For some of us, it’s a couple days past the deadline to get our quarterly tax payments postmarked.
For the rest of you wage monkeys, it’s time to don a huge smile, check the cinches and swing a (one and one only) leg over the saddle and mosey back through our trail ride into local history.
We’ve some interesting vistas ahead, including a visit by the real World War II ace, Pappy Boyington.
I just found out an interesting land deal that took place 100 years back. Then, we’ve got the usual smatterings of critters, bad guys, dumb criminals, dumber commissions and a hapless cowpoke who didn’t know how to properly use a horse.
I make eye contact with all of you when I say this: “WE know how to properly use a horse, don’t we?”
WAY, WAY BACK WHEN
OILS WELL THAT ENDS WELL — While the Civil War was raging, Benjamin Silliman Jr., professor of chemistry at Yale University, was out snooping around in Newhall back in 1864. Ben was looking for oil and he found plenty of it. This launched a big oil boom in 1870-1900 with it picking up decade after decade. Prior to the turn of the century, there were stories about entire herds of cattle drowning in lakes of oil on Newhall Ranch. It sure helped sell stock shares. That would be oil stock shares.
Silliman found there already was an oil entrepreneur living in the Santa Clarita Valley. A Mr. Gilbert refined oil and sold it to the various grape growers to lubricate their big wooden axles.
Actually, Gilbert came very close to putting California on the map before Pennsylvania as America’s first oil exporting state. Gilbert sold 100 barrels to Brooklyn businessman A.C. Ferris. Ferris shipped the oil down to Panama, where it was carried by mule to the East Coast. Ferris found he was losing money already, so left the 100 barrels in Panama.
AND NARY A SINGLE HOA ON THE HORIZON THEN — On Jan. 15, 1875, Henry Mayo Newhall buys Rancho San Francisco — that would be the entire SCV.
THAT’LL BE THREE OUR FATHERS, 10 HAIL MARYS AND 50 PUSH-UPS — On Jan. 17, 1915, the Catholic Parish Mission Church was dedicated.
MISS YOU, SCOTTY!! — On Jan. 20, 1914, the larger-than-life. swashbuckling former editor and owner of The Mighty Signal, little Scott Newhall was born in San Francisco.
WHEN NEWHALL WAS SAUGUS — OK. This is confusing. The Newhall Post Office was established in Campton’s General store on Jan. 16, 1877, months after Newhall was founded — in Saugus. Yup. It’s true. The community of Newhall first started where the Saugus Cafe sits today.
WHEN NEWHALL WAS NEWHALL — One year shy a day later, on Jan. 15, 1878, the brand-new town of Newhall relocated about 2 miles down the road to around present-day 6th Street and Railroad Avenue. No water, in case you were wondering.
JANUARY 17, 1926
OUR PROHIBITIONIST LAND BARON — We’ve often visited with Henry Clay Needham, one of the 20th century’s biggest mucky mucks. Newhall’s Needham is most famous for being a thrice-failed candidate for the presidency and once as governor. The nationally famous Prohibitionist candidate had a big spread off Sierra Highway, near present-day Eternal Valley. But what few knew was that he also owned thousands of acres of land spread across this valley. On this date, Needham was $127,000 richer when he sold 1,272 acres in San Francisquito Canyon. The land was bought by famed movie star Harry Carey and adjoined his ranch. That just about doubled Carey’s spread to 2,500 acres.
A BAD YEAR FOR A ROOKIE COP — Prohibition was the law of the land, but that didn’t stop a drunk named Marsh from cracking three of Johnny Seltzer’s ribs. The Newhall constable had tried to stop Marsh from driving off by jumping on his running board. Instead of stopping, the driver pushed the lawman off. One of Seltzer’s lungs was punctured. Poor Seltzer. He had more than his share of woe crammed into a few months. In June 1925, as a rookie to the force, he accidentally killed his mentor, the legendary lawman Jack Pilcher. Seltzer’s gun fell out of his pocket, hit the ground and the bullet went right between his mentor’s eyes.
