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The Infamous Black Bird Southern Oregon History, Revised


Gus Newbury


Longtime Resident Recalls 1881 Arrival in County,
Other Events of Early Days
By GUS NEWBURY
    My mother, two sisters and I left Pennsylvania on the 28th of October, 1881, and arrived at Redding, California, which was the end of the railroad, at 8 p.m. on the evening of the 8th day of November, 1881.
    We got on the California-Oregon stagecoach at nine o'clock on the night of the 8th. We rode on that stagecoach all the night of the 8th, and we rode on that stagecoach all the day of the 9th, and we were all the next day on that stagecoach, and at nine o'clock the next day we rode past the Presbyterian Church, in Jacksonville, which had just been built the year previous.
    In the latter forties or the early fifties, my mother's three brothers came to Oregon. Two of these brothers, George and Mathias Yadus [often spelled "Yaudes"], were still alive in 1881 and living in Jacksonville. My mother's brothers were the owners of the Sterling mine, and we went there to live for a few years, and then we moved to Jacksonville, where I lived during my boyhood days.
    I married a granddaughter of Huldah Colver and was married in the big Colver house. We lived there with Mrs. Colver for a year. Then I built a house in the north end of Phoenix, and moved there. The Presbyterian Church was right in front of the cemetery, and we lived right across the street. The house still stands. I lived there for about four years.
    I was 15 years old when I took my teacher's examination and got a second grade teacher's certificate and taught at Forest Creek. I taught there five months and then took another teacher's examination and got a first grade certificate and taught at Lake Creek for another five months. The school money always seemed to run out after the five summer months.
    Then I got a job teaching school at Jacksonville. I taught the second department in Jacksonville. Before I went into that department those boys just ran that school. They started to do that with me. We had recitation benches then, with a blackboard around the wall. There were three boys who were particular roughnecks, about 14 or 15 years old.
    I had called an arithmetic class and I'd assigned work at the blackboard and one of the boys was still at the recitation bench and I hadn't assigned any work to him yet. I told one boy to work out a problem on the board, and the boy said, "By God, I won't do it!"
    In that department they'd already run out three of the teachers, so I climbed over the recitation bench and got him by the nape of the neck and the seat of the pants and took him over to the teacher's desk and threw him down on the floor with his feet pointing toward the wall. When I stood up, the second boy threw an eraser. I wore a pompadour then--the eraser went right through the pompadour and flew out the window.
    I looked up to see who had thrown the eraser and saw the second boy going toward the door. I beat him to the door. I took him over to the teacher's desk and placed him beside the first boy. Then came an inkwell. It went over my head and out the window. I looked up to see where that came from, and I beat the third boy to the door. I placed that boy at the teacher's desk with his feet to the wall. That was the first time a teacher had ever stood up to the boys.
    A janitor for the school, John Jeffrey, and I had a pair of boxing gloves, and we got so good that none of the boys could ever hit us, and pretty soon they didn't even try.
    I can remember strong feeling over the Civil War many years after it was over. In the valley were several families of Kentuckians who were willing to fight it out all over again, anytime.
    J. H. Stewart, who owned the Voorhies place, shipped his first carload of pears in 1890. The second big orchard was where the Bear Creek Orchard is now. It was planted by Weeks and Orr. [A. J. Weeks planted his orchard in 1883, two years before J. H. Stewart.]
    While I lived in Phoenix I was school superintendent.
Medford Mail Tribune, June 20, 1954, page B6


Gus Newbury, 85, Prominent Lawyer, Educator, Passes
    Gus Newbury, 85, one of the best-known attorneys in southern Oregon and a familiar figure in Jackson County for more than 70 years, died last night.
    He had been in ill health for a number of months, and had been staying at the county farm home. A native of East Liberty, Pa., Mr. Newbury was born on March 27, 1870.
    He arrived in Jacksonville, then the county seat of Jackson County, at the age of 12 in 1881. For a number of years, starting at the age of 16, he taught school there, and later, starting in 1893, served as county superintendent of schools for seven years. During this period he was reading law and, entirely self-taught, he passed the state bar examination in 1903.
Long Career
   
This began a long and colorful practice of law, during which he had broad trial experience both in criminal and civil cases. One of them was the famous DeAutremont case, in which he served as a defense attorney. The case was the last important trial held in the old courthouse, now the Jacksonville museum.
    At one time he was county clerk, and in addition was known for his association with fraternal organizations. In 1906 he joined the Elks lodge, and was grand exalted ruler of the Medford lodge in 1917 and 1918. On each of his more recent birthdays, he has been honored by other past exalted rulers of this lodge, the most recent occasion last March.
    He also was a member of various Masonic orders, and was a member of Hillah temple of the Shrine.
    Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Maude R. McHaffey, Antioch, Calif., and a son, Carl, Lafayette, Calif., who arrived in Medford today; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, and a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Don R. Newbury. His son Don, also a well-known Medford attorney, with whom he was associated in practice, died in 1952.
Funeral Thursday
    Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 28, at the Perl funeral chapel, with the Rev. John Reynolds of the First Presbyterian Church officiating. Elks lodge members will participate in later services conducted by past exalted rulers of the lodge, who will serve as pallbearers.
    Members of the Jackson County bar today paid tribute to Mr. Newbury for his long service, for an outstanding and keen wit, and for a strong sense of loyalty to his friends. He was both interested and active in Republican politics and in lodge activities, his friends reported.
    They characterized him as a pioneer, a human figure who loved life and his state, and who had won his way in his chosen profession the hard way, despite many years of partial illness.
Medford Mail Tribune, July 27, 1955, page 1


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    From Prof. Newbury, of the Jacksonville public school, we learn that the teachers' institute held at Medford last week was unusually interesting and pleasant. Sixty teachers were enrolled, and the attendance throughout was good, almost every section of the county being represented. Medford's hospitable citizens were courteous and obliging, and all had an interesting and pleasant time.
"Jacksonville Items," Ashland Daily Tidings, January 3, 1890, page 2


    Prof. G. G. I. Newbury this week succeeded in obtaining a state teacher's certificate. Gus. has made an excellent record for himself, both as pupil and teacher, and, as we regard him as a native product in one sense, we are correspondingly gratified at his success.
"Personal Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, May 23, 1890, page 3


    Gus Newbury and his sister Miss Hattie recently passed a very creditable examination before Supt. Price, and now hold state teachers' diplomas. They are deserving of their honors, as both are painstaking, efficient teachers.
"Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 6, 1891, page 3


    Gus Newbury will soon take the road in the interest of the Jacksonville Marble Works.
"Personal Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, June 19, 1891, page 3


    Gus. Newbury, having passed a satisfactory examination, has been awarded a state life diploma. He received the document this morning.
"Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, November 27, 1891, page 3


    Gus. Newbury returned from Portland last week. He delivered the oration at Eagle Point on the 4th, which is highly spoken of by those who listened to it.
    Miss Hattie Newbury has secured a position for the coming year in the Stevens school at Portland, and will doubtless fill the place as long as she desires to do so, as she is one of the best teachers of the intermediate grades in the state. The patrons of the Jacksonville public schools will greatly regret to see Miss Hattie leave this town, where she has so long labored in the educational field.
"Personal Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, July 8, 1892, page 3


    The board of school directors for Jacksonville district met not long since and selected this excellent corps of teachers for [the] ensuing year: Prof. Price, principal; Gus. Newbury, assistant principal; Miss Agnes Devlin, intermediate department, and Miss Dee Ankeny, primary grade. They will no doubt give satisfaction.
"Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, August 12, 1892, page 3


    Misses Hattie Newbury and Lottie Reed, two of our best teachers, left for Portland during the week to assume positions in the schools of the metropolis.
"Personal Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, September 23, 1892, page 3


    Prof. G. G. I. Newbury still makes regular trips to Phoenix, despite the unpleasant Sunday weather we have been having lately.
"Here and There," 
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 3, 1893, page 3


    The selection of Hon. H. B. Miller as orator and Prof. G. G. I. Newbury as reader for the coming [Fourth of July] celebration is a most happy one, as both gentlemen are masters of the art of elocution and oratory. A grand time is now assured, and it is certain that the crowd in attendance will be something phenomenal. The masses of the people from every direction announce their intention of being present.
"Central Point Pointers,"
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, June 30, 1893, page 2


    Miss Hattie Newbury, who is a teacher in the Portland schools, is paying her home in Jacksonville a visit.

"Personal Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, July 28, 1893, page 3


    Gus. Newbury, who has been a teacher in the Jacksonville public schools, will next year take the position of principal of one of the schools at Ashland. He is well qualified to fill the place and will doubtless give satisfaction.

"Personal Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, August 4, 1893, page 3


Wedding Bells.
    Gus Newbury and Miss Nellie Rose were united in matrimony at the residence of Mrs. S. Colver in Phoenix last Wednesday evening. The old historic parlor, which has been the scene of so many like events in the past, and around whose walls cluster so many remembrances of pioneer days, was handsomely decorated for the occasion. The marriage ceremony, simple and yet impressive, was performed by Rev. Robt. Ennis of Jacksonville. The toilette of the bride was handsome and greatly admired. When congratulations were over the guests sat down to a table laden with the choicest delicacies of the season. Mrs. Colver had left nothing undone to make the occasion a decided success, and succeeded admirably. The young couple were the recipients of a number of beautiful presents, tokens of the well wishes of the favored few who were present. Mr. and Mrs. Newbury are well and favorably known throughout southern Oregon, and the event was a pleasant surprise to their many friends, whose sentiments we speak when we say that all join in the wish and confidence that the new home may be a happy one, attended by prosperity and through whose portals no shadow of sorrow may ever come.
Democratic Times,
Jacksonville, September 1, 1893, page 3


MARRIED.
    At the Colver residence in Phoenix, on the 30 inst., Prof. Gus Newbury of Jacksonville, to Miss Nellie Rose of Phoenix.
    Prof. Newbury is well known as one of the leading educators of this part of the state, at present holding a prominent position in the Ashland schools. The bride is also an excellent teacher and will teach in the Bish district the coming winter.
    The News joins their many friends in wishing them a long and happy life.
Talent News, September 1, 1893, page 4


    Gus Newbury, assistant superintendent of schools, and a daughter of L. A. Rose, of Phoenix, were married Wednesday evening.

"All the Local News," Medford Mail, September 1, 1893, page 3


    Gus Newbury, the short man who is deputy county superintendent of schools, was in Medford Monday looking after duties connected with that office.
"Purely Personal," Medford Mail, September 1, 1893, page 3


    Miss Hattie Newbury, who is teaching in the public schools of Portland, returned to the scene of her duties this week. Agnes Love accompanied her.
"Personal Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, September 15, 1893, page 3


    Prof. Gus. Newbury, who taught in the Jacksonville public schools for several years, is giving general satisfaction in his new position as principal of the south Ashland school.
"Personal Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, December 1, 1893, page 3


    Prof. Gus. Newbury, principal of one of the Ashland schools, will be a candidate for school superintendent before the next Republican convention.
"Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 11, 1894, page 3


    Gus Newbury, the seven feet of very clever manliness and good fellowship, who lives at Phoenix and is principal of the south side school at Ashland, was in Medford Tuesday joining hand grips with his numerous friends. He is on a layoff this week because of the existence to a great degree of scarlet fever in his school.

"Purely Personal,"
Medford Mail, February 9, 1894, page 3


    Prof. Gus. Newbury was in town on Saturday, and while here submitted plans to H. F. Wood, the architect, for a neat cottage he proposes having built at Phoenix during the year.
"Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 19, 1894, page 3


    Prof. Newbury, the tall sycamore of Phoenix, got ducked while trying to cross Bear Creek. The horse he was riding became unmanageable and went in where it was so deep that the water struck the professor under the chin; that's pretty deep, you know, when it does that, of course the horse was out of sight, but there happened to be a tall cottonwood tree standing out in the water and the professor made a grab and caught one of the topmost branches and pulled himself up high and dry, as good luck would have it, but held on. I was going to explain how he got out to dry land, but if anyone wants to know, let them ask the professor and he will no doubt explain. While we think about it we will say right here that Mr. Newbury is making arrangements to build a nice new house in Phoenix in a short time, and will become a permanent resident.
"Phoenix Items," Medford Mail, March 2, 1894, page 4


To the Voters of Jackson County.
    In a recent issue of the Jacksonville Times, in an article concerning Gus Newbury, appears the following: "It is true he has taught some time in the county, but he has not advanced as much as he should in view of the opportunities he has had." Now, having known Mr. Newbury from early boyhood, I am, I think, more familiar with the opportunities he has had, with all the circumstances of his life, than is the editor of the Times. Gus Newbury began life in this county as a small boy, the son of a widowed mother, whose only resource for the sustenance of herself and three children was her own two weak hands. Like many another poor boy, Gus grew to manhood without any opportunities other than those which he made for himself. While acquiring the education which he has, largely under my own personal instruction, he encountered all the privations of poverty, all the discouragements of want and lack of parental assistance, contributing to the support of a widowed and comparatively helpless mother, ever and unceasingly and uncomplainingly struggling against the ordinarily fatal environments of a poor boy without affluent and influential friends. Gradually, through his own efforts, he has advanced to the position of principal of one of the Ashland city schools, and through ability and successful teaching to the possession of a state life diploma. No voter need have any doubt as to the perseverance and ability of Mr. Newbury. Should he be chosen to fill the position to which he aspires, no voter who supports him will have the occasion after his election for regret at having so cast his vote. The above is offered only in justice to Mr. Newbury.
J. W. MERRITT.               
Medford Mail, June 1, 1894, page 2


    Gus Newbury has the brick on the ground preparative to laying the foundation of his new house.
"Phoenix Items," Valley Record, Ashland, July 26, 1894, page 1


    Supt. Newbury will hold the quarterly examination for teachers' certificates in the Medford public school house on May 8th.
"Medford Items," Valley Record, Ashland, May 2, 1895, page 3



    Our county school superintendent, Gus Newbury, has been quite ill for the past week with a severe cold which settled on his lungs. Gus explains the cause of his illness by stating that he camped for a couple of weeks over at Wagner Soda Springs with Miles Cantrall and Fred. Wagner and that no man has a license to escape serious illness who camps for so long a time with a crowd made up of the above-named gentlemen. Mr. Newbury has been unable to be at the court house for about ten days, but is now improving.

"News of the City," Medford Mail, September 11, 1896, page 7



    The work of fortifying the land along the banks of Bear Creek from high water, which has been playing havoc for some years past, is progressing to quite a noticeable extent. A. L. Rose and Gus Newbury, of Phoenix, have had a large pile driver built for them at the Ashland Iron Works, with which they will drive timbers along the banks of this troublesome stream. This makes two pile drivers now being used for that purpose--Anderson Brothers, of this city, being the first to commence the work.

"News of the City," Medford Mail, December 18, 1896, page 7


    Chas. A. Moore, a prominent attorney of Portland, and Miss Hattie Newbury, the popular and well-known educator, were married in Jacksonville last Thursday. They left on the evening train for Portland, to make their future home. Mr. and Mrs. Moore's friends, who are legion, are showering their congratulations and best wishes on them, in which The Times joins.

"Personal Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 3, 1898, page 3


    It seems as if Gus. Newbury will receive the Republican nomination for county clerk, as he has been slated by the bosses. He is quite averse to letting go of the public teat.

"Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, April 4, 1898, page 3


    The people will decide on June 6th that Gus Newbury has held office long enough already. There are others who should be remembered in an official way.

"Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, May 26, 1898, page 3


    Mr. Newbury is virtually asking the people to pension him for life. He has already been an office-holder four years, and is quite a young man yet. Where will it all end?

"Splinters," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, May 30, 1898, page 2


    Gus. Newbury claims that he has over 1500 votes already, and seems sanguine that those are enough to elect him county clerk. As the average Republican strength is estimated at about 1300, he must expect that several hundred Democrats and Populists will vote for him; but will they do it? We think that he is counting his chickens too early.

"Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, May 30, 1898, page 3


    Four years of office should satisfy any man. But Gus Newbury doesn't think so. If he is elected clerk he will want something better next time.

"Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, June 2, 1898, page 3


    Gus Newbury, who takes charge of the county clerk's office next week, will be assisted by Mrs. M. Peters and Miss Theresa Bryant.
"Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, June 27, 1898, page 3


    Gus Newbury and family will occupy the residence now the home of County Clerk Jackson and family about July 15th. The latter will locate in Medford.

"Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, June 30, 1898, page 3


    Gus. Newbury has assumed charge of the county clerk's office, and is assisted by Mrs. Mary Peter and Miss Theresa Bryant.

"Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, July 7, 1898, page 3


    The family of Gus. Newbury, county clerk, have taken up their residence in Jacksonville. They received a hearty welcome.

"Personal Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, July 28, 1898, page 3


    County Clerk Newbury returned from his trip to San Francisco on Friday, accompanied by his brother, Abe, who has been in the more tropical portions of California, hoping to benefit his health. We are sorry to learn that his condition is quite poorly.

"Personal Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, August 29, 1898, page 3


    A. L. Newbury, who has been suffering from consumption for a long time, died at the residence of his mother in Jacksonville Sunday evening at 7 o'clock aged, 32 years. He was a highly respected young man. A mother, brother, two sisters and other relatives mourn his death, besides a large circle of friends. He was a member of the Masonic, Odd Fellows and Workman orders. The funeral will take place on Wednesday, September 28th, at 2 o'clock p.m.

"Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, September 26, 1898, page 3


    The funeral of the late A. L. Newbury, which took place yesterday, was largely attended, many acquaintances following the remains to their last resting place.

"Local Notes,"
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, September 29, 1898, page 3


    Gus Newbury has been appointed administrator of the estate of A. L. Newbury, deceased, and Peter Applegate, L. L. Jacobs and Owen Keegan appraisers.

"Local Notes,"
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, October 10, 1898, page 3


    The young business men of the county are almost without exception in favor of the retention of Gus Newbury in the office of county clerk. This fact alone is worthy of consideration. The day is past when men are chosen for office because they are the oldest qualified members of their party or are personally popular. As the business of the country expands and grows in volume it gravitates into the hands of the younger men, whose vigor and strength, to say nothing of their being more up-to-date in business methods and more in touch with modern times, better fits them for the discharge of these duties. Mr. Newbury is one of the best of the county's younger class of business men, well qualified, and fully informed in every particular of the business of the clerk's office. He should be retained in the interest of every class represented in the county.
Medford Mail, May 4, 1900, page 2


    Miss Bertha Rose, of Phoenix, is visiting her sister, Mrs. Gus Newbury.

"Jacksonville News," Medford Mail, November 29, 1901, page 3


IS GUS NEWBURY SEEKING NOTORIETY, OR OFFICE?
    The Corvallis Times tells the following story of Jackson County's tall "quaken asp," Gus Newbury, county clerk. Just ask Gus about it. The Times says:
    "F. E. Stevens, who arrived in Corvallis two weeks ago and resides now on Sixth Street, wrote before he left Lincoln, Neb. to various persons in Oregon making inquiries, among others to Gus Newbury, county clerk of Jackson County. The latter answered all the questions of Mrs. Stevens faithfully and fully, and in turn propounded several of his own. They are the sort called leading questions and have afforded much amusement to Mr. Stevens, who appreciates humor. Here is what the county clerk said:
    "Now let me ask you some questions. You see, we are a little particular out West, and we want to know what kind of people we are inviting to our clime.
    "What are your politics?
    "Have you any anarchistic tendencies?
    "Have you any inclination towards socialism?
    "Are you a religious man?
    "Do you believe the earth is round?
    "Are you sure Oregon is on the map of the U.S.?
    "Did you ever live in Missouri?
    "Do you think Bryanism is a live issue?
    "Which state do you think will be benefited by your removal to Oregon--Nebraska or Oregon?
    "Do you consider governmental policies a menace to your liberties?
    "Do you know that Oregon took the first prize at the Buffalo Exposition for butter, fruit and grain?
    "Do you know that Portland, Oregon is one of the very first ports of shipment for grains--especially wheat and lumber?
    "Have you ever had your liberties restrained; if so, what did you steal? There are many other questions I might ask, but these are sufficient to determine your desirableness as a citizen of Oregon."
Medford Enquirer, December 14, 1901, page 4


    Chas. Moore, a Portland attorney, is spending the holidays here with his wife. Mrs. Moore has been the guest of her mother, Mrs. Newbury, this winter.
"Jacksonville Items," Medford Mail, January 3, 1902, page 3


    It has been whispered on our streets that Gus Newbury, at present county clerk, aspires to the Republican nomination for clerk of the supreme court.
"Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 13, 1902, page 5


    Bertha Rose, of Phoenix, is the guest of her sister, Mrs. Newbury.
"Jacksonville Items," Medford Mail, April 11, 1902, page 3



    Gus Newbury has purchased the Ezra Arnold place, situated in Watkins precinct, for stockraising purposes.

"Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, October 16, 1902, page 1


    Gus Newbury has become the owner of the Ezra Arnold place in Watkins precinct.
"Jacksonville News," Medford Mail, October 17, 1902, page 3


    Gus Newbury, who has been preparing himself for the practice of law for some time past, will soon apply to the supreme court for admission to the bar.
"Local News," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 4, 1903, page 1


    Gus Newbury left for Salem Saturday. He will apply for admission to the bar at the present term of the supreme court.

"Personal Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, April 8, 1903, page 1


    Gus Newbury has been admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court. We are informed that he will become a resident of Ashland in the near future.

"Brief Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, April 15, 1903, page 2



    GUS NEWBURY has made a most efficient clerk of the circuit and county courts, and has proven himself to be a courteous and obliging official. Even his enemies admit his qualifications and fitness for the place and his courteous and obliging course towards his constituents. He knows neither enemies nor friends in his official intercourse with the people of Jackson County. He is a man with convictions and has courage with them. He has served one term as county clerk and with satisfaction to the people of Jackson County. Can the taxpayers of the county afford to make a change and place a man in the clerk's office who is a stranger to the business of the office? It is the consensus of opinion of the thinking men of the county that the clerk's office has never been more ably conducted than it has been during the past two years by the present county clerk--Gus Newbury. The Mail, as an advocate of economy in the conduct of the affairs of the county, and as a supporter of proper official management of the county's business, supports Gus Newbury for reelection as county clerk.
Medford Mail, May 18, 1903, page 2


GUS NEWBURY. Although admitted to the bar as recently as 1902, Gus Newbury already has a gratifying clientele, recruited from the ranks of those who, for many years, have watched his growing success as an educator. In his case it would seem that teaching is contagious, for three of the two sons and two daughters in his father's family have achieved excellent results along educational lines, all having contributed to the advancement of the schools of Jackson County. Mr. Newbury was born in Tioga County, Pa., March 27, 1869, his father, George W., a native of England, being at the time engaged in milling and mill-building, an occupation to which he devoted the most of his active life. The elder Newbury died in Tioga County at the age of eighty-seven years, and is survived by his wife, formerly Barbara Yaudes, a native of Germany, who now lives in Jacksonville, Ore., with her daughter, Mrs. Mary Peter.
    The boyhood of Gus Newbury was characterized by excessive zeal as a student, and by considerable expenditure of midnight oil. At the age of sixteen he entered upon his educational career in Jacksonville, to which he came in 1881, and taught continuously in the town and county until engaging in the practice of law. For five years he was vice-principal of the schools of Jacksonville, and in 1894 was elected county superintendent of schools on the Republican ticket, in 1896 being re-elected, and serving in all four years. In 1898 he was elected county clerk, succeeding himself in the election of 1900. In the meantime, in 1894, he began the study of law, and since being admitted to practice has devoted his entire time to his professional duties. At present he is a clerk on the school board, and is a member of the Republican county central committee. Mr. Newbury is also an active member of the board of trade.
    In Jacksonville, in 1893, Mr. Newbury was united in marriage with Nellie Rose, a native daughter of this county, and whose father, L. A. Rose, is a farmer in the vicinity of Phoenix, this state. Maud, Donald, and Carl, the three children born of this union, are living at home and are being educated in the public schools. Mr. Newbury is connected with Warren Lodge No. 10, A. F. & A. M., of Jacksonville, Ore.; the Eastern Star; Medford Lodge, Knights of Pythias; Woodmen of the World; and the Artisans, in which he has passed all of the chairs.

Portrait and Biographical Record of Western Oregon, Chapman Publishing Co. 1904, page 826


TRY ANOTHER ONE, MR. REAMES
    The Medford Mail has stated that I had four criminal cases against the present District Attorney, A. E. Reames, and that I lost but one of them. Will Mr. Reames deny that I was not the attorney for the defendant in the following cases?
STATE VS. DEIK; STATE VS. GRINER,
STATE VS. HOSKINS; STATE VS. DAHACK.
    These cases were had in the courts of Jackson County and I was attorney for defendant in each one and lost but one--State vs. Dahack. Better nail another "lie," but be sure that it is a lie first, Mr. Reames.
    Mr. Reames has lost 66⅔ percent of the criminal cases he has had in Jackson County since he has been district attorney, which were tried by a jury. His predecessor, C. B. Watson, lost but 47 percent and yet Mr. Reames attempted to leave the impression, while making his first canvass for district attorney, that Mr. Watson was but a third-rate lawyer.
    Mr. Reames has resorted to the cowardly dodge of issuing a small pamphlet to the voters of the county, too late for general reply through the press, in wihch he seeks to gain votes for himself by attempting to create the impression that I was endeavoring to have swine in Jackson County restrained from running at large. The fact is that Mr. Hanley, an ardent supporter of Mr. Reames and for whom Mr. Reames is acting as attorney, is the originator of and the circulator of the petition.
    Mr. Reames' attempt to gain votes through issuance of a pamphlet too late for general reply should receive the seal of condemnation of voters as it deserves to receive it.
    June 6, 1904.        GUS NEWBURY.
Henry Dox Papers, Southern Oregon Historical Society Research Library M883 Box 2


    Gus Newbury, the entertaining and brilliant attorney, this week received a consignment of pear and apple trees which he is planting on his ranch east of this city. He is setting out 10 acres of pear trees and 10 of apple trees. He has also sent 500 apple trees to his Applegate ranch.
"Local Notes," Jacksonville Post, December 21, 1907, page 3


STILL IN THE RACE.
Jacksonville, Oregon,
    March 17th, 1908.
To the people of Jackson County:
    A rumor has gained currency, doubtless through the agency of my political "friends," that I had determined to withdraw from the race for district attorney on account of my health. I beg to set the public right on this point and take the crimp out of the "rumor" by stating that I am a candidate for the Republican nomination for district attorney, and ask the suffrages of the Republicans of Jackson County at the primaries, based upon my record as an attorney at the Jackson County bar. I have actively practiced law at this bar for five years and think my record in that time is a creditable one. I have had some sixty cases before this court during these years and believe myself familiar with the practice of the court and if elected will not have to be educated by the taxpayers along this line.
    It is true that during the past six weeks, which time I should have been interviewing the Republicans of the district, I have been seriously indisposed due to an operation which was necessary to undergo, but I am attending to business again and desire the support of the Republicans of the district.
    Four years ago I made the race for district attorney and was beaten three votes in Jackson County and I do not feel that the showing was a discredit to me. I desire again to be the Republican nominee. I have no pledges to make except the one involved in the oath of office which the district attorney must take--that I will enforce the laws to the best of my ability if elected.
Very truly yours,
    Gus Newbury.
Medford Mail, March 20, 1908, page 4

May 27, 1908 Southern Oregonian
May 27, 1908 Southern Oregonian

    Mrs. Mary Newbury, mother of Gus Newbury, and a pioneer of Jacksonville, is lying very ill at her home there. Mrs. Newbury is over 80 years of age and has been in feeble health for some time.
"Social and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, July 17, 1910, page 5


PIONEER WOMAN ANSWERS LAST CALL
    Mrs. B. F. Newbury died at her home in Jacksonville Thursday afternoon, aged over 80 years. Mrs. Newbury had been in failing health for some time, and the end was not unexpected by her relatives.
    Mrs. Newbury had been a resident of Jacksonville for over 30 years, coming there as a widow with three small children, all of whom, by her industry and perseverance, she educated and made sterling men and women.
    The three children, Mrs. Mary Peters of Jacksonville, Mrs. Charles Moore of Baker City and Gus Newbury of Medford, were present at the time of her death.

Medford Mail Tribune,
July 22, 1910, page 2


Death of Mrs. Newbury.
    Mrs. B. F. Newbury, more than eighty-three years old, died last Thursday afternoon at her home in Jacksonville. A short time ago Mrs. Newbury sustained a fracture of the hip and she never recovered from the shock, and that with her advanced age was the cause of her death.
    Mrs. Newbury had lived in Jackson County since the early eighties, coming here from Pennsylvania. The deceased was widely known and universally beloved by all with whom she came in contact for her engaging ways and kindness of heart.
    She is survived by one son and two daughters, all of whom were with her when the summons came. Her son is Gus Newbury, the Medford attorney, and the daughters are Mrs. Charles Moore of Baker City and Mrs. Mary Peters of Jacksonville.
Ashland Tidings, July 25, 1910, page 5


MRS. B. F. NEWBURY DEAD
Pioneer of Jackson County Was One of Oldest Residents.
    JACKSONVILLE, Or., July 28.--(Special.)--Mrs. Barbara F. Newbury, one of the oldest residents of Jackson County, died at her home here on July 21, at the age of 83.
    Mrs. Newbury was born in Wurtemburg, Germany. When she was 3 years old her parents came to America, locating in Pennsylvania. In the early '60s she was married to Washington Newbury, and four children were born to them. In 1881 she came to Oregon to be with her brother, George, at one time one of the owners of the Sterling mine.
    Her last illness was of short duration. All her living children were present at the bedside when death came. These were Gus Newbury, a leading attorney of Jackson County; Mrs. C. A. Moore, of Baker City, and Mrs. Mary Peter, a teacher in the Medford schools.
Morning Oregonian, Portland, July 29, 1910, page 7


ANOTHER PIONEER GONE
Funeral of Mrs. Barbara Newbury held Saturday Afternoon.
    The funeral of Mrs. Barbara F. Newbury was held from her late residence in this place at two o'clock Saturday afternoon and was attended by a large number of friends and acquaintances.
    The services were conducted by Rev. Robert Ennis of the Presbyterian church, after which the body was laid to rest in the beautiful Jacksonville cemetery.
    Mrs. Newbury was an old and respected citizen of this place who had passed more than the "four score'' limit, being at her death aged 83 years and 12 days. She had been a resident of Jackson County for many years, having come here from Pennsylvania.
    She leaves one son, Gus Newbury of Medford, and two daughters, Mrs. Mary Peter of this city and Mrs. Hattie Moore of Baker City, and a number of grandchildren to mourn the loss of a kind and loving mother.

Jacksonville Post, July 30, 1910, page 1


GUS NEWBURY STRIKES GUSHER
Automobile Skids on Wet Pavement, Snapping Fire Plug--
Water Gushes Forth and Forms Great Geyser--
City Officials Get Busy in a Hurry to Check Flood.

    Gus Newbury, barrister, who occasionally strikes a flow of oratory in court, struck a different kind of flow this morning when his automobile skidded on the wet pavement of Seventh Street and hurled itself into a fire plug in front of the Medford National Bank, snapping off the plug. For the next few moments Medford had a gusher on her principal thoroughfare which put to shame any of the world-famed geysers of the Yellowstone. Frantic scramblings on the part of the city officials finally resulted in the water being shut off, but not until considerable water had raced over the city streets and had done some damage, principally to the basement of the new Howard block, which was partially flooded. Only prompt measures on the part of the workmen in the basement, who hastily erected an embankment, turning the water, prevented further damage.
    Mr. Newbury, according to eyewitnesses, was not proceeding at an excessive speed, and the wet pavement, it is said, was responsible in a great degree for the accident. In negotiating the turn it slipped and in an instant the damage had been done.
    With the snapping of the plug the water gushed forth nearly as high as the top of the Medford National Bank building. Councilman Demmer, who was near, rushed to his machine and broke all speed limits in reaching West Jackson Street, where B. A. Boone was at work upon a main which burst Thursday afternoon. Back they hurried to the scene with a tap key to shut off the water. In the meantime Street Commissioner Baker had secured a key and was endeavoring to stem the tide. Owing to the great pressure on the main and the length of time since the tap had been in use it was with considerable difficulty that the flow was finally checked.
    Contractor Powers, who is in charge of the Howard building, estimates the damage done to the basement at an amount ranging between $75 and $100. The water also crossed new pavement at Sixth and Bartlett and is said to have done some damage there. Further damage would have been done to the Howard basement had it not been for the fact that two wagons loaded with gravel were nearby and were dumped so as to form a dike, turning the water.
    Mayor Canon states that an investigation will be made in order to determine where the responsibility lies. This will be determined by finding at what rate of speed Mr. Newbury was traveling.
Medford Mail Tribune, September 9, 1910, page 1  A postcard was printed of the gusher.


