The 09-10 School year has concluded with a really encouraging Award Assembly at the school. There were awards for fun things, some for academics and even the “Students of the Year” presentations.
Denise Bearding announced one of the “Students of the Year,” for the 2009/2010 school year, Carly Hammon. Carly “has an excellent academic record, with a grade-point average above 4.0. She has taken additional courses through College of the Siskiyous and Brigham Young University, and as the top student in her class has achieved the title of Valedictorian. In addition, Carly played all sports, and excelled at them. She participated in our variety shows, helped create yearbooks, wrote for local newspapers, and had artwork in juried gallery shows. She sets high standards for herself and achieves them, while maintaining a strong set of family values. She is an honor to our school, and we congratulate her on this award.”
Dorie Ekman-McDonald announced the other student of the school year, Andrew Bley. Andrew “is an incredible young man who has accomplished great things throughout his high school career, mostly, I believe because he marches to the beat of a Different Drummer. He walks the walk and talks the talk! He is humble and yet dynamic. Some of his accomplishments have been receiving straight A’s for most of his 4 years at Happy Camp High, with the help of only the Internet, Andrew taught himself to play the guitar, with the help of former students, he created a Christian band called “Reign Down.“ Andrew has led Campus Life for 4 years, has guided and inspired other students in their walk and faith as well, is in charge of the whole music ministry at his church in the Meadows and he is the person to call if your computer messes up! With great pleasure and pride, I present the “Student of the Year” award to Andrew Bley. Way to go, Andrew!”
Music at the Community Connection Fair was enjoyed by young to old, by guest from Weed playing Banjo, Gerry Canning, Scott Nelson, and Tai Kim.
What a beautiful day in May for the Community Connection Fair. It was a lively bunch of vendors and activities at the Old Town Park with foot tapping music accompaniment to it all. The Happy Camp Community Computer Center put on the fair especially to introduce everyone to the regional job opportunities and educational opportunities available here. That music was good too!! Thanks to Tai, Scott, Gerry and a guest banjo player that played out on the green grass.
The Art Class from Happy Camp High School made beautiful cards which were for sale as a fundraiser. Rich Kelley had his beautiful array of Happy Camp Jade jewelry. Judy Armbruster of the Gardeners Market and Kathi from Swill up Creek had plants and the gorgeous photographs she has taken shared a booth.
The Art Council as well as the Computer Center had food available. If you only wanted a snack, the Karuk Youth program had sno-cones that seemed to be very popular. Shelby brought Lisa Aubrey a sno cone as she sat at her booth, offering hacky sack, kick balls. They were very popular with the teenagers that were there! They kept that ball bouncing with amazing dexterity!
Karuk Tribe also had a table with multiple things available from Head start at the beginning. They also had a wonderful little booklet called “Peek-wa Storied; Ancient Indian Legends of California by Grover C. Sanderson (Eaglewing) of the Karuk Tribe. This little booklet was first published in 1938. It had not been republished since 1960 and it was his son, Jack Sanderson, Sr. who decided to edit, revise and publish the 17 legends in this book. The Illustrations by Jack R. Sanderson, Sr. and Kevin Wallace with cover design by Darlene Brown. It is an enjoyable little book of stories, can’t wait to read the rest.
Sharon Cook and Veronica Rasmussen had a booth for the Forest Service with lots of information and throwing discs for the kids. An owl and bear cub in their display interested the children. Some of the kids seemed to enjoy climbing on the giant there – they can be so creative when there are no playground facilities!
One especially impressive booth was from the Weed Chamber of Commerce. They had many things, shirts to match covers with”I (love/heart) Weed” on them. They also had brochures about their town and a directory listing of Chamber members. A publication of the arts people from all over Siskiyou County was also available. From their newsletter I learned that the Scott Valley Bank has won a national service award from the Independent Community Bankers of America. The Bank was chosen from over 5000 banks for its employee involvement and Community Service. What good news!
