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 The Dollarhide Toll Road Notes on the road from the Rogue Valley south over the Siskiyous. See also the page on Stages and Staging. Dollarhide Toll Road and Its
History
This
article upon the Dollarhide toll road is furnished by C. B. Watson of
Ashland, attorney for Mr. Dollarhide in his controversy with the
county, and presents the Dollarhide view:
To the Editor: A week ago at 8 o'clock in the morning I started from the toll house on the Siskiyou Mountains for a tramp over the Pacific Highway. I was alone, but the beauty of the morning, the mountain and its gorgeous autumn coloring, the exhilarating atmosphere in this delightful altitude, the wonderful scenic beauty, this magnificent highway-to-be, and my reminiscent mood made for me the best of company. For more than forty years I have been familiarizing myself with this old mountain and know no experience that I enjoy more. If this highway shall be completed according to the plans and specifications made for it, and proper economy exercised, it will be a monument of lasting credit to the people of Jackson County and a suggestion of progressive spirit to the state of Oregon. It is certainly to be hoped that nothing shall be done or left undone by those having charge of this splendid enterprise which shall mar the personal interest they have in it or shall tend to criticize them for the part they play. Few men have better opportunity to construct a monument of magnitude to themselves. I followed the work on foot to the California line, and then on over the California portion of the highway to where it passes under the Southern Pacific railroad trestle beyond Bailey Hill. The Oregon part of the highway is much better than the California portion in some respects, and to people who shall travel over it will furnish a startling contrast. The Oregon portion has a roadbed from twenty-four to sixty feet in width, while the California part is restricted to nineteen feet. The alignment along the Oregon side is also much better; points are cut through or cut off which necessarily adds width and yardage (and consequently cost), but also brings the sinuosity of the road to a minimum and does away with sharp and dangerous curves. On the California portion, the roadbed being narrow, with consequently lower banks on the upper side and a narrower roadbed of solid earth, the curves are more frequent, with sharper turns and dangerous crowding onto the lower fills that constitute the outside of the bed. The grade is excellent on both sides and excepting the narrower bed and poorer alignment with the consequent disadvantages, the construction work on the California end is first class. The Oregon portion is first-class highway work, which also means that it is expensive. I asked no one, but estimate that about 80 percent of the roadbed work is completed. This means that if the winter weather should set in early the roadbed will not be completed this winter, which would be very unfortunate. If this part of the work shall be completed this fall and hard surfacing is to be done over it, the road will not be open for travel before July 1915, and if the rains should extend into June with a hard winter between now and that time, the hard surfacing will not be completed for next summer travel--if at all--until in the fall. During the winter this grade should be carefully attended by a force sufficient to hold the season's damage of grades, cuts and fills to the lowest point. The loose dirt composing the slopes and fills will be hard to retain in place, and when spring comes must be put in repair and properly packed for surfacing. This cannot be done until well dried out, which brings one to speak of another matter which cannot be overlooked without great damage, in which all the people of Jackson County and the traveling public have an interest. I refer to the toll road and its great importance at this time. I do not believe that the county court or the people having the construction in hand have sufficiently informed themselves of the status of the toll road. I cannot think that they would willfully and wantonly do or permit to be done that which unfortunately they have done and permitted if they understood it. I do not wish to give offense to anyone, but will take the risk of stating some history which can be easily verified. (To
Be Continued.)
Medford Mail Tribune, October
5, 1914, page 4
When gold was first discovered in California the settlements of Oregon were confined to the Willamette Valley and the lower Columbia. There were no white people living in Southern Oregon except an occasional trapper or adventurer among the Indians. [Watson overlooks Baptiste Gagnier and family living at Fort Umpqua.] In 1846 a party headed by the Applegates came south from the Willamette looking for a better trail for immigrants into Oregon. They came through Rogue River Valley and turning east passed through the great sugar pine forests and entered the Klamath country near where Keno now is. In the spring of the same year Fremont and Kit Carson coming from Sacramento Valley also reached the Klamath lakes, preceding the Applegates by a few months. The Applegates on their return to the Willamette told of the wonderful country they had seen and planned to see more of it. When the news of the discovery of gold in California reached the Willamette, parties were formed to go to the mines and, taking direction from the Applegates, came south with assurance of game, grass and water and poetic notions of this wonderful valley. They found the Siskiyou Mountains formidable and sought directions from the Indians. Pilot Rock was shown to them and they were told to keep to the right of it and they would find "heap good trail." They did and the trail was greatly improved by the travel for the next year or two practically where the road now is. Gold seekers rapidly spread all over California, and discoveries where Yreka now is soon attracted hundreds of prospectors, who by and by crossed "the trail," and in the winter of '50 and '51 found gold on Jackson Creek. [The discovery of Rich Gulch is more reliably placed in early February, 1852.] The country rapidly filled. Yreka and Jacksonville became places of importance, and a large business sprang up between these "far northern" mining camps. The trail over the Siskiyous was improved, somewhat changed here and there to facilitate growing traffic and intercourse. By the time the territorial legislature met in January, 1853, application was made for territorial protection in Southern Oregon and the organization of Jackson County. Such action was taken by the legislature, and James Clugage, Nathaniel C. Dean and Abel George were appointed county commissioners with directions to organize Jackson County in the Territory of Oregon. On the 7th of March, 1853 they met at Jacksonville and were "duly sworn into office by Daniel M. Kenney, postmaster." They then proceeded with their duties, creating precincts, appointing justices of the peace and constables and performing many other acts for the formation of a commonwealth of law and order. At this time there were no roads, only "trails," and these were to be improved and others laid out. At this first session of said board of commissioners in March 1853, I find as the first act in relation to public highways the following entry in the [Commissioners'] Journal: "Whereas, it is the opinion of this board that it is absolutely necessary for the public good and citizens of this country generally, that public roads should be laid out and located throughout this entire valley, "It is therefore ordered "That the trail as now traveled from its intersection with the northerly end of Oregon Street in the precinct of Jacksonville to its junction with the old Oregon Trail (so-called), near the residence of Nathaniel C. Dean, at what is known as the 'Willow Springs' be and the same is hereby declared a public highway. "That all the portion of the said 'Oregon Trail' from its junction aforesaid, to the boundary line of Douglas County in said Territory be and the same is hereby declared a public highway, and also that portion of the said Oregon Trail from the junction aforesaid to the northern boundary line of California as now traveled." Thus it will be seen that the first act of Jackson County for the establishment of public highways was to declare the "Oregon Trail" a public highway in March 1853. The "Oregon Trail" is the old Siskiyou Mountain Trail, practically the same as the present Dollarhide Toll Road. It is true that this trail, as all mountain trails, was from time to time slightly changed to avoid a bad place or secure a better grade, but practically the old Indian trail was adopted. (To
Be Continued.)
