, is to walk down to too hot in temperature, you are permitted recommend a weekend jaunt to Puerto-
the beach and buy jumbo shrimp fresh to bathe in them when the tide is out and citos. There is something about that road
off the shrimp boats as they come in with they are exposed. When the tide returns, winding along the blue, blue sea and the
their morning's catch. it cleans them out for the next bathers! waves splashing against rocks that rise
With a can of Mexican hot sauce ob- Immediately north of the village are two from its surface that will haunt you day
tained from one of the stores, you can coves on the beach where you may camp, and night . . . until you finally give in
concoct a shrimp dinner in camp that is fish from the shore, or hunt for shells. to yourself and say, "Ok, let's skip work
a real gourmet treat by simply dumping Unless you are strong-willed, we don't and stay another day!" •
the shrimp into a bucket of boiling water
and cooking it until legs and shells shuck
off with a little pull. Then, after shucking
the shrimp, dip them into the sauce. Serve
with a pan full of french fries topped
with cottage cheese, sliced tomatoes and a
hot tortilla. You'll be wondering what
poor people do on a night like this!
South of town the highway now be-
comes a one-lane dirt road. Though there
are numerous ruts, we made it in a Mus-
tang passenger car by keeping our speed
down to 12 mph and our eyes open. How-
ever, a pick-up truck or four-wheeler is
preferable. About 35 miles south of San
Felipe and still running parallel to the
sea, you will come to some sulfur mines
located on both sides of the road. Turn
left here and drive toward the beach to
Nuevo Mazatlan, a lagoon resort run by
a handsome Mexican named Luis Moreno.
Luis had great plans and is working hard
to create a New Mazatlan in this spot.
He is planting vineyards and trees and
building cabanas on the beach. For the
surf fisherman and the shell collector,
here is a paradise. Unless the tide is low,
however, don't spend too much time at
the waters' edge looking for shells; in-
stead, climb up to the bluffs where storms
have dumped thousands of shells of all
varieties. In the lagoon there are three
varieties of Eand dollars, one round as a
ball, and at least five kinds of welks,
shells which resemble a conch and have
yellow screws six inches long. There are
also giant yellow clams and a beautiful
shell Luis calls an Oliva, which resembles Bahia San Luis
a cowry and ranges in size from one to Gonzaga v
three inches and in color from olive to
yellow, brown and white.
Leaving Luis and his beautiful lagoon,
you may then back-track to the "highway"
and continue south toward the vil-
lage of Puertocitos, about 51 miles below
San Felipe. Here you are in for a pleasant
surprise. The name of the fishing village
means "little cove," which is exactly what
it is. Built on a hill surrounding the cove,
the village could have been lifted from an
Italian coastal scene, except for the na-
tive Mexican structures. There is a com-
bination store-cantina and one gasoline
pump. The big surprise here is the jade
green hot sulphur pools found at the end
of the cove's point. Ranging from hot to

February, 1968 / Desert Magazine / 35

A monthly feature by the author of Western Ghost Towns,
Ghost Town Album, Ghost Town Trails, Ghost Town Shadows,
Ghost Town Treasures and Boot Hill Johnnie, Nevada
BY LAMBERT FLORIN

T LEAST ten rich mines

in an area east and
north of Death Valley
have been identified as
the "Lost Breyfogle,"
Of these, the Johnnie
would seem to fit best the original Brey-
fogle discovery. The road up to it is
rough, but passable as far as the large
Labbe Mine owned by old time Nevada
miner Charles Labbe, who for years has
been a student of the Breyfogle story.
He claims that the following version is
about right.
Around 1861, Jacob (or Louis Jacob,
C. C. Jacob, or Byron W. ) Breyfogle
brought a fantastically rich chunk of ore
into Austin, Nevada, then a thriving
mining center. He was barely alive, desic-
cated and near starvation, but was able to
say that he had found the sample some-
"W r. where in or near the eastern edge of
Above: Part of buildings clustered around Johnny Mine. Most were erected when Death Valley. In the succeeding years the
prospector led many searches for the spot,
"Happy Hunch" uncovered the dazzling vein in 1908. Two of the structures at the
all futile.
upper end were made habitable as a cook-house and a bunk house during the final
burst of activity in the early 1940s. In 1865 a party was following the old
Spanish Trail from California to Salt
Below: Old Johnnie Town is near extinction. Remains stand beside Nevada State Lake. At a camping ground called Stump
Highway 16, north of Pahrump. When at its height in 1907 with a population of Springs, not far from where l Johnnie
300, the town had one hotel, two stores and three saloons. Daily mail service came would later be established, they came up-
from Amargosa on the Las Vegas and Tonopah Railroad. on Breyfogle, who had barely survived
an attack by Indians. They carried him to
Salt Lake City where he was nursed by
one Pony Duncan. Though badly beaten,
Breyfogle regained a measure of health
and was able to continue his search with
Duncan as partner. The pair had hardly
made a good beginning when Breyfogle
died, first confiding all he knew of his
lost mine to Duncan. Later Duncan met
the Montgomery brothers who were be-
ginning a search for the lost mine and
transferred his information to them.
Charles Labbe says it was in 1890 that
George and Robert Montgomery were
camped at Indian Spring, there meeting
Indian Johnnie who served as their guide.
The Paiute took them almost immediately
to some exposed veins that gleamed with
gold on the surface. At first all were
greatly excited, the Montgomerys cool-
ing when they found that the gold in
sight was all there was, and wouldn't
justify the hauling of equipment and sup-
plies to the remote location. It was then
that Indian Johnnie said something like,
"Well, all right, I will take you to a place

