SURPRISE VALLEY RECORD - CEDARVILLE, MODOC COUNTY, CAL
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1935
EAGLEVILLE RAMBLINGS
BEN JOHNSON – appears suddenly out of the "Nevada Sage." A sure sign that
the frost is out of the ground.
RUSSELL STEWART – master at manufacturing cowboy accessories in silver
engraving and polishing at a great rate.
GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS – inspecting the Cedarville news factory
FRANKIE STEVENS – main drag motorist in Cedarville
BEN CAMBRON – and Jesse Stevens with pants tied at the bottom an indication
for shearing season
JOHN ERRAMOUSE – hasn’t torn up a service station for two weeks.
JIM SHORT – is gone again
BILL HUDSPETH – always pleasant
LOUIS GROVES – doing some neat work in automobile refinishing with the spray
gun and resplendent colors. It is surmised that some of the boys would like
a good polka-dot paint job for their bus.
FLOYD COOK – present and accounted for
BERT SAWTELLE – possessor of an unusually large arrowhead found near
Pot-Hole Springs
CHARLIE NOLAN – claims that this arrowhead business keeps his men on the
ground more than in the saddle
THE LIGHTNERS – picnicking with the E. B. Groves, D. L. Groves and the Lyle
and Heide Barbers. Much food, sight seeing, sunburn, alkali dust and
enjoyment In Lost Creek area.
FISHING – seems to be the favorite outdoor sport since the first. At the
present rate of catch the season will shorten automatically, due to the
shortage of fish.
DICK SCOTT – driving a new fence mower in the form of a coupe this time.
ARTHUR HARRIS – always going to, or coming from somewhere
LAWRENCE YOUNG – considerably interested in the fishing situation
LEON ITCAINA – somewhat surprised over the way a fish hook refuses to come
out of a finger
LICENSE CONTAINERS – for fishing license. Next, it will be passing signals
for courtesy on the creeks.
FRED MEYERS – doing acres of old-wing in a number of places.
FRED STREET – setting up a new mowing machine
DEVELOPING OWN STRAIN OF TURKEYS
A. W. Stiner, "the turkey king of Surprise Valley" has been doing some
experimenting and breeding of the holiday fowl during the past few years. In
fact, he has developed a strain of turkeys, (by cross breeding) which is
heavier, faster maturing than the widely advertised Lewis strain, which has
gained considerable prominence among turkey producers during the past few
years. Stiner now has a strain of turkeys, which will be known as the
"Stiner Strain" (that’s our supposition), which produces a 16-pound bird in
six months. Mr. Stiner now has 1000 eggs in the incubators and when hatched
his ranch will just be a moving mass of Thanksgiving and Christmas festive
birds.
ALTURAS MATRON PASSES AT WOODLAND
Elizabeth Jane Johnson passed away at the Woodland Clinic in Woodland on May
3rd, 1935, following Caesarian operation, which brought this couple a six
and a half pound son, which is alive and healthy, but the mother did not
survive the operation. Mrs. Johnson was a native of Nebraska, aged 32 years,
11 months and 7 days. She leaves to mourn her passing, her husband, Leon F.
Johnson, principal of the Alturas Grammar School and 5-year old daughter,
Faye. Her obsequies were held from the Kerr Chapel in Alturas Monday, May
6th and the remains were interred in the Alturas cemetery. Deepest sympathy
is extended tot he bereaved ones in their hour of sorrow and loss. (1:3)
DATA ON CATTLE RUSTLING CASE IS GIVEN AT PRELIMINARY HEARING
Wallace McCRARY AND HARVEY SMITH PLEAD GUILTY AS CHARGED; J. J. WILEY IS
BOUND OVER TO THE SUPERIOR COURT IS THE RESULTS OF PRELIMINARY HEARING ON
MAY 2.
The cattle rustling case, which has caused considerable interest to the
residents of Modoc County for the past month finally came to preliminary
hearing in the Justice Court of Alturas last Thursday, with Acting Judge, E.
C. Bonner presiding.
Highlights in the case so far are: On April 1st, 1935, Glen C. Talbert,
Madeline Plains rancher and stockman swore to a warrant charging Wallace A.
McCrary, Harvey Smith, of the South Fork district and J. J. Wiley of
Porterville with grand theft, viz: the taking of five head of cattle. The
bail for these men was set at $2,500.00.
April 5th: Defendants all in court and the Court informs them of the nature
of the charge against them by reading complaint. The Court informed them
that they were charged under the names of Jack Wiley, Harvey Smith and
Wallace McCrary and inquired if these are the true names as charged.
