Rogue River Valley in general and Medford in particular should and will enjoy a most prosperous year in 1914. Our lands are maintained at good prices, none of our first-class orchard properties are offered at a price less than in 1910. The fruit production should exceed that of 1913 by 25 percent. We are again doing something in the way of shipping out meat products. In 1910 we shipped in 75 carloads of potatoes; the year just closed we exported many carloads of garden products. Everything agriculturally is tending towards a stable and solvent condition which will bring in its turn a satisfactory prosperity.
    The Toggery feels very optimistic as to the future business prospect of the Rogue River Valley and city of Medford. The big volume of trade this fall, and especially the past thirty days, we feel is due to the successful fruit season and is only an indication of what a few industries which furnish permanent payrolls would mean toward additional prosperity.
    I have more than one reason to believe the prospects for the Rogue River Valley for 1914 will be good. The correspondence received by the Commercial Club has more life to it than a few months ago. People are really in earnest about coming to Oregon. The majority are in comparatively moderate circumstances but want assurance that while they are willing to work hard they want to know about our markets and net profits. The crop reports that have been collected for The Mail Tribune New Year edition are splendid, and 1,000 copies will be sent out to these people. We think it will be convincing, and the plans mapped out by the Commercial Club for 1914 is to give Medford a larger payroll. The public will be invited some time soon to hear Mr. D. M. Lowe of Ashland give his illustrated lecture and experiences at the Chicago land show, and if you are looking through blue glasses you will not need them after you hear him.
    Much is the concern of many people regarding prospects and prosperity of the Rogue River Valley for the coming year, and justly so, for perhaps there is no other country in the West so widely known and looked to as a criterion of future prospects as is this valley and Medford.
    Never in history has this valley been blessed with such abundant crops and good prices, causing all to wear an optimistic smile, not only farmer or fruit grower, but the merchant as well.
    Our business passed all previous records in 1913, and, taking a view of 1914 from all angles, one can only predict greater results for the coming year.
    Our best wish for all is a happy and a prosperous New Year.
    We are very optimistic as to future business conditions in the Rogue River Valley. Considering the condition of [the] valley at the beginning of the year 1913, we have had an exceedingly good trade. The conditions now, at the first of the new year, are much better than they were a year ago, due to a good fruit crop bringing good prices, also to the farmers raising a more diversified crop, and more stock to put on the market.
    The prospects are for more advancement in the country than in the towns, and this in itself is a very satisfactory indication to the merchant, as a town will always keep up with the country.
    The year 1913 did not start out very promising, but it has far exceeded our expectations and has turned out to be the most prosperous one for us that we have had. We start the new year full of confidence in the future of Medford, believing that it is the best place to live, the best place to do business, and has the best people in America. There is no reason why 1914 should not be the best year for everyone. Let us do our best to make it so.
    In my opinion, said T. E. Daniels of the Daniels for Duds store, there never was so much reason for optimism on the part of the business man as at the present time. Locally we have passed through the trying period that every small city experiences after a rapid growth. Medford has stood the test, and in spite of all that has been said to the contrary, when compared with the other cities of the state we find our city has had its full share of business and has felt a comparatively small depression which has existed generally throughout the country since the Roosevelt panic in 1907. I am extremely optimistic in regard to the effect of the currency bill on business in the very near future, and the endorsement of the measure now that it has passed by a great number of the banks and other financial institutions of importance, I regard as evidence that we have a bright future to look forward to in business during the coming year. I have enjoyed a splendid increase in my business through the entire fall season, which to me is somewhat of "the proof of the pudding."
    The new year gives hope for the return of prosperity, and conditions without optimism point to, all things being equal, the most prosperous and happiest year so far recorded. The woes of 1913 were caused by man. In the readjustment now under way, the mistakes will be overcome. There was no unkind visitation of providence, nature was kind, and a new spirit of hope and optimism abides in the heart of the Rogue River Valley today with 1914 and its golden promises.
"How Medford Merchants nd Leading Firms View 1914 Prospects from Prosperity Angle; Optimistic," Medford Sun, January 1, 1914, page 6


