So where did these two hundred new Lyttons come from?
Following is a chronology of the Lytton Alexander Valley Rancheria, on the basis of which the current Band seeks Federal Government approval for the establishment of a new Tribal Lands in Windsor.
The chronology was donated by Mike Bojanowski.
----Bob Crawford.
Chronology of the Lytton Rancheria
Synopsis:
The Lytton Rancheria was not ancient tribal lands but was land purchased by the Government in 1927 "for homeless California Indians" and, ten year later, occupied by two families with BIA permission. The Lytton Rancheria was eventually assigned, not to a "tribe", but to two families - Myers and Steele - the heads of whom, although related through marriage, did not get along. In 1955, the heads of both families requested that their Lytton Rancheria assignments be deeded to them and they received everything they asked for from the Government. The Lytton Rancheria land was not taken from them, but given to them free of debt. The Lytton Rancheria was not terminated illegally, but by lawful act of Congress. At the time of termination, only two of the assignees actually lived on the Rancheria. All of the assignees voluntarily sold the parcels for profit shortly after termination.
Mar 11, 1927 - U.S. Department of the Interior (Office of Indian Affairs) (DOI/OIA) authorized purchase of 50 acres in Alexander Valley (Lytton parcel) for $10,000 from R.A. Gobbi for "homeless California Indians". 1,7
Mar 16, 1927 - Two deeds recorded, one for 45 acres and the other for 5 acres pursuant to DOI/OIA authorization.2 No tribe or band was mentioned in the deed.7 Land left unassigned.
Dec 1, 1928 - Salvation Army at Lytton requested permission to use the 50 acres Lytton parcel to grow corn.3 Request approved Dec 17, 1928.7
Nov 13, 1931 - Superintendent of Indian Affairs Office in Sacramento approved an additional request of Salvation Army at Lytton to use (farm) the Lytton parcel and keep fences in repair.4
February 9, 1937 - Bert Steele, a 1/4 blood Indian from Round Valley and husband of Mary, a Sonoma County Pomo Indian, requested permission to occupy Lytton parcel.5,7 Authorization given by the Sacramento Office Feb 10, 1937, and Steele moved, later that year, into a one room cabin which he built.7
July 20, 1937 - Informal permit for the Salvation Army to farm the Lytton parcel was terminated by the Sacramento Office "inasmuch as Mr. Bert Steele, an Indian, desires to make use of this land".6
1937/1938 - Sacramento Office made a grant of $350 for building materials with which Steele and his sons built a house, completed in July 1938. John W. Myers, a Stewarts Point, Sonoma County Pomo, and his wife, an Indian from Bodega bay, requested authorization to occupy a portion of the Lytton parcel. (Myers was a brother of Mary Steele). Myers was subsequently authorized to use the 5 acre parcel.7 Myers built a home in November 1938 and moved in in December 1938.7 Despite their relationship through marriage, John Myers and Bert Steele did not get along. 15
1938 - A road was built and graveled to the Steele house and two wells dug, one in the tract where Steele lived and another at the south end of the property (parcel occupied by Myers).7 Each well delivered approximately 50 gallons per minute, had a 1,000 gallon storage tank.29 The government also installed a system of irrigation lines from both wells, including underground pipes and recessed valve boxes.l5
Dec 1938 - Geyserville Indians of the Dry Creek Rancheria protested the use of the Lytton parcel by Steele and Myers.8 Complaint eventually resolved in favor of continued use by Steele and Myers families.7
March 3, 1940 - Myers desired to sell his house and leave the Rancheria.9
April 8, 1944 - John and Dolores Myers made application for assignment of approximately 24 acres on the Lytton Rancheria, approved by John G. Rockwell, Superintendent, Sacramento Indian Agency.10
August 11, 1944 - After Bert Steele's unexpected death, Edward Steele, eldest son, made application for assignment of approximately 24 acres on the Lytton Rancheria, approved by John G. Rockwell.11
Nov 25, 1946 - Myer's brother had applied for land assignment in the Lytton parcel, but his request was denied.12 Edward Steele, son of Bert, who had taken over his father's property to operate, agreed to pay $10 per month on debt owed to the Government by his father.12 Both Myers and Steele advised that, if good use was not made of the land, it would be assigned to someone else.l2
