"Oregon Items," Sacramento Daily Union, January 20, 1874, page 3


    NEW SYSTEM OF SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION.--The Sacramento Record of Jan. 7 says that prior to the Agassiz Institute being called to order last night, J. H. Stinson, of Jacksonville, Oregon, addressed in quite a lecture the members present upon the subject of a book he proposes to issue on modern science. The work, he said, proposes a rigid system of classification for all natural phenomena. It is applicable to all the natural sciences. It proceeds by inductive methods, which are new, and works complete formula for that purpose. By these it brings out the causes involved in any set of phenomena. The system can be used in the wheat field, in the garden, in the dissecting room, and throughout nature. It is [a] scheme by which results can be calculated in a manner similar to the plan upon which the surveyor acts when after getting his data he proceeds to determine the area of the land. After his explanation, some remarks were made favorable to the project. Rev. Mr. Bonte believed the book would be of value, and hoped the members would aid in its publication, and explained at some length where it would be of use to the world. Dr. Logan said the subject and its treatment were entirely new and worthy of serious consideration and investigation.
Scientific Press, San Francisco, January 24, 1874, page 58


"Oregon Items," Sacramento Daily Union, February 17, 1874, page 3


"Oregon Items," Sacramento Daily Union, March 11, 1874, page 3


    The following is a list of losers by the fire and the amount of losses as far as can now be obtained: Wetterer's saloon, fixtures and personal effects, $2,000; Kreutzer's bakery and stock, $1,500; E. Jacobs' grain, flour, etc., $700; Cohn, clothing and dry goods, $2,000; Drum, groceries, $400; Wm. Boyer, grocer, about $3,000; Schumpf's barber shop and fixtures, $500; A. Fisher & Bro., general merchandise and building, $28,000; Judge & Nunan, saddlers, $2,000; Solomon, general merchandise, $8,000; Langell, buildings and shoemaker's stock, $700; Pape's saloon, fixtures and stock, $500; Coleman buildings, about $1,000; Ben Sachs' notions and variety goods, $500; John Orth, damage to building, $500; Schultz' building, about $2,000; McManus & Owens' building, $1,500; John Bilger, damage to building, $500; David Linn, damage to building, $3,00; C. C. Beekman, damage by removal, $250; P. J. Ryan, building destroyed, $1,000; amounting in all to $59,550. Probably there were other losses not now ascertained, to swell the grand total to between $60,000 and $65,000. Of this there is only known to have been insured; A. Fisher & Bro., $10,000; Judge & Nunan, fully insured, $2,000; L. Solomon, $3,000; Coleman, $5,000; Ben. Sachs, $500, fully insured; John Orth, $500, fully insured; John Bilger, $500, fully insured; making a total insurance of $17,000, and cutting the probable actual loss down to $45,000. The persons arrested on suspicion of incendiarism have been discharged from custody, as nothing could be found against them.
Sacramento Daily Union, April 15, 1874, page 2


