Grindstone History Timeline, page 3
August 23, 1955 Searchlight? Mary Piftschek, Pioneer, Dies:
Mrs. Mary Piftschek, 98, a resident of Shasta County for the last 68 years, died yesterday afternoon in a Redding hospital, following a long illness. She was born Aug. 2, 1857, in what is now Czechoslovakia, but was then part of Austria. She came to Wisconsin at an early age, and lived in San Francisco before moving to Shasta County.
She leaves four sons, John J. and George R. Bartosh, both of Redding, Frank A. Bartosh of Cisco Grove and Joseph P. Bartosh of Sacramento. Funeral arrangements are being made at McDonald's chapel.
"An Old Cigar Store" by Albert F. Ross, The Covered Wagon, 1958:
John J. Bartosh bought the Golden Eagle Cigar Store in Redding, California, in July, 1907.... He had started working as a cigar-maker for the former owner, John W. Potts, six years earlier at the age of fourteen years, and had not yet reached his twenty-first birthday when Potts had to retire because of ill health and move to southern-California. Potts and a man named Eberle started the business in the then-new Golden Eagle building in 1888. Eberle soon sold out to Potts. Potts was a cigar maker and operated a room behind the cigar store where cigars were rolled. The business he taught to Bartosh. Although Potts had built up a successful business by the time he sold out, he often told Bartosh of his ups and downs. During the depression of 1893 the hotel closed and Potts was given free rent for sleeping in the business to protect the fire insurance. He was the only occupant. He often remarked that he remembered one day when his receipts were exactly eighty cents. There gradually came into existence an informal organization called the Grindstone Club, consisting of business and professional men, public officials, and others who gathered from time to time in the back room of the cigar store to talk politics and other business of the day. Nearly every evening they met and eventually elected officers and held regular meetings and discussed theology and philosophy as well as politics and government. The club took its name from one of the brands of cigars made by Potts, the Grindstone Club. It is thought this was the name of a club in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from which city Potts had originally come. Just east of the Golden Eagle Hotel was the Hoff building and the McCormick, Saeltzer Companys store, both built about the same time as the hotel. When the county offices were moved from Shasta to Redding in 1888 the new court house on the hill was not complete and they were housed in
the Hoff building, temporarily. The sheriff and the county jail remained in Shasta.The proximity of this 'court house' brought customers to the cigar store and members to the Grindstone Club...Practically every business and professional man, and holder of every public office, newspaper man, mining man, banker or just plain retired person spent some time in the back room of the Golden Eagle Cigar Store... On summer evenings it was customary to take chairs into the street in front and the men would sit out there with their feet on the curb. Sometimes there would be a semicircle of chairs reaching half-way across Yuba Street. Traffic was limited to an occasional horse and carriage going by and there was therefore little interference with it. One at a time the members would raise their voices to argue some point and everyone was given his chance to express himself on the burning issues of the day. After Bartosh took over the store in 1907 the club continued until about 1915 [1919], but the older members had passed on or retired and the newer men met more informally. The annual dinners, the regular election of officers, and other customs gradually died out. James N. Logan, father of Mrs. C. Fred Smith, was the last regular president of the club. An account in the Redding Searchlight in 1914 [1918] tells of the annual meeting of the club on New Years Night (not New Years Eve). Lambs Orchestra furnished the music, with Attorney James Isaacs on the bass drum. C. C. Keen was toastmaster, and the principal address of the evening was by Luke McDonald who spoke feelingly on the subject, Who Wouldnt Be a Boy Again"... Persons who lived in Redding in the past, when met in other places, usually remember the Bartosh cigar store and its owner, and inquire about them. Those who were here early in the century, and perhaps in the last decade of the last century, often reminisce of the Golden Eagle Cigar Store and of the Grindstone Club which flourished there. They all agree that, as a local newspaper said when chronicling the death of John Potts in 1930, in the old Grindstone Club all questions of logic, politics, or philosophy were discussed with abandon, and oftentimes erudition."