NEWBURY, DUNN LIEUTENANT, IS FATHER OF MOVE
    All doubt that the circulating of petitions for the purpose of having Westville Honor Camp No. 1 abandoned and the honor men taken back to Salem was undertaken as a political move was removed today, when it became known that Gus Newbury, George W. Dunn's right-hand man and chief lieutenant in Medford, fathered the movement and prepared the petitions which are now in circulation.
    The men who are circulating the petitions have failed to meet with the success they expected, as it is difficult to show that the honor men are now doing the work far more cheaply than it could be done otherwise.
Medford Mail Tribune, March 22, 1912, page 1



    Gus Newbury--I don't see any reason why a woman should not have the right to vote. Her intuition is as good as a man's judgment, and she arrives at her conclusion without a long process of reasoning and usually hits the nail squarely on the head. She may not know why she does, but she does. In other words, she "has a hunch," and unlike a man takes it. She does this as unconcernedly as she rifles her husband's pockets and generally with the same net result--she finds what she is looking for. She is or would be able to tell by looking at a candidate whether he is as big a thief as the other fellow running for office and thus make a wise choice for the taxpayers. The general average of intelligence among the women is equal to that of the general average among the men. It could not be urged that her husband would control her vote, for every man knows that if he controlled her in this it would be the only instance where his control would be successfully exercised. He knows that in other particulars she is uncontrollable, and must conclude she would be in the matter of her voting. She certainly would be as cleanly in her politics as the Front Street "bum." She meets man on the level in every other avenue of life, why shouldn't she in politics?" Let her vote if she wants to--if she doesn't want to, she can exercise her own "sweet will" not to, just as the man does.
"What Medford Men Think About Suffrage for Women," Medford Mail Tribune, May 11, 1912, page 8


J. S. HOWARD HANDS ONE TO GUS NEWBURY
    The local legal fraternity is still chuckling over the clever manner in which J. S. Howard, the pioneer surveyor of Jackson County and "father of Medford," came back at attorney Gus Newbury during the progress of a recent trial at which Mr. Howard was a witness on the opposite site of the case from Mr. Newbury.
    At several points during the progress of Mr. Howard's testimony Attorney Newbury objected long and strenuously upon the grounds that Mr. Howard's evidence was "hearsay," and therefore immaterial. Mr. Howard, who has known Gus since he was an infant, failed to flare up at the broadsides of objection and sarcasm flung at him, but bided his time.
    Finally Mr. Newbury was through with the witness and in order to sum up the case, said:
    "Mr. Howard, you will please state
your name, your residence, your occupation and your age."
    "My name is J. S. Howard," came the answer as quick as a flash. "My residence is Medford, Oregon; my occupation is that of a civil engineer and my age--my age--is a matter of hearsay."
    All of which was true.
Medford Mail Tribune weekly edition, September 19, 1912, page 3


MOORE, Charles Allan, Lawyer; born, Knox Co., Mo., Mar. 9, 1864; son, John
William and Edna Frances (Payton) M. Edu.: public schools, Mo., Cal., and Oregon; State Univ. of Oregon, Eugene; took 3 years course at Univ. Married, Hattie A. Newbury, Dec. 30, 1898, at Jacksonville, Ore. Secy., mgr. and dir., Baker Abstract & Trust Co. Republican. Res.: 1723 Valley Ave.; Office: 2104 Court St., Baker, Ore.

Franklin Harper, ed., Who's Who on the Pacific Coast, Los Angeles 1913, page 407


PHIPPS MIXES WITH NEWBURY
    What is described as the fastest bout ever seen in the Jackson County court house took place at noon today between attorneys W. E. Phipps and Gus Newbury, in the circuit court room. According to the spectators, who included the sheriff, clerk and other court officials as well as many members of the bar, the event was a draw.
    The dispute arose over some decision made by the court for which Mr. Phipps declared Mr. Newbury had taken an unfair advantage. As soon as the judge left the room, Mr. Phipps removed his glasses and both attorneys went at it, hammer and tongs. After a sharp exchange of blows, the men went to the mat and rolled over the floor, first one, then the other being on top.
    Both were clinging on like bulldogs when separated by the spectators, but little damage being inflicted by either contestant.

Medford Mail Tribune, April 8, 1913, page 2


    Two of Medford's prominent legal lights, attorneys Gus Newbury and W. E. Phipps, engaged in a fistic battle in the circuit court room after adjournment of court the beginning of the week. Spectators say that one fast round, with honors even, was fought before the combatants were separated.
----
    As a result of a knock-down argument with a brother attorney, Gus Newbury of Medford was given a hearing before recorder's court in this city Friday afternoon. The charge against Mr. Newbury was dismissed.
"Local News," Jacksonville Post, April 12, 1913, page 3


NEWBURY'S NARROW ESCAPE FROM DEATH
    Attorney Gus Newbury and Mrs. Newbury, and Mrs. August Paulsen, wife of the Spokane millionaire property owner and mining man, had a narrow escape from death or serious injury when the front spindle of the automobile driven by attorney Newbury broke at the approach of a bridge, and a plunge down a ten-foot embankment [was] narrowly averted.
    The front wheel of the car plunged down the embankment, and by good luck and much strength the car careened on the bridge and listed on its side. [That] the drop of the heavy car down the cliff would have resulted in serious injury to members of the party is certain. The party was on the way to Ray Gold.
Medford Mail Tribune, May 1, 1914, page 2


    And my friend, Gus Newbury, who was so ill that he could only lie in one position (but I am pleased to know that he has so far recovered that he can lie easily in any position); poor, Gus, he, too, has gone wrong.
J. S. Howard, "Howard Favors Medynski Plan of Refinancing," Medford Mail Tribune, January 6, 1917, page 5


FIRE DESTROYS NEWBURY'S AUTO AND WOOD SHED
    A fire which destroyed the garage and woodshed at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Gus Newbury, No. 32 Mistletoe Street, and communicated to the rear part of the house, awakened the entire city at 3:30 o'clock this morning and created much excitement in the immediate neighborhood of the Newbury home.
    Although Mr. Newbury's loss is estimated at about $1300, including the destruction of his Chalmers car, valued at $1000, he regards himself as fortunate that the house was not destroyed, as the outside boards of the rear part were burning when the firemen arrived. The firemen at once put out this part of the fire. Mr. Newbury had no insurance on the buildings or auto.
    The rear part of the dwelling of Jess Houck on South Newtown Street, immediately in the rear of the Newbury dwelling, was scorched by the flames of the burning garage and woodshed, but did not catch fire.
    The fire was discovered just in time to prevent the destruction of the entire neighborhood. When discovered, the garage and woodshed were all in flames, the glare of which illuminated all the west part of the city. All the destruction was done before the arrival of the firemen.
    Explosions of the auto tires and a small quantity of gasoline and burning electric light wires added excitement to the occasion.
    The fire, it is conjectured, arose from a small spark from burning grass the evening before, alighting in the woodshed and smoldering among the dry wood dust there for hours before it broke into a blaze. Messrs. Newbury and Houck burned the grass in the alley and yard adjoining the buildings early Wednesday evening. Then with a hose they wet down thoroughly the places where the grass had been burned off and went away.
    Mr. Houck returned home at 9:30, and to make sure that everything was all right, again wet down the burned-off grass spaces. Mr. Newbury returned home about 11:15 p.m. and he, too, looked all around and saw no vestige of a fire or spark in either the woodshed or the garage.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 16, 1917, page 6


    Gus Newbury's wood shed and garage, with a Chalmers auto, were destroyed by fire at an early hour Thursday morning..

"Local News," Jacksonville Post, August 18, 1917, page 3


INTENSE INTEREST AROUSED IN HALL-NEWBURY CASE
    Not for many months has so much pleasurable anticipation been caused in the city as was promulgated by the announcement that as a feature of the Elks lodge meeting tomorrow night an old-fashioned spelling bee would be held, 20 men on each side to be chosen by the leaders, those two former well-known school teachers of this county, Court Hall and Gus Newbury.
    The rivalry between the two spelling leaders has reached an intense stage, and the battle cudgel has been taken up by their ardent followers. This morning the Mail Tribune received the following from Mr. Hall under the heading:
"Attention My Brother Elks:
    "Brother Elks who years ago were former pupils of mine are requested to attend the Elks lodge tomorrow night.
    "Your presence is earnestly desired in order for me to win a contest in a spelling match with an opponent who has been taking legal advantage of me for the past twenty-five years.
"COURT HALL."
    The news of the above slander reached Gus Newbury this noon and provoked the following characteristic reply:
    "I have been advised that one J. Court Hall, who is a broken-down school teacher of prehistoric times and was compelled, after 'teaching' one term of school, to get out of the profession because of the advancements which were being made in the profession and with which he could not keep pace, is circulating some slanderous reports about me because I have unfortunately been selected to he pitted against him in a spelling match at the Elks Lodge for Thursday night; and I am informed that he is calling upon all his former pupils to assist him in defeating me in this spelling contest.
Hall Scholars in Pen
    "I wish to advise my brother Elks that I have no fear of the result if he can obtain assistance from no other source in the unfair methods he is pursuing, excepting from his former pupils, for if my recollection serves me correctly, owing to the baneful example set by the said J. Court Hall while he was engaged in the profession of teaching, most of his pupils have served, or are serving, terms in the penitentiary and, therefore, could  not possibly be members of the Elks lodge. It is my purpose to rely upon the patriotic members of the Elks order and not upon any such pernicious outside influences as this man Hall is calling upon.
    "I remember that I took a teachers' examination once upon a time at the same time this man Hall was admitted to teach in the public schools of Jackson County, and at said time I was privately informed by Bill Colvig, who was then the county school superintendent, that the only reason he granted a certificate to this man, J. Court Hall, was because of the temporary respectability that said Hall had acquired because he sat at the same table with me while we were undergoing this examination.
    "And I beg to say that had it not been for the prestige which I gave him upon that occasion that he could not have succeeded in getting a certificate, and now that he is making these slanderous attacks upon me I wish to advise all my brother Elks that frequently during the examination, in order to pull this man Hall through and so that he would not be embarrassed by a failure, I assisted him in solving the problems which were presented and giving him the necessary information in grammar, history, etc., and ever since said time I have had great compunctions of conscience and have repeatedly, upon my bended knees, asked forgiveness for this sin which I committed against the rising generation of youth in this county who happened to be so unfortunate as to be required to attend school to this man, J. Court Hall.
    "I wish it understood that I have no feelings of vengeance in my makeup and wish to say that I have diligently all my life left the vengeance matter to the Lord, but now that the jealousy of this man has manifested itself in the attacks which he has made, I deem it my duty to the citizenship of Medford to make the foregoing disclosures.
"Very respectfully submitted,
    "GUS NEWBURY."
    Mr. Hall never batted an eye when he learned of the above attack, but smiled confidently and after hesitating a moment said:
    "Why the poor old long-legged ignorant boob. He's dead from the Adams apple up, as will be plainly seen at Thursday night's contest."
Medford Mail Tribune, December 10, 1919, page 5 Click here for more on extreme spelling in Medford.


ATTORNEY NEWBURY CELEBRATES THE DAY OF HIS ARRIVAL
    Thirty-nine years ago yesterday morning at exactly 8:30 o'clock a long-legged boy and his mother and two sisters piled off the stage from Redding, Cal., when it stopped in front of Beekman's Bank in Jacksonville. They had come from Pennsylvania, and had ridden for 48 hours on the rickety old stage. The Jacksonville school bell was ringing and the pioneer boys and girls were going to school. The long-legged kid stretched his legs and began life in a new land. He was Gus Newbury, now one of the best known and most popular attorneys in the state.
    "I remember distinctly the school bell ringing, for I was going to that school," said Mr. Newbury on the anniversary date, "and the crowds in the streets of Jacksonville." The boy, who in the flight of time has won political and legal honors, also recalled that "we were poorer than Job's turkey."
    The long-legged kid afterwards taught school throughout Jackson County, and larruped prominent citizens like Tom Fuson and John W. Johnson, the jeweler, also many of the mainstays of Ashland. Afterwards he was school superintendent, county clerk, and prosecuting attorney.
    Mr. Newbury spent Wednesday recounting early-day experiences, and received scores of congratulations on the anniversary.
Medford Mail Tribune, November 11, 1920, page 6

    Two of Medford's leading legal luminaries, Gus Newbury and Charles Reames, after a lengthy and heated debate over a point at issue in Judge Gardner's court Friday, locked horns and attempted to inflict great bodily damage upon each other's person. No great damage was done, that is, beyond damage to pocketbooks, as Judge Gardner upheld the majesty of the law by clapping a $25 fine upon each combatant.
"Town Talk," Jacksonville Post, September 10, 1921, page 3



MERRITT DIVORCE CASE TESTIMONY THRILLS J'VILLE
    Hearing of testimony in the divorce suit of George Merritt, a native son of Jackson County, well known in Jacksonville, against his wife Grace Wickes Merritt, formerly a prominent figure in theatrical circles of the East and Midwest, was resumed in the circuit court at Jacksonville Monday, Circuit Judge Charles M. Thomas presiding. Some interesting testimony was developed, the county seat being quite thrilled by the proceedings.
    The chief witness for the defense at the afternoon hearing was Mrs. Merritt, who denied the allegations of the complaint, called the plaintiff by his first name, and told of her work on the silent and the speaking stage. In Boston, in 1920, she assumed the role of the "Riddle Woman" for a newspaper, made a campaign speech for Channing Cox, Republican candidate for governor of Massachusetts, adding to her testimony, "though I am a Democrat, I gladly spoke for Mr. Cox. I happened to know the Democratic candidate."
    Mrs. Merritt testified that the married life of the pair was happy while they lived in the East, New York and and Boston, and that it was mutually agreed she should use her professional name of Grace Wickes. The couple moved to this section two or three years ago.
    Miss Mary Ryan of Jacksonville testified that on a trip to Medford, in a Studebaker auto, Mrs, Merritt  was seated on the lap of then Principal Sawyer of the Jacksonville schools, and smoked a cigarette. Asked how the smoking was carried on, Miss Ryan said, "first one would take a puff, and then the other."
    Mrs. Naylor of Medford testified she met Mrs. Merritt in a business way while she was an advertising solicitor for a local weekly paper, and was in the business office of the sheet one day figuring on an advertisement when the publisher, W. I. Phipps, appeared on the scene, and took charge. Mr. Phipps figured that 14 inches at 25 cents was $4.50, when Mrs. Merritt, the witness said, spoke, and said: "I beg pardon, its $3.50." The judge figured again, and got for his answer again as $4.50. Mrs. Merritt repeated her mathematical belief, and the publisher exploded with some picturesque language which the witness repeated. The next day, Mrs. Naylor testified, Mrs. Merritt resigned.
    P. X. Johnson, a mining man of Gold Hill, denied the testimony of "a Mr. Sanderson, living west of Central Point," that he (Johnson) had once "expressed a desire to step out with Mrs. Merritt, but was afraid of domestic storms." Johnson said he never saw Mrs. Merritt, until he saw her in the courtroom yesterday.
    Mrs. Bernice Chapman of Jacksonville testified that she attended a Hallowe'en party at which Mrs. Merritt was present. She said Mrs. Merritt wore a "Yama Yama" suit, and attorney Gus Newbury for the plaintiff was unable to make her describe it as "pajamas."
    John F. Miller of Jacksonville was also called as a witness by the defense and said he had known Merritt all his life, and Mrs. Merritt two or three years, and that her conduct, as far as he was able to observe, "was always ladylike."
Medford Mail Tribune, October 7, 1924, page 10