March 23, 1950 - Mary Steele and children petitioned the Department of Indian Affairs, Sacramento office to have the Steele assignment changed from Edward to Daniel Steele because of neglect by Edward to the property,l3 Request was approved May 24, 1950.14
Nov 3, 1952 - John and Dolores Myers petitioned to have a deed to his property.16 He was advised that the Bureau of Indian Affairs had "no legal authority to grant title to any Indian groups or individuals at this time" but that a bill was pending in Congress to grant such authority.l7
Nov 9, 1954 - BIA agreed to Dan Steele's letter requests of Oct 18 and Nov 3 for no Government roadwork on Lytton Rancheria and that Steele would maintain Reservation roads at his own expense in the future.l8
Oct 1, 1955 - In a letter to BIA, John and Dolores Myers stated "we are both very much in favor of the plans of your office to try to get Congressional authority to allot and deed the land to the assignees". John listed items done to improve his parcel - built a house with electricity and water system, fenced property for cattle, built a barn and corrals and rebuilt water system, having spent $5,000 on improvements. He stated that he did not want to make any more improvements unless the land was deeded to him, He listed people living on his assignment as John W (himself), Dolores M. (wife), James E. (son) and his wife Donna, children Mary, James and Antoinette. Shirley M. James and Nadine Alice James, nieces and orphans assigned to John by the welfare department, also resided with John. (Shirley James is the mother of Helen Marrufo). Address given as 515 Alexander Valley Rd.19
Oct 1955 - John and Dolores Myers and Daniel and Mary Steele signed a Resolution requesting that title of their individual shares of the Lytton Reservation be transferred to them conditional upon cancellation of any debts and liens held by the Government against the Lytton Rancheria.20
Dec 16, 1955 - Mary and Daniel Steele advised the Sacramento Office that the land should be deeded to "Daniel T. Steele and Mary Steele".21
Jan 10, 1957 - Letter to Congressman Scudder, signed by John and Dolores Myers and Mary and Daniel Steele stated "we have requested the BIA on many occasions to deed this land to us" and "we are heartily in favor of the passage of the Rancheria Bill that has been proposed by the Bureau which will allow them to deed the land to us" "Will you please do all that you can to have this bill passed during the next session of Congress".22
Jan 21, 1957 - Letter from BIA Area Director to Commissioner, BIA provided documentation showing that Alexander Valley Rancheria had requested Federal termination of their lands.23
Feb 26, 1957 - Having been advised by Sacramento office that their request to be included in the Rancheria Bill had not been received in time by Scudder's office, John & Dolores Myers wrote again to Congressman Scudder "the assignees of the Lytton Rancheria most heartily approve of the passage of the Rancheria Bill, HR 2576, and wish to be included with the Rancherias that are named on Bill HR 2576, which we understand will enable us to secure a fee title or deed for our property."24
Aug 18, 1958 - PL 85-671 enacted by 85th Congress, known as the Rancheria Bill.
May 29, 1959 - Plan for distribution of the assets of the Lytton Rancheria signed by H. Rex Lee, Associate Commissioner, stated "The Lytton Rancheria is comprised of fifty acres, located in Sonoma County, California. The land is almost level and is used principally for homesites. Each homesite has been provided with an ample domestic water supply from private wells and no further improvement for water is necessary."... "Those named in this plan are recognized as the only people of the Rancheria entitled to share in the distribution of the property. No miners will receive deeds in the distribution."... "The Indians of the Lytton Rancheria desire termination under the provisions of Public Law 85-671 and request that the Bureau of Indian Affairs undertake the following actions:
1. Make such surveys as are necessary to convey a merchantable
and recordable title to each lot and parcel.
