Cold tea a fine snakebite antidote

June 14, 2006

By KATIE WATTS
ARGUS-COURIER STAFF

Yesteryears is an often amusing look back at local history, as viewed through the pages of the Argus-Courier.

125 years ago

Four hundred and fifty dollars buys a cosy house and lot, nicely situated. (June 10, 1881)

There are few counties in the state that afford better camping than Sonoma, Marin, Mendocino and Lake. Game of all kind is abundant, while feed for horses can be found in profusion. A few suggestions to those intending to go off: confine yourself to just what will be necessary, do not take along a superfluous amount of luggage. You will have for delicacies the game which you will take. If a tent is taken -- and there is no use of one unless there are ladies in the party -- let it be just the size to accommodate those in the party. One horse to a person will answer all purposes. It is unnecessary to warn the average amateur hunter of rattlesnakes, as the antidote is always found in copious quantities in every well-regulated party. We have heard of an infallible remedy against the poison of a rattlesnake which we give as it was told us, and the discoverer never ceases to praise its merits. Take a bottle, never less than a pint, filled with that liquid which is designated as Jesse Moore's cold tea, and upon the sight of a rattler, make for the first tree. After climbing into the lower branches, drink the contents and throw the vessel at his snakeship. (June 10, 1881)

100 years ago

Victor De Martini, the lessee of Cedar Grove Park, states several local organizations are endeavoring to secure the park for the Fourth of July. However, he will not rent the park at present, but will keep it in hope that there will be a Fourth of July celebration. If so, the public will be given the first chance for the use of the pretty park and pavilion. This is a commendable action on his part and shows he is certainly public-spirited. (June 1, 1906)

The Hill Opera House presented a most brilliant appearance and was crowded with citizens last night to witness the commencement exercises of the class of '06 of the Petaluma High School. Twenty-four pupils comprised the class, the largest in the history of the local high school. The exercises have never been excelled in the history of the school. Graduates were Dulcie Bales, Malcolm Byce, Lizzie Drennon, Marion Falconer, Paula Freyschlag, Leonore Gage, Otto Long, Carollyne McGovern, Cecil Mills, George Mills, Mata Meyerholtz, Emma Oeltjen, Helen Peters, Ruth Pierce, Florentine Schluckebier, Frances Smith and Millen Windsor of the regular four-year course. In addition, seven pupils have completed the two-year commercial course: Choice A. Winchell, Maud Hyattt, Edith May Steffes, Beulah Herbert, Christine Keough, Edna Smith and May Cole. (June 15, 1906)

75 years ago

Sunday was Father's Day and Daddy at last had his break. Until recently, Mother's Day was annually observed but Pops was forgotten. The churches nearly all paid tribute to Dad and he was also remembered by his children and as a result has plenty of pipes, tobacco and cigars, some new socks and neckties and other articles that only Dad can prize. Of course, nobody charged any of these things to Father; they never do. (June 22, 1931)

50 years ago

Bitter opposition was expressed by Petaluma's American Legion against the decision of the county Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors to have the Petaluma Veterans War Memorial Building built on the old Washington Grammar School site. The Legionnaires favor the Kenilworth property at East Washington and Payran streets. (June 14, 1956)

The average Californian is drinking substantially less beer and hard liquor today than between 1945 and 1950, but wine consumption has gone up. The State Board of Equalization is puzzled, but believes high-pressure selling campaigns by soft drink manufacturers and dairymen may have cut into beer sales. Also, from 1945 to 1950, California was full of hard-drinking servicemen. (Editor's note: It was?) Many have gone home or settled down. (June 14, 1956)

25 years ago

Palace? Not quite, but wait until you see this six-room, one-story home on D Street with the most fabulous garden we've ever seen, with fruit trees, berries and its own well. Super shop too. $185,000 (June 12, 1981)

It was not a happy Father's Day for one Petaluma family, when Dad prepared dinner only to have his children tell him they didn't feel like eating because of the hot weather. The father allegedly became angry, attempted to hit his son, then grabbed his daughter and struck her. (June 22, 1981)