    Scarcely has a year elapsed since Jacksonville was visited by a disastrous fire which destroyed several thousand dollars of property and laid waste a large area of buildings, when we are again called to chronicle another which, although not so destructive as the former, is a severe stroke on our town.
    At about half-past three or four o'clock on Tuesday morning, when everybody was soundly slumbering, an alarm of fire was given, and before assistance could be given the frame buildings on the south side of California Street, between Oregon and Third, from the Eldorado Saloon to White & Martin's store, and on the east side of Oregon Street, from Wintjen & Helms' saloon to the corner of Oregon and California, was one sheet of flame and past all hope of safety. The buildings, being old and of pine wood, burned like so much paper, and it was with difficulty that some of the persons asleep escaped in time. The fire rapidly spread to the opposite side of California Street, and in a twinkling the frame buildings between Judge & Nunan's saddlery store and John Bilger's tin and hardware store were being devoured by the fiery element. By this time the town was fairly aroused, and by almost superhuman efforts the fire was prevented from spreading to the sheds back of Bilger's and Sachs Bros.' buildings on the north side of California street, and Wintjen & Helms' and White and Martin's on the south. The fire was thus fortunately kept in these bounds and the business portion of the town saved from entire destruction. Meanwhile the fire had become so hot around the brick buildings of A. Fisher and Judge & Nunan, that despite the best of our citizens they at last succumbed and the combustible material contained therein was entirely
consumed.
    John Orth's large brick was also in imminent danger, and the Times office, contained therein, received a close call. But thanks to a good pump and hose in the butcher shop, the entire building was saved. D. Linn's furniture ware-rooms were also in close quarters, and escaped only by the timely application of blankets and water. The following are the losses sustained by various persons:
    Fisher Bros., general merchandise and building, $28,000; insured for $10,000.
    Judge & Nunan, saddlery, etc., $2,000; fully insured.
    N. Langell, shoe shop, building occupied by Solomon and himself, $700; no insurance.
    Henry Pape, saloon fixtures and stock, $500; no insurance.
    C. Colman, building occupied by Pape, $1,000; insurance, $500.
    Ben. Sachs, damage to stock, $500; fully insured.
    Wm. Boyer, groceries, etc., including money and personal property, about $3,500; no insurance.
    James Drum, groceries, provisions, etc., and building, $400; no insurance.
    Geo. Schumpf, barber shop fixtures, $500; no insurance.
    Jacksonville Social Club, room fixtures, $200; no insurance.
    John Wolters, saloon fixtures, stock etc., $2,000; no insurance.
    Wm. Kreutzer, bakery stock, household and kitchen furniture, $----; no insurance.
    S. Cohn, general merchandise, etc., $2,000, no insurance.
    L. Solomon, general merchandise, $8,000; insured for $3,000.
    E. Jacobs, grain, flour, etc., $700; no insurance.
    John Orth, damage to building, etc., $300; fully insured.
    Veit Schutz, building occupied by Kreutzer, $1,000; no insurance.
    McManus & Owen, buildings occupied by Judge & Nunan, $3,000; insured for $1,500.
    John Bilger, damage to store, $500; fully insured.
    C. C. Beekman, damage to goods by removal, $200; no insurance.
    P. J. Ryan, building occupied by Boyer, $1,500; no insurance.
    The total amount of loss, according to the above, is $58,000; insurance, about $20,000, in the Imperial, Home Mutual, Fireman's Fund, Phoenix and other companies.
    In this connection we may add the loss sustained by White & Martin, Wintjen & Helms, and others, on account of damage to building, removing goods, etc., which, though small, will somewhat swell the aggregate. In some cases the loss given is somewhat exaggerated, but we think that $50,000 will represent the entire loss, not including the insurance.
    Everybody worked with a will when fairly started, and matters could not have turned out better under [the] circumstances. Ladies also worked with a will in carrying water, etc., and lent no inconsiderable aid. Nor can we go farther without noticing the aid and comfort rendered the tired men by ladies liberally supplied with hot coffee, already sweetened and prepared.
    The origin of the fire is not precisely known, and reports in regard thereto are conflicting. Some say that the fire first broke out in the rooms of the Social Club, while others aver it started in the Eldorado Saloon. Others, however, believe it to have been set on fire, and John Lennox, white, and Albert Johnson, mulatto, both notorious characters, were arrested on suspicion. The evidence against them not being sufficient, however, they were discharged.
    While this is a severe loss on everyone concerned, still we are happy to say that a majority signify their intention of starting again.
    A. Fisher will commence rebuilding shortly, though this is the second time he has been burned out in the same place.
    Judge & Nunan, who some time ago purchased part of the ground formerly occupied by the U.S. Hotel, have commenced operations already. They saved quite a lot of their stock, which may be found at the Union Livery Stable.
    Langell and Colman, who own the land between Bilger's and Judge & Nunan's former quarters, contemplate erecting a fine brick thereon.
    D. Linn will doubtless repair his building.
    Win. Kreutzer has already commenced removing his house from Jackson Creek and erecting a temporary bakery on his old ground.
    Boyer & Son will resume as soon as possible.
    Geo. Schumpf, barber, may be found in an apartment of Caton's shoe shop, where he is ready to accommodate his customers. He will rebuild shortly.
    Others also intend starting again, as rapidly as they can secure quarters.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, April 18, 1874, page 3


