MESA 4 WHEELERS HORN NEWSLETTER

Transcription

1 MESA 4 WHEELERS HORN NEWSLETTER MAY 2014 Mesa 4 Wheelers, PO Box 107, Mesa AZ MESA 4 WHEELERS STAFF President Lee Coppage Vice President Amy Mihailov Secretary Pat Jenkins Treasurer Ray Jenkins Corres. Secretary OPEN Membership Lori Moore Editor Mike Drawsky Remembrance Gert Leible Trophies Clete Hruska Safety Chairman Bill Mihailov Publicity OPEN Next Meeting May 16, 2014 Third Friday of every month, 7:30 PM. NEW LOCATION: Chapman Scottsdale Autoplex Jeep 6601 E, McDowell Rd PRESIDENT'S CORNER Hello all, Hope everyone is doing ok. We will have to have an election at this month's meeting for Corresponding Secretary. John has tendered his resignation to the club. He is moving back to Michigan in June. I hate to see him go but, do understand his reasons. I wish him the best and I will miss his presence. If you know of anyone that can fill this position, pleasee be at the meeting this month to nominate them. We definitely need someone to fill this vacancy. Now I know this year's Cleanup at Log Corral was on short notice but really guys all we could muster was 2 members and a guest! I was there! Where were you? As a CLUB we agree to do the maintenance of this trail. This is one of those times when EVERYONE needs to be there to help out!!! I have said it many times YOU only get out of this club what YOU put in! That goes for anything in life. I was very saddened by our clubs participation in OUR work ethics this year! Now come on guys and gals get out and be the leaders this club can be!!!! See you on the trail, Lee Coppage President REMEMBER WHEN? 30 years ago May 1984 M4W 30 years ago... Cinders OHV Area Work Project The drive to Flagstaff was pleasant and we arrived at the Visitor Center a little after noon. We met the rest of the group there and made plans to go to the Work Area. About 1 PM we headed to the Cinders work area. There we met Don Vogel from the Park Service; who immediately, if not sooner, offered Hec, Kirk, Bill and Dave a ride in a 1962 Army 4x4 to their side of the fencing project. The rest of us; Leonard, Dick, Williard, Linda, W.J. and Melvin, Ken and his son Kenny, Walt and I were told to follow the tracks to the other side. We were greeted by P4W members with an enthusiastic Ah, replacements are here!!! Everyone got to work fast, pounding in poles, moving some dead stumps, stringing wire and threading in the stays. I hitched a ride with Don in the Army 4x4 to the other side. We stopped to pick up more supplies and cool drinks. Kirk and Hec were tying off the 3rd strand on a section while Bill and Dave walked a line of wire down the next section. They all had been working at a steady pace and the cool drinks were welcomed. Then we went back over to the other side, delivering more fencing materials and taking more pictures. A lot of hard work accomplished 2.5 miles of fencing for the day. After a round of M4W flap-jawing and joking, the group split up; some returned to the Valley, some to Flagstaff hotels and Walt and I headed for the campground. We later trekked across the campground to the P4W space where we shared a campfire and birthday cake for one of their members. Good cake, Good company, Good evening. I m sure everyone was proud of the work that had been done and thanks Doc, for a Good Trip. Written by Niki Lee Coppage AZ LONGSHOREMAN

