SURPRISE VALLEY RECORD – CEDARVILLE, MODOC COUNTY, CAL. WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 1926 Jodie Abrams and wife were here from Westwood yesterday on a short visit to relatives. R. G. Adams, who suffered a slight stroke of apoplexy last week, is reported as much improved at this writing. Mrs. Aimee Semple McPherson has now gone into retirement and is threatening to bring libel suits against several, who have expressed an opinion that her tale of captivity is untrue. Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Leonard arrived here Monday from Gridley on their way to Oregon. We understand that they have disposed of their property at Gridley and are looking for a new location. Mrs. Catherine Terry, one of the Sacramento Union’s accomplished linotype operators, arrived here last week on a short vacation, which she spent at her ranch here. She says business is good in the capital city. Last week, Andrew Jacobs was driving a tractor along the road, drawing the Hughes well boring outfit and was stopped by a couple of automobile officials, who made out a nice little red card, ordering Mr. Hughes to appear before the court at Alturas and show cause why penalty should not be paid. A NEAR TRAGEDY Messrs. Cunningham and Langdon, of the Cedarville Garage and their families had a thrilling experience while on a picnic excursion at Blue Lake last Sunday, that but for the timely arrival of help might have resulted in a sad tragedy. On arriving at the Lake, they thought they would take a boat ride over its placid surface and Mr. Langdon and another man got into a small boat to tow a larger one over the lake. In the larger boat were Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham and Mrs. Langdon and seven small children. When about the center of the lake the large boat sprung a leak and the water rushed in faster than it could be bailed out and was soon nearly filled when their calls for help was answered by others in a boat, who were close by and came to their rescue and helped take the water soaked voyagers out and had just gotten the last one out when the disabled boat sunk to the bottom of the lake. LAND SOLD Since Miller and Lux started in to sell holdings in Nevada and Oregon, the following sales have been made. The massacre ranch, which comprises 3080 acres, was sold to Mrs. Lena Harkey Scott, of Eagleville. The Wall Canyon Badger, Fish Canyon and Horse Canyon group was sold to Thomas Dufferina. The Antelope, Wilder and Mud Creek properties were sold to Alec Dufferina. The Big Creek Ranch was sold to Ed D. Farnham, of California. The Pacific Live Stock Company is anxious to dispose of all its holdings and offering them at very reasonable prices. Inquiries may be addressed to Burns, Oregon. Walter Johnstone and son, Sam arrived here from Oakland yesterday and will remain for a few days. Nels Madison is reported quite ill this week. Miss Edna Finmand came up from Berkeley last week. Mrs. L. N. Pabst left last week for Berkeley on a visit to her mother, Mrs. Bonner. Ernest Van Riper was examined by the doctors at Alturas last week and was declared insane and was taken to the asylum at Napa. Gerald Day formerly of this place but now of Edgewood, Siskiyou County, came over yesterday on a short visit to the old home place. Miss Dorothy Miller came over from Westwood last week to spend the Fourth with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Miller, returning to Westwood yesterday. Mrs. Maude Keeney, formerly a resident of this place but now of Westwood, was here yesterday on a short visit and reports times good at the big lumbering town. Mrs. Charles Kafader and Mrs. Whipple of Adel were in Cedarville Sunday. Mrs. Kafader came down to meet her brother, Clarence Phillips, of Selma, who was attending the Alturas Round up. Mr. and Mrs. Kafader are now located at Adel, having purchased the store at that place. Mrs. D. S. Denehy, Mr. and Mrs. William Smith and little son, Allen and Miss Hope Ward departed last Friday for Oakland, going by way of Westwood. Mrs. Denehy and Miss Ward will return after a couple weeks visit and Mrs. Smith will resume her studies at the Armstrong College. Eugene F. Wood and bride and sister, Mrs. Bright Hill, arrived here from Petaluma last Monday, on a visit to their parents, Mr. and Mrs. John H. Wood, of this place. Gene is one of the Surprise Valley boys who has made good and prospered; and on July 1st was married to Miss Gladys Adams, of Petaluma and his many friends here extend heartiest congratulations. The young couple will extend their trip thru Oregon and Washington before returning home. WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 1926 MURDER, MOST FOUL The finding of the still, cold horribly bruised body of Mrs. Pearl Connell in an old, abandoned cellar in the southwestern part of town, last Thursday afternoon brought to light the fact that a murder most atrocious had been committed. Mrs. Connell, associated with Frank E. Page in conducting the Hotel Surprise for the past three or four years was last seen alive at the hotel about nine o’clock Tuesday evening, July 6th. About twenty minute’s later screams, apparently a woman’s, were heard by several of the residents in that part of the town and Roy Stanley made some investigation but could find nothing that night, but the next morning, he repaired to the place he thought the screams came from and found a pair of women’s’ brown pumps that were recognized by her friends and also identified by W. G. Rea, who had sold them to her a few days previous. The grass and weeds had been trampled down where the shoes were found, showing that a desperate struggle had taken place there. Wednesday morning search was instituted for the missing woman and that Sheriff Sharp was advised of her disappearance and he with others continued the search until Thursday afternoon about three o’clock, when Bert Simson looked into an old cellar and saw her feet protruding from the debris and on removing the weeds and dirt with which the body was covered, was found to be the remains of the unfortunate woman. Her face and head were terribly bruised and the imprints of fingers was plainly visible on her throat and her body was more or less bruised, which indicated that she had made a hard struggle for life. An autopsy held by Drs. Kennedy, Coppedge and Stiles disclosed the fact that the windpipe had been completely crushed causing death. Coroner Frank Kerr empanelled a jury composed of Frank Stanley, Foreman, Ira Darst, C. E. Cummins, John Jacobs, L. A. Wheeler, A. R. Johnstone, Frank Henry, Dan B. Hanks and after evidence had been submitted the jury rendered a verdict that the deceased had "come to her death by strangulation by hands unknown to them." On Wednesday, Sheriff Sharp ordered his deputy, Frank Van Horn to arrest May Goodwin, Leo Unger and William Goodwin, who were on their way to Alturas and on Thursday evening, Sheriff Sharp took Frank Page into custody and the four are now in jail at Alturas pending trial. The feeling here is intensely bitter against Frank Page, as he is suspected of committing the horrible murder. Sheriff Sharp and District Attorney Laird have been untiring in their efforts to procure all evidence possible in the case and the preliminary hearing will be held at an early date. The awful tragedy has cast a mantle of gloom over the entire community, as Mrs. Connell was well liked by all and as far as is known had not an enemy other than the one who murdered her; but little of her early life is known here. She was born in Texas and was about 45 years of age and we understand that her remains will be shipped to Texas for interment. Deep sorrow is also felt for the relatives of the accused man. (1:1) LITTLE BOY MET DEATH BY FIRE Yesterday morning the barn on the John Areche ranch, between here and Eagleville was completely destroyed by fire. Ray the little 3 year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. John Areche was burned to death in the flames. It seems that the two little boys had gone into the barn to look at some puppies that were under the floor and in order to see them better the larger boy, aged about five, lit a match, which ignited the hay. The little fellows started for the door and the elder one succeeded in getting out, but little ray was overcome by the smoke and perished in the flames. Several mowers, rakes, harness and other machinery were also burned. The entire community sincerely sympathizes with Mr. and Mrs. Areche in their sad misfortune. (1:2) Miss Gay Delmas departed last week for San Jose, where she will visit her mother for a while. George Parman was in from Long Valley last week and reports things looking good out that way. Mrs. Leon R. Stanley and little daughter, Doris came up from Modesto last week and is visiting the Record family and will probably spend the summer here. William Mateer and wife arrived here from San Francisco last week on a short visit. Billy is one of the old time residents of this place and was kept busy shaking hands with his old time friends. Mrs. Monroe, sister of Mrs. Fannie Wilson and Fred Wallace and two nieces, the Misses Peterson, arrived here last week from Oakland on a visit to relatives in the valley and is now the guest of Mrs. Wilson. Frank E. Page