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Medford
News 1958 Elections Among Most Significant Stories
Staff Members Not Unanimous; Marked Agreement Noted What was the most significant news in Jackson County during 1958? What was the most interesting?
The nine members of the Mail Tribune news staff, who wrote and covered the stories, are not unanimous in the choices this year. But the degree of agreement about the news and its interest and significance is marked. The elections in the county, both primary and general, were picked by five news staffers as the most significant, and by seven as the most interesting. Three others thought that the year-long, quiet progress in construction of the Talent irrigation and reclamation project was the most significant, and one believed that the ever-increasing tide of young people into the schools was the most significant. For second choice in "significance," four picked the Talent project story, two picked the continuing developments in planning, both city and county, and the related disputes over subdivision ordinances and garbage disposal regulations, and one each picked the off-street parking fight, the Shakespearean festival building fund drive, and the start of construction on the new shopping center off Jackson St. Third choices in significance were the Shakespeare fund drive (four votes), the off-street parking fight (two votes) and school reorganization projects, planning work, and shopping center (one vote each). "Most Interesting" Aside from the elections, only two news events drew first-place choices as the "most interesting" of the year. These were the school reorganization story and the fight over nomination for district judge. Second choices for the "most interesting" news went to developments in the Oregon centennial celebration, the off-street parking election, and the Jacksonville dump controversy (two votes each), and the elections, the Shakespeare fund drive and the district judgeship (one vote each). Third-place choices went to the Jacksonville dump fight (four votes), the centennial and the "Make Medford Beautiful" stories (two votes each), and the district judgeship (one vote). Following is a day-by-day review of the news events of the year, taken from headlines in the Mail Tribune. --------
JANUARY
Two babies at Sacred Heart Hospital are first in 1958 . . . Hearing on Medford-Phoenix school district boundary is slated . . . Mice damage fruit trees . . . Post office is to have automatic elevator . . . Medford Mayor John W. Snider extends all one-year committee appointments another year, makes new appointments and creates two new committees . . . Two Ashland women hurt in car crash on Highway 99 . . . Don Stathos elected chairman of county Republican Central Committee . . . OK Market safe robbed of $1,500 . . . Medford police expect to receive the first of six new patrol wagons this month . . . The Jackson County Housing Authority dwellings on West Jackson St. are to be liquidated this year . . . Mrs. Allen Gebhard is named Democratic county treasurer . . . The Medford Central Labor Council expects to expel Teamster Local 962 . . . Pacific Tel and Tel plans installation of a new long distance operating unit . . . Gerald J. Scannell Jr., The Dalles, is named new Jackson County deputy district attorney . . . Rev. Raymond W. Hurn reads the New Testament aloud in 17½ hours . . . New federal budget calls for $9,500,000 for the Talent project . . . O'Gara Street residents plant 17 flowering cherry trees . . . March of Dimes campaign in full swing . . . Medford police arrest "con" man Robert Mesnier . . . City council authorizes city to sign agreement with Southern Pacific for Eighth St. railroad crossing . . . Mayor Snider names 16 in a parks and recreation advisory committee . . . Gas explosion blows off lids of the new Eighth St. storm sewer . . . Laborers Union Local 1400 and the Contractors Association of Southern Oregon enter negotiations here . . . Lyle Kinney is elected head of the Fruit Growers League of Jackson County . . . Fire breaks out in the vicinity of Walker's Dreamland Ballroom on East Main St. . . . Two are injured in a toboggan accident at Union Creek . . . Donald S. Clark, local rancher, dies of a heart attack . . . The Footlighters stage repeat performance of "The Wooden Dish" . . . Bereth Hopkins announces she will run for reelection as county clerk . . . Chamber of Commerce announce its support of VA plans to convert Camp White to a veterans hospital . . . Work begins on the Main St.-Eighth St. couplet . . . Heavy rains cause flooding in Rogue River and other areas . . . Medford High School students hold primary election as part of the 10th annual Student Government Day. ---------
