presidents corner january 2013 · volume 27-1 a monthly newsletter published by the roadrunner...

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Volume 27-1 A Monthly Newsletter Published by the RoadRunner Prospector’s Club January 2013 January 2013 Page 1 PRESIDENTS CORNER January 2013 The New Year is upon us. I trust everyone had a good Christmas and a happy New Year. Our club Christmas BBQ was a success, the food was good and there was plenty of it. The Chandler park facilities were, in my opinion, every bit as good as the Glendale facility that we had used in the past, but at a fac- tion of the cost. We had the customary gold drawing and I, as customary, didn’t draw a nugget. Oh well, there is always next year. As mentioned at the General Meetings and previously in this newsletter, the Board was interested in having new one-ounce silver rounds minted as our supply is dwindling low. The expenditure required the member’s approval and at a vote taken at the BBQ, the expenditure was approved. The BBQ is the Gen- eral Meeting in December. We have now ordered the rounds and our check was sent to the mint to lock in the price of the silver We have ordered the rounds from the same mint that previously supplied rounds for us. Of course members will be able to buy some rounds after they are received. The Club sells the rounds, a few at a time, on an ongoing basis. However, we do retain some for use as gifts for speakers at the General Meetings, because we do not compensate the speakers in any other fashion. Members will be able to buy rounds at cost, so that when it all shakes out, the Club breaks even. I believe these are becom- ing collectables. I look forward to getting out and doing some prospecting and I assume you feel the same. I had some back trouble in the fall and that put a damper on my activities, but that is clearing up. It brings up a point that is self evident, but I will mention it anyway. None of us are “spring chickens”; we are all getting old- er. Be careful when you are lifting, bending, pulling, pushing or worse, twisting. Its’ real easy to hurt yourself and end up being sidetracked for a while. This applies to both young and old. The Board receives reports from our Claims Patrol that is inspecting claims for violations of BLM or the National Forest rules. Upon noting a violation, the claims patrol will then remind those persons that they have to comply with the rules or our right to keep the claim may be in jeopardy. We do not, in any way, threaten or order people about, but if a violation persists, we will go to the authorities to protect the Club’s interest. This applies to “claim Jumpers” as well. If they do not wish to join the Club, and pay dues, as we do to keep the claims, then they cannot continue prospecting on our claims. Also, as I believe everyone knows, we are not allowed to live on the claims. After 14 days one must vacate. We all must follow the law if we wish to continue pursuing our prospecting activities. That is about enough for me to say this month. Be safe out there and make it a good month; find some gold.. Frederick Horn, President

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Page 1: PRESIDENTS CORNER January 2013 · Volume 27-1 A Monthly Newsletter Published by the RoadRunner Prospector’s Club January 2013 January 2013 Page 1 PRESIDENTS CORNER January 2013

Volume 27-1 A Monthly Newsletter Published by the RoadRunner Prospector’s Club January 2013

January 2013 Page 1

PRESIDENTS CORNER January 2013

The New Year is upon us. I trust everyone had a good Christmas and a happy New Year. Our club

Christmas BBQ was a success, the food was good and there was plenty of it. The Chandler park facilities

were, in my opinion, every bit as good as the Glendale facility that we had used in the past, but at a fac-

tion of the cost. We had the customary gold drawing and I, as customary, didn’t draw a nugget. Oh well,

there is always next year.

As mentioned at the General Meetings and previously in this newsletter, the Board was interested in

having new one-ounce silver rounds minted as our supply is dwindling low. The expenditure required the

member’s approval and at a vote taken at the BBQ, the expenditure was approved. The BBQ is the Gen-

eral Meeting in December. We have now ordered the rounds and our check was sent to the mint to lock

in the price of the silver We have ordered the rounds from the same mint that previously supplied rounds

for us. Of course members will be able to buy some rounds after they are received. The Club sells the

rounds, a few at a time, on an ongoing basis. However, we do retain some for use as gifts for speakers at

the General Meetings, because we do not compensate the speakers in any other fashion. Members will be

able to buy rounds at cost, so that when it all shakes out, the Club breaks even. I believe these are becom-

ing collectables.