Defendant Wiley states that his name is John J. Wiley, rather than Jack
Wiley as stated in the complaint. The Court then informed them of their
right to counsel at all stages of the proceedings. Wiley informed the court
that he is represented by Attorney Oscar Gibbons and Clifford A. Russell.
Defendants Harvey Smith and Wallace McCrary make no statement as to their
attorneys. Oscar Gibbons and Clifford A. Russell, attorney for the
defendant, Wiley asks the preliminary examination in this case be set for 10
o’clock A. m. on April 24th, at which time the bond was filed for John J.
Wiley.
April 8th: New bond approved and filed for John J. Wiley.
April 12th: Bond for Wallace filed.
April 18thL Bond for Harvey Smith filed.
April 23, 4:15: Comes into court at defendants Harvey Smith and Wallace
McCrary, Oscar Gibbons, Attorney for Wiley and District Attorney, A. K.
Wylie. At this time, Oscar Gibbons asks that the examination of this case be
reset for May 2nd, 1935, at 1:30 P. M. and the district attorney and
defendants, McCrary and Smith consenting thereto, it was ordered that the
preliminary hearing be set for May 2nd at 1:30 P. M.
Subpoena filed.
May 2nd, 1:30 P. M.
Case called. Present all three defendants, also court reporter May L. Yates,
District Attorney Wylie and Oscar Gibbons and A. M. Mull, Jr., attorney for
defendant, Wiley. The court then reads complaint and delivers true copy to
each of the defendants. Defendant Wiley is ready to proceed and is
represented by attorneys Gibbons and Mull. Defendants Smith and McCrary
ready to proceed, but are not represented by counsel. Court inquires of
defendant Wiley, if he pleads "guilty" or "not guilty" of the offences
charged in the complaint to which he replies NOT GUILTY. The Court then asks
Smith and McCrary separately, if they plead guilty or not guilty of the
offences charged in the complaint, to which they separately answered,
GUILTY.
The case then proceeds as to defendant Wiley. Wallace McCrary, one of the
defendants is sworn and testifies on behalf of the people. On application of
the counsel for Wiley, certain witnesses under Sec. 867, Penal Code, are
excluded and admonished. A cancelled check in the amount of $75 drawn in
favor of Wallace McCrary and signed by J. J. Wiley, was then introduced as
evidence, and filed as exhibit "one" for the people. Re-direct examination
by the District Attorney. Recourse examination by the attorneys for
defendant Wiley. Re-direct examination and cross-examination by the
attorneys.
John C. Sharp, Sheriff of Modoc County sworn and testifies on behalf of the
people. Cross examination on behalf of the people by attorneys for defendant
Wiley. Ernest Dygert, Constable of Alturas, sworn on behalf of the people
and is examined by the Attorney for Wiley. Re-direct by District Attorney A.
K. Wylie.
Raymond Cisco as a witness on behalf of the people is examined by the
District Attorney and cross-examined by the attorneys for defendant Wiley.
Granville Smith sworn as a witness on behalf of the defendant Wiley and is
cross-examined by the district Attorney. Re-direct examination by attorneys
for defendant Wiley. Defendant rests.
RESULTS: It appearing to the satisfaction of the Court that the offense
charged in the complaint has been committed and there is sufficient cause to
believe the defendants guilty thereof, E. C. Bonner, presiding Judge, made
the order that the defendants held to answer to the same and that they be
admitted to bail in that sum of $2,500.00.
REMINISCENCES OF PIONEER DAYS ARE RECALLED
In a former letter I mentioned most all the farmers that were living in the
vicinity of Fort Bidwell fifty years ago. However, I failed to mention Henry
"Hank" Dickenson. He owned a ranch six miles south of town. "Hank" was
a
native of New York State and a veteran of the Civil War. Once his Company
was being shelled, by the rebels on a night that was dark. He took refuge
behind a small stump and imagined that he was safe. When orders came for
them to move, he grabbed the stump intending to use it for assistance to
regain his footing. The stump broke at the ground, so rotten it would have
been about as much protection from a cannon ball as a wheat straw. But he
had felt sage all the time it was between him and the cannon.
Another old soldier, I believe the only one now in the valley, is S. K.
Hilderbrand, still living at Bidwell. He is past ninety years. At one time
there was a Fort called Fort Warner, about sixty-five miles North of Fort
Bidwell, between Lakeview and Honey Creek. It was abandoned sometime in the
seventies. The Indians were a nuisance to the early settlers for several
years. Noah Clough, at the north end of the valley had his grain threshed
and piled up in sacks at the stack yard, the Indians came that night and cut
the sacks and dragged them around and spilled all the grain in the dirt.
