Fillmore, Calif. – On 8-04-23, the Fillmore Police Department will be conducting a driving under the influence (DUI) Checkpoint from 6:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. at an undisclosed location.

DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints is to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road.
“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” Chief of Police Eduardo Malagon said. “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improves traffic safety.”

The Fillmore Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Prepared by: Deputy Anthony Zacarias
Approved: by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

Above is the early “Cycle” crate label, Fillmore Citrus Association, c. 1900, printed by Schmidt Lithograph of San Francisco. The label has a cyclist peddling down a path. He is wearing a sweater with “F” on it and a flat cap. Photo courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum.
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Above is the Wayno crate label, Fillmore Citrus Association, c. 1935, which according to local lore, the “Wayno” brand was inspired by workers. Photo courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum.
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Home of Ramona crate label, Rancho Camulos, prior to 1914
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Mansion crate label, Piru Citrus Association
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Orange Stripe crate label - Rancho Sespe
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Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum

In Fillmore it’s easy to see reproductions of fruit crate labels. They are on the sides of buildings, in businesses and original ones are displayed with pride in people’s homes. But what is the why and wherefore of the fruit crate labels? How did they come into being and what did they mean?

In 1885, the first orange box labels were designed and lithographed. Development of the use of the offset press with lithographs made the labels relatively inexpensive and quick to produce. The labels identified what the fruit was, where it was grown, who packed it and the grade. Across the label was the trademarked brand name.

Rancho Sespe used a label with a stripe going down the center – gold, blue, red, orange or white with a rooster sitting on a shield in the middle of the label. It is said that Eudora Hull Spalding designed the label herself.
The Fillmore Citrus Association was formed in 1897. Its first label was “Cupid” with a winged boy carrying a bow, surrounded by butterflies. This was the packinghouse’s best fruit, the Sunkist Fancy grade. In 1930, the image on the label was changed to a girl’s head with wings in the background.

In 1899, the Fillmore Citrus Fruit Association affiliated with the Southern California Fruit Exchange, which soon became known as Sunkist, to market its fruit.

Different grades of fruit had different labels. The Sunkist Cooperative marketed two grades – Fancy Sunkist at the top followed by simply Sunkist which represented the association’s premium grade of fruit. This would be followed “Choice”, one step below the Sunkist grade.

Below the Cupid brand was Airship which represented the Sunkist-grade fruit. As with Cupid, the image on the label changed over the years, in this case reflecting the evolution of the airplane. “Legal Tender” was used for Sunkist grade after 1935. It was designed by one of the better-known label designers, Godfrey Nystrom.

“Legal Tender” and the “Poinsettia” were originally owned by the Fillmore Packing Company but bought by Fillmore Citrus Association in 1935.

The Fillmore Citrus Association’s “choice” grade was represented in the “Cycle” brand beginning in 1897. Cycle Brand is a good example of how the artwork would change over time. It was printed by Schmidt Lithograph of San Francisco. The first label showed a cyclist peddling down a path. He is wearing a sweater with “F” on it and a flat cap. The next version shows the same cyclist, only this time he is on a motorized bicycle. Finally, the meaning of “cycle” changed completely. Instead of a vehicle, “cycle” referred to the cycle of the changing seasons. Each season is represented by a circle with a seasonal landscape. Most brands which were used over several years saw some change in their artwork.

According to local lore, the “Wayno” brand came to be by accident. The story goes that Frank Erskine, at that time manager of the Fillmore Citrus Association, needing a new brand name, went to the workers in the packing house for inspiration. They suggested “bueno” or “good”, but Erskine heard it as “wayno” and thus a new brand (and word) was created.
Of course, oranges were not the only fruit with labels. The Fillmore Citrus Association gave lemons their own label in 1931: “All Year” and “Sespe”.

Piru Citrus Association had several different labels. “Home of Ramona” had been a proprietary brand of Rancho Camulos, but in 1914 the del Valle family assigned the right to use it to the new Piru Citrus Association.

Other early Piru labels included “Mansion” brand whose design went through several versions but always showed the Piru (aka Cook or Warring) Mansion. Other brands included Belle of Piru, Try-sum, Weaver and Triad.

