Mel Phillips circa 1900 in Santa Paula by the Union Oil Building. Mel was who lived and ran a taxidermist shop across the street from Owen and would have fun stories about how Owens Chicken would end up in his yard.
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Everett Pyle.
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Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum

In the article “Early Law in Fillmore” we wrote about various early lawmen and then followed up with specific stories such as “Jack Casner, Lawman, Cattleman,” and “Crime and Punishment, Parts One and Two.”

One early lawman we mention only briefly was Owen Miller, probably the most colorful of Fillmore’s constabulary. The following is a reprint from “City of Fillmore, Golden Anniversary Year, 1914 – 1964,” published by the City of Fillmore. It’s not clear who wrote this particular portion, but we know Lawrence Hinckley at least contributed to the publication.

Owen Miller’s Pepper Tree
In the early days there were a number of pepper trees in the business block of the town. Old timers tell the following story about one of these trees.

Owen Miller ran a hotel and livery stable in the center of town and one of the largest of Fillmore’s pepper trees grew directly in front of his hostelry. After Fillmore was incorporated, the first and second Councils ordered all pepper trees in the main block of Central Avenue cut down to make way for the installation of sidewalks. Owen had the reputation of being a pretty good man with a gun, and he passed the word around that he would shoot any man who chopped down his tree. Thereupon he sat on his front porch with a gun conspicuously between his knees.

One morning Everett Pyle, a member of the City Council, walked down the street and stopped in front of the hotel. He carried an axe over his shoulder.

“Good morning, Owen,” said Everett.

“Good morning,” said Owen. “What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to chop down this pepper tree.”

“Chop down that tree and I’ll shoot you,” said Owen.

“I have neither chick, nor child,” replied Everett. “If you shoot me, I’ll not be missed, and you will hang for murder, and this tree will be cut down anyhow, so go ahead and shoot.

With that Everett started chopping away. Owen Miller got up, went into his hotel and didn’t come out for three days.

[Editor’s note: Here’s different version of what happened to the tree:
Owen Miller, town constable and bootlegger owned the Central Hotel, south of where Sprouse-Reitz building is now. When the City dads decided in 1917 that the pepper trees looked countrified in a business district, they ordered them cut down. The crew worked north from the railroad track until only one tree was left, that in front of Owen Miller's Hotel. Dale King tells us what happened next.

Owen liked the shade on his front porch, and out he roared with gun in hand and told the crew to get lost or he'd shoot, and he meant it. The crew took off.

A few days later Everett Pyle, Fillmore's second mayor, came by with ax in hand and told Owen he'd come to cut down the tree.

"You touch that tree and I'll kill you," roared Owen,

"Well, “said Everett calmly, "look at it this way. You shoot me and you'll go to jail and somebody else will cut down the tree."
Owen just pointed his gun, and Everett went away. You didn't argue with Owen. (The west was still a bit wild in Fillmore.)

A week or so later Owen took his pack train up to Lockwood Valley to hunt, and while he was gone, down went the tree.

Owen was furious when he came back. He put a sign on the hotel's screen door that said, "Everybody welcome here but Everett Pyle. Everett Pyle keep out!"]

Owen’s Chickens
Owen was a colorful and unpredictable character and Mel Phillips, who lived and ran a taxidermist shop across the street from him in the early days, tells this story: Owen Miller’s chickens were constantly digging up Mel’s garden and helping themselves to the berry bushes. One day he saw an old hen and thirteen chicks in his yard. He watched the chicks grow until they were fryer size. By this time his patience was at an end, so he took a string, made a loop in it, and snared himself a couple of fryers. The fryers kept coming and Mel kept snaring them and living high off fried chicken. Finally, he had captured all thirteen so to top it off he stewed the old hen. He felt sure Owen had a pretty good idea what was happening to his flock, but his neighbor said nary a word. A few days after the old hen had landed in the stew pot, Mel was visiting with Owen over near the Miller livery stable. Just then some of Owen’s chickens walked by and he said, “Mel, I have more of these blamed chickens around here than I know what to do with. You look like a man who would enjoy a good chicken dinner so catch yourself a couple of fryers and take them home with you.

