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Grand Canyon Pioneers Society - Monthly Bulletin |
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| Vol 4, No 3 | March 2000 |
Pioneers Meet in Flagstaff
by Mike Coltrin and Betty Leavengood
A fine group of people attended the Grand Canyon Pioneers meeting in Flagstaff on Saturday, February 19th. Before the noon buffet, several of the early arrivers had a chance to get reacquainted in the lobby of the Days Inn. After lunch, Betty Leavengood opened the meeting by having everyone introduce themselves. The guest speaker was then introduced, Tom Myers MD.
Dr. Myers presented a program based on his upcoming book, Death in Grand Canyon, which he co-authored with Michael Ghiglieri. He provided many anecdotes and statistics of how people have died while visiting Grand Canyon. Some were surprising. Most deaths were attributed to aircraft (helped along by the famous TWA/United mid-air collision). A number were rim falls and quite a few were heat or cold related. Can you guess how many were attributed to rattlesnake bites?
Some statistics:
The biggest killer in the Grand Canyon: "Male ego"
The book is due out in the late spring or summer.
After the presentation, the attendees had time for visiting old and new friends. It was a powerful time. The backpackers in the group had many stories to share and plans for future trips were made. John Azar and George Steck drove in from Albuquerque for the meeting. It was special having them there.
GCPS Meetings for 2000
| March 18: | Maxine Edwards, curator of the Harvey Girl exhibit in the Bright Angel History Room, will talk about the Harvey Girls. Time: 11:30 AM for lunch and program after Place: The Gathering Place on Campus of Bethany Community Church NW corner Guadalupe Road Price Road (Price Freeway, Loop 101) Tempe |
| * April 8: | Dr. Michael Anderson will talk about the Administrative History of the Grand Canyon. We'll meet at Noon for lunch at Maswick Lodge followed by the program at the Old Community Building, Grand Canyon Village. |
| April 22 & 23: | Easter Sunrise Service and backpacking trip in the Grand Canyon led by Lee Albertson. |
| May 20: | Grand Canyon-Flagstaff Stage Coach Line field trip by Dick and Sherry Mangum at Flagstaff Visitor Center. |
| June 17: | Annual Picnic at Shoshone Point. Kim Besom will give a tour of the Grand Canyon Collection at 10 AM; meet at Albright Training Center parking lot. |
| July 15: | Lauzon Homestead and Bass Camp tour by Pat Lauzon. |
| August 19: | Phantom Ranch history by Keith Green at Albright Training Center, Grand Canyon Village. |
| September 16: | Diamond Creek by Rich Holtzin (see back cover story). |
| October 21: | Annual Board Meeting and a talk by Tom Vail in Flagstaff. |
| November 18: | Kokopelli: The Mystery of the Flute Player by Jay Cravath at Poco Diablo Resort in Sedona. |
| December: | No meeting |
*Note change of date.
More Letters from Michael Harrison
Jeanne Schick received a couple more letters from Michael Harrison, continuing their correspondence from the previous month, that she thought the GCPS members would enjoy reading:
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January 11, 2000
Dear Jeanne, In my last letter to you, I confessed that I did not have a copy of Betty Leavengood's Grand Canyon Women, and asked that you give me the name and address of the publisher so that I can order a copy. Talk about "bread cast on the waters" Saturday I received a package from 5 Quail Books and upon opening the package there was a signed copy of the book and a note from Dan Cassidy stating it was sent to me with the compliments of the Grand Canyon Pioneers Society. What a surprise! I am sure you are responsible for this for which my deepest and sincerest thanks - at least you had a lot to do with this. If there were others involved please extend my thanks to them. Of all the women mentioned, I knew Polly Mead Patraw, Mary Jane Colter and Edith Kolb. Polly married Palmer Preston 'Pat' Patraw. He and I were in the army together and met when we both served in the Headquarters of the 3rd Corps Area, stationed in Baltimore, then at Fort Howard and back again to Baltimore, Maryland when we were separated from the Service in 1922, and joined the Park Service, Pat at Hot Springs, Arkansas and I at the Canyon. I knew a man by the name of Stephens who "kept the books" at the Harvey Garage. I wonder if that was Ruth Stephens Baker's father. I never met Louise Hinchcliffe but corresponded with her on occasion. And, thanks again. Sincerely, Michael Harrison |
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January 12, 2000
Dear Jeanne, Before I had a chance to mail my note to you of yesterday, your letter to me of the 8th was delivered and in it were answers to the questions I raised in mine of the 11th. Now that you have straightened out all of the dates and are back on the right track, I'll reply to yours of the 8th. Whew - I'm glad that's over. Yours of the 8th gave me the answer as to how I received a copy of Betty Leavengood's book. Thanks for passing the word and I accept with pleasure the birthday gift. Please pass my thanks to the President and other members of the Grand Canyon Pioneers Society. You also answered my question as to the identity of Mrs. Baker's father. I was correct when the Stephens I knew "kept the books" for the Harvey Garage at the Canyon. His boss was Early Shirley. Incidentally, Ruth's father took over the lecturing chore at El Tovar after I had it for two years. The series of talks at El Tovar was started by R. Hunter Clarkson, who later started the Harvey Detour trips managed from Santa Fe. He also married the daughter of Wells, President of the Santa Fe Railway. We always thought of him as an English Remittance Man, and first worked at the Canyon as a "glorified janitor." He wanted a uniformed person to give these talks and I was given the assignment for which the Santa Fe Railway paid me $1.00 per night, and furnished me with the slides and two reels of motion pictures, all of which exploiting Santa Fe Railway country. As I believe I mentioned previously, Billy Bass operated the slide projector as well as the machine showing the two reels of film. The idea of coming to the Shoshone picnic in June sounds very interesting indeed and I wish I could see my way clear to do it - but? Thanks for suggesting the idea to me for it is a great one. Michael Harrison - Fair Oaks, CA |
More Comments on Glen Canyon
From Gale Burak:
My first reaction was to sit down immediately and say "Let the River do its worst (or best) on it. It's going to ultimately fill the damn lake and bust the dam anyway, give or take another 50 or 400 years, exposing all the crap and corruption accumulating on lake bottom now, so let it (the river) have the honor." But second and subsequent thoughts plus events beyond my control, have kept me from answering 'til now.
