Twenty-three years ago on August 16th, 1992 our county was declared a disaster area with over 25,000 acres burned in the next few days. Many areas were evacuated including Fricot City, Sheep Ranch Cae City and part of Michel and Old Gulch Road.
Four thousand firefighters were here in our county, some from Southern California and all neighboring counties.
The fire was caused by an auto exhaust on Old Gulch Road near Mountain Ranch. They used the pasture behind the Alberts residence in Mountain Ranch for a staging area. We served cold drinks to the young firefighters who asked “Where are we?” Mountain Ranch Realty provided local maps so they could see what area they were in.
The fire moved in an easterly direction fron Old Gulch toward Fricot City, south of Sheep Ranch toward Highway 4 at Forest Meadows, Murphys and Indian Creek.
Mary Oslen’s home on Indian Creek became a victim of the Old Gulch Fire. This historical building was once the Valente Store, run by Mary’s family since the Gold Rush.
Many more homes were lost in its path toward Ebbetts Pass, including the mansion at Fricot City.
Your Mountain Ranch Fire Department was assigned to protect the homes along Cave City Road with equipment considered old and out of date today. We never lost a home. The only community in the fire path that did so.
For a few days there was mass confusion with firefighters and equipment by the hundreds, evacuating people out of harm’s way and protecting as many homes as possible, and because of their endurance today there is hardly a scar left to see.
Here is a partial list of equipment, manpower and losses from this fire:
* 521 engines, 76 bulldozers, 14 helicopters, 16 air tankers and 28 water tankers have been pressed into service.
* An estimated 15,000 people reside in the evacuated area, which stretches from Sheep Ranch to Big Trees Village.
* $9.5 million was spent to supress the fire.
* 11 minor injuries to firefighters have been reported.
* 54 structures have been destroyed, including 35 residences, 11 outbuildings, and 5 commercial buildings. Residences lost include 16 at Fricot CIty, four at Mineral Mountain, three along Ponderosa Way, two at Forest Meadows, and 15 at Northwood.
* 22 vehicles and two travel trailers have been incinerated.
Showing posts with label Mtn. Ranch Community Life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mtn. Ranch Community Life. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Mtn. Ranch Baseball Field
Lots of volunteers worked on the field this month. We cleaned the concession stand, by Linda O-Keefe, Phil Alberts, Mel Borges, Jerry Byrd. Pressure washed by Pete Connell, painted inside by Terry Crum, vent by Dan Dowdin, coordinated by Pete Connell. New Bases installed by Sam Smith and Phil Alberts. West Point Little League is using our field. Round-up weed killer around the field fence by Mel Borges. Outfield grass mowed by Bill Schmiett. Alan Senders and his crew assembled the batting cage purchased by donations so his team can practice. They are having a good season to date. Old flag destroyed by wind, a new one was ordered and has been installed. Adult softball will be starting soon.
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
The Clampers are Coming!! The Clampers are Coming!!
On June 13th the local MATUCA chapter of the E. Clampus Vitus will install an historical placque on the oldest building in Old El Dorado now known as Mountain Ranch.
The placque will read:
Domenghini Adobe
The Domenghini Adobe was built in 1856 by Mr. Pagani using adobe, field stones, and hand hewn beams. It is the oldest building in Mountain Ranch. In 1872 it was purchased by the Domenghini Family. This building was used as a saloon, pool hall and dance hall until 1901 when it was converted into a general store by brothers Attilio and Cash Domenghini and known as Domenghini Brothers General Merchandise. In 1925 it became known as the A. Domenghini and Son Store. In July 1965 the Domenghini property was purchased by the current owners, Phil D. Alberts and family,
Dedicated by:
E Clampus Vitus Matuca Chapter 1849
June 13th, 2015 (6020)
Credo Quia Absurdum
Clampology, an appendix,
Many Americans, especially those who left the ways of formal living, the frontiersmen and the 49'ers, abhorred false pretensions, or what might now be called "stuffed shirts". During the middle nineteenth century there was a steady development of organizations of fraternal orders under such names as the Sublime Knights, or the Grand Exalted Templars, etc. While these orders were organized to aid their members and often the unfortunates of their communities, still they affected elaborate uniforms, fancy dress swords and plumes and other such trappings. Their officers' titles, would by modern opinion, seem quite preposterous.
As a natural refutation of these, "spoofing" groups sprang up, usually, at least at first, informally organized. Probably the best known of these is the E. Clampus Vitus. When the first groups met is unknown. There are reports of Chapters in Bedford, Penn., in 1847, and in West Union, W. VA in 1850. Rumors of even earlier Chapters float around, but due to the tendency of all the Clamper writs to mix fact and fantasy, one never knows.
Such an order was a natural for those amusement-starved miners of the Mother Lode, and members from the States early formed ad hoc Chapters. The most current story is as follows:
A drummer would come to town and was asked, "Are you a Clamper?" As the salesman had never heard of E C.V., he was informed that all the merchants were Clampers and only bought from Clampers. After a reasonable time for the victim to check out this fact, they would relent and hold a special meeting to initiate the prospect. After initiation, some food and much liquor, the new member would be presented with the tab.
Just how many Clampers were organized is not known. There is a copy of the Initiation Manual of the Downieville Chapter in the Huntington Library, and Chapters were known to have been in existence until after 1880.
Many fables have come down of their activities. One that especially well tells of their feeling toward pretentiousness is that in the many parades in the mining towns after the elaborately uniformed Masonic orders, the various Knights and sundry Templars, a gang of red-shirted miners, giving the sign of the "well-Jackass", would march, led by their Noble Grand Humbug. Their standard-bearer would carry a tall pole supporting an ornate hoop skirt and slogan, "The Banner We Fought Under".
In our current time, a number of dedicated (if not always serious) historians decided to re-organize this Ancient and Noble Order. In the spring of 1930, Carl I. Wheat, George Ezra Dane and Leon Whitsell, the "Three Revivers", planned this revival. The first meeting was held at the Hotel Clift in "Yerba Buena" in 1931, with ten charter members. The first pilgrimage (later, called Clampouts) was to Downieville in May 1932, and there the first PBC, Ed Grabhorn, was initiated in front of the St. Charles Hotel Then came the first Annual Dinner, held at the Bohemian Club in Yerba Buena in January of 1933,
At first growth was slow, the second chapter being "Platrix, the Queen of Cow Counties." The first Clamper publication, "The Enigmatical Book of Vitus" came off in 1934.
The Articles of the Bylaws express the sublime indifference of the Order:
I. All Men are Officers
II. All Officers are of Equal Indignity
(It is rumored that the founding fathers became exhausted after giving birth to these immortal lines and repaired to a nearby tavern. They never recovered sufficiently to write an Article III, etc.)
