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Issue 560
SNIPPETZ UNCOVERS RELIGIOUS RELICS by Deborah Stumpf “Relics are treasured as something close to the divine.” - Sarah Vowell, American author We think of relics in association with religious beliefs and practices – usually thought of as a part of the body of a saint or other venerated person in history. Venerate comes from the Latin “venerare,” which means literally to regard with reverence and respect. Relics can also be possessions of the venerated person, i.e., clothing, tools, jewelry, books. Many religions recognize relics including those based on Christianity such as the Catholic religion to Buddhism and even Islam. History and Symbols The ancient Greeks commonly had relics in veneration of heroes. These relics were not typically parts of the hero’s body but would most likely be possessions such as weapons, furniture or other objects used by the hero. Whereas a Christian relic may be thought to possess spiritual power, which can possibly prompt miraculous events, an ancient Greek relic would be an item thought to protect a person, a city or group of people. Even though Buddha did not want relics collected, his body was reportedly divided into eight parts at his death. In Buddhism, relics are enshrined in vesicles called stupas. These stupas can be the basis of temples which are built around them. Relics of Buddha are said to promote enlightenment. In Christianity, it is reported that the earliest recorded exhumation was in 354 A.D., of Saint Babylas at Antioch. By 787, the practice of harvesting relics, so to speak, was in full swing. So much so that the Second Council of Nicaea (ecumenical council) put forth the decree that every altar was to contain a relic. Reportedly, this practice continues today in both Orthodox and Catholic churches. In Christianity, relics were indeed thought to bring about miracles. By the Middle Ages, relics were a highly prized and highly priced commodity. A Class in Themselves The Roman Catholics use a classification system for relics. First Class Relics These are either actual physical remains, such as hair or bone of a saint or martyr; or items associated with Christ such as pieces of the cross, clothing, etc. Second Class Relics These are items belonging to a saint such as a book, clothing, a rosary or other important possession. Third Class Relics Commonly referred to an item that has been touched by a first or second class relic; typically a small piece of cloth. Housing for a Relic The home of a relic is called either a sepulcher or a reliquary. A sepulcher is located inside the Altar of a church or chapel. A reliquary can be any type of vessel in which the relic can be sealed, such as a metal box, a round case on a stand or even a small case somewhat similar to a locket. Some of the reliquaries are built in the shape of the actual relic, such as in a body part. Whatever its shape or size, the reliquary must be sealed and cannot be exposed to the public without being enclosed. Famous Relics The Shroud of Turin is the property of the Catholic Church and housed in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Turin, Italy. The shroud, thought to be Christ’s burial cloth, is fraught with controversy concerning its origination. This 14½ foot long, 3½ foot wide linen cloth bears the image of what is thought to be Jesus – an image of a man with wounds said to be consistent with crucifixion. In 1988, scientists performed tests that indicated the shroud was made between the years 1260 and 1390, thus eliminating the possibility of being an actual shroud used by Christ. Not everyone believes these tests, as thousands of followers continue to undertake pilgrimages to the site. In Naples, Italy, each year on September 19, the dried Blood of San Gennaro liquefies. This miracle also takes place at various other times throughout the year. Although doubted by scientists, people believe this relic protects them from harm – with good reason. A couple times when the blood did not liquefy as anticipated, there followed the plague in 1527 and an earthquake in 1980. The town celebrates this event with a huge festival starting several days before with parades and activities including a cannoli eating contest. Now that’s Italian! Buddha’s tooth, a left canine, is said to be the only remains from Buddha’s cremation even though some say his remains were divided into eight parts. Nonetheless, there is a tooth that was thought to give the possessor the divine right to rule. The tooth is housed at the Temple of the Tooth (we didn’t make this up) in Kandy, Sri Lanka. The Chains of St. Peter are thought to be the chains that held the Apostle Peter when jailed in Jerusalem for preaching about Jesus. The story goes that before his trial his chains were released by an angel so that he could be set free. San Pietro in Vincoli basilica in Rome now houses the chains under the main altar. The English name of the church which was built around the relic is Saint Peter in Chains. The Prato Cathedral in Tuscany, Italy, is the home of Mary’s Holy Belt. Apparently, the Virgin Mary, just before ascending into heaven, left behind a green wool belt in the hands of Apostle Thomas. The Prato Cathedral built a chapel for the relic along with an exterior pulpit from which to display it five times each year. Artists Michelozzo and Donatello built the pulpit. Relics on the Market According to Canon Law (No. 1190), “it is absolutely wrong to sell relics,” a practice referred to as “simony.” However, relics can be purchased in order to save them from being desecrated or destroyed. Furthermore, relics cannot be purchased for an amount that would do more good being used elsewhere, i.e., feeding the hungry. Under no circumstances can relics be sold through a vehicle such as eBay where it can be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Somebody forgot to tell the folks who have relics listed for auction on eBay. Some even offer free shipping! First class relics can be obtained through the Vicariate in Rome, but only for churches and priests with proof of their status and a letter from the Bishop. A private individual cannot, however, receive a first class relic from the Vicariate. There are some religious orders from which an individual can obtain a relic as well as through official gift stores associated with shrines. Second and third class relics are not under the same types of restrictions and can be obtained from places such as Catholic bookstores, the saint’s shrine or religious order of the saint. Donations are accepted to cover the cost of the container which houses the relic. Also, remember that a third class relic is something like a piece of cloth that has been touched to a first or second class relic such as the tomb of St. Peter. In that case, one can make their own third class relic by taking a pilgrimage to a relic site. A Little Thievery…and a Strong Economy During the Middle Ages, possessing a sanctioned relic was an important economic boost to a church and its surrounding town. Folks would flock to take a look, donate money and drop a few more funds into the local economy. The abbey of Conques was on a pilgrimage route, however, had no relic to entice pilgrims to stop in 866 A.D. So, the monks engaged in an undercover operation by sending one of their finest to the monastery at Agen where he infiltrated and patiently did whatever asked of him until he was assigned the all-important job of relic care. It took 10 years, but the monk finally stole the relic and returned to Conques. Visitors soon flocked to the sight, enough so that a church had to be built to handle the flow. Apparently, the fact that the relic was stolen was part of its charm. As would be expected when something is considered to be of value, even if not monetary, relics are a target for thieves. Just this March, the heart of St. Laurence O’Toole was stolen from Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin, Ireland. The heart was housed in an iron cage. Nothing else was stolen at the time. Keep checking eBay. Issue 561