Record-Searchlight, Thurs., Jan. 1, 1959 (Article):
Golden Eagle cigar store closes doors. John J. Bartosh locked the door of his Golden Eagle cigar store last night, hung up a "closed" sign and ended 51 years in business at the same stand. For seven years before he bought the store, Bartosh worked for its previous proprietor, John W. Potts, who opened the store in 1888. "Fore three years I havent had a day off," Bartosh said today. "When one of my clerks said he was quitting three days ago, I said, Well, Im quitting, too." The 72-year-old bachelor reminisced of a business career that started when he was 14 years old and found that a farmer he knew was having difficulty selling his peaches and apricots. Bartosh persuaded the farmer to let him take the fruit on consignment. And the young boy built up a profitable summer business selling it to passengers on the Overland Limited when the train stopped in Redding. After that he got a concession to sell candy at a theater. Then he went to work in the cigar store he later bought. In the store he had as customers and friends judges, bank presidents and working men. "They were all my people," he said "I liked them, and I think they liked me. When people come in and say, Hello, Johnny, it thrills you." His old friends will still be greeting Bartosh with the old salutation. He says he plans, for the present at least, to live in the place he has called home since 1919 -- room 358 of the Golden Eagle Hotel.
Covered Wagon 1959: The Grindstone Board by Charles A. Shurtleff:
Mr. E. Voluntine, an early day hardware merchant at Shasta, at one time received an exceptionally large shipment of grindstones and stacked them on the sidewalk in front of his store on Main Street where he allowed them to remain for a long time. The surface of the grindstones was large and smooth and the height of the stacks just right for comfortable seats. A number of the leading citizens of Shasta appropriated the grindstones for their own use and they became a center where meetings were held. Weighty matters were discussed and questions decided of great moment to the state and nation. There was no appeal from the decisions. This group became known as the Grindstone Board and functioned for many years. A few of the memberts were Mr. Peck, Mr. W. S. Wills, Charles Fordham, William A. Scott, the shoemaker, and James E. Isaacs, a lawyer.
See "An Old Cigar Store" by Albert F. Ross, in "The Covered Wagon" of 1957
[1958], page 18.
NOTES by Bessie Prehn.
1964 City Directory:
Geo R retired h2214 Waldon
John J. retd r1509 Yuba
P.O. Box 999 in '66 & 67
1969 Covered Wagon:
Obituaries
John James Bartosh, whose cigar store was a traditional gathering place for Redding old-timers for more than half a century, died November 23, 1968 in Redding at the age of eighty-one. He was born December 18, 1886, in San Francisco, but lived most of his life in Redding. His colorful business career that started when he was 14 years old and found that a farmer he knew was having difficulty selling his peaches and apricots. Bartosh persuaded the farmer to let him take the fruit on consignment. And the young boy built up a profitable summer business
selling it to passengers on the Overland Limited when the train stopped in Redding. After that he got a concession to sell candy at a theater. Then he went to work in a cigar store operated since 1888 by John W. Potts. Bartosh later bought the store and operated it in the Golden Eagle Hotel for fifty-one years. The back room of his store had been a social center for Reddings leading citizens when Potts owned it. Bartosh continued the tradition. The men who gathered there called themselves the Grindstone Club and in the summer months, members took their chairs into the unpaved street in front of the hotel where, according to the Courier-Free Press, "questions of civil government and even theology and philosophy were discussed with abandon and often times erudition." The club went out of existence in 1913 [1919], but the store continued to be a local tradition. Bartosh counted as customers and friends, judges, bank presidents and working men. "They were all my people," he said "I liked them, and I think they liked me. When people come in and say, Hello, Johnny, it thrills you." His people honored him in 1957 with a celebration in the store on his fiftieth anniversary in the cigar business. His friend and customer, retired Superior Court Judge Albert Ross, recalled at that time that Bartosh had been a member of the volunteer fire department back in the days when their hose cart had to be pulled by hand when no horse was available. Bartosh also played in the town band for years at concerts given from the second story porch of the Golden Eagle on summer Sunday afternoons and at ball games and dances. He never married. On New Years Eve in 1958, he retired and closed his store for good.
Record Searchlight, Monday, March 3, 1969:
George Bartosh
Funeral services were to be held at 11 a.m. today at the graveside in Redding Cemetery for George R. Bartosh. The service was to be conducted by the Rev. Roy Nelson. Bartosh had been a resident of Shasta County for 79 years. He leaves a son, Ray B. Bartosh, of Rockville, Md.
Bartosh grave:
JOHN J BARTOSH
CALIFORNIA
PVT CO E 76 INFANTRY
WORLD WAR I
DEC 18 1886 NOV 23 1968
GEORGE RAYMOND BARTOSH
1889-1969
Covered Wagon 1985:35:
Nathan [Breslauer] was one of a group of local business and professional men and politicians who gathered informally in the back room of the Golden Eagle Cigar Store, located in one of the towns main hotels, in what became known as the Grindstone Club, a name derived from a popular brand of cigars of the day.
