Holbrook argus. (Holbrook, Ariz.) 1900-1913, 1901-03-09
SUNDAY OUTING
To the Petrified Forest By 1.-The
Argus" Representative.

~ SGS Representatives
Last Sunday morning a party of
five Holbrookites left the city for
the pu.pose of viewing he sights of
one of Navajo county's wonderful
petriiied forests, which is situated
about twenty miles east of HoI-
brook, aud all were well pleased
with what was seen during the day.
For miles this side OF where the
forest begius the road is strewn
with pieces of petriiied wood which
nave either been lost or cast aside
! by those who had a surplus OF
specimens. The writer has never
before had the pleasure of viewing
such I. vast area Of petrifed wool
and found many interesting fea
lures to repay him for The tip, ac-
companied 10y such genial compan-
ions as Messrs. John Gonnor, Doc
Detfenpauyh, Prof. Patterson and
Charles Allenbaugh. Mr.. Conner
acted III the capacity OF guile for
the party, and it Is needless Say that
he knows MS business, in handling
the reins over good team and
pointing out the Interesting fea-
lures of the forest. We were
driven TO the ranch house of the
Jim Boys, where we were shown
hospitality in true cowboy style by
Jim Bowen, who proved himself a
prince in the way he welcomed the
party TO his headquarters. The
team was put away and while our
host was preparing something to re-
fresh the inner man the party
strOlled about that part of the for
est to view the scenery. In sight of
the ranch house WAS noticed mann
moth tree, which at the base or root,
will measure fully eight feet
through, aud as it now lies is about
thirty feet in length, which alone is
enough to repay one for the trip,
| There are numerous smaller trees in
this section of the forest, and in
fact for mics the ground is covered
| with rare specimens of this wonder
full petrihcation, which must have
lain III its present condition for cen
turtles. AT this juncture dinner was
announced, and we did justice to
''c0ilee like your mother made" and
choice meat that eau be cooked only
10y the cowboy to tie appreciated by
those who partake thereof. After
dinner and pleasant chat with our
host were driven to more interest
ing part of the forest, and were here
joined by that prince of good
# lows, Reese Bowen, who is every
body's friend. Reese had been
down the river and was homeward
bound when his eye caught sight
of our party and came up to lend
hand in making our stay in the
forest as agreeable as possible.
Here we found a large number OF
trees which lie partly covered with
earth and which have to be seen to
be appreciated. In this locality
there are numerous trees that will
measure from FIVE to eight fe
III ough and whose exposed length
Will measure from thirty to fifty
feet. There are also lying around
promiscuously pieces of wood
ringing III weight from an ounce 10
ton. We were shown the stump
of what was thought to have been
a mammoth pine, which will meas
ure at the least calculation seven
feet through it at the base, and
which is as natural as if the petriti
cation had taken place recently. At
this point fine view is gained OF
the surrounding country and is IA
favorite spot for the tourist to take
some fine views with the camera and
pick up some specimens that will
convince the most skeptical that the
petrified forest exists.in reality and
is not myth. There are MANY
points of interest that we did rot
have a chance TO visit and which
would interest some Of cur readers
who have not had an opportunity
to visit his wonderland of Arizona
and view this wonderful and vast
area of peirilication which has lain
for centuries with very slight signs
Of decay.