We were ready to have a test run of Eureka’s Extreme Weather Shelter for the homeless when Mother Nature jumped the gun.   A hard freeze warning for TONIGHT prompted the opening the Extreme Weather Shelter at the St. Vincent’s Dining Facility  at 35 West 3^rd Street, in Old Town, Eureka.

I am posting this in case someone out there sees someone who needs shelter for the night.

Please send them to the Eureka Rescue Mission, 110 2nd Street in Eureka

If the Mission is at capacity, folks will be sent to the Dining Facility–OR IF YOU FIND FOLKS WHO ARE NOT COMFORTABLE AT THE MISSION, HAVE THEM TELL THE MISSION INTAKE FOLKS AND THEY WILL SEND THEM TO ST. VINCENT’S AFTER INTAKE.

Coordinator Steve Bell is at the Dining Hall to welcome folks and between St. Vincent’s and the Rescue Mission, Eureka can provide shelter to everyone who wants to be indoors tonight.  We even have donated dog kennels so folks with animals can be sure their pets are safe.

I will post more about this project in a bit, but wanted to get the word out about the shelter now.

Please help us to help those who need it most…

I know I’ve neglected this blog terribly and hope to get back to it soon.

In the interim, I am hoping today to use it as a way to connect a Joe Russ descendant to other Russ folks in Humboldt County.

Her name is Julia and she ran across my post about rumors regarding pioneer Joe Russ. She lives in Willits and I’d love to use this blog to connect her to her extended family up here.  Can anyone help?

If so, comment on this post or send me an email historyaddicts@gmail.com

Thanks,

~L

Julia’s comment:

I have never heard about this “story” but I am Gus Russ’ grand daughter and yes…our grandma was Wailaki Indian.   We don’t know too much about our Grandpa Gus’ family the Russ Family but we thought that his dad drowned in the Trinity River.  Grandpa Gus’ mom passed away and he was raised in the Long Ridge area and finally ended up moving to the Round Valley Indian Reservation where he is an enrolled member.  I am and always have been very curious about my Russ Family and would love to meet family members.  I live in Willits and my dad, Joseph Russ, Sr. still lived in Covelo on the Round Valley Reservation.

You’ll find commercial buildings, residential neighborhoods and all kinds of fun photos.

Thanks so much Tina!

Penny Postcards

This is one area where I can openly admit I wish I was right–because the proof below that I am wrong also reveals a more recent cultural genocide that is hard to comprehend…

“Dept. of the Interior OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, Washington January 13, 1902 The Superintendent, Greenville School, CaIifornia, Sir;

This office desires to call to your attention to a few customs among the Indians which, it is believed, should be modified or discontinue. The wearing of long hair, by the male population of your agency is not in keeping with the advancement they are making, or will soon be expected to make, in civilization. The wearing of short hair will be a great advance and will certainly hasten their progress toward civilization. The returned male student far too frequently goes back to the reservation and falls into the old custom of letting his hair grow long.

He also paints profusely and adopts all the old habits and customs which the education in our Industrial schools has tried to eradicate. The fault does not lie so much with the schools as with the conditions found on the reservation. Those conditions are very often due to the policy of the Government toward the Indian and are often perpetuated by the superintendent’s not caring to take the initiative in fastening any new policy on his administration of the affairs of the agency. On many of the reservations the Indians of both sexes paint, claiming that it keeps their skin warm in winter and cool in summer; but instead, the paint melts when the Indian perspires and runs down into the eyes. The use of this paint leads to many disease of the eyes among those Indians who paint. Persons who have given considerable thought and investigation to the subject are satisfied that this custom causes the majority of the cases of blindness among the Indians of the United States.

