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From the beginning, the people of Humboldt County had to create much of their own entertainment.

On the Fourth of July, they would load an anvil with black powder and set it off to produce a very loud explosion. Another sport was a tug-of-war in which one team of loggers would pull on a long rope against another team and when the center marker was pulled across a line the winners took all. There were the hose cart races put on by various volunteer fire companies, band concerts at Sequoia Park and New Era Park, picnics held by clubs and organizations and many dances for such occasions as new house-warmings, barn-raisings or shivarees for newlyweds. And, of course, there was always swimming at the old Sand Banks at Ryan’s Slough and the mouth of Elk River. In addition, there was always boating on Humboldt Bay.

There were many beautiful parades staged for each holiday, and there were all kinds of stunts performed to entertain. Various groups put on shows and vaudeville acts.

One day a daring fellow walked a tightrope stretched between the roofs of the Humboldt County Bank on the southeast corner of Second and G streets and the Vance House on the northwest corner. This was an exciting event. During these days there were traveling peddlers, photographers, gypsies, medicine men, preachers, musicians, circuses, and tin-ware peddlers called “sheenies.” These people traveled throughout the United States, probably more in the southern and eastern states. However, when our roads improved, a few did manage to tour this remote section of California.

In the year 1908, there were several such persons in Humboldt County during the summer months. One was a balloonist and parachutist, George Sousa. He would fill his balloon with hot air and smoke, and go up every Sunday, weather permitting. He started his operation from New Era Park, located near Fairhaven on the north peninsula of Humboldt Bay. Here he would spread out his balloon and build a smoking fire. The smoke and heat would be piped under the balloon, and this would gradually fill the big bag which was securely tied down until ready for flight. There would always be a large crowd to watch as Sousa climbed into his basket suspended under the balloon. He would holler and some helpers would release the lines and up he would go. When he reached a certain altitude, he would jump out opening his parachute and start down, hoping he would not land in the bay.

Balloon advertisement appearing in Eureka paper in 1908.

One Sunday, Sousa took a small dog up with him and the pooch was dropped with the aid of a parachute. The dog made it all right, but some people did not like this action, feeling it was “cruelty to animals.” Sousa always made safe flights and jumps in Humboldt County, but he was later killed when his parachute failed to open. This accident occurred in the southern part of the state and was quite a sensational news item in those days.

There was always some form of entertainment going on at New Era Park. An expert bicyclist, Court Edwards, did sensational tricks and stunts on his bicycle. There was another attraction at this same time at the Park. A daring fellow. Captain McLean, came with his new diving outfit (this was the old fashion kind with the heavy diving bell and required that air be pumped to the diver at all times). He would walk into Humboldt Bay for quite a distance, bringing up crabs and clams, much to the amazement of all the spectators. This event was held on Sundays and was well attended.

Hundreds of people would take their picnic lunches and go down to the foot of F Street and get on a launch at Wilkinson’s Launch Co. (this was before Cogshell Co. operated vessels). This would be a pleasant ride across the bay to the park, especially on a nice sunny day. The children would wade in the surf, some would swim and some would play in the sand. Others would build sand castles, pick up pretty shells and stones and sand strawberries that grew all over the sand dunes. The older folks would gather driftwood and build a fire, spread a blanket or tarp and there would be weenie roasts. We were sorry when time came to board the launch and head for home.

Also, I must mention that some of the braver ones would, at low tide, climb on the decks of the old Milwaukee wreck (this was in the latter days of 1918-19). I remember the worst sunburn I ever had while out there.

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The main part of this story is about one of those persons who traveled all over the country with a small wagon especially built for light delivery, like mail carriers and laundry wagons. It was pulled by a single horse or mule. If it was a heavy wagon, there would be a team of horses. This particular man arrived in Eureka on August 3,1908. He was well advertised and much talked about and called “Patent Medicine Fakier, the World’s Great Fer-Don.” He moved into town with his horses and colorful wagons, all painted up to draw as much attention as possible to his show. He and his crew set up a giant tent on the corner of Fourth and I streets. Also, he opened an office in the Week Building at 311 F Street, and here his “European medical experts” worked their trade during the day.

Meanwhile, the Eureka City Council decided on a $50 per day license fee, which did not seem to bother the Great Fer-Don. He started his operation by staging a giant parade with all of his people, including his Great Diamond Cluster Band. The band was composed of several good musicians. The parade would circle around town for a couple of hours, finally ending up at his large tent. It reminded one of a circus or carnival day to see the large crowds assembled to hear and see the Great Fer-Don on opening night. He amused himself by throwing handfuls of silver coins into the excited throng. None but the Great Fer-Don knew how much money he threw away, but a bank cashier estimated the amount to be several hundred dollars. It was also estimated by a newspaperman that fully 10,000 people were there.

