The Banning Record began publication as Banning’s weekly newspaper in late January, 1908. Its successor, The Record Gazette, has preserved copies on microfilm covering March 1908 through December 1923. This compilation contains verbatim transcripts of all references to C. B. Hughes found between March 1908 and December 1913, plus a few items that lend context to his location and activities. Most are brief notes printed in "Local News" columns. Bracleted entries in boldface are the compiler’s comments.

11 Jun 1908

C. Beverly Hughes has painted his house, thereby adding one thousand per cent to its appearance.
 
 

2 Jul 1908

C. B. Hughes and I. W. Decker left Tuesday morning for the vicinity of Idyllwild where the former will spend several weeks camping. The residence of Mr. Hughes has been leased to Mr. Springer, who recently came from Imperial.

C. B. Hughes walked in from his camp near Idyllwild Thursday morning. He has seen four deer this year, and shot one.
 
 

C. B. Hughes states that a mountain lion was recently seen near his camp in the San Jacinto mountains. A hunter wounded it.
 
 

8 Oct 1908

C. B. Hughes returned from the vicinity of Idyllwild Friday, where he spent the summer camping.
 
 

10 Dec1908

The Banning-Idyllwild road is finished with the exception of about five miles. The contract let last summer has just been completed by the contractor, Mr. Peachey of San Jacinto.

[The photo is from the collection in the Banning Public Library.  It is possible that C.B. Hughes may have been the photographer.]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

31 Dec1908

Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Blackburn entertained a large company of friends and relatives at their home on Christmas Day.

About 11 o’clock in the forenoon they began to swarm in from every direction and by noon the house was filled. We noticed the following people: . . . C. B. Hughes . . .

The tables were beautifully loaded and cunningly decorated with viands from every clime and soil. We would like to mention some of the most savory dishes, but they were too numerous to mention. After the repast all were ushered into another room where a large Christmas tree was waiting for us, tastefully decorated from floor to ceiling with costly and handsome presents for each and every one.

J. C. Blackburn and C. B. Hughes were chosen to pluck and gather the fruit of the tree . . .
 
 

7 Jan 1909

. . . This year the Banning-Idyllwild wild mountain road should be completed. This beautiful mountain thoroughfare will connect Banning with the famous Idyllwild resort. For years thousands of dollars belonging to the taxpayers of Riverside County have been tied up in this unfinished road. There is one gap left to grade to complete the road and this should be filled in before June 1. . . .
 
 

25 Feb 1909

COMPLETE THE ROAD

Every possible effort should be made to bring about the completion of the Banning-Idyllwild road at at [sic] early date. It is of little practical use in its present unfinished state and there is one more stretch to grade in order to complete the road from Banning to the noted Idyllwild mountain resort among the tall pines of the San Jacinto mountains.

The road penetrates the heart of picturesque Southern California, winding around mountains covered with the lofty pine, and traversing valleys covered with verdure, dotted here and there by the graceful sycamore and alder. Charming vistas are in evidence on every hand. The scenery is simply grand.
 
 

25 Mar 1909

Supervisor H. A. E. Marshall, of the Cleveland Forest Reserve, is doing all in his power to bring about the completion of the Banning-Idyllwild road.

Mr. Marshall appeared before the adjourned meeting of the supervisors to suggest that County Surveyor Pearson accompany him on an inspection of the uncompleted portion of the road with a government engineer, for the purpose of getting an estimate of cost of the work that has yet to be done. The uncompleted portion comprises about six miles; eighteen miles of the road from Banning and four miles leading out from Idyllwild having been finished.

It is understood that this estimate is desired for the purpose of getting at the amount which the government should contribute toward the completion of the gap now existing, as the government is interested in having this closed. The completion of the road would make available to the public many ideal summer camping places, and Mr. Marshall states that on application the government would be willing to rent land to those who would like to erect summer cottages there.

The county surveyor will, on the request of the board, make the trip as suggested by Mr. Marshall and go over the ground with him when a suitable date can be arranged.

Mr. Marshall stated to the RECORD during his recent visit to Banning, that the forestry department is anxious to have the road completed, so as to be better prepared to fight forest fires and supervise the forests generally.

Ranger I. W. Decker, C. B. Hughes, and George Barrett are engaged in building a trail from the southeast part of town to the old McMullen ranch.
 
