Zane Grey's West Society

This is a wonderful photo from one of Zane Grey's trips that included this famous location. Where is it and when was it taken? Tell us about the car in the image?



(Source: BYU, L. Tom Perry Collections, MSS8710_B98_F18_5777n)

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Today is the birthday of Betty Zane who was Zane Grey's ancestor and the topic of his first novel, BETTY ZANE, published in 1903.

"Elizabeth 'Betty' Zane was the youngest sister of the Zane brothers. While her older brothers were founding the city, Betty stayed with relatives in Philadelphia. She arrived on the frontier in 1782 when she was about 16 years old. The Indian Wars of the Upper Ohio Valley ran from 1774 to 1794. Her arrival in 1782 was not quite at the midpoint of the conflict, but on the frontier, that year was one of the deadliest

The winter of 1781-1782 had been relatively mild. As a result, the frontier did not get the seasonal Sabbath from Indians raids they normally enjoyed from November to April. The Moravian Massacre, Crawford’s Defeat and several other smaller raids that spring and summer fueled enough vendettas to keep the frontier aflame in a bloody, no-quarter conflict.

Locally, the war reached its zenith on the afternoon of September 11th, 1782. A scout spotted a force of approximately 260 Indians and 40 British rangers a couple of hours west of Fort Henry. By early that evening they had laid a loose siege line around the fort and demanded the fort’s surrender. Their demand was refused and the battled started in earnest. The emotional highpoint of the battle occurred about noon of the second day when the defenders found they were out of gunpowder. It was the firepower of the fort that kept the enemy at bay and without it the fort would fall. More of it was stored at Ebenezer’s blockhouse a short distance away, but who would go and get it. Betty Zane stepped forward, noting that, should she fall, she would be less missed than a man. Dashing out the south sally port, she made it to the blockhouse without a shot fired at her. As she stepped out to return, all hell broke loose as nearly every Indian and British ranger fired at her. Miraculously she made it back unharmed with her precious load of gunpowder, and the fort was saved.

That courageous act made her a legend in her own lifetime. With the publication of the book BETTY ZANE by Zane Grey in 1903, she would rank just under Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett in the pantheon of American frontier history for many years. Betty Zane’s courageous act was the defining event of Wheeling’s early days.

(Text by Joe Roxby from the book, Legendary Locals of Wheeling; Photo credit: The American Magazine, Volume 12, p. 605, Crowell-Collier Publishing Company, 1881)



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This is a wonderful photo of George Takahashi who was Zane Grey's cook and jack of all trades for many years. This photo was likely taken somewhere under the Tonto Rim. What do you see in the photo? Tell us about his hat. Why does he have a glove on his left hand? What is he wearing around his waist? What kind of knife is that? Tell us any stories you know about this delightful Japanese gentleman. (Don't forget to share this post with your friends and family so they can learn about Zane Grey as well.)

(Photo Credit: BYU, L. Tom Perry Collections, MSS8710_B100_F37_6247n)

ZANE GREY SHORTS: One of Zane Grey's greatest non-fiction articles is "What the Desert Means to Me." The article appeared in the November 1921 edition of "The American Magazine." In addition to Zane's words, there are wonderful photos of his visits to places like Monument Valley and Rainbow Bridge.

Here is a sample of how Grey felt about the desert. "In every man and woman there survives the red blood of our ancestors, the primitive instincts. In these hides the secret of the eloquent and tremendous influence of the desert. The wide, open spaces, the lonely hills, the desolate, rocky wastes, the shifting sands and painted steppes, the stark-naked canyons—all these places of the desert with their loneliness and silence and solitude awake the instincts of the primitive age of man."

You can read the entire article in a scan of "What the Desert Means to Me by visiting the following link the following link:

https://www.zgws.org/archives/exhibits/show/zane-grey-magazine-articles--s/what-the-desert-means-to-me'

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(Source: Terry Bolinger Collection)

WHY WE ARE ASKING FOR YOUR HELP: Zane Grey's West Society believes that reading is a skill that is rapidly becoming a lost art to upcoming generations. That is one reason we are providing you with links to Zane Grey stories that are a quick read both for you and for others, especially younger people. We will post a new story later today and encourage you to share it by clicking on the "share" button and forward it to all of your Facebook friends. Our Facebook posts typically reach about 1,500 folk. However, what would happen if each of those people shared our links to Zane Grey stories with an average of 25 of their Facebook friends? More than 30,000 people, including younger family members and friends, be introduced to a literary treat. Thanks for your help.

