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Vol. XXXVII No. I Yuba City, January, 1996

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(Phatograph credit: Ruby Romovich)

TROWBRIDGE GENERAL STORE 2505 Nicor"'if"?oiul'3y.P-liff ' car ir' e5687 EONSAI STAWED GLASS ANNOUES PIAIVTS ffifter @"nry {$iluroricat fficiery N.*,9Wu[etin

OFFICER,S OF THE S()CIETf' Bruce Harter, President Constance Cary, Secretary Steve Perry, Vice President Linda Leone, Treasurer

f)ItrEcTc)R_s Audrey Breeding Jack Mclaughlin Constance Cary Stephen Perry Celia Ettt Evelyn Quigg Dewey Gruening Marian Regli Bruce Harter Randolph Schnabel Helen Heenan Sharyl Simmons Leonard Henson Edgar Stanton l-inda Leone Elaine Tarke'

The News Burretin is pubrished quarterry by the society in Yuba city, carifornia. The annuar membership dues includes receiving the News Bulretin and the Museum,s lluse News. At the April L987 Annual Dinner Meeting it was voted to change the By-laws to cornbine the memberships of the Society and the Museum. The L996 dues are payable as of January L, 1996. Student (under 1_8)/Senior Citizen/Library g1O.OO

Individual gl_5. OO

Organizations/Clubs $ZS.oO

Family g3o. oo Business/Sponsor glOO.OO

Corporate/Benefactor 91, Ooo. oo

PRINTED BY FIIVEB CIry PBINTING 583 2Nd STREET iN YUBA CMY (916) 755.02.17 PRESIDENT'S THOUGHTS

Good day to you,

Another calendar year is about to close its door upon our lives. A bright and shiny new gate is swinging wide open to what will be the best year of our lives here on Mother Earth. What we did accomplish in 1995 will be history, likewise what we did not do, but feel that we should have, will also be made history. This latter perhaps would be better left unrecorded!

Wth these solemn thoughts in mind let each of us endeavor to build a good chapter of history this next year in our personal, family and community lives. One could even make a bountiful recording of accomplishments in more sweeping geographical areas. I tend, however, to feel that the highest and most important acts take place in the order that I above wrote them. A good recording there will be naturally followed by a tasteful history in the region, state, nation and world. It all begins at home.

I look with enthusiasm to the prospects of seeing many of the Society members and their friends at our get togethers. We will have a great time and will see and hear history being made on the spot!

Oh, incidentally, before I close this written dissertation, a thought just struck me! I believe that there is yet room in our organization for a few new members! I beg each of you to see what you can do this new year to fill our rolls!

May Peace and personal prosperity be yours forever.

Bruce Harter President

HONORARY MEIVIBERS

Were you or was someone you know born in Sutter County ninety or more years ago? Those are the qualifications to become an Honorary Member of the Historical Society. Our current Honorary Members are Delma (Davis) Welter Reick, Grace (Hill) Onstead, Margaret (Meyer) Madden, Aileen (Scheiber) Marty and "Tillie" (Scheiber) Dettling. Delma and Margaret were written about previously; information about Grace is included in this issue. You will read about Aileen and Tillie in a future issue. Director's Report

At the Nluseum, 1996 promises to be a year where we spend a great deal of time learning more about the various communities within our larger Yuba-Sutter community. In January the Museum will host the traveling exhibit, Gum San: Land of the Golden Mountain. On loan from the High Desert Museum in Oregon, Gum San focuses on the contributions of the Chinese to the Gold Rush. The Bok Kai temple and its surroundings are tangible reminders of the important role that Chinese immigrants played in the development of our area. Gum San will be at the Museum through mid-April. In May, the Museum will unveil a new exhibit created in cooperation with the Marysville Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League. Based on their brand new book, Tlre_Eqad lle! Eagolten, the exhibit will expand on the book's main theme, looking at the Japanese immigrants of this area and how they developed into a strong and vibrant segment of the community. We are looking forward to working with members of the Japanese American community and learning more about their lives in the Yuba-Sutter area. This exhibit will close on Labor Day. To round out the year, in mid-September we will be working with the East Indians for Community Enhancement to present an exhibition on the various contributions and aspects of life represented by the East Indians who live in the Yuba-Sutter area. We hope that this exhibit will help to clarify the various groups represented by the term "East Indian" and make them more accessible to the community. This exhibit will close the first week of December. As you can see, we are looking forward to a year full of wonderful learning opportunities. This is a chance to expand our cultural horizons without ever leaving the boundaries of Sutter or Yuba counties. The experiences will be enriching and, we think, a great deal of fun. We hope that you can join us in this year of exploration into our own community.

Jackie Lowe Director

The Road Not Forgotten

The Marysville Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League has completed a book about the Japanese in Butte, Colusa, Sutter and Yuba Counties. The Road Nqt Forgojten is a pictorial history compiled from photographs and oral interuiews of area residents. The book will be available starting January 20, 7996 at a cost of $22.00 (including tax). lf you would like to reserve a copy of the book or have any questions, please contact Mrs. Terry Itano (673-1054). Letter From the Editors

HAPPY NilM YEAR! We hope Mrs. Grace Ettl's history of the 1995 ended on a good note and 1996 is First Lutheran Church of Marysville and a good one for all of you and your Yuba City came to us in a round-about families. way. Bob Mackensen was talking about The cover photo of the the history of the Chapel building and Trowbridge Store was provided by Ruby was asked to provide us with information Romovich who now resides in for the Lullein. He gave us a copy of Sacramento. In the October issue, we the history which had been written by asked if anyone had a photograph of the Mrs. Ettl. Excerpts are printed with Mrs. store. Mrs. Romovich called to see how Ettl's permission. many responses we'd had and was The April Bulletin will include surprised to learn that she was the only information concerning some Sutter one. The picture she sent appeared on a County buildings. Do you know in which calendar which had been given out by building Yuba City was incorporated? In the Trowbridge General Store, possibly in April you will. 7973. Thank you, Mrs. Romovich. The July Bulletin will once again We're still telling you about the feature the four winning essays in the 1955 flood in this issue. Tony Winship Judith Ban Fairbanks Memorial Essay was a college boy home on break from Contest. In addition, Don Burtis is school and Steve Perry was just a little writing a couple of articles with "Fourth boy. Arthur "Bill" Coats' memories were of July" themes. stirred by previous articles in the Bulletin October will once again take us to and he sent his contribution from the the Nicolaus-Rio Oso-Pleasant Grove southern part of the state where he now section of the county. resides. We're still interested in We'll take this opportunity to collecting your "flood stories," although encourage you to share your stories and we'll let the matter recede for a few memories with us. It is up to all of us to years. work together to preserve the history of Mr. Coats also sent us the Sutter County; we and those who have wonderful "Fairman Street Gang" story. gone before us are the history of Sutter We don't want him to "name names," but County. If you or someone you know do hope he will share more of their has a story to share, call us (Linda - 673- adventures with us. fue there any other 2727 or Sharyl - 674-7741). "Fairman Street Gang" members out there who would like to share a story? Nicolaus Scheiber was one of the speakers at the Historical Society meeting held in October at the Hermann Linda Leone Sons' Hall in Nicolaus. He told us his story that night, but we thought everyone Sharyl Simmons should hear it and are pleased that he was willing to have it repeated. f Memorial Contributions

