SURPRISE VALLEY RECORD – CEDARVILLE, MODOC COUNTY, CA
MARCH 2ND, 1932
LARRY HALL IS VICTIM OF BLOW ON HEAD FROM UNKNOWN
Cedarville is becoming citified in regard to the crime situation, for on
last Friday evening between the hours of ten and eleven, Larry Hall, old
time vaquero, claims to have been hit over the head with some blunt
instrument and knocked unconscious.
It seems that Hall was in the Cedarville Bakery talking to Fred Koenig and
as several customers came in he prepared to leave for Koenig Bros.’ Ranch to
the west of town, where he has been staying for the past few months. He
picked up his purchases, put them in a sack and left by the rear door, as
his horse was tied in the alley just east of the Bakery.
Hall claims that while going out of the rear door of the Bakery and as he
was closing the screen door, he was struck on the head with a piece of pipe.
He states that he could see the blow coming and raised his hand to shield
his head. Allegedly as a result of the blow, a two-inch gash was cut in his
left temple and his left arm badly bruised. He states that he fell twice
between the back door of the Bakery and the cellar, belonging to Mrs.
Frances Wilson, where some splashes of blood was found on the cellar door,
the only traces of the accident. Within the course of ten minutes, he
staggered back into the Bakery and fell on the floor in a semi-conscious
condition. Dr. Kennedy was immediately called and Hall was taken to his
office, where eight stitches was taken to close the wound in his head.
For the next forty-eight hours, Hall remained in a semi-stupor and rallied
once in a while and told a few coherent details of how the accident
happened. Upon his statements, one man was held under arrest for a few
hours, but was later released.
At this writing, Hall is recovering from the accident and no further clues
have been found.
Saturday morning, District Attorney, Jake Sharp and Deputy Sheriff Ray
Tierney were over from Alturas investigating, the result of which we have
not learned at this writing.
OBSEQUIES OF William ROUTSON
William Baker Routson passed away at his home in Fort Bidwell, Cal.,
February 23, 1932, at the age of 73 years, after a sort illness, due to
heart trouble and pneumonia.
Mr. Routson was born at Sierra City, California, February 8, 1859 and in
1880, the town of Fort Bidwell, where he worked for Mr. Mapes for several
years.
Mr. Routson was married to Elizabeth Neasham, January 1, 1889. After which
he went to work for the McConnaughy Bros. and the MC Company where he worked
for 23 years.
After Mr. Routson’s foremanship with the M. C. Company in Warner Valley, he
bought a ranch there and invested in sheep. In 1909, he sold his property to
Mrs. Wibble and moved to the town of Fort Bidwell, where he spent the
remainder of his days among his many friends.
Mr. Routson is survived by one sister, Minnie Lantier, of Cottonwood, Cal.,
his dear wife and son, Ross, of Fort Bidwell, Cal.
He was laid to rest in the Fort Bidwell cemetery, February 25, 1932. Rev. V.
A. Vinyard, of Cedarville, Cal., conducted the funeral services. The many
friends of the bereaved family extend their sympathy in the regret of the
departure of their beloved husband and father. (1:2)
HEB MILLER MANGLES HAND LAST FRIDAY
Heb Miller, foreman on the State Highway, suffered a painful injury last
Thursday when an accident occurred in which he mashed his left hand. It
seems that Heb was holding the heavy iron tongue of the grader up trying to
connect it with the tractor, when he slipped and the heavy tongue fell to
the ground with his hand beneath it. A x-ray was taken of the injured
member, but at this writing, we have not learned whether or not any bones
were fractured.
NOT GUILTY SAYS JURY
The trial of Frank Goings and Bill McConnell, who were charged with grand
theft in regard to 200 sheep, alleged to have been stolen from P. C.
Murphey, of Davis Creek, two years ago, began last Tuesday morning in the
Superior Court and the case was turned over to the jury late Thursday
afternoon. A verdict of "not guilty" was rendered at about 10:30 Friday
morning. It is said the first ballot taken was 11 for acquittal and one for
conviction in the case of Frank Goings. The longer session necessary before
an agreement was reached in the McConnell case.
District Attorney, Jake Sharp, assisted by Judge C. A. Raker, prosecuted the
case. Attorneys, A. K. Wylie and Oscar Gibbons, representing the defendants.