SNIPPETZ TAKES A LOOK AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES - THEN AND NOW by Deborah Stumpf “The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.” -The Olympic Creed Officially known as the Games of the XXX Olympiad, unofficially as London 2012, the 2012 Summer Olympic Games will be held in the city of London of the United Kingdom from July 27 to Aug. 12 and are being televised in high definition all over the world. The games have changed in many ways since ancient times, but then again, not so much. You be the judge. They Say It’s Ancient History It is uncertain as to exactly when the games were first held. Some records indicate as early as 1200 B.C. However, the first recorded games began in 776 B.C. and were held on Olympia, Greece. Originally held every four years, the ancient Greek games were a religious celebration in honor of Zeus, the father of the Greek gods. Once the Romans gained control of Greece and proclaimed that Christianity would be the official religion of the country, the games were abolished in 393 A.D. by Emperor Theodosius I. The Olympic Games were said to be a pagan ritual and were no longer allowed. Revival of the Fittest Prior to the modern games as we know them today, early 17th century England held sports festivals called the Cotswolds Games. An Olympian Class began in Shropshire, England in 1850, later renamed Wenlock Olympian Games in 1859. These games continue to be an annual event for England. In 1859, the first modern international Olympic Games were revitalized and held in Athens. It was Evangelos Zappas who refurbished the ancient Panathenian stadium for the games. It wasn’t until 1896 when the Frenchman Baron Pierre de Coubertin founded the International Olympic Committee. The IOC determined that the first games would be held in the Panathenian stadium of Greece, which was again refurbished for this revival of the games. The second Olympic Games were held in Paris, France in 1900. The United States hosted its first game 1904 in St. Louis, Missouri. Both of these games were incorporated with the World’s Fair being held in those locations. The rest, as they say, is history. Scheduling the Games In ancient Greece, the games were held every four years and there were no winter games. It wasn’t until 1924 that the winter games were introduced, also occurring every four years. Beginning in 1992, the summer and winter games began to alternate so there are games held every two years. For example, 2012 summer games in London, followed by 2014 winter games hosted by Sochi of the Russian Federation, followed by the 2016 summer games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Standing on Ceremony In ancient Greece, the opening ceremony was nothing like it is today. On the night before the games, the athletes, their trainers, as well as officials of the game would parade to a fountain in Olympia. They would enjoy a feast and stay overnight. The games would begin the next day, lasting three days. The closing ceremony was simply another feast. Both opening and closing ceremonies have grown and become more elaborate in modern times. In the opening ceremony, the athletes parade into the arena grouped in teams representing their country. The first country is always Greece as a tribute to the country for originating the games; the last country is always the hosting country. Each country enters the arena in alphabetical order. The alphabet is either determined by the language of the hosting country or French or English, the two official languages of the Olympics. The host country opens the ceremony, raises the flags, followed by fireworks and the lighting of the flame. The closing ceremony of today is not only ceremonial but quite festive. Flag bearers enter the arena followed by the athletes. In contrast to the opening ceremonies, athletes enter in whatever order they choose, symbolizing the unity of the games – all countries mingling together. A mayor or dignitary from the host city passes the Olympic flag to the president of the IOC who in turn passes it to a representative of the host country of the next Olympic Games. After a short speech by the host country, the president of the IOC closes the ceremony and the flame is extinguished. The new host country entertains the crowd with music, dance and theatrics that represent their culture. The modern day Olympic torch and the five interconnecting rings were not part of the original Olympic symbols. Ancient Greek ceremonies involving a torch are well documented. However, the torch was never used in conjunction with the early Olympic ceremonies and has only been part of the Olympic traditions since 1928. What’s in a Game The ancient Olympics began with only one game, the stadion, which was a 600-foot-long race. Over time, many more games were added including chariot racing, boxing, wrestling, pankration (combination of boxing and wrestling), jump, running, discus and javelin. In 1896, nine different events were introduced: athletics, cycling, fencing, wrestling, weightlifting, swimming, tennis, gymnastics and shooting. Present day Olympiads compete in 28 different sports. Besides the winter sports, other new events have been added such as softball, volleyball, sailing, table tennis, taekwondo, hockey, football, canoeing/kayaking, rowing, badminton, cycling, judo, basketball and equestrian competitions. Swimming has been expanded to include synchronized, diving and water-polo. Gymnastics have also expanded to include artistic, trampoline and rhythmic. Applause, Applause The ancient Greeks admired their athletes so much that they showered them with gifts including free meals, premium seats at events; they even built statues in their honor. As in modern times, some received medals as awards, but mostly they received a crown made of olive leaves. Modern day awards include a gold medal for first place, silver for second and bronze for third. Winning athletes are presented with flowers and medals during an award ceremony after each competition. And how about those endorsements? Who Gets to Play? In the ancient Olympic Games, only males from anywhere in the country of Greece were allowed to compete. In fact, married women were not allowed even as spectators at the games. The penalty? Death. Women were first allowed to compete at the 1900 games in Paris, France. Olympic Snippetz
Issue 562
SNIPPETZ GOES HOG WILD ON OUR VISIT TO STURGIS by Deborah Stumpf 
“Four wheels move the body. Two wheels move the soul.”
-Author Unknown Nearly a half million motorcycle enthusiasts are set to take Sturgis, South Dakota by storm this week for the 72nd annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Over the years, attendance has vacillated with the highest being 633,000 in 2000, the 60th anniversary of the event. In 2011, about 417,000 were in attendance. Only once has the Rally been canceled and that was during World War II due to gas rationing. Events start on Monday, Aug. 6 and run for seven days with motorcycle races and a multitude of other activities for riders of all types and their families. Folks flock to the area for up to a week before and two weeks following the rally, equating to a positive financial impact to the area. 72 Years Ago It all started on Aug. 14, 1938 when the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club introduced the Rally with a one-day event. There were 9 participants that first year for activities which included motorcycle stunts and racing. In the 60s, the race was expanded with motorcross and hill climb races. Stunts were still big – ramp jumping, wall crashes and head-on collisions with cars. Clarence “Pappy” Hoel, who owned an Indian Motorcycle franchise in Sturgis, started the Club and the Black Hills Classic, the Rally’s first name. In 1965, the Rally stretched to 5 days; in 1975, 7 days, which continues to be the length each year. More About the Jackpine Gypsies The Jackpine Gypsies is a small club of over 150 members chartered by the American Motorcycle Association in 1937. They are a nonprofit organization that donates funds to the Sturgis community such as the high school, local food bank and the Christian Motorcycle Association. The club owns about 40 acres of land on which the their events take place. They have a clubhouse, office, concession area as well as motorcross track, hill climb and field meet area on the land. About Sturgis Sturgis, South Dakota is a small town named after Major Samuel D. Sturgis, a commander at nearby Fort Meade Cavalry Post. It sits at an elevation of 3,239 feet with a population of 6,627. The nearest big city is 27 miles away – Rapid City, South Dakota, population 59,607. The town is 50 miles from Mount Rushmore National Memorial. As a note of interest, South Dakota has no personal income tax, personal property tax or corporate income tax. Sturgis has a strong tourism industry and is the home of a veteran’s medical center and a gun/ammunition manufacturer. Lotsa Bucks Since 1999, the economic impact of the annual Motorcycle Rally has meant between $10 and $16 million in taxable sales, with the city of Sturgis bringing in between $200,000 and $300,000 in tax revenue. Local businesses report that 95 percent of their total annual sales take place during this week in August. Events Weeklong motorcycle activities include:
There are numerous activities and entertainment for everyone including live bands, freedom rides, fire dancers, machine gun shooting and the Miss Buffalo Chip Beauty Pageant. Gettin’ Hitched The Rally is a popular place to betroth your favorite biker chic or dude. Between the record breaking attendance year of 2000 and 2011, about 1,200 marriages licenses have been issued in Sturgis during the Rally. Since 2000, the numbers have been declining, reduced down to 59 in 2011. Anyone age 16 and over can purchase a license for $40 with either a driver’s license or a birth certificate. There is no waiting period or blood test required. Easy. Consumption and Production Not surprisingly, a gathering of nearly a half million people for a week of partying can mean a lot of liquor consumed. About 3 million gallons of beer flow during the official weeklong event. The only liquor store in the area is owned by the city of Sturgis. About 600 tons of trash is produced during the rally. Just a Few Problems Bringing several hundred thousand people together in one week can be fun, of course, but can be breeding ground for some unsavory behavior as well. In 2011, there were:
No Time To Go? Try the next best thing – enjoy a biker movie! Hundreds have been produced. Here are a few of the more popular.
