British Legacy -- Born 1826 in Newfoundland

1902 photo courtesy of Ron Foster a distant cousin in England 

Margaret Wilkie (far left in the 1902 photo above) was born March 29, 1826, in St. John's, Newfoundland.  Others in the photo include her daughter Maria Head-Cummin, grandson Thomas Cummin (Maria's son), and Winifred Elizabeth Cummin (Margaret's great granddaughter).  I love these four generations photos.

Margaret Wilkie was the daughter of Thomas Wilkie, who married Jane Kent in 1808, at St Botolph, Bishopsgate, London.

Thomas Wilkie was in the Royal Artillery which had been deployed in Newfoundland before 1812 until after 1826.  He was the Armory Sergeant at the fort on Signal Hill in St. Johns.

An unknown London newspaper reveals "Margaret Wilkie died on 5 Sep 1910 in the Infirmary, aged 84.  Her funeral took place on 10 Sep 1910 in Plumstead Churchyard.  Mourners at her funeral were her eldest son and his wife, Stephen John Head and Susannah Avery Head, her daughters and sons-in-law Margaret and George Morris, Fanny Pope, Emma and George Brown, Annie and Walter Barling and Alice and Will French.  Latterly, Margaret had been living at 32 Ennis Road, Plumstead, until her deterioration and committal to the Infirmary."

The Kentish Independent Newspaper published an account of the funeral, which was more like an obituary. Margaret was greatly loved and respected in the locality. 

The account is as follows:

"The funeral took place on September 10th at Plumstead Churchyard, of Mrs. Margaret Head, widow of the late Mr. Stephen Head, (at one time a foreman at Woolwich Dockyard) who died aged 84 years. The deceased, who was a well known resident of Plumstead, had been ailing for some considerable time. 

"She was born at the Fort of Signal Hill, Newfoundland, in 1826, her father being the Armourer-Sergeant at the Fort. She is believed to be the first English child at the Fort, and almost to the last was happy telling anecdotes of what took place at the Fort. She was taken, as a child, to England and returned to Newfoundland in the old sailing ship days (there were no steamers in those times) when ships often had to be battened down because of storms. Her husband (who predeceased her in 1881) was a man well-known and respected in his time: he was born on Plumstead common in the old house that adjoins St. Margaret's Church, he and his father before him being gardeners to the owners of Vicarage Park, which , at one time, extended for some distance round about.

"Mourners at the funeral on Saturday were : Mr. Stephen (John) Head (eldest son) and Mrs. (Susannah) Head, Mrs. Margaret Morris (eldest daughter) and Mr. Morris, Mrs. Fanny Pope (daughter), Mrs. Emma Brown (daughter) and Mr. Brown, Mrs. Annie Barling (daughter) and Mr. Barling, Mrs. Alice French (daughter) and Mr. French.

"The wreaths were numerous and beautiful, among them being tributes from: 'Stephen and family', 'Margaret and George' 'Fanny and children', 'Annie and Walter and son', 'Matthew and Ester', 'Alice and Will', 'Eva and Dot'.

The funeral was conducted by Messrs. Messent & Sons."

Cowboy Culture -- Running mount to the high jump

Six-gun heroes who did exciting horse tricks were always a big hit with me.  I especially loved to watch some of the extraordinary running mounts Hollywood cowboys had perfected.  I figured anyone who could do a running mount, like Johnny Mack Brown in the photo above, was a sure enough top hand.  As soon as I was big enough, I started practicing on ol' Sandy, my red dun quarterhorse.  We got pretty good at workin' together.  I'd give him a whistle so he'd know I was coming, and with about 30 feet of running space I could vault on his back with ease.

Riding Sandy without a saddle or bridle--barefoot to boot

By the time I got into high school I discovered all those running mounts had actually been pretty good training for the high jump, so I joined the track team.  During my senior year I set both the El Camino High school and Sacramento Metropolitan League high jump record with a leap of  6' 4".  

Years later (1975) when I was coaching a children's track team,  my wife learned about a Masters (over 30-year-olds) track meet called the "Grandfather Games."  I hadn't competed in track since I had been in the army more than a decade earlier, but the idea of high jumping and pole vaulting once again appealed to me.

