New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-06
THE HERMITS OF HASAMP.
FORTY.NINERS STRANDED IN AN ARIZONA
VALLEY.

Denver, Col, Jan. 5.-Among visitors to this city
a few days ago was an aged man with heavy beard
svcry and long the beard of Rip Van Wrinkle.
Mr.. James Graybeard, as he termed himself, one
evening after his arrival was asked to enlighten a
number OF gentlemen as to who he and from
where he came.
Believe me- he said, when tell you that
belong to a Of people of which you have probably
never heard | am Hasamper. l knew you all
would be surprised but nearly every man in Arizona
knows what Hasamper is. There are great many
of us, poss .oy two or three thousand and We live
and have our being on what is known the Ilasamp
Creek This is stream of water, sometimes rising
TO the dignity OF river, at others simply creek
It is several hundred miles in length, running through
the central and southern portion of Arizona Along
the banks of the Hasamp are located many rich and
productive hills, and beyond, for several miles on
each sldc are located as many fine ranches farms
Like the Mormons, who made the valleys and plains
of Utah bloom into flower gardens, fields Of grain
and orchards Of fruit the Hasampers converted their
section Of the globe into a land Of plenty. Nature
helped us out, probably little band OF people
would be destitute Of the distinction We enjoy
"In the days of 40 when the California excitement
was at its height joined the rush was at that
time student Of the Louisville Medical College, at
Louisville, Ky. l left homo one night on an Old
fashioned steamer that was bound for Cincinnati,
week for the new Eldorado. In course of time the
trials that were encountered by trip the plains
and mountains were overcome, and ] landed In tho
country that has since become SO rich and famous
and In which many ambitious youth lost his head
and eventually died a violent death, or became lost
to all old associates.
"I lived but my life has been almost blank
I vent TO California nearly forty years ago, and
belong to the great majority of men who were dis
nyroAf, NM n mi
to another, trying my luck at prospecting and stsrv-
Ing One day about one hundred and fifty miles
from San Francisco, ran against train OF wagons
that were bound eastward, and Joined them The
train was made up of young fellows from the East
whose disappointment was as great as my own, ana
they were glad TO have their number Increased
I've journeyed for several weeks, stopping now
and then to give our stock chance to PICK up
In course of time we entered Central Arizona
and struck tho creek from which we derive our name
The Hasamp IS an Indian name, meaning long or
having no end The pretty hills and wide valley that
seemed 10 stretch out for many miles attracted our
attention. and we remained there several months
The wallspa and Javaps Indians were az first
friendly and helped us ont frequently IN the matter
Of food. With the game that abounded We had no
trouble in getting along. but by and by the Indians
became troublesome and wanted us 10 leave what
they termed their country This we declined to do.
as many or our party han uiscoNcrcu Ilch Hiihcrds
thai promised great results and We renewed our am
billions to become mnionslrcs The frequent at
Temps OF the Indians to drive us out sometimes
proved disastrous to u.s. but oftcner to themselves
We we're reinforced by other unsuccessful seekers after
California gold from time 10 time. and In the course
of events Hasamp Creek became well settled Many
OF took up mining claims, while others settled upon
agricultural and grazing lands and became farmers
and stockrascrs.
"These things happened such long time ago that
scarcely remember them but our little world wagged
along, and we became fxfures-unmovablc to such an
extent that this Is my first trip am now after
an absence Of forty years. on my way to the 'Old
Kennedy Home Yes, we all alike. Every
Hasampcr has long white beard wears red shirt,
white hat a buckskin coat and waistcOat, corduroy
trousers and hgh-topped boots. Married. Why, my
boy, not a man OF us IS married. It's part OF our
We have no chance to marry except among the IN
diana and you wouldn't expect decent men 10 DO
that, would yOue Oh, yes. we have our lodges.
Masonic and otherwise. and are great poker play
crs. We don't know much about tho CIVILIZED tricks
of the great game but we can play square poher
better than any class Of people you ever met
Further talk with the old Hasamper revealed the
fact that the entire racer were IN comfortable CT
cumsanccs. They take out enough ore or sell SUM
ccnt stock TO net them several thousands annually
roma towns and then to get a taste OF civiliza
ton They loaf around gambling houses, saloons and
Other resorts so attractive to miners until they are
" brcke,' when they return 10 their lonely nfo AMI
" sknp, themselves until their eNchequer Is repien-
lshed. when they 20 back 10 the destinations OF tho
city towns and suffer themselves to be skinned'
of ther hard earnings.
" In conclusion my name.D he said. hack In the
States benjamin Ridgley. Out on tho HasamD
IL is Old James Graybcard'