“Great Fer-Don” publicity seen in Eureka paper in 1908.

Fer-Don was an unusual character, and reports from other cities he had visited indicated that he had always been liberal with his money, especially among the poor and destitute. It was rumored around Eureka that Fer-Don had visited many poor families and distributed his charity among them. The Great Fer-Don was the talk of the town in nearly every home, barbershop, store and office. Each night, on a large platform at the free-show grounds, he treated the lame, the rheumatic and the deaf. Some asked if the cures were permanent. The press reported the case of Ed Knapp of Bucksport, who had been deaf in his right ear for ten years. One night during the show he was made to hear and many people said it would not last, but Knapp’s hearing remained at a normal level.

Fer-Don said to a reporter, “There are ten thousand testimonials on file in the main office in San Francisco. People from all over the states of California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah all claim to have been greatly benefited or cured by these methods and there will be some cured right here in Eureka.”

Max Hanker of 1835 Second St., Eureka, told his story. He said he had a large tumor on the back of his head. The Great Fer-Don had his European medical experts apply a preparation to the head of Hanker and, according to Hanker, this dissolved the outer covering of the tumor and inside of a very few minutes the entire growth was gone. He said no knife was used, there was no pain and no blood. It was reported that many saw and marveled at the way the cure was accomplished. Many of the skeptical came for the entertainment, saying the operation could not be performed painlessly and bloodlessly as had been promised. It was reported that these left satisfied that the Great Fer-Don had known whereof he spoke in claiming his staff could conquer disease, remove tumors, cancers, and gallstones without operations.

The press reported that “crowds of humanity are now calling at the offices of the European medical experts in the Week Building, 311 F Street. Many people are taking advantage to see and test the bloodless surgeon’s methods of curing the sick.”

During an interview Fer-Don said that many people asked him personally if he would examine and treat them and his answer was always, postively, “No, the European medical experts do all the treating. I do nothing but attend to managing the staff of doctors and delivering the lectures. I don’t profess to be a doctor or hold myself out as such.”

When the Great Fer-Don first came to Eureka he told the people that the European medical experts would work miracles and he claimed their method in healing the sick was unknown to other physicians. He boasted proof of how well FerDon kept his word, saying, “Hundreds of our most prominent citizens have tested their skill.” Fer-Don said he had on file, here in his office, hundreds of testimonials from people who lived in Eureka.

His advertisements said:

Each week, standing out boldly from amidst failure of others, he publishes the names and addresses of people cured in this community; people whose standing forbids the thought of their lending their names to say but an honest statement. The people ask themselves, what does this mean? And the answer impresses itself upon them with a force of complete conviction.

Nothing but merit and real conscientious work could produce such results and make such a record as this. Go to see these people, have a talk with them. They do not live 1,000 miles away, but are right here where they can be seen and have their truthful statements verified.

Miss Metsala, living at the Revere Hotel, in Eureka, called at the office of the European experts to thank them for curing her and saving her life. The young woman was suffering from gallstones and had as usual failed to get any relief. She had suffered greatly for months with attacks. Doctors who had been attending the case said the only hope of relief was an operation. She heard of the wonderful cures for gallstones by the European medical experts now visiting Eureka.

Miss Metsala called at the office at 311 F Street and the European doctor gave her three doses of their medicine and in less than 16 hours time, hundreds of gallstones were removed from her system, some as large as cherries. In speaking to a reporter. Miss Metsala said, “I am so happy as all doctors told me I never could get well without an operation. But just think — I was cured without the use of a knife and no pain whatever.”

…There are many testimonials like this here in Eureka, too numerous to mention.

The Great Fer-Don liked little children, and he was always giving something to them wherever he went. On Saturday, August 8, 1908, he invited all Eureka children to attend a free theatre party at a local showhouse. He would often rub some of his patent medicine on a small boy’s head and ears, saying it would make him grow to be big and strong. The Great Fer-Don had his own minstrel show, with several very fine black singers. In addition, he had a couple of clowns and tumblers. Fer-Don was a magician and a skilled speaker. He could hold an audience spellbound with his gift of speech, and he could sell anything, including his magic potion at the awful price of $1 per bottle.

