Wendel was a railroad community located 25 miles east of Susanville. The following is a transcription of articles written by Georgia Backes as the Wendel News correspondent to Susanville’s Lassen Advocate. These columns were transcribed by Tim I. Purdy. Anyone seeking additional material can contact tim_purdy@hotmail.com
Lassen Advocate – 13 July 1951
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
Our community was saddened by the death of Mr. Archer Terry in the Southern Pacific hospital in San Francisco. Our sympathy goes out to his wife and family.
The post office at Stacy was closed June 30th after having been in operation for 30 years. Stamp collectors from all over the United States sent self addressed envelopes to the postmaster, so they could be postmarked with the last date of the office.
Mr and Mrs. Clyde Backes and daughter Virginia returned last week from a delightful vacation in Washington and Oregon. While in Washington they took advantage of the very low clam tides to try their hands at digging razor clams.
Mr and Mrs. David Potts had as their houseguests Mrs. David Potts Sr. and her niece, Miss Ruth Horner of Punksatownie, Penn, “The home of the groundhog,” they will tell you.
Mr and Mrs. Raymond Smith and daughters Patricia and Judy are spending a few days in San Francisco. They made the trip in their brand new Chevrolet sedan.
Miss Virginia Backes has as her houseguest Miss Evelyn Backes of Grants Pass, Oregon. Evelyn is fascinated with the historic spots in this end of the Honey Lake Valley.
Mr and Mrs. Paul Oby and Mrs. Oby’s mother, Mrs. La Beau spent a couple of weeks at their summer home at Lake Tahoe. They took Frank Nauyoks and Judy Smith with them and the young people report that the time they had was “out of this world.”
Mr and Mrs. A.W. Henderson took Vincent Mitchell to Zepher Cove with them. We haven’t heard whether he got to see “Rita” or not.
Mr and Mrs. Don Plumb and two daughters have moved to Fernley, Nevada. The Wendel people will miss them all.
Mr and Mrs. William Robertson received a visit from Mrs. Robertson’s sister and brother-in-law, Mr and Mrs. Arthur Smithhurst of Ogden, Utah. The Robertson’s son, John Robertson and wife and baby drove up from Roseburg to see his aunt while she was here.
Mr and Mrs. Sidney Morey are leaving Tuesday by train for Colorado and Wyoming to visit their sons and daughter. They will be accompanied as far as Ogden, Utah by Mrs. William Robertson and daughter Ardalia.
Mrs. David Potts will accompany Mr. Pott’s mother Sr. when she returns to Pennsylvania. Dave’s father wants to meet his new daughter-in-law and his will not permit such a long trip.
Mr and Mrs. William Harris and two daughters spent the weekend in Wendel, visiting friends.
Mr and Mrs. Clyde Backes were agreeably surprised to receive a visit from Sidney Stephens of Los Angles. Mr. Stephens was a neighbor of the Backes’ about 30 years ago and they hadn’t seen him since. The “do you remember” flew thick and fast. Mr. Stephens was accompanied by his son, Howard Stephens and wife of Westwood.
Mrs. A.G. Nauyoks entertained Monday afternoon with a plastic party. Mrs. Ossie Duncan of Herlong showed a very attractive line. Mrs. Nauyoks served delicious refreshments. Those present were Mesdames George Callahan, Paul Oby, William Robertson, Marion Harvey, John Privett, Clyde Backes, Gordon Kibby, James Maros and the hostess.
Frank Bonham was called to Reno by the illness of his father.
Mrs. Dally’s music pupils gave a recital June 21 in Susanville. Miss Patricia Smith received favorable comment on her performance in the beginners group. Virginia Backes was to have been on the program but was away on that date.
Our elementary school teacher, Miss Gladys Rich, is in Chico taking a summer course at the college. She writes that she is enjoying being a pupil for a change.
Mrs. W.A. Dill of Richmond and Nettie Doyle and daughter Myrtle Yates of Berkeley call at the home of Mrs. J.S. Riesenman recently.
Cyrus Helman received a wire last week of the severe illness of his sister, Mrs. Linda Haines of Deeth, Nevada.
Mr and Mrs. Glen Swan visited with Mr and Mrs. A.W. Henderson over the fourth.
Mr and Mrs. Don Blatsley and two children visited Mrs. Riesenman recently. Mr. Blatsley is with the United States Navy stationed at Alameda. He attended grammar school in Wendel, and was looking over old landmarks. Frank Blatsley, who also attended school here, is with the Navy in Korea.
Lassen Advocate
– 20 July 1951
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
Mrs. A.G. Nauyocks received word Friday night that her father, Chester Corrns was very sick in the Washoe General Hospital. Mr. Nauyoks took her and her sister, Mrs. Minnie Harvey of Litchfield to Reno to see him Saturday, only to find that they have discovered Mr. Corrns to have polio and he was in an isolation ward.
The latest report on his condition is that he is over the worst part of the attack with little bad after effects but will be sent to San Francisco for heart and massage treatments.
The above news was quite a shock to the parents who have been doing all the approved things to guard their children from polio.
Tuesday, Mrs. A.W. Mitchell had such a bad hemorrhage from the nose that she was unconscious before help arrived. Mr. Henderson and Mr. Oby rushed her to the Riverside Hospital, with a highway patrol escort from Litchfield. She is reported to be resting comfortably but will be confined to the hospital for several days.
Mr and Mrs. Paul Badger and daughter Nicki drove up from Richmond Saturday to visit Mrs. Badger’s mother, Mrs. J.S. Riesenman.
Clyde English is taking care of the Morey place while they are away.
Mr and Mrs. James Maros are driving a new Buick sedan.
A number of Wendel 4H club members attended the 4H club at the Standish 4H hall Saturday night. The Standish 4H club gave the dance to raise money to send their members to the 4H camp at Lake Tahoe. They had a good crowd and must have reached their goal.
The Wendel 4H club members had the financing of their trip to camp all taken care of, but have just discovered that they have all been exposed to the mumps so will be unable to attend.
Living so close to Lassen Park, has held little interest to local people, but the notion to visit the park struck several people the same week. Those visiting the park were: Carl Rethorn, Mr and Mrs. R.G. Smith and daughters Patricia and Judy, and Mr and Mrs. Clyde Backes, who were accompanied by daughter Virginia, a niece Miss Evelyn Backes and Clyde English.
The schedules have been changed on the Westwood branch of the Southern Pacific, or the W.S. and W., as it is known around here. That is, Wendel, Susanville and Westwood.
Lassen Advocate – 27
July 1951
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
Frank Bonham received word of the death of his father in Sparks, Nevada.
William Robertson was confined to his bed several days from a heat stroke. He is feeling much better now.
The archaeologists from the University of California, who have been exploring the Indian Cave, have opened another south which they believe to have been used by the early Indians.
John Robertson and family of Ogden, Utah spent a week with Mr. Robertson’s brother William Robertson.
Mrs. Davis and Paul Lamborn of Susanville and Mrs. Farwell of Standish met at the Backes home to complete plans for the 4H talent show to be held during the Lassen County Fair, next month.
Mr and Mrs. A.G. Nauyoks and family are camping this week at Round Valley lake in Plumas County.
Mrs. George Callahan accompanied by her granddaughter, Mrs. Paul Badger to Richmond for a visit in the new home that the Badgers have recently purchased.
Mrs. Clyde Backes and Miss Evelyn Backes attended the July 24 celebration of the Latter Day Saints church held in the Memorial Park in Susanville.
Lassen Advocate – 9
August 1951
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
Mr and Mrs. E.S. Morey returned Saturday from a month’s visit in Colorado and Wyoming.
August Nauyoks celebrated his twelfth birthday Monday. He was only able to have a family party because he was recovering from the mumps.
Carl Rethorn left this week for Salt Lake City on his vacation. The relief operator will stay in his house and take care of his yard and livestock while he is gone. Incidentally, Mr. Rethorn, who is the second trick operator at the Wendel depot is reported to be the best telegrapher on the Salt Lake division.
Mr. Mays has a bid in the relief operator’s job in the Wendel depot and has moved his family into the house provided for the relief operator.
Mr and Mrs. A. Roy Mason of San Mateo and Mr and Mrs. Joseph Tedisco of Burlingame and Pinecrest, visited over the weekend at the Clyde Backes home. The weather has been so cold and foggy around San Mateo that they enjoyed the warm weather and bright sunshine.
Miss Darlean Snyder has been spending some time in Flanigan, Nevada helping Mrs. William Broyles.
Raymond G. Smith has a bid in a conductor’s run out of Alturas.
Lassen Advocate –
16 August 1951
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
The spirit of the Old West is living again in Wendel Sunday when neighbors gathered for a house moving bee. Miss Glady Rich, our schoolteacher, purchased the cabin that belonged to David Potts, and wanted it moved to her lots. Miss Rich and Mrs. E.S. Morey served a bountiful dinner to the workers at noon. Evening found the house on skids and ready to move. Ted Corder is coming out from Susanville today to drag the cabin to its new location.
It has been reported that several fine wells have been brought in the Stacy district.
Mr. Mitchell is on his vacation from the Wendel depot.
Miss Evelyn Backes who has been spending the summer in Wendel left Sunday for her home in Grants Pass, Oregon.
Clyde English has accepted a position with Albert Snyder of Standish.
A.G. Nauyoks and Joseph Bowman drove to Marysville over the weekend and brought back a trailer load of peaches.
Lassen Advocate
– 30 August 1951
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
Last week the citizens of Wendel were busy ferrying off members back and forth to the Lassen County fair. It was well worth the effort because the youngsters came home with a fist full of ribbons.
The Stacy club won first place in the talent show, with their tap routine. Those taking part were Darlean Snyder, Patricia Smith, Virginia Backes, Frank Nauyoks, August Nauyoks, Chester Nauyoks and Vincent Mitchell.
The 4H girls who had sewing as their project exhibited their work at the fair and Darlean Snyder received a blue ribbon on a pink pique skirt and a second on a white long-sleeved blouse. Patricia Smith got second on her cotton print skirt and third one a white eyelet blouse. She received another third on her scarf.
