Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1895-03-12
A DESERT MYSTERY

Colonel Whitehead is a story teller
from way back and has a reputation as
a raconteur that spreads over a dozen
western states and territories and from
the waters Of the Atlantic to those of
the Pacific. He has had innumerablo
thrilling adventures, both In war and in
peace, and when in the proper humor
he will spin yarns Of the most absorb
ing interest by the hour.
One story that he related as we were
jogging along behind the mules on re-
cent trip to the undoubted gateway Of
sheol-i. O., the sulphur banks Of Kern
county-is 30 uncanny and strange that
| will venture TO repeat It,
''Some three years ago." said tho
colonel. II was engaged In making q
survey from Rogers, on the Mojave des-
ert, TO Antioch. Wo made rapid prog.
ress toward Fort TETON pass. and 1t be-
came necessary 90 check up this line,
measuring distances from government
corners, that the road might be aoeur-
ately located upon the filing map. This
work was assigned 10 an odd genius
whom ! will call Buck, man past SO,
tough as a knot and as wicked as pi'
rate. Frequently he would set his rick.
ETY. old transit with the lens wrong end
TO, and after trying 10 locate tho nag for
10 or 20 minutes he would discover his
error, aud then such swearing as no In
dulged ia IL rarely heard outside ths
fOreeastle Of a man-of,waT. ] sometimes
think the strange manifestation which
am about 90 relate 10 you might have
bsen due 10 Bucks profanity. Certain
" II man can ever haYe power ~ sum
mon spirits, evil or good, from the meth
Or world, Buck ought % hsye had that
power Ia 40 snail measure
~ began tho inspection of the survey
preparatory 60 the right of way work,
starting at Rogers, dssolals stsiion on
tho A. aud y road on tho borders ~ aD
Immense dry lake We made our nFsi
camp some ! D miles west " that poipt
The regular survey camp vaH 81 ihlt
lims neaT 00rmau's s'ati0a, aDdeF ghe
shadows NJ Mount FfaFier Opl camp
WAS a rude settlers cabin, and psaf ~
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