1951

YOSEMITE

Nature Notes

Photo by Ralph Ansel Adams, Tenaya Lake, east of Yosemite Valley. Site of the capture of the Yosemite Indians by Cap Boling's company of the Mariposa Battalion. Named by Dr. L. H. Bunnell after Tenaya, c of the Yosemites. Cover Photo: Mariposa Grove of Big Trees, winter, Yosemite National Park. By Ansel Ad from "Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada," text by John Muir, 64 photographs by Ansel Ad( Reproduction by kind permission of Houghton Mifflin Company.

THE MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF

THE Yosemite NATURALIST division AND

THE YOSEMITE NATURAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION, INC.

C. P. Russell, Superintendent D. E. McHenry, Park Naturalist H. C. Parker, Assoc. Park Naturalist N. B. Herkenham, Asst. Park Naturalist

VOL. XXX APRIL, 1951 NO. 4 THE GEOGRAPHY OF THE MARIPOSA INDIAN WAR

(No. 2) By Carl P. Russell, Park Superintendent IV. The Second Expedition of the Mariposa Battalion into Yosemite Valley On May 9, 1851, Captain John Boling and one company of the Mariposa Battalion made a second entry into Yosemite Valley. The Yosemite Indians who had been assembled as a result of the first expedition had faded into the mountain fastnesses; the Yosemites had never been represented among the tribes held in the Fresno reservation. In reaching the valley for the second time Boling followed the same route pioneered by Savage and his battalion in March. Boling 's first camp in Yosemite Valley on this occasion was near the present Sentinel Bridge. It was during this military invasion that the first letter was dispatched from Yosemite Valley. On May 15, 1851, Captain Boling wrote to Major Savage of his experiences and the letter was published in the Alta California on June 12, 1851. Boling explained that he had scoured the valley on both sides of the Merced River and that five Indians had been taken into custody. "One of them proved to be the son of the old Yosemite chief. I informed them if they would come down from the mountains and go with me to the U. S. Indian Commissioners, they Captain John Boling would not be hurt; but if they would not, I would remain in their neighborhood as long as there was a fresh track to be found; informing him [Tenaya 's son] at the same time that all the Indians except his father's people and the Chouchillas had treated.... He then informed

Photo by Ansel Adams, (from "Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada," Reproduction by kind permission of Houghton Mifflin Company. The Three Brothers. This prominent landmark on the north side of Yosemite Valley was named by the Mariposa Battalion in May 1851, because the three sons of old Chief Tenaya had been captured by the soldiers near its base. In Discovery of the Yosemite Dr. L. H. Bunnell writes: "The Indian name for the three rocky peaks near which this capture was made was not then known to any of our battalion, but from the strange coincidence of three brothers being made prisoners so near them, we designated the peaks as the 'Three Brothers.' I soon learned that they were called by the Indians 'Kom-po-pai-zes,' from a fancied resemblance of the peaks to the heads of frogs when sitting up ready to leap. A fanciful interpretation has been given the Indian name as meaning 'mountains playing leapfrog,'... " The highest of the trio is called Eagle Peak.

that if I would let him loose, authorities to return to the mountains, another Indian, he would bring and upon obtaining his solemn his father and all his people by promise to behave, the commissionfive o 'clock the next day. " ers permitted Tenaya and the mem After this emissary to Chief hers of his immediate family to Tenaya had been sent out, the other leave the reservation. Shortly there the captives attempted a getafter others of the Yosemite band away and one did make good his slipped away from the confines of escape. While this one was being the reservation and joined their chief searched for, two others still in in the mountains. No attempt was custody tried to break away. These made to bring them back. young Indians were shot and killed On July 1, 1851, the Mariposa Battalion by their guards--the first blood to be was mustered out of service. shed in Yosemite Valley in the Major Savage resumed his trading Course of this Mariposa Indian War. operations and conducted a substantial Boling's men then pursued a small if not phenomenal business party of Indians which had left with the Indians and the miners a fresh trail up the north wall of the along the Fresno River. Of this trade valley. The white men pressed on Savage said to his friend L. H. unto the mountains and were led by Bunnell: the Indian tracks to the shores of Tenaya Lake where the Yosemites were surprised in camp. The Yosemite Indians If I can make good my losses by the Indians out of the Indians, I am going to do it. I was the best friend the Indians had, and were surprised in camp. The Indians they would have destroyed me. Now' that surrendered without a struggle. This they once more call me "Chief," they shall was the first expedition made into build me up. the Yosemite high country from the The dispersal of the Mariposa west and this time the elusive Indians Battalion, however, did not end the were successfully escorted to war." The Yosemite Indians could the reservation on the Fresno River. not restrain their desire to take reTenaya and his followers, how- venge upon the whites for the invaover, refused to adapt themselves to sions of their home, and as will be the conditions under which they told in a succeeding note more kill-Were forced to live on the plains. ings in the Incomparable Valley They begged to be permitted by the were to follow.

