There is an old type case in this office, which, could it speak, could doubtless add much to the unwritten history of Southern Oregon and tell many stories of early journalism in the wild West. The old case bears on its back the address: "B. & B., Jacksonville, O.T., care of Lord & Peters, Scottsburg."* It was doubtless part of the plant of the old Oregon Sentinel, the first newspaper published in this end of the state. From the address it evidently came "around the Horn," while Oregon was still a territory, that is, before 1859. After months of tossing on the restless waves of both oceans, this old case, then bright, new and unmarred, was unloaded at Scottsburg, on the Umpqua, then packed on the back of a mule--for those were "days of the trail and the footlog"--and started on its journey of 200 miles to its destination at the then flourishing mining town of Jacksonville. How many times that mule lay down and rolled with his pack or how often that bundle of cases was hastily made into an impoverished breastwork when danger from Indians threatened, is not recorded. But there is an end to all things; even pack trains reach their destination, and the old case was unpacked with its fellows, filled with type and commenced its mission as a factor in the building up of a young state. What flaming editorials have been set up from its blackened and battered boxes; what startling adventures in flooded rivers, pathless forests and dangers from treacherous Indians have been recorded by the type it held? Almost every old-time printer passed at one time or another through Jacksonville, and doubtless all of them have set type from this old case. Many have laid down their "sticks" at the last call of "thirty" and gone to the other shore; some are still in the land of the living. The old case is still in good condition, though blackened with age and the prints of many inky fingers; but is now in honorable retirement in the Mail office, a venerable relic of the days when the great state of Oregon was in its infancy, with its resources undeveloped, and its history to be made. The men and women who helped build a prosperous commonwealth in the Rogue River Valley are honored by us of a later day for their achievements, and much has been written and spoken in their praise; but that time-worn case standing forlornly in a corner, with its historic inscription, seems to say, "I, too, had something to do with history making in Oregon; let me not be forgotten in the rush and whirl of modern events."
"City Happenings," Medford Mail, November 1, 1901, page 7  "B.&B." could refer to either G. D. R. Boyd and W. J. Beggs of the Umpqua Gazette, or Alex Blakely and William Brainard of the Table Rock Sentinel. Either pairing would date the case to 1855.


    The Mail, under its present management, has been doing job printing in Medford for over eight years. We have printed everything from a calling card to a full-sheet poster. We have even printed in colors on wood; we have embossed letterheads, envelopes, cards and cigar box labels; we have printed cloth posters and silk banquet invitations, and we will wager the price of several good jobs that none of those for whom this work was done have felt themselves called upon to offer an apology for the appearance of the work.
    We have been accused of having charged the city of Medford $6.50 for a thousand letterheads. That is a lie, pure and simple. We never charged any man or corporation a price equal to that on a straight thousand run. On February 13th, of this year, we printed for Mayor Crowell 500 twelve-pound Irish linen letterheads, for which we charged $3.25, our usual price for that grade of stock. On February 16th following we printed 500 ten-pound wove letterheads, for use by the councilmen of Medford--for this we charged $3, our usual price--and right here we want to say that no business man in Medford has ever gotten this grade of work and goods for one penny less in runs of 500. These are the prices we established eight years ago, and there has been no deviation from them--notwithstanding the fact that paper has advanced from three to fifteen percent during the past three years.
    It may be true that cheaper work can be secured at other print shops in this town. If so, our advice to those who want cheap printing, inked with a mop, with all kinds of impressions on one sheet, is to go there and get it. If it is good, clean printing that you want--the kind that don't make you crosseyed to look at, the kind that makes you feel good and bolsters up your business and don't resemble a junk shop relic, the kind that's worth paying for and the kind that you just naturally feel like you wanted to pay for, bring it to the Mail shop, and if you don't declare that you are getting good value for your money we will make you a present of the whole works. If you want poster type printed on a letterhead or business card don't bring it here--our typos won't print that kind of printing. If you want printing that's good work, drop in and look over our samples, but don't ask us to figure against a printer (God save the mark) whose misfortune, rather than his fault, it is that he does not know how to print.
    It is true the Mail has printed letterheads for $2.50 per thousand--and we have a few thousand left of the stock that we printed these from which have been offered to the trade for the past year at these figures. They are seven-pound weight, lightest weight letterhead made; they are off color, and the ruling is not true. We never printed an order from the lot that the purchaser did not first see the stock.
Medford Mail, March 15, 1902, page 2


Medford Mail, August 29, 1902, page 7


    Lynn Purdin, formerly a typo and all-'round printer in the Mail office, has taken a position as clerk in the Medford post office. Mr. Purdin has served in this capacity before and is conversant with the work in every detail, hence it is but to be presumed that he will fill the bill, and his efforts prove satisfactory to the department and patrons of the office. Miss Letha Hardin, who was formerly clerk in the office, expects to leave within a few weeks for California.
"City Happenings," Medford Mail, September 5, 1902, page 7


    Southern Oregon has the most conscienceless and impudent imposers upon a generous public there is on the face of the earth. Not content with forcing his sheet upon people who do not want it--a fact which has become so notorious that the man who has succeeded in "stopping" the Democratic Times is regarded with envy and admiration by his friends--he will go so far as to clip paid local matter from other papers, insert in his sheet, and after a time has elapsed the advertiser receives a bill from Chas. Nickell for a publication he had never authorized. Naturally he who gets the bill is resentful, but when he meets the wily Charles, the latter calls his attention to some suppositious conversation, in which a tacit consent to the insertion of the advertisement was given. More often than not this conversation never occurred; but Nickell is so apologetic, so full of good feeling, so certain that the other fellow is in error and so willing to compromise the bill, that finally in order to settle the matter the man tenders half or two-thirds of amount in full payment. It is accepted, and the understanding is that such a thing shall not occur again. But that doesn't stop Charles. The same thing will occur again, and yet again; until finally--as was recently the case--"forbearance ceases to be a virtue," and Nickell gets such a verbal scoring as to penetrate even the rhinoceros-like epidermis which covers his conscience and sense of shame from contact with the outside world.
    About a year ago Supt. Morris, of the Fish Lake Ditch Co., inserted an advertisement in the Mail for men to work on the ditch. The ad appeared for a few weeks and was then discontinued. This paper was the only one authorized to make this publication, nevertheless several weeks afterward Mr. Morris received a bill for the publication of the same notice in the Democratic Times, then published in Jacksonville, but since run as a sort of a side issue to the Southern Oregonian, both sheets being now printed here on the same press from the same type and containing almost the same matter. Mr. Morris expressed his opinion pretty freely, but paid the bill, with a strict injunction not to so offend in future.
    The other day a similar notice appeared in the Mail--by order of Mr. Morris--and promptly with the next issue of Nickell's papers the advertisement appeared, word for word, in them. That made Mr. Morris a little impatient, and the next time he came to town he met Nickell and gave him an unbiased opinion of his actions, very much to the edification of the bystanders. Nickell attempted the "forgotten conversation" dodge, but it wouldn't work; and finally Morris demanded a receipt in full and that the advertisement be immediately taken out, giving Nickell a certain time in which to comply. Even before the time had expired a messenger brought the receipt, together with one of Nickell's characteristic letters, that say lots and mean nothing.
    This is not the only case, by several, that has come to our knowledge of Nickell's contemptible methods; many more could be mentioned--one not later than last June, when a certain candidate paid Nickell $5 for one insertion of a political card--unauthorized of course--in his paper and forced him to take card out.
    That is the kind of business this man has been doing in the county for over twenty-five years, and has succeeded in getting, by these same methods, several thousands of dollars from the county and the people in general. 
Medford Mail, May 1, 1903, page 2  Back issues of the Democratic Times survive thanks to the archive of a San Francisco advertising broker. Comparing those issues with copies sold locally reveals that Nickell printed two editions--a tiny edition full of ads to deceive his remote clients, and a local edition with those ads removed.


    Wm. Bowdoin, formerly of Klamath Falls, who has been in the employ of the state at Salem for several months, was on the southbound passenger train Sunday morning en route to Klamath Falls, where he has accepted a position on the Klamath Express. Billy is an all-around printer, and with his father founded the Klamath Star in 1884, the first newspaper published in Klamath Falls, and also gave a Mail office printer his first instruction in the "art preservative."
"Purely Personal," Medford Mail, May 1, 1903, page 6


    Horace Mann, formerly publisher of the Medford  Enquirer, is making desperate efforts to collect his subscription accounts. He sued one subscriber this week in Justice Purdin's court for a $10 account and got judgment by default.
"City Happenings," Medford Mail, August 28, 1903, page 5


    Horace Mann has moved part of his printing outfit to Oroville and will open a job printing office in that town.
"Additional Local," Medford Mail, October 9, 1903, page 4  Mann was editor of the Medford Enquirer.


Medford Mail, October 30, 1903, page 1


    D. M. C. Gault, the proprietor of the Independent, printed at Hillsboro, Washington County, and a well-known journalist, was in Medford Saturday, accompanied by his won Will, who is employed in the State Printer's office at Salem. They have been negotiating for the purchase of the Mail. Nothing definite has been accomplished as yet, we are informed.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, November 18, 1903, page 1


    The cylinder press was introduced in 1812. Various improvements were invented, and in 1814 the first press was driven by steam. In the same year the London Times put in a press, the pieces of which were carried in by stealth to an adjoining building, owing to the avowed hostility of the workmen. At six o'clock, while the pressmen were waiting for the forms, Mr. Walter entered the pressroom and astonished its occupants by telling them that the Times was already printed by steam, and that if they attempted violence he had an adequate force to suppress it, but if they were peaceable they would be retained. The speed was 1,100 an hour! The curved stereotype was invented in 1816, and the improvements all tended to produce the modern press, which is an evolution rather than a concrete invention. In 1848 Col. Hoe introduced his huge ten-feeder press, which in point of size was equal to the great modern double-sextuple newspaper presses. The capacity of the earlier machines was 2,000 per hour, while those of today print and fold 150,000 eight-page papers an hour.--From the Scientific American's special number on "Modern Aids to Printing."
"A Little of Everything," Medford Mail, December 4, 1903, page 3

