SURPRISE VALLEY RECORD, CEDARVILLE, MODOC COUNTY, CAL
THURSDAY, MAY 7, 1936
Reports come from San Francisco are to the effect that Mr. George S. Miller’s
condition is critical and no hopes are given for his recovery.
Mrs. Bessie Benner underwent a minor operation at the General Hospital
today, when Dr. Kennedy removed a small tumor from her shoulder.
HONORING OUR MOTHERS
By D. B. McGue
Once upon a time a certain mother was the life of a Sunday School in a
little town in Virginia. The superintendent, after her death, that it would
be fitting to hold a memorial service in the church in honor of this loyal
mother. He wrote to his daughter, Miss Anna Jarvis, at Philadelphia, asking
her to arrange such a service. While doing this work, there was born in her
mind the idea of originating an annual service honoring motherhood. This
first service was held in 1908. Six years later, the second Sunday in May
was set apart officially as Mother’s Day by act of Congress and proclamation
of the United States. And now this day is observed in almost every community
of the Nation.
The meaning of Mother’s Day is not that mothers are perfect. Some mothers
are weak and irresponsible. Others are cold and indifferent. There are even
jazz mothers. There are also great mothers. Great mothers find in motherhood
an art. These take the plastic clay of trusting childhood with deft, loving
understanding fingers, mold it into living objects of grandeur. Hannah of
Ramah, Mary of Nazareth, Monica, mother of St. Augustine, and Susanna, with
her little troop of Wesleys, were some of the greatest creative artists.
They produced masterpieces out of human clay.
They were women of courage. Did not Mary "stand by the cross of Jesus?" By
their loyalty and self-giving have the greatest battles of the race been
fought. It is in the struggles of the heart that destiny is determined. And
is it not in the pure love of mothers that we see most clearly the true
nature of the love of God?
No matter how many years it has been since mother left, no matter what
changes have come, no matter what else has been forgotten, clearly impressed
in indelible lines on our brain is the face of mother. As long as the brain
functions the fadeless beauty of that face will be forever there. It will
rise before our mental vision as deathless as eternity and as fair as
heaven, in the early hours of the morning, in the noonday’s heat and in the
silent watches of the night.
If there were nothing else to make us believe in the immortality of our
souls, nothing else to lead us to strive for a life of purity, nothing else
to make us hope for heaven, the recollection of mother would force us to it.
No life like hers could end at the death of the body, no love like hers
could perish in the grace, no patient endurance, no self-sacrifice, no
devotion, no faith like hers could be other than god-like in its existence
forever.
One of the things we are most thankful for is we have come to a fuller
appreciation than can come to youth. Sorrow, suffering, parenthood for ones
self opens the eye of the child as nothing else can to the worth of a
virtuous and worthy father and mother.
Here is a little story that will give a glimpse into the heart of one son:
Out of the mists of boyhood a professional man recalled the other day that
exclamation of wonder, evoked by the first installation of a new kind of
light burner, which converted crude natural gas into a white hood of radiant
flame. He pictured again that home in Michigan and how one night, when all
the other children were in bed, he crept softly down stairs that he might
watch the magic globe brightly shining in the front room.
"Underneath that illuminated burner sat my mother," the man said, "and she
was intent on an exquisite piece of embroidery. Even now I can see her busy,
bringing the threads into a pattern of beauty. But my boyish wonder was for
the new light, not for the mother who worked hard all day long, took care of
the children, helped father and then when the house was quiet, sat down
under a gas burner to make a thing of loveliness for herself."
The passing of years had done one thing for that boy grown into a man. It
had transferred his wonder from a new type of illumination to the radiant
face of his mother. It had shown him that she was more marvelous than any
bit of mechanism.
An interlocutory decree of divorce was granted Saturday, April 28, 1936, in
the Superior Court, in the action, Neva B. Freeman vs. Merle Freeman.
FORMER DEPUTY SHERIFF PASSES
Frank Van Horn, former Sheriff of Modoc County and a Forest Ranger in the
South Warner Mountains passed away at his home in Alturas last Friday. Death
was being caused by pneumonia. Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon
in Alturas. (1:5)
MARRIED IN RENO, NEVADA
Daniel T. Hill, 20, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Hill, of Cedarville was
married to Miss Margaret K. Cameron of Fort Bragg, Cal., on Tuesday, May
6th, at Reno, Nevada. The many friends of the young couple wish them
happiness and success throughout their married life.
ALTURAS NOTES
Mrs. Balleu is reported as being on the sick list.
