Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-04-09

lfampS are one or inc many strange
features of tho Mojave Desert-that
land OF myths and miragos. II part of
which, Death Valley. Is the hottest
place on earth. Tramps are found In
this valley even In summer. when the
thermometer is 1877. says Los Angc-
les dispatch In the New York Herald.
The renegade whites live with the
Pluto Indians, and arc locally known
as Arabs" Notwithstanding the
burning wastes. scarcity OF water
dlscomforts and many dnngcrs from
animals. they are found In all parts
OF tho desert Mining camps and
ranches arc far distant from each 9th.
or. and the country produces little
food. but these tourists find no din
Guilty in getting living, either by
begging or stealing. They will not
work, yet manage 10 live like their
brethren in civilization.
They arc OF different species.
more worthless. II possible. than the
others OF their tribe, and are an in
tercsting study. The desert has evolv-
cd n curious typo of humanity seen
nowhere else In the world. His clothes
arc usually castoff garments that he
has found. begged or perhaps stolen
faded frayed and full OF holes-and
his broken shoes arc usually wrapped
In cloth so as TO protect his feet from
the burning sands. He carries bun
die. consisting OF provisions and a few
empty beer bottles.
On reaching ranch he VIII make
for tho spring, and after drinking his
fill lie down on the shady side of tho
house and sleep for hours or until he
smells tho odors of u meal. Then he
patiently waits for n "hand out" and
is off to the next ranch.
Thus ne Keeps up his rounds from
one end OF the desert to the other
with no object in view, no hope for
the fnture-only that he may live
from day to day. AT night no Will
sleep in au alfalfa field. or In shat
low brook with his head resting upon
n rock for pillow.
Arising from his cool bed he fills
his beer bottles with water, eats his
breakfast. and again begins his long
tramp. which is never TO end. He
follows tho trail, having no compass.
and knowing little or nothing of the
country beyond. except that It is thir-
" miles to tho next spring and twice
may reach his destination and he may
not
Frequently he falls a victim to heat
or thirst. for men have died of thirst
though having Jars of water In their
possession. The heat has burned out
the spark OF life or literally bursts the
head open. Skeletons are found in
the sands and among the rocks--somc
victims of thirst. others OF the thlev
ing tramp in quest OF provisions. The
desert tramp is more desperate than
his brother of civilization. The fierce
climate has brought out his brutal ma
ture and his hand Is against any one
'he meets in this desolate country
where everything In nature is ut war,
even the elements.
According to the experience of min,
ing prospectors who have traversed
the worst parts of Death Valley. the
desert has peculiar influence upop
Its jewellers. 1t turns the brain Of
many. and those who have once
journeyed across IL become fascinated
and return. 1t seems to exert an in
fiueDce that never can be overcome.
The prospector Is another desert
type-halt mining prospector and half
tramp. He shuns civilization until
his grub stake Is exhausted, when
he reeturns for another supply. Thesa
grug stake eaters are curious study
In human nature: more 80 than tho
ordinary desert tramp, for they are
shrewd, possess some business capac
|ity, and talk intelligently or persua-
slvely.
The prospector expects to unearth a
| vi n m ND n n a ~ n ND
hope.
Unless he finds mine his only re-
ward is bacon. -four, beans and coffee
his grub stake. His home is on the
desert-where night overtakes him
When he visits civilization ii Is to gel
another backer--a grub stake or pro
three months. and perhaps another
burro. This costs about $50.
He does not 20 to the "tenderfoot,
but to the merchant or mining man
They are tho easiest" The city mar
who knows Is more often taken ir
than the countryman. who usually Is
Suspicious Of everything. The tram
prospector tells tho mining operator =
story about "rich indicatlons"-per
haps 1t Is the long lost Gunsite Mine
| or the Breyfogle.
Hundreds of men have gone out Il
locate these l'onanzas and scores o
them never returned. Yet the stor,
is fascinating. ami the search con-
tinues. Every prospector has new
story. 1t really Is the lost mine, al
he wants is Il grub stake. In most in
stances the tramp prospector has TAX
en- the specimen, which he exhibits
from mine in one of tho camps. IT,
has not been near. the place where
| these lost mines are supposed to be
When he has received his grul
stake he returns to the desert ant
| n In, .