That ends the stories from 1965, but as was written in “Crime and Punishment, Part Two,” Owen Miller was not just the constable and hotel owner, he was supposedly the most successful bootlegger in the area, much to the ire of the County Sherriff. Edith Jarrett wrote: “Once when the Ventura sheriff decided that Miller had gone too far, he planned to sneak in unexpectedly and administer a little punishment himself. But someone had tipped off Miller, who removed the bottles from his little hotel and buried them all in the manure pile behind his stable. The sheriff searched the place in vain. No evidence. After he had gone, Miller went out to uncover his cache. It had been a hot day, with the sun shining on the barnyard. You know what happened. Every bottle had burst from the heat. Even Miller got a good laugh out of the story when he told it himself.”

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On Tuesday, December 27th, 2022, at 6:28pm, Ventura County Fire, AMR Paramedics, and California Highway Patrol were dispatched to a single-vehicle accident on westbound SR-126 at Sycamore Road, 5-miles west of Fillmore. Arriving firefighters found a single vehicle in the center divider with front-end damage. The occupant, Crystal Sandoval, 59, of Fillmore, was reported to be trapped in a 2007 Toyota Camry and unconscious. She had been traveling eastbound on the rain-soaked highway and for unknown reasons veered into the westbound lane, colliding with a concrete divider. Firefighters were able to extricate Sandoval from the vehicle by 7:00pm. She was transported to Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC) and was placed in a medically induce coma. On scene, CHP requested an evidence tow to respond to the scene; drugs/alcohol are not considered a factor in the crash. The accident is under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. Crystals friends have set up a GoFundMe account (www.gofundme.com/f/crystal-sandoval-car-accident-medical-expenses) to help defray her medical costs. According to the GoFundMe page, “As a result of the car accident, she has suffered swelling and bleeding of the brain, both of her ankles are broken, as well as her wrists, and a fractured pelvis. Crystal is currently in a medical induced coma to help with brain recovery where she will stay until the swelling goes down. She will need multiple surgeries once she is strong enough. The teams at VCMC are working around the clock to give her the best care possible. Crystal has a long road to recovery. With the recent loss of medical coverage our families are going to do everything we can to get her the care she needs. If you can find it in your heart to donate, anything you can give will be greatly appreciated.” The fundraiser is organized by Nicole Carroll, Erin Carroll and David Valenzuela. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News.

Our Fillmore Shockwaves cross country has concluded their season 2022 with 2 Junior Olympics AAU in Tennessee and USATF in Texas. This Season brought too many challenges from our athletes with Covid 19, RSV, viruses, rain, wind and hot weather. Some of our runners did not make it to the Junior Olympics due to the challenges. The first Junior Olympic was AAU National Championship in Knoxville, Tennessee on December 3rd, 2022. This race took place in Victor Ashe Park, the athletes ran in rain, mud, and cold weather. The lows were 39F and the highs 60F. Our first athlete was Coach Isrrael Estrada running the 5K Master opening Race. Isrrael got 5th place overall out of 18 athletes. He got 2nd place on his group age 45/49 with a time of 21:59.99. Isrrael brought a silver medal to Ventura County.

The 2nd race of the day was the high school runners. We have Niza Laureano running a 5k. She finished 16th place out of 60 girls. Niza placed 10th on her group, age 15, with a time of 21:10.47 bringing a medal to Ventura County. The Boys high school athletes Joshua Estrada and Jirhet Cruz running a 5K. Joshua Estrada finished his race 53rd place out of 96 athletes. Joshua finished 13th place out of his group, age 16, with a time of 19:45.10, and his teammate Jirhet Cruz finished in 72nd place out of 96 athletes. He placed 24thin his group, age 15, with a time of 20:44.70. The next race was 13/14 girls running a 4K. This year, Paola Estrada fought the flu, the cold, and a knee injury. She finished 41st out of 150 girls. Paola finished 26th in her group, age 13, with a time of 16:57.95. Jorge Cruz was the next runner placing 151st out of 219 boys. Jorge placed 86th in his group, age 13, with a time of 17:03.50. The following race was by 9/10-year-old girls 3k. On this race, we have Leah Laureano finishing in 26th place overall out of 127 girls. She finished in 9th place out of her group, age 9, with a time of 13:58.86 bringing Ventura County a medal. Almost the last race of the day was 7/8 boys 2k. On this race we have Jesus Cruz placing in 41st place out of 88 athletes. He finished in 34th place on his group, age 8, with a time of 9:21.64. The last race of the day was the 7/8 girls 2k. On this race we have Kamila Estrada finishing in 56th place overall out of 70 athletes. Kamila finished in 13th place on her group age 7 with a time of 10:38.65. Her teammate Aniyah Hogains finished in 16th place overall out of 70 girls. Aniyah finished 15th place in her group age of 8 with a time of 8:55.88. This Athlete helped their team to place in First place bringing Ventura County 2 medals, AAU hat, and an All-American Honors. In this Junior Olympics we had several athletes that were not able not make it due to sickness or personal reasons, but we want to congratulate them for their amazing season. Hila Sasson, Hanna Sasson, Sarah Sasson, Naomi Sasson, Abraham Saldana and Isaac Saldana.

