whiskey flat claim jumper 2011

February 2011 Whiskey Flat, Calif. FREE

Join us in KernvilleFebruary 18-21, 2011

Map of the Flat on pg. 12-13

Inside:

• Map of Kernvillewith parade routeand where all theactivities take place

• Photos of OldKernville, previouslyknown as WhiskeyFlat, California

• frog jumping con-test handicaps

• Historical arearanches

• Cowboy humor page

• Stories of Some OfThe Old-Time GoldMiners

• Past Whiskey FlatDays Parades

• lots of old-time funand good times!

Note to drivers: Theback way around thelake, Sierra Way, isclosed right now dueto washouts. You cango the other wayaround the lake withno problem.

WWhhiisskkeeyy FFllaatt DDaayyss GGrraanndd PPaarraaddee• Saturday, 11 a.m., Grand Marshal Fred “Bud” May; Theme–“Goin’ to the Dogs” (spotlight on spaying and neutering yourpets); floats, gunfighters, animals, skits, clowns and more!

Michael Batelaan/Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper

The Whiskey Flat Days Grand Parade, taking place on Whiskey Flat Saturday at11 a.m., is full of Western floats, equestrians, Native Americans, clowns and muchmore.

The Wild Westlives forever atWhiskey Flat!Kernville celebrates its heritageFeb. 18-21 with huge festival Mike DevichWhiskey Flat Claim Jumper

Whiskey Flat. The name is legendaround these parts. Whiskey Flat was atown, now covered up by Isabella Lake, amagical place where dreams of big goldnuggets ran through the dreams every nightof thousands of miners in the 1800s.Whiskey Flat was a hard-scrabble place builton a sandbar by the Kern River near wherethe North Fork joined the South Fork andformed a broad valley.

But Whiskey Flat didn’t last very long.,only four years, from 1860 to 1864. By thena town had grown up around those miners’shacks, and the new town needed a newname. They called it Kernville, after theman, Edward M. Kern, who had comethrough the area 30 years earlier in order tomap it. The valley, the river and the townstill bear his name. Even the county isnamed Kern County after him.

Kernville lasted for almost 100 years,until it a government flood control projectcame in after WWII and the town was inthe way. Kernville was reinvented a fewmiles north, and a decade later an annualcelebration was brought into being toremember the halcyon days when Kernvillewas known as Whiskey Flat.

The yearly fest was a family-friendlyjubilee until the late 1960s, when trouble-makers had to be run off by the law –exactly like what would have happened ahundred years earlier. Since then, up to50,000 visitors have gathered peacefullyeach year to enjoy remembering the bygonedays of Whiskey Flat and enjoy a weekendof fun and history.

Whiskey Flat Days is put on by theKernville Chamber of Commerce with thehelp of many volunteers. Although mostactivities are free, there is a small charge forsome of them. Enjoy yourself and ourmountain town with the long history.

The Whiskey Flat DazeRodeo is another hugepart of the Whiskey FlatDays experience. Heldboth Saturday and Sundayat 1 p.m., the rodeo hasbeen an integral part ofthe Whiskey Flat Days fes-tivities for over 50 years.The Kern River Valley,especially the South Forkarea, has been a majorcattle raising area sincethe 1850s, and still raisescattle to this day.

Murdoc Douglas/WhiskeyFlat Claim Jumper

Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper

Spanish-speaking vaqueros brought the word rodeoto early California (before it was a state), meaning aroundup of cattle, conducted to brand the calves andcount the herd.

It wasn’t until later that the word rodeo would meana competition among cowboys to show off their speedand their skills.

In the 1860s and much of the 1870s in CentralCalifornia, cattle grazed without any restrictions fromthe Kings River all the way south to the sinks of theTejon. To the east of the San Joaquin Valley, theycould roam freely to Tehachapi Valley and on east tothe Mojave Desert.

In 1851, the state legislature passed a law stating thecattlemen had to hold rodeos, or roundups, of the cat-

tle. Because of all the herds running together, therewould be many problems that would come up. Themain problem was determining which cattleman hadthe right to put his brand on an animal which had leftits mother before being branded. These unbrandedanimals were sometimes called orejano (o-ray-han'-no). It was because of this problem and others thatmight come up that it was decided a judge would beappointed for each rodeo.

At least twice a year, and sometimes three times, aroundup would be held. The area worked would covermost of what is now Kings, Tulare and Kern counties,with the exception of the Mojave Desert. There wouldbe from 100 to 200 cowboys working together. Thepay was only $15 to $20 per month, but it was the

Roundup of cattle original meaning of word ‘rodeo’

See RODEO, Page 22

2011 Claim Jumper

24 Sirretta StreetKernville, CA760-376-2345

■ Full Hook-Ups

■ Shaded Campsites

■ 30/50 Amp Service

■ Tents Welcome

■ Table & Fire Ring/Grill

■ Hot Showers (Included)

■ Air Compressor Station

■ Dump Station

■ Ice & Firewood For Sale

■ Laundry Available

■ Year Round CampingYou can find us between Ewings Rapid and theKernville Bridge with over 1,000' of Private Shoreline!

Every site is equipped with water and electric (mostinclude sewer)... no generators here!

Our downtown location is easy and convenient for ourguests to explore the restaurants and shops.

Come visit us today to take a look around and bookyour next vacation to the Kern River Valley!

www.campkernville.com“Now Taking Online Reservations”

Monthly (Long term) Sites are AvailableCirclePark

RiverViewRV Park ■■

Bridge

Kernville Road

N

Sirr

etta

St

■Ewings

FURNITUREsTORE

6415 LAKE ISABELLA BLVD • LAKE ISABELLA379-2868

Celebratin’22

years

OPENSUNDAY ~ THURSDAY

9:00AM ~ 5:00PM

Friday9:00AM ~ 4:00PM

Closed Saturdays

OUr gals will helprefurbish your

bunkhouse

� �PUBLiC NOTICE!Remember, when lookin’ fer fine furnishins

Ya won’t find a Bargain in a Barn!

ThE

made by craftsmen & artists of distinction

Yes! I want to receive a one year mail subscription to the KernRiver Courier, 52 issues, for just $36.00.Name__________________________________________________

Mailing Address__________________________________________

City____________________________________________________

State ____________________ Zip ___________________________

Kern River CourierP.O. Box 1145, Wofford Heights, CA 93285ph: 760-376-2860 fx: 760-376-2862

Complete and mail subscription form, check or money order for $36.00 to:

EXTRA!EXTRA!Mail subscriptions

to the

“Everything Oldis News Again!”

2011 Claim Jumper page 3

Coins & JewelryNow Buying

Gold & Silver!Now is the time to look

through your Jewelry Boxes,we buy your gold, sterling

silver and Scrap.

6429 Lake Isabella Blvd.Lake Isabella

In the Post Office Center

760-379-5200

Come inand see us!

Watch BatteriesFaxes & Copies

3628 Suhre StreetLake Isabella

Next to Crossroads Shell Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm

Owner: Lisa Stephens 760-549-0077

Kern River Motors Offers Extended Warranties.

Special Financing, Motorcycle Products and PartsIncluding Oil and Filters.

This HARLEY "HOG" AINT NO PIG!!!Kern River Motors offers something new! The HOG WITHOUT THE MESSalong with motorcycle oil, parts, service & accessories! Give us a call,well get you out of “The PIG PEN”!!!

All prices plus government fees and taxes, any finance charges,any deal document preparation charge, and any emission testingcharge. Prices good through February 28, 2011.

2006 Harley Davidson Heritage Softail Classic FLSTCI1450cc, Forward Controls. High performance exhaust &much, much more. Asking under Blue Book.Only: $11,900.00

Vintage retail

Old Kernville’s A. Brown Store was AndyBrown’s major retail enterprise, althoughhe also owned another store in the SouthFork. Old Kernville existed until the late1940s when Isabella Reservoir was putin, and the town was moved north a fewmiles. Most of the townspeople went withit, although some moved their homes tothe new Wofford Heights.

2011 Claim Jumper

Stories of the gold minersWhiskey Flat Claim Jumper

Here are a few stories of some of theillustrious gold miners of the Kern RiverValley during the California Gold Rush,of which we were very much a large part.

Lovely RogersSome local history buffs have treated

Lovely Rogers as though he were legend.They have placed "Lovely" in quotes, asthey would a nickname. Perhaps the taleof Lovely and his mule was so typical ofsingle-blanket jackass prospecting duringGold Rush days that it was borrowed justfor the spinning in any camp and on anyoccasion. Such is the telling that givesbirth to legends.

Lovely's mule was as cantankerous asmost any mule, and Lovely was as gold-hungry and wander-struck as any 49'er.This is probably why these two helped tomake history in the Kern River diggins'.Before going into the story of their greatstrike, it might be interesting to backtrackon Lovely and find out just how hemoved into history.

Early records show him to have been ahalf-breed Cherokee raised in the vicinityof the pioneer outpost of Fort Gibson inIndian Territory (now Oklahoma). Hecould well have been playing around thefort while Captain Bonneville and JoeWalker planned their famous explorationin the West. His parents, being compara-tively well-to-do, sent him across the bor-der to nearby Cane Hill, Ark., to be edu-cated in a school for white children. Hehad for classmates other Cherokee boyswho were to share in his adventuringacross the Plains to the California minesand to the Kern River diggins'.

Among these were Richard andJohnnie Keyes and Hamp Williams. Laterthese men and many others of their tribe

joined in the California Gold Rush in1849. On Feb. 3 of that year, the CherokeeAdvocate based at Tahlequa in theCherokee Nation announced "... such cit-izens of the Cherokee Nation as contem-plated going to California met this day inthe courthouse." On Feb. 19, an editorialin the same publication proclaimed,"Gold lump after lump in rapid succes-

sion are revealed and found under thewonder-working picks of the gold dig-gers in California. . The little 'thirteenpounders' are lost sight of, when twohundred pound lumps are being pickedout by the butcher knives of those whoare now gently disturbing the bowels ofthe auriferous mountains of the modernEldorado. And shall we Cherokee not

take advantage of the times and be foundtrying to get to this glorious country?"

Finally, the editor, overcome by hisown eloquence, decided to "be found try-ing." He joined forces with Lovely Rogersand his friends. These in turn becameassociated with people from Arkansasand Missouri, and the company made itsstart on April 20, 1849.

Lovely Rogers did make it to hisEldorado. On Jan. 7, 1850, a letterappeared in the Cherokee Advocate fromRogers relating the details of the arduoustrip, and adding, "Myself andJ.N.A.Carter and Shaw and two youngmen from Georgia are working together.We shall not return to Gibson until wemake 20,000 apiece. A man can makemoney here at anything except doingnothing."

Lovely and his Cherokee friends,Hamp Williams, Richard and JohnnieKeyes and John and William Cardenturned out to be the among the first49'ers to arrive in the Kern River diggins'when word of gold in that region filteredinto the Mother Lode country. They werecredited with making the first big strikeon Greenhorn Gulch and with bringing aname to the gulch and GreenhornMountain - as they were supposed to befrom Arkansas and people from thatstate were then dubbed "greenhorns."

Later Lovely and his companionsprospected farther south on the easternside of the mountain, where DickieKeyes soon discovered the Keyes Mineand rated the changing of the camp namefrom Hogeye to Keyesville.

Either Lovely's mule was an ingrate orhe maintained an insatiable will to wan-der. One night he left camp, his tracksleading down Hogeye Gulch and up the

Vintage photo

Old Kernville’s former name was Whiskey Flat, which existed from 1860 to 1864.This photo was taken in the 1890s.

See GOLD, Page 16


WELCOME TO WHISKEY FLAT DAYSFebruary 18-21, 2011

Come visit us at the

KERN KERN VVALLEY MUSEUMALLEY MUSEUM

Celebrate the History of the Valley with theKERN RIVER VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Museum Hours

Thursday ~ Sunday, 10am to 4pm49 Big Blue Road, Kernville

(Next to the Post Office)

(760) 376-6683

ADMISSION IS FREE

In the Kern Valley Museum you will find artifacts and

memorabilia which make the history of this valley come alive.

Native American Objects • Gold Mining

• Farming and Ranching • Lumbering • Western Movies

• Gift Shop and Art Gallery

BRING THE ENTIRE FAMILY

Best Lil’ Museum in the West

Truly Beyond Juice!

Just look at that! “Slippery Sam” thatyellow bellied not very appealing Bad Banana Man

has gotten himself a real job driving theBeyond Juice Chuck Wagon. Bringing goodnutrition & healthy food, catering to folks

all round the valley.

He delivers a real baaaad smoothie too!The Beyond Juice Deli is the only Healthy

Fast Food Alternative in the valley!Breakfasts starting at 99 cents, made to ordersalads & sandwiches, daily soups, smoothies,

fresh juices, two for one weekends,& specials too!