2. Furnish each distributee the approximate value of his or
her lot at the time of conveyance.
3. Secure a forty-foot easement for ingress and egress purposes
along the east edge of lot No. 2 for occupants of parcels l-C,
l-D, l-E, l-F and l-G. Secure a similar easement for ingress
and egress purposes for occupants of parcels l-C, l-D, l-E
and l-F across such other parcels in lot No. 1 as must be crossed to reach
their respective parcels.
4. Cancel all reimbursable indebtedness owing to the United
States on account of unpaid construction and/or operation and
maintenance charges for water facilities.
5. Convey to individual Indians according to this plan and the
sketch which shows the seven-way division of lot No. 1 unrestricted
title to lands now belonging to the United States, subject
to existing rights-of way, easements or leases. Title will also include
such mineral and water rights as are now vested in the United
States."
Distributees were:
Parcel Assignee
Address
1A Romeo F. Steele
725 Hudspeth St., Santa Rosa CA
1B* Daniel T. Steele
561 Alexander Valley Rd, Hdsbg, CA
1C Sarah (Steele) Gonzales
311 Boyce St, Santa Rose, CA
1D* Mary Steele
725 Hudspeth St., Santa Rosa, CA
1E Rosaline (Steele) Zunino
511 West Side Rd, Hdsbg, CA
1F Eleanor (Steele) Lopez
Rte 1, Box 81A, Calistoga, CA
1G Doris (Steele) Miller
Box 103 Hdsbg, CA
2 James & Dolores Myers
515 Alexander Valley Rd, Hdsbg, CA
*parcels exchanged in actual distribution
Finally, the plan notes "This plan was prepared by the Area Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Sacramento Area Office, pursuant to the authority delegated on February 26, 1959, and after consultation with the Indians of the Lytton Rancheria."25
July 24, 1959 - Director of Sacramento Area Office advised Doris Steele Miller not to undertake construction of a house on the Rancheria until the distribution plan is finally approved.26
August 25, 1959 - Final approval of Plan given by Secretary of Interior.
Sept 18, 1959 - Referendum held by the Lytton Rancheria Indians on the
aforementioned plan. Accepted by the Indians by a vote of 6 in favor,
0 opposed.27
Oct 1959 - Operation and Maintenance charges for water facilities on the Lytton Rancheria amounting to $7,204.30 cancelled by the Commissioner, BIA.28
March 1960 - An appraisal was made of the Lytton Rancheria parcels using a comparative survey of similar land sales in the area. Land on the Rancheria suitable for suburban homesites was estimated to have a value of $800 per acre while land suitable for pasture was estimated to have a value of $400 per acre.29
Feb 16, 1961 - Deeds given to distributees of Steele and Myers families, noted above, recorded March 15, 1961 in official records of Sonoma County.
August 1, 1961 - Termination date of Lytton Rancheria.
1961 - Distributees began selling off their property, as follows:
| Parcel No. | Size (Acre) | Distributee | Appraisal | Date Sold | To | Approx.Price30 |
| 3. | 3.61 | Lopez | $2900 | 3-28-61 | T.Spahn | ** |
| 7. | 3.52 | Romeo Steele | $1400 | 4-27-61 | H. Quartaroli | $1500 |
| 2. | 3.61 | Miller | $2900 | 5-2-61 | C & M Macias | $2500 |
| 6. | 4.15 | Gonzales | $1650 | 8-7-61 | LC & F Christensen | $3000 |
| 1. | 25.11 | Dolores Myers | $20,000 | 8-11-61
10-3-61 1-11-63
|
J&A Puchich
(3.61 acres) A & N Layten (1.25 acres) Isaacs & Byrd (equal partners for balance of parcel) |
$3000
$1500 $17000 |
| 8. | 3.60 | Mary Steele | $1400 | 12-9-61 | J & C Muhlbach | $3000 |
| 5. | 3.68 | Daniel Steele | $5250 | 3-1-62
5-20-64 |
D.Wilson/V.Stern
(60 foot strip) CV & MM Caudle (balance of parcel) |
$1000
$5500 |
| 4. | 3.05 | Zunino | $2400 | 5-28-64 | P & M Fitch | $2000 |
** Defaulted on a promissory note for $1,000 secured by the property;
lender foreclosed; property sold at public auction.