Because of nostalgia as well as the beauty of crate labels they are being reproduced and can be bought in many formats. When comes to originals, common ones (such as Sespe and Selva for the Fillmore Citrus Association) can be purchased for a few dollars. Others, such as an original Cycle or Cupid, if you can find one, can be much more expensive. Either way, these mini works of art remind us of a different time.

If you want to see more examples of local citrus labels, go to https://calisphere.org/ and search for Fillmore Citrus or Piru Citrus.

On July 25, 2023, Fillmore detectives arrested a Santa Paula resident and convicted felon for burglarizing a local Fillmore business on two separate occasions.

On July 11, 2023, employees at a local business in the 500 block of Ventura Street opened their establishment for their daily operations. The employees discovered someone had burglarized their business by forcing their way in through the drive through window. The employees discovered the suspect had stolen a small amount of currency and various perishable items. Deputies assigned to the Fillmore station responded for the initial investigation and obtained surveillance video and evidence confirming the suspect forced entry into the establishment at approximately 2:21 AM.

On July 22, 2023, employees at the same establishment arrived to work and discovered their business was again burglarized. Deputies responded and collected additional evidence. Deputies obtained additional video surveillance and found the same suspect had entered the establishment at approximately 2:45 AM and he again stole perishable items. In both burglaries the suspect took measures to conceal his identity from the business cameras.

Although the suspect took measures to conceal his identity, diligent deputies assigned to the Fillmore station reviewed the video evidence and identified a person of interest, who they identified as Manuel Alamillo. Alamillo has an extensive criminal history of theft related crimes, and he is a convicted felon.

On July 25, 2023, detectives assigned to the Fillmore Detective Bureau followed up on this information and they located Alamillo in the 1200 Block of East Harvard Boulevard in the city of Santa Paula. Detectives obtained additional evidence linking Alamillo to these crimes and arrested Alamillo.

During a search of Alamillo’s vehicle, deputies located live ammunition. Alamillo’s prior criminal history prohibits him from owning and or possessing ammunition. Alamillo was subsequently transported and booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility for two counts of commercial burglary and illegal possession of ammunition. Alamillo remains in custody with his bail set at $10,000.

Nature of Incident: Commercial Burglary Arrest
Report Number: RB# 23-88294/23-93737
Location: 500 block of Ventura Street, Fillmore, CA
Date & Time: July 11, 2023, @ 2:21 AM & July 22, 2023, @ 2:45 AM

Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol Services / Fillmore Detectives
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent

(S-1) Manuel Real Alamillo Santa Paula 48

Prepared by: Detective Sergeant Will Hollowell
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

The sewage main that collapsed back in May 2023 at C Street and SR126 has ongoing repairs. The contract has been awarded to Toro Enterprises in the amount of $3,575,033.55; work began in June. Above is the Sewer Repair Trench Shoring. Photo and info courtesy https://www.fillmoreca.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=27.
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Courtesy https://www.fillmore ca.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=27

Sewage main in west Fillmore – Update - FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA – July 10, 2023 – On March 15, 2023, a sewer main in west Fillmore suffered collapse on the intersection of C Street and Ventura Street (SR 126). The City contracted Ferreira Construction to assist with rerouting the flow of wastewater through other sewer mains. Since then, after bidding out the project for “C’ Street Emergency Sewer Repair Project, Spec. No.23-01E on May 9, 2023, the City awarded the contract to Toro Enterprises in the amount of $3,575,033.55.

Since the award of the contract, the following work/updates have taken place:
On June 14, 2023, Caltrans issued the Encroachment Permit for work in State Right to the City of Fillmore.
Dewatering in C Street began on Friday, June 16, 2023.
Work on Phase 1A commenced on Monday, June 19, 2023. Phase 1A entails the tie in of a new sewer manhole in the center of River and C Street and installation of new sewer in the southern portion of C Street, north of River Street.
Toro has completed all the work that they can in the existing traffic control set up in the State Right of Way, including some of the dewatering drilling.

Toro will continue to work on completing the project.
For questions and further information regarding this incident, please contact Troy Spayd, Municipal Services Director/ Utilities Engineer at 805-524-3701 ext. 232 or via email at tspayd@fillmoreca.gov.
Please visit www.fillmoreca.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

The Cooling Center at the Fillmore Active Adult Center, 533 Santa Clara Street, will be open during the heatwave. People are more than welcome to stay inside and cool during our normal business hours from 8am-1pm, but after hours the temperature needs to be at 100 and over for the center to be open. If you have any questions please call (805) 524-3030.

