texascavers Digest 10 Dec 2010 15:39:43 -0000 Issue 1207
Topics (messages 16675 through 16688):
Mexico travel tip
16675 by: David
New release of TexBib from the TSS :
16676 by: JerryAtkin.aol.com
Re: [NMCAVER] Fw: Breaking News - NM's El Malpais National Monument Closes
Caves
16677 by: Diana Tomchick
El Mapais National Monument Closes Caves
16678 by: Mixon Bill
16679 by: Andy Gluesenkamp
16680 by: wesley s
El Malpais
16681 by: Mixon Bill
16682 by: Andy Gluesenkamp
16683 by: Mark.Alman.L-3com.com
16684 by: freddie poer
16685 by: Louise Power
16686 by: Andy Gluesenkamp
16687 by: Ron R
Rattlesnake Cave, Oklahoma, and True Grit
16688 by: caverarch.aol.com
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--- Begin Message ---
Please ignore this if you have no intentions of travelling to Mexico, or if
you have no desire to learn a few Spanish words:
The web-site below seems to have the latest info on crime activity
in Mexico :
http://www.sedena.gob.mx/index.php/sala-de-prensa/comunicados-de-prensa-de-los-mandos-territoriales
http://www.sedena.gob.mx/index.php/sala-de-prensa/comunicados-de-prensa
You will have to know some basic Spanish, especially terms relating to
what cartel members get
arrested for, and know some of the geography.
Click on the blue phrase "leer mas," which means "read more." For
example, this explains the
6 cartel members killed 2 days ago near Reynosa, which didn't seem to
make the news here:
http://www.sedena.gob.mx/index.php/sala-de-prensa/comunicados-de-prensa-de-los-mandos-territoriales/5228-6-de-diciembre-de-2010-reynosa-tamps
Also, note you should not travel with rolls of sheet metal, as the
Federales find this suspicious.
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
The Texas Speleological Survey has released the newest update to TexBib,
the digital bibliography of Texas speleology. At present, there are over
13,480 references in TexBib dating back to 1866, and over 85,000 searchable
keywords. The program's search engine allows you to search on keywords
and/or authors, with the resulting reference listing sorted by date and/or
author.
The TSS library has copies of most of the journals and grotto newsletters
listed in the bibliography. If you have a desire to peruse one of the
references, contact one of the directors with your request or stop by during
one of the TSS's work sessions that are periodically announced on CaveTex.
Examples of routinely used keywords in TexBib : cave name, county,
biology, geology, TARL ID (Texas Archeological Research Laboratory), bats,
salamanders, geology, hydrogeology, geochemistry, archeology, paleokarst,
conservation, management, rescue, education, etc....
TexBib can be downloaded free at the TSS website :
_http://www.utexas.edu/tmm/sponsored_sites/tss/TexBib/Texbib.htm_
(http://www.utexas.edu/tmm/sponsored_sites/tss/TexBib/Texbib.htm)
(http://www.txspeleologicalsurvey.org/)
To properly work, TexBib requires that you be running MS Windows with MS
Internet Explorer 5 (or above). If you have any questions or comments
concerning TexBib, please contact Jerry Atkinson <jerryat...@aol.com>. For
help with program installation, contact David McKenzie
<david...@austin.rr.com>.
Jerry Atkinson
Texas Speleological Survey
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Diana R. Tomchick
Associate Professor
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Department of Biochemistry
5323 Harry Hines Blvd.
Rm. ND10.214B
Dallas, TX 75390-8816, U.S.A.
Email: diana.tomch...@utsouthwestern.edu
214-645-6383 (phone)
214-645-6353 (fax)
Begin forwarded message:
> From: jennifer <bigredfo...@yahoo.com>
> Date: December 8, 2010 2:03:21 PM CST
> To: <nmca...@caver.net>, <pajar...@lists.snurkle.net>
> Subject: [NMCAVER] Fw: Breaking News - NM's El Malpais National Monument
> Closes Caves
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Forwarded Message ----
> From: Peter Youngbaer <wnsliai...@caves.org>
> To: Alex Sproul <imoca...@comcast.net>; Cheryl Jones <cs.jo...@verizon.net>;
> Mike Warner <m...@speleobooks.com>; Jennifer Foote <bigredfo...@yahoo.com>
> Sent: Wed, December 8, 2010 11:15:09 AM
> Subject: Breaking News - NM's El Mapais National Monument Closes Caves
>
> Alex,
>
> Please post:
>
> Here's a link to the official announcement:
>
> http://www.nps.gov/elma/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&PageID=522060
>
> Also, I think you can archive everything prior to 10/27 (the draft national
> WNS
> plan announcments).
