THE NEW ERA, ALTURAS, MODOC COUNTY, CA
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1911
LOST IN STORM
CHESTER ESTES LOSES HIS WAY FOR SEVEN HOURS IN BLINDING SNOW STORM
Chester Estes was lost between Ingal Swamp and Bowles Springs for some seven
hours in a blinding snow storm the other day, but fortunately was not
injured by this exposure to the raging elements, though the experience was
not a very pleasant one.
We have no details of his experience, except that his parents were waiting
anxiously at the telephone and finally about half past nine at night, they
were comforted to learn that h had arrived at Bowles Springs, which he
should have reached at two o’clock.
We congratulate Mr. Estes upon his lucky escape, as it is dangerous to lose
one’s way in that section of the country and especially during cold and
stormy weather.
PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION
The case of the People vs. Harry Ciam, for attempting to murder Thomas
Frawley with a pick, has been set for preliminary examination before Justice
of the Peace, W. E. Armstrong for this morning at tn o’clock, but the
District Attorney, C. S. Baldwin, informs us that probably the case will be
continued until Mr. Frawley is strong enough to appear and testify as a
witness at the hearing.
Mr. Frawley is now able to sit up and it will be several days before he will
be able to be out on the street, if this stormy weather continues.
TEN DAY TRIP
PASSENGERS ARRIVE FROM RENO, AFTER A STRENUOUS JOURNEY BY RAIL AND SLEIGH
The train will be in today, which will end the biggest snow blockade ever
known in the history of Modoc.
There has been no train in since Sunday, January 15th. It is estimated that
there are over two-car loads of mail and express on the belated train.
The latest apprehension comes from Long Valley, where it was reported by
telegram last night, that the waters were rising and becoming dangerous to
the N. C. O. Railroad.
Mr. B. Lauer, who arrived home with his wife and a number of fellow townsmen
last Saturday night, after a ten-day struggle to make the journey from Reno
to Alturas, has a tale to tell of the adventures of his party, which is as
thrilling and far more interesting than the history of Peary’s search for
the North Pole. Mr. Lauer tells the story too with a spicy wit and quaint
air of drollery, which leaves nothing to be desired by the listener.
The party left Reno on the 18th, being Wednesday morning, but only reached
Doyle and then the storm drove them back to Reno. Next morning, they started
and reached Snow Storm, but had to return to Amedee, where all stayed at the
hotel at two dollars per day until Wednesday, when they advanced to
Ravendale, which consists of one house.
Here they had to spend two nights in the cars, sitting up. However, no real
hardship was experienced as a quarter of beef on the train was confiscated
and converted into steaks.
Some bread, which was being shipped to E. Lauer & Sons was found and also
pressed into service. Dr. Auble, Harry Rader, Mr. Knight and Mr. Lauer all
assisted as cooks. Old railroad ties were utilized as fuel and all were
merry and comfortable. What was wanting? Nothing. In fact, the jolly party
would have remained there all winter if Wade Williams had not been
inconsiderate enough to come after them from Madeline with a large sleigh
and six horses. They had purloined a sign and with the name of the hotel
erased, it was placed on their car. It read, "Prices reasonable,
accommodations comfortable, - apply at the Ravendale Hotel, office inside
this car."
Taking a last look at their home, they reluctantly started in Mr. Williams’
sleigh, which someone had decorated with a sign, "Narrow Gauge Fast
Freight, - First Section, no delays."
The sleight made most of the journey on the railroad track, but in spite of
the utmost care, the crowd managed to be active enough to turn the sleigh
over three times during the first mile. In spite of having a pilot go
before, they repeated the circus performance once again, then the driver
called a halt, as he disclaimed desiring to transport a circus. Mr. Muir did
the piloting and had several escapes himself.
Arriving Friday night at Madeline, the frisky acrobats rested on their
laurels. The next morning, Saturday, they proceeded on through Likely and
were not arrested, arriving in Alturas at eight o’clock in the evening.
The snow was from three to six feet deep all the way from Ravendale to
Likely.
