The weekend of July 31 through August 2, 1987 could be classified as the ultimate insulator weekend. On Friday and Saturday many collectors participated in the 2nd Annual Nor-Cal Insulator Club Show and Sale at Auburn, California. Despite following the National by only one week, the show had many collectors in attendance including several out-of-staters who had been at the Fresno Show. Upon conclusion of the show, which featured the "walk-in" of a two-piece California transposition, a special outing was planned for Sunday.

Members of the recently created Western Telegraph Research Association (WTRA) participated in a field trip on a early experimental line which utilized the insulator commonly referred to as the "Gregory" -- a CD 159. The WTRA was formed in 1986 by longtime researcher, Ron Souza, of Sacramento, California. Ron's purpose in forming the group was to perpetuate the records of early telegraph routes and to document discoveries which are made to create a more complete picture of the history and use of Western insulators. A second, but equally important objective, is to find more "stuff!!!!" It is still possible to find early western insulators in trees and on the ground along early line routes. For those who have felt it, as well as those who have not, there is little to match the experience of finding insulators. This is becoming an increasingly difficult experience for those of us who are newer collectors.

Pat Patocka, Ron Souza and Bob Jackson looking for success in their digging of Gregories.

In furtherance of these objectives, 13 members of the WTRA participated in the "Great Gregory Dig" along the old C.P.R.R. grade in the high Sierras. About a month ago, Ron had inspected a portion of the line where the Gregories were used. At that time he found the upper half of a Gregory which was split at the wire groove. According to Ron's research, the experimental stretch utilizing the Gregory Patent was only 1.3 miles long. He knows of no other areas where the pieces were used.

"Mother" Patocka and Ron Souza beating the brush.

The expedition started at 6:30 a.m. at Ron's house where video tape of a previous expedition (about two months earlier) was shown. During that trip to Nevada, the club's first official "dig", Dave Cross of Oakdale, California, found a mint E.C.&M. in "Aurora Blue" -- which is a cross between a cobalt, peacock and Hemingray blue. Can you picture that!?! Spirits were high as the army descended upon the manzanita wilderness armed with saws, pruning shears, rakes, shovels, cameras, Twinkies and beer. The troops were quickly divided into patrols of 3 persons each of which selected pole sites to excavate. About 30 minutes into his team's first pole, Cliff Hamby of Merced, California, found the lower half of a Gregory buried in the compost of the forest floor. Several hours of subsequent digging and prayer by the 3 team members yielded no further evidence of the missing dome.

Dave Potts with a corner and Cliff Hamby with a half.

After the bottom was found, there was a frantic
search for the dome by Cliff Hamby and friends.

David Potts, of Woodland, California, and president of the Nor-Cal Club, found the lower front corner of a second specimen while his team was working on their second pole. For the rest of the crews, however, the results were not as spectacular. A number of pieces of evidence of older lines were found including the wires and square spikes from E.C.&M. usage, as well as wire splices, pins and fragments and whole specimens of newer glass. Quite a few non-insulator items were also discovered including Shirley Patocka's treasured hand made open-fire toasting grill and Mark Hamby's curtain rod and kerosene lamp wick holder. Good job team!!

By early afternoon, all were dirty and getting tired and thirsty and the maneuvers were terminated. Despite the relatively low yield, everyone had a great time enjoying the "thrill of the hunt." We are all looking forward to the future expeditions scheduled by the WTRA.

The Gregory Diggers take a lunch break in the
High Sierra with a S.P. train in the background.

Ron Souza with a dome, Cliff Hamby with his base.

Cliff Hamby with the whole thing --- almost!

As we were preparing to leave the area, Ron Souza was contemplating the lower half of the Gregory that Cliff found. The more he thought about it, the more he believed that the dome he found the month before (and three spans away) might be the missing half. After returning to Sacramento, a few of the group went to Ron's business where the dome was taken from its display case. As the separate pieces approached each other, it was increasingly clear that they belonged together...in fact, they were a perfect match!!!

Ron performed the wedding ceremony after graciously having given the "bride" away to Cliff. The "newlyweds" are now thriving in the Hamby home in Merced, a perfect ending to a great insulator weekend.

(For further information on the Western Telegraph Research Association, contact Ron Souza at 5800 Roseville Road #1, Sacramento, CA 95842)