SURPRISE VALLEY RECORD - CEDARVILLE, MODOC COUNTY, CAL WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1935 EAGLEVILLE RAMBLINGS BEN JOHNSON – appears suddenly out of the "Nevada Sage." A sure sign that the frost is out of the ground. RUSSELL STEWART – master at manufacturing cowboy accessories in silver engraving and polishing at a great rate. GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS – inspecting the Cedarville news factory FRANKIE STEVENS – main drag motorist in Cedarville BEN CAMBRON – and Jesse Stevens with pants tied at the bottom an indication for shearing season JOHN ERRAMOUSE – hasn’t torn up a service station for two weeks. JIM SHORT – is gone again BILL HUDSPETH – always pleasant LOUIS GROVES – doing some neat work in automobile refinishing with the spray gun and resplendent colors. It is surmised that some of the boys would like a good polka-dot paint job for their bus. FLOYD COOK – present and accounted for BERT SAWTELLE – possessor of an unusually large arrowhead found near Pot-Hole Springs CHARLIE NOLAN – claims that this arrowhead business keeps his men on the ground more than in the saddle THE LIGHTNERS – picnicking with the E. B. Groves, D. L. Groves and the Lyle and Heide Barbers. Much food, sight seeing, sunburn, alkali dust and enjoyment In Lost Creek area. FISHING – seems to be the favorite outdoor sport since the first. At the present rate of catch the season will shorten automatically, due to the shortage of fish. DICK SCOTT – driving a new fence mower in the form of a coupe this time. ARTHUR HARRIS – always going to, or coming from somewhere LAWRENCE YOUNG – considerably interested in the fishing situation LEON ITCAINA – somewhat surprised over the way a fish hook refuses to come out of a finger LICENSE CONTAINERS – for fishing license. Next, it will be passing signals for courtesy on the creeks. FRED MEYERS – doing acres of old-wing in a number of places. FRED STREET – setting up a new mowing machine DEVELOPING OWN STRAIN OF TURKEYS A. W. Stiner, "the turkey king of Surprise Valley" has been doing some experimenting and breeding of the holiday fowl during the past few years. In fact, he has developed a strain of turkeys, (by cross breeding) which is heavier, faster maturing than the widely advertised Lewis strain, which has gained considerable prominence among turkey producers during the past few years. Stiner now has a strain of turkeys, which will be known as the "Stiner Strain" (that’s our supposition), which produces a 16-pound bird in six months. Mr. Stiner now has 1000 eggs in the incubators and when hatched his ranch will just be a moving mass of Thanksgiving and Christmas festive birds. ALTURAS MATRON PASSES AT WOODLAND Elizabeth Jane Johnson passed away at the Woodland Clinic in Woodland on May 3rd, 1935, following Caesarian operation, which brought this couple a six and a half pound son, which is alive and healthy, but the mother did not survive the operation. Mrs. Johnson was a native of Nebraska, aged 32 years, 11 months and 7 days. She leaves to mourn her passing, her husband, Leon F. Johnson, principal of the Alturas Grammar School and 5-year old daughter, Faye. Her obsequies were held from the Kerr Chapel in Alturas Monday, May 6th and the remains were interred in the Alturas cemetery. Deepest sympathy is extended tot he bereaved ones in their hour of sorrow and loss. (1:3) DATA ON CATTLE RUSTLING CASE IS GIVEN AT PRELIMINARY HEARING Wallace McCRARY AND HARVEY SMITH PLEAD GUILTY AS CHARGED; J. J. WILEY IS BOUND OVER TO THE SUPERIOR COURT IS THE RESULTS OF PRELIMINARY HEARING ON MAY 2. The cattle rustling case, which has caused considerable interest to the residents of Modoc County for the past month finally came to preliminary hearing in the Justice Court of Alturas last Thursday, with Acting Judge, E. C. Bonner presiding. Highlights in the case so far are: On April 1st, 1935, Glen C. Talbert, Madeline Plains rancher and stockman swore to a warrant charging Wallace A. McCrary, Harvey Smith, of the South Fork district and J. J. Wiley of Porterville with grand theft, viz: the taking of five head of cattle. The bail for these men was set at $2,500.00. April 5th: Defendants all in court and the Court informs them of the nature of the charge against them by reading complaint. The Court informed them that they were charged under the names of Jack Wiley, Harvey Smith and Wallace McCrary and inquired if these are the true names as charged. Defendant Wiley states that his name is John J. Wiley, rather than Jack Wiley as stated in the complaint. The Court then informed them of their right to counsel at all stages of the proceedings. Wiley informed the court that he is represented by