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Medford
News: 1904 Medford-related
news items from
1904. Also see
descriptions
of Medford and
Jackson County
for this year.
 Looking east at Main and Front in 1904 Oregon Pioneer Dead.
Word was received in
Medford this week
announcing the death of Mark Goldstone. His death occurred in London a
few weeks ago. Mr. Goldstone, and his brother, Julius, were formerly
engaged in the mercantile business in Medford. They were located in the
building in which now H. G. Nicholson has a hardware store, and left
here eleven years ago this spring. Jacksonville,
Or., Feb. 9.--Word has been received here of the death of Chauncey Nye,
an old pioneer, at his home in Flounce Rock precinct on Upper Rogue
River. He leaves an aged wife, a son, Nelson, and daughter, Elsie, both
residing at home, and a daughter, Mrs. Etta Florey, residing at Eagle
Point. A brother, N. B. Nye, is a well-known business man in Medford.
Siding for Use of Orchardists.Mr. Nye was born in Michigan, May 29, 1827, and came to Oregon in 1851, stopping first at the new mining camp, which is now Jacksonville. Later he took up a donation claim on Rogue River, where the Bybee bridge is now. From here he moved to Foots Creek, where he was married, and again moved to Upper Rogue River. Mr. Nye represented Jackson County in the first session of the territorial legislature in 1852-4. He was [a] Whig and later became a prominent leader in the Republican Party in this county. His integrity of character made him respected by all who knew him. Morning Astorian, February 10, 1904, page 4 MEDFORD, Or.,
Feb. 19.--(Special.)--J. S. Howard recently finished surveying a side
track along the Southern Pacific track about three miles south of
Medford. The siding is to be put in south from the county road which
runs west from Samuel Van Dyke's place, and on the west side of the
railroad track, and will be 760 feet long. One hundred and seventy feet
by 885 feet of land has been set aside for the use of the siding and
warehouses. It is for the convenience of several orchardists in the
vicinity, who have previously been compelled to haul their fruit to
Medford. All fruit loaded at this siding will be billed as having been
loaded at Medford. It is understood that the orchardists in this
section contributed and purchased the land aside from that covered by
the right of way from Messrs. Gore and Van Dyke. The Southern Pacific
expects to complete the work in time to accommodate the next year's
fruit crop.
Morning Oregonian, Portland, February 20, 1904, page 12 A Horticultural Railroad.
J. S. Howard, the veteran civil engineer, has
finished surveying a side track about three miles south of Medford. The
[Voorhies]
siding is to be put in south from the county road which runs west from
Samuel Van Dyke's place, and on the west side of the railroad track,
and will be 760 feet long. One hundred and seventy feet by 885 feet of
land has been set aside for the use of the side track and warehouses.
It is for the convenience of several orchardists in the vicinity, who
have previously been compelled to haul their fruit to Medford. All
fruit loaded there will be billed as having been loaded at Medford. It
is understood that the orchardists in that section contributed and
purchased the land aside from that covered by the right of way from
Messrs. Gore and Van Dyke. The Southern Pacific expects to complete the
work in time to accommodate the next year's fruit crop.Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 24, 1904, page 1 The C Street meat market is now open for business. The aim of the proprietor of this market will be to sell meat at a reasonable price--upon a ratio with the price paid the stockmen for it. No meat will be put on the block that is not first-class, prime article. If you want the very best of meats, honest weights, and at reasonable prices, you have no good reason to pass this shop by. Phone 461. Free delivery to any part of the city. G. W. Nichols, proprietor. "City Happenings," Medford Mail, February 26, 1904, page 5 Mr. and Mrs. D. G. Karnes returned Monday from their wedding trip in San Francisco and other California points. "Society: Medford," Sunday Oregonian, Portland, February 28, 1904, page 21 Jackson County, Oregon, with a population of nearly 20,000, has only 12 saloons. Del Norte Record, Crescent City, March 5, 1904, page 2 There is a great amount of interest manifested by the ladies comprising the Medford Physical Culture Club, and they are progressing nicely with their practice work. The club consists of about 30 married ladies. Miss Edna