Old Time Notes from The Beacon
130 Years Ago Feb. 7, 1891
• Supt. Ford has had a new walk put down from the street to his residence.
• Mrs. Stronach announces a social dance every Thursday evening at Tivoli Hall.
• Most of the district schools will begin their spring term the first week in March.
• We are informed that a bridge will soon span the Gualala River on the coast road between Mendocino and Sonoma Counties.
• The steamer Emily will call at this port three times a month on her way to Coos Bay, and also on returning … Fare to Coos Bay, $10 and $12, and to San Francisco, $6 and $8.
• Fort Bragg City Guard will give a ball on the eve of Washington’s Birthday.
• In a tussle Thursday, at Cuffey’s Cove, Chas. Hendrickson got his leg broken. He was brought to the Mendocino Hospital for treatment.
• The prospects in Mendocino County are fair, and we believe the mills of Mendocino will do well this coming season. The new Elk Creek mill is full underway and making fine lumber.
80 Years Ago Feb. 1, 1941
• Resident of 68 years, Antone Lazarus died here Monday at the home of his nephews, Frank and Joe Pacheco. Born in the Azores, he came to California with his parents 68 years ago and lived here ever since. He was 85 years of age, according to an old register and the last of a family of seven: Charles Lazarus, longtime resident of Mendocino; Joe, who kept a lodging house and saloon on West Main Street; Manuel, who settled in the Bay Area; Frank, who was proprietor of the old Mansion House and also operated a livery stable and stage line; Mrs. John Pacheco of Mendocino; and Mrs. Annie Luiz, who with her husband operated the Lisbon House and later on engaged in the store business. Tony Lazarus was well known in most of the early day logging camps as an industrious and faithful worker. He had many friends among the older residents.
• Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Jones are the proud parents of a son born the first of the week. This is the second child in the family.
55 Years Ago Feb. 11, 1966
• Private funeral services were held for Emmett P. Ray, 77, who died at the Redwood Coast Hospital Wednesday. Mr. Ray had injured himself in a fall from the hospital balcony on Jan. 29. Mr. Ray was born on the Navarro Ridge and had been a resident of the Mendocino coast all his life. He was a retired rancher. He was the oldest son of Mr. and
Mrs. John Ray, pioneers of the Navarro Ridge section.
• Life at Littleriver By Florimel: Much dashing out to the Drinkwater Ranch lately can be explained by the fact that a pony there gave birth to a beautiful colt who is now unnamed, but has the nickname Rusty. Family and friends have been out to admire the newborn, a beautiful chestnut with white mane and tail and four stocking feet.
• Mr. and Mrs. Roy Nonella of Sebastopol are the proud parents of a daughter, Susan Katherine, born in a Santa Rosa hospital on January 23. Paternal grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Sylvio Nonella of Albion.
30 Years Ago Feb. 7, 1991
• Effie D. Johnson, age 89, a Fort Bragg resident, passed away on Jan. 28, 1991 at Mendocino Coast Hospital, following a short illness. She was born and
raised at Manchester, where she attended elementary school, and then graduated from Point Arena High School. Effie was a graduate of San Jose State College, where she earned a teacher’s degree. Her first teaching position was at Castella, Calif., where she taught in a one-room school, teaching grades one through twelve. She also taught at the Navarro Ridge for a short time. In 1934 she moved to Fort Bragg where she taught grammar school for many years. She is survived by her children, Carl V. “Nog” Johnson of Fort Bragg, Betty Joyce Baker and Charles Johnson.
• Editorial: It is a strange phenomenon to have people greet the rain, embrace it and cherish it, but when it finally came during the weekend that’s exactly what happened. And now that the sun is back, as it should be at this time of year, it is a rather depressing sight. Entering the fifth year of drought is not a happy thought, particularly since there is so little we can do about it. People have tried rain dances and days of rain songs, but nonetheless, the sun is shining. The only choice the village appears to have left to deal with the drought is to be very aware of its existence and consequences and practice, or continue practicing, water conservation measures wherever and whenever possible.
• Jack’s Corner by Jacques Helfer: There’s a very nice show at the Mendocino Art Center just now, with some fine work done by members. Two pastel portraits by Dean MacKenzie get my nod as “best in show,” but a Russell Fieber photograph of the falls at Russian
Gulch State Park is very fine; a Pat Breed oil titled “Chess” and showing horses in crashing surf, and a few others, are also well worth going to see.
• Nearly 80 people gathered behind the Mendocino Coast District Hospital Jan. 31 to celebrate the groundbreaking of the hospital’s new helicopter landing pad.
• Members and guests of the Mendocino Study Club will hear Dan Charvet, local camellia expert speak at their Feb. 8 meeting in Preston Hall. Elinor Herod and her hostess committee will serve tea following the meeting.