National Association of Forest Service Retirees (NAFSR)

History

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An interesting article that has some good information about the duties of the "old time" Forest Rangers and especially some details about the guns that they preferred. - - Posted 01/23/2011

Newly Published Histories by Retirees

The following three books are about the Forest Service, published by History ink Books, PO Box 52, Hat Creek, CA 96040. Phone number (916) 335-7542. All three books are 6" x 9" soft-covered, perfect bound books.

"Forest Service Memories: Past Lives and Times in the United States Forest Service" was published April 1, 1997. It contains 648 pages cover to cover with more than 300 true stories written by FS employees and retirees from the turn of the century to the present. 144 contributors, 30 old black and white FS photographs and references to more than 90 specific national forests. ISBN 1-887200-03-7 Retail price $26.95. Free shipping until June 1, 1997. After that date shipping is $2.50.

"Forest Service Humor: More Than 300 True Stories" contains hilarious stories, yarns, vignettes, anecdotes and cartoons about people, places and events that have taken place in the U.S. Forest Service from 1905 to present. 146 contributors, 66 original cartoons and references to more than 75 specific national forests. It has 568 pages cover to cover. ISBN 1-887200-01-0 Retail price $24.95. Free shipping until June 1, 1997. After that date shipping is $2.50.

"Memorable Forest Fires: 200 Stories by U.S. Forest Service Retirees" contains more than 75 years of fighting forest fires from 1910 to 1988. There are 506 pages with 80 photographs and contributions from 57 FS Retirees. ISBN 0-9634413-9-6 Retail price $21.95. Free shipping until June 1, 1997. After that date shipping is $2.50.

All three books preserve the wonderful and unusual stories of an agency that consisted of dedicated, b willed, brilliant, loyal and courageous men and women. Many stories are from early (now deceased) pioneers in the Forest Service. Dozens of topics are included from air tankers to wildlife. Free flyers on each book are available, plus a listing of other history books. HiStory ink Books was founded in 1992 by Forest Service retirees Gil Davies and Flo Frank. To date they have edited or written 15 books, half related to the Forest Service and the rest to regional and local history. Orders should be sent to the above address and checks or money orders made payable to HiStory ink Books. There is always free shipping if two or more books are ordered for the same address. Titles may be the same or mixed. California residents should add 7.25% sales tax to the total retail amount. Note: HiStory ink Books will be closed for business from June 1, 1997 to July 10, 1997. Orders received during this time period will be held and processed July 10, 1997.

(The following is from the National Forest Service Museum Newsletter, 10/96)

For those interested in the logging scene in North Idaho from the turn of the century through the late 1980's, Clearwater National Forest retiree Tom Farbo has just published a 356 page softcover book entitled, "White Pine, Wobblies and Wannigans - A History of Potlatch Logging Camps".This book includes over 400 photographs, and also includes maps and descriptions of 185 Potlatch logging camps, as well as flumes, logging railroads, the logger's life, etc. Available for $29.95, plus $4.00 shipping and handling from Tom Farbo, PO Box 1297, Orofino, ID 83544: phone 208-476-4829

Northern Regional Office retiree Wm. R. "Bud" Moore has also just published his book, "The Lochsa Story - Land Ethics In The Bitterroot Mountains". This 475-page book has 262 photographs as well as 13 maps. The Lochsa River drains westerly in Idaho from its Montana border, into the Clearwater River. Moore's book covers an array of human activity in the Lochsa, ranging from early Indian use through explorers, trappers, and federal land managers. Moore discusses wilderness ethics and reviews national land use and conservation policies. The book is available from bookstores or Mountain Press Publishing Co., PO Box 2399, Missoula MT. 59806. $36.00 cloth cover, or $20.00 paperback.

"Masterpieces" from the Mt. Baldy District Ranger

Letters of Anselmo Lewis

Anselmo Lewis was the Baldy Ranger on the Angeles National Forest. He was there "forever." According to Chuck Lundeen, who was on many fires with him, he was also a really great Service Chief: "The best of the best." Chuck said that back in the sixties he was aware of some of Selmo's letters to Forest Supervisor, Sim Jarvi, and even got to read a few. He forwarded the letters to us, but he said Phil Kromer did the real work.

Along with the letters themselves, Phil sent the following note: "I was on the Baldy when Selmo retired and have copies of several of the letters you guys are talking about.They are indeed masterpieces!!"

To: FOREST SUPERVISOR, Angeles, March 25, 1957

From: DISTRICT RANGER, Mt. Baldy

G-STUDIES - Capra hircus (Goats)

Reference is made to your recent memorandum concerning the use of goats for maintenance of firebreaks on the Angeles in 1917.

After considerable research and investigation, we find that goats were used on the Angeles on an experimental basis for the maintenance of firebreaks during this period. Although the preliminary hypothetic theory appeared sound in that the goats would pay their keep with milk, meat and manure, certain biotic factors and relationships as well as administrative difficulties precluded the successful application of the theory in practice.

As you know, the goat originated from the pasong, an animal related to cattle and characterized by a long beard and rather poignant odor, especially among the males. These attributes appeared to be contributable to others through association and offered some difficulties to Forest Officers who were administrating the project. Unfortunately, these contributable qualities caused some confusion on the part of the general public and resulted in a degree of social ostracism to the Forest Officers which had not been anticipated.

In addition, the animals were possessed with a degree of perversity which can only be equaled by a frustrated Russian delegate to the U. N. Herding was most difficult, with the animals constantly scattering through the brush adjacent to the firebreaks. One herder reported that it would be simpler to herd a swarm of bees across the desert than to keep the goats on the firebreaks. Applicants possessing this ability were immediately solicited from among the local apiarists, but unfortunately the Forest Officers conducting this phase of the study made their initial approach to an apiarist who was in the process of "robbing" his apiary of honey. Reports indicate that before questioning could be initiated, the Forest Officers became concerned with other matters and rapidly lost interest in pursuing this phase of the problem, which on their recommendation was terminated and not reopened.

