Kern County Obituaries

Walter E. Trent

Submitted by Don Stowell; 13 Feb 2008

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Source Unknown; 29 Jan 1942

WELL KNOWN MINING MAN PASSES ON
Walter E. Trent, well known mining man through all the Mojave area and a 
member of the Silver committee at Washington D. C., died at that place on 
January 18.
Trent is remembered for his friendliness with the Mojave area prospectors who 
valued his friendship and knowledge of mining matters. Arriving in Mojave 
(proper) in 1934, Mr. Trent made his home at the Kingston hotel where he 
established his offices.  At this time' he leased the Middle Buttes, which are 
adjacent ta the Cactus Queen mine, from which it is said that he, with aid of one 
assistant, Clyde Garrett, took out some thousands of dollars in gold in approxi-
mately 27 days, using wheelbarrows.
Mr. Trent was a1so interested in the Whittmore Bros. mining claim at Willow 
Springs having worked it for several years, later leasing it to other parties. He 
maintained a staff of engineers and experts at Willow Springs prior to leasing 
the mine. He was also the owner of the west half of Mining, Claim, Section No. 
7, which adjoins the, Golden Queen mine near Mojave.
The Willow Springs project was due to the promotional activities of Mr. Trent, 
who with several individuals of the Bank of America Corporation decided that 
little town had possibilities.
A graduate of Stanford University, Mr. Trent was an engineer and geologist of 
note. It was he who invented the machine for making the now famous brickette, 
which is made of coal dust derived from the dumps which surround coal mines.
In 1936 Mr. Trent moved his family into the beautiful home owned by John 
Rogers, just outside of Rosamond on the highway to Willow Springs where they 
lived far several years and although he has been away from the Mojave district for 
some time making his home in Washington D. C. he still maintained offices in 
Willow Springs visiting it several times a year, looking after his interests in the 
Whitmore claim.
 A staunch and personal friend of the late Senator Key Pittman, old timers 
remember the two walking along the street in Mojave arm in arm, always ready to 
give out good sound advice to the friends he had made in the desert town and its 
area he had grown to love. Funeral services were held in Washington D. C.on the 21st.