You are therefore directed, to induce your male Indians to cut their hair and both sexes to stop painting. With some of the Indians this will be an easy matter; with others it will require considerable tact and perseverance on the part of yourself and your employes to successfully carry out these instructions. With your Indian employes and those Indians who draw rations and supplies it should be an easy matter as a non-compliance with the order may be made a reason for discharge or for withholding rations and supplies. Many may be induced to comply with the order voluntarily, especially the returned student. The returned students who do not comply voluntarily should be dealt with summarily. Employment, supplies, etc., should be withdrawn until they do comply and if they become obstreperous about the matter a short confinement in the guard-house at hard labor, with shorn locks, should furnish a cure. Certainly all the younger men should wear short hair, and it is believed that by tact, perseverance, firmness, and withdrawal of supplies the Superintendent can induce all to comply with this order.

The wearing of citizen’s clothing, instead of the Indian costume and blanket, should be encouraged. Indian dances and so-called Indian feasts should be prohibited. In many cases these dances and feasts are simply subterfuge to cover degrading acts and to disguise immoral purposes, you are directed to use your best efforts in the suppression of these evils. Very respectfully, WL (W) “

I’ve… well, I’ve been busy, but wanted to give you a way to keep playing on this blog until things slow down for me (which, honestly, probably won’t be before the end of the year).

So, SO !  I’ve created a New Page for this site HERE  (and linked from the tab above) focusing (hopefully, as it is up to you) on NorthCoast Genealogy.  I’ve watched so many visitors help each other connect and find and share family  information that I thought it would be useful to create an area dedicated to just that. 

Please use it.

And have fun.

You can post family names/questions in the general comments section or send me an email (historyaddicts@gmail.com) and I should (haven’t practiced yet but my theory is pretty sound) be able to establish a separate page for that family.  We’ll make it work.  Just send me the names. Please.

Little River Redwood Co. 1930

My husband and I were recently in the Logger Bar in Blue Lake.

Visitors will see many of these logging implements on the walls, as well as some great old photos.

Inheritance in all other cases is eliminated on account of public policy founded upon a moral reason.  If every illegitimate child could claim inheritance from his brothers and sisters, public scandal would be placed upon the head of many otherwise decent and respectable citizens.  The legislature therefore evidently considered it a better policy to lessen public scandal and deny inheritance to an illegitimate, than to throw open the doors of public scandal and gossip, subject many persons to questionable ridicule and permit an illegitimate to expose the  illicit relations of his or her ancestors, merely for the purpose of sharing the estate of his parent’s kindred.   It therefore left the right of inheritance of an illegitimate to these cases where the parents themselves had exposed such illicit relations by admitting parentage. …

 Sucks for the poor bastards (literally) whose parents didn’t want to claim them.

Now the Probate Record, which revealed much about Lucy and her children

Superior Court of California (County of Humboldt) probate record for Charles Mulberg, who died “on or about March 23, 1928

Rose Moranda, executor of the Estate, on behalf of, Anna Vick.  Anna Vick respectfully shows that she is the surviving sister of Charles Muhlberg, that the deceased was unmarried and left no surviving children; that the father and mother … are dead and the undersigned is next of kin and an heir at law… that the petitioner is a resident of Orland, Glenn County, CA, and  that it is not convenient for her to undertake the administration of the estate, but she requests that Rose Moranda of the City of Ferndale, .. be appointed administratrix of said estate in her stead.  Signed Annie Vick & Witnesses, Hazel Michelson and Eugene S Selvage.

The total state of the descendant does not exceed the sum of $1,500 goes to the following next of kin:

Mrs. Anna Vick, sister.. residing at Orland, Glenn County, CA

Rose … , cousin,  Ferndale, CA

Jim …, nephew, Orland, CA

Charles …, nephew, Orland, CA

John …, Nephew, Orland, CA

Rebecca …, niece, Orland, CA

Summary of Points and authorities as filed by Administratrix:

Rose … requests that the whole of the estate be distributed to Anna Vick. Emily L Turner filed her opposition to this petition, in which she requests that one half of the … estate be distributed to her, and one half to Anna Vick.

Anna Vick thereupon filed opposition to the petition of Emily Turner, in which she alleged that Carrie Wright, the mother of said Emily Turner, was an illegitimate half-sister of Charles, and further denied that Emily Turner was a daughter of Carrie Wright, now deceased.