Covered Wagon 1988:48:
Tommy Cleone was long-time employee of Golden Eagle Cigar Store.
per Judge Eaton, 2/14/2002, at Shasta County Library:
The Grindstone was flourishing in 1910
Held meetings outside on Yuba after store closed each day, about 6:00 p.m. Cars increased in Redding in late 1910's, streets not yet paved, resulting in severe dust and end of meetings.
1997:
Chet finds tokens at Hollibaugh's store
1999:
Researched tokens, find story in 1958 Covered Wagon.
1999:
Discussed Golden Eagle with my grandfather-in-law, Harold Leroy Hart, when he and Shirley are over for dinner. Harold was a bell-hop in the Golden Eagle Hotel in the 1930s and knew Johnny Bartosh. Harold passes away on March 07, 2000.
May 31, 2000 last day work at Guardian:
Bob threw going away party previous Friday, May 26th. Discussed making this a regular "Tradition" to meet for drink and cigars on Fridays.
Soon it is being referred to as "Tradition" and happening most Fridays.
September 2000:
More study on Grindstone, study on Plato & theory of Ideals leads to idea that Grindstone as concept can live on. Phone conversation with Henrik while he was still living in Bend about the idea of resurrecting the Grindstone and he supports it.
March 2001:
Bob given copy of the 1937 Harvard Classics book on Plato; Epictetus; Marcus Aurelius. Likely given the first Golden Eagle Cigar Store token along with it.
November 6, 2002: letter to Ray Bartosh in Austin, Texas
Dear Mr. Bartosh:
Bartosh Family / Grindstone Club History
I enjoyed our conversation today, and I appreciate your time. Enclosed you will find a compilation of information I have found related to the Golden Eagle Cigar Store, the Grindstone Club, and the Bartosh family. These copies are yours to keep, as is the token. My plan is to produce a coherent story for the Shasta Historical Society’s Covered Wagon 2003. I am on the editorial committee this year, and am working on several stories but this is my "pet project." The information is just raw data at this point, a list of virtually everything I’ve been able to find thus far and I hope you will be able to fill in some of the blanks. I have some specific questions, but please feel free to add anything. My questions are:
1. In reference to the enclosed photograph depicting the inside of a cigar store, can you verify if this is indeed the Golden Eagle Cigar Store and John J. Bartosh behind the counter? I think it looks like a younger version of the picture of John from the newspaper article reporting his retirement, but I have yet to find someone who remembers him clearly enough to give a definitive opinion.
2. Do you know when and why the Grindstone Club stopped operating?
3. Can you fill in more information about George Bartosh and your side of the family?
4. Was George (or anyone else not in my info) a part of the Grindstone Club? Was George ever employed at Potts’ Cigar Factory or store?
5. Can you give any anecdotal stories about John or George?
6. I’d appreciate copies of any pictures/materials that you have that you don’t see in my collection.
As you may be able to tell, the Grindstone Club is my greatest interest. I have a growing group of gentlemen that meet most Fridays to smoke cigars and talk about issues. We consider ourselves an informal return of the Grindstone, and I keep them updated on my research into the history. We are looking into becoming more formal. I give each new member a token from the Golden Eagle Cigar Store, and I hope you accept the enclosed token as an honorary member of the new Grindstone Club. I look forward to further correspondence, and please feel free to contact me anytime.
Respectfully,
Chet Sunde
FIRST RECORDED GRINDSTONE RESURRECTED MEETINGS
FEB 8,2002 3:30PM~ 7:00PM Grindstone at Sunde's
MAY 7,2002 7:30PM Grindstone: Tenor & Nello's (changed to Hatch Cover)
AUG 9,2002 3:00PM Grindstone: Kaleb MacGreggor and Eric Hicks receive tokens at Sunde's
AUG 16,2002 3:00PM Grindstone at Don's
AUG 23,2002 3:00PM Grindstone Sunde's: Mike Brown and Bjorn Stromsness receive tokens
OCT 4,2002 Grindstone at Squire
OCT 18,2002 Grindstone at Sunde's
OCT 25,2002 Grindstone at Gaura's
NOV 1,2002 Grindstone at Squire Room; Sunde Esau Hicks
NOV 29,2002 12:00PM~ 6:00PM Grindstone at Red, White, and Brew: Chet, Eric, Bob, Travis, Paul, Henrik, Mike, Greg B.,
DEC 6,2002 3:00PM~ 5:00PM Grindstone Billy's & Squire: Chet, Bob, Travis, Mike, Greg B.
