The Nomads Of The Badlands

"In 1970 Walt Wilhelm wrote the story of his family and their lives and exploits traveling the West in a covered wagon. Last Rig to Battle Mountain is now out of print and available copies are expensive and practically non-existent. This new book, also written by Walt but edited by his grandnephew Wes Wilhelm, picks up the story five years later when they left the Ruth Mine in Arizona to prospect for gold in the Mojave Desert. The covered wagon has been retired and they are now driving old cars through the Needles and Searchlight and Nipton and Barnwell areas. The family finally settles in Yermo and Manix where they become successful business men, desert explorers, miners, oil men, and world famous archery experts. This is a good book, full of local history and familiar names. It reads like a visit with old friends, and I had a hard time putting it down. Pat Schoffstall Mojave River Valley Museum, Barstow Nomads of the Badlands weaves a fascinating tale of the Wilhelm family during the early 1900s in their adventures traipsing around the Mojave Desert, seven children in tow, looking for gold and other valuable endeavors. Theirs is a story full of grit and courage...the kind so rarely found today. It is also filled with love of family and strong connections to the land and other fellow desert dwellers. I was fortunate to have met Ken Wilhelm in his twilight years when I was a young girl. My father, Dennis Casebier, was a desert historian and author. He was interested in the Army posts on the old Mojave Road, and Camp Cady was the first major stop heading east from Barstow. Ken Wilhelm and his wife Mabel welcomed my dad, mom, and I many times into the old ranch house with the surrounding lush, green pastures, a big barn with actual horses (!) and sparkling lakes. My fondest memory of Ken was when he would bang the metal trash can lid of his wild bird food container...just two or three times...and hundreds of ducks and all manner of wild fowl would fly in from miles around to partake in Ken's bounty. Camp Cady Ranch was a magical place to this little girl, and I loved visiting and camping on the banks of one of the lakes...so rare in the vast dry Mojave Desert. The Wilhelm family story is so compelling, so uniquely American, that anyone with a sense of adventure and a wandering spirit will find it extremely enjoyable. Darelyn Casebier Treasurer of the Mojave Desert Heritage and Cultural Association Today there are not many families who would take a car trip with their kids further than the mall much less to another state. Well, that was not the case for the Wilhelm family in the early 1900's! Nomads of the Badlands is the account of the Wilhelm's taking two cars, seven children and hitting the road in search of gold. They covered several states, spent a lot of time in the Mojave Desert, had amazing adventures and met some real characters. ""Be right with you soon as I pee, blow my nose, and spit."" You'll have to read the book to get it. The more you read the more impressed, inspired and captivated you will become with this family. Jay Barrs Archery Olympian Gold Medalist Men's Individual & Men's Team Silver Two Time World Field Champion & Nineteen Time US National Champion"