Rev. Joseph Sheerin, of Renovo, Pa., arrived in Portland Thursday night, and will take charge of the Medford Episcopal Church today.
"Busy Year Is Outlined for Y.M.C.A. Youths," Sunday Oregonian, Portland, January 7, 1912, page B6


    Medford, Or.: The Christian church here is planning the const. of a church bldg. at a cost of $8,000. Work will be commenced very soon.
"Schools and Churches," Pacific Builder and Engineer, Seattle, January 13, 1912, page 44


    Osgood & Cummings, engineers, Medford, Oregon, are making extensive improvements in their offices on the third floor of the Medford National Bank building.
"Greater Northwest," Pacific Builder and Engineer, Seattle, January 20, 1912, page 52


    Ashland, Or.: E. A. Estes will erect an 8-sto. bungalow on North Main St., work to start early in spring. Price not stated.
    Medford, Or.: H. E. Gates, owning 13 lots on Rose Ave., will erect a bungalow on each of them, work to start February 1.
"Residences," Pacific Builder and Engineer, Seattle, January 20, 1912, page 66


    Medford, Or.: The California-Oregon Power Co. has been organized to operate here. Capital $10,000,000.
"Power and Light," Pacific Builder and Engineer, Seattle, January 20, 1912, page 67


    Medford, Or.: The Natatorium Co. has been organized to take over old Natatorium bldg. and make it into an opera house at cost of $75,000.
"Theaters and Halls," Pacific Builder and Engineer, Seattle, January 27, 1912, page 88


    Medford, Or., Water Main: The city council has authorized the laying of a 4-inch water main on E. 9th St., from Portland Ave. to city limits.
    Medford, Or., Improvements: Bids are being recd. by Robt. W. Telfer, recorder, for purchase of 6-percent 10-year imp. bonds to amount of $22,000. Bids opened Feb. 6, 1912.
"Municipal," Pacific Builder and Engineer, Seattle, January 27, 1912, page 89


    Medford, Or.: F. C. Clark, archt., is working on plans for a public market to be erected on South Riverside St.
"Public," Pacific Builder and Engineer, Seattle, February 3, 1912, page 108


    H. H. Howell, recently of Alberta, Canada, has been secured as the new musical director of the Medford, Or. brass band. Mr. Howell is stated to be a composer as well as an excellent band leader.
"Music," Sunday Oregonian, Portland, February 18, 1912, page 42


    Pavement, 9.17 miles, cost $434,536.23; sewers, $55,377.92; water mains, $77,399.86; concrete walks, $16,187.15; miscellaneous, $1,328.21; street lighting, 52 clusters on Main Street. Estimate for 1912: Paving, 50,000 square yards; cement walks, five miles; sewers, four miles; water mains, three miles; fire department, auto fire engine, cost $5,500.--O. Arnspiger, city engineer.
"Engineering Works in 1911," Pacific Builder and Engineer, Seattle, February 24, 1912, page 167


    Medford, Or.: First M.E. church will erect new edifice in bungalow style, at cor. 3rd and N. Bartlett sts. Est. cost, $12,000, wood or cement blocks.
"Schools and Churches," Pacific Builder and Engineer, Seattle, February 24, 1912, page 170


    Medford, Or.: It is probable the const. of a post office bldg. here will be started this summer.
"Public," Pacific Builder and Engineer, Seattle, March 16, 1912, page 229


    Medford, Or.: The Federal Telegraph Co. has purchased an 11-acre tract near Central Point and will erect two 300-ft. towers and all necessary appliances.
"Business," Pacific Builder and Engineer, Seattle, March 30, 1912, page 272


    Medford, Or., Paving: The city council has decided to pave five streets the coming season.
"Municipal," Pacific Builder and Engineer, Seattle, March 30, 1912, page 273


    Nevertheless, there is a good deal of boosting done for this locality by the Commercial Club and real estate men. All reports of mechanics being wanted here are false, and migrating brothers are warned not to place any credence in them. This place is one of the best places for a person with plenty of money, the climate cannot be beat, but we cannot live solely on the climate; in order to live we must have work and this, let it be said again, is very scarce here at this time. Stay away!
"News Notes from Local Unions," The Carpenter, April 1912, page 39


    Medford, Or.: The city council has instructed the Recorder to advertise for bids for the const. of a public market bldg. on Riverside.
"Business," Pacific Builder and Engineer, Seattle, April 13, 1912, page 308


    Medford, Or.: Benjamin Collins, Geo. L. Davis and J. T. Gagnon have incorporated the Pine Timber Co. with a capital of $100,000. The company will operate in the neighborhood of Medford.
"Lumber and Mills," Pacific Builder and Engineer, Seattle, April 13, 1912, page 310


