Newspaper List
Beatty Bullfrog Miner – Beatty, Nevada [was called the Bullfrog Miner during first two months of publication – not to be confused with the Bullfrog Miner, of Rhyolite, Nevada]
Inyo Independent – Independence, California
Inyo Register – Bishop, California
Rhyolite Herald – Rhyolite, Nevada

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Skidoo, California

Newspaper Articles

1906

Skidoo News December 28,1906
“DEATH OF FRANK OLMSTEAD”
The many friends of Frank A. Olmstead regret to learn of his death recently in Ballarat. Mr. Olmstead lived in Santa Paula, California, and was related to Morris McCray, the oil operator. His wife died on the operating table in Los Angeles about two years ago, since which time, Mr. Olmstead has never regained his usual, jovial disposition. His death was due to a severe cold which developed into tonsillitis.
Mr. Olmstead was in Skidoo immediately preceding his death, with the view of locating here. He was ill at that time and his friends strongly advised against his taking the long stage ride. He left the following morning for Los Angeles to secure medical aid. Arriving at Ballarat he could go no further and died in a few hours.
The remains were accompanied by Wm. L. O’Brien to Santa Paula where the funeral was held under the auspices of the Knight Templars, of which order Mr. Olmstead was a member. Mr. Olmstead leaves a son in Santa Paula.

1907

Inyo Register, June 7, 1907
Summary: Inyo County board of supervisors carry motion for county clerk to advertise for bids for construction of branch jails at Skidoo, Lee and Greenwater.

1908

Inyo Register, April 23, 1908
MURDER AT SKIDOO
For entire article, as well as an in depth essay of the Jim Arnold murder by Joe Simpson, and subsequent lynching of Simpson, click on link above.

Inyo Register, April 23, 1908
Summary: A lawsuit involving Skidoo mining properties.

Inyo Register, December 24, 1908
"OF DEATHS."
Summary: Lester Calloway died at Independence Tuesday night. Calloway was heavily involved in freighting activities at Skidoo.

1911

Inyo Register, March 30, 1911
“SKIDOO MINER DEAD.”
Jim King, an aged miner well known in the mining camps of southeastern Inyo, died last week while on his way from Skidoo to Ballarat in the stage. The Randsburg Miner says that while he was working in a shaft on his lease at the Skidoo mine he was heard by a passer-by to call for help. He was found at the shaft bottom, was brought to the surface, and remained unconscious for two days. He rallied, but neither ate nor slept for five days. He began to improve, and was on his way to Los Angeles. The driver of the stage had fixed a place so that he could lie down. On the trip, no response being given to an inquiry as to how the passenger felt, the driver stopped, and was startled to find him gone. He drove back over the road, and after going a mile found King dead beside the wheel tracks. It is supposed that he sought to attract the driver's attention, and fell out while leaning from the side of the stage.

Government Documents
From the pages of the Justice Court ledger, Skidoo, California

• Arrest warrant from Skidoo. May 25, 1914. Jane Doe Blondy, for keeping a house of ill fame. Frank A. Thisse is the Justice of Peace of the said township.
  S.R. Adams is the Constable of Skidoo.

• Justice Court record of Chris Wicht in court 8th of March of 1914, at Ballarat. John Doe, plaintiff. Appears to be dispute over a claim.

• Man named Cheeseborough. Notation next to name, “dead eleven, fourteen, dead eighteen.”

• “Inquest James Arnold and Joseph Simpson.”

• Names of Osborne, Fred Oakes, Merget, Skidoo Publishing Company, Mason for Shackett Mine Company, State of California, Skidoo Trading Company written across names on top of pages, a few figures listed on pages below.

• Arrests: Joe Simpson, murderer. Gordon McBain, resisting officer. Ed Robinson. Tom O’Niel. S.W. Cline. Howard Mable. Joe Pease.

• Joe Simpson defendant, complaint of Ross LeRoy, defendant. Pleaded guilty. Judgment of the court, $25, May 29, 1907.

• Joseph Simpson. Criminal action, criminal murder. Complaints by Henry Sellers, Deputy Sheriff, Inyo County. Defendant appeared, case set for April 25, 1908. Subpoena issued to Ralph E. Dobbs to appear as witness for state. April 25 at 9:00 o’clock AM. Subpoena served by Deputy Sheriff and returns made by him.

• Gordon McBain. Resisting officer in making of arrest. April 20, 1908. April 20th defendant appeared, pleaded not guilty. Held in default of $500 in bonds. Case set for April 24, 1908.

• Matter of inquisition upon the body of James Arnold, deceased. April 20, coroner’s jury called and sworn. The following witnesses were sworn and examined: Ralph E. Dobbs, R.E. McDonald, E.H. Tracy, Ben Eppstein, Henry Sellers, Fred Oakes, John Shecky, Phil Farge [Forge], J.H. McCormick. The jury returned and found the following verdict: that of the deceased was named James Arnold, was about 45 years of age, was a citizen of Skidoo, Inyo County, California, and he came to his death from gunshot wound inflicted by the hands of Joseph L. Simpson of Skidoo, Inyo County, California, fired with intent to kill. Jury consisted of A.F. Hall, foreman. John H. Wilson, Martin Gabelstadt, J.J. Sheehy, E.F. Pluger, William C. Follansbee, J.C. McCoy, Charles A. Shackett, A.H. Sweneston.