Von’s Shopping Center760-379-1792

“Next to DMV” 5520 G3 LakeIsabella Blvd. Lake Isabella

Monday - Friday 7am-7pmSaturday 9am-6pm • Sunday 10am-5pm

eathealthy krv.com

A Healthy Fast Food AlternativeThe Positive Effect of Good Nutrition

Big ChiliWeekend!

Saturday & SundayFebruary 19th & 20th

Come on downfor the fun!

WAN TED

OurMeal in a Cup

blend of 19vitamins,

minerals andamino acids.

Never make fun ofold people

An old prospector shuffled into the townof El Indio,Texas, leading an old tired mule.The old man headed straight for the onlysaloon in town to clear his parched throat.

He walked up to the saloon and tied hisold mule to the hitch rail. As he stood there,brushing some of the dust from his face andclothes, a young gunslinger stepped out ofthe saloon with a gun in one hand and a bot-tle of whiskey in the other.

The young gunslinger looked at the oldman, laughed and said, "Hey old man, haveyou ever danced?"

The old man looked up at the gunslingerand said, "No, never did dance... can't say asI ever wanted to."

A crowd had gathered as the gunslingergrinned and said, "Well, you old fool, you'regonna dance now," and started shooting atthe old man's feet.

The old prospector, not wanting to get atoe blown off, started hopping around like aflea on a hot skillet. Everybody was laugh-ing, fit to be tied.

When his last bullet had been fired, theyoung gunslinger, still laughing, holstered hisgun and turned around to go back into thesaloon.

The old man turned to his pack mule,pulled out a double-barreled shotgun, andcocked both hammers. The loud clicks car-ried clearly through the desert air. The crowdstopped laughing immediately. The younggunslinger heard the sounds too, and heturned around very slowly.

The silence was almost deafening. Thecrowd watched as the young gunman staredat the old-timer and the large gaping holes ofthose twin barrels.

The shotgun never wavered in the oldman's hands, as he quietly said, "Son, haveyou ever kissed a mule's ass?"

The gunslinger swallowed hard and said,

"No sir, can't say as I have... but I've alwayswanted to."

A Good PolicyAn insurance salesman was getting

nowhere in his efforts to sell a policy to arancher. “Look at it this way,” he said finally.“How would your wife carry on if youshould die?”

“Well,” answered the rancher after givingit some thought, “I don’t reckon that’s anyconcern of mine, so long as she behavesherself while I’m alive.”

A Popular HorseA rancher’s horse kicked his mother-in-

law to death. An extra large crowd, mostlymen, turned out for the funeral.

The minister commented, “This ladymust have been mighty popular for so manypeople to be willing to leave their work andcome to her funeral.”

“They’re not here for the funeral,” repliedthe rancher. “They’ve come to buy thehorse.”

A Shy CowboyTwo cowboys went to a night club show.

As the chorus girls pranced out to performtheir number, one cowboy turned to theother and whispered, “See that fine lookin’gal on the left end. I feel like taking her outagain.”

“Why I didn’t know you had taken herout before,” answered the other.

“Well I ain’t,” came the reply. “But oncebefore I felt like it.”

A Cowboy inHeaven

A young cowboy appeared before St.Peter at the Pearly Gates..

'Have you ever done anything of particu-lar merit?' St. Peter asked.

'Well, I can think of one thing,' the cow-

boy offered...'On a trip to the Black Hills out in South

Dakota, I came upon a gang of bikers, whowere threatening a young woman. I directedthem to leave her alone, but they wouldn'tlisten.. So, I approached the largest andmost heavily tattooed biker and smackedhim in his face ... I then kicked his bike over,ripped out his nose ring, and threw it on theground. I yelled, 'Now, back off!! Or I'll kickthe crap out of all of you!' St. Peter wasimpressed. 'And when did all of this hap-pen?' He asked.

The cowboy sheepishly looked down athis boots as he scuffed one across the cloudhe stood on, then answered....

'Why, just a couple of minutes ago...'

Medical TreatmentThe old rancher took his wife to town to

see the new doctor. He waited for her by thehitch rail while he shot the breeze with someother old timers. After a few minutes, heheard his wife scream, then she slammedthrough the door and nearly knocked himdown. Finally, he calmed her enough tolearn what the problem was.

After listening to her story, he helped herinto the buckboard to wait for him while hesettled things with this new upstart. Hehitched his gun belt in place and marched into confront the doctor.

"What the hell's wrong with you?" therancher demanded of the doctor. "My wifeis 63 years old. We have five grown childrenand eleven grandchildren, and you told hershe was pregnant?"

The new doctor raised his eyebrows andasked, "Does she still have the hiccups?"

Cowboy CookeryTwo old cowboys, confirmed bachelors,

got to talking about cooking.“I got one o’ them cookery books once,

but I never could do nothing with it.”“Why is that?” asked the other. “Too

much fancy work in it?”“You said it.” Replied the first. “I could

never get past the first sentence. Seems everyone o’ them recipes began the same way:‘Take a clean dish…’

The Cowboy andthe Rancher

A big city lawyer went duck hunting inthe fields out by Onyx. He shot anddropped a duck, but it fell into a pasture onthe other side of the fence.

As the lawyer climbed over the fence, acrusty old rancher rode up and asked himwhat he was doing.

The attorney responded, "I shot a duck.It fell into this field, and now I'm going toretrieve it."

The old rancher retorted, "This is myproperty, and you are not coming overhere."

The indignant lawyer said, "I am one ofthe best trial attorneys in the United States,and if you don't let me have that duck, I'llsue you and take everything you own."

The old rancher smiled and said,"Apparently you don't know how we settledisputes in Onyx. We settle small disagree-ments with the 'Three Kicks Rule'."

The lawyer asked, "What is the 'ThreeKicks Rule'?"

The rancher replied, "Well, because thedispute is occurring on my land, I get to gofirst. I kick you three times, then you kick methree times, and so on back and forth untilone of us gives up."

The attorney quickly thought about theproposed contest and figured he could easi-ly take the old geezer. He agreed to abide bythe local custom.

The old rancher slowly climbed downfrom his horse and walked up to the attor-ney.

Whiskey Flat campfire humor

See HUMOR, Page 16

2011 Claim Jumper

As the years went by in Whiskey Flat/Old Kernville

A year-by-year history of Old Kernville (formerly Whiskey Flat)

1853: Prospectors start looking for gold in area south of future Whiskey Flat/OldKernville. Gold Rush had been on since 1848.

1855: A 42-ounce gold nugget is found in area now known as Hungry Gulch/BoulderGulch Campgrounds, just south of the future Whiskey Flat/Old Kernville. Gold fever is onin Kern River Valley. Over 5,000 men make their way here.

1860: A man named Lovely Rogers finds a rock with flecks of gold in it just north of whatwould soon be called Whiskey Flat. Rogers works his claim. (This claim would later be knownas the Big Blue Mine, one of the biggest-paying gold mines in the area.)

1860: Joe Caldwell builds a house near the mine. Adam Hamilton comes in and pitches atent across the road from Caldwell’s house and sets up a couple of barrels with a board acrossthem for a bar. Caldwell and his friends are not the whiskey-drinking type, and Hamilton isasked to move his operation a mile or so south on a little flat by the river. Hamilton does soand calls it Whiskey Flat. Most of the miners follow him and a town begins there.

1861: Toll road built over Greenhorn Mountains down into Whiskey Flat.1862: Post office comes to Whiskey Flat.1863: Whiskey Flat grows. Town founder Adam Hamilton establishes a private school.1863: U.S. soldiers sent to Kern River Valley to investigate Indians. This leads to massacre

of about 35 male members of the Tubatulabal tribe where Tilly Creek empties into the KernRiver, just south of Whiskey Flat.

1864: Name of Whiskey Flat changed to (Old ) Kernville.1868: Kernville School District formed with building of first Kernville School. Adam

Hamilton, founder of Whiskey Flat, was clerk.1868: Flood sweeps through Kernville, damaging mine workings.1869: Andy Brown purchases a brick store building in middle of Kernville and opens A.

Brown Store.1871: Big Blue Mine in steady operation with a 16 stamp mill going..1872: Odd Fellows Kernville lodge founded. (Still active.)1873: Little town of Kernville is growing, with population doubling in five months.1874: Big Blue Mine’s 16 stamp mill replaced with 80 stamp mill.1874: Sawmill built high on Greenhorn Mountain, west of Kernville. Road constructed

between sawmill and Old Kernville (now known as Sawmill Road).1876: Surface tramway for Big Blue Mine built; parts of roadbed for track can still be seen

from the highway south of New Kernville.1876: Harley Mine started near today’s New Kernville. Tramway built to lower ore down

mountainside.1877: Six or seven stores now in Old Kernville, with four saloons, a brewery, three hotels,

a livery stable, and other businesses and homes.1882: Harley Mine Tramway cable breaks in horrific accident, killing two and signaling end

of Harley Mine.1883: Fire destroys Sumner Shaft of Big Blue Mine, shaft collapses and is rendered unwork-

able.1884: Big Blue Mine sold at Sheriff's auction in Bakersfield. Mining era in valley starts to

decline.1891: Petersen's Kernville Hotel burns, taking 22 houses with it.1896: Albia Curliss homesteads a ranch five miles north of Old Kernville that would

become New Kernville 50 years later.1898: First permanent church in Old Kernville built, the Kernville Methodist Church.1901: Borel power plant work begins in the Kern River Canyon. A canal feedning the power

plant would have an intake near Old Kernville.1902-04: Edison Company purchases ranches around Old Kernville to obtain water rights

for Borel canal. (Date approximate.)1910: Edison Company builds road up the Kern River north of the future site of New

Kernville to construct an intake for another future power plant there.1912: Telephone line connects Old Kernville with rest of valley.1913: Fire in Big Blue Mine drainage tunnel, which came out close to the river near the

cemetery just north of Old Kernville, kills three miners.1914: Kernville Library established, books kept in the old A. Brown Store.1916: Matt Burlando buys the ranch upriver from Old Kernville that would in the early

1950s become New Kernville.1919: Construction begins on KR3 power plant near Burlando Ranch (modern-day New

Kernville).1920: Hub of KR3 power plant job is Headquarters Camp on Kern River. Name kept

when the Forest Service later built a campground on that spot. Other campground names onUpper Kern have similar history.

1921: KR3 power plant completed.1928: Hollywood finds the Kern Valley and Old Kernville a perfect place to shoot Western

movies (date approximate).1928: Kern County Sportsmen group builds trout rearing ponds on Burlando Ranch (later

New Kernville).1929: Trout rearing ponds moved upriver, Kernville Fish Hatchery begins.1929: Bert James buys Bechtel's grocery store in Old Kernville, calls it Bert's Store (ances-

tor of James Sierra Gateway Markets.)1930: Movie Street built in Old Kernville, parallel to Kernville's main street, to accommo-

date the Western movie shoots. (Date approximate.)1932: Kernville Union School District formed.1937: New scenic road from Old Kernville to Johnsondale dedicated.1938: Camp Owen started in Burlando Ranch area (later New Kernville).1941: Kern Valley High School opens across river from Old Kernville.1942: Old Kernville’s Movie Street dismantled and moved to desert to be used for army

maneuvers.1942: McNally family starts operating Fairview On The Kern upriver from Old Kernville.

Steakhouse there still bears their name.1948: Town of Wofford Heights started.1948: Army Corps of Engineers starts getting ready to build a dam across the Kern River

just south of Old Kernville. Old Kernville and Old Isabella prepare to move to higherground.

1953: Dam across Kern River completed, and lake begins to form. New Kernville, NewIsabella and Wofford Heights start to grow.

(Information obtained from writings by Bob Powers, Ken Wortley, Elizabeth P. Brady and Ardis Walker.)


THE LIGHTHART CORPORATIONGENERAL ENGINEERING & MECHANICAL CONTRACTING

• ELECTRICAL• HEATING• PLUMBING• AIR CONDITIONING• SERVICE / REPAIR• NEW CONSTRUCTION

Bill Damron Lic.# 593113 760-417-1574

TLC ❤®

Serving the Kern River Valley

[email protected] 760-376-8784

WILD WEST COUNTRY DVD’s

Available at: Stone’s Throw Gallery13 Big Blue Rd.Kernville, CA

6106 LAKE ISABELLA BLVD, LAKE ISABELLA

760-379-3663

HUNGRY RANCHERBREAKFAST • LUNCH • DINNER

15%Off All MealsWith Drink Purchase the Month of February,excluding specials

BreakfastTry our great Homemade Chicken Fried Steak!