THE FIRST DOC SAVAGE — A century ago, the first Newhall Emergency Hospital held their grand opening. Head physician? Doc Savage. Nope. Not the comic book/novel hero. Just Dr. Savage. Drat. I don’t have a first name for the young doctor yet, but when I do, I’ll pass it along. Oh. By the way. The new ward had an impressive facility of 10 beds, operating room, kitchen and other amenities. A Mrs. Kidder and her sister were the nurses. The hospital was at the corner of modern day 6th and Main and today, it’s still a medical building.
JANUARY 17, 1936
ASPARAGUS ASPIRATIONS — The old Union Ranch used to sit between Saugus and Newhall, off present-day Newhall Avenue. On this date, an 80-year-old Chinese man nicknamed July Jo, aka, the Asparagus King, leased it to grow, well. Asparagus. Mr. Jo grew more asparagus than anyone in Southern California. If you wonder why asparagus is so expensive, the crop takes three years to mature.
GOLD IN THEM THAR ACTONS — Gold was a staple of the SCV economy during the 1930s. On this date, the Governor mine up in Acton offered a big strike, with ore assaying out at a rich $700 a ton.
JANUARY 17, 1946
WHEN PAPPY BOYINGTON VISITED NEWHALL — This is one of the more ironic anecdotes of history. A few decades back, they used to film the TV series, “Black Sheep Squadron,” out at the old motorcycle park, Indian Dunes, near Highway 126. It starred Robert Conrad as the ace World War II fighter pilot, Pappy Boyington. Here’s an amazing one: The REAL Marine Lt. Col. Boyington showed up in Judge Art Miller’s 8th Street home on this date on his honeymoon. Pappy set the world on its ear when instead of marrying a tabloid divorcee, he showed up in Newhall with a brand new surprise bride. As The Mighty Signal reported 80 years ago: “Pappy showed up with the lovely, undulating Mrs. Frances Baker, Los Angeles and San Francisco divorcee, as blonde as honey.” Miller, by the way, was also Pappy’s friend and attorney. The Black Sheep leader earned fame during the war for downing 27 Japanese planes in aerial combat. What made this more amazing was most folks thought Pappy was engaged to wealthy matron, Mrs. Lucy Malcomson, who was rather “shocked” at the Pap’s sudden matrimony — to another woman.
VAYA CON DIOS, ELLEN — The valley’s oldest resident, Ellen Warren, died on this date. She was 94. Mrs. Warren had lived in Newhall since 1914 and lived with our famed medic, Dr. Sarah Murray, during her last years.
SNAKES 1, HORSEYS, 0 — Bertha “Ma” Sloan of Sloan Canyon lost a pony. Poor little critter got bit fatally by a rattler. That’d be the poisonous snake. Not the Honby BBQ palace …
JANUARY 17, 1956
THE JANUARY FATHER & SON LOSS — Long-time pioneer Bailey Haskell went to his reward at the beginning of 2005. A half-century back on this date, his father, Frederick, died. Fred homesteaded the Saugus canyon that still bears his name today. The farmer came to Newhall in 1895 at the age of 19.
THE HAZARDS OF COWBOYING ON FOOT — Forget fresh air, plenty of exercise and the simple life: Ranching can be hazardous to your health. I’d say, “Just ask Eckell D. Householder up Mint Canyon way,” but I can’t. Eckell died of a heart attack while chasing a calf. I might point out ol’ Eckell was a retired carpenter who always wanted his own ranch. Seems no one ever told him that it’s easier to chase cattle while on horseback. Eck was on foot when he keeled over dead.
FORGIVE ME FOR WHAT I’M ABOUT TO TYPE — I always thought I was a better man than this, but evidently, I’m not. On this date, Archie E. Joint died. Archie was the manager of Tip’s restaurant. Yup. Mr. Joint ran a burger joint.