Now, each Chapter meets twice a year in a Clampout, to initiate worthy though trembling PBC's and to dedicate a plaque at some little known -- though most worthy -- historical site. The Grand Council meets annually, the last weekend in May, at Murphy's Camp.
Satisfactory!!
And so recorded.
Monday, February 16, 2015
Baseball, Then and Now
In 1845 a New Yorker named Alexander Cartwright Jr. -- not Abner Doubleday -- invented the game that became America's pastime. Then he headed West taking with him a ball and bat.
Cartwright designed the game complete, bases at 90 feet in a diamond shape, players at each position with only 9 on each team. Bat in order with 3 outs, then exchange positions.
There had been many other games involving bases and balls before 1845 (some of them were even called baseball). A crudely defined game that was known as town ball, derived from the ancient English sport of rounders, had attained some popularity in New York and New England. (The New England version, with bases arranged in a U pattern and the batter's position entirely separate, was called the Massachusetts game.)
But all of these primitive exercises were static and aimless, and impossible to codify. Only after Cartwright's revolutionary innovations did the game ignite general excitement. Alexander Cartwright had invented baseball -- in the same sense that the Wright Brothers (and not Leonardo da Vinci) had invented the airplane, and Thomas A. Edison (and not Benjamin Franklin) had invented the electric light...
In the old days I guess every small town in America had a baseball team and Calaveras County was not to be outdone. Most every small, and some larger towns, especially the mining towns, all had their baseball team. Every team was in some sort of league. The foothill teams were called semi-professionals which meant they didn't get paid but they did have fun. And the town faithfully supported their team. Some say Mountain Ranch and Sheep Ranch teams couldn't win a game without their rooters. There was always a crowd to see the local boys play and when they played a rival team the rooters whistled, cheered, and rang the old dinner bell from the Sheep Ranch Hotel until the opponents were completely rattled.
There were very well organized teams at Mountain Ranch, Whiskey Slide, Murphys, Calaveritas, Sheep Ranch, RailRoad Flat, and West Point who played teams as far away as Sonora and the Stockton Pencil Factory. The Mountain Ranch - Sheep Ranch team were known as the best ball players in the league.
As early as the 1850's there was baseball in the Motherlode. Bill Denig who ran the Pony Express in Calaveras County played on the Calaveritas Team. Joe Reem the Eldorado Blacksmith also played. Also Red Greve the local grocer. The Rodesino Family had some boys who played on the El Dorado Team. John Walker played, J.F. Bench, a local merchant, also played. The population of old El Dorado was 200 in 1863.
In the 1920's and 30's those teams continued to produce some very good ball players. During the second world war the baseball idea fell to the wayside. But in the late 1940's and 50's it took off again with famous players like Yogi Berra, Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, Pee Wee Reese, Stan Musial, Micky Mantle and others. In 1947 Jackie Robinson was allowed to play Major League Ball. Just so you will know about "Babe" Ruth, in 1920 he had 497 home runs, 1365 runs, 1240 walks and 795 strike outs.
The more sporting gents of Calaveras County have been known to place a wager on any sporting event. Anyone who would bet on a frog jumping would certainly not hesitate to put his money on the line for his favorite baseball teams
In the 1880's Mark Bean from Sheep Ranch was the first pitcher to throw a curve ball in the Foothill League. He had batters jumping in every direction trying to get out of the way of the ball and hit it too. John Canavera, foreman of the Sheep Ranch Mine also played ball.
In the early spring when the baseball field at Sheep Ranch was covered with grain the team practiced at Rigney Flat, sometimes called Martin Flat. In Mtn. Ranch, the games were held on the Domenghini property behind the General Store.
Louis Domenghini, Paul Lewis, Clyde Cuslidge, Mr. Spiney, Charlie Valente and Warren Scott were the most faithful players. H.R. Platte, general manager of the Sheep Ranch mine donated the uniforms for the local teams. Mr. D. Fricot was a big supporter of all local sporting events.
Norbert Mudd played catcher for many years. The Umpire was Arthur Tisher who played on the team in the old days.
Before the automobile invaded the Mother Lode country the Sheep Ranch team used the big wagon to travel the many miles to neighboring towns. On the return trips from San Andreas the ball team always stopped at the Old Mountain Ranch Hotel to have supper which was served by Emma Fillippini.
Calaveras County developed a very active softball league which is still very active today.
Mtn. Ranch's first softball team was organized in 1980 after the local park and baseball field was built.
Jim Bennet, Jerry Howard and Phil Alberts put a team together that played West Point, Railroad Flat, Moke Hill, San Andreas and Valley Springs.
Through the years our local team has always been in the top three. One year we even took first place in the League.
Phil Alberts has continued to sponsor, play, coach and keep the team going. Sam Smith has been the manager and coach for many years and we are ready for the coming season. Come watch a game!
Cartwright designed the game complete, bases at 90 feet in a diamond shape, players at each position with only 9 on each team. Bat in order with 3 outs, then exchange positions.
There had been many other games involving bases and balls before 1845 (some of them were even called baseball). A crudely defined game that was known as town ball, derived from the ancient English sport of rounders, had attained some popularity in New York and New England. (The New England version, with bases arranged in a U pattern and the batter's position entirely separate, was called the Massachusetts game.)
But all of these primitive exercises were static and aimless, and impossible to codify. Only after Cartwright's revolutionary innovations did the game ignite general excitement. Alexander Cartwright had invented baseball -- in the same sense that the Wright Brothers (and not Leonardo da Vinci) had invented the airplane, and Thomas A. Edison (and not Benjamin Franklin) had invented the electric light...
In the old days I guess every small town in America had a baseball team and Calaveras County was not to be outdone. Most every small, and some larger towns, especially the mining towns, all had their baseball team. Every team was in some sort of league. The foothill teams were called semi-professionals which meant they didn't get paid but they did have fun. And the town faithfully supported their team. Some say Mountain Ranch and Sheep Ranch teams couldn't win a game without their rooters. There was always a crowd to see the local boys play and when they played a rival team the rooters whistled, cheered, and rang the old dinner bell from the Sheep Ranch Hotel until the opponents were completely rattled.
There were very well organized teams at Mountain Ranch, Whiskey Slide, Murphys, Calaveritas, Sheep Ranch, RailRoad Flat, and West Point who played teams as far away as Sonora and the Stockton Pencil Factory. The Mountain Ranch - Sheep Ranch team were known as the best ball players in the league.