The harvesting of the by-products to pay the maintenance of the animals caused considerable difficulty. Although the goats could be driven out and the meat utilized, approved methods for the harvesting of the milk and manure proved economically unsound on the basis of cost-benefit ratio as well as inherent biotic weaknesses.

As the firebreaks were located in country of steep and rugged topography, and inaccessible, except by foot travel, means of harvesting the milk and manure proved an insurmountable obstacle.

At first, the goats were milked and the milk transported to the nearest road by pack train. Unfortunately, the milk, on arrival at the road, had attained definitely undesirable characteristics. Further study indicated that due to the churn-like action of pack stock, plus the high temperatures sustained by the containers in transit, it encouraged the process of bacterial action under anaerobic conditions, which caused the milk to become curdy and with an odor which was definitely objectionable and reminiscent of primitive sanitary facilities.

Preliminary studies were then initiated to handle the milk by pipelines, but due to the pipes heating up during the heat of the day, it was manifestly impossible to get the teats of the goats into the pipes because of the sensitivity of this particular organ to outside stimuli.

Harvesting of the manure proved most discouraging. Reports indicated that the manure was deposited in prodigious quantities. However, the method of deposition did not lend itself to statistical analysis. Deposition on the most part was in small piles. However, each band contained a high percentage of uninhibited animals, who evidently remained in motion as deposition was made, resulting in a deviation from the norm, thus negating all efforts on the part of the statistician to arrive at a normal curve or to present, schematically, the problem for study.

In addition, due to the rapid desiccation of the small, round pellets and their lack of cohesion when dry, when combined with the effect of the hill-creep, they were easily dislodged and under the pull of gravity were in constant movement toward the valley floor. Due to their shape and the steepness of the topography, some of the pellets attained considerable velocity in their movements. There are numerous reports of eye injuries to administrative officers from this cause, as well as sprained limbs due to the insecurity of footing and agility demanded to avoid this "fall out".

The project was abandoned during the first Santa Ana wind, when the pellets along the high ridges became airborne and were deposited in the adjacent cities in the form of "Black Rain", causing considerable agitation among the local citizenry as well as stimulating research which resulted in the development of such present day products as Air Wick and other aerosols.

By and large, and in the long run, and not withstanding the fact that this study was abandoned, we feel that with modern technical developments, such as the vacuum cleaner, etc., that this project has definite possibilities and merits reconsideration. Recommend that funds be requested for a preliminary study to ascertain whether or not we are sufficiently technically advanced to utilize this resource to the best interests of the body politic.

A. Lewis

To: Sim E. Jarvi, Forest Supervisor, April 27, 1964

From: A. Lewis, District Ranger, Mt. Baldy

Subject: Aerial Operations

Reference is made to the letter received from Mr. William E. Bovard, of the Falcon Aviation, Inc. of El Monte on March 13, 1964, concerning his proposal to dispose of cow manure from the local dairies through the medium of air drops on the Angeles National Forest.

We have investigated this situation and find that this by-product is produced by the local dairies in such prodigious quantities that it is veritably comparable to the Mt. Vesuvius lava flows which destroyed the Roman cities of Pompei and Herculatum in ancient times. In fact, one could say that the task confronting Hercules in cleaning out the Aegean stables pales into insignificance when compared to the magnitude of the disposal problem confronting the local dairy industry. In addition, we were informed that one dairy alone pays over $2,000 per month for disposal of this material, which has definite economic significance to the local body politic.

Since the cow population in Los Angeles County is one of the largest in the nation and increasing daily, the effect on the local environs to these production centers becomes of real importance.

Disposal of the product through regular commercial channels is not feasible due to the fact that the supply far exceeds the demand. Unfortunately, the demand is also seasonal, reaching its peak in the spring gardening months, whereas the production centers produce at a constant high rate, round the clock and on a yearlong basis, with no seasonal peaks or dips.

Give away programs to the general public have not proven feasible due to the fact that the material must be treated to destroy noxious weed seeds before it is suitable for home use. Further, this method of disposal is complicated by the morphological characteristics of the product in its raw state, which varies from fines to large solid chunks, to the extreme of a fluid state of gel-like consistency. The latter state offers considerable difficulty to the inexperienced collector, as well as creating a definite safety hazard in the form of insecure footing while harvesting the crop. Of particular hazard is when the product is in the semi-solidified state. When lifted overhead in loading with a fork or shovel, the brittle outer shell tends to crack permitting the semi-fluid interior to cascade down on the inexperienced harvester with disconcerting results. When in the latter state the material is cohesive, imparts a more or less permanent greenish tint to fabrics and produces an aroma varying from ammoniacal to unique.

Due to the rapidity of the urban growth in county areas, the possibilities of purchasing and using disposal areas in the vicinity of the production centers are prohibitive, both from the standpoint of the cost of the land involved and the health problems created. In addition, but of equal importance, the aesthetics of the situation involved cannot be ignored. With large piles of this product in the immediate path of encroaching subdivisions, the reaction of the local urbanite, whose view from his Arcadia window is suddenly cut off by a large "pyramid of Cheops-like" mound of this product and whose children may inadvertently use the mounds for sand pile activities, has sinister portents for both the local public administrator and the owner of the mound involved from the irate citizenry.

In lieu of the above, the ocean has been suggested as a place for disposal. Unfortunately, preliminary studies indicate that the distances involved make the transportation costs excessive and, consequently, uneconomical. In addition, large volumes of this material dumped into the ocean may create unique problems for the Sunday bather, both from the standpoint of the discoloration of the water, and, if washed ashore before complete disintegration and assimilation by the plankton and pasture fish takes place, could create a narrow, odiferous, green, gel-like belt along the beach, similar to the foraminifera ooze, which would deter all but the most intrepid bather from access to the sea.

If the wave action should bulk up the material in lagoons and inlets where chemical decomposition would take place without benefit of aeration, the creation of marsh gas and hydrogen sulfide gases is a definite possibility. Such gases would have a very poignant effect upon the olfactory organs of those unfortunates who encountered the downwind sea breezes from such areas.

