History of the Fremont National Forest

PERSONNEL 1920 — 1930

Personnel Sketches

Joseph H. Lackey. Joseph H. Lackey, chief clerk on the Fremont resigned in 1921, having served about a year at Lakeview. Before coming to the Fremont Mr. Lackey was chief clerk on the Carson Forest, district 3, and prior to that had served some fifteen years in the U.S. Marines in the Phillipines, in the Boxer Rebellion in China, Guam, etc. During the World War he held the grade of Captain, U. S. Marines. Mr. Lackey's home is in Washington, D.C.

Ben Young. Ben Young was born November 11, 1888, and came to Paisley in 1920. He received a temporary appointment as forest ranger December 1, 1920, and a probational appointment May 1, 1921. Due to ill health he was granted leave without pay from September 30, 1922, until January 31, 1923, but died in Dallas, Texas, November 17, 1922, at age thirty-four. A creek near Round Pass on the Paisley District was named for Ben Young.

William A. LaSater. Ranger William A. LaSater, who has been in the Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland for nearly three months suffering from a brain tumor and its removal, was brought home to Silver Lake on May 9. Ranger and Mrs. Young and neighbors had prepared the old ranger station house for his return. They cleaned and painted the interior and supplied new curtains, linoleum, and rugs. Bill LaSater died at Silver Lake May 20. He was survived by his wife, Mytrice; daughter, Louise; two stepdaughters, Mary and Nell Heifrin, and a stepson, Arlis Heifrin.

Mr. LaSater was a game warden before starting to work for the Forest Service in 1915. He had been on the Silver Lake District for ten years, nine of which he was district ranger. He endeared himself to forest users and forest personnel alike by his frankness and sincerity. In carrying on his work he always strived to do what was right without fear or favor. Bill untangled some pretty knotty grazing problems in his district and made a splendid fire record.

Andrew T. Poole. Andrew T. Poole started as a guard on the Crater May 1, 1909; was promoted to assistant ranger July 15, 1909; and to forest ranger July 11, 1916. He was transferred to the Fremont May 15, 1928, on timber sales. He died in Reno, Nevada, October 11, 1929, from mastoiditis, at the age of sixty-two. He was buried at Central Point, Oregon, October 15, 1929.

Junior Foresters. Robert W. Putnam came from the University of Michigan to the Whitman, Ernest J. Schlatter came from Pennsylvania to the district office, and Russell S. Bacon came from California to Santiam. This group of junior foresters were the first new forest school graduates that had been taken on by District 6 in several years, made possible by special appropriations to provide for more technically trained men for scientific forestry work in the Northwest. ("Six-Twenty-Six," December, 1924)

Douglas B. Finch. Douglas B. Finch, Lakeview, started his forestry career as a guard on the Fremont in 1925. He was fire control officer in various capacities for more than thirty years. For the last eight years of his service he was fire control technician on the Rogue River National Forest. He served in the U.S. Navy in World War II from 1942-1945. Douglas Finch died in December, 1967, at the age of fifty-six from a heart attack.

Carl M. Ewing. In the latter part of April, 1925, a farewell party was given for Ruby and Carl Ewing on their transfer from Paisley Ranger District to the Malheur National Forest, effective May 15. During this farewell party, Daniel F. Brennan pictured Ewing, 20 years later in John Day, Oregon, being asked by a grandchild if he remembered the Fremont. Brennan imagined the following response from Ewing and read it to the party guests:

   DO I REMEMBER THE FREMONT? Is it that you ask, my dear?
Well, maybe you have reason to for a score of years or more
   Have left their traces on me since through dust and inward fray
My swollen eyes beheld her peaks grow dim and fade away.

Yes, a score of years or over is a length of time 'tis true,
   With all its cares and troubles, its scenes and faces new;
Yet neither tears nor distance, child, will ever wear away
   The memory of the Fremont, 'tis as fresh as yesterday.

And as I look the vision up how vivid it appears,
   How near me and so real through the long, long vale of years;
Every scene I used to love, every face I used to know
   When youth's bright days were with me on the Fremont long ago.

The hills were crowned with bunch grass where I sometimes had to climb
   When posting dim-marked boundary lines in the beautiful spring time;
When the roads and trails and phone lines were gems of rangers' pride,
   And where sheep men 'dogged" the cattle from the thickets where they's hide.

The red breast's merry chirrup, the thrush's joyful lay,
   The perfume of the bitter brush, all the beauties of the May;
The fragrance of the tent-fire's smoke as it rolled so blue and thin
   With tales of laughter laden from the happy hearts within.

These visions of the buried past come trooping up at will
   White and Ingram, Langfield, Minthorn, Elgan, LaSater, Frizzell;
The dear old white-washed office where my files were poorly kept,
   Our much-loved supervisor who I learned but rarely slept.

You say, and maybe rightly, that John Day has scenes as fair,
   I know and love its beauties, yet it's not the same as there;
Your mountains, lakes and rivers may be wonderful and grand,
   But give to me the beauties of what I call "my native land."

Yes, I remember the Fremont, child, and if it be God's will-
   A foolish wish you'd call it, yet I must own it still-
When death shall end my days on earth I'd wish my bed of clay
   With Fremont sods were covered in dear Paisley far away.

(Daniel F. Brennan, April, 1925)

TIMBER MANAGEMENT

Sales and Timber Companies

Hurley Vernon and J. A. Edmiston have contracted with the Underwood Lumber Company for cutting a large amount of timber which may relieve the local stringency in the lumber market. The company recently purchased the Manuel Sanders timber land on Cox Creek, ten miles northwest of Lakeview. They have purchased a portable sawmill and expect to turn out 10,000 feet of lumber daily. The first setting of the mill will be on Meiers Ranch on Cox Creek. (Lake County Examiner, March 11, 1920)

(This mill burned July 22 of the same year with a loss of $3500 and no insurance.)

Fremont timber sale receipts for F.Y. 1920 were $2,296.44. The Fremont rates twenty-first in list of twenty-seven forests. The Whitman was first with $96,806.94, and the Deschutes last with sales of $102.18. Total for the region was $518,845.17. (September, 1920)

The first large timber sale on the Fremont was made March 15, 1926, to the Crooked Creek Lumber Company for 37 million board feet of ponderosa pine, and a small quantity of lodgepole pine, white pine, and white fir. The area embraced by the sale was 3,400 acres on the Crooked Creek watershed, while the price paid was $3.93 for ponderosa pine and $.53 for other species.

Logging started on September 20 despite the fact that the mill was still incomplete. Commercial cutting will not in any possibility start until May. It is the intention of the operator, Henry C. Davis, to spend most of the winter building and perfecting his mill with the necessary adjuncts so that when the weather opens in spring the whole can start immediately at full capacity.

From the Lakeview-Paisley Highway a road has been built eastward up Crooked Creek for three miles, part of it through a narrow gorge with precipitous side walls. This road is twenty feet wide, in places wider, and climbs, except for a few short pitches, on a grade which I do not think exceeds 10 or 11 percent. Its construction involved the burning of much powder. Later this road will be extended farther east.

At the mouth of Crooked Creek canyon, grounds have been cleared in the sagebrush for a lumber yard. There is no room near the mill. A tram is to be constructed from the mill to the yard and a gasoline locomotive of some sort used for hauling over it.

Except at the mill, no steam power will be employed. Motor trucks will be used for hauling a "Sixty" cat for miscellaneous roading, and a gasoline jammer for loading trucks. A Ross improved pumper has been purchased for fire protection. It is distinctly a gasoline operation.

Logging started below the mill in a stand of scattered pine overlapping dense reproduction. It is a matter of considerable satisfaction to deal with an operator who of his own accord avoids cutting a road through reproduction when possible.¹ (Robert W. Putnam, November, 1926)

Cutting was done on this sale for four years on 1,330 acres, or 39 percent of the total area. A total of $78,421.00 was paid for the 20,019.19 MBF cut. Of pine alone, the cut represents 53.8 percent of the estimated amount to be cut. Operations were suspended in July 1930, due to heavy losses in the lumber market slump.²

In October, 1935, the Crooked Creek Lumber Company applied for a cancellation of its contract under provisions of the Act of April 17, 1935 (Public No. 78 — 74th Congress H.R. 2881). Because of the fact that the remaining area is partly developed by logging roads, mill pond, etc., and the quality of the uncut timber is equal to that which was cut, the government sustained no loss and therefore, cancelled the agreement. The balance of $1,672.33 on deposit was refunded to the company in 1936. Henry C. Davis was manager of the company.

A sale dated November 8, 1926, was made to the Crane Creek Lumber Company managed by Miss Meta Boutin. The sale area covered 1,000 acres on Crane Creek and was for 5,500 MBF of western yellow pine at $3.00 per M., and 1,000 MBF of white fir and other species at $.50 per M. The amount actually cut was 7,207,680 feet valued at $20,283.04. (1926)

Activities at Bly are on the increase. The O.C. & E. Railway is into Bly, tapping a large timbered area. The Stockton Box Company started falling on their holdings west of Bly on February 24. Several timber companies have been blocking up their holdings in this area preparatory to starting operations. A considerable amount of timber in private holdings which will be cut in the near future lies within national forest boundaries, and no doubt sales of adjacent national forest timber will be made at the same time. The Forest Service can look forward to some knotty administrative problems requiring solution in this area within the next few years. ("Six-Twenty-Six," January, 1929)

The following letter recently received on the Fremont has caused considerable controversy among the various rangers as to who has the best timber claims:

Am writing to you in regard to some timber land in your country; was told to write to the Forest Ranger and he would give me the true facts about it.

I am a lone woman and want to get a good timber claim. I love the timber and woods. My uncle was a contractor and builder. I was in Oregon visiting him and he would take me out and show me the big trees. They are so pretty and I do love them and I do want a timber claim so much. Will you kindly inform me about the timber there and select, or let me know, the very best there are, the kind and quantity and if there is any claims for sale.

I think I could get a company to buy timber there. I have a friend, a young lady nurse, would like a claim also. In fact, we would like about three or four claims near to one another and you rangers would always be welcome to our home in the Big Pines.

Will you kindly let me know if there are any wild black cherry there? I am a Wyoming woman and am friends with the Ranger Boys. Any information you can give me will be greatly appreciated.

Please let me hear from you in regard to this.
Thanking you, Am Sincerely.

/s/ Mrs. G.W.

P.S. Please name the towns where the timber claims are and I will know as I have a map of that country. ("Six-Twenty-Six," March, 1923)

Timber Cruising

A timber survey party, under the direction of Professor T. J. Starker of the School of Forestry in Corvallis, cruised timber in the north and south Warner blocks during the summer of 1924.³ Timber had been applied for by W. C. Slattery, representing the Charles A. Hebard interests. Members of the crew were Jack B. Hogan, student from Ames, Iowa; George Jackson, Joseph Strehle, Bernard Anderson, C. M. Jackson, E. J. Schlatter from Pennsylvania; Dewey Berkland and a couple of other locals. Professor Starker said that George Drake and he drove a Forest Service truck from Bend to Lakeview:

Neither one of us had ever driven a gear shift car before and we had a hard time — and so did the car. On the cruising job we operated a Ford pickup with license #1. It had wooden wheels that dried out in the warm Fremont air and rattled. Drinking water was scarce and we drank out of cow tracks many times.

We were one of the first parties to do reconnaissance work with Abney level and tapes. Before that most work was done with aneroid barometers. The boys in the crew had to be educated.

One of the crew members called the supervisor's office to order some lunch items, including apples. The clerk told him that apples were very scarce in Lakeview. He replied, "That's nothing, we don't have any here at all in camp." The clerk also objected to our buying fresh corn for the crew. The cook we had was an ex-bartender, who quit after a few weeks because he said he wanted dessert every meal. We were sent to fight fire in the peat bogs in Warner Valley.

At the end of the cruising job, Mr. Starker made personnel reports on the students. His comment on the work of one of the 'others' was: "He was a good man around camp."

In August 1925, Will J. Sproat was assigned to the Fremont from the Rogue River to do a short cruising job. The Crooked Creek Lumber Company north of Lakeview and the Crane Creek Lumber Company south of Lakeview had applied for sales. The regional office sent Henry C. Hulett to help with this work. Mr. Sproat wrote in his report:

The pine lying within a mile or two of the mills was measured, a contour map made, and costs of operation obtained. I worked this up In the Lakeview office, made an appraisal report, which was sent to the Portland office along with a sample contract and sample advertisement. It was then beginning to be fall — the geese were coming in. Gilbert wanted me to stay for the fair, but I thought I better start driving back to Medford.

