Pyramid Lake, Nevada

September 27, 2023 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

The fall is a wonderful time to go exploring. For the most part the weather is ideal, the heat of summer is fading, but the chilly days are a few weeks away.

A favorite destination is Pyramid Lake, not that far for Lassenites, if you take the back way via Wendel Road. It should be noted that it is a dirt road from Nevada State line to near Sutcliffe on the north shore of the lake.

The lake was named by John C. Fremont on January 13, 1844. Fremont wrote: “. . . we encamped on the shore, opposite a very remarkable rock in the lake, which had attracted our attention for many miles. It rose, according to our estimate, 600 feet above the water; presented a pretty exact outline of the great Pyramid of Cheops. . . . This striking feature suggested a name for the lake; and I called it Pyramid Lake; and though it may be deemed by some a fanciful resemblance, I can undertake to say that some future traveller will find a much more striking resemblance between this rock and the pyramids of Egypt, than there is between them and the object from which they take their name.”

Of course, I would be amiss not to mention the lake’s famed Lahontan Cutthroat Trout. Up until the 1920s, members of the Pyramid Lake Paiute tribe would bring wagon loads of the trout to sell in Susanville.

Definitely, worth a visit.

’Tim

History

Fredonyer Lookout—Richard K. Smith Plaque

September 25, 2023 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Fredonyer Lookout—California Department of Forestry, Lassen Modoc Unit

A week ago, [September 18, 2023], I wrote about how this lookout came to be. In a follow up Eric Ewing of the California Department of Forestry sent me some additional photographs. Two had to deal with a memorial plaque for Richard K. Smith, as can be seen in the above the photograph, the monument is located at the base of the stairs of the lookout.

Richard K. Smith Memorial Plaque—California Department of Forestry, Lassen Modoc Unit

So as a public service I did some research on Mr. Smith, so those who visit the site might learn more. Richard Smith was born in Brawley, California in1921. In 1948, he went to work for the California Division for Forestry until his death in 1973. Unfortunately, his obituary in the Lassen Advocate provided meager information about his life, but that was typical of obituaries in that era. Smith was buried in the Veteran’s Section at Diamond Crest Cemetery.

In June 1974, a dedication ceremony was held for the new lookout at Fredonyer. It was named in honor of Richard K. Smith who oversaw the operations at Fedonyer for many years. When more information surfaces, this post will be updated to include such material.

Tim

History, News

Where The Photographs Came From?

September 24, 2023 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Susanville photographer Jervie Eastman was certainly in the slow lane the day this photograph was taken. Courtesy of Eleanor Vandeburgh.

Some one wanted to know how I amassed a large collection of historical photographs. This started decades ago, long before scanners. Back in the day, to have quality reproductions made, involved a skilled photographer to make a copy negative and print. Then, after that was done, I returned the original back to whom I borrowed from. I make sure credit is due, and whatever photograph appears, that person’s name is provided.

There are occasions when no name appears. Some of these are photographs that I purchased. Many years ago, Murl Simmons of Susanville’s Eastmans Studios allowed me to examine thousands of negatives stored in the vault. Of course, I was like the proverbial kid in the candy store. Reality, I had limited funds. I would order some prints from time to time as funds would allow.

Then came the age of the internet and Ebay. On that particular website I have come across some interesting finds. One such as the original Masonic Lodge in Susanville. While way out of my price range of $90 I succumbed because it was a very rare photograph. Once purchased, I asked the seller about the photograph’s origin. He bought in a yard sale in San Francisco for twenty-five cents. Ouch!

Finally, my grandmother, Lola Murrer Tanner, was a good photographer. Alas, I only have portion of her collection. The rest sits in closet, because of a difficult family relative. A sad tale, since especially with the internet, they could be shared to many.

There is, of course, a hidden collection not tapped into. I have a large collection of over sized negatives some dating back to the 1920s. I do not have the capability or resources to scan them. A few individuals in the past have offered, but for reasons unknown never followed through.

And that’s my story.

Tim

History

An Early Day Bar Examination Story

September 23, 2023 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

The grave of Isaac N. Roop, Susanville Cemetery, circa 1966.

During the frontier era a lot of procedures were a lot simpler then. Take for instance taking the bar examination to become an attorney-at law. For a brief time in the early 1860s the Honey Lake Valley had two Justice Courts—one for the Nevada Territory and the other for the State of California. That is a complicated story in itself. It did require practicing attorneys to have a license to in each jurisdiction, just as one has to due today.

