There is ashes to ashes, for this traditional Memorial Day for me it is cemetery to cemetery. Normally, I go to Diamond Crest, Janesville, Lassen and Susanville cemeteries. At that time I decorate a lot of graves, not just for my family, but for families whose descendants that have moved far away.

Cemeteries have been near and dear to me. It was a cemetery issue, that I  at the tender age 13, began my historical research. A family friend, Frank Satica, told me that the World’s First Champion Cowboy was buried at a remote cemetery in Secret Valley. It should be noted when I was a growing up, and being the youngest of four siblings, I was very gullible. What Frank Satica told me, I thought it preposterous. One would think that McKissick’s title would warrant major recognition,, but that was not the case.

I was fortunate as Susanville was still a tight knit community. In the afternoons and weekends I worked part time at Party Port a sporting goods and liquor store. To make a long story short, I asked a long time customer Murray Doyle, an old time Lassen family about the McKissick tale. He said it was true, but to contact Abe Jensen, as he would know more. So I did, From that experience I discovered the town of Amedee, and opened the doors of the local history.

It has been an interesting journey to say the least. A half of a century later another cemetery issue has taken a toll on me.I would rather not go into details, but I am no longer available to any one with cemetery problems.

Tim

Awhile back in the comment section was the reference  of the Secret Valley Shoe Tree and in 1994 how unknown parties cut it down in act of vandalism. A new reader, and a some what new resident wanted to know more.  One can read about it here. If anyone has a photograph of that tree, please do share.

Tim

The sorting through loose documents and photographs is a challenge for me, but it has to be done. After all, some items, such as today’s featured photograph would mean little to anyone, but with a little narrative brings another perspective.

My great grandmother, Jane Smith Tanner was born there in 1846. In 1869, with her brother, John P.M. Smith and her mother, Mary, settled in the Honey Lake Valley, near the present day of Fleming Unit, of the Honey Lake Wildlife Refuge.  Shortly thereafter, she married William Martin Tanner. After nineteen years of marriage, she was widowed, with four children ranging in age from four to eleven. She remarried to Charles Adams, who not only she endured his physical beatings, but then he sold the Tanner property, absconded with funds, leaving Jane destitute. She died in 1899, a ward at the County hospital and is buried in the Susanville Cemetery.*

Fast forward, in 1998, I made the journey to Cornwall to visit, Orin Smith, her nephew, my grandfather’s first cousin, who was named for Orin Dewitt of the Honey Lake Valley.

Tim

*Her three sons, Bill, John and Charlie sought refuge with the Ravenscroft family. While that name not be familiar to a lot. a Ravenscroft descendant was in the national news of late. His name, Spider Sabich, a former Olympian skier, was murdered by Claudine Longet, who recently passed away. Sabich was also a member of the Galeppi family. Bonus tidbit for the seasoned residents, Jack VanDorn’s mother was a Galeppi. So much useless information stored in my head. On the other hand, to use a old phrase “I do know where the bodies are buried”

One of my favorite places to spend the day is the Smoke Creek Desert just across the state line in Nevada.

It received its name back in 1844 when John C. Fremont explored the region. His party noted the dust storms created on the playa there cast a smokey hue.

When I conducted the BLM tours in the 1990s,Smoke Creek was a popular one. We did a mixture of prehistoric and historic sites. There are a lot nooks and crannies in Smoke Creek to see.

It is an ever changing environment. That is evident as the desert slowly reclaims the abandoned homestead, when those hardy souls tried to eke out a living.

Tim

There are a handful posts that I repeat each year, and for good reason. With summer weather upon us, it is an ideal time to check out the many wonders that surround the residents of the Lassen Region.

In 1929, the Lassen Advocate published an editorial “Know Your Country.”  The gist of it, encouraged residents to get out and see all the various and interesting natural surroundings we have. I am always ready to get out and about to explore. I never know where that might be, but I do have a few obscure historical sites that I want to check out.

Tim