In Memory of Clifford Abbott ln Memory of Alberta Gilpatric I\VM Robert Coats Bob E Katie Bryant Bob t' Jean Keils In Memory oi Arthur Adams Burwell t' Loretia Ullrey John & Dorothea Reische Burwell t' Loretta Ullrey In Memory of L. Herbert Gruening Dewey Gruening In Memory of Mary Alves Orlin E Johanna Schuler In Memory of Gerald Cook Harter Tom Aiken In Memory of Mike E Agnes Arnoldy Joe Benatar €' Fidelity Wally t' Dealla Crother National Title Insurance Co. Richard e' Karna Bover In Memory of Barney Barnickol Ray & Judy Brown Orlin & Johanna Schuler Ken & Vivian Calhoun WM Ernest Speckert Chipman t' Renfro Accountancy Corp. In Memory of Chas. "Bud" Binninger Jim t' Lois Changaris Biil A Betty funett Blanche Davis Jack €' Marge Mclaughlin Carmen Durso Jim & Lois Enoch In Memory of Peter Cohiles Enoch Packing Co. Inc. Joe €, Patti Benatar Miriam Etchells Eleanor Holmes Henrv t' Bettv Everett Bob i'erguson In Memory of Gerald Crumrine Kathryn Forderhase WM Robert Coats Ray e' BeW Frandrup Eleanor Holmes Bud E Carmen Frve Thomas Frye In Memory of Francie Dale Gerald Gibson Joe €, Patti Benatar t' Staff Jim Gilpatric Fidelity National Title Insurance Bill t' Carol Hamon Howard t, Bobbie Hardie In Memory of Dan Dillon tt4/M Larry Harris Jane Boone Bruce t' Gini Harter Helen Heenan In Memory of Bruce C. Forsythe Bob E Jean Kells Meriel €' Leroy Davis Nancy Kenfield Otis Kittle, DDS In Memory of Arleatha L. Gillett Lois Lathrop Bob t, Katie Bryant Eugene Lonon Barbara, John t' Kathleen Putman Mariani Nut Company Sutter Co. Taxpayers Assoc. The Dean Munson Family Annabel Onstott

4 Norm €, Loadel Piner ln Memory of Rosemary B. Redhair George & Dottie Post Connie Cary Barbara, John €, Kathleen Putrnan Jim e' Eleanor Clark t' Family Caroline Schnabel Ringler Arthur (Bill) A Jane Coats Myrtle Shannon Tom E Marnee Crowhurst John K. Simonds Eunice E Renzo Del Pero WM Joe Sims ,l4lM Bryan Fairlee WM Ernest Speckert Bruce t' Gini Harter Richard t' Elaine Tarke t' Familv MaMn €' Laura Justus Cirveda Tucker Caroline Schnabel Ringler Burwell t' Loretta Ullrey In Memory of Flora Hartman Virginia Hartman In Memory of Anna B. Tarke Connie Cary In Memory of John Hirshkorn Jim t, Eleanor Clark €, Family Jack t' Marge Mclaughlin Tom €, Marnee Crowhurst /WM Grover Davis In Memory of Joseph Kaveney Roberta McCoy, Marcella Vera Devasher Hardy t' Elizabeth Phillips Burwell t' Loretta Ullrey In Memory of Doris Larson Harry €' Bernice Wilson IVM Robert Coats In Memory of Mrs. Genie Thomas In Memory of Ed LePine Marian Regli Jane Boone In Memory of Marjorie Von Geldern In Memory of Mildred Henson Long Judith Barr Arthur "Bill" E Jane Coats Joe t' Patti Benatar Arthur "Bill" E Jane Coats In Memory of Janet Lonon WM Robert Coats WM Robert Coats Mrs. Hugo Del Pero Jim t, Bobby Howard e Family Bob E Jean Kells In Memory of Caroline lYlathews Sparky €' Marilyn Kirby Norman t, Loadel Piner Carolyn Watkins Murphy Norman €' Loadel Piner In Memory of Dr. Carl Monnie WM Ceorge Post Margerey McCullough Edmonds John e' Hope Sheehy

In Memory of Gerald Pierce In Memory of Waren Weis M/M Robeft Coats Connie Cary Linda t' Scott Leone In Memory of Don Poole Ivadel Simmons M/M Robert Coats Sharyl Simmons

In Honor of Caroline Ringler Bunvell t' Loretta Ullrey HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEWS

JANUARY MEETING

The January Historical Society meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 16th at 7:30 p.m. at the Community Mernorial Museum. Carol Withington, a local writer and historian, will be the speaker. She will tell us about some local early settlers. We hope you can join us; it will be a very interesting evening. All of our meetings are open to the general public, so bring a friend.

BUTTES HIKES

The dates have been set for the Historical Society's guided hikes into the Buttes. The hikes are scheduled for March 16 and March 30, both Saturdays. The charge for each hike is $15.00 per person. Reservations must be made since each hike is limited in number for safety reasons. If you want to make reservations or have questions, call Linda (673-2721) or the Museum (741-7141). The reservation deadline for the hike on the 16th is March 6th; the deadline for the March 30th hike is March 20. The proceeds from the hikes go into the Historical Societfs Ag Building fund.

BUS TRIP AROUND THE BUTTES

The Historical Society's bus trip around the Buttes will take place on Saturday, Apdl 13. Randy Schnabel is our "tour guide;" he will be assisted by Don Burtis and Burwell Ullrey. Burwell will once again share his knowledge of West Butte; Don will discuss the history of various locations including Sutter City. We are working on improving and expanding the handout to include more information about the various locations discussed on the trip. There is a $10.00 charge Per Person.

DUES DUE

The Historical Society/Museum dues seem to be one of the steadiest things in the economy; they have remained the same for several years. The fee schedule can be found on the inside cover of the EUllqtin. If you hayen't yet paid your 1996 dues, please do so. Also, consider giving memberships as gifts -- it's too late for Christmas, but Valentine's Day is approaching.

