Feb. 23, 2022
Liz Writes Life
Not much to report on the garden-front. Feels like we are in
a waiting/limbo situation with the lack of rain and snow in January and
February. Most of the garden was cleaned-up, but I haven’t clean-out the
vegetation in the wildflower area yet and it looks a mess. So, I was surprised
to notice some daffodils are up seven to eight inches. They are not yet
blooming. I will repeat myself: Sure praying for a miserable “miracle” March!
Butte Valley’s lady judge
Because I wrote about Sawyer’s Bar Justice of the Peace Ruth
Markon last week, I will follow it up with stories about Macdoel’s lady judge,
Lena Neasham. The article written in the 1993 “Siskiyou Pioneer” book Law
Enforcement issue is by Ernest “Bud” Neasham, the judge’s son. Bud and his
brother, Bob, had birds-eye seats for many of his mom’s cases, so I believe
they are true! And I will share a few of the situations.
In the fall of 1929, Lena Neasham was elected Justice of the
Peace of Macdoel Township. Before moving with her husband and boys to Macdoel,
Lena had worked briefly for a municipal judge in Redding and picked-up some of
the legal jargon and knowledge of how courts worked.
When a vacancy occurred on the local bench in Macdoel, some
of Lena’s new friends thought she was best qualified and should run for the
office. Notable supporters were the Butte Valley game warden and the local
blind telephone proprietor, who was an unofficial attorney. Lena was 31 years
old and rarely mentioned that her education was only through the eighth grade
level, which was fairly normal for the time period.
Once elected, Lena had misgivings about her ability. But she
acquired some form-books, a battered second-hand typewriter, several law books
and a leather-bound volume of Blackstone’s Commentaries. The books looked
impressive behind her law table in the living room.
Bud recalled that he and his brother were “fascinated by the
strange people who started coming to the house.” A couple men brought in some
dried coyote pelts to collect the reward offered by the county for ridding the
range of such “varmints.” Lena tried to act cool as she took her household
scissors and cut the scalps from the pelts in the approved manner. It was
likely a yucky job.
One time, a Southern Pacific Railroad special officer brought
a hobo to the house to be arraigned on a trespassing and vagrancy violation.
The poor prisoner looked thoroughly cowed with his face showing the marks of a rather
violent arrest. Lena let the officer know she did not approve of his methods.
Judge Neasham’s first jury trial was held in the neighboring
Township of Dorris on April 11, 1930. She was very nervous about conducting a
jury trial, but the Dorris bench was vacant and she was called to preside.
Although receiving procedural advice from the county district attorney, she was
uneasy. And she also had to drive the family car the 14 miles to Dorris, where
the town hall served as the municipal court room. She was quite nervous about
driving the car. Carl, her husband, had taught her to drive after they arrived
in Butte Valley and it was an “emotional experience” for both of them,
according to Bud.
The jury trial proved to be drawn-out and tedious, including
choosing the jury. Senator J.A. Allen represented Siskiyou County and a Mr.
Mills from Klamath Falls represented the defense. What was the crime? The
defendant was accused of the illegal possession of intoxicating liquor – a
crime during this time of national prohibition.
A point was made by the defendant that the arresting officer
had a grudge against him. As it turned out, a member of the jury, disliking the
officer and believing the officer’s alleged grudge to be sufficient grounds,
held out for acquittal. Judge Neasham questioned the jury foreman about the 11
to 1 verdict and was told the man voting against conviction had let it be known
that he would sit in the jury room until “hell froze over” before changing his
vote. A mistrial was declared and everyone went home.
Within a year or so, Lena’s husband and his partner, Lloyd
Stevenson, decided to leave their Mount Hebron store and open a new one in
Dunsmuir. And so Lena resigned from her judicial position. A big going-away
party was given for the two families by the Friday Card Club. It was held at
the Macdoel Hotel. The card game winners, along with the notable attendees,
were announced in the local “Butte Valley Star” newspaper. There was no mention
of any drinking of alcohol.
Well, there you have it: A few snippets of local life in
1930.
May peace and calm be with you this week. Smile – just cuz it
makes you feel better!
Liz Bowen began writing ranch and
farm news, published in newspapers, in 1976. She is a native of Siskiyou
County. Columns from the past can be found at: lizwriteslife.blogspot.com. Call
her at 530-467-3515.
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