Medford Mail Tribune, October
6, 1914, page 4
As the country filled up and the necessities of travel demanded accommodations for wagons, the pioneers got together and marked out a road. There were not people enough to bear so heavy an expense, and in 1858 the territorial legislature at the request of Jackson County passed an act entitled "An Act to Incorporate the Siskiyou Mountain Wagon Company," authorizing the construction of the road, granting to the company the right to collect tolls, and fixing the rates thereof. The company was organized, the road constructed, and its operation under the law of 1858 has been continuous from that date to this. The territory was admitted as a state in 1859, and in 1862 an act was passed by the state legislature making all territorial roads county roads and providing that where said roads were being operated as toll roads under the territorial law, the county in which such road was situated might lease the same for a period of ten years, the lessee to be governed by the territorial law in the rate of tolls to be charged. (It will be seen that the counties were not authorized to fix toll rates.) The law of 1862 also provides that at the expiration of ten years--term of lease--the county in its discretion may take over said road by paying to said lessee the cost of construction, maintenance, etc., less the tolls collected, together with 20 percent to be added to the amount of the difference. It also provides that if the county fails to pay to said lessee the sum or sums of money provided for, the lessee may continue keep up and operate said road and collect such tolls until the county does pay said money. The road continued to be so operated under lease until 1890. The last lease executed between Jackson County and the owners of said road was dated October 6, 1880, and was for ten years. The said lease so executed by Jackson County recites the territorial act of 1858 as the act recognized, and further recites as follows: "It is further agreed that at the end of ten years the county shall have all the rights and privileges allowed by the General Laws of Oregon in sections 28, page 669, but if the county of Jackson shall fail to pay the said company the amount allowed by said section then in that event, the said company may charge the amounts allowed by article 2 and no more, until the county comply with the terms of said section 38." At the date of the execution of said agreement, Jesse Dollarhide was president, and H. C. Dollarhide was secretary of said company, the first being father and the latter being the brother of L. D. Dollarhide, the present owner and operator of said road. At the expiration of said lease, to wit: October 6, 1890, no new lease was made and Jackson County failing to comply with the requirement of said law, the company continued to operate said road and to charge said tolls. (To
Be Continued.)
Medford Mail Tribune, October
7, 1914, page 4
No effort was ever made by Jackson County to interfere in any way with said road until September 4, 1895, [when] the said county court made an order directing the road supervisor to remove the toll gate. On November 4, 1895, the order not having been complied with, the writer, as attorney for Dollarhide, moved said court to expunge and revoke said order on the ground that the "court under the law neither had nor has any jurisdiction in the premises, or over said road, to make such an order." The court revoked said order, and among other things says: "The court having heard the argument and the law thereon, and being fully advised in the premises, "It is therefore ordered and adjudged that said order be and the same is hereby revoked and shall stand for naught and as though the same had never been made." Subsequently the ownership and possession of said road and all rights and privileges thereunder became vested in L. D. Dollarhide, who has never sold, alienated nor encumbered the same. This may seem somewhat lengthy, but there has been so strenuous an effort made to make it appear that L. D. Dollarhide is an interloper and highwayman that in justice to him and the public I ask that this be published in full. The historical data alone is worth it. Dollarhide sold that section of the road from Barron's place up to Steinman to the county for Pacific Highway purposes at the beginning of the construction, since which time it has been the duty of the county to keep it up. The county has absolutely neglected to do so until it is almost impassable, and yet the public is made to believe that it is Dollarhide's road and his duty to keep it up. Dollarhide gave the county and the contractors the right to cross his toll road in constructing the Pacific Highway with the express understanding that they were not to block or obstruct it. Yet they have constructed a fill directly across his road from side to side that is 16 feet high on the downhill side and eight feet high on the other side. The contractors have also, without leave, license or consent appropriated 600 feet of the toll road and forced the travel out of the road and among the rocks. Many things that are absolutely false have been published to the damage of Dollarhide that could and ought to have been corrected by the authorities. Dollarhide has not tried to obstruct, hinder nor delay the construction. It would be foolish for him to do so, and he is not a fool. He knows the highway will be built and has done many things to favor it. He knows too, that there is no other road for travel between Jackson County and California but this toll road. Only a fool would expect him to keep it open for free travel. Were he to quit work on it it would be impassable in two weeks after bad weather sets in, yet it would appear that the effort being made against him is for this purpose and may succeed. The road was built and has been maintained by private enterprise for more than 30 years without a cent in taxes to be paid therefor. It has been offered to the county at various times at a cost which is a mere bagatelle, but the county has refused because of the expense of maintaining it. The building of the Pacific Highway across the mountain at a probable cost of almost $200,000 suggests the very high importance to this county of the travel over it, yet we have this effort to hamper Mr. Dollarhide in his aim to accommodate the travel until this elaborate highway is ready to take it over. No one knows how soon the highway will be open, and it does not augur great business judgment to absolutely close all traffic with California except by rail. Medford Mail Tribune, October
8, 1914, page 4
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Mr. Berry introduced a bill incorporating the Siskiyou Wagon Road Co.
This road is intended to cross the Siskiyou Mountains, and is about 8
miles in length and will run from the residence of Hugh Brown to Wm. H.
Rockfellow's house in Jackson Co.
Sheriff's Sale."Friday, a.m., Dec. 11, 1857," Oregon Statesman, Salem, December 15, 1857, page 2 BY
VIRTUE OF AN EXECUTION duly issued from the office of the clerk of
circuit court of the state of Oregon for Jackson County, and to me
directed, I will offer for sale to the highest bidder, for cash, at
"Thomas' Toll House," on the Siskiyou Mountain, on Saturday, the
27th day of August, 1859.
at the hour of 11 o'clock, A.M.,
all the right, title and interest of Michael Thomas in and to the
property known as the "Siskiyou Mountain Wagon Road," lying and being
in Jackson County, Oregon, with all the rights and franchises granted
to said M. Thomas by the act of the Legislature of Oregon incorporating
the "Siskiyou Mountain Wagon Road Co." The above described property is
levied upon to satisfy an execution in favor of Lindsay Applegate and
against said M. Thomas, for the sum of six thousand three hundred and
twenty-four dollars and twenty-five cents ($6,324.25), with interest,
costs, and accruing costs.
L. J. C. DUNCAN, Sheriff.
July 20th, 1859.The great overland route will be in operation in about two weeks. We mean the Sacramento and Portland stage line. A few days ago eighty horses and half a dozen coaches passed up, with which the route between Jacksonville and the Columbia will be equipped. It is an expensive and venturesome enterprise, and one which we hope the people of Oregon will feel it their duty to support. Five years ago we made the trip from the Cascades to the Trinity, and then we could not have been easily persuaded that stages would be traversing the route in five years. The Calapooia Range, Grave Creek Hills, Siskiyou and Scott mountains interposed serious obstacles to such an enterprise, all of which have been overcome in five years. We heard residents of that state detail the particulars of the trip of the first emigration of fifty wagons which left Oregon City for California in 1848, on the first announcement of the gold discoveries here. Then the journey occupied nearly two months; soon it will be made in comfortable coaches in less than week. "A Little of Everything," Trinity Journal, September 1, 1860, page 3 ABOUT two weeks ago snow was six feet deep on the Siskiyou Mountain, on the stage road between Jacksonville and Yreka. Oregon State Journal, Eugene, Oregon, February 3, 1866, page 3 KLAMATH BRIDGE & FERRY GONE.--We have been kindly furnished the following item of news by Mr. L. Applegate, telegraph operator of the toll house on the California road. "Toll House, 8th, 2 P.M.--I learn from Rev. C. H. Newton, just from the Klamath River, that the bridge across that stream went down yesterday morning, a portion of which carried away the ferry below." This is a severe loss, as it may impede the carrying of the mails for some time to come. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, March 10, 1866, page 2 NARROW ESCAPE.--We learn that Mr. Lucien Applegate, telegraph operator at the Toll House, had a narrow escape from drowning on Thursday last while endeavoring to ford Cottonwood. His horse's feet were washed from under him, and he gained the opposite bank with much difficulty. The operator from this town, who was out on the same day, reports the very small streams greatly swollen and even Wagner Creek nearly impassable. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, March 31, 1866, page 2 SISKIYOU TOLL ROAD SUIT.--Judge Prim rendered a decision in this case on Wednesday. He holds that the Sheriff's deed was sufficient to give title, and that the defendants (Applegate Bros.) are entitled to one half of the road. We will give the decision in full next week. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, June 15, 1867, page 2