Attorney Oscar Gibbons and Clifford A. Russell. Defendants Harvey Smith and Wallace McCrary make no statement as to their attorneys. Oscar Gibbons and Clifford A. Russell, attorney for the defendant, Wiley asks the preliminary examination in this case be set for 10 o’clock A. m. on April 24th, at which time the bond was filed for John J. Wiley. April 8th: New bond approved and filed for John J. Wiley. April 12th: Bond for Wallace filed. April 18thL Bond for Harvey Smith filed. April 23, 4:15: Comes into court at defendants Harvey Smith and Wallace McCrary, Oscar Gibbons, Attorney for Wiley and District Attorney, A. K. Wylie. At this time, Oscar Gibbons asks that the examination of this case be reset for May 2nd, 1935, at 1:30 P. M. and the district attorney and defendants, McCrary and Smith consenting thereto, it was ordered that the preliminary hearing be set for May 2nd at 1:30 P. M. Subpoena filed. May 2nd, 1:30 P. M. Case called. Present all three defendants, also court reporter May L. Yates, District Attorney Wylie and Oscar Gibbons and A. M. Mull, Jr., attorney for defendant, Wiley. The court then reads complaint and delivers true copy to each of the defendants. Defendant Wiley is ready to proceed and is represented by attorneys Gibbons and Mull. Defendants Smith and McCrary ready to proceed, but are not represented by counsel. Court inquires of defendant Wiley, if he pleads "guilty" or "not guilty" of the offences charged in the complaint to which he replies NOT GUILTY. The Court then asks Smith and McCrary separately, if they plead guilty or not guilty of the offences charged in the complaint, to which they separately answered, GUILTY. The case then proceeds as to defendant Wiley. Wallace McCrary, one of the defendants is sworn and testifies on behalf of the people. On application of the counsel for Wiley, certain witnesses under Sec. 867, Penal Code, are excluded and admonished. A cancelled check in the amount of $75 drawn in favor of Wallace McCrary and signed by J. J. Wiley, was then introduced as evidence, and filed as exhibit "one" for the people. Re-direct examination by the District Attorney. Recourse examination by the attorneys for defendant Wiley. Re-direct examination and cross-examination by the attorneys. John C. Sharp, Sheriff of Modoc County sworn and testifies on behalf of the people. Cross examination on behalf of the people by attorneys for defendant Wiley. Ernest Dygert, Constable of Alturas, sworn on behalf of the people and is examined by the Attorney for Wiley. Re-direct by District Attorney A. K. Wylie. Raymond Cisco as a witness on behalf of the people is examined by the District Attorney and cross-examined by the attorneys for defendant Wiley. Granville Smith sworn as a witness on behalf of the defendant Wiley and is cross-examined by the district Attorney. Re-direct examination by attorneys for defendant Wiley. Defendant rests. RESULTS: It appearing to the satisfaction of the Court that the offense charged in the complaint has been committed and there is sufficient cause to believe the defendants guilty thereof, E. C. Bonner, presiding Judge, made the order that the defendants held to answer to the same and that they be admitted to bail in that sum of $2,500.00. REMINISCENCES OF PIONEER DAYS ARE RECALLED In a former letter I mentioned most all the farmers that were living in the vicinity of Fort Bidwell fifty years ago. However, I failed to mention Henry "Hank" Dickenson. He owned a ranch six miles south of town. "Hank" was a native of New York State and a veteran of the Civil War. Once his Company was being shelled, by the rebels on a night that was dark. He took refuge behind a small stump and imagined that he was safe. When orders came for them to move, he grabbed the stump intending to use it for assistance to regain his footing. The stump broke at the ground, so rotten it would have been about as much protection from a cannon ball as a wheat straw. But he had felt sage all the time it was between him and the cannon. Another old soldier, I believe the only one now in the valley, is S. K. Hilderbrand, still living at Bidwell. He is past ninety years. At one time there was a Fort called Fort Warner, about sixty-five miles North of Fort Bidwell, between Lakeview and Honey Creek. It was abandoned sometime in the seventies. The Indians were a nuisance to the early settlers for several years. Noah Clough, at the north end of the valley had his grain threshed and piled up in sacks at the stack yard, the Indians came that night and cut the sacks and dragged them around and spilled all the grain in the dirt. About the same trip they attacked the cabin of the McConnaughy brothers, about four hundred yards from the