February 17, 1960 (8 pages)

CITIZEN ADVERTISER Page 4A ee ceage cap awele ss : PROPERTIES «gp SNOWSHOE THOMPSON YH essay hese GPs oe Recreational Areas fi, we BIRTH OF SKIING AS A SPORT sa BY STANLEY H. HALLS Placer — Nevada — Amador and El Dorado Counties , “Small and Large Acreages on Good Terms” ENM/ RK & Ss , While noaccount of the origin of skiing Vv 3-3035 Sacramento in the Sierra would be complete without 0-0 ED D-0ED) 1 EOE . the telling of the story of John A. (Snow9 shoe) Thompson, accolades for promoting PICK °N PAN skiing as a sport, must, or historical MARKET VIl_ Olympic “Rehearsals” 100-Years Ago al ACCORDION STUDI qmmmmmmme ACCORDIONS.RENT OR SALE oe ski and these bands were laced andtied across the toe. Sometimes a small block of]! wood would be.attached to the skitoholdthe heel of the boot in place. There can be little question but what these early Sierra ski The bindings that held the ski to the foot were rather crude. A wide leather band was nailedto the sides of the across Lake Tahoe, part in Stages, toseethe races and if possible, to catry home all rrr — pae™ @ EDUCATIONAL @ SPARE TIME FUN @ POPULARITY FOR YOU @AN APPROVED SIMPLIFIED COURSE "4g justice, go to the Alturas Snowshoe Club of La Porte and the Port Wine and Table Ne 152 Whiting St., Grass Valley SPECIALS THURS., FRI., SAT. Our Hours: Monday-Saturday 7:30 A.M.-7:30 P.M. Closed Sundays USDA 600) uspa FULL ROUND = 79 » GROUND BEEF 39» ARMOUR R C0 THICK 15: A N SLICED 2 Ibs COLUMBIA . Sliced BACON , 35 Also Grocery and Frozen Food Specials lb pkg EXCLUSIVE IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA! CHUCKS Proudly introduces a beautiful salute to the Winter Olympics — and tribute to those who love finer things — Creations by Bohus Stickning Knitted Imports from Sweden Rock Snowshoe clubs of Howland Flat. The cash prizes offered by these groups at their annual race s attracted the top speedsters of the Sierra andthe contests became extremely popular events for participants and spectators alike. The prize money Thompson to enter tempted Snowshoe the Fourth Annual La Porte races, but he was no match for the Plumas County boys who had developed downhill racing into an art. Charles Hendel, an eye witness of the races, in writing of Thompson's efforts, had this to say about the Sierra Expressman's ineptness at racing: ",.The La Porters were honored with the presence of Thompson, the famous and celebrated express carrier, who in the early days carried the express and mail from Placerville to Carson City--as our friends over there will testify. He is a stout athletic man, a Norwegianby birth, handles his shoes in good style and I think is hard to beat on a travel, in the long run--with an express bag of about 60 to 120 pounds weight. But at ourraces, which only can be . beat by lightning, he runs behind like an ox team after a railroad car. He came out over 200 feet behind the last maninhissquad. Hesays he has been running ever since his childhood, but such speed he never witnessed ‘before. He came all the way from Alpine County, over 200 miles travel, part onhisshoes, part by railroad, part in a skiff — CLASSIFIED ADS FOR SALE FOR SALE. MOTHER LODE BOTT LE Bonanzaspecializing in antique bottles. Bottles and Kerosene Lamps CLASSIFIED AD RATES Per line in first issue.16c Per line in additional issues (no changes)... Minimum charge.. 80c bought and sold. Open Sun. thru Thurs. 321 Commercial St., Old Auburn, Calif. TU5220. FOR LEASE FORSALE, 8cu. ft. KelvenFOR LEASE, New COMMER. the money. He went home with his brains and pockets full of dope recipes which the boys kindly furnished him. . .” If the competitors in these Taces went into any special training for these events, it is not known today. However, in the drawings and photos of some of these earliest races, portable bars are very much in evidence. Probably the contestants thought that a visit or two at the bar during a. meet would help take the edge off over-taut nerves. To get as much: speed as possible out of their skis, the athletes made up concoctions of wax and other ingredients which they applied to the bottom of their "boards". The formulas for some of