Lumberman Fred Matz and his assistants Schlatter and Kline have finished up the season's timber survey work and have returned to Portland. Parties worked on five forests, surveying the following acreages:

In the summer of 1928 Jack B. Hogan, a 1928 graudate of Iowa State College, was in charge of a timber cruising party which worked in the Goodlow Mountain, Horsefly Mountain, and Paradise Mountain areas north to Finley Corrals. The work was strip cruising in preparation for a number of timber sales. Floyd Cory was a member of this crew. ("Six-Twenty-Six," 1928)

Will J. Sproat sent the following poem with this comment: "The woman who wrote this probably listened to too much talk about the measuring of pine trees, and maybe was a little impatient." (September, 1925)

Pine Beetles

Damage to the forests of southern Oregon and northern California by pine beetles during the past ten years is estimated at $4,500,000 by A. J. Jaenicke of the U.S. Forest Service, Portland, in a report of the situation to State Forester F. A. Elliott. The damage is distributed $3,000,000 to privately owned lands and $1,500,000 to federal lands.

Treatment of the timbered area in an effort to remedy the situation will necessitate an original outlay of $146,595 according to Jaenicke, with proportionately lower costs for future treatments. The Klamath Forest Protective Association of Southern Oregon has expended in excess of $25,000 in the past ten years in its efforts to control the ravages of the pine beetle but adds that effective work was seriously hampered through lack of money of the timber owners who were convinced of the necessity of fire protection but were not at all alive to the fact that the western pine beetle was annually killing much more timber than fire.

A total 663,000 acres of federal lands are involved in the zone of insect infestation the report sets out as follows: Klamath Indian Reservation, 253,000 acres; Fremont and Crater National Forests, 210,000 acres; Klamath, Modoc and Shata forests, 75,000 acres; Oregon-California grant lands, 100,000 acres; unappropriated public domain, 25,000 acres. More than 600,000 acres of privately owned timber lands are included in the infested area. (Lake County Examiner, June 30, 1921)

Beetle infestations were present on the Fremont long before the forest was put under administration. One of the first references to beetle infestations was by Norman G. Jacobson, forest assistant, in the "Fremont Tidings" of February, 1912. He said they were more prevalent in the northern part of the forest, that areas of mature and defective timber would be carefully watched and if there was danger of an epidemic, control measures would be taken.

Pine Beetle Menace in Southern Oregon

The enormous damage which the western pine beetle can inflict on the yellow pine stands of this region is clearly shown by a serious situation which now prevails in southern Oregon and in which private lands, portions of the Crater, Fremont, Modoc, and Klamath National Forests, the Klamath Indian Reservation, O&C grant lands and public domain are involved:

On an area of about 1.2 million acres almost equally divided into private and federal lands, now containing a stand of 12 billion feet of yellow pine, and Western Pine Beetle has killed at least 1.5 billion feet of pine of good quality and high value in the last ten years. In other words, in the decade 1911-1920 the beetle has killed more than 10 percent of the stand. To prevent the recurrence of these heavy losses on federal lands, Congress will probably appropriate $150,000. This item is included in the Deficiency Bill and has already passed the House. The private owners of southern Oregon and northern California have been insistent in their demand for this legislation since without it they are unable to proceed with the protection of their own timber against the beetle menace due to the intermingled character of the private and federal ownerships.

If money is made available by Congress, control operations will begin on the federal and private lands within the project in the spring of 1922. The Bureau of Entomology's advice will be followed by all the private and government agencies concerned. It is the purpose to inaugurate on this so-called Southern Oregon-Northern California project, a permanent plan of control. After the wiping out of the epidemic on the area, a certain amount of so-called maintenance work will be done annually to keep the beetles from again increasing to large numbers.

The control operations carried on in the Whitman and Ochoco a number of years ago were directed against the mountain pine beetle. (D. monticolae), an insect which is primarily a menace to lodgepole pine, sugar pine, and finally to yellow pine when it occurs in a mixture with lodgepole. The control operations on this project will be largely restricted to combating the western pine beetle (D. brevicomis) a beetle which kills only yellow pine. (A. J. Jaenicke, "Six-Twenty-Six," December, 1921)

Our good Klamath Forest Protective Association, the doughty bug hunters, are up in arms against the brevicomis and monticolae; they have three camps in operation and a total of about eighty men in action. (June, 1922)

During 1922 the Silver Lake, Warner, and Paisley districts were covered by a pine beetle reconnaissance. The only dangerous situation was found in the Chewaucan drainage where yellow pine was being killed in considerable quantity. The infestation was on the decline in the other areas, so that no control measures were taken at this time. ("Six-Twenty-Six," September, 1922)

Insect control work has broken out again. The camp was set up the week of October 19, and the men were all on hand to begin work on the morning of the 27th. Assistant Supervisor Frizzell is in charge as area manager.

A. J. Jaenicke is making his annual survey of infested areas. Before starting out, however, he had a speedometer put on the Ford, so he can hold the chauffeur down to 15 miles per hour.

The Board of Control of the Northern-California-Southern Oregon Pine Beetle Control Project held a meeting in Klamath Falls earlier this year. S. R. Black, who has been secretary to the board and in charge of the project books, tendered his resignation. The project books and accounts will be transferred to the Forest Service at Lakeview and the project office in Klamath Falls will be closed. ("Six-Twenty-Six," 1924)

The latter part of October we had the pleasure of being in the field with A. J. Jaenicke and Carl Grubb (Klamath Forest Protective Association man) who were here on their annual insect control inspection trip. (Karl C. Langfield, "Six-Twenty-Six," December, 1925)

A pine beetle survey of the yellow pine on the National Forests of Oregon and Washington was practically completed this year. Portions of the Whitman and Umatilla remain unfinished. The data indicates that the yellow pine timber of the district can be divided into three classes, namely:

1. stands chronically susceptible to beetle epidemics
2. stands which suffer from beetle epidemics only at occasional intervals
3. stands which have been free from all epidemics for a long time

An accurate classification of the yellow pine on the above basis is of value in determining what stands should be cut first. Epidemic infestations by the western pine beetle are in progress on the yellow pine stands of the Chelan and Wenatchee in Washington, and on the Whitman, Malheur Deschutes and Fremont in Oregon. (A. J. Jaenicke, 1925)

During 1924 there was probably more yellow pine killed by the western pine beetle in Oregon and Washington than in any one year in the last ten or fifteen years. It is probably that the reduced vitality of the yellow pine brought on by the moisture deficiency of two or more growing seasons helped the beetles to get a strong foothold. The 1925 beetle situation looks a little better.

The general trend of beetle activity in the yellow pine of southern Oregon is indicated by the following summary. It covers a yellow pine stand of 2.5 million acres, estimated at 18 billion board feet and located in Klamath and Lake counties outside of the boundaries of the present control project:

1921 — 40 million board feet
1922 — 41 million board feet
1923 — 50 million board feet
1924 — 80 million board feet
1925 — 60 million board feet

These annual losses are not so heavy when distributed over the entire area, but 40 percent of the loss is concentrated on less than 5 percent of the area. (A. J. Jaenicke, 1925)

Over large areas of yellow pine in Oregon, how great are the western pine beetle (D. brevicomis) losses? A tentative answer to this question may be found in the results of four annual beetle surveys in a large body of yellow pine in southern Oregon carried on cooperatively by the Klamath Forest Protection Association and the Forest Service. This body of timber is in Klamath and Lake counties and is outside of the boundaries of the Southern Oregon-Northern California pine beetle control project. Generally speaking, the beetle situation on the area has been better than on other large yellow pine areas in Oregon and Washington.

The figures speak for themselves: Yellow pine area, 2,500,000 acres; Yellow pine volume, 17,500,000 BF (1921 estimate); Five-year beetle loss, 200,000 BF (1921-1925 inclusive). This amounts to 1.6 percent of 1921 stand.

The western pine beetle loss for the five years averaged slightly over three-tenths of one percent annually. Beetle losses of this and lesser severity are called "normal," or "endemic." Epidemic losses by the western pine beetle in yellow pine usually range from 1 percent to 3 percent annually, a low loss to be sure, but one that is apt to be at least intermittently maintained for a decade or two in the absence of artificial control measures. (A. J. Jaenicke, "Six-Twenty-Six," May, 1926)

The Fremont beetle control project in the Owens unit is in full swing with twenty-three men in camp, consisting of Assistant Supervisor Lawrence Frizzell in charge, cook and assistant, saw-filer, and one compassman, two spotters, and sixteen men treating. The camp is located at an altitude of 6,200 feet and winter weather is beginning to make work more or less difficult. The storm during the past 10 days has interfered with progress, but in spite of this handicap, excellent work is being accomplished. It is hoped that the weather will permit operations to continue well into December, when if the snow becomes too deep it will be necessary to suspend work until early in the spring when it will be resumed.

The Klamath Forest Protective Association has two camps in operation, one at Swede Cabin and one in the Owens Unit where they are treating timber for the private owners. (October, 1927)

Assistant Supervisor Frizzell started pine beetle control operations on the Owens Unit April 4. On account of the scarcity of funds this project will not continue as long as desired. It is hoped that additional money may be received next fiscal year to complete the work. ("Six-Twenty-Six," 1928)

Control operations in yellow pine in Oregon are confined this spring to the Whitworth Creek and Horsefly division. Most of the work is being done under the direction of Assistant Supervisor Lawrence Frizzell with a twenty to twenty-five man crew in cooperation with the Klamath Forest Protective Association. The method employed is felling, peeling, and buring of the infested trees. On one of the control areas, the Horsefly Division, the western pine beetle (D. brevicomis) has killed over 20 percent of the stand during the three-year period, 1926 to 1928. The Indian Service is doing considerable control work in the southeastern part of the Klamath Indian Reservation with the aid of a special $25,000 appropriation. (A. J. Jaenicke, "Six-Twenty-Six," 1929)

FIRE MANAGEMENT

Fire Reports

1920. Seventy-one fires started in 1920; sixty-three were from lightning and eight man-caused.

1924. Ninety-four fires occurred with an expenditure of $5,500, and was the worst season in the history of the Fremont. Sixty-five were lightning caused and thirty-one man-caused. Two fires that started in the last week of September reached Class D proportions owing to the low humidity and strong south winds. Largest fire on the Paisley district was the Watson Well fire of 5,000 acres on Summer Lake Rim. ("Six-Twenty-Six," December 1924)

1926. Supervisor Brown plans to move his five-tube Stewart Warner radio set to the office in order that the weather broadcasts may be received regularly and promptly during the fire season. In addition to being used for the weather report reception, the set will be used for making a study of static conditions indicating the approach of lightning storms.

The largest fire on the Fremont up to 1926 was the Bobs Lake-Mill Flat fire. It started on July 16, 1926, from lightning, was brought under control, but escaped and crowned on July 17. The Mill Flat fire started July 17, which spotted and started a third fire in the vicinity of the Schmidt Ranch. These fires burned in Townships 36 and 37 South, Ranges 20 and 21 East., W.M. They covered a large area and by Sunday, July 18, made a raging furnace several miles wide. The fire spread rapidly due to a 50-mile wind and low humidity, ranging from seven to ten. About 400 men were employed. Oliver F. Erickson of the regional office was on the forest and spent several days helping with dispatching and other work. Cooperation from ranchers, mill men and logging crews, townspeople, and others was excellent.

The fire covered 5,680 acres of national forest land and 2,560 acres of private land — a total of 8,240 acres. Approximately 50 million board feet of merchantable timber was burned, about 90 percent being ponderosa pine and 10 percent white fir and other species. About 90 percent of the second-growth poles and seedlings were also killed. The total estimated damage to timber was $158,873, three-fourths of the merchantable ponderosa pine being killed.

It was 48 days from the time the fire started until it was abandoned as out. ("Six-Twenty-Six," September, 1926)

1927. Fire occurrence was fairly light this year with eighteen lightning fires and nineteen man-caused fires.

1928. During the 1928 fire season, the following fires occurred: forty-eight caused by lightning, eighteen man-caused.

1929. The records indicate that two lightning-caused fires during this year is the lowest number since 1909. In addition, twenty-seven fires were caused by man's carelessness. A total of twenty-nine fires for the year.

Fire Wardens

On August 16, 1920, a time of extreme fire danger on account of extended drought and electrical storms, Ranger LaSater found four fires on hand, some of them of considerable size.

This was in the midst of "haying season" and men were scarce. On Sunday afternoon, August 16, LaSater drove into town to obtain help on the Antelope Mountain fire which, before being controlled, proved to be the largest fire in any area since the creation of the Fremont National Forest. A few idlers were found in a pool room, and four men were requested to go to the fire. One, a truck driver, another a camp tender, and another, a member of a hay crew, complied and immediately got ready to go. The fourth man, George Marvin, town recorder of Silver Lake, refused to go, stating that he was "expecting some important mail" that night. Since mail could wait and timber fires will not wait, LaSater did not consider this a "reasonable excuse", and so informed him. After again refusing, LaSater informed him that it would be reported. He replied: "All right, report it. I won't go."