2 Cakes,2 Eggs,2 Bacon or 1 Sausage Pattie $4.25Monday thru Thursday 7:00 -11:00am

Lunch SpecialHamburger,French Fries & Drink $5.50

Dinner SpecialFriday- All You Can Eat Fish & Chips

Lunch & dinner specials start at 11:00am

Native American Cultural Center“Nuui Cunni”

Visit us on the web at www.nuuicunni.comSponsored by: Kern River Paiute Council under a Special Use Permit: U.S. Forest Service

2600 Highway 155 French Gulch Campground, Lake Isabella760-549-0800 Fax:760-379- 4350

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3984 Wofford Heights, CA [email protected]

(Our House)

Native American Inter Tribal Visitors Center & MuseumCelebrating, Preserving, Restoring & Teaching

Native American Culture & HistoryEducational, Ceremonial & Other Social Activities

for Native Americans & Interested PublicPrayer Garden, Native Plant Garden & Plant SalesCertified Farmers Market Saturday from 9:00am

Admission Free

Open:Tuesday through Saturday

May 1st through November 1st9:00am to 4:00pm

November 1st through April 1st9:00am to 3:00pm

Old Kernville’s Movie Street built for Western filmsMike DevichWhiskey Flat Claim Jumper

Old Kernville was a real Old West town, butin the late 1920s, after its Old West day hadpassed, Hollywood discovered the town as theWestern movie craze grew. The town respond-ed to accommodate the increasing numbers ofcrews arriving to shoot movies by building aspecial street parallel to Old Kernville’s mainstreet especially for them.

The late Bob Powers, in his book “NorthFork Country,” wrote about Movie Street:

“Movie Street in Old Kernville was a replicaof a typical frontier main street. Originallycalled Granite Street, it was about two blockslong and ran north-south along the hill west oftown. The Methodist Community Church andthe grade school were at one end, and a largebarn on the A. Brown property closed the otherend of the street. The fronts of other buildings

(the backs of which were only shells) werebuilt, including, on one side, a general store,assay office, jail and livery stable. On the otherside stood a blacksmith shop, saloon, dancehall, hotel and harness shop. It was hard torealize when walking along the street or viewingthe set in movies that many of these buildingswere only propped up like billboards.

“On this street gallons of ‘blood’ were shed,and from the large old cottonwood tree in theschoolyard many a hangman’s noose swung.”

In the evenings, many of the movie’s starsand crew would take part in local communityactivities in Old Kernville. Sometimes theywould form a baseball team with the likes ofRoy Rogers, Humphrey Bogart and JohnHuston filling the positions.

Powers says in his book that other famousmovie stars seen in the valley over the yearsincluded Dale Evans, Gabby Hayes, YvonneDeCarlo, Victor McLagen, Audie Murphy, Andy

Devine, Tom Mix, Hoot Gibson, HopalongCassidy, Gene Autry and Harry Carey.

The Mountain Inn, at the time the only hotelin Old Kernville, served as headquarters for thefilm companies. Many local people served asdoubles, stand-ins and extras in the movies.Some working as extras donned cowboy cos-tumes for a chase scene one day and thenIndian costumes the next day for that side ofthe chase.

Irven Wofford, owner of the ranch thatwould someday become Wofford Heights, pro-vided much of the livestock for the films aswell as wagons, buggies and other equipment.He also acted in some of the films.

A list of films wholly or partially shot in theKern River Valley is available at the Kern ValleyMuseum in Kernville. The list was assembled bythe late Billy Couch, at the time the curator ofthe museum. Powers was also a curator of themuseum.

2011 Claim Jumper

PPiute iute PPumpumpWater WWells •• PPumps •• SSofteners

Sales && SServiceDon’t ccroak iif yyou rrun oout oof wwater.

We’ll ttake ccare oof yyou.Home oof tthe WWhiskey FFlat 22006 CChampion FFrog

“Pumper JJumper”

4571 LLake IIsabella BBlvd. Lake IIsabella

760•379•4422

Bob PowersBOOKSB o o k s b y t h e l a t eBob Powers , LocalHistorian and Author

A nine-volume historicalaccount of the Kern River Valley. All nine books are presently in print, beautifully printed and bound and willbe available in Circle Park during Whiskey Flat Days.

South Fork Country, North Fork Country, Hot Springs Country,

Kern River Country, Indian Country, Desert Country,High Country, This Old House and Cowboy Countryare $30.00 each

See Marge in Circle Park February 18, 19 and 20 duringWhiskey Flat Days. Or place your order by mail to:

Marge Powers P.O. Box 204 Kernville, Ca 932387 6 0 - 3 7 6 - 2 3 2 9

Visit our booth in Circle Parkduring Whiskey Flat Days

RMW MobilityServiceAll powerchairs, manualwheelchairs, lifts, servicing,repair & accessoriesServing Veterans and the disabled everywhere. Please feel free to give us a call anytime; just ask for Bob Weigel.

Veteran & Family Owned

P.O. Box 2452Lake IsabellaOffice:760-379-8317Fax:760-379-8969Authorized repair for Pride,Champion, Rascal, Jazzy & more.

Steam PoweredModel RMWS

The Mayor’s Race: excitement buildsMike DevichWhiskey Flat Claim Jumper

Each year, the month beforeWhiskey Flat Days, brave candidatesstep up and throw their Stetsons intothe ring for the office of HonoraryMayor of Whiskey Flat. During thatmonth they pick out their wardrobe,polish off their persona, and get outand canvass the valley for bribe money.Selling $1 “bribe tickets,” they some-times raffle off prizes as well. Themoney raised goes to the charity orcharities of their choice, and a portiongoes to the Kernville Chamber ofCommerce to help put on the festival.

This year there were two teams offoolhardy ... er, energetic candidateslooking to claim the honorary title ofWhiskey Flat Mayor. They are (Team 1)“Mean River Gene” Hacker and“Whitewater (Lucien) Whitman” (hiswife Rachel was a former mayor) and(Team 2) “Mercantile Frank” Vargasand his wife Sheila, who is running as“Millinery Dolly.”

Mercantile Frank and MillineryDolly are raising money for the REVACo-op, which plans to open a low-costspay/neuter clinic here for dogs andcats. Mean River Gene and WhitewaterWhitman are raising money for theRiverside Park river project, and KernValley Search and Rescue.

The mayor race is one of the biggestelements of Whiskey Flat Days, withthe winner being announced on Sundayof the festival, so it’s a good thing tostick around.

Past mayor races have been very col-orful. The candidates adopt Western

monikers and fill their speeches withtall tales, jokes, put-downs of the othercandidates, and other shenanigans.Let’s take a look at the 1969 race, and aparticular candidate, “Bull Run” BobPowers. He documented his campaignin one of his nine books on Kern RiverValley history.

"I, 'Bull Run Bob' Powers, afterlengthy deliberation have bowed to thewill of the people to debark on a win-

nin' campaine for mayore of WhiskeyFlat. It is my feelen that this society, orany grate society can long indure with-out drastic changes. But, indeed, we arein a period of unrest that cries for solu-tions.

"As your next Mayore, I promise toprovide these simpel, yet unquestion-ably good ansers to problems that haveplaged us.

"Be it known that my platform will

be one of simplicity, good horsesence,and fare play. Not only will teritorialproblems be solved, but I will bring toWhiskey Flat a new aira of properity.

"To provide these betterments, thefollowing will be inacted:

"1. After the county seat was swipedby the flat-landers of Bakersfield in1874 from one of hour most outstand-ing mountain communities, it is onlyfitten and proper to return it again tothe mountain folk. Unbiased surveysbave showed the most desirable loca-tion, considering its growth to be thebeautiful and prosperous town of BullRun.

"2. Revise the gold. standard upwardto $95 per ounce, so the most famousand marginal mines of Bull Run,Harley, and Big Blue may reopen. Thiswould take the local miners off thewelfare rolls and gettum eaten regular.

"3. Rebuild the tramway to the topof Harley Mountain in an attempt tospur mountain fun in the sun. Thiswould not only provide a gorgeousview of Whiskey Flat below but givethe visitor a chance to see Bull Run andwalk on the head of the Sleeping Giant.

"And that ain't no bull!!"Shenanigans aside, the money the

mayor candidates raise have helpedmany worthy causes here in the KernRiver Valley. Thousands of dollars aredonated to charities and communityprojects and programs, which aremighty glad to receive the money.Remember that when some armedcharacter in period dress saunters up toyou and asks you to pay some moneyfor bribe tickets. (And make sure thetickets are for this year!)

Murdoc Douglas/Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper

Last year’s winner of the Honorary Mayor contest was “Tenderfoot Tony” Plante,shown as he accepts his honorary office at last year’s Whiskey Flat Days mayorannouncement on Sunday afternoon.


Serving the Flatwith only thesweetest tastinwater, using onlythe most modernwater storage andundergrounddelivery systems.

7138 LakeIsabella Blvd.Lake Isabella,California

760-379-5336

California WaterService Co.

"Use Water Wisely, It's Essential". Fax 661-325-0240

661-325-3963 800-894-8882

Gerald A. BrownManager / Director

NEPTUNE NEPTUNE

SOCIETYSOCIETY

CENTRAL CALIFORNIA CREMATION SERVICEFUNERAL DIRECTORS LICENSE #1406

201 H STREET BAKERSFIELD, CA 93304

SAVE SAVE SAVE

For Unusual Antiques and Collectibles5129 Lake Isabella Blvd. Lake Isabella 760-417-0407

FEBRUARY SALE!BOB LAMBERT

Lic. #508909 3104 Raccoon Road

Lake Isabella, CA 93240

760-379-3332Cell:760-223-1682

BOB LAMBERTLPLUMBING

AMBERT’SLAMBERT’S

www.lambertsplumbingservice.com

“WHEN A FLUSH BEATS A FULL HOUSE”

PLUMBING

SERVICESERVICE


We hope you enjoyed reading aboutOld Kernville. There are many morehistorical photos than we could possi-bly use, and lots of stories and arti-facts and maps and all kinds of goodstuff at the Kern Valley Museum inKernville. It’s not hard to find-- it’sacross the street from Alta One CreditUnion on Big Blue Road.

If you like exploring the history ofthis area (and there’s a powerful lot ofhistory here), the museum is a goodplace to start.

Join the Kern River ValleyHistorical Society. They can tell you

how at the meeting, because they runthe place.

If you want some great history, pickup Bob Powers’ books (he wrote nineof them) at the library, or MargePowers will be selling them again atWhiskey Flat Days. Look for her ad inthis Claim Jumper.

Ardis Walker’s books are a require-ment, too. Ken Wortley was another.

A memoir of Old Kernville justbefore the lake went in is available, ifyou want to read about what the placewas like. It’s called “River Children,”written by Barbara Hinkey and PatMcPherson. You can get it throughhttp://www.riverchildren.net/

More history is tobe found at museum

Vintage photo courtesy of Chuck Barbee

At right is the Kernville Hotel, built by N.P. Petersen in Old Kernville.The hotel and 22 houses burned down in 1891. For a timeline ofKernville’s history turn to page 2.

Bridge to the past

The Kern River footbridge near OldKernville. Children were not supposedto run across it, but they often did any-way. The Kern River Valley in thosedays was a simple place, a place thatwas where a kid could go down by theriver and find pollywogs and fish with abranch and a hook.

2011 Claim Jumper

Just a hop, skip and jump outside Whiskey Flat4700 Lake Isabella Blvd. Lake Isabella, 760-379-4631HOURS: Monday - Friday 7- 6 Saturday & Sunday 8 - 5

Talk to the ACE Hardware experts atTalk to the ACE Hardware experts at

LL &&M LUMBER!M LUMBER!CUT TO ORDER LUMBER • NAILS, NUTS & BOLTS

PICKS & SHOVELS • PIPE & FITTINGSBRICK, BLOCK & MORTAR • HOUSE & BARN PAINT

PUT SOME ROOTS DOWN WITH OUR FLOWERS, PLANTS AND TREES!

WE DONE GROW’D TO OVER 20,000 SQUARE FEET OF

HARDWARE HEAVEN HAPPINESS

FENCINGWIRE &POSTS

TOOLS OFALL

TRADES

6400 Lake Isabella Blvd. Lake Isabella Store: 760-379-2041 Cell: 760-379-6963across from the Senior Center

Store: 760-379-2041 Cell: 760-379-6963Hours: Monday, thru Friday10:00am to 5:00pm Saturday 9:00am to 3:00pm Closed Sunday

Come in and see our large selection of Tack & Feed Supplies.If what you need is not already in stock we will gladly order it for you.

“Our customers agree - we are the friendly store” - Owner Roger McLaughlin

For your family of animals,from hounds tohorses,pigs to poultry and lots in between

See re-enactors recreate life in the Old WestMike Woodward, Lone Star ProductionsWhiskey Flat Claim Jumper

Come on down and experience the"Wild West Encampment" located acrossfrom the Rodeo Grounds down in the"Flats" by the river. Scheduled are twocamps for your enjoyment – TheMountain Man Camp and the NativeAmerican Camp.

These attractions are great additionsto the Whiskey Flat Days celebration andare designed to give the whole family aglimpse at what life may have been likeback in the 1800s. Camp activities will beinteractive and there will be many oppor-tunities to speak with Whiskey Flat resi-dents, Mountain Men, and NativeAmerican residents from the 1800s.Come smell the Cowboy Coffee.

Camp events begin at noon FridayFeb. 18 and end at noon Sunday, Feb.20.