Fer-Don would be at New Era Park every Sunday with his wonderful Diamond Cluster Band, where they would play a concert for the crowd. Selections included, March Chorale Overture, Poet and Peasant, Waltz Sweet Remembrance, Cornet Solo, Polka Impromptu, Flower Girl, Intermezzo, Grand Fantasia, March by Sousa and other numbers. These concerts were enjoyed by a great many people and are still remembered by some of the old timers.

The Great Fer-Don remained here in Eureka until September 2, 1908. He then took down his huge tent, loaded up his wagons and headed south.

And that’s the way it was.

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The story above was originally printed in the March-April 1986 issue of The Humboldt Historian, a journal of the Humboldt County Historical Society, and is reprinted here with permission. The Humboldt County Historical Society is a nonprofit organization devoted to archiving, preserving and sharing Humboldt County’s rich history. You can become a member and receive a year’s worth of new issues of The Humboldt Historian at this link.

On April 26, Richard William Evans transitioned to the next realm with love, song, poetry and light, surrounded by friends.

Richard was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on January 20, 1941. Starting young, he was always an adventurous music and art enthusiast. His first musical adventure was playing the bugle in The Knights of Pythias Drum and Bugle Corps. This early memory of his music reaching out and touching people brought joy to him even close to his departure from this life. Later in life he took up the flute.

At 18 in Greenwich Village, New York City, Richard plowed the fertile fields of expression there, assisting in editing the Village Voice newspaper. At age 21 he attended the 1963 March on Washington and witnessed the iconic “I Have a Dream” speech by Martin Luther King, Jr., a touchstone event for him. In 1966 Richard moved to Paris, where his calling in art grew. That career spanned pen and ink, glass, and paint. This passion and profession sustained Richard throughout his life.

Stateside in 1967, Richard immersed himself in the radical communal life of the Haight-Ashbury. Throughout his life he was amazed and inspired by the flowering of creativity and taboo-busting antics of that time and place. He ventured to Humboldt County in 1971, getting an intoxicating taste of the Back to the Land Movement.

Back in San Francisco, in 1979, Richard was a founding member of the Stellar Arts Collective. This group of designers, glass artists and activists obtained a grant from the State of California to construct a one-of-a-kind glass work as an entry to a large state building in The City. The epic stained glass doors, ceiling, and chandelier of the lobby, were completed in 1980. This was Richard’s major opus as an artist, capturing the essence of his multi-faceted life, spirit and craft. As a gay man, this creation was an expression of the light and love he projected throughout his life. Ironically, the glass work was destroyed on September 30, 1991, during the AB101 Riots, in protest of Governor Pete Wilson’s veto of a gay rights bill (Assembly Bill 101). Emblematic of his compassionate and forgiving nature, Richard felt no bitterness, only a sense of loss of a great work of art.

In this era of his life he joined The Billy Club, a group of gay men dedicated to the rural life style, healing and compassion. Life-long bonds were formed and Billy members were at his side when he passed, singing a traditional Billy Heart Circle song of love.

He met his life partner Richard Beyer in 1977 and returned to Humboldt County in the 1980s. They built a house on the Zenia Bluffs in a style that Richard aptly described as “intimate grandeur,” a description that well describes his entire life path. A gifted teacher and personal growth facilitator, Richard Beyer passed from complications from AIDS in 1995.

Richard Evans was dedicated to building community wherever he lived. In Southern Humboldt, he was active in Redwood AIDS Information Network and Service (RAINS), serving multiple terms as board president. A stalwart supporter of KMUD radio, he built the studio booth glass windows, among other duties, including Board service. Radio audiences may remember him as the voice of “Condy the Condom” from the 1998 “Straight Talk About AIDS” public service series. He was a master of the twinkling eye.

After moving to Eureka in 2006, he served on the Board of Directors of Redwood Community Action Agency (RCAA) and was a catalyst for the fruitful partnership between RCAA and the Westside Community Improvement Association, and the creation of Jefferson Park and Community Center, one hallmark among many of his legacy on the North Coast. Bringing his depth of experience and critical eye to the written word, he contributed regularly to the Art Beat column in the North Coast Journal.

Throughout his long and storied life, he transcended many of the social stereotypes imposed upon us, and modeled behaviors that reinforced acceptance, inclusion and tolerance. Still, with humor, he suffered no fools.

On the forefront to the end, Richard would want all to know that his was a medically assisted death. He was very grateful to the physicians and caring team who supported him in this decision.

