100 years ago
1925: That the prairie dog, a pest of the Arizona range country, was brought here by some of the early tourists is the statement of Ed Whipple of Flagstaff. He and the late McMillan had threshed the matter out a good many years ago. Mr. McMillan said that the tourists, or emigrants, as they were called in those days, captured some of the small animals in the Staked Plains country and, on their way to California, brought them here where they were liberated. The first colony of prairie dogs in northern Arizona is said to have been on the John Clark farm, then the property of Mr. McMillan and now Flagstaff Recreation Park. From this small colony, breeding several times a year, the animals spread all over the state. Prairie dogs destroy grass and other growth. Poisoning prairie dogs has destroyed birds. Forty years ago, bird life here was extensive. Woodpeckers were especially numerous. Now there are few woodpeckers. With their decrease has come an increase in the number of pine tree worms, regarded highly by woodpeckers as an essential and especially tasty part of their daily meal. Thus, with the upset of nature’s balance and the eradication or thinning out of one form of wildlife comes the multiplication of another. We kill mountain lions, then soon have more deer than forage will properly feed. Gruesome, and something to be corrected, is the existence of a big prairie dog colony at the cemetery. They not only are hurtful to (its) appearance, but also they dig into graves. Wooden caskets are entered. Only recently was found a child’s skull that had been exhumed by the rodents.
Gallery: FHS Native American Club hosts the 46th annual Pow Wow
FHS Pow Wow
Jared Brown applies war paint as he gets ready to compete at the 46th annual Pow Wow at Flagstaff High School last Friday night. Hundreds of people attended the two-day event presented by the Flagstaff High School Native American Club.
FHS Pow Wow
Kenan Begay, 17, dances during the 46th annual Pow Wow presented by the Flagstaff High School Native American Club on Friday night.
FHS Pow Wow
Raiden Morgan, 8, waits for his turn to compete in the 46th annual Pow Wow presented by the Flagstaff High School Native American Club on Friday night.
FHS Pow Wow
Jaderae Dennison-Bitah dances during the 46th annual Pow Wow presented by the Flagstaff High School Native American Club on Friday night.
FHS Pow Wow
Theoden Greany, 6, competes during the 46th annual Pow Wow at Flagstaff High School Friday night.
FHS Pow Wow
Fancy dancers compete as hundreds of people attend the 46th annual Pow Wow on Friday at Flagstaff High School. The event was hosted by the Flagstaff High School Native American Club.
FHS Pow Wow
Nana Manson dances during the 46th annual Pow Wow presented by the Flagstaff High School Native American Club on Friday night in the War Memorial Gymnasium.
FHS Pow Wow
The New Boyz drum circle plays during the 46th annual Pow Wow presented by the Flagstaff High School Native American Club on Friday night in the War Memorial Gymnasium.
