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 Taverners Click here to see the photos with the Table Rock Sentinel article.
GEORGE TAVERNER
George Taverner, my grandfather, was born November 16, 1841, the sixth
child of George and Susanna Taverner. He was baptized in the Church of
England at Moretonhampstead, Devonshire, England, on December 2, 1841.
A first cousin of Sabine Baring-Gould, who wrote the words for "Onward Christian Soldiers," he was a direct descendant of George Francis Godolphin Bond, admiral in the British Navy.by Ethel Robinett Romano George Taverner came to America to make his fortune in his early twenties. He settled in Cosumnes, California, in Sacramento County and in time bought and owned several thousand acres on which he grazed sheep and cattle. In a letter to the lady who would become my grandmother, he wrote that a young man could make his fortune in the United States if he was a hard worker, industrious and sincere. Grandfather followed these principles and eventually felt he had made enough to return to England and marry his lady. He and Mary Elizabeth Berry were married in Bridford, Devonshire, on August 8, 1883. A fortnight later they sailed on the Cunard Line from Liverpool to Boston. Their names were on the first-class passenger list. In America they made their home in Cosumnes, where three daughters were born: Mary Josephine Victoria, September 30, 1884; Frances Kate, February 15, 1889; and Rose Ethel, Mary 6, 1892. George Taverner's eldest brother, Thomas Moore Taverner, also settled in Cosumnes. He had one son who was named George after my grandfather. This young man became president of the bank in Elk Grove, California. Grandmother could not endure the extreme summer heat in Sacramento County, and Grandfather decided to take her and his three daughters back to England to live. They sailed in January, 1900, landing again in Liverpool. They moved into a large house in Exeter, the aristocratic "Cathedral City of England," and maintained a retinue of servants to tend their needs. The daughters were entered in a private girls' school. But Grandfather had to return to America from time to time to tend to his investments and his business affairs, and he was gone so frequently that, after seven years, Grandmother decided the next time he sailed for America she and the girls would go with him. On one of his earlier return trips to England he had met a Mr. William Taverner, no relation, who lived in Ashland, Oregon. The two men corresponded occasionally, and William Taverner painted a glowing picture of the beauty of Ashland. Eventually George and Mary Elizabeth decided to come to Ashland. William Taverner had written, on April 17, 1907, that several houses he he had looked at, including the Watson home, were not suitable, but he wrote in enthusiastic terms of the house built by Mr. Frank C. Clark, in which Mr. and Mrs. Clark were living. He asked my grandfather to send a telegram to him if he approved of the purchase of the Clark home on the Boulevard, and George Taverner cabled money to William Taverner to buy the house. The deed of the home purchased by my grandfather reads "for his family and future generations of his descendants." And thus the Taverners became Southern Oregonians. The three Taverner girls were popular young ladies in Ashland. The oldest, my aunt Victoria, was a beauty who had bright blue eyes, jet-black hair and exquisite features. Young men were frequent callers and Victoria, who was shy, would call in family members to help entertain her young man. Aunt Frances, the second daughter, also considered a beauty, had light brown, almost blond hair, fair skin and blue eyes. She had a keen wit and an infectious laugh. The life of any party, she had no end of suitors. My mother, Rose, the youngest, was nicknamed Topsy, a name which suited her perfectly. She loved poetry and often recited verse to family and friends. Victoria and Frances sang in the choir at Trinity Episcopal church, and every member of the family was prominent in church affairs. The Taverners loved to entertain and often gave parties for Ashland's elite. Their yearly English teas became well known through the valley. A close friend, Olive Swedenburg, often presided at the table. The Reverend Samuel M. Dorrance, the rector of Trinity Church, was a guest at the Taverner home when he was in Ashland. The daughter of William Taverner [Doris Taverner] also stayed there during the winter months while she attended high school. Grandfather had a large barn built in the southwest corner of the back of his property. There were two horse stalls in the structure, one of them reserved for Midge, the horse belonging to Aunt Victoria, who was an accomplished horsewoman. The upstairs lofts were used for storage and hay. In one of the downstairs rooms Grandfather and his friends, Oscar Silver and Mr. Martin, played cribbage, Grandfather's favorite game. The large lot adjacent to the west side of the house and bordering on Beach Street was used as a grazing field for horses. Grandfather became one of Ashland's most distinguished citizens. He bought a great deal of land in Ashland. Among the properties which he owned in the city were the block across the Boulevard from the family home, a large two-story house, with barn, outbuildings and large pear and almond orchards on the corner of Siskiyou and Mountain streets, a large lot west of the Taverner home which extended to Beach Street upon which the Lincoln School is now standing, and several lots facing the Boulevard north of the family home. In other areas of the country he purchased a seventeen-acre ranch along Highway 99 in Talent, two large ranches near Jacksonville, a timber claim between Jacksonville and the Applegate, two large timber claims along the Crater Lake Highway, and twenty acres in Talent--known as the Taverner Twenty. He became involved in community affairs and joined the Masonic Lodge #23, the Knights Templar, which is a branch of Masonry, and then the Hillah Shrine Temple. He was granted all the degrees including the 32nd degree. He was a member of the Ashland Elks Lodge and was active in the 400 Commercial Club. He often lent money to local townspeople with only a handshake to bind the deal. His financial records include some interesting transactions:
Both Aunt Victoria and Aunt Frances graduated from the San Jose Normal School. In 1912 Frances entered Stanford University and during her freshman and sophomore years achieved high academic grades. A career seemed assured, but before her junior year began, a local boy, Horace Badger, told her that he needed her and couldn't live without her. This was quite a new approach for her; her other suitors had promised to take care of her and protect her. She couldn't resist his appeal, and they were married in 1915. Unfortunately, after a brief illness, she died in 1916, a year later. My mother, who was in nurse's training at St. Luke's Hospital in San Francisco at the time, later heard that the woman doctor who had attended Aunt Frances went to a party the evening of Frances' death and had appeared preoccupied and concerned. Upon being questioned about her mood, she said that that afternoon a beautiful young girl had died who never should have died. She was speaking of Aunt Frances. Grandfather's greatest love and dedication for Ashland were directed to Lithia Park--the parks--as they were called then. He was appointed to the first park board in December, 1909, by Mayor Snell. According to the Tidings, "The first park board did most of the work [which has been] accomplished since then." The president of the board was absent from every meeting held in 1913, and so Grandfather, the vice president, presided over all the monthly meetings. The early record of activities includes many accomplishments. The following facts were taken from the actual minutes which are kept in the Park Commission files. At a park board meeting on March 3, 1913, a motion was made and carried for Mr. Taverner to send for magnolia trees and bone dust. Grandfather must have seen to the order promptly because, according to the minutes of the following month's meeting, he was reimbursed by the board for freight costs of the trees in the amount of $2.15. On January 5, 1914, Grandfather was elected vice president for a second time. The president was again absent from every meeting, except for November, and Grandfather presided over all other meetings. It was a busy year. In October the acting president, George Taverner, was authorized to pay the paving assessment for the Boulevard Park, now called Triangle Park. In July the acting president and the secretary were given approval to issue warrants for work to be done in cutting trails in Canyon Park. In November the Park Commission asked the City Council for $250 for trails, resting places and other improvements for Canyon Park. The acting president and Mrs. VanSant were a committee of two to consider in detail questions concerning the Tourist Camp. In December the acting president of the Park Commission--again Grandfather--suggested that the Ladies' Civic Improvement Club might interest their members in erecting a small observatory. The acting president announced he would donate a flag to be displayed on this observatory should it be constructed. A special issue of the Tidings which honored the heads of various community organizations featured a picture of Grandfather with the caption, the acting president of the Park Board, "to whom too much credit cannot be given for the diligent manner in which he has carried