The USATF Junior Olympic took place in Dale Watts Cross Country Course in College Station, Texas. This time in Texas the weather was 80 F with 83% humidity and some rain. Aniyah Hogains was the first Shockwave runner to run. Aniyah got 26th place out of 189 girls 7/8. She took 25th place on her group, age 8, with a time of 8:11.2. The Second runner was Aaliyah Tarango. She ran sick but finished in 59th place out of 283 girls 9/10. She finished in 39th on her group, age 10, with a time of 12:30.3. Our last runner Paola Estrada running with a knee injury. She got 80th place out of 333 girls 13/14. Paola finished 53rd place on her group, age 13, with a time of 16:10.3. The runner has amazing coaches that taught them to run with their heart, to have fun, and to enjoy what they do. Thanks to the Coaches: Head Coach Temo Laureano, Assistants head coaches Isrrael Estrada and Juan Toledo and Coach Karina Estrada.

Pacific Coast Shockwaves Fillmore wants to thank everybody who supports the team. See you in our next season of 2023.

The Sespe River is flowing once again due to the 4.52 inches of rain Fillmore received in December, according to the Ventura County Watershed. In some parts of the Sespe the water nearly meets the sidewalk along the bike path behind Waterford Lane, taken the morning of January 1st, 2023. There was a flood watch in affect as of Tuesday, January 3rd to Thursday afternoon according to the National Weather Service. What - Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. Where - Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.
When - From Wednesday evening through Thursday afternoon. Impacts - Significant flash flooding and debris flows are possible, especially in and below recent burn scars. Excessive runoff may result in flooding of creeks, streams, and urban areas. While the
risk of main stem river flooding is low, water flowing through normally dry rivers may be a threat to some homeless communities. Courtesy https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=34.398990000000026&lon=-11...

The train horn is something different for everyone. For some, it is a nostalgic memory, for others, an annoyance, but for railroaders, it is all about safety. The City of Fillmore has within its limits, 17 public and private grade crossings all of which must have the horn sounded.

Federal law dictates that the engineer must blow the horn with a sequence of blasts in the fashion of long, long, short, and long no later than 15 second prior to entering the crossing. Failure to do so could also bring personal fine(s) to the engineer of up to $30,000, per incident.

But putting law aside for a moment, something that is routinely seen in Fillmore and throughout the country, are cars, trucks, and busses going around lowered crossing gates; vehicles that stop between the gates and the track, and pedestrians and bicyclists that try to quickly cross in an effort to beat the train. According to Operation Lifesaver, a person or vehicle in the United States is struck every three hours, usually ending in a fatality. It is a well-established but misunderstood fact that trains cannot stop quickly. The combination of weight and momentum, even at 10 mph, will propel a train, with air brakes locked in emergency for thousands of feet before coming to a complete stop.

Is there nothing that can be done for Fillmore’s peace and quiet? Yes. It’s called a quiet zone. Quiet zones can only be implemented by a public authority or local government, which must then pay for the upgrades to the crossings needed to bring them up to quite zone standards. The public authority or local government then assumes the liability if a vehicle or pedestrian is struck by a train within a quiet zone. There are quiet zones in cities and towns through the country.

Next time you hear the train horn and think it’s loud and annoying, just know that the engineer is mandated to do it in an effort to keep residents and train crews alike safe by alerting every one of the approaching train. – Matt Blackburn.

Mr. Blackburn is the Ventura Division Manager of the Sierra Northern Railway.