these "dopes" as they were called, washighly secret and each skier had his favorite brand. The making of this dope became a sort of specialty among a few followers of the sport and for a time these specialists or "dope peddlers" made regular appearances at the races, some of them enjoying a moderate financial reward in the sale of their mysterious mixtures. In order to gain more and more speed from their skis some ofthe more ardent followers of the sport started H playing with the design of the runners. Experiments were . made by changing the width -. and length of the ski andthere issome evidenceto shcw that some of the fastest times were made on skis of a length of about 14 feet. There does not appear to be any evidence that these early skiers did any experimenting with grooving ' the bottom ofthe ski. "“Snowshoe" Thompson's skis in the Sutter's Fort Museum have.a perfectly flat bottom and if ator Ref. $60. Bedroom Set $75. G E 21" consol T.V. CIAL units, one 20x25 other . he knew that a grooved ski 20x35. [deal Real Estate Taces were popular events. While there were fo slaloms,. } jumping or cross country contests, and the spectators had to content themselves with the single downhill speed races, the attractions drew good crowds and were colorful affairs. There is evidence that the racers costumed themselves in colorful shirts and caps and from old pictures it appears that certain clubs fitted out their members in attractive uniforms. What speeds did these early skiers attain? Thewriter has not been able to discover whether any of the records have been preserved, but one account states that speeds of 88 miles per hour were clocked. Ifit istrue that these racers approached or equalled this speed, then their efforts were really phenomenal for 88 miles an hour on skis is considered extremely fast time by our modern athletes equipped with the most modern skis. Was Charles Hendel, the La Porte surveyor who officiated at many of these races for so many years, correct when he wrote after a trip to Europe in 1869 that skiing as an organizedcompetitive Sport originated in the "Lost Sierras?" : If the locale of the birth of this great sport is in contest between Kristiana or Tele. : mark, Norway and the California Sierras, there certainly can be no contest to who it}! was that was almost singularly responsible forthe early impetus given to skiing in this part of the world. John A. "Snowshoe" Thompson, Norwegian by birth and American by family decision can alone be awarded the signal honor as the "greatest skier of . them all." OLYMPICS BOU vada Union High that carried me chorus to openin SUGGESTIONS From 1 . pe dds Sa SKI BOOTS . . $23.95 : MITTENS : CAPS GOGGLES. BINDINGS VISITORS EN Students, some and faculty memb Bluff High Schog SKIS POLES . improved its tracking quality Office. T.L. Duncan P.O, jhe, forone, apparently gave Box 272, Auburn. TUrnerjthisinformation little 5-9562. . Lola's Grotto in fora 5:30 a.m. b $75. Ph. G.V. 1440W. REAL CAT CAR-French moldNEXT WEEK -BELATED RECed-geared-lowered-shocked. moment. OGNITION (Conclusion) route to openi blocked1951 purple Merc. monies ak Voce ood shoes and leatherette = RA ft fai <8 a and "60 tags. $275 cash. MISCELLANEOUS y 210 Reward St. N.C. 471-J., ¥) See The Olympics in Bohus Stickning is a cooperative handNoM P : A ave : : MT, LANDS WITH STREAMS, o More Pumping Warmth & Comfo rt knitting home industry in the Rocky coastal Allyearshyw. 150 A, $37000, Of Septic Tanks opened early by with the Grass Va of Commerce to WATER REPELLENT province ef Bohuslan in Sweden. Here are Cf , a: W A x created sweaters and accessories of softly oe eng ChAT be Tis or Cesspools 4, OMPLETE WINTER CLOTHING. i Pe ; blended, softly glowing color harmonies as . Owiler 628. Broad St., Ne ever, when you use s AT : . ny, exciting as the glacial rocks and purple hea. vada City. REYNOLDS DIGESTER Q \. ther of the country. For its uniquely beautiful Fully Guaranteed creations Bohus Stickning produces its own -OR SALE.: Registered FO g }, . Available at S. P. D. Mkt. Hereford Bull 3yrs. old. Ph. F ‘VIC BREUER’S o ‘ we ; 145 MILL ST. OPEN 9:30 to 5:30 yarns. The material, pure wool of, highest = , -— % quality, is obtained direct from the farms, pi EE es Be alae WEAR __. 