It is Mr. Bovard's plan to use a PBY plane to dispose of this material. He feels that he can handle about 11,000 pounds a flight, which needless to say is a lot of material. If the Forest is used, the close proximity to the production centers insures that it will be economically feasible to all concerned.

From an edaphic and ecological standpoint, the proposal has considerable merit to the Forest. Under the present physical conditions, it is estimated that it takes over two hundred years to create an inch of soil on our mountains. Under the optimum conditions of plant growth produced by these cascading loads of material from the local dairies would result in the development of plant communities with a definite greater erosion prevention potential as well as increasing the rate of soil depth growth commensurately.

If the Forest is used as a disposal site, certain management directives and practices would have to be included in this permit to avoid bulking of the material and to assure that it is distributed in fine layers. It is obvious that from a fire standpoint, the bulking of this product would hold fire, produce pungent odors, be difficult to extinguish and tend to return to its gel-like consistency when subjected to water. On steep slopes this could be a distinct safety hazard to our personnel.

No dropping would be permitted on windy days, since fines carried into the adjacent valley towns could result in possible tort actions against the government for eye irritations and the discoloration of the painted surfaces of houses, due to the action of early rain on the accumulated fines on the rooftops. This would be especially noticeable on the lighter colored houses.

In checking with the medical profession, a particle of this material in the eye is said to be most irritating. In addition, the world, when viewed through such an irritated eye, tends to take on the tone and tint of the material involved.

Of equal importance to the physical aspects of this product cascading down upon the Forest in rather large amounts are the psychological connotations involved, which are certain to have a deleterious effect upon the administrators of the Forest.

This program would have no effect on routine administrative matters. However, it is obvious that when controversial matters were under discussion an energetic and imaginative antagonist, by use of the allegations, metaphors and inference, could with Machiavellian intent transfer the imagery of the amount and extent of the material on the Forest to the administrator himself with devastating effects. This sinister aspect of the situation should not be discounted prematurely.

In conclusion, we feel that this proposal is of sufficient economic importance and potential from a multiple-use standpoint that it warrants additional investigation. To that end we suggest that the Experiment Station be assigned the project for further study. We feel that due to their past experience and knowledge in studies of this type that they are uniquely qualified to appraise the value of the use of this material as proposed, and to advise administration as to the procedures and techniques to be used to obtain the maximum benefits to the Forest.

A. Lewis

SELMO TO JARVI ON INSPECTIONS (1964) (After being descended upon by the Supervisor's Office Staff)

I have read the narrative section of this report with interest. Needless to say the contents left me as surprised as the man who had just been emasculated by a shark in his own swimming pool.

Worms cause running fits in the canine family and inferences such as this, when the facts indicate otherwise, have the same effect on Rangers.

Under these circumstances you may well question the need for these remarks. First, knowing your interest in human behavior, aureolated by a sense of humor, and, second, as you have so ably surmised, I sort of enjoy the clangor of my steel on the brass of your staff. In this spirit this missive is written, and not in the spirit of Cassius when he shouted, "Cry havoc and loose the dogs of war".

SELMO ON WATERSHED MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION (1968) (Regarding erosion control measures proposed for fuel breaks)

In general, we have found that these "Guidelines" can be successfully applied if they are used with a modicum of common sense. Common sense must be an integral part of the program if the fuelbreak program is not to be jeopardized by excessive costs.

As the ancients had their twin perils of Scylla and Charybdis to sail between, so does the modern land manager have his twin monsters, the Erosion Goblin and the Fire Dragon to contend with as he warily plods his way across the landscape with his fuelbreaks.

Plotting a course, which does not give the proper consideration to both, can only end in disaster for the over-all land management objectives of the areas involved. If the land manager overemphasizes the influences of erosion to the detriment of the expected progress in the construction of the fuelbreak system, then he becomes increasingly vulnerable to the depredations of the Fire Dragon.

From an erosion standpoint, it is obvious that one large fire can bury fathoms deep the benefits derived from any erosion program on our fuelbreaks.

In this respect, it is well to remember that even though the Fire Dragon only smiles upon you, your hair will be singed.

By the same token, a program of fuelbreak construction without due regard for adequate and reasonable erosion control measures will put the land manager within easy reach of the claws of the Erosion Goblin with all its rending and disfigurement of the landscape concerned.

However, in essence, the greatest obstacle to the attainment of many of our land management objectives in Southern California is fire. Once conquered, fulfillment of many of our objectives becomes assured. At the present time, the fuelbreak seems to offer the greatest promise in this respect. However, let's not encumber it to such an extent that the program becomes stifled with unnecessary impediments.

In a new program, there is always a tendency to overcompensate when a weakness is first discovered - later modifications are generally made which prove more suitable and acceptable to all concerned.

Although we would like to think that ecology governs economics -- there is another field of thought which holds that economics governs ecology. As the Garden of Eden had its snake -- so does the field of conservation have its economics. Irrespective of how we feel, economics are with us and to disregard its impact upon our programs is as fallacious and equally unfortunate as to disregard any of the biotic factors which affect our erosion program.

With this thought we leave thee.

A. Lewis

SELMO TO JARVI ON THE FUELBREAK BEAUTIFUL (1970)

It was with some feeling of bewilderment that I read your letter of the above designation. In fact, I almost got the impression that we were not on the same Forest, or perhaps that I had lost contact or "feel" for the Angeles.

To reassure myself, I walked outside and peered owlishly up through the brown murk of the smog at the rather faint and indistinct outlines of the Glendora Ridge Fuelbreak.

Assisted by my imagination, I could see the ravages of the Canyon Fire and of the subsequent flood. The scars of small landslips, etched in the steep side slopes of the front canyons continue to defy the efforts of the chaparral to revegetate them. The vegetation itself, brown and parched, shriveled and baked in the hot sun. One almost knew that it would take the efforts of a good fairy godmother to awake this desiccated vegetal "Princess", through the medium of a warm winter rain, whose gentle droplets are the only remedy which will restore life and color to the seared leaves and branches of the chaparral.

