Wednesday, May 30, 2007 “Looking Back” is a regular feature of the Modoc County record, published weekly in Alturas, California. The following is transcribed from the May 24, 2007 issue. Looking Back 113 Years Ago – 1894 UNLESS WE have some heavy frost in the near future, fruit crops in Modoc will surprise the oldest residents. Trees in all sections of the county are loaded with fullest capacity….The toll road between Alturas and Adin is now open to the public….Frank Kenyon has plenty of hay for parties who wish to stop there….About 20 residents have signed their willingness to join a gun club that is proposed for Alturas. 93 Years Ago – 1914 HEARTY COOPERATION last year between forest officers and the public resulted in a splendid fire season and forest supervisor Chris Rachford is hoping for similar success this season. Last year 49 fires were reported and they were held within one acre apiece….There is a lot of tick fever going around and fishermen should be duly aware….Horse buyers from the Red River Lumber Company have been in the county securing horses for construction of a big mill at Westwood….Chas. Peterson, the Showman from Cedarville, is taking his picture machine around the county to give interesting lectures. 73 Years Ago – 1934 MODOC UNION High teachers have been rehired for next fall and include Ross Stephens, principal; L.J. Austin, Elizabeth Fisher, Leon B. Lewis, L.W. Musick, Margaret McKowin, I.C. Elliot, Ruth Nielsen, Marks Smith, Mabel Stollar. The New Pine Creek branch teachers are P.A. Sample and Melville Hoyt….MUHS graduation speakers are Ruth French (Valedictorian ), Paul Baker, Laura Van Horn, Betty Williams, Dorothy Vernon, John Gloster, and Reginald Leonard….Ivorian Hamilton and Beatrice Ehrman were first in the County Typing 1 contest and Josephine Pratt and Dorothya Timmons were first and second in typing II. 53 Years Ago – 1954 THE AVERAGE snow depth on Cedar Pass is only 2.0 inches and well below the 29.5 inches measured there at this time in 1953….AF of L. Mill workers at White Pine Lumber Company have voted 39 to 24 to walk out on strike this week….John Kerr, Gary Lybarger, Judy Follett and Sue Ellen Conwell are the AES graduation speakers this year….Six Alturas Tigers are hitting over the .400 mark and include Gordy Robertson .615, Earl Chappell .584, Pete Stanford .435, and Perry Arrowood .439. 44 Years Ago – 1963 WHEAT GROWERS in Modoc have rejected the governments certificate plan by an 80 percent margin….Alturas” first Modoc Fandango is raring to go with three big days of activity lined up….The Alturas Elementary School had listed 72 youngsters for graduation….Colorado Tick Fever has again been reported in Modoc….Temperatures have been in the 80’s all week….Three point or better law has been enacted for the Modoc area for the first time in many years this fall…. Bill Wakefield will be the guest speaker at the Alturas 20-30 annual Awards banquet ….Herman Johnson has resigned as head of the Surprise Valley Music department…. Gary Benner was the first boy to catch a fish at the Rotary Fish Derby. ` The 1934 section brought many memories of those students and teachers. Marks Smith was always a favorite teacher of mine. He was lean, quiet, scholarly and understanding. Some time later he followed L.J. Austin as principal of the school. Ross Stephens place was taken by Harry Wandling, a surprise Valley boy, and he was followed by L.J. Austin, and then Marks Smith. I never knew any of the principals that followed Marks Smith. Hope to see you all again next week. Ron Morgan