The Horse Therapy booth had horse figurines holding down all their information so the breezes didn’t carry it away, Cliff Stockton manned the Family Resource Center booth and shared kid’s books with the youngsters. Computer Center had information on the classes that College of the Siskiyou will be offering through Distance Learning and Internet classes. You would really be surprised how many people in our community are taking classes. A lot of young girls are taking child development classes for early childhood education and even high school students are getting ahead on their credits with classes. Seems like there are classes for everyone no matter what your age or interest. If you have an interest in learning but have been reluctant to travel the great distances to take classes, talk to Emma Lee Johnson at the Computer Center and she can help you get started! The Happy Camp Community Computer Center number is 493-5213.
by Judy Bushy
Nadine McElyea sent an e-mail message that a number of community organizations and agencies, along with Happy Camp High School, were conducting an emergency drill Thursday morning at the high school. After the message over the loudspeaker, you could hear sirens, see fire and ambulance rigs and a helicopter arrived, just as if Mercy flights was taking someone to the hospital.. Nadine wanted everyone to know that there was no actual crash taking place and panic!
The event is called “Every 15 Minutes” and is a simulated drunk driving event. For the Fire, Ambulance and law enforcement it was a drill. For some of the students, it was acting opportunity as they played the part of a driver and passengers and what really could happen from someone driving under the influence. For the rest of the students, it is hoped that this will impress them with the dangers of driving or riding with someone who has been drinking or taking other drugs of any kind.
We had discussed the plans at the Community Solutions to Alcohol and other drugs meeting on Wednesday evening. A number of new people came to the meeting, parents and others concerned about the children and youth in our community. At the initial meeting of this group sixty people were there to express their concern. It is always encouraging that more come to be involved.
You know me; usually at any activity, especially with the students, with my camera to catch the memories. But I had to ask to be excused from this exercise. My oldest son, Michael’s birthday was just April 16th and he would have been 38. When he was 18, he died in a single car accident on his way to morning classes at Shasta College in Redding. It wasn’t a drinking or driving accident. Legally they have to check that, but that doesn’t make it hurt less or the loss easier to forget. Because I know the hurt and loss of losing a child continues, we never want to see that for any of our families along the Klamath River corridor! Especially when this type of accident is preventable!!
We don’t want our children and young people ruining their lives with illegal activities. We don’t want them to use substances that will ruin their body and brain. We want them to reach their full potential and become successes at what they want to be. What seems like a small thing as a child can be a tremendous handicap when you leave carefree childhood and want to earn a living and have a happy family. It is worse when you find out you are not only damaged by the activity but also enslaved by it. There are too many that have become slaves to substances that are not even legal for them.
Chuck Lent was at the school to council anyone who wants to talk about the simulated accident issues. The teachers and staff of the High School want very much to see each and every student become the healthy, wise, learning young adult they can be. Many people in our community, as evidenced by sixty showing up for the initial meeting and more coming all the time, care about what happens to our kids. They come and say, “How can we help our kids?” People care. They not only care about the kids, but about the families.
“What can we do to help the parents keep the kids from these behaviors?” There is help available for parents.
“What can we do to keep substances away from the kids?” That is the goal of the Community Solutions group. Family Resource Center has information on the adolescent brain and why these substances are so damaging to the young person’s life. They are having an Outdoor Club for the kids who complain that they don’t have anything to do. They will be having activities for free fishing day at Kelly Lake. They are planning to take kids geocashing. (Have you heard of this new hobby? It is like the old orienteering with compass to find a place on the map but with the technology of the GPS to find the “treasure.”) They are planning activity for the Saturday before Mother/’s Day. They will have a fun race car activity Saturday June 19 for kids and Dads, Grandpas’ or uncles, while mom gets a day off. They are also offering opportunities to garden and dig in the dirt as a family. Karen Derry told how they took some of the teens to an activity with miles of zip lines and how fun it was for them.
