USA > Oregon > Douglas County > History of southern Oregon, comprising Jackson, Josephine, Douglas, Curry and Coos counties, comp. from the most authentic sources > Part 52
USA > Oregon > Jackson County > History of southern Oregon, comprising Jackson, Josephine, Douglas, Curry and Coos counties, comp. from the most authentic sources > Part 52
USA > Oregon > Josephine County > History of southern Oregon, comprising Jackson, Josephine, Douglas, Curry and Coos counties, comp. from the most authentic sources > Part 52
USA > Oregon > Coos County > History of southern Oregon, comprising Jackson, Josephine, Douglas, Curry and Coos counties, comp. from the most authentic sources > Part 52
USA > Oregon > Curry County > History of southern Oregon, comprising Jackson, Josephine, Douglas, Curry and Coos counties, comp. from the most authentic sources > Part 52
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82
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died a violent death, mourned by only a few to whom its ultra views were tasteful. On the ruins of the Gazette the Civilian was built by D. Wm. Douthitt, in May, 1862. The politics of this paper were also democratic, but of a milder type than its prede- cessor, but sufficiently intense to make it unpopular. Its proprietor also lacked popu- larity and discernment as a journalist, and his venture died a quiet death after a troubled existence of a few months. In 1863 T'Vault took possession of the Civilian office and under his management the Intelligencer was ushered into the world, but there seemed a cruel fatality in the type, for it, too, expired in less than a twelvemonth. Then P. J. Malone threw himself into the breach and in January, 1865, the Oregon Reporter arose from the cold remains of the Intelligencer, and with the end of volume one Malone retired, having had no better success than those who preceded him. Frank R. Stuart succeeded Malone in the Reporter until 1867, when Mr. W. W. Fidler, a young man of good ability and honest purpose, was associated with him and the name was changed to the Southern Oregon Press. But a few months passed before the Press collapsed, and the material was used by the democratic committee in the publication of the Reveille, but auspicious as the name was, it failed to bring to the paper the neces- sary support. The voluntary contribution system was a failure and the "bleeding " process tried on candidates for office was too depleting, voted a nuisance, and the Reveille soon ceased to sound the rallying blast. On its ruins arose the Democratic News, in 1869, published and edited by P. D. Hull and Chas. Nickell. Just when the success of the News seemed assured its material was destroyed in the disastrous fire of '72. Its founders, however, were plucky, both practical printers, the democracy were in power in the county and their patronage warranted an effort to re-establish the paper. Means were soon raised, a new outfit procured and the Democratic Times was started by Nickell. Good management and county patronage brought it prosperity and it is likely to live as long a life as that of all its predecessors put together.
In the summer of 1860 the wagon road from Waldo, in Josephine county, to Cres- cent City, Cal., was opened for travel, and prices in Jacksonville were materially reduced, owing to the greater facilities for transportation. A new era now dawned on the thriving community ; no longer the gay and tinsel trappings and the broad "sombrero" of the semi-civilized Mexican packer were seen on the streets. No more his sonorous voice was heard cursing or cheering his heavy-laden mules ; he slid from sight and passed away as something decidedly un-American. It was the old giving way to the new, as it is ever doing in this restless, ever changing world of ours, and the long trains of patient beasts of burden that had, for ten long years, packed supplies over slippery and tortuous paths were displaced by the ponderous freight wagons that in turn were to yield to the grander achievements of progress and advancing civilization. The "greasy packer " no longer came whooping into town with his independent "devil may care " swagger, but either adopted the more genteel and luxurious calling of a team- ster or was quietly absorbed in other pursuits and so lost to sight. A semi-weekly line of stages to Crescent City was at once put on by Cluggage and Drum, and a steady flow of travel set in which was of great material benefit. The mode of transportation proved very convenient. Merchandise that could not be packed on mules was now transported with ease, and an immense annual saving made in freights, and for a num- ber of years the new and shorter means of ingress and egress was quite popular. This
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year an equally important avenue of travel was opened. The California stage company had obtained a contract for carrying the U. S. mails from Sacramento to Portland and on the first of July, put on a daily line of comfortable four-horse stages between those points, passing through Jacksonville. The schedule time between Sacramento and Port- land was thirteen days, but their vehicles were generally crowded and many a weary passenger was glad to try the hospitality of Jacksonville's hotels, poor as they were