>
> Thanks,
>
> Peter
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> NMCAVER mailing list
> nmca...@caver.net
> http://caver.net/mailman/listinfo/nmcaver_caver.net
________________________________
UT Southwestern Medical Center
The future of medicine, today.
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
When in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout. Or close caves, which
is about as effective. -- Mixon
----------------------------------------
All the world's a stage, but the play is badly cast.
----------------------------------------
You may "reply" to the address this message
came from, but for long-term use, save:
Personal: bmi...@alumni.uchicago.edu
AMCS: edi...@amcs-pubs.org or sa...@amcs-pubs.org
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
And your solution, Bill? And don't go telling me that WNS is just some scheme
cooked up by those greedy biologists.
Andrew G. Gluesenkamp, Ph.D.
700 Billie Brooks Drive
Driftwood, Texas 78619
(512) 799-1095
a...@gluesenkamp.com
________________________________
From: Mixon Bill <bmixon...@austin.rr.com>
To: Cavers Texas <texascavers@texascavers.com>
Sent: Thu, December 9, 2010 11:01:25 AM
Subject: [Texascavers] El Mapais National Monument Closes Caves
When in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout. Or close caves, which is about
as effective. -- Mixon
----------------------------------------
All the world's a stage, but the play is badly cast.
----------------------------------------
You may "reply" to the address this message
came from, but for long-term use, save:
Personal: bmi...@alumni.uchicago.edu
AMCS: edi...@amcs-pubs.org or sa...@amcs-pubs.org
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--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Place goldbond medicated powder on brushes ziptied to cave gates and make the
gaps small enough that the bats have to brush up against the applicators upon
entry/exit.
...I know. I'm brilliant.... ;)
Wes~
List-Post: texascavers@texascavers.com
Date: Thu, 9 Dec 2010 11:01:11 -0800
From: andrew_gluesenk...@yahoo.com
To: bmixon...@austin.rr.com; texascavers@texascavers.com
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] El Mapais National Monument Closes Caves
And your solution, Bill? And don't go telling me that WNS is just some scheme
cooked up by those greedy biologists.
Andrew G. Gluesenkamp, Ph.D.
700 Billie Brooks Drive
Driftwood, Texas 78619
(512) 799-1095
a...@gluesenkamp.com
From: Mixon Bill <bmixon...@austin.rr.com>
To: Cavers Texas <texascavers@texascavers.com>
Sent: Thu, December 9, 2010 11:01:25 AM
Subject: [Texascavers] El Mapais National Monument Closes Caves
When in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout. Or close caves, which is about
as effective. -- Mixon
----------------------------------------
All the world's a stage, but the play is badly cast.
----------------------------------------
You may "reply" to the address this message
came from, but for long-term use, save:
Personal: bmi...@alumni.uchicago.edu
AMCS: edi...@amcs-pubs.org or sa...@amcs-pubs.org
---------------------------------------------------------------------
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--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
No, closing those caves isn't a symptom of greedy biologists, but
rather of bureaucrats who think they have to be seen doing something,
even if there's no real justification for it.
My solution would be to recognize there's nothing to be done and let
things play out, as they will anyway. A whole lot cheaper and less
wear and tear on the nervous systems, even of bat buffs. -- Mixon
----------------------------------------
All the world's a stage, but the play is badly cast.
----------------------------------------
You may "reply" to the address this message
came from, but for long-term use, save:
Personal: bmi...@alumni.uchicago.edu
AMCS: edi...@amcs-pubs.org or sa...@amcs-pubs.org
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Bill,
Blame the bureaucrats if you must but it sounds like they are taking steps to
study the situation carefully. The NPS is conducting microbiological and other
surveys of caves in the area, including those that are not occupied by bats.
