Promotional artwork from the 1931 Alturas Air Rodeo

They decided to build an airport in Alturas and those early flyers were ecstatic. In 1931 they held a huge celebration to let the rest of the world know that Modoc County was ready to greet them.

The celebration was dubbed the Alturas Air Rodeo, and the event promoters headed by Tex Frolich worked diligently to bring the best flyers and entertainment to their little ‘neck of the woods’ on August 22nd, 23rd and 24th. The air show’s theme was, “The Bronc Grows Wings”, and it was sponsored by the American Legion and the United Civic Organizations of Modoc County. The final day of the event would include the dedication of the new Laird Field.

The idea of combining a rodeo with an air show was intriguing, and the Air Rodeo replaced the Alturas rodeo which had become an annual event for many years. But this was a modern world and modern ideas needed to be promoted. The Air Rodeo showed that the old and new could not just coexist but work together.

By August 21st all was ready and the celebrities and participants began to arrive. Ten special state traffic officers were brought in to help with the mass of automobiles rushing towards the airfield.

The governors of Nevada, Idaho and Oregon attended, as well as George MacReady, twice holder of the world’s altitude record in his Lockheed racer. McReady was considered to be the Army’s best test pilot.

Also attending were Roy N. Francis, superintendent of the San Francisco Airport and the first Army flight instructor, as well as Guy Turner, superintendent of the Oakland Airport and former All-American Football player and Emery Bronte, co-pilot on the first commercial flight from the mainland to Hawaii.

Standard Oil executives flew in aboard their Boing plane while the Shell Oil executives flew their Lockheed. Associated, and Texas oil companies sent their representatives and airplanes, and the Union Oil company brought a sound system so that the festivities could be heard by all. The Union plane also carried several Hollywood movie stars.

The list continues on with celebrities, politicians and dignitaries galore, and the Army and Navy delighted the crowd with their fleets of aircraft, including the Navy Vought Corsairs.

Fred McKinley flew George Hearst’s (San Francisco Examiner publisher) big tri-motor Stinson cabin plane, filled with California Governor James Rolph’s representatives. The Stinson was the largest in the show.

On the 22nd, the show began with acrobatic flying demonstrations, crowning of the Rodeo Queen, Barbara McGrath, a carnival, a street dance, and numerous other contests and events, even a miniature golf game at the Oasis Grove.

On the 23rd, in the midst of the celebration, two of Mr. Hearst’s guests decided to fly to Reno to try to induce Jack Dempsey, retired world heavyweight champion boxer, to come to Alturas. The two men asked Fred McKinley to fly them to Reno. Miss Barbara McGrath, 25-year-old telephone operator, and now Rodeo Queen was given a flight as part of her ‘queenship’, and she chose this one.

Hearst’s Stinson carrying pilot Fred McKinley, Queen Barbara McGrath, and the two men flew to Reno where the two male passengers deplaned.

On the return trip, with only McKinley and McGrath aboard, a problem arose. Barbara McGrath said that McKinley landed the plane in a field near the town of Likely and tried to assault her. She managed to escape the plane and ran across the field looking for help. But McKinley followed, taxiing the plane behind her. She finally gave up, got back inside the plane, and they flew on to Alturas.

After landing, McKinley prepared to fly again, but McGrath alerted her father, a well-known local businessman, and he had a warrant sworn for McKinley’s arrest.

McKinley was arrested by City Marshal Pat McHugh and securely placed in the jail.

Lassen County District Attorney Grover Julian was attending the show, and when he heard of the alleged assault he returned to Susanville and obtained a warrant for McKinley’s arrest. Julian and Lassen County Sheriff Raker returned to Alturas to take custody of the 35-year-old pilot who was then taken to Susanville and placed in the Lassen County Jail.

On Monday, a relief pilot was flown in to take the dignitaries and the Stinson back to San Francisco.

In Alturas the show continued with a small smudge on an otherwise perfect celebration. It was now Sunday, the final day of the planned games and demonstrations and the dedication of Laird Field. The show was to end with a spectacular parachute jump.

One sensational final event was the race between the cowboys and the airplanes. There were to be three airplanes, each with a pilot and a cowboy. They would circle the field, swoop low to land, and the cowboys would leap from the plane, run to their horses and then race the planes to the ‘finish line’.

When E.E. Moulton, aircraft inspector for Northern California heard of the scheme, he emphatically refused to allow it. It was terribly dangerous. The promoters pleaded with him, explaining that they had already advertised the event with flyers and charged admission. Finally, Moulton relented, but only allowing one airplane.

So, the first cowboy, Charles Russell climbed aboard the plane. The pilot flew perfectly and offered a smooth landing. Russell climbed out onto the wing, jumped off and tripped and fell to the ground, narrowly missing the whirling propeller. Airplane 1, cowboys 0.

The plane took off again with the second cowboy, who upon landing hurriedly stepped out onto the wing and put his foot through the fabric covering the framework of the wing. Airplane 2, cowboys 0.

        The third and final attempt to show the talent of the cowboys rested upon the shoulders of eighteen-year-old Ralph Leonard. Leonard was ready. The pilot again provided a perfect landing. Leonard climbed from the plane, stood on the wing, and took a giant lunge forward, headfirst into the spinning propeller. Airplane 3, cowboys 0.