out his public trust." At the January 1915 meeting, Grandfather was elected president of the Park Commission by a viva voce vote. In February he instructed the secretary to order 25 standard park benches at $2.95 each. Mesdames Vaupel and VanSant were named a committee on flowers and flower gardens. This is important because some people believe the ladies went ahead on their own to plant flowers in the park. This was not so. They did so with the knowledge and permission given them by the Park Board during the time Grandfather was president. George Taverner introduced and paid for a supply of Park Board stationery, printed with a formal heading, "The Ashland Park Commission." The members' names were printed on the right and the officers' names on the left. Monthly and special Park Board meetings were held now at the City Hall. During 1915 the Ashland band received a monthly allowance of $10. In April the president issued a warrant in payment for three palms and their freight costs in the amount of $9.42. In August the president was requested--by a motion--to handle at his discretion the problem of people camping in the park outside of tourist camps. In September it was decided to plant a strip down the Boulevard with English and Dutch holly. It is notable that the Taverner home in Exeter, England, bordered by a holly hedge, was called "The Hollies." In November the board voted to spend $10 for early flowering bulbs--tulips, narcissus and hyacinths. In December the City Council allowed the Park Board about $3300 for 1916 although no formal budget was presented, and made the suggestion that the board should exercise the strictest economy--pending the decision of the limits of [their] jurisdiction. In January, 1916, Grandfather was again elected president of the board. In February a committee consisting of Mesdames VanSant and Vaupel and Mr. Penniston was authorized to purchase and plant flowers and shrubs for the season. A committee of Mrs. Vaupel, Mr. Watson and Mr. Penniston was asked to draft rules and regulations for the public use of the parks. In April an ordinance for park usage prepared by the city attorney was submitted to the City Council and received the approval of the Park Commission. In May Grandfather appointed Mesdames Vaupel and VanSant to act jointly with a children's playground construction committee. This committee was given the power to secure an instructor for the playground and was given $10 toward the purchase of a gum machine. The June meeting covered lots of business. The board met to complete plans for a big July Fourth celebration of the opening of the parks. Miss Blanche Hicks was paid $5 for birdhouses. The board adopted an ordinance, passed by the City Council, for use of the parks by the public. A salary of $50 was authorized for the supervisor of the playground for July. Mr. Taverner and Mr. Watson were empowered to issue the following permits: The Elks for Flag Day exercises on June 14th; Springs dedication celebration committee for the sale of refreshments and the erection of amusement stands for July 4, 5, and 6; the children's playground committee for the sale of ice cream and confections at two stands in the park and for selling ice cream cones from carriers on one evening and afternoon of each week, except on July 4, 5, and 6; the Civic Improvement Club for holding a pageant in the parks on Friday, June 9, 1916. (The area for the celebration ran along Ashland Creek and south of Chautauqua Park.) A special meeting of the Board was held in June, 1916. The board agreed to hire P. A. Graves as park supervisor at a salary of $100 per month, and to allow him the use of the park cottage. The board decided to leave the hiring of other park employees to the president, George Taverner. A motion was passed to pay $25 for a colored-light illumination of the pond in the City Park and to carry lights along Ashland Creek as well. By September, 1916, the regular payroll had reached $418.00. It is significant to note that in a September meeting a motion was made and passed that hiring and discharging labor in the park be taken out of the hands of P. A. Graves and be placed in the hands of President Taverner. In January, 1917, Grandfather resigned from the Park Board. Aunt Frances had suddenly died in 1916, and Grandmother, grieving for her daughter, had suffered a stroke. During the years Grandfather had held office on the park commission, he had never missed a regular or a special meeting. In 1918 Grandmother died. Grandfather died suddenly on January 1, 1924. He and Aunt Victoria and Mother were in the midst of planning a dinner party for New Year's Day. Among the invited guests were close friend George A. Briscoe, Superintendent of Schools, and several other prominent Ashland residents. Although I was only three and a half years old, I have a memory that when he was stricken and lay dying, I picked up a hymnal--even though I couldn't read--and began singing "Onward Christian Soldiers." The song was familiar because it was sung almost every service at church. After his death the Tidings, which persisted in misspelling his name, ran the headlines GEORGE TAVENER DIED YESTERDAY AFTERNOON
His obituary noted that he had been "closely identified with the
community and its activities. Public spiritedness was one of his
characteristics. He served as president of the Park Board and had much
to do with [its developments] and improvements."(Note the spelling error) WELL-KNOWN PUBLIC SPIRITED CITIZEN PASSED AWAY SUDDENLY; FUNERAL FRIDAY Many people wrote letters of condolence to Mother and Aunt Victoria: 1. Arthur Miller, representing the law firm of White, Needham and Harber of Sacramento, wrote, "I consider Mr. Taverner one of the finest men I ever knew." 2. Judge Watson, who was on the Park Board with Grandfather, in a letter written by his daughter, Winnifred, declared: "We have known your father long; and my father feels that the years of close association taught him to appreciate and value Mr. Taverner's sound judgment and his high sense of justice and honor. His cheery greeting last Sunday morning will always remain a pleasant memory of one it was a privilege to call a friend. May the memory of his virtues and the consciousness of the high esteem in which he is held by all who knew him be some consolation to you in a loss which still must be irreparable." 3. Anna A. Wagner wrote of the words of the Reverend P. K. Hammond and of his deep feeling in regard to the death of George Taverner. Although she had many suitors, Aunt Victoria never married. She loved the Taverner house and was content to occupy herself with her community affairs and her church activities. She taught in Sunday school and for many years served as Sunday school superintendent. At the same time she sang in the choir. For many seasons she managed the Shakespeare information booth which stood on the Plaza and kept it staffed with volunteers. She also maintained a baby sitters' book and exchange for young couples who wished to attend the plays. Her activities with the festival and for the community made her a familiar and admired figure in Ashland. In December, 1968, she fell on the stairs. She had broken her hip and it was necessary for her to be confined in the hospital for several weeks. During her stay there, she continued her work for the church. Father Ellis brought her a collection of greeting cards and Aunt Victoria wrote cheerful and encouraging notes to the parishioners who were ill or who faced a death in the family. In May she died. Mother, who had married Stanley Arthur Robinett during World War I, also continued to live at the Taverner house, and I was born in Ashland. Like Aunt Victoria, Mother belonged to many community clubs and loved going to parties and teas and giving them. Certainly not the least of her civic duties was serving as official hostess at the Shakespeare Festival. In an interview, which appeared in the Tidings on November 22, 1972, she was highly praised for her dedication to the Festival. For 32 years, during play season, she stood just inside the main gate, dressed in her Elizabethan costume, and greeted playgoers with a "Good evening" and a pleasant smile. During all those 32 years, she missed only two nights. Theater lovers who returned year after year missed her welcome when she was unable to continue. For several years Aunt Victoria and Mother gave an annual tea in their garden for the festival cast and staff members. There were always at least 250 guests. The Tidings said: "Mrs. Robinett and her sister, Victoria Taverner, became friends of the festival at the very beginning, and the loyalty never faltered. Mrs. Robinett became the first hostess, then the official hostess, and for many, many years Miss Taverner was in charge of the information booth. Together they attended every single rehearsal of every single play." Mother was not a good business woman and did not seem to have a love of the land such as Grandfather had had. She sold the land he left for only a fraction of its worth. During the depression she tried to collect rents from the various farms, and when the tenants couldn't--or wouldn't--pay, she allowed the farms to revert to the state to be sold for taxes. She was talked into selling the valuable lot at the corner of Siskiyou and Beach streets for only a fraction of its worth by a man who assured her, so she said, that he would build a beautiful home to enhance that block of the Boulevard. Instead he built a grocery store. In 1982, after a lingering illness, she died. SOME NOTES ABOUT THE SWEDENBURG AND CHAPPELL FAMILIES
