March 30, 1895

Today the papers will be signed by a. A. and John P. Houda who will become the sole proprietors of the Union hotel property. ... Mr. B. A. Houda will run the hotel himself and the building will be entirely re-modeled, especially the lower floor. ... No trouble or expense will be spared to make the hotel first-class in every particular. ... Mr. Houda also expects to put electric lights all through the house which will be a decided change for the better ...

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There was filed for Thursday the marriage certificate of John Nichols, aged 71, of Orick, and Phoebe Jane Petty, aged 50, of Rohnerville.

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J. Maller of Blue Lake has secured a Civil War Veterans pension of $12 per month. The payment dates from April 12, 1893, which gives him $276 in a lump.

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One of the large timbers on which the engine and dynamoes for the Arcata Electric Light Works which will be placed in position shortly, was hauled Wednesday. One end was fastened to a pair of truck wheels and the other end dragged. It required three span of horses to drag it and then considerable difficulty was experienced in turning corners.

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Sunday, March 24, was White Ribbon day at the Presbyterian Sunday School and a big audience was present. Supt. Cullberg in a short address reviewed the history of the White Ribbon Army from the time the Temperance Reform started ... to the present day. This was followed by an entertaining programme consisting of songs, recitations, and addresses. Quite a number of young folks then signed the pledge and became members. ...

April 20, 1895

T. J. Simmons, who signs himself as “Elder” Simmons, and who made himself quite conspicuous in the Janes district, near Arcata, a year or two ago, is “entertaining” the people of Rohnerville in his usual style of spouting. The Herald of Rohnerville will soon tire of his contributions.

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The little steamer Alice, Capt. McKenna, was engaged Sunday morning in laying a sub-marine telephone cable across the entrance to the South Bay, for the Jetty Improvement Company. The cable is for the purpose of placing the south spit, upon which work will be commenced soon, in the telephone system of the jetty company. ... This will place every point of the company’s workings in durect communication with the office in Eureka.

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One of the saddest and ... strangest accidents ... resulted in the death of Henry, son of David Barron who lives with his family in Redwood Creek. ... Young Barron and Clyde Anderson went up the creek about 2 miles from the Barron house. Henry had his rifle, a large caliber Winchester repeater, along ... In the afternoon they reached a place where there was a drift pile and a deep pool. Barron laid the gun down on a boulder, picked up a stick and went over to the drift pile where he tried to dislodge a salmon at the bottom of the pool. He was standing on the bank bending over when the rifle fell down and exploded. The ball struck him on the lower left hand side of the body ...

Henry Barron was ... 21 years ... old at the time of his death. Deceased lived in Arcata for several years and attended the Grammar school. ...

May 18, 1895

The jetty works have added to their plant a new 28 ton locomotive. It came upon the North Fork , has been placed in position on the north jetty, and works to a charm. Superintendent Dennison is dumping about 1000 tons of rock every day.

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Electricians Taylor and Littlefield are hard at work wiring the residence on the hill. About 500 lights have been put in up to date. The arc lights are ready and so soon as the incandescent dynamo arrives and is put in place Arcata will have her lights.

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Advertisement: No Kick — Nothing in our store that receives more careful study than SHOES. They are treacherous merchandise. If they should hurt your corns, or do not wear well, you are ready to “kick” the man you bought them from.

If you wear a pair of our “FIT-WELL SHOES” you don’t make the “KICK.” ...

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The Presbyterian Church was crowded last Sunday morning to listen to the farewell sermon of its pastor, Rev. J. S. Todd. The Rev. gentleman took for his text ... the same passage of scripture Mr. Todd preached his first sermon in Arcata, in the same pulpit from which he discoursed last Sunday, on the 23rd of Feb., 1868 ...