Simply stated: human entry into caves may complicate these studies.
Stating that "nothing can be done" is giving up to soon. You may be correct
that nothing can be done to prevent the spread of WNS, with or without cave
closures. However, documenting bat populations and cave use as well
as conducting microbiological and other surveys will at least provide
information about what we may lose (have lost). This documentation is
valuable,
especially if we are facing the inevitable spread of a catastophic phenomenon
like WNS.
I view this as analogous to the burning of the Great Library of Alexandria.
Sure, the fire may have been unavoidable (try stopping Julius Ceasar and the
Roman army) but don't you wish that someone had at least catalogued the
collection before it was turned to ashes?
Andrew G. Gluesenkamp, Ph.D.
700 Billie Brooks Drive
Driftwood, Texas 78619
(512) 799-1095
a...@gluesenkamp.com
________________________________
From: Mixon Bill <bmixon...@austin.rr.com>
To: Cavers Texas <texascavers@texascavers.com>
Sent: Thu, December 9, 2010 2:03:32 PM
Subject: [Texascavers] El Malpais
No, closing those caves isn't a symptom of greedy biologists, but rather of
bureaucrats who think they have to be seen doing something, even if there's no
real justification for it.
My solution would be to recognize there's nothing to be done and let things
play
out, as they will anyway. A whole lot cheaper and less wear and tear on the
nervous systems, even of bat buffs. -- Mixon
----------------------------------------
All the world's a stage, but the play is badly cast.
----------------------------------------
You may "reply" to the address this message
came from, but for long-term use, save:
Personal: bmi...@alumni.uchicago.edu
AMCS: edi...@amcs-pubs.org or sa...@amcs-pubs.org
---------------------------------------------------------------------
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To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com
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--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
When do y'all think Carlsbad will be closed?
There's a scary thought.
Mark
-----Original Message-----
From: Mixon Bill [mailto:bmixon...@austin.rr.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 2010 2:04 PM
To: Cavers Texas
Subject: [Texascavers] El Malpais
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Gee, Isn't it going to be hard to conduct these surveys if the caves are
closed? Or, does this mean that the caves are closed to everyone except a few
hand picked NPS personnel? This whole knee jerk "close the caves" reaction
smells a little too much like the "nobody should go caving except us" syndrome
that I have seen among certain cavers of the academic persuasion. Bill is
obviously right in that nothing we do will alter what path WNS will take. It
will not matter one whit whether all of us, or none of us, goes caving. WNS
will complete it's own cycle. Why aren't we seeing some effort at proactive
measures, like DNA preservation or maybe bat sperm and ova collection, instead
of the "putting out fires" approach we are seeing now?
--- On Thu, 12/9/10, Andy Gluesenkamp <andrew_gluesenk...@yahoo.com> wrote:
From: Andy Gluesenkamp <andrew_gluesenk...@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] El Malpais
To: "Mixon Bill" <bmixon...@austin.rr.com>, "Cavers Texas"
<texascavers@texascavers.com>
List-Post: texascavers@texascavers.com
Date: Thursday, December 9, 2010, 2:20 PM
Bill,
Blame the bureaucrats if you must but it sounds like they are taking steps to
study the situation carefully. The NPS is conducting microbiological and other
surveys of caves in the area, including those that are not occupied by bats.
Simply stated: human entry into caves may complicate these studies.
Stating that "nothing can be done" is giving up to soon. You may be correct
that nothing can be done to prevent the spread of WNS, with or without cave
closures. However, documenting bat populations and cave use as well as
conducting microbiological and other surveys will at least provide information
about what we may lose (have lost). This documentation is valuable, especially
if we are facing the inevitable spread of a catastophic phenomenon like WNS.
I view this as analogous to the burning of the Great Library of Alexandria.
Sure, the fire may have been unavoidable (try stopping Julius Ceasar and the
Roman army) but don't you wish that someone had at least catalogued the
collection before it was turned to ashes?
Andrew G. Gluesenkamp, Ph.D.