I look forward to getting out and doing some prospecting and I assume you feel the same. I had some

back trouble in the fall and that put a damper on my activities, but that is clearing up. It brings up a point

that is self evident, but I will mention it anyway. None of us are “spring chickens”; we are all getting old-

er. Be careful when you are lifting, bending, pulling, pushing or worse, twisting. Its’ real easy to hurt

yourself and end up being sidetracked for a while. This applies to both young and old.

The Board receives reports from our Claims Patrol that is inspecting claims for violations of BLM or

the National Forest rules. Upon noting a violation, the claims patrol will then remind those persons that

they have to comply with the rules or our right to keep the claim may be in jeopardy. We do not, in any

way, threaten or order people about, but if a violation persists, we will go to the authorities to protect the

Club’s interest. This applies to “claim Jumpers” as well. If they do not wish to join the Club, and pay

dues, as we do to keep the claims, then they cannot continue prospecting on our claims. Also, as I believe

everyone knows, we are not allowed to live on the claims. After 14 days one must vacate. We all must

follow the law if we wish to continue pursuing our prospecting activities.

That is about enough for me to say this month. Be safe out there and make it a good month; find

some gold..

Frederick Horn, President

Page 2: PRESIDENTS CORNER January 2013 · Volume 27-1 A Monthly Newsletter Published by the RoadRunner Prospector’s Club January 2013 January 2013 Page 1 PRESIDENTS CORNER January 2013

January 2013 Page 2

MONTHLY MEETINGS General Meetings:

3rd Thursday of the month - 7:00 PM @ Arizona American Italian

club 7509 North 12th St. Phoenix, AZ (No meeting in December)

Monthly outings:

Held on the weekends following the Third Thursday of the month.

Guests are welcome to attend regular meetings and outings.

Board Meeting:

forthTuesday of the month - 7:00pm Club Office

New Member Orientation:

Club Office 7:00 p.m.. See calendar for dates.

The Bird Tailings is published as a service to Roadrunner Prospectors’

Club, Inc. members. Opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of

the management or of its members. Publication of information in this

newsletter constitute, no guarantee of accuracy. Use of any information

found in this newsletter at the sole risk of the user. Neither the RRPC,

it’s board of directors, nor the editor of this publication assume any

liability for damages resulting from the use of information found within

the newsletter content.

The contents of this publication may not be reproduced either in part or

in whole without written consent of the Roadrunner Prospectors’ Club.

The newsletter encourages submissions of any article mining related,

opinion pieces, cartoons, want-ads, sales of items, etc.

Roadrunner Prospecting Club phone numbers:

Voice message 602-274-2521

Office Fax: 602-274-4335

Mailing address:

RRPC

P.O. Box 56804

Phoenix, AZ 85079

Email:

[email protected]

Website:

http://www.roadrunnergold.com

Club Office is located at:

2744 W. Osborn R.

Phoenix, AZ 85017-5023

(Open 9:00am to 1:00pm Wednesday). Between Thomas Rd

and Indian School Rd, west of 27th Ave.

Member Address Change Form: Send to: RRPC, PO Box 56804, Phoenix, AZ 85079-6804 or email: [email protected]

Member Number: ________

Name: ________________________________________

New Address: __________________________________

__________________________________

Phone Number: _________________________________

BOARD & OFFICE DIRECTORY

PRESIDENT

Fred Horn

VICE PRESIDENT

Karl Weber

SECRETARY

Carol Nickel

TREASURER

Bill Hunt

3 YEAR BOARD MEMBERS

Bob Wierzal

Bruce Myers

2 YEAR BOARD MEMBERS

Jack Engbrecht

Randal Stockwood

1 YEAR BOARD MEMBERS

Reeve Kahabka

Bill Nickel

News Letter

—————————————————————

Office Manager Membership Manager

Pete Baker Pete Baker

Website

Pete Baker

Brian Jost

Dues/Fees:

• Annual dues are due by December 1st

of each year.

• Annual Maintenance Fee (AMF =

$44.00) due by December 1st of each

year.

