The Fort Apache scout. [volume], December 01, 1962, Page Page Two, Image 2

About The Fort Apache scout. [volume] (Whiteriver, Ariz.) 1962-current

Image provided by: Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records; Phoenix, AZ

                
Page Two
Historic
Cooley
Ranch
TO BE RESTORED
AS A MUSEUM
INDIAN PINE - The historic
Cooley Ranch, one of the most
venerable landmarks on the
Fort Apache Reservation, has
been turned over to the White
Mountain Recreation Enter
prise for restoration and preser
vation as a historical site.
Officials of the North Fork
Livestock Association and the
White Mountain Apache Tri
bal Council agreed to turn the
crumbling ranch building over
to the Enterprise last month.
Located approximately one
mile south of Indian Pine Junc
tion, the ranch has long been
identified with the early history
of the Fort Apache Reserva
tion.
The sturdy, two-story struc
ture was built by Colonel Cory
don E. Cooley in the 1880’s and
was a well-known way station
for travelers on the old military
trail from Fort Apache to Fort
Verde and Fort Whipple near
Prescott.
A center of much of the ear
ly-day social life of the White
BIBLE CLASS
GOES BOWLING
SHOW LOW - On Sunday
afternoon, December 9th the
SHOW LOW BOWL was the
scene of a Bowling Party spon
sored by members of the Junior
Bible Class of the Whiteriver
Lutheran Church.
Six alleys had been reserved
for the 34 teenagers and 6 adult
sponsors. For all but two of the
Apache Boys and Cirls this was
a “first”. They had never been
in an establishment such as
this much less handled a
bowling ball.
But by the time the afternoon’s
activities were over many had
shown real talent and all had
fun. The laurels however had
to be given to the girls. For, in
spite of Bill Kessels 163 game,
Rita Cassadore and Linda Lav
ender took home top honors.
The remarks most often heard
on the way home was: “when
can we go again.”
The Congregation is always
grateful to the members who
offer their cars but it is the
desire of all that soon we will
be able to purchase a good bus
to be used for such activities.
Front porch hidden
by collapsed roof
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The Cooley Ranch House . . to be Museum
Mountain area, the 9-room
building was visited frequently
by Army officers and pioneers
who helped write the colorful
history of that era.
Colonel Cooley, who married
a daughter of Chief A-l Alche
say, is remembered for a fa
mous all-night card game which
is commemorated in name by
the town of Show Low.
Cooley a partner, Marion
Clark had a ranching venture
which enclosed some 100,000
acres behind barbed wire.
The two had differences on
the operation of the ranch and
decided to settle the issue with
a game of cards. The game con
tinued long into the night and
in the early light of dawn, Coo
ley needed one point to win.
“If you can show low,” said
Clark, “you win the ranch.”
Cooley did, by turning over
the next card . . . the deuce of
clubs.
Cooley died in 1917 and he
and his beautiful Apache prin
cess are buried in the old ceme
tery at Fort Apache.
In the golden days of long
ago, the Cooley’s raised 8 chil
dren on the old ranch. De
scendents still live in the area.
Although Cooley was the man
who built the famous old home
stead, the actual construction
was done by William L. Pen
rod who later homesteaded the
present town of Pinetop.
The ranch, comprised of the
main two-story house and a
smaller bunkhouse in the rear,
was occupied by descendents of
the Cooley family until approxi
mately 15 years ago.
Massive Fireplace shows greed's damage
Upstairs bedroom with
faded wallpaper
** ■■■■■■HMltaMtfHH
The Fort Apache Scout
Now, the ranch is crumbling
and deserted, and has fallen
prey to vandals who have torn
up the massive rock fireplace in
search of an unfounded rumor
that treasure was hidden be
neath the huge rocks.
The interior walls of the house
bear mute evidence of the imbe
cilic scribblings of the horde of
vandals who have left their
mark on the ancient house.
Although gutted and de
cayed, it still carries a memory
of the gracious living and open
hospitality of the early fron
tier.
Structurally sound, the walls
of all the rooms are of thick,
hand-hewn planks; and the
floors are as strong as the day
they were built.
James Sparks, manager of the
Recreation Enterprise, reported
the restoration needed to make
the house as it was in its golden
days will require much work.
No estimate was given on the
cost of restoring the structure.
However, Sparks declared,
the Enterprise plans to estab
lish a permanent museum there
to display early-day relics and
Apache artifacts.
It is anticipated that assist
ance will be solicited from civic
organizations and persons in
terested in the preservation of
the historical site.
Sparks asked that anyone in
possession of early photos of
the old buildings or having au
thentic knowledge of historical
events related to the site, con
tact the Recreation Enterprise
office at the Tribal Headquar
ters in Whiteriver.
Vandals' marks seen
on ancient staircase
f*-Jl
A 'Part AtCyMA
ART BRONSON, a recent visitor to Fort Apache, was so
impressed with the beauty and the history of the Reserva
tion, he jotted down his feelings and produced the creative
poem below. . . In verse, he expressed the feelings and emo
tions of many who visit the vast and beautiful Reservation
for the first time . . . and yearn to return to explore further
its timeless wonders.
BY ART BRONSON
Arizona. Timeless visage of senile erosion
Sun-drenched land of color explosion;
Beckons, fascinates, and awes the mortal.
Come! Step through God’s grandest portal
See red-rock rim, canyons, cactus-studded
Narrow gorges, deep with silence flooded.
See spring’s blossoms, fragile yet gay,
Surviving the night to enhance the day.
Here an aura of the west persists,
Os winding trails through mountain mists,
And placid lakes, unruffled by time,
Stoutly protected by virgin pine.
Still steeped with lore of gunsmoke years
Mechanized future now shifts its gears.
Plowing, shaping, molding with skill,
A highway, a school, a church, a mill.
Then power saw roars, silence shatters
A giant topples, his death dust scatters,
Startling a deer and a hawk that flies
To the rim of the world. And nature sighs
As man rips and cuts, mile after mile.
So, benevolent nature with gaping smile
Gives teeth of trees that fall to fill
The rumbling belly of the smoking mill.
Observations. Kinishba ruins, decayed dead.
Immortalized? No neglected instead.
Yesteryears occupant with time has fled.
Folly covers histories moccasin tread.
Amidst purples, greens, sprightly splashed
With gold and Vermillion, daubed and dashed
By nature’s brush, hear White river cry
In streambed cradle, and gurgle at the sky.
Where bugle sang and sabre rattled
And white man, red man oft time battled,
Now camera clicks, tourist murmurs, "Look,
Fort Apache quarters of General Crook."
An unforgettable land, to this city slicker.
Land of sleeping beauty and wakening sticker.
I left this place, but not alone, the
Memories went with me —of Arizona.
Manager James Sparks
checks for repairs
End view looking
towards porch steps
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