36 / Desert Magazine / February, 1968

BACK COUNTRY TRAVEL
FOUR WHEEL CHATTER .. • by Bill Bryan
Desert Magazine's first Award for
Conservation and Preservation will be Four Wheelers Clean Area
presented to the Los Paisanos Four Wheel
Drive Club, Inc., of Pomona, California In observance of the recent conserva- For their work the Pomona club will be
for their work in cleaning up a section of tion weekend sponsored by the California awarded Desert Magazine's monthly Con-
the Santa Rosa Mountains. See story on Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs, servation and Preservation Award Cer-
this page. six member families of the Pomona based tificate.
Los Paisanos Four Wheel Drive Club,
Each month Desert Magazine will pre- Santa Rosa Peak is an excellent sum-
Inc., spent their weekend atop Santa Rosa
sent a Certificate of Award to a group mertime picnic area. A cabin and tree
Peak cleaning up the debris and trash
or individual for activities in the field of house built in the 1930s by conserva-
left by litterbugs and vandals.
conservation and preservation. If you tionist S. A. "Steve" Ragsdale, still
Approximately 140 man-hours of work
know of anyone or group who has com- stand. See Desert Magazine, August 1964
netted 20 cubic yards of debris all of
pleted a project in these fields please issue. It can be reached from Highway
which was hauled down the mountain in
let us know by writing to Desert Maga-
a truck to the Riverside County dump. 74 near Palm Desert, California.
zine Awards, Palm Desert, California
92260. It is time the "good guys" are
shown for what they are; all we read
about are the "bad guys."
A note from Lloyd Sage, of Eagle
Mountain, Calif says I must have missed
a good road through the Big Maria
Mountains in a trip I mentioned in the
December issue. I think we were on the
road he mentioned except it was washed
out at that time. I dropped my Jeepster
off some five foot washes. We would
have been more daring if we hadn't been
alone.
Herb Hailing, of the Desert Foxes
Jeep Club, writes to tell us a way to boost
up our springs which we appreciate. My
advice to purchasers of new vehicles is to
insist on the dealer installing heavy duty
springs. And if you are going to run big
tires, such as Dick Cepek's 1 1 x 1 5 Arm- Cleaning up the area.
strongs on 10 inch wide wheels call Brian
Chuchua's Four Wheel Drive Center in
Fullerton for a set of wheel well cutouts.
This way you won't tear up the big tires.
The Sareea Al Jamel Four Wheel
Drive Club of Indio, California, led by
President Doyle Latimer and Dick Mey-
ers, an officer of the California Associa-
tion of Four Wheel Drive Clubs, Inc.,
took James Whitehead, ranger in charge
of District Six of the California Division
of Beaches and Parks, and his wife, Peg,
^ayk yi
and their son, Mike, on a 4-wheel drive
and dune buggy trip of the Imperial
Sand Hills this past month. During the
two-day trip Jim was briefed on our
views relative to the proposed State de-
velopment of the area. I am certain he
was impressed, just as we were with the
Continued on page 41 After the cleanup.

38 / Desert Magazine / February, 1968

 Trading Pest HOW TO PLACE YOUR AD
• ^ Mail your copy and first-insertion remit-
tance to: Trading Post, Desert Magazine,