Page 3: PRESIDENTS CORNER January 2013 · Volume 27-1 A Monthly Newsletter Published by the RoadRunner Prospector’s Club January 2013 January 2013 Page 1 PRESIDENTS CORNER January 2013

January 2013 Page 3

The following folks have joined RRPC since our

last newsletter.

Please welcome them into our club:

John Calton Surprise, AZ

Roger & Marsha Webb Phoenix, AZ

Joseph & Ruth Ann Parkinson Prescott, AZ

Jim Leischow Anthem, AZ

Chuck & Lynda Schutt Apache Junction, AZ

Herb & Janice Kuehn Anderson, SC

Ronald Walters Circle City, AZ

Keith & Louise Becker Flagstaff, AZ

Dennis Baker Tucson, AZ

George Baker Tucson, AZ

Fred O'Neal Peoria, AZ

Charles & Donna Formwalt Queen Valley, AZ

Mike Nickell & Christa Kuether Phoenix, AZ

John & Nicole Hallett Collidge, AZ

Bruce & Kerry Schow Maricopa, AZ

VIP Winners from the November Meeting:

Bruce Myers – Claims Marking

Harold Stover – Office Support

Bruce Myers – Claims Marking

VIP Winners from the December BBQ:

Sharon Baker – Coin Shoot

Lin Whaley – Claims Marking

Ray Ouelette – Claims Marking

¼ oz Nugget Grand Winner:

Harold Stover

BUDDY LIST

Echo Maurer, (623) 377-0808, [email protected]

Area: Surprise

Available: Any day, Cannot drive.

Equipment: Drywasher, Dredge, Hi-banker, final

recovery systems.

Have pickup. Limited driving due to vision prob-

lems.

Preferred claims: Any claims area

Dick Tucek, (623) 975-2849

Area: Surprise

Available: Any day but Sunday, Can not drive

Equipment: Metal Detector

Preferred claims: Stanton area, Leave No Holes,

Bumblebee King

Mike Landgraf, (602) 678-6789,

[email protected]

Area: 7th Ave./Dunlap - Sunnyslope

Available: Any day, Can drive, 2WD, Intermediate

Equipment: High-Banker, Metal detector

Preferred claims: Turkey Creek. “Have 650cc bug-

gy for off-road, carries a lot. I’m retired.”

Randall Stockwood, (928) 501-7901,

[email protected]

Area: Pleasant Harbor Resort, Peoria

Available: All days except Sunday, Can drive,

4WD. Equipment: Dry washer, Metal detector

Preferred claims: Any and all “Need some one to

be with”

Don Tennis, (575) 535-4463

Area: Meyer, AZ.

Available: Fri., Sat., Sun., Can drive, 2WD

Equipment: 2 ½” High-Banker, other misc.

Preferred claims: Big Bug 1&2, Turkey Creek

claims, Mercers. “I am open to suggestions. Please

call and we can go from there.”

Rich Nipko, 321 432-8209, Email: rknip-

[email protected]

Area: Goodyear

Available: All days, Can drive, 2WD, Experienced

Equipment: Metal detector, panning. Preferred

claims: Any. “New to club, recently retired”

Michael Schratt, 815 814-2145, Email: auro-

[email protected]

Area: Tempe

Available: Saturdays, Sundays, Can drive

Equipment: Metal Detector, pan

Preferred Claims: all claims

Interests: Nugget hunting, coin hunting, ancient

artifacts, antique treasure maps, tales of lost or

buried treasure

Brian Venetz, 602 486-5976, Email:

[email protected]

Area: Phoenix

Available: Fridays, Saturdays, Can drive, 2wd, Be-

ginner

Equipment: Sluice, Pan

Preferred Claims: All

Page 4: PRESIDENTS CORNER January 2013 · Volume 27-1 A Monthly Newsletter Published by the RoadRunner Prospector’s Club January 2013 January 2013 Page 1 PRESIDENTS CORNER January 2013

January 2013 Page 4

New Silver Anniversary Rounds

At our December annual BBQ, we asked for members' approval to purchase 400 one ounce,

99% pure silver anniversary rounds. This purchase was approved by all at that time. This

now approved purchase will cost an estimated $16,000 and includes the cost for 100 gift box-

es as well as printing and die. Because we are using the Northwest Territorial Mint, the same

company that has our die on file, we will be saving the club hundreds of dollars. The board

has been very pleased with this company's work in the past. The majority of the cost will be

recovered by selling the rounds to members. We will also give a limited amount of rounds to

our guest speakers, as door prizes and at special events.

