Page 9 - 2004 DT 9 Issues

Wha t’ s Insi d e !
Featured Articles
The Mule......................................................1
Boot Tracks.................................................5
Special
In Memoriam...............................................2
Quiz............................................................7
Departments
February 2 0 0 4 News & Notes............................................2
Programs & Hikes........................................4
Desk Schedule............................................6
Bulletin Board.............................................8

THE MULE . . . sizes, colors, and even shapes, but they persuasion. It’s the only way to go. With
THE MULE . . .
THE MULE . . .
THE MULE . . .
THE MULE . . .
share certain characteristics that made
all of these qualities, it is no wonder that
them a natural for the rigors of the Old the mule was the number one choice for
not stubborn . . . just smarter
West. Mules are stronger and tougher so many activities in the West.
than some people, and a than horses, live longer, and are easier to They pulled stagecoaches, wagons,
true “Westerner.” feed, too. This comes from the donkey carried miners’ gear, hauled canal boats,
side, as those animals seem to be able to took army stores and ammunition into
by Chuck Kleber
subsist where others would die for lack places no other animal could go, and
ules have probably been the of food. Mules are said to have the body much more. The Trinity Mountains in
inspiration for more jokes than of a horse and the extremities of a don- northern California are very scenic, but
Many other four-footed creature. key—such as long ears, shorter and the rugged terrain was a great obstacle in
But jokes aside, the mule’s stamina, sturdier legs, and smaller hooves that are carrying supplies to the gold miners at
sure-footedness, intelligence, and less subject to injury than those of a horse. Mt. Shasta. Enter the mule. It is estimated
“cussability” have become legendary. He But it is the mule’s brain that at various times in the 1850’s, about
is the mascot and a legend at the United and temperament that 2,000 mules came and went daily. Some
States Military Academy at West Point; make him especially people even preferred the mule over the
and deserves it. Mules served the U.S. unique. His reputation horse as a
Army from the 1830’s to the 1950’s. for stubbornness is re- mount. “Cali-
Well, what about this strange-looking ally more a case of not fornia Joe”
animal with the long ears? Perhaps the being stupid. Like us, Milner, a fron-
most significant thing is that mules can’t the mule is keenly tiersman and
reproduce—they are sterile. A mule re- interested in self-pres- scout, was one.
sults from the mating between a male ervation . . . and that is In 1823, an
donkey (burro) and a female horse, or a a big plus. Just think of American
male horse and a female donkey. The how mules manage to trader, Stephen
problem is that a horse has 64 chromo- negotiate narrow and Cooper, made a
somes and a donkey 62, leaving the mule treacherous trails all great deal in
with an uneven number . . . 63. And that over the West, including the Grand Santa Fe, bringing back 400 Mexican
just doesn’t work. Still, males (called Canyon. One false step would be a per- mules, jacks (male burros) and jennies
“Johns”) have male reproductive organs, manent “Adios,” but when did you last (female burros). Their offspring became
and if not castrated within a few months hear of an accident involving a mule the famous “Missouri Mule” that
of birth become uncontrollable. Marlene stumbling into a gorge? Don’t cuss at him challenged the horse for usefulness. Un-
Malcher, a mule expert, says this should for not going ahead; there may be a dan- derstandably, there was much debate over
always be done under anesthesia as mules ger you can’t see. the merits of each. Indians favored the
have an excellent memory and “. . . will Humans are very social and bonding horse since he was swifter and they had
remember the person or persons they con- creatures, and so are mules. They learn no use for a working animal. Perhaps it
sider to have caused them pain.” Female quickly, are affectionate, jealous, playful,
mules (called “Mollies”) are also sterile. loyal, calculating . . . you name it. How-
Mules come in a wide variety of ever, you must earn their trust and use The Mule, continued on page 6