The Whiskey Flat Camp will feature:• Old Fashioned Train Service from

the Museum To the Whiskey FlatEncampment

• Hold-ups and Gunfights• Wells Fargo Station • Cowboy Cookin’• Horse Tradin’, Livery and Wagon

Sales

• Horse Shoein’ and Horse Doctorin • Whiskey Flat Saloon • Justice of the Peace, Shotgun

Weddings.• Old West Church Service on Sunday

at 10• Saddle Maker and Leather Craft• Old West Chuck Wagon • Turn of the century Sawmill demon-

strations.

• Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show • Old West Mercantile Shoppe• Story Tellers of Old Whiskey Flat:

Dave Ryskamp, Dave "Horse" Robinsonand Nathan Eddy will tell stories of howMiners, Cowboys and Outlaws got along(or didn't get along) in the old days.

A special treat at the Whiskey Flatscamp this weekend will be Gus Curry, aRobert Duvall lookalike as seen in his

cowboy roles such as “Lonesome Dove”and “Open Range.” He will be portrayingRobert Duvall's role as Boss Spearman inthe movie “Open Range.”

Advanced Thanks to the Folks thathelp make Whiskey Flat Encampment2011 possible.

• Jill Thurman and Chuck Richards;• Mike Ludiker for our Web Page

www.whiskeyflatcamp.org• George Randall and talented staff

for their exceptional interest and heavyequipment for grounds preparation.

• USFS for camp wood• Kern County Sheriff ’s Department

and SAL for outstanding cooperationand support.

• Chuck Barbee for documenting thehistory of the valley in "Wild WestCountry" on DVD.

• Re-enactors from So. California par-ticipating: Legends of the West, JohnOlinger; Goshen Mounted Police, DanHogan; Texas Cavalry, Fort Tejon, DougMroczek; Mountain Men, BreckenridgeBuckskinners, DeeDee Moore; Dave"Horse" Robinson; Buffalo Bill Show,Bruce Kratt; Perry Steinhoff for his"Turn of the Century" Sawmill exhibi-tion.

For further information and a scheduleof events go to www.whiskeyflatcamp.org

Murdoc Douglas/Whiskey Flat Flaim JumperThe Whiskey Flat Encampment is always a big hit with visitors to Whiskey FlatDays, and this picture from last year shows why.

Activities for Thursday through SaturdayFancy pull-out section Pull this Whiskey Flat Days schedule and map (pages 11-14) out of the center of your Claim Jumper, carry it aroundwith you and you’ll know what’s going on! It covers all five days of the festival.


THURSDAY FEB 17th

12 NOON

EPITAPH CONTEST JUDGING– Kernville Fire Department. All epi-taphs will be judged Thursday Noonand placed in Boot Hill, at theKernville Fire Station, on Friday.

5:00 PM

COWBOY AUCTION at Ewing’son the Kern Restaurant, Kernville

Open: 5:00 p.m.Sign ups: 6:00 p.m.AUCTION: 7:00 p.m.Contact Tony Cain at 760-378-

3408. Always a popular event!

FRIDAY FEB 18th

10:00 AM

10:00-4:00 - KERN VALLEYMUSEUM OPEN on Big Blue Roadnext to Post Office.

Historical Society ~ mining info ~Indian exhibits ~ artifacts and photosfrom Yesteryear when Kernville wasWhiskey Flat.

Annual Kern Valley WOMEN’SCLUB LUNCHEON & FASHIONSHOW at the Elks Lodge in WoffordHeights. Doors open at 10am. PresaleTickets Only – Admission, $12. CallKV Women’s Club 760.376.4578 orpurchase tickets at KernvilleChamber.

HIGH NOON

GOLDEN GULCH OPENSCircle Park ~ Frontage Road~

Riverside ParkCrafts, handmade items, jewelry,

info booths, art & MORE! FFA,Sweet Adelines, Tubatulabal Indians,Rotary Club of KRV, Elks Lodge, andMt. View Baptist Youth food vendors!Whiskey Flat Headquarters Info onthe corner of Kernville Road &Tobias selling Whiskey Flat shirts &memorabilia. Pick up your WhiskeyFlat Claim Jumper, Whiskey Flat Minerand the most “up-to-date” Scheduleof Events!

CONTEST APPLICATIONSAVAILABLE AT KERNVILLECHAMBER INFO BOOTH:

Costume Contest ~ Pet ParadeContest ~ Whiskerino Contest ~ Pie,Jam & Jelly Contest, Yummy! (See thisschedule for date/time of contests.)

WHISKEY FLAT DAYS KICK-OFF MUSIC with the Jazz Tones.Performance at Cheryl’s Diner Patio~ Kernville

WHISKEY FLAT ENCAMP-MENTS – Cowboy and MountainMan Camp re-creations on ScodieAve across from the Rodeo Grounds.LIFE IN THE OLD WEST! Save theleather on yer boots and catch theWestern Express Railway Train intown and ride to the encampments.Watch hold-ups & gunfights, horseshoein’ and horse doctorin’, turn ofthe century sawmill demonstrations,and Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show.There’s cowboy cookin’, a WhiskeyFlat Saloon, an Old West Mercantile

Shoppe, shotgun weddings, saddlemakin’ & leather craft, and more!Storytellers Dave Ryskamp, Dave“Horse” Robinson & Nathan Eddywill tell stories about miners, cowboysand outlaws. Open ‘til sundown.

NATIVE AMERICAN teepeeswith activities, demonstrations, andmore! Lots to do and see! RiversidePark by the Wild & Scenic KernRiver. Sponsored by Owens ValleyCareer Development Center.

CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES: FreeFace Painting by New Life Assemblyof God Church. Bounce houses, rockwall, and obstacle courses.Mechanical Bull rides. Small chargefor rides. Riverside Park by the Wild& Scenic Kern River.

2:00 PM

Check out the WHISKEY FLATENCAMPMENTS on Scodie Aveacross from the Rodeo Grounds.

4:00 to 7:00 PM

SPAGHETTI DINNER AND AMOVIE at Odd Fellows Hall inKernville to support Mayor Candidate'Mean River Gene & WhitewaterWhitman.' Come enjoy some greatvittles!

5:00 PM

SCHOEPPNER AMUSEMENTCARNIVAL OPENS on KernvilleRoad, across from Pizza Barn, by theForest Service Work Center. Greatadult and children’s rides & games,chills and thrills! Save 50% on pre-sale tickets. Sales throughout theValley until February 18th! Open until10:00 p.m.

7:00 PM

HEY PARDNER ~ BE ON THELOOKOUT! MAYOR CANDI-DATES ROAMING AROUNDTOWN SELLING BRIBE TICK-ETS! THE RACE IS ON! Winnerannounced Sunday at 3:00 p.m.

2011 WFD Mayor Candidates:“Mercantile Frank & Millinery

Dolly”“Mean River Gene & Whitewater

Whitman”

SATURDAY FEB 19th

7:00 AM to 10:00 AM

Breakfast $6.00 a plate ~ tickets atthe door. Kern River Masonic Lodge~ 562 James Rd., Kernville. Turnuphill past James Store. Always afavorite breakfast – get there early!

8:30 AM

VIP Parade Breakfast –KERNVILLE CHAMBER

9:00 AM


Riverside ParkCrafts, handmade items, jewelry,

info booths, art & MORE! FFA,Sweet Adelines, Tubatulabal Indians,Rotary Club of KRV, Elks Lodge, andMt. View Baptist Youth food vendors!Whiskey Flat Headquarters Info onthe corner of Kernville Road &

Tobias selling Whiskey Flat shirts &memorabilia. Pick up your WhiskeyFlat Claim Jumper, Whiskey Flat Miner,and the most “up-to-date” Scheduleof Events!

NATIVE AMERICAN teepeeswith activities, demonstrations, andmore! Lots to do and see! RiversidePark by the Wild & Scenic KernRiver. Sponsored by Owens ValleyCareer Development Center.

CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES: FreeFace Painting by New Life Assemblyof God Church. Amazing Bounce,with bounce houses, rock wall, andobstacle courses. Mechanical Bullrides. Small charge for rides. RiversidePark by the Wild & Scenic KernRiver.

10:00 AM

PARADE LINE UP

Equestrian judging in designatedhorse area. (Not everything has“Gone to the Dogs.”) 10:00 a.m.SHARP!

SCHOEPPNER AMUSEMENTCARNIVAL On Kernville Road,across from Pizza Barn, by the ForestService Work Center. Great adult andchildren’s rides & games, chills andthrills! Open until 10:00 p.m.

TROUT HATCHERY OPEN(Sat., Sun., Mon.) Museum & VisitorCenter 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. SierraWay, 1 Mile North of Kernville. FreeAdmission.

KERN VALLEY MUSEUMOPEN 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on BigBlue Road next to Post Office.

Historical Society ~mining info ~Indian exhibits ~ artifacts and photosfrom Yesteryear when Kernville wasWhiskey Flat.

11:00 AM

WHISKEY FLAT DAYSPARADE

Theme – “GOIN’ TO THEDOGS” – COWBOY’S BESTFRIEND

GET YER SPOT EARLY! Paraderoute: From Sierra Way & KernvilleRoad south across bridge to KernRiver Drive by Riverside Park, aroundRiverside One-Stop and up KernvilleRoad to Tobias. Then Piute Drive toBig Blue Road and end at KernvilleUnited Methodist Church, Big Blueand Sirretta.

Judging will be during the parademarch. Awards given at 2:30 p.m. atCircle Park Center Stage.

2011 Grand Marshals ~ Fred May,Kern County Animal Control Officer& Kimberly Mullins, Manager ofKern County Animal Control

Special VIP guests & delightfulparade floats.

Parade Announcer, Geoff Emeryof KUZZ Radio

HIGH NOON

Immediately following the Parade –WHISKEY FLAT ENCAMPMENTS.Cowboy and Mountain Man CampRe-creations on Scodie Ave. acrossfrom the Rodeo Grounds. LIFE INTHE OLD WEST! Save the leatheron yer boots and catch the WesternExpress Railway Train in town andride to the encampments. Watch hold-ups & gunfights, horse shoein’ andhorse doctorin’, turn of the century

sawmill demonstrations, and BuffaloBill’s Wild West Show. There’s cow-boy cookin’, a Whiskey Flat Saloon,an Old West Mercantile Shoppe, shot-gun weddings, saddle makin’ &leather craft, and more! StorytellersDave Ryskamp, Dave “Horse”Robinson & Nathan Eddy will tellstories about miners, cowboys andoutlaws. Open ‘til sundown.

12:30 PM

CONCERT BY THE RIVERMusic in Riverside Park. FREE

admission. Continues all afternoon.12:30-12:45 ..... Les Bourgeois1:00-2:00 ......... Off Track2:00-3:00 ......... Scott Costa &

Valerie Cassity3:00-4:00 ......... Allasso4:00-5:00 ......... Jest Reason

1:00 PM

LINE DANCING by “TLC” ~Totally Loves Country Circle ParkCenter Stage – Free Admission

CONCERT BY THE RIVER con-tinues in Riverside Park with OffTrack.

WHISKEY FLAT DAYS RODEO,McNally Rodeo Arena - CottonRosser’s FLYING-U Rodeo spon-sored by Bud Light. Open TeamRoping, Bull Riding, Hide Race, OpenBarrel Race, Junior Barrel Race, CalfScramble, Sheep Riding, and more.Entertainment by “Wild WestCowgirls.” Admission charge.

1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

FREE HISTORICAL WALKINGTOUR ~ See the Keyesville Mine andMill with Dr. Gregg Wilkerson, his-toric tales of the valley! Meet acrossfrom the Golf Course and caravan.Minimal walking. *Need waiver form,Hold Harmless statement to sign forinsurance purposes.

2:00 PM

FIRST HEAT of the FROGJUMPIN’ CONTEST held at PiuteDrive by center stage. Watch theJumpin’-est Frogs in the West! FinalsSunday at 11:30 a.m. - FreeAdmission

CONCERT BY THE RIVER con-tinues in Riverside Park with ScottCosta & Valerie Cassity.

2:00 PM

Check out the WHISKEY FLATENCAMPMENTS on Scodie acrossfrom the Rodeo Grounds.

2:30 PM

Parade Awards at the announcer’sstand in Circle Park.

3:00 PMSpecial performance by the

Whitman Dancers- Circle Park,Center Stage

CONCERT BY THE RIVER con-tinues in Riverside Park with Allasso.

4:00 PM

CONCERT BY THE RIVER con-tinues in Riverside Park with JestReason.

SUNDAY FEB 20th9:00 AM


Riverside Park. Crafts, handmadeitems, jewelry, info booths, art &MORE! FFA, Sweet Adelines,Tubatulabal Indians, Rotary Club ofKRV, Elks Lodge, and Mt. ViewBaptist Youth food vendors! WhiskeyFlat Headquarters Info on the cornerof Kernville Rd. & Tobias sellingWhiskey Flat shirts & memorabilia.Pick up your Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper,Whiskey Flat Miner, and the most “up-to-date” Schedule of Events!

