Oscar Kilbourn, U.S. Gauger, who recently made this county an official visit, writes us as follows under a late date:
    My visit to your section was to ascertain the quantity and proof of the brandy made by the various distilleries. J. W. Smith, at Phoenix, has manufactured between one and two hundred gallons of brandy from apples, but had not finished at the time I was there. Jos. Wetterer, in Jacksonville, has about the same quantity, also made from apples, but had not completed his run. Raphael Morat, on the outskirts of town, is through for this season and has between three and four hundred gallons on hand, manufactured from grapes. This is the first year that any of them have had stills in operation, though some liquor was made at Phoenix last season. One still at the latter place did not run.
    The brandy is from proof to fifteen and twenty percent above proof. It is considered a good article and, if properly rectified, would be as desirable as the brandies from California. As the expense of rectification is considerable, the distillers dispose of the brandy without subjecting it to this process, and it finds a ready sale. They pay a tax of 90 cents per proof gallon and are allowed to sell at the distillery in stamped packages without license. After I have ascertained the quantity and proof and put on each package the required marks and brands, to sell less than a stamped package they are required to pay a retail dealer's license.
    There is no reason why the surplus grapes, apples, pears, peaches, etc. grown in your vicinity should not be manufactured into brandy. The liquor is well liked by many, it being often preferred to others on account of being the pure article, but for general use it requires rectification or old age. When manufacturers reduce the brandy they distill and the excellence of the article is generally known, it will supersede several other liquors, and the money that usually goes out from this section for this purpose will be retained at home and another source of revenue established.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, March 21, 1879, page 1


    Raphael Morat is erecting a new residence at his vineyard north of town.
"Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, August 20, 1879, page 3

THE UNDERSIGNED takes pleasure in informing the public that he now has on hand a large stock of superior Wine and Brandy, which he will sell in quantities to suit purchasers, at the following rates per gallon: Claret Wine, 50 cents; Angelica, $1; Brandy, $3.
    Give me a call at my place of business on the Oregon stage road, just north of Jacksonville, and judge for yourself.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, November 9, 1883, page 2

HAVING OPENED a saloon on California Street, we ask for a share of the public patronage and promise good treatment in every case.We keep none but the best of liquors, wines and cigars, and satisfaction is guaranteed. Try us and be convinced.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, November 24, 1883, page 1


    Gus Delpey is now in charge of Morat & Chale's saloon after night and whenever wanting a good lunch or drink give him a call when satisfaction will be guaranteed.
"Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, December 15, 1883, page 3

THE UNDERSIGNED takes pleasure in informing the public that he now has on hand a large stock of superior Wine and Brandy, which he will sell in quantities to suit purchasers, at the following rates per gallon: Claret Wine, 50 cents; Angelica, $1; Brandy, $3.
    Give me a call at my place of business on the Oregon stage road, just north of Jacksonville, and judge for yourself.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, August 8, 1884, page 4


    Morat & Chale have been granted a six-months' liquor license by the trustees.
"Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, September 5, 1884, page 3


    As will be seen by his notice elsewhere, Raphael Morat has been appointed executor of the estate of Julien Raspot, deceased.
"Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, September 5, 1884, page 3




    Raphael Morat, the well-known manufacturer of wine and brandy, is building a fine stone cellar in which to store his products. Geo. Holt is doing the work.
"Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, August 1, 1884, page 3


    Geo W. Holt has just completed a fireproof cellar for Rafael Morat with a capacity of holding 1,000 gallons of wine.
"Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, August 2, 1884, page 3

    A large quantity of grapes are being shipped to Portland from this place by Mrs. J. N. T. Miller, Raphael Morat, Emil Berbe, Martin Laist and others. They sell at good prices, and being tender and of good flavor, are preferred to California grapes by most people. In the future, when raising grapes of different qualities will have attained a high standard of development in Southern Oregon, we may expect our grapes to be sold almost exclusively in Oregon markets. In the vicinity of Jacksonville may be found thousands of acres of land especially adapted to the culture of the grape, and this will all, sooner or later, be utilized for that purpose by people who understand the business. We confidently expect that this section will before many years command much attention from those handling grapes and wine.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, September 9, 1887, page 3

    Four of the leading grape growers in the vicinity of Jacksonville have furnished us with a report of this year's yield which, while it is less than half of the yield of the same acreage in 1887, is still sufficiently encouraging to be of interest to those who are or possibly will engage in grape culture.
    Peter Britt's vineyard has six acres in vines, three acres of which are bearing. This year there have been made 1000 gallons of wine from this vineyard; in 1887 the same acreage produced over 2000 gallons. Over 40 varieties of grapes are growing, but not all bearing, including many of the finest varieties grown in California, France and Germany.
    Raphael Morat has ten acres in vines; yield this year about 43,800 lbs., from which was made 1700 gallons of wine, and 200 gallons of brandy; balance sold in northern markets. Value of yield $1295; one-half of yield of 1887.
    Emil Barbe has six acres in vines, made 1200 gallons wine this year, has two varieties--"the Miller Mission" and "White Sweetwater"--considered one-half of crop of favorable seasons.
    Col. R. A. Miller, who has charge of J. N. T. Miller's vineyard, reports sixteen acres in vines; yield this year 22 tons, from which were made 800 gallons wine, the balance shipped to Portland market; there are twenty-five varieties of grapes growing in this vineyard, the most being the "Miller Mission" and "White Sweetwater," estimated at less than one-half the yield of 1887.
    In 1888 the late frost damaged the entire grape crop of the valley; in addition the acreage reported in vines [omission] there are many small vineyards in the vicinity of Jacksonville, and the acreage is constantly increasing.
    In the valley W. T. Leever, vineyard south of Willow Springs, and Mrs. Straub, north of that place, Dr. E. P. Geary, on Griffin Creek, and J. H. Stewart, of Phoenix, are successful vineyardists. The exhibit from the vineyard last mentioned took premiums at the District Fair. This shows conclusively that grapes can be grown anywhere in Jackson County, returning a profit for their culture in this year (which is conceded to have been less than half the usual yield) of $100 per acre; deduct from that 25 percent for cultivation, and we have a net profit of $75 an acre. This should certainly be sufficient inducement to quadruple the acreage in grapes the coming season. Raisin grapes are among the varieties already growing, and no doubt we could engage as successfully in making raisins as wine. Los Angeles last year shipped raisins through this valley east, over the Northern Pacific. It would be an easy matter for Jackson County to stop the wheels of this traffic, with a good article nearer the market.
Ashland Tidings, December 20, 1889, page 1