MRS. MERRITT IS CROSS-EXAMINED BY ATTY. NEWBURY
    Mrs. Grace Merritt, defendant in the divorce suit of George A. Merritt, was on the witness stand all day Tuesday and was under cross-examination most of the afternoon by attorney Gus Newbury. A bitter exchange of comments between the defendant and her husband's counsel, veiled charges of perjury, a letter from Mary A. Bauer of Venice, Calif, giving the address of William Nestlehouse of Omaha, Nebraska, a racetrack man, and the kindness and the alleged jealousy of an aunt of the plaintiff were high spots in the day's session.
    The letter of Mary A. Bauer told of the alleged friendship between Grace Merritt and William Nestlehouse, and how "Mrs. Merritt had read me letters she had written." The epistle implored George Merritt, its recipient, not to divulge the author, "as we want nothing to do with Grace or her affairs, but just mention Billie Nestlehouse, and it will surprise her, and you can win your suit." The letter set forth that Mr. Bauer knew nothing of it, and was written "as a special favor." The address of Nestlehouse was given as 905 Karbach Block, Omaha, Neb.
    Mrs. Merritt denied the impeachments in the letter, vigorously.
    Questioned relative to an affidavit from the auditor of the U.S. Grant Hotel at San Diego, Calif., stating that Mrs. Merritt had not been registered with her brother on the date she said, led to a warm interchange.
    "Do you mean to intimate that I prevailed upon the auditor to commit perjury," asked attorney Newbury.
    "If the shoe fits, put it on Mr. Newbury," was the reply.
    Another bit of sarcasm fired by the defendant was "Miss McCully told me once you were a crook and I think that is why she hired you to try and win this case."
    Attorney Newbury smiled at this remark, with the comment, "That's fine."
    The interchange became highly personal and the court admonished both to be calm. A moment later a recess was ordered.
    Mrs. Merritt also denied that she has told Mrs. Pearl McCredie, when she accompanied a gentleman home from a party, that the gentleman, whose name was not mentioned, had made the trip at her own suggestion, or had told Mrs. McCredie when they arrived at her home she would say, "Good night, Pearl! Good night, Cletis!" so the plaintiff would think Mr. and Mrs. [Clatous] McCredie had accompanied her home.
    "At their suggestion I went home with him," Mrs. Merritt testified. "It is true it was a moonlight night, and my company was a gentleman."
    The witness testified that when she told Mrs. Reter of Jacksonville, "she was going to California to visit a friend, I meant my brother." There was some spirited comments between the witness and attorney Newbury on this point.
    Mrs. Merritt under cross-examination admitted that Miss Issie McCully of Jacksonville, aunt of the plaintiff, had given her many gifts and been kind, but had criticized "her housekeeping."
    It is expected that the hearing will be concluded today.
Medford Mail Tribune, October 8, 1924, page 6


    Mr. and Mrs. Don Newbury returned to their home in Medford Tuesday after spending the past weekend at Klamath Falls, where they were guests at the White Pelican Lodge in the west side of the lake.
"Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, July 9, 1926, page 2


A Good Idea.
    To the Editor:
    I read your editorial on the action of the county court in officially designating the California-Oregon stage road as the "Stage Road," and I am glad to know that it has been so officially designated.
    But there is something additional that should be done by the citizenship of this country to preserve the history of some of the men who were drivers on this "stage road."
    George Chase was one of the drivers who took the lines at Cole Station in California and piloted the stage coach over the Siskiyou Mountains and as far north as Rock Point, where it was turned over to Nort Eddings, who drove from there to Canyonville.
    The old stage road crossed Rogue River at Rock Point at the identical spot where the new bridge is, and it seems to me as though this bridge should be named the "George Chase Bridge" and that a bronze tablet should be placed thereon with a little history of the connection that Chase had as a driver of the Oregon-California stage coach.
    There is also a bridge in the Canyon very close to the place where Nort Eddings, while driving the stage, was held up and the passengers and the mail robbed; this bridge should be called the "Nort Eddings Bridge" and a bronze tablet placed on this bridge with a little history of North Eddings' connection as a driver for the California-Oregon Stage Coach Company.
    Nort Eddings and George Chase were the last of the old stage drivers; Nort Eddings died two or three years ago; George Chase still lives at Yreka, Cal. and regularly visits Jackson County every time a Jackson County fair is held, and many people here are acquainted with him.
    As a mark of distinction to these men who piloted these stage coaches over these mountains, this tribute should be paid to them, and the Commercial Club of this city should see to it that something of this character is done.
GUS NEWBURY.
    Medford, November 4.
"Communications," Medford Mail Tribune, November 4, 1927, page B4


    To the Editor:
    In answer to a communication from Gus Newbury in regard to the county court in officially designating the California and Oregon stage road as the Stage Road, it was headed as a good idea. That is all right, I think. He says George Chase drove over the Siskiyous to Rock Point and Nort Eddings took the stage from there to Canyonville. I am the man that took the stage at Rock Point and drove it to Levens station. Galesville was the post office, 40 miles from Rock Point, and George Roberts drove it on to Roseburg to the end of the railroad. The oldest driver on the road then, he drove north, night drive, while a driver we called Colusa Bill drove south to me at 3 o'clock in the morning; then I drove back to Rock Point by noon and Chase drove back to Cole's, while Nort Eddings drove north from Cole's. It took two drivers to each 40 or 50 miles. Ed Calery drove alongside of myself. You see, it took six drivers from Roseburg to Cole's and 100 horses. He said all the old drivers were gone. I was born here close where Medford is now, in 1857, and I have been living ever since, in March 24th.
    I drowned a six-horse stage team in Cow Creek close to Levens station. The old-timers will remember that.
    Mr. Newbury says Rock Point bridge is in the same spot where it was then. So it is, and it was a toll bridge then, and so was the Gold Hill bridge.
    The road over the Siskiyous was a toll road. The stage company paid $600 a year. He says there is another bridge this side of Canyonville where Nort Eddings was robbed and it ought to be called Eddings' bridge. Nort Eddings was robbed on the Siskiyou Mountains about half a mile west of where the DeAutremonts robbed the train, on a steep corduroy pitch. I drove the same team over there a while after he was robbed.
    I can give more information if necessary.
FRED TICE.
    Medford, Nov. 11.
"Communications," Medford Mail Tribune, November 12, 1927, page 4


June 19, 1927 Medford Mail Tribune
June 19, 1927 Medford Mail Tribune

DeAutremont defense team, June 20, 1927 Medford Mail Tribune
June 20, 1927 Medford Mail Tribune


JONES, Nellie Rose Newbury (Mrs. W. A.), born in Phoenix, Oregon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Albert Rose, a lifelong resident of the state. Married to Wilbur A. Jones. Children: Maude Newbury Mehaffey, Donald R. Newbury, Carl Newbury, Wilbur Jr. Club woman. Corresponding secretary. First District Fed. of Women's Clubs of Oregon. Holds office in several organizations. Member: O.E.S. (Past Matron), D.A.R. (Past Regent), Woman's Library Club, Delphian Society, Harvard Classics Club. Home: 203 High Ave., Klamath Falls, Oregon.

Max Binheim, ed., Women of the West, Los Angeles 1928, page 161


NEWBURY'S ARM HURT IN JULY 4TH SCUFFLE
    Attorney Gus Newbury is nursing a sprained right arm as the result of trying to tickle C. C. Lemmon at Crater Lake Lodge yesterday. The painful finish to attorney Newbury's playfulness came while Mr. Lemmon was resisting being tickled. He seized the lawyer's arm, it is alleged, and gave it a violent, sudden, quick and painful twist, turn and yank, just as playfully as he could. The arm swelled up, and attorney Newbury was unable to drive his car home, and is carrying the injured member gingerly today, for it is badly swollen.
    No reason is assigned for attorney Newbury's desiring to tickle Mr. Lemmon, but it is reported that he resorted to physical force after two stories about a Scotchman failed to tickle Mr. Lemmon's risibilities.
Medford Mail Tribune, July 5, 1928, page 2


SHERIFFS NAMED BY GUS NEWBURY IN MEMORY TEST
    If there was to be a memory test held in Medford, it is probable Gus Newbury, well-known Medford attorney, would rank near the top if his memory is as good on general matters as it is in recounting happenings of other days. It was the other day at the court house that he recalled the different sheriffs Jackson County has had since he came here in 1881. He named them one by one, gave their party affiliations and the time of their service.
    Nine of the sheriffs were Democrats, five were Republicans and two were Populists.
    The list he gave is as follows: William Bybee, Democrat, 1878-82; A. S. Jacobs, Democrat, 1882-86; B. W. Dean, Democrat, 1886-88; J. G. Birdseye,  Republican, 1888-92; J. E. Pelton, Democrat, 1892-94; Sylvester Patterson, Populist, 1894-96; A. S. Barnes, Populist; Alex Orme, Republican, 1898-1902; J. M. Rader, Democrat, 1902-06; D. H. Jackson, Republican, 1906-08; W. A. Jones, Democrat, 1908-12; August Singler, Republican, 1912-14; W. H. Singler, Republican, 1914-16; Ralph Jennings, Democrat, 1916-17; Leslie Stansell, 1917-18; C. E. Terrill, Republican, 1918-22; Ralph Jennings, Democrat, 1922.
    When James Birdseye was sheriff, recalled Mr. Newbury, the old county jail at Jacksonville was destroyed by fire, and its five prisoners were suffocated by the smoke. Four of the prisoners had been proven guilty of the crimes with which they had been charged, but the fifth was regarded innocent and relatives sued the county for his death, but the matter, as far as he could remember, was finally settled out of court by County Judge Neil, grandfather of Miss Nydah Neil, now employed at the county clerk's office.
Medford Mail Tribune, November 7, 1929, page 3


C.P. MAN BUYS NEWBURY FARM ON APPLEGATE
    What is regarded as one of the biggest ranch deals of late months was completed yesterday when the large stock ranch owned by Gus Newbury in the Applegate section above Ruch was sold to Fred Straub, Central Point rancher. The deal was made by Gainer and Sheley, realtors of Central Point. They reported real estate sales of $43,000 for the day.
    The ranch consists of 215 acres, and is completely equipped with implements and has 700 sheep and general farm stock. Straub's home place, west of Central Point, was accepted in the deal, which otherwise was a cash transaction. The Straub property is valued at $9500.
    The purchaser is a native son of Jackson County, born and reared in this section. He has been interested in the purchase of a large stock ranch for some time and chose the Newbury property, following a careful survey of Southern Oregon's many ranches. It is well known for its water rights and productive soil.
    Four other smaller properties were reported sold by the same firm, including a 10-acre improved tract and three dwellings in Central Point. The new cheese factory proposed for that city has caused a stimulation in land values in that vicinity.
Medford Mail Tribune, April 26, 1930, page 1


NEWBURY VISITS OLD APPLEGATE HAUNTS
    APPLEGATE, Ore., Nov. 14.--(Special.)--Attorney Gus Newbury of Medford was visiting his boyhood playgrounds in the Sterling community last Sunday. Mr. Newbury lived there when only a boy and drove out Sunday to revive his memories of the old place and the good times he had.
Medford Mail Tribune, November 14, 1930, page 16


NEWBURY GETS PHONE THREAT FROM ACCUSED
Call from San Francisco Says Pictures Taken at Point of Pistol Will Be Distributed in Medford
    Bench warrants have been issued in the circuit court for the arrest of W. G. Knox, alias A. R. Knox, his wife, Helen Murphy Knox, and Fiorrio, alias Smith, indicted by the grand jury for alleged attempted extortion upon attorney Gus Newbury of this city. Knox and Fiorrio are also indicted for alleged assault with a deadly weapon.
    This week, according to the district attorney's office, a long distance telephone call was received by attorney Newbury's office from a person representing himself as Knox, demanding a large sum of money and threatening to distribute 50 pictures in this city unless the demands were met.
    It is asserted that following the complete forced disrobement of attorney Newbury at the point of a pistol, in a local apartment house, that pictures were taken and it is now averred that the indicted trio are using the photos as a lever to enforce their demands for coin.
Call from Frisco
    The long distance telephone call was traced to San Francisco, but as a pay station phone was used its location cannot be traced. The receiver of the message heard the coin drop. California and Bay City authorities have been requested to apprehend the accused.
    Local authorities have been working on the theory that the wanted trio were in the north--Seattle or Portland. It is also thought that they do not know they are under indictment in this county or they would not be so bold as to file telephonic demands.
    The alleged extortion attempt was made late in the afternoon of March 23, which was climaxed by attorney Newbury fleeing in a blanket to call for help. 
Medford Mail Tribune, April 23, 1931, page 1


OLD TIMER SAYS HALL CAN SPELL RING AROUND GUS
To the Editor:
    I see in a late issue of your valuable paper that one Gus Newbury is getting rather bombastic in regard to a spelling match with Court Hall at the Elks club Thursday night.
    I am a resident of Applegate and have known both Gus Newbury and Court Hall for the past 47 years, and I know considerable about these gentlemen when they were boys struggling for educational supremacy in the early history of Southern Oregon.
    I taught school for more than 20 years in Jackson County and happened to be in attendance at the first examination these boys had under Superintendent Mitchell in the year of 1885. How well I remember that event. Neither of the boys could have been more than 17 years of age. Now here is where I want to show the people just how Gus got his first certificate to teach school. I am going to prove that Gus, outside of a few Applegate friends, never would have been heard of except through the kindness of Court Hall.
    When examination began I could see that young Hall had the coolness and confidence of an old-time veteran, while Newbury seemed nervous and ill at ease. However, Gus managed to get along fairly well until it came to spelling. About that time Superintendent Mitchell had occasion to leave the room. Gus immediately appealed to Court for help. Court at first shook his head. Then I saw a sorrowful look come over his face, and he leaned toward Gus and whispered rapidly for a few moments.
    Many years afterwards Gus confessed to me that he would not have passed his first examination for a teacher's certificate if Court Hall had not helped him out in his spelling.
    I have been a member of the Elks lodge for many years, and have attended all the spelling contests held in the Elks club room, and personally know that Court has won two more contests than Gus.
    Gus went down on his first word in their last contest, the word "chauffeur," a simple word that every automobile owner knows how to spell. Gus was not considered in Court's class during the big spelling matches held at Jacksonville in the early days. In fact, he was such a poor speller that he was rarely chosen by either captain. On the other hand, Hall was generally the first one chosen and always managed to be one of the last to go down.
    Gus has been in the law business for many years and has had the opportunity of increasing his knowledge in spelling, while Court, for the past 30 years, has been looking after his orchard interests with practically no training except in reading the daily papers.
    However, after a lapse of all these years, Gus has just about had time enough to catch up with Court in his spelling. This fact, no doubt, will make the contest quite interesting next Thursday night. And, by gosh, you can bet your Uncle Dudley is doing to be there.
OLD TIMER.           
    Applegate, Oregon
Medford Mail Tribune, May 13, 1931, page 5  
Click here for more on extreme spelling in Medford.


