SURPRISE VALLEY RECORD, CEDARVILLE, MODOC COUNTY, CAL
WEDNESDAY JULY 24, 1935
JOHN J. WILEY TAKES UP NEW POSITION
SHERIFF SHARP TAKES CONVICTED MAN TO SAN QUENTIN
Sheriff John C. Sharp returned Thursday from San Quentin, where he
accompanied john J. Wiley, convicted of cattle theft. Probation Wednesday
had been denied Wiley following an extended hearing before the Modoc County
probation commission. Judge F. M. Jamison had sentenced him to an
indeterminate term in San Quentin of from one to fourteen years.
Wiley stood the trip in good shape. Sharp, stated, although he grew quite
nervous before he was finally delivered to the warden. The failure of
several friends to meet him at San Rafael proved disappointing.
That Wiley is a cattle lover was evidence of each band of cattle he passed
while on his way to San Quentin. He would admire them, pick out good stock
and appeared interested in each individual animal, it was stated.
Wallace McCrary and Harvey Smith, who confessed the theft of which Wiley was
convicted, will be sentenced on August 1st.
LIGHTNING BOLT SETS SMALL FIRE
Sunday morning a lightning bolt hit the willow patch on the H. O. Hughes
ranch north of Cedarville and set fire to a bunch of dry willows. This fire
could have been a disastrous one if it had not been discovered in time.
BOLT OF LIGHTNING BURNS SWITCHBOARD
Early Sunday morning a lightning bolt struck close tot he switchboard at the
Crane Creek Lumber Company plant at Willow Ranch and burned the entire board
out. Willow Ranch will be without lights and power for a few days until the
damages can be repaired.
HARRY McCONNELL LEAVES FOR WYOMING TO ATTEND FUNERAL OF MOTHER
ALTURAS – Harry McConnell yesterday was called to Wyoming, where he was
advised his mother had died. McConnell who has not seen his family in 11
years had been planning a trip home in about two weeks. The mother resided
in Laramie and McConnell left for that place on the Tuesday train to attend
the funeral services and spend a few weeks with other relatives. (1:2)
BOY WHO DIED OF DREAD MALADY IS LAID TO REST
ALTURAS – John Mathis, 14-year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Nad Mathis of Davis
Creek was buried Friday in Alturas, following his death after several days
illness from the epidemic type of spinal meningitis.
The method in which he acquired the disease is unknown. He was brought to
the hospital where he succumbed Wednesday. (1:4)
LIKELY RESIDENT PASSES
"Jap" Fountain, Likely resident, suffered a heat attack last Friday evening,
which resulted in his death. He is an employee at the Victor Christensen
ranch. (1:4)
INJURED YOUTH RETURNS HOME
Frank Nolan, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. frank Nolan of Eagleville, who
recently underwent a trepanning operation at the County Hospital, was able
to return to his home in Eagleville Sunday evening.
His condition is considerable improved and he is now on the road to
recovery.
DOINGS AT EAGLEVILLE
MR. JOE REEDER, who was injured when he had the misfortune of his Model-T
turnover, is slowly improving.
HAY HANDS, who a week ago were many are now very few.
JOE HARRIS who fell into a running mowing machine is improving from his cuts
and bumps.
SHERRIFF GOES TO SEE IF SUSPECT IS BANDIT
PETE SULLIVAN, OREGON MURDERER WILL BE LOOKED OVER BY MAN HE STUCK UP
ALTURAS – Sheriff John Sharp and Ovie Nielsen, teller at the Alturas Branch
Bank of America left Tuesday morning for Salem, Oregon, where Pete Sullivan,
serving a left term for murder will be looked over to determine if he was
the man who, single-handed, stuck up the Alturas bank last December 14th.
Photographs of Sullivan have been recognized by Nielsen and Beth Walls, as
the man who held them up. It is believed Sullivan will confess when
confronted by Nielsen.
