USA > Oregon > Douglas County > History of southern Oregon, comprising Jackson, Josephine, Douglas, Curry and Coos counties, comp. from the most authentic sources > Part 61
USA > Oregon > Jackson County > History of southern Oregon, comprising Jackson, Josephine, Douglas, Curry and Coos counties, comp. from the most authentic sources > Part 61
USA > Oregon > Josephine County > History of southern Oregon, comprising Jackson, Josephine, Douglas, Curry and Coos counties, comp. from the most authentic sources > Part 61
USA > Oregon > Coos County > History of southern Oregon, comprising Jackson, Josephine, Douglas, Curry and Coos counties, comp. from the most authentic sources > Part 61
USA > Oregon > Curry County > History of southern Oregon, comprising Jackson, Josephine, Douglas, Curry and Coos counties, comp. from the most authentic sources > Part 61
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In the summer of 1850, Captain Levi Scott, who was at the head of the road party which laid out the Applegate trail in 1846, settled on the site of Scottsburg, and laid out a town whose title still perpetuates his name. Not long after James McTavish came up the river and opened a store in a tent made of sails from the wrecked ship Bostonian, a disaster which has been detailed in the history of Gardiner. The same year George Snelling built the first permanent business establishment, being a zine house which he had brought around the Horn in the Bostonian. About the same time William Sloan located some two miles further down the stream and opened a store, that place being thereafter known as the "Lower town." In the fall of 1850, Win- chester, Payne & Co., whose operations have been recited in the county history, occu- pied the space between Scottsburg and the lower town, which they surveyed for a town. Captain Scott donated for that purpose a portion of his claim, but this reverted to the original owner upon the failure of that firm. Scottsburg soon became the metropolis of Southern Oregon. All the trade of that region passed through this place, which had connection with San Francisco by sea. Roads were constructed at great expense to accommodate this trade, and the influence of this seaport town on the Umpqua extended clear into Northern California. In 1852, when it was at the apex of its greatness there were fifteen business honses engaged in a wholesale and retail trade. It was no unusual sight to see 500 pack animals in the streets waiting for their loads of goods. The founding of Crescent City in 1852 drew off a large portion of the trade of Scottsburg, and the increase of transportation facilities from other points rapidly undermined the remainder of its business. In 1858 the number of stores was reduced to two, and one of these was demolished by the great flood of 1861-2. Much damage was done by the raging waters, especially in the lower town, which was com- pletely swept away. The site is now covered with brush, and not a structure exists to mark the spot where once was great bustle and commercial activity.
Scottsburg has now but one business house, that of Cyrus Hedden & Son. A. E. Ozouf owns and operates a tannery founded in 1852, by Levi Kent, and sends $5,000 worth of leather to San Francisco annually. In 1878 P. P. Palmer built a flour mill which grinds 2,000 bushels of wheat annually. W. R. Patterson keeps a hotel. The road from up the river terminates here, and a steamer makes tri-weekly trips to the mouth of the river, carrying passengers, freight and mail. The population is about sixty in the town proper, while some thirty-five pupils attend the district school. During the Rogue river war of 1855-6, no trouble was experienced with the Indians here, but a company of 120 men was organized by Colonel Chapman for service at the seat of war. The only trouble near Seottsburg, was between Captain Rufus Buttler and a small band. The Captain fractured the skull of a chief who made an assault
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upon him, and in revenge the savages attacked his house, which he bravely defended until aid appeared and the Indians were persuaded to retire. Two miles below Scottsburg is an island called Brandy bar, which was so named because the schooner Samuel Roberts, the first to sail up the river, grounded on the island, and while waiting for the tide to float their vessel the crew went ashore and celebrated the occasion with a barrel of brandy.
GARDINER .- The present seaport town of the Umpqua is Gardiner, lying on the north bank of the river, seven miles above its mouth. The principal business and support of that thriving place is the lumber industry which is quite extensively car- ried on in this vicinity. Large mills are located at Gardiner, and lumber is shipped from it to San Francisco. Deep water vessels can enter the river and reach the wharf at this place, and all supplies for or shipments from the country further up the stream are handled here. Gardiner was once a city of "great expectations." Here was to be the seaport for the whole of Southern Oregon ; but with the construction of the Oregon and California railroad into the Umpqua valley this vision of future greatness vanished. Instead of a great commercial city there is now a thriving manufacturing town, and the business point for quite an area of agricultural land.