Deputy Josh Tygart was at the Community Solutions Meeting and he explained how a “welfare check” can be requested on a person, including a juvenile, you may have reason to feel is in danger. There have been eight or nine juvenile arrests for being under the influence recently and two adults for contributing in the last week. We do not want our community to enable the youths to continue this dangerous behavior. We want a happy, healthy successful life for each and every child here. Reminder, the curfew for children is 10 p.m. on weeknights and midnight on weekends. They can cite and take home any children and youth on the streets after that time.
This community has everything it needs to raise good kids….we want to do it. If a parent needs help, there are ways to get help. The Family Resource Center has parenting classes and topics on such subjects (such as “Lying and Truth Telling” May 21st.) If there is a topic needed, they will be happy to arrange help in areas to strengthen out families and community. Remember, you may save a life! An assembly at the high school will take place Friday. Guest speakers include Steve and Debbie Allen of Redding, DA Kirk Andrus, and many local speakers. As the teens read the farewell letters to their children, iand the parents read their letters to their children, tears flowed and boxes of kleenix were passed around.
The people from our community who spoke made very moving case for the concern and love and the desire to prevent tradgedys from happening here.
The candidates who won their positions in the Karuk Special Election were sworn into office at the Council Meeting held April 22 in Orleans. The Vice Chairpereson was won by Philip Albers Jr. of Orleans. The Postion of Orleans District Member at Large was Dora Bernal of Crescent City.
The full Karuk Council consists of Florence Conrad, Dora Bernal, Alvis Johnson, Sonny Davis, Arch Super, Leeon Hillman, Florrine Super, Philip Albers Jr., and Wilverna Reece.
Nadine McElyea, who is the Mental Health Services Act worker with the Family Resource Center , introduced Captain Betts from the Sheriff’s Department. Betts said with losing funds and resources, meetings like this are important to open lines of communication and see how we can partner up to achieve goals. He did want to emphasize that the deputies will not be leaving the area, as that had been the concern of a previous meeting.
Captain Betts introduced John Gaustad who is a Deputy Probation officer and Truancy officer for Siskiyou County . Gaustad explained and answered questions about the juvenile justice system in Siskiyou County . He is one of three juvenile probation officers in Siskiyou county working with about 15 to 20 youths in Happy Camp area. There is another juvenile probation officer doing South County with 20 to 30 juveniles under supervision and a third officer with another 20 to 30 juveniles. So,from the juvenile probation load of 55 to 80 youths, Happy Camps juveniles from the Klamath River Corridor might amount to 25-27% of the youths under supervision in the areas covered by Siskiyou County juvenile officers..
Officer Gaustad mentioned that they rarely get kids who are active in sports programs and other activities who don’t have time to get into mischief. There were suggestions for the youth sports programs, scouting, and hobby groups like model airplane hobbyists can help kids find things to do. His statement of there being no excuse for “nothing to do” was echoed by Nadine and other parents whose kids grew up hunting, fishing, rafting and hiking as well as other activities in Happy Camp. We used to have an award winning music program in Happy Camp and many of the kids would like to learn music again.
Alan Dyar, principal of Happy Camp High School , had opened the gym (and the weight room) to about thirty students that evening. He reminded those assembled that 95% of the youth in our community don’t start trouble, and do what asked. We need to reward those kids who make it worthwhile. We want the kids to go out, get an education and come back to make the community better.
Dyar also mentioned the schools have gym mats, so that the Deputy who volunteered to coach wrestling.could have a program. What is holding up wrestling is having a couple of assistant coaches to help out, especially if the Deputy is called out. Someone mentioned college scholarships are readily available for a girl who goes into wrestling!
Other concerns expressed were about adults giving drugs and alcohols to minors. Call Narcotics Task Force out of Yreka at 842-6116 with information to report on such activities. Citizen watch program (involving a phone tree) if there were volunteers, could take place of the Neighborhood Watch that disbanded a few years ago. Todd Drake mentioned the deputies suggested additional lighting would help after his break-in. There was interest in having a light at the top of High School Trail on Head and Reeves. Cleaning up trash for people to feel more self respect was discussed.. Pat, who was code enforcement officer, lost her job in July. Adopting a dysfunctional family was a possible idea. Other items discussed were curfew, and identification of house numbers.
