SURPRISE VALLEY RECORD – CEDARVILLE, MODOC COUNTY, CAL WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13TH, 1935 W. L. STEWARD PASSES MONDAY Sunday night at 11 P. M. another one of our dear old pioneers, "Grandpa" Steward answered the call to that land whence no traveler returns. "Grandpa" Steward had been in his usual health and death was unexpected. He was in his 84th year. He leaves to mourn his death, a devoted wife, one daughter, Mrs. George Weilmunster, Marion, Bruce and Bide Steward all of Lake City, Oscar Steward, Cedarville, and Pearl Steward, New Pine Creek several grandchildren and great grandchildren. "Grandpa" Steward was one of the dearest old men we have ever met. Quiet, unassuming, going about his work with a cheery word and a bright smile for all. We used to watch for these greetings just to make the day brighter. He was exceptionally fond of children and he was the idol of his little granddaughter, Theyl. "Grandpa" will be greatly missed for he was a fixture among us. Riding to and fro, after cattle and to Lake City and home. To the sorrowing ones we extend our sympathy to "Grandpa" a cheery smile and may the good God deal with you as you did with your fellowmen. Farewell, Farewell. – Lake City Cor. (1:1) Married at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Stiner, in Cedarville, California, March 7, 1935, Miss Grace I. Stiner to Leithead Sweeney, Rev. Virgil A. Vinyard officiating. The many friends of this popular young couple extend heartiest congratulations. FUNERAL SERVICES HELD FOR MRS. GEORGE GRIENER Funeral services were held yesterday at the Kerr Chapel in Alturas for Mrs. George Griener, who passed away Saturday noon after having spinal trouble, caused by the flu. Mrs. Ellen Griener was 48 years, 3 months and 23 days old and leaves to mourn her passing, her husband, George Griener, a sister, Mrs. Flora Lunsford of Eagleville, four sons, Cecil, Andy, Nolan and Rudolph, a daughter, Thelma McCombs and two grandchildren. All of Alturas. (1:2) REMINISENCES OF AN EARLY SURPRISE VALLEY PIONEER By Felix Allen Ah, how the years go rolling on, How short the step to manhood’s prime, How soon the gold of life is gone, Into the vaults of Time! Come back with me to Surprise Valley, as it was fifty years ago. Fort Bidwell was the town of most importance. Two troops of Cavalry and one Company of "doughboys" under command of Major A. S. Burt, U. S. A., were stationed at Bidwell. The town had four stores, one owned and managed by A. C. Lowell, is still there and flourishing under the management of his son, Chester. The store now owned by Henry Kober was run by J. W. Poore until 1888. He was elected County Clerk and Dr. George M. Kober and D. P. Browne bought the store. The John M. Sanders store burned down in 1885 and B. Lachman, moved himself and stock of goods to Reno in 1894. Three hotels operate, one by Jopp & Tonninson, (burned down in 1890), one by Mrs. Ford and the Cosmopolitan, (still there) and owned by James Williams. Two blacksmith and wagon shops owned by John Kafader and the VanCoughnet brothers; Jacob Messner and J. E. Calderwood owned saloons; and Max Fulcher had a brewery. John Bucher owned a flourmill that was kept busy for nine or ten months in the year. Reno was the nearest railroad and all freight for the valley was hauled from there on wagons. The trip repuired from twenty-three to thirty days. A toll house at Buffalo Meadows collected fifty cents a span for teams and fifty cents each for wagons. Another station at round Hole, Nevada, collected also, but only half as much as Buffalo. Fifty years ago, Bidwell was supply station to the most substantial lot of farmers that ever helped a town to live. They were the McConnaughy brothers, Peter Peterson, Edward Conlan, Noah Clough, Hugh McManus, James and Robert Fee, M. E. Munroe, Ed Sessions, John and David Baty, Charles Venning and A. H. Disabel, Charles Valkman, George Freeman, Pat Horan and F. K. Smith. One Justice and one Constable Cared for the legal needs of each Supervisor District. Thomas Rinn was J. P. and ball Bowen, Constable of district one. The Supervisors did not get a salary as now, but per diem and mileage. They held four regular meetings a year, instead of twelve, hence only one third as much damage to the country was accomplished and we weathered the depression of ’93 without assistance from the N. R. A. R. O. Ward of Lake City and I were neighbors on adjoining ranches. We beat that depression by working the 8-hour system – eight hours in the forenoon and also eight hours in the afternoon and we are still here. Next week we will travel south to Lake City. Alturas, California, February 3rd, 1935 (The words was spelled just the way they were in the article). LAST WEEK WAS BAD ON AUTOMOBILES Several cars belonging to Surprise Valley residents were bumped into during the past week and more or less damaged. Among the first collisions happened on Monday when Earl Daniels with his brand new Oldsmobile Sedan and Leland Doss backed into each other at the Cheese Factory at Lake City. Thursday morning, I. H. Skillman and Glen Ward came together on the grade near Fort Bidwell. In the afternoon on Thursday, the New Pine Creek School bus backed into George Warren’s car and Thursday evening, Olney Vaughn backed into Bert Simson’s car. FORMER VALLEYAN PASSES AT RICHMOND, CALIF. Orvis, the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Seyferth, formerly of Fort Bidwell, cal., but now of San Pablo, passed away at the Weimer Sanitarium in Richmond, California, on February 18th. Orvis Seyferth was born in Fort Bidwell, California, twenty-two years ago, but with his parents, moved to Petaluma and later to Richmond, at an early age. Flu was the cause of his death of his passing so early in life. He leaves to mourn his death several brothers and sisters among whom are Mrs. Mabel Bacon of Alturas and Lawrence Seyferth of Lake City, also he is a nephew of Mrs. Even Gaustad of Cedarville. His remains were cremated. Orvis endeared himself to all with whom he came in contact by genial manner and happy disposition. The Record extends its sincere sympathy to the bereaved family. (1:5) JUST A YEAR AGO W. A. McCombs keeps a diary. Just a year ago the apricot and peach trees in Surprise Valley were in bloom, his record says. The weather was warm and balmy with indications for a shower. In checking over his death list, find that thirty-two persons of this valley passed to the Great Beyond during the year of 1934. These are persons who lived or had formerly lived in Surprise Valley. Making a check on the year 1935 to date, we find that nine have passed away, which concerned this valley. Mr. McCombs has a complete data on all fires, which have occurred in Cedarville and vicinity. These will appear in coming issues of the Record. The small son of Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Gritton of Likely, is in the Hospital at Alturas receiving medical attention. Lee James of Adin is confined to the Hospital in Alturas this week undergoing treatment. Miss Ida heard spent the weekend in Alturas visiting with Mr. and Mrs. Orval Boyd of that place. OF INTEREST TO MODOC PEOPLE Roy Stanley is fast recovering from a hernia operation recently performed at the Hospital in Alturas. Born in Likely, Cal., March 7th, 1935, to Mr. and Mrs. Crabtree, a son. LAKE CITY NEWS NOTES Our community was saddened last Thursday afternoon when Cecil and Rudolph Greiner came after their sister, Mrs. Thelma McCombs and brought the word their mother was seriously ill. Mrs. Greiner passed away Saturday. Mrs. Greiner spent the past year on the Painter place and was well known here. To her husband and family we extend our deepest sympathy. (4:6) Mr. C. V. Muzzy received the sad news Monday night his mother was very ill in a hospital in Santa Cruz. Earl Daniels had the misfortune of having his new Oldsmobile badly wrecked. He backed from the cheese factory into the big freight truck driven by Lee Doss. ~~~~~~ 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.