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| Shaw Mohammed Rezi Pahlavi, His Majesty, King of Iran in the 1940's |
(Fragment of letter from Dad to mom on back of note from Mom-
'I wish that you could have been with me on the trip I just had on horse-back with His Majesty the King and that you could have ridden one of the wonderful horses belonging to the king. They are magnificent and such speed over rough country. How you would have enjoyed the cool wind in your hair and the nervous energy and horse flesh between your knees! It would be real joy with me to share such a ride with you for I know what a thrill it would give you. Maybe it will be possible in the not too distant future, who knows?
You wanted to come with me when I came to Iran, but it would have been a long wait for such a ride such as the one I have just had, however, there have been many others with 20 to 40 cavalry escort and many fine horses. None, however, quite as splendid as those we went on this trip. In addition, we saw 2,000 brood mares and their foal as they passed in review for the king. It was a wonderful sight, a string at least 5 miles long coming 5 to 10 abreast first in bands of 50 to 100 then in a solid mass.
The valley which we have selected for a storage reservoir is now the summer ranch for these brood mares belonging to the Persian army. we shall have to make them a range elsewhere, perhaps above the level of the lake we create when the dam is built.
Letter to Luther Snow from his Dad:
Sept 16th 1944
My Dearest Son
It seems so long since I have heard from you. Your last 'V' mails, July 17, 23, & 27 were all here when I returned from a long trip, but no word of any sort since, not even from the folks at home. So I'm beginning to feel anxious. I am again living in my quarters in Teheran since the weather turned cooler. During August and 1st week in September I spent the nights at Shemiran about 2.000 feet up the slope at the foot of the Alborz mountains where it was wonderful for sleeping, and I had a lovely place to stay. It is still available, but I like better to be here alone after a busy day-when I do not have to listen to talk that I do not understand. The people are lovely and two of the boys speak English. They do their best to make me comfortable and at home; but there are times when a fellow wants to be alone with this thots and to do as he pleases. So I haven't gone to Shemiran for over 2 weeks.
Tonight I'm somewhat lonesome and so I'm going to do next best thing and write to you and Muriel and to the folks at home.
I have just returned from a most interesting and satisfying trip with His Majesty the King, far into the Mountains near the foot of Mount Damavand where we are studying the problem of diverting water from the Lar River to the lands near Teheran. Last year I began the study, and
discovered an ancient freshw? ? ? ? A volcano 2,500 feet high had made a natural dam across the Lar river. Later the dam had been eroded to it's present level but only after many centuries had passed and immense deltas had been built by in-flowing streams into the lake. It is all so plain I wonder how the numerous geologists who have visited the area could have failed to recognize the facts. Anyway, it seems to have remained to me to make the discovery. It is my plan to build a new dam 350 feet high and make a huge storage reservoir out of the old lake bed and divert the surplus water to an immense area of fertile land near Teheran- His Majesty became keenly interested, so when I returned from Shiraz and Isfahan he asked that I show him the project.
I'm sitting rather softly on the chair tonight for the reason that we made the trip on horse back and the king is a hard and fast rider. He rode 2 beautiful Stallions that were nimble and sure footed and he surely covered the ground between stops at a fast pace. It was only the best riders who could keep up. We waited at the finish 1 1/2 hours for the drags. Of course I had to be close to the front at all times to answer the many questions that were asked, and to point out the various features of the project. Many times I rode along side and discussed other problems of moment.
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| The Young Shaw on horseback in the countryside |
I have known for a long time how deeply interested His Majesty is in my work and in the various problems that affect the trip for me to really discover the wonderful spirit of the man. He really , and sincerely...
...is concerned about the welfare of his people and he knows that the work I am trying to do is key to the problem of better living conditions. There are many other factors such as sanitation, health, education and so on, but all these are related to more, and better water supplies and the practical phases of the irrigation problem that must go hand in hand with the work I am doing. In Iran water means life, for without it there is only barren desert waste.
At the end of the trail on the second day as His Majesty was ready to enter his car for the 60 mile trip back home, he took my hand, and with moist eyes he said; "I want you to know how deeply I appreciate your efforts in behalf of my people. We have had many eminent engineers come to Iran to study our irrigation problems. They have come, prepared reports, and have gone again; but you are the first in hundreds of years to remain long enough to do us any good. Formerly there have been bursts of enthusiasm, but it has faded and died when the engineers left, and nothing came of their plans. You have had countless difficulties thrown in your path, but you have had the courage to stay on, and overcome....
...these barriers. Now we are beginning to reap the benefits of your tireless and persistent efforts and I want you to know how I appreciate it. God grant that you will have health and be protected as you carry this great program on thru to a successful conclusion." Such appreciation naturally brought the moisture to my own eyes and made me feel that it has really been worth the sacrifice we have made in these three years of separation.
I was the kings guest at a most gorgeous camp. The tents were of the old make, over 50 years old. Colored canvas, with silk embroidery linings. Each panel (walls about 9 feet high) having intricate designs of exquisite hand work. You would have to see to appreciate. I thot how Mom would enjoy camping under such conditions and I picked a tent for her with pink silk lining.
This is the actual ten that the Shaw used on the camping trip mentioned in this letter. Click on the following link to read an article about the exhibition and the tent's make up and history.
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/muhammad-shah-royal-tent-cleveland-museum-of-art
Meals were served on the finest china, with cut glass and silver-even cut glass shades for the candles. First meal, clear broth soup. Then Mountain trout fresh from a beautiful cold water stream and plenty of it. (I had 3 for each of 3 meals) Then mountain sheep steak, then chili kebab (rice and lamb, barbecued, then caramel cake & sauce, then fresh fruit. What a meal for hungry men! There were three meals of this order and one breakfast.
This my boy, has been the crowning event of my experiences in Iran thus far, and it gives me courage to carry on yet a little longer.
I surely hope that you are alright and that I shall have a line from you soon, just a word to know all is well with you, may our Father bless you and keep you safe is my constant prayer. We have a lot of living to do when we get safe home again.
Lovingly, Dad
Note from Mom, Beatrice Snow Winsor:
Dearest Lu:
This letter will be too heavy if I try to write too. So I'll do it in a few days. I am chief nurse, cook and manager so there's precious little time anyway. Why does Dad send me your letters to forward? Haven't you been getting some over there? This one is a grand letter-we all enjoyed it and made copies of the descriptive part for a record for filing as he asked. He will no doubt write a book some day-he's well qualified for it.
All my love and prayers for you darling.
We are so anxious for a word from you to say all is well.
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| The Shaw in maturity |
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