What’s in a name?

   At 5,000 cfs, the rapid which makes grown men cry and women faint is Horn Creek Rapid. Some boaters think the rapid is named for the two standing waves resembling horns at the top of the rapid -- but the creek, canyon, and rapid were named in 1906 for Tom Horn by Henry Gannet, who served on the U. S. Board of Geographic Names. Tom Horn (1860 - 1903) never even saw Grand Canyon, but he was a pretty incredible fellow who led a checkered life. He was one of the founding fathers of Tombstone, an Army scout and Apache interpreter for Geronimo, miner, deputy for Sheriff Buckey O’Neill, a civilian packer in the Spanish American War, and a detective for the Pinkerton National Detective Agency. While working as a cattle detective in Wyoming, he was convicted and hung for the murder of a 13 year old boy. The story of the later part of his life is told in a video (Tom Horn) starring Steve McQueen. Better yet, read his autobiography: Life of Tom Horn, Government Scout and Interpreter!

   From: River to Rim by Nancy Brian.
   Available through Earthquest Press or your local bookstore.