Women vow to fight liquor makers in 1920
“Through the generosity of Mrs. Zipporah Russ, the town of Ferndale has come into the possession of 25 acres of wooded land, which are to be maintained perpetually as a public park and recreation grounds,” stated an article in the Dec. 10, 1920 Humboldt Times.
According to the newspaper, Russ imposed the following conditions on the donated land:
· “The town of Ferndale may cut, remove and market trees therefrom, but not in such a way or in such numbers as will destroy or injure its natural beauty and usefulness as a park or interfere with it as a refuge and breeding place for birds.”
· “For every tree removed, another must be planted somewhere in the park.”
· Every precaution must be taken against the spread of fire and, in case any trees are destroyed by fire, they must be replaced immediately by replanting.”
Today, Russ Park — now more than 100 acres — remains a popular spot for hikers, bird watchers and nature enthusiasts.
Other news from 100 years ago this week included:
The Dec. 11, 1920 Humboldt Times reported that, “despite the extremely bad condition of the more distant mountain stretches of the roads,” motorcyclist Charles Elario of Oakland made the trip from the Bay Area to Eureka in just two days, stopping overnight along the way. He told the newspaper that the roads were in good condition except for a three-mile stretch directly north of Garberville.
Elario was visiting Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Logan on J Street in Eureka for a few days, according to the paper, before heading back the same way he came.
Members of the Service Star Legion, formerly known as the War Mothers, vowed to push city officials to address the “open and flagrant violation and disregard of the prohibition laws,” an article in the Dec. 12, 1920 Humboldt Times said. The paper said police records showed that “liquor … is being manufactured and sold in large quantities and with little, if any, effort at concealment.”
Women in the Service Star Legion demanded the city be cleaned up and promised to start a crusade against the negative conditions, as well working to keep other “undesirables” out of the city who might want to move to town to make liquor, which the women called “high-proof, craze-producing poison.”
On Dec. 13, 1920, a storm held up shipping in practically every port from San Francisco to Seattle, the Humboldt Times said. The local bar was rougher than it had been in several months, the paper said, with no vessels being able to cross out in more than a week.
“At present, 15 vessels (are) on the bay loaded and ready for sea,” the Humboldt Times said. “The Mayfair, which entered yesterday morning, taking chances on the bar, received a severe washing,” the article said.
On Dec. 15, 1920, the Humboldt Times reported the death of George H. Burchard, Arcata city attorney and recorder. A 20year resident of Humboldt County, Burchard, 51, had at one time been partowner and editor of the Humboldt Standard news
paper. He was also a highdegree Mason and had served as secretary of the Arcata Chamber of Commerce.
Two traffic officers were going to join Officer C.C. Hill in enforcing the roads of the county, effective Jan. 1, 1921. This order came during the regular monthly Humboldt County Board of Supervisors meeting, according to the Dec. 16, 1920 Humboldt Times. At the same meeting, Dr. F. R. Horel was named the county's new health officer.