After the busy season was over, the matter was taken up with the district attorney. Mr. Marvin was arrested, brought to Lakeview, and arraigned before a justice of the peace, charged with "refusing to assist in suppressing a forest fire." He acknowledged the charge but stated he had "reasonable grounds for refusal," and demanded a trial by jury. He obtained a lawyer to conduct the defense, and trial was set for December 9, 1920.

Ranger LaSater traveled from Silver Lake to Lakeview to attend the trial, and upon appearing at the place set for trial was advised that same had been postponed until December 11.

The case was tried before a jury composed of G. Sherman Easter, N.R. Wilcox, Fred Spangenberg, Harry Glazier, and William Combs. The prosecution was represented by District Attorney T.S. McKinney, and the defense by attorney L.F. Conn. Several witnesses from Silver Lake were in attendance, including William Burton and Carl Ewing.

At the trial it was brought out that the accused had just returned to town and had received bonds in the value of $39,000 belonging to an irrigation company and, on account of it being Sunday, could not deposit them in a safe place until the following day. The excuse given to the jury was different than the one given to Ranger LaSater at the time of the fire. However, the statement was accepted by the jury as a "reasonable excuse" and a verdict of "not guilty" was returned.

Though not obtaining a conviction, it is thought that it has proved to the community that a forest ranger in Oregon who is a "regularly appointed state fire warden" has the right to make an arrest, in case one refuses to fight a forest fire and does not have a "reasonable excuse." ("Six-Twenty-Six," December, 1920)

Cougar Peak and Round Pass lookouts reported a fire on August 19. Guard Langfield answered the call and found one of our local sheepmen very sick and unable to get help; he had set a large stump afire, taking the precaution that it did not spread, and thereby obtained assistance. The man had been sick for three days and was unable to walk when Langfield arrived. Langfield got help and took him to Paisley where he is recovering. The sheepman was Jack Barham of Paisley. ("Six-Twenty-Six," September, 1922)

William LaSater found a sheep herder guilty of setting a fire, took him before the justice of the peace at Silver Lake and the man was fined $16.50. This makes the second time for this man and he was instructed by the judge that it would be well not to make it a third time.

Karl C. Langfield found a sheep man guilty of leaving his fire burning. The man was traveling fast and got over on to the Indian Reservation but "K.C." was out after scalps and he brought him back to Silver Lake where he was fined $5.00 and costs. ("Six-Twenty-Six," July, 1924)

Fireman James C. Lewis of Silver Lake was recently sent to a fire and upon arrival found it to be an abandoned sheep camp fire. Investigation brought out the fact that his own brother was the guilty party, but by no means a willful one, as the boy was trying to play safe with fire and kept all the charred matches in his pocket instead of throwing them away. Evidence of carefulness was found about the fire. Nevertheless, James took his brother before the justice of the peace who assessed him $10.00 and costs as an urge to greater carefulness with fire. ("Six-Twenty-Six," October 25, 1925)

To John D. Guthrie, Forest Fire and Other Verse, from Helen Brown—

MR. GUTHRIE

Wouldn't it make you
Feel like an Executioner
Springing the Death Trap
If, after you had
Questioned the man
(Who is a Respected Citizen,
And a Permittee,
And a Friend of yours)
About the fire
His Herder said
He had not left burning;
And the Man said
He had camped there himself
And he had a Camp Fire,
But would not believe
A fire could have lived
Thru such a rain,
But that maybe it was
His Camp Fire
Or his Match;
And then you said,
"Oh, did you Smoke,"
And he said "Yes"
And you asked him
If it was a cigar
That he smoked.
And he said "Yes,
How do you know,"
And you asked him
"Was it this Brand"—
Showing him the Cigar Band
At the Fire,
And his face turned red
And he said
"Well, I guess you got me"—
Now say, wouldn't it?

Ranger Everett Lynch tells this story about Ivan Jones, an O.S.C. student on Cougar Peak for the summer. Although Jones was an excellent lookout he had the bad habit of getting up at 3 a.m. and hiking five miles to the station for his mail and back to the top of the peak before 7 a.m. On one of these mornings he cooked his breakfast at the station, having previously obtained permission. Frank Masterson, the fireman at this station, also had a bad habit of trapping and from the carcasses caught made some terrible concoctions. During the summer he had filled a five-pound lard pail with equal parts of badger grease and Bergman shoe oil, which he used for waterproofing his boots. When he left the station he also left his book grease on the top shelf of the cupboard. Ranger Lynch had a can of Crisco on a lower shelf with the other food supplies when Jones made his breakfast. However, Jones was used to using lard and didn't know what Crisco was. He prepared a fine breakfast of fried potatoes, flapjacks, and coffee, and sat down to eat.

At 4:00 a.m. Ranger Lynch's Lakeview phone rang, and Jones' voice, very disgusted said, "Say, Lynch, that lard at the station is spoiled. I fried some potatoes in it and couldn't eat 'em."

I'd forgotten the shoe grease in the lard can and told him there was no lard there, only Crisco.

"Crisco, what's that?" I told him. "But I used the lard on the top shelf," said Jones. I then explained that the lard was the remains of Masterson's shoe grease. I'm glad that twenty-one miles of phone line separated us because I was convulsed and Jones couldn't immediately see the joke. ("Six-Twenty-Six," July, 1925)

Fire School

All officials and employees of the Fremont National Forest will convene at Dairy Creek ranger station tomorrow for the annual fire school which will be held under the direction of Senior Ranger Howard T. Phelps, who is in charge of fire control on the forest this year.

Lookouts, road maintenance and construction crews, and firefighters from all districts will be present at the meetings. Information will be given in pacing and compass work, lookout manning, communication and maps, tools, and equipment, fire prevention, sanitation, law enforcement, fire chasing, and fire prevention.

Classes covering various phases of the work will be held by Supervisor Gilbert D. Brown; Rangers Lynch, Langfield, Phelps, Ingram, Young, and Bailey; Junior Forester Robert W. Putnam; and Al Cheney and Henry Sarles.

A period of the training camp also will be devoted to instruction and training in the work of the inter-forest flying squadron of fire fighters which is under the direction of Deputy Supervisor Lawrence Frizzell.

Ranger Phelps is now at the Dairy Creek station where he is laying out dummy fires and making other preparations for the work of the school. The program will be completed at 1:00 Monday. (Lake County Examiner, June 15, 1928)

WILDLIFE

Game Laws and Wardens

All regular resident forest officers in District 6 are deputy game wardens. We have made most gratifying progress in this respect and our cooperation is highly commended by the responsible state officials. They appreciate that our interest in wildlife is practical and not political, is sincere and not superficial. (Correspondence from E. N. Kavanaugh, January 12, 1922)

The handling of game and fish resources within the National Forests is becoming more of a problem every year. A general game policy in keeping with the special conditions in different states is slowly crystallizing. Our action and policy here must be in the interests of wildlife regardless of present political aspects. However, it is not advisable to overlook the need for diplomacy and tact pending the time when a more definite state policy will be evolved. The future will judge the Forest Service in its relation to game matters by the condition of the wildlife at that time, regardless of the political complications or other difficulties that may have been in our way during past years. ("Six-Twenty-Six," November, 1924)

In the early years, public sentiment was not so strong for fish and game protection. The game law enforcement improved slowly through the years 1905 to 1915. During Frank Light's reign as warden, about 1920-1921, a meeting and local organization was sponsored by Light, Lee Thornton, Harry Bailey, and Dr. Smith. The organization was formed and named the Lake County Fish and Game Association. The objectives of this association were better game laws, reduced bag limits, better seasons on fish, and restocking of streams and lakes. Frank Light was instrumental, in cooperation with local citizens and the Forest Service, for stocking Campbell Lake in the summer of 1921.

Dan Godsil took the warden job in 1922, and that year Deadhorse Lake was stocked. Since the year 1922, more interest has been shown by our Lake County sportsmen, and an annual plan of fish takes place. The small number of streams in Lake County and the dry seasons with low water have been very unfavorable toward a balanced fish plan. In other words, the demand is greater than the supply and the result is depleted streams about July each year. (Pearl V. Ingram, 1931)

Game Population

The general opinion of most of the Lake County sportsmen is that bird and fish life is on the decrease while there appears to be an increase in deer, especially does, over the period 1909 to 1925. Prior to 1905, when there were fewer people in Lake County, there were quite a few deer. At that time, game birds were numerous. Even prairie chickens were plentiful. Migratory birds were numerous in the days when Goose Lake and the Warner Lakes were full of water.

Man is not entirely responsible for the decrease in our bird life. Probably drought can be credited for a large percentage.

The main factors to a balanced game plan are food, water, and protection. A knowledge of the requirements of the game to be propagated is essential: a fair inventory of numbers, annual catch or kill, number to be stocked each year, and estimate of supply and demand each year. (Pearl V. Ingram, 1931)

Sagehen, grouse, ducks, and geese are among the game birds found within and near the forest in abundance. A few bear and cougar are also found in the higher hills.

The mule deer on the forest are estimated at 1000 head, though this number is probably less than the actual number. There are no elk, moose, mountain sheep, or goats, although in early days mountain sheep and elk were found in this country as indicated by old horns found on various parts of the range. During the past few years a material improvement in game protection in Lake County has been effected. (Grazing report, 1920)

Twenty-six cans containing approximately 20,000 eastern brook trout were recently brought from the Tumalo state hatchery near Bend and put into Campbell Lake on the Fremont. The fish were on the road 26 hours, having traveled 195 miles and when put into the water less than 20 dead fish were found. ("Six-Twenty-Six," October, 1921)

Mule deer are the only large game which inhabit this forest. It is estimated that there are from 1200 to 1500 of these animals on the forest. A very small portion of this forest is included within the Deschutes State Game Preserve in Township 26 South, Ranges 12 and 13 East, W.M.

A large game preserve for the protection of antelope and sagehens is proposed and action is now pending. This area lies immediately east of Warner Valley.

Reports from eastern forests of the district indicate an unusually good year for wildlife. More young birds and young animals are reported than at any time for which we have records in the past.

The census reports for 1924 should show a material improvement in the matter of wildlife in this district. On the contrary, however, on account of the drought, many of the fishing streams have been so low that there has been an unusual loss in fish, and it is going to be some little task to bring about improvement in these conditions short of several years pretty consistent work. (E. N. Kavanagh in "Six-Twenty-Six," September, 1924)

Mule deer are more plentiful than usual in Lake County this year. Most of the local force has managed to tag a buck, including Ranger White's wife. This was Mrs. White's first experience and she found it quite thrilling.

One of the Rangers was not so lucky, however, judging from the following excerpt from his diary: "A fine big buck deer almost ran over me today, but of course I carry no gun these days, as this 'Wild West' stuff is all off now." ("Six-Twenty-Six," December, 1924)

Water fowl, very scarce this year. ("Six-Twenty-Six," December, 1925)

The game resources of the Fremont Forest have been heavily used of late years. The increase in hunters, the desire to take a mule deer in preference to a black-tail, accessibility of the country used by the larger species, the automobile, state highways, and good forest roads, are factors bringing about this situation.

It was estimated by the local game warden that some 500 mule deer were taken from Lake County in 1925, 300 being taken by outsiders from Klamath Falls, Medford, Roseburg, and other Oregon towns, while the 200 were bagged by local sportsmen.

The local Fish and Game Protective Association, in cooperation with the Forest Service, is seeking to have the bag limit of two bucks reduced to one buck, and the season to include the month of October only.

The writer believes the deer have increased the past five or six years. The splendid work of the Biological Survey in reducing the number of predatory animals has aided materially in the increase of young deer. (Pearl V. Ingram, "Six-Twenty-Six," March, 1926)

The game on the National Forest, especially mule deer, have increased materially during the past few years. The game refuge in the Dog Lake District gives protection to the deer in their movements from this forest to their winter range in California, and again when they return in the spring.