I expect the rounds will be available in two months and as always rounds will be kept in a

safety deposit box at Chase.

Karl Weber

Vice President

Page 5: PRESIDENTS CORNER January 2013 · Volume 27-1 A Monthly Newsletter Published by the RoadRunner Prospector’s Club January 2013 January 2013 Page 1 PRESIDENTS CORNER January 2013

January 2013 Page 5

Annual Dues and Maintenance Fees Thank you to those who have paid their annual dues

and maintenance fees. The club appreciates your sup-

port.

For those who have not yet paid, please send in your

payments as soon as possible. Please remember that

the AMF fee for 2013 is $44.00.

Life Members may refer to the list on page 7 for the

specific amount owed for 2013. This amount reflects

any pre-payments made in prior years at the $20 rate.

There is also a list of Annual members on page 6 who

owe Dues and/or AMF for 2013.

If you are not sure how much you owe for 2013,

please email the club at:

[email protected] and we will respond

in a timely fashion or call the office (602 274-2521)

and leave a message and someone will return your

call. Again, the club thanks you for your support.

January 2013 Classifieds

For Sale: Life Membership #2098. $400, Buyer

pays $250 transfer fee plus AMF. Please call Paul at: (512) 516-2194(home) or

(575) 574-8760(cell).

For Sale: Life Membership #4052. $400, Buyer

pays $250 transfer fee plus AMF.

Please call Gary at (928) 639-4611.

For Sale: Life Membership #3170. $400, Buyer

pays $250 transfer. AMF already paid for 2013.

Please call Joe at (480) 288-8339.

For Sale: Keene 3” Dredge/High Banker. 5 HP B&S

motor. All hoses and suction nozzle. $800.00.

Call Ray at (623) 386-3344

For Sale: 17FT 2004 Wanderer Lite travel trailer.

Large frig, microwave, air conditioner, outside

shower, sleeps 6. Asking $5,000.

Please call Jim or Jane Boast at: (623) 533-0487

For Sale: Gold Duster medium size dry washer w/

stand asking $350.00. In great shape Gold Magic

machine - only used once - $375.00. Comes with

the large plastic tub. I will sell both together for

$650.00 or separate as listed above. If bought as

one lot I will include gold pans, and a few varous

tools.

Please call Forrest at 623-242-8615 (located in

Sun City West)

For Trade: Looking for a Minelab X-terra 70 or 705

metal detector to trade for a Whites Gold Master

metal detector.

Please call Bill at: (602) 348-8261.

Did You Know? Gold is edible. Some Asian countries put gold in

fruit, jelly snacks, coffee, and tea. Since at least the

1500s, Europeans have been putting gold leaf in

bottles of liquor, such as Danziger, Goldwasser and

Goldschlager. Some Native American tribes be-

lieved consuming gold could allow humans to levi-

tate.

As we wrote in the "Did You Know" article last

month, almost all gold has been recycled over the

ages. Now we learn that people have been eating it

for thousands of years. Makes you wonder just

where the gold in your Rolex watch came from?

Milestones Burl Nunn passed away on Nov. 9, 2012 in Wick-

enburg. Burl and wife, Jan joined the club in De-

cember of 1985. The Nunns were one of the earli-

est members of the club.

