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Michael Otto Liebel
1850-1948
Block 41, Lot D16
Born in Kandel, Germany on April 5, 1850, Michael Otto Liebel was a miner of one of the richest claims in the Paiutes. He had a good mine but needed a wife.
He selected Emma Reich, step-daughter to Fredrick Butterbredt. It is said that he lent Fred $500 with no date to repay. And so the wedding came and legend has it that Otto and his friends were celebrating pretty hard. After about ten hours of drunkenness Emma took flight. She fled to her Aunt Mary Butterbredt up in the St. John Mine. It took Otto four days to find her and convince her to return with him.
Otto and Emma bought a ranch in Erskine Creek Canyon near the Bodfish area where they had as many as 11 children. Otto spent most of his time on the ranch but if not there it is sure he was out looking for another big strike for he never lost the "Gold Fever." 8,009 foot Leibel peak 6.9 miles from Bodfish was named for him.
The Old Kernville Historic Cemetery Tour was researched and created by Kern River Valley Historical Society members Jenny Hanley, and Richard Rowe as part of the 2010 Kern River Valley Historical Society Annual History Days, celebrating the history of the Kern River Valley.
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