The extermination of coyotes by the Biological Survey and local trappers has resulted in a very material increase of fawns reaching the weaning age. Sagehens are holding their own. (Grazing report, 1928)

Beavers. It has been noted that beaver engineering activities have been beneficial in a number of places where comparatively unproductive sagebrush areas have been made over into grass and sedge-covered meadow types, which will furnish considerable feed. ("Six-Twenty-Six," December 1925)

M. T. Jones of Paisley, formerly of the Fremont Forest, has been hired by the State Fish and Game Commission to trap beaver from the Chewaucan River. These animals are doing considerable damage to the ranchers in that vicinity by stopping up the streams and flooding the meadows. While we hate to see beaver destroyed, it would be advantageous to the National Forest if some of them could be trapped from the camping places along the streams where they are destroying practically all of the quaking aspen groves. ("Six-Twenty-Six," April, 1922)

Beaver on the forest are about the same as in former years, but because of the open season outside it is feared that poaching by trappers will reduce the number of beavers on the forest. The Forest Service will make every effort to prevent such illegal trapping. (Grazing report, 1928)

Lake County is one of the few counties in Oregon having an open season on beaver. During this season, which has been in effect four years, practically all of these animals in this county have been trapped on the forest as well as on private lands. Working as they did constructing and maintaining dams along all the mountain streams, their value in checking erosion and irrigating meadows and flats was inestimable, particularly during the present drought period.

It is estimated that the extermination of the beaver has lowered the carrying capacity of the mountainous areas they inhabitated at least 25 percent. It is a sorrowful sight to travel along the streams in this locality and view the vacant houses, dams, note the effects of erosion, and look at the dry mud flats which a few years ago were producing immense stands of the most desirable forage plants. This forage became available to stock during the driest part of the season by gradual seeping away of the water until late in the fall, when the dams were reconstructed for winter use.

The need for more strict enforcement of the law preventing beaver trapping on the national forest land is necessary. It is very difficult, however, to prevent this violation when the law allows trapping of beaver on private land. An effort is being made by the Forest Service to remedy this trouble. (Grazing report, 1929)

Hunters and Trappers

Last week Ranger Clarence Young of the Dog Lake district discovered a family consisting of a man, his wife, and five children residing on a homestead in the Dry Creek locality, who have been trapping fur-bearing animals during the winter. Since the fur season has closed they have gone to trapping porcupines, snakes, frogs, and lizards for which they find a ready market in Los Angeles, California. The 'wild animals' are boxed (tightly, we hope) and brought to Lakeview, 35 or 40 miles, and shipped by express.

The ranger was very much interested and gave them permission to take all of the porcupines and snakes in the Dog Lake district. (Lawrence Frizzell, "Six-Twenty-Six," June, 1927)

Bob Bailey had some geese at Dog Lake ranger station which he was fattening up for Christmas. They had the run of the meadow and the lake. One evening Bob sallied forth with his 16-gauge to collect some wild geese for the pot. He sneaked along the weeds by the lakeshore, and presently spied two fat, contented geese in the water among the rushes. Even as he pulled the trigger, Bob had a premonition of disaster which was confirmed when he fished his two pet geese from the water, dead. Bob says the light was bad. Anyway, everyone had a good laugh when he good-naturedly told the joke on himself. ("Six-Twenty-Six," January, 1929)

LIVESTOCK

Allowances

20-Year View of Allowances and Use

Seasons of use have been shortened and allowances gradually decreased during the past 20 years as shown by the following tables:

While the grazing period for 1909 allowed stock on the range April 1 to November 15, this full period was never used. Stock went on early and left early. This early spring grazing was destructive to the range, and consequently a gradual change to later spring dates has been made.

The acreage requirements have not therefore increased as much as the present allotment allowances and periods would indicate. In 1909 we estimated that four to five acres per head for sheep and sixteen to twenty acres for cattle was about the average requirement for the seven-month season. At the present time five to six acres per head for sheep and 20 to 25 acres for cattle and horses is required.

The present capacity of the range in general is not sufficient to carry the permitted stock for the full period of the permit under existing weather conditions. The stock have been forced to leave the range before the close of the permitted period because of shortage of feed and water as shown by actual use data collected. This does not mean, however, that there is too much stock. It means instead that the feed dries up early. If the dry periods continue, the actual use will be below the allowances.

One fact that must be considered is the fact that approximately 300,000 acres (more or less) of private land was used by our permittees in 1909, while now this land is rented and additional stock allowed under "off and on" permits, besides a great number now under permit on the forest under G-3 and G-4. The total number of stock under such permits includes 16,728 head of sheep and 995 head of cattle and horses. If added to the forest permits with those outside, this would bring the average, etc., very close to the figure of 1909 after considering the change in forest areas. (Grazing report, 1929)⁴

Grazing Fees — Cattle and Horses

Season - Yearlong beginning April 16 in 1920, May 16 in 1921-22, May 1 in 1923-24⁵

May 1 to October 31
May 16 to October 15 (not available in 1920)

Grazing Fees - Sheep

Seasons - Yearlong beginning April 16 in 1920, May 15 in 1921-22, May 1 in 1923-24

April 16 to October 15
June 15 to October 15

Wool and Livestock Sales

Beef brought from $.055 to $.07 for cows and $.07 to $.085 for steers, the greater part going for $.055 and $.07 respectively. Cows ranged from 950 to 1,010 pounds while steers weighed 945 to 1,050 pounds and were mostly two-year-olds. Not market for horses and mules.

Lambs sold for $4.50 to $6.00 per head. At the beginning of the season, some wool sold for as high as $.55 per pound, the three highest-priced clips in the county being taken from sheep under permit on the forest. The wool clip for this season for Lake County was 1.25 million pounds.

Ewes are selling for $5.00 to $9.00 per head, while two years ago they were worth $15.00 to $17.00 per head. Prevailing prices have put some sheepmen out of business, although the forest permittees, having ranch property, are in better condition to weather the storm. Cattle men have been able to stand the strain better than sheepmen. (Grazing report, December 2, 1920)

Market conditions this fall were a disappointment to cattlemen. Cows sold at $.035 to $.04 and steers at $.055 to $.065 per pound. Lambs sold at $5.50 to $6.75 per head, and ewes for breeding purposes at $9.00 to $10.00 per head. Wool sold at $.43 to $.44 per pound. At present wool is worth $.39. Lambs averaged 60 to 65 pounds per head, beef steers about 1,100 pounds per head, and cow ranged from 1,050 to 1,200 pounds. Stock cattle were sold at prices ranging from $28.00 to $31.75 per head, calves thrown in. (Grazing report, December 27, 1923)

The year 1924 drawing to a close finds the cattlemen in the most difficult position he has ever been in. No less authority than John Clay estimates, "75 percent of them are at present prices insolvent, 15 percent are badly bent, and 10 percent are in fair condition. Not even those out of debt can crow very lustily." The cattlemen's future is cloudy and uncertain.

Sheep owners are very largely in excellent shape. Good wool and lamb prices have prevailed. Production costs have been somewhat reduced and the average sheep owner is "sitting pretty." Lambs yet unborn and wool yet to be grown are being contracted at fancy prices. Numerous wool sales of 1925 clip at better than $.40 are of record. Lambs for July and August delivery are being contracted for at $.10 to $.11 shipping point. (Regional office livestock report, December, 1924)

On account of the shortage of feed and water, livestock of all kinds started the winter in poor condition. On account of the unusual high prices of sheep last fall, most of the local owners sold all lambs and "ditched" quite a lot of old ewes, at good prices too. A considerable number brought $5.00. Thus, sheepmen were in a better position for the winter than were the cattlemen. The latter sold but a minimum of beef; most of the steer stuff selling at low figures as feeders. Some fat cows were shipped and brought $21.00 above the freight. ("Six-Twenty-Six," February, 1925)

All classes of livestock did very well and will go into the winter in better condition than for some years past. Prices were better than usual, and stock's being in better flesh greatly assisted the stockmen to liquidate indebtedness. Steers sold at $6.50 to $7.00 and ewe lambs, alone, went as high as $8.50. Some old ewes were sold at $4.00 to $5.00. Yearling ewes are now in demand at $14.00. Taken collectively, the stockmen are in better condition than for some considerable time past. ("Six-Twenty-Six," December, 1925)

A few wether lambs sold for $7.00. One thousand head of O'Callaghan's lambs, after being driven seventy-five miles to the railroad, averaged seventy-three pounds each.⁷ Two-year-old steers averaged 1,050 pounds and brought an average of $.0775 per pound delivered at the railroad.

Stock cattle sold for $50.00 to $75.00 per head with calves thrown in. The general condition of the stock industry is good, and stockmen in general are more optimistic at this time than they have been since the depression following the war period. (Grazing report, 1927)

Approximately 8,000 beef steers were sold from the county, the prices ranging from $.09 to $.1 15 per pound. Cows sold for $.07 to $.085. The average weight of steers was 1,100 pounds. Range horses are becoming more scarce and are worth $10.00 per head, delivered at railroad points, for chicken feed. Prices for wether lambs range from $5.25 to $7.50 per head. The average weight was about sixty-five pounds. A few bunches of mixed lambs brought prices ranging from $7.25 to $8.00 per head, the higher-priced lambs having been contracted earlier. Grown ewes sold at $12.00 to $14.00 per head, and one band of yearling ewes has been contracted for delivery after shearing next spring at $10.75 per head. A few ewe lambs sold as high as $9.60 per head for breeding stock.

Sheep generally sheared about 10 percent less in 1928 than in 1927, on account of the dry feed late in the season. The average price of wool was $.33 per pound. A few clips sold later in the season for $.335. The Lakeview locality delivered approximately 1.25 million pounds of wool in 1928 and approximately .33 million pounds were sold elsewhere in the county. (Grazing report, December 21, 1928)

While stockmen claim that they have not made much money this season, they are on a sound basis in general, especially the cow men. Some bands of sheep have been turned over to the banks because of the shortage of feed and the necessity of buying high-priced hay. The hay crop in general is very short, and prices range from $15.00 to $25.00 per ton, which is prohibitive for range stock.

Approximately 1.5 million pounds of wool were shipped out of Lakeview. The records show that the total amount of wool produced within the county is greater than usual. This, with the shipment of lambs, indicates that the total number of sheep has increased. Wool prices ranged from $.27 to $.30 per pound.

Lambs brought from $6.50 to $10.00 per head, while beef sold for around $.09. The average weight of lambs was sixty-five pounds, and two-year-old beef steers about 1,100 pounds. Stock cattle brought from $45.00 to $50.00 a head with few sales. Ewe lambs have been retained by the producers during the past two or three years to a great extent than before. (Grazing report, December 21, 1929)

Grazing Reports⁸

Grazing Season of 1920. This forest has been subject to a heavy strain from a grazing standpoint during the past four seasons owing to the continued drought, but it is believed that with this winter's heavy precipitation and careful handling it can carry the present allotment without damage to the range.

It is regretted that the drought conditions during the past three years have so seriously reduced the capacity and quality of forage upon the Fremont Forest, and it is very necessary that steps be taken to protect the range from further depreciation.

A rather intensive grazing inspection was made on the Dog Lake Ranger District last season by Grazing Examiners J. L. Peterson and F. V. Horton. Much interesting and valuable information is set forth in the report covering this work. Nelson J. Billings, formerly grazing assistant on this forest, made an intensive reconnaissance of several sections in the Sycan country. This work has been found quite reliable and will be available for future use. An intensive grazing reconnaissance of the entire forest should be made as soon as funds are available, using any reliable data now of record.

The following data are from eight bands of sheep (11,600 head):

Line riders are employed to keep cattle on their alloted ranges and to distribute salt. It has been demonstrated that considerable can be accomplished toward distribution of stock and utilization of forage by proper location of salt troughs.

The Paisley District was supplied with a system of salt troughs under the direction of Ranger Elder. It was at first found difficult to get the stockmen to use these troughs but with the assistance of the association fairly good results were obtained. (Grazing report, 1920)

The permanent grazing preferences of all noncitizens are being revoked beginning with the season of 1920. They will be given temporary permits for the season of 1920. As noncitizen preferences have expired they cannot sell to citizens and transfer their preferences.

After 1920 no alien will be considered for a grazing permit unless there is clearly an excess of range after satisfying the demands of the citizens. (Lake County Examiner, July 29, 1920)

Grazing Season of 1921. Inspections made this past summer seem to indicate a gradual relaxation in the enforcement by local officers of requirements intended to bring about an orderly and efficient handling of the grazing business. War conditions undoubtedly were largely responsible for this condition. Changed conditions now warrant us insisting upon the owners seeing that our requirements are observed more closely, as they can no longer plead incompetent or inefficient help as an excuse.