 

29 Apr 1909

C. B. Hughes and I. W. Decker accompanied B. F. Heidel, government road inspector, on a trip to San Jacinto, Tuesday.

Mr. Heidel is reviewing the last survey of the Banning-Idyllwild road, making a close inspection of grades, soils, rock and timbers involved in the construction of the road, being employed by the forest service, and will report to the county supervisors.
 
 

1 Jul 1909

C. B. Hughes has gone to the Idyllwild region to camp and hunt for three months, during which time the Hails [sic] family from Brawley, will occupy his cottage.
 
 

8 Jul1909

County Surveyor G. M. Pearson’s crew arrived from Riverside on Saturday and left for the San Jacinto mountains south of town where he has been instructed by the board of supervisors to make the final survey of the Banning-Idyllwild road.

The supervisors have decided to complete the road in time for travel next year, and the work of the county surveyor is the first step in this direction. The board will meet on Sept. 3d to plan the grading and appropriate money for the construction of this important thoroughfare. The county has about $25,000 invested in the road and it is estimated that nearly that much more will be required to complete if for although the distance to be finished is comparatively short, the famous Dark Canyon will have to be crossed, making the construction work slow and costly.

C. B. Hughes came down from near Idyllwild, on Monday, where he had been camping for several weeks. He found camp life as fascinating as usual, saw several heavy frosts on different mornings at an elevation of a mile, and encountered seven deer.
 
 

16 Sep 1909

After many years the supervisors have taken definite action toward closing the gap in the Banning-Idyllwild road, and it likely that by Nov. 1^st actual construction work on the road will be resumed. The plans and specifications prepared by County Surveyor Pearson were accepted by the board, and bids were called for to be opened Oct. 13

The work to be done covers about seven miles and the county surveyor estimates that the cost will be close to $19,000. Of this sum the forestry department has donated $2,035.

The road will be fourteen feet wide except where greater width is need at curves. Seventy-three culverts will be required and passage-ways will be built over Fuller’s mill creek and a fork of the San Jacinto river.

The road from Banning to the to the Idyllwild mountain resort, which this work will complete passes through beautiful mountain scenery, a region wild, a national forest of pine, and it will be a popular thoroughfare from the day it is finished until the end of time.
 
 

30 Sep 1909

The fact that the Idyllwild mountain road will be completed next year will probably be the cause of opening a resort about half way between Banning and Idyllwild. A good place for a resort is the ranch owned by Mrs. Coplin, over which the road passes. The place has running water, lots of shade trees, and abounds in fine scenery.

C. B. Hughes has returned from the Idyllwild section where he spent the summer in camp. During the season he killed two deer.
 
 

The Hales family, who occupied the Hughes cottage during the summer, have returned to their home at Brawley.
 
 

4 Nov 1909

San Jacinto Register. The work on the Banning-Idyllwild road is to be done under the supervision of John Shaver, supervisor for the fifth district, in which the road is situated. Mr. Shaver states that work will not be undertaken until spring after the rains have subsided. Work will commence, however, soon enough to give ample time to finish the road for the summer season.
 
 

23 Dec 1909

C. B. Hughes is passing a few days in San Bernardino.
 
 

30 Dec 1909

I. W. Decker reported 14 inches of snow at Hall’s Mill, in the San Jacinto range, last Friday.
 
 

28 Apr 1910

A deal has been made whereby J. W. Gregg and C. R. John are now owners of the Copeland ranch of 160 acres in the San Jacinto mountains.
 
 

Road Finished Soon

. . . After all these years of waiting, the public is at last to have a completed thoroughfare from Banning to Idyllwild-Among-the-Pines, the resort in the San Jacinto mountains owned by Dr. Walter Lindley and other Los Angeles capitalists. . . .

The main crew now working is operating under the direction of Supervisor John Shaver from the south side, and a set of government employees is working with the county men. For the Banning side a crew is operating under the direction of Roadmaster Thomas Fountain, and at present is grading near Hall’s Mill. Mr. Fountain states that the weather at Hall’s Mill is quite cool, and the men are obliged to sleep in tents.

