History of the Banta Inn - Separating Fact from Fiction

I had been hearing for years about this allegedly haunted spot near Tracy, California known as the Banta Inn. There are all sorts of write-ups online about it, and even a few books that mention the location as well. With each telling and retelling of the story, it is apparent that 99% of the people who have published about the Banta Inn have just regurgitated the same story they got from somebody else. Sadly, most people are notorious for this and it doesn't help the location by continuing to tell incorrect history about it.

So, a few years back my fiance and I headed out to Banta, a small town just outside of Tracy, to check out this "haunted" Banta Inn. From the exterior, it just looks like an old bar. Nothing special. But, when you get inside, it truly is a really cool place. The bar has dollar bills hanging from the ceiling, and old decor that you would seen in an old dive. The atmosphere inside alone was something worth taking note of. We sat down in the cafe area towards the back, and I sipped on a Shirley Temple as the waitress was kind enough to bring us a folder of newspaper clippings, not of historic value, but of ghost stories having been published in recent years. We enjoyed our quiet time, as we were the only patrons there that afternoon, and we walked around taking photos and just soaking up the atmosphere for a little while. 

By the time we stepped out of there, I was determined to find out the true history of this historic location and it has been my mission to do this ever since.

So, what is the true history of this location?

Well, let's start out with the legends and lore that have been circulating for a very long time, and then I will get to the truth.

To begin, if you go over to the "Historical Marker Database" online it says:

"Originally built as a two storey saloon / sporting house in 1879 by Frank Gallegos, reputed former member of Joaquin Murrieta's band. The inn has continued as a saloon to this day.

The inn suffered a major fire in 1937 and was rebuilt retaining some of the original timbers. The inn remained in the Gallegos family until 1981. It was then sold by the youngest daughter of Frank Gallegos, Jenny Gukan, when she was 92 years old.

The inn is also alleged to be haunted by the spirit of the late Tony Gukan, third husband of Jenny Gukan."  

This historical marker was erected in 1989 by E Clampus Vitus Tuleburgh Chapter #69.

So, is any of this information on the very plaque that is attached to the building correct? 

Sadly, No.

For one, Frank Gallego (not Gallegos) was born in 1863, a whole 10 years AFTER Joaquin Murrieta had been allegedly beheaded by Harry Love. So, unless the ghost of Joaquin Murrieta was coming around when Frank was in diapers, I truly doubt they hung out together. 

The establishment in Banta was also built in 1897, NOT 1879. Again, facts people, FACTS!!

There was also NO FIRE that burned the building either, but we will get into that in just a bit.

According to the book, History of San Joaquin County,by George Tinkham, the biography he wrote about Frank Gallego reads: 

"Another strong advocate of irrigation, whose success in ranching has given force to his arguments as to one of the most vital of all needs in parts of California, is Frank Gallego, the popular and wide-awake merchant of Banta.  

A native son, he was born at Pleasanton, Alameda County, on September 24, 1862, the youngest son of Anselmo Gallego, a native of the City of Mexico, who came to California in the great Argonaut year of 1849.  He settled in Pleasanton Valley and became prominent as a stockman, trying his luck in the mines of that period.  His paternal ancestors were subjects of the Crown of Spain, and he inherited much that anyone might envy.  The father married Juanita Carrasco, a native also of the City of Mexico, and a charming and accomplished lady.  These worthy parents made a splendid record.  Both are now deceased, having passed away at Banta in 1887.

And there, Frank Gallego grew to maturity, and became a rider on the range of his father; and when his parents died, he continued near Banta until 1897, farming to grain and stock.  Mr. Gallego was married to Miss Bernal, a daughter of Antonio Bernal, and a descendant of Don Bruno Bernal of San Jose de Guadalupe, and owner of the Rancho Santa Teresa; and two children were born to them:  Juanita has become the wife of Paul de Ranga, and they have one daughter, and reside at Stockton; and there also Antonio resides.  Mrs. Gallego died at San Jose in 1893, and Mr. Gallego’s second marriage united him with Miss Refugia Ortega, a sister of Mrs. John A. Fellom, Sr., of Gilroy.  She was born at San Ysidro, received a good education at St. Mary’s Convent, Gilroy, and was married in 1895.  Now she is the mother of one son, Anselmo R., who is employed by the Southern Pacific Railway at Tracy, and resides at Banta.  Mr. Gallego is a Republican.  He is a member of the I. D. E. S. at Stockton.

In 1897 Mr. Gallego removed to Banta, and there he now conducts a soft-drink parlor, and also owns and manages much good realty, including his residence.  He has 120 acres adjoining Banta on the south, and there he has installed a complete irrigation plant, greatly improving the property, which he operates himself as a grain and alfalfa farm.