Eifert, recently from Ohio, has been secured for an instructress. "Society: Medford," Sunday Oregonian, Portland, March 6, 1904, page 21 Miss Bessie Currin, who has been a compositor in the Mail office since last June, has resigned her position and on Monday of this week commenced teaching school in the Sleppy district, near Talent. Miss Currin is a most exemplary young lady, was faithful in every particular as a printer, and having had considerable experience as a school teacher, in California, carrying a high grade diploma, the schools of Jackson County will profit by her determination to "switch" from printing to her old vocation. "Purely Personal," Medford Mail, March 18, 1904, page 4 Dr. J. G. Goble the optician will be at the Hotel Oregon on Monday and Tuesday, 28 and 29. Those wishing to consult him about their eyes will please call at the hotel. "Brevities," Ashland Tidings, March 24, 1904, page 2 F. W. Broback is visiting at his old home in this valley. He has been residing in Ukiah, Cal., for a number of years. "Personals," Ashland Tidings, March 30, 1904, page 3 The Butte Falls Sugar Pine Lumber Co., of Medford, has been incorporated with a capital stock of $70,000, and will do a general logging, lumbering and manufacturing business. J. H. Chambers operates a retail yard at Medford. W. W. Woods is the local manager and reports the business outlook very fair. Mr. Chambers is the president of the Ashland Manufacturing Company. The Jackson County Lumber Company, of Medford, are operating their mill steadily. Mr. King says the stand of timber they are now working on will be cut out this summer. The company have several other bodies of timber, including a location near Gold Hill, which they may operate in later. J. W. Perkins, formerly coast manager for the E. C. Atkins Company, has purchased a fine bearing orchard three miles from Medford, where the cares incidental to the saw business are being replaced with the ease of an orchardist's life, and where price-cutting and customers' wails are forever hushed. "Southern Oregon," The Columbia River and Oregon Timberman, April 1904, page 20 A tribe of the Improved Order of Redmen is to be organized at Medford Friday evening of this week. The Medford council is advertising for bids for supplying 500 cords of four-foot fir wood for the light and power plant. A. M. Woodford, Medford's new postmaster, assumed his position on Tuesday. He is assisted in the office by H. N. Butler and Miss Iva Barr. "Brevities," Ashland Tidings, April 7, 1904, page 2 GETS CIGAR FACTORY.
Sellwood Secures Industry from Medford with Large Payroll. The Sellwood Board of Trade took the matter up with Mr. Whitman a week ago, after the latter had made investigation of locations for the plant. Sellwood takes $5000 stock in the concern. J. N. Nickum, A. C. Mowrey, A. N. Wills and other prominent citizens subscribed largely. A building site 100x100 was secured on the corner of East Thirteenth Street and Tenino Avenue, just north of the Firemen's Hall, and on the Oregon Water Power & Railway Company's line. Mr. Nickum and Mr. Mowrey secured the site and will put up the building, which will be 100x50 for the present. The people of Sellwood will excavate for the foundation and will begin today. The company takes a three-year lease on the ground and building, with option of purchase. The company, which has been in operation at Medford for the past four years, desired to get near the center of business. It has turned, out 900,000 cigars a year. In its new quarters at Sellwood Mr. Whitman said the output would be much larger. About 20 skilled employees will be brought from Medford, but the remainder of the help will be obtained in the neighborhood. Morning Oregonian, Portland, April 7, 1904, page 7 Hiram Eckart died at his home in Jackson County, Oregon, on Sunday last. He was the father of Frank, Edward and Clint Eckart and of Mrs. John Hedge, the latter of Paradise in this county. Mr. Eckart was 75 years of age when he passed away. Many of the older residents will remember him, as he owned the Shippee ranch at Avon, in the county, and lived there for many years. He moved to Oregon about 1884, and made that state his home since the date named. He was a pioneer of California, coming to this state about 1850. "Oroville," Marysville Daily Appeal, Marysville, California, April 9, 1904, page 7 Rev. E. A. Childs has resigned as pastor of the Christian church at Medford. Medford is going to try to get along without a chief of police for a time, and Phil McCoy, who has been filling that office, has been dismissed. J. A. Whitman, of the Medford Cigar