And I to my motorcycle Parked like the soul of the junkyard Restored, a bicycle fleshed With power, and tore off Up Highway 106, continually Drunk on the wind in my mouth, Wringing the handlebar for speed, Wild to be wreckage forever. -James Dickey, "Cherrylog Road" Issue 563
SNIPPETZ PROUDLY HONORS PURPLE HEART RECIPIENTS by Deborah Stumpf By order of General George Washington from Newburgh, NY on Aug. 7, 1782, the original Purple Heart, called the Badge of Military Merit, was established. The heart was made of purple cloth outlined in a silver braid and designated to adorn the left breast area of the military uniform. Only three people were awarded the Badge of Military Merit when first established: Sgt. Elijah Churchill, 2nd Continental Dragoons; Sgt. William Brown, 5th; and Sgt. Daniel Bissel, 2nd Connecticut Continental Line Infantry. As of June, 2010, it is estimated that about 1.7 million Purple Hearts have been awarded. George Washington and His Soldiers When Washington was commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, he was forbidden by the Continental Congress to grant commissions or promotions as a way of recognizing the work and dedication of soldiers. However, he felt strongly about awarding troops for “unusual gallantry” and “extraordinary fidelity and essential service.” Washington especially wanted to honor enlisted men for their meritorious actions. His Aug. 7, 1782 orders stated: "... The General ever desirous to cherish virtuous ambition in his soldiers, as well as to foster and encourage every species of Military merit directs whenever any singularly meritorious action is performed, the author of it shall be permitted to wear on his facings, over his left breast, the figure of a heart in purple cloth or silk edged with narrow lace or binding." According to his order, the names of all recipients were to be kept in what’s called a “Book of Merit.” No such book has ever been found. Fast Forward to the 20th Century Although the Badge of Military Merit never went away, it was not used again until 1932 when it was resurrected in honor of George Washington and in celebration of the 200th anniversary of his birth. General Order No. 3 states: "...By order of the President of the United States, the Purple Heart, established by General George Washington at Newburgh, August 7, 1782, during the War of the Revolution is hereby revived out of respect to his memory and military achievements. By order of the Secretary of War: Douglas MacArthur General, Chief of Staff” Criteria Washington’s original version of the Purple Heart was awarded for merit; sustaining a wound in wartime was not a necessary criterion for receiving the award as it is now. Also, the Purple Heart was not awarded posthumously to anyone prior to 1942 when President Franklin Roosevelt signed the executive order that released the Heart to any military member killed on or after Dec. 7, 1942. The executive order also allowed the Navy to award the Purple Heart to Marines, Coast Guard and Sailors, which before then was only awarded to members of the U.S. Army or Army Air Corps. In the same year, the Legion of Merit award was created, giving an award solely on the basis of meritorious service. The Purple Heart became an award given only for sustaining a wound, dying during combat or after receiving a combat wound. Today, the Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of the Armed Forces serving in any capacity who meets the above criteria. Military Order of the Purple Heart – The Organization Along with the reestablishment of the Purple Heart in 1932 came the organization called Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH). Chartered by an Act of Congress in 1958, the organization is composed entirely of combat wounded military recipients of the Purple Heart medal. The only veteran’s organization made up solely of combat veteran members, the organization exists to protect the interests of Purple Heart recipients. The MOPH receives most of its funding through grants and its own fundraising activities that include operating thrift stores and a vehicle donation program. If you’ve ever seen the little viola flower from time to time used for fundraising, that is the official flower of the organization and is assembled by disabled and/or needy vets. MOPH programs vary, but mainly center around assisting wounded veterans obtain VA benefits and may involve legal aid. They also provide clothing and personal items to vets in need and maintain a presence on Capitol Hill in order to voice its opinion as to legislation concerning veterans. They award scholarships to Purple Heart recipients, their spouses, children and grandchildren. MOPH volunteers also go out into the community, especially classrooms to speak to citizens and raise awareness about the veteran experience. The organization has a Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Military Order comprised of wives, mothers, daughters and stepdaughters of Purple Heart recipients. This arm of the MOPH has a significant presence in VA hospitals around the country. Some Civilian Award Recipients For 55 years during the period from 1942 to 1997, about 100 civilians received the Purple Heart – those who were injured during war time, such as Red Cross workers, war correspondents and government/civil service employees. During the terrorist attacks on the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia in 1996, 40 civil service employees were injured and subsequently received Purple Hearts. Ernie Pyle, a newspaper reporter, posthumously received a Purple Heart from the U.S. Army because he had been killed by the Japanese in 1945. In 1997, Congress passed legislation prohibiting awarding the Purple Heart to civilians, restricting it to members of the armed forces only. The Secretary of Defense Medal for the Defense of Freedom was established on Sept. 27, 2001 after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. This medal is now awarded to a civilian Department of Defense employee who sustains an injury or death as a result of hostile action, i.e., war activity or terrorist attack. Famous Purple Heart Recipients In alphabetical order: James Arness, actor Rocky Bleier, football player Charles Bronson, actor Wesley Clark, US Army General Charles Durning, actor James Garner, actor Charles Franklin Hildebrand, journalist and publisher James Jones, writer John F. Kennedy, 35th President of the United States John Kerry, Massachusetts Senator and 2004 Democratic nominee for the Presidency of the United States Lex, honorary, USMC military working dog Lee Marvin, actor John McCain, Arizona Senator and 2008 Republican nominee for the Presidency of the United States Colin Powell, General, former US Secretary of State. Charles P. Roland, American historian Rod Serling, the host, creator and writer of the 1959 CBS television series “The Twilight Zone” Warren Spahn, baseball player Oliver Stone, director Sergeant Stubby, WWI war dog (Original Wound stripe, changed to Purple Heart in 1932) Chuck Yeager, Brigadier General, pilot 1.7 Million and Counting Since the last count in July of 2010, about 1.7 million Purple Hearts have been bestowed, according to the Department of Defense.