LOCAL BRIEFS
ALTURAS NEWS NOTES
A large crowd attended the funeral at the Kerr Chapel Friday of Jasper
Fountain, 61 years old who died suddenly last Tuesday.
NEWS NOTES FROM NEW PINE CREEK
An unusually heavy thunderstorm struck this section last Sunday morning
about four o’clock. Very heavy roaring-thunder and lightning snapping in
every direction. At George Deter’s Ranch, Jesse Lightle was milking in the
barn when lightning struck into the barn killing the cow he was milking and
knocking Jesse unconscious for a few minutes; knocking all the other cows
down and Walter Lightle, who was on the outside of the barn was also knocked
to the ground. Mr. Deter’s milking machine, well electric pump and the
transformer at his place were all burned out. A very heavy downpour of rain
for several minutes followed the lightning and thunder.
Mr. and Mrs. August Lanborn are visiting at the State Line Town. Mr. Lanborn
holds a good position with Shell Oil Company at the City in their chemical
department. He is a son of Mrs. Riley Woods of New Pine Creek.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Martin of Alturas, Calif., were visitors at the State
Line town, last Sunday. Mrs. Martin is a sister of Mrs. J. W. Horr.
As we were about to close our notes, we heard that the thunderstorm raised
Cain at Willow Ranch, burning out a big electric switch at the Box Factory,
knocking out the Electric power in our busy neighboring lumbering city.
The writer must be slow in keeping tab on young folks getting married; we
did not learn until this weekend that a wedding took place on July 5th, the
contracting parties were Violet Brown and Chester Smith of Willow Ranch.
Better late than never, folks, so here goes. We hope to see your married
life one round of success and happiness.
FORT BIDWELL HIGHLIGHTS
Mrs. George Maupin from Chico has been visiting with her daughter, Mrs. Max
Fulcher the past two weeks.
Mr. and Mrs. McBride arrived here Saturday evening from Oakland to visit for
a short time with Mrs. McBride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Baty and other
relatives.
WEDNESDAY JULY 31, 1935
ALTURAS BANK BANDIT FOUND IN OREGON PRISON
TELLER SAYS OREGON CONVICT IS THE HOLD-UP MAN
Ovie Nielsen, teller at the Bank of American in Alturas and Sheriff John C.
Sharp recently made a trip to the Oregon State Penitentiary at Salem,
Oregon, where Nielsen definitely identified Pete Sullivan, convict as the
lone bandit, who on December 14th, held up Nielsen, during the noon hour and
robbed the bank of $417.00.
The sheriff was informed Sullivan was convicted on a murder charge in 1925,
but was pardoned on condition in 1929, that he leave the state and remain
away. He worked in and around Tule Lake and various other southern Oregon
points.
Immediately after the bank robbery, Sullivan went north, where he again ran
afoul of the law near Burns, Oregon, where he robbed a man and left him tied
up. His pardon was revoked and he must serve the original sentence for
murder.
A charge of robbery was placed against him on the Modoc County records and
in case he is ever freed on the murder charge, he will have to stand trial
for the bank robbery charge.
FORT BIDWELL HIGHLIGHTS
Elden Fulcher, small son of Mr. and Mrs. Merrill Fulcher, was seriously
injured last Sunday evening when he jumped from a swing, while swinging and
struck the back of his head. Lying in an unconscious state for several days
and showing no improvement, he was moved to Reno last Friday, where X-rays
showed three skull fractures, which necessitates an operation as soon as the
little fellow gains some strength. The community hopes to hear of his
recovery soon.
Mr. John Onita departed for the lower country last Saturday looking for a
new location. Mrs. Onita and baby remained with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ed
Peterson and will join her husband later on.
Friends have been receiving cards from our popular teacher, Mr. Cord
announcing his marriage recently in Los Angeles.