    This week begins a new era in the Mail office, and it is with pride that we invite in our friends and readers to see our wonderful Simplex typesetting machine, just installed. The demand for plenty of fresh news matter, for late news in full detail right up to the hour of publication; the necessity for keeping in the front rank with the great development of newspaper business of recent years; and the desire to give our readers as much as possible tor the money--these considerations among others led us to see that something swifter than hand typesetting must be provided. After a long and careful investigation of the whole subject of mechanical typesetting, we have finally installed the machine which is working such a revolution in the old methods of producing newspapers.
    It is probable that on no labor-saving machine has more time and money been expended than on a device to set and distribute type. For over a century inventors have struggled with the question, and while their efforts were partially successful, it has only been in the past ten years that a practical machine has been put on the market. It seems like an impossibility that any combination of machinery other than that encompassed in the human body could separate nearly a hundred characters, pick them up again, form them into words, combine the words into sentences and place them in readiness for that older but none the less marvelous result of brain--the modern printing press. The Simplex does it though, and does it five to six times as fast as the most rapid composing.
    The Simplex typesetter uses the same kind of type as is set by hand. Each individual type has a separate combination of "nicks" or notches cut on the edge, and on this fact is based the fundamental principle of the machine. As will be noticed in the picture, the body of the Simplex consists of two cylinders, one above and rotating on the other. In both cylinders, extending vertically their full length, are ninety parallel channels, each channel corresponding to some one type.
    It stands about six feet high, and its diameter is not over two feet. It is connected with an overhead pulley and shaft, for it must have motion to complete the work of the person who presides at the keyboard and plays upon the keys, as the operator manipulates the now familiar typewriter. The cylinder is slit at intervals with perpendicular channels less than a quarter of an inch wide and extending from the bottom to the top of the lower half of the cylinder. These channels contain the supply of type, each piece on one position on its side, one on top of the other, the letter ends showing on the outer circumference of the cylinder. There are ninety of these channels--one for every small letter and every capital letter and every figure, fraction and punctuation mark.
    At the bottom of the cylinder is a polished steel plate revolving around the outside of the cylinder at 150 revolutions a minute. You hardly notice that this is in motion until the operator begins to play on the keyboard; then you see and understand its purpose.
    That part of the cylinder referred to as containing the channels full of type is stationary. The instant the operator strikes a key a plunger inside the cylinder ejects the bottom letter in the channel, controlled by its own particular key, and the letter shoots out upon the revolving disc and is whisked around until it reaches a chute into which it is switched, to be carried by a belt into the typeway directly in front of the keyboard. The letter goes upon the disc flat upon its side, but when it reaches the typeway it is standing on end, the character being uppermost, where it can be read by the operator. As the keyboard is rapidly worked the letters are darting out of their respective channels and taking their place on the revolving disc. They move so swiftly that you can only see the glint of their polished surface as they whirl around to take their places in the long line of letters which is passing in front of the operator.
    A long line of type rapidly forms in front of the operator, and when he has enough for his purpose he whirls his chair around, and with a small instrument called a "grab" separates enough from a long line to make a line at the measure he is setting. This he justifies or "spaces" and then takes another line and so on. When two persons are working at the same time, one operates the keyboard and the other does the spacing. As soon as one line is spaced it is automatically pushed back to make room for another, and at the same the the matter is leaded, if so desired.
    To distribute the type in the first place, the channels of the upper cylinder are filled with "dead matter" (type that has been used) and is revolving step by step. At each step of the distributor cylinder the bottom type of each line of dead matter is tested by the wards or channels of the lower cylinder, until it finds one exactly corresponding and drops down in the lower magazine.
    After the machine is in operation all that is necessary in the way of distributing is to place a galley of dead type on the side of the upper cylinder in a place prepared for it.
    It does the work perfectly, and while it is apparently simple, it would be impossible to explain the matter intelligently, so we won't try, but again invite you to come and see for yourself.
    The Simplex is small and compact, weighing about 1,100 pounds and occupying no more floor space than an ordinary coal stove, and while it took brains and lots of them to invent it, it is of remarkably simple construction and not at all liable to get out of repair.
    We have had it in operation only a few days, but that is long enough to discover its true worth, and every time we see it work, with almost human intelligence, we feel like taking off our hats in its presence.
    It is certainly the best and most wonderful machine that ever graced a country print shop.
Medford Mail, June 17, 1904, page 1


    The readers of the Mail have no doubt noticed--in fact we know that some of them have--a change in the shape of the paper. Three weeks ago we installed a folder and paster. We didn't make any particular amount of noise about it, although it is the first machine of the kind ever introduced into Southern Oregon. Fact is, we wanted to see how it was going to work before we said anything, and we are glad to say that it works all right. Hereafter the Mail will open up like a city daily, and we intend to make the standard of excellence as high as possible.
"Some Changes," Medford Mail, July 29, 1904, page 1


    People in general are loath--at least, slow--to appreciate the value of their local papers. The Southern Oregon weeklies and semi-weeklies (there are as yet no dailies) are accomplishing no little good in the advancement of their respective districts and deserve the liberal support of their communities. Grants Pass has three papers, the Oregon Mining Journal, the Rogue River Courier and the Oregon Observer; Ashland has three, the Tribune, the [Tidings] and the Record; Medford has two, the Mail and the Southern Oregonian; Jacksonville has two, the Sentinel and the Times; and Gold Hill and Glendale each have one, the News.
Mineral Wealth, Redding, August 1, 1904, page 57


    The Mail comes out in an enlarged form this week. Instead of six columns on a page, the Mail now has seven, making total of fifty-six columns of matter published at each issue. The expense of publishing a paper of this size will be somewhat greater, but the publisher of the Mail believes that "the best is none too good" for his subscribers, and it has always been his endeavor to give them "the best," as nearly as it was in his power to do so. We believe our efforts have been appreciated, and for that reason have felt encouraged to make improvements in our plant from time to time until now the Mail has one of the most complete and up-to-date country print shops in Oregon. Our Simplex typesetting machine, folder and, above all, the big, two-revolution, seven-column quarto press, are something you don't find in many printing offices outside cities of twice the size of Medford. But we believe in Medford's future, and it will be our constant effort to keep pace with her development.
    The above is a good representation of our new press. It is twice as heavy as the press we have discarded, and besides enabling the Mail to increase in size will also print nearly twice the number of papers per hour. We will also be enabled to do a higher class of printing than heretofore, owing to the press being a more perfect machine than the one upon which we have been printing the Mail for the past nine years was when it was new.
    The Mail is now the largest county weekly in Western Oregon. There isn't another seven-column, eight-page paper published in this district, and like the six-column paper we published before we propose to keep it chock full of local and general news. News that is reliable. When you see it in the Mail it's so.
    We cordially invite you to call and inspect the plant.
Medford Mail, May 19, 1905, page 4


    Jacksonville is again without a newspaper--printed at home--the Sentinel having suspended publication with the last issue. It is the only county seat in Oregon without a paper.
Medford Mail, May 19, 1905, page 4


    J. T. Miller has purchased the Gold Hill News. Mr. Miller is a successful business man and miner, has some knowledge of the "art preservative," and purposes to give his patrons the best service possible. Lyn Purdin, formerly an employee of the Mail, will be his chief assistant.
Medford Mail, May 19, 1905, page 4


    Irvin Bebb is learning the printing trade in this office. He will attend school regularly this winter, but will set type for the Herald one hour each day after school is dismissed. Irvin, like his brother Roy, is a manly little fellow, which reflects much credit on both parent and teacher, as Professor Hanby would say.
"Local and Personal," Central Point Herald, September 20, 1906, page 1


Central Point Herald, December 26, 1907, page 3


Central Point Herald, April 9, 1908, page 3  *Turning the column rules of a newspaper wide side up was a mark of mourning, as on this page reporting President Garfield's death.




    The Post has outgrown its clothes. Our circulation has reached the point where we were forced to install a larger and better press. This issue is printed on a press that will print a sheet 30x44 inches.
    The growth of the Post has been steady and permanent, and the advertising public has been greatly benefited by this medium. The reading public today want a paper for news and unbiased editorial comment. A paper does not gain the confidence of the people by misrepresenting matters of importance to its readers, and eventually the reading public will find the paper out and when it does the paper will drop. We have reached our present position in the sea of journalism by a straight and honest path, and the readers of the Post may expect news as it is, unbiased and free; our editorial comment will be what we believe to be the best for all concerned. If we believe a certain thing could be improved we will advocate the improvement. Unnecessary expense is not an improvement.
    The Post has grown in seven months from a four-column sheet to a six-column, six to eight pages, and about January 1, 1909 we will issue a large special edition devoted to the interests of the Rogue River Valley. Already we have a large collection of the finest photographs to be had of fruit, vegetables and minerals. These will be transferred onto copper and plates will be made to print in the large special edition.
    The job printing turned out in this office stands on the same plane as the better grade of work sent out from the large city officer. Quality of stock considered, our prices are as low as the inferior work turned out by the average office. Thus we have gained friends by our job printing. This office ships printing to Douglas County, yes, to Polk and Marion counties, thus Jackson County is developing an enterprise that promises to be of statewide importance. What better advertisement could you have than to see the imprint of a Rogue River Valley printing office on the printed matter used by business men who live within the very sound of Portland.
    By the support and good will of the home-loving public we will continue to grow, and we must have the support of every citizen within this district before we can say that we have reached the top notch.
Jacksonville Post, December 5, 1908, page 2


    The large printing press installed in this office is doing excellent work. It is a cylinder press of the two-revolution type.
"Local News," Jacksonville Post, December 12, 1908, page 2


    We apologize for all mistakes made in former issues and say they were inexcusable, as all an editor has to do is to hunt news and clean the rollers and set type, sweep the floor and pen short items, and fold papers, and write wrappers, and make the paste, and mail the papers, and talk to visitors, and distribute type and carry water, and saw wood and read the proofs, hunt the shears to write editorials, and dodge the bills, and dun delinquents, and take cussings from the whole force, and tell our subscribers that we must have money--we say that we've no business to make mistakes while attending to those little matters, and getting our living on hopper-tail soup flavored with imagination, and wearing old shoes and no collar and a patch on our pants, and obliged to turn a smiling countenance to the man who tells us our paper ain't worth a dollar anyhow, and that he could make a better one with his eyes shut.
Jacksonville Post, February 13, 1909, page 2


    Percy McKenzie had the misfortune to lose a portion of one of his fingers Monday, while working on the Times printing press.
"Jacksonville News," Medford Mail, September 8, 1899, page 3


    The first new modern press ever brought to Southern Oregon was installed in the Mail Tribune office this week. It is a two-revolution Whitlock, designed for book and job work, as well as an emergency press for the daily. The Mail Tribune has now the most complete printing and publishing house south of Salem and can turn out high-grade work equal to that produced in Portland.
    Few cities the size of Medford have a printing plant as large as that of the Mail Tribune, and fewer still publish as good a newspaper. This has been made possible by the united support of the business men, which has enabled the production of one good daily, instead of several poor ones, as is usually the case.
    The Mail Tribune is one of the best advertisements that Medford has. A community is usually judged by its newspapers, and a comparison of Medford with the other cities of Oregon, made by the newspapers, is always in favor of Medford.
    Such a newspaper as is printed today would be impossible if the support given the paper was divided among two or more papers, and as long as a paper is produced that Medford can be proud of, it expects to receive undivided support, until such time as the population increases to an extent that justifies establishment of another daily--and that time is still in the future.
    As the Mail Tribune grows, it will be constantly improved, both mechanically and editorially, keeping pace with the development of city and country, making it one of the best assets of the valley, a live, fearless paper, printing all the news worth while, 
Medford Mail Tribune, November 29, 1909, page 4


    The hoodoo which has hovered over the mechanical department of the Mail Tribune office since the merging of the two plants and [which] forced a patient public and a very impatient publisher to put up with irregular issues, abbreviated and poorly printed papers again perched over the office Saturday evening when the newly rebuilt press went out of commission, forcing the printing of enough papers to supply the city, two pages at a time, on the old Tribune press. As a result city subscribers received their papers late. The break on the press was repaired by Sunday night, and the balance of the edition of 5000 run off--and a 24-page Sunday paper for a city the size of Medford is going some, although something has "busted" every day for four weeks. There is no hoodoo that can hoodoo this paper long, and it's going to grow better and bigger right along and fulfill its mission of being the greatest newspaper in Oregon outside of Portland, and the finest paper in the world printed in a city this size--a constant advertisement of the progressiveness of Medford, the resources of the Rogue River Valley, and the opportunities of Southern Oregon.
Medford Mail Tribune, November 29, 1909, page 4


