AUGUST 19, 1931
Mrs. Dora Monchamp, of Roseville has been in the valley several weeks
visiting Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Harris and family.
Miss Ina Stiner and mother, Mrs. Jessie H. Stiner and Miss Arthyda Stiner
left today for Porterville after spending the past three weeks visiting with
relatives in Surprise Valley.
Mr. and Mrs. Norman Jones, arrived here first of the week from the
Sacramento valley; they will spend a short time here visiting Mrs. Jones’
mother, Mrs. Bertie Darst, near Lake City.
Mrs. Iva Quirk, of Lake City, underwent an operation at the Alturas Hospital
yesterday. Dr. Kennedy was the surgeon.
STUNT PROVES FATAL TO RALPH LEONARD AT AIR RODEO SUNDAY
Leaps From Plane Wing into Propeller In Unique Feature Race
One man lost his life, another narrowly escaped death and an airplane was
damaged at Alturas last Sunday in the efforts of the management of the
Alturas Air Rodeo to supply thrills for the spectators of the affair.
The dead man is Ralph Leonard, 18-year old cowboy of Alturas.
His death occurred as he fell from the wing of an airplane head first into
the whirling propeller, when he essayed to change from the airplane to the
back of a horse in a combination airplane and horse race.
PLANNED AS FEATURE
The feature was planned by the Alturas American Legion Post as the premier
feature of the day’s sports at the rodeo. Three airplanes were hired and
three of Modoc’s best cowboys were entered. The plan was for the three
planes to line up with a cowboy and a pilot in each and after the planes had
raced around the track, landed and taxied to a given post the riders were to
leap from the planes mount their horse and finish with the race.
The pilots when they learned what was expected of them, advised the
promoters that special permission for low flying would have to be obtained
from the department of Commerce.
FORBIDDEN AT FIRST
E. E. Moulton, aircraft inspector for the Northern California district, was
consulted and he emphatically refused permission for the stunt. Later after
the promoters had pleaded, they had advertised the stunt and did not want to
break faith with the spectators, Moulton gave permission, but with the
provision that only one plane by used at a time.
Charles Russell, the first cowboy to essay the stunt, leaped from the plane
and as he ran for his horse, missed the whirling propeller by inches.
A second contestant damaged the wing, when he stepped through the fabric.
LEONARD DIES
The third contestant, Ralph Leonard was poised on the wing as his place
landed. As he leaped in route to his pony, he slipped and fell headfirst
into the whirling blade of the propeller. He was almost decapitated and was
killed instantly. It is thought that his foot tripped over a strut wire on
the wing.
The fatality dampened the ardor of the Rodeo crowds and all airplane
features on the program were immediately canceled.
Young Leonard was the eldest son of Mrs. Nona Ivory of this city. Besides
his mother, he is survived by two younger brothers. During the past two
years, he has achieved fame as a rodeo rider. (1:2)
FAMILY REUNION HELD
Last Sunday a family reunion was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse W.
Stiner, of this place, in honor of Mrs. Jessie H. Stiner and Miss Ina
Stiner, of Porterville, Cal., who were visiting in the valley. A dinner was
served and those present besides the mother and sister, were Dr. and Mrs. J.
O. Stiner and son, of Orland, Cal., and Arthur W. and Jesse W. Stiner and
families, of this place. They again assembled on Monday at the home of Mr.
and Mrs. Arthur W. Stiner and enjoyed a dinner prepared for the occasion. It
has been about fourteen years since the family held their last reunion and
it was a very happy occasion to be united again.
Mrs. Willie Stephens, of Fort Bidwell was operated on for appendicitis last
Monday at the Alturas Hospital.
Mr. and Mrs. George Penland, who have been residing at Bieber for sometime,
where they had charge of the Creamery returned to Cedarville and will again
make their home here.
AUGUST 26, 1931
ELEANOR BENNER RECOVERING
Eleanor, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Benner, who was badly injured last
week, is reported improving, we are glad to state.