has turned over the Surprise Hotel property to F. E. Bush, who is holding it in trust for the Bank. A good hotel is the best drawing card that town can have and Cedarville should have one of the best. Assemblyman, M. V. Wemple and wife were here Monday from their home at Susanville. Mr. Wemple is a candidate for re-election and as his record at the last session was one of the best, he will be an easy winner this fall. DEATH OF OLD PIONEER Last Thursday, Nelse Madison, one of the early residents of this place, quietly passed over to the Great Beyond after a brief illness. His funeral was conducted Saturday forenoon by Rev. M. J. Williams and the remains were followed to their last resting place by many of his old time friends. Mr. Madison came to Cedarville in 1868 and with the exception of two years has lived here continuously and at one time was a clerk in the store of the pioneer merchants of this valley, Cressler & Bonner. He was of a genial nature and his kindly disposition and absolute honesty in his dealings made him many friends, who deeply regret his departure. He was a native of Sweden and came to the United States when a boy and at the time of his death was ninety-one years and three months of age and leaves no known relatives to mourn his passing. (8:1) WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 1926 PIONEER RESIDENT PASSES Mrs. Lucy A. Wallace, one of the pioneer residents of this valley, died at Oakland last Monday and her remains will be brought here and interred in the Lake City cemetery. She was a most estimable lady and highly esteemed by a large number of friends, who deeply sympathize with the bereaved family. She leaves five daughters, Mrs. Schadler of Fort Bidwell, Mrs. Fannie Wilson of Cedarville, Mrs. P. L. Johnson, Mrs. Ella Chapman and Mrs. A. Munroe of Oakland and George and Fred Wallace of this valley. (1:1) DEATH OF MRS. ROBERTS On July 8th, Mrs. Elizabeth Roberts, mother of Mrs. Floyd Stimers, of the place, died at her home between Lookout and Adin. Mrs. Roberts was born in Michigan Dec 22, 1848 and was married to Fred H. Roberts, 1871 and came to Big Valley in 1878, where she has lived ever since. She possessed a most lovable disposition, which endeared her to a large circle of friends, who deeply sympathize with the bereaved ones in their sad affliction. (1:1) Seawell Wheeler, former resident of this valley but now of Oakland, came up a few days ago on a visit to his brother, Frank and family and other relatives of Lake City, returning home yesterday. A report reached here yesterday, that Farley Auble and wife had been killed in an automobile accident at Fresno. No particulars have been received. Mr. Auble taught school here and Eagleville some years ago. He was a brother of Dr. E. F. Auble, of Alturas. (1:1) While William Stewart was riding in a car with three others near Lake City last Friday, a cow made a dash at the machine and came near climbing into it and striking young Stewart just above the right eye with her horn, making a bad wound that required treatment by Dr. Kennedy. The animal was evidently frightened by the headlights on the car. HEARING SET FOR JULY 29TH E. J. Pascal, criminologist of the Burns Detective Agency and H. Schrader, fingerprint expert from the State Bureau of Criminal Investigation, of San Francisco, arrived here last Wednesday and in company with District Attorney Laird, have been gathering evidence relating to the murder case of Mrs. Pearl Connell at this place on July 6th. Court Reporter, Mrs. may Yates, accompanied them and what they have discovered in the way of evidence is yet unknown to the public. A. K. Wylie and D. B. Robinett have been retained as his attorneys. E. M. Maher, nephew of the murdered woman, arrived here last Wednesday and had the remains shipped to Brackettville, Texas for interment. Also, while here Mr. Maher formally swore to a complaint charging Frank E. Page with the murder of Mrs. Connell. Numerous rumors are floating around but their authenticity is a matter yet to be solved. It is hoped by the people of this community that the one committing the horrible deed will be discovered and proper punishment meted out to him. The time of the preliminary hearing has been set for July 29th. Mr. Harkey, a brother of Mrs. W. U. Scott, of Burns, Oregon was here last Monday and contemplates returning to Oregon within the next few days. Grant Adams is now able to be about the streets, but his yet very weak and it will be sometime before he has fully recovered from his recent illness. A cutting affray occurred at Alturas yesterday morning in which John Larkin was stabbed with a knife in