Medford
Mail Tribune, January 1, 1959, page B3FEBRUARY
Medford policemen learn to ride new Cushman "jeep" cycles for parking meter patrol . . . Greyhound bus drivers go on strike . . . A subcommittee to study means to prevent juvenile delinquency is authorized by the advisory council of the Jackson County Juvenile Court . . . Frank Albert, senior at Medford High, will serve as Medford mayor during Student Government Day . . . David Frohnmayer of Medford High and Linda Warren of Crater High are winners in the Elks Lodge Youth Leadership contest . . . Army engineers' report on the Rogue River study is expected to be presented to the public by late June . . . Phone company employee killed in a Highway 99 crash involving three trucks and a car . . . Bids are called by Medford school district for construction of Wilson School . . . Student Government Day activities get under way . . . Legal proceedings are begun to validate Swede Wernmark's candidacy for county judge . . . Students participating in Student Government Day hold mock city council meeting . . . Arguments before the state supreme court on Swede Wernmark's candidacy for county judge prepared . . . Billy Junior Nunn is re-sentenced to die by Circuit Judge H. K. Hanna . . . Hugh D'Autremont pleads guilty to second degree murder . . . Storm winds here reach 60 miles per hour . . . Circuit Judge H. K. Hanna issues an order restraining Gov. Holmes from commuting or attempting to commute Billy Junior Nunn's death sentence . . . Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Johnson are sentenced to 2½ years each for unlawfully obtaining public assistance . . . The state supreme court orders county clerk Bereth Hopkins to accept the filing of Swede Wernmark for county judge. --------
MARCH
Three plywood mills close in Jackson County because of a poor market . . . District attorney Thomas J. Reeder criticizes the county judge and clerk for seeking outside legal aid in the case involving the judge's term of office . . . Circuit Judge Edward C. Kelly, Medford, Municipal Judge Noreen Kelly and Jacksonville Municipal Judge Bernard Kelly appear on television in "What's My Line?" . . . Mrs. Maxine Smith is named vice president of the Oregon Education Association . . . State legislative interim committee hears testimony here on deer feeding and hunting problems . . . A homemade bomb concealed in a book explodes at Medford High School . . . Vandals push over some 120 tombstones in Jacksonville Cemetery . . . Three Central Point youths are arrested in connection with a burglary, several thefts and the vandalism in Jacksonville Cemetery . . . John Phillips, Medford ham operator, picks up signals from the Vanguard satellite . . . A Phoenix company plans a plant for making prefabricated buildings . . . Aerial mapping of Medford is to begin . . . Robert Lee Ayres is arraigned on a first degree murder charge in connection with the slaying of Wayne Wilbur Dailey, Ashland motel operator . . . Loren S. Ritchie, Medford contractor, submits the apparent low bid for construction of Hoover School . . . Primary election campaigns get into full swing . . . Governor Holmes pledges his support of efforts to return unused buildings at Camp White to federal service . . . Two men are killed in a car-pickup collision near Eagle Point . . . Jack Eaton, county planning technician, is called on to look into legal procedures for procuring park sites . . . District attorney Thomas J. Reeder orders confiscation and destruction of all pinball machines "depending upon chance" after April 9. --------
APRIL
Clyde Pangborn, famed flyer who used Medford airport for many years, dies . . . Three juveniles responsible for damage do repairs in Jacksonville pioneer cemetery . . . The Jackson County rural school district calls an election to exceed the 6 percent limitation . . . R. Craig Philips awarded Fulbright scholarship in philosophy to study in Edinburgh . . . CAA suggests "express" status for airport here . . . Mrs. Rosemary Slaten indicted by grand jury . . . Hearing held on construction of a road into Howard Prairie recreational site . . . City franchise sought for TV antenna plan . . . More scholarships awarded students by Elk Lumber Co. . . . Work moving ahead for two new schools in Medford district . . . Restraining order is placed on pinball directive as machines held [are] not devices for gambling . . . County assessor explains property assessment . . . Last-minute preparations rushed for Pear Blossom Festival . . . Bakers local awaits NLRB hearing, and selection is planned soon . . . Charles Porter says Rogue study late