The numbers are approximate simply because there are incomplete records over the years and many awards are given immediately at the battlefield site to wounded military. In the heat of the battle, so to speak, not everything gets recorded accurately and expediently. Many Hearts The most recorded Purple Hearts granted to one person is eight, held by seven men:
Olympic gold medals aren’t the only awards that may get passed along to others. George, a Jack Russell terrier that saved five children from a mauling by a couple pit bulls was given his by Jerrell Hudman, a Vietnam veteran in 2007. Staff Sgt. Phillip Trackey, an Iraq War veteran, gave his Purple Heart to a 13-year-old girl who wrote letters to soldiers in Iraq. He said it was just “collecting dust” in his possession. Issue 564
SNIPPETZ COMMISERATES WITH DISAPPOINTING SEASONS by Deborah Stumpf 
“Winning is overrated. The only time it is really important is in surgery and war.”
- Al McGuire, basketball coach While still basking in the glow of the summer Olympics where we celebrated the best of the best of our athletes, we at Snippetz wondered about the worst in sports. We are happy to report that Colorado sports fans can rest assured that our Broncos, Nuggets and Rockies aren’t the holders of the worst records. There’s plenty to go around. First, Denver Denver teams do not hold the worst records … really. The Denver Nuggets, however, enjoyed some notoriety in the 1997-1998 season for their 11-71 losing record. Although not the worst win-loss record in history (belongs to the 76ers), it turned out to be a record for one of the shortest NBA coaching careers. It was coach Bill Hanzlik’s first and last year as an NBA coach. Before coaching, Hanzlik played two years for the Seattle Supersonics and eight years for the Nuggets. It’s too soon to know for sure if 2012 will be the Colorado Rockies’ worst season, but they’re already sitting at 44-71, so things are not looking good. The worst season was their opening year in 1993 at 67-95. Not fair to highlight their inaugural year you say? Fast forward to 2005 when the record was exactly the same. The Denver Broncos enjoyed their poorest record in 2010 with 4 wins and a dismal 12 losses. They’ve had five years of 11 losses each since their opening season in 1960 – 1961, 1963, 1964, 1967 and 1990. Enough said. Not to be outdone, the Colorado Avalanche has seen its fair share of poor seasons since it moved here from Quebec in 1995. The worst was in the 2008-09 season with a record of 32-45. In 2010-11, they didn’t fare much better when they ended that season with a 30-44 record. However, the Avalanche can boast winning the Stanley cup in 1996 (their first year in Denver) and 2001. Some Oldies But Baddies The Cleveland Spiders baseball team’s 1899 season ended with a still unbeaten record of 20-134. In the team’s defense, their owners purchased the St. Louis Browns that year and moved their star players from the Spiders to the Browns, including Cy Young, who was later honored in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Philadelphia has had some tough luck when it comes to sports records. In 1936, the Eagles had a 1-11 season. Why? This being the first year of the NFL draft, which was the brain child of Eagles co-owner Bert Bell, the Eagles traded Jay Berwanger to the Chicago Bears. Halfback Berwanger was a Heisman Award winner. The Eagles saved a few bucks on his salary; they likely didn’t make much at the gate. Out of the 11 losses, 6 were shutouts. The Philadelphia Phillies closed the 1942 baseball season with a 42-109 record. In their early baseball years in 1916, the Athletics had a 36-117 record. It’s no wonder considering Charlie Pick, their third baseman made 42 errors and pitcher Tom Sheehan had a 1-16 streak with 54 strikeouts and 94 walks. In 1934, the Cincinnati Reds (as in football), was purchased by the St. Louis Gunners part way through their season. Too little too late since they ended their second year in existence after eight games with no wins. Six of the eight were shutouts. Their first year record was 3-6-1. The Gunners was an independent team that joined the NFL with the approval of the Reds purchase. After the 1934 season, they returned to independent status, eventually disbanding in 1941. In 1935, the Boston Braves baseball team suffered a 38-115 season when Hall of Famer Babe Ruth joined the team that year. After a successful career playing for the Boston Red Sox (1914-1919) and New York Yankees (1920-1934), Ruth’s career goal was to manage a team. The Braves took him on as the vice president and assistant manager (not to mention a major fan attractor and money maker); and he was promised a share of the profits of the financially failing franchise. The 40-year-old Ruth couldn’t perform on the diamond and ended his career that season on June 1, 1935. The 38-115 season was not the worst on record, but it was a close fourth. The New York Rangers hockey team fought their way through the 1943-44 season with a 6-39-5 performance. It is still considered the worst NHL season in history. In the second of their three years in existence, the Providence Steamrollers ended their 1947-48 basketball season with a 6-42 record. The Steamrollers were one of the original NBA 11 teams, first called the Basketball Association of America. This continues to be the record for the fewest games won in an NBA season. Hoop Headaches Most hoop fans are not likely to forget the Philadelphia 76ers 1972-73 season and certainly 76ers aren’t going to forget. They finished that season with a 9-73 record – the worst ever in NBA history. They even started the season badly with 15 straight losses and in between those 9 wins, they had four other losing streaks of 15, 20, 14 and 13 each. Their official Web site states: “The team set the standard by which bad NBA teams would be judged for years to come.” Indeed. During the 1992-93 basketball season, the Dallas Mavericks won 11 games and lost 71, coming dangerously close to the 76ers record. They managed to pull through in the end after the team signed guard Jim Jackson. He played in the last 28 games of that season with a $1 million bonus and a full year’s salary under his belt. Their last home game was a highly celebrated win. Football Follies In 1952, the Dallas Texans had high hopes but ended their first and only season with a 1-11 record. In Texas, they lose big, too. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers started their franchise with a 0-14 season in 1976. And it didn’t end there. In their second season they lost the first 12 games. They finally beat the New Orleans Saints with only two games remaining in the second season. Imagine how the Saints felt. The Detroit Lions ended their 2008 season at 0-16. At least they won all four of their preseason games that year. It was bad enough Chicago suffered one of their worst blizzards ever in 1969, but their beloved Bears had their worst season ever, finishing at 1-13. Goalie Grief The Washington Capitals crawled through their first season in 1974-75 with an 8-67-5 record. The team went through two coaches that season – Jim Anderson for 54 games; then topped off the year with Red Sullivan’s 17-game losing streak. Goalies Michel Belhumeur and Ron Low together gave up 446 goals. In 1980-81, their second NHL season, the Winnipeg Jets closed with a 9-57-14 record. To make matters worse, they went 30 games in a row without a win in late 1980. Some fans nicknamed them the “Lose-i-peg’s.” More Diamond Debacles
Issue 565
