Medford-related news items from 1902. Also see descriptions of Medford and Jackson County for that year.



    Miss Carrie George, the clever manager of the Postal Tel. Co., is visiting relatives in Lane County. Arthur Mahoney is filling her place.
    Mrs. Georgia Hoag, wife of the late E. E. Hoag, who formerly resided in this section, died at Galena, Kansas, Dec. 16th, of consumption, aged 28 years.
    J. H. Messner, the expert blacksmith and veterinary surgeon, has become a resident of Medford, and can be found at one of the shops in the eastern part of town. He never fails to give satisfaction.
    C. Paine, the genial blacksmith, has rented the shop on C Street of J. R. Wilson, who is paying a visit in Douglas County, accompanied by his family. Charley is a good workman and spares no pains to please.
    Dr. J. M. Keene and Miss Mollie Barneburg, both of whom are well and favorably known, were united in matrimony at San Francisco, Dec. 24th. The wedding came as a surprise to their many friends. The groom is a leading dentist of Oregon and prominent in public matters as well, while his fair bride is one of Jackson County's most amiable and popular daughters. They are spending their honeymoon in California, but will return next week to make their future home in Medford. That happiness and prosperity will always attend them is the wish of all.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 2, 1902, page 1


    Our school began on Monday, December 30th, with Miss Sackett, of Medford, as teacher.
"Items from Greenback," Rogue River Courier, Grants Pass, January 2, 1902, page 2


    The Mail has always had great faith in the future of Medford and the Rogue River Valley. These columns have, during the past few years, drawn many pen pictures of the future in store for our people. Among these pictures which were to make our locality of more commercial importance was the probable discovery of coal. It is now very gratifying to know that the theories which we have ventured as possibilities are soon to be confirmed or disproved. One can hardly predict a future as brilliant as will be ours should there be found an abundance of coal. Then there is another great enterprise which is drawing closer to our door as time moves on--and that is nothing else than the construction and operation of an electric railroad from our city to the upper Rogue River country, the purpose and intent of which will be the hauling of those grand, giant sugar pine and fir trees to Medford for manufacture into useful articles of commercial and general use. With the consummation of this bit of prophecy Medford will be a truly great city of mills and shops. And, incidentally, the machinery in all these mills and shops would be operated by the power obtained from the same source as that which would propel the cars to and from the timber belt--and that power obtainable through the medium of the Fish Lake Ditch, which is now in course of construction, and which, aside from its capability as an irrigating ditch, will develop from five to seven thousand horsepower from its water as it flows over the 100-foot drop, which power can be transmitted by wire to any and every part of the valley. You may say all this is visionary, but we defy anyone to prove that it is not possible or feasible--and from a business point of view, that it is not profitable.
Medford Mail, January 3, 1902, page 2


    Several months ago Prof. Dumble, head geologist of the Southern Pacific Company, and his assistant, J. Owen, of Eagle Pass, Texas, dropped quietly into Medford and began an examination of the country with a view to prospecting for coal. The result of their investigation came this week in the shape of a 40-horsepower engine and boiler and a complete plant for tunneling purposes, including cars, track and tools of all descriptions, weighing about 15,000 pounds. Besides this a complete boring plant is on the way (engine, boiler, drill, etc.) which will be set up and used to locate strata of coal by means of the drill.
    The company has secured by lease and bond some 2500 acres of land in sections 25, 26 and 36, township 37, range 1 west, and sections 19, 20 and 30, in township 37, range 1 east, located about three and one-half miles east of Medford, and including the Samuel Furry tract, where a good quality of coal has already been discovered. The company has bonded 1453 acres of the Jos. Crain property and 40 acres from W. I. Vawter, and has leased 320 acres of the Furry tract, 250 acres from Jos. Kelly and 160 acres from Ed Anderson. These are the largest individual tracts secured, but there are several others of smaller dimensions.
    If during drilling for coal beds indications of oil are struck they will be followed, as the plant will be equipped for this kind of work, and whether oil exists or not in the Rogue River Valley will be thoroughly demonstrated. The plant already here will commence operations near the site of the old tunnel on the Furry place and an inclined shaft with a dip of about sixteen degrees will be driven. From ten to twelve men will be employed this winter, and if a sufficient quantity of the "black diamonds" is found employment will be furnished at least 500 men. As the Southern Pacific Company has taken hold of this proposition after careful investigation on the part of its experts it is an assured fact that the existence or nonexistence of coal and oil in this section will be satisfactorily demonstrated. And taking all the facts into consideration, it is evident that the company thinks it has a sure thing on success.
    Drayman H. G. Shearer took the big boiler and a load of lumber over to the scene of operations on Tuesday, and the rest will follow as soon as things are in readiness.
    The establishment of this enterprise will probably inaugurate a new era in business in Southern Oregon. There is no question but that the coal and oil are here; it is only a question of capital enough to demonstrate it, and with a corporation like the Southern Pacific behind it the demonstration will come.
Medford Mail, January 3, 1902, page 2


    Miss McIntire is taking her vacation in Medford with relatives and will not open school again for another week.
J. C. Pendleton, "Table Rock Items," Medford Mail, January 3, 1902, page 3


    R. P. Daw et ux. to P. J. Read, lot 19, blk 70, Medford . . . 110
    D. W. Thomas et ux. to Wilbur L. Orr, 2.70 acres in sec. 25, twp 37s, r2w . . . 336
"Real Estate Transfers," Medford Mail, January 3, 1902, page 5


    Miss Agnes Isaacs is visiting her sister, Mrs. Riddle, in Grants Pass this week.
    Miss Mae Kellogg, of Grants Pass, is visiting her sisters, Mrs. John Barneburg and Mrs. Chas. Stacy.
    Mrs. E. D. Fellows, mother of Mrs. H. H. Howard, left Monday evening for Portland, where she expects to visit for a month or six weeks.
    P. C. Garrett, who has been visiting his brother-in-law, I. A. Pruitt, and family for a few weeks, returned to his home in California last Friday.
    J. H. Messner and family have moved to Medford from Central Point, and Mr. Messner has engaged in business here, that of blacksmithing and practicing veterinary surgery and medicine.
    Miss Carrie George left Wednesday evening for a month's visit with Eugene friends. Her position as operator for the Postal Telegraph Company will be filled during her absence by Arthur Mahoney.
    D. F. Fox, deputy internal revenue collector, was in the city this week looking after matters in connection with his office--the same being the taking of an inventory of stock on hand at the Palm, Whitman Co.'s cigar factory.
    Mrs. G. W. Mackey and the children left Friday of last week for their old home at Crawfordsville, Oregon. Mr. Mackey received a telegram a few hours before her departure to the effect that her brother had accidentally shot and killed himself while out hunting on Christmas Day.
    R. D. Maplesden and family, of Ft. Jones, Calif., arrived in Medford last week and will henceforth make this their home. Mr. M. bought property in southwest Medford last summer and moved the Skeel residence upon the same, and it is this the family is now occupying.
"Purely Personal," Medford Mail, January 3, 1902, page 6


    J. H. Messner, a blacksmith of years' experience and a graduate veterinary surgeon, has moved to Medford from Central Point and has opened a shop and office on East Seventh Street, nearly opposite Merriman's old stand. Mr. Messner is a first-class workman in all branches of his grade, and is especially adept in horseshoeing. Mr. Messner will also give attention to the treatment of all diseases animalkind is heir to. Calls attended to at all hours and terms are reasonable.
    I have moved my stock of harness and saddlery from the Woolf building to my new store, near the Union livery stables, where I will be pleased to do business with former patrons--and new ones as well. I guarantee every article I put out to be as recommended or money refunded. J. G. Taylor.
    Patrick Daily, who arrived in the valley about a year ago from Kansas, has purchased the George Churchman place, which is located about nine miles east from Medford. There are ninety acres in the chunk, and the price paid was $1200. The land, Mr. Daily says, is all good for growing grain or orchard, and he considers he has made a good buy. His sons, who arrived here this fall from the East, will undoubtedly have charge of the farm while the old gentleman will reside in Medford, where he purchased residence property last fall--the same being the Dial property in West Medford. These Dailys are hustlers and are sure to win out on almost any kind of a buy they may make. The young men are brothers of School Superintendent Daily. Possession of the Churchman land is not to be given until next fall. It is now rented to Ed Stinson.
    No need for Medford people to buy imported bacon. We have some very choice pieces, made from Rogue River Valley pork, and made this season. Every piece guaranteed to be fresh and wholesome. All animals which are slaughtered by us are given a thorough inspection and not an ounce of diseased meat is either put on the block or salted. Arnold & Barneburg, proprietors of the City Market.
    W. H. Barr, the orchardist and miner, is putting out 500 Yellow Newtown apple trees on his suburban orchard tract. He has an orchard of about 35 acres already in bearing and from which he harvested this year apples to the value of $7,000. He has a very novel, quick and economical method of digging holes for tree planting. With an iron bar he makes a hole in the ground to a depth of about three feet and into this he places giant powder--and it digs the hole. Aside from making an excavation sufficiently large for planting the tree it loosens the earth for several feet on all sides and at the bottom, thus making it easy for the growth of the tender tree roots.
    E. J. DeHart is making many substantial improvements about his suburban orchard home. He has carpenters at work putting up a 30x50-foot carriage and implement house, the same being finished in good style and in keeping with his elegant residence and other surroundings. He has grubbed out all his prune trees and has set the ground to Bartlett pears and has also set out sixty fruit trees of various kinds for a family orchard. These include cherry, fig, peach, apricot, almond and plum trees. He proposes making other improvements about the place, and when all are completed he will have a model home.
    F. M. Wilson has his new residence completed--and it's as neat and pretty a little cottage as can be seen for many blocks around. That Mr. Wilson is proud of his new home there is not a doubt, and that he has just grounds for this feeling of pride no one disputes. Frank is one of the squarest and most honorable business men in the city, and if a whole covey of new homes and other good things were to come his way they would all be deserved.
    Chief of Police Johnson reports that someone, presumably the small boys of the city, has of late been committing an offense against the well-being of our townspeople, the same being that of stretching wires across the sidewalk at a height which trip and throw pedestrians. Mr. Johnson was very close onto the trail of the miscreants Sunday night. He is watching every turn of the road and hopes to be able to run the lads into court unless they sidetrack their dangerous notions.
    Clarence Cox, the thirteen-year-old son of J. W. Cox, the restaurant man, met with an accident Sunday. He was wrestling with another boy when, in falling, his right elbow was dislocated. Dr. Kirchgessner was called and replaced the displaced member, and the young man is getting along finely.
    J. W. Cox:--"Why, yes, I have sold all my stock, 380 head, and machinery to Eugene Harmon, of Roseburg. Yes, and I also sold him 510 tons of hay, and rented him my Klamath County ranch of 1320 acres for three years. I shall sow 130 acres of my Griffin Creek ranch to alfalfa. I will build a residence on my South C Street property in the spring and will make Medford my permanent home. I have a few head of Hereford cattle which I am offering for sale."
    Complaint has been made to the Mail that minors, boys under age, are being sold wine by citizens of our town--and these are not saloon men, either. This, if true, is a direct violation of two of our state laws--namely, selling spirituous or malt liquors without a license and selling it to minors.
    Traveling salesman G. L. Davis was in Medford this week. His house has given him an additional amount of territory, and he now goes as far north as Oregon City and as well covers all the West Side country. His employers are well satisfied with his work, and George has no kick coming.
    J. R. Wilson has rented his blacksmith shop and tools to Charlie Paine, who is now conducting the shop.
"City Happenings," Medford Mail, January 3, 1902, page 7


    A citizens' caucus was held at the town hall Monday evening for the purpose of nominating candidates to be voted for at the coming election--Tuesday, January 14th. There were about fifty voters present. L. B. Warner was chosen chairman and attorney C. P. Snell secretary.
    W. S. Crowell and J. J. Howser were named for the office of mayor. Crowell received forty-odd votes and Howser four. Crowell declared the nominee.
    J. U. Willeke and J. E. Toft were nominated for councilmen in the First Ward. J. R. Wilson and J. A. Perry for councilmen in the Second Ward. These nominations were made without opposition, but in the Third Ward there were four candidates named, they being F. K. Deuel, F. M. Stewart, J. A. Smith and J. L. Demmer. When the ballots were counted it was found that Stewart had received 13, Smith 12, Demmer 9 and Deuel 8, only the voters of that ward being allowed to vote. Stewart and Smith declared the nominees.
    For treasurer the names of Chas. Strang and L. L. Jacobs were proposed. The ballots gave Strang 82, Jacobs 18.
    W. T. York and C. P. Snell were named for recorder, and of the votes cast York received 26 and Snell 23.
    Up to the hour of going to press no other ticket has been nominated, and the Mail does not know that there will be one. The Second Ward, however, will have to nominate another councilman in place of Mr. Perry, as that gentleman declines to serve, because of good and sufficient business reasons.
Medford Mail, January 3, 1902, page 7


    Mrs. C. S. Moore and mother, Mrs. N. Langell of Medford, were in Portland yesterday visiting friends.
"Personals," The Daily Journal, Salem, January 3, 1902, page 3