Gardiner was named in honor of a Boston merchant by that name, who fitted out a schooner called Bostonian, and sent her around the Horn to engage in the Pacific coast trade, in charge of his nephew, George Snelling. On the first day of October, 1850, the vessel reached the mouth of the Umpqua, and in endeavoring to enter was wrecked upon the bar. The crew managed to land the bulk of the cargo. Ten days later the Kate Heath (Captain Woods), entered the river with the party of Win- chester, Payne & Co. on board, who found the crew and cargo of the wrecked schooner at the site of the present town of Gardiner. This name the spot has borne ever since, though Snelling soon removed his goods to Scottsburg, and Captain Coffin soon after took up the land as a donation claim. Coffin sold his claim to Mr. Gibbs, who, in the fall of 1856, transferred it to James T. Cooper. In 1863 Gardiner Chisholm, David Morey, John Kruse and George Bauer, purchased nine acres and erected a saw mill from the timbers of the old block house brought from Umpqua City. In 1864 Cooper sold to J. B. Leeds and Abe Frier, and the next year Mr. Leeds laid the property off into town lots. In 1877 G. S. Hinsdale, E. Brin and J. B. Leeds erected another saw mill. In 1881 Hinsdale purchased the entire property and sold an interest to W. F. Jewett. Later, the Gardiner Lumber Company, of San Francisco, purchased the property, being owners of the other mill also. The yearly product of the mills is 12,000,000 feet of lumber. Logs come from Smith river and Camp and Mill creeks. Four schooners are loaded monthly for California and the Sandwich Islands. Gardi- ner has passed through the tribulation of fire, which nearly swept it from existence. July 26, 1881, fire originated from the fire pit of the new mill. Three houses that stood near and the mill were quickly burned, while flying cinders ignited the roofs of houses in the town, and soon Gardiner was wrapped in flames. No means were at hand for extinguishing them, and in a remarkably short period thirty-nine houses and stores were consumed. The total loss was $52,000. The burned buildings, which were chiefly the residences of the industrious employees of the mills, and whose loss left many families homeless and destitute, were rebuilt, and the town became larger and
WALLING-LITH .PORTLAND. OR.
RESIDENCE OF FRAZIER WARD, FRENCH SETTLEMENT, DOUGLAS CO.
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more substantial than before. In 1877 a salmon cannery was established, which dis- continued work after three years. In 1881 the Bath Canning Company was organized with a capital stock of $15,000, and put up that year 44,000 cases of salmon. In 1882, 61,000 cases were packed, and in 1883, 65,000. In 1883 the two companies consolidated. Other business interests consist of two stores owned by Simpson Bros. & Co. and A. W. Reed, T. C. Markey's drug store, two hotels, owned by William Wade and William McGee. There is also a good public school. The population is about 200. Rural Lodge, No. 59, A. F. & A. M., was organized under dispensation December 14, 1872. The first officers were Robert Mckinney, W. M .; George M. Beldrice, S. W .; William Wells, J. W .; T. C. Reed, Sec .; Joseph Roberts, S. D .; W. W. Cox, J. D .; P. J. Hickey, Tyler. Charter was granted June 12, 1873. A hall was built in 1873, was destroyed by the conflagration in 1881, and is now being replaced by a better one. The membership is twenty-one.
A number of vessels have been constructed on the Umpqua. These were the brig Ellen Wood, schooners Umpqua, J. B. Leeds, Peerless, Louisa Madison, Emma Brown, Active, Hayes and Pacifie. Several vessels have been lost on the Umpqua bar through carelessness or ignorance, namely-the Bostonian in 1850, and the Almira and Roanoke in 1852. Captain J. B. Leeds is of the opinion that the Umpqua bar is the least dangerous on the coast.
WILBUR .- The chief educational point in Douglas county for years was Wilbur, a thriving little town on the line of the Oregon and California railroad, between Oak- land and Roseburg. Here is located the Umpqua Academy, which was the only insti- tution of the kind until the Drain Academy was founded. The site of Wilbur was taken December 24, 1850, by B. J. Grubbe, who built the first house the following spring. The same year he employed a teacher who held in an oak grove the first school south of the Calapooia mountains. He sold to Mr. Clinkenbeard, who laid off a town in 1855. In 1853 Rev. J. H. Wilbur, the pioneer preacher of Southern Ore- gon, took up a donation claim, and in 1854 founded the Umpqua Academy under the auspices of the Methodist denomination. James H. B. Royal was the first teacher, occupying a little log building. A better building was afterwards erected, which was destroyed by fire and was replaced by the present structure.
CHAPTER LII.
OTHER LOCALITIES.
Umpqua City-Long Prairie-Putnam Valley-Green Valley-Mill Creek, Loon Lake and Camp Creek-Smith River-Rice Valley-Siuslaw-Driver Valley-English Settlement-Elk Head-Scott Valley-Oak Grove or Ruckle -- Clark's Branch- Day's Creek -Coffee Creek-Oak Creek.