The history of the Catholic church in Jacksonville is that of an active, untiring, zealous religious organization. Those faithful to the Roman Catholic belief had been visited regularly by missionaries every year since the first visit of Rev. Father Croke, in 1853. His Grace, Archbishop Blanchet, of Oregon City, had himself come over the rough mountains to administer to the spiritual wants of an isolated people, and in October, 1858, the occasion of his first visit, a contract was closed with Berry & Kerr for the erection of a church on the lot donated by James Cluggage. In 1859, the edi- fice was nearly finished, and in 1860, services were held in it by His Grace, the Arch- bishop, who then visited Jacksonville for the second and last time. In November, 1861. Rev. J. F. Fierens was appointed first parish priest for Southern Oregon, having his residence at Jacksonville. On the nineteenth of November, 1863, Rev. F. X. Blanchet, nephew of the archbishop, was appointed second pastor of St. Joseph's church, Father Fierens having been made vicar-general of the diocese. Father Blanchet still continues an acceptable ministry, and during the many years of his ser- vice has largely augmented and firmly consolidated his congregation. The influence of this religious organization was soon increased by the establishment of St. Mary's academy by the Catholic sisterhood, and its conduct has been without stain or blemish. During the dreadful pestilence that raged in 1868-9, the priests and ladies of St. Mary's were brave and untiring in their ministrations among the sick and dying- Catholic and non-Catholic alike-and did much to break down the prejudices of those who differed from them. "St. Joseph's" is now too small for its congregation, but is still the most imposing edifice belonging to the Roman Catholics of Southern Oregon.
The public school of Jacksonville is one of the most flourishing in the state, advancing from a mere infant school to one with over two hundred pupils, in which all the education necessary for an active business life may be acquired ; but it has not been without its struggles. In 1867, it was found that the school accomodations were wholly inadequate to the wants of the district, and a movement was made to purchase a suitable lot on which to erect a building sufficiently large to accomodate the fast- increasing scholars. The movement met with bitter opposition from citizens whose own education was deficient, but who, through good fortune, had taxable property, and they stoutly resisted an extraordinary drain on their purses. The friends of progress won and the beautiful knoll just east of town on which the Poole residence was situated was purchased. A tax for the building was next levied, and the opponents of the measure had become so demoralized that scarcely a dissenting vote was cast. For several years the affairs of the school were in a most unsatisfactory state. Unfortunately, partisan poli- tics divided men on almost every issue, and they, almost imperceptibly, crept into school matters, and greatly impeded the efforts of those who sought to build up a first- class school. Time and experience pointed out this profitless folly; efficiency, rather than political leaning, was exacted by a community willing to pay high for teachers'
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services, and results have proved the wisdom of such a course. To-day, Jacksonville cheerfully votes whatever tax is asked by its school directors, and boasts a school second to none of its class in the whole state, and noted for its wholesome discipline and schol- arship wherever its fortunate pupils cast their lot. Four teachers are now employed, and the annual expenses of the school are nearly five thousand dollars
Late in the fall of 1868, a case of what was pronounced "chicken-pox" by the physicians, was discovered among some half-breed Indians near town. There was no alarm until it was found to be small-pox of the confluent and most malignant type. Then, efforts were made to repair the error of the physicians, but it was, unfortunately, too late. The first patient died, but the attendants had mixed promiscuously among the people of the town, and the seeds of the terrible disease were effectually planted. A death soon occurred in town, and the burial, although taking place at night, was con- ducted so blunderingly that several other cases appeared in the immediate neighbor- hood. The town was at once quarantined, and people from the country forbidden to communicate with it, in order to prevent the spread of the disease. School, religious gatherings and all other public assemblages were discontinued. A pest-house was established south of town, to which nearly all patients were removed and who received every possible attention and care. Notwithstanding the most rigorous quarantine, the disease was taken to the country, where two deaths occurred, but, fortunately, it was confined to one locality, only. In spite of all precautions, the disease spread rapidly, and those who had been vaccinated seemed terror-stricken. Ministers fled in affright from paths of duty, but in the darkest hours the Catholic priest, who himself had experi- enced the disease, together with the Catholic sisterhood, rendered valuable assistance. The contagion was not confined to any particular class. The widow of John Love, a lady of refinement and culture, was attacked and, with her youngest child, was carried away. Her mother and the rest of her children were in the country and dared not approach her, and, when all was over, the unsightly corpse-all that remained of human beauty-was borne to the cemetery in a rough lumber-wagon, without a single follower. Col. T'Vault, who had filled a prominent place in the history of Southern Oregon, was. buried at midnight by the priest who attended his dying moments, and the nearest friends of the old man did not dare to join the silent and ghastly cortege. George Funk, one of the leading citizens of the town and a man of fine social qualities, died in a lonely cabin south of town, cared for by the Odd Fellows, and was buried in its vicinity until time justified his removal. There was a theory prevalent that the creation of smoke would purify the air and mitigate, or perhaps stay, the pestilence. Large fires of pitch-pine were built in the streets, around which gathered anxious groups by day and by night, waiting to hear who the next victim would be, and discussing the situation. This hygienic measure was fruitless; the clouds of smoke that clung to the hapless town by day, and the ruddy glare that lit up its deserted streets by night, only added gloom and brought neither hope nor relief. For over two months this state of things existed, and gradually the disease wore out the material that was most suscepti- ble of attack, and finally disappeared. Some of the patients recovered, notably those who had been vaccinated; but the number of deaths exceeded forty, which, in a small community, left a perceptible vacuum.