THE APPLEGATE CASE.--In this case the Court decided, 1st, That the Sheriff's sale made of the right, title and interest of M. Thomas of, in, to or growing out of the Siskiyou wagon road, passed all of his stock in the road to the execution purchaser. 2nd, That the stock of Joseph Jacobs and Tobias Thomas, although agreed to be conveyed to M. Thomas before said Sheriff's sale, yet, as the agreement was never consummated by a written transfer, the stock never vested in M. Thomas. 3rd, The stock consisted of two hundred shares. M. Thomas, on the 29th day of August, 1859, the time of the Sheriff's sale, owned one hundred shares, and Joseph Jacobs and Tobias Thomas owned fifty shares each. This decision gives Applegate one hundred shares, and one-half the net proceeds of the road, and the plaintiffs the other half. The Court refused to give any opinion as to the validity of a mortgage paid off by Applegate, subsequent to his purchase. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, June 22, 1867, page 2 SHARP ENCOUNTER.--Last week, Ivan Applegate of the Toll House discovered a large grizzly and two cubs in the pasture, only a few hundred yards from the house. Being unarmed, he returned to the house, and, accompanied by his brother Lucien, each armed with a "Henry rifle," sallied forth to attack her bearship. Approaching to within fifty yards, they delivered their fire, and although somewhat sickened, the bear made a desperate charge on them, which was coolly met with another volley. Three times the boys poured their fire into her at short range, and three times the enraged beast charged on them; but at the fourth volley she concluded that the contest was unequal, and dashed into the chaparral, marking the brush with blood at every bound. Having no dogs, the boys did not follow her, but are quite confident that she received every one of the eight shots fired at her--nearly all in vital parts of the body. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, August 10, 1867, page 3 ROAD SURVEY.--Mr. B. F. Myer, of Ashland, has been engaged with a corps of assistants in surveying the road from this town to the southern boundary of the state. The survey is completed and the plats will soon be on file in the Clerk's office. The distances from here to the state line are as follows: To VanDyke's, seven miles; to Phoenix, nine miles; to Ashland, sixteen and a half miles; to Tolman's twenty and a half miles; to the Mountain House, twenty-five miles; to the Toll House, twenty-eight miles; to the line, thirty-four and three-quarter miles. It is quite a crooked road to travel, having over one hundred and seventy angles in that distance, and those who travel it can hardly lie under the imputation of being on the "straight and broad road." Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, November 9, 1867, page 2 YOUNG RUNAWAYS.--On Monday last three young hopefuls, whose parents reside near Willow Springs, concluded to try the experiment of running away. They concluded to try their luck in California and started on foot, bright and early. By the time they had climbed to the Toll House, they were tolerably sick of their job and readily surrendered at discretion to the operator at that place, who had been telegraphed to stop them. Their captor, finding that they only wanted a good excuse to go home, soon released them, and started them down the mountain again rejoicing. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, November 23, 1867, page 2 Snow had fallen at the toll house yesterday morning to the depth of one and a half feet.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, December 21, 1867, page 2
SETTLED.--The litigation so long pending between the Applegate Bros. and Peter Smith, as to the title to the Siskiyou Mountain Wagon Road, has been settled by a compromise between the parties. The Applegates have now a perfect title to the road. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, January 4, 1867, page 3
SISKIYOU MOUNTAIN.--The
road over the mountain to California is reported as very bad; the snow
is still deep and just soft enough to impede travel. As a consequence,
the stage from Yreka is arriving now, several hours behind the usual
time.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, February 22, 1868, page 3ROAD SOLD.--The Applegate Bros. have disposed of the remaining shares of the Siskiyou Mountain Toll Road to James Thornton. The price received for the whole road is $9,500. Surveying County Roads.
At the last session of the Legislature, a bill was introduced into the
House by one of the members from this county to legalize the county
roads. It was defeated in the Senate--why, we cannot say. The object of
the bill was an excellent one. It legalized, without the expense of
surveying, roads that had been used as public thoroughfares for a long
time by common consent, about which there was no dispute, but which
were not legal roads in the sense contemplated by the statute. It is
well known that the road law cannot be enforced except with regard to
legal roads. There is, we believe, in this county, but one such
road--that running to the California line by way of Ashland and the
Toll House. On all other roads it is a matter of convenience whether
people work or not, and we venture to say that no law could compel a
supervisor to serve in a district where there is no legal road, or any
person to work on a road having no legal existence. Under this state of
affairs it would seem proper and wise on the part of the honorable
board of commissioners to have the most important of the thoroughfares
of the county surveyed, so that work can be enforced on them, and they
be kept in good repair. It is very desirable that, at least, the stage
road from here north to the Josephine County line should be thus
legalized, and we hope to see the board make an order for its survey at
their next meeting.Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, April 3, 1869, page 2 SISKIYOU TOLL ROAD.--The Siskiyou Wagon Road has been put in thorough repair and the tolls greatly reduced. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, May 8, 1869, page 2 LOCATED.--L. B. Applegate, formerly telegraph operator at the Toll House, has located a little above Soda Springs on Emigrant Creek, and gone into sheep raising. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, May 8, 1869, page 3 SURGICAL OPERATION.--Alfred R. Haines, a ranchman residing near the Toll House, on the Yreka road, who has been suffering for several years from necrosis of the ulna--on Thursday of this week had his arm subjected to the operation of excision of the bone, which was skillfully performed by Dr. Grube, of this place. The operation was a very severe and tedious one, but was performed while the patient was under the influence of chloroform, and gave him but little or no pain. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, May 29, 1869, page 2 MARRIAGE LICENSES.--The following are the marriage licenses issued out of the County Clerk's office, for Jackson County, for the year ending Dec. 31st, 1870: Henry Clay Dollarhide and Miss Julia Fender, Feb. 7th, 1870. . . . Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 4, 1871, page 3 DIED.
DOLLARHIDE--In Jackson County, July 3rd, 1871, Mrs. Julie Ann Dollarhide, wife of Henry C. Dollarhide, aged 26 years.Democratic Times, Jacksonville, July 8, 1871, page 3 MARRIED.
LOFLAND-DOLLARHIDE--At
the residence of the bride's parents, on the 8th of April, 1874, by
Rev. Wm. F. Bonebrake, J. M. Lofland to Miss Matilda Dollarhide--all of
Jackson County.Democratic Times, Jacksonville, April 11, 1874, page 3 RADICAL PRIMARIES.--The Radical primaries held last Saturday were fairly attended. The following are the delegates to their convention, which meets today: W. J. Stanley, M. Bellinger, Jesse Dollarhide, John A. Boyer, Geo. Brown, Sam Hall, R. C. Armstrong, P. D. Parsons, Jos. Blatt. Democratic Times, Jacksonville, May 9, 1874, page 3 GRANGE ELECTION.--Jacksonville Grange No. 88, Patrons of Husbandry, at its first regular session, December 26, 1874, elected the following officers for the ensuing year: F. M. Plymale, W.M.; Conrad Mingus, O.; W. J. Plymale, L.; John W. Dollarhide, S.; H. F. Phillips, A.S.; Jesse Dollarhide, C.; Jacob Ish, Treas.; I. W. Berry, Sec.; John R. Tice, G.K.; Mrs. Josie L. Plymale, Ceres; Miss Annie Miller, Pomona; Miss Mary S. Walker, Flora; Mrs. Jane E. Plymale, L.A.S. Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 1, 1875, page 3 MARRIED.