CLASSIFIEDS Palm Desert, California 92260. Classified

rates are 25c per word, $5 minimum
per insertion.
DEADLINE FOR CLASSIFIED ADS IS 10TH OF
• BOOKS - MAGAZINES • BOOKS - MAGAZINES SECOND MONTH PRECEDING COVER DATE.
OUT-OF-PRINT books at lowest prices! You BOTTLE COLLECTORS, treasure hunters, prospec-
name it—we find it! Western Americana, tors and explorers—this is the book for you!
desert and Indian books a specialty. Send "California Nevada Ghost Town Atlas". Mod- • INDIAN GOODS
us your wants. No obligation. International ern highway maps that lead to the fabulous
AUTHENTIC INDIAN jewelry, Navajo rugs, Chi-
Bookfinders, Box 3003-D, Beverly Hills, Calif. camps of yesterday. Complete with photos
mayo blankets, squaw boots. Collector's
and historical background for 400 sites. Price
OVERLOOKED FORTUNES" in minerals and gem items. Closed Tuesdays. Pow-Wow Indian
$2.00 postpaid. Cy Johnson, Box 288, Susan-
stones; here are a few of the 300 or more Trading Post, 19967 Ventura Blvd., East
ville. Calif. 96130.
you may be overlooking: uranium, vanadium, Woodland Hills, Calif. Open Sundays.
tin, tungsten, columbium, tantalum, nickel, "GEMS & MINERALS," the monthly guide to
cobalt, gold, silver, platinum, iridium, beryl- gems, minerals, and rock hobby fun. $4.50
year. Sample 25c. Gems & Minerals, Mentone, • MAPS
lium, emeralds, etc. Some worth $1 to $2 a
pound, others $25 to $200 per ounce; an Calif. 92359. MAPS: PIONEER-HISTORICAL. Mississippi River to
emerald the size of your thumb may be COMPLETELY NEW — Excitingly different! "101 Pacific Ocean. West-Southwest 30"x50".
worth $1000 or more; learn how to find, Ghost Town Relics"—Beautiful color cover, West-Northwest 21 "x50"—$2 each folded,
identify and cash in on them. New simple lists over 140 relics, over 100 relic photos. $3 each tubed. They show old forts, fur
system. Send for free copy "Overlooked For- Article on restoring, utilization of relics. A posts, towns, railroads, cattle trails, stage and
tunes in Minerals," it may lead to knowledge price guide included. $3 ppd. Wes Bressie, telegraph lines, Indian areas, "Trails of
which may make you rich! Duke's Research Rt. 1, Box 582, Eagle Point, Oregon 97524. Tears," emigrant routes. Most everything
Laboratory, Box 666-B, Truth or Consequences dated. 1 Maps, Box 56N, Tijeras, New Mex-
NEW! VOLUME II—"Guide to Old Bottles, Con- ico 87059.
New Mexico 8 7 9 0 1 . tents and Prices." Follow-up to Vol. 1. Also
"Handbook for the Bottle-ologist." Each book SECTIONIZED COUNTY maps — San Bernardino
"A GUIDE For Insulator Collectors |with prices). $3; Riverside $ 1 ; Imperial, small $ 1 , large
127 pages, 168 insulators described, sketched $2.75. Richard Fike, 1135 Maxfield Drive,
Ogden, Utah 84404. $2; San Diego $1.25; Inyo $2.50; Kern $1.25,
and priced, 4 group photographs, copies of other California counties $1.25 each. Nevada
10 patents, copies from old catalogs—and FRANK FISH—Treasure Hunter—said Gold is counties $1 each. Include 5 percent sales tax.
more. An exciting new collecting field, start where you find it. His book "Buried Treasure Topographic maps of all mapped western
now and don't be sorry later. By J. C. Tib- & Lost Mines" tells how and where to look, areas. Westwide Maps Co., 114 West Third
bitts, order from me at "The Little Glass 93 locations, photos and maps. 19x24 Street, Los Angeles 13, California. _
Shack," 3161 56th Str., Apt. B., Sacramento, colored map pinpointing book locations. Book
Calif. 95820. $3.00 (plus 5 % tax for Cali- $1.50. Map $1.50. Special: both $2.50 post-
fornians] plus 25c for mail orders. paid. Publisher, Erie Schaefer, 14728 Peyton • MINING
LOST DESERT GOLD, legendary and geological Drive, Chino, Calif. 91710. iPAN YOUR OWN GOLD! Black sand concen-
history of the southern California desert, with FREE TRAVEL ^NEWSLETTERS GO—the adventure trates. Assays over $2000. Gold/Ton. One
photos and maps to pinpoint locations. $2.50 newsletter tells the unusual, unique, exciting, pound $2. 10 pounds $17.95 postpaid. Also,
postpaid. Gedco Publishing Co., Box 67, Bell- out-of-the-way places for vacation travel beautiful silver/lead ore, collectors item,
flower, Calif. 90706. throughout the world. Introductory offer— sparkling picture rock, loaded with silver
