Old Time Notes from The Beacon
130 Years Ago Feb. 15, 1890
• We presume it is safe to say the storm, which has been raging on this coast for the past couple of months and which has been of unusual severity during that time, is now virtually ended.
• James Starritt, of Christine, after fighting many a bloody battle in defense of the stars and stripes, surrendered to the great conqueror on January 31st, at the age of 74 years. He was an active participant in the Mexican and Civil wars and also served in the Florida war under Sam Houston.
• Born — At Westport February 2nd, to the wife of J. J. Ward, a 13 pound son.
• Died — At Reedsburg, Wisconsin, Jan. 27, Mrs. Henrietta Brayton, aged 91 years. Near Yorkville, Feb. 2, E. J. Arthur, a native of Fitchburg, Mass., aged 31 years.
• Captain H. Nelson has taken command of the sailing vessel Columbia, which is in the coasting trade between San Francisco and the Puget Sound.
105 Years Ago Feb. 13, 1915
• Miss Gladys Knight graduated last week from the State Normal School of Domestic Science at Santa Barbara after finishing the regular course laid down at that institution. She is now duly qualified to teach domestic science in any of the high schools of the State and we understand that the demand for instructors in that branch far exceeds the supply of teachers. • James Kenny, a pioneer settler of Mendocino county, passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Nellie Carter, in San Francisco last Thursday evening. Mr. Kenny was a native of Ireland but came to this country while a young lad. He served in the Mexican war and first came to this state in 1848. He settled in Mendocino County first in 1853 and two years later purchased a farm on the site of what was later Cuffey’s Cove. He engaged in stock raising for a time and then laid out the town of Cuffey’s Cove. He entered the shipping business and during the years when that locality was prosperous, had as many as four chutes in operation. After having amassed a comfortable fortune, Mr. Kenny retired from active business life about twenty-five years ago.
80 Years Ago Feb. 10, 1940
• The next town meeting at which several committees will report relative to the formation of a taxing district for Mendocino will be held next Thursday evening, Feb. 15th.
• Dogs last week killed fifteen lambs and one aged sheep and crippled another aged ewe on the Heeser ranch adjacent to Mendocino. In addition they crippled five lambs. Poundmaster Cake has been here but so far it has not been possible to establish ownership of the killers.
• The motion picture hall, also known as the Union Hall, was sold last week to Ruben Baldecchi by Oliver Bloom.
• The Mendocino High
School inaugurated last week one of the finest school lunch programs in the Redwood Empire.
55 Years Ago Feb. 12, 1965
• Congressman Claussen said today the Corps of Engineers will begin construction of the Noyo Harbor model at the Waterways Experiment Station Vicksburg, Miss., next week. The model study of Noyo Harbor is being made to plan the details of the Noyo Harbor twin breakwater project, estimated to cost $12.5 million.
• Ed Brown, noted horseman, early day resident died. Born in New Jersey, he and his elder sister came to Mendocino as small children when his father first came to take a position with his cousin, Eugene Brown. The family first resided in the cottage now owned and occupied by Eugene Gomes and family. Later his father Albert Brown, bought the Cranz home on Little Lake Street and that remained the family home for many years. He loved stock and horses and at an early age he was helping Harvey Reynolds bring beef cattle here from the ranches of Mendocino County and Humboldt. Ed Brown died at his home in Arbuckle, at age 84.
• Death this week removed a pioneer coaster in the person of Dolly Handley Brown, 87, daughter of early day hotel keeper Tom Handley of Albion. The Handley Ranch represented a considerable stretch of shoreline south of Albion River and was held by the deceased many years. She built a palatial home in south Albion and that has been turned into the present Albion Church.
30 Years Ago Feb. 15, 1990
• The Mendocino Land Trust held its 14th annual meeting last Wednesday. The Mendocino Land Trust is part of a national alliance of land trusts, which have the stated purpose of protecting and enhancing our environment. Betty Barber is the Trust President.
• Valentine’s Day this year had special meaning for Liz and Horace Irwin of Little River. Accompanied by family and friends, they attended the opening night performance of their son Bill’s show, “Largely New York,” at the Golden Gate Theatre in San Francisco.
• Interested in going to Costa Rica? Then, plan to attend an informational meeting for College of the Redwoods’ nine-day Costa Rica study tour. The study tour leaders will be instructors Teresa Sholars and Martha Racine.
• Music representing various periods and styles will be performed by flautist Suzanne Weller and pianist and harpsichordist Barbara Le Lievre for the Music on the Mezzanine Series slated for February 21 at the Fort Bragg Center for the Arts at Dalys.
• Sarinda Newell, senior at Mendocino Community High School, has won finalist status in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Sarinda is the daughter of Wendy Newell of Mendocino. Her interests are solar engineering and particle physics. She hopes to attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the fall.