NATIVE AMERICAN teepees withactivities, demonstrations, and more!Lots to do and see! Riverside Park bythe Wild & Scenic Kern River.Sponsored by Owens Valley CareerDevelopment Center.

CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES: FreeFace Painting by New Life Assembly ofGod Church. Amazing Bounce, withbounce houses, rock wall, and obstaclecourses. Mechanical Bull rides. Smallcharge for rides. Riverside Park by theWild & Scenic Kern River.

9:30 AM

JESSE LEE BENNETT, Methodistcircuit rider who was present inKernville and the entire Kern RiverValley in the mid-1800s, will be reen-acted by retired minister Chuck White.He will lead the worship service atKernville United Methodist Church onthe corner of Big Blue Road andSirretta Street in Kernville.

9:30 AM – 2:00 PM

WHISKEY FLAT ENCAMP-MENTS – Cowboy and Mountain ManCamp re-creations on Scodie Ave.across from the Rodeo Grounds. LIFEIN THE OLD WEST! Old WestChurch Service at 10 AM. Save theleather on yer boots and catch theWestern Express Railway Train in townand ride to the encampments. Watchhold-ups & gunfights, horse shoein’and horse doctorin’, turn of the centu-ry sawmill demonstrations, and BuffaloBill’s Wild West Show. There’s cowboycookin’, a Whiskey Flat Saloon, an OldWest Mercantile Shoppe, shotgun wed-

dings, saddle makin’ & leather craft,and more! Story tellers Dave Ryskamp,Dave “Horse” Robinson & NathanEddy will tell stories about miners,cowboys and outlaws. Open til noontoday.

HAVE YOU HEARD THEMAYOR CANDIDATES SPEECHI-FYIN’ YET? IT ALL LEADS UP TOTHE MAYOR ANNOUNCEMENTAT 3 P.M.!

10:00 AM

KERN VALLEY MUSEUM OPEN10:00 am to 4:00 pm. On Big BlueRoad next to Post Office.

Historical Society ~mining info ~Indian exhibits ~ artifacts and photosfrom Yesteryear when Kernville wasWhiskey Flat.

TROUT HATCHERY OPEN (Sun.,Mon.) Museum & Visitor Center 10:00am to 4:00 pm. Sierra Way, 1 MileNorth of Kernville. Free Admission.

SCHOEPPNER AMUSEMENTCARNIVAL – On Kernville Road,across from Pizza Barn, by the ForestService Work Center. Great adult andchildren’s rides & games, chills andthrills! Open until 10:00 p.m.

11:00 AM

CONCERT BY THE RIVERMusic in Riverside Park ~ FREE

admission. Continues until 4 p.m.11:00-12:00 ..... The Knoxville

Prairie Ramblers12:00-1:00 ....... Dos Guys1:00-2:00 ......... Fight Like This2:00-3:00 ......... Bodfish Blues Band3:00-4:00 ......... Voice of Many

11:30 AM

FINAL HEAT FROG JUMPIN’CONTEST. Held at Piute Drive bycenter stage. Watch the Jumpin’-estFrogs in the West! These are theFINALS~ Cheer on your favoriteJUMPING FROG! Free Admission.

HIGH NOON

1860s COSTUME CONTESTSIGN-UPS! Adult & Children forms atWFD’s Info Booth. Judging starts at12:30 p.m.

PET PARADE SIGN UPS! Formsat WFD Info Booth – Judging at 2:00

p.m.

PIE, JAM & JELLIES CONTESTSIGN-UPS! From Noon to 1:00 p.m. -finals at 2:30 p.m. Forms at WFD InfoBooth or Pie staging area.

CONCERT BY THE RIVER con-tinues in Riverside Park with DosGuys.

12:30 PM

OLD FASHIONED 1860s COS-TUME CONTEST – Piute Drive &Big Blue Road – Circle Park. Adult cat-egories include Frontier Lady and Man,American Indian Lady and Man, FancyLady and Man, Authentic Indian Dress,Modern PowWow, Best Overall Family.Children categories include FrontierGirl and Boy, American Indian Girland Boy, and Fancy Girl and Boy.Certificates and ribbons awarded -Entry is Free!

1:00 PM

WHISKEY FLAT DAYS RODEO– McNally Rodeo Arena – CottonRosser’s FLYING U Rodeo sponsoredby Bud Light. Open Team Roping, BullRiding, Hide Race, Open Barrel Race,Junior Barrel Race, Calf Scramble,Sheep Riding, and more.Entertainment by “Wild WestCowgirls”.

CONCERT BY THE RIVER con-tinues in Riverside Park with Fight LikeThis.

SIGN UPS FOR WHISKERINOCONTEST~ Whiskers, beards, allmustaches apply. Certificates and rib-bons awarded. Free forms at WFDInfo booth.

2:00 PM

CONCERT BY THE RIVER con-tinues in Riverside Park with BodfishBlues Band.

OLD FASHIONED WHISKERI-NO CONTEST – sign ups at 1:00 pm.Piute Drive by Circle Park.

PET PARADE, sign ups at noon.Five Categories: WFD’s Theme,Matched Pair, Smallest, Largest,Funniest! Certificates and ribbonsawarded – Free

2:30 PM

WINNERS ANNOUNCED FORPIES, JAMS AND JELLIES CON-TEST - YUMMY! Drop off at noon.This is what we’re waitin’ for! Bring onthose delicious treats!

3:00 PM

2011 HONORARY WHISKEYFLAT MAYOR ANNOUNCED!WHO WILL BE THE 2011WHISKEY FLAT MAYOR? PiuteDrive by Circle Park . DRAWING:Who will win the $500 shopping spree?

CONCERT BY THE RIVER con-tinues in Riverside Park with Voice ofMany.

MONDAY FEB 21st9:00 AM

GOLDEN GULCH OPENSCircle Park and Frontage Road -

Free Admission

CHILDREN ACTIVITIES CON-TINUE – Riverside Park by the Wild &Scenic Kern River.

SCHOEPPNER AMUSEMENTCARNIVAL on Kernville Road, acrossfrom Pizza Barn, by the Forest ServiceWork Center.

Ya’ll come back next year!

Activities for Sunday and MondayFancy pull-out section Pull this Whiskey Flat Days schedule and map (pages 11-14) out of the center of your Claim Jumper, carry it aroundwith you and you’ll know what’s going on! It covers all five days of the festival.

2011 Claim Jumper

Be sure to make your plansnow to attend the Kern RiverValley’s special events thisspring!

• The “Living Green in theKRV” Festival March 17-27

• The Isabella Lake FishingDerby April 16-18

Whiskey Flat Weekend

Thursday, February 17th, 4:30 to 8:00pmPrime Rib Special

Friday, February 18th, 4:30 to 9:00pm

Saturday, February 19th, 4:30 to 9:00pm

Sunday, February 20th, 4:30 to 8:00pmReservations Suggested

15 miles north of Kernville on Mtn.99

For Reservations 760-376-2430

Prime Rib Served every Thursday

Buy One Entree and Receive theSecond of Equal or Less Value at ½ Off!

Plus Free dessert For Birthday guest

Celebrate Your Birthday at McNally’s

STEAK

SGIANT

RIVERKERN

Home of the 40oz.Porterhouse

HamburgerStand OpenSaturday & Sunday

Whiskey Flat Weekend Only

10am to 5pm

� � � �

ComeCelebrate

at

McNally’s


Who puts this thing out anyway?The publication you’re holding is called the Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper. It’s pub-

lished once year, especially for the Whiskey Flat Days festival. For a few days inFebruary, Kernville residents pretend it’s the 1860-1864 era of the Gold Rush,when the town went by its original name, Whiskey Flat. The Whiskey Flat ClaimJumper is put out by the folks who publish the Kern River Courier, a weekly news-paper for the Kern River Valley. If you like this Claim Jumper, be sure to checkout the Courier. It’s a free newspaper, available for pickup all over the valley everyweek. Or if you want the convenience of getting the Courier in your mail, youmay want to subscribe. Get the Kern River Courier in your mailbox every week andfind out what’s happening here in the beautiful Kern River Valley. It’s only $36a year – only 3 bucks a month. And the Claim Jumper is a free annual bonus.

Here’s a list of some of the Courier folks and friends who contributed to thisyear’s Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper. (If your name isn’t here, forgive us!)

Mike Devich, Michael Batelaan, Mike Ludiker, Sara Wakeman, Val Minoux,Murdoc Douglas, Chuck Barbee, the folks at the Kernville Chamber ofCommerce, and too many others to list.

If you’d like to make a comment on the Claim Jumper or get a hold of us atthe Courier, here’s our contact information:

Mail: P.O. Box 1145, Wofford Heights, CA 93285. Phone: (760) 376-2860.Fax: (760) 376-2862. E-mail: [email protected]

DENNY RUSHTON D.D.S.

2616 Erskine creek rd. lake isabella

tRAVEL’N DENTISTRY

• gUM CLEAN’N

• tOOTH DRILL’N

• BREATH fix’N

• teeth pull’n

• JAW BREAK’n

a FULL LINE OF MODERN DENTAL

HAMMERS, CHISELS & PLIERS

AVAILABLE

MEDICAL HELP FOR

oral fixatSHUNS

& nAIL BITE’N

379-3671

SPORTSMAN’STRAILER PARK

HITCH UP YOUR WAGON & POINTYOUR TEAM TO THE MOST POPULAR

TRAILER PARK IN THESE PARTS!

• QUIET PARK • LAKE VIEWS

• FISH HOUSE • LAUNDRY FACILITIES

224 Cypress Lane Wofford Hts. California

760-376-3228

2011 Claim Jumper

Kern River along the foot of SawtoothMountain. Next morning Lovely, armedwith lead rope and prospector's pick, setout on the track of his mule. A few hoursand several miles later, he overtook themule munching weeds in a cove that nes-tled on the slope above the bank of theriver (near modern-day WoffordHeights).

At this juncture it is said that Lovelypicked up a rock to hurl at his obstreper-ous mount when his eye caught a glint inthe sunlight. The rock was specked withflakes of gold!

Soon J. W. Sumner purchased Lovely'sfind and went into business by incorpo-rating a $600,000 stock company and set-ting up a 12-stamp mill.

Although the records do not show justhow much Lovely received for his mine,it is safe to assume that he made up his$20,000 from his proceeds. From thispoint he and his mule faded from thepages of history, perhaps to return to aquiet life near Fort Gibson in theCherokee Nation.

Bob PalmerRobert Palmer was a veteran prospec-

tor by the time he reached the Kern Riverdiggins' in 1860, the year Whiskey Flatcame into being. Among the gold strikeshe had heard about during his travelsthroughout California during the GoldRush were those reported from the KernRiver. When Lovely Rogers was said tohave discovered a new bonanza in the BigBlue lead, Palmer decided to it was timeto move along to this new strike. He trav-eled down the Owens Valley and turnedwest over Walker Pass, discovered about25 years earlier by Joseph Walker.

In the vicinity of the new strike atWhiskey Flat, he found the area stakedout in all directions. Confronted with thenecessity of prospecting in new fields, hemoved downriver and located a claimsouth of the Keyes Mine near the spotwhere Erskine's Creek emptied in theKern River. Here Mike Erskine had con-structed a bridge across the river and setup a way station near where he rentedpasturage in the lush meadow formed bythe creek. Beside the creekbed Erskinehad also built an arrastra in which heground ore for the miners of the region.

Although Bob's claim near the KeyesMine did not "pan out," the oasis at thejunction of creek and river struck him asa mighty fine place for a man to settledown sometime.

Since he hadn't made his pile yet, Bobmoved on to prospect other areas.Working his way up Kelso Creek, hefound colors. He followed the creek upthe rugged slopes of Piute Mountain,digging, panning and tracing the gold toits source in a raw, new wilderness. By the

time he reached the willow-borderedgravels of a small stream that meanderedthrough a plateau area on the upperreaches of the mountain, heavier yellowgrains were trailing the black sand in theprospect pan.

Things looked good, so Bob sentword to a couple of former partners,Hamp Williams and Blackburn Wyatt, tojoin him. Soon other miners, includingBen Tichnor and Rufus Burrell, madeother discoveries resulting in a sizeablestampede to the Piute country. Within ashort time, the town of Claraville hadblossomed.

But Palmer could not agree with histwo partners so he sold out and returnedto his ranch in the Hot Springs Valley(now the town of Lake Isabella), marry-ing Rose Glennon and starting a family.He began to raise livestock.

Eventually he acquired the MikeErskine property and built a large, two-story home. His family grew to12 chil-dren. There was no school, inasmuch asthe Palmers' home was the only one inHot Springs Valley. They met the prob-lem and established the Palmer SchoolDistrict and the first school in the area.Until 1883 Bob financed the school byhiring a private teacher.

The Palmer School District continuedto function until the mid-1890s. Thus didRobert Palmer's early dream of themeadow at the mouth of Erskine Creekcome true as the place where he built hishome and raised his family.