Summary of Statement of Facts:

The testimony disclosed that Emily L. Turner was born march 21, 1872 in San Francisco.  She testified that Carrie Wright was her mother, and William Harrington was her father.  That Emily remained in San Francisco until 1890, when she moved to New York.   She then moved to Brooklyn, New York and stayed until Sept. 1907.  In October of 1907, while returning from Brooklyn to San Francisco, she said she visited Carrie Wright in Arcata and stayed about a month.  That is the only time she lived with or visited her mother in Humboldt county. During her early years Emily lived with Cecelia Miller, her fathers mother; her grandmother taking her when she was about five years old.   She was born under the name of Emily Harrington and was then legally adopted by her paternal grandparents and her name was either Harrington or Miller.  She said that Carrie would visit her from time to time in San Francisco until 1890.  She also said she received no letters from Carrie after 1910 [could this be when she married Wright and got back in contact with Annie?].

Evidence further disclosed that Anna Vick had never heard of Emily L. Turner before she came to Eureka a few months ago “demanding” one-half of Charles’ estate.  Emily never visited her mother during her illness [how could she if she never heard from Carrie after 1910?].  Rose Moranda also claimed to have never heard of Emily before her claim to Charles’ estate.   Annie therefore questions the relationship between Emily and Carrie. At the trial, Emily presented many letters she said were from Carrie, along with some from Charles.  That was taken as proof that Emily is/was Carrie’s daughter.

Rose Moranda testified that she was a cousin to Charles.   She also said that it was common reputation among her family and the family of Carrie that the mother of Carrie was Lucy Romero, and the father was Berryman Lack and that Lucy and Lack were not married.  She further testified that Charles and Anna were the children of Lucy and Jose Romero and that they were married.  Annie said the same thing.

Emily said she did not know who Carrie’s parents were.

Jennie McCoy, the main witness for Emily Turner, testified that Carrie told her that an Indian named “Billy” told her that Lack was Carrie’s father.  There was no evidence contradicting the fact of Lack as Carrie’s father.

The court found based on the testimony that: Emily Turner was the daughter of Carrie Wright.  Mrs. Wright was the daughter of Lucy Romero and Berryman Lack, making her half sister of descendent and an illegitimate daughter of Lucy and Berryman Lack.

Issue:

The issue in this case is: Does an illegitimate child represent her .. and … entitled? to part of her estate as kindred?

Cases cited…. different rules apply to the succession of an illegitimate child than to that of a legitimate child.  Charles was legitimate and therefore except for the statement above,, the other legal considerations are no in point.

Findings:

Emily is added to the list of survivors, residing at 840 Elizabeth Street, San Francisco, CA

Anna is then ruled as being entitled to the entire Muhlberg estate.

The court finds that Emily is the daughter of Carrie Wright

That in the year 1850 there was an Indian woman named Lucy living near Arcata … had a daughter with Berryman Lack, thereafter known as Carrie Lack

Five or six years later Anna Vick was born and in 1860, Charles was born.  All three by the same mother.  The court finds, though, that the father of Carrie was Berryman Lack, and the father of Anna Vick and Charles Muhlberg was Jose Romero.

11.  The court finds that there was no marriage between said Indian woman Lucy and Berryman Lack, that they did not cohabit together and that Carrie Wright also known as Carrie Lack, no deceased, was the illegitimate daughter of said Indian woman Lucy.

12. … Lucy did cohabitate with Jose Romero and there was a mutual assumption of marital relations between them and that they were married.  That Anna Vick and Charles Muhlberg were the issue of Lucy and Romero and were the legitimate children of said Lucy.

13. That Carrie Wright would not be entitled to share in the estate of Charles.. and her daughter, Emily, has no right to share in the estate of Charles Muhlberg…

Charles estate is then awarded to Anna Vick, minus expenses.

