In the following brief mention of the churches of Medford it is not intended to give a full or even partial account of the many interesting features--some pleasant, still others worrisome--which have led up to the present conditions which exist in Medford with regard to its church organizations and its status as a religious community. As will be seen from a group picture printed herewith there are eight houses of worship shown, but within the last few weeks--since this picture was made--another house of worship has been built, it being the Free Methodist. This organization has a membership of about twenty, and they have a cozy little church in which they meet every Sunday for devotional services.
    This organization was perfected and a church was built in 1889. It had at that time a membership of sixty-five; the present membership is 202; Chas. T. McPherson is the present pastor.
    On June 7, 1885, a Baptist organization was effected in Medford, through the efforts of Elder Russell, then a pastor at Ashland; in the fall of 1886 a church was built. At the time of organization there were nine members, one male and eight females. The church now has a membership of about 250; Rev. Frederick W. Carstens is the pastor.
    This church was organized in 1887; the first pastor was F. B. [Ticknor]; the membership was then 30; its membership is now 50; F. B. Williams is the present pastor.
    This church was organized in 1889; a church was built in 1904; Rev. F. Sack was its first pastor, and is still its pastor; the church membership at time of organization was 20; the present membership is 30.
    The Presbyterian Church put up its first church building and dedicated it in 1887. This building was destroyed by fire and the present edifice was built and dedicated in 1895. Rev. M. A. Williams was the first pastor of the Presbyterian Church. The present pastor is Rev. W. F. Shields, who has been here since January 1st, 1903. The membership of the church is 96 in good standing. The Sunday school has a membership of 120.
    The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was built in 1893; its pastor was Roscoe C. Oglesby. The present pastor is Rev. H. B. Yacoubi; the present membership is 136. Several years prior to the erection of the house of worship an organization was effected and services were held in Howard's Hall.
    The Christian Church organization was effected in Medford in 1884, and in 1887 a house of worship was built; the first pastor was Rev. Peterson, and G. S. Walton was its first elder; its membership enrollment at that time was fourteen; it now has a membership of 100. Rev. Corbin is the pastor at this time.
    This church was built in 1888 and has a membership of fifty; Rev. Father Theodore Mattingly is the priest in charge.
Medford Mail, March 9, 1906, page 14

    The Medford Cement & Construction Co. commenced operations last week, manufacturing reinforced cement blocks for building purposes. At present the plant is being operated on a small scale, owing to the difficulty the company has had in securing a location, and the fact that it is almost impossible to secure Portland cement, which enters materially into the construction of the blocks. The first named difficulty they expect to overcome shortly, and the cement proposition will likely adjust itself as soon as the big California factories, which were damaged by the earthquake, shall have resumed business.
    This is the first introduction of the reinforced concrete block for building purposes in Southern Oregon, and the manufacturers expect it to become the popular building material. With cement selling at a normal figure they claim that the material they manufacture is nearly, if not quite, as cheap as brick and much more durable, besides other advantages which they claim for it. One is that the fact of the blocks being hollow makes the building cooler in summer and warmer in winter by means of the ventilation afforded by these air spaces. Another is that all pipes and wires can be run through these hollow blocks, so that neither need show either on the outside of the building.
    The company is now engaged in getting out blocks for the construction of a two-story, 22x25-foot building to be erected by Smith & Molony in the rear of their store, and expect to complete the contract in a short time. The lower story of this building will consist of 12-inch blocks and the upper of 8-inch blocks. The rear will present the appearance of the natural rough stone, while the sides will be smooth to admit of them being used as partition walls should additions be made.
    The company also has orders for blocks for foundations for several new frame dwellings to be built in Medford and vicinity shortly.
Medford Mail, May 11, 1906, page 1

    MEDFORD, Or., May 24.--(Special.)--At a meeting of the Commercial Club last evening the subject discussed was regarding ways and means of acquiring a site for the Catholic school. Archbishop Christie has practically promised that, if Medford will give a site, a Catholic boarding school will be established here. The site that pleased the archbishop most was a five-acre tract belonging to Mr. Hutchinson. The price is $300 per acre, or $1500 for the five acres, which sum is proposed to be raised by popular subscription.
    The committee, which consists of Dr. J. M. Keene, John D. Olwell, Dr. J. F. Reddy, E. Hafer, George L. Davis and D. H. Miller, will commence work tomorrow on the fund account.
Morning Oregonian, Portland, May 25, 1906, page 6