NEVADA TREASURE Hunters Ghost Town Guide. only $3.50 a year. We'll send your first ex- 50c pound, 10 pounds $4.50. RHB, Box 4 3 1 ,
Large folded map. 800 place name glossary. citing issue free. Write GO, Box 5 7 1 , Bar- Midway City, Calif. 92655.
Railroads, towns, camps, camel trail. $1.50. rington, Illinois 60010. UTAH ASSAYING CO., gold, lead, , silver, cop-
Theron Fox, 1296-C Yosemite, San Jose 26, DESERT MAGAZINES—30 years from Novem- per, mercury, $1.50 each; platinum $3 each.
California. ber 1937, excellent condition. Best offer over Spectographs $5 each. 172 North 9 west,
ARIZONA TREASURE Hunters Ghost Town Guide, $150. L. Pask, P. O. Box 1122, Brawley, Salt Lake City, Utah 841 16.
large folded map 1881, small early map, Calif. 92227. ASSAYS. COMPLETE, accurate, guaranteed. High-
1200 place name glossary, mines, camps, est quality spectrographic. Only $5.00 per
Indian reservations, etc. $1 50. Theron Fox, • GEMS sample. Reed Engineering, 620-R So. Ingle-
1296-E Yosemite, San Jose, California. wood Ave., Inglewood, California.
ATTENTION ROCKHOUNDS! Come and browse.
SURVIVAL BOOKS! Guerrilla Warfare, Wilder- Supplies, minerals, slabs, rough rock, equip- METAL AND MINERAL Markets: 2500 buyers for
ness Living, Medical, Guns, Self Defense, ment, black lights, books. Shamrock Rock 130 metals, nonmetallics, ores and gem-
Nature. Books—Vital, Fascinating, Extraor- Shop, 593 West La Cadena Drive, Riverside, stones, $2.00. D.V.D. Publishers, Box 16125,
dinary; Catalog free. Adobe Hacienda, Calif. Phone 686-3956. Salt Lake City, Utah 841 16.
Route 3, Box 5 1 7A, Glendale, Arizona 85301. CHOICE MINERAL specimens, gems, cutting ma-
GUIDE TO MEXICO'S gems and minerals: locali- terial, machinery, lapidary and jewelers sup- • OLD COINS, STAMPS
ties, mines, maps, directions, contacts. Eng- plies, mountings, fluorescent lamps, books.
RARE SILVER dollars. 1878 CC Uncirculated,
lish-Spanish glossary, too. $2.00 postpaid. Sumner's, 21108 Devonshire, Chatsworth, Cal.
$1 0.00. 1 883-84-85-98-99-1 900-01-02-04
Gemac, Mentone, Calif. 92359. POCKET GOLD, $2. Placer gold, $2. Gold dust, A l New Orleans Mint, $3.50 each. 1878-79-
BOOK FINDING is our business. Service is our $ 1 . Attractively displayed. Postpaid. Money- 80-81-82 S Mint, $3.50 each. Price list 50c.
product. No charge for search. Satisfaction back guarantee. Lester Lea, Box 1125D, Mt. Shultz, Salt Lake City, Utah 84110.
guaranteed. D-J Book Search, Box 3352, San Shasta, California 96067.
Bernardino, Calif. 92404.
• PHOTO SUPPLIES
ASSAULT CN BAJA," E. Washburn, 3934
Cortland, Lynwood, Calif. $2.00 tax included, • HOME STUDY CUSTOM FILM finishing by mail since 1932.
"zest of dicsovery" writes Belden; "wide- Morgan Camera Shop "The complete photo-
LEARN OIL painting by mail. Also casein or graphic store," 6262 Sunset Blvd., Holly-
eyed experience" says Powell USC. acrylic. Amateur, advanced. Easy, fascinating, wood, California 90028.
FREE 128 page catalog on detectors, books and naturalistic. Easy payments. Art, Box 486,
maps. General Electronic D i c t i o n Co., 16238 Montrose, Colorado. PHOTO LOG. Record date, subject, and location
Lake wood Blvd., Bellflower, Calif. 90706. as you take your snapshots or slides. Send
30c. Verdon, P. O. Box 118, Tempe, Arizona
' THE OLD BOTTLE EXCHANGE,"—Bottle collec- 85281.
tors own monthly publication. Subscribe to- * INDIAN GOODS
day, $4 year, receive free 50 word ad credit. FINE RESERVATION-MADE Navajo, Zuni, Hopi
Sample 25c. OBX, Box 243, Bend, Oregon jewelry. Large selection of old pawn and
• PLANTS, SEEDS
97701. Kachina dolls. Fine old baskets. Navajo ru~gs, OLD FASHION LARGE Gourd Seeds, mixed
HOW TO GET success, wealth, happiness, health. Yei blankets, Chimayo blankets and vests, types, certified. Ornamental, useful for^ bird-
How to solve personal problems. Send for pottery. Kaibab moccasins. A collector's para- houses, centerpieces, Christmas decorations,
free list of low cost books. Joseph Kavan- dise! Open daily 10 to 5:30, closed Mondays. conversation pieces. 4 0 seeds $1.00. Certi-
augh, P. O. Box 3776, Anaheim, Calif. Buffalo Trading Post, Highway 18, Apple Seeds, 5915 Shoshone Avenue, Encino, Calif.
92803. Valley, Calif. 91316.