The Taverner family became close friends of the Swedenburgs. When I was
a child, Dr. Swedenburg always acted as my "dad" and took me to the
Campfire dad-and-daughter banquets. As an escort for a young girl, he
was very gallant and always arrived with a box of chocolates when he
called to pick me up.While I was attending St. Helen's Hall high school during June, 1937, my mother, my aunt Victoria and I went "up the street" to visit the Swedenburg family two or three times before their trip, which they called their "grand finale." On each of these three visits, Dr. Swedenburg told us that he had had premonitions of his death, and that he would not return from the voyage. I have always thought he was telling us goodbye. After his death, Olive Swedenburg and her daughter, Dr. Genevieve, returned to Ashland. Of course we went to pay our respects. Mrs. Swedenburg told us that friends in New York City had invited them to dinner before they sailed to Sweden, and it was then that Dr. Swedenburg got a fish bone caught in his esophagus. [A previous article in the newsletter reported a chicken bone was the cause of his death.] Olive Swedenburg was wearing black. She told us that she had not worn black while Dr. Swedenburg was alive because he did not like the somber color. She loved lavender. I recall that during one visit she showed us her bedroom, decorated in lavender with some purple. I can also remember seeing several of the interesting quilts which she had designed and made. The Swedenburg house had been built earlier by Charles C. Chappell, the first husband of Lucy Chappell. After she left Ashland, Lucy Chappell went to San Francisco and lived there in a spacious apartment with her second husband, George F. Wilson, until she became ill with a rare disease called Paget's disease, which causes the head to enlarge and the body to grow smaller. She then decided to live with her daughter, Charlotte, who was a nurse in San Francisco, but Lucy did not get along well with her son-in-law, and realized she must move. She and Aunt Victoria had always been close friends, so Lucy returned to Ashland to live with Victoria and Mother. She was with us about ten years--from the time I was in the seventh grade until she died around 1941, when I was a junior at Mills College. She is buried in the Chappell-Taverner joint cemetery plot in Mountain View Cemetery. Lucy's daughter, Helen Chappell (Lathrop) and Mother were chums from high school days. Before Helen died in Paris, she told her sister Charlotte that her estate was to be divided equally among her sister Charlotte, her sister Ruth and her dear friend Rose. (Helen's late.husband, Dean Lathrop, and his sister were very wealthy and had left Helen all their money.) Although Charlotte divided some of the money with her sister Ruth, she refused to share any of the wealth with my mother. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ethel Robinett Romano, George
Taverner's granddaughter, spent the first two years of college at the
Southern Oregon Normal School, where she was a member of many clubs.
She was editor of the yearbook, social editor of the paper and pianist
in the college orchestra. She appeared in leading roles in all the
plays produced by Angus Bowmer during that period and played leads in
the traveling companies which presented Shakespeare plays at various
public schools throughout Southern Oregon. During the festival season
of 1940, she appeared as Rosalind in As You Like It and as Beatrice in
Much Ado About Nothing. Harold Hunt, the drama critic of the Portland Journal, wrote excellent reviews of Ethel's acting in these two plays, which were directed by Bill Cottrell.Ethel had her own show over radio station KMED. During the continuing series of programs, she related tales of early Ashland as told to her by a pioneer, Mrs. Winters. During each show she sang one or two songs. During the years of World War II, when the stage of the Shakespeare theater was dark, Ethel formed a community theater group. "I did it for Angus Bowmer," she said, "because he was missing the Shakespeare Festival so much." She, Angus Bowmer and Marjorie McNair presented plays over KMED. After she graduated from Mills College, where she received a B.S. degree, she did graduate work at the University of Southern California and obtained a certificate in occupational therapy. In 1948 she married Frank Romano, a young man she had met several years earlier when he served as officer in a combat engineer outfit stationed at Camp White during the early part of the war. He had received a B.S. from the University of Rhode Island, and, after their marriage, an M.Ed. from the University of Oregon and an Ed.S. from Stanford University. He taught mathematics and science in junior high, high school and junior college. He also served as a high school principal. Upon their retirement in 1977, Ethel and Frank Romano returned to Ashland to live. The Taverner house was entered on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. The Romanos have four children: Lorna, who graduated from Mills College and went on to do graduate work at the University of California, Sonoma and SOSC, taught modern dance with the Peace Corps in Quito, Ecuador, but now lives in Ashland; Frank, Jr., who studied four years in Paris with a part of that time at the Sorbonne, returned to the United States and is now in his last year of law school; Thomas, a graphic artist and illustrator, who graduated from the California College of Arts and Crafts, designed the cover for the 1985 SOSC yearbook and has done several brochures for SOSC and the 1985 graphics for the Britt Festival; and John, an ear, nose and throat specialist, who now lives in Arizona. Table Rock Sentinel, Southern Oregon Historical Society, May 1986, pages 2-13 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The following is a list of all those who have filed their declarations of intention to become citizens of the United States during 1871, before the County Clerk of Sacramento: . . . April 29--George Taverner, Great Britain. "Declaration of Intention," Sacramento Daily Union, January 1, 1872, page 11 George Taverner, a native of Great Britain, was admitted to citizenship in the County Court yesterday on the testimony of Thomas Taverner and Martin Monsch. "Brief Reference," Sacramento Daily Union, May 23, 1873, page 3 INQUEST UNNECESSARY.--James Murray, a sheepherder in the employ of George Taverner, on Bailey's ranch on the Cosumnes, died suddenly last Tuesday. Coroner Vermilya was notified, but, after inquiring into the facts, satisfied himself that the cause of death was a congestive chill, and that it was unnecessary to hold an inquest. Sacramento Daily Record-Union, May 23, 1878, page 3 BONDS FILED.--The bond of William Carey Van Fleet, as Notary Public, has been filed for record in the County Recorder's office, with S. A. Boutwell and L. C. Chandler as sureties, in the sum of $5,000. Also, the bond of George Taverner, as Constable of Lee township, has been filed in the same office, with J. C. Tubbs and Presley Dunlap as sureties, in the sum of $500 each. Sacramento Daily Record-Union, October 4, 1879, page 3 GRAND LARCENY.--Day before yesterday some person, in the absence of the family, entered the residence of George Taverner, who resides on the Jackson road, and stole $700 in gold. Sacramento Daily Record-Union, June 3, 1881, page 3 BORN.
TAVERNER--In
Cosumnes, September 30, to the wife of George Taverner, a daughter.
Daily Alta California, San Francisco, October 3, 1884, page 8 George Taverner appeared and complained of obstructions on the grant line road--on the Jackson road leading to Sheldon. On motion of Mr. McMullen, the overseer of Road District No. 8 was instructed to ascertain the correct boundary of the Sheldon grant, and, if he find that obstructions or fences trespass upon the road, to have the same removed. "Board of Supervisors," Sacramento Daily Record-Union, April 5, 1887, page 3 Haffey Again.
Gertie
Wakefield, by whom Edward
Haffey said he expected to prove that he had purchased the books stolen
from school libraries in the country which he had sold in this city,
came to Sacramento yesterday, and in conversation with Chief Dillman
designated B. F. Murray's store as one of the places at which she had
seen Haffey dispose of books. The Chief went there, and Mr. Murray
showed him a number of volumes which Haffey had sold to him, Haffey
explaining that, in the interest of Bancroft & Co. he had sold
new
books to various schools for library use, and taken old ones in part
payment. Eighteen volumes of miscellaneous works proved to be the
property of Wilson School District, on the Cosumnes, and are marked
with the name of the district stamped upon leaves throughout the
volumes. It is believed that the loss of the books from the library has
not yet been discovered, but when Geo. Taverner, the Secretary of the
School Trustees, gets today's Record-Union
he will doubtless be heard from.Sacramento Daily Record-Union, August 25, 1887, page 3 George Taverner, who lives on the Cosumnes, was arrested some days ago on the complaint of Philip Wagner, on a charge of dog poisoning. The case was heard Saturday at the Bridge House, before Justice Raymond. General Hart represented the defendant, and District Attorney Bruner the prosecution. After hearing the testimony, on motion of the District Attorney the case was dismissed, there being no evidence warranting a conviction. "Local Brevities," Sacramento Daily Record-Union, March 19, 1888, page 3 BROKEN CABLES.
