Hi Paul,
[Joe, I know you've mentioned more than once that Julia and Rhiney made their first search through Hog Canyon. I know you put alot of stock in Sims Ely, so why don't you believe when Sims says that Helena (Julia) sold her business and with Rhiney took a wagon and team to First Water on the northerly side of the Superstition Wall and walked into the mountains from that direction?]
Actually, I've been saying that for many years now. I am aware of what is in Ely's book, but my guess is that this fact was one of the things from the Bark Notes that the family asked, or told him, to leave out.
"As I was riding the range about six miles west of the home ranch in August 1892 or 1893. I met some campers near an old well belonging to ranch, and they proved to be a colored woman by the name of Thomas and a young man about 18 years old by the name of Rhiney Petrach, whom Mr. and Mrs. Thomas had adopted." The Bark Notes.
"Six miles west of the home ranch" (Quarter Circle-U) puts them at Hog Canyon. For many reasons, Hog Canyon makes perfect sense.
Take care,
Joe