7 ill C23 Phone GV 398 carefully sorted, spun on small sensitive CLEARANCE SALE SELL WITH A : ; «ew machines and dyed in a large number of tones and shades perpetually varying acOn Used, Upright cording to the fashion. The patterns, adapted VACUUM CLEANERS to the character of the yarn and the use of GRANEVA number. . . 143 Mill St. Grass Valley enjoy positive business control..with VERSATILE VICTOR x ort px spr? COMMERCIAL & YORK STREETS NEVADA CITY Phone 398 Nevada City SPECIALS FOR THURSDAY, FRIDAY, & SATURDAY Our Array Is Beautiful:.See It Today CLIP-ON RUGS BEEF STEW i» 75¢ . BANANAS 2 Ibs 219 In time oe ee at the LIVER eee Ib 59 CARROTS CELLO 2 for 19: Olympics! Lovely Scotch Plaids. . PR AWNS ana: Ib 89: CELERY Stalk 2 for 29 $19.95 6 TRANSISTOR Pocket Portables $27.95 up complete with. ib $429 . ARTICHOKES targe each 10° 19% DOG FOOD PONE 8 51 MACOMBERS _ . UNDERWOOD. APPLE CIDER o: 25¢ . DEVILED HAM Yagal 53 Gal. $407 2 oz 19 A ée 35° WHITE KING D in 65¢ WHITE KING LIQUID 65¢ MRS. STEWARTS PUREX 10 BLEACH or 19 BLUING = Yigal 35¢ gal 57¢ s SALAMI Gatiteo pry GREEN BEANS -upsy cur CRYSTAL ICE CREAM “car 69% —FROZEN FOOD RATH BLACK HAWK PORK CHOPPETTES BEEF CHOPPETTES 49° VEAL DRUMSTICKS LINIT LAUNDRY 15¢ STARCH NC Chamb Nevada City Chambe Commerce President, Haddy, last week anno committee appointment! the current year. They are as follows: pd and bylaws, Dick Kned Paul Bergemann; city provement, Woody § and Gu¥Dimmin; ind development, Edwin F and William Ghidotti; re ation and tourist trade, Almauist and DavidOsbe Lower Cost Profit Protecting Features Permanent record detail strip Clerk. or department identifying keys Optional control keys for more detailed record Enforced registration Lightweight and compact size Adding machine advantages at close of a ar Hobbyhouse & OFFICE EQUIPMENT 120 W. Main St. ,Grass Valley ; Phone 214 Case--Batteries--Earphones Hoffman-Zenith-Packard Bell J Televisions & Sound Equipt. ( IC S PIONEER VILLAGE 260 So. Auburn St. Phone 883

CITIZEN ADVERTISER Page 4A ee ceage cap awele ss : PROPERTIES «gp SNOWSHOE THOMPSON YH essay hese GPs oe Recreational Areas fi, we BIRTH OF SKIING AS A SPORT sa BY STANLEY H. HALLS Placer — Nevada — Amador and El Dorado Counties , “Small and Large Acreages on Good Terms” ENM/ RK & Ss , While noaccount of the origin of skiing Vv 3-3035 Sacramento in the Sierra would be complete without 0-0 ED D-0ED) 1 EOE . the telling of the story of John A. (Snow9 shoe) Thompson, accolades for promoting PICK °N PAN skiing as a sport, must, or historical MARKET VIl_ Olympic “Rehearsals” 100-Years Ago al ACCORDION STUDI qmmmmmmme ACCORDIONS..RENT OR SALE oe ski and these bands were laced andtied across the toe. Sometimes a small block of]! wood would be.attached to the skitoholdthe heel of the boot in place. There can be little question but what these early Sierra ski The bindings that held the ski to the foot were rather crude. A wide leather band was nailedto the sides of the across Lake Tahoe, part in Stages, toseethe races and if possible, to catry home all rrr — pae™ @ EDUCATIONAL @ SPARE TIME FUN @ POPULARITY FOR YOU @AN APPROVED SIMPLIFIED COURSE "4g justice, go to the Alturas Snowshoe Club of La Porte and the Port Wine and Table Ne 152 Whiting St., Grass Valley SPECIALS THURS., FRI., SAT. Our Hours: Monday-Saturday 7:30 A.M.-7:30 P.M. Closed Sundays USDA 600) uspa FULL ROUND = 79 » GROUND BEEF 39» ARMOUR R C0 THICK 15: A N SLICED 2 Ibs COLUMBIA . Sliced BACON , 35 Also Grocery and Frozen Food Specials lb pkg EXCLUSIVE IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA! CHUCKS Proudly introduces a beautiful salute to the Winter Olympics — and tribute to those who love finer things — Creations by Bohus Stickning Knitted Imports from Sweden Rock Snowshoe clubs of Howland Flat. The cash prizes offered by these groups at their annual race s attracted the top speedsters of the Sierra andthe contests became extremely popular events for participants and spectators alike. The prize money Thompson to enter tempted Snowshoe the Fourth Annual La Porte