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Show 2 SALT FLAT NEWS, JULY, 1971 WENDOVER, NEVADA: In the age of the ecological gotterdam-erun- g a few sparrows must fall, among them Floyd Eaton, known as Depi.ty Dump to the citizens of Wendover, NevadaUtah, and the readers of The Salt Flat News. In a startling denouement, the Wendover equivalent of the NEW YORK TIMES disclosure of the classified papers on the Viet Nam 0 WOTY war, the bureaucratic officialdom of Nevada decided in its majesty that the dump in Wendover must go. As is the case with most bureaucratic decisions the human effects are customarily overlooked. In this case it was the residency of Deputy Dump, who for IMS THE me, I catch a lot of peofrom ple breaking the laws, the deputy told his visitor. Wondering what could possibly happen in a dumpyard in the very heart of nowhere, I asked, What type of lawk? Mostly felonies, replied the deputy. Felonies! What kind of felonies? "Oh, murders, rapes, beries ... rob- Thinking there must be a heck of a lot more action out in this dump yard than one would suspect, I asked, Are there any specific cases or especially interesting situations you could tell me about? Naw. Deputy Dump, otherwise known as Floyd Eaton, is a tall, slender, pistol-packin- g, badge-toti- n, 65 year old vagabond with no teeth. A former cowpuncher and drifter, Eaton gets his very appropriate nickname from his appointment (self or otherwise) to the position of Deputy Lacys Deputy to Guard the Dump in Wendover. A dusty, bumpy trail begins at the No Dumping Allowed sign, snakes itself around and through the vast spread of corroding, dis- integrating junk of Wendovers dumpyard and finally terminates at a strange wooden structure resembling a house. A photographer and I followed Deputy Dump into his "house, where he hung his shoulder holster and pistol on a nail, tossed his hat on the table and said, I aint too doneon my house yet. Glancing around, I wondered if he had even started. Discerning the inside of the house from the rest of the junkyard was not accomplished without difficulty. A sheet of plywood resting on two sawhorses served as a work bench. An old coal stove, a kitchen table and a chair had been salvaged from the dump, and a sleeping bag on a mattress served as a bed. Flies served as wallpaper and also managed to cover any other surface not covered with junk. I kicked my toe into the dirt floor and idly printed my name in the quarter inch of dust on the table. Why do you live out here, . Floyd? One reason is that I moved care of this here dumpyard. Keep out here cuz the rent is so dog- bums away. He told me to go on gone high in town. I can live out ahead and might as well build me here for $25 a month. a house down here. Who do you pay the $25 to? Do you ever find anything Nobody. I changed the subject. Guess you dont get much company out here, do you? Oh yeah, said Eaton. All the people from town come down here to see me. When asked how he liked Wendover, Eaton replied, Well, Ill tell ya. I like Wendover a lot, myself. The people up there are real friendly . I been here for seven years, and thats the longest time fer me in one spot. Where were you before? "Oh, jist travelin' around, ramblin' around over the country. He paused to light his pipe and then continued. Im a vagabond type, myself. Dont stay in one place too very long. Why, I been all over the world. Thars only two countries in the whole world I havent been in, Russia and Australia. I been in every state of the union, including Alaska and Hawaii How do you travel? Horseback, mostly. Deputy Dump went on to tell about how he had become involved with the law. When I was jist a younger kid, almost a kid, I joined up with the Cattlemens Association, I was a range detector for a while. Range detector? Yeah, range detector. Its a Cattlemens Association man. Oh. Somehow I missed the significance of tiie definition, but obviously Floyd Eaton considered it sufficient and continued. After the association disorganized, I joined the International Police. Most of the time I was chasin' somebody. I was up and gone chasin' somebody 'cross the country. One time I was over in the Orient for eight years. Chasin a bank robber named Robert Nolan. Never did catch him. Chased him as far as Shanghai How did you become a deputy here? Oh, I already was a cop, and Deputy Lacy just asked me if I'd help him out once in a while. I told him shore I would.' Id help him out any old time he wanted. He especially. wants me. to take Eaton flatly stated, So I guess I'm just gon tu retar to Arkansas an do a little fishing, an maybe some writing if a idea strikes me. Mr. Eatons plans for an early retirement from successful public service may not reach immediate fruition. Of all the cars in the dump motorpool, not one could start on the road to the Ashing in Arkansas. You can be sure THE NEWS is concerned and will stay abreast of the developments concerning the plight of Deputy Mr. Dump. SOFTBALL PRACTICE 0 Contact Karl Larsen Inside medium security prison at Utah State Prison Games played Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri., evenings & Sat. afternoon all summer 571-230- BY SUMMER HYMAS Well, Salt Desert Region. I hear they're gon' tu put the new dump on the other side of Wendover an yu cant get me ta live in Utah, more than seven years has made the Wendover dump his home, his major source of income, and the situs of his literary efforts. One of his major works, Queen of Blood, was published exclusively in The Salt Flat News, and comes to a spellbinding conclusion on page 8 of this issue Since the word got out about Nevadas decision to move the dump, Mr. Eaton has been sought by interested reporters for some comments about the loss of his home. In an exclusive interview the Veteran Peace Officer and Recycling Specialist told THE NEWS that the dosing of the dump brings to a dose his relationship with Wendover and the worthwhile out in the dump? asked the photographer. Well, its accordance, was the reply, meaning it depends. I pick upa lot of scrap metal, brass, copper and things. Sometimes I find old furniture once in a while. That thar stove over yonder come from the dump. You bet it works, too. That stove bakes real good cakes, pies, cornbread I was- - absolutely delighted with Deputy Dump. I had already decided he was put of the beautiful people in the world. What is your favorite food, Floyd? Im a vegetarian, me. I like cabbage, turnip greens, mustard greens, beans Wondering who baked all those cakes and pies he had been talking about, I asked Floyd if he had ever been married. Lady, I got more sense than r. that. I was bom and raised a Im jist like an old range horse. I learned to be rope-wisWhen a ladys bout to throw a loop, I wait till she tosses it, and jist before it falls, I duck. As we were leaving, I asked Deputy Dump what he did with himself all of the time. Floyds pipe kept going out, and as he lit it again and took several draws, he looked at me with a twinkle in his eyes. Most of the time, when I work, Im a cowpuncher when I work. What do you do when you dont work? Nothing, said Floyd in his typical slow drawl. Me and work, we dont git along too good together. Oh, I aint afraid of it. Why I can lay down there right beside it and go to sleep. ... 1960 CADILLAC HEARSE 40,000 MILES LIKE NEW RADIO & HEATER $999. BUSINESS ENTERPRISES Phone P. 756-356- MARTIN An excellent selection Martin Guitars of Unsurpassed tonal qualities Fine craftsmanship For more than-century 5 0. Box 334 65 South West Temple Salt Lake City, Utah 84101 Phone: 364-651- 8 American Fork ACROSS FROM THE SALT PALACE ... 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