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Introduction by Genie Olson
In 1988, the Editor of The Galt Herald, Roy Herberger, offered the Galt Area
Historical Society the opportunity to run a weekly column in his paper.
The secretary of the Society, Jane Bilello, volunteered to take on the task, and
for a time, she conducted interviews with local citizens and gathered stories
about the area history. Her articles were so enjoyable, and she was so
careful to be historically accurate that we thought her writing should be
available to enjoy on the website. What follows is a series of her
writings which we have titled “The Bilello Collection”.
“Tapestry of Time”
Galt Herald Article for December 14, 1988
By Jane C. Bilello
This column is the first of a weekly series of articles designed to inform
you, the readers, about the HISTORY OF THIS AREA. There are those whose
histories date back to the gold rush days and those who are very new to this
place. This writer counts herself among the latter group.
I come to this column as a resident of Herald a mere nine months. Yes,
I am the new kid in town. I am also new to the State. Three years
ago, I permanently said goodbye to the East and made California my new home - -
a place rich in history, a place whose people are as diverse as the California
landscape.
I guess my fascination with California history began in history books in
elementary school. Couple that with Gene Autry, The Lone Ranger, Gunsmoke,
and an overacting imagination, and you had a little kid growing up in Brooklyn
who became the very terror of the neighborhood. The six guns, the broom
horse, the cowhand outfit, and the double-barreled shotgun Santa left under the
tree were put to some interesting uses. Not cement, not the screaming
trains above my head or the acrid smell of bud fumes could dampen my enthusiasm
for a western show down. My very favorite pass time was ambushing the bad
guys - - shooting hedge leaves from the double-barreled shotgun at the kids
walking home from school. The garden apartment across the street was the
fort held captive by the notorious outlaws. Captives need to be freed.
So, I rang lots of doorbells to lure the captors out into the open so I could
shoot ‘em and free the hostages. Needless to say, I was usually in lots of
trouble. I was seen mostly with a boom cleaning up the mess, and the
hedges in front of the house rarely had leaves. I guess by New York
standards, I was a weird kid, but I was always a Wild West fan. So I
finally made it. Not only am I in California, but I’m here in the Wild
West. However, I’m no longer looking for elusive outlaws who live in
garden apartments. I’m looking for that pioneer history I early came to
love. It’s a new adventure, and one that I hope will bring me to meet many
of you. You will have to forgive me though, if I get carried away by your
recollections or if I recount our history for new comers. You will also
have to forgive me if you ask questions I do not have the answers to. Like
many of you, I am searching. Won’t you join in that search to find the
missing pieces so we can insure our place in California’s history?
It is my hope, and that of the Galt Area Historical Society, that through
this weekly column we will stir your memories and encourage your participation
in the search for historical memorabilia and the preservation of family
histories. You will be enchanted by historical accounts, inspired by the
efforts of some, invited to dinner by others, tempted into taking the day off
for an afternoon trip, and summoned to help. At all times, you will be
kept informed. To accomplish that goal, the column will be arranged in
sections. Each section will have its own heading and contain its own piece
of information. Well, are you ready? Let’s gather round and chew the fat.
Article 1, Eucalytpus Grove
Article 2, Arno - Hicksville
Article 3, Electric Freight Train
Article 4, Clay Station
Article 5, Seymour Carr
Article 6, Bolton, Lewins Families
Article 7, William Bottimore
Article 8, Galt's Italian Colony
Article 9, Arthur Thornton's Story
Article 10, Elliot and Hawk's Corner
Article 11, Alta Mesa Hall
Article 12, The Story of Colin McKenzie
Article 13, The Story of George Barber
Article 14, The Liberty Story
Article 15, The Story of Eddie Ambrogio
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