Yesterday
morning Supervisors Tebbets, Black and Ross, accompanied by a Record-Union
reporter, left the city for the scene of the recent wreck of the McCabe
wire suspension bridge which spanned the Cosumnes River about
twenty-four miles out on the Jackson road. The road for
the whole
distance is in excellent condition, showing that the road overseers in
the districts traveled over are looking after their duties in a proper
manner. Farmers along the route say that crops never looked better, and
anticipate a bountiful harvest. Indeed, in many of the fields the
barley is already heading and as thick and free from weeds as a farmer
could wish for. Excellent views of the country round about were
afforded from some of the high knolls, and as far as the eye could see
it was one vast area of green and fertile fields. It is a grand sight,
and one worth seeing.A VISIT TO THE WRECKED SUSPENSION BRIDGE. Wires that Snap Like Pipe Stems--A Graphic Description of the Recent Catastrophe. On the trip to the bridge the Supervisors were occupied in observing the condition of the roads, and it was noticeable that several parties had moved out their fences farther into the highway than they should have done, but as it does not materially affect the road, there will probably be nothing done about it. Supervisor Ross was posted on his district (the eighth), from one end to the other. He knew every farmer and laborer in the whole place, and could name the owner of every farm. He was right at home with the history of the whole Cosumnes River bottom, and told several stories about the place. "Here," said he, just before reaching the Cosumnes post office, ''is where the old adobe building used to be in which the miners from Michigan Bar would congregate during the racing season, and there is where the race track was. They used to have great times here in early days." At Cosumnes post office the party were joined by A. M. Plummer, road overseer for the district in that part of the county, and from there the drive to the bridge was made in about an hour. THE
FALLEN BRIDGE.
One glance
at the wreck told the
tale. Nothing was left spanning the river, excepting the two main
cables on the left side, dangling from which were the uprights which
held the flooring, but none of the latter was there. The two cables on
the opposite side, at the approach to the bridge, were snapped off at
the anchorage, and the right-hand tower was also felled. The cable guys
on both the towers on this side were also snapped, and the main cables
lay in the bed of the stream. Workmen had succeeded in hauling all of
the planking to the shore, excepting a few pieces of the flooring that
were dangling in the air from the cable that did not break, and the
wreck will be left as it is until the Supervisors decide as to what
shall be done. The river is fordable at present, so that there is no
immediate necessity for a temporary bridge.Upon examination of the cables where they were broken, one of them (the largest) appeared to be just as good as new, while the other was badly rusted, and some of the wires when bent would snap off like a dry twig. With the heavy weight of 2,000 sheep the cables gave away, letting down the right-hand side of the bridge, turning the flooring completely over and precipitating the animals to the river bed, about thirty feet below. The structure is 304 feet long from tower to tower, and 12 feet in width. The cables are 9x7 inches in circumference. According to the different statements given by parties who witnessed the calamity, the following is about HOW
THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED :
George
Taverner, an extensive
farmer, is the owner of a large number of sheep, which he pastures in
fields on the other side of the bridge. A couple of weeks ago his
herder brought the band, 2,110 in number, over the bridge in safety to
this side, for the purpose of shearing them. Last Sunday he started to
drive them back to pasture, and when the bridge was reached the animals
rushed on and over to the other side, but those that were in the lead,
seeing a shepherd dog lying down in the road a little way beyond the
bridge, stopped still, while the other sheep kept crowding on. Some say
all of the sheep were on the bridge, and others say not; at all events,
while in this condition a snap was heard, the floor turned over to one
side, and by ten and twenty at a time the animals were thrown below--some
on a sandbank in the river and others into the water. About fifty
reached the other side in safety before the flooring gave way, and a
good many rushed back to this side. The scene below was a pitiful one.
There lay a mass of sheep piled one on another, with the flooring of
the bridge on top of them, and the poor creatures bleating painfully.
The scene is said to have been one that appealed to the sympathy of all
who looked on. Then again a dozen or more hung in the air, being caught
in the upright cables--some around the throat and others by their legs.
These were removed as rapidly as possible.About 135 were killed, or injured so that they had to be killed. Some had their backs broken, others their limbs, and still others were killed outright. The mutton was given away to anyone who would take it. Benjamin Bailey, an old farmer and resident near the bridge, said he heard the crash and thought it was an earthquake. He was glad the bridge had fallen at the time it did, as probably at any other, loss of human life might have occurred. He thought there were between 50 and 75 tons of weight on the bridge at the time it went down. Thomas Brown, the road overseer for the district, said he had his men to work immediately alter the accident, clearing away the debris and getting the sheep to the shore. ON
THE HOMEWARD TRIP.
George
Taverner, the owner of the
sheep, was met on the road, and he stated that he was going to present
a demand for damages to the Board of Supervisors. He was not going to
hire any lawyers, but thought the Board would look at the matter in the
proper light and do the just thing. If they did not allow him damages
he would drop the matter, but he trusted they would do him justice. The
route home was taken via the new Jackson road, and a number of
improvements were noted in that section, under the supervision of
Roadmaster Plummer. The Supervisors say he is one of the best men in
the employ of the county.In regard to the building of the new bridge, the Supervisors say they will look into the matter more thoroughly, and determine whether or not it would be more advisable to have a new combination bridge or repair the old one. They say that such a number of sheep should not have been driven over at one time. Sacramento Daily Record-Union, April 18, 1889, page 3 George Taverner appeared relative to his sheep that were killed by the fall of the McCabe wire bridge across the Cosumnes. He claimed to have lost 135 head; that the sheep were not stampeded, nor forced upon the bridge, and that the sheep were worth at least $2.50 each. "Board of Supervisors," Sacramento Daily Record-Union, May 7, 1889, page 3 The Board of Supervisors has allowed George Taverner $350 as damages for sheep killed in the breaking of the McCabe wire bridge near Live Oak. "Local Brevities," Sacramento Daily Record-Union, May 15, 1889, page 3 George Taverner is building a fine two-story house, costing $3,000 or more. Mr. Taverner is a rich farmer and sheep-grower, and believes also in beautifying the place with good buildings. "Elk Grove," Sacramento Daily Record-Union, May 14, 1892, page 4 Sheep Killed by Lightning
A correspondent of the Record-Union,
writing
from Plymouth, Amador County, on the 9th, states that during a heavy
thunder and rainstorm on Wednesday evening twenty sheep belonging to
George Taverner of Cosumnes were struck by lightning, five miles east
of there, near Oleta. Eighteen were killed instantly, and two others
badly hurt.
Sacramento Daily Record-Union, June 11, 1892, page 4 On Washington's Birthday a picnic surprise was given to Miss Sophia Christman at Cosumnes, on George Taverner's ranch, by the young folks of Pacific District and vicinity. After partaking of a sumptuous dinner, they all started on a most delightful ramble, shooting at marks with rifles and enjoying themselves in various ways, after which they returned for lunch. Those present were: Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Gibson, Mr. and Mrs. De Witt Slawson, Misses Ruth Merwin, Lena John, Lulu Rich, Mary Smith, Messrs. Sam Smith, Henry Merwin, George Hamilton, Lou Rizerner, James Christman. "Social and Personal," Sacramento Daily Record-Union, February 24, 1893, page 4 WITH MASONIC HONORS
Funeral of the Late Thomas
Taverner at Elk Grove.