    Medford, Or.: S. Childers has been awarded the cont. for the cement and brk. work on the new market bldg. at this pl.
"Public," Pacific Builder and Engineer, Seattle, April 20, 1912, page 349


    Gold Hill, Or.: W. J. Morgan and H. H. McCarthy, of Medford, have been making an investigation regarding the establishment of a $20,000 concentrating plant here.
"Mining," Pacific Builder and Engineer, Seattle, April 20, 1912, page 351


    Medford, Or.: Cont. of the brick and mason work on the new market bldg. has been let to S. Childers.
"Business," Pacific Builder and Engineer, Seattle, April 27, 1912, page 367


    Medford, Or., Knives: Case & Son Cutlery Co. has under consideration the const. of a factory here for the manufacture of pocket knives and razors if arrangements can be made with the city.
"Manufacturing," Pacific Builder and Engineer, Seattle, May 4, 1912, page 387


    The art of wireless telegraphy, which was conceived only a few years ago, has made remarkable advancement during the past few years. Many of the new developments, however, have been perfected in private laboratories and testing stations and have not been disclosed to the public.
    The latest achievement in wireless telegraphy is the successful operation of a system for transmission over land, which meets the wire companies on an equal footing in commercial competition.
    In the evolution of this system, many obstacles have been surmounted which should be understood to appreciate the transition from the "ship type" of wireless to a successful system competent to meet land competition.
    The new "arc" system, which the Federal Telegraph Company of San Francisco has developed to a high degree of efficiency, is based on the discovery of the Danish inventor Poulsen. It offers many advantages hitherto unattained by the generally known "spark" systems, using a reasonable amount of power.
    The new system affords all the best features of a wire system, and many advantages, as follows:
    The ability to transmit long distances over land and obstacles at all times of day and under all atmospheric conditions.
    The ability to communicate with any desired station of the system without interference from other stations working simultaneously.
    The transaction of business at all times without interfering with or being interfered with by boat signals, land stations or United States government business employing other systems of wireless transmission.
    The secret transmission of messages: These wireless signals are not audible to the ordinary type of wireless receiving apparatus and, even if heard, are unreadable as the signals are sent out inverted--that is, dots are sent as dashes and vice versa, making the message a mere confusion of sounds.
    Another important feature about the arc system is that the numerous amateur stations cannot interfere, in the least, with their transmission.
    The new system also allows a number of different messages to be sent or received simultaneously from any station, providing an increase in capacity to meet the demands of growing business.
    Another feature is rapid mechanical transmission of several messages simultaneously, each at the rate of 200 to 300 words per minute, and recording the messages on a tape at the receiving end. This assures the handling of a large volume of business and press work.
    The wireless land station has an obvious advantage over the wire lines when overhead wires are considered. The wireless aerials are put up in a most substantial manner to withstand any weather conditions and are under the surveillance of the operator at all times--the upkeep and replacement of poles and the expense of construction and trouble men is eliminated. The delays caused by broken wire circuits are avoided, also of relays necessitated in bridging temporary breaks in the wire circuits.
    These are some of the salient features of the new wireless system which were required to place wireless telegraphy in a position to compete with the highly developed wire telegraphy.
    Transmission between boats and shore has no competition except from a wireless source, and the limitations of the original systems were not serious. But, in soliciting land business from the hypercritical business men who demand the quickest service and the greatest accuracy, radical improvements were necessary, and these problems have been met and solved by the new system.
    The Federal Telegraph Company, with headquarters at San Francisco, has developed, at great expense and through several years of continuous experiment under actual working conditions, a practical wireless system meeting every requirement of the highest class of service.
    It is a Pacific Coast achievement, and the company is financed by western capital.
    The chain of stations operating at present extends from Seattle, through Oregon, California, as far south as El Paso, and as far east as Chicago. The company is continually extending its scope and erecting new stations at important points throughout the United States. When it is considered that each station represents an expenditure of between ten and twenty thousand dollars, the magnitude of the undertaking can be appreciated.
    The Federal Telegraph Company has established better rates than the wire lines, allowing fifteen words for the same amount the wire companies charge for ten words. The new company also meets the regular day and night letter rates for fifty words and makes a special rate on day and night letters of thirty-five words, which is about 10 percent lower than the fifty-word messages.
    The company builds all its own apparatus and buys all its supplies on this coast. They have purchased a number of electric generators from the Seattle firm of Kilbourne & Clark Manufacturing Company.
    The Pacific Builder and Engineer has had occasion to use this wireless service and was pleased with the results.
    It is hoped that a legitimate wireless concern which asks only for commercial business will receive the support of our western business men.
Pacific Builder and Engineer, Seattle, May 4, 1912, page 387