Factory, is making arrangements to remove the business to Portland. Its removal from Medford will be a serious loss to that city, says the Southern Oregonian. The baseball season will be ushered [in] in Ashland next Sunday afternoon, when the Medford club will be here to cross bats with a local nine. Billy Hulen returned from Medford at noon, where the arrangements for the game were made. "Brevities," Ashland Tidings, April 11, 1904, page 2 F. W. Broback, who has been in Medford for a couple of weeks, left Tuesday for his home at Eureka, California. Mr. Broback formerly resided in Medford--'way back yonder, when there was no Medford--twenty years since, and this is the first time he has been back here since he left--and the brick blocks, cement sidewalks, well-kept streets and densely populated commonwealth sorta dazed him--couldn't understand just how things had happened to come about in that way. Mr. Broback was here as a witness in the Danielson-Roberts lost money lawsuit. The statement, we are told, has been made that this lost money in question was found on the Amerman place, near Phoenix, wherein, as it is averred, it was really found in a henhouse on what used to be the Henry Martin place, and which is now, most of it, inside the incorporated limits of Medford. It was to give evidence as to matters appertaining to the above--part of which was as to the date when the aforesaid mentioned henhouse was built--which was in the fall of 1883-- that Mr. Broback was here. "Purely Personal," Medford Mail, April 15, 1904, page 4 Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Bass entertained a number of young people Wednesday evening at their residence in West Medford, the occasion being the 19th birthday of their daughter, Miss Laura Evans. Various games, music and social converse served as the evening's entertainment. About 10 o'clock delicious refreshments were served the guests. Mr. and Mrs. D. T. Cox gave a most pleasant and enjoyable card party at their residence on North C Street Wednesday evening. The rooms were decorated with festoons of crimson and golden hearts, and pending from the central chandeliers was a "shower" of larger hearts each having the name of a young lady written on them. Before luncheon, which was served later in the evening, each man was blindfolded and allowed to choose a heart, the name written thereon being that of the lady who was to be his partner. In the dining room the "heart" scheme still prevailed, the menu, plates, etc., [were] heart-shaped. The feature of the evening was progressive heart quoits; each table was provided with a center peg. The object being to encircle the peg with as many of the heart-shaped quoits as possible from a distance of several feet. "Society: Medford," Sunday Oregonian, Portland, April 17, 1904, page 21 Emanuel King.
MEDFORD, Or., April 21.--(Special.)--Emanuel King died at his residence
in West Medford yesterday at 6 p.m. of Bright's disease. He was born in
1846 at Sugar Grove, Fairfield County, Ohio, moving from there to
Lisbon, Mich. Two years ago he moved to Medford and has since then been
engaged in the lumber business. He was a member of the Third Michigan
Infantry and was in the first battle of the war that resulted in
destroying a large Confederate force. Mr. King was married to Miss
Otelia Hubert, a native of New York, in 1870, who died in 1880.
At the time of his death Mr. King was a member of the City Council. He leaves 11 children, four girls and seven boys, three living in the East. Oregonian, Portland, April 22, 1904, page 6  April 25, 1904 Oregonian Last Tuesday, while Jos. G. Martin of Antioch was in Medford, his team became frightened and ran away. His wife was in the wagon with him at the time, but escaped without injury by jumping out. Mr. M. stayed with the horses as long as he could, and did not fare quite so well, being thrown to the ground. The animals were soon stopped, however, and before any serious damage resulted. "Brief Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, April 27, 1904, page 1 A Good Man Gone.
MEDFORD, Or., June
5.--(Special.)--The 60th wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. R. T.
Lawton was the occasion of a family reunion held at the residence of
Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Haskins Sunday, May 22. Sixty years ago, on May 22,
1844, at Verona, N.Y., R. T. Lawton and Miss Frances West started
on the journey through life together which has lasted the better part
of a century. In 1846 they moved to Wisconsin, where three children
were born and who were present Sunday--two sons, D. T. and J. W.