DEC 13,2002 Grindstone at Squire
DEC 20,2002 Grindstone at Rusty Nail, didn't make it to Two Towers: Chet, Caleb, Eric, Bob, Paul, also Greg B., Gary B., Ed & James
DEC 26,2002 5:30PM~ 8:30PM Grindstone: Two Towers movie, Chet, Eric, Travis
JAN 4,2003 3:00PM~11:00PM Grindstone's first "Big Water Bust a-fest" since January 1, 1918: Chet, Eric, Travis, Henrik, Mike, John, Greg (gets token) at Mikes shop, also Gary, guy that works for Mike, Travis/La Comida catered tri-tip, Keg of Coors Light from Liquor Barn
January 24, 2004: Modern Grindstone’s second Annual held at Bellino’s warehouse. Dante Bellino, Aaron Bellino, and Gary Brown were tokened. The first book and tradition of signing-in was started.
Patterson House History from 1969 to 2005 written by D. H. Gasman, 12/14/05: "Early September 1969 - David H. Gasman MD, psychiatrist purchased the property from the estate of Anne Patterson, the single daughter of Mathew Patterson, harness maker, who with his wife had built the house likely in 1892. Anne had long taught school at Pine Street School, developed dementia and died at Mendocino State Hospital. Dr. Gasman, a native of upper Michigan, arrived in Redding on June 30, 1966 with his family after training at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He had been hired by the Board of Supervisors to inaugurate the local mental health program. After 3 years he decided to enter private practice and baught 1302 Oregon as an office. At that time, Shasta and Oregon was a quiet corner, Hwy 44 did not end on Shasta Street. Asking price was $29,000. Selling price was $22,500. The Condition of the house in September was excellent. As now, there were two doors into the house from the front porch. The current foyer was a kitchen with a sink. The room behind the largest room was a 2nd kitchen for the main appartment. In addition to the sink still present (2005), there was a stove and refrigerator. (For several years I used the stove oven as an auxiliary filing cabinet). In back of the kitchen, the waiting room for the next office was a laundry room with twin large laundry sinks. The back room was done in knotty pine. During September 1969 the office was prepared by painting, drapery, and carpeting. Only the front rooms were utilized for the office. On October 1, 1969 Dr. Gasman opened for business doing chiefly psychotherapy. Somewhere in the first ten years I learned through exploration of the building that a new roof had been added and the ceiling had been lowered from 12 to 9 feet. In the attic the old roof and ceiling can be seen. From other sources, I think our deed, there was mention of remodeling in 1910 and 1935. Presumably the bathroom was added sometime during one of these remodels. At one time Judge Eaton told me that Mathew Patterson discovered the lynched Ruggles brothers on July 23, 1892, from the front room at his home at 1302 Oregon. (I am aware of another report saying the home was built in 1893). [Dave was unaware of 1895 deed, or of report by Sid Bennett of history of another lynching occurring during Agnes' early childhood] 1985 - remodel of the back office to provide a practice area with separate waiting area for my wife. (Kate Gasman is a retired Marriage, Family, and Child Counselor, or MFCC). The present entrance to the back office was initially a closet. The back end of the closet was made into a doorway. August 31, 2005 - retirement of Dr. Gasman. November 8, 2005 - closed sale to Chet Sunde, Psy.D., with furnishings and equipment included."
History 2005 to Present: Dr. Chet Sunde, Clinical Psychologist, started seeing patients there February 2006. Started hosting weekly meetings of the historic Grindstone Club about same time, wall between back office and the room farthest back (and next to back waiting room) removed to make larger club room. Chet had interned under Dr. Gasman for many years as part of clinical study groups meeting at the house to review video taped therapy sessions and seeing some patients there as a Psychological Assistant.
11/30/2012 "Windfall 2012" Redwood tree (over 100 feet tall) fell on top of Grindstone Club in severe windstorm, resulted in complete tear down and remodeling of back half of house.
"Big Chief Golden Eagle" Grindstone Tribe of Shasta County Seedling: c. 1928 Fell: 11/30/2012 in "Windfall 2012" Ressurrected: 7/30/2013
"Little Chief Two-Leaf" Grindstone Tribe of Shasta County Seedling: c. 1928 Fell: 11/30/2012 "Windfall 2012" Resurrected: 9/15/2013
Ray Bartosh Obituary Published by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home Lake Travis on Mar. 27, 2017.