Roy Johnson of the U.S. National Bank was reading his copy of the Oregon Farmer-Stockman the other day and found the following in the "50 Years Ago" feature:

Few people realize the vastness of the empire included in Lake County or its possibility for future development, It has an area greater than the State of New Jersey and ranks fourth as a livestock county among the 34 counties of the State, having within its borders approximately 200,000 sheep and 50,000 cattle. This year there were nearly 100,000 lambs shipped from Lakeview as feeders to be finished in Utah and Nebraska. The value of this lamb crop, which grazed on the range lands in the county was more than $500,000. The wool crop of 1919 amounted to approximately $700,000. The county ranks seventh in the number and value of horses and mules and eleventh in the tillable area, while it is third among the counties in the State in area of timber lands. (Oregon Farmer-Stockman, "50 Years Ago," July 22, 1971, quoted in the Lake County Examiner, July 22, 1921)

Grazing Season of 1922. The winter here was long drawn out, and as a consequence it is estimated that there was a loss of from 15 to 20 percent in sheep, probably a 5 percent loss in cattle, and the others were turned on the range in very poor condition. There was, also, a considerable loss among range horses, the percent being hard to arrive at, as but slight interest is taken in them, since they are of but very little value.

It is interesting to note that, while many horses died on "the open range" a bunch of seventeen wintered on the summit of Mt. Hager — elevation 7300 feet. This was made possible by the luxuriant growth of bunch grass, and that a considerable area on the mountain is barren of timber growth, thus allowing the wind to blow the snow off the area. While the thermometer must have registered low, these horses were in fair condition of flesh when the spring break came. ("Six-Twenty-Six," July, 1922)

It is gratifying to know that general conditions of late spring operated to bring about improvement in range conditions. Many areas on your forest have been heavily grazed in the past and undoubtedly there has been a material lessening in the quality of the forage produced although this past season may have shown an apparent increase in quantity. It is believed that we are justified in taking advantage of every opportunity to reduce the number of stock authorized to graze on the areas which are known to have carried the heavy load of the past four or five years. If we can build up the range over and above what its average has been for the past eight or ten years we can later increase the number of stock and more than compensate for any changes that may be made at the present time. (Correspondence from E. N. Kavanaugh, January 12, 1922)

This forest, in keeping with others here in the Northwest, had a long dry season and conditions were not any too satisfactory. Due to a more vigorous enforcement of the regulations and some pretty sharp cutting here and there we have brought about some improvement in grazing conditions on the Fremont during the past two years. It is still necessary, we believe, to enforce a shorter season and I feel confident that satisfactory progress along this line is being made. This forest in common with others will be carefully studied in connection with the range appraisal reports and another year we hope to be able to specify very clearly where the necessary improvements should be made. (George H. Cecil, District Forester, December 27, 1922)

Grazing Season of 1923. Precipitation in 1923 was slightly above that for 1922, ranging from fourteen to eighteen inches in different areas. Most of the stock wintered well and entered the forest in good shape. They did well during the summer and were in excellent condition when they left the range. Also the range was in good condition at the end of the season.

Market conditions this fall were a disappointment to cattlemen. The livestock industry in this country is very largely dependent upon the national forest range, and the permanency of the forest grazing preference tends to stabilize the stock business. This fact is more fully realized by all stockmen since their financial difficulties have forced many of them to the wall. Those who have forest preferences have, in most cases, been able to obtain financial assistance and hold on, while many of those without such preference failed.

The district rangers estimated that between 250 and 350 head of stray horses were grazed on the forest during the summer without permits.

Losses from blackleg are becoming less frequent since vaccination is the general practice. It is believed that larkspur causes the greatest loss of stock by poisoning and steps to eradicate the weed should be undertaken on the most heavily infested areas. Loss from predatory animals continue, notwithstanding the excellent extermination work of the Biological Survey and the payment of heavy bounties by the county. The bounty system was discontinued by Lake County early in 1923, principally because of unscrupulous trappers flooding the county with pelts of predatory animals from the adjoining counties and northern California. Coyotes cause the greatest loss, bobcats and cougars taking a smaller toll. The estimated loss of animals is about 3 percent on sheep and 1 percent on calves and colts. Rabies among the coyotes has caused an additional heavy loss, especially among cattle and horses during the past few years, and is again prevalent as an epidemic. (Grazing report, December 27, 1923)

In order to keep the sheep herders from decorating signs with their signatures and wit, Ranger Bill LaSater has been in the habit of posting the signs high enough to be safe from the reach of even the tallest herder. LaSater was proud of his "Pole Butte" sign and put it ten feet above ground. And now he complains that some herder made "Apple Butter" out of his sign. ("Six-Twenty-Six," January, 1923)

Grazing Season of 1924. National forest range conditions were considerably below normal this fall, and 1924 will be remembered as the driest year that the Pacific Northwest has ever experienced. Following an open winter with practically no moisture, spring came three weeks to a month early. The range dried up; many springs, seeps, even some good-sized creeks ceased to flow. On several forests, stock had to be removed in July and August and placed in meadows. Conditions remained adverse until nearly the first part of November. (Regional office livestock report, December, 1924)

Grazing Season of 1925. The unusual cold spell, lasting more than ten days, from eighteen to thirty-seven degrees below zero, caused many cattle to freeze to death. A number of owners report from ten to twenty-five head lost, and one owner lost 100. Horses are dying by the dozen (This will partially solve the problem of the range horse on the National Forest).

Not many sheep have died, but the owners are at much more expense this fall and winter than is usual here; all of them had to haul water from wells for weeks. And now all are feeding rather heavily.

There has been considerable moisture this fall and winter, the ground being wet deeper than for three years past. It is hoped that the drought is at last broken. Yet there is very little snow in the hills and none in the lower regions.

Trapping has been very poor this season; the many rains, followed by freezing weather (so as to 'set' the traps) is the cause attributed. ("Six Twenty-Six," February, 1925)

Lake County has been experiencing considerable precipitation during April. For the past week we have had either rain or snow every day and the roads are in very bad condition between Lakeview and Klamath Falls. Snowfall to the depth of eight to twelve inches is reported in the surrounding foothills. The temperature remains moderate and grass is making rapid growth. (May, 1925)

Range conditions generally were much better during the season of 1925 than they have been, in this locality, for several years. This was due to an increase in annual precipitation, slight decrease in the numbers of cattle and sheep, and improvement in methods of handling stock on the range. Since the utilization this season on the entire forest averaged about 90 percent and precipitation in the early fall was above normal, we are looking forward to another good season in 1926. (Grazing report, 1925

For the most part this has been a very good year here. Late rains in the spring and early rains in the fall produced a goodly supply of forage and grasses. Browse plants put on a greater growth than has been true for many years.

The farmers have 15,000 acre feet of water to start with next season, whether or not it may snow later on. Very heavy crops were had under the irrigation system. A large surplus of hay is on hand this fall, which is quite a contrast with last fall when there was none. (William LaSater [Silver Lake], "Six-Twenty-Six," December, 1925)

Conditions this year were quite satisfactory both as to stock and as to range, this being evidence by our own observation and by the expression of cattle and sheep men. There was good utilization of the range, and at the same time a fair proportion of the better plants were able to go to seed. With prospects for a wet winter the range should be "clothed in luxury" next year. Due to weather conditions making bands hard to hold, sheep men were forced to leave the range a little earlier than usual, leaving some feed unutilized.

Sheep prices were quite gratifying this fall, a number of bands changing hands at a good figure. Sheep men are beginning to smile again and it is possible that they will be grinning broadly next year. (G.L Kane [Paisley], "Six-Twenty-Six," December, 1925)

Grazing Season of 1926. Livestock of all classes have fared very well, indeed. Very little winter feeding has been resorted to. Hundreds of cattle are now on the "desert," and are in excellent flesh. The sheep are not faring quite so well, as this class of owners is having much difficulty in securing water. Some owners have been forced to bring their bands to the valley for watering purposes (and, necessarily have to feed, since pastures are thoroughly eaten out.) (Report from Silver Lake District, "Six-Twenty-Six," March, 1926)

Grazing Season of 1927. The general condition of the range and stock was excellent this year. All classes of stock came off the range in good condition.

During the past several years, several of the larger cow men have sold out with the intention of entering the sheep business. This change in class of stock has been discouraged locally by the Forest Service because the ranch property which they own is more suitable for the production of cattle than sheep. The general financial condition of the industry at the present time is on a thoroughly sound basis locally, and the banks are rather optimistic of the future.

While there is considerable yet to be done in various lines of range management on the Fremont, we feel that during the last several years a steady progress toward more systematic and technical range management has been made.

Common use range has been tried out on small allotments during the past twenty years on the Fremont, but no entire districts have thus been managed until two years ago when it was decided to make a common use range of almost the entire Dog Lake division. This has worked out well, and it is believed to be the logical plan of management for that district.

The new Chewaucan-Sycan drift fence now under construction will prove of great benefit in the range management of that allotment. To date, nearly thirty-two miles of fence have been finished at a cost of $6,907.10, and contributed time and expense in the sum of $716.50. Approximately twelve miles of fence yet remain to be built in order to complete the chain. All material is on the ground, and it is planned to finish the job next season. (Grazing report, 1927)

Grazing Season of 1928. The grazing season this year has been about average with the past several years. The stock went on the range in good condition with an abundance of early feed. The lack of late rains, however, caused the range to dry up prematurely. The excellent start and the fact that the range was not overstocked, allowed the stock to remain in good flesh, and at the close of the season everything came off the range in better than average condition.

The number of cattle permits and number of sheep permits on the forest this season were equal, indicating that there is yet a tendency to change from cattle to sheep. Some of these changes have been made because the old cow men have passed away and the younger generation sees more profit in sheep than cattle. It should not be carried too far because of the fact that the ranch property in the county, especially the hay meadows, is better adapted to the production of cow feed than sheep feed and, in the long run, undoubtedly will be used for that purpose.

A considerable number of cattle were lost last season from water hemlock near the North Fork of Sprague River. Seventeen head of cattle are known to have been poisoned from this plant in that vicinity during June. Very few cattle die from other causes, although there is a slight loss from larkspur. There is an unidentified poisonous plant in the vicinity of Louse Lake on the O'Callaghan Brothers' allotment which claims an average of approximately 100 lambs each season.

During the past season in the north end of the forest and especially in the Antelope Flat country and north from there, a heavy infestation of tent caterpillar occurred. These insects entirely destroyed the browse feed and in many cases killed out the brush. A similar occurrence in a smaller way happened on the south end of the Fremont on the Dog Lake District some years ago, but no permanent damage was done.

The Chewaucan-Sycan drift fence has now been completed-a distance of forty-four and one-half miles, at a cost of $9,725.00, aside from contributed time and interest on the money borrowed. The results of the fence completion are most gratifying. Cattle are kept on their allotments without the necessity of continuous driving from the sheep allotments. This driving of stock not only ran the fat off the cattle, but damaged both the sheep and cattle range materially. Trespass on sheep allotments has been almost entirely eliminated, and the sheep allotments show a substantial increase in forage over the past seasons, due to protection of the drift fence. Friction between cattle and sheep men has been greatly reduced because each class of stock gets the feed intended for it.

During the past few years Ranger Langfield has been experimenting with piling brush in the gullies that lead through the flats and meadows. The results have been encouraging. The prevention of erosion in these flats will be a material step toward increasing the carrying capacity of the allotments. (Grazing report, 1928)

Grazing Season of 1929. The range this fall shows marked effects of the dry period. There are indications of overgrazing on some parts, and the entire area is extremely dry. No rains occurred after June 18, and the forage practically stopped growing from that date. The stock, however, came off the range in good condition this fall. Sheep were required to travel excessive distances and, in some cases, go for several days without water. This additional trailing was destructive to forage and injurious to the range.

Plans in use on this forest have proved very beneficial in connection with proper handling of stock on the allotments. The permittees have assisted materially in their application and development, and seem to feel that the plans are a mutual production to better range conditions and control of stock and forage. The plans are working along the right lines. More technical help is needed in their improvement and operation, and this we hope to get.

For several years Ranger Langfield has been thinking of erosion control dams. In 1928 he had three log dams constructed in a deep wash in what is locally known as Long Hollow, a tributary of the Chewaucan River. Two of these dams held, and although the run-off in the spring was light, from 12"-18" of silt was stopped. The other dam washed out at the end of the logs and no silt was stopped at that location.