Page 6: PRESIDENTS CORNER January 2013 · Volume 27-1 A Monthly Newsletter Published by the RoadRunner Prospector’s Club January 2013 January 2013 Page 1 PRESIDENTS CORNER January 2013

January 2013 Page 6

The member list on the following page represents those Life Members who owe AMF for

2013. In some cases, Life members have paid the AMF in advance in prior years at the old

$20 rate. These amounts have been credited against the new rate of $44. That is why you

will see various balances less than $44. Please submit the indicated amount due for 2013 as

soon as possible. If you have any questions, please call the office at 602 274-2521 or email:

[email protected] for a fast reply. Thank you.

The following Annual members owe Dues and/or AMF for 2013:

4873 5342 5763 6038 6241 6335 6403 6450 6499 6533

4899 5368 5792 6046 6246 6338 6406 6451 6500 6534

4903 5480 5827 6056 6247 6344 6410 6454 6505 6536

4912 5483 5832 6063 6255 6353 6417 6459 6506 6537

4922 5489 5847 6068 6258 6355 6418 6460 6510 6538

4925 5515 5854 6100 6259 6361 6420 6462 6514 6542

4947 5520 5866 6113 6261 6365 6424 6464 6515 6543

4961 5531 5878 6123 6263 6371 6425 6466 6517 6546

5051 5533 5880 6136 6266 6374 6429 6473 6518 6547

5057 5567 5891 6145 6282 6379 6430 6475 6519 6548

5100 5580 5900 6148 6284 6380 6433 6479 6520 6549

5151 5597 5933 6160 6300 6382 6434 6482 6521 6550

5179 5616 5956 6163 6305 6387 6435 6483 6523

5204 5618 5965 6174 6309 6390 6436 6484 6524 6554

5220 5629 5966 6184 6314 6393 6443 6485 6525 6555

5225 5634 5973 6197 6321 6394 6444 6487 6526 6558

5249 5680 5982 6219 6327 6395 6445 6491 6527 6561

5256 5693 6005 6221 6329 6396 6447 6493 6530 6563

5281 5719 6014 6222 6331 6399 6448 6496 6531 6566

5291 5723 6029 6234 6333 6400 6449 6497 6532 6567

5307 5744 6034 6240 6334 6402

The following is a list of Annual Members who owe Dues and/or AMF for 2013. Please

submit your payment as soon as possible. If you have any questions or need to find out

how much you owe, please call the office at 602 274-2521 or email:

[email protected] for a fast reply. Thank you.

Page 7: PRESIDENTS CORNER January 2013 · Volume 27-1 A Monthly Newsletter Published by the RoadRunner Prospector’s Club January 2013 January 2013 Page 1 PRESIDENTS CORNER January 2013

January 2013 Page 7

The following Life members owe 2013 AMF amount listed next to their membership number.