HELP WANTED – Part-time Professional Caregiver needed. Housekeeping, cooking, driving and wheelchair assistance. Located in Fillmore. *References required. $15/hr. Call 805 – 402 – 8560

Above is Fillmore’s Lin Thomas who was able to leave his formal teaching career with pride when he retired in 2001 after over 37 years. During that time he restored a Model A Pickup, and drove it cross country in History Channel’s The Great Race. Inset is the car after being restored. Photos provided by Mike & Michelle Bly.
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By Michael S. Bly

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
We all have passions. Passion for our spouse. Passion for our kids. Passion for family and friends. Passion for our country. Passion for our work. Passion for our favorite sports teams.
Lin Thomas had all those passions, in spades. But he also had great passion for two more things: God, and old cars. Most days, in that order.

Now, you say ‘old cars’ and some folks might have a different picture in their mind than Lin. He wasn’t thinking of cars from the ‘60’s or even ‘50’s (he’d spit and derisively call them “modern cars”). And, he didn’t mean cars from the ‘40’s; that was the lost decade, automotively speaking. For Lin, a 1939 LaSalle was about as new as he could stomach, and over the decades several ’39 LaSalles came and went, though there were always one or two lurking in a barn or behind an orange tree on his Fillmore, California ranch.

But to really get Lin going about old cars, start talking about cars in the ‘10s and 20’s, and you were guaranteed to be regaled with a story, perfectly timed to 57 minutes – he was a high school shop teacher by trade, and the decades of impeccably timed school bells trained him to hit his mark.
From time to time, a variety of cars from that era were towed, dragged, or trailered in pieces to the ranch, including (but certainly not limited to): a 1913 Model T Touring Sedan; a 1923 Model T Milk Truck; a 1927 Cadillac; and a 1915 Cadillac. Oh, and Model A Fords. Lots of Model A Fords.

“Train up a child in the way she should go…”
Now, at some point in Lin’s life his very active youngest daughter, Michelle, was nearing driving age and was going to need some wheels to get from point A to point B. There were lots of good choices, but one stood out: a 1928 Model A Roadster. Lin labored with skill, dedication, and love for many, many months to bring that car to life, and upon completion Michelle drove it with pride through a couple years of high school, and even some time in her Jr. College years steering it 25 miles each way on a busy highway. She drove it through rain or shine, and without side curtains, because according to Lin “side curtains are for sissies”.

Michelle loved her Roadster. She drove it everywhere, and loved the double takes she’d get from passersby. Afterall, it’s not every day you see a teenage girl smiling from ear to ear behind the wheel of a Model A.
Michelle learned many valuable lessons about cars and driving during those years. Such as, always check the gas, oil, and water. Make sure there is air in the tires. While driving, anticipate stops, and be sure to keep track of what other drivers are doing. Pointing a Model A in the right direction is easy enough, but as every old car driver knows, turns and stops are requests more than demands.

Well, it’s a story told too many times, but life happens, and eventually the need came to sell the Roadster and send it down the road to a new home. Sad time on the ranch.

Fast forward to 1998: Lin was still teaching shop at the local high school, which he loved, but the years of dealing with bureaucracy and miniscule budgets had worn him down, and he didn’t have much gas left in the tank. But he had a crazy idea: teach a car restoration class, restore a Model A Pickup over the school year, and drive it cross country in History Channel’s The Great Race.

Fast forward to 1998: Lin was still teaching shop at the local high school, which he loved, but the years of dealing with bureaucracy and miniscule budgets had worn him down, and he didn’t have much gas left in the tank. But he had a crazy idea: teach a car restoration class, restore a Model A Pickup over the school year, and drive it cross country in History Channel’s The Great Race. This was the inspiration he needed to finish his career out strong, so in 1999, 2000, and 2001, Lin and his auto restoration classes restored a Model A Pickup each year and took a team of students and adult drivers from coast to coast in the very vehicle the kids had restored and rebuilt from the ground up.

