LAKEPORT >> It is difficult to know exactly what took place in December 1849 when pioneers Andy Kelsey and Charles Stone employed Native American vaqueros on their ranch, but it has been documented the workers were physically abused and not being paid, then they rose up and killed Kelsey and Stone.
Several voters commented on the controversial measure to rename Kelseyville to Konocti in the wake of last week’s general election. Even though the results are not official, the “no” vote on renaming Kelseyville is 72 percent to 28 percent after 48 precincts were counted and nearly 8,000 votes were cast. Janan Platt, said, “Personally, I’m not a tribal person, but I sincerely have no desire to have a rapist, murderer, torturer, robber of people associated with where I live. Crimes are crimes for reasons. Anyone experiencing such crimes certainly would not want the name of the perpetrator in their life or near anyone they love. To me, the fact that over 2,100 people voted to change the name, is really promising.”
Dr. John Parker, a certified archeologist and tour guide at the Ely Stage Stop in Kelseyville, has completed extensive research on the tragedy and summarized events in a published paper. Parker noted, it can’t be certain what happened during the killing of Charles Stone and Andrew Kelsey, the best approximation can be obtained by cobbling together activities mentioned by various recollections that discuss those activities. “Based on the accounts listed in this report, it is unlikely that any of the activities that are mentioned by only one person actually took place,” he said. “Yet there seems to be agreement among most of the storytellers.”
Though they expected immediate retaliation, none happened. Most Pomo returned to their old villages in Scotts Valley and Upper Lake.
In February 1850, learning of the death of their brother, Ben Kelsey then organized a group of armed settlers who rode off and murdered “a large number of Indians” in the lower part of the Napa Valley, (The Journal 2008). According to the accounts, a party of 40 to 50 armed settlers, “headed by Samuel Kelsey and a Mormon named Joseph Smith,” start near Yountville and burned and killed their way south, pausing long enough in Sonoma to announce that they would “hunt and kill every Indian found in the country,” Dr. Parker reported. (The Journal 2008). In March 1850, a Napa rancher filed a complaint and the next day Sam Kelsey and six others were arrested and jailed at Benicia. The “Sonoma Seven” were incarcerated on the USS Savannah while their case was argued before the California Supreme Court (the first case ever heard by the California State Supreme Court).
Among the various historical accounts, Dr. Parker included Major Ed Sherman’s Version (Sherman nd.)
“Lyons’ attack on the Island of 400 warriors saw many women and children committed suicide in fear while the soldiers fought with the bucks and burned the village.
“No one knows for certain what happened during the battle at Bloody Island, the best picture is based on the accounts listed in this report, it is unlikely that any of the activities that are mentioned by only one person actually took place.”
In August I850, Ben, wife Nancy and Sam Kelsey traveled to Humboldt Bay overland. Though they had vast holdings and built fancy homes. The Kelseys defaulted on loans and lost their Arcata land (The Journal 2008). Sam moved to San Bernardino County in 1861 and formed a band of Confederate sympathizers. A warrant was issued for his arrest in 1862 and he disappeared from the historical record (The Journal 2008). Ben and Nancy moved to Mexico in 1859 and then to Texas (The Journal 2008). They moved back to California where Ben died in 1888. Nancy died in 1896 (The Journal 2008).
In 1950, due to problems with looting and vandalism, a decision was made to exhume Stone and Kelsey’s remains. H.H. Bancroft writes: The Kelsey’s were “rough men often in trouble with the law.”
Despite the No vote, winning 72% of the vote, Measure U will not decide the Nov. 5 balloting but only be taken into advisement by the U.S. Board of Geographic Names (BGN), who will decide. Board of Supervisors chair, Bruno Sabatier said the following regarding the vote, “Since the issue of the Kelseyville name change is in District 5, I will always look for Supervisor Jessica Pyska to take the lead in bringing an agenda item back to the board for a recommendation. It is up to her, and I can’t speculate on when that will occur. Eventually with or without a comment from the Board, BGN will make a decision.”
Pyska said she anticipated the issue coming up before the board before the end of the year. The BOS has three meetings in December before wrapping up a busy 2024.
Alan Fletcher, one of the driving forces behind the name change and Citizens for Healing movement said the group plans to submit a summary of items of concern to the BOS for the Dec. 3, 2024 meeting. (Either as an agenda item if they have one, or as public comment)
“I believe the BoS will have enough information by December 10 to make a recommendation to the BGN. (U.S. Board on Geographic Names) This will be reviewed by CACGN (California Advisory Committee on Geographic Names) who will rubber-stamp a ‘yes’ and then by the BGN,” Fletcher noted. “If the BoS votes NO on the basis of the ballot … then CACGN and BGN might over-ride it,” he added.
Sherman Baker, another commenter said, “I have advocated not changing the name of Kelseyville in the belief we should never attempt to bury historical fact. True, Kelsey was not a person whom I would refer to as ‘good’, but Kelseyville today is a charming rural community of good people who have spoken loudly about this name change. I will add, should 71% of the population had voted to change the name I would respect that vote and volunteer to assist painting the new name on signage they had advocated. That to me is the rule of living in a Constitutional Republic that defines us presently.”
Yes on U,” commented Patricia Rouse. She said, “The type of abuser who does not notice victims, does not notice self-evident truths and is not attentive to each citizens’ rights.” Rouse added, “Pomo tribal history in this unique region. I favor and support the traditional Pomo tribal history. And in that, the living history lending Konocti, already the largest geographic presence on the map looming over head part of the beauty of the area. With consideration for those who are hostile to no longer using a derogatory word, or pretending it wasn’t the rape slaver murderers … etc. In this matter it’s not about you personally and as a business, it is about each citizen’s right, self-evident truths, and the right thing to do, asap.”
—Record-Bee Editor Ariel Carmona contributed to this story.
