Occasionally I'll post here about some forgotten (or lesser known) anniversaries regarding newsworthy events from the past. Some will be sad stories, some happy, and some whatever. Hopefully all will be interesting to this group of mountain lovers.
I'll begin with the tragic death of John Freitas on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1909. Seventeen-year-old Freitas and two teenage friends, Joseph Schultz and Raymond Lennon hiked to Mt. Wilson. While posing on the north side for a picture, Freitas slipped on ice and tumbled six hundred feet down the mountain. Schultz tried to reach poor Freitas but himself slipped and fell three hundred feet. Horrified, Lennon quickly ran to the Mt. Wilson Hotel for help. Rescuers soon saved a battered but alive Schultz. Then, using a six-hundred-foot rope, they reached the body of Freitas, subsequently carrying it out via the West Fork.
(Los Angeles Herald, February 15, 1909)
Forgotten Anniversaries
On February 20, 1918, Dr. Ford Carpenter hiked to Sister Elsie Peak (Mt. Lukens) for the purpose of testing a new snow gauge. He summited during a storm and ended up coming down in heavy snow. Carpenter, at the time, was director of the Los Angeles Weather Bureau, having transferred from the San Diego office. He published extensively and is known particularly for his early recordings of San Diego weather.
(San Pedro Daily News, February 20, 1918)
(San Pedro Daily News, February 20, 1918)
Today, February 24, marks the sad anniversary of Thomas Grijalva's death at Switzer Falls in 1990. Thomas, 22-years-old, and his friends climbed up the steep cliff next to the waterfall. Thomas slipped once and fell into the shallow pool below. He survived that fall uninjured but then tried climbing up a second time and got stuck. He called for help, clinging to the dirt. His friends formed a human chain, attempting to rescue him, but Thomas slipped and fell again--this time fatally. Mark Grabfelder, from whom Thomas slipped, was so upset by the scene that he could barely make his own way off the cliff. “He grabbed my shoe but then he started to slip. I heard him scream and we watched him fall.” Terrible.
Whatever...they paid for the story in blood so...one interesting thing I thought in the "after/more real" report was that 100 people injured or dead at Switzer from 1970-1990.
It was the Eaton/Hermit of its day apparently...although I remember PSAs of drunken parties at rock pools..aka Soto...who was mentioned even though Soto was 1983.
It was the Eaton/Hermit of its day apparently...although I remember PSAs of drunken parties at rock pools..aka Soto...who was mentioned even though Soto was 1983.
Kids were a lot more adventurous then, why go back around on the trail from the falls, if you can climb up it, that was SOP back then. I believe people also climbed down as well. This kid should've realized God saved him once and instead he climbed back up again and God said enough I don't have time for this shit.
On February 25, 1926, Forest Supervisor G. H. Cecil announced the construction of new firebreaks in the Angeles forest. One of which was the Mt. Lowe firebreak extending from west of Eaton Canyon's entrance up to the Alpine Tavern.
(Illustrated Daily News, Los Angeles, February 25, 1926)
Here are some aerials from 1928 showing the completed firebreak.
(Lowe firebreak, between Gooseberry Mtwy and West Fuji)
(Lowe firebreak, between West Fuji and Five Pts.)
In the 1920s, there was a large push to protect the forest from wildfires. The thinking focused on maintaining critical watersheds, as well as protecting property and preserving timber resources. These issues arose particularly after the devastating San Gabriel and Tujunga fires of 1919.
(Los Angeles Herald, June 25, 1921)
(Illustrated Daily News, Los Angeles, February 25, 1926)
Here are some aerials from 1928 showing the completed firebreak.
(Lowe firebreak, between Gooseberry Mtwy and West Fuji)
(Lowe firebreak, between West Fuji and Five Pts.)
In the 1920s, there was a large push to protect the forest from wildfires. The thinking focused on maintaining critical watersheds, as well as protecting property and preserving timber resources. These issues arose particularly after the devastating San Gabriel and Tujunga fires of 1919.
