In 1919 when Fruit Growers decided to construct its mill  in Susanville there was “Gentlemen’s Agreement” with the Susanville business community. In essence, Fruit Growers would not open any retail stores. Yet, on other hand was that the Susanville’s merchants had broken that agreement by refusing to maintain fair prices. 

On December 12, 1920, Fruit Growers resident manager, S.M. Bump wired Fruit Growers President, Frank Hutchens: “Merchants can exploit they want. Started commissary this morning, already citizens desire to purchase from us because of the high prices. My answers to citizens absolutely selling to employees”*

According to Russell Brownell of Susanville, wrote Hutchens: “The consensus of opinion of the citizens of Susanville outside a few merchants is as follows that it is well known fact that retail prices are higher here than any other locality with excessive profits are being and have been exacted that living costs must come down with.wages that your company’s demands for reasonable profits must be met If men maintain their families on scale of wages. This not only of great benefit to your employees, but to every citizen in Susanville and the Honey Lake Valley and be assured that your Susanville manager will have the backing of 95% our people. The Fruit Growers Supply Company are to be congratulated for having a man at the head of their Susanville operation who has the interest of its employees at heart and the back bone to go to bat for them.”

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*The building still exists at its original location, 1700 Sunkist. It is now the Senior Center.

By 1916, California voters overwhelmingly passed bond measure to initially construct a state highway system. Prior that the California Railroad Commission had enacted legislation for the adoption of the railroad crossing signs. In 1917, they adopted a standard signage. Similar to that AAA road signs with a white enamel bordered black lettering.

It should be noted the speed limit was fifteen miles per hour when approaching a railroad crossing.

Tim

In California you can file a Homestead declaration for your primary residence. This should not be confused in the pioneer era where one settled on federal land, make improvements as such as a cabin which one conjures as a homestead. Once that individuaL met required improvements and paid a nominal fee they were issued a federal land patent and became owners of that land.

A California homestead is an entirely different document. The owner records a declaration with the county recorder. Usually one does it because pending litigation to protect their residence from creditors. It is my understating should claim/verdict or court judgement is awarded against you ,you retain the right to still reside on the property. A lien will be filed. and once you sell, the lien holder is paid first for the sum owed.

Tim

There were some hardy souls that were  lured to eastern Honey Lake Valley with the promise that irrigation companies of plentiful water would transform the sagebrush lands into a verdant wonderland. Countless companies formed and later went, but some individuals remained. For those who remained they did not have many options and remained, at least they owned land. One of those was a man by name of Carl Serwotke who arrived in the early 1890s.

Upon his arrival, while the reclamation companies failed deliver water at least Mother Nature was cooperative. It was during this period until1917 the region experienced one its ever recorded wet cycles. While the desert homesteaders met with a lot struggles the above normal precipitation made things some what bearable.

1917 the region’s twenty year drought began. Many a desert homesteader abandoned their homesteads and sought a new life elsewhere. Serwotke was not one them. However, in 1921 he appealed to the Lassen County Board of Supervisors for property tax relief. Serwotke wrote:

“I beg pardon-I see you try to tax the dry land much higher now when their sagebrush land in this for ability is worth to tax 2 and 3 dollars per acre, then that land, where they have water and are able to to grow everything on, ought to be tax from 75 to100 per acre. Last year, I sowed 1 ton of rye for hay for my horses, but didn’t get anything and had buy $150 worth of hay, and paid about 25 dollars taxes. And this year I sowed the same amount of rye and got nothing neither, so have buy hay again. When a person can’t sell anything from the dry land to pay the present taxes with, then how can he be able to pay more. ”

From then on it was exercise in futility. He died in 1929 and is buried in the Honey Lake Cemetery (Stacy). There is no marker for his grave.

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Yesterday, we explored the origins of Honey Lake feed. There were three other flour mills in the Honey Lake Valley. The first one was built in 1861 at Milford. Since the village boasted a sawmill, and a flour mill, it was decided to name place Milford.

The second mill was built in 1864 at Johnstonville near the location of the former Gables. For nearly its entire operation it was owned Hall & Snyder and closed by 1908.

In 1882, H.H. Dakin owner of the Milford Mill wanted to expand and build a new mill. He chose Janesville. That mill was shuttered in 1918.

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For seasoned residents this building may be familiar. It was Bronson & Doyle’s Honey Lake Feed located on  Richmond Road. Susanville. It is now a vacant lot.

By 1912, with the arrival of the railroad and  increased population growth, locally there was a flour drought. The Johnstonville  mill had closed and the in Janesville the mill was operating at half capacity at the harvest season. In February 1917, Fred Begin organized a new company, the Lassen Grain & Milling Company to rectify the situation.  When the news broke, it made the grain growers of the Honey Lake Valley rejoice. 

The site selected was on Richmond Road across from the Susanville Depot. Excavation began in April with the goal of being in operation by June. However, with President Wilson’s declaration of war, changed everything. Building supplies and especially machinery was difficult to come by, and the war effort took priority. It was not until mid-November when it was placed into operation. The company’s brand name was Honey Lake Family Flour.

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