Hi Billie & Anita, I believe that I have learned more about my Modoc County families from reading your newspaper transcriptions than from any other source. Today I hit another jackpot with information about two more ancestors, Larry Hall and Heb Miller. Larry Hall was a "buckaroo" as his niece called him. As far as I know, he never married and spent his whole life going from ranch to ranch in California and Nevada. Almost everything I know about him was taken from the various transcripts you have sent to the CAMODOC mail list. Thank you again for all your hard work. Ken Tessendorff ================ In a message dated 11/25/2005 9:10:04 AM Pacific Standard Time, r3346@sunset.net writes: SURPRISE VALLEY RECORD – CEDARVILLE, MODOC COUNTY, CA MARCH 2ND, 1932 LARRY HALL IS VICTIM OF BLOW ON HEAD FROM UNKNOWN Cedarville is becoming citified in regard to the crime situation, for on last Friday evening between the hours of ten and eleven, Larry Hall, old time vaquero, claims to have been hit over the head with some blunt instrument and knocked unconscious. It seems that Hall was in the Cedarville Bakery talking to Fred Koenig and as several customers came in he prepared to leave for Koenig Bros.’ Ranch to the west of town, where he has been staying for the past few months. He picked up his purchases, put them in a sack and left by the rear door, as his horse was tied in the alley just east of the Bakery. Hall claims that while going out of the rear door of the Bakery and as he was closing the screen door, he was struck on the head with a piece of pipe. He states that he could see the blow coming and raised his hand to shield his head. Allegedly as a result of the blow, a two-inch gash was cut in his left temple and his left arm badly bruised. He states that he fell twice between the back door of the Bakery and the cellar, belonging to Mrs. Frances Wilson, where some splashes of blood was found on the cellar door, the only traces of the accident. Within the course of ten minutes, he staggered back into the Bakery and fell on the floor in a semi-conscious condition. Dr. Kennedy was immediately called and Hall was taken to his office, where eight stitches was taken to close the wound in his head. For the next forty-eight hours, Hall remained in a semi-stupor and rallied once in a while and told a few coherent details of how the accident happened. Upon his statements, one man was held under arrest for a few hours, but was later released. At this writing, Hall is recovering from the accident and no further clues have been found. Saturday morning, District Attorney, Jake Sharp and Deputy Sheriff Ray Tierney were over from Alturas investigating, the result of which we have not learned at this writing. OBSEQUIES OF William ROUTSON William Baker Routson passed away at his home in Fort Bidwell, Cal., February 23, 1932, at the age of 73 years, after a sort illness, due to heart trouble and pneumonia. Mr. Routson was born at Sierra City, California, February 8, 1859 and in 1880, the town of Fort Bidwell, where he worked for Mr. Mapes for several years. Mr. Routson was married to Elizabeth Neasham, January 1, 1889. After which he went to work for the McConnaughy Bros. and the MC Company where he worked for 23 years. After Mr. Routson’s foremanship with the M. C. Company in Warner Valley, he bought a ranch there and invested in sheep. In 1909, he sold his property to Mrs. Wibble and moved to the town of Fort Bidwell, where he spent the remainder of his days among his many friends. Mr. Routson is survived by one sister, Minnie Lantier, of Cottonwood, Cal., his dear wife and son, Ross, of Fort Bidwell, Cal. He was laid to rest in the Fort Bidwell cemetery, February 25, 1932. Rev. V. A. Vinyard, of Cedarville, Cal., conducted the funeral services. The many friends of the bereaved family extend their sympathy in the regret of the departure of their beloved husband and father. (1:2) HEB MILLER MANGLES HAND LAST FRIDAY Heb Miller, foreman on the State Highway, suffered a painful injury last Thursday when an accident occurred in which he mashed his left hand. It seems that Heb was holding the heavy iron tongue of the grader up trying to connect it with the tractor, when he slipped and the heavy tongue fell to the ground with his hand beneath it. A x-ray was taken of the injured member, but at this writing, we have not learned whether or not any bones were fractured. NOT GUILTY SAYS JURY The trial of Frank Goings and Bill McConnell, who were charged with grand theft in regard to 200 sheep, alleged to have been stolen from P. C. Murphey, of Davis Creek, two years ago, began last Tuesday morning in the Superior Court and the case was turned