The Coconino sun., 1927-09-02


Many of those returning from the
snake dances came by way OF Coal
Mine Canyon.
The above is the name given the
canyon on maps. 0watabi Canyon is
the Indian name Baby Grand Can
yona is the name given it two years
years ago by Mrs. Fremont Older,
wife Of the publisher of the San Fran
cisco Call, who visited 1t in company
with her husband and I. A. Riordan
and I. B. Koch.
The Riordan and Koch parties re-
turned that way last week again, I'M
able to resist the call of the canyon.
Coal Canyon is a mlsnomer, al
though there is a coal mine there,
from which fuel is mined for Tuba
City But that name fails to convey
the marvellous beauty of the canyons;
in fact it would be more likely to be
taken to signify q rather dlngy place.
The road passes hundred feet or
so from the upper and narrower end
Of the canyon, which from that point,
rapidly deepening, spreads fan-wlse
toward Blue Canyon.
As Mr.. Koch says, if Coal Canyon
was a hundred miles from Los An
geles, everyone in the world would
see it.
There is no use attempting to de-
scribe the coloring, which ranges IN
sharply contrasted bands and splashes
from slate grey, to yellow, green,
brilliant red, pink, mauve, violet, pur-
ple-all the colors and tints there are
and many more than one thought
there could be.
It is vivid harmony of color extend
ing to d soft blend with other less dis
tinct colorings on fnesas and desert
reaches scores of miles distant.
It hasn't the great buttes and pln-
nacles of Grand Canyon except II
pretty large miniature, but it is IN
finitely much more attractive IN its
coloring and while one appeals
through its magnificence, the other
appeals from its sheer and breath
taking beauty.
Getting at Coal Canyon isn't easy,
because of the long sand-hill one must
go over to reach it from Tuba City.
The easier, though longer and more
interesting way to get to it IS from
Tuba through Blue Canyon to the
junction OF the Blue and Coal Canyon
roads a few miles west of Hoteyilla,
thence back west to Coal Canyon.
From the latter to Tuba City the only
sand is on the aforementioned sand
hill. and that is robbed Of its terrors
because it is comparatively easy go
ing down it.
Describing It geologieally, Coal
Canyon is in the Mesa Verde and Man
cos shales. All who have seen both
regard it as more beautiful than the
famous Bryce Canyon, though to ev-
cry person who has seen Coal Can
Won a hundred have seen the other.
On and below the rim OF Coal Canyon
fossil shells, well preserved and re-
senbling oyster shells, which very
likely they are, are abundant. IN
deed. in the coal mine just below the
rim there are found many of these
shells irnbedded in the coal and the
roof of the mine IS largely composed
of them.
Earl Greene has perfected new
home brew, which he has named the
Saceo-Vanzetti, because it doesn't take
six years to kick you off. Earl says
he chases three wild bullfrogs three
miles, gathering the hops, adds 10 gal
Ions tan-bark, half pint shellac, one
bar common laundry soap. Boil 48
hours and then strain through |. W
w. sock to keep it from working. Add
one grasshopper to each pint to give
it d kick. Pour a little in the kitchen
sink, and if it takes the enamel off it
is ready to use.
Doc z. S. Miller was telling about
surgeon friend of his to q young
woman. "He's one Of the best naval
surgeons there is in the east, he said.
Goodness, how you medical men do
specialize" she said.
Superintendent C. L. Walker of the
Western Navajo Indian reservation
got letter a few days ago from a
Navajo who wanted Mr. Walker to get
his wife back for him.
The Indian explained that Piute
family had happened along a couple
years before and was broke. The par
ents wanted to sell their comely young
(AoSA TAE