The story of gold inthe Kern River Valley

Back in olden times when only Indiansinherited the Western earth, a wanderingband of Shoshoneans entered into thiswilderness. Over the centuries these peo-ple built their special culture and lived inharmony with their environment. Theywere of the Tubatulabal tribe. They livedby hunting and seed-gathering in such amanner as not to deplete the renewableresources on which they depended forsustenance.

There were other untouched treasuresthat the Indians did not deplete. Theseincluded gold buried in placer gravel andin quartz ledges of the lower Kerndrainage; gold that would lure white menduring early Gold Rush days.

The movement of whites to the Kerngenerated slowly. As early as the spring of1834 Joseph Reddeford Walker moved upthe South Fork Valley and over WalkerPass as the head of the historicBonneville expedition. In 1843 hereturned to over the pass, guiding mem-bers of the Chiles party from the east totheir settlement of the future inNorthern California.

There were other visits in passing thatleft no scar on the Kern landscape. Butother visits were to come. Gold had beenfound at Sutter's mill up north early in1848; by 1849 the great rush was on.People of all nations flocked toCalifornia's Mother Lode. Some "struckit rich," but most were doomed to disillu-sionment. In this new society prospectingwas endemic. Men became compulsiveseekers for other far bonanzas. FrazerRiver, Gold Lake and Gold Bluff becamein turn the objectives of explosive rushesto the new diggins'.

Then came reports of Indians bring-ing gold from the Kern River and ofprospectors, on their way north fromSouthern California, panning out colorson Greenhorn Gulch. By 1851 the KernRiver excitement began to mount, at firstslowly, then with accelerated momentum.As early as 1854 the rich placers ofHogeye, Mammoth and La Mismogulches had been worked to bedrock;even the river bottom had been ran-sacked for gold. Where there was nowater to wash away the overburden, theyhad "coyote-holed," sinking shafts tobedrock, then burrowing their way likemoles as they followed every golden hintof treasure caught in pothole and crevicealong the buried depth of dead water-courses.

By the fall of 1854, Dickie Keyes haddiscovered the lode claim that was to bearhis name, and Theodore D. Maltby wasglory-holing his outcropping on the crestof Mammoth Ridge, where even thegravel was rich enough to pack by burroto the river and wash in long toms. Later,Lovely Rogers moved on to the Big Bluestrike and the founding of Whiskey Flat.

As paystreaks pinched out or wereworked to greater depths, the days of theindependent miners became numbered.Company mining picked up the laborsupply. People began to settle on the landto raise crops and cattle.

Then came the day when even consol-idation and incorporation into ever-largeroperations could not revive minesworked down through depths of dimin-

ishing returns. Ranching, recreation andhydroelectric power supplanted mining ineconomic importance.

But we remember these ordinary menof all classes and colors, saints and sin-ners, and the Indians so badly sinnedagainst. Now the massive monuments totheir gigantic labors lie eroded and silentin their wake. Streambeds gutted as highon slopes as panning could show trailingsof gold dust, stopes and drifts driven byhand through solid granite where theynow lie moldering in black silence, thecaved-in mouths of tunnels and shafts,are all mute evidence of their labor.

By Ardis M. Walker, adapted from "TheRough and the Righteous of the Kern RiverDiggins," 1970. Edited by Mike Devich,2011.

About the AuthorArdis M. Walker was born April 9,

1901 in Keyesville. He grew up in theKern River Valley the way it was beforethe lake.

Walker loved poetry as a boy andwould memorize it and recite it as hewalked back and forth to school inVaughn (now Bodfish).

In 1910 his mother took her threesons and one daughter to Fresno so theycould get a good education. Ardis contin-ued his education at UCLA and later atUSC working on and off to pay for hiseducation.

In 1927 Ardis went to work for BellTelephone Laboratories in New YorkCity, one of the world’s most prestigiousresearch facilities. He worked during theday and wrote poetry at night.

In 1932 he quit Bell and returned toCalifornia. He wanted to return toKeyesville, where he was born, and writepoetry. He supplemented his income bybeing a correspondent for the BakersfieldCalifornian.

In 1953 the Walkers started a motel inKernville. He was President of theKernville Chamber of Commerce at thetime and came up with the name WhiskeyFlat Days. He was also a justice of thepeace and a county supervisor.

Walker was passionately devoted tothe Death Valley ‘49ers group. In 1977the Death Valley Encampment was dedi-cated to Ardis and Gayle. Ardis was madePresident Emeritus of the Death Valley'49ers November 11, 1990, about twomonths before his death. He passed awayJanuary 16, 1991.

Excerpts from the 1977 Death ValleyEncampment Program dedicated to the Walkersby Mary DeDecker, biography by Joseph S.Nelson and the Kern River Valley HistoricalSociety, from the Death Valley ‘49ers web site.

His first kick planted the toe of his cow-boy boot right into the lawyer's groin anddropped him to his knees.

His second kick, to the belly, doubled thelawyer over, gagging for air.

The lawyer was on hands and kneeswhen the rancher's third kick, to his rump,sent him face first into a fresh cow patty.

The lawyer summoned every bit of hiswillpower and managed to struggle to hisfeet. Wiping his face with the sleeve of hisjacket he said, "Okay, you old fool. Now it'smy turn."

The old rancher laconically turned awayand answered, "Nah, I give up. You can havethe duck."

A Lucky BreakFive local cowpokes were playing poker

at the Whiskey Flat Saloon when one of theplayers, named Owen, loses five hundreddollars on a single hand. It was just too muchfor his weak old heart to take. As heclutched at his chest, he stood up andpromptly dropped dead on the table.

Showing the greatest respect for their fall-en comrade, the other cowpokes finishedthe hand standing on their feet.

Frank, the youngest of the bunch, looksaround the table and asks his fellow cow-pokes, "Well now, which one of us is goingto tell his wife?"

No one readily volunteered for the job sothey decided to draw straws to see whowould do the chore.

Garrett, who usually ended up the loser atsuch contests, was true to form as he man-aged to draw the shortest of the straws.

His friends were more than willing tooffer him their sound advice to be discreetand gentle, and to not make a bad situationany worse than it already was.

“Discreet? Why I'm the most discreetman you’ll ever meet. Discretion is my mid-dle name,” bragged Garrett. “You just leaveit to me.”

Garrett made his way to the house ofOwen Smith and knocked on the door.

Owen’s wife answered and asked theyoung man standing at the door what hewanted.

Garrett shyly looked at the ground andscuffed at the dirt some with the toe of hisboot before finally mustering up the courageto inform Owen’s wife of the situation.

“Ma’am, your husband just lost five hun-dred dollars playing cards.”

Owen’s wife was furious, “YOU GOBACK AND TELL THAT NO GOODSHEEP TENDER TO DROP DEAD!”

Garrett replied, “Okay, Ma’am.”

Trail WisdomA lone cowboy had been riding the trail in

the Owens Valley for several days as heworked his way back to his ranch in Weldonwhen he comes upon an old Tubatulabalman heading the same direction. Becausethe ride had been long and quiet he asks ifhe might ride along with him for a spell. Theold Tubatulabal agrees and they travel alongtogether until nightfall. That evening theymade camp and as they sat near the fire theybegan some small talk. The cowboy noticesthe old Tubatulabal glancing over towards abottle sticking out of one of the saddlebagslying beside him.

“If you’re wondering what’s in the sad-dlebag,” offers the cowboy, “It’s a bottle ofwine. I got it for my woman.”

The old Indian sits silently for a time pon-dering. He soon turns towards the cowboyand nods his head in approval.

“Good trade,” he says.

Fried ChickenThe old rancher was on his deathbed. He

had only hours to live when suddenly hesmelled the scent of fried chicken waftinginto his room. Aaahhhh…He loved friedchicken more than anything else in theworld.

With his last bit of energy, he pulled him-self out of bed… Down the stairs and intothe kitchen he went. There was his belovedwife, Claire, standing at the stove frying up asecond pan of chicken. As he reachedtowards the platter next to the stove for whatmight possibly be his last drumstick, he gotsmacked across the back of the hand withthe wooden spoon his wife was holding.

“Leave them alone” she scolded.“They’re for the funeral!”

GOLD continued from page 4

HUMOR continued from page 5



The Whiskey Flat Days Paradestarted about the fifth year of the fes-tival in 1961. John E. McNally wasmaster of ceremonies that year, and heannounced the parade for many yearsbefore he passed away in 2007. LloreeKnowles, a local real estate agent,organized the first parade and waschairman for many years.

Over the years the parade hasgrown to become possibly the high-light of Whiskey Flat Days. Each yearmany thousands of visitors and localsline both sides of Kernville Road andother locations in Kernville to see themany floats, equestrians, marching re-enactors and clowns make their wayalong the parade route.

The parade starts at the corner ofKernville Road and Sierra Way, readyto cross the bridge and enter the CirclePark area. From there the parade turnsleft on Kern River Drive and goesalong Riverside Park. Then it turnsright on Kernville Road again aroundRiverside One-Stop and up KernvilleRoad to Tobias, the street on the eastside of Circle Park. Then up to PiuteDrive to Big Blue Road and anotherright turn to Whitney Drive.

There are lots of blank roundsgoing off, so owners of dogs and littlechildren beware.

The Grand Marshals of the parade area Who’s Who of the valley and the coun-ty. In 2008 the Grand Marshal wasKernville’s 92-year-old Tom Johnson,who is a whitewater legend and whohelped develop the fiberglass kayak. Hestarted the annual Kern River Festival inthe 1960s. In 2009 it was Jim Scott and

Robin Mangarin, news anchors onKGET-TV in Bakersfield.

Here are other Grand Marshalsfrom the past few years.

• 2007: Jack White, Donna Begay,

Chuck Barbee, and Amanda Rankin• 2006: Cotton Rosser• 2005: John E. and Shirley

McNally, and special guests Rebeccaand Eric Giddens.

• 2004: Smokey Bear• 2003: George and Darlene Randall• 2002: Ray Vega

Whiskey Flat Days Grand Parade history

For Gosh Sakes Man! Put in some indoorplumbing for that little lady of yours and shewill smell and look nicer than those girls youdrink with.

Get your new fangled toilet today. Ast. Mgr. Joe will install at little to nothin'.

11317 KERNVILLE RD. •KERNVILLE

760-376-2426 6112 Lake Isabella Blvd. Lake Isabella 760-379-8614Open 9am-5pm Monday thru Saturday 9am-4pm Sunday

Outfittersof yourentire outfitFatigues, knifes, long johns, boots, duffel bags, cast ironcook’in ware, all the gearto set up camp.

KELLEE SCOTTInsurance Agent

License #0833364

Phone: (760) 376-8703Fax: (760) 376-8603

27 Big Blue Rd.Kernville, CA

‘KICK’EM UP KEL’2004 WHISKEYFLAT MAYOR

We Be a’Protect’n • Wagons • Homesteads

• Butts & Concerns

After 97 Years & Still Going StrongWe’ve Come a Long Way BabyP.O. Box 1253

Weldon, Ca 93283 379-7674

“Goin’ to the Dogs”A Cowboys Best Friend

Southfork Womens Club

Michael Batelaan/Whiskey Flat Flaim Jumper

The Whiskey Flat Days Grand Parade takes place on the Saturday morning of Whiskey Flat Days

2011 Claim Jumper

Hey YoU! You Like whiskey flat?well, then come visit us all year!Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper

There’s always somethin’ for a flat-lander like yourself to do when ya comeup here to our rarified mountain air. If ’nya like gettin’ outside, there’s campin’ andfishin’ and huntin’ and all that stuff. If ’nya like pokin’ around stores, we got thattoo. We got eatin’ houses and places tostay and all kinds of civilization here.

But then once in a while we like tokick our heels up and have some fun.Flatlanders like that too, so here’s a list wethrew together so’s that you can see allthe fun we have around here.

MARCH: In March this year is theKeyesville Classic mountain bike races.If ’n they can get all the gold miners upthere Keyesville way to stand aside for awhile, mountain bikers come from allover to ride their trusty metal steeds upand down the considerable hills they gotover there. A group outta Bakersfieldputs that on. Go to http://ssfta.com/on one of them new-fangled computers.Also we’re gonna have a Living Greenfestival in Wofford Heights so’s we can alllearn how to live without foulin’ our ownnest, so to speak. Go to krvr.org to learnabout that one.

APRIL: April’s a beautiful month uphere. Lots o’ stuff going on. There’s theIsabella Lake Fishing Derby. If ’n youget registered and you catch a trout withthis year’s tag on it, you can win yourshare of $200,000 in cash money! Up to$20,000! Wonder how much that worksout to per pound? It’ll buy ya a lot ofchips at the poker table, that’s for sure!Get a hold of http://derby.kernriverval-ley.com/ to find out moreAlso in April isthe Kern River Festival, when they race

those kayaks up and down the river. Theyhave rafts too, but they only go in onedirection -- if ’n you don’t count flyinginto the air and turning upside down.TGo to to http://www.kernfestival.org/or call (818) 340-3083. Comin’ up alsowill be the annual Trout Festival at theHatchery, where they give you a free hotdog and let you have some fun there inthe shade and learn all about fishing.They don’t know the date yet, but youcan call the Kernville Chamber of

Commerce at (760) 376-2629 when itgets closer and they’ll give you the skinny.