    The Medford Enquirer makes a vicious, unwarranted and cowardly attack upon the members of the Jacksonville football team and the official timekeeper of the game between the Jacksonville and Medford elevens which was played Christmas Day.
    Among other things, the article charges that but six of the members of the Jacksonville team are from Jacksonville, and that Medford was beaten by a combined aggregation from Southern Oregon. This statement is untrue, and the editor of the Enquirer knew that it was false at the time he allowed the article to be printed. Every member of the Jacksonville team is a resident of our town, with the exception of Freel (who makes his home here when not employed), and nearly all of them are boys who have been raised at the county seat.
    The screed was so absurdly untrue that in the next issue the Enquirer man acknowledged that all but one of the Jacksonville team belonged to our town; but not having principle enough to withdraw his other charges, it becomes our duty to recognize his sheet long enough to refute them.
    In the first place, before the game was called, the captains of the two teams agreed that Medford should have the privilege of playing Beeson of Talent and that Jacksonville should have the privilege of playing Freel.
    The article goes on to say that in the second half Jacksonville used slugging tactics, and that it would be hard to find a better lot of would-be scrappers than those in the aggregation from Jacksonville, etc. It is very strange that the officials of the game, who are honest and disinterested citizens from Ashland, and who understand all of the rules, would have permitted Medford to have been beaten in this manner. It is also peculiar that not a single member of Medford's team will bear Mann out in any of these assertions. Each and all of them are unanimous in saying that it was a good, hard-fought, square game of football, and that the best team won.
    As to the timekeeper extending the game 15 or 20 minutes, as claimed by the Enquirer, the charge is as ridiculous as it is false. It is provided in the rules that the period intervening when "time" is called by the referee and "play" is called shall be taken out. The officials frequently were compelled to call "time," as the bystanders crowded upon the field so much that it was almost impossible for the players to play. One of the timekeepers was from Medford, and it is doing him an injustice to say that he allowed Mr. Kubli to bunco him out of 15 minutes in a 30-minute half.
    Jacksonville won fairly. The boys have been under the training of Prof. E. E. Washburn, one of the best coaches in Southern Oregon, and to him more than anyone else is due the victory. He did not attempt to teach fake plays nor pretty grandstand ball. He coached the boys to play good, hard, scientific football, which in the second half showed Medford up in a very weak light.
    We are sorry that such unjust charges have been made to detract from the victory won by the Jacksonville team, and we hope that under the advice and at the special request of the Medford team, in the future games played between Medford and other towns, the editor of the Enquirer can be persuaded to go 'way back and sit down, and not make a fool of himself.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 9, 1902, page 4


    A. T. Markley of Portland, who formerly resided in Medford, has sued Julia Markley for a divorce, on the ground of desertion, alleged to have occurred 10 years ago. They were married in Missouri in 1866.
    Charles E. Wolcott, who started the Medford Monitor several years ago, is now residing in Chicago with his family. The Guard says that he is in the employ of the Success Pub. Co., and recently sent a draft for $330 to one of his creditors.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 9, 1902, page 4   Wolcott's newspaper was the South Oregon Monitor of 1894, not to be confused with the Medford Monitor of 1885.


    Miss Mae Kellogg has been visiting in Medford with her sisters, Mrs. John Barneburg and Mrs. Chas. Stacy.
"Personal," Rogue River Courier, Grants Pass, January 9, 1902, page 3


    The first city election to be held in Medford under the new charter will be held on Tuesday, January 14th. A mayor, six councilmen, a recorder and treasurer are to be elected. The mayor and three of the councilmen are to hold office for two years; the other three councilmen, the recorder and the treasurer for one year only. Next year the three short-term councilmen will be succeeded by others elected for two years, and thereafter half of the council will retire each year.
    The city is districted into three wards, the 1st embracing all that part of the city lying east of the center of C Street; the 2nd, west of C Street; the 3rd, west of C Street and north of Seventh. The voting place for the 1st ward is at the town hall; 2nd, the old Palm, Whitman & Co. cigar factory; 3rd, J. A. Perry's warehouse.
    The following-named citizens have been nominated, either by the citizens' convention or by petition since, for the various offices:
    For mayor--W. S. Crowell, Citizens'.   
    For councilmen--1st ward--J. U. Willeke, for two years; J. E. Toft, one year, nominated by Citizens' convention.
    Second ward--J. R. Wilson, two years, Citizens'; Wm. Ulrich, one year, by petition, vice J. A. Perry, nominated by convention and declined.
    Third ward--F. M. Stewart, two years; John A. Smith, one year, by Citizens' convention; F. K. Deuel, two years; J. L. Demmer, one year, by petition.
    For recorder--W. T. York, Citizens'; C. P. Snell, petition.
    For treasurer--Chas. Strang, Citizens'.
Medford Mail, January 10, 1902, page 2


    Miss Emma Reed, one of Medford's popular teachers, visited her parents here during the holidays.
"Jacksonville Items," Medford Mail, January 10, 1902, page 3


    Rube Murray, of Medford, is visiting his cousin, Jesse Richardson.
"Trail Creek Items," Medford Mail, January 10, 1902, page 3


    Annie L. Fisher and husband to Winfield Scott, lots 2 and 10, blk 73, Medford . . . 500
    Geo. Churchman et ux. to Patrick Daily, 90 acres in sec. 18, twp 37 s, r 1 e . . . 1200
    Geo. W. Isaacs et ux. to H. D. Kubli, lots 1, 2, 3 and 4, blk 53, Medford . . . 650
"Real Estate Transfers," Medford Mail, January 10, 1902, page 5


    Mrs. E. L. Gurnea and daughters, Misses Mary and Ruth, were visiting Ashland friends this week.
    J. W. Hunter, the photographer, and wife left Medford last Saturday for northern California, where they expect to locate.
    George B. Smith, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Smith, is here from Idaho upon a visit to his parents, whom he has not seen for thirteen years.
    Morton Lawton, who is day clerk at Hotel Josephine, in Grants Pass, was called home Tuesday evening by the serious illness of his mother, Mrs. J. W. Lawton.
    Miss Fannie Maplesden returned to Yreka Monday morning. The young lady is attending school at that place, having entered the school prior to the moving of her parents to Medford.
    Miss Fannie Haskins returned Sunday evening from San Francisco, at which place she has been taking a several months' course in kindergarten school work. There are several of these schools in San Francisco, and students wishing to acquire a knowledge of the work are placed under instructors and are at the same time given a school to teach. Miss Haskins likes the work immensely well and the course she has taken better prepares her for other school work, still it is possible she will give her attention to kindergarten work exclusively.
"Purely Personal," Medford Mail, January 10, 1902, page 6


    I have furnished and unfurnished rooms to rent. Suitable for light housekeeping, millinery or dressmaking. Near business center of city.
Medford Mail, January 10, 1902, page 6


    During the holidays Mrs. Frank Adams was visited by her sister, Miss Williams, who is a student of the Medford Academy.
J. C. Pendleton, "Table Rock Items," Medford Mail, January 10, 1902, page 6


    The Southern Oregon Oil Co., of Ashland, has had about everything happen to it that possibly could during the drilling operations it has been conducting near Ashland. Drills have broken and lodged in the well, and the "fishing" tools used for their recovery have done likewise, requiring days and weeks of patient, temper-smashing effort to again clear the hole. On New Year's Day some 2000 feet of wire cable which had accidentally run off its pulley and slipped some 700 feet into the hole was recovered, and as everything except striking oil has happened, the company expects to do the latter before they reach the 2000-foot mark, which is now less than 400 feet away.
    J. Owen, who is in charge of the Southern Pacific coal prospecting operations east of Medford, is working now about eight men. He is somewhat handicapped by the nonarrival of tools, but has already commenced work on the incline shaft to be run. An open cut has been run into the hill and faced up ready for the driving of the tunnel. The engine and hoisting machinery is being set up, and as soon as the work on the tunnel proper commences it will be pushed as rapidly as possible. The prospecting drill and machinery is expected to arrive almost any day now and will be immediately put to work. In addition to the large tract of land the company has acquired at the scene of their operations, it has also bonded 480 acres from F. Davis, who resides just west of Medford, and leased 80 acres from Major Andrus, all on Evans Creek, where the latter has been working for some time. A force of men will be set to developing this property during the winter, continuing the tunnel commenced by Major Andrus, although no machinery will likely be placed thereon this season.
    F. M. Wilson and D. B. Russell have purchased the John F. White confectionery shop and ice cream parlors and have taken possession thereof. Mr. Wilson will move his stock and fixtures to the new quarters. The new stand is decidedly a good one, and Mr. White has enjoyed a good trade during the time he has been running the business. Both the new proprietors are good, square and honorable business men, and there is little doubt but that the business will continue as good as in the past, and it will undoubtedly be increased because of new lines they expect to put in. Several changes will be made about the place and improvements made where possible. The Mail wishes the new firm an abundance of success.
    Mrs. O. Gilbert has purchased the Mitchell candy and notion store. Mr. Mitchell started this business with a stock of Christmas goods about six weeks ago. About three weeks ago a slight unpleasantness passed between these columns and Mr. Mitchell, that gentleman having taken personal exceptions to a few lines printed in a general way. However, that is neither here nor "yonder," the business was started about three weeks before Christmas and is sold out within three weeks after Christmas. Comment is unnecessary. The lady who has now purchased the stock and fixtures is a very fine woman, and the Mail hopes she will do a good business--and these columns will help her secure a share of the public's patronage. She has a great many friends in the city, and they will undoubtedly extend to her a part, at least, of their business. She expects to close out her stock of cigars and tobacco and will add a complete line of ladies' goods--such as ribbons, handkerchiefs, etc.
    N. B. Bradbury has sold an interest in his planing mill to W. E. Poindexter and A. Johnson, and the three will continue the business at the old stand. Aside from doing general mill work they will do contracting and general job work about the city, together with the manufacture of store, office and bar fixtures. Mr. Poindexter will have general supervision of all building work; Mr. Johnson, who is a cabinet maker of ability, will have charge of the office and store fixture work, and Mr. Bradbury will see that these gentlemen are supplied with every requirement that the planing mill is able to put out. This will make a strong team of honest workers and almost everyone is predicting that success will be theirs manyfold.
    Dr. Pickel has finished setting out nearly sixty black walnut trees on his lots on West Seventh Street, where he last winter erected the handsome residence now occupied by John C. Lucus and family. He will also seed the grounds about the house to grass for a lawn. The doctor does not contemplate further extensive improvements at present, but will merely keep the land in sufficient cultivation to keep the trees in a thrifty condition.
    Dr. Kirchgessner's office and residence are now in the Lindley block.
    W. P. Dodge, the "well borer from Iowa," is having more hard luck than usually befalls the average of men. Last week he lost his drill in a well he was boring at Ashland, and not until he had labored several days and had been to quite an expense did he succeed in recovering the lost drill. About the same time one of his three-year-old Altamont colts took sick and died.
    E. S. Wolfer, the tinsmith, has contracted with the Native Sons of Jacksonville to put a twenty-light acetylene gas plant into their cabin. Mr. Wolfer is having a good run of work in this line and in all cases entire satisfaction is given. If, perchance, anything should go amiss with any of the plants he installs, he is here ready and willing to make them good or refund the purchase price.
    H. Tripp has sold an acre of land in East Medford to a Mr. Rush, of Colorado. The purchase price was $300. The land is situated on one of the streets running south from East Seventh, and Mr. Rush will soon commence the erection of a residence thereon. His family, which is now in Minnesota, will join him here in the spring.
    Charlie Paine:--"I have only rented a half interest in the J. R. Wilson blacksmith shop. You said last week that I had rented the whole works. That was a mistake."
    The law firm of Snell & Hartson has been dissolved. Mr. Snell will continue the practice of law in Medford and Mr. Hartson will probably locate in Medford.
    James Gregory and family have moved from the H. B. Nye residence, corner G and Sixth streets, to the Wait residence, on South G Street.
"City Happenings," Medford Mail, January 10, 1902, page 7


    Mrs. J. W. Lawton is reported to be seriously ill.
    Mrs. Harper (nee Edwards) of Montana is visiting with relatives living in Medford.
    Mrs. J. P. Sayle of Ashland was recently the guest of her daughter, Mrs. R. Rouse.
    D. G. Karnes, the popular confectioner, has been visiting his old home at Chico, Calif.
    Ralph Woodford, who is assisting Chas. Strang, is making excellent progress in pharmacy.
    Isaac Skeeters, a pioneer of Jackson and Josephine counties, is spending the winter in Medford.
    Thos. James, the miner, who is now operating in British Columbia, was in Medford one day last week.
    John F. White has sold his confectionery and fruit store to Frank Wilson and D. B. Russell.
    Miss Letha Hardin, who is suffering from curvature of the spine, has entered the Waldeck hospital.
    Mrs. N. Langell, who has been visiting her daughter, Mrs. Chas. S. Moore of Salem, returned home a few days ago.
    Geo. Coulter has opened a lunch counter in the building formerly occupied by Geo. Kurtz and F. M. Wilson.
    Mrs. M. Austin of Grant County and her brother, Will. Edwards, are guests of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Edwards.
    Miss Iva Purdin is acceptably serving as assistant postmistress of Sisson, Calif., a position she is well qualified to fill.
    J. W. Walters, the shoemaker, who left Medford for the Willamette Valley last year, died a few months ago, it is reported.
    Dan Reynolds recently built a residence on his lots in [the] northeastern part of town, which is one of the neatest in that vicinity.
    Mrs. Mattie Downs, who has been visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Edwards, left for her home in Cottage Grove Sunday evening.
    S. T. Sanders, the expert shoemaker, is located in Mrs. Loder's building on Front Street. He does the best work at reasonable rates.
    Dr. and Mrs. J. M. Keene returned from San Francisco one day last week. They were the recipients of a hearty welcome and many congratulations.
    P. Daily, Sr. has purchased the Churchman property, situated near Medford, that consists of 90 acres, much of which is good land. He secured a bargain.
    Mrs. O. Gilbert has purchased H. H. Mitchell's stock of goods in the building on C Street, one door north of the post office, and has made many additions thereto.
    The Telegram says that Hon. N. Langell is mentioned as a successor to the present incumbent of the position of U.S. Marshal. Nat. would make a competent, acceptable official, and we hope he will secure the plum.
    The city election, held last Tuesday, passed quietly, a comparatively light vote being cast. The ticket nominated by the Citizens' convention was elected without opposition, excepting that C. P. Snell opposed the present incumbent of the office of Recorder. The following is a list of those chosen: Mayor, W. S. Crowell; Recorder, W. T. York; Treasurer, Chas. Strang. There was a contest in the second ward for councilmen, F. K. Deuel and J. A. Smith defeating F. M. Stewart and J. L. Daemmer. Wm. Ulrich and J. U. Willeke were elected councilmen of the first ward.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 16, 1902, page 4

