USA > Oregon > Douglas County > History of southern Oregon, comprising Jackson, Josephine, Douglas, Curry and Coos counties, comp. from the most authentic sources > Part 45
USA > Oregon > Jackson County > History of southern Oregon, comprising Jackson, Josephine, Douglas, Curry and Coos counties, comp. from the most authentic sources > Part 45
USA > Oregon > Josephine County > History of southern Oregon, comprising Jackson, Josephine, Douglas, Curry and Coos counties, comp. from the most authentic sources > Part 45
USA > Oregon > Coos County > History of southern Oregon, comprising Jackson, Josephine, Douglas, Curry and Coos counties, comp. from the most authentic sources > Part 45
USA > Oregon > Curry County > History of southern Oregon, comprising Jackson, Josephine, Douglas, Curry and Coos counties, comp. from the most authentic sources > Part 45
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pursuit of viniculture as a profession may place the county in the front rank of wine- producing localities. Again, there is thus far an entire absence of the phylloxera, that pest which is devastating the vineyards of California and most wine-making countries, and which threatens to utterly destroy the vines of many extensive regions heretofore renowned for the quantity and quality of their production. This latter is an advan- tage of no small consequence, but most likely the vineyards of this region will in time experience the terrible insect's ravages.
A newspaper extract, printel since the capacity of the Rogue river valley for fruit growing became known, is to this effect: "In all countries valley land is less valu- able than hill sides for fruit ; the foot hills of the Sierra Nevada are yearly becoming more valuable for fruit raising, and the hilly regions of Umpqua and Rogue rivers invite the exertions of fruit growers in unlimited numbers. There is room enough for thousands of plantations and orchards. The productiveness of thesoil is extreme, it costs considerable to prepare the land, but a single crop under favorable circumstances as to transportation would more than repay all previous trouble and expense. The citrus family may not thrive successfully on the Rogue river, but we can dispense with oranges, lemons and also with the tenderest grapes and figs, while we raise hardy grapes, peaches, apricots, apples, pears, plums, prunes, cherries and berries in profusion. Nine years out of ten the peaches are abundant and choice, and with railway communication provided, would rule the markets of the Willamette and Puget sound, where they can- not raise peaches. There is practically no limit to the amount of fruit that can be grown in Jackson county."
The following excellent and well-considered article is taken from a local publica- tion. It commends itself by the judgment it evinces, and contains hints which the fruit-grower and consumer have doubtless found of value. " It is because of its superior fruit that we refer to Rogue river valley as the Italy of Oregon. It is a well known fact that the finest flavored grapes of California are produced on the sunny slopes of the foot-hills, and the conditions there found exist in the foot-hill region of Jackson county. The vines produce large clusters, and the grapes have a most excellent flavor, being very juicy and making a superior quality of wine. The conditions of soil and climate are also very favorable to peaches, the fruit being superior in flavor, though a trifle smaller in size, to the California product. The slight touch of frost in winter, though too mild to injure the vines or trees, gives a flavor to the fruit that is lacking in that of the warmer regions of California. The bottom lands are especially adapted to fruit culture, and it is that class of soil that has been utilized the most by fruit growers. In addition to grapes and peaches, apricots, pears, plums, apples, cherries and the usual fruits produce luxuriantly, and are of excellent quality, especially the apples, which have no superior anywhere. Hitherto the foot-hills have been used chiefly as a grazing ground for sheep, but that the flocks will seek 'pastures new' and the land be planted extensively in vineyards and orchards is certain. On the whole the fruit interest of Rogue river valley consists more in the possibilities of the future than in what has already been accomplished. With no market beyond the limits of Southern Oregon, farmers had formerly no encouragement to plant extensive orchards or large vineyards, but enough has been done to show the wonderful adaptability of the soil and climate to the production of fruit. The whole northwest offers a market at good prices for fruit
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of all kinds, while certain varieties are largely sought after in the east. There is no business that can be embarked in with greater promise of a golden reward than that of fruit culture. It must, however, like everything else, be managed properly to be a great success. Orchards and vineyards must be planted and taken care of in a systematic manner and the business from first to last conducted as experience in other places has shown to be best. Especially must the fruit be put up in an attractive and marketable shape, well assorted, conveniently packed for handling by the dealer and attractive to the eye. Experience in California and elsewhere shows that the most successful fruit raisers are those whose product reaches the market in the best condition and presents the most inviting appearance. Already we hear of a number of experienced orchardists who intend to locate in Southern Oregon immediately. It is a great pity that the farmers of that region have not prepared themselves for the market now being opened, by planting extensive orchards, but it is by no means too late, though the golden harvest must be delayed. The men who set out at once large orchards and vineyards and get them into bearing condition, will be the first to reap their reward. The market is large, growing and permanent."
