MEDFORD BARS "RAGGING"
Dancers Who Defy Rule Are Ordered Off Floor of Hall.

BOY KILLED IN DIVE OFF RAIL AT NAT. SUNDAY
Phillip Anderson, Age 15, Victim of Tragedy--Foot Slips, Strikes Head on Concrete Walk--
Nephew of A. E. Reames--Fall Causes Broken Neck.

ORIENTAL BALLROOM DANCE ON TONIGHT

VIRGIN RADIO TO BE ESTABLISHED AT NATATORIUM

NAT PLUNGE TO OPEN TOMORROW

OVER 10,000 TOURISTS AT MEDFORD'S 2 AUTO CAMPS
IN 1 MONTH

OVER 7000 CARS AT MERRICK INN IN FOUR MONTHS

MEDFORD'S AUTO CAMP IDEA IS GIVEN A BOOST

    Medford is closing its municipally operated automobile camp and is arranging a concession for a camp under private operation.
    A Portland resident who has just returned from a visit in that Southern Oregon city says: "The tourists were demanding more and more as the years passed and in most cases were quite able to pay hotel prices for the accommodations they expected in an open-air camp with a nominal fee.
    "Medford has started a movement in Oregon which I should like to see extend through the state, and for that matter throughout the country."
    Medford will let the concession to a highly responsible management, and has the assurance of clean grounds, ample facilities for cooking, shower baths and other moderate-priced conveniences, with a choice between tents and cottages.
    This Portland citizen continues: "Private ownership of the automobile camp may set a check on the increasing number of irresponsible migratory families who run up and down the coast in cheap cars, working in the harvests in summer and settling down on the charitable organizations of the cities for the winter.
    "Many of these people have no home or registered voting place and no settled school for their children. It  is not unusual to find children who enroll and then make hasty exits from a half-dozen school districts during the school year.
    "Medford's action also points the way to a matter I should like to see brought before our 1925 legislature; that is, to require the registration of every individual who stays overnight in an auto camp, and to enforce in this type of public lodging our present hotel code of morals. At present we have no means of tracing irregular proceedings."--Portland Oregonian.
Medford Mail Tribune, February 19, 1924, page 6

NAT PLUNGE TO OPEN TOMORROW

    Decked in a new coat of green and white paint and strongly resembling a new circus band wagon, the big Nat swimming pool will bring joy to hundreds of kiddies--old and young--at its seasonal opening at 1 o'clock tomorrow afternoon.
    Following the custom of past years the great siren whistle at the Nat will convey the gladsome tidings shortly after noon tomorrow.
    Five hundred dollars has been spent for new suits, and this shipment is expected to reach here late today.
    Many changes have been made in the locker room arrangement and every precaution has been taken to ensure strictest cleanliness.
    Miss Helen Rodolf has consented to give swimming instructions throughout the summer. She will teach either privately or in class. Her work in the dancing and aquatic field is well known throughout Oregon, and it would be fair to say that she excels in both.
    The Natatorium management will later announce a schedule of water contests and events that will meet with the accord of all swimming devotees.
    The water will be heated to ninety degrees, and this temperature will be maintained throughout the season.
Medford Mail Tribune, May 3, 1924, page 5

Declares Medford's Private Auto Camp Highest Type on the Coast
By Josephine Forney, in Portland Oregonian.

    MEDFORD, Ore.--(Special.)--At Medford I have found the example deluxe of privately owned and operated automobile camps--Merrick's Motor Inn. Medford, like most other up-to-date cities, has given much thought to the question of its automobile camp--as to whether it would be more satisfactory under municipal ownership or operated by an individual or individuals. Medford has apparently solved its problem to the satisfaction of all concerned. Merrick's Motor Inn is operated in a manner entirely satisfactory to the Chamber of Commerce, and the two organizations work together in complete harmony. The location of the camp--almost in the heart of the city--results in a gratifying increase in business among the local merchants.
    The equipment is unusual in the extreme. At the left of the entrance gate stands a large three-story building which was formerly the municipal natatorium. Here is provided an excellently equipped swimming tank with heated water; above that a dancing pavilion, which boasts a Victrola and a nickel-in-the-slot music box; in the basement is a splendid bowling alley, a shooting gallery, as well as a fully equipped kitchen with accommodations for at least 75 persons at one time. Gas plates for cooking are there and it is not necessary to come armed with money to operate them, for--wonder of wonders!--free use of all these attractions is included in the 50-cent registration fee!