The remains of Thomas
Taverner, who died suddenly at the residence of A. J. Wilton, on the
Georgetown Divide, last Saturday, were interred with Masonic honors at
the Masonic Cemetery in Old Elk Grove yesterday afternoon. The
attendance was the largest ever seen in this county outside of
Sacramento, many people coming from long distances to be present at the
last sad rites. A special car was attached to the passenger train which
left this city at 10:25 a.m., carrying members of Sacramento
Commandery, No. 2, Knights Templar, of which deceased was a member, and
of other Masonic bodies and the First Artillery Band.Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. in the Methodist Church at Elk Grove, Rev. C. S. Haswell officiating and preaching a touching sermon. Mrs. John Stephenson presided at the organ. The funeral procession was a very long one, the Masonic bodies, headed by the First Artillery Band, marching all the way from the church at Elk Grove to the cemetery at Old Elk Grove, a distance of a mile and a half. The line of carriages was fully half a mile long. The services at the grave were conducted by Elk Grove Lodge, No. 173, F. and A. M., Harry K. Stich, Worshipful Master, the beautiful Masonic burial service being given in full in a most impressive manner. The pall-bearers were Past Commanders Powell S. Lawson and John W. Boyd of Sacramento Commandery, No. 2, Knights Templar; Companions A. Dennery and David Harris of Sacramento Chapter, No. 3, Royal Arch Masons, and Thomas McConnell and George Williamson of Elk Grove Lodge, No. 173, F. and A. M. As already stated Mr. Taverner died very suddenly on Saturday morning last at the residence of his lifelong friend, A. J. Wilton of Kentucky Flat, on the Georgetown Divide, El Dorado County. He had complained of pains in his chest and the back of his neck and head on Friday afternoon, but after eating a hearty meal in the evening appeared in his usual good health and chatted cheerfully with Mr. Wilton's family until he retired, with a request to be called early in the morning. As he did not respond to the call the room was entered and he was found dead in his bed, the Coroner's jury finding that he died from heart failure. Thomas Taverner was widely known in this county and in the mountains, and was highly respected and esteemed by all who knew him. He came here in 1852, and had accumulated a fortune variously estimated at from fifty to eighty thousand dollars. He leaves a wife and four children, two boys and two girls, and one brother George. His sudden death was a great shock to his relatives and numerous friends and is sincerely deplored. Sacramento Daily Record-Union, June 15, 1893, page 5 TAVERNER'S WILL
The will of the late
Thomas M. Taverner, who was found dead in his bed at the house of a
friend above Georgetown, in El Dorado County, has been filed in the
Superior Court. It was made on July 17, 1885, and bequeaths his
property in the following manner: To his son, John Thomas Taverner,
aged 18 years, the southeast half of the upper half of lot 9 of the
Hartnell grant; to his daughter, Mary Ellen Taverner, aged 14 years,
the southeast half of lower half of lot 9, Hartnell grant; to his son,
George Moore Taverner, aged 16 years, the southeast half of upper half
of lot 8, Hartnell grant; to his daughter, Effie May Taverner, aged 12
years, the fractional part of section 2, township 6 north, range 7 east.It Leaves a Large Amount of Property to His Wife and Children. The rest and residue of the real estate, wherever situated, is bequeathed to his wife during her lifetime, and after her death to revert to the children, share and share alike. It directs that all his just debts and liabilities be paid, and leaves to his wife and children all his personal property, share and share alike. His wife is named as executrix of the will, without bonds. The deceased was a large land-owner, his estate comprising the following real property: The southeast half of upper half of lot 9, Hartnell grant, containing 447 acres; southeast half of upper half of lot 9, Hartnell grant, containing 423 acres; southeast half of upper half of lot 8, Hartnell grant, containing 395 acres; fractional northwest half of lower half of lot 9, Hartnell grant, containing 388 acres, and fractional part of section 2, township 6 north, range 7 east, containing 412 acres, all in Sacramento County, and of the value of $26,000; also, a one-half interest in that portion of the lower half of lot 10 of the Hartnell grant, bounded by the Cosumnes River and lands of Conner & Bailey, containing 544 acres, and valued at $5,000. He also left a large amount of personal property, consisting of sheep, cattle, horses and agricultural implements of the value of $7,000; forty shares of Elk Grove Masonic building stock, valued at $400, and cash in the Sacramento Savings , Bank, amounting to $986, making the total value of the estate at $39,386. The widow has petitioned the court to appoint her as executrix, and Judge Johnson will hear the petition on July 7th. Sacramento Daily Record-Union, June 21, 1893, page 3 George Taverner to Trustees Free Methodist Church of Cosumnes--Lot 110 by 110 feet in east half of northeast quarter of section 1, township 7 north, range 7 east. "Real Estate Transfers," Sacramento Daily Record-Union, July 30, 1898, page 3 Miss Frances Taverner has gone to San Jose to visit friends before resuming her studies in Stanford University. "Personal and Local," Valley Record, Ashland, August 24, 1910, page 3 A small number of young people drove to Smith Springs Tuesday morning and enjoyed an all-day picnic at that place, returning home in the cool of the afternoon. Those in the party were Mrs. Young, Misses Helen Chappell, Ethlynde Sanford, Victoria Taverner and Rose Taverner; Messrs. Mills and Martin. "In the Social Realm," Ashland Tidings, July 18, 1912, page 4 A hay ride from town to her home in the country, an evening spent with music, games and cards, and the delightful ride home were some of the pleasant things planned by Miss Natalie Swigart for her guests of Wednesday evening. The merry crowd left Ashland at 8 o'clock and so happily was the evening spent that not until an hour or so after midnight was the homeward trip begun. A delightful luncheon was one of the features of the evening. The guests were Misses Frances Taverner, Rose Taverner, Ethlynde Sanford, Helen Chappel; Messrs. Harry Bates and Victor Mills; Mr. and Mrs. Monte Briggs. "In the Social Realm," Ashland Tidings, August 1, 1912, page 4 Spanish Class.