UMPQUA CITY .- The operations of Winchester, Payne & Co. in 1850 have been fully rehearsed in the county history, including the founding of Umpqua City at the mouth of the river. Upon the failure of the company A. E. Rogers took np the town site as a claim, and in 1851 sold it to General Joseph Drew and Dr. E. P. Drew. Joseph E. Clark soon afterwards opened a hotel, which is the only business house Umpqua City ever could boast of. In 1853 Dr. Drew was appointed Indian agent and established his headquarters here. At the close of the Indian war in the summer of 1856, Captain Stewart established a military post here, which was known as Fort Ump- qua. George Vincent, who has resided in the vicinity since 1852, states that in the sum- mer of 1862, when the paymaster arrived to pay the troops, he found all the officers, even to the sergeants and corporals, away on a hunting trip. There were no Indians requiring a post here, and when the department commander learned of the paymaster's experience, he ordered the fort abandoned. An effort to re-establish it was so far suc- cessful that Captain J. B. Leeds was on the point of leaving San Francisco with troops and supplies for that purpose when the order was countermanded. The old block house and soldiers' quarters were removed to Gardiner, and all that now serves to mark the spot is the residence of H. H. Barat. Steamers touch at this place and leave mail for points up the coast.
LONG PRAIRIE .- Lying on the Umpqua four miles above Scottsburg is a narrow strip of bottom land following the windings of the stream for nine miles, which bears the distinguishing title of Long Prairie. It is hemmed in by high mountains, densely covered with fir timber. The soil is the rich black loam usual to these fertile bottom lands. In 1850 a company, composed of Job Hatfield, Major Thorp, William Golden and Dave Johnson, left Portland to explore the Umpqua, which they reached at the mouth of Elk creek. They followed the course of the river to its mouth and then returned to this valley to settle, deeming it the best they had seen. This was the founding of the settlement in Long Prairie which has grown through the years to a population of seventy-five. In this little community a most excellent school is main- tained. The most prominent men who have been identified with Long Prairie are Job Hatfield, one of the original settlers and the pioneer pilot of the Columbia bar, Andrew Sawyer and Captain Rufus Buttler.
PUTNAM VALLEY .- One and one-half miles west of Drain is Putnam valley, named in honor of one of its pioneer settlers, who is still an influential citizen of this region.
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The valley is four miles long and about two wide, Elk creek traversing its lower end. The soil is well adapted to grain, vegetables and fruit. The stock interest is large, especially sheep. The first settler in the valley was James Daisley, in 1850, other pioneers being James Palmer, Henry Gardiner, Thomas K. Gardiner, and Charles F. Putnam. The population is about seventy-five, and good schools and church organ- izations are maintained.
GREEN VALLEY .- Five miles west of Oakland lies a narrow valley, four miles in length, known as Green valley. Early in 1851, H. C. Scott and M. Farley settled in the valley, and were soon followed by H. Pinkston, who was accompanied by his family. He built a house, in which the first school was kept, and in which J. H. Wilbur preached the first sermon in Southern Oregon. Later, in the same year, came William Patterson, -. Crosby, J. L. Gilbert and N. W. Allen. In 1853, the settlers erected, at an expense of $1,000, the first school house south of the Calapooia moun- tains. In 1851, Dr. Reed built a saw mill, and a grist mill in 1852-the first in Douglas county. Other early settlers were N. Venable, J. J. Walton, P. C. Parker, Preston Rice and -. Shupe.
MILL CREEK, LOON LAKE AND CAMP CREEK .-- In the spring of 1852, S. S. Williams, Joseph Peters, and Job Hatfield went on an exploring expedition southwest of Scottsburg to the headwaters of Mill creek, a stream entering the Umpqua some four miles below that city. About four miles up the stream, they came upon a lake, some two by three miles in dimensions, which had been formed by a land-slide block- ing the creek. In the center of the lake was a floating log, upon which they discov- ered a loon's nest containing two eggs, while the two birds, to which the nest belonged, were observed at some distance on the water. The eggs were packed in moss and taken home, being subsequently donated to the Wilbur academy ; and, in view of these facts, the place has always been known as Loon lake. The next year, S. S. Williams con- ducted a party there on the direct route from Scottsburg. On the way they discovered a stream tributary to Mill creek, which they named Camp creek, because they made an encampment there. These two streams are lined with dense forests of fir and cedar, and logging for the Gardiner mills has recently been commenced on them. A large camp of men cut the timber and float the logs down to the Umpqua, and thence to Gardiner, fifteen miles below.