Lin was reinvigorated and renewed, and was able to leave his formal teaching career with pride when he retired in 2001 after over 37 years. The first of the pickups ended up at the Fillmore, California museum. The third one went to a private owner. And the 2nd pickup, the 2000 pickup, came back to the ranch thanks to Lin’s wife Judy.
Over the following years, Lin & Judy had a blast with that 1928 Model A Pickup. They drove it on tours (sometimes with the Model T Club…faux pas?), in parades, and around town and countryside. For many years, it was the best running, and sometimes only running, old car on the ranch.

“…and when she is old she will not depart from it.”
During that time, Lin had a mission to someday have another old car in Michelle’s garage. He suggested, he conspired, he pleaded, and he prayed. But the perfect intersection of right timing, right car, and adequate garage space just never materialized.

In 2019, Lin was diagnosed with cancer, and after a brave and gracious battle Lin went to be with the Lord on May 27, 2022. During the last weeks of his life, Michelle, along with her sister Lindy, mom, and many family and friends, was able to spend 6 weeks caring for her daddy. They had many conversations about many topics…but old cars were always on Lin’s mind. And, there was one thing Michelle could not stop thinking about: that old Model A Ford Pickup from the 2000 Great Race. She asked permission to bring it to a new home in Idaho, and daddy, with a smile, said “it’s yours, kiddo!”
In July 2022, with some expert help from a few members of the Ventura County Model A Ford Club, Michelle was able to drive her mom to Lin’s funeral and memorial service in the Model A.

In September 2022, the Model A was trailered up to Idaho. It was still fairly drivable, but it was very “tired” as a few wise men put it. In January 2023, the Model A was turned over to the pros at Rotten Leonard’s Jalopy Shop in Lewiston, Idaho, and a frame-off restoration began.

On Friday, July 7, 2023, the Fillmore Towne Theatre hosted its first talent show with its new owner Sean McCully who purchased the theatre back in 2021. The event was a overall success and the house packed. Pictured above were the judges for this year’s show as they waited for the performances to begin. Photo by Carina Monica Montoya.
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Written by Carina Monica Montoya

On Friday, July 7, 2023, the Fillmore Town Theatre held a talent show. It was the first talent show held at the theatre since its new owner, Sean McCully, purchased it in 2021. The event was a success and packed a full house. The ten contestants were Luv2dance students who performed advanced hip-hop; Luv2dance (girls ages 6-8); singer Madisson Galante; Fourth grader Grace Fertig who danced ballet to a Kelly Clarkson song; comedian Safari Dave; Mariachi H.E.L.; singer Michael Kirby; comedienne Brenda Pontiff; Dancers Monica, Sara, and Karina; and guitarist/singer Graciela Herrera. First place went to Luv2dance Minis; Second place went to singer Michael Kirby; and third place went to dancers Monica, Sara, and Karina. The winners were exceptional performers and were judged on a scale of 1-5, stage presence, quality of performance, audience reception, and creativity. The judges were Lisa Prather, the Entertainment Chair for Relay of Life Conejo Valley and Santa Clarita Valley; comedian William Hubbard; Luana Barajas, an 8th grade English teacher at Fillmore Middle School; Erin Fagundes, a veteran actress, producer and director; Shawn Adams-Lanz, a veteran producer in Ventura County; and Miss Alynette, a radio personality who hosts All Things 805, and also hosts on KCOP, KOSJ, KQAV, KQIE, KWIE, and KXFM.

The last talent show featured at the Fillmore Theater was in 1919 and was a major town event. Boys dressed up like Charlie Chaplin in a lookalike contest. It was during a time when the town’s theater was the gathering place for entertainment. The Fillmore Theatre today “is dedicated to connecting artistic expression to the human experience, with the aim of fostering a sense of community through various artistic mediums such as musical concerts, community theater, arts education events, film festivals, and arts presentations.”

Tuesday, August 1, 2023 from 5p.m. - 7p.m. the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and Fillmore Police Department will participate in “ National Night Out” an annual crime prevention event and community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. Courtesy Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and Fillmore Police Department.
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Fillmore community members are invited to participate in National Night Out on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. This is an opportunity to engage in relationship building with deputies, firefighters, and other first responders.