As mentioned in previous grazing reports erosion is well advanced at various places on the Forest. It is believed that heavy grazing, drought, and lowering of carrying capacity in general have materially aided erosion during the past 10 years. (Grazing report, 1929)

Predators and Other Nuisances

Coyotes. There are many coyotes in Goose Lake Valley. Despite Government hunters, valley ranchers are having great trouble with coyotes killing sheep in their back yards. A few nights ago one rancher had five killed, all within 300 yards of the ranch house. The cause is undoubtedly the lack of small game in the foothills. Rabies are prevalent among coyotes. Six head of cattle and one dog have "gone mad" recently. ("Six-Twenty-Six," December, 1924)

Bears. Carl Pitcher, Silver Lake Government trapper, recently trapped a 350-pound bear, which was known to have depredated on three sheep ranges. Three bears have been killed by herders and one by the Bald Mountain lookout. ("Six-Twenty-Six," December, 1924)

Range Horses. Range horses are becoming a greater nuisance each year. However, it is believed that since the authority of the Forest Service to dispose of this class of trespassing stock has been recognized, the problem can be very effectively handled through round-ups and sales. (Grazing report, December 12, 1925)

The wild horse question appears to be in a fair way of solution as a result of the establishment of a fertilizer plant here in Portland. This plant has only been in operation a short time but has already taken care of several thousand horses, and the business of providing these is being systematized throughout the close-in territory. As the close-in territory is cleaned up, demand will reach farther and farther out, and we can reasonably expect in the not distant future to have most of our range cleaned up so far as horses are concerned. (Correspondence from district office, February 10, 1926)

Ground Squirrels. The campaign against ground squirrels was successfully carried on for about ten years starting in 1926. The methods as worked out on the Fremont for intensive and follow-up work have been used successfully in many other parts of the state. This was a cooperative project by the Biological Survey, whose representative, Jean F. Branson, furnished poisoned grain and technical direction; stockmen who furnished money, labor, horses, and other equipment; and the Forest Service who contributed men and equipment. Lake County furnished other help as needed.

The ground squirrels (Citellus oregonus) increase during a dry cycle and consequently destroy a great amount of forage. This dry cycle reached its height in about 1932, and water began to return in 1937 and 1938. Most of the cooperative work was done on the Paisley and Silver Lake districts. Some poisoning was also done on the Dog Lake and Bly districts for pocket gophers during the years 1928-1936.

Ranger Karl C. Langfield tells of the first large scale rodent control program on the Paisley District in 1926: "I mapped and directed the field work. We had a mounted crew of fourteen to twenty men, a cook, and a wagon outfit to move camp. We treated thousands of acres infested with rodents in the Chewaucan Sycan range country with outstanding results. Follow-up work in 1927 and 1928 practically eliminated these ground squirrels and it was gratifying to see grass growing around the abandoned burrows."

Jean Branson tells of the following incident at the rodent control camp on one of the cold early spring days in April. When the men turned the horses loose at night, Branson suggested that they keep one horse available at the camp for use in catching the others next morning. The ranch hand didn't think it was necessary, but the next morning all the horses had crossed the Chewaucan River, and were considerable distance from camp. The wrangler Matt Lowry then took off most of his clothes, waded the icy river which was about waist deep, and went to catch the horses. (1926)

Diseases. Scabies spread over a great part of the county last season and its control threatens to be a serious problem. (Grazing report, 1920)

Bureau of Animal Industry Inspector Armstrong has been in the Silver Lake region since June superintending the dipping of sheep for scabies, this area becoming infested with the disease last fall. Some thousands of sheep have been dipped. Three bands were found to be scabby. In each case the sheep had been dipped twice early in the spring, but they were not cured. ("Six-Twenty-Six," August-September, 1921)

In May 1923, I was sent to Sycan to supervise lambing operations and prevent the trespass of transient sheep on the forest. On arrival I found the three bands grazing under permit and two bands in trespass.

At the same time Dr. Casper of the Bureau of Animal Industry arrived and quarantined all the sheep in the Sycan area for scabies until they could be dipped. A band badly infested with scabies had trailed through from Bly to north Sycan and had jeopardized the health of about forty other bands that would be using the trail en route to summer ranges.

I received word to team up and cooperate with Dr. Casper to enforce the quarantine and prevent further trespass. We were on the job seven weeks before all the sheep were dipped and given crossing permits to proceed to their summer ranges. (Karl Langfield, May, 1923)

Trespassing. Tim Cronin had a grazing permit for 2,410 head of sheep near Silver Lake. Ranger LaSater called me on a Friday and stated that Cronin was not keeping his sheep on his allotment. I got Cronin on the phone and told him that I would come to Silver Lake on Monday and if his allotment was not sufficient I would adjust the matter. He agreed to meet me and stated that he would keep his sheep on the given range until I arrived. As agreed, I reached Silver Lake and found that Cronin had not kept his promise but had his sheep on Foster Flat. I went to the Flat and found him sitting on his horse in a meadow by a rail fence. I asked him why he had not kept his promise to me. He answered, "To hell with you." Nobody could tell him where he grazed his sheep. As a precaution, I had obtained a warrant for his arrest and was carrying my revolver. While talking to him, I glanced around and saw two of his friends slipping up behind the fence back of us. Realizing that they were there for no good purpose, I decided to act. Drawing my gun, I ordered Cronin off his horse, stating that I had a warrant for his arrest and had come prepared to serve it. I then told him that if he would move his sheep back on to his own allotment, I would not arrest him. This he promised to do. He had completely grazed off the Louse Lake allotment.

Cronin appealed the case to the district forester, and a hearing was held at Bend before Ed Kavanaugh, then in charge of grazing. Cronin insulted Mr. Kavanaugh, who then told Cronin that the supervisor's action was upheld. I offered Tom Cronin range on Sugar Pine Mountain for the remainder of the season, which he accepted. As we left the bank building where the hearing was held, Cronin came up behind me and said, "You don't know how near you came to getting yours that day at Foster Flat; I had two men there to fix you." I replied, "Yes, I suspected something of the sort; you remember Tom McCully and Con Finucane? You would have gotten what Con got." (Con Finucane was shot by Tom McCulley.)

This was probably the most exciting and notorious sheep trespass case in Region 6. Lawrence Frizzell and Karl C. Langfield assisted in the field work.

Cronin went to Alaska and tried sheep raising but was not successful. I met him in Lakeview two years later, and he said, "I'm not mad at you anymore. I went to Alaska and lost everything I had. I was a darned fool." (Gilbert D. Brown, July, 1921)9

The $500 fine and costs assessed in the U. S. District Court in Portland on January 6, against Jerry Ahern and Mike Angland "cleans the slate" of trespass cases in this district. It is hoped that the outcome of these cases will tend to lessen grazing trespass in the future. ("Six-Twenty-Six," February 4, 1924)

Stockmen and Stock Associations

The cattle and sheepmen of the Klamath Falls country have decided to bury the hatchet and work together to secure control of the open grazing lands of Klamath County by the Department of Agriculture. Conditions have become quite serious on these ranges the past two years, and at least one death has resulted from the antagonism aroused. Nearly 35,000 cattle and 165,000 sheep have been using these ranges which are insufficient to carry more that about half of this number safely. Unless some remedial action is taken, the range and all parties using it will be seriously damaged.

A bill providing for certain additions to the Fremont Forest has been prepared by the stockmen. Two attorneys from Klamath Falls, one representing the sheepmen and the other the cattlemen, have been instructed to go to Washington and endeavor to get this bill passed by this session of Congress. (E.N. Kavanaugh, "Six-Twenty-Six," February, 1920)

Stock Organizations on the Fremont in 1920:
Central Fremont Cattle and Horse Association
Dog Lake Cattle and Horse Association
Warner Stock Grower Association

A county organization was started this season with a membership consisting of stockmen throughout the entire county. Some of the organizers were H. A. Brattain, McDonald & Elder, Snider & Jones, A. D. Frakes, J. F. Hanson, C. D. Arthur, A. M. Smith. Also this year the old Silver Lake Cattle and Horse Association was reorganized under the name of "The Silver Lake Stockmen's Association." The Dog Lake and the Warner associations are ready and willing at all times to assist in handling matters pertaining to the stock business on the National Forest. (Grazing report, 1920)

A meeting of the Central Fremont Cattle and Horse Association was held April 2 in the city council rooms.

In the afternoon session the question of line riders was discussed, and it was decided to levy an assessment of $.20 per head for this purpose. An assignment of $.05 a head for the purchase of rabbit wire and fencing was also decided upon.

The association adopted last year's rules in reference to bulls and salting regulations. The annual dues of $2.00 were paid and it was decided that the grazing fees be paid in two installments. Forest Supervisor Brown is holding up the grazing permits until the money for the line riders and fence building has been turned in.

The Biological Survey and County Agent Teutsch will be asked to assist in poisoning squirrels. C. W. Withers, C. H. Morris and J. B. Elder are in charge of this campaign.

Ranger Carl Ewing, assisted by H. A. Brattain, W. B. Snider, and J. B. Elder will locate the stock driveway to the Little Chewaucan.

Sheep and cattle numbers were running about 50 percent over the permitted numbers. Action was started to count the numbers turned on range. (Meeting notes, April 9, 1923)

A local Horse and Mule Owners Association has been formed at Silver Lake, Oregon. This organization is composed of the principal owners of horses and mules in that locality and it is their intention to gather up and dispose of the inferior stuff. They are at present advertising the sale of several hundred head of horses on December 18, 1925. (Gilbert D. Brown, Grazing report, December 12, 1925)

The Chewaucan-Sycan cattle permittees went together and bought their stock salt. The Forest Service cooperated by hauling it to the range in the fall, since the roads make it impossible to haul it in the spring. Hauling in the fall made necessary the constructing of weather and porcupine proof boxes for storing it where good cabins were not available. ("Six-Twenty-Six," January, 1926)

The management plan for the Chewaucan-Sycan Cattle and Horse Association has worked out almost 100 percent this season. Cooperation between permittees in all range matters was more than expected. Their range expenses are materially lower than formerly because of the drift fence. With two line riders employed there has been practically no stealing of cattle from the pasture this year.

The salting plan in Paisley District continues to work satisfactorily. The Central Fremont Cattle and Horse Association voted to put out six pounds of salt per head for the 1929 season. Bids were let for 50,000 pounds of salt for use on the range and for the permittees use of their ranches. Bids were also let for the delivery of the salt on the range, relieving the Forest Service of any responsibility except for its distribution. At the present time, 39,000 pounds of salt are stored on the range in salt boxes and cabins for use next spring. (Grazing report, 1928)

IMPROVEMENTS AND OTHER FOREST SERVICE OPERATIONS

Roads

Status of the Road. Not many years ago it was almost impossible to travel through the Fremont Forest other than with light vehicles or on horseback. But through the systematic efforts of forest officers in cooperation with county officials and users of the forest, a road program has been worked out and partly completed, which makes it possible to reach all parts of the forest more readily and a great many of these places by automobile.

The principal unit of this program is the trunk road which extends through the heart of the forest from Lakeview to Silver Lake. Next in importance is the Paisley-Bly road which follows the Chewaucan River from Paisley to the mouth of Deer Creek, thence to the Finley Corrals and on to Bly. Practically all old roads and many new ones are being opened up and made passable to cars. These roads are built and maintained primarily for fire protection but make the locality accessible for all other purposes.

The first road constructed by the Forest Service in this locality was the Currier Wagon Road, which was built during the seasons of 1907-1908. This road is rather steep for automobile travel but is of great value to the stockmen in traveling to and from their summer ranges.

No other road work of importance was done until the road up the Chewaucan River was constructed. A section of the forest trunk road was built from Cottonwood Creek to Dairy Creek in 1920. During the season of 1921, the trunk road was made passable to cars from Dairy Creek to the head of the Sycan River; then, in the season of 1922, this road was completed to Long Creek, north to Currier Camp. A section of the Paisley-Bly road was built from the Dairy Creek campground to the mouth of Deadhorse Creek.

Aside from repairing the present forest roads, it is planned to complete the Paisley-Bly road and the road south from Auger valley to Sycan this season. If the proper spirit of cooperation is shown by the stockmen using the Currier Road it will be put in a good state of repair this spring.

With these forest roads and the few old roads that are still in good shape as starting points, it is planned now to undertake the construction of passable branch roads leading into every section of this district. These minor roads are in most cases old, abandoned roads that will be cleaned out and straightened.

The first effort at opening up these isolated sections will be cleaning out the old Scott Road from the Bevel place to the head of the Sycan River. It is hoped that this section can be made our quickest route from Paisley to either the Withers Pasture or Currier Camp.

The program then provides a new and easier crossing of Sprague River about three miles beyond the Lee Thomas meadows. The Shake Butte region can be opened up by repairing the old road from Currier Camp to Bly and cleaning out the old Conley Road from Sprague River to Pikes crossing.

