It all boiled over near Pyramid Lake as the combined force of Paiutes, Bannocks and Shoshones engaged Major William Ormsby’s militia in battle to decide the issue.

Ormsby’s troops were defeated. Ormsby himself was killed, along with seventy-six of his men, and most of the survivors were injured.

This show of force by the local Native people, labeled the ‘Ormsby Massacre’, brought fear throughout the region and Honey Lake Valley residents were terrified.

In response, the citizens of the Janesville area set about building a fort to protect themselves. The town was then called ‘Bankhead’s’ and the fort was about three-fourths of a mile to the north.

Settlers streamed in as the news of the massacre spread, all hoping for the safety of the fort. They brought in about anything that they could find to construct the fortification.

It was a loopholed stockade. They cut down small pines and set them into the ground to make a sixty-three by ninety-foot stockade, which stood about 12 to 14 feet high.

Previously, Dr. Slater and F. S. Chapman had built a small cabin there, and the stockade was put up to surround the cabin. There was a small blockhouse built at the southwest corner so that men could watch for encroaching enemies.

Many families spent a couple of nights in the fort, but as the threat died down, most went home to tend to their livestock and daily lives.

The war never reached Honey Lake Valley. There remained much animosity in the region and small skirmishes continued to the south and east, but by August 1860, a treaty was reached.

In 1862, Bankhead’s was renamed ‘Janesville’. Some say it was to honor Malcom Bankhead’s wife, Jane. Others adamantly say that it was in honor of little Jane Agnes Hill, daughter of Susan and Smith J. Hill. We will never know the answer to this debate, but the town was forevermore, ‘Janesville’.

And the little stockade which had eased some terrifying fears became Fort Janesville.

After a few years without any eminent threats of invasion, the fort was no longer needed. It served as a social venue for dances and for a while school was taught there. Then it fell into disuse. Thrifty locals began helping themselves to whatever parts of the structure they might want. The doors, windows, wooden beams, and everything else were carted away. Soon, there was nothing left of the mighty Fort Janesville.

The Lassen County Child Abuse Prevention Council is asking everyone to wear blue on Friday, April 1st, as a way to speak out for kids. Wear blue and post your picture on social media to show your support for child abuse prevention with the hashtag #WearBlueAgainstChildAbuseLassen

Lassen Family Services has a big event planned for Saturday morning at their offices on Riverside Drive.

Come hang out with some of the most fun people in Susanville! Dandy the Dragon, the Tooth Fairy, Jeremy the Germ, Smokey Bear, Fluoride the Bunny, Batman, Captain American and Starlord will all be there.

Check out static vehicle displays like the D.A.R.E. Humvee, CHP Patrol Units, Sheriff’s Posse, fire trucks, Forest Service Law Enforcement and race cars from McCracken Racing.

Stuff to do will include face painting, blue handprints on canvas, painting pinwheels, fingerprint kits and lawn activities.

The Legal Eagles will be cooking up some tasty hot dogs and the free event will be held April 2nd, from 10:00a.m., until 2:00p.m., at 1306 Riverside Drive.

If you have any questions, please call 1.530.257.4599.

Applications can be submitted to LCCOA PO Box 168 Susanville, CA 96130 or lassenaging@gmail.com.

Applications must be received by March 31st, 2022. Click here to download an application.

For more information please call the Lassen County Council on Aging at 1.916.259.3266.

Brewers can enter any category of beer, either bottled or in kegs. They must provide five gallons of beer for judging and public tasting for each style of beer they enter and are encouraged to pour their brews at the event. Entry forms are available online at lassenlandandtrailstrust.org.

Beer tasting and judging will be held Saturday, May 7th, from 5:00 to 8:00p.m., at the Historic Susanville Railroad Depot, 601 Richmond Road.

Proceeds will support Nature Camp, upgraded visitor amenities at the Depot, and management of conservation easements that conserve working lands and Lassen County’s rural way of life.

Six chapter members were deputized by Sheriff Olin S. Johnson in the sheriff’s aero squadron, organized Thursday night. Captained by James Lewis, they are Lieutenants Ches Agee and Les Mastolier; other charter members are S. R. Carlomagno, Frank Corson and Mirl Simmons, Corson and Mastolier were civilian flight instructors during the war, and the others are all veterans of the U.S. Air Corps.

The group will meet on the first Monday of each month and will operate in a similar way as the Lassen County sheriff’s posse.

First steps in organizing the local group were made three weeks ago. This group is one of many being organized throughout the country and is set up for emergency service. The pilots can be called on for air search as well as ground duty if the occasion arises.

Requirements for application membership are that a pilot must have either private or commercial license, plus 500 hours of flying time. They must also have the approval of the membership committee and Sheriff Johnson.

Although ownership of a plane is not required members of the aero squadron must have access to a plane on short notice at any time.