Lawton, and one daughter, Mrs. G. H. Haskins, of Medford, and 11
grandchildren, also T. F. West, a brother, and Mrs. E. M. Denison, a
sister of Mrs. Lawton. She also has a brother, J. R. West, who lives in
Reno, Nev. Mrs. L. J. Sears, a friend of over 30 years, and daughter
Fay were present. The spacious rooms were beautifully decorated, white
roses prevailing in the parlor and Jacqueminot roses in the
dining-room, where the tables were arranged so that Mr. and Mrs. R. T.
Lawton faced all the guests. A sumptuous banquet was served at noon by
Mrs. D. T. Lawton and Mrs. G. H. Haskins. In the death of
Emanuel King this community has lost one of its best and most
enterprising citizens. He left the scenes of earthly life at his
residence in Medford on the crossing of April 20th, mourned by many.
Wedding Anniversary and Reunion.Mr. King came from Michigan about three years ago, and has resided here ever since. At the time of his decease he was one of the members of the Jackson County Lumber co., which is engaged in the manufacture of lumber in Poorman's Creek district, located a few miles south of Jacksonville. Mr. King was a veteran of the Civil War, and it was during the national encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic, held at San Francisco in 1903, that he contracted a cold that greatly aggravated the incurable malady (Bright's disease) which he had been suffering with and hastened his end. Mr. King is survived by eleven sons and daughters, all but three of whom reside here. In him they have lost a kind and considerate father, whose place can never be filled. Democratic Times, Jacksonville, April 27, 1904 SOCIETY VS. POLITICS.
Chico Record, Chico, California, May 12, 1904, page 2
At the coming June election the people of Jackson County will also vote
on the question whether or not hogs shall be allowed to run at large.
By order of the county commissioners' court that proposition will be
placed on the official ballot. Considerable complaint has been entered
against allowing swine to run at will; hence it is thought best to
allow the people to say what shall be done in the matter.--Ashland Tidings
Mr. Lawton, who was 84 years old May 3, 1904, is the only living representative of his family on his side. Mrs. Lawton was born at Grafton, N.Y., and will be 79 years old November 4, 1904. They have lived in Medford over 20 years, and both are in comparatively good health. Morning Oregonian, Portland, June 6, 1904, page 4 On Monday of this week a deal was completed by which E. D. Elwood and his family became residents of Medford for some time to come. The deal was the sale of a one-half interest in the fixtures, furniture and business of the Hotel Nash by C. C. Ragsdale to Mr. Elwood. The formal transfer will take place July 1st, but at the present time Mr. Elwood is de facto half owner of the hotel. Mr. Elwood's many friends in Medford, who regretted his departure last fall, are now feeling correspondingly gratified that he has returned once more to engage in business in Medford. George Hamlin and A. Woolf engaged in an altercation Monday afternoon, which finally developed into a physical encounter. Hamlin landed a blow upon Woolf's physiognomy and the latter retaliated by smashing a bottle of medicine he had in his hand over Hamlin's head, then he proceeded to jab his antagonist with the ragged edge of the broken bottle. When the fracas was over Hamlin looked like the picture of a man who had been run over by an automobile. Both were arrested and on pleading guilty before Recorder Toft Tuesday morning were fined $5 each, which fines were paid. The Nash Livery Stable is the place to go when in need of a good rig. Their service is prompt and prices very reasonable. Drivers furnished when wanted. "City Happenings," Medford Mail, June 24, 1904, page 5 H. C. Stoddard:--"I am a stranger in your town, but I hope to remain here. I like your good road proposition. There is manifest in it a spirit of something doing which is commendable. I am of the opinion that the interest--substantial--which you have taken in the good roads matter will have a tendency to induce other business men of the valley to institute similar projects in connection with their business which will in the end materially improve our public thoroughfares. You may place my name on your list of new subscribers--and I will contribute my fifty cents to the Medford road district." A Citizen:--Some of these moonlight nights I'm going to act contrary to the peace and dignity of the city of Medford, and I don't care who knows the reason thereof. Every once in awhile the canine population of this man's burg takes a notion to have vocal exercises, and invariably they choose my neighborhood for a general rendezvous. They start something like the farmer's band that