162 YEARBOOK, PUBLIC MUSEUM, MILWAUKEE [Vol. III. 



geodetic survey bench mark, recording its elevation as 8,143 feet 

 above sea-level. Directly over this, the highest point in the immediate 

 vicinity, the motion picture camera was placed. 



This vantage point commands one of the most wonderful views 

 of the Grand Canyon and upon this occasion it was exceptionally 

 beautiful, for we had arrived just at the gathering of a heavy storm 

 The canyon, miles and miles of it, rapidly filled with billowy clouds, 

 ever changing in form and ever growing blacker and blacker. Then 

 suddenly, like the crash of heavy artillery at close range, came from 

 far below the first roar of the on-coming thunderstorm. To me one 

 of the most fascinating sights of nature is an ordinary thunderstorm, 

 with its picturesque flashes of lightning and its deep rumble and roar. 

 How much more alluring then must be such a storm when you are 

 above the clouds. And here we were on the "edge of the world." 

 All below was heavy clouds of most fantastic forms and the lightning 

 in great bolts and zigzags was playing back and forth from cloud to 

 cloud and from cloud to canyon wall. This was a real movie oppor- 

 tunity and the cranking of the machine was a real joy under such en- 

 livening conditions. 



However, a Universal camera has about it much metal and various 

 angular points. It was but natural, therefore, that the instrument 

 should collect its full share of electricity. Presently the camera began 

 to sing much as a telephone wire does in an electrical storm and by 

 the time four-hundred feet of negative had been cranked off, the 

 metal edges of the box were literally ablaze with electrical sparks and 

 every part of the camera gave the operator a severe shock. Further, 

 it was obvious that any negative made under these conditions would 

 be ruined with static. It was plainly evident that the "show was 

 over" so far as filming was concerned, and also that there were other 

 places much safer for an operator than this high pinnacle. 



Had there been any doubt of the wisdom of this conclusion, it 

 would have been quickly dispelled. A bolt of lightning struck farther 

 out on the point and only a relatively short distance from Mr. Ed- 

 wards and Mr. Jeske, who were working with the still cameras on the 

 level immediately below. We all decided that we had urgent business 

 farther back from the point and proceeded to pack up and prepare 

 for a hasty retreat. 



Our heavy photographic equipment had been brought down onto 

 the point by our trusty friend, Skedoo, and as soon as the guides had 

 loaded the cameras on to his back, he was started back up the trail. 

 Owing to the recent heavy rains, a small portion of this trail had been 