The jury hearing the case was composed of Joe Lockwood, Aubrey Wickliffe,
John Hawkins, Herbert Salisbury, Ed Pomeroy, John Neer, S. B. Streig,
Orville Hotchkiss, S. W. Taylor, David Grove, W. S. Brooks and foreman, Rose
Briles.
HAYDEN HILL MINER LOSES HAND IN BLAST
Jim Lang, 46, a miner at Hayden Hill was taken to the Alturas hospital
Sunday afternoon by Dr. C. M. Tinsman, of Adin, following his serious
incident Saturday morning.
Lang was working alone and had a charge of powder. Failing to go off within
the expected time, he went to investigate and received the full blast, as he
reached his hand in the hole.
His left hand was badly mangled and his face powder burned. Small pieces of
rock were also embedded in the flesh of his face and chest.
The injured man walked to the main road and was picked up by a motorist and
taken to Adin. Dr. Tinsman seeing his many injuries took him to Alturas,
where assisted by Drs. McKinney and Gibson, he amputated the hand at the
wrist and took out many of the small rocks.
The father of Lang was killed some years ago by a premature blast, while
mining. – Lassen Mail
FORT BIDWELL NEWS ITEMS
John Smith returned to Bidwell last Friday from Alturas, where he has been
under Dr. Gibson’s care for several weeks for treatment for ulcers of the
stomach.
RESIDENTS OF Lakeview VISIT SURPRISE
Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald, of Lakeview, were in Fort Bidwell last Thursday,
attending the funeral of William Routson. Mrs. Fitzgerald is a sister of the
deceased.
March 10th, 1932
APPLIES TO ROLPH FOR PARDON
Rodney Selby, who was convicted for 2nd degree murder on June the 17th, 1930
and sentenced to serve a term of five years to life in San Quentin has
applied to Governor James Rolph for a pardon or commutation of sentence.
Selby was the proprietor of the Indian Springs Service Station located this
side of Adin and was convicted for the killing of a Federal Prohibition at
that place, when they attempted to arrest him for selling liquor.
TAX COLLECTOR IS "GRANDPA"
Born at Susanville, March 3rd, 1932 to Mr. and Mrs. Orlo Bayley, a fine
eight and one-quarter pound daughter. Mrs. Bayley was formerly, Miss Lahmi
Ballard, daughter of Tax Collector C. A. and Mrs. Ballard of Alturas.
Mrs. Fred PICKRELL PASSES AT Alturas
Mrs. Margaret Ellen Pickerell, aged 59 years, of Eagleville, died Saturday,
on March the 5th, 1932 at the General Hospital in Alturas following a long
illness.
The body was taken to Eagleville, where the funeral was conducted under the
charge of Father Gerald O’Driscoll.
Mrs. Pickerell has been a resident of Eagleville for the past 20 years and
leaves to mourn her loss, her husband, Fred Pickerell, one daughter, Mrs.
James Connelly, and one son, Freddie Pickerell, two sisters, Mrs. Will Smith
of Mindon, Nevada and Mrs. May McNamara of Carson City, who attended the
funeral. (5:1)
LEFT FOR Nevada
Bill McCluskey left Saturday for Cottonwood, Nevada, where he went to take
care of Dave Beebe, who had his feet frozen recently at that place.
FRACTURES ARM
Mrs. Marion Steward of Lake City fell last Monday and fractured her arm. She
was brought to Cedarville, where Dr. Kennedy set the injured member.
RETURN TO Cedarville
Mr. and Mrs. Clinton Franklin, who have been living on Parker Creek have
returned to Cedarville, where they will make their home in the future.
MARCH 16TH, 1932
TRIAL SET FOR MARCH 25TH
A warrant was served on Alex Ash last Monday, signed by LaVergne Kipp of the
Cedarville Quarantine Station. It seems that Ash failed to stop last Sunday,
while passing the Quarantine Station and according to law is guilty of a
misdemeanor. A hearing was held Monday and the date of the trial is set for
Friday, March the 25th.
INTERLOCUTORY GRANTED
An interlocutory decree of divorce was granted last Thursday in the Superior
Court at Alturas to Carrie Garrett vs. Sam Garrett, both of Lake City,
California. The decree was granted on the ground of failure to provide.
RECEIVES FINAL DECREE
A final decree was granted in the Superior Court in Alturas last week in the
divorce case of Mae Addington vs. Frank Addington.