WANTED--Young lady to set type. One with experience preferred. Call or address Record office, Central Point, Or.
Medford Mail Tribune, December 2, 1909, page 7


    The Gold Hill News has again changed hands, Rex H. Lampman, a newspaper man from North Dakota, having assumed charge of it this week. Harry F. Murray, who was formerly in charge of the paper, has opened a job printing office in Ashland. Mr. Lampman's first issue is a very creditable one, and if he continues his present policy he is certainly entitled to the support of the people of that town.
Central Point Herald, December 2, 1909, page 1


    Every mail brings letters to this office from self-styled "Press Association," "Press Syndicate," or "Press Service," says the Baker City Herald. Each of these letters contain something that someone wants printed without paying for the service. In the last year these parasites have sprung up all over the land until they are a bore and a nuisance.
    For instance, here comes a letter bearing the printed card of the "Western Press Association" on the envelope with street address in San Francisco. In that envelope is contained a copy of an advertisement that is to be printed in some very common national weekly, and a request is attached that the Herald please give mention of the contents of the advertisement, as the subject treated is of importance to the whole universe.
    As long as newspapers permit themselves to be played for suckers this sort of illegitimate work will continue, but the Herald wishes the Western Press Service, or any other service organized for such purposes, to understand that space in this paper is not to be taken up with favorable comment on a quack nostrum, or a sawdust breakfast food.
    Along the same lines there is a company manufacturing an automobile, the "Thomas," that repeatedly attempts to get free mention and free praise. This company adroitly handled an alleged "round-the-world" trip in order to get free advertising. The Ford automobile concern followed the Thomas with a race to Seattle in order to get free publicity. Hereafter automobile races will not be mentioned unless they are for some other purpose than to establish the merits of a certain car.
    No class of business is imposed upon so much as the newspaper business by the man who wants something for nothing. And it is all due to the newspapers permitting such methods.
    If any of the free press services think they can fool this paper they had as well save their stamps. We are too old in the game, and furthermore any of the outside institutions seeking popularity and advertising must pay the same rate for the space that local business men pay. Our space is our merchandise first, last and all the time.
Central Point Herald, January 20, 1910, page 2


    The Medford Printing Company has purchased additional power presses and machinery which, with its present equipment, will give it the most completely equipped printing plant between Portland, and Sacramento, better mechanically than most of the Portland printers' presses, with a capacity tenfold greater than it formerly had and quadruple its present output.
    The new purchases include a two-revolution book press, a color press, a large power cutter, complete new series of type, dustproof case stands, stitcher and other modern equipment. The machinery has been wired for and will be installed within a month.
    In addition to other improvements a book bindery has been installed, and all kinds of bindery work can be turned out at short notice.
    L. H. Willett, who until recently occupied a similar position with the Kilham Stationery and Printing Co. of Portland, is manager of the job printing department, and Peter Flandermeyer, a well-known Portland pressman, is in charge of the press room, which will include power job presses, a two-revolution book press, and a two-revolution news press.
    The evolution from the country printing offices possessed by the Evening Tribune and Morning Mail into the present metropolitan printing office with its two Linotypes and its printing equipment is nearing completion. The plant and business will be a credit to any city and seldom seen in a place the size of Medford. 
    Good printing is dependent upon good equipment and upon good workmanship. It is the aim of the Medford Printing Company to fill the field.
    Few people in Medford realize the extent of the plant and business done by the Medford Printing Company. Twenty people are employed, most of them at the highest rate of wages paid in the city, and the quality of work turned out is steadily improving.
    The management has every faith in the future of Medford, and backs its faith with cash, and will meet all needs and demands of its rapidly growing population.
Medford Mail Tribune, February 13, 1910, page 4


    There is trouble in the print shop no language can express, for Wednesday rolls around each week, the day we go to press.
    The compositors are hustling fast, each has a dirty proof; the make-up man man is cussin' in a way to raise the roof.
    The devil pied the galley of solid nonpareil, the foreman is saying things that makes the brimstone smell.
    The stenographer is jawing about the ink spot on her dress. Any goldarn fool can tell we're trying to go to press.
    Everything is all "balled up"; the forms are in a mess, and now the old man's asking when we're going to press.
    Through the room there rings a piercing hell-born wail, the dog is yelping 'cause they have stepped upon his tail.
    The pressman now is ready, but the d---d old form won't "lift," so he whittles out a "dutchman" and gives his quid a shift.
    The forms are on the press at last, the press is running great,---but we've got to take them off again, forgot to change the date!
    They're on again; we're running swift an' slick, but a paper's on the rollers now, and you bet it is there to stick.
    The whole bunch is mad as sin, cussin' more or less, for hell breaks loose on Wednesdays when the paper goes to press.--Exchange. 
Jacksonville Post, March 19, 1910, page 3


    Owing to the fact that the plant of the Rogue River Valley Gas Company went out of commission at an early hour this morning, the Mail Tribune was issued under difficulties today, as there was no gas furnished with which to heat the Linotypes, thereby preventing the setting of any great amount of type. Over four hours' time was lost in the composing room, and the only thing which allowed the paper to come out at all was the fact that after patience was exhausted, the old gasoline burners were dragged forth from the store room and installed. The machines turned over for the first time at noon, four and a half of six valuable hours being lost.
    Not alone was the Mail Tribune discommoded, but a large number of people who have installed gas ranges in their homes were forced to partake of a cold breakfast and lunch. Restaurants downtown were also greatly inconvenienced.
    The trouble at the gas plant originated when the pump which supplies water from Bear Creek pumped up a large amount of grass, which choked the plant. No sooner was this trouble remedied than other things went wrong. The gas was again turned on shortly after noon. 
Medford Mail Tribune, May 2, 1911, page 1


Medford Mail Tribune, January 19, 1912, page 2


    The change in ownership of The Reporter was indeed a surprise, for F. T. Singleton and I were rather brought up together in the Republican and Reporter office, and are conversant with some of the terms used therein--viz, "type lice," "left-hand shooting stick," etc. [pranks played on printing apprentices], and have used, in common with the entire editorial and office force the office towel [euphemism for a bludgeon], which used to stand in corner within easy reach of a brawny compositor, for use at a moment's notice as a potent force in pacifying some belligerent coming up to say, "Who writ that piece?"
J. E. Fuselman, "Still Boosts for Oregon," Daily Reporter, Martinsville, Indiana, June 29, 1912, page 2


    The Mail Tribune is issued under difficulties today--lack of gas preventing the setting of much type.
Medford Mail Tribune, October 24, 1912, page 1


Ashland Tidings, May 29, 1913, page 8  *Two- and three-line paid news items and fillers.


    THE MEDFORD PRINTING COMPANY is installing a new press--THE LARGEST AND FINEST BOOK AND JOB PRINTING PRESS IN OREGON, OUTSIDE OF PORTLAND.
    The press is a Miehle No. 2 and cost $3500. It is but one of many expensive and up-to-date pieces of machinery that go to make our complete printing equipment.
    This additional investment is made in dull times BECAUSE WE HAVE EVERY CONFIDENCE IN MEDFORD AND THE ROGUE RIVER VALLEY, and in their future, and are PREPARING FOR AN ERA OF GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT we believe close at hand.
    We believe that every resident who is a "bear" on the future of the Rogue River Valley will "go broke." No one who lives here can afford to be anything but an optimist, for only the optimist does things or gets anywhere. Life is entirely too short to indulge in pessimism.
    WE BACK OUR FAITH IN MEDFORD WITH OUR MONEY AND HAVE EVERY CONFIDENCE IN THE INVESTMENT. We are not speculators, but progressive developers. We believe the business is coming soon that will keep that big press going every hour in the day all week long and double our output--and are getting ready for that future.
    We are not vain dreamers. Our enterprise is based upon sound business judgment. That $3500 press was purchased primarily to PRINT THE FRUIT LABELS OF THE ROGUE RIVER VALLEY--to print them artistically and help keep the money at home. We want Rogue River fruit shipped around the world in boxes made in the Rogue River Valley, bearing labels printed in the Rogue River Valley. We are prepared to furnish the labels.
    We can never build up our country and community by sending for everything out of the country. No place can stand such a drain. We can never create payrolls except by patronizing the small factories and workshops we have among us and so promote their growth. We must all cooperate by patronizing home industries.
    The Medford Printing Company is striving to build up a home industry. It has installed finer equipment than can be found in any community of the size of Medford in the country, and is prepared to do any kind of printing, publishing or book making in competition with cities, at city prices. It employs the most skilled workmen and pays the highest wages in the city.
    DURING THE YEAR 1913 THE MEDFORD PRINTING COMPANY PAID OUT OVER $30,000 IN PAYROLL ALONE, AN AVERAGE OF $100 PER DAY EACH WORKING DAY IN THE YEAR. It paid $500 in taxes. It contributed heavily to the Commercial Club and to every other project for bettering the community, giving freely whenever called upon.
    THIS $100-A-DAY PAYROLL WAS ALL SPENT IN MEDFORD AND THE VALLEY. IT WAS REDISTRIBUTED AMONG MERCHANTS AND PEOPLE. How much does the Portland, San Francisco and Chicago printing house contribute to the prosperity of the community? Nothing. How much payroll do they have in Jackson  County, and how much taxes do they pay? Nothing. Then why patronize them? Why not help make our payroll $200 a day, as it would be if we got the support we should have?
    We ask your good will, your cooperation, your printing, your patronage. It means A LARGER PLANT, A BIGGER PAYROLL, A FINER NEWSPAPER. And it helps the community and incidentally yourself, as well as
COME IN AND SEE THE NEW PRESS.                      25, 27, 20 North Fir Street.
Medford Mail Tribune, February 3, 1914, page 6


    We have a $3500 press, recently installed especially for printing fruit labels. Medford Printing Co.
"Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, June 30, 1914, page 2


    If you want a lithographed fruit label instead of a printed one, see us; we are agents for Schmidt Lithograph Co.    Medford Printing Co.
"Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, July 1, 1914, page 2