OATMAN-DOLLARHIDE--At the residence of M. A. Williams, in this county,
Dec. 31, 1874, by Rev. M. A. Williams, Harvey Oatman and Miss Priscilla
Dollarhide.COLVER-DOLLARHIDE--At the residence of M. A. Williams, in this county, Dec. 31, 1874, by Rev. M. A. Williams, Louis Colver and Miss Jemima Dollarhide. Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 8, 1875, page 3 AMENDE HONORABLE.--As the name of Mr. Jesse Dollarhide has often been coupled in connection with an indictment for larceny in these columns, and the law having been vindicated and the matter settled, we deem it no more than just that especial mention should be made of his acquittal by jury last week. The testimony adduced showed Mr. Dollarhide as having conscientious scruples about the horse being his, and when he sold it there was a mutual understanding between him and the buyer that the horse should be redeemed if it proved otherwise, which was done. The jury gave a verdict of "not guilty" after a short deliberation. Democratic Times, Jacksonville, March 26, 1875, page 3 PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY MILL CO.--An association of prominent Grangers have purchased the Wimer Flouring Mills of Phoenix, and they propose in a short time to assume the management thereof. They filed articles of incorporation in the County Clerk's office on the 16th instant. The association will be known as the Patrons of Husbandry Mill Company. The capital stock is placed at $12,000, divided into shares of $100 each. The objects of the company is to carry on a general milling business--buy wheat, sell flour and grind. the following gentlemen are the incorporators: John E. Ross, J. N. T. Miller, Fred Barneburg, Jacob Ish, F. M. Plymale, Conrad Mingus, John S. Herrin, N. C. Dean, John O'Brien, James D. Buckley, L. Chappel, Thos. Wright, Wm. Ray, Jesse Dollarhide, John Watson. Democratic Times, Jacksonville, April 30, 1875, page 3 Stage Robbery.
The stage of the California and Oregon Stage Company was robbed on
Siskiyou Mountain by two highwaymen, on the 10th. From reliable sources
we learn the following particulars: Nort. Eddings was driving, and
there were six passengers on the stage, among them Jerry Nunan, of
Jacksonville, and Jesse Dryer, of Camas Valley. The highwaymen called
to the driver to halt, and as he showed no inclination to do so, they
raised their shotguns and threatened to shoot him off the box; then the
stage stopped. At once Wells, Fargo & Co.'s express box and the
brass lock mail pouch were demanded, and passed out, and the stage
ordered to proceed on its way. None of the passengers were molested.
Had the highwaymen "went through" them they would have got $4,000 or
$5,000 out of Jerry Nunan's valise, and Joe Clough would have lost the
nice little sum of $300. It is not known how much treasure the brass
lock pouch contained, but there was at least $500 in the express box,
and probably $700.
Douglas Independent, Roseburg, June 15, 1878, page 4 See Eddings' 1909 reminiscence, below. The toll road over the Siskiyou Mountains is now being put in first-class condition by the Messrs. Dollarhide. "Brief Reference," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, May 16, 1879, page 3 Jesse Dollarhide drove 100 hogs to Fort Jones (Cal.) last week. "Brief Reference," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 2, 1880, page 3 The United States Mail and Well Fargo & Co.'s Treasure Box Taken.
A week ago last Wednesday night as one of the California and Oregon
stages was crossing the Siskiyou Mountains, about seven miles from the
dividing line of Oregon and California, the driver, Mr. Nort. Eddings,
was stopped by a robber, who pointed a gun at him and demanded Wells
Fargo & Co.'s treasure box, which contained at the time $1000, and
also the mail. Mr. Eddings told him that he could not give him the
express box, as it was chained to the stage. He then ordered Mr.
Eddings to hold his horses. The robber then went into the brush, and
was heard to whisper to someone therein. When he returned from the
brush he brought with him an axe, and proceeded to chop the chain away
that held the treasure box, and took the mail sacks also. Then he fired
his gun into the air, and ordered the driver to proceed on his journey.We learn that the sheriff of Jackson County, Mr. Bybee, immediately started in pursuit of the robbers, and has been successful in tracking them to Lakeview. The supposition is that there are three connected with the robbery, although only one was seen by the driver. Two or three years ago a stage was robbed very near the same locality. This stage robbing is getting very monotonous for the people of Southern Oregon. If the robbers are caught this time a little "hemp diet" would be a mild medicine. Douglas Independent, Roseburg, September 25, 1880, page 3 See Eddings' 1909 reminiscence, below. Articles of Agreement were signed by the County Court and Jesse and H. C. Dollarhide for the toll road crossing the Siskiyou Mountain. The lease continues for ten years, and lessees are to put down sixty rods of corduroy, also to lessen the grade on the first hill this side of the state line one-half inch less to the foot than the present grade and keep the road in good repair. "Commissioners' Court," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, October 13, 1880, page 3
Articles were signed for a ten years' lease of the Siskiyou toll road
to Jesse Dollarhide & Son. The lessees are to put down sixty rods
of corduroy, also to lessen the grade on the first hill this side of
the state line one-half inch less to the foot than the present grade
and keep the road in good repair.
"Commissioners' Court," Ashland Tidings, October 15, 1880, page 3 Dollarhide & Co. are putting up new buildings near the Siskiyou Mountain toll house and making other improvements. "Brief Reference," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, October 22, 1880, page 3 Jesse Dollarhide, we regret to learn, is again seriously ill, with his old complaint. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, April 2, 1881, page 3 RACES.--Another race has been arranged between Dollarhide's "Dick" and Simpson's "Capt. Jinks," to take place at Phoenix on January 20th for $100 a side, distance 440 yards. W. [illegible] of Phoenix backs the first-mentioned horse. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, January 6, 1883, page 3 The race between "Capt. Jinks" and the Dollarhide pony will come off at Phoenix next Saturday. The stakes are $100 a side. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, January 13, 1883, page 3 RACES.--Phoenix was filled with people from all parts of the county last Saturday. Everybody came to see the races and all seemed satisfied with the sport. The first was a running race, quarter mile dash between Simpson's "Cap. Jinks" and Dollarhide's "Dick" for $100 a side. Dick was too slow for the little Captain and so got left. The next race was Jinks against a mare owned by D. Payne, same distance for $80 a side. Again the Captain came off victorious. The next race was between Dick and the Frame mare, same distance for $25 a side. Dick did his best but the mare measured the quarter so quickly that he was again defeated. Then the Payne mare and the Sly mare matched for the same kind of a race, but the Sly mare skipped along too slowly and came out behind. A mare belonging to E. K. Anderson next came up to the scratch against a pony for a 200-yard dash for $7.50. The pony was defeated. Next day a quarter-mile trotting race was arranged between a stallion and a mare, for $100 a side. In the last two heats the stallion stepped along too lively for the mare and scooped the purse. Geo. Dunlap's bay horse then beat "Mountain Boy" a running race and everybody went home. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, January 27, 1883, page 3 Clay Dollarhide and Harvey Oatman have taken a contract for furnishing the company with timbers for the tunnel and now have about twenty men employed in cutting and delivering the same. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, September 1, 1883, page 3 H. CLAY DOLLARHIDE: lives at toll house foot of Siskiyou Mtns., which place he keeps; post office, Barron; was born July 16, 1844; came to Cal., 1861, to this county in 1869; married Julia A. Fendes in 1870, and May E. Shideler in 1873. Children Julia A., Florence M., Minnie S., Nancy D., Myrtle E. and H. Clay Jr. A. G. Walling, History of Southern Oregon, 1884, page 502 JOHN W. DOLLARHIDE: lives south of Ashland; is proprietor of a saw mill; was born in Jasper County, Indiana, November 13, 1846; came to state and county in 1869; was married March 24, 1858, to Sarah J. Campbell. Children Elizabeth (deceased), Wesley, Jesse, Hattie B., Lena S., Harry B., John, Claude and Ole B. A. G. Walling, History of Southern Oregon, 1884, pages 502-503 JESSE DOLLARHIDE: lives in Ashland; is a farmer and stock raiser; was born in Wayne County, Indiana, in 1815; came to state and county in 1869; was married 1836 to Miss Nancy Murphy. Children Amanda, Lavina, H. Clay, John W., Mary N., Lucy, Jemima, Priscilla, Matilda and L. Dudly. A. G. Walling, History of Southern Oregon, 1884, page 503 Clay Dollarhide of the Siskiyou Toll House is in town. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, May 10, 1884, page 3 Clay Dollarhide of the Toll House was in town this week. He has a suit with the railroad company for damages but the trial has not yet taken place. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, November 16, 1884, page 3 The postal telegraph line is coming right along. A force of men are employed between Ashland and the Siskiyou Mountain putting up poles. The poles are red fir sawed at Glendale and shipped to Ashland. Dollarhide of Siskiyou Mountain House and Dave Horn of this county have contracts to furnish the co. with poles and are getting them out as fast as possible, and delivering them along the route of the line. The company propose to push the work along as fast as possible. They will be working on this side of the Siskiyou Mountain before many days.--[Yreka Union. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, October 23, 1886, page 3 H. C. Dollarhide this week made application to the county commissioners' court to put in another gate on his toll road over the Siskiyou Mountains, as the one now in use does not afford sufficient protection to him. "Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, April 8, 1887, page 3 Dollarhide & Co. received a new sawmill last week over the O.&C.R.R., to replace their old one in the Siskiyous. "Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, June 10, 1887, page 3 H. C. Dollarhide, Jesse Dollarhide and Mary Etta Dollarhide to O.&C.R.R. Co.; right of way for railroad. Consideration $500. "Real Estate Transactions," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, June 17, 1887, page 2 The four six-horse coaches to be kept at Dollarhide's all winter for the railroad company to use in case of obstructions on the track preventing the running of trains over the Siskiyous are left in charge of one of the old drivers, A. S. Smith. The other drivers stationed there are John B. Million, J. G. Marshall and Mike Garvey. Col. Stone shipped this week to Arlington, Or., the remainder of the stock which has been in use on the line, 52 head of horses and several coaches. "General Notes and News," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 6, 1888, page 4 As the [rail]road on the Siskiyou Mountains is soft and in poor condition, the railroad company will keep four stages there in case of accident. A slide of earth may cover the track at any time so that it may not be possible to move it inside of several days. It is then that the stages will prove handy. "Oregon News," The Eye, Snohomish City, Washington, January 14, 1888, page 2 G. H. Tyler informs us that H. C. Dollarhide has men busily engaged in getting out wood for the railroad company, and it is believed they will be able to cut between 50,000 and 100,000 cords this season. "Brevity Basket," Valley Record, Ashland, July 26, 1888, page 3 Jesse Dollarhide of Ashland, one of our best-known citizens, died a few days since. He had been sick some time and his death was not unexpected. "Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, August 23, 1888, page 3 Walden Bros. have moved to Siskiyou station and purchased Dollarhide's stock. They are pushing men and will do a large business, intending to put in a large stock of general merchandise. "Brevity Basket," Valley Record, Ashland, November 29, 1888, page 3 A. R. Martin and Miss Hattie Dollarhide, daughter of John Dollarhide, were married in the presence of numerous friends and relatives at the residence of the bride's parents, on Siskiyou Mountain, Sunday evening, by Squire Milton Berry, of Ashland. Mr. Martin is an industrious and worthy young man, and the numerous friends of both parties extend their congratulations and best wishes for their future happiness. "Personal and Social," Valley Record, Ashland, December 13, 1888, page 3 About 3 o'clock in the afternoon of the next day we saw two large signs which read: "California" and "Oregon." Those marked the state lines. I jumped from the buggy and almost ran to drink from a spring on the Oregon side, for it made me feel as though we were much nearer home, you know. The road continued for eight miles over the summit of the Siskiyou, to a toll gate, where $1 is charged each team. A comical thing occurred as we neared the toll house, when a little child ran out, closed and padlocked the gate in our very faces. We camped here overnight and I purchased a fowl to fry; the lady kindly volunteering to bake a pan of biscuit for me. We enjoyed a meal fit for a king that night--fried chicken, hot biscuit and butter, with plenty of good milk. Was that not fine? At 11 o'clock on the following day we left the toll gate and had proceeded some way down the road when a woman's voice called upon us to stop and, running up behind our buggy, the friendly mother of the toll house presented us with a supply of hot doughnuts for our lunch. Mrs. Edward Thompson, "Thirty-Five Days' Drive," Seattle Post-Intelligencer, August 5, 1900, page 11 WES. DOLLARHIDE KILLED.
Klamathon was shocked Tuesday afternoon by a terrible homicide. The
particulars and details [are] about as follows: Wesley Dollarhide was
shot and almost instantly killed by Constable Geo. Norris, who was
attempting to arrest Dollarhide. Dollarhide has been engaged in hauling
logs at the lumber camp in the Jenny Creek country, and had quit,
coming down to Klamathon and got on a protracted spree, intending to go
to Sisson for the summer. On the day named he was well along with his
carousal and his father had taken him home, or he had gone home. About
one o'clock he was seen running through the street with a long knife
used for household purposes and everybody got away from within his
reach. He landed at a notorious resort conducted by J. A. McDonald,
where he resumed a quarrel with one Jack Norris, another person of not
much service to himself or his country. Dollarhide had cut Jack Norris
about the head and face several times, and word was sent to Constable
Geo. Norris that Dollarhide was again on a tear with a knife and was
engaged in operation on his brother Jack. Constable Norris hurried to
the scene and attempted to place the crazed Dollarhide under arrest
when Dollarhide went for the constable with his knife and declared that
nobody could take him, striking the constable a very painful blow on
the back of the hand with the blade of the knife. The constable backed
off a step and pulled his revolver, letting two loads of the weapon go
at Dollarhide. One was ineffectual, while the other entered to the left
of the navel and taking a glancing turn entered his heart. Dollarhide
fell to the floor and gasped his last.He Last Spree Brought to a Finish by Constable Geo. Norris' Revolver While Resisting Arrest--A Justifiable Homicide. Constable Norris, fearing the effect it might have upon the high temper of Jack Dollarhide, a brother of the deceased and also considerable of a fighter, immediately struck out for Ager on foot, making the 5½ miles in 45 minutes. Here he awaited the southbound passenger train and started for Yreka to give himself up to the custody of the sheriff of Siskiyou County. At Montague he learned that Sheriff Freshour had gone to Klamathon, so he turned himself over to the custody of the constable at Montague and remained until the night train, when he returned to Klamathon with Dr. Fred McNulty, who was specially deputized by the sheriff. At Klamathon Sheriff Freshour received him and on Wednesday Coroner John A. Fairchild opened the inquest at 10 o'clock a.m. The coroner's inquest examined the witnesses, being assisted by District Attorney James F. Lodge. The verdict rendered in the afternoon was justifiable homicide. Wesley Dollarhide was the oldest son of John W Dollarhide and grandson of the late Jesse Dollarhide and Mrs. Jesse Dollarhide, now living at an advanced age in Ashland, both of whom are most highly respected pioneers of this county. He was about 32 years of age. Until about ten years ago his father conducted the sawmill business near Steinman in the Siskiyous, the product of much of which is in the older buildings of this city. Wesley was an attendant at the public school with his brothers and moved to California with his parents, ever since which he has been engaged in driving teams for the logging camps in Siskiyou County. He was a hard-working boy and was endowed with many good traits of character and was noted for his great physical courage. His habit was to work faithfully for a time and then go on a big spree. Liquor had a wicked and baneful influence upon the usual big-hearted and genial nature of his character, and under its staining influence Wesley Dollarhide was a demon, polluting himself, endangering the lives of all about him, as well as bringing sorrow to the hearts of his parents and other loved ones whom his charming personality in other respects endeared him. Under one of these sprees several years ago he maimed a laborer at the logging camp so seriously that he had to be repaired at the county hospital. Leaving the hospital too soon, his wounds were again attacked through exposure and died from the same. Wesley was arrested for causing his death but through legal technicalities was discharged. We believe that there was another fatal victim to one of his sprees in Siskiyou County. George Norris is considered a man of good character and temperate habits. He is constable for the precinct and deputy sheriff for that section as well as deputy state warden, for which service he receives considerable salary. His brother, Jack Norris, is not considered of any good to himself or anyone else. He is recovering from his wounds. The funeral of the deceased took place at Klamathon at 10 o'clock this morning. Mrs. A. L Rose of Phoenix, Mrs. J. H. Oatman of McMinnville, and Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Lofland of Griffin Creek, the ladies being sisters of John W. Dollarhide, went over to Klamathon yesterday to console the relatives through their trials and affliction. Valley Record, Ashland, March 28, 1901, page 3 Killed by Deputy Sheriff.