In fact, the foreboding aspect of our summer chaparral reminds me of a poem I once learned in grammar school, which went something like this -

The melancholy days are here

The saddest days of the year

The wailing winds and naked woods

The meadows brown and sere, etc., etc.

For we must admit that although winter is the dread season in other parts of the country - the "melancholy days" of our chaparral are the summer months when it lies "brown and sere" under the blasts of the fiery sun.

However, to the case in point - the beautification of our ugly ducklings - namely fuelbreaks. True, we can feather the edges of the break and thus reduce the sharp demarcation between the break and the chaparral. We can undulate the edges in broad dips and curves. We can go a step further and scatter wildflower seeds, such as poppies on the breaks which would create broad rivers of gold pouring through our chaparral slopes in the Spring. This would be especially true in the "Front Country" under the 4,000-foot level.

However, this is not strange when you consider that fuelbreaks are almost a necessity in controlling large fires. Therefore, why should our people complain about them? Who ever heard of a drowning man complaining about the beauty of the life preserver thrown him?

Frankly, I think that the present brouhaha about fuelbreaks on the Angeles is in-service in origin. The only complaint I ever heard concerning firebreaks or fuelbreaks is why we don't build more of them.

Let's keep the problem of fuelbreak beautification in its proper perspective. Let us be realistic and acknowledge that our chaparral-covered slopes in the summer are a changeling as far as scenic beauty is concerned. On the other hand, in the spring and winter, everything is green and "beautiful."

In conclusion, as far as the beautification of fuelbreaks is concerned, I hope that we don't find ourselves in the same position as the cowboy who bought a hand-carved, silver-mounted saddle for his short-legged, narrow-chested, wall-eyed, cow-hocked, jug-headed, sway-backed, fuzz-tailed cow pony.

A. Lewis

SELMO ON UNIFORM CHANGES (1970) (In response to the on-again, off-again policy about who may wear uniforms and under what conditions)

If it was the author's intent or objective to "stir up the troops" or to reduce morale, not to mention the beneficial effect it will have upon the "union movement", the author has succeeded admirably and should be suitably rewarded through the Awards Program - perhaps another session with the sensitivity training boys at some secluded retreat would be appropriate.

On this District we have just about restored calm to the ruffled waters of our employees' emotions from the impact of the rental program, when along comes another myopic "Big Foot" to muddy up the waters again.

Again, although we know that the policy has been adopted, we would be remiss if we did not hurl one Parthian shot on the subject. As you know, the genesis of the word uniform is from the Latin unus meaning one and forma meaning a form. From this, the definition - always the same, not varying or changing in form, rate, degree, manner, etc.

In view of the above it does seem rather ludicrous that after years of trying to get everyone into the same uniform, which was greatly stimulated by the uniform allowance, when success is achieved, we suddenly reverse ourselves and start eliminating the need for the uniform based on requirements that move in and out of the gray zone of logic with disturbing frequency.

The crowning insult is the adoption of a "Lassie" inspired baseball cap as part of the uniform, which will have about the same impact as a traditional symbol of the Forest Service as an owl pellet in the hayloft of a large dairy farm.

A Newly Published Memoir by Norman L. Norris

Elli Norris, daughter of Norman Norris, past Supervisor of the Sequoia National Forest, recently came upon an unpublished account of her father's Forest Service career and had it published.

The Magic of My Mountains: Memories from California's Sequoia National Forest, 1919-1926 By Norman L. Norris, USFS (Ret.): Resurrected by Eleanor Norris

Norman Norris was a young dreamer of 16 when he made his first trip into the Sierra Nevada in 1919. Returning home from a mountain trip two years later, "I saw something that gave me a thrill: a Forest Service ranger riding the long trails out of the Nobe Young Patrol Station on a free-stepping horse. Man! That would be the life!"

The next summer he was one. Not a ranger, but a summer smoke chaser employed by the U. S. Forest Service, Sequoia National Forest. Twenty years later he became the Sequoia's supervisor.

Writing in 1961, Norris dedicated his book to the people who fill his memories--Forest Service rangers, firefighters, and road-builders, cattlemen and their wives and children, sharp-eyed horse-traders, good-hearted mountain men: "to all those who love the mountains and answer to their call." He died in 1965 without seeing his book published. Only now have his stories been resurrected by his daughter, Eleanor Norris, for all mountain lovers to enjoy.

200 pages, illustrations, photos. Price, $20 plus shipping and handling ($2.50 for one book; $1.00 each additional book). California residents add $1.45 tax per book. Make checks payable to Tule River Country Press and send order to: Eleanor Norris, Publisher Tule River Country Press 41463 Yokohl Drive Springville, CA 93265

Questions? Call 559-539-2482. Or e-mail: Elli Norris

Why We Need a Forest Service Museum - Now!

Karl F. Wenger, Past President

Society of American Foresters

Since the idea of a National Forest Service Museum first surfaced in 1988, I have followed its development in a quite desultory fashion. Perhaps like most of you--paying my dues and reading the newsletter, and forgetting about it between times.

However, the rate at which the Forest Service is changing adds considerable urgency to getting the museum established. As time passes and personnel, equipment, operations, and policies change, finding the items to furnish the museum will become more and more difficult.

Consequently, if the museum is to come into being, adequate funds must be obtained soon. To do that, we need sound and b justifications to persuade potential large-scale donors that their money will buy them perpetual favorable recognition.

So why do we need a museum?

The Forest Service is a unique institution, not only because it was given control of large areas of unsettled land to manage but also because it developed an organizational culture that was unmatched among Federal agencies. Students of government have agreed that the Forest Service was the best managed and most efficient of Federal agencies in the discharge of its Congressionally mandated responsibilities. It is only in comparatively recent years that it has been criticized by elements of the public that do not agree that timber is the primary product of forests and that manipulatioin of the tree cover is necessary to provide the other goods and services the public expects of its forest lands.