Virginia Backes received third on her cap sleeved cotton dress and fourth on her scarf.
At the fashion show Darlean Snyder and Patricia Smith won second ribbons for modeling their dresses and Virginia Backes was in the group chosen for the blue ribbons.
One of the three grand prize winners in the fashion show will be unable to appear at the state fashion show for modeling their dresses and Virginia Backes was in the group chosen to appear in her place.
Mrs. William Robertson who accompanied the tap dance on her accordian volunteered to fill in an awkward pause in the program with her very fine playing and was awarded a complimentary blue ribbon by Mr. Lamborn.
Mrs. Rummel, grandmother of Justine Smith spent a week with the Smith family. Justine accompanied her grandmother back to Reno to stay till school starts.
Mrs. Kay Archibald from Herlong spent the weekend with Miss Gladys Rich.
August Nauyoks is confined to Riverside hospital with what seems to be a bad case of the flu. He is improving and expects to be home in a few days.
Mr and Mrs. John Privett and family drove to Klamath Falls Sunday. On the way home their little girl had the misfortune to fall from the car. She is quite skinned up but seems to be doing well otherwise.
Miss Darlean Snyder had the misfortune of having her riding horse killed by lightning during the electric storm Thursday.
Barbara and Johnnie Mays returned Saturday to their home in Shreveport, Louisiana. They have been visiting their brother and sister-in-law, Mr and Mrs. Richard Mays since June.
Mr and Mrs. Roe Swain of Oxnard, Calif old friends of Mrs. J.S. Riesenman and Mrs. Callahan visited with them last week.
Other guests of Mrs. Riesenman and her mother were Mr and Mrs. Jean Faulkner of Los Angeles.
Last Sunday Miss Gladys Rich entertained the people who were working on her house with dinner at the local restaurant. Mr and Mrs. William Kramer, the managers, took the party on a tour of inspection of the kitchen and store rooms. They were very proud of the fact that the state inspector tells them that their establishment is one of the cleanest in Northern California.
Mrs. Anna La Beau who lives with her daughter Mrs. Paul Oby, entertained relatives and friends Tuesday on the occasion of her 87th birthday.
Mrs. Ethel Kibby has been confined to her home the past week with a severe case of influenza.
Lassen Advocate – 6
September 1951
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
School started Tuesday morning with seven small boys squeeking in their brand new jeans up the hill to the school house; and four girls popping their starched skirts in the same direction.
Patricia Smith and Frank Nauyoks returned Saturday from the 4H convention at Davis. The things they learned will be helpful to the whole club during the coming year. A great deal of recreation was on the program, including a day at the state fair and a visit to Sutter’s Fort.
Mr and Mrs. Paul Oby and Mrs. La Beau spent the Labor Day weekend at their home on Lake Tahoe.
Mr and Mrs. William Roberston entertained Mrs. J.S. Riesenman and Mrs. George Callahan at Sunday dinner.
Mr and Mrs. E.S. Morey entertained Mr and Mrs. Richard Mays at dinner Sunday. The occasion being Mr. Morey’s birthday.
Mr and Mrs. Clyde Backes and daughter enjoyed the southern barbecue given by the Janesville Masonic Lodge at Lawson Camp ground.
Lassen Advocate – 13
September 1951
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
We are glad to report that the young man who backed in front of Obys car last week is improving and will be out of the Riverside hospital in a few days. Mr and Mrs. Paul Oby are still nervous and shaken by the experience.
Little Johnnie Nauyoks was taken to the doctor Monday with a case of strepp throat. He just started to school last week, and resents having to be absent so soon.
Robert Brandon has been very ill with influenza at the home of his grandmother, Mrs. Ethel Kibby.
Mr and Mrs. William Robertson and daughter Ardalia, left Sunday for Salt Lake City, where Ardalia was married to Mr. Francis D. Law of Elmira, Idaho, Tuesday, September 11. The wedding took place in the Mormon Temple. A wedding reception to be held in the Latter Day Saints chapel in Susanville, Saturday, Sept. 15.
Mr and Mrs. Clyde Backes and daughter Virginia returned Monday from the state fair at Sacramento. Virginia was one of three chosen from Lassen County to model the dress she had made in her 4H club work at the fashion show Saturday. There were some fine dresses shown from all over the state.
Patricia Smith, Robert Brandon and Lorenzo Moreno are all attending high school from here.
Joseph Bowman is renting the house which belongs to Guss Lieber, while Mr. Lieber is obliged to be away.
Mr and Mrs. William Otto of Susanville entertained Miss Gladys Rich, Tuesday, Sept.11.
Lassen Advocate – 20
September 1951
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
The wedding reception for Mr and Mrs. Francis Law, nee Ardelia Robertson, was a delightful affair, Sunday afternoon. Mr and Mrs. William Robertson held open house for the Wendel people whose work prevented them from attending the reception.
Friday, Clyde Backes received a surprise visit from his sister, Mrs. Robert Tate and one of his brothers, C.C. Backes, both of Los Angeles.
Mr and Mrs. Paul Oby are spending their vacation at their summer home at Lake Tahoe.
E.S. Morey and Clyde Backes attended the Masonic Lodge at Janesville Friday to see Paul Oby receive his third degree.
Mr and Mrs. Clyde Backes and Ginger enjoyed a venison dinner at the Julian Mapes home Sunday. Julian had been hunting over on the coast.
All the children of Wendel were taken to the Shrine entertainment in Susanville Saturday afternoon. They enjoyed the refreshments but are quite put out that their fathers don’t have any yellow trousers.
Elder Hardy of the Latter Day Saints church of Susanville accompanied by Mr. Rice were calling in Wendel last week. Mr. Hardy said that our six miles of bumpy road are enough to dampen anyone’s missionary spirit.
The women of Wendel had a nice vacation Monday afternoon when the power was off about five hours. Almost all the houses here are 100 per cent electrical and when we have an outage we are completely helpless. Some people made camp fires to cook dinner on.
During the electrical storm Monday afternoon the lightning struck so close to the round house that the mens ears rung for some time.
Frank Bonham visited his relatives at Round Hole, Nevada, Sunday.
Lassen Advocate – 27
September 1951
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
The Wendel hunters went out early and far afield Saturday morning and came home with no bucks, while John Theodore and John Waltman of Litchfield bagged their deer at the gravel pit about a mile from Wendel.
Mrs. Paul Oby brought in a fine buck Sunday.
William Nauyoks from Berkeley who is visiting with his brother, A.G. Nauyoks killed a four pointer on Monday.
Mrs. J.S. Riesenman received word from her son, Joseph S. Riesenman Jr. of Portland, Oregon, that he was the father of a son. This is the first grandson of Mrs. Riesenman and the first great grandson for Mrs. Callahan.
William Hodson from Sparks, Nevada is relieving William Robertson as round house foreman while Mr. Robertson is on his vacation.
Mrs. Julian Mapes, who underwent minor surgery at the Riverside hospital in Susanville last Friday, returned home Monday evening. She is getting along nicely.
Miss Gladys Rich treated the boys who had been helping her with her building project to a wiener bake Saturday evening.
Clyde English, who suffered a heart attack while working on the Albert Snyder ranch at Standish, is recuperating in Wendel.
Paul Lamborn was in Wendel last week up on the projects of the 4H club members. All the members of this club have completed their projects.
Mrs. Francis Becker of Yuba City is visiting at the home of her parents, Mr and Mrs. Frank Bonham.
Mr and Mrs. Orlo Bailey and daughter Margaret returned recently from a trip to Canada.
Mr. Calhough’s private car was in Wendel Wednesday morning.
Murial Davis Tucker of Paradise, Calif., was a recent visitor at the home of Mrs. J.S. Riesenman.
Lassen Advocate –
October 4, 1951
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
The heartfelt thanks on the people in Wendel go out to everyone who has been instrumental in getting our road oiled. A man from one of the extra gangs rode into town one day and when the car came out onto the highway heaved a sigh and said “That’s just like getting over a bad sickness,” which is just the way we will all feel when our road is fixed.
Clyde English who always takes time to be kind to the children happened to say that his birthday was Oct. 1. So all the youngsters with only a slight assist from their mothers, surprised him with a birthday party Sunday evening. Every one present was asked to provide something in the way of entertainment and some really good talent was brought to light.
The Smith sisters gave several accordion duets accompanied on the piano by their mother. Two little girls had been turned loose on the birthday cake with a cake decorating set and came up with birthday cake to end all birthday cakes.
Mr and Mrs. Raymond Smith and daughters Patricia and Justine drove to Reno Saturday to see the picture “David and Bathsheba.”
The mother of Joseph Bowman is visiting him from Marysville.
Mr and Mrs. Glen Swan from the bay area are visiting at the home of Mrs. Swan’s sister, Mrs. A.W. Henderson. Mr. Swan is deer hunting.
A Yellow Taxi is an unusual enough sight way out here but when it drove up to the depot with a flourish and a typical hobo got out, hoisted his pack on his back and shuffled off to the jungles, that was really “One for Ripley.”
Lassen Advocate –
October 22, 1951
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
The Stacy 4H club held its first meeting of the year Oct. 11 at the school house. Miss Gladys Rich, the leader, opened the meeting and officers for the year were elected as follows: President, Frank Nauyoks, vice-president, August Nauyoks, secretary, Patricia Smith, treasurer, Vincent Mitchell; reporter, Ginger Backes; watch dog, Chester Nauyoks; song leaders, Judy Smith and Elbita Moreno.
The club welcomed two new members, Judy Smith and Elbita Moreno. It was voted to change the name of the club, as it was started in Stacy and now there are no children in Stacy to carry on the club. The name Amedee was decided to because that takes in this whole district and doesn’t confine the club to any one place.
Paul Lamborn, county 4H leader gave a talk on the work for the year and showed colored films of the 4H summer camp at Lake Tahoe.
Reed Davis has bought the old house which belonged to William Helman, and was situated a mile out of Wendel and moved it into Susanville.
Ginger Backes was asked to dance and make the presentation at the reception given in Janesville for Mrs. Clyde Knox, who has been district deputy for the Eastern Star.