My wife, who was teaching high school English, introduced me to one of her students that was her school's best pole vaulter.  He invited me to work out with him after school.  I had never tried a fiberglass pole--back when I was in school I started with a bamboo pole and eventually got to use a steel pole.  Our workouts went pretty well, so I joined the Southern California Striders Masters Track and Field team and signed up for the Grandfather Games.

Masters track is broken into different age groups.  The year earlier the winning jump for my division had been 6' 8".  I forged ahead with a goal of winning third place, hoping I could make a jump of 5' 8" as I had done in practice.

My daughter Pam (who was 12 at the time) took this series of photos.  The Fosbury Flop wasn't pretty, but it got me over the bar.

Funny thing the fellow who won the year before didn't show up, so I won my division with a jump of 5' 10".

The best part about competing in masters track that year was the unbelievable--but true--bragging rights I earned.  I actually competed in the same track meet with Bob Richards, the "Vaulting Vicar," who was the second man to pole vault 15 feet, and is the only two-time Olympic gold medal winner in the pole vault (1952 and 1956); Parry O'Brien, two-time Olympic gold medal shot put winner (1952) and (1956).  He was the first person to put the 16-pound shot more than 60 feet; and John Carlos, 200 meters Olympic bronze metal winner (1968).  He  became famous (or infamous) for his Black Power salute on the award stand in Mexico City.

I wonder if there's a division for old cowboys with an artificial hip?

Cowboy Culture -- Tony Alvis was the genuine article

I lost another good friend a few years back.  His name was Tony Alvis.  He had been a wilderness outfitter and cowboy artist.

His obituary pretty much sums-up how he died.

Cody Enterprise - Alvis Obituary

Wyoming

Michael Anthony "Tony" Alvis 

Monday, January 17, 2005 3:33 PM MST 

Michael Anthony "Tony" Alvis, 53, of La Conchita, Calif., died as a result of a mudslide there Monday, Jan. 10, 2005.

His body, which was the first to be pulled from the landslide in La Conchita, was identified Jan. 11 by Ventura County authorities. He died of blunt force head and chest injuries.

He grew up in Pasadena, Calif., in the Arroyo Seco area amid the arts and crafts style of architecture. His early exposure to classic designs, combined with his interest in Western artists and his family's heritage in blacksmithing, created the foundation for his ironwork. He was known to many in Cody through his longtime participation in the Western Design Conference. As Wilderness Iron Works, he produced distinctive pieces, including chandeliers, gates, ornamental pieces and fireplace screens.

He also owned Los Padres Wilderness Outfitters and led horse and mule packtrips in the Sespe Wilderness. He helped lead federal researchers into the backcountry in southern California in 1986 when officials were establishing a condor sanctuary.

He was a former oil rig worker and an avid surfer.

He is survived by his parents Dane and Millie Alvis and brother Dan Alvis, all of La Conchita, and girlfriend Joann Webb of Ojai, Calif. 

Tony's fireplace screen from "Cowboy High Style"

In 1992 Tony and I got acquainted when Elizabeth Flood wrote her book, "Cowboy High Style: Thomas Molesworth to the New West."  We were the only Californians in the book.

The next year (1993) we both attended the Western Design Conference in Cody, Wyoming  We spent a lot of time hanging out and getting to know each other in Cody.

Our art was complementary as you can see in these Western Design Conference ads

In later years Tony and I made several trips to Arizona and Wyoming together.  He was great fun to travel with.

Tony gave me his 'good' horse Mutah to ride.  That's Tabasco Tony's aussie at the far right.

Back home in California--later in 1993--Tony took me on one of his wilderness adventures.  I will never forget that delightful experience.

Crossing Sespe Creek.

When I attended Tony's memorial service (at the Thacher school in Ojai, California) I heard a packer friend of his tell the following tale (my best recollection--anyhow).

A packer's tale -- A Rope, a bear, and a giant

While packing into the Los Padres National Forest, with a string of mules in tow, two cowboys encountered a runaway bunch of pack mules headed back down the trail.  They were comin' straight at ‘em. With some quick thinking and a heap of action they blocked the trail, captured the runaways, then started back in the direction the stampeding mules had come from.

A short way up the trail they passed a muddy spot that gave them a clue to what had spooked the mules--in the mud there were fresh bear tracks with mule hoofprints on top of them.

They began to worry about the fellow who had lost his pack string 'cause those were some serious bear tracks.