A museum is needed to preserve the accumulated experience of the Forest Service as it developed management policies and operational techniques to control activities on large acreages of land. Just as an individual gains experience by remembering trials and errors of the past, so an institution can improve its functions by recording and maintaining the evidence of its past operations and their results. A properly managed museum can be the repository of an institutional memory.

Regarding a museum as the repository of an institutional memory immediately suggests contents beyond the display of old equipment. Certainly it should have such a display to illustrate the successive stages in the development of its operational techniques. In a Forest Service museum one would expect to see early firefighting tools and detection instruments, tree measuring devices, communications gear, personal equipment, and other items associated with managing forest land.

However, one would expect an institutional memory to include more than pieces of equipment, as essential as these are in a museum. One would also expect a collection of records, either originals or copies, that would comprise as complete an account as possible of the legislation, regulations, administrative decisions, operational reports, research findings, important letters, and personnel appointments that directed and controlled the Forest Service's actions from its beginning to the present.

With such a record the museum could serve as a study center for historians, natural resource scientists, current Forest Service administrators, and any others hoping to benefit from Forest Service experience. Inclusion of the voluminous "Index of the National Archives", would provide a bridge to extensive related sources of information.

One would also expect an array of pictures illustrating the stages of the agency's growth and increasing knowledge and skill, pictures of people who made significant contributions to its progress, of events that changed its operations, and occurences and developments that affected the larger society.

Another logical inclusion would be a collection of memoirs, of which there are an increasing number, by foresters and their relatives. These should also be of interest to historians because they provide in each instance a unique view of events of the past. They not only add personal flavor to inanimate records but often reveal aspects of the past that would otherwise be lost.

Properly operated museums have ongoing programs to highlight their contents and often serve as educational centers for the subjects they illustrate. Thus, a Forest Service museum in Missoula, with a variety of vegetational types within easy travel distance, and with the necessary facilities and adequate staff and financing, could serve as an educational and training center for individuals and organizations concerned with natural resource problems. Periodic lecture series might attract groups such as the Elderhostel organization. Federal and state agencies might use the facilities for training sesseions. Private groups might find the installation attractive for their meetings. Thus, the National Forest Service Museum can promote continued sound management of our forest resources as well as serving as a repository of equipment, pictures, and records.

We should all contribute now as generously as we can and assist as asked to obtain outside funds. If a maximum effort is not made during a time as prosperous as the present, it is unlikely that we can succeed when the economy is less vibrant. The longer it is delayed, the more difficult the establishment of the museum will become.

(You can become a member of the National Forest Service Museum for as little as $20, for an individual, or $40 for a family. Write to: National Forest Service Museum, PO Box 2772, Missoula, MT 59806-2772.) (FSX)

Published Histories By Retirees

The 30 Year Club announced in its Winter 1998 Newsletter this Note from the Olympic National Forest: The History of the Olympic National Forest, from 1897 to 1960, has just been published under the title Frontier Legacy by J. R. Rooney. It is softbound, 100 pages, with lots of early photographs. Copies may be purchased from the Olympic NF Supervisor's Office reception area, or requested by mail. Price is $14.95. Send to Olympic NF, 1835 Black Lake Blvd. SW, Olympia, WA 98512-2330. You really should own one of these, and they make nice gifts.

Also, Chris Chriswell has published his memoirs which he donated to the 30 Year Club. This makes a good read, too. Copies may be gotten from Phil Hirl for $10 plus postage, at, 14176 SW 133rd Ave., Tigard, OR 97224-1705.

The following three books are about the Forest Service, published by HiStory ink Books, PO Box 52, Hat Creek, CA 96040. Phone number (916) 335-7542. All three books are 6" x 9" soft-covered, perfect bound books:

Recollections

By Ira E. Jones

(Submitted by Evan Jones)

I first worked for the Forest Service in the Spring of 1908. That summer Hugh Rankin (later Forest Supervisor of the Umatilla, Siuslaw, and Rogue River Forests), Ephriam Barnes (later Supervisor of the Minam), Joe Zipper and I built a telephone line from the Grande Ronde River to Cable Cove (at the head of Cracker Creek north of Sumpter). It was a metallic circuit - on brackets, and all on trees except across Starkey Prairie where poles were set in cribs. Hugh Rankin had been a telegraph operator so we strung the wires tight and tied them with solid ties like the railway telegraph lines. I don't believe it was ever used, as it would break even in a slight breeze.

We had no climbers - used ladders - made these of small poles, with a single nail at each end of the rounds so it would adjust for uneven ground. We built a mile a day, starting at 6 A.M. and working till we had completed our mile.

That year, also, the Whitman built its first cabins, - at Porcupine R. S. And at Anthony Lake. These were of logs about 12 x 16 feet, shake roof, no floors, two windows (no glass) and door of 1 x 12 rough lumber. They were both contracted and cost about $25.00 each. I had the title of Forest Guard and was paid at the rate of $900.00 per year, furnished two horses and boarded myself (no travel expenses on the Forest). You could buy a good uniform for $15.00 and a Stetson hat (stiff brim that would fall off at the least touch) for $3.00.

BOUNDARY POSTING

In 1909 I started as Forest Guard (same salary) on the North Powder Ranger District. For an outfit I had an old Blueprint put out by some LaGrande Abstract Co., a "Use Book", and a large single bit marking axe weighing about two pounds. This had a "U.S." stamp on the end. The Ranger told me to start running Forest boundary. I said "Where shall I start?" He said "Go find a place, and start in." So I took my saddle horse and pack outfit and started West. In about two days I found a starting point near Anthony Creek. From there I ran and marked the boundary North and Northwest to the Grande Ronde River where I met Ranger W. W. Hawley who had been running boundary from the West. We retraced and reblazed old survey lines and ran new lines where the Forest Boundary followed interior land subdivision lines. We posted old cloth boundary notices so that they were inter-visable, - usually about __ to the mile.