    A. N. Soliss has again shaken the mud of Jacksonville from his feet. The community is to be congratulated upon the riddance of this laziest, dirtiest and most contemptible of all grafters and scrubs, who never had an honorable thought.
"Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 16, 1902, page 5


    Tuesday's city election was a very quiet affair. Very little interest was manifest except in the case of the election of a recorder and of the councilmen in the Third Ward. There was no contest on in either of the other wards for councilmen, in consequence of which the strife only extended to the recorder. About half the usual number of votes were polled, which was due to lack of interest and the further fact that several of our townspeople who have voted at former elections are now homesteaders in other precincts. The total vote cast was 215--that being the number case for both Mr. York and Mr. Snell. As will be seen by figures given below the wards are divided very evenly as to votes. Following is the vote polled:
Medford Mail, January 17, 1902, page 2


From the Blanchard, Minnesota Register.
    G. H. Howland this week has a brief but interesting letter in the
Register, written at Medford, Oregon, December 30. It will be perused with pleasure by Mr. Howland's many old neighbors and friends in this county. He writes:
    Through the columns of the Register, I will keep my promise to old friends.
    The first question you would ask, "Do you like Oregon?" Yes, better than Minnesota. The other day when we read a letter from back there, and knew how cold you were having it, I said to my wife, "I am glad we are not there." We have been here over one year and the climate is delightful. There has been only about twenty-five days in that time that we have not seen the sun some time during the day. Not much rain. When it does rain, it comes generally in the night. But little fog, always a little breeze, but the wind never blows hard. Have some frosty nights, but does not get colder than 20 above and very seldom hotter than 90 above.
    This section is called the Rogue River Valley. It is about twenty-five miles long, and from four to fifteen miles wide, with several smaller valleys leading into it. There are four towns, Ashland, Jacksonville, Central Point and Medford, the latter about the center, population 2500, eighteen years old.
    All kinds of cereals are raised here. Wheat on good land yields from thirty to forty bushels per acre, price 50 cents. Oats sixty to 100 bushels per acre, price always 50 cents. Barley forty to seventy-five bushels per acre, price 50 cents. Corn twenty-five to forty bushels per acre, always 50 cents. There is no grain shipped out. Hay is a paying crop. There is wheat hay, wild oat hay, there's volunteer and alfalfa--the latter cutting four to six tons per acre, brings $8.00 to $12.00. I am selling now for $10 at the barn. Fruit of almost every kind, apples, pears and prunes principally. There is one man who has 160 acres into apples and he cleared above all expenses $30,000 this year. I know of another who cleared $1000 off six acres, then sold for $2400. He paid $1500 for it a year ago. Fruit farms sell well. An "eighty" sold for $15,000.
    Several hundred carloads are shipped from here every season. Of timber there is a great supply in kinds and quality. There are great tracts of sugar pine in this country that will run from 5,000,000 to 10,000,000 to the quarter. This is worth $40 per thousand here on track. There are mountains all around. There are a great many rich gold mines, the output being about $250,000 to the five banks in this valley, besides there is a great deal the banks do not handle. There are also copper, quicksilver, asphaltum and asbestos, and coal and oil indications are good. They are being prospected for. There are building stone and granite quarries. The stone for the United States post office at Salem is being taken from this valley.
    I wish if there are any Blue Earth folks that come to the coast and are dissatisfied would come to this valley before going back.
    For fear I will take up too much space, also tire you out, I will stop. I will be glad to answer any questions that you may care to ask.
Medford Mail, January 17, 1902, page 2


    Last Friday morning a man broke into William Winkle's house, on Connution [Kanutchan] Gulch. He then broke open two trunks, taking therefrom about seven dollars in money and a lot of clothes, and also destroying all of the family pictures before leaving. He was discovered by the owner of the clothes Saturday night but made his his escape. Parties went to Jacksonville Monday to secure a warrant for his arrest.
A. C. Howlett, "Eagle Point Eaglets," Medford Mail, January 17, 1902, page 5


    J. R. West arrived in Medford last week from Reno, Nevada, having been called here by the quite serious illness of his brother, T. H. West.
    L. M. Wallace, of Albany, a brother-in-law of our good townsman, J. A. Perry, and J. L. Hill, also of Albany, were in Medford last week upon timber land business.
    Mrs. Rose Wickham and daughter, Miss Rose, of Tacoma, are in Medford upon a visit to Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Howland. Mrs. Wickham is a cousin of Mrs. Howland.
    H. C. Mackey was at Ashland Monday upon business--the same being the dissolving of his partnership with H. J. Boyd, of that place. Mr. Mackey will continue the photography business in Medford.
    Mr. and Mrs. E. E. Emmerson arrived in Medford last week from northern California. Mr. Emmerson is an oculist and will remain in Medford for a couple of months. Mrs. Emmerson was formerly Miss Cora Jones, who lived near Tolo, this county.
    Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Walters, of Tacoma, Wash., arrived in Medford Wednesday and will remain in this locality for several months. Mr. Walters is in the employ of the Singer Sewing Machine Company and will put out several sales wagons in Jackson County. Mrs. Walters is a sister of Mrs. Lannes Klippel.
"Purely Personal," Medford Mail, January 17, 1902, page 6


    M. F. McCown and Jim Eaton have rented the rooms formerly occupied by F. M. Wilson as a candy kitchen, and will open a lunch counter and cigar stand therein. They will keep open all night and expect to catch a good bit of trade. The location is a good one and the boys ought to do a good business from the start. They have a great many friends who are wishing them well in their new venture.
    J. D. Heard has purchased jeweler Elwood's Altamont pacer, "Black Jack." The price paid was $300 and the purchase was made for Thomas Thompson, a wealthy contractor of San Francisco, to which place the horse was shipped Wednesday. The horse is quite speedy, having paced in no less than 2:20. Mr. Thompson will keep him for a driving horse.
    Henry Miller, a recent arrival from California, has purchased two acres of land from J. S. Hagey in East Medford and is erecting a dwelling house thereon. The price paid for the land was $500, and the sale was made through the F. M. Stewart real estate agency.
"Additional Local," Medford Mail, January 17, 1902, page 6


    The cement walk and other improvements about the Academy give satisfaction to students and teachers.
"Academy Notes," Medford Mail, January 17, 1902, page 6


    A. Z. Sears brought in a small piece of coal from the mine being prospected by the Southern Pacific Company, east of Medford. We tried it in an ordinary box stove and it burned just like the real Pennsylvania article, giving a clear, bright flame, and leaving very little residue. There is scarcely any doubt but that the company will find what they are looking for, and one more paying industry will be added to the already long list of Southern Oregon products. Work has been somewhat delayed, owing to nonarrival of needed machinery, but that difficulty is being removed, daily almost, by the arrival of tools, etc. A cut sixty feet in length has been run, also about thirty feet of tunnel, and several small veins of coal have already been found, from which the pieces above mentioned came. The pumping and hoisting machinery was placed in position this week, and the car track will be laid at once, after which it is expected that the work will advance rapidly. Monday the tools for the blacksmith shop, including both a portable forge and a bellows, arrived. Ten men are now employed on the work. A report brought in from the mine Wednesday was in effect that in a tunnel, twelve feet from the opening, a six-inch vein of coal had been struck and that it was widening out as the tunnel grew in extent. The coal is even better than any vein yet struck.
    Miss Lou Downing, of San Francisco, an experienced dressmaker, has opened dressmaking parlors at her father's home on valley road, near the M.E. parsonage.
    Some few years ago W. P. Dodge began raising popcorn for the trade of Southern Oregon. Only an acre or two was planted the first year, but this was insufficient to fill the demand, and each year the acreage has been increased until last year fifteen acres were planted--and still the demand was greater than the supply, and another season he will plant twenty acres. Mr. Dodge grows popcorn that pops--every kernel of it. It is all hand selected and neatly put up in attractive sacks--and finds ready sale in all the towns of the valley. The above item demonstrates the possibility of building up a good, profitable business from a seeming unimportant feature or product. There are other small industries which could be developed in our valley and made to pay a handsome revenue.
    The Southern Pacific railroad company this week has been making some improvements in its yard facilities in Medford. What is known as the oil spur has been a source of considerable annoyance to trainmen on account of the heavy curve on which it leaves the main sidetrack, making it hard to get in and out. This spur has been lengthened, so as to connect with the sidetrack farther along and consequently straightened. This will not only save wear and tear on trainmen's tempers, but prove a source of satisfaction to fruit men next season, as quite a bit of the unloading of fruit cars is done on this spur during the season.
    G. W. Owings, of Gold Hill, has been stopping in Medford the past week assisting his nephew, G. F. Owings, in operating the Elite Studio, which was purchased a few weeks ago from Mr. Hunter. Mr. Owings is doing a splendid business at his gallery, and as he is a very honorable young man, fair in his dealings and an artist of ability, there is every reason for predicting his success.
    H. D. Austin:--"Yes, sir, my business is first-class in every way. I am kept hustling to get in enough stuff to keep my customers supplied. Why, I am very much surprised that the flour and feed business amounts to as much as it does. Yes, we have free delivery and a telephone. Easiest thing in the world to place an order with us. You press the button, we do the rest."
    Attorney C. P. Snell's eighteen-months-old child, which has been ill since Christmas, has entirely recovered. The child's illness is attributed to its having eaten candy at Christmas time which had been poisoned by the coloring used in its compounding.
    Ed. Russ:--"Everything is moving along very nicely at the mill. I have recently put in some new machinery and have overhauled some that was already in. During the first nine days of January the mill ground seven full days. That's not so bad."
"City Happenings," Medford Mail, January 17, 1902, page 7


    Mrs. L. Reames of Jacksonville was the guest of her daughter, Mrs. J. F. White, Tuesday.
    W. H. Bradshaw, the sage of Lake Creek, visited his many friends in Medford Monday.
    A. H. Chessmore last week was in Josephine County, where he owns 80 acres of land. He is having part of it set out in fruit.
    Medford's new councilmen are: First ward--J. U. Willeke, J. E. Toft; second ward--J. R. Wilson, Wm. Ulrich; third--F. K. Deuel, J. L. Daemmer. It is a strong combination.
    M. F. McCown and J. Eaton are conducting an excellent lunch counter and restaurant in the building formerly occupied by Geo. Kurtz and F. M. Wilson. Give them a call, for they will treat you well.
    Mr. Gurnea, who will engage in business at Ashland entirely, is consolidating his stock of goods here with that there. We are sorry to lose him, as he is a thorough gentleman and enterprising citizen.
    We are informed that H. M. Crowell, son of Judge Crowell, who went to San Francisco with Peil & Bolton's excursion, has entered the naval service of the government for four years, and is now on the high seas.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 23, 1902, page 5


    A Kansas newspaper man expresses his thanks to a fruit grower for some Ben Davis apples, which leads the discriminating Topeka Capital to ask, "What do you think of a man who returns thanks for a gift of Ben Davis apples?" Perhaps the editor felt that he could afford to be polite, neighbor. He didn't have to eat the apples. The Ben Davis has a reputation almost everywhere that is not to be envied, still the Oregon Ben Davis is not so bad. Of course it is not so good as other varieties we produce, but possibly it could be worse. However, the Ben Davis is a good producer and a fairly good seller--at a price considerably lower than the Newtown, Spitzenberg or Baldwin.
Medford Mail, January 24, 1902, page 2


    John A. Morey and daughter to James L. Wilson, part of blk 6, Galloway's add. Medford . . . 250
    Hiram Tripp et ux. to Joseph P. Raiche, lot 14, blk 2, Cottage Home add., Medford . . . 150
    Hiram Tripp to Martha L. Tripp, lots 1, 2, 3 and 4, blk 2, Cottage Home add., Medford . . . 100
    Jennie M. Faris to Cynthia E. Howard, west 330 ft. of lot 1, blk 1, Barr's add. Medford . . . 650
"Real Estate Transfers," Medford Mail, January 24, 1902, page 5




    L. Lytle is filling Rance Rouse's place at Helms' resort during the illness of the latter.
    Silas Hawk, an old and highly respected citizen of Jackson County, died at his residence in West Medford Jan. 22d.
    C. R Welch came down from Salem last week and has located among us. He is a member of the Medford Furniture Co.
    W. E. Phipps has been appointed city attorney, Eugene Amann marshal and Jas. Brandenburg street commissioner.
    J. J. Brophy, now a stockman of Big Butte Creek precinct, was in Medford Friday and welcomed by his many friends.
    The city council has passed an ordinance prohibiting the city marshal from entering a saloon, unless to make an arrest. A brilliant idea.
    M. C. Campbell has purchased the Vienna Bakery of A. Learned and will make a number of improvements in the near future. He is a first-class baker, having had much experience in a large city.
    Under the auspices of H. M. Coss, the energetic dealer in musical instruments, was given a matinee and regular performance at the opera house. It was participated in by some of our local talent, and proved much of a success. Our space is too short to summarize.
    The Mail says that W. H. Barr, the orchardist and miner, is putting out 500 Yellow Newtown trees on his suburban tract. He has an orchard of about 35 acres already in bearing, from which he harvested last year apples to the value of several thousand dollars. He has a novel, economical method of digging holes for planting. With an iron bar he makes a hole in the ground to a depth of about three feet, and into this he places giant powder. Aside from making an excavation sufficiently large for planting the tree, it loosens the earth for some distance on all sides and at the bottom, to the advantage of the tree roots.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 30, 1902, page 5


