December Preview

November 30, 2016 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

And here is this month’s line up!

Last Minute Gift Ideas	12/1/16
Prattville Cemetery	12/2/16
A millpond tragedy	12/3/16
A Papoose Tale	12/4/16
Crazy Hairy Gulch	12/5/16
Datura	12/6/16
A Janesville Windstorm	12/7/16
Bizz Johnson Markers	12/8/16
Susanville – 200 Roop St. Revisited	12/9/16
Paul Bunyan Lumber Company	12/10/16
Honey Lake Gold Mine	12/11/16
Bailey Creek Sawmill	12/12/16
Buffalo Salt Works	12/13/16
Government Land Office	12/14/16
Who murdered Sam Shaw?	12/15/16
Whose Residence?	12/16/16
Dry Valley	12/17/16
Susanville – McDow Street	12/18/16
A Marysville Merchant	12/19/16
The floods of 1955	12/20/16
Eagle Lake School	12/21/16
The Swimming Pool Saga	12/22/16
Susanville – Then & Now	12/23/16
Review – Washoe County	12/24/16
Catholic Christmas Ball	12/25/16
The Tule District	12/26/16
I will have that water, please!	12/27/16
Roxie Peconum	12/28/16
Heath Reservoir	12/29/16
Our Lady of the Snows	12/30/16

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History

A New Sacred Heart Church

November 29, 2016 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Groundbreaking ceremony at Sacred Heart. Courtesy of Mario and Pauline Vial

As mentioned in a previous post concerning Father Moran’s quest for a new Catholic church in 1939, had some major obstacles to over come. First and foremost, was his crusade would coincide with World War II, the latter overshadowed much the daily life of the parishioners and the community as a whole. Continue reading A New Sacred Heart Church →

History

Shay’s Hole – Lassen County

November 28, 2016 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

It was one of those days, that I had a lapse of better judgment should have, but did not take a picture of Shay's Hole. However, about a mile down the road, we stopped to take pictures of these old railroad ties still in place. — It was one of those days, that I had a lapse of better judgment should have, but did not take a picture of Shay’s Hole. However, about a mile down the road, we stopped to take pictures of these old railroad ties still in place. August 18, 2016.

Back in August on one of several excursions, it was the intent to check out Camp Harvey east of Poison Lake. Well, we did not quite make it there and found ourselves first traveling through Pine Creek Valley and onwards to Champs Flat. At Champs it was decided to follow a particular road, to see whether it would take us north towards Camp Harvey.

Anyhow, following an old railroad grade of the Fruit Growers Supply Company we came upon Shay’s Hole that was used to supply water for the Shay locomotives, that were an integral part of railroad logging.

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History

Tokens

November 27, 2016 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

The State Cafe was located on South Gay Street, Susanville.

On a Sunday, awhile back, during a weekly ritual where two of my friends and I get together for a toddy and french fries at the Pioneer to discuss whatever happenings that have occurred or other topics. On one such occassion, a person came up to me to ask a question, which whenever this happens, I hope to have the answer, and if not, well I will work on it. Believe me, while I do hold a wealth knowledge of the region’s history, there is so much I do not know, so on any given day can be a new learning experience. Continue reading Tokens →

History

Lassen County – Crazy Harry Gulch

November 26, 2016 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

The opening statement of Crazy Harry's inquest. — The opening statement of Crazy Harry’s inquest.

Crazy Harry Gulch is a small Susan River tributary located between Devil’s Corral and Goumaz. It has been some time since I have been back there, so I will put in my 2017 revisit list. The place’s unique name is derived from Harry Miles, (1832-1882), a Scotchman, who was referred to by the local inhabitants as Crazy Harry for his drinking habits. Miles first appeared in the territory in the mid-1870s. During the winter and spring he worked as a sheepherder in the foothills of Tehama County. In the summer months he spent his time prospecting. Eventually, he located a gold bearing quartz ledge near the gulch and built a cabin there as his home. In the fall of 1882, Miles indulged in a three day drinking spree in Susanville. Upon his departure he purchased some provisions. Peg leg Johnson, the Mountain Meadows mountain man, stopped by to check on Crazy Harry. However, Crazy Harry’s dog would not let him inside the cabin, though the door was partially ajar. Johnson saw Crazy Harry’s body, but no sign life. Johnson rode to Susanville and summoned the Coroner and a jury to examine the situation. Again, the dog refused anyone entry into the cabin. One of the men in the group climbed onto the roof and broke through the ceiling. The distraction enabled him to lasso the dog and then they were able to examine Crazy Harry’s dead body. Since there had been no disturbance of his recently purchased provisions or any other evidence of malice, the jury concluded that Crazy Harry returned home, passed out and died of natural causes. He had no known relatives and was buried adjacent to the cabin.