6 GRACE NOYES (HILL) ONSTEAD

Grace Noyes Hill was born on Saturdays. Although she didn't like February 28, i905 at Noyesburg, Sutter cooking, she enjoyed arranging the County, California and currently resides in rooms the way she wanted them to be. Sacramento. Prior to her marriage, Grace Her mother, Bernice Estella enjoyed attending dances at the Moon Noyes, was also born at Noyesburg. She Dance Hall; she really liked to dance. was the daughter of Edward and Belle She was employed in the Marysville office (Dean) Noyes. Grace's father was Otis of PG€'E where she worked in William "Oat" Hill, the son of Charles and accounting and was a secretary. While Louisa (Reische) Hill. He was born in working in Marysville, she lived with the Quincy, Illinois and came to California by Defumond family. She attended the train. He was a rancher in Sutter 1934 Olympic Games in Los Angeles County. Two of his sisters were Verona with the DeArmonds. and Eleta Hill who both taught school in Grace met her husband at Lake Sutter County for many years. Tahoe through mutual friends. In 1934, Grace was the oldest of four Grace was married in a small ceremony children. Her sister, Dorothy, was bom in Oakland, Califomia to Dudley Wixtram in October 1906 and married Richard Onstead. He was born in New York on Fender. Her brother, Charles, was bom October 1i, 1902 and passed away in in 1910 and married Nema Kupser. The Sacramento on February 18, 1966. youngest child was Earl who was bom in Dudley was in the insurance business. 7920. Following their marriage, Grace and Grace lived at Noyesburg until the Dudley lived in the Los Angeles area family moved to Santa Cruz where she where Dudley was being trained for started school. When she was in about management. They moved to Piedmont, the fourth grade, her family moved back Califomia where they resided until they to Sutter County where they settled in moved to the Sacramento area in 1960. the town of Sutter. She attended Brittan School and Sutter High School where She was a charter member of the she graduated with the class of 1923. Native Daughters of the Golden West in Grace's favorite school subject was Sutter, serving a term as president. She reading. Eileen Graves, her favorite has always enjoyed church work and is teacher, would read to the class active in her church. She has belonged approximately fifteen minutes every day. to several bridge groups and enjoys The "Mclean girls" were friends of . playng. She has a marvelous sense of hers, especially lla. She would attend humor. baseball games with them and yell for Grace said she had a good life, Scotty. but doesn't live in the past. She's more As a child, she had chores such interested in today and tomorrow. as helping her mother with the wash on MY HERITACE Dy Nicoiaus Manning Scheiber

I am a fourth generation farnter's "Carl A.", which is really confusing so son. My name is Nicolaus Scheiber. I Carl A. was referred to as "One Eyed was named after the town in which I live. Carl." He only had one eye because of I spell my name N-i-c-o-l-a-u-s. I live on an accident with a gun when he was in Scheiber Road in Nicolaus so my name grammar school. Kinda cruel on the and address are Nicolaus Scheiber, nickname for Carl A., but in those days Scheiber Road, Nicolaus. I am the that's the way they did things. youngest son in a family of six and I'm Carl Scheiber married Ullian foufteen years old. Wetzel from Woodland. I'm not sure, but My great grandfather, John I think they met in Hermann Sons' Hall. Scheiber, came to this country from There used to be Swiss dances nearly Switzerland in 1891 when he was every Saturday night in the Hermann nineteen years old. Mr. Scheiber settled Sons' Hall with the music by the Otto here in Nicolaus because of the rich Scheiber Swiss Orchestra. My farming ground, plenty of water and two grandparents made a very handsome older brothers who arrived a few years couple on the dance floor. Grandpa with earlier. This area was once owned by the his trim muscular build and Crandma, famous German-Swiss, John Augustus the first Miss Yolo County, also known as Sutter of the Sutter's Fort fame. Some the Spreckels Sugar Beet Queen. of the property that my family owns Carl Scheiber was born about a today was sold only once. It was known mile south of Hermann Son's Hall at the as "The Drescher Lands." My great- Alpine Dairy where his father made his grandfather purchased it from Ben home. He dairied there until the early Drescher, son of Phillip E. Drescher. fifties. The flood came along in'55 and Phillip was a surveyor for John Sutter and wiped most everyone out in the Nicolaus was paid in land for all his work for John area. Crandpa and Grandma picked Sutter. themselves up and started a new way of John Scheiber and his brothers life. They invested in horses -- race teamed up to operate some of the horses, the "Sport of Kings." Carl largest dairies in the Scheiber built a six furlong race track which included 2,600 acres of prime with all the trimmings. He had a barn of farming ground. several winners over the twenty-six years John and Anna Scheiber had in the racing business. Oh, yes, he had three children: Otto. the oldest. Tillie his share of loosers too! Old Nicolaus, Dettling, and my grandpa, the late Carl one of Grandpa's favorite steeds, went on Scheiber, also known in these parts as to become a stakes winner at the Santa "CarlJ." The reason for referring to my Anita Race Track. Even Stone broke the grandpa as "Carl J." is because there track record at Vallejo at 70-to-One odds. were two Carl Scheibers, "CarlJ." and Only a handful of people bet on her that

I day in June of 1959. One of them is in Nicolaus at Grandpa's house. Maudie Kenny Engasser. Ciassy Dame still today Baer, the daughter of World Heavyveight holds the track record at Cal-Expo at a Boxing Champion Max Baer, brought her mile-and-a-quarter. girlfriend, Maureen, up to the Scheiber's My grandpa died seven years ago. ranch in Nicolaus to visit. The Baers are He was 74. Grandma still lives in the big long-time friends of our family. My mom house. lt's the house on Highway 99, was born and raised in Sacramento as about one mile from Hermann Sons's was Maudie and they grew up together. Hall as you're heading towards My mother is the daughter of Sacramento on the right-hand side. It's a George and Lorraine Manning of white house with a blue roof, white Sacramento. George Manning, also fences, and horses in the pasture. Oh, known as "Bucko", was a butcher and yes -- it's also on the cover of the latest was Ronald Reagan's personal meat and edition [October 19951 of the Sutter poultry supplier. Grandma Lorraine kept County Historical Society magazine. him in line... Carl and Ullian Scheiber had four Mom and Dad had four children. children. John, Max, Hedy, and Mark. Shannon, 26, is manied and lives in John is a full-time farmer in the Nicolaus Yuba City and is employed at Gray area. He farms alfalfa hay as well as Avenue School as an aid for the special organic and wild rice. Max is employed kids. Uli,25, is engaged and lives at by Crystal Creamery as their fieldman home and is employed by Tri-Valley and has a Christmas tree farm directly Growers in Sacramento as their Senior across from my grandma's house on Distribution Clerk. Cameron, 24, lives in Highway 99. It's called "Scheiber's his own house on our ranch and is Christmas Tree Farm." Max is also my employed by U.P.S. in West Sacramento dad. Hedy works for the Department of as one of their load supervisors. He also Justice as a Special Agent supervisor. works for my dad, running the tree farm. She works in the Organized Crime I came along ten years later. I'm a Division. Hedy's been with the D.O.J. for freshman at East Nicolaus High School nearly thirty years. My Uncle Mark died and a member of the starting line-up on two years ago because of an illness. He the Spartan Junior Varstty football team was 38. Mark was employed by Senator at the "quick guard" position. My name Rose Ann Vuich as her Administrative is Nicolaus and I hope you enjoyed "My Assistant at the time of his death. Heritage." My mom and dad met right here