In its climate Jackson county is truly blessed. It possesses the combined advan- tages of many other sections with almost no drawback. In another portion of this volume the annual rainfall with statistics of temperature are set forth, from which much may be learned as to its meteorology. The average annual rainfall in the Bear creek valley is about twenty-five inches-a quantity almost exactly proportioned to the needs of agriculture. This total is about half that experienced in the Willamette valley, but is considerably more than that of Eastern Oregon. It is sufficient for every known crop and falls at such times as to perfectly answer the needs of tillage in every locality. The wisest human foresight could not apportion the rainfall more satisfactorily, for on the one hand all damage and loss by freshets is nearly obviated, and on the other the crops and grasses mature under its influence. Extremely heavy rains, as experienced in other localities are unknown here, and injurious floods recur so seldom and in so insignificant measure as to be of little consequence and not to be considered. The extreme limits of annual rainfall are not over twenty inches, com- paring favorably with localities in California where the variation is not less than forty, and in the northwestern part of Oregon where it is even more. Hence it follows that a certain amount of rain may be calculated upon, which is the principal element favor- ing sure crops. Again, this rainfall occurs at favorable times of the year, when its influence is for the good of agriculture. The somewhat infrequent summer showers play their part in laying the dust, purifying the air and renewing the verdure, while the greater part of rain falls in the colder months, preparing the land for the opera- tions of plowing and sowing. The temperature is equally favorable. The extreme height of the thermometer rarely exceeds ninety-five degrees, and as rarely sinks in winter below twenty. The range cannot be over seventy degrees in an ordinary season, while its yearly average is about fifty and one-half degrees. Thus the climate of Jackson county closely resembles that of California, if we make allowance for the higher latitude and the consequent depression of the temperature. That portion of the Golden State lying to the south of this region, however, is afflicted very frequently by too excessive rains, which act injuriously upon many occupations; and in this respect
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Jackson county is much more highly favored. Finally, it is a fact that the Rogue river valley possesses the most favorable climate for agriculture that is known to the Pacific coast. This fact is easily substantiated by referring to the meteorological tables published herewith. The regularity of the rainfall and its comparative lightness, added to the fact of its distribution through the most advantageous part of the year are necessarily owing to the configuration of the various ranges of mountains which lie along the coast and modify the vapor-laden winds. Besides the strictly useful effects of the climate, it has the additional property of being extremely healthful and invigor- ating. Under such skies and blown npon by such breezes, existence itself is luxurious contentment. Pure air, abundance of good water-for no country is better supplied with pure and cool streams-scenery remarkable and hardly surpassed, and finally a profusion of the choicest productions of the temperate zone, make up all that reason- able mortals could desire for their chosen abiding place. To name all the features wherein the Rogue river country is signally blessed would require pages. We might recall the fact that no serious earthquakes have occurred here since man's advent; no pestilences dangerous to life have been known; even the common endemic diseases are scarce; no violent hurricanes, such as have devastated portions of the west, have been noticed, nor ever can be, because of the surrounding mountains; there have been no droughts injurious to crops; no "pluvial dispensations" of long continuance, by which floods are produced, lives endangered and property destroyed, and no cold waves of sufficient intensity to inflict damage. But on the other hand there is an amount of rich land sufficient for the support of a very numerous population; a climate nourish- ing and invigorating to plants, man and animals alike; a rainfall exactly sufficient to meet reasonable wants, sure and abundant enough to fairly co-act with the fertility of the soil, bringing forth in abundance its choicest productions; there is scenery so grand and so varied as to fill with wonder the stranger's mind and to never weary the eye of the oldest pioneer; there is pasturage sufficient for myriads of grazing animals; there is water power enough to propel the machinery of hundreds of manufactories; there are quartz veins and gravel deposits bearing gold which for centuries may be worked with good results; and there is railroad communication with the outside world by which the numberless rich products of the valley may be transported quickly and cheaply to market. Such are a portion only of the advantages of the Rogne river country, in many of which it shares equally with other parts of Southern Oregon. For the immigrant who desires a home with the comforts and in due time the elegancies of life, no other part of America offers equal inducements.