National Night Out is an annual crime prevention event and community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie that make our neighborhoods safer. Come out and enjoy light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages donated by generous community businesses. Come see our Bomb Unit, SWAT display, and Fillmore’s very own, K9 “Thor.”

“National Night Out is a great opportunity for our community members to meet and greet different team members assigned to various Sheriff’s Office specialized units for an evening of fun activities,” said Fillmore Police Chief Eduardo Malagon. “Events like this help strengthen relationships between law enforcement and all our community stakeholders. Together, we can solve problems and make our communities safer.”

The City of Fillmore, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and Fillmore Police Department are committed to maintaining the safety of all residents by continuing community partnerships. The Fillmore Police Department invites the community to come out and ask questions, get crime prevention advice, get to know the officers in your neighborhood, and have some fun. Click on this link https://natw.org/about/ for more information on the National Night Out campaign.

Nature of Incident: National Night Out
Location: Fillmore Police Station 524 Sespe Avenue Fillmore, CA 93015
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Police Department

Prepared by: Sergeant Will Hollowell
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

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Monday, July 10, 2023

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County (BBSVC) is thrilled to announce that it is a recipient of the Pinnacle Award for 2022 – a designation given by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America to network agencies who demonstrate exemplary programmatic success and fiscal responsibility. BBSVC was one of only eight agencies across the United States selected to receive the award and accept it on the BBBS of America National Conference main stage on June 29th in Anaheim.
In addition to earning the Pinnacle Award, BBSVC had a strong presence at the Conference: CEO Danica Selvaggio co-presented an educational session with program partner Bank of America - represented by Mary Noor (Market Executive) and Danielle Curtin (Product Manager and BBSVC mentor) - on the success that BBSVC’s Professional Mentoring Program has delivered for youth across Ventura County for the last three years. “The Professional Mentoring Program is one that I’ve been excited to watch grow,” says Selvaggio. “We’ve been fortunate to have a partner like Bank of America who has supported the program’s evolution year-over-year to meet the changing needs of the community and deliver a top-tier mentoring opportunity for volunteers and youth alike.”

On the final night of the event, Kobe - BBSVC’s Youth Leadership Council President for Fillmore and a high school mentor to an elementary school student – was invited to not only interview the event's emcee, television host Rocsi Diaz, he was also invited to introduce her on the main stage to over a thousand conference attendees.
“Originally, youth were invited to make introductions in English,” says Selvaggio. “But we advocated with the BBBS of America Conference organizers and emphasized how so many of the youth, families, and volunteers we serve are bilingual. They were excited to have Kobe represent our Hispanic and Latine communities by kicking the night off with a Spanish-language introduction! This was his first time presenting on-stage, and he was a natural. We’re so proud of him.”
After an invigorating week of learning, the BBSVC team is back in Ventura County to kick off an exciting program year: in addition to implementing National Conference education, BBSVC is also opening a brand new Youth Room in Ventura and preparing the first cohort of its Mentor Academy – a program that expands on the success of the agency’s Professional Mentoring Program with Bank of America to offer more opportunities for career exploration through mentorship.
Community members interested in getting involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County for another exemplary year as a youth, parent/guardian, volunteer mentor, or supporter may contact the agency’s main office at 805.484.2282 or visit https://www.bbsvc.org

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County (BBSVC) has been connecting Bigs and Littles in professionally supported, one-to-one mentoring relationships in Ventura County and neighboring communities since 1970. Supporting over 1,000 youth annually between community or school-based volunteers and youth ages 6-21 years old, BBSVC is committed to bringing their life-changing program to every child in Ventura County who needs it. BBSVC is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that depends on private donors for 75% of its funding.

Mathew Gomez, Port Hueneme 37

During the month of June 2023, a Moorpark Patrol Deputy took a report from a female juvenile. The juvenile alleged she was sexually assaulted continuously over an approximate two-year period. Deputies learned that Mathew Gomez, an acquaintance of the victim, was the suspected abuser.

During the investigation, further evidence was discovered that linked Gomez to the crime. Detectives learned that Gomez was currently a resident of Port Hueneme.

On July 12, 2023, detectives located Gomez in Port Hueneme. Gomez was contacted and arrested for several aggravated sexual assault crimes and possession of child pornography. Gomez was also in possession of a concealed firearm, controlled substance for sale, and a high-capacity gun magazine.

