Looking Back to October 1956: Fish and Game manager commends police department
This look back at Paso Robles history comes from local newspapers in the Paso Robles Area Historical Society collection. News for this column is selected with the assistance of Research Director Jan Cannon. Newspaper photography by GiGi Green.
Excerpts from Thursday, October 25, 1956 Paso Robles Journal
Fish-Game manager commends Paso Robles Police Department
The Paso Robles Police Department was commended, this week, by the Department of Fish and Game, “for the help and service given our field employees during the last three days of the deer season.”
Robert L. Jones, manager of Region III, in a letter addressed to Paso Robles police chief Elmer Morehouse, said, “It is very gratifying to receive reports from the field pointing up the fine cooperation extended our personnel from agencies such as yours.
“As you know, this was the first general either-sex deer season California has had, and it was of particular importance to us to get as much information as possible.
“This new program is popular with sportsmen when first introduced. It has proven however to be of utmost value in maintaining good, healthy deer herds in areas where population growths are increasing as they are in this state. For this reason we are particularly grateful to you for your help in making it possible for us to gather the management information.”
Enclosed in the letter was a report analyzing the kill information. According to Jones’ tabulation, 451 deer were bagged during the three days in Region III. Of the total, 11 were bucks, 244 were adult does, 119 yearlings, and 77 fawns. Does averaged 62 pounds in weight, yearlings 50, and fawns 20 pounds.
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Four hurt in birthday party riot
The “victims” of a birthday party, that began quietly enough, Saturday night, in the home of Willie Battson, did most of their singing this morning to Justice Court Judge Roy Fanning.
Just what happened during an intra-party squabble that flared suddenly, about 12:30 a.m. Sunday, in the Battson manor at 2`29 San Luis Street, is not entirely clear, but there is a nice assortment of allegations from which to choose. Judge Fanning believes the situation will be clarified when Willie comes to trial on November 13. Host Battson pleaded not guilty, today to the battery complaints signed by two of his guests—Mesdames Maxine Wilson and Marine Hopkins.
Pending the official probe, here are the series of incidents reported by the Paso Robles police, which led up to the party riot.
(1) At 12:29 a.m. Sunday, the station received a call from the Paso Robles Hospital, informing the officers that a woman (identified later as Maxine Wilson) had been brought into the institution for treatment of a cut over one ear.
(2) Exactly sixty seconds later, as Police Captain Orval Webber and Officer Sidan were going out to investigate the matter, a second call, from Martin Sanchez, of 2140 Victoria Street, reported progress of the Riverside riot, and added that “shots are being fired.”
When police officers arrived on the scene, however, they found that all was quiet.
(3) Shortly after the investigating officers returned to the station a Mrs. Marine Hopkins dropped by to complain of knife wounds. The Five-Points, California woman exhibited cuts on the back of her head, her left hand, and her left ring finger.
According to Mrs. Hopkins, she had received the cuts during the birthday party altercation. She said that Willie had “pushed my mother (Millie Jordan, age 62), and when I got into the fight he hit me with a two-by-four.” Mrs. Hopkins, attempting to flee the two-by-four, fell to the ground, and while horizontal, was allegedly cut by a knife at the hands of Willie.
(4) Officers conducting questioning at the hospital were told by patient Maxine Wilson of Guadalupe, that she “had got hit by a flying object.” She is of the opinion that Willie, whom she says was very angry, was throwing things about rather indiscriminately. She also said that Willie and his wife had been quarreling, “that started the whole thing. Then, when Mrs. Jordan interfered, he pushed her, and then came Marine Hopkins.”
(5) Willies wife arrived for treatment of an injured ankle.
(6) Joseph Lighten, of 1406 Railroad, who was not a guest, allegedly fired several shots from a rifle about the time “the party was going full blast.” For this misdemeanor, Joseph was picked up Sunday morning as he drove by the police station.
Officers believe that he merely fired a few shots in the air, but the anti-aircraft volley landed the marksman in jail when he was unable to post $100 bail.
Read previous Looking Back articles
- Looking Back to 1940: City refunds water deposits to renters, 1554 locals register for the draft
- Looking Back to 1916: Couple celebrates golden anniversary, city plans Halloween ‘Big Jinx’
- Looking Back to 1955: Community celebrates Pioneer Day Silver Anniversary
- Looking Back to October 1954: Paso Robles set for Pioneer Day
- Looking Back to 1936: New police car and traffic cop approved
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