RE: THAT ABOVE ITEM? — I wouldn’t hold it against you if you sort of reined your pony a few yards starboard and pulled your bandanas up and over your noses …
JANUARY 17, 1966
SCV HISTORY’S MOST SPLENDIFEROUS CAR SALESMAN — For 26 years, flamboyant cowboy and car salesman Loren Clymore ran the local Ford dealership on then-San Fernando Road (today, Main Street). On this date, Hugh Johnson bought the franchise.
MUST HAVE BEEN A SLOW NEWS DAY — On this date, a front-page story on Your Mighty Signal detailed how two Canyon Country citizens regular communicated telepathically with spirits from other planets. Not that I’m defending the veracity of the news worthiness or reporting, but, in our defense, this WAS before the days of cell phones.
JANUARY 17, 1976
DYE, VALENCIA!! DYE!!! — Residents of the brand-new community of Valencia were greeted with a mysterious red fog that stained everything from pets to blouses. Seems a commercial plane carrying an industrial red dye busted a pipe and a thin red spray rained over part of the valley. The dye was used to test leaks. It didn’t come off very easily.
NO! C’MON!! EXCESS FAT IN GOVERNMENT!?! SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!! — The county Board of Supervisors formed a commission to study commissions. Supe Kenny Hahn wondered if many of Los Angeles’ government agencies had outlived their usefulness, if they had any usefulness to begin with. After months of study, the supervisors eliminated one of several hundred august bodies: The L.A. County Laundry Practices Committee. It had been formed in 1969, met once in 1970, didn’t do a single thing, then didn’t meet at all into 1976. You guessed it. The LACLPC was formed to study laundry practices. With the LACLPC gone, that left just 102 commissions with 1,173 commissioners.
JANUARY 17, 1986
DON’T WANNA BE LIKE MIKE — A small movement to recall Supervisor Mike Antonovich was launched by John Castillo. The Saugus activist accused Mike of “catering to the desires of large developers at the expense of living conditions of local residents.” Think his petition never got more than single-digit signatures. Still. It made the paper …
MYSTERY PREDATOR STRIKES AGAIN! — Some huge carnivore was stalking Hart Park. Some experts thought it was a 200-pound black puma. Others thought it was a dog. The ducks? They weren’t talking. In the latest attack, 20 of the 26 ducks remaining at the compound were killed by the beast.
COWBOYS, YAY! COWGIRLS? A-HEM … — Canyon High was basking in The Streak. Harry Welch’s football team had notched 38 victories in a row up to this point. They were on their way to the record-breaking 46-game winning streak, but few people up in Canyon Country were pointing out the record of the Cowboys’ girls’ basketball team. They were riding a 24-game losing mark.
WHY I MAKE FUN OF THE ANTELOPE VALLEY WITH SENSELESS PALMDALE BASHING — RE: the above, I should point out that Canyon lost that last game that ended their 46-game streak to a much more talented Antelope Valley High, 21-20, and were stopped near the goal line on the very last play. I need to ALSO point out the SCV got royally, ahem, had their affections toyed with without not so much as a kiss atop the head by hometown AV refs. Several important and controversial calls went against the Cowboys and, after the game, it was unveiled that THREE OF THE OFFICIALS WERE ANTELOPE VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL FACULTY MEMBERS. Hawk … Spit … Ptooey …
• • •
I’ll be speaking at Rancho Camulos just outside Santa Clarita on Highway 126 on Sunday, Feb. 22. Words start flowing at noon sharp. Topic is Ruth and Scott Newhall and The Mighty Signal. Hope to see you out there, dear ones …
Thanks for sharing the fresh air and vistas with me, dear saddlepals. See you back at The Mighty Signal hitching post with another exciting Time Ranger history adventure. Nod your head, touch the brim of your Stetson and say, “Yup…” Until then? ¡Vayan con Dios, amigos y nos vemos el próximo fin de semana!
Local historian and the world’s most prolific satirist/humorist John Boston has launched his new eclectic bookstore — johnboston-books.com. His hilarious adventure/family/supernatural sequel to the national bestseller, “Naked Came the Sasquatch,” — “Naked Came the Novelist” — is on sale now. Ditto with his two-volume “Monsters” series about the supernatural in the SCV.