Tom Mopas also suggested that everyone have their address prominently displayed on their home in case the fire, ambulance or sheriff needs to locate your place. He suggested calling Glenn Briggs of Seiad Fire Safe Council about signs with house numbers. Next meeting will be March 10th at the Log Memorial for Community Solutions. Potluck will begin at 5:30 with meeting to follow about 6 PM.
by Charles S. Graves
from Before the White man Came c1934
The redwood canoe as made by the Indians of the lower Klamath is the most artistic of all the caoes used by the different tribes, and is made in this manner:
They select a log of suitable size and split it in half. They then take one half and trim it down, top and bottom un til they get it in proper shape. They then hew out the inside until they have it on an equal thickness. then they cut out the seat, leaving two cleats to brace the feet afainst when rowing or when using the paddle. The paddle is used for rowing, they do not use oars. A hole is made in each corner of the canoe, through which a haxel withe is put around the end of the canoe and drawn very tight. Thius prevents the canoe from splitting should it strike a rock.
In operating the canoe, the Indians believe that it should have a heart, otherwise it would be a dead boat. So he leaves a round knob about three inches across a short distance back from the bow and so long as the heart is there he feels safe, knowing that the canoe is alive.
The canoe pictured here is the property of the author (Charles S. Graves).
by Judy Bushy
The Log Memorial Building on 4tth Avenue & East Street is an important part of Happy Camp’s History. It shows how one man with a vision of giving the young people of Happy Camp an education, and enlist the support of many community members that out of the unity of working together towards that purpose, great things could be accomplished. Times looked bleak in 1933 and the country was in the great depression, but that obstacle didn’t stop the community from completing a high school in Happy Camp.
In 1922 Gorham Humphreys had started a school for Happy Camp Students that included the first two years of high school. The classes were held at the local grammar school. Mr. Taylor was the school’s first teacher. He was followed by Miss Rudd, who taught for four years. The two year course was discontinued in 1928 for about three years, according to Justice Court Judge Philip Toleman. He was speaking at a dinner served by high school home economics department.
Humphreys obtained re-establishment of the two year high school after campaigning at his own expense to the district board. There were about 30 students then and they needed a four year course and a separate place from the grammar school which was also overcrowded. On March 3, 1933 with all the banks in the country closed and the depression in full swing, Gorham Humphreys, Dr. Mason and Judge Toleman presented to the district board the Grange plan to get the people together to build a school for Happy Camp. Toleman said that, “the board had a really a tough row to hoe, taxpayers were broke and appeared to request all expenditures be cut to the bone.” Still, Ed Kaupp of Mt. Shasta helped turn the board in favor of the project and they promised $500 for the purpose.
Bert Newton donated the land, helped build the Log High School and lost his life due to illness contracted when serving at a school activity. Bert Newton had started freighting with horses from Hornbrook to Klamath River points in 1910. From 1919 to 1930 he carried mail and parcel post from Hornbrook to Happy Camp, burying freighter franchises from Walter Bower and George Howard. By 1927 a new era had arrived—the automobile was replacing horses everywhere. So that spring he turned 57 head of stage horses loose with a herd of wild horses on the Bogus Range. He couldn’t even give them away!
Meanwhile, in 1920, he and his partners, his brother I.S. Newton and Harry Pence, had purchased most of the unimproved land in Happy Camp, erected a store, some cabins, a campground and a saw mill. He built the first building on what is now the Happy Camp Ranger Station at 2nd Avenue and Airport Road, and leased it as headquarters to the Forest Service for many years. The Log High School was then where the present high school is located.
Gorham Humphreys initiated the idea of the high school building and must have been able to convince many in the community of the value of proceeding to build, as it seems the community worked together with uncommon unity.