It is reported that Mrs. Harold Parman will soon be able to leave the
hospital. It is her intention to convalesce in Alturas for at least a month
before returning to her home in Fort Bidwell.
NEWS NOTES FROM NEW PINE CREEK
Mrs. Edith Frances Alexander, who died last Sunday, April 26th, was laid to
rest in the New Pine Creek Cemetery on Tuesday morning, April 28th. A very
fitting sermon was delivered by our local Baptist minister, Elder W. S.
Goulding for our deceased lady, who was of a loving disposition, loved by
all who knew her. A large number of friends attended the funeral and the
casket was loaded with beautiful flowers. Mrs. Edith Frances Ainsworth was
born in Bloomington, Illinois, on June 9th, 1864. Her father was Henry Green
Ainsworth. She was converted to the Lord when a young woman and joined the
Presbyterian Church.
In the year of 1896, she was united in marriage to John Maddox Alexander and
to this union five children were born; two sons, William and Ray; three
daughters, Mrs. Mabel Horr, of New Pine Creek; Mrs. Edna Martin, of LaMonte,
MO, and Mrs. Bessie Martin of Alturas.
Mr. Alexander went to that part of Oklahoma that was called the Indian
territory, when it was first thrown open to settlers and was one of many who
were lined up together and at the firing of a shot for the signal, they all
made a rush for a claim. In 1894, he moved his family down there and later
the territory was added to the state of Oklahoma. In 1905, Mrs. Alexander
joined the Baptist Church of Vici, Oklahoma.
She came West with her husband and family in 1909 and in 1911 moved to new
Pine Creek, where she resided until her death on April 26th, 1936.
Mrs. Alexander loved the Lord and looked forward to going home to be with
Him, especially after the passing of her husband in 1933. (4:6)
D. Ernest Cloud, one of our blacksmiths and garage men, who is one of the
busiest men in this section; busy every day, including Sundays, of late,
took time enough off the first of last week and got married. The lucky lady
being Miss Frances Perkins, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Perkins, of
Willow ranch. The happy young couple was married at Reno, Nevada, on Monday,
April 20th. The Rev. Brewster Adams of Reno tied the knot that we hope was
tied in a way that will bring happiness and success to this popular and
well-known young couple. The writer joins their many friends in wishing them
happiness and success.
THURSDAY, MAY 14, 1936
VALLEY PIONEER PASSES AWAY ON MAY 7TH
Surprise Valley lost another of its esteemed pioneers last Thursday, in the
death of Mary Ellen Wade, 84. Deceased was born near Muscatine, Iowa,
February 22, 1852 and passed away May 7th, 1936, at the home of her
daughter, Mrs. John Street, near Cedarville.
In early womanhood she was united in marriage to Robert V. Wade and to this
union, three children were born: Ruth, who died in infancy; Mrs. Mary
Street, Cedarville and Robert L. Wade of Lakeview. Her husband preceded her
in death some years ago.
Mrs. Wade, nee Dusenberry, with her husband, settled in Surprise Valley in
1878 and underwent many of the trials and hardships endured by the early
settlers of the valley, but with unbounded faith in her Lord, she was wont
to say: "Everything will be all right, for He doeth all things well."
The funeral was held from the M. E. Church Saturday afternoon, rev. Virgil
A. Vinyard, officiating, assisted by the choir. The floral offerings were
many and beautiful.
"Tired! Ah, yes! So tired dear,
I shall soundly sleep tonight,
With never a dream and never a fear,
To wake with the morning light." (1:1)
Mr. and Mrs. Dan Hill, newlyweds, who returned last weekend from their
honeymoon, were treated to an old fashioned charivari last Monday evening by
the younger generation. After being treated at the Square Deal Ice Cream
Parlor, the "gang" went forth and charivaried Mr. and Mrs. Paul golden, who
recently returned from San Diego, where they received another treat.
FRIENDS TELLS OF LIFE OF LATE GEORGE S. MILLER
George Sparrow Miller was born in Kileolley, Ireland, in 1867. He later came
to the U. S. A. and married Elizabeth Phair of New York. To this union was
born four children who are Dorothy Jackson of Burney, Maybeth Reynolds of
Cedarville, George S. Miller Jr., of Westwood and Janis Bishop of Berkeley.
Because of poor health, Mr. Miller arrived with his family in Surprise
Valley, California, in November 1920. Here he engaged in ranching until
about two years ago he and his wife moved to Cedarville, where he entered
the mercantile business. He continued with this until last January, he took
a severe cold and while he forced himself to be up and running his business,
he later had to give up. About three weeks ago he was taken to Berkeley for
an operation but it was found that the disease was too far advanced and he
died on May 7th and was buried in Berkeley.