Estate:

Cash: $312

One $50 liberty bond

One $50 Fourth liberty bond

Household goods

Land—at the southeast corner of the Preston addition to the City of Arcata

Lots 27 % 28 of block 12 of Preston Addition to the city of Arcata

More on the petition and oppositions…

Rose asks that the entire estate be granted to Anna Vick.

Emily Turner opposes, alleges she is Carrie’s daughter, that Anna Vick is the illegitimate daughter of Lucy, and that Emily is entitled to the entire estate.

While there was a dispute regarding Emily’s parentage, the court finds that she is Carrie’s daughter… it was up to Emily to prove that Lucy and Lack were married, and failed to do so.

After Carrie’s birth, Lucy cohabitated with Romero, and while the evidence was weak that there was an official marriage, there was a mutual assumption of marital relations between them.

Inheritance in all other cases is eliminated on account of public policy founded upon a moral reason.  If every illegitimate child could claim inheritance from his brothers and sisters, public scandal would be placed upon the head of many otherwise decent and respectable citizens.  The legislature therefore evidently considered it a better policy to lessen public scandal and deny inheritance to an illegitimate, than to throw open the doors of public scandal and gossip, subject many persons to questionable ridicule and permit an illegitimate to expose the  illicit relations of his or her ancestors, merely for the purpose of sharing the estate of his parent’s kindred.   It therefore left the right of inheritance of an illegitimate to these cases where the parents themselves had exposed such illicit relations by admitting parentage. If Carrie Wright could inherit the … of Charles Muhlberg as an illegitimate half sister, she could also inherit an interest in the estate of the help brothers and sisters of the Lack family, if any then be; all of which is not eh intention of the law.

Therefore Carrie Wright would not be entitled to share in the estate of Charles Muhlberg, so her daughter Emily Turner has no such right.

The entire estate is distributed to Anna Vick.

Klamath Modoc Indians, 1860

Hello everyone,

To those who enjoy regular posts I must apologize.  Work and … life have gotten the better of me lately.  Hopefully I’ll get back into regular postings.

I do want to keep on the thread/topic of Lucy and plan to continue discussing her limited options and the dangers she and her children faced during the settlement period.  The focus of the next (this) post was going to be the risks inherant to those on reservations but… but, as often happens with me, I’ve gotten distracted.  Sort of.

Looking through my notes regarding reservations I found the following, which discusses the founding of the Klamath (which is now the Yurok) Indian reservation.  It may be dry reading for some, but I chose not to edit any of it.

It was very surprising …. well, Please also be sure to catch the newspaper editor’s response to the founding of the reservation which follows the letters–his perspective is very different from how reservations are viewed today.

Klamath River Reserve.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Office of Indian Affairs, November 10, 1855.

SIR: Referring to your communication of the 8th of August last to the Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs, advising him of the approval by the President of the United States of the recommendation of the Department that it was expedient to expend the money appropriated on the 3rd of March last for removing the Indians in California to two additional military reservations, I have the honor now to make the following report:

On the 15th of August last the Acting Commissioner inclosed a copy of your letter of the 8th of that month to the superintendent of Indian affairs in California, with directions to select these reservations from such “tracts of land adapted as to soil, climate, water-privileges, and timber, to the comfortable and permanent accommodation of the Indians, which tracts should be unincumbered by old Spanish grants or claims of recent white settlers,” limiting the dimensions of the reserves to within 25,000 acres each, and to report to this office a description of their geographical position in relation to streams, mountain ranges, and county lines, etc., and indicating the same upon a map. A copy of that letter is herewith, marked A. By the last mail from California, I have received from Superintendent Thomas I. Henley a report upon this subject, dated the 4th ultimo (a copy of which is herewith, marked B), by which it appears he recommends as one of the reservations aforesaid “a strip of territory one mile in width on each side of the (Klamath) river, for a distance of 20 miles.” The superintendent remarks upon the character of the country selected, and incloses an extract from a report (also herewith, marked C) to him of the 19th of June last, by Mr. S. G. Whipple, which contains in some detail a description of the country selected, habits and usages of the Indians, etc., but no map is furnished.

