125 years ago – July 18, 1901
Splendid Entertainment Enjoyed by a Large Gathering
There was a festival gathering at the Masonic Hall on Tuesday evening last. Fair ladies and brave men were there, a splendid social time was had and an entertainment of a high character was presented in the program. The audience, composed of Masons and their families was a very appreciative one and frequently demanded a repetition of the solos and recitations.
The program consisted of selections by Bernhard Waltlier, the great Belgian violinist, impersonations by Cyrus Brownlee Newton of San Francisco, and a talk on “The New South,” by Dr. C. N. Thomas. Waltlier is master of the violin, and the sweet tones he drew from the instrument fairly entranced the audience. Dr. Thomas’ lecture was a review of the South, and a prophecy of what he thought would be its future. While some may differ from the Doctor in his views, the lecture was well received and the speaker much applauded. He paid a high tribute to the women of the South, loved, esteemed and honored by the men who were ever ready to avenge any insult offered her. After the program was completed, a banquet was spread in the banquet hall, yet the midnight hour found many still in social converse.
75 years ago – July 12, 1951
Hero, Ollie, Saves 2 Children From Drowning
Hero is the name for Ollie. Ollie is a half-grown, not very big brown and white part McNab Shepherd and part Springer Spaniel who Saturday rescued two little girls from drowning in the Russian River. Ollie belongs to Mr. and Mrs. Fred Brandt, Bailache Avenue. Ollie was patrolling the river hank, watching four young guests of the Brandt’s while they waded in the shallow water on a beach near the Basalt company plant, when Kathleen, age 9, suddenly disappeared.
The dog plunged into the river and found Kathleen in a deep hole near the beach. Kathleen caught one of Ollie’s legs, but he shook her off and stayed close by until she could get a grip on his collar. When she had tight hold of the collar, Ollie towed her to the bank. Before he had reached the bank with Kathleen, Rosalee, 8, confused by her friend’s accident or trying to help her, stepped into the same deep hole.
When he’d gotten Kathleen safely ashore, Ollie went back in the river for Rosalee, who hung onto his tail and was towed to the bank opposite the one on which he’d taken Kathleen. Ollie was given to the Brandts by a friend, who by accident ran over and killed Mrs. Brandt’s fox terrier. The year-and-a-half old dog is “crazy about water, and everything that lives in water,” Mrs. Brandt said.
50 years ago – July 22, 1976
No Smoking Rule Passed by Council
Thinking the City Council meeting was over, the small audience was beginning to leave the room Monday night when Mayor Jerry Eddinger announced that the Council had one more item of business. In a three-minute action, and most of that was taken up with amused discussion, the council unanimously approved a “No Smoking rule” for all future meetings in the City Council Chambers.
“We’ve been trying to get this passed for years,” said City Councilman William Lucius, who for many years had the seat next to cigar smoking and chewing councilman Ambrose Barbieri, who is now off the council. The motion was made by Councilman Abel DeLuna and jointly seconded by Lucius and Councilman Robert Sauers, who has frequently made cracks about the cigarette and cigar smoke of his colleagues. There was no difficulty getting passage. There won’t be any more ashtrays for smokers now.
Flashbacks are prepared by the docents of the Healdsburg Museum and Historical Society. The museum is open 11am to 4pm, Wednesday-Sundays. healdsburgmuseum.org.