As early as the 1850's there was baseball in the Motherlode. Bill Denig who ran the Pony Express in Calaveras County played on the Calaveritas Team. Joe Reem the Eldorado Blacksmith also played. Also Red Greve the local grocer. The Rodesino Family had some boys who played on the El Dorado Team. John Walker played, J.F. Bench, a local merchant, also played. The population of old El Dorado was 200 in 1863.
In the 1920's and 30's those teams continued to produce some very good ball players. During the second world war the baseball idea fell to the wayside. But in the late 1940's and 50's it took off again with famous players like Yogi Berra, Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, Pee Wee Reese, Stan Musial, Micky Mantle and others. In 1947 Jackie Robinson was allowed to play Major League Ball. Just so you will know about "Babe" Ruth, in 1920 he had 497 home runs, 1365 runs, 1240 walks and 795 strike outs.
The more sporting gents of Calaveras County have been known to place a wager on any sporting event. Anyone who would bet on a frog jumping would certainly not hesitate to put his money on the line for his favorite baseball teams
In the 1880's Mark Bean from Sheep Ranch was the first pitcher to throw a curve ball in the Foothill League. He had batters jumping in every direction trying to get out of the way of the ball and hit it too. John Canavera, foreman of the Sheep Ranch Mine also played ball.
In the early spring when the baseball field at Sheep Ranch was covered with grain the team practiced at Rigney Flat, sometimes called Martin Flat. In Mtn. Ranch, the games were held on the Domenghini property behind the General Store.
Louis Domenghini, Paul Lewis, Clyde Cuslidge, Mr. Spiney, Charlie Valente and Warren Scott were the most faithful players. H.R. Platte, general manager of the Sheep Ranch mine donated the uniforms for the local teams. Mr. D. Fricot was a big supporter of all local sporting events.
Norbert Mudd played catcher for many years. The Umpire was Arthur Tisher who played on the team in the old days.
Before the automobile invaded the Mother Lode country the Sheep Ranch team used the big wagon to travel the many miles to neighboring towns. On the return trips from San Andreas the ball team always stopped at the Old Mountain Ranch Hotel to have supper which was served by Emma Fillippini.
Calaveras County developed a very active softball league which is still very active today.
Mtn. Ranch's first softball team was organized in 1980 after the local park and baseball field was built.
Jim Bennet, Jerry Howard and Phil Alberts put a team together that played West Point, Railroad Flat, Moke Hill, San Andreas and Valley Springs.
Through the years our local team has always been in the top three. One year we even took first place in the League.
Phil Alberts has continued to sponsor, play, coach and keep the team going. Sam Smith has been the manager and coach for many years and we are ready for the coming season. Come watch a game!
Sunday, December 7, 2014
Friends and Neighbors We Lost This Year 2014
1. Delcolm Hypolite
2. Patricia Nunes
3. Dawn Hartwig
4. Ralph Fuente Jr.
5. Miles Metzger
6. Trenton Bumpus
7. Erma Mayo
8. Elliot “Cisco” Valderrama
9. Dale Ragain
10. Betty Lord
11. Terry Wayne Guyton
12. Roger M. Ardour
13. Jack Richmond
14. Elmer “Sonny” Smith
15. Gary Sisk
16. Margaret Dunham
17. Gary Maines
18. Vern Schath
19. Ruth Keever
20. Claudine Fowler
21. Carnation Bral
22. Sandra J. Cuen
23. Nola Johnson
2. Patricia Nunes
3. Dawn Hartwig
4. Ralph Fuente Jr.
5. Miles Metzger
6. Trenton Bumpus
7. Erma Mayo
8. Elliot “Cisco” Valderrama
9. Dale Ragain
10. Betty Lord
11. Terry Wayne Guyton
12. Roger M. Ardour
13. Jack Richmond
14. Elmer “Sonny” Smith
15. Gary Sisk
16. Margaret Dunham
17. Gary Maines
18. Vern Schath
19. Ruth Keever
20. Claudine Fowler
21. Carnation Bral
22. Sandra J. Cuen
23. Nola Johnson
We Remember Her
Her name was Emma and she died earlier this year giving birth to the most beautiful colt you ever saw.
The foal is named Emmitt, doing just fine, but we will miss his mother. That big draft mare who so gently gave all who knew her great pleasure.
THANKS to Curt Morefield for introducing Mtn. Ranch to this beautiful lady. We will miss her.
Santa's Helpers
Many local volunteers worked this past month getting ready for Santa.
We collected a generous donation from the Mtn. Ranch Community Club and the Mtn. Ranch Park Committee.Other large donations were received from Ken and Jackie Malvini, Florence Alberts, Martin at Senders Market, and many smaller donations from the generous people of Mtn. Ranch.
The Santa Committee prepared 60 large stockings which contained color books, crayons, puzzles, beanie babies, hot wheels and more.
Santa gave to all the good boys and girls on Dec. 13th at the Town Tree, following the famous Mtn. Ranch Christmas Parade.
Was it not the Best Tree EVER!!
The mayor’s office coordinated this event and he wishes to thank all who donated and volunteered.
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Little League Season
Our season has ended with a great job by both teams and their coaches.
Mike Sabelberg, E. Naski and Brian Fuller had a busy season getting all their rookies ready for baseball. Everyone had a great year and learned a lot about the game.
Allen Sender, Will Glover and Ole Gardina took their team to the sectionals in Tracy for a real baseball education, Great Year!!
We want to also thank those special people who donated to the Little League because this year the Park Committee and the Community Club told us there were no funds available this year like there has been for the past 30 years.
Special mention to Allen Sender and Phil Alberts for large donations to help buy the batting cage and other equipment.
We also want to thank:
Chuck and Linda Turner,
Bob Croft of Pumpco,
San Andreas Print Shop,
MRYA Resource Center,
and all those other volunteers for a great year.
Mike Sabelberg, E. Naski and Brian Fuller had a busy season getting all their rookies ready for baseball. Everyone had a great year and learned a lot about the game.
Allen Sender, Will Glover and Ole Gardina took their team to the sectionals in Tracy for a real baseball education, Great Year!!
We want to also thank those special people who donated to the Little League because this year the Park Committee and the Community Club told us there were no funds available this year like there has been for the past 30 years.
Special mention to Allen Sender and Phil Alberts for large donations to help buy the batting cage and other equipment.
We also want to thank:
Chuck and Linda Turner,
Bob Croft of Pumpco,
San Andreas Print Shop,
MRYA Resource Center,
and all those other volunteers for a great year.
Monday, July 14, 2014
Our Mens Team
To keep the Mountain Ranch Mens Softball Team in good shape for the coming season we called Sonora to see if we could play in their spring season. We thought this would be just the thing to get our team all tuned up.