Member AMF Member AMF Member AMF Member AMF Member AMF Member AMF

1018 $44 1352 $44 2135 $44 3128 $44 4142 $44 4978 $44

1032 $44 1358 $44 2157 $44 3165 $44 4143 $44 5050 $44

1043 $44 1364 $24 2187 $44 3173 $44 4159 $44 5127 $44

1050 $44 1376 $44 2189 $44 3178 $44 4176 $34 5141 $44

1054 $44 1382 $44 2257 $44 3181 $44 4187 $44 5217 $44

1058 $44 1388 $24 2262 $44 3195 $14 4197 $44 5219 $44

1063 $24 1403 $44 2277 $44 3208 $24 4203 $24 5240 $44

1066 $44 1404 $44 2289 $44 3231 $44 4204 $44 5261 $24

1074 $44 1414 $44 2329 $44 3246 $44 4250 $44 5301 $4

1080 $44 1442 $44 2369 $44 3247 $44 4264 $44 5303 $44

1085 $44 1444 $24 2374 $44 3255 $44 4267 $20 5313 $44

1091 $24 1446 $44 2381 $44 3270 $24 4276 $44 5352 $44

1096 $24 1450 $24 2390 $44 3279 $44 4278 $44 5353 $44

1098 $44 1456 $44 2401 $44 3302 $14 4282 $44 5390 $44

1110 $44 1510 $44 2410 $44 3306 $44 4294 $44 5421 $44

1111 $44 1513 $44 2414 $44 3324 $44 4298 $24 5461 $44

1116 $4 1525 $44 2434 $44 3325 $24 4302 $44 5535 $44

1124 $44 1527 $44 2436 $39 3347 $44 4315 $44 5564 $4

1125 $44 1530 $44 2474 $44 3360 $44 4337 $44 5584 $44

1127 $44 1563 $44 2486 $44 3375 $44 4379 $44 5595 $24

1149 $44 1566 $4 2491 $44 3400 $44 4404 $44 5596 $44

1154 $44 1570 $44 2552 $24 3403 $24 4453 $44 5602 $44

1165 $44 1572 $44 2556 $24 3412 $44 4475 $4 5649 $44

1171 $24 1588 $44 2564 $24 3416 $44 4477 $44 5650 $24

1175 $44 1604 $44 2574 $44 3418 $24 4479 $44 5661 $24

1178 $44 1607 $44 2579 $44 3437 $44 4484 $44 5799 $24

1190 $44 1627 $44 2581 $44 3438 $24 4502 $44 5848 $44

1201 $44 1628 $24 2611 $24 3439 $44 4522 $44 5863 $24

1202 $44 1639 $14 2621 $44 3470 $24 4529 $44 5887 $24

1204 $44 1668 $24 2627 $24 3476 $44 4533 $44 5897 $4

1211 $44 1673 $24 2647 $44 3498 $44 4559 $44 5989 $4

1213 $44 1690 $44 2659 $44 3513 $44 4560 $44 6039 $44

1226 $44 1703 $44 2677 $44 3519 $24 4566 $44 6087 $44

1228 $44 1710 $44 2698 $44 3524 $44 4567 $44 6095 $24

1229 $44 1715 $44 2799 $44 3528 $4 4621 $44 6103 $24

1242 $44 1724 $44 2806 $44 3541 $44 4649 $44 6127 $44

1245 $44 1730 $24 2828 $44 3565 $24 4683 $44 6179 $44

1256 $44 1736 $24 2836 $24 3583 $24 4688 $44 6183 $44

1257 $44 2848 $44 3591 $44 4691 $44 6210 $24

1264 $44 1773 $44 2856 $44 3599 $24 4694 $24 6211 $44

1265 $24 1799 $24 2883 $44 3605 $44 4704 $44 6244 $44

1266 $44 1804 $44 2908 $44 3634 $24 4724 $44 6264 $44

1271 $44 1827 $44 2941 $44 3650 $44 4731 $24 6289 $24

1274 $44 1847 $44 2979 $44 3681 $44 4739 $44 6304 $44

1281 $4 1853 $44 2986 $44 3682 $44 4749 $44 6358 $44

1290 $44 1860 $24 2997 $44 4035 $24 4790 $44 6388 $44

1304 $44 1873 $44 3009 $24 4040 $44 4810 $44 6414 $24

1312 $24 1954 $44 3012 $24 4052 $44 4821 $44 6440 $44

1314 $44 1960 $44 3030 $44 4061 $44 4850 $24 6442 $44

1316 $44 1991 $24 3036 $24 4063 $44 4891 $44 6467 $44

1338 $44 2009 $24 3051 $44 4071 $44 4895 $44 6481 $44

1340 $24 2032 $44 3055 $22 4095 $44 4909 $44 6512 $44

1341 $44 2041 $44 3079 $44 4105 $2 4936 $44 6565 $44

1343 $44 2098 $44 3087 $4 4134 $44 4968 $44 6568 $44

1347 $4 2104 $24 3100 $24

Page 8: PRESIDENTS CORNER January 2013 · Volume 27-1 A Monthly Newsletter Published by the RoadRunner Prospector’s Club January 2013 January 2013 Page 1 PRESIDENTS CORNER January 2013

January 2013 Page 8

The Mine’s Meal

By Lynn Downey (Wickenburg Sun, 12/1/10)

Of all the ways to make money in the late 1800s and early 1900s, mining had to be one of the toughest. The

work itself was hard, no matter whether you used a pick underground or worked a noisy stamp mill. The

tasks of daily living were sometimes no easier, and what was often on a miner’s mind was his next meal.

