A REMINDER OF THE PAST — Some of the grave markers found in the Susanville Cemetery are more elaborate and made out of marble. Marble spires were often used as grave markers for Freemasons. Photo by Tonya Dronoff 1914 when the Masons and the Native Sons of the Golden West placed a native granite marker in the cemetery. Weatherlow accompanied Roop to the Honey Lake Valley. He helped Roop build the first cabin in Susanville, which is known as Roop’s Fort. As an early settler, Weatherlow attended most meetings pertaining to organizations and governance of the territory and served on several general committees. He died of pneumonia in Roop’s home in 1864 at
age 51. Tommy Tucker, a Native American, was the first Lassen County soldier to die in action in World War I. He died in France in 1918. The local American Legion Post is named in his honor. Leonard Lowry’s request to be buried next to Tucker was granted when he died in 1999. Lowry was also a Native American who served in the U.S. military, becoming the highest decorated Native American in World War II. Lowry and his brother were the
subjects of the book, “Home to Medicine Mountain,” illustrated by Lowry’s daughter Judith. The book recounts the boys’ return to Lassen County from an Indian boarding school in Riverside. During the 1930s, it was the practice for the government to send Indian children to residential boarding schools where they were forbidden to speak their language and forced to forget their traditions. The boys ran away from the school, coming home by riding on top of a freight train. Lowry retired from the U.S. Army in 1967 a Lt. Colonel. In addition to his service in World War II, he served during the Korean and Vietnam wars. He also served at the Pentagon in Washington D.C. Lowry was proud of his Native American heritage, but he always said he fought for “all the people in the Honey Lake Valley. This is my home.” Lowry wanted to be buried next to Tucker, but then it was discovered someone was already buried in that spot. It is believed this grave also belonged to a veteran. So an unknown marker was placed at the spot, and Lowry was buried on the other side. The cemetery was established when Perry Craig drowned in the Susan River in November 1860, but there is no marker for his grave. In 1918, the cemetery was closed, plots were no longer available, and the Lassen Cemetery opened on Chestnut Street in 1919. Even though the Pioneer Cemetery was deemed closed, interments continued with 99 burials between 1978 and 2001. ❖
“Fitness is a choice, a privilege and a lifestyle.”
Lassen County Visitors Guide 2012-13
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