The Directed Enforcement Unit authored a search warrant for Gomez’ residence. During the execution of the search warrant additional items of contraband were discovered. Detectives located additional firearms, high-capacity magazines, controlled substances, and paraphernalia indicative of drug sales.

Gomez was arrested and booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility on 13 criminal counts related to sexual assault, firearms, drug sales and possession charges. Gomez is currently in custody while being held on $500,000 bail.

The investigation is currently ongoing. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office believes there could be additional victims. If you have any information regarding Mathew Gomez or this case, please contact Detective Greg Webb at 805-371-8309.

Nature of Incident: Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Juvenile, Possession of Child Pornography, Felony Weapon Violations, Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sale.

Report Number: 23-76459
Location: 4700 Block of South Moorpark Avenue in Moorpark, CA
Date & Time: 07/12/23 @ 12:30 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Thousand Oaks Makor Crimes Sexual Assault Unit, Thousand Oaks Directed Enforcement Unit, Thousand Oaks Police Investigations Bureau

(S)uspects,(V)ictims,(P)arty,(D)ecedent:

(S) Gomez, Mathew Port Hueneme 27
(V) Juvenile Female Moorpark 14

Prepared by: Detective Greg Webb
Approved by: Captain Kevin Lynch

HELP WANTED – House cleaning person for private home. Eight hours a week between M – F from 7:30am – 11:30am and/or 2:30pm – 6:30pm. Well paid. Call 805 – 524 – 9929. (7/13).

Above is Ari Hopper’s wife Susannah Easley Hopper.
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Above is Ari Hopper, Photos courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum.
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Pictured above is Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge as of today. The Refuge is closed to public access due to the sensitive nature of California condor recovery efforts and physical access limitations, like no public roads leading to the Refuge. Find out more info at https://www.fws.gov/refuge/hopper-mountain. Photos courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum.
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Pictured above is the Ari Hopper Land Claim, c. 1887. Photo courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum.
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Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum

We’ve all seen the sign for the Hopper Canyon turnoff on Highway 126 between Fillmore and Piru. But how did it get its name? Were there large grasshoppers there or an abundance of rabbits? No, it was named for one of the earliest pioneer families – the family of Ari and Susannah Hopper.

Ari Hopper was born in Lafayette, Missouri in 1923 to William and Nancy Armstrong Hopper. He was one of four boys, all of whom migrated to California. Susannah was one of nine children born to Stephen and Rebecca Cunningham Easley. Besides Susannah, her brothers Pleasant, Samuel and Warham came to California. Sister, Missouri, married Benjamin Warring and settled on the Buckhorn Ranch near Piru. The Easley’s parents also came west.

Ari and Susannah married in 1845 in Missouri and came to California in 1852 and first lived in the other “Santa Clara” up north before coming to our valley in the late 1860s. The 1870 census found them in Township 1 of Santa Barbara County in the San Buenaventura Post office. At that time Ventura County was part of Santa Barbara County. According to the census they were living near Stephen Easley (Susannah’s father) and Benjamin Warring.

Ari Hopper was one of those historical figures who seemed larger than life. He was known for at least three things: being a great bear hunter, having a presence and voice which commanded attention, and being a master of pit cooking meat.
Of course these skills were not mutually exclusive. In the book “Bears I Have Met”, written by Allen Kelly in 1903 this story was related as having been shared around a campfire. Names of those in the party were not given.

“Old Ari Hopper has had more queer experiences with bears than anybody. He has given up hunting now, but he used to be the greatest bear-killer in the mountains. Ari has a voice like a steam, fog-horn—the effects of drinking a bottle of lye one night by mistake for something else, and when he speaks in an ordinary tone you can hear him several blocks away. You can always tell when Ari comes to town as soon as he strikes the blacksmith’s shop up at the cross-roads and says, ‘Holloa’ to the smith. Ari was out on the Alamo mountain one day and got treed by a big black bear—”

“A black bear on the Alamo?” interrupted Dad. “There ain’t nothing but Grizzlies and Cinnamons over there. I was over there once—”

“Hold on, Dad, it’s my turn yet. You never heard of a Grizzly climbing a tree, did you?”
“Oh, well, if you’ve got to have your bear go up a tree, all right. We’ll call it a black bear. Besides, if it’s one of Ari’s bear stories, anything goes.”

