100 years ago
September 4, 1924
DRY AGENTS RAID RESORTS HERE, ARREST 3
Complaints charging violation of the prohibition laws were filed against three residents of the Healdsburg section as the result of raids by federal prohibition officers Saturday. Mr. and Mrs. Adrien Cayre, proprietors of Chanticler Villa, and James Cuneo were named in the complaints filed with the United States commissioner at Santa Rosa.
The flying squadron of United States officers swept up the Redwood highway from San Rafael, where five men were locked up Friday night, following raids by dry agents, presumably the same who worked here this morning. Reports of further raids by the flying squadron, numbering six men, were expected later in the day.
In at least one instance the prohibition men failed to get the evidence they sought. This was at the Italian American hotel at Fitch and Mason streets, where the sextette searched high and low without result. City Marshal James M. Mason and Officers McCord and Navas seized a quantity of illicit beverage there just a week before.
75 years ago
September 2, 1949
NEW HOP PRESS DEVELOPED AND BUILT HERE
Work has been completed and tests made on a new hop press built by the Sotoyome Machine Company in this city, which according to reports, will expedite the shipment of hops from growers to brewers, and will eliminate the dehydration process now used in hop production.
The machines, each a double unit, press frozen hops into cartons 16 inches square. In this compact form, the hops are shipped to brewers throughout the country. William Massoni, executive of the Sotoyome Machine Company, said by shipping frozen hops, it is not necessary to dehydrate them first and also makes it unnecessary to add moisture when the hops are finally used in the brewing process. Green hops are brought in from the fields, frozen down to a temperature of zero, then pressed into the small boxes.
The bulk of hops, now eliminated by use of the machine, has long been a transportation problem, it was learned. The first shipment went to Washington, and a second one now in process is destined for Sacramento.
50 years ago
September 5, 1974
CITY TRUCKS STAY IN CITY; MOUNTAIN FIRE PLAN REJECTED
The City Council decided Monday night to keep its fire trucks at home and turned down a county proposal that it provide protection for Fitch Mountain. The action angered a full-house of Mountain residents who have been seeking city help all summer.
The council ruled unanimously that the county proposal could open a financial drainplug for the city, despite county funding of $500 per fire call. The county plan called for the city to not only cover the Fitch Mountain area but land across the Russian River on Bailhache Avenue, in the Peninsula, and in the Grove Street area, doubling the area of city coverage. Forestry would provide brushland protection only.
Fitch Mountain residents have argued that the area is a close neighbor in need of city help. They say that it takes too long for Forestry trucks to reach them from either the Cloverdale or Santa Rosa stations. Fire Chief Jack Relyea said after the meeting that firemen will respond immediately if a life is endangered, however.
The Flashbackers are docents for the Healdsburg Museum. The Healdsburg Museum is open from 11am to 4pm Wednesday through Sunday, at 221 Matheson St.