700 Billie Brooks Drive
Driftwood, Texas 78619
(512) 799-1095
a...@gluesenkamp.com
From: Mixon Bill <bmixon...@austin.rr.com>
To: Cavers Texas <texascavers@texascavers.com>
Sent: Thu, December 9, 2010 2:03:32 PM
Subject: [Texascavers] El Malpais
No, closing those caves isn't a symptom of greedy biologists, but rather of
bureaucrats who think they have to be seen doing something, even if there's no
real justification for it.
My solution would be to recognize there's nothing to be done and let things
play out, as they will anyway. A whole lot cheaper and less wear and tear on
the nervous systems, even of bat buffs. -- Mixon
----------------------------------------
All the world's a stage, but the play is badly cast.
----------------------------------------
You may "reply" to the address this message
came from, but for long-term use, save:
Personal: bmi...@alumni.uchicago.edu
AMCS: edi...@amcs-pubs.org or sa...@amcs-pubs.org
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Visit our website: http://texascavers.com
To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com
For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
When it stops making money.
> From: mark.al...@l-3com.com
> Date: Thu, 9 Dec 2010 14:21:22 -0600
> To: bmixon...@austin.rr.com; texascavers@texascavers.com
> Subject: RE: [Texascavers] El Malpais
>
> When do y'all think Carlsbad will be closed?
>
> There's a scary thought.
>
>
> Mark
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mixon Bill [mailto:bmixon...@austin.rr.com]
> Sent: Thursday, December 09, 2010 2:04 PM
> To: Cavers Texas
> Subject: [Texascavers] El Malpais
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> Visit our website: http://texascavers.com
> To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com
> For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
>
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Whaaat? Cloning? Test tube baby bats? Isn't this jumping the gun?
Seriously,
the most reasonable approach at this time is to document what is there. That
way, we will have some clue as to what the impacts of WNS may be. These ARE
proactive measures.
best,
Andy
Andrew G. Gluesenkamp, Ph.D.
700 Billie Brooks Drive
Driftwood, Texas 78619
(512) 799-1095
a...@gluesenkamp.com
________________________________
From: freddie poer <freddiepoe...@yahoo.com>
To: Andy Gluesenkamp <a...@gluesenkamp.com>
Cc: texascavers@texascavers.com
Sent: Thu, December 9, 2010 6:09:54 PM
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] El Malpais
Gee, Isn't it going to be hard to conduct these surveys if the caves are
closed?
Or, does this mean that the caves are closed to everyone except a few hand
picked NPS personnel? This whole knee jerk "close the caves" reaction smells a
little too much like the "nobody should go caving except us" syndrome that I
have seen among certain cavers of the academic persuasion. Bill is obviously
right in that nothing we do will alter what path WNS will take. It will not
matter one whit whether all of us, or none of us, goes caving. WNS will
complete
it's own cycle. Why aren't we seeing some effort at proactive measures, like
DNA
preservation or maybe bat sperm and ova collection, instead of the "putting out
fires" approach we are seeing now?
--- On Thu, 12/9/10, Andy Gluesenkamp <andrew_gluesenk...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>From: Andy Gluesenkamp <andrew_gluesenk...@yahoo.com>
>Subject: Re: [Texascavers] El Malpais
>To: "Mixon Bill" <bmixon...@austin.rr.com>, "Cavers Texas"
><texascavers@texascavers.com>
>Date: Thursday, December 9, 2010, 2:20 PM
>
>
>Bill,
> Blame the bureaucrats if you must but it sounds like they are taking steps
>to
>study the situation carefully. The NPS is conducting microbiological and
>other
>surveys of caves in the area, including those that are not occupied by bats.
>Simply stated: human entry into caves may complicate these studies.
>Stating that "nothing can be done" is giving up to soon. You may be correct
>that nothing can be done to prevent the spread of WNS, with or without cave
>closures. However, documenting bat populations and cave use as well
>as conducting microbiological and other surveys will at least provide
>information about what we may lose (have lost). This documentation is
>valuable,
>especially if we are facing the inevitable spread of a catastophic phenomenon
>like WNS.
>
> I view this as analogous to the burning of the Great Library of Alexandria.
>Sure, the fire may have been unavoidable (try stopping Julius Ceasar and the
>Roman army) but don't you wish that someone had at least catalogued the
>collection before it was turned to ashes?