“The bear treed Ari,” resumed the other, “and just climbed up after him in a hurry. Ari went up as high as he could and then shinnied out on a long limb. The bear followed, and Art kept inching out until he got as far as he dared trust his weight. The bear was climbing out after him and the limb was bending too much for safety when Ari yelled at the bear: ‘Go back, you’d——d fool. You’ll break this limb and kill both of us. Want to break your cussed neck, goldarn ye?’

“Well, sir, that bear stopped, looked at Ari, and then down to the ground, and then he just backed along the limb to the trunk, slid down and lit out for the brush. Ari swears that the bear understood him. Bears have a heap of sabe, but I’m inclined to think that it was Ari’s stentorian roar that scared him away.”

Ari seems to have been very adept at tree climbing. “Sunflower” reported in the July 14, 1883, Ventura Signal that, “Uncle Ari was out looking for a cow that had a young calf. He found the cow but could not find the calf so he set the dogs on the cow to make her hunt it up, but instead of running to her calf she ran Ari up a tree, and he climbed pretty lively for an old man.”

Ari wasn’t the only renowned bear hunter in the family. The May 1, 1880, Ventura Signal reported Mrs. Ari Hopper had recently dispatched a large grizzly. In September of the same year, the Signal noted that Mrs. Hopper had killed an eagle with a wingspan of 7’ 2" and on the same day killed a rattle snake. It should also be noted that Mrs. Hopper regularly “supplied the venison” for the 4th of July barbecues,

Throughout the 1870s and 1880s, Ari Hopper was called on to oversee the cooking of the meat for any gathering, with the venison frequently supplied by his wife. He oversaw barbecues in Sespe, Ventura and in Santa Paula. In 1875 he was in Santa Paula and according to the Ventura Signal of July 10 of that year, Ari knew “just how to roast an ox to perfection.”
Ari was also often called upon to be the featured speaker at various events. An ardent Democrat, he frequently spoke at political gatherings or other causes dear to his heart. The July 7, 1883, Ventura Signal reported that he had spoken in Newhall on temperance, and they wanted him to return to speak again. Writing after Ari’s death in 1905 in the Ventura Free Press, a writer commented that “Hopper had a voice that could be heard. It could come as close as near being heard in the next county as could the voice of any man.”

At least once Ari’s skill as the pit master and as an orator met. For the 4th of July in 1891 the new community of Fillmore celebrated the day conveniently close to the Sespe station (probably Kenney grove) with a major event. The cooking of the meat was of course under the eye of Ari Hooper Entertainment included the Ventura City Band, the Sespe Choir singing “We will Stand by the Flag,” and the Declaration of Independence read by C. J. McDevitt of the Santa Paula Chronicle. The main event was a speech by Thomas Toland of Ventura. Toland by 1891 was practicing law in Ventura, having previously practiced in Santa Paula in the firm of Toland and Guiberson. He was considered an up and coming orator. On this day he was not able to start his speech until 12:15. As one writer recalled in 1906 “He (Toland) was twisting the lions tail and tearing the red coats to tatters throwing cargo and cargo of tea overboard in Boston Harbor. He was just in the prettiest of his talk. That particular place where an orator knows he will make a hit. All of a sudden and when the crowd was hanging on to his word with mouths agape, a stentorian voice broke out. Ari Hopper opened his mouth, and from “yon mountain to yon mountain,” to quote T. Wallace More, there went the reverberating sound. “The meat is done.” Toland found himself talking to the atmosphere and the side of the hill.” Toland later said he had never been left alone so suddenly.

In 1897, Rebecca Hopper Riley, Ari and Susannah’s daughter died. She and her family had been living in Covina. Ari and Susannah apparently moved to Covina to be closer to their motherless grandchildren. It was there on January 21, 1898, that Ari was killed. According to the Los Angeles Herald, Ari was going rabbit hunting with his grandson. While driving his buggy down a wash, his shotgun slipped out of the buggy, the hammer striking the front axle. The full load of number 5 shot lodged in Ari’s side. He told his grandson he was fatally shot. He only lived a short time.

Together Ari and Susannah had six children with three living to adulthood. Susannah passed away in Covina in 1905.