• April 23, 1908, in the matter of inquisition upon the body of Joseph Simpson, deceased. Coroner’s jury called and sworn. The following witnesses were called and examined: Arthur Swenerton, John D. Mason. James Glendrunning [sp?], Henry Sellers. R.E. McDonald. The jury found the following verdict that the deceased was named Joseph L. Simpson, was a citizen of Skidoo, Inyo County, California and was aged about 34 years, and that he came to his on the 23rd day of April 1908 from strangulation at the hands of unknown parties. The jury consisted of A.T. Hall, foreman. John H. Wilson, F.J. Pfluger [spelling], Martin Gabelstadt, John Franks, J.J. Sheehy, J. Ross, Sam L. Cline and William Follansby.
  Debt owed, Modern Hotel, Skidoo, California.

• August 26, 1908. Complaint filed, Fred Oakes vs. John Thill. Attachment served on Skidoo Mines Company.

• Debt against M.R or H.R. McLeod, manager of the Skidoo Publishing Company.
  Assault and battery.

• State of California vs. Ed Robinson. Complaint from Tom O’Niel.

• Personal, handwritten letter, May 25, 1914, from S.K. Adams to the Justice Court Number 2, 4th Township, County of Inyo, State of California. Complaint agasint Jane Doe Blondy.

• January 3rd, 1909 through February 15th. People against Mable Howard, disturbing the peace. Ms. Howard was in a barroom, using foul language. Defendant appeared in court and pled guilty. Was fined $50 and / or fifty days in jail. Sentence was suspended pending good behavior. Constable was instructed to bring defendant into court any time she is found in a saloon. Mable Howard was sentenced for being drunk and disorderly. Fined uh order collected, or jail sentence enforced. Fine paid, February 15, 1909.

• Skidoo Trading Company, plaintiff, against Fred Oakes, defendant. A debt of $61.70.

• September 11, 1909. Thomas Flause, deceased. Came to his death from exhaustion and want of water. He was examined by Dr. R.E. McDonald.

• September 11, 1909. Emory Bodge, deceased. Came to his death from exhaustion and want of water. He was examined by Dr. R.E. McDonald.

• June 19, 1910. State of California vs. T.E. Crawford. Assault with deadly weapon with intent to commit murder. Complaint filed by J.P. Aguereberry. Warrant issued. Prisoner appeared in court. Plead not guilty. Case set for June 20th, 1910 at 6:30pm. J.P. Aguereberry’s witnesses: P. Blunk. Prisoner discharged on grounds of insufficient evidence. June 20, 1910.

• June 22, 1910. Complaint. J.P. Auguereberry threated to kill another man.
  Search Warrant. March 8, 1914 on Chris Wicht.

• June 19, 1914. Misdemeanor. “Criminal selling of liquor without a license.”

From Inyo County Book of Marriage Licenses, Book B.

• Arthur H. Swenerton, native of Canada, age 26, resident of Skidoo; to Marie Murget, native of Germany, age 24, resident of Skidoo. The marriage certificate dated the 11th of March, 1907. Couple was married 15th of May, 1907 in Skidoo. Witnesses: George G. Potts, resident of Skidoo; Isabella Walker, resident of Skidoo.

• Alan C. Toacher, Native of Illinois, age 50, resident of Skidoo; to Mrs. Philomena Clements, native of Canada, age 40, resident of Los Angeles. Marriage license procured the 3rd day of March, 1910. The marriage commenced March 3rd, 1910 in Skidoo. Witnesses: Jessie Thisse of Skidoo, Austin Young of Skidoo. Justice of Peace Frank G. Thisse.

• Franklin Montgomery, native of Canada, age 58, resident of Skidoo; to Isabella Scoril native of Iowa, age 48, resident of Independence. Marriage license obtained June 29, 1913; married June 29, 1913 in Lone Pine. Witnesses: Mrs. Grace Robinson, resident of Lone Pine; Mrs. W.B.M. Moore, resident of Lone Pine. Married by C.T. Harrison, Minister of the Gospel.

• Fred W. Clarke, native of California, age 20, resident of Skidoo; to Vara Chambers, native of Michigan, resident of Skidoo. Married December 4, 1913 in Skidoo. Witnesses: Mrs. Jesse Thisse of Skidoo; Austin Young, resident of Skidoo. Married by Frank G. Thisse, Justice of the Peace.

• Fred O. Larson, native of Michigan, age 43, resident of Skidoo; to Kate Francis Kelly, native of California, age 33, resident of Skidoo. Married December 21 in Skidoo. Witnesses: P.R. Turner, resident of Skidoo; Vernor Montgomery, resident of Skidoo. Married by Frank G. Thisse. December 21, 1913.

• Frank Clayton Kennedy, native of Arkansas, age 58, resident of Ballarat; to Catalina A. Loughrey, native of California, age 43, resident of Darwin. Applied for a marriage license July 29, 1915. Married in Darwin. Witnesses: Henry Hitmore, resident of Darwin; Jean Carthey, resident of Darwin. Married by Theo Peterson, Justice of the Peace.

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Page Revised: 05/04/2007