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WALLING-LITH-PORTLAND-OR.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, JACKSONVILLE.
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CHAPTER XXXVIII.
MINERAL RESOURCES OF JACKSON COUNTY.
Minerals found in the County-Mineral Springs-Limestone-Iron-Coal-Mercury-Gravel mining-Progress of the art-The pan -Rocker-Tom-Slnice-Hydraulic mining How Conducted-The lack of Water-Yield of the mines-Product decreasing-Mining locations.
The mineral resources of Jackson county comprise deposits of gold, silver, copper, iron, lead, salt, coal and limestone, besides granite, sandstone and other rocks suitable for building purposes. There are mineral springs of various descriptions, some hot and some of the sort known as sulphur springs; there are soda springs in the Siskiyou mountains, and a variety of less known aqueous effusions, many of them believed to be valuable for medicinal purposes. Nickel, tin and zine are said to exist in Jackson county. Thus far the extraction of gold from auriferous deposits in gravel has been by far the most important mining interest, the reduction of quartz containing gold standing second in importance. The industries depending upon the working of copper, iron and coal deposits have not as yet attained a commencement, and their relative importance cannot now be told. Limestone is found in several localities, notably on Jackson creek, where it is extracted and calcined in kilns, producing a good article of lime for mason work. At other places it abounds, often attaining the form of marble, which is well known to be a form of limestone, and which is sometimes of sufficient purity for statuary uses. This, as well as the iron, coal and copper deposits, may become of great value in the future.
Cinnabar, the sulphide of mercury, the ore whence quicksilver is derived, has for many years been known to exist in Jackson county, and in several localities is found in paying quantities. On Evans' creek, in the western part of the county, claims have been taken, deposits examined and the metal produced ; but owing to the fall in the price of that commodity, and to other causes, the dawning industry which was once of great promise, was suffered to sink into temporary obscurity. At present no quick- silver is produced in this county, although there is thought to be paying ore sufficient to supply a very large part of the world's consumption for years.
The history of gravel mining in Jackson county is a subject of intense interest, intermingled as it is with so much of human enterprise and suffering. In every respect it resembles and is identical with the history of the mining counties of California, with which state Jackson county has far closer affiliations than with the exclusively agricul- tural portion of Oregon. Indeed, it is a rather striking and in some sense regrettable fact that it is not a part of the former state. Settled by the same class of enterprising, fearless and progressive miners it became the abode of a population who, except for being surrounded with great agricultural advantages, were circumstanced precisely as those of California. The surface mining industry grew up under the same conditions, 42
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attained its maximum at the same time and has declined in the same proportion. Hydraulic mining has suffered the same mutations which beset it in the golden state, excepting as to the famous debris question, but unlike the present condition of the industry in California, it seems that the deep placers of Jackson and Josephine counties are so extensive that they may remain unexhausted for centuries.