Susanville’s founder, Isaac Roop (1822-1869) wore many hats, and one of those being an attorney. Since Roop was a high profile person back in the day, there is quite a bit of documentation about him. One item that shows a lot, was his interesting wit. A perfect example occurred when he took the Nevada Bar examination. At that hearing a lawyer attempted to provide Roop with some assistance. The bar examination was fairly simple and one of the more difficult questions was the definition of a corporation. The Carson attorney informed Roop that: “A corporation is a creature of the law, having certain powers and duties of a natural person.” When Judge Gordon Mott asked Roop to define a corporation, Roop replied: “A corporation is a band of fellows without any soul, of whom the law is a creature, who have some powers and take a great many more, and entirely ignore the statutory duties imposed on them.” Thus, with that remark, Roop was admitted to practice law in the Nevada Territory.

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History

Secret Valley Arch

September 22, 2023 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Entrance to the Secret Valley CCC Camp, 1937—C.H. Bennett

In November 1935, Anthony Salvato, Division of Grazing Clerk provided a report to the Lassen Mail about some of the activities at Secret Valley. “The entrance has been completed into camp. Two bridges were built on this project, one a 53 foot span and the other a 30 foot span. One cattle guard was also completed so as to eliminate endangering any cattle which might be grazing in that particular area. The construction of this road was under the supervision of Mr. E.C. Erickson who is attached to the Supervisory personnel of this camp.

“A new archway has just been put up in front of the camp. Written in black and white across the top are the letters forming ‘Secret Valley.’ I don’t think the people of Susanville ought to have any fear of missing the camp now and I know that anyone who is desirous of paying us a visit will be cordially welcomed by the whole camp.

“To the people of Susanville we extend an cordial welcome in return for the whole hearted cooperation that they have given us in making our stay here in the vicinity of Susanville, one which has been enjoyed by the members of Camp DG-13, the Supervisory Personnel of the Division of Grazing and the Army Officers here in Camp.”

Happy News which was the CCC newspaper had this to report: “The ‘show me’ boys of Missouri who go to make up the fine personnel of Co. 740, Camp Secret Valley, Litchfield, Calif., are now falling love with the sagebrush covered plains of the West.

”The official insignia of the company is the old kicking mule. It appears on the entrance gateway, shoulder patches and road signs, also unofficially on the hats and shirts of the enrollees.

”The ghostly, mysterious glamour of the place adds to the zest with which Co. 740 peavies go about their work. They ask no greater favor than this: that they be allowed to remain, so long as there is a CCC in Secret Valley!”

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History

Gratitude Day

September 21, 2023 Tim Purdy 1 Comment

On September 21,1966, marked the world’s first gratitude day. While calendars are filled with so many specific days throughout the year, this one is special. Of course, I am very grateful to those who support this website to allow me to share the fascinating history of this part of California.. There is, of course, so many wonderful people who believed in me in all these years of research, and some went the the extra mile.

One individual, out of many, was Betty Barry Deal (1921-2017). Betty was born in Reno, Nevada to Hardin “Finn” and Edith (Elledge) Barry. She graduated from Lassen High in 1938, Lassen College in 1940 and in 1955 she was admitted to the California State Bar—and went onto an interesting legal career.

One of Betty’s passions was genealogy. Both her maternal and paternal sides were woven into the history of this region from its earliest days. This was how I became to know Betty and and had a wonderful friendship for decades. From time to time, she would send me copies of her family history, as she quipped as earthquake insurance since Betty resided in Alameda.

Hunt Liceense — California’s first hunting license, aluminum, not paper! It was one of the many items gave to over the years by Betty.

Betty’s family from the earliest days had a penchant of saving everything. When Betty poured through a box of items, the items she did not want she sent them to me to examine. Some I kept, and the others probably should have discarded years ago. More importantly, she encouraged and supported me over the years with my historical research and writings. She was a most delightful person, for which I am grateful to have had her in my life.