for action . . . Hot spring sun aids pear parade . . . Mail Tribune women's editor is named winner of three prizes . . . Over 250 present at VFW ceremonies for national head . . . Final arguments presented on SP rail service case . . . Job classification survey submitted to county officials . . . Charles C. Furnas, ex-local mayor, dies . . . Mail Tribune gets church news prize . . . Cascade tunnel poked through for Talent job . . . General improvement noted in employment in local mills . . . Recreation responsibility given to the county . . . Upper Rogue audience hears of plans for river development and alternatives . . . Medford will be first city to participate in state FHA program . . . Carlos Morris seeks opinion on whether weather forecast is political . . . Dedication of new hospital is scheduled for April 26 . . . Bruce F. Burchfield dies of heart attack when house damaged by fire . . . Voter registrations show gain of 3,288 . . . Move of patients to new hospital is scheduled for May deadline . . . Crowds see hospital on Saturday and Sunday . . . Federal planning funds sought for county program . . . Operating budget for Howard School passes . . . 130 attend dinner to start "auto buy" program here. --------
MAY
Hugh D'Autremont pleads guilty to assault charge . . . Ceremonies mark "Law Day" in area . . . "Remarkably smooth" move is made to new valley hospital . . . Planning budget given approval by county court . . . Ervin L. Peterson boosts individual initiative idea before 1,000 members of Oregon Junior Chamber of Commerce . . . Eagle Point and Shady Cove join school districts . . . Call for bids made on Emigrant Dam enlargement project . . . Talent project workers' strike halts work on project . . . Gandt reelected head of Pioneer Sites Foundation . . . Evacuation exercises are held in simulated alert . . . Medford police complete construction of range . . . Porter proposes new federal building here . . . An irregularity in handling of city parking meter money is found . . . Robert Kyle, president of loan association, dies . . . Housing authority residents protest order to vacate . . . Medford city planners suggest zone to include mobile homes . . . Portland Chamber of Commerce expresses interest in potentialities of Howard Prairie project . . . David L. Mack, Crater student, receives scholarship of $500 . . . Primary election voter turnout "average" . . . Construction of television service in city planned . . . Work resumes on Talent project after strike . . . $30,000 in frost damage reported in Del Rio Orchard in Gold Hill . . . Lumber rate cut is allowed railroad . . . Slater to replace Mrs. Jensen as school board clerk July 1 . . . 150 register for local crime conference . . . Cable TV system and color TV are announced by local station . . . Sno-Cat Co. receives one of Navy's highest honors . . . Official canvass shows tax base proposal lost by 126 votes . . . Rogue River men selected to participate in Brussels [World's] Fair . . . Ashland school district voters approve budget . . . Hail causes some damage to pears . . . Cordy receives superior service award . . . Disagreement seen on county salary schedule . . . Manager of Western Union office here to retire June 1. --------
JUNE
Charles H. Lorton, 100, dies in a local hospital . . . County elected officials plan to ask a 10 percent pay boost . . . Mrs. Richard Travis sweepstakes winner for exhibition roses in the Medford Rose Society show . . . Medford's school district voters pass the new budget by a 5-1 margin . . . 259 Medford High School seniors to receive diplomas . . . Gladys Beddoe and Sandra Buxton named top graduating seniors . . . Two exploded homemade bombs are discovered in the city reservoir . . . County budget committee agrees to levy no property tax, thus automatically eliminating the tax base . . . Auditions begin for the 18th annual Oregon Shakespeare Festival . . . James A. Redden Jr. elected to succeed himself as chairman of the county Democratic Central Committee . . . 195 disabled American veterans in town for convention . . . DeWayne Miller drowns in the Applegate River . . . Leonard Mayfield, Medford superintendent of schools, to receive doctorate in education at the University of Oregon . . . A new attendance record of 984 in one day set at Hawthorne Park pool . . . William Frohnmayer appointed to the state real estate board . . . Officers of the Jackson County Employees Association approve "reluctantly" the proposed compensation plan . . . Stanley C. Jones resigns from the city council . . . Plans announced for a Jackson County Centennial Association . . . "Rusty" becomes the 1958 rooster crowing champion with 68 exclamations in a half-hour period . . . C. E. Hedberg, local manager and vice president of the First National Bank, appointed to administrative position in the Portland head office . . . John Bowman wins Catfish Derby for second time . . . UMC officials set $131,030 goal . . . City council authorizes the Kenwood-Grandview sanitary sewer . . . Robert L. Baccus appointed to succeed Stanley C. Jones on council. --------