40 / Desert Magazine / February, 1968

• PLANTS, SEED TREASURE FINDERS Chatter
EL RANCHO Galapagos Cactus Growers. You DISCOVERIES UNLIMITED with scientific M-Scope. Continued from page 38
are invited to visit our greenhouses and cactus Gold, silver, coins, relics, etc. Guaranteed.
gardens on the east slope of Copper Moun- Terms. Free, illustrated Discovery Booklet. information he gave us. All of the White-
tain. Star Route 1, Box 710, Twentynine Fisher Research, Dept. D-7, Palo Alto, Calif.
94302.
head family proved to be good troupers.
Palms, California. Phone 362-4329.
POWERFUL METROTECH locators detect gold, sil- We have spent quite a bit of time in
• REAL ESTATE ver, coins, relics. Moneyback guarantee. Terms the Anza-Borrego State Park area recent-
free information. Underground Explorations,
400,000,000 ACRES government public land in Dept. 3A, Box 793, Menlo Park, Calif. 94025. ly. We had the pleasure of meeting Ran-
25 states. Some low as $1.00 acre. 1968 FREE 128 page catalog on detectors, books and ger Fred Meyer at Seventeen Palms and
report. Details $1.00. Land Information, maps. General Electronic Detection Co., 16238 for two hours discussed the pros and
422DM Washington Building, Washington, Lakewood Blvd., Bellflower, Calif 90706.
D.C. cons of camping within the boundaries
FOR INFORMATION on acreage, home or lot in
• WESTERN G O O D S " of the Park. He told us his problems
or near this desert area, please write or GHOST TOWN items: Sun-colored glass, ame- with people littering, leaving fires and
visit Ralph W. Fisher, Realtor, 73644 29- thyst to royal purple; ghost railroads ma- tearing up scenic hills with motorcycles
Palms Highway, Twentynine Palms, Calif. terials, tickets,- limited odd items from camps
92277. of the '60s. Write your interest—Box 64-D,
and vehicles. While in the Park bound-
TWENTY ACRES between Palm Springs and Sal- Smith, Nevada. aries be certain to stay on designated
ton Sea, sacrifice $3950; $100 down, $39
• MISCELLANEOUS roads and washes and if building a char-
per month. Also, 20 acres on Highway 58 at
Barstow—$9500; $500 down, $95 per FOUR "WILL" Forms and valuable "Guide to
coal fire it must be in a metal container
month. Owner, Box 304, Hesperia, Calif. Wills." Written by Attorney Cyrus Davis. Com- with all ashes carried away afterward.
92345. Telephone (714) 244-9450. plete, $1.00. National Forms, Box 48313-DS, Cutting of wood is strictly against the
TWENTY ACRES—all or part, Hinkley area. Ex- Los Angeles, Calif. 90048.
cellent home base for exploring high desert. FREIGHTER TRAVELERS and those who would
law. Overnight camping should be with-
Opal Mountain nearby. Good water condi- like to be are invited to join us. Dues $5 year in designated areas.
tions, good roads. $150.00 per acre. Miller, include subscription to Freighter Travel News,
8735 Olney St., Rosemead, Calif. 91770. a monthly publication written by & for freigh-
Have you seen the Idiots Billboard?
213-288-2238. ter travelers. Send 10c coin or stamps for I'm talking about the Travertine Rock
sample copy. Freighter Travel Club of Ameri- area by the Salton Sea on Highway 86.
ca, P. O. Box 504, Newport, Oregon 97365.
• TREASURE FINDERS The defacing of the rocks and the trash
WOULD LIKE to contact gentleman with late
FIND BURIED TREASURE with new revolutionary model Gardner metal detector with 3 6 " loop. thrown there is disgraceful. If you are
analytical metal detector. Features push but- A. D. Ruff, 4142 Rolando Blvd., San Diego,
ton tuning, automatic tuning, loudspeaker, Calif. 92115.
looking for a list of stupid people you
negligible ground pickup, greatest range.
WANTED: TOP prices paid for McKinley to Wil- can find their names written on the
Free catalog. Gardiner Electronics, Dept. 5 1 ,
4729 N. 7th Ave., Phoenix, Ariz. 85013. kie presidential campaign buttons. Howard rocks. Jens Harboe, who represents the
Lane, 9952 66th Road,_/>=--* Hills, N.Y.
TREASURE-METAL and mineral locators. Free 24 owners of the property, says that if the
page booklet. GeoFinder Co., Box 37, Lake-
CACTUS CANDY—the tasty ti....„ f the desert. vandalism continues they will close the
wood, Calif. 90714.
$1.25 for '/2 -pound box h ,-,j-paid. Cactus area to the public. Vandals even tore
TREASURE, COIN and relic hunters news publi- Candy Co., Dept. D-28, 1464 East Van
cation. Only $1 yearly. Sample copy 25c. Buren, Phoenix, Ariz. 85006. down their sign asking people not to
Gold Bug, Box 588-D, Alamo, Calif. 94507. COLONISTS WANTED. Adventurous spirit, all damage the area. We recently saw a
GOLDAK TREASURE Locators—new for -'68! A ages. U.S.A. and Latin America. Application group of Boy Scouts cleaning up the area.
hobby you'll enjoy for fun and profit. Find and booklet, "International Community Con-
coins, gold, silver. Goldak Dept. DMC, 1544 cepts" $1.00. The Questers, P. O. Box N-7, They are better men than those who
W. Glenoaks, Glendale, Calif. 91201. Los Banos, Calif. 93635. litter.
A reminder that Desert Magazine has
SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE a standing offer of a $100.00 reward to
PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA 92260 anyone who aids in the arrest and con-
• ENTER A NEW SUBSCRIPTION • RENEW MY PRESENT SUBSCRIPTION viction of anyone violating the United
States Antiquities Act and $25.00 for
NAME state anti-litter and anti-destruction laws.
See editorial in the April 1967 issue.
ADDRESS ZIP CODE
The National Four Wheel Drive
; ! SEND GIFT SUBSCRIPTION TO:
Grand Prix will be held in April, 1968.
NAME See Calendar of Western Events.
ADDRESS The unofficial news is that Jeep has
bought the General Motors tooling for
NAME
the V-6 engine and that Jeep will soon
ADDRESS be equipped with the Buick V-8 in the
trucks and wagons.
NAME
Do you know Linn Rickard from West
ADDRESS Covina? He's the chap who has received
so many awards for helping out so many
Sign Gift Card: "From
people. His wife, Bobbie Jo, ran into a
One Year $5.00 Two Years $9.50 Three Years $13.00
(Or 2 One Years) (Or Three One Years)
wall with his new 4-wheel by the Salton
D PAYMENT ENCLOSED Q BILL ME LATER Sea and broke her ankle and jaw. So re-
• ALSO SEND DESERT'S 12-ISSUE HANDSOME BROWN VINYL BINDER FOR $3.50 member, fellows, don't teach your wife
(includes tax and postage) to drive a 4-wheel; it's just too compli-
Date Binder(s) with Year(s) • Undated
cated for the female sex.

