Rare is the Death Valley story that has been ignored by historians, but we have found one such subject; the story of Lou Wescott Beck and his dog Rufus. This all new publication, Good Samaritans of Death Valley, is now available by mail order from the Mojave Desert Heritage & Cultural Association.
In the early part of the twentieth century, Beck, a prospector, became lost on the Great American Desert and nearly perished for want of water. In what could have been his final moment, Beck fell to his knees to pray for his Maker's salvation. He made a promise to spend the rest of his life rescuing others from a similar fate if he could be spared. At that moment, Beck was nuzzled by Rufus, whose nose and paws were wet. The dog had found water! A promise made is a debt unpaid. This is the little-known story of one man and his dog's pioneering effort to sign desert watering places before the USGS and Auto Club had done so.
The book was researched and authored by John and Barbara Marnell and has been realized in words and pictures for the first time. The book is soft bound, printed on high quality paper, contains 104 pages and is 6.75" X 9.5" in size. Front and back covers are printed in full color. Contains an index, annotations and many historical photographs.
Foreword by renowned desert historian Dennis Casebier.
Please send me ______ copies of Good Samaritans of Death Valley at $14.95 per copy plus $3.00 shipping and $1.16 tax (7.75% for California addresses) for a total of $19.11 per copy.
Please make checks payable to:
Mojave Desert Heritage & Cultural Association (MDHCA).
Books to be mailed to:
Name: _______________________________________________
Address Street/PO Box: _________________________________
City/State/Zip: _________________________________________
Phone: ______________________________________________
Mail the completed form with your check to:
MDHCA
GOFFS SCHOOLHOUSE
37198 LANFAIR ROAD G-15
ESSEX, CALIFORNIA 92332
Updated 4 May 2007