several places by a stranger. The wounds are not considered dangerous. Lester Jacobs and Mrs. Florence Fisher were married at Alturas last Wednesday. Their many friends extend best wishes for a happy and prosperous journey thru life. Mrs. J. B. Faulkner died at the Lakeview Hospital last Monday from blood poisoning. She was the wife of John Faulkner of the N. C.O. railroad and was highly esteemed by all who knew her. (8:1) John Dodson, of Lake City and aged and prominent resident of this valley, passed away last Wednesday and was buried at Lake City on Friday. His obituary is not available at this time but will appear next week. (8:1) WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 1926 A special session of the Grand jury has been ordered to meet at Alturas on Monday, August 2nd, at 10 a. m. presumably to take testimony in the case Frank Page, charged with the murder of Mrs. Pearl Connell, here on the 6th inst. Mrs. Jessie Stiner and Miss Ina Stiner arrived home from Porterville about two weeks ago and will spend the summer on their ranch, near Eagleville. Miss Stiner is one of the popular teachers of the southland and has taught one school in Porterville consecutively for fourteen years and she gives complete satisfaction in her work. Mrs. Alice Hironymous informed us that several weeks ago her brother, Albert Stiner, of Joseph Creek, was working with his cattle and a refractory bull charged on him, throwing him to the ground and breaking his right leg twice between the ankle and knee, causing a very serious and painful injury. He will be confined to his bed for several weeks. FUNERAL OF MRS. WALLACE The funeral of Mrs. Lucy Ann Wallace was held last Thursday at Fort Bidwell Church, with the interment in the Fort Bidwell cemetery. The Rev. M. J. Williams conducted the funeral services and a large number of relatives and friends attended to pay their final respects to this esteemed pioneer woman. Mrs. Wallace, whose maiden name was Wheeler, was born in Des Moines, Iowa, January 2nd, 1839 and died in Oakland, July 18th, aged 87 years, 5 months and 26 days. She moved with her parents to Nevada in the early days, living near Carson City. When a young woman she was married to Capt. William Wallace, who served as a soldier in Nevada during the Civil War. About 1871, they moved to Oregon, where they lived for nine years in Warner Valley. In 1879, they came to Fort Bidwell, where she became permanent resident for forty years. The last seven years of her life, on account of failing health, was spent with her daughter, Mrs. Ella Chapman, Oakland. Mrs. Wallace was the mother of eleven children, seven of whom survive to mourn her loss, besides many grand children and several great grand children. The children living are: Mrs. Frances Wilson, Cedarville; Mrs. Lizzie Schadler, Fort Bidwell; Mrs. P. L. Johnson; Mrs. Lillie Munroe, Mrs. Ella Chapman, Oakland; James George Wallace, Denio, Nev.; and Fred Wallace of Cedarville. (1:2) LAID TO REST Last Sunday a number of the Masonic fraternity from Alturas and this place attended the funeral of John Dodson at Lake City, whose funeral was conducted by Northeast Lodge No. 266, F. & A. M., of which the deceased was a charter member. Mr. Dodson came here in the early days and settled in the vicinity of Lake City. He was highly esteemed by all and served one term as Supervisor of the first district. Had he lived two days longer, he would have reached the age of ninety years and has enjoyed fairly good health until two days before his death. (1:2) Mrs. Ralph Wilbur departed for her home at Santa Ana last Monday after spending a few weeks with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Strotts, of this place. Mrs. Maude Keeney was here yesterday on her way back to Westwood in company with Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Dollarhide. Heath Stanley left last Thursday for Westwood, where he has accepted a position in the office of the Red River Lumber Co. Henry Hawkins returned from Oakland last week and we are pleased to state that he is much improved in health. He informed us that Harry Hawkins underwent a second surgical operation last week and that he was getting along as well as could be expected. Mrs. Andrew Groby, familiarly known as "Grandma" Groby and who resided here for many years, died at Springport, Michigan, July 11th, at the age of ninety-one years. William Groby, of this place, is a grandson. Her many friends here regret to hear of her death. (8:1) ~~~~~~ Billie C. & Anita 'Jean' Reynolds Modoc County, California "The Last Frontier" www.rh2o.com/modoc --- Our outgoing mail is checked by Norton AntiVirus.