May 6, 2005 Looking Back is a regular feature of the Modoc County Record, a weekly newspaper, published in Alturas, CA. The following is transcribed from the May 5, 2005 issue. Looking Back 117 Years Ago � 1888 DEPUTY CLERK Stanley reported that 900 names had been enrolled on the new great register and applications were pouring in�. We noticed that the large number of trees that were planted in the courthouse square last year, all are dead save about a dozen and these have a sickly appearance, The well which was dug has proven inadequate for irrigation purposes. 97 Years Ago � 1908 THE NCO has reduced round trip fare from Likely to San Francisco, and person�s who would like to go down and look at the big shops can do so for $24�. Temperatures went up to 82 degrees in Alturas at the end of April, but then May came in with a furious snowstorm�. Laying the cornerstone for the new county high school will be delayed until May 30 because the committee felt they didn�t have a good enough program ready for the occasion. 87 Years Ago � 1918 CHAUTAUQUA has brought more people to the town of Alturas than ever before in its history�. Will Oliver, roadmaster for the NCO, suffered severe injuries when his speeder jumped the track near Reno�. Surprise Valley has nearly 400,000 pounds of wheat to be milled at Cedarville and 180,000 pounds at Lake City. 67 Years Ago � 1938 CITY POLICE Chief Pat McHugh appeared before the City Council Monday asking for a $25 per month pay raise that would boost his salary from $150 per month to $175. The council said the �chief deserves a raise, but right now we don�t know where the money would come from�. Pat McHugh was the Chief of police (in fact he was the only police officer) for many years in Alturas. I knew him well because three of his six children were all about my age and we fraternized most of the time. Pats� wife, Kitty, baked every Tuesday. She made bread and as a special treat she would make and fry doughnuts, covered with powdered sugar, for us kids. I loved her raisin bread, and when I was in the army and received a five-day delay in route, to visit Alturas, she presented me with a loaf of her home baked raisin bread, baked just for me. Her son, Jimmie, and I were classmates and he was away in the navy, at that time. See you all again next week. Ron Morgan