Mr. Jim Williams, who has been seriously ill for the past several months
passed peacefully away last Saturday at 1:30 P.M. He was 77 years of age at
the time of his death and has spent the last half-century of his life in
Fort Bidwell. He owned and was proprietor of the Cosmopolitan Hotel the
greater part of his time. (1:4)
Mrs. Ora Ash is convalescing from a severe case of septic sore throat.
ARRESTED FOR ETTY THEFT
Kenneth McKendrie, a transient, who has been employed at the Jesse Stiner
Ranch for the past week, decided to do some petty thievery and then
disappear. This he did during their absence, when he pilfered the residence,
stole some small change and other things and then made his way to Alturas
and thence to Madeline. When the Stiners’ returned home they soon discovered
their losses and immediately telephoned to the Sheriff, who got trace of the
petty thief.
His hearing will come up before Judge Kennedy some time this weekend.
DOGS BEING SHOT AND POISONED
Several dogs have been shot at and wounded seriously the past week by
someone in the western part of town. Shotguns were used, which wounded the
dogs badly, causing them to suffer long hours of agony and finally die; when
any person regardless of who he may be, shoots a dog, they had better see to
it that they kill it instantly and not cause so much suffering to anything.
Dogs are just the same as any other animal and those who shoot them are
responsible and guilty of committing a crime. No arrests have been made at
this time, however.
Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Bush lost their little dog last week by being poisoned;
Lewis Stanley is also mourning the loss of his favorite dog; which was
poisoned last night.
Harry G. Ward, popular Supervisor of this district, who figured in an auto
accident at Cottonwood, is reported improving and is able to be up and
around at this time. His arm is still in a very bad condition, but no signs
of infection has developed reports state.
Mrs. WALEY TO SERVE HER TIME IN MICHIGAN
TACOMA, WASH. – July 19, - Mrs. Margaret Waley, 19, will be taken from the
Tacoma city jail Sunday to start her trip to the Michigan prison farm at
Milan, where she will serve a 20-year maximum sentence, for kidnapping
George Wyerhauser.
"Weigh well thy words, for once spoken they are launched upon etheric waves
and after many days they will return".
"The world is divided generally into three classes of men: "know-it-alls,
know-nothings and don’t give a-whatever-it-is’s".
"Our first task is to get the economic system to function so that there will
be a greater general security." – President Roosevelt
This adjusted compensation certificate affair certainly seems to be the
bonus of contention.
"Do not condemn your neighbor in his expression. No two leaves unfold alike,
yet all are useful and beautiful."
What worries most of us about tainted money is that ‘taint ours’.
LOCAL BRIEFS
LAKE CITY NEWS NOTES
Several parties from Alturas have been in this locality after berries and
apricots the past week.
Charles Carter is nursing a badly sprained ankle, which he sustained while
fishing. Rumor says Charles went to sleep while fishing and a big fish
slipped up and bit him on the ankle, causing him to jump and receive the
sprain. Charles doesn’t vouch for that version though.
The many friends of Annabelle Hays will be glad to hear that present
indications are such that she may not have to undergo an operation.
NEWS NOTES FROM NEW PINE CREEK
Mrs. Lizzie Taggett was visited by her daughter, Mrs. Lizzie Briggs of
Oakland, Calif., Mrs. Jack Schwab of Florston, Calif., and Mrs. Gordon
Dunseah and baby boy of Reno, Nevada; the latter two ladies being daughters
of Mrs. Briggs. Mrs. Briggs has been working for Bruener’s department store
in Oakland for nine years.
Little Miss Roma Wallace found a five-dollar bill on the floor in the Post
office Store one day last week. That evening Jim Winters came in and asked
if any one had ground any money that he had lost a five-spot and he was made
happy to learn that it had been found.
We are sorry to learn that Miss Doris Dick will have to undergo an operation
for goiter. Miss Dick has not been well for several months and it was
finally found that she was troubled with goiter.
~~~~~~
Billie C. & Anita 'Jean' Reynolds
Family Researcher of "The Last Frontier"
Modoc County, California
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