9 NOTES ON THE FLOOD by Arthur W. "Bill" Coats

I have been reading the accounts more feet it reached in places along the of the Christmas Eve flood of 1955 as slough. The water ruined my mother's published in the Historical Society NeLug long-time collection of picture Bfflletirf. They stir a lot of memories. magazines. After her death in 1984, we The only thing I want to add to the very gathered up all the Ljfes, Lqqks and comprehensive coverage already given is P*ogts she had been saving. As might be an account of a few particulars, which expected, there were none dated before may be called vignettes. 1956. The remainder provide an First, about the two judges, Hugh intriguing, and perhaps valuable, account Moncur, the Justice of the Peace and my of the world of the sixties and seventies. father, Arthur Coats, the Superior Court How much more valuable would have Judge. Both stayed in their own two- been the ones covering the earlier story homes on Second Street in Yuba decades. On the other hand, where City throughout the night of the flood would have been the room to store and had to be rescued by boat the next them? day. Regarding Judge Moncur, who was On the night of the flood, I was in hard of hearing, the story is that he failed bed with the fever of the flu. This to notice, or at least heed, the warnings excepted me from the obligation I felt to being broadcast, and went to bed respond to the call for volunteers to work confident that the levees would hold. He on the levee. However, nothing could slept throughout the commotion and was relieve me of the responsibility of mightily surprised to look out of his gathering our family, pets and a few second story window the next morning essentials together and taking part in the and see himself completely surrounded advised evacuation. Along with hundreds by water. of others, we took the bumper-to-bumper As for Judge Coats, he had often trek out Colusa Highway to high ground. expressed the opinion that his house was We stayed overnight with my cousins in on relatively high ground and would Williams and then moved on to escape the ravages of any flood which Sacramento where we divided ourselves might invade the town. He and mY among other relatives. It was days mother ignored the official advisories to before we could return to even look at evacuate after the levee broke and the our house, which had sustained less water started spreading north to the damage than many. However, all of our town. As it turned out, he was at least books and appliances in the garage were partly right about the high ground. The ruined, along with our carpets and floor water only came up to 3-112 feet in his surfaces in the living quarters. The water ground floor instead of the seven feet it had only risen to six inches there, but left reached in my brother Wilson's house a messy layer of silt which had to be near the Catholic church and the ten or hosed out. FortunatelY, we had the help

i0 of some graciorts young men in the (but now prune) bowl of the world. cleansing. During our stay in The final matter I connect with the Sacramento, we put our older kids in flood is the Christmas in July Festival school, where they enjoyed considerable held six months later. Our Lions Club prestige as refugees from the "terrible sponsored it as a means of showing the Yuba City flood." world the citls powers of recuperation There seems to be something and, incidentally, helping merchants to about that flood that attracted more recover some of the losses occasioned attention than many others that by the cancellation of after-Christmas periodically plague other parts of the sales. The celebration, however, did not country. This may be because it had live up to expectations. Apparently, the some of the characteristics of events like memories of disaster were a little too the Johnstown flood, with its unexpected strong to inspire much enthusiasm for on a sleeping community and events recalling it. consequent deaths. Whatever the I have stashed away a collection reason, it is still not unusual for people of news accounts and pictures of the elsewhere to mention their memory of flood. These include coverage by the flood when learning you are from Sacramento and local papers, as well as Yuba City. These memories may be the documentary published by the State fortified by reports of other events which Department of Public Works. The aerial have given the town a reputation for photographs of the area show Marysville unsettling experiences, such as the tragic as an island in an ocean of water and school bus accident, the Juan Corona Yuba City completely inundated. On one , and the undeserved ratings by of the pictures we are able to pinpoint Rand McNally. On the plus side, I have the location of our own home. However, met people from other states who rated in later reproductions of the same the blooming orchards near Yuba City as picture, it has been cropped just enough one of the most beautiful sights they to leave us out, which has forced me to have seen. Others remember the old pencil it in on the margin of copies we description of Sutter County as the peach show to interested acquaintances.

Annual and On-Going Local History Competition

The Association for Records and Research (AAI'{CR) sponsors an annual local history contest. Entries mus! pertain to some aspect of Northeastern California history (Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity and Yuba counties). The competition is open to all. This is a standing contest and entries are received on a continuous basis. All entries received before June 30 of any year will be judged during July and August of that year. For more information, write to: Association of Northern California Records and Research (AAI*ICR), P. O. Box 3024. Chico, CA 95927.

11 MHV1ORIES bv lohn O. Winship

I was born in Sacramento on back together in high school. New December 27, 7929. My parents were people like Frank Gilpatric and Nonuood Desmond A. and Leila (Houston) Gibson were added in high school. Wnship. My mother was born in I was active in Boy Scouts and Sacramento, the daughter of John and spent the summers at Scout camp until Rosa (Sitez) Houston. My father was Harter's Cannery opened. At the age of born in the Meridian/Winship District of 13, I went to work at Harter's and worked Sutter County, the son of Oliver and Eliza there every summer until I was about 21. (Ross) Winship. I was named after my I had various jobs and ended up as a two grandfathers. mechanic on what we called the "pitting At the time of my birth, my father machines." was the District Attorney of Sutter I had been in the fumy and was County. We first lived on the southeast attending the University of California at corner of Clark and Rosalind Avenue in Berkeley at the time of the 1955 flood. I Yuba City. We moved from there to came home and when the water began Colusa Highway where we lived about to get bad, I went down to the two years and then to Orange Street emergency center on Bridge Street. I where we lived about six months. In Mav was sent to patrol the levee between the of 1935, the family moved to 370 5th and 10th Street Bridges. There were Second Street. My childhood memories five other men working with me. I was are generally on Second Street with the there when the 5th Street Bridge went Von Gelderns, the Childs, the Barrs, the out. It was dark and we were on the Newkoms, the Bremers, the Waltons and west side; we didn't really see it. There Beverly Kykendall. I attended Yuba City were all kinds of noises that night. Some Grammar School, Yuba City High School time after 11 o'clock that night, we were and Yuba College. beginning to put our first row of sacks on I enjoyed all of my teachers at the top of the levee when the water Yuba City High School and most of my started to rush and go down and we teachers at Yuba City Grammar School. knew it had broken south of Yuba City My uncle, Chester D. Winship, was the somewhere. I walked down from the principal of the grammar school when I levee, down Second Street to my parents' was there. He kept an eye on me and I home. The water was beginning to suffered because of it. I ran around come into the back vard and in front of with Hal Wisner, Gerald Frye, Gerald the Courthouse and in the gutters of Harter, Raymond Wright, Francis Koozin Second Street. I stayed at my parents' and Dorman Ledford. We all lived in until the third day when we could get Yuba City except Gerald Frye. He lived out. I helped people pick up things and out.on the highway and in the 7th or Bth clean up. My big memory of that night grade they split us up and he had to go was going out into the backyard and to Terra Buena to school, but we all got hearing the houses crash together over in

