After returning from a trip to see my sister in the San Juan Islands (North of Seattle) I came across a clipping she had in her files which I wanted to share with you good people. Unfortunately the copy of the newspaper clipping does not include the date or source. Sorry. Hope you enjoy this little narrative as much as I did as my mother's maiden name was Stirnaman and was the daughter of William Edmund Stirnaman and Irene May Stewart. Ron Young Volcano - Just over the crest of the hill by: Myrtle James Kit Carson sat relaxed on his horse looking down at the town of Volcano, a warm and friendly appearing village in the natural bowl before him. As he sat at the top of Dump Box Hill, in the late afternoon shadows, Carson knew that sighting the town would give a tremendous lift to the weary emigrants in the wagon train following him just over the crest of the hill. Carson a rather small man, with fair hair, freckled face, and soft blue eyes, might not have been readily recognized for the fearless explorer, trapper, and guide, whose reputation was growing into a legend. On his first crossing of this trail with John Fremont, Kit carved his name on a tree near the summit of the pass, which Fremont promptly named Carson Pass. Back in the train, Stephen Werley rode wearily on the seat of his wagon, while his twenty year-old wife, Louise, cared for their baby. Louise, the only woman in the train, had together with her husband, and baby, Mary Anne, left home in Hannibal, Missouri, and signed on as a cook. Along the trail an Indian found out that the baby had double-jointed thumbs, and became much agitated, claiming the baby came as a special gift from the great spirit. The Indians passed the word along, and many of them visited the train asking for the baby. The young mother became frightened for the safety of her child as these Indians continued to come asking to see the miracle. Louise Werley was the grand-mother of Ed James, (Sydney Edmund James) who married Myrtle King. Myrtle still operates the King Apple Ranch, on Highway 88, near Buckhorn Lodge. The Werleys settled in Volcano, and lived on Consolation Street. Stephen worked in the mines. Stephen died in 1864, and in 1866 Louise married again to Joseph Edmund Stirnaman. The Stirnamans bought a ranch on Black Prince Road, near Tiger Creek. A mine on the property was known as the Scatter Mine. The ranch, on the south slope, toward the Mokelumne River afforded an excellent, warm place to raise fruits and vegetables which ripened early. They marketed tomatoes, beans, potatoes, and squash, and their cherries, apples, and walnuts were much in demand. They also produced milk and other dairy products, and raised hogs. Ed James rode with his grandfather, Joseph Stirnaman, and helped deliver produce to the workers at the Defender Mine, which provided homes for their employees near where the Cedar Mill now piles its logs. Louise Stirnaman died in 1914 at the age of 82. At that time she lived with her daughter, Rose Williams, along Highway 88, in the area now known as Mann Haven. ___________________________________________________________________ Get the Internet just the way you want it. Free software, free e-mail, and free Internet access for a month! Try Juno Web: http://dl.www.juno.com/dynoget/tagj.