J. M. Lofland, who resides a few miles
west of
Medford, received a telephone message Tuesday evening stating that his
nephew, Wesley Dollarhide, of Klamathon, had been accidentally killed
at that place Tuesday forenoon. Mr. and Mrs. Lofland left on Wednesday
morning's train for Klamathon. Deceased leaves a wife and two children.
Wesley Dollarhide, about 25 years of age, and well known in Southern
Oregon, was shot and killed by Deputy Sheriff George Norris, at 2
o'clock last Tuesday afternoon. The shooting occurred at Klamathon, a
small lumbering town just over the state line, in Siskiyou County,
California.
Dollarhide and Jack Norris, a brother of the deputy sheriff, were intoxicated and quarrelsome, and engaged in a fight, in which Dollarhide stabbed his antagonist quite seriously. Deputy Sheriff Norris appeared on the scene and attempted to interfere, when he was, in turn, attacked by Dollarhide with a knife. The deputy drew his revolver and fired two shots, both of which took effect. Dollarhide died instantly. Jack Norris' wounds are serious, but it is thought he will recover. His brother, Deputy Sheriff Norris, left at once for Yreka, the county seat, and gave himself up. H. C. Dollarhide, father of the young man who was killed, is an old-time resident of Southern Oregon and Northern California. Medford Mail, March 29, 1901, page 2 "Additional Local," Medford Mail, March 29, 1901, page 6 The Coy Dollar Hide.
After reproducing an item from the Ashland Tidings, in which was a mention of the marriage of J. Art Coy and Miss Mollie Dollarhide, the funny man on the Portland Oregonian adds this bit of very clever poetry:
How strangely acted Venus' boy
When this queer knot he tied-- Henceforth Miss Mollie must be coy, And Art the Dollar hide. Medford Mail, April 15, 1904, page 4
TWO EARLY-DAY HOLDUPS.
The passing of the
last real stage line between Oregon and California, in the extension of
the railroad to Klamath Falls, naturally suggests reminiscences of the
days when the only means of land communication between Portland and San
Francisco was by stage from San Francisco to Roseburg. In the histories
of these times are interwoven tales of holdups, washouts, perilous
drives and adventures, and nothing is more entertaining to the lover of
[the] early history of Oregon than to get one of the old drivers of the
stages through Southern Oregon in a reminiscent vein and have him tell
you some of the incidents and adventures of the days when "Black Bart,"
the poet stage robber, and big grizzlies roamed at will in the fastness
of the Siskiyous.Stories of Staging Through This Region in Years Agone. (J. D. Fay in Gold Hill News) Such an old driver and in such a vein it was the good fortune of the editor of the News to find this week in the person of Nort Eddings, who began driving stage when a slender lad of twenty or thereabouts in the early seventies and only retired just before the connecting link was made which made a continuous belt of steel across the continent and forever made staging as it was in the early days a thing of the past. But it is not of early day staging nor history that this article was intended to be, but simply a recital of a couple of holdups in which Mr. Eddings was a passive but deeply interested participant. The first one of these occurred just at the summit of the Siskiyous one evening in June 1878 [see 1878 articles, above], when two gentlemen of the road, disguised with sacks over their heads, requested him to stop and "throw out the box." This was done with precision and dispatch. One of the robbers was evidently a new one at the game, and his shotgun wobbled to such an alarming extent that Nort feared the thing would go off and hurt somebody or perhaps kill one of his pet team of six he drove over the mountain, so he requested the robber to "point that gun a little higher." The older and cooler of the two highwaymen ordered his companion to be careful, while he ransacked the mail pouch and the Wells Fargo box. At the end he asked if that was all. Eddings replied that it was, but the bandit was unbelieving and climbing on the wheel of the stage peered into the front boot. There he saw a package of beef bound for Cole's station, just over the summit. "Just hand that out, young man, I'll probably need that," he said. "Get it out yourself," said the driver; "I'm busy," as indeed he was with six restive horses made still more restive by the unaccustomed stoppage of the stage. The robber took the meat and departed. Subsequently they were traced down the Applegate River toward the coast, but were never overhauled, nor was any of the booty ever recovered. Judge Tolman, now dead, Joe Clough, a resident of Douglas County now and an employee of the stage company at that time, J. Nunan, of Jacksonville, and several others were on the stage at the time. Mr. Nunan was on his way to San Francisco to buy goods and had a bunch of money in a valise which lay under his and the driver's feet. Clough took several hundred dollars in bills out of his pocket (both were sitting outside) and shoved them under the "dicky seat." "Put those hands up, or I'll fill you full of holes" was the command, and Joe immediately commenced reaching for a higher atmosphere. The passengers were not molested, however, and beyond the tribulations of a Jewish drummer who was so scared so bad he couldn't control himself, the rest of the crowd rather enjoyed themselves. The second holdup occurred just beyond the old toll house, and according to the bandit's own statement was accomplished by "Black Bart," the most poetic outlaw and "gentlest thief that ever robbed a purse or slit a throat." J. E. Hogan, sheriff of Douglas County in the '80s and something of a thief catcher himself, visited Black Bart in San Quentin after his capture and from him learned the story of the holdup. This time there was only one passenger, a woman, on board, and the Wells Fargo [box] was chained down to the front boot. The driver couldn't let go of his team so the robber ordered him to get down and go to the head of the team, while he took an axe and broke open the box. This operation was described in detail by the famous robber to Sheriff Hogan, and "Bart" expressed a desire to once more meet "that youngster who wasn't scared by being held up so bad but he couldn't look out for his team." This last holdup happened in September or October, 1880 [see 1880 articles, above], and was one of the last of Black Bart's achievements. Ashland Tidings, May 31, 1909, page 8 Death of Henry Dollarhide
Last Sunday evening, at Abner, Calif., Harry Dollarhide was
accidentally crushed to death while stepping on the pilot of the engine
of the Weed Lumber Company's train, of which he was the conductor. He
was 34 years of age, born at Jacksonville, and comes from a prominent
family which is well known throughout this county. In addition to a
wife and two small children, the deceased leaves a father and mother
and several brothers and sisters to mourn his untimely death. He was a
cousin of Mrs. Jos. Zeiger, of Ashland, and she, together with numerous
other relatives and friends, attended the funeral services which were
held at Hornbrook last Tuesday.