A Celebration of Richard’s Life is planned for September 30 at Skyhorse — 216 Third Street, Eureka. Stay tuned for updates as the date approaches.

Richard remained his funny, cheerful and optimistic self to the end. One of Richard’s signature expressions exemplifies his rich life and graceful passing: “FABULOUS!” Say it again: “FABULOUS!”

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Ray Cline of Fortuna passed peacefully at home on April 28, 2023, at the age of 97.

Ray was one of 10 siblings born in West Virginia to Lonnie Ballard and Bertha Cline.

Ray was a WWII Veteran serving his country on the U.S. Navy’s Biddle DD151 destroyer. While on leave from the Navy he married the love of his life, (Iris) Fern Cline. After his discharge from the military, they moved and settled in Humboldt County in 1946. Shortly thereafter, they added four children to their family: Lonnie, Michael, Mary (Susie) and David.

Dad was a man that could do most anything. He was most proud of the house that he built for his family. Most of his career was spent working in the woods as a logger and in many of the sawmills of Humboldt County, retiring as a sawyer from Pacific Lumber Co.

His favorite thing to do was work around his home. It gave him so much pleasure when family and friends stopped by to visit him.

He was preceded in death by his wife Iris (Fern), his son Lonnie and eighjt of his siblings. He is survived by his sons Michael Cline, Sr., and David Cline, and his daughter Mary (Susie) Kirchman, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to a graveside memorial service that will be held at Fortuna Sunrise Cemetery on Monday, May, 15 at noon. Following the memorial service there will be a gathering at the Fortuna Monday Club.

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HUMBOLDT TODAY: A group of Eurekans is suing the city over its plans to make way for the construction of downtown housing; an Arcata restaurant closes indefinitely due to fire damage sustained Thursday night; plus, the Foggy Bottoms Boys hope to provide you a chill experience this summer! Those stories and more in today’s online newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.

FURTHER READING: 

• The Foggy Bottoms Boys Give the Scoop on the Local Farm’s Soon-to-Open Loleta Ice Cream Shop
• Fire at Arcata’s Campground Restaurant Last Night Contained With Minimal Structural Damage, Fire District Says
• Arkley-Affiliated Group ‘Citizens for a Better Eureka’ Files Second Lawsuit Against the City Over Development Plans

HUMBOLDT TODAY can be viewed on LoCO’s homepage each night starting at 6 p.m.

Want to LISTEN to HUMBOLDT TODAY? Subscribe to the podcast version here.

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On May 4, 2023, at about 9:51 a.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a bank on the 12700 block of State Highway 96 in Hoopa for the report of a robbery.

According to bank employees, an unknown male suspect entered the bank and handed a bank teller a note indicating that he was in possession of a firearm and demanding money. The male fled the business with a large amount of cash and was observed being picked up by a red mustang. Deputies conducting follow up to this investigation located the mustang parked at a nearby residence on Tish Tang Road. The vehicle was unoccupied, and the suspect was not located.

The suspect remains outstanding at this time and is described as a light-skinned male, possibly in his mid-20’s, thin-build, approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall and 130 pounds, with brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a brown hoodie, black mask, white t-shirt and dark pants.  

This case is still under investigation. Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.

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If you follow the Foggy Bottoms Boys on social media – it’s the beloved Ferndale-based farm headed by self-described “fabulously gay farmers” Cody and Thomas Nicholson Stratton – then you already know that the dynamic duo recently announced plans to open an ice cream shop, where they will be serving artisanal soft-serve and classic ice cream made from the milk of their own Jersey cows. 

Though the Boys have been intentionally tight-lipped about the name and location of their newest venture, on Friday morning Thomas gave the Outpost the full scoop. In honor of the cows from which their milk comes, the new ice cream will be called Jersey Scoop and, as many people already guessed on Facebook and Instagram and maybe if they’ve noticed the “coming soon” sign already on the window, the shop will take over the space previously occupied by the Loleta Bakery.

“It’s really exciting for us,” Nicholson Stratton told the Outpost, adding that the space, which has a somewhat controversial history, has been vacant for a long time. With the bakery’s closure, plus the more recent closure of the once very popular Loleta Cheese Factory, Loleta has been in an economic slump and Foggy Bottoms is hoping to help breathe life back into the town’s Main Street. “We absolutely believe in the concept of not just us thriving, but multiple other businesses coming in and thriving.” 

