Edwin Wayne Cummings

My Father, Edwin Wayne Cummings

by Jeanne Schick

My father arrived at the Grand Canyon in 1919 and went to work as a Forest Ranger. Because of his education and keen interest in geology, he soon chose to go to work with Fred Harvey as a trail guide (we didn't call them wranglers in those days). His daily trips on inner canyon trails, guiding parties to the river, afforded him endless opportunities for increasing his knowledge of geology through study of formations along the trail. He was never happier than when conducting geological groups into the Canyon, or guiding some eminent scientist on pack trips "off the beaten path" to the innermost depths where no others had been before.

For several years he was saddlehorse guide and had charge of the saddlehorse barn. His love for horses and mules was something that belongs only to persons wise in the ways of those animals.

In 1920 Ed married Ida Goodman. After high school and business college, my mother sought employment with the Fred Harvey Company. She started out working in Kansas City and worked all along the Santa Fe line for Fred Harvey as a Harvey Girl. The rule was that one had to stay six months at a location before requesting a transfer to another location. Ida was very adventurous and did just that. She started out in Kansas City and from there went to Gallup, Ash Fork, Belen, Williams, Winslow, Albuquerque, and finally the Grand Canyon where she met Ed. Ida and Ed were married in Phoenix with Ed's family present. They had one child (me) and Ida lived at the Canyon over 50 years. She also worked for Babbitt Brothers for many years.

Ed was involved in many interesting happenings at the Canyon, one of which was the burning of Hermit Camp on November 10, 1936. It seemed the Park Service decided that Hermit Camp was an eyesore from the rim and should be destroyed. Representatives from the Santa Fe, Park Service and Fred Harvey were sent down to accomplish the job. The entire population of the village went out to the rim near Hermits Rest to view the burning of the camp. All the buildings had been burned down when Ed noticed one last building standing. Not thinking it was fair that the Park Service building be spared, he set fire to that building to the cheers of everyone on top.

Circa 1935 Ed worked with Mary Jane Colter, the Fred Harvey Co. architect, on the geological fireplace in the history room of the Bright Angel Lodge. He made the fireplace using stones taken from the walls of the Canyon. Water worn schist from the Colorado River level forms the hearth of the fireplace. Each succeeding layer of the Canyon wall is duplicated in the layers of stone that form the fireplace. Kaibab limestone, the surface layer of the Canyon, forms the top of the 10-foot high chimney.

His unusual interest in geology led to a hobby of collecting rock and mineral specimens as he rode the trail. More than an amateur "rockhound", Ed acquired a geological knowledge of the Canyon which is rarely possible for the laymen. Ed refused many offers from persons interested in buying part of his collection. Instead he presented these valuable specimens years ago to the village school where they are displayed in a suitable case for future generations of Canyon kiddies to study and enjoy. It is fitting that a gift from a man so beloved by young and old alike should be an enduring reminder of "Uncle" Ed Cummings - friend of Canyon children. Ed was a friend of many Indians as evidenced by his close friendship with Chief Watahomogie, chief of the Havasupais. The chief and Ed perpetuated a friendly feud - each vowing he would some day own the other's most prized possession. Much money was bet and advice was given, but Ed never managed to acquire the chief's hand-tooled saddle. Conversely, the chief was never able to get Ed's silver spurs. Chief Watahomogie's death in 1947 brought whites and Indians together to honor his memory. As the first shovelful of earth fell into the grave, Ed stepped forward and dropped in his silver spurs as a tribute to his lifelong friend.

Ed passed away in 1951. He is buried next to Ida in the Grand Canyon Cemetery.