Restore the David Gowan Grave site

[Wild Bill]

I have recently recieved written permission from the Tonto National Forest Service to get a group of Volunteers together and restore the David Gowan Grave on the Deer Creek trail in the tonto basin ranger district, the local Home'depot is possibly Donating the fencing, there will be 18 pieces that will need to be carried out there plus a few tools, I will be staging the fencing near the windmill area about 1 miles into the hike so we will only have to carry the fencing about 2 of the 3 miles. Please contact me @ 928-978-4945 if interested we all will need to sign a volunteer form for the Forest servic prior to in events. So on March 10th at 8 a.m. at the Deer Creek trail head, Hwy 87 & 188 Please come and join in on this event to preserve a Historical grave site

[Wild Bill]

I have limited internet access So please call the phone number above

[azbackpackr]

Sounds fun and interesting!

[Wild Bill]

I've been in a battle to get this done and finally I did it, I have their permission to get this done finally yes!

[azbackpackr]

I'd join you but I'm kind of far away. ;)

[kingsnake]

I tried googling the name, but there are a lot of David Gowans. Not meaning to be smart, but who was he?

[Wild Bill]

David Gowan was one of the first pioneers of the area, he is known for homesteading at the Tonto Natural bridge, he had one of the most sucessful gold claims in the region on the East Verde river west of Payson, A great free spirited mountain man

[Wild Bill]

David D. Gowan 1843-1926

[Wild Bill]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Gowan

[WilliamnWendi]

Found this link too. What a life this guy led! http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_de ... 49f4de8087
This page also notes the headstone also cites the wrong date of death!
Current state? http://hikearizona.com/photo.php?ZIP=145272

[azbackpackr]

I love obscure historical figures! Reminds me of that book about the prospector in the Mojave Desert, by Colin Fletcher (which I and about 5 other people have read, but it's actually pretty interesting) called The Man from the Cave.

[SuperstitionGuy]

I love obscure historical figures! Reminds me of that book about the prospector in the Mojave Desert, by Colin Fletcher (which I and about 5 other people have read, but it's actually pretty interesting) called The Man from the Cave.

Plus one makes six.... ;)

[WilliamnWendi]

Sounds fun! I'll commit myself. Wendi might tag-along, but I would not include her in the count.

[WilliamnWendi]

If it garners a few more volunteers, I'll bring a six pack of Left Hand"s Milk Stout!

[Wild Bill]

There will be an article in the Payson round-up very soon, Hope to see you all out there! thanks for your support!

[Moovyoaz]

The Payson Roundup also runs a series of articles by Stan Brown on the history of the Rim area.
http://www.paysonroundup.com/search/?q= ... ortby=date
Many explore the isolated graves of early settlers found along roads and trails in the Rim Country.
The Grave Of Davy Gowan
http://www.paysonroundup.com/news/2008/ ... _grave_of/

[The_Eagle]

@Moovyoaz
Interesting article on Gowan... Thanks

[DBmooner]

that sounds like a fun way to spend the weekend if im able to go i will probly stay over night on saterday

[Wild Bill]

Ok so, Home-depot is donating the fencing and I talked with the owner of the ranch he is going to let me drive accross his property to stage the fencing near the windmill area so we won't have to carry the fencing as far only about 2 of the 3 miles, the Payson round-up will be doing an article in the living section on Friday by Pete Aleshire

[azbackpackr]

Pete Aleshire? Doesn't he also write books? Very cool. I hope you get a good turnout. Be sure to remind folks to bring hats, food, water, sunscreen, gloves, tools (if necessary), etc. Just in case you get some folks from Payson who are not regular hikers.