POPULAR CEDARVILLE COUPLE WED AT RENO
Sunday morning, August 16, 1931, at the parsonage of the First Methodist
Church in Reno, Nevada, B. B. Robinson and Mrs. Phebe M. Mickle were united
in marriage, Rev. Werner officiating. They are both prominent in business
and social circles of this place. Mrs. Robinson has been the cashier in the
Surprise Valley Bank for a number of years and Mr. Robinson is one of the
leading attorneys of the county and has extensive business interests in this
valley.
A host of friends extend congratulations to the newly weds and wish them
unbounded happiness and prosperity.
BADLY INJURED
Price Boyd, brother-in-law of Ed and Jim Connelly, of Lovelock, Nev., who
has been working at the Cummin’s ranch for the past month, was badly injured
while setting nets early Sunday morning; the net caught in the slide and
hurled Mr. Boyd in the air and he came down with such force that the fall
fractured his hip.
SCHOOL DAYS OF PIONEERS RECALLED
REMINISCENCES OF TEACHER MAKES EDUCATIONAL HISTORY
One of California’s real pioneer school teachers – Mrs. Jessie Wing Stiner,
of Porterville – interestingly relates some of her experiences as a school
mistress of the early 70’s in Superior California in a reminiscence received
from her by William John Cooper state superintendent of public instruction.
Cooper believes that Mrs. Stiner, whose "school teaching name" was Bessie
Helen Wing, has a record of teaching which dates back further than any other
in California. She began her life work back in Kennebec County, Maine, in
1865 and came to California to La Porte in 1870.
In November 1883, I began teaching in the Owl Creek District and remained
there seven years. Owl Creek is in Modoc County. I found there a need for
equipment and facilities. The people responded and attended socials and then
from their pockets raised the amount. I was able to get suitable maps, new
furniture, blackboards and books and an organ.
The Hudspeth children attended my school, driving five miles. Ben Hudspeth
later taught and was post-master at Chico. Ernest Hudspeth is a principal of
the Washington Grammar School at Oakland.
Then in Eagleville, an adjoining district, I taught part of a term in the
primary department to finish a term. This was in 1896 and then I retired
from teaching.
Russell Taylor, who was recently operated on for appendicitis at the Alturas
Hospital by Dr. Kennedy, was able to return to his home in Eagleville last
Friday.
Charles R. Suggett and son, Elma are in Surprise Valley this week visiting
with relatives. Mr. Suggett is an uncle of Mrs. Charles E. Cummins, of this
place. He was formerly a resident of Eagleville but is now located at
College City.
Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Golden, of San Diego, are here this week visiting with
their daughter, Mrs. A. E. Noren, of this place.
Mrs. Allen Bacon and family moved to Alturas last Saturday.
The U. S. Forest Service whishes to thank all who helped and co-operation
shown during the recent forest fire in the southern part of the valley; also
the women of Surprise valley who cooked the meals for the fire crews and
helped in every way possible.
A. E. Noren, Forest Ranger
Born - Friday, August the 14th to Mr. and Mrs. Clendon Franklin, a
seven-pound baby boy.
Ben Harriman, formerly of this place, but for the past few years of Arcata
arrived here last Wednesday, where he will spend a short time visiting.
Mrs. John Spencer, of Fort Bidwell, was operated on at the Fort Bidwell
Hospital last Saturday afternoon for appendicitis. She is reported doing
well.
Mrs. Thelma Wilbur and son, Jimmie underwent tonsil operations last Saturday
at the Alturas hospital. The operating surgeons were Drs. Kennedy and
McKenney.
Boyd Herrin, of Vya, Nev., left last Thursday for Bieber, where he will
visit for a short time with his aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. George Penland,
of that place.
~~~~~~
Billie C. & Anita 'Jean' Reynolds
Modoc County, California
"The Last Frontier"
www.rh2o.com/modoc
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