WAILINO. LITH PORTLAND, OR.
The Smith.
A
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JACKSON COUNTY.
In the ensuing summer (1869) the town had a novel experience. One afternoon in July, a cloud, not much larger than a man's hand, hung above the western horizon. It attracted little notice, but expanded gradually until it was apparent that some extra- ordinary disturbance was imminent. Suddenly the cloud burst, about a mile and a-half west of town, and an immense volume of water was precipitated into Jackson and Daisy creeks. In a few moments, those streams, comparatively dry at that season, were swollen into dangerous and impassable torrents. Mining apparatus and stumps were torn up and swept down stream like reeds, cattle were borne down on the resist- less flood, and the streets of the town could have floated a canoe. Previous to the cloud- burst, the air had been unusually quiet, but the rush of air to fill up the vacuum amounted to a genuine hurricane. Fortunately, its greatest force was spent a short distance south of town, where the standing pines were mown off about thirty feet above the ground and left standing like gigantic stubble-a memento of the awful force of the elements. An immense amount of drift from the mines was washed down Jackson creek, destroying and marring several comfortable homes, and leaving traces of devas- tation that may last for a generation to come. Strangely enough, the storm and its effects were confined within a narrow limit of little over a quarter of a mile in width, and were scarcely felt beyond the corporation. Jacksonville survived pestilence and flood, but another calamity was in store for it. In the spring of 1873, a fire broke out in the Union hotel, owned by Louis Home, and within an hour seventy-five thou- sand dollars worth of property was destroyed. The recuperative power of Jacksonville enterprise soon rebuilt the vacant ground with more sightly buildings, and what was a severe private loss was a public gain. The succeeding year another disastrous confla- gration took place on the main business block and extended to the El Dorado corner, wiping out many of the ancient landmarks. Again, the energy of Jacksonville's citi- zens repaired the losses, and on the El Dorado corner was reared a handsome brick structure by the Masonic fraternity, and again private purses were made to suffer for the benefit of the town. In 1881, the Presbyterians erected a very handsome edifice for worship at a cost of nearly $4,000, the heaviest contributors being (. C. Beckman and William Hoffman. The church is the most ornate and handsome in Southern Oregon, with stained-glass windows, and a seating capacity of two hundred and fifty- a credit to those who so generously gave towards its erection. But the crowning glory of Jacksonville is its magnificent court house, erected in 1883-4, at a cost of about $32,000, and after a strenuous opposition from rival points and from citizens. It is the cheapest building ever erected in Oregon, and "the bill of costs," never increased by a single dollar from the amount stipulated in the contract, has disappointed the most bit- ter opponents of the building, who predicted that it would ultimately foot up a hundred thousand dollars. Jacksonville may grow no larger, at least until population becomes more congested in the rich valley in which it is situated, but it will long remain one of most interesting towns of Southern Oregon. It is a heritage from the adventurous men who carved out homes far beyond the utmost limits of civilized life; a town that has passed into the highest state of civilization, having no impress of the pioneers who founded it, save their chivalry and general unselfishness. Peopled largely by citizens imbued with broad and liberal views, it has always deservedly been recognized as one of the most hospitable towns in Oregon, and it is to be hoped its character in this latter respect may never change.
CHAPTER XLIV.
OTHER IMPORTANT POINTS.
Phoenix -Its Rise and Fortunes-Medford -- Central Point-Little Butte-Eagle Point-Gold Hill-Big Bar Rock Point-Grant's Pass.