Whether a miner worked on his own in the mountains of California and the Southwest, or labored for a large

mining operation such as the Vulture, near Wickenburg, food was surprisingly abundant. In general, the

miner’s diet consisted of dried meats (jerky), eggs, bread, milk, and cheese. Available fresh meats were gen-

erally fowl, lamb, mutton, or game.

Even if there was plenty of food around, miners sometimes had trouble paying for it. In the days before re-

frigeration, wagon teams would haul foodstuffs into town which had mercantiles or restaurants, and buyers

would never know how much a dozen eggs or bottle of bitters would cost. Local merchants like Michael

Goldwater and Isaac Levy, whose stores served the Vulture Mine and Wickenburg, never knew what they

would be able to offer their customers until the wagons rolled into town.

Crop damage due to bad weather would of course make scarce products more expensive, and if a store or

camp was more difficult to get to, the simple costs of transportation – paying a driver, feeding the horses –

would add to the price. Spoilage was another problem; so many perishable foods would be preserved, either

through pickling, curing, drying or preserving in sugar as jellies. Fresh fruits and vegetables could only be

eaten when in season.

No matter what the weather or cost, there was one item miners could always count on: beans.

In the Broadway musical, “Paint Your Wagon,” a group of miners have hit it big and sing a song called

“Hand Me Down That Can of Beans,” with the refrain, “Out the window go the beans, I had a lucky day.” In

other words, when the pickings were good, miners could afford something more than the ubiquitous beans.

But more often than not, they were a staple of the frontier diet. They were always available, they were cheap,

easily cooked and were also a traditional part of the late 19th century diet.

Larger mining camps offered a place for the locals to eat, but the name of “restaurant” didn’t always apply to

some of these establishments, which were often crudely constructed tents in the open air. But the camp cook,

whether he (or she) worked in a fine restaurant or plopped piles of beans on a tin plate under the stars, was

always a respected figure. A few photos of mining camp cooks survive in historical collections, and it’s al-

ways easy to spot them: they are the ones in the clean clothes.

Canned food was also available to miners, but it was only in the 1870s that canning was common. Unfortu-

nately, the first containers for meats, fruits and other foodstuffs were soldered together with lead, often con-

taminating what was inside and affecting the health of the eater. A few canned items in the diet weren’t too

dangerous, but relying on early preserved foods did cause many an unpleasant death. By 1904 the “sanitary”

unleaded can was being used and lead-related deaths dropped.

(Continued on Page 9)

Page 9: PRESIDENTS CORNER January 2013 · Volume 27-1 A Monthly Newsletter Published by the RoadRunner Prospector’s Club January 2013 January 2013 Page 1 PRESIDENTS CORNER January 2013

January 2013 Page 9

Miners did their cooking in cast iron pans or Dutch ovens, and the latter could be used to make everything

from scrambled eggs to peach cobbler. One of the most common uses of the Dutch oven was for biscuits,

and to end today’s story, here is a biscuit recipe fit for any outdoor cooking pot.

Dutch Oven Miner’s Biscuits

3 cups flour

6 teaspoons baking powder

3 tablespoon fat (lard or bacon drippings)

Approx. 1 cup of milk

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon sugar

Sift together dry ingredients, then rub in lard with your fingertips until the flour is flaky. Pour in about a

cupful milk to moisten. Turn out the dough on well floured board and pat it down to about ½ inch in thick-

ness. Cut out with a drinking glass or coffee cup and put in a greased Dutch oven that has been slightly pre-

heated (including the lid). Biscuits should be touching but not crowded together. Place the lid on the oven

and cover with hot coals. Place it on a bed of red coals and let the biscuits bake for about twenty minutes or

until brown on top and bottom.