Tim

History

The Fight Over Lassen Creek

September 20, 2023 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Lassen Creek, July 19, 2023—Hulsman Ranch, Thank You Hannah

The fight for water in the arid west has been issue since the land was settled for agricultural and mining purposes. One of the earliest cases filed in the Honey Lake Justice Court was back in 1861 between Antone Storff and “Dutch Johnny” Tucker. Storff stated that in April 1860 he cut a ditch across government land making a diversion from Lassen Creek to be used for “mining, agricultural and household purposes.” In September 1861, Tucker turned the water off from Storff’s ditch. Tucker’s attorney, John S. Ward requested the matter to be dismissed as justice courts have no jurisdiction in determining water rights. Judge V.J. Borrette disagreed and stated it was a matter of real property damages. Ward objected to the Judge’s decision and stated he would take the mater to the Supreme if necessary. Next, Storff requested a jury trial, but Ward declared his client could receive a fair and impartial trial with Judge Borrette presiding. Borrette overruled Ward, stating that Storff demanded a jury trial and so he would not be deciding the case.

The jury was summoned and witnesses subpoenaed. During the trial it was revealed that David Titherington had purchased the property on which Storff’s ditch was located from Peter Lassen’s estate. Further, there was an agreement between Titherington and Storff which stated he could use the water when it was not in use—information Storff neglected to include in the complaint. The testimony was overwhelmingly against Storff and the jury returned a verdict in favor of Tucker. Storff was now only left high and dry without water, but he had to pay $65 in court costs.

The battle did not end there. The first case filed in Lassen County District Court in 1864 was Titherington v Storff.

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History

Fredonyer Peak Lookout

September 18, 2023 Tim Purdy 1 Comment

Courtesy of California Division of Forestry, Lassen-Modoc Unit

In the spring of 1937, the Lassen County Board of Supervisors were in communication with the California Division of Forestry to have a fire lookout placed on Fredonyer Peak, just north of Eagle Lake. While, M.B. Pratt of the forestry was supportive and deemed it a worthwhile project, they did not have the funds. However, as a possible alternative, Pratt contacted Chester Hunt, Regional Manager of the Emergency Conservation Work. Thus, the wheels were moving in a cooperative effort to make the Fredonyer Peak Lookout a reality. Hunt stated if the State Forestry and Lassen National Forest would provide the building materials, the Secret Valley CCC Camp would provide the labor. Everyone agreed. The CCC men had a lot of work to accomplish. First, they had a build a road from Horse Lake to the summit. (This is not the road used today.) A telephone line from Long Ranch at Horse Lake would also be extended to the summit. Finally, there was the construction of the lookout itself. Needless to say, the job got done.

View of Eagle Lake from Fredonyer Peak, circa 1960

This lookout is still manned. At an elevation of 7943’ provides stunning views of the region.

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History

Who to Blame?

September 17, 2023 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Red River’s lumberyard up in flames, September 17, 1917. Courtesy of Walter “Doug” Luff

For years corporations and politicians, too, during any major event play the unfounded blame game to curry favor in public opinion, even what they relayed had no factual basis. At the same time, behind closed doors, their actions were the opposite.

An interesting case occurred on September 17, 1917 when the south lumberyard of Red River Lumber Company’s Westwood operation caught fire.The fire destroyed two million board feet of lumber valued at $800,000. Officials were quick to pass judgement that it was an arson set by the Industrial World of Workers (IWW) a union detested by lumber companies. While the charges would later be unfounded, Red River’s initial message of the dangers of unions was the major headlines and that was what the public believed.

The story does not end there. Red River filed a lawsuit against American Cast Iron Pipe Company for $91,305.31 for defective water pipes that hampered fire-fighting. As can be customary in civil litigation, the case dragged on and did not go to trial until June 1923. The court side with American Cast Iron Pipe and Red River lost the case.

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History, News

“The Courthouse Burned Down”

September 16, 2023 Tim Purdy Leave a comment

Lassen County Courthouse, spring 1917. Courtesy of Elberta M. Fraley

When I first started research into the local history, at a very young age I might add, it was an interesting learning experience. At that time a local dentist, Bob Amesbury, was in a sense anointed “the” local historian. He, along with others, would inform me the county did not have any old records, since the courthouse burned down many years ago. When I paid my first research trip to the Lassen County Courthouse, I quickly learned that was not the case. At that time, Gil Morrill was the Lassen County Auditor/Recorder. Gil was gracious to show me around to all the various records in his office dating. back to 1864, when the county was created. For some, I found later, who stated the courthouse had burned, was just an excuse to make up their own story versus doing the tedious work to research what exactly happened.

The courthouse burned down story was not confined to Lassen. When visiting other counties to conduct research, certain county officials did not want to be bothered to retrieve old documents, and would give me that song and dance routine that the courthouse burned down, even though it never did.

Tim