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From “Special Notes:” $25 Reward will be paid for information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of the party or parties that stole my chickens. We have in our midst a genuine chicken thief. Chickens come home to roost, and this thief will be caught, for I know you just as well as if I had caught you in the act, for you, like some other thieves, forgot to cover your tracks. ... It is well known that I am a confirmed invalid and a party that would steal chickens from me, would steal acorns from a blind sow. I live in the Frances house, and my name is Peter McGeorge.

June 29, 1895

Advertisement: The Glorious 4th is coming so let the Eagle SCREAM and Old Glory FLUTTER to the Wind from the mast heads. Arcata Celebrates and Begins the Day’s festivities with a National Salute of 13 Guns at Sunrise. A Grand Procession will form at Armory Hall, at 9 o’clock in the following order: 1.—The Arcata Cornet Band. 2.—Co, B, 10th Inf. Bat., N. G. C. 3.—Citizens on foot. 4.—School Children in Floating Palace. 5.—Officers of the Day in Carriages will parade though the principal streets, terminating on the plaza which will be beautifully decorated for the occasion. ...

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T. J. Crawford has accepted the agency of the Imperial ($105) and the Elliot ($85) Bicycles and will have four new wheels up on the steamer to-day. Any prospective buyer may have use of wheel for one week, and if not satisfactory in every respect, have the privilege of returning the same. Mr. Crawford will sell on easy installments to reliable persons. Call and inspect the wheels at Crawford’s store.

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In the “Special Column”: For Rent — A nice six room, sunny cottage, two blocks west the plaza. Rent $5.50 per month, inquire of Gustave Muhlberg.

August 17, 1895

The Arcata Union — Austin Wiley, proprietor — was published every Saturday in 1895. Subscriptions were $2 per year.

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Russell, the bicycle, horse and all around thief, was finally captured at the Jacoby Creek quarry last Saturday and Howell’s horse and Martin’s rifle and pistol recovered. He is now in jail in Eureka awaiting conviction and sentence. As well as being a first-class thief, he is a first-class liar. He denies, without blinking his eyes, that he was at Trinidad, or that he robbed Martin’s cabin or stole Howell’s horse.

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If more people in Arcata knew as well how to take care of bees as bees know how to perform their work, the luxury of honey, for family use, would become general. Mr. J. L. Hadley has kept a few hives of bees at his small home for several years, and has all the honey he wants for family use, besides supplying the Union Hotel. He arranges small boxes in the hives which the bees fill with the most delicious honey. ...

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There is no better evidence of the healthy condition of our climate and its noted peculiarities for longevity, than the fact that we have among our people more than one family containing living representatives of four generation. We have before us a photograph of such a family. The picture contains the familiar faces of pioneers D. B. Kelsey and wife, of Eureka, Joseph Ogilwy and sife, Chas Smith and wife, William Ogilvy and wife, and the two children of the last named couple, all of Arcata. Mrs. Kelsey is the mother of Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Smith is the mother of Mrs. William Ogilwy, who is the mother of the two children. ... The picture ... is the first ... containing representatives of four generations we have ever seen. ...

March24, 1900

Wild ducks, principally of the widgeon variety, have been playing havoc with the clover fields of late in the Bay district. The mudhens have not come on to the pasture lands this season as they did last year.

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The St, Patrick’s entertainment at the Ingomar Theater in Eureka, last Saturday evening, was a grand success. Miss Devlin, of Arcata, added a very strong number to the program with her highly cultured soprano voice.

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The Hiller house which burned on Dows Prairie last week was insured in the Pennsylvania Fire Insurance company which F. Tooby is the local agent. S. I. Alliard was in Arcata Thursday and adjusted the loss. The amount allowed was $700 on the house and $300 on the contents.

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Ernest Sammons is carrying one hand in a sling as a result of a bad nip from one of the dray horses.

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W. Shorliglias cut down the large cactus which stood next to the fence on the eastern side of his block. It was 2 feet through at the bottom and 16 years old.