Logs for the new log high school were donated by the Forest Service and cut under the direction of Bob Titus. Toleman was in charge of the building operations. Milt Fowler set the foundation forms. Gravel was hauled by Ralph Gordon. Pete Grant, Mike Effman and others chopped notches in the logs. When things got “bogged down” in August (of 1933) men weren’t able to come when needed and a few forgot that they had pledged a certain amount of labor and many in town thought maybe they had “bitten off more than we could chew…” That is when the women of the Grange put on a couple of noon picnics to get a large group together to put on thee roof. Other women encouraged the work on optimistically. Ora head (Mrs. Guy Head) encouraged the workers to stay with it, urging all to remember that “Rome wasn’t built in a day>”
In September, two large classrooms were ready for Mr. Lowe and Miss Fite, the teacher, to begin classes. The people of Happy Camp had built a high school for education of its young people with only about $1,000 from the District Board.
In November of 1933 a dedication was held. At that time, Toleman said, “we were hearing a lot about the age of rugged individualism that was past. At this time I would like to say that it was that spirit, combined with a will to help each other that did the job. And in passing I believe that it is proper to note that the teachers who lead in the education of our youth and who at times may wonder if their efforts are really appreciated cannot help but feel that the answer is YES, when they have occasion to work in or even hear of a high school that has grown under the conditions that this one has here in Happy Camp.”
The first graduating class in 1935 included Mae Barney, Marshall Vanhoy, Ruth Baker, Robert Humphreys, Nina Sedros, Edna Fowler, Paul Good, Geraldine Titus, George Logan and Florence Sutcliffe.
Gorham Humphreys must have felt great happiness when his son, Robert was one of the first graduates of the school. He had seen a need for a high school and enlisted others to work with him to bring his vision to reality. Several children had died but his surviving four daughters and son had a great example of a father concern for their education. Of his daughters, Bertha married Tom Carter who was Forest Ranger. Viola became a nurse, Aurelia was a teacher and Hazel went to college in Marin County and then married Finley Joyner. The son, Robert who graduated in 1935 died in Italy on the last day of the war in Europe.
Eventually a new high school building was needed. The principal, Arthur French, said “For two and one-half years teachers and equipment have been crowded together into 2,400 square feet of floor space.” The new building was expected to cost $438,000 and the bond bill was to be voted on according to the April 16, 1955 Klamath River Courier. “The new facility provided large modern home economics room and a complete science room. It would also allow development of a commercial department and library.” Dr. Jere Hurley, Superintendent of Siskiyou County’s Joint Union High School District gave the speech dedicating the new building to “the principles of democracy and the constitution of the United States, to all students –past, present and future.” Short addresses were also given by Sharon Titus, Carol Evans and Gene Erskin of the High School Student Board.
The old Log Memorial Building was to be moved to another site, and perhaps used for a library or museum. It was believed to be the only high school building constructed of logs still in use at the time. When “Old Timers” look at the Log Memorial Building they recall how the whole community united in the effort to bring education to our children.. It’s amazing what can be accomplished when we work together toward our goals!
High Expectaions were in the air Sunday afternoon. On Park Way the crews had put up tall poles with brightly colored fabric, red, blue, yellow and green, waving in the wind. It was quite a sight. After my morning classes, Monday at Old Town Park we saw a number of booths set up with food to offer hungry cyclists. At that time, no cyclists had arrived.
Shortly after noon Monday a few brightly clad bicyclists began to appear. It stood to reason that a ride from Yreka that takes nearly a couple of hours by car would take cyclists longer! They seemed intent on going directly to the finish line although they had to go around town in a circular route before climbing Headway Hill, one last rise, before the last leg of the ride down Park Way .
There was food that could have fed several thousand hungry cyclists, I’m sure! The Klamath Knot Center had sandwiches, The Campus Life Club had brownies and pies and other baked goods. The Happy Seniors had punch cards and pies. Beautiful pies, All sorts of pies, Oh they looked good!