They hadn’t traveled another 400 yards--when suddenly they heard crashing in the brush on their right! 

Looking up--expecting to see a bear--what they saw instead amazed them.

A big giant--with a grizzled beard--was charging through the chaparral wearing only a sombrero, bermuda shorts, and huarache sandals. The giant was running down hill, at top speed, while swinging a huge lasso above his head. 

Suddenly--on their left--the cowboys heard a weird metallic clanking on the rocks. 

When the cowboys turned their heads they saw a black bear, with a steel trap on its hind paw, trying to out distance the bearded giant.

In his effort to escape the frightened bear scurried up a nearby tree as the giant closed in trying to snake his loop between tree limbs to snare his quarry. 

After that lasso had bounced of the tree limbs for the second time -- it was more than the bear could handle -- so it leaped from the tree, hit the ground, and rolled into an arroyo full of rocks. 

The bewildered giant gave up his chase and turned toward the cowboys offering his thanks for returning his mules.

As the clanking trap continued to echo off the rocks in the canyon above, one dazed cowboy looked at the bearded giant, and asked, “What would you have done if you had actually managed to rope that bear?”.

“quoin sabe,” Tony replied, “But, it sure seemed like a good idea to try to get the trap off that bear’s paw.”

Tony always had great big smile, and was always happy to see you.

He was was the genuine article.  A real cowboy and a great friend.  I miss him.  Adios and vaya con Dios, my amigo.

Cowboy Culture -- Says he can ride anything with hair on it!

It was one of those three-day cowboy gatherings.  It had been a long hot day in Paso Robles on California's central coast.  It was Saturday night and the crowd had gone home hours earlier.  We all had a good feed of tri-tip beef sandwiches and baked beans, provided by a chuck-wagon outfit who call themselves the "Cowboy Cultural Committee." 

It was time to just sit back and relax.  Some of the boys was tellin' some good yarns, while others were talkin' 'bout good horses and some great rides they'd been on.  I'll admit some of those boys was drunken' a little whiskey.  

Things were mighty peaceful, when suddenly Ol' Don jumps up an allows, "Boys, I kin ride anything with hair on it."

One of the other cowboys was deep in thought--you could just see his wheels a-turnin'-- when he said, "I got a critter out in the back I'll bet you can't ride."

The challenge was on.  A few minutes later Don was stairin' down, and scratchin' his head when he says, "What is it."

Together the boys all chimed in, "Why it's Jerry's Piano Dolly, and it sure looks like it's been rode hard an' put away wet."

"It's a mite short," says Don, "but a bet's a bet, so by golly I'll ride it."

"Randy you sack 'em, an' we'll give a push start."

Don hollers, "I got 'em now--let 'em go boys."

Coastin' with his wheels in the bits.

Scratchin' 'em from--aah--steam to stock?

There ain't a cowboy that can't be throwed.

And, maybe a Piano Dolly that can't be rode.  Pass the whiskey please.

Good canoe fishing lakes in the High Sierras

Lake Mary (above) is one of a chain of lakes that make up Mammoth Lakes

There are many lakes that offer good canoeing and fishing within an easy drive from Los Angeles (300 - 375 miles).  Most are located at high altitude, so you can expect some frosty mornings in June and October--my favorite fishing months.

Among my favorites are the Mammoth Lakes chain, which includes several small lakes you can drive to.  They are the two Twin Lakes, Lake Mamie, Lake Mary, Lake George, and Horseshoe Lake.  Many have campgrounds, but most require reservations.

Another favorite fishing destination of mine is the June Lake loop which includes June Lake, Gull Lake, Silver Lake, and Grant Lake.

Finally, a bit further north you'll find the Virginia Lakes which include Big and Little Virginia Lakes.  Two more that are accessible only by hiking are Red Lake and Blue Lake.

One of the prettiest views you'll ever see is the view from the highway of Twin Lakes (above).  I avoid Twin Lakes during the summer because of the huge crowds it draws.

It's an especially beautiful morning if there's no wind and you're the first boat on the water.  The trout are just starting to rise on one of the Twin Lakes--see the rings?

A few years back I camped at June Lake, then made a really early morning drive up to Virginia Lakes.  I put my canoe in the water just as the day was breaking.  Trolling an original Rapala behind a canoe on glassy smooth water is my idea of fishing.

