Hiram Johnson received overwhelming support from Humboldt County voters in the May 1924 primary election. His closest opponent among local voters, Calvin Coolidge, went on to win the presidency. (Times-Standard file photo)
The Bayside Steamship Company's cargo ship, the steamer Katherine, was involved in a collision in San Francisco Bay on May 3, 1924, newspapers reported the following day. The ship sailed between San Francisco and Eureka.
The Humboldt Times reported, “Only through skillful navigation was the Catherine able to rush to dry dock before sinking, according to Walter Dalton of the Holmes Eureka Lumber Company, who received telephone reports of the accident shortly after it occurred.'' It was reported.
The Catherine had been in San Francisco for “minor overhaul and repairs” for more than a week before the accident.
“She was on her way to Oakland to pick up cargo bound for Eureka when the collision occurred yesterday morning,” the Times reported. “She left the port at 5pm yesterday, and she would have arrived here tomorrow morning.”
The incident is believed to have occurred near Goat Island (now called Yerba Buena Island).
The newspaper reported: “According to the Dalton, the message emphasized the fact that the other ship was to blame for the accident and that the Katherine had clearly sunk.”
The Katherine was expected to require at least two weeks of repairs before being shipped to Eureka.
Residents gather at Sequoia Park
On May 2, 1924, the Humboldt Times reported that Eureka Parr, Native Sons of the Golden West, It was reported that a May Day event was held in Ra and many participants gathered.
Newspapers reported that the weather was perfect and the event was a success.
The newspaper reported, “There was no wind all day, and the benevolent sun illuminated the large clouds that had gathered at Sequoia Park, and a larger crowd had gathered at Sequoia Park than had ever gathered at Sequoia Park on similar occasions.'' “…in the middle of the afternoon, thousands of interested spectators were eagerly watching folk dances, drills and maypole dancing by school children and listening to children sing.”
The event was a city holiday, which meant extra excitement for everyone.
In addition to singing and dancing, several athletic events were also held, including a baseball game and a foot race.
“Wild Night Ride”
In early May 1924, the county's dry team encountered a vehicle believed to be transporting illegal alcohol, and the owner of the vehicle was brought before a judge.
“According to the team members, they waited for the machine for a while, but when they saw a WR SEAL vehicle approaching in the darkness, they thought their mission was over,” the newspaper reported. “As the driver refused to stop, shots were fired at the car, which was eventually found in a field on the south side of the park.”
Mr Shields appeared in court with his lawyer and denied the charges of transporting and selling alcohol. The judge set bail at $1,500. This includes transportation costs of $500 and selling costs of $1,000.
The newspaper reported that “neither the defendant nor his defense attorney made any comments in court, and when the judge set bail, Mr. Shields was taken to the county jail, where no bail was posted.”
Humboldt County voters choose Johnson
In the 1924 presidential election, voters in Humboldt County overwhelmingly chose former California Governor Hiram Warren Johnson as their candidate.
The Times reported that turnout in the primary was low, but Johnson received nearly twice as many votes as future winner Calvin Coolidge. Both Mr. Johnson and Mr. Coolidge were Republicans.
The Times reported that turnout was low.
“The main reason for the low voting results was that the government's abundant propaganda pointed to the fact that Coolidge's nomination as president was secured by the results of the Eastern primary election, and that fact was true. The vote for Johnson was likely a loss and a general expectation argument.
Ruth Schneider can be reached at 707-441-0520.