Fehrunrv 1 9Afl /
 COOKERY
Food Editor

SHRIMP SPREAD CRAB CASSEROLE

1 Ib. small shrimp 1 can frozen shrimp soup
Vi cup soft butter % cup milk
dash of nutmeg 14 cup grated Cheddar cheese
BAKED TOMATOES WITH
dash of cayenne V2 cup mayonnaise
CHEESE SAUCE
3 tablespoons chopped onions, 6 firm tomatoes 2 cups raw noodles
cooked in butter until soft, salt and pepper 1 can crab
but not browned 2 tablespoons margarine Thaw frozen soup. Mix all ingredients
3 oz. brandy or cognac 1 clove garlic (or garlic salt
tOta together and place in buttered cas-
Mix all together and mold on plate.
Decorate with capers. Serve with
TrVr
1/2 cup c: J me bread crumbs
serole. Cover and bake at 350 de-
grees for 30 minutes. Remove from
crackers or thin sliced rye bread. cheese s^ J oven and cover with french-fried
Cut slice from stem of tomatoes, and onion rings and bake for 10 minutes
remove core. Arrange tomatoes, cut longer. Serves 4 to 6.
side up in greased baking dish.
Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cover
OCEAN PERCH AU GRATIN with cheese sauce. Melt margarine
1 package ocean perch frozen in small sauce pan, add garlic and
cook over low heat for 3 minutes. CRAB-MACARONI SALAD
filets
Toss with bread crumbs after dis-
1 small onion, chopped and 1 1 can Cheddar cheese soup
carding garlic. Spread mixture and
tablespoon chopped green heap over tomatoes and sauce. Bake 1 cup coarsely shredded Cheddar
pepper in 375 degree oven for 20 minutes. cheese
IV2 cups chopped celery Serves six. Vz cup milk
1 small can mushrooms You may use commercial cheese 1 teaspoon prepared mustard
2 tablespoons butter sauce or make it as follows: salt and pepper to taste and i/ 2
teaspoon paprika
1 tablespoon lemon juice 3 tablespoons margarine
1 7 oz. package macaroni,
1 can mushroom soup or cream 41/2 teaspoons corn starch
cooked and drained
of chicken soup or cheddar % teaspoon salt
1 6 oz. package frozen crab meat
cheese soup IV2 cups milk or 1 can; if frozen, defrost,
1/4 teaspoon each, salt, paprika V2 cup finely shredded cheese drain and flake; if canned, flake
and nutmeg Melt margarine in sauce pan; blend 2 tablespoons butter melted
Poach fish in gently boiling water for in cornstarch and salt. Gradually 1 can crushed corn flakes
5 minutes, drain. In buttered baking
dish, place fish filets, sprinkle with stir in milk, stirring constantly until Combine soup, cheese, milk, mus-
lemon juice. Saute onion, pepper and it thickens. Add cheese and stir until tard, salt, pepper and paprika in
celery in butter until onion becomes cheese is melted. sauce pan, and heat. Mix with the
tender. Add mushrooms and spread macaroni and crab meat and pour
over fish. Pour soup over this; if into 11/2 quart shallow casserole.
you are not using cheese soup, sprin- Mix corn flakes with the melted but-
kle some Parmesan cheese over top. ter and sprinkle over top. Bake at
Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 350 degrees about 20 minutes, or
until bubbly.
minutes. 4 to 6 servings.
42 / Desert Magazine / February, 1968
 an
Letters requesting answers must include stamped self-addressed envelope.

