Melvin Belli & Historical Graves of Sonora, California

Jeff goes into Sonora, California, the "Queen of the Mother Lode," in search of historical graves such as the legendary lawyer Melvin Belli and hiJohn Shine, the first stage coach driver to face robber Black Bart in Calaveras County. He will also tell how the young cast of "Little House on the Prairie" was scared to death by the show's producer in this same Odd Fellows Cemetery!
#sonoracalifornia #melvinbelli #blackbart #historyhunters #jbenziggy
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[@garymarshall8228]

I used to have breakfast with Melvin Belli at a little restaurant on Jackson Square, San Francisco around the corner from his law practice. I last saw him at Clown Allen near Jackson Square he was being sued by his associates and thought I was a process server, and then he remembered me. Fond memories. Thank you for the video ... well done.

[@danielcain1118]

Good to see you back in the foothills. Had no idea Melvin Belli was a native of Sonora. Good stuff. Stay safe out there.

[@jbenziggy]

We definitely are playing it safe! Thanks for watching!

[@benndoverr5233]

I grew up visiting my family members in Sonora. My Nana lived there, as did my aunt , uncle end their children. My uncle worked for the county, and my aunt for a local doctor until they both retired. I recognize that entire town, and watched grow. I really enjoyed your video. Thank you.

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks!

[@DIANNEELEE]

Melven Belli and Danny Jones wrote at least two books, one, Law in Japan and or China. Danny was a best friend of my stepnfather, a chief of detectives in Compton, California. He inherited that cannon when Danny died. He was a pilot in world WW2. Dec.12 he turned 99 years old. He is still alive, in Arizona.

[@DIANNEELEE]

Oops...Captain of detectives.

[@rustyruss2962]

That’s cool at least cannon still around do u know what happened Jolly Roger 🏴‍☠️

[@cthrew1603]

When I was 19 yrs old I saw Belli interviewed on a television show. I had already read several books and articles about him and found him fascinating. The television interviewer in my opinion did a horrible job, got facts about his life wrong, and totally dropped the ball. Belli remained gracious to her throughout. I was so annoyed by the stupid interviewer that I went down to the hotel Belli was staying at and left a note apologizing for her performance. A week or two later I received an airmail letter from Belli in which he thanked me for my note and invited me to San Francisco to fire off the cannon on his roof. All these years later I have assumed he was being apocryphal, but found out later that there really was a cannon. Loved your video!

[@dustermaniac]

I am from Salem, Mass and now live in Modesto, Ca. It was a very interesting video and I was surprised to see that there were people from Salem Mass who are buried here.

[@jbenziggy]

Yeah the old cemeteries are full of people who left the East Coast for opportunities in the virgin wild country of California! It's quite eye-opening to see the names of hometowns on headstones! Thanks for watching!

[@timberk5]

Good to see you in my neck of the woods. I would like to see you do an episode on the Columbia cemetery. Thanks

[@jbenziggy]

Ha ha! Funny you say that. That's on my list. In fact I still might this week.

[@themiccrazy]

Look forward to your vlogs every week! My mom did craft shows every weekend all over the gold country when I was a kid. We loved that whole area and she said it "gave me a history lesson too"

[@jbenziggy]

Glad that you enjoy the videos we are putting out!

[@mariaburgundy700]

Wish you had been my history teacher, I've learnt so much from you, thank you 😊

[@jbenziggy]

Ha ha ha! Thanks! I don't think I can handle the kids of today though.

[@oldermusiclover]

me too

[@oldermusiclover]

@@jbenziggy totally agree

[@kathleenstockley9055]

I ❤ hearing your stories about the people and going on the cemetery tours with you! Thank you.

[@grumpyvet7670]

If you ever get the chance, could you please do an episode of Hornitos, CA?

[@jbenziggy]

We will certainly try to get there!

[@djdiscoworm]

Jeff, You Bring These People Back To Life!!!

[@TheGraveyardChannel]

Hi Jeff, I'm always so impressed with your thorough research and interesting grave stories. Congrats on all of your new subscribers. You certainly deserve it!

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you, Steve! I appreciate your nice words. Been watching you deal with your mother. I am struck by your gentle nature and you servant's heart. God bless you and your mom.