Sonora said, “Sure, come over”, and they would teach the hillbilly Mountain Ranch how to play softball. So Sam Smith the manager and coach took Alberts’ Hitmen to Sonora.
So Alberts’ Hitmen, the Mountain Ranch slow pitch softball team, travels 46 miles to Sonora, CA, to play in Standard Parks Spring Rec League every Thursday night. The Hitmen started out this league undefeated until they faced “Make a Mends” who gave Hitmen their first loss, winning by one run, making Hitmen 5-1. The Hitmen went on to face “Maynard’s” the next Thursday getting beat by 8 runs which gave them their first real upset. This gave both teams a 7-2 record going into playoffs. When the record is the same going into playoffs it is down to counting runs to decide seeding. Maynard’s came out with 7 more runs, making then the 1st seed team and Hitmen 2nd seed.
June 12th marked the day for the playoffs for this Spring League and Championship game to follow. 1st seed to play 4th seed, and 2nd seed to play 3rd. Hitmen were to face SVP at 6:30 to be the first playoff game of the night. SVP was forced to forfeit because Standard Park rule is each team has 10 min. after original game to take the field, so lack of players by set time caused a forfeit. Therefore, the Hitmen moved on to the championship slot with an 8-2 record.
Maynard’s and Hitmen started this championship game battling from the very first inning trading leads throughout the first half of this game. Each team is allotted 7 home runs per game, and both teams hit 4 of the 7, until the Hitmen cam out banging in the 5th inning, blowing out 15 runs, going through their line-up twice, giving them the biggest lead of the game. The Hitmen are able to hold down Maynard’s, maintaining an 8 run lead to win the championship and making this game 2 hours long. This was an intense game filled with skill, dedication and competition from both teams. With a high scoring game like this you can tell winning the championship
didn’t come very easily for the Hitmen.
Sonora said, “Sure, come over”, and they would teach the hillbilly Mountain Ranch how to play softball. So Sam Smith the manager and coach took Alberts’ Hitmen to Sonora.
So Alberts’ Hitmen, the Mountain Ranch slow pitch softball team, travels 46 miles to Sonora, CA, to play in Standard Parks Spring Rec League every Thursday night. The Hitmen started out this league undefeated until they faced “Make a Mends” who gave Hitmen their first loss, winning by one run, making Hitmen 5-1. The Hitmen went on to face “Maynard’s” the next Thursday getting beat by 8 runs which gave them their first real upset. This gave both teams a 7-2 record going into playoffs. When the record is the same going into playoffs it is down to counting runs to decide seeding. Maynard’s came out with 7 more runs, making then the 1st seed team and Hitmen 2nd seed.
June 12th marked the day for the playoffs for this Spring League and Championship game to follow. 1st seed to play 4th seed, and 2nd seed to play 3rd. Hitmen were to face SVP at 6:30 to be the first playoff game of the night. SVP was forced to forfeit because Standard Park rule is each team has 10 min. after original game to take the field, so lack of players by set time caused a forfeit. Therefore, the Hitmen moved on to the championship slot with an 8-2 record.
Maynard’s and Hitmen started this championship game battling from the very first inning trading leads throughout the first half of this game. Each team is allotted 7 home runs per game, and both teams hit 4 of the 7, until the Hitmen cam out banging in the 5th inning, blowing out 15 runs, going through their line-up twice, giving them the biggest lead of the game. The Hitmen are able to hold down Maynard’s, maintaining an 8 run lead to win the championship and making this game 2 hours long. This was an intense game filled with skill, dedication and competition from both teams. With a high scoring game like this you can tell winning the championship
didn’t come very easily for the Hitmen.
The 156th Anniversary of our Post Office
The first post office in this area of Calaveras County was at Double Springs in 1851. This building was shipped over here from China made of camphor wood. It also was the first court house of Calaveras County. The building has been restored at the museum in San Andreas. Later that same year Moke Hill opened their post office.
Third Crossing opened in 1852 followed by San Andreas in 1854.
Fourth Crossing in 1855 and closer to home was Mill Valley which was located on Whiskey Slide Road where it crosses Jesus Maria Creek. locals have known this as the Sharp Ranch.
Railroad Flat opened in 1857 and Mountain Ranch in 1858. Also Poverty Flat in 1858 which was north of town.
Sheep ranch in 1877, Glencoe in 1878 and Cave City in 1883. As you can see a great many of these post offices opened with the discovery of a good gold claim, opened very quickly and died just as fast. Only 5 of the 12 locations are still in operation.
Things changed very quickly in the early gold rush days as you can see.
The first post office in Mountain Ranch, which was located one mile north of the present town of Mountain Ranch, was established on July 30th, 1858. John McKeon was the first postmaster. The net proceeds for 1858 were $2.33. Mr. McKeon’s compensation was $7.31. A profitable first year? William H. Holmes became postmaster on July 29th, 1861.
In 1868 the post office was moved from Mountain Ranch to El Dorado. They could not name this post office El Dorado because there already was a post office with this name in El Dorado County, so the name Mountain Ranch was moved with the post office.
With this move old Mountain Ranch again became a private residence and a ranch and the town of El Dorado then became known as Mountain Ranch.
Bartalmo Dughi became postmaster on July 6, 1868. The Dughi building is now a private residence where Judy and Frank Brockman live, considered by most historians as one of the finest buildings still in use in the Mother Lode. Giovanni Rodesino was postmaster on Nov. 20, 1888. This was in the two story building that later became Senders Market which burned down on Christmas morning in 1968. The new Senders Market is located on the same spot.
The post office was then in Joe Devoto’s home and he became postmaster on May 25, 1894. His house was next to the Dughi building and it still stands today as the Lutheran Church. This half house, sometimes called a Flounder house, is the oldest wooden building in Mountain Ranch.
Mrs. Jennie Devoto Koen, Joe’s sister, then became postmaster on Jan. 22, 1906. As a clerk and postmaster she worked for the department for 27 years. Mrs. Koen died March 27, 1967 at the age of 94.
A small eight-by-ten-foot building was built April 5th, 1923 by James Javeaux and John Zwinge from lumber purchased from Fred Leidecker of Mountain Ranch. This building was built at the corner of Garabaldi and Washington Streets. May E. Javeaux was postmaster here in the world’s smallest post office from March 2, 1923 until Feb. 6th, 1956. Mrs. Javeaux then retired after 33 years of service.
Today you can see the world’s smallest post office on display here in town.
In a story published in the Washington D.C. Star, it was stated that May E. Javeaux claimed that the office served 250 patrons and was the smallest in the country. No challengers to the title ever disputed this claim.
On Dec. 22, 1956, last-day cancellations were made in the historic “toy-like” post office.