SNIPPETZ CACHES ON TO THE GEOCACHING CRAZE by Deborah Stumpf “The thing to remember when travelling is that the trail is the thing, not the end of the trail. Travel too fast and you miss all you are travelling for.” -Louis L’Amour Are you a muggle? A muggle is slang describing one who has no familiarity with geocaching – a term borrowed from the “Harry Potter” series that refers to muggles as mere mortal beings. For us muggles, geocaching is the modern day version of a treasure hunt. Hunters use GPS systems and coordinates to find hidden treasures all over the world. The most important thing is not the treasure itself but the path to get to it. In other words, the fun is in the hunt. Nearly every country on earth as well as the international space station contain nearly 2 million caches to be found by about 4 million people actively participating in the treasure hunt. That means just about everywhere you go on earth, you are likely to find a hidden treasure. More to GPS Than Meets the Dashboard It all started on May 2, 2000 when the government stopped selective availability of GPS technology. In a nutshell, this act released the full force of the technology for commercial use and made GPS 10 times more accurate than it had been in the past. This technology not only saved many a marriage previously in danger due to directionally impaired spouses, but it also was the birth of an idea. The very next day, computer consultant David Ulmer decided to test the latest GPS enhancements. N 45° 17.460 W 122° 24.800 Ulmer decided to hide a box of items in a woodsy location near Beavercreek, Oregon. He took a black bucket, inserted a logbook and pencil along with a slingshot, books, software and some videos. He posted the coordinates on an Internet GPS users’ group site. He called it the “Great American GPS Stash Hunt,” quickly shortened to “GPS Stash Hunt,” and noted one and only rule: “Take some stuff, leave some stuff.” It only took three days for two people to find it and post their report online. Others followed and began stashing treasures of their own. The first successful hunter in the game, Mike Teague, began documenting the treasure hunters’ entries on a personal home page, generating a database of names. The Perfect Name Some participants didn’t really care for the term “stash” as it conjures up visions of drug busts. So along came Jeremy Irish who coined the term “geocache.” More about him later. Geo stands for the Earth, giving it a global presence. Cache is a French word meaning a hiding place to store items temporarily. Cache is also used in technology as in “memory cache,” a place for storing information. Hence, the term geocache pulls together the global nature of the game along with hiding places and the use of technology or websites to store information about each cache. Technogeek Marriage Made in Heaven GPS technology and a treasure hunt – why didn’t we think of that? Good thing Jeremy Irish did. He is a web developer from Seattle who stumbled upon Teague’s website, purchased a GPS and took off on his first hunt. After that, geocaching.com was born. His site launched on Sept. 2, 2000 with 75 cache sites listed. Techie magazines and notable publications like “The New York Times” got wind of the game and once publicized, it spread like wildfire. Regular folks like you and me wondered if they buried a cache, would anyone care. The mantra of this new gaming community became “if you hide it, they will come.” Indeed they did – by the millions. A Treasure Trove? A cache typically consists of some type of waterproof container with a log book and a pen or pencil, as well anything imaginable that’s legal – small toys, CD’s, buttons, coins, books. The list is endless. The log book and writing utensil must stay in the vessel so that each visitor can log their visit and any other pertinent information about their exploits. But a geocacher can take anything else found in the cache as long as they leave something else of equal or greater value. Other items called travel bugs or geocoins are items referred to as “hitchhikers” that a geocacher will move from location to location. These are tracked, almost like a chain email. The game is often enhanced with the use of these and goals assigned, i.e., to make it to a certain country or a specific distance from its place of origin. It Can Get Complicated If it’s too easy, it’s hardly worth it, right? Some caches are quite the challenge and can be sitting atop mountain peaks, in the Antarctica, under water or up a tree. Some variations on the geocaching theme (see geochaching.com for more details about these challenges and many others):
3 Simple Rules Geocaching.com states the three rules in the game of geocaching:
Some Records On Leap Day this year, 83,516 people found and logged a cache, which was more than double the amount on Leap Day in 2008. Before this record-breaking day, the record to beat was 78,313 caches logged on the 10-year anniversary of geocaching – Oct. 10, 2010. Controversy… As One Can Imagine Think about little boxes of “stuff” all over the world along with folks calling in bomb squads to check them out. Geocachers generally abide by a code of ethics and agree to not endanger others and respect the private property of others, not to mention avoiding hiding suspicious looking boxes near public buildings. There are always exceptions and many a cache has been destroyed by a bomb squad. Some geocaching events involve cleanup activities and individual geocachers often practice CITO – Cache-In-Trash-Out in communities. Geocaching is not illegal and not frowned upon by government officials when they are given sufficient notice of cache existence. The state of South Carolina, however, did pass a bill outlawing places like historical sites and cemeteries as geocaching locations. Geocaching websites are fairly specific in spelling out appropriate sites and cache contents. Get Your Cache On If you’re interested in geocaching and find that reading some of the more technical publications makes your eyes glaze over, take heart. There are a few websites, most notably geocaching.com that make the process fun and easy to navigate. A simple search for caches within 100 miles of the 80132 zip code (Monument) brings up 18,568 caches. One only needs to register on the website, activate their GPS and get caching! Issue 566
SNIPPETZ TAKES A WALK THROUGH THE GARDEN OF THE GODS by Toni Hamill Beginning in the late 1700s, fur trappers and goldseekers camped in the Garden of the Gods and carved their names on the rocks. Some of these people became influential in the future state of Colorado. IN THE BEGINNING The oldest of several trappers’ names carved in the rocks is that of WLL Ketner (WLL Ketner 1731, west side of White Rock). Most of the names, however, were from “Pikes Peak or Bust” goldseekers in the mid 1800s. The Lawrence Party camped on Camp Creek from July 8 to Aug. 10, 1858. Several members of this group carved their names on the rocks just west of their camp in what is now known as the Garden of the Gods. William Hartley (Wm Hartley 1858 south side of Autograph Rock) was a civil engineer and surveyor who moved with the Lawrence Party north to the Russell Diggings at the mouth of Cherry Creek in September of 1858. The group laid out a town on the east side of the Platte River about five miles from the mouth of Cherry Creek and called it “Montana.” The men realized they had made a mistake in laying out a town five miles from the regular trail, so on the 24th of September, 1858 they went to the mouth of Cherry Creek, surveyed, and laid out the town of St. Charles, consisting of 640 acres lying east of the Platte River and Cherry Creek. They returned to Lawrence, Kansas for the winter, and while there, William Hartley and T.C. Dickson collaborated on a descriptive guidebook to the new goldfields to sell to the Fifty-Niners by mail order for a dollar. THE LAWRENCE PARTY Another member of the Lawrence Party, Andrew C. “Jack” Wright (A.C. Wright 1858 under a star composed of two equilateral triangles, south side of Autograph Rock southeast of North Gateway Rock) grew up in Natrick, Massachusetts and moved to Lawrence, Kansas in 1855 at the age of 20. Wright moved with the Lawrence Party north to the Russell Diggings, and by Oct. 1, he had moved up the South Platte to Henderson Island and camped with squawmen (men who had Indian wives). Wright and his new companions returned to the mouth of Cherry Creek where they built a two-story log cabin on the west side of the creek. The town of Auraria was soon laid out around it. By the spring of 1860, Andrew Wright was back in the Pikes Peak region. In May or June of that year, he and Jersey Hinman laid claim to Jimmy Camp, the famous stopover on the Old Trappers' Trail, 15 miles east of the Garden of the Gods. The two men laid out a foundation of logs just down the hill from the famous Jimmy Camp springs, but decided to abandon their claim after only a day and a half. Wright eventually settled with his family in Denver where he opened Denver's first livery stable with George Estabrook. MORE GOLD SEEKERS Another group of gold seekers, the Larimer Party, left Leavenworth, Kansas for the goldfields on Oct. 1, 1858 with eight wagons, six months supply of provisions, and 32 men, arriving in Auraria on Nov. 16, 1858. General Larimer and his men formed the Denver City Company and