Ray Bartosh embraced life fully. Ray's life was shaped by hard work and an infectious and joyful spirit. He sought adventure and challenge in a career that took him all over the world. Ray filled his life with hobbies and interests he willingly shared with others. He prided himself on being a dedicated father and family man. He passed into the arms of God peacefully on Monday March 27, 2017 surrounded by loved ones blessed by his example of strength, joy and goodness. Ray was a self-made man. Born to George and Amy Bartosh on July 22, l931, he grew up in the Navy town of Vallejo, CA during WWII which gave him a lifelong interest in ships, aircraft and WWII history. Volunteering for the Navy during the Korean War, Ray served from 1951-1955 and, using the GI bill, attended San Jose State University where he managed his DU Fraternity house, earned a BA in Business, and courted and married his college sweetheart, Sue Doyle, in 1958. Ray put himself through night school to earn his MBA then launched himself into a distinguished thirty-three year career in pharmaceuticals with Dow Chemical. Ray's career took him, Sue and his young son, Tim, and daughter, Stephanie, from California to Washington DC, to Indiana and then overseas for eight years in Hong Kong and Singapore where Ray was initially product manager and then regional sales manager for Dow Chemical for South Asia. Ray loved traveling, easily made good friends throughout his vast sales territory and embraced the region's many cultures and traditions. Ray's career culminated at Dow's headquarters in Midland Michigan. Despite a demanding career, Ray found time for music, hobbies and his community. He taught himself the banjo and piano and never missed an opportunity to dance! While working in Hong Kong, Ray became very active with the Boy Scouts. As a Scout Master he took twenty-eight Scouts to the Philippines to march the trail of the Bataan Death March. His many hobbies included making model airplanes, golfing, boating, fishing, gardening, travel and spending time with dear friends. Upon retiring Ray and Sue settled in Lakeway, Texas, where they spent twenty wonderful fun filled years and Ray continued to give to his community. Ray served fifteen years as a volunteer at the reception desk at City Hall. He also served on the Board of Friends of the Park. Ray started the Men's Nine Hole Golf Group at the Lakeway Golf Clubs. Ray often was seen happily driving around Lakeway in his 1977 red Volkswagen convertible and visiting with his Men's Breakfast Club friends. He sang with the Lakeway Sing-Along group for many years and loved playing Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and the Grinch in the Christmas plays. He was the recipient of the Unsung Hero award in Lakeway for his commitment to the community. During the past three decades, Ray bore his affliction with Parkinson's disease with grace, seeking life's joy despite his challenges. As the disease made life more difficult, Ray and Sue moved to Longhorn Village. He continued to enjoy his hobby of building model airplanes and appreciating the support of the Longhorn community. Ray is survived by Sue, his wife for 59 years, his son Tim and daughter-in law Karen, his step grandsons, Brendan and Kameron of Terrell, Texas and his daughter, Stephanie, and son-law, Christopher McMahon, and grandchildren, Patrick, Kevin, Michael and Caroline of Oakton, Virginia. Ray passed away after a thirty year courageous and valiant battle with Parkinson Disease. He will always be remembered for his easy smile, his wonderful quick wit, one liners, dry sense of humor and ability to never give up. The family would like to thank their many friends for their enduring love, support, and prayers. Services will be held April 8, 2017 at 2pm at The Lakeway Church, 2203 Lakeway Blvd, Lakeway, TX 78734. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Lakeway Church or Parkinson Foundation (www.parkinson.org).
December 15, 2017 Kevin McMahon: I miss my Grandpie so much. I regret taking for granted the values and simple lessons he taught me when he was alive as compared to now that he's with God. Grandpie, you have left an unmistakable mark on my life, and on the lives of all our family. I miss you so, so much, and I love you.
01/05/2023: Fire at approximately 0430, Chet attempts to fight it with garden hose until RFD (finally) gets fire hose on fire. Severe burns 55-60% of body, spends 9 and 1/2 weeks with multiple skin graft surgeries at UC Davis Burn Center, returns to Redding 03/13/2023, back to work at Redding Veteran Home 07/05/2023. House rebuilt and moved back in 06/09/2024.
07/02/2024: Big Chief Golden Eagle, Two Leaf, and outdoor friend all restored and returned to Grindstone.