    A letter from Goose Lake to the Sentinel says: "Two lean, sore-backed cayuses and one snowblind rider, without fodder or grub, comprise all the facilities there are for carrying the mail from Yainax this way.''
    A miner named Southworth Isham, working in his claim on Brimstone Gulch, in the Grave Creek diggings, Jackson County, was caught in a cave and suffered the fracture of one of his legs, both above and below the knee, and also received other severe injuries.
    On Monday of last week, while riding in a carriage, and when near the residence of Sam. Phillips, on the Applegate road, Jackson County, Professor William M. Davis and wife, of Ashland, met with a severe accident by being thrown from the carriage. Mrs. Davis' leg was broken, and the Professor suffered severe bruises.
    The Jacksonville Sentinel of last Saturday says: "A number of citizens of the Klamath Lake country came into town on Monday. The party consisted of L. S. Dyar, Indian Agent, Captain I. D. Applegate, Sykes Warden, and several others whose names we have not learned. The party came on private business, and returned on Wednesday morning. Some made the trip on horseback, and others, including Captain Applegate, on foot. The footmen gained one day's travel on the horsemen. They bring generally confirmation of previous reports from that region; that first reports of general stock mortality in that region were exaggerated. It seems the general impression that prices of stock will not be affected by the experience of the winter. Although times are dull and money scarce, the outlook for the future is as hopeful as any previous spring."
"Oregon Items," Sacramento Daily Union, April 21, 1874, page 1


    The Jacksonville (Oregon) Times announces the death near that place, on April 22, of Benjamin Franklin Monks, a native of Lexington, Ky., in the sixty-third year of his age, and requests that the fact be noted in this paper.
"Personal," Nashville Union and American, Nashville, Kentucky, May 10, 1874, page 4


    BRIDGE CASE.--The case of David Sexton for obstructing the Rock Point bridge was brought before Justice Turner this week. Mr. Sexton was found guilty of the charges preferred against him and fined $25 and costs, which he paid.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, May 16, 1874, page 3


    WM. M. HAND, candidate for State Printer on the Independent ticket, has the necessary qualifications to fit him for the office, and will do the state work honestly and well, if elected to the position. He will get a handsome vote in Southern Oregon, where he was engaged in publishing a newspaper, and Eastern Oregon, his present residence, will go for him almost en masse. Mr. Hand was a volunteer in the Rogue River Indian war in 1855, and at the battle of Hungry Hill was severely wounded--so severely that it was thought he could not survive. But he survived his wounds, and did good service as lieutenant in one of the companies of Oregon Volunteers, on the frontier for three years. William's chances for election are first rate.
Albany Register, Albany, Oregon, May 30, 1874, page 3


"Oregon Items," Sacramento Daily Union, August 8, 1874, page 8


"Oregon Items," Sacramento Daily Union, September 4, 1874, page 3


"Oregon Items," Sacramento Daily Union, September 5, 1874, page 5


"Oregon Items," Sacramento Daily Union, September 11, 1874, page 3


    Last Saturday night week, the denizens of Kanaka Flat, a suburb of Jacksonville, had a lively row, which resulted in the shooting of the negro wood chopper, Jackson, and his subsequent death. The coroner's inquest showed that the deceased, Jackson, came to his death on Kanaka Flat, Jackson County, on Sept. 12th, by means of a rifle ball supposed to have been fired by Geo. Ephraim. The last seen of Eph. he was taking a beeline for California at double-quick time.
"Pacific Coasters," Albany Democrat, Albany, Oregon, September 25, 1874, page 2


    The quartz mill, that has been so long expected from Colorado by Brooks & Co., of Jackson County, has arrived, and is ready to start in operation next week. They are well pleased with the machine, and think it far ahead of anything of the kind in the country.
    The Times says: The finances of Jackson County are in a fair way of being in a healthy condition again. We learn that the bondsmen in the Jos. Wells case are making preparations for a settlement with the county, and this amount, in connection with that due from the Oregon Central Military Road Company, which there is every prospect will be shortly liquidated, will place Jackson County almost if not quite out of debt.
    Last Saturday night week, the denizens of Kanaka Flat, a suburb of Jacksonville, had a lively row which resulted in the shooting of the negro wood chopper, Jackson, and his subsequent death. The coroner's inquest showed that the deceased, Jackson, came to his death on Kanaka Flat, Jackson County, on September 12th, by means of a rifle ball supposed to have been fired by Geo. Ephraim. The last seen of Eph. he was taking a beeline for California at double-quick time.
"State and Territorial," Willamette Farmer, October 2, 1874, page 9