A Spanish class with Miss Frances Taverner as president and Dr. Julio
Endelman as teacher was organized Saturday evening at the former's home
on the Boulevard. The other charter members are Misses Victoria
Taverner, Vivian Miller and Vivian Greer; Dr. J. P. Johnson, Professor
St. John and O. H. Barnhill. It is hoped that many others will join the
class this week. The work promises to be both interesting and
instructive, as Dr. Endelman is a native of Peru and has traveled
widely, having studied five years in a European university. No
textbooks are used, the conversational method employed, making it easy
to acquire the language which is spoken over half the western continent.Ashland Tidings, March 17, 1913, page 5 The Alpha Chi Club met with Miss Madge Eubanks on Wimer Street Monday evening of this week and initiated three new members. The whole house was thrown open to them and everyone else very wisely "moved out." After the solemn (?) ceremonies were finished, rolls, wieners, coffee and marshmallows were served by a big open fire in the front yard. The wieners and marshmallows were toasted in the blaze, as well as the faces and arms of the toasters. The unfortunates who rode the goat on this occasion were Miss Maud Nissley, Miss Nellie Briggs and Miss Margaret Power. The regular members in attendance were the Misses Frances Taverner, Gilchrist, Merrill, Eubanks, Burdic, Caldwell, Gregg and Swigart, and Mesdames Butterfield and Walker. Next Monday night, May 12, Miss Power and Miss Swigart will be hostesses and will take the members of the club on a hayrack ride. "In the Social Realm," Ashland Tidings, May 8, 1913, page 4 Twelve members of the Alpha Chi Club met in the club room at the rear of the Beaver Realty Company's office, on Main Street, Monday evening of this week and after an hour of music repaired to the Star Theater. At the close of the play they proceeded to take possession of Crowson's, and at one long table held sway for half an hour. Many of the club members expect to leave Ashland this week or next for their summer vacation, and this event was the last of the long series of good times which have occurred every Monday evening most of the past winter. Those present were Misses Edith Merrill, Frances Taverner, Beulah Caldwell, Hope Burdic, Nellie Briggs, Madge Eubanks, Margaret Power, Maud Gregg, Josephine Herndon, Natalie Swigart, Mrs. Roy Walker and Mrs. May Beaver Herndon. "In the Social Realm," Ashland Tidings, June 5, 1913, page 4 Miss Frances Taverner leaves Thursday of this week for San Jose, where she will enter the Normal. "Additional Local and Personal," Ashland Tidings, August 28, 1913, page 8 Miss Frances Taverner, who is attending Stanford University, is spending the holiday vacation at her home in this city. "In the Social Realm," Ashland Tidings, December 25, 1913, page 4 Miss Rose Taverner left Tuesday noon for the East. She will enter Johns-Hopkins early in February to take the nurses' training course. In anticipation of this event, she was the guest of honor at a dinner party at the A. W. Boslough home last Friday evening. An excellent five-course dinner was served to the following guests at six-thirty: Miss Rose Taverner, Miss Beatrice Miller, Mrs. Frank Dean, Miss Victoria Taverner and Miss Natalie Swigart. The color scheme was pink, the centerpiece of carnations, the place cards and favors carrying out the plan. The latter part of the evening was spent with cards. "In the Social Realm," Ashland Tidings, January 29, 1914, page 4 Honor Mr. and Mrs. H. D. Badger, Jr.
Miss Victoria Taverner entertained in honor of Mr. and Mrs. H. D.
Badger, Jr., Saturday evening at the Taverner home on Magnolia
Boulevard, with the Alpha Chi Club as guests. A most delightful evening
was spent, the newlyweds being showered with every honor. After the
guests had arrived the young couple marched in the reception room to
the tune of the wedding march, and were introduced to the assembly as
"Mr. and Mrs. H. D. Badger," by Mrs. Badger's sister, Victoria. The
guests, however, unbeknown to the hostess, were prepared and had
conjured up a linen shower for Mrs. Newlywed, who as soon as she
appeared and was introduced was showered with many dainty linen
articles in token of her popularity. The evening was then spent in
conversation, Mr. and Mrs. Badger being in the middle of it all. At
about 10:30 all were invited to the dining room, where refreshments of
brick ice cream, many cakes, candies, olives and grape juice were
served by the hostess. The dining room was beautifully decorated with
luscious cherries hanging on their branches, while the table was a
wonder with honeysuckle and flowers. After the refreshments the guests
wended their respective ways homeward.Those present were the Mesdames Anna Mattern Hile, Roy Walker, Walter Herndon and the Misses Floy Cambers, Natalie Swigart, Edna Brown, Beulah Caldwell, Eva Norcrosse, Hope Burdic and Nellie Briggs. Ashland Tidings, June 29, 1914, page 4 George Taverner is certainly doing some fine work in the way that he is overseeing the park work in the city. He, as a factor in the beautification of the city's premises, has done a service that can hardly be overestimated. Ashland Tidings, November 19, 1914, page 1 Miss Rose Taverner returned home Friday from Baltimore, Md., where she has been taking a hospital training course for the past year. "Local and Personal," Ashland Tidings, April 1, 1915, page 5 Mrs. Frances Badger.
Mrs. Frances Badger, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Taverner of this
city and wife of Horace Badger of Ashland, died suddenly at Oakland,
Cal., Saturday. Mrs. Badger had been in poor health for the past year
and a half and had recently undergone two operations, but her condition
was not thought to be serious, and the death comes as a sudden shock to
her many Ashland friends. She was twenty-five years of age and was one
of the most popular of the younger Ashland set. She leaves two sisters,
Rose and Victoria, both of whom were in San Francisco at the time of
her death.Ashland Tidings, January 24, 1916, page 16 Mrs. Frances T. Taverner Badger, who died last Saturday in Oakland, Cal., was buried this afternoon in Mountain View cemetery. Private funeral services were held at the Taverner home on the Boulevard. "Local and Personal," Ashland Tidings, January 27, 1916, page 5 Mr. Taverner has served [on the Ashland Parks Commission] for four years, and during the most of that time has been president of the commission. For the last three years he has been the acting superintendent of parks, and in that capacity has given hours of time each working day to the supervision of the work. For this intelligent, conscientious and valuable public service, rendered without any compensation except the consciousness of duty faithfully performed, he has the thanks of this commission and should have those of the entire community. "Park Board Gets Work Under Way," Ashland Tidings, January 11, 1917, page 1 Mrs. George Taverner, who has been sick for the past two weeks, is reported to be improving. Her daughters, Misses Victoria and Rose Taverner, have been home from San Francisco taking care of their mother. "Local and Personal," Ashland Tidings, June 13, 1918, page 5 Well Known Woman Called by Death
Mrs. George Taverner, a well-known Ashland woman, died at her home on
the Boulevard last Thursday after a lingering illness. While Mrs.
Taverner's condition had been serious for a long time, so that her two
daughters who were in San Francisco had been summoned to their mother's
bedside, her death was quite sudden.Funeral services were held from the late home Saturday morning, attended by the immediate friends of the family. Rev. P. K. Hammond, vicar of the Trinity Episcopal church, conducted the service. The pall bearers were close friends and neighbors of the deceased and were Prof. G. A. Briscoe, F. E. Watson, R. P. Watkins, H. F. Pohland, Clark Bush and H. S. Sanford. Interment was made in Mountain View Cemetery. Beside her husband Mrs. Taverner is survived by two daughters, Misses Victoria and Rose Taverner. Ashland Tidings, June 27, 1918, page 1 Mrs. V. V. Mills, Misses Victoria and Rose Taverner, Ruth Whitney and Nellie Briggs composed a party who made a horseback trip to the wilds of Ashland Butte, Saturday, and spent the day in the mountains. "Local and Personal," Ashland Tidings, October 15, 1918, page 5 Miss Rose Taverner was notified Tuesday to report to Mare Island, Cal., to join a corps of nurses who will depart shortly for overseas service. Miss Taverner is a graduate of a nurse's training school, the whole class of whom enlisted for service in France. Owing to the serious illness of Mrs. Taverner, whose death occurred several months ago, Miss Taverner was given a leave of absence until the present call. "Local and Personal," Ashland Tidings, October 22, 1918, page 5 912 Siskiyou Boulevard, Ashland: George Taverner, 78, immigrated 1865, born England, parents born England Mary J. V. Taverner, 35, housekeeper, born California, parents born England U.S. Census, enumerated January 7-10, 1920 Mrs. Stanley Arthur Robinett, who with her husband has recently returned from Guam, H.T., arrived at her home in Ashland yesterday. Mrs. Robinett was formerly Miss Rose Taverner. She spent over a year abroad as a Red Cross nurse. Mr. Robinett, who was unexpectedly called east on business, hopes to follow his wife to Ashland shortly. "Local and Personal," Ashland Tidings, May 26, 1920, page 3 Mr. and Mrs. S. A. Robinett are in Ashland and will spend the summer at the Taverner home on the Boulevard. Mr. and Mrs. Robinett recently returned from Guam, and the former went east on business while Mrs. Robinett came to Ashland. She later joined her husband in San Francisco and both arrived in Ashland Saturday. "Local and Personal," Ashland Tidings, June 23, 1920, page 3 Birth
On July 24, 1920, to Mr. and Mrs. S. A. Robinett (nee Miss Rose Taverner) the gift of a daughter.Ashland Tidings, July 28, 1920, page 3 Barn and Contents Destroyed by Fire
Sunday evening the barn belonging to George Taverner at his home on the
Boulevard was burned to the ground, together with most of its contents.