Peralta versus Pegleg . . . Still Kicking . . . New Bit on Old Calico . . .

To The Man Who Found Pegleg's Black Gold: In your November issue of Desert Magazine The article about Calico in the November
While doing research for THE MYSTER- I read an article on the town of Darwin, Cali- issue could be up-dated. Mr. Walter Knott
IOUS WEST I came upon a statement made fornia, by Lambert Florin. He states that other dedicated Calico to the County of San Ber-
to his lawyer by James Addison Reavis, the than a small amount of mining in the outly- nardino in 1966 and a campground is now
fraudulent "Baron of Arizona," which ties ing areas, Darwin is dead as far as mining opened just below town. Scenic Doran Drive
in with the possibility of Peralta gold finding goes. I don't know when this article was writ- is best traveled by motor scooter or 4-wheeler,
its way to the desert. ten but since February 1967, West Hill Ex- unless two recent slides narrowed the road too
Reavis stated that in San Francisco he met ploration from Toronto, Canada along with much for them. Mining has now been resumed
an Irish woman married to a Mexican frontiers- Brownstone Mining Inc., of Lone Pine, Cali- in the Calicos and large areas are closed off,
man who had kept a water station between fornia have been engaged in fairly extensive but it is still a good place to explore if you
Yuma and San Diego or San Bernardino in the mining and milling operations. We have ap- have the equipment and like to hike.
1800s. During her stay on the desert she re- proximately 60 men employed and are min- JUDITH SHADER,
called that the owner of the great hacienda of ing and milling 250 tons of lead, zinc and Orange, California.
Peralta had often stopped at her station in silver per day. This work is being done only
traveling back and forth. Reavis used this in- one half mile from the town of Darwin on the
formation in his trial to discredit claims of the property owned by the Anaconda Company.
Miguel Peralta family of Arizona because the West Hill obtained a lease from Anaconda
woman he quoted stated that Miguel Peralta last year at about this time and operations Pegleg Scabbard . . .
was totally unrelated to the rightful grantees began in February 1967.
I am writing to you in regard to the Peg-
of the famous Peralta land grant. In spite of I hope you will pass this information on leg article in your December 1967 issue of
the fact that Reavis pulled off one of the so readers will know that Darwin isn't dead DESERT Magazine. I am a student of arms
greatest frauds in American history, we can t yet. and armour and military history. I have a
knock the research he accomplished to back up PAUL M. SKINNER, special interest in the Spanish history of the
his claims. This statement could very well be- Vice Pres., Brownstone Mining Co., United States which covers the time from
true. If so, it establishes the great Peralta min- Darwin, California. 1492 to 1821. The time after 1821 is Mexican
ing family in the Colorado desert area prior to History, not Spanish History.
the arrival of the famed Pegleg, who first Strange Talent. . .
found the black gold. You show a picture of a sword scabbard
The finder of the Pegleg Black Gold who that was found by the gentleman who found
CHORAL PEPPER, wrote about also finding a scabbard in th? the black nuggets. It is a scabbard which is
Palm Desert, California. December 1967 issue interests me. He wrote quite similar to a Swiss scabbard I saw at a
that if it could only talk, what an- ifiTjresting Florida museum. The carrier rings near the
story it could tell. Well, i have the ability to throat section of the scabbard are opposite
Not too far gone—yet!. . . get the story. My work is known as p^vrhrf- each other as were the rings on the Swiss
In the November, 1967 Letters, a statement metry. But I have to have the object w^n ( i e scabbard. This kind of carrier arrangement
in one from Bill Bean was interesting. The for a few nights. I can do this w c ^ o ily was common in sword scabbards during the
letter was addressed to The Man Who Found when my husband and daughter 3>j asleep first half of the 18th century. The carrier
Pegleg's Black Gold and stated that the writer, and the house is quiet. If the frVA.ar of i-he rings accommodated chains which in turn at-
Bill Bean, had found some water-worn rocks scabbard is willing to trust me with it, I would tached to a clip which was fastened to the
a little over a mile from where the new Mr work on it free of charge and would not di- waist of the breeches. This carrier or hanger
Pegleg found his black nuggets. Now, this vulge my findings to anyone but him. clip could also be fastened to a man's belt if