>
>Andrew G. Gluesenkamp, Ph.D.
>700 Billie Brooks Drive
>Driftwood, Texas 78619
>(512) 799-1095
>a...@gluesenkamp.com
>
>
>
>
>
________________________________
From: Mixon Bill <bmixon...@austin.rr.com>
>To: Cavers Texas <texascavers@texascavers.com>
>Sent: Thu, December 9, 2010 2:03:32 PM
>Subject: [Texascavers] El Malpais
>
>No, closing those caves isn't a symptom of greedy biologists, but rather of
>bureaucrats who think they have to be seen doing something, even if there's no
>real justification for it.
>
>My solution would be to recognize there's nothing to be done and let things
>play
>out, as they will anyway. A whole lot cheaper and less wear and tear on the
>nervous systems, even of bat buffs. -- Mixon
>----------------------------------------
>All the world's a stage, but the play is badly cast.
>----------------------------------------
>You may "reply" to the address this message
>came from, but for long-term use, save:
>Personal: bmi...@alumni.uchicago.edu
>AMCS: edi...@amcs-pubs.org or sa...@amcs-pubs.org
>
>
>---------------------------------------------------------------------
>Visit our website: http://texascavers.com
>To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com
>For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
>
>
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
In the not so far off future....
Genetically modified, WNS resistant bats fluttering around the countrysides
and cities. But who knew that WNS resistance also activated the
"GIGANTIC-ISM" gene 10 generations later? Now tiny insects are no longer
enough! They need protein, and there are so many of us soft, plump
humans....
On Fri, Dec 10, 2010 at 8:12 AM, Andy Gluesenkamp <
andrew_gluesenk...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Whaaat? Cloning? Test tube baby bats? Isn't this jumping the gun?
> Seriously, the most reasonable approach at this time is to document what is
> there. That way, we will have some clue as to what the impacts of WNS may
> be. These ARE proactive measures.
> best,
> Andy
>
>
> Andrew G. Gluesenkamp, Ph.D.
> 700 Billie Brooks Drive
> Driftwood, Texas 78619
> (512) 799-1095
> a...@gluesenkamp.com
>
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* freddie poer <freddiepoe...@yahoo.com>
> *To:* Andy Gluesenkamp <a...@gluesenkamp.com>
> *Cc:* texascavers@texascavers.com
> *Sent:* Thu, December 9, 2010 6:09:54 PM
> *Subject:* Re: [Texascavers] El Malpais
>
> Gee, Isn't it going to be hard to conduct these surveys if the caves are
> closed? Or, does this mean that the caves are closed to everyone except a
> few hand picked NPS personnel? This whole knee jerk "close the caves"
> reaction smells a little too much like the "nobody should go caving except
> us" syndrome that I have seen among certain cavers of the academic
> persuasion. Bill is obviously right in that nothing we do will alter what
> path WNS will take. It will not matter one whit whether all of us, or none
> of us, goes caving. WNS will complete it's own cycle. Why aren't we seeing
> some effort at proactive measures, like DNA preservation or maybe bat sperm
> and ova collection, instead of the "putting out fires" approach we are
> seeing now?
>
> --- On *Thu, 12/9/10, Andy Gluesenkamp <andrew_gluesenk...@yahoo.com>*wrote:
>
>
> From: Andy Gluesenkamp <andrew_gluesenk...@yahoo.com>
> Subject: Re: [Texascavers] El Malpais
> To: "Mixon Bill" <bmixon...@austin.rr.com>, "Cavers Texas" <
> texascavers@texascavers.com>
> Date: Thursday, December 9, 2010, 2:20 PM
>
> Bill,
> Blame the bureaucrats if you must but it sounds like they are taking
> steps to study the situation carefully. The NPS is conducting
> microbiological and other surveys of caves in the area, including those that
> are not occupied by bats. Simply stated: human entry into
> caves may complicate these studies.
> Stating that "nothing can be done" is giving up to soon. You may be
> correct that nothing can be done to prevent the spread of WNS, with or
> without cave closures. However, documenting bat populations and cave use as
> well as conducting microbiological and other surveys will at least provide
> information about what we may lose (have lost). This documentation is
> valuable, especially if we are facing the inevitable spread of a catastophic
> phenomenon like WNS.