(Los Angeles Herald, June 25, 1921)
February 26 was a happy day in 1951 for the parents of Darrell Laughlin and Richard Seeley. Eighteen-year-old buddies from Azusa, they had gone for a hike through San Gabriel Canyon to Big Pines on February 24 but did not return after a snow storm hit the area. Their worried parents reported them missing and a search began on the 26th. Thankfully SAR found them in good condition, hunkered down at Big Pines. Presumably they got stuck while camping.
(Daily News, February 26, 1951)
(San Bernardino Sun, February 27, 1951)
(Daily News, February 26, 1951)
(San Bernardino Sun, February 27, 1951)
On February 25, 1919, Rose Sedwell, her husband and other family members hiked up the Mt. Wilson Trail. At some point she had a heart attack and fell off the side. Teenager Lawrence Autray grabbed her clothing with one hand and a branch with the other, trying to pull her up, but she slipped from his grip and plummeted 150 feet onto the rocks below.
A group of men rushed to her aid and took her to a hospital. She was still alive but in critical condition for days. On February 28th, her doctor finally announced that she would indeed recover. Mrs. Sedwell took a licking but kept on ticking.
(Los Angeles Herald, Feb. 25, 1919)
(Los Angeles Herald, Feb. 28, 1919)
A group of men rushed to her aid and took her to a hospital. She was still alive but in critical condition for days. On February 28th, her doctor finally announced that she would indeed recover. Mrs. Sedwell took a licking but kept on ticking.
(Los Angeles Herald, Feb. 25, 1919)
(Los Angeles Herald, Feb. 28, 1919)
On March 1, 1918, Los Angeles County Supervisor John J. Hamilton announced his advocacy for building check dams throughout the mountains. The previous day he had inspected the check dam experiment in Haines Canyon and was convinced of their effectiveness in controlling floods. Los Angeles had experienced several days of storms, and the 511 check dams in Haines Canyon kept the outflow to a minimum.
(Riverside Daily Press, March 2, 1918)
Hamilton was a businessman known for owning and publishing the Des Moines Daily News. He moved to Los Angeles in 1911 and served as the chairman of the board of supervisors from 1915 to 1918, when he unceremoniously left the position. He had endured a distressing trial in 1917, being accused and acquitted of mismanaging funds.
(Los Angeles Herald, Nov. 7, 1917)
But rather than focus on the negative, we shall always remember him as "Check Dam" Hamilton.
(Riverside Daily Press, March 2, 1918)
Hamilton was a businessman known for owning and publishing the Des Moines Daily News. He moved to Los Angeles in 1911 and served as the chairman of the board of supervisors from 1915 to 1918, when he unceremoniously left the position. He had endured a distressing trial in 1917, being accused and acquitted of mismanaging funds.
(Los Angeles Herald, Nov. 7, 1917)
But rather than focus on the negative, we shall always remember him as "Check Dam" Hamilton.
Been a little busy this weekend, so I'm a day late on this one. Yesterday, March 4th, was the anniversary of Marguerite Lemmer's tragic death in Little Santa Anita Canyon. In 1934, twelve-year-old Marguerite and her friend, Norma Marshall, hiked the Mt. Wilson Trail. Seeking a drink of water, Marguerite tried to descend a cliff to the creek bottom, but she slipped and fell 200 feet to her doom. Also tragic was the unnecessary mention of her weight. At 170 pounds, she must have been terribly thirsty and dehydrated.
(Illustrated Daily News, Los Angeles, March 5, 1934)
(Illustrated Daily News, Los Angeles, March 5, 1934)
In 1908 the first Mt. Wilson race took place on April 29, but this post isn't about that inaugural event, it's about one of the practice runs beforehand. Don't worry, I'll post about the actual race in April.
On March 7th, the famous Austrian mountaineer Paul Reinwald ran up the trail to the summit hotel in just one hour forty-three minutes. This was a new record. After resting for seventeen minutes, he then sprinted down the trail in only fifty-seven minutes, also a new record. By the way, half the route was covered in snow and the wind chill dropped below zero that day.
(Riverside Enterprise, April 7, 1908)
(Los Angeles Herald, March 8, 1908)
Reinwald was well-known for setting records on Mount Blanc and the Matterhorn, among other European peaks.