location has not been revealed in any of the My latest work has been with an antique he so desired. It is then quite possible that
DESERT articles. I thought I would write and marble paperweight and pen holder from Ber- this scabbard you pictured in your magazine
let you know that some of us are not too far lin, Germany. I have gotten many interesting is from the period of time between 1700 and
gone. This is written with good spirits. scenes from it and have heard a few spoken 1750. It was during this same historical period
words. • that a great deal of Spanish exploration took
WILLIAM M. DEANE, place in the Southwest, much of this activity
Boulder City, Nevada. MARY DUNN,
San Jacinto, California. being for gold and silver discovery. The le-
Editor's comment: I questioned Bill Bean's gion of Spanish expeditions during the early
statement, too, but decided to let it stand and 18th century are given little mention in the
see what happened. Yours was the only com- Helpful Reader. . .
written histories.
ment'. Maybe Bill Bean will write again and Recently I made a tour to a few of the spots
explain just how he knew he was within a in the desert and thought that I would tell As for the kind of sword carried in the
mile of the hot spot. C.P. your readers about them. I attempted to go to Pegleg scabbard, it was most likely a small-
old La Paz, across the river from Blythe, Cali- sword. The smallsword evolved from the
fornia but the Indians do not allow visitors to rapier around the middle of the 17th century
Mystery Solved . . . that site now. We were told that due to van- and continued to be carried at the sides of
dalism the tribal council had closed the area gentlemen well into the 18th century. It was
I read with interest "The Rock House My- a narrow-bladed weapon designed for thrust-
stery in Anza-Borrego" in the January issue. to all visitors.
From Blythe we went to Wiley Wells and ing. One is only able to speculate upon the
In the book Old Time Cattlemen and Other appearance of the lost Pegleg sword, but if it
Pioneers of the Anza-Borrego Area, author found the dirt road from US 60 south to be
in excellent condition. The Wiley wells site was anything like the Pegleg scabbard, it is
Lester Reed, son of pioneer ranchers and him- indeed a weapon of the finest design and
self a part of the desert's living legend, speaks is now completely fenced and there are signs
prohibiting camping or picnicking "Until suit- craftsmanship. I will not pretend to know
of his friend Calistro Torte who was one of whether the scabbard in your possession is
the last Indians who lived in Rockhouse Val- able facilities are installed" by the Dept. of
the Interor. The road from there south to Spanish, but I will say that the chances of its
ley. Calistro was born at Hidden Spring and being of Spanish origin are far above 50%.
his father, Manuel, was chief of the Rock- the Ben Hulse Highway has just been graded
and is in excellent condition. The part of the scabbard you show is called
house Valley Indians. Portions of the Torte the throat section. Below the throat was a ring
home are still to be seen along with three For those wishing to go from the Ben Hulse
Highway down the Ogilby road to TUMCO, of metal which carried hanger rings and this
other rock houses, one of them the home of mounting is called a locket. At the end of the
the Andreas family. from Highway S78 to Tumco there are several
bad stretches of loose sand and gravel that scabbard was the drag section, a metal ferrule
Lester points out that during the 1870s would make the towing of a camp trailer ou f which is correctly called a chape. It is a cer-
through the 1890s Rockhouse Valley was a of the Question. However, the road from Ogil- tainty that the locket and chape sections of
place where the white man was not very wel- by north to Tumco is very good. The grader the Pegleg scabbard are still to be found in
come. The Indians resented intruders in their had just been over the full length of this road. the area where the throat section was dis-
homeland. I heartily recommend Lester Reed's I read your wonderful publication every covered by the anonymous gentleman. If he
book to anyone who is interested in a know- month and look forward to it with much an- could find the sword, he would be in posses-
ledgable account of the Anza-Borrego Desert. sion of the real prize.
ticipation.
GEORGE LEETCH, JAMES W . CARLYLE, EUGENE B. HARRIS, JR.
Borrego Springs, California. El Centro, California. San Jose, California.

February, 1968 / Desert Magazine / 43

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