Ashland Tidings, October 14, 1909, page 5 TOLL NOT RAISED BY DOLLARHIDE
That the toll
for passing over the road owned and kept up by L. D. Dollarhide on the
summit of the Siskiyous has not been raised, and that there is no
intention to raise the toll as was announced a few days ago, is the
statement of Mr. Dollarhide, who spent Friday in Medford on a short
business trip. The toll on the road remains the same as it has been:
Automobiles $1.50 or $2.50 for a round trip; $1 for teams; 25 cents for
saddle horses, stock 10 cents a head.Rates for Passing Over 11 Miles of Road on Siskiyous Has Not Been Raised as Stated--Will Remain the Same. The road is 11½ miles long and is kept up entirely by Mr. Dollarhide, who states that it is the best piece of mountain road in Southern Oregon. In return for keeping up the road he feels that he is entitled to a toll for travel over it. If the county court has plans on foot to condemn the road it has in no way notified Mr. Dollarhide to that effect. Medford Mail Tribune, May 5, 1911, page 2 JACKSON COUNTY BEGINS HIGHWAY
MONTAGUE (Siskiyou Co.), Sept. 24.--The work on the Pacific Highway in
Oregon in Jackson County is under way and the first work is to be done
on the Siskiyou Mountains. A careful survey has already been made and
an entire new road is to be built, and no part of the present road (the
old Dollarhide toll road) is to be used.Route Presents Panorama of Mountain Scenery with Views in Two States. GRADES WILL BE LIGHT New Road Will Run Along Skyline of the Siskiyou Mountains. Special to the Union. There will be no grades on the highway more than six percent. On the old road there were short stretches of 20 to 30 percent grades. The route selected will make one of the most picturesque highways in the world. The road will run along the skyline at the summit of the Siskiyous for more than two miles, with the Rogue River Valley in view on one side and Shasta Valley stretching far to the south on the other side, with Mt. Shasta in all its grandeur forming a background. It is a surpassing panorama of mountain scenery. No curve on the line has less than 150 feet radius. The line is free from forest, and snow will not accumulate as it does on the present road. The road will be 24 feet wide and 16 feet paved. That portion of the Siskiyou mountains where the highway will cross them 15 in Oregon. The distance from the boundary line to Montague is 27 miles. Jackson County was the first county in Oregon to take advantage of the county bonding law. At a recent election $500,000 bonds were voted by an immense majority. The work is to be in charge of the state highway engineers. Until the bonds are sold the work is being paid for by the issuance of county warrants drawing 5 percent interest. Sacramento Daily Union, September 25, 1913, page 7 DOLLARHIDE TOLL GOUGING TOURISTS
Word
reached the county court Monday that the Dollarhides, owners of the
toll road, are holding up tourists for sums varying from $2.50 to $5
for use of the road, which has not been repaired this year. The lower
portion of the road was purchased by the county court, and it was
understood that the toll feature would thereupon be abandoned. Instead,
the price has been raised from $1.50, the old charge, evidently in the
expectation of gouging all that can be grabbed before the completion of
the new highway.County Judge Tou Velle stated this morning that he would take the matter up with County Attorney Kelly with a view toward enjoining Dollarhide or otherwise abating the nuisance. Medford Mail Tribune, June 1, 1914, page 3 Repeal of the Dollarhide system of charging a graduating system of tolls for traffic over their toll road over the Siskiyous was effected this morning by the county court issuing an order fixing the rate at $1 per vehicle, irrespective of size, number of passengers, or load. Sheriff Singler was ordered to post a notice to this effect at the toll gate and notify Mr. Dollarhide. In case the Dollarhides fail to abide by this regulation, they will be prosecuted under the state law. Reports have reached the county court the toll assessments were being made as high as travelers would pay. "Court Limits Dollarhide Toll to One Dollar," Medford Mail Tribune, June 4, 1914, page 2 DOLLARHIDE SAYS
HE'S PUBLIC BENEFACTOR
Dudley Dollarhide, proprietor of the Dollarhide toll road, was a
Medford visitor Wednesday and claims that he is a public benefactor by
keeping the toll road open and in repair. The income from tolls, he
asserts, does not pay for its maintenance. He claims to be operating
under a territorial law, under which the road was established, and
which he says still governs his case.Mr. Dollarhide says he will ignore the order of the county court fixing his tolls at $1 per vehicle, and has established the following scale: Two dollars for Ford cars or cars under that horsepower, and $2.50 for cars upward and $3 for seven-passenger cars and 50 cents for motorcycles. A two-horse wagon goes through for $1.50, a two-horse buggy for $1.25, and one-horse buggy $1, and a two-wheeled one-horse cart for 50 cents, and man on horseback 25 cents, cattle, 10 cents per head, and sheep and hogs, 5 cents each. A deduction of $1 is made for round trips for autos. Notwithstanding Dollarhide denies charging more than the above rates, the charge is repeatedly made that he does. He admits a sliding scale in favor of those that use the road quite often. The county court will test Dollarhide's right to establish and collect tolls, claiming that his license expired years ago. He owns the ground upon which the tollgate stands. Medford Mail Tribune, June 11, 1914, page 3 About the only individual in Jackson County who will not be benefited by the highway is L. D. Dollarhide, who controls the toll road over the Siskiyous. When the highway is completed his occupation will be gone. As this is the last season he will have an opportunity to collect any revenue from his road, his toll gate is the scene of considerable friction and has led to controversy with the county court, which lately issued an order instructing him to charge only $1.50 for an automobile. Mr. Dollarhide interpreted this as meaning that he could charge the sum fixed for five passenger Ford cars, but on others he fixed the toll at $2. Before reaching the toll gate, coming from California, the traveler is told that he will be taxed whatever amount the gatekeeper thinks he will stand for. These stories are not encouraging travel. Some question es to the legality of Mr. Dollarhide's franchise has been raised, and it is possible that a test case will soon be made in the courts of the county. "Jackson County Building its Unit of Pacific Highway in Permanent Form," Oregon Journal, Portland, July 5, 1914, page D3 ENJOIN DOLLARHIDE
FROM INTERFERING WITH ROAD WORK
An injunction was granted
by Judge F. M. Calkins in the circuit court this morning upon
application of the county court through Prosecutor Kelly, restraining
L. D. Dollarhide, owner of the toll road over the Siskiyous, from
interfering with work on the Pacific Highway. Dollarhide is alleged to
have made threats backed with a shotgun against workmen employed on the
road. The right of way is over government land, but Dollarhide claims
the sole right to operate a highway thereon by virtue of a license
granted to him in territorial days.Medford Mail Tribune, September 21, 1914, page 2 DOLLARHIDE OFFERS TO SELL TOLL ROAD
Medford Mail Tribune, March 3, 1915, page 2
L. D. Dollarhide, owner of the toll road over the Siskiyous, appeared
before the regular meeting of the county court this morning and offered
to sell 12 miles of toll road extending from the Pacific Highway
towards Colestin district for $1000, giving the county a deed for the
same. The proposition was made verbally and written and was taken under
consideration by the county court. Routine matters were discussed and
bills for the month taken under consideration.
DOLLARHIDE TOLL ROAD PURCHASED BY COUNTY COURT
Medford Mail Tribune, March 8, 1915, page 1
The Dollarhide toll road is a thing of the past. No longer will the
California visitor to Oregon and the Oregon visitor to California be
compelled to pay to leave and enter the state by wagon road, for the
county court Monday purchased for $1000 the Dollarhide toll road, and
thereby effected a satisfactory settlement of the suit instituted
against the county by the road owners.
