SOCIABLE BURROS

The town of Oatman, Arizona, has some surprising visitors each day.  The nearby Black Mountains are occupied by a population of feral burros, descendants of pack animals, and, each day, a number of them wander into town and saunter around.  They are generally friendly, but may mistake proferred fingers for food.

Oatman takes its name from Olive Oatman (1837-1903) who was taken prisoner by Indians and initially made a slave.  She was passed on to Mohave Indians who were pleasanter and tattooed  her chin, a practice usually reserved for members of the tribe.  She was later returned to the whites.

Olive Oatman