Last, but not least, Mr. George King, the mail messenger kindly consented to
tonsorial divorce all the sterner sex from their ten-day growth of beard.
Nearly all consented and after the delicate but painful operations, each
victim looked cleaner and wiser. Our barbers cannot say the same.
The delighted and gay company, who left here Tuesday of last week, had a
time never to be forgotten. They so fell in love with Madeline, that they
could not be persuaded to leave until the first train out, which occurred
the following Monday. The regular train left Madeline on time Monday. Mr. W.
T. Cressler and son, Sam were said to be busy all of the time with projects.
Mr. Bieber and many others kept in tune all of the time. Their song was a
liberal variation of "We won’t go home ‘til morning."
LOCAL AND PERSONAL
We have not seen our friend George Reynolds for sometime until Saturday, he
made a flying business visit to town.
Mrs. Walter Cochran and little baby boy, who was born on the 9th of January,
are both doing nicely. This date was Mr. Cochran’s fathers’ birth date.
Our old friend, Felix Allen is around again as plucky as ever, since he
broke three of his ribs. He sustained a very serious and dangerous fall and
fells grateful that the accident was not worse.
Mr. H. L. Rader with his wife and children had a similar experience with all
the others in a week sojourn between Reno and Alturas. They are stopping at
the Stewart house and will be unable to return to their home at Willow
Ranch, until it is fully decided whether Mrs. Rader has Pneumonia.
Mr. L. H. Sisson telephoned to his wife, Monday and had a pleasant reply
that she would try to start home immediately with a hope of arrival on the
Thursday train, which there is a fair prospect of having come through on
time. Mrs. Sisson has been spending a few weeks in Oakland with personal
friends.
When finally the citizens made it possible for Wade Williams to take out one
load of mail last Saturday, he gathered up there for four tons of the seven,
which arrived at Madeline last Saturday night and arrived in Alturas at
about six Sunday night, having started about eight in the morning.
Mr. William Dunaway during one time last week walked seven miles through
heavy snow in front of the train. In order to guard against possible broken
rails. This beats office work for general health. A careful estimate by one
who knows, states that this winter’s tie up, up to date, will have cost the
railroad nearly $60,000.00.
We regret to hear that Lance Estes has had to move and give up a very
excellent position on account of his wife’s health. He has not fully decided
just where they will locate, but it will have to be some where near Los
Angeles. It is sincerely to be hoped that the move will prove thoroughly
beneficial to Mrs. Estes and bring rapid recovery.
Mrs. A. C. Kistler and children passed through town on their way to
Cedarville, also Mrs. H. Merryfield and her sons, James and Arthur Gray on
their way home to Eagleville. These friends took part in this last weeks’
jollification on the N. C. O.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1911
LAMB – MURDOCK
A few weeks ago, the papers announced the marriage of Maurice D. Lamb and
Orba D. Payne. Now it is a younger brother of Maurice, who has given our
journalists a pleasant topic to write about.
Merville L. Lamb and Zelma L. Murdock, both of Cedarville, were united in
marriage at the Baptist parsonage on Wednesday evening, February 1st, 1911,
by Rev. G. N. Gardner.
The bride was robed in a very tasty gown of cream satin while the groom wore
the conventional suit of black.
Both the bride and groom are well known and highly respected and their many
friends anticipate for them a long and useful married life.
Mr. Lamb is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lamb of Cedarville and for
sometime has been an expert telegraph operator under the employ of N. H.
McKinsey.
Miss Murdock has been employed as clerk in the dry goods department of T. H.
Johnstone at Cedarville and is highly esteemed by all who knows her.
LOCAL AND PERSONAL
Dr. A. Gibson left this morning with Frank Sunnafrank for Sacramento, where
Mr. Sunnafrank will be operated upon for appendicitis.
"Jake" Martin has been up at the Eagle Swamp Ranch for sometime, but had to
return this week on account of a severe attack of lumbago.