Mr. Miller leaves his wife, the four children and four grandchildren and
friends although eternity only will reveal the number to mourn his loss. He
was a member of the Morning Star Lodge, No. 47, F. &. A. M. of Seymour,
Connecticut. He was also a member of Bonner Chapter, No. 232, O.E.S. and he
had belonged to the Methodist Church the most of his life; and back of it
all and underneath it all he belonged to Jesus Christ. So when he ceased to
be a member of the Church militant, he was "called in the fellowship of the
Church Triumphant, which is without spot before the Throne of God."
George S. Miller has left us, but his memory will be cherished and his
influence for good will be felt wherever he has lived until this world rolls
up like a scroll.
"Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, even so saith the Spirit, for
they rest from their labors, and their works do follow with them." (1:3)
George Miller, Jr., of Westwood, was a business visitor here last Thursday.
Miller came to get his sister, Mrs. John Reynolds, who left with him for
Berkeley, where they will attend the funeral of George Miller, Sr., who
passed away at that place.
NEWS NOTES FROM NEW PINE CREEK
Ebb Follett is telling a good joke on himself. A board was loose on one of
his cattle feed racks. He got a hammer and nails, stuck his head in the rack
and nailed the loose board good and secure and when he started to take his
head out he found that it would not come out. He has a rather vicious bull
so when he looked around and spied the bull taking it all in, he kept his
eye on the bull while he had his head fastened in the rack and swinging with
the hammer in an endeavor to pry a board loose. It seems that in the course
of a big swing he hit himself behind the ear, but the bull only stood by –
no doubt too much amused to take advantage of Ebb’s defenseless position.
Word reached New Pine Creek Saturday evening that Mrs. Ida Lansford, nee
Oliver, of Willow Ranch was taken to Alturas for an operation. Up to this
writing we have not heard how she is doing.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Wade of Lakeview were here last Saturday attending
the funeral of Mr. Wade’s mother.
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1936
FIRE RAZES MINTO HOME THURSDAY EVE
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Minto of Eagleville was completely razed by
fire last Thursday evening. Mrs. Minto was alone at the time, her husband
being on a business trip to Redding.
The fire is believed to have originated in an upstairs bedroom and spread
rapidly throughout the structure. Neighbors quickly responded and were able
to save considerable of the down stairs furnishings.
Exact amount of the loss sustained by Minto has not been learned at this
writing.
LYLE STIMERS PASSES
Funeral services are being held at the M. E. Church this afternoon for Lyle
Stimers, who passed away at the general hospital in Alturas Tuesday evening.
His illness extended over a period of seventeen years, with an incurable
malady. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. G. R. Stimers, former residents of
this place and brother of Floyd Stimers, of this place and other relatives,
residing at Oakland. His obituary will appear in next week’s issue. (1:4)
LAKE CITY NEWS NOTES
Mrs. Charles Aikins was called below over a week ago, by the death of her
sister. We extend our sympathy to Mrs. Aikins in her sorrow.
Mr. and Mrs. C. V. Muzzy returned from San Francisco last Wednesday evening.
Mrs. Muzzy is much improved in health but will have to return to San
Francisco in June for further examination. It is found she will have to seek
a lower altitude.
The many friends here of George S. Miller regretted to hear of his death.
Mr. Miller made his home here for several years and was always found to be a
wonderful friend and neighbor. To his family go the sympathy of the entire
community.
FORT BIDWELL ITEMS
Several of the children around Bidwell are sufferers of the pink eye, at
this writing.
Miss Jewell Bucher has been seriously ill the past few days. A Dr. Green of
Colorado is the attending physician.
NEWS NOTES FROME NEW PINE CREEK
Mrs. Louise Watson of Los Angeles, California is visiting relatives and old
friends in this community. Mrs. Watson was formerly Miss Louise Vernon
daughter of the late Stone Vernon.
Mrs. O. K. Johnston received word from her old home in Indiana, that her
father was very ill. She left the first of the week with Walt Edwards and
family, who are also from that state. They expect to be away about three
weeks or a month/
Mrs. Elizabeth Penland, mother of George Penland, of the hotel Surprise is
in the Lakeview hospital undergoing medical treatment.
(There were no more news papers for this month on microfilm)
~~~~~~
Billie C. & Anita 'Jean' Reynolds
Family Researcher of "The Last Frontier"
Modoc County, California
---
Our outgoing mail is checked by ZoneAlarm AntiVirus.