HOLD SUSPECT IN ATTACK ON ATTY. NEWBURY
Jerry Mobely Will Be Returned from Seattle to Face Extortion Charge--
Two Others Are Sought
    Jerry J. Mobely, indicted in this county as a member of a trio alleged to have attempted extortion of money, under threats, from attorney Gus Newbury last March, is held at Seattle, Wash., on a statutory charge and will be returned to this county. Deputy Sheriff Louis Jennings left last night by train and will return with Mobely Sunday evening. Telegraphic advices said Mobely would waive extradition.
    News that Mobely was in custody was received into yesterday from Traffic Officer Joe J. McMahon of the Portland district. Attorney Gus Newbury, the complaining witness, insisted that Mobely be returned for trial. He had offered a $50 reward for his arrest. The same amount stands for the arrest of Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Knox, indicted on the same charge. They are now thought to be in the Oakland, Calif., area and an early arrest is forecast.
Used Gun in Threat
    The extortion indictments grew out of an episode in a local apartment house last March, whence attorney Newbury went in response to a message to confer about securing a divorce for Mrs. Knox. During the conversation, Knox and Mobely are alleged to have entered the apartment and at the point of a gun compelled attorney Newbury to disrobe. Later, Newbury fled wrapped in a blanket, and secured aid when his predicament was noted by a barber across the street. The alleged extortionists fled, and later repeated threats, it is alleged.
    It developed also during the past week that A. C. Cox and J. B. Florrio, first named in the indictments, were in no wise connected with the alleged extortion plot. Cox and Florrio are reputable citizens of high standing, regularly making this territory, according to attorney Newbury.
    The woman in the case is Mrs. Helen Murphy, formerly the wife of a dentist of this city, and well known. She formerly lived in Ashland and left this section about nine years ago. Attorney Newbury was her counsel in divorce proceedings against Dr. Murphy, now dead.
    It is probable that Mobely will be brought to trial at the May term of court. Medford Mail Tribune, May 15, 1931, page 1


Newbury Sheds Light on Early Political History
    Brought to mind by a recent reference in Frank Jenkins' column of the Mail Tribune to the discovery of Crater Lake, for which John W. Hillman was given credit, the history of another settler, who accompanied Hillman, is told by attorney Gus Newbury.
    "Accompanying Hillman, who left this state for Louisiana, where he died within the last half dozen years, was a young man by the name of Henry Klippel, who with Hillman and the rest of the party was one of the first white people to see the lake. This was in 1853," attorney Newbury writes.
    "Klippel made his home in Jackson County, Oregon, and in the early history of Jackson County was a very prominent Democratic politician and officeholder. He held the office of sheriff of Jackson County for two consecutive terms, and from 1880 to 1884 was county clerk. His family, consisting of his wife and several children, resided in Jacksonville, where Mr. Klippel died about 25 years ago. He has a son by the name of John Klippel, who is in the customs department of the United States government at Portland, Ore. and has been for many years, and his surviving son, Fred Klippel, resides in San Francisco.
    "Mr. Klippel's surviving wife resided quietly in Medford for many years, where she died about two years ago. Among the pioneers of the county, the Klippel family were well known, and the surviving old pioneers will recall both Mr. Klippel, his wife and the family.
    "In days gone by, when political lines were much tighter than at the present time, the leaders of the Democratic Party consisted of Henry Klippel, W. H. Parker, James R. Neil, for many terms county judge of Jackson County; James D. Fay and Judge P. P. Prim, who was at one time a supreme judge of Oregon, and opposed to this array of Democrats were C. C. Beekman, late banker at Jacksonville; Max Muller, Judge E. B. Watson, who afterwards was one of the supreme judges of Oregon; William Hoffman, B. F. Dowell, who was a prominent lawyer; Orange Jacobs and Samuel Colver, and other lesser political lights.
    "Under the management of these respective partisans, the party victory went first to one and then to the other. The stronger party feeling that existed In the country prior to the time of the Civil War, down to the middle '80s, grew out of the tense partisan feeling that existed because of the slavery and anti-slavery, most of the Democrats of the time being in sympathy with the South, and the Republicans were universally in favor of the North and anti-slavery principles; and these sentiments continued to prevail, and were based upon the feeling in regard to slavery, down to the early '80s, when the feeling in regard to the war had largely subsided, and a new generation was coming on.
    "The reference to the discovery of Crater Lake by Hillman prompted the suggestion of the foregoing facts in regard to the early history of Jackson County, and its partisan results."
Medford Mail Tribune, September 25, 1931, page 14


This One's on Gus.
To the Editor:
    I read the story in the Tribune about the famous hunter, John Griffin, told by Gus Newbury, so to get even I will have to tell one on Gus. The first school that Gus taught was out on Griffin Creek, and in those days there were some pretty tough kids, hard for a lady to handle. So they hired Gus.
    Well there was a boy named Clinton Spencer, who had been giving the teachers more or less trouble, and to make it worse his mother backed him up in his cussedness. When Gus took the reins everything ran along smoothly for a few days. But Spencer couldn't stand it very long, so he got on a rampage and when Gus called him down, he informed Gus he was a privileged character, or words to that effect, and would do as he pleased.
    To make a long story short, the fireworks started right off the reel, and when it was over Clint Spencer was licked to a fare-you-well. Of course he told his mother. The next morning Mrs. Spencer appeared with her "fighting harness" on and proceeded to lay down the law to Gus, in just about the right style.
    Gus waited until she finished. then cleared up his throat and gave her one of the looks he gives a witness sometimes, and said:
    "Mrs. Spencer, I have heard that you wear the breeches around your home. But I will give you to understand that Gus Newbury is wearing them in this school house and is going to keep on wearing them until the director says for me to turn them over to you. And, furthermore, when I crack the whip every scholar in this school, big or little, has got to dance. Good morning, Mrs. Spencer. It is school time now."
    Needless to say, the trouble ended and Clint Spencer turned out to be one of the best boys in school.
JOHN B. GRIFFIN.
Medford Mail Tribune, February 9, 1932, page 4


Newbury Groans Before Election Bet Payment
    His brow was drawn, his temples twitched, and the cords of his neck stood out to verify his agony as attorney Gus Newbury, Medford's veteran schoolmaster, sat at his desk this morning--for what might have been gold was only copper in the stack of coins sliding slowly over the top of the desk into his groping hands, and being copper was far too much for Gus' non-arithmetic mind.
    Above him glared attorney Rawles Moore. "You are paid in full. I want my receipts," he protested. Two witnesses stepped forward. "Your receipt," they reminded. Through his fingers attorney Newbury let slide another shower of coins to the floor. Then a groan escaped from his lips. "Oh, why did I specialize in orthography," he stormed. The pennies clattered in many directions.
    "My receipt," attorney Moore repeated.
    "I will take your word for it; there is honor among lawyers." Attorney Newbury shoved the coppers in another golden shower to the floor. "I'm paid, I'm paid," he exclaimed.
    Attorney Moore walked out the door,
    "He can't count," he remarked in an aside to the office staff, concluding the exchange.
----
    In the recent primary election Newbury bet Moore $10 that Earl H. Fehl would win the Republican nomination. He won, but Moore failed to pay his bet. Each day Newbury hounded him through the halls of justice, he declared today, until driven to desperation by the "Shylock," Moore appeared this morning with the pound of flesh, $10 in copper pennies.
Medford Mail Tribune, June 1, 1932, page 5



Old Picture Reveals Accident of Horse-and-Buggy Era Here
    Attorney Gus Newbury was confronted with the "evidence" recently and readily admitted his crime--that of running into a fire hydrant in Medford in October of 1910 with his 1909 Buick car.
    The "evidence" was a picture postcard at the scene and showing a spout of water shooting from the damaged hydrant as several men, many wearing derby hats, looked on. The card was found by Virgil Halstead, carpenter, in a house on King Street which Frank Walton, contractor, is renovating. Addressed to Miss Alice Streets, it told how Newbury had wrecked the hydrant, causing mild excitement on Main Street, and was initialed H.C.K. [H. C. Kentner?]
    When shown the card by Mrs. Halstead, Newbury recalled the incident clearly but did not remember having seen one of the pictures. The hydrant was in front of the Medford National Bank at the corner of Main Street and Central Avenue.
    Newbury recalled that Main Street had just been paved, but that horse-drawn vehicles from the country kept it pretty well covered with dirt, and that a light rain had resulted in a very slippery street. Turning out quickly to avoid one of these wagons, Newbury's Buick skidded and struck the hydrant, which broke, and the resulting geyser of water spouted as high as the bank building for a time.
    The attorney could not identify any of the interested spectators with the exception of a bank employee gazing out of the window at the scene. This young woman, wearing a high-collared white shirtwaist and a pompadour hairdo, he identified as the late Miss Clara Wood, longtime employee of the bank.   
Medford Mail Tribune, October 26, 1948, page 1


Newbury Recalls Days of Flour Sack B.V.D.'s
    There were no gay pink and green rayons then, "back in the good old days." And they didn't call them lingerie. The undies were made from "A. A. Davis' Best." But many oldtimers remember the cloth as it gleamed from teeter-totter and rail fence, in the '90s when "times were hard."
    Some mothers had time to boil the letters out of the sacks, but the majority left them in, and everyone knew that A. A. Davis' flour mill was supplying southern Oregon with underwear. Kayser and Van Raalte didn't have a chance.
    "Times were really hard then," Gus Newbury, local attorney, who was just a country boy at Phoenix during the panic, declared yesterday. "I have a vivid recollection of the three years from '93 to '96. The prevailing wage in the harvest fields was 75 cents during threshing time. We got $1.50 a day for feeding the machines, and we worked 16 hours a day. We got up no later than 4:00 a.m. and kept going until the sun went down behind the hills. The men on the threshing machine started at sunup and worked until dark. You could meet Rufus Cox on the road any time of night looking after his threshing machines.
    "We didn't eat strawberries for breakfast, either. They were almost unknown. Grapefruit couldn't be had, and oranges were in the markets about once a year. Farmers had chicken dinners twice a year and laborers none at all.
    "Oak wood, split for cook stoves, was sold for $1.25 a tier, delivered in Medford. And the roads over which it was delivered were hub deep in mud from November 1 to April 1. Those were the good old days." Attorney Newbury added, "I know a lot of other good things, too.
    "J. H. Stewart raised wheat and sold it to the mills at Ashland, delivered for 50 cents a bushel. He made two wagon trips a day, starting on the first one at 4:00 o'clock in the morning.
    "You could buy the finest beef in the country for one and a half and two and a half cents a pound. Farmers killed their own hogs, made their own lard, sold the surplus hogs to Bill Ulrich, who ran the southern Oregon pork packing establishment. The price was one and a half to three cents per pound. Chickens sold for 25 cents apiece, but nobody had the 25 cents. Thanksgiving turkeys brought 75 cents. The farmers came to town in their overalls and no oftener than they had to.
    "Subscriptions to the Medford Mail (parent on the mother's side to the Mail Tribune) were paid to A. S. Bliton in tier wood at $1.25 per.
    "Fur coats were never seen, and if a young lady appeared in a topcoat costing more than eight dollars, well--she was pointed out as a paragon of great extravagance."
Medford Mail Tribune, October 21, 1931, page 14


Newbury Groans Before Election Bet Payment
    His brow was drawn, his temples twitched, and the cords of his neck stood out to verify his agony as attorney Gus Newbury, Medford's veteran schoolmaster, sat at his desk this morning--for what might have been gold was only copper in the stack of coins sliding slowly over the top of his desk into his groping hands, and being copper was far too much for Gus' non-arithmetic mind.
    Above him glared attorney Rawles Moore. "You are paid in full. I want my receipts," he protested. Two witnesses stepped forward. "Your receipt," they reminded. Through his fingers, attorney Newbury let slide another shower of coins to the floor. Then a groan escaped from his lips. "Oh, why did I specialize in orthography," he stormed. The pennies clattered in many directions.
    "My receipt," attorney Moore repeated.
    "I will take your word for it; there is honor among lawyers." Attorney Newbury shoved the coppers in another golden shower to the floor. "I'm paid, I'm paid," he exclaimed.
    Attorney Moore walked out the door.
    "He can't count," he remarked in an aside to the office staff, concluding the exchange.
----
    In the recent primary election Newbury bet Moore $10 that Early H. Fehl would win the Republican nomination. He won, but Moore failed to win his bet. Each day Newbury hounded him through the halls of justice, he declared today, until driven to desperation by the "Shylock," Moore appeared this morning with the pound of flesh, $10 in copper pennies.
Medford Mail Tribune, June 1, 1932, page 5


Our New Courthouse.
To the Editor:
    It is reported that about the first day of September we shall dedicate the new $250,000 courthouse, and we wonder whether it is generally known that this courthouse has not cost the taxpayers of Jackson County a dollar? The fact that it has not cost the tax payers of Jackson County any money is due to the genius of W. H. Gore.
    We believe it is not generally known by these tax payers that Mr. Gore worked many years formulating a plan and measure to be presented to Congress with reference to the California-Oregon land grant, which, by reason of the action of the United States court, had been canceled.
    Prior to the cancellation of the grant, the people of Jackson County, together with most of the other counties in the first congressional district, received large payment of taxes from the California-Oregon company for the lands included in this land grant. The cancellation of the grant abruptly cut off this revenue to these various counties. and Jackson County was one of the largest sufferers by reason of that act of cancellation. This threw a great burden of taxation upon all other taxpayers, a burden that heretofore had been largely borne by this California-Oregon land grant in the taxes which it paid. This vast territory was undeveloped, and a great injustice was done to the said taxpayers which, in the mind of Mr. Gore, should be remedied.
    Mr. Gore went to Washington, D.C., expending some $15,000 of his own money in putting through Congress a measure which resulted in a refund to the taxpayers in this congressional district of something in excess of $18,000,000, and $1,081,000 of that amount in one lump sum came to Jackson County, and since that time Jackson County has received several hundred thousand dollars in addition, as well as did the other counties in this congressional district.
    Out of this sum there has been put away as a sinking fund the money necessary to retire the bonded indebtedness of Jackson County, and out of this fund $250,000 was appropriated to construct a new courthouse.
    Suffice it to say that of the expenditures made by Mr. Gore out of his own funds, there has been reimbursed to him by Jackson County the sum of $5000!
    Jackson County, and all the other counties affected by this land grant, would have been tickled to make a contract to pay unto Mr. Gore 10 percent of any sums that might be recovered, for no one, excepting Mr. Gore, believed that the matter could be put over--and he put it over. And he should be compensated by the several other counties of the state for this service which he performed.
    And now, as we contemplate this magnificent structure, the taxpayers of Jackson County can thank Mr. Gore for the construction of this building that has cost the taxpayer nothing, and can also thank Mr. Gore for the fact that it has enough money in the sinking fund to retire the bonded indebtedness of Jackson County, when it falls due--something like $400,000.
    In the dedication ceremonies, we believe Mr. Gore ought to have a place on the platform. At least, he ought to have a complimentary ticket to be permitted to sit in the audience.
GUS NEWBURY.
"Communications," Medford Mail Tribune, August 7, 1932, page 6


    Gus Newbury's stories are always up to par, sez local resident after listening to Gus' latest story about the Chinaman.