Three methods of mining have been mainly followed in the extraction of gold ; whereof two pertain to gravel mining, and the other is quartz mining, so-called. One of the former is called surface placer mining, the other is styled hydraulic mining. The former process-the washing of gravel from shallow beds-is the forerunner of the hydraulic process, and although comparatively old, yet as practiced for the last twenty-five years is an enormous improvement on foreign and antiquated modes of mining. When in 1848 the sands of California were first found to contain gold, the only known means of separating it from the dirt was by washing with water in a batea, a wooden bowl in use by Mexican miners for generations. Ordinary culinary vessels were substituted for lack of these, and by experiment the common milk pan was found to be by its size and shape well calculated to effect the separation of the con- tained earth and gold. Accordingly these were first used exclusively, the iron seam- less " gold pan" now so universally known, being an improvement in manufacture. Thousands, and probably millions of dollars was thus laboriously and painfully washed out before the miners advanced to the discovery and use of the rocker or cradle. This article, also familiar to all residents in mining localities, is a long step in advance of the pan or batea, as by its use two men are enabled to do the work of six or eight provided only with the latter instruments. For awhile this apparatus served the pur- pose for which it was designed, but the increasing scarcity of very rich diggings, added to the large amount of gravel requisite to be washed to procure what were considered fair results, led to the introduction of the " tom," a contrivance whereby a steady stream of water was led upon the gravel, washing it and setting free the gold, whose superior gravity carried it to the bottom, whereby it became entangled in cross "riffles" and $0 saved, while the lighter refuse was carried away by the force of the stream. The pan, the rocker, and the tom, alike were used wherever water could be procured, the dirt being usually carried to the water, for no extended ditches had yet been prepared to bring the water to the dirt. Next in point of time was the grand discovery of the sluice, which grew by evolution from the pan, the rocker and the tom, and was their natural successor. Gravel deposits of greater extent had become known, whose mass was beyond the power of man to move in any ordinary term of life, and for whose working the ordinary implements of mining were entirely inadequate. Systematic mining had made now its greatest step; the water was brought to the gravel and its laborious handling was confined to shoveling into the sluice wherein a strong stream ran swiftly, carrying it away, separating its particles and dropping its contained gold into " riffles" as in the tom. With this improvement the amount of dirt which could be washed daily depended upon the strength and energy of those who wielded the pick and shovel. Sluices, at first of but slight length, afterwards were adopted in a continuous line hundreds of yards in length, whereby a larger percentage of gold was saved. The line usually led directly across the claim ; and the " bronzed and hardy gold-seekers," partners in the profits, stood upon either side of the boxes and shoveled
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the earth into them. This improvement led to the formation of companies of miners, whereby advantages accrued in securing " water rights" and " dumping grounds" and sufficient quantities of " pay dirt," which would usually have been impossible to solitary workers. Ground-sluicing and booming, related inventions, still of practical use, took their rise co-incident with the sluice. Finally we come to the last great step in gravel mining-the invention of the hydraulie process. With the continued use of the sluice the greater part of the valuable shallow deposits were worked and pay dirt became scareer year by year, while in certain localities in California and Oregon the existence of enormous beds of auriferous gravel, comparatively poor in gold, had been discov- ered, but could not be worked by any known means owing to the high price of labor. In some instances these deposits were of tolerable richness, but were overlaid by a great depth of worthless earth, frequently one hundred or more feet in depth. In such cases a considerable quantity of gold-bearing dirt was sometimes extracted by "drift- ing," that is, by tunneling in to the deposit and removing it by hand, as in quartz mining. This, too, is an expensive process, and the exigencies of the situation led to the invention of the " giant" and the use of a powerful jet of water thrown against a bank of earth, whereby it is washed into the sluices without the intervention of manual labor except in directing the working stream. The earliest records of hydraulic washing show that a miner in Calaveras county, California, first applied the principle, using an extemporized canvas hose leading from a barrel so placed as to receive the water of a spring. Its value was soon perceived and " hydraulics" came slowly into use, but not of course in the manner now in practice. Larger amounts of water and higher " heads" have been successively introduced until now, in certain instances, sev- eral hundred cubic feet of water per minute is forced through a single nozzle, with the pressure due to 400 feet of fall. Such a stream moves boulders of immense size, hurls earth and cobbles to a height of many feet, and erodes great hills and mountain sides during a season's work. All the appurtenances of hydraulic mining have advanced in the same degree. There are companies lately operating in California who had pre- pared ditches of forty miles or more in length, carrying in an extreme case 10,000 miner's inches of water (a miner's inch is equal to one and a half cubic feet per min- ute), which is led to the claims under pressure of from 250 to 400 feet. In Southern Oregon the process was early introduced ; its working has nearly always been attended with profit ; and there remains at this day a very large amount of earth fit to be worked and which will be "piped" away when water can be brought upon it. The minimum for which auriferous dirt can be worked with profit by the hydraulic pro- cess, where all the surroundings are advantageous, is five cents per cubic yard ; and most workings must contain four times that in order to pay. To digress somewhat, let it be observed that a cubic yard is about 175 or 200 panfuls; if, then, it required twenty-five cents worth of gold to make a panful worth working in the " flush times," it seems that the process of washing is now performed at nearly one thousand times less cost than formerly. Undoubtedly there are very great and extensive deposits of auriferous gravel in Jackson and Josephine counties which contain much more than twenty cents per cubic yard ; and there is a great additional advantage in that the debris resulting from their working can never be seriously detrimental, as any injury
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to the navigation of the Illinois and Rogue rivers and Applegate creek need not be a subject of solicitude.