Mr. Gallego’s first business in Banta in the early ‘90s was to operate a sheep-shearing and sheep-dipping camp.  He was a professional sheep shearer, working in California, Nevada and Oregon.  His record was shearing 143 sheep per day, then dancing all night, and shearing as many as the next day.  He made this record at Firebaugh, Fresno County, when he worked for Miller & Lux.  His excellent wife kept a boarding house in Banta for eighteen years and was in every way a true and loyal helpmate to her husband."--- 

So you see, Frank Gallego was NOT a friend of Joaquin Murrieta, and his tavern was not built in 1879, but instead 1897. That is a huge difference. Also, his family were respectable people within the community, and the reason I point that out is because another one of the "rumors" surrounding the Banta Inn, goes back to prostitution, involvement with the mob during prohibition and even just a bad element of people coming in and out. And that couldn't be further from the truth. There is no way, this decent and honorable, hard working family-run business would be associated with such things, and it is not only a disrespect but an insult to insinuate anything of the sort.

The refreshment parlor was originally known as "Cool Corners" before later becoming known as the Banta Inn in 1937.

Tracy Press, 10/28/1938

Going back to the lore surrounding the Inn, there are numerous accounts listed where people claim that there was a huge fire that burned the Banta Inn down and during this fire, a woman and child were trapped inside and died. This is also FALSE. 

The Banta Inn never burned down. I scoured all of the archived newspapers searching for any shred of evidence of this story, and there was no fire in 1937 and the building did not burn down. 

There was a fire in the town of Banta on October 22, 1938, however it didn't come close to the Banta Inn, and only destroyed a warehouse, a storage house and the Canale & Sons Merchandise store. That's it. 

Going back one year to 1937, why did the Gallego family decide to rebuild the Banta? Well, according to the newspaper article dated, April 16, 1937, Frank's son, Sammy, had taken over the proprietorship after Frank passed away in 1934, and Sammy felt the need to tear down the outdated, dilapidated tavern and construct a brand new building.

According to an article in the Tracy Press, it states:

"On a corner lot on the corner of his native town, a lot which had been in the family for many years and which also for many years was occupied by one of the oldest buildings in the community - that old building also belonging to the family of the boy who wen to town  -- the said "boy" is spending his money to express his faith in my home town. The "boy" in the story is none other than A.R. (Sammy) Gallego and the home town is none other than Banta.

Quite a number of years ago "Sammy" was the "blessed event" in the Gallego family, being born not more than 100 feet from where he is now spending his hard-earned cash. But to get on with the story. The first thing to be done was to remove the old building before mentioned and to erect a brand new structure on the site. The new place has been named “The Banta Inn” and now Banta can and does boast of a fine place to eat, and incidentally, to drink, as there is a bar in the front part of the café and everything.

The mere building of the Banta Inn was just a start in the mind of the man spending his money. He had visions of other things and as a result he has already completed (or nearly completed) seven cottages.

Each of the cottages is to have every convenience to be found in most any automobile camp, and some conveniences not found in some camps.

The interior of the places are so arranged as to make every inch of floor space count and to be the most convenient for the occupants. The bed rooms are furnished with Simmons beds, springs and mattresses, the best that money could buy, and the kitchen is supplied with gas plates, and metal cabinets, presenting an exceptionally neat appearance and every convenience.

Six of the cabins are well under way to completion and a gang of men is now busy doing the finishing while other men are at work getting the foundations and frame work of the one under way." ---

The article also mentions how Sammy made his fortune, having started working for the Southern Pacific Railway company for over 13 years, and later venturing off to be a perishable freight agent for Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad Company and the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company, which his office having been located in the Wells Fargo building in San Francisco.

It also stated that he was such a busy guy juggling so much work, that although he was still the “big boss” at Banta Inn, he hired “Chuck” Holdaway as manager with Mrs. Holdaway acting as the cook at the restaurant.

So you can see, that this place was a jumping spot, and was said to be a pretty classy one at that. There was no seedy element coming into this place and there was no mention of it having been that way before either.

At some point it seems the proprietorship became too much for Sammy (Anselmo Raymond Gallego), so his older sister Juanita "Jennie" Gallego Gukan took over with her husband Anton Gukan. Jennie had married Anton or "Tony" after her first husband, Paul De Ranja
passed away. She and Anton ran the place for many years.

Anton Gukan was born on September 17. 1888. A native of Austria, Gukan married Jennie and settled in Banta. Sadly, just before Christmas on December 28, 1960, Anton passed away on the property. I found this information in a newspaper headline in the Tracy Press, that read  “Banta Café Owner Dies After Heart Attack At Home.”- Dec 30, 1960. Jennie lived for another 26 years before she, too passed away. 

