Owens Valley History Mysteries

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Mystery #1

JED MULE, 20-Mule Team

e-mail
Harold Elkins

Mr Ray Delea,

A shot in the dark so bear with me.

I'm researching my father's B-24 crew and their airplane. I believe all of the crew are deceased and are not a source for my quest. They flew in the 735th Squadron of the 453rd Bomb Group. They trained in Pocatello Idaho, March Field in Riverside CA, and picked up their plane in Sacramento in Nov 1943. They departed for Europe in mid-December 1943.

Lt Mark Neary was the pilot for crew#63 and my father, James T. Elkins, was the navigator. Their plane was named "Black Jed". The only connection I've been able to make is an infamous mule on a 20 mule Borax express named Jed. Is it possible that the mule's reputation is something they picked up for their mulish and ugly B-24H?

I saw a picture on your web page, so I'm curious about more of this black mule named "Jed". What time period did he work on the 20 mule trains? Did aircrews ever come up for "rest & recreation" in that part of California during the 1940s?

Just looking for a resource to determine if this is plausible or too far fetched. Any insights appreciated.

Harold A. Elkins, Col, USAF (ret)
August 2009

Mystery #2

Keeler, CA Class of 1934 - Help identify the students.

Back Row (L to R): ?,?,?,?,?,?,?,Gasper Manuz,?,?,?
Middle Row (L to R): ?,Kenneth Lee Sainz,?,?,?,?,?,?,Gilbert Marquez,?,?,Raymond Marquez
Front Row (L to R): ?,?,?,Josephine Marquez,?,?,?,?,?,?

e-mail: Gilbert Marquez

Mystery #3
e-mail Connie Hucul	Ray Family history has it that my great, great grandfather dumped a team of 20 mules over the edge in Death Valley circa, 1918. He was Angus Allan (Og) McDonald from Alexandria, Ontario. Do you know what was happening at that time and do you have any knowledge of such an incident? Connie Hucul December 2007

Mystery #4
e-mail Robert Leidy	Ray My Great Aunt was Mary Leidy. She grew up on the Circle L Ranch in Dyer, NV. Do you have any additional information or photos of Mary? Thank you! Robert Leidy September 2009

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