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By Carina Monica Montoya
ISBN: 9781467109185
$23.99 | Paperback
Available: Monday, January 30, 2023

About the Book
Fillmore is nestled at the foot of the Topatopa Mountains at the confluence of the Santa Clara River and Sespe Creek. The town was formed in 1887 and named after Jerome A. Fillmore, who was the general superintendent for the Southern Pacific Railroad at the time. The rail line enabled passenger travel and the transport of commercial agricultural products, and it put Fillmore on the map. Incorporated in 1914, Fillmore is one of the oldest incorporated towns in Ventura County and is designated as part of the county’s agricultural greenbelt. Fillmore’s history is based on it being located on some of the most productive agricultural and oil-rich lands in the country. Today, it is still a predominately agricultural town that supplies citrus, avocados, and a variety of vegetable crops around the country and abroad. It is a hidden small-town gem in Southern California, and its downtown architecture epitomizes small-town charm, making it a popular tourist destination and site for film and television productions.

About the Author
Author Carina Monica Montoya is a native Californian and resident of Fillmore. She has written several books for Arcadia Publishing. Some of the vintage images included here span more than 100 years and showcase Fillmore’s rich and vibrant history.

By Ken Wiseman, President Piru Neighborhood Council

There was something for everyone at this past Saturday’s Piru Christmas Parade and Festival. With over 20 entries in the parade, including the Fillmore Marching Band, Fire Dept., United Water Park services, Everde Growers float and many more. Top prizes went to Piru elementary school float that featured Principal Maria Baro as the Grinch, with lots of other enthusiastic students and faculty participating, including District Superintendent Christine Schieferle and other School board participants. 2nd place went to San Salvador youth who looked so amazing all dressed as angles, complete with halos, and 3rd place was a Christmas float entered by Alyssa Topete. Family and friends cheered when this 44th year’s Grand Marshalls, long time residents and much loved, Elma and Raymond Ponce, drove past the crowds. This year’s judges included Piru Neighborhood Council’s Treasurer, Judy Daley-Lovett, Betty-Lou Wiseman, and Boys and Girls Club’s Andrea Madrigal.

The festival then kicked off with the Mariachi Los Rayos band de Fillmore/Piru High School, followed by Urban Soul and our very own Piru River Band. Ruth’s Photography, offered free pictures of families as they posed with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus at a sleigh with a real live reindeer brought to our event by Phil’s Animals. Meghan Sheetz, with Ventura County Library passed out gifts and books, with lots of other activity at the Library van.

Several vendors sold local crafts and treasures, while Busters BBQ N Grill, Tacos ZACAPU, Kona Ice, and local restaurants catered to the crowd. Carnales Motorcycle Club, for their 15th year in a row, brought a truck load of toys and every child had there pick. Ventura Fire Safety was present to promote fire safety, while Rancho Camulos personnel were present to share Piru and area history.

Lots of thanks to all who attended, and special thanks to the several volunteers that made this happen. The amazing volunteer team this year was led by PNC’s Irene and Roy Ruiz and Manny and Juanita Mendoza also special thanks to our lead sponsor American Water, and a call out to the film industry and other businesses and individuals that have generously supported our Piru Neighborhood Council (PNC), that hosts these events.

The PNC is actively recruiting volunteers to help with these events. If you are interested, contact us at piruneighborhoodcouncilinc@yahoo.com

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

During the month of December 2022, Sheriff’s Gang Unit (SGU) detectives began an investigation into Jacob Escobedo related to illegal firearms and narcotics. During the investigation, detectives learned Escobedo is a convicted felon and on parole with a criminal history that prohibits him for owning and or possessing any firearms and ammunition.

On December 14th, 2022, Sheriff’s Gang Unit detectives coordinated with Fillmore Patrol to contact Escobedo in the city of Fillmore. Fillmore Patrol deputies conducted a traffic stop of Escobedo and executed a parole search of his person and vehicle. During the search, deputies located two loaded “Ghost Gun” firearms as well as a small amount of marijuana. Unregistered firearms such as the ones seized are commonly referred to as “Ghost Guns” because they are illegally manufactured firearms that lack serial numbers or markings.

Escobedo was booked at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility for a parole hold. Sheriff’s Gang Unit detectives are continuing to investigate multiple firearm violations Escobedo was found to be in violation of and anticipate further felony criminal charges. Escobedo remains in custody with no bail.

The Sheriff’s Gang Unit is comprised of eight detectives, who focus on protecting West County communities by actively investigating illegal firearm activities. The Sheriff’s Office has seen an increase of unlawful firearm activities in Ventura County, including illegal “ghost guns”. If you have any information about illegal weapons in the West County areas in the Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction, please contact Detective Matt Smith at 805-797-2891.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank members of the public for their on-going support and due diligence in providing information to assist our agency in solving crimes. We are better at what we do because of our community partnerships.