12 the Gilsizer-Ledford Tract area and Christmas tree, completely loaded with hearing the people yell for help and being ornaments and lights. We lost them in aware of the helicopters going over all the flood, by the way. They were all in the next morning. the basement and the water washed all The water got onto the back the color off the ornaments. They were porch and into the basement of our ornaments which my mother had house. The water just came in and went collected over a lifetime and which had out so it left the basement full and we been given to her by people from all were able to syphon the water out the over. Mrs. Cline next door gave my next day. The back yard slopes down; mother ornaments; my mother had we used two garden hoses and started a ornaments from her parents and she syphon and were able to get the water collected all different kinds of out of the basement. Czechoslovakian-made ornaments that The water at my office was one were very beautiful. The flood did not inch below the floor; it never got into the break them, but it washed the color off. office. Plumas Street is known as "up on I can remember one set of our lights the Hill." Second Street is along the which we did salvage. It was a set of river. Before there were levees, when the Mickey Mouse lights. They were just river would spread out it would dump soil regular lights with little shades of Mickey in the area of my parents' home and the Mouse on them; we always had those up Barr home. The Von Geldern home is an on the tree. My mother, in the early old Indian mound and is high ground. years, used to decorate the outside of The little park at the comer of Second the house with lights and we always had and Bridge Streets in Yuba City is the garlands and wreaths on the front door. highest spot of ground in Sutter County, My first birthday in the house on except for the Buttes. I think it was Second Street, Santa came to visit proven in the flood when Plumas Street everybody. Mother put a chocolate was flooded to a depth of two feet and Santa in front of everybody's plate and the lower end of Second Street did not my father turned up the stove. By the get flooded. The water didn't even come time we got to eat our meal, all the close to those houses on the east side of Santas had melted. I never had a Second Street next to the levee. problem with my birthday being so close We celebrated Christmas at my to Christmas. Of course, over the years parents' home. We had two lMngrooms, I've gotten things marked "Happy a north livingroom and a south Birthday -- Do Not Open Until livingroom. The ceilings were 14 feet Christmas." Other than that, there was high and we'd usually have a 12-foot high no real problem.

gear!! Happu "New

13 The Fairman Street Gang by Arthur W. "Bill" Coats

The Fairman Street Gang was a gang's existence. According to my best phenomenon the likes of which is not apt recollection, their names were: to be duplicated in this day and age. 1. Robert and Henry Heiken, sons The "gang" consisted of the younger of Fred and Ora. Fred was County generation of a small section of a small Treasurer during much of this period. town. Although the group was usually Henry was killed in action during World referred to as a "gang," that term did not War II. Robert became a real estate then carry the same opprobrious broker. connotations as it does todaY. The 2. Albert, Mury, Clinton, Jack and "gang" was just a bunch of youngsters Gordon Powell. children of Charles and between the ages of four and sixteen Myrtle. Mr. Powell operated a machine who lived in close proximitY to one shop. Clinton, who was the same age as another and engaged in common Henry Heiken, was likewise a victim of activities. Drawing on memory of mY the war. Albert served for many years on own participation, I would say that it local school boards. flourished primarily during the years 3. Arthur William Jr. (myself, 1918-1930. generally called Bill), Jane, Wilson, Fairman is a one-block long street Robert, Wallace, and Lauren Coats, in the California town of Yuba CitY, children of Arthur and Assumption. which, according to census records had, Arthur, Sr. was District Attorney and later in 1920, a population of around 2,000, a Superior Court Judge of Sutter County. figure that has since grown by ten-fold. Lauren was killed in a highway accident To be precise, the street, while being an at the age of 15. The four other sons unbroken block on the south side, is served in the armed forces duripg World intersected on the north by two other War II, but came through safely. Their streets, Yolo and Sutter. As first laid out, Iater careers are too varied to recount Yuba City had only three east-west here. Jane became a social worker in streets, A" B and C. Fairman should Siskiyou County. have been A but acquired its present 4. Walter Redhead, son of a name from one of its early residents. To retired couple who were older than most the confusion of visitors, a detached parents on the block. Walter had two segment to the west is still labeled A and adult sisters, Doris and Emily, whom I the east extension beyond Second Street include on this list only because they is called Keyser. were second generation. Walter went to The 23 progeny of six families work in a print shop and eventually took living on this one block provided the core it over. membership of the gang. These are the 5. Harriet, Bill and Don Thomas, ones who lived there continuouslY children of Harry and lrene. Harry throughout the entire period of the worked for PG8'E and lrene was a leader

74 in Red Cross work. Bill had some Morehead; Edward, Marian, Richard and attendance problems in school, but later Frances Von Geldern; Burwell and Walter served a lengthy and distinguished term Ullrey; Clare, Evelyn and Roy Sweeney; as the county probation officer. and William McMullen. 6. June, Bert Jr., Eddie and Harry It would unduly expand the scope Price, whose parents operated an ice of this article to try to describe all of the cream parlor on Second Street. Their children and teenagers from other parts English cousins, Hilda and Nancy, lived of town and the surrounding farmlands briefly with the Fairman Street family who, at one time or another, participated when first coming to Yuba City and in the social or scholastic activities that remained well-known to gang members. centered around the intersection of Eddie later established a beer tavern Fairman and Yolo Streets. Nor is it across the street from the old home. practical to describe in detail the nature To complete the record, one must of these activities. It is enough to say add the names of some of the young that they were not confined solely to the people who lived in the vicinity and may paved intersection. be said to have supplemented the gang's There were ample backyards with membership from time to time through tall trees and interesting sheds and barns, participation in activities of common all of which regularly served as interest. Some of their names are: playgrounds. Gang members often 1. From Fairman Street: Ed embarked on excursions into neighboring Wilcoxon, Bob Keely, Anita Lang, Bob areas, such as the banks of Gilsizer Thrun, and the Jacobys. Slough, which lay only a few yards 2. From Yolo Street: Harold and beyond the west end of Fairman Street, Helen Peters; Beverly, Barbara and or to the river-bottom lands where tall Roberta Kirk; Al, Rita, Lucille and Donald pecan trees grew and shed nuts that Huckins; and Wayne and Stelman were free to anyone with time and energy Walkup. enough to pick them up. And there was 3. From the side of B Street always the , just beyond the backing on Fairman Street: Tom, levee, which rose at the east end of the Lawrence, Bob and Imelda Webdell and street. Durward King. (The Arthur Coats family, The river itself was, of course, off inch.rding myself and siblings, lived there limits to the children of tender age, several years before moving to Fairman unless in the company of adults. Even Street.) the older ones operated under constant 4. From Bridge Street: Kathryn warnings to beware the treacherous sink Carpenter and Albert Waters. holes and vagrant currents which were A little more remote, but distinctly (and continue to be) the cause of many part of the riverside section of town (east drownings. Nevertheless, adventurous of the slough), were the residences on B, gang members, confident of their C or Second Streets of several young swimming ability, found opportunity to people who had occasiondl contacts with enjoy many of the sports, such as the gang members or their activities, bathing, boating, and fishing, associated namely Frank Bremer; Franklin with river life. For a good picture of such