It will be observed from this report of the superintendent that he has deemed it important to continue the employ of an agent and to prepare for raising a crop in order to assure the Indians of the good faith of the Government and to preserve the peace of the country. Considering the great distance of this reserve from the seat of Government and the length of time it necessarily requires to communicate with an agency at the Klamath, it is desirable that some definite action be taken, if practicable, before the sailing of the next steamer, to leave New York on the 20th instant.

I, therefore, beg leave to ask your attention to the subject, and if you shall be of the opinion from the representations made by the superintendent in California and Mr. Whipple that the selection at the mouth of the Klamath River is a judicious and proper one, that it be laid before the President of the United States for his approval, but with the provision, however, that upon a survey of the tract selected that a sufficient quantity be cut off from the upper end of the proposed reserve to bring it within the limitation of 25,000 acres, authorized by the act of 3d March last.

I also inclose herewith a copy of another letter from Superintendent Henley, of 4th ultimo (marked D), in which he states, in relation to the other reserve, that it is intended to locate it “between the head-waters of Russian River and Cape Mendocino.” In reference to both of these proposed reserves, and as connected with the means to be used to maintain peacable relations with the Indians, the superintendent is of opinion that it is of great importance to provide for crops, and that to do so an agent in each instance is necessary. As this last-named selection has not been defined by any specific boundaries, and no sufficient description is given as to soil, climate, and suitableness for Indian purposes, to enable the Department to determine the matter understandingly, of course nothing definite can now be done. But it may not be improper to consider the subject in connection with the general intent as to the particular locality in which it is proposed to make the location.

The reserve proposed on the Klamath River and Pacific coast does not appear from the map of the State of California to be very far removed from Cape Mendocino, or a point between that and Russian River; and as provision is made only for two reserves in the State other than those already in operation, the question arises whether it should not be situated farther in the interior, or perhaps eastern part of the State, than the point referred to. The Noome Lacke Reserve is situated in one of the Sacramento valleys, at about the latitude of 40 degrees north and 122 degrees of longitude west, about the center of that portion of the State north of the port of San Francisco. As, therefore, the proposed Klamath Reserve, being northwest from the Noome Lacke Reservation, would appear to be adapted to the convenient use of the Indians in that direction, the question is suggested whether the other reserve should not be located farther east and north, say on the tributaries of either Pitt or Feather Rivers. As in the case of the proposed reserve of the Klamath, I am desirous of obtaining your opinion and that of the President of the United States, with such decision as may be arrived at under the circumstances, in season to communicate the same by the next California mail, for the government of the action of superintendent Henley.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. W. MANYPENNY,
Commissioner.

Hon. R. MCCLELLAND,
      Secretary of the Interior.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Washington, D. C., November 12, 1855.

SIR: I have the honor to submit herewith the report from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs of the 10th instant, and its accompanying papers, having relation to two of the reservations in California for Indian purposes, authorized by the act of 3d March last.

The precise limits of but one of the reservations, viz, a strip of territory commencing at the Pacific Ocean and extending 1 mile in width on each side of the Klamath River, are given, no sufficient data being furnished to justify any definite action on the other.

I recommend your approval of the proposed Klamath Reservation, with the provision, however, that upon a survey of the tract a sufficient quantity be cut off from the upper end thereof to bring it within the limit of 25,000 acres authorized by law.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. MCCLELLAND,
Secretary.

The PRESIDENT.

Let the reservation be made, as proposed.

FRANKLIN PIERCE.

Humboldt Times, January 12, 1856–New Klamath Reservation-Response Klamath Reservation—By reference to our Washington news, it would seen that a strip of land on the Klamath… has been reserved by order of the President as a military reservation for the Indians…. we certainly approve of this one selected in our neighboring county.  The tract selected will not be required by white people for years if ever, and the great river… will supply the natives with the greater portion of their food.  The difficultly… will arise when the agent attempts to collect the surrounding tribes within the limits of the Reservation.  They are much attached to their old homes and manner of living and have not the clearest conceptions of the obligations of treaties and promises.