(Los Angeles Herald, Oct. 20, 1909)
On March 7th, the famous Austrian mountaineer Paul Reinwald ran up the trail to the summit hotel in just one hour forty-three minutes. This was a new record. After resting for seventeen minutes, he then sprinted down the trail in only fifty-seven minutes, also a new record. By the way, half the route was covered in snow and the wind chill dropped below zero that day.
(Riverside Enterprise, April 7, 1908)
(Los Angeles Herald, March 8, 1908)
Reinwald was well-known for setting records on Mount Blanc and the Matterhorn, among other European peaks.
(Los Angeles Herald, Oct. 20, 1909)
Today begins the tale of Captain Augusto Mueller's perilous balloon flight over the San Gabriel front range.
In the afternoon of March 20, 1909, Mueller and five passengers lifted off from the Tournament of Roses Park in Pasadena.
In the fog and the cold, two hours later, they were struggling to gain altitude over Alpine Tavern, heading toward the high peaks beyond. Eyewitnesses feared the worst for Mueller and the balloon "America." As darkness approached, men walked the trails near the tavern looking for signs of a crash site and people in need of rescue, for those aboard the balloon had not prepared for a night in the wilderness.
(Los Angeles Herald, March 21, 1909)
To be continued...
In the afternoon of March 20, 1909, Mueller and five passengers lifted off from the Tournament of Roses Park in Pasadena.
In the fog and the cold, two hours later, they were struggling to gain altitude over Alpine Tavern, heading toward the high peaks beyond. Eyewitnesses feared the worst for Mueller and the balloon "America." As darkness approached, men walked the trails near the tavern looking for signs of a crash site and people in need of rescue, for those aboard the balloon had not prepared for a night in the wilderness.
(Los Angeles Herald, March 21, 1909)
To be continued...
The next day, March 21, 1909, a heavy, cold, windy storm hit Los Angeles, dumping snow on the Mt. Lowe region. Mueller and his balloon had vanished without a trace. Reports from the desert seemed bleak, casting doubt that he made it through the mountains. Some assumed that Mueller landed in the "badlands" between Lowe and the Mojave. Others suspected that he failed to sail out of Grand Canyon. Groups started preparing to search for him and his passengers, who had provisions for only a couple days. But the weather did not clear until the afternoon, and rescuers had a large area to cover with snow now obscuring the trails. As night fell on the second day, there was still no sign of the unlucky aeronauts. And news of their plight spread around the country...
(Sacramento Union, March 22, 1909)
(Los Angeles Herald, March 22, 1909)
(Sacramento Union, March 22, 1909)
(Los Angeles Herald, March 22, 1909)
I'm waiting this one out. Also wondering why they weren't dressed for cold in March at elevation.
(just noticed this is post number 1000 for me - is there some kind of award now?)
"Argue for your limitations and sure enough they're yours".
Donald Shimoda
Donald Shimoda
Be patient, all will be revealed in due course...
On the third day, March 22, 1909, more intense snow and rain hit the southland. Searchers had much difficulty searching, and rescuers had nobody to rescue. The world was kept wondering what fate had in store for the lost ones. Headlines prepared society for the worst possible outcome.
Eyewitness reports had pointed searchers to Millard Canyon, but weather conditions hampered their initial efforts to find the balloonists. Others drove to Switzer's, hoping to find Mueller in Bear Canyon. Another balloonist, Roy Knabenshue, offered his expertise in determining where to look. He also formed a plan to search by balloon once the weather cleared.
One theory from an "experienced mountaineer" supposed that Mueller managed to raise the balloon over Strawberry Peak, and it was thought that the party could have landed near Colby Ranch, where they would find shelter and provisions.
Despite many concerned friends doing their best, another day passed without a result. Who would claim the prize of prophecy, the optimists or the pessimists? The realists, no doubt, were focused on matters needing immediate attention, such as gathering facts, thinking like a balloon captain, and testing possibilities for the rescue or retrieval of six persons lost and not yet found.
