The San Francisco call., 1906-07-29
AooRES I7VERx TtHE
GRE INR GREEN RTAEACO,

John Hissong. a farmer near Mex
leo, took his life by cutting his throat
with razor. According to the stories
of the citizens Mr.. Hissong became
despondent over a great loss which
befell him. number of his fine cattle
having been killed by lightning.
Mont Kinzie and Miss Lena Barn
hart were driving one Sunday after
noon when their horse suddenly fell
and becoming frightened ran away. In
going across the river bridge at Mex
leo the lines became tangled and the
horse was pulled TO one side Of the
abutment and dashed of. taking tho
buggy and its occupants with it. Tho
horse was not injured in the least.
landing on its feet on the sand bank
forty feet below. The occupants OF thu
buggy. however. did not fare as well
Kinzie had one leg badly crushed and
Miss Barnhart had an arm and her
collar bone broken.
While the river has been the cause OF
several accidents and indirectly con-
nected with the suicides. il has also
been the cause Of a very pretty little
romance.
During the time the bridge was being
repaired boat was used 10 ferry the
people across the river One sunday
morning after church the boat was Gap
sized and the people forced 20 swim
ashore There were two men. two
women and a girl in the boat at the
time OF the accident The men gave
their attention 10 rescuing the two
women. who were their wives. and the
girl Miss Matte Smith. was left to care
for herself The Rev. Avery Sharpee,
who had remained on the bank await
ing the return Of the boat saw the ac-
cident. and laying down his Bible and
hurriedly removing his ministerial
vestments. swan out and rescued Miss
Smith The episode proved 10 be the
beginning of the Rev Mr.. Sharpee's
courtins of Miss Smith. and within a
short time they We're married The Rev.
Nr. and Mrs. Sharpee are now Metho-
dist evangeiists and are known
throughout the State.
On the bank of the Eel River stands
an old building which was the first OF
any consequences constructed in the
town and for many years known as
Mason's Tavern In later years befOrs
a bridge was built across the Eel
River this was the Gretna Green Of that
part OF the State An old justice OF the
peace-SQuire Ireland-cOnducted the
place He was known far and near for
his swiftness OF performing marriage
ceremonies, and TO that place many
elopers went.
The records kept by Squire ireland.
who died a year or two ago. have been
AOSA VI OCStLOFS0 anu NUMBER
OF elOping couples who called upon him
cannot be learned Old citizens OF the
place, however. say that the number
would often exceed q score a year and
during those times the genial old squire
wore a smiling countenance continu-
ously. and about every week or two
would say TO his friends. We'll. busi-
ness is picking up little; just had an
other elopment"
Another evidence suggestive OF ad-
versity OF the place is the Orphans
Home. located on the bluff on the south
side OF Eel River, just above the dam
sic There from Atty to hundred
children. parentless and homeless. are
cared for And just north of this home
for orphans is home for infirm people.
both OF which are superintended by the
members OF the Dunkard church OF
Mexico.
The buildings for the busInsss houses
Of the place are old. dilapidatsd and un-
kempt- They are all suggestive OF i'll
luck and misfortune. and the residences
are very similar. The citizens cannot
see why the village has been so i'll
fated and the rising generation is
striving TO overcome the obstacles
which seem hereditary.