2 FUN DAYS 2014 RAFFLE CONTRIBUTORS We want to thank the following businesses or individuals who donated raffle prizes for this year s Mesa 4 Wheelers Annual Fun Days event. Please remember these businesses when shopping and let them know how much we appreciate their generosity. Without their support we would not have the funds to help others. 4 WHEEL DRIVE HARDWARE 4 WHEELER SUPPLY & OFF ROAD CENTER ANNA BAINTER APACHE JUNCTION RV AUTO ZONE-APACHE JUNCTION BEST GLASS BEST HARDWARE BIG 5 SPORTING GOODS BILL & CHARLOTTE MURRAY BILL & AMY MIHAILOV BOB & ANNY NYBERG BRENNAN OIL, DURANGO, CO CANYON OFFROAD CLETE & RANDY HRUSKA CONAIR CORP DAVE & PAULA BROWN DURANGO & SILVERTON NGRR DENNY S RESTAURANT, FOUNTAIN HILLS DESERT FAB MOTORSPORTS DESERT RAT DINING ROOM CAFE EAST VALLEY TRUCK ACCESSORIES FEED BAG RESTAURANT FRONTIER ACE HARDWARE HAROLD & JERI LIBERMAN HITCHING POST PIZZA KEVIN & DIANA LOSEY KEVIN & MELISSA FAIRES LA CASITA OF A.J. LEE & BEV COPPAGE LEONARD DOC STAFF LOS GRINGOS LOCOS MAUREEN BRENNAN MESA 4 WHEELERS METRO FIRE EQUIPMENT MIKE & LINDA DRAWSKY NANDO S MEXICAN CAFÉ O REILLY AUTO PAUL & JOANNA HUTCHINSON PISTOL WHIPPED PASTRY RAY & PAT JENKINS RORY & LORI MOORE SAFELITE AUTO GLASS SAFEWAY-UNIVERSITY/LINDSAY SERVPRO SIERRA EXPEDITIONS SPORTSMAN S WAREHOUSE SUNNYSIDE BREAKFAST LOUNGE THE GOOD EGG TRAIL TRANSMISSION WESTERN STATES AUTO GLASS WILLIAM WINTER AUTO DETAILING JANET WRIGHT/AVON JAMES TIRES JIM & WENDI KAWA

3 TRIP REPORTS 76 Ranch To Young Trip Leader: Steve Fleming Date: April 26, 2014 Members in attendance: Trip leader: Steve Fleming, Bill & Amy Mihailov, Darrel & Debra Wallace, John & Hazel Hart, Bob & Sheri Schmeckpeper, Jim Kawa & Mike Drawsky. Guest in attendance: Elton Mayes. Having missed out on the opportunity to attend Steve's first 76 Ranch to Young run, I was really looking forward to going this year. When I heard the weatherman had called for a 50% chance of rain for the day of our run, I was hoping they had overestimated! Steve decided we would meet for breakfast as planned and vote as to whether or not to reschedule the run. As rare as it is for us Valley residence to experience a rainy day, Jim Kawa and the rest of us were enjoying every drop! Saturday morning, we met at Denny's in Fountain Hills. The skies were cloudy, but no rain had fallen. Before we placed our breakfast orders, everyone had decided to go ahead with the run. At 8 AM we started up our trusty 4x4's and headed north along the Beeline Highway, for Gisela. Within 15 minutes, rain began to fall, increasing in strength as we climbed. At the summit, near the turnoff to Mt. Ord & Sunflower Mine, I received a call from Darrel, he and Deb, along with Bill and Amy, were at the Gisela turnoff. They had skipped the breakfast and decided to take a chance that we would still be going. I told them we were about 15 minutes out and that Steve may want to reassess his original trip plans. While gathered together at the Gisela turnoff, Steve explained the increased risk in driving this road in these conditions, the rest of us had never driven this route before. Having heard how beautiful this area was from members who attended Steve's last run, everyone was whiling to take on whatever challenge lied ahead! Knowing how muddy the road becomes when it rains, Steve decided to lead us as far as Solder Camp. Steve had done quite a bit of research on the history of the area and gave of us each a two-pages write up to read. We air down and head for the 76 Ranch. The Neal's who are the owner of ranch are indoors, avoiding the rain, when we pass by. Fortunately, for us, the light rainfall had no effect on the water level in Tonto Creek. It was only about a foot deep. Steve informs us that this area was the sight of some of the bloodiest Indian wars between General Cooks Army and the last of the Tonto Apache holdouts lead by Chief Delshay. A Bit Of History: To bring the central mountains of Arizona under Euro-American control would take the next 20 years. By the second half of the 1860s the United States military forces were in hot pursuit of the Tonto Apaches and their allies, the Yavapai. By the summer of 1874 all but one band had