SMITH RIVER .- About eight miles above its mouth, a sluggish stream enters the Umpqua from the northeast, which has been named Smith river, because it is supposed to be the stream upon whose banks Jedediah S. Smith's party was destroyed by Indians in 1827, as has been related previously. Boland island, named in honor of Captain Boland, its first settler, divides the mouth of the stream into two parts. The river has its source in the Calapooias, and has a length along its course of ninety miles, winding tortuously through an extremely rugged and mountainous region. From two to three thousand acres of agricultural land lie in long, narrow strips along the banks of the stream, which in several places spread out into large marshes and mud flats. The soil is rich alluvium. The upper portion of the stream runs through a more open country, where are extensive ranges for stock. The dense timber of the lower portion consists chiefly of fir, cedar and maple, and much logging is done for the mills at Gardiner. In 1851, a company of men cut timber at the mouth of the stream to be
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shipped to San Francisco for piling. In 1853, Waterman and Curtis Johnson and J. Davenport explored the river, and the following year returned with John Shurtz, J. W. Miller and P. P. Simmons and made a permanent settlement. In pursuance to an act of the legislature, passed the year before, a survey was made in 1858 for a wagon road from Eugene City to the headwaters of the Smith river, a distance of seventy- one miles ; but the route was reported impracticable, and the project was abandoned. In 1864, logging commenced for the new mill at Gardiner, and the good land was then immediately taken up by an industrious class of people, who engage in farming, stock- raising and logging. A steamer carrying the mail and passengers ascends the stream to the head of tidewater, a distance of twenty-five miles, and from that point the upper settlements are reached by a county road which was constructed in 1874. The men most prominently identified with the interests of Smith river are John Cowan, John Shurtz, S. A. Perkins, John Lester, H. G. Mead and Milton Shurtz. Two good schools are maintained on the river. The chief market for this region is San Francisco, which is reached by way of Gardiner.
RICE VALLEY .- Four miles north of Oakland is Rice valley, named in honor of W. S. Rice, who settled there in 1852, and is still one of its most prominent citizens. The valley is five miles long and one mile in width, and is drained by Cabin creek, a tributary of the Calapooia. It is under a high state of cultivation, producing a super- ior quality of grain, fruit and berries, and is well stocked with sheep and cattle. The earliest settler was A. J. Knowles, in 1851, followed by W. S., Ira and Isadore Rice, Wesley Allen, Frederick Thieler, W. S. Tower and John Canady, who are still its principal owners. The Oregon & California railroad traverses the valley, at the head of which is Rice Station, the general shipping point. The population of seventy-five, maintain a good school. A little trouble was experienced with the Indians by some of the settlers who located claims upon tracts of land the natives desired to keep and cul- tivate for themselves. This culminated after the war of 1856 in an attack by two of the whites upon an Indian house in which two of the inmates were killed. Serious trouble came near resulting from this, and mob violence was threatened. The men were tried for the act, but were not convicted.
SIUSLAW .- The Siuslaw river forms for a distance the boundary line between Lane and Douglas counties. The valley or bottom lands, usually about a mile in width, extend along the stream for forty miles, and are covered with a thick growth of fir, cedar, maple and alder. The soil is a rich, sandy loam, well adapted to hops and grass. The valley is well stocked with good sheep and cattle. The earliest settlers were D. W. Hinch, A. J. Moody, David Morse, Sr., and Captain Hill, who came in 1875. The little town of Florence was soon founded on the Lane county side of the stream. In 1876 Duncan & Co., established a cannery, and A. J. Moody opened a store. Nav- igation extends up this stream twenty miles, where begins a good road to Eugene City, thirty-seven miles distant. Two stores are kept, by David Morse and David Morse, Jr. There are also two hotels and a cannery, the property of David Morse. The present population is about 200, but many new settlers are constantly arriving.
DRIVER VALLEY .- Ten miles east of Oakland is Driver valley, a fertile tract three and one-half miles long and about one mile wide, named in honor of I. D. Driver, who settled there in 1853. The center of the valley is level land, with a rich
WALLING -LITH-PORTLAND-DR
RESIDENCE OF JOHN W. WEAVER, MYRTLE CREEK, DOUGLAS CO.
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black soil well adapted to vegetables and general agriculture; the red clay of the sur- rounding bald hills produces excellent wheat and other grains. The mountains are densely timbered. The valley is stocked with excellent sheep and its resources are well developed. The population of twenty-five have easy access to good schools and churches.