The Dollarhide road was built in the early '50s and for sixty years has been in constant use. It was privately built in territorial days, and privately maintained since. A portion was purchased a year ago for the Pacific Highway. The balance affords an outlet for some sixteen families residing in the mountains, besides [it] will be used during the paving operations to be conducted by the state this summer on the Pacific Highway. The road is twelve miles long, contains many steep grades, but has done its share in the development of the county. It is the last toll road in Southern Oregon. SIXTY-FOUR YEARS SINCE GOLD FOUND ON SITE OF YREKA
ASHLAND, April 5.--James Thornton, Ashland resident and one of the few
remaining pioneers of this section, grew reminiscent on April 1, while
recalling events of the olden days, and brought to mind that it was
just sixty-four years from that date when he assisted in the first
search for placer gold at the diggings on the spot where the city of
Yreka, in Siskiyou County, California, now stands. There was no
settlement there then, almost the entire country being a wilderness,
although another party of miners were working at Scott's Bar some
distance away. This was in 1851. The Thornton party consisted of
twenty-two men, organized in Yamhill County, Oregon, who got the gold
fever and started south on February 11 of that year. They got as far as
Dunsmuir and were compelled to turn back on account of deep snow and
stress of weather,. The party packed into the wilderness with an
average of two animals apiece. While near the site of where Yreka now
stands they prospected for the yellow metal and found it in paying
streaks, though no attempt was made to mine systematically to bedrock,
they simply working the surface. As Mr. Thornton remembers it, no name
was given to this original camp. In the course of three months, the
water supply giving out, the party returned to Oregon, various members
of the expedition having cleaned up about $1000 apiece.Of the original party six were intimate companions and had come to Oregon from Louisa County, Iowa, in the spring of 1850. They were Jacob Wagner, James and John Thornton, Charles Hendricks, Humphrey Long and a German named Henry Van Asalt. The late Albert Rockfellow was also a member of the initial party, but he left them at a point now within the boundaries of the state of Nebraska, preferring to join an expedition direct to California instead of coming to Oregon. All of these men have passed away with the exception of James Thornton. Mr. Thornton was born in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, "on the banks of the Wabash," May 29, 1826, consequently he is in his 90th year. He returned to the central west in the fall of 1851, via Central America, the sea voyage from Nicaragua to New York being in the old original steamer Vanderbilt. Coming back to Oregon, he located respectively in the Willamette Valley and later on at Jacksonville and then at Talent. He came to Ashland about the year 1867, and for a long period was actively identified with the woolen mills here. For eight years he was the owner of what is now known at the Dollarhide toll road over the Siskiyous, and at one time was associated with Jacob Wagner in ranching operations near Talent. Standing on the threshold of 90 years, he has lived to see the mineral output of Siskiyou County in three score years reach an aggregate of $175,000,000. Medford Mail Tribune, April 5, 1915, page 3
PIONEER FARMED SITE OF MEDFORD
"I used to farm this town, but I'd hate the job of plowing it up now,"
naively remarked Harvey Oatman, former pioneer resident of the valley,
at the depot Friday just before the departure of himself and Mrs.
Oatman for their home at Portland, following a two months' visit with
old friends and relatives in the valley.It was their first visit to this vicinity for thirty years, and they marveled at the changes that have taken place in that long period, especially the transition of Medford from a farm or series of farms into a modern and beautiful city. Mr. Oatman came across the plains with his parents from Illinois in 1853 and located near Phoenix. Mrs. Oatman was also the child of pioneer residents. She was Priscilla Dollarhide, and her parents were Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Dollarhide. In 1887 Mr. and Mrs. Oatman removed from Jackson County to Klamath County, where he engaged in the general merchandising business for four years, following which they removed to Portland, where they have lived since. Mr. Oatman hauled most of the lumber with which Fort Klamath was built. Incidental to the visit of Mr. and Mrs. Oatman after their long absence, it is interesting to relate that Mrs. Oatman's brother, Clay Dollarhide, of Tucson, Ariz., has also been visiting in the valley recently, and until his visit sister and brother had not seen each other for thirty-two years. Medford Mail Tribune, September 14, 1917, page 3
Michael Thomas and associates, in 1857, was granted a 20-year franchise for a toll road across the Siskiyous. In 1859 Father [Lindsay Applegate] bought this road. The original toll house was a log cabin, with a fireplace of rough stone. Its doors were of heavy planks, and were fastened with wooden bars fitting into iron brackets. Father built a new toll house, with two fireplaces, and much larger than the former house. It is now known as the Dollarhide house. Keeping the toll road was not merely a matter of collecting toll from those who passed over it, but also of keeping the road clear of trees that fell across it, clearing the snow with several yoke of oxen and a big bobsled, removing slides in the spring, and, in fact, keeping constantly busy improving the road. We were there nine years. Alice Applegate Sargent, in Fred Lockley, "Mrs. Sargent Tells Her Story," Medford Mail Tribune, July 31, 1927, page 10 SISKIYOUS SCENE OF BIG BLAZE
A
forest fire, attributed to a cast-off cigarette stub, yesterday
afternoon in the Siskiyou Mountains resulted in the destruction of the
old Dollarhide toll station buildings, including a log dwelling, two
barns filled with hay and a blacksmith shop, and for a time threatened
the Southern Pacific railroad buildings at Steinman on the Pacific
Highway. The fire burned fiercely and was put under control at 4:30
p.m., following the efforts of a small army of fire fighters.Old Dollarhide Stage Station Buildings Razed by Sunday Forest Fire--Dryness Handicaps Control--Report Three New Fires in Crater Forest--Eighty Fighters on Duty. The forest land was extremely dry and the flames spread rapidly through a heavy stand of timber, sweeping down on the historic Dollarhide buildings with such fury that efforts to prevent their destruction were in vain. In the neighborhood of a square mile of timber was destroyed, from the point where the fire started along the highway near the McElfresh ranch. The Dollarhide toll station was established over 70 years ago and was the access to the only road over the Siskiyou Mountains. It was popular as a stopping place for stage coaches that plied their way through Southern Oregon before the coming of the railroad, and also served as a community center, well known in Southern Oregon history. New Fires in Crater Forest.
In all, the Crater National Forest has 80 fire fighters at work on
three new fires in the forest and in watching controlled ones, which
are still burning, and there are two other new fires on state protected
land in the Evans Creek section.The largest new fire now burning in the Crater forest, as far as could be learned this noon, is one of approximately 1000 acres along Mallard Creek, an offshoot of Elliott Creek, in the Applegate section, some of it burning in yellow pine and other good timber. Sixty men were working on this fire this forenoon. Two other new ones also started Saturday along Elliott Creek, some distance above the Daffodil mine, the extent of which is not known here, as fire fighting crews were only sent to them this morning--having to pack a distance of nine miles from the nearest road. Of the two new fires on state protected land, which started Saturday in the Evans Creek section, one covers 40 acres on the Ramsey Creek divide, and the other also covers 40 acres on the Bear branch creek. Dwight Phipps, district state fire warden, has crews of men at work on them. Medford Mail Tribune, December 2, 1929, page 1
Historic Toll House of Siskiyous Destroyed by Recent Forest Fire
Medford
Mail Tribune, December 5, 1929, page 8By Alice Applegate Sargent
Time was when the Siskiyou Mountains stood a seemingly impassable
barrier between Oregon and California. Only a steep and rocky trail,
made by the surefooted Indian ponies, led the way across these
mountains.
Then came the days of '49 and this trail was traveled by men on their way to the gold mines in California, and by packers with their long trains of pack mules carrying supplies from the mining town of Yreka, California, to towns in the Willamette Valley. In 1857-8 the toll road was built across the Siskiyous by Michael Thomas and his associates under authorization of the Oregon legislature, which granted a twenty years' franchise authorizing the collection of tolls. The building of the road opened the way for the daily stage coaches. One of these old-time coaches in reds or yellows, drawn by six magnificent horses, would be a novel and inspiring sight in these days of horseless carriages. The first toll house was a large log cabin with an immense fireplace of rough stone. The doors were of heavy planks, and these were made more secure at night by strong bars of wood fitted into iron brackets. The windows were similarly protected, for all classes of adventurers swarmed across the mountains. The road was purchased by Lindsay Applegate in 1859 and operated by him for nine years. A new toll house was built in 1861. This building is generally known as the Dollarhide house, although it is the old Applegate home. Keeping the road in good condition for travel required an immense amount of labor and constant vigilance. In winter a large bobsled, drawn by several yoke of oxen, was used to clear the snow from the grade. Day after day throngs of immigrants, freight wagons, packers and prospectors came, in an almost endless procession over this splendid grade. Time has brought great changes, with the old grade in ruins, the railroad trains circling the mountain slopes and the Pacific Highway, like a silver ribbon, winding its way where the surefooted Indian ponies used to go. But the old toll house which was built by Lindsay Applegate in 1861 still stands, as it stood in the years of the long ago, in a lovely glade on the rugged mountainside. ----
The
above sketch was written a year or two ago. Sunday afternoon, Dec. 1,
1929, this historic house with its surrounding buildings was destroyed
by a forest fire raging in the Siskiyous.Last revised March 25, 2024 |
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