Looking Back Lincoln: 1975 – Lincoln Cemetery tree fund project is completed

50 years ago Population 3,179 (U.S. Census 1960 and 1970) Trees: New trees have been planted at the Lincoln and Sheridan Cemeteries to replace those lost last year due to bad weather and to fulfill the donations received too late for the 1974 season. Fifty new trees have been planted plus two larger trees which have been located at the entrance of Lincoln Cemetery. The trees were replaced through the courtesy of Leroy Crook and Fowler Nurseries. This completes the Lincoln Cemetery Tree Fund project started in the spring of 1974. Rodeo: Three Lincoln participants in the District Three high school rodeo circuit qualified for the Cow Palace event to be held March 22-23 in San Francisco. Larry Williams qualified in three events, the only District Three competitor to do so. Included were bull dogging, calf roping and team roping. Jim Jones, Williams' partner in the team roping event, also qualified. The two took 39 seconds to rope their steer. Also qualifying was Sondra Williams. She made it in the break- away calf roping and pole bending events. The District Three rodeo group has tentatively planned a rodeo in Lincoln sometime around April 19-20. Currently, the local organization is in the process of repairing the rodeo ground south of Lincoln on Highway 65. FFA: Are the Lions mightier than the donkeys? That question will be settled tonight during the donkey basketball game in the R.A. Lee gym at 7:30 p.m. The Lincoln Lions club will mount their donkeys in an effort to beat the juniors and seniors of the local Future Farmers of America club. Tickets may be purchased in advance. Prices are $1.50 for adults, $1 for students and .75 cents for those under 12 years of age. Eggs: The price for a dozen, large Grade A eggs in Lincoln was .66 cents. 75 years ago Population 2,410 (U.S. Census 1940 and 1950) Water and waste: As a result of action taken at a City Council meeting, the city has postponed indefinitely plans for constructing water and sewage systems in Lincoln. The reason given was lack of funds. The council may be able to resume plans toward getting the systems in the near future. The city clerk was instructed to notify Brown & Caldwell of San Francisco, the engineering firm engaged by the city, to that effect. Ten stores in one Note: Mrs. Mabel Ahart wrote of Lincoln's merchants, one being John W. Landis, who was called "Johnnie Blue." She had in her possession an old account book. Following are some of the sales written in the book dated Monday, Nov. 24, 1879: C. Quinn purchased a ½ gallon of whisky for $2; coffee, .50 cents; 1 whip stock and lash, $2.25; and 1 wool sack for .60 cents. Peter Singer purchased flannel for .75 cents; calico for .38 cents; and cheese for .25 cents. Peter Anderson bought 2 bottles of medicine for $2.25 and boots for $4.50. James Maloney purchased 1 pair of boots, $5.50; 3 pair of shoes, $4.50; 1 pair of shoes, $1; 1 keg syrup, $4.50; 13 pounds of ham, $2.21; 8½ pounds codfish, .85 cents; and 1 pair of gloves for $1.70. James Dowd bought a 34½-pound turkey for $6.21. Mrs. Groff paid for 2 pair of drawers, $1.50; 2 undershirts, $1.50; 3 pairs of socks, $1; two plow points, $7; and 3 handkerchiefs, $1.12. J.W. Hoffman bought 50 pounds of flour, $1.75; 10 pounds lard, $1.25; and 6½ pounds bacon, .80 cents. Fowler Brothers bought 75 pounds of bran, .75 cents; 253 pounds of barley, $3.15; 185 pounds of oats, $2.17; 87 pounds rye, $1.32; 92 pounds middlings, $1.25. Mr. Landis advertised "Ten Stores in One" and listed his merchandise in his ads as groceries, hardware, crockery, jewelry, furniture, dry goods, clothing, shoes, hats and stationery. Barrels of "liquid refreshments" were in the back room of the general merchandise store. The location was in the Butterfield/Jansen Building on Lincoln Boulevard and 5th Street. 100 years ago Population 1,324 (U.S. Census 1900, 1910, 1920) Gold: A little girl by the name of Smith and a chum were playing around a rock foundation where a house stood years ago on the S.A. Smith ranch in the Ophir district on Sunday, when they made a startling discovery. One of the girls kicked a rock over and to her astonishment saw a couple of $20 gold pieces. They immediately started to dig around that spot, and the result was the finding of $2,500, mostly in $20 gold pieces. There was very little silver, which was made up of dimes. Most of the coins were dated around 1850 and 1860. The newest coin was dated 1884. There were a few greenbacks, but they were too badly damaged to distinguish the denominations. The place was formerly owned by Frank Kurtz, deceased, who was a prosperous miner. Kurtz was the owner of this property about 40 or 50 years ago, but it was purchased by S.A. Smith many years ago. Note: The average U.S. annual income in 1925 was $5,425. Source: money.usnews.com. Curfew: If probation Officer L.J. Kinney of Placer County has his way, all minors will be excluded from public dances in Placer County after midnight. Kinney this week asked the supervisors to pass an ordinance that would bring about such a regulation. Kinney was instructed to have the resolution drawn up, and it will be considered by the Board of Supervisors on April 7. Kinney contends late country dances and alleged attendant evils increase the work of his office materially. And the News Messenger don't know but what Bro. Kinney is about right, too. Tunnel: The two-mile Southern Pacific tunnel, now under construction at the summit of the Sierra Nevada range, is half bored, and if progress is regular, the big bore will be completed by next August. This is the opinion of E.E. Mayo, engineer in charge of the "over the top" construction. The tunnel is exactly 10,322 feet long, of which 5,320 feet is finished. About 350 men are employed on the job, and they are forging ahead rapidly with the aid of their mechanical machines, such as air drills, electric trams, patent tool sharpeners and so forth. One of the shorter bores, in the series of improvements to better the grade over the hill, will be finished next week.