After completing this stretch, the North Powder Ranger and I checked on grazing. We traveled together with our pack outfit and saw all allotments. After the grazing season I was sent to the Beaver Creek country to check on the work of building a dam and the laying of a pipeline by the City of LaGrande (for their city water supply).

A RANGER EXAMINATION

That fall (1909) I took the Ranger Exam at Sumpter. It required two days, - one day field work, -- pacing, packing, and one day written work. There were 13 who took it. Only three passed. I was laid off in December.

WE BUILD A FENCE

In April of 1910 I reported back for work at the old Boundary Creek R.S. Near Granite. Several Rangers and Guards had assembled there to build a pasture fence--John Day type. This fence was designed to be snow and rot resistant. I was back there in 1943 and saw several sections of that old fence that were still standing and in use. Forest Guard Wesley Slaughter, who had been there summers for most of the years between, assured me that it had not been rebuilt.

I BECOME A RANGER

While at Boundary, I received a letter from Cy J. Bingham, Supervisor at John Day, offering me a job as Ranger. I called Henry Ireland and told him of the offer. He said "You stay right there. You are already Ranger and you have charge of the Granite District."

After completing the pasture fence, I took the Forest Service team and went to the Murray R. S. south of Unity to build a road to the R. S. All I had for equipment was a plow, the two horses, and a wooden V. After finishing the road, I was sent to several other jobs and didn't get back to my Ranger district until about the first of June. However, I had a Guard, Lloyd Judy, who ran the District for me.

FIGHTING FIRES

About the 16th or 18th of June I started fighting fires. The first was on Camp Creek. Ephriam Barnes and I took 6 men to the fire. After getting a trench around it, the men left about 5 p.m., leaving me alone without food or water, on the understanding they would send the Guard from Boundary Creek with my horse. The fire kept breaking out and I got so thirsty and all in that late that night I crawled up on a log and went to sleep. After some rest I woke up at daylight and got the fire back under control. The Guard did not arrive until about 4 p.m. By that time my throat was so dry I could hardly swallow or talk but the fire lines held.

After that I was on several smaller fires until early July when word came from the North Powder District Ranger that he had a fire near Howard Meadows, south of LaGrande. He first saw it from Anthony Lake. He rode to his ranch (also his headquarters) on Anthony Creek, where he stayed all night. Next day he rode about 12 miles to Porcupine R.S. And spent the night there. Next morning he showed some campers how to catch fish. Then he borrowed a horse from a sheep man and went to LaGrande. At LaGrande he went to the Foley Hotel and called for a reporter. Next morning the paper had a column and a half story about the Howard Meadows fire, -- said the Ranger had come 50 miles for help, riding three relays of horses and that the City watershed was in great danger.

Twenty-eight men were hired and dispatched to the fire in two four-horse teams (there was a road to Howard Meadows). They arrived about 2 p.m. I had gotten there about an hour earlier. After cooking dinner, we were ready. The Ranger said "You go ahead and put them to work". I said, "It's your fire." But he said "Go ahead, I will be out later."After about two hours he came out on horseback, said I was doing O.K., and then left for his Ranger headquarters, not to return.

We got a line around the fire which by that time covered about 50 acres. Most of the men were transients. I tried to weed out the poor ones to send back in the wagons. I only wanted to release 8, but the men had partners and when I got thru, I only had 12 men left. I got by with them until the third day when a new smoke developed about half a mile away. It crowned and really took off. Supervisor Ireland and District Forester Cecil had been by the day before while inspecting the LaGrande Dam and Watershed. The Ranger went for them and Ireland and Cecil went to LaGrande for a crew and the Ranger to North Powder for another. We established two camps and Cecil returned to Portland. Henry Ireland stayed with me two or three days then returned to Sumpter and sent M. L. Merritt to help me. The North Powder Ranger failed to show up on the fire line. Needless to say he didn't last long. I stayed on this fire until Fall rains started about September 16th.

THE RANGER FINDS A WIFE

After leaving the fire I was put to running boundary around the Baker Water Supply watershed. While on this work I lived at the Johnston ranch on Goodrich Creek. Johnston had a sister keeping house for him. After two years, I persuaded her to change her name to Jones and keep house for me. This she has continued to do for the last 46 years.

After I was married in 1912, I asked Superintendent Ireland to give me a Ranger District (both the North Powder and the Sumpter Districts were vacant). He said "Yes, how would you like the Sumpter District?" I really wanted the North Powder District as Sumpter was also the Supervisor's headquarters and I was too handy and was sent out on jobs, but I said O.K.

CONSTRUCTION JOBS INTERFERE WITH RANGER WORK

After taking the Sumpter District, I didn't see much change in my work. I was still sent out on odd jobs and much of the Ranger District work was handled out of the Supervisor's office.

One summer I was so busy with other jobs that I only got out on the grazing once and only saw one band of sheep. I had five bands and about 500 head of cattle and horses, so when grazing report time came, it was quite a job. There were also several timber sales to mining companies.

The Ibex Mine applied for 400 cords of wood. They were told I would be up and make the sale, but before I got there they had cut the 400 cords, before making a payment. Then the mine went broke and so far as I know, the 400 cords are still there, -- unused and unpaid for.

A RUNAWAY TEAM

In 1913, Superintendent Ireland, who had been Master of the Sumpter Masonic Lodge, was asked to conduct a funeral at Audry, -- about 30 miles South. We had a team of young and partly broken mules. We thought this would be a good trip for them so we hired a two-seated hack, hitched them up and started off. The front seat was set high up, and the brake was worked from it. I drove and Henry Ireland worked the brake. R. M. Evans and Harry Wilson (a local jeweler) rode in the back seat.

We made it alright until we reached the top of the Whitney hill and started down. Henry shoved the brake handle forward, but it jabbed the mule in his rump and away they went. It was about two miles to the bottom of the hill. Every attempt to use the brake only made them go faster. The road was narrow and crooked, but fortunately, it was early morning and we met no one. We make the bottom and after half a mile got them slowed down, but we had all lost our hats.