After our annual Zane Grey's West Society Annual Convention from October 14-18 in Lone Pine, AZ, several of us will be visiting Death Valley. Here is a desert shot of Zane many of us may have never seen. In addition to the great author himself, the shelter behind him and the tiny shelter at his feet are fascinating. Were they built by an old prospector for perhaps a Native American? Any guesses as to which desert and when? I don't know, but I bet someone else who drops in does.

(Credit: BYU, L. Tom Perry Collections, MSS 8710)

Grey

ZANE GREY SHORTS: Zane Grey's short story, "The Horses of Bostil's Ford" led to the author's publication of the novel, WILDFIRE. The story is full of horses, horse races, marvelous villains, young lovers amid the amazing backdrop of the Grand Canyon. This illustration from the story in by G. Herbert Dunton. The story as published was published in the June 1912 edition of Munsey's Magazine and can be read here:

https://www.zgws.org/archives/exhibits/show/zane-grey-magazines-novels/the-horses-of-bostil-s-ford

For those of you that will be attending the Lone Pine Film Festival prior to our Zane Grey's West Society Convention in October you will get the chance to meet Rory Flynn the daughter of of Errol Flynn. There are several other celebrities that will be attending the LP Festival this year. https://lonepinefilmfestival.org/guests2024/ . Contact us if you have any questions about these two great events back-to-back this year.

Errol Flynn Turns One Hundred Guest Blog Post by Steve Latshaw Errol Flynn as George Armstrong Custer in They Died With Their Boots On (1941). Robin writes: Errol Flynn ...

In 1929, Zane Grey took a large number of family members and friends to Rainbow Bridge. This photo is from that trip. The woman in the picture is Mildred Smith, Zane Grey's companion for several years. The location is clearly Monument Valey, through which the group passed on the trip. You even have the names of two horses and can see pack horses in the background. Our question... "who wrote the inscription and rode "Cappy."

ZANE GREY SHORTS: In the first of what we hope is a regular feature, ZANE GREY SHORTS presents the author's great short story "The Wolf Tracker." The story was first published somewhat surprisingly in "The Ladies Home Journal." Why surprising? Because this is one of Grey's most brutal tales and may have shocked the magazine's readers in a more gentle day. Regardless, it is a great story about a relentless man and a wild animal named Old Gray.

https://www.zgws.org/archives/exhibits/show/zane-grey-magazines-novels/the-wolf-tracker

ZANE GREY SHORTS will present short fiction and non-fiction short works published in magazines of his time. On occasion, we may also publish consecutive serial editions of a novella. We are comfortable that you will enjoy, not only the stories, but also the illustrations and advertisements you will encounter.

(Image Credit: Facsimile Dust Covers, LLC)

Grey

Two weeks ago, my wife and I visited Washington State's North Cascades National Park. There was water everywhere. We were nearly in Canada, but not quite. There were great looking fishing holes at every turn. I wondered whether Zane Grey ever fished in the North Cascades. Did he?

(Credit: Ed Meyer)

Later in this post, we will provide a link you can follow to read the entire collection of short stories included in THE BOY SCOUTS BOOK OF CAMPFIRE STORIES edited by Franklin K. Mathews, Chief Scout Librarian. First, you need a little background information.

The late 19th and early 20th century were the heyday of Charles Darwin’s theories regarding evolution and the survival of the fittest. Two author’s wrote frequently about topics that pitted man against the wilds in a battle of survival. They were Zane Grey and Jack London. In Grey’s tales, magnificent wild horses like Wildfire, Lightning, Panguitch and California Red waged wars of endurance with strong willed horse hunters. London’s wonderful dogs, White Fang and THE CALL OF THE WILD’S Buck, proved their survival skills in the Klondike to readers worldwide.

The Boy Scouts of America played an important role in promoting the works of both men. The organization was concerned that the cheap, low-quality nickel and dime novels of the day were not appropriate for teenage boys. Consequently, they published a series of 73 books called EVERY BOY’S LIBRARY. Why? The BSA stated, “While the boy is growing rapidly in brain and body that is the time to give him the stories in which heroes have the characteristics the boy so much admires-men of unquenchable courage, immense resourcefulness, absolute fidelity, conspicuous greatness; the men who do things, big things, wonderful things; the men who conquer and overcome in the face of the heaviest odds, who never turn their back but march breast forward ‘to do or die.’ For the boys, that spirit is the stuff of which great manhood is made; and, if with books we would profoundly influence him, we must constantly challenge him with stories of astonishing accomplishments, biographies that hold him spellbound, wonder tales of almost unattainable undertakings achieved.” London’s THE CALL OF THE WILD was one of the works chosen as was Zane Grey’s THE LAST OF THE PLAINSMEN.