The fire was discovered at about 10:30 p.m. and an alarm sent in to the
fire department, but the building was a mass of flames by the time the
firefighters arrived. Some time was lost in locating the fire, as the
alarm was sent in over the telephone, the person who sent it in failing
to give the address. Through the telephone central, however, the
department found out the fire was on the Boulevard, and when they
reached the Taverner home the barn was too far gone to be saved. No
insurance was carried on the barn, it is stated.Ashland Tidings, November 10, 1920, page 1 S. A. Robinett had the misfortune to lose his auto truck by fire last evening about 7:30 o'clock, together with a large load of hay, which was entirely consumed. While driving into the city from the outlying district east of town, Mr. Robinett discovered his load of hay had caught fire in some manner, presumably from the machine. An alarm was sent in to the fire department, but the truck and load were a wreck before the blaze was controlled. "Local and Personal," Ashland Tidings, November 10, 1920, page 4 Moves to Own Property-- Mrs. Myrtle Boslough, who has been living for some time with the Taverners on the Boulevard, has moved into her property at the corner of Glenview Drive and Hillcrest Place. "Local and Personal," Ashland Tidings, August 2, 1922, page 3 POLICE CHIEF ROW ENDS
Oregonian, Portland, January 19, 1923, page 12Ashland City Council Approves of Stanley Robinette
ASHLAND, Or., Jan. 18.--(Special.)--Ashland's chief of police
controversy has been definitely settled with the appointment and
confirmation by the city council of Stanley Robinette to succeed J. W.
Hatcher. Several persons selected by Mayor Loomis refused to accept the
appointment, while others who sought the office did not meet with the
approval of the council.
Ashland Wars on Rum.
Oregonian, Portland, March 5, 1923, page 7
ASHLAND, Or., March.--(Special.)--War on bootleggers has been declared
by Stanley Robinette, chief of police, and two arrests have resulted in
the past two days. Jake Snyder was found to be in possession of two
pints of liquor and fined $200 and sentenced to 30 days in jail. George
Duncan, upon whose property in the vicinity of the Anderson mine, near
here, were found condensers and a small quantity of liquor, was fined
$250 and sentenced to 90 days in jail. Several other arrests are
expected.
George Taverner, prominent citizen of Ashland, died at his home at 12 o'clock, January 1. Mr. Taverner was born in Devonshire, England and had lived here since 1908. He was eighty-two years old and is survived by his two daughters, Miss Rose Taverner and Mrs. Stanley Robinett. Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at two o'clock at the Episcopal church, Rev. P. K. Hammond officiating. Funeral arrangements are in charge of J. P. Dodge and Sons. "Winter Sports Mark N. Year's Day in Ashland," Medford Mail Tribune, January 2, 1924, page 6 The shooting team consists of 10 members and three alternates are also being taken on the trip. Those named on the team include: First Lieutenant Langdon H. Spooner, service company, 186th infantry; Sergeant William E. Purdy Jr., headquarters company, 162nd infantry; Sergeant Henry Thomas, Sergeant Chester E. McCarty, Sergeant Robert Archer, Sergeant Jackson F. Jones, Sergeant Ellis E. Brown, service company, 162nd infantry; Sergeant Robert B. Smith, headquarters company, 82nd infantry brigade; Sergeant Stanley A. Robinette, Battery B, 249th coast artillery corps; Sergeant Leland S. Miller, company B, 186th infantry. With the exception of Sergeant Robinette, who is from Ashland, all members of the team are from Portland. "Rifle Team Hopes to Land Trophies," Oregonian, Portland, September 2, 1924, page 18 HAL WEST, ALBANY BOY, ON WAY EAST WITH RIFLE TEAM
Sergeant Hal F. West, member of the local National Guard unit, was a
member of the Oregon National Guard rifle team that left Portland
yesterday for Camp Perry, Ohio, for the national small arms
competition. The Albany battery has had a man on the state team every
year since the reorganization of the local unit in 1921, and in 1921
two men were on the team, Captain Collins and Sergeant L. L. McGee. The
next year McGee, then a lieutenant, made the team, and this year West
upholds the tradition.
Other members of the team are from the infantry, engineers or other branches with the exception of Sergeant S. A. Robinette, of Ashland, another coast artilleryman. Albany Democrat, Albany, Oregon, September 3, 1924, page 1 Mrs. Stanley Robinett and little daughter, Ethel, returned to Ashland from Portland on Sunday morning. Mrs. Robinett has been living at St. Helen's Hall in Portland, where little Ethel is in school. "Ashland Couple Celebrate Their Golden Wedding," Medford Mail Tribune, December 26, 1925, page 3 Mrs. S. A. Robinett and daughter, Ethel May, and Miss Victoria Taverner are leaving Monday by motor for Crescent City, where they will spend a month at a cottage at the beach. Ashland Register, July 29, 1927, page 2 SUMMONS.
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, in and for the City and County of San Francisco.
ROSE T. ROBINETTE, Plaintiff, vs. STANLEY A. ROBINETTE, Defendant.--No. 218579. Action brought in the Superior Court of the State of California, in and for the City and County of San Francisco, and the complaint filed in the office of the County Clerk of said City and County. The People of the State of California send greetings to Stanley A. Robinette, defendant: You are hereby required to appear in an action brought against you by the above-named plaintiff in the Superior Court of the State of California, in and for the City and County of San Francisco, and to answer the complaint filed therein within ten days (exclusive of the day of service) after the service on you of this summons, if served within this City and County; or if served elsewhere within thirty days. The said action is brought to obtain a judgment and decree of this Court dissolving the bonds of matrimony now existing between plaintiff and defendant, on the ground of defendant's willful neglect; also for general relief, as will more fully appear in the complaint on file, to which special reference is hereby made. And you are hereby notified that, unless you appear and answer as above required, the said plaintiff will take judgment for any money or damages demanded in the complaint as arising upon contract or will apply to the Court for other relief demanded in the complaint. Given under my hand and the seal of the Superior Court of the State of California, in and for the City and County of San Francisco. Dated April 2, 1930. (Seal) H. I. MULCREVY, Clerk. By W. R. CASTAGNETTO, Deputy Clerk. CHAS. K. HARPER and GAY LOMBARD, Attorneys for Plaintiff, Financial Center Building, San Francisco, California. The Recorder, San Francisco, May 31, 1930, page 1 COLLEGE ROMANCE WAS NOT ETHICAL
SEATTLE, March 7. (AP)--A Washington State College campus romance was
ended here today after Elizabeth Robinette, 25, was granted an
annulment of her marriage to Stanley A. Robinette in superior court.
Mrs. Robinette testified she discovered shortly after her marriage in
1930 that her husband had not divorced his first wife. Her former name,
Elizabeth Roberts, was restored.
Spokane Weekly Chronicle, March 9, 1933, page 30 Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Medicine: Stanley A. Robinette. "Candidates Ask 458 Degrees at Washington State College," Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Washington, April 8, 1934, page 5 A divorce was granted Stanley A. Robinette from Rose E. Robinette. Abandonment was alleged. "Guilty Verdict in Murder Trial," Jefferson City Post-Tribune, Jefferson City, Missouri, October 16, 1935, page 1 A
partial list of the "Runnin' Wild " cast has been announced, to include
a number of SONS dramatic players because of their experience and
training received with Prof. Angus Bowmer. They include Bowmer, Joe
Walton, Leo Moulton, Robert Sage, Edna Orme, Ethel May Robinett, Junior
Carlson, Louise DuBois, Dorothy Siemann, Ralph Lamb, Janet L. Young,
Lois Firestone, David Bergstrom, Mike Morris, John Barker, Harry
Johnson, LeRoy Clarke, Nanette Lee and others.