With this thoroughfare completed for this season some of the interesting points that may be visited from Idyllwild will be San Jacinto Peak, Hidden Lake, Tahquitz Peak and Valley, Mineral Springs, Dark Canon, Lily Rock, Tamarack Valley, Trip ‘Round the World, Fuller’s Mill, Banning, Keene’s Camp, Saboba, Fern Valley, Painted Rock, Sunset Peak, Strawberry Creek, Cold Water Canon, Idyllwild Falls, Inspiration Point, and Billy Rock.

Gregg & John, recent purchaser of the Copeland ranch in the San Jacinto mountains, are planning extensive improvements at the ranch, it being halfway between Banning and Idyllwild. The completion of the mountain road will make heavy traffic during the summer months, and the gentlemen will make the halfway station a popular stopping place. They propose to erect a number of tent cottages to rent.
 
 

The Road

The completion of the Idyllwild road was promised by the Supervisors for this season. Banning wants this promise fulfilled, and no doubt it will be. The county is "paying the freight" and there are plenty of men available to put on more crews, if necessary, to finish the work by June 15, at which time the mountain tourist season will formally open. It is up to supervisors Shaver and Kimbell to do a rushing business in road building during the next few weeks.
 
 

2 Jun 1910

C. Beverly Hughes departed Saturday for Fuller’s Mill in the San Jacinto range where he will live close to nature’s heart for about three months, with only the denizens of the forest for neighbors and the sighing pines to lull him to sleep at eventide.
 
 

16 Jun 1910

Dark Canyon Yet To Cross

The two crews building the Banning-Idyllwild road, working from the north and south, are now within a mile of each other, with Dark Canyon separating them. The curves to be followed by the road makes the distance to be yet built about three miles and this stretch is the most difficult part of the road. The piece at 7,000 feet was completed some time ago, and the distance remaining will be filled in by the county employes.

John Fenton was in from the north camp last Monday and stated that men are hard to get, and hard to keep after they are hired. The crew is short of drillers at this time.
 
 

4 Aug 1910

The crews on the Banning-Idyllwild road are now working quite close together and it is expected that the road will be finished by another month. It is quite possible that one or two new resorts will be opened between Banning and Idyllwild.
 
 

18 Aug 1910

BANNING TO IDYLLWILD

The road connecting Banning and Idyllwild will be completed within two weeks. In fact the road has been built for the entire distance so that it is said teams may now be driven through to Idyllwild, but the road has be widened in places and smoothed over before the crews are done. It is estimated that the three crews can finish the road in two weeks.

Banning has waited many years for the completion of this road and there will be general satisfaction when it is finished.
 
 

Misses Anna and Eva Thomas of Arlington and Mrs. E. L. Johnson and E. B. Warren have been camping at Fuller’s Mill for the past few days.
 
 

25 Aug 1910

Local people bound for Fuller’s Mill Wednesday morning to camp were Mrs. Greene, the Misses Kolb, Clark and Bailiff, and Messrs. Carl Sweeters, Ed. Bailiff and Ivy Kolb.

Mrs. Will Warren of Banning and the misses Thomas of Arlington, have returned from a camping trip to Fuller’s Mill.
 
 

SOFT COAL FOUND

Workmen employed in building the mountain road from Banning to Idyllwild, while digging, found several large chunks of soft coal in the hitherto unexplored part of Rattlesnake Canyon, which leads into Dark Canyon. The coal is of excellent quality and burns readily. An investigation will be made of the San Jacinto mountain range with the hope of uncovering the main deposit of coal, the discovery of which would mean a great deal to Souther California. As the mountains are of volcanic origin and were burned out in bygone days, it is believed there is but small chance of discovering large deposits of coal.
 
 

Trout Coming

County Game Warden Vosburgh has received word that a quantity of young rainbow trout will be sent to Riverside County about the middle of September for distribution in the streams of the county where conditions are favorable. The fish car is to arrive from the north in about two weeks, and will be sent on from Riverside to San Bernardino.

Four cans of the young fish will be sent to Banning; from this point they will be taken to Snow Creek and Dark Canyon. Four cans will also be allotted to San Jacinto, to be placed in Strawberry Creek and the North Fork in the San Jacinto mountains.

With the growth in popularity of nearby mountain ranges as pleasure resorts, the increased facilities for sportsmen will be appreciated. Fishing in Dark Canyon is said to be very good this summer.
 