    The Bartlett pear has not been neglected, and some striking successes have been scored in its culture at the old Stewart (now Voorhies) orchard, notably, which almost repaid the purchase price of the orchard in two crops to the present owner, largely through Bartletts. While superior to the California product, our Bartlett pears come on the market while yet glutted with California's surplus each season, and the variety is so perishable that it will not stand cold storage after transportation east, thus frequently netting a loss to the shipper. The present season our local growers, who sold early or on contract, made a handsome thing out of Bartletts, but the dealers are said to have come to grief. As a solution of the difficulty, dealers and growers are talking up the proposition of local cold-storage plants, to lengthen the season. A better plan would appear to be that of Hon. J. H. Stewart, who has discovered a nook in the higher mountains, up Rogue River, remote from railroads at present, where the fruit matures some two weeks later than in the valley, where he is preparing the ground for setting sixty acres in pears next year, realizing that in the present state of development of this section transportation will not be lacking when the trees get into bearing. Mr. Stewart is deserving of the title of Father of the Fruit Raising Industry here, and his present enterprise at the age of 72 years should put to the blush those who state that life is too short for the man of average age to plant an orchard.
W. M. Holmes, "More Good Fruit Stories," Medford Mail, January 31, 1902, page 1


Medford Mail, January 31, 1902, page 2


    T. W. Blaksley and family moved to Medford this week, where Mr. B. will raise garden for marketing.
"Woodville Items," Medford Mail, January 31, 1902, page 3


    T. J. Kenney, administrator of estate of S. Rosenthal, to Frederick Barneburg, lot 19, blk 21, Medford . . . 6950
    W. S. King et ux. to Emma E. Murphy, one acre of land in sec. 25, twp. 37 . . . 200
"Real Estate Transfers," Medford Mail, January 31, 1902, page 5


    G. W. Bashford visited his son, E. L. Bashford, at Roseburg this week.
    C. R. Welch, of Salem, senior member of the Medford Furniture Company, arrived in Medford last week and will undoubtedly make this place his future home.
    S. B. Grizzle, of Merrill, Klamath County, was in Medford a few days this week. He was returning from Myrtle Creek, where [he] had been to attend the funerals of his father and mother.
    G. L. Davis, traveling salesman for a Portland coffee and spice house, spent several days this week with his family in Medford. He reports having done a big business on his last trip north.
    Walter Hoover returned to Roseburg Tuesday evening after a week spent with relatives and friends in Medford. Walter has been doing a splendid business in selling nursery stock in Douglas County.
    Adam Fisher, of Telford, Michigan, arrived in Medford Tuesday and will remain hereabouts for a few days at least. He is a farmer and is here with the intention of investing in farm land if anything to suit him is found.
    W. T. Ward, who has been in Medford for a few weeks, left Tuesday for his home in Idaho. He has rented residence property in Medford and will return home with his family and a carload of household goods, intent upon making Medford his future abiding place.
    E. Lewis and family, of Hornbrook, Calif., arrived in Medford Tuesday evening. Mr. Lewis comes here to take the position, temporarily, of night operator for the Southern Pacific, Mr. Johnson, who has been here for several weeks, having been transferred to Oakland, Oregon.
    Lee Watkins, of Central Point, was in Medford last week accompanied by his brother, H. Watkins, a prominent merchant of Prescott, Wash., who is visiting Southern Oregon for a few weeks. The first-named Mr. Watkins was here securing some of the necessary machinery for his big irrigating wheel which he expects to soon have in operation at his place on Rogue River.
"Purely Personal," Medford Mail, January 31, 1902, page 6


    M. R. Hart and family, former residents of Medford, are now residing at Lakeport, Calif.
"Additional Local," Medford Mail, January 31, 1902, page 6


    It is simply a matter of finding enough of it at the site of the old Furry coal mine, east of Medford, where the Southern Pacific Company is prospecting for the "dusky diamonds"--the quality is there. The incline shaft is in seventy feet from the facing of the cut, which is twenty-five feet deep, making about eight-five feet in all. A fourteen-inch vein of good coal has been struck, the product from which is being used in the engine running the hoisting machinery and also in the cook stove of the boarding house. They don't use wood for heating or cooking purposes in that camp at all. With depth it is expected that the coal vein will grow larger; in fact, it is almost certain to do so, until a body of coal of sufficient size to make its mining commercial purposes profitable is found. Mr. Owen has a long carer as a successful developer of propositions of this kind, and has his first failure to experience yet. From the indications presented here he is very sanguine that this will not be the place where his record will be broken. That there is a large deposit of coal in that vicinity is morally certain, and, as the machinery for all necessary operations will be forthcoming on demand, the success of the proposition appears to be merely a matter of time--and digging. The tunnel or, more properly speaking, incline shaft, enters the earth at an angle of about twenty degrees, and is not a "prospect" tunnel, but built for work. Everything done so far at the mine has been on the most substantial scale, so that when the main body of coal is struck, everything will be in shape for successful prosecution of the work. The drills, derricks and portable engine for drilling and testing the extent of the ore bed are on the way and are expected any time.
    There is another livery stable in Medford. Messrs. D. T. Cox and Jos. Scott have formed a partnership and have launched in that business. They have leased the old Woolf building, corner North C and Sixth streets, and have overhauled the interior and remodeled it into a pretty good livery barn. They have put in eight new rigs, bought from Mitchell, Lewis & Staver Co., and as many good teams. Everything is new throughout--harness, robes, whips, surreys and hacks. Both these gentlemen are experts in the livery business, and they are promising the public the best possible service at the most reasonable prices. The Mail's job hook is well strung with job printing for this new firm which well advertises them far and near. The style of the new firm will be Cox & Scott,  and their place will be known as the "C Street Livery Stable."
    In an article last week on the resources of Jackson County, in naming the products of this season, an important one, that of onions, was omitted. The omission was unintentional, but hard to explain, as it is difficult to imagine how anyone could overlook a Jackson County onion--couldn't if it was anywhere around, unless he mistook it for a vegetable of much larger growth, a pumpkin, for instance--some of them are nearly as large. Jackson County onions are as palatable as her apples--you can eat one and then visit your best girl without creating any disturbance whatever, for the chances are nine to one that she has been indulging her weakness in like manner.
    E. E. Gore, salesman for Warner & Wortman, is a genius as a window decorator. In one of the store windows of the above-named firm he recently manufactured, out of canned goods, a miniature representation of a battleship, and with rock salt spread around the ship a good representation of dashing ocean waves was made. In the other window with cakes of soap he made a miniature representation of the big double front of the Warner & Wortman grocery establishment. No ground is left for doubt that Ed is an artist.
    Postmaster G. F. Merriman is the proud parent to an eleven-pound boy baby, which came to his South C Street home on Wednesday of this week, January 29, 1902. Mother and child are doing nicely, and George hammers stamps with greater energy than ever before--while he hesitates long enough between clips to tell some inquiring friend that the little fellow grows more like his dad every day.
    Plows sharpened, pointed and laid in first-class shape. Purdin's blacksmith shop, B Street.
    Shorty Dodge and Jack Fredenburg, both draymen, exchanged the compliments of the season last Sunday. Monday morning, at the instance of Fredenburg, Dodge was arrested and brought before Recorder York charged with using obscene language. He was fined $5, which was paid. Shorty avers that both himself and Jack called each other the same kind of gentleman.
    See me in the new brick building, West Side, Medford. John F. White.
    Geo. F. King, the timber land speculator, has purchased from Jos. Stall the Mrs. White residence property, on South C Street. The price paid was $550, and the sale was made through the F. M. Stewart real estate agency. Mr. Stall will return to his farm in North Dakota, and if he can succeed in selling out there he will return again to Southern Oregon.
    Last week these columns told of the death of J. D. Grizzle, at Myrtle Creek, on January 16, 1902. It is our painful duty this week to chronicle the death of his wife, which occurred on January 23, seven days later, at the same place and from the same cause, pneumonia. These people formerly resided in Medford.
"City Happenings," Medford Mail, January 31, 1902, page 7


    A new court of the Ancient Order of Foresters was instituted last week at Medford, Or., by Deputy A. U. Field, and another at Sebastopol, Sonoma County, by Permanent Secretary Falconer.
"Ancient Order of Foresters," The San Francisco Call, February 2, 1902, page 34


    P. M. Kershaw, the photographer, has returned from his trip to California.
    Miss Bernice Cameron of Uniontown is the guest of Mrs. L. L. Jacobs. They are expecting a visit from their sister, Mrs. Clara Hanley of Harney County.
    Al. Pankey of Ashland, the popular assistant manager of Hotel Oregon, was in Medford Monday, visiting his sister, Mrs. L. Cardwell.
    Miss Carrie George, who has been spending several weeks with her parents living at Eugene, as also visiting at Portland, Grants Pass and other cities, has returned to Medford and resumed her position at the Postal Tel. Co.'s office.
    Miss Elizabeth Buck, who has been employed in the Times office at Jacksonville during the past two years, returned to Medford Saturday evening. She will take a course in bookkeeping and stenography at the Medford Academy.
    The estimable wife of J. W. Lawton, who has been ill with typhoid fever for several weeks, died last Thursday. She was a native of Oregon and 49 years old. A husband and six children mourn the loss of a kind and faithful wife and mother.
    B. Y. C. Brown of Ozark, Mo. delivered an address to the Socialists of Medford and vicinity Monday evening. He proved himself well posted on his subject and pleased his hearers. Mr. Brown has since spoken at Central Point, Grants Pass and Roseburg.
    I. L. Hamilton, Postmaster Merriman, W. V. Lippincott, J. E. Enyart, Dr. Goble, J. D. Heard, E. D. Elwood, C. H. Pierce, L. C. Narregan, Wm. Isaacs, A. S. Wells and J. C. Metcalf were among those who joined the Roseburg lodge, B.P.O.E., last Thursday.
    D. T. Cox has opened a livery stable in the Woolf building, located on C Street, where he will always be found ready to accommodate the traveling public in the best style. He will keep a number of first-class rigs. Give True a call when you need anything in his line.
    Rev. W. B. Moore on Thursday joined in matrimony O. E. Stinson of Roxy precinct and Miss Nannie Daily, a sister of School Superintendent Daily, who not long since came to Medford from Kansas with her father, P. Daily, Sr. The worthy young couple have the best wishes of all.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 6, 1902, page 4




    Miss Cora Goodwin, of Oakland, Or., is visiting her aunt, Mrs. C. E. Wilkinson.
    Mr. and Mrs. G. Johnson, of Missoula, Mont., arrived here several days ago, and will remain permanently.
    Mr. and Mrs. W. T. York and Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Nicholson entertained a large number of friends Thursday evening at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. T. York. The principal amusement of the evening was progressive dominoes. The first prize was awarded to J. A. Whitman, the consolation to W. H. McGowan. Delicious refreshments were served.
"Society: Medford," Sunday Oregonian, Portland, February 9, 1902, page 21


    Thos. Boone and his family have become residents of Medford.
    D. T. Pritchard, the well-known jeweler, has located at Roseburg.
    Sherman Orton arrived in Medford from Shasta County, Calif. a few days ago.
    Mr. Jones of Iowa, who has been visiting his son, Dr. W. S. Jones, leaves for home this week.
    T. T. Prather of Big Timber, Mont. and his family are visiting relatives living in Medford and vicinity.
    Mrs. M. A. Harrison and her sons, who have been residents of Ashland for some time past, returned to Medford last week.
    The city council has raised the price of [a] liquor license to $500 a year, raising the license for selling beer to $30 per annum.
    The Medford Dancing Club attended the Gehmol Club's function at Jacksonville Friday night in force and speak very highly of it.
    Mr. and Mrs. Chas. E. Wilkinson of Roxy were in Jacksonville Wednesday, making arrangements for the funeral of the late Mrs. Susan Wilkinson, who was a relative.
    H. B. Nye, the well-known merchant-miner, and Miss Lillian Gregory, the amiable and accomplished daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Gregory, were married by Rev. W. B. Moore. They have been the recipient of the congratulations of a host of friends, who hope that their journey upon matrimonial seas may be fraught with happiness and prosperity.
    The Sunset Telephone Co. has commenced a suit in the U.S. district court for an injunction against our city government, which levied a license of $100 a year on that corporation's business in Medford, and was about to remove its poles and wires because it would not pay the tax. The expensive and protracted litigation which is promised should be averted in some way.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 13, 1902, page 5


    Thos. Boone and family, who have been in Jacksonville for some months past, moved to Medford Saturday.
"Jacksonville Items," Medford Mail, February 14, 1902, page 3


    Last Sunday the news came over the wire announcing the death of Jas. Guerin, son-in-law of George Brown, at his home in British Columbia. Mr. G. was formerly a resident of Medford and built several of the most prominent buildings in the county, among which are the courthouse at Jacksonville and several of the oldest brick buildings in Ashland and Medford.
"Eagle Point Eaglets," Medford Mail, February 14, 1902, page 5


    Mary E. McCall to M. E. Daugherty, 1⅛ acres of land in Barr's add., Medford . . . 125
"Real Estate Transfers," Medford Mail, February 14, 1902, page 5