Everyone is buried at the Tracy Cemetery, which I have an interesting story pertaining to this subject. You see, after our visit to the Banta Inn, we decided to head over to the Tracy Cemetery to see if we could find Mr. Gallego and Mr. Gukan. Sure enough, my fiance literally pulled up to the exact spot where Mr. Gukan is buried and parked his car on the driveway. When we got out of the car, there it was. These sorts of things happen to us all the time, but this day it was extra special. 

We wandered the cemetery and we eventually found Mr. Gallego's grave, too. Such a simple marker, for such a hard working patriarch of a great family. 

In the past 40 years or so, the rumors sprang up about the Banta Inn being haunted. Tales of this false fire taking place, killing these imaginary people have sparked interest in the public, especially ghost hunters. Then with the death of Mr. Gukan himself, that threw fuel to the fire, and kept the haunted theories burning.

Sadly though, the people who keep flocking to Banta to investigate either don't research the story thoroughly or they just believe other writers (who obviously didn't either). And with that, the tales of the Banta Inn continue to be told incorrectly.

In the book, "Dinner and Spirits: A Guide to America's Most Haunted Restaurants, Taverns, and Inns" by Robert Wlodarski, he completely tells the story wrong. For one, Jennie didn't come to Banta in 1895, she was only born in 1890. She was just a little girl then. Also, he brings up that pesky fire rumor again, but like I showed you, there are no records whatsoever that the building ever burned down in a fire at all.

If you google haunted Banta Inn, you will find site after site claiming the same old story, but no one has ever really shared the facts behind the location's history and or disproven the myth and lore that has been spread for so many years.

Well, I hope that you enjoyed this deep dive into the history of the Banta Inn. Happy History Hunting!

(Copyright 2021)- J'aime Rubio, www.jaimerubiowriter.com 

Attack At the Maze Hotel - Modesto History

The Ross House, as seen in the book "One Hundred Years"-

In my line of work, over the years I have had to debunk many television program's so-called facts, in order to set a story or two straight, when certain paranormal programs have literally shared false history or inaccurate history of a certain person, place or thing. In a recent episode of "The Dead Files" the program featured a certain costume shop in Modesto that is purported to be haunted. I have known the owner of this shop, Dana Walters for almost a decade, and I have been friends with Eva Foreman, an employee at that shop for just as long, so naturally, when I heard about the upcoming episode I wanted to see what it was all about and just what the "show" was going to say about the location.

Again, I am not a fan of paranormal shows in general, because I can see through the smoke and mirrors, to view it for what it is: blatant sensationalism. Time and time again, as I stated above, I have literally debunked or "fact checked" many of these types of shows over the years, only to reveal the actual stories that they either told completely wrong, or set stories straight when various stories had been fabricated and hadn't even taken place to begin with. So, when the episode brought local history into the mix, I was intrigued to see if the television show actually got it right. (Which in 99% of the cases, they don't).

After watching the episode, and after having taken extensive notes, I went deep diving into the archives in search for the facts behind one particular story that the tv show mentioned regarding Andrew Sorensen. Sorensen was said to be the man who allegedly attacked his wife with a butcher knife and then slit his throat in the Maze Hotel in Modesto. According to this television program, that event was a "possible" cause for what could be the dark energy haunting the shop, since the stars of the show claimed this particular location where this horrific story had occurred was literally within feet of the costume shop itself.

After lengthy research, I have found that although some of the story they told was accurate (to an extent), there was a huge piece of information that was completely inaccurate: 

The Maze Hotel was not even remotely close to the costume shop!

The costume shop is on 7th Street, between L and M Streets, whereas the incidents that took place in 1910 involving the Sorensen's at the Maze Hotel, was located on the corner of 9th and I Street. 

Now that I have cleared up the misinformation that this event in history DID NOT actually take place anywhere near the costume shop, now I am going to give you the history of the Maze Hotel and share with you all the particulars surrounding the incident that took place on December 30, 1910.

History of the Maze Hotel

Originally, the first structure on the corner of 9th and I Streets was The Ross House, which was "for many years Modesto's leading hotel, and the scene of the town's big social soirees. It was built originally in Paradise City by Frank Ross, the man who gave it his name. In 1869, realizing that its days were numbered with the arrival of the railroad in Modesto, Ross sold out to James Cole, who formerly ran a stage station on the way to Sonora." -(A Hundred Years, Modesto 1870-1970)

As the book goes on, it mentions that Cole had the building moved to Modesto on November 20, 1870.  It was moved in two sections, with the second part arriving the following week. 