"'Runnin' Wild' Movie Cast Announced," Southern Oregon Miner, Ashland, November 4, 1938, page 5 The film had an all-Ashland cast. Kit Stolen--Mrs. Taverner Robinett of Ashland reported to city police last night that a nurse's kit was stolen from her car while she was attending the San Francisco Opera Company ballet at the Holly Theater. Her car was parked on 5th Street between Grape and Holly streets. It was a black zipper bag, Mrs. Robinett said. "Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, November 17, 1938, page 13 912 Siskiyou Boulevard, Ashland: Victoria M. J. Taverner, 55, born California Rose E. Robinett, 47, private nurse, born California Ethel M. Robinett, 19, born Oregon Lucy W. Wilson, 72, lodger, born New York, lived in San Francisco in 1935 U.S. Census, enumerated April 3, 1940 Graduate Nurses to Meet Thursday
Graduate nurses, District No. 4, Jackson County, will open fall
activities Thursday at 8 p.m. when they meet at the home of Mrs.
Taverner Robinett, 912 Siskiyou Street, Ashland. Transportation will be
needed, officers stated today, and those having cars are asked to call
the Community Hospital so a list will be available.
Medford Mail Tribune, September 9, 1941, page 3 GRADUATES FROM MILLS
Miss Ethel May Robinett, member of the class of 1942 at Mills College,
returned to Ashland the past weekend to spend the summer with her
mother, Mrs. Rose Robinett, and aunt, Miss Victoria Taverner.Southern Oregon Miner, Ashland, June 25, 1942, page 3 Miss Robinett to Conduct Radio Hour
Through arrangements between the Ashland chamber of commerce and
station KMED, Miss Ethel May Robinett of Ashland will conduct the
Ashland radio hour each Friday over the Medford station.Miss Robinett, member of the 1942 class of Mills College, where she majored in music, is arranging a series of programs employing local talent as far as possible to place Ashland before KMED listeners. The full 15 minutes will be devoted to entertainment sans commercials and announcements, these features being given prominence other days of the week. Talented persons having a yen to appear before the mike should get in touch with Miss Robinett, either in person or through the chamber of commerce. Southern Oregon Miner, Ashland, August 6, 1942, page 1 VISITING IN SOUTH
Miss Ethel May Robinett is spending this week on the Mills College
campus renewing friendships and taking some further work in voice.Southern Oregon Miner, Ashland, September 17, 1942, page 6 Betty Jane Green, Lo Rene Thompson and Ethel May Robinett talking over plans to take an apartment together so they could share the one picture of Frank Sinatra that came to Pruitt's Music Center. "Side Glances," Medford Mail Tribune, June 18, 1943, page 1 Miss Robinett To Be Married; Service in East
Medford
Mail Tribune, July 21, 1948, page 3
Ashland--Mrs. Stanley Robinett announces the approaching marriage of
her daughter, Ethel May, to Frank Romano of Providence, R.I.
Miss Robinett is a graduate of St. Helens Hall, Portland, and Mills College, Calif., in music and from the University of Southern California, where she took occupational therapy studies. Mr. Romano has a degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Rhode Island and will take postgraduate work at Columbia University in New York this fall. Mrs. Robinett left Monday evening by plane to be with her daughter until the wedding, set for August 1 in Blessed Sacrament church in Walpole, Mass. Accident--Cars operated by Rose Taverner Robinett, 912 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, and Alma Gertrude McIntyre, 1485 East McAndrews Rd., were involved in a collision at Main and Holly sts. about 4:40 p.m. Saturday, according to police. They issued no citations.‘‘ "Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, May 12, 1958, page 11 Waterford Man's First Book Has Been Released
By Gwen Armentrout
WATERFORD--Stanley A. Robinette, a resident of the Waterford district
for 24 years, has had his first book, "My Brother's Keeper," published
by Vantage Press.
Robinette, engaged in farming in this area before his retirement five years ago, started the book two and a half years ago as a hobby. Served in Marines
A member of the United States Marines for four years, he was discharged
in 1920. During his service he became an expert rifleman and baseball
pitcher and served as chief of police on Guam. He won many awards and
medals for his shooting ability and was made an instructor. Robinette
says his experience with firearms before entering the service consisted
of shooting squirrels in Missouri where he was reared.While a member of the National Guard, he won a rifle in 1924 while competing in a shooting match at Camp Perry, Ohio. His pitching ability led the Detroit Tigers of the American League to offer him a contract, but he turned it down. The last year and a half of Marine duty he was assigned to special detached duty as military and civilian police chief of Guam. Was Judge in Oregon
Upon returning to the States, he was hired as police chief in Ashland,
Ore., a position from which he resigned a few months later. He then was
appointed city judge, retaining the post for two years. A desire to
further his education led him to Alaska to make his "stake." While
there he operated heavy equipment and trapped, acquiring enough savings
to enter Washington State College, from which he received his degree in
veterinary medicine.He was a veterinarian for the federal government and the State of California before entering private practice in Southern California. After developing an allergy to large animals, in which he specialized, he gave up his practice and decided to take up ranching, moving to this area in 1945. Robinette does all of his writing in longhand. Although she did not type his first manuscript, his wife Elizabeth is brushing up on her typewriting and is kept busy on the manuscript for her husband's second book, a World War I spy story--fictional except for a few historical facts. It nearly has been completed. Modesto Bee, January 26, 1969, page C12 Retired Waterford Peach Rancher, Veterinarian Dies
Stanley A. Robinette, 74, of Waterford, retired peach rancher and
veterinarian, died Friday evening in a local hospital following a
lengthy illness.Services will be held at 9 a.m. tomorrow at Franklin & Downs Funeral Home with the Rev. Ernest Trapp officiating. Burial will be in Lakewood Memorial Park. A native of Missouri, Robinette had lived in Waterford since 1945 where he was a rancher until retiring in 1965. He was a graduate of the Washington State College School of Veterinary Medicine and practiced privately and with governmental agencies in Southern California before moving to Waterford. Robinette served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War I and held a variety of jobs after he was discharged in 1920. He was chief of police on Guam during his service years and served as police chief in Ashland, Oregon upon returning to the States. Time in Alaska
He later moved to Alaska, where he
was a heavy equipment operator and trapper to earn money to attend
college.Last January Robinette's first book, "My Brother's Keeper," was released by Vantage Press, and he was working on a second book, a World War I spy story. His first book was about life on a Midwestern farm at the turn of the century. He was a member of the Community Baptist Church of Waterford and Veterans of World War I, Waterford Barracks. Survivors include his widow, Elizabeth Robinette of Waterford; three brothers, Virgil, Frank and Dan Robinette, all of Missouri; a nephew and two nieces. Modesto Bee, Sunday, August 24, 1969, page 8 ROBINETTE--In Modesto, August 22nd, Stanley A. Robinette. Dearly beloved husband of Elizabeth Robinette of Waterford; brother of Frank Robinette, Virgil Robinette, Dan Robinette of Missouri and the late Earl Robinette; uncle of Dan Robinette and Mrs. Roberta Latorre of Torrance and Mrs. Doris Smith of San Diego. A native of Missouri, aged 74 years. Funeral services will be conducted Monday at 9:00 a.m. by the Rev. Ernest Trapp in the Franklin & Downs Funeral Home, 12th and G streets (parking lot adjoining). Committal, Lakewood Memorial Park. "Funeral Notices," Modesto Bee, Sunday, August 24, 1969, page C8 |
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