PHENIX .- This village, nicknamed Gasburg, was settled very early in the history of the Rogue river country. Samuel Culver, in the fall of 1851-he being one of the very first pioneers-took up a donation claim where the town now stands, and has ever since continued to occupy it. In the following summer his brother Hiram came, bringing the families of both, and took up a claim adjoining Samuel's, and like the other, of 640 acres of land. In the same year (1852) came Samuel D. Van Dyke, Matthew Little, E. E. Gore and O. D. Hoxie, and settled near by. In 1853 the settle- ment was augmented by James Sterling, John and H. M. Coleman, George T. Vining, Gridley, C. S. Sergeant, James P. Burns, W. Lynch, Milton Lindley, Mathes, Harry and Harvey Oatman and Henry Church. In 1854 the town of Phoenix was laid out on the land of Mr. Samuel Culver. In 1855 S. M. Wait built the large flouring mill on land donated by Mr. Culver. Subsequently Mr. Wait went to Washington terri- tory and founded the town of Waitsburg, turning over his Phoenix mill property to E. D. Foudray, who improved it very much, building a new structure and digging a race. In 1859 this mill was sold in turn to William Hess; in 1862 to James T. Glenn; in 1864 to E. D. Foudray ; in 1871 to G. W. Wimer ; in 1876 to the Grangers; in 1878 to P. W. Olwell, who paid $10,000 therefor, and who still owns and operates it. Harvey Oatman built the first hotel in Phoenix, and Henry Church and Harrison B. Oatman were the first merchants, doing business under the name of Church & Oatman. Culver & Davenport, and Wait & McManus were also engaged in mercantile affairs in early years. Judge Orange Jacobs, of subsequent celebrity, was a teacher of youth for the early settlers of Phoenix, and also practiced his profession of the law for a time in the same locality. In 1858 Phoenix was spoken of as improving rapidly. The water power of the town was considered of great advantage, and the place was said to bid fair to become a rival to Jacksonville. In February, 1861, the placer diggings were discovered near town, the gravel extending a considerable distance along the base of the hills. These diggings have realized a very considerable amount of money. From the Coleman and Reams mines about $170,000 is reported as the product, and some gold is yet being extracted. In 1864 Phoenix had reached its climacteric, and all was prosperity. The town was the home of lawyers, doctors, artisans and merchants. Business was very brisk, and the mines were producing well. But this era of pros- perity had an end sometime along in the last of the sixties; and in 1874 a stray traveler wrote of the place: "Decay, desolation, death are inscribed on her walls; dusty in summer and muddy in winter, it is the abode of hard times." But the dys-
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peptical fellow cheered up somewhat, and going into details, added: "It contains two gristmills, a store, tavern, school, and a Good Templars' organization. The people are industrious, temperate, and always ready for a dance or a religious revival." Again the fortunes of Phoenix were to see a change, and the town, like its namesake, rising from its ashes, was to far exceed its former prosperity. The advent of the railroad had a most salutary effect upon it, and probably a lasting one. The business and manufacturing houses of the place at present are four dry-goods stores, one hardware store, three blacksmith shops, a shoe shop, three hotels and eating houses, two flouring mills, one livery stable and four saloons. There is also a church, begun by the Meth- odists and Presbyterians jointly, in 1862, but afterwards owned exclusively by the latter. The number of inhabitants is thought to be 300. The chief points of interest about Phoenix are the grave (now empty) of Captain Stewart, U. S. A., the "Forty- nine " mines, Camp Baker, and S. Culver's residence. The curious visitor would do well to inspect the latter remarkable building, a relic as it is of times when Indians' assaults had to be provided against. Camp Baker's site (used in the time of the rebellion for garrison purposes) is now grown up with underbrush, and its two dozen log buildings have rotted and fallen down.
MEDFORD, the newest town in Southern Oregon, is an important station of the railway, and is regarded as likely to become a very important shipping point. Its position is in the center of Bear creek valley, about four miles east of Jacksonville, and about midway between Phoenix and Central Point. It is the shipping point for a large section, including Jacksonville, a portion of the Applegate country, and a good part of the surrounding valley. In the winter of 1883-4 about forty wooden build- ings were put up, and the foundations of a brick building of considerable size were laid. A livery stable, hotel, several stores and offices of a few professional men con- stitute a portion of the town.
