California Redwoods and Secrets about Sara Clarkston, Who Disappeared in 1933:

April 12, 2025

California Redwoods & Sara Clarkston:

Mickey Mathews flew to California in late 1945 to help cousins Chet and Sara Clarkston solve the mystery behind the disappearance in 1933 of their mother, would-be actress Sara Clarkston. But even at the swank Capitol Hotel in San Francisco, two thugs are hiding upstairs and waiting to attack Mickey, suggesting that persons unknown still want to prevent anyone from finding out who killed Sara.

From California Redwoods (Doce Blant, 2022), Ch 2, Pg 15, “The Tale of Sara Clarkston”:

Chet stared into his glass. “I never saw why Claudia married Dad. She’s smarter, nicer, and more understanding. She’s my age …”

The unfinished thought hung like a rotten apple. Mickey said, “Your father is wealthy, right?”

“Yes, and the Clarkston wealth is connected to the Strauss family. My mother’s maiden name was Strauss. See, Dad was an accountant for Redwood Lumber when he married Mom on June 6, 1914. When her grandfather, Isaac Strauss, died six months later, on December 8, 1914, she inherited the lumber company, which had been in her family since the 1850s. She was an only child, and she only didn’t care about any business except show business. She named Dad president of Redwood Lumber. Sooner or later, Lydia and me, we’ll split the family fortune.”

He leaned forward, speaking like a conspirator. “Back in 1913, Dad bought 500 acres of adjacent redwood land from Laura Cisco, Casey’s older sister. Laura held the title, and Dad paid $2,000 for the property. But the next year, when World War I began, the demand for lumber shot up. In no time the redwood land doubled in value. As years passed, Dad acquired more property and invested in land, lumber, and shipping. When the Depression came, he actually profited.”

Yawning, Chet sat up straight. “There’s one more point. When I started investigating Mom’s disappearance in ‘38, I heard rumors she was having an affair with Cisco, at least by 1933. I also heard Casey resented his sister Laura selling the redwood property to Dad. Laura lives in Eureka, but I’ve never met her. When the war caused property values to jump, Casey figured she was ‘taken in.’ He blamed her. She still doesn’t associate with our family.”

Mickey observed, “Your family tale is complicated. I gather you and your father aren’t close.”

“Ol’ Jeb, as the workers call him, isn’t close to anyone, except maybe Claudia.” Chet studied Mickey. “Did you ever play ball with your dad? I never got to play games with mine, no baseball, no football, nothing. His ‘game’ was Redwood Lumber. I can’t speak for Lydia, but to me, Dad wasn’t much of a father. Is he wealthy? Yeah, he sure is!”

Mickey had heard enough. “Let’s go up to our rooms. My watch says 10:55. Stick this letter back in your shirt. I’d keep it hidden, if I were you.”

The two men left the Golden Room and walked toward the elevators and ... [unknown to them a possible ambush]