4 76 Ranch To Young (CONTINUED) surrendered to General George Crook's army. The leader of this band was 35-year-old Del-che-ae, or Red Ant, commonly called Delshay. "This savage has been a terror to Arizona for many years," said General Crook in his annual report of August "It has been notorious that he has never kept any promise he has made!" The young and vicious war leader maintained his home camps in the Sierra Ancha range just east of Gisela. One of the obscure valleys, southeast of Gisela, retains the name "Delshay Basin." Throughout the Apache Indian War that began in 1864, the army found it impossible to quell the defiant Tontos. Then Crook stumbled onto a solution. He used native scouts who knew the territory to seek out the Apache camps and while they were seldom able to capture prisoners the army would destroy their supplies, their crops and their houses (called gowas, or wickiups) Camp Verde's Commander Walter Schuyler sent out three Tonto scouts, and gave them so many days to return with the head. The deadline arrived and Schuyler set out with a detachment to do it himself. That same night the three scouts returned to camp and handed Dr. William Corbusier, the camp physician, a crumbled rag, saying, "Del-Che." The physician wrote, "On opening the parcel I found a whole scalp with the left ear hanging to it, in the lobe of which was tied a pearl shirt button." Chief Delshay was known to wear this memento in his left ear, taken from some White victim. The scouts claimed to have killed Delshay near Turret Mountain on July 29. Turret Mountain had been the scene of an earlier Tonto defeat, and a known stronghold along the Verde River. Almost a month later, August 21, a Tonto warrior named Desalin brought a head into the San Carlos Agency that he claimed was Delshay's. General Crook reported that the Indians at San Carlos and Camp Verde each tried to persuade him theirs was the authentic remains of Delshay. "Being satisfied that both parties were earnest in their beliefs, and the bringing in of an extra head was not amiss, I paid both parties." Yavapai-Apache tribal archeologist Chris Coder suggests, "I heard somewhere that the Army would not fork out for the scalp and the turncoats came back a day or two later with an actual head, which was then paid for. I speculate that the cagey Del-Che initially sent some of his men into Camp Verde with some hapless Apache's scalp and his earring on it as a ruse. When the Army did not accept it, these fellows went back and got the real thing for the money." Descendants of the army doctor donated the skull to the Fort Verde Museum during the 1960s. The curator of that museum, Bob Munson, told me that when he arrived at Camp Verde he found himself dusting a skull on display in the officer's quarters that had been identified as Delshay's. He decided it belonged in the Smithsonian Institution, and sent it by way of Phoenix. Somehow it ended up in the collection of artifacts at the Arizona State Parks Department. With the recent emphasis on returning the bones of ancestors to their tribes, archaeologist Coder was contacted and asked if the Apache Nation wished to have it back. The answer was affirmative, and Mr. Coder hurried to Phoenix to pick up the artifact. Within hours the skull had been handed over to tribal Elder Ted Smith Sr., who, with a native holy man, drove off into the White Hills and gave the remnant a secret, prayerful and ceremonial burial. So the brave and fierce Chief Delshay had been put to rest. However, an Apache at San Carlos told Crook that the head taken there was his son, not Delshay. Other former followers of Delshay also testified it was not the chief's head. General Crook concluded that the Camp Verde scalp and ear were Delshay's, and the San Carlos head was of someone else. He affirmed in his annual report of Aug. 31, 1874 that Delshay "was killed by his own people near Turret Mountain." An hour and half into the run we reach an elevation of around 4500 ft. The temperature had dropped to near freezing. The mystery revived when Army contract physician William Corbusier came up with a full skull said to be Delshay's. He took it from Camp Verde to his home in Schenectady, N.Y. There it sat on his mantle with the inscription "Delt-Che, A.T " Corbusier had treated Delshay at the reservation for an illness, and was certain this was the chief.