over to the jury late Thursday afternoon. A verdict of "not guilty" was rendered at about 10:30 Friday morning. It is said the first ballot taken was 11 for acquittal and one for conviction in the case of Frank Goings. The longer session necessary before an agreement was reached in the McConnell case. District Attorney, Jake Sharp, assisted by Judge C. A. Raker, prosecuted the case. Attorneys, A. K. Wylie and Oscar Gibbons, representing the defendants. The jury hearing the case was composed of Joe Lockwood, Aubrey Wickliffe, John Hawkins, Herbert Salisbury, Ed Pomeroy, John Neer, S. B. Streig, Orville Hotchkiss, S. W. Taylor, David Grove, W. S. Brooks and foreman, Rose Briles. HAYDEN HILL MINER LOSES HAND IN BLAST Jim Lang, 46, a miner at Hayden Hill was taken to the Alturas hospital Sunday afternoon by Dr. C. M. Tinsman, of Adin, following his serious incident Saturday morning. Lang was working alone and had a charge of powder. Failing to go off within the expected time, he went to investigate and received the full blast, as he reached his hand in the hole. His left hand was badly mangled and his face powder burned. Small pieces of rock were also embedded in the flesh of his face and chest. The injured man walked to the main road and was picked up by a motorist and taken to Adin. Dr. Tinsman seeing his many injuries took him to Alturas, where assisted by Drs. McKinney and Gibson, he amputated the hand at the wrist and took out many of the small rocks. The father of Lang was killed some years ago by a premature blast, while mining. – Lassen Mail FORT BIDWELL NEWS ITEMS John Smith returned to Bidwell last Friday from Alturas, where he has been under Dr. Gibson’s care for several weeks for treatment for ulcers of the stomach. RESIDENTS OF Lakeview VISIT SURPRISE Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald, of Lakeview, were in Fort Bidwell last Thursday, attending the funeral of William Routson. Mrs. Fitzgerald is a sister of the deceased. March 10th, 1932 APPLIES TO ROLPH FOR PARDON Rodney Selby, who was convicted for 2nd degree murder on June the 17th, 1930 and sentenced to serve a term of five years to life in San Quentin has applied to Governor James Rolph for a pardon or commutation of sentence. Selby was the proprietor of the Indian Springs Service Station located this side of Adin and was convicted for the killing of a Federal Prohibition at that place, when they attempted to arrest him for selling liquor. TAX COLLECTOR IS "GRANDPA" Born at Susanville, March 3rd, 1932 to Mr. and Mrs. Orlo Bayley, a fine eight and one-quarter pound daughter. Mrs. Bayley was formerly, Miss Lahmi Ballard, daughter of Tax Collector C. A. and Mrs. Ballard of Alturas. Mrs. Fred PICKRELL PASSES AT Alturas Mrs. Margaret Ellen Pickerell, aged 59 years, of Eagleville, died Saturday, on March the 5th, 1932 at the General Hospital in Alturas following a long illness. The body was taken to Eagleville, where the funeral was conducted under the charge of Father Gerald O’Driscoll. Mrs. Pickerell has been a resident of Eagleville for the past 20 years and leaves to mourn her loss, her husband, Fred Pickerell, one daughter, Mrs. James Connelly, and one son, Freddie Pickerell, two sisters, Mrs. Will Smith of Mindon, Nevada and Mrs. May McNamara of Carson City, who attended the funeral. (5:1) LEFT FOR Nevada Bill McCluskey left Saturday for Cottonwood, Nevada, where he went to take care of Dave Beebe, who had his feet frozen recently at that place. FRACTURES ARM Mrs. Marion Steward of Lake City fell last Monday and fractured her arm. She was brought to Cedarville, where Dr. Kennedy set the injured member. RETURN TO Cedarville Mr. and Mrs. Clinton Franklin, who have been living on Parker Creek have returned to Cedarville, where they will make their home in the future. MARCH 16TH, 1932 TRIAL SET FOR MARCH 25TH A warrant was served on Alex Ash last Monday, signed by LaVergne Kipp of the Cedarville Quarantine Station. It seems that Ash failed to stop last Sunday, while passing the Quarantine Station and according to law is guilty of a misdemeanor. A hearing was held Monday and the date of the trial is set for Friday, March the 25th. INTERLOCUTORY GRANTED An interlocutory decree of divorce was granted last Thursday in the Superior Court at Alturas to Carrie Garrett vs. Sam Garrett, both of Lake City, California. The decree was granted on the ground of failure to provide. RECEIVES FINAL DECREE A final decree was granted in the Superior Court in Alturas last week in the divorce case of Mae Addington vs. Frank Addington. MARRIED IN Lakeview Dow Franklin Frakes, son of L. D. Frakes of Lakeview and Miss Leota Reames, teacher at the