15 sports, refer to Mark Twain's descriptions After traversing the half-dozen of the adventures of Tom Sawyer and blocks between Fairman Street and the Huck Finn in relation to the Mississippi. cannery, we arrived at the foot of the This comparison is not entirely absurd tower and ladder. About four of us when one considers that the movie started up, with me in the lead. All went company filming Huck Finn actuallY smoothly for 415 of the way to the top. I relied upon sections of the Feather River then encountered a somewhat distressing for environmental background. feature. Up to this point the climb had When former and, of course, been vertical, or almost so, but now the aging gang members gather for family or ladder was leaning sharply outward in school reunions, they spend a good deal order to pass around the flange which of time exchanging memories of events, surrounded the top of the tank. episodes, and even escapades, which I hesitated a few moments in the marked the course of their childhood. I face of this new situation, which meant don't say that a book recounting all of that the climber would have to hang on these ventures might not be interesting, for dear life until he could pass over the but I do not intend to write it here. What flange and proceed to the apex. I will do is tell and conclude this article Deciding to press on, I continued with the story of one event that left a upward, out and over the flange, and rather strong impression on my mind. thence up the modest slope to the very This is about the climbing of the top. After enjoying, or at least water tower on the grounds of the C.P.C. experiencing, the view of the town's lights (later known as Del Monte) cannery. below for a minute or two, I started back This tower, about 70 feet in height, down. I quickly realized that the process consisted of a large cylindrical tank of descending was fraught with even supported by long steel legs. A narrow greater uncertainties than the ascent. ladder running to the top was attached On finally reaching the merely for use in repair and maintenance. vertical portion of the ladder, I noted the One summer evening a grouP of rest of our climbing group still in the us in an age bracket of around twelve same positions in which I had left them. years decided it would be fun to climb to None of them had shown any interest in the top of this tower. I am not giving following my steps up the out-leaning any names, other than my own, because portion of the ladder. Nor could any now some of those invohed may not want to do so without passing around me, which be publicly associated with such a the narrowness of the ladder made venture, which was probably illegal and impossible. Slowly and carefully we all certainly foolhardy. However, I would be backed down and silently retraced our glad to hear from any readers who are steps to our Fairman Street origin. Thus, willing to acknowledge their participation. into the unwritten (until now) annals of (Don't worry! The statute of limitations the Fairman Street Gang went the story has long run against any possible charge of the after-dark climb of the C.P.C. of trespass.) water tower.

16 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH OF MARYSVILLE AND YUBA CITY by Grace Lang Ettl

[The following is excerpted from the history of the Church given by Mrs. Ettl at the 40th Anniversary celebration of the Congregation on May 16, 1,967.1

Our congregation's beginnings chasing up and down the sidewalks on were way back as far as 1.977, when foot! A Young People's Society was records show baptisms were performed organized with Walter Forde as Advisor. by Rev. Wm. Husemann for people from I was really too young to go, but I got to Cranmore, Grimes and Arbuckle. Rev. go everywhere Dorothy went -- wonder Husemann was sent by the Mission why the older ones put up with me? It Board of the Missouri Synod. A group of was started at the parsonage in German-speaking Lutherans were Marysville. The group started off right, worshiping in Marysville; Norwegian and continued to be active until I guess Lutherans were being served by a we all outgrew it. minister from Sacramento who traveled In 1930, a resolution was passed the valley holding services in the E. H. that English services would be held every Olson and Walter Forde homes. In 1926 Sunday and on the fourth Sunday a short we were meeting on the third floor of the German service would follow the English Forrester's Hall at 321 E Street, services. A Building Fund Committee Marysville. It was here at Fomester's Hall consisting of Fred Stohlman, Fred that history was made for our church. Heitman and Edward Lang was On May 75, 7927, the First Lutheran appointed or elected. Rev. August Church of Marysville was officialiy Hansen, Director of Missions for the organized. In 1928, the church was Califomia-Nevada District stressed the accepted into the Missouri Synod. The necessity of a good location for the first confirmation class was confirmed in future Church home. 1929 by Rev. Huseman. ln July of 1931, Pastor Halboth Rev. Huseman, who was quite visited Milwaukee and brought back the elderly, resigned in May of 1929. A call Communion Service we are now using. was sent to the College at St. Louis and Mrs. Wm. Alpers returned from a visit to Rev. Victor Halboth was sent to us in Germany, bringing the picture of the June; he was installed in September. Good Shepherd which is now hanging on The Sunday School was organized that the stage. year and the Ladies'Aid was also started; The 1932 to 1935 years were Mrs. Blume was the first president. I tremendous ones. Remember the remember the wonderful Mission depression was in full swing. Most of our Festivals we had with all the wonderful people were farmers or dairymen. I food! We kids had a grand time, country remember poor crops and nothing for kids spending a whole day in town them. Here was this church ready to

t7 embark on a building program at the raise funds; Mr. Edward Lang remembers worst possible time financially. A receMng $2000 in one day. They were location committee was created. Ballots anxious to secure the lots before were taken to all members to vote on someone else did. The lots were which site they wished to have the purchased on August 5 and on January Church built on, the Marysville site on 11, 1933 the Decker-Jewett Bank, where 11th Street for $4000 or the Yuba Citv the church kept its funds, failed. Having site on Cooper Avenue for $1475. spent our cash on the lots we lost only Thirty-four voted for Yuba City and $60.07. An account was then opened eighteen for Marysville. The Yuba City with the Bank of America on Plumas site was ratified by voting members in a Street. The minutes record "treasury in rising vote. Trustees E. N. Olson, E. H. arrears. Mission Board sorely pressed for Erickson and Wm. Blume were funds." On May 30th, 1933 the United authorized to bid for the purchase; Rev. Crises Endeavor Plan called for extra 10 Halboth was authorized to negotiate with cents weekly and the Pastor called for the Church Extension Board for a loan. moral support. The total church Articles of Incorporation were collections for the year, I assume besides issued July 19, 1,932. The name was the $2000, was $577.71. City taxes were changed to First Lutheran Church of $10.84; County taxes were $9.96. Mrs. Marysville and Yuba City. On August 5, Blume remembers we paid the pastor 7932,lots were purchased from the $90 to $100 for his services (l hope per George Walton Estate ($7S01 and from month). Ella V. Shillig (l7ZS'1. A sign was erected It must have been shortly after the which read "Future Home of First lots were purchased and the bank failure Lutheran Church." The Mission Board that the men talked of the Old West urged us to build the parsonage first and Butte Church; it had not been in use for guaranteed us $36.00 monthly. A years. They wondered if they could resolution was passed, but on October secure the building, tear it down and use 20 the decision was reversed and it was the pews, bell and lumber for sur decided that the Church must be built Church. They contacted members of the instead. old pioneer families, the Carrols, the The Building Committee toured Tarkes. the Wilburs and received Vallejo, Modesto, Tracy and other places, permission. A purchase price of $1.00 looking over church plants to obtain a was given "to make it legal." The consolidation of ideas. The sentirnent of framework of our present church is the the public (l assume the local public) was lumber from this pioneer church. The their being impressed with our location. pews were taken to Sutter Onion High We had an attractive site and we would School where the wood working classes be a fine addition to the city. They under Fred Havens repaired them. The looked upon us as a substantial church bell still has the original wheel with which organization and a valuable addition to it came. It was repaired by Mr. Tange the community. A $4000 loan was before it was hung in our belfry. applied for from the Extension Fund. The West Butte Union Church was Three of the men went out on a drive to built in 1884. It was financed by pioneer

