Susanville’s Owl Saloon circa 1907. Ironically, this establishment burned down only six weeks after Prohibition took effect in 1919. Courtesy of Del & Diane Poole
When the Volstead Act aka Prohibition went into effect in 1920, no one considered how to enforce it. State and local governments stated it was a federal law, and that the federal government be responsible for the enforcement. In 1922, California voters approved the Wright Act—named for Theodore Wright, Assemblyman from Santa Clara County—to provide for enforcement. In November 1926 the Wright Act cam before the voters to repeal the Wright Act. The voters Lassen County were split—1220 Yes and 1229 No. It lost statewide. After Prohibition in 1932 the Wright Act was repealed.
1927 holiday greeting card from the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office. Left to Right, Sheriff Jim Leavitt, Deputy Tom Massey and Deputy A.C. “Cass” Hunsinger.
In 1926 the Lassen County Sheriff George Carter was a in a tight re-election race. To appease the so-called “bean counters”. Carter released the figures about the costs of housing jail inmates. There were those of the opinion that prohibition was a federal issue and the federal government should bare those costs. The issue was addressed in the Wright Act, and more about that later. In June, 1926 Carter noted that the cost housing prisoners was $4,509 but the fines collected was $11,909, which in his opinion was mute. It must not have appeased the public as Carter lost in the general election to Jim Leavitt.
As it is Election Day, many a voter will be spared those political mailers and assorted material. The above envelope contained a simple political viewpoint while still serve its functional purpose. In this instant the letter writer, C.W. Pogue was affiliated with the local Methodist church. Since the early 1900s there was a movement to ban alcohol in California, with numerous attempts at the ballot box that failed. The issue would soon be moot with the passage of the Volstead Act, i.e., national prohibition.
In 1916, when the Lassen County Courthouse and the County Hospital was under construction, the Board of Supervisors were faced with a new challenge-how to furnish them. They were concerned that every elected official to occupy the new building would run amuck and end up with a hodgepodge of furniture and equipment. Cost was an issue too,. The solution to create a new county position- a purchasing agent. It did not go over well, but the board stood by their controversial decision.
Elmer F. Koken (1871-1968) held the position for decades. During the financial depression of the 1930s, critics wanted the position eliminated as a cost cutting measure. The board said no. The board stated the purchasing agent scrutinized every purchase and saved the county money. Mark Totten served as the last purchasing agent. In the late 1980s, the position was abolished with the creation of a County Administrative Office who assumed that role along many other functions.
Tim
P..S. It is August 1. In Susanville, it is historically the hottest week of the year..
Lassen County had its own livestock brand, even though they did not intentionally plan to be in the business of raising livestock. It was all accidental. Way back in the day, and especially prior to the age of automobile, there were problems with stray livestock. Routinely the county found itself taking care of various animals, in hopes eventually the owners would come forth to claim. After a period of time elapsed the animals became property of the county. Before the county could sale the livestock, they had to be branded for identification purposes. There were other instances were the county was forced to impound animals, whether for collection fees, etc.
Byers’ old Baxter Creek general store that was later moved his Tule ranch and operated by his nephew, Jim McClelland, May 1975
Today, is Lassen County’s birthday, it being created on April 1, 1864. Many people may not realize but the original proposed name for Lassen County, was Byers County. So who was Byers, and why was he to be honored? In 1858, James Davis Byers (1825-1902) purchased some property along Baxter Creek near Janesville. However, he remained a Quincy resident for sometime. In February 1863, Byers served as a Plumas County Deputy Sheriff, and played a significant role in the Sagebrush War. The final result of that conflict led to the creation of Lassen County the following year. Plumas County Assemblyman Robert A. Clark introduced the legislation to create the new county. Clark proposed to name it Byers County, but Byers declined. Byers suggested that it should be named after Peter Lassen, and thus the Lassen name was applied to the new county.
Byers would spend his entire life in the region, engaging in cattle ranching. He passed away in 1902 at the age of seventy-seven.