Warner School were married in Lakeview last Saturday. Both parties have a host of friends in the county, who is extending their best wishes. They will make their home at Cedarville, where Dow is employed with the Cressler estate stock cattle. – Lakeview Tribune SINCE A PLUG FILLS A HOLE, IF A MAN SMOKED PLUG TOBACCO, WOULD YOU CALL IT HOLY SMOKE? TO MAKE HOME IN LAKE CITY Mr. and Mrs. Sid Codburn of Ashland arrived recently in Lake City, where they will make their home in the future. RETURNS FROM HOSPITAL Earl Benner, who has been at the Base Hospital at mare Island for the past two months returned to his home here in Cedarville last weekend. MARCH 23RD, 1932 TO BE MARRIED TODAY Miss Opal Hill, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Hill, of this place, but residing in Red Bluff and Mr. Elmer Wurth of Red Bluff are to be married at that place today. Miss Hill is a teacher in the Red Bluff Grammar School and Wurth is Foreman of the University Extension Experimental Farms at Red Bluff. The bride is well known in Surprise Valley and her many friends wish them prosperity and success over the seas of matrimony. SON ARRIVES AT WILSON HOME Mr. and Mrs. Harry Wilson are the proud parents of a son born to them on March 20th, 1932 at their home in Cedarville. Harry has been busy the past week passing out the cigars. BODY OF FRANK STEWART FOUND The body of Frank Stewart, 42 of the Carlisle mine, lost in the snow on February 14th was found the first part of last week. Receding snow under the warm weather of last week resulted in the finding of Stewart’s skills two days ago. The body was discovered just off the trail a week ago last Monday morning. The body had been mangled by coyotes or bears. Stewart left Cisco for the mine in the face of a storm, which soon developed into a blizzard. Searching parties were sent out and periodic trips were made over the territory until all hope had been abandoned. The body was found about three miles from Cisco and about two miles from Hilton’s mine, on the trial to the Carlisle mine, his destination. John Stewart of El Cerrito, father of the victim, for days refused to abandon hope believing that his son had found refuge in one of the deserted cabins in the hills. The body was found by a party headed by Al Morse. Alvah Hooper, deputy coroner, was summoned from Grass Valley to conduct the inquest, the point where the body was found being in Nevada County. – Bee Stewart was well known in Surprise Valley having been born here in Cedarville and lived the early part of his youth here. His many friends regret to learn of his tragic death. MARCH 30TH, 1932 EASTER WEDDING IS SOLEMIZED Last Sunday morning, Easter Wedding Bells rang, when Rev. Virgil A. Vinyard wedded Mr. Everett Cavin and Mrs. Thelma Wilbur of Cedarville. The immediate family and the Hotel guests were present at the hour of six, when the ceremony took place. Twenty-three guests were present at the Wedding Breakfast. Shortly after this the bride and groom left by car on a honeymoon trip to Sterling, Kansas and points in Oklahoma, where they will visit with relatives and friends. Their many friends here in Surprise Valley wish them success and prosperity over the rugged seas of matrimony. Eagleville NOTES Mrs. Edna Avilla of Alturas spent the weekend with her mother, Mrs. Fred Street. Mr. and Mrs. John Thrasher of Gerlach are visiting Mr. and Mrs. John Taylor this week. Mrs. Thrasher was formerly Miss Helen Taylor. PRELIMINARY HEARING HELD IN JUSTICE COURT A preliminary hearing was held before Justice of the Peace, J. H. Westervelt last Friday morning on the warrant issued by the State of California vs. Alex Ash, local garage man. The warrant originated, when Ash failed to stop at the Cedarville Quarantine Station upon being flagged. At the hearing, Ash pled not guilty and demanded a jury trial, which will take place on May the 2nd. THREATENED WITH PNEUMONIA Mrs. Bernard Benner, who has been quite ill with a cold during the past week is threatened with pneumonia at this writing. DOWN FROM FORT BIDWELL Clarence Decious was a visitor from Fort Bidwell, where he came to get his sister, Audry, who spent last weekend in Bidwell visiting with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Decious of that place. ~~~~~~ Billie C. & Anita 'Jean' Reynolds Modoc County, California "The Last Frontier" www.rh2o.com/modoc --- Our outgoing mail is checked by avast! AntiVirus. Avast! Is Free To Home Users. ============================== Search Family and Local Histories for stories about your family and the areas they lived. Over 85 million names added in the last 12 months. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx