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Bear
Creek Shasta
Indian name for Bear Creek: Ussoho
Roland B. Dixon, "The Shasta," Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, 1907 Upper Takelma name for Bear Creek: Si-ku-ptat, "dirty water" John P. Harrington, quoted in Dennis J. Gray, The Takelma and Their Athapaskan Neighbors, 1987  Published
1889--most likely an irrigation ditch (maybe the Medford
Water Ditch)
off Jackson Creek or Bear Creek. Originally nearly all of the floor of the central valley, except what is known as the "Desert," was covered with a growth of pine, oak, laurel, manzanita, and ceanothus, while along the stream bottoms occurred a heavy growth of cottonwood, alder and brush. Many of the streams are still fringed with a growth of trees and brush, but the larger part of the level lands in the valley have been cleared and the native growth replaced by cultivated fields and orchards, only a few small woodlots remaining to indicate the presence of the former forest. A. T. Strahorn, et al., Soil Survey of the Medford Area, Oregon, 1911, page 7 Origin of Bear Creek
Name Recounted
To the Editor: Regardless of where our fortunes be cast, to value the
present we must know the past. For instance, when crossing Bear Creek
on one of its handy, dependable bridges, take a look at its
well-contained and tamed waters. 'Twasn't always that-a-way, not by a
jugful of of tens of millions of 'em. That peaceful-looking stream has
been as unpredictable and cantankerous as the ornery critter it's named
after.(By June McMillen Ordway in Sunday's Oregonian) "Well,
if you are writing of Bear Creek, just say it flows through the most
beautiful country God ever made, and you'll have it all right."
Bear
Creek TamedThus spoke a friend when informed that the late Captain James H. McMillen was one of a party of pioneers who gave this name to the stream in 1851, before it was spanned by the great concrete bridge and before Medford was ever through of [as] a "boom town." On Table Rock in 1851 a battle took place between a small party of whites and a band of Rogue River Indians. Several packers had been killed near this point by Indians, while on their way with flour, bacon and butter to the miners at Yreka, Cal. Among those killed was Lieutenant James Stuart. His body was buried hastily near the scene of battle and the letters J. S. were carved in the bark of a large oak tree near the grave. Then a fire was kindled on the grave, beef bones and brush were burned upon it and later horses were led over the spot, so as to obliterate the appearance of a grave. Otherwise the Indians would have removed the clothing and blanket in which the body was wrapped. Later, Governor Joseph Lane had Stewart's body removed to Vancouver, Wash., for final burial. About this time the late Joseph McMillen, father of Captain James M. McMillen, with a number of men, one of whom was Calvin C. Reed, were returning from Yreka, Cal., with ox wagons. When nearing the shore of the stream they saw three grizzly bears leave the carcass of an ox and run into the dense thicket at the roadside. Two horsemen rode, who had three dogs with them. The dogs were sent into the brush in quest of the bears. They returned quickly, yelping at a great rate. One of the bears, which was wounded by a rifle shot from one of the horsemen, rushed out of the thicket and, seeing Reed standing by the ox team, charged him. Reed had just borrowed a double-barrel shotgun belonging to Joseph McMillen, and when but a few feet from the bear he fired, killing the beast. The other two were dispatched quickly and their bodies were left in the road. As the men resumed their journey someone remarked, "We will christen this stream 'Bear Creek'." The christening of Bear Creek was but one of many incidents of 1851 in Southern Oregon. Every man was said to be a hero, and the women were as brave as the men in that unsettled part of the state. They were brave and gallant; as only such had the hardihood to endure the perils and hardships encountered in reaching this "promised land." Whenever danger threatened any portion of the new community all were ready to rush to its defense without regard to personal danger or pecuniary loss. Medford Mail Tribune, November 10, 1913, page 4; reprinted from the Sunday Oregonian, Portland, November 9, 1913, page 65; later reprinted in the Ashland Tidings, November 17, 1913, page 2 On Father's claim in a bend of Bear Creek was one camp of Chief Sam of whom I have already spoken, under the shade of the great spreading red oak trees just across from our home. There he and his people spent much time. One morning the Chief came over and told my mother that his boy was going to die, very sick. In sympathy for a sick boy she went with Sam, entered the tepee and there found not a boy but a grown man, who was as Sam had said very sick. He was starving. They could prepare no food that he could assimilate. She prepared food that was suitable, gave him medicine, visited him two or three times daily for a time, and one day the Chief came to express his gratitude saying that his boy was well and also saying to Father “she has a good heart.” Walter Scott Gore 1852-1943, manuscript memoirs in the possession of great-great-granddaughter Marty Mielen Monroe THE BIGGEST FLOOD ON RECORD.
In 1853 It Snowed 17 Days and Nights--the Country Was Submerged.
The
following are recollections of '52 and '53 in Rogue River
Valley,
by William Hamilton, an Indian war veteran, as given to the Junction
City Times:
Mr. Hamilton, then a young man, resided in this valley. That winter it snowed 17 days and nights, which was followed by three days of incessant rain. The snow was from three to four feet deep on the level, and the three days' rain caused such a flood that the like was never known before or since. In the Willamette Valley the snow was from 18 to 24 inches deep. Only two settlers were recorded, John Ferguson and Chris Taylor, and as they both settled in the foothills, the flood that followed did not do them much damage. In Rogue River Valley the few settlers lived on meat alone for some six weeks. Game, however, was plentiful, and Mr. Hamilton and a neighbor kept the carcasses of from 20 to 25 deer hanging in front of their cabin all the time, and all were allowed to help themselves. Flour sold at $1.60 per pound, and salt at $16 per pound. Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 4, 1903, page 2 The flood there has been very destructive, causing considerable damage to the dams of miners and other property. There were eight persons drowned in Jackson County during the high water. "Oregon," New York Daily Times, March 29, 1853, page 3 Wednesday, August 3[, 1853]. Our neighbors are shaking just about the right way on this creek which we call Bear Creek but I think ought to be called Ague Creek. Oscar Winther, et al., eds., "Mrs. [America Rollins] Butler's 1853 Diary of Rogue River Valley," Oregon Historical Quarterly, December 1940, page 350 "Ague" was malaria. When Elijah B. Gore and family arrived in 1852, its channel was said to be up near the Community Hospital. Amazon-like, later on it decided to flow near where Elijah's son Ed now lives at 116 Geneva St. Fact is, as Mr. Gore remarked, it had several channels, none of them very permanent, coursing through a morass of trees, brush and swamp grass "so thick a dog could scarce penetrate," as Homer Harvey of 1880 coming put it. Fording Bear Creek and other valley streams was ever risky, especially during winter rains and spring freshets. Saddle and harness horses, wagons as well as human life was lost. The ford at old Gasburg [Phoenix] was best, being wide, shallow and firm-bottomed. But that was a long way around going to Jacksonville or downriver points. A prod pole was usually taken along to feel out any treacherous hole in its shifty bed. Early bridges were so uncertain that a ford was kept at McAndrews crossing as late as the close of World War I. County Engineer Paul Rynning built one there that endured till the one of concrete was built two years ago. The very first one of timbers pressured for and built by the county, oldtimers say, was never used. Bear Creek, changing its course, left it out in a clearing where it "melted" away with settlers' need of plank or timber. County commissioners' journals of 100 years ago are filled with petitions for viewers to view out new county roads or a bridge, followed by settlers paying county dads for damages by new roads across their properties. [The inverse was the case.] The first one found by this writer was built in 1854 across Little Butte Creek. A couple of years later two were petitioned for where Medford is now, one to be known as the "creek bridge," 125 feet long, and the other "the slough" bridge," 165 feet long. [There was no county road at Medford until the 1880s.] Was this the slough just south of Main St. where Medfordites used to hunt ducks? Anyway, Bear Creek is tamed, for the present at least. F. J. Clifford 1211 West Main St. Medford Mail Tribune, June 8, 1954 Bear Creek Eight
Feet Deep at Corey's Grocery
In 1854, my father and his brother came to Medford from the Willamette
Valley. That spring a flood swept down Bear Creek. The water extended
from the present west bank of Bear Creek to the foot of the hospital
hill.
By measuring the driftwood in the trees then out on the level at the present location of Corey's Grocery [529 East Main--today's Hawthorne Park], the depth of the water was found to be eight feet. Two men by the names of Dover and Lewis had a large herd of cattle grazing on the east side of Bear Creek. These cattle were all swept down the stream and drowned. Several years ago Bear Creek broke through the southeast corner of Earhart's place [near Barnett], on the east side of the creek, and quite a stream passed through the old channel across the proposed school site. (Signed)
S. P. BARNEBURG
Medford Mail Tribune, May
14, 1925, page 6
[In 1856] The Davenports were living in Gassburg when Olive Oatman was rescued from the Indians and lived with her relatives there for a time. She and Florinda, "Tim's wife," were great chums, and Olive gave Mrs. D. and several other women friends exhibitions of her swimming prowess in Bear Creek, teaching some of them swimming lessons there. Orson Stearns, Reminiscences of Pioneer Days and Early Settlers of Phoenix and Vicinity, 1921 SAVAGE GAME IN SOUTHERN OREGON.--The Jacksonville Sentinel, of Jan. 14th, relates the following panther story: "On Thursday afternoon, as O. D. Hoxie and C. F. Jones were duck hunting along Bear Creek, their dogs were surprised by a large tigress (or panther) which lay concealed in the bushes. Instantly the dogs attacked the ferocious brute, but she quickly routed them and deliberately approached the hunters. Jones happened to be foremost. He was armed with a United States musket, heavily loaded with duck shot. When the brute advanced to within ten paces, he fired full in her face, completely blinding her. She was then dispatched without trouble. The animal measured over six feet in length, and, from her very fleshy condition, had evidently feasted upon the smaller livestock about the country." Sacramento Daily Union, January 26, 1860, page 3 The Floods.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville,
December 14, 1861, page 3
On last Sunday, we were visited with a much more destructive flood than
that of the previous week. On the night of Friday, 6th inst., a heavy
rain set in, and continued to pour down heavily almost without
intermission until Sunday morning. This body of water pouring into the
channels which were yet full from the flood of the preceding week was
too great for the ordinary bounds of the streams, and in consequence it
spread over a considerable portion of the valley. The lower portion of
our own town was submerged from the waters of Jackson Creek, and the
valley was converted into a group of numberless small islands and
lakes. Jacksonville and immediate vicinity has sustained no material
damage, but from other portions of the county we learn that the losses
have been very severe.
It is said that in Neal's Canyon, beyond Ashland, through which a stream of water was running, on Sunday became clogged by accumulated drift logs, and backed up an immense body of water. Under the heavy pressure the dam gave way and the water rushed with irresistible velocity down the valley, carrying everything before it. By this torrent, we understand that Mr. Wm. Taylor lost his outhouses, grain, etc. We have not particulars as to the full extent of damage, but the loss must be heavy. The farmers along Bear River have suffered. One gentleman who owns a farm on that stream tells us that, on Sunday, he stood by for a while and watched his property, in fences, float off at the rate of about one hundred dollars per hour. He lost a number of horses and several thousand rails, and without doubt many others have been equally unfortunate. There has probably been many heavy losses that we are unable to record, owing to the interruption of communication, even from portions of our own county. With the miners, the damages they have suffered will be more than repaired by the supply of water, which is indispensably requisite to their profitable labor. It is to be hoped that the mines may pay well enough to leave a margin of profit to the community over all losses. The Rogue River bridge, which had weathered the first storm, was not able to withstand the latter. Its loss, up to the present time, has effectually blocked communication north of us. We think it safe to say that there is scarcely a bridge left in its position over a single stream in the county. I think Father and Uncle Emory [Gore] went about building the sawmill [on Bear Creek near South Stage Road] as soon as fairly settled in their new home. The family moved out to the claim when I was six months old, so 1853 was more than half gone before they had been fairly settled, thus the mill must not have been ready for use before late 1854. They sold lumber all over the valley. The great flood of December 1861 washed much of the mill and the logs away and so changed the creek channel that the mill was never rebuilt. Walter Scott Gore 1852-1943, manuscript memoirs in the possession of great-great-granddaughter Marty Mielen Monroe In 1861 "the channel of Bear Creek was narrow, and ran through Medford about the place where John Mann's house now stands [at 815 East Main]. The flood was exceptionally bad because of the narrow channel, and the present channel was cut at that time." "Charley Strang is 'Vet' of Veterans," Medford News, March 30, 1934, page 1 THE STORM.--During the week there has been a very brief period of dry or clear weather. By Friday the flow from Jackson Creek through the town had materially subsided, and the pools had quite disappeared from the valley. But Friday night the rains returned and poured without cessation until Sunday morning. Before midnight of Saturday, Jackson Creek had broken over its banks and came sweeping in through the lower part of the town. By morning the flood reached its height. Again, as on the Sunday morning preceding, houses were surrounded, lots submerged, fences torn away, and some damage done to gardens. Down the valley as far as could be seen were streams and sheets of water. The inundation extended over a greater area than that of the week before. A slight rain fell during Sunday, but the flood gradually abated, and yesterday it had disappeared from one portion of the space it had covered, and only a small stream coursed outside of the regular channel of the creek. Excerpt, Semi-Weekly Gazette, Jacksonville, December 10, 1861, page 3 The Floods.
On
last Sunday, we were visited with a much more destructive flood than
that of the previous week. On the night of Friday, 6th inst., a heavy
rain set in, and continued to pour down heavily almost without
intermission until Monday morning. This body of water pouring into the
channels, which were yet full from the flood of the preceding week, was
too great for the ordinary bounds of the streams, and in consequence it
spread over a considerable portion of the valley. The lower portion of
our own town was submerged from the waters of Jackson Creek, and the
valley was converted into a group of numberless small islands and
lakes. Jacksonville and immediate vicinity has sustained no material
damage, but from other portions of the county we learn that the losses
have been very severe.
It is said that in Neal's Cañon, beyond Ashland, through which a stream of water was running on Sunday, [it] became clogged by accumulated drift logs, and backed up an immense body of water. Under the heavy pressure the dam gave way and the water rushed with irresistible velocity down the valley, carrying everything before it. By this torrent, we understand that Mr. Wm. Taylor lost his outhouses, grain, etc. We have not particulars as to the full extent of damage, but the loss must be heavy. The farmers along Bear River have suffered. One gentleman who owns a farm on that stream tells us that, on Sunday, he stood by for a while and watched his property, in fences, float on at the rate of about one hundred dollars per hour. He lost a number of horses and several thousand rails, and, without doubt, many others have been equally unfortunate. The Rogue River bridge, which had weathered the first storm, was not able to withstand the latter. Its loss up to the present time has effectually blocked communication north of us. We think it safe to say that there is scarcely a bridge left in its position over a single stream in the county. Excerpt, Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, December 14, 1861, page 3 Fred Barneburg:--"It looks good to me to see that bridge going up across Bear Creek. It's the first time the creek has ever been properly bridged. I remember in the early sixties one winter when for three months it was dangerous to cross the creek either with a wagon or on horseback. John Norton, my father-in-law, and myself lived on the east side of Bear Creek, and we had to go to Jacksonville whenever we wanted supplies. We built a canoe out of a big pine log and we used to cross in that, walk to Jacksonville through the mud and water, buy our supplies and carry them on our backs to the creek and then ferry ourselves across in that canoe. Some of our folks were sick that winter, and on one occasion I remember I paid a doctor $80 to come to my house and stay one night and day. It was a pretty good price, but I never regretted it, for I think he earned his money and besides he saved the life of one of my children." "City Happenings," Medford Mail, November 7, 1902, page 7 ANOTHER FLOOD.--The week has furnished to us another flood. It lasted through Wednesday and Thursday. Jackson Creek boomed up into a very fair-sized river, spanning one hundred feet breadth just below its mouth, in town, and rose to a greater height than at either of the previous floods. Three families were obliged to leave their homes, a part of a lot on Oregon Street was washed away, and some injury done to gardens. In the county, the loss was severe. Bear Creek rose higher than ever. At Gasburg a portion of the race to the flour mill and the tannery was destroyed, about thirty acres of Colver's farm was washed away, and Oatman's orchard was swept of every tree. Farms in that neighborhood and above have sustained much loss. Throughout the county, but particularly on Butte and Antelope creeks, cattle have greatly suffered. Several hundred have already perished. Judge Tolman, who came from home by stage on Sunday, says the roads are too bad to talk about. Semi-Weekly Gazette, Jacksonville, January 21, 1862, page 3 Mr. W. Gore, though less than two years old at the time, retains a clear memory of the flood of 1862 and described his sensations at seeing his father's sawmill floating down the creek which at normal times had supplied its power. He also told his recollections of the rescue of two fat hogs from their floating pen. Alfred Segsworth, Works Progress Administration Survey of State and Local Historical Records, 1936-1937 GOLD HILL MINER RECOUNTS STORY OF HEAVY SNOW
A special news item from Gold Hill in the Oregonian reads as follows:"'Jimmy' Burns, who came to the Jacksonville mining camp in its palmy days of the '50s, and now a retired Gold Hill miner, says he know of but one season of similar storm condition in the Rogue River Valley, the winter of 1861-62. "There was practically no rainfall until mid-December. About that time a heavy rainstorm came in the valley and a deep snow in the mountains. Snow fell soon after and continued to fall until the mountain passes to the Willamette Valley and California were completely blocked and the snow was from three to five feet deep on the floor of the valley. The snow did not disappear until late in spring, when a disastrous flood followed. "Some of the early settlers had driven cattle in from the Willamette Valley to stock their ranches. The supply of fodder became exhausted and the settlers spent much time in gathering willow sprouts and fir boughs or anything else the stock would eat to keep them alive. There was no transportation, and no way to bring in food even for humans. By spring nearly all of the stock in the valley died, and the next season the settlers had to make new importation for restocking. "The Chavner family, residents of Gold Hill since the early days and descendants of Thomas Chavner, founder of Gold Hill, confirm Burns' story." Medford Mail Tribune, January 18, 1930, page 3 BEAR CREEK.--This stream was up very high during they late rains, and done much damage in places. The road this side of Eagle Mills, though passable, is very materially injured. The greatest havoc committed was at Phoenix. Opposite S. Colver's residence, the current set in to the west bank, washing it away to the old race, and seriously endangering E. D. Foudray's mill. Lower down, the vats of M. Lindley's tannery were washed out. The water then bore to the other side, and cut a channel through S. Colver's field, leaving Lindley's sawmill and dam high and dry. The damages below do not seem to be as great, though the fences in the bottom are injured. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, January 26, 1867, page 2 The Sentinel of the 2nd says: Mr. Patterson informed us last evening that Thomas Armpriest was drowned in Bear Creek, Thursday evening, near Mr. Kincaid's. He was returning from Jacksonville and attempted to cross Bear Creek where there was no ford and, jumping his horse off of a steep bank into swimming water, was at once carried off by the swift current. Search was made for the body but, up to Friday morning, without success. The accident occurred below the mouth of Jackson Creek, not far from Rogue River, and it is quite probable that the body has been carried into this latter stream. "State Items," Morning Oregonian, Portland, February 11, 1867, page 2 The Press of Jacksonville says the late storm played sad havoc with the farms along Bear Creek, some of them being almost totally ruined. Sam. Colver has scarcely land enough left to hold a mortgage. "Oregon," State Rights Democrat, Albany, Oregon, February 23, 1867, page 2 GOOD HUNTING.--Mr. David Linn of this place killed three deer on Wednesday on the island at the mouth of Bear Creek. He was out hunting for timber and happened to have his rifle with him. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, September 11, 1869, page 3 Mary's River--better known as Bear Creek--flows the entire length of the valley, issuing from the Siskiyous and discharging into Rogue River. This stream divides the valley as near centrally as could have been done by the most competent surveyor. "Jackson County--Its Agricultural and Mineral Resources," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, April 8, 1871, page 2 Water ditch notice and agreement. This indenture made and entered into between Patrick Dunn and Elizabeth Hill of the first part made and into this 17th day of February 1872 and the parties of the 2nd part are Jacob Wimer & son and Amy and McKenzie. Witnesseth that the parties of the first part are the owners of a certain ditch, commencing on the Dunns' land and conveying certain water of Bear Creek. The said parties agree to stop the flow of water in said ditch in or about the 15th day of August of each year, and allow the same to flow down the channel of said Bear Creek to the mills of the parties of the second part. And the parties of the second part agree that the parties of the first part shall use the waters of Bear Creek in said ditch to that date, or so much thereof as the said ditch is now entitled to. P. Dunn
Silas J. Day, ClerkElizabeth Hill Filed and recorded Feby. 23rd, 1872. By E. D. Foudray, D.C. Jackson County Mining Claims Record Book 1869-72, Library of Congress collection MSS62455, shelving number MMC-1189, page 132 On the 15th there was a waterspout or cloudburst about four miles from Ashland, Jackson County. A small brook emptying into Bear Creek was swelled to a depth of eight or ten feet and to a width of fifty, bearing down driftwood, fences and great boulders. Morning Oregonian, Portland, May 23, 1877, page 4 Spearing chinook salmon in Bear Creek is the Sunday amusement of some of our citizens. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, July 23, 1879, page 3 Bear Creek raised to such an extent last week that a considerable strip of land this side of the Eagle Mill was washed away and the safety of the road nearby endangered. Supervisor Philips is empowered by statute to collect additional road tax enough from the citizens of Ashland district to repair the damage done, and he will proceed to do so at once. Democratic Times, Jacksonville, December 12, 1879, page 3 The McKenzie mill on Bear Creek was closed on Saturday evening, and Mr. McKenzie would be glad to close his accounts. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, May 5, 1880, page 3 FLOATED OFF.--The new country bridge built across Bear Creek, near the residence of Thos. McAndrew, was carried off last Friday, about half of the structure being deposited in K. F. Walker's field, while the other was scattered. This bridge was put up at an expense of $1,300 last fall, and would have stood any freshet but this. John Callaghan was about crossing when the bridge took its departure. Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 21, 1881, page 3 AT ASHLAND.--Mill Creek, running through Ashland, was a young river last week, and changed its channel materially, emptying into Bear Creek some distance this side of the old place at present. The bridge across Main Street succumbed Friday, and it was only by the dint of the greatest endeavors on the part of the citizens of Ashland that the fine brick buildings, almost bordering on the creek, were saved. It took a force of twenty-five men several hours to overcome the fury of the water and render the town safe. Mrs. Vining's hotel building settled considerably, as also did E. E. Stacy's and others, necessitating the removal of household goods, etc. Some of the buildings of the Ashland Woolen Mills Co. also had a narrow escape. Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 21, 1881, page 3 H. Amy and Mrs. Merriman were among those whose places sustained rather serious injury through Bear Creek's fury last week. "Brief Reference," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 21, 1881, page 3 'Squire Walton of Manzanita precinct made us a call Saturday. He informs us that Bear Creek has damaged H. Amy's place considerably, among other things washing off about five acres of timber land. "Personal Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 18, 1881, page 3 The 1883 Medford plat shows Bear Creek running considerably east of today's course (lower left corner of image). P. W. Olwell's sons have a fish trap in Bear Creek, in Phoenix, with which they have taken a large number of fine salmon trout this spring. The fish find a ready market here and at Jacksonville. "Brevities," Ashland Tidings, May 2, 1884, page 3 Medford (Or. & C.)--Bear cr. nearby. Trout and salmon; May and June best months; hotel $2 p. d. See Phoenix, Oregon. Phoenix (Or. & C.)--Bear cr. ½ m.; salmon and trout, salmon in majority; baits--salmon eggs for trout (flies not used by local anglers), and the spear for salmon; hotels charge $1.50 p. d.; guides and boats not needed. William Harris, The Angler's Guide Book and Tourists' Gazetteer of the Fishing Waters of the United States and Canada, The American Angler, 1885 Bids are wanted for the contract to build a new bridge across Bear Creek on the county road at Mr. Dunn's place south of Ashland. See notice by the County court in another column. "Brevities," Ashland Tidings, August 14, 1885, page 3 Water Ditch Notice.
All
parties not having the right to use water are requested to discontinue
taking it out of Bear Creek and its streams, as the mills below need it
at present; also after night, as the above practice damages the mills
below on next day for want of its use.
Respectfully, P. W. OLWELL. Ashland Tidings, August 21, 1885, page 3 Six persons were baptized in Bear Creek at Talent by Rev. Mr. Hummer last Sunday. Wild geese and ducks in large numbers have been alighting in the fields along Bear Creek north of Ashland during the past week. They stop here for a brief rest on their long journey southward. Bear Creek has been very high during the past few days, and has been cutting its banks slightly in places. Below the Eagle Mills it has been encroaching upon the stage road to some extent, but has not yet done much damage. "Brevities," P. W. Olwell, of Phoenix mills, gives notice that the mills on Bear Creek used all the water to which they are entitled, and warns people against turning the water of Bear Creek and tributaries out of the natural channels. "Brevities," Cold Weather.
During
the past week we have experienced the coldest weather known in Southern
Oregon for a great many years. . . . Rogue River, Applegate, Butte,
Bear, Evans and other creeks have been frozen over during the week, for
the second time in the memory of "the oldest inhabitant."Excerpt, Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 20, 1888, page 3 J. B. Riddle has gathered several tons of ice from Bear Creek, which he has stored for summer use. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 27, 1888, page 3 Fish from Bear Creek find ready sale in this market. P. W. Olwell's sons find no trouble in disposing of all they bring in. "Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, March 23, 1888, page 3 The county commissioners will probably authorize the building of a bridge across Bear Creek near Medford. This structure should be built, by all means, as it is needed, especially in the winter. Democratic Times, Jacksonville, August 16, 1888, page 2 The bridge contractors quit work last Saturday and telegraphed to San Francisco for instructions whether or not to proceed and entail certain risks to the contractors. High water in Bear Creek interfered with properly laying the mud sills. A story is afloat, to the effect that the contractors attempted to bribe the contractor's representative, Mr. Daley, to allow them to place the superstructure on an insecure foundation. We trust that the report is not true, however, and that the bridge will progress towards early completion. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, December 6, 1888, page 3 The ditch leading from Bear Creek to [Medford], which will furnish our town with a fine supply of water, is nearly completed. It will prove of much benefit to our town. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, March 14, 1889, page 3 Medford rejoices over the flowing of water through its new irrigating canal, which taps Bear Creek about two miles above the town. The water was turned into the ditch last week for the first time. "Brevities," Ashland Tidings, May 3, 1889, page 3 Low
Water.
The
streams everywhere are lower than ever known in the history of this
section since first settled by white men, at this season of the year.
Rogue River itself is a mere creek compared with its usual June volume,
while Bear Creek is well-nigh dry, and the lesser tributaries are but
reminiscences of water courses.Excerpt, Democratic Times, Jacksonville, July 4, 1889, page 1 A violent thunder and hail storm visited the upper portion of Bear Creek Valley Tuesday evening last, doing considerable damage in the grain fields and orchards in the vicinity of Wagner Creek. A culvert washed out in the railroad near there and delayed the southbound train for several hours yesterday morning. Bear Creek rose very rapidly for a short time, but the waters soon subsided. Hail fell to the depth of several inches in a limited area. The waterspout in the neighborhood of Wagner Creek caused Bear Creek to become a raging torrent within a few minutes, and it continued high for some hours. Such was the amount of hail that fell that slush ice was floating in Rogue River yesterday morning, having been swept by the rising waters from many miles up Bear Creek. The rise in that stream is said to have been fully ten feet. There was enough precipitation to have supplied the whole valley, had it been properly distributed. "Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, July 11, 1889, page 3 Pot-hunters along Bear Creek are causing some complaint among farmers in that vicinity. Carelessness in handling firearms frequently causes loss and injury to stock. "Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, November 21, 1889, page 3  Chaparral somewhere in the Medford area, 1913
It was just 30 years ago last Tuesday night that [N. S. Bennett] and
Mrs. Bennett arrived in Medford from their old home near Keokuk, Iowa,
with the intention of staying here a year if they liked it. They have
been here ever since. Medford was a small village then, and the site of
the Farmers & Fruitgrowers Bank was out in the suburbs, covered
with scrub oak and chaparral. There was then three inches of snow on
the ground, and then the developments of the next few days and month
the newly arrived Iowans did not fall in love with Medford.
The majority of this great depth of snow, although it thawed a little and snowed a little several times, remained on the ground about a month, and then when it did go away rather suddenly caused big flood conditions, and the Bear Creek bridge was washed away by the raging torrent. The business part of Medford was on this side of the creek, and to enable the farmers living in the territory across the stream to come across a cable was rigged up over the torrent. The farmers drove to the other side in their stick carts, consisting of rear wheels of a wagon attached to a wagon pole, and then were pulled across in a big basket attached to the cable. Due to the flood conditions in Oregon and California at that time Mr. Bennett says the train service was demoralized in both directions, and because of washouts on Cow Creek Cañon and the Sacramento Valley there was no through train service from January 26 to February 26, and no mail was received from the east and west during that time. In relating the above Mr. Bennett recalled that the previous year had been a very dry one and hence food, grain and other prices were very high, but that about that time he purchased a dressed hog for six cents a pound and wheat at about [60] cents a bushel. "Recalls Medford When Wheat Sold for 60 Cents a Bushel," Medford Mail Tribune, January 9, 1920, page 6 Bear Creek is very high this week, and hundreds of our citizens have viewed it from the bridge. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 30, 1890, page 3  "Clutter
& Co., the Medford artists, prepared a series of flood photos,
showing the Bear Creek bridge when the water was at its highest and
Hammon's barn still standing on the further side, and subsequent
pictures showing the bridge in various stages of demolition after the
barn had fallen. ---"Medford Squibs," Democratic Times,
Jacksonville, February 13, 1890.
When Ed Wilkinson
Went Down with the Bridge
Something like thirty-three or thirty-four years ago [in February 1890]
when Bear Creek was up to a height that it took some of the buildings
downstream, one barn on the east side that was filled with hay went
out, with the chickens floating downstream on bunches of hay.
The wagon bridge on Main Street, and also the footbridge, went out when Ed Wilkinson, standing on the latter, went down with the bridge into the water and lost his umbrella. This would have been a bad time for a high school on this low land. I hope it will never come again like that, but it still rains in Oregon. The stream was wide and covered some of the ground on the east side. We are sure the soil is good on that side, for it has been washed in by high waters. . . . In this flood I helped swing the box across the creek to bring the people over. The old creek has been some menace to the public most every spring. W. M. DAVIS
Medford Mail Tribune, May
14, 1925, page 6Coleman Says Current Snow and
Cold Worse Than in 1890
There is nothing like the current offering of snow and cold, in the
memory of the oldest inhabitant, Assessor J. B. Coleman, for the
purposes of this article furnishing the memory and enacting the role of
the oldest inhabitant. He is well qualified for both.Assessor Coleman said this morning that in the early '90s there was more snow, but it did not remain long, and went off before the hot breath of a chinook wind. The resultant high water, according to Mr. Coleman, "tore the bottom out of Bear Creek." "If the wind swings around to the southeast," warned Mr. Coleman today, "It will be time for all good citizens to look out, and residents of the east side to shake the moths out of their diving suits." He explained that chinook winds ooze out of the southeast. "An old-fashioned chinook would peel the snow off the floor of the valley and the highest mountain, and Bear Creek would spraddle out." In such a contingency, Mr. Coleman had grave doubts that the Bear Creek bridge would be strong enough to withstand the pounding it would receive from willows, cottonwood trees, driftwood, and up-valley chicken coops. With the present footage of snow in the mountains, Mr. Coleman predicted a few avalanches in the hill country. The chinook, he said, produced them in 1890, and he saw several of them in action on Coleman Creek and in the vicinity of Phoenix. They gave him a creepy feeling and piled up in Bear Creek, causing that meandering creek to be a half mile wide at Phoenix. Assessor Coleman does not look for a chinook right away, though no telling when they will come. He said February and December were the best months for chinooks in Jackson County. Medford Mail Tribune, January 15, 1930, page 8 B. W. Dean and Will Wright were in town from Willow Springs on Tuesday and report the whole face of nature changed by the flood in the lower Bear Creek valley. Bob Bybee this week had a narrow escape from drowning in Bear Creek, which he was trying to ford at the time. "Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 6, 1890, page 2 Hammon Bros., on the east side of Bear Creek, are among the heaviest losers in this vicinity, the flood having swept away their barn, hay, pig pens and outbuildings, pigs and fowls, besides having done much injury to their growing nursery. The barn went to pieces before falling into the stream, or it would have carried the bridge out with it sooner than that structure left its moorings. Every effort was made to save the bridge across Bear Creek at this place, but in spite of all exertions it went down on Monday afternoon, greatly to the chagrin of our citizens. It was apparently a fine bridge, but the excavations for the mud sills at the west end were not deep enough to prevent their being undermined by the insidious current. The portion of the bridge which went out became stranded a short distance below town, and much of the material can be saved. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 6, 1890, page 3 The heart of the valley has presented the appearance of a turbid sea for days, and communication with its many towns was almost suspended by the swollen foothill streams. Bear Creek itself has borne off a good deal of wreckage, bridges, fences, outbuildings and even a few barns and houses, and has wrought much destruction in undermining and sluicing off the deep alluvium composing its banks. It is one of the most treacherous streams in the county and perhaps the least capable of retaining its volume of water when bank full. The serious effect of surface water on fall-plowed ground in the Bear Creek Valley and foothill ranches will perhaps be more felt than elsewhere in the county. Whole fields have been submerged for days, while in places where the slope admitted, considerable damage has resulted from the washing away of the surface soil. "A Great Disaster," Democratic Times, February 6, 1890, page 3 Bear Creek made a clean sweep of all the bridges along its course, not one remaining intact. The bridge across Bear Creek near G. F. Pennebaker's place, and the Wagner Creek bridge were both washed away. Hundreds of acres of growing wheat along Bear Creek were either swept away by surface water or covered up with silt and gravel. We learn that about thirty acres of fine land was washed into Bear Creek at the Enoch Walker place last Monday, as also some fine timber. The Constant ranch sustained a loss of about forty acres of splendid alluvial soil during the mad rage of Bear Creek last Sunday and Monday. The bridge across Bear Creek northeast of Central Point is still there, but the stream is gone, having cut another channel to the west of the structure. The lower Bear Creek Valley, from Central Point to the mouth, was one vast lake, water standing for several feet deep about the farm buildings from Peninger's to Tolo. Much choice land on Thomas McAndrew's place on Bear Creek fell a prey to the waters, the damage being variously estimated from 40 to 75 acres that was undermined and carried away by the stream. At the Ragsdale ranch--the old Toepper place near Bear Creek--Jackson Creek cut a new channel between the house and the barn, and did much damage by depositing silt and sluicing off surface soil and growing wheat. Mrs. Hoagland and family, who reside a short distance northeast of Central Point, had a narrow escape from drowning, being compelled to seek the roof of their residence in order to escape the angry waters of Bear Creek. For quite a distance south of Tolo the waters of Jackson Creek swept down on one side of the railroad track, while those of Bear Creek "laved" the other side in bad shape. It is needless to say that that portion of the track is in a woeful condition. "Flood Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 6, 1890, page 3 Bear
Creek's Damages.
The damage done by Bear Creek to the fine farms through which it passes
between Ashland and Rogue River is coming to light as the water goes
down. When the flood was at its height the damage could not be noticed,
but the cutting was, nevertheless, in progress, and the creek still
continues to eat away its banks, and carry off the soil of the rich
alluvial bottoms. From Casebeer's on down the damage is greater than
the creek has ever done before, because so much grubbing and clearing
has been done within the past few years. The farms of Casebeer, Helms,
Alford, Pennebaker, Harvey, the Colver places, L. A. Rose, Van Dyke,
and others, on down to Medford, and of Phipps, Walker, Wrisley,
Merriman and others below Medford, have been damaged to the extent of
from $100 to $500 or $1000 each, by the washing away of some of their
choicest patches of bottom land. Up the creek near and above Ashland,
the greater part of the damage is from the loss of fencing. The Frank
Bauer place has lost about a thousand rails, H. True has lost about a
mile of fence, and others have suffered losses to a greater or lesser
extent. As reported before, all the bridges and footlogs went down
toward the sea.
Ashland Tidings, February 7, 1890, page 3 IN FLAGRANTE DELICTO.
There
seems to be an uncontrollable desire on the part of our public men to
indulge in "poetry" on the slightest provocation. One of our citizens,
who fills a high position socially and politically, while flood-bound
by Jackson Creek last week, was seized with the surging longing that is
not akin to pain, and while under duress of inspiration indicted the
appended atrocity, which he undertook to palm off anonymously on the Times by
sending it to Medford, and thence by mail, under the caption of "The
Flood in Southern Oregon in 1890," composed by one from the
States--tune "Beulah Land." While the fatherless waif reposed
helplessly on the editorial table, its authorship unidentified, the
gentleman incidentally happened in to inquire the time of day and
accidentally heard the editor and subeditor caustically discussing the
frailties of the effusion, whereupon the paternal instinct in his bosom
became so aroused that he endeavored to rescue the child of his
imagination from the pitiless clutches of the reviewer, and like the
mother of Solomon's divided baby revealed its true parentage. His
handwriting would have given him away if he hadn't called in to inquire
of its fate. The Times will
always do its utmost to expose fraud of every kind, and but for the
fact that the gentleman's soul, as his friends well know, was pervaded
with the saddest kind of "music" during that period of depression, we
should publish his name in full. The next aspirant for spring-poetry
fame will please send along full name and address and we will probably
boom him for congress. Following is the poem:
I've
reached the land of fruit and wine,
And all its riches freely mine. Here are clouds that never pass away, For it rains and rains both night and day. CHORUS:
O, Oregon! Sweet
Oregon!
As on the highest hills I stand, I look away across the dale, Where Bear and Jackson creeks prevail, And float the people from their homes On rafts that they have built alone. The neighbors come
and talk with me,
And sad communion here have we; I gently lead them by the hand, Far up into the higher land. CHORUS.
A sweet perfume
upon the breeze
Is borne from all the cedar trees, But flowers ne'er desire to grow Where winter rains unceasing flow. CHORUS.
The voices floating
up to me
Sound like the deepest misery, And people with their gum boots on Join in this sad and mournful song. CHORUS.
Fred Downing's ranch suffered to the extent of eight or ten acres of good land, which fell into the creek, besides a washout in the center of his field, caused by the overflow of current, of several rods wide and about 50 rods long. A great quantity of debris was deposited on his alfalfa field. Volunteer forces have been at work this week getting the Central Point bridge in condition for the resumption of traffic. With the subsiding of the waters it became apparent that the main channel of the creek is still under the bridge, and it is thought that side approaches can be built to it. One corner of the bridge is badly sunken, but when the water gets down to its normal stage it is thought it can be righted, at least for temporary use. "Central Point Pointers," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 13, 1890, page 2 James Downing lost about eight acres of fine land at his place on Bear Creek by the flood. "Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 13, 1890, page 3 The flood widened Bear Creek channel to the dimensions of a river in this vicinity in many places. Bear Creek has been fordable at this point, a shot distance above the bridge site, since last Friday. Messrs. Wood & Whiteside rendered a genuine service to the community in rigging up their ferry for temporary use in crossing Bear Creek last week. Mrs. E. W. Hammon was the first lady passenger to cross Bear Creek in the suspension cradle, rigged in imitation of the lifesaving service apparatus in use along the coast. The car is dizzy-looking, but safe enough. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 13, 1890, page 3 F. E. Bybee had a narrow escape from drowning in Bear Creek, near Central Point, last Friday, when returning from his father's ranch on Rogue River. His horse went down in the quicksand twice, and Frank had finally to abandon the animal and swim ashore, the horse making his way out some distance downstream. "Personal Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 13, 1890, page 3 It is reported that the ford across Bear Creek, below the '49 mines, was so badly washed out that it is ruined. "Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 20, 1890, page 3 Foot passengers can safely cross Bear Creek on the footbridge at this place, as a good handrail has been provided. The city fathers very wisely determined after the bridge went out to provide the town with the best possible ford, and Isaac Woolf's skill in improving the old crossing at the bridge site has been the means of satisfying the most exacting. It is now a safe ford and will be kept in good condition, says the Mail. Thos. McAndrew has been engaged for the past two weeks in endeavoring to make a straight channel for Bear Creek through his ranch, in the hope that in the future the stream would confine itself to its bed and refrain from sluicing away the rich alluvium that composes its banks. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, March 6, 1890, page 3 Then, as now, the duties of the fire department were not only to fight fire, and when the big flood of the '90s reached Medford, the firemen were the first at salvage work. It was told how one fireman, as the Main Street bridge left its moorings and swept downstream, tied a rope to it from an apple tree. When the rope tightened it snapped like a string. A barn, with haystack, chickens and all, came floating downstream, the firemen recalled. "City's First Fire Lads Swap Tales," Medford Mail Tribune, March 12, 1935, page 2 RECALLS MEDFORD WHEN WHEAT
SOLD 30 CENTS A BUSHEL
It
was just 30 years ago last Tuesday night that [Mr. and Mrs. N. S.
Bennett] arrived in Medford from their old home near Keokuk, Iowa, with
the intention of staying here a year if they liked it. They have been
here ever since. Medford was a small village then, and the site of the
Farmers & Fruitgrowers Bank was out in the suburbs covered with
scrub oak and chaparral. There was then three inches of snow on the
ground, and then [with] the developments of the next few days and month
the newly arrived Iowans did not fall in love with Medford.
The following Saturday it began to snow, and before it let up there was 17¼ inches of snow on the ground. The weather was not so cold at that time as during the recent big snowfall, which amounted to a foot, and if Mr. Bennett's memory serves him right the thermometer stood about 8 degrees above zero, whereas during the recent snowfall it was about 10 degree below. The majority of this great depth of snow, although it thawed a little and snowed a little several times, remained on the ground about a month, and then when it did go away [in February 1890] rather suddenly caused big flood conditions, and the Bear Creek bridge was washed away by the raging torrent. The business part of Medford was on this side of the creek, and to enable the farmers living in the territory across the stream to come across a cable was rigged up over the torrent. The farmers drove to the other side in their stick carts, consisting of rear wheels of a wagon attached to a wagon pole, and then were pulled across in a big basket attached to the cable. Due to the flood conditions in Oregon and California at that time Mr. Bennett says the train service was demoralized in both directions, and because of washouts in the Cow Creek Canyon and the Sacramento Valley there was no through train service from January 26 to February 26, and no mail was received from the east and west during that time. Excerpt, Medford Mail Tribune, January 9, 1920, page 6 Beeson Diary Gives Data on Big Freeze of '90 to Settle Arguments
The recent weather has called so much attention to the big freeze and
blizzard of 1890 that Welborn Beeson has settled the controversy of
what really happened at that time by bringing the diary and weather
report of his father to the Mail Tribune, where it is all down in black and white.
Welborn Beeson, Sr., not only kept the weather records at Talent, but these records have been kept for 78 years by members of the Beeson family and are still being kept by Mrs. Beeson. The diary of the late Welborn Beeson shows that the coldest period in Jackson County was in December, 1897, when for 10 days there was fine skating on Bear Creek. The exact temperature, however, was not included in the records, but it is said this is the only time in local history that Bear Creek was frozen over and stayed in that condition for such a length of time. In the following entries the record of the 1890 "spell" is shown: January 2, 1890--Heavy frost and fog. January 3--Four inches of snow. January 4--Snow 3½ feet deep on 3000-foot elevation. January 5--Very cold. My ink frozen in the inkwell on my desk. They are tobogganning on Colver Hill tonight. January 7--Five inches more snow. January 9--Still snowing heavily. January 11--Still snowing heavily; 15 inches on level. January 13--Went to Ashland; had to break my own road, 24 inches of snow in Ashland. January 14--Sunny today. January 15--Hard wind blew all night, rain and snow, latter melts about as it falls. Snow level has not increased much. Weather hard on stock; going very slick. January 16--Sunshine; eaves dripping today. January 17--Snow stays slightly frozen. Roads will be perfectly soft in few days. Many people complain of illness. Papers state it is la grippe, epidemic from Europe. January 18--A foot of snow. January 21--Another foot of snow. January 22--Warm Chinook; bare ground shows on east bank of Bear Creek. January 24--More rain; snow going. January 26--Fair and warmer. January 28--Snowing again. January 29--Warm, sunny; nice all day. January 30--Clear and pleasant. January 31--Mild day. Entries for February, which follow, show that it rained four days straight, first to fourth. Snow remained on ground until March, and it "was too wet to plow" until March 17th. Mr. Beeson also writes he went to Jacksonville to pay his taxes, started home on old military road, but water was too deep in Griffin Creek for him to cross, so he came back by Medford. That meat became scarce, as well as sugar, is shown by subsequent entries, declaring on February 3 he (Mr. Beeson) sold Henry Barneburg 7 beef steers, at two and one-half cents, drove to Medford, "killed one in Phipps' barn at once on getting in. "No trains have run from north for four weeks, and none from south for six weeks. Charley Klum at Talent had 5 sacks, all the bulk sugar in the valley. He sold only 50 cents worth to each customer." Notes: "Snow was deepest in valley at Jacksonville. Total fall at top of Siskiyous, 21 feet." Medford Mail Tribune, January 17, 1930, page 9
"People forget things," [D. T.] Lawton said, "but I remember when the Bear Creek bridge washed out and you could swim a horse clear to the Hospital hill. I remember, too, when water would come down from Griffin Creek and Jacksonville and flood the west end of Medford. They used to have to dismiss school at the old Washington School, where the courthouse is now, because of the water." Medford News, January 5, 1934, page 1 Duck hunting along Bear Creek is very popular, and quite a number of the birds have been brought in by the hunter. "Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 9, 1891, page 3 Numerous flocks of ducks along Bear Creek attract the cupidity of the hunters nowadays. "Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 30, 1891, page 3 The boys say that the creek is almost full of fish. Thomas T. Edmunds, "Letter in Grammar Class," The Young Idea, Washington School publication, April 1891, page 2 Last Sunday the church at Central Point was crowded, and then the people did not all get in. The baptismal service in the church was an impressive one, as also that at the ford on Bear Creek, an immense crowd gathering to witness the baptizing there. Everything was quiet and orderly and 22 in all were baptized. "Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, October 30, 1891, page 3 The streams have carried more water during the past week than at any time since the flood in February 1890. They have been running bank full, but did no damage. "Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 1, 1892, page 3 Patton Bros. have leased from E. K. Anderson the mining ground at the mouth of Sargent Gulch, on Bear Creek, and will soon have operations at that point under headway. "Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, March 4, 1892, page 3 The boys have been enjoying trout and sucker fishing in the ditch and creek during the last few days. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, April 8, 1892, page 2 Judge Willard Crawford is a fisherman of no mean qualities. He informs us he has hooked about twenty-five hundred of the sparkling trout from Bear Creek this season. "Local and General," Southern Oregon Mail, May 20, 1892, page 3 Fishermen have been lining the banks of Bear Creek during the past week, angling for the innocent little "trouts." "Brevities," Ashland Tidings, June 17, 1892, page 3 Considerable uneasiness is felt at this place over the fact that the water in Bear Creek and the ditch is falling so rapidly. It would be awkward to fight a fire if the supply runs out. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, August 19, 1892, page 2 The city water tank is kept running day and night now by engineers E. G. Hurt and H. E. Baker. A dam has been placed in Bear Creek making a headworks to keep a good flow of water in the ditch supplying the water tank and thus insuring a fair pressure in the water works in case of a fire these dry times. Southern Oregon Mail, September 16, 1892, page 3 The two Medford citizens who infringed the law relating to the killing of fish in Bear Creek with giant powder pleaded guilty when arraigned in Justice Walton's court last week, and were fined $20 and costs each. They claim they were not aware of the existence of such a law. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 17, 1893, page 3 Bear Creek has furnished a limited amount of very good salmon the past two weeks. "Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, March 10, 1893, page 3 Medford people who reside in the vicinity of the Seventh Street Bear Creek bridge wish us to gently call the attention of the city board to the fact that the small boys are making of that particular portion of Bear Creek a swimming resort and in too close proximity to their respective places of abode--and that these swimmers are more scantily attired than is considered within the boundaries of even a slight degree of modesty. If on the opposite side of the river from the city is outside the limits a state law "made and provided for in such case" should be resorted to. "All the Local News," Medford Mail, July 28, 1893, page 3 Trout are plentiful in Bear Creek, and our local anglers are having fine sport in consequence. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, November 3, 1893, page 2 Bear Creek has been hammering away at its banks furiously the past week, diminishing the number of acres of land in some places near Phoenix. "Phoenix Flashes," Medford Mail, December 15, 1893, page 2 High water in Bear Creek a short time since endangered the bridge at Medford, but prompt and energetic measures on the part of the people saved the structure. The accumulation of driftwood changed the course of the current to the east side, and several of the piles were washed loose at the bottom. A wing dam has been put in to bring the channel back to its accustomed place. "Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, December 22, 1893, page 3 Reports from the lower valley indicate considerable injury to bridges and fences. One of the approaches to the bridge across Bear Creek near Central Point is somewhat damaged. The safety of the Medford bridge was menaced, but it still stands, although being in an unsafe condition. Much damage has been done to the farms along the different streams, the high water washing away much valuable soil. "Almost a Flood," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 15, 1894, page 3 Rains in Southern Oregon.
MEDFORD,
Or., Jan. 16.--Considerable damage is reported from different parts of
the country on account of the recent rains and high waters. The bridge
across Bear Creek at this place is badly damaged. The creek changed its
channel at the bridge, near Central Point, leaving the fine steel
bridge some distance away and useless at present.
Oregonian, Portland, January 17, 1894, page 3 Bear Creek arose almost to the dignity of a river during the late storm and did considerable damage to the farms along its banks. About 15 acres of the Constant place in Central Point precinct was washed off. It is the worst stream in southern Oregon to deal with. "Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 18, 1894, page 3 The bridge over Bear Creek at Medford was broken [in the flood Saturday] and will have to be rebuilt or a new and better bridge put in its place. The large bridge at Central Point was also badly crippled up, and cannot be used. The channel of the creek was so changed that it can be forded without the bridge now. Excerpt, "The Work of the Flood," Valley Record, Ashland, Oregon, January 18, 1894, page 3
The
rain storm of last Saturday and Sunday, which was general throughout
Oregon, Washington and California, was the worst one which has been
experienced for years. From Saturday morning until late Sunday night
the downpour was almost continuous--and the water came thick and fast.
During the forty-odd-hour rain ending Sunday night, the rainfall is
reported at Medford to have been 2.43 inches.
Sunday forenoon the many spectators who stood watching the muddy waters of Bear Creek go rushing through our city were not watchers long ere 'twas noticed that one bent near the east end of the bridge was sinking slowly from a line of level. This kept sinking until Monday morning, when it had gone down five or six feet and very near to the water's edge, in which position it still remains. This sinking was caused by the water cutting into the east bank and taking away and loosening a couple of tiers of piling. Aside from this, which can easily be repaired, the bridge is in as good shape as ever. At the Central Point Bear Creek bridge one of the approaches was taken away and the current so changed as to form a good-sized creek between the mainland and the bridge. Up at and about Ashland, it is reported that Emigrant Creek took away the Dead Indian bridge and carried it some distance below. Ashland creek was higher than it has been for many years and damage was apprehended, but little, however, was done The Medford-Jacksonville train has been running since Sunday in a catch-as-catch-can way--sometimes you get it and sometimes you don't. Griffin Creek was so rampant Sunday night that Mr. Barnum hardly deemed it safe to cross over with his train, but instead carried the mail and express from that point to Medford on his back. The east approach to the bridge was washed [away] considerably and the track settled, but by filling in with rock it was made passable. Tuesday morning it began sinking again and additional repairs were required. Monday morning he ventured across with his engine and flatcar. Trains, however, are now running on schedule time. Sunday afternoon the water ditch south of the city overflowed, and nearly the whole country between the Earhart ranch and the city was one solid sheet of water. On South C Street there was a perfect current of water which went tumbling down across resident lots and into Bear Creek. Bear Creek, as we have before stated, is a wicked little stream when she gets to feeling that way, and she was in that notion Saturday and Sunday very hard. Many acres of good land has undoubtedly been washed away, and consequently a great amount of damage has been done. The creek is said to have been higher Sunday afternoon than it has been before for many years. "Heap Plenty Rain," Medford Mail, January 19, 1894, page 3 Wagner Creek, during the storm of last week, took out every bridge along its course except the one at Jos. Rapp's place. Jacob Casebeer's farm was damaged $1500 worth. Bear Creek cut a channel through Rev. A. J. Stevens' place and dumped a lot of debris on the Harvey farm in Talent precinct and swept seven acres of bottom land off Jas. Helms' farm. The McTavish and Carey places were overflowed by the breaking of the Phoenix mill ditch. "Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 22, 1894, page 3 John Bigham of Central Point precinct was in Jacksonville on Tuesday and made us a pleasant call. He reports that Bear Creek has done much damage to farms in his neighborhood. Mrs. B. accompanied him here. "Personal Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 25, 1894, page 3 The Central Point bridge was partially carried away by the flood, thus making it impossible for people from this side to reach the Point. Roadmaster W. F. Moore, however, quickly came to the rescue and made a little footbridge that enabled anyone who wished to cross over safely. "Big Sticky Items," Medford Mail, February 2, 1894, page 4 Salmon are running up Bear and Ashland creeks, and the small boy rejoices thereat. "Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 12, 1894, page 3 The county court, at their last session, decided that if the city of Medford would repair the Bear Creek bridge temporarily, they would make permanent improvements to both bridge and channel as soon as the water gets low enough to perform effective work. "All the Local News," Medford Mail, February 16, 1894, page 3 Salmon trout are abundant in Rogue River, Applegate and Bear Creek, and large numbers are being captured. "Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 22, 1894, page 3 Enos Carver came near getting swamped in Bear Creek while attempting to cross. He got below the regular ford, and his horse went in all over. Enos cut the traces and the horse went out on one side and Enos on the other, the buggy remaining in the quicksand. As the horse refused to come over to Enos, Enos had to wade over to the horse, and as it was after dark and extremely cold, it was anything but a pleasant experience. Prof. Newbury, the tall sycamore of Phoenix, got ducked while trying to cross Bear Creek. The horse he was riding became unmanageable and went in where it was so deep that the water struck the professor under the chin; that's pretty deep, you know, when it does that, of course the horse was out of sight, but there happened to be a tall cottonwood tree standing out in the water and the professor made a grab and caught one of the topmost branches and pulled himself up high and dry, as good luck would have it, but held on. I was going to explain how he got out to dry land, but if anyone wants to know, let them ask the professor and he will no doubt explain. While we think about it we will say right here that Mr. Newbury is making arrangements to build a nice new house in Phoenix in a short time, and will become a permanent resident. "Phoenix Items," Medford Mail, March 2, 1894, page 4 A Narrow Escape.
MEDFORD, Or., March 17.--Word was received in this city today of what
came near being a fatal accident, at Bear Creek bridge, near Central
Point. Ike Williams, who carries the mail between the latter place and
Eagle Point, started out from Central Point this morning with the mail
and one passenger named Griffin, and as the recent high water had
washed out the approach to the bridge they were compelled to ford Bear
Creek. The current was running swifter than Williams anticipated, and
his wagon and team were rapidly carried downstream. It was with
difficulty that himself and passenger saved their lives. One of the
horses was drowned and all the mail sacks were lost. At last reports
none of the mail had been recovered.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, March 19, 1894, page 3 Our mail, carried by Ike Williams between Eagle Point and Central Point, met with a severe loss on last Saturday. Ike attempted to cross Bear Creek with his team, but the water was too deep and his buggy was turned over, breaking all the top off; the mail bags were lost and one horse drowned. The mail carrier and one passenger were washed downstream a couple of hundred yards before they got out. The team and buggy washed downstream about 300 yards and were lodged on a sandbar. The horse that survived was badly bruised. Both the letter and [news]paper mail was lost, as was also that of W. R. Norcross which was being delivered by the driver. "Eagle Point Eaglets," Medford Mail, March 23, 1894, page 2 The city council met Tuesday of this week to consider the proposals for building a dam across Bear Creek at the head of the Medford water ditch. Bids received were D. Cofer and S. S. Wilson, $234.75; Frank Wait, $345; F. A. Bliss and W. K. Davis, $138. Cofer and Wilson being the lowest bidders, the contract was awarded to them. "News of the City," Medford Mail, March 23, 1894, page 3 The city council last week awarded the contract for the construction of a dam across Bear Creek, at the head of the Medford ditch, to D. Cofer and S. S. Wilson for $234.75. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, March 26, 1894, page 2 A fatal accident is likely to occur at any time to those who attempt to ford Bear Creek at the bridge near Central Point. A number of people who reside north of that town, and who desired to go to the county seat last week, were obliged to cross the stream on the Medford bridge. It is a mystery why the county authorities do not make the necessary repairs. "Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, April 2, 1894, page 3 Quicksand Is a Treacherous Article. Ted Howard, while riding across Bear Creek at the McAndrews ford Tuesday, came near be out just the value of a good horse. His horse encountered a bed of quicksand from which it was unable to extricate itself. A team of horses was procured, a rope fastened around the almost entirely submerged animal and it was pulled out, and found uninjured. The horse was in the water and sand about four hours. "News of the City," Medford Mail, April 6, 1894, page 3 Bear Creek is well filled with fish these times. The forepart of this week Ira Purdin, Elmer Bashford and George Isaacs went out for a trial of their luck, and when they returned had over forty speckled mountain trout. "News of the City," Medford Mail, October 19, 1894, page 3 A little precaution sometimes, in fact ofttimes, prevents a considerable amount of unnecessary inconvenience and perturbance. In this line of thought we want to suggest to the people of this city that it would, right at the present time, be a very sane idea not to use the water from the city water works for laundry use or any other domestic purposes so long as there remains a case of diphtheria at Phoenix. The water used by the city is taken from Bear Creek and flows through the above place, and it is possible that germs diphtheric may be contained therein. As a precaution don't let's use it, for a few weeks at least. "News of the City," Medford Mail, March 8, 1895, page 5 Bear Creek's Bad Conduct.
The banks of Bear Creek, which sweeps the greatest portion of the
Rogue River Valley country, are not by nature adequate to the demands,
and each season's storms add additional damage to the fine bottom lands
along its border for a distance of 10 miles from John Grubb's place
above Ashland to the point where it empties into Rogue River. The
valley along Bear Creek's bed is so level as to allow the high water
free run in its drunken stagger to Rogue River, and there is nothing
but the banking of the whole stream at its weakest points the entire
distance that will prevent continued damage. To do this requires some
systematic work and the outlay of several thousand dollars. Among the
sufferers by last season's ripping up was the E. E. Gore and J. G. Van
Dyke places. Something like 150 acres of their fine bottom land
assessed heretofore at $20 per acre is now creek bottom and was
assessed this year at $2.50 per acre.Valley Record, Ashland, April 18, 1895, page 3 Bear Creek? Oh, it don't look like early days at all, for then the banks were high, and it had plenty of long, deep pools with the water always clear, and lots of the nicest fish. Why, I could any time, unless in dead of winter, catch all the eighteen-inch trout I could carry, and we had fish dinners often. Wild ducks in the season, too--plenty of them--sometimes shoot them, geese and brant for the 'United States' Hotel in Jacksonville. and they'd give me a good price. Catching them trout was fun alive! I'd cast in at an overhanging bank and in a second it would be snatched and the fellow would dart off like a shot! I enjoyed such fishing, you bet! Creek's spoilt now with the sand and gravel from the hydraulic mines filling it up, and the fish don't like the water that's soaked up with 'mineral,' even when it looks clear. Frederick Barneburg, interviewed in 1895 by Reese P. Kendall, Pacific Trail Camp-Fires, Chicago 1901, page 404 Walter Anderson has devised means whereby he is enabled to water his garden that--while not especially novel or unique--at least shows enterprise. He has placed a water wheel in Bear Creek, below the Seventh Street bridge. The wheel is so arranged that by means of a rope belt, to which are attached tin buckets, water is elevated to an altitude greater than his garden spot. A trough is made fast to the top of the wheel frame and from that point it extends to his garden, a couple of hundred feet away, where the water is discharged and the same used for irrigating purposes. It is not unreasonable to suppose that this method of irrigating the land in close proximity to the creek may become general should Mr. Anderson's experiment prove entirely successful--and there's no good reason why it should not. "News of the City," Medford Mail, July 3, 1896, page 7 George and Walter Anderson are this week constructing a large pile driver and next Monday will commence the work of driving timbers along the bank of Bear Creek to protect the land. The creek has already did a great amount of damage to the land along the banks, which is repeated almost every winter, and the owners have found it necessary to begin preparations to protect themselves at once. They will commence work at Thos. McAndrew's place and work toward the bridge as long as the weather will permit and next spring as soon as the rains are over they will commence at Central Point, where they have already secured several contracts. There is no gainsaying that this laudable enterprise will be productive of much good--and the boys will no doubt be well recompensed for their work. "News of the City," Medford Mail, December 4, 1896, page 7 The work of fortifying the land along the banks of Bear Creek from high water, which has been playing havoc for some years past, is progressing to quite a noticeable extent. A. L. Rose and Gus Newbury, of Phoenix, have had a large pile driver built for them at the Ashland Iron Works, with which they will drive timbers along the banks of this troublesome stream. This makes two pile drivers now being used for that purpose--Anderson Brothers, of this city, being the first to commence the work. "News of the City," Medford Mail, December 18, 1896, page 7 Anderson Brothers have been doing good work with their pile-driving machine along the banks of Bear Creek. They have driven piles on both sides of the creek from about two hundred yards above the bridge to an equal distance below, which will greatly lessen the damage usually caused. "News of the City," Medford Mail, January 22, 1897, page 7
Several boys up around Phoenix are making from seventy-five cents to a
dollar a day each with a rocker in washing gold from the loose gravel
in Bear Creek.
"Mines and Mining, Medford Mail, July 16, 1897, page 6
E. K. Anderson has leased his Bear Creek mining property to a San
Francisco capitalist, and operations will commence this fall. Charles
Bronson, a San Francisco mining expert, was up here about two months
ago, and made an examination of this creek claim, and on his judgment
and report the trade was consummated.
"Southern
Oregon Mines,"
Oregonian, Portland, September 22, 1897, page 8Several persons were baptized in Bear Creek on Sunday. Among them were Mrs. John Jacobs, Frank Gregory, Miss Magruder and some of Mr. Lee's children. It was an interesting ceremony. "Central Point Pointers," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 28, 1898, page 2 The recent cloudburst at Ashland and in this vicinity had a perceptible effect on Bear Creek, and water is again abundant in Medford, much to the satisfaction of our citizens, who have been greatly discommoded by the drought. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, September 8, 1898, page 3 At the meeting of the city council last week a right of way for a sewer was purchased through the land of W. T. Nelson, for $250. The route of the sewer will be from the school house down 7th Street to the alley back of Hotel Nash, thence to A Street and down that street to the Nelson place, where the dumping grounds will be made. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 20, 1899, page 3 Our town will have a sewer in the near future; in fact, arrangements have already been made for its construction. It will dump on land along Bear Creek, purchased of W. T. Nelson. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 23, 1899, page 3 Mr. Shearer, the drayman, lost a team of fine, large horses Thursday afternoon while attempting to cross Bear Creek near the bridge. Although the stream was not deep, the current was quite strong and quicksand unusually abundant. In trying to get out the horses broke the tongue of the wagon and got themselves tangled in the harness. Mr. Shearer had a narrow escape from drowning, saving himself by catching some willows. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, March 6, 1899, page 3 H. G. Shearer, the Medford drayman, attempted to ford Bear Creek during the flood last week, with his team and dray. The horses were carried off their feet and swept down the stream, both being drowned, and the driver narrowly escaped. Gold Hill News, March 11, 1899, page 8 A Smart Dog.
J.
D. Heard of Medford, Or., an enthusiastic sportsman, relates an
interesting story showing the sagacity and intelligence displayed by an
English setter dog called Puppy, owned by G. E. Neuber, one of
Jacksonville's leading sportsmen. Heard, Neuber, J. A. Whitman and
Chas. Prim were quail shooting one day last fall, along the banks of
Bear Creek, one of the tributaries of Rogue River, and a superb hunting
country, by the way. A bevy of at least fifty birds were suddenly
flushed and took flight across the creek, about 150 feet wide there,
seeking cover in the willows fringing the opposite side of the stream.
Heard called to his dog Rex, a son of Puppy out of Neuber's bitch Snow,
and ordered him across the water, intending to send him around behind
the quails so that they would be driven back to the shooter's side. Rex
took to the water at his master's behest and bravely swam the rapid
current, quartering down the stream. In doing so he got into a strong
eddy caused by a large brush heap, and the best he could do was to
"swing around the circle." Efforts to recall him were of no avail.
Suddenly Puppy, who had been an interested observer of events, seemed
to discern the predicament of the other dog, and springing into the
water was quickly in the miniature maelstrom, and without more ado took
a firm grip on Rex's ear with his teeth, turning shoreward, and soon
had the almost exhausted Rex in safety. After a short rest Puppy and
Rex, with Whitman's Gordon setter, crossed the stream further down and
were directed up to and behind where the quails were still in refuge.
They flushed them, the birds flying back to the side where the shooters
were, and a number were bagged in good style.--[S.F. Breeder and Sportsman.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, April 5, 1900, page 3 Bulkheads Save the P.&E.
Site
The old channel of Bear Creek runs under a house just west of Corey's
Grocery.
. . . This old channel can easily be seen from the rear of the lot. In 1900 a flood began to cut through the old channel. Two different times in the early history of Medford they took up subscriptions to build bulkheads to keep the water from following its old channel. (It did break through near Cottage Street, and, no doubt, such men as H. T. Nicholson, Charles Strang, Hubbard brothers, the Lawtons, Dr. Pickel, Ed Wilkinson and Jackson County Bank will remember contributing to this fund.) T.
E. POTTENGER
The steady downpour of rain Tuesday and Wednesday transformed the usually placid flow of the water in Bear Creek into a roaring, turbulent river. Sidewalks in some portions of the city were completely submerged. "Additional Local," Medford Mail, February 22, 1901, page 6 There are at least two parties in Jackson County who are making good wages in catching turtles and fattening them for San Francisco markets. John J. Brown, living a mile north of Central Point, has caught from Bear Creek 200 during the past few weeks and is still gathering them in at the rate of two dozen a day. They are worth $2 a dozen on board the cars at Central Point. The age of those he has caught averages about seven years. "City Happenings," Medford Mail, September 20, 1901, page 7 John J. Brown, who is catching turtles (called terrapin in San Francisco) in Bear Creek, is fattening about 300 of them, and capturing 25 every day. "Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, September 29, 1901, page 3 Tying a heavy rock around his neck and jumping into the chilly waters of Bear Creek is the way in which a man by the name of Garrett, a carpenter, decided to die. His body was recovered shortly after he made the fatal plunge. He had been sick and despondent for some time, and was tired of living. "Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, March 27, 1902, page 5 A gravel lot in Bear Creek was purchased from W. B. Roberts for $25. "Meeting of City Council," Medford Mail, May 9, 1902, page 2 Some parties have been depositing dead horses and other animals in the vicinity of the McAndrews ford of Bear Creek, neglecting to bury them. Such reprehensible conduct, no matter where perpetrated, should be punished. "Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, July 23, 1902, page 5 Report comes to us that hunters along Bear Creek are killing meadowlarks in great number. There is a state law prohibiting the killing of these birds, and unless there is a swift halt called someone is going to get into trouble. It is really a shame that men and boys can find no better diversion than killing birds which the state laws endeavor to protect and which the people generally would like to see protected. "City Happenings," Medford Mail, October 24, 1902, page 7 E. D. Lewis, the gentleman who has established a steam laundry in Medford, reports that he is doing a fairly good business, notwithstanding the fact that this line of business has made a couple or three failures in the city. Mr. Lewis can see no good reason why a laundry cannot be made to pay here--and he is going at it with a determination to make it pay. The principal trouble experienced by other laundrymen here has been the securing of water suited for washing purposes. They have always used Bear Creek water, but Mr. Lewis thinks he can overcome this trouble by using well water. He has had a great many years' experience in California, and he is very sanguine as to his success here. The quality of work turned out surely indicates that his is a master hand at the business. "City Happenings," Medford Mail, November 7, 1902, page 7 News comes from Central Point that about 50 feet of the county bridge across Bear Creek at that place, including the entire east approach, was swept away by the recent floods. The stage running from Central Point to Eagle Point was unable to make the trip Monday but resumed today, the mail being carried across the creek on a footbridge. G. C. McLain was down from Phoenix Tuesday. He reports great damage done to land along Bear Creek by the recent high water. Among those injured most were the Buchanan and Shidler places, the Harney ranch, John Mast and Dan Anderton's farms. The total damage was not known. A meeting was held at Dan Anderton's shop yesterday, when it was agreed to assess the ranchers and put in a big levee at the Buchanan place, where the damage began. John Mast was appointed overseer, and papers were prepared by Ira Wakefield. "City Briefs," Medford Success, January 27, 1903, page 1 A Big Storm.
This
section has passed through one of the severest rain storms in its
history, and decidedly the heaviest since 1890. Nearly five inches of
water fell between Jan. 18th and 26th, a period of eight days. Almost
an inch and a half fell in 24 hours Saturday, which breaks the record.
Had there been any amount of snow on the ground and hills at the time,
there would have been no calculating the damage that would have
resulted.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 28, 1903, page 1 A Treacherous Stream.
Bear
Creek was probably higher Saturday and Sunday than at any other time in
the history of Jackson County. It carried an immense volume of water
and did a great deal of damage to the fine soil along its banks. The
bridge across it, near Central Point, was considerably injured, but not
carried away as reported. The creek cut a new channel through some of
the best land in Southern Oregon, in Talent and Phoenix precincts. An
effort will be made to turn it into its original course.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 28, 1903, page 1 For the seven days ending Monday morning 5.54 inches of rain fell, according to the record kept at the Southern Pacific depot. This is the heaviest rainfall of the season or even for several seasons past. Medford was practically under water Saturday afternoon; all the drains were filled to overflowing and water backed up in every low place in the city. Bear Creek rose three feet in less than 12 hours and at one time was raising at the rate of five inches per hour. For the 24 hours ending Saturday morning the precipitation was 1.30 inches. Bear Creek always has had a fashion of laying out new channels for itself during high water, and this season has not forgotten its old tricks. A. H. Walker is grieving over the fact that his summer bathing place has been spoiled. Just behind his place of residence was a thick line of willows, with a bank on the other side, the creek running between. In the summer evenings, thus safely screened from observation, Mr. Walker was wont to take a cooling bath after the labors of the day. Now, he says, that is all past. When the high water went down the willows were on the other side of the creek. At the Phipps place the creek has changed its channel, cutting across one corner of the place. "City Happenings," Medford Mail, January 30, 1903, page 5 About a week or ten days ago some children, while playing along the bank of Bear Creek, near the Messner place, north of the steel bridge, found intact the leg below the knee of a human being. A few days later J. W. Prall's attention was called to the find, and on Wednesday of this week he reported the case to Coroner Cameron. The leg had evidently been disjointed at the knee; the flesh had been gnawed off by carnivorous animals, or had sloughed off, from the knee to near the ankle. The flesh was still on the ankle and foot, and upon the ankle there was a portion of a stocking. It is the right leg, and from the fact that the foot is small and slim it is undoubtedly a woman's. "Additional Local," Medford Mail, November 4, 1904, page 8 Rogue River Indian Name.
Should the name of the beautiful, winding stream that wends its way
through Jackson and other counties to the bounding sea be changed from
Rogue to its original Indian name--it would be called "Calum."BY C. C. GALL Having come to this country in the days of "auld lang syne," when the "tecopes" (whites) and redskins were each fiercely combating for the land we now possess, I had the opportunity of learning the Indian language and in many instances having acquired their language by daily contact with them, the Indian words of speech came more naturally to one in their conversation than that of their own English language, and from the Indians' own lips I have heard the word "Calum," given by them as the name of the river that now is known as the Rogue. Medford Mail, March 10, 1905, page 1 PURE MOUNTAIN WATER FROM BUTTE CREEK FOR MEDFORD
A. W. Shearer has located a water right on Big Butte Creek, at a point
where that stream passes through the south half of the southwest
quarter of section fourteen, in township thirty-four south, of range
one east. This right gives Mr. Shearer the privilege of taking 15,000
miner's inches of water from Big Butte Creek, or practically all the
water that flows in the stream at this season of the year; but even
though all the water is taken out no person will be injured, as there
are no riparian rights between that point and where the stream empties
into Rogue River.A Project Now Being Promoted Which Will Supply Medford an Abundance of Big Butte Creek Water The above bit of news would not, under ordinary circumstances, create any particular or especial interest among Medford people, but when we say further that it is the intention of certain Medford persons, and others not of Medford, to bring that Big Butte Creek water to Medford in a pipe, laid underground, we at once get interested. In a nutshell the proposition is this: A. W. Shearer, John F. White and B. J. Trowbridge and a couple or more parties, who live in Portland, have organized themselves into a company, the sole purpose of which will be to supply Medford, Central Point and Phoenix with pure mountain water, and so sanguine are they of the success of the project that they have said this: "You may say to your readers that this is no hot air proposition. It is based upon good, sound business calculations of the demands of a now densely populated community, and the still greater demands which are sure to follow. It is barely possible that we may not be able to carry out the plans in every detail, but so feasible is the project that it will not be a difficult matter to secure aid when it is needed." The distance from Medford to the point where the water right has been filed is twenty-seven miles, two and one-half miles up Big Butte Creek from its confluence with Rogue River. The elevation at this point is 325 feet above Medford, but as the water does not flow swiftly right at this place, it is proposed to build an open ditch for a distance of six or seven miles along a mountainside, where a drop of 200 feet may be had, thus giving a velocity to the water that otherwise could not be given it. Here a bulkhead will be put in and the water will enter a five-foot pipe. This pipe will be laid underground and the water will travel all the distance to Medford through this buried pipe, thus avoiding the danger of frosts in winter, the unpleasantness of warm water in the summer and the nuisance such a pipe would be if laid above ground. It is proposed to run two lateral pipes from the main line, one each to Central Point and Phoenix. The water will reach Medford with 150-foot pressure. This pipe line complete will cost approximately $1,000,000. From a point five miles above Eagle Point the pipe will be laid in an air line to Medford. About ten miles of the distance traversed by the pipe will be over an arid tract of land, and it is not thought that a right-of-way over this orchard land will be difficult to secure. While it is true that for a few miles this water will run in an open ditch, it is the intention of the company to fence the ditch and before the water enters the pipe it will be put through a filter. The need of better water for use in Medford has always been a subject of much comment, and this season the need of more water, such as it is, has been apparent. Bear Creek, our only source of supply, is nearly dry, while the well from which water is pumped for city use has been emotion a number of times this season and the pumps have been compelled to shut down until it filled again. The especially good feature of this pipe line is that we get water absolutely pure and direct from the mountains--such as every person could and would want to use for domestic purposes. Medford Mail, August 4, 1905, page 1 In the matter of ballast [for the Medford & Crater Lake railroad], it has been the intention to run a spur track into the head of Bear Creek above the bridge and take gravel from there, deepening and straightening the channel at that point, while securing the necessary ballast for the road. It is not deemed politic to do this now, as Bear Creek has a habit of getting on a rampage occasionally and might cause a loss of the spur track, and the latter being above the bridge would endanger that structure if washed out. "Operations Suspended," Medford Mail, December 8, 1905, page 1 The Fish Lake Ditch Co. is now on this side of Bear Creek with its extension of the ditch to the Hopkins orchard, and Supt. McCray informed The Mail Wednesday that he would have the extension completed by July 1st. "City Happenings," Medford Mail, June 29, 1906, page 5
The location [at Maple and Bartlett] is about an acre
of ground on which Dr. Adkins made very favorable rates and is a pretty
situation for the school and in about the right place. It is the
intention to run a sewer to the creek from the site.
Thursday the city council purchased from I. D. Phipps a tract of land on the west side of Bear Creek, 40x80 feet, for $500 and other considerations. This tract is near the present discharge of the sewers and will be the site of the septic tank, which will be built at once. A special meeting of the city council was held Monday evening to take action on the matter of installing a septic tank for the impounding of sewage. The committee on sewers was instructed to proceed with the matter of installing such tank. "City Happenings," Medford Mail, August 17, 1906, page 5 An Explanation.
The Tribune
stated
in a late issue that the council of this city had paid Mr. I. J. Phipps
$500 for a worthless tract of ground on the creek for the location of a
septic tank, which is a long ways from being strictly true. The city
had no rights on Mr. Phipps' premises. It was discharging its sewer
matter into a cesspool hole in the creek with no water to carry it off.
The consequence was that the conditions became unbearable to Mr.
Phipps, whose residence was about one hundred yards away. The town was
threatened with a damage suit and an injunction suit, with good ground
for complaint. A deal was made with Mr. Phipps whereby the town was to
be immune from the threatened suits and a tract of land for a septic
tank and the right of way of the sewer to the creek was obtained, for
all of which the city is to pay Mr. Phipps $500. The concessions and
immunity obtained from Mr. Phipps will be much more valuable to the
city than the small tract of land for the septic tank. That is all
there is to it.
While we invite friendly criticisms we seriously object to the same when the person criticizing is grossly ignorant of all the conditions of the subject which he treats. Of course, the Tribune's hired man is excusable, inasmuch as he has not been here long enough to have much knowledge of the subjects or conditions of which he writes. This is our first and last reply to any strictures that the Tribune may publish, and we apologize to the public for bothering them about this small matter from an obscure source. Very respectfully, J. S. HOWARD, Mayor of Medford. Medford Mail, August 24, 1906, page 4 SURVEYING FOR A DAM
John
D. Olwell and others, who are promoting the enterprise of which mention
was made some time ago, that promises to be of infinite value to the
farming territory for a large area north and west of Ashland, have
succeeded, it is now reported, in interesting a wealthy New York
syndicate in the scheme to construct a fine cement dam across Bear
Creek, at a point about 1½ miles north of Ashland, where the
banks stand about 20 or 30 feet above the water. The location is an
ideal spot for the construction of a dam, says the Tidings.
This syndicate, through their representative, Mr. Olwell, has already been granted an option to buy a large tract of land in the vicinity of the proposed dam, and has a Portland company making the necessary surveys preparatory to beginning work on the dam. Central Point Herald, October 11, 1906, page 4 Dr. Reddy was mayor [1907-1908] in the days when we drank Bear Creek "liquid." It was generally liquid. Minnie (Mrs. Harry C.) Stoddard, "Medford's Hall of Fame," Medford Mail Tribune, December 18, 1912, page 4 BEAR CREEK ON RAMPAGE
The
continued rainstorm which
began at midnight Saturday and lasted without interruption until Monday
morning resulted in the highest water that has been experienced in this
valley for several years. Bear Creek reached the highest stage Monday
morning that had been reached for several years and considerable damage
was caused by the flood cutting its banks and encroaching on adjacent
farms. The bridge just east of town also suffered to a considerable
extent, one of the steel caissons which supports the steel span of the
structure being undermined until it settled almost two feet.Some damage was also reported from different parts of the valley in the way of the washing away of fences, culverts, etc., but aside from the damage occasioned by Bear Creek the loss will be nominal. Excerpt,Central Point Herald, March 21, 1907, page 1  Looking
west down Main Street, summer 1906.
Water Supply in Rogue River
Valley.
The
upper end of the valley is drained by Bear Creek and its tributaries.
This stream is subject to heavy winter floods, but becomes almost dry
in summer, and the low-water flow has been practically all
appropriated. Any scheme to increase the acreage under irrigation must
therefore involve the construction of storage works or long, highline
ditches from the streams of the lower part of the valley, where there
is a great summer flow.
Excerpt from U.S. Geological Survey bulletin, Central Point Herald, September 5, 1907, page 3 OUR CITY WATER
Was there any water ever
made dirtier than now being pumped through the city water works?Is it possible for water to contain any more solid matter and still remain liquid? Is it any wonder that meters don't work, that water pipes fill up and that people drink booze and go unwashed? Bear Creek in all its mud-carrying career never was muddier than now, and this solution of mother earth is retailed, without an effort at settling or filtering, to consumers. If Medford cannot afford a good supply of pure mountain water, and people must continue to use the liquid soil of Bear Creek, and filtration is too costly, a large settling basin or series of settling basins should be built, so that the silt in the water may have a chance to be deposited somewhere besides in the family wash basins and bathtubs. It is a serious question whether to sell such stuff as water is not a violation of the pure food law, as well as obtaining money under false pretenses. Medford Daily Tribune, December 27, 1907, page 2 The gardeners of Phoenix are busy trimming up the large berry patches along Bear Creek. There is every promise of a heavy yield of this kind of fruit this year. It seems that the parties operating the Weeks furniture mill are having considerable trouble with the dam across Bear Creek this winter, the water having washed around it several times necessitating a great amount of hard work and expense. "Phoenix Items," Medford Mail, January 3, 1908, page 9 Controlling Bear Creek.
A
few small pieces of work done along Bear Creek last fall to try and
turn the channel shows what might be done to save much valuable land
lying along that stream, if the work was done on a more extensive
scale. E. Gibbs built a dam or breakwater--this was built of brush and
boulders placed slightly across the current--thus shielding the bank
and turning the current, that has stood the high water so far. The
secret of success seems to be that the water flowing over the
obstruction must fall upon brush, or something that will not allow the
washing away of the gravel below the dam thus built and the clearing of
drifts and all obstructions in the way of a straight channel.
Subscriber.
Medford Mail, January
31, 1908, page 4A Serious Accident.
(From Thursday's Daily.)
A
serious accident occurred yesterday afternoon near the bridge on
Seventh Street, and as a result Mrs. H. W. Winterhalter of the Little
Antelope district was severely injured. She is not in a dangerous
condition at all, but will have to remain in Medford for a few days
with friends before leaving for her home.
FISHWAY ON BEAR CREEKMr. and Mrs. Winterhalter had driven in from their ranch, which is about 15 miles from Medford, and had brought in a large amount of produce and was leading behind the buckboard they were riding in a steer. When the river was reached Mrs. Winterhalter drove down and through the creek in order to water the horse, while Mr. Winterhalter led the steer across the bridge. After the horse had finished drinking, Mrs. Winterhalter started to drive out on the city side of the creek when the horse became frightened and started to back. One of the lines parted, giving Mrs. Winterhalter no control over the animal. She started to climb out in order to catch the horse by the head when the buckboard upset and caught her under it. The horse backed and stepped upon the back of her head, severely cutting it. Her teeth were all loosened and she was severely injured in the back. Bystanders rushed to her aid and carried her into the nearby laundry, where she received medical attention at the hands of Dr. H. E. Morrison. Mr. Winterhalter had the buckboard repaired and left for his home. Mrs. Winterhalter will follow in a few days. Medford Mail, June 19, 1908, page 1
It
is doubtful if anyone ever thought a fishway would be necessary in Bear
Creek. As a matter of fact, it is not to be presumed that anyone ever
thought much about it. However, the dam which the city of Medford
placed across the creek has made the fishway necessary, and one is
being put in. The necessity for this fishway has proven the fact that
there are a number of fish in this creek, a fact which did not
heretofore exist, and it is said there are a great number of fish now
to be seen near the dam and fishway.
Deputy Fish Warden Messler is calling attention to the state fish law as applies to dams and fishways, which is that the taking of fish within 600 feet of any dam or fishway is an offense, punishable by a heavy fine. The fish, to be sure, are not as large in Bear Creek as they are in Rogue River, but the same law is applicable in all cases, and the size of the fish is not a material factor. The fish in Bear Creek are hardly sizable for men, but the boys are said to be catching them at the dam, and Mrs. Messler will call parents' attention to the fact that their boys are offenders against the laws of the state and will be punished unless they desist. Medford Mail, July 24, 1908, page 1 DIGGING A TRENCH IN BEAR CREEK
Active
work was commenced this morning on a trench which is to be dug across
Bear Creek near the city's pumping plant in order to catch the low
water in the creek in order to supplement the present water supply.
There is considerable seepage in the creek, and it is claimed that much
water can be obtained across the bed of the creek and turning this
under flow into the well.
Yesterday in many sections of the city--in nearly all sections--there was no water in the city mains. The cloudy weather, however, has caused a slight increase in the amount of water in Bear Creek, and should the rain, which seems promised at this time, materialize the situation will be much improved temporarily. A four-inch main is being laid north from the distributing main on A Street to connect with the Fish Lake Ditch 4000 feet distant. A pump is being installed, and this will also furnish a certain amount of water. The well on the station and the tank is to be kept full if possible so that a splurge of some kind can be made in case fire should break out. Yesterday the box factory of the Crater Lake Lumber Company was forced to shut down, as no water could be obtained to feed the boilers. The water committee notified the Southern Pacific company that their supply may be shut off at any moment, and it is likely that this notification will soon be followed by action to that effect. The situation is fast becoming desperate, and despite the fact that these steps are being taken by the water committee, Medford seems face to face with a water famine. Southern Oregonian, August 15, 1908, page 1 People living near Bear Creek, in southwest Medford, are complaining because of the fact that persons living in the city seem insistent upon depositing the dead carcasses of dogs on the gravel banks of the creek. Unless it is stopped the residents nearby will enter a complaint, and arrests will follow. "Local and Personal," Medford Mail, December 4, 1908, page 5 BEAR CREEK IS ON RAMPAGE
THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS LOST TO EAST SIDE PROPERTY OWNERS ONE BARN MOVED; WILL MOVE HOUSES IF FLOOD KEEPS UP Property Values Will Suffer Heavily--Three Acres Swept Away-- Kahler Is Heaviest Loser--City Takes Steps for Relief and Protection
Thousands
of dollars loss has been entailed by the property owners on the east
side, due to the present high water in Bear Creek.
One barn had to be moved in order to save it, and if the flood does not abate or the efforts of the men fighting the stream prove [un]successful at least three and possibly more houses will have to be moved. Over three acres of land worth at least $1000 an acre have been swept away. The greatest damage is the effect that the flood and attending danger will have on property values in the bottom land on the east side of the creek. The city authorities have taken the matter in hand and are doing what they can to build a short levee to turn the current. Thomas Kahler and Thomas Collins are the heaviest losers. Kahler's property [at 23 Almond Street] has been cut in two by the waters, over half of it going downstream. He was forced to move his barn, the water wearing the land away so that the spot where it once stood is no more. A corner of Mr. Collins' place [at 110 Almond Street] is gone, and his house is within 100 feet of the edge of the bank, which is constantly caving in and being washed away. Angus McDonald [at 122 Cottage Street] is also a sufferer, a large portion of his property washing away. His barn may have to be moved. Joe Caskey occupies the house. A large force of men is at work filling sacks with soil and dumping them into the creek in an endeavor to turn the current back to the old channel. Bear Creek continues to rise, due to the heavy rainfall in the mountains surrounding Ashland. The weather man says that there is as yet no abatement of the storm in sight. Heavy rains are predicted for tonight and tomorrow. Started on Sunday.
The
stream showed tendencies of leaving [the] channel, which at this place
is very narrow, on last Sunday, but it was thought at that time that
the water would not rise high enough to work any damage to the property
other than carrying away a few feet of the bank. As day after day
brought no abatement of the high water it was seen that something would
have to be done, but the flood had started on its course of destruction
and could not easily be checked. Each property owner waited for the
other to act, no preconcerted attack being made upon the waters of the
creek, and what would have been easily averted in the early stages of
the flood has become a formidable task.
Barn Is Moved.
Excerpt, Medford Daily Tribune, January
21, 1909, page 1
The
water finally started cutting into the bank at a rapid rate, and Mr.
Kahler saw that unless his barn was moved it would be swept away. He
took steps to move it, and where it once stood is now the main channel
of the creek. Although it was moved some 250 feet, it is now only some
75 feet from the edge of the bank.
The water is cutting into the land in the form of a great semicircle. The current gains its greatest swiftness nearest the bank, which accounts for the rapidity with which the bank is caving away. The bank stands up some 12 feet from the water, and as it is all deposited soil, thrown up by the very force that is now carrying it away, it is going rapidly. The creek that gave it is again claiming its own.  From a 1909 Medford booster booklet. RAISING FUNDS TO CHECK BEAR CREEK
STREAM CONTINUES ON ITS COURSE OF DESTRUCTION EVER WEARING AWAY BANK TOWARDS TOM COLLINS' RESIDENCE Creek Fell Over Three Feet Last Evening--Heavy Snowfall in Mountains Will Bring it up Again-- Efforts of Workers Prove of Little Avail.
In
order to obtain the necessary funds with which to check the ravages of
Bear Creek, a subscription list was started in the city Friday morning
and met with hearty response on the part of Medford citizens. The money
will be employed in building a substantial levee which will keep the
water hereafter in the old channel of the creek. Those who headed the
list are: L. G. Porter, $50; Tom Collins, $50; Angus McDonald, $50; Tom
Kahler, $50; Dr. C. R. Ray, $20.
Although the water in Bear Creek is some three feet lower than it was at this time yesterday, the stream is continuing on its course of destruction, the edge of the bank now being some 50 feet closer to the residence of Tom Collins. By this time tomorrow, if no change comes, his barn and dwelling will have to be moved. Trying To Check It.
There have
been some 30 men at
work at the cut, endeavoring to check the current of the stream from
cutting into the bank, but so far they have been able to accomplish but
little. Street Commissioner Orr has a crew of men in the bed of the
stream with a team and plow, and it may be that they will be able to
turn the current, which now hugs the bank and cuts it away rapidly. The
building of levees with sacks filled with mud has done some good, but
the work is necessarily slow, and in the meantime the creek continues
to cut away the bank.Dynamite Is Tried.
It was
thought on Thursday evening
that should a certain point of the bank be blown away with dynamite
that the cutting into the bank on the part of the water would cease.
The experiment was tried, and while the point was gotten rid of to a
great extent, the current did not halt on its course of destruction.The barn of Mr. Kahler, which was moved to avoid being washed away, is again within 50 feet of the bank, and it may be that it will again have to be moved. However, as it is still upon rollers, this will be a comparatively easy task. There is not a great deal of land left which was owned by Mr. Kahler upon which to move the barn, however. Excerpt, Medford Daily Tribune, January 22, 1909, page 1 The recent high water in Bear Creek has done considerable damage to the adjacent lands. Among other places where ground is being washed away is near the south end of Almond Street, in East Medford. A. McDonald and Thomas Kahler have each met with a considerable loss in this way. The waters were approaching rather closely to the barn of Mr. Kahler, which stood upon the bank, and he was yesterday moving it to a safer location. "Local and Personal," Medford Mail, January 22, 1909, page 5 All of the farmers of North Phoenix have been compelled to go to Talent bridge in order to get across Bear Creek the last few days. Word was received by your correspondent Saturday that two of the costly cribs built by the county on the county farm, in Bear Creek, were wrecked by high water Friday night. "Eden Precinct," Medford Mail, January 22, 1909, page 8 SITUATION ON BEAR CREEK IMPROVES
Waters Fall in Stream, Wearing Away of Bank Ceases--No Further Damage Is Expected
The
situation on Bear Creek has materially improved during the past 24
hours, and no further damage is expected, unless something unforeseen
in the matter of high water ensues. The wearing away of the bank by the
high waters has practically ceased, and the work of the men who are
endeavoring to change the current of the stream is having its effect.
They are making a cut which will turn the water to a great extent away
from the bank on the lower
side, and it is expected that before the water raises again they will
have accomplished their work of turning the water.
As to the Loss.
There is a
diversity of opinion
concerning the amount of land that has been taken away by the high
water. Mr. Collins on Saturday morning stated that the land ran farther
out than it really did, and that but little over an acre had gone
downstream. He is thoroughly conversant with the lay of the land before
the flood and says that the soil did not extend to the bushes which are
now standing in the stream and which were pointed out as the edge of
the old channel, but that it was back a considerable distance.As soon as it is possible there will be a dike constructed in the stream, which will in the future keep the water within bounds, so that there is no reason to anticipate trouble from floods. This will make the property on the east side side safe, and property values should keep up their original figures. Excerpt, Medford Daily Tribune, January 23, 1909, page 1 TEAM HAS CLOSE CALL.
Carried Downstream While Working in Bear Creek.
What
came near being a serious accident occurred yesterday on Bear Creek,
where the work of putting in the cribs to turn the water is in
progress. F. A. Piel was hauling sacks of gravel to dump into the cribs
and, in attempting to cross near where the temporary work was put in,
his horses got into the rapidly flowing stream between the ends of the
dam and were swept off their feet and down the stream until the wagon
struck some falsework and careened almost on its side, one horse at the
time being up to its withers in the water.
CHECKING BEAR CREEK.Mr. Piel got off the edge of the wagon box that was out of the water and steadied himself by a wire that was stretched across and under which the team had passed. After Piel the movements of the team and [omission] after several anxious moments for the strong current caused the falseworks to give way when the team got a good footing and was able to draw the wagon to dry land. The water in the channel at this point was about five feet in depth, and only the giving way of the timbers prevented a horse, and perhaps its driver, from being drowned. Medford Mail, January 29, 1909, page 1 Wing Dams Being Placed To Prevent Bank Cutting.
W.
H. Liptrap has been engaged to superintend the putting in of a series
of wing dams on Bear Creek so as to prevent future high waters from
striking the banks where the recent washout near the city occurred.
This is to be a permanent work, and in connection with what is being
done by the city engineer's force, no fears of further damage at that
point need be feared. Mr. Liptrap commenced work yesterday afternoon
with a small force. More men will be put on and the work pushed before
there is another raise of the water.
Medford Mail, January 29, 1909, page 2 Correction.
To Medford
Morning Mail:
A statement was recently published in your paper from your Phoenix
correspondent to the effect that two of the costly cribs put in by the
county in Bear Creek, on the county farm, were badly wrecked. We feel
it is our duty to make a correct statement in this matter, and will do
so.
MYSTERY SOLVED.At the time the county bought the poor farm the property owners living below the farm along Bear Creek made a proposition to the county to the effect that they would stand their proportion of the cost of building a permanent water break, or as near permanent as could be constructed with a limited amount of money, and the county to have charge of the work. This proposition was accepted by the county, and the work was done and has stood for two years, with the exception that this last high water caused three of the cribs to tilt somewhat on account of water washing the gravel from underneath on one side, but they are all intact and are doing all the work for which intended, and had it not been for this or some other substantial structure the land along Bear Creek, on the west side, from and including the poor farm and what is known as "Stringtown," would have been overflowed with water. As it is, no damage has been done, and there has been high water. (Signed.) JOSHUA PATTERSON, S. S. STEVENS, J. A. COPELAND, Supt. Poor Farm, ROBERTS & SON. Medford Mail, February 5, 1909, page 7
Considerable
anxiety was caused the police of Medford yesterday when Night Officer
Brophy, late in the morning, found a horse and buggy wandering about
the north end of town without a driver. There was nothing to indicate
whether the owner had met with foul play or accident. The horse was
taken to a livery barn by the police, and yesterday evening Charles
Terrill came to town and claimed the rig.
BEAR CREEK TAKES OUT DAM NEAR
PHOENIXIt seems that Terrill had been dumped out of the rig while crossing McAndrews' ford, the approach to which is very steep, and that after his fall the horse had gotten away, while he went to a nearby house to spend the night and get dried out. Medford Mail, March 12, 1909, page 8 SEPTIC TANK MUST BE MADE OVER FOR
USE
Bottom Must Be Raised Two Feet before it Can Be Drained, Owing to Level of Creek. CLAIMED THAT CREEK HAS FILLED UP DURING WINTER Steps Will Be Taken by City Engineer to Rectify the Matter So That it Can Be Used.
The
new septic tank which was recently constructed at the end of the new
lateral trunk sewer on Riverside Avenue is out of commission for the
time being, owing to the fact that it can be drained only down to a
two-foot level. The bottom of the tank will have to be raised that much
before the tank can be successfully used.
The fault is said to lie with Bear Creek. It is claimed that when the tank was put in that the bottom of the creek was two feet lower than it is at the present time and that at that time the tank could be successfully drained. During the winter the bottom of the creek filled up, and now the tank will remain useless until it is fixed by having the bottom raised. City Engineer Foster is at present looking into the matter and will take immediate steps to remedy it. Medford Daily Tribune, April 13, 1909, page 1
The
present high water in Bear Creek has carried out the dam which diverts
water for the millrace in Phoenix. During the past few days strenuous
efforts have been made to repair the damage. It will in all probability
be imperative that a cement dam be installed.
Medford Mail Tribune, December 7, 1909, page 2 After Thursday morning the people of Medford will no longer be compelled to depend upon the water (?) of Bear Creek, as the Fish Lake Company is now prepared to turn the water in at the Bradshaw drop and give the people of Medford pure mountain water. For the past two months the successors to the Fish Lake Ditch Company have been at work cleaning the canal, and the city has in consequence been forced to fall back upon Bear Creek water, which was fit for irrigation purposes only. Excerpt, "No More Bear Creek Water Need Be Used," Medford Mail Tribune (weekly edition), March 24, 1910, page 1 Paving in the region of the Southern Pacific depot was also done by the [Leonard and Frost] company, and recollection of this particular project reminded Paul [Leonard] of a story which illustrated the rivalry then existing between Medford and Ashland. In the restroom of the Ashland depot, he said, there was a sign which read "Pull the chain twice, Medford needs the water." "Leonards Return to Medford; Recall Early 1900s in City," Medford Mail Tribune, April 24, 1966, page 3 A rock screen is in operation [for the company paving Medford streets] which loads 400 wagons daily, scooping the material from the creek bed. "Handling a Million-Dollar Job," Medford Mail Tribune, July 24, 1910, page B1 ASK PHIPPS TO PAY $800 FOR HOLDUP
City Attorney Neff
filed answer to the
amended complaint of I. J. Phipps against the city of Medford in the
sewer case Monday afternoon. The city, as defendant, maintains that
after a
permit had been given by I. J. Phipps to construct a sewer through his
property across Bear Creek, the complainant sold a large quantity of
gravel and sand from the bed of the stream, making it necessary to
build trestlework across the stream rather than lay the pipe on the
bottom of the stream, as originally planned. This, it is claimed, cost
the city $800 and made danger of the sewer proving an impediment to the
winter floods possible, as, if the pipe had been laid on the bottom of
the creek, as originally planned, the floods would have flowed over it.
The city demands that Phipps reimburse the city $800 to cover the loss
occasioned by his action.City Files Answer to Amended Complaint and Demands Damages for Violation of Contract and Sale of Gravel, Necessitating Sewer Be Placed on Trestle. Bridge Agreement.
The city admits the agreement to build a $2500
bridge, but maintains that investigation proved that a bridge could not
be built for that sum and that the city did not have the additional
funds necessary to complete a bridge. However, the answer explains that
the city intends to levy taxes in December that will include the amount
necessary for the construction of a wagon bridge at this point and that
a permanent structure will be built during the coming spring.City Attorney Neff further argues that the sewer across Bear Creek is high enough to allow all but an unusual high water to pass underneath, and maintains that the sewer is being constructed so that the trestlework can, in case of emergency, be drawn from under the sewer and the pipe and contents be precipitated into the stream, thus protecting property owners on each side of the stream from danger of damage. The sewer is only a temporary structure, the answer reads, and will serve during the coming fall and winter not over 50 homes. During flood time this amount of sewage will be carried away by Bear Creek without difficulty. Medford Mail Tribune, September 13, 1910, page 1 STORM SEWERS NEEDED.
The
present unusual heavy rainfall following a deep snowfall is producing
flood and high water throughout this section. Much inconvenience, but
little real damage, is likely to follow.
The storm calls attention to the need of a storm sewer system in Medford to carry off the surplus water. Medford is built upon a flat. In pioneer days, before Bear Creek cut a deep channel through the valley, at times the entire townsite stood under water. It is impossible to give the streets grade enough to drain the flood waters. They will answer for the ordinary rain, but not for floods. The townsite is too level. The sewer system already constructed was not intended for storm water. The first storm sewer was constructed this fall and is not yet completed. It relieves the territory it drains, but only emphasizes the need of more such sewers. Until it was built it was impossible to drain a basement in the city. The most difficult of the many problems the city administration has been compelled to solve has been the extension of public improvements without municipal funds. Mayor Canon devised a way whereby the water mains were extended and has made a good start on a storm sewer system. A city cannot be built in a day, and Medford has been crowding into two years the improvements that most cities take years to make. Medford Mail Tribune, November 28, 1910, page 4 TO BULKHEAD BANKS OF STREAMS Von der Hellen Has Plan to Offer to State Engineer-- Wishes to Save Heavy Loss to Land Owners Mr. von der Hellen proposes to take up the subject with the state engineer and evolve a plan for bulkheading and declaring reclamation districts on petition of property owners. Bear Creek and the Applegate are examples of the great harm always possible with spring freshets. Often great quantities of rich soil are carried away, alfalfa fields and gardens ruined and general harm done. Hydraulic mining has raised the beds of the streams until they overflow more than they did in the old days, Bear Creek at the Main Street crossing being many feet higher than originally when the freshet of 1862 changed the course of the stream from what is now the western base of Siskiyou Heights to its present course. Medford Sun, December 18, 1910, page 1 BEAR CREEK IS SAFE NOW
Danger from Logs Great While High Water Was On-- Creek Goes Down Three Feet During the Night-- All Danger to Property Is Now Past.
Fears
for the safety of property along the banks of Bear Creek were dispelled
this morning when it was discovered that the waters had gone down about
three feet during the night. Up until last night, the creek remained at
the high water level, about six feet higher than under ordinary
conditions.
Fearing that the logs in the stream might jam at the bridge approaches, Street Commissioner W. P. Baker put a crew of men to work with pike poles to keep the logs from piling up. Several jams occurred that proved difficult to dislodge, but this morning all danger was found to be over. Medford Mail Tribune, January 20, 1911, page 1 Bear Creek Bridge Repaired
Temporary repairs have been made on the Central Point bridge, which was
damaged considerably by the recent high water, and the people who live
in that portion of the valley can cross Bear Creek with safety once
more.The nature of the permanent repairs to be made by the county have not been made public yet, but it is understood that the entire concrete work will have to be rebuilt. Great cracks can be seen in the work on each site of the creek, and it is realized that further attempts to repair the work would be useless and only more money thrown away. In all probability when the new approaches are built the bridge will be moved several feet down the stream. Gold Hill News, February 4, 1911, page 8 BIG MOTOR AND HOIST FOR FACTORY
Concrete Construction Company to Use Them for Hoisting Sand and Gravel--Pipe on Display
A
seventy-five-horsepower motor and friction hoist for the Concrete
Construction Company, owner of the concrete sewer pipe factory of
Medford, arrived and were unloaded from the cars yesterday. The outfit
will be used to hoist sand and gravel from the bed of Bear Creek to the
bunkers for use in the factory.
Manager C. J. Semon has placed a fine specimen of eight-inch sewer pipe on display in Olwell's exhibit building. It is one of the strongest and best pieces of pipe ever seen in Medford or any city. Its being the product of a local factory makes its appearance notable and worth seeing. Medford Sun, March 11, 1911, page 5 POLICE RAID HOBOES' CAMP
Evidence Found Showing Where Medford Chickens Have Been Going-- Camp Broken Up and Men Told To Hit the Ties.
The
local police force Saturday raided the hoboes' camp on Bear Creek, and
after destroying the rough domiciles of the weary Willies ran the men
out of town. No less than a dozen knights of the road were given
hurry-up orders and hit the ties.
From the great quantity of feathers found in the camp it is believed that the hoboes are responsible for the chickens which have been missing from Medford roosts during the past week, which has been a subject of daily comment. Medford Mail Tribune, March 19, 1911, page 1 LIVING PICTURES ON BEAR CREEK
Two young women and a lad about eighteen showed to a full bank on Bear
Creek yesterday afternoon. The lad was dressed in regulation bathing
costume. The young women were not so regular. They could not swim, and
removed their shoes and stockings preparatory to deep wading. They
lifted their garments and waded in. The deeper they waded the higher
the garments were pulled. The spectators encored the performance. The
lassies smiled and continued to wade. One of the spectators, in the
silence of his
interested observation, was accused of rubbering. Yes, he rubbered,
while another, just a simple, modest Sunday school lad, viewed for the
first time a sight he never saw before. He said, "He, he." Another
spectator was a long, green product from the headwaters of Bear. He
'lowed it beat anything he ever saw. He blushed a backwoods blush and
pulled his cap down.The waders came ashore and stretched their bare limbs out in the sun to dry. This was another interesting performance. It brought a cheer from the Sunday school kid, while the man from the headwaters shed tears like a sugar maple during a thaw. A snapshot picture was made showing four pairs of legs without even skin-tight garments to cover the extremities. When the Sun artist has time to develop the pictures it hopes to make a halftone picture for its readers. The only regret is that the Sunday school kid and the tearful fellow from headwater will not appear in the background of the picture. Medford Sun, April 23, 1911, page 5 MEDFORD POLICE ROUSED
Raid to Be Made on Jungle in Hope of Driving Out Thieves.
MEDFORD, Or., Aug. 10.--(Special.)--To clean out the "jungle," as the
brush along Bear Creek is called, Medford police are planning an
organized raid. Continual thefts in Medford have forced the issue with
the officers, the latest being the robbery of a department store of
$400 worth of clothing.
The same store was robbed of $1000 worth of goods not long ago. The robbers entered the place by prying open the windows with pieces of iron. Morning Oregonian, Portland, August 11, 1911, page 2 With a record-breaking precipitation in the last 12 hours, Bear Creek overflowing its banks, a rise in the Rogue River and rain still falling, Medford and the Rogue River Valley are threatened with a disastrous flood. "Flood Threatens City of Medford," Sunday Oregonian, Portland, February 18, 1912, page 1 SPRAY DUMPED IN SEWER KILLS FISH
IN CREEK
Because
the Rogue River Fruit & Produce Association in washing out
spray
barrels allowed the washings to be carried away in the Eighth Street
storm sewer, a large number of fish in Bear Creek have been killed, and
game warden McGowan has taken steps to check the practice. The company
has been selling spray and afterward washing out the barrels before
reshipping them from the warehouse a block south of Main Street. The
washings have been turned into a depression drained by the storm sewer.
The spray has a deadly effect on fish.
Medford Mail Tribune, March 5, 1912, page 1 DROWNS IN BEAR CREEK
Jacksonville Post, March 30, 1912, page 1Medford Girl Becomes Dizzy While Crossing on a Footlog. Marie Daily,
the 13-year-old daughter of James Daily, foreman of the Hillcrest
Orchards, was drowned in Bear Creek near the McAndrews ford, just north
of the city limits of Medford, Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock. Although
it was but thirty minutes after the accident that physicians were
working over her, all efforts at resuscitation failed.
Accompanied by her sister, the child had been down in the fields beyond the ford gathering greens. On their return they attempted to cross the creek on a small log laid across by workmen who are constructing a flume over the creek at that point. The footlog being but six inches wide, the girl sat down on it, attempting to work her way across a distance of 12 feet. Halfway over it she cried to her sister that she was growing dizzy, and a moment later had fallen into the water. The body was recovered about 200 yards downstream. DON'T
EAT FISH FROM BEAR CREEK
Physicians
are warning residents of the city against fishing in Bear Creek and
eating the fish. A short time ago the septic tank, into which the sewer
system of the city empties, burst and since that time the sewers have
emptied into Bear Creek direct and will continue to do so until the new
septic tank, of concrete, has been completed. Sewer-fed fish are not
recommended by Dr. Wiley.The old septic tank was constructed three or four years ago of wood, and it took only a comparatively short time for the wood to rot out and the tank to give way. The city council recently ordered a new one constructed. Medford Mail Tribune, May 9, 1912, page 3 [Burglar] Van Sickle has been "laying out" in the willows on Bear Creek, seldom showing himself up town, but securing enough at night to live on during the day. "Leads Officers to His Buried Loot," Medford Mail Tribune, August 12, 1912, page 3 CLASS
OF EIGHTEEN ARE BAPTIZED IN CREEK
A
class of eighteen converts to their faith was baptized in Bear Creek
last Saturday at high noon by the Seventh Day Adventists. The ceremony
was most impressive and was attended by a large number of church
members.Medford Mail Tribune, April 14, 1913, page 2 GARBAGE
IN CREEK ENDANGERS HEALTH
Chief
of Police Hittson this morning notified the garbage haulers of the city
that they must stop dumping garbage along Bear Creek at the south end
of Cottage Street on the east side. Much of the refuse is burned, but
there is enough decomposed matter left on the ground to pollute the
creek and to scent the air for many blocks around, endangering health.Medford Mail Tribune, April 22, 1913, page 4  Circa
1913.
MANY WAGONLOADS OF RUBBISH ARE
HAULED TO CREEK
The
street cleaning department was very busy today hauling away rubbish
piled by property owners on the curb in front of their residences, as
today is cleanup day. A large force of men and teams were at work at an
early hour and will continue to haul rubbish until Saturday but will
not cover the same street twice.
The rubbish is being piled in a huge heap at Riverside and Twelfth near Bear Creek, where it will be burned on Saturday night. Several hundred wagonloads will be collected. Cleanup day, following, as it does spring house cleaning, nets annually a huge amount of trash and rubbish. Each year sees a huge bonfire at the close of the cleanup period. This year residents are cleaning up as never before. Medford Mail Tribune, May 1, 1913, page 6
R.
B. Wyant, who had been indicted by the grand jury for dynamiting fish
in Bear Creek and who had just returned from without the state, was
arrested by Sheriff Singler at Talent Friday.
BEAR CREEK HIGH; STREETS, YARDS
FLOODED"Local News," Jacksonville Post, January 17, 1914, page 3 STORM SEWERS CLOGGED BY RISING WATER CAUSES OVERFLOW ON CENTRAL Creek's Banks Cut by Torrent--Chinook Causes Rapid Rise-- Snow Melting Fast--Trains Delayed Both Ways
Owing
to heavy rains in the valley Wednesday, and the melting of snow in the
mountains, Bear Creek was the highest in two years last night, and
rapidly rising at 10 o'clock. The roar of the rushing waters could be
easily heard two blocks away, and many went down to take a look at the
usually placid stream, when in an angry mood. A warm Chinook wind began
to blow late yesterday over southern Oregon, causing a rapid rise in
the streams of the Rogue River watershed with prospects of highest
water today.
Residents on South Central found their yards flooded last night, due to the heavy flow of water through the storm sewer, overflowing and becoming clogged at the mouth. Sidewalks floated, and the banks of Bear Creek were cut deep. Back of the Smith apartment house the water ran off Riverside Avenue in torrents, causing the bank to cave in, and also threatening to undermine the foundations of the Japanese laundry in the same district. The waters of Bear Creek backed up the Jackson Creek sewer, over which there has been so much alderanic controversy recently, causing inconvenience in that section. The street department was busy all night keeping the manholes free from debris. Much driftwood is floating in the stream. At the corner of Jackson and Woodstock streets, the sewer overflowed, flooding the street. Main Avenue near the Washington School was flooded. Excerpt, Medford Mail Tribune, January 22, 1914, page 1 The recent high water in Bear Creek caused a slight shifting in the channel of that pioneer stream, the main current now directing its efforts against the east bank. A gravel bar has been deposited directly behind the middle pier of the bridge. The old channel was on the west side, and a constant menace to the Medford Laundry's woodpile. "Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, February 9, 1914, page 2 REPAIR BEAR CREEK WELL
DISAPPROVED BY DOCTOR
DR. E. B. PICKEL SAYS PROPOSED PLAN WOULD BE MENACE TO CITY HEALTH Declares Action Would Infect Every Water Pipe in City-- Would Be Blunder--Hopes Council Will Reject Plan
Disapproval of
any proposed plan to repair the old city well as an auxiliary to the
city water supply is voiced by Dr. E. B. Pickel of this city and a
member of the state board of health in the following statement, which
speaks for itself. The statement is:
"That dirt is dangerous and cleanliness--though doubtless an acquired taste--is a protection against disease is a dearly bought experience of all civilized peoples. Now if a public water supply becomes infected, not matter how rigid or strict the principles of cleanliness are carried out by the inhabitants of a city, the risks are serious and no intelligent community would willingly run the hazard. No one disputes the value of a supply of pure water, yet the maintenance of active measures for the protection of the source of that supply is equally important. "It is understood that [there is] the question of repairing the well at the brink of Bear Creek, used in the ancient days of Medford, by cementing the walls and extending a concrete pipe underneath the bed of the creek, thus supplying the well with pure (?) water for use in case of emergency. "All early citizens of this vicinity know something of the costly experiments and mistakes the history of Medford's early water supply reveals and had hoped the water problem was practically settled, but of all the blunders fostered upon a suffering people the proposition above is one of the rankest and causes one to wonder at the vagaries of a human brain; also to exclaim 'man is fearfully if not wonderfully made.' "The idea of such a well containing pure, wholesome water is too ridiculous for a sane mind to consider. It is actually difficult to realize that anyone should be so criminally ignorant in a highly civilized community at the present time. "One clause in the sanitary laws of all cities relative to the water supply states that no person shall do or permit to be done any act or thing that will impair or imperil the purity or wholesomeness of any water used or designed as a drink in any part of the city. Yet this one act would infect every water pipe and main in the city provided it should once be used, endangering the lives of every household. "I have too much faith in our city council to believe they would seriously consider such a criminal step." Medford Sun, February 17, 1914, page 1 Charles Estes pled guilty to dynamiting fish in Bear Creek, was fined $250 and sentence was suspended by the court pending good behavior and the promise that he would report once a month to the prosecuting attorney. "Negro Acquitted by Forgetfulness of Girl in Case," Medford Mail Tribune, February 28, 1914, page 8 A number of fishermen persist in trying to catch fish in Bear Creek though the creek is full of driftwood and muddy. The snow is melting rapidly the last few days in the mountains under the warm sun. "Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, March 12, 1914, page 5 The warm weather of the last week has caused a rise of about a foot in Bear Creek, the cold nights stopping the thaw in the mountains and preventing high water. The stream is very muddy and filled with driftwood. "Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, March 14, 1914, page 5 The rains and high water of the last winter have made any number of changes in the Bear Creek channel, there being a general tendency of the current to eat away the east bank, for a mile each side of the Bear Creek bridge. "Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, April 2, 1914, page 2 A number of young men in the city schools, who could not withstand the lure of Bear Creek in ideal weather, have added figures to the hooky records the last two days. "Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, April 30, 1914, page 2 A gang of tough-skinned boys risked pneumonia by going swimming in Bear Creek Sunday afternoon. Being as careless with their nudity as their health, they were ordered to get under cover, people on the bridge being able to see them. "Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, May 11, 1914, page 2 Hoboes camped along Bear Creek between Ashland and this city are raising havoc with hen houses and gardens. The gents make night raids for food. It is likely the county authorities will take some action towards abating the nuisance. "Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, May 21, 1914, page 2 A gang of hoboes camped on Bear Creek near the city limits were routed from their haunts Monday afternoon by the police and others [and were] ordered out of town. "Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, June 2, 1914, page 2 Complaint has been received by the police that small boys go swimming in Bear Creek close to family residences, garbed in such a manner as to be highly embarrassing to women. "Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, June 20, 1914, page 2 Several wagon loads of trout were placed in Ashland Creek Sunday, there being 37,500 fish in the consignment, which was brought from the Bonneville hatchery by the state fish distributing car. The local distribution was made through the aid of local fishermen, the use of the teams being donated, and a fisherman accompanying each team to see to the distribution of the fish. They are eastern brook trout and were hatched at the Bonneville hatchery.--Ashland Tidings. Every stream in the Rogue River Valley drainage belt is reported the lowest in years. There has been a general scattering of idlers along Bear Creek the last few days, owing to the danger of being called on for fire fighting services. The "jungles" on the P.&E. has been vacated. "Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, August 18, 1914, page 2 The water is [so] low in Bear Creek that city employees have dug a ditch under the bridge so the flow will be maintained. It is only a tricklet. "Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, September 8, 1914, page 2 Bear Creek, which nearly lost its being during the dry spell, is slowly resuming proportions of a creek, there being enough water in the bed at present to make a noise like a stream. "Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, October 5, 1914, page 2 Frank Coleman caught a four and a half pound steelhead in Bear Creek Sunday afternoon. Mr. Coleman reports that the early run is on. "Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, February 8, 1915, page 2 Hoboes Spear Fish in Bear Creek
The absence of a game warden in this district has led to a very bad
state of affairs along Bear Creek. There are several camps along the
creek where the hoboes "jungle up." The tramps have been and are in the
habit of spearing fish from the creek. No doubt great numbers of them
have been taken in this way, as it is well known to local fishermen how
easy it is to spear the big fish which congregate in the deep pools. A
stop should be put to this practice. The local police in the course of
their work of breaking up hobo camps have run across several fish which
were speared. Police jurisdiction does not extend over this
lawbreaking, however, and they were powerless to act. Some action
should be taken by the game authorities.Ashland Tidings, March 29, 1915, page 1 The bright sunshine has caused the anglers to flock to Bear Creek, and the banks of the little stream were linked yesterday afternoon. The creek is exceptionally clear and the fish rise well to a fly. Several fine messes have been caught. "Local and Personal," Medford Sun, April 10, 1915, page 6 Barefooted boys made their appearance on Main Street Friday, an unfailing sign of summer. Youths also have taken to swimming in Bear Creek, and the police warn that something besides original garments must be worn. "Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, April 17, 1915, page 2 Swimming has started in Bear Creek, and the younger element is in its glory now, diving, ducking and "chawing raw beef." The police found it necessary to warn the boys, however, that they would have to wear a little more clothes than just what nature bestowed on them, as various residents along the creek bank have objected. "Local and Personal," Medford Sun, April 18, 1915, page 8 It now develops that when Sheriff Singler and Constable Al Hammond swooped down upon the [safecracking] gang in the Bear Creek "jungles" Thursday morning they were engaged in making "soup," as nitroglycerin is called. "Soup" is the boiled extract of dynamite, the explosive being put in a pan of simmering water. The grease comes to the top and is skimmed off, being emptied with extreme care into small bottles. "Yeggmen Making Dynamite Soup When Arrested," Medford Mail Tribune, June 4, 1915, page 6 The authorities are looking for a party of small boys who went swimming in Bear Creek Wednesday afternoon, and disported on the bank in nothing but their original garb. A woman made a protest to the boys, and the sights became more unseemly, after the manner of young America. "Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, June 9, 1915, page 2 BEAR CREEK NEEDS GOOD FRESHET TO
CLEAN OUT DEBRIS
The report that the city will this winter undertake the task of
cleaning up the channel and banks of Bear Creek within the city limits
is probably not wholly true, but it is a possibility that the city
would cooperate with property owners whose lots reach the creek banks
in the matter of clearing away the debris when a freshet comes to aid
in the work. The collected brush and weeds and other rubbish could be
pitched into the stream when the water is high enough to carry it away
and thus [be] disposed of.
There has been no freshet for three years of sufficient volume to carry away the collection of rotting weeds and other refuse on the banks. The result is that much has collected there to a considerable depth. Its decomposition is hastened by the rain and its bulk, until filthy odors emanate from many such piles of stuff along the banks in the city limits. It requires no extraordinary sense of discernment to realize that in the summer time this condition will seriously menace the health of the city--particularly that portion of it that resides near the creek. During the time of the first freshet, should we be favored with one this winter, property owners and the city should cooperate in the matter of cleaning away these piles of unsightly and unwholesome debris. It would greatly improve the appearance of the stream within the city, on the banks of which, in several places, shady nooks and crannies could be made very attractive for luncheon and picnic parties, instead of catchalls for dirt and filth in many repulsive forms. Medford Mail Tribune, December 13, 1915, page 3 The hot weather has sent the small boys to Bear Creek, and the police have been forced to issue the annual edict against appearing in nothing but the bare skin, the youths not caring much for the proprieties. "Local and Personal," Medford Sun, June 16, 1916, page 2 SHERIFF DESTROYS 112 GALLONS OF
SEIZED WHISKY
There was excitement in Jacksonville Friday, when Sheriff Jennings and
Deputy Sheriffs Anderson and Stansell destroyed 112 gallons of whisky,
by pouring it into Jackson Creek.
The ordeal of witnessing such a wanton waste of (to them) precious fluid was almost too much for a number of the old-timers of the town, and those who were not running around aimlessly with their tongues hanging out of parched throats were in a dazed, tear-bedimmed condition The destroyed whisky was that taken in the bootlegging captures of Rankin Estes and C. H. Smith of Portland on the Siskiyous Wednesday night, and the raids on Estes' pool hall and home in this city yesterday. The whisky was destroyed in accordance with the law, by order of County Prosecutor Roberts. Last week, by Prosecutor Roberts' orders, another large quantity of whisky taken from captured bootleggers was destroyed by being poured into Bear Creek. On these occasions of destroying confiscated liquors the officers always have competent witnesses present. Medford Mail Tribune, August 31, 1917, page 2 Friday morning the sheriff and deputies emptied about 112 gallons of booze into the creek, it being the whisky found in the cars when Smith and Estes were arrested plus the 35 gallons secured in the raid on Estes' house Thursday evening. "Local News," Jacksonville Post, September 1, 1917, page 3 HEAVY RAINS AND SNOW GIVE PROMISE
FOR WATER
For
the past week the Rogue River Valley has experienced the heaviest
downfall of rain that has visited this section for many years.
According to weather bureau records 2⅓ in. of rain fell during one
night at the beginning of the rainy season, which was a record-breaker
for this locality. Ashland and Bear creeks were roaring torrents all
week, and in certain low-lying portions the latter stream overflowed
its banks and covered the highway.
The Rogue River at flood tide rose 9 1/10 feet during the heavy rainfall of the night of February 8, and was at the highest mark since December 1912. The power plant at Gold Ray Dam was threatened by the flood, and the swollen river flooded the road at the old channel north of the Bybee Bridge. Bear Creek was rampant for several days the forepart of the week. The bridge was washed out on the shortcut Agate Road near the P.&E. Railroad crossing, while in Medford the creek rose until about four feet above the foundation of the Page Theater. More snow has fallen on the mountains than at any time during the present winter, and indications point towards a good water supply for the coming summer. Ashland Tidings, February 18, 1919, page 6 Bear Creek is so dry, and the laundries so few, that some of our old-fashioned but ingenious townsmen have taken to washing their handkerchiefs in the drinking fountains. Arthur Perry, "Ye Smudge Pot," Medford Mail Tribune, August 8, 1919, page 4 UNKNOWN SLEEP WALKER WADES IN B. CREEK, TO CITY A
strange case of sleep walking was brought to light last Friday morning
early, when Horace Nicholson of the Medford Furniture and Hardware
Company found a man clad only in his undershirt and a pair of socks
wandering aimlessly on Central Avenue near Paul's Electric Store at
5:30 in the morning. He was unable to give his name, but said he lived
two miles beyond Central Point "near Carlson's."
Mr. Nicholson took the thoroughly chilled man to the Rex Cafe, where he got warm soup and a cup of coffee, and was taken home by taxi. According to the story told Nicholson by the man, he first discovered that he was walking in his sleep when he found himself entangled in a barbed wire fence in Bear Creek, near the Jackson Street bridge. He was drenched to the skin, and his face and legs were badly cut where he had walked into the barbed wire fence. He said he had waded Bear Creek for a couple of miles. He also claimed that it was his first experience as a sleepwalker. The man appeared dazed and exhausted, and on the verge of a breakdown from his experiences. He was lost and unable to find himself when Mr. Nicholson found him. Kid Stevens, the well-known boxer, took the man home, but did not find out his name, the man recognizing his house when they came to it. The sleepwalker made all of his unusual journey in his undershirt and a pair of socks, and it was bitter cold. When he reached this city, he found an old pair of overalls in an alley, and put them on out of self-protection. Mr. Nicholson told the man to take care of himself and stay in the house until all danger of exposure had passed. He was described as about 40 years of age and a farmer. Medford Mail Tribune, December 21, 1920, page 6 POLICE CAPTURE BOOTLEG STILL ON BEAR CREEK
There
was some booze-enforcing excitement in the city last night, caused by
the sheriff locating an idle still in the brush along Bear Creek, south
of the city, and the arrival of a man with two quarts of whiskey in a
suitcase on the late train from the north. These incidents were not
connected, only that they were related to the violations of the
prohibition law.
Sheriff Terrill, Deputy Sheriff McMahon and Night Patrolmen Adams and Hempstreet took part in the excitement, which started by someone tipping the sheriff off to the fact the still was lying in the brush along Bear Creek. The sheriff and his deputy forthwith went there and pounced upon the still, which was a fine and complete one with coils, lying quietly in a grain sack. Then the arms of the law lay concealed in the vicinity for an hour or more waiting for the owner to come and get it, until they finally decided that he had been tipped off that they were watching for him. Excerpt, Medford Mail Tribune, April 20, 1921, page 8 MUST STOP SNAGGING SUCKERS, BEAR
CREEK
Small boys have been snagging numerous suckers in Bear Creek and
leaving the dead fish in the vicinity of the City Auto Camp, thereby
making portions of the creek and bank offensive. They are warned to
discontinue this practice as well as that of snagging catfish.W. R. Coleman, deputy state game warden, announces that he hopes the boys snag every sucker in Bear Creek, but warns them to take them away and not throw them back into the water or leave them on the bank to pollute both atmosphere and water. As to the catfish, it is lawful to catch them only with hook and line. They were planted in Bear Creek nine years ago by V. J. Emerick and a friend and are now becoming large and numerous enough to be caught once in a while. If they are left unmolested the youth of this vicinity will have good and enjoyable fishing in a few more years. If they are snagged and otherwise destroyed the sport will also be destroyed. Medford Mail Tribune, May 7, 1923, page 1 Over 12,000 eggs were taken from steelhead trout yesterday at the egg-taking station at the mouth of Bear Creek, near Tolo, as the amount for the first day's run of the season this year. It is expected that at the end of the present season between one and two million eggs will have been taken as the largest record drive in recent years. "Taking Eggs at Bear Creek Trout Station," Ashland Daily Tidings, February 8, 1924, page 1 IRRIGATION FIGHT OVER BEAR CREEK
IN CIRCUIT COURT
Medford Mail Tribune, August
9, 1924, page 3
An action involving the water of Bear Creek, for irrigation purposes in
the city of Ashland, reducing the drain on the water supply of that
city, has been filed in the circuit court at Jacksonville by the
Medford Irrigation District and the Rogue River Canal Company against
the Talent Irrigation District and Fred N. Cummings, watermaster. An
order of estoppage is sought by the plaintiffs.
Some pioneer history is woven into the legal procedure, to wit: A water right granted in 1854, for the power of the flour mill at Phoenix, and transmitted through the "old Phoenix ditch." The Medford Irrigation District and codefendant assert that they have acquired the water right granted in 1854, to the amount of 22 second-feet, and that the defendants are using it elsewhere. This 22 second-feet of water, it is claimed, is being held back by storage of the Emigrant Creek dam now in course of construction, preparatory to being diverted through a 14-mile ditch for irrigation purposes on the south portion of the Talent project. On the other side of the argument it is alleged that the main source of supply for the Medford district is from Little Butte Creek, and that the Bear Creek water is but supplementary, and further hold that "ordinary care and skill in the use of said water" would eliminate any and all concern about the Bear Creek water. The Medford district sets forth that this is just what they lack. The case will be heard at the September term of the circuit court. Another irrigation case is that of the state against Frank Randlev, a Little Applegate rancher, against whom a complaint was filed Friday charging willful and unlawful opening of irrigation headgates. It is alleged that Randlev by this action supplies plenty of water for his own fields, while others are getting none, and that repeated warnings have proven of no avail. BEAR CREEK WATER IS IN LITIGATION
Talent District and Water Master Sued for Holding Bear Creek Flow
MEDFORD,
August 11--An action involving the water of Bear Creek for irrigation
purposes in Ashland, to reduce the drain on the city water supply, has
just been filed in the circuit court at Jacksonville by the Medford
Irrigation District and the Rogue River Canal Company against the
Talent Irrigation District and Fred N. Cummings, water master. An order
of estoppel is sought.
A water right was granted in 1854 for the power for the old flour mill at Phoenix. The Medford Irrigation District and co-defendant assert they acquired this water right--22 second-feet--and that defendants are holding it back by storage at the Emigrant Creek Dam, now in course of construction, preparatory to divert it through a 14-mile ditch for irrigation purposes on the south portion of the Talent project. On the other side of the argument it is alleged that the main source of supply for the Medford Irrigation District is from Little Butte Creek, and that the Bear Creek water is but supplementary. The case will be tried at the September term of court. Another case in the fight for water in Jackson County this dry summer is that of the state against Frank Rendley, Little Apple River rancher section, charging willful and unlawful opening of irrigating headgates. Ashland Daily Tidings, August 11, 1924, page 1 EMIGRANT DAM IS READY FOR WATER
Construction of the
Emigrant Creek dam, eight miles southeast of this city, has been
completed, and within two weeks the impounding of water in the giant
reservoir between this huge dam and the Pacific Highway, an area of 240
acres, will be started, according to engineers of the Talent Irrigation
District.New Dam Will Be Subject for Study by Prominent Body of Engineers. Dam Is an Arch Type, Not Now in Common Use Because of Difficulty of Construction. Will Be Able to Impound 8,000 Acre-Feet of Water. The houses on the Dodge, Tucker and other ranches in the canyon and valley which will form the reservoir have been torn down, and everything is ready for the storing of the 8,000 acre-feet of water, the capacity of the reservoir, which the engineers' estimate will not only be absolute insurance against serious shortage in any year, such as has been felt during the previous summer, but will provide water for the irrigation of 4,000 acres more than is included in the Talent Irrigation District at present. Excerpt, Ashland Daily Tidings, October 25, 1924, page 1 PIONEER RESIDENT DISCUSSES WEATHER
Jackson County News, November
28, 1924, page 6
G. S. Butler, prominent resident of Ashland and well known in this
city, was a visitor here during the week.
Discussing the rain, which is a popular sport at this time, Mr. Butler said it reminded him of old times in Jackson County, of which he is a native. He is authority for the statement that heavy fall rains were not uncommon to Jackson County until comparatively recent years. "I have seen Bear Creek attain a width of a quarter of a mile on many occasions, due to fall rains, and it was seldom that crops suffered for want of moisture." Mr. Butler expresses the opinion that the county will harvest a good crop during the coming season as a result of the normal rainfall. SLIGHT DAMAGE DONE BY FLOOD IN
JACKSON CO.
The downpour of rain of last night, almost record breaking, created
flood conditions in the streets to many places because of inability
of the storm sewers to carry away the fast-falling rain quick
enough;
caused Bear Creek and smaller streams throughout the county to flood
their banks, and caused the greatest rise in the Rogue River during
this year. The river at Gold Ray this morning was at a depth
of 15 feet
and two inches, far more than normal.In all during the 24 hours ending this morning 1.43 of an inch of rain had fallen, most of which came down last night. It stopped raining along towards morning, and the flooded condition of the streams and the streets began to fast subside. More rain is predicted for tonight and Wednesday. The rapid rise of Bear Creek caused that usually quiet stream to overflow its banks after midnight and reach the dignity of a raging river, which flooded the east side of the Merrick auto camp and the city auto camp. Considerable damage was caused at the Merrick camp, as the flood washed away several of the tourist cabins and undermined others in the first row and one-half along the river. Several of the cabins are overturned by the flood, but did not float away. In this flood among the cabins stands the auto of a man who was living in a cabin. Two men residing in one of the cabins were awakened sometime after midnight to find their small structure flooded and had to wade out quickly, with what personal effects could easily be seized, to safety on higher land. The main portion of the Merrick camp, however, was not touched by the swollen stream. The pontoon bridge between the Merrick camp and the city auto camp, which are both operated under the Merrick management, was washed away, as were camp stoves, benches and chairs in both the camps. However, the damage at the Merrick camp up to late this forenoon, when the water was fast receding, will not be considerable, but it will require considerable work to right the overturned and undermined cabins, and to bring back to their sites the cabins that floated downstream. Three of the cabins were lodged against the Jackson Street bridge this morning. The city auto camp damage was slight, consisting of some benches, chairs and camp stoves being washed some distance away. It was a matter of general comment this forenoon that it was a fortunate thing for both auto camps and probably Medford and the valley generally that the gates of the Emigrant irrigation dam, which were closed some time ago, were holding the main portions of the heavy rainfall and snow water back, as the dam is said to be a natural watershed for this section. If the gates had been open it is conjectured by many that the flood of Bear Creek would have been serious. Reports extant in the city this forenoon that the city water pipe system line had broken near the intake were erroneous, and probably arose through the fact that the stream in the neighborhood of the intake was greatly flooded by the mass of falling rain and fast-melting snow in the hills. The city water pipe line system was in much danger because of this flooded condition, especially at the intake, but the situation there was still safe at noon today, according to City Water Superintendent Chas. W. Davis. Naturally the city water today is somewhat roily because of the accumulation of rain and snow water. The city's temporary wooden bridge over Bear Creek connecting Cottage Street and E. Twelfth Street was badly damaged by the rising waters, but can be reconstructed. Altogether up to early this afternoon the city and vicinity was fortunate in suffering so little damage, considering the great amount of precipitation falling in such a short period, and can stand moderate further rain. However, another such downpour like last night, coming soon after the first one, would doubtless do considerable damage. The Bear Creek flood of last night and this morning in the auto camps' vicinity is not record breaking or anywhere near it, according to people who have lived here most of their lives, but is the highest stage that stream has reached in recent years. A number of times in past years, the old timers say, Bear Creek flooded the flat east of its east bank until its waters reached the Pacific & Eastern depot building or further. As to possible damage in other parts of this county caused by the downpour of rain, no details were available this afternoon. Medford Mail Tribune, December 30, 1924, page 2 FLOOD DOES MUCH DAMAGE TO AUTO
CAMP IN MEDFORD
Cabins Washed Away; Others are Undermined by Severe Storm of Monday Night
MEDFORD,
Dec. 31--The downpour of rain Monday night, almost record-breaking,
created flood conditions in the streets of many places because of
inability of the storm sewers to carry away the fast-falling rain quick
enough, caused Bear Creek and smaller streams throughout the country to
flood their banks, and caused the greatest rise in the Rogue River
during this year. The river at Gold Ray yesterday morning was at a
depth of 15 feet and two inches, far more than normal.
In all during the 24 hours ending yesterday morning 1.43 of an inch of rain had fallen, most of which came down Monday night. It stopped raining along towards morning, and the flooded condition of the streams and the streets began to fast subside. The rapid rise of Bear Creek caused that usually quiet stream to overflow its banks after midnight and reach the dignity of a raging river, which flooded the east side of the Merrick auto camp and the city auto camp. Considerable damage was caused at the Merrick camp, as the flood washed away several of the tourist cabins and undermined others in the first row and one-half along the river. Several of the cabins are overturned by the flood, but did not float away. In this flood among the cabins stands the auto of a man who was living in a cabin. Two men residing in one of the cabins were awakened sometime after midnight to find their structure flooded and had to wade out quickly, with what personal effects could easily be seized, to safety on higher land. The main portion of the Merrick camp, however, was not touched by the swollen stream. Ashland Daily Tidings, December 31, 1924, page 1 FISH COOPED UP IN BEAR CREEK TAKEN TO ROGUE
Thousands of fish, fine steelhead and salmon, about nine inches long,
fairly fill Bear Creek between Talent and Ashland, penned in the stream
between the Talent and Phoenix irrigation districts' dams, and because
of the fast lowering of the stream the majority seemed doomed to die
there within 30 days.
This stretch of territory has been a fisherman's paradise ever since the fishing season opened, especially for the amateurs, as the fish are voraciously hungry, and readily bite on anything that looks like food. Many fishermen have been daily easily catching their limit, especially in the morning. The fish are crazy to get into fresh water but cannot escape from Bear Creek, as the gates of both dams are open, and they are stopped by the screens of the dams and irrigation districts. As soon as this condition becomes generally known, this section of Bear Creek will be lined with fishermen all day long, it is conjectured. The local game officials are doing everything possible, along with attending to their regular duties, to save as many of these fish as possible. This forenoon Bill Coleman, state fish screen superintendent, Deputy Game Wardens Parr and Daily, Tom Kinkaid [Lucius Kincaid?] of the hatchery and others succeeded in getting 1500 of the fish into cans, which were hauled to the Gold Ray Dam and dumped into Rogue River. They went out early again this afternoon to rescue more of the fish and place them in the river, but they will only be able to save a comparatively few, so great is the number of young steelhead and salmon in this stretch of Bear Creek. Last Sunday Mr. Coleman succeeded in transferring 250 of the fish to the river. A similar condition is said to exist in a section of Bear Creek north of Medford, where the fish are crowded into big pools, voraciously hungry and so crowded that they fairly fight each other from morning until night. Unless there should be much more rain and the gates of the irrigation district dams are closed most of these fish seem doomed to die inside of thirty days because of the steady drying up of Bear Creek, rapidly bringing on a stagnant condition of water in that stream between the irrigation dams.
Deputy
game wardens Parr, Daily and Coleman yesterday took approximately 1500
trout from Bear Creek near Talent and placed them in the Rogue River.
Another batch of the trout will be taken out this afternoon. This is
being done in order to save the trout when low water comes within the
next two or three weeks.
"Many Trout Taken Out of Bear Creek," Ashland Daily Tidings, April 30, 1926, page 1  Bear Creek, 1920s. HAVE ROUGH TRIP IN EXPLORING
LOCAL BOYS ENJOY DIP IN COLD RIVER WATER Search Unsuccessful Swift Current and Taking Wrong Channel Upsets Boat of Searchers
The following letter sent by Louis Salade Jr. of Central Point to his
friend, Col. Ralph B. Croskey, 526 Stephen Girard Bldg., Philadelphia,
Pa., tells of a little incident that happened to him and several local
boys on a recent trip down the Rogue River in search of a valuable
Russian wolfhound, lost by Mr. Salade.
The story is interesting and the American is indebted to Mr. Salade to publish his letter. ----
Dear Ralph:
Yesterday we had quite an adventure and experience none of the three of us will forget for a long time. It came about like this. Saturday my Russian wolfhound went off with the police pup and never returned, even though the pup came back the following day. So although we have searched most everywhere about this section without a clue as to his whereabouts, I assume he was caught in a trap, probably along Bear Creek. We went along both banks of the creek, where boys are known to have set out traps for miles in both directions, but in several places were not able to even see the creek due to the dense underbrush. Therefore, having no results, I thought the best and only way was to go down the creek by boat. Due to the heavy rains this creek had swollen greatly and some time ago was a raging torrent with logs and all sorts of debris rushing down to the Rogue River, some few miles below here. But now it had gone down to a more normal size, and with care we thought it could be successfully done. So with Leon Boomer, Ed. Boardman, Truman Brenner, all of Central Point and who wanted some excitement, we were fortunate in getting a strong metal-covered flat-bottomed boat, owned by Bert Peck, also of Central Point, and with the three of us aboard we started down Bear Creek. The current was much swifter than was at all suspected, and although one of us was at the bow and another at the stern with sort of poles and the third at the oars amidships and pulling upstream, the boat went along entirely too fast for comfort. At a short distance on and where the stream made a split, we took the wrong channel and ran aground in a small rapids, but finally managed to get clear with some pulling and pushing. To our surprise, after going on some little distance further and too swiftly at that, due to the strong current, we saw just above the surface what had been the top wire of a barbed-wire fence. We had just come around a bend in the stream and did not have a chance to get to the side in time to reach the bank before hitting the fence. Evidently the risen creek had been so much higher than this fence that the logs, etc. had gone right over this and not torn it away as we expected and had been the case in places where the stream was not so hemmed-in by the high banks. So before we knew it, the boat had hit the fence and the current had taken it sidewise and held it against this fence in midstream, causing the water on the upstream side to come over the side and sink the boat several inches below the surface,when, fortunately, the lower wires of the fence against the force of the current held the boat in this position. This saved us from a probable serious catastrophe at least for me, for as you know, in my condition of not being able to handle myself because of my semi-paralyzed side, the situation would have been very trying. But with the help of that top wire and some outstretched willow branches, we finally managed to reach the bank by climbing on to a willow tree. Wet thoroughly to my waist, and the water was somewhat cold too, my teeth began to chatter and although I hated to give up the trip, realizing my condition I called to the others that they should try to draw the boat up on the bank and get some dry clothes on immediately. But just to show the pluck of those boys, one called back that they would rather try to go on with the journey. Unfortunately, I was on the wrong side of the stream and had to go all the way around to the other side by way of the bridge from where we had started, and so walked several miles to my home as quickly as possible. The other two companions righted the boat and started once more downstream when they hit a very narrow place where the creek turned around a high bank and capsized, both boys getting wet all over, one disappearing entirely from sight and taken downstream. It was a funny sight to see Leon and Ed. holding onto a willow branch growing from the bank, and he extended at length on the surface of the water, which at this point had an unbelievable strong current. This ended the adventure, for as soon as the boat could be pulled up on the bank, the two hurried back to the house for a complete change. Of course there was not much of an opportunity to look for my dog, and almost a week has passed without a sign of him. It goes to show how much a person undergoes for the sake of dumb animals, in particular for a pet dog. I have fairly scoured this part of the valley, and had half a dozen boys helping me to do it, to say nothing of my daughter Helen. Wish I were with you to celebrate this Christmas, at least hope this letter will arrive in time to give you my greetings. With best wishes for the season to your family from me, I am As ever yours,
L. A. SALADE, Jr. Central Point American, December
31, 1926, page 1
Record Floods of Bear Creek
According
to Dr. E. B. Pickel, pioneer physician, the sudden overflowing of Bear
Creek Sunday afternoon was of less magnitude than the big flood in
February 1890, which occurred under practically the same conditions. In
1890 there was 18 inches of snow on the ground. A warm wind and rain
turned Southern Oregon streams into torrents.
Two years later Bear Creek again went on a rampage, this time cutting away the banks. The entire town went out and fought the encroaching waters in an effort to save two homes located in the neighborhood of the P.&E. depot. The barn of L. Niedermeyer succumbed to the high water and floated away. Dr. Pickel believes that the volume of water in the creek in 1890 was greater than yesterday. With the overflow of yesterday, the above two risings were the greatest in the history of the ordinarily placid stream, since it was dug. Medford Mail Tribune, February 21, 1927, page 1 HOT SPRINGS IS UNDER WATER
ASHLAND, Feb. 21.--Ashland is suffering
the same flood conditions
that persist at present throughout the valley. Fortunately the city
stands on high ground with sufficient natural drainage to carry off the
flood waters, so conditions are not so bad in the streets. The rainfall
has been excessive within the last three days; it has amounted to 3.75
inches. This added to the fact to the fact that the ground was already
saturated with water from the previous rains accounts for the unusual
conditions. The highway near Jackson Hot Springs is under water for a
half mile and the low ground where the buildings stand is a lake, while
muddy water pours into the swimming tank and tourist houses stand
submerged several feet in the water. O. M. Franklin, the local baker,
took his boat down Sunday afternoon and is reported to have assisted
people who were marooned on an island in the flood district.Medford Mail Tribune, February 21, 1927, page 1 VALLEY AND CITY SWEPT BY FRESHETS
BEAR CREEK OVERFLOWS ITS BANKS Crest of Flood, Caused by Torrential Rains, Passed--Homes and Business Houses Suffer-- Rail Service Delayed--Rural Sections Inundated.
The flood,
which was precipitated by the storm that started in early last Saturday
morning and was practically continuous until late last night with
copious rainfall during which 2.02 inches of rain fell, of which 1.53
inches fell up to 5 p.m. yesterday and .32 of an inch after that hour,
which together with .17 of an inch that fell on Saturday, makes the
total.
The flood turned the streets of the city into raging torrents of water, flooded basements of homes, businesses and public buildings and churches, surrounded homes in low-lying sections, flooded the auto camp and washed away a number of its frame cottages, stalled cars in many parts of the city, especially in the low-lying section of the east side, put many phones out of service, crippled the power service somewhat and did much other damage. Bear Creek was turned into a raging flood; the Rogue River was higher than for many years, and all the streams of the county were out of their banks. Among the basements flooded were those of the Federal Building, the First Methodist Church, the Methodist Church South, the Hotel Medford, the Terminal Hotel and the Liberty and Medford Center buildings. The furnaces were extinguished in these buildings. The services of the fire department were called yesterday afternoon and last evening to pump out the basements of the Federal Building and Hotel Medford. The water on Riverside Avenue caused miniature dams to be built in front of doorways and entrances to garages, homes, apartment houses and stores and was nearly two feet deep at its peak. Numerous cars with venturesome drivers developed trouble when in the center of the raging stream, and a number of women occupants were carried from the cars for a block and often more to dry ground. The high water mark in the city came at 8 p.m., and from then on gradually decreased until the Riverside stream, which had its mouth at the rear of the public market building, was gone, leaving mud and a surprising amount of driftwood and refuse behind. A large portion of the flow had its beginning on Dakota Avenue, from which street it flowed down Oakdale, across the railroad tracks, onto Front and down Eighth Street to Riverside. Another branch of the stream flowed the full length of South Riverside and apparently covered the highway beyond the Earhart ranch. A sudden rise in Bear Creek caught numerous sightseers, who had crossed onto East Main Street, by surprise. From late in the afternoon on until the climax of the flow was reached, water flowing down Cottage Street onto Main and across to the creek by the old Pacific and Eastern Railroad depot was over two feet deep, making it impossible for pedestrians to cross and foolhardy for motorists to attempt. However, numerous machines plowed through the water successfully, but a large number stalled in the center of the swift stream. Dynamite was used to blow out the Cottage Street bridge, which was causing the flood to flow onto the city streets because of driftwood which had piled against it. When the bridge was taken out of the way, the water receded appreciably, but was flowing worse than before onto the streets when the flow rose, causing more than 15 families to leave their homes to go to hotels, some removing all household goods due to water which was commencing to cover the floors with indications of rising more rapidly every minute. Houses which were built in the lowlands immediately adjoining the creek were this forenoon still surrounded, and several were moved somewhat from their foundations. Household goods were removed from the premises before water could reach them. Such scenes were fully typical of the scenes usually depicted here in pictures or in moving picture newsreels.  Abridged, Medford Mail Tribune, February 21, 1927, page 1 RAIN DELUGE WORKS HAVOC
SOUTHERN PACIFIC TRAINS HELD ALONG ROUTE Damage Is High
High
water in Jackson County lasting several hours, while rivers and creeks
went out of their beds, played more or less havoc with farms and cities
of the county the first of the week.
Many homes in the lowlands west of Central Point narrowly escaped damage from the high water. Many small bridges were entirely submerged, and roads were inundated at many points, and made impassible. Thirty-eight cabins were washed out at Merrick's camp [site of today's Medford Red Lion]. Worst in History
Southern
Pacific railway men, some of them who have been here with the company
for 25 years, declare the storm has rendered unprecedented damage to
their line and is the worst in history. Slides and washouts have
occurred at numerous points north. The line is also blocked at several
points south. The line was out for a distance of 200 years near Bear
Creek Orchards, where the grade has been washed out from under the
track. It is also reported that part of tunnel 13 at the summit of the
Siskiyous had slid in. Several huge rocks were on the track near
Steinman and various other blockades occurred in the south.
At Jackson Hot Springs, water for an eighth of a mile covered the highway to a depth of three feet, and families marooned in cabins were removed in boats. The highway was slightly undermined but not greatly damaged. Tourists' cabins at the resort were wrecked, and two cars ran into the ditch. Medford High School closed until Wednesday due to the inability of ten teachers to reach the school. Basements of the Medford Center Building, Terminal and Medford hotels, federal building and many smaller buildings flooded and were pumped out, after causing damage to stocks. Two Medford campgrounds, built along the banks of Bear Creek, are washed out with heavy property damage when the creek broke over its banks. Abridged, Ashland American, February 25, 1927, page 1 FRESHET CHANGES CREEK'S COURSE
The home of J. E. Schrecengost a short distance in the rear of the east
side of North Riverside Avenue, near Myrtle Avenue, was one of the
number of Medford residences damaged by the high water in Bear Creek
early this week. The water filled the entire house with mud, ruining
furniture, and caused the building to settle on its foundation. Two and
one-half of the three acres of ground of the Schrecengost property was
practically ruined for gardening purposes, due to deposits of gravel
left on the ground by torrential streams.As a result of the flood, the creek bed changed so as to make the main stream flow between the house and barn, making a bridge necessary for the members of the family to reach the barn. However, with the arrival of drier weather the stream will probably be changed to its original bed through the use of dikes. Medford Mail Tribune, February 25, 1927, page 7 HIGH WATER CROSSES THE HIGHWAY
AND PAYS A VISIT TO MEDFORD
Last Sunday all streams in the county were running
over their banks.
A drive up the Pacific Highway was thrilling, and many cars were out "taking in the sights." At Jackson Hot Springs everything was under water, and the creek and mounting streams broke across the pavement in many places. The camp was a lake, the cottages floating and one or two tourists' cars had to be towed out to islands and dry spots. Two houses were in the path of the creek, and it is reported that one party had to leave his home altogether to be saved. Another report from an oldtimer states that this was the first time in forty years that the creek has been so high. Our sister city of Medford got lots of flood experience. The old "market" building [the public market, 33 South Riverside] was full of water, a creek running out the front door. On Pacific, near Medford's main street, water was hub deep on the automobiles, and some cars couldn't ford the stream. Basements were full of water and high pressure pumps were brought into use. Considerable damage to basements, streets, sewers and walks is reported in Medford. The weather wasn't cold, but was wet and fine for boating or for ducks. Ashland American, February 25, 1927, page 4 Now that the sidewalk building campaign, which has taken so much of City Engineer Fred Scheffel's time, along with his many other duties as engineer and city street superintendent, is well under way, Mr. Scheffel will now take up the work of making a survey of Bear Creek and the lots along its banks. This must be done before the plans of the city administration for the flood control work can be matured and put under way, to be completed before next winter. It has been decided by the city officials that the work of cleaning out the creek bed and straightening out Bear Creek inside the city limits, and erected protecting embankments, will not be undertaken until the land owners deed the banks to the city, so as to protect the city against possible damage suits and give plenty of room to make the flood control improvements. "City Inspection for Sidewalks Now Building," Medford Mail Tribune, July 10, 1927, page 3 Judge Thomas Reminiscent
"I can remember back 20 [sic] years
or so when snow covered the ground in Southern Oregon to quite some
depth and then melted suddenly, making Bear Creek a young river," said
Judge C. M. Thomas this forenoon when talking of the possibilities of
the present weather. "The creek was so high," he said, "that the east
shore came to the oak tree on the Dr. I. D. Phipps property on East
Main Street [at the corner of Crater Lake Avenue].
Bridges were washed out, and the damage was general. It could happen
again, especially when Bear Creek must drain 96 square miles of
territory."
"Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, January 16, 1930, page 2 Charles M. Thomas came to Southern Oregon in 1912. See answering letters, below Says Judge Mistaken.
To the Editor:
I have read the local item in yesterday's issue of the Mail Tribune, entitled "Judge Thomas Reminiscent," with considerable amusement. Evidently the judge has meditated over the protracted storm, now ending with lowering clouds and melting snow, until he has become "all wet." Anyhow, his memory is certainly bad when he thinks he recalls a time when Bear Creek was so high "that the east shore came to the oak tree on the Dr. Phipps property on East Main Street." I have lived here about 36 years, much longer than Judge Thomas, and I have never seen this creek within six blocks of the Dr. Phipps property, which is located at the corner of East Main and Crater Lake Avenue. True, in the storm three years ago this coming February, when the "engineer" raised the floodgates of the Emigrant Creek dam, the water did overflow the banks in southeast Medford and followed down the lower streets on the east side, but even then it did not reach Crater Lake Avenue by several blocks. I can establish the fact that within 50 years Bear Creek has never filled its channel and reached anywhere near the point designed by Judge Thomas. H. G. SHEARER.
"Communications," Medford Mail Tribune, January 17, 1930, page B4Last Flood Worst.
To the Editor:
We noticed in last night's paper Judge Thomas' comment on the snow and Bear Creek. I have lived on the banks of Bear Creek most of my past life and owned my present home about 20 years, and I have never seen a flood worse than that of a few seasons ago. As to the water being up to my big oak, he is badly mistaken. If it should get up there we shall feel sorry for West Main Street. The flood of a few years ago was worse because of the creek channel being full of brush and rubbish, but that has been cleaned down to the Main Street bridge. We think that it is unfair for Mr. Coleman and Judge Thomas to frighten East Side people and, again, these unfavorable comments are depreciating our property values. Respectfully,
"Communications," Medford Mail Tribune, January 17, 1930, page B4I. D. PHIPPS. FLOOD DANGER TO BE FOUGHT BY
CITY, IS COUNCIL IDEA
Widening Creek Channel Is Proposed
Disastrous floods such as swept the east side of Medford in
February of this year will be prevented or at least effectually
combated by a resolution passed by the city council last night
regarding clearing out and widening the channel.
Residents of the east side, about 300 of them, signed a petition asking that this be done to remove the flood danger, and the council voted that an experimental acre be cleared to get a line on the cost and that a move be started to obtain deeds on property along the creek bed so that the slashing crews can widen as they see fit. Is Expensive
All agreed that it was merely a question
of
money--that such inundations were to be fought. The cost would run from
$5000 to $10,000.February's flood, which came at a time when the entire Northwest was being inundated, did heavy damage in Medford. Basements of large buildings over the entire city were filled with water. Cabins and houses along the banks of Bear Creek were washed downstream. Residents of the east side were forced to sleep in hotels when their homes became filled with overflow water from the creek. Roads Out
Roads, bridges and railway tracks
through the county
went out in the high water, but Medford's east side blamed their loss
on an obstructed creek bed, which allowed backwater to flood the
district.Excerpted, Medford Daily News, August 3, 1927, page 1 SPEND $10,000 TO MAKE BEAR CREEK
FLOODPROOF
If
no trouble is encountered in obtaining deeds to creek bottom property,
work will probably commence early next month to prevent Bear Creek from
repeating the expensive flood of last February by tearing out brush
from a point near Eleventh Street north to Jackson Street, according to
a decision reached last night by the city council, which also passed 15
ordinances for the construction of sewers in different parts of the
city.
The cost of the brush removal, which is a preliminary step to deepening the creek channel by a steam shovel next year, is expected to total approximately $10,000, none of which will be borne directly by the interested property owners. The procuring of deeds, so that the clearing may be put under way unhampered, is expected to consume at least a month, with an approximate cost of $2000 alone. The action was taken by the council, in view of a petition with 300 signers, all of whom are residents east of Bear Creek. Medford Mail Tribune, August 3, 1927, page 3 WORK STARTS TO CLEAR OUT BEAR
CREEK
Medford's flood danger--a blocked-up, tree-throttled
Bear Creek--will soon be reduced greatly.
Yesterday workmen with a gasoline steam shovel started work on the creek bed near Cottage Street to remove trees and bushes by the simple means of uprooting. At their last meeting the city council authorized the clearing of the creek bed in answer to a 300-name petition asking that such a move be made to protect the east side residents from a recurrence of February's floods. Later on a rock reef at Cottage Street will have to be removed by some means, probably blasting, and the work be extended all along the almost-dry creek bed in an effort to open up a clear channel for high waters to flow through. The work is under the supervision of City Manager Fred Scheffel, and the estimated cost was placed at $10,000. Medford Daily News, August 9, 1927, page 5 While the high water in Bear Creek occurred early last spring, washing out numerous bridges and approaches, giving ample time since then to effect repairs, the bridge across the creek on Biddle Lane as yet is practically in the same condition as it was after the flood had done its work. Numerous autoists have been forced to turn back when reaching the bridge, the approaches of which have not been replaced, causing loss of time and much inconvenience. "Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, August 9, 1927, page 2 To
the Editor:
I notice that you have been accepting some suggestions for editorials, as there is one subject that interests a number of su--that is, getting our bridges in repair since the floods. No, not the flood when Noah built the ark, but the one we had in the Rogue River Valley over six months ago. The bridge I'm particularly interested in is the one across Bear Creek on Biddle Road, about one and a quarter miles from the county seat and center of population, and which is used by practically all of the Agate, Table Rock and Sams Valley people, other than residents of Biddle Road. This bridge was not damaged by the flood, but the dirt fill on the east side was cut out. The county court intends to drive more piling and extend the approach instead of filling with dirt, to give more room to the creek. I might say here that there has been from six to twelve (a conservative estimate) cars a day that go to the bridge to cross (on the east side) and have to turn around and go back. Another man whose ranch is on the east side of this bridge and who lives on the west side, and myself, who have been patiently waiting, because we knew this was not the most important bridge in the county, called on one of the commissioners, and this is what we learned: That the county piledriver was in the Evans Creek district, but not working at that time; that the county had 40 to 50 bridges to repair and not many permanently fixed as yet; that the entire bridge crew, piledriver and all, consists of 12 men; that one bridge in the county went out, and private as well as county facilities were quickly used to fix it. This commissioner stated that he could not get to his ranch for two days, but he also stated that Jackson County has also one of the best piledrivers in the state, and it would not inconvenience the force but little to come down and drive the piling, and any average carpenter and crew could complete the bridge; but ten days have elapsed and no action. If action is not taken soon, fruit from Table Rock will have to take a longer route to Medford. Now, in closing, I would like to ask two questions: Why is the county court working on bridges at the extreme outskirts of the county and passing by those in the center of population? No. 2. Is it any cheaper for the public and Jackson County to pay 12 men for, say, 18 months, than it would be to pay 24 for half that time? This letter, of necessity to get the facts before you, has grown quite lengthy, but it is a subject which affects all and I hope you will study the condition and give us a good editorial on it. JOS.
E. LESTER.
"Communications," Medford Mail Tribune,
August 9, 1927, page 8Medford, Aug. 6. The flood protection situation was brought about by a petition signed by over one hundred owners of property along or near Bear Creek, asking the council to grub out brush, trees and other obstructions in the channel of Bear Creek, and otherwise deepen, widen and straighten the channel so as to carry off the flood waters during the rainy season, and assess the cost on property owners adjacent thereto, or benefited thereby. It was reported at the meeting that little headway has been made so far in getting deeds or easements from owners of property along Bear Creek, giving strips of land to the city, to enable the clearing out and straightening of the channel. This is mainly due to the city superintendent's department being so busy with other city improvement matters. It was also reported that a few property owners objected to having trees cut down on their abutting property to Bear Creek in order to clear and straighten the channel. This reported attitude on the part of the few was due to the fact that they did not understand the situation, or the importance of such removal for the much-needed improvement, and the city officials expressed the feeling that when they fully understood they would deed the needed strips of land. The majority of such strips would not be more than 20 feet of such property to each individual owner. "City Lighting Change Is Considered," Medford Mail Tribune, August 17, 1927, page 2 URGE SPEED ON FLOOD CONTROL OF
BEAR CREEK
A delegation of east side residents, consisting of John C. Mann, Fred
L. Heath, F. G. Harrison, E. C. Gaddis and Wallace Woods, attended the
special city council meeting last night and urged the city officials to
hurry the work of straightening and cleaning out Bear Creek channel,
especially from near the Cottage Street bridge to the Main Street
bridge, in order to prevent a recurrence of the flood from Bear Creek
overflow as last winter, which did so much damage to many homes and
property on the east side.Citizens' Committee to Cooperate with City Council--Consent of Property Owners Secured--East Side Residents Anxious. Petitions signed by over 100 property owners on the east side were recently presented to the city council to hasten the work of flood protection. It was explained last night that, while the city officials are anxious and willing to do anything possible along this line, they could not proceed to straighten and clean out the Bear Creek channel, especially from the Main Street bridge south to Cottage Street, without authority being given them by the owners of land on both sides of the creek bed in that section, and that so far their efforts to obtain deeds or easements from the majority of those property owners had been unsuccessful. The delegation, councilmen and City Attorney John H. Carkin and City Engineer Fred Scheffel, after a discussion of the flood protection question in all its phases and what could possibly be done for such protection before the winter rains set in, finally came to the conclusion that the objecting property owners did not really understand the situation, and that the east side residents affected might easily obtain such deeds or easements--that the objectors might give the asked-for land willingly when they understood that it was to protect the homes and property on the low-lying section of the east side, and was not for the city's own benefit. As former Mayor Gaddis, who was the leading spokesman for the delegation, said, he could not conceive how a few objectors could selfishly stand out against such an improvement, which financially meant so much to the many, including themselves. Mr. Gaddis stated that the Bear Creek flood of last winter did at least $100,000 worth of damage to the east side homes and other property. Hence Acting Mayor A. C. Hubbard, who presided in place of Mayor of O. O. Alenderfer, who evidently was not aware of the special meeting last night, appointed the five east side citizens present, Messrs. Gaddis, Harrison, Heath, Woods and Mann, as a committee of the east side petitioners to personally call on the objecting land owners and make efforts to obtain the deeds or easements which had been refused the city administration's representative recently. This committee lost no time in functioning today and by late in the forenoon had already obtained the consent of several of the largest owners of the much-needed land for creek straightening, widening, and cleaning out, to grant needed strips. The committee then returned for a further discussion with City Attorney Carkin and City Engineer Scheffel as to the legal phase and various alternatives by which, if the land strips are not given willingly, the city or general property owners might pursue to obtain the needed land. The committee members wanted this information to lay before the objecting land owners when called upon. The only possible way in which the flood preventative improvement can be done in time to prevent another flood this coming winter is by the land owners consenting to the improvement at once. Otherwise, if the majority continue to refuse after being called on by the citizens' committee to give deeds or easements, there are various methods which the city or any property owner of the city can begin suit in the courts to condemn this land, or even be compelled to clean out the creek bed where such property adjoins at their own expense. It is understood that the general run of owners of property on the east side affected by a Bear Creek flood danger are willing to pay for the asked-for flood improvement. Anyhow, the leading east side residents who suffered much damage and inconvenience by last winter's flood are determined to have flood improvements made before this winter's rains set in, if possible, and if that is not possible for this year to resort to the courts to compel it in time for next winter. Another special meeting will be held tonight, if the citizens' committee wants it, to hear the results of their efforts to obtain deeds or leases today and pass ordinances accepting such that may already be granted. As fast as such deeds or easements can be obtained they will be rushed through the city council by ordinance in order to hurry the time along when the work of flood improvement work can be begun. Medford Mail Tribune, August 31, 1927, page 6 FLOOD CONTROL OF BEAR CREEK GAINS
GROUND
The citizens' committee of the east side property owners had made so
much progress yesterday in obtaining consent of those property owners
whose land adjoins Bear Creek, to grant deeds for the small strips of
land needed to straighten, widen and deepen Bear Creek by grubbing out
trees and brush and removing other obstructions, that the city council
held a special meeting at 5:30 o'clock in the afternoon and passed an
ordinance which will start the ball rolling to improve Bear Creek so as
to prevent another disastrous flood like last winter.Ordinance Passed at Special Meeting of Council Late Yesterday--Hearing Set for September 13--Committee Makes Progress. The ordinance declares the city administration's intention to, as soon as possible, make these creek improvements between the Bear Creek bridge at Main Street and the south city limits, and for the assessment of the cost of them on all property benefiting by such improvements, which means that cost will be borne by practically the entire lower east side. The ordinance also further provides for a special meeting to be held by the city council at the city hall at 7:30 p.m., September 13, to hear any possible objections by property owners to the making of the contemplated improvements. However, in view of the fact that the majority of the east side residents are deadly in earnest in demanding this safeguard to their homes, it is thought that there will be no protests made at that time. Medford Mail Tribune, September 1, 1927, page 1 Work will be started in a few days on the Bear Creek flood control work. The contract was awarded to Swartley Bros., the lowest bidder, for $3,020. The next lowest bidder was R. I. Stuart & Son, whose bid was $3,820. "Agree to Pave 6th St.," Medford Mail Tribune, September 22, 1927, page 4 EXTEND FLOOD CONTROL WORK ON BEAR
CREEK
Flood control work on Bear Creek, which was recently completed from the
city limits to a point near Almond Street on the east side of the city,
will be continued on to the Bear Creek bridge, according to an
announcement today by City Attorney John Carkin, who stated the work
will probably be commenced next week following authorization this week
by the city street committee, which was stormed with requests from east
side residents to have the control work done.The cost will be held to a minimum and will not run much higher than $6 to $10 per lot, and the entire job will not be above $7000. The excavation and widening work will be done by the Swartley Brothers, who will use the same excavator used in digging the ditch for the new city water pipe line from Big Butte Springs to Medford. Medford Mail Tribune, October 27, 1927, page 6 Ordinance No. 2213.
An ordinance providing for the construction and repair of Bear Creek as
a sewer, drain or ditch beginning at the intersection of Bear Creek
with the south line of Barnum's Addition in the city of Medford,
Oregon, and running thence north along said creek to its intersection
with East Main Street at the Bear Creek bridge, and for the assessment
of the cost thereof on adjacent property [and] providing for a meeting
of the council to consider protests against said improvement and
providing for the serving of owners of adjacent property with notice
thereof by the Recorder.
THE CITY OF MEDFORD DOTH ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. It is the intention of the council to grub out the brush, trees and other obstructions in the channel of Bear Creek and for a convenient width on each side thereof and otherwise deeper, widen and straighten Bear Creek as a sewer, drain or ditch so as to carry off flood waters through said city beginning at the intersection of Bear Creek with the south line of Barnum's Addition in the city of Medford, Oregon, and running thence north along said creek to its intersection with East Main Street at the Bear Creek bridge and to assess the cost thereof upon the property adjacent thereto and benefited thereby. Section 2. The council will meet in the council chamber at the City Hall on the 15th day of November, 1927, at 7:30 p.m., at which time and place the owners of said adjacent property are hereby called upon to appear before said council and show cause, if any, why said sewer, drain or ditch should not be constructed and why said property should not be assessed for the construction thereof. Section 3. The City Recorder is hereby directed to serve notice hereof upon the property owners aforesaid by publishing this ordinance once in a daily newspaper printed, published and of general circulation in said city at least 10 days before the date of said meeting and by posting 5 copies of this ordinance in 5 public and conspicuous places in said city for a period of 10 days prior to said meeting. Passed by the city council and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this 1st day of November, 1927. O.
O. ALENDERFER, Mayor.
Approved by me this 1st day of November, 1927.O.
O. ALENDERFER, Mayor.
Attest: M. L. ALFORD, Recorder.Medford Mail Tribune, November 2, 1927, page 5 AUTO CAMP FENCE IS PROTESTED AS A
FLOOD MENACE
The
matter of the drainage of Bear Creek and keeping the channel open north
of the Bear Creek bridge, as was recently done by the city south of
that bridge, as a further flood protection and which has been
tentatively under consideration by the city officials for some time
past, was brought to a head last night when attorney Gus Newbury
presented a petition, signed by forty east and west side residents, to
the city council in person protesting against a fence that has been
built by the Merrick auto camp management on its property extending out
to the present channel, as a flood menace and unsightly obstruction.
Mr. Newbury, in this remarks on the matter, declared that the fence would tend to deflect the present creek channel in case of another flood like that of last February and cause an overflow on east side property adjoining the creek. The petitioners pleaded that the council cause this obstruction to be removed and take such other steps necessary to keep the channel open and unobstructed. After a formal discussion of the matter, during which it developed that the situation north of the bridge presented a number of legal tangles and some other channel obstructions, including the fact that the auto camp management was probably within its legal rights in maintaining the fence on its own property, it was thought that the matter could amicably be straightened out by a conference between Mr. Merrick and the city administration so as to enable the city to take steps which would be generally satisfactory. Unless an amicable solution can be reached, the city will probably declare Bear Creek a public drainage sewer, which would enable it to go ahead and clear, straighten and widen the channel as a public necessity in flood protection. Medford Mail Tribune, December 21, 1927, page 3 BEAR CREEK MENACE UP TO COUNCIL
Removing
obstructions from the channel of Bear Creek so that the stream won't be
a potential flood menace to residents living along the east and west
banks will claim the attention of the city government for some time to
come.
Gus Newbury was at the council meeting last night with a petition to which 40 residents had attached their signatures, and he read the document to the councilmen. The text of the petition called attention to the danger to property north of the Main Street bridge from floods and prayed for relief. Mr. Newbury was informed by the mayor and councilmen that immediate steps will be taken by the city superintendent, city attorney and others to the end that the channel be opened so that rising waters may escape and the creek made as safe as possible. Excerpt, Medford Daily News, December 21, 1927, page 2 High water in Bear Creek is blamed for damage reported to have been suffered by a large rhubarb patch in the Tolo section last Monday. The waters of the creek are reported to have coursed through an orchard, overturning a large number of smudge pots and carrying the oil over the rhubarb plants. The ground was also covered with the crude oil after the waters had receded. The patch is owned by Otto Bohnert, who operates two large greenhouses on Portland Avenue in this city. "Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, March 28, 1928, page 2 A committee was appointed to confer with the city officials and report back to the [East Side Improvement Club] at its next meeting, regarding the possibility of a new amusement building [the Childers Building] that is being built at the west end of the Bear Creek bridge on Main Street, being a flood menace, by holding back the stream during high water periods. "East Side Club To Raise Funds for Oiling Road," Medford Mail Tribune, May 24, 1928, page 5 Also, during the year, protective measures and work against Bear Creek floods were taken. This include the widening, deepening, and removal of brush from the banks of the stream, and the building of a dike representing an outlay of $8800. Besides reducing the flood damage peril, the flooding of the sewer system by backwater of the flood is eliminated. "Resume Paving City Streets," Medford Mail Tribune, December 31, 1928, page C6 DUMP
MOONSHINE IN CREEK TODAY
The flow of Bear Creek was enriched by wine and moonshine, valued at
$1000, when 126 gallons were dumped into the creek by Deputy Sheriffs
Paul and Louis Jennings at McAndrews ford in the presence of several
witnesses. The liquor, with the exception of a few gallon jugs, was
contained in kegs and 56 gallons of wine taken last week from Louis F.
Sanguinetti, south of Ashland, and 60 gallons of moonshine and 10
gallons of wine seized from L. Farnaro. Both men were en route from
northern California to Klamath Falls, according to officers, and are
now serving sentences in the county jail of two months each.Medford Mail Tribune, March 4, 1929, page 5 WILL WE PARK BEAR CREEK?
A
lady asked us that question several days ago, and we were stumped for
an answer because we hardly know whether Medford will ever wake up and
develop its natural resources instead of fencing BULL PASTURES and
calling them a part of Medford's future park and playground program.
The parking of Bear Creek is no small job, but it could be begun and carried [out] over a period of, say, FIVE YEARS, and the burden upon the taxpayers would be negligible because of the increase in the taxable property that would be benefited by the improvement. Now, in saying this we do not mean that the property adjacent to Bear Creek should pay for the cost of this park any more than all the rest of the city, but it is good common sense to assume that when you make a place of beauty out of a public nuisance such as Bear Creek now is that you most naturally enhance the value of all the property adjacent thereto, and thus you automatically increase the taxable value of the city to an extent that offsets the cost of the improvement. If Medford can, and we can because we did, afford an adequate AIRPORT, just so can Medford afford a real CITY PARK along Bear Creek, and the sooner this is done the better for Medford. Pacific Record Herald, October 17, 1929, page 1 WANT BRIDGE ON McANDREWS ROAD
Medford Mail Tribune, December 27, 1929, page 5
A petition is being circulated by W. C. Rookard, proprietor of the
Berrydale store, for the construction of a bridge over Bear Creek at
McAndrews ford, which has been in use for years. Erosion by the stream
is cutting a deep channel where the present ford is located, and it is
at times impassable.
Growth of traffic, according to the petition, which will be presented to the county court, has created a demand for a connecting link between the Pacific and Crater Lake highways between the present connections of Jackson Street and Biddle Road. Medford has acquired a garbage dump, located south of the city along Bear Creek, where the natural flow of the decadent filth must flow directly through the city. Hogs have been permitted at this garbage dump, which hogs are wading in filth up to their bellies. Rats swarmed over the dump and raided the city by the thousands, all of which situation as brought about by POLITICIANS who hoped to do something, but did not know how. "The Garbage Situation Here in Medford," Pacific Record Herald, June 12, 1930, page 1 . . . Dr. Inskeep stated that the Bear Creek situation north [i.e., west] of the city's septic tank at the Biddle Road crossing is deplorable, due to the occasional overflow from the septic tank into that stream, especially at this time of the year when the liquid sewage putrefies and uses up the oxygen, which kills the fish. In the wintertime there is no trouble of this kind, because of the constant flushing out of the creek. He then outlined a plan of using the overflow and waste from the city's water system (both old and new lines) by conveying it in a ditch to dilute the sewage and abate the nuisance in Bear Creek north [sic] of the septic tank and flushing out the creek once or twice daily. "Would Use Overflow on Sewage," Medford Mail Tribune, August 7, 1930, page 5 Sewage disposal is another serious problem for the immediate future. Our present plan is inadequate, and during the summer's low-water season the condition of Bear Creek below the plant is a menace to health. If the surplus water from the city reservoir were permitted to flow down Bear Creek below the plant the condition would be greatly relieved. The surplus water, being picked up above the sewage plant for irrigation purposes, and thus kept out of the creek channel, leaves the holes of the channel to become stagnant pools and a health menace. E. M. Wilson, "Mayor Wilson Announces Policy and Appointments in Inauguration Address," Medford Mail Tribune, January 7, 1931, page 7 A report to the council on the Cottage Street bridge announced that all footings have been poured, and that the concrete in four piers has been poured to date. The work is progressing rapidly. "City Park Site Sales Are Urged," Medford Daily News, January 21, 1931, page 2 THAT BEAR CREEK SEWER
During
the past week a number of ranchers and property owners owning property
or living adjacent to Bear Creek north of Medford have come to us
urging that we again publicly call to the attention of the city of
Medford the deplorable condition of this creek due to the unsanitary
method of sewer disposal that is permitted by said city of Medford.
While we have not made a strict survey of the conditions now existing,
yet we feel justified in the face of the information at hand to most
earnestly urge upon the new city administration the abating of this
dangerous menace to health.The water in said Bear Creek or sewer at this time is so filthy that it is a disgrace, especially so when same is permitted to go unchanged after the matter has been brought to each succeeding city administration, and it would seem that now is the time to begin to urge upon this administration the utmost importance of immediate action in abating this nuisance. The sewerage disposal of Medford has long been a source of menace to many citizens living north of Medford, and were we to have a health survey in Jackson County that was not influenced by politics, the city would find itself facing serious charges from the health department occasioned by the unsanitary conditions of this sewer disposal into Bear Creek. Excerpt, Pacific Record Herald, January 29, 1931 CLEAN UP BEAR CREEK!
If
Bear Creek CAN'T be made--as this paper has frequently advocated--a
real civic beauty spot, there is at least no excuse for allowing it to
become what is at present an eyesore and a blot upon the landscape.
We will soon be in the midst of the summer tourist season. Hundreds of visitors will stroll across Bear Creek bridge to enjoy the evening air and get a glimpse of the town. On both sides of the bridge they will see a trickling stream of sluggish water, lined by tin cans, weeds, broken boxes and the usual miscellaneous filth that accompanies a rubbish dump. Bear Creek should be dammed, made into an attractive body of water, its banks planted to trees, shrubs and flowers, with ornamental walks meandering through them. Perhaps when Medford's new sewerage disposal system is installed this can be done. But until such time, we should at least be able to prevent this natural "civic center" from being little better than a garbage heap. There is now a city playground at the Bear Creek bridge, on which is situated the Boy Scouts' headquarters. Might we suggest that the Boy Scouts, always interested in civic betterment, devote a day or two to removing the debris from both banks of the stream, and thus making that section of the city at least decently presentable? Medford Mail Tribune, May 15, 1931, page 12 BEAR CREEK FISH TASTE MOONSHINE
Every so often, Bear Creek flows rich with alcohol and liquor inspired
by the destruction of intoxicating beverages, seized by officers from
bootleggers and rum runners. Yesterday afternoon the sheriff's office
poured quite a quantity of liquor out at McAndrews ford in the creek in
the presence of witnesses.
Some of the beverage may have been good and the rest of poor quality, but it all came to the same end. The liquor had been used as evidence in cases tried in court the past several months and included all the county had, with the exception of 10 cases of whiskey seized Wednesday in Medford from two Italian rum runners. The liquor included the following: Eight quarts of wine, 83 pints of moonshine, three quarts of moonshine, three gallons of wine, 20 gallons of alcohol and 28 gallons of moonshine. Medford Mail Tribune, May 22, 1931, page 8 Clean Up Bear Creek!
To the Editor:
Permit me to refer to your recent editorial entitled Clean Up Bear Creek. Your suggestion, a timely one indeed, seems to have passed without response, at least so far as your readers are concerned, as we note no further mention of the subject. Meantime Medford's one and "only eyesore" still remains. It seems we are unmindful of the fact that more than ninety percent of all traffic to and from Crater Lake National Park must pass over Bear Creek via the Main Street bridge, and those from other communities cannot possibly avoid a view of this unsightly stream that now is in a deplorable condition. The several civic organizations located here seem not to understand that a view of this stream remains in the mind of a visitor long after all else has been forgotten. I once heard a visitor say that "Medford was the most beautiful small city they had visited, and except for that filthy creek that passes through the town there is no comparison." It seems to this writer that it is time to do something with "that filthy creek." Every other part of the city usually viewed by strangers receives one hundred percent attention, and there is no reason whatever that Bear Creek cannot be made equally beautiful at very small expense, if our business men and civic organizations pause for a sufficient time to give the matter the attention it so justly needs. Permit me at this time to suggest a committee be appointed to investigate the possibilities of this much-needed improvement and to suggest plans by which the work may be carried out along the most economical lines. Suppose the business interests of the city select one committeeman, the women's organizations a second, and these two appoint the third member. Let us not overlook the fact that women should serve on this committee, for is it not true that women are leaders in all that is beautiful? It is possible to place a dam across this stream a hundred yards or more down from the Main Street bridge, thereby creating a sufficient body of water to provide bathing and boating. Such a body of water would in no sense be a "frog pond' or "mosquito factory," nor would it ever become stagnant as there is sufficient continuous flow to keep the water clear and fresh at all times, and best of all we would never again hear about that "filthy creek." How many are there who, as citizens of a beautiful city, will lend a hand to make it still more beautiful, now? WM. E. RAFFETY.
Medford, May 21. "Communications," Medford Mail Tribune, May 22, 1931, page 12
A bond issue will probably be brought to vote soon on construction of the $215,000 [sewage] disposal plant, held to be a pressing need of this city. At present Bear Creek, into which the sewage flows, is virtually dry, and a drastic sanitary condition is arising, with the threat of lawsuits hanging over the city. "New Sewage Plant To Be Bought Here," Medford Daily News, May 23, 1931, page 1 MOONSHINE GOES TO ENLIVEN FISH ON COURT ORDER
An order was signed by the circuit court today directing the sheriff's
office to destroy ten cases of bonded liquor, ten gallons of alcohol
and 35 gallons of moonshine whiskey seized in recent raids.Jailer Ike Dunford will empty the contraband into the sluggish waters of Bear Creek this afternoon, and each container will be hit with an ax and thoroughly smashed. No especial ceremony will mark the occasion. The alcohol will be consumed by flames if it will burn. The destruction of the contraband will allow more room in the office of the county jail, which is fairly well cluttered up with kegs, cans and stills. The assortment includes good, bad, and indifferent beverages. The California moonshine, seized when Charles Morley of San Francisco was arrested ten days ago, is said to be as "slick whiskey" as local consumers ever did not get a chance to sample. The "bonded goods" in square-faced bottles had attractive labels, but otherwise was nothing to rave about. Most of the moonshine was listed as "foul and fearful." The ten gallons of alcohol was of high potency, and was hauled into Jackson County by Edward Jaccobobbi, who yesterday completed his jail term and was freed upon payment of a $350 fine. Medford Mail Tribune, June 17, 1931, page 5 LIQUOR POURED IN CREEK BY POLICE
Approximately 100 gallons of bottled liquor, valued at $1500, was
emptied into Bear Creek from the bridge near the airport at 10 o'clock
this morning by L.I. Moon, federal prohibition agent, and Tom Robinson,
city police officer. Officer Moon also destroyed 45 gallons of
moonshine this afternoon.Included in the confiscated bottles were the following brands: Old Scotch, Old Crow, Green Stripe, Black and White, Glenmore, Log Cabin and Johnny Walker. The alcoholic beverages have accumulated from numerous seizures during the past several weeks. The moonshine dumped this afternoon was taken from the M. Levi car, en route to Medford from Weed, September 5. Five of the fifty gallons are being kept for evidence when the case comes up in federal court. Medford Mail Tribune, October 2, 1931, page 16
Old Bear Creek Is "Wet" Again
The prohibition law, although intended to make the country dry, keeps
Bear Creek near Medford running merrily, and fish come for miles around
to drink it and enjoy a real swim that would put Earl Carroll's bathtub
gin to shame.For Bear Creek has received another supply of liquor dumped by county and state authorities in the lower reaches last week, and now the fishes will celebrate instead of the customers of bootleggers, who had been looking forward to a gay armistice celebration. The supply is one of the largest ever dumped here, being the season's haul, and included 110 gallons of alcohol, nine cases of Hospitality bourbon, a 26-gallon keg of moonshine, six gallons of moonshine in gallon jugs, 25 gallons of wine and a case or two of beer. The retail value of the liquor dumped totaled about $2,000. All the liquor that remains in the jail now is what is being held for evidence for future trials. Gold Hill News, November 12, 1931, page 1
MEDFORD SEWAGE DAMAGE CASE UP IN CIRCUIT COURT
The civil suit of Axel Benson and wife against the City of Medford for
$5000 alleged damages arising from an overflow of sludge on his land,
from the septic tank of the city on Bear Creek, started before a jury
in circuit court this morning. The jury was selected late yesterday
from a special panel. None of the jurors are from this city.Benson was the first witness in his own behalf, and told of the sludge ruining his crops on Bear Creek bottom land and the stench caused thereby. The septic tank empties direct into Bear Creek, which flows by the Benson property. Benson claimed the value of the land was lessened by reason of the alleged improper sewage disposal. The city will contend that the overflow, if any, was beyond the control of the city, and damage, if any, nominal. The Benson case is expected to take the better part of the day and will be followed by the suit of Homer Peyton, another property owner of the same section for the same amount for the same cause. Benson is represented by attorney Allison Moulton, and the city by attorney Frank P. Farrell. Peyton is represented by Crews and Codding. Fred Scheffel, city engineer, and members of the council will be called to testify for the city. Neighboring property owners will be called in behalf of Benson. Medford Mail Tribune, March 9, 1932, page 1
AWARD PEYTON $100 IN SEWAGE DAMAGE
The circuit court jury late Friday returned a verdict awarding Homer E.
Peyton $100 in his suit against the City of Medford for alleged damages
caused by the overflow of sludge from the city septic tank. Peyton is a
rancher with land contiguous to the septic tank. He sought $5000
damages.In the similar suit of Axel Benson, a farmer of the same area, heard earlier last week, a jury returned a verdict for $500 damages. Benson also sought $5000. Medford Mail Tribune, March 13, 1932, page 3 ASHLAND NUDISTS OF TENDER YEARS IN LAW'S CLUTCH
Ashland today provided the unusual
in misdemeanors, brought to the the attention of the state police and
the city limbs of laws.A group of four boys and four girls, all in their teens and residents of the Lithia City, were rounded up last night as alleged members of a juvenile nudist colony who have been going bathing evenings in Bear Creek and at Emigrant Dam. It is alleged that the young folks went swimming "in the raw." One of the girls, age 18, is held in the woman's ward of the county jail as a parole violator. She is alleged to have rebelled at parental discipline and to be a devotee of gay parties. Amos Horton of Ashland was arrested charged with alleged chicken stealing. Horton is alleged to have placed bait on the end of a hook and to have yanked the chickens out of his neighbor's yard with a fishing pole when they swallowed the hook. Both cases are held for further investigation. Medford Mail Tribune, June 28, 1932, page 1 ASHLAND YOUNG SWIMMING NUDE, SAYS POLICEMAN
Substantiation of the article appearing in the Mail Tribune
yesterday, stating that a group of Ashland boys and girls were holding
nude bathing parties in the waters of Emigrant Dam, was made this
morning by State Policeman Joseph Folsom.State Policeman Folsom states that mixed nude bathing parties have been going on for some time at the upper end of Emigrant Dam, nearly a mile from the Pacific Highway. Folsom says that the asserted nudists post a lookout on top of an auto, who sounds an alarm when anyone approaches. He states that Sunday evenings are the most popular date. A persistent effort has been made to stop the practice, he says. It is further set forth that the nude swimming has nothing to do with the arrest of Ashland boys and girls yesterday, alleged to have stolen a chicken and attempting to cook it on the banks of Bear Creek. The state policeman states that all concerned in this prank were conventionally garbed. An Ashland girl on parole was detained. The Ashland Tidings yesterday, with Chief of Police Claus as an authority, published an article with a subhead reading: "Alleged Nude Swimmers Said to Have Also Stolen Chicken." The article further says: "According to officers they have received numerous reports of nude swimming parties at the Emigrant Creek reservoir." Considerable local journalistic horror has been betrayed at the publicity attendant upon the discovery of juvenile nudity while swimming. Medford Mail Tribune, June 29, 1932, page 2 CREEK PROJECT GIVEN CWA OKEH
Approval
was received this morning, according to City Engineer Fred W. Scheffel,
on the amended application to CWA headquarters of the Bear Creek
project, which will include an expenditure of an approximate $18,000.