"The Maze Hotel, mentioned in the Modesto Irrigation Jubilee of 1904 as the headquarters of Governor and Mrs. Pardee and their party, was the name then given to the old Ross House at Ninth and I on the present site of the Claremont Hotel." -- (The Claremont is no more, and it appears that later the site was Mead's Bakery & Restaurant, and even later, it is now a parking lot on the southeast corner, across from McDonald's.)

Google Street View (looking East on I Street/9th Intersection)

The Maze Hotel was owned by none other than the Maze family, a prominent family in Modesto. When they purchased the property and changed the name from the Ross House is unknown to me. I couldn't find that in any of the records I searched. I did however find that the Sweet family managed the property around 1908, before Marie Sorensen decided to jump into the hospitality business and took up as the proprietor of the hotel sometime around 1909.

From the looks of everything I could find in records, newspaper clippings and census records, it appears that Marie Sorensen was very much the social butterfly, and (in my opinion) I believe she was more than likely the dominant one in the relationship. The newspapers noted she was "lively and vivacious", but what really gave it away was the 1910 census record. 

When the census taker listed the couple, they listed Marie as the "Head" of the household. That was not common for that time period. In fact, unless a woman was alone, such as a widow with children she wasn't listed as the head. The husband, or whatever man in the family was always listed as the head of the household, at least back during that time period, anyway. And in this case, Mr. Sorensen took the #2 slot on the census list for their "household." 

This listing alone gave me the impression that Mrs. Sorensen was a very independent person, and didn't think conventionally as the subservient sort of wife. All the newspaper clippings I could find relating to Andrew Sorensen spoke of him as the more quiet, reserved type. Although a later article threw in the idea that he was of the "jealous disposition." 

Marie came from one of Modesto's more prominent families, being the daughter of W. S. Stone. While Andrew also came from another prominent family, his father being M.I. Sorensen, the late Deputy County Recorder. 

Andrew Sorensen, was financially invested in the grocery business, having been working in that field for well over 10 years. By 1909, he was one of the owners of the A. Stiefvater & Co. Store, but sold his interest in it, as well as his interest in the Diamond Grocery Company, in order to help his wife manage the Maze Hotel.

It seems that perhaps they were having some sort of financial troubles, because by August of 1910, Marie Sorensen had decided to tell her landlady, Mrs. Maze that she was no longer going to keep the Maze Hotel open for customers, and instead was planning on running the Plato Hotel which was literally behind the Maze on the other side of the city block on 10th Street. Apparently, Mrs. Maze, the landlady had decided to raise the rent and Mrs. Sorensen decided that she did not want to continue managing the hotel. Still, by December, the Sorensen's were still there, going back and forth between the Maze Hotel and the Plato Hotel, literally having had an "annex" put in between the two properties that connected back to back. 

Interestingly, the Plato Hotel (823 10th Street) was once just an Opera House that was on the 2nd floor of the Plato's Menswear building on 10th Street (just south of I Street). In 1910, Marie Sorensen somehow managed to get proprietorship of this spot when the old hall was converted to a lodging house which consisted of 13 rooms.

It was on December 30, 1910, when the unthinkable occurred. 

According to the Modesto Bee, dated 12/30/1910 it stated:

“While Temporarily Insane Sorensen Makes Murderous Attack Upon His Wife and Then Cuts His Own Throat; Wife in a Critical Condition

Modesto was shocked out of all reason shortly after two o’clock this afternoon by one of the most ghastly tragedies which ever happened in this state, when Andrew Sorensen, one of the best known and most respected business men of this city, after a fiendish attack upon his wife, in which she was seriously wounded, slashed his own throat from ear to ear with a butcher knife, dying a few moments later.........

Undoubtedly Deranged

Sorensen, who was undoubtedly temporarily deranged, has been acting rather strangely for the past few days, but had shown no signs of violence before, so far as has been learned. Today, however, his mind appears to have been upset, through some little disagreement with his wife; but the attack this afternoon came without the slightest warning.

The assault occurred at the head of the stairs of the Maze Hotel. Mrs. Sorensen was met at the head of the stairs by her husband, who struck her several times, hitting her on the head and arms, using the large carving knife which he had taken from the kitchen. The act was witnessed by carpenters who were working nearby, and whose cries served to stay the assault. The screams of Mrs. Sorensen attracted others about the house, who appeared upon the scene immediately, and directed their attention to her.....

When Deputy Sheriff’s Dallas and Swatzel came to the door of his room they found it locked. The door was quickly opened by the men, and they entered the room to find Sorensen lying on the end of the bed in a pool of blood and still alive. Dr. F.R. DeLappe arrived at this moment, and an effort was made to get Sorensen to talk, but he was unable to do so, as his windpipe had been completely severed, the larynx being in plain sight. He died as he was lifted from the bed by Deputy Sheriff Swatzel and others.