adopted a constitution. They jumped the claim of the town site of St. Charles, across Cherry Creek from Auraria, re-surveyed and renamed it Denver City in honor of James W. Denver, the governor of Kansas. Marshall M. Jewett (M.M. Jewett Aug. 7O on the south side of North Gateway Rock), another member of this group, was an original member of the Colorado City Town Company organized at the office of Richard Whitsitt on Larimer Street in Denver City on August 11, 1859. The company was organized to lay out a town at the entrance of the Ute Pass at the base of Pikes Peak. Melancthon S. Beach and Rufus E. Cable, who gave the Garden of the Gods its name, were delegated to proceed on horseback to the new town site and locate it as Colorado City. Two days later, on Aug. 13, 1859, a sign was erected southeast of the Garden of the Gods claiming 1,280 acres, extending a mile wide and two miles long from Camp Creek to Monument Creek. In late February, 1860, Jewett sold half of his interest to Joseph M. McCubbin for $150. On April 26, 1860, Jewett purchased from John Gerrish, E. Cobb, and J. Lauber their original interest in the town site for $425. On July 13, 1860, Jewett sold the other half of his original interest to McCubbin for an extra $400, thus realizing a profit of $125 in five months. JOHN M. GOOD A true ‘59er, John M. Good (North Gateway Rock) was born in Alsace-Lorraine, France in 1835. He came to the United States when he was 19 and settled in Akron, Ohio. At the age of 24, Good joined the great Pikes Peak Gold Rush, and at Denver City in 1859, he opened one of the first general merchandising stores in the new settlement. He freighted his goods overland from the Missouri Valley, making as many as 16 trips over the next several years. By April of 1860, John Good had entered into partnerships with Fred Solomon and Charles Endlich to manufacture lager beer under the name of Solomon & Co. By 1870, Good had established the Rocky Mountain Brewing Company, which he later sold to Philip Zang. After leaving the brewery business, Good invested heavily in mining, banking, railroad and real estate. He accumulated a large fortune and was twice appointed treasurer of the city of Denver. He died in Denver on Nov. 24, 1928, at the age of 84. THE GENERAL ARRIVES General Albert H. Jones carved his name high above the little cave on the west side of White Rock (A H Jones 1869 St. Louis, Mo.). Jones was born in Newark, New Jersey in 1839. During the Civil War, he fought with the Hawkins' Zouaves, Company B, Ninth New York Infantry. Shortly before the end of the war, he was transferred to a gunboat and was badly crushed by a falling mast. After recovering from his wounds, Jones came west, arriving in Denver in 1866. He opened a wholesale liquor store on 16th and Market Streets, and in 1878, organized the Chaffee Light Artillery Company. He served as captain of the governor's guard, and for nearly 15 years acted as brigadier general and inspector general of the Colorado National Guard. In 1890, General Jones was appointed United States Marshall for Colorado. After retiring from that office, he pursued his mining interest until his death on Nov. 16, 1910 in Denver. More stories about the names on the rocks and the history of the Garden of the Gods can be found in “Images of America Garden of the Gods” by local author Toni Hamill and the Manitou Springs Heritage Center, available directly from the author at tonihamill@comcast.net, or at Covered Treasures book store in Monument as well as Walgreens, Garden of the Gods Visitor Center and other book retailers. Issue 567
SNIPPETZ HAS OUR HEAD IN THE CLOUDS: SKYSCRAPERS by Deborah Stumpf “The skyscraper establishes the block, the block creates the street, the street offers itself to man.” - Roland Barthes (1915–1980), French semiologist Like anything else, buildings seem to get bigger and better. The early days of high-rise buildings of the late 1800s were a handful of stories high. Then came the skyscrapers. Today, we have gone beyond the skyscraper and talk about “supertall” buildings that are well over 1,500 feet and 100 stories tall. These buildings are not just places where people go to work and conduct business or even live. They can define a city. Reaching to the Skies Building designers have always wanted to make buildings taller and taller but available materials held them back. The early “skyscrapers” were towers of stone with thick walls and few windows. Along came gothic cathedrals that used buttresses to support weight and allow more use of glass windows. The industrial revolution ushered in the most significant change in building design when engineers started using steel and iron. The first building using a steel skeleton was the Home Insurance Building in Chicago, just 10 stories high. Skyscrapers today continue to be built with steel, but most use a tube design of beams in the outer walls and closely spaced columns. The beams and columns form a type of steel tube, making these buildings stronger than the steel skeleton design. The World Trade Center towers were a good early example of the tube design. Shall We Walk Up? With the invention of the high-rise building came the dilemma of how to move people up and down. Once again we find the ancient Greeks starting us off with their inventions that included winches and pulleys. Along came Elisha Grave Otis who, in 1854, designed a self-locking door, making riding an elevator much safer for everyone. The design was first used in the Haughwout Department Store in New York City in 1857. The Otis Elevator Company built and installed the contraption in this five-story building. By 1870, buildings were going up with elevator shafts in their designs. They Said It Couldn’t Be Done The Eiffel Tower was designed by engineer Gustave Eiffel who built it to commemorate the French Revolution. Clearly the tallest building in the world at 986 feet when it was completed in time for the 1889 World’s Fair, it only cost $1.5 million. Although it has been visited by 167 million people since it opened and one of the most revered structures in the world, critics in the late 19th century called it an eye sore. It was the first skyscraper to use an elevator to move people up and down and tickets for a ride sold in abundance – enough to pay for the structure within about a year. An unexpected feature on this structure is that names of 72 scientists and other famous people using 60-centimeter letters are affixed to the sides of the tower beneath the platform area. New York, New York It’s no surprise that New York is the home of many well-known skyscrapers The iconic Chrysler Building stands at 1,046 feet, 77 stories and was built in 1930 at a cost of $20 million. Designed by Ralph Squire & Sons, the building is made of steel with brick facing material. It is also adorned with hubcaps, hood ornaments and mudguards, as one would expect a building built for an automobile manufacturer. Bearing the title of the world’s tallest building lasted only four months until the Empire State Building came along. The Empire State Building is 1,250 feet high and 102 stories. This steel structure was designed by H.G. Balcom and built at a cost of $41 million. It is faced with limestone, granite and brick. It took 3,000 workers to complete the building in a record-breaking one year and 45 days, an unheard of schedule at the time. The completion is even harder to fathom considering the design was changed 16 times during both planning and construction phases. The building is likely one of the most famous in the world, a major tourist attraction and a site of many weddings. It gets struck by lightning about 100 times each year. It’s doing its job as it was designed to be the lightning rod for the area. Being the tallest building in the world was the Empire State Building’s honorable title for 41 years when the World Trade Center took over. The World Trade Center towers were completed in 1972 (Tower One) and 1973 (Tower Two) at a cost of $400 million. The buildings were 110 stories high with Tower One being 6 feet higher than Tower Two. The buildings were made of aluminum and steel and designed by engineers Skilling, Helle, Christiansen & Robertson. The towers were built on a landfill so required a foundation that extended more than 70 feet below ground level. A great example of a tube building, they were built to withstand high wind speeds as well as an airplane hit. Ironically, the buildings