Mr and Mrs. Julian Mapes, Mrs. Len Dozier, and Mrs. Clyde Backes attended All Officer night at the Westwood chapter of Eastern Star.
The Latter Day Saints church of Susanville has started a primary for the children of Wendel. The meetings are held every Friday night at 8 at the Wendel School. Everyone is welcomed.
The school children are keeping a scrap book of local happenings and started it off by taking pictures of Gus Nauyok’s butchering a hog.
Mr and Mrs. Pina drove to Reno last week to an ear specialist where Mrs. Pina had an infected ear treatment.
Now that the roads are torn up, we would advise anyone coming to Wendel to turn off 395 at the Mapes ranch and take the first road to the left which goes past the Fish and Game farm.
An extra gang is here and heavy equipment has been unloaded to start work on lengthening some of the switching tracks.
Paul Oby, Clyde Backes, Robert Brandon, Sr., and Robert Brandon, Jr., camped out at Chilcoot over the weekend deer hunting. NO DEER
Lassen Advocate –
October 25, 1951
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
The high wind last Saturday afternoon blew down our power pole and broke the top off another. This dropped the power wires across the rails on the Alturas line. A.G. Nauyoks was working in the round house at the time and realizing the danger to an oncoming train, took his car and drove around the danger point and put out torpedoes, just in time to stop a freight train that was coming in from Alturas.
Chester Corrns is visiting his daughter, Mrs. A.G. Nauyoks. Mr. Corrns has been ill in the Southern Pacific hospital in San Francisco for several months but is much improved in health now.
The Amedee 4H club attended the annual achievement dinner in the Standish Grange hall last Sunday, six of them having completed a years’ work received their caps and first year pins. Mr and Mrs Mitchell and Mr and Mrs. R.G. Smith as well as the club members and leaders enjoyed and excellent dinner and interesting program.
Mr and Mrs. A.G. Nauyoks took their son John to Reno Tuesday to be fitted with new glasses.
Thursday, the school children gave their teacher, Miss Gladys Rich a kitchen shower for her new home. They carried it out entirely on their own. They thought a shower should be an actual shower and after stationing themselves in her house while she was out, threw the packages at her when she came in. After the gifts were opened, games were played and refreshments served by the young people.
Pfc. Robert Harvey was visiting in Wendel this week while he is home on leave from the Air Corps. He has been in the hospital for several weeks and everyone was glad to seem looking so well.
There has been an abandoned car at the Wendel hot springs and thinking that someone might have met with a mishap while bathing in the hot water, at least half the citizens of Wendel reported it to the Sheriff’s office. We are proud to say that everyone was received with great courtesy, thanked for coming in and told to always report anything unusual.
The Wendel youngsters are going to make a bargain with the grown people, if everyone will attend their Halloween carnival at the school house on Oct. 31. they wont go trick or treating. A door charge of 25 cents will be made for the entertainment and refreshments, and there will be various booths, of games and fortune telling.
Lassen Advocate –
November 1, 1951
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
Mrs. John Privitt was indeed a heroine during their recent fire. The fire started in the attic of the four-room cottage, and she was not able to smell the smoke until it broke through the ceiling in the children’s bedroom. Mrs. Privitt clasped the hands of her two older children together and started them toward the front door. She picked up her youngest and went into the bedroom to get the ten months girl of her husband’s daughter. The front door was locked and she had to set one of the babes down to unlock it and when she got the children outside she found the three year old Pauletta was missing.
They were all badly burned from burning paper falling from the ceiling. Mrs. Privitt rushed back into the blazing building for Pauletta but was not able to find her as she had gone into her mother’s bedroom and hid under some blankets in a corner. Mrs. Privitt was badly burned, but she directed men who had come to help to chop a hole in the wall of the children’s bedroom and after putting the garden hose into the opening some men crawled into the flaming room and felt all over it for the child but could not find her.
The sympathy of the whole community goes out to them in their loss.
As the house was uninsured a collection was started among the railroad men and enough has been collected to defray his immediate expenses which will be large.
Some men who work in the round house were batching in a house big enough to accommodate the Privitt family and they moved out so Mr. Privitt would have a place to bring his family from the Riverside hospital. The children are getting along nicely as they only had first and second degree burns, but Mrs. Privitt’s third degree burns will take some time to heal.
Mr and Mrs Allen Baldwin and daughter Judy spent Sunday at the Clyde Backes home. Mr. Baldwin is a rock hound like Mr. Backes and they spent the day running tests on rocks that Mr. Baldwin had picked up during his first fighting this summer.
Clyde Backes and daughter Virginia drove to Lake Tahoe Saturday with Paul Oby. They spent the day at Oby’s home on the lake and had a most enjoyable time.
The 4H club’s Halloween party was a great success both financially and for fun. A short program was given and then games were played. High spots of the evening were ducking for apples and the very fine fortune telling of Mrs. Ethel Kibby.
Mrs. Waldo Coatney and Mrs. A.W. Henderson have accepted positions at the Sierra Ordnance Depot.
Mr and Mrs. Lew Lorenzen were in Wendel and left their dog with the Backeses while the Lorenzens are on a three-week trip to their home in New York. While there Mr. Lorenzen will attend the 29th reunion of the division he served with in World War I.
Mrs. Gust Wagner and her daughter Mrs. Summers were in Wendel to bring a truck load of fine household things to the Privitts, from the people of Standish.
We are all very happy with our new road but wish they would get around to putting dirt over the mile or so of bare oil. We are getting our new cars all spattered.
Graveside services were held for Pauletta Privitt, who perished in her burning home Friday Oct. 26, the little thing’s third birthday.
Lassen Advocate –
November 8, 1951
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
James Mapes of the Diamond J ranch suffered a painful injury last Friday when a wild horse he was breaking bucked in such a manner that the horn of the saddle struck him in the chest. Dr. Davis Jr. was called and reported that no serious damage was done. Mr. Mapes is resting quietly at his home.
If Wendel were not a community almost entirely made up of middle aged people, we would dance in the streets and fling garlands on the county supervisors and all the highway department over the completion of our beautiful new road. So we will have to show our appreciation by doing more shopping in Susanville.
Mrs. John Privitt was taken back to the Riverside hospital Thursday with infection in her burns. She was in critical condition for several days but it is reported to be resting comfortably now.
Clyde Backes is building a house to hold his rock collection and testing equipment.
The cattle feeding pens at Litchfield welcomed their first customers last Saturday. The weather has been so mild that it has not been necessary to feed the cattle before this.
Mrs. Dier of Reno spent the weekend with her sister, Mrs. Paul Oby.
Mrs. Sheppard of Carlin, Nevada, the mother of Mrs. John Privitt, is here taking care of her grandchildren while their mother is in the hospital.
A.W. Henderson, who has been the conductor on the Westwood run, has a bid on the job between Wendel and Alturas.
William Harris, the foreman of the steel gang for the Southern Pacific will be stationed in Wendel for several weeks.
Lassen Advocate –
November 15, 1951
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
Mr and Mrs. Merle Whiteneck and family of Fair Oaks were weekend visitors at the A.W. Henderson home.
Clyde Backes has bid in a conductor’s run on a Pool freight between Wendel and Alturas.
Mrs. Bleak Powell of Standish was in Wendel visiting Mrs. A.G. Nauyoks.
Juanita and Merle Bowman from Herlong were in Wendel visiting their father, William Bowman. Mrs. Wilma Bowman, who has been employed in Herlong has been transferred to Sacramento.
Paul Oby attended the Masonic dinner given by the Westwood lodge Saturday night.
The Amedee 4H club held their regular meeting Monday evening. Plans for the coming year were made. The members who had been to the convention and to the state fair gave interesting reports. Refreshments were served by Vincent Mitchell and Patricia Smith.
Miss Gladys Rich and Mrs. Clyde Backes, 4H club leaders, attended a leaders conference at Susanville Tuesday night.
Mrs. Ozzie Duncan of Herlong enjoyed dinner Monday with the A.G. Nauyoks family.
Lassen Advocate December 3, 1951
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
The pupils of the Amedee school made a tape recording Tuesday which was aired over KSUE in Susanville Thursday, Nov. 28 at 2:15. Miss Rich and the children have put a great deal of work on this program and they hope that the parents and friends enjoyed it.
Mr and Mrs. Austin Oles and sons Phillip and George, were weekend guests of Mrs. J.S. Riesenman. The Oles live in Greenville where Mr. Oles is the agent for the Western Pacific. While they were here they enjoyed pheasant hunting but didn’t get any shooting.
Mrs. Thelma Harris of Greenville visited several days with Mrs. J.S. Riesenman and Mrs. George Callahan. Mrs. Harris will be remembered as Thelma Stephens who was an operator here several years. Her son, Dean lives in Susanville and her other son, Max, is in the Hawaiian Islands with the Navy. The daughter, Maxine, is a professor at Chico State College.
Mr and Mrs Edgar Morey of Ogden, Utah spent Thanksgiving week with Mr. Morey’s parents, Mr and Mrs. E.S. Morey. Edgar Morey has just been discharged from the air corps and has recently moved into his new home in Ogden.
Lawrence Harvey and Joe Bowman, Jr., enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner at the A.G. Nauyoks home.
Mrs. J.S. Riesenman and Mrs. George Callahan were the guests of Mr and Mrs. Clyde Backes for Thanksgiving dinner.
Miss Gladys Rich drove to Herlong to spend Thanksgiving with Mrs. Kay Archibauld..
William Mays, who was an operator here has accepted a position as agent at Beowawe, Nevada. Everyone was sorry to see the Mays leave.
Mr and Mrs. William Robertson drove to Reno to spend Thanksgiving with their son, John Robertson and their daughter, Mrs. John Smith and their families.
Mr and Mrs. A.G. Nauyoks drove to Reno Monday on business.
Mrs. John Privitt entered the Riverside Hospital Monday for skin grafting on her arm.
Mrs. John Meyers, who is district president of the auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, made an address before the district meeting which was held in Susanville, Nov. 25, that was broadcasted over station KSUE.
Friday, “Elmer” the dog belonging to Mr and Mrs. E.S. Morey disputed the right of way with a Mallet and lost. Our sympathy to the Moreys.