We made the rest of the trip O. K. On the way back we gave a ride to a man who had been fishing in Camp Creek. When we stopped to let him off at the Whitney Mill, one of the single trees dropped off. The mule gave a jump, the tongue dropped down, and away they went again. After a short distance the tongue ran into the ground and broke. We all jumped out. I got mixed up with the lines and was dragged 30 or 40 feet before I got loose. Aside from ruining a suit and losing some skin, I came out alright. The team broke loose, ran into the slab pile at Whitney and stopped.

A RUN-IN WITH A CATTLE MAN

In the Spring of 1917, a sheep bridge, at the Allison mine, across the North Fork of the John Day River washed out. The D. O. Jusii sheep allotment was just across the river. Without a bridge it was necessary to trail the sheep five or six days to reach the allotment, so we decided to move them across the Desolation Cattle Range. There was some private land on the range leased by Ben Colvin. He told us not to cross, but we thought we could make it without getting on the private land. So Ranger Judy and I went down to handle it. Colvin had gotten the Road Supervisor to refuse permission for the sheep to use the County road. I called the County Commissioner and got his permission to put the sheep over the road if we agreed to clean it out afterwards, which we did. Then I called Colvin, told him the sheep were at Desolation Creek bridge; that if he wanted to see them cross, to be there early in the morning. Next morning at daylight he was there, and said, "Don't cross them sheep." The herder was told to start them. Colvin got in his car, drove to Pendleton and got a lawyer to write a letter demanding damages, but no damages were ever paid, and the sheep reached their allotment without further difficulty. Later, listening in on the party line at the Dale R. S., The Ranger's wife heard two women talking about this deal. One said "It looks like when the Forest Service starts anything, they always go through with it, as the Deputy Supervisor and a Ranger did when they put the sheep across the cattle range."

THE NEW RANGER PROVES TO BE A DUD

In 1919, A new Ranger was transferred to the Dale Ranger District in May or June. Later a fire broke out on his District near the Allison mine. It was reported to the Supervisor's office and the new Ranger rounded up a crew at Ukiah. They got a line around the fire, then about 50 acres. He then laid off all of the crew, leaving only one inexperienced man to watch it.

He told me over the phone what he had done. I said it was a little early to lay off all the men with no mop-up work done, but he assured me that he had lots of fire experience and that it was safe. No one at the office had seen the new man and we knew very little about him. The next day I got a call from George Drake, then on the Umatilla, saying the fire was putting up a lot of smoke. I called the Ranger who said the fire had gotten away. I went to the fire, which now covered 600 acres or more. We got a crew from Pendleton and Baker. The Pendleton crew were mostly transients. Most were I.W.W.'s and we had a great deal of trouble with them.

After the fire was out, we preferred charges against the Ranger, among them: (1) He had bought a bunch of horses and paid for them by rental while packing on the fire. (2) He had bought supplies for his personal use and charged them to the fire. There were also other charges. I was sent to Spokane to meet the man at the Davenport Hotel. I went over the charges with him. He denied them but rather that fight, he resigned.

SOME OFFICIAL TITLES

When I first started work on the Whitman there were seven Ranger Districts. Each Ranger had only one Guard, -- on duty only during the summer months.

In the early 1920's you could not get a raise without a change in title (due to the old statutory roll). One of the peculiar results of this, -- at one time on the Whitman there were four men with the title of Forest Supervisor, -- R. M. Evans, Johnnie Irwin, Otto Zimmerli, and myself. I have had a great many official titles during my F. S. service, among them: Laborer, Forest Guard, Deputy Ranger, Ranger, Deputy Supervisor, Supervisor, National Forest Examiner, Supt. Of Construction, Project Engineer, and Assistant Supervisor. There may have been others.

LOOKOUT HOUSES

The first Lookout House was on Dixie Butte. It was about 6 x 8 feet, built of 1 x 12 rough boards with 3 single sash windows. Later others were built. Prior to 1934, I personally built lookout houses on Little Baldy (renamed Mt. Ireland after Henry Ireland's death), Dixie, Vinegar Hill, Jump-Off-Joe, Desolation Butte, and Bald Mountain. These were all standard 12 x 12 with cupolas except on Desolation Butte which was a 50 foot steel tower.

THE LOOKOUT SEES AN ELEPHANT

The lookout man on Bald Mountain got quite a shock one summer. The trail from Burnt River to John Day valley runs right by the lookout. A traveling circus moving from Burnt River to John Day decided to follow this trail as it was several miles shorter than the road. So, unknown to the lookout man they walked, among other things, a camel and an elephant right past the lookout. The lookout was reading, or napping in the cabin when the camel and the elephant walked by and he saw them for the first time. It so startled him that he sure thought he must be dreaming.

RANGER WORK PROJECTS

During early days the Rangers were bunched at least once a year for a week or ten days on some construction project, -- usually a telephone line. We always had a penny ante game with a ten cent limit with a rule that lights had to be out at ten. It was hard to hold the men together longer than about ten days. They began to think of things that needed to be done on their districts. Strange excuses were offered such as that they had to split wood for the wife.

But we got lots of work done. I think the biggest days work was on a telephone line from Tipton to Whitney. We were stringing a #9 metallic line on the P.T.&T. poles along the Sumpter Valley Railway. We got a push car from the R.R. On one day we strung out and tied 6 miles of metallic #9 wire on 10 pin cross arms (already on the poles) and walked back to Tipton, then coasted on the push car to Austin.

WE GOT SUPERVISOR BINGHAM

One Spring, while on one of these jobs, Supervisor Cy Bingham, from the Malheur, visited camp and sat in on our penny ante game. He got away with our money. When he returned in a few days someone had fixed a cold deck. This time he brought along one of his rangers. We sure took him to a cleaning. In one hand he held four queens, but our man had four aces, so we took his money and later had a treat of candy, nuts, and etc. Sup. Ireland was with us that night. He didn't know about the cold deck. I sat near him and gave him what advice I could, and advised him to drop out when he rode along on a pair of kings.

