TAKING THE OFF-RAMP

Bypassed by the Pony Express

How many years did the Pony Express operate in Arizona? Zero. The Pony Express followed a route from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, carrying mail almost 2,000 miles across the country, but not one single mile of the route went through Arizona Territory. Another mail service, the Butterfield Overland Mail Company brought mail to Arizonans via a route that ran from St. Louis, south through Texas and Arizona and then up the California coastline to San Francisco. Eventually the start of the Civil War and Indian hostilities forced the Butterfield to stop its deliveries.

WHO WROTE CHIEF SEATTLE'S FAMED SPEECH?

"There was a time when our people covered the whole land as the waves of a wind-ruffled sea covers its shell-paved floor, but that time has long since passed away with the greatness of tribes almost forgotten..."

In 1854 Noah Sealth, better known as Chief Seattle of the Suquamish Indians, reportedly said those stirring words about the fate of his people. Today some people think he never spoke them. By 1854, settlers moved in great numbers across the country, taking land from the native people. The Suquamish tribe's population had declined over time. Chief Seattle was convinced that the fate of his people wasn't promising,and agreed to move them to a reservation. The speech, known mostly for its wisdom and kindness, had only one recorder, Dr. Henry A. Smith. Smith supposedly understood Seattle's language and transcribed Seattle's words, but not until 33 years after the speech was made. The speech and a letter Chief Seattle allegedly wrote to President Franklin Pierce in 1885 have raised controversy. The letter refers to white men shooting buffalo from the windows of the "Iron Horse," but Seattle never traveled far enough south to see a train. He possibly never even saw a buffalo. Today many people believe Smith embellished the speech, or possibly made it up entirely. Some also doubt the authenticity of the letter. Even so, the words credited to Seattle are famed and still quoted across the country.

Question of the Month

Which relative of the domestic dog can climb trees, telephone poles and even saguaro cacti? The gray fox (urocyon cinereoargenteus) is typically the only canid that can shimmy up vertical surfaces. The agile animal uses its unique skill to escape from predators, raid bird nests and even to hunt unsuspecting rodents from above.

THE 'LOST' PHOTOGRAPHS OF ANSEL ADAMS

LONG A FRIEND OF ARIZONA HIGHWAYS, THE RENOWNED CAMERA ARTIST LEFT US A CACHE

OF UNIQUE PRINTS. BY RICHARD MAACK