About the same trip they attacked the cabin of the McConnaughy brothers,
about four hundred yards from the garrison: R. __. McConnaughy was wounded.
The soldiers were aroused by the noise of the battle and rushed to the scene
of the conflict and the Indians were dispersed. A party composed of soldiers
and civilians went in pursuit and overtaking them at Bald Mountain, killed
and captured the entire band, squaws and all. This battle broke the war
spirit of the Piutes for all time and they became fairly good Indians –
while still living. Of the volunteers that accompanied the soldiers, I can
recall only the names of J. R. Baty, Peter Quirk and Ralph Neasham. I think
the incident of the famous "pepper" story happened at some other time,
probably when Parson Cook chewed the empty flour sack and swallowed the
juice. Life in the far West was precarious in those days. Ralph Neasham
owned the ranch at the foot of Neasham Hill, which in early days was known
as "Crook’s Hill" in honor of General Crook. Ralph Neasham and wife raised a
family of fourteen children, ten boys and four girls. They were sturdy,
dependable thoroughbreds. Not a runt in the lot. They walked five miles to
school and back and regarded the feat as only a part of the day’s work. They
grew up and went their various ways, with no black marks against them. The
Neasham family were pioneers, in fact. Now we will travel southward. The
Vaughn ranch was owned by a Mr. Taylor, then came, Oathe Miller and next his
brother, Sam. They came from Iowa. Both long since gone to their reward, but
of their children and grandchildren are still living in the valley. Next is
the Shartel ranch, now owned by Harry Ward. William Shartel, was a man among
men and very energetic. He lived the "strenuous life" to its fullest measure
for eighty-one years. He was killed by an electric street car in Los Angeles
in 1917.
Felix Allen
Alturas, Cal., May 8, 1935
LAKE CITY NEWS NOTES
News was received here that Annabelle Hays was very ill and had to be taken
to Klamath Falls for treatment. We understand that it is a form of mastoids.
Dave Baty started his cattle to Hall’s meadows Monday. Due to the heavy snow
in Lake City pass, they have to be taken around by Cedar Pass this spring.
School closes here at Lake City Friday, May 10th. The following pupils are
graduating this year: Marian Carter, Bernice Painter, Mary Hanks, Clifton
Jones, Richard Largent, Philip Largent and John Strief.
We congratulate these young people upon their success, also their teacher,
Mr. Steele, who has helped them to attain one more round on the ladder of
learning.
Mrs. Iva Quirk has been receiving treatment at the Hospital at Alturas is
reported doing well.
FORT BIDWELL HIGHLIGHTS
Mrs. Mettie McConnaughy left for Alturas last Saturday to make a brief visit
with her daughter, Mrs. Emma Verling and other relatives and friends.
Mr. and Mrs. Roy Baker were town visitors from Alturas last Sunday. Their
daughter Miss Ruth accompanied them home after a weeks visit with her
grandmother, Mrs. Annie Billups.
The busiest people in town at the present time are our seniors selecting
their wardrobes, looking their prettiest to have their pictures taken and
preparing for one of the happiest times in their lives, "graduation". Gordon
feels like it will be an embarrassing moment for him as he is the only boy
in the class, but don’t fret Gordy, you will look just as sweet in your
formal as the girls.
NEWSY NOTES FROM NEW PINE CREEK
Mrs. Charles J. Cook was operated n for goiter at Klamath Falls on Monday of
last week and the last report received was that she is getting along nicely.
A wedding shower was given here one day last week in honor of Mrs. Claud
Newcomb, nee Wilma Cloud. Mr. and Mrs. Newcomb surprised their many friends
by their marriage at Reno, Nevada and the writer must have been the last one
to hear of the wedding for he asked the happy young wife a few days ago when
it was going to take place and she said that it happened two weeks ago. We
wish at this time to extend heartiest congratulations and may they have all
the blessings that will make their married life one round of pleasure,
happiness and contentment.
Mrs. Lyle Cook has been at the General Hospital the past ten days and is
reported improving and will soon be able to return home, we are glad to
hear.
Born at Medford, Oregon, April 10, 1935 to Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Rutledge, a
son – Ernest Lewis Rutledge. (Mrs. Rutledge was Miss Phyllis Lewis, daughter
of Mrs. John Christens, before her marriage and is a native of Surprise
Valley, born at the Smalls Ranch, east of town).
~~~~~~
Billie C. & Anita 'Jean' Reynolds
Family Researcher of
"The Last Frontier"
Modoc County, California
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