races, but he was no match for the Plumas County boys who had developed downhill racing into an art. Charles Hendel, an eye witness of the races, in writing of Thompson's efforts, had this to say about the Sierra Expressman's ineptness at racing: ",.The La Porters were honored with the presence of Thompson, the famous and celebrated express carrier, who in the early days carried the express and mail from Placerville to Carson City--as our friends over there will testify. He is a stout athletic man, a Norwegianby birth, handles his shoes in good style and I think is hard to beat on a travel, in the long run--with an express bag of about 60 to 120 pounds weight. But at ourraces, which only can be . beat by lightning, he runs behind like an ox team after a railroad car. He came out over 200 feet behind the last maninhissquad. Hesays he has been running ever since his childhood, but such speed he never witnessed ‘before. He came all the way from Alpine County, over 200 miles travel, part onhisshoes, part by railroad, part in a skiff — CLASSIFIED ADS FOR SALE FOR SALE. MOTHER LODE BOTT LE Bonanzaspecializing in antique bottles. Bottles and Kerosene Lamps CLASSIFIED AD RATES Per line in first issue..16c Per line in additional issues (no changes)..... Minimum charge... 80c bought and sold. Open Sun. thru Thurs. 321 Commercial St., Old Auburn, Calif. TU5220. FOR LEASE FORSALE, 8cu. ft. KelvenFOR LEASE, New COMMER. the money. He went home with his brains and pockets full of dope recipes which the boys kindly furnished him. . .” If the competitors in these Taces went into any special training for these events, it is not known today. However, in the drawings and photos of some of these earliest races, portable bars are very much in evidence. Probably the contestants thought that a visit or two at the bar during a. meet would help take the edge off over-taut nerves. To get as much: speed as possible out of their skis, the athletes made up concoctions of wax and other ingredients which they applied to the bottom of their "boards". The formulas for some of these "dopes" as they were called, washighly secret and each skier had his favorite brand. The making of this dope became a sort of specialty among a few followers of the sport and for a time these specialists or "dope peddlers" made regular appearances at the races, some of them enjoying a moderate financial reward in the sale of their mysterious mixtures. In order to gain more and more speed from their skis some ofthe more ardent followers of the sport started H playing with the design of the runners. Experiments were . made by changing the width -. and length of the ski andthere issome evidenceto shcw that some of the fastest times were made on skis of a length of about 14 feet. There does not appear to be any evidence that these early skiers did any experimenting with grooving ' the bottom ofthe ski. "“Snowshoe" Thompson's skis in the Sutter's Fort Museum have.a perfectly flat bottom and if ator Ref. $60. Bedroom Set $75. G E 21" consol T.V. CIAL units, one 20x25 other . he knew that a grooved ski 20x35. [deal Real Estate Taces were popular events. While there were fo slaloms,. } jumping or cross country contests, and the spectators had to content themselves

with the single downhill speed races, the attractions drew good crowds and were colorful affairs. There is evidence that the racers costumed themselves in colorful shirts and caps and from old pictures it appears that certain clubs fitted out their members in attractive uniforms. What speeds did these early skiers attain? Thewriter has not been able to discover whether any of the records have been preserved, but one account states that speeds of 88 miles per hour were clocked. Ifit istrue that these racers approached or equalled this speed, then their efforts were really phenomenal for 88 miles an hour on skis is considered extremely fast time by our modern athletes equipped with the most modern skis. Was Charles Hendel, the La Porte surveyor who officiated at many of these races for so many years, correct when he wrote after a trip to Europe in 1869 that skiing as an organizedcompetitive Sport originated