• The Way It Was
• Adieu, Louis, Adieu
• Louis Beaupré Obituary
• Sherrif's Log by John Tyson
• It Gripes Me by Jay Regas
• Woody's Cartoon

by

Joe Pastrami

Remembering Louis "Louie" Beaupré

It was somewhat appropriate that I first learned of Louies passing just before the Sunday Mass last Sunday at St. Marys in the Mountains. Before his long illness, Louie was usually in attendance there on Sundays and could be seen in the back of the church. His wife Carolyn has been in the choir for about as long as I can remember, her chief function being to play the chimes that were installed by the late French priest, Father Charles Bengel back around 1984. As choir director, I took the Bing Crosby song "Bells of St. Marys", changed the words to fit our situation and we would sing the same for Christmas and for the tourists in the summer. It was Louies job, as long as he was in the back of the church, to ring the bell while we were singing this song, and soon he became a regular fixture as our "bell ringer" until the new chimes came in, and when he became ill a few months ago, his presence was sorely missed. He also served on the "parish council" along with me, Angelo Petrini, and Bill Marks. (See photo on page 2). This group was organized by Father Bengel to rubber-stamp his decisions and back him in his on-going battles with the local Bishop, Norman McFarland, a crusty-old type, during the restoration of the interior of the church. The high point of Louies religious career occurred when Father Bengels family visited from France, and Louie marched into church in his French-Canadian Mountain Man regalia, while we sang the "Marseillaise" and presented a French flag to them in the middle of mass.

Louie, like many of us on the Comstock, was a free spirit, who, as reflected by the famous "Mountain Man Ballet" in which he took part at Pipers Opera House, was a man who "didnt fit in anywhere" except on the Comstock. Despite his college education, he was happiest out in the boondocks driving truck, or heading somewhere in his old "chili truck" the same being reminiscent of the truck in the Beverly Hillbillies TV show laden down with pots and pans, and accompanied by his French poodles, or sitting in one of our saloons, sipping red wine, and chatting with his friends. Louie was partial to red wine instead of the usual whiskey or beer, and if you ran into him in one of our saloons, you would see him sip on a glass or two of wine and then move on down to the next saloon, just spending a few minutes in each one. If I wasnt on "C" Street hitting the saloons myself, I would see Louies old truck pass my office late at night, heading home after a spell of wine tasting.

For a while, he was hired by the Delta Saloon as a bartender, and got a short haircut and dressed up rather conservatively, per instructions of the management. I happened to be a patron one time, while he was on shift. Angelo Petrini, owner of the establishment, had not yet acquired his first million, and still worked the place himself. On this particular night, he was helping Louie as "stockboy," carrying in liquor and other necessary articles of the trade. The two kept getting in each others way and stepping on each

others feet, with Louie delighting me and the other customers by calling it the French/Italian Comedy Hour, or more specifically, the "Wop and Frog Show. Louie soon tired of this occupation, and shortly thereafter, went back to truck driving and cooking chili out of his truck in the Delta parking lot and elsewhere on the street.

Louie had a small airplane in the basement of his house, and for a while, the Chronicle publicized the occasional flights we would take over the County during our drinking bouts, culminating in the enclosed illustration by artist John Hunt, showing our attempted landing on "C" Street.

Louie was happiest just living in and being on the Comstock, one with "Chevy" Ray, Harvey Smith, Murray Mack, Billy Varga, and others who make up the current Comstock legend. If the new testament is correct, Christ made wine at the wedding at Cana and promised his followers that he would drink it again in heaven. In Louies case, I trust it is good French wine and that he is there sipping it with Father Bengel.

by

Martin Lane

Louis Beaupre was one of the first people I got to know well on the Comstock. This was because he shared my taste for socializing in the Comstock bars of an evening. In those days, some 12 years ago, he would circulate from one bar to another, never staying in one location for very long. He always had a new (new to me, anyway) joke, to go along with his glass of the cheapest possible wine. "Ah, a good month," he would exclaim as he drank it down.

It shows Louis powers of persuasion that he convinced me who had never joined anything except a chess club in my life to join the Clampers. I still remember the drive to Foresthill (near Auburn) for my Clamper induction, in Louis old truck, sharing the truck cab with him and his two dogs, and holding onto the loop of wire which served as the door handle on the passenger side for dear life the wire kept slipping from my had annd the door kept swinging open. Louis was chatting away, oblivious to my plight (or secretly enjoying it, as I suspected), drinking a can of Budweiser, while keepin a weathger eye out for any Highway Patrolmen who might be lurking in the vicinity.

