Tuesday, October 24, 2006 Looking Back is a regular feature of the Modoc County record, published weekly in Alturas, California. The following is transcribed from the October 19, 2006 issue. Looking Back 116 Years Ago – 1890 THE STAGE robber, who robbed the Susanville stage below Milford a short time ago, repeated the experience in Santa Barbara County. He was captured and when he serves his term he’ll find the Lassen Sheriff waiting for him…. A robber broke into Capt. Jenks’ home in north Alturas and stole everything including the carpets off the floor. What is the town coming to?.... J.D. Batemew, the horse doctor, walked here from Plumas County the other day. J.D. walked west when he was 15 years old and says there is no sense beating a poor horse to death just to get someplace. 92 Years Ago – 1914 THE FIRST rain in five months fell on Modoc this week and it’s greatly appreciated by all, even if it did come in very small amounts…. Duck hunting is in full blast in Surprise Valley and guns are in great demand…. The Socialist movement to create eight-hour day and put employees on a wage per hour basis could disrupt the entire county. This will mean that employers will only pay workers what they are worth for an eight-hour day, which will be a good deal less than they received for a 10,12 and 14 hour day that most of us are used to. And it could be a very thin Christmas for many working families if Amendment 3 passes. 72 Years Ago – 1934 THE 20-30 Club lost to Rotary Club for the first time in the deer kill contest and the penalty is a venison dinner. The Rotarians did some lucky shooting, 20-30 president Bob Dorris said. The 20-30 Club also announced plans to build a ski hill up on Cedar Pass and the first work party is planned Sunday…. Alturas Grammar school has started basketball practice with a real corps of athletes that include Earl Laver, Sheldon Harden, Don Rachford, Robert Ehrman, Nolan Greiner, John Weber, Lloyd Royce, Keith and Melvin Smith, Doug Bailey Ernest O’Neil, Albert Cummins, Jim Coon, Glenn Plato and Frank Knemeyer. Coach Want had to order 12 new uniforms…. The first fall rains arrived and the Forest Service has been able to call off the fire season. 52 Years Ago – 1954 GAME NO. 13 proved unlucky for the Modoc Braves when they played Yreka and lost 14 to13 – the first loss in 13 starts for the Braves…. Stores will close in Alturas for the Lakeview football game Saturday…. The Alturas community concert season will open October 27 and will feature violinist James de la Fuente and pianist Herbert Stessin…. Twelve persons have died on Modoc highways so far this year…. The long dry spell is continuing in Modoc and temperatures continue into the 80’s these days…. Yell leaders at Modoc High this year are Sue Williams, Georgie Mitchell and Marilyn Nelson. 32 Years Ago – 1974 ANTIFREEZE, A desperately needed product during the frigid Modoc winters, has doubled and tripled in price over the past year and supplies to local dealers are in precariously low amounts. The antifreeze is selling at $6 a gallon, but that’s cheap. Prices range upwards to $8.50 for a product that cost between $1.69 and $3.50 a gallon last year. I have talked previously about the Alturas Grammar School’s tremendous athletic ability between 1934 and 1937. I iterate that Hal Want was a room and boarder at my Grandma’s place. You could take the same names listed for that Grammar School and extend those names on into high school up to 1939-40. A few names would be missing because the Plato’s moved to lake view, Bob Ehrman moved to Sacramento. I might add that Frank Knemeyer was one great tennis player in a town with but one tennis court in town. Mrs. Fox, wife of barber Andy Fox, would hold court and instruct any youngster that desired to learn. She was a great lady. See you all again in about a week. This all depends upon when my paper is delivered to me which is quite inconsistent. Ron Morgan