SAGE REMEMBRANCES By Bill T Russell, DPS Archivist DPS MEMBERSHIP ROLL

Among the DPS records is a 5.5" by 8.5" journal book (the kind bookkeepers use). On the cover in gold letters, 1/4" high, is the title "DESERT PEAKS SECTION". The blank sheet between the cover and the first ruled sheet has well formed hand lettering that reads:

DESERT PEAKS SECTION MEMBERSHIP ROLL SIERRA CLUB SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER

The back of the cover has a glued on paper with two paragraphs. The first paragraph is labeled "RULES' and it states. "Mail in names and dates of climbs made and routes taken to Climbing Records Committee of Southern California Chapter. This committee, meeting semiannually, will authenticate your record; you will be sworn into membership at the next Annual Dinner or other suitable occasion; you will then have the right to sign this register." The second paragraph is labeled "PRESCRIBED OATH USED". It reads, "I, being of normal mind and not too much affected by the heat of the California deserts, do hereby make a solemn presentation that; an dates more or less clear to my mind, I did ascend the seven great Eastern California desert peaks comprising this section under my own man or woman power; that I was able after a fashion to enjoy the marvelous views therefrom presented to my vision, and that I can honestly recommend said climbs to my fellow members!". Pasted over this, is a modified version in which the words "seven great---this section" are replaced by the words "necessary six great desert peaks of the Pacific Southwest, the ascent of which is required for membership". This change was made in early 1947. The first few pages of the register/roll contain the signatures, date of signing, peak name and date of climb for those joining the section. The first two membership lists in the DPS archives are dated 11/1/49 and 1/1/50. The latter has 44 typed names. Using the membership roll, the two lists and some early membership application letters, I have compiled the following list of members by date of qualifying climb for the period through 1949.

Versteeg, Chester 5/1/41   Hilton, Alden 10/15/47   Fink, R.S. 7/2/49 Werner, Niles 7/6/42 Kent, Elsie 10/15/47 Pierce, Elgin 7/4/49 Paley, Harry 10/12/42 Kent, Eric 10/15/47 Cullens, Peggy 9/4/49 Walbrecht, Freda 10/12/42 Bonner, Harriet 10/17/47 Tow, James 11/15/49 McLain, Donald 4/2/44 Bonner, James 10/17/47 Warner, Glen 11/15/49 Johnson, Fred 6/2/46 Henniger, Bernice 11/30/47 Carmichael, Pat 12/15/49 Greenhood, Henry 6/15/46 Henniger, Walter 11/30/47 Clifton, Bill 12/15/49 Lowe, Hugh 6/15/46 Henderson, Bill 12/8/47 Cross, John 12/15/49 Ruth, Eleanor 5/15/45 Henderson, Marg 12/6/47 Sisson, Virgil 12/15/49 Hunter, Paul 9/1/45 Gamero, Antonio 1/31/48 Connable, Polly Van der Wal, Janna 9/1/46 Werner, Louise 1/31/46 Crookston, Betty Severson, Parker 12/15/46 Charnock, Irene 4/12/48 Crookston, Bill Britt, Martin 5/18/47 Bear, Robert 5/31/48 Van Degrift, Tyler Balsam, Lloyd 7/5/47 Dean, Willard 7/4/48 White, Georgie Van Pappelendam, Alda 7/5/47 Todd, Luella 9/7/48

For some names, no day of the month is given so I have used the 15th. Information on the dates for the last five names and on errors and omissions would be appreciated. It is probable that Chester Versteeg created this historic register book. We are now using it to record the signatures and climb data of list finishers. We will have the book at DPS meetings.

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