MAY: The Kern Valley SpringNature Festival used be called theBioregions Festival and it’s a pretty bigdeal. You can learn about all kinds ofstuff havin’ to do with nature, like allabout plants and animals and rocks andwhat a beautiful place we live in. Theyhold it here in Kernville and Weldon --two places. The first Saturday in May isthe Sirretta St. Swap Meet in Kernville

where a whole big old long street holds agigantic yard sale! Definitely worth com-ing to. Also in May is the Classic CarShow in the park on the river. They closeoff the whole street. The Kern ValleyRotary Club puts it on. Good times androck and roll! Then on Memorial DayWeekend, the Kern River Valley ArtAssociation will put on their big ol’Spring Fine Arts and Crafts Festival inCircle Park. They’ve been doin’ it for 45years now!

Wow! Then summer starts, and manthere’s a lot of events. In June there’s afree fishing day and they hold a fishingderby just for kids. There’s a day calledWhitewater Wednesday when peoplecan get introduced to whitewater raftingand get all wet. There’s a mule and don-key show, kind of like those Mule Daysover in Bishop.

In July is the fireworks show for ourgreat nation’s independence and a race ofthose new-fangled water bikes or whatev-er they call ‘em -- they go real fast.

August is when they run those rubberduckies down the river and bet on ‘emand raise money for the Kern ValleyExchange Club, which uses it for com-munity projects. And there’s the fall artshow by the Kern River Valley ArtAssociation. And a bunch more.

Throughout the fall there’s so muchgoing on here. Then come the holidaysand then Whiskey Flat Days and we startit all over again.

Come and join us up here anytime youfeel a hankerin’ to taste some freshmountain air and get out of the rat race.We’ll save a stool for you at your favoritejoint.

File photo courtesy Kern River Courier

There’s lots to do here in the Kern River Valley. When the warmer weather comes,out come the boats like the one above.

JAMIE P. GELBERGELBER & ANDERSON, LLP

AT T O R N E Y O F SK I L LFO R AN Y AC T I O N S &CO N C E R N S O F CO U R T O RLE G A L MAT T E R S T H ATMAY TR A N S P I R E

P.O. BOX 28105104 LAKE ISABELLA BOULEVARD SUITE CLAKE ISABELLA, CA 93240

760-379-2604

720 NORTH NORMA, SUITE CRIDGECREST, CA 93555

760-371-1070

Providing Seniors withCompanionship, Securityand Peace of Mind. We Encourage ourResidents to be

Kern Village32 Burlando Rd. Kernville, CA

760-376-6733LIC#157200475

The Burlington13 Sycamore Dr. Wofford Hgts, CA

760-376-6474LIC#155801223

Active in Family,Community and EventParticipation. A Touch ofthe Resort Atmospherein the Kern River Valley.

Openingsnow

available

The Burlington & Kern VillageASSISTED LIVING

NelsonNelsonAviation ServicesAviation ServicesPhone (760) 376-2852Phone (760) 376-2852P.O. Box 837P.O. Box 837Kernville, CA 93238Kernville, CA 93238

On Sierra Way ~ 3 Miles Southof the Heart of Kernville

Great Breakfasts & Lunches

“Gene &Jeltje”

THE MOTHER LODEANTIQUES & COLLECTiBLES

16 Tobias, Kernville 760-376-3384


Summers are pretty cool in the Kern River ValleyWhiskey Flat Claim Jumper

In the summer new Kernville is theheadquarters for the many whitewateroutfitters that host rafting trips on theKern River, which is swollen withsnowmelt every spring and summer.The reservoir rises and becomes anoth-er playground for water enthusisants,with water skiing, boating and wind-surfing available.

Fishermen have their choice of lakefishing or stream and river fishing. Bothare considered terrific here.

Around Kernville there are trails forhikers to hike, rocks for climbers toclimb, and campgrounds for campers tocamp in.

The Forest Service office inKernville, which is a building made ofgiant logs, will be able to help you withall the information, permits, reserva-tions and so on. It’s right around thecorner from the Kern Valley Museum, agem of a place packed full of local his-tory.

Lots of other stuff to see in the gen-eral area, too. Want to see some of theoriginal buildings from Whiskey Flat?Go to Silver City Ghost Town inBodfish, where they moved a lot oflocal old-time historical buildings tosave them.

Or try going out to Weldon, where alot of buildings from the old times arestill there, like the A. Brown Flour Mill,visible right from the highway acrossfrom where Highway 178 and KelsoValley Road meet. It’s been there sincethe 1800s.

You might have come straight toKernville to Whiskey Flat Days, but youmight not be aware of the many otherthings to do and places to see in our bigKern River Valley. Each one of them isa delight to the senses and will keep youarmed with things to talk about for along while.

Enjoy our little not-so-little celebra-tion, and come back for the many otherthings happening here in the Kern RiverValley throughout the year

File photocourtesy ofKern RiverCourier

Wheelfun

Mountainbike riding isjust one ofthe manythings youcan do herein the KernRiver Valleyduring thesummer-times.

KKERNERN VVALLEYALLEY GGOLFOLF CCOURSEOURSE

9472 BURLANDO RD KERNVILLE 760 376-2828

FOREthe Avid

Duffer

Whiskey Flat Weekend Specials$28 Includes Cart - or takeadvantage of Twilight Golf$18 includes cart startingat 1:00pm

Breakfast:Breakfast Burrito withchoice of Bloody Mary orMimosa $5.00 8 - 11am

Lunch:Hamburger, Chips& Soft Drink $5.0011am - 2:00pm

GGENEENE PPARKSARKSInsurance Agency

Got a Claim?We’re on it lickety split.

12512 MT. MESA RD.• MT. MESA

379-4624

Law Office of Rocky D. RitchieIn Lake Isabella & Ridgecrest

DUI DefenseCriminal Law Defense

Most Of Your Legal NeedsFree Initial Consultation

Office: (760) 549-0900Cell: (760) 417-1582

www.rockyritchie.com5104 Lake Isabella Blvd. #B

Lanny BorthickGeneral Contractor

ResidentialCommercial

New Construction& RemodelLic. #269081

P.O. Box 910 Kernville, CA 93238Office 760-376-6800

Fax 760-376-1710

2010Isabella Lake Fishing Derby

$100 Trout Sponsor

One attraction of Whiskey FlatDays that is not be missed is the WildWest Daze Rodeo, to be held bothSaturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. at theJohn E. McNally Rodeo Grounds (justfollow the crowd).

There has been a rodeo in the KernRiver Valley for many years. The lateJohn E. McNally produced the SierraRoundup Rodeo at Scovern HotSprings during the 1940s, before thelake came in and the town of Isabellamoved onto and around the site. TheMcNally barn is still there, behind

Isabella Supermarket. McNally wenton to be a rodeo stock contractor untilthe mid-1950s, producing shows notonly in California but Nevada as well.

McNally and his wife Pauline start-ed a steakhouse in the late 1940s atFairview that still bears their name.Retiring from the resort business, JohnE. McNally became a legendary TulareCounty Sheriff ’s deputy, covering1,000 square miles of back country.

McNally passed away in 2007 at theage of 94. He was truly a legend largerthan life.

rodeo grounds named after mcnally

Kern River Courier

A lot of visitors wonder, as they enjoyWhiskey Flat Days in the town of NewKernville, exactly where the town of OldKernville was. They know the originallocation is out in the lake bed, but exactlywhere was Whiskey Flat?

A clue to where Whiskey Flat was is theold part of the Kern River ValleyCemetery, which was a part of OldKernville originally and is now part of thetown of Wofford Heights.

Wofford Heights is adjacent to the for-mer site of Old Kernville. Wofford

Heights is named after an old-time ranch-er by the name of Irven Wofford, whosold off part of his ranch to valley folkswho needed new places to live when thelake went in during the early 1950s.

Old Kernville was located just to thenortheast of Wofford Heights. Look in thelake bed just south of the Old Cemeteryand you’ll see foundations. Those werepart of Old Kernville. There are still peo-ple in New Kernville who can tell youwhat buildings those foundationsbelonged to. Many of them serve asdocents at the Kern Valley Museum inKernville, just down from the post office.

Exactly where was OldWhiskey Flat Located?

2011 Claim Jumper

Native American historyshown at French Gulch

If you’re here for Whiskey FlatDays, be sure to explore the NuuiCunni Indian Cultural Center atFrench Gulch, midway betweenLake Isabella and WoffordHeights.

The Nuui Cunni IndianCultural Center is one of thejewels in the crown of our localarea. Located at French Gulch(between Lake Isabella andWofford Heights), just north ofthe French Gulch Bridge, theNuui Cunni (meaning “ourhouse”) Center is a showplacefor Native American artworkand cultural objects.

The 3,150 square foot center isbuilt on one of the most beautifulpieces of land in the valley, over-looking Isabella Lake with aspectacular view of Cook Peakacross the lake. It houses amuseum, library, gift shop, andvisitors center.

Managed and operated by theKern River Paiute Council, theNuui Cunni Center is dedicatedto preserving, restoring andteaching the Native American

culture, history and traditions byproviding a facility available foreducational, ceremonial andsocial activities for NativeAmericans (gatherings are heldthere regularly) as well as theinterested public.

There is no charge to enterand observe the center, althoughdonations are appreciated.Hours of operation from Maythrough October are Tuesdaythrough Saturday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.and during the winter (fromNovember through April), 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.

The building is also availablefor meetings, seminars, get-togethers, weddings, etc. at veryaffordable rates. Call the phonenumber below to get rates foryour event.

It is used for classes of allsizes coming through the centerto learn about Native Americanhistory and to see demonstra-tions of early Native Americanlife here in the Kern River Valley.

For more information, call thecenter at 760-549-0800.

Vintage photo courtesy of Chuck Barbee

In plane view

This is an aerial photo of Old Isabella before the lake went in and covered it up.The South Fork of the Kern is coming in from the right, and the North Fork is com-ing in from the top of the photo. The Edison Company canal serving the Borelpower plant can easily be seen running down through the left of the photo. OldKernville was five miles north of Old Isabella. The markings on landmarks are onthe original photo and show the locations of a few landmarks, including the road tothe South Fork (shown as “Highway 187 to Weldon.”) The Auxiliary Dam todaystands in the approximate location of Old Isabella.

DR. NANCY D. BOYDMEDICINE WOMAN

HOURS: 8:00AM - 5:00 PMMONDAY -FRIDAY

144 BUENA VISTA DR.KERNVILLE

(ACROSS FROM EWINGS)

760-376-6504

2011 Jumping FrogsThese are early entries for the famous Frog Jumpin’ Race.

All About Travel “Travelin’ Frog”Alzheimer’s Association “Forget me Not”Betty B's Justin Tyme “Lett me Jump”Burlington Assisted Living “Springer”Cheryl’s Diner “Pie AlaToad”Click Realty “Slick Click”Erskine Creek Water Co. “Liquid Gold”Farmers Insurance “Kick em up Kel”George & Darlene Randall “LeRoy”Harry Thal Insurance “Budwiser”Isabella True Value “Mr. Fix-up”Kern Lodge “AggapinaKern Lodge “Carl”Kern Lodge “Napolian”Kern River Courier “Claim Jumper”Kern Valley Sun “Sun Spot”Kern Village Asst Living “Jerry Atrick”Kernville Chamber “Ben Irritatin’ ”Kernville Inn “DownTown”L & M Lumber “Knot Head”Lanny Borthick General Contractor “Douglas Firbanks”McNally’s “Fairview Special”Mtn. Masonry “She’s A Brick House”My Sewing Room “Kermitt”Petal Pusher “Petal Pusher”Riverside One Stop “Legs”Sierra Gateway “Sierra Gateway Ribbits 1”Sierra Gateway “Sierra Gateway Ribbits 2”Sierra South “White Water Willy”Sonia Penny “The Captain”The Drug Store “Pill Popper”Thomas Refuse “Recyclin Rose”Mayor Candidate Mercantile FrankMayor Candidate Freddie The Frog

Thanks to the specialcontributors to the


The staff of the Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper would onceagain like to thank the many people who contribute to thiseffort each year. Thanks to Sara Bellum, Warren Peace,Amanda Reckonwith, Chris P. Bacon, Justin Case, EllaFant, Ivona Tinkle, Paige Turner, Owen A. Fortune, RickShaw, Wendy Sunsets, Robin Banks, Warren T. Sellers,Marge Inalong, Jacque Strap, Louise E. Anna, KayO'Pectate, Sue Shie, Rick O'Shea, Phil A. Delphia, MikeRohsopht, Cody Pendant, Casey Deeya, Ginger Vitis,Hammond Eggs, Beau Vine and Carrie Oakey.