Tourists Return Frequently

    It seems doubtful if any other camp in the country is equipped to give so much in service for a like registration fee. At any rate, tourists do stay here weeks at a time and tourists do return here and tourists do send their friends, and the Medford automobile camp is conceded to be a 100 percent success. Merrick's Motor Inn is provided with 20 small shelter cottages without beds, which are made available at the regular registration fee, 50 cents to those who do not wish to pitch their tent. There are 74 cottages in all, 50 of them completely equipped with comfortable beds and bedding and electric light. The price of these cottages varies according to equipment from 25 cents to $3. The latter price pays for a double cottage with equipment for a good-sized family.
    There are six kitchens within the camp, all fully equipped for the convenience of guests, with ample free gas plates in each one. The camp store at the entrance is open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The laundry service is modern and complete; from 900 to 1500 gallons of hot water is used daily, electric irons are provided. A writing and reading room is another attraction. All these things are as free to the man who brings his tent and pays 50 cents as they are to the occupant of the highest-priced cottage in the camp.
    Besides all this free service, the owners of the camp are spending from $150 to $200 each month in advertising Medford, the camp and Crater Lake National Park.

    I submit as the highest type of municipally owned and operated camp the wonderful camp at Ashland, about which I have previously expressed myself, and as the highest type of privately owned and operated automobile camp the camp at Medford. Portland might well study these two camps before deciding the questions which have been before the city and the Chamber of Commerce in connection with the future operation of its automobile camp.
    In spite of the fact that attendance at some of the national parks is falling below that of last season, Crater Lake National Park continues to break all previous records. Up to the night of August 15, 44,884 had visited the park, as against 30,522 for the same period last season. Of the total 24,665 have entered through the Medford gateway; 16,929 have entered through the Klamath Falls gateway; 1677 have approached via Bend and 2221 have been registered at the Anna Springs camp office late in the day after the rangers have been relieved of registration duty at the three above-mentioned gates.
    During the month of July, 1924, 3287 Oregon cars, carrying 11,395 persons, have entered Crater Lake National Park and 2922 California cars, bearing 9566 persons, have visited the park. In July, 1923, 2973 Oregon autos, carrying 10,378 persons, and 2021 California cars with 6636 visitors entered the Crater Lake gateways.
    The only state in the Union which has failed to send a visitor to Crater Lake this season is Georgia, but last season Georgia sent three. Scotland, New Zealand, Japan, Austria and the Hawaiian islands have sent  visitors this season.
    During July the state of Washington has sent into Crater Lake 314 automobiles, while Idaho's record of 28 cars during the same month is surpassed by Nevada's 30 cars and is closely contested by 27 cars from the state of Illinois. The state of New York sent 23 automobiles during July, Ohio 22, while Pennsylvania and Colorado have 19 to their credit and Massachusetts 13.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 26, 1924, page 4


    The Merrick Auto Camp continues to win state and national favorable attention through its largeness, completeness and variety of facilities. In recognition of this fact the board of directors of the Medford Chamber of Commerce has just adopted the following resolution:
    Whereas, the Merrick Auto Camp through its policy of courtesy and fair dealing, and
    Whereas, investigation of the method and plan of operation show that every effort is being made to ensure comfort and convenience to the auto tourists, therefore
    Be it resolved that the Medford Chamber of Commerce, through its directors, express to the Merrick Auto Camp its appreciation for this service and assure them of the complete cooperation of this organization in the conduct of this auto camp.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 26, 1924, page 6

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

    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.
"Flood Does Much Damage," Ashland Daily Tidings, December 31, 1924, page 1

