Friday, July 14, 2006 Looking Back is a regular feature of the Modoc Record, a weekly newspaper, published in Alturas, California. The following is transcribed from the June 23, 2006 issue. Looking Back 92 Years Ago – 1914 THE BUILDING of the new courthouse in Alturas is quite anm exciting thing. Not only is it keeping the Cantrall Mill at Jess Valley and the Ballard Mill busy, but it is also the center of attraction for sidewalk superintendents. The star of the show is a cement mixer that is run by a gas engine. Nothing like it has ever been seen here before and it is no wonder that large buildings in the big cities ca n be built so rapidly with machines such as this…. Bill Lunsford, one of the popular candidates for Sheriff, is making an extended tour of the county on his bicycle to secure interviews in regard to his political prospects. 72 Years Ago – 1934 THE FOURTH of July celebration is in full swing. In the races yesterday winners were Flashy Babe ridden by Harold Monroe, Snider ridden by Marion Salisbury, and Synfax ridden by Neva Lowell…. Charlie Russell won the bucking contest, edging out Leonard Neva Low Perry Ivory won the cow-horse contest over second place Hippy Burmister. Ivory won the calf-roping event with a 35 second time and Ed Hess won the money in the wild-horse contest. Georgia Troy did a great job entertaining the crowd at the rodeo with songs and banjo playing…. The school districts of Forty-Nine, Gleason Creek, Or,. And Westside have been suspended there aren’t students enough students to continue this fall. 52 Years Ago – 1954 THE MODOC Chamber of has initiated action to request the Modoc Supervisors to change their mind about slicing the County Library budget and closing all the branch libraries in the county…. Mike Morgan has been acclaimed the top rider of the Likely Roping Club Rodeo…. A small tornado whipped the metal roof off the Alturas Building Material Company this week…. ray Brennan has been given the city garbage contract…. Lee Hyde has resigned as manager of the Alturas tigers in order to devote more time to his Little League “Mt. Lily Willies”. 32 Years Ago – 1974 INCREASED CHARGES in the Modoc Medical Center were approved by the Board of Supervisors. Semi-private rooms were raised from $60 to $70 [er day,; private rooms from $65 to $77; and isolation from $65 to $80. The delivery room was increased from $50 to $60; a major surgery (first hour) from $80 to $85. all present rates took minimal increases with the exception of extensive care that was lowered from $90 per day to $80. . Hospital administrator H.G. Erricsson said that the increase reflected inflation factors but are sill in line, or lower, with other hospital rates in Northern California…. A street dance is being planned by the ’74 Fandango Committee on Friday evening, July 5, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The dance will be held on North Street, between Court and Main streets and is open to the public free of charge. The Rodeo of 1934 displayed some of Modoc Counties more famous rodeo participants. Charlie Russell rode for many years. He was a small fellow but he had the heart of a tiger. Unfortunately before his career ended he began to ride after some lubrication with booze and it is a wonder that he was not seriously damaged. Perry Ivory was the worlds champ bronco buster in the late 1920’s. Hippy Burmister was a noted rodeo rider but was also a Hollywood movie veteran for action scenes. He was a pretty good sized fellow. Neva Lowell was from Fort Bidwell and she could ride most any horse. I rode against her in a race at one of the later Rodeo’s and because of the good horse I had, won that race. I thought that was quite an achievements winning against Neva. See you all again next week Ron Morgan .