JULY
Rural school board certifies levy totaling $1,974,515.12 . . . Medford city council approves 1958-59 budget totaling $2,772,385 . . . About 200 postmasters and wives attend convention here . . . Eugene F. Burrill, Prospect, makes forced landing in Piper Apache four miles northeast of Medford airport . . . Jackson County budget for 1958-59 totaling $3,435,687.00 adopted . . . Workers on the Talent project are idled as employers comply with a statewide order against operating engineers union . . . Salter and Klien, Rogue River, awarded contract for renovation and expansion of Medford Senior High School . . . County Clerk Bereth Hopkins directed to issue certificate of nomination for the district judgeship to Robert G. Danielson . . . Medford planning commission approves tentative zoning of Berrydale . . . Eugene Burns, syndicated Mail Tribune feature writer, is reportedly killed in the Iraq uprising . . . City Sanitary Service plans to use new dump site near Jacksonville regardless of objections . . . Mark Goldy resigns from the Medford planning commission . . . John Williams announces plans for a new television station in this area . . . Robert Danielson files an acceptance of his nomination for district judge . . . The state legislative interim committee on mental retardation and emotional disturbance learns the local picture . . . Ken Bailey, 14, of Rogue River, receives a "service under fire" award from Keep Oregon Green Association for preventing spread of forest fire . . . Evans Valley school district voters turn down proposed budget for the third time . . . Jack A. Edson appointed to Medford planning commission . . . Medford realtor objects to residential use of buildings bought from the Jackson County Housing Authority under an agreement they are to be used for other than residential purposes . . . The Shakespeare festival in Ashland opens its 18th season with "Much Ado About Nothing" . . . Two Medford boys, 9 years old, open carnival and make 24-cent profit. --------
AUGUST
City Sanitary Service launches dumping operations near Jacksonville . . . Mark Goldy, chairman of the Jackson County Housing Authority, says requirement that dwelling units removed from housing area be used for other than residential purposes not "ironclad" . . . Medford Kiwanis Club dedicates Maple Park rest area to the city and county . . . Theft of $400 from the Jackson County Farm Home safe under investigation . . . County planning commission approves interim zoning ordinance to prevent garbage dumping near Jacksonville and forwards its recommendation to the county court . . . The Main St.-Eighth St. couplet in Medford opens on schedule . . . Shutdown of long-distance trucking goes into effect here . . . Two safe burglaries, one in Medford and one in Ashland, net a total of $1,336 . . . Army announces plans to acquire a Jackson County Housing Authority tract for erection of a Reserve Training Center . . . Bob Sorber inventories centennial attractions in the Applegate area . . . Rogue Valley Roundup activities get under way . . . The Sputnik III rocket attracts local stargazers . . . Talent project workers return to jobs . . . Mrs. Max Hawks of Shady Cove is discovered by bloodhounds after her sojourn in the Huckleberry Lake area . . . Spectacular electric storm causes several fires . . . Sen. Philip B. Lowry files findings of facts in connection with Southern Pacific railroad passenger service abandonment . . . Council approves "interim" zoning for Berrydale . . . Poor attendance at nominating convention foils hopes of naming "standby" candidate for district judgeship . . . The 4-H, FFA livestock fair boasts the biggest sale ever . . . Pat Rushton named Miss Jackson County at the Kiwanis county fair . . . County court rejects planning commission's recommendation for interim zoning ordinance to prevent garbage dumping near Jacksonville . . . Over two dozen members of possible teenage sex club examined in connection with outbreak of venereal disease . . . Crop duster plane spraying orchards topples KDOV's transmitting antenna . . . Jackson County to receive an increase in O and C timber receipts. --------
SEPTEMBER