MARRIED IN Lakeview
Dow Franklin Frakes, son of L. D. Frakes of Lakeview and Miss Leota Reames,
teacher at the Warner School were married in Lakeview last Saturday. Both
parties have a host of friends in the county, who is extending their best
wishes. They will make their home at Cedarville, where Dow is employed with
the Cressler estate stock cattle. – Lakeview Tribune
SINCE A PLUG FILLS A HOLE, IF A MAN SMOKED PLUG TOBACCO, WOULD YOU CALL IT
HOLY SMOKE?
TO MAKE HOME IN LAKE CITY
Mr. and Mrs. Sid Codburn of Ashland arrived recently in Lake City, where
they will make their home in the future.
RETURNS FROM HOSPITAL
Earl Benner, who has been at the Base Hospital at mare Island for the past
two months returned to his home here in Cedarville last weekend.
MARCH 23RD, 1932
TO BE MARRIED TODAY
Miss Opal Hill, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Hill, of this place, but
residing in Red Bluff and Mr. Elmer Wurth of Red Bluff are to be married at
that place today. Miss Hill is a teacher in the Red Bluff Grammar School and
Wurth is Foreman of the University Extension Experimental Farms at Red
Bluff. The bride is well known in Surprise Valley and her many friends wish
them prosperity and success over the seas of matrimony.
SON ARRIVES AT WILSON HOME
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Wilson are the proud parents of a son born to them on
March 20th, 1932 at their home in Cedarville. Harry has been busy the past
week passing out the cigars.
BODY OF FRANK STEWART FOUND
The body of Frank Stewart, 42 of the Carlisle mine, lost in the snow on
February 14th was found the first part of last week.
Receding snow under the warm weather of last week resulted in the finding of
Stewart’s skills two days ago. The body was discovered just off the trail a
week ago last Monday morning. The body had been mangled by coyotes or bears.
Stewart left Cisco for the mine in the face of a storm, which soon developed
into a blizzard. Searching parties were sent out and periodic trips were
made over the territory until all hope had been abandoned.
The body was found about three miles from Cisco and about two miles from
Hilton’s mine, on the trial to the Carlisle mine, his destination.
John Stewart of El Cerrito, father of the victim, for days refused to
abandon hope believing that his son had found refuge in one of the deserted
cabins in the hills.
The body was found by a party headed by Al Morse.
Alvah Hooper, deputy coroner, was summoned from Grass Valley to conduct the
inquest, the point where the body was found being in Nevada County. – Bee
Stewart was well known in Surprise Valley having been born here in
Cedarville and lived the early part of his youth here. His many friends
regret to learn of his tragic death.
MARCH 30TH, 1932
EASTER WEDDING IS SOLEMIZED
Last Sunday morning, Easter Wedding Bells rang, when Rev. Virgil A. Vinyard
wedded Mr. Everett Cavin and Mrs. Thelma Wilbur of Cedarville. The immediate
family and the Hotel guests were present at the hour of six, when the
ceremony took place. Twenty-three guests were present at the Wedding
Breakfast. Shortly after this the bride and groom left by car on a honeymoon
trip to Sterling, Kansas and points in Oklahoma, where they will visit with
relatives and friends. Their many friends here in Surprise Valley wish them
success and prosperity over the rugged seas of matrimony.
Eagleville NOTES
Mrs. Edna Avilla of Alturas spent the weekend with her mother, Mrs. Fred
Street.
Mr. and Mrs. John Thrasher of Gerlach are visiting Mr. and Mrs. John Taylor
this week. Mrs. Thrasher was formerly Miss Helen Taylor.
PRELIMINARY HEARING HELD IN JUSTICE COURT
A preliminary hearing was held before Justice of the Peace, J. H. Westervelt
last Friday morning on the warrant issued by the State of California vs.
Alex Ash, local garage man. The warrant originated, when Ash failed to stop
at the Cedarville Quarantine Station upon being flagged. At the hearing, Ash
pled not guilty and demanded a jury trial, which will take place on May the
2nd.
THREATENED WITH PNEUMONIA
Mrs. Bernard Benner, who has been quite ill with a cold during the past week
is threatened with pneumonia at this writing.
DOWN FROM FORT BIDWELL
Clarence Decious was a visitor from Fort Bidwell, where he came to get his
sister, Audry, who spent last weekend in Bidwell visiting with her parents,
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Decious of that place.
~~~~~~
Billie C. & Anita 'Jean' Reynolds
Modoc County, California
"The Last Frontier"
www.rh2o.com/modoc
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