Boy Scouts of America was also concerned that young boys should read similar short stories and published a few anthologies of adventure stories. One of those was entitled THE BOY SCOUTS BOOK OF CAMPFIRE STORIES. Again, the works of London and Grey were included. Grey’s story was entitled “The Wild Horse Hunter” which comprised the first part of his novel WILDFIRE. London’s story was entitled “That Spot”. It is a seldom read story about a scoundrel of a dog with remarkable survival skills. Here is the link to this treasure from so many years ago.

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/26475

Jack London were two very different men. Jack met success earlier than Zane and his writing style is different. He was a Socialist and a drug abuser. Zane loved America’s constitutional democracy and abstained from both alcohol and drugs. Jack was married twice and died fairly young. Zane had a wandering eye, but stay with his Dolly his entire life. He died a quarter of a center after London. However, both wrote beautifully of the natural world and inspired generations of readers.

Other exciting events at the next Zane Grey's West Society Convention in Lone Pine CA this October will be the showing of 2 Zane Grey Films that were done in Lone Pine. On Tuesday, Steve Latshaw screenwriter, producer, director and Western Film Historian will be presenting Wanderer of the Wasteland (1945). This will also be the ZG book for the book discussion. On Wednesday we will be showing Riders of the Purple Sage (1941) starring George Montgomery. George was also a member of our Society for several years prior to his passing in 2000. He attended a few conventions in person and that was quite exciting for our members. This is another reason you will not want to miss this year's convention, 10/14/24 - 10/17/24. Reach out if you have any questions about attending! www.zgws.org This will directly follow the Lone Pine Film Festival in case you would like to attend both! https://lonepinefilmfestival.org/

For the Zane Grey's West Society Convention (10/14/24 - 10/17/24) in Lone Pine we will be touring out into the Alabama hills next to Lone Pine for our Wednesday Tour. We will be guided to several Zane Grey Movie locations that will take you to the exact locations where those movies were filmed. Our tour guide is extremely knowledgeable on western movie locations in the Hills and we will be focusing on Zane Grey Movies on this tour. Make sure you have lots of room on your camera or phone for pictures as you will be taking many! There were over 10 Zane Grey films done here in Lone Pine and hundreds of other films over the years from 1919-2014. Make Sure you have your Hotel reservations at the Historic Dow Hotel. https://www.zgws.org/zgws_annual_convention.php https://dowvillamotel.com/ https://museumofwesternfilmhistory.org/

It’s time to lock in the dates and make your reservations for the ZGWS Convention coming up in October. We will be in Lone Pine CA the day after the Lone Pine Film Festival. So you really will be able to attend both if you like. We will be staying at the Historic Dow Villa starting on Monday 10/14/24. The Dow is over 100 years old and was the place to stay for all the movie stars and crew while filming so many great western films there over the years. You won’t want to miss this one! https://dowvillamotel.com/history-of-dow-villa/.

History of Dow Villa – Dow Villa Motel HTML5 & CSS3 Multipurpose Theme

Here's a photo of Zane Grey building his cabin on the Rogue River's Winkle Bar in Oregon. This is where he learned to fish for Steelhead during his later years. Here's a trivia question. Before the site was bought and preserved by the Bureau of Land Management, it was owned by a family whose holding included on of the American West's most iconic products. What is this product that is now well over its 150th anniversary?

(Credit: BYU, L. Tom Perry Collections, MSS8710, B101, F28, 6700n)

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NEWS FLASH: The Zane Grey's West Society page is maintained by Society Digital Archivist Ed Meyer. He will be on a trip to Alaska from now until the first of June. You may or may not see posts during this time so hang in there. He'll be back!

Zane Grey worked hard as he grew older to keep his body in shape for his fishing adventures. Some suggest that his exercise routine after his stroke contributed to his death. This picture of the great author working out on top of his Altadena home certainly speaks to a commitment beyond many of us. What do you think? Was he foolish or someone who put most of us to shame?

(Credit: BYU, L. Tom Perry Collections, MSS8710, B101, F22, 6671n)

We believe this photo may be from Zane Grey's Southern Utah-Northern Arizona trip with family and friends in 1929. The location is perhaps Red Lake. As with other images, we welcome comments to nail the image down better. Here is some information. In 1929, Zane Grey wanted to show his children and friends places he had visited in the Four Corners area of Utah and Arizona. Recently, several new national parks had been created and the two states had actively been improving roads, many just old wagon trails, so people could drive to them. While most of Grey's prior trips had been by railroad, this involved a large auto caravan. We are sure that similar cars and trucks were seen in a photograph at Robber's Roost and that he drove past Red Lake because his group later mounted horses and rode to Rainbow Bridge.