parades the streets before a performance of Joshua Whitcomb. Way in the distance a faint bark is heard, then another in a different direction, then more somewhere else. They keep getting closer and closer, until finally they converge as near as possible to my bedroom window. Some of these times I'm going to load an old-fashioned ten-bore shotgun I know of with slugs, nails and any old thing I can get and take a pot shot at that canine orchestra. The old gun may kick hard enough to kill me, but if the superstition of the Indians is anywhere near right I'll be sure to have plenty of dogs with which to chase game in the 'happy hunting grounds'." "Echoes from the Street," Medford Mail, August 26, 1904, page 1 H. C. Stoddard, an electrician of ten years' experience, has entered the employ of the Condor Light and Water Company and will make Medford his headquarters. Mr. Stoddard will have charge of the installation of all electric motors put in by this company in the valley, and when installed he will have the superintendency of the lines operated. He is a very pleasant gentleman to meet and is fast making friends both for himself and the company. He is right now soliciting for the sale of power in the several towns of the valley, as well as among the farmers who may need power for irrigating purposes. "Additional Personal," Medford Mail, August 26, 1904, page 4 Camp "Nick," on Butte Creek, has been broken up, and the habitués thereof have gone hence to their respective roof trees. That has been, unquestionably, one of the happiest and most congenial camps of outers ever established. It is situated on the banks of Butte Creek, upon land reserved by H. G. Nicholson from his homestead, is easy of access, there is plenty of shade, and the altitude is sufficiently great to warrant an almost continuous cool, bracing atmosphere during the summer months. That its many advantages have been fully appreciated can best be told by those who have been the dwellers thereat for the past four or five weeks. Those who were the last to leave camp and who arrived in Medford Sunday night were Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Nicholson, Dr. and Mrs. Louis Bundy, Mr. and Mrs. W. T. York and children, Loraine and Mildred Bliton, Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Hollis and Mr. Winchers, Gladys and Ethel Curry, Carey and Hildreth Bundy. County Surveyor Jones came in Saturday from the Trail Creek country, where he had been engaged in surveying an irrigating ditch for Mr. Allen, from Rogue River to near the old Trail house. He also surveyed a wagon road from Trail Creek, seven miles above its mouth, to the Briscoe sawmill, a distance of three miles. This survey was made to legalize a road which has long been in existence there, parts of which were being appropriated by individuals. H. Tripp, of Medford, is agent for Dr. Fuller's Heart and Nerve Tablets. Tuesday evening C. W. Palm and J. E. Enyart had a pugilistic encounter upon the street near the Rialto cigar store, the outgrowth of a feud of long standing. After mixing [it] up a little, without particular damage to either, the belligerents were separated and agreed to bury the hatchet--for the time being. Wednesday afternoon they appeared before Recorder Toft, pled guilty and were assessed $10 each as a contribution to the city's exchequer. "City Happenings," Medford Mail, August 26, 1904, page 5 COMMERCIAL CLUB AT MEDFORD
Result of Missionary Work of Oregon Development League.
MEDFORD, Or., Oct. 15.--(Special.)--A movement of great importance to
the people of Medford and the surrounding country has been recently
inaugurated, and last night was crystallized into a definite plan. The
outcome of the efforts made has resulted in a Medford Commercial Club,
which will have a home of its own and a place for meetings, the club to
work for the best interests of this section and to keep its members
sufficiently interested to maintain enthusiasm for the development of
this part of the state and to join and cooperate with the Oregon
Development League for the advancement of the best interests of the
state.
This movement is the outcome of the Oregon Development League's missionary work in Southern Oregon, and will result in such cooperation that this part of the state will be as thoroughly advertised as could be desired. Practically every business man and large producer in this section has already joined the movement, and there is now no doubt of its success. Oregonian, Portland, October 16, 1904, page 6 SHAKE TOWN WITH CANNON.
Jacksonville, Ore., Oct 15.--There is great indignation among business
men and property owners, and the City Council has been asked to guard
against possible repetition of a practical joke.Heavily Loaded Gun Blows Out Plate-Glass Windows. REPUBLIC SPECIAL.
