Thursday, March 3, 2022

Liz Writes Life - 2-23-22 Macdoel's Lady Judge in 1929

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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