MORAT-WILLIAMS--At Jacksonville, May 10, 1890, by W. J. Plymale, J.P., Raphael Morat and Mrs. Anna F. Williams.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, May 16, 1890, page 3


    The residence property of Raphael Morat and wife is being greatly improved.
"Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, June 13, 1890, page 3

    JACKSONVILLE, Or., Nov. 23.--About [illegible] o'clock last night, while the family were at supper, fire broke out in the residence of Raphael Morat, on the outskirts of the town, and before the fire company could reach it, the building was thoroughly ablaze, and was consumed with all its contents. The dining room was in an adjoining building apart from the main residence and the kitchen, and when it was discovered that the house was on fire, Mrs. Morat ran to open a door [illegible] and save something. The imprisoned flames stuck her in the face, on the hands and wrists, and blistered her in a most painful manner. The fire company did splendid work in saving the adjoining buildings. The loss is less than $1000, with no insurance. The origin of the fire is not known.
Oregonian, Portland, November 24, 1894, page 3


    Last Thursday night the residence of Raphael Morat, the Jacksonville vineyardist, caught on fire while the family were at supper in the dining room, an adjoining building, and was consumed with all its contents. Mrs. Morat, in endeavoring to save some articles, had her face, hands and wrists blistered by the fire. The loss is $900; no insurance.
"Pressed Bricks," Valley Record, Ashland, November 29, 1894, page 1

    Last night about 6 o'clock the residence at the Morat vineyard, north of town, burned to the ground, together with the winery vats, etc. The building was unoccupied, and the fire is supposed to have been the result of an accident. The building was owned by Mrs. Raphael Morat, and was not insured.
Oregonian, Portland, April 12, 1898, page 3


    The fire which destroyed the dwelling house belonging to R. Morat last week seems to have been of incendiary origin, as it has since transpired that Thos. L. Reynolds, while passing the building a few nights previously, discovered and extinguished a fire on the floor thereof.
"Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, April 14, 1898, page 3


    R. Morat, who has been a resident of Jacksonville for many years, died Monday night, after a lingering illness. For a long time he operated a vineyard near town, but in late years he was engaged in mining near Foots Creek. A widow survives him.
"Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, June 30, 1898, page 3


    Raphael Morat, a native of France, 64 years of age, died at his home in Jacksonville at 11 o'clock a.m. on the 28th, of Bright's disease. Mr. Morat came to Jacksonville about 35 years ago and has been mostly engaged in mining. He was one among the first successful vineyardists of the county, and at the time of his death owned the large vineyard adjoining J. N. T. Miller's. He had valuable mining interests on Foots Creek, where he lived most of the time, and worked and superintended the mine himself. He was a very industrious and energetic man and well respected. He married Mrs. Williams, the mother of Andrew and Walter Hubble, several years ago, who, with two other grown stepchildren survive him. He leaves considerable property. The remains were interred in Jacksonville Cemetery on the 29th, Rev. Robert Ennis officiating.
Ashland Tidings, June 30, 1898




Jacksonville Cemetery Sexton's Records. Grave unmarked.


    Estate of Raphael Morat. Assignment of dower to Annie F. Morat approved.
"Probate Court," Valley Record, Ashland, May 10, 1900, page 2




    The many friends of Mrs. Anna Morat, who went to San Francisco a few weeks ago for medical treatment, will be pained to hear of her death, which occurred at the German hospital in that city on November 17th, from the effects of an operation performed for the removal of a cancer. Mrs. Morat was a resident of Jacksonville for many years and was sixty-three years old at the time of her death. Four grown children, all residents of California, survive her. Her remains were cremated.
"Jacksonville News," Medford Mail, November 28, 1902, page 3


    J. W. Bonar, who has a vineyard on Griffin Creek, on the road between Jacksonville and Phoenix, was in Ashland lately and related to the Tidings the unusual way in which he had lost his entire crop of Muscat grapes. They had been left on the vines to attain their greatest perfection by thorough ripening, and Mr. Bonar, prevented by the late storms, had not visited his vineyard, which is some distance from his house, for several days. Sunday he went to inspect the condition of his choicest variety, and was astonished to find that his entire crop of grapes had disappeared. Hardly a bunch remained on the vines, which covered an acre of ground. Mr. Bonar was not long in solving the mystery, for scattered over the vineyard in the soft soil were innumerable prints of deer feet. The deer, having been driven from the upper levels of the surrounding mountains by the heavy fall of snow, had come below in their search for food, and Mr. Bonar's grapes seemed to be just the thing to tickle their appetite, and they made a good job of gathering the crop.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, November 25, 1903, page 3