Medford Mail Tribune, July 11, 1914, page 6


    We are inclined to think that politics is strenuous in these latter days, but if you will talk to some of the old timers you will find that we are mild and moderate in comparison with the political activities indulged in by our forefathers in the fifties. The Argus always referred to Asahel Bush, the editor of the Statesman, as the Ass-of-Hell Statesman. Bush always referred to the Argus as the "Air Goose." When they referred to each other they did not say the editor of the opposition sheet, but usually as "the lying blackguard and assassin of character who spreads his falsehoods through the columns of a hireling sheet."
    T. J. Dryer, editor of the Weekly Oregonian, was a member of the legislative session held at Salem in January 1859. Acrimony was not confined to the papers. In the debate in the house on January 20, Mr. Craner arose to ask which side of the bill he had voted on, adding, "I believe I voted wrong." Mr. Dryer arose and said: "I believe the gentleman crazy. I move he take my place on the insane committee."
    On the same day General Lovejoy was elected commissioner general; B. F. Bonham was elected auditor and librarian, J. D. Boon treasurer and Ahio S. Watt university land commissioner.
    Mr. Dryer voted blank on each ballot. Mr. Holmes from Polk and Tillamook arose and said: "I wish to inquire who is this Mr. Blank and where does he live?"
    Mr. Lasater of Marion County addressed the house advocating the publishing of the report of the Indian War Commission. He stated that the report of speeches of Democratic members as published in the Oregonian were false and that Dryer knew they were false, and that the editor of the Oregonian was a liar and a blackguard and that everybody knew it. T. J. Dryer arose and said if the reporter for the Oregonian has misrepresented anyone, the paper would correct it. Lasater repeated; "T. J. Dryer, the member from Multnomah, is a liar and a blackguard and everybody knows it." Dryer said: "We can settle this matter outside of the house." Lasater said: "I am ready to settle it here and now." Dryer said: "I don't care to accept a challenge from a braggart." Lasater responded: "No, you lying blackguard." Dryer picked up the heavy inkstand from his desk and threw it at Lasater's head, hitting him and covering him with ink. Lasater struck at Dryer but Dryer dodged under his fist and clinched with him. The house adjourned and members pulled the belligerents apart.
    A few minutes later, as T. J. Dryer was walking up the street with Phil Wasserman of Portland, he met B. F. Bonham, Mr. McIninch and Mr. Lasater. Here is what Mr. Dryer, the editor of the Oregonian, says in his paper of the fight. "The Statesman gives a false statement of a most cowardly, brutal, ruffianly assault, battery and gouging by a band of hireling bullies belonging to the Salem clique." He quotes the Statesman's account as follows: "About 15 minutes after the difficulty in the house, Mr. Lasater in going to his hotel encountered Mr. Dryer. Mr. Dryer made an attempt to strike him with his cane. Mr. Lasater instantly clinched and a scuffle ensued. Mr. Dryer was pretty roughly used, his face was badly bruised and cut and his eyes blackened and bunged up. Dryer cried: 'take him off,' whereupon the sergeant-of-arms of the last session took him off. It is the universal testimony of the house that he deserved all that befell him. He has been very abusive of Mr. Lasater and many others upon the floor. He has uttered his slanders as though he were without responsibility. He seemed to regard himself as a privileged libeler.'" Mr. Dryer, in commenting on the Statesman's account, says: 'Lasater seized us by the throat, at the same time planting a heavy blow, and rushed us into the door of a store where we both fell upon some shoe boxes, Lasater on top, still grasping our throat. After a few blows he inserted his thumb into our left eye and forced it almost out of its socket. We fell to the floor. Lasater seized us by the hair and attempted to gouge the other eye out. We turned over and he commenced pounding the back of our head with his fist. While this was going on, there were a number of 'things' in the shape of men whom we denounce as cowardly ruffians and dogs crowded around and prevented Mr. Wasserman, Mr. Watson and Mr. Shartle from rendering us any assistance. The only aid and comfort we had was the vociferous yells; 'Give him hell,' 'Dig his damned eyes out.' We received severe kicks in the back, sides and head while Lasater had us down pounding, choking and gouging us. The assertion of the Statesman that we struck Lasater with a cane is a falsehood--it is a lie, intended to be a lie, known to be a lie and he who utters it is a liar. This is the foulest and most deliberate and unmitigated falsehood.'
    "The Salem clique, bullies, blowers, strikers and backers, may regard it as a victory that a dozen of their able-bodied men waylaid, seized, choked, pounded, gouged and kicked a man over 50 years of age, weighing 131 pounds. They should have given us a chance to run or fight in our own way. As they would not, we acknowledge the beating. We are glad to inform our readers we are again at home.  Although wounded, we are not slain. Our beauty is somewhat marred but time will improve that. We shall now resume our editorial chair with the hope that no brutal cowardly and ruffianly assault will be made upon us till we shall again return to Salem as the 'member from Multnomah.' "
    From all of which it is evident that politics was a strenuous pursuit in the days gone.
Oregon Journal, Portland, November 1, 1914, page B4


    One of the laws enacted by the recent legislature and which becomes effective May 21 fixes the rate to be charged by newspaper for legal advertising at 65 cents per folio of 250 ems of whatever sized type the ad is set in. In 8-point type, the size most papers use, 19 ems make one line, hence the rate will be 5 cents per line each insertion. If smaller type is used there will be fewer lines with more ems in a line, but the charge will be just the same as if 8-point type was used.
"Local News," Jacksonville Post, May 19, 1917, page 3


    A. L. (Bud) Penwell of Grants Pass is in the city for a few days visiting his son, A. Penwell. He used to set type in the Medford Mail shop when that paper was printed on the old Washington hand press, and helped to get up the first special edition of that paper in Medford.
"Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, February 4, 1919, page 2


    When the publisher of the Mail Tribune of Medford, Or., let it be known recently that reputed vandals of the klan type had robbed his paper of $20 worth of Linotype spacebands, in the hope of crippling publication, the announcement brought him "plenty of fun" because practically everyone in Jackson County had a wonderful watchdog he wanted to get rid of, and he immediately got into communication by telephone with the publisher.
    One "old subscriber" had a biting canine that was a world-beater, being armed with 12 teeth six inches long. This dog was a beef-eater of the first magnitude. He was willing to sell it on easy terms.
    A physician offered his "uncivilized" hound dog for $50 and guaranteed it to tear marauders into shreds, while a rancher had a toothless canine that would "frighten away the devil" by simply opening his jaws.
    Another friend of the newspaper offered his watchdog "Goblin," which was "invisible."
    "We ordered that dog," says the paper, "but haven't seen it yet. However, the next night prowler is going to get a surprise. We will see to that."
Oregonian, Portland, August 9, 1922, page 12


    "I know what the interiors of most of the composing rooms in Oregon look like, from actual observation, and not hearsay, and accumulated a great deal of apprentice experience under R. C. Julian, whom you may remember as makeup man on the old Portland Union when it was turning out patent backs for almost every weekly in the state. Hence I qualify for the clan, at least sufficiently to rise in their behalf.
    "The tramp printer was here today, and probably somewhere else tomorrow. But he seldom left a job unfinished. He seldom left the boss till the stone was clear and every dead job distributed. There was never anything he couldn't do. There was never one of the home guard who could put up a cleaner galley in less time than the tramp. He never left a dirty case behind him, or surreptitiously tossed a handful of pi into the hellbox rather than distribute it. He took pride in his work, and he did it right.
    I remember one night when I leaned against a case, burning up with fever, and some six columns of 'personal mention' to be set before the following noon. I was a sick man, and whatever god it may be that takes care of the tourist sent one into the little town that same evening. A few words were all that was necessary. He took off his coat and went to work--and I went to bed. When 1 got up in the morning, feeling better, the six columns were up, proved and corrected, and my brother tramp admitted he was ready for some breakfast, not having had anything to eat since the morning before! That was the stuff they were made of.
    "Sure, they had their faults. They liked to travel, and many also had a constant yearning for firewater. The wanderlust burned within them, and because their trade made it possible they never hesitated to answer the call. It was only natural that they should resent the innovation of the Linotype. If someone should blossom forth with a machine guaranteed to replace the newspaper columnist he would probably utter a howl as well. But the Linotype was a necessity, which, thank heaven, a columnist is not, and the traveling printer, all reports to the contrary, did not let it put him out of business. But perhaps its fascination was equal to the fascination of the call of the road, because no one can deny the fact that the tourist is no more. But in many a country shop, in many little towns, a weary and busy printer, struggling to meet the demands of his arduous work, unable to afford the mechanical assistance of the big machines, looks sort of wistfully through the window and down the road, vainly hoping that he might see the familiar figure of one of the old guard--one of those, who, in the 'good old days,' was always on the way to lend a hand and help out the country printer whose location made permanent and efficient help an impossibility.
    "It isn't the typesticker who calls them 'the good old days.' It is the man he worked for."
W. C. Galloway, quoted by Fred Lockley, "Impressions and Observations of the Journal Man," Oregon Journal, Portland, August 18, 1923, page 4


    One of Elbert Hubbard's popular epigrams says: "Don't make excuses; make good," and since circumstances alter cases, the Clarion feels it has made good in issuing this diminutive edition when it is considered that every machine in the plant except the typewriters was put out of commission by the fire which wrecked the shop last Friday night. Linotype, presses, paper cutter, stitcher, saw trimmer, and all other machines were more or less damaged by the heat and water, the linotype being so badly injured that it was necessary to order many new parts from the manufacturing company.
    Every ounce of paper stock except a small supply of newsprint was completely spoiled, the stock cabinet burned to charcoal and the machinery and composing rooms charred, smoked and water-soaked. Six electric motors which propelled that many machines are now being repaired by Medford electricians, and other equipment which will put the plant back in good shape is now en route from San Francisco.
    The Clarion's numerous friends will be glad to learn that a new and better location has been secured on North Front Street, where it will immediately be removed and equipped bigger and better than ever.
    To get replacements and again adjusted in its new home, however, will require some time, and it will likely be necessary to issue two or three abridged editions before returning to normalcy. In the meantime, the Clarion requests the indulgence of its friends, and asks the prayers of the congregation for its enemies. They may be downhearted, but the Clarion is as chipper as a chipmunk in a big fir tree.
    The fire originated from defective wiring, electricians believe, and caught in the ceiling near the partition between the Clarion office and the E. O. Bradley auto paint shop, both of which are a part of the big white-front building on South Front Street formerly owned by H. O. Nordwick. When discovered, both the newspaper office and the paint shop were burning at a brisk rate, the paper stock in one and the paints and oils in the other making choice fuel. The fire was discovered by occupants of the Washington Rooms, the lodging and apartment house occupying the second floor of the whole building, and speedy work of the fire department extinguished what soon would have been a very disastrous fire. The alarm was given shortly after nine o'clock p.m., and the fire could not have burned very long, for there was no sign of fire noticed when the printing office was closed at about 5:30 o'clock.
    Damage to the building, the paint shop and the printing establishment was fully covered by insurance, except the paper stock and the electric wiring belonged to the Clarion Publishing Company. The paper destroyed showed a total invoice considerably larger than the stock policy covering it, and the wiring system was inadvertently left out of the policy on the equipment and machinery. At this time it is believed that the wiring system can be rehabilitated at a small expense, so that the loss, aside from the loss of time and earnings, will be small.
    The Clarion expresses appreciation to the J. W. Wakefield agency for prompt adjustment of losses.
Medford Clarion, January 11, 1924, page 1


    Miss Margaret Beatty, who so ably assisted with typesetting in the Post office two days each week, informed us Tuesday that she, with her parents, brothers and sisters, plan to leave Monday for their home at Ingomar, Mont. They have been visiting Mrs. Beatty's parents on Palmer ranch near Central Point. Miss Beatty helped pay her expenses through high school by assisting in a printing office and now plans to take a college course the same way. We wish her success.
"Personal and Otherwise," Jacksonville Post, July 18, 1924, page 2


    We received a copy of the Montague, Calif. Messenger on our desk this week, and investigation showed that W. T. Bray, formerly owner of the Jacksonville Post, is the editor and business manager of the Messenger. Editor Bray and the editor are acquaintances since before coming to Oregon, and we are pleased to welcome our old friend back into the publishing field.