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From “Notes from our Neighbors:” (BLUE LAKE) B. S. Freeman is putting a partition into the O’ Hara building; one side of this place is occupied by the new restaurant, and the other will be occupied by H. Laverty, the barber ...

(GLENDALE) Had Mr. and Mrs. J. Q. Adams been driving a fractious animal last week, as they were crossing the Mad River, a serious accident might have resulted. When in about four feet of water the trace broke. Fortunately, however, the only damage was a good soaking for Mr. Adams, who was obliged to get out into the water to make repairs. It was more amusing than otherwise to one or two spectators.

May 12, 1900

From “Notes from our Neighbors,” (Trinidad): The gasoline schooner “Barbara Hersher” came into Trinidad on Thursday afternoon of last week from the north, and completed her cargo by taking on 500,000 shingles, the product of Houda Bros. mill. She sailed the same evening for San Francisco.

A man named Hanna, who arrived in town last Saturday from Arcata, claims that he was robbed of the sum of $12 after retiring to his room at the Trinidad hotel on that night. He had been imbibing pretty freely during the evening, and was in a befuddled state at the time.

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Advertisement: MUSIC COFFINS — That is the proper name of the pianos in existence today. The case is there but the soul is dead, and the voice of music doth sound no more. What was once a source of pleasure is now ruining your ear, spoiling your touch and causing you to say: “I don’t like to practice, and don’t like music anyhow.” No wonder! Call and see me; I think I know the remedy. See the Kranich & Bach, Crown, and other high grade pianos at the old established home of J. E. Mathews, 586 2nd St., Eureka ...

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July 6, 1900

Arcata has demonstrated the fact that a good celebration can be gotten up on short notice and carried to a successful issue in spite of the fact that almost every other place in the county had a celebration also.

As early as Monday morning the decorating committee commenced delivering redwood trees around the plaza and up the principal streets ... by Tuesday night the town looked like a miniature park. ...

The 4th opened with the firing of the national salute on the plaza ... The first event of the day was the hose tournament ... The Calithuptian parade from Alliance came into view ... There were about 75 wheels in line and some very funny and original costumes were seen. The man who couldn’t keep his pedals caused much merriment as did also the man with the hay rope whiskers. After circling around the plaza they gathered around the bandstand where Grand Calithumpian Orator Tim Spaulding, addressed his motley followers. ...

After the noon intermission, the afternoon games and races were called. The first was a 6 mile, free for all, bicycle road race, beginning and ending on the plaza ...

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Celebration Gossip. ... Everybody said those 2 little girls in the Calithumpian parade were “just too cute.” Those 2 boys fooled lots of people including the Calithumpians themselves.

August 25, 1900

Advertisement: The Occidental Hotel, Trinidad, Cal. The best of meals, clean airy rooms, and good treatment, are what we give guests.

A good place to spend your vacation. W. H. Pinkham, Proprietor. Sunset Telephone Service.

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J C Bull, Jr, of Arcata, has purchased the quarter interest of T Flanigan and T F Brosnan and Co, the other members of the firm being O H Spring, John Harpst, B F Stern, and Jas. Tyson, of San Francisco. The property consists of the Union lumber mill at Eureka, the big shingle mill, store, trestle and wharf at Bayside and the railroad running to the woods. The company have a lease on several hundred acres of fine timber which will last them for many years to come. ...

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From “Note from Our Neighbors,” (Blue Lake): Sunday was what some people would call a big day, others a “hot time” in Blue Lake. One man who had been at Dawson City and Cape Nome said that those noted mining towns were never so disorderly in his day as was our town on Sunday. This is a strong comparison and might bring us to our senses. Have we lost all our sense of decency that we must encourage shows and such things by our attendance upon the Sunday after Sunday. Are we Americans and have we a pride in our country? Such performances as bullfights, horse races, ball games, gun shoots, and other contests and shows on Sunday offend the fine American sense. ... Such practices do advertise our town all over the state in an undesirable manner and does much toward frightening off desirable new comers. Stay away from such exhibitions and they will cease to be for lack of patronage.