George Fisher has not lost any of his cheerfulness, by being away all
winter, but returns as jolly as ever. He was on his way through Alturas last
week, in a hurry to greet his family who proceeded him sometime ago into
Surprise Valley.
Fred Baker, the Indian who escaped from the chain gang sometime ago,
returned to Alturas and was captured last Monday by sheriff Smith and
Marshall Poindexter. He was intoxicated when arrested and put up quite a
fight before they got him behind the bars.
R. J. Mack formerly from Lakeview where he has a home and property, but has
lived in Alturas for some weeks was very ill with dropsy, which has more or
less afflicted him for three years. He was taken to the hospital Tuesday and
died at 5 o’clock yesterday. (1:3)
Mr. and Mrs. George Davis of Forestville, near Santa Rosa, were made happy
in the advent of a little daughter. Mrs. Davis was Miss Francis Mulkey, so
you see grandpa smiling here and there. The world moved round, we are not as
young as we were once, yet the smiles I see never die. Friend Mulkey.
Mr. C. M. Merriotte and wife are here for a short time visiting their son,
who has made his home in this County with the Dorris Bros. Mr. Merriotte has
been with the Chicago and North Western for 38 years and has not had a
vacation for a great number of years. They have had a desire to come West
for a great many years but have never taken the time until now. Their home
is at Elroy, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. M. are pleasant people to meet and we
wish that it were possible to locate them with us.
Miss Mary Estes, whom every body knows had quite an examination of her
intermediate pupils, taking lessons upon the piano, last Monday.
Mr. and Mrs. John Porter of Parker Creek found it necessary to bring their
little son into town to see the Doctor last week, he was suffering with
abscess under the arm. He was greatly relieved and they took him home after
two days.
Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Chambers rejoiced in the birth of a son Sunday morning at
six o’clock. All are doing well in the care of Mrs. Ball, mother of Mrs.
Chambers.
Since the storm has blown over, Mr. Omar Cantrall has come back to town from
his mill to look after his lumber interests, which are moving right along in
spite of the unusual season.
Mr. and Mrs. George Williams of Madeline came into town Saturday and
remained over Sunday. Mr. Williams came on important business and Mrs.
Williams desired to visit her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Frawley.
Mr. J. C. Allen of Cedarville had a unique experience last week. He went
below to meet his cousin, Mr. J. L. Smith, Mrs. A. Smith and Miss May Smith,
wife and daughter of Mr. Smith. This family were from Centralia, Washington
and Mr. Allen had never met them before. Mr. Allen had met Mr. Smiths’
father in 1865. Mr. Allen is to be commended for bringing new and good
citizens into our County.
Sam Sargent has gone over to Yreka on account of his brother-in-laws’
illness.
Mr. and Mrs. George Hapgood spent several days with Mrs. Sam Sargent last
week and then went over to their Nevada ranch.
Although still on crutches, we were glad to see Walker Linville, able to be
out in the glorious sunshine last Saturday. Walker was badly hurt and does
not know yet just how his foot is going to be.
Mr. Thomas Frawley is our again and walking around on crutches, which is
better than we feared would be the result of so dangerous attack. We all
rejoice in knowing that Mr. Frawley is out of danger.
For over a week, Mr. and Mrs. Cornellius Murphy have been hovering over
their little son, Carrol, who has been stricken with a dangerous attack of
Spinal Meningitis. Doctor Gibson has very little hope of his recovery.
Maurice Lamb and Mrs. Lamb, nee Orba Payne, have returned from their wedding
trip, which they have extended over considerable sight-seeing events. They
were most heartily greeted the evening of their return by a host of friends
and relatives. Mr. Lamb when below combined business with pleasure and added
another big car to their already full equipment. The firm of Lamb & Sons
expect to run cars tot he Western Pacific this next summer on the Surprise
Valley side
~~~~~~
Billie C. & Anita 'Jean' Reynolds
Family Researcher of "The Last Frontier"
Modoc County, California
---
Our outgoing mail is checked by ZoneAlarm AntiVirus.