5 76 Ranch To Young (CONTINUED) pointed the men out to the deputies who arrested the brothers and placed them on trial in Globe, Arizona. In the trial Zachary swore that John was not present at the murders, even though Santiago swore he was there. John was eventually released and continued to live and prosper in Gisela where he raised a family. Zachary was found guilty and hanged behind the old courthouse in Globe and is buried in the Globe Cemetery. Up on Reef Ridge, the wind had picked up and a light dusting of snow began to fall. Deb holds on to her umbrella, with both hands! By noon, we had reached Solder's Camp. Covered in large Sycamore, Alder and Cottonwood trees and nestled between surrounding mountaintops, this colorful and peaceful spot made for an ideal lunch stop. Protected from the winds and with a brake in the weather we were able to spend some time looking over the old cattle ranch. This stone marker was placed here in memory of Wiley Berry and Juan Vigil, two young sheep herders that were shot to death by two cowboys, Zachary and John Booth, on December 22, A Bit Of History: Juan's father, Santiago Vigil, was the chief sheepherder for a Mormon by the name of William Berry. In December of 1903, Berry decided to move his herd of sheep from St. Johns, Arizona to Thatcher, Arizona. Santiago, his son Juan and Berry's son Wiley moved the 500 head of sheep while William Berry was still in Thatcher finalizing the details of the move. As the sheep moved through Brushy Basin, near Gisela, Arizona, they came upon some local cowboys, Zachary and John Booth, who were not at all pleased to find sheep in the area. Without warning, the cowboys shot 17 year old Juan Vigil and Wiley Berry. Santiago ran to the As beautiful as this spot is, it must be a popular place for summer campouts. scene to find a bullet hole burning in his sons sweater where he had been shot. Santiago rode into Payson, Arizona to report the murders to the local sheriff. Shortly afterwards, Juan and Wiley were both buried in the cemetery at Gisela, although this was home to neither boy. Three days later, Christmas Day of 2003, there was a Christmas party held in the "16 to 1" Saloon in Payson. Among the attendees was Santiago Vigil and he spotted his son's murderers, Zachary and John Booth. He

6 76 Ranch To Young (CONTINUED) Although Steve plans were to turn back from here, the majority of the group decided to continue onto Young. Jim had decided to go back with Steve. Noticing the recent repairs to the cattle pins, made us believe that this place was still in use, probably for cattle roundups. Mike road with Jim on this run. Rare to find an old ranch sight as well preserved as this one is. On our return, Steve and his passenger Elton, decide to take Jim and Mike on a side trip to Gun Creek. By 1:30, the clouds were breaking up and the sun began to shine through. Though it has been a dry winter, you could not tell by the amount of water in Gun Creek. The walk-around porch made this old ranch house very inviting! 76 Ranch house at the intersection of Tonto & Rye Creek. Returning to the 76 Ranch, this time we had the opportunity to meet the Neal's. Mr. & Mrs. Neal were very friendly and happy to answer our questions on what not to miss on our return trip. Mr. Neal even offered to buy Jim's Jeep Rubicon, whenever he decided to sell it!

7 Here is the rest of the story. Steve led a very interesting trip through some beautiful country. Bill and I have lived in AZ for 56 years and we have never been in this area what a treat!! We drove through rain, hail and snow!! After we stopped at the very chilly lunch site, 4 of us decided to go on to Young and the others went back the way we came. Steve gave us some directions and his information sheet and off we went. All I can say is that it was an adventure! We had a great time, looking at scenery, driving through mud, up to scenic heights and down through beautiful valleys. We arrived at Young for M4W food (pie and coffee) early evening relaxed and happy. Rather than pictures taken as we rolled along, we will just send a few that will be called AWARDS. Thanks for a really great trip Steve, Bill and Amy Mihailov BRAVEST 4 JEEPS OF THE DAY MUDDIEST AND FATEST TIRES John and Hazel Hart SECOND MUDDIEST FASTEST TO WASH IT OFF! Bob and Sheri Schmeckpeper BEST SPLASH! Darrel Wallace

8 BIGGEST KNOT ON THE HEAD! (after trying to get out of Darrels way during the best splash and hitting her head on that tree limb!) DEB WALLACE BILL AND AMY MIHAILOV COOLEST JEEP! (cause it is in the snow..get it?!) We took a short side trip up to Workman Creek but the road got icy and snowy so we turned around and came back down. No camping there at all anymore sheesh!! MOST BEAUTIFUL SUNSET! We took this picture just north of Roosevelt Lake. This was a long but very nice day~ Thanks again Steve!