    Mr. Mansfield, of Jackson County, Oregon, will bring his celebrated Vermont stallion over here at the time of the county fair. This horse was sired by old "Vermont," the sire of "Jim McDonough," "Brick Pomeroy" and other horses which have made their mark on the turf, and brought fancy prices. This horse is black, weighs over 1,200 pounds, and, it is said, has made a quarter of a mile in 33 seconds, or has trotted for a quarter of a mile at a rate of speed which, if continued, would have made a mile in 2:12. If this horse actually made the speed for a quarter with which he is credited, he is a new wonder.--Yreka Union.
Ventura Signal, San Buenaventura, California, October 3, 1874, page 1


    We have received a letter from Ashland, Jackson County, Oregon, the writer of which has heard that there is much idle capital in this state, and who accordingly, representing a number of landowners (whose names he furnishes), desires to know whether there is any possibility of securing a moderate amount of money, on good security, for the development of his district. As we possess no immediate means of answering the inquiry, we have thought our correspondent's purpose might be best served by making his wants known through our columns. He says, "Here in Rogue River Valley is as fine land and property as there is on the Pacific Coast. But just at present we are cut off from a market for our large supply of surplus grain, and as a matter of course our finances are limited. But we are now looking forward to the early completion of the California and Oregon Railroad, when our property will double or treble in value. At present, however, we need some ready money to carry on our business, and if some of those capitalists you spoke of a few weeks ago would invest their money here at a reasonable rate of interest, we would take fifty or a hundred thousand dollars, and give first mortgages on land from four to five times the value of the money we received. We should want the money from two to three years, and would pay the interest annually or semiannually, as the lender might desire." Our correspondent concludes by saying. "I was selected to write this letter by the request of a number of the large land-holders of Jackson County," and he appends the names of several of those persons, which, with his own address, we will furnish upon application. It certainly appears as though such an investment as is here offered ought to be a great deal safer, and in the end more profitable, than gambling in stocks.
Sacramento Daily Union, October 7, 1874, page 2


    The county court of Jackson County let the contract for building the new jail to Smith & Hall at $3,875.
"News Items," New Northwest, Portland, October 23, 1874, page 5


   The following from the Oregon Sentinel published in Jacksonville. of the issue of October 24, 1874, may be of interest to the younger generation: "During the week, quite a band of Indians, accompanied by a pack train of 30 or 40 animals, have been in town from Fort Klamath, laying in their winter's supply of grub, clothing and other 'ictas.' They are quite shrewd at a bargain, peaceable, and present all evidence of a rapidly growing civilization."
"Jacksonville," Medford Mail, February 14, 1927, page 5


"Oregon Items," San Diego Union, November 3, 1874, page 1


    The Salem (Oregon) Statesman of the 27th ultimo has the following:
    Valentine S. Hearne, a convict from Jackson County, took French leave of his friends at the Penitentiary on Friday night last, since which time his genial smile has not gladdened the heart of Superintendent Watkinds. He was employed in the brick yard, where he has labored many times previously, and has even been sent into the woods to cut timber, and given many chances to escape which he allowed to pass unheeded. Friday night, however, he concluded to skip out, and skip out he did without further ceremony, and has thus far made good his escape. He was about 27 years of age, 5 feet 10½ inches high, florid complexion, light hair, deep blue eyes and an American by birth. A lengthy petition praying for his pardon, and signed by nearly 1000 citizens of Jackson County, including the person robbed, the jury that convicted him and several members of the court, is now in the hands of the Governor, and had he only remained until tomorrow, the Superintendent informs us, he would have been sent forth a free man. As it is, however, should he be recaptured, he will be compelled to serve out the balance of his time and lose the credit marks awarded him for good behavior.
Daily Alta California, San Francisco, November 7, 1874, page 1


To the Editor of the New Northwest:
The New Northwest, Portland, December 25, 1874, page 1


    NEW OREGON MINES.--Advices from Rock Point, Oregon, dated Dec. 15 state: J. L. Colvig and James Birdseye have just arrived from the new quartz mines, some fifty miles below this place. They say the road is lined with men and pack trains going to the land of gold and silver. The great Mammoth ledge is about 180 feet in width at the point where Rogue River has worn its way through to the depth of 500 feet About 200 claims are now taken up. It has been traced for about 20 miles through a very rough country. Guides get from $10 to $20 per day to trace the lead.
Scientific Press, San Francisco, December 26, 1874, page 402



Last revised June 3, 2023