> I view this as analogous to the burning of the Great Library of
> Alexandria. Sure, the fire may have been unavoidable (try stopping Julius
> Ceasar and the Roman army) but don't you wish that someone had at least
> catalogued the collection before it was turned to ashes?
>
>
> Andrew G. Gluesenkamp, Ph.D.
> 700 Billie Brooks Drive
> Driftwood, Texas 78619
> (512) 799-1095
> a...@gluesenkamp.com
>
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* Mixon Bill <bmixon...@austin.rr.com>
> *To:* Cavers Texas <texascavers@texascavers.com>
> *Sent:* Thu, December 9, 2010 2:03:32 PM
> *Subject:* [Texascavers] El Malpais
>
> No, closing those caves isn't a symptom of greedy biologists, but rather of
> bureaucrats who think they have to be seen doing something, even if there's
> no real justification for it.
>
> My solution would be to recognize there's nothing to be done and let things
> play out, as they will anyway. A whole lot cheaper and less wear and tear on
> the nervous systems, even of bat buffs. -- Mixon
> ----------------------------------------
> All the world's a stage, but the play is badly cast.
> ----------------------------------------
> You may "reply" to the address this message
> came from, but for long-term use, save:
> Personal:
> bmi...@alumni.uchicago.edu<http://us.mc451.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=bmi...@alumni.uchicago.edu>
> AMCS:
> edi...@amcs-pubs.org<http://us.mc451.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=edi...@amcs-pubs.org>or
> sa...@amcs-pubs.org<http://us.mc451.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=sa...@amcs-pubs.org>
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> Visit our website: http://texascavers.com
> To unsubscribe, e-mail:
> texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com<http://us.mc451.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com>
> For additional commands, e-mail:
> texascavers-h...@texascavers.com<http://us.mc451.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=texascavers-h...@texascavers.com>
>
>
>
--
Ron Rutherford
Microsoft SQL Server DBA/Developer
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
A journalist and historian friend in Florida (who was with a TV station in Fort
Smith for a number of years) has brought to my attention a little mystery about
an Oklahoma cave and a major motion picture. Maybe some North Texas cavers
know the cave (or crevice or whatever; I don't think there is much in the way
of true solutional caves in the Ouachita Mountains, of which I believe the
Winding Stairs to be a part).
Roger Moore
GHG
Roger, The publicity about the True Grit remake brought to mind a little
mystery
that might be of interest to you and your caver friends. Its a little known
fact
that the "Rattlesnake Cave" in the movie was actually based on a real
"Rattlesnake Cave" somewhere in the Winding Stair Mountain area of eastern
Oklahoma. A real-life Deputy U.S. Marshal went down into the cave to retrieve
the body of a murder victim and found himself in a nest of rattlesnakes. The
cave was well known in the late 1800s, but its location has been lost to modern
historians. Any thoughts on it? (Oh, and if you want to read a little about
the "real" Rooster Cogburn, you might enjoy this:
www.exploresouthernhistory.com/roostercogburn).
There is a scene near the end in which the young girl who hires the deputy
marshal is put down into a cave by the outlaws and finds herself surrounded by
snakes. The incident in the book and movie was based on a real life incident in
the 1880s when a woman was thrown into "Rattlesnake Cave" somewhere in the
Winding Stair area of the Ouachitas. The outlaws responsible were apprehended,
but in order to prove the case against them, the Deputy Marshals out of Fort
Smith had to retrieve the remains of the victim. One of the officers was
lowered on a rope into the cave, which was described as a "crevice" and as he
was collecting the bones and other evidence realized he was surrounded by
rattlesnakes. He opened fire on them and emptied his pistols, yelling at the
same time for the other lawmen to pull him up. When he came up out of the cave,
he had one snake around his neck and another around his arm which so frightened
the men pulling him up that they almost dropped him back down the hole.
It is quite a story and apparently is true. All that is known today about the
location of the cave is that it is in the Winding Stair area south of Fort
Smith. It would be interesting to find.
Dale
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