Betty Fayette and Tina Sherburne had a food booth. Dolly Elston had sausages and curly fries. Lisa West and Company had Teriyaki chicken on a stick with salad bar and SNO CONES!! She was also assisted by a number of young people and one young Sasquatch!! It was the Sasquatch that loved to jump out in front of the cyclists and surprise them!! More and more cyclists began to arrive until five o’clock when most of the cyclists had arrived or were being offered pick up rides to get to camp.
After interesting conversations at Old Town Park I went to the Elementary school and saw the finish line the cyclists were rushing to get to!! There Nadine and Co. had the Dear Mad’m mining cabin (from last weeks Jamboree parade) set up as an information booth. They were there answering questions and welcoming all the people– of which there were many. Displays booths had all sorts of Cycle Oregon memorabilia from socks to hats and some mighty nice T-shirts with a map on them, in case one got lost on the road!!! Ha!
These cyclists are serious about their bikes however, and more booths were set up to take care of the bikes!! There were also programs for mentoring young people as well as other causes and first aid help available.
Down to the park. Trisha Barnes, and her mother, Nida Johnson were there selling autographed copies of Trisha’s book, Klamath Treasure. They seemed the busiest booth there. There were also photographs, handcrafted jade jewelry, tie dyed shirts, books, and all sorts of things from refrigerator magnets to massages were being offered. The massages seemed to be the most popular with the bikers!!
Monday was not the end of the Cycle Oregon experience. I also had been asked to help out at breakfast. Now, us Mom’s are always ready to help serve hungry people, but at 4:35 in the morning?!? We assembled for hairnets, aprons and instructions before dawn. The cyclists were fed a hearty breakfast of bacon, cheese omelets, 7 grain oatmeal and other cereals, coffee, juice fruit and yogurt. It was something for everyone, especially coffee. High School Seniors were helping out in this way to fundraise for their senior trip to Hawaii before they graduate next June.
Finally the sun came up and we could see more clearly the visitors to our community. They were such a friendly bunch of people, and all had a kind word of appreciation that you wished you had all day to visit. However, they were also eager to be on the way UP, and I do mean UP over Greyback Road to Oregon . We bid them adieu and hope they may come back to Happy Camp in coming years.
By eight o’clock it was time to go to work at Happy Camp High School. Unfortunately after four hours of bussing tables, I didn’t have to ACT like a “senior citizen” for dress up day at School on Tuesday!! Bonnie Alvarez was all dressed up as a nurse to take care of the students who were dressing as “senior citizens.” Many of them were packing up the luggage that they had unpacked the day before, but before long they showed up back at school to hit the books with a regular school day.
Siskiyou Pioneer Annual printed on Klamath River families.
It’s a beautiful, cool but sunny day in Happy Camp, although there were rumors of a dusting of snow over Greyback Tuesday. It was a clear moonlit night last night coming home. Still, it is now October first, so we must enjoy these sunny days while we can! It was a great quickly trip out of town–Learned a lot and accomplished a lot of errands.
The best part was stopping by the Siskiyou County Museum and got a brand new “hot off the press” issue of The Siskiyou Pioneer from the Siskiyou County Historical Society. This issue (2009) is Gold Rush and Mixing of Cultures in Western Siskiyou County .
The front cover has a photo of Fred Emet Johnson at 17 with his mother. Fred is “third generation from the first white man into the Klamath River area.” His mother is “Tall Julia,” also known as Julia Goodwin Stanshaw Johnson Bell. Since Fred was born in 1905, that means the photo was taken about 1922. After reading “Land of the Grasshopper Song” Fred took a notebook full of notes which his daughter Joy shared.
Rumors had been floating around that Hazel Davis Gendron was writing new history information about this area and this is it. I was greatly looking forward to it. She was joined by Cheryl M. Beck in compiling the book.