KERNVILLE APOTHECARYHAS FOR SALE A FULL ASSORTMENT OFGENUINE FAMILY MEDICINES,

Selected with the utmost care.Also, an extensive supply of

PATENT MED IC INES ,LEECHES, PERFUMERY,AND FANCY ARTICLES,Such as comprise the usual Stock of anApothecary of general accepted size.

known also as

The Drug Store111 Piute Drive

376 - 2 2 1 6

WANTED“Jose Cuervo” FOR CHICKEN RUSTLIN’

• Ice Cream Parlor w/ Shakes, Sundaes, Cones & ALL The Gossip Worth Jaw’n About

Get Your Just Reward At Primo’s, Top Of The Hill In KernvilleWe Got It All!

~23531 Sierra Way, Kernville~OPEN~FRIDAY - SATURDAY 6:00AM - 10:00PM ~ SUNDAYS - THURSDAYS 6:00AM - 9:00PM

760-376-2555

$4.50 Breakfast Burritos

• Great Vittles• Fresh Made Pizza• Broasted Chicken• 6” & 10” Sub Sandwiches• Beer & Wine

$5.00 Daily Lunch Specials11:00am to 1:00pm

Propane & Gasoline • Bait & Tackle •

Camping Supplies • Video Rentals •

Spirits of All Kinds •

Across ffrom CChevron - AAdditional PParking iin BBack

6629 WWofford BBlvd. WWofford HHeights 7760-3376-33400

Open 77 ddays aa wweek!Breakfast: MMon.-SSat.7-111am LLunch: MMon.-SSat.11am-22pmSunday BBreakfast 77am-22pmDinner: TThurs., FFri., SSaat. && SSun.4-88pm

Thursday Cajun NightGet aa ttaste oof NNew OOrleans ccooking! GGumbo, GGator,Crawfish, JJumbalya && mmore.

Friday Seafood NightIs aall-yyou-ccan-eeat bbeer bbattered FFish oor SShrimp.

Come aany nnight tto eexperience aan aarray oof ffine ffoodincluding: cclams && MMussels iin aa ggarlic wwine bbroth,Seared AAhi TTuna, MMarinated TT-bbone oor RRibeye SSteaksPPrime RRib oor FFilet MMignon.

Debit

Hot WWingChallenge

Friday, SSaturday && SSunday4:00 ttill CClosing

Attempt tto eeat 88 oofthe HHottest WWings eever!

❤❤Valentines DDay

Special4 CCourse MMenu

Call ffor rreservations

Always good food, good prices & friendly service


The Kern River Valley, in the late 1800s, consisted ofdozens of ranches of different sizes. Here is some his-tory about a few of them.

• Cannell Ranch/Joughin RanchThomas Arthur Cannell was born on the Isle of Man

in 1854. Coming to California with his brother, John J.Cannell in the 1870s, he joined him in the roving life ofa sheepman. During a visit to his homeland in 1891 hemarried Margaret Ann Joughin, and they returned toCalifornia, settling almost immediately on the SouthFork. Mr. Cannell’s brother-in-law, William D. Joughin,also came to the valley in 1898, and after a year he start-ed ranching in Inyo County with Bob Stephens, whowas also from the Isle of Man. In the 1900s, this landbecame the Joughin Ranch. As Highway 178 gains thesummit of Joughin Hill and starts down to Mt. Mesa,you can see the new headquarters of the Joughin Ranch.Before the lake was formed the ranch complex wasnorth of the point of the hill. Reaching as far east asPatterson Lane, at one time it took in 800 acres, includ-ing the Patterson, Cook and Wes Brown ranches as wellas the original Cannell Ranch. In later years, an Isle ofMan friend of Joughin’s, Bill Kissack, had a ranch of hisown nearby.

• Taylor Ranch/Neill RanchJust west of the Kernville cut-off road in the South

Fork is the ranch that was known for many years as theTaylor place. Originally settled by C. J. E. Taylor, it waspurchased in the late 1800s by Robert Neill. Along withthe Taylor property, Neill had also bought the Swan andGray ranches, and by 1900 what was then known as thethe Neill Ranch stretched west for over a mile, taking in840 acres.

• Petersen RanchN.P. Petersen was a miner who stayed after the gold

mining played out. Petersen arrived in Old Kernville inMay of 1864. In 1871, Petersen took up land on theSouth Fork of the Kern River about 12 miles from OldKernville. He continued to prosper. In 1873, Petersenbuilt the Kernville Hotel, which provided food andlodging a little above the usual mining town fare. Besides

owning many dwellings in Kernville, the Golden GateHotel in Havilah was added to the family holdings. In1883 the Kernville Hotel was destroyed by a fire thatswept through town. Lost with it were other structuresowned by Petersen.

After such a big loss on his town property, N. P.turned more of his energy to the land. In 1888 he con-structed another ditch from the river to put more of hisland under irrigation. He acquired adjoining land untilhe had 1,200 acres. This was in addition to two rancheshe owned on Greenhorn Mountain. These Greenhornranches were used mostly for the summer headquartersof his cattle operation. The NP brand was knownthroughout Kern County.

• Forsyth Ranch/A. Brown RanchThe A. Brown Ranch was located one mile west of

the South Fork School on Highway 178. Andrew (Andy)Brown bought the ranch in 1871 from AlexanderForsyth. As the Weldon Post Office had been estab-lished at the ranch that same year, it wasn't long beforeBrown started stocking various necessities. A virtualtrading mecca soon developed. Andrew wasn't a new-comer to the mercantile business as he had tried hishand at running a store in Mariposa County, and also at

this time had a store in Kernville. Andy had also raisedstock and farmed in Tulare County, and had done morethan a little mining. Soon after he came to Kernville inthe middle 1860s he was given the responsibility ofbeing foreman of the Sumner quartz mill. He wasunable to stay away from the store business long though,and in 1869 he bought a brick store building in OldKernville.

The A. Brown Store in Old Kernville carried much ofwhat was needed by the valley’s families. It was a hub oflife in Old Kernville.

Andy Brown never lived on the South Fork propertythat bore his name.

• Smith RanchWhen Thomas H. Smith founded the ranch in 1861,

he set aside a portion of the land for use as a familycemetery. This is the quaint old burial ground nestled ina curve of the hill and was named Cottage GroveCemetery. A walk through the tree-shaded serenity ofthe cemetery may give a lesson in local history to thosewho take time to read the weathered inscriptions on thegravestones.

The Smith home became the center of communitylife in the Valley. It was the scene of weddings, birthsand solemn occasions of death. The first ice creamsocials to be held on the South Fork were also held here.Its doors were never closed to friend or stranger, andmany a traveler camped overnight in the yard and wassped on his way with gifts from the Smith's ever-fulllarder. (Editor’s note: author Bob Powers was a descen-dent of the Smiths.)

• Nicoll RanchAs the highway starts on a straight stretch three miles

below Onyx, you can see the buildings of the old NicollRanch where they stand off to the north side of theroad. Bill and John Nicoll came to the Kern River in1859, where they mined until 1863, when they took upranches on the South Fork. Bill had his first ranch onSeybert Lane, and the second one on Kelso Creek justabove where the Kelso Valley Road first crosses thecreek. John Nicoll settled on the property where thebuildings are located and in 1891 owned 480 acres. His

Some Early Ranches of the Kern River Valley

Photo courtesy of Chuck Barbee

A cattle drive heads north in this undated photo. Theview is looking south from about the middle of mod-ern-day Lake Isabella (around Kern Valley Plaza)towards Hooper Hill in the background.

See RANCHES, Page 22

2011 Claim Jumper

NELDA’SDINER

5120 LAKE ISABELLA BLVD.

LAKE ISABELLA, CA 93240

379-8448

CHERYL’SDINER

11030 KERNVILLE ROAD

KERNVILLE, CA 93238

376-6131

BREAKFAST • LUNCH • DINNER

SERVING UP HOME COOKED FOOD FOR OVER 200 YEARS

HOURS:

6am to 10pmWhiskey Flat Weekend

HOURS:

6am to 10pmWhiskey Flat Weekend

CENTURY 21“LAKE ISABELLA”

CREW

“BELLY UP”WITH THE BEST TEAM IN THE VALLEY

760-379-3684 OFFICE PHONE

Lynne McCloskey • Suzanne Lance • Carolyn Fuson • Carla Aubrey • Becky Harris • Julie Jones • Linda Phillips

Robbin SSmith - BBartender

holdings went as far as the Methodist Church, and the original ranch buildings stoodabout 200 yards straight behind the church.

To the south of the ranch, Nicolls Peak looms over the South Fork Valley, namedafter old John.

• Landers RanchIn 1877 William Landers moved his cattle operation to the South Fork of the Kern

River. His ranch was in Kelso Valley. Landers had sent back east for trees five yearsearlier and planted them on the home ranch. He had planted peaches, pears, and othervarieties. These trees produced the best fruit in the area. Everyone in the South ForkValley was free to come and pick what they needed for their own use at no charge.

• McCray RanchIn 1892, John McCray was working for William Landers and decided he wanted to

have a ranch of his own. He left Johnnie Johnson, a well known cattleman on theSouth Fork, as Mr. Landers' foreman, and bought the Garden Brothers Ranch sixmiles west of Weldon.

• Bloomfield RanchJames Pruitt first filed on this ranch in 1872, and the family names that come to

mind in connection with ownership of this ranch over the years include Rankin,Hutchison, Thomas and Gardner, in that order.

RANCHES continued from page 21most sought-after work in the SanJoaquin Valley.

The main rodeo was the one inJune. Branding the calves that hadbeen born since last spring made up abig part of each rodeo.

Each owner or a representative ofthe owner would go into the herd andcut out each cow and calf belongingto his brand. Then, as they were heldaway from the main herd, the calveswould be roped and dragged fromthe herd to be branded, earmarked,and the bull calves castrated.

While one owner was branding hiscalves, another owner or representa-tive of an owner would be cutting outhis cows with unbranded calves onthe other side of the herd.

There were quite a few calves thathad not been branded the yearbefore, and at this time would not be

following their mothers, and this waswhere the judge of the rodeo cameinto play. The judge would have tomake a determination as to whosebrand would be put on the animal.

This job of cutting the herd andbranding was the spice of life tothese cowboys. Everybody pitched in,making it seem more like play thanwork.

When all the market steers hadbeen gathered, they were started forButcher Town in south SanFrancisco.

They would drive the steers onlyabout six miles a day, letting themfeed on the way. It would take abouttwo months to make the trip. Thisway, they would arrive at the marketwith a few added pounds.

From the book ‘Cowboy Country’ byBob Powers

RODEO continued from page 1

760-376-6158

10%Off Sale!

On all items February 18, 19 & 20


Left to right: In the trenches at the Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper,Mike Devich, Rag to Riches editorializing Co-publisher; SaraWakeman, Whip Cracking Office Boss; Mike Ludiker, Productionand Spider Web Master and Michael Batelaan, Rag to Richesgraphic Co-publisher;. Vintage Val, The Advertising Answer Gal;and Kelly Scarborough, are not pictured, They are both out col-lectin advertisments reservations for the Claim jumper.

Get on the waiting list, new advertisingclaims to be released January of next year!Ring: 760-376-2860

Stakeyourclaimnow!

-to-WhiskeyFlatRiches

Stakeyourclaimnow!

-to-WhiskeyFlatRiches

3801 Lake Isabella Blvd., Bodfish, California 93205Ring: (760) 379-3010

REICHENBACH’SAUTO BODY & PAINT

We’ll repair and paint your Wagons,Buggys and Horseless Carriages

REICHENBACH’SAUTO BODY & PAINT

Vintage photo courtesy Chuck BarbeeIf you were standing in the middle of downtown Old Kernville many years ago, this is what you would have seen as you turned from left to right. At left is the old A.Brown Store and at right is the Mountain Inn, where many celebrities stayed. In the middle left of center is old Doc Smith’s place.

A panoramic view of KRV history

2011 Claim Jumper

Hospital & Skilled Nursing Center6412 Laurel Road, Mt. Mesa

760-379-2681

Rural Health Clinic4300 Birch Avenue, Mt. Mesa

760-379-1791

Mesa Clinical Pharmacy12608 Mt. Mesa Road, Mt. Mesa

760-379-6160

Taking care of a dog’sbest friend

for the past44 years

Kern Valley Healthcare Districtthe

Whiskey Flat Days 2011 theme

“GOIN to THE DOG’S”Cowboy’s Best Friend

Emergency Room, Rural Health Clinic, In-Patient Hospital Care,Pharmacy, Physical Therapy & Skilled Nursing.

whiskey flat claim jumper 2011

Documents

whiskey flat dazerodeo

bygonedays of whiskey

whiskey flat didnt

atwhiskey flat

whiskey flatdays parades

whiskey flatdays experience

kern river valley

ahundred years