    Mrs. H. Williams, of Ashland, was in Medford last week upon a visit to her daughter, Mrs. J. B. Sells, and family.
    Geo. W. Manning, of Klamath Falls, who has been in southern Arizona and Mexico for the past year, arrived in Medford Thursday morning and is visiting his sister, Mrs. Jas. D. Fay.
    E. C. Burroughs, of Portland arrived in Medford last week and will remain here for some time. He is a saddle maker and is employed by L. A. Lucus & Son, of this city. The gentleman was here about a year ago and was at that time in the employ of the same firm.
    Mr. and Mrs. John Chapman, of Red Lodge, Montana, dropped off in Medford Sunday for a few days' visit with relatives and old-time friends. Mr. Chapman is a son of Grandma A. E. Merriman. Himself and wife are en route to Los Angeles, Calif., where they will remain several weeks. Mrs. Merriman will accompany them upon their southern trip. Mr. Chapman is a very extensive stockman of Montana, and the little trip he is now taking is a well-earned vacation from labor and care incident to the life of bustle he leads when  at home. He's a fine fellow to meet, and his visits here are always welcomed.
    Mr. and Mrs. R. Batchelder, of Jones County, Iowa, arrived in Medford Sunday and will hereafter make this place their home. Mr. Batchelder was here about a year ago and was very much impressed with our city and at that time he decided to return here and remain for the rest of his days. Since leaving Medford he has sold his Iowa farm of 210 acres at $90 an acre and this, together with the sale of the personal property on the farm, gives himself and his wife a snug little sum for their enjoyment in the declining days of their lives. They are each quite old, Mr. B. being over seventy-five. They will buy [a] small residence property in Medford and will erect a dwelling thereon for their occupancy. They are at present stopping with Mr. Tripp, in East Medford. When they left Iowa the thermometer registered thirty degrees below zero. Gee whiz, but that's cold. Little wonder the gentleman decided to shift his place of abode.
    Ivan Humason, of Gold Hill, has decided to establish himself in the drug business in Medford. Mrs. Humason and daughter arrived in the city this week, and Mr. H. is now in Portland purchasing a stock of goods. He has rented the Rosenthal building from Mr. Barneburg and will open his store therein. The gentleman has had thirteen years' experience in the drug business in Portland and is a graduate pharmacist from an eastern college. His household effects are now here and are being unloaded.
"Purely Personal," Medford Mail, February 14, 1902, page 6


    The Australian ballot law requires 150 voters at a mass convention. Socialists of Jackson County will meet at Medford, Saturday, March 8th at 10 a.m. to arrange for county, state and congressional tickets.
Medford Mail, February 14, 1902, page 6


    There was a very pleasant little gathering of friends at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Gregory on South G Street last Sunday, the occasion being the marriage of their daughter, Miss Lillian Belle, to Mr. Hal Byron Nye.
    The bride was beautifully attired in a dress of white swiss interwoven with point d'alencon lace, while the groom wore a suit of the conventional black. The room in which the ceremony took place was beautifully and artistically decorated with English ivy. The words which united the heart and hand of this happy couple were said by Rev. W. B. Moore, with the easy grace so suited to the occasion and peculiar to this very popular reverend gentleman. After the ceremony, which took place promptly at 2 o'clock, had been performed and the friends had each and all paid their compliments and had spoken the sincere congratulations they felt, the guests were ushered into the dining room where was spread a very delicate and tempting repast of which all were asked to partake. The tables were decorated with La France and Bride's roses.
    After this elaborate repast had been partaken of and pleasant converse and repartee had held sway for an hour or more carriages were announced to be in waiting at the door and the bridal party was driven to the beautiful home which the groom had previously and elegantly furnished for his bride, corner of North G and Sixth streets, in which this happy couple at once set up housekeeping.
    The bride is the daughter of one of our most respected pioneer families and is a native daughter of the state. She is a young lady possessing all the qualifications of pure, bright, winsome womanhood, affable in disposition and a prime favorite with all--a lady well qualified to preside over the pleasant and comfortable home in which she has been domiciled by her indulgent husband.
    The groom is one of Medford's most popular and progressive business men, being proprietor of the Medford Racket Store. He came to Southern Oregon a few years ago from Montana and engaged in mining, afterwards purchasing the Racket Store stock of goods in this city. It was Mr. Nye who made famous the Bill Nye mine, on Galls Creek, and in honor of whom the mine was named. He is a gentleman of exemplary habits, and possesses business qualifications far beyond the average of men. His business foresight and aptness in placing to good account the opportunities laid before him has enabled him to accumulate a snug little fortune which himself and good wife will now enjoy.
    Those present at the wedding were: Mr. and Mrs. D. T. Cox, Mr. and Mrs. E. Lewis, Mrs. F. L. Cranfill, Mrs. T. J. Cochran, Misses Belle Cochran, Louise Job, Pansy Carnes, Hazel and Ethel Cox, Messrs. Marion Kershaw, H. E. Earhart, H. G. Wortman, Thos. Carney, N. B. Nye, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Gregory, of Central Point, Mr. and Mrs. McDermott, of Portland.
Medford Mail, February 14, 1902, page 6


    Emmett Barkdull:--"Say, Bliton, I wish you would send me your paper. I will make it do double service; after we have read it at home I'll send it to my uncle, J. C. Barkdull, who lives in Humboldt County, California. He was up here visiting us in December and was very much taken with this part of Oregon. In fact he was completely infatuated with the country and said if Humboldt County people could see it they would stampede their California homes and would hit only the high places in getting here. He is negotiating for the purchase of real estate near Medford, and there isn't much doubt but that he will be a permanent resident of this county."
    They are not giving out much news now at the Southern Pacific coal mining plant, but from the size of the lumps of coal being brought in and the quality thereof it is evident that things are not going so badly. The hoisting machinery, which has been standing on the depot platform for several weeks, was taken out on Tuesday to replace that formerly in use, the latter having proven inadequate to handle the work.
    Say! Are you going to ride a wheel this season? If so, call and see our new line, comprising Phoenix, Mitchell, Snell and Yale wheels. We are strictly in it this year in wheels. Mitchell, Lewis & Staver Co., Medford, Oregon.
    Monroe & Grousbeck, of Portland, are in Medford this week with one of Edison's entertainment outfits. They have rented the Rosenthal building and are taking in many nickels. They have a couple of phonographs and six or eight picture machines. Their business principally is that of selling machines and phonographs, while the nickels they pick up help pay expenses.
    Frank Wilson:--"No, that isn't an automobile, that's a peanut roaster on wheels of the latest improved kind. It is made to be pushed around and roast peanuts at the same time. The people of Medford will soon have 'da peanuts' fresh roasted delivered at their own doors. The roasting is done by steam heat, and the machine is surely up to date."
    Word was received this week to the effect that J. D. Heard, of this city, was quite ill in Seattle with inflammatory rheumatism. Mrs. Heard is with him and they will return to Medford as soon as Mr. H. is able to travel.
    J. H. Stewart has but recently finished planting fifty acres of land, on the Fordyce place, to apples--2100 trees thirty-one feet apart. He is now preparing to plant thirty acres of his Rogue River ranch to pears. This last-named place is pretty well up in the mountains, being only a short distance from Fall Creek.
    Word received from Mr. and Mrs. I. A. Webb is in effect that they arrived at Los Angeles in due time and that Mr. Webb's health seems improved but that Mrs. Webb was not well. They are stopping with Lewis Webb, a brother of I. A., who with his family is now residing in Los Angeles.
    Mrs. E. E. Gore is planning to give another of her popular recitals. The lady has nearly fifty pupils, and when a recital is given it is an occasion that is not lost sight of by music lovers and those favored with invitations. The exact date is not yet fixed.
    L. F. Lozier is establishing a good business in peddling apple butter and vinegar about the city. He makes a superior article of each and is finding ready sale.
    A. J. Weeks has completed the work of planting one hundred acres of apple trees on the property he recently purchased west and north of Medford.
"City Happenings," Medford Mail, February 14, 1902, page 7


    Mr. and Mrs. John Chapman, of Deer Lodge, Mont., arrived in Medford Sunday to visit with relatives and friends. Mr. Chapman is a son of Mrs. A. E. Merriman, of this city; also a brother of Postmaster George Merriman. Mr. Chapman is en route to Los Angeles, Cal., where he goes for the benefit of his health. Mrs. Merriman will accompany Mr. and Mrs. Chapman south.
    A pretty wedding occurred at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Gregory Sunday, when their eldest daughter, Lillian B., was given in marriage to Hal Byron Nye, Rev. W. B. Moore officiating. The home was beautifully decorated. The bride, who is one of Medford's popular young ladies, wore a dress of white swiss, trimmed with point d'Alencon lace, while the groom was attired in conventional black. The groom is a bright young man, and has for the past year been in the mercantile business in this city. About 30 friends of the couple were present. After congratulations, the company repaired to the dining room, where a delicious luncheon was served. Late in the evening, the happy couple went to their beautiful home on G Street, West Medford, where they will reside.
"Society: Medford," Sunday Oregonian, Portland, February 16, 1902, page 21




    The following deeds have been recorded in the office of the county recorder since the last report of The Times:
Rufus Cox to Frank Payne, property in Medford . . . 500.00
J. H. Stewart to A. H. Chessmore, 2 acres in Medford . . . 472.20
Jane Hibbard to Emma Rose, part of block 8, Park add. to Medford . . . 1.00
Excerpt, Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 20, 1902, page 1




    Capt. Nash is in Grave Creek district, looking after a big mining enterprise he is inaugurating.
    Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Heard are still in Seattle, where the former is suffering with a severe attack of inflammatory rheumatism.
    V. T. McCray, the expert civil engineer, this week returned from Chico, Calif., where he has charge of the sewer being built by that city.
    W. R. Culton, the horticulturist, was in town one day this week. He expects to have a larger and finer crop of fruit than ever this season.
    Mr. Ross of Seattle, who has been buying horses in the valley, with indifferent success, purchased D. T. Lawton's fine team of Tybalt colts, paying $300 for them.
    A. S. Hammond, the well-known lawyer, is at Portland. He would make an ideal candidate for attorney general, as he is exceptionally well qualified for the place.
    Sheriff Frazier of Multnomah County, who was in Medford last week for the purpose of buying horses, went home disappointed. He found the price asked for good horses--$100 to $150--too high for him.
    The remains of the late I. A. Mounce, who recently died at the Oregon insane asylum, were taken to Union County, his late residence, for burial. The deceased lived in Medford for several years and leaves a family. He lost his mind through a severe spell of sickness.
    I. Humason and his family arrived in Medford from Gold Hill the forepart of the week and will become permanent residents of our town. Ivan, who is a first-class druggist and was interested in a drug store at Portland for several years, will engage in the same business in Barneburg's block.
    Mr. and Mrs. S. Wilson of Trail Creek are in Medford. They are accompanied by their youngest son, aged five years, who met with a sad accident a few days ago. He had mounted a small ladder which stood against some bushes and gave way under his weight, precipitating him headfirst onto a stick that pierced his eye and put it out. He is under treatment by Dr. Pickel, who hopes to save the other optic.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 20, 1902, page 4


    At a special meeting of the city council, held Tuesday evening, F. K. Deuel was elected councilman from the Third Ward. Mr. Deuel was elected at the January election, but being absent was unable to qualify within the prescribed ten days after such election.
"Meeting of City Council," Medford Mail, February 21, 1902, page 2


    The following resolution was adopted:
    Resolved, That all parties in whose building the City of Medford owns the electric wiring are hereby required to pay said city 25 percent of usual cost of such wiring, which is $1.25 per drop. It is further provided that unless such bills are paid within thirty days the city electrician is instructed to disconnect such buildings from the electric light wires.
    The gist of this resolution is that all users of electric lights who do not own their wires and drops will be required to pay 25 percent of $1.25 for each drop in use, which amount is 31¼ cents. Multiply 31¼ by the number of drops you have and you will know the amount in gold coin you will be required to pay into the city treasury.
"Meeting of City Council," Medford Mail, February 21, 1902, page 2


    Miss Emma Reed, one of Medford's popular teachers, visited her parents near Jacksonville last Sunday.
"Jacksonville Items," Medford Mail, February 21, 1902, page 3


    Editor Bliton, Dr. Adkins, F. M. Stewart and the principal of the Academy were looking over various suburban tracts of land last Saturday, in an effort to find a suitable campus of five acres or more for the new college building to be built within eighteen months. The site is not fixed yet. If there are citizens who own sufficient acreage in the suburbs for a campus, and who would like to make a liberal donation toward the founding of a permanent college in Medford, the way is now open.
"Academy Notes," Medford Mail, February 21, 1902, page 3


    Raymond H. Toft to J. E. Toft, property in the Phipps reserve, Medford . . . 100
    Edwin Russ to W. I. Vawter and C. W. Palm, ½ interest in lots 7, 8 and 9, blk 17, Medford . . . 1
    W. I. Vawter and C. W. Palm to Edwin Russ, ½ interest in lots 10, 11 and 12, blk 17, Medford . . . 1
    John E. Hesselgrave to Wm. M. Holmes, 5 acres in sec. 8, twp 37 . . . 150
    Joseph Stahl et ux. to John H. Stewart, lot 11, blk 15, Medford . . . 550
    Delphina Goldsmith and husband to Jno. H. Stewart, lots 1 and 2, blk 3, Cottage add., Medford, except right of way of O.&C.R.R. . . . 300
    Ada Porter to Leonard W. Farwell, ⅜ acre in sec 30, tp 37s, r1w . . . 350
    John W. Cox et ux. to Edwin Russ, lot 7, blk 17, Medford . . . 100
"Real Estate Transfers," Medford Mail, February 21, 1902, page 5