 

8 Sep1910

MOUNTAIN BROOKS

Campers are bringing reports from the mountains on all sides of the lowest water mark in many years. The drouth which has ruined crops in the Middle West did not slight Southern California entirely and the precipitation of this year was not as copious as that of the previous season; hence the small mountain streams have become dry and the larger creeks are low. In the streams north of Redlands trout are reported to be dying in the shallow pools, but similar reports are not brought in from the streams near this town.

Mr. Hughes was in from his camp near Idyllwild this week, and reported the stream near his camp lower now than at any other time in the six years he has camped there. He has seen several deer this summer, but has not been so fortunate as to slay one.

Frank Lawrence secured a fine buck last Friday, close to the timber line near San Jacinto peak. Alfred Post of San Bernardino, and others, have killed several bucks near Idyllwild.

J. C. Peachey, the mountain road contractor, while here Monday, verified the report of low water, but stated that Dark canyon still carries plenty of water and the trout fishing is good, where the road crosses the stream.
 
 

15 Sep 1910

C. B. Hughes expects to spend the coming fall and winter in camp near Idyllwild.
 
 

The Banning-Idyllwild road had its formal opening Friday when a party . . . made the first trip over the new highway . . .
 
 

Land of the Big Red Apple

J. W. Gregg and C. R. John, who recently bought the Copelin ranch in the San Jacinto mountains, will add materially to the apple acreage of the ranch during the coming year. Mr. Gregg will probably visit the Oak Glen orchards soon, to get pointers on the best varieties to plant.

The apple-producing area of Southern California is limited and as the cities are growing rapidly the market should always be strong.

Gregg & John intend to put up cottages on the ranch during the next year and make it a popular half-way station on the Idyllwild road.
 
 

6 Oct 1910

Editor Van Pelt of the Arlington Times, in writing of a recent trip, says in part:

. . . we reached beautiful Idyllwild, the goal of many a summer tourist. . . . This night we enjoyed the pleasures of a real campfire. We would right here include the usual story of the wild, weird [sic] sounds we heard of the ferocious beasts far up the mountain sides, but we fear the thing would not hold water. On account of the peculiar business the writer is in we are compelled to tell the truth. We heard nothing more ferocious than the bark of a coyote, and saw nothing more startling than the track of a deer and personally we are not real certain but that was made by a goat. Early next morning we took up the trail over the new grade back to civilization. By this road it is thirty-two miles to Banning. Much of the way is blasted out by solid rock or from piles of boulders. Going down the north side of the mountain the growth of timber is more compact and the undergrowth more dense. No more beautiful mountain scenery could be found than in Dark canyon. Mountain springs and streams are encountered at frequent intervals until Shain ranch is reached which is fifteen miles from Banning, and it is the last watering place to be found on the trip unless a stop is made at Poppett’s ranch, which is about one mile off the old road and is nine miles from Banning. . . .
 
 

24 Nov 1910

The expected has happened. A petition has been circulated at Beaumont, and will be presented at an early meeting of the board of supervisors, for the purpose of connecting Beaumont and the Banning-Idyllwild road, the road to connect with the main road a few miles southwest of Banning. . .

No matter how many roads may be built Banning must continue to be the favorite scenic short line. The round-trip via Beaumont would necessitate the tourist traveling from ten to twelve miles further over dusty roads. If one rides thirty miles up grade in one day he will have absorbed a sufficiency of dust, ozone and scenery.

The Banning route is longer than the Hemet way, and surpasses it in scenic environment to such a degree that the traveler is under a hypnotic spell from the start and is totally unconscious of the distance covered.
 
 

8 Dec 1910

C. B. Hughes has received notice from the Department of the Interior, recognizing his application for homestead entry near Hall’s Mill.

J. B. [sic] Gregg is planning to plant fifteen or twenty acres of apple trees on the ranch in the San Jacinto mountains purchased by him some months ago. He will plant Rome Beauties chiefly but will try other leading varieties. The success of apple growing on the ranch is assured. For many years the trees now on the place have borne, and that without irrigation or cultivation. Mr. Gregg states that irrigation will not be necessary, but cultivation will be carefully looked after and the place will certainly become a veritable apple paradise. The ranch will be fenced the coming year, and some small houses may be erected to rent.
 