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News

McCloud River Railroads

November 25, 2016 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

The cover of Jeff Moore's epic volume. — The cover of Jeff Moore’s epic volume.

Signature Press has recently released Jeff Moore’s book McCloud River Railroads. All, I can say is, “Wow.” It is an impressive work about logging and railroads, including the little known Pit River Railroad. Of course, the Red River Lumber Company and the Fruit Growers Supply Company influenced operations at McCloud.

The deluxe 368 page hardcover book is available through your favorite local bookstore. Now, excuse me, since I am spending a portion of the Thanksgiving weekend happily reading Moore’s work which he spent a decade to produce. Thank you Jeff for your hard work in preserving a portion of Northern California’s heritage.

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History

Thanksgiving, 1966

November 24, 2016 Tim Purdy 2 Comments

First, I am wishing everyone a wonderful and memorable Thanksgiving holiday. Some annual events come and go, and then some such as Sacred Heart’s St. Patrick’s Dinner just keep going on. While working in the filing bin, I found the above ticket. In my preliminary sleuthing, I have not been able to locate more information about this Thanksgiving Ranch Breakfast. I am examined the Lassen Advocate newspaper, and the only item the paper reported was it being listed under Make It A Date column. So if anyone has ever attended, or knows anything more enlightening please share with the rest of us.

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History

Janesville – Then & Now

November 23, 2016 Tim Purdy 2 Comments

Main Street, Janesville, 1911. Courtesy of Betty Barry Deal

In the summer of 1856, J. Wycroft became the first person to claim the land at Janesville. In November 1856, Thomas Mitchell took possession of Wycroft’s claim, yet neither of them had made any improvements. In the summer of 1857, Malcolm Bankhead (d.1877) filed on his predecessors abandoned claims. Bankhead built a two-story log house (a substantial structure then) and offered public lodging. By the early 1860s, the nucleus of a village surrounding Bankhead’s house was evident, with the addition of Lomas & Hill’s blacksmith shop, Blanchard’s general store and saloon, and Shaffer’s sawmill on Sloss Creek. The settlement was simply known as Bankheads. It did not become known as Janesville until the post office was established on December 19, 1861. The post office was named for Jane Bankhead, wife of Malcolm, who served as the first postmaster.

Main Street, Janesville, September 27, 2017

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History

Railroad, no more

November 22, 2016 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Looking east near the Leavitt Station, November 19, 2006

This month marks ten years since the last segment rails of the Fernley & Lassen Railroad, between Susanville and Wendel, were removed. The historic event went largely unnoticed. Yet, it was the railroad that had one of the most significant impacts on Lassen County. It was this particular line that created the communities of Litchfield and Westwood. Of course, it brought about the development of the timber industry. Two years prior to this event, the last lumber mill, Sierra Pacific Industries at Susanville shut down for good.

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History

The Saga of Samuel Shaw

November 21, 2016 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

A view of the western Madeline Plains, August 4, 2016.

On August 4, 1883, 60 year old Butte County resident, Samuel B. Shaw investigated the western side of the Madeline Plains in search of a new home. To his amazement he came across a fine spring that no one had claimed. It appeared to be a golden opportunity and he wasted no time to file a claim with the Government Land Office in Susanville. With paper work in hand, Shaw began building himself a cabin. His neighbor, Jim Looper, and Looper’s employer, George Bayley was not pleased about this development. Looper thought he filed a claim to it, but it turned out he filed for the wrong parcel.

Whatever the case may be, some one did not like Sam Shaw. On October 13, 1883, an Indian mahala (woman) found Shaw’s decapitated body in his cabin. The woman notified authorities, and an investigation began. On October 22, 1883 a five man coroner’s jury was held in attempt to find more information about this grizzly murder. However, they rendered, the following result, “He came to his death by the hands of parties unknown. We would also suggest that the matter be further investigated by the proper authorities.”

To be continued . . .