First of all it was the photo of Hazel Humphries Joyner holding a photo of her brother, Robert (in the information about Karuk men who had been killed in action in past wars) that was of special interest. Then the forward was a wonderfu8l tribute to the enduring Karuk people.
The balance of the book tells of ten or eleven families, mostly from the Klamath River . One of the difficulties in writing about these families is the belief of some that even mention of the name of deceased relatives may bring bad luck. But the ladies are good genealogical detectives/trackers and found data in formal BIA records which helped.
There are also stories of Squirrel Jim, Tribal Basket Makers and how important music was to people.
If you have membership in the Siskiyou County Historical Society, you are in for some interesting reading when this new edition comes to you. If not, you could join for $25 and receive the new issue next year. Last year’s issue centered on Doris and each issue is a different topic about the history of Siskiyou County.
Stella Walthall Patterson
October 14, 1866 –
December 23, 1955
By Judy Bushy
This weekend we took a drive down Highway 96 just to enjoy the sunshine on the River, and the forest and blue skies. We came to the pullout near where Stella Patterson had her cabin and stopped to enjoy the view.
At the time of her eightieth birthday, Stella W. Patterson was faced with a dilemma. Her decision involved when a person is OLD and how she wanted to live her “senior years.” Stella made a surprising decision and became a hero to seniors who have since loved her book, Dear Mad’m.
Stella was born October 14, 1866 in the bustling city of San Francisco. Stella enjoyed the urban opportunities for social and cultural life, but after the earthquake of 1906 she left the city.
At the time of her 80th birthday, while visiting friends in Arcata on the northern coast, she was invited to live with relatives eager to do for her and take care of her in “declining years.” When a doctor told her that she had “young legs” it set her thoughts in a different direction. She owned a cabin on a mining claim in the wilds of Clear Creek near the friendly little town of Happy Camp, on the Klamath River. She decided to give living in that little cabin a try for a year. She wrote to the caretaker and set off for Willow Creek where she rode with the mail delivery up to the mailbox on Highway 96 below the cabin.
The title of her memoir of life on the Klamath came from, perhaps a senior moment, when Fred, the caretaker arrived, and she’d forgotten his name. In her correspondence she had said, “Dear Sir,” so she fell back upon that salutation. Fred replied, “Dear Mad’m,” and thus the nickname, which was later to become the title of the book, began.
The book tells of her life in that solitary and somewhat primitive cabin in its beautiful surroundings. She lived alone there with her dog, Vickie, and it turned out she had many adventures.
While Stella Patterson still traveled some, her delight was to return to her little cabin on the Klamath. She loved to garden and put up jams and jellies. She sent the memoir of the year she moved to the cabin to agents, critics, and finally a New York publisher who edited it. She called it “slashing,” her story. In the fall of 1955 she moved to an efficient little travel trailer, near Everett and Thelma (who had been like a daughter to her) in Redding. Her life drew to a close there in December 23, 1955 at the age of 89. It was just two weeks before Dear Mad’m was to be published, January 6, 1956.
The book had far reaching effects. It became a popular book club selection. Three ladies from Chicago retired from the Telephone Company and came to live near Happy Camp, because of reading her story. They enjoyed gardening and artistic endeavors and were active in the community. They were loved and appreciated in the community although they too are gone now. When Highway 96 was improved and straightened (Yes, it is possible that there were more curves and corners!) the road went right through her cabin, which was moved out of the way.
Naturegraph, a local Happy Camp publisher, kept the book in print since that time, for which we are grateful. Stella was a hero of sorts to persons of mature years, who still have more years to appreciate life and blessings. It’s a good book to read to remind a person of all the wonderful reasons we love life on the lovely wild Klamath River at the top of California.
Please help support Happy Camp News' free news on the web by using our Amazon links whenever you need to purchase something from Amazon.Com. Your support of this news service is very much appreciated.
Amazon.Com carries almost everything a person might want to buy - besides books they have music, clothing, housewares, and much more.
.
