Senior News May 20, 2009

Geologist: "Cave" 40 To 60 Million Years Old??, by Ted Lake

When have now learned there was a geologist who spent time studying the deep and the mysterious underground Crystal Cave, its various caverns after it was first discovered 80 years ago 9 miles Southeast of Winkelman. Too, he did write a public report stating he believed these underground formations were extremely old Through the efforts of Dr. Christine Marin, Archivist and Historian at Arizona State University in Tempe, we did find his historical comments It was on May 28, 1929 that Geologist F.L. Meeker penned his report about the underground marvel discovered by A.L. Logan and Fred Rhodes. Later that year, both men decided to open their " Crystal Cave" as a public tourist attraction. However, their underground tours were reportedly shut down during the depression during bad economic times even thought they apparently got national publicity when the Pathe Movie Studio of Hollywood was scheduled to send a film crew to visit the "Cave" on opening day for a movie theater news feature to be shown in theaters all over the country. At any rate, here is basically what Geologist Meeker had to say about his observations. At this time, I would not even venture to say the extent of these caverns. The entrance is in the low rolling hills sloping towards the San Pedro River from the Galluro Mountain Range. Descent to the first room is very simple, by steps in the shale and gypsum to a dept of about 50 feet. This room (cavern) is about 315 feet long, 35 to 50 feet wide, by 12 feet high. The whole room is in gypsum interspersed with shale. The blending of these colors together with the sparkling of crystals makes a very beautiful scene. with colors varying from white to black. The second cave entrance made from this large room to the northwest for about 430 feet varying from 20 to 60 feet wide, about 10 to 15 feet high, except for 50 feet connecting the 2 rooms which is just a passage. The crystals are much larger in this room and the formations are very beautiful. About the middle of this room there is a passage of about 20 feet to the east, leading to another room about 20 to 25 feet wide extending to 140 feet in width and 140 feet in length, and 10 feet in height. At the northern end is clear water covered with a thin coating of paraffin oil. The next room takes a course of about 20 degrees southwest from a large chamber located on the northwest end of the 430 foot room, extending for an unknown distance, as the ceiling further on is low. I did not explore the same; however Mr. Logan states that he has spent hours in the exploration of this extension, which checks geologically in my judgment. In all of the caves the formations are beautiful, being interspersed with Crystal and color effects. All sorts of images can been seen in the formations. One of the interesting objects is an animal which is encased in solid gypsum, the age of which is very great in the opinion of this writer. I have spent over a year studying the formations of the San Pedro River and the mountain range paralleling same in reference to petroleum possibilities and believe the formations west of the San Pedro belong the the Achaean Age. Like wise, to the East of Mt Graham belongs to the Achaean Age, and the absence of sea shells in the Pinto Valley, together with the age of these mountains. Geologist F.L. Meeker went on to write in his published article: "It is my opinion that this animal (Chrystal Cave)" belongs to the Achaean age of an animal, an age of somewhere between forty and sixty million years old.

Elks Lodge "Best Public Relations Program"

Pinal Mountain Elks Lodge #2809 member receives special recognition at Arizona Elks Association State Convention. Carol Handy. Pinal Mountain Elks Lodge Public Relations Chairman. was presented with an award For "best Public Relations Program" for East District. Presenting the award to Ms Handy was Homer Silvers. State President (left) and Paul Hesler. Grand Exalted Ruler (right).

Gila’s Meteorite Of 1868, by Ted Lake

Mike Heimer is a fan of the Copper Country News in the East Valley who says he has found a better Meteorite story than the one we reported about years ago disappearing in a bight flash North of Roosevelt Lake. Heimer is a regular reader of old history books about Arizona. He has brought to our attention an historic account of an extremely bright meteorite which lit up the entire sky over the Sierra Ancha Mountains. Heimer found the following account in a book written by Jim Schreir entitled "Camp Reno Outpost Apacheria 1867-1890 where it states: "During the early evening of November 30, 1868, an unusual meteorological event was observable from both Camps McDowell and Reno (located by Mt. Ord). An eyewitness, a member of one of McDowell's Gila's Meteorite Of 1868 by Ted Lake teddlake@yahoo.com scouts, was camped near the Sierra Anchas and the Salt River. At 7:23 he logged.: A brilliant acrolite (aerolite) traversed the sky in the direction from Southwest to Northeast and when it had completed about two-thirds of the passage to the horizon, it burst into a golden shower, with a rumbling noise resembling distant thunder, and a dull shock like the dying effort of an earthquake. The full moon was shining at the time, the light unobseured by a cloud, yet the brilliancy of the meteor, for the moment , eclipsed her beauty, and caused the night to shine as the day. Could the shooting- star have been symbolic? A brief peace was about to settle in Central Arizona. It, too, was to give hopeful light, but then collapse

How to 'Be a Good Visitor'

"Visitors to a healthcare facility play an important role in guarding patient safety," states the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) Some simple tips to ‘being a good visitor.' Sanitize hands before and after visiting The soap and hand sanitizer in patient rooms are for everyone – wash or sanitize your hands when entering and leaving the room of the person you are visiting to avoid bringing in and carrying out germs. Insist that healthcare providers do the same before caring for your loved one. Clean your hands after sneezing, coughing, touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, after using the restroom and before and after eating and drinking. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your sleeve, and do not sit on patient beds or handle their equipment. Read and follow any instructions posted outside the patient's room. Stay home if you are sick Do not visit the hospital if you are sick or have had any ill symptoms within the last three days How to 'Be a Good Visitor' including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever (or feeling feverish), uncontrolled cough or rash. Check first before you bring food, send flowers or take the kids While flowers, young visitors and home-baked goodies spread cheer, they may not be allowed, so check with the nurse first. Most hospitals prohibit flowers in intensive care units. If you change the water in a vase of flowers, be sure to wash your hands afterward. Bringing food is risky because the patient may be on a special diet or the food could spoil and make the patient sick. Likewise, check with the healthcare facility about the rules for children visiting. If you bring youngsters, don't let them play on the floor or bed and have them wash their hands as they enter and leave the room. Make sure the child is free from symptoms of infection (e.g., runny nose, sore throat, rash, cough, etc.) Special precautions If the person you are visiting is on "Isolation Precautions," talk to the nurse before entering the room to find out what steps you will have to take, such as wearing a mask or other protective clothing. Also ask for any educational materials that may be available. Don’t contribute to the clutter Limit the patient's personal items. Less clutter eases the critical job of cleaning hospital rooms. Keep patient items off the floor and away from waste containers. Visiting more than one If you are visiting multiple patients (for instance, if you are a pastor), sanitize your hands before and after seeing each patient. Do not share the communion cup and lay the wafer on a paper towel (not directly on the patient's table.) Visit the person in isolation last and follow the precautions specified. Back at home Keep the patient healthy back at home. Follow discharge instructions and eliminate germs from the patient’s environment by using disinfectants, such as sprays and wipes, to clean hard surfaces often. Ask for special instructions if the patient had a drug-resistant infection such as MRSA or C. difficile.

Christmas Az Ghost Town, But Back Then...

A small headline appeared in the historical Arizona Republican Newspaper on June 2, 1929. It said "Christmas Gets Second Unit of Mine Buildings." The report goes on to say the second unit of mine buildings and executive quarters for the Christmas Copper Company got underway during the past week. The first unit completed last month comprised of executive houses, garages and dormitories. According to the company, the building program carried out at Christmas will provide this well known mine with unusually modern and comfortable housing for all of its offices and employees. The work is being handled by Laing and Heenan who are the local builders of Pacific Ready Cut Homes