The work will include the deepening and widening of the channel, and placing hand-laid rock walls for about 1800 yards from Jackson to Tenth Street. Excerpt, Medford Mail Tribune, December 12, 1933, page 1 BEAR CREEK WALL BUILT BY CWA AS
FLOOD PROTECTION
Should
mother nature in the future pour rain onto the city of Medford with the
generosity she has shown [recently] in sections to the north and south,
the retaining wall, now under construction under the CWA along the
banks of Bear Creek, is expected to do much toward preventing the
repetition of flood conditions known here in 1927.
The fifty men at work on the project, which is one of fifty-three under way in Jackson County, are also changing the channel of the creek, which will do still more toward insuring safety here during high water levels. The rock retaining wall, which will also be an attractive addition to the city, will be constructed from Tenth to Jackson Street on both sides of the creek. The channel will be widened for considerable distance to prevent the breakover, against which constant, although minor, effort has been exerted by the city during the past six years. In addition to improving the looks and safety of the Bear Creek region, the CWA workers will level the playground adjacent to the creek on the east side, filling in the corner for a rock garden and parkway. All the improvements are being accomplished with hand labor with the exception of the trucking of rocks to the scene of the project. They are loaded and unloaded by hand, keeping the fifty men at work. Picks and shovels and shiny wheelbarrows, synonymous with other times when the United States did not have millions of unemployed, are much in evidence on the grounds, and they are all in motion. While the men are receiving the work and their pay in real money every week, the city is at the same time realizing in a gift from the government, as it were, improvements which have long been needed and for which municipal funds would have in time been spent if the CWA had not made them possible during the present. All money expended on the project is coming from Washington, D.C., and most of it is going to hand laborers. Medford Mail Tribune, January 3, 1934, page 3 The widening of the Bear Creek channel and erection of a retaining wall is more than half completed, and 90 percent of the street work approved has been done. "City CWA Work Report Honored to Councilmen," Medford Mail Tribune, February 8, 1934, page 9 The Bear Creek improvement is now 68 percent complete, and the city is now planning to build a rock wall north of the Bear Creek bridge. "Benefits to City Under CWA Listed by Supt. Scheffel," Medford Mail Tribune, March 8, 1934, page 10 "On the Bear Creek project, we hope to complete the rock wall along the west side of the creek to the north line of the Merrick campground," Mr. Scheffel stated. "3 City Projects Are Favored for CWA Completion," Medford Mail Tribune, March 22, 1934, page 1 BEAR CREEK AND ROXY PARK JOBS
FIRST APPROVED
Ninety-three
men started work in the Medford area today, under the State Emergency
Relief Administration program, following approval of the first two
projects in this district. Thirty-eight are employed on the Bear Creek
flood control project and 55 in the Roxy Ann park.
Excerpt, Medford Mail Tribune, April 25, 1934, page 1 The progress of the [S.E.R.A.] work on the Bear Creek project is complete to the north line of [the] Merrick campground. "City and County Offices Close Up Today in Jubilee," Medford Mail Tribune, June 7, 1934, page 6 Notice Sneak Thief.
If
the sneak thief, coyote, that is stealing my dry pole wood after it has
been cut and piled on the Earhart creek bottom, will make his wife
carry it over to my place at 928 So. Central, I have a buzz saw and
will cut it for her FREE, as it is no job for a woman or a lazy bum to
cut and take out dry willow, and say, Mr. Thief, if you never tried it,
just ask your wife. I bet she can tell you all about it. Hoping for a
warm winter, so your wife and I won't have to take out too much wood.
I am for honesty. N.
C. SMYTHE.
"Communication," Medford Mail Tribune, November
19, 1934, page 3Medford, Nov. 19. CONTINUING
BEAR CREEK SERA WORK
Work
on the project of
widening and straightening
Bear
Creek just north of Jackson Street in Medford is being conducted under
the SERA [State
Emergency Relief Administration] program, and is expected
to be completed in a short time.Approximately 50 men are employed there, and are banking the creek on both sides similar to the banking along the Main St. bridge. Brush and weeds are being torn out by the men, and the appearance of the stream will be greatly improved. Medford News, February 22, 1935, page 3 At the westerly end of the structure a drinking fountain has been provided where men, women and children may freely refresh themselves by drinking the pure and sparkling mountain spring water from Medford's million-dollar water system, a fit and worthy substitute for the putrid waters of Bear Creek. "Palm
Memorial Dedication Held in City Park," Medford Mail Tribune, April
19, 1935, page 1
DIRE DANGER FOR CHILDREN AT PLAY
ON DREDGE POOLS
"Before
we know it, some child is going to get drowned in that awful dredge
hole near the north city limits" was the ominous warning issued today
by Chief of Police Clatous McCredie, in regard to the habit of small
boys of swimming in the pools made by the excavation of the big power
shovel at the Medford Concrete Construction Company's rock crusher on
Bear Creek.
"In the first place, the creek is sluggish and filthy at this time of year," said the chief. "No one can foresee what diseases may be contracted there." He explained that at the point where the youngsters swim, the huge shovel has scooped away the bottom some places to a depth of only a few inches, but in others to 10 feet deep. The sluggish waters of Bear Creek are so muddy that it is impossible to see the bottom at any depth, and tiny boys, wading about, may fall into the holes at any time. Wading is not the most treacherous pastime, however. It is an accepted fact among the small fry along the creek that no swimming expedition is complete without a raft. Although Cass Wymore, foreman at the cement company plant, spends most of his spare time knocking these rafts apart, the children build them faster than he can destroy them. The danger of such rafts was pointed out by Chief McCredie, who stated that last week six small children, one of them a girl of three, were all out on one tiny raft hardly capable of supporting one grown man--and not one of the six could swim! "The vivid memory of the tragedy which took the life of little Buster Medley at that spot last year should be deterrent enough to the children and to their parents, but apparently isn't. The only way whereby another fatal accident can be averted is for the parents to exert iron restraint and forbid their children going near Bear Creek at all," McCredie said. "The best way to stop the practice is to send the children to a pool where they will be properly supervised, or for the parents to accompany the children to one of the many nearby streams where the danger is nil, either from a sanitary point of view, or from the danger of drowning," the chief advised. Medford Mail Tribune, July 18, 1935, page 3 BEAR CREEK MAY FLOW ONCE MORE
PURE, UNDEFILED
Efforts of Valley Towns to Secure Sewage Disposal Plants Gives Hopes for End of Stream Pollution
The
possibility that within the near future Bear Creek will no longer be
polluted by sewage disposed at various points along its course is
becoming apparent with the continued efforts of valley officials to
secure federal aid for the installation of sewage treatment plants.
Besides the plant at Medford, now under construction, applications have been filed with the PWA for disposal plants at Ashland, Talent and Central Point. Plants at those municipalities would mean the elimination of much contamination of the waters of Bear Creek, which has been a source of considerable vexation in the valley for many years. In investigating the possibilities of the local disposal plant, it was proved that sewage so treated is pure, and that if all sources of sewage were provided with a plant, Bear Creek would be as clean as any mountain stream. If pollution of the stream is eliminated, one of the benefits would be a great improvement in fishing conditions, as pure water would encourage increased numbers of salmon, steelhead and trout to seek the headwaters of the creek. Another benefit mentioned today by a prominent Medford man would be the possibility of constructing a dam for a swimming pool in this city. Condensed, Medford Mail Tribune, September 18, 1935, page 1 BEAR CREEK ONCE SPAWNING STREAM
At one time
Bear Creek was known as one of the finest, if not the finest, spawning
beds in the United States, due to the purity of its water, depth of
water, frequency of shallow riffles and direction in which it flowed.
With the advent of civilization, however, it has become an open sewer. Purification Planned
Now, according to officials, it may again become useful for a spawning
stream, as the water that is left in it will be purified by sewage
disposal plants.Medford has already started a disposal plant which will purify the sewage coming from Medford, and Talent and Ashland are planning to build like plants, if PWA loans can be arranged. Central Point Has Plans
Medford News, September
20, 1935, page 1
Central Point
is also talking about a new plant, according to Attorney Harry Skyrman,
city attorney for that city.
Since the only water that flows in Bear Creek during the summer months is sewage, all other water being taken for irrigation, it has become necessary, for a health measure, to purify the sewage. From Medford down to Rogue River the stench is terrible during the summer, and a type of grass entirely foreign to the clear mountain streams of Southern Oregon has grown up in the creek, giving it a swampish look that never existed before. Time was, and not so very long ago either, when Bear Creek was the best trout stream in the valley, with steelhead and salmon spawning in it by the thousands. Irrigation and sewage, however, mostly the former, have reduced Bear Creek to a mere trickle of its former self. BEAR CREEK JOB GETS UNDER WAY
WPA
flood control work on Bear Creek was under way yesterday with a crew of
60 men on the job. The project will last for eight months, the men
working 36 hours one week and 30 the next.
The work, for which WPA has allotted $23,550, will consist of deepening the creek by two feet and widening it to 100 feet at the bottom. Medford Mail Tribune, November 3, 1935, page 12 RECOVER BOY'S BODY FROM CREEK
DYNAMITE BRINGS REMAINS OF BIRK CHILD TO SURFACE First Word of Tragedy Given Police by School Children-- Had Wandered Away from Home on Main
The
body of Glenn John Birk, Jr., three-and-a-half-year-old son of
Mr.
and Mrs. Glenn John Birk of 836 East Main Street, was recovered from
Bear Creek shortly before 10 a.m. today, after searchers had dragged
the creek bed until late last night, starting again this morning. The
tot, after wandering away from his home yesterday afternoon, apparently
fell into the muddy and raging creek above the Cottage Street bridge
and was drowned.
Shortly before 4:30 yesterday afternoon school children on their way home were crossing the Cottage Street bridge and saw the body of the little boy floating downstream. They ran to the nearest telephone and notified city police, who immediately launched a search. Chief of Police McCredie, on the scene first, believed he saw the tiny head appear momentarily above the murky water and then disappear, but grappling hooks along the bottom failed to produce the body. The boy was first discovered to be missing about 4:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon. His mother immediately notified police, who were already searching the stream for the body. It was not until after Chief McCredie returned to his office that it was learned that the drowned boy was young Birk. Residents of the East Ninth Street district reported seeing the boy in that neighborhood about 4 o'clock. Hundreds Search Waters.
Hundreds of volunteer workers, donning
hip boots and
wading trousers, searched the creek bed for hours, continuing the hunt
long after dark with flashlights and powerful floods [i.e., floodlights]
furnished by the U.S. Forest Service and the city fire department.
Boats were manned and dragged the stream from the Cottage Street bridge
to the Jackson Street bridge to no avail last night. Steel mesh nets
were placed across the stream at two different places so there would be
no possibility the body would be swept downstream.Dynamite Succeeds.
At dawn this morning the search was
taken up again,
and when at 9 o'clock no trace had been found it was decided by
authorities to dynamite the first large backwater pool below the
Cottage Street bridge in an endeavor to bring the body to the surface.
A. M. Clark, powder man at the I.O.O.F. cemetery, placed a charge of
dynamite in the pool and 10 minutes later the little boy's remains were
recovered by Ted Evans, one of the many aiding in the work. The body
was not damaged by the powder charge.The father of the child, manager here of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company was in Grants Pass all day yesterday and could not be reached until late. The distracted parents, harrowed by the long wait for news, were near breakdown today. The boy is survived by his parents and one sister, Beverly Jean, and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John Birk of San Jose, Cal. The body will be forwarded tomorrow night to Oakland, where it will be buried in the family plot. Services will be held Thursday afternoon at the Oakland Undertaking Company mortuary. The body is now at the Perl Funeral Home here. Coroner John Perl, the sheriff's office, state and city police aided in the search, and today expressed their appreciation for the wholesale aid offered by the people of the community. Medford Mail Tribune, May 5, 1936, page 1 OIL
IN CREEK KILLING FISH
Purification of the waters of Bear Creek, through the building of
sewage disposal systems at Ashland and Talent, and the recent change in
CCC regulations which permit the CCC to accept as a project the
building of parks within municipalities, has made possible the start of
an extensive park program for Medford. . . .
Oil is being dumped into Griffin Creek in such quantities that it will
kill any fish life that happens to be in the creek, as well as harm
fish life in Bear Creek below the mouth of Griffin Creek, according to
farmers living along Griffin Creek.
The oil appears to be smudge oil. As there is a law against dumping oil into streams, the persons responsible are being sought and will be warned against a repetition of the illegal practice. Medford News, April 9, 1937, page 1 Would Fence Bear Creek
To
the Editor:
Would like to make a suggestion, that I believe is worthwhile, and that is for the city to cooperate with the property owners on each side of Bear Creek within the city limits and install an A-1 woven wire fence along the top bank on each side. This complete should result in a triplicate benefit: i.e., first in importance would be to keep little children away from danger of drowning in the creek waters; second, by putting in temporary cross fences every two or three blocks the adjoining owners who have milk goats or cows could get the pasture benefit and if the proper number of goats are kept within each area the city will never have any more expense of brush cutting to keep the creek channel clear, as the goats will keep the brush killed out; third, how much more attractive will the district look with all of the high weeds and willows gone. If some civic organization would take this matter in hand on behalf of the city and see that this project was completed at once, they could look back two or three years from now and have something to be proud of. I don't own any Bear Creek property but would be real glad to donate $10 toward the cost of the fencing if I knew it would be fully completed this year. Medford is already one of the most beautiful little cities on the coast, and let's keep on pulling till we don't have to take second place with any of them. Just one of your clodhopper subscribers, Medford, June 4th. Medford Mail Tribune, June 6, 1937, page 8 Conditions in the city were not so acute as they were on two previous occasions this winter, Frank Rogers, inspector, said. The Stewart Avenue drain ditch was carrying off the water reasonably well, a repetition of flood conditions in the southwest part of town thus being averted for the time being at least. Storm drains overflowed at times but caught up with the drainage as the rains let up from time to time. A sudden downpour would alter the situation, Mr. Rogers said, pointing out that the rains of the past week, while steady, have been comparatively light. Nevertheless the cellars of homes were flooded in several sections of the city, and the overcast skies held a constant threat. "Heavy Downpour Cripples Traffic," Medford Mail Tribune, February 7, 1938, page 1 VFW RALLIES TO BEAR CREEK DUTY
Medford residents smiled significantly today after near-hysteria was
created late yesterday afternoon by a call for Veterans of Foreign Wars
emergency squads to cope with what was called an immediate flood
hazard. No one seemed to know precisely where the emergency existed.
Veterans of Foreign Wars were summoned to the armory at 7 p.m. by W. H. Hamann, member of the organization. About 20 members and other veterans assembled, sat around until midnight and then departed when no calls for help were received, it was stated by Joseph Todd, VFW commander. Mr. Hamann, however, stated that about 60 veterans and others responded and patrolled Bear Creek, along whose banks Mr. Hamann thought an emergency existed. Records of the county watermaster's office, however, showed that there was no danger of the creek overflowing its banks. Peak flow yesterday was at the rate of 2200 second-feet as compared with more than 10,000 in 1927, the flood year, records showed. The creek, since cleaned, deepened and walled, can now carry off twice the volume of water that brought flood conditions in 1927, the watermaster's office said. Medford Mail Tribune, February 8, 1938, page 1 BEAR
CREEK PARK POSSIBLE
Excerpt, Medford News, April 8, 1938, page 1  Bear Creek floods the Talent area, February 28, 1940 ASHLAND REGION HARDEST HIT BY
FLOODING CREEK
Serious
flood damage here was averted today when Bear Creek dropped rapidly
after an anxious night. Ashland, however, while also out of danger
today, counted its damage in the thousands of dollars.
A respite from rain last night and lower temperatures which ended the melting of mountain snows combined to give streams a chance to carry off yesterday's flood waters. Bear Creek at the East Main Street bridge was down three feet this morning from yesterday's peak, and the city was out of danger at least for the time being, reported Fred W. Scheffel, city superintendent. The creek was still dropping. A barricade of sandbags was thrown atop the Bear Creek retaining wall behind Merrick's auto court by 100 CCC enrollees from Camp Prescott yesterday but the stream did not reach the top of the wall. It came within six inches of the top of the seven-foot wall, Mr. Scheffel said. No damage was done at the auto court. The row of cabins on the riverbank had been anchored with a steel cable. V. D. Hawley of the Hawley Wood Company reported today that his loss consisted only of 10 to 15 tiers of fireplace wood. The wood, which has been stacked on an island in Bear Creek, was washed away when the island was inundated. Rogue River was down two feet at Gold Ray Dam this morning and was continuing to drop, the California-Oregon Power Company said. Bear Creek peak was reached just before noon yesterday when the rate of flow at the East Main Street bridge was 6,700 cubic feet per second, Clinton A. Smith, county watermaster, said. In the February 20, 1927 flood the rate of flow was 10,200 foot-seconds, records showed. Ashland surveyed its damage thus: City watershed--$1500 to $2,000 for roads and bridges washed out. Repair work to start in dry areas tomorrow. Mountain Avenue bridge replacement--$1000; repairs to other bridges, $100. Lithia Park--about $700, possibly more, for repairing Ashland Creek retaining walls, restoring washed-out roasting pit in Root addition in upper park and fixing up holes and humps in the earth. Jackson Hot Springs--damage unestimated. Receding water left foot of mud in several of the newest cabins. Chateau damage unestimated, three feet of water having covered floor. E. T. Zetka fox farm--damage unestimated. House washed away, some valuable furnishings ruined. Foxes moved to Eagle Point, but loss of some adults and expected litters anticipated. Newborn calf reported doing well. Precipitation here during the night was .14 of an inch. Forecast was for partly cloudy weather tonight and tomorrow, not much change in temperature. Medford Mail Tribune, February 29, 1940, page 10 How C.C.C. Saved Medford
We
wish everyone in Medford--or in Jackson County, for that matter--would
go up and down Bear Creek before the flood waters subside and see what
the C.C.C. and other federal relief work on that stream has done for
this community.
The exact figures will have to be left to the engineering experts. But there is no doubt of this: That the investment that federal relief work represents has paid at least a 100% dividend every 24 hours during the past few days. And that's in good cold, hard cash! Cash that, had the work NOT been done, would have had to have been paid out for the flood damage done, thousands and thousands of dollars! And that investment, thanks to the C.C.C., and other federal relief workers, didn't cost this community a dime; the government did it all; the city of Medford, practically speaking, only contributed engineering supervision. SO--If there are any people hereabouts (or elsewhere) who question the value of the C.C.C. to this community, in dollars and cents, and the desirability from the standpoint of the public welfare--even the necessity--of retaining the C.C.C. as it is now constituted and administered here in Southern Oregon, let them go down to Bear Creek now and see the "flood that passed us by"! This single instance justifies every dollar spent to maintain the C.C.C. in this community. Add to that the benefits from increased fire protection to our timber, improved roads and trails, attractive parks like Prescott, atop Roxy Anne, etc., etc., and one need not be surprised that Medford and Jackson County are 100% behind the C.C.C. today, and will fight to the last ditch any suggestion that the present setup, IN ITS ESSENTIALS, be changed! Medford Mail Tribune, February 29, 1940, page 6  Bear
Creek, October 1942
STORM CAUSES FLOOD DAMAGE ABOUT
COUNTY
For
once the people of Central Point are all of one mind and opinion and
are talking about the same subject, the high water. Early this morning
the water was over the railroad track at Kyle's [Restaurant], and a
track walker went ahead of the train, we are told.
Children cannot get to the school house without riding or wearing rubber boots. Even as bad as the reports are, oldtimers according to their stories, have seen it worse. Vintie Beall reports that there was more water on the ground in [the flood of] 1890. O. T. Wilson came into Central Point down Beall Lane and crossed the railroad track in a rowboat. Water is running into some Medford stores, it is reported. Many telephone wires are down and lines out. The water is running into the Southern Oregon Sugar Pine Co. office and through the yards. They went into the office in a rowboat. Abridged, Central Point American, January 21, 1943, page 1 Medford Area Flood Is Worst in 16
Years
The
worst flood in 16 years struck Medford and the floor of the valley
early this morning, inundating parts of South Central Avenue and South
Riverside Avenue, seeping into the basements and ground floors of
business concerns and causing miniature lakes in many parts of the city
as drains clogged up at street intersections.
While Bear Creek, swollen by a torrential rain and by melting snow in the Ashland vicinity, stayed within its banks in Medford, water racing down the Stewart Avenue canal overflowed near the SOS Packing Company, ran north down the railroad tracks and spilled onto Central and Riverside avenues. From 13th Street to Boyd Central Avenue was under water, as was most of Riverside from 12th Street to Stewart Avenue. Along Central the water was almost up to porches of houses, and the Montgomery Ward basement was flooded. On Riverside, Skinner's Garage, Firestone and Western Auto Supply were flooded, as was Faber's Farmers Supply Company on South Bartlett Street. City Superintendent Frank Rogers said that Bear Creek rose about four feet between 4 a.m. and 9 a.m. today, following a rainfall around 1 a.m. of cloudburst proportions, but that it started to receded at 10 a.m. and was still going down. Main Street, following the severe downpour, was covered with water, but it slowly drained away and later today was free Outside of Medford, however, Bear Creek went on a rampage. North of the city it overflowed its banks, ripped out the Midway Road bridge near the Crater Meat Company, forced the closing of the Biddle Road Bridge for safety's sake and endangered the Table Rock Road bridge near the Medford Meat Company. Fields along the creek were flooded, and the high water was washing out trees, which were ramming against supports of the Table Rock Road bridge. Bear Creek was overflowing its banks near Jackson Hot Springs and the Chateau, although doing little damage. Excerpt, Medford Mail Tribune, January 21, 1943, page 1 Cottage Street Bridge Near
Collapse
SWIRLING WATERS WEAKEN SUPPORT ON NORTHERN END Skinner Garage on Bank of Creek Suffers Damage--County Damage $40,000.
The
$25,000 concrete bridge spanning Bear Creek on Cottage Street was
dangerously near collapse today as the swollen stream, though receding
rapidly from yesterday's high mark, swirled around the support of the
first arch at the north end, eating away the earth and causing the
structure to sag as the support settled.
The bridge, constructed in 1931, was closed to traffic, and city employees said they expected one section to slip off its shelf and plunge into the water. The creek has changed its channel to roar around the support and wash away a part of the foundation. Skinner's Garage, 143 South Riverside Avenue, was the only local business firm to report damage due to the turbulent Bear Creek. The stream washed away the bank in the rear of the building and caused a section of the structure's wall to collapse. At its highest point yesterday the creek was only feet from the rear of the Riverside Apartments, adjacent to Skinner's. Damage was widespread throughout the county, with four bridges washed out, numerous others in bad condition and many roads injured. Paul B. Rynning, county engineer, estimated damage to bridges, roads, culverts, etc., at between $35,000 and $40,000 and said that repairs would of necessity be made at a slow pace because of the difficulty in obtaining materials and labor. Bridges swept away were the road bridge over Bear Creek near the Crater Meat Company, one over Wagner Creek at Talent, the Kane Creek bridge on the Old Stage Road and a portion of the bridge spanning Bear Creek on Barnett Road near the county shops. One piling was washed away under the Table Rock Road bridge, and traffic confined to a single lane. The Biddle Road bridge was still closed, as was a bridge over Bear Creek just south of Talent where the approaches were washed away. The U.S. Weather Bureau reported that exactly four inches of rain fell Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The highest precipitation for any 24-hour period of the three days was Wednesday, with 2.20 inches. Excerpt, Medford Mail Tribune, January 22, 1943, page 1 The Cottage Street bridge was later repositioned with hydraulic jacks and restored to service. BEAR CREEK FLOW BACK TO NORMAL;
ROADS SLIPPERY
Bear Creek was rapidly returning to a normal flow yesterday, despite a
storm continuance that deposited considerable snow in the hills and on
the floor of the valley, and no further rise was expected unless a
heavy rainfall occurred to speed melting of the white blanket.
At height of the Bear Creek flood early Thursday morning the garage and automobile of Mr. and Mrs. Howard F. Lind were washed away. With Mr. Lind's parents, Mr.and Mrs. Ernest Lind, they live in a seven-room house on Morrow Road just north of McAndrews Road on the east side of the creek. They reported that the water also undermined part of the house, washed away the chicken house, about 25 trees and shrubs and 75 feet of ground. They were forced to evacuate the house at 7 a.m. Thursday, and hope to be able to return now that Bear Creek is going down. Excerpt, Medford Mail Tribune, January 24, 1943, page 10 COTTAGE BRIDGE WILL BE SAVED,
ROGERS' BELIEF
The $25,000
concrete Cottage Street bridge over Bear Creek, one support of which
settled about a foot when the stream changed its channel during last
week's flood, will not collapse and can definitely be repaired when the
creek, rapidly receding returns to normal.
City employees and equipment are diverting the creek from the east end of the bridge back to its regular channel and are reinforcing weak spots along the bank, the city superintendent said. Excerpt, Medford Mail Tribune, January 25, 1943, page 3 When the [bean] plants showed signs of sending out runners we went down to Bear Creek below the railroad bridge and cut a whole carload of willow poles about the size of your thumb and six feet long, as well as some longer ones. A. E. Powell, "Musings," Central Point American, April 29, 1943, page 1 [During today's Memorial Day parade,] at the Bear Creek bridge the Rev. Herald G. Gardner of St. Mark's Episcopal Church pronounced the invocation, after which veterans strewed flowers on the water in memory of those who have given their lives for their country on oceans, lakes and rivers. "Memorial Parade Lent Color by Unit from 91st," Medford Mail Tribune, May 31, 1943, page 1 It has been suggested that a dam be built above Ashland to control flood waters on the main creek. That is all right, but doesn't go far enough, as we see the picture. Last winter the writer drove all over the valley during and after the big flood, and the trouble as we saw it was that there was just more water coming down the various creeks than the choked-up channels could carry, with the result that the water overflowed the banks in thousands of places and flooded the fields everywhere. The greatest need, it seemed to us, was to clean out the main creek channels from one end to the other. It is our belief that if this is done, the ordinary flood waters will be carried off by the natural channels and little or no damage done. Arthur E. Powell, "Musings," Central Point American, October 21, 1943, page 1 Our Sewage Improvement
Medford
voters should, in the light of common decency, support part of the city
improvement program which will be voted upon at a special election to
be held June 12. The rest of the program could better be held up for
"post-war" building.
This newspaper has consistently insisted that proper care of municipal sewage is necessary if a municipality is to call itself a civilized one. When Medford dumps untreated sewage into Bear Creek, allowing that sewage to pollute the waters of Bear Creek and of Rogue River for the entire length of the valley, Medford does not live up to the standard of a decent and civilized municipality. And that is what Medford is doing now. Therefore, we feel that support of the proposals to improve the Medford sewage disposal plant, and improve the sanitary sewer system for the east side of the city, are mandatory. We cannot imagine anyone voting against them, except persons who have absolutely no sense of decency. Medford News, June 1, 1945, page 4 At present the west side trunk line is greatly overloaded, especially in certain seasons, it is stated, making it necessary at times to bypass the sewage directly into Bear Creek under the Jackson Street bridge. During heavy rains and flood periods, many residences in certain areas have sewage backed up into drainpipes, and "spouting" sewers are a common sight on the streets. Construction of the sanitary trunk line would relieve this overload on the west side. An overload of about 100 percent is now being forced through the sewage disposal plant, according to the city superintendent. As a result, at certain times it is necessary to dump raw sewage into the river and at no time is the sewage processed the proper length of time, he states. Built for a capacity load of 1,200,000 gallons of sewage daily, the plant is now forced to carry from 2,000,000 to 2,500,000 a day, and when the figure rises above this, the sewage is simply bypassed into the river. "Construction of Sewer Disposal Plant on Ballot," Medford Mail Tribune, June 5, 1945, page 1 When the sewer system in this city was first put in the lower end of the big pipe emptied at the edge of an immense gravel bar beside Bear Creek, and little or no sewage ever reached the creek. But successive floods have carried away that gravel bar, and at present the pipe empties directly into the creek. It has been known by all city officials for several years that SOME DAY this condition would have to cease. And not long ago the state sanitary authorities lost patience and threatened suit to compel the city to build a modern disposal plant. So the city council got busy and got a revised estimate of the cost of such a plant and started proceedings to call an election to authorize the issuance of the necessary bonds. According to the estimate the plant should cost in the neighborhood of $70,000, so that was the amount of bonds asked for. There was absolutely no interest shown by the voters of the city, as only 88 votes were cast at the election Saturday--85 for and 3 against. But that was enough to carry the bond issue. Arthur E. Powell, "Musings," Central Point American, August 8, 1946, page 1 Bear Creek Carp Giving Up Ghost;
Water Poisons 'Em
Bear Creek,
whose scum-covered waters bisect Medford, is apparently too rank even
for a carp. Hundreds of the hog-like members of the finny tribe have
been sighted since Monday morning giving up the ghost to float
downstream belly up.
Carp, like suckers and pigs, delight in the most noxious and malignant-looking wallows. Such spots are plentiful in Bear Creek as it passes through the city, wending its sluggish way among the weeds, old auto tires, discarded fenders, tin cans and broken beer bottles. It is suspected that something extra has been added recently to the noxious flow, however, perhaps some discarded poisonous chemical, for the repulsive but hardy carp couldn't take it. Medford Mail Tribune, September 16, 1947, page 1 FISH CLEANUP IN BEAR CREEK GETS
UNDER WAY
A
speedy cleanup of the dead carp and other fish floating by the hundreds
in Bear Creek this week is being effected by city officials who
yesterday had a crew of men at work removing the bodies, it was
reported this morning by Dr. A. Erin Merkel, Jackson County health
officer. In the meantime, city and health officials are trying to
determine who dumped what in the stream to cause the death of the fish.