TRAFFIC PROBLEMS OF WILDERNESS CREATURES

By Odin S. Johnson, District Park Ranger Sitting in a parked car at the north of the bridge where he paused to end of the Pohono Bridge in Yosemite Valley, turn around and look. He stood that Yosemite Valley at dawn one January way for a minute or so, and then morning, I was waiting for another started to cross the bridge again. Ranger to join me. Presently I saw a After proceeding several feet, per- gray fox trotting down the road. He haps a few feet more than the first came onto the bridge at the far end time, again he stopped, turned, and And kept coming for several feet began back. After two or three more more he became aware of the parked attempts were made to cross, the fox car. He stopped short, hesitated, returned to the end of the bridge and turned tail, and ran back to the end disappeared over the side of the

road. It was evident that he very much wanted to get on the other side of the river. This reminds me of an experience a lady had with a bear one autumn much wanted to get on the other side on the footpath to the top of Vernal Fall. She was coming down the trail and in a very narrow place met the bear coming up. Both stood looking at each other, each petrified with fear and not knowing what to do. While standing thus a man hiker coming down the trail caught up with the lady. the bridge I could see his front feet Sizing up the situation, and seeing the predicament both the bear and but he kept coming on. the lady were in, he said calmly, From experience, no doubt, the "I think, lady, if we 'll squeeze off the path as much as we can, we will let the bear go by." So they did, and before they could think, the bear followed by swift movement. But he swooshed by them and kept going what he thought was a safe distance, then turned around and talus slope. This was just one more stopped, looking at them as if to instance, or example, where even say, "My, I 'm glad you two let me by so that I wouldn 't have to go up the long trail." Apparently all the bear wanted was to get up into the virtues into practice. hills, perhaps for his winter hibernation.

THE JACK McGURK REVOLVER By Marshall B. Evans, District Park Ranger In materials recently donated to the Yosemite Museum by Mr. and Mrs. E. T. Schaller pertaining to the life of Jack McGurk, Yosemite pioneer, was a Smith and Wesson revolver. It was recognized as one of the rare models of early Smith and Wesson history. Examination of the arm showed it to be a 44 caliber, single-action, model No. 3. It was manufactured between 1869 and 1870. There is no record of the number manufactured but it is known that the U.S. Army ordered 1,000 and that they were subsequently delivered in 1871. Due to the fact that this arm fired the first successful center-fire cartridge and was the first revolver with automatic ejection it was a highly prized This arm was followed by the model No. 3 (improved). It was on this time that 250,000 were ordered by Russia through the Russian Wesson history. Grand Duke's association with William Cody who possessed this model. For 3 years Smith and Wesson

manufactured the "44" for Russia. At this time the West was being developed in tremendous strides. Colt had developed his Frontier model in 1871 and enjoyed unlimited sales in America. This model placed Colt's reputation very high and also put the Colt business on its feet. However, the Colt

Jack I. McGurk well on its feet. However, the Colt Frontier, although a wonderful arm and remains so today, was and is considered by many authorities to be inferior to the Smith and Wesson Improved model No. 3. Had Russia not placed its order with Smith and Wesson undoubtedly their 44 would have been very popular in America and would have had a larger share of victories in winning the West. The McGurk gun bears the serial number 21503, which possibly would indicate that a number of Smith and Wessons had been manufactured previously. However, recorded history and arms collections do not indicate this and the early models of Smith and Wesson revolvers are not common. Close examination when disassembling and cleaning the McGurk gun disclosed that up until a few years ago it had received good care. Extreme exposure had caused the shallow oxidation or rusting. The arm did not have noticeable holster wear marks. Subsequent findings showed that McGurk, a cattleman who once grazed lands now in the park, as a rule did not carry a gun previous to his law enforcement work. As a deputy sheriff of Madera County the gun was worn and used. This old Smith and Wesson 44 deserves the security and attention that it will receive in the Yosemite National Park Museum. It not only represents an important step in the progress of firearms but also is one of the very few items left by the early pioneers which indicates something of frontier life and activity in the development of the West. The McGurk gun is a fine addition to the Yosemite collection of historic objects which have special local significance. The McGurk revolver, exhibited in History Room of Yosemite Museum