Clyde Backes had a hair-raising experience when he first went to Alturas, he was eating in a restaurant and a sad looking individual came in and fell down, when someone helped him up they found that he had a big old fashioned revolver under his overcoat. He announced that he had come in with the intention of shooting everyone in the restaurant. Fortunately a deputy sheriff was there who unarmed him and the Alturas paper said that he had been sentenced to a jail term.
We don’t know where Paul Oby spent Thanksgiving but he was heard to announce Friday morning he “was under the influence of turkey.”
Lassen Advocate –
December 13, 1951
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
The strong wind Saturday afternoon blew down a power pole close to the R. Smith residence. The high power wires fell over the house. Fortunately, Mrs. Smith and the girls Patricia and Judy were in Susanville. When they returned and found the power lines draped over their house they wisely went in the home of a neighbor till the repair men were able to get there and raise the pole.
An orchid to Carl Rethorn who recently gave blood to the veterans.
Miss Juanita Bowman, daughter of Joe Bowman who lives in Herlong, recently underwent an emergency appendectomy in a Reno hospital. When her father was bringing her home, he stopped his car for a red flag in the highway and a car coming behind him ran into his rear end. Fortunately, Juanita only suffered a bump on her head.
The sympathy of the whole community goes out to the Joe Moreno family for the tragic death of their little daughter, Cathy.
Miss Gladys Rich attended an all day meeting of 4H club leaders, Sunday. A representative of the state 4H was there and helped them with their problems as well as making practical suggestions on Club work.
Mr and Mrs Al Snider have sold their Standish ranch and will be moving back to their Stacy property in a few weeks. We will all be glad to have the Sniders living in our district again.
Local people were surprised to read in the Advocate that the grand jury had approved our school, when we still have the “little houses” out in back.
Correction: An item last week stated that Mrs. John Privitt had entered the Riverside Hospital for skin grafting on her arm. She was to do this, but her doctor decided that as she will be in the hospital for a couple of weeks for a blessed event he could do the grafting then and thus shorten her stay in the hospital.
Ginger Backes is attending Virginia Johnson’s dancing classes, which Mrs. Johnson is giving on Tuesday afternoons at the Standish school house.
Guss Lieber has returned to Wendel from his sojourn in Susanville and will live in his trailer house, since he has rented his home to Joe Bowman.
Mr and Mrs. Frank Bonham spent Thanksgiving weekend at the Fish Springs ranch in the Sand Pass district.
Mrs. Julian Mapes and daughter Sally spent the day Tuesday at the Clyde Backes home.
The only word to apply to the broadcast the school children made is “darling.” It is too bad so few people were able to listen to it.
Lassen Advocate –
December 24, 1951
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
We are happy to report that a six pound daughter was born to Mrs. John Privitt Sunday morning, Dec. 9, at the Riverside hospital. The proud daddy reports it to be “the prettiest baby he ever saw.” Both Mrs. Privitt and the young lady are getting along nicely.
Local people taking part in the installation of the Eastern star chapter in Janesville were Mr and Mrs Julian Mapes, who were installed and Matron and Patron of the chapter and their daughters, Judy, Susan and Sally, who had an important part in the impressive ceremony; Virginia Backes who entertained with a Top Hot dance and Mrs. Clyde Backes who put on a skit depicting railroad life.
Miss Gladys Rich and Mrs. Clyde Backes attended the surprise birthday party that the 4H club leaders of this district gave Mrs. Claude Elliott on the occasion of her birthday. Mrs. Elliott has been in club work for many years. A delicious dinner was served and Mrs. Elliott received beautiful gifts. Mr. Elliott said the party was fine but it certainly made a liar out of him.
An amusing thing happened here Monday. It was pay day and all the mammas took the pappas pay checks and went to Susanville to do Christmas shopping. Each mother told her little darlings that they might go home with their friends to play till she got home. When Miss Rich checked up on this she found that there wasn’t a mother in town so she just kept school till all the mothers had returned and picked up their offsprings.
Washington D.C. has nothing on Wendel. Extensive improvements are being made on our White House too. That is the name that has been given to the hotel for the railroad men for a great number of years. Mrs. Riesenman is having it covered with gray brick siding and we don’t know what they will call it now. Little Gray Home Away From Home maybe.
A.G. Nauyoks and Guss Lieber drove to Lovelock, Nevada, Monday. They report that the road by Pyramid Lake was safer during the icy weather than 395.
Mr and Mrs. Lew Lorensen returned recently from a vacation trip to New York City, which was their home until a few years ago. This was their first visit since they have been living in the west and they announce loud and long that they wouldn’t live back there for anything. This was not sour grapes as they were both offered good positions while they were there.
Paul Oby had bid in a conductor’s run on a pool freight between Wendel and Alturas.
Lassen Advocate –
January 10, 1952
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
Wendel has always been known as the “The Citrus Belt” of Honey Lake Valley, but during the last storm and cold spell this district has had more snow and cold weather than any place in Lassen County, and lower temperatures even than Reno and Alturas. Which shows that no one should predict the weather in Northern California but new-comers and misguided people.
Mrs. A.G. Nauyoks entered the Riverside hospital in Susanville, Monday Jan. 7 for the removal of a pair of badly infected tonsils. Mr. Nauyoks reports that the operation was successful and that she is resting quietly in the hospital.
Mrs. Clyde Backes was confined to her home last week by a bad case of the flu.
Mrs. Lidia Rummel, grandmother of Judy Smith came from Reno to spend Christmas with the R.G. Smith family. Judy accompanied her grandmother home and spent a few days with her, returning home for the opening of school.
Mr and Mrs. R.G. Smith and daughter Patricia, saw the New Year in at the Clyde Backes home. Hollywood Canasta was the diversion of the evening with Pat and Ginger rolling up an enormous score over the older people.
Speaking of New Years, Wendel also can report a quiet holiday with no crime and no traffic accidents.
Mr and Mrs. Julian Mapes and Mrs. Clyde Backes attended the installation ceremonies of Hesperian Chapter, Order of Eastern Star, in Susanville, Saturday evening Jan. 5. Hesperian Chapter always “puts on a good show” and this year was one of their finest “productions.”
The Southern Pacific co. has been able to get a relief agent and the men employed in the depot are getting their days off again.
Mrs. Waide Coatney has been called to Ray, North Dakota by the illness of her father. Mrs. Coatney is employed at the Sierra Ordnance Depot and they very kindly arranged leave for her.
Mr and Mrs. R.O. Green of Susanville entertained with a dinner party Dec. 30 in honor of Mrs. George Callahan and Mrs. J.S. Riesenman. The occasion was the furlough of the Green’s son, who has been in the service and has been away from home for some time. The Greens have recently bought a home on Riverside Drive in Susanville. A most enjoyable time was reported.
A.W. Henderson had bid in the Westwood run. This “bumped” R. O. Smith who has a bid in a run between here and Alturas.
Word was received here last week by Marion and Cecil Harvey that their father “Grandpa” Harvey had undergone surgery in Sacramento. Grandpa is 78 years old and some concern was felt for the outcome of the operation but he is reported improving daily. He has been staying in Sacramento with his daughter for the winter.
The Southern Pacific has been running diesel engines through here the past week. They claim the diesel unit superior in every way to steam, but the romance is gone from the railroad with the passing of the bells and whistles. The diesels have a sort of a flat fish horn. However, they say that the horns are more readily heard and make a much better warning signal to the public.
Clyde Backes addressed the Alturas Rock and Mineral society on fluorescent rocks of which he has a large collection, picked up over the western states.
Lassen Advocate –
January 28, 1952
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
We can all be the “Old Timers” now and date things from the Big Blizzard, at least we hope we can, that there wont be another for another 62 years.
Wendel folk faired very well. When they ran out of bread, they ate baking powder biscuits, until they plowed out the upper road to get the stranded sheep and Claud Heard sent our bread and Clyde Deal mushed down from the road to the store with it.
Susanville received lots of publicity about being completely cut off from the outer world, but every day but one Frank Bonham with his little “Puffer Belly” engine made the trip, 01” 2854 came in with snow to her eyebrow.
With this piece of track being the only line open to San Francisco there have been lots of trains over it. Wendel being a division point where the railroad changes crews, it was necessary for the Southern Pacific to bring in a Pullman car to accommodate the extra men who had to sleep here.
To the Section Crews should go the most of the credit for keeping this line open, they were out in all the storm digging out the snow from the switches which filled up almost as soon as they cleared them.
The railroads, have of necessity, strict rules about passengers riding in freight cabooses but during an emergency those are put aside. A man who had been stranded at Ravendale, and who had some horses in the vicinity of Susanville that would starve if he didn’t get to them, rode down on a freight, with two sheep dogs and eight puppies.
Mr and Mrs. Sidney Morey received a telegram from their daughter, Mrs. Robert Lovell in Cheyenne, Wyoming. She had heard on the radio there that Susanville was snowed in and was worried about her parents.
This is the first time since the Wendel post office was established that there has been no mail service for four days. William Day who brings the mail from Janesville said he could have gotten through, but as no mail had come into Janesville, he didn’t want to come over just for the ride.
An orchid to the Cal-Pacific power company who except for a short outage in part of the town, kept us in power during the storm.
Mrs. David Potts and Mrs. Betty Salinsky of Reno spent Friday night with Mrs. Salinsky’s parents, Mr and Mrs. Frank Bonham.
Mr and Mrs William Robertson were pleasantly surprised to receive a visit from the sister-in-law of their daughter, Mrs. Mary Smith of Reno. She, with her family, were traveling from Salem, Oregon to Mina, Nevada to visit her parents. It had been ten years since the Robertsons had seen them. They had lunch with Robertsons and drove on to Nevada.
Mrs. Osie Donaldson, Mrs. Jay Moody and their five daughters paid a surprise visit to Mrs. William Robertson. They are from Standish. Refreshments were served and a lovely afternoon was spent.