in the "Lost Sierras?" : If the locale of the birth of this great sport is in contest between Kristiana or Tele. : mark, Norway and the California Sierras, there certainly can be no contest to who it}! was that was almost singularly responsible forthe early impetus given to skiing in this part of the world. John A. "Snowshoe" Thompson, Norwegian by birth and American by family decision can alone be awarded the signal honor as the "greatest skier of . them all." OLYMPICS BOU vada Union High that carried me chorus to openin SUGGESTIONS From 1 . pe dds Sa SKI BOOTS . . $23.95 : MITTENS : CAPS GOGGLES. BINDINGS VISITORS EN Students, some and faculty memb Bluff High Schog SKIS POLES . improved its tracking quality Office. T.L. Duncan P.O, jhe, forone, apparently gave Box 272, Auburn. TUrnerjthisinformation little 5-9562. . Lola's Grotto in fora 5:30 a.m. b $75. Ph. G.V. 1440W. REAL CAT CAR-French moldNEXT WEEK -BELATED RECed-geared-lowered-shocked. moment. OGNITION (Conclusion) route to openi blocked1951 purple Merc. monies ak Voce ood shoes and leatherette = RA ft fai <8 a and "60 tags. $275 cash. MISCELLANEOUS y 210 Reward St. N.C. 471-J., ¥) See The Olympics in Bohus Stickning is a cooperative handNoM P : A ave : : MT, LANDS WITH STREAMS, o More Pumping Warmth & Comfo rt knitting home industry in the Rocky coastal Allyearshyw. 150 A, $37000, Of Septic Tanks opened early by with the Grass Va of Commerce to WATER REPELLENT province ef Bohuslan in Sweden. Here are Cf , a: W A x created sweaters and accessories of softly oe eng ChAT be Tis or Cesspools 4, OMPLETE WINTER CLOTHING. i Pe ; blended, softly glowing color harmonies as . Owiler 628. Broad St., Ne ever, when you use s AT : . ny, exciting as the glacial rocks and purple hea. vada City. REYNOLDS DIGESTER Q \. ther of the country. For its uniquely beautiful Fully Guaranteed creations Bohus Stickning produces its own -OR SALE.: Registered FO g }, . Available at S. P. D. Mkt. Hereford Bull 3yrs. old. Ph. F ‘VIC BREUER’S o ‘ we ; 145 MILL ST. OPEN 9:30 to 5:30 yarns. The material, pure wool of, highest = , -— % quality, is obtained direct from the farms, pi EE es Be alae WEAR __. 7 ill C23 Phone GV 398 carefully sorted, spun on small sensitive CLEARANCE SALE SELL WITH A : ; «ew machines and dyed in a large number of tones and shades perpetually varying acOn Used, Upright cording to the fashion. The patterns, adapted VACUUM CLEANERS to the character of the yarn and the use of GRANEVA number. . . 143 Mill St. Grass Valley enjoy positive business control....with VERSATILE VICTOR x ort px spr? COMMERCIAL & YORK STREETS NEVADA CITY Phone 398 Nevada City SPECIALS FOR THURSDAY, FRIDAY, & SATURDAY Our Array Is Beautiful:.See It Today CLIP-ON RUGS BEEF STEW i» 75¢ . BANANAS 2 Ibs 219 In time oe ee at the LIVER eee Ib 59 CARROTS CELLO 2 for 19: Olympics! Lovely Scotch Plaids. . PR AWNS ana: Ib 89: CELERY Stalk 2 for 29 $19.95 6 TRANSISTOR Pocket Portables $27.95 up complete with.. ib $429 . ARTICHOKES targe each 10° 19% DOG FOOD PONE 8 51 MACOMBERS _ . UNDERWOOD. APPLE CIDER o: 25¢ . DEVILED HAM Yagal 53 Gal. $407 2 oz 19 A ée 35° WHITE KING D in 65¢ WHITE KING LIQUID 65¢ MRS. STEWARTS PUREX 10 BLEACH or 19 BLUING = Yigal 35¢ gal 57¢ s SALAMI Gatiteo pry GREEN BEANS -upsy cur CRYSTAL ICE CREAM “car 69% —FROZEN FOOD RATH BLACK HAWK PORK CHOPPETTES BEEF CHOPPETTES 49° VEAL DRUMSTICKS LINIT LAUNDRY 15¢ STARCH NC Chamb Nevada City Chambe Commerce President, Haddy, last week anno committee appointment! the current year. They are as follows: pd and bylaws, Dick Kned Paul Bergemann; city provement, Woody § and Gu¥Dimmin; ind development, Edwin F and William Ghidotti; re ation and tourist trade, Almauist and DavidOsbe Lower Cost Profit Protecting Features Permanent record detail strip Clerk. or department identifying keys Optional control keys for more detailed record Enforced registration Lightweight and compact size Adding machine advantages at close of a ar Hobbyhouse & OFFICE EQUIPMENT 120 W. Main St. ,Grass Valley ; Phone 214 Case--Batteries--Earphones Hoffman-Zenith-Packard Bell J Televisions & Sound Equipt. ( IC S PIONEER VILLAGE 260 So. Auburn St. Phone 883