"Town Topics,"
The Tattler, Medford, February 21, 1936, page 1    SOHS M46C Box 1


    I want it distinctly understood at the beginning of these remarks that I am not one of the fellows who came here 98 years ago and discovered gold within what is now the limits of the city of Jacksonville; and I want it further understood that whatever I may say with reference to these early pioneer days in this country is based upon information which I received from people who were pioneer settlers in this country.
    I did not arrive here until 1881, and that was 30 years after the first discovery of gold in this country.
    So far as any historical matter is concerned with reference to this country of ours, history began here in the fall of 1851--history for all of Southern Oregon began at that time--the time when James T. Clugage and a man by the name of Poole and a third man pitched their tents on the banks of what was afterwards known as Daisy Creek. [There is little agreement on exactly when gold was discovered near Jacksonville. The initial T. is apocryphal; Clugage had no middle name. the creek was named Dairy Creek, after the Dairy family; the name was corrupted after the Dairys had been forgotten.] I was informed by someone of the old settlers of this country that these three men were making a trip to California from somewhere in the north, presumably going down there to spend the winter and likely to participate in the flush gold conditions that then prevailed there; and their camping for the night upon that little stream was undoubtedly of no significance to them at that time and did not to their knowledge establish a great and historical incident for all of Southern Oregon.
    Their appearance upon that historical occasion ripened into a great historical event--and that historical event was chronicled only in the lives of the people that came after them who were pioneers subsequent to their arrival; and, certainly if some record is not made of that event and if some record is not made of the names of those parties who first came here, that event and their names will soon be lost in the mysteries of the past.
    So far as I know there is nothing mentioned in any history of this event and the only record, insofar as I know that perpetuates the arrival of those men, was the fact that James T. Clugage took a Donation Land Claim where the city of Jacksonville now stands and if the present owners of property in this community will run their titles back, they will find that they all stemmed from the patent that was issued by the U.S. government to James T. Clugage; and, aside from that, the name of "Clugage" will be lost in the mazes of the past.
    That would be an unfortunate matter for it must be understood that those early travelers through this country--and undoubtedly that's what Clugage and Poole and the other member of his party were--were not weaklings. They had their origin somewhere in the East and the spirit of adventure prompted them to break away from the ties of the family east of the Rocky Mountains and prompted them to cast their fortunes in the great untrod wilderness which was then known as the "Oregon country." They were a hardy bunch--they were men who had courage flowing through their arteries, for in those times to traverse the vast plains of the West and conquer the Rocky Mountains and the Cascades it took courage of the hardiest character--and they were men of that type.
    Of course, this was not the first settlement in the Oregon country, for something like 15 years prior to that time settlements had sprung up along the Willamette River and the Columbia River in the northern part of what are now the state of Oregon and the state of Washington--and those early settlements by people from the states east of the Rocky Mountains were made in what was then known as the Oregon country, and the title to this Oregon country then was of doubtful character. The United States claimed this Oregon country by virtue of the fact that Captain Robert Gray, in 1792, discovered and pushed his vessel up into the Columbia River, and that was the basis of our title to what was known as the Oregon country--and this claim was further fortified by the visit of Lewis and Clark in 1805--and what was known as the Oregon country then was understood to have included all of British Columbia and as far south as the southern boundary of what is now Oregon; but Great Britain also asserted a right to what was known as the Oregon country because of the fact that the Hudson Bay Company of trappers had also pierced the wilderness and had their traps set along the Columbia, the Willamette and many of the rivers of British Columbia and what is now the state of Washington.
    There was, therefore, a great contest existing in the minds of those citizens of the United States, who settled in the Oregon country; and following this contest, after the settlers from the United States had concluded they could outvote the British who had settled in this Oregon country, they called a convention in 1843 in Champoeg on the banks of the Willamette River not far from where Salem now stands, and there assembled at that time the claimants in behalf of the people of the United States and the claimants in behalf of the Hudson's Bay Company representing the British. At that meeting the celebrated Joe Meek was present and he called for a divide, asking those who were in favor of the British Dominion to get on one side of the line and those who were in favor of the United States Dominion to get on the other side--and we outvoted them by two votes; and in pursuance of that meeting at that time, the government of the United States became more strenuous in its assertions to the ownership of the Oregon country because of the said voyage by said Captain Robert Gray in 1792 and the visit of Lewis & Clark; and this assertion of ownership continued to grow and became more assertive and particularly so as the influx of the 1846 migration into Oregon increased the population of this country, and out of all this nucleus, we, the United States, now own the greater part of what was then asserted by the United States to be the Oregon Territory.
    Therefore, when these sturdy travelers pitched their tents on the banks of Daisy Creek in this city, as citizens of the United states, they were within what was then definitely claimed to be property belonging to the United States.
    These travelers, James T. Clugage and his party, fortunately discovered gold on this little Daisy Creek that flows through this city--whenever there is any water in it--and by some means of grapevine telegraph, the fact that gold was discovered here was spread broadcast through the Pacific Coast and I was reliably informed by pioneers who came here in 1852 that in the spring of 1852 there were a thousand people here in Jacksonville, all attracted here by the fact that gold was discovered on Daisy Creek in quantities that justified the venture of others to cast their lot in this county.
    It may not be amiss to state that among those hardy adventurers that landed here in the spring of 1852 following the information that gold was here in paying quantities, there arrived 3 brothers from Pennsylvania who had crossed the plains into California somewhere about the time gold was discovered in that state. These three brothers were George Yaudas, Mathias Yaudas, and David Yaudas--and they were my mother's three brothers. In the spring of 1853, after sojourning in Jacksonville during the year of 1852, they crossed the hills and opened what was known as the Sterling Mine, one of the great producers of this county, and fortunately or otherwise (which is a matter to be determined by the present citizens of this country) the fact that those three brothers came here in 1852 was the cause of my mother and her three children to come here in the fall of 1881--and I was one of the party. Whether that was good fortune or misfortune for this county will have to be left to the sober judgment of the citizens who now live here.
    I am of the opinion that there are not many people here assembled today who ever saw one of the old stagecoaches that was operated by the California-Oregon Stage Company which in 1860 was established, and its termini were Redding, California, and Portland, Oregon.
    On one of these stagecoaches on the evening of the 8th day of November, 1881, my mother, my two sisters and myself took passage for Oregon at Redding, California, and we rode on that stagecoach all the night of the 8th of November, all of the day of the 9th of November and all the night of the 9th of November and at half past 8 o'clock in the morning of the 10th day of November we arrived in Jacksonville, Oregon, on the said stagecoach, the power being furnished by six sturdy horses.
    I was not very old at that time, but I was big enough to have some of the spirit of adventure and I asked the driver of that stagecoach at Cole's Station in California if I could ride on the boot with him that night and he picked me up, put me on the driver's seat beside him, strapped me in, and we drove over the Siskiyou Mountains that night with a six-horse team. We came very slowly up the south side of the Siskiyous but we made up for it in the speed we came down on the north side.
    You will pardon me for devoting so much of this short address to a consideration of myself, but the manager of this affair asked me to make this address because he was informed that I had been acquainted with some of these old pioneers and that is a fact, as I knew many of them. I knew the old-time banker, Mr. Beekman, who came here in 1853, and I had many talks with him about the early pioneer difficulties in this country.
    There were many fine characters among these old pioneers and, as previously stated in this address, they were not weaklings--they were as good blood as the eastern part of the United States afforded. They had to be sturdy to endure the privations that they did endure in this country.
    It may be well to emphasize that when these men came here, they brought with them the inalienable right to stand alone--they were not subsidized by the U.S. government to get $2.50 a bushel for the wheat they raised nor 40¢ a bushel for corn they raised nor $2.50 a hundred for the potatoes that they raised, and if there were a cotton grower among them, he never looked forward to the time he would be subsidized at the rate of $3.00 or $4.00 a bale for any cotton that he grew. Those fellows stood alone--their subsidies were the subsidies that grew out of their individual effort--their subsidies were the subsidies that grew from a determination to succeed--their subsidies were the subsidies that arose from muscular activity and a perseverance that resulted in success; nor were they paid by the government of the United States not to raise wheat and not to raise corn or $2.00 an acre for a cover crop. Their caliber was such that they probably would have resented any such requirement as that.
    Referring to some of the characters that afterwards came to this country, perhaps it will be well for me to say that I knew Henry Klippel, whose name now is undoubtedly forgotten except it may be remembered by a very few people who are still residing in Jackson County. Henry Klippel, as a boy 14 years of age, or thereabouts, was one of the party who discovered Crater Lake in 1854 or 1855. [Klippel was one of the party when John Hillman discovered the lake in 1853.] He became a prominent citizen of this county, was Sheriff of this county once upon a time and twice was County Clerk of this county. I was personally acquainted with all of his family and visited in his house many time. But all of his family are gone, and the name is forgotten.
    I was personally acquainted with Max Muller, who also was one of the pioneers in this county, with Judge H. K. Hanna, who was for 20 years Circuit Judge of this county, and the father of the present Circuit Judge of this county, and he too came into this county in the very earliest stages of its history, became a very distinguished jurist; and there was the Reames family, only two of which family, so far as I know, are still alive--and the Hanley family who settled upon a Donation Land Claim of 640 acres, and a portion of the farm is still owned by the grandchildren of the pioneers who settled there--and there was Col. John E. Ross who built the house that is still standing on what is known as Ross Lane. His son, John Ross, still survives at Central Point.
    I could give you the names of many others of these pioneers whom I knew, but recital of their names might not be of interest to you, but lest it not be forgotten that when this city of Jacksonville first started in 1851, it was the center of gravity of all Southern Oregon. It was not Jacksonville alone, but was, in effect, all of Southern Oregon and all of the early citizens and residents of this county, before settling elsewhere, first came to Jacksonville and then sought out the area which they contemplated taking as their homestead or donation land claim. The Bealls at Central Point, the Hanleys, the Ishes, the Bellingers, the Colvers--all had their first acquaintanceship with Southern Oregon at Jacksonville, and from there as a focal point they gravitated into various sections of the county.
    I was advised by Mr. Beekman that in the fall of 1851, when this gold was discovered, that there was not a white habitation between Roseburg and Yreka, and consequently there were no settlers in this county prior to that time. [A handful of farmers preceded the gold discovery, attracted by the calming influence of Indian agent Alonzo Skinner.]
    The name of "Applegate" was very prominently identified with the interests of this county and in 1846 Jesse Applegate and two of his brothers, together with another party, came through this county and camped near where Phoenix now stands, but there was no white habitation here then. While Jesse and his brothers did not settle in this county at that time, subsequently he did settle at Yoncalla and one of his sons, Peter Applegate, was a citizen of this county and a public officer in this county for many years; and another of the Applegates was Elisha Applegate, who was a son of one of the Applegates that settled where Ashland now stands. These Applegates were a humorous bunch and I recall that in 1897 there was elected in this county two members of the legislature on what was known as the "People's Ticket" and those members of the legislature went to Salem, but through financial and other enticements they declined to take the oath of office as legislators and declined to assist in the organization of the legislature because a prominent citizen of Oregon wanted to be U.S. Senator and he had made up his mind to see that the legislature did not organize because he could not have been elected U.S. Senator if it organized.
    The year following, in 1898, another legislature was elected and on the Republican ticket in this county, as well as on the Democratic ticket, there were men nominated for these positions and at that time Peter Applegate was a candidate for County Recorder--I was a candidate for County Clerk. We had a meeting at Phoenix. Everybody had congregated in the hall of the Colver house, now known as the "Old Stage House," and the house was full. These two members nominated for the legislature on the Republican ticket made the statement, reflecting upon the People's Party legislators who didn't take the oath of office the previous year, that they, if they were elected, would take the oath of office and assist in organizing the legislature. When it came time to introduce Peter Applegate, he arose and good-naturedly and good-humoredly, which was a characteristic of the Applegate family, assured all of the assembled voters that if he were elected County Recorder, he "would take the oath of office and anything else he could get his hands on." Everybody in the hall howled, "There's an honest man." And Pete was elected.
    This fellow, Lish Applegate, was also possessed with a profound sense of humor. He had been a Republican but in 1890, as Indian Agent at Fort Klamath he had fallen out with the Harrison Administration which was Republican, and he seceded from the Republican Party and joined the People's Party, whose nominee that year was James A. Weaver. I have forgotten to say that in this county there was a very distinguished pioneer family known as the "Colvigs" and one of whom, William Colvig, became quite a distinguished officeholder, having been elected County School Superintendent for two terms and three times as District Attorney on the Democratic ticket. In 1892 the Democratic Party nominated Judge Colvig for presidential elector on the Democratic ticket and he has making regular scheduled speeches throughout the state of Oregon in behalf of the Cleveland electors, of whom he was one, and this Lish Applegate was campaigning the state as an elector on the said People's Party ticket and he was making a hit and miss campaign of the state. He got into Eugene and rented the only available hall there was for speaking in that city. The Democratic State Central Committee had also scheduled Mr. Colvig to make a speech there the same evening but when Colvig got into the city, he found that Lish Applegate had the only available hall, and having known Lish as a boy and their fathers and mothers having been pioneers in this county, he importuned Lish to let him have the hall that evening and that he would invite all of his hearers out to hear Mr. Applegate the following evening. Elisha agreed, upon condition that Judge Colvig would let him, Applegate, introduce him. When the multitude of Democrats assembled in the hall to hear Judge Colvig expound the political issues of the day from a Democratic standpoint, Applegate was sitting on the platform, stroking his goatee, and with a mild twinkle in his steel gray eyes, he arose at 7:30 o'clock in the evening to introduce Judge Colvig, and he didn't get him introduced until 11:30 of that night; and then he said that he and Judge Colvig had entered into an agreement whereby it was understood that if Applegate would allow Colvig to have the hall that evening, Colvig would invite all of his hearers out to hear Applegate the following evening, but Applegate humorously said, at the close of his introductory remarks, that he would absolve Mr. Colvig's keeping his part of the said agreement.
    Doubtless, there are no persons here in this assembly who were alive at the time when the Civil War between the states was in progress between 1861 and 1865, and in accordance with the information I got from these old pioneers, there was a very tense feeling existing, and apparently the major part of the citizenship of Jackson County were sympathizers with the southern Confederacy, and among those were the Ish Family. One of the pronounced supporters of the Union, however, was Samuel Colver, who lived at Phoenix and who, with his wife, Hulda Colver, had built the big house in the other end of Phoenix in 1855, which still stands and which is now known as the "Old Stage House." I got this picture from Mr. C. C. Beekman, who was a witness to what took place. This Samuel Colver was in Jacksonville one morning in John Miller's hardware store and, as was his custom, he gave vent to his strong Union sympathy and to a considerable degree condemned the attitude of those Southern sympathizers for not supporting the Union in this struggle. While he was giving vent to his feelings, Horace Ish, a man weighing 180 lbs. or more, struck Mr. Colver over the back of the head with a pick handle and rendered him unconscious. Shortly thereafter he recovered consciousness, gathered himself together and he took this man Ish by the nape of the neck and the seat of the breeches and threw him out into the street and then jumped onto him and gave him a severe beating. This incident expresses the strong feeling that then existed in this county.
    Of this Colver family, there is one left bearing the name of Colver, Louie Colver, at Phoenix, and residing in this county there is a great-grandson of Samuel Colver who lives in Medford and whose name is Don R. Newbury.
    In those early pioneer times there was no radio, no moving picture show--nothing to create amusement for the citizens, and they had to create their own amusement.
    Along back in those early days there was a man by the name of Veit Schutz, who had built a brewery on the road that now leads to Applegate, and this brewery is still standing with trees growing up in front of it. Veit was a Democrat and, of course, when they elected public officers at that time, even as at the present time, it was necessary to have a coroner elected. Veit was as ignorant as a goat but he was nominated on the Democratic ticket for coroner and was elected [in 1880], as all Democrats were at that time.
    During the progress of his administration as coroner, there wandered into the city of Jacksonville a stranger who was addicted to imbibing great quantities of liquor and he found quite a number of fellows who were willing to participate with him in imbibing this liquor; and they finally succeeded in getting him into a helpless state of drunkenness. There was residing here at that time Jim McCully, a sort of a wag, who also liked liquor, and a 6-foot-4 slim joker by the name of Ad Helms, and they were fellows who were always participating in practical jokes; and they conceived the idea that it would be a good joke, while this fellow was in this drunken stupor, to undress him and black him up and then have a coroner's inquest to decide that he was dead. They found a number of fellows who were willing to participate with them in this venture and among them was Fred Luy, whose son, Harry Luy, is still living in Medford, and Dr. Aiken, who was a reputable physician, Henry Klippel, who afterwards was County Clerk, and several other people whose names never were disclosed to me, and they proceeded to undress this fellow and black him up from head to toe, and then they, in the middle of the night, went up to the brewery and they advised Veit Schutz, the coroner, that a fellow was dead down in some building and they had to have a coroner's inquest. Henry Klippel had the necessary six men there to sit upon the coroner's jury and Dr. Aiken was there to pronounce the man dead and they held this coroner's jury and Veit Schutz signed a certificate of death and then he proceeded home. All the rest of the fellows departed. The next morning when this fellow woke up, he found that somebody had painted him a different color and he inquired who it was and they advised him to go and see Veit Schutz and that he probably knew all about it. What kind of a session he had with Veit Schutz never was disclosed to me but it would be safe to conclude that it was a strong session punctured with some extravagant and blasphemous language and names that these days wouldn't be printed in the Saturday Evening Post or the Ladies' Home Journal.
    Referring again to Mr. Beekman, it probably is not known to the people who are here assembled that he was at one time candidate for Governor on the Republican ticket and he was elected but the Democratic machine counted him out. It was afterwards disclosed by the succeeding Secretary of State that when the Legislature convened, which was Democratic, to canvass the vote, it was disclosed that on the tally sheet that came in from each county, there was subtracted 10 votes from the total that Mr. Beekman had received in that county and that elected the Democrat candidate by the narrow margin of 31 votes. [Every account gives a different number of votes.] Mr. Beekman, however, did not become very much disgruntled because of his defeat by those nefarious means and advised me that he considered it was a very fortunate thing for him that he had been counted out because in all probability, instead of being a successful banker, he would be a broken-down, discredited politician.
    Due consideration should be made by all of us here assembled for these old pioneers who blazed the way into this country and endured almost unbearable hardships and privations that today would be considered by us, who are here, as being unendurable; and we owe a debt of gratitude to those old pioneers who came here, but we also owe a debt of gratitude to some of the Indians who were occupants of this valley. In 1855 there was an Indian uprising and a great many people were killed by the Indians. They had contemplated a secret attack on Jacksonville, and this attack would have been carried out had it not been for a young Indian girl who had been favored in some particular by some of the white inhabitants and she secretly went into Jacksonville in the night and disclosed the purpose of the Indians to attack Jacksonville and her action undoubtedly saved many of the residents of Jacksonville from death or capture by the Indians. She was known as Squaw Mary and in grateful consideration for what she did upon that occasion, the citizens of Jacksonville built a little house on the hillside in the southeasterly part of the city and there Squaw Mary lived until she died. She earned her living by doing menial service for the women of Jacksonville and I remember her very distinctly. She was afterwards married and her husband died but she left one son who was known as Indian Pete and I was also acquainted with him. Squaw Mary was given a decent burial by the citizens of Jacksonville in consideration and in remembrance for the service she did to the early settlers of this city, but I venture the assertion that there are not half a dozen people in Jacksonville who know of the service that Squaw Mary did in behalf of these settlers. [Indian Mary was real, but the intended attack on Jacksonville was not. After the Lupton Massacre on October 8, 1855, about a dozen warriors responded by setting off on a trail of destruction and murder from the Table Rock Reservation down the Rogue River. There were no further hostilities in the Bear Creek Valley. Natives didn't attack towns.]
    It must not be forgotten that there were influential women among these settlers. Among them was Mrs. McCully, whose house still stands on California Street near Daisy Creek. Mrs. McCully was a very capable and mentally able woman, and any of you who have ever attended any of the old pioneer exercises here, you may recall the song that was sung to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne," and Mrs. McCully wrote this song which was sung at all of the early pioneer meetings and at all of the meetings that are still being held by the Pioneer Association. She also contributed to the well-being of the miners that came to Jacksonville regularly every Saturday evening and she baked elderberry pies and dried apple pies and I am advised that she sold these pies to these miners at 50¢ and $1.00 a pie and to these miners, who for weeks had fed themselves on beans, sourdough biscuits and side meat, pies were pies!
     Formerly there was a man engaged in the mercantile business in Jacksonville whose name was Patrick Ryan. There are citizens here who still remember Pat Ryan. He constructed a big brick building on California Street and which is still known as the Ryan Building. During the progress of his career as merchant, he sold a suit of clothes to quite a prominent young man in Jacksonville and the price for the clothes was $36.00. The young man failed to pay for his clothes and he was repeatedly dunned by Mr. Ryan, but the young man always had some excuse for not paying the bill, presumably because he was broke. One day, however, Mr. Ryan made quite a concession to the young man and stated to him that if he would pay one-half the bill, that he, Ryan, would knock off the other half. The young man promptly retorted: "You can't outdo me in generosity--if you knock off one-half of the bill, I'll knock off the other half and we'll call it square." This appears to have been a very unique way of paying one's bills. However, I would not commend it to the rising generation of youth as a means of paying for the clothes that they buy.
    When I was a boy about 13 or 14 years of age, I worked for my board at this brewery that the said Veit Schutz was running and which said brewery is still standing--and this man Schutz ran a bar in connection with his brewery where he sold beer over the counter and many games were carried on--billiards and cards. One Saturday afternoon there were three fellows playing "Pedro"--the name of one of them was "Clark" and the other Henry Kubli, and a third man whose name I have forgotten--and they had very many rows in their card playing and always settled them by calling for some beer and the beer was always furnished to them. They continued to play until way along the middle of the night, having numerous wrangles, and they finally wound up their game and then they went to the bar and called for the beer. This man Kubli was a great big fellow 6'4" and built all over. Clark was a little redheaded fellow and he grabbed his mug of beer and with the open mug he struck Kubli over the eye and the blood just flew and the battle was on. I was the only witness to this scrap. They got to throwing beer glasses at each other and one of the glasses went through the coal oil chandelier, dislodged one of the lamps, but as it struck the floor, it extinguished itself. These three fellows finally fought themselves out into the street--Clark and the other fellow against Kubli. This man Kubli then had the other two fellows arrested and the next Monday morning we were all in the Justice Court. As I was the only witness, I had to get upon the witness stand and testify to what I had seen and what had happened. When Kubli came into court that morning, his eye was completely swollen shut and his face was black as coal. These men were fined $35.00 and court costs. They disappeared from the precinct of Jacksonville.
    Having been a witness in that case and having seen the operation of the court, I concluded that that was the only place for an honest man to practice law and for that reason, because it was the only honest business in the world, I gravitated into the law.
    Up to comparatively recent times, that is, up to about 1890, there was a Chinatown in Jacksonville on the same street on which the City Hall now stands and there [were] many Chinamen located in the various houses; and these Chinamen occasionally would make the rounds of saloons and buy a little too much whiskey and it is reported that there were three of them and an Irishman making the rounds of the saloons and they got a little bit too disorderly along in the middle of the night and they were thrown into the calaboose. In the morning they were brought before the police court and it is reported that the police judge said to the first Chinaman: "Stand up. What's your name?" "Ah Gee." "Officer, what's the charge?" "Drunk and disorderly." "$5.00 and costs." And he said to the next Chinaman: "Stand up. "What's your name?" "Ah Sing." "Officer, what's the charge?" "Drunk and disorderly." "$5.00 and costs." And he said to the third Chinaman: "Stand up. What's your name?" "Ah Sam." "Officer, what's the charge?" "Drunk and disorderly." "$5.00 and costs." And then he said to the Irishman: "Stand up. What's your name?" "Ah hell--it's $5.00 and costs anyway."
     The first settlers and the subsequent settlers in your city and this county were prompted by the same impulses and were inspired by the same ambitions with which the people here assembled are inspired and now since that long time has disappeared when these settlers first came here, you are now surrounded by all that exalts and embellishes civilized life.
    The Constitution of the United states carried many guarantees in your behalf for the exercise of your liberty and your pursuit of happiness and I am constrained to advise you that during the last 20 years many of these constitutional rights have been invaded and you must exercise extreme vigilance to see that those rights are not further encroached upon; and with your permission I want to quote from a very far-seeing statesman who delivered the wonderful address at the dedication of Bunker Hill: "This lovely land, this glorious liberty, these benign institutions, the dear purchase of our fathers are ours--ours to preserve, ours to enjoy, ours to transmit; Our fathers from behind admonish us with their anxious voices, posterity calls out from the bosom of the future, the world turns hither its solicitous eyes, all conjures this act fairly and wisely in the relations we sustain." [The quote is from Daniel Webster's 1826 funeral oration at Boston's Faneuil Hall for John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.]
    This advice given by Daniel Webster at Bunker Hill is just as pertinent and just as potent today as the day more than 100 years ago that he gave expression to it.
Address by Gus Newbury, Aug. 7, 1949 at Jacksonville's Gold Rush Jubilee, Southern Oregon Historical Society Research Library, Gus Newbury vertical file