(Los Angeles Herald, March 23, 1909)
Meanwhile in 1988, the Ice House Canyon Lodge burned down on March 22nd around 10:10 AM. Firefighters fought to save the historic building, but couldn't access the upper floor where they thought the blaze had started. They also worked with limited water, pulling some from the creek, and they had to deal with thick smoke.
The famous lodge, built in 1921 by Chappie Chapman, had been out of business for years, and it was currently for sale. The caretaker, Burr Patterson, and his son, Larry, were not inside the lodge when it went up in flames.
(The San Bernardino Sun, March 23, 1988)
After an investigation, the caretaker was arrested later that year on suspicion of arson.
(The San Bernardino Sun, August 3, 1988)
Unfortunately I cannot find information on the final outcome of this case. However, the reported facts do not look good for Mr. Patterson's presumed innocence.
The famous lodge, built in 1921 by Chappie Chapman, had been out of business for years, and it was currently for sale. The caretaker, Burr Patterson, and his son, Larry, were not inside the lodge when it went up in flames.
(The San Bernardino Sun, March 23, 1988)
After an investigation, the caretaker was arrested later that year on suspicion of arson.
(The San Bernardino Sun, August 3, 1988)
Unfortunately I cannot find information on the final outcome of this case. However, the reported facts do not look good for Mr. Patterson's presumed innocence.
Another morning went by, and there was no sign of Captain Mueller, his passengers, or the big balloon. Search parties patrolled the snow-covered mountains but discovered nothing. The readers of the papers continued waiting with fearful thoughts.
Then, at 2 PM on March 23, 1909, something amazing happened. The lost ones staggered into Switzer's Camp, having self-extracted themselves from an emergency landing on the north side of Strawberry Peak. They had survived the first night in a canyon, then found safety at Colby Ranch the second day. The third day was spent waiting out the storm, then they broke trail to Switzer's through the snow on the fourth day. By that evening they had come all the way down the mountain, back safe in the city.
The next day the Herald published Mueller's firsthand account of the journey. After landing successfully, they followed a canyon and the creek downward, which led them to Colby Ranch. That first night in the canyon, they had only one match among them, but it was enough to start a fire for a little warmth. It was later said that the group didn't mind the unexpected, extra days and they all had a splendid adventure.
(Los Angeles Herald, March 24, 1909)
About a month later, Mueller and a team of burros retrieved the balloon, which was undamaged.
Then, at 2 PM on March 23, 1909, something amazing happened. The lost ones staggered into Switzer's Camp, having self-extracted themselves from an emergency landing on the north side of Strawberry Peak. They had survived the first night in a canyon, then found safety at Colby Ranch the second day. The third day was spent waiting out the storm, then they broke trail to Switzer's through the snow on the fourth day. By that evening they had come all the way down the mountain, back safe in the city.
The next day the Herald published Mueller's firsthand account of the journey. After landing successfully, they followed a canyon and the creek downward, which led them to Colby Ranch. That first night in the canyon, they had only one match among them, but it was enough to start a fire for a little warmth. It was later said that the group didn't mind the unexpected, extra days and they all had a splendid adventure.
(Los Angeles Herald, March 24, 1909)
About a month later, Mueller and a team of burros retrieved the balloon, which was undamaged.
A hundred years ago people talked about building a road to Baldy. One man tried to make it happen. His name was Oma Grimsley. On March 23, 1924, it was reported that Grimsley applied for a toll road and right-of-way between Icehouse and Baldy.
(San Bernardino Daily Sun, March 23, 1924. Note that the paper got his first initial wrong, and perhaps his middle one too. According to this site his middle name was Eldridge.)
Oma Grimsley was a famous man, a millionaire from mining gold in Arizona and other places. He also earned fame as a world champion bronco rider. While in Los Angeles he turned to automobiles and routinely drove across the desert to and from his operations in Arizona. If anyone could have built a toll road to Baldy, it was probably this man.
Unfortunately on October 24, 1924, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, in their wisdom, denied his application for a franchise.
(San Bernardino Daily Sun, November 7, 1924)
Click for more info on Oma Grimsley.
(San Bernardino Daily Sun, March 23, 1924. Note that the paper got his first initial wrong, and perhaps his middle one too. According to this site his middle name was Eldridge.)
