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From: "Ronald S. Morgan" <>
Subject: [CAMODOC] Fwd: Looking Back
Date: Sat, 18 Oct 2003 11:46:41 -0700 (PDT)


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Subject: Fwd: Looking Back
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From: "Ronald S. Morgan" <>
Subject: Looking Back
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Looking Back is a regular feature of the Modoc County
Record, a weekly newspaper, published in Alturas,
California. The following is transcribed from the
October 9, 2003 edition.

Looking Back

93 Years Ago - 1910
Corporation Ranch owners have revealed a plan to
drain the land south of Alturas, known as the "Swamp"
and turn it into arable land. They say that the many
thousands of acres now under water south of town can
be turned into some of the richest farm land in the
state of California.

83 Years Ago - 1920
The Favell-Utley Realty Company of Lakeview has
taken over the Corporation Ranch holdings owned by
Frank McArthur to subdivide into dairy farms. The
holdings include between eight and nine thousand acres
of fine land between Alturas and Likely and we
understand each part will not be less than 120 acres.

73 Years Ago - 1930
While out with another rider Tom Ivory spied a three
point buck standing behind a tree brousing (sic).
Neither man had a gun but Tom had a rope. At the first
cast the rope steeled around the animals horns. One of
the horns broke off, but the other held firm and the
man finished securing the animal. Yes, Tom had a
hunting license and--a venison dinner.

63 Years Ago - 1940
The local draft board named by Governor Olson is
busy classifying the names of 1300 Modoc boys who
registered in the county last week In the absence of
Russell Beeson and Stuart Schick, Phil Woodward and
Clarence Ebbe are acting with Victor Christensen who
has been named chairman.

48 Years Ago - 1955
The Modoc Braves lost to Lassen Saturday 54-6.

Yes, folks, these sentences are transcribed just as
written. Obviousy, this editor did not enjoy using any
commas'.

Since the Corporation Ranch is talked about in this
weeks Looking Back, my comments.

Yes, the Swamp was drained and turned into beautiful
meadow land creating the many stacks of hay necessary
to feed cattle during the winter months. That portion
immediately south of Alturas was Doris property. They
arranged a deal with the Federal government to turn
that property into a wildlife sanctuary, and it is
still operating.

My Dad was the agent for Favell-Utley Realty in
Alturas. That Company also built many homes in Alturas
to take care of the new people that would work in the
new lumber yard. This lumber operation never ever
worked until the early 50's Their plan for the
Corporation Ranch just did not work either and the
Ranch was reclaimed by Frank McArthur. Frank sold many
portions of the Corporation to ranchers, but still
kept several thousands of acres. About 1937, Frank
offered my Dad the opportunity to buy the whole kit
and kaboodle for just a little over $30,000. Dad
thought long and hard about this offer, but it was in
those terrible days of the depression. He did not wish
to ranch or farm the land himself, so he finally told
Frank, no deal. After WWII started Frank sold much of
the property to Nels Monroe and an outfit from
Tulelake. I have no idea who owns the ranch today, but
I understand they grow wild rice for a lucrative
income today. That ranch would be evaluated into
millions of dollars today. Lost opportunity? No, I
believe that Dad was satisfied that Frank had offered
him the deal, which he just could not handle in those
terrible days of the depression.
See you all again next week, God willing and the creek
don't rise.

Ron Morgan



83 Years Ago - 1920

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