Early-Day Incidents of Jacksonville Community
Told by Gus Newbury at Dedication of Museum

    Following is a portion of the speech made by attorney Gus Newbury at the dedication of the Jacksonville Museum last Saturday. We regret that space limitations make it impossible to carry the entire address, but the part here shown will be of deep interest to readers.--The Editor. [The complete address is below.]
    When I came here as a small boy, Jacksonville was the center of all Southern Oregon. There was no Central Point, no Medford, no Grants Pass and but little of Ashland. Jacksonville had approximately 3,000 people, and when the Oregon & California Railroad Co. located the railroad line where it now is, it inflicted a severe blow upon the future of Jacksonville.
    At that time there was an old wooden courthouse standing where this building now is, and probably it was constructed in the '50s. At any rate, it bore evidence of the ravages of time. It was concluded that a new courthouse should be constructed, and my memory recalls that there was a violent controversy over the construction of this building.
The County Court
    The county court at that time consisted of Silas J. Day, a resident of Jacksonville, and two commissioners, Robert Cook from Foots Creek and A. Alford of Talent, and because the railroad was then in process of construction through the place where Medford now stands, the majority of the citizens of the county believed that this courthouse should not be constructed where it is, but the matter should be submitted to a vote of the people.
    Judge Day, being a resident of Jacksonville, and Robert Cook, having many warm friends here, voted to construct a new courthouse and entered into a contract with one L. S. P. Marsh for the construction of this building at a consideration of $37,000.00. This building was thereupon constructed adversely to the wishes of most of the people of Jackson County.
    My recollection is that the cornerstone was laid in September, 1883. At that time I was working for my board at the brewery in Jacksonville, and I stopped a great many times while they were laying the bricks in the courthouse.
Wm. Justus Murdered
    While this courthouse was being constructed the court was held in the city hall of Jacksonville. About 1883 or 1884 [It was March 1883.] a murder was committed near Medford of a man named William Justus, who, it was alleged, was killed by his son. This trial took place in the city hall, and I attended many of its sessions in the evening after coming from school.
    Justus was convicted and sentenced to the penitentiary for life, served 15 years and a few years ago was resident of Medford. Subsequently, a man by the name of O'Neil killed a man in Ashland named McDaniel, and that trial took place in this courthouse.
    The former H. K. Hanna, circuit judge, presided in each of these trials. Judge Hanna resigned the position of circuit judge and was succeeded by L. R. Webster, a young lawyer just starting practice in this city and who was one of the prosecuting lawyers against John Justus for the murder of his father. Judge Webster served as circuit judge for eight years. He was first appointed to succeed Judge Hanna and then was elected for one six-year term.
Court vs. Press
    An interesting and far-reaching event occurred in this old courthouse when Judge L. R. Webster was circuit judge. He was a very fine, honorable judge of a satin finish character, scrupulously honest. One E. J. Kaiser was the editor of a paper in Ashland called the Valley Record.
    Kaiser published an article accusing Webster of corruption upon the bench. It so incensed Webster that he issued a bench warrant for Kaiser and sentenced him to jail for contempt of court.
    Therein Webster made a mistake. Under the law he had no right to send a man to jail for contempt unless the contempt was committed in the presence of the court while in session. If the contempt were committed at some other time proceedings before the grand jury would be necessary. Webster failed to resort to the required procedure against Kaiser.
    Kaiser took an appeal to the Supreme Court, and it reversed the case and freed Kaiser from the conviction of contempt.
Of National Interest
    This incident really ripened into a matter of national consequence. That year when Webster went off the bench the Republican state convention nominated Webster for attorney general. George E. Chamberlain was then district attorney for Multnomah County, and the Democrats nominated Chamberlain for attorney general against Webster.
    Kaiser proceeded to array all the newspapers in Oregon against Webster excepting one, and that one was very lukewarm in favor of Webster; and while Webster would have been elected had it not been for the Kaiser incident, he was defeated by 240 votes, and George Chamberlain was on his way to national distinction.
    Chamberlain was re-elected attorney general, then elected governor and then went to the United States Senate and served as the chairman of the Military Affairs Committee of the U.S. Senate during World War I.
Federal Court
    When the old wooden courthouse was first erected in the '50s the federal court was held here in that courthouse, and Matthew P. Deady was the judge. When the state was admitted to the Union, P. P. Prim became judge of this circuit, which consisted of Jackson, Josephine, Lake and Klamath counties. He served in that capacity for 20 years, retiring to be succeeded by the former Judge H. K. Hanna.
    Judge Hanna was a striking character. He had coal-black eyes and snow-white hair and always had the courage of his convictions. While the judge was on the bench the taxation of the railroad through Jackson County became an issue, and a suit was brought by the railroad company to reduce the assessment to less than the then-assessed value per mile.
    The case came before Judge Hanna for trial and determination. A new circuit judge would be elected the fall following the time this case came on for trial, and the then-court judge and one of the county commissioners sought to influence Judge Hanna to decide that railroad tax case the way they wanted it decided.
Attempted Bribery
    The county judge and one commissioner filed into Hanna's office in this old courthouse and proposed to him that if he would decide this railroad tax case their way they would see that the was nominated for circuit judge again on the Democratic ticket and elected.
    During the time this case was up for consideration I happened to be county clerk, and the judge advised me of the attempt to corrupt him that was made by the county judge and the commissioner. He told me that he grabbed a chair, called them a few names you wouldn't find in the Ladies' Home Journal and ran them out of the office. Hanna was nominated on the independent ticket and elected that fall, and from there on had the excellent good sense to belong to the Republican Party until the day he died.
    It is impossible to chronicle all the interesting incidents that took place in this building, and they were not all sad and they were not all cool, calculated opinions based upon contested statements of causes of action and issues of facts connected with trials.
Humor in Court
    Many of them were of a humorous character, and I am sure that this audience will not consider me presumptuous if I relate an occurrence in which I was the victim of the humorous aspect of an incident in the trial of a divorce case in this building. A prominent attorney of Medford brought suit for divorce for a man whom we shall call Smith, and the wife of this man Smith employed me to defend her in this suit for divorce.
    The case came on for trial on a hot day in July. The bailiff of the court placed a pitcher of ice water on the ledge of the judge's desk for the court and the attorneys. During the case the plaintiff's attorney placed upon the stand a man who I thought had made several overdrafts on the truth and I gave him an unhappy half hour on cross-examination.
    The next witness the attorney for the plaintiff placed upon the stand was the wife of the preceding witness; and while the other attorney was asking this wife the perfunctory questions of what is your name, your age, and your residence I rose from my position and was about to step over to the judge's desk to take a drink of water from this pitcher.
    The witness immediately stopped in her testimony and pointing her finger at me she said, "Now you sit down. I don't want you to go after me. I've got heart trouble and I might die, you old thing, you!"
    Everybody in the courtroom including the judge on the bench broke out into laughter excepting myself. All of this evidence was taken down by the court reporter, except that tone of voice when she said, "You old thing, you!" He didn't get that tone in the record.
DeAutremont Case
    Within the recollection of most of the listeners here there was tried in this courthouse the celebrated DeAutremont case. The DeAutremont brothers were accused of the murder of the engineer, fireman, brakeman and U.S. postal clerk in a holdup of the passenger train in the Siskiyou tunnel about 25 years ago.
    This case was one of the most spectacular ever tried in Oregon and received nationwide consideration. Newspapers from all over the coast had their reporters present at the trial. Newton C. Chaney was district attorney, but he never lifted his voice in the trial of the case, and the state, through G. M. Roberts and George Neuner, prosecuted the defendants.
    I was one of the attorneys for the defendants in that case, but I was employed and officiated in the case for ornamental purposes only.
    In this old courthouse there were incidents of joy, of sorrow, of inexpressible griefs and of heartaches. They, too, are a part of the history of this old building. It is unfortunate that these events cannot be enshrined in this museum as fragrant recollections of the past. But they can only be perpetuated in the recollection of those who happened to live through that eventful period.
Appropriate Museum
    When we stop to consider all of the interesting things that now are nothing more than memories, it seems entirely appropriate that this old courthouse should be employed as a museum for the preservation of those relics of times gone by that can be preserved, and in the vault of this old courthouse there be perpetuated these old records of important events for present and future generations to contemplate.
    How wonderful would it be if all the stirring events as they occurred could be reproduced for the benefit of future generations. It is too bad that the heroic struggles of the pioneers who came to this country cannot also be visualized in picture for the present generation of youth and citizenship to show what hardships they bore in making this a great country.
    If they could and if the generation now here and those that are to come could be made to live, in their minds, those hardships and those struggles endured by early settlers, these later arrivals might have a better appreciation of the wonderful era in which they live, and would be less inclined to think that the U.S. government owes them whatever they see fit to wish for without any struggle upon their part and would be less inclined to think that the government should subsidize them to meet their every coveted want.
    This building and its predecessor connect the present with the beginning of history in all of Southern Oregon; and there could be no more appropriate receptacle of the evidences which make history; and for this purpose this building is therefore dedicated.
Medford News, August 11, 1950, page 1


