The Salinas Years
1896- 1907
Jewett grew up in and around Monterey County after arriving in
Salinas with his mother and two brothers - Joel and Fred - about
1896. His mother had come West to act as a surrogate mother for
Paul Joy, her nephew. Joan Bubar's sister, Jane, was married to
a local farmer, John Joy. When Jane died, Joan and Mr. Joy only
felt it practical to take the step of creating a new, blended
family - especially when Jewett and Paul, an only child, might
benefit from each other's company.
Jewett attended high school in Salinas, and came to know another
youngster in town - John Steinbeck - who may have grown up in
the same neighborhood.
Bubar was an excellent pistol shot and often went on hunting
excursions with his half-brother, Paul Joy, up Carmel Valley.
Eventually, however, he grew disenchanted with the killing of
the beautiful birds they encountered there, and gave up the practice.
His strong aesthetic sensibilities did not prevent him from joining
the California National Guard in 1901, however. He served a full
7 years, and won several pistol championships, including the title
of Best Pistol Shot in California.
While in the Guard, he also put his considerable musical talents
to use as the bugler for Troop C. Other musical instruments he
played included the violin and drums. In fact, he was quite popular
in his late teens and early twenties - he was nicknamed "Duke,"
and he put his love of design and style to use in a job in a Salinas
habadashery.