    While Royal Bebb of the Mail Tribune job printing department was busily engrossed in work this forenoon a fellow worker of mean disposition slipped a dried herring into the pocket of his work apron. It should be said in explanation that it is in such aprons that printers park their chewing gum, matches, tobacco crumbs and lucky hairpins along with collections of various kinds of type and accessories.
    In a few seconds the Royal person began to plebeianly sniff and regard with suspicion all persons near or passing by, and frequently look down at his shoes and scrape his feet. No clue.
    Finally he decided the strange unearthly odor was a mental freak hangover, inasmuch as he had read until late last night some archaeological stuff describing in detail the unearthing of tombs of ancient Pharaohs of Egypt and suburbs.
    However, his nostrils still rebelling, Bebb laid aside his apron, went out into the alley and made a thorough investigation of himself. Returning, still puzzling over the odorous origin, as he picked up the apron to resume work the herring fell out, clearing up the putrid mystery.
    Thirsting for some kind of revenge Bebb went over to Al Hagen and while hypocritically asking him where he was going to attend church Easter Day transferred the herring into Al's coat pocket.
    Al was later seen sniffing about and scraping his shoes, and then hotfooting it for the great outdoors for an airing.
Medford Mail Tribune, April 3, 1931, page 4

    Drawing deeply on his old familiar pipe and casting a smile of friendliness about the Mail Tribune shop, A. B. Williams, veteran printer, completed his forty-ninth year with the trade last night and gave a short sketch of the things that have happened in the newspaper world since he entered it as a printer's devil back in 1882.
    During those forty-nine years "A.B.," as he is known to all his friends, has filled all chairs in the business from printer's devil up to editor in chief and during the less exciting moments amused himself and the public with poetry.
    "Chester A. Arthur was President of the United States when I entered the print shop in Greenville, Cal.," he said last night. "I was 14 years old and I began then my contacts with the pioneer history of California. Everything from stage coach robbings to lynchings found a place on my boyhood horizon. I worked five years in the shop of the weekly paper, then went to Utah and worked on a daily in Salt Lake for four years.
    "Those were tedious days, setting type by hand and by lamp light after midnight, for the electric lights were turned out and the lamps lighted at that hour throughout the city. I had been in the printing business 10 years when the first linotype machine came west, and that one only as far as Denver. Not one thing in this shop was known to the newspapers of that day." He glanced about the Mail Tribune shop, his eyes traveling from the hurrying linotypes to press and back to the various fixtures, which have brought the ever-necessary element of speed into the news.
    "Yes, I pied a lot of type," he admitted, "when I had to set that little stuff by hand, sometimes half a galley, sometimes a galley, and once a whole form."
    After working for four years on the daily in Salt Lake City, "A.B." started a weekly at Mt. Pleasant and ran it for eight years. He sold it and went to Richfield and started another newspaper, which he sold 10 years later to come to Medford, where he joined the staff of the old Medford Mail, predecessor of the Mail Tribune. He has been in Medford 23 years.
    During the territorial days in Utah he played an important part in the affairs of the country. He was commissioned as territorial officer by Grover Cleveland. Later, when political lines were drawn, exciting times were known and "A.B." was in on all of them,
    The most interesting campaign of his career he lists as the Bryan-McKinley presidential race. He was editing the paper then in Mt. Pleasant, Utah, where he also served. as justice of the peace.
    A.B.'s mother, Mrs. M. A. Parks. who was born on an emigrant train crossing from Illinois to California, is now living in the Sams Valley district.
    Her father was captain of the train, and during A.B.'s earliest childhood and listening to the stories of the perils and struggles conquered by the early settlers, he developed the same pioneer spirit which has kept him carrying on year after year to do more and better printing and when the day is done to grip his pipe and write another poem.
Medford Mail Tribune, June 3, 1931, page 5


Medford Mail Tribune, July 2, 1931, page 9  Click the link for a photo of Smith.


Medford Mail Tribune, July 24, 1931, page 7

    It was a very short jaunt from press to bar back in the old days when Otis Krause's father edited the Oregon Sentinel at Jacksonville, the younger Mr. Krause reminded friends last week upon his arrival in Medford from Oakland, where he is in the construction business.
    The offices of one of the oldest newspapers in the state were located above the saloon operated by Caton and Garrett, and the boys usually took several steps at a time going down. The building which housed the saloon then is now known as "Amy's Place." The stairway, with steps well worn by the thirsty typesetters, still stands, joining the upper to the lower floor, but press and bar are gone.
    While in Medford Mr. Krause called upon his former school master attorney Gus Newbury and exhibited a welt, inflicted by "Gus" in one of his first and most severe reprimanding moods. It still scars his leg.
    He also swapped yarns with Lewis Ulrich, a classmate of the old days, and visited numerous friends Medford while here. He is now visiting Crater and Diamond lakes and other Southern Oregon resorts.
Medford Mail Tribune, July 27, 1931, page 3
    Publication of the Daily News, morning newspaper, was delayed today, due to a "lockout" of union printers last night and a breakdown of the press this morning, when the edition was ready to print.
    It was expected to have the regular edition issued early this afternoon.
    The controversy with the printers has been underway since last Saturday when notices were posted that after September 1 the paper would be operated on an "open shop" basis, with a wage scale of $35 per week.
    Edward J. Pelkey of Seattle, representative of the International Typographical Union; James C. Murray, president of the local union, and L. A. Banks, publisher, had several conferences the past week, seeking an adjustment.
    Publisher Banks this morning issued the following statement:
    "Notices were posted August 15 in the back shop of the Medford Daily News, declaring that on and after September 1st the News would operate an 'open shop.'
    "A wage scale of $35 per week, to be effective after September 1st, was also posted.
    "A conference between Mr. Ed J. Pelkey, representative of the International Typographical Union, and the publisher of the Medford Daily News was held Thursday afternoon--resulting in Mr. Pelkey demanding a 'walkout' on the spot.
    "Local help was obtained to publish the Medford Daily News this morning, but upon starting the press it was found that it had been 'jimmied'--one of the rollers having been put out of order by a broken casting.
    "The latter has been repaired, and if nothing else develops, the News will be published before noon today.
    "The wage scale posted by the News is the same as is being paid in 59 cities throughout the United States, having an average population of 19,849.
    "All former employees in the back shop were permitted to remain on the News at the new wage scale, but refused to do so upon orders from Mr. Pelkey."
    James C. Murray, president of the Medford Typographical Union, issued a statement as follows:
    "Six journeymen printers and one apprentice were locked out of the Medford Daily News on Thursday, August 20.
    "This was the culmination of the declaration of the publisher, during the past year, that he intended to establish his paper on the so-called 'open shop' basis. The union printers were recently given notice that they must notify the publisher whether they desired to remain, and accept a $13 per week wage cut. Very naturally they rejected this proposal.
    "The wage reduction sought would have placed the Medford printers on the lowest wage scale of any of the 51 local unions in the Northwest, and below the wages prevailing in the industry in the United States and Canada.
    "Aside from the wage reduction, the 'open shop' demand meant that the union printers must sever their union connections, and sacrifice all old age pension, mortuary benefits and entrance to the printers' home for the aged and sick.
    "Every one of the News' former employees has families; most of them are home-owners.
    "At the request of the management, for the past six months these employees have been accepting 30 percent of their wages in due bills, and using their savings to live, with the understanding they would be paid September 1, with continued employment at the accepted wage."
Medford Mail Tribune, August 21, 1931, page 1

To the people of Medford:
    Report comes to the Daily News from a man who is willing to make an affidavit that he was offered $100 to "jim" the machinery in our mechanical department.  This is a fair sample of the policy being pursued by certain people.
    The above item appeared on the first page of the Daily News in its Sunday morning issue, and it is evident that the purport was to lead its readers to believe that "certain people" were members of the local typographical union, as it is the latest organization in Medford which the News is trying to disrupt.
    When officials of the local union interviewed L. A. Banks regarding the above item and wished to learn if the statement applied to the typographical union, Mr. Banks stated that the man who claimed he had been offered $100 to "jim" the machinery was intoxicated and that he placed no reliance in the truthfulness of the statement and would publish in the following issue a retraction or at least a modification in which the union would be exonerated. To date the News has not made the retraction, though the lying story was broadcast the length of the Pacific Slope.
    The man whom Banks described as the person who allegedly had been approached to "jim'' the News machinery is believed to be in the county jail on another charge, and an effort was made to have Mr. Banks go with the local union officials and identify the man, but so far he has declined to answer the phone andassist in the identification.
    This story adds one more myth to the inexhaustible number that the News claims are secretly attempting to undermine and ruin that publication.
    The story of the News controversy with the typographical union can be told in a nutshell. About the 15th of this month the News posted a notice in the composing room that after September 1st the wages would be $35 per week instead of $48, and that the union would not be recognized. All employees who intended to remain were requested to answer by August 20.
    E. J. Pelkey, international I.T.U. representative, was called to Medford and together with officials of the local union held a conference with L. A. Banks, who admitted he had no grievance with the local organization but wished to operate his composing room on a much cheaper basis, declining to consider any other attitude than the one he had taken. Mr. Pelkey suggested that as no satisfactory agreement could be reached and as the local printers were to be locked out September 1, that it would be best for all concerned to have the lookout effective instanter, which Mr. Banks indicated was satisfactory to him.
    As the lockout became effective immediately, no former union employees have been in the composing or press room since that date, so any intimations that machinery had been tampered with by the union workers is a silly, unfounded assertion. If the machinery has gone haywire it is chargeable to the incompetent and inexperienced workmen who succeeded the local printers.
    L. A. Banks had never intimated that the scale of wages was too high, but about seven months ago asked the employees to accept 30 percent of their salaries for the following six months in due bills payable September 1st. To this the employees agreed, and those who are locked out today are carrying from $300 to nearly $500 due bills in their pockets, patiently waiting for September 1st to arrive, hoping that then they will realize upon the sacrifices they made to assist their employer.
    The union's contention is that the scale of wages here is on a par with the scales throughout the United States and Canada, that experienced and trained union workmen at $48 per week will conduct the composing room as cheaply, if not cheaper, than a bunch of printing students can at $35 per week salary, and though Mr. Banks may never confess and the public will never know, the local union believes that the Daily News operating expenses are just beginning to soar.
    The News considers that $35 per week is sufficient salary for a craftsman who sacrificed five years of his life in serving an apprenticeship, but Mr. Banks boasts that he pays 28 fruit packers $44.25 per week, and it is asserted that the art of packing can be learned in two weeks tuition
Medford, August 28.    (Paid adv.)
Medford Mail Tribune, August 25, 1931, page 6

    The new high speed Duplex Tubular press, installed in the $75,000 expansion program of the Mail Tribune, was given a test run yesterday when the pink comic section of the Sunday morning edition was run off. Regular operation of the press will start Tuesday, September 1. Erection of the press by a factory expert was completed Tuesday.
    Installation of other mechanical equipment, including a Ludlow machine and a stereotyping outfit, has also been completed. The Mail Tribune now possesses one of the most complete mechanical departments in the state.
    As soon as the new mechanical department is in apple-pie order, the general public will be invited to see the press and other equipment in operation.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 27, 1931, page 5

