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This newspaper page contains 19 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Shafter Press
Location
Shafter, California, United States of America
Date
Feb 27, 1941
Page
2
Shafter welcomes visitors to its flower fields with reminders to protect private property. Do not destroy fences or stray from roads. If you pick flowers, be reasonable. respect cattle guards and gates and avoid causing a nuisance while viewing the display.
Shafter residents show strong interest in creating a Northern Fish and Game association to plant and protect pheasants quail and chukar in the northern Kern County area. Three Shafter men have been elected to the board as the group seeks countywide membership and eventual independent northern units.
The Western American, a San Francisco paper founded by Charles Bidwell Pickett, lasted six weeks in 1852. It attacked rivals and lawmakers with blunt language, calling the Legislature of a Thousand Drinks, and described members in harsh terms. Illness forced suspension. the paper survives only in library files as a symbol of a bold California gold rush voice.
The piece warns of an organized effort to defeat all current Kern county officials in upcoming elections. It notes such “clean the courthouse” campaigns have appeared in California before and could target capable public servants while leaving only a few in place. The article stresses the danger of organized minority action harming taxpayers and the political futures of good officials.
Communication from Blue Bonnet discusses planting California poppies and other wildflowers on vacant lots. He notes seed costs, potential for a community effort, and ways to collect seeds from yards and pods for a volunteer sowing by Scouts or neighbors.
The Exeter Sun questions FBI moves against Harry Bridges accusing the agency of awakening too late to arrest him for alleged Communistic ties. The Porterville Evening Recorder cites Bridges as a destructive leader who harmed industry and could be deported, while Dr. Robert Gordon Sproul urges calm against hysteria and unfounded charges.
The amended text claims a fox always blunders into a trap with both front feet while a coyote is never caught by more than one foot. Johnny provides photos as evidence of these distinctive trapping outcomes.
In a vintage quip, Ted Vignolo recalls an elderly man and his sons touring in a Model T. The accident tips the car onto its side, the father vents in colorful reproach, then the sons right the vehicle and one cheerfully notes it's only the first tip for the day.
Sheriff Johnny Loustalot, a county sportsman, claims pheasants rival any bird in toughness per pound. He notes that Game chicken breeders create crosses so hardy they beat others in rings, leading to a ban on Game pheasant crosses from Central Kern county fight pits.
The constable recounts his first arrest being struck on the nose, calling it oddly lucky in hindsight though he did not enjoy the blow at the moment. He notes he did not approve of the treatment under the circumstances and references an implied scheme to coat.
A local notice describes an adult recreation class at Shafter High School gym inviting men and women to join in volleyball and badminton. The item references a recurring publication, We Only Heard, noting it turns one year old this week though it first appeared February 29, 1940.
Richard Donovan cites William Saroyan's trip west in a broken car, comparing his gaze to a bird in flight. W A Huggins recalls a Stockton to Sacramento drive to test loneliness, Raoul Walsh denounces parlor pictures, and Police Chief Duller stresses efficiency over arrests. Sally Rand offers light relief amid defense needs, while Melvin Frontz laments limited jobs for youth and calls for responsible citizenship.
Pacific Fruit Express plans to purchase 1000 new refrigerator railroad cars and rebuild 3000 of its current fleet in a major rolling stock upgrade. The move signals a large expansion of cooling capacity for perishable freight.
A young girl nearly drowned after falling into a potato chip dip vat at the Kolbenstetter ranch. Despite warnings, she was rescued by her mother and treated by Dr. Kay, regaining strength to resume play. Separately, oil activity and community events fill Shafter area news with drills, leases, and a Camp Fire Girls play raising funds for summer camp at Hunting ton Lake.
Tulare county supervisor F. M. Pfrimmer presented to the Kern board of supervisors a plan for a new Tulare to Bakersfield highway. He cited growing truck traffic on the Golden State route and proposed a route from Porterville near Ducor southwest through the region, reconnecting with the Woody road north of Oildale.
Rural magazines across the United States identify Herbert Hoover as Kern county’s top farmer near Shafter. The Pacific Rural Press led the publicity with a detailed illustrated article. Freeman Tilden, Berkeley novelist, visited the Hoover farm gathering material for Worlds Work.
Cal Ewing president of the Oakland club visits Bakersfield and declares support for a Bakersfield team if local backing is sufficient. Four teams likely to start San Diego Santa Ana Ventura and Bakersfield leaving Santa Barbara still unsure.
Tom Poetker led a group including Justina Ratzlaff Oliva Mayer and Abe Ratzlaff on a mountain excursion to Cedar Creek. They enjoyed bogganing making snowmen and snow balling, a marshmallow and wiener roast at lunch, and a later drive home via Bakersfield with chow mein to close the day.
Miss Beth Dye of Bakersfield visited Shafter to see her sister Mrs Earl Crandall. Walter Zimmerman Hugo Zimmerman and Johnnie Schnidt traveled to Yosemite Valley and back. Mr and Mrs Fred Gunther and Mrs A McClure of Bakersfield joined Sunday dinner with Mr and Mrs Jess Jones and family. Jack Zimmerman will take possession of his new Shafter business in the former Sam Earl Ellenwood office next Monday. Ellenwood, employed at Kettleman Hills, spent the weekend in Shafter with his family.
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