[@loristone6493]

You both should team up and do a vlog together

[@jbenziggy]

@@loristone6493 I've reached out to Steve but he hasn't made it happen ... even when he is in my "backyard" in California. I don't understand why.

[@loristone6493]

He's in Palm Springs. I'm from San Diego but currently living in Seattle. Oh how I miss California. Steve if you can see this comment you and Jeff should team up and do a Cemetery vlog together. Or some kind of vlog.

[@taralynn7712]

Thanks for posting. I sent just about every summer vacation when growing up at a relative's house up in Strawberry on the river. We always passed through Sonora on the way and had lunch at the restaurant at the Sonora Hotel, visited the living history site at Columbia and spent our days at the beach on Lake Pinecrest!

[@Mr5150Sarge]

My dad was an attorney in Modesto and knew Belli. When I was a kid we visited Belli at his big Victorian house in San Francisco. He still had an old timey phone with no dial and the earpiece hung on the side of the phone. Much like the phones on the Andy Griffith show. He also had TV with one of the first remotes I had ever seen. I must have clicked through the channels for an hour just playing with it.

[@jbenziggy]

Such a cool experience you just relayed! Wow! Such a picture you gave me! He seemed like a very interesting man! Had you ever visited his grave?

[@Mr5150Sarge]

History Hunters i had no idea that he was from Tuolumne County. So the answer is no. I love that I’ve found your channel. The wife and I are both Modesto kids who left California about 15 years ago. We too recognize many of your exploits although not as versed in the history. Keep up the good work.

[@amtruax1]

My Stepfather was Donald Clark Duchow the son of Arthur D Duchow, Arthur ran the news paper and movie theater in Colombia,California and when he had some time off, Arthur would do some gold mining in the hills of Colombia. What a nice surprise for me to get to see and hear about My Stepfathers family’s.Thank you

[@jbenziggy]

I am an old newspaper guy myself so I identify with the Duchows! I just wish I could hold in my hands one of their papers and read it. Thanks for reaching out ... and for watching!

[@amtruax1]

If you get a chance go to Columbia California. There is a small Museum there that has pictures and other things from the Duchow family, Love your blogs

[@petemoss1951]

Thank you for taking me back to my youth. Lived in the area when I was in 1st grade. Always love going to town.

[@jbenziggy]

Glad you enjoyed it, Pete! Thanks for visiting Sonora with us!

[@speckledhen409]

As usual very entertaining. Thanks so much.

[@judyboard7062]

The William John Hales that you mention in this video of the Sonora Cemetery was not the owner of the lumber company in Sonora. George Webb Hale was in the lumber business and he died September 18, 1915 in Sonora and is interred in the Columbia City Cemetery in Columbia, CA along with his wife and two young sons. His wife was Ida Josephine Spier and her family arrived in Columbia by 1852. Her father Jospeph Spier was a founder of the Tuolumne Water Company along with Andrew Fletcher, Dr. Windler and John Jolly. Spier also built a flour mill in Columbia. He and two other men discovered the pass through the Sierras now know as the Sonora Pass. He was also know for his skills as painter, painting the scenes that are still in the Masonic Temple in Columbia. He, his wife and son, Charles Spier later moved to Visalia, California and established a nursery. He and his wife died and are buried in the Visalia Cemetery. There are no markers on their graves.

[@bretthebert4620]

I chose this one to comment on, have watched several in the last few days. Great work! I love the foothills stuff - Sonora, Columbia, Back to the Future III - all of it. I had the great fortune of going to K-Arrow Ranch as a camper in the '80s and am absolutely enthralled by the history of the place, especially the back story stuff. Well done. Thank you for it and reach out if one can go along with you at some point. Anything around the Gold Rush region, especially near Sonora, the Queen of the Southern Mines.

[@jbenziggy]

That's wonderful to hear! Thank you for watching and we hope that you will subscribe! I have done two videos on Sonora cemeteries so please check them out!

[@candymcclure2476]

I enjoy the history trips with photos of the events whenever possible. Thank you for the entertainment.

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you for watching! We always try to collect as many photos as are available.

[@stevemccoy8138]

Hi Jeff, Thanks for the Tour, I really like it up there, but it's been years since I've been there. Used to haul limestone out of Blue Mountain.🇺🇸

[@jbenziggy]

You're welcome! Glad you liked this video!