Virginia Butterfield became postmaster in the new enlarged building on Feb. 6th 1956. This building is also on display next to the world’s smallest post office on Washington Street in downtown Mountain Ranch.
In 1982 the new enlarged post office was built to accommodate the population increase plus the closing of the Sheep Ranch post office.
Luellan Del Papa was the post master at that time and there has been a series of post masters ever since.
Luellan retired in 1990 and will be remembered as the last of the old time public servants. Over 300 people attended her retirement party at the Mountain Ranch Park.
Wally Matlock has put together a very interesting display of the story of post offices in Calaveras County which is at the Mountain Ranch Post Office for your viewing pleasure. We now have 5 buildings on Washington Street in Mountain Ranch that are or have been a Post Office and one building that no longer exists. We believe there is not another town in CA that can make that claim.
Third Crossing opened in 1852 followed by San Andreas in 1854.
Fourth Crossing in 1855 and closer to home was Mill Valley which was located on Whiskey Slide Road where it crosses Jesus Maria Creek. locals have known this as the Sharp Ranch.
Railroad Flat opened in 1857 and Mountain Ranch in 1858. Also Poverty Flat in 1858 which was north of town.
Sheep ranch in 1877, Glencoe in 1878 and Cave City in 1883. As you can see a great many of these post offices opened with the discovery of a good gold claim, opened very quickly and died just as fast. Only 5 of the 12 locations are still in operation.
Things changed very quickly in the early gold rush days as you can see.
The first post office in Mountain Ranch, which was located one mile north of the present town of Mountain Ranch, was established on July 30th, 1858. John McKeon was the first postmaster. The net proceeds for 1858 were $2.33. Mr. McKeon’s compensation was $7.31. A profitable first year? William H. Holmes became postmaster on July 29th, 1861.
In 1868 the post office was moved from Mountain Ranch to El Dorado. They could not name this post office El Dorado because there already was a post office with this name in El Dorado County, so the name Mountain Ranch was moved with the post office.
With this move old Mountain Ranch again became a private residence and a ranch and the town of El Dorado then became known as Mountain Ranch.
Bartalmo Dughi became postmaster on July 6, 1868. The Dughi building is now a private residence where Judy and Frank Brockman live, considered by most historians as one of the finest buildings still in use in the Mother Lode. Giovanni Rodesino was postmaster on Nov. 20, 1888. This was in the two story building that later became Senders Market which burned down on Christmas morning in 1968. The new Senders Market is located on the same spot.
The post office was then in Joe Devoto’s home and he became postmaster on May 25, 1894. His house was next to the Dughi building and it still stands today as the Lutheran Church. This half house, sometimes called a Flounder house, is the oldest wooden building in Mountain Ranch.
Mrs. Jennie Devoto Koen, Joe’s sister, then became postmaster on Jan. 22, 1906. As a clerk and postmaster she worked for the department for 27 years. Mrs. Koen died March 27, 1967 at the age of 94.
A small eight-by-ten-foot building was built April 5th, 1923 by James Javeaux and John Zwinge from lumber purchased from Fred Leidecker of Mountain Ranch. This building was built at the corner of Garabaldi and Washington Streets. May E. Javeaux was postmaster here in the world’s smallest post office from March 2, 1923 until Feb. 6th, 1956. Mrs. Javeaux then retired after 33 years of service.
Today you can see the world’s smallest post office on display here in town.
In a story published in the Washington D.C. Star, it was stated that May E. Javeaux claimed that the office served 250 patrons and was the smallest in the country. No challengers to the title ever disputed this claim.
On Dec. 22, 1956, last-day cancellations were made in the historic “toy-like” post office.
Virginia Butterfield became postmaster in the new enlarged building on Feb. 6th 1956. This building is also on display next to the world’s smallest post office on Washington Street in downtown Mountain Ranch.
In 1982 the new enlarged post office was built to accommodate the population increase plus the closing of the Sheep Ranch post office.
Luellan Del Papa was the post master at that time and there has been a series of post masters ever since.
Luellan retired in 1990 and will be remembered as the last of the old time public servants. Over 300 people attended her retirement party at the Mountain Ranch Park.
Wally Matlock has put together a very interesting display of the story of post offices in Calaveras County which is at the Mountain Ranch Post Office for your viewing pleasure. We now have 5 buildings on Washington Street in Mountain Ranch that are or have been a Post Office and one building that no longer exists. We believe there is not another town in CA that can make that claim.
Our Churches
Mounain Ranch is one of the few towns in the Motherlode that did not build a church but at one time there was a Temperance Hall. It stood between the present Senders Market and the Mountain Ranch Dance Hall. It was made of adobe and stone. It was built about 1860 and after the roof caved in, the building was torn down in the early 1920‘s.
Paul Lewis said that when he left Mountain Ranch to join the army in 1917 there was a Temperance Hall located next to the dance hall and when he returned from the war in 1920 that building
was a saloon.
It had a large mulberry tree and a 20 foot hitching rail in front that was removed at the same time. The picket fence has long ago vanished also. At one time in the early days, Mountain Ranch was known throughout the county for its picket fences. Most every house and lot in town was bordered by these unusual fences. You can still see some of these old fences today around the old Mountain Ranch hotel, at the Domenghini house and in old photos of town.
Ira Sanford, a relative of Mrs. Francis Devoto, held Devotional services in the schoolhouse in 1915. This was the beginning of the Mountain Ranch Community Sunday School.
Later a lay-minister, a Mr. Wilely, would help hold services. During the 1920‘s Mrs. Babcook, Mrs. Devoto (then Mrs. George Hatch) and her sister, Mrs. Joe Josephsen held Sunday School classes.
When Mrs. William Kidwell came to Mountain Ranch, she at once took an active part in the work. Mrs. Carl Howard, a long-time supporter of the Sunday School was then Superintendent.
The Gipsons moved to San Andreas, the Wolfes to Rail Road Flat, so Mrs. Kidwell and Mrs. Howard, though feeling very inadequate at times, carried on.
Later Mrs. Viola Lindsay and Mrs. Bradford joined in and these four ladies continue to give their time to our children.
The benches came from the old Catholic Church in San Andreas. The piano and hymn books were from a Stockton Church.
Not many things in this world are for certain, but always there is Sunday School... in Mountain Ranch on Sunday morning, and still is today.