    This issue of the Mail Tribune is published upon its high-speed Duplex Tubular Rotary press, which will bring to readers and advertisers faster service, clearer reading type, and all the advantages that come with modern newspaper mechanical equipment.
    The installation of the press is part of the $50,000 expansion program of the Mail Tribune. Other new and modern equipment includes a Ludlow machine, Monotype material-making machine and a complete stereotyping department and machinery and new Ludlow type faces.
    Local carpenters, electricians and workmen have been engaged for the past month erecting and providing for the new machinery. In operation, the Mail Tribune now has one of the most complete mechanical departments in the Northwest.
    Other machinery installed includes a two-speed matrix roller, plate finishing machine, water-cooled plate caster, and minor, but nonetheless important, machinery.
    With the new press, the Mail Tribune is able to print in colors, and shortly will publish its own comic strip section in that manner.
    Addition of the new machine brings a radical change in the daily construction of the Mail Tribune. Reading matter and advertising, as of old, is assembled in forms, but there the similarity ends.
    The forms are "justified," after which they are placed in the matrix-making machine. This powerful contrivance, weighing 7,500 pounds, exerts a pressure of 30 tons to the square inch. A "form" of type is placed in the machine, and the "mat" emerges 30 seconds later, with the entire page deeply impressed on the surface.
    The "mat" is then curved upon an electrically heated cylinder known as "the scorcher," which dries every particle of moisture in the mat. This completed, the curved mat is placed in the plate caster, metal heated to between 600 and 700 degrees is poured into the caster, making a cylindrical plate, on which the type and advertisements stand out in bold relief.
    This process over, the plate is placed on the plate finishing machine, and made ready for the press cylinders. The ends and sides are beveled and the center bored. Accuracy down to the thousandth part of an inch is required in order to fit perfectly the press cylinders.
    The plates are now placed on the press and adjusted and tightened.
    Once in operation, the press grinds out 30,000 copies per hour, neatly folded and counted in piles of 50. Sixteen pages can be printed at a time, and provisions are made for the addition of units to the press, if necessary, for larger editions.
    The press, at full speed, makes less noise than an alarm clock, and is a marvel of cogs and rollers, and mechanical accuracy.
    As soon as the mechanical department is made tidy, the general public, civic organizations and school children will be invited to call and see the Duplex press in operation.
    Installation of the press and other mechanical equipment has been under the general supervision of Ernest R. Gilstrap of Eugene and Medford, with Charles F. Young of Battle Creek, Mich., an expert press erector. W. O. Fillinger of Glendale, Cal., Duplex pressman and stereotyper, who assisted, will have charge in the future.
Medford Mail Tribune, September 1, 1931, page 1

    A pathetic sight in the press room of the newly and modernly machine- and type-equipped mechanical department of the Mail Tribune is the old Duplex flatbed press on which this newspaper has been printed for twenty or more years past, now lying mutely idle beside her big and lusty up-to-date younger brother, over twice her size--the new rotary high-speed press, which began functioning this week.
    What a tale this discarded duplex press, familiarly known to her intimates of this newspaper staff as Old Betsy, could proudly tell of the efficient part she has taken in Medford's progress from a large, ambitious town twenty years ago, to the modern, bustling, still fast growing and ambitious city of about 12,000 of today.
    A sacrifice to the progress of the Mail Tribune and city, it is not yet known just what her fate will be, just where she will be sold, except that the next move in that fate will be to undergo dismantling for shipment to whatever place the purchaser designates. But Old Betsy patiently and bravely faces that fate. Perhaps she is ruminating on those lines of the poet:
    There are many persons who have resided in the upper floor apartments of the Mail Tribune in years gone by who would make no bones of saying where they would like to see the old press go. In fact they have many times in the past consigned Old Betsy to such a place early Sunday mornings when her rumblings shook the building and prevented further sleep, or on afternoons when trying to take a nap while the press was at work.
    Pathetic sight--really pathetic. Why some of the old timers of this newspaper, who are familiar with Betsy's sterling ability and idiosyncracies through long association of years, can almost see tears dripping from her instead of oil, notably when Dave Griffiths, her valet and operator for the past dozen or more years, is standing near. She seems to be mutely pleading for some further attention from him.
    And Dave, who is usually about as affectionate during business hours as a peeved rattlesnake, has been observed while passing by to sneakingly give the old press a resounding whack, which to him is an expression of affection, and heard him softly exclaiming, "Wake up, old girl."
    Also, the wonders of the new press do not prevent Dick Greene, assistant pressman to Dave for years, from sneaking in a love pat occasionally for Betsy, when no one is looking.
    Such is progress. Old Betsy is too slow and temperamental for a modern newspaper plant, but as things go has many years of usefulness yet ahead of her in some location where speed and modern printing presswork is not required.
    Sterling patient Old Betsy is raring to go, but has yet no place to go. Standing idle and ruminating over past glories, she feels only half there--sort of moronlike, perhaps the line of that snappy verse, author unknown, are revolving through her mind:
    Yes, Old Betsy could tell a well worthwhile story of the progress of Medford, the county, state, nation, and world during the past twenty years, in which time off her heaving bosom came the daily social and court news, crime events, marriages, deaths, births, wars and war scares, disasters, ambitions, disputes, growth, business changes, and whatnot. 
    Old Betsy was and is still a good old soul--has always done her level best, and it is the wish of the Mail Tribune staff that her declining years be full of peace and good cheer.
    And wherever she goes, it would be an act of kindness to have either her old handler, Dave Griffiths, or possibly A. F. Stennett or A. B. Williams, with whom she has been closely associated for many years, visit her at least once a year, wish her well, and tell her the latest gossip of the old home town. It would do her creaking joints a lot of good.
    Old Betsy--Whatta press!
Medford Mail Tribune, September 4, 1931, page 6


    The canard in circulation last Tuesday that the two Medford units of the Oregon National Guard had been ordered to mobilize for duty in the Chinese war zone rose through a practical joke played on Johnny Yzunza, apprentice in the Mail Tribune composing room, and custodian extraordinary of the editorial office floors and waste baskets.
    While Mr. Yzunza, since whose advent in this newspaper plant the old-time printers have ceased swearing, they finding that a rapid attempt to utter Johnny's last name quickly is more efficacious than the average cuss words, was out on an errand that day, an office wag, knowing that he was a member of the Headquarters Company unit of the city, prepared to give him a scare.
    It worked, and Johnny's Spanish blood is still boiling.
    The wag caused to be printed in large type a banner saying, "Local National Guardsmen Called Out for Service in the Chinese-Japanese War."
    On his return, Johnny took one glance at the banner, turned pale and rushed home to tell his mother the dire news, pack up his things, bid her goodbye and report for duty at the armory. En route home he spread the news rapidly.
    In ten minutes the report was in circulation all over the city that the National Guard had been called out to duty, and most everyone believed it and got busy giving a faster circulation. One business man told a reporter late that afternoon in all earnestness that "our boys have just been called out for service in China against the Japanese army."
    Johnny remained on the string until he returned to the Mail Tribune plant to bid the personnel there goodbye, and to save the local populace having an undue scare was told that the banner was a joke.
    The rapid circulation of the false rumor and the general tendency to believe it shows that the local public is much concerned in the trouble between the Chinese and Japanese nations, and is eagerly watching all developments from day to day.
Medford Mail Tribune, February 4, 1932, page 7


    Although he is celebrating today the 50th anniversary of his entry in the newspaper trade, A. B. Williams, veteran poet and master printer, is taking no holiday, but continuing with his duties in the Mail Tribune shop with the same industry and care which have characterized his work down through the years.
    With lips clamped tightly upon his friendly pipe, he admitted this afternoon that he had planned a printers' party for tonight in honor of the occasion, but something interfered. He will therefore confine his reminiscences to poetical expression.
    Mr. Williams was just 14 years old when he entered a print shop in Greenville, Cal., as printer's devil. Twenty-four years ago he began his work in Medford with A. S. Bliton, then editor of the Morning Mail, and has continued with the same newspaper through its change of names and ownership down to the present day, with the exception of one year spent in Reno.
    Before coming to Medford he spent four years in Salt Lake City, several in Colorado and for 18 years ran newspapers of his own, establishing one in Mt. Pleasant, Utah, in 1891 and another in Richfield, Utah, in 1898. While editor of the first he was also justice of the peace for the town and married seven couples.
    He entered matrimony himself in 1894 in Chester, Utah, and will celebrate with Mrs. Williams their 38th anniversary next August. Their three children, Mrs. A. D. Hess, Leo B. Williams and Helen Williams, are also residents of Medford and Mr. Williams' mother, Mrs. M. A. Parks, a California pioneer, is now making her home in the Sams Valley district.
Medford Mail Tribune, June 2, 1932, page 5


Medford Mail Tribune, June 2, 1932, page 5


    A party of approximately one hundred printers, their wives and families of Medford and Klamath Falls, gathered at Lake o' the Woods yesterday for their annual picnic, for which the Klamath union was hosts.
    The day's program included swimming, boating, dancing and a baseball game, which the local group won, 8 to 0.
    James Murray and A. F. Stennett were local members of the committee on arrangements.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 1, 1932, page 1


    James William Young, who died September 21, 1932, was born in Dublin, Ireland, January 10, 1880, and for the past fifteen years has been a well-known resident of Jackson County, Oregon; first residing at Ashland and later moving to Medford, where he has lived for ten years.
    Mr. Young was a member of the Typographical Union and Knights of Columbus and during his lifetime took a prominent part in the affairs of each organization and made numerous friends who have been saddened by his unexpected and untimely death,
    Mr. Young married Miss Clara Arnold February 8, 1910. His widow and three sons, Dougal, Arnold and Walter, survive him. Dougal is at the University of Oregon, where he is enrolled as a student in the art department.
    As one of the owners of the Medford Daily News, under its former management, Mr. Young became best known in Medford. He was a champion of the best in civil government and an advocate of human rights. He was sympathetic and sincere and took great pleasure in assisting his fellow men.
    After retiring from the journalistic field he became impressed with the future of Medford and the Rogue River Valley, and invested his earnings in real estate, being the designer and builder of a group of dwellings on Park Street in Medford which have been a model of beauty and convenience to those who have followed in the construction of residence buildings in this city.
    Mr. Young had many friends, some of whom saw him daily and who took inspiration and encouragement from his affability. He had a keen sense of humor and in periods of depression stimulated those with whom he came in contact by his ability to smile and laugh. He was often the source of consolation to those who were depressed and was always welcome in any group or gathering.
    At the age of eleven years he was left fatherless and in spite of the insistence of his mother, Mary J. Young, that he remain in school, he decided that his duty was to his mother and the other members of her family, and at that immature age he determined to be of assistance to those who had been left alone. His first undertaking was in a small job printing office. On account of his youth and his size it was necessary that he stand upon a pile of firewood under the case in order that he might reach the type which it was his work to set for printing. Soon after he was placed in charge of this office and for three years remained at that work, when he moved to a larger town, where he remained for a short time. At this point he realized that experience was necessary and he moved to a larger field, a city of 60,000 inhabitants, where he obtained employment and remained for five years.
    Through the illness of a younger brother and in a spirit of sacrifice he moved to California, leaving his home and friends to go among strangers and into a new field. For a time his brother's health improved, but no medical science nor environment could check the progress of his brother's malady and the brother was returned to his home in Calgary, Canada. To me Mr. Young expressed his feelings at the parting of his brother, whom he never saw again alive, and this is what he said: "Sick at heart and homesick, I left San Francisco and wandered around for several weeks, visiting many cities, and always trying to forget.
    "It was impossible to forget the loss of a beloved brother taken away in a time of youth. I returned to my home to meet the poor bereaved mother and grief-stricken sister and to try to keep a smiling face and comfort them with the love that can only be given by a son to his mother."
    In April, 1905, he began to work in the job department of one of the leading newspapers in Calgary, Canada. Not satisfied with being an employee, it was his ambition to engage in business for himself, and in a modest way he commenced business in that city. Through his energy, ability, and fair dealing his venture prospered and later became one of the largest of its kind in that territory. During the remainder of his life his field enlarged and he became more prosperous, all of his success resulting from close attention to business, fair dealing with his customers, and sincerity of purpose. He thought highly of the promises he made and kept them faithfully, and due to these fine qualities made many sincere friends and admirers.
    In speaking of his standard in business, he recently said to me: "Fair dealing to every customer, special attention to details and neatness, and what is more important, promptness in keeping promises and appointments are rules certain to win. Fortunately in my youth I met men who followed these principles. I was impressed with their success. I have always felt that the motto, 'Live and let live' was worthy of emulation, and I have felt that one who lives up to these principles is doing his duty to God and man.
    "I have found that trouble and difficulties make the various types of men I have met during my lifetime. Some go under without a struggle; others make a half-hearted attempt to fight their way through, while a few, and I am sorry to say that it is only a few, shoulder their difficulties, fight their way through, and use their various trials and adversities as stepping stones to better conditions and success."
    In the death of "Jimmie" Young Medford and its people have lost a good citizen and sincere friend. He was generous in his disagreement with others, he was considerate of their opinions, he admired truth and sincerity, he rejoiced in the prosperity of others, left no enemies and many friends.
Medford Mail Tribune, October 2, 1932, page 8


