Monday, September 11, 2006 Looking Back is a regular feature of the Modoc County record, published weekly in Alturas, California. The following is transcribed from the September 7, 2006 issue. Looking Back 116 Years Ago – 1890 THERE APPEARS to be a rash of team runaways throughout the county. Perhaps this is indicative that residents prefer harnessing green horses or the fact that affluence has placed a team in the yard of nearly every resident of the county. Mrs. Gault was the latest victim. She sprained her ankle when jumping out of her carriage when her team ran away…. Everyone appears to be trying to buy cattle these days but the prices, it appears, are higher than can be afforded…. Arthur Jackson says that about 1,510 tons of hay have been put up at Steele Swamp. 92 Years Ago – 1914 THE DAY was perfect and a large crowd turned out to witness the laying of the cornerstone on Modoc’s new courthouse Monday by the Masonic Lodge. The Hon. William T. Cressler was the principal speaker and he gave a very witty talk about the way county government was run in days gone…. A public hearing has been ordered to protest the high rates now being charged by the NCO Railroad…. Michael O’Brien’s team ran away in Alturas and played hide and seek with pursuers fro more than an hour…. The Red river Lumber Company at Westwood had burned to the ground…. Little Jeff has been fined $10 in Cedarville for using vulgar language in a public place. 72 Years Ago – 1934 THE BLUE Bell mine at High Grade has reported and assay of $9,308. Eastern interests have purchased High Grade and intend to operate it all winter…. The first buck deer brought to town with the opening of the deer season was claimed by Cash Lightner at the VanLoan ranch and weighed in at 204 pounds dressed , and had eight pounds sic (points) on each side…. Attorney J.T. Sharp is con testing the election of A.K. Wylie, District Attorney elect, on the grounds that errors were made in the counting of ballots in Alturas B, Canby and Willow Ranch. 52 Years Ago – 1954 SHINNY YAMAGATA presents the Canby softball team with the league trophy this week. Canby, represented by Charlie Holloway, had an 11-4 season, won the league and the playoffs…. Cedarville has opened a branch agency for Plymouths and De Sotos in Alturas…. Melissa Fitzgerald celebrates her 100th birthday in Alturas…. Kent Larson has been appointed to succeed Rex Riley on the City Council…. The Modoc Braves held off a tough Westwood team, 6-6 in their opener Saturday….Modoc Union High has its largest enrollment in history, 298 students. 32 Years Ago – 1974 JIM PRATT, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Pratt came home Monday with $611 and an association saddle after winning the saddle bronc riding competition at the Lakeview Roundup over the Labor Day weekend…. A home economics department and a chorus class were among the new offerings for Modoc Junior High School students who began classes this fall. School colors have been changed from red and white to purple and white…. Shinny and Nadene Yamagata have announced plans to open Modoc Cleaners on Friday. Ralph “Cash” Lightner was the manager of the second Chain grocery store, Safeway , to operate in Alturas The first was the old Red and White grocery operated by Phil Woodward. Cash was a long lean man with a terrific personality. He soon became a leader of Alturas politics and gave generously of his time to that city. He also loved to party, with his wife, and whoever desired to join the fun. I believe that the store closed about 1940. However, as young “wannabees” the Young men of my time managed to purchase Domino cigarettes for 10 cents a pack. We also secured Brown Derby beer in the can for only a dime also. I have never figured out how we managed that feat in Alturas. We managed to get many packs of Domino’s and many cans of Brown Derby beer. No doubt that was the beginning for us all to get on the road to hell (and Back). See you all again next week Ron Morgan 1974 MODOC FAIR Queen hopefuls are Michelle Tierney, Joann Stevenson, Lu Flournoy, Toni Lee Page, Susan Laxague and Roberta Peek…. A simple ceremony conducted by Governor Ronald Reagan at the main gate at 2 p.m. Thursday opens the annual Modoc District Fair this year to salute the 100th birthday of the founding of Modoc County. They will land his jet aircraft at the Cedarville airport to officiate the opening at the fairground….Motion picture and world champion stunt driver Dusty Russell will be featured when the famous Errol DeBock Auto Daredevils appear at the Modoc District Fair Friday night. Doc Auble was a very merry chubby man. He was a dentist. He never wore dress shirts with long sleeves. When he would purchase a new shirt, his wife would cut off the sleeve just above the elbow and then hem it. The Doc was quite a cook and did all of the grocery shopping. He loved to make, and can, ketchup and mustard. He taught my dad how to make hot mustard, also mayonnaise from mineral oil (ugh). He was an inveterate hunter and an excellent wing shot. When I started high school there were still on the staff Mr. Austin, Miss Fisher, (probably the best teacher of English any place anytime), Leon B. Lewis and just the year before Coach Elliot left as did Miss Stollar resigned. There were still about 270 student then as in 1934. Hope to see you all again next week. Ron Morgan