 Head Almost Severed

From the position of the body on the bed, and the marks of his bloodstained hands on the foot and head of the bed, it was evident that Sorensen had made three slashes with the large carving knife, the blade of which was over 12 inches long. While he was still alive when the officers arrived on the scene, and probably conscious, he was unable to make any sound, and sank very rapidly."---

According to an even more detailed account by the Modesto Morning Herald, dated January 5, 1911, more pieces to the puzzle came to light.  According to Edith Simon, of Stockton (who happened to be Andrew Sorensen's cousin), Miss Simon stated that Andrew had just come back from the post office when he began choking his wife. Miss Simon struggled with Andrew to let her go, and he did, and walked away.  Mrs. Sorenson, being terrified of what just happened, locked the door to the room she was in and left out another exit to the hallway towards the room of Mrs. Leiter. At this point Andrew Sorensen had went to the kitchen to get the 12 inch butcher knife. As Mrs. Sorensen was standing at the head of the stairs that led from the street, her husband grabbed her at the waist and started slashing at her head.

Her screams immediately got the attention of Mr. Tucker and Mr. Dawes who were working on repairs in the hotel. Dawes grabbed hold of Andrew Sorensen and attempted to restrain him, while the latter attempted to raise the knife at him. Tucker yelled, and Andrew Sorensen was able to break away and run out the back towards the Plato Hotel "Annex" which connected through the back yard of the hotel. 

This was when Mr. Gullickson, a 33 year old Carpenter from Norway, who was working in the yard in the back of the hotel heard the commotion and rushed up the stairs of the hotel. According to the newspaper Mr. Sorensen retreated to the upstairs of the Plato, more than likely where the couple were actually staying, as the other newspaper accounts claim it was "his room."

This is where the story gets very strange. The inquest and all newspaper accounts claim that when Sorensen was found, in a locked room at the Plato Hotel, that he had slit his throat from ear to ear, and that the cut was so deep, he had nearly decapitated himself. 

According to Sheriff Deputy Swatzel, he knocked on Sorensen's door, and found that it was locked. He stated that he climbed up onto the transom (it is a small window that is above the door, usually used to allow air and light into the room) he could see that Sorensen was "kneeling at the side of the bed with blood gushing from his throat.....I tried again to gain entrance through the door, but failing in that, I forced an 'inside" window and entered the room. He was beyond all hope, however, as an examination disclosed that his head was almost completely severed from his body. Death must have been instantaneous, although I felt of Sorensen's pulse and detected a feeble action, which Dr. De Lappe, who arrived soon after I did, said was not unusual in a death of this nature."

As the newspapers started to report the story, and the inquest came out, more and more speculation arose. Was Andrew a jealous man who went suddenly insane? Or did he have an inherited condition that left him mentally deranged?

"It has been known to his family and friends for some time that Mr. Sorensen was mentally deranged, but as the spells were merely temporary, it was not believed that he would do any harm and his wife refused to have committed to an institution as was advised by some of her friends. To this state of mind can be attributed the tragedy on Friday. On two previous occasions, Mr. Sorensen attacked his wife, choking and otherwise maltreating her, but as soon as the spell passed he was full of remorse. He is said to have stated recently that should he harm his wife during one of these spells he would take his own life. Their four years of married life had been most congenial and Mr. Sorensen was greatly devoted to his wife.

A few weeks ago Mr. Sorensen's mother, Mrs. Anna Sorensen, took her son to the well known specialist Dr. Moffat of San Francisco. The latter told the mother that Andrew was suffering from paralysis of the brain and that it was doubtful if he would live more than two months. The physician also stated, it is said, that the nature of the disease would render him incapable of harming anyone. His father, who died some years ago, was a victim of the same malady."

Even with all of this information, the idea that Andrew Sorensen had the physical ability to slice his throat so deeply that it was nearly severed from his body made me want to dig deeper.

The medical report "Homicidal Cut Throat: The Forensic Perspective," details the differences between suicidal, accidental and homicidal cut throat deaths. It explains how in homicidal cases, when the assailant is behind the victim and restraining the head, that is how the deep penetrating gash would be possible. In a suicide, the person would not have the strength to penetrate as deeply, and a lot of the time they will have a spasm where they die with the knife in their hands. This did not happen with Andrew.

Although the newspapers claimed Sorensen had made 3 deep gashes and slit his own throat from ear to ear nearly severing his head from his body, this does not equate to the type of wound that would be self-inflicted. Like the medical journal reported, in order to have such a deep wound that literally nearly severs a head from its body, you would need sheer force of two hands, one holding the neck still while the other uses brute force to slash. A person, even in a fit of insanity, would have died long before he was able to inflict himself with such a deep wound (again, remember, this isn't a standard run of the mill throat cutting....all the reports say his head was nearly severed off!). 