One of the most necessary roads of this kind is the one planned up Bear Creek to Bear Flat and extending either way along this divide from Mill Flat on the mountain road to the old Lakeview road near the head of Swamp Creek. The locality covered by this road is of exceptionally high fire risk, and in the past many fires started either from lightning or unknown causes...." (The Chewaucan Ripple, April 9, 1923, published every 2 weeks by the students of the Paisley schools)

Lakeview-Silver Lake. Road construction on the Fremont during the past summer has been much more rapid than heretofore, owing to the fact that a tractor has been in operation and found very valuable for this work. It was at first thought that the large tractor would be unwieldly and unsuitable for mountain roads, but with careful handling it serves the purpose exceedingly well, the one fault being that it slips from its tracks when working on very steep hillsides. Ten miles of the Lakeview-Silver Lake road have been completed to date. ("Six-Twenty-Six," September, 1920)

The trunk road started from the forest boundary near Cottonwood in the fall of 1919 was completed to the Chewaucan River on June 30, 1921. Since then eight miles more have been completed, and twenty-five miles of right-of-way cleared of rocks and trees, making automobile travel possible between Lakeview and Silver Lake by going over the old road from Currier Camp via Augur Valley. The Forest Service expects to complete the road next season, and also widen and improve the Paisley-Chewaucan road from Paisley to where it connects with the Forest Wagon Road on Elder Creek, a distance of approximately twenty miles. This road is now passable for automobile travel but entirely too narrow to be safe for the amount of travel which will result from opening up the Chewaucan country. (Lake County Examiner, Fall 1921)

Bly-Finley Corrals. The old wagon road from Bly to Finley Corrals was cleaned out and made passable to vehicles, at an estimated cost of $20.00. This will make it possible to haul salt and other supplies into the heart of the Bly cattle range. (Grazing report, 1920)

Paisley-Chewaucan. Work on the Paisley-Chewaucan trapper road was started for the 1923 season on May 11. The first camp is about three miles west of the mouth of Deadhorse Creek on Dairy Creek. (June, 1923)

Road Condition Surveys. During the months of October and November, a condition survey was made of approximately sixty-five miles of old and minor roads throughout the district. We are hopeful of receiving funds enough to put these roads in good traveling condition next year. ("Six-Twenty-Six," December, 1925)

Recreation

The Fremont Forest during the past summer has furnished recreation for several hundred people, which was impossible heretofore due to lack of roads. We are glad to say that with this additional number of people in the woods, so far this season we have not yet found a campfire left burning by them. It is evident that our campaign against carelessness with campfires is having its effect. Many calls are received for permits, and these requests are largely due to notices published in the local papers calling attention to the necessity of having campfire permits before entering the forest. ("Six-Twenty-Six," September, 1922)

Buildings and Bridges

Drews Creek Bridge. The old bridge on Drews Creek, which was built in 1909 by the Oregon Valley Land Company during their logging operations in that vicinity, recently fell into the creek with eleven head of C. D. Arthus' beef steers. These steers weighed approximately 1,400 pounds each, or a total of 15,400 pounds. None of the cattle was seriously injured. The bridge has a forty-eight foot span, about fourteen feet above the creek bed. It has now been rebuilt by the Forest Service in cooperation with farmers and stockmen of the westside and Dog Lake localities, and the road is now open for travel. ("Six-Twenty-Six," December, 1921)

Round Pass Lookout. Round Pass lookout house was built in 1922.

Lakeview Warehouse. On October 1, 1922, the Forest Service leased for $50.00 per year (with an option to buy) a tract of land from Henry and Hattie Newell. Known as the north 20 feet of Lot 8, and all of Lot 9 in Walters Second Addition to the town of Lakeview on North H Street, the site was to be used for a garage and tool shed. During the fall of this year, for a total cost of $1,530.59, two galvanized iron buildings were constructed — one was a workshop and garage, and the other a machine shed and storeroom. Carl Ewing was in charge of the work. (October, 1922)

It was not until 1925 that it was decided to buy the tract of land leased from Mr. and Mrs. Newell at the formerly agreed price of $500.00. Due to a defect in title which required much correspondence and negotiation to clear up, approval was not granted to pay for these lots until 1930. In that year the Attorney General approved the title, and the Secretary of Agriculture approved the purchase of the lot. In 1931 Congress passed a deficiency bill providing for the purchase of the lots, payable from the appropriation for the fiscal year 1925.

Cougar Peak Lookout. The new Cougar Peak Lookout house is now about completed. The work is being done by A. E. Cheney and L. A. Young under the direction of Ranger Norman White. Considerable difficulty was experienced in getting the material to the top of the peak, but the task was accomplished after several mix-ups with the pack train. (August, 1923)

Ingram Cabin. The new cabin at Ingram Station was completed November 7. It is fourteen by sixteen feet, built of lumber, with a shingle roof, and will serve as a shelter in time of storm. ("Six-Twenty-Six," December, 1925)

Meetings and Courses

More Money. Supervisor Brown spent a week in Portland the latter part of January trying to convince the district office that the Fremont wasn't getting nearly enough money. This is supervisor's favorite indoor sport at this season of the year. (1922)

Bend Meeting. While not so large as the Baker meeting, this was a runner-up for pep and punch. The sessions were appropriately held in the Long Pine Labor Temple. The only kicks of the Bend meeting were the benches — the only thing that kept those present at times from becoming numb all over was an occasional good one sprung by Charlie Congleton from the Ochoco. Good talks were made by George M. Cornwall, editor of the Timberman, and by Mr. H. R. Isherwood of St. Louis, of the Lumberman's Order of HOO Hoo. Rangers from the Deschutes, Fremont, and Ochoco were there, and the district forester, and chiefs of offices. Former Supervisor Jacobson dropped in for awhile. It was felt that both meetings were successful — a lot of official wrinkles were ironed out, a lot of friendships started, and many old ones renewed.

The Fremont "bunch" thoroughly appreciated having had the opportunity of attending the rangers meeting at Bend and feel that much good was accomplished from the exchange of ideas and the discussions of the various subjects treated. We believe each man is stimulated and will put more "vim" into his Zork. (June, 1922)

Study Course. The winter study courses are now being prepared in the district office and will be put out to the field just as soon as they are ready. The gratifying responses received from the field are what put the 1923 course over in the district office:

Evidently from the comment in the November issue of the "Six-Twenty-Six," we are going to have to put up a scrap if we get a study course this winter. We realized that the members of the district office, who devote their time to the preparation of the course and the examination of the answers, are doing a lot of extra work, but for the benefit of the Service, we consider it well worth while and that every officer who took the course had a broader and more intelligent view of the Forest Service work.

Therefore, we the undersigned members of the Fremont Forest hereby petition the district office to furnish a study course similar to the one given last winter.

(Lakeview, Oregon, November 24, 1922)

Ranger Meeting. A district rangers meeting was held at Medford, March 6-11, 1925, with rangers and supervisors from the Crater, Fremont, and Siskiyou forests. Fire Chief W. B. "Bush" Osborne of the Portland office led the discussions on fire prevention and fire suppression. (1925)

Marking Conference. During the last two days of August and the first day of September, representatives from the Washington office and Districts 5 and 6 held a marking conference on the Dog Lake District of the Fremont. Washington was represented by Messrs. Carter and Munns; District 5 by Messrs. Show, Woodbury, Kotoc, Dunning (of the district office in San Francisco) and Lyons, Riley, Davis (of the Modoc); District 6 by Messrs. Granger, Ames, Ericson, Munger, and Hanzlik (of the Portland office); F. P. Keen, Walter Buckhorn, and Max England of the Bureau of Entomology; Brown, Putnam, and Young of the Fremont.

The three days were spent profitably in general discussion and field work covering various phases of forest management, including marking and sales policy. The evenings were spent in a free-for-all discussion around the campfire. In all, the meeting was considered very enjoyable, and it was with regret on the part of the local force when our distinguished visitors took their departure. The California men went back to their various activities and the District 6 men went on to hold a similar conference on the Malheur. ("Six-Twenty-Six," October, 1927)

Public Relations

Agricultural College. Very friendly relations exist between the Service and the Oregon Agricultural College officials. Regarding many of the matters in which we are interested, they can be of considerable assistance to us, and we have been able in the past to help them out in a large measure. The present friendly relations should be cemented and every consistent effort made to help the representatives of the colleges to secure information on their trips to the forest, as they have shown a willingness to help us out, not only in discussing matters with permittees, but before the general public. (1924)

American Forest Week. About 95 percent of the Fremont employees helped in some way on this program with talks, lantern slides, literature, or cash. The Lakeview office put on an essay contest which was made compulsory for all pupils in the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth grades and the high school. The subject was "Why and How We Should Protect the Timber Resources of the United States." A prize of $2.50 was offered for each of the grades and $4.00 for the high school. Money was contributed by persons interested in timber and members of the supervisor's office. Much interest was shown by the teachers and pupils, and the high school was allowed credit for this work instead of their report on American history for the week.

County School Superintendent Miss Pearl Hall, Mr. Harry Utley, of the Favell-Utley Realty Company, and Supervisor Brown were the judges. It is interesting to note that all of the prizes were won by girls. Mr. Brown presented the prizes at the high school assembly May 1, and made a talk on American Forest Week and recent legislation dealing with forestry problems. Mr. Utley talked on the lumber industry and its future possibilities in Lake County. ("Six-Twenty-Six," June, 1925)

Illustrated lectures on fire prevention were given by Ranger Norman C. White at the following schools during the week preceding American Forest Week: Lakeview High School and the grades from fifth to eighth; Silver Lake, Paisley, Dry Creek, and the Union School on the west side.

Ranger Pearl V. Ingram visited the several schools in his district, delivering a similar lecture at each school ("Six-Twenty-Six," May, 1926)

Census

Under a cooperative agreement with the Bureau of the Census, Grazing Examiner Walt L. Dutton will have general supervision of the agriculture census work in Oregon and Washington for the next three months. He will find out all about how many spuds, turnips, chickens, ducks, etc., have been raised on the June 11 claims and other areas in and around the forests. All Fremont rangers will be busy on the cenusus during November and December. ("Six-Twenty-Six," November, 1924)

Have been engaged in this work for some weeks. Coming as it did in mid-winter, it was disagreeable work, and the roads WERE NOT! Some days, seven miles per was FAST time. And those who know me can guess how I enjoyed going at this rate; 116 farm schedules were secured. The average PER being three and nine-tenth miles.

However, there is nothing the matter with me now, except that I have the lumbago, one frozen toe, and two frozen ears. Hoping you are the same (or at least in no worse condition to face the coming "active" season). "Respectively," Wm. L. LaSater ("Six-Twenty-Six," February 1925)

Triangulation for the Fremont

Last June Surveyor James Frankland from the regional office and local officers of the Fremont extended triangulation control from the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey arc near Lakeview northward through the Fremont forest, tying in on the U. S. Geological Survey triangulation in the vicinity of Crescent and Odell lakes.

A large number of points were occupied and to these were tied the General Land Office survey corners. This work fills a very important gap in the control scheme for that region, and it will provide the district office with a correct base for the compilation of a new Fremont base map, which no doubt will be started this fall.

The instrument used on this work was a seven-inch theodolite borrowed from the International Boundary Commission. (A. H. Hodgson, "Six-Twenty-Six," September, 1925)

Forest Boundaries

The Fremont is all broke up, having more miles of unposted boundary than any other forest. On a map it looks like a crossword puzzle, with most of the blanks not filled in yet. To reach the supervisor's headquarters from almost anywhere in the winter time, one usually goes via Sacramento, California, or Reno, Nevada. (June, 1926)

Miscellaneous

Homing Pigeons. Homing pigeons are being used to advantage on the Deschutes. William J. Sproat has charge of their care and training. The road crew supply truck carries them on all trips. On one occasion a sage was carried from twenty miles west to Fort Rock which instructed a crew of men not to come to a fire. Forty pigeons are housed in the loft in Bend. Messages have been carried to this loft from Crater Lake, Klamath Lake, Trail, and Portland, as well as from all parts of the Deschutes forest. Birds have also flown to this loft from Prineville, Burns, Silver Lake, and Vancouver, Washington.

All district rangers can use the homing pigeons to advantage, if for no other reason than to keep their headquarters posted as to their whereabouts and the time of return. ("Six-Twenty-Six," September, 1920)

Special Use. In looking over the Supervisor's diaries on the Fremont recently, an item in a 1910 diary caught our eye. It read something like this. Surveying Special Use: Get four dozen lemons and one quart of good whiskey. Many reminiscent sighs from the older members of the ranger force greeted the reading of this note. ("Six-Twenty-Six," January, 1923)

The Go-Getters. During the first ten days of June, the Fremont force was busy with law enforcement. National Forest Examiner Lawrence Frizzel was maintaining his record of recovering stolen telephone wire. During the construction of the Bear Flat-Beaver Marsh telephone line, one coil of wire was left at Surveyor Springs, and when the crew returned for it two or three hours later, it was gone. Frizzell and Kos found where a car had stopped at that point, they tracked it to a ranch out on the Indian Reservation where they found the coil of wire locked up in a granary. They recovered it. ("Six-Twenty-Six," July, 1924)

H.S. Grave Notices. "Hello, Uncle Sam." Recently I was thus addressed by a hunter. He then said, "I'd like to get a map of the Fremont, Mr. Graves. I've been hunting up on the river, but now want to try the Antelope Mountain region, as I could find only does so far." When handed the map, he said, "Thank you, Mr. Graves."