    Merchant H. G. Wortman took a livelier ride homeward last Friday noon than he had figured on when he left the store. His horse became frightened by an engine at the depot and began to run. In Mr. Wortman's efforts to slow the animal's pace the bit was broken--and it was all off with Casey. After the horse, cart and Harry had crossed and re-crossed the Medford-Jacksonville railroad track about six times the animal started for Honolulu by the Applegate-Siskiyou route--and Harry was following closely, but after the horse had made a leap over and off of a high sidewalk in West Medford, Mr. Harry made a slope out at the rear and the horse and cart brought up at the Orchard Home. No damage except that Harry's nerves were somewhat shaken up and his whiskers disheveled.
    Messrs. Ling & Boardman have but recently finished repapering the interior of the Medford Bank. Aside from this work the woodwork was varnished anew, new linoleum was put on the floors and divers other beautifying touches were made about the place. The general partition arrangement of the establishment has been changed somewhat, and by this cashier Enyart is given an office by himself in which he can transact the business of the bank and not interfere with the assistant cashier's work. The new arrangement adds materially to the convenience of the establishment and at the same time gives the place an appearance that's decidedly metropolitan.
    The remains of Clara Jane Torrey, who committed suicide at Klamathon on February 12th, by shooting herself with a revolver, were interred in the Odd Fellows cemetery at this place on Friday afternoon. The act which resulted in her death does not appear to have been premeditated, as she gave no indication of planning self-destruction. She had been complaining of sick headache, and excusing herself from the doctor in attendance stepped into an adjoining room and sent the missile of death through her heart. She was the daughter of Mrs. Boynton, of Talent, and the wife of Wm. Gainey, of Medford, but was separated from her husband some time ago, and had been going by the name of Pauline Meyers.
    F. E. Payne has purchased a house and lot in East Medford, paying $500 therefor. The property is on the north side of Seventh Street and is the second dwelling east of the bridge. The purchase was made from Baxter Robinson. The property will be for rent--Mr. Payne being a bachelor without any benedict symptoms--but possessed with an idea that he and Payne will remain in undisputed possession of a friendship that's lasting, unfettered--and no "sassin'" back.
    A three-year-old Medford girl decided last week that she would like to have her hair cut short, so that when she washed her face she could "make a big noise" and rub the water over her head "like Papa does." In pursuance of this idea she secured the family scissors and retired to the back porch, where she proceeded to do the barber act herself. The result was not up to date as far as smoothness was concerned, but the hair was cut short enough, so short, in fact, that her father took her to the barber shop to have the job smoothed. Now that little girl washes her face "like Papa."
    Messrs. W. T. York and C. W. Palm have formed a partnership and will hereafter conduct their real estate and insurance business in team harness. They are both oldtimers in these businesses in Medford, and the consolidation of their affairs makes a team hard to beat. Both have a large list of good property for sale and, as they are well and very favorably known, there are good grounds for believing they will do a good business. They haven't thrown up quarters as yet to determine the style of the new firm.
    R. Batchelder, who arrived in Medford last week with his wife, from Iowa, has purchased forty acres of land adjoining East Medford from J. G. Hodges, paying $5500 therefor. Mr. Batchelder is quite an aged gentleman, but his life has been an active one and he could not content himself to settle down to a life of absolute rest--hence the purchase of this tract, which, as he says, "will keep him kinder choring 'round." He is a fine old gentleman and the Mail is glad he and his aged companion have settled in our midst.
"City Happenings," Medford Mail, February 21, 1902, page 7


    J. G. Van Dyke spent Sunday in Ashland visiting his son, William.
    L. J. Gault, of Ashland, is visiting his brother, M. M. Gault, this week.
    H. H. Mitchell returned several days ago from Seattle, accompanied by his sister, Mrs. H. G. Thomas, who will visit relatives in this vicinity and Northern California for several months.
"Society: Medford," Sunday Oregonian, Portland, February 23, 1902, page 21




    Miss Bernice Cameron of Uniontown is the guest of her sister, Mrs. L. L. Jacobs.
    Jas. Stewart, our efficient justice of the peace, had business at Jacksonville the other day.
    Attorney Hammond has returned from Salem, where he argued a case appealed to the supreme court from Josephine County.
    Chas. Paine, the scientific blacksmith, who has leased Wilson's shop, is doing nicely, notwithstanding the inclement weather.
    The photograph gallery now occupied by Mr. Owings will be conducted by G. W. Mackey after April 1st, he having secured the lease.
    John W. Curry, who has been a clerk in the census bureau, at a salary of $100 a month, will be retained in the service of the government.
    The firm of Mackey & Boyd was dissolved last month. H. C. still holds forth at the big tent, while his quondam partner is operating at Ashland.
    S. Wilson of Trail Creek, whose son had one of his eyes badly injured, informs us that there seems to be some hope of partially saving the sight of the damaged optic.
    M. L. Alford, assistant cashier of the Medford Bank, was at the county seat one day this week. He is being prominently mentioned in connection with the Republican nomination for county clerk.
    The Medford Drug Co. has been incorporated by I. Humason, A. H. and Fronia Willett, with a capital stock of $5,000. It will put in a first-class stock of drugs, medicines, toilet articles, etc. in the Rosenthal building.
    A. M. Helms, the genial dispenser of liquid refreshments, was at the county seat one day this week. He says that the burglar who entered his cafe some nights ago captured only a few dollars, overlooking a purse which contained a larger sum.
    N. Langell was in Jacksonville a few days ago, arranging the certificates of several Chinese who wish to visit the flowery kingdom, which his long service as deputy internal collector makes him expert at.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 27, 1902, page 4


    C. N. Smith of Hotel Layton, Grants Pass, visited Medford Tuesday.
    Mrs. R. T. Burnett returned to Ashland after a week's visit with friends.
    Grandma Merriman left for Butte, Montana, Monday, to visit relations, after which she will go to California for an extended visit.
    Mrs. Lou Gay, nee Mamie Linn, returned to Portland Wednesday after a several weeks' visit at Jacksonville.
    E. A. Sherwin and A. McCallen, president and cashier of the First National Bank, and E. V. Carter, cashier of Bank of Ashland, H. L. Gilkey, cashier of a bank at Grants Pass, were here Saturday on matters pertaining to banking business.
    Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Patrick of Ashland spent Thursday and Friday at the county seat doing abstract work.
    Prof. C. F. Shepherd, dealer in musical instruments, was here Saturday doing missionary work.
    L. B. Brown last week bought the feed store of H. D. Austin & Son and on Tuesday purchased the J. C. Ferguson grocery stock and will consolidate the two stocks.
    Dr. J. M. Keene spent several days at Portland last week.
Medford, Feb. 26, 1902.

    The Mail has been requested by several prominent townspeople to announce that there will be a mass meeting of the citizens of Medford at the city hall, on Wednesday evening, March 5th, at 7:30 o'clock.
    The object of the meeting will be the organization of a Board of Trade, or Commercial Club, and to perfect such arrangements as may be deemed necessary in furthering the best interests of our city and the surrounding country.
    There is at this time manifest evidence of the necessity of an organization of this nature. There are many enterprises in contemplation for our town which may possibly need a little stimulating to put them on a basis of permanency, and with the concerned action of a body of citizens much can be accomplished and at but very small cost, whereas no one or two individuals could see their way clear to do the work which is of interest to all. There is a promise of more than usual activity in the development of enterprises in our city right now than has ever before been manifest. Besides the work of a commercial club, upon these lines much can be done by such a body in encouraging immigration to Oregon from the East and in attracting the attention of such to our land of red and yellow apples when they get within our state.
    Much good can be accomplished by such an organization, and the Mail earnestly hopes there will be a large attendance at this meeting and that every effort possible will be put forth which will tend to our mutual good. There are divers affairs of local interest which should be safeguarded--and this perhaps can be accomplished by this proposed organization.
Medford Mail, February 28, 1902, page 2


    G. W. Owings returned to Medford Monday to remain some time in the interest of his business, the Elite Studio.
"Woodville Items," Medford Mail, February 28, 1902, page 3


    Rufus Cox to Frank E. Payne, part of premises in dlc No. 42, twp 37s, r1w . . . 300
    J. H. Stewart et ux to A. H. Chessmore, 2 acres in dlc No. 42, twp 37s, r1w . . . 472
    Jane Hibbard to Emma May Rose, land in blk 8, Park add., Medford . . . 1
    Alex Orme to W. F. Taggart, lots 11 and 12, blk 39, Medford . . . 3
"Real Estate Transfers," Medford Mail, February 28, 1902, page 5


    W. J. King, proprietor of the Turf Exchange Saloon, left Thursday night for Portland.
    Mrs. Geo. Barton, of Ashland, was in the city over Sunday. The lady's husband is engineer at the coal mine, and the family has decided to move their place of residence to Medford.
    Dr. C. W. Rollings, of Portland, was in Medford a few days this week upon a visit to merchant H. U. Lumsden and family. The doctor and Mr. Lumsden's people were old-time Minnesota friends.
    A. J. Anderson and family arrived in Medford last week from Ft. Jones, Calif. Mr. Anderson some few months ago purchased property on North D Street in this city and will now occupy the same and make Medford his permanent home. Mrs. Anderson is a daughter of our good townsman, J. Meeker.
    Grandma Merriman left Medford Monday night for a two years' visit with relatives in various parts of the United States. She will first visit Willamette Valley points and from there she will go to Montana and then east to her old home in Illinois and Ohio. Mrs. Merriman is seventy-two years of age, but notwithstanding her advanced age, she is active and much more capable of taking the long trip than are many much younger.
    Miss Jessie Cole returned last week from San Francisco, in which city she has been taking training as nurse in a hospital and with practicing physicians. The young lady likes her chosen vocation and will give her attention exclusively to the work. She will remain in Medford with her mother and will be prepared to respond to calls for nursing.
    T. H. Moore, the gentleman who formerly conducted a grocery store in West Medford, now engaged in the mercantile business in Klamath Falls, is in Medford this week upon business. He reports a good trade in his new location and that he likes the country very much. Part of his business here is the disposal of his residence property in West Medford. He has not as yet closed any deal for it but it is possible he will before he returns. It is a fine piece of property, and the man who buys it makes no mistake.
"Purely Personal," Medford Mail, February 28, 1902, page 6


    R. P. Little, while employed in the Jas. G. Smith rock quarry, east of Medford, last week was struck on the left knee by a huge sledge hammer, injuring his limb so badly that he is laid up with it and is scarcely able to walk.
"Additional Local," Medford Mail, February 28, 1902, page 6


    The portable drilling machinery for the Southern Pacific coal mine, which has been impatiently expected for several weeks, arrived in Medford Sunday. It consists of a derrick and engine and boiler, mounted on wheels so as to be transported from point to point by means of teams, the engine being used merely to operate the drill. As soon as some repairs to the woodwork, made necessary by the rough journey from the East, are made it will be taken out to the scene of operations, and the drill be sent down on its search for beds of coal or of anything that may be found beneath the surface. The drilling machinery was loaded onto a car at Cincinnati, Ohio last November and has been on the road three months. With the machinery is a cable 1000 feet in length.
    L. W. Farwell, the gentleman who recently purchased an acre of land from L. G. Porter, in East Medford, is arranging to do considerable building thereon this season; in fact, he has already commenced his contemplated construction work. A barn 16x20 and a wagon house 10x20 have already been completed. He has lumber on the ground for his residence, which will be 26x26 feet in size and two stories high, and to this there will be added a kitchen 10x17 and a woodshed 12x16. The work is being done by carpenter Clapper. Mr. Farwell will have a very fine home when completed and in one of the very best localities in the city. His lot is 70x250 feet in size and is well set to fruit. The price paid was $350.
    L. B. Brown, the gentleman who purchased the Austin feed store last week, has this week invested more capital in the city, having purchased J. C. Ferguson's stock of feed and groceries. He is now in possession of this double stock and will at once put them together and do business at the Ferguson stand. This recent purchase gives Mr. Brown a good stock--and lots of it--and there's no doubt but that he'll do a fine business.
    Mrs. Amos Smith, of Grants Pass, and Mrs. E. S. Adams, of Portland, returned Wednesday evening to their respective homes after a few days' visit in this city with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Hamlin. They were accompanied by their sister, Miss Julia Hamlin, who will visit at Grants Pass.
    C. H. Pierce, for several weeks past, has been troubled with a lame knee, the result of a bruise, and instead of improving the limb has grown worse and this week it was decided to put [it] in a plaster of Paris cast, which was done and it will be at least two weeks before the cast will be removed. Dr. Jones is the attending physician.
    G. A. Widenhamer, of Quincy, Illinois, arrived in Medford last Friday and expects to make Medford his future home. He is the father of Mrs. E. W. Calkins. When he left the East the thermometer registered 27 degrees below zero.
    Henry Miller, residing in East Medford, has his new residence nearly completed. The gentleman owns a couple of acres of the rich Bear Creek bottom land and will make gardening his principal business.
    The oil well drilling plant near Ashland has suspended operations temporarily, awaiting the arrival of a longer cable. The well is now down 1830 feet.
    Mrs. Loder is improving the appearance of her new residence by the building of a new fence around the same.
    Jack Plymale is conducting a lunch counter at Ft. Jones, Calif., and is reported to be doing well.
"City Happenings," Medford Mail, February 28, 1902, page 7


    E. V. Jones, of Ashland, visited several days this week with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Jones.
"Society: Medford," Sunday Oregonian, Portland, March 2, 1902, page 21


    J. E. Enyart was in Albany last week, having been called there by the death of his brother-in-law's wife, Mrs. A. M. Cannon, who died of blood poison.
    Miss Jessie Cole, who has successfully been taking a course in a San Francisco hospital, returned to Medford last week, and offers her services as a trained nurse.
    J. H. Messner, who has no superior as a veterinary surgeon, is kept busy and meets with much success. He treats all diseases that afflict horses and other stock, charging a very reasonable rate.
    H. G. Wortman, the well-known merchant, has purchased a handsome Stuyvesant from the Coss Music House, paying $375 therefor. During his recent visit to San Francisco Mr. Coss secured the agency for several instruments of standard brands, and is prepared to fill orders for first-class pianos and organs, including the wonderful pianola, at reasonable figures.
    The Democratic county committee met in Medford Wednesday and transacted the business incident to holding the next county convention. The following members were present: H. Mann chairman, M. F. Eggleston secretary, E. D. Foudray, J. A. Whitman, Dan Chapman, F. W. Wait, W. H. Peninger, J. S. Orth, John Woods, Otto Caster, J. E. Coffee, M. Perry, D. E. Phipps. It was decided to hold the convention in Jacksonville.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, March 6, 1902, page 4