I know your negative feeling re the G. C. Trust (which I do not share), but feel they, having put various sources of expertise on the problem, have a much clearer picture of it than I, so I heartily suggest that you get a copy of the current "Advocate", with its Annual Report, and some excellent articles (see the interview with Stewart Udall and the following one on the Glen Canyon Dam, especially) and a fine aerial view of the Unkar Delta and Rapids on the cover.
Another Comment on the Draining of Lake Powell
From Alice Waterstraw-Ponyah:
I have wanted to join your organization since I am an avid history buff and longtime resident of Grand Canyon National Park. But I have changed my mind since reading your last newsletter of Feb. 2000. I was extremely disturbed by the letter written by one of your members regarding river runners on the Colorado River. The lack of compassion for the people who raft the Colorado River were obvious in this letter. Everyone should have the equal opportunity to experience Grand Canyon in his or her own way. Not all rafters, such as I, feel that Lake Powell should or could be drained of its water. If you want to voice your opinion on matters, then don't knock other people. If they feel a need to voice their opinions, then stick to the facts and don't generalize the residents and visitors. I feel that this letter is narrow-minded and discourteous towards our visitors and residents. If this is the manner you do your business, then count me out. I feel that your research is probably tainted with bias.
The US Postal Service and the Grand Canyon Stamp
There are times when nothing goes right and the Postal Service can tell
you all about it. They issued a new 60¢ stamp showing the Grand Canyon, or
at least planned to do so, last May when all of a sudden they discovered
they had placed the Canyon in Colorado rather than Arizona. This little
mistake cost them about $500,000 in stamps they had to destroy and reprint. All
was well. With the new issue printed, they had a big dedication at Grand
Canyon and the issue went on sale. That is not all of the story. A
National Park Ranger discovered the stamp was printed in reverse giving
a mirror image of Lipan Point on the South Rim under orange-hued storm
clouds. Don't rush out to buy up a bunch of these hoping to make a
million bucks. The Postal Service decided to let it go as it is. Until
the stamp is taken out ofcirculation, we will have to enjoy a mirror
image of the Grand Canyon's Lipan Point.
September Outing to Diamond Creek
September 16: Join us for an exciting day to that "other" part of the Grand Canyon - Diamond Creek, near Peach Springs in the western ramparts. Here you'll find the only road that goes all the way down to the Colorado River. Discussions on geology, people, natural history, and Colorado River history will be presented by your host and guide, Rich Holtzin, a staff guide and educator for the Grand Canyon Field Institute and long-time Pioneers member.
Rich will arrange transportation to and from the motel or campground on Old Route 66, one night's accommodations either at the Grand Caverns Motel or the Tent and Breakfast Campground, plus lunch and a genuine western style cowboy barbecue hosted by two quint-essential Arizona cowboys, Mike and Karen Landis (see the October 1999 Arizona Highways).
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Cost for tour, lunch, dinner and motel:
Single person = $89 plus tax Double occupancy = $79 plus tax (same with 3 to a room) Cost for tour, lunch, dinner, night's camping, and breakfast: $59 plus tax |
Rich needs a rough idea of how many people will be coming as soon as possible. September is still high tourist and Elderhostel season and rooms are scarce.
If you think you will be coming, please email, write, or call the GCPS Outings Coordinator.
More details as to starting time and when to send a check will be in a future newsletter.
Outings Contacts Information
Outings Coordinator:
Betty Leavengood
6045 Edison St.
Tucson AZ 85712
520-885-3570
HikerBetty@aol.com
April 22/23 Outing:
Lee Albertson
email: Albertson1213@msn.com
The Bulletin welcomes comments, stories, or Reflections and Remembrances.
Please send them to
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Diane Cassidy
8540 North Central Avenue #27 Phoenix, AZ 85020 |
or e-mail them to Diane@grandcanyonbooks.com
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