(courtesy of BYU, L. Tom Perry Collections, MSS8710_B97_F8_5327n)

Grey

When we think of Zane Grey, we sometimes link him to his love of indigenous people of American's Native American tribes. In fact, he felt a bound with all indigenous people as suggested by this picture of the author with a man we believe may be Maori from New Zealand. He could easily be from one of the other South Sea tribes as well. At first glance, he brought to mind the Tahitian giant, Tavarie from Frey's "The Reef Girl", though Tahitian men are more often beardless. Regardless, he is a find-looking gentleman

(Source: BYU, L. Tom Perry Collections, MSS8710_B92_F5_3519n)

This wonderful photo of Zane Grey and his horse was likely taken in Flagstaff, AZ while he was there filming "Riders of the Purple Sage." There is another, more frequently shown, image of him on the same horse beside what appears to be the same building. (Credit: BYU, L. Tom Perry Collections, MSS8710, B92, F1, 968n) In credits like these, the abbreviation for the image mean "Manuscript 8710, Box 92, File 1, Image 698." The "n' indicates it is a digitized image, in this case, from a disk they sent Zane Grey's West Society so we could help them identify items from the 3,000 images they sent us. We are allowed to use the images as long as we credit BYU appropriately which is why you get to see them. They have the largest collection of Zane Grey images, papers and such in the world and are wonderful partners.

"Red Canyon" is a 1949 American Technicolor western film directed by George Sherman and starring Ann Blyth, Howard Duff and George Brent. It was based on the 1917 novel Wildfire by Zane Grey. This image shows the people of Kanab who left school and jobs to serve as extras for the movie. The images is from "When Hollywood Came to Utah" (2019), provided courtesy of movie historian James V. D’arc.

We are working on a project in our Zane Grey's West Society archives and need your input. I don't want to tell you much other that asking you to click on the following link and tell me if you can navigate all the way to a scan of a magazine article from 1910 about one of Zane Grey's baseball stories, specifically "The Winning Ball."

The Winning Ball · Magazine Editions of Zane Grey's Stories of the West · Zane Grey's West Society Archives The purpose of Zane Grey's West Society is to promote interest in and knowledge of the eminent American author, Zane Grey and his works; to revive interest in the writings of Zane Grey and preserve the sites of his writings so that future generations may realize the contributions made by Zane Grey t...

Here is a wonderful illustration by W. Herbert Dunton. Who are the two men in the flat hats, in what magazine did it first appear, which Zane Grey serials was it from?

Here is the answer to last week's quiz. The caricature of Zane Grey was clipped from a larger caricature that shows three great writers of westerns in the 1920's It was drawn by Eugene Willford "Gene" Markey (December 11, 1895 – May 1, 1980) who began his career drawing these caricatures which were very popular in magazines of the day. He went on to become an author, producer, screenwriter, and highly decorated naval officer. He married a lady who owned Calamut Farm of race horsing fame.

This is a caricature of Zane Grey drawn in 1924 by a man who did these for newspapers and magazines during the first two decades of the 20th century, became important in the film industry and horse racing. This is a hard one. Tell me his name, why he was famous and the book in which this caricature appeared. I'll give you the photo credit in a day or two and other information. Enjoy!

Here's a photo of a room displaying books and Zane Grey memorabilia. Some Zane Grey fans will be able to tell us where the room was located. Also, see if you can specifically identify an item(s) in the room... or make an educated guess.
(Source: BYU, L. Tom Perry Collection, MSS8710_B97_F12_5396n)

Zane Grey's West Society For more information or to join Zane Grey's West Society go to: www.zgws.org.

Zane Grey loved wild horses. During one of his trips to Rainbow Bridge, he came upon this beautiful band. The image brings to mind names like WIldfire, California Red, Silvermane, Lightning and Panguitch. I remember reading about them in Grey's novels; Forlorn River, Valley of Wild Horses, Wild Horse Mesa, Nevada and his non-fiction Tales of Lonely Trails. In Grey's days, there were thousands of the creatures. Today wild horses are in danger from humans who both love and hate them.
(Source: BYU, L Tom Parry Collections, MSS8710_B97_F8_5324)