LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Lucas Willey lived in Lower Lake from 1867 until his death on Jan. 6, 1873. He was a wagon maker and the justice of the peace.

A copy of his personal journal from this time was given to the Lower Lake Museum by his great, great grandson, Ken Green of Calistoga.

The following are excerpts from his journal.

Sunday, April 10, 1870

Nothing of any particular importance has taken place except the passage by the Legislature of a bill ordering a new election on the County Seat on the first Monday in May. It was amended so as only two places are to be voted for, Lakeport and Lower Lake. Things look very favorable for this place but there is no telling. Such things are not sure until the vote is counted and sometimes not sure then for instance the other election we had on the same question when we won but they contested.

Sunday, May 8, 1870

“Last Monday was county seat election day. As we heard the upper part of the county had hired a great many men to come in from other counties for the purpose of voting. Men were detailed to go and watch the polls at the suspected precincts. … As it is thirty-six miles to Upper Lake … I had a relay of horses sent to Kelseyville Sunday night.

“… Beckley and I started in a light spring wagon and two horses. We got to Kelseyville about ten o’clock, changed horses and went seven miles to Lakeport but did not stop there but kept on three miles beyond when we were overtaken by four men who by seductive persuasions of some revolvers induced us to accompany them back to Lakeport … They took us into town, ordered us to drive to this stable and told the stock keeper to take care of our team, took us to the hotel and told us we could remain three to four hours and then go back home. They told the hotel keeper to give us our dinner or anything else we wanted. After dinner I saw A.P. McCarty and asked him if he could not get us released…. In about half an hour, two of the citizens came and told us we could go home but the boys would not let us go up the county. So we left feeling we were lucky to get away from such a community of outlaws with whole hides ...

“According to reports, we are beaten seventy-five votes, not by citizen voters, but by men who have been hired to come into the County for the sole purpose of voting. Tomorrow the Board of Supervisors will canvas the vote. Another lawsuit will probably be the result.”

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