75 years ago: Unforgettable Aldrich

50 years ago Population 3,179 (U.S. Census 1960 and 1970) School bells will toll the end of summer vacation for an estimated 2,316 students Tuesday as the schools in the Western Placer Unified District begin the 1975-76 school year. All students new to the district should be registered before the opening day to avoid first-day confusion. The expected enrollment exceeds last year's first-day attendance by 129. Normally, additional students continue to straggle in during the first two weeks due to conflicts with vacations and jobs. The projected high school enrollment this year is 831. A total of 748 students turned up for opening day last year at the local campus. A total of 895 students are registered already at Glen Edwards compared to 891 last year. A total of 515 students are anticipated at the Carlin C. Coppin School this year while 441 turned up on the first day last year. Note: The last updated figures from 3/23/2022 show 17 total Western Placer Unified schools and 10,905 students. Source: California Dept. of Education. 75 years ago Population 2,410 (U.S. Census 1940 and 1950) Unforgettable character: George Dunbar Aldrich not only had a store in Virginiatown east of Lincoln but he also took an active part in mining and had many in his employ. Aldrich, finally retired from mining, opened a mercantile business in Lincoln. The old Aldrich Building still stands on the corner of 5th and G Streets and is a part of the A.C. Fleming Estate. George Dunbar Aldrich was an ardent Republican, a "black republican" he was called in those early days, an Abraham Lincoln Republican. He wore a high hat at all times all day, every day. He had for a pet a very large white pig which followed him all around town. It would wait for him and then tag after him. During the Cleveland campaign, which was a very hot political battle, some pranksters using lamp black painted "Vote for Cleveland" on the sides of the pig. The pig, of course, followed Mr. Aldrich, much to his consternation. One summer night, a pottery (Gladding, McBean & Co.) worker named John Gold was near the Hill Saloon when Frank Faley, a rather notorious character, came out and shot Gold, who was a quiet, sober, industrious man as far as known and had no enemies. Faley lived in an old house that stood where the Gladding McBean Club House is now located on the corner of F and 4th Streets, and he went immediately to the house. The Town Constable was sent for but was not inclined to be bothered. In fact, no one seemed to want to go in the house after Faley. But not George Aldrich. When he heard of the killing, he went over to Faley's house and brought him out and delivered him to the officers. Faley was sentenced to prison for several years. This article was written by Mrs. Mabel Ahart. NID: Used to be, back in the good old days, the farmers looked heavenward for their crop moisture. Things have changed though; nowadays, a lot of the farmers look earthward for the precious water to grow their crops. And there's a reason. The life-giving moisture comes down in irrigation ditches – constant and certain – regardless of whether the heavens are clouded with rain moisture. For a price, the farmer can get all the water he wants when he needs it. Used to be money just didn't buy rain. Either it was there or it wasn't. But then, that was back in the good old days. It's not magic though, that irrigation water. It takes a lot of work from the time it's collected back up in the mountains until it speeds down through mountain flumes, tunnels, long ditches, canals and finally into little feeder canals to the thirsty land. Western Placer County, particularly, has reason to know the value of irrigation water. But for that water, most of the area north of Lincoln would be arid and brown throughout the year. There wouldn't be fine dairies, the rich pasturage and the fruit that Thermalands and Mt. Pleasant now have. NID water during the past three decades has increased the value of that land phenomenally. Land once worth $5-$10 an acre can't be touched now for less than $200. Ad: Lincoln Rexall Pharmacy, which carried a complete line of insecticides for modern fly control, had the following livestock health supplies for sale: DDT, 50% wettable powder, 1 lb. to 50 lb. lots; Isotox powder, $4.10 lb.; Methoxycide, 50%, 4 lbs., $3.80; BHC wettable powder, 4 lbs., $2.00. They also carried veterinary implements such as elastrators, syringes, needles, IV outfits, stock products, balling guns, dehorners, Horn branding irons and other items to make up a complete stock. Note: Elastrators are a rubber ring used on livestock to stop the flow of blood resulting in the body part to fall off, used for castration and/or tail; balling guns are used to give meds. Horn was a maker of branding irons. 100 years ago Population 1,324 (U.S. Census 1900, 1910, and 1920) Golf: Lincoln's golf course is again becoming very popular. The club here has some 80 members, and quite a number of them are very active in playing the game daily. Since the last burning off of the course the rounds may be made with comfort and pleasure. It is possible to make the Lincoln course one of the best and most attractive courses in the state, the natural contour elevations, etc., being such as to make the ground improvements inexpensive. We expect to see a lot of golf playing at the Lincoln course from now on. Note: The golf course was in the Foskett Ranch area. Office supplies: The News-Messenger is now in a position to furnish anything in the way of office supplies, such as loose-leaf binders, pads, file cabinets, drawers, punches, clasps, wall files, ledgers and in fact anything you may wish for your office. See our catalogue and make your selection. We represent A. Carlisle & Co., the noted stationers. Note: Also sold were wedding/party invitations, calling cards and personal stationery. Ad: Wrigley's gum ran an ad saying: After every meal Wrigley's makes your food do you more good. Note how it relieves that stuffy feeling after hearty eating. Sweetens the breath, removes food particles from the teeth, gives new vigor to tired nerves. Comes to you fresh, clean and full-flavored. Thank you for reading! MBO