Mrs. Ann Todd charges administrators of the Eagle Point Irrigation District with improper practices . . . Don Germen, Eagle Point dairy farmer and water user, takes issue with Mrs. Todd . . . Roy Bashaw receives judicial sanction as the official nominee for district judge . . . Miss B. J. Larsen announces resignation as administrator of the Rogue Valley Memorial Hospital . . . Medford's city council creates municipal park and recreation commission . . . Mayor Snider appointed to the Oregon Centennial Commission . . . Business Education Day receives praise from school officials and Medford businessmen . . . Members of Teamsters Local 962 here approve contract proposals designed to end the 36-day trucking strike lockout . . . Schools begin fall sessions with a 10 percent overall registration increase noted . . . United Medford Crusade 1958-59 campaign campaign gets under way with a kickoff dinner at the YMCA . . . Controversy over the validity of a contract flares up between Gilman's Dairy and Teamsters Local 962 . . . Four children and wife of Harold Ottosen, Eagle Point city marshal, hospitalized after an auto accident . . . Bruce Barnett, 13, builds a castle of firewood . . . Cora Lee Ottosen, 2, dies of injuries sustained in auto crash . . . Roger Linhart, 14, of Medford, is accidentally shot and killed by friend . . . The Eagle Point irrigation District's assessment ledger appears to substantiate Mrs. Ann Todd's complaint that penalties for late payments were levied inconsistently . . . Dismantling of the Shakespeare festival theatre in Ashland gets under way . . . Mayor Snider announces a campaign to "Make Medford Beautiful" . . . Medford city council paves way for sale of old community hospital building by approving a liberal interpretation of zoning regulations . . . Fire destroys White City Box Company . . . Mayor Snider appoints nine members to the new city parks and recreation commission . . . The Medford building department and private contractor at odds over an alleged violation of city building regulations . . . Directors of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Association set a total of $275,000 as the amount needed to rebuild the Ashland theatre . . . Positive action by the five men who deliver Gilman's milk is suggested to resolve the dairy's dispute with the Teamsters. --------
OCTOBER
Eight area students named in semi-finals of National Merit Scholarship competition . . . Copco's Big Bend plant dedicated . . . Man arrested for paying in cash on gambling device . . . Parking platform proposal presented to Medford city council . . . Charles Ivan Gustafson named new administrator of Rogue hospital by board . . . Two officials conduct study of local air pollution . . . Medford youth killed by bullet on hunting jaunt . . . Budget committee members will return unauthorized expense money when directed by county court . . . Break in number of unemployed noted . . . Centennial group seeks Chamber of Commerce as project sponsor . . . Ted Flury denies "intentional corruption" in conducting Eagle Point Irrigation District business . . . "Keeney Plan" is favored by merchants group . . . Property tax rolls to be turned over to sheriff for collection . . . Mayor Snider opens senior activity center here . . . Democrats narrow registration gap to 687 behind the Republicans . . . Planners suggest that Clark St. railroad crossing be maintained . . . Roller skating rink planned on Eagles property . . . Group formed to study fairgrounds possibilities here . . . Flury arrested on indictment from grand jury . . . Plans for "Oregon Centennial Week" in county discussed . . . Accident victim dies of injuries, 13th in county . . . Problems of small woodlots dismissed . . . Flury arraigned in circuit court . . . City council approves heating and lights money for senior center . . . Fred Robinson elected temporary head of Medford Gospel Mission . . . $276,867 received from state by county to cover quarterly payments . . . Voters and candidates eye each other at fair . . . Fall enrollment hits all-time high at SOC . . . Court outlines ideas to assist in selection of park sites . . . Opposition to proposed change in O and C timber receipts is voiced . . . Twenty Medford lawyers named to bar association committees . . . Lowry asks PUC for decision on railroad case . . . Exemptions exceed $56 million from ad valorem taxes . . . Contracts planned for recreation sites at lakes . . . Razing of Shakespeare theater nears completion . . . Commission approves local highway funds . . . Chairman of tree committee named by Mayor Snider . . . Land use policies discussed at city officials' meeting . . . Eagle Point may hold election for irrigation district director. --------
NOVEMBER