It was difficult, as the editor predicted, to bring together all the neighboring tribes, including the Modoc in Butte County.

The following is from the Butte Valley Chamber Website:

In 1864, a treaty was signed with the Modocs. When settlers began moving into the Lost River area, they made no attempt to get along with the Indians, instead they demanded that the Modocs be removed from their homelands and placed on the Klamath reservation. The Modocs and the Klamaths were historic enemies and conflicts were unavoidable. Capt. Jack and other Modocs left the Klamath reservation and demanded their own reservation on the Lost River. Once again the settlers demanded the removal of the Indians. Capt. Jack was convinced to return to the reservation by Oregon Indian Superintendent Alfred Meacham. Back on the reservation the Klamaths once again harassed Capt. Jack and his followers.

In April 1869, Capt. Jack and 371 Modocs left the reservation and moved back to their homeland on the Lost River. By November 1872, all peaceful attempts to return Capt. Jack and his followers to the reservation had failed. On November 29, 1872, Capt. James Jackson and forty men arrived at the mouth of Lost River to take the Modocs back to the reservation, peacefully if possible, by force if necessary. Fighting broke out on both sides of the river. Capt. Jack with some of his camp escaped to the Lava Beds. On the other side of the river, civilians attacked the Modoc camp. Huka (Hooker) Jim and his band escaped and headed for the Lava Beds to meet Capt. Jack. On the way to the Lava Beds Huka Jim and his band killed fourteen settlers in revenge for the attack on their village. The combined tribes counted 50 warriors and a large number of women and children. The Indians knew their liberty and even their lives were at stake.

When John Fairchild (J.F. Ranch) heard about the battle, he sent a messenger to the Hot Creek band of the Modocs. The Modocs had a meeting with Fairchild and an agreement was made that the Hot Creek band would remain peaceful, for the present at least, and if war followed and they joined the hostilities, they would not bother the settlers.

A few days later, John Fairchild, Presley Dorris, Nate Beswick and a Mr. Murray with Shacknasty Jim and another Indian paid a visit to Capt. Jack at the stronghold. In his treaty with Fairchild, Capt. Jack had reserved the Lost River camp for a residence, considering that he had sold the balance of the country to the stockmen. Jack requested Fairchild and Dorris to go to the soldiers and tell them not to come or he would fight them.

On January 16, 1873 troops descended on the stronghold. On April 11 1873, after almost three months of skirmishes, General Canby, Reverend Thomas, Indian Commissioner Meachem, Agent Dyar and Toby and Frank Riddle went to a peace conference to meet with Capt. Jack, Schonchin John, Boston Charlie, Huka Jim, Black Jim, Ellens Man and Shacknasty Jim. During the meeting the Indians opened fire. Canby and Thomas were killed, Meacham was wounded and Dyar escaped. After the ambush Jack and the Modocs escaped from the Lava Beds. Jack was finally captured at Willow Creek on June 1, 1873. The most expensive Indian war in the United States (estimated at ½ million dollars) was over.

This was the only major Indian war fought in California and the only Indian war in which a General Officer was killed.

On October 3,1873, Capt. Jack, Schonchin John, Black Jim and Boston Charlie were hung at Ft. Klamath. Ironically some of the most vicious members of the tribe, Huka Jim, Bogus Charlie and Shacknasty Jim, were entitled to their lives for services rendered in capturing their companions.

The remaining Modocs, including the Hot Creek Band, was rounded up and sent to Oklahoma. The change in cultural environment and living conditions basically destroyed the Modoc culture.

There were other problems with the Klamath reserve, which I’ve touched on previously HERE.

Indian children faced risks when living in white households as servants, but staying in villages with their families was even more dangerous.

The other day  I went wandering (in my car, so not as primitive as it sounds, but still pretty great) onto the Wildcat and into Petrolia  ( a tiny northern California coastal town for those who are unfamiliar), where I found the Pioneer Cemetery.