Dr. Merkel stated that from two to four men worked all day yesterday cleaning the stream and that two men are working today. The carcasses are being gathered at a designated point on the stream and dumped into trucks for disposal. In addition, a bulldozer was used at one point near the Cottage Street bridge to deepen the channel and increase the flow of water, the health officer reported. Dr. Merkel stated that various reports had been received as to what had poisoned the fish, one being that someone had dumped three barrels of lead arsenate fruit spray into the creek waters. All angles were being investigated, he said. Medford Mail Tribune, September 19, 1947, page 1 Once again Jackson County is suffering from overflowing creeks and rivers. Bear Creek was a raging torrent, and much damage was done along its course. The rain was general all over the state, and Southern Oregon was not alone in feeling its effects. The Pacific Highway was closed in several places by flood waters. It was a jim dandy while it lasted. To start at the upper end of the valley, Ashland suffered the most damage from the flood. Ashland Creek rose to a point which covered much of Lithia Park, and several business buildings were undermined. The Emigrant Dam above Ashland was filled to the brim and the water spilled over the top. The highway bridge near Jackson Hot Springs was partly undermined and settled out of line. None of the county bridges along Bear Creek were damaged, although the bridge on the Kirtland Road was closed temporarily on account of deep water over the road on both ends. Probably the worst damage along Bear Creek was to the new bridge east of [Central Point]. There the contractor had just finished putting in the concrete piers and also the posts and stringers to support the concrete forms. All of these posts, caps and stringers were washed away. It looked for a time that they might hold, but when the Lininger bridge above gave way it lodged against the center span in such a way as to destroy the whole structure. Only the first section on the west end of the bridge, which was practically complete, was undamaged. Arthur E. Powell, "Musings," Central Point American, January 8, 1948, page 1 Small boys know so very much. They know the big turtles sunning themselves on a log in Bear Creek's shallow waters are NOT the ones from which to make soup. They know that on a sandbar in the same stream, you can find bait for fishing. They know that now is the time the carp, useful as scavengers but not for food, appear in the creek. These things they know, and so much more. "Sallying Forth," by Sallie Butler, Medford News, July 28, 1950, page 5 Three major changes were noted by officials on the project between Medford and Ashland, where the highway is primarily a widening project from the present two lanes to four on the old highway road base. One major change is the separation of traffic on a one-way basis at both entrances to Phoenix. All southbound traffic will be routed in two lanes through the city on the old highway, while the northbound traffic will travel a new two-lane road being built to the east of the city. The other change, on the east side of the old Bear Creek channel, has necessitated a channel change for the creek, with the new highway blocking the old channel in two places. Excavation of an entirely new channel for the creek is being currently carried out 300 feet to the east of the old one. The new channel will be 50 feet wide and about 1,800 feet long. Culverts have been placed under the new highway crossings of the old channel to take care of drainage collected by the old channel. Another Bear Creek channel will be necessary in the project, officials reported, and will occur between two bridges on the county farm-Ashland portion, near Jackson Hot Springs. The creek will be rerouted so that it stays on the northeast side of the highway, running parallel to the highway for 2,200 feet, from the bridge near the hot springs to the next bridge toward Talent, where the old Chateau formerly stood. . . . In another phase of the construction, rock is now being crushed for the first unit of the paving project by the J. C. Compton firm, McMinnville, on a gravel bar behind the Starlite Drive-In Theater on Bear Creek. "Two Big Highway Projects," Medford Mail Tribune, December 7, 1952, page C1 221 Feet of Sewer Line Damaged by
Flood
Bear
Creek changed its course and washed out 221 feet of the Central Point
sewer line on the east side of [the] creek, Arden Pinkham reported
today. The line washed out was part of the newly constructed system,
finished about three years ago, which connected with the Medford/Camp
White system.
Sewage is now being dumped into Bear Creek until repairs can be made, Mr. Pinkham stated. Central Point American, January 22, 1953, page 1 Park Viaduct Opposed
To
the Editor: Members of the Medford Garden Club feel the proposal to
build an elevated freeway for Highway 99 along the east side of Bear
Creek over and through Hawthorne Park is very alarming to all people
who have worked for the park and who love and enjoy its beauty and
restful facilities.The park is located along the east side of Bear Creek, which gives it a natural setting. Bear Creek will be cleaned up and improved someday, which would enable it to be utilized to its full capacity. Unquestionably, the locating of a freeway along the east side of Bear Creek will to a large extent destroy this natural setting. Mrs.
LeRoy Cline, Pres.
Excerpt, Medford Mail Tribune, March
27, 1955, page 4Mrs. C. L. Nordquist, Sec'y., Medford Garden Club The Freeway
Proposals
We
have heard a lot of discussion about the route which the proposed new
freeway through or around Medford should take. Most of the discussion
has been a bit previous, because the State Highway Commission is now
surveying one route, and probably will survey another before a decision
is made.The two routes which have been proposed thus far are (1) an elevated highway down the east bank of Bear Creek, and (2) a bypass route to the east of the city. Not long ago E. M. Tucker proposed a variant of Plan 1, which made sense to a lot of people. This would have put the highway down the bed of Bear Creek, with the creek itself confined to a concrete channel under the highway. This, he suggests, would eliminate some of the criticism of the route from those who are afraid (with some justification, it must be pointed out) that an elevated route there would destroy much of the attractiveness and utility of Hawthorne Park. Perhaps his suggestion should get a more thorough going-over by engineers to determine its feasibility. --Eric
Allen
Excerpt, Medford Mail Tribune, April
18, 1955, page 4Bear Creek Danger Warning Is
Issued
Medford
parents were warned by county health officials to keep children from
wading and playing along banks of Bear Creek in and near the city.
Dr. A. Erin Merkel, Jackson County health officer, said he has received complaints from residents and city officials that children have been wading in Bear Creek. He said danger of children cutting themselves on broken glass and cans in the creek is high, and infection would follow quickly. Water in Bear Creek is stagnant, he said, because there is not enough flow to keep it clear. Spraying has been done by county equipment to control mosquitoes along Bear Creek, he said. Dr. Merkel reminded parents that children up to 10 years old may use a free wading pool at Hawthorne Park. Medford Mail Tribune, July 11, 1955, page 1  Mail Tribune, December 22, 1955 State police late this morning closed the Bear Creek bridge at Highway 62 near the Big Y because [the] underpinning was considered unsafe. Police were checking other bridges along Bear Creek for unsafe conditions. The irrigation flume across Bear Creek, part of the system of the Rogue River Valley Irrigation District, was washed out, according to District Manager Harold Sexton. The flume crossed the creek at McAndrews Rd., and its value was estimated at $15,000 to $20,000. High waters this morning washed out the right abutment of the district's diversion dam across Bear Creek, Sexton said. Excerpt, "Swollen Streams Menace Area," Medford Mail Tribune, December 22, 1955, page 1  Barnett
Road, Medford Mail
Tribune, December 25, 1955
 Rogue River Times, December 30, 1955 Medford Youth Dies When Creek
Ledge Caves in Saturday
David Dunn, Others Playing Along Stream
David Dunn, 14-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Dunn, 2444 Biddle Rd.,
was killed about 3:25 p.m. Saturday, when a ledge gave way and a rock
apparently rolled over him while he was playing in a gravel pit at the
edge of Bear Creek on Midway Rd.
Bear Creek Bank Project CompletedJackson County Coroner Carlos Morris reported that David was digging a tunnel in the area with two other youngsters, Gary Beach, 13, of 1245 Corona Ave., and Donald Cranston, 14, of 1210 Covina Ave. Washed in Flood Water from Bear Creek during the recent flood had washed sand and gravel from the pit, making an eddy and overhanging ledge. The bluff was about 10 to 14 feet high, and the ledge about four feet thick, Morris said. When the ledge gave way, the area was showered with mud and large rocks. Gary and Donald were thrown into Bear Creek. Morris said he believed David died almost instantly. One of the boys ran for help, and the sheriff and state police were notified. Conger Morris is in charge of funeral arrangements. Medford Mail Tribune, April 1, 1956, page 1
Embankment work on the west bank of Bear Creek in the north Medford
area, where the interceptor sewer was washed out in last December's
flood, was completed last week by F. L. Somers, Medford contractor, it
was announced today.
Heavy Weekend Rains Cause
Flooding in County;Somers was awarded the contract on a bid of $19,253 by the Army Corps of Engineers, Portland. The project included 5,620 cubic yards of excavation, 500 yards of embankment from gravel borrow and 4,020 cubic yards of dumped stone revetment. Gravel layers six inches thick were applied to the bank and a layer of stone from 1½ feet to three feet thick topped the gravel. Work on the project was started Aug. 29. Medford Mail Tribune, November 19, 1956, page 1 Creek Pollution To Be Discussed
at Izaak Meeting
Panel To Be Made Up of Five Officials
Pollution
abatement of Bear Creek will be discussed by a panel of five officials
at a meeting of the Izaak Walton League's Jackson County chapter at
8:30 p.m., Monday, May 11, at the Girls Community Club.
Col. Paul H. Weiland, chairman of the pollution committee of the local chapter, said the purpose of the panel discussion of the problem is to inform "members and the public of the potential of Bear Creek and its pollution problems and the possibilities of securing corrective action." Weiland said the committee hopes that "owners or managers or representatives of the slaughter houses now using Bear Creek to dispose of their wastes will be present to state their problems." He also said that city officials of Medford and Ashland and the Jackson County court are invited. Following introductory remarks by Denman, Rivers will cover the importance of Bear Creek, [Cole] Rivers will cover the importance of Bear Creek to steelhead fishery and pollution law enforcement. Root will discuss the possibilities of improving flows of Bear Creek; Dr. [A. Erin] Merkel will review pollution of the creek and law enforcement problems, and [T. M.] Gerow will discuss pollution laws and enforcement. Excerpt, Medford Mail Tribune, May 7, 1959, page 1 Creek's Hazard Is Noted by Dr.
Merkel
Dr. A. Erin Merkel, Jackson County public health
officer, stated this morning that Bear Creek is a definite health
hazard.
"Anything I said which has been interpreted as meaning that Bear Creek is not a health hazard far from states the true facts," the public health office said. "It is true that we are warning people to stay out of the creek and warning against any wading in it." Dr. Merkel was referring to a statement made Wednesday by Russell DeForest, Medford attorney, president of the Oregon Sportsmen of Jackson County. DeForest appeared with representatives of other sportsmen's organizations and community representatives who met with the county court to discuss the county's role in supporting Bear Creek pollution abatement. Quotes Dr. Merkel DeForest quoted Dr. Merkel as saying that "Bear Creek is not a health hazard because the people have been instructed not to go near it." Dr. Merkel said today that the stream pollution "would have to be tremendously alleviated" before it could be used for recreation purposes. It will not be safe until water is added to boost the stream flow, Dr. Merkel explained. Meanwhile the Jackson County health department will do all under its jurisdiction to help correct the pollution of the stream, he said. "People quite often fail to recognize the tremendous amount of work already done to help alleviate the pollution factor in Bear Creek," Dr. Merkel said. Creation of Bear Creek Sanitary District about two years ago and routing Phoenix-Central Point sewage into that sewage system helped considerably, the public health officer said. Before Medford connected to the Camp White sewage disposal system, it passed half of its sewage into Bear Creek after a rough screening process. Medford Mail Tribune, May 29, 1959, page 1 Huge
machines tear great chunks of earth from the ground--others pull it
from one place to another--still others smash it flat.
Some machines rip tangled masses of dirty black underbrush from the soil and toss it effortlessly on large piles. A man in a steel helmet puts a match to them and columns of grey smoke rise over the city. The scene is looking north from the Jackson St. bridge at any time during the past month. For it is here that 50 men and as many great machines are tearing a long barren scar through the heart of the city. But, even with the scar an oldtimer looking north will have to admit that Bear Creek looks better now than it has for a long time past. The right of way will generally follow the course taken by Bear Creek through the valley. O. D. Rawlins, right of way agent for the state highway department, feels the freeway will help considerably in the general beautification of the Bear Creek area. Tons of brush and a "terrific lot" of other unsightly area will be removed or covered up during construction, he said. Also much of the creek bed is being straightened to eliminate erosion and channel movement. Greg Nokes, "Men, Machines Tear Path Along Bear Creek," Medford Mail Tribune, February 12, 1961, page 6  March 2, 1962 Medford Mail Tribune The Medford city council last night approved a plan to provide off-street parking under the freeway viaduct but postponed until its next meeting a decision on where the money will come from to pay for the project. Tentative cost estimates for the project range from $35,000 to $37,000. That amount would provide for installing about 130 parking spaces under the viaduct, riprapping the bank of Bear Creek adjacent to Hawthorne Park and realigning a section of the stream channel. "City Council Votes in Favor of Plan of Viaduct Parking," Medford Mail Tribune, April 20, 1962, page 1 Question of Creek Bank
Restoration Settled by Council
What
is to be done with the Bear Creek bank adjacent to Hawthorne Park,
which has been hanging fire for several months now, was settled at last
night's meeting of the Medford city council.
On a motion of councilman R. L. Van Sickle, the council voted to inform the freeway contractor that the city "has no objection" to his proposals to restore the creek bank under the freeway viaduct which borders on the park. The contractor had proposed to restore the area to the level of the park out to the east columns of the viaduct, and then to slope the bank down to the edge of the creek. This work, which will be done at no expense to the city, will effect a slight straightening of the creek bank in that area. Will Provide Space The stored bank will provide space under the viaduct which could be utilized for between 35 and 70 parking spaces if the city so desired at some future date. Present plans, however, call only for the area to be planted with grass, work which will be performed by the city park and recreation department. Funds have already been budgeted for the project. An amendment by councilman Donald Hansen, which would have provided for straightening the creek channel, restoring the stream banks and riprapping them, at an estimated cost to the city of between $17,000 and $18,000, was defeated. The vote on the Van Sickle motion was unanimous. Medford Mail Tribune, June 8, 1962, page 1 Groups Agree That Something Be
Done Along Bear Creek
A
joint meeting of the Jackson County Parks and Recreation Commission and
the Izaak Walton League last night on improvement of Bear Creek for
recreation came to no definite conclusions other than [that] something
must be done soon.
"The first Bear Creek study was made in 1934," Commission Chairman Laurance Espey remarked. "Think what we would have now if that had been carried through." Espey explained the commission's function as an advisory group to the county court. He said he was disappointed in the small attendance in the Jackson County Extension Service auditorium. About 30 people attended. George Brenner, of the bureau of municipal research working on the federal 701 project here, said federal help on a parks and recreation study of the Bear Creek Valley is available. However, the current phase of the 701 planning study is mainly an economic one, and the recreation study would come under another phase and contract, Brenner said. The Bear Creek urban region included in the study includes the area extending generally from Emigrant Lake north to Rogue River. Area population is approximately 64,000 people, or about 80 percent of the total county population. The joint planning program will cover mapping, existing land use study, subdivision and zoning ordinance patterns, economic base study, population estimates and projections, industrial land needs, and a preliminary land use plan. Express Opinions People expressing their opinions last night generally agreed that (1) a flow of 25 cubic feet per second is needed, (2) a small stream can be a clean stream, (3) gravel removal operations and dumping of wastes into Bear Creek should be rigidly controlled under existing state law, (4) planning would provide direction for volunteer work, and (5) much, if not all, of the work can be done by volunteer labor. Medford Parks and Recreation Director Robert L. Haworth said plans for Bear Creek beautification within the city limits will be presented by a consultant firm to the city council in about two weeks. Phoenix residents have been actively interested in Bear Creek, but unfortunately have had no plan to follow, Espey said. Clem Ault, of the Soil Conservation Service, said his agency's application for a small watershed program to aid Bear Creek is "still alive." Public demand could make it a reality, he said. Col. Paul H. Weiland, Izaak Walton League, said land ownership along Bear Creek must be established so the owners can be contacted for improvements of their properties. Medford Mail Tribune, March 12, 1963, page 1 Hopes for Bear Creek
It
is gratifying to see that at long last something is being done to see
if Bear Creek, our stagnant, valley-long community open sewer, can be
cleaned up.
For years it has been a case of everyone talking about it but no one doing anything about it. Now, with the Rogue Basin Project in the offing, it finally appears that a solution is in sight. The addition of a few cubic feet per second to summertime flow would do worlds of good in making the creek the attractive waterway which it should and could be. There are many uses for water. We drink it, bathe in it, do dishes and laundry in it, use it for livestock and irrigation and power, for fishing and recreation. Each of these uses is a legitimate one. It can also legitimately be used for the double purpose of increasing the enjoyment of a stream, and eliminating the twin problems of pollution and health danger, both now inherent to the situation along Bear Creek. If, for a relatively minor cost, we can change summertime Bear Creek from a stinking, scummy sewer, a menace to health and an offense to the eye, into a stream large enough to carry away the dirt and the filth, to regain its beauty, and perhaps even to carry fish again, this then will be money well spent. E.A. Eric Allen, Medford Mail Tribune, September 13, 1963, page 4 Pollution of Bear Creek Discussed
at Association Meeting
Clearing
up the pollution of Bear Creek, goal of various agencies, claimed the
attention of representatives of federal, state, county and city
governments last night at the meeting of the Rogue Basin Flood Control
and Water Resources Association at the Rogue Riviera.
The need for additional stream flow: The plan is to obtain this through the Rogue Basin Project. The benefits will require the cooperation of all agencies. The program involves the building of irrigation canals and an exchange of water between existing water users. The big problem, it was emphasized, is justifying water usage without adding costs to the present users. As one observer commented, "Bear Creek is a very important stream. It grows more important as a solution of its problems is sought." Presides at Meeting
Henry
Stewart of the Corps of Engineers presided at the meeting.John Mangrum of the Bureau of Reclamation presented the problems of diverting water from the proposed Rogue Basin Project into the flow of Bear Creek and its tributaries. Jim Britton of the Public Health Service discussed some of the problems the people of Jackson County would encounter in cleaning up Bear Creek, stressing sewage control. Others participating in the discussion were Bob Corthell of the state game commission, Bob Rolufson of the fish commission and Malcolm Karr, chief engineer of the State Water Resources Board. Jackson County government representatives presenting opinions were commissioners Don Faber and Ed Taylor. Robert Haworth of the Parks and Recreation Commission of the city of Medford spoke from the local level. Patrons of the various irrigation districts involved in the streamflow project were present as observers. Test Some Theories
The fish
commission would like to
participate in the Bear Creek project to test some of the theories
involved in the reestablishment of game fish in a stream that has been
polluted through the years, it was stressed."We firmly believe that a good run of silver salmon could be brought back into Bear Creek waters. There is already a sizable run of steelhead in the stream, and with water quality control that run could be materially increased," the agency representative stated. "It is our hope that Bear Creek can be reestablished as a clear and healthy stream," Haworth said. "There are three parks now being planned on its banks, and trails for horseback riding and hiking are on the drawing board." Britton noted that Bear Creek in its present "state" does not complement the city of Medford but is seen by occupants of a million cars traveling its banks on the freeway. He contended that if the people involved will live up to their responsibilities and refrain from indiscriminate polluting of the stream, with the help of federal agencies, Bear Creek can become a true asset, a cause for pride in the Medford community. Medford Mail Tribune, October 15, 1963, page 1 Freezing Level at 9,100 Feet
The
early snow load in Southern Oregon's higher elevations, welcomed by
irrigation districts, industrialists and all others who view the valley
economy dependent up[on] water, was being washed toward the sea today,
swelling streams to the point of flood danger as rain fell throughout
the area. Little streams, which are always first to show the impact of
a storm, were overflowing in many sections of the county.
The greatest threat in the Medford area was to St. Mary's High School, where Larson Creek overflowed its banks. Fed by the runoff from the neighboring hills, the stream left the Ellendale Drive bridge under water and slushed through the front door of the school. Immediate action by the city public works department, the Rev. John J. Keane, principal of the school, and students was believed to have the situation under control, Vernon Thorpe, city engineer, reported. Sandbags were placed at all strategic points, and drainage ditches were being dug to carry off the surplus water. Lazy Creek was flooding at Highland Drive and Crestbook Road. City crews and county crews started work at an early hour this morning to combat the onslaught of the storm, which brought .65 inches of rain to Medford during the 24 hours ending at 10 o'clock. The rainfall for the 48 hours was 1.85 inches. The North Mountain Avenue bridge over Bear Creek has been closed because of the flood threat. County Engineer Robert Carstensen listed heavy flooding on Myer Creek, north of Ashland, and on Butler Creek. Bear Creek, he said, was reaching the threatening stage at Valley View Bridge. Excerpted, Medford Mail Tribune, December 21, 1964, page 1  Medford Mail Tribune, December
21, 1964
EIGHTH STREET BRIDGE ACROSS BEAR CREEK CLOSED
High water in Bear Creek during the night caused extensive erosion of
the east bank through downtown Medford and washed out the east approach
to the Eighth Street bridge, which was closed.
City crews were at the site this morning in preparation to dumping riprap into the five-foot-wide hole. The concrete bridge, including sidewalks, remains secure, Vernon Thorpe, city public works director, stressed. The soil at the east end of the bridge washed out, leaving the asphalt surfacing, which had to be cut out by crews this morning. Riprap of one-ton rocks was being placed under the Main Street bridge today as a precautionary measure to protect two 12-inch water mains in the area. One runs parallel to Main Street and the other to Bear Creek, according to Bob Lee, city water department manager. The rock is being brought from Roxy Ann, Lee said. Thorpe said this morning that water on Stewart Avenue between King Street and Oakdale Avenue reached a critical point early this morning, but was picked up by nearby catch basins before flooding became a problem. Water in the Mace Road area Tuesday originated west of the railroad tracks, Thorpe said. Some sandbagging of homes in the McAndrews Road and Corona Avenue area was reported this area. Excerpt, Medford Mail Tribune, December 22, 1964, page 11  Medford Mail Tribune, December
22, 1964
In Medford, which
appeared to be better off than most other valley areas, Bear Creek
crested at 7.02 feet at the Main Street bridge at 10:30 o'clock this
morning. That was a foot below the peak reached in the 1962 flood in
the city."Rogue Runs Wild; Homes Evacuated," Medford Mail Tribune, December 22, 1964, page 1 Net Benefits Told for Bear Creek
Net
annual benefits from the long-delayed Bear Creek Development Project
would be about $1.2 million, Charles Collins, executive vice president
of the California Oregon Recreation Development Association, told the
third annual conference on Parks and Outdoor Recreation Thursday and
Friday.
Annual cost of adding 50 cubic feet per second flow to Bear Creek to help correct the water pollution problem would be as much as $1,292,000, Collins said. The Bureau of Outdoor Resources has estimated preliminary benefits from $670,000 to $745,000. Proposal for improving Bear Creek and establishing a parks and recreation complex along its banks is unique, since the creek flows through nearly all of the major towns in the county, and 80 percent of the population is within easy commuting distance. Its 32 stream miles traverse about two-thirds of the country's north-south distance. Medford Mail Tribune, July 26, 1965, page 1 In Bear Creek, raw sewage mixes with industrial wastes and dirt and chemicals from irrigation return water to form a dirty, slimy mess flowing slowly through the heart of Medford. Eric Allen, "America's Filthy Waters," editorial, Medford Mail Tribune, August 23, 1965, page 4 What can be done about the mounting number of car bodies which, almost daily, are being dumped into Bear Creek, or piled in unsightly and unsanitary piles within public view? "Questions for the Future," Medford Mail Tribune, November 15, 1965, page 4
Alder
Park Estates, a mobile home park 1 mile south of Ashland on Highway 99,
have completed a major flood control project, according to owners Gene
Kimmons and Eddie Crain.
Bear Creek, which has frequently flooded at this point in recent years, has been lined with a 600-foot-long, eight-foot-high gunite wall after the channel has been widened, deepened and cleaned. Since the 1964 flood swept rock and gravel from this channel, the concrete footing was placed on solid rock and then the gunite sprayed on the banks. The results of the improvement makes this attractive section of Bear Creek near Valley View bridge much safer, Kimmons said. "Bear Creek Channel Improvement Completed," Medford Mail Tribune, May 17, 1966, page 7 Look at Bear Creek. Twenty years ago it had trout; now it has old auto tires, and the water has an oily look. Bernice L. Brahs, letter to the editor, Medford Mail Tribune, January 11, 1966, page 4 41 Take Tour to View Sanitation
Problems in Area
The 41 members of [the] "See It For Yourself Tour" of the proposed Bear
Creek Basin Sanitary Authority area literally followed their noses to
sewage disposal problem areas in Jackson County yesterday.
Most frequent comments were "Why doesn't somebody enforce present state laws against this pollution?" "Now that it is almost too late, it looks as if something will be done about this problem." "It's a wonder this county has got by with this problem as long as it has." "Phewee." The tour ran an hour over the three hours originally planned. It covered such places as the Talent sewer plant, Suncrest Bridge area, Lithia Drive-In Theater area and some homes along the old U.S. 99 in the Talent area, Starlite Drive-In Theater area, Crooked Creek at Walker the Weeper's trailer sales, Oakdale Drive and the 600 block of Lozier Lane, Thunderbird Market area, Central Point pump station, Medford sewage treatment plant. Ran Out of Time
Because of lack of time some areas had to be commented on briefly or
bypassed. Bypassed areas included the White City sewage lagoon, Gilman
Road sewage lift station and Hawthorne Park at Main Street.The tour was sponsored by the League of Women Voters, Medford Chamber of Commerce and Junior Chamber of Commerce, Izaak Walton League, Bear Creek Basin Sanitation Study Committee and health organizations. There were two representatives from Medford and one from Gold Hill. Almost all of the sponsoring organizations were represented. The League of Women Voters had a strong and active representation. County Judge Earl M. Miller told the group that residents of the 31 precincts involved would be voting Aug. 30 on creation of a Bear Creek Basin Sanitation District. The proposed area would range along the Bear Creek Valley floor and exclude Jacksonville, Medford, Phoenix, Eagle Point and Central Point. The City of Talent voted by resolution to be included. The other cities' governing bodies resolved not to be included. If the district is approved residents of the 31 precincts would vote for five persons to act as a board of directors. They would be elected at large. This means they could all come from one precinct or could be residents of five different precincts. Overall cost for the sanitation improvement project would be $9,500,300 and would cover four phases. The first phase of the sanitation system construction would come in 1967-68 and would cost about $2,855,000. The fourth phase would be completed in 1970-71, Miller said. Vote Only on Formation
The county judge emphasized that on Aug. 30 residents of the affected
area would be voting only on the proposed area for consideration as a
district.The touring group, traveling by Evergreen Lines chartered bus, first visited the Talent sewage treatment plant, built in 1936 to serve a maximum population of 700. Les Wierson, project engineer for Cornell, Howland, Hayes and Merrifield (CH2M), noted that the Talent population has increased considerably since then. Due to inadequate sewage treatment facilities, restrictions have been placed on the Talent area's further growth. The master plan requested of CH2M by the Jackson County Court would eliminate spot development of treatment facilities. Wierson explained that the solids in the treatment plant pile up, so they are carried into the sewage flow and back into the plant. The sewage is not chlorinated mechanically, so that much of the waste is discharged into Bear Creek without chlorination, he said. Leo L. Baton, district sanitary engineer, said only a portion of the Talent sewage runs through the plant. State law does require chlorination of all sewage waste. The City of Talent is taking steps to take care of this situation now, he said. A broader new state law, which becomes effective Sept. 1, 1967, specifies that it is unlawful to put any untreated waste into the state's waters. The original law was designed to regulate discharge of sewage from houseboats. Baton admitted that he covers seven counties and finds it difficult to enforce such sanitation laws. The entire State Sanitary Authority is woefully short of enforcement personnel, he said. Baton said at one time Bear Creek had 170,000 steelhead fingerlings. This year there were only 1800, and 600 of these were killed. He indicated discharge of sewage wastes into the stream removed much of the life-giving oxygen for the fish. On to Phoenix
As the bus moved through the Phoenix area, Baton pointed out that the
south Talent area and much of the Phoenix area has an adverse draining
area for sewers.Phoenix is tied into the City of Medford sewage treatment facilities through the South Bear Creek Sanitation District. Sewage disposal problems are especially bad around the hill areas above Phoenix, and around Griffin Creek and Wagner Creek. Many times homes are built on rocks, and the sewage is discharged directly into the creeks without septic tanks, it was stated. The Medford sewage treatment plant had such a tremendous overload last year that only 50 percent of the sewage passing through its system could be treated. Only 9 percent of the solids were removed by the plant, according to tests taken. A brief stop in the Jefferson School area showed how sewage was coming onto the ground surface near the nice homes in that area. The shopping center complex was finally hooked into the Medford sewage system through annexation to the city, Baton explained. He told how the Lozier Lane area has good soil only 12 to 18 inches deep. This makes for poor septic tank drainage. Rain raising the water table complicates the problem. The group saw how the Central Point sewage treatment plant was started and never finished. The pumping station was abandoned when Central Point hooked onto the Medford system. Baton pointed to major bypasses which allowed much of Central Point sewage to flow into Bear Creek directly. Back at the Medford plant, Jan Niehaus, new Medford sanitation plant manager, explained its operation. His assistant said addition of more filters would greatly improve the Medford plant operation. A recorder showed that the plant was then processing almost 8 million gallons. It was designed to process 2½ million gallons of sewage. Filters Would Help
Addition of two more filters would enable the plant to
process sewage
waste from a population equivalent of 40,000 to 50,000. It now serves a
population equivalent of 35,000. It now has a hydraulic capacity of 11
million gallons.While the bus passed by the White City sewage lagoon, the CH2M engineer explained that a lagoon operation requires an acre for a population equivalent of 175 people. All sewage plants and problem areas visited had strong sewage odors. It was explained by Niehaus' assistant that the odor at the Medford plant was due to septic tank cleaning companies' dumping wastes near the treatment plant. However, Judge Miller said, this would account for only part of the odor. Medford Mail Tribune, August 17, 1966, page 1 Voters in the Bear Creek Valley Tuesday authorized the forming of a Bear Creek Valley Sanitary Authority by a vote of 1,369 to 311. Fourteen percent of the 11,937 eligible voters within the proposed boundaries voted. "Sanitary Authority Formation Approved by 1,369-311 Vote," Medford Mail Tribune, August 31, 1966, page 1 He came, he sledged, he left. But Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt stuck around just long enough Wednesday to laud Medford's removal of Jackson Street Dam for fish, hear jeers and cheers from onlookers and declare confidence in resolving the fate of Savage Rapids Dam. Babbitt's three sledgehammer swings knocked the first wedge out of the 37-year-old Bear Creek dam, which will become the first Northwest dam removed to help threatened salmon this summer. Mark Freeman, "Bruce Babbitt: Dam Buster," Medford Mail Tribune, July 16, 1998, page 1 This year's return of the all-wild fall chinook salmon run has reached downtown Medford the earliest in 20 years of counting--a full two weeks ahead of normal. Mark Freeman, "Life Cycle," Medford Mail Tribune, October 5, 2013, page 1 Last revised August 15, 2024 |
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