[@foxmulder4269]

Awesome again ! Thank you

[@WayneKline]

Well, interesting this came up on my Timeline tonight, from 4 years ago. Another great video Jeff, well done!

[@pamelaattrux336]

Always interesting we cannot ever forget this history of these people thanks

[@djdiscoworm]

Landon was such a Tease!!! Excellent work. Fantastic Dj discOworm

[@stevemiller3861]

Thank you for your detailed research.

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks Steve! Glad you enjoyed!

[@kcgunkerstein5061]

Such great artistry that goes into some of the tombstones, that pillow was amazing! Another great video Jeff, thank you.

[@jbenziggy]

That's for sure. That pillow looked mildewy but soft at the same time. I wonder how they even created such masterpieces out of stone! Must have taken forever!

[@bradfordbarrettluckotheIrish]

Loved this one!

[@sherrilee230]

I have family buried in Sonora and I found this very interesting. Thank you you earned a subscription

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you very much and welcome! One on Columbia will be in the works shortly!

[@kriskasperson5450]

Thanks for the cool videos. I love learning the history of my general area. - from Orangevale CA

[@jbenziggy]

You are very welcome! Thanks for letting us know you like the program!

[@tangie777uk]

Absolutely love your channel.Thank you so much for your fantastic videos.

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you so much! Glad to see my videos are being watched in the U.K.! Stay safe!

[@juliehorn3111]

Liked so much. Subscribed

[@muhammadsalaam]

Great content, Jeff!

[@kevinduden9222]

My maternal grandmother managed the Sonota Townhouse for years; the one that used to be right across from an A&W. This would've been late 60s/ early 70s. My mother was raised in Standard and was married at a church in Rawhide.

[@doncoelho8734]

Love this!!

[@johnvoorhees7881]

I'm always finding myself looking back at your previous videos. Good stuff, folks. And again, if you ever come to Maine, I can give you a little tour of where I'm at. History rules!

[@arnoldpadilla6471]

Interesting. I was told the town was named by miners the came from the Mexico state of Sonora. I was told my grandfather was one of those miners. Supposedly, they carved their names in a mine. I would love to someday go and look for his name on the wall of this mine. I just don't know which one.

[@r.gordontrueblood3188]

I love your presentations and narrating style. I don't feel like I am watching, I feel like I'm right there with you. "Experiencing" it with you is so much better than watching.

[@jbenziggy]

That, to me, is a great compliment! Thank you so much for writing this great response! If you are enjoying and learning then I am succeeding at what I set out to do! I trust you have subscribed so you will be notified the next time I post videos!

[@ZEVONLIN]

Always great stuff!

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks again!

[@mov1ngforward]

Hidden history is a wonderful thing! Thank you for this episode. 👏👏👏

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@dougpeel3274]

I enjoy your episodes in the old cemeteries. Great history! 👍

[@olivecoleman3743]

Hi History Hunters I must say you are very good in what you do I enjoy it very much I like history and the way you explain it any one could understand.Thank you i love your program

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks so much, Olive! I really liked your compliment. Very flattering! Blessings to you!

[@arnoldprewitt7914]

Thank you for sharing love your channel.

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you, Arnold! Glad you're enjoying our work and travels!

[@philcox3671]

Wow loved the history of this place, Jeff you do such a great job of telling all about the people and what they did all I can say is your history is one of a kind, thanks for all yours and Sarahs hard work..👍👍

[@jbenziggy]

Wow Phil! That’s a real nice compliment! Thanks very much for watching!

[@tillitrueheart971]

Thanks for all your research and great videos!

[@jbenziggy]

You are welcome! Glad you are enjoying!

[@marygarner5249]

Love History and you make even more interesting love your videos thanks

[@lisalucas6092]

Interesting videos, good work. 👍

[@leahreposa4599]

another great video!

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks a bunch!

[@andrewlowe2962]

That was awesome, very interesting. Thanks 😊

[@jbenziggy]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jupite1888]

Great Story Jeff making our quarantine more easy with your stories.Thanks

[@jbenziggy]

Yeah, it's driving me crazy too with this shelter in place! Thanks for watching!

[@bradkay9538]

Very interesting thanks 👍

[@royosborne6188]

Very interesting as always. The Old Cemeteries are rich in History about the Founders and early Settlers of the Old West. Thank you for Lessons you share.

[@wendygerrish4964]

Connections! Love it.