(Lynn Downey is the Historian for Levi Strauss & Co. and serves on the board of the Vulture Mine Preser-

vation and Restoration Association. She is working with the group to develop a timeline of the mine's histo-

ry, and is writing a history of Wickenburg and the Vulture Mine for Arcadia Publishing, to be released in

early 2012. )

Assay Office at the old Vulture Mine, Wickenburg, AZ

Page 10: PRESIDENTS CORNER January 2013 · Volume 27-1 A Monthly Newsletter Published by the RoadRunner Prospector’s Club January 2013 January 2013 Page 1 PRESIDENTS CORNER January 2013

January 2013 Page 10

Roadrunner Prospectors Club, Inc.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Please use this form to make Dues or AMF payments

and for ordering replacement Maps or Badges

Name: _________________________________________________ Member Number: __________

Street Address: ___________________________________________________________________

City, State, Zip: ___________________________________________________________________

Phone Number: ___________________________________________________________________

Replacement Maps: $20.00. Replacement Badges: $10.00 each.

Dues Pymt: $__________AMF Pymt: $_______ Maps Pymt:$_______ Badges(s) Pymt: $_______

Name as you want it to appear on the badge: ___________________________________________

(second name): ___________________________________________

Please make Check or Money Order payable to: Roadrunner Prospectors Club, Inc.

PO Box 56804

Phoenix, AZ 85079-6804

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Use this form if paying with a credit or debit card

Please Print Legibly

Credit/Debit Card: ___ ___ ___ Total Amount: _______

Card Number: ________________________________________ Exp. Date: ____/______

CVV Number: ______ (on back of the credit card) mm / yyyy

Billing Address:

First Name: _______________________ Last Name: ____________________________________

Address: ________________________________________________________________________

City: _______________________________________ State: _____________ ZIP: _____________

Phone Number: _____________________________ Member Number: _____________________

Signature: ______________________________________________ Date: __________________

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Page 11: PRESIDENTS CORNER January 2013 · Volume 27-1 A Monthly Newsletter Published by the RoadRunner Prospector’s Club January 2013 January 2013 Page 1 PRESIDENTS CORNER January 2013

January 2013 Page 11

ROADRUNNER CLOTHING AND PRODUCTS

Pro Gold Prospecting Equipment &Supplies is now the new distributor of the

clothing and products for the club, you can go directly to the mining shop to pur-

chase your shirts hats and decals, also Pro-Gold will be soon be offering some new

items, such as hat pins Car window decals, Sweat pants and many more neat new

things to show your support of the club. If you plan to go and buy the product from

the store keep in mind that they will want to see that you are a current member so

be sure to bring your current membership card, The store does not want to be sell-

ing club merchandise to non members. You can reach the mining shop at 623-670-

9732 if you have any questions.

Shadow Mountain

Screw Products Prospecting Equipment Repair

2545 E. Marilyn Rd.

Phoenix, AZ 85032-4920

Ph - (602) 992-9173

Cell - (602) 625-4572

Howard R. Bentley

NUGGET-SHOOTER

Authorized Minelab & Nugget Finder Dealer

Bill Southern 623-910-0345

Your Guide To Finding Gold Nuggets!

Website: www.nuggetshooter.com

Mail Address: PO Box 576

Morristown, AZ 85342

“e” Mail [email protected]

RYAN DESHON - Owner Falcon Metal Detectors PO Box 8353 Mesa AZ 85214 (480) 396-1181

www.falconmetaldectectors.com

Wally DeShon

BunksArizonaProspecting.com

Home of the Hermit Pick

Dry Washers, Maps, Accessories, Carbon Fiber Detector Shafts

Calvin “Bunk” Bunker, 928-830-5350

PO Box 2581, Chino Valley, AZ 86323

Gold King Mfg LLC Prospecting Supplies

Mavis (623)-386-6430

Scott (623)-694-4389

Page 12: PRESIDENTS CORNER January 2013 · Volume 27-1 A Monthly Newsletter Published by the RoadRunner Prospector’s Club January 2013 January 2013 Page 1 PRESIDENTS CORNER January 2013

January 2013 Page 12

Roadrunner Prospectors’ Club P.O. Box 56804 Phoenix, AZ 85079-6804

Support the 1872 Mining Law

PRESORTED FIRST-CLASS MAIL US POSTAGE PAID

PHOENIX, AZ PERMIT NO. 5419