could not withstand the terrorist attack by a direct hit from hijacked commercial jets on Sept. 11, 2001. The towers collapsed when the ensuing fires weakened the infrastructure and caused a collapse. The World Trade Center towers were considered the tallest buildings in the world until the Sears Tower was built in Chicago soon after. Chicago – My Kind of Tall Town Whether you continue to call it the Sears Tower or the name it has carried since 2009 – Willis Tower – this Chicago icon located at 233 South Wacker Drive stands 1,450 feet and 110 stories high. The building has a bundled tube configuration that includes nine tubes. It is made of stainless aluminum and was designed and developed by Sears, Robuck & Company, a company which no longer calls the building its home. The Willis Tower remains the second tallest building in the world, outstretched only by the Burj Khalifa building in the United Arab Emirates. The John Hancock Center, another Chicago icon, was completed in 1969 at 1,127 feet and 100 stories. Built with aluminum and glass, the building was not especially popular because of its looks. Eventually, folks warmed up to it and began calling it “Big John.” It is built on ground so soft that one of its caissons reaches 191 feet below ground where it hits bedrock. Around The World Most of got a look at the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in the 1999 movie “Entrapment,” starring Catherine Zeta-Jones and Sean Connery. The 1,483-foot tall, 88 story buildings were completed in 1998 at a cost of $1.6 billion. The Petronas towers surpassed the Sears Tower by 33 feet when the spires are included in the count. Its unique design includes a flexible skybridge that connects the building at the 42nd floor. It’s like stuff you see in the movies. The Taipei 101 Tower, completed in 2004, held the honor of being the tallest building in the world until Burj Khalifa was built six years later. The unusual looking building stands 1,670 feet with 101 stories. The exterior and interior of the building uses the Chinese pagoda form and bamboo flower shape. There are eight obvious exterior sections of the building. In the Chinese culture the number eight is a symbol of success. Since Taiwan is the home of strong earthquakes, the challenge was to build the tower with the ability to resist earthquakes as well as typhoons. Something called a “tuned mass damper system,” an 800-metric ton, spherical steel mass has been built into the tower at the 88th floor. This mass is made to be a stabilizer that transfers the energy from the building to a swinging sphere. Latest and Tallest The Burj Khalifa building in Dubai can boast of being the tallest building in the world at 2,716.5 feet and 160 stories. It was opened in January of 2010 and although it looks like it’s built in the bundled tube design, it is indeed not. It has a wide base with increasingly narrower columns as it rises above ground. It took nearly four years to complete at a cost of about $1.5 billion. The building is the home of condominium dwellers rather than businesses, although a hotel designed by Armani calls the first eight floors its home. More to Come It appears that no one is planning to outdo the Burj Khalifa soon but many are working on some impressive buildings. The Shanghai Tower will have 127 floors at 2,073 feet high. Expected completion is 2014. South Korea is building the Digital Media City Landmark Building. Scheduled for completion in 2015, the building will be 133 floors. It will house an actual city with offices, apartments, hotels, restaurants, art center, broadcast studio, shopping mall, medical clinic and an aquarium. No need to leave home. The One World Trade Center is being constructed at the site of the former World Trade Center in New York City. It will reach a height of 1,776 feet in honor of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. Latin America is constructing the Gran Torre Santiago with an anticipated completion in 2013. It will be the tallest Latin American building, located in Santiago, Chile. Issue 568
SNIPPETZ TAKES A RIDE ON THE COLORADO CHOO CHOO by Deborah Stumpf Railway termini are our gates to the glorious and the unknown. Through them we pass out into adventure and sunshine, to them, alas! we return. - E. M. Forster (1879-1970), English novelist If embarking on a tour to partake in the beautiful Colorado fall landscape makes your family members want to flip a coin to determine who loses and has to do the driving, think about a train ride. There are many affordable train travel options all over Colorado which give everyone a chance to sit back and enjoy the breathtaking scenery the state has to offer. Around the Circle It all started in 1892 when the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad wanted to generate interest in narrow gauge travel in the state of Colorado. The “Around the Circle” tour was 1,000 miles through the Rocky Mountain region – quite a feat for 1892. According to Mark L. Evans, The Narrow Gauge Circle, “the tour was an incredibly popular destination for many early day adventurers.” The trip started in Denver on the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. It headed south, stopping in Colorado Springs, which was reputed to have some of the better resorts and health spas in the U.S. Onward to Pueblo and then Alamosa via either Veta Pass or Poncha Pass. From Alamosa, the tour ran through the Toltec Gorge and dipped down into Chama, New Mexico. For this part of the route that can be taken today, see the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad section below. Back to Colorado, the traveler stopped in Durango to pick up the Rio Grande Southern Railroad to Ridgeway. There were two routes offered, the first one running through Dolores, Trout Lake, Ophir, Placerville and Dallas Divide. The other route was a bit more adventurous, going through Silverton where the rider would change to the Silverton Railroad and travel through the San Juan’s to Ironton. From Ironton, the trip changes to a stagecoach ride over the Million Dollar Highway to Ouray, picking up the train again to Ridgway. From Ridgeway, the Denver and Rio Grande took the traveler to Montrose before heading back to Denver. The trip to Denver at this point was not exactly short and insignificant. It ran through the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, the Grand Canyon, the Royal Gorge and Salida. Although the “Around the Circle” trip is not available in its original format today, there are numerous small trips available for the adventurous scenery lover. Some Not To Miss Trips The biggest challenge here is choosing which ride to take, so maybe part of the “bucket list” is to take each and every one at some point in time. And every ride is different, so for the enthusiast, multiple trips on the same ride are a must because every day along these routes offers a different site. Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Undoubtedly one of the more popular trips in Colorado, this steam-powered locomotive soars at 200 ft. above the Animas River. Starting at Durango and ending at Silverton, it passes through canyons and wilderness of the San Juan National Forest. The Denver & Rio Grande Railway began construction on this line to Silverton in 1881, two years after they founded Durango. It only took a little over a year to complete for use in hauling silver and gold. It didn’t take long for people to discover the views to be enjoyed. There are numerous themed trips; however, most do not run during the winter months. It is not too late to catch their “Trails and Rails-4 x 4 Tours and Train” package and the “Ropes and Rails Rock Climbing Adventure,” which run into October. Check the website for pricing, availability and dates. Hours of Operation: Vary by season Rates: Vary by package and class; standard coach adult $65 479 Main Ave. Durango, CO 81301 Toll Free: 888-872-4607 970-247-2733 http://durangotrain.com Rio Grande Scenic Railroad This company offers three different routes along the San Isabel National Forest running between La Veta and Alamosa. The steam engine offers dome cars from which you can see views from many angles. Routes throughout the winter are also available. Hours of Operation: Ticket office is open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily Rates: $19 - $169 depending on route and package 610 State Street Alamosa, CO 81101 Toll Free: 877-726-7245 719-587-0520 