Morse claims that Hatfield gave false evidence . . . School bus accident injures 36 children . . . New hospital set for Central Point, says Dr. Rutter . . . Area puts two Democrats and five Republicans in jobs . . . Groundbreaking set for shopping area . . . Three candidates seek election to Eagle Point Irrigation District board of directors . . . Baker challenges Medford to contest for beautification . . . Complaint seeks cancellation of Copco contract with E.P. Irrigation District . . . Jacksonville grants surrey franchise . . . Tree inventory of parkways in city completed . . . Parents petition court to correct Dark Hollow Road conditions . . . Dedication set for new buildings at SOC . . . Former Eagle Point irrigation worker defends the district board and Flury . . . Wagon train being considered by 4-H members in valley . . . 200 volunteers expected at Shakespearean festival fund dinner . . . Clarence J. Greb reelected director of E.P. Irrigation District . . . SOC coaches walk back to Ashland after game . . . Shakespearean festival fund drive for theater under way . . . Special Medford election called for amendment to authorize bonds for off-street parking facilities . . . "Mystery" tree may be collector's item . . . 69.54 percent of voters cast ballots . . . City officials attend League convention in Eugene . . . Consolidation studied by boards in Talent and Phoenix . . . $1,000 stolen from school safe in Jacksonville . . . Trail riders plan participation in pony express run . . . 14 residents of county receive naturalization . . . Congressman Porter tells of need to develop recreational areas . . . Mayor Snider appointed to highway group of American Municipal Association . . . Duncan picked for House speakership . . . U.S. check raises hopes for new swimming pool on Jackson Street . . . OSC professor says Beekman Ave. tree may be hedge maple . . . Shakespeare fund drive reaches third of $275,000 goal . . . Protest about Phoenix highway bypass sent to state . . . Property taxes in county show 8.6 percent increase . . . Local pears face stiffer competition and lowering of prices . . . Hundreds attend holiday opening of local stores . . . Joel B. Reeder named Medford's new city attorney. --------
DECEMBER
Water and fire district voters elect directors . . . Redden resigns as local chairman of Democratic Party . . . Five organizations pledged to city beauty program . . . Sweet gum trees will be planted in city . . . Brian B. Mullen named deputy district attorney . . . Medford city council recommends amendment approval . . . Christmas trees are cut illegally in region . . . Unemployment in county well below last year . . . State employee dies after car falls into Cascade Gorge . . . Copco will construct office building . . . Mrs. Maxine Smith named head of educators . . . Copco wins suit brought by state . . . Third floor of Ashland Junior High condemned . . . Off-street parking amendment is defeated in city election . . . Bill planned for accurate labeling of shoe material . . . Construction work on Shakespeare theatre starts . . . Mrs. Buffington chosen chairman of Heart Drive . . . City police discover pinball payoff on Front Street . . . Study planned on air pollution here . . . Million-dollar construction work is set at SOC . . . Mildred A. Gail gets fellowship to study Russian . . . National Guard alert termed big success . . . Helicopter service planned in area . . . Bids on Army reserve center may be called in January . . . Recreation and sports area planned south of Medford . . . Prisoner smuggles $500 into county jail despite search . . . Prentice named secretary of Tree Farm group . . . Action to curb U.S. Supreme Court urged at meeting . . . Air pollution is discussed by Medford city council . . . Jerry Golden, Ashland, held in tavern shooting . . . J. H. Creager elected president of Jackson County centennial group . . . Estimates are expected in January for new Ashland Junior High . . . Shakespeare festival drive total is increased by new donations . . . Hugh D'Autremont will be released in January . . . Proposed Talent project license agreement for recreation work received by county . . . School reorganization group withdraws suggestion . . . Judge Kelly calls for depositions in Eagle Point water users case . . . The A. C. Pierce display wins the Junior Chamber of Commerce outdoor Christmas lighting contest . . . Charles Johnson, 82, of Ashland killed by auto . . . Angus Bowmer named to direct portion of Oregon's Feb. 14 centennial "birthday party" in Salem . . . Medford man and his son drown on Illinois River fishing trip. Last revised July 24, 2012 |
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