Southern Pacific Western Pacific Bulletin, Southern Pacific Co., San Francisco, January 15, 1914, page 6

    MEDFORD, Or., Jan. 28.--(Special.)--Boys less than 15 years old who attempt to smoke tobacco, and particularly cigarettes, may get into trouble hereafter, for the women of the Greater Medford Club have launched a campaign to stop the violation of the smoking law.
    Mrs. F. E. Merrick, the second vice-president of the State Federation of Women's Clubs, who attended the annual meeting in Portland recently, read her report before the Greater Medford Club and urged an anti-cigarette campaign.
    The women approved the idea, and hereafter youths seen smoking will be reported.
Morning Oregonian, Portland, January 29, 1914, page 3


Medford Mail Tribune, February 18, 1915, page 3

    Medford, Ore., Feb. 20.--According to a report compiled from the statistics of the Southern Pacific, the Rogue River Valley from Grants Pass to Ashland shipped 1,159 carloads of fruit in 1913, besides the berries and small fruits shipped by express. There were 669 cars of apples, 426 pears and 18 cars of peaches.

"Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, March 9, 1914, page 2

    MEDFORD, Or., March 21.--(Special.)--The people of Medford crowded the streets and yelled themselves hoarse today at the sight of the first city trolley car in actual operation. Tomorrow, with J. S. Howard, the first mayor of he city, on the front platform, the city officials and prominent business men as passengers, the official opening of the line will be made by a run from the Medford National Bank corner to the city limits. There will be only one car at present, but more will be added as soon as the traffic justifies.
    C. G. Bullis, resident manager, announced that work would start at once upon the extension of the road to the city reservoir and return, making a total of four miles.
Sunday Oregonian, Portland, March 22, 1914, page 7


    Mr. and Mrs. Walter Bowne are making plans to go to Medford, Or. and make their future home. They left Monday evening to select their residence and will leave Portland in a few weeks for the famous orchard section.
Gertrude P. Corbett, "Society News," Morning Oregonian, Portland, March 25, 1914, page 12

    A "run" that stands out prominently in the annals of railroading was recently made by an oil tank train that left Richmond, Cal., bound for the Rogue River apple district, where frosts threatened the wholesale destruction of the coming season's apple crop in Southern Oregon.
    In response to the frantic appeals of the apple growers, who needed the oil for orchard heating, a train of seven cars was made up by the Standard Oil Company at Richmond refinery in less than four hours after receipt of the telegraphic dispatch stating conditions in the apple country. Fifteen hours later the oil arrived at Medford, Ore., its destination. Luck as well as organization contributed to the success of the undertaking, for had the call not come at a time when conditions along the line were especially favorable, the splendid time might not have been possible.

    Medford, Ore., July 10. The Medford Creamery has been sold by Mrs. W. A. Chappell to A. A. Moody of Ashland, who has already taken charge. Mr. Moody has had wide experience in the dairy and creamery business, having operated for 15 years in Troy, N.Y., and was recently with Kent Brothers creamery at Eugene.

    Medford, Ore., July 24.--Preparations are being made for the packing of the early fruit, which will start August 1. Boxes are being made, wrapping paper secured and crews selected. Indications point to a successful year. The fruit is less diseased than last year and although not as heavy is of a finer quality.    

    J. W. Johnson has leased space in the Medford Book Store and will open a jewelry store there on September 15, carrying a modern stock of watches, diamonds, jewelry and silverware.
    Mr. Johnson was raised in Medford but has been in business in Spokane, Washington and Jerome, Idaho for several years. He is [a] jeweler and repairer of seventeen years experience and is glad to get back to Medford and the Rogue River Valley.
Medford Mail Tribune, September 12, 1914, page 6