garrison: R. __. McConnaughy was wounded. The soldiers were aroused by the noise of the battle and rushed to the scene of the conflict and the Indians were dispersed. A party composed of soldiers and civilians went in pursuit and overtaking them at Bald Mountain, killed and captured the entire band, squaws and all. This battle broke the war spirit of the Piutes for all time and they became fairly good Indians – while still living. Of the volunteers that accompanied the soldiers, I can recall only the names of J. R. Baty, Peter Quirk and Ralph Neasham. I think the incident of the famous "pepper" story happened at some other time, probably when Parson Cook chewed the empty flour sack and swallowed the juice. Life in the far West was precarious in those days. Ralph Neasham owned the ranch at the foot of Neasham Hill, which in early days was known as "Crook’s Hill" in honor of General Crook. Ralph Neasham and wife raised a family of fourteen children, ten boys and four girls. They were sturdy, dependable thoroughbreds. Not a runt in the lot. They walked five miles to school and back and regarded the feat as only a part of the day’s work. They grew up and went their various ways, with no black marks against them. The Neasham family were pioneers, in fact. Now we will travel southward. The Vaughn ranch was owned by a Mr. Taylor, then came, Oathe Miller and next his brother, Sam. They came from Iowa. Both long since gone to their reward, but of their children and grandchildren are still living in the valley. Next is the Shartel ranch, now owned by Harry Ward. William Shartel, was a man among men and very energetic. He lived the "strenuous life" to its fullest measure for eighty-one years. He was killed by an electric street car in Los Angeles in 1917. Felix Allen Alturas, Cal., May 8, 1935 LAKE CITY NEWS NOTES News was received here that Annabelle Hays was very ill and had to be taken to Klamath Falls for treatment. We understand that it is a form of mastoids. Dave Baty started his cattle to Hall’s meadows Monday. Due to the heavy snow in Lake City pass, they have to be taken around by Cedar Pass this spring. School closes here at Lake City Friday, May 10th. The following pupils are graduating this year: Marian Carter, Bernice Painter, Mary Hanks, Clifton Jones, Richard Largent, Philip Largent and John Strief. We congratulate these young people upon their success, also their teacher, Mr. Steele, who has helped them to attain one more round on the ladder of learning. Mrs. Iva Quirk has been receiving treatment at the Hospital at Alturas is reported doing well. FORT BIDWELL HIGHLIGHTS Mrs. Mettie McConnaughy left for Alturas last Saturday to make a brief visit with her daughter, Mrs. Emma Verling and other relatives and friends. Mr. and Mrs. Roy Baker were town visitors from Alturas last Sunday. Their daughter Miss Ruth accompanied them home after a weeks visit with her grandmother, Mrs. Annie Billups. The busiest people in town at the present time are our seniors selecting their wardrobes, looking their prettiest to have their pictures taken and preparing for one of the happiest times in their lives, "graduation". Gordon feels like it will be an embarrassing moment for him as he is the only boy in the class, but don’t fret Gordy, you will look just as sweet in your formal as the girls. NEWSY NOTES FROM NEW PINE CREEK Mrs. Charles J. Cook was operated n for goiter at Klamath Falls on Monday of last week and the last report received was that she is getting along nicely. A wedding shower was given here one day last week in honor of Mrs. Claud Newcomb, nee Wilma Cloud. Mr. and Mrs. Newcomb surprised their many friends by their marriage at Reno, Nevada and the writer must have been the last one to hear of the wedding for he asked the happy young wife a few days ago when it was going to take place and she said that it happened two weeks ago. We wish at this time to extend heartiest congratulations and may they have all the blessings that will make their married life one round of pleasure, happiness and contentment. Mrs. Lyle Cook has been at the General Hospital the past ten days and is reported improving and will soon be able to return home, we are glad to hear. Born at Medford, Oregon, April 10, 1935 to Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Rutledge, a son – Ernest Lewis Rutledge. (Mrs. Rutledge was Miss Phyllis Lewis, daughter of Mrs. John Christens, before her marriage and is a native of Surprise Valley, born at the Smalls Ranch, east of town). ~~~~~~ Billie C. & Anita 'Jean' Reynolds Family Researcher of "The Last Frontier" Modoc County, California --- Our outgoing mail is checked by avast! AntiVirus. Avast! Is Free To Home Users.