[@shaunstrasser1]

Love learning the history of my native state

[@JosephKulik2016]

I moved to San Francisco from Springfield MA in 1969 at age 19. I've only been to the Sonora area one time in 1972, with a college friend who grew up there. Even the brief shots of town here blow my mind. That the local cemetery has so many old headstones is even more mind blowing. In 1972, Sonora barely qualified to be called a town because it was so small. As we first rolled into town, I saw a sign that said: "Stop at the stop light ahead." I told my friend that the way the sign was worded suggested that this was the only stop light in town. My friend laughed and told me that was exactly correct. This was the only stop light in all of Tuolumne County. As we drove around the area that day, I saw nothing to contradict that. We visited his mother in Columbia which even had less reason to be called a "town" IMO. It was a glorified intersection of country roads. I'm saying none of this to speak badly of Tuolumne County. It would be a great place to live, even in 1972. It's just that the local cemetery has so many people buried there who had achieved such status locally that there is no way that I can square it with my 1972 visit. Even looking at Google Maps today tells me that Sonora is much better developed today than 1972. Perhaps Sonora became depopulated during the early 20th Century, and then revived later. That's the only sense that I can make of it. ... [e-mail]

[@JosephKulik2016]

My college friend from Sonora was a stable connection on campus for some great marijuana which he called "Colombian". Naturally, all of us at Univ of San Francisco thought that he was talking about weed from the country of Colombia. It was only on my trip to Sonora with him that day that I learned that he called this dynamite weed "Colombian" because it was grown near the secluded town of Columbia CA. It was great weed, wherever it was grown. ... [e-mail]

[@keithmanning8031]

I'm really enjoying your videos. I lived in that area during the 60's but took things for granted as far as the history of the Mother Lode. History is right in front of your nose but we tend to forget that because we are so caught up in ourselves. My family moved to Mississippi due to the death of my father. I'm a teacher of American History. We tend to teach a according to state standards and forget the progression that its starts on a local level. History effects all of us, starting with our family, to our communities in which we live, and so forth to the World. I have a great love of our local history here but I'm still fascinated with the History of California and the West. Continue to produce great videos.

[@jbenziggy]

Love your comment! Yes, we do a horrible job in our schools of teaching history. It literally is the story of how we came to be. All of our ancestors had a contribution in our genetic makeup, of how our streets and towns developed and so many other things! I'm working on more videos as long as people can appreciate them! Thanks for watching and I do hope you have or will subscribe!

[@garythompson5053]

Very interesting videos. Thank you.

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you very much, Gary!

[@lindsaymacpherson8782]

Great history again :)

[@jbenziggy]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Corgis175]

These historic cemeteries are so interesting.

[@whatsthedealwithdanny3913]

great stories . Thanks for what you do.

[@jbenziggy]

Glad you like them!

[@johnkelsey2482]

Excellent......Thanks........

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you, John!

[@sside8]

Now you're at over 43K subscribers! Congratulations!

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks! Yeah, I’m very pleased. We picked up 5,600 subscribers in the last 28 days! 😍

[@barbarabooth4955]

Thank you so much for all your great History shows. When you can you need to go to Colma where San Francisco Graves are and where Many people of history are . Barbara

[@CARDKING_209]

So many cool little towns just east of Stockton keep it up jeff.. another place would be calaveras big trees... also have bearvalley and lake alpine would love to know more facts about who and where and when places were discovered great job

[@waynewilburn3569]

did enjoy very very much

[@dianabeets5854]

i love watching your videos and learning history

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you, Diana! I appreciate it!

[@doloresvargas6450]

What Melvin Belli did was quite unusual.Tony

[@Hatsmoff39]

Very interesting, I like the presentations very much [I live in Sweden]. Visited CA in the 80-ies but never then thought about visiting graveyards. I also Enjoy the verbal presentation.

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you! We are delighted to hear that we are being watched from Sweden! KZbin is a great forum!

[@stephanievf1]

So interesting!! I really enjoyed this. Jeff’s voice is also very soothing

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks very much! That's a wonderful compliment! We hope you have subscribed!

[@terisparkman9814]

Watching your videos makes me want to visit the old cemeteries again. The town of Volcano, CA has a very interesting cemetery. Thanks for all the great historical information.

