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Grand Canyon Celebration - Way Back Whenby Margaret Nelson Thune |
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In the early days---late 1920's and early 30's. Grand Canyon Village's population (less that 500) consisted of Railroad, Fred Harvey and after 1919 Park Service employees and their families. There were not many forms of entertainment then; therefore the 'Cowboys' or as they called themselves 'Dude Wranglers' had their own form of celebrations. Birthdays of weddings of whatever, were recognized with 'Shiverees', or good old fashioned chapping. Lots of whooping and hollering all in good clean fun, and much 'smarting' for the poor donoree.
I remember one such celebration --- a December 11th birthday party honoring Curly Ennis, Sherman Moore, Earl Shirley and little Margaret Nelson, I Don't know the actual year as I was quite young, but I do vividly remember the door crashing open, the throng of cowboys flinging their chaps, yelling for the 'birthday kids' and me diving under the baby buggy in the corner to hide from their wrath. They of course were not looking for me, but they left an unforgettable impression.
I can also remember crying my eyes out when they were waiting at the depot for my uncle George Scheck to arrive with his new bride from Philadelphia. Don't know whether or not George ever forgave my mother for divulging his arrival date, I'm sure he did. As I said, it was their form of a 'warm welcome' and celebration of a wedding and it only hurt for a little while.
George Scheck was Laura Nelson's youngest brother. He came to visit her and stayed. His first job was 'dud wrangler' driving the bus on the rim trips which is where he met Emily, his bride to be, who was visiting Grand Canyon with other Philadelphia school teachers. Young George fell madly in love and went to Philadelphia to claim her as his mate in 1930. He later worked as a powerhouse engineer, joined the Seabees in 1940 and was killed in action in September 1943.
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Used by permission of the Grand Canyon Pioneers Society.
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