What has nearly become a universal question, is I am asked how I became interested in the area’s history. It was accidental. As a child, I spent a lot of time with my uncle Bob Rea and his best friend, Frank Satica. I was very gullible/naive then and I believed everything told to me. Of course, lots of people had fun with that! One day Frank told me the story of John Best “Buster” McKissick, the World’s First Champion Cowboy who was buried in Secret Valley. For once this sounded way to preposterous to me. Why would someone that famous be buried among the sagebrush and sand?
For once, I questioned this, not be someone’s fool again. So, I started asking around. The tales of McKissick grew larger. I discovered a whole new dimension of the area. When I visited one of McKissick’s relatives, Lena Trumbull, she showed me a photograph of McKissick’s freight team in front of the imposing Amedee Hotel. Well, this place Amedee grabbed my attetionn, from there I learned new tales, such as commercial boating on Honey Lake. Ever since then, one thing had led to another and continues to do so.
As to McKissick’s title, it turned out to be true, dating back to 1876 during the Centennial World’s Fair in Philadelphia. More about McKissick’s exploits in the future.
Tim, I personally appreciate your dedication to the history of Lassen County and environs. When we first moved to Lassen County (Richmond School area), I was immediately curious about the history of the area. I was fortunate to work with Zellamae (Arnold) Miles who seemed to know a bit about the area :-0. But, often-as-not, folks referred me to Tim Purdy as the “go-to-guy.” You’ve improved on that title. Thanks.