 

2 Feb 1911

On January 30^th C B Hughes filed on a homestead at Fuller’s Mill. He has been living on the place since last June and commenced improvements in August by permission from the Forest Service. This place is considered valuable from several standpoints, it has a fine stream of water flowing through it, and for apple culture it is unsurpassed. Some years ago a local company tried to get possession of this land for pleasure resort but failed as the only way title can be secured is by homesteading, and Uncle Sam was not so liberal then as now and he is none too generous at present. This place is 22 miles from Banning, three miles east of the Banning Idyllwild road at an elevation of 5600 feet it will here after be known as "Kampers Kingdom."
 
 

9 Feb 1911

Each year the streams near Banning have been stocked with trout, but it’s not likely there will be any allotment this year.

6 Apr 1911

C B Hughes was in from his ranch, near Fuller’s Mill, Tuesday. He is gradually improving his claim there and has had several acres cleared ready to plant apple trees. The ranchers living in that section are aroused over the action of the postal authorities in cutting out mail service at Idyllwild. This was done March 17^th but it is expected the service will be reinstated in June.
 
 

13 Apr1911

C. Beverly Hughes has filed on 2000 inches of water in Fuller’s Mill creek to irrigate his homestead at the old mill site. Irrigation for apples is not necessary, but Mr. Hughes deemed it wise to secure the water rights.
 
 

27 Apr 1911

R & W Garner . . . upon leaving Banning .. . took what is known as the new scenic road which they state is indeed a beautiful trip. It runs as high as 5000 feet, taking the traveler into the snowy regions, and then descending into Idyllwild.
 
 

15 Jun 1911

A camping party consisting of twenty-two members of the high school, alumni and teachers, returned Monday from Fuller’s Mill.

Arrivals at the Spokane: . . . C. Beverley [sic] Hughes, "Kampers Kingdom" . . .

The Automobile Club of California in recognition of the demand for signs along the route to Idyllwild, in the San Jacinto mountains, sent its road-marking crew over the mountain grade from Banning to Idyllwild and from Idyllwild to the town of San Jacinto and signs are now being placed at every curve and cross-road along the route. The following description of this popular week end trip has been prepared for the Los Angeles Time by O K Parker, the representative of the touring bureau department of the automobile club. . . .

"That Idyllwild is the mecca to which motorists turn their longing gaze is not to be wondered at. A half day’s run and you are up in the fragrance of the pine and ozone of clear mountain air is fairly intoxicating.

"Imagine if you can, a fine, wide mountain road easy of grade and of solid foundation, following the contour of the mountainside in sweeping curves, now deep in some canyon dell and again far out on a point of vantage where the eye covers a range of hundred of square miles of hills and valleys; locate this road at a mile in elevation, line the mountainside with great pine timber towering 200 feet or more in the air, cause every mountain rift to give forth freely its waters, tumbling and churning downwards in sparkling ecstasy from pool to pool of crystal clearness, ice cold, from melting snows and delicious to the taste."
 
 

20 Jul 1911

C. Beverley [sic] Hughes has several acres in apple trees at "Kampers’ Kingdom." formerly known as Fuller’s mill site. In addition to fruit culture the place will be valuable as a resort, it being the highest point in the mountains that is accessible by wagon at this time.
 
 

10 Aug 1911

Reports from the mountains on either side of Banning are to the effect that deer are reasonably plentiful and there is every reason to believe that a number will be bagged during the coming season. It is believed the opening of mountain roads will cause the extermination of nearly all the deer in the nearby mountains within a few years.
 
 

19 Oct 1911

Arrivals at Hotel Spokane: . . . C. Beverley [sic] Hughes, "Kampers Kingdom" . . . I. W. Decker, Banning . . .
 
 

26 Oct 1911

Homesteads in Forest Reserve

There has been a marked activity in the listing of lands for homestead entry on the Cleveland National Forest during the past season. According to Forest Supervisor Marshall the total area of land listed this year is the greatest since the passage of the act permitting national forest land more valuable for agriculture than for forest purposes to be entered under the homestead law.

This act was passed in June, 1906, and since that time a total of 23,600 acres have been examined for listing at the request of applicants, and 11,460 acres have been recommended for listing. The examinations made during the current year have covered 6,880 acres, of which 3,997 acres have been recommended as suitable for listing.