Guss Lieber left Friday, Jan. 11, for Lynwood, Calif., where he will spend the winter with his daughter. Mr and Mrs. A.G. Nauyoks received a letter from him saying that he made it through just ahead of the storm and had no trouble,
Mrs. J.S. Riesenman was ill in bed with the flu on Saturday, Jan. 12. We are glad to report that she is recovering nicely. Her mother, Mrs. George Callahan was in bed with the flu the same time, but it still not feeling well. Mrs. Clyde Backes worked in the post office and Mrs. R.G. Smith took care of the hotel rooms.
During the time the roads were blocked Mrs. Alfred Garzelli, who was very ill with the flu, became worse and fearing pneumonia, Mr. Garzelli took her into Susanville on the caboose. She is much better, but is staying in Susanville where she can be under the doctor’s care.
Lassen Advocate –
February 7, 1952
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
Mrs. R.B. Erickson flew out from Buffalo, New York, recently to visit her mother, Mrs. Ethel Kibby.
Mr and Mrs. W.E. Hellman have been visiting at the Hellman ranch.
William Robertson has been very sick with pneumonia. He is improving slowly. Gus Nauyoks has been relieving him as the round house foreman.
Robert Brandon Jr. has gone to Buffalo, New York to stay with his aunt, Mrs. R.B. Erickson and finish school back there.
Frank Bonham has been at home several days with a wrenched knee.
Mrs. J.S. Riesenman has had infection her right hand which caused her to be almost helpless. She is better, but still unable to take care of the post office.
In regard to the question of parallel parking most out-of-town people feel like the old rancher who said “You go to town and can’t find a place to park, and you drive around and still can’t park so you go home and get out the monkey ward catalogue.” All we wants it a place TO park.
An orchid to the highway department, who repaired the damage, so quickly that was caused by the high water.
Lassen Advocate - February 21, 1952
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
The Amedee 4-H club held a Valentine party the evening of Feb. 14th at the school house. The evening was spent learning to folk dance. Dwight Fisher and Mr and Mrs. Marion Harvey taught the young people. Refreshments were served buffet style in Miss Rich’s house. After the supper surprise Valentine gifts were given by the club to Mrs. Robertson, whose birthday on Feb. 15th and to Mrs. Frank Bonham in appreciation of the homemade cookies she has made for the children every year.
Mrs. George Callahan fainted away in her home last Thursday. As she has not been well for several days, her daughter Mrs. J.S. Riesenman summoned her doctor who pronounced her in good shape. After a few days rest in bed, she is back to her normal health.
Lawrence and Cecil Harvey happened along just after the automobile accident last week just this side of Litchfield. They were able to help move the victims and went to home of their brother, Marion Harvey which is near the scene of the accident and brought blankets to put the victims on to keep them from lying in snow till the ambulance could be summoned.
E.S. Morey has been ill with congestion in the bronchial tubes.
Mr and Mrs. A.G. Nauyoks took their daughter, Leola to Susanville to the doctor Monday to have an infected hand lanced.
Mrs. Clyde Backes drove to Janesville with Mr and Mrs. Julian Mapes to attend the meeting of the Easter Star Saturday evening. When they returned, the weather was so stormy that she stayed the night at the Mapes ranch, rather than start out by herself in the storm.
R.G. Smith was home from Alturas a few days last week, suffering from the bronchial congestion that seems to be so prevalent this winter.
We are all very proud that Darleen Snyder made the top honor roll her first semester in high school. Last weekend Mr and Mrs. A.G. Nauyoks received a surprise visit from Mrs. Nauyok’s sister and brother-in-law, Mr and Mrs. Frank Drake, and their two sons. The Drakes live at Anderson.
George (Happy) Farrel, who lives at Amedee was in Wendel last Tuesday for the first time since the big blizzard. When asked how he made out while he was snowed in, he replied that there were about 17 days he couldn’t argue with anybody. He had plenty of supplies and the radio for company. Mr. Farrel’s health has not been too good, so some of his friends from Litchfield went in on snowshoes to see that he was alright.
The B & B gang (bridge and building) that has been stationed in Wendel for several weeks has moved to Flanigan, Nevada. They report that the road between Wendel and Flanigan is in very poor shape from the high water.
Lassen Advocate –
February 28, 1952
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
Mrs. R.G. Smith drove her daughter, Patricia to Johnstonville Sunday where the third unit of the accordion band of Dailey’s Music Studio of which Patricia is a member played for the Grange. A delicious dinner was served.
E.S. Morey, who has been in poor health for some time, became worse last week and was sent to the Southern Pacific hospital in San Francisco. Mrs. Morey accompanied him. Miss Gladys Rich and Mrs. Clyde Backes went with them to Reno and brought their car back.
Mr. Ryan of Reno is relieving Mr. Morey as agent.
William Robertson who had pneumonia earlier in the winter suffered a relapse and is back in bed. Mr. Houghton of Reno is relieving Mr. Robertson as round house foreman.
Carl Rethorn will take delivery this week on a new Dodge coupe.
Mr and Mrs. Lue Lorenzen of Sparks, Nev were visiting old friends in Wendel and Susanville Tuesday of this week.
Mr and Mrs James Maros are proud of their new granddaughter who was born Feb. 23 to Mr and Mrs. Herman Perez of Standish.
On Feb. 22, Lassen High School did not close but the elementary schools did, so the high school students of this district received permission to bring a grade school pupil as a guest for the day, Judy Smith, Virginia Backes, Frank Nauyoks and Vincent Mitchell had the pleasure of spending a day at high school and think they will like it when they get there themselves.
Mrs. R.G. Smith, Patricia and Judy, Mrs. Clyde Backes and Virginia and Clyde English attended the party and informal recital given by Mr and Mrs Edmond Dailey for their music pupils at the Memorial Hall Sunday evening. Patricia and Judy played with the third unit accordion band and Patricia played “Way Down Upon the Swanee River” as an accordion solo. Virginia played a piano solo, “The Singing Mouse.”
Lassen Advocate – March
17, 1952
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
An orchid to the good friends all over the county who pay eight cents each week for The Advocate, to read the Wendel news.
E.S. Morey who went to the Southern Pacific hospital two weeks ago was found to have a heart condition and advised to take several weeks complete rest. The doctors felt that he would relax better at home. While Mr. Morey was in the hospital he saw Emmett Wallace-the agent at Litchfield who had undergone surgery. Mr. Wallace was improving at the time but had been in critical condition.
William Robertson, who has been sick for several weeks went to Reno last week to consult specialists. It was found that he was suffering from an allergy. When treated, he recovered quickly and is back at work.
Little Patricia Rushing, the granddaughter of John Privitt, had her arm caught in a heavy sliding door and badly smashed. Mrs. Privitt rushed her to the hospital and the doctor found that it was not broken, but would be painful for several days.
Mr and Mrs. Clyde Backes and daughter Ginger spent last week in Grants Pass, Ore., where Ginger served as a junior bridesmaid at the wedding of her cousin, Miss Joan Backes.
Albert Snyder of Stacy has had all his ewe lamb, but one presented him with twins.
The high winds of last Friday night drifted snow over highway 395 between Spanish Springs ranch and Ravendale causing traffic to be stopped for five hours.
The federal locomotive inspector was in Wendel Tuesday passing on all engines that were in the round house at the time.
S.G. Stearns has bid in the depot agent’s job during the absence of Mr. Morey. As soon as Mr. Stearns can find a place to live he will move his family here.
The Amedee 4-H club held their regular meeting Monday, Mar. 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the school house. They received the gate signs which had been ordered which say “A 4-H Member Lives Here.” Plans were made for practice evenings of square and folk dancing that their self improvement project for the year. The club is fortunate in having Dwight Fischer for an instructor, as Mr. Fischer has been teaching dancing all over the valley.
4/11ths of our school were absent this week with the flu.
A freight train going through Horse Lake last week was struck by a rock weighing about three tons; the rock hit the middle of the train derailing several cars. No one was hurt.
Miss Darlene Snyder spent last weekend at Flanigan, Nevada, visiting Mr and Mrs. Jean Broyls.
The high school pupils from this district enjoyed the Sadie Hawkins dance at the high school on Feb. 29. The girls had to invite the boys and it was a good thing because the snow was so bad coming home that the boys had to get out and push the car out of drifts and finally put the chains on.
Miss Patricia Smith spent the weekend at the home of Elane DeWitt in the Tule district.
Mrs. Clyde Backes attended a baby shower for Mrs. Richard Dozier at the Masonic hall in Janesville Sunday afternoon.
Lassen Advocate
– March 20, 1952
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
Saturday night the snow was so deep on the Westwood branch of the railroad that the train had to leave 17 cars and the caboose at Westwood Junction and bring the crew back to Wendel on the engine light. Monday morning it took a rotary plow, a Jordan plow and a Mallett locomotive to get them plowed out and the same equipment went out Tuesday morning to keep the road open.
The Amedee 4-H club had a successful St. Patrick’s Day dance, Friday evening at the school house in spite of the cold and storm all members turned out and Dwight Fischer taught them a number of new folk and square dances. The girls prepared and served refreshments.
Mrs. A.G. Nauyoks the local representative for the Red Cross in this district, she reports that the response has been good, only one man turning her down for a contribution and he said that he would give the Red Cross blood but wouldn’t give his money. Any one wishing to contribute to the cause should contact Mrs. Nauyoks.
Mr and Mrs.. Myron Morey and children Genevieve and Mike came out from Glenwood Springs, Colo, to visit Mr. Morey’s parents, Mr and Mrs. Sidney Morey. Mrs. Morey and the children will stay here for some time, the young people finish the school term here.
Mr and Mrs. Francis Law have moved from Elmira, Idaho to Winchester, Washington. Mrs. Law wrote her parents, Mr and Mrs William Robertson, that she was 200 miles nearer them.
Miss Gladys Rich entertained the girls of the town with a slumber party Saturday night. Miss Genevieve Morey was the guest of honor, Genevieve used to spend her summers here but has not been able to do so for the last two years. As with most slumber parties, very little slumbering was done.
Elija Nauyoks invited all the school children to his ninth birthday party Friday afternoon, Mar. 14. Elija received many nice gifts and the traditional birthday cake was served.