BRUIN OPENS BEAR SEASON AT GLACIER POINT

By Dorothy R. Mayer It was March 18 and spring had definitely arrived. That day we definitely arrived. That day we hotel, where he finally made an en stepped out the door and almost trance, pulling out nailed boards fell over a huge black bear. He was if they were straws. George came busily occupied, with his nose buried upon him in the rear hall and, not in the snow, trying to get at a gar- wishing to argue the question of pre bage can which had been covered cedence with one who was so on since the early part of the season. viously at home, he made plans to He did not notice us as we crept scare the bear off before he became closer to get a good photograph of too well established in the neighbor his huge black bulk silhouetted hood. Knowing the effectiveness of against the snow. His fur was in ex- noise in such a situation, George excellent condition and he didn't look pulled the fire alarm, expecting a as though he had just emerged from moderate whistle or siren. At first hibernation. Perhaps he had been there was no response, and thinking below in the valley for some time, the alarm was not working, he but we were astonished to see a walked away planning another atbear at this elevation so early, with tack. A few minutes later, just as he so much snow still on the ground. reached the porch steps, a blood-We later noticed his trail coming curdling cacophony of sound let straight up the mountainside beloose upon the still air, reverberatneath the hotel. ing from peak to peak, loosening a Suddenly sensing our presence, dozen avalanches and vibrating the our bear lifted his snow-bedecked entire house. George, taken comnose to the wind, his small squinting pletely by surprise, missed his step eyes finally focused on us, and he and went sprawling in the snow, turned away ambling off in the while the bear shot out from under snow, up to his shoulders at every the porch and made a very undig-step. He circled the house and made nified exit, wallowing through the straight for the hotel where he ob- drifts across the mountaintop. His viously knew his way around, for great lumbering form appeared he went directly to the storeroom briefly on the horizon and vanished, door, passing up all others. No doubt leaving mammoth footprints in his he remembered it from previous wake. years and he may have been the On and on went the blast of sound, same one who moved in on. one and we felt something like the occasion, taking up residence in the "sorcerer 's apprentice" who could storeroom, having a glorious time not stop his magic once it was before he was finally discovered started. If there were any hibernat-and evicted as a non-paying guest. ing animals still asleep before this After a futile attempt at the store- rock-splitting din, they must surely room door he next turned to a be aroused by now, and the poor 1. George and Dorothy Mayer were in charge of the Glacier Point hotel properties during the winters of 1949 and 1950 and were isolated most of the time.—Ed.

Photo by Ralph Anderson Glacier Point interpretive lookout station, Half Dome in the distance bear must have been shocked out of a year's growth. Eventually peace and quiet were resumed on our mountain. It was fortunate that the siren could not be heard in the valley below or there might have been some repercussions. Our bear, however, was not so easily discouraged as we had imagined. He evidently had pleasant memories of this place and was determined to have another try before returning to the valley. It had started to snow again and, wishing to spend the night up here, he sought shelter in the interpretive lookout station nearby. Here he showed remarkable ingenuity and cleverness in making the best possible use of whatever was available. The lookout offered protection from the wind and snow, but the floor was covered with drifts and was too wet and cold to lie on. Looking about, there was no sign of vegetation above the snow with which to make a bed. The only promising thing he could find was an old broom standing in the corner of the shelter. With great patience and care he removed the snow from the floor, tore the broom apart, and then, straw by straw, built a perfect bed of a proportion one could hardly imagine could be provided by a single broom. No broom was ever put to better use, and no one but a bear, perhaps, would ever think of using it for a mattress.

YOSEMITE'S EARTH-STARS

By O. L. Wallis, Park Ranger A Yosemite plant which serves as Nature 's hygrometer is the earthstar, Astraeus hygrometricus (Pers.) Morg. By its action it roughly indicates the humidity, the amount of moisture in the atmosphere. For this reason the earth-star is sometimes known as the "poor man's weatherglass. " The earth-star is a specialized form of puffball which has a thick leathery covering. When the plant is mature the outer wall splits into pointed segments, exposing the puffball. In wet weather the lining of the wall becomes soft and pliable and the segments spread out in a starlike pattern. Dry conditions cause the lining to become hard and rigid and the segments to curl inward into a tight ball. This ball rolls readily in the wind, spreading the spores from the opening in the puffball. Late last summer while I was walking over an open sandy spot

WET WEATHER - OPEN DRY WEATHER - CLOSED

above Big Creek, I came across the first earth-stars I have found in Yosemite. Semite. In December, additional specimens were discovered on ridge near the South Entrance Ranger Station and in the Mariposa Grove. More were collected along the Mirror Lake trail on February 18, 1951. This is the first recording of earth stars being found in Yosemite National Park. Other specimens are now present in the museum's study collection. It is obvious that this fungus, which is world-wide in distribution, can be expected on sandy soils of fields and woods in other locations in the park. The Yosemite specimens possess: an average of 13 segments. When wet, they open out to a breadth of 2 to 3 inches. One of them, an un usually large one, expanded nearly 7 inches when placed in a dish of water for 25 minutes. It took several days for it to dry out and completely close again. Other puffballs which are found in Yosemite and represented in the museum collections include: Pear shaped puffball (Lycoperdon perlatum ); sculptured puffball (Calvatia sculpta); carved puffball (Calvatia caelata); giant puffball (Calvatia gigantea); and leaden-colored Bovista (Bovista plumbea). Puffballs of the genus Calvatia are the largest known and have a breadth up to 2 feet. Editor's note: Identification of the Yosemite earth-stars was verified by Herbarium Botanist Phyllis G. McMillan, University of California.

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