Footnotes (documents 1-29 on file in the U.S. Archives, San Bruno, CA):
1 -- US DOI (OIA) letter L-A/11192-27 of Mar 11, 1927 to L.A. Dorrington,
Supt., Sacramento Agency
2 -- R.A. Gobbi Realty Co letter of Mar 29, 1927 to L.A. Dorrington
enclosing deeds.
3 -- Salvation Army letter of Dec 1, 1928 to L.A. Dorrington.
4 -- Salvation Army letter of Nov 23, 1931 to O.H. White.
5 -- Memo for Mr. Nash, dated May 1, 1937, initialed M.H.
6 -- Sacramento Indian Agency letter of June 9, 1937 to Major R.H.
Simpson, Salvation Army (Lytton).
7 -- Sacramento Indian Agency letter of March 17, 1939 to Commissioner
of Indian Affairs, Washington, D.C. signed by Roy Nash, Superintendent
8 -- Letter of Dec 6, 1938 to Roy Nash, Superintendent of Sacramento
Office, signed by Cordova, Smith, Williams and Elgin.
9 -- Harold Broadhead, Farm Agent, letter of March 3, 1940 to Roy Nash
10 - Application for Assignment For Use, dated April 8, 1944 by Jown
W. & Dolores Myers
11 - Application For Assignment For Use, dated August 11, 1944 by Edward
Steele.
12 - US DIO Itr Ukia, Calif Nov 25, 1946 to Supt John G. Rockwell,
Sacramento Indian Agency
13 - Petition of March 23, 1950 to DIA, Sacramento signed by Mary Steele
and children Eleanor, Sarah, Edward, Romeo and Doris
14 - Sacramento Area Office letter of May 24, 1950 to Daniel Steele
signed by L. F. Berger
15 - Memo written by Howard Broadhead, Land Agent dated August 6, 1953
detailing information in the Lytton files.
16 - Letter of Nov 3, 1952 to Area Director California Indian Agency
signed by John and Dolores Myers.
17 _ US DOI/BIA letter of Nov 13, 1952 to Mr & Mrs John Myers signed
by Leonard Hill
18 _ BIA Sacramento Area Office Itr of Nov 9, 1954 to Daniel Steele
19 - Letter of Oct 1, 1955 and Dolores Myers to BIA Area Director
20 - Undated Resolution attached to BIA Sacramento Office letter of
Oct 12, 1955 to John Myers
21- Letter of Dec 16, 1955 to Mr. Leonard Hill, (BIA) Area Director
22 - Letter of Jan 10, 1957 to Honorable Hubert B. Scudder signed jointly
by Myers and Steeles.
23 - Letter of Jan 21, 1957 BIA Sacramento Area Director to Commissioner
of Indian Affairs
24 - Letter of Feb 26, 1957 to Honorable Hubert B. Scudder signed by
John and Dolores Myers.
25 - Plan for Distribution of the Assets of the Lytton Rancheria, according
to the Provisions of Public Law 85-671, Enacted by the 85th Congress, Approved
August 18, 1958, signed May 29, 1959 and Approved August 25, 1959.
26 - BIA Area Director letter of July 24, 1959 to Doris Steele Miller.
27 - Branch of Realty Memo dated Oct 1, 1959 to Branch of Land Development
signed by Gerry Robinson.
28 - BIA letters of Oct 16, 1959 and Oct 27, 1959 to BIA Sacramento
Area Director.
29 - Lytton Rancheria Appraisal Report of March 11, 1960
30 - Sonoma County Recorder's Office records
LYTTON.RDR
8/05/90
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