A Brief History of Mountain Ranch Community Church
In 1948, a Reverend Jackson started what became known as MRCC (Mountain Ranch Community Church). Mrs. Howard related that Rev. Jackson had the folks build a small building near the intersection of Mountain Ranch Road and Sheep Ranch Road. The building was completed and services were held there for a short time. Then, as Mrs. Howard related the story, folks showed up for church one Sunday morning and the building and the Reverend were nowhere to be found. Even with the shock of the leadership disappearing and the loss of the small building, the faithful nucleus moved into the Mountain Ranch School House. Sunday School was regularly held and taught by Thelma Howard and Thelma Thompson. Both of these women were instrumental in establishing the church where it is today.
The School House was sold in 1955 and the ladies moved the Sunday school to the small house across from Sender’s Market known as the Tisher Building. In 1967, the group enlisted the leadership of Wes Andahl. Services for the members of MRCC were held at various facilities within the community. The Town Hall was utilized at times, especially for special holidays and events, as well as other local facilities. But the little building across from Sender’s was to be their prime location until Easter Sunday, 1981, when they held services for the first time in the new facilities on the corner of Whiskey Slide and East Murray Creek Road. The site of two acres of land that was donated by Ralph and Mary Norris, and re-zoned so the building could begin.
The Mountain Ranch Community Church building was dedicated November 21, 1982. It is the first building in Mountain Ranch built specifically for worship services. It was completed by volunteer labor and money raising projects. Mrs. Elda McLaughlin of Mountain Ranch was appointed chairperson of the building fundraising projects, and was assisted by many church members and local residents.
Mr. and Mrs. Norris planned and directed a steak dinner fundraiser on January 14, 1977. Mr. and Mrs. Mayo generously offered their Ranch Kitchen Restaurant for the dinner. Many others gave of their time, talents and treasures to make the dinner a success. Local news reported over 250 people attended the dinner. As preliminary work began on the church building site a spaghetti fundraising dinner was planned on April 7, 1977. Entertainment included a popular Modesto quartet called the Gradual Spread. Many other fundraising events and individual sponsors helped in raising the funds necessary to complete the building debt free.
Pastor Andahl was pastor of the church for 18 years. During that time the church grew and even opened a private school for a brief period of time. Pastor George Arnold assumed the leadership of the small flock until his retirement in the early 1990‘s. For several years the church had an interim pastor, Barry Carrol, until they interviewed and voted on their new permanent pastor, Al Hass and his wife, Ann. Pastor Al has served with the membership for 18 years now. During this time the church attendance grew and the congregation went from one service on Sundays to two services. Discussions regarding a new facility or expanding the present facility led the congregation to start a new church in San Andreas, Cornerstone Community Church of the Sierras pastored by Len Nicholson and his wife Karen. They are presently in a facility on Main Street in San Andreas and growing. Part of the plan was to relieve our crowded facility by having as many members join the new church as wanted. Thus, the members in Mountain Ranch were able to go back to one service on Sunday and start filling the church sanctuary again with new families. In all of that process a new school was established as part of the church’s mission statement and purpose. Kingsway Learning Center is now finishing up it’s fifth year in operation. Through the efforts of the congregation, the support of the community, and God’s blessings, many lives continue to be touched.
From the foundation’s early years to the present day, the learning curve has been at times gentle and other times very steep. Mountain Ranch Community Church remains a place open to all in the community. It remains a place of hope where all of the community can come for assistance, to be encouraged, to find people struggling with life just like they are.
Brief History of the Mountain Ranch Lutheran Church
This structure, which houses the Mountain Ranch Lutheran Church, is known to be the oldest “wooden” building in Mountain Ranch.
Soon after locating near Mountain Ranch in 1965, Bernie Carroll, a native of Cambridge, Mass., spotted a “half house” in the heart of downtown Mountain Ranch. It reminded him of the “Flounder” houses he had known as a boy.
In Phil Albert’s “A History of Mountain Ranch” (1967) the half house is plainly evident on the stoop of the Mountain Ranch Community Club. This building is described as the old Devoto Building located on the corner of Washington St. and Blacksmith St. Benidito Devoto came to Calaveras County in the 1860‘s from Italy around the horn in a clipper ship. With the help of his sons Joe and Cuneo, the residence/post office was built which became son Joe Devoto’s home. Joe also became postmaster in 1894. The sons exchanged work for lumber from Wiggins Sawmill on Jesus Maria Creek.
The history of the Mountain Ranch Lutheran Church began when three Lutheran families purchased properties southwest of Mountain Ranch. Later on, Faith Lutheran Church in Murphys shared their pastor for early Sunday a.m. services. These services were first held in the basement of the Bendix home, then for a very brief time they met in the old Tisher house. After another move to the Mountain Ranch Community Club, the Church moved again to Phil and Florence Albert’s new wareroom, which became our “church room” for many years.
We used what was available... like Florence’s mother’s picnic table for an altar and heavy cardboard boxes that were crafted into a lectern. Wooden folding chairs and old hymnals were provided by Faith Lutheran Church in Murphys. A bread basket was used for offerings. And last but not least, the Conn organ was loaned to the church by the Bendix Family. And so it was, Mountain Ranch Lutheran Church.
In 1984, several pieces of church furniture made by a local cabinetmaker appeared. A light-oak altar replaced the picnic table and an oak pulpit replaced the portable lectern. A cabinet for hanging paraments and vestments from Rev. Gary Bendix’s congregation in Idaho. An oak baptismal font was a gift from the Carroll family.
Later on and until we moved into the remodeled and restored Devoto residence, an assortment of gifts crafted from Oregon myrtle-wood were given to the Church in memory of Florence’s mother, Alice Rilea who passed away in 1986. The hymn board was hand made by Bill Foster and the altar Bible is a gift from the Idaho congregation of Rev. Gary Bendix in memory of his father. The keyboard that we now enjoy was a gift from Lloyd and Lillian Bechtel of Stockton, associate members.
Above the altar is a stained glass window created by Florence Albert’s daughter, Marlene. The stained glass window in the back of the nave was crafted and contributed by a former member, after he moved to Arizona.
Erich Youhiem was interim pastor for 2 years. It was January of 1998 when George Massingill accepted the call to serve as our minister. After alterations the old Devoto building lent itself remarkably well to our needs and soon became our chapel for worship services.
Max Bendix departed from this life in January 1998. His wife Olga followed soon after. We cannot forget that they were the founders of our congregation. After Olga’s demise, the property was deeded over to Mountain Ranch Lutheran Church. we pray that the cluster of white crosses depicting the Holy Trinity, installed by Art Bjorge, Leroy Dodge and John Grizzel, will serve as a call for many to come and worship.
Rev. Douglas Merritt was installed in November 2001. We assure the community that the old half-house - Mountain Ranch’s own Flounder - has been well taken care of and with your help will be preserved as a historical and architectural curiosity for years to come. It stands in the heart of Mountain Ranch and reaches out to all.
