Page 38 - 2008 DT 12 issues

May Powell, continued from page 1. In short, Los Angeles might well have
remained a relatively small settlement,

DESK SCHEDULE The story, later related to Powell, was and Las Vegas, little more than a rail
that Indians were looking for miners stop. Powell’s biographer, Donald
Thur/1 G. Wojciechowski J. Barrett who had killed a Hualapai woman. Worster, noted such things and went
R. Rossnagel F. Davis The remaining members made it to on to say, “Phoenix would probably
Fri/2 D. Kavula OPEN a settlement by the Virgin River just not even exist.” Powell accepted the
Sat/3 W. Barbuck W. Barbuck two days later. They had been gone need for government, but he openly
L. Mills three months, traveled nearly a thou- called for “Hands Off” when it came
Sun/4 K. Nelson R. Erickson sand miles and been given up for dead. to changing the natural state of things.
B. Jackson The adventure brought fame to Powell. Powell’s vision of the West as
He used his knowledge of geology to
Mon/5 S./S. Stenzel J. Geier publicize his views of how the Colorado a region of self-reliant, but limited,
Tues/6 K. Jackson J. Geier River had cut the awesome canyon. Powell population was simply too much for an
P. Kepner returned in 1871 to map the river and can- expansion-minded America. Whatever
Wed/7 P. Herman R. Porche yon. Fortunately, he took photographers was required, water would be brought
Thurs/8 G. Wojciechowski J. Barrett with him in addition to a surveyor, and to where it was needed. Powell’s phi-
losophy was a lost cause, and he lived
R. Rossnagel F. Davis we now have a picture record of the journey. long enough to see it fading away. He
Fri/9 R. Erickson P. Boghossian Wisely, he also took a missionary who was died far from the West, in Haven, Maine
M. Pults very friendly with the local Indians.
Sat/10 P. VanDooremaal B. Wolin In his recollections of the ex-
H. Doric perience, Powell wrote in an
Sun/11 D. Langdon OPEN eloquent, almost poetic style:
Mon/12 R. Kinn R. Erickson “The Grand Canyon is the most
B. Jackson sublime spectacle in nature . .
Tue/13 W./I. Baumann P. Kepner . a land of song. Mountains of
Wed/14 C. Camburn R./O’Sullivan music swell in the rivers . . . the
glories and beauties of form,
Thur/15 G. Wojciechowski J. Barrett color and sound unite in the
R. Rossnagel F. Davis Grand Canyon.” He can be for-
Fri/16 OPEN B. Wolin given; it remains a truly unique
Sat/17 J. Kisosondi OPEN wonder of the natural world.
Sun/18 K. Nelson M./L. Utah With the Colorado River expedi-
Mon/19 S./S. Stewart J. Geier tions behind him, Powell began
Tues/20 M. Slagle J. Geier a new career in the public eye.
Wed/21 P. Herman R. Porche He lectured and published his
Thur/22 G. Wojciechowski J. Barrett findings and views, and by 1881,
R. Rossnagel F. Davis was appointed head of the U.S. Repairing boats in Granite Gorge, 2nd
Fri/23 P. Williams P. Boghossian Geological Survey. He remained in Expedition, August 1872
D. Powers this position of considerable influ-
ence for 13 years, advancing a strong on September 23, 1902, and was buried
Sat/24 OPEN P. Kepner view that ran contrary to the general at Arlington National Cemetery. If he
Sun/25 D. Langdon M./L. Utah outlook. In 1878, Powell published were alive today, he would no doubt be
Mon/26 B. Jackson V. Sperry a report that urged settlers in the arid pleased to see so many people keenly
Tues/27 M. Slagle OPEN lands of the West to look for water in its aware of the limitations of our natural
Wed/28 P. Herman W./I. Baumann natural state and settle there, carefully resources and the need for common
Thur/29 G. Wojciechowski J. Barrett using water from streams, rivers and sense in protecting the environment.
F. Davis lakes without disturbing fundamental In some places, like Powell, Wyoming,
Fri/30 P. Williams D. Powers nature. He never abandoned that view. his legacy lives. The farms are small
M. Pults D. Powers Had his outlook prevailed, there would and there is cooperative use of water by
Sat/31 H. Doric OPEN have been no Hoover Dam, no aqueduct the little community. Historian Robert
to Los Angeles, no transfer of water to Bonner said this is what “John Wes-
Changes? Call Kate at 515-5350 irrigate California’s Imperial Valley. ley Powell wanted to see happen.” q
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