    Medford, Or., Brick: H. A. Jansen, Chicago, has started work on the bldg. to be occupied by his brick factory. The machinery is on the way and as soon as installed will commence the manufacture of hydraulic brick, bldg. blks., caps, arches, chimneys and fancy designs of all kinds.
"Manufacturing," Pacific Builder and Engineer, Seattle, May 4, 1912, page 388


    Medford, Or.: The county court has ordered the const. of a bridge over Bear Creek at a cost of $40,000. Of this sum the city will pay $13,500 and will make all repairs in the future. The structure will be of steel and conc. const.
"Bridges," Pacific Builder and Engineer, Seattle, May 11, 1912, page 417


    The new auto stage line between Medford and Jacksonville has been abandoned.
"News of the Northwest," Statesman Journal, Salem, May 16, 1912, page 4


    Arenz & Son, contractors formerly located at North Yakima, have moved to and opened offices at Medford, Oregon.
"Business Changes," Pacific Builder and Engineer, Seattle, May 25, 1912, page 439


    Jacksonville, Or.: The county commrs. will receive bids until June 4 for the const. of a reinf. conc. or steel bridge over Bear Creek in the city of Medford. Plans and spec. on file with the county clerk at the courthouse.
"Bridges," Pacific Builder and Engineer, Seattle, May 25, 1912, page 450


    Medford, Ore., May 24.--Although the Rogue River Valley fruit crop is not sufficiently matured to place an estimate definitely, Prof. P. J. O'Gara believes 800 cars of pears and apples will be shipped from Jackson County during the season. Of this number 40 percent will be pears and the balance apples.
    This estimate does not include apricots, peaches and cherries, and no estimate can be obtained upon these fruits at this time as the orchards that are coming into bearing are not watched as closely as are the orchards of pears and apples.   
    Prof. O'Gara states that in a portion of the valley he has found a good crop prospect, and even the Winter Nelis, which were supposed to to have pollinated enough to secure a full crop, are looking better. The expense of thinning is the greatest one for the orchardists now, and the work will be begun soon. At the present time codling moth is being sprayed for and will be continued for the next two weeks.
The Chicago Packer, May 25, 1912, page 14




    1904: J. W. J. Marion is a physician at 333 S. Orange St., Medford, Ore.
    1905: H. C. Egan is manager of the Egan Orchard Co., situated at Medford, Ore. His company owns 115 acres which are devoted to the raising of apples and pears for the fancy market. Other 1905 men at Medford are A. St. V. Carpenter and Whitcomb Field, the latter having only recently purchased a small place of about 20 acres, which has been partly developed.
"News from the Classes," The Harvard Graduates' Magazine, June 1912, page 732 and 734




    Medford, Ore., May 31.--The Rogue River district this year is practically free from orchard blights, after a four years' fight by Prof. P. J. O'Gara. After a vigorous fruit inspection and weeding out of trees infected, a banner crop for 1912 is expected by orchardists of this section.
    During the winter orchard owners were requested to visit all their trees and weed out the infection before the sap got into the branches and spread the disease when the trees began to bloom. Realizing the importance of such a campaign, all who had signs of blight in the previous years worked strenuously at pruning off infected branches. As a result, not a single case has been reported this year.
    Rigid laws passed by the County Court empowered the fruit inspectors to order all infected trees cut to the ground. This had its effect the first year, when the orchardists, realizing the importance of keeping their orchards in a clean state, took up the work in earnest.
The Chicago Packer, June 1, 1912, page 8


    Medford, Or.: The county commrs. will receive bids until June 4, 1912, for the const. of a reinf. conc. or steel bridge over Bear Creek in the city of Medford. Plans and spec. on file with the county clerk at the county courthouse, Jacksonville.
"Bridges," Pacific Builder and Engineer, Seattle, June 1, 1912, page 472