    Fred Luy and family had all kinds of trouble on the first start of their camping trip last week. The wagon carrying their bedding, etc., passed too close to the engine running the county road roller and a spark set the bedding on fire, and it took some lively work on the part of the driver and young Fred Luy to extinguish the flames. Then the baggage wagon took the road to Dead Indian Springs instead of that to McAllister Springs, and as a consequence the Luy party had to borrow "sleeping tools" from the other campers until the lost wagon could be located. Then about the time the party had settled down to rest a messenger came to announce the death of Fred Luy, Sr., at Jacksonville, causing Fred to repeat the thirty-mile ride he had just finished.
"City Happenings," Medford Mail, July 20, 1906, page 5


    MEDFORD, Ore., August 6, 1906.--Medford has no place where the laboring man can spend a few hours profitably and pleasantly. The pool rooms, saloon and the gambling dens are the only places that solicit their presence and offer accommodations and attractions. If the professed Christian people would work as diligently for their cause as the saloon man does for his these conditions would not exist. It is not expected of merchants to arrange seats for the people and entertain them, but it does appear to me that a town the size of Medford, with its thrift, growth and enthusiasm, with its various churches and large membership, should have a reading room, where we could spend a few hours intelligently, though not necessarily an expensive one. I believe the citizens and business men of city and country, when they seriously consider the subject, will favor the same. I am not a pool player or a saloon patron, but on the other side vigorously opposed to both. I do not censure the saloon keeper as severely as some do. I believe some of them will contribute liberally and cheerfully to the much-needed enterprise. I have never known a saloon keeper that was a Christian or even professed to be, but have known scores of men who do profess to be Christians who will on election day vote for men who make the laws that legalizes the saloon to make the drunkard, and then criticize the saloon. It isn't the saloon man who is the most to censure. The church people hold the balance of power, and if they would vote to suppress the cursed traffic instead of making it lawful our cities would be in much better condition and the criminal records would be greatly reduced. I have no vote for the saloon, but have five dollars for a reading room.
Medford Mail, August 10, 1906, page 1


Medford Mail, August 10, 1906, page 5


    The following real estate transactions have been recorded since the last issue of this paper.
    J S Howard to E T Hafer; lots 7 to 12, blk 79, Medford, $1450.
    L I Peart et ux to A S Wells; lots 1 to 3, blk 4, Medford, $1050.
    W. E. Purdy et ux to C H Rogers; lots 31 and 32, blk p, RR add, Ashland, $1.
    C H Webber et ux to W E Wheeler; land in sec 36, tp 32, 3 e, $800.
    P E Engbetson et ux to E T Borgen; land in sec 22, tp 32, 1 w, $1500.
    Geo Chamberlain et ux to T E Rossman; land in tp 38, 1 w, $100.
    John Arnold to J S Ellison et ux; lots 5 and 6, blk 3, Lumsden's add, Medford, $35.
    Chris Ulrich et ux to J E Ellison et al; lot 4, blk 4, Medford, $10.
    US to Susie E Bates; 160 acres in sec 26, tp 37, 3e, patent.
    Susie E Bates to First National Bank Southern Oregon; same land described above, $1100.
    W B Sherman to First National Bank Southern Oregon; ne ¼, sec 26, tp 33, 4 w, $400.
    C F Yokum to J F Benningham; ¼ interest to mining property in tp 33, 4 w, $50.
    Annie E Dean et ux to A P Talent; land in the Broback reservation, $700.
    R H Whitehead to W B Jackson; trust deed to various land near Eagle Point and Central Point, $1.
    W B Jackson to Wm Holmes; lots 13 and 14, blk 6, Central Point, $1.
    F E Martin to J W Hamlin; land in tp 37, 2 w, $200.
    J E Toft et ux to R L Burdic; lot 1, blk 47, Medford, $100.
    US to James W Bates; se ¼, sec 28, tp 34, 3 e.
    US to T F Shaw; land in sec 32, tp 34, 2 e.
    US to Bessie Nickell; nw ¼, sec 8, tp4, 3 e.
    A M Purves et ux to M J Tibbetts; 8 acres in tp 38, 1 w, $1.
    Francis M Centers et ux to M S Thompson; se ¼, sec 4, tp 37, 1 e, $100.
    Wm M Holmes et ux to W E Price; lots 13 and 14, blk 6, Central Point, $600.
    A P Talent et ux to J C Emerick; property in Medford, $2200.
    R W Gray et ux to E L Balcom; lots 10 to 13, blk 1, Medford, $4750.
    G T Farnsworth to N Cooke; lot 2, blk 2, Whitney's add to Medford, $940.
Medford Mail, August 10, 1906, page 3