It is the feeling among local Forest officers that as the public has become familiar with the true intent of the law and its practical working, the problem involved in opening to settlement land within national forests which will yield their best use under cultivation has become much more simple. The results which are now being obtained are regarded as reasonably satisfactory both to the national forest administration and to the public. When the law was first passed an excessive number of applications were made for land on which the value of the timber made it necessary to recommend against listing, but the character of the land lately applied for shows that applicants now understand pretty well the reasons which govern decisions on the part of the examiners. The Forest Service is glad to have bona fide homesteaders within the forest on land which will in the long run be put to its best use through settlement and forest officers are expected to help applicants for such land to obtain the homes which they seek.

The mistaken idea that all settlement within the forest was regarded as objectionable by the forest service and that difficulties would be thrown in the way of applicants, which for a time was more or less widespread, is believed to have been due to a misconception of the forest homestead law and of the actual conditions. The law itself gives no authority for the listing of any land which is found to be less valuable for agriculture than for forest purposes. Many people have supposed that large bodies of agricultural lands existed within the forests and were known to the forest officers, so that all that the prospective homesteader needed to do was to apply for information as to where he could take up land. As most of the land suitable for farming lies in small patches or in narrow valleys, each individual homestead location has to be sought out. When considerable bodies of agricultural land are known to exist , they are excluded from the forest in a block and opened to settlement in the ordinary way under the homestead act.

It is not the duty of forest officers to hunt out desirable pieces of land so as to be able to show them to homeseekers; but after a homeseeker has found land that looks good to him the forest officer is expected to give the homeseeker all reasonable help by telling him how to proceed. Forms are furnished for making application for the land, and when these have been properly filled out they are sent to District office at San Francisco. If there is no adverse claim the local officers are directed, usually, within a week, to make an examination. Under ordinary circumstances field examination is made and a report submitted to the District Forester within three months at the outside after the receipt of the instructions to make the examination.

If it is found that the land is chiefly valuable for agriculture and is not needed for administrative purposes, the secretary of agriculture lists the land with the secretary of the interior, and in due time it is thrown open to entry. The applicant is given a sixty days’ preference right after the list is filed in the local land office, to enter the land. If he does not enter it within this period the land is open to entry by any one. It becomes a case of "first come, first served."

If the homesteader wishes to go on the land as soon as possible, he can obtain a free occupancy permit from the Forest Supervisor pending the listing of the land by the secretary of agriculture. After filing this entry, the entryman must live on the land for five years before he can obtain patent.

. . . For the past three years capitalists have been steadily filing on mountain streams located in the San Jacinto mountains, between Banning and San Jacinto, until now all available water rights have been appropriated. . . . Interest in the project has been accentuated by a visit of Oscar Lawler, the Los Angeles attorney, to the reserve. Mr. Lawler is said to represent Uncle Sam in the matter and will report to Washington.

Many forest rangers are to be dropped from the payroll soon, for the reason that forest service funds are low. . . .

In the Cleveland national forest, south of Banning, fifteen rangers are regularly employed. The number will be cut to eight very soon. It is quite possible that only one ranger will be stationed at Banning, who would have charge in both national forests, with such extra men in summer as might be needed to prevent and control fires.
 
 

11 Jan 1912

The ranger’s station at the northern boundary of the Cleveland forest reserve was closed last Saturday for an indefinite time. The station has been in charge of I. W. Decker for five years and he will be transferred to another point. . . .

Until different plans are made the local station will be in charge of J. D. Maxfield, the ranger who resides at Hemet. With the approach of the dry season it is expected that a ranger will be in charge of the Banning Station again.
 
 

25 Jan 1912

Hotel Spokane arrivals include: . . . C. B. Hughes, Kamper’s Kingdom . . .
 
 

1 Feb 1912

C. B. Hughes has taken up additional land at Fuller’s Mill in the Cleveland forest and now claims 100 acres.
 
 

I. W. Decker returned from Los Angeles this week, where his wife has been in poor health for several months. Their two little boys are in Colorado.
 
 

29 Feb 1912

C. Beverly Hughes died at Banning Wednesday from the result of a terrible accident which befell him just a week ago.

Hughes was hunting near his mountain home when the shot was discharged, the full charge entering his leg below the knee, and ankle. Crawling to his cabin he found no means of letting his neighbors know except the dog, his only companion. For two days poor Hughes lay in agony trying to make the dumb brute understand. He wrote a note and tied it around the dog’s neck and tried every conceivable thing to get the dog started off. But the dog evidently thought his place was with his master, until late Friday the animal ran away from home and soon appeared at J. W. Gregg’s ranch house, many miles distant, where it barked furiously. Gregg recognized the dog and let it in and found the message. Aid was sent to Hughes and he was brought to Banning. One of his feet was amputated. Owing to exposure many hours following the accident, pneumonia set in and death came after this good man had endured suffering so acute and so intense that the very thought of his agony caused the people to shudder.

