The unpacking of the archives continues. For some strange reason, I always grab a box of loose papers and photographs. Sooner or later I am bound to find boxes of organized files destined for a waiting file cabinet. More about that later.

Early in my research years, I met a wonderful person, Betty Barry Deal (1921-2017). She was a daughter of two pioneer families – Barry and Elledge.. * While they were not hoarders in the typical sense, they kept documents and other historic memorabilia. For years, Betty gave me boxes of records. Many I catalogued, but for some unknown reason, there were two I had not.

Assorting the boxes while tedious, there is a treasure trove. There are letters that gives an insight of behind scenes such as the formation of Standish that we will explore later. Then, some documents I am just plain dumbfounded as in today’s first illustration. In all my years of research I have not ever come across a reference of the Pyramid Salt Company.

Tim

*One of Betty’s first cousins was JoAnn Elledge Uptegrove, who shared a striking family resemblance. I would normally see JoAnn at the grocery store, and I would automatically think of Betty.

While working on the 2027 Calendar I came across this photograph. Marvin Caudle (1874-1935) who resided near Stacy  from about 1910 until his death in 1935. He is buried at the Honey Lake Cemetery near there.

The Tuesday Tidbit will return in late October that will include some interesting real estate listings from the 1950s.

. Tim

First of all, I hope everyone has relaxing Labor Day.. Some one posted this comment about the 1927 Milford Rabbit Drive: “Is there is going to be a 100 year anniversary run for this event.”  This I thought is an interesting concept for a  centennial event and with some creativity’s some intersting potential. Anyone, up to challenge to organize it?  I would be willing to assist where I can.

For those interested, I am working on the John Jay Casey article. It may be awhile, since my future post pile has a way increasing day by day.

Tim

I am still sorting through varied loose documents as it is a time consuming task.. Some of them I will cover. These include a Gentlemen’s Agreement between Fruit Growers and the Susanville business community, an explanation between a California homestead and a federal one, the 1937 inspection of the Westwood Jail (which does anyone have photograph of it that was next the fire hall) and a assortment of other topics.

I have two newspaper articles from the 1980s, One is from Reno Gazette Journal about Franklyn Jeans and his Fish Springs ranch to pump water from eastern side of Honey Lake Valley to Reno. The other is an article that appeared in the Sacramento Bee about the infamous Madeline rancher, John Jay Casey. Let me know if you would like to pursue those, otherwise I will place in their respective files.

Tim

As I write this, the Biscar Fire in eastern Lassen County is now approaching 70,000 acres. Unfortunately, the maps published lack descriptive features. It has been stated the fire started in the area of Snowstorm Road and Vincent Canyon in the Biscar Reservoir area.

The name is attributed to Pierre “Pete” Biscar who was born on January 28, 1881 at St. Etienne de Baigory, France. He arrived in the United States in1901 at New York City and in 1904 came to Secret Valley, Lassen County.  In 1909, he constructed the first reservoir at the mouth of Snowstorm Canyon. In 1915, it was washed out by a flood and subsequently rebuilt*.

Biscar had hit hard times in the 1930s. He was arrested on a cattle rustling charge and served time in the Lassen County Jail. In 1937, he lost his property to a county delinquent tax sale. He eventually moved to Susanville and lived in one of  Frenchy’s cabins on the Susan River across from Paulsen’s Welding. He died on February 2, 1947, a pauper. He is buried in the Lassen Cemetery, his grave does not have a marker. At the time of his death, he was survived by a cousin J.P. Insarquarat of Stockton, California

Tim

*Today, there are two small reservoirs that are part of the 548-acre Biscar Wildlife Area.

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