During the spring of 1858 relations between the Maidu and Washo tribes and the Anglo settlers were tense due to the Indians driving away the Anglo’s livestock. In May 1858, the Indians drove a yoke of oxen from Manly Thompson, near Janesville and for whom Thompson Peak is named for. The oxen were driven over the mountain. A posse of nine men formed to search for the animals. Eight traveled on foot, while Charles Crawford, a very heavy set man, rode a mule. Once over the mountain near Last Chance, they encountered an Indian camp, but there were no signs they had anything to do with oxen. Later they encountered another group of Indians, who fled, and a pursuit ensued. Crawford had a encounter with one, who shot him with a arrow, that deeply penetrated his chest to the extent, it nearly went through his body. In the end, the other men made a make shift of stretcher to carry Crawford back over the mountain to Janesville. It was an ordeal for them due to his weight. There was little that could be done to aid in his recovery and he died three days later on May 21, 1858, and his grave became the nucleus of the Lake Cemetery.

Forthcoming is the story of the murder of Harry Gordier, the next internment what would become known as Lake Cemetery,  that later in the  same year, but there is no marker for his grave. Gordier’s lasting legacy is that of  his hidden gold cache that still fascinates treasure hunters to this day.

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As it is Memorial Day, I thought I would share this photograph of the Lake Cemetery a couple miles south of Janesville. It is the oldest cemetery in Lassen County dating back to 1858. In 1916, Asa Fairfield, Lassen County historian, requested that the county fence the cemetery. The Lassen County Board of Supervisors approved Fairfield’s request, and the cemetery was fenced. It should be noted, that it was not a public cemetery per se, and it was located on private property.

Fast forward to 2021, the cemetery was a victim of the Dixie Fire. From my understanding, as I have not been there since the fire, the majestic pine tree and the fence were destroyed. Hence this photograph with the tree.

Tim

May 13, 1973 was a historic day for Lassen Community College.  A formal dedication ceremony was held for the new campus. At 12:30, it began with the Grand Lodge Officers of the California Free and Accepted Masons with the cornerstone laying ceremony. A time capsule was included to mark the event for posterity. It was then followed by a barbecue. At three p.m. the formal dedication program began at the Sports Center with College President Robert Theiler, as the initial speaker. Theiler was followed by an assortment of dignitaries giving their blessings for the monumental occasion.

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Since it is Saturday of the Memorial Day weekend, I am busy making the rounds of the local cemeteries. Today’s photograph is an  interesting scene depicting one log loads was taken in 1949. It was part of the Purdy Brothers Logging operations.  In 1977, while working with my Dad, at that time,  L&M Logging, there was a rare opportunity to harvest a massive sugar pine near Swains Hole. While it was ordeal to put that log on the trailer bunk, that was only half the battle. It turned out, while Dad drove the logging truck to the mill, it was so over weight, that along the way he experienced four blown out tires. Upon arriving at Coin Lumber they were not amused that the size of the log, since over the years the sawmill machinery had been modified for smaller logs.

Tim

Later today, is a subscriber exclusive who  will receive an anecdote story involving Philip Hall, the Lassen Museum and today’s photograph.

The Bonham Ranch was an important stage stop of the lower Smoke Creek Desert starting in the 1880s. The abandoned ranch has seen better days, as the photograph suggest. I just happen to take this picture on an impromptu stop of the last BLM desert tours in 2004. See related story Edward Laird.

Tim