CENTRAL POINT also is situated upon Bear creek, and is in the northeastern corner of township 37 south, range 2 west. Its position is very nearly in the center of the inhabited part of Jackson county, from whence its citizens argue its claims for the county seat. Its name is derived from the fact of its central location. It is six miles from Jacksonville in a direct line, and is a station of the Oregon and California railway. The land upon which the little village stands was entered by the Magruder brothers in 1868, at which time they set up a store of general merchandise, and in 1872 a post office was established here, bearing the name of the place. Central Point now consists of s even dwellings, a school house, store, blacksmith shop, wagon shop, hotel, post office, feed stable, and saloon. Some of the very earliest pioneers located near this place, among them Judge Skinner, Mr. Hopwood, Chesley Gray, and others. The most extensive farming operations known in the valley have been carried on near by. North and northeast of Central Point lies a section of country which com- prises the "Big Sticky," Little Butte, Antelope, and Dry creek valleys, and a portion of the valley of Rogue river. It is an agricultural section exclusively, excepting as to the upper portions of the valleys, which are devoted to grazing. The population is scattering; two small villages with post offices, have only been built up, Mining there is none, and lumbering is carried on but to a limited extent. The first named section, called Big Sticky or "the desert," lies on the castern side of Bear creek, beginning a
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short distance below Phoenix, and continuing to Rogue river. Its length is perhaps twelve miles, average breadth, three. Its characteristics are a soil of adobe, clay of wonderfully tenacious nature. It is difficult of tillage, but is productive of grain, and very durable in fertility. In early years some noted pioneers settled upon this tract, among them Alexander French, Asa Parker, John E. and Charles Seyforth, John and Nicholas Cook, and the unfortunate Major James Lupton. At a later period Messrs. French and Parker moved to the Atlantic states, John Cook died on this coast a few years since, and N. Cook is now a merchant at Willow Springs, Jackson county. Lupton's place was that now owned by Martin Peterson, and called Mound Ranch, on account of the isolated hill standing thereupon.
EAGLE POINT, located on Little Butte creek, about three miles from Rogue river, is a small village, at present containing two hotels, two stores, two blacksmith shops, a flour mill, boot and shoe shop, carpenter shop, church, school house, saloon, and post office. The place was named by John Mathews, in honor of the national bird. The post office was established in 1872, Andrew McNeil being postmaster. This gentleman retained the position until 1877, when it devolved upon F. B. Inlow, who yet holds it. The site of Eagle Point was taken up in 1853, by Abram Robinson, George Ludlow, and Freeman Smith. Mr. Robinson is now in Boise, Idaho, Mr. Ludlow died in Iowa, several years since, and Mr. Smith returned to the east. These individuals took up 800 acres as joint property, for the purpose of gardening and raising live stock for the market of Jacksonville, sixteen miles distant. Smith sold to James J. Fryer, in August, 1853. On the breaking out of the Indian war the partners had to take refuge elsewhere, and upon the conclusion of hostilities only Mr. Fryer returned to the place. That gentleman, with A. J. Daley, E. Emory and Peter Simon, are now the proprietors of Eagle Point. John Mathews settled near by, in 1854, and in the same year Fred- erick Westgate, N. A. Young and Little, opened a trading post a mile below town, and conducted it for several years. T. Cameron built the first dwelling in Eagle Point in the fall of 1853, a small log house which still stands. The Eagle Point flour mill was built in 1872, by John Daley and E. Emory. It contains two run of buhr-stones, capacity forty barrels of flour per day; motive power a turbine wheel, with a fall of seventeen feet. A. J. Daley now owns the mill.
LITTLE BUTTE CREEK was so named at a very early day because the first miners and packers supposed the stream rose at the foot of Mount Pitt, the snowy butte. They were mistaken, inasmuch as the head of the stream is far south of that mountain. It flows a generally northwest course, and empties into Rogue river nearly opposite Upper Table Rock. The stream is easily fordable most of the year, has a bed ten or fifteen yards wide, and furnishes fine water power. Its valley is quite an agricultural region, has a fertile soil and is well watered. It contains one other village besides Eagle Point, namely, Brownsborough, seven or eight miles south of east, and lying in the northern part of township 36, range 1 east. This place was named in honor of H. R. Brown, who came in 1853, and settled permanently, being the first in that vicin- ity. There is a post office at Brownsborough, a store (owned now by Mr. Brown, but built by Bilger brothers), and five dwellings. In 1855 or earlier, John McDaniel and sons built a saw mill on Little Butte creek, and sawed the lumber of which the most of Jacksonville was constructed. In 1856 or 1857 the mill was removed to give place
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