Hi Jolly and the Camel Corps - Weird Story Locations on Waymarking.com

Born in Syria in 1828, Hadji Ali came to the US when the Camel Corps was born in 1855. The plan was to import camels to help build and supply a Western wagon route from Texas to California. Lieutenant Edward Fitzgerald Beale was in charge of this unlikely venture, with Hadji Ali and another unnamed man to help teach the soldiers how to pack the camels. Soldiers quickly changed his name to Hi Jolly.

The experiment was a success, to Beale. The camels didnt like the western US soil. The mules, burros and horses didnt like the camels. It was "successful" enough though, that in 1858, the military considered ordering 1000 more camels. The Civil War put an end to the Camel Corps. Some camels were auctioned off. Others were turned loose into the desert.

Stories abound of camel sightings. One legend states that the skeleton of a man, tied in the saddle, could be seen on a red camel, called the Red Ghost. This camel terrorized southern Arizona residents for well over 10 years. Rumor has it, the camel even killed a woman. A frightening experience for those unlucky enough to see it.

In 1885, a 5 year old boy saw a wild camel. That boy grew to become General Douglas MacArthur. In 1891, camels caused a cattle stampede in Harrisburg. In 1901, Southern Pacific train hit and killed a camel. History states that the last wild camel in Arizona was caught in 1946, with the last reported sighting in Baja California in 1956. Rumors abound of more recent sightings.

Hi Jolly stayed in Arizona, alternately living along the Colorado River, scouting for the government in Phoenix, raising a family in Tucson, finally returning to Quartzite where he died at the age of 73 on December 16, 1902. Legend claims he died in the desert, one arm around a dead camel, searching for the animals he loved.

Hi Jolly and the Camel Corps live on in Quartzite with Hi Jolly Daze, an annual festival.

Detailed account of Hi Jolly.

A second account.

A third account.

Camel Corps history.

To claim this waymark, please post a gps photo of Hi Jolly's memorial.

Type: Local Legend or Lore Referenced in (list books, websites and other media): There is also a comedy Disney film based on the Camel Corps. Additional Coordinates: N 33° 39.873 W 114° 14.180 Website Reference: [Web Link]

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