    Mrs. E. H. Burke is a guest  for 10 days of her sister, Mrs. Hunt Lewis, at the Lewis ranch, at Medford.
"Society: Medford," Sunday Oregonian, Portland, August 19, 1906, page 26


    Mrs. E. H. Brooke and Miss Margretta Brooke are home again from a three weeks' visit at Medford, Or. with Mrs. Brooke's sister, Mrs. Hunt Lewis.
"Society: Medford," Sunday Oregonian, Portland, August 19, 1906, page 26


    Things are booming at the coal mine east of Medford nowadays and they will boom more pretty quick.
    Just at present twenty-five men are employed in and about the mine. The engine, hoist and other machinery is on the ground, and buildings are being constructed for the use of the men and to house the machinery.
    A cook house, bunk house and other necessary buildings are being rushed to completion, and as soon as these arrangements for the comfort and convenience of employees are finished the working force will be at least doubled and work will go on night and day.
    The company means business, and as the coal is there for the digging, the success of the enterprise is assured.
    The full extent of the advantages to be reaped by the location of a coal mine in such close proximity to Medford are difficult to realize. Outside of the payroll of such an enterprise, the presence of a large body of coal will bring about the location nearby of various other enterprises, which would not otherwise come here on account of the lack of such fuel. It will ensure the building of a railroad from this city to the copper mines, thus securing the bulk of the trade of that big enterprise.
    This coal mine is one of the biggest cards Medford has just at present, and taken with the others--timber, fruit, copper and gold--makes up a hand pretty hard to beat.
Medford Mail, September 28, 1906, page 1


    Martin G. Hoge, the city attorney of Medford, who was convicted July 27th last on a charge of conspiracy to defraud the government out of its public lands in conjunction with the operatives of Miller and Kincart and Charles Nickell, was yesterday removed to the county jail from the Good Samaritan Hospital, where he has been confined ever since a jury found him guilty in the federal court.
    Although Hoge is still quite ill, it was thought he was able to endure jail life for awhile, as he was only sentenced to four months' imprisonment in addition to a fine of $500. In all probability he will not be called upon to pay this amount, as he may plead the "poor debtor" act if he feels so disposed.
    Hoge will pass the remainder of his term in the same cell with S. A. D. Puter unless his physical condition becomes such as to necessitate his return to the hospital. Last night he was unable to leave his prison couch.--Sunday Oregonian.
Medford Mail, September 28, 1906, page 4


    The Southern Pacific R.R. Co. has given out news that 10,000 Dunkards are heading for California from the states of Ohio, Illinois, Kansas and Missouri. A large colony is to be located in Butte Creek Valley, this county, where the Dunkards have purchased 10,000 acres of the Miller tract. They will locate two towns on the projected line of the S.P.R. Co., which is to run to Klamath Falls, Ore. They also intend, it is said, to increase their colony in size, and make Butte Creek Valley the largest Dunkard settlement in the world.--Yreka Journal.
"A Brief Record of Local Events," Rogue River Courier, Grants Pass, October 19, 1906, page 5


    James M. Campbell, formerly of this county, writes us from Tolo, Jackson County, Oregon, ordering the Advocate for one year, "because," he says, "I must have Humboldt's news."
"Breezy Brevities," Blue Lake Advocate, Blue Lake, California, October 27, 1906, page 4