A look at some of the Jersey Scoop soft serve

The space will basically be Foggy Bottoms Boys’ new headquarters, Nicholson Stratton said, with a main office where people can place orders for dairy and meat products and book tours of the farm. It will also have a kitchen, industrial freezers to hold their products, and the ice cream shop. The shop will include a classic ice cream-dipping cabinet with rotating, seasonal flavors, and — possibly even more exciting — a soft-serve machine, which will include one featured flavor that changes weekly. In addition to the ice cream, the shop will serve some other light fare, including sandwiches, soups and pastries from Ferndale bakery Patches’ Pastries. You’ll also be able to buy pints of the artisanal ice cream to take with you. 

Jersey Scoop ice cream will also be available for purchase in local grocery stores. At least to start, Nicholson Stratton said, the company will release two flavors for the stores – one will be a rich and creamy classic vanilla, and the other will be a new “fun flavor.” But the name and flavor of the new ice cream is something Nicholson Stratton was not willing to share yet.

“That info is for sure under wraps,” he said. Nicholson Stratton’s other half, Cody, posted a social media contest asking for flavor name suggestions. They didn’t end up using any of the names, exactly, Nicholson Stratton said, but they did base the name on one of the suggestions. 

As far as when this will all happen, Nicholson Stratton said the company still has to go through some inspection processes and is shooting to have the ice cream shop open by mid-summer. Because the process for being able to sell products in grocery stores is a little more arduous, he said, it will probably take a bit longer for the ice cream pints to hit shelves. 

If you are just so excited to taste the creamy treats of Jersey Scoop that you can’t wait until then, Nicholson Stratton said that the farmers plan to have their ice cream available at the Arcata Farmers Market before they have them anyplace else. The hope is to have ice cream pints available for purchase at their Farmers’ Market booth within the next month.

The other great way to help ensure the ice cream business gets going as quickly as possible is to help support the Foggy Bottoms Boys by purchasing their products (if you don’t already).

“What will help us get there [is] if anybody wants to go to Foggy Bottoms Boys and order and pick up at the Farmers’ Market or order and we can deliver to you on Sundays; that would be great,” Nicholson Stratton said.

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PREVIOUSLY: 

• (AUDIO) HUMBOLDT HOLDING UP: Getting to Know the Foggy Bottoms Boys, Gay Ferndale Farmers and Social Media Stars
• Ferndale’s Foggy Bottoms Boys Honored as Climate Smart Farmers of the Year

Last night the ventilation system at the upscale off-Plaza restaurant Campground caught fire, sending flames and smoke like a beacon.

The images were spectacular, but the damage was not as bad as it might have been. Chris Emmons, assistant chief of the Arcata Fire District, tells the Outpost this morning that the built-in sprinkler systems performed admirably in containing the fire, and the staff of the restaurant were able to safely evacuate themselves and customers. 

“As spectacular as it looked, it was actually lucky, for lack of a better term, that it didn’t spread,” Emmons said.

In short: Not much damage to the building, though of course restaurant operations will be affected for a while.

Emmons said that it will have a more complete rundown of the fire and a tally of the damage in a press release today. We’ll update with that when they send it.

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UPDATE: And here it is:

On 5/4/2023 at 9:45 P.M. a unit from Arcata Fire was dispatched to a local alarm at Campground restaurant in Arcata. While in route, the Fortuna Emergency Command Center upgraded the response to a full commercial structure fire dispatch.

Firefighters arrived to a three-story building with a restaurant on the ground floor and apartments on the upper floors. The first engine that arrived on scene found smoke and flames coming from the ventilation fan on the roof and fire in the kitchen area of the restaurant. The fire was found to have traveled from the kitchen area to the roof vent.

Additional Arcata units arrived and began evacuating the remainder of the structure and looking for extension of the fire throughout the building. The restaurant staff did an excellent job of evacuating patrons from the restaurant before firefighters arrived on scene. Mutual aid resources arrived on scene and assisted with all operations.

The fire was reported to be accidental due to the hood ventilation system having a buildup of grease that had ignited. The extinguishing system held the fire in check and slowed the spread.

Mutual aid resources were released to provide coverage of the Arcata Fire Protection District while Arcata units remained engaged in the incident.Estimated damages come to $100,000.

Upon completion of the incident, all units were returned to their respective jurisdictions. Thanks go out to Humboldt Bay Fire, Blue Lake Vol. Fire, Fieldbrook Vol. Fire, Westhaven Vol. Fire, Samoa Vol. Fire and Kneeland Vol. Fire for providing mutual aid.

If you have questions, please contact the Arcata Fire Protection District at 707-825-2000.