    The following is from the Covina, Calif. Argus. It tells of a narrow escape from a frightful accident of B. S. Webb, a former resident of Medford:
    "The Bemis building and adjoining blocks had a narrow escape from total destruction shortly after noon on Saturday last by an explosion of dynamite caps in B. S. Webb's hardware store.
    "B. S. Webb had just received a shipment of giant powder and after unpacking the goods, a carpenter, named Charles Tate, who often spends a few minutes in the store during the noon hour, put the excelsior in which the goods were wrapped into the stove, not knowing that it contained a box of 100 dynamite caps, with an explosive power of 60 pounds each, which had been overlooked in the unpacking.
    "In a few moments a terrific explosion occurred, blowing the large cast iron stove into a thousand fragments, hurling them through woodwork and plaster. The report shook every building in the block and in a few minutes more than a hundred men were on the scene. Charles Tate was found on the floor stunned and bleeding, but by a miracle the other occupants of the store, B. S. Webb, the proprietor, and a man named William Goodrich, escaped with only a few cuts and bruises. On examination it was found that Tate was severely cut and bruised about the legs by fragments of the stove, and he has since been confined to his room under the doctor's care. How any of the occupants of the store escaped with their lives is a wonder, as they were all standing within a foot of the stove at the time of the explosion. In addition to the woodwork and plaster of the building about $25 worth of stock was injured by the flying fragments of the stove.
    "On a counter, four feet from the stove, was ten pounds of giant powder, and had this exploded by the concussion the entire building would have been made a total wreck, and much damage would have resulted to adjacent property."
Medford Mail, March 7, 1902, page 2


    Mr. and Mrs. Baxter Robinson moved out from Medford last week and are now occupying the Brown-Hazelton house.
"Eagle Point Eaglets," Medford Mail, March 7, 1902, page 5


    Chas. Tull, foreman of the Jackson County Improvement Company's fine Sticky ranch, took a load of hay to the company's camp near Lake Creek the first of the week.
"Big Sticky Items," Medford Mail, March 7, 1902, page 5


    Joseph P. Raiche et ux. to L. W. Farwell, lot 14, blk 2, Cottage Home add., Medford . . . 10
    D. L. Browning to Grants Pass H&T Co., property in Phipps reserve, Medford . . . [illegible]
    J. S. Hagey et ux. to Geo. F. King, lots 1 and 2, blk 26, Medford . . . 500
    Geo. F. King to John H. Stewart, lots 1 and 2, blk 26, Medford . . . 500
    I. A. Webb to H. D. Finch, lot 3, blk 2, Barr's add., Medford . . . 1000
    McDonald & Ray to Mrs. S. E. Ray, quartz claim in Gold Hill mining district, sec. 2, twp 36s, r1w . . . 100
"Real Estate Transfers," Medford Mail, March 7, 1902, page 5


    Mrs. Conrad, of Colorado, who has been in Medford upon a visit to her nephew, Prof. Samuels, and family, left Saturday for her home.
    Roy Richardson has returned to Southern Oregon, after an absence of eight months. He has been employed on a coasting schooner for some time.
    Mrs. D. M. Knisely, who has been visiting her uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Stewart, for the past three months, left last week for her home in Edgerton, Ohio.
    Mr. and Mrs. F. R. West of Reno, Nevada were in Medford a few days last week upon a visit to relatives. Mr. West is a nephew of uncle Thos. West and Mrs. R. T. Lawton.
    Mrs. Fred Allen, of Seattle, who has been visiting her nephew, Fred Luy, and family, left Thursday for San Francisco.
    Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Scott, of Igerna, Calif., arrived in Medford Monday and will visit for a few days with Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Bliss, parents of Mrs. Scott.
    Mrs. J. T. C. Nash will leave next week for her old home at Denver, Ind., to visit her mother, who is quite ill. She will be accompanied by her brother, who resides in California.
    Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Monroe, of Detroit, Oregon, arrived in Medford last week and will, in all probability, make this city their future home. They are acquaintances of attorney A. S. Hammond.
    Robert Bonar, of Pasadena, Calif., who has been in Medford for a couple of weeks upon a visit to his brothers, J. W. and J. S. Bonar, left Monday for a visit to his old home in Blaister, Ontario.
    E. P. Bennett returned Monday evening from Newman, Calif., whither he went a couple of weeks ago with the remains of his late father-in-law, J. D. Eachus, and at which place the same were interred.
    Cashier J. E. Enyart was in Albany last week in attendance at the funeral of Mrs. A. M. Cannon, who died in that city last Thursday while undergoing a surgical operation. Mr. Cannon is a brother to the late Mrs. Enyart.
    Mr. and Mrs. John Osborne and Mr. and Mrs. Ed Wilkinson were in Gold Hill Monday night enjoying a visit with Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Wells, prior to the departure of these last-named people for the East and England.
    Mr. Hunter, the civil engineer and draftsman for Dr. C. R. Ray, has moved his office from Medford to Gold Hill. He's a fine fellow, and a splendid workman, that man Hunter, and the Mail regrets that his temporary stay among us could not have been made permanent.
    Gilbert Jones, who has been spending the winter with his son, Dr. W. S. Jones, and family, returned last week to his home in Iowa. It is not improbable that he will return to Medford at some future date and become a permanent resident of our city. It is business that occasioned his return at this time.
    C. W. Jenkins, of Browning, Mo., arrived in Medford last week and will open a wagon-making shop in M. Purdin's blacksmith shop. Mr. Jenkins comes highly recommended from the East and no doubt will meet with success in this locality. His family arrived Monday of this week.
    Mr. and Mrs. L. H. Settles left Medford Wednesday for their new home in Ashland, which they purchased a few months ago. Mr. Settles, better known as "Shorty's man Friday," has been an attache of Hotel Nash for several years and has made a great many friends, all of whom will wish himself and most estimable wife success in their new home. Mr. Settles will do gardening in Ashland.
"Purely Personal," Medford Mail, March 7, 1902, page 6


    A goodly number of citizens of Medford met in the city hall on Wednesday evening of this week and proceeded to organize a Medford Commercial Club.
    City Recorder York, president of the old organization of similar character, called the meeting to order, and upon motion H. H. Howard was chosen temporary chairman and W. T. York temporary secretary. Following this were speeches by F. M. Stewart, D. H. Miller, S. S. Pentz, W. V. Lippincott and others. All were favorable to an organization being formed, and each gave many logical reasons why an organization of this nature would be of benefit to the community.
    After the organization was effected, by motion a committee of five was appointed to solicit membership. The committee are F. M. Stewart, D. H. Miller, W. V. Lippincott, A. S. Bliton and J. W. Lawton.
    A motion was then made that a committee of three be appointed to draft by-laws. The chair appointed Dr. J. M. Keene, W. I. Vawter and H. U. Lumsden.
    The membership committee then called a roll of those present and secured the names of the following gentlemen as members: W. I. Vawter, H. Mann, W. V. Lippincott, J. W. Miller, G. H. Howland, A. S. Bliton, H. H. Howard, J. W. Lawton, F. M. Stewart, J. M. Keene, W. T. York, D. H. Miller, W. H. Meeker, H. Voegeli, S. S. Pentz and W. H. McGowan.
    The next meeting of the club will be held on Wednesday evening of next week at the same place, at 8 o'clock. In the meantime the soliciting committee will make a thorough canvass of the city, and it is expected an hundred of more names will be secured.
    The object of the club will be to further the best interests of Medford in particular and the entire county in a general way. There are many matters of importance which can properly come before the club and which will be materially advanced by concerted action. The tide of immigration is being turned westward, and Oregon, of course, will get its share. Jackson County's advantages should be shown to the intended settlers in a true, honest and imperative manner--and this can be done through the channel of a commercial club.
Medford Mail, March 7, 1902, page 6


    H. B. Myers, the jeweler, indulged too freely in the use of stimulants--the kind that makes hilarious--on Wednesday afternoon of this week and became decidedly reckless with firearms. He was arrested by Deputy Chief of Police Fredenburg and placed in the city bastille, where he remained until the following morning when he was brought before Recorder York, where he pled guilty and was fined $10 upon a charge of disorderly conduct and $15 for carrying concealed weapons, and to this was added $1.50 costs, amounting in all to $26.50. The shooting took place in the rear room of Helms' saloon. Several shots were fired, aimed apparently at no particular object, but as two of the bullets passed through a window, thence through a toilet room at the rear and into the alley, there might have serious injury resulted had there happened to have been anyone within range.
    The A. A. Davis & Co. milling company received two carloads of wheat from Walla Walla this week. The crop of this valley was short last season, which makes this importation from outside points necessary.
    Miss Lulu Porter is ill at her home in East Medford, and her brother, George, has taken her place, temporarily, as clerk in J. G. Van Dyke & Co.'s store.
    Tom Merriman has purchased an interest in the Messner blacksmith shop and has moved his family from Talent to this city.
    The Southern Pacific's well-boring outfit was taken to the scene of operations, east of Medford, yesterday. F. A. Bliss, of this city, will have charge of the plant.
"Additional Local," Medford Mail, March 7, 1902, page 6


    Peter and Henry Barneburg have purchased the famous Cove stock ranch from G. S. Butler, together with all the cattle and brand owned by Mr. Butler. This ranch is twelve miles from Ashland, about three miles south of the Dead Indian Road--directly south of the sawmill. It is a fine ranch and will afford the purchasers many advantages in their stock business which they have not heretofore enjoyed.
    Councilman J. R. Wilson has placed an order for lumber to be used in the construction of a building on its vacant lots, opposite his blacksmith shop, corner South C and Eighth streets. The structure will be of wood and will be built along the west side of the lots, facing Eighth Street. It will be 40x100 feet in size, one story high and will in all probability be used for assembly purposes.
    Jake Hugger reports unusual activity out at the Voorhies fruit ranch. Aside from the regular work of caring for the trees there is a large force of men at work setting out 170 acres of land to trees, and another gang has been grafting. Mr. Hugger is putting in 25,000 pear grafts and 30,000 apple grafts. It can be truthfully said that Jake is a "grafter" of no mean pretensions.
    Councilman J. R. Wilson has opened a feed store in the building owned by himself and one door south of the Mail office. He has put in a good stock in his line and is promising to be at all times prepared to supply every need. Mr. Wilson will also put in a stock of groceries.
    Merchant D. B. Russell has traded his seven-acre tract of land in northwest Medford to R. W. Gray for a house and lot (formerly owned by Dr. Jones) on South G Street. Mr. Russell makes the exchange to enable him to be nearer to his business. He is now occupying his new possessions.
    The Medford flouring mill began rolling wheels this week. The not overly large crop of wheat last year has made the flouring mill run of the valley a short one this season, but everybody seems much encouraged for next season, as wheat now growing is said to be looking fine.
    Dr. and Mrs. E. E. Emmerson have decided to make Medford their permanent place of residence and have commenced housekeeping in West Medford. Mr. Emmerson is an oculist and eye specialist and is working into a good practice here.
    Col. James Scobie, well known in Southern Oregon as the contractor for the masonry work on the Southern Pacific railroad during the time of the expansion of that line from California to Ashland, died at his home in San Francisco on February 23rd, aged 66 years.
    Miss Sadie Amann has taken a position as saleswoman in the Medford Book Store, vice Miss Edith Nicholson, who has resigned.
"City Happenings," Medford Mail, March 7, 1902, page 7







    The German people, who arrived in Medford last week from Nebraska, have secured temporary quarters in Medford, and later on will invest in country property. Peter Ensele, one of the party, is located in the Hawk residence, in West Medford; Fred Hacket at the G. W. Priddy brick yard; G. Huber in the Ward residence, West Medford, and John Bliss in the Conklin residence, East Medford.
    Geo. Coulter:--"I have secured the old cigar factory building on the West Side for a paint shop and am up to my eyes in work. I have eighteen wagons to paint and more coming in."
    Bert Miller and George Porter have taken the agency for the Great Western Tailoring Co., of Chicago, and are taking measurements whenever an opportunity is given.
    The Medford Drug Co. has put in a new cross counter and show case--very pretty--the work of Weeks Bros.--and in which will be displayed perfumes and Lowney's chocolates.
    J. W. Curry has been promoted again. He is now head clerk in the manufacturers' division of the census bureau at Washington.
"Additional Local," Medford Mail, April 25, 1902, page 6