This story just didn't sit well with me, and that is why I had to go back.....back to the story.

Now, normally I am not one for speculating, as I am always the one seeking facts. But in this story, we cannot bring Andrew back to ask him what happened. However, the physical evidence that was made available to the public was there to review all along. 

****It is the author's personal "educated guess" that one of the men that was working at the hotel that day, in a selfless act of defending Mrs. Sorensen after what had just happened to her, this person went back to where Andrew Sorensen was at the Plato Hotel (upstairs) and fought with him, held him down on the bed from behind and slit this throat. The person could have walked away, locking the door behind him without any blood on him, and even so, he could have easily stated it was Mrs. Sorensen's blood from coming to her rescue. By the time the Deputy Sheriff arrived, he found Andrew bleeding to death. With a gashed throat he would have never been able to tell him what happened, and so he died there on the bed.****

I believe that any question of what happened to Andrew, if they had initially suspected someone had attacked him in his room, was swiftly dismissed given the circumstances of what happened to Mrs. Sorensen, and since the perpetrator of the initial incident was now dead the coroner could rule it a suicide and be done with the matter. 

After the attack, Mrs. Sorensen was quickly sent to Evans Hospital where she was treated for cuts to her head and neck. She also had a severe wound to her wrist. Both the bone and tendons had been cut so badly, she nearly lost her hand, a severed finger, and she had two "split" fingers. She was listed in critical condition, but within a day the newspapers stated that she would survive. 

Saturday morning the inquest was held and it was determined that Andrew Sorensen's death was "caused by a knife wound inflicted while in a state of insanity." It was revealed that a note was found in Sorensen's room which was addressed to his mother. It consisted of two lines, which the coroner claimed was "illegible." 

Mrs. Sorensen was notified of her husband's death while she was convalescing at Evan's Hospital. The newspaper stated, "Although greatly shocked and grieved, she bore up bravely and showed a fortitude that was remarkable in view of her condition." 

Mr. Sorensen's body was held at Bowker & Wood, where a private service was held and officiated by Reverend J.J. White. The pall bearers were Native Sons and the Knights of the Pythias, where he was a member of both lodges. He was taken to the Odd Fellows Section of the Modesto Pioneer Cemetery where he was buried and forgotten.

Moving forward with her life, Mrs. Sorensen continued in her work as the proprietor of the Plato Hotel (despite the fact her husband died there, which is sort of creepy if you ask me!) She went on to travel with friends to Honolulu in 1913, attended weddings and events with friends over the years, and later went on to become a nurse. She ended up moving to Napa, where she worked as a head nurse for four years at the Napa State Hospital, where she met Thomas Carroll Foley, who worked as an Attendant at the hospital. The two were married in 1921. 

Sadly, Marie only lived four more years, dying on December 29, 1925. Ironically, her obituary was published on December 30, 1925, exactly 15 years to the day that her first husband had attempted to end her life. Marie was buried at Acacia Memorial Park which is in the same vicinity of where Andrew Sorensen is buried in the Odd Fellows Section. You see, there are several cemeteries that are combined on Scenic Drive in Modesto, so it is like one huge cemetery in all. 

Going back to the story

Sadly, I believe that something terrible was afflicting Andrew that caused him to attack his wife that day. Do I believe it was an evil entity that was influencing Andrew? Absolutely not! I believe it was something medical. Especially since it was within his own family history to have been afflicted with mental illness. I also do not believe that he is haunting the costume shop, as the television program insinuated.

Based solely on his injuries alone, I do not for one second believe that Andrew Sorensen
killed himself. Despite the fact that Andrew went off the rails and attacked his wife, which was ghastly to say the least, I do believe that someone killed Andrew Sorensen and it was covered up as a suicide.

What he did to his wife was wrong, absolutely. Still, the idea that all these years he has been labeled as having committing suicide feels wrong to me because the evidence says otherwise. I guess, though, we will never know who else was involved in this heinous incident in 1910. 

Just as I believe in sharing the stories of all the forgotten, I also believe in making sure each story is told accurately, and if I find something that doesn't fit, I will question it and ponder over it until I find a reasonable conclusion.  I have reached mine.

The grave of Andrew Sorensen

Happy History Hunting!

(Copyright 2021- J'aime Rubio, www.jaimerubiowriter.com) 

Sources:

Modesto Bee, 8/1/1908

Modesto Bee, 12/30/1910

San Francisco Call, 12/31/1910

Stockton Independent, 12/31/1910

Modesto Morning Herald,  1/5/1911

Modesto Morning Herald, 8/3/1921.