When I caught this beauty at Virginia lakes I didn't have anyone to snap a photo, so I had to drive 19 miles to Bridgeport to find someone to take this one.

Happy canoeing and good fishing!

A primer on the Iverson Movie Ranch

Rendezvous at Boulder Pass - Hollywood's Fantasyland is a primer on the Iverson Movie Ranch

By Jerry England, Echo Press

Dated: 2010

Photographs, movie stills, lobby cards, and screenshots capture the Iverson Ranch as it looks today and as it appeared during half a century of movie-making between 1912 and the late 1970s.

In the San Fernando Valley's backyard, there remains a fantasyland that was forever made famous by Hollywood…

A place where Superman once captured the evil Luthor in his hidden Stoney Point cave, where Batman wrestled a criminal on top of a speeding locomotive, where Tarzan the Ape Man found an ancient elephant graveyard, and where John Wayne's fighting Seabees pushed a Japanese tank off the same cliff that Nyoka used to escape Vultura’s killer ape.

The place is Boulder Pass. It was the jungles of India and Africa, the sands of the Sahara, the Khyber Pass between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the plains of Montana, and the High Sierras and the Rocky Mountains all rolled into one. It was the scene of stagecoach holdups, posses chasing outlaws on owlhoot (outlaw) trails, Indians attacking white settlers in remote cabins, flying rocket men, and unearthly spaceship landings. It was a land for make-believe. It could be anything a Hollywood director fancied.

Boulder Pass is a fictitious name borrowed from an old B-Western movie. The real place is the Santa Susana Pass in Chatsworth, California. For nearly three-quarters of a century, the Santa Susana Pass was home to the granddaddy of all movie location ranches--the Iverson Movie Ranch.

To learn more about Jerry England and his books visit http://www.cowboyup.com/

Jerry England is a western movie historian and author who has researched and written about filming locations in the San Fernando Valley. Rendezvous at Boulder Pass - Hollywood's Fantasyland is his second book about the area.

In 2008 he published Reel Cowboys of the Santa Susanas.

See Jerry's YouTube video Writing Rendezous at Boulder Pass at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-V30xQLg2Ls

Meanwhile back at the ranch -- Devil's Doorway

The Devil's Doorway was a significant rock feature on the Iverson Movie Location Ranch in Chatsworth, California, and has appeared in dozens of B-Western movies.

The photo above is the north side of Devil's Doorway as it appears today in the Cal-West Townhomes development.  As you can see the rock formation was a natural archway.

The photo above is the south entrance of Devil's Doorway.

The screenshot above is of Bob Steele entering the south side of Devil's Doorway taken from a scene in Trusted Outlaw, The (1937).

The screenshot above is taken from a scene in Land Beyond the Law (1937) with Dick Foran.

The screenshot above is taken from a scene in Three Ages (1923) with Buster Keaton.

The photo above is a movie still of a scene in Border Feud (1947) with Lash LaRue and Al "Fuzzy" St. John.

The photo above is a movie still from an unknown Kermit Maynard (center in the photo) film.  Devil's Doorway is at the far right.

Movies featuring scenes with Devil's Doorway include:

Arizona Cowboy (1950) with Rex Allen; 

Border Feud (1947) with Lash LaRue; 

Days of Jesse James (1939) with Roy Rogers; 

Fugitive Valley (1941) with Ray 'Crash' Corrigan; 

Ghost of Zorro ( 1959) a Republic serial with Clayton Moore; 

Land Beyond the Law (1937) with Dick Foran; 

Narrow Trail, The (1917) with William S. Hart; 

Oh, Susanna! (1936) with Gene Autry; 

Old Wyoming Trail, The (1937) with Charles Starrett; 

Outlaw Country (1949) with Lash LaRue; 

Outlaw Deputy, The (1935) with Tim McCoy; 

Rough Riders' Round-up (1939) with Roy Rogers; 

Three Ages (1923) with Buster Keaton; 

Trusted Outlaw, The (1937) with Bob Steele; 

Unknown Valley (1933) with Buck Jones; 

It even appeared in a few TV shows like, "Wanted Dead Or Alive with Steve McQueen."

Here's the link to a short YouTube video clip http://youtu.be/tYr8t94gwAs

To learn more about my research of the Iverson Movie Ranch visit http://www.cowboyup.com/