    CANYONVILLE, Or., Oct. 12.--(Special.)--Riddle has lost one of its pioneer residents in the person of John Bouseman Riddle, who passed away at his home after a brief illness Sunday. Born in Sangamon County, Illinois, on November 9, 1844, he crossed the plains in 1851 and settled with his parents in the neighborhood of what is now the town of Riddle. At 19 years of age he married, but had the misfortune to lose his young bride and child by drowning. He married Miss Mary F. Catching, the first white child born in Douglas County, in 1867.
    He is survived by his widow and five children--Mrs. D. W. Crosby, Mrs. George F. Frater and E. W. Riddle, all of Riddle; Mellie F. Staffer, of Taft, Cal., and J. B. Riddle, of Roseburg.
    At the time of his death Mr. Riddle was the president of the Riddle State Bank, of which he was the organizer. He has served also as mayor of the town. The funeral will be held at Riddle on Wednesday at 2 p.m.
Morning Oregonian, Portland, October 13, 1914, page 7

My dear John
    Yours of the 26th was forwarded to me here, where I have been doing a little campaigning.
    It is very hard to size up the situation here this year. The Democrats have the best organization, and Putnam of the Tribune exerts a greater influence than he is generally credited with. The estimates on results vary widely. Prohis claim Jackson by 2000--antis concede drys about 500. The conservative estimate is about 1000 dry majority.
    Chamberlain appears to be a strong favorite in Jackson--his majority being estimated at from 250 to 1000. The situation may be altered by Booth's visit here today and tomorrow and also by the final spurt of the Ladies' Hanley Club, led by Mrs. Ed Hanley & Mrs. Reddy, but it seems certain that George will get a substantial majority. The general idea seems also to be that Smith will carry the county, but by a smaller majority. They rely on a sweeping majority in Ashland on account of the strong prohibition feeling there.
    In Josephine they figure on a dry majority of about 250--about the same for Chamberlain, and a tossup for the governorship. These predictions are widely at variance with the registration figures, but represent the consensus of opinion so far as anything reliable can be ascertained. The Republican organization is really a joke, while the Demos have been working like H--l.
Correspondence 1914, Mss 1500 6/10, Oregon Historical Society Research Library

    MEDFORD, Or., Dec. 4.--(Special.)--At a meeting of the city council last night, a committee was appointed to investigate the new city charter, and it is expected an election will be called before the end of the month, when the charter will be presented to the people.
    The new charter, which has been the result of nearly 10 months of work, provides for the city manager form of government, with a board of directors elected at large, serving without pay. A form of preferential voting also is included, as is a park commission and city improvement commission.
    More than 100 different city charters have been studied by the committee, and expert advice has been secured from Professor Don Sowers of the University of Oregon in the drafting of the proposed charter.
Oregonian, Portland, December 5, 1914, page 7  The charter election failed. Medford didn't have a city manager form of government until a 1954 election elevated City Superintendent Robert Duff to the office of city manager, taking effect January 1, 1955.

    The Korinek Veterinary Remedy Company, backed by capital supplied largely by local investors, has decided to remove its plant from Medford and locate in Portland in the Kenton factory district. The company manufactures veterinary remedies of various kinds, and in addition stocks foods and tonics for livestock and poultry.
    The company is headed by Dr. Chas. J. Korinek, for two terms state veterinarian, and the former president of the State Veterinary Association. He started the factory at Medford about a year ago.
    Owing to the rapid growth of business it was decided to remove to Portland, where better transportation facilities obtain and advantage can be taken of favorable freight rates.
    Local investors, headed by W. H. Hurlburt, former president of the Oregon Water Power & Railroad Company, have supplied the necessary capital to secure a factory site and build a comprehensive establishment. The company is the only one of its kind on the Pacific Coast.
Oregon Journal, Portland, December 5, 1914, page 1

    Medford, Ore., Dec. 24.--Fire caused a loss of $5,000 last week when it destroyed the warehouse of the Rogue River Fruit and Produce Association occupied by the Medford Egg and Poultry Company. T. J. Gardner stated the fire consumed 700 chickens and turkeys intended for the Christmas trade. The plant was fully covered by insurance.