Oma Grimsley was a famous man, a millionaire from mining gold in Arizona and other places. He also earned fame as a world champion bronco rider. While in Los Angeles he turned to automobiles and routinely drove across the desert to and from his operations in Arizona. If anyone could have built a toll road to Baldy, it was probably this man.
Unfortunately on October 24, 1924, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, in their wisdom, denied his application for a franchise.
(San Bernardino Daily Sun, November 7, 1924)
Click for more info on Oma Grimsley.
Yes, searches have been lousy in the mass media.
But what happens when 6 men who dont really know each other survive? They stayed under the ballon cover...nope.
In the detailed report it says "Cray found a canyon that they all decided to follow into single file. Later it was determined to be Grotto Canyon. It was raining and the group made use of the rope working their way down into the canyon. The vegetation got thicker as they went on and soon they had to settle in for the night.
At a small flat area in the canyon called the group found that by moving the wet pine needles aside, dry ones were underneath. One match was found amongst them and it was cautiously used to light the needles, some shavings and a crumpled piece of cigarette paper. They rationed the food into thirds and ate one third of it.
Sunday morning they continued down the canyon though the water in the widened stream was now waist deep. Soon a crashing of water was heard and it was realized none to soon a waterfall was ahead. Closer investigation led them to discover a 30-50 foot fall. It begins to hail again and rain was coming down in sheets. The men had to head back up the canyon the way they had come. Halsted at one point falls completely into the water and the others with no regard for themselves go in after him. Cold and drenched the six men continue on soon finding a snow-covered trail and a stump of a tree that had been recently cut. Another thirty minutes up the trail and they smelled smoke and came upon a pen for cattle or pigs."
I mean the BS is especially strong with this...but the group descends. They lite a fire(why?). They ate 1/3 the food....hmm. Finally they get the the end...having gone 1/2 a mile in 2 days. It was 30 or 50ft "fall". Wasnt it more 190ft..who came up with 30?. But who cares, they decide to turn around rather then descend. Where are they going? One guy misteeps into 2 or 3 ft of water and is on his back. "Others" jump in with no regard. Then they find a hidden trail that leads them home.
But what happens when 6 men who dont really know each other survive? They stayed under the ballon cover...nope.
In the detailed report it says "Cray found a canyon that they all decided to follow into single file. Later it was determined to be Grotto Canyon. It was raining and the group made use of the rope working their way down into the canyon. The vegetation got thicker as they went on and soon they had to settle in for the night.
At a small flat area in the canyon called the group found that by moving the wet pine needles aside, dry ones were underneath. One match was found amongst them and it was cautiously used to light the needles, some shavings and a crumpled piece of cigarette paper. They rationed the food into thirds and ate one third of it.
Sunday morning they continued down the canyon though the water in the widened stream was now waist deep. Soon a crashing of water was heard and it was realized none to soon a waterfall was ahead. Closer investigation led them to discover a 30-50 foot fall. It begins to hail again and rain was coming down in sheets. The men had to head back up the canyon the way they had come. Halsted at one point falls completely into the water and the others with no regard for themselves go in after him. Cold and drenched the six men continue on soon finding a snow-covered trail and a stump of a tree that had been recently cut. Another thirty minutes up the trail and they smelled smoke and came upon a pen for cattle or pigs."
I mean the BS is especially strong with this...but the group descends. They lite a fire(why?). They ate 1/3 the food....hmm. Finally they get the the end...having gone 1/2 a mile in 2 days. It was 30 or 50ft "fall". Wasnt it more 190ft..who came up with 30?. But who cares, they decide to turn around rather then descend. Where are they going? One guy misteeps into 2 or 3 ft of water and is on his back. "Others" jump in with no regard. Then they find a hidden trail that leads them home.
For those who can't find it, Jake Brouwer's article is here. His source is Donald Parker's book Perilous Voyage of the Balloon American. I have not read the book, though it sounds fascinating, and includes Harold Parker's photographs from the perilous voyage itself. Brouwer used some of the photos as well in his article. My accounting and photos come from the newspaper articles cited. There are a few discrepancies between the various stories, but I think the basic picture is clear.