We relate three instances where Andy, Ben and Sam committed personal attrocities against indivdual natives.

Will the name change bring healing to the Tribes of Lake County?

Flaman C. McCloud Jr, Chairman of Big Valley: By voting YES to change the name, we can begin a healing process that unites our communities. ....

Moke Simon, Lake County Supervisor and Chairman of Twin Pines: So yes, this name change would start the process and it's going to be a long one, but ... it would absolutely start that healing that needs to happen for the Indigenous 7 nations in this county.

What were some of the specific offenses of Andy Kelsey, Ben Kelsey and Sam Kelsey?

Andy Kelsey: And they were terribly cruel. Andy Kelsey tied an indian boy to a wild horse, with his feet roped together under the horse's belly. Then he made the horse run away, and the boy was dragged to death. The Indian women never forgave that.

Ben Kelsey: ... had a man arrested and sentenced to 100 lashes for looking askance at his wife. "After this punishment, on the same day, we are informed, Kelsey sought the wretched offender and laid him dead at his feet, shooting him in the presence of several gentleman, who remonstrated with him on the barbarity of the deed."

Sam Kelsey: Some twenty roving hot-headed democratic young men, shouldered their rifles, and with the Kelseys departed for Napa Valley, where, on the farm of a Mr. Fowler, they found a number of Indians who had hired themselves to Mr. Fowler for the summer. With heroic bravery and more whisky, they leveled their rifles, and soon stretched fifteen unarmed, peaceable Indians dead at their feet, burnt their huts, and departed for Santa Rosa to repeat their deeds of daring.


The offenses of the Kelseys, and the repercussions, are described in many of our supporting documents, particularly our Short and Long Histories.

Will the name change bring healing to the Tribes of Lake County?

Flaman C. McCloud Jr Chairman of Big Valley: The town of Kelseyville bears the name of Andrew Kelsey, a figure associated with the suffering endured by the Pomo people during the 1800s. This name serves as a painful reminder of a time when our ancestors faced unimaginable hardships. By voting YES to change the name, we can begin a healing process that unites our communities. It's a step towards fostering an environment of love, forgiveness, and growth for both current and future generations, showing that Lake County is a place where we honor and respect the history and the people who have shaped it.

Moke Simon Lake County Supervisor and Chairman of Twin Pines: Would the name change help start with the healing? ... [If] This name change happens. .. It will start the healing, whether you believe it or not, for the indigenous people in this community. It's a pure, pure yes to that question ... So yes, this name change would start the process and it's going to be a long one, but it's a .. .it would absolutely start that healing that needs to happen for the Indigenous 7 nations in this county.