Lassen Advocate – 27
March 1951
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
Last week we reported that Albert Snyder’s ewes had all had twin lambs. But some way it came out that Mr. Snyder’s ewe lambs had twins, indicating that an early developing strain of sheep were being produced in the Stacy district. Mr. Snyder states that this is not the case.
The railroad snow crew was not able to plow out the Westwood track and bring in the train that was abandoned at Westwood Junction Tuesday, until Saturday. Saturday was the first day that Westwood received freight for a week.
The high school bus was not able to get into Wendel Tuesday evening because of the high water on the 395 highway. Mrs. E.S. Morey and her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Myron Morey, had been visiting Sidney Morey in the Riverside hospital in Susanville and being unable to get home themselves, collected the Wendel children and took care of them for the night. Mrs. Morey telephoned Miss Rich to take care of Mike Morey who was in Wendel.
A.G. Nauyoks left Tuesday evening to take the rotary snow plow to eastern Nevada where the railroad is blocked with snow.
William Robertson, who has been round house foreman for several years, has bid in the Sparks roundhouse. Everyone is sorry to have the Robertsons leave Wendel, because they are civic minded people and Mrs. Robertson has been so generous with her time playing the piano and accordion for all the school entertainments. But in the words of the old saw; our loss is Sparks’ gain.
Johnny Nauyoks celebrated his seventh birthday Sunday, Mar. 23. Those enjoying the party besides Johnny’s brothers and sisters, were Judy Smith, Vincent Mitchell, Ben Pina and Mike Morey.
Mr. Stearns who is relief agent at the Southern Pacific depot moved his wife and son here Saturday, a house having been made available for them.
Mr. Ryan, who has been relief operator at the depot here, has left for Winnemucca, Nevada, where he bid in a job as student agent.
Mrs. Grismore, who is employed at the restaurant, was in the Riverside hospital last week threatened with pneumonia, she is at home now and feeling better.
Lassen Advocate
– April 3, 1952
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
The Wendel Community gave a farewell party for the William Robertsons Saturday evening at the school house. The school children gave a short program then dancing was enjoyed the rest of the evening. After the bountiful supper provided by the women of the community, Guy Newby presented the Robertsons with a blanket, a gift of the roundhouse employees.
The school children had prepared a guest book with original drawings and snapshots of the school house and pupils. Miss Rich wrote a toast to the Robertsons in the front of the book and everyone signed the book. They were: Messrs and Mesdames Curtis M. Jentson, Guy Newby, Frank Bonham, William L. Harris, Jim Stearns, A.G. Nauyoks, Oswald Donilson, A.W. Mitchell; Mesdames, E.S. Morey, H.P. Oby, Myron Morey, J.R. Garcia, R.G. Smith, C.E. Backes, James Mapes, Linda Davie, Alda Riesenman, Gladys Rich, Genevieve Morey, Patricia Smith, Justine Smith, Leola Nauyoks, Virginia Backes; Messrs Kenneth Tucker, Mike Morey, Frank Nauyoks, August Nauyoks, Chester Nauyoks, John Nauyoks, George Ackerman, Edward Holzworth, John Robertson, Sammy Smith and Edgar Morey.
Mr and Mrs. A.G. Nauyoks drove to Reno on business Monday. They report that the road is rough but passable.
Mr and Mrs. Edgar Morey drove out from Ogden, Utah, Saturday to visit his father, E.S. Morey who has been quite ill. They were detoured through Herlong and came in by way of Stacy. About four miles out of Wendel, they got stuck in a mud hole and finished their trip afoot.
William Howard of the SP water services was in the Riverside hospital last week with a bad case of influenza, but is back to work now.
Frank Bonham spent last weekend in Sparks visiting his mother who has been in poor health for some time.
Lassen Advocate – 10
April 1952
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
Early Saturday morning a gondola loaded with coal tipped over in front of the Wendel depot. The trucks of the gondola fouled the wheels of the box car standing on another track. It tied up two tracks until the big hook and the wreckage crew could be brought from Alturas.
There were no trains through Wendel Saturday because there had been a bad washout in the track between Alturas and Canby; five or six trains were tied up between Alturas and Klamath Falls. Traffic was resumed some time Saturday night.
With the high water in Alturas the first thing the train crews do when they reach Wendel is call home to see how bad the flood is. Most of them have only been inconvenienced by the flood, although one engineer has had to move out for a few hours several times.
Mr and Mrs. A.G. Nauyoks and family left Friday evening for Los Angeles and Lower California for a fishing trip. They had received a phone call from Guss Lieber saying, “The yellow tail are running.”
Miss Rich and Mrs. Myron Morey took the square dancing group of the Amedee 4 H club to the dance at Standish Saturday night; the dance was given by the Standish school to raise money for a trip for the pupils.
Joe Bowman and son, Joe Jr., left last week for a trip to their old home in Texas.
Danny Perin received word that his sister would be passing through Reno Friday on her way east and drove over to visit with her between trains.
Mrs. Don Plumb and daughters Donna and LaVerne, drove over from Fernley, Nev., Saturday to visit Mr and Mrs. E.S. Morey.
Mrs. Julian Mapes and Mrs. Clyde Backes went Sunday to the Dozier Ranch to call on their new granddaughter and had the interesting experience of being taken from the road to the house by row boat.
An unusual sight in Wendel Wednesday night was the sheriff’s car. He came out to pick up one of the employees of the restaurant, who, it is reported, had a drop too much.
Lassen Advocate – April
17, 1952
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
C.S. Helman and his daughter Mrs. Robert Kraner drove to Rawhide, Nevada last week to visit Mr. Helman’s son, W.E. Helman and family. They spent a pleasant day inspecting the Sheelite mine.
Mrs. Dyer of Reno, Nevada spent the Easter weekend with her mother, Mrs. Anna La Beau and her sister, Mrs. Paul Oby.
Mrs. A.G. Nauyoks has finished collecting for the Red Cross, one of the first districts to complete the project. She collected almost as much this year as was turned in last year which took a good job of soliciting because the drive, coming right after income tax, everyone feels poor at that time and this year the tax was so much more that people felt poorer.
The Amedee 4-H Club held their regular meeting Monday, Apr. 14. Paul Lamborn brought Albert Jennison and J.D. Hemphill out to talk to the club. Mr. Jennison showed some slides and J.D. made a talk on the All-Star conference at Berkeley which he had just attended. Mr. Lamborn called for a project report. The projects are all coming along nicely with Justine Smith and Ginger Backes having completed their sewing projects for the year. Chester Nauyoks served refreshments.
Mr and Mrs. E.S. Morey accompanied by their daughter-in-law, Mrs. Myron Morey left Monday for San Francisco where Mr. Morey will enter the Southern Pacific hospital. The two grandchildren will stay here and finish school. Genevieve is staying with Ginger Backes and Mike with Vincent Mitchell. Gladys Rich and Alice Bonham drove the Moreys to Reno where they could board the train.
Mr and Mrs. R.G. Smith, Patricia Smith and Genevieve Morey spent the day Monday in Herlong.
Leola Nauyoks celebrated her eighth birthday while the family was at Ensenada in lower California. She had a birthday cake from the bakery there with Happy Birthday on it Spanish, which was quite a thrill to an eight year old.
Mr. Houghton was appointed round house foreman to take the place of William Robertson who transferred to Sparks. Mr. Houghton has been here as relief foreman several times. He will move his family here before long.
The school children were planning their Easter party and decided to give Mrs. Robertson a little surprise farewell of their own. She was packing to move, but they managed to get her to the school house and gave a sweet little program just for her. Mrs. Robertson thanked the children and told them to tell their parents that she and Bill were very grateful for everything that had been done for them.
Mrs. Clyde Backes and daughter Ginger, attended the Easter services at the church at Standish. The service was fine and the pastor and his wife sent a cordial invitation to everyone in this part of the valley to attend their services when they could.
Lassen Advocate – 1 May
1952
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
Daylight saving is with us again and it presents a problem to Wendel people. The railroads are not able to go on the time of the state they happen to be running through. Timing is so essential to railroading. So the Southern Pacific is on Pacific Standard time for this reason the post office and the school, the only two public facilities we have, are on standard time. However, every time we leave Wendel we lose an hour, which results in our having to check whether Wendel time or Susanville time. My time or your time. God’s time or California time. We not only have to be smart enough to know what time it is, we have to know what kind of time.
One evening last week, Miss Rich was taking a carfull of her pupils to Susanville to the show, when she had to do everything short of tipping her car over to avoid hitting one of the horses that are allowed to run on the highway around lake Leavitt. When she explained to the children that they were within fence lines and had she hit the horse the owner would have been liable for all damages, the youngsters were all for going back and making another pass at the horse.
Clyde Backes received word Saturday, Apr. 19 that his step father, Charles Gray, had passed away in Portland, Oregon. Accompanied by his family, left Sunday morning to attend the funeral, returning home Thursday.
During the absence of the Backes family, Clyde English who lives with them was stricken with pneumonia. No one happened to come to the house realizing that he had to have help, he attempted to walk to the post office where he knew Mrs. Riesenman would find someone to take him to the hospital. He had such a high fever that his face was so flushed and his walk unsteady, so no one recognized him, thinking he was a strange drunk. Fortunately, Mr and Mrs. Paul Oby took a second look and recognizing the emergency, rushed him to the county hospital in Susanville, where he is recovering nicely.
Pat and Judy Smith and Ginger Backes, who were fortunate enough to be chosen to appear in the 20-30 club amateur show, attended the dress rehearsal at the Sierra theatre Sunday morning. The show is so good that it would be a good idea for the judges to plan to leave town immediately after the prizes are awarded.
Mr and Mrs. James Brennon of Keeler, Calif., were in Wendel last week to visit friends here who lived in Keeler in the past.
The officers’ association of the fourth district of the Order of the Eastern Star met at the home of Evelyn Mapes Monday evening, Apr. 28. Plans were made for the coming year and Esther Redbranch of Westwood chapter was chosen president with Harriet Colette of Hesperian chapter in Susanville chosen secretary and treasurer. Mrs. Mapes served delicious refreshments.
