Over the decades I have interviewed countless people on a plethora of topics. A lot of wonderful friendships were made along the way. During work on the Red River series, I enjoyed some wonderful lunches with Harriet Walker Henderson, daughter of Clinton and granddaughter of the founder of Red River, Thomas Barlow Walker, who preferred his initials, T.B.
Beginning in the late 1890s, Clinton and T.B. would spend years in California inspecting and purchasing timberlands. In 1909, the Walkers purchased 1,000 acres which included Clear Creek The crystal clear springs were a popular summer camping spot. Clinton Walker was also charmed by Clear Creek and routinely set up camp there while doing timber surveys of the region. Clinton’s daughter, Harriet, recalled many pleasant memories as a child camping there. Harriet stated at times they all got tired of eating fish caught from the springs. Then one day, her father surprised everyone when he returned to camp with a “mountain calf.” I was befuddled, after all I have spent my entire life in this country and part of an old ranching family and I had never heard of such creature. So I asked what was a mountain calf, Harriett replied in a whisper “Bambi.”