[@jbenziggy]

We almost went to Volcano on Sunday but went to Auburn instead. So look for an Auburn video this weekend! Thanks!

[@Toltecgrl]

Thank you! This is so interesting!! My Dad is 88 years old and he worked at Standard Mill in Sonora.

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks for watching and I'm glad you enjoyed this video! Did you see my other video on a second Sonora cemetery?

[@Toltecgrl]

History Hunters oh no I didn’t. I will go look. Thanks for telling me! 🤗🤗

[@amywoodington6240]

Thank you for this video! My Dad was president of the Sonora Rodery when this cemetery was severely vandalized. A terrific group of folks up there all came together and cleaned it up. My Dad and I love your videos. Look forward to maybe seeing something from Columbia?

[@jbenziggy]

You can count on a video on Columbia soon! Thank you very much for watching! It's heartwarming to know the efforts we make are being appreciated by many!

[@amywoodington6240]

Dad and I are both history bluffs. He is in Twain Harte, I'm in Campbell CA. I sure hope he reaches out to you! My stepmother has family buried in Knights Ferry, we loved the videos you made there!

[@melissajensen3166]

Love that area. I spent a lot of time in the gold area’s of California. I love old cemeteries , such history. Great content. Thanks.

[@jbenziggy]

Your comments are greatly appreciated in light of the fact that five people so far gave me a thumbs down. I don't quite understand since hundreds like and appreciate what I do. Thanks!

[@michaelgmoore5708]

Really good episode

[@jbenziggy]

Nice to hear! Thanks Michael! This one goes back a few years!

[@davinacooks7245]

Congratulations to History Hunters

[@robertforrest7956]

I always find that the bigger the headstone, the bigger their Egos were. The average person- persons are the real story and often overlooked. Thanks Jeff...🖖

[@jbenziggy]

You are welcome! Glad you're enjoying these videos!

[@aevilangel]

I love watching your channel. As a Modesto native and resident O love seeing the history in the cities surrounding us.

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you for letting us know you like our videos! Did you see the one we did on the Modesto plane crash of the 1920s? kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2m1imN5rZZ9p7s

[@aevilangel]

@@jbenziggy Budd Coffee right. That is the one that got me addicted to your channel. I love history

[@bettyfourman5438]

Another very interesting video. I like the one of old western cemeteries

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks Betty!

[@curtgomes]

I met Melvin Belli back sometime in the early 1980s. I was a Deputy Sheriff when he walked up to me outside the county jail where his client was being held. We spoke briefly. He seemed pretty arrogant. As I recall his client was involved with the Tylenol poisonings that were a huge problem during that period. He claimed his client, the main suspect, was innocent. He was guilty as hell. Belli had a very colorful personal history...

[@deborahdugger6099]

The cemetery under “New Hogan Dam”.. just moved the “headstones” to the roadside hill along the road from San Andreas… to Valley Springs.

[@luannebarlet7316]

My 2nd video!! I'm loving your channel!! Now you are so close to where I grew up!! Rail Road Flat, just up the road...

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you, Luanne! I love that you're loving our channel!

[@JaimeExploring]

Love the Train! And the Cemetery grounds and Headstones, Safe Travels!

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you very much!

[@raymondcoggins297]

Cool history

[@michaelhager2846]

Love the California history 😊

[@theodoredugranrut8201]

I love this kind of history Was just informed you and I have friends in common Central California watching

[@jbenziggy]

Now you have me curious. Who are our common friends? LOL

[@theodoredugranrut8201]

@@jbenziggy A good friend of mine used to go to Bible studies with your family at Waterford babtist Church

[@RVBadlands2015]

Can you do one on the Masonic Cemetary in Jamestown Ca. My grandfathers cousin is buried there. He ran a saloon in Jamestown. A. During the 1809’s his name was Issac Ouderkirk.

[@jbenziggy]

It may be possible to check that one out? I think that may be the same cemetery I visited in the Donner App episode.

[@cindyvargas9277]

Are you related to Steve Ouderkirk? Kung Pow! Enter the Fist is so funny and amazing how he put it together. Long live Steve Ouderkirk!! ♥

[@lisasnyder6291]

Mokelumne Hill has two old cemeteries you may find interesting. Local historians could no doubt provide much information.

[@jbenziggy]

We will see about getting up there! Thanks for the tip!