    As these pages in today's Mail Tribune are dedicated to Medford Typographical Union, No. 550, the writer considers it appropriate to embellish them with a brief historical sketch of the local union, believing that such an article will prove informative and of some interest to a majority of its readers.
    It was in the autumn of 1908 that the few journeymen printers in Medford and Ashland assembled in joint meeting to discuss the feasibility of organizing a local unit of the International Typographical Union, so that they could unitedly urge the adoption of a uniform wage scale, regulate the number of working hours per day, and have other rules and regulations for the betterment of the craft, and the employers as well.
    Application was made for a charter, and on December 1, 1908, Medford-Ashland Typographical Union, No. 559, was instituted with the following twelve members upon the charter:
    L. E. Whiting, president; Maude M. Hockenyos, secretary; H. L. Young, Geo. R. Morrison, James D. Fay, Arthur Jackson, A. B. Williams, L. J. Butterfield, A. E. Powell, all of Medford; Jerry Hegardty, John Loughlin and S. L. Burton of Ashland.
    Of these twelve whose names were engrossed upon that charter twenty-four years ago, Mrs. Hockenyos and A. B. Williams are still residents of Medford, John Loughlin operates a job office in Ashland, A. B. Powell is publisher of the Central Point American, L. E. Whiting is with the Oregonian, H. L. Young with the Portland Telegram, Fay is dead, and the whereabouts of the other five are unknown to the writer.
    The local union from its inception had but little difficulty in establishing wage agreements with the employers of Medford and Ashland, and ordinarily when new contracts were promulgated and finally consummated, both union and master printers exhibited equal fairness in the discussion, and negotiations generally concluded with but little friction. The only difficulty of any consequence the local has encountered during its existence was in August, 1931, when the Daily News abrogated the unexpired contract of the News Publishing Co. and gave notice of $13.00 per week reduction in salaries of all journeymen. The union considered the action a lockout, and since that date no members of our organization have worked in that shop.
    In 1909, the year following the organization of the local union, the members' earning power was $11,600, but as the years rolled on business continued to multiply, wages augmented from time to time, naturally the membership grew with the movement, and today there are 38 journeymen upon the membership roll whose earning power reached the peak in 1930--$77,225.00. Since 1930, owing to the general depression, there has been considerable decline in printing output, accompanied by a reduction in salaries to keep step with the trend of times, but nevertheless, regardless of these conditions, investigation will justify the assertion that the payrolls of union-operated printing concerns provide one of the most substantial sources of all-year revenue that Medford can boast of from a manufacturing point of view.
    Of the thirty-eight members of the local union thirty-two are married and have families; of the remaining six members two are mainstays of families, giving the organization thirty-four families to be provided for through the channels of the printing industry of this valley. With an exception, possibly in three or four instances, all these families own their homes and some are fairly heavy taxpayers.
    Four of our members, being old and incapacitated, are on the International Union pension roll, and each receives an income of $8.00 per week. Every four weeks the local secretary passes out international union checks to these four members in the sum of $128.00. One of these members has been on the pension roll since 1924 and to date has been paid through the local secretary the total sum of $3,552.00.
    The band of non-union printers who infest the Pacific Slope are long on instability and very short on ability, and watch for an opportunity to break into an organized shop at a time when there is a disagreement between proprietors and employees. They are, ordinarily, persons without family obligations, of a roving inclination, and never intend to become permanent residents of any particular community. Their main desire is to disrupt the typographical union, cut the wages to a meager existence, and then move on to another field of operation. When they have passed on the local merchant, in many instances, finds he has suffered more than he has profited from their patronage
    On the other hand, to illustrate the type of men who constitute the local union, we shall mention the names of several who have been holding situations in Medford ten years or longer.
    A. B. Williams, resident almost a quarter of a century, and with the exception of a short interval has worked continuously for the same corporation.
    A. P. Stennett, 23 years a resident, holding same position 22 consecutive years.
    J. A. Manke, 21 years as Linotype operator for one concern.
    J. C. Murray, 17 years as Linotype operator for same company.
    K. F. Murray, 17 years in Medford, and 13 years on present job.
    R. E. Bebb, raised in the valley, and 11 years with present employer.
    A. J. Klocker, 10 years in Medford, and now owner of Klocker Printery.
    T. R. Leonard, learned his trade in Medford, and now associated with Marshall-Smith-Leonard Co., Inc.
    W. B. Rowley, 11 years in Medford, voluntarily retired from mechanical work four years ago, but still the most ardent worker for the cause of unionism in the organization, and it was through his solicitation that the two pages of advertisements and the information [in today's Mail Tribune] were made possible.
    M. L. McCoy, in the valley 10 years, with present company eight years.
    And there are others who have been with the same concern five, six and seven years. In fact, with the exception of two recent arrivals, all local members have been residents not less than four years.
    The length of service above mentioned is indicative that our members are competent workmen, steady and reliable, and are giving continued satisfaction to their employers.
    There are four printing establishments in Medford that are employers of union labor and have the use of the union label. They are: Medford Printing Co., publishers of the Daily Mail Tribune, Mail Tribune Job Department, Klocker Printery and Marshall-Smith-Leonard, Inc. The three last-named concerns are fully equipped to handle everything in the line of commercial printing and we, as a union, whose local membership are 100 percent Medford buyers, urge business men who depend upon home people for their patronage to do unto others as others do unto them--or in other words scratch the back of the man who scratches your back. Remember this: Every time you spend a dollar for mail order printing, or in fact for anything else that you can buy at home, you are kissing that money an everlasting goodbye--putting it entirely out of local circulation--because there can be no exchange of wares, as you have nothing the receiver wants--but money. On the other hand, keep it at home by spending it with local concerns, and it will return to you at least once a month, each time with more profit than you saved in the one instance when you banished it from the community.
    Patronize the institutions that pay substantial salaries to their employees, affording them the opportunity to buy the necessities and luxuries of life, making the best class of customers a merchant can have. Make everlasting patrons out of the printing fraternity by demanding the union label on all your printing. The request for the label and receiving it is an assurance that living wages are being paid the producers and that you are willing to cooperate with your everyday customers.
    And in conclusion we wish it understood that these union-operated establishments have many other employees besides union printers. In the job shops there are pressmen, feeders, folders, binders, bookkeepers, solicitors, managers, etc.
    On newspapers are managers, editors, reporters, advertising solicitors, circulators, bookkeepers, pressmen, stereotypers, apprentices, carriers, etc. In fact the payroll to the employees in these branches is considerable in excess of the amount received by the compositors, but it all circulates in Medford along with the printers' income.
    Remember the four shops that carry the union label and keep your dollars constantly rolling around in Medford. It will go a long ways towards curing the present depression.
Medford Mail Tribune, December 4, 1932, page 5


    With eighteen years of continuous printing, the Klocker Printery holds the distinction of being the oldest commercial printing plant under the same name and management in Medford.
    Since the early history of the city, South Central has been the home of printing. A. S. Bliton established his newspaper in the Halley block in 1893. In 1909 he disposed of his plant. George Putnam being the ultimate buyer. By the time the Putnam paper had removed to the west side, Russell Evans had established a job shop on South Central. In 1914 this shop was sold to Schrack & Klocker. One year later, Mr. Schrack moved to Portland, selling his interest to Mrs. Klocker. Since then The Klocker Printery has expanded and served the commercial interests of Medford without change of name or ownership.
Medford Mail Tribune, December 4, 1932, page 5


    S. Sumpter Smith, veteran newspaper publisher, is head of the Mail Tribune commercial printing department, "The Home of Distinctive Printing Since 1892," located at 28-30 North Grape Street. This shop is modernly equipped to do all kinds of commercial printing. The "Red Fez," Hillah Temple's official Shrine paper, Medford Hi-Times, The Copco Forum, The Jacksonville Miner and many programs and pamphlets are printed in this modern pliant.
    All kinds of duplicate and triplicate sales books, endless forms for various makes of registers, ledger sheets and statements of all kinds of bookkeeping machines, blank books, county, city, corporations and business forms of all kinds, calendars, blotters, fancy stationery, etc. are products of this plant. In fact every want in the printing line can be supplied by this up-to-the-minute plant.
    Al Hagen is the superintendent of the plant, which employs ten people, more than any other job plant in this part of the state.
Medford Mail Tribune, December 4, 1932, page 5


    Marshall-Smith-Leonard, Inc., printers, located at the corner of Main and Grape streets, have been in business in Medford for five years. The firm does all kinds of commercial printing and have the only ruling machine in Medford. The firm, which employs 5 men, is composed of the following members: Joe Marshall, Justin B. Smith and T. R. Leonard.
Medford Mail Tribune, December 4, 1932, page 5


    Arthur Benjamin Williams was born in Long Valley, Lassen County, Cal., Nov. 10, 1867. He attended school in Greenville, Plumas County, until he was 14 years of age, when he gave up school and went to work in the office of the Greenville Bulletin, where he worked for a number of years, later going to Salt Lake City and worked on the Salt Lake Tribune.
    He then went to Grand Junction and worked on a daily paper in that city for a time, then returned to Salt Lake City, where he worked again on the Tribune. Later he went to Mt. Pleasant, Utah, establishing a weekly newspaper that he called the Mt. Pleasant Pyramid. His health failed him and he sold his newspaper, but went to Richfield, Utah, and started another weekly, calling it the Richfield Reaper.
    He started in with a job press, making a four-page paper, 10x14. In eight years he had paid $4000, equipped his office with a modern typesetting machine and electric press, putting out a 16-page regular paper, with a circulation of 1500.
    During this time his health was not good, but by sheer pluck and willpower he gave all his energy to his paper, community and family. In 1908 he sold his paper and came to Medford and went to work on the Medford Sun as night editor, later going to Reno, Nev., but after a year in that city he returned to Medford and resumed work on the Medford Mail, now the Medford Mail Tribune, where he remained until three weeks ago when a spell of flu forced him to bed.
    He was removed to the Sacred Heart Hospital ten days ago when pleuropneumonia with chronic complications developed, making it impossible for him to overcomes the disease. He passed away at 7:30 Saturday night.
    He made friends wherever he was, owing to his congenial and charitable nature, and no one asked for a helping hand that he did not cheerfully respond. He was a staunch believer in his community and its organizations.
    He was a faithful Odd Fellow for about 40 years, and the local organization will have charge of the funeral. The body will be cared for by Conger Funeral Home and the funeral held in the chapel of the same place on Wednesday, July 5, at 4 p.m., Rev. A. J. Hanby officiating. Interment in the Circle at the I.O.O.F. cemetery.
    Besides his widow, he leaves to mourn his loss one son, Leo B. Williams; two daughters, Mrs. A. B. Hess and Miss Helen Williams; three grandchildren, Gloria and Hugh Williams and little Billie Hess; three brothers and four sisters, four of whom at present live at Beagle, C. R and J. H. Williams, Mrs. R. H. Seegmiller and Mrs. R. E. Boyles; also his aged mother, who is 83 years old, and a cousin, who was his companion from boyhood, E. N. Day of Edgewood, Cal. 
Medford Mail Tribune, July 3, 1933, page 6  See Williams' 1908 letter.


