STEENS MOUNTAIN PACKERS

Arborglyph Profile-Mike Aramburu

Research, Photos and Text by: Carol Pedersen

"Big Mike Aramburu Patacon"

Mike carved in big bold letters that ran all the way around the tree trunk.  An unusual feature of both brothers lettering is that they ended their last name with a "N" instead of a "U" in the carvings.  The reason for this is unknown.  In the example shown here, Mike also forgot to put the last stroke on the "M" in Aramburu, therefore it reads as Aranburn.

Two of the most independent of Basque herders on the Steens were MIKE ARAMBURU and his half-brother SIMON.  They adopted the nickname "Patacon" and were known as the Patacon brothers, Mike was "Big Patacon" and Simon was "Little Patacon."  Patacon is Basque for displaying somewhat of an awkward or clownish-type behavior.  Mike was born on May 17, 1893 in Nachitua, Vizcaya, Spain and came to the United States on March 4, 1910 on the vessel Adriatic.  He applied for American citizenship on February 18, 1943 in Vale, Oregon.  Mike first worked for the Echanis Sheep Company and then for Joe Fine who ran many operations.  Mike died in Nyssa, Oregon on March 29, 1978.  Both Mike and Simon were prolific carvers on the Steens Mountain.