March 26th
2016 we celebrated the history of Gold Butte focusing on the most notable
characters Arthur Coleman and William Garret. We came together to rebury Art
after some miscreant disturbed the final resting place of this early prospector.
We did our best to right this wrong and reburied Art’s remains, to rest once again
alongside his longtime friend William Garret.
The
circumstances that brought us together were appalling at best, but like the
resilient pioneers who settled this country, we made the best with what we had,
and rose to the occasion. The event will be remembered by all those who rattled
down the road to headquarters hoping to partake in the history, available to
those willing to seek after it. Our history is infused within the desert hills,
just a part of the landscape as the Joshua trees and weathered buttes.
The well of
history was brimming in the desert winds, proffering its narrative to those willing
to partake. The reward was a refreshing treat whose succulence could never be
recreated. One day those who knew of the way it was, will not be here to share it
with those of tomorrow. For the wellspring of history, if not recorded, revisited
and remembered will one day dry up. It
was in the spirit of remembrance that we gathered and celebrated Art Coleman
and Bill Garret.
We first
reburied Art and reworked the graves in hopes to protect from future marauding
intruders. After the graves of both men were cleaned up we held a simple
ceremony to rededicate the final resting place. Duane Magoon presided over the
service. Gene Houston gave the opening prayer. Myself, Dustin Nelson, gave the
eulogy. Lindsey Dalley dedicated that graves. The closing prayer was given by
Shem Teerlink. It was a simple affair but seemed fitting for the good ol’ boys
for which we gave tribute.
(Click here to read my eulogy)
(Click here to read my eulogy)
After the
service we had a pot-luck lunch and gathered to share stories and memories of
Art and Bill and of the many who have lived their lives within the backdrop of Gold
Butte. For me, eating potato salad while visiting with friends, stirring up stories
from the past, in the very place where many of those stories took place, is
about as good as it gets.
I spent most
of my time visiting with Norm Tom who wore quite a little leather off the tree
chasin cows alongside many of the cowboys in Gold Butte. He told me stories of
Jimmy Hayworth when he worked for Howard Hughes, of my uncle Moose Whitney when
he was out here running with my Grandpa Don Whitney and many other cowboys and
city folk who thought they were. Kicking our boots in the dust of Gold Butte
and being able to point to the very washes where Norm remembered working cows
and making camp is a memory to….well, write about.
One of the
highlights of the day was when the Jacobs family arrived bringing with them Art’s
original Model A Ford. The story I got was that Art left the car to the Jacobs
family in his will and it has remained in the family ever since. James Jacobs,
the son of Slat, towed the car out. He said if he had had a little more time he
could have got it running and drove it out. Running or not, it was most
excellent to see the old car reunited with this rough and rugged country. The
Jacobs family use to have the ranch just below the Nay’s at the bottom of the
mountain on the Arizona Strip side.
When all was
said and done and folks started to pack up and leave, I speculate they left
with more than they came. To the casual
passerby, who fails to behold these hills imbued with its historical perspective,
the contrast of human and nature can seem a stark contradiction. But for those
who understand and appreciate what has transpired within these surroundings,
there is an insight which pulls in harmony the contrast of humanity and nature to
reveal a more vivid landscape and an accompanying desire to conserve it. It is
these community events, where we celebrate our history that ensures our public
lands stand resolute.
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