[@bradklaatu]

Great video, Tuolumne County is where I grew up. Shay engine #3 which is shown at the beginning of your video, was originally placed in Standard, just up the road from Sonora. It was placed there by Pickering Lumber which owned it. As kids, its location generally marked how far we could go on that side of Standard. Additionally, we spent many hours playing on #3. Great memories.

[@jbenziggy]

I wonder if you ever busted your knee caps or anything else on that old hard steel artifact! LOL

[@ravensbrood3544]

Yes the foothill towns in Gold Rush country are full of history, very interesting video.👍

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks a bunch!

[@malcolm4200]

very interesting Jeff fantastic content great video keep up the good work greetings from Nova Scotia,

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you, sir! Glad to see we have some audience members in Canada!

[@Jake-yx7ct]

One great marble and granite working. It is interesting stroll thru the early history of Sonora. I lived in Modesto in the late 70's and mid 80's. Been to Sonora several times. I won't visit that cementary. Good research on those markers.

[@heaw]

Dirty Mary Crazy Larry looks like a badass film! Definitely checking that out

[@michaelgmoore5708]

The best history ever

[@allenchalupnik3889]

Hello Jeff Allen here again I have some stuff here that you may not know or maybe you do but I don't think you can figure it out nowadays but let me tell you when I was 14 I was in Columbia and then one of the bars was the head Joaquin Marietta Marietta in the hand of three finger Pete I'm sure they're no longer in view but they were there in the bar in Colombia some more interesting facts and I know this because my brother was the caretaker in the cemetery of Turlock walking Marietta's body is buried in the cemetery in Turlock on West Main and I only know this because my brother was a caretaker there information I hope is useful to you thank you for your show I enjoy everything about what you do there in the Tuolumne and Sonora area have a wonderful day and many happy nights I was all over Yosemite when I worked on the road crew in Mariposa I also worked on the wagon trail Wagon Road from Coulterville into Yosemite how many interesting sites along that long ago stage route I wish I had a way to talk to you directly but thank you for all you've done

[@allenchalupnik3889]

When I lived in Coulterville I found the camp of Joaquin Marietta it's on private property but I had permission to metal detect there found several interesting artifacts did I treasure today

[@jbenziggy]

Joaquin Murrieta is not buried in Turlock. I think you’re confusing him with outlaw Bill Dalton who is buried there. I did a video on it with the cemetery manager Scott Atherton. Nobody knows where any parts of Murrieta are. The head and hand you saw was undoubtedly a fake.

[@allenchalupnik3889]

@@jbenziggy that may be but what I seen surely look like they had a walking Marietta and a hand of three fingered Pete though it may have been fake it Shirley looked real to me at those days when I was 14 or 15 thank you I appreciate your reply I have friends I Coulter ville who say that

[@allenchalupnik3889]

That walking Marietta was on their property and made their grandfather hold an oak tree until the sun went down otherwise he would come back and kill him this is positive proof

[@rustyruss2962]

Jeff another Good ☝️ Thank You

[@michelleserrano6115]

Love the history.

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you for watching!

[@briansalvig8234]

I sure like your hard work thanks

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you, Brian! That's nice to hear! It's appreciated!

[@larrymiller8210]

I enjoy touring cemeteries. You have great knowledge of who is who, great job! When I reflect on the people there my thought is they were like me, us, had families, jobs, ambitions, life goals. It is in a humbling experience. Love all your videos as always. You should be commended on your research. Thanks Larry Miller San Diego Ca. Retired

[@jbenziggy]

I am honored at your praises! Thanks very much! I try to do my best to educate and entertain! I will work hard to keep you watching! Have a great holiday celebration!

[@scottyp.9932]

We're enjoying you're content Jeff. I'm hoping you might do an episode on John Marsh, early pioneer a little west of you in Brentwood Ca.

[@jbenziggy]

Wow. I just took a look online and it's definitely something I have on my list now! Interesting story!

[@scottyp.9932]

@@jbenziggy That would be great. There's a historical trust that should be able to help. Historic marker is in Martinez side the road. Don't hesitate to contact me if you need any contacts/info. You might want to check into Byron Hot Springs if you're in the area - bit harder to get into right now.

[@jbenziggy]

@@scottyp.9932 I see on Google maps that there is a gate to the Marsh house. Who could I call to gain access to it?