http://coloradotrain.com Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad For viewing the fall colors, this route can’t be beat. The 2½ hour trip starts and ends in Leadville and Climax, running through forests and aspen groves 1,000 feet above the Arkansas River Valley. There’s still time to catch these spectacular views as they run through Oct. 7. Hours of Operation: current trips depart weekdays at 1 p.m.; weekends at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. (see website for other dates/times) Rates: Adults $35, children ages 4-12 $20; caboose rides $30 extra for one-way; engine seat $40 extra for one way 326 E. 7th St. Leadville, CO 80461 Toll Free: 866-386-3936 719-486-3936 http://leadville-train.com Georgetown Loop Railroad A little closer to home at 45 miles west of Denver, these are 1-hour routes over Devil’s Gate Bridge in the Rocky Mountains. This company also offers holiday trips and mine adventures. Hours of Operation: Closed January-April; open daily May through Oct. 7 and weekends through December. Various excursions are available now including train rides and mine trips; check website for departure hours. Rates: Vary depending on excursion; train ride only, adults $25.50; children ages 3-15 $18.50; first class and meals available as well as holiday trips P.O. Box 249 Georgetown, CO 80444 Toll Free: 888-456-6777 Silver Plume Depot is located off Exit #226 from I-70 http://Georgetownlooprr.com Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad This steam locomotive trip may only run over a 4-mile terrain, but packs a scenic punch past historic mines of Cripple Creek and Victor. It’s a great trip for both kids and history buffs. Hours of Operation: Trains depart every 45 minutes from 10 a.m. to about 5 p.m.; closed from Oct. 7 to May Rates: Adults $13, children ages 3-12 $8, children under 3 free; seniors over 65 $12 520 E. Carr Street Cripple Creek, CO 80813 719-689-2640 http://cripplecreekrailroad.com Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad This jewel is tucked away in south central Colorado in the town of Antonito. The route was originally built in 1880 for silver mining in the San Juan mountains and still runs today due to a joint effort between Colorado and New Mexico. The railroad boasts the longest, highest and “most authentic” narrow gauge experience available in Colorado. The route runs from late May through mid October. Hours of Operation: Routes starting at either 8:30 a.m. or 10 a.m., returning late afternoon until Oct. 21. A moonlight wine tasting event is available Sept. 29, departing at 5:30 p.m. from Chama; check website for latest on availability Rates: Adults from $95 to $171; children $52 to $69 Junction 17 and 285 Antonito, CO 81120 Toll Free: 888-286-2737 719-376-5483 http://cumbrestoltec.com Royal Gorge Route Railroad Built in the 1870s, the route is rich with history which included a battle between two companies that wanted to run the route. It indeed ran through 1967 and then stopped until a Colorado family brought it back to life in 1999. It now boasts more than 100,000 visitors each year. The route starts in Canon City, Colo., running several times each day and offering chartered special events such as weddings throughout the year. The company also offers a Santa Express and murder mystery rides. Hours of Operation: Except for chartered events, closed January and February. Departs 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and a dinner train at 6:30 p.m. Rates: $19 to $110 depending on service and class Santa Fe Depot 401 Water St. Cañon City, CO 81212 Toll Free: 888-724-5748 719-276-4000 http://royalgorgeroute.com Issue 569
SNIPPETZ FOUND HORSING AROUND by Deborah Stumpf 
Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people.
- W.C. Fields Horses have been a significant part of America’s history and heritage, playing various roles as working horses, in sporting and some have even made it to celebrity status. Although horses were said to exist on the North American continent prior to 8,000 B.C., becoming extinct with the Ice Age, they are most known as arriving with Columbus on his first and second journeys. The Spaniards brought more horses to South America, which they used while conquering Mexico and Peru. In the 1600’s, the colonists brought their horses to North America where they were used to clear trees for homesteading, followed by their use in the Revolutionary War and for exploring the west. Once the Industrial Revolution brought motorized vehicles, horses began to be used more in agriculture and recreation. In addition, the 4-H Clubs were started in the early 1900’s as a means to educate American youth in agriculture and horsemanship and remains in existence today. Eat like a horse A horse has just one chamber in its stomach and has a rather quick digestive system, requiring much more food than a cow of the same size. A domestic horse eats about 12-15 pounds of hay each day depending on their size and activity level. Larger breeds may consume up to 30 pounds or more and a pony, (a small breed of horse) will eat much less. Their diet is usually supplemented with some grain such as oats or corn. Work Horses The Pony Express was only in operation from April 1860 to October 1861, but made a huge impact on American history. The Express route ran between St. Joseph, Missouri and Sacramento, California. Horseback riders would carry a 20-pound pouch of mail called mochila (Spanish for pouch) thrown over the saddle of the horse. Riders could not weigh more than 125 pounds and were changed about every 75-100 miles. Riders would get a new horse every 10 to 15 miles and traveled about 10 miles per hour. The length of their route was close to 2,000 miles and took 10 days in the summer months and up to 16 in winter. The cost to send a letter was reportedly $5.00 per half ounce which eventually dropped to $1.00. Makes 45 cents sound like a real bargain. Its founders, William Hepburn Russell, Alexander Majors and William B. Waddell hoped to capture the attention of the U.S. government and win the million dollar contract to carry the mail. After losing $200,000, they were not awarded the contract, most likely due to the transcontinental telegraph’s debut in October of 1861. The Pony Express employed 200 men and 500 horses traveling through 190 relay stations. Their riders included Buffalo Bill Cody and Wild Bill Hickok. The fastest ride for the Pony Express was the delivery of the news of the election of Abraham Lincoln as president, taking just over seven days. The Rocky Mountain News in Denver was one of the first recipients of the news. Putting on Airs Who has their hoof prints on the Hollywood Walk of Fame? Roy Rogers’ horse Trigger and Gene Autry’s Champion, of course. Trigger, a golden palomino was originally called Golden Cloud, but was eventually given the name Trigger once Roy Rogers purchased him in 1938. He named him for his quickness of mind and foot, as he knew about 60 tricks including walking 150 steps using his hind legs. A likeness of Trigger can be seen in Branson, Missouri at the Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Museum, as well as Dale Evans’ horse, Buttermilk. Other famous horses: George Washington’s Nelson Caroline Kennedy was given a pony by Vice President Lyndon Johnson during the Kennedy administration. His name was Macaroni and was very popular with children all over the country who wrote him letters. Highland Dale was the American Register Saddle-Bred Stallion who appeared in movies, notably the 1946 “Black Beauty,” as well as the television show “Fury.” His trainer, Ralph McCutcheon nicknamed him Beaut. Beaut earned an unprecedented $5,000 per week as an actor and had access to McCutcheon’s Van Nuys, Calif. swimming pool. Rolling in mud was one of his favorite activities followed by a bath and/or dip in the pool. Horse Power Horse racing, one of America’s favorite pastimes, has spawned many famous horses including these few:
Horse Sense In the 1800’s, horses were used by the fire service to pull the fire engine. Horses typically received on-the-job training; however, Detroit opened a horse college for training. Students received progress reports and report cards. Graduates would work for the fire service typically four to 10 years. In Philadelphia, horses were granted vacations before firefighters received vacations. Who’s smarter now? Horse Snippetz
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