    Four men are dead, two others cling to life by a slender thread, momentarily expected to break, and two others maimed for the rest of their days, is the toll taken by an explosion of powder and dynamite at the county quarry, near Jacksonville, operated by Twohy Brothers, Thursday morning about 11:30 o'clock.
    The dead, killed instantly, are:
    Louis Bogdon, aged 40 years, powderman, blown to shreds.
    Louis Layovich, helper to Bogdon, crushed and mangled by the force of the explosion.
    John Simmons, aged 35 years, a resident of Jacksonville, crushed by a huge rock loosened by the force of the explosion. Simmons was working beneath the scene of the explosion.
    James Ryan, living with his mother in Jacksonville, and her only support, employed as a water boy, at the time making his way to Bogdon and Layovich to give them a drink, killed by flying rocks, died in Sacred Heart hospital half an hour later.
    The fatally injured, to whom but a slight chance of recovery is given, are:
    John Sutton, laborer, middle aged, leg broken, many bruises, and suffering from the shock.
    Emery Vissino, laborer, resident of Jacksonville for a number of years, internal injuries and bruises.
    The seriously injured, reported out of danger, are:
    J. Bodovich, Greek laborer, bruises and cuts about chest and limbs.
    John Zunello, arm broken, cut and bruised.
    Carl Byrne, head hurt by flying rock.
    Out of the many theories advanced as to the exact cause of the accident, the most plausible is that it was caused by friction. It is believed that the tamping stick end was covered with sand, and that when Bogdon drove it into the hole, a sandpaper effect followed which ignited the powder, followed by an explosion which hurled three into eternity. A box of powder and dynamite used for "bulldozing" was standing hard by, and to this is attributed the heavy force of the explosion.
    It was also rumored that the tamping was done with a "spoon rod" used to lift dirt out of the powder hole, but was not confirmed. Foreman Perry of the crew stated that the explosion might have been caused by the use of a rod heated in the sun's rays, but thought that sand on the end of the rod was the most plausible theory. He also stated that as far as he knew no one was smoking cigarettes at the time of the accident. Louis Bogdon, the powder man, according to Perry, had recently sold a mine in Alaska for $13,000, and had handled explosives in many forms for over twenty years. Bogdon was regarded as a careful man.
    The explosion, which was no different than half a dozen heard in Jacksonville every day, attracted no attention until a messenger ran hurriedly down the principal street spreading the news of the accident. Every man in the quiet town rushed to the scene, and the injured hurried to the Sacred Heart hospital. Women and children gathered, fearful lest their own husbands and fathers were among the dead or maimed. The injured cared for, thought was given to the dead.
    Lying beneath a manzanita tree, 250 feet above the spot where the explosion occurred, was the torn, mangled form of Bogdon. He had been hurled straight up, and his body in its downward fall had crashed through telephone lines and the limbs of the trees. Bogdon's right arm was found in a rock car the same distance in the opposite direction.
    Layovich, helper to Bogdon, was hurled three hundred feet through the air and struck a pole. Practically every bone in his body was broken by the force of the concussion. Ryan, the water carrier, lay in the path that leads up to the powder hole. Simmons was found beside a handcar, its heavy iron sides crushed by the explosion.
Ashland Tidings, June 10, 1912, page 1




    MEDFORD, Or., Aug. 13.--Rev. John Howard, well known in this city, being a brother of Horace and S. T. Howard, Jr., and interested in the Medford Furniture and Hardware business block at Sixth and Central streets, was probably fatally injured Tuesday morning by being accidentally shot while on a hunting trip about 20 miles from Glendale.
    Only meager details of the accident have reached Medford, one report stating that doctors had started for the scene of the accident with but little hope of saving Howard's life. He was shot through the body. His brothers, Horace and S. T., Jr., left immediately in an auto for the scene of the accident with a doctor and a trained nurse.
Morning Oregonian, Portland, August 14, 1912, page 14


    MEDFORD, Or., Aug. 21.--(Special.)--With six cars of Bartlett pears averaging $1.70 a box f.o.b. Medford, and another car sold in New York today, averaging $2.50 f.o.b. New York, the ranchers of the Rogue River Valley believe they are entering upon the most prosperous year in their history. In 1911 $1.50 was the maximum, and many cars sold as low as $1, while there were practically no apples in the valley.
    This year the pear crop is three times as large as last year, the pears are unusually uniform and large sized, and it is predicted that now the California crop is practically disposed of the Southern Oregon fruit will enter a constantly rising market. The entire output will approximate 150 cars.
    The apple crop is a record-breaker. The trees are so heavily loaded that scaffolding has to be used throughout the orchards to prevent the limbs from breaking. Where there were less than 100 cars shipped out in 1911 there will be between 500 to 500 in 1912, and the size and color of the fruit will be the finest in the history of the valley.
Morning Oregonian, Portland, August 22, 1912, page 1


    Officials learned the name of the bandit who held up six mail clerks on the Union Pacific train between here and Kansas City and later was shot and captured. He is Will Lounsberry of Medford, Ore., who was formerly a mail clerk
The Ordway New Era, Ordway, Colorado, August 30, 1912


    Dr. J. E. Shearer has changed his address from Medford, Oregon to Glendale, Arizona.
"News Items," The California Eclectic Medical Journal, September 1912, page 238