In front of thousands of people, dignitaries, politicians, celebrities, and regular citizens including delicate women and small children, Ralph Leonard was almost completely decapitated.

Thus ended the 1931 Alturas Air Rodeo.

But, in Susanville, Fred McKinley’s trial was the center of discussion. McKinley’s brother paid $1,500 bond to get his sibling released. Papers were filed with County Clerk Maud Toombs, and the court case, after several delays, including the plaintiff’s illness, went to trial on October 29th, with Hardin Barry and Ben Curler representing McKinley.

The trial was held behind closed doors, not even reporters were allowed in. But some information had already come out during previous legal procedures. McKinley claimed that he had been flying back to Alturas from Reno when Miss McGrath complained of being sick. He landed the Stinson on the dry lakebed of Honey Lake. At first, she refused to get back aboard the plane, but then relented and he flew on to Alturas.

During the trial, Barbara McGrath asked that the case be dismissed, saying that it was too difficult for her, but Judge Harry D. Burroughs declined her request.

At the end of the day a jury of eight men and four women returned a verdict of ‘not guilty’, after an hour and a half deliberation. And Fred McKinley was a free man, probably never intending to set foot in Northeastern California again.

City licenses are $3.50 for altered pets, $10 for unaltered and for County licenses the cost is $5 for altered pets and $15 for unaltered.

Why does your dog need to be licensed? Animal licensing assists the police department and county animal control personnel in identifying the owner of a stray or runaway animal. A dog that is licensed and wearing their identification tags can be returned to the owner quicker and avoid being taken to the animal shelter.

Make sure when you visit the event that your dog is on a leash and cats must be in pet carriers. If you are just coming for the license you must bring a current rabies vaccination certificate.

The Clinic will be held at the shelter, 472-000 Johnstonville Road, from 9:00a.m. to 1:00p.m.

For more information regarding the Low Cost Rabies and Licensing Clinic, please contact the Susanville Police Department at 1.530.257.5603, or the Lassen Animal Shelter at 1.530.257.9200.

The event takes place during 1st through 4th period on Friday May 19th. For more information, see Ms. Weiher in the Art and Ceramics rooms.

Senior Prom- Prom is May 13th, 7-10pm at Far Far Away Ranch. Bids are available for purchase at the ASB counter. Cost is $30 single, $50 couple.

Seniors- Final Payment of $100.00 for Senior Trip is Due by May 15th to the ASB counter.

All Students- Yearbooks are $100.00 there is a limited supply if you have not pre-ordered you can still purchase one with Carol in the ASB office. If you have signed up for yearbook or are interested in yearbook for the 2023-2024 school year, please see Mrs. Schall in room 113 anytime this week.

All Students- Looking for a prom dress? Lassen Family Services clothing closet is open Mon-Fri. 9:00 – 5:00 by appointment. Everything is free and does not need to be returned. Lassen Family services is located at 1306 Riverside drive. To make an appointment call 257-4599,

All Students- The Grizzliette Show is Friday May 12th, at 7:00. Do you want to be a Grizzliette next school year? Tryouts start on May 22nd, 3:30 in the small gym. Get your clearance card from the ASB counter.

All Students- Cheer try outs are May 20th at 8:30am, get your pink slips at the ASB office.

All Students- This Thursday, May 11th, the Culinary Club is hosting another Disney Dinner and a Movie. The theme this year is Coco and they will be serving tamales and more from 6:00 to 8:00p.m. in the Student Center. This is open to everyone. People 13 and under are $5 and everyone else is $10. You can get tickets from Mrs. Reger or Margies Book Nook.

Who will be crowned Miss Lassen County 2023? Junior and Senior girls if you are interested in being a title holder, winning scholarship money, and representing your community, then don’t forget to turn in your Miss Lassen County applications by June 2nd to Mrs. Bennett in room 115.

All Football Players- Spring Football Practice begins Monday, May 15th, 3:30 to 5:30. See Coach McCloskey for details.

Counseling News

If you are a Senior and are planning to attend LCC in the fall, please come to the counseling office and sign up to meet with an LCC representative.

Current Scholarships

Elliot Dow Memorial New Scholarships

Susanville Elks Lodge

Dr. Richard J. Meinert II Memorial

Susanville’s Veterans Memorial Hall on Main Street, late 1930’s

Lassen Veterans Will Aid in Scout Camp Construction

May 11, 1937

Thomas Tucker Post No. 204 American Legion will send a work party to join with legionnaires from Reno and Westwood to Silver Lake on June 5 and 6. The volunteer workers will spend the two days putting the camp site in shape for the Boy Scouts.

The party from the local post will consist of Carl Metcalfe, Carl Fisher, Gene Shoupe, Bill Banigan, C. W. Corson, George Winchester, Homer Vincent, Marc Edmonds, Milo Massoty, Gene Alrich, Fred Hansen and Zhait Barraca.

Voting unanimously to contribute $100 to the swimming pool project the local Legion post met Wednesday.

At the same time plans were laid for Memorial Day exercises. Services will be held at the grave of Thomas Tucker with the local post joining the Veterans of Foreign Wars in the exercises.