ROAD BUILDING EVOLUTION

Road building had quite an evolution. We first started with a plow, a wooden V and a slip scraper. Then we advanced to a Martin ditcher and a Fresno scraper. Starting around a hillside, we first opened a trail by hand then for one horse to walk in and we shoveled out by hand until we could get a team over, then used a ditcher until wide enough for a small grader. The first bulldozer was a two ton Holt tractor with a floating blade that was worked on a counter balance beam that extended back on both sides of the tractor. All rock work was done by hand drilling and using only caps and fuse for blasting.

THE WHITMAN'S TIMBER SALES

The first large timber sale on the Whitman was made in 1910 to a newly organized company, called the Baker White Pine Lumber Company, for a tract of timber near Tipton.

I scaled the first logs that were cut on this sale during the winter of 1910. My residence was a 12 x 14 wall tent, no floor, a board bunk and straw mattress. The logging was done by team and sled. Along about mid-January (of 1911) it got down to 30 degrees below zero and the small Sibley stove kept the tent warm for only a few minutes at a time. The floor was frozen except around the stove. When not at work I stayed in bed most of the time. I got to thinking about my folks in Texas, asked for some leave, and took off for a warmer climate.

We were very proud of the Whitman. For several years we led the nation in total receipts. The Whitman was also a great training ground for forest officers, among them Regional Foresters, Assistant Regional Foresters, and Fiscal Agents. Henry Ireland deserves much credit for developing these people.

A 1909 RANGER MEETING

The first Ranger meeting I attended was held at Mt. Vernon during the fall of 1909. Henry Ireland (others) and I attended from the Whitman. We took the narrow gauge Sumpter Valley Railway from Sumpter to Dixie. Steel had just been laid from Austin to Dixie, and we were the first to ride over it. At Dixie we took a team and hack for the rest of the way. Going over on the railroad, we were charged 5 cents a mile but when we returned they charged us 10 cents.

The road was not a common carrier and they had changed the rates. When we sent in our expense account it came back for an explanation, -- why the difference in rates.

HORSE PLAY SOMETIMES BACKFIRES

A great many people said I'd never live to an old age for I used to like to have fun at other people's expense. We had a Ranger who was a very good bread cook and he always bragged about it. So, once when a bunch of us were at the old Blue Mountain R. S. (since torn down), this Ranger was to make the bread. We emptied the Baking Powder can and filled it with flour and got quite a kick out of watching him. He sat by the oven door and kept watching the bread.

Said,"I don't know what's the matter. I can make better bread, of course." The bread didn't raise but we ate it. He never again mentioned his bread-making ability.

Another time, Henry Ireland, Frank Mattson, the North Powder Ranger, and I were at Anthony Lake Ranger Station and cooking supper. I was making bread, Mattson was cleaning fish. The Ranger spoke up and said "I don't like fish and don't even want to eat from a pan in which fish have been cooked." I reached over to where Mattson was working, picked out a small fish head, wrapped it in biscuit dough, marked it and saw to it that the Ranger got this biscuit. He was quite surprised and thoroughly disgusted when he broke it open.

K. P. Cecil often paid us a visit. He was kind of a Roaming Supervisor, to coordinate the Umatilla Wallowa-Malheur-Whitman Forests. K. P. was hard to wake up in the morning so one morning at Desolation Creek I went in and gave him a big dose of sneeze root. He woke up sneezing but only covered up his head, thinking he was catching cold. The men were outside standing around the fire laughing so pretty soon it dawned on him that he was being jabbed. He had a Model T Pickup and when we went back to Baker my bed roll was tied on top of other things on the back. I kept watching it. Finally K. P. Said "You don't need to watch that. I can see it thru the rear view mirror." But when we got to Sumpter the bed had fallen off and had been drug behind till it was about worn out. I often wondered if he didn't chuckle just a little over this.

Once my plans backfired on me. We were at Baker. Howard Stratford, the Chief Clerk, had quite a family and towards the end of the month he was frequently short of funds. One of these times in early winter when he was running his car with his last year's license plate, I went across the street and phoned him and said "I am Sheriff McKenney and you will have to buy a new license plate or I would have to stop you from running your car." Soon after I went back to the office, Howard came in and said, "Say. I. E., the Sheriff has just called me and says I must get a new license plate. Won't you loan me $5.00 till payday?" I had to come through, -- but he paid it back.

A DETAIL TO THE SIUSLAW AREA

During the depression I was loaned to the Resettlement Administration and had charge of W.P.A. workers on the Siuslaw Forest. We had three main camps in former C CC Camp Buildings. They were located at Mapleton, Cape Creek, and Hebo. At one time we had 4 4 side camps with as high as 1100 men. All Foreman positions had to be approved by the Democratic organization. I remember one foreman sent out who was absolutely no good as a foreman. I fired him and got a call from the Portland Resettlement to come to Portland and get squared up with the State Democratic Chairman. I went in. The Chairman was at the Congress Hotel. I had known him many years at Pendleton, so I told him the man he had sent out as Foreman was no good as a foreman. He said "I know, but he is my father-in-law and I have to take care of him." However, he was not sent back to me.

We used to run into Portland twice a week and pick up "Winos" off of Third Street. They would stay till the first payday, then back to Portland and get drunk and back to camp the next week. When we first set up camp we used porcelain dishes. These were condemned so we bought heavy restaurant chinaware. When this work project was abandoned, all camp equipment was surplus and distributed to forests in R6. At the final closing we had a surplus of 900 lbs. of dry beans. The Forests that got the dishes had to take a supply of beans

RETIREMENT LETTERS

When I retired in 1942 I received a nicely bound book of some 60 letters that I prize very highly. In checking thru them I find (in 1958) that at least 14 of these fine men have passed on. One of the letters gives the writer's opinion of the early day 9' roads as follows:

Winding in and winding out,

It fills my mind with serious doubt

As to whether the man that built this road

Was headed for hell or coming out.

-- Walt Dutton