As a great and unfailing amount of water is necessary for the successful prosecu- tion of hydraulic mining, and as heretofore the greater part of the hydraulic miners of Southern Oregon have only been able to work their claims for a few months each year, depending upon the rains for their supply, it has been deemed of great moment that water be procured from a more reliable source than the creeks and springs hereto- fore depended on. With this view it has been suggested to tap the Klamath river above Cottonwood creek, and bring its waters by a long, wide and deep ditch to the placers in Applegate and other localities. Such a ditch would be an immensely costly undertaking, no doubt, as its length would probably reach seventy miles; but that it would be a pecuniary success is the opinion of many miners. Another scheme is for the introduction of water from the falls of Rogue river, whereby a ditch fifty miles long would be required, and the water used in various localities where deep placers exist, as Foot's creek, etc. The Sentinel in 1859 suggested the use of artesian wells as a source of water; but this suggestion, although backed by cogent arguments, showing how it was likely from the shape of the Rogue river basin that water exists in exten- sive gravel strata beneath the surface and under immense pressure, was not acted upon, and, indeed, has elsewhere proved unfeasible.
The area of gold mines in Southern Oregon is bounded on the east by a line which begins on the North Umpqua river where the Willamette meridian crosses that stream, continues south across the South Umpqua, then bending west passes down the right bank of Rogue river to the mouth of Bear creek, proceeds up that creek to the vicinity of Barron's, and so passes into California. Eastward of the line no gold, save, perhaps, occasional traces has ever been found. It will be noticed that the boundary line bends westward in the Rogue river basin. All that portion of Jackson county lying west of that line is considered as the mining district, and includes about one- third of the county's whole area. Within the district are the gravel mining localities known and celebrated under the names of Jackson creek, Sterling creek, Applegate, Forest creek (otherwise known as Jackass), Foot's creek, Kane's creek, Evans' creek, Pleasant creek, Sardine creek, Ward's creek, Poorman's creek, Grave creek (Leland creek), Jump-off-Joe creek, Coyote creek, Louse creek, Wagner creek, Phoenix, etc., as well as the quartz claims of Gold hill, Jackson creek, Steamboat, and many others. Here was mined a vast amount of treasure which played the foremost part in building up and developing the resources of this country. Many millions of wealth were here taken out, and the history of the industrious miners who did the work forms, here as elsewhere, the most interesting of all the records of the past. Nor is the mining industry by any means at an end. The rich and shallow placers were doubtless pretty nearly exhausted years ago, and only a few miners, mostly relics of the past, continue to work over and again the sands which have yielded so much. But there still exist deep deposits of unworked and as yet unworkable grounds, which, by the scarcity of water, have never been utilized, and these in the future will doubtless be found to pay. Some of these would give, say the experienced, an immense return if properly worked by hydraulic process. The capitalist or miner who desires to make trial of these deposits is confronted by the problem of how water is to be procured, and retires satis-
WALLING-LITH-PORTLAND . OR.
FARM RESIDENCE OF JOHN PRICE, OAK CREEK VALLEY, DOUGLAS CO.
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