Modesto Bee, 8/8/1911

Modesto Bee, 6/9/1920

A big "Thank You" to Roland Boulware for allowing me the use of your book for photos and information: 

"One Hundred Years: Modesto, 1870-1970" by Jeanette Gould Maino, 1970.

Polk's Directory Co's Modesto, Volume 6 - 1915

"Modesto"- by Carl P. Baggese, Page 33

Census records, 1900,1910,1920.

Death records, 1910,1925.

Bodie Cemetery - A Place Frozen In Time

 

Two weekends ago, my love and I traveled east over the Sierras on a little road trip. We stopped first in Bridgeport (the same place where the Murder of Poker Tom occurred), and then we traveled onward to Bodie State Historic Park. Bodie is a ghost town that has been preserved forever frozen in time.  The stores shelves are still filled with items that were there the last time anyone ever lived there. 

Bodie itself was founded by Waterman S. Bodey, when he discovered gold nearby in 1875. By 1877, the Standard Mining Company had begun mining and before anyone could say "pay dirt" the town of Bodie had arrived. By 1915, the town had dwindled in population, and that is when it was first referred to has a "ghost town." There were still people living here well into the 1930's and 40's but very few. The last resident of Bodie, the caretaker Cecil Birks died in 1961.

The buildings were left in a state of what they call "arrested decay." The town itself, well, what is left of it, after time, the elements and even some fires got to it, is what you see today.

There are three cemeteries in Bodie but they are all adjacent to one another.  Many of the graves are unmarked so it is hard to tell exactly how many people are buried there. Some of those who died by horrible accidents are buried here. I am going to share with you just a couple of those stories today. 

Charles Benson and George Watson

I could find no trace of their graves while there. So I have to assume theirs is either unmarked or one of the many wooden markers with no name on it. Charles Benson, George Watson and another man named Snibley,  were killed in a fatal gun powder explosion in the tunnel of the Great Sierra Mining Company, on October 2, 1883. Snibley's family had his remains shipped to San Mateo for burial, while Benson and Watson were buried in the cemetery here. 

 Anthony Thumann

One grave that actually was there, and I missed it (which drives me crazy!) was the small obelisk of Anthony Thumann (the newspapers called him Thurman). His death was also mine related, when he fell down the pump shaft of the Standard Mine on November 14, 1883.

David McKinney

McKinney was crushed to death by a falling casting that was being moved from the freight wagon. It crushed his upper body and head. Sadly, the newspapers reported that it took seven minutes for him to pass. Again, like Watson and Benson, I could find no trace of McKinney's grave. 

There were many other accidents, I am sure, but those were just a few of those I found that are recorded to be buried within the cemeteries boundaries. Last but not least it the little girl who has become infamously known as the Angel of Bodie, Evelyn Myers.

(Photo: Roland Boulware)

Evelyn Myers

The Angel of Bodie, as the April 16, 1897 edition of the Daily Appeal (Carson City) called her, was killed accidentally on April 5, 1897, when she leaned over the railing of the porch of her home, when a hired worker, an Indian man, was using a pickaxe to cut a drainage ditch around the house to make way for the melting ice. During the hired man's back swing, his axe hit the crown of little Evelyn's head. She lived for two hours, until the bleeding stopped and she perished. 

People have flocked to Evelyn's grave for many years, and the fact that she has such a beautiful marker probably draws even more attention to her story. In fact, Evelyn's headstone is probably one of the prettiest, if not the prettiest in all of Bodie. Don't forget to stop by and pay your respects to those forgotten in time at the cemetery, if you ever make the trek to Bodie. 

(Copyright 2021 - J'aime Rubio. www.jaimerubiowriter.com) 

Photos by: J'aime Rubio  & Roland Boulware

Exposing A Very Poorly Researched "Ghost Story": The Lady in Burgundy

Credit: Some Rise, Some Set (Findagrave)

First and foremost, I originally learned about a particular website known as backpackerverse.com several years ago, when I found out that one of my photos from my own blog not only had been used by them (without permission), but that the writer of the website decided to fabricate a slanderous backstory on the subject: Dr. Aden Hart.

It took threatening to sue the owner of the website before he removed my photo of the Hart House from his site. And even after I made him remove it, he had the audacity to email me back and ask if he could have permission to post it again.  Unbelievable!

Over the years, I have seen people on Facebook sharing links from this completely fictitious website. I have tried to warn people that the stories on that site are all fabricated to drive up traffic, but it still seems to fall on deaf ears. Sadly, most people would rather believe the lie, than do research to find the truth.

Anyhow, while researching the history of the City Cemetery in Placerville, I stumbled upon yet another backpackerverse article that really takes the cake this time! Not only is the entire story false, but the writer even fails to cite the correct cemetery! 