These histories of our churches was written together by Pastor Al Hass, Evelyn Carrol and Phil Alberts.
Paul Lewis said that when he left Mountain Ranch to join the army in 1917 there was a Temperance Hall located next to the dance hall and when he returned from the war in 1920 that building
was a saloon.
It had a large mulberry tree and a 20 foot hitching rail in front that was removed at the same time. The picket fence has long ago vanished also. At one time in the early days, Mountain Ranch was known throughout the county for its picket fences. Most every house and lot in town was bordered by these unusual fences. You can still see some of these old fences today around the old Mountain Ranch hotel, at the Domenghini house and in old photos of town.
Ira Sanford, a relative of Mrs. Francis Devoto, held Devotional services in the schoolhouse in 1915. This was the beginning of the Mountain Ranch Community Sunday School.
Later a lay-minister, a Mr. Wilely, would help hold services. During the 1920‘s Mrs. Babcook, Mrs. Devoto (then Mrs. George Hatch) and her sister, Mrs. Joe Josephsen held Sunday School classes.
When Mrs. William Kidwell came to Mountain Ranch, she at once took an active part in the work. Mrs. Carl Howard, a long-time supporter of the Sunday School was then Superintendent.
The Gipsons moved to San Andreas, the Wolfes to Rail Road Flat, so Mrs. Kidwell and Mrs. Howard, though feeling very inadequate at times, carried on.
Later Mrs. Viola Lindsay and Mrs. Bradford joined in and these four ladies continue to give their time to our children.
The benches came from the old Catholic Church in San Andreas. The piano and hymn books were from a Stockton Church.
Not many things in this world are for certain, but always there is Sunday School... in Mountain Ranch on Sunday morning, and still is today.
A Brief History of Mountain Ranch Community Church
In 1948, a Reverend Jackson started what became known as MRCC (Mountain Ranch Community Church). Mrs. Howard related that Rev. Jackson had the folks build a small building near the intersection of Mountain Ranch Road and Sheep Ranch Road. The building was completed and services were held there for a short time. Then, as Mrs. Howard related the story, folks showed up for church one Sunday morning and the building and the Reverend were nowhere to be found. Even with the shock of the leadership disappearing and the loss of the small building, the faithful nucleus moved into the Mountain Ranch School House. Sunday School was regularly held and taught by Thelma Howard and Thelma Thompson. Both of these women were instrumental in establishing the church where it is today.
The School House was sold in 1955 and the ladies moved the Sunday school to the small house across from Sender’s Market known as the Tisher Building. In 1967, the group enlisted the leadership of Wes Andahl. Services for the members of MRCC were held at various facilities within the community. The Town Hall was utilized at times, especially for special holidays and events, as well as other local facilities. But the little building across from Sender’s was to be their prime location until Easter Sunday, 1981, when they held services for the first time in the new facilities on the corner of Whiskey Slide and East Murray Creek Road. The site of two acres of land that was donated by Ralph and Mary Norris, and re-zoned so the building could begin.
The Mountain Ranch Community Church building was dedicated November 21, 1982. It is the first building in Mountain Ranch built specifically for worship services. It was completed by volunteer labor and money raising projects. Mrs. Elda McLaughlin of Mountain Ranch was appointed chairperson of the building fundraising projects, and was assisted by many church members and local residents.
Mr. and Mrs. Norris planned and directed a steak dinner fundraiser on January 14, 1977. Mr. and Mrs. Mayo generously offered their Ranch Kitchen Restaurant for the dinner. Many others gave of their time, talents and treasures to make the dinner a success. Local news reported over 250 people attended the dinner. As preliminary work began on the church building site a spaghetti fundraising dinner was planned on April 7, 1977. Entertainment included a popular Modesto quartet called the Gradual Spread. Many other fundraising events and individual sponsors helped in raising the funds necessary to complete the building debt free.
Pastor Andahl was pastor of the church for 18 years. During that time the church grew and even opened a private school for a brief period of time. Pastor George Arnold assumed the leadership of the small flock until his retirement in the early 1990‘s. For several years the church had an interim pastor, Barry Carrol, until they interviewed and voted on their new permanent pastor, Al Hass and his wife, Ann. Pastor Al has served with the membership for 18 years now. During this time the church attendance grew and the congregation went from one service on Sundays to two services. Discussions regarding a new facility or expanding the present facility led the congregation to start a new church in San Andreas, Cornerstone Community Church of the Sierras pastored by Len Nicholson and his wife Karen. They are presently in a facility on Main Street in San Andreas and growing. Part of the plan was to relieve our crowded facility by having as many members join the new church as wanted. Thus, the members in Mountain Ranch were able to go back to one service on Sunday and start filling the church sanctuary again with new families. In all of that process a new school was established as part of the church’s mission statement and purpose. Kingsway Learning Center is now finishing up it’s fifth year in operation. Through the efforts of the congregation, the support of the community, and God’s blessings, many lives continue to be touched.
From the foundation’s early years to the present day, the learning curve has been at times gentle and other times very steep. Mountain Ranch Community Church remains a place open to all in the community. It remains a place of hope where all of the community can come for assistance, to be encouraged, to find people struggling with life just like they are.
Brief History of the Mountain Ranch Lutheran Church
This structure, which houses the Mountain Ranch Lutheran Church, is known to be the oldest “wooden” building in Mountain Ranch.
Soon after locating near Mountain Ranch in 1965, Bernie Carroll, a native of Cambridge, Mass., spotted a “half house” in the heart of downtown Mountain Ranch. It reminded him of the “Flounder” houses he had known as a boy.
In Phil Albert’s “A History of Mountain Ranch” (1967) the half house is plainly evident on the stoop of the Mountain Ranch Community Club. This building is described as the old Devoto Building located on the corner of Washington St. and Blacksmith St. Benidito Devoto came to Calaveras County in the 1860‘s from Italy around the horn in a clipper ship. With the help of his sons Joe and Cuneo, the residence/post office was built which became son Joe Devoto’s home. Joe also became postmaster in 1894. The sons exchanged work for lumber from Wiggins Sawmill on Jesus Maria Creek.
The history of the Mountain Ranch Lutheran Church began when three Lutheran families purchased properties southwest of Mountain Ranch. Later on, Faith Lutheran Church in Murphys shared their pastor for early Sunday a.m. services. These services were first held in the basement of the Bendix home, then for a very brief time they met in the old Tisher house. After another move to the Mountain Ranch Community Club, the Church moved again to Phil and Florence Albert’s new wareroom, which became our “church room” for many years.
