Lake County’s opinions on local/state issues
Check out today’s editorial column, cartoon and columnist perspectives.
The news article went on with details and a money reminder.
‘On November 4 President of the Lakeport business men’s Association, E.T. Spencer, was named to head the Publicity Committee. Mr. R.E. Brooks, of Hopland was also enlisted. Chief Engineer Rankin, his survey finished, joined the boys to tout the advantages of the Railroad to the people of Lakeport and Hopland. At the same meeting, President Hammand expressed his fervent wish that, ‘Since the third payment is due in eight days, it is hoped that the subscribers will be prompt in their payments.’
16 NOVEMBER 1911: The Record Bee’s Headline announced Good News.
HURRAH! LAKE COUNTY TO BE CONNECTED
WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD.
THE HOPE OF YEARS ABOUT TO BE REALIZED
WORK ON RAILROAD BEGINS WITHIN TWO DAYS
‘Clear Lake and the surrounding mountains, the Switzerland of America, will take her place with Catalina, Yosemite, and Lake Tahoe, the best of all and the only one not controlled by the U.S. or private parties. Hurrah, at last Lake County is to have a railroad.
The people have decided that if they are to have a railroad, they must build it themselves. We have three hundred stock holders and over $80,000 has been taken with promises for more. Just think, the dirt will begin to fly in two more days.’
With this happy news, every automobile and bus was readied for the trip to Hopland to witness the ceremonies. Mrs. Hammand was to turn the first shovel of dirt with a gold-plated shovel, that had been inscribed with the words, ‘Clear Lake Railroad Company Ceremony. November 10, 1911.’ The dirt was to be placed in a box and promised to be on display, along with the shovel, in the front window of Burt Sayre’s Hardware store on Main Street, Lakeport. The Ladies’ band of Ukiah, (twentyfour beautiful young ladies), promised to play for the festivities and dinner was 25 cents.
That joyful day is described by an unnamed Record Bee Reporter. At times he waxes so lyrical I had trouble understanding what he was trying to tell us. With necessary minor editing by this author, he tells us of that happy day.
“We all went to Hopland… whew…What a time we had.
The big auto was loaded down ‘till the springs almost bumped in every chuck hole… A little after eight o’clock we started from Spencer’s store. Pat Jourdain (a Lakeport lawyer) was the last to come. There being no other seat, he had to sit with the ladies. Pat didn’t seem to mind. Pat is young and goodlooking. It was surprising how soon the ladies forgot politics on this occasion. Pat also had a bugle but he didn’t bugle much, considering the opportunities offered by such an occasion for making a noise. “
“The stage coach is nothing compared to our bus. We were loaded down with human freight on our Juggernaut. Riding a stage, A horse might balk, or a brake block might break, what is, much worse on an auto-bus ride, many things could stop working; steering gear, brakes, chain, gas engine, and tires. Unlike a stage, every part must do its duty or we are in the soup.”
“Danger is the chief attraction in our bus. Who would not put his life in danger for such an outing? Taking your heart in your mouth makes you take huge breaths of pure mountain air. When we went around the curves, I swore next time I would walk all the way. But for such an outing I would go again today no matter the mountain curves.”
“The Ceremony began. The train from San Francisco blew a few long blasts. We cheered. They cheered. The band of twenty-four beautiful ladies struck up to lead the grand parade and we all mingled with the crowd. There was Mrs. Hammand. There was the golden spade. There were the cameras. Mr. Hammand made a speech and then Judge Sayre spoke. Everybody in Hopland and everybody from Lakeport was there. Everybody shook hands and then they shook hands again.”