So, here I am debunking the story of the "Lady in Burgundy" as posted in the article "A Myriad of Horrors Haunt This Old California Cemetery." 

As you can see, I provided a link to the article. I did so, so that you can go over and read the ridiculous claims for yourself, after reading this blog. So you can see, once and for all, how lazily researched and completely fabricated this "ghost story" is. 

For one, the writer says "Up in the hills of Placerville, lies the Pioneer Cemetery." 

Um, WRONG!!! ---  The cemetery in Placerville is named the City Cemetery, and the fact of the matter  is, this story doesn't take place in the City Cemetery. In fact, it doesn't take place in Placerville at all.

As you read on, it is apparent that they are talking about the Pioneer Cemetery in Coloma, California. But, again, the writer couldn't get their "facts" straight. 

As you scroll down, you see a photo of a child (deguerreotype). This was borrowed from another site, and is NOT anyone mentioned in the article. Just an old unidentified photo.

Now they start talking about this "Lady in Burgundy" and how she haunts the cemetery.

Just so you know, there are no documented accounts of a Lady in Burgundy being seen at that cemetery. Only in recent times have articles been posted (clearly using verbage from the article I am citing), and thus this "ghost story" has picked up steam, proving that just like the game of "telephone" once you tell a story and keep telling it, it can take on a life of its own.

Going back, the article continues on now, speaking about the Scheiffer family. Again, they are saying that they were from Placerville. 

WRONG AGAIN!! --

The Scheiffer's were from Coloma, California.  They mention the father, Charles being buried there (he died in 1864) and his daughters Catherine and May. They point out that May died tragically young. 

Catherine died at the age of 54, in San Francisco in 1916, and May died in 1890, at the age of 28. Yes, 28 years old isn't what you would consider a long life lived, but she wasn't a child either.  You have to remember, I have walked cemeteries all over California and the majority of the time you find that people died as young adults. Most children didn't even make it due to childhood diseases. This was how it was back then. Tragic, yes. But as common as you can imagine.

Did May die a tragic death? Well, in my opinion all death is tragic. I mean, they died. I haven't been able to uncover any smoking gun evidence of some very mysterious or terrible ending, but whether she died from sickness (most likely), an accident or at the hands of another person, again, all death is tragic.

But what really got to me was what the story started to insinuate.

In their Sub-Heading "Dark Secrets of the Gold Rush" they start to question who Eliza Taylor was. 

Credit: Some Rise, Some Set (Findagrave)

They even go so far as to say "Historians and townsfolk are undecided as to whether Eliza was a close friend, an illegitimate daughter, or perhaps even a lover." 

I am not sure what "historians" they spoke to, but I truly doubt they contacted anyone about this story.  It took me literally SECONDS to do a search online to determine who Eliza was. She was Charles' wife, and mother to both Catherine and May. No big mystery here folks! And if you were wondering why her name was Taylor, that's because after her husband died, she remarried to William Taylor, thus the new last name. Again, nothing secret about that. 

But this is clearly the typical sensationalism that backpackerverse is known for.

Next, they claim Eliza is the one haunting the cemetery, and they make obscure statements about a family seeing her ghost, yet they fail to quote the witnesses statement, or even give any more details. As usual, it's always very vague. 

So, in ending....Going back to the "haunted cemetery" story, Eliza Taylor died at the age of 62, in San Francisco, and her body was returned back to Coloma to be buried with her children. Nothing scary or mysterious about that either. No one out there can rightfully claim that it is her ghost haunting the cemetery, therefore to take a story and attach it to Eliza is not only wrong but very disrespectful.

If you are a fan of this website, my advise to you is that you need to research the fact before believing ANYTHING that website claims. It is well known that they are notorious for posting ill-researched stories, but also slanderous ones, at that. 

If you don't believe me, I can give you another example. Take a look at the Martinez House blog.....that's the one where they slandered Dr. Aden Hart, whom I mentioned briefly in this article. 

For the record, I know the owners of that house in Sacramento. No one died in the home, and no one was murdered there, no one was evil or wicked, and most importantly, the house is not haunted.

If you would like to read the REAL STORY about Dr. Aden Hart, please click on the link below:

HART MANSION SECRETS ( originally published 6/5/2011 on Dreaming Casually)

and you can read more about it here: THE HISTORY OF ADEN C. HART (published 10/4/2015)

When you write about the dead, you are supposed to do so with respect and integrity that what you are sharing is backed up by documented facts. Otherwise, you are just spinning us a yarn, and many times doing a disservice to the one you are supposedly writing about. Afterall, the historian owes the dead nothing but the truth.

(Copyright 2021 - J'aime Rubio www.jaimerubiowriter.com)

PHOTO CREDIT: Some Rise, Some Set (Findagrave: 49465871)