We used what was available... like Florence’s mother’s picnic table for an altar and heavy cardboard boxes that were crafted into a lectern. Wooden folding chairs and old hymnals were provided by Faith Lutheran Church in Murphys. A bread basket was used for offerings. And last but not least, the Conn organ was loaned to the church by the Bendix Family. And so it was, Mountain Ranch Lutheran Church.
In 1984, several pieces of church furniture made by a local cabinetmaker appeared. A light-oak altar replaced the picnic table and an oak pulpit replaced the portable lectern. A cabinet for hanging paraments and vestments from Rev. Gary Bendix’s congregation in Idaho. An oak baptismal font was a gift from the Carroll family.
Later on and until we moved into the remodeled and restored Devoto residence, an assortment of gifts crafted from Oregon myrtle-wood were given to the Church in memory of Florence’s mother, Alice Rilea who passed away in 1986. The hymn board was hand made by Bill Foster and the altar Bible is a gift from the Idaho congregation of Rev. Gary Bendix in memory of his father. The keyboard that we now enjoy was a gift from Lloyd and Lillian Bechtel of Stockton, associate members.
Above the altar is a stained glass window created by Florence Albert’s daughter, Marlene. The stained glass window in the back of the nave was crafted and contributed by a former member, after he moved to Arizona.
Erich Youhiem was interim pastor for 2 years. It was January of 1998 when George Massingill accepted the call to serve as our minister. After alterations the old Devoto building lent itself remarkably well to our needs and soon became our chapel for worship services.
Max Bendix departed from this life in January 1998. His wife Olga followed soon after. We cannot forget that they were the founders of our congregation. After Olga’s demise, the property was deeded over to Mountain Ranch Lutheran Church. we pray that the cluster of white crosses depicting the Holy Trinity, installed by Art Bjorge, Leroy Dodge and John Grizzel, will serve as a call for many to come and worship.
Rev. Douglas Merritt was installed in November 2001. We assure the community that the old half-house - Mountain Ranch’s own Flounder - has been well taken care of and with your help will be preserved as a historical and architectural curiosity for years to come. It stands in the heart of Mountain Ranch and reaches out to all.
These histories of our churches was written together by Pastor Al Hass, Evelyn Carrol and Phil Alberts.
Two For One
Last week's Little League major game here in Mountain Ranch coached by Mike Sabelberg was a special game, even though we did not win. Pauline, the coach’s wife had all the team members present a birthday cake to Cameron Sabelberg. And because he was born on his great grandfather’s birthday, both teams gathered after the game and sang Happy Birthday to Cameron and Phil Alberts led by 3 Dog Dan, Little League’s only public address announcer in Calaveras County.
Hot dogs and cake were served to all. A special day at our park, even the spectators joined in on the festivities.
Have you been to the park lately? It is in very good shape. Why not come help us keep it in shape?
Mountain Ranch LOGO and MOTTO
A few years ago our local long-time resident Ted Fenner had the brainstorm of finding a Mountain Ranch logo. Where he got that idea, we never knew. Not knowing where to go or to whom to consult, but after talking to nearly everyone he ran into including local real estate agents and our increasing crop of resident artists, a contest was born and our own Cate Culver won by presenting this as our local logo.
It was perfect but not very well shown throughout the community. Now we want to make it available to everyone. This is your logo, use it.
We also have a motto for Mountain Ranch:
Abraham Lincoln said, “I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives.”
Jerry Yates said, “You are one lucky S.O.B. to live in Mountain Ranch!”
Mark Twain said, “To live is to be lucky.”
Phil said, and we are not quite sure where he got it, “If you are lucky enough to live in Mountain Ranch, you are lucky enough!”
Now when someone complains about Mountain Ranch, you can quote our motto.
So remember, if you are lucky enough to live in Mountain Ranch, you are lucky enough!
The Great Oak Tree Murder
It was not a dark and stormy night, it was a bright blue sky day. As the appointed time grew near, the witnesses to this horrible event started to gather.
The doers of this dirty deed appeared out of nowhere as they surrounded the intended victim. The crowd slowly sunk back across the street waiting for the first silent scream.
Small pieces fell to earth little by little with little respect for its life long contributions to the comm’‘’unity. As the larger parcels begin to fall the instigators of this unfortunate event slowly moved to the back of the crowd that had gathered to witness this dastardly deed as if they were not sure the correct decision had been made.
As the last chunk hit the ground you could feel the sadness in the air. The despair of the moment was like a cloud over the small crowd that by now was standing silent.
No longer will little children frolic within the shade of this Mother Oak, little girls will no longer set up their tea for the dolls, little boys will never climb among its protecting branches, old ladies will never rock and knit under its protecting branches.
The event of this day will go down in history as one of the saddest days the Ghost from Dirty Gulch has ever witnessed.
Old men will never again lean against its comforting trunk and tell tales of the days of yore. That frustrated mother Elvira bird must look for a new home to raise her young and that lively gray squirrel Melvin who had so much fun running up and down must now move on to unfamiliar territory.
The jury of that twenty seven who voted guilty completely ignored the petition signed by 126 concerned citizens
The investigation into this tragic event will continue until all facts are presented to the citizens of the village.
One of the beauties of Mountain Ranch is gone now, but the rich memories of what was remains. We have had our moment in time, and while some may go on forever, others must be content to be memories of the past.
So it is with this small and unforgettable memory.
The doers of this dirty deed appeared out of nowhere as they surrounded the intended victim. The crowd slowly sunk back across the street waiting for the first silent scream.
Small pieces fell to earth little by little with little respect for its life long contributions to the comm’‘’unity. As the larger parcels begin to fall the instigators of this unfortunate event slowly moved to the back of the crowd that had gathered to witness this dastardly deed as if they were not sure the correct decision had been made.
As the last chunk hit the ground you could feel the sadness in the air. The despair of the moment was like a cloud over the small crowd that by now was standing silent.
No longer will little children frolic within the shade of this Mother Oak, little girls will no longer set up their tea for the dolls, little boys will never climb among its protecting branches, old ladies will never rock and knit under its protecting branches.
The event of this day will go down in history as one of the saddest days the Ghost from Dirty Gulch has ever witnessed.
Old men will never again lean against its comforting trunk and tell tales of the days of yore. That frustrated mother Elvira bird must look for a new home to raise her young and that lively gray squirrel Melvin who had so much fun running up and down must now move on to unfamiliar territory.
The jury of that twenty seven who voted guilty completely ignored the petition signed by 126 concerned citizens
The investigation into this tragic event will continue until all facts are presented to the citizens of the village.
One of the beauties of Mountain Ranch is gone now, but the rich memories of what was remains. We have had our moment in time, and while some may go on forever, others must be content to be memories of the past.
So it is with this small and unforgettable memory.
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