Medford Mail Tribune, April 28, 1925, page 3

MERRICK MOTOR INN NEWSPAPER IS OFF THE PRESS

    The Highway Bulletin, the official publication of Merrick's Motor Inn edited by Walter D. Merrick, is off the press, and three truckloads of the edition will be distributed on the highways and byways of Oregon, Washington and California.
    The Bulletin is profusely illustrated with cuts of Southern Oregon spots and scenery, and features Medford and the motor inn. It contains a number of interesting articles, some humorous--from the pen of Mr. Merrick--and the contents of the paper are interesting alike to home folks and tourists.
    Every north- and southbound autoist on the Pacific Highway for the next month will receive a copy of the paper, and the distribution will be complete.

Medford Mail Tribune, May 4, 1925, page 8

    A capacity business has been enjoyed all summer at the Medford "motor inn," according to Fred E. Merrick, proprietor of the tourist camp, who is registered with Mrs. Merrick at the Portland Hotel. Medford, according to Mr. Merrick, has become a tourist center, serving travelers going north to and coming from the Crater Lake National Park. The "inn" is probably unique in having many conveniences usually enjoyed only in hotels. A feature of the camp is a swimming pool. Mr. Merrick noted with pleasure the result of the election, which will establish the seat of Jackson County at Medford. Mr. Merrick has been in Portland several days for a minor operation.--Portland Oregonian.
"Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, November 9, 1926, page 2

    The comfort of the tourist has not been overlooked in Medford and southern Oregon, and when the weary autoist swoops down from the lofty Siskiyou Mountains into the Rogue River Valley he finds accommodations unexcelled anywhere. As he passes through Phoenix, four miles from Medford, he can tarry for the night at the Ever Shady Auto Park, one of the beauty spots of the Pacific Highway through southern Oregon. Next is Merrick's Motor Inn, situated in the very heart of this city on Bear Creek. This camp is known the country over for its excellent accommodations and offers well-furnished cabins, cooking facilities, laundry equipment as well as diversified entertainment such as swimming, dancing and bowling.
    Phipps Auto Park on the Pacific Highway at Jackson Street also offers unusual accommodations for tourists. This camp is complete in every detail, offering even free car washing facilities.
    As the tourist leaves Medford, he may stop at Camp Withus if he so desires. This camp is near the great Owen-Oregon Lumber Company's new million-dollar lumber mill. There are also splendid camp grounds and oil stations all along the Pacific Highway. Before reaching Grants Pass he may enjoy a rest in the cool shade of Riviera Park, fifteen miles from Medford, or a stay at beautiful Weasku Inn and camp at Rogue River. Weasku Inn is located near the Savage Rapids Dam on famous Rogue River and is in the very heart of the well-known fishing waters of that stream.
Medford Mail Tribune, January 2, 1927, page 1


    In the neighborhood of $20,000 was the loss figured by the Merrick auto camp, which lost two rows of camp houses numbering approximately 38, 15 of which had only recently been constructed for next summer's business. A number of the houses were swept for long distances down the creek, and others are scattered all along its banks. The houses even in normal weather are situated fairly close to the stream, which in summer time is not much more than a brook. In order to prevent flood damage, the majority of the houses had been fastened securely to trees, but the fastenings were unavailing in the terrific force of the water, which in addition flooded a large number of other camp houses.
"Valley and City Swept by Freshets," Medford Mail Tribune, February 21, 1927, page 1

    The installation of the $1500 chlorinator and filtering system in the Natatorium on North Riverside was completed yesterday by Emerson Dolliyer, representative of the Wallace and Tiernan Company of Seattle, Wash., who has been in the city since Monday. This installation, according to the Seattle man, will keep the water in the local pool free from germs and guard against any transmission of disease through the public use of the pool.
    The filter will also assist in rendering the water of a crystal clearness that will prove an attractive feature for the many local swimmers. "The city of Medford can be proud of the installation of this equipment in the Natatorium's swimming pool, which is not only a great sanitary improvement, but has made this pool one of the finest of its kind in the entire state," he said before the Lions Club today.
Medford Mail Tribune, May 23, 1928, page 2