Two subjects were contacted by Fillmore detectives during an investigation. Detectives located several bicycles that were believed to be stolen and are requesting the public’s assistance to solve the crimes.

On January 20th, at approximately 8:00 a.m., detectives contacted the subject at his Fillmore residence and arrested him for a felony warrant. He was contacted with a transient, Phillip Davison. Both men were found in possession of several bicycles that were believed to be stolen. Detectives linked one of the bicycles to a Fillmore resident that reported his bicycle as stolen in October 2020, and determined Davison was responsible for the crime.

The Fillmore resident was booked into the Ventura County Main Jail in Ventura for violations unrelated to the bicycle theft and held on $50,000 bail. Davison was cited and released for HS 11550(a) – Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance and PC 484(a) – Petty Theft.

If you believe one of the attached bicycles is yours, or if you have any information about the theft of these bicycles, please contact the Detective Cesar Salas at (805) 524-2234. The Sheriff’s Office is also asking residents to be aware of the rise in recent bicycle thefts and to keep all unattended bicycles locked or in a secure location to prevent thefts.

Nature of Incident: Bicycle Theft Arrest / Request for Public Assistance
Report Number: RB# 20-137708
Location: City of Fillmore
Date & Time: January 20, 2021 @ 8:00 AM
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Investigations Unit
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent, City of Residence, Age
(S) Resident, Fillmore, 41
(S) Phillip Davison, Transient (Fillmore/Santa Paula), 37

Vinnie Hinckley, daughter of Dr. J.P. Hinckley, who passed away at 15 years old due to the virus.
Enlarge Photo

Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum

The pandemic which swept the world from 1918 through at least 1920 did not skip over Fillmore. Inaccurately dubbed “Spanish” influenza, it was first identified at an Army camp in Kansas. The recruits shipped out to France and from there it spread. The “Spanish” appellation was derived from the fact that neutral Spain did not have the censorship controls that the Allied nations had and openly reported on the epidemic including the fact the Spanish king, Alfonso XIII, had contracted the disease. In the United States, it was believed that if the general public was aware of the situation it would hurt the war effort.

The first mention of the epidemic appeared in the October 18, 1918, local paper. Because of the growing number of cases in the town, the school board debated closing the schools. After considerable discussion, it was decided to keep the schools open. Dr. W. R Manning, the city health officer, commented that there would be less danger of a serious epidemic if the children were kept in school than if the schools were closed and the youngsters allowed to run the streets.

A week later, the tone in the paper was much different. The number of cases had exploded and there were deaths. Judge Merton Barnes, chairman of the Fillmore Red Cross, headed up the support effort aided by Mrs. Lawton and Mrs. Hadley as heads of the nursing team. At the suggestion of Hattie King, a temporary hospital was set up in the Presbyterian Church Sunday School at Sespe and Clay Streets. There the Red Cross volunteers aided the local Doctors Hinckley and Kerr as well as Dr. Soegaard from Piru and Dr. Mott from Santa Paula.

Dr. Manning and his wife had contracted the virus so he was no longer able to attend to patients. Entire families were hit by the virus including the Harthorns, Fairbanks, Fosters, Froehlichs, Booths, and many others.

A curfew was enacted, and public gatherings were banned. Pool halls and theaters were closed. A mountain lion hunt that had been scheduled was cancelled because the owners of the dogs were sick with influenza.

By November 18, the epidemic seemed to have subsided, and the temporary hospital was closed. As a precaution schools remained closed. There was a sad report that the Reese family had lost 4 family members to influenza. Advice was given on the proper diet for victims.

The situation continued to improve, and it was announced that the schools would reopen on November 25. It was decided that places of amusement should remain closed on Saturday evenings, when unusually large crowds congregate.

The influenza of 1918, a strain of the H1N1-A virus, seemed to be particularly deadly to young adults, perhaps because it triggered a cytokine storm, which ravages the stronger immune system of young adults. This may explain why the next mention of the epidemic was on December 13, 1918 when a strict quarantine was announced. Dr. J. P. Hinckley, who lost his 15 year-old daughter, Vinnie, to the virus just a few weeks earlier, said he had twenty-five new cases, the majority of whom were high school students. Dr. Soegaard stated he had 19 patients, all high school students. It was decided that wherever the disease appeared a placard would be posted in a conspicuous place on the home, all cases had to be reported, and anyone residing in homes with the infections shall not be permitted to attend any public or private school or attend a public gathering. Churches were asked to cancel Christmas events and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Stephens cancelled their annual movie for the town’s children, although a toy giveaway would be held.

Bob Crum

A service will be held at Bardsdale Cemetery at 11am on Thursday, January 21, for our friend Bob Crum. Many in town knew Bob, and we will all miss his ready smile and abundant joy for life. You are all welcome to come remember our friend. Bob's obituary will be in next week's Gazette.