Join us in the fight on crime by following us on Twitter @VENTURASHERIFF, Facebook, Instagram @ VCSHERIFF, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and advisories.

Nature of Incident: Felon Arrested in Connection with Multiple Firearm Violations
Report Number: 22-165639
Location: 700 block of Ventura Street, Fillmore
Date & Time: 12/14/2022 @ 10:00 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Sheriff’s Gang Unit, Sheriff’s Fillmore Patrol
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent, City of Residence, Age
(S) Escobedo, Jacob, Santa Paula, 36
Prepared by: Senior Deputy Matt Smith
Approved by: Captain Garo Kuredjian

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Written by Carina Monica Montoya

A common sight here in Fillmore is a medium-size gray colored dog playing ball in the grassy area at the small park in the Bridges development. Her name is Scruffy and she’s a 5-year-old terrier-mix rescue. Scruffy can run alongside of the fastest greyhound, play ball and catch a frisbee as good as a champion Border Collie, work as proficient as any Golden or Labrador Retriever, perform guard dog duties as well as any German Shepherd, smart enough to rub elbows with highly trained protection dogs, and can provide affection and comfort to humans as good as a trained therapy dog. The main reason Scruffy is such a special dog is because she’s loved and is treated as a member of the family. To Scruffy, she belongs to a forever pack.

Found abandoned, alone, and wandering the streets in the San Fernando Valley when she was about 10 weeks old, an animal control officer found her and brought her to the shelter. She was a lucky dog, and I was fortunate to find her. She was my Christmas present in December 2017. It is a curious phenomenon that people often dump their animals around the holidays, and it is also around the holidays when people want puppies to give as gifts. It is easier to understand that sometimes it is necessary for a dog to be re-homed or taken to a non-kill shelter to be adopted for reasons beyond an owner’s control, such as loss of the owner, loss of a job, or relocation to a place where the owner cannot have a dog. Unfortunately, some people choose to dispose of a dog by taking it somewhere and turning it loose, or dumping puppies in a trash can. Dogs are dependent on their owner for food, shelter, and protection. Leaving it to wander at the risk of being killed by a car or wildlife, or abandoning it to die from starvation and dehydration from a trash can they are unable to escape, is human behavior that I will never understand.

Bringing a dog into your home is a responsibility. All domesticated dogs are dependent on their owner for food, shelter, safety, exercise, and attention. I’m sure that all dog-lovers agree that if you don’t treat your dog as a family member, you shouldn’t have a dog. The saying, “a dog is man’s best friend” was first used in 1789 when King Frederick of Prussia said, “the only absolute and best friend that a man has in this selfish world, the only one that will not betray or deny him, is his dog.” This is one reason that dogs have been man’s best friend for at least the past 15,000 years. Dogs are descendants from wolves, which man befriended, tamed, and cared for in exchange for them to work as guard dogs. It is said that “this reciprocal relationship remains in your dog’s genes and their loyalty is a by-product of it.”

There are approximately 3,500 animal shelters in the U.S. that are filled with unwanted animals. By rescuing a dog from a shelter, you will be doing your part in saving it from an uncertain fate. In return, the dog will be grateful for getting a second chance, and you will get unconditional love, loyalty, and much more. Many people looking to adopt a dog prefer a puppy, but adopting young and older dogs often has positive benefits, such as they are no longer teething; they are house trained; and they have been socialized with people and other animals.

If you are thinking about giving a dog as a gift to someone for Christmas, consider adopting a rescue because there are so many dogs in need of a permanent home. To me, Scruffy is a “gift that keeps on giving.” Little does she know that I am the lucky one.

Happy Holidays to you and your furry pets!

Lin Thomas (1941-2022)

The FHS Alumni Association is receiving donations for a new Industrial Arts Scholarship in the name of Lin Thomas, FHS ’59. Lin passed away on May 27, 2022. He taught various industrial art classes at Fillmore High until his retirement in 2002. In each of the final three years of teaching he led an auto restoration project that entailed him and his students restoring a Ford Model A Pickup which they subsequently drove in the History Channel’s Great Race. If you would like to make a donation to this scholarship in Mr. Thomas’s name, you can mail your check to FHS Alumni., 559 Sespe Ave., Fillmore, CA. 93015. You can also make a donation via the Alumni’s Website at www.fillmorehighalumni.com, click on “Donate” and follow the prompts. Thank You.