Louis had a strong, independent spirit. He was probably the only logging truck driver in the west who had a Sierra Club sticker on his truck. He loved driving trucks for a living, in a variety of rigs, accompanied only by his "logging poodles." He also loved living in Virginia City, although he regretted the population increase in the last twenty years, harking back to the time when he could, "piss off my back porch" without fear of being seen by a neighbor. He also didnt like some of the changes in the town particularly the work of the "little leveler" who Louis could hear bulldozing the mining tailings, even when he could no longer see the dozers in action. "Somebody should do something about that son of a bitch" he said to me on more than one occasion.

Louis wrote many columns for the paper, and I regret that I didnt badger him into writing more. He had many fascinating and entertaining stories to tell about trucking across Nevada, and working amongst loggers and other hard-living men.

Towards the end, his loss of eyesight and hearing and mobility, meant a loss of the independence he treasured so much, and, understandably, he became demoralized. But it took a long time to entirely subdue his great, fighting spirit.

Louis Beaupré

Louis Beaupre was born in Arlington, Virginia 72 years ago. His parents were Louis and Florence Beaupré. He attended schools in the Washington, D.C. area and the University of Nevada. He was in the U.S. Army during the Korean war. He married Carolyn Tanner in 1951, they moved to Virginia City and had 5 children: Louis of Las Vegas, Jon of Los Angeles, Calif., André of Mark Twain, Heather of Virginia City and Suzette of Washoe Valley. They have seven grandchildren. Besides his immediate family, he is survived by his brother Alan in Stagecoach and his sister Kay in Pittsburg, PA

Louis was a cowboy, truck driver and a Mountain Man. He cooked Mountain Oysters, chili and Chinese Food. He built a home for his family in Virginia City and took them camping and boating around Lake Tahoe. He will be remembered for his stories, jokes and harmonica playing. He was the first Noble Grand Humbug of the Julia Bulette Chapter of E Clampus Vitus and was instrumental in that organization acquiring the Moran Building on B Street.

Four years ago Louis suffered a stroke. After six months in the VA Hospital he returned home. Since then his health has deteriorated. He became blind and bedridden. Congestive heart failure finally conquered him..

There will be a Funeral Mass for Louis Beaupré at 11 am, Saturday, March 4 at St. Mary in the Mountains in Virginia City.

A reception will follow at the Clamper Hall on B Street near Pipers Opera House

PHOTOS
It was difficult to get Louis to smile when his picture was being taken.He preferred to glare at the photographer. Thats why the picture on the front page is something of a rarity. From the top, we see Louis cooking (beans, perhaps) in the back of his truck (Photo by Gary Elam); Louis with the recently departed Harvey Smith at a Chili Cookoff (Photo by Gary Elam); Louis cooking in front of the Delta at one of the first Mountain Oyster Cookoffs (Photo by Jim Gill); and Louis with Bob at the Jewish Cemetery, which Louis helped to restore. (Photo by Gary Elam.)

by John Tyson

Upside Down on Lousetown Road

All and all a quiet week for Sheriffs deputies. At the top of the log for this week are alarm calls, and assists to outside agencies. Lyon County requested Storey County assistance on a domestic incident that occurred on the Lyon County side of Mark Twain. The incident was handled peacefully.

On the other side of the spectrum, NHP assisted Storey County on an accident on Lousetown Road. A vehicle ended up upside down with the driver being transported to Washoe Medical Center. Once the driver healed, shell was transported to our jail on a DUI charge.

Deputies responded to three alarm calls this week, including an open door at the Shooting Gallery. Each call has to be treated as an actual intrusion, and so deputies must use all caution when checking out the buildings. Luckily for everyone, all the alarms were false alarms.

Once again speeding in 6 Mile Canyon resulted in a dented and damaged vehicle lying in a ditch. Fortunately, the driver wasnt injured.

Animal complaints are also down. Only one report of a barking dog this week, and that turned out to be unfounded. But a sick horse on the road to TRW was humanely put down after officials from the VRWPA determined that nothing more could be done for the animal.

Other reports handled by deputies this week include a report of embezzlement at a local store. That case is currently under investigation. And the Violation of the Sense of Humor Act award this week goes to the owner of a vehicle who left his car on "C" Street with the engine running. Someone who didnt like the smell of an idling engine took it upon himself to reach in a turn the engine off. No charges filed in this case.

Sheriff Whitten advises that speeding and other traffic violations continue to be a problem throughout the County. The traffic unit is issuing way too many citations, so please SLOW DOWN and drive with care.