1B settlers of West Butte and used by all Jewett Bank was still felt. The Young dominations. Everyoneworshiped People's Society donated $15.00 to pay together and everyone went. The main taxes on the lots. Ladies Aid paid back contributors were Bill Wilbur, Frederick taxes. The balance on hand March 31 Tarke and Frederick Hoke. The Hoke was $34.97. estaie is where James Tarke now lives. Ground-breaking services were Samuel Reische helped to build the held on July 17, 1935. The builder was Church. C. E. Reische and Eleta and Walter Tange of Los Angeles. The Verona Hill of West Butte attended lumber from the West Butte Church Sunday School there. Bill Wiibur was which had been piled at the Stohlman Sunday School Superintendent. Mr. Ranch was moved to the Yuba City site Hoke gave the bell which now hangs at by August Stohlman, son of Fred. When First Lutheran. Ranious Todd they were ready to start the building there remembers Charlie Stohlman telling him was the lumber. John Munsterman tells that the bell came around the Horn. He, how he, Henry and Herman Munsterman, Charlie Stohlman, rang the bell when it using Billie Nuebel's Fresno Scraper, dug was first dedicated in 1884 and he rang it the basement. Three services were held here in 1935 when our Church was at the dedication. The congregation dedicated. Ranious says that Mr. Tange borrowed $1500 from Synod; 10 notes of helped him to ring the bell; the tears $150, one to mature every year at 1% were streaming down Mr. Stohlman's interest per annum. The congregation face. The West Butte Church was borrowed $500.00 on the lot being dedicated free of debt. Rev. R. E. Wink reserued for the parsonage. Mr Tange held the dedication service in the was paid $7.00 per day; he boarded with morning, a Lutheran minister from the pastor, the Congregation paylng Sacramento speaking in German held $1.00 per day for board. The Ladies'Aid services in the afternoon. Mrs. Louis met in the Parish Hall for the first time (Nancy) Tarke who died in 1932 wrote: with a devotional service in the Chapel. "lt has been without any services for They started their many donations to the years, but the few remaining residents of Building Fund with $325. They sent West Butte prefer to let it stand where it canned and dried fruit to Concordia is as a memorial to the pioneers who College in Oakland; a donation which built it." Cecil Straub's mother and has continued almost every year since. grandmother were Sunday School The first chicken pie supper was held in teachers. Miss Hill of West Butte said "l 1935. The Aid started to supply the always miss the Church - it really was a kitchen; from here on, their help has church, it had the atmosphere of a been outstanding in every endeavor of Cathedral. The old shutters and the gas the congregation. The men gave in lights which you could pull down made money and labor what the families could; the interior so soft." Later on one the women went to work to meet the minister served three parishes, Meridian, balance. Money was scarce; hours of West Butte and Sutter. donated work, food sales, apron sales, Back to First Lutheran 1934. The basket socials, making quilts, selling of loss of funds in the failure of the Decker- fancv work raised money. There wasn't a

19 man in the congregation who didn't do cost of building, excluding the furnace, his share with a shovel, hammer or saw, was $5200. This will get you -- "the Men even to the Pastor, who I can still see 'acknowledge receipt of resolution from sitting on the roof shingling. Senior Young People concerning noise In 1936, the Building Committee before and during Church Service.' A was dissolved with a vote of thanks from collection was taken for Missionaries the congregation. The value of the stranded because of the War situation. A church was set by the insurance weekly bulletin was established to inform appraiser at $9952.00. The Ladies'Aid the congregation of meetings and took over cleaning the Church. This activities. It was agreed that in case of a really tickled me in reading the minutes. call to service by the Government, a When the Ladies tired of doing the leave of absence for one year would be cleaning they would hire someone. The given to Rev. Halboth; after such time, next meeting's minutes read "Janitor he was to return to this congregation. quit." The following meeting, the Ladies On March 7, 1.940, the Langs and would be cleaning the church followed by Heitmans were involved in the Meridian "hire janitor." We are cleaning it again, flood due to a break in the By-pass perhaps this is the way it is meant to be! levee. The Lang's home was In 1937, the Ladies set the 4th demolished; the Heitmans had all the Wednesday of each month as sewing mud! day. The first Vacation Bible School Rev. Halboth was called to Armed started with an enrollment of 74. SeMce in 1941 and the Mission Board to In 193B, it was decided to build supplied a pastor during his leave of the parsonage. The Ladies collected absence. There was no dinner this year, clothing for the needy in Canada and each member donated $2.00 instead. from here on clothing has been collected War risk insurance was placed on and sent to all parts of the world, Mexico, buildings. The Ladies' Aid purchased Canada, Japan, Germany. flags and Mrs. Boor donated them to the On March 30, 1939, the printing congregation. and sale of Loan Certificates of $10.00 to In 1943, the drive met the bear no interest, to be repaid in five years payment of $609.00. Red Cross sewing was authorized. Money was to be used started and continued until there was no to purchase additional real property build need. A day room at Camp Beale was the parsonage. On April 5, 1939, the furnished by the Ladies's Aid and gifts parsonage lot was purchased from L. Van were sent to the boys in Service. Ladies Dueson for $850. The Lutheran Aid applies for membership in LWML Centennial celebration was held in Yuba August 72, 7943. City on May 7th at the Elementary 1944 saw the organization of the School on Bridge Street. Ladies served Friday Nighters Couples Club. In 7945, coffee and the Young People decorated the possibility of purchasing the lots in for the event. back of the church was discussed. The parsonage was dedicated In 1946, the congregation January 29, 1.94A. Services were held at declared self supporting. The organ fund 11 a.m. with open house all day. Total was started. Mrs. Boer and Myrtle Lang

20 Todd received Red Cross awards for 100 remember waiting with Dad for hours to hours of seruice and Ladies's Aid sent get permits to go to the church to see food packages to Europe. what damage was done. Finally , I In 1949, the Van Duesen property believe Ole and Tom Pederson went in was bought and the Educational Building the back way with pumps to get the Committee was formed. water out as soon as possible. We no In 1950 the Church turkey dinners more than got the building cleaned up were started with Grace Franklin in when the clothing started to arrive by the charge. truck load, semi-trucks too. Clothing The Educational Building was that had been stored in Modesto dedicated on Sept. 16, 1951. The total earmarked for Europe was sent to Yuba cost was approximately $23,825. City. Congregations sent clothing and $700.00 was given by Ladies's Aid to the money from all over. A fund was set up congregation to pay for cabinets and in a local bank which later was allocated chairs; they continued to supply the new to those in the flooded area. You had to kitchen with a stove, etc. Membership in see it to really believe it. The clothing the Ladies'Aid reached 56. just kept coming, the whole basement The organ was purchased in 7952. and kitchen was full of it. The women The same year, the 25th anniversary of worked day, after day, after day, sorting, the Congregation was celebrated. There giving it away. We held back some of were 497 baptized members; the property the nicer things for our members who was valued at $80,000. needed help and would use it. We ln 7954, the church school started opened it to the public. In fact, I think with 31 pupils. Mernard J. Callios and we almost advertised for people needing Nadine Wihlem were the teachers. The clothing to come. Some came who Ladies Evening Guild organized Jan 2, didn't need it. We heard rumors to the 1.954: effect that clothing given in Yuba City The teacherage was built in 1955, was being sold in Live Oak. One mostly with donated labor, and the Altar minister from Olivehurst must have Guild was established. brought his whole congregation; he was Tragedy struck Dec. 24, 1955 with there every day with different people. the Christmas Flood. The Church was What was left, we crated and shipped decorated for holiday services, but no back for World Relief. After the cement services were held. The basement of the dried, paint was purchased and parsonage was flooded up to within 4" of everything was repainted and everything the first floor. The teacherage, occupied put back in order. We finally had to buy for one week, had 3" of water. The a new refrigerator due to mud in the basement of the Educational Building mechanism. was a mess with water to the top of the A Memorial Fund was established new stove. Approximately fifty families of in 1958 and in 1967 the Women of the our congregation were affected. No one Church were reorganized into the First was allowed into the flooded area. I Lutheran Women's Missionary League.