Miss Gladys Rich had for dinner guests Sunday, Mrs. George Callihan, Mrs. J.S. Riesenman, Mrs. Clyde Backes and daughter, Ginger and Genevieve Morey, who is staying with Miss Rich, since the Backeses with whom she was staying were obliged to be away.
Judy Smith is confined to her home this week with chickenpox. Most of the school children have had it so there is no danger of an epidemic so close to the end of the school year.
Raymond Smith has been suffering for the past several week with an infection of the ear.
George Ferrel, the “Happy” of the Amedee Hot Springs and now living in Standish was in Wendel one day last week visiting friends.
Robert Kraner, who is employed in the round house, is spending his vacation in Washington visiting his parents.
Benny Pina celebrated his eighth birthday at the home of his parents, April 20. All the school children received invitations and a pleasant afternoon of games was spent. Birthday cake and ice cream were served after Benny had opened his gifts.
Lassen Advocate – 22
May 1952
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
E.S. Morey returned home May 10 from the Southern Pacific hospital in San Francisco, where he has been for the last month.
The Amedee 4-H club held its regular meeting May 12 at the school. The members all gave demonstrations on different phases of their projects. Miss Gladys Rich, their leader this year told the members at the last meeting that she would be unable to continue with club work for another year. The members had asked Dwight Fisher to take the leadership and he met with them and after seeing how they conducted themselves, consented to take over next year.
The meeting night, falling close to Ginger Backes’ birthday, she had her birthday party at the conclusion of the meeting. Each place at the table was marked with a paper snapper and while Ginger opened her gifts, the guests popped the snappers and donned the paper hats they contained. After the birthday cake was lit and blown out, refreshments were served and square dancing was enjoyed the rest of the evening. Those present besides the club members were Elija, Leola and John Nauyoks, Genevieve and Mike Morey, Mrs. A.G. Nauyoks, Mrs. R.G. Smith, Mrs. J. Moreno, Mrs. A. Snyder and Dwight Fisher.
Clyde English returned home from the hospital last Friday. He is recovering slowly and wishes to thank everyone for all the kindness shown him while he was sick.
Kay Archibauld From Herlong spent last weekend with Gladys Rich.
Mrs. Dwier of Reno spent the Mothers Day weekend in Wendel with her mother, Mrs. Anna LeBeau.
Patricia Smith went to Redding Saturday with a high school group.
Genevieve Morey went to Sacramento with Mrs. Carter’s school. She reports that they had a fine time and saw many interesting and instructive things. The climax of the trip was the ride from Sacramento to Reno on the train.
Miss Gladys Rich, A.G. Nauyoks, Joe Bowman and Ed Houghton attended the meeting of the school trustees of Shaffer Union Monday evening.
Mrs. A.W. Henderson received word last week of the death of her sister, Mrs. Carrie Swan in San Francisco. Mr and Mrs. Henderson left immediately and have just returned.
Mrs. Waldo Coatney had the misfortune of breaking a finger while [film obliterated] in the office until the splints are off the finger and she can return to her regular position.
Two men traveling on the freight cars were knocking on doors Monday morning at 5 o’clock asking for a handout. Since no one is at their charitable best at that hour of the morning they left on the next freight hungry.
Lassen Advocate – 26
May 1952
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
The patients that have been reported improving are all back in hospitals. E.S. Morey, who returned recently from the Southern Pacific hospital in San Francisco is in the Riverside hospital in Susanville. Clyde English was released from the Lassen county hospital May 9 after a bout with pneumonia suffered a relapse and is now in the hospital. William Robertson moved to Sparks, Nevada about a month ago for his health, is now in the Southern Pacific hospital in San Francisco.
A.G. Nauyoks was appointed by the trustees of the Shaffer Union school district to see what the parents of the school children wanted to do about the Amedee school the coming year. Mr. Nauyoks called a meeting of all those interested at the school house Thursday evening. Some of the parents would like to have their children attend the larger schools in Shaffer Union to have the advantage of more in their classes and the better facilities in these schools. Others, especially those with small children and those who will have children starting school in a few years, prefer to keep the school as it is. Mr. Chestney, principal of the Shaffer Union district drove out from Susanville to attend the meeting and expressed a hope that a satisfactory solution could be worked out by the trustees.
Myron Morey from Glenwood Springs, Colorado, Mr and Mrs David Morey and two children Cindy and David Jr. of Denver, Colorado and Mrs. Gladys Lovel and two children of Cheyenne, Wyoming are visiting the home of their parents, Mr and Mrs. E.S. Morey.
Lassen Advocate – 28
May 1952
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
Graveside services were held in Lassen Cemetery, Thursday May 22 for Nelson Clyde English, who passed away quietly in his sleep May 19 at the Lassen county hospital. Mr. English or “Little Clyde” as he was affectionialy called was always friendly and helpful and will be missed by the whole community.
Mr and Mrs. A.G. Nauyoks are the proud owners of a new Pontiac station wagon. Oddly enough, the John Privitt family purchased a Pontiac sedan the same day.
The Amedee 4-H club held a meeting to decide on the demonstration team to represent the club at the Rotary banquet to be held at the Mt. Lassen hotel, June 3. Frank Nauyoks and Vincent Mitchell were chosen. Their demonstration is soldering an electric wire, since their project for this year is electricity. The club demonstrated their square dancing the part of the evening.
Mr and Mrs. Paul Oby and Mrs. La Beau left Wednesday morning for their home at Lake Tahoe.
Mrs. Lulu Wagner and family of Reno visited this week at the home of Mrs. J.S. Riesenman.
The committee that met with the trustees of the Shaffer Union school report that as the balance of the people in the Wendel district wanted to continue the school as it is, the trustees agreed to do so.
Mr and Mrs. Frank Bonham spent last week end at the Fish Springs ranch at Flanigan, Nevada. Mrs. Bonham enjoyed her first airplane ride as Mr. Heller, the owner of the ranch, has a plane to locate cattle with.
Sidney Morey is home from the Riverside hospital and is much improved in health. He is enjoying his six grandchildren who are visiting with the Moreys.
Mr and Mrs. Julian Mapes were obliged to take a flying trip to San Francisco Sunday, so their two older daughters Judy and Susan stayed with Ginger Backes. The girls visited the Wendel school and enjoyed it very much.
Genevieve Morey, who finished the last weeks of the school year at Gloria Carter’s school at Standish will graduate from the eighth grade, as the district exercises to be held at the Memorial building, Thursday, May 29.
Note: No columns appeared in the month of June 1952
Lassen Advocate – 10
July 1952
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
Mr and Mrs. Clyde Backes and daughter Ginger just returned from a vacation trip through Oregon and northern California. While they were in Portland, they enjoyed the rose festival, and then drove through the Mother Lode country to Angels Camp to attend the National Rocks and Minerals show.
Miss Karen Backes of Grants Pass, Oregon accompanied her cousin Ginger Backes back home for a visit returning home by bus last Thursday.
Mr and Mrs. John Privitt and family have moved to Carlin, Nevada.
Mr and Mrs. Francis Law (Ardelia Robertson) have announced the birth of their first child, a little daughter named Kathleen. This is the first granddaughter for the William Robertsons. The Laws are living in Winchester, Washington.
Mr and Mrs William Kramer, the very popular managers of the J.V. Moan eating house here, are back in Wendel after having been gone several months. Their many friends are glad they were able to return.
Jo Ann Boyer is visiting here from Spokane, Washington with her parents, Mr and Mrs. William Kramer.
Mrs. J.S. Riesenman has been under the doctor’s care with an infected ankle; she is improving but it will be some time before she is literally “back on her feet.”
Mr and Mrs. Charles Peaterson who were the managers of the restaurant here some time ago were visiting friends in Wendel last week.
The Standish 4-H club held their field day June 29th and invited the Amedee club. Nearly all the members were able to go and after a potluck lunch at noon, with the Standish club providing ice cream and soda, square dancing was enjoyed all afternoon.
The Amedee 4-H club held a box supper at the Standish 4-H hall Friday June 27. The party wasn’t very well attended to the conflicting dates, but the people there had a lot of fun and the men were most cooperative in buying all the boxes so that the club realized something from the party. Several of the Standish people who were unable to attend sent in cash donations afterward.
Miss Darlean Snyder visited with her uncle at Modesto over the 4th of July holiday.
Mr and Mrs. Albert Mitchell and sons Albert Jr. and Vincent spent Saturday at Lassen park.
The train which hauls the logs from the woods to the mills in Westwood and Susanville, known as “the logger” went back to work June 1. Raymond Smith is the conductor; this train ties up in Susanville so Mr. Smith drives back and forth.
Joe Bowman and son, Joe Jr., have moved to their ranch at Stacy. The Bowmans spend the school year in Wendel so Joe Jr. can catch the high school bus.
Miss Judy Smith is spending the month of July in Reno visiting her grandmother, Mrs. Lidia Rummel.
Mr and Mrs. Waldo Coatney returned last week from a two weeks vacation.
Mr and Mrs. Paul Oby and Mrs. Oby’s mother, Mrs. Anna La Beau spent the Fourth of July weekend at their summer home on Lake Tahoe. This has been a custom of many years standing with the Obys.
Dwight Fisher took all of his 4-H club members who had qualified to the Rotary club dinner, given in the banquet room of the Hotel Mt. Lassen. This dinner is given by the Rotary club of Susanville for all 4-H members who have given an accredited demonstration during the year. Frank Nauyoks and Vincent Mitchell were chosen to represent the club at the banquet. They gave a demonstration on soldering an electric wire, and came home with a red ribbon.
Mr and Mrs. A.G. Nauyoks and Mrs. Marion Harvey spent last Tuesday in Reno on business.
Herman Perez, who suffered severe burns in his home about a month ago, is back to work in the round house, with only the worst of the burns not yet healed.
Lassen Advocate – 24
July 1952
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
The sympathy of the whole community goes out to Mr and Mrs. Lloyd Wharton for the loss of their infant son.
James Stearns’ health has improved and he has returned to the agent’s position at the S.P. depot. They brought back from Reno a beautiful new trailer house.
Darlean Snyder, Ginger Backes, and Vincent Mitchell left Monday morning for a week at the 4-H camp at Lake Tahoe.