ENGLISH SETTLEMENT .- A tract of land six miles long by two wide lies eight miles north of Oakland, and is called English Settlement because of the nation- ality of its first occupants. Three creeks, Oldham, Bachelor and Pollock, tra- verse it, the land along the streams being level, while that between is rolling prairie. The best of grain, fruit and vegetables are produced, and the valley is stocked with fine breeds of cattle, horses, sheep and swine. The first settler was Sim Oldham, in 1852, the later arrivals of the most prominence being Dr. Hall, George Hall and H. Underwood. The present population numbers about sixty. A good school is main- tained, and the community is in a highly prosperous condition.
ELK HEAD .- A narrow valley of this name, which is locally known as Shoe- string, lies twelve miles southwest of Oakland, at the headwaters of Elk creek. The valley is surrounded by high mountains and is but one-half a mile in width and about five miles long, and though the soil is rich the area of arable land is limited. It is well stocked with sheep and swine. J. W. Jones settled here in 1853, the more prom- inent arrivals of a later date being E. B. Coats, G. D. Woodson, Joseph H. Garoutte and P. A. Harris. In the summer of 1880, Rev. A. S. Todd, while riding through the valley, observed a ledge of quartz, which upon investigation proved to be an extent- sive lode of cinnabar. Work has been commcneed on this by a private company of the valley. A little town called Elk Head has sprung up, and the indications are that here will develop one of the most important industries of the county. The pop- ulation of the village is 120; a good school is supported by the citizens.
SCOTT VALLEY .- Situated about three miles east of Yoncalla is a little valley which was settled in 1848 by Captain Levi Scott, the founder of Scottsburg, whose name the valley bears. It has an area of about four square miles. The soil is a mix- ture of adobe and sandy alluvium, and produces grain and fruit abundantly. Oak, ash and fir timber is unlimited. A saw mill with a yearly production of 100,000 feet of lumber is owned by Bryant & Sweeney. A good school exists in the valley. The population numbers sixty-five.
OAK GROVE, OR RUCKLE .- This place is a station on the Oregon and California railroad, eighteen miles south of Roseburg. It was settled by J. H. Bean in 1851. and is now owned by M. C. Ruckle and George H. Stevenson.
CLARK'S BRANCH .- This stream derived its name from James A. Clark, whose donation claim was located at its mouth. The property is now owned by William Hudson.
DAY'S CREEK .- In 1851 Patrick and George Day settled at the mouth of the stream which bears their name, and were soon followed by JJ. P. Wilson and James O'Neal. The valley through which it flows is seven miles in length and but half a mile wide. Upon the stream is a saw mill owned by Mr. Adams and operated by Mr. Bailey. An abundance of fir, cedar and sugar pine grows along the creek. The principal farmers are Messrs. Raymond, Tate, Chamberlain, Perdue, 57
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Woods, Linville and Blaine. A good school exists, and the Methodists have a church organization, Rev. H. P. Webb, pastor.
COFFEE CREEK .- This stream was named by miners in 1858, because of a joke about a coffee pot. Placer claims are being worked along the stream. The principal owners of the land are Joshua Noland, S. K. Shelly, S. Morgan, James Cox, Benjamin Stout and Daniel Conley.
OAK CREEK .- On this stream, situated in Mt. Scott precinct, ten miles northeast of Roseburg, is a church edifice 24x40 feet in size, belonging to the denomination of Primitive or Old School Baptists. The church was organized by Elder Isom Craw- ford, June 3, 1871, assisted by Ezra Stout and John T. Crooks. The present officers are : Joseph Thornton, moderator ; Jeptha Thornton and William S. Matthews, elders ; G. R. P. Allerbury, deacon ; James Thornton, clerk.
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JOSEPHINE COUNTY.
CHAPTER LIII.
DESCRIPTION AND RESOURCES.
Location of the County-Boundaries-Extent-Character of the Surface-Mountain Streams-Illinois Valley Northern Josephine-Trees-Animals-Minerals-Marble-Copper-Gold.
Josephine county embraces that portion of country lying between Jackson county on the east and Curry on the west, and extending from Douglas county to the Cali- fornia line. The boundaries, as given by the act of legislature of January 22, 1856, creating Josephine county, are as follows : Beginning at the southwest corner of town- ship 32, range 5, west ; being the south boundary of Douglas county ; thence west along the dividing ridge separating the waters of Cow creek from those of Rogue and Co- quille rivers, to the northeast corner of Curry county ; thence south along the east line of said county to the summit of the divide between Rogue and Illinois rivers; thence west along the divide to a point seven miles east of the junction of those rivers ; thence south to the California state line ; thence east to the intersection of the west boundary of range 4, west ; thence north to the southeast corner of township 36; thence west to the southwest corner of the same township; thence north to the place of beginning.
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