21 Remembering the Flood of 7955 by Ivadel Simmons

One of the reasons we chose the stayed and stayed. Even after the levee house on South Lawrence ffuba City) in broke the neighbors were still waiting for 1954 was that it was located on a site my say so to leave. Finally my next door that my uncle, Vern Summy, said would neighbor, Walt Hohmann, came over and never get flooded. We had looked at said, "The water's on Bamett (the next other places, but he said this was the street over), should we leave?" When I safest. We moved in June 1954, before said we should, everyone piled out. We Highway 99 was build up behind us. I planned to go to my dad's house in still believe Uncle Vern and that it was the Meridian. Since my car was the closest change in land levels that caused us to to the house, I was the last to go. get any water in the house in 1955. I was alone in the car and headed My husband, Jesse Simmons, out Franklin. I was the only car on worked for the telephone company. Franklin and wondered why no one else When Marysville was evacuated, a lot of was traveling on that road. I never our friends who worked for the company dreamed that the water was coming back brought their belongings, and that way. I finally turned on Township themselves, to store at our house. Our and headed for Highway 20. The road garage was full of furniture, TVs, and was full. I saw nothing but head lamps clothes and our house was full of heading out of town, but they let me telephone people staying over. My right in onto Highway 20 and I headed father, Steve Burtis, took my daughter west with the rest. Sometimes I just Linda (Leone) to Meridian for safe can't believe how lucky I was not to get keeping. All day long, even though I caught by the water on Franklin. didn't expect water at my house, I put a . We got to Meridian and stayed at few things in the car, including the my dad's house. The house was full of Christmas presents and some of my people - family, friends and coworkers. husband's fishing and hunting things. It Telephone trucks were lined up outside. was wall to wall people in the house; I was exhausted, but I couldn't go to bed. telephone workers and their wives with I wondered what had happened to other sleeping bags spread out on every flat friends and if they got out of town all surface. I couldn't sleep; I had to listen right. to the radio to hear what was happening. There were a lot of people to feed When the 5th Street Bridge went out, I and my dad fed them all. People went to still didn't think the water was going to the stores in Meridian and bought food get here. to contribute to the kitchen. Of course, All of the neighbors -- the we couldn't wait to get back to town and Hohmanns, Yants and Jahnes - were find out what happened and see for waiting for me to give the word about ourselves what the town looked like - leaving. I'd lived around here all my life what our homes looked like. The people and they were going to follow my lead. I from Marysville who had been staying

22 with us in Yuba City got to go home as had been through the flood in 1940 in soon as they could get over the bridge. Meridian. I remember my Uncle Vern People stayed in Meridian for different and Aunt Wilma Summy's home after lengths of time, depending on their that flood. The house had been flooded circumstances. twice and the mud was so high we had We got about 16" of water inside to shove it out of the house through the the house and the garage was two steps windows. I was just happy that my lower than that. Nearly everything that house didn't have nearly the damage that had been placed in our garage for safe their house did. keeping was lost. There was mud and I know that at one point we stayed debris inside the house. Because of in Marysville with Bud and Norma McKee snakes and other nasty surprises, I would while some work was being done on our take a stick and poke at something to house. It seems to me that we moved in see if it moved before I reached for it. and then moved out again when they There was a very suspicious looking replaced the floors. I know that we were something under the kitchen table. I still working on the house when my couldn't figure it out and prodded it for daughter, Sharyl, was born in April and I some time before I realized it was a pair would leave her at the Hohmann's and of long johns, coated with mud, that had go next door and work on our house. landed in the kitchen. We were really lucky because we had My take on the situation was insurance that helped us put our house different than most. People thought I back together. was crazy, but I thought things looked The whole thing is like a pretty good in my house. It's because I nightmare, not a dream, a nightmare!

- Steve Perry remembers the 1955 flood from the viewpoint of a 3-1,12 year old boy. He, his mom and sisters went to Meridian to stay with his grandfather, Steve Burtis. His strongest memory is of the wall-to-wall people staying at the house and him sleeping under the dining room table (an incident denied by his mother, Betty Perry). Bell Telephone workers used the ranch as a place to sleep and eat after long hours of working. Steve remembers not just floor space, but stairs, landings and every other flat surface being used by someone as a bed. Steve recalls the row of telephone company trucks parked along the road by the house. On his return to Yuba City, he remembers seeing a layer of mud covering everything and filling the streets so that there were no curbs. lt was as though it had snowed - mud. The familiar terrain was gone, replaced by a smooth, dark coating of mud that hid grass and shrubs, smoothing out contours. Houses were dark brown part way up their walls and then familiar colors - pink, green, yellow - appeared above the mud line. In his own home, much to his surprise, when he opened the closet doors, the water had gotten inside the closets too -- even though the doors were closed! His major loss in the flood was his rocking horse, Eustice, whom he recalls fondly to this day.

23 BARNEY &a'b BUS TRTP BUTTES COATS F^ COUNTY cle''e DUES

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L _c. F- COMING E\TENTS

fanuary I Historical Society/Museum Dues 5 Clum San: The Land of the Golden Mountain exhibit opens at Museum 16 Hi,storri'cal Soci,ety Meeti,ng - Museum - 7:30 p-m- Sqtoahor: Carol Withi'ngton Topic: Local Endy Sewlers

February 14 Love's Messenger Gift delivered (order early!) H"ppy Valentine's DaY!

March 6 Reservation Deadline for March 16 Buttes Hike 16 Historical Society's Buttes Hike 17 Happy St. Patrick's DaY! 20 Reservation Deadline for March 30 Buttes F{ike 30 Historical Society's Buttes Hike

April 7 Gum San: The Land of Golden Mountain exhibit closes 13 Historical Sociery's Buttes Bus Trip

SUTTER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY BOX '1004 Nonprof it Organization YUBA CITY. CALIFORNIA 95992 U.S. POSTAGE PAID Yuba City, CA 95991 Permit No.3B0 RETURN POSTAGE GUARANTEED

Yuba City ua 95993