Today in History: from the Redding Record Searchlight July 1900 21st swarms of grasshoppers near Lowden's Ranch in Trinity County caused extensive damage by devouring every bit of green vegetation they could find. Pioneers of the district said they had never seen such an infestation in the area before. 22nd a petition was put before the Shasta County Board of Supervisors asking that a county highway be established on the east side of the railroad tracks from the first crossing, a mile below Redding, to a point near Clear Creek. 23rd an unusual sight was seen near Middle Creek--a burning caboose attached to a rapidly moving train. Railroad officials discovered the caboose was on fire shortly after it left the Middle Creek station. 24th north state leaders decided to hold a celebration in honor of the completion of a new bridge in Keswick on Aug. 11. 25th the expectations of Bully Hill Mine's management were were realized when a large body of ore was struck in the mines lower tunnel. 26th the first Democratic club in Shasta County, Keswick Bryan Club, was organized in Hill's Hall in Keswick. 27th Southern Pacific Railroad brakeman E.A. Burt was hurt near the Shasta Retreat in Shasta County when he tried to mount a swiftly moving locomotive, took a wrong step and fell under its wheels. His right leg had to be amputated. 28th John Meyers of the Cottonwood area found what he believed to be an indication of oil on his property. slow-moving water in pools on Cottonwood Creek was covered with a dark oily substance he thought signaled the proximitty of underground oil. 29th it was reported that construction of the De La Mar smelter at Bully Hill would be completed Jan. 1, 1901. 30th Professor A.C. Dornberger was chosen as the principal of Redding's public schools for the ensuring term. 31st a movement was being started to serve a pardon for Frank A. Lewis, well-known throughout the area for being convicted of second-degree murder in the killing of Will Farrell, his brother-in-law. The homicide took place near Whitmore in July 1895. Janie my Shasta Site http://famos.freeyellow.com/cemetery.html my card http://www.rosescafe.net/cards/friend14.html