I really had little thought of posts for my blog until after I’d followed a road,

Road to Petrolia Cemetery

 climbed this beautiful little trail,

Petrolia Cemetery, 2011

and entered the cemetery, which is nestled against an incredible backdrop of trees and meadow.

Petrolia Cemetery

Even then  I just took photos of headstones, ‘cause that damn Wes Keat got me started on it.

Then,  as I was leaving, I spotted Theodore Aldrich’s grave and his name rang way too many bells.

Petrolia 2011

When I came home, I looked him up…  and found him.

 In Heydays in the Mattole, author Neb Roscoe describes the Squaw Creek Massacre.

According to Roscoe, two men (Lambert and Mackey) settle an area near Cooskie Creek, in the Mattole area, and were ambushed by Indians.  Lambert was killed, but Mackey escaped the attack and alerted the Mattole Valley folks.  Because local residents already  believed (because they had claimed it) that Mackey and Lambert had lost cattle to the Indians, they didn’t doubt Massey’s story and quickly formed a posse to “chastise” the local Indians.

The group headed to a known village on Cooskie Creek (without knowing for sure whether or not the inhabitants were involved in the attack on Lambert and Mackey) and attacked. According to the accounts, the adults and older children fled, leaving mothers with young children behind.  The brave white militia decided to let the runners go and focused their violent attention on those left behind.

At one point one of the “posse” contemplated the fate of twin babies, and either John Ray or Theodore Aldrich noted that “Nits make lice”.  There is no dispute, however,  that it was Aldrich that took the twins by their feet and repeated “nits make lice” as he beat their tiny heads against the trunk of a nearby tree.

Later it was speculated that Mackey, and not the Indians, killed Lambert.  But that doesn’t matter in this  story.

Years later, Roscoe continues, old Aldrich lived in a small house on the north bank of the Mattole close to Petrolia—and was haunted by what he’d done to those helpless infants.

In his book, Roscoe recites his Uncle Fred’s recollection of a visit with Aldrich,

… it was a bright, breezy moonlight evening and Aldrich was sitting in his rocking chair on the front porch… The moonlight filtered through the gently swaying branches of the maples trees…  Aldrich was pointing to the ground and muttering over and over, “There, see ‘em twitch, on the ground …see ‘em hop.  See ‘em dancing in the moonlight.”   

May Aldrich, after years in the cold, hard ground, be haunted by his visions still.

Theodore Aldrich, Petrolia Cemetery (2011)

Shasta Cemetery

In the Inquest Record, Lucy is quoted as expressing fear over the well-being of her children.  She had good reason.

During the “Indian Wars” of the 1850s and 1860s in Humboldt County, Indian children were quite vulnerable.  Many were purchased or taken as pets or servants, but even then, they weren’t fully protected.

1861, June 22, Humboldt Times-Outrageous—An Indian boy, in the service of Mr. Swain, Elk river, aged about fifteen years, was murdered while at work in the garden of his employer on Wednesday.  He was shot through the body with a rifle ball and died almost instantly.  The boy had lived with Mr. Swain, we are told, for several years; indeed, had been brought up by him almost from infancy, and is said by the neighbors to have been a good servant and an unoffensive lad.   Although this deed was committed in the daytime and but a short distance from the house, it is not known who was the perpetrator; but whoever it was we trust he may be known and have justice meted out to him.  A man who will kill an Indian boy in this manner, without adequate cause, but merely because he belongs to that race of human beings, is not exalted above the savage.  It is cowardly acts like this that casts a foul stain upon the reputation of this county, and paralyzes the efforts of those who endeavor to secure aid from Government to protect the lives and property of her citizens from the attacks of hostile bands in the mountains.

There is no way to know for certain if Henry, listed in the 1860 Census with Albert Swain (below), is the boy described above.  Henry was estimated as older, but who knows… I do know I have never seen a headstone dedicated to an Indian child in Humboldt County like the one purchased for the “Faithful Indian Boy John” (photo above).