April 12, 1905

On the front page, under “Items of Interest:” Chas. Crawford received four pair of fancy pidgeons from Sacramento Monday morning. They are blooded birds.

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W. T. Olmstead, one of the best known pioneers of Humboldt, and one of our best citizens, visited Arcata on Thursday. He was accompanied by his younger brother, L. C. Olmstead of Detroit, Mich. ... The brothers had not seen each other from more than 50 years. ...

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Advertisement: Back Again From Europe! By the solicitation of many friends and patients, Dr. H. Ehrlich the Eminent Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeon From Berlin, Germany, will make his next visit to Arcata, Tuesday, April 25th, Union Hotel, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., One Day Only and return once a month. Do you want that Catarrh cured? Do you want that Deafness cured? Do you want to see with those Weak, Watry, Dim Eyes? If so, go and consult Dr. Ehrlich this trip. ...

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The following telephones have been installed by the Blake System ... : Arcata — J. C. Bull, Jr. Co., Arcata Hardware Company, Louis Pacheco, Mrs. C. H. Lester, C. G. Barker, Dr. C. W. Mills, Lee F. Wiley, and Peter Johansen.

Blue Lake — John Pohler, Mrs. Oliver Brown, Dr. M. F. Fountain and John Tamboury.

Near Glendale — Norton Ranch and Walter Gehret.

June 3, 1905

Front page news: Arcata not only has a fine natural park now, but a beautiful picnic ground as well, and the number of spirited men and women who helped to make Park Day a success may well be proud of their efforts.

...Men were seen wending their way up towards the park carrying axes, brush hooks, mattocks and other tools, and by the middle of the forenoon, a considerable clearing was the result, and brush fires were burning in every direction ... People were surprised at the extent of the level land available for a ground, there being about 5 acres in one piece. Just above this is a sort of bench, making an ideal place for a band platform. The place where the dance platform will probably be located is level, without stumps ... Several trees suitable for hanging swings were left, and when the work is completed, as fine a picnic ground as can be found in the country will be seen. ...

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Advertisement: Customers should bear in mind that with every purchase made by a lady amounting to $1 or over, she receives a high grade toilet article free. And every school child, with a purchase of a pair of shoes, receives a valuable and insturctive pocket encyclopedia. Humboldt Manufacturing Co.

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Rapid progress is being made on the new Carson road which is being built from the peninsula acorss Dows Prairie to the Carson timber near Little River, and four camps are being run, with more than a hundred men employed: One camp is in the floating hotel at the slough, one on the Graham place at the bridge site on Mad river, one at the old post office on Dows Prairie and another in the woods. A large part of the road bed has already been thrown up, and no time is being lost in putting the work forward.

July 19, 1905

Street sprinkling has been resumed and the man on the water wagon gets his “fill” from the California Barrel Co. which is now pumping from the creek north of the plant.

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... D. R. Engle has commenced the erection of a two story, seven room house on his property on the corner of 5th and H street. He will occupy it for himself, or if offered a good figure, it will be for sale.

The building will be two stories in height and modern in every detail. On the north side on the first floor will be the parlor and dining room with a large sliding door between and with a pass cupboard between the dining room and the pantry. On the second floor will be three sleeping rooms and a bath room. The work will be completed in a few more weeks and will fill up the blank space in that block. ...

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Advertisement: Bargains in apparel for Hot Weather — We have waists and waists, piled high, all bright, at prices that would be farly absurd if the real waists weren’t there to make the whole thing real.

98c — The finest assortment consists of waists, with new fronts, new sleeves, new shoulders, etc. They are embroidered, surplice and other styles ...

Not an ounce of wool in it, nor cotton either, noghing but silk... Silk Suits at $7.50.

N. B. JOHANSEN: ARCATA