Quicktrader wrote:
Robert ......, WMA age 27 and Frank Gasser, Gasser Ranch:
'(...) have been identified (...) as racoon hunters who were in the area of the Benicia Pumping Station and who have been identified by Mrs. .... (Peggy). They had their 1959 pick-up truck, Red in color, with wood side-boards, parked inside the field of the Marshall Ranch. In this interview it was learned that they were hunting in the area from 9:00PM to 11:00PM. 11:00PM was approximate, because .... looked at his watch and he knew it was in the area of 11:00PM. It could have been five minutes to the hour or ten minutes to. It took them three or four minutes possibly five minutes to get back to their truck, walking up the road on the side of the creek. They were short to rep.... (unreadable, p.22) pulled into the driveway, which was later identified as the (unreadable) car belonging to Mrs. .... They claimed that they (unreadable) they would put them at 11:00PM when they left the scene. They described the (...) Rambler (Faraday) that was parked at the gate. It was parked Southwest of where we finally found the car. (!) This discrepancy wasn't noted at first. This was a statement as to their activity during that night. They said that when they arrived there at 9:00PM a white 4-door hardtop, a '59 or '60 Impala, was parked there, and also, a truck coming out of the gate. This coincides with Information from Bingo Wesher (!) that when he came out of the gate he saw the same Impala and also saw the red pick-up truck go by (!).'
Robert M. .... (as above):
'He states that he went to the Gasser Ranch at approximately 6:00PM. They sat around awhile (...) arrived in the area of the pump station around 9:00PM. They parked the car about 25 feet inside of the Marshall Ranch property off the road. They walked the creek towards the pump station. They had the dogs loose and they treed either a cat or a racoon in the area of the Dotta Ranch (!). While they were there they saw some sort of activity up there, all the lights were on, but they were a little distance away and couldn't tell what the activity was. The dogs treed a racoon in an oak tree near the Pump station. The racoon was shot with a long barrell .22 revolver. This revolver was examined and had been eliminated by shell casings of the suspected (?) weapon. .... remembers looking at his watch and he rememberst that it was in the area of 11:00PM, possibly five or ten minutes before and they headed back towards the car. He said it took them about 10 minutes to walk back to the truck. He was at the truck about a total of 5 minutes and a car came in, that has been identified as Mrs. ...'s, it drove in, turned around and drove back in the opposite direction towards Benicia, again (?). He states that approximately 5 minutes later they drove in his truck a '59 Chevrolet, red in color, with white wood sideboards, cattle guards, on the sides. They drove tihs truck back to the Gasser Ranch heading towards Benicia and they passed the car. .... insists that the Rambler was parked on the bank. That would be on the South side. He did not see any person in the car. He estimates he left the area between 11:00PM and 11:15PM. He remained at the Gasser's house about an hour and then left out through Highway #21, through the Jamison Canyon and headed home, arriving about 12:30AM. He was aked if he had an rifle. He stated that he had a automatic rifle. The RO advised him of his constitutional rights at this time. Due to the fact that he was in the area and he did have a rifle which he claimed he didn't have with him that night. He was given a receipt for that rifle. The rifle was tested in the S/O by Rangemaster George Parks. (...) of George Parks this rifle has been eliminated as a suspected weapon. ..... states that Mr. Gasser does have an automatic rifle but that he doesn't have it at the house. He suggested that we call or see a gentleman by the name of Harlan .... who lived at ...06 Hargus Avenue. It is possible that the gun is there, because Gasser does not leave his guns at the ranch because of recent thefts. ....'s car has the California license # D-26024.'
Has anyone pinpointed where this Dotta Ranch was?
Was it the buildings by the lake also known as 'The Cottage'?
This article about Benicia's water supply says that the Water Company acquired the Frank Dotta Ranch in 1917.
So to have still been referring to the property, wherever it was, as the Dotta Ranch, in 1969, had a remarkably enduring legacy.
Not that it was an unfeasible stretch.
But something you'd think old timers/locals/people in the know would know.
This 1926 biography of Frank Dotta seems to place his ranch on Sulphur Springs Rd
http://www.cagenweb.com/solano/biodottaf.htmlIt refers to him as the keeper of Lake Herman and in a notable twist, county weed inspector.
The astute eye will also note the family's involvement with the freemasons also.
According to this cached article,
http://www.solanoarticles.com/history/i ... 1&hl=en&ctIt was not until World War II, however, that Vallejo changed the name of “Sulphur Springs Road” to its present title.
yes, yes, to what? Columbus Parkway? Sky Valley Road? something else?
Sulphur Springs Creek runs either side of Lake Herman.
And judging by the references in similar searches, I'm thinking Sulphur Springs Road ran alongside the upstream part of the creek,
that is, on the more northern side of LH and LH Rd, thus making SS Rd now Sky Valley Rd, and therefore placing the Dotta Ranch
to the NW of Lake Herman. Quite possibly the property to the immediate west of the Marshall Ranch,
and for refernce, the Borges Ranch a little further west, but 'below' LH Rd.
So Dotta Ranch is on the opposite side of LH Rd to Lake Herman however the property possibly encompassed the Lake & its 'Cottage' as well.
I think.
There is also a Sulphur Springs Canyon and fault line referred to in some searches which would also make sense, given the lay of the land there.
Going to do some 'virtual driving' along LH Rd on Google Maps Street view and see what I can find.
Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2014 2:24 pm