ADDRESS
    For this event there was originally scheduled another speaker by the name of Phil Metschan, who resides in Portland. Phil never was a resident of Southern Oregon, but he had the good sense to come to Southern Oregon to select his life partner and in doing so he invaded one of the old pioneer families of Southern Oregon--that of Kaspar and Ellen Kubli. He took from the confines of that home Velene Kubli, and he took her to the wilds of Eastern Oregon and finally gravitated into the city of Portland. Prior to the time that he married into this distinguished and influential pioneer family Phil was singularly unknown, but when he allied himself with this good fortune his fame throughout the state of Oregon increased, and perhaps there is no man in the state of Oregon more widely known than Phil Metschan. It is with great regret that on this day we register the fact that Mr. Metschan could not fill the appointment of speaker upon this occasion.
    The management here was hard put to find somebody who would take the place of Phil Metschan, and they scanned the entire horizon of Jackson County, and without success, to find anyone with sufficient knowledge of pioneer history to function upon this occasion. In their deep distress they inflicted upon you the selection of myself to appear upon this occasion. That is why I am here.
    When I came to Jacksonville, Oregon as a very small boy, Jacksonville was the center of gravity of all Southern Oregon. There was no Central Point, no Medford, no Grants Pass and but little of Ashland. Jacksonville had approximately 3,000 people, and when the Oregon and California Railroad Company through the manipulation, and we may say chicanery, of its chief engineer located the railroad line where it now is, he inflicted a severe blow upon the future of Jacksonville. Not many years ago it was thought that Jacksonville would disappear from the face of the earth and be one of the ghost towns of the Pacific Coast, and it seemed at that period that Jacksonville should be confined in the museum as one of the interesting, old relics of bygone days. But in these latter years a veritable renaissance has hit the old town of Jacksonville, and it is on the way to resume its original pioneer figure. Everywhere around this old community there has been developed a new citizenship, and new and comfortable homes have been built that are better than most of the residences that were in Jacksonville when I first came here, and Jacksonville is to be congratulated that it has arisen from this ghost atmosphere of the past and has taken its place once more among the advancing cities of Southern Oregon.
    When I came here there was an old wooden courthouse standing where this building now is, and probably it was constructed along in the fifties. At any rate, it bore the evidences of the ravages of time. It was at the time concluded that a new courthouse should be constructed, and my memory recalls that there was a very violent controversy that arose over the construction of this building that stands here today. The county court at that time consisted of Silas J. Day, a resident of Jacksonville, and the two commissioners consisted of Robert Cook from Foots Creek and A. Alford of Talent, and because the railroad was then in process of construction through the place where Medford now stands, the majority of the citizens of the county believed that this courthouse should not be constructed where it is, but the matter should be submitted to a vote of the people as to whether  the old courthouse should avail for court purposes until the matter could be submitted to a consideration of the people. But Judge Day, being a resident of Jacksonville, and Robert Cook, having many warm friends in Jacksonville, voted to construct a new courthouse and entered into a contract with one L. S. P. Marsh for the construction of this building at a consideration of $37,000 and this building was thereupon constructed adversely to the wishes of most of the people of Jackson County. My recollection is that the cornerstone was laid in September, 1883. At that time I was working for my board at the brewery in Jacksonville, and I stopped a great many times while they were laying the bricks in the courthouse, and there was a man by the name of [James] T. Guerin, who was a very rapid bricklayer. he didn't belong to any bricklayer's union and therefore was not limited to the number of bricks he could lay, but he laid all the bricks he could during the day. And thus was this courthouse constructed.
    While this courthouse was being constructed the court was held in the city hall of Jacksonville, and about 1883 or 1884 [It was March 1883.] a murder was committed near Medford of a man by the name of William Justus, who, it was alleged, was killed by his son. This very eventful trial took place in the city hall, and I attended many of its sessions in the evening after coming from school. Justus was convicted and sentenced to the penitentiary for life, served fifteen years, and a few years ago was a resident of Medford. [John Justus served a little over seven years.] Subsequently, a man by the name of O'Neil killed a man in Ashland by the name of McDaniel, and that trial was a very eventful one. It took place in this courthouse.
    The former H. K. Hanna was the circuit judge who presided in each one of the trials. Judge Hanna, reputedly, because of a reversal in the Supreme Court of a celebrated case, resigned the position of circuit judge and was succeeded by L. R. Webster, a young lawyer just starting out to practice in this city and who was one of the prosecuting lawyers who prosecuted the case against the said John Justus for the murder of his father. Judge Webster served as circuit judge for eight years. He was first appointed to succeed Judge Hanna and then was elected for one six-year term, when he retired.
    It may seem a little far-fetched to the people who are listening here that an interesting and far-reaching event occurred in this old courthouse when Judge L. R. Webster was circuit judge. He was a very fine, honorable judge of a satin-finish character, scrupulously honest. One E. J. Kaiser was the editor of a paper in Ashland called the Valley Record, and this man Kaiser published a very scurrilous article against Webster accusing him of corruption upon the bench in some of the decisions which Webster rendered. It so incensed Webster that he issued a bench warrant for Kaiser and sentenced him to jail for contempt of court. Therein Webster made a mistake. Under the law he would have no right summarily to send a man to jail for contempt of court unless the contempt was committed in the presence of the court while it was in session, and if the contempt were committed at some other time against the court when it was not in session proceedings before the grand jury would be necessary before a man could be convicted of that kind of an offense. Webster failed to resort to the required procedure against Kaiser. Kaiser took an appeal to the Supreme Court, and, while the Supreme Court castigated Kaiser for his accusation against Webster, it reversed the case and freed Kaiser from the conviction of contempt. This incident really ripened into a matter of national consequence. That year when Webster went off the bench the Republican state convention nominated Webster for attorney general. George E. Chamberlain was then district attorney for Multnomah County, and the Democrats nominated Chamberlain for attorney general against Webster. Kaiser proceeded to array all of the newspapers in the state of Oregon against Webster excepting one, and that one was very lukewarm in favor of Webster; and while Webster would have been elected had it not been for the Kaiser incident, he was defeated by 240 votes, and George Chamberlain was on his way to national distinction.
    Chamberlain was re-elected attorney general, then elected governor and then went to the United States Senate and served as the chairman of the Military Affairs Committee of the U.S. Senate during the World War I, the most important committee in the world. Chamberlain attained very great distinction in that position. Verily, "A pebble in the streamlet scant has turned the course of many a river." What the political future of Oregon may have been but for the incident which arose in this courthouse no one can ever conjecture, but so far as personal effect was concerned it had very far-reaching consequences. Judge Webster went to Portland and for two terms served as county judge in that county.
    When the old wooden courthouse was first erected along in the fifties the federal court was held here in that courthouse, and Matthew P. Deady was the judge. When the state was admitted to the Union, P. P. Prim became judge of this circuit, which consisted of Jackson, Josephine, Lake and Klamath counties. He served in that capacity for twenty years, retiring to be succeeded by the former Judge H. K. Hanna. This former Judge Hanna was a striking character. He had coal-black eyes and snow-white hair and always had the courage of his convictions. While the judge was on the bench the taxation of the railroad through Jackson County became an issue, and a suit was brought by the railroad company to reduce the assessment to less than the then-assessed value per mile, and the case came before Judge Hanna for trial and determination. A new circuit judge would be elected the fall following the time this case came on for trial, and the then-court judge and one of the then-county commissioners sought to influence Judge Hanna to decide that railroad tax case the way they wanted it decided. The county judge and one commissioner filed into Hanna's office in this old courthouse and proposed to him that if he would decide this railroad tax case their way they would see that the was nominated for circuit judge again on the Democratic ticket and elected. During the time this case was up for consideration I happened to be county clerk, and the judge advised me of the attempt to corrupt him that was made by the county judge and the commissioner. He told me that he grabbed up a chair, and he called them a few names you wouldn't find in the Ladies' Home Journal or the Saturday Evening Post and ran them out of the office. Hanna was nominated on the independent ticket and elected that fall, and from there on had the excellent good sense to belong to the Republican Party until the day he died.
    It is impossible to chronicle all the interesting incidents that took place in this building, and they were not all sad and they were not all cool, calculated opinions based upon contested statements of causes of action and issues of facts connected with trial. Many of them were of a humorous character, and I am sure that this audience will not consider me presumptuous if I relate an occurrence in which I was the victim of the humorous aspect of an incident in the trial of a divorce case in this building. A prominent attorney of Medford brought a suit for divorce for a man whom we shall call Smith, and the wife of this man Smith employed me to defend her in this suit for divorce. The case came on for trial on a blixenly hot day in July. The bailiff of the court placed a pitcher of ice water on the ledge of the judge's desk for the court and the attorneys. During the progress of the case the plaintiff's attorney placed upon the witness stand a man who I thought had made several overdrafts on the truth, and I gave him an unhappy half hour on cross-examination and he was much relieved to vacate the witness stand. The next witness which the attorney for the plaintiff placed upon the stand was the wife of the preceding witness, and while the other attorney was asking this wife the perfunctory questions of what is your name, your age, and your residence I rose from my position and was about to step over to the judge's desk to take a drink of water from this pitcher and the witness immediately stopped in her testimony and pointing her finger at me she said, "Now you sit down. I don't want you to go after me. I've got heart trouble and I might die, you old thing, you!" Everybody in the courtroom, including the judge on the bench, broke out into laughter excepting myself. All of this evidence was taken down by the court reporter, excepting that tone of voice when she said, "You old thing, you!" He didn't get that tone of voice in the record.
    Within the recollection of most of the listeners here there was tried in this courthouse the celebrated DeAutremont case in which the DeAutremont brothers were accused of the murder of the engineer, fireman, brakeman and United States postal clerk in a holdup of the passenger train in the Siskiyou tunnel about twenty-five years ago. This case was one of the most spectacular cases ever tried in Oregon and received nationwide consideration. Newspapers from all over the coast had their reporters present at the trial, and we had a long table in the space reserved for the attorneys for the accommodation of the reporters. Newton C. Chaney was the district attorney, but he never lifted his voice in the trial of the case, and the state, through G. M. Roberts and George Neuner, prosecuted the defendants. I was one of the attorneys for the defendant in that case, but I was employed and officiated in the case for ornamental purposes only.
    In this old courthouse there were incidents of joy, of sorrow, of inexpressible griefs and of heartaches that were almost unendurable. They, too, are a part of the history of this old building. It is unfortunate that these very interesting events that took place in this old building cannot be enshrined in this museum as fragrant recollections of the past. But they can only be perpetuated in the recollection of those who happened to live through that eventful period, and I happened to be one of them. When we stop to consider all of the very stirring and interesting things that took place in this courthouse that now are nothing more than memories, it seems entirely appropriate that this old courthouse should be employed as a museum for the preservation of those relics of times gone by that can be preserved, and in the vault of this old courthouse there be perpetuated these old records of important events for present and future generations to contemplate, to muse over, and if possible to be able to imagine living through those eventful occurrences. How wonderful would it be if all the stirring events as they occurred in this building could be reproduced in the order of their occurrence for the benefit of future generations. It is too bad that the heroic struggles of the pioneers who came to this country cannot also be visualized in picture for the present generation of youth and the present citizenship to show what hardships they bore in making this a great country, and it is too bad through the evidences of those struggles endured by those early settlers, these later arrivals might have a better appreciation of the wonderful era in which they live, and would be less inclined to think that the U.S. government owes them whatever they see fit to wish for without any struggle upon their part and would be less inclined to think that the government should subsidize them to meet their every coveted want.
    This building and its predecessor connect the present with the beginning of history in all of Southern Oregon; and there could be no more appropriate receptacle of the evidences which make history; and for this purpose this building is therefore dedicated.
"Southern Oregon Historical Society," address of Gus Newbury, August 5, 1950 at the dedication of the Jacksonville Museum, Oregon Historical Society, September 1950, pages 223-227


Gus Newbury, 85, Prominent Lawyer, Educator, Passes
    Gus Newbury, 85, one of the best-known attorneys in Southern Oregon and a familiar figure in Jackson County for more than 70 years, died last night.
    He had been in ill health for a number of months, and had been staying at the county farm home. A native of East Liberty, Pa., Mr. Newbury was born on March 27, 1870.
    He arrived in Jacksonville, then the county seat of Jackson County, at the age of 12 in 1881. For a number of years, starting at the age of 16, he taught school there and later, starting in 1893, served as county superintendent of schools for seven years. During this period he was reading law, and, entirely self-taught, he passed the state bar examination in 1903.
Long Career
    This began a long and colorful practice of law, during which he had broad trial experience both in criminal and civil cases. One of them was the famous d'Autremont case, in which he served as a defense attorney. The case was the last important trial held in the old courthouse, now the Jacksonville museum.
    At one time he was county clerk, and in addition was known for his association with fraternal organizations. In 1906 he joined the Elks lodge, and was grand exalted ruler of the Medford lodge in 1917 and 1918. On each of his more recent birthdays, he has been honored by other past exalted rulers of the lodge, the most recent occasion last March.
    He also was a member of various Masonic orders, and was a member of Hillah temple of the Shrine.
    Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Maude R. Mehaffey, Antioch, Calif., and a son, Carl, Lafayette, Calif., who arrived in Medford today; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, and a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Don R. Newbury. His son Don, also a well-known Medford attorney, with whom he was associated in practice, died in 1952.
Funeral Thursday
    Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 28, at the Perl funeral chapel, with the Rev. John Reynolds, of the First Presbyterian Church, officiating. Elks lodge members will participate in later services conducted by past exalted rulers of the lodge, who will serve as pall bearers.
    Members of the Jackson County bar today paid tribute to Mr. Newbury for his long service, for an outstanding and keen wit, and for a strong sense of loyalty to his friends. He was both interested and active in Republican politics and in lodge activities, his friends reported.
    They characterized him as a pioneer, a human figure who loved life and his state, and who had won his way in his chosen profession the hard way, despite many years of partial illness.
Medford Mail Tribune, July 27, 1955, page 1



    In September of 1919, on my return to the ranch from France, I put in an application for membership in the Medford Elks Lodge. "Gus" Newbury was the lodge Exalted Ruler that year, and on my initiation night with some dozen other candidates, a member rose at lodge closing and requested that Gus relate to the new members the story of his journey to Oregon and his growing up in Jacksonville, Oregon, then the county seat of Jackson County.
    As Gus told it, his widowed mother had a brother working in Jacksonville, and when she received a letter from him urging her to move west with young Gus at his expense, they were soon saying goodbye to Gus' birthplace, East Liberty, Pa., to travel by trains to Sacramento, California, where they boarded a four-horse stage for Jacksonville. The third day's stagecoach ride brought them to the Callahan ranch-hotel for a night's lodging only a few miles south of the gold mining town of Yreka. The year was 1881, and Gus was 12 years of age. The next morning when boarding the stage Gus talked his mother and the driver into allowing him to ride on top with the driver and the man riding "shotgun." It must have taken some fast talk on Gus' part, as California's most famous stage bandit, Charles E. Boles, "Black Bart," was still on the loose, and some of his banditry, with no accomplice, was in the Yreka area. Credited with some 28 successful holdups, this outlaw was not apprehended until run down by Wells Fargo Bank operatives in November of 1883.
    Shortly after their arrival in Jacksonville, Mrs. Newbury secured employment as a maid in the old United States Hotel, and Gus was put to work as an assistant janitor in the town brewery. When he traveled to Salem in 1903 to take the state bar examination, he was the only candidate to show up that morning before a judge, and as Gus related the event, the old judge stated, "This will be an oral examination, and we will make it short, as I have an appointment down the street, and for the first question we will assume that you have opened your first law office and a prospective client walks in the door and states his problem. Now, young man, what would be your first move?" After some deliberation Gus replied to the judge, "Well, sir, the first thing I would do would be to collect a fee," to which the judge replied, "We will now conclude the examination; you can go back home, and in due time you will receive your license to practice law in this state."
George W. Vilas, Tales of a Rogue Valley Rogue, 1974, page 32


    There was a colored midget shoeshine boy. I never learned his name. He was just the right height to shine shoes without stooping. Occasionally, Judge Kelly and Gus Newbury, a prominent attorney, would be seen walking along Main Street, the colored midget shoeshine boy walking between them. He would look up, they would look down as they conversed. Rather amusing.
    That's the way it was 60 years ago.
                Ellis Beeson
                Talent, Oregon

"The Way It Was," Medford Mail Tribune, March 23, 1982



Last revised August 12, 2024