Hughes took claim near the Banning-Idyllwild road and enjoyed the life in the open woods. He was fond of hunting and was very cautious, but a loaded gun sometimes gets even the most cautious.

Hughes was a native of West Virginia and resided at Banning for a few years, recently locating on government land near the Banning-Idyllwild road. He was not married and lived alone.

He will be remembered as one of this community’s best citizens. His was a gentle nature. His philosophy of life is well defined in the golden rule. The world loses whenever the spirit of such an one is called.

7 Mar 1912

Riverside parties last Sunday attempted to reach Banning by auto over the Banning-Idyllwild road from Hemet and were turned back by deep snow which fell during the last storm. . . .
 
 

Advices received from the national forest service indicate that the regular ranger stations on both sides of Banning will be reopened June 1, and it is quite probable that increased forces will be on duty. It is the plan of the forest service to use all the men possible during the dry season when forest fires are common and dispense with their services during the rainy season.
 
 

18 Apr 1912

The small estate of C. B. Hughes at Banning with be "probated." W. H. Polkinghorn, public administrator, will be the administrator.
 
 

9 May 1912

W. H. Polkinghorn, public administrator, and I. W. Decker made a trip to the claim of the late C. B. Hughes, in the San Jacinto mountains, this week. Mr. Polkinghorn was appointed administrator of the Hughes estate and went to the claim to take inventory.
 
 

13 Jun 1912

Rangers Decker and Garner have resumed their work as guardians of the national forests.
 
 

W. H. Polkinghorn, public administrator, was in town on official business Thursday.
 
 

27 Jun 1912

Personal Property Sale

The undersigned, administrator of the estate of C. Beverley [sic] Hughes, deceased, will sell the personal property of the estate at Banning on Monday, July 1 at 2:00 p.m. for cash.

5 Jul 1912

W. H. Polkinhorn [sic], public administrator, sold the personal effects of the C. B. Hughes estate at Banning on Monday at good price.
 
 

29 Aug 1912

Public Administrator Polkinghorn has decided to sell the C. B. Hughes real estate in Banning.
 
 

12 Sep 1912

I. W. Decker has negatives of photos taken by the late C. Beverly Hughes. Those desiring photos should order, as the plates will be destroyed.
 
 

10 Oct 1912

Death of Mrs. Decker

I. W. Decker received a message, Monday evening, announcing the death of his wife in Los Angeles. He left that night for the city.

Mrs. Decker was a resident of Banning for a number of years and the sympathy of our people goes out to the husband and two little boys.
 
 

14 Nov 1912

NOTICE OF CONTEST

Department of the Interior

United States Land Office

Los Angeles, California

November 1, 1912

To Arnold Hughes, Searcy, Ark., and Galatin Hughes, Mellissa, W. Va, both heirs of, and to all the heirs of, C. Beverly Hughes, deceased, Contestee:

You are hereby notified that Isaac W. Decker, who gives Banning, California, as his post office address, did on August 30, 1912, file in this office his duly corroborated application to contest and secure the cancellation of your homestead entry No. – Serial No. 012182 made February 6, 1912, for S1-2 SW1-4 SE1-4 SE1-4, Sec. 14, N1-2 NE1-4 NE1-4, W1-2 SE1-4 NE1-4 NE1-4, NE1-4 NW1-4 NE1-4, SW1-4 NW1-4 NE1-4, N1-2 SE1-4 NW1-4 NE1-4, Section 23, N1-2 NW1-4 NW1-4 NW1-4, Section 24, Township 4 South, Range 2 East, S. B. Meridian, and as his grounds for his contest he alleges that said C. Beverly Hughes died on the 28^th day of February, 1912, and that he left him surviving certain heirs, and that the said heirs were promptly informed of his death, but that the said heirs have not within six months after the death of said entryman begun either residence or cultivation on the land covered by the entry and have not since the death of said entryman continuously or otherwise maintained either residence or cultivation, and that the said heirs have not complied with the law in any respect since the death of said entryman and that prior to his death the said entryman had not complied with the law in this, that he had not cultivated the said lands to the extent of one-sixteenth thereof during the second year of entry.