Have a safe week.

by Jay Regas

It gripes me that government is becoming more and more intrusive in our adult choices. The attack on the cigarette industry is setting a dangerous precedent. I have been a lifelong nonsmoker, yet Im appalled that in some states a businessman cannot operate a business that caters to smokers. I watched my father die a painful death from cancer accredited to smoking a couple of packs of Camels a day. I dont blame R.J Reynolds Tobacco Company. He drank more than he should have and gambled for recreation. I do not blame John Ascuaga or the liquor industry for my fathers adult choices.

that casino operators like Steve Wynn and John Ascuaga speak disparagingly about Nevadas legalized brothel industry. During the seven years that I worked at "Old Bridge Ranch," I never heard of a customer blowing his rent money or car payment like the thousands of degenerate gamblers I have known in my lifetime do.

that each year during Valentines Day the jewelry industry advertises how diamonds are forever, that flowers dont last and candy is fattening. The floral industry has always taken the high road and recommended: "If your going to give her diamonds. . . give them romantically with candy & flowers!"

that anyone would place serious validity on anything Joe Conforte has said or done during the last ten years. I use Ronald Reagan s sarcastic quote made during a presidential debate with President Jimmy Carter: "There you go again." . . when I heard Confortes latest attempt to take control of "Old Bridge Ranch by claiming David Burgess assigned the lease to him in 1985. It seems its time for Joe Conforte and the antibrothel advocate John Reese to get together for a group rate with a psychiatrist.

that Jessi Winchester was not given the opportunity to provide input for the new Storey County brothel ordinance. Ms. Winchester was a working prostitute while I was working at Old Bridge Ranch. I dont remember Jessi as an exceptional outgoing working girl, but as a lady who quietly and privately went about her business in a professional manner. Jessi Winchester proves that no matter what profession a person enters we all have the opportunity to advance socially, professionally and be part of our political system. While Jessis efforts have been Herculean and her successes minimal her voice has been heard and her tenacity admirable.

that "Prolife" advocates have taken lives and destroyed property in the name of their cause. While I side with the "Prolife" movement I dont see them providing a viable solution for unwanted children. Until they solve that problem I find myself leaning "Pro-choice."

that New York (a state with no gambling) Democratic Congressman John LaFalce has introduced a bill to eliminate ATM machines from gaming casinos. We have another dorighter, trying to keep lawabiding "citizens" from their hardearned money while protecting the minority of those who cannot maintain control of their adult choices. Speaking of CITIZENS. . .

that police agencies refer to the community at large as CIVILIANS as if the police are some kind of occupying army within our communities instead of our fellow CITIZENS.

that an ongoing political battle is brewing over gun control. Politicians are using every incident to create a hysteria to take guns away from law- abiding Americans. While I am not a gun person if we read the "Bill of Rights," as our forefathers intended, the "Right to Bear Arms" is to protect citizens from government every American should be armed with Fl4s and 105mm Howitzers today.

that a city in Southern California is implementing a mandatory condom giveaway in their citys bars. The scary thing about these type of laws is that they, for God knows what reason, spread. Its beyond belief that a city council has been convinced that adults who come into an establishment and buy cocktails should be "given" a condom. OK. . . its West Hollywood, a predominately guy community that is concerned about the spread of AIDS. Alternate lifestyle adults are making adult choices. One of those choices should be good judgement without government intervention.

that the city of Reno imploded the "Mapes." On the other hand. What else could have been done with the building other than storing pigeon dung?

. how inconsiderate many of our neighbors have become. One day, my lady friend Jan and I were driving along a Reno street and came upon a toddler in the middle of the street. We stopped and I told Jan to take the baby over to the curb while I stood beside the car honking the horn repeatedly. I was concerned that we did not take the baby to the car because of the fear of being accused of some outrageous intention. My horn blaring eventually rousted a neighbor who angrily asked why I was making noise in their exclusive, quiet neighborhood. After explaining the situation to the irate old bag, she disgustedly told us to ring a doorbell where the child might be from. We did, much to the relief of the mother who gathered up her little one. We had taken twenty minutes of our day to do the right thing and irritated some nag who was more concerned with her peace and tranquility then the safety of a little person.

the food Im eating while incarcerated. Im astonishing each mealtime seeing my fellow convicts gather like cows wanting to have their udders emptied at milking time. When the gates opened they charge to be fed slop. I eat the food served here, I just dont herd-up and run to be fed with enthusiasms. Reading a menu you would think were eating at a Regency Hotel. They have invented some names like; "Santa Maria Styled Chicken" (I havent been able to distinguish this "Style" from any other over-cooked chicken) and serve it with "Santa Maria Style Beans." I find nothing distinguishing about the beans other than they are served lukewarm to cold. In my rodeo days we visited Santa Maria three or four days a year. I wasnt treated to their "chicken & beans." I have not seen a leaf lettuce or a Romaine since my arrest. The staple "Mixed Green Salad" as advertised on the menu (served with lunch and dinner, daily) is, "Iceberg" (head lettuce) with shaved carrots. I never purchased head lettuce. When my father was a grower (During the second World War my father was a major grower, supplying the war effort with fresh produce.) he wouldnt grow the stuff because we didnt have chickens or hogs to feed.

that I have run out of room. . . Ill gripe again sometime!