    This week the Miner will realize an ambition cherished since its birth in Jacksonville more than two years ago. The paper has ordered equipment sufficient to produce the paper in its own plant here in Jacksonville, and erection of a new Intertype typesetting machine, presses, type cabinets and other machinery is expected to start by Monday morning, with a public opening scheduled for sometime next week, according to present plans.
    The acquisition of independent equipment comes simultaneously with the addition of a new staff member, J. W. Peckham, who took up duties of business manager for the paper early this week. Mr. Peckham, who hails from near Manhattan, Kansas, became interested in Oregon and the Miner some months ago, and his arrival late last week made the present improvement in the paper's status possible. Mr. Peckham has been identified with the newspaper business for some years and comes here with highest recommendations, assuming a junior interest in the paper.
    Heretofore the Miner has been printed in Medford shops, although mechanical phases of its production were handled by the staff itself, but starting next week the paper will maintain its own plant in Jacksonville, located in the Toft estate property next door to Coleman's hardware and until recently occupied by Frank Zell, antique dealer. Lease has been taken on the building, which will afford one of the best business locations in the city, and present plans include the composition of next week's paper in this city on Miner-owned equipment.
    The Miner started as a small four-column, four-page weekly January 1, 1932, has grown by degrees till it has reached the full-length, seven-column proportion of the standard weekly. Next week will mark the entry of the paper into the job printing branch of the industry, equipment for that phase being ordered also.
    Journalistically, the Miner will divorce Jacksonville and this side of the county from any dependence on other printing plants, and will give this city a new business house and tenant for the downtown section.
    Definite opening date announcements will be carried in next week's edition. Meanwhile, all readers are invited to drop into the new building at any time and inspect equipment being installed, and to become acquainted with the Kansan who has cast his lot with Jacksonville and the red-headed newspaper.
Jacksonville Miner, February 23, 1934, page 1  The Miner was printed on pink newsprint.


    Open house, to introduce the new Jacksonville Miner plant to Southern Oregonians, will be held one week from tomorrow, Saturday, March 10. At that time every department of the new shop is expected to be in smooth operation and an interesting exhibit of both newspaper and commercial printing will be prepared for visitors.
    Coming as a companion move to the addition of J. W. Peckham to the staff as business manager, the Miner has launched into the assembling of a complete newspaper and job printing office located in Jacksonville next door to Coleman's hardware in the old K. Kubli building, until recently occupied by Frank Zell and his antique shop. It will add another new business establishment to this city's main street, and will facilitate greatly the handling of more news and display advertising through the Miner office, as well as place printing equipment at the disposal of residents of this section. It has been a number of years since Jacksonville has supported a newspaper plant, and the Miner, after two years of being printed in Medford, has reached that stage of development which justifies an entirely independent shop of its own.
    Already a factory-rebuilt Intertype linecasting machine has been installed, and this week's news matter has been composed on this unit. A new selection of type faces for the Intertype, and for hand-set display, has been made, and all this new equipment is ready for use this week. A power saw, capable of cutting and trimming metal slugs, has been installed, as have been cases, type, stones, counters and everything but two presses, which have been purchased and which will be moved to Jacksonville over the weekend. Next week's Miner will be a product of the Jacksonville plant in its entirety, and next weekend doors will be thrown open in a formal invitation to all residents of the county to inspect the plant and see for themselves how their names are misspelled and how "the" comes out to be "hte" when the paper is delivered.
    This week the Miner is carrying a special section of editorial writeups of Medford business and professional men who are cooperating in launching the paper on a safe course, while next week, when Miner staff members will have the agonies of moving and installations behind them, a special edition will be printed and distributed.
    In the meantime, visitors are welcomed at the shop at any hour. Inverted nail kegs and the customary box of sawdust will be provided soon as possible.
Jacksonville Miner, March 2, 1934, page 1


Pardon Us While We Comb the Press and Type Out of Our Hair
    For more than a week stark drammer has been enacted in the long storeroom in the old K. Kubli building in Jacksonville, for a new printing plant is in the worst throes of being assembled and pressed into service.
    Parts of printing presses, wiring, gas lines, switches, type cases, cabinets, saws, hammers, nails, machinists, freight, insurance and general hysteria have added themselves to the regular docile tasks of getting out a weekly newspaper, and pages of the Miner this week undoubtedly will reflect the upheaval in the tranquil job of newsgathering.
    As an apology, the staff of the Miner asks your tolerance this week and promises that when the new plant is running smoothly the paper will see a better day, editorially and from a news standpoint, than ever before in its short history.
    So if you see greasy, disheveled boys running around Jacksonville with a wad of wrenches, parts, wires, string and pink paper under their arms, you will know why the Miner is having labor pains this week.
    We'll be seeing you-all about a week from Saturday.
Jacksonville Miner, March 2, 1934, page 1


    How do you like our new dress? The Miner appears this week set in a new typeface--the Intertype Ideal News series.
    This face was selected for the new Miner plant only after a careful examination of the various typefaces now on the market because of its clearness and legibility.
    As the trend in modern life today is speed--results--the type of a modern newspaper must permit the reader to "read as he runs" with the least effort and eyestrain. Optical principles should be given first consideration. That was the object in designing the new Ideal News face which we have adopted. Hairlines have been increased so that the letters stand out full and clear, resulting in a typeface that is really a comfort to the eye.
    We would like to have an expression from Miner readers as to how you like our new dress.
Jacksonville Miner, March 2, 1934, page 1


    Looking up at the sound of the opening of our office door we were confronted the other day with Leonard Hall and his new partner. We instinctively reached for a side-stick, but found the visitors had called in a friendly spirit. Mr. Hall and his new partner were merely looking about the valley and getting acquainted. They are preparing to install a new plant of their own in Jacksonville.
    Hall says he is getting tired of so much night work and hopes to get caught up on some sleep now. Maybe he will be awake by the time the primary campaign gets going.--Art (hic) Powell in the Central Point American.
    Editor's Note--A side-stick is a piece of steel about two feet in length and long recognized as final authority in any print shop quarrel.
Jacksonville Miner, March 2, 1934, page 1


    No. 4 Photo Quiz [September 4, 1958]--the picture of A. S. Bliton was when he was editor of the Medford Mail. It has always been by that name, never Southern Oregon Mail. [It was indeed briefly named the Southern Oregon Mail before Bliton bought it in 1893.] I was a typesetter for the paper around that time.
"Communications," Medford Mail Tribune, September 16, 1958, page 4


    "One of the best 'make-up' men I ever had" is the way Clara Trefren Davis is described by Amos Voorhies, publisher these past 65 years of the Courier, as he gave an approving glance at the picture of his erstwhile circulation agent-county correspondent-and composing room make-up "man" now turned grocer out at Hugo.
    Clara Trefren Davis, 73, who stepped into the thinning ranks of Courier printers as they answered the call to duty in World War I seems to have always had a way of stepping into a breach and taking hold--in print shops named among the earliest in Josephine County, the Courier's, and later in two successful general store ventures…in the second of which, out at Hugo, she's had the "say" now for more than a decade.
    She was only 17 when she started hand-set printing for the old Oregon Mining Journal, and she "went along with the deal" when the Journal changed to the Pacific Outlook, staying on to move with the fonts of type and the hand press when it moved into the Hoffman Building, and still later, as it became the Oregon Observer--which by then was being printed in the Courier press room.
     That's how the Courier got her--and they kept her. Clara could do just about anything that had to be done around the place…either in the "back shop" or out front. For a change in pace she took over the thankless task of straightening out the country subscription lists for the paper; a job which got her out of the print shop and onto the dusty (or muddy) roads of Josephine County. As she brought back the "straightened lists" she began to bring along a story or two that she had heard along the way along with countless little news items of the county's country happenings.
    Soon those country gleanings were even more valuable to the paper than the work she had started out to do on the subscriber lists, so Clara continued as "Country Editor." For this she made hard use of a Model T, then in Henry's next model, and finally in a station wagon, which she's had now these past 18 years.
    As World War I drained off men from the printing department, Clara spent more and more time helping out over on the makeup bench--the "stone" as printers call it. As another, and yet another, left for duty, the shop foreman broached the idea to Mrs. Davis.
    "Why not, you're doing most of the makeup now, as it is, you'd do all right on the makeup regularly."
    Mrs. Davis demurred--somehow a woman doing the makeup on a daily newspaper or as a regular thing seemed just a bit too bold a move for her to consider. Finally the shop foreman took matters into his own hands and bid the job for her, a proposal which was immediately accepted by the "boss." Thus, when the berth was offered to her, without her even seeking it, she consented to try it as a regular thing.
    The "tryout" lasted 10 years and terminated only when she pleaded for release from a task she felt was becoming too heavy with the step up in newspaper services.
    Mrs. Davis's family, the Trefrens, came west in 1890 from Nebraska, where she was born March 18, 1886. They settled into the "home place" as they still call it, out on Highland Avenue, but which was then known as the Merlin Road, and which was then the only route to Merlin. Four or five other families, several of them close kin to the Trefrens, took home sites to either side.
    That was then (and still is) a fair distance from the center of town. But if it was, the girl, Clara, didn't know it.
    One of the most exciting days she recalls out of her young years was the Fourth of July "way back" when there was an especially fine card of "bike races" at the old bicycle tract, located then way down Sixth Street towards the river.
    Clara and her younger brother and others of the neighborhood walked briskly into town for the morning races; home for noonday dinner, back to town for the special events of that glorious Fourth; home again for supper; and naturally, back again later that evening for the wonderful fireworks.
    Mrs. Davis' comments of this long-ago Fourth of July and its strenuous activity were summed up with one final apt accent to a pattern which has keynoted the entire life of this busy woman. "Why, I just always kept going--just refused to stop or be sick. Now I guess it's kind of become a habit."
Grants Pass Daily Courier, April 2, 1960, page 29
Last revised November 20, 2024