Lassen County Courthouse, spring 1917. Courtesy of Elberta M. Fraley
On February 21, 1917, the Lassen County Board of Supervisors accepted the newly constructed as complete.That was the simple process. To furnish the building became a nasty and controversial affair. It resulted in a new position – County Purchasing Agent. This, too, was a subject of wrath with taxpayers. More about that later.
I thought this editorial cartoon seemed appropriate since tomorrow, at the Lassen Municipal Utility District (LMUD) board meeting will adopt rate increases. May be the rate payers will begin a stinging revolt that they did in the 1930s and the 1980s.
After all, the rate payers have a paid for the multi-million boondoggle of the Hayden Hill transmission line that is still not resolved. That line, it should be noted, is not even LMUD’s service area. It will be interesting to see the final costs associated with the former Bank of America building that is to be the future office of LMUD. That is what they say, is tip of the iceberg.
St. Francis Hotel, circa 1919. Courtesy of Art Almeda
For years, before the St. Francis was shuttered, the Round Up Room, the hotel’s bar, was a popular gathering place. When St. Francis opened it was denied a liquor license to operate a bar.
In the spring of 1914, St. Francis Hotel opened. Gus Steinhauser was hired as the manager. He applied for a liquor license from the City of Susanville. It did not go well. At the City of Council meeting of April 28, 1914, it was the first item on the agenda. Councilman Emerson made the motion to deny the license. Councilman Rankin seconded it and the application was denied.
The protest began. First was Isaac Knoch, followed by Steinhauser. Bot the gentleman stated a hotel bar was not your typical saloon. Steinhauser stated it would not pay him to open a dining room if he could not serve guests wines or liquors with the diner’s meals. It was an exercise in futility. At the conclusion, Councilman Rankin suggested to amend the liquor license ordinance to be limited to seven, and when those licenses lapsed, they could not be renewed. Eventually, the St. Francis prevailed and the liquor license issued.
Hetch Hetchy Valley, 1911 ( I paid $12.00 for this photograph on Ebay)
United States Congressman, John Raker served the as the representative of California’s First District from 1911-1926. Raker primarily resided in Lassen and Modoc Counties. In fact upon his death in 1926, he became a permanent resident of Susanville since he is buried in that community’s cemetery.
Raker was known for many things. In 1990s environmental groups painted Raker as a villain for the author of the Raker Act that Congress passed in 1913. The Act authorized for the O’Shaunessy Dam, that would flood valley the Hetch Hechty Valley, a part of Yosemite National Park. The purpose was a water supply for San Francisco.
Of course, it was fraught with the usual politics. By 1880, San Francisco sought a reliable water supply for the growing city. As I wrote before, the City even had its eye on the abundant springs at Big Meadows, Plumas County, now Lake Almanor. After the 1906 San Fransisco earthquake and fires, there was an urgent need for a abundant water supply.. One key player, that does not much draw attention is that of Franklin Lane. In 1912, President Wilson appointed Lane as Secretary of the Interior, which managed the National Parks, since the park service was not created until 1916. Previous to Lane’s appointment he served as the City Attorney of San Francisco, thus he was well aware of that city’s water supply issue. Lane, and others in the San Francisco water lobby sought out congressmen to support there cause, and they found Raker.
Raker, it should be noted that was an ardent supporter of Gifford Pinchot, the first director of the United States Forest Service. Along that line, while Raker urged conservation, he thought multiple land uses could co-exist.
In 1911, Raker who was in his first term as congressman, authored a bill to establish Redwood National Park. It failed. It did draw attention to the majestic trees. In 1918, the Save the Redwood League was established. It was not until 1968, that Redwood National Park was created. For the record, it was Raker that was instrumental in the creation of Lassen Volcanic National Park.
In 1916, when the Lassen County Courthouse and the County Hospital was under construction, the Board of Supervisors were faced with a new challenge-how to furnish them. They were concerned that every elected official to occupy the new building would run amuck and end up with a hodgepodge of furniture and equipment. Cost was an issue too,. The solution to create a new county position- a purchasing agent. It did not go over well, but the board stood by their controversial decision.