You are, therefore, further notified that the said allegations will be taken by this office as having been confessed by you, and your said entry will be cancelled thereunder without your further right to be heard therein, either before this office or on appeal, if you fail to file in this office with twenty days after the FOURTH publication of this notice, as shown below, your answer, under oath, specifically meeting and responding to these allegations of contest, or if you fail within that time to file in this office due proof that you have served a copy of your answer on the said contestant either in person or by registered mail. If this service is made by the delivery of a copy of your answer to the contestant in person, proof of such service must be either the said contestant’s written acknowledgment of his receipt of the copy, showing the date of its receipt, or the affidavit of the person by whom the delivery was made stating when and where the copy was delivered; if made by registered mail, proof of such service must consist of the affidavit of the person by whom the copy was mailed stating when and the post office to which it was mailed, and this affidavit must be accompanied by the postmaster’s receipt for the letter.

You should state in your answer the name of the post office to which you desire future notices to be sent to you.

Frank Buren,

Register.

O. R. W. ROBINSON

Receiver.

W. H. Polkinghorn, public administrator, states that he has finished administration of the estate of C. Beverly Hughes. The Hughes lot and house was sold to Southworth & Co., and it will be a handy adjunct to their packing house property. It is expected that the Hughes claim in the San Jacinto mountains will be secured by I. W. Decker through contest. The heirs did not put in any defense.
 
 

31 July 1913

The Neil Shideler and Sam Hoover families returned recently from a delightful camping experience in beautiful Dark canyon, one of nature’s masterpieces situated in the San Jacinto mountains and about twenty miles southeast of Banning.

The campers found plenty of water in the canyon trout stream; caught slight colds but no fish; but saw many trout just the same. Mountain quail were numerous. A wildcat was wounded and escaped. One night the stillness of the forest was broken by the screeching of a mountain lion, which animals are quite numerous in the mountains.

Dark canyon will some day be one of the great resorts of the Southwest. This is the spot mentioned in a recent issue of The Record as being a fine site for a summer resort. Banning people who camp there invariably visit it again if possible for them to do so.

It requires but little time to reach Dark canyon from Banning, but the time required depends upon the mode of travel. By auto or team, three hours to half a day; horseback, half a day; muleback, one day; bicycle, three days; airship, ten minutes; burro back, from one week to three months, according to the inclination of the beast.

14 Aug 1913

While herding cattle at Fuller’s’ Mill, on the mountains, Richard Lamb of San Jacinto was bitten on the leg by a rattlesnake. His brother was at hand and cut the wound open with a knife. Salt was then freely put upon the wound and no serious results are feared.
 
 

Deer are so numerous in the Mount San Jacinto district the they are actually invading the ranches and destroying the crops, according to a report received in this city. One reason the deer have taken to the ranches is because the feed on the mountain range has been scare [sic].
 
 

11 Sep 1913

Several of the brass band boys have gone into camp at Fuller’s Mill, the party including Harold Fountain, Teddy Nussbaum, and Will Miller. The auto truck will be called to haul in the venison.
 
 

Herbert, 12, son of G. L. Banks, was struck on the arm by a rattler while climbing among the rocks near Fuller’s Mill. H. M. Silvas, a forest ranger, was close at hand and took the boy to the neighboring Burson ranch. Burson rode to the nearest phone, on the Lawrence ranch, and called medical aid from this city. Dr. Ryan drove his car at racing speed as far as possible, then mounted a waiting horse and soon reached the suffering boy. The patients [sic] lies in a serious state at his home in Banning. It has been a battle between life and death, and at this writing prospects are good for conquering the poison.

The snake was found next day in the same locality and killed. It was 4 feet long and had 15 rattles.
 
 

25 Sep 1913

Banks Boy Improves

Herbert Banks, the boy recently injured by a rattlesnake, is making a big gain toward complete recovery. Dr. Ryan does not anticipate any serious complication for the boy from now on.

It should be borne in mind that there are certain necessary things to be done in case of snake bite, where a physician is not immediately at hand. The arm or leg, for instance, should be bandaged tightly above the wound. Whiskey is no longer considered helpful.