9 Log Corral Annual Cleanup Trip Leader: Mike Drawsky Date: May 3, 2014 Members attending today's cleanup: Don Doty and Lee Coppage. Guests in attendance: Elton Moyes & Bob Balthasar. new JK. This was the first time I had seen him behind the wheel. Although this was his first time on this trail, it looked like he had driven it before. Lee met up with us at the Log Corral staging area hoping to ride with someone, but there were no vacant seats available. Is was great to see our Adopt-A-Trail sign still in one piece! Fortunately, the trail was in pretty good shape. Between the four of us it took us about an hour to trim as far as the corral. Don lets Elton drive his Jeep through Log Corral the one direction, then later switches places with him for the drive back. Surprisingly, the first portion of the "Rock Garden" was covered in about 3 feet of sand, only the second half remained! My guess is that due to this winters low amount of rainfall, Log Corral Wash never received enough water to wash the bottom sand all the way down stream. This was Elton's 3rd club run, riding as passenger with Don & Steve. Elton has owned Jeeps for years, from Willey's to the Bob, never had to work so hard to get into a Jeep until he opted to ride in Mike's Jeep!

10 Log Corral Annual Cleanup (CONTINUED) Don's turn to drive through the "Rock Garden"! Elton, Mike & Bob, posing next to M4W's Adopt-A-Trail sign at Log Corral. With today's temperatures in the low 90's, Mike decides to cool o himself down in Bartlett Lake. The water was right around 65. Don makes it through the "Rock Garden" without a problem! This is the lowest level I have seen the Lake. My guess is, it was about 40ft. below normal. With only 2 vehicles, we were able to make it down to the lake in time for lunch. We had the entire beach to ourselves! By 2:30, 3 hours earlier than normal, we were airing up. Great weather and good teamwork, makes for a perfect day!

11 FUTURE TRIPS & EVENTS Wickenburg Scenic Loop Run Contact Us (Contact form for new members) ITEMS FOR SALE Trip Leader's: Lee & Bev Coppage Where: Wickenburg. Meet: McDonald's, Wickenberg Pullout: 9:30 Details: Easy 3 hour scenic loop run. Return: 12:30 M4W Flag M4W Vehicle Plate M4W 5 & 7 Logos M4W Banners State Decals M4W Arm Patches ASA4WDC Quarterly Meeting MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION When: May 18 Where: Wickenburg. Time: 1:00 Details: For more details contact Ray & Pat Jenkins at REFRESHMENTS May Paul & Joanna Hutchinson Debra & Darrel Wallace June Kevin & Diana Losey Bill & Amy Mihailov BIRTHDAYS May 5/2 Ray Jenkins 5/2 Gert Liable 5/4 Wendi Kawa 5/10 Mike Drawsky 5/19 Randi Hruska 5/28 Mike Dreckman June 6/18 Linda Drawsky CLUB ANNIVERSARIES Lee Coppage 5/94 Walter & Gert Lieble 5/01 Harold & Jeri Liberman 5/06 Rory & Lori Moore 5/05 MESA 4 WHEELERS WEBSITE To log onto the M4W website go to: What you will find on our new website: Photo Gallery (Club Runs & Events) Club Information (About Us, FAQ, Membership, Newsletters, Links) Calendar (Posted Runs & Events) Forum (General Category, Travels, Marketplace) $15.00 $25.00 $2.00 $5.00 $2.00 $0.50 Regular membership is $ Regular members must attend minimum events and meetings. $25.00 for life members and $60.00 for associate members (no restrictions) Yearly membership dues are due in March. An additional $5.00 reinstatement fee will be charged if dues are not received by April meeting. First time membership fees will be prorated based on the number of months remaining. Ray Jenkins ARTICLE AND SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION Articles will be accepted through the mail on disk or CDs in the same format. Articles or other submissions to the Mesa 4Wheeler Horn should be sent by or as enclosure in Word format. Send to Editor: Mike Drawsky

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