    Percy McKenzie, for some months foreman of the News, left for his home, in Jackson County, Oregon, on the 9th inst. Mr. McKenzie is a thorough printer.
    Dr. J. G. Goble, optician, who has been in this county for the past month, left Tuesday for his home in Southern Oregon. He will return to this section next spring.
"Local Events," Del Norte Record, Crescent City, November 17, 1906, page 3


    The funeral of Laurence Steele was held in the M.E. Church, Smith River, Saturday afternoon, November 10th, Rev. Wallace Cutter, pastor of the church, officiating. Deceased was born in Jackson County, Oregon, in 1882. He was always an industrious, kind and thoughtful son and brother. The sympathy of the people go out toward the family.
Del Norte Record, Crescent City, November 17, 1906, page 3


    One sure sign that Jackson County in general, the Rogue River Valley in particular, are beginning to get the outside recognition to which it has long been entitled, and which is but the forerunner of a large immigration, is the avidity with which the Portland papers are seeking material and copy regarding this valley. A close observer will perhaps have observed that Medford and Jackson County during the past few months have received a great deal more space in the journals of the metropolis than any other section of the state. Little of this has been politics or speculation, hut records of actual events in our mines and timber and wonderful record-breaking stunts in our fruit products and vegetation. This is the advertising that pays and that the valley deserves.
    J. A. Westerlund, of Chicago, president of the Western Oregon Orchard Company, who has just arrived in Medford, was in Portland the other day and in conversation with a representative of the Evening Journal told something of his immense enterprise, which lies not far from our city limits. This company has 400 acres planted and will during the coming winter plant 600 acres more, the land now being prepared to receive 30,000 trees, which have already been ordered.
    Telling of this enterprise, Mr. Westerlund said: "We first had our attention attracted to Oregon as an apple state several years ago by the Hood River apple business. Since then I have made twenty-nine trips from Chicago to this section of the country. We purchased our first land in Jackson County at $20 an acre. The last acreage bought cost us $75 per acre. It was a rapid increase of land values around our orchard enterprise, but we had to pay it. We have to the present time planted 20,000 trees and have 30,000 more now ordered. Our work has been done quietly and until the present time we have not been willing to say anything about it for publication. We believe Oregon is the greatest apple section in the United States and that this industry will make fortunes for a great many people. It will distance the profit and prosperity that grew out of the orange business in Southern California."
    The company conducts its business on a unique plan that has not been tried before in the fruit business. Each acre planted to trees represents a share, valued at $400. It is estimated that when the trees are in bearing they will yield a good dividend on the valuation, year after year, and that the yield can be continued indefinitely. Fred Lundahl, formerly of Portland, is the manager and resides on the property.
    Mr. Westerlund has been making an investigation of the grape growing industry and demand in Oregon and has determined to enter extensively into that branch of horticulture. He has ordered grape plants for planting thirty-five aces and will increase the vineyard to 100 acres.
    The above order of trees is placed with the Woodburn Nurseries, Woodburn, Ore., Dillard Cooke, general agent, North Yakima, Washingtonm and consists of 18,000 apples, 11,000 pears, 600 cherries, 900 peaches and 300 apricots, 7000 grapes, and in addition last year the same firm furnished 5000 pears, 200 cherries, 250 peaches, 250 apricots, 250 prunes, and two years ago 6000 assorted trees.
    There must be some merit to the trees furnished by a nursery when such large planters get their trees from year to year from the same concern. This nursery has been sending their products into the Rogue River country for over forty years, and some of the pears from their trees sold this season for better than $8 per box, and E. Spitzenbergs for $4.50 per box.
    The founder of the Woodburn nursery, J. H. Settlemier, is a pioneer of '49, having crossed the plains by ox team when a boy of 9 years of age, and has lived in the Willamette Valley ever since. He worked in the nursery of his father, afterward going into business for himself at the present location in 1863, continuing until 1892, when his son, F. W. Settlemier, succeeded to the ownership.
    The product of the nursery has been shipped to very near every civilized country in the world, and numbers among its customers some of the largest planters of the day. You will make no mistake by buying from a firm that has grown up in the business and offers as a testimony the evidence of being able to find the same people always at the same old stand. When you are ready to place your order see Mr. Cooke and your wants will have the same attention as if sent direct to the nursery.
Yakima Herald, November 28, 1906, page 5