WEST VIRGINIA LOOKOUTS
HALF MOON MOUNTAIN
Hardy County
Shenandoah National Forest
Shenandoah National Forest
November 2, 1921: "A lonesome job has John Dellinger who mans the fire lookout tower on Half Moon Mountain, a high peak on the Shenandoah National Forest in Hardy County, West Virginia, overlooking the Lost River watershed. A visitor is an event with John and a few days ago when he heard a disturbance outside and pulled back the window of his cab to investigate in flew a pigeon.
It seemed to make itself at home in the tower and partook heartily of John's midday meal and of the water in his canteen.
A closer examination showed that it must be a carrier pigeon as it carried three bands on its legs; two aluminum bands on the right bearing the following inscriptions: G.N.Y. 313.1 F 12 and A J 12985, on a hard rubber band on the left with the inscription U-466.
Carrier pigeons were used quite extensively during the war for carrying messages and it may be that our pigeon being out of a job thought Uncle Sam would appreciate his services just as much as a fire guard as he had as a liaison officer and decided to offer them to the nearest fire lookout station.
Unless the bird leaves of his own accord he will be cared for at the lookout tower. If the news of his whereabouts should reach the owner, and he should desire to have him returned he should communicate with Forest Ranger, Arthur A. Wood, of Lost City, West Virginia." (Harrisonburg Daily News Record - Virginia)
It seemed to make itself at home in the tower and partook heartily of John's midday meal and of the water in his canteen.
A closer examination showed that it must be a carrier pigeon as it carried three bands on its legs; two aluminum bands on the right bearing the following inscriptions: G.N.Y. 313.1 F 12 and A J 12985, on a hard rubber band on the left with the inscription U-466.
Carrier pigeons were used quite extensively during the war for carrying messages and it may be that our pigeon being out of a job thought Uncle Sam would appreciate his services just as much as a fire guard as he had as a liaison officer and decided to offer them to the nearest fire lookout station.
Unless the bird leaves of his own accord he will be cared for at the lookout tower. If the news of his whereabouts should reach the owner, and he should desire to have him returned he should communicate with Forest Ranger, Arthur A. Wood, of Lost City, West Virginia." (Harrisonburg Daily News Record - Virginia)
Removed