    C. E. Stewart is doing a lot of improving on the farm he recently purchased adjoining the Ish place, west of Medford. He has had grubbed several acres of brush land and is having timbers hewed with which to build a big barn. Besides this he has put in tiling in a marshy place to the north end of his fields and has water running therefrom which he is figuring on making valuable use of. This marsh is different from most of them. Instead of being low ground, it is a kind of mound, in which the water rises and flows off. By piercing this mound through and through with tiling Mr. Stewart has collected the water in one body and now estimates that there are seventy-two inches of water flowing from the marsh. He is now figuring on putting in a hydraulic ram and forcing the water to the farmhouse, to be used for domestic purposes.
    From appearances on the Medford streets Tuesday morning, the truant list at the public schools must have been an unusually long one. To the casual onlooker most of the children in town seemed to be on hand when the train bearing Norris & Rowe's big shows pulled in--and then some more. The parade appeared about 11 o'clock and was witnessed by a large and interested crowd. The afternoon performance was well attended, and was well worthy of patronage. It is remarkable to what a high point of education some of the animals have been brought, displaying an intelligence and comprehension of what was desired of them not often found among dumb animals. Norris & Rowe put out a good, clean snow, well worth the price of admission, and the managers themselves are clever, genial gentlemen, whom it is a pleasure to meet. In the evening the crowd was not so large, but still there was a good-sized one, and there was but one opinion of the merits of the show, and many expressions of wonder were heard at the marvelous feats performed by the trained animals. A dog that can stand on its hind legs and turn a back somersault is something out of the ordinary--there were two of them that did that. Rosebury, the talking horse, is a whole show by himself. The performing seals were something new, and the intelligence exhibited by them was a revelation.
    D. B. Russell:--"How is business? Was that what you asked? Just stand around here a few minutes and you will see. I am kept busy all the time selling soft drinks and confections, and my partner, Frank Wilson, is more than busy manufacturing candies. Oh, we are having about three times better trade than we expected--and our busy season has not yet fairly commenced. The flavorings we use in our soft drinks are wholly natural fruit juices--no extracts used, and are therefore more healthful. We are having a great run on Hromada's celebrated candies--the best ever made. All our soft drinks are made from Colestin mineral water and are pronounced excellent by all who partake thereof."
    Wallace Woods and O. E. Gorsline are making preparations for moving their respective lumber yards. Mr. Woods will take Mr. Gorsline's present site, while the latter will establish headquarters near the oil tank. It is likely that a business building of some kind will go up on the site of the Woods lumber yard.
    J. A. Perry, proprietor of the independent warehouse, in Medford, has purchased from J. I. Fredenburg fifty-four acres of land south and west of Medford. The property is situated south of and adjoining the Fordyce place, now owned by J. H. Stewart. It is all good fruit land, and this fall Mr. Perry will plant twenty acres of it to apple trees. He is now having thirty-four acres sown to alfalfa. The price paid was $3500, and he made a good buy. When the land is sown to alfalfa or planted to orchard it will be worth an even one hundred dollars an acre of any man's money.
    N. B. Nye came very nearly sustaining serious injuries last week while engaged in splitting wood. A clothesline was stretched across the woodshed, and when he put forth an extra effort to sever a refractory chunk of wood his ax caught onto the clothesline and rebounded, the head of it striking Mr. Nye over the left eye, making an ugly wound and practically putting the old gentleman on the retired list for a few days.
    Work is progressing rapidly on the new warehouse being built by A. A. Davis to replace the one which collapsed last winter. The roof is now being put on. Contractor Hazel is putting up a good, solid piece of work and pushing it as fast as possible and expects to have it finished in about ten days.
    A meeting of the stockholders of the Southern Oregon Oil Co., of Ashland, has been called for May 1st in order to devise ways and means for continuing operations on the well. The well is now down 1830 feet, and it is intended to secure funds to continue to a dept of 3000 feet unless oil is sooner found.
    A new cement sidewalk was put in front of the Medford Book Store this week. Contractor G. W. Priddy did the work, which in this man's town is all that is necessary to say. The property is owned by J. S. Howard, the pioneer merchant of our city.
    B. P. Theiss has been putting in a new wire lawn fence in front of his very pretty North C Street residence. Mr. Theiss has a home to be proud of, and the improvements he is almost constantly making add still more to its beauty and convenience.
"City Happenings," Medford Mail, April 25, 1902, page 7


    Mrs. J. A. Norman, of Ashland, visited her mother, Mrs. E. D. Rose, several days this week.
    Mr. and Mrs. A. Barr, of Etna, Cal., visited Mr. Barr's uncle, J. D. Heard, and family, several days this week.
"Society: Medford," Sunday Oregonian, Portland, April 27, 1902, page 22


    On Friday of last week a Mail representative, accompanied by Messrs. W. V. Lippincott, J. A. Perry, F. M. Stewart and D. T. Cox, visited the coal mine on the Furry place, six miles east of Medford. The mine is being developed by the Southern Pacific railroad company, and the work is under the superintendency of Mr. J. Owens. The tunnel, which starts in a ravine at the foot of a small hill, is 7x7 feet in size and for the first 150 feet is dips down at an angle of about twenty degrees, following the coal vein. For the next 200 feet the dip is about eight degrees, but at the farthest end of the tunnel, where the men are now working, the vein has taken a new dip downward and is now running at twelve degrees.
    When the main tunnel was in about fifty feet an excavation was made at the bottom and it was found after going through a stratum of slate, which forms the floor of the tunnel, there was another vein of coal five feet in depth, which, added to the six-foot vein upon which the tunnel is running, gives a body of coal eleven feet in thickness--and of unknown length.
    When the tunnel was in about 300 feet a crosscut was made to the south for the purpose of determining the extent of the vein in that direction. When the writer was in this crosscut last Friday, the workmen were in fifty feet and there was still no indication of the thickness diminishing. Work is also being vigorously pushed on the main tunnel, and the coal is seemingly holding its own as to quality and getting better if anything as the tunnel grows longer and deeper.
    There is no longer any question as to the quantity of the coal, but the company is not quite satisfied with the quality. While it is true that the bulk of the vein is solid fuel coal of a good quality, it is also true that there are thin layers of fire clay and slate, but these, it is thought, will pinch out as greater depth in the tunnel is attained and where the weight of the earth overhead is greater. The distance, straight up, over the furthest point of the tunnel to the surface is figured to be about 150 feet, thus it can be seen that the nearby mountains and foothills have not been undermined by the tunnel.
    There are now on the dump about 450 tons of coal, the greater amount of which burns readily in the engines being used by the company in their tunneling and drilling operations. It is pronounced to be first-class fuel coal, and no trouble is experienced by the engineer in keeping up steam. There is some doubt, however, as to whether it would be suitable for locomotive fuel owing to the slate and fire clay it contains stopping the fire grate and preventing a good draft. It is said, in this connection, by parties who are familiar with the coal used by the company on its engines in California, that the coal which is being mined here is far superior to that now in use in California.
    The work of developing the mine is still going on, and it is not expected that orders to lay off will be given until the tunnel is at least 500 feet in length. When this point is reached it will then be possible for the representatives of the company to lay plans for further development work and for utilizing the product of the mine. That it is a profitable proposition is even now a settled fact.
    The Mail has no means at hand for knowing what the intentions of the company are as regards this coal proposition, but the impression seems to prevail that should it be found that the coal can be used in the locomotive engines a road will be built from Medford to the mine and coal bunkers put in at this point. A road can be built very easily and cheaply, the grade being through a natural draw in the foothills and in no place at all steep.
    Samples of the coal which is being taken out of the mine may be seen at the depot in Medford.
    The steam drill, which is operating about a half mile further up the draw, is down fifty feet but was compelled to shut down Friday owing to the fact that casings were required to prevent the drill hole filling up as fast as it was made. The casings have been secured and work is now progressing again. The object of the drill is to ascertain the depth at which the coal is found at that point and the thickness of the vein.
Medford Mail, May 2, 1902, page 1


    Mrs. N. J. Brandon left Monday for Etna, Calif., where she will visit for some time with her son. Mrs. Brandon is mother of Mrs. A. E. Austin and Mrs. Gardner.
    E. A. Hoag returned to Medford Sunday from a several weeks' business trip into California. He reports business first-class in his line, that of manufacturing key rings and badges.
    Mrs. Hattie Bartlett of Ft. Jones, Calif. is visiting her relatives and many friends in this city. The lady is a daughter of Grandpa Meeker.
    M. A. Macauley, who has been in Medford for several months upon a visit to his brother, W. E. Macauley, and sister Mrs. E. J. Cole, left Tuesday for his home at Frederick, Kansas.
    G. A. Laurentz and family, of Canova, South Dakota, arrived in Medford Saturday night and will make this valley their permanent abiding place. Mr. Laurentz has disposed of his farm property in South Dakota and proposes investing his money in Rogue River Valley soil. He is a brother of our good townsman, A. H. Laurentz.
    F. V. Medynski returned Sunday from Seattle, at which place he has been stopping for a few weeks. He will not go to Alaska this summer. He has spent three summers in that isolated land and he has it figured out that he has earned a summer at home--where there are fruits and vegetables to be had--fresh from tree and vine.
    Elder E. E. Gore left Monday for New York City, whither he goes as a delegate to the Presbyterian General Assembly. He will visit relatives and friends in Kansas and Indiana, and will also stop for a few days in Washington, D.C. His ticket is good for nine months, and he expects to come close to using its full limit before he returns. It has been thirty-one years since he came west.
"Purely Personal," Medford Mail, May 2, 1902, page 6


    Dr. G. W. Stephenson has decided to change his place of residence from Medford to Flora, Oregon and will leave for that place next week. The doctor and his family have a great many friends in Medford who will regret their departure, but all are wishing them success in their new home. His new location is seventy miles from a railroad, but is in a wealthy and prosperous stock country and the nearest physician to the town is forty [miles away].
    J. M. Kiernan has engaged his services to W. J. King, proprietor of the Turf Exchange saloon. Mr. Kiernan has had considerably experience in the hotel and bar business, and being a very clever gentleman he will doubtless prove himself efficient in the capacity of wine clerk.
"Additional Local," Medford Mail, May 2, 1902, page 6


    Fred Luy:--"I took a drive with my family out over the central part of the valley Sunday. We went from Medford to Central Point, then around by Jacksonville and Phoenix and back to Medford, and I want to tell you that we didn't see much of anything but fruit orchards and alfalfa fields. Where years ago there were large wheat fields one now sees those same fields aglow with the bloom of fruit trees or carpeted with the bright green of waving alfalfa. It has been several years since I have driven over the valley, and I am telling you the change astonished me. I had no idea there was the amount of land planted to orchard that there is. Why, very nearly everybody now has an orchard of from ten to forty acres--and the trees are all looking well. There are, of course, some fields of wheat and they are looking fine--never saw wheat look so well at this season of the year."
    F. M. Bredenkamp, a gentleman but recently from Indiana, has taken a position in the H. H. Howard & Co. grocery store. Mr. Bredenkamp has been for years connected with a wholesale grocery establishment in the East and is fully conversant with all the details of both wholesale and retail trade--hence it goes without saying that he will prove able help in his new position. He is a son-in-law of Rev. L. Huber, a German preacher living up on Butte Creek. Art Poe, who formerly held the position, has resigned.
    The Oregon Granite Co., of this city, is now supplying retail dealers at Grants Pass, Yreka and Ashland with Oregon granite in the rough, polished or cut form. The company's quarry is vastly superior to anything of like nature in Southern Oregon, and orders are being booked daily from points all along the line. This company also deals in iron fencing for cemetery work, and this week placed 130 feet of very fine fencing around Rufus Cox' lot in the Central Point cemetery.
    A real estate deal was completed in Medford last week by which E. M. Jenkins, recently from Browning, Mo., became the owner of the Walter Scott property, on West Tenth Street. The price paid was $800. Mr. Jenkins will make extensive improvements about his place and will become a permanent resident of our city. He is engaged in the wagon making business with M. Purdin, on B Street. The residence above referred to was purchased from H. U. Lumsden.
    F. M. Wilson has taken possession of the Model Restaurant again. The gentleman whom Mr. Wilson sold his restaurant out to a few months ago made a very successful failure of the business, and the good trade which had previously been established soon went a-glimmering, and Mr. Wilson was obliged to take the business back again. His first work was to thoroughly renovate and cleanse the establishment throughout--for which there was great need. On Tuesday he opened his doors--and commenced doing business from the turn-loose.
    W. R. Bullock, of Mesa, Arizona, arrived in Medford last Friday. He is an old-time friend of councilman J. E. Toft. His family is now visiting relatives in the Willamette Valley, but are soon expected to arrive in this city where they will reside, Mr. B. having decided to invest in property here. He tells that there are a great many of his Arizona friends who will doubtlessly visit this part of Oregon within the next few months and that some of them will locate here.
    There will arrive in Medford next Sunday another party of Michigan people--all booked for permanent residence here. There are fourteen persons in the party, and they are Mrs. F. S. Gould and son, Mrs. J. J. Vis and two sons, Miss Mordyke, Mr. Ade Vis, Mr. Manuel King and four daughters, Miss Iva Marie King and Miss Clara King, daughter and sister, respectively, of G. F. King, of this city. They are all from Grand Rapids, Michigan.
    C. G. Johnson has sold his residence property, on South D Street, to J. T. Eads, the second-hand man. The price paid was $800. The purchase of this property makes this family a permanent fixture for Medford--and that's good--they are good citizens in any town.
    Tom Merriman has purchased the interest of his partner, J. H. Messner, in the blacksmith shop which both have previously operated. Tom will be the "skookum tyee" at the shop now and Mr. Messner will give his undivided attention to his veterinary profession.
    Mrs. E. D. Rose has materially improved the appearance, convenience and comfort of her pleasant West Medford home by putting up a couple of large porches.
    Charlie Gay has taken a position as dispenser of liquid refreshments behind the Hotel Nash bar. Charlie is one of the best in the land in his line.
"City Happenings," Medford Mail, May 2, 1902, page 7


    E. E. Gore, Sr. will leave soon for New York, having been elected a delegate to the general assembly of the Presbyterian Church.
    Chas. Gay, the expert mixologist, officiates at Hotel Nash bar again. He succeeds E. B. Hamilton, who will go to Portland soon.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, May 2, 1902, page 5


    Mrs. Fellow, mother of Mrs. H. H. Howard, left for Portland Friday on a visit.
    Mrs. R. T. Burnett of Ashland was the guest of her mother, Mrs. L. J. Sears, for a few days this week.
    Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Heard entertained A. Bar, a prominent business man of Etna, Calif., and his wife the forepart of the week. Mrs. B. is Jeff's sister.
    H. E. Boyden, the hardware merchant, is at his homestead, situated in the Butte Creek section. He is accompanied by his family, but will not remain long.
    W. H. Parker, author of several legal works, left for his home at Oakland, Cal. Sunday. He expects to return to Oregon in the near future.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, May 2, 1902, page 7


    Dr. A. C. Caldwell, who for many years practiced dentistry in this valley, arrived in Ashland a few days since. He has been located at St. Paul, Minn., for some time past.
    The Medford branch of the Grants Pass steam laundry is doing well already. It did $60 worth of business last week alone. J. W. Baker, its manager, and his family have become residents of Medford.
    Judge Hanna has decided that the deed to property in Medford given by the late J. G. Grossman to J. W. Miller is valid and in full force. Relatives of the deceased man sought to set it aside. This is a righteous decision.
    We are sorry to announce the death of the wife of I. W. Thomas, which took place at the family residence in Pooh Bah district Thursday. She had been ailing for some time from a dropsical affection. Mrs. Thomas was a native of Marion County, Tenn., removing to Oregon with her husband and son quite a number of years ago. She was a lady of many excellent qualities, and her death is regretted by all who knew her. The remains were followed to their resting place in the Jacksonville cemetery by a large concourse.
"Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, May 8, 1902, page 5