Process of inflation. I said to him, "You seem to have the best of me; I don't seem to recall your name." (I knew quite well I'd never met him.)

He then said. "I have never met you, but was told downtown that I'd find the boss of the forest at this station, and I saw a couple of your notices while hunting. That's how I know your name." Process of deflation!

Now, to make a long story longer. The idea is I have tried to remove those old signs as per instructions from the Supervisor's office and the district office. When this unknown hunter informed me he had (within a short period of time) found two of the H.S. Graves notices, I could but admit that I'd failed. Not so good.

In defense of myself and other of my well-intentioned fellow rangers, I'd like to submit this for your consideration and ask leniency for the present. The signs for most parts, which are desired to be removed, were placed from horseback and are, then, higher up than the natural range of vision when driving an auto (or a Ford). And too, being in timbered areas, the road is rough and crooked, and one really cannot vision both road and sign at the same time.

Now for my suggestion: Take a friend's wife along (undoubtedly, she'd enjoy the outing) to "spot" the objectionable signs, or do as the man did who placed them — take old Dobbin (in all too many instances since the advent of the Ford he doesn't have proper exercise anyway!) and go over the roads and trails; give your districts thorough inspection and not only remove these signs, but you will undoubtedly be repaid for having renewed acquaintance with the isolated regions which have become almost strange since the advent of the "car."

Them were the days. I'm glad this hombre didn't mistake me for James Wilson. Could this have been true in your district? (Wm. A. LaSater, "Six-Twenty-Six," November, 1926)

Panoramic Photographs. Everyone is much interested in the panoramic photographs being taken on the Fremont. W. B. Osborne of the district office spent a week on the forest checking the camera and giving us some good dope on the technique of taking such photographs, and we are in hopes of getting some really good panoramics. It is an extremely interesting job and should prove a step in the right direction in perfecting fire control. Incidentally, Mr. Osborne got a nice bag of ducks on Thanksgiving Day. ("Six-Twenty-Six," January, 1929)

LOCAL NEWS

Hospital

Lakeview's hospital was recently opened, and at the present writing has only one patient. It does not reflect upon the hospital but only shows that in this vicinity the climate is very healthful. (1920)

Call for Help

William LaSater, Silver Lake ranger, was called at midnight recently to look for missing children — a boy 6 and girl 11. Within twenty-five minutes, eight autos containing thirty-one men, three of them being from the ranger station, were en route. The children had gone for a horseback ride on one horse and had failed to return. They were found at 3:00 a.m. safe. Realizing they were lost, the little girl tied up the horse, unsaddled him, took the blanket and wrapped herself and the little boy up in it and prepared to spend the night. The temperature was twenty-four degrees that morning. When found, the boy was asleep, but the girl was too cold. The children were returned to their parents at 4:00 a.m. ("Six-Twenty-Six," August-September, 1921)

Bald Eagle

En route to Bend on February 15, Ranger LaSater and party with whom he was traveling drove (in auto) within twenty-five or thirty feet of a very large-sized bald eagle, which remained on his perch, a high gate post. This was in the vicinity of Fremont. Mr. J. B. Fox, who has resided in the vicinity for several years stated that there were a dozen or more in the valley. It is supposed that the deep snow in the mountains has driven them to lower regions in search of good. There are untold thousands of jack rabbits in the lower sagebrush valleys, and Mr. Fox stated that the eagles were "living high" on them at this time. ("Six-Twenty-Six," April, 1922)

Cottonwood Dam

The Goose Lake Irrigation Company this week started the construction of the Cottonwood Dam, which has been held in abeyance for a number of years. Camp was established Monday, and a number of men and teams are now employed on the works. The dam will be an earth and rock structure and located at the site of the old power plant. When completed it will be forty feet high and hold approximately 8,000 acre feet of water. (Lake County Examiner, July 12, 1922)

Telephones

On August 5, the telephone line to Sycan Valley was completed and a phone installed in the ZX house. The Slide Mountain telephone line was completed August 20, and a phone installed. The completion of these two lines with the erection of a lookout on Slide Mountain gives the Fremont a better fire detection and communication system. ("Six-Twenty-Six," September, 1925)

Forest Service

Winter Travel. Following the big storm which held sway for several days the fore part of the month, Supervisor Brown, Ranger Ingram, and Guard A. E. Cheney made the trip from Silver Lake to Lakeview. The first part of the journey—from Silver Lake and Summer Lake was made with a four-horse team, and from Summer Lake the remainder of the distance was traveled by automobile. The temperature ranged at times as low as twenty-five degrees below zero, and in consequence, Mr. Brown had the misfortune to freeze the tips of several of his fingers while assisting in the repair of an auto stalled along the route of travel. ("Six-Twenty-Six," January, 1920)

Romance of Mt. Hager. The romance culminated September 12 with the marriage of Miss Ethel Caldwell to Mr. Charles McCulley. The ceremony took place at the lookout house on top of Mt. Hager, which is on the Silver Lake Ranger District in the northern part of the forest.

Miss Caldwell was the very efficient fire lookout on this peak the past fire season, and deserves more than ordinary credit for the good work she has done, and especially her "stick-to-it-tiveness." From June 19 until September 14 she was "on top" every day except three, after a heavy rainstorm. The camp is about a mile from the top of the mountain (the nearest water), and the trip must necessarily be made twice a day.

At one time during the worst fires, she nearly ran out of food, having only a few cans of fruit left and nothing from which to make bread. She was also out of reading material, she said, but worst of all, she had lost her crochet hook. At that time it had been three weeks since she had seen another person; still she never complained and felt it was all in the game. (October, 1920)

New Phones. Telephone Engineer Clay M. Allen spent two weeks in November supervising the remodeling of our telephone system from a grounded to a metallic circuit. New, creosoted stubs were properly cross-armed. The railroad crossing situation was solved by putting in conduits at that point. As a result of this work under Mr. Allen's direction, our pole line is now undoubtedly the best in the city. ("Six-Twenty-Six," December, 1925)

Float Awarded Second Prize. At the annual Round-up and Lake County Fair held in Lakeview, Oregon, on September 5, 6, and 7, the Forest Service drew second money for the best float. The award of $25.00 will be placed in a special fund for the purpose of constructing another float for the 1926 Round-up.

The old "White" was dolled up with a small lookout tower, fire finder, telephone, etc., with a small boy acting as lookout. A telephone line connected the lookout with the fireman (another boy) who with the proper equipment was "raring" to go. The whole float was decorated with forestry green and white crepe paper, evergreens, and strings of sugar pine cones. ("Six-Twenty-Six," October, 1925)

Another Float Prize. In early September the Fremont won a prize of $33.50 for a float in the Round-up parade. A forest scene including a live deer was the Fremont's entry. ("Six-Twenty-Six," 1928)

Ski Races. In February 1929 the Fort Klamath Ski Association sponsored ski races from Crater Lake to Fort Klamath. In addition to ski races, they had other fill-in events. They invited the Crater, Deschutes, and Fremont forests to take part in a pack race. The Crater had two teams, one of the members being Eugene J. Rogers (later a Fremont ranger at Silver Lake.) R.C. "Bud" Burgess was one of the members of the Deschutes team. The Fremont members were Lawrence Frizzell, assistant supervisor, and Ranger Karl C. Langfield of Paisley.

The contestants had to pack up the horses, ride around the arena, stop and build a fire, cook and eat some bacon. "K. C." Langfield said that was the rawest bacon he had ever eaten, even though he ordinarily did eat his meals on the run, according to his fellow employees.

The Fremont was very proud of its team for bringing home the $25.00 cash prize. This was in the days when cash prizes did not have to be deposited as Government Receipts and were a welcome addition to the Forest Welfare Fund used for flowers, gifts, floats, etc. (1920)

NOTES

1. The sale was administered by Robert W. Putnam from the beginning until July 1930, when operations were suspended. After Mr. Putnam was transfered to the Wenatchee National Forest in August 1930, reports and other matters in connection with the sale were handled by Henry C. Hulett, district ranger, R. U. Cambers, lumberman; and Walter J. Perry, chief lumberman, in the order named. Bach, page 261.

2. In October 1935, the Crooked Creek Lumber Company applied for a cancellation of its contract under provisions of the Act of April 17, 1935 (Public No. 78-74th Congress H. R. 2881). Because the remaining area was partly developed by logging roads, mill pond, etc., and the quality of the uncut timber was equal to that which was cut, the government sustained no loss and therefore cancelled the agreement. The balance of $1,672.33 on deposit was refunded to the company in 1936. Henry C. Davis was manager of the company. Bach, page 261.

3. T.J. Starker, forest examiner, resigned from the Forest Service in April 1919 to work with the Western Pine Association as a traveling secretary. He had worked for the Forest Service for eight years. Later he became dean of the School of Forestry at Corvallis and later still a private timber owner.

4. For further discussion of allowances and actual use, see Bach, pages 292-293.

5. Yearlong permits seem not to be available after 1924 for either cattle or sheep.

6. Bach records no grazing fees for 1925-1927. However the attention given to the increase in 1928 suggests that the fees had remained relatively stable for some time.

7. Statistics for a typical band of sheep in 1927 are given in Bach, page 270.

8. In addition to the information recorded here, the original grazing reports include detailed information about number and distribution of livestock as well as permits and limits.

9. Though not cited in Bach, Supervisor Gilbert Brown is the apparent narrator of this story.

Fremont fire school, 1927

Fremont personnel, 1927. Back row, left to right: Dan Brennan, R.A. Bradley, Lawrence Frizzell, Ruby Ewing, Grace Frizzell, Ralph Brown, Henry Sarles, Ivan Jones, Clarence Young, Karl Langfield, Everett Lynch, Vivian Bailey, Edith Brown, Lilliam Young, Eva Ingram, Mary Bradley, Della Cheney, Louise Brannan, Melva Butler, Lottie Langfield. Lower row, left to right: Pearl Ingram, Bea Johnson, Erma White, Dorothy Lynch, Norman White, Miss Young, Gilbert Brown, Bessie Brown, Robert Putnam, Al Cheney. (click on image for a PDF version)

Forest Supervisor's Office in the Wilcox Building, Lakeview. The significance of the beaver carcasses is unknown. Photo circa 1922.

Ranger Pearl Ingram's Dodge, photo in 1922.

Fremont Ranger meeting in 1924. Front row, left to right: Lawrence Frizzell, Gilbert D. Brown, Pearl V. Ingram. Back row, left to right: Carl Ewing, Karl Langfield, Jessie G.C. Elgan, William LaSater, Nerman C. White. (click on image for a PDF version)

M.W. Harbison demonstrate portable tool shed, 1923

Fremont personnell attending a meeting in Bend, December 13, 1921. Left to right on ground: E. Donneley, V. Harpham, Ben Smith*, Vernon Anderson, W. Harriman*, Glen Howard, Bert Oney, Tom Talbot, C.S. Congleton, Lawrence Frizzell*, Perry South*, Jack Hornton, Ralph Elder*, Norman White*, Ben Young*, H.L. Plumb, Pearl Ingram*, E.N. Kavenaugh, J.G.C. Elgan*, Norman Jacobson*, Frank Zumwalt, Roy Mitchell, J.O.F. Anderson, H.R. Isherwood, George M. Cornwall. Left to right on porch: Grover Blake, John Guthrie, Gilbert D. Brown*, Fred Ames, C.J. Buck, William LaSater. *Fremont National Forest employee. (click on image for a PDF version)

District Rangers meeting Crater, Fremont, and Siskiyou Forests 1925. Left to right, front row: Porter King (State), Hugh B. Rankin, Floyd V. "Jack" Horton, Lee C. Port, Norman C. White, William L. Jones, Jesse G.C. Elgan, Pearl V. Ingram, Karl C. "K.C." Langfield. Second row: W.B. "Bush" Osborne, Mel Lewis, Janie V. Smith, A.H. Wright, Violet Cook, Jess P. DeWitt, Bill LaSater, John E. Gribble, Russell Bacon. Third Row: Lawrence Frizzell, Gilbert D. Brown, Eugene J. Rogers, Andrew T. Poole, John D. Holst, George Case, A.W. Borigo, R.C. Park, Royal U. "Doc" Cambers. Back row: Floyd Murray, Will J. Sproat, Stephen A. Moore, John C. Scharff, George West, Lee P. Brown. (click on image for a PDF version)

Foster Flat Guard Station in 1927. Mrs. L.D. Bailey on right.

Slide Mountain Lookout in 1927. L.D. (Bob) Bailey using telephone.