James Eugene Patton

----- Original Message -----

From: Angela Struhs- Internet class

To: turner@outbacknevada.us

Sent: Monday, July 28, 2003 10:46 AM

Subject: Mr Mour's article

Hello- You mention in your article about Mr. Mour whose article contains a 3 page history of the pool. Where can I get a copy of this history? I am very interested in this property since it was my great grandfather's property in the 1930's-1960's. He lived on the land and was a bee keeper. We were in Elko yesterday looking through the abandoned buildings and found a box with "Patton's Honey" on it. We were very excited. His name was James E. Patton. We are trying to find out any information about him. Please let me know anything and everything you know about this area and about him. Thanks a lot. Angela Struhs

The corral in the middle of the photo is the location of the old swimming pool written about on http://www.elkorose.com/natatorium.html.  The buildings behind the corral is Mr. Patton's bee farm.  The Humboldt River and some hot springs are directly behind these buildings.

Box found in shed:

"PATTON'S

GOOD   PURE

HONEY

ELKO, NEVADA

6 - 10 LB TINS."

Elko Daily Free Press June 10, 1964

Elko Daily Free Press June 12, 1964

Thank you so very much for all of your work and research.  My great
grand-father's legend will continue now through your wonderful website.
Thanks for doing that. It's great! My Grandfather, James E. Patton is still alive and will be thrilled to view this website. The obituary only mentions
his daughter, Esther, however, he had 2 sons also. Him and his wife divorced early on and James Eugene Patton got custody of Esther, and his wife, Theresa, kept the 2 boys. My grandpa did not know his father well and has very few memories of him. However, he is very interested in his father's life and we are all excited to share his story with Elko.

Elko County Cemetery, Elko, Nevada

The Beekeeper

James E. Patton  1876 – 1964

Elko, Nevada

By where the Humboldt’s waters flow

And the summer’s cattails profusely grow

Where hot springs issue forth with sulfured water

And horses graze contentedly upon abundant fodder.

There is a place of quiet enchantment

For here once lived an unassuming gent

A kind and gentle beekeeper until the very last

A man who spoke ... little of his past

They say he found contentment in a solitary life

Though he liked to sit and chat - he cared little for its strife

It’s said he preferred the company of bees to man

And when alone – he talked to bees – I understand

James Patton passed away in 1964

Fate has now nudged me to learn a little more

So I traveled to his homestead down by the hot hole

In search of his story – in search of his soul

Few clues remain in the old tumbled down shack

But among some debris on the floor out back

I found an old box printed “Patton’s pure honey”

But the hives are now gone - and nary a bee did I see

So I ventured forth upon my quest

To find his final place of rest

Here I learned - he must not have lived just for money

But had a greater calling in gathering mother nature’s honey

For I found him buried in Elko's Pauper’s Field

Where also I found a long held secret revealed

While standing by his grave - a bee alit upon his stone

As if to pay homage at a kind king’s throne

Then without a doubt I knew

A truth revealed but to a few

One of nature’s concealed keys

Here lies a man who talked with bees

                                             - Dan and Harry Turner 8/9/03

                                                                   Elko, Nevada

Links

Hot Hole and Elko Hot Springs, Elko, Elko County, Nv 

Elko - Humboldt Hot Springs, Elko, Elko County, Nv 

Catlin's Oil From Shale Plant, Elko, Elko County, Nv

Elko Hot Springs Natatorium, Elko, Elko County, Nv 

Elko County Cemetery