Edward Houghton, the roundhouse foreman, is passing out two cigars, his wife gave birth to twin boys in Reno, July 17.
Mrs. Myron Morey of Glenwood Springs, Colo., arrived in Wendel Monday to stay with Mr. Morey’s parents, Mr and Mrs. Sidney Morey.
Mr and Mrs. Grover DeWitt of Susanville and Mrs. Fred Hansen of Standish visited with Mrs. J.S. Riesenman on Sunday.
Francis Waterhouse and his mother called on Mrs. Riesenman and Mrs. George Callahan recently. The Waterhouse family lived in Wendel about 30 years ago.
Mr and Mrs. C. Diethelm (Grace Warick) spent Thursday night with the A.W. Hendersons. While Mrs. Diethelm was visiting with Mrs. Riesenman, Norman Sciligo stopped to see Mrs. Riesenman and reminded Mrs. Diethelm that he went to the Wendel school to her in 1925.
Ernest Nelson, who lives in Alturas, was a caller at the Riesenman home last week. Mr. Nelson used to be foreman of the transfer at Wendel. The transfer was used when the narrow gauge went from Wendel to Alturas. All freight had to be unloaded from the broad gauge cars and reloaded on the narrow gauge. This was quite an undertaking and a large gang of men was employed.
Linda Davie, the postmaster at Litchfield drove over to see Mrs. Riesenman on Wednesday.
Edna Buffham was in Wendel Saturday on school business.
Mr and Mrs. A.G. Nauyoks and family returned Thursday from Lower California. They brought back about one hundred pounds of choice ocean fish packed in dry ice. Ehey say that close to Encinado where they were staying at, it was so cold at night that they had to pile on the blankets. They left Saturday morning for Carlota, California and spend the rest of their vacation.
Lassen Advocate – 31
July 1952
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
Last week some issues of the The Advocate out a line causing one item to read incorrectly. It should have been, Edna Buffham was in Wendel last week on school business.
The situation that most of us have nightmares about being stranded in a large city with no money actually happened to Mrs. William Harris, wife of the steel gang foreman for the S.P. Mrs. Harris had gone to Columbus, Ohio, to a reunion of her family, where five generations pictures were taken with her two daughters, Sue, 4, and Joy, 2, representing the present generation.
Coming back they flew from Columbus to Chicago and while waiting for the train in the Chicago depot, Mrs. Harris lost her bill fold containing all her money. Fortunately, she still had her pass, she got in touch with the railroad authorities and they sent her home on “credit,” which shows that the Friendly Southern Pacific is living up to its advertising.
Engineer Upton was turning his engine on the Y at Likely and ran over three Indians that were sleeping on the track. They were a man, his wife and their niece, all from the Likely district.
Word was received by Mr and Mrs. A.W. Henderson that Benjamin Green was in the Southern Pacific hospital in San Francisco and was to be operated on last Friday for a tumor or clot on the brain. No one has heard from him since the surgery was performed.
Danny Perrin who has been working in the roundhouse here for the past six months, has transferred to the roundhouse in Montella, Nevada.
This summer rain isn’t news in most places but it is in Wendel. Wendel only gets the wind, thunder and lightning, and not a drop of wet stuff, but last night there really was a downpour, clearing the air and freshening the gardens.
Lassen Advocate – 7
August 1952
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
Mr and Mrs. J.S. Riesenman, Jr., and three children, Jill, Karen and baby John from Portland, Oregon are visiting at the home of Mr. Riesenman’s mother, Alda Riesenman, and his grandmother, Mrs. George Callihan.
Raymond G. Smith and daughters Judy and Patricia drove to Yerington, Nevada Saturday to bring back Mr. Smith’s father, John Smith, to take care of their place while the R.G. Smith family take their vacation for a trip through Oregon, down the coast highway and several days stay in San Francisco.
Word has been received from Benjamin Green that he is recovering nicely from the operation he under went for a brain tumor, although he was on the operating table for eight hours.
Edward Howton drove to Reno Friday and brought his wife and twin sons.
The A.G. Nauyoks family celebrated Mr. Nauyok’s birthday, July 31, with a dinner party for 17 guests.
Frank Nauyoks spent the weekend with his aunt Mrs. Marion Harvey at Litchfield, taking in the ball game Sunday in Susanville.
Mr and Mrs. A.E. Mitchell and family spent Sunday at Lake Tahoe.
Mr and Mrs. E.S. Morey and Mrs. Myron Morey left Sunday evening for San Francisco where Mr. Morey will enter the Southern Pacific hospital.
Joanne and Nancy Lee Farwell are here visiting their cousin Kathryn Warner at the Hotel Mt. Lassen for a couple of weeks. Mr and Mrs. Harry Warner went down to Vallejo last weekend and brought them back.
Lassen Advocate – 14
August 1952
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
Mr and Mrs. Paul Mitchell are visiting his parents, Mr and Mrs. A.E. Mitchell. Paul and Miss Donna Glover were married July 26 in Astoria, Oregon.
Word was received last week that Benjamin Green was in serious condition in the Southern Pacific hospital in San Francisco where he underwent brain surgery. A.W. Henderson and T.G. May left immediately for San Francisco to be with him, as Bennie has no relatives in this part of the country.
Mr and Mrs. A.W. Henderson have a new Studebaker Landcruiser.
Charles Bonham of Milwaukee, Wis., is visiting his parents Mr and Mrs. Frank Bonham, Mr and Mrs. Peeler from Sparks, Nevada drove over to join the family reunion. Mrs. Peeler is Bonham’s daughter.
Neal Crabtree is in the S.P. hospital for treatment of a chest injury.
Mr and Mrs. A.G. Nauyoks celebrated the 13th birthday of their son, August Jr. with a dinner on Aug. 8. Those present were Mr and Mrs. Edward Howton and daughter Cathy, Mr and Mrs. Marion Harvey and family, Cecil and Louraine Harvey.
Mrs. Clyde Backes and Ginger drove to Reno Monday to see the fireworks. Mrs. Backes returned Tuesday but Ginger will spend the week with Mr and Mrs. Lew Lorenzen of Sparks.
Gus Lieber, who lives in Lynwood, California, is spending the week with the Nauyoks.
Mr and Mrs. Waldo Coatney are driving a new Chevrolet five passenger coupe.
Lassen Advocate – 28
August 1952
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
Sidney Morey passed away Tuesday, Aug. 19 at the S.P. hospital in San Francisco. He had been in failing health for several months with a heart condition. Funeral services will be in his home town of Decatur, Iowa.
Mr. Morey had been agent in Wendel for about six years and was well liked over the division for his efficient and impartial handling of his duties. He was civic minded and always worked for the betterment of the community in which he lived. He had served as a school trustee for several years.
He was always most kindly and many a student brakeman would have gone hungry if Mr. Morey hadn’t stood him to a meal ticket and many a new comer in the community would have had no place to sleep without the loan of a bed by the Moreys.
He is survived by his widow Gertrude, three sons, Myron of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, David also of Glenwood Springs and Edgar of Ogden, Utah, one daughter, Mrs. Robert Lovell of Cheyenne, Wyoming and six grandchildren.
Mrs. Clyde Backes and Ginger were called to Alturas Monday by the death of Mrs. E.E. Auble. They returned Wednesday.
The members of the Amedee 4-H club were busy this week with the junior activities of the Lassen county fair. The boys entered the tool boxes and lamps they had made in their electrical classes and the girls exhibited the dresses they had made in their clothing projects. Vincent Mitchell showed his two fat lambs.
The sewing girls modeled their dresses at the dress revue Wednesday night and Patricia Smith was chosen by the club to take part in the talent show the same night. She played “Humoresque” on the accordion.
Under the direction of their leader, Dwight Fisher, they prepared and entered a float in the parade, showing the 4H pledge.
The Standish club presented a fine group of square dances and borrowed Frank Nauyoks and Vincent Mitchell to fill in their ranks.
Roy W. Billings, who worked in and out of Wendel for several years with David Jenkins’ bridge gang, is visiting in town. He will take care of the Backes place next week while Clyde goes to San Francisco for a checkup at the S.P. hospital.
Mrs. Joe Bowman was in Wendel this weekend on business.
Mrs. Francis Dire and daughter Doris Ann of Reno spent the weekend of Aug. 16 with Mrs. Dire’s sister, Mrs. Paul Oby. Doris Ann was leaving for service with the W.A.C.’s and as her uncle Paul Oby was at the other end of the division, for they drove to Alturas to bid him goodbye.
Lassen Advocate – 11
September 1952
Wendel News
By Georgia Backes
Mrs. Lulu Wagoner, a long time resident of Wendel, who now lives in Reno, was here Saturday to look at her ranch south of Wendel.
The Amedee school opened Sept. 2 with 14 pupils. The teacher is Miss Mary Harney, who came here from North Dakota. She was pronounced by a first grader as “pretty but strict.” Miss Harney’s parents and a brother will join her some time next month to spend the winter here.
Cathy Howden celebrated her second birthday with a party at the home of her parents, Mr and Mrs. Ed Howden on Saturday, Sept. 6. Guests were Mr and Mrs. Lloyd Wharton and son; Mr and Mrs. Herman Perez and family; and Mr and Mrs. A.G. Nauyoks and family.
Mrs. E.S. Morey accompanied by her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Myron Morey, were in Wendel for a week getting ready to move to Glenwood Springs, Colorado, where she will make her home.
Cecil Harvey is in the S.P. hospital.
The Amedee 4H club gave a square dancing party Friday evening at the school house to welcome the new teacher, Miss Mary Harney. Miss Harney and Dwight Fisher will be the club leaders for the club year which starts next month.
Vincent Mitchell returned Saturday from the state convention of 4H clubs held in Davis. The delegates receive instructions in different phases of club work and the high spot of the trip is a day at the California State fair.
Mrs. Herman Halst and three children have been visiting at the home of Mrs. Halst’s sister, Mrs. A.G. Nauyoks. She will move to Sparks soon where Mr. Halst is employed.
Ed Hollsworth returned Friday from the S.P. hospital where he has been for several weeks suffering from a digestive ailment.
© Copyright 2002 by Tim Purdy