Before daylight Saturday all windows and doors of the United States Hotel and the plate-glass front of the Beekman Bank were demolished. Residents were awakened from their slumbers by the roar of heavy artillery. There was immediate response to the alarm, and hundreds rushed to see what had caused the terrific explosion. In the very center of the city they found a cannon and about it on every hand broken doors, strained walls and shattered glass. It developed that a party of young men had secured possession of a cannon which had lately been used by the Grand Army of the Republic at a celebration. This they dragged to the heart of the city, loaded it to the muzzle, and then fired. The St. Louis Republic, St. Louis, Missouri, October 16, 1904 The Hotel Nash is now conducted by Reddy & Ragsdale. In our account of the change in management last week it was stated that the matter of future management was still undecided, as quite a number of rumors were afloat as to what would be done in this regard. Mr. Ragsdale, however, now retains an interest in the business, and the hotel and its accessories will be carried on the same as of yore. During Mr. Ragsdale's management of the hotel he has made so many and such warm friends among our people that the majority of the citizens of this town will be glad to know that he will remain among us. Dr. Reddy's prominence in business affairs for the development of Southern Oregon are too well known to need comment here. It will suffice to say that he is in touch with large capitalists all over the country and believes in investing capital in developing favorable enterprises. That he has found such investments in Southern Oregon is shown by the interests he already has acquired. The firm of Reddy & Ragsdale has the best wishes of the Mail. Like birds of passage, the touts, roués and thugs are traveling south nowadays to escape the rigors of northern winter. It behooves people to place their valuables under lock and key. Shady characters are stopping off at valley towns en route, and everything portable is liable to turn up missing. Medford has not been inflicted to any great extent with petty thieving this season, owing probably to the fact that offenders of this kind have been apprehended with--to them--painful regularity whenever they "turned a trick" in this man's town. However, the warning conveyed in the above paragraph is not one to be disregarded. J. A. Perry has sold his residence property on South H Street to Samuel Purdy, a recent arrival from Athena, Oregon. The price paid was $1100, and possession is to be given within two weeks. This sale was made through the White & Trowbridge real estate agency. Mr. Perry expects to build a fine residence on his lots, just west from the M.E. Church, South, but he has not decided when he will commence work on it. This week W. H. Gore received a 6-horsepower Fairbanks Morse gasoline engine, which he will use on the Ish farm, wherever power is needed. The engine is mounted upon trucks, so that it can be hauled from place to place, as the exigencies of farm work may require. All such work as pumping, sawing wood, running fanning mills and other farm machinery can be accomplished by this engine, and Mr. Gore expects to keep it busy for a greater part of the year. The Southern Oregon cider vinegar factory is being prepared for the resumption of business. The plant has been recently purchased by the Eugene Cider Vinegar Co., and the new owners now have a force of men at work preparing it for the resumption of business. The new company intends to manufacture cider and vinegar on a large scale. John Messner, of Ashland, who has been sick at the Halley House for the past couple of weeks with a severe attack of pneumonia, died Tuesday morning, and the remains were taken to Ashland for interment. Deceased was about fifty years of age. Street Commissioner Brandenburg was at work last week raising several of the crosswalks. This was done for the purpose of lessening the amount of mud which is quite liable to gather thereon during the winter months. J. C. Carpenter, the gentleman who recently purchased the Fancher place, south of Medford, is doing considerable building on the place and improving it generally. "City Happenings," Medford Mail, November 4, 1904, page 5 Wanted--Good girl to live in small family and go to school. The husband of the lady who wishes this girl is away from home, and she more especially wishes the girl for company. Inquire at this office. "Additional Local," Medford Mail, November 4, 1904, page 8 Lights Made at Gold Ray.
On Wednesday evening the business houses and residents of Medford were
lighted by electricity generated at the Ray dam, about twelve miles
north of here. The transformers arrived Tuesday and were quickly put
into use and the current turned on. The lights are a little brighter
than the old ones, owing to the fact that the wires are carrying 120
volts, whereas, under the old system, 108 was as high as they ever ran.
The dynamo transformer will not be here for several days yet.Medford Mail, December 9, 1904, page 5 |
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